nba.1stefan,
Dakle, košarka je jedini sport koji je dobio dve teme. Razlozi leže u
specifičnosti NBA košarke, mnoštvu informacija i statistika koje nju prate
kao i u tome što ima ljudi koji imaju jako lepo ili jako loše mišljenje o
njoj. Sada vam više niko neće zanovetati da šaljete mnogo tabela i
statistika ;)
nba.2junior,
Evo, da prenesem jednu poruku iz stare, dobre grupe ;)
Pa ako neko oće da da komentar ... ako ga ne mrzi da čita ;)
Kol'ko sam provalio, najzanimljiviji je bio prelazak Tim
Hardwaya iz GS-a u Miami. Izgleda da su oba tima dobila tim
trade-om. Tim se nikako nije slagao sa ostatkom tima GS-a, i
sad je GS konačno dobio jednog vođu, tj. Sprivel zna da je
glavni ... a Majami koliko je dobio smešno je i pričati. Sad su
otvorili i spoljnu liniju (Corbin i Tim) te Alonzo ne mora
svaku akciju sam da završava, već može da vrati loptu šuterima.
Uz to, Rayli je dolaskom Walt Williamsa i Chrisa Gatlinga,
dobio na onome što najviše voli - odbrani. Obojica su strvine,
i mogu da izdrže jak tempo Raylijevih treninga, što Kevin
Willis i Billy Owens nikako nisu mogli. Uz to, čuo sam da je
Owens tražio veliku lovu za produženje ugovora (jer mu ističe
uskoro), a pošto celokupna klupska blagajna ide za finansiranje
Alonza ;) morali su da puste inače odličnog Owensa. Međutim, ni
to ne pomaže Sacramentu, koji je puko već 10-ti meč zaredom ;(
Od ostalih, meni interesantnih tradova, je posebno zanimljiv
dolazak Sharona Wrighta u Toronto. Dečko jeste odličan, neko
kao on nam je stvarno trebao - centar, a može da igra i
četvorku, svakako će dobro upotpuniti sastav Toronta i pojačati
odbranu. On i Carlos zajedno, nadam se da će biti nepremostiva
prepreka za ostale... Ali gde je nastao problem? U bekovima...
Za Sharona smo dali 2 igrača (Tony Massenburga i Ed Pickneya) +
pick na sledećem draftu. Ne znam koliko nam se to isplatilo,
pogotovo zato što je Sharon igrao vrlo malo ove sezone - često
se povređuje ... ;(
Tu je takođe još jedan novi igrač, koji svakako zaslužuje
ulazak u prvu petorku - Doug Christie. Talenat, bio je odličan
dok nije došao u New York. A tu se jednostavno nije uklopio u
koncepciju Raylijevog tima ... šteta. ;( No, sad je u Torontu,
imaće šansu da prikaže svoj raskošni talenat, verovatno,
startujući iz prve petorke ...
Ali kao utisak čitave ove nedelje, koji je zasenio sve ove
trade-ove razmene, poraz Čikaga od Majamija, poraz Indijane od
Orlanda, ... izdvajam jednu komentar Olivera Millera, nakon
utakmice sa Detroitom:
"We really wanted this one for Isiah," Miller said. "We just
got off to a slow start in the third quarter. That can't go
on. If we can just get on a roll, we can put fear in people's
eyes for that eighth playoff spot. All we have to do is just
play like we're capable of."
Sa naglaskom na ovaj deo:
>If we can just get on a roll, we can put fear in people's eyes
>for that eighth playoff spot.
:))))
Dečko ima bujnu maštu, zar ne?
Pozdrav, jr.
nba.3nick,
Sad bi bas bilo zgodno da se ovde ponovo mogu naci oni
iscrpni izvestaji i tabele koje je vpoznanovic ostavljao petkom
u stara dobra vremena.
pozdrav, nick
nba.4stefan,
> Sad bi bas bilo zgodno da se ovde ponovo mogu naci oni
> iscrpni izvestaji i tabele koje je vpoznanovic ostavljao petkom
> u stara dobra vremena.
Pa čuvena grupa NBA sada sasvim slobodno može da se preseli u temu :)
Zato je i otvorena :)
nba.5junior,
> Pa čuvena grupa NBA sada sasvim slobodno može da se preseli u
> temu :) Zato je i otvorena :)
Evo nas ... polako se selimo ;)
Za početak evo tabele(poslednje koju ja imam), tradeova izvršenih prošle
nedelje i par zanimljivih vesti:
News from February 22.
The NBA trading deadline has passed and there was a flurry of activity
yesterday. No more trades can be made this season.
TRADE: Atlanta traded Andrew Lang and Spud Webb to Minnesota for Christian
Laettner and Sean Rooks.
TRADE: Miami traded Kevin Willis and Bimbo Coles to Golden State for Tim
Hardaway and Chris Gatling.
TRADE: Miami traded Billy Owens and Kevin Gamble to Sacramento for Tyrone
Corbin and Walt Williams.
TRADE: Miami traded Terrence Rencher to Phoenix for Tony Smith.
TRADE: Philadelphia traded Sharone Wright to Toronto for Ed Pinckney, Tony
Massenburg, and the right to swap 1st round draft picks in 1996 or 1997.
If Philadelphia does not swap draft picks this year, they also receive
Toronto's 2nd round draft pick.
TRADE: Orlando traded Jeff Turner to Vancouver for Kenny Gattison and the
worst of the 3 2nd round draft picks that Vancouver owns.
The Washington Bullets announced that they will change their name to the
Washington Wizards for the 97-98 season.
Portland suspended Rod Strickland for one game for "numerous violations of
team rules". Strickland is unhappy in Portland and wanted to be traded.
Toronto released Herb Williams.
Toronto signed Dwyane Whitfield. [thanks to Jeff Joseph]
Clyde Drexler (Hou) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
His time frame for returning will not be known until after the surgery,
but it could be anywhere from 3 to 10 weeks or longer. Houston placed
Drexler on IR.
Rod Strickland (Por) skipped the team's Saturday practice and Portland
announced that Strickland's suspension would be extended indefinitely.
Standings through 2/24/96.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Midwest Division Home Road Last
Team W L PCT GB W L W L Streak 10
Utah Jazz .............. 36 17 0.679 - 21 4 15 13 Lost 1 7-3
San Antonio Spurs ...... 35 17 0.673 0.5 20 6 15 11 Won 1 6-4
Houston Rockets ........ 36 20 0.643 1.5 19 7 17 13 Won 2 6-4
Denver Nuggets ......... 22 31 0.415 14.0 14 10 8 21 Won 1 4-6
Dallas Mavericks ....... 17 35 0.327 18.5 11 15 6 20 Lost 1 2-8
Minnesota Timberwolves . 16 36 0.308 19.5 11 14 5 22 Won 2 5-5
Vancouver Grizzlies .... 11 40 0.216 24.0 8 18 3 22 Lost 3 1-9
Pacific Division Home Road Last
Team W L PCT GB W L W L Streak 10
Seattle Sonics ......... 41 12 0.774 - 25 2 16 10 Won 9 9-1
Los Angeles Lakers ..... 33 20 0.623 8.0 21 7 12 13 Lost 1 8-2
Phoenix Suns ........... 26 26 0.500 14.5 15 13 11 13 Won 3 7-3
Golden State Warriors .. 26 28 0.481 15.5 16 10 10 18 Won 1 7-3
Sacramento Kings ....... 24 27 0.471 16.0 15 9 9 18 Lost 10 0-10
Portland Trailblazers .. 25 29 0.463 16.5 15 12 10 17 Won 1 4-6
Los Angeles Clippers ... 17 36 0.321 24.0 11 17 6 19 Lost 3 1-9
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division Home Road Last
Team W L PCT GB W L W L Streak 10
Orlando Magic .......... 40 14 0.741 - 28 0 12 14 Won 6 9-1
New York Knicks ........ 32 20 0.615 7.0 19 10 13 10 Lost 1 5-5
Miami Heat ............. 25 29 0.463 15.0 17 11 8 18 Won 2 6-4
New Jersey Nets ........ 23 30 0.434 16.5 15 8 8 22 Lost 1 6-4
Washington Bullets ..... 23 30 0.434 16.5 16 10 7 20 Lost 3 1-9
Boston Celtics ......... 19 34 0.358 20.5 10 15 9 19 Lost 3 3-7
Philadelphia 76ers ..... 10 42 0.192 29.0 6 20 4 22 Lost 6 2-8
Central Division Home Road Last
Team W L PCT GB W L W L Streak 10
Chicago Bulls .......... 48 6 0.889 - 24 0 24 6 Lost 1 7-3
Indiana Pacers ......... 34 20 0.630 14.0 20 6 14 14 Won 2 5-5
Cleveland Cavaliers .... 31 22 0.585 16.5 19 9 12 13 Won 1 8-2
Atlanta Hawks .......... 29 24 0.547 18.5 17 11 12 13 Won 1 5-5
Detroit Pistons ........ 26 25 0.510 20.5 17 10 9 15 Lost 2 5-5
Charlotte Hornets ...... 27 26 0.509 20.5 19 10 8 16 Lost 1 6-4
Milwaukee Bucks ........ 20 32 0.385 27.0 11 16 9 16 Lost 2 4-6
Toronto Raptors ........ 14 38 0.269 33.0 10 16 4 22 Lost 4 2-8
Western Conference
Team W L GB
1. Seattle Sonics ......... 41 12 -
2. Utah Jazz .............. 36 17 5.0
3. San Antonio Spurs ...... 35 17 5.5
4. Houston Rockets ........ 36 20 6.5
5. Los Angeles Lakers ..... 33 20 8.0
6. Phoenix Suns ........... 26 26 14.5
7. Golden State Warriors .. 26 28 15.5
8. Sacramento Kings ....... 24 27 16.0
9. Portland Trailblazers .. 25 29 16.5
10. Denver Nuggets ......... 22 31 19.0
11. Dallas Mavericks ....... 17 35 23.5
12. Los Angeles Clippers ... 17 36 24.0
13. Minnesota Timberwolves . 16 36 24.5
14. Vancouver Grizzlies .... 11 40 29.0
Eastern Conference
Team W L GB
1. Chicago Bulls .......... 48 6 -
2. Orlando Magic .......... 40 14 8.0
3. Indiana Pacers ......... 34 20 14.0
4. New York Knicks ........ 32 20 15.0
5. Cleveland Cavaliers .... 31 22 16.5
6. Atlanta Hawks .......... 29 24 18.5
7. Detroit Pistons ........ 26 25 20.5
7. Charlotte Hornets ...... 27 26 20.5
9. Miami Heat ............. 25 29 23.0
10. New Jersey Nets ........ 23 30 24.5
10. Washington Bullets ..... 23 30 24.5
12. Milwaukee Bucks ........ 20 32 27.0
13. Boston Celtics ......... 19 34 28.5
14. Toronto Raptors ........ 14 38 33.0
15. Philadelphia 76ers ..... 10 42 37.0
Games won/lost by # points
20- 15- 10- WINS LOSSES 6- 11- 16-
>20 16 11 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 10 15 20 >20
Dallas ....... 1 0 4 4 2 1 2 3 0 2 0 5 0 2 8 13 2 3
Denver ....... 1 1 3 8 3 1 4 1 0 2 2 0 1 4 9 4 3 6
Houston ...... 3 4 8 10 4 2 3 2 0 3 4 0 1 1 4 5 1 1
Minnesota .... 1 2 3 5 1 1 1 0 2 1 4 2 1 2 13 4 4 5
San Antonio .. 5 4 6 13 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 5 4 2 0
Utah ......... 7 5 5 12 1 1 3 2 0 1 0 3 2 2 5 3 1 0
Vancouver .... 0 0 1 3 1 3 0 1 2 0 2 0 2 3 13 7 3 10
Golden State . 3 2 4 7 1 2 6 0 1 0 1 2 3 2 9 5 4 2
LA Clippers .. 1 1 3 6 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 16 5 8 3
LA Lakers .... 5 5 4 7 2 2 3 3 2 5 1 1 0 0 3 6 3 1
Phoenix ...... 2 0 6 6 5 3 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 4 8 6 3 1
Portland ..... 2 4 4 8 0 2 1 1 3 2 0 7 6 3 4 3 3 1
Sacramento ... 3 5 0 9 2 1 3 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 10 4 4 5
Seattle ...... 7 6 5 12 5 2 1 1 2 2 0 3 0 1 1 2 1 2
Boston ....... 3 3 2 3 1 3 0 1 3 1 2 2 1 5 7 5 4 7
Miami ........ 2 4 4 10 0 0 3 2 0 4 2 2 2 1 7 4 4 3
New Jersey ... 1 3 4 7 2 1 0 3 2 0 1 2 2 1 12 7 0 5
New York ..... 3 1 7 13 4 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 3 11 2 2 1
Orlando ...... 5 3 10 10 2 1 0 6 3 1 0 2 0 0 2 6 1 2
Philadelphia . 2 0 2 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 0 3 0 4 6 11 8 9
Washington ... 6 3 5 6 1 1 0 0 1 3 3 0 1 2 12 5 3 1
Atlanta ...... 2 2 6 10 3 1 4 1 0 1 2 1 1 3 8 2 3 3
Charlotte .... 1 3 6 11 1 1 1 2 1 0 5 1 1 2 10 6 0 1
Chicago ...... 8 8 12 11 2 2 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 0
Cleveland .... 5 3 8 6 1 1 4 1 2 1 2 2 0 0 6 5 5 1
Detroit ...... 4 3 4 9 0 0 0 4 2 3 0 5 2 2 6 6 1 0
Indiana ...... 2 5 8 14 1 0 1 1 2 3 2 1 1 0 9 1 1 2
Milwaukee .... 0 1 5 5 3 3 1 0 2 0 2 2 1 2 12 5 2 6
Toronto ...... 0 2 3 4 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 6 2 3 8 6 7 4
Win-Loss for last # games (H=home, R=road):
L5 L10 L15 L20 HL5 HL10 HL15 HL20 RL5 RL10 RL15 RL20
Dallas ...... 1-4 2-8 5-10 8-12 2-3 5-5 6-9 8-12 0-5 3-7 3-12 4-16
Denver ...... 2-3 4-6 6-9 8-12 4-1 6-4 8-7 13-7 0-5 2-8 3-12 5-15
Houston ..... 3-2 6-4 9-6 11-9 4-1 6-4 10-5 14-6 2-3 5-5 8-7 10-10
Minnesota ... 2-3 5-5 5-10 8-12 2-3 5-5 7-8 10-10 2-3 2-8 3-12 4-16
San Antonio . 4-1 6-4 9-6 12-8 4-1 8-2 12-3 16-4 3-2 5-5 8-7 11-9
Utah ........ 4-1 7-3 11-4 14-6 5-0 9-1 14-1 16-4 2-3 5-5 7-8 10-10
Vancouver ... 1-4 1-9 4-11 5-15 1-4 3-7 6-9 7-13 0-5 2-8 2-13 2-18
Golden State 3-2 7-3 9-6 11-9 4-1 6-4 11-4 13-7 3-2 4-6 7-8 8-12
LA Clippers . 1-4 1-9 2-13 4-16 1-4 2-8 4-11 6-14 0-5 2-8 4-11 4-16
LA Lakers ... 4-1 8-2 12-3 16-4 5-0 8-2 10-5 15-5 4-1 8-2 10-5 11-9
Phoenix ..... 4-1 7-3 11-4 12-8 4-1 6-4 8-7 10-10 3-2 6-4 8-7 9-11
Portland .... 1-4 4-6 5-10 9-11 1-4 4-6 7-8 11-9 3-2 5-5 7-8 7-13
Sacramento .. 0-5 0-10 2-13 5-15 1-4 5-5 8-7 12-8 0-5 1-9 3-12 4-16
Seattle ..... 5-0 9-1 14-1 18-2 5-0 10-0 14-1 19-1 4-1 7-3 11-4 13-7
Boston ...... 1-4 3-7 4-11 5-15 1-4 4-6 7-8 8-12 1-4 3-7 4-11 4-16
Miami ....... 3-2 6-4 7-8 9-11 3-2 5-5 8-7 10-10 2-3 2-8 4-11 5-15
New Jersey .. 4-1 6-4 7-8 10-10 3-2 6-4 8-7 12-8 3-2 4-6 5-10 7-13
New York .... 2-3 5-5 8-7 11-9 3-2 6-4 8-7 12-8 2-3 5-5 7-8 10-10
Orlando ..... 5-0 9-1 11-4 13-7 5-0 10-0 15-0 20-0 3-2 5-5 6-9 9-11
Philadelphia 0-5 2-8 3-12 3-17 2-3 2-8 3-12 4-16 1-4 2-8 3-12 4-16
Washington .. 1-4 1-9 4-11 6-14 1-4 5-5 9-6 12-8 1-4 1-9 3-12 6-14
Atlanta ..... 3-2 5-5 8-7 13-7 3-2 8-2 11-4 13-7 3-2 5-5 7-8 8-12
Charlotte ... 4-1 6-4 9-6 11-9 4-1 7-3 9-6 12-8 2-3 5-5 6-9 8-12
Chicago ..... 4-1 7-3 12-3 17-3 5-0 10-0 15-0 20-0 4-1 7-3 12-3 16-4
Cleveland ... 3-2 8-2 10-5 13-7 4-1 7-3 11-4 15-5 3-2 6-4 8-7 11-9
Detroit ..... 2-3 5-5 7-8 10-10 3-2 6-4 10-5 13-7 1-4 4-6 7-8 9-11
Indiana ..... 3-2 5-5 9-6 13-7 2-3 7-3 12-3 17-3 2-3 6-4 9-6 10-10
Milwaukee ... 1-4 4-6 5-10 8-12 2-3 3-7 6-9 9-11 2-3 4-6 6-9 8-12
Toronto ..... 1-4 2-8 4-11 5-15 1-4 3-7 5-10 8-12 2-3 2-8 2-13 3-17
Month and Division Records
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Mid Pac Atl Cen
Dallas ....... 5-8 3-11 6-8 3-8 0-0 0-0 5-10 7-9 3-7 2-9
Denver ....... 4-9 9-7 5-9 4-6 0-0 0-0 8-5 5-16 4-4 5-6
Houston ...... 11-4 11-4 7-8 7-4 0-0 0-0 11-5 11-5 5-6 9-4
Minnesota .... 3-9 4-11 4-10 5-6 0-0 0-0 6-10 6-11 1-7 3-8
San Antonio .. 8-4 11-4 9-5 7-4 0-0 0-0 12-4 13-4 4-3 6-6
Utah ......... 12-4 8-5 9-5 7-3 0-0 0-0 9-8 13-4 7-3 7-2
Vancouver .... 2-13 3-12 5-9 1-6 0-0 0-0 1-10 4-15 4-7 2-8
Golden State . 5-10 7-7 6-8 8-3 0-0 0-0 8-8 5-9 8-5 5-6
LA Clippers .. 7-8 4-11 5-8 1-9 0-0 0-0 8-11 6-10 2-6 1-9
LA Lakers .... 7-7 9-8 9-3 8-2 0-0 0-0 11-8 10-5 6-3 6-4
Phoenix ...... 6-7 7-7 6-9 7-3 0-0 0-0 7-9 6-9 7-3 6-5
Portland ..... 7-8 5-9 9-6 4-6 0-0 0-0 9-9 4-9 8-3 4-8
Sacramento ... 11-4 6-5 6-7 1-11 0-0 0-0 7-10 6-7 6-6 5-4
Seattle ...... 9-6 11-2 12-3 9-1 0-0 0-0 14-4 13-1 6-2 8-5
Boston ....... 5-7 7-9 4-11 3-7 0-0 0-0 3-9 4-8 6-6 6-11
Miami ........ 9-3 6-10 4-12 6-4 0-0 0-0 6-3 4-8 7-9 8-9
New Jersey ... 5-8 5-9 7-9 6-4 0-0 0-0 3-5 2-9 7-9 11-7
New York ..... 10-4 9-5 8-6 5-5 0-0 0-0 7-2 4-4 12-4 9-10
Orlando ...... 13-2 10-4 8-6 9-2 0-0 0-0 9-3 7-2 12-2 12-7
Philadelphia . 2-10 3-12 3-12 2-8 0-0 0-0 4-5 1-8 2-12 3-17
Washington ... 5-8 10-5 6-8 2-9 0-0 0-0 5-1 6-4 6-10 6-15
Atlanta ...... 9-5 4-10 11-4 5-5 0-0 0-0 4-5 6-6 11-5 8-8
Charlotte .... 7-8 7-8 7-5 6-5 0-0 0-0 4-5 4-5 11-8 8-8
Chicago ...... 12-2 13-1 14-0 9-3 0-0 0-0 11-1 9-2 11-2 17-1
Cleveland .... 6-8 9-4 8-8 8-2 0-0 0-0 5-5 5-2 12-7 9-8
Detroit ...... 5-9 10-5 6-6 5-5 0-0 0-0 6-5 4-3 7-10 9-7
Indiana ...... 6-6 9-6 14-2 5-6 0-0 0-0 6-2 6-4 10-7 12-7
Milwaukee .... 4-9 6-8 5-9 5-6 0-0 0-0 5-6 4-4 6-10 5-12
Toronto ...... 5-10 4-11 3-10 2-7 0-0 0-0 2-5 3-9 8-6 1-18
Division Records
W-L HW HL RW RL Mid Pac Atl Cen
Midwest 173-196 104 74 69 122 52-52 59-64 28-37 34-43
Pacific 192-178 118 70 74 108 64-59 50-50 43-28 35-41
Atlantic 172-199 111 74 61 125 37-28 28-43 52-52 55-76
Central 229-193 137 78 92 115 43-34 41-35 76-55 69-69
10 Largest Win Margins (home team listed first)
11/8 49 SA 111, Van 62
12/12 40 Sac 93, Hou 133
12/29 39 Sea 124, Bos 85
12/30 38 SA 122, Min 84
2/14 37 Sea 130, Min 93
1/31 36 Atl 84, Pho 120
11/11 36 Sea 117, Van 81
1/25 35 Was 120, Hou 85
12/22 33 LAL 116, Sac 83
12/12 33 Ind 125, Den 92
10 Lowest Scores (home team listed first)
2/21 57 Phi 57, Mia 66
11/8 62 SA 111, Van 62
1/13 65 Van 69, Mia 65
2/21 66 Phi 57, Mia 66
12/21 68 Sea 92, Van 68
1/16 69 Por 87, Den 69
1/13 69 Van 69, Mia 65
2/19 70 Cle 73, Mia 70
2/1 70 Det 87, Ind 70
12/19 70 NY 89, Mia 70
10 Highest Scores (home team listed first)
1/12 140 Pho 130, Dal 140
11/15 137 Pho 127, Den 137
2/8 136 Dal 136, Uta 133
12/27 135 Por 135, Bos 109
12/2 135 Was 135, Bos 107
2/8 133 Dal 136, Uta 133
12/12 133 Sac 93, Hou 133
12/22 132 GS 132, Was 117
1/31 131 Bos 131, Van 98
12/1 131 Bos 123, NJ 131
nba.6gnjida,
Samo me interesuje sta mislite ko ce ove godine bititi prviÚ].
Po mom skromnom misljenju Njujork nema sanse, cak mislim da nece
doci ni do polu finala.?!
nba.7koky,
rezultati od 01.03.1996.
Atlanta - Cleveland 74:68
Boston - Seattle 96:106
Miami - Portland 88:102
Minnesota - Charlotte 105:101
Utah - New York 99:88
Chicago - Golden State 110:87
Phoenix - Detroit 97:102
Vancouver - Dallas 111:119
LA Lakers - Washington 100:95
nba.8junior,
> Samo me interesuje sta mislite ko ce ove godine bititi prvi.
Pa znamo ko je najveći favorit - Čikago.
Na istoku, nema ekipe koja bi mogla da ga izbaci, koja bi uopšte
mogla da mu parira ... eventualno Orladno, ali mladi su oni još
za to. A i namučiće se oni dok eliminišu Šarlot ...
Na zapadu, biće mnogo jača borba za finale ... imamo favorita,
Hjustona, koji opet loše igra u sezoni, ali kad dođe play-off,
zna se ko je gazda. Imamo jedan povampireni Seattle, koji bi
već jednom mogao da se smiluje, pa da prođe prvo kolo play-offa :)
A tu su naravno i uvek opasni SA i Phoenix. Ostali timovi, realno ..
nemaju šanse ;(
> Po mom skromnom misljenju Njujork nema sanse, cak mislim da
> nece doci ni do polu finala.?!
Njujork je veoma slab. Iako je promenio sastav u ovom prelaznom roku
(doveo je Willie Andersona, J.R. Reida), nema tim za velike domete.
A lično mislim da su najviše izgubili kad su pustili Rayli-a. On je
bio sve što vredi u tom timu ...
Zaključak: Čikago je šampion ;(
jr.
nba.10koky,
02.03.1996.
New Jersey - Seattle 92:103
Orlando - Portland 115:89
Chicago - Boston 107:75
Milwaukee - Atlanta 110:106
San Antonio - Philadelphia 115:101
Denver - Vancouver 108:82
LA Clipers - Detroit 103:107
Dejan
nba.11severian,
Pošto u ovu conf ne može da se UL fajl, u nastavku poruke mozete da
vidite podatke o Divcu sa http://www.nba.com
Position: Center
Born: 2/3/68, Prijepolje, Yugoslavia
College: None
Height: 7' 1"
Weight: 260 lbs.
Stats
Background: A skilled shooter, passer, and shotblocker,
Yugoslav-born
Vlade Divac has become one of the most multitalented
centers in the NBA.
Although he never played college ball, Divac put in five
pro seasons in his
home country before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989.
In 1988 he won
an Olympic silver medal for Yugoslavia and competed against
the Boston
Celtics in the McDonald's Open. The following year the
Lakers made him the
26th overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had just retired, and the Lakers were
searching for a
starting center for the first time in nearly 15 years. In
1989-90 Divac shared
time in the pivot with Mychal Thompson and appeared in all
82 games. Divac's
efforts that year earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie
First Team. He led
the Lakers in blocked shots and ranked second on the club
in rebounding
despite logging only 19.6 minutes per game.
The following season Divac became the Lakers' No. 1 man in
the middle,
leading the club in rebounding and posting the league's
fifth-best field-goal
percentage. Los Angeles surprised many by reaching the NBA
Finals in 1991,
only to lose to the Chicago Bulls in five games. A back
operation kept Divac
out of 44 games in 1992-93, but he made a full recovery and
stepped back into
the starting lineup. By 1993-94 Divac's name was appearing
on lists of the
league's finest centers. That year he ranked 12th in the
NBA with 40
double-doubles. Early in the campaign he corralled 24
rebounds in a game, the
most for a Los Angeles player since Abdul-Jabbar had
grabbed 25 boards in
1979.
In 1994-95 Divac's play won universal kudos. He ranked in
the league's top 40
in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, assists, field-goal
percentage, and steals
and averaged 4.1 assists to lead all NBA centers. In March,
Divac won a
Player of the Week Award. His three 20-20 performances led
the league, and
his back-to-back 20-20 efforts were the first by a Lakers
player since
Abdul-Jabbar's in 1975. Following the 1994-95 campaign he
helped lead
Yugoslavia to the European Championship.
Transactions: Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the
first round (26th
pick overall) of the 1989 NBA Draft.
1994-95: Divac's terrific play in the middle helped the Los
Angeles Lakers
post a 15-game turnaround and stage a return to the
playoffs after a one-year
absence. Divac notched several career highs, including
scoring (16.0 ppg),
assists (4.1 apg), blocked shots (2.18 per game),
free-throw percentage (.777),
double-doubles (42), and minutes played (35.1 per game). An
all-around
threat, he ranked in the NBA's top 40 in blocked shots
(7th), rebounding
(11th), field-goal percentage (29th), assists (35th),
steals (33rd), and scoring
(40th). He led the team in rebounding for the third time in
five seasons, with an
average of 10.4 boards per outing.
Divac was magnificent down the stretch, filling up the
scoring vacuum left when
All-Star Cedric Ceballos hurt his thumb in February. In
March, Divac snagged
a Player of the Week Award after averaging 24.3 points,
13.7 rebounds, 3.7
assists, and 2.33 blocks during a three-game stretch. A
month earlier he had
recorded the first back-to-back 20-20 performances (points
and rebounds) for
Los Angeles since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pulled off the feat
in December 1975.
Divac's three 20-20 efforts for the year led the league. A
keen passer, he
averaged 7.1 assists during a 10-date stretch in February
and March. His
season assists average was tops among NBA centers. He
dished out 10 assists
against the Miami Heat on January 8 on the way to his third
career
triple-double (21 points, 11 rebounds).
A high-energy defender, Divac became the first Los Angeles
player to average
more than 2 blocks per game since Abdul-Jabbar in 1984-85.
Divac swatted
away a career-high 8 shots on December 23 against the
Sacramento Kings, and
on February 24 he hauled down a career-high-tying 24
rebounds against the
Charlotte Hornets. He also showed off his shooting touch,
fashioning a .507
field-goal percentage and draining 62 of his final 71
free-throw attempts,
including a team-season-high string of 22 straight from
March 31 to April 11.
After missing the campaign's final two games with the flu,
Divac went on to
have a slightly subpar postseason (15.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.1
apg) as the Lakers
upset the Seattle Sonics before bowing to top-seeded San
Antonio. He set a
career playoff high with 15 rebounds against the San
Antonio Spurs in Game 5
of the second-round series.
1993-94:
VLADE DIVAC
Sea.
Team
G
Min.
FG
3Pt.
FT
Reb.
Ast.
Stl.
Blk.
Tot.
PG
89-90
L.A. Lakers
82
1611
.499
.000
.708
512
75
79
114
701
8.5
90-91
L.A. Lakers
82
2310
.565
.357
.703
666
92
106
127
921
11.2
91-92
L.A. Lakers
36
979
.495
.263
.768
247
60
55
35
405
11.3
92-93
L.A. Lakers
82
2525
.485
.280
.689
729
232
128
140
1050
12.8
93-94
L.A. Lakers
79
2685
.506
.191
.686
851
307
92
112
1123
14.2
94-95
L.A. Lakers
80
2807
.507
.189
.777
829
329
109
174
1277
16.0
95-96
LA Lakers
55
1688
.510
.188
.643
455
197
57
103
711
12.9
Career Totals:
496
14605
.509
.231
.710
4289
1292
626
805
6188
12.5
Playoff Totals:
47
1482
.523
.286
.734
329
105
54
84
619
13.2
All-Star Totals:
0
0
---
---
---
0
0
0
0
0
.000
nba.13dizel,
> Samo me interesuje sta mislite ko ce ove godine bititi prviÚ].
> Po mom skromnom misljenju Njujork nema sanse, cak mislim da
> nece doci ni do polu finala.?!
Pa tu si u pravu,iako mi je zao zbog toga.Ove godine bi trebalo
da Chicago uzme titulu(ne daj boze),ukoliko im Lakersi uz pomoc
Medzika ne pokvare planove!!!
U poslednje vreme Lakersi su u odlicnoj formi i jedva cekam play-off.
Orlando po mom misljenju nema sanse za titulu,a i Houston veovatno
nece nista uraditi.(iako su dobre ekipe)
nba.14vpoznanovic,
NBA Scoring Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 35 games played or 952 points scored)
Player GP Pts Avg
Michael Jordan, CHI 57 1744 30.6
Karl Malone, UTH 56 1479 26.4
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 58 1516 26.1
David Robinson, SAS 55 1385 25.2
Charles Barkley, PHO 49 1158 23.6
Mitch Richmond, SAC 53 1247 23.5
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 54 1269 23.5
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 46 1078 23.4
Glen Rice, CHA 54 1232 22.8
Penny Hardaway, ORL 57 1299 22.8
Patrick Ewing, NYK 50 1133 22.7
Clifford Robinson, POR 54 1182 21.9
Vin Baker, MIL 55 1177 21.4
Scottie Pippen, CHI 57 1215 21.3
Grant Hill, DET 54 1148 21.3
Larry Johnson, CHA 55 1167 21.2
Sean Elliott, SAS 50 1060 21.2
Reggie Miller, IND 55 1160 21.1
Juwan Howard, WAS 56 1165 20.8
Shawn Kemp, SEA 56 1157 20.7
Glenn Robinson, MIL 55 1125 20.5
Jim Jackson, DAL 56 1103 19.7
Dino Radja, BOS 53 1043 19.7
Clyde Drexler, HOU 44 865 19.7
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 51 994 19.5
Armon Gilliam, NJN 53 1032 19.5
Rod Strickland, POR 50 963 19.3
Terrell Brandon, CLE 55 1058 19.2
Allan Houston, DET 55 1051 19.1
Isaiah Rider, MIN 53 1008 19.0
nba.15vpoznanovic,
NBA Rebounding Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 35 games played or 544 rebounds)
Player GP Reb Avg
Dennis Rodman, CHI 45 703 15.6
David Robinson, SAS 55 680 12.4
Shawn Kemp, SEA 56 678 12.1
Charles Barkley, PHO 49 593 12.1
Dikembe Mutombo, DEN 53 611 11.5
Jayson Williams, NJN 54 593 11.0
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 58 633 10.9
Popeye Jones, DAL 52 546 10.5
Patrick Ewing, NYK 50 518 10.4
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 46 472 10.3
Vin Baker, MIL 55 560 10.2
Karl Malone, UTH 56 563 10.1
Loy Vaught, LAC 55 546 9.9
Armon Gilliam, NJN 53 526 9.9
Michael Cage, CLE 56 555 9.9
Dino Radja, BOS 53 522 9.9
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 57 558 9.8
Grant Long, ATL 56 548 9.8
Olden Polynice, SAC 53 507 9.6
Clarence Weatherspoon, PHI 51 488 9.6
nba.16vpoznanovic,
NBA Assist Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 35 games played or 272 assists)
Player GP Ast Avg
John Stockton, UTH 56 631 11.3
Jason Kidd, DAL 55 556 10.1
Rod Strickland, POR 50 474 9.5
Avery Johnson, SAS 55 503 9.2
Damon Stoudamire, TOR 55 499 9.1
Kenny Anderson, CHA 49 441 9.0
Mark Jackson, IND 56 441 7.9
Greg Anthony, VAN 48 356 7.4
Nick Van Exel, LAL 55 407 7.4
Gary Payton, SEA 56 413 7.4
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 51 365 7.2
Penny Hardaway, ORL 57 406 7.1
Tim Hardaway, MIA 56 393 7.0
Terrell Brandon, CLE 55 363 6.6
Grant Hill, DET 54 356 6.6
Tyus Edney, SAC 52 335 6.4
Chris Childs, NJN 53 333 6.3
Scottie Pippen, CHI 57 343 6.0
Jalen Rose, DEN 53 315 5.9
Clyde Drexler, HOU 44 256 5.8
nba.17vpoznanovic,
NBA Steal Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 35 games played or 85 steals)
Player GP Stl Avg
Gary Payton, SEA 56 156 2.8
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 56 146 2.6
Jason Kidd, DAL 55 123 2.2
Michael Jordan, CHI 57 127 2.2
Alvin Robertson, TOR 55 120 2.2
Penny Hardaway, ORL 57 121 2.1
Clyde Drexler, HOU 44 90 2.1
Scottie Pippen, CHI 57 109 1.9
Eddie Jones, LAL 44 83 1.9
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 56 105 1.9
Charles Barkley, PHO 49 89 1.8
Karl Malone, UTH 56 100 1.8
Nate Mcmillan, SEA 38 68 1.8
Tom Gugliotta, MIN 56 99 1.8
Robert Horry, HOU 52 90 1.7
John Stockton, UTH 56 96 1.7
Terrell Brandon, CLE 55 91 1.7
Kenny Anderson, CHA 49 81 1.7
Greg Anthony, VAN 48 78 1.6
Malik Sealy, LAC 37 60 1.6
nba.18vpoznanovic,
NBA Blocked Shot Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 35 games played or 68 block shots)
Player GP Blk Avg
Dikembe Mutombo, DEN 53 240 4.5
David Robinson, SAS 55 193 3.5
Shawn Bradley, NJN 53 172 3.3
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 46 141 3.1
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 58 164 2.8
Patrick Ewing, NYK 50 124 2.5
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 31 73 2.4
Elden Campbell, LAL 56 129 2.3
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 57 127 2.2
Lorenzo Williams, DAL 39 79 2.0
Oliver Miller, TOR 52 102 2.0
Jim Mcilvaine, WAS 55 106 1.9
Vlade Divac, LAL 55 103 1.9
Andrew Lang, MIN 56 91 1.6
Shawn Kemp, SEA 56 88 1.6
Theo Ratliff, DET 52 81 1.6
Joe Smith, GSW 57 88 1.5
Dino Radja, BOS 53 81 1.5
Dale Davis, IND 53 78 1.5
Robert Horry, HOU 52 76 1.5
nba.19vpoznanovic,
NBA Field Goal Percentage Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 204 field goals made)
Player GP FGM FGA Pct
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 57 344 576 .597
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 31 336 570 .589
Shawn Kemp, SEA 56 402 700 .574
Chucky Brown, HOU 58 214 374 .572
Matt Geiger, CHA 53 237 420 .564
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 51 256 457 .560
Dale Davis, IND 53 222 398 .558
John Stockton, UTH 56 320 575 .557
Brian Williams, LAC 50 319 577 .553
Anthony Mason, NYK 56 287 531 .540
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 54 481 895 .537
Rik Smits, IND 39 296 555 .533
Oliver Miller, TOR 52 284 535 .531
Olden Polynice, SAC 53 269 512 .525
Loy Vaught, LAC 55 404 775 .521
nba.20vpoznanovic,
NBA Free Throw Percentage Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 85 free throws made)
Player GP FTM FTA Pct
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 51 128 138 .928
Terrell Brandon, CLE 55 252 279 .903
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 56 187 209 .895
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 56 159 179 .888
Brent Price, WAS 56 102 115 .887
Dana Barros, BOS 55 97 110 .882
Mitch Richmond, SAC 53 284 326 .871
Chris Childs, NJN 53 177 204 .868
Kevin Johnson, PHO 31 212 245 .865
Dee Brown, BOS 48 107 124 .863
Mario Elie, HOU 36 88 102 .863
Reggie Miller, IND 55 318 369 .862
Chris Mullin, GSW 54 133 155 .858
Joe Dumars, DET 42 114 134 .851
Robert Pack, WAS 31 154 182 .846
nba.21vpoznanovic,
NBA 3-Point Percentage Leaders
Through March 2, 1996
(Minimum of 54 3-point field goals made)
Player GP 3FM 3FA Pct
Tim Legler, WAS 56 96 185 .519
Steve Kerr, CHI 57 84 165 .509
Hubert Davis, NYK 55 92 187 .492
Eldridge Recasner, HOU 41 57 119 .479
Brent Price, WAS 56 86 180 .478
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 56 70 149 .470
B J Armstrong, GSW 57 60 128 .469
John Stockton, UTH 56 79 170 .465
Terry Dehere, LAC 56 86 192 .448
Bobby Phills, CLE 54 71 159 .447
Brent Barry, LAC 55 95 215 .442
Keith Askins, MIA 54 84 194 .433
Michael Jordan, CHI 57 73 169 .432
Lee Mayberry, MIL 55 60 139 .432
Glen Rice, CHA 54 127 296 .429
nba.22vpoznanovic,
Specialty Records
Through March 2, 1996
Under 100 Pts OT Decided by
Team Own Opp Games 3-pts(less) 10-pts(more)
Atlanta 14-19 23-7 2-0 6-4 12-8
Boston 2-21 8-5 2-3 4-6 9-19
Charlotte 7-12 15-4 1-3 4-6 14-10
Chicago 10-5 36-2 2-0 5-0 31-1
Cleveland 19-22 29-17 2-0 7-5 20-12
Dallas 4-17 9-4 4-4 5-7 8-19
Denver 9-23 16-12 2-0 5-4 6-14
Detroit 13-22 25-15 3-2 6-8 14-8
Golden State 5-20 13-5 1-1 7-3 10-17
Houston 8-12 22-7 1-2 5-7 16-7
Indiana 10-17 27-8 1-0 5-6 17-5
LA Clippers 5-20 13-6 0-1 1-0 6-17
LA Lakers 6-16 22-9 0-0 8-7 18-11
Miami 12-27 21-18 2-1 6-8 11-12
Milwaukee 9-28 14-14 1-1 3-4 7-16
Minnesota 6-28 14-5 0-4 3-7 7-18
New Jersey 16-27 21-14 3-2 5-4 8-15
New York 14-19 26-10 3-2 3-0 13-9
Orlando 13-10 31-4 2-0 9-3 22-10
Philadelphia 1-29 6-10 0-1 5-4 4-29
Phoenix 2-17 13-5 4-3 4-2 12-13
Portland 8-20 17-11 2-3 5-10 12-10
Sacramento 8-17 17-5 0-1 4-3 9-17
San Antonio 7-13 25-6 0-3 5-4 18-6
Seattle 15-8 32-2 2-2 4-5 20-5
Toronto 6-25 10-13 1-3 4-8 5-19
Utah 10-9 28-4 1-1 5-4 24-5
Vancouver 5-35 8-17 4-2 3-2 1-23
Washington 5-19 16-10 1-2 1-6 14-13
nba.23vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Saturday, March 2 - 114 days, 820 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 57 45 12 26 2 19 10 104.0 96.1 78.9 - W13
Los Angeles Lakers 56 36 20 23 7 13 13 102.8 99.4 64.3 8.5 W 3
Phoenix Suns 56 28 28 16 14 12 14 103.8 104.0 50.0 16.5 L 1
Sacramento Kings 54 25 29 16 10 9 19 101.1 103.1 46.3 18.5 L 1
Golden State Warriors 57 26 31 16 10 10 21 103.5 105.0 45.6 19.0 L 3
Portland Trail Blazers 59 26 33 15 13 11 20 99.2 99.2 44.1 20.0 L 1
Los Angeles Clippers 57 19 38 13 19 6 19 100.2 104.6 33.3 26.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Utah Jazz 56 39 17 24 4 15 13 104.1 97.4 69.6 - W 3
San Antonio Spurs 56 38 18 22 6 16 12 103.5 97.3 67.9 1.0 W 2
Houston Rockets 58 38 20 21 7 17 13 103.0 99.1 65.5 2.0 W 4
Denver Nuggets 56 24 32 16 11 8 21 98.5 101.7 42.9 15.0 W 1
Dallas Mavericks 56 20 36 12 16 8 20 103.2 106.9 35.7 19.0 W 2
Minnesota Timberwolves 56 17 39 12 16 5 23 98.1 103.5 30.4 22.0 W 1
Vancouver Grizzlies 55 11 44 8 21 3 23 90.9 101.2 20.0 27.5 L 7
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 58 43 15 30 0 13 15 103.8 99.1 74.1 - W 3
New York Knicks 56 32 24 19 10 13 14 97.4 95.7 57.1 10.0 L 5
Miami Heat 58 27 31 18 12 9 19 93.5 94.1 46.6 16.0 L 2
Washington Bullets 57 24 33 17 10 7 23 102.6 101.6 42.1 18.5 L 3
New Jersey Nets 57 24 33 16 11 8 22 93.7 96.6 42.1 18.5 L 3
Boston Celtics 58 20 38 11 17 9 21 104.0 108.2 34.5 23.0 L 2
Philadelphia 76ers 56 11 45 6 20 5 25 95.2 105.2 19.6 31.0 L 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 58 52 6 28 0 24 6 106.3 94.4 89.7 - W 4
Indiana Pacers 57 37 20 22 6 15 14 100.0 96.1 64.9 14.5 W 5
Cleveland Cavaliers 56 33 23 20 9 13 14 91.8 89.2 58.9 18.0 L 1
Atlanta Hawks 57 32 25 19 11 13 14 98.2 97.3 56.1 19.5 L 1
Detroit Pistons 56 30 26 17 10 13 16 95.5 93.2 53.6 21.0 W 2
Charlotte Hornets 56 28 28 19 10 9 18 103.8 103.2 50.0 23.0 L 2
Milwaukee Bucks 56 21 35 12 18 9 17 95.4 99.8 37.5 30.0 W 1
Toronto Raptors 55 14 41 10 16 4 25 96.3 102.5 25.5 36.5 L 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 57 45 12 26 2 19 10 104.0 96.1 78.9 - W13
2. Utah Jazz 56 39 17 24 4 15 13 104.1 97.4 69.6 5.5 W 3
3. San Antonio Spurs 56 38 18 22 6 16 12 103.5 97.3 67.9 6.5 W 2
4. Houston Rockets 58 38 20 21 7 17 13 103.0 99.1 65.5 7.5 W 4
5. Los Angeles Lakers 56 36 20 23 7 13 13 102.8 99.4 64.3 8.5 W 3
6. Phoenix Suns 56 28 28 16 14 12 14 103.8 104.0 50.0 16.5 L 1
7. Sacramento Kings 54 25 29 16 10 9 19 101.1 103.1 46.3 18.5 L 1
8. Golden State Warriors 57 26 31 16 10 10 21 103.5 105.0 45.6 19.0 L 3
9. Portland Trail Blazers 59 26 33 15 13 11 20 99.2 99.2 44.1 20.0 L 1
10. Denver Nuggets 56 24 32 16 11 8 21 98.5 101.7 42.9 20.5 W 1
11. Dallas Mavericks 56 20 36 12 16 8 20 103.2 106.9 35.7 24.5 W 2
12. Los Angeles Clippers 57 19 38 13 19 6 19 100.2 104.6 33.3 26.0 L 1
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 56 17 39 12 16 5 23 98.1 103.5 30.4 27.5 W 1
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 55 11 44 8 21 3 23 90.9 101.2 20.0 33.0 L 7
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 58 52 6 28 0 24 6 106.3 94.4 89.7 - W 4 *
2. Orlando Magic 58 43 15 30 0 13 15 103.8 99.1 74.1 9.0 W 3
3. Indiana Pacers 57 37 20 22 6 15 14 100.0 96.1 64.9 14.5 W 5
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 56 33 23 20 9 13 14 91.8 89.2 58.9 18.0 L 1
5. New York Knicks 56 32 24 19 10 13 14 97.4 95.7 57.1 19.0 L 5
6. Atlanta Hawks 57 32 25 19 11 13 14 98.2 97.3 56.1 19.5 L 1
7. Detroit Pistons 56 30 26 17 10 13 16 95.5 93.2 53.6 21.0 W 2
8. Charlotte Hornets 56 28 28 19 10 9 18 103.8 103.2 50.0 23.0 L 2
9. Miami Heat 58 27 31 18 12 9 19 93.5 94.1 46.6 25.0 L 2
10. Washington Bullets 57 24 33 17 10 7 23 102.6 101.6 42.1 27.5 L 3
11. New Jersey Nets 57 24 33 16 11 8 22 93.7 96.6 42.1 27.5 L 3
12. Milwaukee Bucks 56 21 35 12 18 9 17 95.4 99.8 37.5 30.0 W 1
13. Boston Celtics 58 20 38 11 17 9 21 104.0 108.2 34.5 32.0 L 2
14. Toronto Raptors 55 14 41 10 16 4 25 96.3 102.5 25.5 36.5 L 7
15. Philadelphia 76ers 56 11 45 6 20 5 25 95.2 105.2 19.6 40.0 L 2
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets Los Angeles Lakers
Utah Jazz Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs Phoenix Suns
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Charlotte Hornets
Cleveland Cavaliers New York Knicks
Orlando Magic Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers Atlanta Hawks
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 58 52 6 28 0 24 6 106.3 94.4 89.7 - W 4
2. Seattle Supersonics 57 45 12 26 2 19 10 104.0 96.1 78.9 6.5 W13
3. Orlando Magic 58 43 15 30 0 13 15 103.8 99.1 74.1 9.0 W 3
4. Utah Jazz 56 39 17 24 4 15 13 104.1 97.4 69.6 12.0 W 3
5. San Antonio Spurs 56 38 18 22 6 16 12 103.5 97.3 67.9 13.0 W 2
6. Houston Rockets 58 38 20 21 7 17 13 103.0 99.1 65.5 14.0 W 4
7. Indiana Pacers 57 37 20 22 6 15 14 100.0 96.1 64.9 14.5 W 5
8. Los Angeles Lakers 56 36 20 23 7 13 13 102.8 99.4 64.3 15.0 W 3
9. Cleveland Cavaliers 56 33 23 20 9 13 14 91.8 89.2 58.9 18.0 L 1
10. New York Knicks 56 32 24 19 10 13 14 97.4 95.7 57.1 19.0 L 5
11. Atlanta Hawks 57 32 25 19 11 13 14 98.2 97.3 56.1 19.5 L 1
12. Detroit Pistons 56 30 26 17 10 13 16 95.5 93.2 53.6 21.0 W 2
13. Charlotte Hornets 56 28 28 19 10 9 18 103.8 103.2 50.0 23.0 L 2
14. Phoenix Suns 56 28 28 16 14 12 14 103.8 104.0 50.0 23.0 L 1
15. Miami Heat 58 27 31 18 12 9 19 93.5 94.1 46.6 25.0 L 2
16. Sacramento Kings 54 25 29 16 10 9 19 101.1 103.1 46.3 25.0 L 1
17. Golden State Warriors 57 26 31 16 10 10 21 103.5 105.0 45.6 25.5 L 3
18. Portland Trail Blazers 59 26 33 15 13 11 20 99.2 99.2 44.1 26.5 L 1
19. Denver Nuggets 56 24 32 16 11 8 21 98.5 101.7 42.9 27.0 W 1
20. Washington Bullets 57 24 33 17 10 7 23 102.6 101.6 42.1 27.5 L 3
21. New Jersey Nets 57 24 33 16 11 8 22 93.7 96.6 42.1 27.5 L 3
22. Milwaukee Bucks 56 21 35 12 18 9 17 95.4 99.8 37.5 30.0 W 1
23. Dallas Mavericks 56 20 36 12 16 8 20 103.2 106.9 35.7 31.0 W 2
24. Boston Celtics 58 20 38 11 17 9 21 104.0 108.2 34.5 32.0 L 2
25. Los Angeles Clippers 57 19 38 13 19 6 19 100.2 104.6 33.3 32.5 L 1
26. Minnesota Timberwolves 56 17 39 12 16 5 23 98.1 103.5 30.4 34.0 W 1
27. Toronto Raptors 55 14 41 10 16 4 25 96.3 102.5 25.5 36.5 L 7
28. Vancouver Grizzlies 55 11 44 8 21 3 23 90.9 101.2 20.0 39.5 L 7
29. Philadelphia 76ers 56 11 45 6 20 5 25 95.2 105.2 19.6 40.0 L 2
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.25junior,
Hm, da vas pitam nešto. :)
Nabrojte nadimke svih igrača NBA-a (aktivnih, dabome) koje znate ...
i njihova imena, naravno.
nba.26lexus,
=> Nabrojte nadimke svih igrača NBA-a (aktivnih, dabome) koje znate
=> ... i njihova imena, naravno.
Ajde :)
Karl Malone - The Mailman
Michael Jordan - Air
Hakeem Olajuwon - The Dream
Theodore Edwards - Blue
Ken Norman - Snake
Ron Jones - Popeye
Shawn Kemp - The Rainman
Sam Cassel - Spark
Robert Horry - The Ironman
Glen Robinson - Big Dog
Anfernee Hardaway - Penny
David Robinson - Admiral
Dennis Rodman - Worm, Demolition Man
Toni Kukoč - Kuki ;)))
Earvin Johnson - Magic
Kevin Johnson - KJ
Charles Barkley - Sir Charles
Predrag Danilović - Saša :)
Alonzo Moruning - Zo
Pozdrav -Lex->
nba.27schef,
=-> Ajde :)
Harold Miner - baby Jordan
Glen Rice - Baby Magic
:)))
Srleř
nba.28lexus,
=> Harold Miner - baby Jordan
=> Glen Rice - Baby Magic
Kao što sam i u grupi rekao: Steve Smith je Baby Magic!!!
nba.29schef,
=-> Kao što sam i u grupi rekao: Steve Smith je Baby Magic!!!
Da, da, pomešao sam pošto su sva trojica igrali u Majamiju.
Srleř
nba.30miko,
WW>> Robert Horry - The Ironman
Kako je Otis Thorpe jos uvek ziv,mislim da bar za neko
dogledno vreme ima pravo na svoj nadimak.
Takodje,licno sam uvredjen ne pominjanjem
Tyron Bogues - "Mugsy"
Larry Johnson - "GrandMa"
koji vec predstavljaju klasiku...a zatim
Clyde Drexler - "The Glide"
S. Marculionis - "Runey" (ili kako li se vec "Runi" pise)
Vernon Maxvell - "Mad Max"
koji vec nisu klasika...pa onda imamo i
Mark "Action" Jackson
John "Spider" Salley
koji svoje nadimke vec dugo nose,a imamo i jedan novi
Copyright by JA (1996) Mich "The Bitch" Richmond (uz pozdrav junioru ;)
nba.31lexus,
=> WW>> Robert Horry - The Ironman
=>
=> Kako je Otis Thorpe jos uvek ziv,mislim da bar za neko
=> dogledno vreme ima pravo na svoj nadimak.
Xmmm... Ja i dalje mislim da je Horry Ironman, ajde neka neko arbitrira
:)))
=> Takodje,licno sam uvredjen ne pominjanjem
Ja sam naveo one koji su mi prvi pali na pamet, što će reći, ajde
još nadimaka ;))
nba.32vitez.koja,
#=> Xmmm... Ja i dalje mislim da je Horry Ironman, ajde neka neko
#=> arbitrira :)))
Nisi u pravu, Torp je Ironman (igrao je nekoliko sezona bez
propuštene utakmice), a Horija su naši komentatori zvali Pecaroš, ne
znam kako je u originalu (fisherman?).
sk
nba.33vpoznanovic,
S obzirom da su na akademskoj mreži zabranili upotrebu većine najvažnijih
Internet servisa, pretpostavio sam da ovog jutra nećete moći doći do
svojih omiljenih pregleda i statistika NBA utakmica. :) Naravno, ja sam
tu da se za to pobrinem. O;) Evo ih:
Atlanta (83) At Cleveland (72)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ehlo F 42 4-8 0-0 0 4 4 3 2 0 3 9
Long F 45 8-12 4-4 7 5 12 5 2 2 0 20
Laettner C 43 8-15 6-6 2 4 6 2 4 0 3 22
Smith G 41 7-18 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 3 4 16
Blaylock G 43 5-12 0-0 2 2 4 5 4 5 2 12
Henderson 8 1-4 1-2 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 3
Jordan 5 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Bullard 13 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 0
Mundt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Augmon Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 33-71 12-14 12 23 35 19 17 10 13 83
(.465) (.857) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 13(10 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 46 2-15 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 1 2 4
Ferry F 43 2-9 2-3 2 4 6 4 4 0 1 7
Cage C 30 1-3 0-0 4 6 10 0 2 3 0 2
Majerle G 48 8-14 2-2 3 4 7 4 1 1 6 24
Crotty G 9 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Sura 35 6-12 5-6 0 3 3 8 3 1 5 19
Hill 21 5-8 2-5 1 3 4 0 2 0 2 12
Johnson 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Lang 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Miner Dnp - Did Not Dress
Phills Dnp - Did Not Dress
Totals 240 26-65 11-16 11 21 32 20 17 6 17 72
(.400) (.688) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 17(19 Pts)
Atlanta 24 14 25 20 - 83
Cleveland 26 17 17 12 - 72
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Laettner 3. Cleveland - Cage 2, Majerle 2, Lang.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 5-21 (.238), Ehlo 1-5, Long 0-1, Laettner 0-1,
Smith 2-6, Blaylock 2-6, Bullard 0-2. Cleveland 9-24 (.375), Mills 0-4,
Ferry 1-5, Majerle 6-10, Crotty 0-1, Sura 2-4.
Technicals: Atlanta - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Bernie Fryer, Mark Wunderlich.
A - 15,780. T - 1:55.
nba.34vpoznanovic,
HAWKS SOAR OVER STRUGGLING CAVS
CLEVELAND -- Christian Laettner scored 22 points and Grant Long had 20
to lead the Atlanta Hawks to an 83-72 victory over the reeling
Cleveland Cavaliers.
Laettner, Long and Steve Smith combined for 35 of the team's 49
second-half points, including all 20 in the fourth quarter. The Hawks
snapped a two-game losing skid and are now even with the Cavs for
third place in the Central Division.
"The fellows were swinging the ball," Laettner said. "They were moving
the ball nicely. We kept our spacing a few times and I was able to
knock down a few easy jumpers. You have to force the tempo against the
Cavs because they control the tempo of the game most of the time. You
have to increase the defensive pressure, try to make the game a little
faster, try to get up and down the court."
Dan Majerle tied a season high with 24 points and Bob Sura scored a
career-high 19 for the Cavs, who have dropped all four games since
starting guards Terrell Brandon and Bobby Phills were injured.
"We can't function with a 29-point (second) half," Cavs coach Mike
Fratello said. "Atlanta played extremely well. They really did some
things execution-wise that were fun to watch from a basketball
standpoint, unless you are the opposition. We just couldn't function.
We got out of sync and I don't know when was the last time that we had
17 turnovers in a game."
Chris Mills extended Cleveland's 43-38 halftime lead with a layup 30
seconds into the third period, but Atlanta countered with a 9-2 burst
to tie the game at 47-47 with 5:51 left. Smith's dunk 3 1/2 minutes
later gave the Hawks the lead for good at 59-57.
Laettner opened up the period by scoring seven points in a 9-3 Hawks
run that upped the advantage to 72-63 with 9:16 to play. All the Cavs
could muster in the final 5:18 were two free throws by Danny Ferry.
"In the second half, we made adjustments defensively and we made
adjustments offensively," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens said. "I thought
there would be certain things that Laettner could do and we look for
those things and the guys began to see them more and more. Once he
gets really acclimated, then you will see even more."
Mookie Blaylock recorded 12 points, five assists and five steals,
while Long grabbed 12 rebounds for Atlanta, which is 3-0 against
Cleveland this season. The team made 12-of-14 free throws and received
just four points from the bench. Forward Stacey Augmon did not play
due to a sprained left ankle.
Tyrone Hill netted 12 points off the bench and Michael Cage pulled
down 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which shot 40 percent from the field
(26-of-66). Mills, who was averaging 22.3 points over the last three
games, had just four on 2-of-15 shooting.
nba.35vpoznanovic,
Dallas (105) At Charlotte (119)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 33 6-17 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 1 1 14
Jackson F 29 4-16 3-3 0 4 4 3 2 0 1 12
Williams C 27 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 0
Dumas G 33 10-18 4-6 2 2 4 3 3 0 1 28
Kidd G 30 6-14 2-2 3 3 6 6 0 2 3 16
Harris 26 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 6 0 1 1 8
Wood 19 1-3 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 2
Brooks 24 7-10 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 1 2 15
Parks 12 3-5 0-0 1 1 2 3 1 0 0 6
Meyer 7 2-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 4
Davis Dnp - Did Not Travel
Jones Dnp - Did Not Travel
Totals 240 43-93 9-11 7 24 31 28 14 6 10 105
(.462) (.818) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 10(15 Pts)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Johnson F 34 9-14 3-4 7 3 10 10 2 0 2 21
Myers F 36 2-4 0-0 0 6 6 6 5 0 1 5
Geiger C 27 9-16 2-2 4 11 15 1 2 0 3 20
Rice G 36 6-13 3-4 0 3 3 2 1 0 1 17
Goldwire G 40 7-10 1-2 0 5 5 15 4 2 3 20
Curry 30 9-16 2-2 1 4 5 3 2 2 1 21
Bogues 8 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 2
Addison 21 5-10 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 4 10
Parish 8 1-2 1-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 3
Anderson Dnp - On Injured List
Hancock Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Zidek Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 49-87 12-16 14 35 49 38 17 4 17 119
(.563) (.750) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 17(20 Pts)
Dallas 24 24 26 31 - 105
Charlotte 35 32 32 20 - 119
Blocked Shots: Dallas - Williams 2, Mccloud. Charlotte - Addison 2,
Geiger.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Dallas 10-35 (.286), Mccloud 2-10, Jackson 1-5, Dumas
4-10, Kidd 2-6, Harris 0-2, Wood 0-1, Brooks 1-1. Charlotte 9-16 (.563),
Myers 1-1, Rice 2-5, Goldwire 5-6, Curry 1-4.
Technicals: Dallas - Dumas, Charlotte - Myers, Illegal Defense.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Tommie Wood, Paul Mihalak.
A - 24,042. T - 1:49.
nba.36vpoznanovic,
SUB AS GOOD AS GOLD FOR HORNETS
CHARLOTTE -- Rookie Anthony Goldwire, playing in place of the injured
Kenny Anderson, posted career highs with 20 points and 15 assists and
Larry Johnson notched his fifth career triple-double as the Charlotte
Hornets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 119-105 victory over
the Dallas Mavericks.
Goldwire, who was signed to a 10-day contract on Jan. 22, entered the
game with averages of 3.1 points and 1.9 assists in 9.6 minutes over
18 games. Goldwire, who played for the Yakima Sun Kings of the CBA
after his days at the University of Houston, hit 5-of-6 3-pointers
with five rebounds and two steals.
Johnson had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first
triple-double of the season. Dell Curry added 21 points and Matt
Geieger had 20 points and 15 rebounds for Charlotte, which improved to
20-11 at home and swept the season series from the Mavericks. Anderson
was placed on the injured list earlier Thursday with a sprained right
ankle.
Tony Dumas scored 28 points, Jason Kidd added 16 and Scott Brooks had
15 for Dallas, which lost for just the second time in five games. The
Mavericks shot 10-of-35 from 3-point range -- one game after
attempting a record 49 -- and have hoisted 247 3-pointers over their
last seven games.
After George McCloud made a layup to close the Mavericks within 56-46
late in the second quarter, Johnson made a lay-in to trigger a 21-5
run. Goldwire scored 11 points in that run, including a layup that
gave Dallas a 77-51 bulge four minutes into the third quarter.
The Hornets settled for a 99-74 lead entering the fourth quarter
behind Curry's 21 points. Geiger's 12 helped Charlotte to a 35-24 lead
after one period as his 18 points and Johnson's 17 led the Hornets to
a 19-point halftime advantage.
Glen Rice scored 17 points for Charlotte, which shot 56 percent
(49-of-87) from the field and held a 49-31 rebounding edge.
Kidd added six rebounds and six assists for Dallas, which shot 46
percent (43-of-93) and was outscored 60-36 in the paint.
nba.37vpoznanovic,
Detroit (81) At Chicago (102)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 40 5-16 1-1 3 10 13 6 4 0 6 13
Thorpe F 22 3-11 2-2 2 5 7 2 3 0 2 8
Reid C 20 1-2 2-2 2 2 4 1 5 1 2 4
Houston G 38 9-14 0-0 2 3 5 2 0 0 4 21
Dumars G 37 4-8 2-2 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 13
Mills 30 3-9 1-3 0 1 1 0 3 0 3 10
Curry 22 2-5 2-2 1 1 2 1 4 1 1 6
Ratliff 10 1-2 0-0 0 5 5 0 2 0 0 2
Roe 3 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 2
Hunter 14 0-4 2-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 2
West 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-73 12-14 11 30 41 16 26 2 22 81
(.397) (.857) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 22(34 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 40 5-17 0-0 2 3 5 10 3 2 2 11
Rodman F 32 1-4 1-4 7 6 13 1 4 0 1 3
Longley C 29 6-9 1-1 0 5 5 2 4 0 1 13
Harper G 27 3-8 1-2 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 7
Jordan G 38 21-28 9-10 2 9 11 2 3 6 4 53
Kukoc 29 3-8 1-2 1 3 4 4 2 1 0 7
Buechler 9 0-6 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0
Kerr 23 2-7 1-2 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 7
Brown 6 0-0 0-0 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 0
Caffey 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salley 3 0-3 1-2 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 1
Simpkins Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-91 15-23 16 30 46 25 20 12 9 102
(.451) (.652) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 9(5 Pts)
Detroit 15 25 28 13 - 81
Chicago 23 21 32 26 - 102
Blocked Shots: Detroit - None. Chicago - Longley 2, Rodman, Kukoc.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Detroit 11-24 (.458), Hill 2-3, Houston 3-6, Dumars
3-7, Mills 3-6, Curry 0-1, Hunter 0-1. Chicago 5-24 (.208), Pippen 1-7,
Rodman 0-2, Harper 0-3, Jordan 2-4, Kukoc 0-4, Buechler 0-1, Kerr 2-3.
Technicals: Detroit - Head Coach Collins.
Officials: Lee Jones, Don Vaden, Jack Nies.
A - 23,369. T - 2:00.
nba.38vpoznanovic,
JORDAN HITS ON ALL PISTONS WITH 53-POINT NIGHT
CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan scored 53 points -- scoring at least 50 for
the 35th time in his career -- as the Chicago Bulls earned their 37th
consecutive home win, a 102-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Jordan, who scored 34 points in the second half, made 21-of-28 shots,
9-of-10 free throws and added 11 rebounds and six steals. His effort
was a United Center record for points in a game, breaking the 50
scored by Dallas' Jamal Mashburn on Nov. 12, 1994.
"It was just one of those nights for me," Jordan said. "Nobody else on
our team could make a shot. My jump shot was working, so quite
naturally, I kept taking it. I feel more now like this is my home
court than ever before.
"One of my security guards was kidding me before the game, wondering
when I was going to get 50 points in this building, and I told him,
'Don't worry, it'll come when it comes.' "
Scottie Pippen and Luc Longley added 13 points apiece for Chicago,
which improved to 30-0 at home this season, tying the current Orlando
Magic for the best home start in history and moving within one win of
the 1985-86 Boston Celtics for consecutive home wins in a season.
With victories in their ensuing home games, Chicago and Orlando will
tie the NBA record for the most consecutive home victories set the by
the Celtics over the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons.
The Bulls (54-6), who won their sixth straight, need to go 16-6 over
their final 22 games to become the first team in NBA history to win 70
games in a regular season. Chicago improved to 18-1 against Central
Division teams, winning its last 12.
"We were talikng throughout the whole game," said Jordan, in reference
to his verbal sparring with former coach and current Pistons coach
Doug Collins. "I know he wanted to come in here and break our winning
streak, but we don't want him or anybody else to beat us. I have a lot
of respect for him and his team. They have some nice, young players
there."
"I told my players a long time ago that Michael Jordan could come into
any situation and wipe you out," Collins said. "He did that pretty
well tonight. We played a good game for three quarters, but ran out of
gas. I'm proud of my players' effort, but when Michael wants to get
going like tonight, the party's over."
Allan Houston scored 21 points, while Grant Hill and Joe Dumars were
held to 13 each for Detroit, which had its four-game winning streak
snapped and lost to the Bulls for the 15th straight meeting. The
Pistons have not beaten the Bulls since March 14, 1993 and have not
won in Chicago since March 16, 1990 -- a span of 12 games.
"We were lucky tonight that Michael bailed us out," Bulls coach Phil
Jackson said. "Offensively, in the first half, we didn't have a very
good effort. Obviously when you go 0-for-15 in the 3-point area (in
the first half), you're not doing a good job, but our effort on
defense was good all evening."
Michael Curry opened the fourth quarter with a basket to pull the
Pistons within 76-70 before Jordan hit a 12-footer to trigger a 19-3
run. Jordan followed with a 15-footer, a pair of free throws and a
3-pointer.
Jordan scored 15 points in the burst, including a slam that gave the
Bulls a 95-73 lead with 3:27 to go. Jordan left the game to a
thunderous standing ovation four seconds later.
Jordan and Longley each had nine points as the Bulls took a 23-15 lead
into the second period. The Pistons pulled within 44-40 at halftime
behind Houston's 12.
Dennis Rodman grabbed 13 rebounds and Pippen added 10 assists for
Chicago, which shot 45 percent (41-of-91) from the field, held a 46-41
rebounding edge and committed just nine turnovers.
Hill added 13 rebounds and six assists for Detroit, which shot just 40
percent (29-of-73) and committed 22 turnovers that led to 34 points
for the Bulls.
nba.39vpoznanovic,
Houston (86) At Golden State (95)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 21 4-10 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 8
Horry F 42 4-12 1-2 1 4 5 7 3 0 3 10
Olajuwon C 44 14-27 6-8 2 9 11 2 2 2 4 34
Mack G 36 3-8 0-0 1 4 5 5 5 1 1 6
Recasner G 39 3-11 0-0 1 6 7 10 2 0 3 8
Breaux 13 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0
Bryant 22 4-5 7-8 3 3 6 0 3 1 4 15
Chilcutt 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Booker 19 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 1 4 0 1 5
Jackson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Smith Dnp - Strained Back
Totals 240 34-78 14-18 11 28 39 27 20 4 17 86
(.436) (.778) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 17(20 Pts)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 19 4-9 0-0 1 2 3 3 2 1 0 9
Smith F 39 7-13 0-0 3 9 12 1 2 1 2 14
Seikaly C 25 4-5 2-4 3 2 5 1 5 0 1 10
Armstrong G 31 3-12 3-4 0 4 4 7 1 1 0 11
Sprewell G 42 9-20 3-4 3 3 6 4 0 1 2 21
Coles 27 3-10 6-8 0 2 2 9 1 4 1 12
Marshall 24 6-12 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 1 2 13
Willis 19 1-3 0-0 1 4 5 0 5 0 2 2
Barry 10 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 2 0 0 1 3
Rozier 4 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
Declercq Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mullin Dnp - Injured Hand
Totals 240 38-87 14-20 14 31 45 27 18 9 11 95
(.437) (.700) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 12(7 Pts)
Houston 21 17 26 22 - 86
Golden State 18 19 33 25 - 95
Blocked Shots: Houston - Olajuwon 2, Horry, Brown. Golden State -
Seikaly 2, Marshall 2, Sprewell, Willis.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Houston 4-17 (.235), Horry 1-5, Mack 0-3, Recasner 2-6,
Chilcutt 0-1, Booker 1-2. Golden State 5-15 (.333), Kersey 1-1, Armstrong
2-3, Sprewell 0-5, Coles 0-2, Marshall 1-3, Barry 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Ted Bernhardt, Hank Armstrong.
A - 15,025. T - 2:09.
nba.40vpoznanovic,
WARRIORS GET DEFENSIVE AGAINST ROCKETS
OAKLAND -- Rony Seikaly scored all 10 of his points in a third-quarter
run and Latrell Sprewell scored 15 points as the Golden State Warriors
rallied to snap the Houston Rockets' six-game winning streak with a
95-86 victory.
Joe Smith had 14 points and 12 rebounds and B.J. Armstrong added 11
points -- including a key 3-pointer in the final minute -- for Golden
State, which won its second straight following a four-game losing
streak and beat the Rockets for the first time in 12 meetings.
"We did a great job on the defensive end," Smith said. "We got into
the open floor and made things happen."
Hakeem Olajuwon had 34 points and 11 rebounds and Mark Bryant added 15
points for Houston, which lost for just the third time in 13 games and
lost at Golden State for the first time since Jan. 2, 1992.
"We didn't run out of steam," Olajuwon said. "It was a game where we
didn't make the right decisions at the right time. We didn't take care
of the ball, that's the bottom line."
Seikaly tipped in a missed shot to open the third quarter and give the
Warriors a 39-38 lead, triggering a 14-5 run. Seikaly added three
layups and a pair of free throws as Golden State raced to a 51-43
advantage and never looked back.
"I think the second half was as well as we've played all year long at
both ends of the court," Warriors coach Rick Adelman said. "We
defended well, rebounded well, executed well and we finally made some
shots, which really helps."
Jerome Kersey scored all nine of his points in the third quarter when
the Warriors shot 63 percent (15-of-24) of their shots to help take a
70-64 edge into the fourth quarter.
Bryant sank a pair of free throws with 1:14 left in the fourth to pull
the Rockets within 90-86. But Armstrong answered in a big way.
Armstrong received a pass from Sprewell and drilled a shot from behind
the arc to seal the game with 54 seconds to go.
Only Olajuwon, who scored 13 points over the final 12 minutes, and
Bryant scored in the fourth quarter for Houston, which scored 22
points in the final period.
Bimbo Coles had 12 points and nine assists and Armstrong added seven
assists for the Warriors, who shot 44 percent (38-of-87) from the
field and held a 45-39 rebounding edge.
Olajuwon added 11 rebounds and Eldridge Recasner dished out 10 assists
for the Rockets, who shot 44 percent (34-of-78) and committed 17
turnovers that led to 20 points for the Warriors.
Olajuwon blocked two shots to increase his career total to 3,154, just
35 away Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time record of 3,189.
nba.41vpoznanovic,
La Lakers (102) At Sacramento (89)
La Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ceballos F 31 6-9 1-1 3 4 7 1 1 1 2 13
Campbell F 37 11-21 7-9 2 9 11 1 4 1 5 29
Divac C 34 7-12 0-0 4 5 9 0 2 2 1 14
Jones G 31 4-7 3-3 0 2 2 3 2 1 2 12
Van Exel G 30 1-8 5-6 0 4 4 6 2 2 2 7
Lynch 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Johnson 30 5-10 4-4 1 4 5 7 1 1 5 15
Peeler 17 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 8
Threatt 18 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 2
Strong 6 0-3 0-2 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0
Blount 1 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Miller Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-77 22-27 12 30 42 20 17 9 17 102
(.494) (.815) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 18(10 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Owens F 24 8-10 1-2 0 2 2 6 1 2 4 18
Grant F 33 9-15 1-2 4 3 7 1 5 0 2 19
Polynice C 43 9-20 3-3 4 9 13 0 5 0 0 21
Richmond G 46 6-15 2-2 0 1 1 1 3 3 4 19
Hurley G 20 0-2 2-2 0 2 2 5 1 0 0 2
Smith 26 1-4 0-0 2 4 6 4 2 0 2 3
Edney 28 1-5 3-4 0 2 2 3 5 1 2 5
C Williamson 11 0-4 2-4 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2
Causwell 5 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Gamble 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Simmons Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-77 14-19 10 24 34 21 26 7 14 89
(.442) (.737) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 17(22 Pts)
La Lakers 22 30 23 27 - 102
Sacramento 35 20 21 13 - 89
Blocked Shots: La Lakers - Campbell 5, Ceballos, Divac, Jones, Peeler.
Sacramento - Grant 2, Owens.
3-Pt. Field Goals: La Lakers 4-16 (.250), Ceballos 0-3, Divac 0-1, Jones
1-3, Van Exel 0-4, Johnson 1-2, Peeler 2-2, Threatt 0-1. Sacramento 7-11
(.636), Owens 1-1, Richmond 5-8, Hurley 0-1, Smith 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Joe Forte, Jim Capers, Nolan Fine.
A - 17,317. T - 2:10.
nba.42vpoznanovic,
MAGIC DISHES FOR 10,000TH TIME
SACRAMENTO -- Elden Campbell scored 29 points and Magic Johnson hit a
career milestone as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away for a 102-89
victory over the reeling Sacramento Kings.
Johnson's fifth of seven assists on the night gave him 10,000 for his
career, making him only the second player to reach the plateau. Utah's
John Stockton, who passed Johnson during his four-year absence from
the NBA, went over the 11,000 mark last month and is the only player
ahead of Johnson.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Campbell hit a jumper from the foul
line on a dish from Johnson to put him at the 10,000 mark.
"It was a great moment," said Johnson of his 10,000th assist. "Joining
John Stockton with 10,000 is a special moment in my career. I hadn't
even thought about it until the media brought it up. I'm just happy to
be back playing."
Vlade Divac added 14 points for the Lakers, who won for the 21st time
in 26 games.
Olden Polynice scored 21 points and Brian Grant and Mitch Richmond
added 19 apiece for Sacramento, which has lost four consecutive games
and 15 of its last 16.
After Grant tied the game at 85-85, the Lakers scored the next seven
points to break the game open. Campbell hit a pair of hook shots
around two free throws by Eddie Jones to give Los Angeles a 91-85 lead
with 3:47 to play. Nick Van Exel capped the run by making one of two
free throws to give the Lakers a 92-85 edge with 3:10 to play.
The Kings came no closer than five points thereafter.
"Magic brought us leadership that we've missed the past couple of
years," said Divac. "Late in the game, he is the man. He needs some
more time to get his old skills back, but every game he is getting
better."
Sacramento had taken an 81-75 lead with 10:28 to play on a layup by
Polynice, but the Lakers used a 10-0 run to retake the lead as
Campbell made one of two free throws, Divac converted a layup and
Ceballos added a three-point play and layup to give Los Angeles an
83-81 lead with 6:47 remaining.
Johnson capped the spurt with two free throws but Mitch Richmond sank
a pair of foul shots before Grant's hook shot tied the game at 85-85
with 5:17 to play.
Johnson finished with 15 points off the bench for Los Angeles, which
shot 49 percent (38-of-77) from the field and outrebounded the Kings,
42-34.
Campbell grabbed 11 rebounds for the Lakers and Jones finished with 12
points.
Billy Owens scored 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting for the Kings, who
made 44 percent (34-of-77) of their shots. Polynice grabbed 13
rebounds. Sacramento's point guards, Tyus Edney and Bobby Hurley,
combined to make just 1-of-7 shots, and dish out only eight assists.
"It was a bit frustrating," said Owens. "But going into the game, I
knew that I would be playing only the first and third quarters. We
didn't take care of the ball down the stretch. We missed some easy
shots that we normally make."
The Lakers' bench outscored Sacramento's reserves 24-10.
nba.43vpoznanovic,
Phoenix (92) At Denver (103)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Bennett F 13 0-1 2-2 0 4 4 0 5 1 0 2
Barkley F 38 8-22 9-12 1 2 3 1 5 1 2 26
Williams C 29 1-6 0-0 2 4 6 1 3 1 0 2
Finley G 47 4-6 3-4 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 11
Johnson G 38 7-16 7-9 0 5 5 7 1 1 1 21
W Person 30 4-6 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 10
Perry 11 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4
Manning 21 5-13 4-4 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 14
Green 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
Carr 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Kleine 8 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 2
Tisdale Dnp - Bruised Right Shoulder
Totals 240 32-80 25-31 7 20 27 15 22 6 5 92
(.400) (.806) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 6(4 Pts)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Ellis F 24 2-4 2-4 0 11 11 0 5 0 2 6
Mcdyess F 14 2-8 2-4 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 6
Mutombo C 40 3-12 5-6 3 7 10 2 3 0 0 11
Rose G 31 7-9 2-2 0 3 3 4 4 0 3 17
Stith G 25 1-7 0-0 2 2 4 4 2 0 2 2
D Ellis 40 13-21 2-2 5 3 8 5 2 0 3 33
Williams 24 2-4 2-2 1 4 5 2 2 1 2 6
Overton 17 3-7 2-2 0 4 4 3 1 0 0 8
Hammonds 21 6-8 0-0 5 1 6 0 3 0 0 12
Fish 4 0-1 2-4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Abdul-Rauf Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Maclean Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 39-81 19-26 17 37 54 20 23 1 13 103
(.481) (.731) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 15(13 Pts)
Phoenix 23 27 27 15 - 92
Denver 24 25 28 26 - 103
Blocked Shots: Phoenix - Williams 2, Johnson 2, Green. Denver - Mutombo
8, Mcdyess 2, D Ellis, Rose, Williams, Fish.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Phoenix 3-7 (.429), Barkley 1-4, W Person 2-3. Denver
6-13 (.462), L Ellis 0-2, Rose 1-2, Stith 0-1, D Ellis 5-7, Williams 0-1.
Technicals: Phoenix - Illegal Defense, Denver - Illegal Defense 2, L Ellis.
Officials: Jim Clark, Blane Reichelt, Ed F Rush.
A - 17,171. T - 2:12.
nba.44vpoznanovic,
Denver 103, Phoenix 92
Dale Ellis scored five of his season-high 33 points during a
game-ending 20-9 run as the Denver Nuggets rallied to defeat the
Phoenix Suns, 103-92.
Jalen Rose scored 17 points and Tom Hammonds added 12 for Denver,
which won for just the second time in five games without guard Mahmoud
Abdul-Rauf. Rauf missed his second straight game due to a sprained
right ankle for the Nuggets, who beat the Suns for the third time in
four games.
"It was a lot of fun," Ellis said. "I shot the ball well and I could
have played all night. They're the Suns. They played a good game
tonight. It was a difficult win. Jalen did a good job of getting the
ball to me. And the picks got me open."
"I noticed Dale was in a groove a long time ago, but it was a just
conveying a message to deliver the ball to him," Nuggets coach Bernie
Bickerstaff said. "He's a rhythm shooter and you can't hesitate to
give it to him. We outrebounded them significantly and we didn't turn
the ball over. We were persistant and insistant and that's very good
for a change."
Charles Barkley scored 26 points, just three in the fourth quarter,
Kevin Johnson added 21 and Danny Manning had 14 for Phoenix, which had
its two-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the eighth time
in 24 games since Barkley returned from toenail surgery.
"I'm going to have bad nights, but I'm not going to go crazy," Barkley
said. "I just have to do a better job. (Dikembe) Mutombo did a great
job on me. He played me very well. I can't really post him up like I
want to. I had a bad night, plain and simple. I didn't do a good job
on the boards."
After the Suns' Elliot Perry nailed a jumper to tie the game at 83-83,
Matt Fish made one free throw to give the Nuggets the lead for good at
84-83. Ellis followed with a 14-footer and Rose made a jumper.
But a jumper from Michael Finley pulled Phoenix within 88-87 before
Ellis sank a technical free throw to trigger a 15-3 burst. Hammonds
followed with a short jumper, Mutombo made a hook and Reggie Williams
made a running jumper for a 95-88 lead with 2:50 remaining.
After Barkley tipped in a missed shot to draw the Suns within five,
Doug Overton made a layup, Ellis nailed a 17-footer and Williams and
Overton each made a pair of free throws to give the Nuggets a 103-90
advantage with one minute to go.
The Nuggets took a 24-23 lead into the second quarter behind Rose's
nine points before the Suns gained a 50-49 advantage at the half
behind Johnson's 15. The game was tied at 77-77 after three.
Mutombo, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds, came within two blocks of
a triple-double and LaPhonso Ellis grabbed 11 boards for Denver, which
shot 48 per cent (39-of-81) from the field and outrebounded Phoenix by
an outstanding 54-27 margin.
Finley and Wesley Person scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, for
Phoenix, which shot 40 per cent (32-of-80) and lost a season series to
the Nuggets for the first time since the 1987-88 campaign.
nba.45vpoznanovic,
A evo i novosti koje su stigle u toku noći...
SPURS' ADMIRAL QUESTIONABLE FOR FRIDAY GAME
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Spurs All-Star center David Robinson is
listed as questionable for Friday's game against New Jersey because
of a laceration to the middle finger of his right hand.
Robinson sustained the injury when he inadvertently hit teammate
Charles Smith's upper arm with 3:44 left in the first half of
Wednesday's 100-90 victory over Denver.
X-rays taken of the finger were negative.
"It was a freak thing," said Robinson, the NBA's reigning Most
Valuable Player. "I hit Charles' arm while I was going up for a block.
My finger bent back, I thought it was a sprain. I looked down and I
could see in the finger."
HORNETS PUT ANDERSON ON INJURED LIST
CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte Hornets placed point guard Kenny Anderson
on the injured list Thursday with a sprained right ankle, leaving the
team with 11 active players.
Anderson turned the ankle during Tuesday night's game at Orlando. He
returned to start the third quarter, but played sparingly for the rest
of the game. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday which revealed just a
sprain.
Anderson was acquired along with Gerald Glass for Kendall Gill and
Khalid Reeves from the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 19.
Anderson is averaging 14.9 points and 10.6 assists with Charlotte in
20 games and 15.1 points and nine assists in 51 games overall.
The loss of Anderson will put Muggsy Bogues back at the starting point
guard spot. Bogues was activated from the injured list last week after
missing six games with a sore left knee.
The 5-foot-3 Bogues was placed on the injured list for the second time
this season on Feb. 22. He had missed the first 46 games of the year
while recovering from arthroscopic surgery performed on his left knee
last August. In four games this season, Bogues is averaging 2.5 points
and 4.3 assists.
Bogues, who is the franchise's all-time leader in games (563), minutes
(15,218), assists (5,082) and steals (983), has been the starting
point guard for the last six seasons.
CAVS' MINER HAS MAJOR SURGERY
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Cavaliers guard Harold Miner underwent
successful surgery on his right knee to repair two torn meniscus and
to remove a cyst on the medial meniscus of his right knee.
The surgery was performed by Dr. John Bergfeld at the Cleveland
Clinic. Miner has begun rehabilitation and is expected to miss six
weeks of action.
Miner has appeared in just 19 games this season for the Cavs,
averaging 3.2 points per contest.
FISH THAT SAVED DENVER? HE HAS 10 DAYS TO TRY
DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets signed center Matt Fish to a 10-day
contract Thursday and placed center Rastko Cvetkovic on the injured
list with plantar fasciatis in his left foot.
Fish began the season on Detroit's injured list before being waived
Dec. 6 and joining the Fort Wayne Fury of the Continental Basketball
Association. The New York Knicks signed Fish on Feb. 24 and he
appeared in two games, including a start against the Los Angeles
Lakers.
Cvetkovic has played in just 14 games this season, averaging 0.7
points and 0.8 rebounds per game.
INJURIES TO KEEP LONGLEY OFF AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TEAM
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Basketball Australia reported Thursday that
Chicago Bulls center Luc Longley will not play on the 1996 Australian
Olympic team because of knee tendinitis and the deteriorating
condition of his ankle. Luc Longley Longley
Longley will undergo surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle
as soon as the Bulls' season ends, or sooner if the problem worsens.
The Bulls have the best record in the NBA at 52-6 and are on pace for
the first 70-win season in league history.
Longley is averaging 9.5 points and five rebounds per game this season
as Chicago's starting center. He has missed nine games because of knee
tendinitis.
Longley was born in Melbourne, Australia, and went to high school in
Perth, Australia. He played college basketball in the United States at
New Mexico, and the Minnesota Timberwolves selected him in the first
round of the 1991 NBA draft.
The Bulls acquired Longley in a trade on Feb. 23, 1994.
nba.46vpoznanovic,
I na kraju, naravno, najnovije tablice...
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Thursday, March 7 - 119 days, 855 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 59 46 13 26 2 20 11 103.8 96.2 78.0 - L 1
Los Angeles Lakers 58 37 21 23 8 14 13 102.8 99.4 63.8 8.5 W 1
Phoenix Suns 59 30 29 17 14 13 15 104.0 104.0 50.8 16.0 L 1
Golden State Warriors 60 28 32 18 10 10 22 103.3 104.3 46.7 18.5 W 2
Sacramento Kings 57 25 32 16 13 9 19 100.8 103.3 43.9 20.0 L 4
Portland Trail Blazers 60 26 34 15 14 11 20 99.1 99.2 43.3 20.5 L 2
Los Angeles Clippers 59 20 39 13 19 7 20 100.2 104.4 33.9 26.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Utah Jazz 58 41 17 25 4 16 13 104.2 97.3 70.7 - W 5
San Antonio Spurs 58 40 18 23 6 17 12 103.4 97.1 69.0 1.0 W 4
Houston Rockets 61 40 21 21 7 19 14 102.8 99.0 65.6 2.5 L 1
Denver Nuggets 59 25 34 17 12 8 22 98.3 101.5 42.4 16.5 W 1
Dallas Mavericks 59 21 38 13 17 8 21 103.8 107.5 35.6 20.5 L 1
Minnesota Timberwolves 59 19 40 13 16 6 24 97.6 103.2 32.2 22.5 W 1
Vancouver Grizzlies 57 11 46 8 22 3 24 90.5 101.2 19.3 29.5 L 9
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 60 45 15 30 0 15 15 104.2 99.0 75.0 - W 5
New York Knicks 59 34 25 20 11 14 14 97.3 95.6 57.6 10.5 W 1
Miami Heat 60 28 32 19 12 9 20 93.7 93.7 46.7 17.0 W 1
Washington Bullets 60 27 33 18 10 9 23 102.5 101.0 45.0 18.0 W 3
New Jersey Nets 58 24 34 16 11 8 23 94.1 97.1 41.4 20.0 L 4
Boston Celtics 60 22 38 13 17 9 21 104.1 107.9 36.7 23.0 W 2
Philadelphia 76ers 58 11 47 6 22 5 25 95.2 105.2 19.0 33.0 L 4
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 60 54 6 30 0 24 6 106.4 94.4 90.0 - W 6
Indiana Pacers 60 38 22 23 6 15 16 99.8 96.4 63.3 16.0 L 2
Cleveland Cavaliers 59 33 26 20 12 13 14 91.6 89.5 55.9 20.5 L 4
Atlanta Hawks 59 33 26 19 11 14 15 97.9 96.9 55.9 20.5 W 1
Detroit Pistons 59 32 27 18 10 14 17 95.5 93.2 54.2 21.5 L 1
Charlotte Hornets 59 29 30 20 11 9 19 103.9 103.5 49.2 24.5 W 1
Milwaukee Bucks 58 21 37 12 18 9 19 95.7 100.2 36.2 32.0 L 2
Toronto Raptors 58 15 43 10 18 5 25 95.9 102.1 25.9 38.0 L 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 59 46 13 26 2 20 11 103.8 96.2 78.0 - L 1
2. Utah Jazz 58 41 17 25 4 16 13 104.2 97.3 70.7 4.5 W 5
3. San Antonio Spurs 58 40 18 23 6 17 12 103.4 97.1 69.0 5.5 W 4
4. Houston Rockets 61 40 21 21 7 19 14 102.8 99.0 65.6 7.0 L 1
5. Los Angeles Lakers 58 37 21 23 8 14 13 102.8 99.4 63.8 8.5 W 1
6. Phoenix Suns 59 30 29 17 14 13 15 104.0 104.0 50.8 16.0 L 1
7. Golden State Warriors 60 28 32 18 10 10 22 103.3 104.3 46.7 18.5 W 2
8. Sacramento Kings 57 25 32 16 13 9 19 100.8 103.3 43.9 20.0 L 4
9. Portland Trail Blazers 60 26 34 15 14 11 20 99.1 99.2 43.3 20.5 L 2
10. Denver Nuggets 59 25 34 17 12 8 22 98.3 101.5 42.4 21.0 W 1
11. Dallas Mavericks 59 21 38 13 17 8 21 103.8 107.5 35.6 25.0 L 1
12. Los Angeles Clippers 59 20 39 13 19 7 20 100.2 104.4 33.9 26.0 L 1
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 59 19 40 13 16 6 24 97.6 103.2 32.2 27.0 W 1
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 57 11 46 8 22 3 24 90.5 101.2 19.3 34.0 L 9
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 60 54 6 30 0 24 6 106.4 94.4 90.0 - W 6 *
2. Orlando Magic 60 45 15 30 0 15 15 104.2 99.0 75.0 9.0 W 5
3. Indiana Pacers 60 38 22 23 6 15 16 99.8 96.4 63.3 16.0 L 2
4. New York Knicks 59 34 25 20 11 14 14 97.3 95.6 57.6 19.5 W 1
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 59 33 26 20 12 13 14 91.6 89.5 55.9 20.5 L 4
6. Atlanta Hawks 59 33 26 19 11 14 15 97.9 96.9 55.9 20.5 W 1
7. Detroit Pistons 59 32 27 18 10 14 17 95.5 93.2 54.2 21.5 L 1
8. Charlotte Hornets 59 29 30 20 11 9 19 103.9 103.5 49.2 24.5 W 1
9. Miami Heat 60 28 32 19 12 9 20 93.7 93.7 46.7 26.0 W 1
10. Washington Bullets 60 27 33 18 10 9 23 102.5 101.0 45.0 27.0 W 3
11. New Jersey Nets 58 24 34 16 11 8 23 94.1 97.1 41.4 29.0 L 4
12. Boston Celtics 60 22 38 13 17 9 21 104.1 107.9 36.7 32.0 W 2
13. Milwaukee Bucks 58 21 37 12 18 9 19 95.7 100.2 36.2 32.0 L 2
14. Toronto Raptors 58 15 43 10 18 5 25 95.9 102.1 25.9 38.0 L 2
15. Philadelphia 76ers 58 11 47 6 22 5 25 95.2 105.2 19.0 42.0 L 4
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Houston Rockets Los Angeles Lakers
Utah Jazz Golden State Warriors
San Antonio Spurs Phoenix Suns
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Charlotte Hornets
New York Knicks Cleveland Cavaliers
Orlando Magic Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers Atlanta Hawks
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 60 54 6 30 0 24 6 106.4 94.4 90.0 - W 6
2. Seattle Supersonics 59 46 13 26 2 20 11 103.8 96.2 78.0 7.5 L 1
3. Orlando Magic 60 45 15 30 0 15 15 104.2 99.0 75.0 9.0 W 5
4. Utah Jazz 58 41 17 25 4 16 13 104.2 97.3 70.7 12.0 W 5
5. San Antonio Spurs 58 40 18 23 6 17 12 103.4 97.1 69.0 13.0 W 4
6. Houston Rockets 61 40 21 21 7 19 14 102.8 99.0 65.6 14.5 L 1
7. Los Angeles Lakers 58 37 21 23 8 14 13 102.8 99.4 63.8 16.0 W 1
8. Indiana Pacers 60 38 22 23 6 15 16 99.8 96.4 63.3 16.0 L 2
9. New York Knicks 59 34 25 20 11 14 14 97.3 95.6 57.6 19.5 W 1
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 59 33 26 20 12 13 14 91.6 89.5 55.9 20.5 L 4
11. Atlanta Hawks 59 33 26 19 11 14 15 97.9 96.9 55.9 20.5 W 1
12. Detroit Pistons 59 32 27 18 10 14 17 95.5 93.2 54.2 21.5 L 1
13. Phoenix Suns 59 30 29 17 14 13 15 104.0 104.0 50.8 23.5 L 1
14. Charlotte Hornets 59 29 30 20 11 9 19 103.9 103.5 49.2 24.5 W 1
15. Miami Heat 60 28 32 19 12 9 20 93.7 93.7 46.7 26.0 W 1
16. Golden State Warriors 60 28 32 18 10 10 22 103.3 104.3 46.7 26.0 W 2
17. Washington Bullets 60 27 33 18 10 9 23 102.5 101.0 45.0 27.0 W 3
18. Sacramento Kings 57 25 32 16 13 9 19 100.8 103.3 43.9 27.5 L 4
19. Portland Trail Blazers 60 26 34 15 14 11 20 99.1 99.2 43.3 28.0 L 2
20. Denver Nuggets 59 25 34 17 12 8 22 98.3 101.5 42.4 28.5 W 1
21. New Jersey Nets 58 24 34 16 11 8 23 94.1 97.1 41.4 29.0 L 4
22. Boston Celtics 60 22 38 13 17 9 21 104.1 107.9 36.7 32.0 W 2
23. Milwaukee Bucks 58 21 37 12 18 9 19 95.7 100.2 36.2 32.0 L 2
24. Dallas Mavericks 59 21 38 13 17 8 21 103.8 107.5 35.6 32.5 L 1
25. Los Angeles Clippers 59 20 39 13 19 7 20 100.2 104.4 33.9 33.5 L 1
26. Minnesota Timberwolves 59 19 40 13 16 6 24 97.6 103.2 32.2 34.5 W 1
27. Toronto Raptors 58 15 43 10 18 5 25 95.9 102.1 25.9 38.0 L 2
28. Vancouver Grizzlies 57 11 46 8 22 3 24 90.5 101.2 19.3 41.5 L 9
29. Philadelphia 76ers 58 11 47 6 22 5 25 95.2 105.2 19.0 42.0 L 4
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.47junior,
> koji svoje nadimke vec dugo nose,a imamo i jedan novi
> Copyright by JA (1996) Mich "The Bitch" Richmond (uz pozdrav
> junioru ;)
A zaboravljaš Matt "MVP" Geiger :))
BTW, za Kukoča nije Kuki, nego Pink Panther.
Taj ga nadimak prati još od Jugoplastike, kad je grupa
navijača na svaku utakmicu donosila lutku Pink Pantera.
Ispočetka se ljutio, ali posle se navikao ...
A da ne izostavimo i John "Hot Rod" Williams.
I Stacey "PlasticMan" Augmon...
nba.48junior,
Ako niste čuli, New York je smenio Dona Nelsona i imenovao pomoćnika
trenera (uhh, kako se ono zove) za v.d. dok se ne nađe bolje.
To je bilo odmah posle poraza od Philladelphije, a pre pobede nad Chicagom
;)
Mali je gadan ...
jr.
nba.49vpoznanovic,
Tuesday, March 12
Miami at Dallas 125:118
Orlando at Denver 93:110
Phoenix at New Jersey 98:88
Portland at LA Lakers 105:99
San Antonio at Golden State 106:98
Toronto at Philadelphia 110:118
Utah at Atlanta 89:115
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Tuesday, March 12 - 124 days, 891 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 61 47 14 26 3 21 11 104.2 96.6 77.0 - L 1
Los Angeles Lakers 60 38 22 23 9 15 13 103.1 99.5 63.3 8.5 L 1
Phoenix Suns 62 31 31 17 15 14 16 103.8 104.3 50.0 16.5 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 63 29 34 17 14 12 20 99.7 99.4 46.0 19.0 W 3
Sacramento Kings 60 27 33 17 13 10 20 100.6 103.2 45.0 19.5 W 2
Golden State Warriors 63 28 35 18 12 10 23 102.9 104.2 44.4 20.0 L 3
Los Angeles Clippers 62 22 40 13 19 9 21 100.0 104.0 35.5 25.5 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Utah Jazz 61 43 18 26 4 17 14 104.0 97.5 70.5 - L 1
San Antonio Spurs 61 43 18 24 6 19 12 103.7 97.2 70.5 - W 7
Houston Rockets 63 41 22 21 7 20 15 102.5 99.0 65.1 3.0 W 1
Denver Nuggets 62 27 35 19 13 8 22 98.4 101.1 43.5 16.5 W 1
Dallas Mavericks 62 21 41 13 18 8 23 104.0 107.9 33.9 22.5 L 4
Minnesota Timberwolves 61 19 42 13 18 6 24 97.8 103.7 31.1 24.0 L 2
Vancouver Grizzlies 60 11 49 8 24 3 25 90.2 100.8 18.3 31.5 L12
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 63 47 16 32 0 15 16 104.5 99.5 74.6 - L 1
New York Knicks 61 35 26 21 11 14 15 97.4 95.3 57.4 11.0 W 1
Miami Heat 63 31 32 21 12 10 20 94.4 93.6 49.2 16.0 W 4
Washington Bullets 62 28 34 19 11 9 23 102.2 100.7 45.2 18.5 W 1
New Jersey Nets 61 25 36 16 12 9 24 94.2 97.3 41.0 21.0 L 1
Boston Celtics 62 23 39 13 18 10 21 104.0 107.6 37.1 23.5 W 1
Philadelphia 76ers 61 13 48 8 23 5 25 95.7 105.0 21.3 33.0 W 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 61 54 7 30 0 24 7 105.8 94.6 88.5 - L 1
Indiana Pacers 62 39 23 23 6 16 17 99.9 96.4 62.9 15.5 L 1
Atlanta Hawks 62 35 27 21 11 14 16 98.0 96.7 56.5 19.5 W 1
Detroit Pistons 61 34 27 20 10 14 17 95.5 93.1 55.7 20.0 W 2
Cleveland Cavaliers 61 34 27 20 12 14 15 91.5 89.5 55.7 20.0 L 1
Charlotte Hornets 60 29 31 20 11 9 20 104.0 103.8 48.3 24.5 L 1
Milwaukee Bucks 60 21 39 12 19 9 20 95.7 100.2 35.0 32.5 L 4
Toronto Raptors 61 16 45 11 18 5 27 96.4 102.6 26.2 38.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 61 47 14 26 3 21 11 104.2 96.6 77.0 - L 1
2. Utah Jazz 61 43 18 26 4 17 14 104.0 97.5 70.5 4.0 L 1
3. San Antonio Spurs 61 43 18 24 6 19 12 103.7 97.2 70.5 4.0 W 7
4. Houston Rockets 63 41 22 21 7 20 15 102.5 99.0 65.1 7.0 W 1
5. Los Angeles Lakers 60 38 22 23 9 15 13 103.1 99.5 63.3 8.5 L 1
6. Phoenix Suns 62 31 31 17 15 14 16 103.8 104.3 50.0 16.5 W 1
7. Portland Trail Blazers 63 29 34 17 14 12 20 99.7 99.4 46.0 19.0 W 3
8. Sacramento Kings 60 27 33 17 13 10 20 100.6 103.2 45.0 19.5 W 2
9. Golden State Warriors 63 28 35 18 12 10 23 102.9 104.2 44.4 20.0 L 3
10. Denver Nuggets 62 27 35 19 13 8 22 98.4 101.1 43.5 20.5 W 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 62 22 40 13 19 9 21 100.0 104.0 35.5 25.5 L 1
12. Dallas Mavericks 62 21 41 13 18 8 23 104.0 107.9 33.9 26.5 L 4
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 61 19 42 13 18 6 24 97.8 103.7 31.1 28.0 L 2
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 60 11 49 8 24 3 25 90.2 100.8 18.3 35.5 L12
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 61 54 7 30 0 24 7 105.8 94.6 88.5 - L 1 *
2. Orlando Magic 63 47 16 32 0 15 16 104.5 99.5 74.6 8.0 L 1
3. Indiana Pacers 62 39 23 23 6 16 17 99.9 96.4 62.9 15.5 L 1
4. New York Knicks 61 35 26 21 11 14 15 97.4 95.3 57.4 19.0 W 1
5. Atlanta Hawks 62 35 27 21 11 14 16 98.0 96.7 56.5 19.5 W 1
6. Detroit Pistons 61 34 27 20 10 14 17 95.5 93.1 55.7 20.0 W 2
7. Cleveland Cavaliers 61 34 27 20 12 14 15 91.5 89.5 55.7 20.0 L 1
8. Miami Heat 63 31 32 21 12 10 20 94.4 93.6 49.2 24.0 W 4
9. Charlotte Hornets 60 29 31 20 11 9 20 104.0 103.8 48.3 24.5 L 1
10. Washington Bullets 62 28 34 19 11 9 23 102.2 100.7 45.2 26.5 W 1
11. New Jersey Nets 61 25 36 16 12 9 24 94.2 97.3 41.0 29.0 L 1
12. Boston Celtics 62 23 39 13 18 10 21 104.0 107.6 37.1 31.5 W 1
13. Milwaukee Bucks 60 21 39 12 19 9 20 95.7 100.2 35.0 32.5 L 4
14. Toronto Raptors 61 16 45 11 18 5 27 96.4 102.6 26.2 38.0 L 1
15. Philadelphia 76ers 61 13 48 8 23 5 25 95.7 105.0 21.3 41.0 W 1
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Houston Rockets Los Angeles Lakers
Utah Jazz Portland Trail Blazers
San Antonio Spurs Phoenix Suns
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Miami Heat
New York Knicks Atlanta Hawks
Orlando Magic Cleveland Cavaliers
Indiana Pacers Detroit Pistons
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 61 54 7 30 0 24 7 105.8 94.6 88.5 - L 1
2. Seattle Supersonics 61 47 14 26 3 21 11 104.2 96.6 77.0 7.0 L 1
3. Orlando Magic 63 47 16 32 0 15 16 104.5 99.5 74.6 8.0 L 1
4. Utah Jazz 61 43 18 26 4 17 14 104.0 97.5 70.5 11.0 L 1
5. San Antonio Spurs 61 43 18 24 6 19 12 103.7 97.2 70.5 11.0 W 7
6. Houston Rockets 63 41 22 21 7 20 15 102.5 99.0 65.1 14.0 W 1
7. Los Angeles Lakers 60 38 22 23 9 15 13 103.1 99.5 63.3 15.5 L 1
8. Indiana Pacers 62 39 23 23 6 16 17 99.9 96.4 62.9 15.5 L 1
9. New York Knicks 61 35 26 21 11 14 15 97.4 95.3 57.4 19.0 W 1
10. Atlanta Hawks 62 35 27 21 11 14 16 98.0 96.7 56.5 19.5 W 1
11. Detroit Pistons 61 34 27 20 10 14 17 95.5 93.1 55.7 20.0 W 2
12. Cleveland Cavaliers 61 34 27 20 12 14 15 91.5 89.5 55.7 20.0 L 1
13. Phoenix Suns 62 31 31 17 15 14 16 103.8 104.3 50.0 23.5 W 1
14. Miami Heat 63 31 32 21 12 10 20 94.4 93.6 49.2 24.0 W 4
15. Charlotte Hornets 60 29 31 20 11 9 20 104.0 103.8 48.3 24.5 L 1
16. Portland Trail Blazers 63 29 34 17 14 12 20 99.7 99.4 46.0 26.0 W 3
17. Washington Bullets 62 28 34 19 11 9 23 102.2 100.7 45.2 26.5 W 1
18. Sacramento Kings 60 27 33 17 13 10 20 100.6 103.2 45.0 26.5 W 2
19. Golden State Warriors 63 28 35 18 12 10 23 102.9 104.2 44.4 27.0 L 3
20. Denver Nuggets 62 27 35 19 13 8 22 98.4 101.1 43.5 27.5 W 1
21. New Jersey Nets 61 25 36 16 12 9 24 94.2 97.3 41.0 29.0 L 1
22. Boston Celtics 62 23 39 13 18 10 21 104.0 107.6 37.1 31.5 W 1
23. Los Angeles Clippers 62 22 40 13 19 9 21 100.0 104.0 35.5 32.5 L 1
24. Milwaukee Bucks 60 21 39 12 19 9 20 95.7 100.2 35.0 32.5 L 4
25. Dallas Mavericks 62 21 41 13 18 8 23 104.0 107.9 33.9 33.5 L 4
26. Minnesota Timberwolves 61 19 42 13 18 6 24 97.8 103.7 31.1 35.0 L 2
27. Toronto Raptors 61 16 45 11 18 5 27 96.4 102.6 26.2 38.0 L 1
28. Philadelphia 76ers 61 13 48 8 23 5 25 95.7 105.0 21.3 41.0 W 1
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 60 11 49 8 24 3 25 90.2 100.8 18.3 42.5 L12
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.54vpoznanovic,
Ovaj Manning k'o da je od papira napravljen... :(
MANNING INJURED IN SUNS' VICTORY
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Phoenix forward Danny Manning gave the Suns a
scare Tuesday night when he was hospitalized with a left ankle injury
suffered during a 98-88 road victory over the New Jersey Nets.
Manning, whose career has been hampered by injuries, missed nearly an
the second half of last season and the first half of this year with a
torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He has also torn the
ACL in his right knee.
Manning, who is averaging 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in
20 games this season, was helped out of the game in the second quarter
and taken to an undisclosed hospital, where X-rays were negative. He
will be evaluated daily.
"Danny's X-rays were negative and we don't know how long he's out,"
Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "A lot has happened this year and
it's nothing new for the Phoenix Suns. It wouldn't be the Suns if that
didn't happen to us."
Manning, 29, didn't play this season until Feb. 2 after injuring his
knee in practice last February. He was the first overall pick in the
1988 draft
The 6-foot-10, 234-pounder tore the same ligament in his right knee in
1989 as a member of the Clippers.
nba.55vpoznanovic,
A pogledajte ovu budalu... Sve mi se čini da ga više nećemo gledati na
NBA parketima.
ABDUL-RAUF SUSPENDED FOR NOT TAKING A STAND
DENVER -- Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, a practicing Muslim, has been suspended
indefinitely by the National Basketball Association for refusing to
stand for the national anthem prior to games.
Abdul-Rauf has violated the league mandate that says players, coaches
and trainers must stand during the American or Canadian anthems.
"The NBA's rule on this point is very clear and all our rules apply
equally to all players," said NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik.
The suspension is without pay and will continue for as long as
Abdul-Rauf refuses to comply. Abdul-Rauf used to stretch during the
anthems, but recently has started remaining in the locker room until
after the anthem to join his teammates.
"The NBA action speaks for itself," said Charlie Lyons, president and
CEO of Ascent Entertainment Group, which owns the Nuggets. "The
league's rules and regulations apply to everyone involved in the NBA."
Abdul-Rauf was not with the Nuggets for their game in Orlando Tuesday
night. Earlier in the day, he said he doesn't believe in standing for
any nationalistic ideology.
``My beliefs are more important than anything,'' Abdul-Rauf said. ``If
I have to give up basketball, I will.''
Abdul-Ruaf said the United States has a long history of oppression and
tyranny.
``This country has a long history of that," he said. "I don't think
you can argue the facts. You can't be for God and for oppression. It's
clear in the Koran, Islam is the only way. I don't criticize those who
stand, so don't criticize me for sitting. I won't waver from my
decision.''
nba.56vpoznanovic,
MAN GETS LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF JORDAN'S FATHER
LUMBERTON, N.C. -- A North Carolina jury Tuesday sentenced Daniel
Green to life in prison for murdering James Jordan, the father of
Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan.
The jury had convicted the Green, 21, of first-degree murder in the
shooting death. Green could have been sentenced to death but the jury
decided on life after a sentencing hearing.
Green was found guilty on all charges of murder and robbery.
Jordan's father was shot to death during a robbery in 1993. Green's
admitted accomplice, Larry Demery, testified for the prosecution.
nba.57vpoznanovic,
UNEASY RIDER FINED $5,000
The NBA on Tuesday fined Minnesota Timberwolves guard Isaiah Rider
$5,000 for his actions during Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz.
NBA Senior Vice President of Operations Rod Thorn fined Rider for
failing to leave the court in a timely fashion following his ejection
with 1:43 left in Minnesota's 104-96 loss to Utah. The ejection also
carries an automatic $1,000 fine. Rider's ejection gained national
attention when his mother finally stepped out of the stands and
convinced him to leave the court.
After being ejected by referee Ken Mauer with 1:43 left in the first
half, Rider stayed on the court as teammates tried to calm him. As he
continued to try to get close to Mauer, teammate Doug West tried to
coax him to the exit.
Finally, Rider's mother, who was sitting courtside, walked onto the
court, talking to Rider from a distance. She made it halfway across
the court before Rider turned and left.
Rider got his first technical with 2:56 left in the half, also from
Mauer. Moments later, Rider was fouled hard by Utah's Karl Malone, and
the two jawed at each other briefly.
While shooting his free throws, Rider continued to taunt Malone, and
was assessed his second technical by Mauer, an automatic ejection.
nba.59vpoznanovic,
>> To je bilo odmah posle poraza od Philladelphije, a pre pobede nad Chicagom
Ne, Nelson je dobio otkaz prije utakmice sa Philadelphiom, tako da je
ekipu već tada vodio Jeff Van Gundy.
Evo njegovih osnovnih podataka:
Van Gundy, 34, who has no head coaching experience above the high
school level, is in his seventh season with the Knicks. He joined the
team in 1989 after serving as an assistant coach at Rutgers for one
season and Providence College for two. A 1985 magna cum laude graduate
of Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y., Van Gundy played point guard
for two seasons and helped the 1983-84 squad to the NCAA Division III
Eastern Regional title. His coaching career started in 1985-86, when
he was head coach at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester.
nba.60vpoznanovic,
Vidim da niko ne baca rezultate dok sam ja odsutan... Evo ih unazad
nekoliko dana...
Sunday, March 10
Atlanta at Washington 91:99
Boston at Milwaukee 110:103
Chicago at New York 72:104
Cleveland at Miami 81:88
Dallas at Toronto 112:128
Houston at Vancouver 95:89
Indiana at Portland 108:113
LA Clippers at Philadelphia 104:102
New Jersey at Denver 99:88
Phoenix at Orlando 106:122
Sacramento at Golden State 96:95
San Antonio at Seattle 106:105
Utah at Minnesota 104:96
Monday, March 11
LA Clippers at Detroit 90:100
Vancouver at Sacramento 88:92
Tuesday, March 12
Miami at Dallas 125:118
Orlando at Denver 93:110
Phoenix at New Jersey 98:88
Portland at LA Lakers 105:99
San Antonio at Golden State 106:98
Toronto at Philadelphia 110:118
Utah at Atlanta 89:115
Wednesday, March 13
Milwaukee at Sacramento 95:104
New York at Minnesota 106:82
Orlando at Seattle 99:100
Philadelphia at Boston 100:110
Phoenix at Detroit 115:118
Utah at Charlotte 85:91
Washington at Chicago 86:103
Thursday, March 14
Atlanta at Houston 106:114
Boston at Cleveland 73:98
Dallas at LA Clippers 106:110
LA Lakers at Golden State 106:103
Miami at San Antonio 100:120
Washington at New Jersey 100:92
Friday, March 15
Cleveland at Detroit 69:80
Dallas at Seattle 97:120
Denver at Chicago 87:108
LA Clippers at Portland 79:86
Milwaukee at LA Lakers 95:117
Orlando at Vancouver 92:87
Phoenix at Philadelphia 128:102
Sacramento at Minnesota 87:113
Toronto at Charlotte 101:113
Utah at Indiana 95:86
nba.61vpoznanovic,
Pregledi i statistike sinoćnjih utakmica...
Atlanta (92) At San Antonio (119)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 30 6-14 2-2 0 1 1 1 4 3 1 14
Long F 28 7-12 0-1 1 3 4 1 2 1 1 14
Laettner C 25 6-12 0-0 2 4 6 0 5 0 3 12
Smith G 32 3-11 2-3 1 2 3 4 4 0 1 9
Blaylock G 27 4-11 0-0 2 1 3 7 1 1 1 8
Rooks 23 3-4 6-11 2 7 9 0 1 0 6 12
Ehlo 16 1-3 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 5
Henderson 20 0-7 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
Jordan 21 4-8 3-5 2 3 5 2 3 4 0 11
Bullard 11 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Boyce 7 2-2 1-2 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 6
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-84 17-28 12 23 35 16 26 11 17 92
(.429) (.607) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 17(19 Pts)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 34 8-14 5-6 2 3 5 5 1 0 2 24
Smith F 30 7-13 0-2 6 5 11 1 3 1 0 14
Robinson C 30 8-14 3-4 5 9 14 3 3 1 1 19
Del Negro G 30 6-12 0-0 1 3 4 8 1 2 0 13
Johnson G 29 6-7 5-6 1 2 3 9 1 0 1 17
C Person 20 0-5 0-0 1 6 7 2 2 1 4 0
W Perdue 17 6-8 0-0 1 3 4 0 3 2 4 12
Rivers 20 2-5 2-4 1 0 1 3 2 1 1 7
Anderson 4 2-2 2-2 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 6
Alexander 14 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 5 3 0 1 5
Herrera 7 0-2 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 0
Williams 5 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2
Totals 240 48-90 17-24 20 37 57 37 23 10 14 119
(.533) (.708) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 14(12 Pts)
Atlanta 28 26 17 21 - 92
San Antonio 30 31 30 28 - 119
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Augmon, Rooks, Henderson, Jordan. San Antonio -
Robinson 6, W Perdue 2, Smith, Anderson, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 3-10 (.300), Laettner 0-1, Smith 1-4, Blaylock
0-3, Ehlo 1-1, Boyce 1-1. San Antonio 6-19 (.316), Elliott 3-4, Del Negro
1-2, C Person 0-5, Rivers 1-3, Alexander 1-5.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Jim Capers, Nolan Fine.
A - 29,262. T - 2:00.
nba.62vpoznanovic,
San Antonio 119, Atlanta 92
Sean Elliott scored 10 of his 23 points during a pivotal 28-10 run to
start the second half as the San Antonio Spurs extended their winning
streak to nine games with a 119-92 rout of the Atlanta Hawks.
David Robinson added 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, who have
won 14 of their last 16 games. The Spurs are four games behind the
Seattle SuperSonics for the Western Conference's best record.
"We're starting to get where we need to be," said Robinson. "Our
defense was really good tonight, we picked up our entire game in the
second half.
San Antonio posted a season-high with 57 rebounds and outrebounded
Atlanta, 57-35.
Stacey Augmon had 14 points and Sean Rooks added 12 for the Hawks, who
lost three of their last four contests. The Hawks fell a half-game
behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the sixth spot in the Eastern
Conference.
"We played hard, they were just better," Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens
said. "They were up seven at the half but came out and pushed it right
away. We were in a hurry to catch up but they played tremendous and
wouldn't let us back in the game."
"We played well but they had a monster third quarter," added Rooks.
Elliott sank a pair of three-pointers during the burst, which turned a
61-54 lead into a 25 point advantage with two minutes left in the
period.
Vinnie Del Negro, who had seven points during the spurt, started the
run with an 18-foot jumper and Doc Rivers capped it with a free throw.
"We started the game slow but we gained momentum in the third
quarter," Del negro said. "Our defensive rotation was good tonight and
the key reason we were able to put them away."
Charles Smith had 14 points and 11 rebounds as six Spurs scored in
double figures.
Smith and Avery Johnson had eight points apiece as San Antonio took a
30-28 first-quarter lead.
Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock, the Atlanta backcourt, was outscored
30-17 and combined to shoot 7-of-22 from the field and 1-of-7 from
three-point range.
nba.63vpoznanovic,
Chicago (97) At New Jersey (93)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kukoc F 38 5-16 8-10 3 3 6 4 5 0 1 18
Rodman F 10 0-0 0-0 0 4 4 3 1 0 2 0
Longley C 28 1-9 0-0 1 5 6 3 5 0 0 2
Jordan G 43 14-29 7-7 2 14 16 5 4 1 0 37
Harper G 39 4-8 1-2 2 1 3 1 3 2 2 9
Buechler 14 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 11
Kerr 30 4-7 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 10
Salley 11 1-3 0-0 2 3 5 0 1 0 0 2
Edwards 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Wennington 20 4-10 0-0 5 1 6 0 4 0 0 8
Brown 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 240 37-89 16-19 15 32 47 20 25 5 8 97
(.416) (.842) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 8(5 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 37 6-11 3-3 4 4 8 1 2 0 1 15
A Gilliam F 39 7-16 7-8 3 6 9 2 3 1 4 21
Bradley C 36 4-15 9-11 7 5 12 0 4 1 1 17
Obannon G 21 2-5 3-5 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 7
Childs G 44 6-17 4-5 1 9 10 14 4 1 4 18
Mahorn 8 0-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 0
Fleming 30 5-10 0-1 1 3 4 4 2 0 1 10
Williams 18 2-5 1-4 4 9 13 0 4 0 1 5
Graham 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reeves 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dare Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Werdann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-84 27-37 22 36 58 21 24 3 13 93
(.381) (.730) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 13(9 Pts)
Chicago 26 20 25 26 - 97
New Jersey 26 26 18 23 - 93
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Jordan 3, Longley 2, Kukoc, Harper, Salley,
Wennington. New Jersey - Bradley 6, A Gilliam, Childs, Mahorn, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 7-19 (.368), Kukoc 0-5, Jordan 2-5, Buechler
3-5, Kerr 2-4. New Jersey 2-5 (.400), Childs 2-5.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman 2 (Ejected).
Officials: Paul Mihalak, Hank Armstrong, Ted Bernhardt.
A - 20,049. T - 2:15.
nba.64vpoznanovic,
JORDAN RIDES TO DEPLETED BULLS' RESCUE
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Michael Jordan scored 37 points -- including
four free throws in the final 15 seconds -- and grabbed 16 rebounds to
lift the Chicago Bulls to a 97-93 victory over the New Jersey Nets on
Saturday.
The Bulls, already playing without the injured Scottie Pippen, lost
rebounder Dennis Rodman with 1:31 left in the first quarter when he
was ejected for an eruption that led to two technical fouls.
"The refs watch me instead of the game," said Rodman. "(NBA senior
vice president) Rod Thorn was even here to watch me. Since it was me,
I get picked on. Every damn game, I'm the guinea pig. Whay am I so
different from the rest of the league?
"If I butted him, I butted him," said Rodman of the possibility that
he head-butted one of the referees. "Suspend me. Rod Thorn,
(commissioner) David Stern -- suspend me, if you're so big."
Thorn, who is in charge of fines and suspensions, made a statement
about Rodman following the game.
"Obviously, he didn't leave the court in a timely fashion once he was
ejected," Thorn said. "As far as anything else, we will do an
investigation and find out exactly what happened. He got a technical
and reacted to it and started running around the floor and then, all
of a sudden, he goes over and has a conversation with the referee and
what he did or did not do, I am not sure.
"After that, we'll investigate and determine what we're going to do.
We will go by the tape. Many times you don't see what you see, so
we'll go by the tape. The Bulls play Monday, I think, so we'll have a
decision by Monday."
Chicago got 18 points from Toni Kukoc, who started in Pippen's place,
en route to its third consecutive win and 16th in 18 games. The Bulls'
magic number for clinching the Central Division was reduced to two.
"Dennis was playing out of character at the start of the game," Bulls
coach Phil Jackson said. "He has to control that. I'm upset that he
left tonight in a situation when we needed him. Scottie's a big
rebounder also. With him out, Michael went and got 16 and Kukoc had to
fill in at a number of spots."
The Bulls need to go 13-5 (.722) over their final 18 games to become
the first team in NBA history to win 70 games in a regular season.
Chicago's magic number is nine for clinching the No. 1 seed for the
Eastern Conference playoffs, and the Bulls are 25-7 on the road.
Armon Gilliam scored 21 points and Chris Childs registered his first
career triple-double with 18 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds for
the Nets, who lost their third game in a row and have dropped eight of
their last nine. New Jersey has lost four consecutive games to
Chicago, and the Bulls have taken 15 of the last 18 meetings between
the teams.
The Bulls held a 93-91 lead with 15 seconds left when Jordan sank two
free throws to increase Chicago's lead to four points. Gilliam hit a
short jumper with 8.9 seconds left to slice Chicago's edge in half.
Jordan was in the lane with three seconds left when Childs slapped the
ball out of his hands and was called for a controversial foul. Jordan
went to the line and sank both shots to put the game out of reach.
"When Dennis left the game, it limited my options," Jordan said. "I
got tired, and was glad I could keep my legs for the end. Dennis let
the team down a little bit with Scottie out and some of the other guys
not here. We need him in there. You have to limit your outbursts so
you're not so much of a target. He's having a tough time walking a
straight line right now."
The Nets built the lead to 59-50 on a 3-pointer by Childs with 9:52
left in the third quarter, but Chicago exploded for a 21-3 run sparked
by Jud Buechler, who scored nine of his 11 points. Buecheler hit three
3-pointers in the burst, closing it with a long-range jumper that gave
Chicago a 71-62 lead with 1:44 remaining. The Bulls hit three from
long range in a 49-second span during the spree.
Shawn Bradley scored 17 points and had 12 rebounds and six blocks for
the Nets, who responded by notching the next 10 points of the game,
using five different scorers to take a 72-71 lead 33 seconds into the
fourth quarter.
The Nets shot just 38.1 percent from the field but limited Chicago to
41.6 percent shooting. The Nets held a 58-47 rebounding edge behind 13
from Jayson Williams.
"We showed a lot of effort. If we play this hard for the last 19
games, it will come to us," said Nets coach Butch Beard. "We're just
trying to play hard. It's tough for us to win the close ones. If we
give this effort against Phoenix, we win that one. It's the nature of
the beast. We have to stay positive. We accepted the challenge
tonight, we just came up short."
P.J. Brown contributed 15 points and eight rebounds for the Nets.
"I do not believe in moral victories," he said. "At this time of the
season, we're fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Every loss hurts.
Each one puts us back further. It's another tough one. It's all the
same for me. Whether it's against Washington or Chicago, a loss is a
loss."
nba.65vpoznanovic,
Miami (121) At Houston (97)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Williams F 44 8-19 6-8 1 3 4 1 4 0 0 27
Thomas F 35 6-13 5-5 6 4 10 1 3 2 0 17
Mourning C 22 2-3 1-2 1 3 4 1 5 0 2 5
Chapman G 34 6-11 1-1 1 3 4 3 1 0 2 16
Hardaway G 39 10-19 5-6 1 7 8 15 1 0 4 28
Askins 22 1-4 0-0 2 1 3 1 4 0 1 2
Gatling 35 9-16 4-4 5 13 18 1 3 0 1 22
Smith 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0
Lenard 2 1-1 2-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 4
Corbin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Schayes Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-87 24-28 17 36 53 25 21 2 11 121
(.494) (.857) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 11(19 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 30 2-10 0-0 1 5 6 4 2 0 1 5
Brown F 29 6-12 3-4 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 15
Olajuwon C 38 10-18 6-8 0 12 12 3 4 3 2 26
Mack G 29 3-6 2-2 0 2 2 5 2 1 1 8
Recasner G 24 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 6
Smith 29 4-10 3-4 1 0 1 5 2 0 3 13
Jones 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcutt 17 3-7 0-1 1 5 6 1 1 1 0 7
Breaux 19 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 0 1 5
Moore 18 4-6 2-2 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 12
Booker 5 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
Bryant Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 36-80 16-21 5 28 33 26 20 6 8 97
(.450) (.762) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 9(14 Pts)
Miami 30 30 30 31 - 121
Houston 25 30 22 20 - 97
Blocked Shots: Miami - Williams 2, Thomas, Mourning, Askins. Houston -
Olajuwon 2, Horry, Brown.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Miami 11-25 (.440), Williams 5-9, Chapman 3-7, Hardaway
3-6, Askins 0-2, Smith 0-1. Houston 9-23 (.391), Horry 1-4, Mack 0-2,
Recasner 2-3, Smith 2-3, Chilcutt 1-5, Breaux 1-2, Moore 2-3, Booker 0-1.
Technicals: Houston - Olajuwon.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Lee Jones, Mike Smith.
A - 16,285. T - 2:04.
nba.66vpoznanovic,
ROCKETS LEARN FROM MIAMI THE HARDAWAY
HOUSTON -- Tim Hardaway had 28 points and 15 assists and Chris Gatling
and Rex Chapman scored six points apiece during a key third-quarter
run as the Miami Heat routed the Houston Rockets 121-97 on Saturday.
The Heat pulled within one-half game of the Charlotte Hornets for the
eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Confernce.
Walt Williams scored 27 points, Gatling added 22 and 18 rebounds and
Kurt Thomas had 17 points for Miami, which outrebounded the Rockets
53-33 in winning for the fifth time in six games.
"Everybody was running real well, filling the lanes," Hardaway said.
"We played better defense than he did against San Antonio. If we
rebound well, play good team defense and run, we'll do okay."
"Good team efficency," Heat coach Pat Riley started. "We didn't know
how we would bounce back after a humiliating loss. It was a game we
really had to win.
"We knew they were going to rely heavily on Hakeem since they had no
other post-up player. We wanted to keep him working. I told the guys
at halftime, if we gave up 55 points again, we might not get it done."
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 26 points and Chucky Brown added 15 for
Houston, which lost for the third time in five games and remained 2
1/2 games behind the Utah Jazz in the race for the third seed in the
Western Conference playoffs.
"I thought we ran into a very good team who played hard with very good
defense," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "I thought we played
okay, but with all the problems we're having, we couldn't hold on. We
stayed with them for a while, but then the dam just broke. It was too
much."
The Rockets, who fell to 22-8 at home, played without Mark Bryant due
to a sprained ankle.
After Olajuwon made a hook shot to pull Houston within 72-71 midway
through the third quarter, Gatling made a 10-footer to ignite an 18-4
run.
Thomas followed with two free throws, Chapman nailed consecutive
3-pointers and Gatling followed with a dunk and made a hook shot.
Williams and Hardaway ended the spree with a pair of free throws
apiece to give the Heat a 90-75 advantage with 34 seconds remaining in
the third quarter.
The Rockets closed to 98-87 on a 3-pointer by Kenny Smith four minutes
into the fourth quarter before Williams sank three free throws to
ignite a game-sealing 12-1 burst.
Keith Askins followed with a jumper, Williams drilled a 3-pointer,
Hardaway hit a technical free throw, Williams banked in a jumper and
Hardaway sank one free throw to give Miami a 110-88 bulge with five
minutes to go.
Olajuwon added two blocks to increase his career total to 3,164
rejections, 25 shy of Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time NBA
record.
Alonzo Mourning sacrificed himself offensively, scoring just five
points, as he devoted himself to defending Olajuwon.
"My main thing is to rebound," Gatling said. "We know 'Zo (Mourning)
is going to be the center of attention. Kurt (Thomas) and I know it is
our job to help out, clean the boards and we'll get our shots. I don't
pay attention to stats. I just thought I had a good night. I was
trying to make up for some of the things Alonzo does -- points,
leadership. Someday, I'd like to be a great player like he is."
The Heat swept the Rockets this season after losing the previous 11
meetings.
nba.67vpoznanovic,
Milwaukee (94) At Golden State (99)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Baker F 42 8-18 9-12 3 11 14 0 3 0 3 25
Robinson F 42 10-17 1-1 2 8 10 5 3 1 1 24
Benjamin C 15 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 2 4
Douglas G 32 3-8 3-4 0 2 2 6 1 0 6 11
Newman G 40 3-6 3-3 2 2 4 2 3 1 4 9
Cummings 23 4-7 0-0 2 4 6 1 2 0 1 8
Mayberry 17 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 1 0 3
Conlon 16 4-7 2-2 2 0 2 0 1 0 2 10
Keys 13 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 4 0 1 0
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Respert Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-75 18-22 12 29 41 20 21 3 20 94
(.467) (.818) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 20(26 Pts)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 28 3-9 9-12 7 4 11 1 3 3 1 15
Smith F 39 3-7 4-4 2 8 10 1 5 1 1 10
Willis C 26 0-8 0-0 4 7 11 1 4 0 1 0
Armstrong G 35 6-15 5-5 0 3 3 6 2 1 2 20
Sprewell G 48 14-23 0-1 2 4 6 4 1 5 4 31
Marshall 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 2
Rozier 9 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
Coles 33 4-9 0-0 0 3 3 8 3 2 2 11
Barry 16 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 8
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Declercq Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Seikaly Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-83 18-22 15 31 46 22 22 12 13 99
(.422) (.818) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 13(14 Pts)
Milwaukee 37 18 19 20 - 94
Golden State 24 28 23 24 - 99
Blocked Shots: Milwaukee - Baker, Newman, Conlon. Golden State - Smith
2, Sprewell 2, Kersey, Coles.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Milwaukee 6-16 (.375), Baker 0-1, Robinson 3-4, Douglas
2-4, Newman 0-1, Mayberry 1-3, Conlon 0-2, Keys 0-1. Golden State 11-28
(.393), Kersey 0-1, Willis 0-1, Armstrong 3-6, Sprewell 3-5, Marshall 0-2,
Coles 3-7, Barry 2-6.
Technicals: Milwaukee - Robinson, Baker, Douglas, Golden State - Kersey,
Willis, Marshall.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Joe Derosa, Sean Corbin.
A - 15,025. T - 2:05.
nba.68vpoznanovic,
Golden State 99, Milwaukee 94
Latrell Sprewell scored 31 points and Joe Smith's two free throws with
2:27 to play gave Golden State the lead for good as the Warriors
rallied past the Milwaukee Bucks, 99-94.
B.J. Armstrong added 20 points for the Warriors, who moved within a
half-game of the idle Sacramento Kings for the eighth and final
playoff berth in the Western Conference.
Golden State snapped a three-game losing to the streak to Milwaukee
and a four-game skid overall.
Vin Baker scored 25 points and Glenn Robinson added 24 for Milwaukee,
which has lost seven in a row and 12 of its last 13 games.
After Baker gave Milwaukee its last lead at 89-88, Smith canned a pair
of free throws for a 90-89 lead. Jerome Kersey added two foul shots
and Sprewell capped the 6-0 spurt with a dunk to make it 94-89 with
1:28 to play.
"A lot of my family members and friends I grew up were watching the
game," said Sprewell, who grew up in Milwaukee. "It's nice to do well
and make those people proud of me."
For a guy playing all 48 minutes and the way he played at both ends of
the court, that's about as good a game as I've seen a guy play," said
Golden State coach Rick Adelman of Sprewell. "I know where we'd be
without him in the first half -- flat out of luck."
The Bucks had led, 51-36, with 5:35 to play but Golden State closed
the first half with a 16-4 run to pull within 55-52 at halftime.
Sprewell had 17 points in the first half.
Milwaukee closed the first quarter with a 16-6 burst to take a 37-24
lead. Robinson scored 10 points in the first quarter.
Sprewell scored eight of his points in the final quarters as Golden
State outscored the Bucks, 24-20, in the final 12 minutes.
Sprewell was 14-of-23 from the field for Golden State, which shot 42
per cent (35-of-83) from the field, including 11-of-28 from
three-point range. Kersey added 15 points and 11 rebounds and Joe
Smith had 10 and 10 for the Warriors, who outrebounded Milwaukee,
46-41.
Baker pulled down 14 rebounds and Robinson 10 for the Bucks, who shot
47 per cent (35-of-75) from the field and committed 20 turnovers,
leading to 26 points.
"We put a strong effort in," said Milwaukee coach Mike Dunleavy. "Our
guys played really hard. The area that hurt us was the turnover
department. We committed a lot of careless turnovers that got them
some open-court opportunities and some easy baskets. That probably
cost us the game."
Bimbo Coles came off the bench to add 11 points and eight assists for
Golden State.
nba.69vpoznanovic,
Philadelphia (88) At New York (94)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Weatherspoon F 40 5-10 5-6 2 13 15 2 2 0 2 15
Alston F 29 2-3 1-1 0 6 6 2 4 0 2 5
Pinckney C 24 1-3 3-3 2 4 6 1 2 1 2 5
Stackhouse G 42 6-11 8-9 1 0 1 4 4 0 8 20
Maxwell G 27 5-9 2-2 0 4 4 1 2 1 4 13
Ruffin 9 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 1
Massenburg 33 5-10 0-0 0 7 7 0 3 0 1 10
Thompson 10 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
Higgins 8 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 5
Sutton 18 6-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 14
Dumas Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Walters Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-59 20-23 6 38 44 13 22 2 24 88
(.542) (.870) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 24(29 Pts)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Reid F 15 2-2 0-1 2 0 2 0 5 0 0 4
Mason F 45 7-12 4-4 4 6 10 5 2 2 3 18
Ewing C 38 11-21 4-6 3 6 9 4 5 0 0 26
Starks G 41 8-20 1-3 1 0 1 4 4 2 2 20
Harper G 38 7-15 3-5 0 1 1 7 2 3 1 18
Anderson 15 0-6 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Ward 13 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 1 0 3
Williams 10 1-3 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 2
Grandison 25 1-2 1-2 2 2 4 1 0 3 1 3
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lohaus Dnp - Sore Left Foot
Davis Dnp - Hyperextended Left Knee
Totals 240 38-85 13-21 13 19 32 27 21 11 7 94
(.447) (.619) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 7(8 Pts)
Philadelphia 23 16 23 26 - 88
New York 32 15 17 30 - 94
Blocked Shots: Philadelphia - Massenburg 2, Thompson, Alston. New York -
Ewing, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Philadelphia 4-13 (.308), Stackhouse 0-2, Maxwell 1-4,
Ruffin 0-1, Massenburg 0-1, Higgins 1-1, Sutton 2-4. New York 5-25 (.200),
Starks 3-11, Harper 1-8, Anderson 0-3, Ward 1-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Tommie Wood, Ken Mauer.
A - 19,763. T - 2:11.
nba.70vpoznanovic,
New York 94, Philadelphia 88
Patrick Ewing scored six of his 26 points in a decisive 10-2 fourth
quarter run to lead the New York Knicks to a 94-88 victory over the
Philadelphia 76ers.
The Knicks won for the third time in four games under new coach Jeff
Van Gundy, who lost in his head coaching debut at Philadelphia eight
days ago.
"We won a grind it out game," said Van Gundy. "We struggled in our
shooting from the field, but we still found a way. It was an old
Knicks offense, stuck in the mud kind of game.
John Starks scored 20 points and Anthony Mason had 18 points and 10
rebounds for New York.
Jerry Stackhouse led Philadelphia with 20 points.
The Knicks played without guard Hubert Davis, who has a hyper-extended
left knee.
The Sixers held a 76-75 lead with 7:14 left after consecutive dunks by
Tony Massenburg and Derrick Alston. The Knicks then went on a 10-2 run
over the next four minutes to take an 85-78 advantage. Ewing had six
points and Derek Harper, who finished with 18 points, added four
points in the spurt.
"We have tried to get back to basics of containing and rebounding,"
said Harper. "That's what's going to win for us. Three weeks ago, we
would have lost a game like this. Even though it wasn't a pretty win,
it was a good win for us."
A dunk by Massenburg and a layup by Greg Sutton with 1:53 left pulled
Philadelphia within 85-82. But Starks hit a three-pointer with 1:34
remaining to seal the win.
Clarence Weatherspoon had 15 points and 15 rebounds and Sutton added a
season-high 14 points for the Sixers, who lost to the Knicks for the
eighth time in nine games.
Ewing scored 14 points in the first quarter when the Knicks built a
32-23 lead. The Knicks held a 47-39 halftime advantage.
"It was a hard-fought game and it feels good to win," said Ewing. "The
defense is getting there."
New York increased the lead to 58-46 with 5:56 left in the third
quarter, but the Sixers closed the quarter with a 16-6 run to pull
within 64-62.
"I didn't see a lot of difference from them from last week to this
week," said Sixers coach John Lucas. "The game was pretty mnuch the
same. Except last time we had control at the end. This time, they had
control at the end."
nba.71vpoznanovic,
Utah (115) At Washington (120) - Final In Ot
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 39 5-15 4-4 3 6 9 1 1 0 1 15
Malone F 46 12-18 8-9 3 8 11 8 1 4 4 32
Spencer C 17 2-5 2-4 1 2 3 0 4 0 2 6
Stockton G 42 9-17 1-2 1 1 2 7 3 3 0 19
Hornacek G 42 5-10 5-5 1 1 2 6 2 2 5 16
Eisley 11 0-0 2-2 0 1 1 3 0 0 1 2
Ostertag 30 6-9 1-1 2 3 5 0 6 0 0 13
Morris 12 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3
Keefe 14 3-4 1-2 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 7
Carr 12 1-8 0-0 2 1 3 0 5 1 1 2
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Russell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 44-90 24-29 14 26 40 25 23 13 15 115
(.489) (.828) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 15(19 Pts)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Howard F 43 11-20 4-4 3 3 6 5 5 0 6 26
Wallace F 32 7-11 2-3 4 3 7 3 6 3 1 17
Muresan C 48 9-18 10-15 3 12 15 0 2 1 3 28
Cheaney G 29 5-11 0-1 0 2 2 3 2 0 2 10
B Price G 44 8-14 2-3 1 6 7 10 2 2 1 23
Mccann 16 2-2 1-4 1 2 3 1 2 1 3 5
Whitney 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 5 1 1 2
Mcilvaine 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Legler 26 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 1 7
Eackles 13 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 2
Butler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 47-87 19-30 13 32 45 25 28 8 18 120
(.540) (.633) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 18(20 Pts)
Utah 26 25 31 24 9 - 115
Washington 25 23 28 30 14 - 120
Blocked Shots: Utah - Ostertag. Washington - Muresan 5, Wallace 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 3-16 (.188), Benoit 1-7, Stockton 0-3, Hornacek
1-3, Morris 1-2, Carr 0-1. Washington 7-17 (.412), Wallace 1-1, Cheaney
0-2, B Price 5-9, Whitney 0-1, Legler 1-3, Eackles 0-1.
Technicals: Utah - Malone, Stockton, Illegal Defense, Washington - Illegal
Defense.
Officials: George Toliver, Luis Grillo, Bennett Salvatore.
A - 18,756. T - 2:26.
nba.72vpoznanovic,
Washington 120, Utah 115
Gheorghe Muresan scored five of his 28 points in overtime as the
Washington Bullets rallied to score the game's last 10 points to
defeat the Utah Jazz, 120-115.
Juwan Howard scored 26 points and Brent Price added 23 points and 10
assists for Washington, which won for the sixth time in eight games
but remains 2 1/2 games behind the Charlotte Hornets in the race for
the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Muresan added 15
rebounds and five blocks.
"It is definitely a very, very satisfying win for us," Howard said.
"We really need to win some of these games against tough teams and
show them we will not be taken lightly. The confidence we now have
should help us."
Rasheed Wallace scored 17 points for the Bullets, who improved to
20-11 at home and snapped a string of six losses to the Jazz. The win
against Utah was Washington's first since November 21st, 1992 and just
the second in 18 meetings.
"It was an emotional win and also let everyone know, yes we are still
in the hunt for the playoffs," Wallace said.
Karl Malone had 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight asists and John
Stockton added 19 points for Utah, which lost for the third time in
four games and, temporarily, dropped one game behind the San Antonio
Spurs atop the Midwest Division. Stockton did not lead the team in
assists for the first time all season, handing out seven.
"Our guys have played four games in five days, but I still think we
played very hard," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I don't have any
complaints. You have to live with a lot of things in this business."
After Greg Ostertag dunked to give the Jazz a 115-110 lead with two
minutes left in overtime, Howard made a jumper to ignite the Bullets'
spurt and Price converted a three-point play to tie the game at
115-115 with 1:07 remaining.
Muresan made one free throw to give Washington a 116-115 edge with 51
seconds to go in the extra session. Following Muresan's blocked shot
of Malone, Howard nailed a 15-footer for a three-point lead with 15
seconds remaining.
"It was really big," Bullets coach Jim Lynam. "It showed a lot in
terms of the team's character. ...I thought he (Muresan) was playing
real well. It (his career-high 48 minutes) had a lot to do with the
nature of the game. He got some huge rebounds."
In a controversial call, Stockton's three-pointer was disallowed by
the referees because of a foul called before the shot. Stockton
received the inbounds pass and missed a three-pointer from eight
seconds to go. Muresan sank a pair from the line to seal the game one
second later.
"They were obviously trying to foul and I had a shot and I finished
it," Stockton said. "They fouled late but it's not worth getting
suspended over."
The Jazz forced the extra period, on a jumper by Malone that tied the
game at 106-106 with 23 seconds left after Price's three-pointer --
one of his five -- had given the Bullets a two-point lead.
Muresan missed a hook shot with 3.8 seconds and, after a turnover by
Stockton, Price hit the front of the rim on a half-court heave.
Calbert Cheaney scored 10 points for Washington, which shot 54 per
cent (47-of-87) from the field and held a 45-40 rebounding edge.
Jeff Hornacek scored 16 points, David Benoit added 15 and nine
rebounds and Ostertag finished with 13 points for Utah, which shot 49
per cent (44-of-90), including a 3-for-16 performance from three-point
range.
nba.73vpoznanovic,
Tablice...
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Saturday, March 16 - 128 days, 920 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 63 49 14 28 3 21 11 104.4 96.7 77.8 - W 2
Los Angeles Lakers 62 40 22 24 9 16 13 103.3 99.5 64.5 8.5 W 2
Phoenix Suns 64 32 32 17 15 15 17 104.4 104.5 50.0 17.5 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 64 30 34 18 14 12 20 99.5 99.1 46.9 19.5 W 4
Sacramento Kings 62 28 34 18 13 10 21 100.4 103.2 45.2 20.5 L 1
Golden State Warriors 65 29 36 19 13 10 23 102.8 104.0 44.6 21.0 W 1
Los Angeles Clippers 64 23 41 14 19 9 22 99.8 103.8 35.9 26.5 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 63 45 18 26 6 19 12 104.2 97.2 71.4 - W 9
Utah Jazz 64 44 20 26 4 18 16 103.7 97.5 68.8 1.5 L 1
Houston Rockets 65 42 23 22 8 20 15 102.6 99.5 64.6 4.0 L 1
Denver Nuggets 63 27 36 19 13 8 23 98.2 101.2 42.9 18.0 L 1
Dallas Mavericks 64 21 43 13 18 8 25 103.9 108.1 32.8 24.5 L 6
Minnesota Timberwolves 63 20 43 14 19 6 24 97.8 103.4 31.7 25.0 W 1
Vancouver Grizzlies 61 11 50 8 25 3 25 90.2 100.7 18.0 33.0 L13
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 65 48 17 32 0 16 17 104.2 99.3 73.8 - W 1
New York Knicks 63 37 26 22 11 15 15 97.4 95.0 58.7 10.0 W 3
Miami Heat 65 32 33 21 12 11 21 94.9 94.1 49.2 16.0 W 1
Washington Bullets 65 30 35 20 11 10 24 102.2 100.8 46.2 18.0 W 2
New Jersey Nets 63 25 38 16 14 9 24 94.1 97.3 39.7 22.0 L 3
Boston Celtics 64 24 40 14 18 10 22 103.6 107.3 37.5 23.5 L 1
Philadelphia 76ers 64 13 51 8 24 5 27 95.8 105.3 20.3 34.5 L 3
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 64 57 7 32 0 25 7 105.7 94.3 89.1 - W 3
Indiana Pacers 63 39 24 23 7 16 17 99.7 96.4 61.9 17.5 L 2
Detroit Pistons 63 36 27 22 10 14 17 95.6 93.1 57.1 20.5 W 4
Cleveland Cavaliers 63 35 28 21 12 14 16 91.2 89.1 55.6 21.5 L 1
Atlanta Hawks 64 35 29 21 11 14 18 98.0 97.3 54.7 22.0 L 2
Charlotte Hornets 62 31 31 22 11 9 20 103.9 103.4 50.0 25.0 W 2
Milwaukee Bucks 63 21 42 12 19 9 23 95.7 100.5 33.3 35.5 L 7
Toronto Raptors 62 16 46 11 18 5 28 96.5 102.8 25.8 40.0 L 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 63 49 14 28 3 21 11 104.4 96.7 77.8 - W 2 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 63 45 18 26 6 19 12 104.2 97.2 71.4 4.0 W 9
3. Utah Jazz 64 44 20 26 4 18 16 103.7 97.5 68.8 5.5 L 1
4. Houston Rockets 65 42 23 22 8 20 15 102.6 99.5 64.6 8.0 L 1
5. Los Angeles Lakers 62 40 22 24 9 16 13 103.3 99.5 64.5 8.5 W 2
6. Phoenix Suns 64 32 32 17 15 15 17 104.4 104.5 50.0 17.5 W 1
7. Portland Trail Blazers 64 30 34 18 14 12 20 99.5 99.1 46.9 19.5 W 4
8. Sacramento Kings 62 28 34 18 13 10 21 100.4 103.2 45.2 20.5 L 1
9. Golden State Warriors 65 29 36 19 13 10 23 102.8 104.0 44.6 21.0 W 1
10. Denver Nuggets 63 27 36 19 13 8 23 98.2 101.2 42.9 22.0 L 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 64 23 41 14 19 9 22 99.8 103.8 35.9 26.5 L 1
12. Dallas Mavericks 64 21 43 13 18 8 25 103.9 108.1 32.8 28.5 L 6
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 63 20 43 14 19 6 24 97.8 103.4 31.7 29.0 W 1
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 61 11 50 8 25 3 25 90.2 100.7 18.0 37.0 L13
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 64 57 7 32 0 25 7 105.7 94.3 89.1 - W 3 *
2. Orlando Magic 65 48 17 32 0 16 17 104.2 99.3 73.8 9.5 W 1
3. Indiana Pacers 63 39 24 23 7 16 17 99.7 96.4 61.9 17.5 L 2
4. New York Knicks 63 37 26 22 11 15 15 97.4 95.0 58.7 19.5 W 3
5. Detroit Pistons 63 36 27 22 10 14 17 95.6 93.1 57.1 20.5 W 4
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 63 35 28 21 12 14 16 91.2 89.1 55.6 21.5 L 1
7. Atlanta Hawks 64 35 29 21 11 14 18 98.0 97.3 54.7 22.0 L 2
8. Charlotte Hornets 62 31 31 22 11 9 20 103.9 103.4 50.0 25.0 W 2
9. Miami Heat 65 32 33 21 12 11 21 94.9 94.1 49.2 25.5 W 1
10. Washington Bullets 65 30 35 20 11 10 24 102.2 100.8 46.2 27.5 W 2
11. New Jersey Nets 63 25 38 16 14 9 24 94.1 97.3 39.7 31.5 L 3
12. Boston Celtics 64 24 40 14 18 10 22 103.6 107.3 37.5 33.0 L 1
13. Milwaukee Bucks 63 21 42 12 19 9 23 95.7 100.5 33.3 35.5 L 7
14. Toronto Raptors 62 16 46 11 18 5 28 96.5 102.8 25.8 40.0 L 2
15. Philadelphia 76ers 64 13 51 8 24 5 27 95.8 105.3 20.3 44.0 L 3
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Houston Rockets Los Angeles Lakers
San Antonio Spurs Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz Phoenix Suns
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Charlotte Hornets
New York Knicks Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers Cleveland Cavaliers
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 64 57 7 32 0 25 7 105.7 94.3 89.1 - W 3
2. Seattle Supersonics 63 49 14 28 3 21 11 104.4 96.7 77.8 7.5 W 2
3. Orlando Magic 65 48 17 32 0 16 17 104.2 99.3 73.8 9.5 W 1
4. San Antonio Spurs 63 45 18 26 6 19 12 104.2 97.2 71.4 11.5 W 9
5. Utah Jazz 64 44 20 26 4 18 16 103.7 97.5 68.8 13.0 L 1
6. Houston Rockets 65 42 23 22 8 20 15 102.6 99.5 64.6 15.5 L 1
7. Los Angeles Lakers 62 40 22 24 9 16 13 103.3 99.5 64.5 16.0 W 2
8. Indiana Pacers 63 39 24 23 7 16 17 99.7 96.4 61.9 17.5 L 2
9. New York Knicks 63 37 26 22 11 15 15 97.4 95.0 58.7 19.5 W 3
10. Detroit Pistons 63 36 27 22 10 14 17 95.6 93.1 57.1 20.5 W 4
11. Cleveland Cavaliers 63 35 28 21 12 14 16 91.2 89.1 55.6 21.5 L 1
12. Atlanta Hawks 64 35 29 21 11 14 18 98.0 97.3 54.7 22.0 L 2
13. Phoenix Suns 64 32 32 17 15 15 17 104.4 104.5 50.0 25.0 W 1
14. Charlotte Hornets 62 31 31 22 11 9 20 103.9 103.4 50.0 25.0 W 2
15. Miami Heat 65 32 33 21 12 11 21 94.9 94.1 49.2 25.5 W 1
16. Portland Trail Blazers 64 30 34 18 14 12 20 99.5 99.1 46.9 27.0 W 4
17. Washington Bullets 65 30 35 20 11 10 24 102.2 100.8 46.2 27.5 W 2
18. Sacramento Kings 62 28 34 18 13 10 21 100.4 103.2 45.2 28.0 L 1
19. Golden State Warriors 65 29 36 19 13 10 23 102.8 104.0 44.6 28.5 W 1
20. Denver Nuggets 63 27 36 19 13 8 23 98.2 101.2 42.9 29.5 L 1
21. New Jersey Nets 63 25 38 16 14 9 24 94.1 97.3 39.7 31.5 L 3
22. Boston Celtics 64 24 40 14 18 10 22 103.6 107.3 37.5 33.0 L 1
23. Los Angeles Clippers 64 23 41 14 19 9 22 99.8 103.8 35.9 34.0 L 1
24. Milwaukee Bucks 63 21 42 12 19 9 23 95.7 100.5 33.3 35.5 L 7
25. Dallas Mavericks 64 21 43 13 18 8 25 103.9 108.1 32.8 36.0 L 6
26. Minnesota Timberwolves 63 20 43 14 19 6 24 97.8 103.4 31.7 36.5 W 1
27. Toronto Raptors 62 16 46 11 18 5 28 96.5 102.8 25.8 40.0 L 2
28. Philadelphia 76ers 64 13 51 8 24 5 27 95.8 105.3 20.3 44.0 L 3
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 61 11 50 8 25 3 25 90.2 100.7 18.0 44.5 L13
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.74vpoznanovic,
Još neke novosti iz NBA lige...
NBA SUSPENDS SONICS' PAYTON 1 GAME FOR HEAD-BUTT
NEW YORK -- Seattle SuperSonics All-Star guard Gary Payton was
suspended for one game without pay and fined $6,000 by the NBA on
Thursday for head-butting Orlando Magic forward Joe Wolf in a game
Wednesday night.
The suspension and fine were announced by NBA senior vice president
Rod Thorn. Payton, who is averaging 19.6 points and 7.3 assists per
game, will miss Friday night's home contest against Dallas.
Payton head-butted Wolf with 8:46 remaining in Seattle's 100-99 home
victory. He was ejected, which carries an automatic $1,000 fine, and
Thorn tacked on another $5,000.
nba.75vpoznanovic,
GETTING TO THE POINT; CAVS ACTIVATE BRANDON
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday activated All-Star
point guard Terrell Brandon, who had been on the injured list since
March 3 with a severe contusion of his tailbone and a mild rotator
cuff sprain.
Brandon suffered the injury in the first quarter of a game Feb. 29
with Milwaukee. He came back briefly in the second quarter but didn't
return after aggravating the injury.
The 1996 All-Star is averaging 19.2 points, 6.6 assists and 3.2
rebounds for Cleveland. The team went 2-5 without Brandon in the
lineup.
To make room for Brandon, the Cavs placed guard Harold Miner on the
injured list. Miner underwent surgery on March 7 to repair two torn
meniscus and to remove a cyst on the medial meniscus of his right
knee. Miner has appeared in just 19 games this season for the Cavs,
averaging 3.2 points per contest.
The team also announced that guard Darryl Johnson has been signed to a
second 10-day contract. He has appeared in three games since
originally signing on March 5.
nba.76vpoznanovic,
NBA REPORT: A BROWN-IN IN INDIANA
It took 30 years, but Larry and Herb Brown are finally together on an
NBA bench. Herb Brown joined his younger brother, the Pacers head
coach, in Indiana this year after spending several seasons coaching in
Europe. But this isn't your normal family reunion.
It's no secret the two haven't been close for years, ever since
Larry's days as a star guard in the ABA, and his subsequent coaching
career. The two have had several chances to work together over the
years, but never did so until this past offseason, when George Irvine
left the Pacers' bench to go to Golden State.
Larry and Herb don't talk much about family during the season, though
Herb has grown close to Larry's wife and one-year-old son. Says Larry,
"There's nothing you can do about the past, but you can do what's
right now."
Dennis menaces the Knicks
The Knicks have a new coach, and supposedly, a new attitude. But even
after losing to New York by 32 points last week, the Bulls' Dennis
Rodman hasn't backed down from his assertion that the Knicks are
"yellow" and won't be a problem in the postseason.
"Same team," Rodman said recently.
By the way, Rodman sides with Don Nelson, who was fired by the Knicks.
"The coach tried to do his job," Rodman added. "This team is very
fickle; it can be a downfall when you've got players being together so
long, and not accomplishing anything. Then it's time to clean house
and bring in a new sweeper ... they're still going to be up and down.
I feel sorry for Patrick Ewing, because I don't think he's ever going
to win a championship here."
Down Donyell
Donyell Marshall is playing a little more for Golden State after a
terrible last 12 months. He was too thin last year, and to compensate,
he put on 20 pounds in the offseason. But it wasn't good weight, and
he was sluggish during the early part of the season.
After Chris Mullin went down with a thumb injury, Marshall has seen
his playing time increase at small forward. He's averaging 24 minutes
over the last two weeks, producing 10 points and seven rebounds per
game in those outings. He'll never be a great defensive player, but
with his long arms, he can create space for himself and score at the
offensive end.
"He's finally gotten himself into shape," Warriors general manager
Dave Twardzik said. "But to give up on him? Absolutely not."
nba.77vpoznanovic,
JUST KIDD-ING? GIANTS DENY AGREEMENT WITH MAVS GUARD
DALLAS -- The San Francisco Giants on Wednesday denied a report that
Dallas Mavericks All-Star point guard Jason Kidd reached an oral
agreement to play baseball for a Giants farm team this summer.
According to Wednesday's Dallas Morning News, the Giants issued the
invitation during talks with Kidd's agent, Aaron Goodwin, last week.
Kidd said some details still must be worked out, but he said he will
begin working out "on the side" next week.
But a Giants spokesman denied the report, saying that the team has
never talked with Goodwin. The spokesman did say that if Kidd has
interest in working out with the club, then the Giants would entertain
the idea.
Kidd said Goodwin told him he would probably play for the Giants'
Class A team in Burlington, Iowa, which finished 13th in the 14-team
Midwest League last season.
"The Mavericks know I want to play (baseball). But before the season
is over, we'll all sit down and have a pow-wow and they'll know what
I'm doing this summer,'' Kidd said.
According to Kidd's contract, he would need written permission from
the Mavericks. Kidd said he and owner Donald Carter have not spoken
about the matter yet. All NBA players' contracts, including Kidd's,
prohibit players from participating in other professional sports
without the team's written permission.
Kidd, who turns 23 later this month, played center field in high
school, batting .333 as a senior with three home runs and 20 RBIs on a
team that went 27-5. He considered playing at the University of
California during his sophomore year but opted to enter the NBA draft
instead.
nba.78vpoznanovic,
MARQUEE MATCHUP: MAGIC VS. LAKERS
LOS ANGELES -- As a 6-foot-7 point guard, Orlando's Anfernee Hardaway
has heard the comparisons throughout his basketball life.
"They've compared me to Magic Johnson," Hardaway said in 1989 while
still in high school.
Three years later, while at Memphis State, not much had changed in his
game.
"I try to pattern some moves from ... Magic Johnson," he said at the
time.
And the inevitable comparisons followed him straight into the pros.
"Some people say that they remind him of a young Magic Johnson," Hubie
Brown said the day Penny was drafted.
But by Hardaway's rookie year in 1993, the man he emulated had already
retired. But that certainly didn't slow the expectations of greatness.
"That's a comparison that a lot of people make primarily because of
the size factor and Penny's ability in the open floor to see what's
going on and to make great passes," Orlando coach Brian Hill said.
But Lakers coach Del Harris thinks the two stars have plenty in
common.
"Penny has all the moves and he has the mentality of a tough winning
basketball player. So he beats you inside, beats you outside, beats
you with the pass and defends pretty well," Harris said.
And while similarities abound, the mentor doesn't even think Hardaway
provides the perfect match to his game.
"He's really the next Michael (Jordan) in my mind. Jason Kidd plays
more like me than he does," Johnson said, explaining his comparison of
Hardaway to Jordan. "He's a scorer, and when Shaq was out, he showed
that he's going to be the next mini-Michael that can really flat out
score."
Over their first two seasons, Johnson actually outscored Hardaway
(19.8 ppg. to 18.5 ppg.). However, Hardaway possesses a certain skill
that Magic lacked in his early days.
"I think Penny at this stage of his career is a better perimeter
shooter than Magic was early in his career," Hill said. "He's a
different type of athlete. He's a runner, jumper, where Magic was more
of a set-up type of guy."
From Treadwell High to Memphis State and now the NBA, the link between
Penny and Magic has been constant. Sunday, they meet for the first
time as professionals in Los Angeles in a 9:30 p.m. EST matchup.
With Magic and Penny at different positions, it's unlikely they'll
guard each other. But both anticipate the match-up for their
respective teams and themselves.
"I'm very excited to play against Magic," Hardaway said. "Even though
he's not playing the point guard as much, just to see him on the floor
with the Laker uniform on, and me with the Magic uniform will be
great."
"Orlando is a big test for us," Johnson said. "This is what we want.
We want the big test because this will prove what type of team we
have."
And while the fast-improving Lakers will use Orlando as a benchmark
for the team's progress this season's, Hardaway will use his personal
confrontation for an individual purpose.
"When I play against guys like Michael, Magic, Joe Dumars, Charles
Barkley, I try to make a statement or try to show that I can do the
same thing they did when they were young," Hardaway said.
However, Magic reminds his youthful counterpart that a younger, more
athletic body doesn't always make for a better player. Because it will
take more than just tremendous talent and a tall frame to become "the
next Magic".
"When you get older, you get smarter and better," Johnson said.
"Always remember that they are better in talent than we ever thought
we could be or ever wanted to be. More talent, bigger, taller, jump
higher, but they will never be smarter than us. Never! Larry, Michael,
we can last forever."
nba.79vpoznanovic,
Statistike po kategorijama...
NBA Scoring Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 39 games played or 1064 points scored)
Player GP Pts Avg
Michael Jordan, CHI 63 1953 31.0
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 64 1702 26.6
Karl Malone, UTH 63 1648 26.2
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 39 1020 26.2
David Robinson, SAS 62 1566 25.3
Charles Barkley, PHO 57 1375 24.1
Mitch Richmond, SAC 61 1458 23.9
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 52 1200 23.1
Penny Hardaway, ORL 65 1485 22.9
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 60 1370 22.8
Glen Rice, CHA 60 1346 22.4
Patrick Ewing, NYK 56 1254 22.4
Larry Johnson, CHA 61 1323 21.7
Vin Baker, MIL 62 1340 21.6
Clifford Robinson, POR 60 1295 21.6
Grant Hill, DET 62 1328 21.4
Sean Elliott, SAS 57 1186 20.8
Reggie Miller, IND 61 1265 20.7
Juwan Howard, WAS 63 1304 20.7
Scottie Pippen, CHI 61 1260 20.7
Glenn Robinson, MIL 62 1279 20.6
Shawn Kemp, SEA 60 1219 20.3
Jim Jackson, DAL 64 1281 20.0
Dino Radja, BOS 53 1043 19.7
Clyde Drexler, HOU 44 865 19.7
Gary Payton, SEA 62 1217 19.6
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 54 1058 19.6
Rod Strickland, POR 54 1052 19.5
Armon Gilliam, NJN 59 1148 19.5
Rik Smits, IND 45 873 19.4
nba.80vpoznanovic,
NBA Rebounding Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 39 games played or 608 rebounds)
Player GP Reb Avg
Dennis Rodman, CHI 51 779 15.3
David Robinson, SAS 62 758 12.2
Charles Barkley, PHO 57 689 12.1
Shawn Kemp, SEA 60 717 12.0
Dikembe Mutombo, DEN 61 695 11.4
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 64 698 10.9
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 39 425 10.9
Jayson Williams, NJN 60 639 10.7
Popeye Jones, DAL 52 546 10.5
Patrick Ewing, NYK 56 573 10.2
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 52 531 10.2
Karl Malone, UTH 63 638 10.1
Loy Vaught, LAC 62 622 10.0
Vin Baker, MIL 62 619 10.0
Dino Radja, BOS 53 522 9.9
Armon Gilliam, NJN 59 578 9.8
Grant Long, ATL 63 610 9.7
Grant Hill, DET 62 599 9.7
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 64 616 9.6
Clarence Weatherspoon, PHI 59 565 9.6
nba.81vpoznanovic,
NBA Assist Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 39 games played or 304 assists)
Player GP Ast Avg
John Stockton, UTH 63 712 11.3
Jason Kidd, DAL 63 619 9.8
Rod Strickland, POR 54 516 9.6
Avery Johnson, SAS 62 582 9.4
Damon Stoudamire, TOR 61 547 9.0
Kenny Anderson, CHA 52 464 8.9
Kevin Johnson, PHO 39 323 8.3
Mark Jackson, IND 62 493 8.0
Nick Van Exel, LAL 61 450 7.4
Gary Payton, SEA 62 453 7.3
Greg Anthony, VAN 51 373 7.3
Penny Hardaway, ORL 65 467 7.2
Tim Hardaway, MIA 62 438 7.1
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 54 380 7.0
Grant Hill, DET 62 419 6.8
Chris Childs, NJN 59 389 6.6
Terrell Brandon, CLE 56 368 6.6
Tyus Edney, SAC 60 378 6.3
Jalen Rose, DEN 61 366 6.0
Scottie Pippen, CHI 61 364 6.0
nba.82vpoznanovic,
NBA Steal Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 39 games played or 95 steals)
Player GP Stl Avg
Gary Payton, SEA 62 173 2.8
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 63 168 2.7
Jason Kidd, DAL 63 145 2.3
Michael Jordan, CHI 63 144 2.3
Penny Hardaway, ORL 65 136 2.1
Alvin Robertson, TOR 61 127 2.1
Clyde Drexler, HOU 44 90 2.1
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 63 121 1.9
Scottie Pippen, CHI 61 115 1.9
Karl Malone, UTH 63 113 1.8
Nate Mcmillan, SEA 39 70 1.8
John Stockton, UTH 63 111 1.8
Eddie Jones, LAL 50 88 1.8
Tom Gugliotta, MIN 61 107 1.8
Eric Murdock, VAN 52 91 1.8
Charles Barkley, PHO 57 97 1.7
Terrell Brandon, CLE 56 94 1.7
Greg Anthony, VAN 51 83 1.6
Kenny Anderson, CHA 52 83 1.6
Nick Anderson, ORL 63 100 1.6
Robert Horry, HOU 58 92 1.6
nba.83vpoznanovic,
NBA Blocked Shot Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 39 games played or 76 block shots)
Player GP Blk Avg
Dikembe Mutombo, DEN 61 273 4.5
David Robinson, SAS 62 215 3.5
Shawn Bradley, NJN 59 205 3.5
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 52 159 3.1
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 64 179 2.8
Elden Campbell, LAL 62 160 2.6
Patrick Ewing, NYK 56 138 2.5
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 39 91 2.3
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 64 143 2.2
Lorenzo Williams, DAL 47 93 2.0
Oliver Miller, TOR 59 113 1.9
Jim Mcilvaine, WAS 62 115 1.9
Vlade Divac, LAL 61 110 1.8
Andrew Lang, MIN 60 107 1.8
Joe Smith, GSW 64 101 1.6
Theo Ratliff, DET 59 93 1.6
Shawn Kemp, SEA 60 92 1.5
Dino Radja, BOS 53 81 1.5
Robert Horry, HOU 58 84 1.5
Kevin Garnett, MIN 61 88 1.4
nba.84vpoznanovic,
NBA Field Goal Percentage Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 228 field goals made)
Player GP FGM FGA Pct
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 64 392 660 .594
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 39 422 725 .582
Shawn Kemp, SEA 60 418 735 .569
Chucky Brown, HOU 64 229 403 .568
Matt Geiger, CHA 59 275 491 .560
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 56 292 525 .556
Dale Davis, IND 59 249 452 .551
Brian Williams, LAC 58 380 694 .548
Anthony Mason, NYK 62 321 587 .547
John Stockton, UTH 63 355 650 .546
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 60 525 977 .537
Oliver Miller, TOR 59 323 605 .534
Rik Smits, IND 45 347 651 .533
Otis Thorpe, DET 63 347 661 .525
Olden Polynice, SAC 61 309 590 .524
nba.85vpoznanovic,
NBA Free Throw Percentage Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 95 free throws made)
Player GP FTM FTA Pct
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 54 137 147 .932
Terrell Brandon, CLE 56 256 285 .898
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 63 209 234 .893
Brent Price, WAS 63 121 136 .890
Dana Barros, BOS 62 111 125 .888
Mitch Richmond, SAC 61 316 363 .871
Chris Childs, NJN 59 204 235 .868
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 63 191 220 .868
Spud Webb, MIN 62 111 128 .867
Reggie Miller, IND 61 353 409 .863
Dee Brown, BOS 48 107 124 .863
Kevin Johnson, PHO 39 249 289 .862
John Stockton, UTH 63 196 229 .856
Chris Mullin, GSW 55 137 160 .856
Robert Pack, WAS 31 154 182 .846
nba.86vpoznanovic,
NBA 3-Point Percentage Leaders
Through March 16, 1996
(Minimum of 61 3-point field goals made)
Player GP 3FM 3FA Pct
Tim Legler, WAS 61 102 196 .520
Steve Kerr, CHI 63 93 179 .520
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 63 83 172 .483
Hubert Davis, NYK 61 109 227 .480
B J Armstrong, GSW 64 69 146 .473
Brent Price, WAS 63 97 206 .471
Eldridge Recasner, HOU 47 64 140 .457
Mitch Richmond, SAC 61 166 371 .447
Bobby Phills, CLE 54 71 159 .447
John Stockton, UTH 63 82 185 .443
Terry Dehere, LAC 64 101 229 .441
Michael Jordan, CHI 63 86 195 .441
Lee Mayberry, MIL 62 67 154 .435
Brent Barry, LAC 63 105 242 .434
Glen Rice, CHA 60 143 330 .433
nba.87vpoznanovic,
I na kraju raspored utakmica za april (do kraja sezone)...
Monday, April 1
No games scheduled
Tuesday, April 2
Boston at Atlanta, 7:30pm ET
Chicago at Miami, 7:30pm ET
Detroit at Milwaukee, 8:30pm ET
Houston at Golden State, 10:30pm ET
LA Clippers at Toronto, 7:00pm ET
LA Lakers at Charlotte, 8:00pm ET
Minnesota at Denver, 9:00pm ET
New York at Indiana, 8:30pm ET
Sacramento at Dallas, 8:30pm ET
San Antonio at Phoenix, 10:00pm ET
Seattle at Utah, 9:00pm ET
Vancouver at Portland, 10:00pm ET
Wednesday, April 3
Charlotte at Detroit, 7:30pm ET
Houston at Seattle, 10:00pm ET
Indiana at Philadelphia, 7:30pm ET
LA Clippers at New Jersey, 7:30pm ET
LA Lakers at Cleveland, 7:30pm ET
Minnesota at Vancouver, 10:00pm ET
Orlando at New York, 8:00pm ET
Sacramento at San Antonio, 8:30pm ET
Thursday, April 4
Boston at Orlando, 7:30pm ET
Cleveland at Toronto, 7:00pm ET
Denver at Golden State, 10:30pm ET
Miami at Chicago, 8:30pm ET
Utah at Phoenix, 10:00pm ET
Washington at Atlanta, 7:30pm ET
Friday, April 5
Chicago at Charlotte, 8:00pm ET
Detroit at Philadelphia, 7:30pm ET
Houston at Sacramento, 10:30pm ET
Minnesota at Utah, 9:00pm ET
New York at Milwaukee, 8:30pm ET
Phoenix at Seattle, 10:00pm ET
Portland at Denver, 9:00pm ET
Vancouver at LA Lakers, 10:30pm ET
Washington at San Antonio, 8:30pm ET
Atlanta at New Jersey, 7:00pm ET (rescheduled)
Saturday, April 6
Charlotte at Cleveland, 7:30pm ET
LA Clippers at Dallas, 8:30pm ET
Miami at Indiana, 7:00pm ET
Milwaukee at New Jersey, 7:30pm ET
Minnesota at Golden State, 10:30pm ET
New York at Toronto, 6:00pm ET
Philadelphia at Atlanta, 7:30pm ET
Seattle at Portland, 10:00pm ET
Sunday, April 7
Chicago at Orlando, 5:30pm ET
Detroit at Boston, 12:30am ET
Houston at Denver, 3:00pm ET
Phoenix at Vancouver, 3:00pm ET
San Antonio at LA Lakers, 3:00pm ET
Utah at Sacramento, 9:00pm ET
Monday, April 8
Atlanta at Indiana, 8:30pm ET
Charlotte at Chicago, 8:30pm ET
Dallas at Golden State, 10:30pm ET
Miami at Washington, 7:30pm ET
New Jersey at Philadelphia, 7:30pm ET
Portland at LA Clippers, 10:30pm ET
San Antonio at Utah, 9:00pm ET
Toronto at Minnesota, 8:00pm ET
Seattle at New York, 8:00pm ET (rescheduled)
Tuesday, April 9
Boston at New York, 7:30pm ET
Dallas at Sacramento, 10:30pm ET
Detroit at New Jersey, 7:30pm ET
LA Lakers at Denver, 8:00pm ET
Portland at Phoenix, 10:00pm ET
Toronto at Milwaukee, 8:30pm ET
Vancouver at Houston, 8:30pm ET
Wednesday, April 10
Cleveland at Orlando, 7:30pm ET
LA Lakers at Minnesota, 8:00pm ET
Miami at Charlotte, 7:30pm ET
Philadelphia at Detroit, 7:30pm ET
Phoenix at Utah, 8:00pm ET
Sacramento at Seattle, 10:00pm ET
Vancouver at San Antonio, 8:30pm ET
Washington at Boston, 7:30pm ET
Thursday, April 11
Chicago at New Jersey, 7:30pm ET
Cleveland at New York, 7:30pm ET
Dallas at Portland, 10:00pm ET
Denver at Houston, 8:30pm ET
Golden State at LA Clippers, 10:30pm ET
Milwaukee at Miami, 7:30pm ET
Friday, April 12
Golden State at LA Lakers, 10:30pm ET
Indiana at Orlando, 8:00pm ET
Milwaukee at Atlanta, 7:30pm ET
Minnesota at Washington, 7:30pm ET
Philadelphia at Chicago, 8:30pm ET
Sacramento at Vancouver, 10:00pm ET
Toronto at Boston, 7:30pm ET
Saturday, April 13
Dallas at Houston, 3:30pm ET
Detroit at Indiana, 7:00pm ET
New York at Miami, 3:30pm ET
Seattle at San Antonio, 3:30pm ET
Utah at LA Clippers, 10:30pm ET
Sunday, April 14
Atlanta at New Jersey, 1:00pm ET
Boston at Detroit, 7:00pm ET
Charlotte at Philadelphia, 1:00pm ET
Chicago at Cleveland, 1:00pm ET
Denver at Minnesota, 3:30pm ET
LA Clippers at Sacramento, 9:00pm ET
Orlando at Milwaukee, 7:00pm ET
Phoenix at LA Lakers, 3:30pm ET
Portland at Vancouver, 3:00pm ET
Toronto at Washington, 1:00pm ET
Utah at Golden State, 10:30pm ET
Monday, April 15
Charlotte at Indiana, 8:30pm ET
New Jersey at Miami, 7:30pm ET
Sacramento at Denver, 9:00pm ET
San Antonio at Portland, 10:00pm ET
Seattle at Houston, 8:30pm ET
Toronto at New York, 7:30pm ET
Tuesday, April 16
Chicago at Milwaukee, 8:30pm ET
Cleveland at Atlanta, 7:30pm ET
Houston at Phoenix, 9:00pm ET
LA Clippers at Utah, 9:00pm ET
LA Lakers at Dallas, 8:30pm ET
San Antonio at Vancouver, 10:00pm ET
Washington at Orlando, 7:30pm ET
Wednesday, April 17
Boston at Washington, 7:30pm ET
Golden State at Minnesota, 8:00pm ET
Indiana at Detroit, 8:00pm ET
Miami at Philadelphia, 7:30pm ET
Phoenix at Sacramento, 10:30pm ET
Portland at Seattle, 10:00pm ET
Toronto at New Jersey, 7:30pm ET
Thursday, April 18
Atlanta at Orlando, 7:30pm ET
Denver at Dallas, 8:30pm ET
Detroit at Chicago, 8:30pm ET
LA Clippers at Houston, 8:30pm ET
LA Lakers at San Antonio, 8:30pm ET
Milwaukee at Charlotte, 7:30pm ET
New York at Cleveland, 7:30pm ET
Utah at Vancouver, 10:00pm ET
Friday, April 19
Boston at New Jersey, 7:30pm ET
Charlotte at New York, 8:00pm ET
Dallas at Phoenix, 10:00pm ET
Miami at Milwaukee, 8:30pm ET
Minnesota at Seattle, 10:00pm ET
Orlando at Philadelphia, 7:30pm ET
Portland at Golden State, 10:30pm ET
Vancouver at Denver, 9:00pm ET
Washington at Toronto, 7:00pm ET
Saturday, April 20
Detroit at Cleveland, 1:00pm ET
Indiana at Chicago, 3:30pm ET
Minnesota at LA Lakers, 10:30pm ET
New Jersey at Atlanta, 7:30pm ET
Sacramento at Utah, 9:00pm ET
Sunday, April 21
Atlanta at Miami, 6:00pm ET
Chicago at Washington, 1:00pm ET
Cleveland at Indiana, 3:30pm ET
Dallas at San Antonio, 3:30pm ET
Golden State at Sacramento, 9:00pm ET
LA Lakers at Portland, 9:00pm ET
Milwaukee at Detroit, 3:30pm ET
New York at Boston, 1:00pm ET
Orlando at Charlotte, 3:30pm ET
Philadelphia at Toronto, 1:00pm ET
Phoenix at Houston, 3:30pm ET
Seattle at Denver, 3:30pm ET
Vancouver at LA Clippers, 6:00pm ET
nba.88junior,
> A pogledajte ovu budalu... Sve mi se čini da ga više nećemo
> gledati na NBA parketima.
> ABDUL-RAUF SUSPENDED FOR NOT TAKING A STAND
Niko nije toliko lud:
News from March 14.
The NBA has lifted the Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's (Den) suspensions as
Abdul-Rauf has agreed to standing during the national anthem.
So, Denver je i dalje u igri za play-off. :)
nba.89vpoznanovic,
Minnesota 90, Vancouver 85
Tom Gugliotta scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out six
assists, as the Minnesota Timberwolves came from behind to down the
Vancouver Grizzlies, 90-85, at the Target Center. The Wolves won their
second straight, while sending the Grizzlies to their 14th consecutive
loss.
Vancouver jumped out to an early 27-16 advantage -- its largest of the
game -- and held the lead until Minnesota forged ahead, 68-67, with
38-seconds left in the third quarter. The Grizzlies quickly regained
the lead, as Blue Edwards sank a three-pointer, giving Vancouver a
70-68 edge entering the final 12-minutes.
Gugliotta then opened the fourth quarter with two straight baskets to
put the Timberwolves in front. The Grizzlies were able to pull even at
80-80 on a pair of Bryant Reeves free throws with 3:18 remaining, but
Gugliotta scored five points during a Minnesota 10-5 run over the
remainder of the game.
Vancouver had a chance to tie the game late with a three- pointer, but
veteran guard Terry Porter came up with a steal and a layup with just
five-seconds remaining to seal the Minnesota victory.
Doug West scored a season-high 16 points and Kevin Garnett added 13 in
the win, while Reeves finished with a career-high 26 points and 11
rebounds to lead the Grizzlies.
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Edwards had 20 points, while Eric Murdock added 11 points and a
season-high 13 assists for Vancouver
* Sam Mitchell chipped in with 12 points and a season-high 10
rebounds for Minnesota
* The Grizzlies made just 15-of-27 free throws
* Minnesota was without guard Isaiah Rider (upper respiratory
infection) and center Andrew Lang (torn left calf).
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Boxscore - Vancouver at Minnesota ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
3/17/96 Vancouver Grizzlies AT Minnesota Timberwolves ATTENDANCE: 12228
OFFICIALS: T.Nunez, W.Mayfield, R.Nunn TIME OF GAME: 2:12
REBOUNDS
Vancouver MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G.Wilkins 36 1 9 0 2 0 2 1 9 10 6 2 1 1 0 2
A.Amaya 27 1 3 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 2 3 2 1 0 2
B.Reeves 37 10 17 0 0 6 8 2 9 11 1 4 2 4 0 26
B.Edwards 32 8 12 3 4 1 2 0 3 3 4 3 2 2 0 20
E.Murdock 35 5 10 1 1 0 0 0 3 3 13 5 0 4 1 11
L.Moten 13 1 2 0 0 5 8 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 7
C.King 12 2 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 1 4
A.Avent 18 4 11 0 0 3 3 4 2 6 0 1 0 0 0 11
R.Manning 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0
B.Scott 24 1 8 0 3 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 2
G.Anthony DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D.Edwards DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TEAM TOTALS 240 33 75 4 11 15 27 8 31 39 28 24 9 15 3 85
PERCENTAGES: FG: 44.0% 3PT: 36.4% FT: 55.6% TEAM REB: 12 TEAM TO: 15
REBOUNDS
Minnesota MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K.Garnett 38 6 9 0 0 1 2 1 3 4 1 4 1 2 2 13
T.Gugliotta 41 10 14 2 2 4 5 2 8 10 6 4 1 5 1 26
E.Riley 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0
D.West 36 7 11 0 0 2 3 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 16
S.Webb 25 1 8 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 9 1 1 3 0 2
S.Mitchell 31 3 10 0 0 6 7 0 10 10 1 2 0 2 0 12
D.Martin 12 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 2 1 2 0 2
M.Davis 23 4 9 0 2 2 3 2 6 8 0 4 1 0 1 10
T.Porter 20 3 5 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 0 9
M.Bragg 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
I.Rider DNP - INJURED
A.Lang DNP - INJURED
TEAM TOTALS 240 35 72 3 7 17 23 6 34 40 25 20 7 18 7 90
PERCENTAGES: FG: 48.6% 3PT: 42.9% FT: 73.9% TEAM REB: 6 TEAM TO: 19
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Vancouver Grizzlies 27 19 24 15 85
Minnesota Timberwolves 16 25 27 22 90
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
Vancouver 12, Minnesota 10
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: Vancouver 3, Minnesota 1
TECHNICALS: Vancouver 2, Minnesota 0
Van-Illegal Defense 2
Min-None
_________________________________________________________________
nba.90vpoznanovic,
Cleveland 115, Sacramento 84
Terrell Brandon netted 26 points and Dan Majerle added 17 to power the
Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-84 crowning of the visiting Sacramento
Kings. Cleveland has won 19 of the last 23 meetings between the two
teams.
Cleveland took control in the second quarter, outscoring Sacramento,
33-13, to take a commanding 26-point lead at the intermission. The
Cavs shot 65-percent from the floor in the period (11-of-17), while
the Kings made just 28-percent of their shots in the second 12
minutes.
Sacramento, which was led by Mitch Richmond's 18 points, did not
threaten in the second half.
Danny Ferry had 16 points and Bob Sura contributed 13 points, seven
rebounds and seven assists for the Cavs.
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Cleveland committed only seven turnovers
* Brian Grant chipped in 14 points for the Kings, who suffered their
12 straight loss at Cleveland.
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Bocscore - Sacramento at Cleveland ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
3/17/96 Sacramento Kings AT Cleveland Cavaliers ATTENDANCE: 17821
OFFICIALS: E.Middleton, B.Alexander, B.Adams TIME OF GAME: 2:13
REBOUNDS
Sacramento MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B.Owens 28 3 11 1 1 2 2 5 5 10 5 3 1 4 0 9
B.Grant 29 5 10 0 1 4 4 2 4 6 4 2 0 1 0 14
O.Polynice 21 4 5 0 0 2 2 1 5 6 1 2 0 2 0 10
M.Richmond 33 6 18 2 7 4 4 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 0 18
B.Hurley 25 0 7 0 3 2 2 0 3 3 3 3 0 1 0 2
M.Smith 18 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 4 0 1 0 4
C.Williamson 14 1 3 0 0 2 4 2 3 5 0 4 0 4 0 4
T.Edney 29 4 10 2 3 3 3 0 2 2 2 3 0 1 0 13
K.Gamble 13 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
L.Simmons 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0
D.Causwell 13 1 4 0 0 5 5 1 2 3 0 4 0 0 1 7
C.McDaniel 12 1 5 1 2 0 0 1 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 3
TEAM TOTALS 240 27 76 6 17 24 28 14 28 42 19 28 1 17 1 84
PERCENTAGES: FG: 35.5% 3PT: 35.3% FT: 85.7% TEAM REB: 9 TEAM TO: 17
REBOUNDS
Cleveland MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C.Mills 29 4 8 0 0 3 3 0 4 4 0 2 1 0 0 11
D.Ferry 31 5 10 3 4 3 4 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 0 16
M.Cage 31 3 4 0 0 3 4 1 5 6 3 1 1 0 2 9
D.Majerle 35 6 14 4 8 1 1 1 3 4 5 3 2 1 2 17
T.Brandon 29 10 16 2 3 4 4 1 1 2 5 2 1 1 3 26
B.Sura 31 4 9 1 3 4 4 1 6 7 7 3 3 1 3 13
T.Hill 17 3 5 0 0 4 7 3 2 5 2 5 0 1 0 10
J.Crotty 19 1 2 0 0 6 6 2 2 4 1 2 1 0 1 8
D.Marshall 7 0 4 0 1 3 4 1 1 2 0 4 0 0 1 3
A.Lang 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 1 0
D.Johnson 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2
B.Phills DNP - INJURED
TEAM TOTALS 240 37 76 10 19 31 37 12 26 38 25 26 9 6 13 115
PERCENTAGES: FG: 48.7% 3PT: 52.6% FT: 83.8% TEAM REB: 9 TEAM TO: 8
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Sacramento Kings 26 13 24 21 84
Cleveland Cavaliers 32 33 19 31 115
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
Sacramento 12, Cleveland 26
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: Sacramento 2, Cleveland 1
TECHNICALS: Sacramento 3, Cleveland 2
Sacramento - Causwell, Williamson, Illegal Defense
Cleveland - Mills, Coach Fratello
_________________________________________________________________
nba.91vpoznanovic,
Orlando 98, LA Lakers 97
Shaquille O'Neal and Horace Grant each scored 26 points and Orlando
survived a missed three-pointer by the Lakers' Nick Van Exel in the
final seconds, as the Magic downed Los Angeles, 98-97 at the Forum.
Orlando won for the fifth time in seven road contests and evened its
road mark at 17-17.
A closely contested second half had the game knotted at 95 with just
under a minute left. Dennis Scott, who scored 17 for the Magic, nailed
a three-pointer to give Orlando the lead.
The Lakers countered with a hoop at the other end to draw within one.
Orlando turned the ball over with about 10 seconds left and Van Exel
picked up the loose ball for the Lakers. He started for the hoop, but
decided to pull it back out for the jumper instead.
He misfired as the buzzer sounded.
Elden Campbell and Van Exel led the Lakers with 22 points apiece.
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Orlando won for just the second time in its history at the Forum
(2-6)
* Cedric Ceballos had 18 points for the Lakers and Magic Johnson
contributed 10 points and five assists
* L-A is 24-8 since January 1st
* Orlando has won nine-of-11 overall
* Grant also had 17 rebounds and O'Neal had 10
* Campbell grabbed 10 boards
* O'Neal fouled out for the first time this season.
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Boxscore - Orlando at Los Angeles Lakers ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
03-17-96 Orlando Magic AT Los Angeles Lakers ATTENDANCE: 17505
OFFICIALS: J.Forte, M.Wuderlich, L.Richardson TIME OF GAME: 2:08
REBOUNDS
Orlando MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.Grant 43 10 15 0 0 6 6 7 10 17 2 3 0 3 2 26
D.Scott 36 6 12 5 10 0 2 0 3 3 5 3 2 1 0 17
S.O'Neal 39 12 23 0 0 2 4 3 7 10 4 6 1 7 3 26
N.Anderson 6 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 3
A.Hardaway 38 5 12 0 2 4 4 0 3 3 7 2 1 2 0 14
J.Koncak 14 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 1 2
A.Bowie 30 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 1 4 2 0 2 0 2
B.Thompson 22 1 6 0 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 4 2 2 0 2
D.Royal 12 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 6
D.Vaughn DNP - COACH'S DECISION
J.Wolf DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TEAM TOTALS 240 38 73 6 19 16 20 11 30 41 27 23 6 20 6 98
PERCENTAGES: FG: 52.1% 3PT: 31.6% FT: 80.0% TEAM REB: 9 TEAM TO: 20
REBOUNDS
LA Lakers MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E.Campbell 42 8 18 0 0 6 8 4 6 10 2 2 3 2 1 22
C.Ceballos 38 7 12 2 4 2 2 1 6 7 2 0 3 0 0 18
V.Divac 25 6 9 0 0 1 3 1 2 3 0 5 0 1 1 13
E.Jones 36 5 8 0 3 0 0 2 2 4 2 3 2 5 0 10
N.Van Exel 46 6 19 4 10 6 8 0 2 2 5 1 2 2 0 22
M.Johnson 33 4 11 1 1 1 1 2 2 4 5 3 1 2 0 10
A.Peeler 15 1 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 3 3 0 0 0 2
S.Threatt 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
G.Lynch 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
C.Blount DNP - COACH'S DECISION
A.Miller DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D.Strong DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TEAM TOTALS 240 37 81 7 20 16 22 11 20 31 19 17 11 13 2 97
PERCENTAGES: FG: 45.7% 3PT: 35.0% FT: 72.7% TEAM REB: 8 TEAM TO: 13
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Orlando Magic 25 27 24 22 98
Los Angeles Lakers 33 20 20 24 97
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
Orlando 10, LA Lakers 19
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: Orlando 2, LA Lakers 2
TECHNICALS: Orlando 3, LA Lakers 2
Orlando - Thompson, Coach Hill, Illegal Defense
LA Lakers - Divac, Illegal Defense
_________________________________________________________________
nba.92vpoznanovic,
Portland 112, Dallas 86
Cliff Robinson led six Blazers in double-figures with 23 points, and
Portland cruised to a 112-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at The
Rose Garden. The Trail Blazers won their season-best fifth straight
game, while handing the injury-riddled Mavs their seventh consecutive
defeat.
Portland streaked out to an 11-3 lead two-minutes into the game and
never looked back. The Mavs shot a miserable 23-percent from the field
in the opening period, making just six field goals in the 12-minute
frame, and found themselves down 15 points, 33- 18, entering the
second quarter.
Dallas got within 12 points, 41-29, with seven-minutes left before the
intermission, but the Blazers scored 12 of the game's next 16 points
to stake a 53-33 lead.
The Mavericks trailed 55-37 at the half, and never got any closer the
rest of the way.
Rod Strickland added 18 points and 13 assists, and Arvydas Sabonis
chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds in the win.
Cherokee Parks led Dallas with a career-high 25 points.
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Dallas guard Jason Kidd was 1-for-10 from the field for three
points in just one half of action. He is suffering from a
contusion on his left leg and did not play in the second half
* Lucious Harris had 16 points off the bench for Dallas
* Portland shot 55-percent from the field for the game
* The Mavs were 8-for-34 from three-point range and finished the
game shooting just 31-percent from the field overall
* Portland outrebounded Dallas 55-35.
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Boxscore - Dallas at Portland ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
03-17-96 Dallas Mavericks AT Portland Trail Blazers ATTENDANCE: 20324
OFFICIALS: J.Crawford, T.Durham, B.Reichelt TIME OF GAME: 1:55
REBOUNDS
Dallas MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.Jackson 32 3 10 1 4 2 2 0 2 2 4 1 1 3 0 9
G.McCloud 18 3 14 0 5 0 0 3 1 4 0 2 0 2 0 6
L.Williams 18 1 2 0 0 1 2 3 1 4 1 1 1 0 0 3
T.Dumas 36 3 13 1 3 2 3 0 2 2 1 3 1 1 0 9
J.Kidd 15 1 10 1 5 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 2 0 3
D.Wood 38 2 5 0 2 3 4 3 5 8 1 5 2 1 0 7
C.Parks 36 9 17 4 10 3 4 3 4 7 0 5 1 0 0 25
S.Brooks 9 0 5 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2
L.Harris 24 5 10 0 0 6 6 1 0 1 3 1 2 2 0 16
L.Meyer 14 2 5 1 3 1 2 0 5 5 1 2 0 1 0 6
T.Davis DNP - INJURY
R.Jones DNP - INJURY
TEAM TOTALS 240 29 91 8 34 20 25 14 21 35 13 20 10 13 0 86
PERCENTAGES: FG: 31.9% 3PT: 23.5% FT: 80.0% TEAM REB: 16 TEAM TO: 13
REBOUNDS
Portland MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.Grant 25 3 6 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 2 1 0 1 6
C.Robinson 37 9 17 0 3 5 7 0 5 5 0 1 1 2 2 23
A.Sabonis 21 6 11 1 1 2 4 3 6 9 0 1 1 2 1 15
A.McKie 32 4 6 1 1 2 3 2 5 7 4 4 2 4 1 11
R.Strickland 30 6 11 0 1 6 8 3 3 6 13 1 0 2 0 18
C.Dudley 27 2 4 0 0 0 0 2 8 10 0 3 0 0 0 4
B.Williams 23 5 8 0 0 3 4 2 3 5 1 3 1 3 1 13
R.Robinson 10 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 4 3 0 3 0 0
D.Wingfield 14 2 4 2 2 0 0 2 2 4 0 2 0 1 0 6
J.Robinson 17 6 10 1 3 1 1 1 2 3 1 2 2 1 0 14
E.Spencer 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 2
G.Trent DNP - INJURED
TEAM TOTALS 240 44 80 5 12 19 27 15 40 55 23 23 8 18 6 112
PERCENTAGES: FG: 55.0% 3PT: 41.7% FT: 70.4% TEAM REB: 5 TEAM TO: 18
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Dallas Mavericks 18 19 25 24 86
Portland Trail Blazers 33 22 27 30 112
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
Dallas 16, Portland 13
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: Dallas 1, Portland 0
TECHNICALS: Dallas 0, Portland 0
_________________________________________________________________
nba.93vpoznanovic,
Boston 107, New Jersey 106 (2-OT)
David Wesley's pull up jumper with 17 seconds left in the second
overtime gave the Boston Celtics a well-earned 107-106 win over the
New Jersey Nets at the FleetCenter. Wesley finished with 17 points,
nine assists and nine rebounds, as the Celtics won for the fifth time
in seven games.
New Jersey's Chris Childs finished with 15 points and nine assists and
tied the game at the end of regulation and the end of the first
overtime with three-pointers. Those were the only threes of the night
for the Nets.
The Nets, who trailed by eight points early in the fourth, finally
appeared to take control after a Childs three-point play and an Armon
Gilliam running hook that put them up 104-101 with two minutes left in
the second extra session.
Wesley then made a jumper and Pervis Ellison converted an offensive
rebound and Boston jumped back in front at 105-104 with 55 seconds
left. A Gilliam runner with 35 seconds left put the Nets back in front
for the final time.
Gilliam finished with a game-high 30 points.
Eric Williams paced the Celtics with a career-high 25 points. He also
had nine rebounds.
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Boston beat the Nets for just the third time in 10 tries
* Shawn Bradley had 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks for the
Nets, who have lost four in a row and nine-of- 10
* Boston center Eric Montross had 16 points and 12 boards.
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Boxscore - New Jersey at Boston ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
03-17-96 New Jersey Nets AT Boston Celtics ATTENDANCE: 17427
OFFICIALS: E.T.Rush, B.Delaney, T.Washington TIME OF GAME: 2:55
REBOUNDS
New Jersey MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PJ.Brown 44 4 8 0 0 1 2 5 3 8 3 5 1 2 0 9
A.Gilliam 46 9 15 0 0 12 14 2 3 5 4 3 2 4 0 30
S.Bradley 45 6 14 0 0 1 2 4 9 13 1 4 3 2 7 13
C.Childs 49 5 15 2 3 3 4 0 5 5 9 3 1 3 1 15
E.O'Bannon 12 3 5 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 0 7
V.Fleming 38 7 16 0 0 4 4 2 5 7 4 0 0 0 0 18
J.Williams 21 3 8 0 0 2 4 1 6 7 0 3 0 3 0 8
G.Graham 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
R.Mahorn 6 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2
R.Werdann 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
K.Reeves 19 2 6 0 2 0 2 1 4 5 2 2 1 1 0 4
Y.Dare 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0
TEAM TOTALS 290 40 93 2 6 24 34 16 38 54 24 27 8 18 10 106
PERCENTAGES: FG: 43.0% 3PT: 33.3% FT: 70.6% TEAM REB: 9 TEAM TO: 19
REBOUNDS
Boston MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G.Minor 28 5 11 0 0 1 2 0 2 2 6 4 0 0 0 11
P.Ellison 25 3 3 0 0 2 3 5 6 11 0 5 1 2 2 8
E.Montross 42 8 14 0 0 0 2 5 7 12 1 4 0 2 3 16
D.Wesley 47 6 18 2 5 3 6 3 6 9 9 5 4 1 0 17
D.Barros 51 3 15 2 8 2 3 0 4 4 8 2 1 3 0 10
J.Burrough 16 3 6 0 0 2 3 1 2 3 0 2 1 3 0 8
T.Day 27 3 14 2 5 2 2 1 2 3 0 4 2 3 0 10
T.Hamilton 11 0 5 0 0 2 2 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 2
E.Williams 36 11 18 0 0 3 6 5 4 9 1 3 2 2 0 25
A.Lister 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 0 2 0 2 0 0
R.Fox DNP - PERSONAL REASONS
TEAM TOTALS 290 42 104 6 18 17 29 21 39 60 25 31 11 19 7 107
PERCENTAGES: FG: 40.4% 3PT: 33.3% FT: 58.6% TEAM REB: 14 TEAM TO: 20
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 1OT 2OT FINAL
New Jersey Nets 24 28 14 24 7 9 106
Boston Celtics 32 13 23 22 7 10 107
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
New Jersey 10, Boston 27
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: New Jersey 2, Boston 0
TECHNICALS: New Jersey 1, Boston 0
New Jersey - Illegal Defense
_________________________________________________________________
nba.94vpoznanovic,
Detroit 91, Denver 81
Grant Hill recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10
assists, as Detroit defeated Denver, 91-81, at The Palace of Auburn
Hills.
Allan Houston poured in 28 points for the Pistons, who have won a
season-high five straight, nine-of-10 overall and six in a row at
home.
The Nuggets have lost five of their last eight and eight straight on
the road.
Denver held a 20-11 lead late in the first quarter, but Detroit
embarked on an 18-4 run to grab a 29-24 advantage with 9:17 to play in
the first half.
The Nuggets cut the hosts' lead to 31-30, but the Pistons all but put
Denver away with a 16-4 spurt, which gave Detroit a 47-34 cushion just
before the break.
The Pistons led by 10 at the intermission, and were never threatened
in the second half. Detroit led by as many as 14 in the fourth
quarter, and Denver could only get as close as seven after halftime.
Joe Dumars added 13 points for the Pistons.
Antonio McDyess paced the Nugget attack with 20 points and 12 boards.
Bryant Stith threw in 16 points, while Dale Ellis netted 14 for
Denver.
Dikembe Mutombo secured 11 rebounds and blocked nine shots for the
losers.
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Hill has eight triple-doubles this season, and nine for his career
* Jalen Rose had 11 points for Denver
* The Nuggets' Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf scored his 7,000th career point
during the contest. He has 7,002 for his career
* Detroit is 23-10 at The Palace
* The teams split the season series
* The Pistons are 37- 27, while the Nuggets are 27-37
* Nugget forward Tom Hammonds left the contest with a sprained
ankle.
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Boxscore - Denver at Detroit ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
3/17/96 Denver Nuggets AT Detroit Pistons ATTENDANCE: 21454
OFFICIALS: M.Mathis, J.Borgia, G.Willard TIME OF GAME: 2:16
REBOUNDS
Denver MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L.Ellis 36 3 8 1 1 0 0 2 4 6 1 3 0 1 0 7
A.McDyess 37 10 17 0 0 0 4 7 5 12 3 4 2 2 0 20
D.Mutombo 39 0 4 0 0 3 6 1 10 11 0 2 0 2 9 3
J.Rose 28 4 10 0 0 3 3 0 2 2 5 2 0 1 0 11
B.Stith 27 6 11 2 3 2 2 1 5 6 5 1 0 2 0 16
D.Ellis 26 6 11 2 4 0 0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 0 14
M.Abdul-Rauf 28 4 11 0 1 2 2 1 0 1 4 3 1 3 0 10
T.Hammonds 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
R.Williams 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
D.Overton 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0
M.Fish DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D.MacLean DNP - INJURY
TEAM TOTALS 240 33 75 5 9 10 17 12 29 41 22 17 3 12 9 81
PERCENTAGES: FG: 44.0% 3PT: 55.6% FT: 58.8% TEAM REB: 9 TEAM TO: 12
REBOUNDS
Detroit MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G.Hill 40 6 12 1 1 7 9 1 12 13 10 1 1 2 0 20
O.Thorpe 32 4 9 0 0 0 0 1 8 9 1 4 1 2 1 8
D.Reid 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0
A.Houston 43 11 22 6 12 0 0 1 2 3 0 3 3 1 0 28
J.Dumars 46 5 9 1 3 2 3 0 2 2 3 3 2 1 0 13
T.Ratliff 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
T.Mills 28 2 10 1 3 2 2 1 3 4 2 0 0 0 0 7
M.West 16 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 5 1 2 2 4
L.Hunter 16 3 6 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 7
M.Curry 9 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 4
L.Roe DNP - COACH'S DECISION
E.Leckner DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TEAM TOTALS 240 35 76 10 21 11 14 7 29 36 18 22 8 9 3 91
PERCENTAGES: FG: 46.1% 3PT: 47.6% FT: 78.6% TEAM REB: 7 TEAM TO: 10
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Denver Nuggets 22 15 17 27 81
Detroit Pistons 17 30 19 25 91
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
Denver 6, Detroit 9
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: Denver 2, Detroit 0
TECHNICALS: Denver 1, Detroit 0
Denver - Illegal Defense
Detroit - None
_________________________________________________________________
nba.95vpoznanovic,
Indiana 105, Toronto 96
Reggie Miller scored 27 points and the Indiana Pacers used a late
fourth-quarter rally to defeat Toronto, 105-96, at Market Square
Arena. The Pacers snapped a two-game slide and have won all four
meetings versus the Raptors.
Toronto held a 94-93 lead with five minutes to play, but the Pacers
finished the game on a 12-2 run. Miller's one free throw gave Indiana
a 101-96 lead with 1 1/2 minutes to play.
Doug Christie and Tracy Murray then missed long jumpers for Toronto.
Indiana's Haywoode Workman and Mark Jackson each canned two foul shots
in the final 40 seconds to seal the victory.
Rik Smits added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who also got
16 points from Jackson.
Damon Stoudamire scored 23 points to lead the Raptors, who have lost
three straight games and 13-of-15. [IMAGE] Back to contents
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Murray had 21 points and Oliver Miller 16 for Toronto
* Antonio Davis had 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Dale Davis scored
11 and pulled down 10 boards for Indiana
* Toronto is 5-29 on the road and 2-21 versus Central Division
opponents.
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Boxscore - Toronto at Indiana ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
3/17/96 Toronto Raptors AT Indiana Pacers ATTENDANCE: 16579
OFFICIALS: D.Crawford, D.Stafford, K.Fehr TIME OF GAME: 2:16
REBOUNDS
Toronto MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T.Murray 48 7 19 2 9 5 6 3 6 9 0 3 1 2 1 21
O.Miller 46 8 14 0 0 0 0 1 4 5 3 4 1 3 0 16
Z.Tabak 25 5 8 0 0 0 0 1 4 5 0 3 0 2 2 10
D.Christie 37 7 13 0 1 0 0 2 1 3 3 5 5 1 2 14
D.Stoudamire 46 8 18 4 9 3 5 1 4 5 12 3 1 4 0 23
A.Earl 25 4 10 0 0 2 2 2 1 3 4 2 1 0 1 10
J.King 13 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 2
V.Esposito DNP - COACH'S DECISION
M.Lewis DNP - COACH'S DECISION
C.Rogers DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D.Whitfield DNP - COACH'S DECISION
S.Wright DNP - INJURY
TEAM TOTALS 240 40 84 6 19 10 13 10 20 30 23 21 10 12 6 96
PERCENTAGES: FG: 47.6% 3PT: 31.6% FT: 76.9% TEAM REB: 10 TEAM TO: 15
REBOUNDS
Indiana MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R.Miller 39 9 19 2 5 7 8 1 3 4 4 2 0 4 0 27
D.Davis 32 5 6 0 0 1 9 3 7 10 1 1 1 0 4 11
R.Smits 34 9 15 0 0 3 3 3 9 12 1 3 0 3 1 21
M.Jackson 40 6 11 1 4 3 4 0 2 2 12 3 1 2 0 16
T.Best 27 3 6 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 7 3 3 2 0 9
A.Davis 30 6 9 0 0 1 1 6 5 11 0 2 0 1 1 13
R.Pierce 18 3 10 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 3 1 3 0 6
H.Workman 20 0 3 0 1 2 2 0 2 2 4 3 1 0 0 2
A.Caldwell DNP - COACH'S DECISION
E.Johnson DNP - INJURED
D.McKey DNP - INJURED
D.Schintzius DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TEAM TOTALS 240 41 79 4 13 19 29 14 28 42 31 20 7 15 6 105
PERCENTAGES: FG: 51.9% 3PT: 30.8% FT: 65.5% TEAM REB: 13 TEAM TO: 16
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Toronto Raptors 21 27 29 19 96
Indiana Pacers 27 27 26 25 105
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
Toronto 13, Indiana 19
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: Toronto 0, Indiana 1
TECHNICALS: Toronto 0, Indiana 0
_________________________________________________________________
nba.96vpoznanovic,
Charlotte 103, Phoenix 102
Glen Rice scored 26 points and dished out nine assists to lead the
Charlotte Hornets to a 103-102 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns.
Larry Johnson added 20 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to help
the Hornets win their third straight.
It looked like the Hornets would win this one going away, as they
built up a 21-point cushion in the first quarter. However, Kevin
Johnson led a second-quarter Phoenix rally and the Suns were within
56-49 at the intermission. Kevin Johnson had 15 points in the first
half and Larry Johnson had 13.
Kevin Johnson netted 13 more points in the third quarter, helping the
Suns tie it at 77-77 heading into the fourth. Phoenix actually held a
slim lead throughout most of the final quarter, and was ahead 95-92
after a John Williams' basket.
The Hornets then scored seven straight points, capped by an Anthony
Goldwire runner, to regain the lead at 99-95 with 1:20 remaining.
Charlotte's advantage was trimmed to 101-99 after a Charles Barkley
basket with 39 seconds left and the Suns had a chance to tie or go in
front after the Hornets turned it over.
However, Barkley missed a baseline jumper with six seconds left, Rice
grabbed the rebound and made two free throws after being fouled.
Barkley accounted for the final score with a three- pointer at the
buzzer.
Kevin Johnson led the Suns with 30 points, eight assists and six
rebounds. Barkley and Williams added 20 points apiece, while Williams
pulled down 10 rebounds.
_________________________________________________________________
Notes
* Goldwire, getting significant playing time because of the injury
to Kenny Anderson, chipped in 19 points. Anderson, who has a
sprained ankle, did see 15 minutes of playing time as a reserve
* Phoenix forward Danny Manning missed the game with a sprained
ankle
* The Hornets, who have won four straight at home, lead Miami by a
game in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference
* The Suns have lost five-of- seven.
_________________________________________________________________
Box Score
*** NBA Boxscore - Phoenix at Charlotte ***
(Sunday, March 17th)
3/17/96 Phoenix Suns AT Charlotte Hornets ATTENDANCE: 24040
OFFICIALS: S.Javie, J.Clark, G.Benson TIME OF GAME: 2:10
REBOUNDS
Phoenix MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C.Barkley 38 8 16 1 3 3 4 0 2 2 4 1 1 3 2 20
M.Bennett 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
J.Williams 39 9 13 0 0 2 2 2 8 10 3 1 0 1 2 20
M.Finley 48 3 5 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 6 3 3 2 0 7
K.Johnson 39 11 17 1 2 7 7 1 5 6 8 2 2 6 0 30
W.Person 37 6 15 1 5 2 2 0 6 6 1 2 0 0 0 15
E.Perry 9 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 4 1 0 0 6
J.Kleine 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
AC.Green 14 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 0 2
C.Carr 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.Coker DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D.Manning DNP - INJURY
TEAM TOTALS 240 42 74 3 11 15 16 4 25 29 26 16 7 13 4 102
PERCENTAGES: FG: 56.8% 3PT: 27.3% FT: 93.8% TEAM REB: 2 TEAM TO: 14
REBOUNDS
Charlotte MIN FG FGA 3P 3PA FT FTA OR DR TOT A PF ST TO BL PTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L.Johnson 44 7 12 1 2 5 6 6 2 8 11 0 2 3 0 20
M.Geiger 40 6 14 0 0 2 2 1 7 8 1 5 0 2 2 14
R.Parish 22 2 5 0 0 0 0 1 5 6 1 3 1 0 0 4
G.Rice 41 10 16 0 2 6 6 0 3 3 9 2 1 2 0 26
A.Goldwire 33 6 11 3 6 4 4 1 2 3 3 2 1 5 0 19
K.Anderson 15 0 4 0 1 1 2 1 2 3 3 2 1 0 0 1
G.Zidek 7 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 0 2
D.Curry 24 6 8 3 4 0 0 0 3 3 4 0 0 4 1 15
P.Myers 12 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 2
R.Addison 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
D.Hancock DNP - COACH'S DECISION
M.Adams DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TEAM TOTALS 240 39 75 7 16 18 20 11 26 37 34 17 7 17 3 103
PERCENTAGES: FG: 52.0% 3PT: 43.8% FT: 90.0% TEAM REB: 3 TEAM TO: 17
SCORE BY QUARTERS 1 2 3 4 FINAL
Phoenix Suns 22 27 28 25 102
Charlotte Hornets 34 22 21 26 103
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
--------------------
Phoenix 19, Charlotte 14
ILLEGAL DEFENSE: Phoenix 3, Charlotte 1
TECHNICALS: Phoenix 3, Charlotte 1
Pho-Fitzsimmons, Illegal Defense 2
Cha-Hanzlik
_________________________________________________________________
nba.97lexus,
=> The NBA has lifted the Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's (Den) suspensions as
=> Abdul-Rauf has agreed to standing during the national anthem.
Stajao je ruku sklopljenih za molitvu :)))
nba.98vpoznanovic,
RODMAN GETS SIX-GAME SUSPENSION, $20,000 FINE
NEW YORK -- The NBA on Monday suspended Chicago Bulls forward Dennis
Rodman for six games and fined him $20,000 for his wild theatrics in
Saturday night's game at New Jersey.
Rodman will not be eligible to play again until the Bulls visit the
Miami Heat on April 2. The ejection also carries an additional
automatic $1,000 fine.
Rodman was ejected with 1:31 left in the first quarter of Saturday's
game after receiving his second technical foul of the game. He
proceeded to lightly head-butt referee Ted Bernhardt above the left
eye. Rodman then ripped his shirt off, stormed around the court and
knocked over a water cooler as he headed to the locker room. The Bulls
won the game 97-93.
"Physical assaults on referees cannot and will not be tolerated under
any circumstances," said NBA Senior Vice President Rod Thorn. "The
suspension and fine reflect not only the head-butting, but the
totality of his actions on the court."
"I understand fully that making contact with an official is an
extremely serious offense and we as an organization understand the
severity of Mr. Rodman's situation," said Bulls vice president of
operations Jerry Krause. "However, I think the penalty is too severe
for a player whose conduct has been excellent up until this point."
Rodman accused the referees of treating him unfairly after Saturday's
game.
"The refs watch me instead of the game," said Rodman. "Thorn was even
here to watch me. Since it was me, I get picked on. Every damn game,
I'm the guinea pig. Why am I so different from the rest of the league?
"If I butted him, I butted him," said Rodman. "Suspend me. Rod Thorn,
(commissioner) David Stern -- suspend me if you're so big."
Rodman picked up a questionable technical foul early in the first
quarter for pounding the ball on the court. He was called for a
personal foul with 1:31 left in the first quarter and protested the
call. As Rodman argued the call with referee Paul Mihalak, he put his
hands inside his shorts. Bernhardt then raced over and called Rodman
for his second technical.
"It's tough to swallow as a team," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson of
the suspension. "We know this can't happen on the basketball court
just as we know people can't disrupt a game."
The Bulls beat the Nets to improve to 57-7 and need to go 13-5 (.722)
over their final 18 games to become the first team in NBA history to
win 70 games in a regular season.
"Dennis let the team down a little bit with Scottie (Pippen) out and
some of the other guys not here," said Bulls' star Michael Jordan
after Saturday's game. "We need him in there. You have to limit your
outbursts so you're not so much of a target. He's having a tough time
walking a straight line right now."
The Bulls play three games in the next four nights. Chicago hosts
Sacramento Tuesday and New York Thursday.
nba.99vpoznanovic,
Chicago (98) At Philadelphia (94)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kukoc F 42 8-16 3-6 1 5 6 11 3 1 0 21
Wennington F 26 3-7 1-2 0 6 6 1 6 1 1 7
Longley C 23 0-4 0-0 3 3 6 1 2 1 0 0
Jordan G 47 15-32 8-10 2 9 11 4 5 1 2 38
Harper G 29 2-6 2-4 1 1 2 4 2 3 1 6
Salley 11 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 5 0 0 2
Kerr 28 5-8 1-1 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 13
Buechler 26 3-9 0-0 2 4 6 1 2 1 1 7
Edwards 7 1-3 2-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 4
Brown 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Pippen Dnp - Tendonitis
Rodman Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 38-86 17-25 10 33 43 26 27 8 6 98
(.442) (.680) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 7(6 Pts)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Alston F 21 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 4 0 2 4
Weatherspoon F 38 4-13 6-6 6 7 13 0 0 2 1 14
Pinckney C 26 2-4 3-4 3 4 7 1 2 2 0 7
Stackhouse G 44 8-21 14-17 1 7 8 2 5 0 3 31
Maxwell G 29 5-13 5-8 0 1 1 4 4 0 4 18
Massenburg 23 3-5 2-2 1 7 8 0 3 0 0 8
Ruffin 16 1-7 0-0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 2
Higgins 23 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 6
Thompson 11 1-1 0-0 2 3 5 0 2 0 1 2
Sutton 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
Dumas Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Walters Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-75 30-37 14 31 45 17 21 4 12 94
(.387) (.811) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 12(13 Pts)
Chicago 22 26 20 30 - 98
Philadelphia 21 25 24 24 - 94
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Wennington, Harper, Edwards. Philadelphia -
Alston, Weatherspoon, Stackhouse, Massenburg, Maxwell.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 5-18 (.278), Kukoc 2-4, Jordan 0-5, Harper 0-1,
Kerr 2-5, Buechler 1-3. Philadelphia 6-22 (.273), Stackhouse 1-8, Maxwell
3-6, Ruffin 0-3, Higgins 2-4, Sutton 0-1.
Technicals: Philadelphia - Maxwell, Stackhouse.
Officials: Ed T Rush, David Jones, Tim Donaghy.
A - 18,168. T - 2:15.
nba.100vpoznanovic,
JORDAN CARRIES SHORT-HANDED BULLS
PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Jordan scored 14 of his 38 points in the
fourth quarter and Jud Buechler made a key steal late in the game as
the short-handed Chicago Bulls clinched at least a tie for the Central
Division title with a 98-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jordan also grabbed 11 rebounds. Toni Kukoc had 21 points and 11
assists and Steve Kerr added 13 points for Chicago, which won for the
17th time in 19 games despite being without rebounding specialist
Dennis Rodman and All-Star forward Scottie Pippen.
"We had to go out and get a win," Jordan said. "We're nothealthy as a
team, so you find ways to win games. Give our guys credit for
expanding their roles in doing what we had to do to win. They're not
beautiful wins but they're wins and that's the most important thing.
"This is a chance for us to learn how to compensate in case something
happens to Dennis and Scottie. We have to learn to finish the game
without them."
Rodman, the league's leading rebounder, was handed a six-game
suspension and a $20,000 fine earlier Monday for head-butting a
referee in Saturday's game at New Jersey.
"As a team we're disappointed," Jordan said. "We were asked to accept
the whole repertoire that Dennis brought with him and we did that. We
gave him a chance to redeem himself, be a part of this team, stay
focused and do what the system asked. Right now, he's learning his
lesson about dealing with the NBA and how he'll be looked at by the
referees. If he wants to be a part of the team, he's got to be there
when we need him."
"You don't want to see me cry, but I'll probably weep about it
tonight," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who recorded his 400th
coaching win. "It's a painful thing for us because we know we're going
to have to struggle without him. Last year, we had the same outfit
basically. But the difference in our team is Dennis Rodman. He gives
us the strength and rebounding and the edge we have defensively."
Pippen sat out the game with a sore back and tendinitis in his right
knee.
Despite those absences, the Bulls improved to 58-7. Chicago needs to
win 12 of its final 17 games to become the first team in NBA history
to win 70 games.
Jerry Stackhouse scored 31 points, Vernon Maxwell added 18 and
Clarence Weatherspoon had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Philadelphia,
which lost its fourth straight game and ninth in 11 games. The 76ers
lost to the Bulls for the 10th consecutive time, including three times
this season.
"We were right in it," Stackhouse said. "They made their runs and we
made ours. We hit a little drought where we did not get the shots we
needed, but we had our chances and that's all you can ask for in a
game like this."
After Sean Higgins made a 3-pointer to give the 76ers an 80-78 lead
midway through the fourth, Jordan made a 15-footer to ignite a 12-0
run. Jordan followed with a fastbreak layup, Kerr made a 13-footer,
Kukoc drilled a 3-pointer and Kerr capped the burst with a 3-pointer
to give the Bulls a 90-80 advantage with 2:56 left.
Philadelphia pulled within 95-92 on Derrick Alston's jumper with 17
seconds left and appeared to have more life as Kukoc missed both free
throws six seconds later.
Maxwell made two free throws to draw the 76ers within 95-94 with 4.8
seconds to go. Chicago's Ron Harper was fouled and made the first free
throw but missed the second. Weatherspoon grabbed the rebound but was
stripped by Buechler, who fed to Kukoc for a dunk as time ran out.
"We were just waiting for Michael to get a run," Jackson said. "He
seemed to struggle out there in the first half and some of the third
quarter. He got on a roll and sowed his oats and then I knew the game
was going in our direction."
nba.101vpoznanovic,
Denver (122) At Toronto (114)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Ellis F 28 3-9 0-0 1 2 3 2 3 1 3 6
Mcdyess F 37 11-13 10-11 2 5 7 1 4 0 1 32
Mutombo C 44 5-6 3-6 2 11 13 2 4 0 2 13
Stith G 35 5-11 12-13 1 5 6 1 2 4 2 24
Rose G 25 2-6 1-1 2 3 5 11 2 0 3 5
Abdul-Rauf 31 9-15 7-8 0 1 1 5 2 1 1 27
D Ellis 26 6-12 2-2 2 1 3 1 1 3 3 15
Fish 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
Overton 10 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
Hammonds Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Maclean Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-73 35-41 10 30 40 25 19 10 16 122
(.562) (.854) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(18 Pts)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 43 15-25 4-4 3 1 4 1 5 2 2 40
Tabak F 17 0-5 0-2 2 3 5 2 1 0 2 0
Miller C 37 7-10 0-2 2 7 9 7 3 3 0 14
Christie G 22 5-6 0-0 0 3 3 1 6 1 4 12
Stoudamire G 44 6-17 1-4 1 5 6 16 5 1 4 14
King 28 3-3 2-3 0 1 1 4 2 0 0 8
Earl 11 2-6 5-6 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 9
Rogers 31 6-15 2-3 7 0 7 1 5 0 1 14
Esposito 7 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 3
Lewis Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Whitfield Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wright Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 45-88 14-24 15 22 37 32 30 7 15 114
(.511) (.583) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 15(16 Pts)
Denver 27 35 24 36 - 122
Toronto 30 29 28 27 - 114
Blocked Shots: Denver - L Ellis 4, Mutombo 4, Mcdyess. Toronto - Murray,
Miller, Christie, Stoudamire, Rogers.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Denver 5-8 (.625), Stith 2-4, Abdul-Rauf 2-2, D Ellis
1-2. Toronto 10-24 (.417), Murray 6-12, Miller 0-1, Christie 2-3,
Stoudamire 1-6, Rogers 0-1, Esposito 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ron Elisiak, Nolan Fine, Jess Kersey.
A - 20,324. T - 2:11.
nba.102vpoznanovic,
MURRAY'S 40 NOT ENOUGH FOR RAPTORS
TORONTO -- Antonio McDyess scored 32 points and Bryant Stith scored
six of his 24 points in a key fourth-quarter run as the Denver
Nuggets snapped their eight-game road losing streak with a 122-114
victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf scored 27 points, Dale Ellis added 15, Dikembe
Mutombo grabbed 13 rebounds and Jalen Rose handed out 11 assists for
Denver, which snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Nuggets, who improved to 9-24 away from home, have three games
remaining on their six-game road trip and pulled within one game of
the Sacramento Kings for the final playoff spot in the Western
Conference.
"We needed a really big win to push us towards the playoffs," McDyess
said. "I tried to run the floor and my teammates were finding me.
Jalen (Rose) can see the whole court and he got me the ball."
Tracy Murray scored a franchise-record and career-high 40 points for
Toronto. He hit 15-of-25 shots from the field, including six
3-pointers.
"We need to keep our poise when the game is close," Murray advised.
"We have guys that are capable of stepping up and carrying the load."
"Until the fourth quarter we were competing," Raptors coach Brendan
Malone said. "Tracy Murray kept us in the game. We need someone down
low to score. But right now he's lying on his back hurt. That man is
Sharone Wright."
Damon Stoudamire had 14 points and 16 assists for the Raptors, who
were swept in the season series by the Nuggets. Oliver Miller and
Carlos Rogers added 14 points apiece for Toronto.
"We played well in spurts," Stoudamire said. "We just did not put it
together. If we could just play well for 48 minutes, we could beat a
team like Denver. We're in these games. We've just got to win them."
After Stoudamire hit a jumper to give the Raptors a 98-96 lead in the
fourth quarter, Stith ignited a 17-5 run with a 3-pointer and three
free throws. Abdul-Rauf followed with a jumper, McDyess converted a
three-point play, Rauf drilled a 16-footer and Ellis and McDyess sank
a pair of free throws each to give Denver a 113-103 advantage with
2:43 remaining in the fourth.
Acie Earl scored nine points as the Raptors raced to a 30-27 lead
entering the second quarter. The Nuggets grabbed a 62-59 lead at the
half behind Abdul-Rauf's 20 points. Toronto retook the lead at 87-86
on the strength of Murray's 16 third-quarter points.
Mutombo added 13 points and four blocks for Denver, which shot 56
percent (41-of-73) from the field, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range
and made 35-of-41 from the free-throw line.
Doug Christie scored 12 points for Toronto, which shot 51 percent
(45-of-88) and made just 14-of-24 from the charity stripe.
nba.103vpoznanovic,
Golden State (98) At San Antonio (104)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Sprewell F 40 7-15 3-4 1 3 4 5 3 0 3 17
Smith F 33 7-13 1-4 3 2 5 0 1 1 0 16
Willis C 18 2-5 2-2 2 5 7 0 4 0 3 6
Armstrong G 41 6-13 2-2 1 4 5 7 1 2 2 14
Coles G 33 5-11 2-2 0 3 3 4 1 1 0 13
Kersey 20 2-4 0-0 2 4 6 3 2 1 0 4
Seikaly 28 6-13 6-6 3 4 7 0 5 2 2 18
Barry 18 3-6 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 1 0 6
Marshall 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
Churchwell 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Declercq 1 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
Rozier 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 40-84 16-20 12 28 40 24 19 8 11 98
(.476) (.800) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 12(20 Pts)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 37 8-13 2-3 2 3 5 4 4 2 3 19
Smith F 25 5-10 0-0 6 7 13 0 1 1 1 10
Robinson C 42 12-24 8-11 3 11 14 2 3 0 2 32
Johnson G 44 3-11 0-0 0 1 1 17 2 2 3 6
Del Negro G 45 8-14 0-0 0 3 3 5 1 1 1 17
C Person 23 4-8 0-0 1 6 7 2 3 0 1 12
Rivers 17 3-4 0-0 1 1 2 2 4 0 1 6
W Perdue 6 0-1 2-2 2 0 2 0 3 0 1 2
Alexander 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Herrera Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-85 12-16 15 32 47 32 21 6 13 104
(.506) (.750) Team Rebs: 2 Total To: 13(11 Pts)
Golden State 28 26 25 19 - 98
San Antonio 24 42 26 12 - 104
Blocked Shots: Golden State - Kersey 4, Willis, Coles, Smith, Marshall.
San Antonio - Elliott 2, Robinson 2, Smith, Johnson, Rivers, W Perdue.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Golden State 2-10 (.200), Sprewell 0-3, Smith 1-1,
Armstrong 0-2, Coles 1-2, Barry 0-1, Marshall 0-1. San Antonio 6-16
(.375), Elliott 1-4, Johnson 0-1, Del Negro 1-3, C Person 4-7, Rivers 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Tommie Wood, Ken Mauer.
A - 15,581. T - 1:59.
nba.104vpoznanovic,
SPURS MAKE WARRIORS 10TH STRAIGHT VICTIM
SAN ANTONIO -- David Robinson scored 20 of his 32 points in the first
half when the San Antonio Spurs built a 12-point lead en route to a
104-98 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
The Spurs extended their winning streak to a season-high 10 games and
remain 1 1/2 games ahead of Utah in the Midwest Division. The Jazz won
at Milwaukee 107-90 Monday night.
Sean Elliott had 19 points and Vinny Del Negro added 17 for the Spurs,
who won for the 15th time in 17 games. Avery Johnson had a season-high
17 assists for San Antonio.
``This was not one of our better performances, but it is a good sign
to win games in which you don't play well,'' said Robinson. ``Good
teams are able to find a way to win when they are not playing well, so
tonight was a good sign.''
The loss was the ninth in 12 games for the Warriors, who slipped
one-half game behind Sacramento for the final Western Conference
playoff spot.
Rony Seikaly scored 18 points and Latrell Sprewell added 17 for Golden
State.
Robinson, who finished with 14 rebounds, scored 16 of his points in
the second quarter when San Antonio outscored the Warriors 42-26 to
take a 66-54 halftime lead.
The Spurs increased the lead to as many as 19 points after a tip-in by
Charles Smith with 3:58 left in the third quarter.
Golden State pulled within 96-90 in the fourth quarter, but Chuck
Person hit back-to-back 3-pointers to open San Antonio's lead to
102-90 with 3:17 left. Person finished with 12 points.
``We struggled with them,'' said Spurs coach Bob Hill. ``We finally
got away from them at the end of the first half and again at the end
of the third quarter. Chuck Person hit a couple of three's as usual,
which were crucial.''
Joe Smith had 16 points and B.J. Armstrong added 14 for Golden State.
``We had some trouble scoring at the end, and they made some shots
when they needed to,'' said Seikaly. ``There was a chance to beat them
tonight.''
nba.105vpoznanovic,
La Clippers (101) At Seattle (104)
La Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Vaught F 26 8-14 0-0 4 5 9 1 4 1 1 16
Rogers F 33 7-11 1-2 2 2 4 6 4 0 4 20
Williams C 41 8-16 4-5 2 6 8 2 4 1 1 20
Richardson G 37 1-10 2-2 2 2 4 11 3 3 4 4
Sealy G 33 5-13 0-1 1 3 4 5 2 3 2 10
Dehere 23 4-6 4-4 0 1 1 2 6 0 8 16
Roberts 15 0-1 0-2 0 3 3 0 5 0 0 0
Murray 15 1-3 5-5 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 7
Harvey 13 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 2 0 2
Piatkowski 4 2-2 1-1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 6
Barry Dnp - Did Not Dress
Outlaw Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-78 17-22 12 29 41 27 31 10 22 101
(.474) (.773) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 23(29 Pts)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 36 8-12 11-13 1 6 7 2 5 2 3 27
D Schrempf F 38 2-8 6-8 0 4 4 5 3 3 2 10
Johnson C 17 0-4 0-0 3 1 4 0 3 0 0 0
Hawkins G 38 6-13 6-7 1 3 4 1 1 3 2 19
Payton G 46 8-14 4-6 3 7 10 10 2 6 5 20
Perkins 24 3-10 4-4 3 4 7 1 2 0 0 11
Wingate 15 2-6 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 6
Brickowski 19 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 8
Snow 7 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 3
Ford Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mcmillan Dnp - Coach'S Decision
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-73 34-42 11 26 37 20 23 14 15 104
(.452) (.810) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 15(22 Pts)
La Clippers 34 27 17 23 - 101
Seattle 31 25 16 32 - 104
Blocked Shots: La Clippers - Williams 3, Harvey 2, Murray, Rogers.
Seattle - Kemp 2, Johnson 2, Payton.
3-Pt. Field Goals: La Clippers 10-17 (.588), Rogers 5-6, Richardson 0-2,
Sealy 0-2, Dehere 4-4, Murray 0-2, Piatkowski 1-1. Seattle 4-16 (.250), D
Schrempf 0-2, Hawkins 1-4, Payton 0-3, Perkins 1-3, Wingate 0-1,
Brickowski 2-3.
Technicals: La Clippers - Murray.
Officials: Joe Forte, Derek Richardson, Mark Wunderlich.
A - 16,638. T - 2:21.
nba.106vpoznanovic,
Seattle 104, LA Clippers 101
Shawn Kemp scored nine of his 27 points over the final four minutes
and Gary Payton registered his first triple-double of the season as
the Seattle SuperSonics rallied to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers for
the 12th consecutive time with a 104-101 victory.
Payton had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth career
triple-double and first since the 1992-93 season. Hersey Hawkins
scored 19 points and Sam Perkins added 11 for Seattle, which won for
the 18th time in 20 games. The SuperSonics defeated the Clippers for
the 19th time in 21 games and for the 30th time in 32 meetings in
Seattle.
The Sonics, who scored 11 of the game's last 13 points, reached the
50-win plateau for the fourth straight season, decreasing their magic
number for the Pacific Division title to 10 and their magic number for
clinching the Western Conference's number one seed to 15.
Rodney Rogers and Brian Williams scored 20 points apiece and Loy
Vaught added 16 and nine rebounds for Los Angeles, which remained 5
1/2 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final
playoff spot in the Western Conference.
After Rogers nailed a three-pointer and Malik Sealy made a layin to
give the Clippers a 99-93 lead with 2:26 left in the fourth quarter,
Perkins and Hawkins each made two free throws to close Seattle within
101-97 with 1:07 left.
Sealy dunked to give the Clippers a 101-97 advantage with one minute
remaining before Kemp sank two free throws seven seconds later. Detlef
Schrempf made a steal and led Kemp to a dunk, tying the game at
101-101 with 40 seconds to go.
Kemp made a steal, leading to one free throw and a 102-101 edge for
Seattle 15 seconds later. With four seconds to go, Williams missed a
contested layin and Schrempf sank a pair from the line for a 104-101
advantage. The Clippers inbounded the ball with 1.7 seconds left, but
could not get a shot off as Payton played smothering defense on Sealy.
Rogers and Williams each had 11 points as Los Angeles carried a 34-31
lead into the second quarter. Dehere's 16 paced the Clippers, who led
61-56 at the half, but did not score in third when Los Angeles
expanded its lead to 78-72.
Schrempf ended with 10 points, five assists and three steals for
Seattle, which shot 45 per cent (33-of-73) from the field but made
32-of-42 from the line and scored 29 points off 23 forced turnovers.
Terry Dehere scored 16 points and Pooh Richardson handed out 11
assists for Los Angeles, which shot 47 per cent (37-of-78) and held a
41-37 rebounding edge.
nba.107vpoznanovic,
Utah (107) At Milwaukee (90)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 17 2-7 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 0 5
Malone F 36 10-17 2-2 0 10 10 4 4 2 4 22
Spencer C 20 2-2 0-0 4 2 6 0 3 0 2 4
Stockton G 36 4-5 4-4 0 1 1 16 3 0 3 12
Hornacek G 30 10-14 4-4 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 25
Eisley 12 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 3 4 0 1 6
Keefe 31 4-7 5-8 0 5 5 2 2 1 1 13
Morris 17 3-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 7
Ostertag 16 1-6 1-1 3 5 8 0 0 0 1 3
Carr 22 2-9 2-2 1 2 3 2 3 1 2 6
Foster 2 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Russell 1 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 43-80 18-21 9 31 40 32 25 5 16 107
(.538) (.857) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 16(20 Pts)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Baker F 43 5-13 3-5 2 5 7 5 3 3 0 14
Robinson F 40 6-16 7-8 0 1 1 1 3 1 5 21
Benjamin C 20 2-4 4-4 1 7 8 0 0 0 1 8
Douglas G 35 4-9 5-10 1 1 2 7 4 1 3 14
Newman G 31 3-7 1-1 1 2 3 0 2 2 1 7
Respert 20 3-11 1-2 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 8
Mayberry 14 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 5 2 1 1 0
Cummings 22 4-7 0-0 0 3 3 2 4 0 1 8
Conlon 14 5-7 0-0 4 1 5 0 1 0 1 10
Keys 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-76 21-30 10 21 31 20 19 8 14 90
(.421) (.700) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 14(12 Pts)
Utah 20 29 32 26 - 107
Milwaukee 22 17 26 25 - 90
Blocked Shots: Utah - Spencer, Keefe, Carr. Milwaukee - Benjamin 3,
Respert, Cummings.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 3-8 (.375), Benoit 1-2, Stockton 0-1, Hornacek
1-1, Eisley 0-2, Keefe 0-1, Morris 1-1. Milwaukee 5-20 (.250), Baker 1-2,
Robinson 2-5, Douglas 1-3, Newman 0-1, Respert 1-7, Mayberry 0-1, Conlon
0-1.
Technicals: Milwaukee - Head Coach Dunleavy 2 (Ejected), Cummings, Newman,
Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ed Middleton, Ed F Rush, Tony Brothers.
A - 14,879. T - 1:58.
nba.108vpoznanovic,
Utah 107, Milwaukee 90
Jeff Hornacek scored nine of his 25 points during a 28-7 run, bridging
the second and third quarter, and Karl Malone added 22 as the Utah
Jazz cruised to a 107-90 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Malone added 10 rebounds and John Stockton had 16 assists and 12
points for Utah, which won for just the second time in five games and
remained 1 1/2 games behind the first-place San Antonio Spurs in the
Midwest Division. The Jazz beat the Bucks for the eighth straight
time.
"As a coach, I think that Jerry (Sloan) really listens to us," Malone
said. He has definitely mellowed out in his old age. He listens to and
respects our opinion of the game. We were not feeling sorry for the
Bucks tonight. In the business, no one feels sorry for another team's
misfortune."
"I think that if Milwaukee had played well at the start of the game,
they would have put us in trouble," Stockton said. "But, instead, we
did it to them. I was not paying attention to whether or not the Bucks
were frustrated tonight."
Glenn Robinson scored 21 points, Vin Baker added 14 and Sherman
Douglas had 14 and seven assists for Milwaukee, which lost its eighth
straight game and for the 13th time in 14 games.
After Robinson made a three-pointer to pull the Bucks within 35-34
late in the second quarter, Adam Keefe made one free throw to ignite a
huge 28-7 run. Milwaukee's Terry Cummings was called for an illegal
screen. Cummings argued and received a technical and Bucks coach Mike
Dunleavy was ejected for arguing relentlessly.
"Up until about two minutes left in the first half, I felt that we
were still in it," Dunleavy said. "We were struggling to make shots,
but we were still right there. Obviously, I didn't agree with the
officiating. They made three end-of-quarter shots with three or two
seconds left and that really hurt us."
Hornacek hit a 10-footer at the halftime buzzer, giving Utah a 49-39
advantage. The Jazz scored the first six points of the third as Felton
Spencer's layup handed Utah a 55-39 lead. David Benoit capped the
burst with a three-pointer that gave the Jazz a 63-41 bulge four
minutes into the third.
Utah settled for an 81-65 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
The Bucks never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
Milwaukee closed within 81-70 on Baker's three-pointer one minute into
the fourth. But Malone nailed consecutive 15-footers, Keefe added two
free throws and Chris Morris drilled a 20-footer to give the Jazz an
89-70 lead midway through the fourth.
Keefe ended with 13 points and Greg Ostertag grabbed eight rebounds
for Utah, which shot 54 per cent (43-of-80) from the field and held a
40-31 rebounding edge.
Marty Conlon scored 10 points and Benoit Benjamin grabbed eight
rebounds for Milwaukee, which shot 42 per cent (32-of-76), including
5-of-20 from three-point range.
nba.109vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Monday, March 18 - 130 days, 933 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 64 50 14 29 3 21 11 104.4 96.7 78.1 - W 3
Los Angeles Lakers 63 40 23 24 10 16 13 103.2 99.4 63.5 9.5 L 1
Phoenix Suns 65 32 33 17 15 15 18 104.3 104.5 49.2 18.5 L 1
Portland Trail Blazers 65 31 34 19 14 12 20 99.7 98.9 47.7 19.5 W 5
Sacramento Kings 63 28 35 18 13 10 22 100.2 103.4 44.4 21.5 L 2
Golden State Warriors 66 29 37 19 13 10 24 102.8 104.0 43.9 22.0 L 1
Los Angeles Clippers 65 23 42 14 19 9 23 99.8 103.8 35.4 27.5 L 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 64 46 18 27 6 19 12 104.2 97.2 71.9 - W10
Utah Jazz 65 45 20 26 4 19 16 103.8 97.4 69.2 1.5 W 1
Houston Rockets 65 42 23 22 8 20 15 102.6 99.5 64.6 4.5 L 1
Denver Nuggets 65 28 37 19 13 9 24 98.3 101.2 43.1 18.5 W 1
Minnesota Timberwolves 64 21 43 15 19 6 24 97.7 103.2 32.8 25.0 W 2
Dallas Mavericks 65 21 44 13 18 8 26 103.6 108.1 32.3 25.5 L 7
Vancouver Grizzlies 62 11 51 8 25 3 26 90.1 100.5 17.7 34.0 L14
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 66 49 17 32 0 17 17 104.1 99.3 74.2 - W 2
New York Knicks 63 37 26 22 11 15 15 97.4 95.0 58.7 10.5 W 3
Miami Heat 65 32 33 21 12 11 21 94.9 94.1 49.2 16.5 W 1
Washington Bullets 65 30 35 20 11 10 24 102.2 100.8 46.2 18.5 W 2
New Jersey Nets 64 25 39 16 14 9 25 94.3 97.5 39.1 23.0 L 4
Boston Celtics 65 25 40 15 18 10 22 103.6 107.3 38.5 23.5 W 1
Philadelphia 76ers 65 13 52 8 25 5 27 95.7 105.2 20.0 35.5 L 4
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 65 58 7 32 0 26 7 105.5 94.3 89.2 - W 4
Indiana Pacers 64 40 24 24 7 16 17 99.7 96.4 62.5 17.5 W 1
Detroit Pistons 64 37 27 23 10 14 17 95.5 92.9 57.8 20.5 W 5
Cleveland Cavaliers 64 36 28 22 12 14 16 91.6 89.0 56.3 21.5 W 1
Atlanta Hawks 64 35 29 21 11 14 18 98.0 97.3 54.7 22.5 L 2
Charlotte Hornets 63 32 31 23 11 9 20 103.9 103.4 50.8 25.0 W 3
Milwaukee Bucks 64 21 43 12 20 9 23 95.6 100.6 32.8 36.5 L 8
Toronto Raptors 64 16 48 11 19 5 29 96.8 103.1 25.0 41.5 L 4
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 64 50 14 29 3 21 11 104.4 96.7 78.1 - W 3 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 64 46 18 27 6 19 12 104.2 97.2 71.9 4.0 W10 *
3. Utah Jazz 65 45 20 26 4 19 16 103.8 97.4 69.2 5.5 W 1
4. Houston Rockets 65 42 23 22 8 20 15 102.6 99.5 64.6 8.5 L 1
5. Los Angeles Lakers 63 40 23 24 10 16 13 103.2 99.4 63.5 9.5 L 1
6. Phoenix Suns 65 32 33 17 15 15 18 104.3 104.5 49.2 18.5 L 1
7. Portland Trail Blazers 65 31 34 19 14 12 20 99.7 98.9 47.7 19.5 W 5
8. Sacramento Kings 63 28 35 18 13 10 22 100.2 103.4 44.4 21.5 L 2
9. Golden State Warriors 66 29 37 19 13 10 24 102.8 104.0 43.9 22.0 L 1
10. Denver Nuggets 65 28 37 19 13 9 24 98.3 101.2 43.1 22.5 W 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 65 23 42 14 19 9 23 99.8 103.8 35.4 27.5 L 2
12. Minnesota Timberwolves 64 21 43 15 19 6 24 97.7 103.2 32.8 29.0 W 2
13. Dallas Mavericks 65 21 44 13 18 8 26 103.6 108.1 32.3 29.5 L 7
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 62 11 51 8 25 3 26 90.1 100.5 17.7 38.0 L14
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 65 58 7 32 0 26 7 105.5 94.3 89.2 - W 4 *
2. Orlando Magic 66 49 17 32 0 17 17 104.1 99.3 74.2 9.5 W 2
3. Indiana Pacers 64 40 24 24 7 16 17 99.7 96.4 62.5 17.5 W 1
4. New York Knicks 63 37 26 22 11 15 15 97.4 95.0 58.7 20.0 W 3
5. Detroit Pistons 64 37 27 23 10 14 17 95.5 92.9 57.8 20.5 W 5
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 64 36 28 22 12 14 16 91.6 89.0 56.3 21.5 W 1
7. Atlanta Hawks 64 35 29 21 11 14 18 98.0 97.3 54.7 22.5 L 2
8. Charlotte Hornets 63 32 31 23 11 9 20 103.9 103.4 50.8 25.0 W 3
9. Miami Heat 65 32 33 21 12 11 21 94.9 94.1 49.2 26.0 W 1
10. Washington Bullets 65 30 35 20 11 10 24 102.2 100.8 46.2 28.0 W 2
11. New Jersey Nets 64 25 39 16 14 9 25 94.3 97.5 39.1 32.5 L 4
12. Boston Celtics 65 25 40 15 18 10 22 103.6 107.3 38.5 33.0 W 1
13. Milwaukee Bucks 64 21 43 12 20 9 23 95.6 100.6 32.8 36.5 L 8
14. Toronto Raptors 64 16 48 11 19 5 29 96.8 103.1 25.0 41.5 L 4
15. Philadelphia 76ers 65 13 52 8 25 5 27 95.7 105.2 20.0 45.0 L 4
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Houston Rockets Los Angeles Lakers
San Antonio Spurs Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz Phoenix Suns
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Charlotte Hornets
New York Knicks Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers Cleveland Cavaliers
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 65 58 7 32 0 26 7 105.5 94.3 89.2 - W 4
2. Seattle Supersonics 64 50 14 29 3 21 11 104.4 96.7 78.1 7.5 W 3
3. Orlando Magic 66 49 17 32 0 17 17 104.1 99.3 74.2 9.5 W 2
4. San Antonio Spurs 64 46 18 27 6 19 12 104.2 97.2 71.9 11.5 W10
5. Utah Jazz 65 45 20 26 4 19 16 103.8 97.4 69.2 13.0 W 1
6. Houston Rockets 65 42 23 22 8 20 15 102.6 99.5 64.6 16.0 L 1
7. Los Angeles Lakers 63 40 23 24 10 16 13 103.2 99.4 63.5 17.0 L 1
8. Indiana Pacers 64 40 24 24 7 16 17 99.7 96.4 62.5 17.5 W 1
9. New York Knicks 63 37 26 22 11 15 15 97.4 95.0 58.7 20.0 W 3
10. Detroit Pistons 64 37 27 23 10 14 17 95.5 92.9 57.8 20.5 W 5
11. Cleveland Cavaliers 64 36 28 22 12 14 16 91.6 89.0 56.3 21.5 W 1
12. Atlanta Hawks 64 35 29 21 11 14 18 98.0 97.3 54.7 22.5 L 2
13. Charlotte Hornets 63 32 31 23 11 9 20 103.9 103.4 50.8 25.0 W 3
14. Miami Heat 65 32 33 21 12 11 21 94.9 94.1 49.2 26.0 W 1
15. Phoenix Suns 65 32 33 17 15 15 18 104.3 104.5 49.2 26.0 L 1
16. Portland Trail Blazers 65 31 34 19 14 12 20 99.7 98.9 47.7 27.0 W 5
17. Washington Bullets 65 30 35 20 11 10 24 102.2 100.8 46.2 28.0 W 2
18. Sacramento Kings 63 28 35 18 13 10 22 100.2 103.4 44.4 29.0 L 2
19. Golden State Warriors 66 29 37 19 13 10 24 102.8 104.0 43.9 29.5 L 1
20. Denver Nuggets 65 28 37 19 13 9 24 98.3 101.2 43.1 30.0 W 1
21. New Jersey Nets 64 25 39 16 14 9 25 94.3 97.5 39.1 32.5 L 4
22. Boston Celtics 65 25 40 15 18 10 22 103.6 107.3 38.5 33.0 W 1
23. Los Angeles Clippers 65 23 42 14 19 9 23 99.8 103.8 35.4 35.0 L 2
24. Milwaukee Bucks 64 21 43 12 20 9 23 95.6 100.6 32.8 36.5 L 8
25. Minnesota Timberwolves 64 21 43 15 19 6 24 97.7 103.2 32.8 36.5 W 2
26. Dallas Mavericks 65 21 44 13 18 8 26 103.6 108.1 32.3 37.0 L 7
27. Toronto Raptors 64 16 48 11 19 5 29 96.8 103.1 25.0 41.5 L 4
28. Philadelphia 76ers 65 13 52 8 25 5 27 95.7 105.2 20.0 45.0 L 4
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 62 11 51 8 25 3 26 90.1 100.5 17.7 45.5 L14
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.110koky,
> Chicago (98) At Philadelphia (94)
Jordan prvi skakac u ekipi.E ovo je novost :))
A sta li rade Kukoc, Wennington, Longley na parketu.
Dejan
nba.111vpoznanovic,
RODMAN RIPS NBA, THEN APOLOGIZES FOR HEAD-BUTT
NEW YORK -- Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman said Tuesday he wants
to meet with NBA commissioner David Stern about his six-game suspension
and added that his teammates are still behind him despite his antics.
Rodman followed that up with a formal apology later in the day.
The NBA suspended Rodman for six games and fined him $20,000 on Monday
for his wild theatrics in Saturday night's game at New Jersey, where
he head-butted a referee after being ejected from the game.
Rodman will not be eligible to play again until the Bulls visit the
Miami Heat on April 2. The ejection also carries an additional
automatic $1,000 fine. With his lost salary during the suspension, the
incident will cost Rodman more than $228,000.
Rodman told WMVP Radio in Chicago on Tuesday that he wants to confront
Stern. Just hours later, Rodman released an apology through the team.
"I want to talk to him face-to-face, and I want him to look at me, in
my eyes, and say, 'Dennis you cannot do this, you cannot do that,'"
Rodman said. "And I will put something in his face ... on the table,
and say, 'What do you mean I can't do this?' And I want to ask, 'What
is the difference between me and everybody else in this league?'"
Hours later, the Bulls issued the following statement from Rodman:
"I want to apologize publicly for my actions. I was wrong in making
contact with an NBA official and I deserved to be punished for my
actions, although I do not believe they are severe.
"I realize that the NBA referees are doing their jobs and it's my job
to respect them and the rules of the game and not put my teammates in
jeopardy. Chicago Bulls fans and my teammates have treated me with
grest warmth and acceptance and I realize I let them down and I have
an obligation not to let them down again."
Michael Jordan was among the Chicago players who said Monday the
suspension was hurting the Bulls, who are already playing without
injured All-Star Scottie Pippen.
But Rodman claims he is a team player.
"The team is still behind me no matter what. They know that I'm very
competitive. I like to go out there and win, win, win," Rodman said.
"That's my No. 1 goal. And they know that they know that I'm not no
psycho problem-child when I'm out there on the floor."
Rodman said that the suspension was inconsistent with past league
policy.
"It's like I haven't done anything different for the last 10 years
and now all of sudden they're saying you gotta change," he said.
Rodman was ejected with 1:31 left in the first quarter of Saturday's
game after receiving his second technical foul of the game. He
proceeded to lightly head-butt referee Ted Bernhardt above the left
eye. Rodman then ripped his shirt off, stormed around the court and
knocked over a water cooler as he headed to the locker room. The Bulls
won the game 97-93.
"Physical assaults on referees cannot and will not be tolerated under
any circumstances," said NBA senior vice president Rod Thorn. "The
suspension and fine reflect not only the head-butting, but the
totality of his actions on the court."
Rodman's suspension was the third longest levied by the NBA. Kermit
Washington was suspended for 26 games in 1977 for punching Rudy
Tomjanovich, and Vernon Maxwell received a 10-game suspension last
year for going into the stands and hitting a fan.
"I understand fully that making contact with an official is an
extremely serious offense and we as an organization understand the
severity of Mr. Rodman's situation," said Bulls vice president of
operations Jerry Krause. "However, I think the penalty is too severe
for a player whose conduct has been excellent up until this point."
Rodman accused the referees of treating him unfairly after Saturday's
game.
"The refs watch me instead of the game," said Rodman. "Thorn was even
here to watch me. Since it was me, I get picked on. Every damn game,
I'm the guinea pig. Why am I so different from the rest of the league?
"If I butted him, I butted him," said Rodman. "Suspend me. Rod Thorn,
(commissioner) David Stern -- suspend me if you're so big."
Rodman picked up a questionable technical foul early in the first
quarter for pounding the ball on the court. He was called for a
personal foul with 1:31 left in the first quarter and protested the
call. As Rodman argued the call with referee Paul Mihalak, he put his
hands inside his shorts. Bernhardt then raced over and called Rodman
for his second technical.
"It's tough to swallow as a team," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson of
the suspension. "We know this can't happen on the basketball court
just as we know people can't disrupt a game."
nba.112vpoznanovic,
CABLE TV COMPANY BUYS 76ERS, FLYERS, ARENAS
PHILADELPHIA -- Comcast Corp., a cable television company, on Tuesday
announced that it is buying both the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and the
NBA's Philadelphia 76ers along with two arenas.
The announcement was made Tuesday at a news conference in Philadelphia.
Terms were not announced but insiders claim the price is between $500
million and $600 million, ranking it as the most expensive sports
acquisition in history.
Comcast is the third largest cable corporation in the United States
with more than 3.3 million subscribers. It reported $3.4 billion in
revenue last year.
The purchase of the 76ers is subject to approval by the National
Basketball Association. The purchase of the Flyers is subject to a
number of approvals, including that of the National Hockey League.
Ed Snider, Pat Croce and Comcast Corporation announced the formation
of the Comcast-Spectacor Venture.
The venture will own and operate the 76ers basketball team, the Flyers
hockey team and the two sports arenas, the CoreStates Spectrum and the
new CoreStates Center. Comcast will hold a 66 percent ownership
interest in this joint venture.
Croce and Comcast teamed to purchase the 76ers from Harold Katz.
Comcast and Croce will contribute the 76ers to the joint venture and
Croce will become president of the 76ers. Snider will be the managing
partner of the venture.
"This is an exciting day for the Philadelphia region -- the chance to
combine two major sports franchises and to continue to expand the
opportunities for the teams and for both arenas, are exciting
prospects," said Snider.
"We are looking forward to the August, 1996, opening of the
CoreStates Center, where both the 76ers and the Flyers will play next
season. We hope to build upon the great history of these two sports
franchises in the years ahead. "I am delighted to be a partner of
Comcast Corporation, whose media, telephone and electronic retailing
businesses in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware will help to
expand the popularity of the teams."
"This is a dream come true for me," added Croce. "The chance to help
take the 76ers to new heights is a once in a lifetime opportunity --
and I can't wait to get started. I would like to thank Harold Katz for
giving me this wonderful opportunity."
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to join with Ed Snider and
Pat Croce in the formation of this exciting new partnership," said
Ralph J. Roberts, the chairman of Comcast Corporation. "Ed has a long
and successful track record in both owning and operating the Flyers
and the Spectrum and is responsible for the creation of the exciting
new CoreStates Center.
"Pat Croce was instrumental in putting this transaction together and
will play an important role as we continue to build the premier sports
complex and sports operation in the country.
"Harold Katz has made a major contribution to regional sports over the
fifteen years that he has owned the 76ers. Through his efforts, the
76ers won the NBA title in 1983. Now that Harold has made the
difficult decision to sell the team, it is up to us to regain that
past glory."
Comcast Corp. is principally engaged in the development, management
and operation of wired telecommunications, including cable television
and telephone services, wireless telecommunications, cellular,
personal communications services and direct to home satellite
television. Comcast also is the principal ownership of QVC network,
the world's premier electronic retailer, and other programming
investments.
nba.113vpoznanovic,
Hill garners weekly honor
Detroit Pistons forward Grant Hill has been named the NBA Player of
the Week. Hill recorded a pair of triple-doubles in four games last
week.
Hill, who has a league-leading eight triple-doubles this season,
averaged 21.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.0 steals per
game to lead Detroit to a 4-0 record last week.
Other candidates for the honor were Charlotte's Larry Johnson,
Chicago's Michael Jordan, Miami's Tim Hardaway, Phoenix's Kevin
Johnson, Portland's Arvydas Sabonis, Vancouver's Bryant Reeves and
Washington's Gheorghe Muresan.
nba.114vpoznanovic,
Hill apologizes for Bowie timeout
An angry Orlando Magic head coach Brian Hill has apologized to the
Detroit Pistons for an incident at the close of Tuesday night's 113-91
Magic victory that resulted in the Pistons leaving the court in the
closing seconds of the game.
With Orlando about to complete the rout, Magic guard Anthony Bowie
called timeout with just 2.7 seconds left to play. It turned out he
needed just one assist to record his first NBA triple-double and he
wanted to set up a play to get the assist.
The timeout angered Detroit head coach Doug Collins, who told his
players to stand off to the side when the Magic inbounded the ball.
Bowie got his assist, but then Collins and his players walked off the
court with about a second to play.
Hill, who had not called for the timeout, was obviously upset by
Bowie's action. He tried to apologize to Collins outside the Pistons'
locker room, but was ignored.
"I'd like to formally apologize to Doug Collins, his staff, the fans
and entire Detroit Pistons organization for the timeout," Hill said.
"I thought it was totally uncalled for. I regret it."
Bowie, who ended the night with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists,
did not apologize for what happened.
"You only get so many opportunities like that," he told reporters, and
that's why I did it."
Collins refused to comment afterward, and told his players to also
keep quiet about the incident.
nba.115vpoznanovic,
BRADLEY'S NET WORTH REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
In his third NBA season, 23-year-old Shawn Bradley has finally found a
home. Like his Mormon forbearers, Bradley has had a rough journey. He
spent more than two seasons in unforgiving Philadelphia -- first as
the savior, then as a bust. The Sixers finally traded him Nov. 30 to
the New Jersey Nets for malcontent Derrick Coleman. While Coleman has
played in just 11 games for Philadelphia, Bradley has already paid big
dividends in New Jersey.
Since moving roughly 90 miles north from Philadelphia, the 7-foot-6
center has been attacking the rim for vicious dunks. And instead of
serving as every dunker's favorite target on the other end of the
floor, he's blocking shots like a man on a mission. He's even thrown
Alonzo Mourning to the floor in his new home.
"I'm not going back down to anybody," Bradley said. "If Shaquille
(O'Neal) dunks on me, I'm going to run down the floor and try to score
on him. I may not dunk on him, but I'm going to try to score."
Better atmosphere equals better play
This kind of transformation is not supposed to happen in the NBA. The
Nets franchise has been known for ruining players ... not reviving
them. But, so far, New Jersey and Bradley are perfect together.
"When Shawn came here and we had the press conference, I took him
aside and said, 'Look Shawn, I don't know what happened in
Philadelphia. I've read a lot of things, but you can't come here and
save this organization,'" Nets coach Butch Beard said.
And that comfort zone created by his coach on his first day with the
organization has had a lasting impact on Bradley.
"They said, 'What we want you to do is come out and work hard and get
better,'" Bradley explained. "It took a lot of the pressure off me,
and I was able to come out and feel a lot better about myself and my
game. And I've been playing a lot better ball."
The success behind the Nets/Bradley merger goes beyond the improved
atmosphere off the court. New Jersey's on-the-court product has also
helped. The Sixers didn't have a bona fide point guard during
Bradley's two-year stay. The Nets, on the other hand, had Kenny
Anderson and still have Chris Childs - - who has averaged over 10
assists per game since February - - to feed Bradley the ball in the
low post.
Once Bradley gets the ball down low, he now has a better idea of what
to do with it -- thanks in large part to Nets assistant coach Clifford
Ray. Standing 6-foot-9, the former NBA Rookie of the Year understands
exactly what Bradley has been up against.
"People have a tendency to have a short amount of patience with big
people," Ray explained. "Because they look at their size and they say,
'You ought to be doing this.'"
Bradley isn't the first player to look to Ray for guidance. Ray
tutored Robert Parish while both were playing for the Warriors in the
'70s, and as an assistant coach with the Mavs, he worked with Roy
Tarpley, James Donaldson and Herb Williams.
"Working with Clifford has been very good for me," Bradley said. "He's
really helped me with my confidence and believes in my ability."
And the results have certainly been noticeable.
"Obviously he's put in some time and put some work into his game
trying to improve and develop into a game and not being what everybody
thinks he's going to be -- a stiff, a flop, a quote unquote flop,"
Mourning said.
"I would love to have Shawn Bradley on our team," Suns forward Charles
Barkley said. "He's a guy who is not going to dominate the game like
they thought he would, but I think he can be a solid rebounder and
gives you solid defense every night."
Forgetting Philly
Like Barkley, Bradley's experience in Philadelphia is best forgotten.
Although Bradley played just one season and 34 games at Brigham Young,
the Sixers selected him with the second pick of the 1993 draft and
gave him a $44 million contract. When he fell short of expectations,
he was accused of being lazy and soft.
"I won't say I had a bad time in Philadelphia," Bradley said. "But it
came to a point where they didn't want me anymore."
The low point came last fall when a Philadelphia sportstalk radio
station asked listeners to call in with creative nicknames for
Bradley. Creative quickly turned into crude: White man's burden;
Missionary impossible; The great white nope.
"I've always known that if I work hard and do the best that I can do,
it doesn't matter what people think about me," Bradley said. "There's
been worse stuff said about other people in their lives, and if I let
that stuff get to me, I'm succumbing to their level."
Barkley, a 10-time All-Star selection who spent eight seasons in
Philadelphia, knows all about the not so loving side of the City of
Brotherly Love.
"You're not going to get a fair deal in Philadelphia with the press
there," he said.
New Jersey state of mind
Ironic as it may seem, Bradley may have found the perfect refuge in
the NBA's biggest and toughest market. The New York press is so
preoccupied with the Knicks' daily soap opera across the Hudson River
that Bradley should get a chance to succeed or fail in New Jersey
without the daily scrutiny that dogged him in Philadelphia. And while
the Nets struggle to turn their season around and make the playoffs,
the big news at the Meadowlands is the big man in the middle who
cares.
"You need a little history. We've gone through the Joe Barry Carroll
decade. We've gone through the Benoit Benjamin decade," said long-time
Nets season-ticket holder Frank Capece. "We actually have a center who
is willing to run up and down the court. We have a center who is
willing to play the game. We have a center who yells at the referees.
We have a center who is fighting for us. Shawnster's our guy. He has
found a home in northern New Jersey."
The cause for this endearment is obvious; Bradley's minutes, points,
rebounds and blocks have gone up in each month since he joined the
Nets at the beginning of December. Yet, he and the team know his game
needs plenty of work.
"When I look at Shawn, sometimes he want to be a small forward," said
Nets executive vice president and general manager Willis Reed. "He's
not a small forward. He has to be a center. He has to develop the sky
hook, the turnaround jump shot, the jams. He has to run the floor and
block shots in the middle of the floor."
The coach concurred: "He's still a baby. He doesn't understand a lot
of things, but he has made tremendous progress since he's been here."
And the Nets just hope Bradley's game approaches the height of his
7-foot-6 frame.
nba.116vpoznanovic,
NETS' GILL READY TO REHAB INJURED HAND
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New Jersey Nets guard Kendall Gill can begin
physical therapy Wednesday, one day after three surgical pins and a
cast were removed from his left hand.
Dr. Charles Melone Jr. said the metacarpal on Gill's left index finger
had healed and will be re-evaluated in a week. Gill will have to wear
a removable splint.
Gill sustained the injury Feb. 14 in a game against Indiana. New
Jersey acquired him from Charlotte on Jan. 19 in a deal for Kenny
Anderson, and Gill played 11 games for New Jersey before the injury.
nba.117vpoznanovic,
Cleveland 81, Dallas 72
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Mills F 41 4-6 0-0 1 5 6 0 2 1 2 9
Ferry F 37 8-11 2-3 0 6 6 1 2 0 2 24
Cage C 27 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 2
Brandon G 33 4-14 5-6 3 6 9 4 4 2 1 14
Majerle G 40 4-16 1-2 2 8 10 5 2 2 0 10
Hill 20 1-3 2-4 1 3 4 1 0 1 2 4
Sura 16 1-2 2-2 0 2 2 2 1 2 4 4
Phills 20 3-8 6-6 2 1 3 2 4 2 2 12
Lang 5 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 2
Marshall 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Crotty DNP - Coach's decision
Johnson DNP - Coach's decision
Totals 240 27-63 18-23 9 34 43 16 18 11 15 81
(.429) (.783) Team rebs: 6 Total TO: 16 (14 pts)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Parks F 10 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 0 0
McCloud F 40 6-19 2-2 3 3 6 3 3 1 1 18
Williams C 42 1-5 0-0 4 6 10 1 3 2 3 2
Kidd G 44 4-17 4-4 1 5 6 3 2 0 4 14
Jackson G 34 3-15 6-6 2 7 9 4 3 0 2 12
Wood 32 2-8 1-2 2 3 5 2 4 3 2 6
Harris 23 5-10 2-2 2 2 4 2 0 0 1 14
Brooks 6 0-2 2-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
Meyer 9 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
Davis DNP - Left knee surgery
Dumas DNP - Left foot injury
Jones DNP - Tendinitis in right knee
Totals 240 23-79 17-18 16 27 43 16 19 6 14 72
(.291) (.944) Team rebs: 6 Total TO: 14 (14 pts)
Cleveland 20 25 17 19 -- 81
Dallas 11 25 20 16 -- 72
Blocked shots: Cleveland -- Hill 2, Mills, Ferry, Majerle, Sura, Phills;
Dallas -- Williams 3, Wood.
3-pt. field goals: Cleveland 9-17 (.529) -- Mills 1-1, Ferry 6-7,
Brandon 1-1, Majerle 1-8;
Dallas 9-29 (.310) -- McCloud 4-12, Kidd 2-7, Jackson 0-3, Wood 1-3,
Harris 2-4.
Technicals: Dallas -- Kidd.
Officials: Bernie Fryer, Jim Capers, Lee Jones.
Att.: 17,121. Time: 1:57.
nba.118vpoznanovic,
Cleveland 81, Dallas 72
DALLAS -- Danny Ferry scored 17 of his 24 points in the first half to
lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 81-72 victory over the Dallas
Mavericks on Tuesday.
Bobby Phills converted six free throws and added a dunk in the final
44 seconds to seal the victory for the Cavaliers, who moved into a tie
with Detroit for the fifth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
"This was a very important win for us because of our playoff
situation," Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello said. "We got some big
defensive stops when we had to."
The loss was the eighth in a row for the Mavericks, who finished with
a season-low 72 points and shot a dreadful 29 percent (23 for 79) from
the field.
George McCloud led Dallas with 18 points, but hit just six of 19 shots
from the field. The Mavericks played without Tony Dumas and Popeye
Jones, as Dumas is nursing a left foot injury and Jones has tendinitis
in his right knee.
Ferry scored eight points in the first quarter when Cleveland raced to
a 20-11 lead. The Mavs hit just five of 24 shots in the quarter.
Cleveland maintained its nine-point lead, 45-36, at the half.
McCloud scored 13 points in the third quarter and Dallas pulled within
62-56 by the end of the period.
The Mavericks pulled within 71-68 on a pair of free throws by Jason
Kidd with 1:48 remaining. Cleveland's Terrell Brandon converted a pair
of free throws with 57 seconds left and Phills took control in the
final 44 seconds.
Brandon had 14 points and Phills finished with 12 for Cleveland.
"We needed to win this one because we have Houston next and they're
always tough," Cavaliers guard Dan Majerle said. "It's always a good
way to start off a road trip with a win, especially when your fighting
for a playoff spot like we are.
"Obviously, on offense we take our time and execute, but we've become
a very good team by playing good defense."
Dallas' starting backcourt of Kidd and Jim Jackson combined to hit
just seven of 32 shots from the field. Kidd had 14 points on
four-for-17 shooting and Jackson finished with 12 on three-for-15
shooting.
"I think tonight we ran the offense correctly. We had good looks but
they didn't fall," Jackson said. "Cleveland does a good job of lulling
you to sleep and having you play a halfcourt game. Our offense was
there. It was just one of those nights where you don't shoot well and
the score indicates that."
The combined total of 153 points is the lowest in a game involving the
Mavericks. The previous low was 155 points in an 84-73 Indiana victory
over Dallas on Feb. 17, 1994.
nba.119vpoznanovic,
Orlando 113, Detroit 91
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Hill F 35 5-11 3-4 0 6 6 7 3 0 3 13
Thorpe F 31 4-7 2-4 2 4 6 0 2 2 2 10
West C 12 2-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 4 0 0 4
Houston G 32 6-11 1-2 1 3 4 2 5 0 4 14
Dumars G 29 4-7 0-0 0 0 0 5 0 0 1 12
Curry 24 2-6 2-2 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 6
Mills 25 2-9 0-0 2 4 6 1 4 0 1 4
Reid 12 2-2 0-1 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 4
Hunter 21 4-7 5-7 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 15
Ratliff 12 1-1 3-4 2 2 4 0 0 1 1 5
Roe 7 0-3 4-4 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 4
Leckner DNP - Coach's decision
Totals 240 32-68 20-28 9 26 35 19 25 5 18 91
(.471) (.714) Team rebs: 7 Total TO: 19 (18 pts)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Grant F 32 12-17 2-3 5 4 9 0 3 1 0 26
Scott F 39 3-9 0-0 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 8
O'Neal C 30 4-13 2-4 2 3 5 4 5 0 2 10
Bowie G 41 8-14 4-5 1 9 10 10 2 1 1 20
Hardaway G 34 9-18 0-0 3 2 5 11 2 0 1 18
Koncak 10 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 2
Thompson 21 6-13 5-6 0 4 4 3 3 1 0 21
Wolf 20 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 1 4 0 0 3
Royal 9 0-1 3-4 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 3
Vaughn 4 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 2
Anderson DNP - Left shoulder contusion
Totals 240 45-90 17-24 13 27 40 31 26 7 9 113
(.500) (.708) Team rebs: 14 Total TO: 9 (12 pts)
Detroit 18 19 26 28 -- 91
Orlando 19 22 38 34 -- 113
Blocked shots: Detroit -- Hunter 2, Hill, Mills, Reid, Ratliff;
Orlando -- Grant 2, O'Neal.
3-pt. field goals: Detroit 7-21 (.333) -- Hill 0-1, Houston 1-4,
Dumars 4-6, Curry 0-1, Mills 0-4, Hunter 2-2, Roe 0-3;
Orlando 6-21 (.286) -- Scott 2-7, Bowie 0-1, Hardaway 0-2,
Thompson 4-10, Royal 0-1.
Technicals: Detroit - West 2 (ejected), illegal defense.
Officials: Paul Mihalak, Ted Bernhardt, Tommie Wood.
Att.: 17,248. Time: 2:10.
nba.120vpoznanovic,
TEAM EFFORT CARRIES MAGIC AS SHAQ DOESN'T DO SQUAT
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Horace Grant scored a season-high 26 points, Anthony
Bowie recorded his first career triple-double and Dennis Scott set a
single-season record for 3-pointers as the Orlando Magic extended
their NBA-record home winning streak to 40 games with a 113-91 victory
over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Bowie had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Brooks Thompson
scored a carer-high 21 points and Anfernee Hardaway had 18 points and
11 assists for Orlando. Shaquille O'Neal was held to 10 points on
four-of-13 shooting. Dream Teamers Grant Hill, left, and Shaquille
O'Neal didn't have superstar numbers Tuesday. Hill finished with 13
points and O'Neal had 10.
Orlando improved to 33-0 at home this season and has won 40
consecutive home games overall. The Magic shares both records with the
Chicago Bulls, whose streaks also are active.
The Magic called a timeout with two seconds left and a 111-91 lead in
order to get Bowie his 10th assist. Bowie fed the ball to David
Vaughn, who dunked the ball as time expired.
Angry Pistons coach Doug Collins stormed off the court after the final
basket, giving Bowie the cold shoulder when he tried to explain the
situation.
"I know a lot of people are not going to be happy with it," Scott said
of the timeout. "But people have to realize that A.B. worked hard to
get where he is today. He's been in the CBA, overseas, he's been
drafted late in whatever round he was drafted when he came out of
college (third round, 1986).
"He deserved this. He's a classy guy and I hope that people don't take
this one incident and try to rearrange his character, because he's a
great guy."
Scott made two 3-pointers for a season-total of 219, surpassing the
previous NBA record of 217 set by New York's John Starks during the
1994-95 season.
"Oh, I'm glad it's over with," Scott said. "First of all, to the fans,
thank you very much for the ovation in the middle of the first
quarter. That was beautiful. I did it for my ma, sitting up there. Her
eyes got watery. It was great."
Lindsey Hunter scored 15 points, Allan Houston had 14 and Grant Hill
had 13 for Detroit, which had its six-game winning streak snapped and
lost for just the third time in the past 14 games.
The Pistons fell to 14-18 on the road and dropped one game behind the
New York Knicks in the race for the fourth playoff spot in the Eastern
Conference.
With the Magic leading 41-37 at the half, Grant opened the third
quarter with an 18-footer that ignited a 23-10 run. Bowie scored six
points and Hardaway and Grant had four apiece in the burst. Grant's
16-footer gave Orlando a 64-47 lead with 5:17 left in the third
quarter.
The Magic, who have beaten the Pistons nine of 11 times, settled for a
79-63 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Hill -- who entered the game as the only player in the NBA to lead his
team in scoring (21.4), rebounding (9.7) and assists (6.8) -- had
seven assists and six rebounds for Detroit.
"We played O.K.," Hill said. "Our last three losses have been to the
three best teams in the league. The good things about those games is
after we got blown out, we were able to bounce back and win four in a
row and five in a row."
nba.121vpoznanovic,
Golden State (105) At Houston (102) - Final In Ot
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 43 4-12 2-4 8 6 14 0 4 3 4 10
Smith F 46 8-17 4-6 3 9 12 1 2 0 0 20
Willis C 31 6-17 3-4 4 6 10 2 2 1 4 15
Sprewell G 49 6-20 3-4 1 4 5 7 4 5 1 16
Armstrong G 41 10-17 13-15 1 3 4 4 1 1 2 35
Seikaly 6 1-3 1-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 3
Coles 33 2-6 0-0 0 4 4 4 4 2 1 4
Marshall 10 1-1 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 2
Barry 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Declercq Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rozier Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 38-93 26-35 18 36 54 18 19 12 12 105
(.409) (.743) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 13(15 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mack F 26 1-5 2-2 0 3 3 0 3 0 1 4
Horry F 48 10-17 0-0 1 7 8 5 4 1 2 26
Brown C 32 4-10 2-3 4 5 9 2 2 0 2 10
Smith G 35 8-11 0-1 0 2 2 8 6 1 7 19
Recasner G 26 4-14 1-2 2 3 5 1 2 1 4 11
Jones 15 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 0
Breaux 33 3-12 6-7 5 6 11 1 2 0 2 12
Booker 9 2-9 1-2 0 2 2 2 0 0 1 5
Moore 21 4-11 2-3 3 0 3 1 1 0 1 12
Chilcutt 20 1-2 0-0 3 3 6 0 4 2 0 3
Bryant Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Olajuwon Dnp - Tendinitis Both Knees
Totals 265 37-92 14-20 18 33 51 22 25 5 20 102
(.402) (.700) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 20(15 Pts)
Golden State 27 27 26 17 8 - 105
Houston 21 18 27 31 5 - 102
Blocked Shots: Golden State - Smith 3, Kersey, Willis, Seikaly. Houston -
Horry 6, Jones.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Golden State 3-10 (.300), Smith 0-1, Sprewell 1-4,
Armstrong 2-3, Coles 0-2. Houston 14-30 (.467), Mack 0-2, Horry 6-8, Smith
3-6, Recasner 2-6, Breaux 0-1, Booker 0-3, Moore 2-3, Chilcutt 1-1.
Technicals: Houston - Brown.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Bob Delaney, Tom Washington.
A - 16,285. T - 2:40.
nba.122vpoznanovic,
ARMSTRONG, WARRIORS TAKE GIANT LEAP AGAINST ROCKETS
HOUSTON -- Joe Smith scored four of his 20 points during an overtime
run, lifting the Golden State Warriors to a 105-102 victory over the
injury-riddled Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
B.J. Armstrong hit 10 of 17 shots from the field, made 13 of 15 free
throws and finished with a career-high 35 points. Smith had 12
rebounds and three blocks. Golden State guard Jon Barry leaps high to
knock the ball away from Charles Jones.
"I thought we had the game under control," Armstrong said. "We were
doing well defensively, passing the ball, hitting our open shots. But
then they got a few threes. Give Houston credit -- It was a ballgame
at the end.
"Really, it put us in a position we are not used to -- being in the
lead. There is a lesson to be learned here. It would have been painful
if we lost."
Houston played without All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon and veteran
power forward Mark Bryant, because Olajuwon has tendinitis in both
knees and Bryant has an ankle injury. The Rockets already had been
playing without Clyde Drexler, Mario Elie and Sam Cassell for several
games.
Warriors center Rony Seikaly suffered a torn tendon in his right thumb
in the second quarter Tuesday and did not return. He might need
surgery and is flying back to Oakland on Wednesday for further tests.
Latrell Sprewell scored 16 points and Kevin Willis had 15 and 10
rebounds for Golden State, which won for just the second time in seven
games and improved to 11-24 on the road. The Warriors pulled even with
the Sacramento Kings in the race for the last playoff spot in the
Western Conference.
"They got back in it," Sprewell said of the Rockets. "They never quit
playing. When you know Hakeem's out, that has to make it easier on
offense and defense. Still though, you have to respect the other guys.
They have pride and you can't take them for granted."
Robert Horry scored 26 points, Kenny Smith scored 19 before fouling
out and Tim Breaux had 12 and 11 rebounds for Houston, which lost for
the fourth time in six games.
"If you can be happy with a loss, I guess this is about as happy as
you can be," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "We expended a lot
of effort on defense and that was great. We held what I consider a
pretty good offensive team to 40-percent shooting.
"This is an inspiring game. You hate to lose, but we really gave it
our best. I keep telling the guys, it doesn't matter what your name is
or how much you make. What matters is that you believe in yourself."
Joe Smith hit a jumper, Sprewell had a steal and dunked and Smith made
another jumper to cap a 6-1 run in overtime and give the Warriors a
103-98 lead with two minutes left.
Sprewell made one free throw to give the Warriors a 105-102 lead with
eight seconds left. Houston's Melvin Booker missed a 3-pointer at the
buzzer.
Jerome Kersey pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds and scored 10
points and Sprewell had a season-high five steals for Golden State,
which shot just 41 percent (38 for 93) from the field, but forced 20
turnovers.
Horry had six blocked shots for Houston, which fell to 22-9 at home
and is dropped four games behind the Utah Jazz in the race for the
third playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets have lost
consecutive games to the Warriors after beating Golden State on 11
consecutive occasions.
nba.123vpoznanovic,
Indiana (94) At Charlotte (102)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Davis F 37 3-6 1-4 4 3 7 2 3 2 1 7
Mckey F 22 1-5 2-2 2 0 2 1 1 0 1 4
Smits C 26 11-17 2-2 3 8 11 1 4 0 1 24
Miller G 39 5-14 10-11 1 1 2 6 5 0 4 20
Jackson G 41 4-14 0-0 4 4 8 6 3 1 3 9
A Davis 27 4-9 4-4 3 2 5 2 2 0 2 12
Best 11 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 4
Pierce 22 2-4 8-8 0 4 4 3 1 0 2 12
Caldwell 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Workman 8 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2
Johnson Dnp - Sore Left Knee
Schintzius Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-76 27-31 17 23 40 22 24 4 17 94
(.434) (.871) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 17(21 Pts)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Johnson F 38 4-12 2-3 1 7 8 14 3 1 4 10
Geiger F 34 7-12 0-1 4 7 11 3 5 1 2 14
Parish C 24 4-8 1-2 4 3 7 1 2 0 1 9
Rice G 40 9-19 3-3 1 0 1 4 4 1 3 23
Goldwire G 36 4-7 5-6 0 2 2 3 1 0 3 14
Addison 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Curry 26 4-8 5-6 1 1 2 4 3 1 1 14
Zidek 8 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2
Adams 11 2-2 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8
Myers 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 2
Hancock 7 3-3 0-1 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 6
Anderson Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Totals 240 39-77 18-24 11 22 33 32 27 4 16 102
(.506) (.750) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 16(20 Pts)
Indiana 18 18 25 33 - 94
Charlotte 27 27 15 33 - 102
Blocked Shots: Indiana - D Davis 4. Charlotte - Geiger 2, Parish 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Indiana 1-9 (.111), Miller 0-4, Jackson 1-2, Best 0-1,
Pierce 0-1, Workman 0-1. Charlotte 6-15 (.400), L Johnson 0-1, Geiger 0-1,
Rice 2-4, Goldwire 1-3, Addison 0-1, Curry 1-3, Adams 2-2.
Technicals: Indiana - Pierce, Charlotte - Myers.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Ken Mauer, Hank Armstrong.
A - 24,042. T - 2:19.
nba.124vpoznanovic,
Charlotte 102, Indiana 94
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Glen Rice scored 23 points Tuesday night to lead
Charlotte to a 102-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers, moving the
Hornets within two games of seventh-place Atlanta in the Eastern
Conference playoff race.
Rik Smits had 24 points and 11 rebounds and Reggie Miller scored 20
points for the Pacers, who suffered their fifth loss in the past seven
games. Indiana's Derrick McKey gets a rude welcoming from Charlotte's
Matt Geiger.
The Hornets -- who completed a 4-0 homestand -- played without
starting point guard Kenny Anderson, who is nursing a sprained left
ankle.
"I think we held up to their pressure particularly well," Hornets head
coach Allan Bristow said. "When we had to make big plays, we did. To
me, Indiana is the toughest team in our conference to beat -- I'm just
talking over the past two years."
Rice scored seven points as Charlotte raced to a 23-10 lead in the
first 10 minutes. The Pacers closed within 32-24 with 9:15 left in the
second quarter, but the Hornets went on a 15-4 run to open a 47-28
lead with 3:45 remaining. Larry Johnson scored five points and Darrin
Hancock added four points in the spurt.
Charlotte held a 54-36 halftime advantage.
An 8-1 run late in the third quarter pulled the Pacers within 69-61,
but Charlotte started the fourth quarter with a 9-4 spurt to open the
lead to 78-65.
A pair of free throws by Miller with 1:58 left pulled Indiana within
90-83. But Rice hit a 3-pointer with 1:34 remaining and Matt Geiger
converted a layup to open a 95-83 lead for the Hornets.
"We got in the game slow and were trying to catching up," Pacers coach
Larry Brown said. "You've got to play near perfect down the stretch.
We did a good job on Larry Johnson, but they just found a way to win."
Geiger finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Goldwire --
who started for the injured Anderson -- and Dell Curry added 14 points
apiece for the Hornets. Larry Johnson had a career-high 14 assists for
Charlotte.
"I'm just going in to try to control the tempo, and when guys get
double-teamed, I just get to spot up," Goldwire said. "It was a great
win for us."
Antonio Davis and Ricky Pierce scored 12 points apiece for the Pacers.
nba.125vpoznanovic,
Minnesota (78) At Portland (106)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 35 5-12 0-0 0 7 7 2 2 1 4 11
Gugliotta F 33 4-16 4-6 1 1 2 2 5 1 1 12
Riley C 27 3-5 3-4 3 2 5 1 3 0 1 9
West G 20 0-2 2-2 1 4 5 2 3 0 1 2
Martin G 26 1-5 1-2 0 1 1 4 3 1 3 3
Rider 28 4-8 5-5 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 14
Mitchell 25 6-12 1-1 1 2 3 0 2 1 2 13
Davis 17 0-2 1-2 1 4 5 1 3 3 0 1
Porter 22 2-7 1-1 0 0 0 5 3 1 3 5
Bragg 7 4-8 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 8
Lang Dnp - Torn Left Calf
Webb Dnp - Pulled Left Hamstring
Totals 240 29-77 18-23 7 21 28 20 28 9 17 78
(.377) (.783) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 17(26 Pts)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 27 2-3 3-4 0 4 4 3 3 0 0 7
C Robinson F 31 4-11 3-6 0 3 3 2 2 0 1 12
Sabonis C 21 2-7 5-5 2 6 8 0 3 0 2 9
Mckie G 29 4-7 4-4 2 5 7 3 3 2 2 12
Strickland G 30 8-13 4-5 1 4 5 5 1 1 5 20
Dudley 28 3-7 5-10 4 7 11 1 2 0 1 11
Trent 4 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Williams 22 5-9 3-4 4 4 8 0 4 3 2 13
R Robinson 19 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 1 1 6
Wingfield 17 3-4 2-2 0 3 3 1 2 1 3 8
J Robinson 7 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Spencer 5 2-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 5
Totals 240 36-69 31-44 14 39 53 18 21 8 19 106
(.522) (.705) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 20(15 Pts)
Minnesota 18 22 17 21 - 78
Portland 32 24 27 23 - 106
Blocked Shots: Minnesota - Gugliotta, Rider. Portland - Grant, C
Robinson, Dudley, Williams, Spencer.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Minnesota 2-5 (.400), Garnett 1-1, Gugliotta 0-1,
Martin 0-1, Rider 1-1, Porter 0-1. Portland 3-9 (.333), C Robinson 1-2,
Sabonis 0-1, Strickland 0-1, R Robinson 2-3, Wingfield 0-1, J Robinson 0-1.
Technicals: Minnesota - Riley, Portland - C Robinson, Dudley.
Officials: Joe Derosa, Sean Corbin, Bill Oakes.
A - 19,977. T - 2:06.
nba.126vpoznanovic,
Portland 106, Minnesota 78
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Rod Strickland scored 20 points as the Portland
Trail Blazers extend their season-best winning streak to six games and
continued their dominance over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a
106-78 rout Tuesday night.
The Blazers defeated the Timberwolves for the 13th consecutive time,
improving Portland's series lead to 26-2.
Buck Williams scored 13 points and Clifford Robinson had 12 for
Portland, which pulled within one-half game of the the Phoenix Suns in
the race for the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We've just been playing hard and aggressive," Strickland said. "We're
getting everybody involved. I think me and Cliff aren't taking all the
shots and, let's face it: Arvydas Sabonis has been a big help since
he has become a starter. He's giving us some offense right from the
beginning, so we're not having to play 10 points behind all the time."
Veteran Buck Williams' scored 13 points as Portland moved within
one-half game of Phoenix for sixth place in the Western Conference.
"We were going to try and get the most benefit out of Sabonis as we
can, and he's been playing more and more lately," Blazers guard Aaron
McKie said. "Hopefully he can continue to stay healthy and be a big
factor for us."
Sabonis suffered serious leg injuries during his playing career in
Europe, but doctors recently cleared him to play more than 30 minutes
per game for Portland.
Because of his skills on offense, Sabonis has been one key to
Portland's recent success. But the man he replaced in the lineup --
shot-blocking and rebounding specialist Chris Dudley -- had a big game
against Minnesota, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Sabonis had nine points and eight rebounds as the Blazers finished
with a 53-28 rebounding edge.
Sam Mitchell scored 13 points, Tom Gugliotta had 12 and Kevin Garnett
11 for Minnesota. Isaiah Rider did not start because of an
upper-respiratory infection, but scored 14 points in 28 minutes.
"We got down quick and we just never did battle back," Gugliotta said.
"We tried, but we didn't play smart basketball, so we got blown out.
"We're missing a lot of key guys right now, but even with that, it
seemed like we were starting to come around a little bit and play as a
team. Tonight was a big setback. We didn't play together and it
showed."
Andrew Lang and Spud Webb -- the two players Minnesota acquired in the
Christian Laettner trade -- both missed the game because of injuries.
After Gugliotta hit a 10-footer to close Minnesota within 13-10 early
in the first quarter, Harvey Grant ignited a 15-5 run with a layin.
McKie and Sabonis scored four points each during the burst and
Williams made a layup to give the Blazers a 28-15 lead with 1:30 left
in the first.
"It may look easy, but it's definitely work," McKie said. "We've been
coming out and making our shots early and putting pressure on the
other team as opposed to them putting pressure on us."
Portland settled for a 32-18 lead after one quarter and opened the
second quarter with an 8-2 run. Williams made an eight-footer, Dudley
made three free throws and Rumeal Robinson made a 3-pointer to give
Portland a 40-20 bulge with seven minutes left in the second quarter.
The Blazers settled for a 56-40 lead at the half. Minnesota never got
no closer than 15 points the rest of the way.
Garnett added seven rebounds for Minnesota, which shot 38 percent (29
for 77) and committed 17 turnovers that led 26 points for Portland.
nba.127vpoznanovic,
Sacramento (67) At Chicago (89)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 35 4-10 2-4 4 4 8 1 3 1 3 10
Causwell F 23 2-4 4-4 4 10 14 0 5 0 1 8
Polynice C 29 1-8 0-0 3 5 8 2 3 1 3 2
Richmond G 27 8-20 4-4 1 2 3 0 6 0 7 23
Edney G 36 2-13 4-4 1 0 1 4 1 1 2 8
Gamble 30 2-9 1-3 3 1 4 3 2 1 1 5
Smith 22 2-4 2-3 3 2 5 2 4 0 1 6
C Williamson 16 2-9 0-0 3 0 3 1 3 0 3 4
Hurley 8 0-2 1-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
Simmons 12 0-2 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 2 0 0
Mcdaniel 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Owens Dnp - Plantar Fasciaitis
Totals 240 23-82 18-24 23 28 51 13 29 6 22 67
(.280) (.750) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 22(26 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Wennington F 22 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 8
Kukoc F 37 6-12 4-5 1 4 5 7 3 2 2 18
Longley C 29 2-5 0-0 0 8 8 4 3 0 3 4
Harper G 35 2-8 8-9 2 5 7 3 4 2 2 12
Jordan G 35 7-16 6-6 2 7 9 3 3 2 6 20
Salley 11 0-3 4-6 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 4
Kerr 18 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5
Simpkins 15 1-2 4-5 1 1 2 0 3 1 1 6
Buechler 17 3-6 2-2 1 4 5 0 2 0 0 8
Brown 21 1-3 2-4 0 2 2 1 2 2 0 4
Pippen Dnp - Tendinitis Right Knee
Rodman Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 28-67 30-37 7 33 40 20 24 11 14 89
(.418) (.811) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 15(4 Pts)
Sacramento 18 15 27 7 - 67
Chicago 22 24 18 25 - 89
Blocked Shots: Sacramento - Causwell 3, Grant 2. Chicago - Kukoc 2,
Longley 2, Harper, Buechler.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Sacramento 3-14 (.214), Grant 0-1, Richmond 3-5, Edney
0-4, Gamble 0-2, Hurley 0-1, Simmons 0-1. Chicago 3-15 (.200), Kukoc 2-5,
Harper 0-1, Jordan 0-3, Kerr 1-3, Buechler 0-3.
Technicals: Sacramento - Causwell, Chicago - Harper.
Officials: Tommy Nunez, Hue Hollins, Woody Mayfield.
A - 23,312. T - 2:17.
nba.128vpoznanovic,
KINGS FALL APART IN FOURTH QUARTER AS BULLS WIN AGAIN
CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan scored eight of his 20 points during a 21-0
fourth-quarter run as the Chicago Bulls clinched the Central Division
title and embarrassed the Sacramento Kings 89-67 on Tuesday night.
Sacramento scored seven points in the fourth quarter.
Chicago played its second game in as many nights without two of its
stars. Scottie Pippen has missed the past five games with knee and
back problems, and Dennis Rodman has served two games of a six-game
suspension for head-butting a referee.
The Bulls snapped a 64-64 tie with 10:35 remaining in the final
quarter Tuesday by scoring the next 21 points. Jordan had eight points
during the spurt, which ended with 72 seconds left in the game.
After playing 47 minutes Monday during a victory over Philadelphia,
Jordan made only seven of 16 shots from the field and committed six
turnovers against Sacramento.
"After playing so many minutes last night, I didn't have my full
energy," Jordan said Tuesday. "I kind of needed other guys to step up.
"Offensively, we didn't play very well, but our defense played well
and offensively they a tough night. It was not a pretty game, that's
for sure."
Toni Kukoc had 18 points and seven assists and Ron Harper scored 12
points for the Bulls, who are 33-0 at home this season and have a
40-game home winning, dating back to last season. Both streaks are NBA
records, but Chicago shares the marks with the Orlando Magic.
Chicago needs to win 11 of its final 16 games to become the first team
in NBA history to win 70 games.
"Luckily, we had our defensive effort going for us as usual," Bulls
coach Phil Jackson said. "Their defense was outstanding as well. We
were lucky to get out of this game with a win. There were some amusing
moments in this game.
"We scrummed a bit. It was more like rugby than basketball tonight."
Mitch Richmond had 23 points for Sacramento, which has lost three in a
row, and is 2Ż games behind the Portland Trail Blazers in the race for
the seventh playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We played a hard game tonight," Richmond said. "We played them
tough."
The Bulls set a record for fewest points allowed in the fourth quarter
and posted their third-best defensive quarter ever. Chicago also set a
franchise-record by allowing just 23 field goals in the contest.
The Kings opened the fourth quarter with baskets by Michael Smith and
Brian Grant to knot the score at 64-64. But Sacramento went cold,
making just one of its next 19 shots.
Jordan scored six of the first nine points during the stretch and Jud
Buechler capped the spurt with a fast-break dunk.
Duane Causewell had eight points and 14 rebounds for the Kings, who
outrebounded the Bulls 51-40, but committed 22 turnovers.
nba.129vpoznanovic,
L.A. Lakers 94, Seattle 71
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Kemp F 36 3-10 7-8 1 14 15 3 3 2 3 13
Schrempf F 38 4-10 2-2 2 6 8 6 2 0 3 10
Johnson C 19 3-7 0-0 3 4 7 0 3 0 3 6
Hawkins G 30 3-8 2-3 1 3 4 1 2 1 2 9
Payton G 36 5-11 5-6 1 2 3 4 2 2 4 17
Perkins 21 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 1 1 2
Wingate 23 2-9 0-0 1 0 1 1 3 0 2 4
Brickowski 20 2-7 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 1 5
Snow 11 2-2 1-1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 5
Scheffler 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ford 3 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
McMillan DNP - Coach's decision
Totals 240 25-71 17-20 9 34 43 18 20 6 20 71
(.352) (.850) Team rebs: 4 Total TO: 21 (20 pts)
L.A. LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Campbell F 29 6-13 2-4 3 7 10 1 4 2 4 14
Ceballos F 12 1-7 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 1 2
Divac C 36 5-14 1-2 0 8 8 0 4 1 2 11
Jones G 40 10-14 3-4 0 7 7 1 2 3 2 26
Van Exel G 33 4-10 2-2 0 4 4 6 2 1 2 12
Strong 10 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 1 0 4
Johnson 34 4-6 5-5 1 4 5 10 1 1 0 14
Blount 17 2-4 0-2 2 0 2 1 2 0 1 4
Threatt 15 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 3 2 3 0 1
Peeler 8 1-4 2-3 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 4
Lynch 4 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2
Miller 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 36-82 16-24 9 35 44 24 21 15 12 94
(.439) (.667) Team rebs: 12 Total TO: 12 (8 pts)
Seattle 21 19 18 13 -- 71
L.A. Lakers 28 22 27 17 -- 94
Blocked shots: Seattle -- Kemp 5, Johnson 3, Payton;
L.A. Lakers -- Divac 4, Campbell 3, Blount 2.
3-pt. field goals: Seattle 4-19 (.211) -- Schrempf 0-3, Hawkins 1-5,
Payton 2-4, Perkins 0-1, Wingate 0-3, Brickowski 1-2, Ford 0-1;
L.A. Lakers 6-17 (.353) -- Ceballos 0-2, Divac 0-1, Jones 3-5,
Van Exel 2-3, Johnson 1-3, Peeler 0-2, Lynch 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Blane Reichelt, George Toliver.
Att.: 17,505. Time: 1:59.
nba.130vpoznanovic,
SONICS SLEEP THROUGH THE LAKE, LAKE SHOW
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Eddie Jones scored 14 of his 26 points in the
first quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers continued their dominance over
the Seattle SuperSonics with a 94-71 rout Tuesday night.
Elden Campbell had 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots and
Magic Johnson had 14 points and 10 assists for Los Angeles, which beat
the SuperSonics for the ninth time in the past 12 meetings, excluding
their first-round upset of Seattle in last season's Western Conference
playoffs.
Seattle sports the best record in the West this season, but Sonics
were miserable Tuesday. Their final point total was a season low, as
were the 13 points they scored in the fourth quarter on four-for-15
shooting. Seattle shot just 35 percent for the game (25 for 71) and
its 13-game winning streak against Pacific Division opponents was
snapped.
"We are now 24-6 in our last 30 games," Lakers coach Del Harris said.
"Had we started 24-6, only Chicago would have had a better record than
us and people would have been toasting us. Instead I was being roasted
(after a one-point home loss to Orlando on Sunday).
"It was an outstanding performance," Harris said of the victory over
Seattle. "They sustained the effort for 48 minutes. That's the best 48
minutes we've had, and it's not even close this year. I say that
knowing that the Sonics had the best defense. We beat them at that
aspect tonight."
"So we didn't get off to a good start," Jones said. "So you just try
to do something to get the team going. We can't get down on ourselves
after a loss like Sunday. Today we proved that."
Gary Payton scored 17 points and Shawn Kemp had 13 points and 15
rebounds for Seattle.
"Our problem was offensively tonight," Sonics coach George Karl said.
"Defensively, we were probably sound enough to win the game.
"Of course, it was a nightmare. A lot of times when we play the
Lakers, somehow they get us to play in a crowd a lot. They've got
great shot-blockers -- both Vlade Divac and Elden Campbell have always
given us problems. And we can't get the spacing to get Shawn the
freedom or Gary the freedom that we normally get against other
opponents."
After Detlef Schrempf hit a 12-footer to give the Sonics a 17-7 lead
early in the first quarter, Jones hit a 3-pointer to ignite a 21-4
run. Jones had 12 points in the burst, and his two free throws ended
the quarter, giving the Lakers a 28-21 lead.
Seattle pulled within 55-49 on a 15-footer by Schrempf three minutes
into the third quarter before Divac hit a six-footer to ignite a
quarter-closing 22-9 run. Magic Johnson had seven points and Anthony
Peeler made a pair from the line to give Los Angeles a 77-58 advantage
entering the fourth quarter.
"We had our chances to beat the elite teams in this league," Johnson
said. "We lost to Houston twice and Orlando by one and I think tonight
we proved to ourselves we can win the big game."
The Sonics didn't make a basket in the fourth until David Wingate's
jumper with 4:14 to go, pulling Seattle within 86-64.
Nick Van Exel scored 12 points and Divac had 11 points, eight rebounds
and four blocks for Los Angeles, which shot 44 percent (36 for 82)
from the field.
Schrempf finished with 10 points and eight rebounds for Seattle, which
lost for just the third time in 21 games and the fifth time in 32
games.
"They got us good, so we've got to come back and get them back at home
on Thursday," Schrempf said.
nba.131vpoznanovic,
Vancouver (77) At New Jersey (82)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Wilkins F 36 7-12 0-0 3 0 3 6 2 2 1 15
Amaya F 25 2-8 2-3 4 1 5 1 4 2 3 6
Reeves C 40 7-18 1-3 5 5 10 1 3 1 4 15
Anthony G 26 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 3 1 5
B Edwards G 34 4-16 0-0 4 5 9 2 1 3 1 9
Avent 22 0-4 0-0 0 5 5 0 4 0 2 0
Murdock 22 5-8 2-2 1 3 4 0 2 1 3 13
Scott 21 1-8 0-0 0 3 3 1 1 1 1 3
Manning 8 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 8
King 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
D Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Moten Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-89 5-8 17 24 41 16 19 13 17 77
(.371) (.625) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 17(15 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
A Gilliam F 36 5-6 6-6 1 9 10 1 2 3 3 16
Brown F 43 4-11 3-4 1 4 5 3 2 0 3 11
Bradley C 28 8-15 1-1 3 6 9 0 3 0 4 17
Obannon G 25 3-7 0-0 1 5 6 2 0 0 1 6
Childs G 32 3-8 0-0 2 3 5 9 2 3 7 7
Williams 23 3-8 0-2 2 4 6 2 5 1 3 6
Fleming 28 4-9 1-2 1 2 3 3 0 0 2 9
Mahorn 7 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
Reeves 17 4-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 10
Dare 1 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0
Graham Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Werdann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-69 11-15 12 37 49 21 16 8 24 82
(.493) (.733) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 24(20 Pts)
Vancouver 18 23 21 15 - 77
New Jersey 22 23 14 23 - 82
Blocked Shots: Vancouver - Murdock. New Jersey - Bradley 3, Brown 2, A
Gilliam, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Vancouver 6-15 (.400), Wilkins 1-3, Anthony 1-3, B
Edwards 1-3, Murdock 1-2, Scott 1-3, King 1-1. New Jersey 3-7 (.429),
Obannon 0-1, Childs 1-3, Reeves 2-3.
Technicals: Vancouver - Avent, Anthony 2 (Ejected), New Jersey - Bradley 2
(Ejected).
Officials: Luis Grillo, Steve Javie, Ed F Rush.
A - 10,621. T - 1:58.
nba.132vpoznanovic,
NETS RALLY TO STOP FEISTY GRIZZLIES, 82-77
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Shawn Bradley had 17 points, nine rebounds
and three blocks before being ejected, and Armon Gilliam had 16 points
and 10 rebounds as the New Jersey Nets handed the Vancouver Grizzlies
their 15th consecutive loss, 82-77 on Tuesday night.
Bryant Reeves and Gerald Wilkins led Vancouver with 15 points apiece.
The expansion Grizzlies continued their futility on the road, dropping
to a league-worst 3-27. Bryant "Big Country" Reeves (50) knocks a
rebound away from Shawn Bradley. Reeves pulled down 10 boards and
Bradley had nine before he was ejected.
"It's a win," New Jersey coach Butch Beard said. "It's a game we
should have won and we'll take it. Hopefully we'll play with a little
more intensity on Thursday (vs. Denver).
"It was a crazy game. We had some defensive stops down the stretch and
made some shots at the end of the game."
Bradley hit a nine-foot jumper, his only points of the second half, to
open the fourth quarter and pull the Nets within 62-61. Eric Murdock
gave the Grizzlies a 64-61 lead on a jumper before Khalid Reeves put
the Nets back within one with a layup.
Gilliam made two free throws to give New Jersey their first lead of
the final quarter, 65-64 with 8:59 left.
Bryant Reeves gave Vancouver a two-point lead with a layup and a free
throw, but Jayson Williams' jumper to tied the score at 67-67 with
7:07 left.
Bradley and Greg Anthony were ejected with 5:21 remaining when Anthony
fell on the court while chasing a loose ball and was tied up by
Bradley. After a jump ball was called, Anthony got up and pushed
Bradley with a hand to the face. Bradley retaliated with a push of his
own before both players were thrown out.
"We got tangled up," Bradley said. "He got up and threw a punch. I
just tried to keep him away."
"I didn't throw a punch," Anthony said. "I really don't know what the
heck happened. But I could tell you I didn't throw a punch. I haven't
seen a replay either."
Murdock hit a 14-foot basket to regain the lead before New Jersey's
Chris Childs tied the score at 69-69 on a layup with 4.33 left.
A putback by Ashraf Amaya gave Vancouver a 71-69 lead with 4:11
remaining. After New Jersey failed to score on its next possession,
Bryant Reeves was fouled but missed both free throws. Amaya was called
for a loose-ball foul on the second miss, and Gilliam made both free
throws to tie the score at 71-71.
Childs stole the ball on Vancouver's next possession and drove for an
uncontested layup to give the Nets the lead for good at 73-71 with
3:16 left.
Vern Fleming gave New Jersey a 75-71 lead on a layup with 2:36 left.
Blue Edwards pulled Vancouver within two on a putback with 2:10
remaining, but Fleming hit a 15-foot jumper to put the Nets back up by
four.
A tip-in by Wilkins cut the New Jersey lead to 77-75 with 1:08 left.
The Nets did not score on their next possession, but Gilliam stole a
pass by Amaya and was fouled. He made both free throws with 17 seconds
left to seal the victory.
Anthony hit a 3-pointer to open the game, but New Jersey scored the
next 14 points over the next 6:18,with Gilliam scoring six points
during the run. Vancouver went on a 9-0 run when Wilkins -- who had
seven of the nine points -- hit a 3-pointer with 3:42 remaining. New
Jersey led by four after the first quarter.
Khalid Reeves hit a 3-pointer to open the second quarter to give the
Nets a seven-point advantage. Reeves made another 3-pointer to give
the Nets their largest lead of the half, 30-21. Vancouver pulled to
within 34-31 when Rich Manning hit an 11-foot jumper with 6:53 left.
Vancouver took its first lead since scoring the first basket of the
game when Bryant Reeves hit a nine-foot hook shot to give the
Grizzlies a 57-55 lead with 1:33 remaining.
Fleming made a driving layup to tie the score, but Murdock hit a
23-footer to put Vancouver up by three. Fleming hit a jumper to pull
New Jersey within one, but Murdock made two free throws to give the
Grizzlies a 62-59 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
nba.133vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Pacific Division Through Tuesday, March 19
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
---------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Latrell Sprewell 63 17.8 5.0 4.1 107- 207- 314 96 35 163 125
Joe Smith 67 15.3 8.8 1.1 255- 333- 588 70 107 114 181
Chris Mullin 55 13.4 2.9 3.5 44- 115- 159 75 32 122 127
Rony Seikaly 64 12.1 7.8 1.1 166- 333- 499 40 69 180 219
B J Armstrong 67 11.6 2.3 4.5 16- 136- 152 51 6 97 109
Bimbo Coles 66 11.5 3.6 5.5 43- 192- 235 82 16 143 213
Kevin Willis 61 10.0 8.5 0.7 169- 348- 517 23 34 130 213
Jerome Kersey 61 6.0 4.3 1.3 103- 157- 260 65 29 55 148
Donyell Marshall 48 5.5 3.3 0.7 51- 105- 156 15 22 42 58
Jon Barry 60 4.0 1.0 1.3 17- 43- 60 31 11 39 50
Clifford Rozier 50 3.2 2.9 0.4 59- 86- 145 15 25 36 116
Andrew Declercq 10 1.7 1.2 0.4 4- 8- 12 2 1 0 2
Robert Churchwell 1 0.0 0.0 1.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Sprewell 396-938 .422 65-215 .302 264-336 .786 1121 32
Smith 380-820 .463 10-22 .455 256-329 .778 1026 30
Mullin 269-539 .499 59-150 .393 137-160 .856 734 26
Seikaly 285-568 .502 2-3 .667 204-282 .723 776 31
Armstrong 267-566 .472 74-157 .471 168-201 .836 776 35
Coles 267-656 .407 71-207 .343 154-192 .802 759 26
Willis 247-540 .457 1-8 .125 114-163 .699 609 25
Kersey 149-361 .413 2-15 .133 66-105 .629 366 16
Marshall 96-243 .395 18-72 .250 55-73 .753 265 24
Barry 85-174 .489 42-87 .483 28-32 .875 240 19
Rozier 68-119 .571 0-2 .000 22-47 .468 158 14
Declercq 6-13 .462 0-0 .000 5-10 .500 17 4
Churchwell 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
--------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Loy Vaught 63 16.4 10.0 1.5 159- 472- 631 64 37 131 200
Brian Williams 59 16.4 7.7 2.0 136- 317- 453 64 50 167 214
Malik Sealy 45 12.6 4.1 2.0 53- 131- 184 70 20 80 115
Pooh Richardson 46 12.4 2.5 5.8 26- 91- 117 59 10 78 110
Terry Dehere 65 12.3 1.8 4.4 33- 81- 114 44 12 150 192
Rodney Rogers 50 10.5 4.1 2.3 82- 124- 206 50 24 106 172
Brent Barry 63 10.2 2.1 3.0 30- 103- 133 77 17 101 165
Lamond Murray 64 9.0 3.4 1.2 78- 141- 219 49 23 98 132
Stanley Roberts 36 5.9 3.2 0.4 27- 88- 115 13 30 33 110
Eric Piatkowski 57 4.6 1.5 0.7 38- 50- 88 21 9 39 66
Antonio Harvey 40 3.8 3.5 0.3 43- 98- 141 19 30 28 58
Charles Outlaw 63 3.1 1.9 0.6 49- 73- 122 27 57 35 99
Keith Tower 33 2.5 1.6 0.2 22- 29- 51 4 11 16 50
Logan Vander Velden 15 0.6 0.4 0.1 1- 5- 6 0 0 0 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Vaught 450-867 .519 6-16 .375 130-174 .747 1036 28
Williams 388-710 .546 1-5 .200 188-259 .726 965 35
Sealy 221-511 .432 15-81 .185 109-139 .784 566 29
Richardson 217-506 .429 70-181 .387 68-89 .764 572 31
Dehere 245-526 .466 105-233 .451 201-265 .758 796 31
Rogers 203-440 .461 34-97 .351 84-134 .627 524 22
Barry 227-475 .478 105-242 .434 82-103 .796 641 30
Murray 227-518 .438 32-101 .317 90-117 .769 576 22
Roberts 83-172 .483 0-0 .000 46-91 .505 212 17
Piatkowski 83-212 .392 36-104 .346 62-75 .827 264 16
Harvey 59-160 .369 0-2 .000 33-67 .493 151 13
Outlaw 73-128 .570 0-2 .000 47-115 .409 193 12
Tower 32-72 .444 0-1 .000 18-26 .692 82 19
Vander Velde 3-14 .214 0-5 .000 3-4 .750 9 2
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Cedric Ceballos 62 22.4 7.1 1.6 175- 267- 442 85 18 142 119
Nick Van Exel 63 15.2 2.4 7.3 23- 127- 150 59 9 149 99
Magic Johnson 18 14.0 5.2 7.0 27- 67- 94 19 6 53 26
Elden Campbell 64 13.7 7.9 2.1 124- 384- 508 73 164 102 241
Vlade Divac 63 12.8 8.3 3.3 156- 366- 522 66 115 169 219
Eddie Jones 52 12.2 3.4 3.7 31- 143- 174 93 31 71 122
Anthony Peeler 55 9.0 1.9 1.7 38- 64- 102 43 9 46 107
Sedale Threatt 64 7.1 1.0 3.1 14- 50- 64 50 7 55 136
Derek Strong 49 3.9 3.1 0.5 51- 99- 150 16 11 18 67
George Lynch 59 3.8 2.7 0.7 67- 92- 159 32 7 26 79
Fred Roberts 29 3.8 1.4 0.8 14- 26- 40 16 4 22 22
Corie Blount 48 3.5 3.3 0.9 66- 94- 160 22 30 41 98
Anthony Miller 24 1.4 1.0 0.2 11- 13- 24 4 1 7 19
Frankie King 6 1.2 0.3 0.3 1- 1- 2 2 0 2 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ceballos 533-996 .535 41-152 .270 283-352 .804 1390 38
Van Exel 346-831 .416 123-341 .361 143-175 .817 958 30
Johnson 75-155 .484 11-32 .344 91-110 .827 252 30
Campbell 339-667 .508 0-2 .000 201-287 .700 879 29
Divac 319-626 .510 3-18 .167 163-253 .644 804 29
Jones 239-496 .482 55-158 .348 100-134 .746 633 27
Peeler 193-427 .452 65-167 .389 44-65 .677 495 25
Threatt 183-414 .442 39-128 .305 48-65 .738 453 27
Strong 61-140 .436 1-6 .167 67-81 .827 190 16
Lynch 92-213 .432 2-11 .182 40-62 .645 226 14
Roberts 42-87 .483 4-12 .333 21-27 .778 109 19
Blount 72-150 .480 0-0 .000 23-37 .622 167 11
Miller 14-31 .452 0-0 .000 6-10 .600 34 6
F King 3-11 .273 0-1 .000 1-3 .333 7 3
PHOENIX SUNS
------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Charles Barkley 58 24.1 11.9 3.9 209- 482- 691 98 47 182 170
Kevin Johnson 40 18.2 3.8 8.3 28- 124- 152 57 8 122 107
Michael Finley 65 15.1 4.4 3.4 111- 176- 287 71 28 103 161
Danny Manning 20 14.8 4.5 2.1 21- 69- 90 25 16 51 77
Wesley Person 65 12.5 3.7 1.8 40- 199- 239 43 13 70 133
Wayman Tisdale 53 9.8 3.2 0.9 43- 124- 167 13 26 52 152
Elliot Perry 64 9.4 1.7 4.8 29- 79- 108 74 5 127 130
Ac Green 65 7.9 6.9 1.1 137- 314- 451 38 20 69 122
John Williams 49 6.6 5.4 1.0 95- 169- 264 35 55 45 130
Mario Bennett 8 6.0 2.4 0.4 8- 11- 19 6 5 4 19
Chris Carr 50 4.0 1.6 0.7 20- 60- 80 9 5 34 65
Joe Kleine 48 3.1 2.5 0.9 32- 87- 119 12 5 36 100
Terrence Rencher 36 2.9 1.2 1.5 9- 35- 44 16 2 43 37
John Coker 4 2.0 0.5 0.3 2- 0- 2 0 1 0 1
Stefano Rusconi 7 1.1 0.9 0.4 3- 3- 6 0 2 3 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Barkley 494-978 .505 45-147 .306 362-470 .770 1395 45
Johnson 230-455 .505 13-35 .371 256-296 .865 729 39
Finley 363-761 .477 47-151 .311 211-282 .748 984 27
Manning 117-257 .455 2-9 .222 60-78 .769 296 32
W Person 302-696 .434 83-232 .358 122-155 .787 809 26
Tisdale 212-436 .486 0-0 .000 97-130 .746 521 30
Perry 225-466 .483 17-44 .386 136-172 .791 603 35
Green 180-365 .493 14-50 .280 141-195 .723 515 29
Williams 130-293 .444 0-1 .000 63-89 .708 323 23
Bennett 15-35 .429 0-1 .000 18-22 .818 48 11
Carr 75-182 .412 10-38 .263 38-48 .792 198 15
Kleine 66-150 .440 2-7 .286 15-19 .789 149 15
Rencher 33-100 .330 9-29 .310 31-46 .674 106 8
Coker 4-5 .800 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 8 4
Rusconi 3-9 .333 0-0 .000 2-5 .400 8 7
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
----------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Clifford Robinson 62 21.5 5.7 2.4 100- 254- 354 64 56 150 202
Rod Strickland 56 19.5 4.3 9.5 71- 170- 241 82 13 215 114
Arvydas Sabonis 58 13.8 7.4 1.8 110- 318- 428 54 53 124 172
Aaron Mckie 65 10.9 4.1 2.3 80- 183- 263 67 20 110 170
Harvey Grant 61 9.2 4.8 1.5 90- 200- 290 47 33 72 143
James Robinson 61 8.7 2.2 1.9 41- 91- 132 25 14 90 119
Gary Trent 63 7.9 3.5 0.8 81- 141- 222 25 9 87 114
Buck Williams 54 6.7 5.9 0.5 118- 202- 320 32 37 61 147
Rumeal Robinson 27 6.2 1.6 3.4 11- 31- 42 12 3 32 55
Chris Dudley 64 5.1 9.1 0.4 200- 385- 585 35 81 67 216
Dontonio Wingfield 31 3.1 1.9 0.6 26- 34- 60 11 4 21 51
Randolph Childress 28 3.0 0.7 1.1 1- 18- 19 8 1 28 22
Anthony Cook 11 1.4 1.1 0.2 5- 7- 12 0 1 1 8
Elmore Spencer 12 1.0 0.8 0.0 2- 7- 9 0 2 5 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
C Robinson 448-1068 .419 152-397 .383 282-439 .642 1330 41
Strickland 406-868 .468 36-91 .396 242-374 .647 1090 32
Sabonis 300-543 .552 30-77 .390 172-234 .735 802 26
Mckie 275-592 .465 26-76 .342 132-173 .763 708 24
Grant 247-526 .470 14-44 .318 51-93 .548 559 24
J Robinson 183-468 .391 88-244 .361 77-115 .670 531 22
Trent 213-407 .523 0-9 .000 69-131 .527 495 21
Williams 133-285 .467 0-1 .000 95-146 .651 361 21
R Robinson 60-142 .423 21-56 .375 27-34 .794 168 20
Dudley 131-286 .458 0-1 .000 66-131 .504 328 13
Wingfield 34-100 .340 14-44 .318 14-16 .875 96 17
Childress 25-79 .316 13-47 .277 22-27 .815 85 18
Cook 7-16 .438 0-2 .000 1-4 .250 15 4
Spencer 4-8 .500 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 12 5
SACRAMENTO KINGS
----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Mitch Richmond 63 23.8 3.3 3.2 35- 175- 210 96 15 174 183
Billy Owens 50 14.2 7.0 3.5 118- 233- 351 38 29 147 159
Brian Grant 61 13.6 6.8 1.6 141- 276- 417 26 83 146 226
Olden Polynice 63 11.5 9.4 0.6 204- 388- 592 38 55 99 193
Tyus Edney 62 10.9 2.6 6.2 50- 109- 159 73 2 159 163
Sarunas Marciulionis 39 10.5 1.4 2.2 17- 39- 56 40 4 68 81
Kevin Gamble 57 6.4 1.9 1.7 21- 85- 106 35 8 41 138
Corliss Williamson 41 5.7 2.2 0.4 44- 48- 92 8 7 58 96
Michael Smith 47 5.2 5.9 1.8 101- 176- 277 35 25 52 124
Lionel Simmons 42 4.0 2.4 1.3 34- 68- 102 19 15 39 62
Byron Houston 25 3.4 3.4 0.3 31- 53- 84 13 7 17 59
Duane Causwell 56 3.1 3.0 0.2 50- 117- 167 15 55 35 119
Bobby Hurley 55 2.9 1.1 2.9 10- 50- 60 17 0 68 89
Clint Mcdaniel 11 1.9 0.8 0.6 3- 6- 9 3 0 2 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Richmond 502-1108 .453 171-383 .446 324-371 .873 1499 47
Owens 285-574 .497 3-11 .273 135-213 .634 708 34
Grant 315-622 .506 3-12 .250 197-270 .730 830 28
Polynice 314-603 .521 1-3 .333 96-163 .589 725 23
Edney 241-587 .411 45-116 .388 150-191 .785 677 20
Marciulionis 129-277 .466 46-105 .438 107-134 .799 411 25
Gamble 143-356 .402 42-106 .396 37-47 .787 365 37
C Williamson 100-214 .467 0-3 .000 33-57 .579 233 26
Smith 96-163 .589 1-1 1.000 53-121 .438 246 13
Simmons 59-153 .386 8-27 .296 42-55 .764 168 15
Houston 32-64 .500 1-3 .333 21-26 .808 86 8
Causwell 56-136 .412 0-1 .000 61-85 .718 173 12
Hurley 47-163 .288 14-51 .275 53-68 .779 161 17
Mcdaniel 8-23 .348 2-6 .333 3-6 .500 21 5
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Shawn Kemp 62 20.3 11.9 2.2 225- 514- 739 81 99 256 230
Gary Payton 64 19.6 4.2 7.3 82- 184- 266 181 18 214 184
Detlef Schrempf 46 17.2 5.3 4.2 49- 194- 243 47 7 99 133
Hersey Hawkins 65 15.6 3.8 2.8 70- 177- 247 125 8 134 149
Sam Perkins 65 11.7 4.7 1.6 80- 227- 307 71 31 73 141
Vincent Askew 60 8.5 3.3 2.5 63- 133- 196 43 14 85 160
Frank Brickowski 55 5.4 2.3 0.9 22- 103- 125 21 7 67 160
Ervin Johnson 64 5.0 4.9 0.6 101- 212- 313 27 91 65 191
Nate Mcmillan 39 4.6 3.7 3.9 27- 119- 146 70 13 57 105
David Wingate 48 3.7 0.9 0.9 13- 29- 42 17 2 35 58
Sherell Ford 25 2.8 0.8 0.2 9- 10- 19 6 1 4 23
Eric Snow 36 2.3 1.0 1.7 7- 28- 35 21 0 29 44
Steve Scheffler 27 1.4 0.7 0.0 10- 8- 18 2 0 6 15
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Kemp 429-757 .567 4-9 .444 397-540 .735 1259 32
Payton 498-1029 .484 78-237 .329 180-248 .726 1254 33
D Schrempf 268-551 .486 49-120 .408 206-274 .752 791 35
Hawkins 348-741 .470 117-313 .374 199-230 .865 1012 35
Perkins 256-630 .406 99-284 .349 148-190 .779 759 26
Askew 187-387 .483 27-76 .355 111-148 .750 512 21
Brickowski 110-226 .487 25-66 .379 53-77 .688 298 21
Johnson 123-245 .502 1-1 1.000 72-110 .655 319 28
Mcmillan 65-171 .380 30-87 .345 21-32 .656 181 13
Wingate 71-172 .413 10-23 .435 23-30 .767 175 18
Ford 23-69 .333 4-24 .167 21-27 .778 71 9
Snow 29-80 .363 2-9 .222 24-40 .600 84 9
S Scheffler 16-31 .516 1-5 .200 6-10 .600 39 8
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.134vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Midwest Division Through Tuesday, March 19
DALLAS MAVERICKS
----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Jamal Mashburn 18 23.4 5.4 2.8 37- 60- 97 14 3 55 39
Jim Jackson 66 19.7 5.3 3.0 148- 203- 351 35 17 160 134
George Mccloud 64 18.9 5.0 2.5 90- 227- 317 89 31 137 164
Jason Kidd 65 16.7 6.8 9.6 157- 282- 439 146 19 259 132
Tony Dumas 53 12.8 1.8 1.5 44- 51- 95 32 9 65 104
Popeye Jones 52 11.4 10.5 2.1 201- 345- 546 39 19 80 208
Lucious Harris 45 7.4 1.9 1.1 29- 57- 86 24 2 31 45
Scott Brooks 58 5.1 0.6 1.4 7- 25- 32 33 3 37 46
Terry Davis 28 4.9 4.2 0.8 43- 74- 117 10 4 25 66
Loren Meyer 56 4.7 4.5 0.8 89- 162- 251 14 25 42 179
Cherokee Parks 49 3.7 3.3 0.4 51- 109- 160 20 26 21 71
Lorenzo Williams 49 3.2 8.5 1.4 176- 239- 415 34 96 60 183
David Wood 48 3.1 2.4 0.6 40- 75- 115 14 7 16 121
Reggie Slater 11 2.8 1.4 0.2 4- 11- 15 2 3 9 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mashburn 145-383 .379 35-102 .343 97-133 .729 422 37
Jackson 458-1047 .437 99-250 .396 287-353 .813 1302 38
Mccloud 427-1004 .425 213-531 .401 145-180 .806 1212 36
Kidd 392-1024 .383 106-328 .323 197-286 .689 1087 36
Dumas 235-543 .433 74-186 .398 132-219 .603 676 39
Jones 255-561 .455 5-12 .417 76-93 .817 591 24
Harris 125-276 .453 27-84 .321 57-70 .814 334 19
Brooks 113-257 .440 22-57 .386 46-53 .868 294 18
Davis 55-108 .509 0-0 .000 27-47 .574 137 15
Meyer 104-243 .428 1-7 .143 55-84 .655 264 13
Parks 71-181 .392 5-13 .385 35-53 .660 182 25
Williams 69-166 .416 0-1 .000 19-53 .358 157 10
Wood 52-128 .406 16-49 .327 27-35 .771 147 19
Slater 14-27 .519 0-0 .000 3-7 .429 31 11
DENVER NUGGETS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf 56 19.6 2.5 7.0 26- 111- 137 64 3 115 117
Dale Ellis 65 14.6 4.0 1.9 73- 189- 262 45 6 78 156
Bryant Stith 65 14.1 4.9 3.2 97- 223- 320 91 12 128 147
Antonio Mcdyess 59 12.9 7.4 1.1 170- 264- 434 47 82 120 190
Dikembe Mutombo 63 11.0 11.4 1.5 207- 512- 719 31 286 132 214
Don Maclean 41 10.2 3.4 1.3 46- 93- 139 14 3 44 76
Jalen Rose 63 9.8 3.1 6.1 34- 160- 194 36 31 177 180
Laphonso Ellis 28 9.5 6.3 1.6 40- 135- 175 20 16 56 103
Reggie Williams 45 4.9 2.4 1.4 25- 82- 107 29 19 44 121
Tom Hammonds 59 4.7 3.0 0.3 63- 111- 174 18 8 41 120
Doug Overton 38 3.3 0.8 1.6 4- 27- 31 6 4 23 27
Matt Fish 7 2.9 0.6 0.1 3- 1- 4 1 2 1 6
Randy Woods 8 2.4 0.8 1.5 3- 3- 6 6 1 5 13
Rastko Cvetkovic 14 0.7 0.8 0.2 4- 7- 11 2 1 3 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Abdul-rauf 414-954 .434 121-309 .392 146-157 .930 1095 51
D Ellis 364-752 .484 120-290 .414 100-132 .758 948 33
Stith 307-729 .421 35-120 .292 267-315 .848 916 27
Mcdyess 326-645 .505 0-4 .000 109-168 .649 761 32
Mutombo 242-479 .505 0-1 .000 208-299 .696 692 22
Maclean 158-354 .446 9-35 .257 95-131 .725 420 38
Rose 218-458 .476 30-94 .319 152-220 .691 618 18
L Ellis 107-258 .415 3-13 .231 50-81 .617 267 22
Williams 86-237 .363 19-85 .224 31-37 .838 222 27
Hammonds 102-212 .481 0-0 .000 72-91 .791 276 26
Overton 45-122 .369 6-19 .316 28-39 .718 124 16
Fish 8-14 .571 0-0 .000 4-9 .444 20 10
Woods 6-22 .273 5-21 .238 2-2 1.000 19 5
Cvetkovic 5-16 .313 0-1 .000 0-4 .000 10 2
HOUSTON ROCKETS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Hakeem Olajuwon 65 26.6 10.9 3.5 159- 551- 710 100 181 221 218
Clyde Drexler 44 19.7 7.4 5.8 83- 244- 327 90 23 113 129
Sam Cassell 57 14.3 3.1 4.6 49- 130- 179 50 4 149 158
Robert Horry 60 12.3 5.7 3.9 81- 258- 339 93 91 136 162
Mario Elie 36 12.1 3.6 3.0 39- 89- 128 36 10 51 82
Tracy Moore 3 8.7 1.7 0.7 3- 2- 5 0 0 1 4
Chucky Brown 66 8.4 5.2 1.1 112- 228- 340 31 31 74 136
Sam Mack 15 8.4 3.3 2.3 10- 40- 50 12 1 13 36
Kenny Smith 53 8.4 1.4 3.4 17- 56- 73 40 2 81 87
Mark Bryant 56 7.1 4.7 0.6 105- 156- 261 24 16 63 176
Eldridge Recasner 49 6.5 2.3 2.6 23- 91- 114 11 5 48 82
Henry James 7 4.3 0.9 0.3 3- 3- 6 0 0 4 13
Tim Breaux 47 2.8 1.0 0.5 19- 29- 48 9 8 23 34
Melvin Booker 5 2.4 0.8 0.8 1- 3- 4 3 0 4 6
Pete Chilcutt 58 2.1 1.9 0.3 31- 77- 108 13 8 15 49
Jaren Jackson 4 2.0 0.8 0.0 0- 3- 3 1 0 0 5
Alvin Heggs 4 2.0 0.5 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 0 0
Charles Jones 34 0.3 1.6 0.2 21- 32- 53 3 16 1 31
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Olajuwon 687-1365 .503 3-14 .214 351-491 .715 1728 51
Drexler 283-641 .441 67-201 .333 232-292 .795 865 41
Cassell 269-612 .440 66-194 .340 212-259 .819 816 33
Horry 257-621 .414 124-332 .373 101-126 .802 739 40
Elie 154-298 .517 38-107 .355 88-102 .863 434 20
Moore 9-19 .474 4-7 .571 4-5 .800 26 12
Brown 239-425 .562 1-6 .167 77-115 .670 556 18
Mack 47-105 .448 20-51 .392 12-15 .800 126 19
Smith 152-343 .443 69-177 .390 70-86 .814 443 22
Bryant 149-289 .516 0-1 .000 98-129 .760 396 16
Recasner 109-272 .401 68-149 .456 31-39 .795 317 21
James 10-24 .417 5-15 .333 5-5 1.000 30 16
Breaux 48-119 .403 10-30 .333 24-38 .632 130 17
Booker 5-21 .238 1-7 .143 1-2 .500 12 5
Chilcutt 48-122 .393 25-68 .368 3-9 .333 124 11
Jackson 0-8 .000 0-5 .000 8-10 .800 8 7
Heggs 3-5 .600 0-0 .000 2-3 .667 8 7
Jones 4-14 .286 0-0 .000 3-11 .273 11 4
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
----------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Isaiah Rider 60 18.9 4.0 2.7 72- 165- 237 37 18 155 159
Tom Gugliotta 63 15.8 8.9 3.1 141- 418- 559 109 81 185 210
Andrew Lang 60 12.4 6.5 1.1 130- 260- 390 39 107 109 205
Sam Mitchell 61 10.4 4.1 1.0 73- 178- 251 43 22 61 170
Kevin Garnett 63 8.9 5.8 1.6 127- 235- 362 58 90 79 142
Terry Porter 65 8.6 2.6 5.3 30- 139- 169 66 14 135 118
Darrick Martin 55 7.4 1.4 3.8 15- 63- 78 52 3 102 120
Spud Webb 63 6.7 1.2 3.4 20- 56- 76 38 2 76 86
Doug West 63 6.6 2.2 1.7 42- 97- 139 26 16 68 201
Micheal Williams 9 6.1 2.6 3.4 3- 20- 23 5 3 22 37
Eric Riley 12 4.2 3.2 0.2 18- 20- 38 2 8 6 18
Mark Davis 44 3.2 1.8 0.6 34- 46- 80 31 17 52 68
Jerome Allen 30 3.1 0.8 1.4 5- 18- 23 16 5 30 39
Marques Bragg 41 2.6 1.4 0.2 24- 32- 56 15 5 19 58
Charles Smith 8 0.8 0.6 0.8 0- 5- 5 1 0 5 7
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Rider 427-941 .454 80-223 .359 202-240 .842 1136 31
Gugliotta 376-792 .475 19-57 .333 221-290 .762 992 36
Lang 312-693 .450 1-4 .250 119-147 .810 744 29
Mitchell 222-453 .490 1-13 .077 192-234 .821 637 23
Garnett 238-522 .456 8-23 .348 74-98 .755 558 23
Porter 191-451 .424 49-160 .306 125-162 .772 556 21
Martin 145-353 .411 20-67 .299 98-117 .838 408 24
Webb 142-315 .451 29-86 .337 111-129 .860 424 21
West 154-342 .450 0-9 .000 110-138 .797 418 16
Williams 13-40 .325 1-3 .333 28-33 .848 55 18
Riley 18-37 .486 0-0 .000 14-18 .778 50 9
Davis 42-104 .404 4-12 .333 54-84 .643 142 12
Allen 30-89 .337 8-27 .296 25-34 .735 93 9
Bragg 43-94 .457 0-0 .000 21-35 .600 107 13
Smith 3-10 .300 0-3 .000 0-2 .000 6 4
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
-----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
David Robinson 64 25.3 12.3 3.1 251- 535- 786 93 223 156 210
Sean Elliott 59 20.8 5.3 2.9 51- 259- 310 54 29 154 139
Vinny Del Negro 64 14.8 3.2 3.7 26- 178- 204 64 6 80 139
Avery Johnson 64 13.2 2.5 9.5 29- 131- 160 87 15 145 138
Chuck Person 62 11.0 5.2 1.3 52- 273- 325 34 21 74 154
Charles Smith 59 8.1 4.9 0.8 112- 176- 288 29 70 86 184
Will Perdue 62 4.6 6.3 0.5 141- 248- 389 23 62 67 139
Doc Rivers 60 4.1 2.0 1.7 30- 89- 119 63 16 48 140
Dell Demps 14 3.8 0.6 0.5 2- 6- 8 3 1 11 10
Cory Alexander 49 3.0 0.6 2.1 8- 22- 30 19 1 58 77
Carl Herrera 35 2.0 2.0 0.3 25- 44- 69 8 8 27 52
Monty Williams 20 1.9 1.0 0.3 10- 9- 19 5 2 12 12
Greg Anderson 34 1.2 2.1 0.3 21- 51- 72 5 12 12 49
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Robinson 572-1098 .521 2-7 .286 471-623 .756 1617 45
Elliott 410-884 .464 131-318 .412 278-364 .764 1229 36
Del Negro 375-734 .511 46-118 .390 148-177 .836 944 31
Johnson 343-695 .494 6-26 .231 150-211 .711 842 26
C Person 237-552 .429 150-362 .414 60-87 .690 684 25
Smith 186-456 .408 2-15 .133 103-140 .736 477 21
W Perdue 122-252 .484 0-1 .000 43-83 .518 287 14
Rivers 82-226 .363 36-111 .324 46-60 .767 246 11
Demps 19-31 .613 1-2 .500 14-17 .824 53 15
Alexander 54-118 .458 24-53 .453 15-23 .652 147 14
Herrera 33-79 .418 0-0 .000 4-13 .308 70 6
Williams 15-40 .375 0-1 .000 7-12 .583 37 6
Anderson 18-35 .514 0-0 .000 6-19 .316 42 6
UTAH JAZZ
---------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Karl Malone 65 26.2 10.1 4.2 140- 519- 659 119 46 153 200
John Stockton 65 15.7 2.7 11.3 39- 139- 178 114 13 191 169
Jeff Hornacek 65 15.3 2.6 4.2 51- 117- 168 85 16 104 141
Chris Morris 50 11.0 3.6 1.3 82- 99- 181 51 15 57 112
David Benoit 64 7.7 4.5 1.0 74- 212- 286 29 30 58 141
Antoine Carr 63 7.0 2.5 0.8 56- 103- 159 24 51 60 211
Adam Keefe 65 6.4 5.6 0.7 139- 224- 363 38 34 76 148
Felton Spencer 54 5.9 4.3 0.2 78- 152- 230 20 39 55 183
Howard Eisley 48 4.6 1.2 2.2 17- 41- 58 20 1 55 104
Greg Foster 59 4.2 2.5 0.4 47- 100- 147 6 17 53 105
Greg Ostertag 41 3.4 3.0 0.1 40- 81- 121 4 43 19 66
Jamie Watson 16 3.0 1.7 1.5 5- 22- 27 8 2 17 30
Byron Russell 50 2.7 1.5 0.5 18- 55- 73 23 7 27 56
Andy Toolson 13 1.7 0.5 0.1 0- 6- 6 0 0 2 12
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Malone 637-1236 .515 13-28 .464 415-581 .714 1702 51
Stockton 368-672 .548 82-189 .434 201-235 .855 1019 31
Hornacek 347-696 .499 85-176 .483 218-243 .897 997 29
Morris 207-472 .439 53-154 .344 85-111 .766 552 23
Benoit 186-441 .422 49-148 .331 69-89 .775 490 24
Carr 180-396 .455 0-2 .000 79-104 .760 439 15
Keefe 153-281 .544 0-4 .000 107-154 .695 413 16
Spencer 116-220 .527 0-0 .000 85-124 .685 317 16
Eisley 78-183 .426 11-54 .204 53-63 .841 220 14
Foster 93-210 .443 1-8 .125 61-72 .847 248 16
Ostertag 58-121 .479 0-0 .000 25-40 .625 141 13
Watson 18-43 .419 3-7 .429 9-13 .692 48 7
Russell 45-118 .381 10-31 .323 37-55 .673 137 19
Toolson 8-22 .364 3-12 .250 3-4 .750 22 5
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Greg Anthony 52 15.3 2.6 7.3 24- 109- 133 86 10 128 109
Bryant Reeves 62 12.9 7.4 1.4 141- 316- 457 36 40 132 182
Blue Edwards 63 12.8 4.3 2.8 72- 197- 269 91 41 137 195
Byron Scott 62 10.2 2.3 1.6 30- 114- 144 50 13 78 99
Eric Murdock 54 8.5 2.4 4.4 23- 105- 128 89 6 104 103
Chris King 62 7.1 3.4 1.4 85- 128- 213 50 23 88 130
Anthony Avent 53 5.9 5.0 0.8 88- 175- 263 20 28 75 156
Ashraf Amaya 36 5.9 4.8 0.4 70- 104- 174 14 6 43 97
Lawrence Moten 31 5.9 1.1 0.9 19- 16- 35 16 4 29 39
Gerald Wilkins 12 5.4 2.8 2.2 11- 22- 33 10 0 10 26
Eric Mobley 35 5.2 3.6 0.6 49- 76- 125 13 21 45 81
Rich Manning 19 4.0 2.2 0.2 11- 31- 42 1 5 8 20
Jeff Turner 13 3.6 2.2 0.5 10- 18- 28 2 1 11 33
Doug Edwards 31 3.0 2.8 1.3 35- 52- 87 10 18 29 51
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Anthony 266-628 .424 66-204 .324 195-255 .765 793 32
Reeves 315-689 .457 0-3 .000 168-229 .734 798 26
B Edwards 302-731 .413 76-214 .355 128-168 .762 808 26
Scott 209-520 .402 54-161 .335 161-192 .839 633 27
Murdock 171-432 .396 33-110 .300 85-108 .787 460 20
King 177-420 .421 20-59 .339 68-102 .667 442 17
Avent 136-349 .390 0-0 .000 43-57 .754 315 16
Amaya 77-156 .494 0-0 .000 60-90 .667 214 18
Moten 72-154 .468 12-34 .353 27-47 .574 183 16
Wilkins 28-80 .350 3-17 .176 6-9 .667 65 15
Mobley 72-129 .558 1-2 .500 38-83 .458 183 12
Manning 33-71 .465 0-0 .000 9-14 .643 75 13
Turner 18-51 .353 9-27 .333 2-2 1.000 47 16
D Edwards 32-91 .352 0-4 .000 29-38 .763 93 11
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.135vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Atlantic Division Through Tuesday, March 19
BOSTON CELTICS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Dino Radja 53 19.7 9.9 1.6 113- 409- 522 48 81 117 161
Rick Fox 64 14.0 5.6 4.8 127- 231- 358 86 28 188 229
Dana Barros 63 13.3 2.6 4.3 14- 147- 161 50 3 100 100
Todd Day 62 11.5 2.8 1.3 56- 115- 171 61 38 90 178
Dee Brown 48 10.8 2.0 2.3 25- 72- 97 62 12 60 89
Eric Williams 52 10.7 3.2 1.1 66- 98- 164 43 8 72 119
David Wesley 65 10.6 3.0 4.3 46- 150- 196 79 9 108 164
Greg Minor 61 8.7 3.1 1.8 63- 128- 191 23 6 65 124
Eric Montross 60 7.3 5.8 0.7 117- 233- 350 19 29 83 181
Pervis Ellison 56 4.3 6.1 0.9 120- 219- 339 31 72 66 164
Junior Burrough 45 2.9 1.8 0.3 34- 47- 81 9 6 27 54
Thomas Hamilton 1 2.0 2.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 2 1 0
Doug Smith 17 1.9 1.3 0.2 12- 10- 22 3 0 11 21
Alton Lister 48 1.8 2.7 0.3 32- 98- 130 3 25 31 84
Charles Claxton 3 0.7 0.7 0.0 2- 0- 2 0 1 1 4
Larry Sykes 1 0.0 2.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 1 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Radja 426-852 .500 0-0 .000 191-275 .695 1043 33
Fox 328-721 .455 79-213 .371 159-205 .776 894 33
Barros 306-649 .471 115-289 .398 113-128 .883 840 23
Day 225-630 .357 78-237 .329 186-243 .765 714 41
Brown 181-465 .389 48-163 .294 107-124 .863 517 21
Williams 192-418 .459 3-10 .300 171-247 .692 558 25
Wesley 226-502 .450 84-202 .416 155-207 .749 691 37
Minor 231-467 .495 6-23 .261 65-88 .739 533 21
Montross 193-341 .566 0-0 .000 50-133 .376 436 19
Ellison 97-193 .503 0-0 .000 49-82 .598 243 11
Burrough 40-122 .328 0-0 .000 52-77 .675 132 10
Hamilton 0-5 .000 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 2 2
D Smith 14-39 .359 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 33 6
Lister 29-60 .483 0-0 .000 26-40 .650 84 8
Claxton 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 0-2 .000 2 2
Sykes 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
MIAMI HEAT
----------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Alonzo Mourning 53 22.7 10.1 2.0 154- 381- 535 48 157 210 184
Tim Hardaway 63 15.1 2.7 7.2 27- 143- 170 97 15 163 153
Walt Williams 56 14.4 4.5 3.4 74- 175- 249 60 54 121 185
Rex Chapman 39 14.2 2.2 3.3 16- 70- 86 37 4 53 84
Sasha Danilovic 18 13.7 2.4 2.6 11- 33- 44 14 3 36 45
Chris Gatling 55 9.9 5.8 0.6 98- 218- 316 26 32 70 164
Kurt Thomas 57 9.1 5.5 0.5 86- 228- 314 37 27 82 212
Keith Askins 61 6.6 4.6 1.8 98- 184- 282 43 47 78 228
Voshon Lenard 19 6.4 1.7 1.2 9- 23- 32 6 1 19 21
Tyrone Corbin 58 6.2 3.6 1.3 68- 142- 210 57 18 59 122
Jeff Malone 32 5.8 1.3 0.8 8- 32- 40 16 0 22 25
Tony Smith 46 5.2 1.7 2.6 27- 50- 77 31 6 56 87
Dan Schayes 26 3.5 3.1 0.2 27- 53- 80 10 11 19 52
Stacey King 11 3.2 1.9 0.2 8- 13- 21 6 1 16 38
Leron Ellis 12 1.1 0.7 0.3 5- 3- 8 2 3 3 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mourning 415-820 .506 8-29 .276 367-536 .685 1205 45
Hardaway 328-756 .434 110-288 .382 182-231 .788 948 31
Williams 291-652 .446 80-222 .360 145-194 .747 807 29
Chapman 203-473 .429 93-248 .375 54-72 .750 553 39
Danilovic 80-175 .457 34-76 .447 53-70 .757 247 30
Gatling 223-392 .569 0-1 .000 99-154 .643 545 22
Thomas 211-418 .505 0-2 .000 95-145 .655 517 29
Askins 138-343 .402 85-205 .415 41-53 .774 402 21
Lenard 37-100 .370 26-74 .351 22-29 .759 122 19
Corbin 136-307 .443 2-17 .118 87-105 .829 361 19
Malone 76-193 .394 5-16 .313 29-32 .906 186 21
Smith 91-221 .412 31-94 .330 27-42 .643 240 17
Schayes 30-86 .349 0-0 .000 32-41 .780 92 17
King 16-29 .552 0-0 .000 3-6 .500 35 8
Ellis 5-22 .227 0-0 .000 3-6 .500 13 4
NEW JERSEY NETS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Armon Gilliam 62 19.6 9.7 1.9 200- 402- 602 64 42 148 151
Kendall Gill 47 14.0 4.9 5.5 72- 160- 232 64 24 131 131
Chris Childs 62 12.2 3.1 6.8 40- 149- 189 83 8 167 201
Kevin Edwards 34 11.6 2.2 2.1 14- 61- 75 54 7 68 67
Shawn Bradley 62 11.6 8.0 0.7 165- 331- 496 41 221 144 215
P J Brown 64 11.1 7.0 2.1 163- 286- 449 63 82 112 195
Jayson Williams 63 8.8 10.6 0.6 277- 388- 665 28 46 89 192
Vern Fleming 61 7.5 2.1 3.0 39- 89- 128 29 4 92 93
Ed Obannon 54 6.2 2.7 1.0 57- 90- 147 39 8 56 80
Khalid Reeves 35 5.4 1.7 2.3 16- 42- 58 22 1 40 64
Greg Graham 38 3.1 1.0 0.8 11- 25- 36 13 0 31 46
Yinka Dare 52 2.7 3.0 0.0 47- 110- 157 7 36 65 102
Rick Mahorn 34 2.4 2.0 0.2 23- 45- 68 11 11 18 47
Tim Perry 30 2.4 1.6 0.3 21- 27- 48 4 13 10 16
Robert Werdann 2 0.0 0.5 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 0 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
A Gilliam 487-1000 .487 0-0 .000 241-301 .801 1215 32
K Gill 246-524 .469 26-79 .329 138-176 .784 656 30
Childs 239-587 .407 70-190 .368 211-244 .865 759 30
Edwards 142-390 .364 42-104 .404 68-84 .810 394 26
Bradley 293-656 .447 1-3 .333 131-194 .675 718 32
Brown 268-609 .440 1-12 .083 175-225 .778 712 23
Williams 211-497 .425 1-4 .250 128-212 .604 551 19
Fleming 166-391 .425 2-22 .091 122-156 .782 456 21
Obannon 130-338 .385 6-47 .128 69-96 .719 335 19
Reeves 64-145 .441 15-49 .306 46-60 .767 189 19
Graham 39-96 .406 11-29 .379 30-39 .769 119 13
Dare 56-131 .427 0-0 .000 28-48 .583 140 12
Mahorn 31-88 .352 0-1 .000 20-28 .714 82 11
Perry 31-65 .477 4-8 .500 5-9 .556 71 14
Werdann 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
NEW YORK KNICKS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Patrick Ewing 57 22.5 10.2 1.8 113- 469- 582 49 139 168 194
Derek Harper 63 14.2 2.3 4.1 21- 121- 142 99 3 131 161
Anthony Mason 63 14.1 9.6 4.4 174- 429- 603 58 25 161 193
John Starks 62 12.1 2.9 3.8 25- 157- 182 71 6 119 171
Charles Oakley 43 12.0 9.4 2.6 146- 259- 405 50 11 82 165
Willie Anderson 62 11.1 3.5 2.8 45- 173- 218 66 57 128 210
Hubert Davis 61 11.0 1.7 1.4 30- 73- 103 26 5 50 97
Jr Reid 46 6.5 4.0 0.5 56- 130- 186 32 14 58 136
Gary Grant 44 4.8 1.2 1.5 12- 39- 51 36 3 43 85
Brad Lohaus 47 4.0 1.3 0.8 7- 54- 61 10 17 20 69
Charlie Ward 44 4.0 1.6 2.1 18- 51- 69 41 4 60 65
Ronnie Grandison 2 3.5 2.5 0.5 2- 3- 5 3 0 1 1
Herb Williams 26 2.9 2.2 0.5 7- 50- 57 6 20 11 47
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ewing 516-1091 .473 3-22 .136 245-328 .747 1280 41
Harper 335-733 .457 83-238 .349 141-186 .758 894 25
Mason 328-599 .548 0-0 .000 235-331 .710 891 30
Starks 274-614 .446 98-275 .356 101-137 .737 747 27
Oakley 172-374 .460 7-26 .269 163-196 .832 514 20
Anderson 264-612 .431 33-112 .295 124-153 .810 685 26
Davis 233-471 .495 109-227 .480 93-109 .853 668 30
Reid 111-224 .496 0-1 .000 79-107 .738 301 22
Grant 79-166 .476 7-22 .318 48-58 .828 213 16
Lohaus 68-166 .410 50-118 .424 2-3 .667 188 22
Ward 62-154 .403 20-62 .323 31-46 .674 175 15
Grandison 3-4 .750 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 7 4
Williams 35-94 .372 0-3 .000 6-11 .545 76 10
ORLANDO MAGIC
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Shaquille Oneal 41 25.8 10.7 2.7 133- 307- 440 25 95 116 151
Penny Hardaway 67 22.6 4.7 7.2 111- 205- 316 137 37 201 136
Dennis Scott 67 18.3 3.8 2.9 58- 199- 257 75 26 110 142
Nick Anderson 64 14.9 5.4 3.6 78- 270- 348 100 39 122 116
Horace Grant 50 12.8 9.2 2.7 139- 322- 461 54 61 52 120
Kenny Gattison 25 9.2 4.6 0.6 35- 79- 114 10 11 40 75
Brian Shaw 61 6.5 3.1 4.6 51- 140- 191 43 10 140 130
Donald Royal 52 5.4 2.4 0.7 44- 83- 127 22 11 42 82
Joe Wolf 54 4.7 2.8 1.1 43- 110- 153 14 3 38 145
Anthony Bowie 59 4.2 1.7 1.3 33- 65- 98 28 10 42 88
Brooks Thompson 22 3.9 0.7 0.8 3- 13- 16 10 0 13 27
Jon Koncak 55 3.3 4.4 0.9 58- 184- 242 21 42 36 199
Darrell Armstrong 13 3.2 0.2 0.4 0- 2- 2 6 0 6 4
David Vaughn 27 2.0 2.3 0.2 29- 34- 63 6 10 15 57
Geert Hammink 3 1.3 1.0 0.0 2- 1- 3 0 0 2 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Oneal 438-761 .576 1-2 .500 179-384 .466 1056 41
Hardaway 515-1018 .506 79-242 .326 408-531 .768 1517 42
Scott 425-953 .446 219-508 .431 157-192 .818 1226 37
Anderson 336-762 .441 145-374 .388 135-197 .685 952 34
Grant 256-504 .508 0-3 .000 129-174 .741 641 26
Gattison 91-190 .479 0-0 .000 47-78 .603 229 20
Shaw 148-409 .362 29-116 .250 72-90 .800 397 19
Royal 86-180 .478 0-2 .000 110-142 .775 282 16
Wolf 116-223 .520 0-4 .000 20-27 .741 252 16
Bowie 102-219 .466 10-26 .385 35-40 .875 249 20
Thompson 26-65 .400 16-43 .372 17-25 .680 85 21
Koncak 77-157 .490 3-8 .375 25-47 .532 182 11
Armstrong 16-32 .500 6-12 .500 4-4 1.000 42 8
Vaughn 23-68 .338 0-0 .000 8-14 .571 54 9
Hammink 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 2-4 .500 4 4
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Jerry Stackhouse 65 19.2 3.7 3.7 81- 160- 241 66 64 228 161
Vernon Maxwell 59 15.9 3.1 4.5 28- 153- 181 78 9 168 143
Clarence Weatherspoon61 15.6 9.7 2.1 180- 413- 593 83 77 136 176
Trevor Ruffin 47 13.5 2.2 4.4 13- 91- 104 35 2 116 107
Derrick Coleman 11 11.2 6.6 2.8 13- 59- 72 4 10 28 30
Tony Massenburg 37 10.7 7.0 0.6 87- 170- 257 18 15 55 103
Sean Higgins 33 7.6 2.1 1.2 17- 51- 68 17 8 37 68
Ed Pinckney 60 7.2 6.7 1.1 164- 235- 399 52 23 69 134
Richard Dumas 36 6.3 2.6 1.1 41- 53- 94 36 5 48 73
Scott Skiles 10 6.3 1.6 3.8 1- 15- 16 7 0 16 21
Derrick Alston 56 6.1 4.3 0.8 103- 136- 239 45 43 43 149
Greg Sutton 40 4.9 1.0 2.0 8- 30- 38 16 1 47 77
Trevor Wilson 6 3.8 2.3 0.7 7- 7- 14 3 0 1 9
Scott Williams 13 3.1 3.5 0.4 13- 33- 46 6 7 8 27
Mike Brown 9 2.9 4.1 0.3 14- 23- 37 3 2 6 24
Rex Walters 32 2.1 0.7 1.0 5- 16- 21 7 0 19 19
Lasalle Thompson 30 2.0 4.7 0.6 44- 98- 142 11 10 24 84
Elmer Bennett 8 1.4 0.6 1.0 1- 4- 5 1 1 7 6
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Stackhouse 409-983 .416 87-262 .332 343-461 .744 1248 34
Maxwell 308-784 .393 118-349 .338 206-265 .777 940 35
Weatherspoon 353-751 .470 0-2 .000 243-323 .752 949 27
Ruffin 210-512 .410 86-225 .382 128-156 .821 634 32
Coleman 48-118 .407 7-21 .333 20-32 .625 123 27
Massenburg 157-303 .518 0-1 .000 80-107 .748 394 25
Higgins 98-224 .438 33-93 .355 23-24 .958 252 27
Pinckney 155-299 .518 0-3 .000 122-161 .758 432 16
Dumas 90-189 .476 2-7 .286 45-65 .692 227 20
Skiles 20-57 .351 15-34 .441 8-10 .800 63 22
Alston 149-284 .525 1-2 .500 42-90 .467 341 30
Sutton 66-159 .415 33-80 .413 30-38 .789 195 14
Wilson 10-20 .500 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 23 12
Williams 15-29 .517 0-2 .000 10-12 .833 40 10
Brown 9-16 .563 0-0 .000 8-17 .471 26 7
Walters 21-72 .292 9-35 .257 16-20 .800 67 9
Thompson 24-53 .453 0-0 .000 13-18 .722 61 6
Bennett 4-17 .235 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 11 6
WASHINGTON BULLETS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Chris Webber 15 23.7 7.6 5.0 37- 77- 114 27 9 49 51
Juwan Howard 64 20.8 7.9 4.3 145- 360- 505 54 30 233 208
Robert Pack 31 18.1 4.3 7.8 29- 103- 132 62 1 114 68
Calbert Cheaney 53 14.8 3.3 2.1 51- 125- 176 51 11 98 158
Gheorghe Muresan 65 14.7 9.7 0.8 223- 408- 631 44 148 125 253
Rasheed Wallace 63 10.1 4.7 1.3 91- 206- 297 40 54 99 203
Tim Legler 62 9.1 1.9 1.8 25- 93- 118 40 7 40 123
Brent Price 64 8.9 2.5 4.5 32- 130- 162 55 4 116 140
Mark Price 7 8.0 1.0 2.6 1- 6- 7 6 0 10 7
Chris Whitney 4 8.0 0.5 1.3 0- 2- 2 4 1 5 11
Ledell Eackles 38 7.1 2.4 1.2 29- 61- 90 19 2 32 53
Mitchell Butler 52 4.2 2.1 1.2 24- 83- 107 38 11 61 96
Kevin Pritchard 2 3.5 1.0 3.5 0- 2- 2 2 0 0 3
Greg Grant 21 3.3 1.3 4.0 4- 23- 27 20 2 25 36
Bob Mccann 46 2.9 1.8 0.4 28- 55- 83 12 9 28 80
Jim Mcilvaine 63 2.0 2.8 0.1 49- 124- 173 16 115 29 126
Jeff Webster 11 1.6 0.6 0.3 2- 5- 7 4 0 3 7
Mike Peplowski 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Webber 150-276 .543 15-34 .441 41-69 .594 356 40
Howard 549-1138 .482 3-12 .250 229-317 .722 1330 32
Pack 190-444 .428 26-98 .265 154-182 .846 560 35
Cheaney 310-672 .461 46-129 .357 118-167 .707 784 29
Muresan 401-678 .591 0-0 .000 150-243 .617 952 31
Wallace 267-552 .484 27-81 .333 75-117 .641 636 22
Legler 185-367 .504 103-200 .515 93-111 .838 566 21
B Price 173-378 .458 102-216 .472 123-139 .885 571 30
M Price 18-60 .300 10-30 .333 10-10 1.000 56 13
Whitney 11-19 .579 4-8 .500 6-6 1.000 32 13
Eackles 85-203 .419 30-73 .411 69-84 .821 269 24
Butler 83-208 .399 12-53 .226 42-75 .560 220 22
K Pritchard 2-3 .667 1-1 1.000 2-3 .667 7 7
Grant 29-76 .382 6-28 .214 5-6 .833 69 14
Mccann 52-103 .505 1-1 1.000 26-54 .481 131 13
Mcilvaine 40-106 .377 0-0 .000 43-77 .558 123 9
J Webster 8-23 .348 2-6 .333 0-0 .000 18 12
Peplowski 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.136vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Central Division Through Tuesday, March 19
ATLANTA HAWKS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Steve Smith 63 17.7 4.2 2.8 100- 165- 265 50 13 120 165
Christian Laettner 56 16.9 6.8 2.8 129- 254- 383 50 51 144 203
Mookie Blaylock 64 15.5 4.0 5.8 84- 169- 253 169 13 148 125
Grant Long 64 13.1 9.6 2.3 205- 409- 614 90 27 125 197
Stacey Augmon 59 12.8 4.0 1.6 110- 126- 236 79 18 110 157
Ken Norman 31 9.6 4.1 2.0 40- 88- 128 15 15 43 67
Craig Ehlo 61 8.7 3.3 1.8 55- 147- 202 70 4 75 106
Sean Rooks 56 6.7 4.1 0.7 71- 157- 228 20 33 61 122
Reggie Jordan 6 5.8 3.7 1.0 11- 11- 22 7 2 1 11
Alan Henderson 61 5.6 4.6 0.6 124- 155- 279 37 25 67 169
Matt Bullard 38 4.0 1.4 0.4 16- 38- 54 13 9 21 44
Howard Nathan 5 2.6 0.0 0.4 0- 0- 0 3 0 8 2
Ronnie Grandison 22 2.1 1.9 0.5 15- 27- 42 8 1 11 27
Todd Mundt 24 1.3 1.0 0.1 10- 15- 25 1 4 3 23
Donnie Boyce 9 0.9 0.3 0.1 2- 1- 3 1 0 3 2
Tim Kempton 3 0.0 0.7 0.3 0- 2- 2 0 0 1 5
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Smith 386-902 .428 101-326 .310 240-296 .811 1113 32
Laettner 341-711 .480 9-37 .243 257-315 .816 948 29
Blaylock 360-898 .401 185-497 .372 89-125 .712 994 28
Long 305-634 .481 23-64 .359 206-274 .752 839 24
Augmon 281-565 .497 1-3 .333 194-248 .782 757 24
Norman 124-268 .463 32-82 .390 17-46 .370 297 26
Ehlo 205-463 .443 66-167 .395 55-72 .764 531 28
Rooks 124-249 .498 1-6 .167 125-190 .658 374 19
Jordan 15-27 .556 0-0 .000 5-9 .556 35 14
Henderson 132-317 .416 0-2 .000 78-133 .586 342 13
Bullard 58-137 .423 22-60 .367 14-18 .778 152 28
Nathan 5-9 .556 0-1 .000 3-4 .750 13 6
Grandison 15-43 .349 4-14 .286 13-19 .684 47 8
Mundt 13-32 .406 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 31 8
Boyce 3-8 .375 1-4 .250 1-2 .500 8 6
Kempton 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
-----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Glen Rice 62 22.5 5.1 3.0 74- 239- 313 73 13 127 175
Larry Johnson 63 21.5 8.5 4.6 194- 344- 538 38 37 140 131
Dell Curry 64 14.8 3.2 2.2 56- 151- 207 93 20 99 142
Kenny Anderson 53 14.7 2.9 8.8 51- 102- 153 84 12 120 135
Scott Burrell 20 13.2 4.9 2.4 26- 72- 98 27 13 43 76
Matt Geiger 61 11.5 8.5 0.7 161- 357- 518 35 55 106 229
Michael Adams 15 6.4 1.1 3.7 4- 13- 17 18 3 23 18
Anthony Goldwire 24 5.2 1.3 2.9 5- 25- 30 11 0 46 47
Pete Myers 55 4.3 1.9 2.3 26- 76- 102 24 14 67 100
George Zidek 56 4.1 2.7 0.2 57- 94- 151 6 7 31 147
Darrin Hancock 47 4.1 1.6 0.8 29- 47- 76 19 4 40 66
Rafael Addison 40 3.0 1.7 0.5 18- 48- 66 8 8 18 53
Robert Parish 56 2.8 3.2 0.3 57- 120- 177 13 21 36 49
Tyrone Bogues 6 2.3 1.2 3.2 6- 1- 7 2 0 6 4
Gerald Glass 15 1.7 0.5 0.3 6- 2- 8 3 1 0 10
Donald Hodge 15 1.2 1.5 0.3 9- 14- 23 1 8 2 26
Corey Beck 5 1.0 1.4 1.0 3- 4- 7 1 0 4 8
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Rice 501-1057 .474 145-336 .432 248-300 .827 1395 38
L Johnson 484-986 .491 58-154 .377 327-441 .741 1353 44
Curry 350-766 .457 135-325 .415 110-131 .840 945 27
Anderson 251-627 .400 62-180 .344 215-281 .765 779 39
Burrell 92-206 .447 37-98 .378 42-56 .750 263 26
Geiger 288-517 .557 1-5 .200 123-165 .745 700 28
Adams 30-70 .429 13-36 .361 23-29 .793 96 14
Goldwire 40-105 .381 15-40 .375 30-37 .811 125 20
Myers 81-210 .386 13-51 .255 61-96 .635 236 20
Zidek 87-206 .422 0-0 .000 58-77 .753 232 21
Hancock 82-151 .543 1-2 .500 28-47 .596 193 16
Addison 52-112 .464 0-5 .000 15-20 .750 119 16
Parish 66-137 .482 0-0 .000 26-39 .667 158 16
Bogues 6-16 .375 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 14 4
Glass 12-33 .364 1-6 .167 1-1 1.000 26 5
Hodge 9-24 .375 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 18 8
Beck 2-8 .250 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 5 5
CHICAGO BULLS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Michael Jordan 66 31.0 6.6 4.5 119- 314- 433 148 34 165 167
Scottie Pippen 61 20.7 6.4 6.0 115- 274- 389 115 50 171 162
Toni Kukoc 65 12.0 3.9 3.5 90- 161- 251 54 21 84 119
Luc Longley 56 9.2 5.2 2.0 91- 200- 291 19 76 106 207
Steve Kerr 66 8.2 1.4 2.4 19- 70- 89 49 2 31 85
Ron Harper 66 7.3 2.4 2.5 61- 95- 156 80 25 58 110
Dennis Rodman 52 5.4 15.1 2.6 290- 493- 783 32 21 114 157
Bill Wennington 58 5.2 2.3 0.6 43- 92- 135 17 12 32 136
Dickey Simpkins 47 3.7 2.9 0.7 59- 77- 136 8 6 45 70
Jud Buechler 60 3.6 1.4 0.7 39- 44- 83 21 6 30 52
Jason Caffey 49 3.2 1.9 0.4 43- 52- 95 11 7 41 77
James Edwards 20 2.9 1.0 0.3 6- 13- 19 1 5 13 37
Randy Brown 54 2.3 0.9 0.9 15- 35- 50 44 8 26 69
John Salley 8 1.4 1.3 0.5 5- 5- 10 2 3 4 12
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Jordan 751-1515 .496 88-208 .423 458-548 .836 2048 53
Pippen 474-1006 .471 132-331 .399 180-268 .672 1260 40
Kukoc 278-586 .474 49-138 .355 175-225 .778 780 24
Longley 222-459 .484 0-0 .000 72-92 .783 516 21
Kerr 191-380 .503 98-191 .513 58-63 .921 538 19
Harper 194-413 .470 23-80 .288 72-101 .713 483 22
Rodman 118-252 .468 3-24 .125 43-81 .531 282 12
Wennington 137-272 .504 1-1 1.000 26-30 .867 301 18
Simpkins 65-132 .492 1-1 1.000 43-69 .623 174 12
Buechler 90-191 .471 30-72 .417 7-14 .500 217 14
Caffey 63-144 .438 0-1 .000 29-52 .558 155 13
Edwards 24-62 .387 0-0 .000 10-18 .556 58 12
Brown 55-136 .404 0-3 .000 16-28 .571 126 10
Salley 3-14 .214 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 11 4
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Terrell Brandon 58 19.3 3.3 6.5 39- 152- 191 97 28 111 116
Chris Mills 63 15.7 5.8 2.4 94- 270- 364 56 39 101 191
Bobby Phills 55 15.2 3.8 3.6 49- 158- 207 75 22 91 147
Danny Ferry 65 13.6 3.9 2.5 60- 195- 255 39 25 98 186
Dan Majerle 65 10.4 4.0 2.5 64- 198- 262 67 25 75 105
Tyrone Hill 27 7.8 5.4 0.9 51- 94- 145 14 14 37 80
Michael Cage 65 6.4 9.3 0.7 231- 375- 606 76 68 47 180
Bobby Sura 62 5.6 1.8 3.0 28- 82- 110 48 14 93 102
Antonio Lang 27 3.4 1.2 0.3 11- 22- 33 7 10 13 41
Harold Miner 19 3.2 0.6 0.4 4- 8- 12 0 0 14 23
John Crotty 47 3.1 1.0 2.0 17- 32- 49 20 6 43 52
John Amaechi 26 2.7 2.0 0.3 13- 38- 51 6 10 33 47
Donny Marshall 25 2.4 0.7 0.1 6- 12- 18 6 1 6 18
Joe Courtney 23 1.7 2.1 0.4 24- 25- 49 5 6 17 35
Darryl Johnson 4 1.5 0.5 0.0 2- 0- 2 0 0 1 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Brandon 389-846 .460 77-190 .405 265-295 .898 1120 32
Mills 367-796 .461 72-178 .404 182-226 .805 988 30
Phills 298-646 .461 71-159 .447 167-202 .827 834 43
Ferry 342-733 .467 114-293 .389 83-108 .769 881 31
Majerle 235-599 .392 109-327 .333 98-142 .690 677 24
Hill 78-165 .473 0-0 .000 55-89 .618 211 19
Cage 187-329 .568 0-1 .000 40-78 .513 414 20
Sura 122-291 .419 23-63 .365 81-118 .686 348 19
Lang 32-52 .615 0-1 .000 27-38 .711 91 14
Miner 23-52 .442 2-10 .200 13-13 1.000 61 13
Crotty 41-100 .410 6-25 .240 56-66 .848 144 19
Amaechi 26-65 .400 0-0 .000 18-32 .563 70 11
Marshall 20-53 .377 5-21 .238 16-29 .552 61 9
Courtney 15-35 .429 0-0 .000 8-18 .444 38 5
Johnson 3-8 .375 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 6 2
DETROIT PISTONS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Grant Hill 64 21.3 9.7 6.8 106- 512- 618 82 38 205 207
Allan Houston 65 19.2 3.5 3.1 48- 178- 226 52 14 185 190
Otis Thorpe 65 14.1 8.3 2.1 161- 380- 541 44 29 162 235
Joe Dumars 51 11.3 2.0 3.7 21- 80- 101 31 3 79 86
Terry Mills 65 9.3 4.3 1.1 91- 190- 281 28 14 81 150
Lindsey Hunter 64 9.0 2.6 2.5 41- 127- 168 73 16 63 157
Michael Curry 29 4.7 2.0 0.6 17- 41- 58 12 0 12 55
Theo Ratliff 61 4.5 4.2 0.2 93- 160- 253 13 94 49 116
Don Reid 55 3.8 2.9 0.2 65- 92- 157 40 34 33 164
Mark Macon 23 3.2 1.0 0.7 10- 12- 22 15 0 9 34
Eric Leckner 14 3.0 2.3 0.1 8- 24- 32 1 4 11 28
Stephen Bardo 9 2.4 2.4 1.7 2- 20- 22 4 1 5 17
Mark West 37 2.3 2.3 0.1 32- 52- 84 5 23 27 98
Lou Roe 43 2.0 1.6 0.3 25- 43- 68 10 8 14 36
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Hill 472-1002 .471 4-20 .200 413-551 .750 1361 35
Houston 437-977 .447 140-336 .417 235-288 .816 1249 35
Thorpe 355-677 .524 0-4 .000 209-282 .741 919 27
Dumars 180-444 .405 91-229 .397 127-152 .836 578 41
Mills 222-525 .423 52-138 .377 106-137 .774 602 24
Hunter 198-530 .374 104-253 .411 77-106 .726 577 21
Curry 45-97 .464 10-30 .333 36-45 .800 136 17
Ratliff 103-192 .536 0-1 .000 70-98 .714 276 21
Reid 85-149 .570 0-0 .000 39-59 .661 209 12
Macon 29-67 .433 7-15 .467 9-11 .818 74 12
Leckner 17-22 .773 0-0 .000 8-13 .615 42 13
Bardo 9-23 .391 0-4 .000 4-6 .667 22 8
West 34-76 .447 0-0 .000 18-28 .643 86 10
Roe 30-81 .370 2-9 .222 23-28 .821 85 14
INDIANA PACERS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Reggie Miller 63 20.8 2.7 3.4 31- 141- 172 63 12 163 153
Rik Smits 47 19.5 7.0 1.7 93- 236- 329 16 32 116 166
Derrick Mckey 58 11.6 4.7 3.5 87- 184- 271 60 30 114 203
Dale Davis 61 10.1 8.8 1.0 187- 352- 539 43 92 93 190
Ricky Pierce 61 10.0 1.8 1.3 33- 79- 112 40 6 71 157
Mark Jackson 64 9.9 3.9 8.0 54- 197- 251 82 5 166 121
Antonio Davis 65 9.1 5.9 0.5 146- 237- 383 26 53 72 206
Eddie Johnson 56 7.9 2.5 1.1 44- 95- 139 20 4 54 95
Dwayne Schintzius 26 3.8 2.5 0.4 20- 46- 66 11 9 18 49
Haywoode Workman 61 3.5 1.6 3.0 21- 77- 98 52 5 73 128
Travis Best 43 3.2 0.8 1.6 10- 24- 34 13 3 42 56
Duane Ferrell 39 3.0 1.5 0.4 17- 41- 58 19 1 24 56
Adrian Caldwell 44 2.0 2.1 0.1 35- 55- 90 7 4 28 65
Fred Hoiberg 13 1.7 0.7 0.5 4- 5- 9 2 0 5 9
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Miller 405-855 .474 132-323 .409 370-428 .864 1312 40
Smits 367-683 .537 1-3 .333 183-225 .813 918 44
Mckey 260-538 .483 14-56 .250 137-178 .770 671 25
D Davis 257-464 .554 0-0 .000 99-211 .469 613 21
Pierce 221-485 .456 30-88 .341 138-166 .831 610 26
Jackson 237-493 .481 49-116 .422 114-150 .760 637 21
A Davis 198-390 .508 0-1 .000 197-281 .701 593 26
Johnson 169-411 .411 39-114 .342 67-75 .893 444 26
Schintzius 44-99 .444 0-0 .000 10-17 .588 98 17
Workman 78-209 .373 17-60 .283 43-57 .754 216 14
Best 40-106 .377 3-15 .200 56-66 .848 139 10
Ferrell 46-92 .500 0-6 .000 23-35 .657 115 10
Caldwell 37-67 .552 0-0 .000 15-32 .469 89 11
Hoiberg 6-15 .400 0-2 .000 10-12 .833 22 8
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Vin Baker 64 21.6 10.0 2.6 215- 425- 640 51 66 177 217
Glenn Robinson 64 20.7 6.2 3.3 108- 287- 395 81 32 226 187
Sherman Douglas 62 10.7 2.2 5.5 43- 95- 138 48 4 154 127
Johnny Newman 64 9.9 2.5 2.0 54- 106- 160 69 13 81 195
Benoit Benjamin 65 9.4 6.6 0.9 116- 312- 428 35 68 126 180
Terry Cummings 63 7.8 5.1 1.0 119- 204- 323 32 25 51 194
Lee Mayberry 64 5.9 1.2 4.0 19- 58- 77 54 8 74 119
Marty Conlon 59 5.8 2.6 0.9 55- 100- 155 17 8 65 106
Shawn Respert 46 3.9 1.0 1.2 19- 28- 47 24 4 30 52
Randoplh Keys 55 3.2 1.8 0.9 35- 63- 98 29 12 23 115
Jerry Reynolds 19 3.0 1.7 0.6 13- 20- 33 15 6 16 20
Mike Peplowski 1 2.0 2.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 1 2
Kevin Duckworth 7 1.3 1.0 0.3 2- 5- 7 2 0 1 15
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Baker 557-1120 .497 10-37 .270 255-371 .687 1379 41
Robinson 498-1086 .459 69-201 .343 259-322 .804 1324 39
Douglas 256-522 .490 24-71 .338 128-177 .723 664 24
Newman 229-473 .484 47-124 .379 129-159 .811 634 27
Benjamin 242-499 .485 0-3 .000 127-171 .743 611 29
Cummings 205-430 .477 0-3 .000 82-130 .631 492 24
Mayberry 133-306 .435 68-160 .425 41-65 .631 375 16
Conlon 135-277 .487 5-26 .192 65-85 .765 340 18
Respert 69-194 .356 26-84 .310 17-23 .739 181 14
Keys 68-158 .430 15-51 .294 27-33 .818 178 15
Reynolds 21-53 .396 1-10 .100 13-21 .619 56 9
Peplowski 1-3 .333 0-0 .000 0-1 .000 2 2
Duckworth 3-13 .231 0-0 .000 3-6 .500 9 3
TORONTO RAPTORS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Damon Stoudamire 63 18.4 4.1 9.1 54- 206- 260 86 16 247 153
Tracy Murray 64 14.8 3.7 1.4 79- 156- 235 63 32 92 164
Oliver Miller 61 13.0 6.7 2.3 130- 281- 411 84 114 146 227
Sharone Wright 57 11.7 6.3 0.7 148- 208- 356 30 49 109 163
Alvin Robertson 61 10.3 4.1 4.0 80- 168- 248 126 29 146 215
Zan Tabak 62 7.0 4.6 0.9 103- 179- 282 22 29 90 187
Carlos Rogers 46 6.1 2.5 0.5 53- 61- 114 15 26 43 63
John Salley 25 6.0 3.9 1.6 26- 71- 97 11 12 39 72
Doug Christie 37 5.7 2.2 1.6 16- 65- 81 38 9 46 94
Acie Earl 27 3.9 1.7 0.6 18- 29- 47 11 16 18 34
Jimmy King 47 3.4 1.4 0.9 26- 39- 65 16 7 38 52
Vincenzo Esposito 17 2.7 0.4 0.7 2- 5- 7 5 0 22 13
Martin Lewis 5 1.6 1.0 0.0 2- 3- 5 1 0 2 1
Dwayne Whitfield 2 0.0 0.5 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 3 3
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Stoudamire 414-985 .420 115-297 .387 218-272 .801 1161 29
Murray 355-785 .452 110-267 .412 128-158 .810 948 40
Miller 338-629 .537 0-8 .000 117-171 .684 793 29
Wright 248-512 .484 1-3 .333 167-259 .645 664 30
Robertson 247-511 .483 37-135 .274 96-135 .711 627 30
Tabak 187-360 .519 0-1 .000 60-103 .583 434 24
Rogers 113-227 .498 2-15 .133 54-97 .557 282 17
Salley 51-105 .486 0-0 .000 47-65 .723 149 15
Christie 76-164 .463 23-52 .442 34-50 .680 209 16
Earl 38-95 .400 0-1 .000 30-45 .667 106 16
King 60-143 .420 4-23 .174 34-46 .739 158 12
Esposito 14-38 .368 6-24 .250 12-17 .706 46 12
Lewis 3-7 .429 0-2 .000 2-5 .400 8 6
Whitfield 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.137vpoznanovic,
NBA Top Individual Performances
(THROUGH TUESDAY, MAR 19TH)
---------------------------
POINTS
------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Michael Jordan, CHI vs. Detroit 53 03-07-96
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN at Utah 51 12-07-95
Karl Malone, UTH vs. Golden State 51 12-09-95
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU vs. Boston 51 01-18-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at Philadelphia 48 01-13-96
Mitch Richmond, SAC at Houston 47 12-15-95
Karl Malone, UTH vs. Portland 47 12-26-95
Michael Jordan, CHI at Washington 46 01-15-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at Milwaukee 45 12-09-95
David Robinson, SAS at New York 45 12-10-95
Alonzo Mourning, MIA vs. Boston 45 02-03-96
Charles Barkley, PHO at Detroit 45 03-13-96
REBOUNDS
--------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Popeye Jones, DAL vs. Indiana 28 01-09-96
Jayson Williams, NJN at Seattle 25 01-30-96
Jayson Williams, NJN vs. Detroit 24 01-13-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI vs. Minnesota 24 02-27-96
Patrick Ewing, NYK at Vancouver 23 01-20-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI at La Lakers 23 02-02-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI at Indiana 23 02-18-96
Shawn Bradley, PHI vs. Charlotte 22 11-10-95
Karl Malone, UTH vs. Denver 22 12-07-95
Shawn Kemp, SEA at Dallas 22 12-12-95
Jayson Williams, NJN vs. Golden State 22 12-30-95
Alonzo Mourning, MIA vs. Charlotte 22 01-19-96
ASSISTS
-------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Jason Kidd, DAL vs. Utah 25 02-08-96
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN at Phoenix 20 11-15-95
Damon Stoudamire, TOR at Houston 19 02-27-96
Robert Pack, WAS vs. Charlotte 18 11-08-95
Jason Kidd, DAL vs. Seattle 18 12-12-95
Rod Strickland, POR at Boston 18 01-03-96
John Stockton, UTH vs. Orlando 17 01-19-96
Chris Childs, NJN at La Lakers 17 02-07-96
John Stockton, UTH at Charlotte 17 03-13-96
Avery Johnson, SAS vs. Golden State 17 03-18-96
nba.138vpoznanovic,
(Complete through Tuesday, March 19th)
POINTS FIELD GOAL TURNOVERS REBOUND
PER GAME PERCENTAGE PER GAME PERCENTAGES
TEAM OWN OPP OWN OPP OWN OPP OFF DEF TOT
Atlanta 98.0 97.3 .446 .478 14.8 17.4 .339 .673 .506
Boston 103.6 107.3 .457 .477 16.5 16.3 .287 .697 .492
Charlotte 103.9 103.3 .475 .491 15.4 15.3 .302 .702 .502
Chicago 105.3* 93.9 .479 .451 14.4 17.4 .366 .709 .538
Cleveland 91.4 88.8* .457 .462 13.1* 15.6 .284 .705 .494
Dallas 103.2 107.7 .422 .493 15.3 16.4 .340 .687 .513
Denver 98.3 101.2 .454 .464 15.5 14.2 .298 .720 .509
Detroit 95.5 93.2 .456 .445 15.0 14.6 .287 .711 .499
Golden State 102.8 104.0 .459 .474 16.7 16.7 .342 .680 .511
Houston 102.6 99.6 .466 .452 15.6 15.2 .276 .683 .479
Indiana 99.6 96.5 .482 .450 16.5 15.4 .325 .684 .504
L.A. Clippers 99.8 103.8 .474 .481 16.7 16.6 .285 .685 .485
L.A. Lakers 103.1 99.0 .479 .462 14.5 16.6 .307 .672 .489
Miami 94.9 94.1 .453 .428* 17.4 16.0 .303 .708 .506
Milwaukee 95.6 100.6 .468 .482 16.2 15.1 .308 .681 .495
Minnesota 97.4 103.2 .455 .470 17.3 16.4 .288 .695 .491
New Jersey 94.1 97.2 .426 .450 17.0 15.5 .369* .714 .542*
New York 97.4 95.0 .468 .441 15.5 15.9 .260 .705 .482
Orlando 104.3 99.2 .478 .454 14.4 15.3 .289 .684 .486
Philadelphia 95.7 105.2 .437 .480 17.6 15.6 .295 .654 .474
Phoenix 104.3 104.5 .472 .477 14.9 14.9 .299 .712 .505
Portland 99.8 98.6 .458 .448 16.7 14.7 .331 .730* .531
Sacramento 99.7 103.2 .458 .462 18.0 16.5 .326 .691 .508
San Antonio 104.2 97.2 .477 .438 14.8 15.5 .275 .696 .486
Seattle 103.9 96.7 .476 .437 17.8 18.8* .292 .691 .491
Toronto 96.8 103.1 .469 .469 18.9 16.6 .315 .673 .494
Utah 103.8 97.4 .488* .453 14.8 15.8 .316 .723 .519
Vancouver 89.9 100.2 .429 .472 17.0 17.3 .283 .659 .471
Washington 102.2 100.8 .482 .456 16.6 17.2 .291 .676 .484
COMPOSITE; 941 games 99.7 .462 16.0 .307 .693
* - League Leader
Rebound Percentages
OFF. - Percentage of a given team's missed shots which that team rebounds.
DEF. - Percentage of opponents' missed shots which a given team rebounds.
TOT. - Average of offensive and defensive rebound percentages.
DECIDED DECIDED
BELOW OVERTIME 3 PTS. 10 PTS.
100 PTS. GAMES OR LESS OR MORE
TEAM OWN OPP. W L W L W L
Atlanta 38 35 2 0 7 4 14 9
Boston 26 17 3 3 5 6 11 21
Charlotte 21 21 1 4 5 7 16 11
Chicago 19 45 2 0 5 0 36 2
Cleveland 48 53 2 1 7 5 22 15
Dallas 25 15 4 4 5 8 9 23
Denver 37 34 2 0 5 4 10 19
Detroit 41 46 3 2 8 8 18 10
Golden State 32 22 2 1 8 5 11 19
Houston 24 32 1 3 5 8 16 9
Indiana 32 38 1 1 6 6 18 6
L.A. Clippers 29 22 0 1 3 1 7 19
L.A. Lakers 25 36 0 0 9 8 22 11
Miami 41 44 2 1 6 9 14 13
Milwaukee 43 30 1 1 3 5 7 18
Minnesota 40 23 0 4 4 7 9 22
New Jersey 49 39 3 3 5 5 9 19
New York 37 41 3 2 3 0 16 10
Orlando 27 41 4 0 10 4 27 11
Philadelphia 34 19 0 1 5 5 4 34
Phoenix 22 20 4 3 4 4 15 16
Portland 31 32 3 3 5 10 15 11
Sacramento 33 26 0 1 5 3 9 23
San Antonio 20 36 0 3 6 4 24 6
Seattle 25 39 3 2 6 6 23 7
Toronto 35 25 1 3 4 8 7 22
Utah 22 39 1 2 5 4 27 6
Vancouver 49 32 4 3 3 2 1 27
Washington 29 32 2 2 1 7 16 14
COMPOSITE; 941 games 934 934 54 153 433
nba.139vpoznanovic,
(Complete through Tuesday, March 19th)
Division Records
Eastern Conference
------------------
Atlantic Central Midwest Pacific
-------- ------- ------- -------
Atlanta Hawks 11-6 11-10 6-7 7-6
Boston Celtics 8-7 9-15 3-9 5-9
Charlotte Hornets 11-11 11-9 6-6 5-5
Chicago Bulls 16-3 19-1 13-1 11-2
Cleveland Cavaliers 14-8 10-12 6-5 7-3
Detroit Pistons 7-11 12-8 8-5 10-4
Indiana Pacers 11-7 14-8 7-4 8-6
Miami Heat 9-10 10-9 9-5 4-9
Milwaukee Bucks 6-13 6-16 5-7 4-7
New Jersey Nets 8-13 11-8 5-7 2-11
New York Knicks 13-5 11-10 8-3 5-8
Orlando Magic 15-2 15-8 10-4 10-3
Philadelphia 76ers 3-16 4-18 5-8 1-10
Toronto Raptors 8-9 2-21 3-9 3-9
Washington Bullets 7-10 8-16 7-3 8-6
Western Conference
------------------
Atlantic Central Midwest Pacific
-------- ------- ------- -------
Dallas Mavericks 4-9 3-13 7-10 7-13
Denver Nuggets 6-5 6-8 9-8 7-16
Golden State Warriors 8-6 6-9 11-11 5-11
Houston Rockets 6-7 11-4 12-6 13-7
Los Angeles Clippers 5-7 1-11 10-11 7-13
Los Angeles Lakers 8-4 7-4 12-9 14-6
Minnesota Timberwolves 3-9 4-10 7-11 7-14
Phoenix Suns 10-4 7-8 9-11 6-10
Portland Trail Blazers 9-4 5-11 11-10 7-9
Sacramento Kings 7-7 6-7 8-12 7-10
San Antonio Spurs 7-3 8-6 15-4 16-5
Seattle SuperSonics 9-3 10-5 16-5 15-2
Utah Jazz 9-4 10-4 11-8 15-4
Vancouver Grizzlies 4-10 2-9 1-15 4-18
East vs. West Division Records
Eastern Conference
------------------
vs. Eastern vs. Western
93-94 94-95 95-96 93-94 94-95 95-96
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Atlanta Hawks 42-14 28-28 22-16 15-11 14-12 13-13
Boston Celtics 21-35 24-32 17-22 11-15 11-15 8-18
Charlotte Hornets 29-27 36-20 22-20 12-14 14-12 11-11
Chicago Bulls 38-18 35-21 35-4 17-9 12-14 24-3
Cleveland Cavaliers 31-25 33-23 24-20 16-10 10-16 13-8
Detroit Pistons 12-44 21-35 19-19 8-18 7-19 18-9
Indiana Pacers 32-24 35-21 25-15 15-11 17-9 15-10
Miami Heat 32-24 25-31 19-19 10-16 7-19 13-14
Milwaukee Bucks 14-42 26-30 12-29 6-20 8-18 9-14
New Jersey Nets 32-24 21-35 19-21 13-13 9-17 7-18
New York Knicks 40-16 37-19 24-15 17-9 18-8 13-11
Orlando Magic 35-21 39-17 30-10 15-11 18-8 20-7
Philadelphia 76ers 17-39 16-40 7-34 8-18 8-18 6-18
Toronto Raptors 0-0 0-0 10-30 0-0 0-0 6-18
Washington Bullets 17-39 16-40 15-26 7-19 5-21 15-9
Western Conference
------------------
vs. Eastern vs. Western
93-94 94-95 95-96 93-94 94-95 95-96
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Dallas Mavericks 3-25 13-15 7-22 10-44 23-31 14-23
Denver Nuggets 15-13 14-14 12-13 27-27 27-27 16-24
Golden State Warriors 17-11 7-21 14-15 33-21 19-35 16-22
Houston Rockets 20-8 20-8 17-11 36-18 27-27 25-13
Los Angeles Clippers 10-18 7-21 6-18 17-37 10-44 17-24
Los Angeles Lakers 15-13 18-10 15-8 18-36 30-24 26-15
Minnesota Timberwolves 7-21 9-19 7-19 13-41 12-42 14-25
Phoenix Suns 19-9 20-8 17-12 37-37 39-15 15-21
Portland Trail Blazers 18-10 16-12 14-15 29-25 28-26 18-19
Sacramento Kings 11-17 14-14 13-14 17-37 25-29 15-22
San Antonio Spurs 23-5 21-7 15-9 32-22 41-13 31-9
Seattle SuperSonics 19-9 23-5 19-8 44-10 34-20 31-7
Utah Jazz 17-11 24-4 19-8 36-18 36-18 26-12
Vancouver Grizzlies 0-0 0-0 6-19 0-0 0-0 5-33
Records on Days of Week
Eastern Conference
------------------
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
------ ------- --------- -------- ------ -------- ------
Atlanta 2-3 6-4 4-5 5-4 7-5 6-7 5-1
Boston 2-3 2-6 10-7 1-2 5-11 3-5 2-6
Charlotte 1-1 6-5 6-6 3-4 6-8 8-5 3-2
Chicago 4-0 11-3 9-0 9-0 11-1 11-0 4-3
Cleveland 2-1 8-5 2-4 6-4 6-6 9-4 4-4
Detroit 4-5 3-2 7-6 6-3 7-4 7-6 3-2
Indiana 1-0 11-3 4-5 4-5 10-5 5-3 5-4
Miami 2-5 5-4 6-5 3-4 5-6 8-7 3-2
Milwaukee 1-3 3-10 5-5 5-4 3-9 2-8 2-4
New Jersey 2-2 5-8 5-6 0-5 5-9 7-6 2-3
New York 2-2 4-7 7-5 4-2 6-5 8-3 6-2
Orlando 5-1 11-1 8-3 3-1 14-2 5-6 4-3
Philadelphia 1-3 4-6 3-13 0-2 4-12 0-13 1-3
Toronto 1-4 4-11 0-6 0-10 3-8 3-6 5-3
Washington 1-4 2-4 7-7 3-3 6-9 6-5 5-3
Western Conference
------------------
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
------ ------- --------- -------- ------ -------- ------
Dallas 2-2 5-12 1-2 5-7 5-7 1-10 2-5
Denver 3-1 5-7 3-5 4-7 3-6 7-7 3-4
Golden State 2-4 7-5 3-8 1-7 7-5 9-5 1-3
Houston 3-2 10-4 7-3 9-4 2-3 8-4 3-4
LA Clippers 0-4 4-9 2-8 7-2 5-5 2-10 3-4
LA Lakers 2-0 8-6 8-3 2-1 15-3 2-7 4-3
Minnesota 2-1 4-7 4-9 1-2 5-11 2-8 3-6
Phoenix 1-3 6-5 7-5 3-2 7-10 3-3 5-5
Portland 2-2 6-8 5-3 3-5 6-6 3-7 7-3
Sacramento 2-4 4-8 3-4 4-5 6-8 5-3 4-4
San Antonio 3-1 7-4 8-4 6-2 7-5 10-0 5-2
Seattle 4-0 10-5 8-3 3-1 12-4 9-1 4-1
Utah 11-1 6-2 8-3 5-2 8-5 6-4 1-3
Vancouver 1-7 1-7 1-8 1-6 3-11 3-5 1-8
Triple-Doubles
Date Player Team Opponent Statistics, Categories
Career
---- ------ ---- -------- ----------------------
------
11/09 Scottie Pippen Chicago Cleveland 18 Pts, 13 Reb, 12 Ast 15
11/18 Kendall Gill Charlotte S. Antonio 11 Pts, 10 Reb, 12 Ast 1
11/21 Damon Stoudamire Toronto Seattle 20 Pts, 12 Reb, 11 Ast 1
11/21 Jason Kidd Dallas Chicago 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 11 Ast 5
11/22 Scottie Pippen (2) Chicago S. Antonio 15 Pts, 10 Reb, 13 Ast 16
11/22 Charles Barkley Phoenix Atlanta 20 Pts, 12 Reb, 11 Ast 18
12/02 Grant Hill Detroit Atlanta 24 Pts, 13 Reb, 11 Ast 2
12/02 Dikembe Mutombo Denver Minnesota 22 Pts, 16 Reb, 10 Blk 8
12/12 Kendall Gill (2) Charlotte Phoenix 18 Pts, 11 Reb, 12 Ast 2
12/13 Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Vancouver 15 Pts, 14 Reb, 10 Blk 11
12/15 Grant Hill (2) Detroit New Jersey 19 Pts, 10 Reb, 12 Ast 3
12/20 Derrick McKey Indiana La Lakers 17 Pts, 13 Reb, 11 Ast 1
12/27 Chris Webber Washington Golden St. 40 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 5
12/28 Hakeem Olajuwon (2) Houston New Jersey 22 Pts, 18 Reb, 10 Ast 12
12/28 Grant Hill (3) Detroit Toronto 17 Pts, 10 Reb, 11 Ast 4
12/29 Brian Shaw Orlando LA Clippers 11 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 1
01/05 Sherman Douglas Milwaukee Portland 15 Pts, 10 Reb, 11 Ast 1
01/12 Jason Kidd (2) Dallas Phoenix 33 Pts, 12 Reb, 16 Ast 6
01/13 Jason Kidd (3) Dallas Charlotte 17 Pts, 10 Reb, 11 Ast 7
01/13 Grant Hill (4) Detroit New Jersey 26 Pts, 13 Reb, 13 Ast 5
01/16 Dennis Rodman Chicago Phila. 10 Pts, 21 Reb, 10 Ast 1
01/23 Jason Kidd (4) Dallas Sacramento 29 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 8
01/27 Clyde Drexler Houston Detroit 24 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 19
01/30 Jason Kidd (5) Dallas LA Clippers 21 Pts, 16 Reb, 16 Ast 9
02/01 Clyde Drexler (2) Houston Charlotte 16 Pts, 10 Reb, 14 Ast 20
02/02 Karl Malone Utah LA Clippers 27 Pts, 15 Reb, 10 Ast 1
02/13 Clyde Drexler (3) Houston Dallas 21 Pts, 14 Reb, 12 Ast 21
02/14 Magic Johnson LA Lakers Atlanta 15 Pts, 10 Reb, 13 Ast 138
02/21 Grant Hill (5) Detroit New York 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 11 Ast 6
02/23 Jason Kidd (6) Dallas LA Lakers 17 Pts, 10 Reb, 12 Ast 10
02/29 Jason Kidd (7) Dallas Denver 26 Pts, 12 Reb, 12 Ast 11
03/01 Blue Edwards Vancouver Dallas 15 Pts, 13 Reb, 11 Ast 1
03/04 Grant Hill (6) Detroit Atlanta 17 Pts, 11 Reb, 12 Ast 7
03/07 Larry Johnson Charlotte Dallas 21 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 5
03/13 Grant Hill (7) Detroit Phoenix 18 Pts, 17 Reb, 11 Ast 8
03/14 Shawn Bradley New Jersey Washington 19 Pts, 17 Reb, 11 Blk 1
03/15 Kevin Johnson Phoenix Phila. 14 Pts, 10 Reb, 13 Ast 11
03/16 Chris Childs New Jersey Chicago 18 Pts, 10 Reb, 14 Ast 1
03/17 Grant Hill (8) Detroit Denver 20 Pts, 13 Reb, 10 Ast 9
03/18 Gary Payton Seattle LA Clippers 20 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 4
03/19 Anthony Bowie Orlando Detroit 20 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 1
Attendance
Home Attendance Road Attendance
TEAM G Att Avg G Att Avg
---- - --- --- - --- ---
Atlanta Hawks 32 379091 11847 32 549195 17162
Boston Celtics 33 586301 17767 32 562542 17579
Charlotte Hornets 35 841470 24042 29 473960 16343
Chicago Bulls 33 779618 23625 33 646084 19578
Cleveland Cavaliers 34 591128 17386 31 515252 16621
Dallas Mavericks 32 533164 16661 34 579007 17030
Denver Nuggets 32 531909 16622 33 542407 16437
Detroit Pistons 33 591488 17924 32 558860 17464
Golden State Warriors 32 480800 15025 35 587144 16776
Houston Rockets 31 505161 16296 35 627793 17937
Indiana Pacers 31 507144 16359 34 593562 17458
Los Angeles Clippers 33 326301 9888 32 515498 16109
Los Angeles Lakers 35 544979 15571 29 508112 17521
Miami Heat 33 485120 14701 32 541261 16914
Milwaukee Bucks 32 495335 15479 32 530416 16576
Minnesota Timberwolves 34 474289 13950 31 504994 16290
New Jersey Nets 31 485631 15666 34 572267 16831
New York Knickerbockers 33 652179 19763 30 548744 18291
Orlando Magic 33 569184 17248 34 639854 18819
Philadelphia 76ers 33 398665 12081 32 555023 17344
Phoenix Suns 32 608736 19023 33 590020 17879
Portland Trail Blazers 34 702921 20674 32 532941 16654
Sacramento Kings 31 536827 17317 33 528734 16022
San Antonio Spurs 33 638160 19338 31 514752 16605
Seattle SuperSonics 32 544079 17002 33 551390 16709
Toronto Raptors 30 655954 21865 34 569371 16746
Utah Jazz 30 594712 19824 35 601134 17175
Vancouver Grizzlies 33 564369 17102 30 486991 16233
Washington Bullets 31 507647 16376 34 585054 17207
Grand Totals 941 16112362 17123 941 16112362 17123
nba.140vpoznanovic,
INJURIES
Last updated: 03/20 11:44:10 ET
ATLANTA HAWKS - No significant injuries.
BOSTON CELTICS - Starting forward Rick Fox (grandmother's death)
missed Sunday's game. Reserve forward Doug Smith (sprained right foot)
was placed on the injured list. Starting forward Dino Radja (sprained
left ankle) and reserve guard Dee Brown (right big toe) are on the
injured list. Starting forward Rick Fox (grandmother's death) is
questionable for Wednesday's game against Orlando.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS - Starting guard Kenny Anderson (sprained right
ankle) missed Tuesday's game against Indiana. Reserve guard Muggsy
Bogues (knee) is on the injured list. Starting forward Scott Burrell
(dislocated right shoulder) will miss the rest of the season. Starting
guards Kenny Anderson (sprained right ankle) and Glen Rice (wrist) are
expected to miss Wednesday's game against Toronto.
CHICAGO BULLS - Reserve center James Edwards (knee) was placed on
the injured list. *Reserve forward Dickey Simpkins (leg) was activated
from the injured list and played Tuesday against Sacramento. Starting
forward Dennis Rodman (six-game league suspension) is be eligible to
return April 2nd. Starting forward Scottie Pippen (tendinitis in
knees) is expected to miss at least the next week. Reserve center Jack
Haley (knee) and reserve forward Jason Caffey (hip) are on the injured
list.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - Starting guard Bobby Phills (severe contusion
of left knee and lower leg, and mild left knee ligament sprain) played
in Tuesday's game against Dallas. Reserve guard Harold Miner (knee) is
on the injured list. Reserve center John Amaechi (shoulder) is on the
injured list. Starting center Brad Daugherty (back surgery) could miss
the remainder of the season.
DALLAS MAVERICKS - Starting forward Popeye Jones (tendinitis in
right knee) and reserve forward Terry Davis (left knee surgery) missed
Tuesday's game against Cleveland. *Reserve guard Tony Dumas (left
foot) also missed Tuesday's game. Starting forward Jamal Mashburn
(knee) is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
DENVER NUGGETS - Reserve forwards Tom Hammonds (sprained ankle) and
Don MacLean (sprained left ankle) missed Monday's game against
Toronto. Reserve center Rastko Cvetkovic (inflamed left arch) is on
the injured list.
DETROIT PISTONS - Reserve guard Mark Macon (strained shoulder) is on
the injured list.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Reserve forward Chris Mullin (surgery for
torn ligament in right little finger) will miss the remainder of the
season.
HOUSTON ROCKETS - Starting center Hakeem Olajuwon (tendinitis in
knees) and reserve center Mark Bryant (sprained left ankle) missed
Tuesday's game against Golden State. Reserve guard Sam Cassell (elbow
surgery) is on the injured list and will be sidelined until the last
week of the month. Starting guard Clyde Drexler (knee surgery) will
miss the remainder of the regular season. Reserve forward Mario Elie
(fractured right wrist) is on the injured list.
INDIANA PACERS - Reserve forwards Duane Ferrell (strained right calf
muscle), Fred Hoiberg (ankle) and Scott Haskins (ankle) are on the
injured list. *Reserve forward Eddie Johnson (sprained left knee)
missed Tuesday's game against Charlotte. *Starting forward Derrick
McKey (sprained right wrist) started Tuesday's game. Reserve forward
Eddie Johnson (knee) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the
Knicks.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS - Starting guard Brent Barry (sprained right
big toe) missed Monday's game against Seattle. Reserve center Keith
Tower (lower back strain) is on the injured list. Starting guard Brent
Barry (sprained ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against
Minnesota.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS - Reserve guard/forward Magic Johnson (right
calf) played Tuesday against Seattle. Reserve forward Fred Roberts
(back spasms) and reserve guard Frankie King (knee) are on the injured
list.
MIAMI HEAT - Reserve guard Jeff Malone (knee) is on the injured
list. Starting guard Sasha Danilovic (wrist) is expected to miss the
remainder of the season.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS - No significant injuries.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES - Starting guard Isaiah Rider (upper
respiratory infection) played as a reserve in Tuesday's game against
Portland. *Starting center Andrew Lang (torn left calf) missed
Tuesday's game. *Starting guard Spud Webb (pulled left hamstring)
missed Tuesday's game. Reserve guard Micheal Williams (planter fascia
strain of left heel) will likely miss the rest of the season. Reserve
guard Jerome Allen (knee) is on the injured list. Starting center
Andrew Lang (torn left calf) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against
the LA Clippers. *Starting guard Spud Webb (pulled left hamstring) is
questionable.
NEW JERSEY NETS - Reserve forward Tim Perry (right knee surgery) is
on the injured list and is expected to be out until at least April.
Starting guard Kendall Gill (broken hand) has been fitted with a new
cast and could return at the end of the month. Starting guard Kevin
Edwards (tendinitis in left knee) is eligible to be activated off the
injured list.
NEW YORK KNICKS - Reserve guard Hubert Davis (hyperextended knee)
and reserve center Brad Lohaus (left foot) missed Saturday's game
against Philadelphia. Reserve forward Anthony Tucker (strained lower
back) is on the injured list. Starting forward Charles Oakley (surgery
for fractured right thumb) is expected to be sidelined until at least
the middle of the month. Reserve guard Hubert Davis (hyperextended
knee) and reserve center Brad Lohaus (left foot) are questionable for
Wednesday's game against Indiana.
ORLANDO MAGIC - Starting guard Nick Anderson (left shoulder
contusion) missed Tuesday's game against Detroit. Reserve guards
Darrell Armstrong (tendinitis in right leg) and Brian Shaw (wrist) and
reserve forward Kenny Gattison (neck) are on the injured list.
Starting guard Nick Anderson (left shoulder contusion) is questionable
for Wednesday's game against Boston.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - Starting forward Derrick Coleman (tendon atop
right foot) is on the injured list. Reserve forward Scott Williams
(surgery for tendinitis in right knee) will miss the remainder of the
season.
PHOENIX SUNS - Reserve forward Danny Manning (sprained ankle) missed
Sunday's game against Charlotte. Reserve forward Wayman Tisdale
(bruised right shoulder) and reserve guard Terrence Rencher (ankle)
are on the injured list.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS - Reserve guard Randolph Childress
(dislocated shoulder) and reserve center Bill Curley (arthroscopic
right knee surgery) are on the injured list.
SACRAMENTO KINGS - Starting forward Billy Owens (right foot) missed
Tuesday's game against Chicago. Reserve forward Byron Houston
(bilateral achilles tendinitis) is on the injured list. Reserve guard
Sarunas Marciulionis (torn right lateral quad) is out indefinitely.
Starting forward Billy Owens (right foot) is doubtful for Wednesday's
game against Milwaukee.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Reserve guard Dell Demps (mid and lower back
spasms) is on the injured list.
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS - Reserve forward Vincent Askew (groin) is on
the injured list.
TORONTO RAPTORS - Starting center Sharone Wright (back) missed
Monday's game against Denver. Starting guard Alvin Robertson (toe) is
on the injured list. Reserve guard B.J. Tyler (knee) is on the injured
list. Starting center Sharone Wright (back) is questionable for
Wednesday's game against Charlotte.
UTAH JAZZ - Reserve forward Jamie Watson (ankle surgery) is on the
injured list.
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES - Reserve forward Jeff Turner (knee) is on the
injured list. *Starting guard Greg Anthony (thumb) started Tuesday's
game against New Jersey.
WASHINGTON BULLETS - Starting guard Mark Price (broken bone in left
foot) and starting forward Chris Webber (left shoulder) will miss the
remainder of the season. Starting guard Robert Pack (bruised nerve in
right foot) is on the injured list.
nba.141vpoznanovic,
NBA Longest Home Winning Streaks
The following is a list of the longest home winning streaks in
N-B-A history, from the start of a season, in one season and
over two seasons. The Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic each are
undefeated at home this season. The Bulls are threatening all
three records; the Magic have broken all three:
Most consecutive home wins, start of season
===========================================
33 -- ORLANDO MAGIC, 1995-96
33 -- CHICAGO BULLS, 1995-96
27 -- Washington Capitols, 1946-47
26 -- Portland Trail Blazers, 1977-78
23 -- Rochester Royals, 1949-50
Most consecutive home wins, one season
======================================
33 -- ORLANDO MAGIC, 1995-96
33 -- CHICAGO BULLS, 1995-96
31 -- Boston Celtics, 1985-86
27 -- Washington Capitols, 1946-47
26 -- Portland Trail Blazers, 1977-78
Most consecutive home wins over two seasons
===========================================
40 -- ORLANDO MAGIC, March 21, 1995-present
(7 games in 1994-95; 33 games in 1995-96)
40 -- CHICAGO BULLS, March 30, 1995-present
(7 games in 1994-95; 33 games in 1995-96)
38 -- Boston Celtics, December 10, 1985-November 28, 1986
(31 games in 1985-86; 7 games in 1986-87)
36 -- Philadelphia 76ers, January 14, 1966-January 20, 1967
(14 games in 1965-66; 22 games in 1986-87)
34 -- Portland Trail Blazers, March 5, 1977-February 3, 1978
(8 games in 1976-77; 26 games in 1977-78)
Below is the game-by-game listing for the current streaks of
the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic:
CHICAGO BULLS
=============
1994-95
-------
GAME DATE OPPONENT SCORE HIGH SCORER HIGH REBOUNDER
==== ==== ======== ===== =========== ============
1 3/30 Boston 100-82 Jordan 23 Jordan 11
2 4/1 Philadelphia 91-84 Pippen 18 Pippen 10
3 4/7 Cleveland 97-88 Jordan 28 Pippen 08
4 4/11 Indiana 96-89 Jordan 25 Perdue 11
5 4/16 New York 111-90 Pippen 29 Perdue 10
6 4/20 Detroit 120-105 Pippen 20 Jordan 08
7 4/22 Charlotte 116-100 Kukoc 19 Pippen 07
1995-96
-------
GAME DATE OPPONENT SCORE HIGH SCORER HIGH REBOUNDER
==== ==== ======== ===== =========== ==============
8 11/3 Charlotte 105-91 Jordan 42 Rodman 11
9 11/4 Boston 107-85 Pippen 21 Rodman 8
10 11/7 Toronto 117-108 Jordan 38 Rodman 13
11 11/11 Portland 110-106 Jordan 36 Pippen 9
12 11/15 Cleveland 113-94 Pippen 27 Caffey 8
13 11/17 New Jersey 109-94 Kukoc 19 Longley 8
14 12/6 New York 101-94 Pippen 22 Rodman 20
15 12/8 San Antonio 106-87 Jordan 28 Rodman 21
16 12/13 Orlando 112-103 Jordan 36 Rodman 19
17 12/16 LA Lakers 108-88 Pippen 33 Rodman 15
18 12/19 Dallas 114-101 Jordan 32 Rodman 13
19 12/22 Toronto 113-104 Jordan 27 Jordan 10
20 12/23 Utah 100-86 Jordan 30 Rodman 12
21 12/29 Indiana 120-93 Jordan 29 Rodman 16
22 12/30 Atlanta 95-93 Jordan 33 Rodman 21
23 1/3 Houston 100-86 Jordan 38 Rodman 15
24 1/6 Milwaukee 113-84 Jordan 32 Rodman 16
25 1/10 Seattle 113-87 Jordan 35 Jordan 14
26 1/16 Philadelphia 116-104 Jordan 32 Rodman 21
27 1/24 Vancouver 104-84 Pippen 30 Rodman 16
28 1/26 Miami 102-80 Jordan 25 Rodman 16
29 1/28 Phoenix 93-82 Jordan 31 Rodman 20
30 2/13 Washington 111-98 Jordan 32 Rodman 16
31 2/20 Cleveland 102-76 Harper 22 Rodman 15
32 2/25 Orlando 111-91 Kukoc 24 Rodman 17
33 2/27 Minnesota 120-99 Jordan 35 Rodman 24
34 3/2 Golden State 110-87 Pippen 25 Rodman 17
35 3/3 Boston 107-75 Jordan 21 Rodman 15
36 3/5 Milwaukee 115-106 Jordan 33 Rodman 9
37 3/7 Detroit 102-81 Jordan 53 Rodman 13
38 3/13 Washington 103-86 Jordan 37 Rodman 14
39 3/15 Denver 108-87 Jordan 33 Rodman 15
40 3/19 Sacramento 89-67 Jordan 20 Jordan 9
ORLANDO MAGIC
=============
1994-95
-------
GAME DATE OPPONENT SCORE HIGH SCORER HIGH REBOUNDER
==== ==== ======== ===== =========== ==============
1 3/21 Phoenix 126-102 O'Neal 26 Grant 11
2 3/23 Charlotte 105-93 O'Neal 34 O'Neal 15
3 3/26 Golden State 132-98 Scott 32 O'Neal 12
4 4/5 Detroit 128-125 O'Neal 40 O'Neal 19
5 4/11 Cleveland 107-90 O'Neal 30 O'Neal 18
6 4/17 Washington 111-100 O'Neal 34 O'Neal 12
7 4/21 Indiana 110-86 Grant 20 O'Neal 13
1995-96
-------
GAME DATE OPPONENT SCORE HIGH SCORER HIGH REBOUNDER
==== ==== ======== ===== =========== ==============
8 11/3 Cleveland 99-88 Hardaway 28 Grant 10
9 11/6 Washington 105-95 Grant 25 Grant 10
10 11/8 New Jersey 130-122(3OT) Hardaway 42 Anderson 15
11 11/11 Miami 94-93 Hardaway 33 Koncak 9
12 11/14 Chicago 94-88 Hardaway 36 Koncak 9
13 11/16 Indiana 89-80 Hardaway 30 Grant 15
14 11/20 Golden State 101-95 Hardaway 29 Koncak 10
15 11/22 Vancouver 95-93 Hardaway 37 Grant 11
16 11/27 Detroit 96-95 Anderson 31 Koncak 10
17 11/30 Dallas 110-96 Scott 29 Grant 13
18 12/8 Charlotte 105-95 Hardaway 28 Grant 7
19 12/15 Utah 111-99 Scott 26 Grant 11
20 12/20 Minnesota 107-100 Hardaway 32 Anderson 10
21 12/22 New York 111-90 O'Neal 28 O'Neal 12
22 12/25 Houston 92-90 O'Neal 22 O'Neal 18
23 12/29 LA Clippers 122-98 O'Neal 25 O'Neal 10
24 1/3 Toronto 121-110 Hardaway 34 O'Neal 8
25 1/5 Seattle 115-93 O'Neal 38 O'Neal 13
26 1/9 New Jersey 92-84 Scott 23 Anderson 12
27 1/12 Milwaukee 93-88 Scott 37 Anderson 06
28 1/23 Philadelphia 105-90 O'Neal 20 O'Neal 10
29 1/30 Boston 104-99 O'Neal 30 O'Neal 19
30 2/2 Atlanta 108-95 O'Neal 25 O'Neal 16
31 2/4 San Antonio 122-109 Anderson 33 Grant 15
32 2/6 Sacramento 112-102 Hardaway 24 Grant 8
33 2/13 Denver 121-93 O'Neal 30 O'Neal 12
34 2/16 Milwaukee 121-91 O'Neal 31 Grant 11
35 2/20 Philadelphia 123-104 O'Neal 24 O'Neal 13
36 2/28 Miami 116-112 O'Neal 31 O'Neal 14
37 3/2 Portland 115-89 O'Neal 41 O'Neal 17
38 3/8 Charlotte 117-112 (OT) O'Neal 36 Grant 12
39 3/10 Phoenix 122-106 O'Neal 25 Grant 11
40 3/19 Detroit 113-91 Grant 26 Bowie 10
nba.142vpoznanovic,
NBA All-Time Points Leaders
POINTS
------
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
2. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
3. Moses Malone 27,409
4. Elvin Hayes 27,313
5. Oscar Robertson 26,710
6. John Havlicek 26,395
7. Alex English 25,613
8. Dominique Wilkins 25,389
9. Jerry West 25,192
10. x-Michael Jordan 24,060
11. Adrian Dantley 23,177
12. Elgin Baylor 23,149
13. x-Robert Parish 23,041
14. x-Karl Malone 22,900
15. Larry Bird 21,791
16. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 21,629
17. Hal Greer 21,586
18. Walt Bellamy 20,941
19. Bob Pettit 20,880
20. George Gervin 20,708
x-Active
LEADING ACTIVE PLAYERS CLOSING IN
---------------------------------
Charles Barkley 20,300
Clyde Drexler 19,676
NBA All-Time Rebound Leaders
REBOUNDS
--------
1. Wilt Chamberlain 23,924
2. Bill Russell 21,620
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 17,440
4. Elvin Hayes 16,279
5. Moses Malone 16,212
6. x-Robert Parish 14,500
7. Nate Thurmond 14,464
8. Walt Bellamy 14,241
9. Wes Unseld 13,769
10. Jerry Lucas 12,942
11. Bob Pettit 12,849
12. Paul Silas 12,347
13. x-Buck Williams 12,353
14. Elgin Baylor 11,463
15. Dolph Schayes 11,256
16. Bill Bridges 11,054
17. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 10,949
18. Jack Sikma 10,816
19. Dave Cowens 10,444
20. Bill Laimbeer 10,400
x-ACTIVE
LEADING ACTIVE PLAYERS CLOSING IN
---------------------------------
Charles Barkley 10,181
Karl Malone 9,578
NBA All-Time Assist Leaders
ASSISTS
-------
1. x-John Stockton 11,116
2. x-Magic Johnson 10,041
3. Oscar Robertson 9,887
4. Isiah Thomas 9,061
5. Maurice Cheeks 7,392
6. Len Wilkens 7,211
7. Bob Cousy 6,955
8. Guy Rodgers 6,917
9. Nate Archibald 6,476
10. John Lucas 6,454
11. Reggie Theus 6,453
12. Larry Bird 5,695
13. x-Derek Harper 5,743
14. x-Terry Porter 5,652
15. x-Kevin Johnson 5,602
16. x-Muggsy Bogues 5,870
17. Rickey Green 5,221
18. Sleepy Floyd 5,074
x-ACTIVE
NBA All-Time Steals Leaders
STEALS
------
1. x-John Stockton 2,338
2. Maurice Cheeks 2,310
3. x-Alvin Robertson 2,073
4. x-Michael Jordan 1,993
5. x-Clyde Drexler 1,947
6. Isiah Thomas 1,861
7. x-Derek Harper 1,717
8. x-Magic Johnson 1,706
9. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 1,681
10. Fat Lever 1,666
11. Gus Williams 1,638
12. Julius Erving 1,511
NBA All-Time Blocks Leaders
BLOCKS
------
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3,189
2. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 3,164
3. Mark Eaton 3,064
4. Tree Rollins 2,542
5. x-Robert Parish 2,309
6. x-Patrick Ewing 2,282
7. Manute Bol 2,086
8. George Johnson 2,082
9. Larry Nance 2,027
10. X-David Robinson 1,952
x-ACTIVE
nba.143vpoznanovic,
NBA All-Time Winning Percentages
The Chicago Bulls are 58-7 and on pace to shatter the 1971-72
Los Angeles Lakers' all-time record of 69-13. To beat the
record, Chicago will have to go 12-5 for the rest of the
season. The following are the 10 best single-season winning
percentages in NBA history:
YEAR TEAM RECORD PCT.
==== ==== ====== ====
1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers 69-13 .841
1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers 68-13 .840
1972-73 Boston Celtics 68-14 .829
1985-86 Boston Celtics 67-15 .817
1991-92 Chicago Bulls 67-15 .817
1946-47 Washington Capitols 49-11 .817
1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks 66-16 .805
1949-50 Syracuse Nationals 51-13 .797
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers 65-17 .793
1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers 65-17 .793
All-Time Winningest NBA Coaches
(THROUGH TUESDAY, MARCH 19TH)
COACH W-L PCT.
===== === ====
x-Lenny Wilkens 1,003-844 .543
Red Auerbach 938-479 .662
x-Dick Motta 913-954 .490
x-Bill Fitch 885-983 .474
Jack Ramsay 864-783 .525
Don Nelson 851-629 .575
X-Cotton Fitzsimmons 824-758 .520
Gene Shue 784-861 .477
x-Pat Riley 789-331 .704
John MacLeod 707-657 .518
x - Active
nba.144vpoznanovic,
Recite kad počnem da vas zamaram. ;)
nba.145schef,
=- Most consecutive home wins over two seasons
=- ===========================================
=- 40 -- ORLANDO MAGIC, March 21, 1995-present
A zašto se ovde ne računaju utakmice iz play-offa? Koliko ja znam
Orlando je u finalu prošle godine izgubio od Hjustona sa 4:0 a od toga
dve kod kuće.
Srleř
nba.146schef,
=- Recite kad počnem da vas zamaram. ;)
Ma samo udri majstore, kome se ne sviđa nek lupi resign.
Srleř
nba.147vpoznanovic,
>> Niko nije toliko lud:
>>
>> News from March 14.
>>
>> The NBA has lifted the Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's (Den) suspensions as
>> Abdul-Rauf has agreed to standing during the national anthem.
Nikad se ne zna sa tim fanaticima. Moram da priznam da je djelovao
prilično ozbiljno u onim izjavama. Ali eto, bila je to ipak samo jedna
obmana i vješto skretanje pažnje na sebe, u trenucima kad u jednoj
potpuno prosječnoj ekipi i sam polako postaje prosjek.
>> So, Denver je i dalje u igri za play-off. :)
Uz onakav pristup igri kakav su demonstrirali na utakmici protiv
Detroita, mogu samo da sanjaju o playoff-u.
nba.148vpoznanovic,
>> Jordan prvi skakac u ekipi.E ovo je novost :))
>> A sta li rade Kukoc, Wennington, Longley na parketu.
Sasvim normalna stvar u Chicagu, već godinama. Pogledaj malo statistike
ekipa koje sam slao i primijetićeš da samo Rodman u prosjeku ima veći
broj skokova od Jordana. Bez obzira na taj kuriozitet, Bullsi, priznaćeš,
jako dobro funkcionišu. :)
nba.149vpoznanovic,
LAKERS SUSPEND AWOL CEBALLOS
SEATTLE -- The Los Angeles Lakers will be without leading scorer
Cedric Ceballos tonight when the team visits the Seattle SuperSonics
in a Western Conference showdown.
The Lakers suspended Ceballos indefinitely and without pay Thursday.
He missed the team's plane to Seattle on Wednesday and was not present
at Thursday morning's shootaround at the Key Arena.
Ceballos has not been seen by Lakers officials since a 94-71 victory
over Seattle at the Los Angeles Forum on Tuesday. He played just 12
minutes and had two points while shooting one for seven from the
field.
Ceballos, 26, is averaging 22.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He
is in his second season with the Lakers after spending four years with
the Phoenix Suns, where he captured the 1992 Slam Dunk competition
with his blindfolded "hocus pocus" dunk.
nba.150vpoznanovic,
NEW JERSEY DEVILS OWNER REPORTEDLY OFFERS TO BUY NETS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- John McMullen, the owner of the NHL's New
Jersey Devils, reportedly offered $90 million to buy the fellow
tenants of the Continental Arena, the New Jersey Nets of the NBA.
The deal, which was reported Thursday by the New York Post, is the
most seriously considered by Nets ownership in the last 15 years.
According to the Post, a written offer was presented Friday by
McMullen.
The report stated Nets ownership was "enthusiastic" about the proposal
and also stated if the deal went through then ownership would attempt
to bring in Kentucky coach Rick Pitino to be the head coach and
general manager.
The general manager of the Devils, Lou Lamoriello, was athletic
director at Providence College when Pitino was head basketball coach
there. The pair have remained friends since and, in a certain
scenario, Lamoriello would become president of the Nets and Devils.
The report also speculated that McMullen could purchase the Nets with
the intention of moving the team to Nashville, Tenn., a move that was
rebuffed.
nba.151vpoznanovic,
BULLS BEAM UP SCOTTIE FOR SHOWDOWN WITH KNICKS
CHICAGO -- Scottie Pippen, who was expected to miss up to two weeks
with injuries to his right knee and his back, was in the lineup
Thursday when the Chicago Bulls took the court to play the New York
Knicks. Pippen photo Pippen
Pippen worked out with the team Wednesday, and Bulls trainer Chip
Schaefer said the forward made "significant progress regarding the
injuries to his back, knee and ankle."
The Bulls have won all five games that Pippen has missed so far, but
the club was dealt an even more serious blow when volatile Dennis
Rodman was hit with a six-game suspension for head-butting an official
in New Jersey on Saturday.
But Pippen said neither the Knicks nor Rodman played a part in his
decision to come back early. In fact, Pippen wanted to play Tuesday
during an 89-67 victory over Sacramento, but coach Phil Jackson
decided to wait.
"I was ready to come back and that was it," he said. "I wanted to come
back the other night, but Phil felt it was a game that the team could
handle."
Michael Jordan has picked up the slack, leading the Bulls in scoring
and rebounding the last three games, but Chicago might feel they need
Pippen against the Knicks, who dealt the Bulls their worst loss of the
season, 104-72, on March 10 in New York.
Pippen add somes needed rebound strength. The Bulls have been
out-rebounded in every game since Rodman was suspended.
nba.152vpoznanovic,
STACK SMACK: SIXER FINED, SUSPENDED
NEW YORK -- The NBA on Thursday fined Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard
Jerry Stackhouse $7,500 and suspended him for two games without pay
for punching Utah Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek in a game at Utah Wednesday
night.
Stackhouse was whistled for a flagrant foul against Hornacek, who was
driving for a breakaway layup with 9:39 remaining in the third quarter
of Utah's 107-84 victory. The two then exchanged words before
Stackhouse grabbed Hornacek and delivered two solid punches. Both
players were ejected from the game, resulting in an automatic $1,000
fine.
Stackhouse was the third player in four days to be suspended by the
NBA for on-court incidents.
On Monday, Chicago's Dennis Rodman was suspended for six games and
fined $20,000 for head-butting a referee, and Vancouver's Greg Anthony
was suspended for one game and fined $5,000 on Wednesday for throwing
a punch at New Jersey's Shawn Bradley.
The Stackhouse-Hornacek incident occurred 2:21 into the third period.
Stackhouse fouled Hornacek, who then turned to face the 76ers' rookie.
Stackhouse grabbed for Hornacek's throat and face and then threw
several punches that connected.
Stackhouse contended that after fouling Hornacek, the Jazz guard "came
back with an elbow at me, and then he walked up to me, and that was
it."
"I regret the whole situation; I was wrong, but it was just the heat
of the moment," Stackhouse said. "I wish I could have it all back, but
I can't."
Stackhouse, who leads all rookies in scoring with 19 points a game,
will miss games at the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday and Seattle on
Saturday.
nba.153vpoznanovic,
WARRIORS' SEIKALY ON INJURED LIST WITH BUM THUMB
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors placed center Rony
Seikaly on the injured list Thursday with a torn tendon in his left
thumb.
Seikaly suffered the injury in the second quarter of Tuesday night's
game at Houston.
Seikaly, an eight-year veteran currently in his second season with the
Warriors, is averaging 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds in 64 games this
season.
nba.154vpoznanovic,
Cleveland (98) At Houston (85)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 38 7-14 3-3 0 4 4 5 5 3 1 17
Ferry F 35 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 7 2 1 1 5
Cage C 23 1-2 0-0 2 6 8 1 2 0 2 2
Majerle G 39 2-4 4-4 0 4 4 6 0 1 2 8
Brandon G 34 9-15 8-10 0 3 3 3 3 2 1 27
Phills 27 7-10 0-2 0 1 1 4 1 2 2 14
Hill 24 7-7 3-3 0 3 3 2 5 0 1 17
Sura 17 2-3 4-5 0 2 2 2 2 0 1 8
Johnson 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lang 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Marshall 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Crotty Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-59 22-27 2 25 27 31 20 9 11 98
(.627) (.815) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 12(8 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 35 3-6 0-1 3 4 7 5 4 4 3 7
Brown F 24 2-4 4-4 2 4 6 2 0 0 1 8
Bryant C 30 2-7 3-4 1 2 3 0 3 1 3 7
Smith G 29 2-7 3-4 1 1 2 5 1 0 0 7
Mack G 34 6-12 0-0 1 3 4 3 1 1 2 13
Recasner 15 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 4 3 0 0 5
Jones 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Breaux 22 3-10 3-3 0 2 2 1 0 1 1 9
Moore 26 6-12 2-2 1 2 3 0 4 0 2 17
Booker 7 0-2 4-4 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 4
Chilcutt 11 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 8
Olajuwon Dnp - Tendinitis Both Knees
Totals 240 29-66 19-22 9 19 28 22 20 7 15 85
(.439) (.864) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 16(21 Pts)
Cleveland 26 28 16 28 - 98
Houston 22 23 16 24 - 85
Blocked Shots: Cleveland - Majerle. Houston - Horry.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Cleveland 2-10 (.200), Mills 0-3, Ferry 1-2, Majerle
0-2, Brandon 1-2, Phills 0-1. Houston 8-18 (.444), Horry 1-4, Mack 1-2,
Recasner 1-1, Breaux 0-2, Moore 3-5, Booker 0-1, Chilcutt 2-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mark Wunderlich, Scott Foster, Jack Nies.
A - 16,285. T - 2:04.
nba.155vpoznanovic,
Cleveland 98, Houston 85
HOUSTON -- Terrell Brandon scored 27 points and Tyrone Hill ignited
runs in the second and fourth quarters to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers
to a 98-85 victory over the injury-riddled Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Hill and Chris Mills each finished with 17 points for the Cavaliers,
who have won three in a row and five of their past seven games to move
within one-half game of New York for fourth place in the Eastern
Conference.
The Cavaliers shot 63 percent (37 for 59) from the field and limited
the Rockets to 44 percent (29 for 66).
Houston played its second consecutive game without superstar center
Hakeem Olajuwon, who has tendinitis in both knees. The Rockets
continue to play without All-Star Clyde Drexler and key contributors
Sam Cassell and Mario Elie.
"We're in a close race. "We didn't take them lightly at all," Brandon
said of the Rockets. "We knew they had guys out, but we saw what they
did the other night against Golden State. Coach made sure we stayed
focused."
On Tuesday, Houston's first game without Olajuwon, the Rockets went to
overtime with Golden State before losing 105-102. Power forward Mark
Bryant, who started in Olajuwon's place against Cleveland, also missed
the Golden State game because of an ankle injury.
Cleveland, which held its eighth consecutive opponent to 91 points or
less, snapped a five-game losing streak against the Rockets, winning
in Houston for the first time since Jan. 28, 1988.
"Guys who hate to lose -- they hurt when they lose -- we have a few
guys like that and they've taught some others," Cleveland coach Mike
Fratello said Thursday. "Our ball movement was good and our shot
selection was good. With Olajuwon in there, things would have been
different."
"Well, I guess you can only tread water for so long and we had a team
come in here that played a really great basketball game," Rockets
coach Rud Tomjanovich said. "They've got to be one of the smartest
teams in the league. Everything we tried, they countered. They just
had an answer.
"This was just one of those days where you have to look at the big
picture and try to stay positive."
Tracy Moore had 17 points and Sam Mack added 13 for Houston, which
dropped its third game in a row.
With the score tied 31-31 early in the second quarter, Cleveland went
on a 9-2 run to take a 40-33 lead with seven minutes left in the
quarter. Hill had five points and Bobby Phills added four in the
surge.
"We were hoping Hakeem would play," Hill said. "We were keyed up,
that's maybe why we came out so strong. We feel good right now going
down the stretch run. Everybody's clicking, we don't want to have a
collapse down the stretch like last year."
Cleveland built is advantage to 54-45 at intermission and maintained a
nine-point edge after three quarters.
The Rockets pulled within 74-66 with 10:15 left, but the Cavs scored
the next nine points to seal the victory. A short jumper by Hill and a
three-point play by Mills made it 79-66. Hill followed with a dunk and
Phills nailed a jumper, opening a 83-66 lead with 6:10 remaining.
Phills had 14 points for the Cavaliers. Each Cleveland player
connected on at least 50 percent of his shots from the floor.
nba.156vpoznanovic,
Denver (89) At New Jersey (97)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Ellis F 40 5-14 2-4 1 6 7 1 5 0 3 12
Mcdyess F 38 9-17 2-2 5 7 12 0 3 0 3 20
Mutombo C 35 6-12 2-2 4 6 10 0 6 0 1 14
Stith G 35 2-9 2-2 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 6
Rose G 33 3-10 3-4 2 3 5 7 4 0 2 9
Abdul-Rauf 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
D Ellis 25 6-11 0-0 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 15
Hammonds 13 2-4 2-2 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 6
Overton 13 2-4 2-3 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 7
Williams 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Fish Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Maclean Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-82 15-19 14 29 43 14 21 2 10 89
(.427) (.789) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 12(13 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 41 5-10 4-4 2 4 6 0 3 1 1 14
A Gilliam F 38 9-16 7-7 3 5 8 3 1 0 0 25
Bradley C 37 4-15 4-4 4 8 12 1 3 0 0 12
Obannon G 18 2-8 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4
Childs G 38 5-11 9-13 1 8 9 11 2 2 3 21
Williams 17 4-9 5-8 5 4 9 1 0 0 0 13
Fleming 21 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 2
Reeves 23 3-6 0-0 1 1 2 3 4 0 3 6
Dare 7 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 0
Graham Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mahorn Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Werdann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-79 29-36 17 33 50 20 18 4 9 97
(.418) (.806) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 9(11 Pts)
Denver 21 18 30 20 - 89
New Jersey 27 26 18 26 - 97
Blocked Shots: Denver - Mutombo 8, L Ellis, Mcdyess. New Jersey -
Bradley 3, Brown 3, A Gilliam 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Denver 4-10 (.400), L Ellis 0-2, Stith 0-3, Rose 0-1, D
Ellis 3-3, Overton 1-1. New Jersey 2-5 (.400), Childs 2-4, Reeves 0-1.
Technicals: Denver - Hammonds.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Derrick Stafford, Mike Callahan.
A - 15,467. T - 2:09.
nba.157vpoznanovic,
KENNY WHO? CHILDS LEADS NETS PAST NUGGETS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Point guard Chris Childs just missed a triple
double with 21 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds as the New Jersey
Nets defeated the Denver Nuggets 97-89 on Thursday, sweeping the
season series for the first time.
"I got the rebounds because they're a team that shoots a lot of
3-pointers, so there are going to be a lot of long rebpunds," Childs
said. "It is my responsibility to get them. I just try to go out there
and get everything. I don't just focus on one aspect of the game."
Childs took over as the starting point guard when New Jersey traded
Kenny Anderson to Charlotte on Jan. 19.
Armon Gilliam scored 25 points Thursday as the Nets won consecutive
games for the first time since their season-high five-game winning
streak from Feb. 13 to Feb. 21. New Jersey is in 11th-place in the
Eastern Conference, 6Ż games from the eighth and final playoff spot.
Antonio McDyess had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Dale Ellis scored 15
points as the Nuggets, who have lost nine of their past 10 road games
and four of their past six overall.
"I think that we played decent in the third quarter and in the
beginning of the fourth, but we couldn't find the basket down the
stretch," said Denver center Dikembe Mutombo, who had 14 points, 10
rebounds and eight blocks. "We didn't have enough left to finish it."
Denver is 1Ż games behind Golden State for the final playoff spot in
the Western Conference. The Nuggets have lost their last three games
against the Nets and six in a row at New Jersey.
Denver guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf played only six minutes before leaving
early in the second quarter with a contusion on his left foot.
"My foot is sore," Abdul-Rauf said. "It's hard to say how much time I
will be out. I didn't hurt it on any specific play. It's been sore the
last few days and it got worse tonight."
Dale Ellis made a 3-pointer with 9:09 left in the fourth quarter to
give the Nuggets their first lead, 78-75.
Gilliam then made consecutive field goals and P.J. Brown's layup
capped a 14-5 burst and gave the Nets an 89-83 advantage with 3:24
remaining. Brown finished with 14 points and Shawn Bradley had 12
points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Bradley has shown remarkable improvement since the Nets acquired him
in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers.
"I definitely think that the biggest thing is the change of teams,"
Bradley said. "I guess I'm just learning the game. I'm getting some
confidence and I really developed my game. The team and organization
have made the difference."
Ellis made a 12-footer as the Nuggets closed within 92-88 with 1:43 to
go, but Gilliam answered with a three-point play.
Childs scored seven of his points, including a free throw that capped
a 13-4 run and gave the Nets a 48-33 lead with 2:01 left in the second
quarter. Bradley's eight-footer gave New Jersey its biggest lead of
the game, 61-43 with 9:30 remaining in the third.
Denver scored the last five points of the third, capped by Dale Ellis'
3-pointer to close within, 71-69.
nba.158vpoznanovic,
Golden State (96) At Phoenix (104)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 23 3-9 5-7 5 3 8 1 5 1 0 11
Smith F 36 5-12 2-2 4 4 8 1 6 1 2 12
Willis C 45 10-21 1-2 6 10 16 3 4 1 2 21
Sprewell G 45 5-15 7-8 3 2 5 3 3 1 6 21
Armstrong G 38 9-19 5-5 2 1 3 5 4 1 1 25
Marshall 10 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 4
Coles 25 0-6 2-2 0 1 1 1 5 3 0 2
Declercq 9 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Rozier 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
Barry 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-93 22-26 21 24 45 14 29 9 14 96
(.366) (.846) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 15(20 Pts)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Bennett F 4 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Barkley F 32 9-17 4-7 4 5 9 3 2 1 4 22
Williams C 41 4-8 2-2 2 7 9 1 3 1 1 10
Finley G 41 4-12 2-2 3 4 7 3 2 1 3 10
Johnson G 32 7-13 3-3 1 3 4 15 0 1 2 17
Manning 27 9-17 3-4 3 0 3 4 5 2 2 21
Perry 16 3-7 5-7 1 2 3 6 1 3 2 12
Green 22 1-3 0-0 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 2
W Person 17 3-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 6
Kleine 7 1-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 4
Coker 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Carr Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-86 21-27 14 31 45 33 18 10 16 104
(.477) (.778) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 18(21 Pts)
Golden State 25 11 35 25 - 96
Phoenix 29 32 23 20 - 104
Blocked Shots: Golden State - Smith 6, Willis 3, Kersey 2, Sprewell,
Coles. Phoenix - Williams 9, Barkley, Manning, Green, W Person.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Golden State 6-17 (.353), Sprewell 4-6, Armstrong 2-6,
Marshall 0-1, Coles 0-2, Declercq 0-1, Barry 0-1. Phoenix 1-5 (.200),
Barkley 0-1, Finley 0-1, Perry 1-2, W Person 0-1.
Technicals: Golden State - Coles, Kersey, Phoenix - Johnson.
Officials: Ron Olesiak, Joe Forte, Monty Mccutchen.
A - 19,023. T - 2:13.
nba.159vpoznanovic,
SUNS BUILD BIG LEAD, THEN HOLD ON TO EDGE WARRIORS
PHOENIX -- Charles Barkley scored 22 points Thursday night and Danny
Manning had 21 as the Phoenix Suns dominated the second quarter and
held on for a 104-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the
first game of a home-and-home series.
Kevin Johnson had 17 points and 15 assists and John "Hot Rod" Williams
contributed 10 points, nine rebounds and nine blocked shots for the
Suns, who have won 21 of their past 23 home games against the
Warriors.
"Most of the time when we win I'm happy, but I'm not happy tonight,"
Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "I really liked the way we played
about five minutes into the first quarter. We really picked it up and
kept going into the second quarter.
"I've been in the NBA long enough to know a game is never over,"
Fitzsimmons said. "Thank goodness for John Williams. What a job he did
tonight."
"We came out flat in the second half. We didn't warm up right and took
the game for granted," Williams said. "We've done that several times
this year. I guess we think the game is over once we get a lead. But I
feel like we should learn our lesson."
B.J. Armstrong scored 25 points and Kevin Willis had 21 points and 16
rebounds for Golden State, which has lost six of its past eight games.
The loss dropped the Warriors into ninth place in the Western
Conference,one-half game behind Sacramento.
"The second quarter really hurt us in a big way," Warriors coach Rick
Adelman said. "We started making runs and we just got too impatient.
Our guys showed some character in the second half but it takes a lot
of energy to come back after you fall into such an abyss."
The Warriors raced out to a 21-10 lead but the Suns ended the first
quarter on a 19-4 run, taking a 29-25 lead after one quarter. Barkley
scored nine points in the quarter and Johnson had six.
Phoenix opened the second quarter with a 30-7 run for a 59-32
advantage with 82 seconds left in the first half, before settling for
a 61-36 cushion at intermission.
Golden State hit just one of its first 15 shots in the quarter and
ended up hitting only 18 percent (four for 22) in the stanza. The Suns
outscored the Warriors 32-11 in the quarter, holding Golden State
pointless for a 3:08 span. The 36 first-half points represents a
season-low for the Warriors.
Golden State got as close as 80-69 with 3:02 left in the third
quarter, but trailed 84-71 after three.
With the score 84-71, Willis scored four points and Latrell Sprewell
hit a 3-pointer during a 9-0 run, pulling the Warriors within 84-80
with 9:17 to play. But the Suns scored eight of the next 10 points for
a 92-82 edge with 6:25 to go before Golden State scored six unanswered
points to make it 92-88 with 4:47 left.
"As a team we had a real bad letdown. We had too many turnovers, we
didn't defend. It was a combination of things," Sprewell said. "The
second half, I don't think we did anything different. We just got some
open looks and started hitting them."
The Warriors got as close as 98-94 with 58 seconds left on a jumper by
Sprewell but the Suns scored the next six points to seal the victory.
"It was a frustrating game," Barkley said. "We played a great first
half, bad second half and a strong finish. It was not a lot of fun to
play. We haven't clicked all year. It was a disappointing game, to
blow a big lead like that."
The Phoenix bench, led by Manning's 21, outscored Golden State's 45-6.
nba.160vpoznanovic,
La Lakers (93) At Seattle (104)
La Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Campbell F 37 5-10 2-2 1 3 4 1 5 1 6 12
Johnson F 39 7-18 2-4 3 4 7 3 4 0 3 17
Divac C 39 6-11 9-10 4 5 9 4 2 2 4 21
Jones G 28 2-4 1-2 0 2 2 0 5 1 2 7
Van Exel G 38 8-17 6-8 0 3 3 2 3 1 1 26
Peeler 23 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 2 4 1 2 6
Threatt 11 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
Strong 5 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
Lynch 11 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 0
Blount 9 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Ceballos Dnp - Suspended By Team
Miller Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-69 20-26 10 21 31 16 25 6 20 93
(.464) (.769) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 20(29 Pts)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 40 6-15 6-7 4 7 11 2 4 1 4 18
D Schrempf F 39 5-13 6-6 2 6 8 3 4 0 3 16
Johnson C 16 0-2 0-0 2 2 4 1 3 2 1 0
Hawkins G 37 6-10 5-6 4 1 5 0 0 3 2 20
Payton G 46 5-15 10-10 2 2 4 7 0 5 2 20
Perkins 29 7-13 4-4 1 2 3 1 3 1 0 20
Mcmillan 17 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 2 2 2
Brickowski 11 1-4 2-2 3 2 5 0 6 1 0 5
Wingate 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Ford Dnp - Coach'S Decision
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-76 33-35 19 24 43 15 21 15 14 104
(.421) (.943) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 14(12 Pts)
La Lakers 25 21 23 24 - 93
Seattle 26 33 23 22 - 104
Blocked Shots: La Lakers - Divac 3, Campbell 2, Jones, Threatt, Blount.
Seattle - Johnson 2, Perkins 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: La Lakers 9-21 (.429), Campbell 0-1, Johnson 1-3, Jones
2-2, Van Exel 4-11, Peeler 2-4. Seattle 7-16 (.438), D Schrempf 0-3,
Hawkins 3-5, Payton 0-2, Perkins 2-4, Brickowski 1-1, Wingate 1-1.
Technicals: Seattle - D Schrempf, Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Joe Derosa, Sean Corbin.
A - 17,072. T - 2:14.
nba.161vpoznanovic,
Seattle 104, LA Lakers 93
Sam Perkins scored 11 of his 20 points in the second quarter as the
Seattle SuperSonics raced to a 13-point halftime lead and held off the
short-handed Los Angeles Lakers with a 104-93 victory.
Hersey Hawkins and Gary Payton each scored 20 points and Shawn Kemp
had 18 and 11 rebounds for Seattle, which won for the 22nd time in 25
games and increased its lead over the San Antonio Spurs to 3 1/2 games
in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Nick Van Exel scored 26 points, Vlade Divac added 21 and Magic Johnson
-- in his first start -- added 17 for the Lakers, who lost for just
the seventh time in 31 games. Los Angeles played without leading
scorer Cedric Ceballos, who was suspended by the team for missing the
team flight and the morning shootaround.
After Van Exel made a three-pointer to pull the Lakers within 32-30,
Perkins hit a nine-footer and David Wingate made a three-pointer to
ignite a 27-16 run. Perkins added seven more points in the burst as
the SuperSonics built a 59-46 advantage entering the half.
Payton and Kemp combined for 11 points in the third quarter as the
SuperSonics took an 82-69 lead entering the fourth.
Seattle took an 88-73 lead on Perkins' basket three minutes into the
fourth before Van Exel sparked a late Lakers' run with 11 points in
the final period.
The Lakers went on a 15-5 burst as Divac's layin pulled Los Angeles
within 93-88 with 2:19 remaining.
Detlef Schrempf hit a turnaround and Hawkins put back a missed shot to
give Seattle a 97-88 advantage with 1:45 to go. Van Exel drilled a
three-pointer to close the Lakers to 97-91, but Kemp sank three free
throws to seal the game with 44 seconds left.
Schrempf added 16 points and eight rebounds for Seattle, which shot 42
per cent (32-of-76) from the field but held a 43-31 rebounding edge
and made 33-of-35 free throws in improving to 30-3 at home. Seattle
beat the Lakers for just the fourth time in 13 meetings and outscored
the Lakers by a 14-0 margin on the fastbreak.
Johnson had seven rebounds in a season-high 39 minutes and Elden
Campbell scored 12 points for Los Angeles, which shot 46 per cent
(32-of-69) and committed 20 turnovers that led to 29 points for the
Sonics. The Lakers lost on road for just the second time in 13 games.
nba.162vpoznanovic,
New York (86) At Chicago (107)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Reid F 27 3-7 4-4 0 1 1 2 4 0 0 10
Mason F 32 2-11 2-4 3 4 7 3 4 1 1 6
Ewing C 36 9-19 2-4 1 7 8 1 4 1 2 20
Harper G 33 4-9 3-6 0 4 4 2 1 1 3 13
Starks G 34 3-14 1-2 1 1 2 5 4 2 1 8
Anderson 26 2-6 5-5 1 2 3 1 1 1 0 10
Williams 11 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 2
Ward 19 4-7 0-0 2 0 2 4 2 0 0 10
Grant 6 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 2 1 0
Grandison 12 2-5 3-4 1 3 4 0 1 1 0 7
Lohaus 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Davis Dnp - Hyperextended Left Knee
Totals 240 30-85 20-29 9 24 33 21 25 9 9 86
(.353) (.690) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 9(10 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 26 2-4 2-2 2 4 6 3 4 2 3 6
Kukoc F 35 5-11 1-2 0 10 10 5 1 0 2 12
Longley C 15 2-9 0-0 4 1 5 1 3 0 2 4
Harper G 23 2-3 1-4 0 6 6 2 2 0 1 5
Jordan G 37 14-24 7-7 0 11 11 5 3 1 1 36
Wennington 21 4-4 2-2 1 2 3 0 5 0 1 10
Simpkins 22 1-3 6-8 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 8
Kerr 32 3-7 2-2 2 1 3 2 1 1 1 10
Buechler 6 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 2
Brown 7 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
Salley 16 4-7 4-6 2 6 8 3 3 0 2 12
Totals 240 38-74 27-35 12 45 57 22 27 5 15 107
(.514) (.771) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 17(24 Pts)
New York 25 16 19 26 - 86
Chicago 29 32 18 28 - 107
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing. Chicago - Salley 2, Longley 2,
Wennington, Simpkins.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 6-20 (.300), Ewing 0-1, Harper 2-5, Starks
1-7, Anderson 1-2, Ward 2-4, Grant 0-1. Chicago 4-15 (.267), Pippen 0-1,
Kukoc 1-6, Harper 0-1, Jordan 1-4, Kerr 2-3.
Technicals: New York - Harper, Chicago - Pippen, Illegal Defense.
Officials: Tony Brothers, Ed F Rush, Bennett Salvatore.
A - 23,802. T - 2:07.
nba.163vpoznanovic,
BULLS 10 AWAY FROM 70 WINS AFTER BLASTING KNICKS
CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to
lead the Chicago Bulls to their 60th victory of the season, a 107-86
rout of the New York Knicks on Thursday night.
Chicago took control of the game with a 20-1 run to end the first
half.
All-Star forward Scottie Pippen returned to the Bulls lineup after
missing five games with a sore lower back and tendinitis of the left
knee. He played 26 minutes and had six points and six rebounds.
The Bulls are an astounding 60-7 and need to win just 10 of their
final 15 regular-games to set the NBA record for victories in a single
season.
The Bulls avenged their worse loss of the season, a 104-72 rout by the
New York Knicks on March 10.
"I had in my mind tonight that we were going to win this game," Jordan
said Thursday. "I was going to do everything I could to make sure we
did. Our guys played really good, especially outrebounding them."
"Tonight, we got a great defensive effort from our team and Michael
refused to lose this game," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. "I could
tell all day by the way Michael was carrying himself at practice that
he wanted to send a message to New York, telling them that what
happened there in the last game against them was not going to happen
again."
The Bulls held a 57-33 rebounding advantage. Besides Jordan's 11, Toni
Kukoc grabbed 10 boards and John Salley had eight.
The Bulls also took the lead from the Orlando Magic in the race for
the best homecourt winning streaks in NBA history. Chicago is 34-0 at
home this season and Orlando is 33-0 at home. The previous record for
a homecourt winning streak at the start of a season was 27 games by
the 1946-47 Washington Capitols.
Chicago's overall home winning streak is at 41 consecutive games,
dating back to last season. Their last regular-season loss in Chicago
was 106-99 against Orlando on March 24, 1995, 362 days ago.
Orlando's current home winning streak is 40 games. The previous
record-holder was Boston, which won 38 in a row from Dec. 10, 1985, to
Nov. 28, 1986.
Jordan and Salley scored six points apiece during a 17-0 run which
opened a 58-40 lead for the Bulls in the second half. By the end of
the half, the Bulls had compiled a 20-1 run.
"They just blew us out in that one sequence of the second quarter.
That 17-0 run broke our back," New York center Patrick Ewing said. "We
tried to fight back, but it was too big of a lead."
The loss snapped New York's four-game winning streak under new coach
Jeff Van Gudy. Ewing led the Knicks with 20 points.
"They just outplayed us tonight," Van Gundy said. "They outrebounded
us, outhustled us. They played an outstanding game."
A dunk by Jordan with 10:18 left in the third quarter increased
Chicago's lead to 65-44. Chicago held a 79-60 advantage after three
quarters.
The Bulls led by as many as 30 points, 102-72 with 3:55 left.
Salley and Kukoc had 12 points apiece for Chicago. Derek Harper scored
13 points for the Knicks.
nba.164vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Thursday, March 21 - 133 days, 955 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 66 51 15 30 3 21 12 103.9 96.6 77.3 - W 1
Los Angeles Lakers 65 41 24 25 10 16 14 102.9 99.1 63.1 9.5 L 1
Phoenix Suns 66 33 33 18 15 15 18 104.3 104.3 50.0 18.0 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 66 32 34 20 14 12 20 99.8 98.6 48.5 19.0 W 6
Sacramento Kings 65 29 36 18 13 11 23 100.0 103.1 44.6 21.5 W 1
Golden State Warriors 68 30 38 19 13 11 25 102.7 104.0 44.1 22.0 L 1
Los Angeles Clippers 66 24 42 15 19 9 23 100.0 103.7 36.4 27.0 W 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 65 47 18 27 6 20 12 104.3 97.3 72.3 - W11
Utah Jazz 66 46 20 27 4 19 16 103.8 97.2 69.7 1.5 W 2
Houston Rockets 67 42 25 22 10 20 15 102.3 99.5 62.7 6.0 L 3
Denver Nuggets 66 28 38 19 13 9 25 98.2 101.2 42.4 19.5 L 1
Dallas Mavericks 66 21 45 13 19 8 26 103.2 107.7 31.8 26.5 L 8
Minnesota Timberwolves 66 21 45 15 19 6 26 97.4 103.3 31.8 26.5 L 2
Vancouver Grizzlies 64 11 53 8 25 3 28 89.9 100.2 17.2 35.5 L16
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 68 51 17 33 0 18 17 104.4 99.0 75.0 - W 4
New York Knicks 65 38 27 23 11 15 16 97.3 95.2 58.5 11.5 L 1
Miami Heat 66 33 33 22 12 11 21 95.0 94.1 50.0 17.0 W 2
Washington Bullets 66 30 36 20 12 10 24 102.2 101.0 45.5 20.0 L 1
New Jersey Nets 66 27 39 18 14 9 25 94.2 97.0 40.9 23.0 W 2
Boston Celtics 66 25 41 15 19 10 22 103.4 107.4 37.9 25.0 L 1
Philadelphia 76ers 66 13 53 8 25 5 28 95.6 105.2 19.7 37.0 L 5
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 67 60 7 34 0 26 7 105.3 93.7 89.6 - W 6
Indiana Pacers 66 40 26 24 7 16 19 99.6 96.5 60.6 19.5 L 2
Cleveland Cavaliers 66 38 28 22 12 16 16 91.5 88.7 57.6 21.5 W 3
Detroit Pistons 66 37 29 23 10 14 19 95.4 93.3 56.1 22.5 L 2
Atlanta Hawks 65 36 29 22 11 14 18 98.0 97.2 55.4 23.0 W 1
Charlotte Hornets 65 33 32 24 11 9 21 103.7 103.3 50.8 26.0 L 1
Milwaukee Bucks 65 21 44 12 21 9 23 95.6 101.0 32.3 38.0 L 9
Toronto Raptors 65 17 48 12 19 5 29 96.9 102.9 26.2 42.0 W 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 66 51 15 30 3 21 12 103.9 96.6 77.3 - W 1 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 65 47 18 27 6 20 12 104.3 97.3 72.3 3.5 W11 *
3. Utah Jazz 66 46 20 27 4 19 16 103.8 97.2 69.7 5.0 W 2 *
4. Los Angeles Lakers 65 41 24 25 10 16 14 102.9 99.1 63.1 9.5 L 1
5. Houston Rockets 67 42 25 22 10 20 15 102.3 99.5 62.7 9.5 L 3
6. Phoenix Suns 66 33 33 18 15 15 18 104.3 104.3 50.0 18.0 W 1
7. Portland Trail Blazers 66 32 34 20 14 12 20 99.8 98.6 48.5 19.0 W 6
8. Sacramento Kings 65 29 36 18 13 11 23 100.0 103.1 44.6 21.5 W 1
9. Golden State Warriors 68 30 38 19 13 11 25 102.7 104.0 44.1 22.0 L 1
10. Denver Nuggets 66 28 38 19 13 9 25 98.2 101.2 42.4 23.0 L 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 66 24 42 15 19 9 23 100.0 103.7 36.4 27.0 W 1
12. Dallas Mavericks 66 21 45 13 19 8 26 103.2 107.7 31.8 30.0 L 8
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 66 21 45 15 19 6 26 97.4 103.3 31.8 30.0 L 2
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 64 11 53 8 25 3 28 89.9 100.2 17.2 39.0 L16
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 67 60 7 34 0 26 7 105.3 93.7 89.6 - W 6 *
2. Orlando Magic 68 51 17 33 0 18 17 104.4 99.0 75.0 9.5 W 4 *
3. Indiana Pacers 66 40 26 24 7 16 19 99.6 96.5 60.6 19.5 L 2
4. New York Knicks 65 38 27 23 11 15 16 97.3 95.2 58.5 21.0 L 1
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 66 38 28 22 12 16 16 91.5 88.7 57.6 21.5 W 3
6. Detroit Pistons 66 37 29 23 10 14 19 95.4 93.3 56.1 22.5 L 2
7. Atlanta Hawks 65 36 29 22 11 14 18 98.0 97.2 55.4 23.0 W 1
8. Charlotte Hornets 65 33 32 24 11 9 21 103.7 103.3 50.8 26.0 L 1
9. Miami Heat 66 33 33 22 12 11 21 95.0 94.1 50.0 26.5 W 2
10. Washington Bullets 66 30 36 20 12 10 24 102.2 101.0 45.5 29.5 L 1
11. New Jersey Nets 66 27 39 18 14 9 25 94.2 97.0 40.9 32.5 W 2
12. Boston Celtics 66 25 41 15 19 10 22 103.4 107.4 37.9 34.5 L 1
13. Milwaukee Bucks 65 21 44 12 21 9 23 95.6 101.0 32.3 38.0 L 9
14. Toronto Raptors 65 17 48 12 19 5 29 96.9 102.9 26.2 42.0 W 1
15. Philadelphia 76ers 66 13 53 8 25 5 28 95.6 105.2 19.7 46.5 L 5
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets
San Antonio Spurs Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz Phoenix Suns
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Charlotte Hornets
New York Knicks Cleveland Cavaliers
Orlando Magic Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers Detroit Pistons
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 67 60 7 34 0 26 7 105.3 93.7 89.6 - W 6
2. Seattle Supersonics 66 51 15 30 3 21 12 103.9 96.6 77.3 8.5 W 1
3. Orlando Magic 68 51 17 33 0 18 17 104.4 99.0 75.0 9.5 W 4
4. San Antonio Spurs 65 47 18 27 6 20 12 104.3 97.3 72.3 12.0 W11
5. Utah Jazz 66 46 20 27 4 19 16 103.8 97.2 69.7 13.5 W 2
6. Los Angeles Lakers 65 41 24 25 10 16 14 102.9 99.1 63.1 18.0 L 1
7. Houston Rockets 67 42 25 22 10 20 15 102.3 99.5 62.7 18.0 L 3
8. Indiana Pacers 66 40 26 24 7 16 19 99.6 96.5 60.6 19.5 L 2
9. New York Knicks 65 38 27 23 11 15 16 97.3 95.2 58.5 21.0 L 1
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 66 38 28 22 12 16 16 91.5 88.7 57.6 21.5 W 3
11. Detroit Pistons 66 37 29 23 10 14 19 95.4 93.3 56.1 22.5 L 2
12. Atlanta Hawks 65 36 29 22 11 14 18 98.0 97.2 55.4 23.0 W 1
13. Charlotte Hornets 65 33 32 24 11 9 21 103.7 103.3 50.8 26.0 L 1
14. Miami Heat 66 33 33 22 12 11 21 95.0 94.1 50.0 26.5 W 2
15. Phoenix Suns 66 33 33 18 15 15 18 104.3 104.3 50.0 26.5 W 1
16. Portland Trail Blazers 66 32 34 20 14 12 20 99.8 98.6 48.5 27.5 W 6
17. Washington Bullets 66 30 36 20 12 10 24 102.2 101.0 45.5 29.5 L 1
18. Sacramento Kings 65 29 36 18 13 11 23 100.0 103.1 44.6 30.0 W 1
19. Golden State Warriors 68 30 38 19 13 11 25 102.7 104.0 44.1 30.5 L 1
20. Denver Nuggets 66 28 38 19 13 9 25 98.2 101.2 42.4 31.5 L 1
21. New Jersey Nets 66 27 39 18 14 9 25 94.2 97.0 40.9 32.5 W 2
22. Boston Celtics 66 25 41 15 19 10 22 103.4 107.4 37.9 34.5 L 1
23. Los Angeles Clippers 66 24 42 15 19 9 23 100.0 103.7 36.4 35.5 W 1
24. Milwaukee Bucks 65 21 44 12 21 9 23 95.6 101.0 32.3 38.0 L 9
25. Dallas Mavericks 66 21 45 13 19 8 26 103.2 107.7 31.8 38.5 L 8
26. Minnesota Timberwolves 66 21 45 15 19 6 26 97.4 103.3 31.8 38.5 L 2
27. Toronto Raptors 65 17 48 12 19 5 29 96.9 102.9 26.2 42.0 W 1
28. Philadelphia 76ers 66 13 53 8 25 5 28 95.6 105.2 19.7 46.5 L 5
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 64 11 53 8 25 3 28 89.9 100.2 17.2 47.5 L16
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.165junior,
> NBA Top Individual Performances
> Michael Jordan, CHI vs. Detroit 53 03-07-96
Čekajte, zar nije Rik Smits, na početku sezone postigao 64 poena?
Zar se to zaboravilo??
nba.166junior,
> Recite kad počnem da vas zamaram. ;)
Cepaaaaj :)
nba.167junior,
>>> So, Denver je i dalje u igri za play-off. :)
> Uz onakav pristup igri kakav su demonstrirali na utakmici
> protiv Detroita, mogu samo da sanjaju o playoff-u.
Tvoja procena - na zapadu ... ko ulazi u play-off? Portland je praktično sad
siguran učesnik, kao i Phoenix, a za 8. mesto bore se Sacramento (to, to ;),
Golden State i Denver. U principu, tipujem na Golden State, pošto stvarno
ima najbolju ekipu od ovih, ali mi nikako nije jasno zašto tako loše igraju.
Isto pitanje za istok - za 8. mesto bore se Šarlot i Majami. A i Atlanta se
mnogo srozala. Ima samo 2 pobede više od Šarlota ... Biće ovo foto-finiš :)
jr.
nba.168schef,
3. Utah Jazz 66 46 20 27 4 19 16 103.8 97.2 69.7 5.0 W 2 *
4. Los Angeles Lakers 65 41 24 25 10 16 14 102.9 99.1 63.1 9.5 L 1
5. Houston Rockets 67 42 25 22 10 20 15 102.3 99.5 62.7 9.5 L 3
6. Phoenix Suns 66 33 33 18 15 15 18 104.3 104.3 50.0 18.0 W 1
Koliko vidim šanse da se Lakersi NE sastanu sa Hjustonom u play-offu
su ravne nuli. :( Pa, laka im zemlja, a baš su obećavali... Ne verujem da
će moći da ih pobede.
Srleř
nba.169kum.djole,
Evo ja ću da dam jedan doprinos :)
Seattle - La Lakers 104:93
:) uf.. dosta je od mene ;)
nba.170vpoznanovic,
>> A zašto se ovde ne računaju utakmice iz play-offa? Koliko ja znam
>> Orlando je u finalu prošle godine izgubio od Hjustona sa 4:0 a od toga
>> dve kod kuće.
Takva su pravila. :)
nba.171vpoznanovic,
>> Ma samo udri majstore, kome se ne sviđa nek lupi resign.
S obzirom na reakcije, rekao bih da je većina to odmah i uradila. ;)
Ili jednostavno nemaju riječi kojima bi izrazili zadovoljstvo. ;)
nba.172stefan,
>S obzirom na reakcije, rekao bih da je većina to odmah i uradila. ;)
>Ili jednostavno nemaju riječi kojima bi izrazili zadovoljstvo. ;)
Ma samo piči, zato i postoji tema :) A ko ne voli NBA uvek može da da
resign :)
nba.175payce,
-> S obzirom na reakcije, rekao bih da je vecina to odmah i
-> uradila. ;) Ili jednostavno nemaju rijeci kojima bi izrazili
-> zadovoljstvo. ;)
Ne znaju sta propustaju :)
Samo nastavi :)
nba.176vpoznanovic,
>> Ne znaju sta propustaju :)
>> Samo nastavi :)
Rado, ali pojavio se jedan problem. Naime, juče i danas vam nisam ništa
slao jednostavno zato što sam premašio limit za upload - ni exec više
ne mogu da pošaljem. :( Probao sam ASCII sendom, ali nema šanse, uvijek
proguta pola karaktera.
Obrisao sam sve što sam imao prikačeno uz poruke u mailu, nadajući se da
će mi bar dio kvote biti vraćen, kao što je to bilo ranije, ali ni bajta
nisam dobio. Sad sam u minusu oko 200 kilobajta.
Stefane, može li se učiniti nešto po pitanju ovoga? Neka mi barem vrate
ono što sam obrisao. 'Ajde, da se ja sad ne bih žalio po SEZAM
konferenciji, ti ćeš to brže ispitati. :)
nba.177vitez.koja,
#=> U principu, tipujem na Golden State, pošto
#=> stvarno ima najbolju ekipu od ovih, ali mi nikako nije jasno zašto
#=> tako loše igraju.
I ja bih voleo, spec. što bi to značilo da Sietl opet ispada mnogo
rano u plej ofu, na znam zašto, ali sviđa mi se to... ;)
sk
nba.178stefan,
>Stefane, može li se učiniti nešto po pitanju ovoga? Neka mi barem vrate
Kako mi rekoše trebalo bi da je već sređeno :) Javi ako nešto nije ok.
nba.179junior,
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
------ ------- --------- -------- ------ -------- ------
Chicago 4-0 11-3 9-0 9-0 11-1 11-0 4-3
...
Toronto 1-4 4-11 0-6 0-10 3-8 3-6 5-3
^^^^^
Sudeći po ovome, poraz Čikaga od Toronta, bio je više nego očekivan ;>
Znači nedeljom dobijamo .. ovo ću morati da upamtim ;))
jr.
P.S. Zar nisu zveri ? O:)
nba.180vpoznanovic,
>> Kako mi rekoše trebalo bi da je već sređeno :) Javi ako nešto nije ok.
Sve je u redu, hvala.
nba.181vpoznanovic,
Sredili smo stvari sa upload limitom, zato odmah idu sve zaostale vijesti
i pregledi utakmica...
BULLETS' WALLACE SUFFERS FRACTURED THUMB
LANDOVER, Md. -- The Washington Bullets, who always seem to be
decimated by injuries to key players, lost rookie forward-center
Rasheed Wallace to a fractured left thumb in the second quarter of
Friday's 111-108 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic.
Wallace is averaging 10.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for the
Bullets, who have lost Chris Webber for the season and have played
most of the year without point guard Mark Price.
Wallace apparently injured the thumb when going for a rebound with
7:44 left in the second quarter.
The fourth overall pick in the NBA draft, Wallace hit the game-winning
shot in the rookie game during the All-Star break and has averaged
better than 11 points and nearly six rebounds per contest over the
past two months.
nba.182vpoznanovic,
ABDUL-RAUF OUT FOR TWO GAMES WITH FOOT INJURY
DENVER -- Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf will miss the next
two games with a left foot injury sustained Thursday night during a
game at New Jersey.
The Nuggets are in Boston on Friday night, but Abdul-Rauf returned to
Denver to have his foot examined. He also will miss Sunday's game at
Washington.
Abdul-Rauf, 27, also has been bothered by a right ankle injury which
kept him out of four games earlier this month.
Abdul-Rauf, a devout Muslim, grabbed national attention when he
refused to stand for the national anthem before NBA games and was
suspended for one game by the league on March 12.
He originally said he would quit basketball rather than observe the
NBA rule which requires players, coaches and trainers to stand during
the anthem. However, he relented, saying he would pray during the
anthem, and the NBA lifted the suspension.
Abdul-Rauf was born Chris Jackson in Gulfport, Miss. He converted to
Islam five years ago and in 1993 changed his name, which means
"elegant and praiseworthy, most merciful, most kind."
The former Louisiana State star is averaging 19.2 points per game this
season and is making 93 percent of his free throws, best in the NBA.
nba.183vpoznanovic,
WARRIORS TO PLAY IN SAN JOSE DURING ARENA RENOVATION
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors announced an agreement to
play their home games at the San Jose Arena next season while their
arena in Oakland is being renovated.
The current capacity of the Oakland Coliseum Arena is 15,025, smallest
in the NBA.
The Warriors originally planned on playing in the Cow Palace in San
Francisco next season, but the team was unable to reach a deal with
the facility, which was home to the NBA team from 1962 to 1971.
The Warriors instead reached a deal with the National Hockey League's
San Jose Sharks and the San Jose Arena Management.
"It was imperative that during our one season away from Oakland that
the home schedule be accommodating to our fans," Warriors owner
Christopher Cohan said Friday. "The San Jose Sharks have been very
cooperative in this regard."
The Warriors recently reached an agreement in principle with the
Oakland Coliseum Board of Directors that will keep the team in the
Coliseum Arena, which will undergo a $121 million renovation.
The renovation includes nearly 4,200 more seats, 72 luxury suites,
3,000 club seats on a private concourse level and will be partially
funded by "seat rights" fees for up to 7,500 season-ticket holders.
The renovation will begin at the end of this season.
The renovated arena will be operated by the Coliseum. The Warriors
will pay $1.5 million annually in rent for 20 years and will have four
five-year options to extend their lease for an additional 20 years.
The team also will contribute up to $7.4 million annually from the
sale of luxury suites, courtside seating and club seats.
The seat-rights plan will be attached to about 7,500 seats in the
lower sections of the arena and will be offered first to current
season-ticket holders. The plans are for 10 years or the lifetime of
the arena and will be priced at an average of $2,500 each. The sale of
seats rights is expected to raise $19 million.
nba.184vpoznanovic,
SIXERS' JERRY STACKHOUSE APOLOGIZES FOR PUNCHING HORNACEK
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jerry Stackhouse today apologized for
punching Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek in a game at Utah Wednesday night,
calling his actions "inexcusable" and "an embarrassment".
"I would like to take this time to apologize to my teammates, the Utah
Jazz, the NBA, and most importantly, the fans of Philadelphia for my
actions on Wednesday," Stackhouse said in a statement released by the
team. "What I did was inexcusable and was an embarrassment for all
concerned. It was against all the principles that I as a person and
the NBA as a league stand for. I view this as a learning experience
and I will work my hardest to make sure it never happens again."
The National Basketball Association Thursday fined Stackhouse $7,500
and suspended him for two games without pay as a result of the
incident.
Stackhouse was whistled for a flagrant foul against Hornacek, who was
driving for a breakaway layup with 9:39 remaining in the third quarter
of Utah's 107-84 victory. The two then exchanged words before
Stackhouse grabbed Hornacek and delivered a pair of solid punches.
Both players were ejected from the game, resulting in an automatic
$1,000 fine.
After the foul, Hornacek and Stackhouse exchanged words and Stackhouse
began swinging at Hornacek. Hornacek was also ejected for retaliation.
Stackhouse will miss tonight's game at Los Angeles against the
Clippers and will complete the suspension Saturday at Seattle.
nba.185vpoznanovic,
MAGIC ACTIVATE GUARD BRIAN SHAW
The Orlando Magic activated guard Brian Shaw before tonight's game at
Washington.
Shaw was placed on the injured list March 10th due to severe
tendinitis in his right wrist.
Shaw, who shares the single-game record for most three-point field
goals made in one game with 10, has played in 61 games this season,
averaging 6.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Shaw was signed as an unrestricted free agent by Orlando on September
22, 1994. He played a total of two-and-a-half seasons with Boston
before being dealt to the Miami Heat for guard Sherman Douglas in
January of 1992. Shaw also played in the Italian League during the
1989-90 season.
nba.186vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (117) At Charlotte (92)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Long F 35 6-10 4-4 0 7 7 2 2 1 1 16
Augmon F 38 6-11 3-4 1 3 4 4 2 0 1 15
Laettner C 35 6-15 2-4 5 6 11 4 2 1 0 14
Smith G 35 9-17 4-5 2 2 4 0 2 2 0 27
Blaylock G 34 4-9 6-6 3 2 5 11 0 2 1 16
Ehlo 21 4-6 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 1 1 10
Henderson 13 1-6 0-0 3 4 7 4 0 1 0 2
Rooks 8 2-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 3 5
Jordan 14 3-5 4-5 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 10
Bullard 4 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Boyce 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0
Norman Dnp - Migrane Headache
Totals 240 42-87 24-30 16 30 46 28 15 10 10 117
(.483) (.800) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 10(17 Pts)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Johnson F 37 7-10 4-4 3 5 8 6 2 1 4 20
Geiger F 31 5-16 0-0 0 6 6 0 4 0 0 10
Parish C 27 2-6 1-2 3 4 7 0 2 0 0 5
Rice G 36 5-11 8-8 2 2 4 5 2 1 2 18
Goldwire G 29 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 7
Curry 20 4-12 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 3 8
Myers 25 3-5 3-4 1 2 3 4 3 2 3 9
Addison 10 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 6
Adams 16 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 4 3 1 1 7
Hancock 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Zidek 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
Anderson Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Totals 240 36-78 16-18 9 22 31 23 22 7 14 92
(.462) (.889) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 14(19 Pts)
Atlanta 29 20 36 32 - 117
Charlotte 29 19 23 21 - 92
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Jordan, Long, Augmon, Laettner. Charlotte -
Geiger 2, Parish, Curry, Addison.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 9-18 (.500), Long 0-1, Laettner 0-1, Smith 5-8,
Blaylock 2-4, Ehlo 2-3, Henderson 0-1. Charlotte 4-12 (.333), L Johnson
2-2, Rice 0-4, Goldwire 1-2, Curry 0-3, Adams 1-1.
Technicals: Charlotte - Head Coach Bristow 2 (Ejected).
Officials: Mike Smith, Bernie Fryer, Hugh Evans.
A - 24,042. T - 1:58.
nba.187vpoznanovic,
Atlanta 117, Charlotte 92
Steve Smith scored 15 of his 27 points in the third quarter as the
Atlanta Hawks cruised to a 117-92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hawks led, 57-54, with 9 1/2 minutes left in the third period
before making an 18-4 run to blow open the game. Smith had seven
points in the spurt, including two free throws on Charlotte coach
Allan Bristow's second technical foul with 4:04 left, to make it
75-59.
Grant Long and Mookie Blaylock each added 16 points for Atlanta, which
had lost five of its previous six road games. Stacey Augmon chipped in
15 points and Christian Laettner had 14 points and 11 rebounds for
Atlanta.
"There was no way we would look past this game, Charlotte is a good
team," Laettner said. "Charlotte is a great team with good shooters
but we played tough defense and hardly had any turnovers. We must now
look on towards another win."
Larry Johnson recorded 20 points, eight boards and six assists and
Glen Rice had 18 points for Charlotte, which has lost consecutive
games after winning four straight. The Hornets have dropped three of
four meetings with Atlanta this season.
"It's the second game in a row now that we've come out with no
energy," Bristow said. "There's reason for concern. It's the same
lathargic play. Maybe it's because of the day off. That didn't help.
We need some solutions fast because we go on the road next. Sometimes
I think we forget how hard we need to play to win games."
Charlotte trailed, 85-71, after three quarters and Matt Geiger's layup
narrowed the deficit to 92-79 with 8:45 to play, the closest the
Hornets got. Atlanta countered with a 13-2 surge, which included five
points from Craig Ehlo, to extend the advantage to 105-81 with 5:15
remaining.
Blaylock also dished out 11 assists for Atlanta, which committed just
10 turnovers and won the rebounding battle, 46-31. Ehlo and Reggie
Jordan tallied 10 points apiece off the bench for Atlanta, which
remained a half-game behind Detroit for sixth place in the Eastern
Conference.
"These games are important to them as they are to us, so we came in
here very focused and we worked hard in practice," Hawks coach Lenny
Wilkins said. "Our goal is to win fourth place so that we can have
home court advantage. Steve (Smith) has been playing tremendous for
us. He is pushing the tempo and looking for his shots."
Charlotte's Robert Parish eclipsed the 23,000-point mark on a free
throw with nine minutes left in the third quarter. Hornets point guard
Kenny Anderson missed his third straight game and sixth in the last
eight games due to a sprained right ankle.
nba.188vpoznanovic,
Cleveland (75) At Utah (88)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 36 3-10 2-2 1 2 3 0 1 1 0 8
Ferry F 28 3-9 2-2 2 3 5 1 4 1 0 11
Cage C 22 2-4 0-0 3 1 4 0 1 0 1 4
Majerle G 32 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 1 0 5
Brandon G 36 5-14 12-14 1 3 4 5 2 2 1 22
Sura 2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Phills 25 3-10 0-0 0 1 1 4 3 0 0 6
Hill 26 5-10 1-2 8 3 11 0 3 3 4 11
Crotty 8 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 4
Lang 18 1-3 2-2 3 2 5 1 4 2 3 4
Marshall 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0
Johnson 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 26-75 19-22 18 17 35 16 24 11 10 75
(.347) (.864) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 12(13 Pts)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 33 4-6 0-0 1 5 6 4 1 0 1 11
Malone F 45 8-18 10-14 4 8 12 6 3 0 2 27
Spencer C 24 4-5 1-2 2 3 5 0 0 0 3 9
Hornacek G 34 7-11 2-2 1 4 5 2 1 1 4 16
Stockton G 36 3-5 3-4 1 2 3 9 3 2 4 9
Eisley 12 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 2
Carr 17 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 2
Morris 18 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 1 1 6
Keefe 15 1-3 2-2 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 4
Ostertag 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Russell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-60 18-24 10 28 38 25 16 5 16 88
(.550) (.750) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 17(18 Pts)
Cleveland 16 27 13 19 - 75
Utah 24 18 25 21 - 88
Blocked Shots: Cleveland - Mills, Ferry, Hill, Lang. Utah - Benoit 3,
Malone, Spencer, Eisley, Carr, Ostertag.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Cleveland 4-16 (.250), Mills 0-2, Ferry 3-7, Majerle
1-3, Brandon 0-3, Sura 0-1. Utah 4-9 (.444), Benoit 3-4, Malone 1-1,
Hornacek 0-2, Morris 0-2.
Technicals: Cleveland - Illegal Defense, Utah - Head Coach Sloan 3,
Stockton, Illegal Defense, Delay, Malone.
Officials: Steve Javie, Jim Clark, George Toliver.
A - 19,911. T - 2:02.
nba.189vpoznanovic,
Utah 88, Cleveland 75
Karl Malone had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz to an
88-75 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The win was the third in a row for the Jazz, who remained 1 1/2 games
behind first-place San Antonio in the Midwest Division.
Terrell Brandon led Cleveland with 22 points. The loss snapped the
Cavaliers' three-game winning streak.
The Jazz opened the second half with an 11-2 run to take a 53-45 lead.
David Benoit hit a three-pointer and a layup and John Stockton added a
jumper and a pair of free throws in the spurt.
"Utah came out in the second half and turned it up a notch," said
Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello. "If you're going to have a chance of
winning against them, one thing you have to do is eliminate the number
of easy scores they get, and they had too many layups against us
tonight."
Utah outscored Cleveland, 25-13, in the third quarter to take a 67-56
advantage.
"In the second half, I thought the whole team hustled a little bit
more than we did in the first half," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "But
they got all of the hustle plays in the first half and we didn't get
any. I didn't know if we were going to have the same kind of game that
we've had here lately, and not compete, but it looked like we competed
a lot better in the second half."
The Jazz then opened the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run to open a
77-58 lead. Malone scored six points in the run.
Jeff Hornacek had 16 points and Benoit finished with 11 for Utah.
"We made the effort to go out there in the second half and try to push
it and run with it," said Hornacek. "We got a couple of fast breaks
early, then they seemed to get us back into that lull, and then I
think a big block by David (Benoit) got us going again."
Cleveland shot just 35 per cent from the field for the game, including
4-of-16 from three-point range. Tyrone Hill had 11 points and 11
rebounds and Danny Ferry added 11 points for the Cavaliers.
nba.190vpoznanovic,
Denver (98) At Boston (99)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Ellis F 27 5-7 3-6 3 2 5 2 2 2 1 13
Mcdyess F 26 4-11 0-0 0 5 5 2 1 0 1 8
Mutombo C 32 2-6 4-4 7 5 12 3 4 1 1 8
Rose G 20 1-6 2-4 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 4
Stith G 24 6-11 2-2 1 0 1 2 3 0 0 14
D Ellis 36 12-16 2-2 1 2 3 0 6 1 2 27
Hammonds 16 1-4 1-2 1 5 6 1 1 1 1 3
Overton 28 2-4 0-2 0 5 5 5 5 0 4 4
Williams 24 6-10 2-2 0 5 5 5 2 1 3 15
Maclean 7 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 2
Abdul-Rauf Dnp - Bruised Left Foot
Fish Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-78 16-24 13 32 45 23 28 7 14 98
(.513) (.667) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 14(12 Pts)
Boston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ellison F 35 4-7 6-7 1 4 5 3 3 0 0 14
Fox F 31 4-11 1-2 0 2 2 3 3 2 1 10
Lister C 23 2-2 2-4 3 10 13 0 3 0 2 6
Wesley G 41 6-19 9-12 2 3 5 9 0 0 4 24
Minor G 33 9-13 6-6 4 3 7 2 0 2 0 24
Burrough 15 1-2 1-4 0 1 1 1 2 0 2 3
Williams 11 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 4 0 1 3
Brown 27 3-9 2-2 2 2 4 2 4 1 0 9
Day 7 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Barros 17 2-5 2-2 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 6
Hamilton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-74 30-41 12 27 39 21 22 5 10 99
(.432) (.732) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 10(12 Pts)
Denver 25 30 20 23 - 98
Boston 22 23 30 24 - 99
Blocked Shots: Denver - Mutombo 3, Mcdyess, Rose, Hammonds. Boston -
Lister 2, Ellison, Burrough, Wesley.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Denver 2-7 (.286), Stith 0-1, D Ellis 1-3, Overton 0-1,
Williams 1-2. Boston 5-19 (.263), Fox 1-6, Wesley 3-7, Brown 1-3, Day 0-2,
Barros 0-1.
Technicals: Denver - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Ronnie Nunn, Ken Mauer, Woody Mayfield.
A - 18,034. T - 2:23.
nba.191vpoznanovic,
Boston 99, Denver 98
Greg Minor's basket in the lane from a midcourt pass off the backboard
by Rick Fox as time expired lifted the Boston Celtics to a 99-98
victory over the Denver Nuggets.
A three-point jumper by Reggie Williams with four-tenths of a second
left had given Denver a 98-97 lead.
Since it is impossible to get a shot off with three-tenths of a second
left in the N-B-A, the Celtics still had a slim chance to win the
game. And on the ensuing inbounds play, Fox fired a pass from midcourt
off the backboard. Minor grabbed the carom and quickly flicked an
eight-footer through the basket to give Boston the win. "On the last
play, I actually called for Rick to alley-oop, but he actually came up
with a suggestion of his own," said Celtics coach M.L. Carr.
"Something he learned at North Carolina, throw it off the glass. I
guess I'm going to make him assistant coach."
"I was basically trying to make one shot, whatever shot I could," said
Minor. "Rick called the play because they were expecting a lob. I just
followed through. Thank God it went in."
The Nuggets were incensed that referee Ronnie Nunn did not call for a
delay of game when Denver did not give Fox the mandatory five feet to
inbound the ball.
"The only problem I got with the way it turned out was with the
official who refused to call delay of game," said Nuggets coach Bernie
Bickerstaff. "I felt great for Reggie and then that play happens. This
puts an exclamation on our season and the way it's gone so far."
"That ref refused to call delay of game," said Nuggets center Dikembe
Mutombo. "Even when Fox pointed it out to him, the official said I'm
not going to make that call, just inbound it. That just tells you what
this league is all about."
"It's a good thing I didn't wait for the official to call it because
the five-second count was on and he wasn't going to call it," said
Fox.
Minor scored a season-high 24 points. David Wesley also had 24 points
for the Celtics.
Dale Ellis led Denver with 27 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the
field.
Williams finished with 15 points for the Nuggets.
Denver held an 87-82 lead after a fadeaway jumper by Antonio McDyess
with six-and-a-half minutes left. But the Celtics went on a 10-2 run
over the next three-and-a-half minutes to take a 92-89 advantage. Dee
Brown and Wesley each hit three-pointers in the run.
After Wesley made one of two free throws with 6.4 seconds left to give
Boston a 97-95 lead, Williams hit the three-pointer to give Denver the
lead.
The Celtics played without starting center Eric Montross, who has a
severely sprained left ankle.
Denver played without guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who suffered a foot
injury in Thursday's game at New Jersey.
nba.192vpoznanovic,
Miami (122) At Milwaukee (106)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 23 3-5 2-2 2 4 6 1 4 0 0 8
Williams F 36 7-13 3-4 1 0 1 3 1 5 1 23
Mourning C 38 8-19 5-8 5 8 13 6 4 1 1 21
Chapman G 40 7-12 2-2 0 4 4 3 1 1 4 20
Hardaway G 43 5-14 7-7 0 6 6 13 2 1 6 19
Corbin 21 2-5 2-2 0 4 4 1 1 1 0 6
Gatling 29 11-16 1-1 3 9 12 1 4 1 5 23
Schayes 5 0-0 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
Smith 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Askins Dnp - Coach'S Decision
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lenard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-85 24-28 12 35 47 29 18 10 17 122
(.506) (.857) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 17(19 Pts)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Baker F 40 10-19 3-6 1 6 7 1 4 0 2 23
Robinson F 44 8-18 3-4 0 8 8 10 0 1 4 20
Cummings C 30 7-17 2-3 4 6 10 2 5 2 1 16
Douglas G 29 5-10 2-2 0 1 1 6 2 3 3 13
Newman G 32 4-7 1-1 1 2 3 2 4 3 2 9
Benjamin 22 7-11 1-2 4 3 7 1 4 2 2 15
Mayberry 19 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 4 2 1 2 0
Respert 21 4-9 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 10
Conlon 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Keys Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 45-93 12-18 12 28 40 27 23 12 18 106
(.484) (.667) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 18(23 Pts)
Miami 30 28 39 25 - 122
Milwaukee 30 31 27 18 - 106
Blocked Shots: Miami - Thomas, Chapman, Corbin. Milwaukee - Baker,
Benjamin.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Miami 12-20 (.600), Williams 6-7, Chapman 4-6, Hardaway
2-7. Milwaukee 4-14 (.286), Baker 0-2, Robinson 1-1, Douglas 1-4, Newman
0-1, Mayberry 0-2, Respert 2-4.
Technicals: Miami - Gatling, Milwaukee - Benjamin 2 (Ejected), Douglas.
Officials: Lee Jones, Jess Kersey, Nolan Fine.
A - 18,054. T - 2:07.
nba.193vpoznanovic,
Miami 122, Milwaukee 106
Walt Williams scored 23 points, including a 6-for-6 performance from
three-point range, and Chris Gatling added 23 as the Miami Heat won
their third straight with a 122-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Alonzo Mourning had 21 points and 13 rebounds, Tim Hardaway had 19
points and 13 assists and Rex Chapman scored 10 of his 20 points in
the third quarter for Miami, which pulled one-half game ahead of the
Charlotte Hornets in the race for the final playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference. The Heat won for the seventh time in nine games.
"At the beginning of the game, we took them lightly and did not play
defense as well as we should have," Mourning admitted. "We capitalized
off their mistakes and executed well. Our defense kicked in during the
third quarter and we didn't look back."
This was the first meeting between the teams, who play each other
three more times between tonight and April 19th. Miami has won 11
straight games against the Bucks since a 109-87 loss on January 28th,
1993.
Vin Baker scored 23 points and Glenn Robinson added 20, 10 assists and
eight rebounds for Milwaukee, which lost its 10th straight. Terry
Cummings added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who have not
win since a 110-106 home win over Atlanta on March 2nd. Milwaukee has
lost 17 of their last 19 games.
"This is a tough situation, but sometimes it's hard to figure out
what's going on out on the court," Baker said. "Hopefully we can
maintain confidence in ourselves and continue to pick up our
teammates. This is definitely a frustrating time."
After Robinson hit a jumper to give the Bucks a 79-72 lead five
minutes into the third quarter, Williams made a three-pointer to
ignite a 10-0 run. Mourning followed with a seven-foot hook, Chapman
hit a three-pointer and Mourning dunked to give the Heat an 82-79 lead
with 5:09 left in the third.
"We were concerned about meeting a team with a long losing streak like
the Bucks because we knew we couldn't underestimate what they might do
tonight," said Heat coach Pat Riley, who has never missed the playoffs
in his 13 previous seasons. "Our key time was in the third quarter
when....Rex Chapman really came through for us."
After Benoit Benjamin made a 14-foot jumper to close Milwaukee within
85-83, Gatling hit an eight-foot hook as Miami built a 90-83
advantage. Williams made a free throw and Mourning dunked to give the
Heat a seven-point lead with 2:40 remaining in the third. Milwaukee
pulled within 99-90 as Benjamin put back a missed shot 80 seconds into
the fourth quarter. But Miami answered with a 7-0 run to put the game
away. Gatling's basket started the burst, Hardaway followed with a
free throw, Williams sank a pair from the line and Mourning gave the
Heat a 106-90 bulge with a vicious dunk three minutes into the period.
Gatling made 11-of-16 shots from the field and added 12 rebounds for
Miami, which shot 51 per cent (43-of-85) -- including a 12-for-20
performance from three-point range -- and held a 47-40 rebounding
edge.
Benjamin finished with 15 points and Sherman Douglas had 13 and six
assists for Milwaukee, which shot 48 per cent (45-of-93) and committed
18 turnovers that led to 23 points for the Heat.
nba.194vpoznanovic,
Minnesota (110) At Dallas (84)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 33 7-12 1-4 5 5 10 3 4 3 2 15
Gugliotta F 41 9-14 7-10 4 13 17 2 4 3 3 26
Riley C 21 1-4 0-0 1 5 6 0 4 1 2 2
Webb G 26 2-10 0-0 1 3 4 5 0 1 2 5
Rider G 40 13-20 3-3 1 3 4 4 1 1 4 31
Mitchell 30 6-15 2-2 1 3 4 0 1 1 1 14
Porter 21 3-9 0-0 0 2 2 7 2 1 2 7
Davis 17 2-8 2-2 3 5 8 1 3 1 1 6
Bragg 9 1-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 2 0 0 2
Martin 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Allen 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2
Totals 240 45-95 15-21 18 40 58 22 22 14 17 110
(.474) (.714) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 18(12 Pts)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 39 8-23 3-4 2 3 5 3 2 3 1 22
Jones F 36 4-10 6-8 6 4 10 1 3 1 5 15
Williams C 25 0-4 1-4 6 2 8 0 2 1 1 1
Kidd G 33 4-15 1-2 6 3 9 7 0 1 4 10
Jackson G 19 2-12 0-0 2 0 2 1 2 1 1 5
Parks 15 0-4 0-0 1 6 7 1 2 1 2 0
Dumas 12 1-6 2-2 2 1 3 0 1 0 2 4
Wood 15 2-6 1-1 1 3 4 0 4 0 0 6
Brooks 15 5-9 0-0 0 2 2 4 3 3 2 10
Harris 17 4-10 0-0 2 4 6 1 0 0 0 9
Meyer 14 0-1 2-2 2 2 4 0 0 0 5 2
Davis Dnp - Surgery-Left Knee
Totals 240 30-100 16-23 30 30 60 18 19 11 23 84
(.300) (.696) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 23(31 Pts)
Minnesota 29 26 21 34 - 110
Dallas 24 22 18 20 - 84
Blocked Shots: Minnesota - Garnett 2, Gugliotta 2, Riley 2, Webb 2,
Rider, Davis, Bragg. Dallas - Parks 2, Mccloud, Jones, Williams, Dumas,
Wood.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Minnesota 5-11 (.455), Gugliotta 1-1, Riley 0-1, Webb
1-2, Rider 2-3, Mitchell 0-1, Porter 1-3. Dallas 8-29 (.276), Mccloud
3-15, Jones 1-1, Kidd 1-3, Jackson 1-4, Dumas 0-1, Wood 1-1, Brooks 0-1,
Harris 1-3.
Technicals: Dallas - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Dan Crawford, Bob Delaney, Scott Wall.
A - 17,008. T - 1:59.
nba.195vpoznanovic,
Minnesota 110, Dallas 84
Isaiah Rider poured in 31 points and Tom Gugliotta added 26 points and
17 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves handed the Dallas Mavericks
their ninth straight defeat with a 110-84 win.
Minnesota took command of the game by embarking on a 14-2 run with
nine minutes left in the third quarter. Gugliotta and Rider each
scored six in the spurt, which made it 73-53 with 4:11 left. The
Mavericks closed out the quarter with an 8-1 burst to cut the deficit
to 76-64, but that's the closest they got.
Kevin Garnett chipped in 15 points and 10 boards for Minnesota, which
had lost five of its last seven games. The Wolves have an 8-11 record
against Midwest foes this season, but are 4-0 against Dallas.
"I think for us it was fairly impressive considering that two of our
top six guys are not even dressed up," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders
said. "It was a team effort, we played with a lot of energy. We
matched up pretty well against them and Rider has played really well
the last two games."
George McCloud tallied 22 points and Popeye Jones had 15 points and 10
rebounds for Dallas, which last won on March 5th against New Jersey.
Jason Kidd registered 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for
the Mavericks.
"There's been a lot of funny things this year, and some not-so-funny
things this year," Dallas coach Dick Motta said. "We have no one to
post up, we didn't do a good job on Isaiah Rider. We get 30 offensive
rebounds and I bet we didn't get five points off them. People say
we're not hustling, they're just not looking. Jason (Kidd) is all over
the place, I would say that we had trouble shooting tonight and
turnovers hurt us tonight; it was a big thing. Gugliotta killed us.
When he wasn't, Isaiah was."
Gugliotta and Rider each netted four points and Terry Porter converted
a basket as the Timberwolves opened the fourth period with a 10-2
spree to widen the margin to 86-66 with 6:29 to play. Dallas didn't
hit its first field goal of the quarter until the 5:57 mark.
Sam Mitchell added 14 points off the bench and Porter had seven and
seven assists for Minnesota, which scored 60 points in the paint,
compared to 22 for Dallas.
"The majority of their wins one year ago were against us," Rider said.
"We're just trying to end up strong, you have to go out with a bang. I
just want to go out into the summer saying that I had a better year
this year than last year."
Scott Brooks netted 10 points and Lorenzo Williams grabbed eight
rebounds for Dallas, which shot a miserable 30 per cent from the field
(30-for-100), including 27 per cent from three-point range (8-of-29).
Jim Jackson was 2-for-12 for just five points.
nba.196vpoznanovic,
New Jersey (96) At Detroit (111)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 21 2-3 2-2 0 2 2 2 5 0 1 6
A Gilliam F 20 3-7 3-4 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 9
Bradley C 32 5-10 2-4 2 3 5 0 3 0 3 12
Obannon G 17 2-4 3-4 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 7
Childs G 36 5-10 6-7 1 1 2 8 4 2 5 16
Williams 25 5-10 3-3 3 4 7 1 5 0 0 13
Fleming 26 5-11 3-4 0 2 2 6 3 2 2 13
Mahorn 14 0-3 0-0 2 4 6 3 1 0 1 0
Reeves 23 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 3 4 0 2 8
Dare 8 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 3
Werdann 10 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 0 1 4
Graham 8 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 5
Totals 240 35-70 23-30 8 24 32 24 31 8 21 96
(.500) (.767) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 22(27 Pts)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 34 8-11 10-12 1 8 9 5 3 2 3 26
Thorpe F 41 6-12 6-6 1 3 4 4 4 1 1 18
West C 18 3-5 1-1 3 1 4 0 4 0 1 7
Houston G 27 6-11 4-4 0 1 1 5 4 0 2 18
Dumars G 38 4-5 1-2 0 0 0 5 2 3 0 10
Ratliff 11 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 2
Mills 27 7-14 2-2 3 5 8 2 4 1 1 19
Hunter 11 1-2 0-2 0 0 0 0 3 1 2 3
Curry 21 2-9 1-1 2 1 3 0 0 1 3 6
Reid 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Roe 4 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2
Leckner 4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Totals 240 39-75 25-30 11 22 33 22 26 9 14 111
(.520) (.833) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 15(15 Pts)
New Jersey 26 25 20 25 - 96
Detroit 32 29 22 28 - 111
Blocked Shots: New Jersey - Bradley 5, Brown. Detroit - Thorpe 3, Reid.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New Jersey 3-5 (.600), Williams 0-1, Reeves 2-2, Graham
1-2. Detroit 8-14 (.571), Houston 2-3, Dumars 1-2, Mills 3-5, Hunter 1-2,
Curry 1-2.
Technicals: Detroit - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Ed Middleton, Bruce Alexander, Blane Reichelt.
A - 16,150. T - 2:17.
nba.197vpoznanovic,
Detroit 111, New Jersey 96
Grant Hill scored 26 points and Terry Mills added 19 as the Detroit
Pistons snapped a two-game losing streak with a 111-96 victory over
the New Jersey Nets.
Otis Thorpe scored 18 points for Detroit, which won for the sixth time
in eight games and is 16-8 in its last 24 contests. Hill added nine
rebounds and Mills eight for the Pistons, who temporarily moved within
a half-game of Cleveland in the race for the fifth playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference.
"It was an excellent win for us," Pistons coach Doug Collins said. "I
think we got out of sync early with foul trouble, but Grant (Hill) was
great in the second half and Joe Dumars was tremendous. Joe only took
five shots, but what he did on the floor was tremendous. Last time we
played them, I think they had 26 offensive rebounds, and tonight we
held them to eight."
"We wanted to get back to our winning ways," Mills said. "Coach
(Collins) told me during the timeout to keep shooting and it would
eventually pay off."
Chris Childs scored 16 points and Jayson Williams and Vern Fleming
each added 13 for New Jersey, which fell to 9-26 on the road. With his
seventh point in the first quarter, Fleming became the 200th player in
N-B-A history to reach the 10,000-point mark.
"When you're not a very good ballclub, everything has to go the way
you want it to go," Nets coach Butch Beard. "They had the better team
out there tonight. They are a very good defensive ballclub."
The Pistons took a 32-26 lead entering the second quarter behind
Houston's 10 points and expanded their lead to 61-51 at the half
behind Houston's 15.
Hill opened the third quarter with a layup, Thorpe followed with an
11-footer and Hill made another layup as the Pistons scored the first
six points of the half to give Detroit a 67-51 lead.
Detroit settled for an 83-71 advantage entering the third quarter.
Hill, Houston and Joe Dumars (10 points) each handed out five assists
for Detroit, which shot 52 per cent (39-of-75) from the field,
including 8-of-14 from behind the arc.
Childs added eight assists and Williams had seven rebounds for New
Jersey, which shot 50 per cent (35-of-70) but committed 22 turnovers
that le to 27 points for the PIstons.
"We just have to get out of that third quarter," Williams said. "The
third quarter's been killing us all year."
The Nets scored 20 points in the third quarter for the first time in
six games. They were outscored for the sixth straight time in the
quarter (22-20) and have been out-pointed 148-101 in the 12 minutes
following intermission during that span.
nba.198vpoznanovic,
Orlando (111) At Washington (108) - Final In Ot
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 44 4-11 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 3 1 11
Grant F 38 5-13 0-1 5 6 11 1 3 1 1 10
Oneal C 45 21-40 7-13 8 9 17 2 4 1 3 49
Bowie G 35 2-6 0-0 1 3 4 3 3 1 1 4
Hardaway G 48 13-20 4-7 2 1 3 7 4 1 5 30
Koncak 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 0
Thompson 15 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 3 2
Wolf 15 1-1 0-0 0 4 4 1 1 0 1 2
Royal 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shaw 12 1-2 1-2 2 0 2 3 0 0 1 3
Vaughn Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Anderson Dnp - Left Shoulder Contusion
Totals 265 48-96 12-23 18 27 45 19 21 9 16 111
(.500) (.522) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 16(20 Pts)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Howard F 49 10-20 7-10 2 6 8 5 5 1 7 27
Wallace F 21 4-5 2-2 0 3 3 2 0 1 2 10
Muresan C 33 4-14 0-0 2 6 8 0 5 1 1 8
Cheaney G 38 6-10 1-2 1 3 4 3 1 1 3 13
B Price G 29 1-6 0-0 0 4 4 9 0 2 1 2
Eackles 25 5-10 2-2 1 4 5 3 1 1 1 13
Mcilvaine 20 1-1 3-3 2 0 2 1 5 1 0 5
Legler 26 3-6 4-4 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 11
Whitney 24 5-9 6-6 0 3 3 3 1 3 0 19
Butler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mccann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 39-81 25-29 8 31 39 28 19 11 15 108
(.481) (.862) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(20 Pts)
Orlando 24 32 21 24 10 - 111
Washington 23 31 22 25 7 - 108
Blocked Shots: Orlando - Oneal 3, Grant. Washington - Mcilvaine,
Muresan, Howard.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Orlando 3-9 (.333), Scott 3-7, Grant 0-1, Thompson 0-1.
Washington 5-19 (.263), Muresan 0-1, Cheaney 0-1, B Price 0-5, Eackles
1-3, Legler 1-4, Whitney 3-5.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Callahan, David Jones, Ron Garretson.
A - 18,756. T - 2:20.
nba.199vpoznanovic,
SHAQ-FU TEACHES BIG GHEORGHE A LESSON
LANDOVER, Md. -- Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 49 points and
Penny Hardaway netted 30, including five in the final two minutes of
overtime, as the Orlando Magic edged the Washington Bullets 111-108
on Friday for their fifth consecutive victory.
O'Neal, who was 20 of 41 from the floor, added 17 rebounds for
Orlando, which has won four straight on the road. The Magic improved
to 17-2 against Atlantic Division rivals this season.
"I took advantage of them not doubling me," O'Neal said. "My job is to
pack them down and make baskets. The guys are tired but we're playing
well despite that. It's nice to steal some (wins) on the road."
Orlando coach Brian Hill credited his two All-Stars. "Both my star
players stepped up today," Hill said. "I'm very proud of the team for
hanging in. We knew Washington had been playing great at home. I'm
happy to escape here victorious."
It was a costly loss for Washington, which lost rookie Rasheed Wallace
to a fractured left thumb in the second quarter. The fourth pick
overall in the June draft, Wallace suffered the injury going for a
rebound.
Juwan Howard led the Bullets with 30 points and eight rebounds.
Washington remained 3 1/2 games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the
eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
"They (Orlando) made some big plays at crunchtime," Bullets coach Jim
Lynam said. "We couldn't get key baskets when we needed them.
"Yes, I'm mad," Washington center Gheorghe Muresan said when asked
about O'Neal's performance. "I don't like Shaq dunking in my face.
Next time, I will stop him."
The Magic have won 10 of the last 12 games between the teams and are
17-11 against Washington all-time.
Howard hit a pair of free throws with 18.4 seconds left in regulation
to knot the game for Washington. Orlando had a chance to win in
regulation, but Dennis Scott missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
In overtime, Muresan's basket with 2:44 left knotted the score at
105-105. But Hardaway hit a consecutive baskets and added a free throw
for a five-point Magic advantage with 13.4 seconds remaining.
Chris Whitney hit a 3-pointer with 6.2 seconds to go, cutting the
deficit to 110-108. Brian Shaw, who was activated prior to the game,
sank a free throw with 3.4 seconds remaining for a 3-point lead. The
Bullets had a chance to tie the game again, but Tim Legler's
half-court shot at the buzzer rimmed out.
Hardaway was 13 of 20 from the field and added seven assists for the
Magic, who got 10 points and 11 rebounds from Horace Grant.
"They were tough the whole game," Hardaway said. "I want the ball in
my hands when it's close like this. I want to be the man. I try to do
that every game."
Whitney finished with 19 points as six Bullets scored in double
figures.
nba.200vpoznanovic,
Philadelphia (93) At La Clippers (107)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Alston F 21 2-5 0-0 0 3 3 0 5 1 1 4
Weatherspoon F 40 6-14 12-16 6 6 12 0 2 2 4 24
Pinckney C 24 3-3 0-0 3 2 5 0 3 3 2 6
Ruffin G 24 5-10 2-2 0 5 5 5 4 1 5 13
Maxwell G 44 10-24 4-6 0 3 3 3 2 0 3 27
Massenburg 34 2-10 2-4 7 4 11 1 0 0 1 6
Sutton 28 2-8 1-1 0 3 3 4 3 1 3 6
Higgins 18 3-7 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7
Thompson 7 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 0
Dumas Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Stackhouse Dnp - Suspended By League
Walters Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-81 21-29 17 27 44 14 22 8 20 93
(.407) (.724) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 21(17 Pts)
La Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Vaught F 33 8-16 2-2 3 9 12 1 4 3 0 18
Rogers F 34 10-14 0-0 3 1 4 3 1 2 4 22
Williams C 33 10-18 4-4 4 7 11 0 2 2 1 24
Richardson G 31 3-9 0-0 0 4 4 6 0 1 3 7
Sealy G 27 1-7 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 3 1 2
Dehere 22 4-8 3-3 0 0 0 6 3 1 1 13
Outlaw 15 2-3 0-2 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 4
Roberts 11 3-6 2-2 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 8
Barry 9 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 3
Murray 14 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 2
Piatkowski 7 1-2 2-3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4
Harvey 4 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 0
Totals 240 44-86 13-16 11 28 39 20 23 14 13 107
(.512) (.813) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 13(18 Pts)
Philadelphia 19 26 16 32 - 93
La Clippers 22 25 31 29 - 107
Blocked Shots: Philadelphia - Weatherspoon 4, Massenburg 2. La Clippers -
Outlaw 3, Dehere, Sealy, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Philadelphia 6-16 (.375), Ruffin 1-2, Maxwell 3-9,
Sutton 1-4, Higgins 1-1. La Clippers 6-19 (.316), Rogers 2-5, Richardson
1-6, Sealy 0-2, Dehere 2-5, Barry 1-1.
Technicals: Philadelphia - Head Coach Lucas.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Joe Derosa, Sean Corbin.
A - 12,610. T - 2:07.
nba.201vpoznanovic,
LA Clippers 107, Philadelphia 93
Brian Williams recorded 24 points and 11 rebounds and Rodney Rogers
scored 22, including 12 in a decisive third-quarter run, to lead the
Los Angeles Clippers to a 107-93 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Trailing 57-53 with 7:45 left in the third, the Clippers took control
by closing out the quarter with a 25-4 run. Rogers had 12 points, Loy
Vaught netted eight and Williams five as Los Angeles took a 78-61 lead
into the fourth period.
Vaught scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half and grabbed 12
rebounds for the Clippers, who have won eight of their last 13 games.
Los Angeles has won the last three meetings with the Sixers, including
a 104-102 decision at Philadelphia on March 10th.
"Coach Fitch just got on our cases and it sparked us," Vaught said.
"It's really fun now, we understand how to win and when we lose we
understand why we lose, we're really growing here. It's actually fun
to come down to the gym. We're expecting to win, instead of expecting
to lose."
Vernon Maxwell tallied 27 points and Clarence Weatherspoon had 24 and
12 boards for the Sixers, who have dropped six games in a row. The
team was playing without starting guard Jerry Stackhouse, who was
fined $7,500 and suspended for two games without pay Thursday for
punching Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek in Wednesday night's game.
"We had a very good first half and it seems like we just ran out of
gas," Philadelphia coach John Lucas said. "They just wore us down on
the inside and we couldn't shoot from the outside. We always have a
stretch like that (25-4 run) where we have trouble scoring."
The Clippers took their biggest lead of the contest with eight minutes
to play when Williams' dunk made it 89-68. Philadelphia was able to
chip away and get as close as 96-84 on Weatherspoon's two free throws
with 3:48 remaining.
Terry Dehere added 13 points and six assists off the bench for Los
Angeles, which shot 51 per cent from the field (44-for-86) and 81 per
cent from the free throw line (13-of-16). Starting guards Pooh
Richardson and Malik Sealy combined for just nine points.
"We had a great game from Rodney tonight," Clippers coach Bill Fitch
said. "When we were struggling, he came up with some great plays.
Having the forwards banging the boards like they did tonight made it a
lot easier."
Trevor Ruffin tallied 13 points and Tony Massenburg pulled down 11
rebounds for Philadelphia, which shot 41 per cent from the floor
(33-for-81) and committed 20 turnovers and 22 personal fouls.
nba.202vpoznanovic,
Portland (78) At Sacramento (80)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C Robinson F 38 4-15 6-8 2 6 8 4 1 0 4 15
Williams F 27 4-4 1-3 5 4 9 0 4 0 4 9
Sabonis C 26 4-8 5-8 1 11 12 1 4 0 3 14
Strickland G 39 6-18 1-1 2 1 3 7 2 1 6 13
Grant G 22 2-8 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 4
Dudley 33 2-5 2-6 3 10 13 0 3 1 0 6
Mckie 26 5-14 0-0 2 1 3 2 2 3 2 10
R Robinson 9 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 0
Wingfield 20 2-7 2-2 3 2 5 1 4 0 0 7
J Robinson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Trent Dnp - Not With Team
Totals 240 29-81 17-28 18 36 54 15 24 7 22 78
(.358) (.607) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 22(15 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Polynice F 31 3-7 1-2 1 7 8 1 3 2 0 7
Grant F 37 8-21 2-4 2 10 12 0 2 1 4 18
Causwell C 27 3-5 2-2 2 5 7 0 4 3 3 8
Richmond G 36 5-18 7-8 1 2 3 0 3 2 2 19
Edney G 30 2-7 3-4 0 2 2 6 2 0 1 7
Hurley 13 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 5 0 1 7
Smith 23 0-4 1-2 7 2 9 2 3 0 0 1
Simmons 21 2-6 3-4 1 7 8 2 2 1 1 7
Marciulionis 18 1-4 4-8 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 6
C Williamson 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
Gamble Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Owens Dnp - Did Not Dress
Totals 240 27-79 23-34 14 36 50 14 27 10 15 80
(.342) (.676) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 15(17 Pts)
Portland 23 21 22 12 - 78
Sacramento 23 23 19 15 - 80
Blocked Shots: Portland - Dudley 4, Strickland, Sabonis, C Robinson.
Sacramento - Causwell 4, Grant, Simmons.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Portland 3-17 (.176), C Robinson 1-7, Sabonis 1-2,
Grant 0-1, Mckie 0-3, Wingfield 1-4. Sacramento 3-15 (.200), Richmond 2-9,
Edney 0-1, Hurley 1-2, Simmons 0-1, Marciulionis 0-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Monty Mccutchen, Joe Forte, Ron Olesiak.
A - 17,312. T - 2:21.
nba.203vpoznanovic,
Sacramento 80, Portland 78
Brian Grant's 12-footer snapped a tie with 4.3 seconds left and Duane
Causwell blocked a shot as time ran out to help the Sacramento Kings
defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, 80-78, in a battle for the seventh
playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Grant finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, Mitch Richmond scored
19 points and Tyus Edney handed out six assists for Sacramento
(30-36), which pulled within 1 1/2 games of the Trail Blazers.
"This was a great game tonight," Richmond said. "Both teams were
playing great defense and it came down to the wire. They were playing
tough. They are a big, physical team and we played physical right
along with them."
"I told our guys before the game that this Portland team is the
biggest, toughest and most physical team in the west," Kings coach
Garry St. Jean said. "We had a lot of guys get banged up in there, but
everyone of our guys gave us one hundred and ten percent."
Clifford Robinson scored 15 points, Arvydas Sabonis added 14 points
and 12 rebounds, and Rod Strickland had 13 points and seven assists
for Portland (32-35), which had its six-game winning streak snapped
and dropped to 12-21 on the road.
Lionel Simmons inbounded the ball to Grant, who drained a jumper from
between the baseline and the wing for an 80-78 edge. Strickland
received the inbounds but had his shot rejected by Causwell to end the
game.
Richmond hit a three-pointer to give the Kings a 78-74 lead before a
five-footer by Robinson and a 14-footer by Aaron McKie tied the game
at 78-78 with 29 seconds remaining.
"It was a good play by them," admitted Trail Blazers coach P.J.
Carlesimo, in reference to Grant's winning shot. "They squeezed off a
couple of our guys and were able to get Grant an open shot.
"I thought it was good defense and Strickland thought it was good "d".
It was a playoff game in the way that both teams played so hard."
The Kings raced out to an 18-3 lead as Richmond scored six points, and
Grant's five-footer gave Sacramento a 15-point bulge just 5:30 into
the game.
But the Trail Blazers stormed back as Robinson made a three-pointer to
ignite a quarter-closing 15-1 run. Robinson scored seven ponts in the
burst as McKie's layup with three seconds left tied the game at 23-23.
The Kings carried a 46-44 laed into the half behind Grant's 10 points.
Portland grabbed a 66-65 edge into the fourth quarter behind Sabonis'
14 points.
Causwell had seven rebounds and four rejections and Olden Polynice
grabbed eight boards for Sacramento, which shot just 34 per cent
(27-of-79) but forced 22 turnovers in winning for the fifth time in
eight games and improving to 19-13 at home.
Chris Dudley had 13 rebounds and four blocked shots for Portland,
which shot 36 per cent (29-of-81) and made 17-of-28 free throws in
losing to the Kings for the third time in four meetings this season.
nba.204vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (120) At Toronto (108)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 32 9-15 3-4 0 4 4 6 1 0 1 24
Smith F 33 6-10 2-2 3 4 7 2 3 2 0 14
Robinson C 29 9-14 6-11 2 7 9 1 1 1 2 24
Del Negro G 34 6-11 0-0 1 2 3 3 4 0 0 12
Johnson G 33 4-10 1-2 0 5 5 11 2 1 4 9
C Person 26 5-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 13
W Perdue 23 8-8 2-2 2 4 6 0 2 0 3 18
Rivers 10 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 4 1 1 0 0
Alexander 8 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 0
Anderson 4 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Williams 4 1-2 4-4 1 2 3 0 3 0 0 6
Demps 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0
Totals 240 48-82 18-25 11 31 42 31 19 6 13 120
(.585) (.720) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 13(17 Pts)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Rogers F 32 5-11 1-2 1 2 3 1 3 2 1 11
Tabak F 27 5-8 0-2 1 5 6 1 5 0 1 10
Miller C 45 7-13 3-6 5 7 12 8 3 3 3 17
Murray G 41 12-22 2-2 3 2 5 3 4 0 2 29
Stoudamire G 43 10-22 0-0 1 4 5 13 3 2 2 23
Earl 15 4-8 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 3 8
Christie 25 2-8 2-2 2 3 5 2 1 2 1 6
King 12 0-2 4-4 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 4
Esposito Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lewis Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Whitfield Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 45-94 12-18 14 26 40 28 22 9 13 108
(.479) (.667) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 13(13 Pts)
San Antonio 31 30 32 27 - 120
Toronto 28 29 19 32 - 108
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Robinson 3, Smith, W Perdue, Anderson.
Toronto - Rogers, Miller.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 6-14 (.429), Elliott 3-7, Del Negro 0-1, C
Person 3-4, Rivers 0-1, Alexander 0-1. Toronto 6-15 (.400), Murray 3-5,
Stoudamire 3-7, Christie 0-2, King 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Greg Willard, Bill Spooner.
A - 25,964. T - 2:00.
nba.205vpoznanovic,
TWELVE IN A ROW FOR SPURS
TORONTO -- Sean Elliott scored 10 of his 24 points in a 14-3 third
quarter run to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their 12th straight win
on Friday, a 120-108 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
David Robinson had 24 points and Will Perdue netted 18 for the Spurs,
who improved to 48-18.
"In the first half, we didn't play any defense," Robinson said. "The
third quarter was the turning point. We started getting the ball up
and down the floor and getting offensive rebounds. The team is still
working on some consistency. But tonight we took a step backwards."
Tracy Murray led Toronto with 29 points, including 23 in the first
half. Damon Stoudamire collected 23 points and 13 assists for the
Raptors.
"I think we came out slow, not hitting the shots, and they came out
fast and hit every shot," Stoudamire said. "It went from a four-point
game to a 20-point game in a four-minute span. They're a team that's
clicking on all cylinders."
San Antonio started its current franchise-record winning streak with a
120-95 rout of the Raptors on Feb. 29.
The Spurs started the third quarter with a 14-3 run to take a 75-60
lead. Elliott hit a pair of 3-pointers among his 10 points in the run.
San Antonio held a 93-76 advantage after three quarters.
"The first half the two teams traded baskets. We executed on offense
well but we were disinterested in playing defense," said San Antonio
coach Bob Hill. "The first unit did a good job in the third quarter.
We just got away from them and the game was over. It was just a matter
of time. I think you give us a few more games and as we move on, we'll
get better and better. The chemistry on this team might be the best
I've ever coached."
San Antonio led by as many as 26 points, 106-80, after a basket by
Perdue with 8:13 left. Perdue was eight for eight from the field.
"We couldn't buy a basket in the third quarter," Murray said. "They
have a lot of offensive weapons. I don't think they have as many as
Chicago, so it doesn't get any easier for us. We're always fighting to
get back in the game regardless."
nba.206vpoznanovic,
Vancouver (94) At Indiana (111)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Wilkins F 36 5-14 2-2 2 1 3 1 1 2 1 12
Amaya F 23 4-6 2-3 1 4 5 0 5 1 1 10
Reeves C 39 7-13 5-7 5 4 9 3 5 0 2 19
B Edwards G 23 7-10 0-0 2 2 4 3 2 0 0 15
Anthony G 30 4-12 2-2 0 0 0 9 0 2 1 11
Scott 19 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 2 0 2
Avent 24 2-8 2-2 1 3 4 1 1 1 4 6
Murdock 18 3-7 2-4 0 0 0 3 5 4 1 9
Manning 9 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 4
King 11 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Moten 8 2-3 2-4 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 6
D Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-83 17-24 11 19 30 22 23 12 11 94
(.446) (.708) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 12(18 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 35 8-10 3-3 1 1 2 6 2 1 3 19
D Davis F 35 6-8 0-2 2 8 10 0 3 0 0 12
Smits C 28 8-12 1-2 2 5 7 3 4 0 1 17
Miller G 36 7-11 6-7 0 5 5 6 0 0 3 23
Jackson G 27 2-6 2-2 0 4 4 10 5 0 2 6
Workman 20 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 4 3 7
A Davis 20 2-5 2-2 2 3 5 1 4 0 0 6
Pierce 18 2-7 4-4 0 2 2 1 1 2 2 8
Best 15 3-4 1-2 0 1 1 3 2 1 2 7
Caldwell 4 2-2 0-0 1 4 5 0 0 1 2 4
Schintzius 2 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Johnson Dnp - Did Not Dress
Totals 240 44-72 19-24 8 34 42 31 23 9 18 111
(.611) (.792) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 18(19 Pts)
Vancouver 32 16 25 21 - 94
Indiana 32 30 26 23 - 111
Blocked Shots: Vancouver - None. Indiana - Mckey 2, D Davis 2, Smits 2,
Miller.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Vancouver 3-18 (.167), Wilkins 0-6, B Edwards 1-1,
Anthony 1-5, Scott 0-1, Murdock 1-3, King 0-2. Indiana 4-7 (.571), Miller
3-5, Workman 1-1, Pierce 0-1.
Technicals: Vancouver - Assistant Coach Hughes.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Paul Mihalak, Joe Borgia.
A - 16,715. T - 2:04.
nba.207vpoznanovic,
Indiana 111, Vancouver 94
Reggie Miller scored 23 points and Rik Smits added 17 as they keyed a
huge run that bridged the second and third quarters as the Indiana
Pacers handed the struggling Vancouver Grizzlies their 17th straight
loss with a 111-94 victory.
Derrick McKey scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half, Dale Davis
added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Mark Jackson handed out 10 assists
for Indiana, which snapped its two-game losing streak and won for just
the third time in nine games.
The Pacers increased their lead over New York to 1 1/2 games in the
race for the all-important third playoff spot in the Eastern
Conference. The Pacers' spot is a key one, ensuring them of a spot in
the bracket that does not include the conference's first seed -- all
but clinched by Chicago -- until the Conference Finals should both
teams get there.
Bryant Reeves scored 19 points and Blue Edwards added 15 for
Vancouver, which has not won since a 93-86 win over the Sacramento
Kings on February 14th. The Grizzlies lost 19 straight after winning
their first two of the season.
After Vancouver's Anthony Avent hit a nine-footer to tie the game at
46-46, Smits made a free throw and dunked to ignite a 33-12 run. Smits
scored nine points in the spree. Miller, who scored 10 points in the
burst, gave the Pacers a 62-48 halftime lead with a three-pointer.
Haywoode Workman nailed a 16-footer to cap the run and give Indiana a
79-58 bulge with 5:11 left in the third quarter.
Vancouver pulled within 100-86 on Avent's jumper midway through the
fourth quarter. But Miller made a 15-footer and Travis Best sank one
free throw to seal the game.
McKey shot 8-of-10 from the field and Smits was 8-of-12 for Indiana,
which shot 61 per cent (44-of-72) from the floor and held a 42-30
rebounding edge to improve to 25-7 at home. The Pacers play nine of
their final 15 games at home.
Wilkens scored 12 points and Greg Anthony added 11 and nine assists
for Vancouver, which was swept in the season series.
nba.208vpoznanovic,
BULLETS' WALLACE LIKELY OUT FOR SEASON
LANDOVER, Md. -- The Washington Bullets, who always seem to be
decimated by injuries to key players, appear to have lost rookie
forward-center Rasheed Wallace for the remainder of the season.
Wallace suffered a fractured left thumb in the second quarter of
Friday's 111-108 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic.
"He's talking about playing in a soft cast, but I don't think that's
realistic," Washington general manager John Nash said Saturday. "I
think we're going to have to rule him out for at least the next
several weeks.''
Wallace, the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft, is averaging 10.1
points and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Bullets, who have lost Chris
Webber for the season after shoulder surgery and have played most of
the year without point guard Mark Price, who is nursing a fractured
bone in his left foot.
Wallace apparently injured the thumb when going for a rebound with
7:44 left in the second quarter.
The Bullets have the maximum three players on the injured list. Guard
Robert Pack, out since Jan. 8 with a damaged nerve in his left leg,
could return to practice in 10-14 days.
"We've had a rough stretch of luck,'' Nash admitted. "But tomorrow is
another opportunity for someone else to step forward and play well.''
Pack may be activated from the disabled list to make room for Wallace,
although the Bullets will likely search for another forward to fill
the roster.
nba.209vpoznanovic,
KINGS ROOKIE MCDANIEL DAZED AFTER PRACTICE COLLISION
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Kings guard Clint McDaniel suffered a
severe concussion in a fall at Saturday's team practice at ARCO Arena.
McDaniel was unconscious for 10 to 15 minutes following the fall. He
was taken by ambulance to the UC Davis Medical Center where he will
undergo a CAT scan and observation over the next 24 hours.
"McDaniel was responsive and able to exhibit movement in both his
hands and feet upon leaving Arco Arena,'' the team's statement said.
McDaniel was going up for a layup when guard Sarunas Marciulionis
tried to block the shot, said team spokeswoman Andrea Lepore.
McDaniel, a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks team that won the
national championship in 1994 and made the finals last year, is
averaging 2.4 points per game in 12 games. He had been on the injured
list since the start of the season with tendinitis in his left knee.
nba.210vpoznanovic,
Detroit (84) At Atlanta (92)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thorpe F 17 0-3 1-2 1 4 5 0 1 0 1 1
Hill F 39 4-17 3-4 4 9 13 1 2 1 2 11
West C 3 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2
Dumars G 43 4-11 2-2 1 2 3 7 2 0 0 12
Houston G 43 10-17 13-15 0 2 2 2 3 0 3 38
Ratliff 10 0-0 4-4 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 4
Mills 30 3-10 0-0 1 4 5 1 2 1 2 6
Reid 36 4-8 0-2 4 5 9 0 4 1 1 8
Hunter 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
Curry 14 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 2
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roe Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 27-72 23-29 12 27 39 12 21 4 13 84
(.375) (.793) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 16(21 Pts)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Long F 38 8-20 1-2 4 5 9 3 3 0 0 17
Augmon F 38 6-11 3-3 2 5 7 2 4 1 0 15
Laettner C 35 4-7 5-7 1 4 5 1 6 1 3 13
Smith G 36 8-13 6-7 1 2 3 0 4 1 2 27
Blaylock G 45 4-10 2-2 0 4 4 7 3 3 2 10
Ehlo 22 3-9 0-0 0 3 3 1 4 0 3 6
Henderson 22 1-3 2-4 2 4 6 1 6 0 2 4
Jordan 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-74 19-25 10 27 37 16 30 6 12 92
(.459) (.760) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 13(10 Pts)
Detroit 18 16 22 28 - 84
Atlanta 25 20 22 25 - 92
Blocked Shots: Detroit - Hill, Reid. Atlanta - Henderson 3, Ehlo.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Detroit 7-22 (.318), Dumars 2-5, Houston 5-11, Mills
0-5, Curry 0-1. Atlanta 5-15 (.333), Smith 5-8, Blaylock 0-4, Ehlo 0-3.
Technicals: Detroit - Illegal Defense 3.
Officials: Ronnie Nunn, Hank Armstrong, Tommy Nunez.
A - 16,378. T - 2:14.
nba.211vpoznanovic,
Atlanta 92, Detroit 84
Steve Smith scored 27 points, including the final five points of the
game, to lift the Atlanta Hawks to a 92-84 victory over the Detroit
Pistons.
The Hawks led 67-56 after three quarters, but saw Detroit chip away at
the deficit and cut it to 87-84 on Allan Houston's three-point play
with 53 seconds remaining. But Smith answered with a three-point shot
16 seconds later and added a pair of free throws to seal the Hawks'
third straight win.
Grant Long chipped in 17 points and nine rebounds and Stacey Augmon
netted 15 points for Atlanta, which moved into a tie with idle
Cleveland for the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons
fell a half-game back.
"We got the job done," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkins said. "Steve (Smith)
hit a huge shot and our defense was pretty decent all night. Steve is
playing real well. He wants it. This is something that I felt Steve
can do. I like the way we are starting to play. The most important
thing is going into the playoff run healthy."
"I felt real good," said Smith, who has 80 points in his last three
games. "The schedule keeps me going. Fourth place (in the East) is our
goal for right now. When we get there, then we will get greedy."
Houston tallied a career-high 38 points, including 19 in the final
period, for Detroit, which has dropped three of its last four games.
The Pistons were playing their fourth game in the last five days.
"We'll hopefully get some practice days in and regroup," Houston said.
"We must keep fighting. Tonight was pretty much just another night. I
just wanted to get good looks and wanted to be more aggressive in the
fourth quarter."
Christian Laettner scored 13 points and Mookie Blaylock added 10 and
seven assists for Atlanta, which shot 46 per cent from the field
(34-of-74). The Hawks improved to 28-9 when holding opponents to under
100 points.
Augmon's seven first-quarter points were the difference as the Hawks
took a 25-18 lead after 12 minutes. Detroit crept within 32-31 with
5:54 left in the second quarter before Smith hit two three-pointers in
a 13-3 Atlanta burst that made it 45-34 at the intermission.
Joe Dumars netted 12 points and Grant Hill registered 11 points and 13
boards for Detroit, which shot 37 per cent from the floor. Houston was
10-of-17 from the field and eclipsed his previous career best of 36
points, set against Denver on March 10th, 1995.
nba.212vpoznanovic,
Minnesota (108) At Houston (103)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 42 6-10 0-0 1 1 2 3 4 3 1 12
Gugliotta F 40 5-15 5-9 1 11 12 4 4 1 2 15
Riley C 26 3-3 1-1 2 3 5 0 4 3 2 7
Rider G 40 8-16 3-4 0 4 4 5 2 0 2 19
Webb G 32 6-11 2-2 1 0 1 8 2 1 2 17
Bragg 11 4-7 0-0 3 1 4 0 3 0 0 8
Mitchell 25 5-10 6-9 2 3 5 1 2 1 1 16
Porter 18 5-7 2-2 0 2 2 4 2 2 2 14
Davis 6 0-4 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 1 0 0
Allen Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Martin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 42-83 19-27 11 27 38 27 24 12 12 108
(.506) (.704) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 13(15 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 42 2-11 2-2 2 6 8 5 2 2 2 7
Brown F 17 1-3 0-0 0 4 4 0 4 0 2 2
Olajuwon C 44 16-23 14-18 7 12 19 8 3 3 6 46
Mack G 28 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 1 1 6
Smith G 22 3-7 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 8
Breaux 27 4-9 1-2 0 2 2 0 5 0 1 11
Recasner 26 4-8 3-4 1 3 4 6 0 1 2 12
Moore 17 1-8 0-0 3 0 3 0 1 0 1 2
Chilcutt 6 0-1 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 0
Booker 10 2-4 4-5 0 0 0 4 2 1 1 9
Jones 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bryant Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 35-80 24-31 15 32 47 26 21 8 17 103
(.438) (.774) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 18(22 Pts)
Minnesota 24 26 29 29 - 108
Houston 21 24 22 36 - 103
Blocked Shots: Minnesota - Garnett 2. Houston - Olajuwon 3, Horry,
Chilcutt.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Minnesota 5-16 (.313), Gugliotta 0-3, Rider 0-3, Webb
3-6, Porter 2-4. Houston 9-31 (.290), Horry 1-7, Mack 2-5, Smith 2-3,
Breaux 2-4, Recasner 1-4, Moore 0-4, Chilcutt 0-1, Booker 1-3.
Technicals: Minnesota - Rider, Head Coach Saunders, Houston - Horry.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Don Vaden, Derek Richardson.
A - 16,285. T - 2:19.
nba.213vpoznanovic,
T-WOLVES RIDE PAST ROCKETS
HOUSTON -- One team was ridin' high. The other continues to sputter
along.
Isaiah Rider scored 19 points and Spud Webb netted 17 as the Minnesota
Timberwolves defeated the Houston Rockets 108-103 on Saturday, handing
the Rockets their fourth straight loss.
Sam Mitchell netted 16 points and Tom Gugliotta had 15 points and 12
rebounds for Minnesota, which improved to 8-26 on the road. The Wolves
had dropped their previous seven games in Houston, last winning there
on Feb. 5, 1993.
Hakeem Olajuwon, who missed the last two games due to tendinitis in
both knees, returned to score 46 points, tie a season-high with 19
rebounds, and dish out eight assists.
"I'm still not 100 percent, but I have to play with a little pain,"
said Olajuwon, who posted his 29th career 40-point game and fifth of
the season. "At least I could jump tonight and that was a big
improvement. The key is to win. It was a good effort and Minnesota
played very well. We can't dig a hole for us and always climb out of
it."
"Well, we did a good job of holding Hakeem under 50," Minnesota coach
Flip Saunders said. "We knew we couldn't stop him so we tried to stop
them from hitting threes. They shot a bunch but I like the way we
contested them. We're starting to learn how to win. This is very big
for us. We've grown up in some of these close games."
Minnesota, which last trailed 9-8, extended a 54-52 lead with 10:15
left in the third quarter with an 11-0 run. Gugliotta scored four
points in the burst, which was capped by Eric Riley's three-point play
that made it 65-52 with 7:13 left.
Webb's jumper gave the Wolves their biggest lead at 77-59 with 2:35
left in the period before Houston rallied. The margin was cut to 79-67
after three quarters and to 94-93 on Olajuwon's bank shot with 4:49
remaining.
Mitchell's layup with 3:10 to play upped the lead to 100-95, but
Olajuwon hit two foul shots and Tim Breaux added one to reduce the
difference to three points 40 seconds later. However, Mitchell
responded with a jumper and two free throws to make it 104-98 with 48
seconds to go and clinch the win.
Terry Porter contributed 14 points and Kevin Garnett 12 for the
Timberwolves, who shot 51 percent from the field (42-for-83), but were
outrebounded 47-38. Minnesota has won consecutive games against
Houston, but still trails the all-time series 23-11.
"It's very positive," Garnett said. "A big win for us. We came in and
worked hard and stuck to our game plan. We're happy we won but we're
not surprised."
Eldridge Recasner tallied 12 points and Breaux had 11 for Houston,
which shot 44 percent (35 of 80) from the floor, including just 29
percent from 3-point range (9 of 31). The Rockets fell out of a tie
with the Los Angeles Lakers for fourth place in the Western
Conference.
nba.214vpoznanovic,
Philadelphia (89) At Seattle (129)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Alston F 10 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 2
Weatherspoon F 42 7-16 3-7 6 3 9 2 2 2 2 17
Pinckney C 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Maxwell G 29 5-17 6-6 0 0 0 3 3 2 2 16
Sutton G 28 3-9 2-3 0 3 3 4 2 1 4 9
Thompson 3 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 2
Massenburg 33 7-14 2-5 3 2 5 0 5 0 3 16
Higgins 31 5-13 1-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 12
Walters 34 1-1 3-5 1 4 5 6 3 1 2 6
Dumas 26 3-7 3-3 0 2 2 3 2 3 1 9
Ruffin Dnp - Back Spasms
Stackhouse Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 33-79 20-31 12 14 26 18 21 10 19 89
(.418) (.645) Team Rebs: 16 Total To: 20(29 Pts)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 21 8-12 4-4 5 3 8 1 1 0 4 20
D Schrempf F 25 4-6 5-5 0 2 2 8 2 0 0 14
Johnson C 34 5-12 0-0 2 9 11 2 5 1 5 10
Hawkins G 24 6-8 6-6 1 3 4 4 3 1 1 19
Payton G 21 5-11 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 4 1 10
Perkins 9 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8
Mcmillan 8 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 3
Wingate 27 5-9 2-2 2 3 5 4 1 1 0 13
Brickowski 9 2-4 3-3 0 2 2 2 1 0 2 8
Snow 31 4-7 0-0 1 3 4 5 2 2 1 8
S Scheffler 21 3-4 1-3 2 2 4 0 3 2 0 7
Ford 10 2-5 5-7 2 1 3 0 2 1 1 9
Totals 240 48-83 26-30 16 31 47 30 24 13 16 129
(.578) (.867) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(12 Pts)
Philadelphia 23 25 19 22 - 89
Seattle 37 40 23 29 - 129
Blocked Shots: Philadelphia - Dumas, Massenburg. Seattle - Johnson 6,
Kemp 2, S Scheffler.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Philadelphia 3-15 (.200), Maxwell 0-6, Sutton 1-4,
Massenburg 0-1, Higgins 1-3, Walters 1-1. Seattle 7-17 (.412), D Schrempf
1-2, Johnson 0-1, Hawkins 1-2, Payton 0-3, Perkins 2-3, Mcmillan 1-1,
Wingate 1-2, Brickowski 1-2, Ford 0-1.
Technicals: Philadelphia - Massenburg, Seattle - Johnson, Illegal Defense
2, Head Coach Karl.
Officials: Steve Javie, Jim Clark, Pat Adams.
A - 16,646. T - 2:02.
nba.215vpoznanovic,
Seattle 129, Philadelphia 89
Shawn Kemp scored 20 points and Hersey Hawkins added 19 to lead the
Seattle SuperSonics to their largest margin of victory of the season,
a 129-89 decision over the hapless Philadelphia 76ers.
Hawkins and Detlef Schrempf each tallied 10 points in the first
quarter as Seattle opened up a 21-9 lead 5:47 into the game and held a
37-23 cushion after 12 minutes.
They blew it open in the second quarter, scoring a season-high 40
points, led by David Wingate's nine points and eight from both Sam
Perkins and Frank Brickowski. Seattle led 77-48 at the intermission,
setting a new team standard for points in a half this season.
"Our defense was real good tonight and our offense moved the ball
around real well," Seattle coach George Karl said. "No one got hurt
and I like the way our team did not play sloppy. I think as long as we
could play good defense and have good passing and bring down the
turnovers it will get us ready for the playoffs."
Clarence Weatherspoon recorded 17 points and nine rebounds and Vernon
Maxwell scored 16 for Philadelphia, which has dropped seven games in a
row. The Sixers were playing without starting guard Jerry Stackhouse,
who was serving the second game of his two-game suspension the league
levied on him on Thursday for his actions the previous day.
"We didn't have a chance," Sixers coach John Lucas said. "We were
without (Trevor) Ruffin and Stackhouse and even by saying all those
things we still didn't have a chance tonight. George (Karl) was very
kind. I think he realized that we just didn't have size."
The 40-point win eclipses Seattle's 124-85 decision over Boston on
December 29th. This was Philadelphia's worst loss of the year, having
lost by 32 points on three occasions.
Schrempf added 14 points and eight assists and Wingate had 13 for
Seattle, which shot 58 per cent from the field (48-for-83) and 87 per
cent from the foul line (26-of-30). Ervin Johnson chipped in 10
points, 11 boards and six blocked shots.
"The team played really well tonight offensively and defensively,"
Sonics guard Nate McMillan said. "Our foul shooting is getting much
better. I think that has a lot to do with Hersey Hawkins coming to the
team. People are shooting better because of Hersey. You're going to
need that if you are going to win."
Tony Massenburg netted 16 points and Sean Higgins had 12 for the
Sixers, who shot 42 per cent from the floor (33-of-79), 20 per cent
from three-point range (3-for-15) and 64 per cent from the free throw
line (20-for-31). The team was also outrebounded, 47-26.
The Sonics have won the last seven meetings with the Sixers, including
a 115-107 victory in Philadelphia on November 14th. Seattle improved
to 31-3 at Key Arena and reduced its magic number to six for winning a
second division title in three years.
nba.216vpoznanovic,
Phoenix (89) At Golden State (98)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Barkley F 42 9-20 7-8 3 5 8 1 4 2 0 25
Bennett F 21 5-6 2-4 2 1 3 1 5 1 1 12
Williams C 34 3-10 5-6 3 8 11 1 4 1 3 11
Finley G 42 4-10 0-0 2 2 4 3 4 0 1 9
Johnson G 35 4-9 6-8 1 3 4 7 1 2 7 14
Manning 27 4-7 2-2 1 3 4 1 4 0 1 10
Green 19 1-4 1-2 1 3 4 0 1 1 0 3
Perry 13 1-4 3-4 2 2 4 1 1 1 2 5
W Person 7 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Carr Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Coker Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Kleine Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-71 26-34 15 29 44 15 25 8 15 89
(.437) (.765) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 17(19 Pts)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 24 2-6 0-0 2 1 3 2 3 0 5 4
Smith F 34 5-14 4-4 1 5 6 1 2 1 1 14
Willis C 36 3-10 5-6 3 7 10 2 2 0 0 11
Armstrong G 26 4-6 0-0 0 0 0 4 2 1 1 9
Sprewell G 45 9-20 8-9 1 1 2 8 0 2 4 27
Rozier 27 1-1 1-2 4 4 8 1 4 0 0 3
Coles 25 4-10 0-0 1 3 4 5 3 1 0 9
Marshall 23 7-12 3-4 1 8 9 1 2 0 1 21
Barry Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Declercq Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-79 21-25 13 29 42 24 18 5 12 98
(.443) (.840) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 14(21 Pts)
Phoenix 25 24 22 18 - 89
Golden State 23 21 21 33 - 98
Blocked Shots: Phoenix - Bennett 2, Williams, Manning, W Person. Golden
State - Kersey 3, Rozier 2, Marshall 2, Smith.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Phoenix 1-9 (.111), Barkley 0-2, Finley 1-4, Manning
0-1, Green 0-1, Perry 0-1. Golden State 7-12 (.583), Smith 0-1, Armstrong
1-1, Sprewell 1-3, Coles 1-3, Marshall 4-4.
Technicals: Golden State - Kersey.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Luis Grillo, Terry Durham.
A - 15,025. T - 2:14.
nba.217vpoznanovic,
Golden State 98, Phoenix 89
Donyell Marshall scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter as
the Golden State Warriors rallied for a 98-89 victory over the Phoenix
Suns.
"I'm really happy for him," said Golden State coach Rick Adelman about
Marshall. "He struggled in the first half and missed some shots that
weren't close. But he stayed with it, he never put his head down. When
you get contributions like that, it gives us an excellent opportunity
to win games."
Latrell Sprewell added 27 points for the Warriors, who moved within a
half-game of the idle Sacramento Kings for the eighth and final
playoff berth in the Western Conference.
Charles Barkley scored 25 points and Kevin Johnson added 14 for
Phoenix, which split a home-and-home series with the Warriors.
Golden State won for the first time in four games against the Suns
this season.
Barkley had given the Suns a 76-69 lead with 8:01 to play in the
fourth quarter, but Golden State exploded for a 16-1 burst over the
next 5:08 to take control of the game.
Marshall hit a three-pointer and Kevin Willis added a slam dunk to
pull the Warriors within 76-74. Willis hit a hook shot to tie the game
and Marshall drained a three-pointer to give Golden State a 79-76 lead
with 4:22 left.
Johnson made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to 79-77, but
Sprewell made all three free throws after being fouled on a
three-point attempt and Marshall drilled another three-pointer to make
it 85-77 with 2:53 to go.
"To come out there and shoot like I did in the second half, it felt
real good," said Marshall. "Especially in the clutch situation when we
needed that shot."
"He (Marshall) hit his shots tonight and made our defense really look
bad," said Phoenix coach Cotton Fitzsimmons. "We needed to rotate
somebody out on him. We had things under control the way we wanted the
game to be played, but unfortunately we couldn't sustain it and keep
it going."
Phoenix used a 12-0 run in the third quarter to take a 64-49 lead
after Mario Bennett had a dunk with 6:18 remaining.
Marshall also grabbed nine rebounds for Golden State, which shot 44
per cent (36-of-79) from the field. The Warriors were 7-of-12 from
three-point range and Marshall hit all four of his three-point
attempts.
Joe Smith scored 14 points and Willis added 11 and 10 rebounds.
Bennett finished with 12 points for Phoenix, which made 44 per cent
(31-of-71). The Suns made just 1-of-9 three-point shots. John Williams
had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Danny Manning added 10 off the
bench.
nba.218vpoznanovic,
CEBALLOS RETURNS TO LAKERS, WILL BE ACTIVATED MONDAY
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers will reinstate forward
Cedric Ceballos on Monday following a four-day suspension levied by
the team.
Ceballos said at a news conference Sunday at the Great Western Forum
that his absence from the team was for "family reasons." Though he
returned from his hiatus, he remained suspended for the team's Sunday
game against the Charlotte Hornets, which the Lakers lost 103-94.
"I had some very personal and family problems to deal with. I
apologize," he said. "It just got to a point where it was just a
little too much for me. I just needed time."
Ceballos missed the team's flight to Seattle last Wednesday and was
not present at the next day's shootaround at the Key Arena, resulting
in the indefinite suspension without pay.
The Lakers' co-captain and leading scorer had been waterskiing at Lake
Havasu in Arizona since leaving the team. He did not explain the
specific reasons for his absence or why he went four days without
contacting team officials.
"There was no reason for that at all," Ceballos said. "I should have
let the organization know what was going on and how I was."
Ceballos had just two points on one-for-seven shooting in 12 minutes
in Tuesday's 94-71 victory over Seattle and was not seen again by
Lakers officials until Sunday when he met with General Manager Mitch
Kupchak and Executive Vice President Jerry West.
"He will learn you simply don't do things like this. It's simply
unacceptable," West said. "It's nice to hear from him that this was
not a basketball matter."
Ceballos will travel with the Lakers to Orlando on Monday when the
team begins a six-game Eastern road trip.
He did not have a chance to talk with his teammates before they took
the court against Charlotte, but he said, "I think they will
understand."
That remains to be seen. Someone left an empty milk carton with
newspaper clippings that said "MIA" and "Where in the world is
Ceballos?" in Ceballos' locker.
Magic Johnson, who started his second straight game Sunday in place of
Ceballos, was not sympathetic.
"I got so upset today," Johnson said. "We talked about it so much
instead of preparing for the game and you saw what happened. Everybody
has problems. Maybe the best thing to do was say, 'I'm going through
some things and I need a day to step back.' Everybody would've said,
'Cool.' "
Nick Van Exel said, "He abandoned us, you know. At a time like this,
at a time we have to stick together."
Ceballos denied that his absence was in response to reduced playing
time or unhappiness with his role on the team since Johnson came out
of retirement on Jan. 29.
"I've always been happy with my role," Ceballos said. "You bring a
Hall of Fame player back, everybody's going to adjust. Those
adjustments were made and they're fine with me."
Lakers coach Del Harris denied he has any conflicts with Ceballos, who
described himself and Harris as being "fairly close."
"We're not trying to be oppressive or overwhelming or make it an
I-told-you-so thing," Harris said. "I don't demand that every player
behave as if it's military school. I've given a lot of leeway to him
and others."
Family members accompanied Ceballos, who is single, to Lake Havasu.
"It's unfortunate I had this problem occur during the season, but you
learn and keep moving on," he said.
Ceballos missed two games for a total loss of $54,756 in salary. The
Lakers would not disclose whether he would face additional fines for
missing practices.
The 26-year-old Ceballos is averaging 22.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per
game. He is in his second season with the Lakers after spending four
years with the Phoenix Suns, where he captured the 1992 Slam Dunk
competition with his blindfolded "hocus pocus" dunk.
nba.219vpoznanovic,
CELTICS PLACE MONTROSS ON INJURED LIST, SIGN MUNDT
BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics placed center Eric Montross on the
injured list Sunday with a severely sprained left ankle and signed
center Todd Mundt to a 10-day contract.
Montross suffered the injury Wednesday against Orlando after playing
seven minutes in the first quarter. He missed Friday's contest with
Denver. Montross is averaging 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 61 games
this season.
The 7-foot Mundt appeared in 24 games this season with Atlanta,
averaging 1.3 points and 1.0 rebounds, before being waived March 9.
nba.220vpoznanovic,
Charlotte (103) At La Lakers (94)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Geiger F 34 4-9 1-2 0 2 2 1 5 0 1 9
L Johnson F 41 8-17 7-8 6 7 13 4 5 1 2 24
Parish C 30 5-8 3-4 2 8 10 1 2 1 0 13
Anderson G 38 8-14 2-2 1 4 5 10 3 4 4 19
Rice G 40 9-18 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 2 0 21
Goldwire 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
Hancock 9 2-4 0-0 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 4
Curry 28 2-10 4-4 3 2 5 6 1 1 0 8
Myers 8 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 2 2
Zidek 3 0-0 1-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Adams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Addison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-83 18-22 15 28 43 25 22 11 12 103
(.482) (.818) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 13(21 Pts)
La Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Blount F 10 1-5 1-1 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 3
Johnson F 39 9-12 9-10 0 8 8 5 2 0 7 28
Campbell C 43 8-18 2-2 2 6 8 1 4 1 3 18
Jones G 42 8-13 2-2 1 4 5 4 4 2 2 18
Van Exel G 34 3-9 1-1 0 1 1 7 2 1 0 8
Strong 16 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 4
Peeler 25 1-7 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 1 0 2
Lynch 17 2-2 2-2 0 4 4 2 3 1 0 6
Threatt 14 2-5 2-2 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 7
Ceballos Dnp - Suspended By Team
Divac Dnp - Tonsillitis
Miller Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-74 19-20 5 28 33 23 23 6 15 94
(.486) (.950) Team Rebs: 2 Total To: 15(14 Pts)
Charlotte 17 30 30 26 - 103
La Lakers 20 24 22 28 - 94
Blocked Shots: Charlotte - Parish 2, L Johnson. La Lakers - Blount 2,
Johnson 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Charlotte 5-13 (.385), L Johnson 1-4, Anderson 1-3,
Rice 3-4, Goldwire 0-1, Curry 0-1. La Lakers 3-19 (.158), Johnson 1-2,
Campbell 0-1, Jones 0-4, Van Exel 1-5, Peeler 0-4, Threatt 1-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Jack Nies, Monty Mccutchen, Ron Olesiak.
A - 17,505. T - 2:05.
nba.221vpoznanovic,
Charlotte 103, LA Lakers 94
Larry Johnson scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Glen Rice
added 21 points to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 103-94 victory over
the Los Angeles Lakers.
The win kept Charlotte one-half game behind Miami for the eighth and
final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat won at Boston,
111-95, Sunday.
"I think we executed the way we wanted on offense," said Johnson. "We
played tough defense tonight compared to our previous games when we
were mentally out of it. We stayed focused throughout the game."
The Lakers suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since
December 30-January 2nd and slipped into a tie with Houston for the
fourth playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We did not have a very good game, obviously," said Lakers coach Del
Harris. "Hopefully, we can end this phase and have a good road trip."
Magic Johnson led the Lakers with 28 points on 9-of-12 shooting from
the field.
The Lakers played without starting center Vlade Divac, who is
suffering from tonsilitis.
An 11-0 run in the second quarter turned a 31-25 deficit into a 36-31
lead for the Hornets. Rice hit a three-pointer and Dell Curry capped
the run with a 17-foot jumper with 4:39 remaining.
A 15-7 third quarter run increased Charlotte's lead to 64-53. Rice
scored seven points in the spurt.
A layup by Magic Johnson with 6:08 left pulled the Lakers within
84-80. But Larry Johnson converted a pair of free throws and Rice
scored on a layup with 5:19 remaining to increase Charlotte's
advantage to 88-80. The Lakers never got closer than five points the
rest of the way.
Kenny Anderson returned after missing three games with a sprained
right ankle and had 19 points and 10 assists and Robert Parish added
13 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets.
"Everybody contributed, we did what we had to do," said Anderson.
"They were missing Divac and that was a big thing. My forte is
creating and I was in my groove tonight.
"It was a good way to start a road trip," said Hornets coach Allan
Bristow. "Robert Parish did a great job for us inside and Kenny was
outstanding after having been out a while. He made some nice passes
and got us a lot of easy hoops."
Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell each had 18 points for the Lakers.
Los Angeles announced before the game that starting forward Cedric
Ceballos will be reinstated to the team on Monday following a four-day
suspension levied by the team. Ceballos missed the team's flight to
Seattle Wednesday and was not present at Thursday's shootaround at the
Key Arena, resulting in the indefinite suspension without pay.
"There are internal matters that have to be taken care of," said
Harris. "Knowing our players, we will take care of it."
nba.222vpoznanovic,
Chicago (108) At Toronto (109)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 41 4-13 2-4 2 7 9 6 2 0 2 10
Kukoc F 42 10-19 1-2 4 5 9 4 1 0 2 23
Wennington C 21 2-6 1-2 1 1 2 1 5 0 0 5
Jordan G 39 14-22 8-8 5 4 9 2 3 0 2 36
Harper G 30 2-8 3-4 1 5 6 4 0 3 4 7
Salley 19 1-2 0-2 2 1 3 0 2 2 1 2
Kerr 21 7-10 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 17
Simpkins 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Buechler 18 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 5
Brown 3 1-1 1-1 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 3
Longley Dnp - Back Injury
Totals 240 43-86 16-23 16 26 42 24 15 6 12 108
(.500) (.696) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 12(13 Pts)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 47 9-20 3-4 2 10 12 2 4 2 1 23
Rogers F 34 5-11 5-6 4 1 5 3 4 2 1 15
Miller C 40 6-16 2-4 6 6 12 5 1 2 3 14
Robertson G 29 1-5 0-0 1 2 3 4 4 2 0 2
Stoudamire G 46 11-21 2-4 2 2 4 11 0 0 4 30
Christie 26 4-6 2-4 2 1 3 2 3 1 1 13
Tabak 18 6-11 0-0 3 3 6 0 1 0 0 12
Earl Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Esposito Dnp - Coach'S Decision
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lewis Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Whitfield Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 42-90 14-22 20 25 45 27 17 9 10 109
(.467) (.636) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 11(12 Pts)
Chicago 23 31 29 25 - 108
Toronto 28 28 23 30 - 109
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Harper 2, Jordan 2, Wennington 2, Salley.
Toronto - Christie 2, Rogers, Miller, Robertson, Stoudamire.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 6-18 (.333), Pippen 0-2, Kukoc 2-5, Jordan 0-1,
Harper 0-3, Kerr 3-6, Buechler 1-1. Toronto 11-17 (.647), Murray 2-3,
Miller 0-1, Robertson 0-2, Stoudamire 6-8, Christie 3-3.
Technicals: Chicago - Harper, Toronto - Rogers.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Derrick Stafford, Tom Washington.
A - 36,131. T - 2:13.
nba.223vpoznanovic,
NO BULL: RAPTORS KNOCK OFF CHICAGO
TORONTO -- Damon Stoudamire scored a season-high 30 points and Oliver
Miller sank a free throw with 21 seconds left Sunday as the expansion
Toronto Raptors stunned the Chicago Bulls 109-108.
Stoudamire also had 11 assists and set a NBA record for 3-pointers by
a rookie as the Raptors won for just the fourth time in 19 games while
beating the Bulls for the first time in four tries.
"I'm speechless," said Raptors forward Tracy Murray. "I'm just happy
to get this win. I was so happy I wanted to cry. This game meant more
to me than the championship last year (with the Rockets)."
Michael Jordan finished with 36 points, including the final 13 for
Chicago, which had its six-game winning streak snapped.
The Bulls (60-8) must go 10-4 over their final 14 games to become the
first team to reach the 70-win plateau in NBA history.
"We had enough offense but we let them get offensive rebounds," Jordan
said. "We kind of fell alseep defensively, and I think that's the
whole thing about the game -- defense."
Murray scored 23 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for the Raptors.
"Our game plan was to attack," Raptors coach Brendan Malone said.
"We've alway been competitive with Chicago because Damon attacks the
basket. We were the aggressor the entire afternoon. The crowd exploded
on that last shot. It was unbelieveable."
Scottie Pippen scored just 10 points and was four of 13 from the floor
for the Bulls, who lost when leading after three quarters for the
first time in 54 games this season. Pippen was making his first start
since returning from a five-game absence with knee and back injuries.
Jordan scored four consecutive points with a jumper and two free
throws to put Chicago ahead 106-103 with 1:23 to play. Stoudamire made
it a two-point game with a free throw, and Miller tied it with a dunk
off a missed free throw by Doug Christie with 50 seconds left.
Jordan put the Bulls up 108-106 with 31 seconds left, but Murray had a
dunk to tie the game again. Miller and Christie blocked Jordan's next
shot, and Pippen fouled Miller, who hit the first of two free throws.
"Michael took over at the end like we figured he would," Miller said.
"But we tied it up, and that's when M.J. lost the ball, and I got two
free throws, made one and won the game."
Chicago had one last chance to win the game, but Steve Kerr missed a
3-pointer and Jordan hit a jumper, but it was well after the horn
sounded.
"We wanted to come up and get a screen for Michael," Bulls coach Phil
Jackson said, "but Miller came up an knocked the ball loose."
Stoudamire hit on 11 of 21 shots from the floor, including six of
eight from 3-point range. He has 127 3-pointers this season, breaking
the rookie mark set by Dennis Scott in 1990-91.
"We just didn't have anybody that could stop him," Kerr said. "He
stoned Michael. He stoned me. He's got the speed to go around you and
he can stop and shoot the 3. Most guys with speed can't shoot, and
most shooters don't have the speed. He's got both."
Miller had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Toronto, which used just
seven players. The Raptors shot 46.7 percent and outrebounded the
Bulls 45-42.
Toni Kukoc contributed 23 points and nine rebounds for Chicago, which
shot 50 percent from the floor but made only 16 of 23 from the free
throw line.
The game was played in front of a season-high crowd of 36,191
surpassing the attendance of 36,118 in Toronto on January 18.
nba.224vpoznanovic,
Denver (90) At Washington (92)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mcdyess F 37 6-16 3-6 4 5 9 0 3 1 6 15
L Ellis F 34 6-9 2-5 6 6 12 0 5 1 1 14
Mutombo C 44 4-11 3-3 0 11 11 0 4 1 3 11
Rose G 23 5-8 0-0 1 2 3 7 2 1 6 10
Stith G 25 2-7 4-4 1 2 3 1 0 1 2 8
Overton 25 4-6 4-4 0 3 3 6 2 0 1 12
D Ellis 30 4-9 7-8 1 3 4 1 1 0 2 16
Williams 20 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 3 4 1 0 4
Hammonds 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Maclean Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Fish Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Abdul-Rauf Dnp - Bruised Left Foot
Totals 240 33-69 23-30 13 34 47 18 22 6 21 90
(.478) (.767) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 22(16 Pts)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Howard F 41 8-17 4-4 2 2 4 3 4 1 2 20
Cheaney F 33 7-15 1-2 1 0 1 4 3 2 1 15
Muresan C 41 9-19 4-6 5 5 10 0 5 2 2 22
Eackles G 37 5-12 2-2 1 2 3 2 2 0 1 13
B Price G 32 4-9 3-3 1 7 8 5 3 0 1 11
Mcilvaine 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Legler 21 1-4 1-1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 4
Whitney 16 1-3 3-3 0 1 1 1 1 2 1 5
Mccann 12 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 0 1 2
Butler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wallace Dnp - Fractured Left Thumb
Totals 240 36-81 18-21 10 20 30 18 22 7 9 92
(.444) (.857) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 10(12 Pts)
Denver 16 27 22 25 - 90
Washington 25 25 20 22 - 92
Blocked Shots: Denver - Mutombo 5, Mcdyess. Washington - Muresan 6,
Howard.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Denver 1-5 (.200), Stith 0-2, D Ellis 1-3. Washington
2-13 (.154), Cheaney 0-1, Eackles 1-4, B Price 0-4, Legler 1-3, Whitney
0-1.
Technicals: Denver - Mutombo, Illegal Defense, Washington - Howard.
Officials: Ed Middleton, Bruce Alexander, Gary Benson.
A - 18,756. T - 2:13.
nba.225vpoznanovic,
Washington 92, Denver 90
Brent Price's driving layup with three-tenths of a second remaining
lifted the Washington Bullets to a 92-90 victory over the Denver
Nuggets.
Washington, which never trailed in the game, took a 90-85 lead on
Gheorghe Muresan's layup with 1:32 to play. But with 41.1 seconds
left, Juwan Howard fouled Denver's LaPhonso Ellis at the three-point
arc and received a technical foul as well.
Dale Ellis made the technical free throw and LaPhonso Ellis converted
the two foul shots to make it 90-88. After Calbert Cheaney missed a
jumper with 24 seconds left, Dale Ellis missed on a five-foot jumper
attempt, but LaPhonso Ellis snared the rebound and layed it in with
3.1 seconds to go. Cheaney then inbounded the ball from halfcourt to
Price at the three-point arc, who converted the game-winner.
"This was big, very big," Price said. "After I caught it, I just knew
I had to get it in there. It all happened so fast, but I was satisfied
with the ending. Now we need a winning stretch."
"He (Price) made a terrific play," Bullets coach Jim Lynam said. "The
first look was to Ledell (Eackles). Sometimes it just comes down to
who has the open shot. At this stage, when you're chasing, every game
is a must-win game. This win gives us a lot of confidence, as well as
a big boost after the Orlando loss (on Friday)."
Muresan recorded 22 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots while
Howard netted 20 points for Washington, which snapped a two-game
losing skid. Price had 11 points and a career-best eight rebounds.
Dale Ellis scored 16 points off the bench and Antonio McDyess had 15
and nine rebounds for Denver, which concluded its road trip at 1-5.
LaPhonso Ellis contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds.
"We didn't make the play at winning time," Nuggets coach Bernie
Bickerstaff said. "We also didn't make the defensive play we needed
to. It's that simple. It's (the road trip) over. I'm not really happy
about the circumstances that ended it. But now it's a done deal."
The Bullets led 70-65 after three quarters and went ahead, 78-69,
before Denver rallied. Reggie Williams and Doug Overton hit
consecutive jumpers and Dale Ellis hit two foul shots to cut the
difference to 78-75 with 6:19 left.
Mutombo's three-point play with 3:43 remaining evened the game at
85-85, but Cheaney made a free throw, Howard added two foul shots and
Muresan's follow-up lay-in made it 90-85, setting up the final 90
seconds.
Cheaney tallied 15 points and Eackles had 13 for the Bullets, who shot
86 per cent from the free throw line (18-for-21) and committed just
nine turnovers.
Mutombo totaled 11 points, 11 boards and five blocks while Overton had
12 points and six assists for Denver, which was playing without guard
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who is suffering from a bruised left foot.
nba.226vpoznanovic,
La Clippers (92) At Phoenix (103)
La Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Rogers F 34 7-13 2-3 4 2 6 5 3 4 1 16
Vaught F 38 6-11 2-4 2 6 8 0 5 3 2 14
Williams C 23 3-7 0-0 2 3 5 1 0 2 5 6
Sealy G 26 3-14 0-0 2 1 3 1 4 0 1 6
Richardson G 21 3-7 1-2 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 7
Dehere 27 6-16 2-3 2 1 3 4 4 0 3 17
Murray 23 3-5 3-6 0 0 0 2 4 2 0 9
Roberts 25 4-8 4-5 0 5 5 2 3 0 1 12
Barry 22 1-4 1-2 0 1 1 6 1 2 1 3
Outlaw 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Harvey Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Piatkowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-86 15-25 12 19 31 23 27 13 14 92
(.430) (.600) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 14(16 Pts)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Bennett F 12 1-1 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 2 0 2
Barkley F 35 4-7 13-14 0 14 14 3 1 3 6 21
Williams C 41 5-8 0-0 2 6 8 2 3 2 0 10
Finley G 41 4-9 2-3 1 0 1 1 1 2 4 11
Johnson G 40 10-16 11-14 2 2 4 15 2 0 5 33
Manning 17 4-8 1-1 0 3 3 1 4 2 4 9
W Person 7 1-5 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
Perry 8 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3
Green 32 5-7 0-0 0 9 9 0 2 0 2 10
Kleine 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Carr Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Coker Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-65 29-34 5 38 43 25 19 11 21 103
(.538) (.853) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 21(24 Pts)
La Clippers 14 31 22 25 - 92
Phoenix 32 22 25 24 - 103
Blocked Shots: La Clippers - Murray. Phoenix - Williams 2, Barkley,
Bennett.
3-Pt. Field Goals: La Clippers 3-16 (.188), Rogers 0-4, Richardson 0-1,
Dehere 3-7, Murray 0-1, Barry 0-3. Phoenix 4-9 (.444), Barkley 0-1, Finley
1-1, Johnson 2-4, W Person 0-2, Perry 1-1.
Technicals: Phoenix - Barkley, Green.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Bob Delaney, Tim Donaghy.
A - 19,023. T - 2:09.
nba.227vpoznanovic,
Phoenix 103, LA Clippers 92
Kevin Johnson recorded 33 points and 15 assists and Charles Barkley
had 21 points and 14 rebounds, as the Phoenix Suns posted a 103-92
victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Suns, who defeated the Clippers for the first time in four
meetings this season, took command early and led 32-14 after the first
period. Johnson scored 15 and Barkley had 10 in the quarter, in which
Phoenix shot 11-for-15 from the field.
Michael Finley added 11 points for Phoenix, which has alternated wins
and losses in its last seven games. The Suns now play five of their
next six games at home as they hold the sixth spot in the Western
Conference playoff race by 1 1/2 games over the Portland Trail
Blazers.
"When you're a .500 team, one out of two nights you get a 'W,'"
Johnson said. "We are really trying to get over .500 before the
playoffs come around. Maybe we were pressing a little bit and that's
good. We're playing with a little more sense of urgency."
Terry Dehere netted 17 points and Rodney Rogers had 16 for the
Clippers, who had won eight of their last 13 games overall. However,
the Clippers have now lost 11 of their last 14 road games. The
franchise has never won consecutive games at Phoenix since joining the
league in the 1970-71 season.
"I think we had some very good shots at the start of the game,"
Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "I wish that could have set the tempo
for the night but from then on it was just a catch up game for us all
night. The Suns were coming off last night's loss, so they weren't
going to let anyone sneak up on them again."
A.C. Green totaled 10 points and nine boards while John Williams added
10 and eight for Phoenix, which shot 54 per cent from the floor
(35-for-65) and 85 per cent from the line (29-for-34).
"It was a solid effort tonight especially for our team and the fact
that we have struggled in back to backs," Suns coach Cotton
Fitzsimmons said. "What a great first quarter, but I knew it couldn't
stay that way. The Clippers played extremely hard but we got great
performances from everybody. The most encouraging performance came
from A.C. Green."
Loy Vaught registered 14 points and eight rebounds and Stanley Roberts
had 12 points for Los Angeles, which shot 43 per cent from the field
(37-of-86) and 60 per cent from the free throw line (15-for-25). The
team was outrebounded, 43-31.
Williams extended the Suns' lead to 40-21 on a layup with 8:56 left in
the second period, but Los Angeles countered with a 16-6 spurt. Dehere
and Roberts each had four points in the burst that made it 46-37 with
4 1/2 minutes remaining.
The margin remained at nine points at the intermission and the third
quarter was played closely. The Clippers edged within seven points on
two occasions, the latter at 72-65 on Rogers' jumper with 90 seconds
to go. However, Phoenix responded with a 7-0 surge and led 79-67 with
a quarter to play.
The Suns led by as many as 14 points at 85-71 in the fourth and the
closest Los Angeles would get was 95-87 on Vaught's basket with 2:49
remaining.
nba.228vpoznanovic,
Miami (111) At Boston (95)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 17 2-7 1-2 2 5 7 1 3 0 0 5
Williams F 39 7-14 3-4 2 4 6 2 5 0 3 20
Mourning C 47 9-17 9-14 3 13 16 5 1 1 0 27
Chapman G 41 9-15 0-0 1 4 5 3 3 1 3 20
Hardaway G 40 3-12 5-6 1 6 7 13 2 3 3 11
Gatling 27 8-12 4-5 0 2 2 2 3 1 0 20
Corbin 18 1-4 0-0 2 1 3 0 2 0 2 3
Askins 10 0-1 2-2 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 2
Lenard 1 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Schayes Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Smith Dnp - Flu
Totals 240 40-83 24-33 12 36 48 26 22 6 11 111
(.482) (.727) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 12(6 Pts)
Boston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ellison F 35 4-11 1-2 5 6 11 1 4 2 2 9
Fox F 30 4-11 0-2 0 6 6 2 4 1 1 8
Lister C 19 1-5 1-2 4 6 10 1 5 1 1 3
Wesley G 35 8-13 7-8 2 1 3 2 2 0 3 24
Minor G 21 3-10 2-2 2 2 4 2 3 1 0 8
Williams 27 5-14 3-4 4 0 4 2 1 0 0 13
Day 22 5-14 2-2 3 1 4 2 3 1 2 12
Brown 17 4-10 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 11
Barros 24 2-6 1-1 0 2 2 1 2 0 2 7
Burrough 7 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 0
Mundt 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Hamilton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-96 18-25 21 26 47 13 29 6 11 95
(.375) (.720) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 12(14 Pts)
Miami 32 28 27 24 - 111
Boston 18 34 23 20 - 95
Blocked Shots: Miami - Mourning 4, Gatling 2, Williams, Corbin. Boston -
Ellison 4, Wesley, Burrough.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Miami 7-17 (.412), Williams 3-5, Chapman 2-4, Hardaway
0-5, Corbin 1-1, Askins 0-1, Lenard 1-1. Boston 5-17 (.294), Fox 0-2,
Wesley 1-2, Day 0-4, Brown 2-6, Barros 2-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dan Crawford, David Jones, Jim Kinsey.
A - 18,159. T - 2:07.
nba.229vpoznanovic,
Miami 111, Boston 95
Alonzo Mourning scored 27 points to lead four Miami Heat players with
at least 20 points in a 111-95 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Chris Gatling, Rex Chapman and Walt Williams all added 20 points for
Miami, which won its fourth straight game and eighth in nine contests.
The Heat snapped a five-game losing skid to the Celtics and won in
Boston for the first time since March 13th, 1994.
"I'm very pleased with the way we've been playing," Mourning said.
"Collectively, everybody has been contributing, they know their roles
and they're doing their jobs. When you have a team in which each
individual knows each part, they're able to do their jobs and the help
defense is there, everything else will gradually fall into place."
David Wesley tallied 24 points and Eric Williams had 13 off the bench
for Boston, which had won six of its last nine games overall and five
of seven at home. Pervis Ellison chipped in nine points and 11
rebounds.
"I think tonight was just a combination of what they did defensively
and we couldn't hit a shot," Wesley said. "They were definitely
playing good basketball out there. We had some easy shots and
wide-open looks. The shots were just not falling tonight."
Miami extended a 14-9 lead with a 10-1 run, which was capped by
Gatling's jumper with 2:48 left in the first period. The Heat took a
32-18 advantage into the second quarter, thanks to Walt Williams' 10
points and managed a 60-52 halftime cushion.
They began the third period on a 12-4 spree, which featured eight
points from Mourning, including a layup that made it 72-56 with 8:57
remaining. Miami held an 87-75 lead after three quarters and built its
biggest margin at 99-81 on Mourning's jumper with 5:32 to play.
Mourning pulled down 16 rebounds and Tim Hardaway added 11 points, 13
assists and seven boards for Miami, which built a one-game lead over
Charlotte for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern
Division. The Hornets play the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.
"We just have to go out and win," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "You just
can't win games at home if you expect to make the playoffs. If we can
be competitive on the road, defend on the road and not turn the ball
over we have a good chance. I think everything is breaking for us at
the right time. We have a great opportunity now with Charlotte out (on
the road) five games. We just have to take care of our own business."
Todd Day netted 12 points and Dee Brown had 11 for Boston, which shot
37 per cent from the field (36-for-96) and committed 29 personal
fouls. Alton Lister started at center and grabbed 10 rebounds in place
of Eric Montross, who was placed on the injured list today due to a
severely sprained left ankle.
"We were running a lot of people at them, but you don't want to run
that for 48 minutes, you just can't sustain it," Celtics coach M.L.
Carr said. "It was very effective in the second quarter, but not so
effective in the third. They're (Miami) a totally different ball club.
They come at you in many different ways."
nba.230vpoznanovic,
New Jersey (84) At Milwaukee (80)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 39 6-12 2-2 2 3 5 2 4 0 1 14
A Gilliam F 35 3-11 3-4 2 9 11 3 1 0 2 9
Bradley C 40 6-12 6-7 2 6 8 3 5 3 5 18
Childs G 37 3-12 3-4 0 3 3 7 5 3 3 9
Obannon G 28 6-9 1-2 3 1 4 0 3 2 0 14
Williams 12 1-3 3-6 1 1 2 0 5 0 0 5
Fleming 32 6-12 0-1 0 5 5 3 1 1 2 12
Reeves 14 0-6 1-2 0 2 2 3 2 1 0 1
Mahorn 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Graham 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dare Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Werdann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-78 19-28 10 30 40 21 27 10 13 84
(.410) (.679) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 13(18 Pts)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Baker F 42 5-18 3-5 3 13 16 3 4 1 5 13
Robinson F 43 7-15 3-4 1 4 5 2 3 1 7 19
Benjamin C 20 3-6 3-4 2 4 6 1 5 0 0 9
Douglas G 33 3-7 0-2 0 0 0 6 3 1 0 6
Newman G 42 3-9 10-11 0 2 2 4 4 2 2 16
Cummings 23 1-5 7-8 3 7 10 1 3 1 2 9
Respert 10 1-7 0-0 2 1 3 1 1 1 0 2
Mayberry 15 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 4 0 1 2
Conlon 12 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 4
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Keys Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 26-78 26-34 11 33 44 19 28 7 17 80
(.333) (.765) Team Rebs: 20 Total To: 19(16 Pts)
New Jersey 25 21 14 24 - 84
Milwaukee 21 19 28 12 - 80
Blocked Shots: New Jersey - Bradley 8, Brown 2, A Gilliam. Milwaukee -
Baker, Benjamin.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New Jersey 1-7 (.143), Childs 0-3, Obannon 1-2, Reeves
0-2. Milwaukee 2-13 (.154), Baker 0-1, Robinson 2-4, Douglas 0-1, Newman
0-2, Respert 0-3, Mayberry 0-2.
Technicals: New Jersey - Head Coach Beard.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Bill Spooner, Greg Willard.
A - 18,331. T - 2:20.
nba.231vpoznanovic,
New Jersey 84, Milwaukee 80
Shawn Bradley scored 18 points, including a hook shot with 47 seconds
remaining to spark a game-ending 6-0 run, as the New Jersey Nets
handed the Milwaukee Bucks their 11th straight loss, 84-80.
Ed O'Bannon and P.J. Brown each added 14 points for the Nets, who have
won three of their last four games but just four in their last 14.
"We hung in there even with a bad third quarter," Nets coach Butch
Beard said. "We had some really big free throws and some big defense
at the end. This is a real nice win for us. We're not going to focus
on individualism but look at it as a total team win."
Glenn Robinson scored 19 points, Johnny Newman 16 and Vin Baker added
13 points and 16 rebounds for the Bucks, who tied a franchise-record
with their 11th consecutive loss. Milwaukee, whcih also dropped its
fifth straight home game, is winless since March 2nd.
"This game came down to shooting the basketball," Bucks coach Mike
Dunleavy said. "We couldn't make the shots or finish around the
basket. I felt that we did a good job defensively, but we just
couldn't get our shots to drop."
"The fourth quarter was especially frustrating for me," said Robinson,
who went scoreless in the final quarter. "I only had three shots with
no points. I can't really do anything with that. This game was tough
because the Nets are the best rebounding team in the league. As far as
our streak, it's very frustrating to lose that many games."
The Bucks held an 80-78 lead with 2:44 remaining, but the Nets scored
the game's final six points. Bradley hit a hook shot to tie it and
Brown made a pair of foul shots, giving New Jersey an 82-80 edge with
21 seconds to go. Chris Childs added two free throws with three
seconds left.
"I concentrated on trying to get Vin Baker in the post," Bradley said.
"At one point, I changed his shot by jumping at the ball and we were
able to get the rebound. Our confidence is getting higher and higher
and we're getting better."
Milwaukee held a 68-60 lead after three quarters but collapsed in the
final stanza, getting outscored, 24-12. The Bucks hit just three field
goals in the fourth and were held to six points over the final 8:29.
The Nets scored seven unanswered points to pull within 74-72 with 5:19
to play.
The Bucks shot a woeful 33 percent (26-of-78) from the field and
2-of-13 (15 percent) from three-point range.
nba.232vpoznanovic,
New York (85) At Dallas (79)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Reid F 23 2-6 4-4 3 4 7 0 4 0 1 8
Mason F 20 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 2 0 0 3 1
Ewing C 42 16-30 4-5 2 13 15 1 1 1 3 36
Starks G 40 8-17 0-0 1 1 2 4 3 3 3 19
Harper G 41 6-13 0-0 1 6 7 6 1 5 2 13
Anderson 31 2-6 0-0 2 5 7 3 2 5 4 4
Williams 33 1-6 0-0 2 5 7 2 2 0 3 2
Ward 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 0
Grandison 6 1-2 0-0 2 1 3 1 1 0 0 2
Davis Dnp - Hyperextended Left Knee
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lohaus Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-82 9-11 13 37 50 20 16 14 21 85
(.439) (.818) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 22(30 Pts)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 37 4-18 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 9
Jones F 36 7-18 1-1 4 13 17 1 3 0 1 17
Williams C 29 2-6 0-0 6 5 11 1 4 1 2 4
Kidd G 39 6-23 2-2 7 2 9 10 0 1 8 16
Jackson G 32 5-14 2-2 2 4 6 2 0 2 2 13
Parks 9 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 0
Wood 21 0-4 0-0 2 2 4 0 3 2 0 0
Harris 20 6-7 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 5 15
Brooks 5 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Meyer 12 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 2
Dumas Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Davis Dnp - Left Knee Surgery
Totals 240 32-95 6-7 24 32 56 16 15 7 20 79
(.337) (.857) Team Rebs: 2 Total To: 20(25 Pts)
New York 26 22 24 13 - 85
Dallas 26 11 20 22 - 79
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 3, Harper 2, Reid. Dallas - Williams 2,
Kidd 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 4-12 (.333), Starks 3-7, Harper 1-4, Anderson
0-1. Dallas 9-34 (.265), Mccloud 1-10, Jones 2-5, Kidd 2-7, Jackson 1-5,
Wood 0-3, Harris 3-4.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Paul Mihalak, Tommie Wood.
A - 17,502. T - 2:08.
nba.233vpoznanovic,
New York 85, Dallas 79
Patrick Ewing scored 36 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the New York
Knicks handed the Dallas Mavericks their 10th straight loss with an
85-79 victory.
The Knicks, who have won four of their last five, used a 22-0 run
bridging the second and third quarters to build 54-37 lead before the
Mavericks closed to within 79-77 on a dunk by Loren Meyer with less
than four minutes to play.
Popeye Jones finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds for Dallas, which
has lost 10 straight games to New York and has not had a win since a
127-117 win over New Jersey on March 5th. The Mavs have dropped eight
of their last 11 home games.
John Starks, who finished with 19 points, hit a three-pointer to
ignite the run and get the Knicks within 37-35. Ewing then scored four
straight points to give New York the lead and Derek Harper extended it
to 42-37 with a three-pointer with 2:19 left.
Starks made two layups and Ewing closed out the half with an 18-footer
for a 48-37 lead at intermission. Ewing opened up the third quarter
with jumper and J.R. Reid hit a layup before Ewing capped the burst
with a pair of free throws with 10:06 remaining.
The Mavericks trailed 76-63 in the fourth quarter, but climbed back in
in with a 14-3 run using its three-point shooting. Lucious Harris sank
a pair of three-pointers and Jason Kidd and Jones had one apiece as
the Mavs got within 79-77 with 5:20 to play.
Rwing then sank two straight jumper and after a miss by Kidd, Ewing
grabbed the rebound and hit Starks for a fast-break layup for an 85-77
lead with 2:48 left.
Harper finished with 13 points for New York, which shot just 43.9 per
cent (36-of-82) from the field and were outrebounded 56-50.
Kidd just missed a triple-double and had 16 points, nine rebounds and
10 assists for Dallas, which was a dismal 32-of-95 (33.7 per cent)
from the field, including 9-of-34 from three-point range.
nba.234vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (100) At Indiana (88)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 41 5-14 2-2 1 6 7 2 4 3 3 14
Smith F 29 2-7 2-2 0 4 4 1 6 3 1 6
Robinson C 34 6-12 10-13 2 11 13 3 4 0 3 22
Del Negro G 41 3-10 4-4 1 3 4 6 2 0 0 11
Johnson G 40 6-10 3-6 1 2 3 7 1 4 1 15
W Perdue 19 5-6 3-8 2 5 7 0 5 1 1 13
C Person 22 3-12 0-0 0 1 1 3 4 2 1 9
Rivers 13 4-6 1-2 0 2 2 2 3 0 0 10
Anderson 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alexander Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Demps Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-77 25-37 7 34 41 24 29 13 10 100
(.442) (.676) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 11(13 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 30 5-11 2-2 1 4 5 4 4 0 1 12
D Davis F 32 3-6 1-4 3 6 9 1 3 1 0 7
Smits C 26 5-14 6-9 2 7 9 1 3 0 3 16
Miller G 25 4-12 4-5 1 1 2 2 3 2 4 12
Jackson G 38 5-8 0-1 1 3 4 3 1 0 2 12
Ferrell 9 1-2 4-4 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 6
A Davis 28 1-9 6-6 4 4 8 1 3 0 1 8
Pierce 17 1-6 0-0 2 2 4 2 2 1 2 2
Workman 14 1-2 0-0 0 4 4 2 3 0 1 2
Caldwell 5 1-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 3
Best 16 2-5 4-4 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 8
Schintzius Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-76 28-37 16 35 51 17 25 5 16 88
(.382) (.757) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 17(15 Pts)
San Antonio 25 23 30 22 - 100
Indiana 20 25 28 15 - 88
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Robinson 3, Elliott. Indiana - Mckey 2, A
Davis 2, Smits.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 7-17 (.412), Elliott 2-5, Del Negro 1-1, C
Person 3-10, Rivers 1-1. Indiana 2-8 (.250), Miller 0-3, Jackson 2-2,
Pierce 0-1, Best 0-2.
Technicals: San Antonio - Del Negro, Rivers, Indiana - Miller 2 (Ejected),
Mckey.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Blane Reichelt, Joe Derosa.
A - 16,734. T - 2:21.
nba.235vpoznanovic,
13 A LUCKY NUMBER FOR SPURS
INDIANAPOLIS -- David Robinson scored 22 points and grabbed 13
rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their 13th consecutive win,
a 100-88 triumph over the Indiana Pacers.
San Antonio is now two wins shy of matching the team-record winning
streak of 15 games, established last season. With Sunday's victory,
the Spurs moved to within three games of the Seattle SuperSonics in
the race for the best record in the Western Conference. Seattle is at
Sacramento Sunday night.
"Coming in here we knew it was going to be difficult," said Robinson.
"I love this team. It has everything you want mentally and
physically."
The Spurs took a 20-18 lead on a slam dunk by Robinson with 1:11
remaining in the first quarter and never trailed after that. The bulge
grew to as many as many as 10 points in the third quarter.
"I think we played a good first half," said San Antonio coach Bob
Hill. "I thought David Robinson was phenomenal. The key to our success
is that there is a great chemistry on this ball club."
Indiana cut the deficit to three points, 78-75, on a 3-pointer by Mark
Jackson early in the final period, but San Antonio's Chuck Person
responded with consecutive 3-pointers to restore the lead to nine with
9:06 to play. Indiana was held to just 16 points in the final quarter
and San Antonio led by as many as 17.
"My job is to shoot the ball," said Person. "I knew I would have lots
of chances to shoot the ball in the second half. We are playing better
now and we are making our championship run. We feel like we are a
tough team to beat."
"We've just got to keep on working and keep on playing," said Jackson.
"Things are tough right now, we'll just have to get started today."
Avery Johnson added 15 points and Sean Elliott had 14 for the Spurs.
Rik Smits scored 16 points to lead the Pacers, who have lost seven of
their last 10 games and saw their lead over the New York Knicks
reduced to one game in the race for the third playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference.
The Pacers played a good portion of the game without leading scorer
Reggie Miller, who was ejected after picking up a pair of technical
fouls. Miller and San Antonio's Vinny Del Negro exchanged words
following a foul three minutes into the game and both were hit with
technicals.
Miller then picked up his second technical with 8:53 left in the third
quarter when he slammed the ball to the court after being called for
an offensive foul. He left the game having scored 12 points.
"He's trying to win the game," said Indiana coach Larry Brown of
Miller. "I like to see him get emotional. That didn't lose the game
for us. I don't fault him. We have other guys who can step up, but we
didn't get it done because of the team we were playing against."
nba.236vpoznanovic,
Seattle (112) At Sacramento (110)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Schrempf F 41 3-10 2-2 1 3 4 4 2 1 2 8
Kemp F 37 5-8 3-5 2 9 11 3 6 0 6 13
Johnson C 15 2-3 2-2 1 5 6 0 2 0 1 6
Hawkins G 38 8-15 3-3 1 2 3 3 3 2 3 22
Payton G 46 14-26 8-9 5 6 11 9 4 2 4 38
Perkins 21 4-8 1-2 0 3 3 0 1 1 1 12
Mcmillan 22 2-5 2-2 1 0 1 9 4 4 0 7
Brickowski 20 2-4 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 0 1 6
Ford Dnp - Coach'S Decision
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingate Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-79 21-25 11 32 43 28 23 10 18 112
(.506) (.840) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 18(24 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 34 3-10 1-2 4 8 12 4 4 0 1 8
Polynice F 27 11-17 2-3 6 6 12 0 3 1 1 24
Causwell C 31 3-6 0-0 1 3 4 1 4 1 2 6
Richmond G 39 8-19 1-2 1 2 3 5 0 3 3 22
Edney G 41 6-14 5-6 1 1 2 10 6 1 3 18
Hurley 7 0-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Smith 28 5-8 2-6 4 5 9 4 4 0 0 12
Marciulionis 24 5-12 4-6 0 2 2 2 1 1 2 16
Gamble 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Owens Dnp - Injured Right Foot
Simmons Dnp - Sprained Right Knee
C Williamson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 42-90 17-27 17 27 44 26 22 7 12 110
(.467) (.630) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 12(18 Pts)
Seattle 29 27 21 35 - 112
Sacramento 25 28 27 30 - 110
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Johnson 3, Kemp 2, Hawkins, Perkins. Sacramento
- Smith 2, Grant.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 11-24 (.458), D Schrempf 0-2, Hawkins 3-9,
Payton 2-3, Perkins 3-4, Mcmillan 1-2, Brickowski 2-4. Sacramento 9-23
(.391), Grant 1-1, Richmond 5-12, Edney 1-3, Marciulionis 2-6, Gamble 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Terry Durham, Luis Grillo.
A - 17,317. T - 2:11.
nba.237vpoznanovic,
Seattle 112, Sacramento 110
Gary Payton scored eight of his career-high 38 points in the final
2:24, including the game-winning basket with one second remaining, as
the Seattle SuperSonics rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final
two minutes and defeated the Sacramento Kings, 112-110.
Payton nearly recorded a triple double, adding a career-high-tying 11
rebounds and nine assists. He scored 23 of his 38 points in the second
half. Seattle closed the game with a 12-1 run to pull out the victory.
"It's an unbelievable win," said Seattle coach George Karl.
"Sacramento played well tonight and actually outhustled us most of the
game tonight until the end."
"I may not have the greatest memory in the world, but I don't know if
we've had a tougher loss than that," said Kings head coach Garry St.
Jean. "We clawed and dug, played really hard, and played terrific for
46 minutes, and then we shot ourselves in the foot with the turnovers.
You're not going to lose a tougher game than that."
The win was the sixth in seven games for the Sonics (53-15), who
remain 3 1/2 games ahead of San Antonio for the top seed in the
Western Conference. Seattle is 17-2 against Pacific Division teams
this season, 8-2 on the road.
Olden Polynice had a season-high 24 points and 12 rebounds and Mitch
Richmond added 22 points for the Kings, who lead Golden State by
one-half game in the battle for the eighth and final playoff berth in
the Western Conference.
Sacramento held a 109-100 lead after a basket by Michael Smith with
2:02 remaining.
Nate McMillan hit a three-pointer with 1:44 left to ignite the
game-ending 10-1 run. A basket by Payton after a steal by McMillan
with 1:24 remaining pulled Seattle within 109-105.
Sarunas Marciulionis, who finished with 16 points, converted
one-of-two free throws with 62 seconds left to increase Sacramento's
lead to five, 110-105.
But Payton scored a basket with 53.7 seconds remaining and Hersey
Hawkins converted a three-point play with 27 seconds left to tie the
game at 110-110.
Then Payton stole the ball from Richmond and scored on a driving layup
with 1.4 seconds left to give Seattle the come-from-behind win.
"We had our shot to put this game away down the stretch," said
Richmond. "It was definitely my costly turnover that gave us the loss,
but it was really a great effort by everybody tonight. It's just tough
that it had to come out the way it did. It's a bad loss, basically."
"We picked up our pressure and I think they panicked a little bit,"
said McMillan. "I think that the key for us was when Edney (Tyus) went
out of the game. Their ballhandler was out and we were able to get
some ball pressure and trapping. Our defense just got a little more
aggressive and was able to create some steal opportunities."
Hawkins finished with 22 points and Shawn Kemp had 13 points and 11
rebounds for Seattle.
Tyus Edney had 18 points and 10 assists for the Kings, but fouled out
in the fourth quarter.
The Sonics have won 22 of the last 28 meetings between the teams since
the start of the 1990-91 season.
Sacramento played without forward Billy Owens, who is bothered by a
right foot injury.
nba.238vpoznanovic,
Vancouver (85) At Cleveland (90)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Wilkins F 38 4-9 0-0 1 0 1 2 1 1 2 10
Amaya F 12 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 2
Reeves C 38 4-10 2-4 4 8 12 2 1 0 1 10
B Edwards G 39 6-13 4-4 1 4 5 4 4 0 1 16
Anthony G 29 2-9 1-1 0 0 0 8 4 1 3 5
King 32 6-14 5-6 1 6 7 1 3 4 0 20
Murdock 19 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 5 1 2 1 2
Scott 19 5-11 5-5 0 2 2 1 2 2 2 16
Avent 14 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 4
D Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Manning Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Moten Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-76 17-20 8 25 33 24 19 10 11 85
(.408) (.850) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 11(14 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 33 4-8 6-6 2 4 6 1 4 0 0 14
Ferry F 38 8-15 4-4 3 4 7 0 3 2 3 22
Cage C 31 2-2 2-4 4 10 14 3 2 1 0 6
Phills G 34 5-15 0-2 0 3 3 4 3 0 1 13
Brandon G 37 6-17 3-3 1 4 5 10 1 3 3 15
Majerle 25 5-11 1-1 1 4 5 3 0 0 1 13
Hill 17 2-2 1-2 2 3 5 2 2 2 4 5
Sura 15 1-6 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 2
Crotty 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lang 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 0
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-76 17-22 13 33 46 24 19 8 16 90
(.434) (.773) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 18(15 Pts)
Vancouver 21 24 18 22 - 85
Cleveland 23 20 21 26 - 90
Blocked Shots: Vancouver - Reeves, B Edwards, King, Avent. Cleveland -
Brandon 2, Majerle 2, Mills, Cage, Phills, Sura.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Vancouver 6-14 (.429), Wilkins 2-4, B Edwards 0-1,
Anthony 0-2, King 3-4, Scott 1-3. Cleveland 7-20 (.350), Mills 0-2, Ferry
2-5, Phills 3-4, Brandon 0-2, Majerle 2-5, Sura 0-2.
Technicals: Vancouver - Wilkins.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Ted Bernhardt, Ken Mauer.
A - 18,108. T - 2:10.
nba.239vpoznanovic,
GRIZZLIES' LOSING STREAK REACHES 18
CLEVELAND -- Danny Ferry scored 13 of his 22 points in the fourth
quarter, including a key 3-pointer late in the game, as the Cleveland
Cavaliers handed the floundering Vancouver Grizzlies their 18th
straight loss 90-85.
Terrell Brandon scored 15 points, four coming at the end of a 9-0
fourth-quarter run, giving the Cavaliers an 80-74 lead with 2:52
remaining. Brandon also had 10 assists and five rebounds.
"I kept telling him (Ferry), 'I'm going to pick-and-roll and when they
jump on me, I'll throw it right back,' " Brandon said. "You get ready
and set your feet. That is exactly what he did."
Chris Mills contributed 14 points and Bobby Phills and Dan Majerle
each netted 13 for Cleveland, which has won four of its last five
games to take over sole possession of fifth place in the Eastern
Conference -- one-half game ahead of Atlanta.
"It looked like we were running on a low tank today, but we need to
give Vancouver a lot of credit," Cleveland coach Mike Fratello said.
"I was concerned about coming home off the road trip and playing this
early. We would have liked to have had a little more time so you have
to work your way through it."
Chris King scored 20 points and Blue Edwards and Byron Scott each
added 16 for the Grizzlies, who haven't won since Feb. 14. Vancouver
was held to less than 100 points for the 12th straight game.
"Down the stretch we didn't get a rebound then we had to scramble
around and Ferry makes a huge shot," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters
said. "He misses that and we have a chance. We play a lot of close
games, but unfortunately, we come up on the short end. We're not good
enough to get a lead where we have a cushion and that makes it tough."
King sank a 3-pointer with 5:51 left to give the Grizzlies a 74-71
lead, but Cleveland responded with nine straight points. Ferry began
the surge with a jumper and followed with a 3-pointer, giving the Cavs
a 76-74 edge with 4:15 to play. A driving layup and a 15-foot baseline
jumper by Brandon made it 80-74 with 2:52 to go.
"I got a little rest in the third quarter and I think (assistant
coach) Ron Rothstein really helped me," Ferry said. "He told me it
looked like I was predetermining what I was doing instead of just
going out and playing and letting things happen. I did that when I
went back in and my shot started falling and things fell into place."
"Our concentration wasn't good in the first half and we weren't
sharp," Fratello said. "Danny (Ferry) may have been struggling early
on, but he certainly made a couple of big shots in the fourth quarter,
none bigger than the 3-pointer as he's falling out of bounds with the
shot clock going off."
Scott hit a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining, pulling Vancouver
within 88-85, but Brandon's two foul shots with two seconds left
sealed the victory.
The Grizzlies held a 45-43 lead at the intermission but Cleveland used
a 13-2 run over the first 3:28 of the third quarter for a 56-47
advantage. Phills scored eight points during the spurt.
Bryant Reeves had 10 points and 12 rebounds for Vancouver, which
outscored Cleveland 16-8 over the final 3:28 of the third quarter.
nba.240vpoznanovic,
Dallas (86) At Utah (103)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 23 1-9 4-4 1 1 2 2 2 0 1 7
Jones F 25 4-11 3-5 8 4 12 1 2 2 1 11
Williams C 17 0-2 2-2 3 3 6 0 3 2 0 2
Jackson G 15 1-9 2-3 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 4
Kidd G 25 6-18 1-2 1 1 2 2 0 0 3 13
Harris 21 3-8 0-0 1 2 3 3 0 0 0 7
Parks 29 5-10 0-1 2 4 6 0 2 1 1 10
Wood 25 2-3 2-4 1 3 4 1 3 2 1 6
Meyer 25 3-5 2-2 0 3 3 4 3 0 3 8
Brooks 23 6-10 2-2 0 1 1 4 4 3 0 16
Dumas 12 0-4 2-6 2 0 2 4 3 1 2 2
Davis Dnp - Not With Team
Totals 240 31-89 20-31 21 23 44 22 23 12 13 86
(.348) (.645) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 13(14 Pts)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 24 3-8 0-1 0 4 4 1 3 2 0 6
Malone F 35 9-14 11-13 3 9 12 4 3 2 3 29
Spencer C 17 3-3 4-4 0 7 7 1 4 0 4 10
Hornacek G 33 6-8 2-4 0 5 5 8 2 3 1 17
Stockton G 34 6-12 0-0 1 3 4 8 1 0 2 13
Eisley 14 2-5 2-2 1 0 1 6 1 1 2 7
Ostertag 15 0-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 2 0 0 0
Keefe 20 2-5 3-3 3 3 6 1 1 0 1 7
Morris 13 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 2 2
Carr 20 2-7 2-2 1 1 2 0 5 0 0 6
Russell 6 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 2
Foster 9 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 4
Totals 240 37-76 24-29 13 39 52 31 26 8 17 103
(.487) (.828) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 17(10 Pts)
Dallas 22 17 23 24 - 86
Utah 30 19 30 24 - 103
Blocked Shots: Dallas - Meyer 2, Kidd, Parks. Utah - Benoit 3, Spencer
2, Malone, Stockton, Keefe, Morris, Carr.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Dallas 4-23 (.174), Mccloud 1-5, Jackson 0-4, Kidd 0-5,
Harris 1-4, Parks 0-2, Brooks 2-2, Dumas 0-1. Utah 5-13 (.385), Benoit
0-3, Hornacek 3-4, Stockton 1-3, Eisley 1-2, Morris 0-1.
Technicals: Dallas - Illegal Defense, Utah - Stockton.
Officials: Joe Forte, Ron Elisiak, Monty Mccutchen.
A - 19,911. T - 2:01.
nba.241vpoznanovic,
Utah 103, Dallas 86
Karl Malone had 29 points and 12 rebounds as the Utah Jazz handed the
Dallas Mavericks their 11th straight loss, 103-86.
Jeff Hornacek had 17 points and eight assists as the Jazz won their
fourth straight game and remained 1 1/2 games behind the San Antonio
Spurs for the lead in the Midwest Division.
"When you play teams like that who are in a losing mode like they
were, you have to jump them right from the start," Hornacek said. "We
got up by 12 points early. Unfortunately we let them back in and
didn't administer the knockout punch early."
Utah improved to 14-0 against Dallas at the Delta Center.
Scott Brooks scored 16 points and Jason Kidd added 13 for the
Mavericks, who fell to 1-3 against the Jazz this season.
"This year has been hard but we look forward for years to come to do
some positive things," Kidd said. "I think playing against New York
yesterday took a toll on us. We were in that ballgame until the last
two minutes so we feel really drained. At the same time you have to be
ready when you put on the uniform and and tonight we didn't shoot the
ball very well from the three-point line or anywhere else."
Malone scored five points as the Jazz scored the first 11 of the game
and never trailed. Malone, who has led Utah in scoring in seven of its
last eight games, shot 9-of-14 from the field and 11-of-13 from the
free throw line.
Loren Meyer's layup capped an 8-0 spurt and brought the Mavs within
40-35 with 3:59 left in the second quarter.
Malone made two free throws and Hornacek hit a three-pointer to close
the second quarter as Utah took a 49-39 lead to halftime.
Felton Spencer, who had 10 points and seven rebounds, made a free
throw with 7:03 left in the third to cap a 13-4 spurt and give the
Jazz a 62-43 advantage.
"We didn't do too bad," Spencer said. "You know Coach Sloan has really
been on us about our intensity. You know we've been playing well and
lost some leads at times and haven't really executed like he thought
we should have."
John Stockton had 13 points and eight assists for the Jazz, who shot
49 per cent (37-for-76) from the field. Greg Ostertag missed all four
of his shots from the field and was the only player held scoreless for
Utah.
Popeye Jones had 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks, who shot
just 65 per cent (20-for-31) from the free throw line.
Cherokee Parks came off the bench to record 10 points and six rebounds
for Dallas, which shot just 17 per cent (4-for-23) from three-point
range.
nba.242vpoznanovic,
Philadelphia (71) At Portland (94)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Weatherspoon F 35 7-17 6-11 6 7 13 1 1 3 1 20
Massenburg F 39 5-9 1-2 4 7 11 0 3 0 3 11
Thompson C 28 2-2 0-0 2 5 7 0 3 0 1 4
Stackhouse G 31 4-14 5-8 0 1 1 3 0 2 3 13
Maxwell G 24 2-11 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 4
Walters 29 2-3 1-2 0 2 2 3 4 0 2 5
Higgins 27 3-12 4-4 1 1 2 3 3 1 2 11
Alston 13 0-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 0
Dumas 14 1-5 1-2 0 1 1 1 3 2 0 3
Pinckney Dnp - Tendonitis
Ruffin Dnp - Back Spasms
Sutton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 26-77 18-29 15 28 43 13 19 9 14 71
(.338) (.621) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 15(21 Pts)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 32 6-11 0-0 3 3 6 0 2 0 1 12
C Robinson F 34 6-12 4-5 1 3 4 5 4 1 1 17
Sabonis C 26 8-9 1-1 5 10 15 2 1 0 2 18
Mckie G 25 2-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 1 2 4
R Robinson G 27 5-12 0-0 0 5 5 5 1 3 5 11
Wingfield 18 3-5 2-2 1 3 4 2 2 0 1 10
J Robinson 26 1-8 6-9 1 0 1 7 2 1 4 8
Dudley 18 3-6 4-4 3 6 9 0 2 0 0 10
Williams 30 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 3 4
Spencer 4 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Strickland Dnp - Strained Left Groin
Trent Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-76 17-21 15 33 48 21 21 6 19 94
(.474) (.810) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 19(15 Pts)
Philadelphia 17 19 15 20 - 71
Portland 30 25 20 19 - 94
Blocked Shots: Philadelphia - Weatherspoon, Walters, Higgins. Portland -
Sabonis, Dudley.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Philadelphia 1-12 (.083), Stackhouse 0-3, Maxwell 0-5,
Higgins 1-2, Dumas 0-2. Portland 5-14 (.357), C Robinson 1-3, Sabonis 1-1,
Mckie 0-2, R Robinson 1-3, Wingfield 2-3, J Robinson 0-2.
Technicals: Philadelphia - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Bob Delaney, Don Vaden, Mike Smith.
A - 20,034. T - 2:00.
nba.243vpoznanovic,
Portland 94, Philadelphia 71
Arvydas Sabonis scored 10 of his 18 points in the first quarter as the
Portland Trail Blazers raced to a 13-point lead and cruised to a 94-71
victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Sabonis shot 8-of-9 from the field and grabbed 15 rebounds. Clifford
Robinson scored 17 points and Harvey Grant added 12 for Portland,
which won for the seventh time in eight games and pulled within one
game of the Phoenix Suns in the race for the sixth playoff spot in the
Western Conference.
Portland played without Rod Strickland due to a left groin strain.
Clarence Weatherspoon had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the 76ers.
Jerry Stackhouse returned from a two-game suspension for fighting and
added 13 for Philadelphia, which dropped to 13-56.
After Weatherspoon hit a 10-footer to close Philadelphia within 12-9,
Sabonis tipped in a missed shot to ignite a 12-2 run. Sabonis scored
six points in the burst. Robinson's 10-footer capped the spurt and
gave the Trail Blazers a 24-12 bulge with three minutes left in the
period.
The Trail Blazers expanded their lead to 30-17 entering the second
quarter and carried a 55-36 advantage into the half behind Sabonis' 15
points.
Portland took a 75-51 bulge entering the fourth quarter and led by as
many as 28 points, 85-57, four minutes into the final period.
Chris Dudley had 10 points and nine rebounds and James Robinson had
seven assists for Portland, which outscored Philadelphia by a 58-30
margin in the paint and shot 47 per cent (36-of-76) from the field.
Tony Massenburg had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Sean Higgins added
11 points for Philadelphia, which shot 34 per cent (26-of-77) --
including 1-for-12 from three-point range.
nba.244vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (95) At New Jersey (88)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 44 14-26 2-3 3 7 10 3 3 1 4 35
Smith F 30 3-12 3-4 3 2 5 3 4 3 0 9
Robinson C 43 6-15 7-7 11 6 17 3 2 2 0 19
Johnson G 40 5-10 3-4 1 1 2 7 4 1 3 13
Del Negro G 39 4-12 0-0 2 5 7 2 1 1 0 9
C Person 17 0-8 1-2 0 7 7 0 2 1 1 1
W Perdue 11 0-2 3-4 2 1 3 0 3 0 1 3
Rivers 11 2-5 1-2 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 6
Alexander 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Williams 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Demps Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-92 20-26 22 31 53 19 21 10 10 95
(.370) (.769) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 10(6 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 31 3-7 2-4 3 5 8 3 4 0 3 8
A Gilliam F 37 9-18 2-2 1 4 5 3 3 0 0 20
Bradley C 39 10-21 1-1 3 6 9 1 5 0 2 21
Childs G 38 4-8 1-2 0 8 8 9 2 1 6 9
Obannon G 23 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 3
Fleming 27 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 5 0 0 2 4
Williams 17 4-9 2-4 1 4 5 1 6 1 0 11
Dare 9 1-1 2-2 2 0 2 0 3 0 0 4
Reeves 16 2-7 0-2 0 3 3 2 2 2 2 6
Mahorn 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Graham 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Werdann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-80 10-17 12 32 44 24 27 4 16 88
(.463) (.588) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 16(17 Pts)
San Antonio 28 18 31 18 - 95
New Jersey 26 18 24 20 - 88
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Robinson 4, Smith. New Jersey - Bradley 3,
A Gilliam, Obannon, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 7-26 (.269), Elliott 5-12, Robinson 0-1,
Del Negro 1-3, C Person 0-8, Rivers 1-2. New Jersey 4-11 (.364), Childs
0-2, Obannon 1-1, Williams 1-2, Reeves 2-6.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Mark Wunderlich, Jim Capers.
A - 16,037. T - 2:07.
nba.245vpoznanovic,
SPURS CUT THE NETS, CLOSE IN ON SEATTLE
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Don't look now, Sonics, but the San Antonio
Spurs are closing fast.
With the Western Conference home-court advantage within their sights,
the Spurs have spurted to a 14-game winning streak.
Sean Elliott led the charge Monday night, scoring 12 of his 35 points
in the third quarter as the Spurs held off the New Jersey Nets 95-88.
"We're not that impressed with how we played tonight," All-Star center
David Robinson said. "We're trying to build to get ready for the
playoffs. We want to win the West."
Robinson added 19 points and 17 rebounds for San Antonio, which moved
within three games idle of Seattle for the top seed in the Western
Conference playoffs.
The Spurs, who finished a four-game road trip and won their seventh in
a row away from home, will go for their 15th victory in a row
Wednesday night at the Alamodome against New York. The club record of
15 consecutive victories was set March 14-April 9 last season.
The victory is more remarkable considering the Spurs were fatigued,
playing the second of back-to-back games and finishing up a long road
trip, and they even had to fly a commercial airline because their
charter company went bankrupt.
"We were dead tired, and back-to-backs are always scary at this time
of the year. But it was a back-to-back game for them, too, and that
was what I was hanging my hat on," Spurs coach Bob Hill said.
With Monday night's victory, San Antonio (50-18) posted its third
consecutive 50-win season and fifth in its last seven seasons. The
Spurs swept a four-game road trip and play four of their next six
games at home.
San Antonio outrebounded the Nets 52-43, including 22-12 on the
offensive glass, in winning its 50th game of the season.
"We were rough around the edges tonight, but the rebounding did it for
us. That was the thing, we had to be real active, and that was the key
tonight," said Robinson, who had 11 offensive boards.
Shawn Bradley scored 21 points and Armon Gilliam added 20 for New
Jersey, which has lost five consecutive games to San Antonio.
"We couldn't have played any harder than we did out there," New Jersey
coach Butch Beard said. "If we make the right decisions on the break,
we would have been all right. The effort was there; it was very good.
We have to try to keep playing like this."
Elliott's 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left in the third quarter gave
the Spurs a 77-65 lead. New Jersey's Jayson Williams countered with a
75-footer before the buzzer.
"Sean played great when some of the other guys were struggling," Hill
said.
San Antonio shot just 37 percent (34-of-92) from the field, but
outrebounded the Nets 53-44, including 22-12 on the offensive boards.
Robinson had 11 offensive rebounds.
"We matched up well with them on the boards," Robinson said. "We're
beginning to understand the concepts that Bob is teaching. I've got to
go out there and be offensive-minded, but where I really have to play
the hardest is on defense."
Avery Johnson added 13 points and seven assists for San Antonio.
New Jersey came as close as 84-81 with 3:20 to play when Bradley
converted a three-point play, but Elliott nailed a 3-pointer with 2:29
left and Robinson added two free throws for an 89-81 lead.
"We seem to box out individually, but as a team, we didn't box out,"
Bradley said. "We have to continue to play hard, we have to play well.
If I play the way I'm capable of playing and try not to let him
(Robinson) dictate the pace, I'll be fine."
New Jersey made 46 percent (37-of-80) from the floor and was outscored
20-10 from the foul line.
nba.246vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Monday, March 25 - 137 days, 983 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 68 53 15 31 3 22 12 104.4 96.7 77.9 - W 3
Los Angeles Lakers 66 41 25 25 11 16 14 102.8 99.1 62.1 11.0 L 2
Phoenix Suns 68 34 34 19 15 15 19 104.1 104.1 50.0 19.0 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 68 33 35 21 14 12 21 99.4 97.9 48.5 20.0 W 1
Golden State Warriors 69 31 38 20 13 11 25 102.6 103.8 44.9 22.5 W 1
Sacramento Kings 67 30 37 19 14 11 23 99.9 102.8 44.8 22.5 L 1
Los Angeles Clippers 68 25 43 16 19 9 24 100.0 103.5 36.8 28.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 68 50 18 27 6 23 12 104.3 97.2 73.5 - W14
Utah Jazz 68 48 20 29 4 19 16 103.6 96.7 70.6 2.0 W 4
Houston Rockets 68 42 26 22 11 20 15 102.3 99.7 61.8 8.0 L 4
Denver Nuggets 68 28 40 19 13 9 27 98.0 101.0 41.2 22.0 L 3
Minnesota Timberwolves 68 23 45 15 19 8 26 97.7 103.0 33.8 27.0 W 2
Dallas Mavericks 69 21 48 13 21 8 27 102.3 107.4 30.4 29.5 L11
Vancouver Grizzlies 66 11 55 8 25 3 30 89.9 100.2 16.7 38.0 L18
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 69 52 17 33 0 19 17 104.5 99.2 75.4 - W 5
New York Knicks 66 39 27 23 11 16 16 97.2 95.0 59.1 11.5 W 1
Miami Heat 68 35 33 22 12 13 21 95.6 94.3 51.5 16.5 W 4
Washington Bullets 68 31 37 21 13 10 24 102.1 101.0 45.6 20.5 W 1
New Jersey Nets 69 28 41 18 15 10 26 94.0 97.0 40.6 24.0 L 1
Boston Celtics 68 26 42 16 20 10 22 103.3 107.3 38.2 25.5 L 1
Philadelphia 76ers 69 13 56 8 25 5 31 95.1 105.4 18.8 39.0 L 8
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 68 60 8 34 0 26 8 105.4 94.0 88.2 - L 1
Indiana Pacers 68 41 27 25 8 16 19 99.6 96.6 60.3 19.0 L 1
Cleveland Cavaliers 68 39 29 23 12 16 17 91.3 88.7 57.4 21.0 W 1
Atlanta Hawks 67 38 29 23 11 15 18 98.2 97.0 56.7 21.5 W 3
Detroit Pistons 68 38 30 24 10 14 20 95.5 93.3 55.9 22.0 L 1
Charlotte Hornets 67 34 33 24 12 10 21 103.5 103.4 50.7 25.5 W 1
Milwaukee Bucks 67 21 46 12 23 9 23 95.5 101.0 31.3 38.5 L11
Toronto Raptors 67 18 49 13 20 5 29 97.3 103.2 26.9 41.5 W 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 68 53 15 31 3 22 12 104.4 96.7 77.9 - W 3 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 68 50 18 27 6 23 12 104.3 97.2 73.5 3.0 W14 *
3. Utah Jazz 68 48 20 29 4 19 16 103.6 96.7 70.6 5.0 W 4 *
4. Los Angeles Lakers 66 41 25 25 11 16 14 102.8 99.1 62.1 11.0 L 2
5. Houston Rockets 68 42 26 22 11 20 15 102.3 99.7 61.8 11.0 L 4
6. Phoenix Suns 68 34 34 19 15 15 19 104.1 104.1 50.0 19.0 W 1
7. Portland Trail Blazers 68 33 35 21 14 12 21 99.4 97.9 48.5 20.0 W 1
8. Golden State Warriors 69 31 38 20 13 11 25 102.6 103.8 44.9 22.5 W 1
9. Sacramento Kings 67 30 37 19 14 11 23 99.9 102.8 44.8 22.5 L 1
10. Denver Nuggets 68 28 40 19 13 9 27 98.0 101.0 41.2 25.0 L 3
11. Los Angeles Clippers 68 25 43 16 19 9 24 100.0 103.5 36.8 28.0 L 1
12. Minnesota Timberwolves 68 23 45 15 19 8 26 97.7 103.0 33.8 30.0 W 2
13. Dallas Mavericks 69 21 48 13 21 8 27 102.3 107.4 30.4 32.5 L11
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 66 11 55 8 25 3 30 89.9 100.2 16.7 41.0 L18
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 68 60 8 34 0 26 8 105.4 94.0 88.2 - L 1 *
2. Orlando Magic 69 52 17 33 0 19 17 104.5 99.2 75.4 8.5 W 5 *
3. Indiana Pacers 68 41 27 25 8 16 19 99.6 96.6 60.3 19.0 L 1
4. New York Knicks 66 39 27 23 11 16 16 97.2 95.0 59.1 20.0 W 1
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 68 39 29 23 12 16 17 91.3 88.7 57.4 21.0 W 1
6. Atlanta Hawks 67 38 29 23 11 15 18 98.2 97.0 56.7 21.5 W 3
7. Detroit Pistons 68 38 30 24 10 14 20 95.5 93.3 55.9 22.0 L 1
8. Miami Heat 68 35 33 22 12 13 21 95.6 94.3 51.5 25.0 W 4
9. Charlotte Hornets 67 34 33 24 12 10 21 103.5 103.4 50.7 25.5 W 1
10. Washington Bullets 68 31 37 21 13 10 24 102.1 101.0 45.6 29.0 W 1
11. New Jersey Nets 69 28 41 18 15 10 26 94.0 97.0 40.6 32.5 L 1
12. Boston Celtics 68 26 42 16 20 10 22 103.3 107.3 38.2 34.0 L 1
13. Milwaukee Bucks 67 21 46 12 23 9 23 95.5 101.0 31.3 38.5 L11
14. Toronto Raptors 67 18 49 13 20 5 29 97.3 103.2 26.9 41.5 W 1
15. Philadelphia 76ers 69 13 56 8 25 5 31 95.1 105.4 18.8 47.5 L 8
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets
San Antonio Spurs Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz Phoenix Suns
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Miami Heat
New York Knicks Cleveland Cavaliers
Orlando Magic Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers Atlanta Hawks
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 68 60 8 34 0 26 8 105.4 94.0 88.2 - L 1
2. Seattle Supersonics 68 53 15 31 3 22 12 104.4 96.7 77.9 7.0 W 3
3. Orlando Magic 69 52 17 33 0 19 17 104.5 99.2 75.4 8.5 W 5
4. San Antonio Spurs 68 50 18 27 6 23 12 104.3 97.2 73.5 10.0 W14
5. Utah Jazz 68 48 20 29 4 19 16 103.6 96.7 70.6 12.0 W 4
6. Los Angeles Lakers 66 41 25 25 11 16 14 102.8 99.1 62.1 18.0 L 2
7. Houston Rockets 68 42 26 22 11 20 15 102.3 99.7 61.8 18.0 L 4
8. Indiana Pacers 68 41 27 25 8 16 19 99.6 96.6 60.3 19.0 L 1
9. New York Knicks 66 39 27 23 11 16 16 97.2 95.0 59.1 20.0 W 1
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 68 39 29 23 12 16 17 91.3 88.7 57.4 21.0 W 1
11. Atlanta Hawks 67 38 29 23 11 15 18 98.2 97.0 56.7 21.5 W 3
12. Detroit Pistons 68 38 30 24 10 14 20 95.5 93.3 55.9 22.0 L 1
13. Miami Heat 68 35 33 22 12 13 21 95.6 94.3 51.5 25.0 W 4
14. Charlotte Hornets 67 34 33 24 12 10 21 103.5 103.4 50.7 25.5 W 1
15. Phoenix Suns 68 34 34 19 15 15 19 104.1 104.1 50.0 26.0 W 1
16. Portland Trail Blazers 68 33 35 21 14 12 21 99.4 97.9 48.5 27.0 W 1
17. Washington Bullets 68 31 37 21 13 10 24 102.1 101.0 45.6 29.0 W 1
18. Golden State Warriors 69 31 38 20 13 11 25 102.6 103.8 44.9 29.5 W 1
19. Sacramento Kings 67 30 37 19 14 11 23 99.9 102.8 44.8 29.5 L 1
20. Denver Nuggets 68 28 40 19 13 9 27 98.0 101.0 41.2 32.0 L 3
21. New Jersey Nets 69 28 41 18 15 10 26 94.0 97.0 40.6 32.5 L 1
22. Boston Celtics 68 26 42 16 20 10 22 103.3 107.3 38.2 34.0 L 1
23. Los Angeles Clippers 68 25 43 16 19 9 24 100.0 103.5 36.8 35.0 L 1
24. Minnesota Timberwolves 68 23 45 15 19 8 26 97.7 103.0 33.8 37.0 W 2
25. Milwaukee Bucks 67 21 46 12 23 9 23 95.5 101.0 31.3 38.5 L11
26. Dallas Mavericks 69 21 48 13 21 8 27 102.3 107.4 30.4 39.5 L11
27. Toronto Raptors 67 18 49 13 20 5 29 97.3 103.2 26.9 41.5 W 1
28. Philadelphia 76ers 69 13 56 8 25 5 31 95.1 105.4 18.8 47.5 L 8
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 66 11 55 8 25 3 30 89.9 100.2 16.7 48.0 L18
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.247schef,
=- Miami (111) At Boston (95)
Ima li kakvih vesti o Daniloviću?
Srleř
nba.248junior,
> Toronto
Gledajte budući šampionski tim ...
Bre, igramo sa 7 igrača protiv Čikaga, i ubijemo ih ko decu ...
> Miller 0-1, Robertson 0-2, Stoudamire 6-8, Christie 3-3.
BTW, povlačim sve ružno što sam ikad rekao o Christie-u ;)
nba.249koky,
>> Toronto
> Gledajte buduci sampionski tim ...
Toronto - Atlanta 111:114
Juce ti favorit izgubio kod kuce.
Dejan
nba.250superhik,
=:> Divac Dnp - Tonsillitis
"""""""""""
Šta je ovo ?
nba.251oldtimer,
>= :> Divac Dnp - Tonsillitis
> """""""""""
> Šta je ovo ?
Infekcija grla tj. krajnika, nije smrtonosno :))
nba.252vpoznanovic,
KNICKS' ANDERSON ARRESTED IN HOUSTON
HOUSTON -- New York Knicks swingman Willie Anderson was arrested
Tuesday night on a contempt-of-court charge, apparently stemming from
a failure to pay child support to a Houston-area woman.
Anderson, 29, was arrested without incident at The Summit before the
Knicks' 83-74 victory over the Houston Rockets, said Sgt. Layne Tand
of the Harris County Constable's Department.
There was an outstanding warrant for Anderson's arrest and he is being
held in the Harris County Jail on $130,000 bail, Tand said.
"We've had the warrant since 1995, but he hadn't been here since
then,'' said J.C. Mosier, assistant chief of the Precinct 1
constable's office.
Anderson is a resident of San Antonio, where he played for the Spurs
for seven years. The Toronto Raptors selected Anderson last summer in
the expansion draft, and they traded him to the Knicks on Feb. 26.
Tand said Anderson's arrest is for contempt of court, but indicated
that the charge might have something to do with Anderson's failure to
pay child support to an unidentified woman. Tand said the bail amount
could be directly related to the amount Anderson owes in child
support.
Anderson made telephone calls to attorneys in Houston and New York,
Tand said. If Anderson does not make bail Tuesday night, he will go
before a magistrate and judge in 308th District Court in Harris County
on Wednesday, when a future court date might be set.
The Raptors media guide says Anderson is father to four daughters but
does not list a wife.
Anderson is averaging 6.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per
contest since joining the Knicks 16 games ago. He is averaging 10.8
points and 3.5 rebounds this season.
He played collegiately at Georgia and was a member of the 1988 Olympic
team which won a bronze medal.
nba.253vpoznanovic,
HEAT'S CHRIS GATLING NAMED NBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Miami Heat forward Chris Gatling, who averaged 22.3 points and 5.7
rebounds in three wins last week, today was named the National
Basketball Association Player of the Week for the period ending March
24th.
Gatling also averaged 1.3 assists and shot 63 per cent from the field
(27-for-43) and 93 per cent from the free throw line (13-of-14). He is
shooting 62 per cent from the floor (79-of-127) since being acquired
from Golden State on February 22nd and ranks third in the league on
the season at 58 per cent (250-for-435).
After tallying 24 points on Wednesday against Detroit, Gatling
recorded 23 and 12 rebounds in a win at Milwaukee on Friday. He closed
out the week with 20 points at Boston on Sunday. The 6-10 forward did
not play more than 29 minutes in each contest.
Other candidates for the award were Atlanta's Steve Smith, Boston's
David Wesley, Michael Jordan of the Bulls, Cleveland's Terrell
Brandon, Miami's Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O'Neal of Orlando,
Phoenix's Kevin Johnson and the Spurs' Avery Johnson and David
Robinson.
nba.254vpoznanovic,
KNICKS ACTIVATE CHARLES OAKLEY FROM INJURED LIST
The New York Knicks today activated Charles Oakley from the injured
list and the power forward is expected to play tonight against the
Rockets in Houston.
Oakley, one the Knicks' tri-captains, has missed 19 games since
fracturing his right thumb in a loss at Charlotte February 14th.
Oakley is averaging 12.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for the
Knicks.
To make room for Oakley, the Knicks placed forward Ronnie Grandison on
the injured list with bruised ribs. Grandison has played in just four
games and averaged 4.0 points.
nba.255vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (114) At Toronto (111)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 42 7-14 3-4 4 2 6 1 3 2 2 17
Long F 40 1-7 6-6 2 3 5 3 2 2 3 8
Laettner C 35 8-9 6-9 5 7 12 3 5 1 4 22
Smith G 39 8-18 3-4 2 2 4 4 2 2 0 23
Blaylock G 36 10-20 2-2 2 3 5 6 1 2 3 26
Ehlo 16 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3
Henderson 21 4-6 1-1 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 9
Jordan 11 2-2 2-4 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 6
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-81 23-30 18 19 37 20 14 9 14 114
(.506) (.767) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 15(20 Pts)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 48 12-19 2-2 2 7 9 4 3 2 2 30
Rogers F 22 4-7 1-1 0 4 4 0 2 0 0 9
Miller C 41 9-11 2-2 3 6 9 8 5 2 5 20
Robertson G 24 1-5 0-0 2 0 2 4 3 0 2 2
Stoudamire G 48 14-23 1-1 0 1 1 12 1 3 2 30
Christie 23 0-6 0-0 1 2 3 3 6 3 1 0
Tabak 20 7-8 0-0 3 1 4 1 3 0 1 14
Earl 13 3-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 6
Esposito 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lewis Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Whitfield Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 50-86 6-6 12 22 34 32 26 10 14 111
(.581) (1.000) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 14(20 Pts)
Atlanta 29 29 35 21 - 114
Toronto 33 31 25 22 - 111
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Henderson 4, Long. Toronto - Christie 3, Rogers
2, Robertson, Stoudamire.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 9-19 (.474), Smith 4-10, Blaylock 4-7, Ehlo
1-2. Toronto 5-11 (.455), Murray 4-6, Miller 0-1, Stoudamire 1-3, Christie
0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Paul Mihalak, Ted Bernhardt, Tommie Wood.
A - 21,473. T - 2:04.
nba.256vpoznanovic,
Atlanta 114, Toronto 111
TORONTO -- Point guard Mookie Blaylock scored 26 points and had a pair
of 3-pointers during a fourth-quarter run Tuesday as Atlanta edged the
Toronto Raptors 114-111 for the Hawks' fourth consecutive win.
Steve Smith scored 23 points and Christian Laettner had 22 points and
12 rebounds for the Hawks, who improved to 4-0 against expansion
Toronto this season.
Damon Stoudamire and Tracy Murray scored 30 points apiece for Toronto,
which fell to 4-22 in Central Division games. The Raptors had a chance
to tie the score in the final seconds, but Smith blocked a 3-point
attempt by Stoudamire.
Holding a tenuous 99-96 lead, Blaylock hit a 3-pointer with 6:23 to
play, starting an 8-2 burst that gave the Hawks a 102-96 lead.
Stoudamire nailed a jumper to make it 102-98, but Blaylock hit another
3-pointer to make it 105-98. Alan Henderson capped the run with a
layup to give the Hawks a 107-98 lead with five minutes to play.
Blaylock left the game late in the fourth quarter with a left ankle
sprain.
"With Mookie out, we were thankful for our execution (on offense),"
Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens said. "Two or three times the clock went
down and in the heat of the game, that's where Mookie's important.
"They've gotten better every time we've played them," Wilkens said of
the Raptors. "We will never take this team lightly. Oliver Miller can
really play, Tracy Murray can shoot the ball. This is a good team."
Stoudamire's jumper pulled Toronto within 113-111 with 13 seconds to
play on a jumper. Laettner was fouled three seconds later and made one
of two free throws to give Atlanta a three-point margin, setting up
Toronto's last chance.
Atlanta shot 51 percent (41 for 81) from the field and made nine of 19
three-point shots. Stacey Augmon added 17 points as the starting five
combined for 96 of the 114 points on 34-for-68 shooting.
"We weren't getting back in the first half. Our defense really picked
up in the second half," Augmon said. "Playing a team like that you
have to go out and play defense. They've got great shooters and a guy
like Damon, who's quick and can score."
The Hawks also outscored Toronto from the foul line, 23-6. Atlanta
went to the line 30 times to the Raptors' six.
Stoudamire and Murray combined to shoot 26 for 42 from the field.
Murray made four of six 3-point shots and also pulled down nine
rebounds. Miller had 20 points and Zan Tabak scored 14 off the bench
on seven-for-eight shooting in only 20 minutes.
The Raptors shot 58 percent (50 for 86) from the field. Toronto tied a
team record with its 64 points in the first half.
"They did to us what we did to them in the third quarter," Toronto
coach Brendan Malone said. "When you don't keep people off the boards
and stop people, you're not going to win. We were more effective
straight up than to double team them. You've got to give them credit."
nba.257vpoznanovic,
Boston (96) At Indiana (103)
Boston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Fox F 29 4-10 1-2 0 3 3 5 6 3 0 10
Ellison F 26 1-6 0-0 1 9 10 1 5 0 0 2
Lister C 24 2-4 1-2 6 4 10 0 1 0 2 5
Minor G 17 2-6 0-0 0 0 0 3 3 1 0 4
Wesley G 38 10-18 2-2 2 1 3 4 3 0 4 27
Brown 17 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 1
Hamilton 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Williams 21 4-7 1-2 1 2 3 0 4 0 3 9
Day 28 8-18 4-4 1 3 4 2 1 0 0 22
Burrough 4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Barros 26 5-11 3-4 2 1 3 2 2 2 0 16
Mundt 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Totals 240 36-85 13-18 13 27 40 17 29 7 11 96
(.424) (.722) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 13(18 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 32 2-6 4-5 3 3 6 4 1 1 1 8
D Davis F 31 5-8 4-6 4 9 13 0 3 0 4 14
Smits C 27 7-16 0-0 1 6 7 1 4 0 1 14
Miller G 28 6-12 5-5 0 3 3 3 2 1 2 18
Jackson G 40 5-14 4-4 1 2 3 8 2 1 1 14
A Davis 26 5-6 5-6 3 8 11 0 3 0 0 15
Schintzius 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Pierce 21 4-10 3-4 0 0 0 2 4 0 1 12
Workman 17 1-3 0-0 2 2 4 3 1 1 1 2
Caldwell 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ferrell 3 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Best 10 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 2
Totals 240 37-79 27-32 14 33 47 25 21 5 13 103
(.468) (.844) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 13(21 Pts)
Boston 19 25 26 26 - 96
Indiana 27 35 20 21 - 103
Blocked Shots: Boston - Fox, Mundt. Indiana - Mckey, D Davis, Smits.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Boston 11-27 (.407), Fox 1-3, Minor 0-1, Wesley 5-11,
Day 2-7, Barros 3-5. Indiana 2-12 (.167), Mckey 0-1, Miller 1-6, Jackson
0-2, Pierce 1-2, Workman 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ed F Rush, Bruce Alexander, Pat Adams.
A - 16,610. T - 2:10.
nba.258vpoznanovic,
Indiana 103, Boston 96
INDIANAPOLIS -- Reggie Miller scored 18 points before leaving the game
to get stitches, and the Indiana Pacers used a huge second-quarter run
to take a 103-96 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Antonio Davis scored 15 points for Indiana, which strengthened its
hold on third place in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers lead the New
York Knicks by 1Ż games for the third spot.
David Wesley scored 27 points and Todd Day had 22 for Boston, which
lost to Indiana for the 10th time in the past 12 games.
Miller collided with Todd Day late in the third quarter and did not
return after getting five stitches to close a cut over his right eye.
"I'll be OK," Miller said. "I felt a little woozy. But I would have
been ready to go if they needed me. But everybody did a good job of
hanging in there after I went down."
The Pacers went on their 22-4 second-quarter tear long before Miller
was hurt. After a basket by Eric Williams pulled the Celtics within
32-25 with 9:41 to play in the second quarter, Miller hit consecutive
jumpers to spark the run. Ricky Pierce hit two free throws to make it
38-25 before Day hit a jumper.
Smits and Day traded layups before Pierce converted a layup and Dale
Davis added a dunk to make it 44-29 with 6:50 to play in the half.
Davis added a short jumper and Mark Jackson and Miller made two free
throws each to push the margin to 50-29 at the 4:22 mark.
Derrick McKey made one of two free throws before Dale Davis capped the
run with a three-point play to make it 54-29 with 3:58 remaining in
the first half.
"I think this win means a lot," Antonio Davis said. "We had a great
practice yesterday. Everybody was diving for loose balls and hustling
all over the place. That's the thing we missed. We strive to play
defense first, and I think our priorities were a little screwed up."
Indiana shot 56 percent (24 for 43) from the field in the first half
as Miller scored 14 points and Jackson added 10.
Dana Barros came off the bench to score 16 points and Ric Fox netted
10 for the Celtics. Alton Lister and Pervis Ellison grabbed 10
rebounds apiece.
"It wasn't close," Boston coach M.L. Carr of the game. "We did a lousy
job in the first half.
"We went after them very aggressively in the second half. That's the
way this Celtics team should play. We have to go out and play harder
every night."
Dale Davis, Smits and Jackson scored 14 points apiece for Indiana,
which shot 47 percent (37 for 79) from the field. Dale Davis grabbed
13 rebounds and Antonio Davis had 11.
"They put in a bunch of little guys and made it tough for us," Indiana
coach Larry Brown said. "The only thing I was upset about was maybe
the end of the second quarter and the start of the third quarter."
nba.259vpoznanovic,
Charlotte (119) At Denver (112) - Final In 2nd Ot
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Geiger F 38 6-15 4-8 7 6 13 2 6 0 0 16
L Johnson F 55 8-20 4-7 5 8 13 4 5 1 3 20
Parish C 42 6-8 3-4 2 15 17 0 5 0 0 15
Rice G 49 7-20 11-12 1 7 8 3 3 1 2 28
Anderson G 44 6-19 0-0 0 3 3 8 2 2 3 14
Hancock 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Goldwire 13 1-5 4-4 1 3 4 3 2 0 1 6
Curry 36 7-15 4-5 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 20
Myers 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Zidek 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Adams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Addison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 290 41-103 30-40 17 45 62 20 27 5 10 119
(.398) (.750) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 10(8 Pts)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Ellis F 28 3-10 1-1 1 1 2 2 2 0 0 7
Mcdyess F 34 8-13 7-8 2 5 7 1 6 0 0 23
Mutombo C 51 5-9 6-8 8 23 31 0 5 1 0 16
Rose G 47 8-19 3-6 1 3 4 9 3 2 4 19
Stith G 50 5-14 4-6 2 4 6 0 2 0 1 14
D Ellis 29 4-14 2-3 1 1 2 0 3 2 1 11
Williams 7 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0
Overton 11 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Hammonds 6 2-5 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 0 0 4
Maclean 27 5-10 7-10 0 3 3 2 4 1 0 18
Abdul-Rauf Dnp - Bruised Left Foot
Fish Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 290 40-100 30-42 17 42 59 14 30 7 7 112
(.400) (.714) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 7(7 Pts)
Charlotte 21 31 23 20 10 14 - 119
Denver 26 24 21 24 10 7 - 112
Blocked Shots: Charlotte - Parish 4, L Johnson, Geiger, Anderson. Denver
- Mutombo 6, Rose 3, Mcdyess 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Charlotte 7-28 (.250), Geiger 0-1, L Johnson 0-1, Rice
3-7, Anderson 2-9, Goldwire 0-3, Curry 2-7. Denver 2-13 (.154), L Ellis
0-1, Stith 0-2, D Ellis 1-6, Williams 0-1, Overton 0-1, Maclean 1-2.
Technicals: Charlotte - Parish, Denver - Williams, Mutombo.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Joe Forte, Tim Donaghy.
A - 16,026. T - 2:56.
nba.260vpoznanovic,
Charlotte 119, Denver 112
Larry Johnson scored five of his 20 points in the second overtime as
the Charlotte Hornets scored the last six points to defeat the Denver
Nuggets, 119-112.
Dell Curry scored 20 points, Matt Geiger added 16 and Robert Parish
had 15 and 17 rebounds for Charlotte, which won its second straight
game and pulled even with the Miami Heat for the final playoff spot in
the Eastern Conference. Geiger and Johnson grabbed 13 rebounds apiece
for the Hornets, who won their third straight meeting with the
Nuggets.
"This is a big win, especially in Denver because they are tough at
home," the 42-year-old Parish said. "Hopefully we can keep our
momentum going. I've been resting up for a couple of years entering
tonight."
"We had a couple of tremendous plays and a tremendous gut effort,"
Hornets coach Allan Bristow said. "We played hard. There were big
plays in regulation and both overtimes. Johnson ran down a big rebound
in overtime and "The Chief" (Parish) even got into it. He went to the
fountain (of youth)."
Dikembe Mutombo had an N-B-A-season-high 31 rebounds and 16 points,
Antonio McDyess scored 23 points and Jalen Rose added 19 for Denver,
which lost for the sixth time in seven games and temporarily remains 2
1/2 games behind the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.
"We had such a great effort and we don't come up with the one key
rebound," Mutombo said. "It breaks my heart to lose games like this."
"It's real simple," Bickerstaff said. "All we have to do is secure one
position and we win the basketball game. We had three chances to do
that. We all have to look in the mirror and share the responsibility."
Embattled Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who was expected to make
his first home appearance since being suspended without pay for
refusing to stand at attention during the national anthem on March
12th, did not play due to a right foot injury. Abdul-Rauf sat on the
bench in his street clothes after missing the anthem.
After Dale Ellis hit a three-pointer and Rose made a layup to give the
Nuggets a 110-108 lead with 1:30 left in the second overtime, Kenny
Anderson hit a three-pointer to hand the Hornets a 111-110 edge.
Johnson's lay-in gave Charlotte a 113-110 advantage with one minute
remaining before McDyess dunked to pull Denver within 113-112.
But the Nuggets didn't score again as Johnson made a jumper with 17
seconds left to ignite the game-sealing stretch for the Hornets. Curry
and Rice added two free throws apiece.
After Don MacLean made two free throws to give the Nuggets a 105-102
edge with 17 seconds left in the first overtime, Rice forced the
second overtime with a three-pointer with 4.2 seconds to go.
Curry's jumper with three seconds left tied the game at 95-95 before
Stith's midcourt heave at the buzzer missed, forcing the first
overtime.
Rice added eight rebounds for Charlotte, which shot 40 per cent
(41-of-103) from the field but committed just 10 turnovers.
Mutombo's career-high rebound total tied a franchise record set by
Spencer Haywood on November 13th, 1969, when the Nuggets were in the
A-B-A.
Mutombo, whose previous high was 26 boards on November 11th, 1994
against the Los Angeles Lakers, had a league season-high 23 defensive
rebounds, eclipsing the previous standard of 20 set by Patrick Ewing
against Vancouver on January 20th.
nba.261vpoznanovic,
La Lakers (113) At Orlando (91)
La Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Divac F 24 3-8 1-2 3 6 9 5 4 0 2 7
Johnson F 36 4-8 4-4 0 4 4 7 1 2 6 14
Campbell C 40 6-13 2-4 1 9 10 6 2 0 3 14
Jones G 31 7-10 1-2 0 2 2 0 3 3 0 18
Van Exel G 35 9-17 2-2 0 6 6 4 2 1 1 22
Strong 10 3-4 0-0 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 6
Lynch 10 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 0
Blount 5 1-2 0-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Peeler 20 4-5 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 2 0 11
Threatt 14 2-2 0-0 0 2 2 3 2 0 0 4
Ceballos 14 5-9 4-4 3 1 4 0 1 1 0 15
Miller 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 44-80 14-20 9 33 42 30 18 9 13 113
(.550) (.700) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 13(16 Pts)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 35 2-11 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 1 1 6
Koncak F 18 1-1 0-0 1 3 4 1 3 0 0 2
Oneal C 42 11-24 1-6 1 9 10 3 2 1 4 23
Anderson G 38 6-9 1-4 0 2 2 1 2 1 4 16
Hardaway G 42 8-18 4-6 2 0 2 9 3 1 3 21
Wolf 24 5-7 0-0 0 7 7 2 2 1 1 10
Bowie 15 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 2 1 2
Shaw 18 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 0 0 5
Royal 6 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Thompson 2 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
Grant Dnp - Sore Lower Back
Vaughn Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-80 8-18 4 26 30 25 18 7 14 91
(.475) (.444) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 15(22 Pts)
La Lakers 25 29 30 29 - 113
Orlando 27 22 21 21 - 91
Blocked Shots: La Lakers - Johnson, Campbell, Jones. Orlando - Scott,
Oneal.
3-Pt. Field Goals: La Lakers 11-18 (.611), Johnson 2-2, Jones 3-3, Van
Exel 2-6, Strong 0-1, Peeler 3-4, Ceballos 1-2. Orlando 7-23 (.304), Scott
2-10, Anderson 3-5, Hardaway 1-6, Shaw 1-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Greg Willard, Bill Spooner.
A - 17,248. T - 2:01.
nba.262vpoznanovic,
LAKERS CRASH THE O-RENA, CRUSH ORLANDO'S HOME STREAK
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic lost a regular-season home game for
the first time in more than a year, dropping a 113-91 decision to the
Los Angeles Lakers and ending the Magic's home winning streak at 40
games.
The Magic had not lost at Orlando Arena since a 107-95 setback to the
Utah Jazz on March 14, 1995. Orlando had won its first 33 home games
this season and were trying to keep pace with the Chicago Bulls, who
now hold the NBA marks for most consecutive home wins in one season
(34), to start a season (34) and overall (41).
"Unfortunately, the streak had to come to an end, but I'm terribly
proud of our guys for having won 40 regular-season games in a row,"
Orlando coach Brian Hill said. "I think it's an incredible streak and
just one we'll have to start again."
Nick Van Exel scored 22 points and Eddie Jones had 18 to lead six
Lakers in double figures. Cedric Ceballos, who was suspended for his
four-day unexcused absence last week, returned to action and scored 15
points in 14 minutes.
The Lakers showed plenty of emotion throughout the second half, when
they turned a close game into a blowout. Los Angeles, which lost by
one point at home to Orlando on March 17, improved to 12-4 all-time
against the Magic.
"I was very concerned coming into tonight's game because of all this
controversy about Cedric Ceballos," Hill said. "I know, from a
coaching standpoint, what that does to a basketball team. I knew it
was going to pull this team together. They were going to rally around
that."
Shaquille O'Neal scored 23 points and Anfernee Hardaway added 21 for
the Magic, who were playing at home for the first time in a week and
were without power forward Horace Grant, who sat out with back spasms.
"I think even with Horace they still would have been in trouble
tonight," said Lakers veteran Magic Johnson, who had 14 points and
seven assists. "We had too many people going tonight. We had all
cylinders working tonight."
Ceballos, who missed two games during his suspension/disappearance,
sat the entire first half on Tuesday, but he scored eight of his 15
points during a 10-2 run that closed the third quarter and gave Los
Angeles an 84-70 advantage.
"I wasn't tentative," Ceballos said. "I tried to be as positive as
possible. My teammates gave me a warm greeting back, and it was
helpful in motivating me."
The Lakers scored the first three baskets of the final period, capped
by a runner by Jones that made it 90-72 with 10:44 left. Anthony
Peeler had two 3-pointers and Jones added another during a 10-1 run
that gave the Lakers their largest lead at 106-80 with 5:31 to go.
Elden Campbell had 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Peeler
scored 11 points for the Lakers, who shot 55 percent (44 for 80) from
the field and held a 42-30 rebounding advantage.
Nick Anderson scored 16 points for the Magic, who shot 48 percent (38
for 80) from the floor and made just eight of 18 foul shots. O'Neal
was one for six from the line and Anderson was one for four.
"We challenged them to make some outside shots and they didn't make
them," Lakers coach Del Harris said. "We kept them off balance enough
tonight. That doesn't mean it would happen every night, but tonight
was our night."
nba.263vpoznanovic,
Milwaukee (97) At La Clippers (103)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Robinson F 45 9-19 0-0 1 1 2 3 2 3 1 20
Baker F 46 7-16 6-8 2 5 7 4 4 0 4 20
Benjamin C 18 2-4 0-0 1 6 7 0 3 0 1 4
Douglas G 28 6-10 0-0 1 0 1 4 2 1 3 12
Newman G 40 9-13 4-4 0 3 3 3 5 0 2 25
Cummings 33 6-9 1-2 1 5 6 1 3 3 3 13
Mayberry 20 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 2 1 3
Keys 10 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 2 1 0 2 0
Conlon Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Respert Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-73 11-14 7 21 28 20 21 9 17 97
(.548) (.786) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 17(21 Pts)
La Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Vaught F 25 3-7 4-6 1 2 3 2 4 0 0 10
Rogers F 35 4-10 0-0 2 10 12 2 5 1 2 8
Williams C 37 6-12 2-2 3 4 7 2 2 1 2 14
Richardson G 32 6-11 3-5 0 1 1 3 0 1 2 18
Sealy G 20 7-12 0-0 5 4 9 1 2 0 4 15
Murray 10 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4
Dehere 25 2-8 1-2 0 1 1 2 0 1 2 7
Barry 19 5-9 1-1 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 12
Piatkowski 9 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 2
Roberts 11 4-7 3-3 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 11
Outlaw 17 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2
Harvey Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-83 14-19 16 24 40 14 16 7 13 103
(.494) (.737) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 14(16 Pts)
Milwaukee 32 25 16 24 - 97
La Clippers 22 31 31 19 - 103
Blocked Shots: Milwaukee - Robinson, Benjamin, Cummings. La Clippers -
Sealy, Dehere.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Milwaukee 6-13 (.462), Robinson 2-5, Douglas 0-1,
Newman 3-6, Mayberry 1-1. La Clippers 7-20 (.350), Rogers 0-2, Richardson
3-4, Sealy 1-2, Murray 0-1, Dehere 2-7, Barry 1-4.
Technicals: Milwaukee - Newman.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Tommy Nunez, Hank Armstrong.
A - 6,841. T - 2:15.
nba.264vpoznanovic,
L.A. Clippers 103, Milwaukee 97
LOS ANGELES -- Brent Barry's three-point play with 2:22 remaining
snapped a tie and the Los Angeles Clippers went on to a 103-97 victory
over the Milwaukee Bucks, who suffered a team-record 12th consecutive
loss.
Pooh Richardson scored 18 points Tuesday night and Malik Sealy added
15 for Los Angeles, which won for the third time in four games. The
Clippers also have won four consecutive home games.
Johnny Newman scored 25 points and Glenn Robinson had 20 for the
Bucks.
Newman tied the score at 94-94 with a three-point play at the 2:42
mark, but Barry answered with a three-point play of his own. Vin
Baker's layup made it 97-96 with 2:06 to play, but Clippers forward
Loy Vaught hit a jumper to make it 99-96.
Baker hit the first of two free throws to cut the deficit to 99-97.
Stanley Roberts responded with a three-point play to give Los Angeles
a five-point lead with 22 seconds left.
"We're keeping him out there every ball game and he is really helping
us every time he's on the floor," Los Angeles coach Bill Fitch said of
Roberts, who is battling back from a series of leg injuries.
Los Angeles opened up an 84-73 lead with a 14-4 run over the final
3:31 of the third quarter. Sealy began the spurt with a pair of
3-pointers sandwiched around a jumper by Vaught.
Terry Cummings and Richardson traded baskets before a jumper by Newman
cut the Bucks' deficit to 80-73. Brian Williams hit a jumper and Sealy
dunked with five seconds left to make it 84-73.
"We needed that third quarter. We played better offensively in the
second and third quarters and better defensively in the fourth
quarter," Fitch said.
Los Angeles shot 49 percent (41 for 83) from the floor and
outrebounded the Bucks 40-28, including 16-7 on the offensive boards.
"It was down to the wire, but we preserved it," Richardson said. "We
kept the ball inside, created shots and that made opportunities for
everyone out there.
Milwaukee shot 55 percent (40 for 73) from the floor. Cummings scored
13 points off the bench and Sherman Douglas had 12.
"It's extremely tough, extremely frustrating," Bucks coach Mike
Dunleavy said of the loss. "When you go through streaks like this, it
seems like you find ways to lose instead of win. They just outworked
us and defended us well."
nba.265vpoznanovic,
New York (83) At Houston (74)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Reid F 20 1-3 0-0 0 4 4 3 4 0 1 2
Mason F 41 6-10 1-4 3 14 17 5 3 0 5 13
Ewing C 43 7-20 3-6 3 11 14 5 2 3 2 17
Starks G 39 8-14 3-5 0 5 5 4 3 2 2 21
Harper G 40 8-15 1-1 0 2 2 3 2 1 3 18
Ward 24 2-5 1-2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 6
Williams 12 1-4 2-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 4
Oakley 21 1-3 0-0 1 3 4 4 2 1 2 2
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Davis Dnp - Hyperextended Left Knee
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lohaus Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-74 11-20 8 42 50 26 19 8 19 83
(.459) (.550) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 19(26 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mack F 38 4-13 0-0 1 3 4 2 3 2 2 11
Brown F 43 7-17 2-4 3 11 14 2 4 4 2 16
Bryant C 24 4-9 0-0 0 3 3 1 5 0 0 8
Moore G 36 4-14 4-4 1 3 4 1 1 2 3 13
Smith G 39 5-14 5-5 0 4 4 9 2 2 5 16
Jones 17 0-1 1-2 2 2 4 1 1 1 0 1
Breaux 18 0-7 0-2 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 0
Chilcutt 12 1-5 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 3
Recasner 13 1-4 3-3 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 6
Horry Dnp - Tendonitis
Olajuwon Dnp - Tendinitis Both Knees
Totals 240 26-84 15-20 10 29 39 17 20 12 14 74
(.310) (.750) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 15(19 Pts)
New York 24 28 13 18 - 83
Houston 17 13 29 15 - 74
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 5, Mason, Oakley. Houston - Mack, Jones.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 4-15 (.267), Starks 2-6, Harper 1-6, Ward 1-3.
Houston 7-24 (.292), Mack 3-6, Brown 0-1, Moore 1-4, Smith 1-7, Chilcutt
1-3, Recasner 1-3.
Technicals: New York - Mason, Illegal Defense, Reid 2 (Ejected), Houston -
Smith.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Jim Clark, Gary Benson.
A - 16,282. T - 2:04.
nba.266vpoznanovic,
WHO ARE THESE GUYS? ROCKETS LOSE FIFTH IN A ROW
HOUSTON -- John Starks scored 21 points as the New York Knicks nearly
blew a 22-point halftime lead but recovered to post an 83-74 victory
over the undermanned Houston Rockets, who lost their season-high fifth
consecutive game and had two CBA players in the starting lineup.
The losing streak is Houston's longest since a seven-game skid during
the 1992-93 season, the year before they won the first of their
back-to-back NBA titles.
"I've said it many times before, but this team has a lot of heart. It
was a scrambling, hustling performance," coach Rudy Tomjanovich said
of his Rockets. "We just ran out of gas to finish it off. Whoever the
guy was who said it can't get any worse was way off.
"The Knicks are a great defensive team, but we missed 15 layups. The
problem is our spacing is different; everyone's in places they're
not used to being in."
Chucky Brown and Kenny Smith scored 16 points apiece for Houston,
which played without starting center Hakeem Olajuwon and forward
Robert Horry. Olajuwon is suffering from tendinitis in both knees and
Horry had tendinitis in his right knee.
The injury-depleted Rockets also have played the past several games
without Clyde Drexler, Sam Cassell and Mario Elie.
Sam Mack and Tracy Moore both started this season in the CBA, and both
players started Tuesday night for Houston. Mack played 38 minutes and
scored 11 points, and Moore played 36 minutes and scored 13 points.
"We have to stay focused, concentrating on our game plan," Knicks
center Patrick Ewing said. "I don't care if they had 10 CBA players.
We still had to go out on the court and beat them. We're just trying
to get a road win."
Derek Harper scored 18 points for New York, which has won six of its
past seven games and remained one game behind the Indiana Pacers for
third place in the Eastern Conference.
New York forward Charles Oakley, who missed the previous 19 games with
a fractured thumb, came off the bench and had two points and four
rebounds in 21 minutes. Oakley was one for three from the floor.
The Knicks were without swingman Willie Anderson, who was arrested
before the game on a contempt-of-court charge, reportedly stemming
from a failure to pay child support.
The Knicks blew the game open with a 20-4 run in the second quarter.
Starks started the run with a three-point play and Patrick Ewing added
a jumper to make it 33-24.
Starks and Charlie Ward nailed 3-pointers before a dunk by Ewing made
it 41-24 with 6:45 left in the second half. Pete Chilcutt stopped the
run with a 3-pointer, but Ewing made a free throw and Anthony Mason
converted a layup to make it 44-27.
Houston's Eldridge Recasner hit a free throw, but Starks made a layup
and Ewing sank two free throws with 1:01 to play until halftime,
giving New York a 48-28 lead.
Houston put together a 25-6 burst in the third quarter, pulling within
60-57 with 2:48 left on a 3-pointer by Mack, his third of the run.
Mack scored 11 points and Kenny Smith had six in the spurt.
"I told the guys I took full responsibility for not being prepared,"
Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said of his team's third-quarter problems.
"They're trapping disrupted us. Give the guys and the coaches in the
other locker room a lot of credit. No matter who they put out there,
they play with a lot of pride and professionalism."
Ewing finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds and Mason had 13 and 17
for New York, which shot 46 percent (34 for 74) from the field. The
Knicks outrebounded the Rockets 50-39.
Houston made just 31 percent (26 of 84) from the field. The Rockets
were held to less than 20 points in every quarter but the third.
Houston's reserves shot just two of 17 from the field and finished
with 10 points.
New York has won the past four regular-season games between the teams
since losing Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 1994.
Knicks forward J.R. Reid was ejected with 9:48 left in the third
quarter after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with
officials.
nba.267vpoznanovic,
Sacramento (98) At Phoenix (102)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C Williamson F 28 4-13 3-9 5 1 6 4 4 0 2 11
Polynice F 40 7-12 0-0 3 10 13 1 6 1 0 14
Causwell C 23 2-4 2-2 1 4 5 2 4 3 0 6
Richmond G 34 9-18 3-4 1 3 4 1 3 2 1 27
Edney G 29 3-11 5-6 1 1 2 9 4 0 1 11
Smith 24 1-2 2-2 2 5 7 0 3 0 0 4
Hurley 19 2-7 0-0 0 2 2 6 5 0 2 6
Marciulionis 27 4-13 2-2 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 11
Gamble 16 3-3 1-1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 8
Grant Dnp - Not With Team
Owens Dnp - Plantar Fasciaitis
Simmons Dnp - Sprained Right Knee
Totals 240 35-83 18-26 13 26 39 26 34 6 7 98
(.422) (.692) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 9(11 Pts)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Bennett F 2 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 0
Barkley F 31 8-12 13-19 4 8 12 3 4 0 1 29
Williams C 24 2-7 1-2 2 4 6 0 2 0 1 5
Finley G 40 5-6 3-4 1 2 3 5 1 0 3 15
Johnson G 33 3-7 7-8 2 2 4 7 2 1 3 14
Green 26 2-8 3-6 3 6 9 0 1 0 0 7
Manning 25 2-15 2-6 3 2 5 1 2 0 3 6
Perry 15 3-7 0-0 1 3 4 3 0 0 0 7
W Person 27 5-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 12
Carr 8 1-2 2-2 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 4
Kleine 9 0-1 3-4 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 3
Coker Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-73 34-51 18 33 51 21 18 2 13 102
(.425) (.667) Team Rebs: 17 Total To: 14(14 Pts)
Sacramento 20 27 26 25 - 98
Phoenix 13 38 21 30 - 102
Blocked Shots: Sacramento - Causwell 3, Polynice 2, Richmond, Smith.
Phoenix - Manning 2, Williams, Johnson, Barkley.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Sacramento 10-24 (.417), Richmond 6-9, Edney 0-3,
Hurley 2-5, Marciulionis 1-6, Gamble 1-1. Phoenix 6-7 (.857), Barkley 0-1,
Finley 2-2, Johnson 1-1, Perry 1-1, W Person 2-2.
Technicals: Phoenix - Manning.
Officials: Ron Garretson, David Jones, Jim Kinsey.
A - 19,023. T - 2:31.
nba.268vpoznanovic,
Phoenix 102, Sacramento 98
Charles Barkley scored 29 points as the Phoenix Suns recovered from a
poor-shooting first quarter to post their 19th straight home victory
over the Sacramento Kings, 102-98.
Michael Finley added 15 for Phoenix, which moved two games ahead of
idle Portland for the sixth playoff slot in the Western Conference.
Mitch Richmond scored 27 points and Olden Polynice added 14 and 13
rebounds for the Kings, who remained percentage points behind the
Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the
West.
Phoenix has not lost at home to Sacramento since a 126-120 loss on
January 30th, 1988.
The Kings used a 6-0 run to take a 92-90 lead with 2:47 to play.
Finley countered with a three-pointer to give Phoenix a 93-92 lead,
but Richmond nailed a jumper to make it 94-93.
Barkley made a basket at the 1:42 mark and a three-point play 64
seconds later to give Phoenix a 98-94 lead.
The Suns made just three baskets in the first quarter, tying a team
low. Phoenix did not make a basket until Danny Manning hit a 15-footer
with 5:30 to play in the opening quarter.
Sacramento jumped to a 16-3 lead and finished the first period with a
20-13 edge as Richmond scored nine points.
Kevin Johnson had 14 points and seven assists for Phoenix, which shot
43 per cent (31-of-73) from the field but made 6-of-7 three-pointers.
Wesley Person added 12 points.
The Suns outrebounded the Kings, 51-39. Barkley grabbed 12 rebounds
and A.C. Green added nine.
Sarunas Marciulionis, Corliss Williamson and Tyus Edney scored 11
points apiece for Sacramento, which shot 42 per cent (35-of-83).
nba.269vpoznanovic,
Seattle (114) At Golden State (102)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 25 5-8 6-6 1 5 6 2 6 1 1 16
D Schrempf F 37 7-10 8-8 3 4 7 3 1 3 3 23
Johnson C 35 2-6 3-4 2 2 4 1 3 0 2 7
Hawkins G 37 5-14 2-2 1 4 5 4 4 0 1 14
Payton G 44 7-13 7-7 0 0 0 11 3 1 4 23
Perkins 30 7-18 4-4 4 2 6 1 2 1 1 20
Mcmillan 17 3-4 0-0 1 4 5 2 2 1 2 7
Wingate 7 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 4
S Scheffler 7 0-1 0-0 2 1 3 1 1 2 0 0
Snow 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Brickowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Ford Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-77 30-31 15 23 38 25 22 9 15 114
(.494) (.968) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 15(20 Pts)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 30 4-7 4-4 2 2 4 1 4 1 1 12
Smith F 36 5-13 6-6 1 4 5 0 2 0 0 16
Willis C 39 9-14 1-2 4 6 10 2 5 0 4 19
Armstrong G 38 4-13 2-2 0 2 2 13 2 0 2 12
Sprewell G 41 9-17 10-10 1 0 1 5 0 3 5 30
Coles 18 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 4 6 0 1 2
Rozier 17 2-2 0-2 2 3 5 0 3 2 0 4
Marshall 17 2-4 2-2 1 2 3 0 3 0 2 7
Declercq 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Barry 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Churchwell 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hammink 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 36-75 25-28 11 20 31 25 25 6 15 102
(.480) (.893) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 15(27 Pts)
Seattle 30 24 33 27 - 114
Golden State 27 25 30 20 - 102
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp, Johnson, Hawkins. Golden State - Smith 5.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 8-21 (.381), D Schrempf 1-2, Johnson 0-1,
Hawkins 2-3, Payton 2-7, Perkins 2-6, Mcmillan 1-1, Wingate 0-1. Golden
State 5-18 (.278), Smith 0-1, Armstrong 2-8, Sprewell 2-5, Coles 0-2,
Marshall 1-2.
Technicals: Seattle - Payton, Illegal Defense, Golden State - Illegal
Defense, Irvine, Willis, Coles.
Officials: Don Vaden, Jack Nies, Mike Smith.
A - 15,025. T - 2:03.
nba.270vpoznanovic,
Seattle 114, Golden State 102
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Detlef Schrempf and Gary Payton scored 23 points
apiece to lead the Seattle SuperSonics to their fourth consecutive
victory, a 114-102 win against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday
night.
Payton also had 13 assists for the Sonics, who have won seven of their
past eight games and 22 of 25 since Feb. 2. The Sonics have a
four-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the
Western Conference and improved to 18-2 against opponents from the
Pacific Division.
"I thought tonight we played with a really good rhythm," Seattle head
coach George Karl said. "We played smart when we had to. We didn't
play great defense, but we hung in there and made good plays down the
stretch.
"Winning down here is not easy, especially when the Warriors have the
playoff hunt going on. I thought it was the best game we've played in
a while for the whole 48 minutes."
Latrell Sprewell scored 30 points -- but just four after the third
quarter -- and Kevin Willis chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds for
the Warriors, who remain percentage points ahead of the Sacramento
Kings for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
In a game that featured 17 lead changes and 10 ties, the Sonics
finally took complete control when they turned a one-point lead early
in the fourth quarter into a 104-92 advantage. The Warriors would not
get any closer than eight points thereafter.
"I think the key was we started to control Sprewell," Sonics guard
Nate McMillan said. "We started to get a little more physical with
them. We didn't allow them to run to spots or on the baseline. We
started to communicate a lot more in the second half. We forced them
to take tougher shots."
"We as a team know that we may face these guys (in the playoffs), but
you really can't be concerned. The main thing is to go out and try to
improve upon what you are doing."
Sam Perkins came off the bench to score 20 points and Shawn Kemp
contributed 16 for the Sonics, who shot 49 percent (38 for 77) from
the field and 97 percent (30 of 31) from the foul line.
The Sonics have won all four meetings with the Warriors this season.
Seattle is 16-3 against Golden State since the 1992-93 season.
Jerome Kersey and B.J. Armstrong each had 12 points and Armstong
dished out 13 assists for the Warriors.
"In the beginning of the fourth quarter we had a lead, we were up two
or four," Armstong said. "Then we just lost it, had a seven- or
eight-point turnaround and we were down four. That was the turning
point. We couldn't regain momentum and we lost our composure a bit."
nba.271vpoznanovic,
Vancouver (75) At Detroit (86)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
King F 24 1-8 1-2 1 3 4 1 1 0 2 3
Amaya F 39 4-9 4-6 3 7 10 0 5 1 0 12
Reeves C 41 10-20 2-7 1 8 9 1 4 1 3 22
B Edwards G 35 4-13 0-0 3 5 8 5 3 1 2 8
Anthony G 32 4-12 2-2 0 1 1 7 0 1 1 12
Scott 33 3-11 5-9 2 3 5 3 1 0 1 13
Murdock 25 1-4 1-2 0 4 4 3 0 1 1 3
Avent 7 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Moten 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Wilkins Dnp - Sick
D Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Manning Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 28-82 15-28 10 31 41 20 16 5 10 75
(.341) (.536) Team Rebs: 17 Total To: 10(11 Pts)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 45 11-16 6-7 0 17 17 4 3 1 1 28
Thorpe F 32 3-9 1-2 5 5 10 3 5 1 1 7
West C 29 4-6 1-4 1 12 13 0 5 0 1 9
Houston G 35 6-17 0-0 1 4 5 2 4 0 6 16
Dumars G 42 6-14 0-0 1 1 2 5 2 0 1 15
Hunter 18 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 1 2 3
Mills 21 0-8 1-2 2 2 4 2 1 1 0 1
Curry 7 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 5
Reid 11 1-2 0-1 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 2
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Ratliff Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roe Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-79 9-16 11 43 54 17 24 5 13 86
(.430) (.563) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 15(13 Pts)
Vancouver 9 17 26 23 - 75
Detroit 18 25 22 21 - 86
Blocked Shots: Vancouver - King, Scott. Detroit - West 5, Reid 3, Hill,
Thorpe, Mills.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Vancouver 4-10 (.400), King 0-1, B Edwards 0-1, Anthony
2-3, Scott 2-5. Detroit 9-22 (.409), Hill 0-2, Houston 4-8, Dumars 3-6,
Hunter 1-2, Mills 0-3, Curry 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Lee Jones, Jess Kersey, Derek Richardson.
A - 15,781. T - 2:00.
nba.272vpoznanovic,
Detroit 86, Vancouver 75
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Grant Hill scored 28 points and tied a career
high with 17 rebounds as the Detroit Pistons handed the Vancouver
Grizzlies their 19th consecutive loss, 86-75 on Tuesday night.
Allan Houston scored 16 points and Joe Dumars had 15 for Detroit,
which has won eight in a row at home. The Pistons, who had dropped
three of their past four games overall, moved into a tie with
Cleveland for sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, a
half game behind Atlanta.
"It wasn't pretty, but it was a win and we'll take it," Pistons coach
Doug Collins said. "Grant saved us with 17 defensive rebounds.
"We've got a lot of work to do over the next three days. We got very
stagnant offensively, not passing the ball. Our defense saved us, but
our mental concentration when we got the lead was awful."
Bryant Reeves had 22 points and nine rebounds for Vancouver, which was
held to season lows of nine points in the first quarter and 26 in the
first half.
The Grizzlies matched their longest losing skid of the season, last
winning on Valentine's Day against Sacramento. The team is one game
away from tying the record for consecutive losses in one season, held
by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers and 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks.
"That's a record we don't want to break," Grizzlies guard Greg Anthony
said. "You hear about what it's like being on an expansion team, but
you don't really know until you've experienced it. It's a tough pill
to swallow. It's definitely a test of your character. Thank God we're
in a city like Vancouver where the people are understanding and
appreciative of our effort."
Detroit led 18-9 after 12 minutes and extended the margin when Michael
Curry scored five points in a 13-2 run that ended the first half and
made it 43-26. The Grizzlies shot just four for 24 (17 percent) in the
opening period and 11 for 46 (24 percent) in the half.
Houston gave Detroit its biggest lead at 63-45 on a three-pointer with
3:16 left in the third quarter and the team held on for a 65-52
advantage heading into the final period. Vancouver then rallied with a
9-1 surge to begin the quarter as Reeves' free throw cut the deficit
to 66-61 with 8:45 to play.
Hill then converted a three-point play and Reeves countered with a
jumper before Dumars tallied Detroit's next seven points to make it
76-65 with 6:06 remaining. Vancouver got no closer than eight points
thereafter.
"In the second half, Joe (Dumars) hit some big baskets," Hill said.
"Give Vancouver credit, they didn't fold. They played hard. It was a
pretty ugly game tonight filled with a lot of defense."
Mark West had nine points and 13 boards and Otis Thorpe grabbed 10
rebounds for the Pistons, who shot just 43 percent from the field (34
for 79) and 56 percent from the foul line (nine for 16). Detroit
outrebounded Vancouver 54-41 and swept the season series.
Byron Scott scored 13 points, Ashraf Amaya had 12 points and 10
rebounds and Anthony contributed 12 points and seven assists for
Vancouver, which shot 34 percent (28 for 82) from the floor and 54
percent from the foul line (15 for 28).
"Our only goal here is to give ourselves a chance to be competitive,"
Anthony said. "Tonight we did it for 24 minutes. Some nights you come
out flat -- all teams do.
"But a team with a talent level we have, this is what happens. If the
Bulls came out flat, they'd probably still be up 10 points at
halftime. At least we came back in the second half."
nba.273vpoznanovic,
Washington (96) At Cleveland (89)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Cheaney F 33 8-12 1-1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 17
Howard F 41 8-21 5-5 1 2 3 9 3 0 7 21
Muresan C 40 7-12 0-0 3 11 14 2 2 1 4 14
B Price G 28 3-6 2-2 0 5 5 10 3 1 2 9
Eackles G 30 4-5 2-2 1 3 4 3 0 1 0 10
Legler 24 5-8 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 15
Whitney 20 3-5 0-0 0 0 0 5 4 1 0 8
Mcilvaine 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Butler 11 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
Mccann 7 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 0
Thornton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wallace Dnp - Fractured Left Thumb
Totals 240 39-71 12-12 6 24 30 31 14 7 16 96
(.549) (1.000) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(21 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 40 8-10 2-2 0 3 3 5 1 2 2 20
Ferry F 32 4-12 1-2 1 2 3 0 4 1 1 9
Cage C 27 3-6 0-0 1 6 7 1 3 2 1 6
Brandon G 36 8-19 2-2 1 2 3 10 1 1 1 20
Phills G 34 2-6 0-0 0 4 4 2 3 0 4 5
Majerle 26 5-8 4-4 1 4 5 2 1 1 1 15
Hill 21 1-2 1-2 1 2 3 0 4 0 2 3
Sura 15 3-6 2-2 0 0 0 5 0 1 2 8
Lang 9 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Crotty Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-70 13-16 5 23 28 25 17 8 14 89
(.500) (.813) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 14(21 Pts)
Washington 21 24 29 22 - 96
Cleveland 27 26 18 18 - 89
Blocked Shots: Washington - Cheaney, Muresan. Cleveland - Ferry, Sura,
Hill.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Washington 6-10 (.600), B Price 1-2, Legler 3-5,
Whitney 2-3. Cleveland 6-15 (.400), Mills 2-3, Ferry 0-5, Brandon 2-2,
Phills 1-3, Majerle 1-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Joe Derosa, Kevin Fehr.
A - 18,049. T - 2:00.
nba.274vpoznanovic,
Washington 96, Cleveland 89
CLEVELAND -- Juwan Howard and Gheorghe Muresan scored four points
apiece during an 8-0 fourth-quarter run Tuesday as the Washington
Bullets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-89 and inched closer to a
playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Howard and Calbert Cheaney scored 20 points each for the Bullets, who
moved within 3Ż games of the Miami Heat for the eighth and final
playoff berth in the conference.
Washington has 13 games left, including two with the Heat.
Cleveland lost for just the second time in its past seven games and
fell into a tie with Detroit for sixth in the conference.
Chris Mills and Terrell Brandon had 20 points apiece for Cleveland,
which had won all three games between the teams this season and four
in a row overall against Washington.
"We just had offensive problems," Mills said. "Everybody forced some
shots up that we didn't need at particular times."
"Washington executed extremely well," Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello
said. "They hit big shots the entire night. They play a spirited game
and they deserve to win.
"We had a number of breakdowns defensively and we did not share the
basketball well offensively. As a result, we took hurried shots and
did not pass the ball crisply."
The score was tied at 74-74 after a three-point play by Cleveland's
Dan Majerle. Chris Whitney hit a 3-pointer for Washington which, after
a free throw by Cleveland's Danny Ferry, began the critical 8-0 run.
Muresan tipped home a missed jumped by Howard and followed with a
five-foot hook shot to push the lead to 81-75. Howard hit a 15-footer
off a feed from Whitney added a pair of free throws to cap the burst.
Muresan was seven for 12 from the field for the game, finishing with
14 points and 14 rebounds.
The Cavaliers got within four points, 87-83, after a 3-pointer by
Brandon with 4:26 to go. But Howard converted a layup and later added
a free throw to restore the lead to 90-83.
Brandon, who was eight for 19 from the floor, dished out 10 assists
and Majerle chipped in with 15 points off the bench.
The Cavaliers used a 12-0 run to open a 32-21 lead early in the second
quarter. But the Bullets rallied behind Tim Legler, who scored 13 of
his 15 points in the first half, cutting the lead to eight points at
intermission.
"They doubled the post so hard and so fast that there were going to be
opportunities on the weak side of the floor to get shots, and we did a
good job of moving the ball down that stretch," Legler said.
Cleveland shot 69 percent (22 for 32) in the first half and held a
14-8 advantage on the boards during the opening 24 minutes.
"Our defense from the first half was not great," Bullets coach Jim
Lynam said. "In the second half it was terrific. We were able to get
up on the shooters and when they drove, Muresan gave help. That was
the key, which lead us to get a early offense before they set and
doubled all the time."
"The adjustment we made at halftime was basically not to get a lot of
guys standing around, but get some movement," Howard said.
nba.275junior,
Toronto
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 47 9-20 3-4 2 10 12 2 4 2 1 23
Rogers F 34 5-11 5-6 4 1 5 3 4 2 1 15
Miller C 40 6-16 2-4 6 6 12 5 1 2 3 14
Robertson G 29 1-5 0-0 1 2 3 4 4 2 0 2
Stoudamire G 46 11-21 2-4 2 2 4 11 0 0 4 30
Christie 26 4-6 2-4 2 1 3 2 3 1 1 13
Tabak 18 6-11 0-0 3 3 6 0 1 0 0 12
E blama li z a Čikago. Toronto je igrao samo sa 7 igrača ... svi ostali bili
povređeni ;) Nego, zar nije ograničeno da tim MORA imati minimum 8 igrača da bi
istrčao na teren. I ako je tako, koliku je Toronto kaznu puko zbog nepoštivanja
ovoga?
jr.
P.S. Vlade, imaš li neke podatke o Torontu? Recimo, kolika im je hala, može
kratka biografija svakog igrača, zatim nešto o treneru (o menadžeru dosta
toga znamo ;), pa koliko su im duboki fondovi ;) tj. da li će imati love
da kupe nekog ... Ili recimo, trenutna vrednost ugovora za aktivnim
igračima. Kratko rečeno, sve što imaš o Torontu ;)
nba.276lexus,
=> E blama li z a Čikago. Toronto je igrao samo sa 7 igrača ... svi
=> ostali bili povređeni ;) Nego, zar nije ograničeno da tim MORA
=> imati minimum 8 igrača da bi istrčao na teren. I ako je tako,
=> koliku je Toronto kaznu puko zbog nepoštivanja ovoga?
Pa istrčalo ih je 12, samo što petorica nisu ni ulazili u igru :)
A nisu ulazili zato što je to trener odlučio, a ne zbog povreda :)
nba.277junior,
> Juce ti favorit izgubio kod kuce.
Ako nisi do sad shvatio .. neuobičajeno je kad dobiju, ne kad izgube ...
To uostalom, i njihov score pokazuje ;)
nba.278vpoznanovic,
>> Čekajte, zar nije Rik Smits, na početku sezone postigao 64 poena?
>> Zar se to zaboravilo??
Bila je greška, vrlo gruba greška, zaboravio sam to da vam napomenem.
Krivci su, kao i uvijek do sada, bili novinari sa naših televizija. Smits
je u toj utakmici postigao 44 poena.
nba.279vpoznanovic,
>> Tvoja procena - na zapadu ... ko ulazi u play-off? Portland je praktično sad
>> siguran učesnik, kao i Phoenix, a za 8. mesto bore se Sacramento (to, to ;),
>> Golden State i Denver. U principu, tipujem na Golden State, pošto stvarno
>> ima najbolju ekipu od ovih, ali mi nikako nije jasno zašto tako loše igraju.
Odgovor malo kasni, pa sam samim tim i u boljoj poziciji da prognoziram. :)
Po mom mišljenju, Denver nema šta da traži u borbi za playoff. Warriorsi
u ovom trenutku prilično zaostaju za Sacramentom, ali s obzirom na znatno
lakši raspored do kraja sezone, mislim da imaju sasvim realne šanse da se
dočepaju te osme pozicije. Nekako mi se čini da će baš ona njihova
utakmica posljednjeg dana regularnog dijela takmičenja biti utakmica
odluke. :)
>> Isto pitanje za istok - za 8. mesto bore se Šarlot i Majami. A i Atlanta se
>> mnogo srozala. Ima samo 2 pobede više od Šarlota ... Biće ovo foto-finiš :)
Charlotte ili Miami, to je sada već sasvim izvjesno. Sudeći po susretima
koje još trebaju da odigraju, izgleda da će Chicago biti taj ko će da
rješava dilemu. :)
nba.280vpoznanovic,
>> Koliko vidim šanse da se Lakersi NE sastanu sa Hjustonom u play-offu
>> su ravne nuli. :( Pa, laka im zemlja, a baš su obećavali... Ne verujem da
>> će moći da ih pobede.
U pravu si, činjenica da je taj dvoboj u prvom kolu neizbježan, poznata
je već dosta dugo. Samo, ne bih baš rekao da si u pravu i ne davajući
Lakersima nikakve šanse u tom okršaju, pogoto ako budu imali prednost
domaćeg terena. :)
nba.281vpoznanovic,
>> Ima li kakvih vesti o Daniloviću?
Očekuje se svaki dan da ga skinu sa IR-a. Sad im se možda toliko i ne
žuri, krilne pozicije dosta dobro pokrivaju pridošlice Williams i
Gatling, a tu je i rookie Thomas, koji sve više igra. Samim tim će i
Daniloviću kad se vrati biti teže da se izbori za svoj status u ekipi
nego što mu je to bilo na početku sezone.
nba.282vpoznanovic,
>> Toronto
>>
>> Gledajte budući šampionski tim ...
>>
>> Bre, igramo sa 7 igrača protiv Čikaga, i ubijemo ih ko decu ...
Neka, nisam više mogao da te gledam onako utučenog kako analiziraš koga
bi to još mogli da dobiju do kraja da bi sakupili 20 pobjeda. ;))
nba.283junior,
>Christie 23 0-6 0-0 1 2 3 3 6 3 1 0
Šta je sa ovim Christiem? Svake nedelje je na top ten-u, nekad igra fantastično
i ima šut 3-3 za trojke, a nekad igra ovako šiptarski? Ali jedno sam primetio,
UVEK napravi 6 faulova ...
nba.284junior,
> Neka, nisam više mogao da te gledam onako utučenog kako
> analiziraš koga bi to još mogli da dobiju do kraja da bi
> sakupili 20 pobjeda. ;))
:)
19-ta je tu .. a poslednjeg dana igramo sa Filadelfijom, dakle ...
O:)
nba.285vpoznanovic,
>> Šta je sa ovim Christiem? Svake nedelje je na top ten-u, nekad igra
>> fantastično i ima šut 3-3 za trojke, a nekad igra ovako šiptarski? Ali
>> jedno sam primetio, UVEK napravi 6 faulova ...
Vidi se da je stigao iz New Yorka. ;)
nba.286vpoznanovic,
>> 19-ta je tu .. a poslednjeg dana igramo sa Filadelfijom, dakle ...
Drugim riječima, na tvoju radost, bio sam dobar prognozer. :)
nba.287vpoznanovic,
>> E blama li z a Čikago. Toronto je igrao samo sa 7 igrača ... svi ostali
>> bili povređeni ;) Nego, zar nije ograničeno da tim MORA imati minimum 8
>> igrača da bi istrčao na teren. I ako je tako, koliku je Toronto kaznu puko
>> zbog nepoštivanja ovoga?
Dobio si već odgovor. Znači, nije važno koliko je igrača ulazilo u igru,
već koliko ih je za utakmicu prijavljeno kao aktivno.
Izvod iz Pravilnika NBA lige:
"Teams must have at least eight eligible players dressed and able to play
in a regular season game. Teams failing to comply are subject to fines."
Kad jednog igrača stavljaju na listu povrijeđenih, timovi obično s nje
skidaju drugog (osim ako nema onih kojima je istekao rok od pet utakmica),
tako da gotovo nikada ne dolaze u situaciju da krše ovo pravilo.
A da nije blam - jeste. Da ih je zaigralo 20, bio bi. ;)
>> Vlade, imaš li neke podatke o Torontu? Recimo, kolika im je hala, može
>> kratka biografija svakog igrača, zatim nešto o treneru (o menadžeru dosta
>> toga znamo ;), pa koliko su im duboki fondovi ;) tj. da li će imati love
>> da kupe nekog ... Ili recimo, trenutna vrednost ugovora za aktivnim
>> igračima. Kratko rečeno, sve što imaš o Torontu ;)
U narednih petnaestak poruka stižu odgovori na skoro sva pitanja koja si
postavio...
nba.288vpoznanovic,
***** Toronto Raptors *****
Team Founded: November 4, 1993
Team History: 1995 - Toronto Raptors
Team Colors: Raptor Red, Purple, Silver & Black
Office Address: 20 Bay Street
Suite 1702
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5J 2N8
(416) - 214-2255
Arena Address: Skydome
300 Bremner Blvd.
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5V 3B3
Opened: June 5, 1989
First Official Game: Friday, November 3, 1995, 94-79 win over New Jersey Nets
Arena Capacity: 22,911
Chairman of the Board: David Peterson
Team President: John Bitove
Vice President Basketball Operations: Isiah Thomas
Head Coach: Brendan Malone
1995-96 Toronto Raptors Roster
------------------------------
Head Coach - Brendan Malone (Iona)
No. Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Birthdate College Exp.
--- ---- ---- ---- ---- --------- ------- ----
1 I B.J. Tyler G 6-1 185 04/30/71 Texas 1
3 Zan Tabak C 7-0 245 06/15/70 Croatia 1
4 Vincenzo Esposito G 6-3 198 03/01/69 Italy R
7 Alvin Robertson G 6-4 208 07/22/62 Arkansas 10
9 I Sharone Wright C/F 6-11 260 01/30/73 Clemson 1
13 Doug Christie G/F 6-6 205 05/09/70 Pepperdine 3
20 Damon Stoudamire G 5-10 171 09/03/73 Arizona R
23 Dwayne Whitfield F 6-9 240 08/21/72 Jackson State R
24 Jimmy King G 6-5 210 08/09/73 Michigan R
30 Oliver Miller C 6-9 280 04/06/70 Arkansas 3
33 Carlos Rogers F/C 6-11 220 02/06/71 Tennessee State 1
35 Tracy Murray F 6-7 228 07/25/71 U-C-L-A 3
44 Martin Lewis G 6-6 225 04/28/75 Seward County CC R
55 A.C. Earl C 6-10 240 06/23/70 Iowa 2
I - Injured list
ASSISTANT COACHES: John Shumate (Notre Dame)
Darrell Walker (Arkansas)
Bob Zuffelato (Central Connecticut)
TRAINER: John Lally (T-C-U)
Coaching History:
Term Coach Reg.Season Playoff
1996 Brendan Malone 00- 00
Retired Numbers:
None
Raptors in the Hall of Fame:
None
Most Valuable Player Rookie of the Year
-------------------- ------------------
(Maurice Podoloff Trophy) (Eddie Gotlieb Trophy)
None None
Coach of the Year Executive of the Year
----------------- ---------------------
(Red Auerbach Trophy)
None None
Yearly Records:
Reg. Season Playoffs
Year Location W L Pct. Pos. Div. W L Pct.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Toronto 00 00 .000 (0) Cent
Overall Regular Season Record:
Overall Post Season Record:
nba.291vpoznanovic,
The salary cap for the 95-96 season is $23 million (but Vancouver and
Toronto have a $19 million cap due to their expansion terms). 17 of the
29 teams are over the cap.
Teams payrolls
Team Payroll
Toronto Raptors ........ $17,955,000
Vancouver Grizzlies .... $18,413,000
Boston Celtics ......... $20,219,000
Los Angeles Clippers ... $21,165,000
Dallas Mavericks ....... $21,753,000
Miami Heat ............. $22,087,000
Washington Bullets ..... $22,224,000
Atlanta Hawks .......... $22,227,000
Utah Jazz .............. $22,451,000
New Jersey Nets ........ $22,580,000
Minnesota Timberwolves . $22,642,000
Golden State Warriors .. $22,877,000
Milwaukee Bucks ........ $23,011,000 (paper lists total as $23,309,000)
Charlotte Hornets ...... $23,084,000
Chicago Bulls .......... $23,512,000
Indiana Pacers ......... $23,909,000
Portland Trailblazers .. $23,926,000
Detroit Pistons ........ $23,970,000
Sacramento Kings ....... $24,391,000
Denver Nuggets ......... $24,553,000
Philadelphia 76ers ..... $25,133,000
Houston Rockets ........ $25,632,000
Seattle Supersonics .... $25,852,000
San Antonio Spurs ...... $26,553,000
Cleveland Cavaliers .... $27,695,000
Los Angeles Lakers ..... $30,073,000
Phoenix Suns ........... $36,525,000
Orlando Magic .......... $36,526,560
New York Knicks ........ $43,329,000
Toronto Raptors ........ $17,955,000
------------------------------------
Player Salary
Oliver Miller ........... $2,372,000
John Salley ............. 2,402,000
Willie Anderson ......... 2,075,000 (average)
Ed Pinckney ............. 1,926,000
Victor Alexander ........ 1,595,000
Damon Stoudamire ........ 1,345,000
Acie Earl ............... 1,040,000
Carlos Rogers ........... 930,000
B.J. Tyler .............. 845,000
Keith Jennings .......... 700,000 (released)
Zan Tabak ............... 650,000
Tony Massenburg ......... 550,000
Vincenzo Esposito ....... 500,000
Jimmy King .............. 300,000
Tracy Murray ............ 250,000
Alvin Robertson ......... 225,000
Martin Lewis ............ 200,000
Chris Whitney ........... 50,000 (released)
nba.292vpoznanovic,
BRENDAN MALONE
Born: 4/21/42
College: Iona
Brendan Malone had never been a head coach in the NBA, and the Toronto
Raptors had never played an NBA game. But when the Raptors hired
Malone on June 2, 1995, to become the team's first-ever head coach,
the two parties committed to learning together.
Malone, a veteran of 26 years in the coaching profession, including
nine NBA seasons, has long been known for his excellence in player
development and game preparation, two essential qualities for the
coach of an expansion team. He first joined the NBA as an assistant
coach under Hubie Brown with the New York Knicks during the 1986-87
season. In 1988 Malone joined Chuck Daly's staff in Detroit, and in
his first two seasons there the Pistons earned back-to-back NBA
Championships. He remained on the sidelines as an assistant following
Daly's departure in 1992, serving first under Ron Rothstein and then
under Don Chaney. Malone's duties with the Pistons included advance
preparation, team practice assignments, players' skill development,
and game-day coaching.
A native of New York, Malone played prep basketball at Rice High
School in New York City, then attended Iona University. He began his
coaching career at Power Memorial Academy in New York, where he
coached for 10 seasons. In his final six years at Power Memorial his
teams won a pair of city championships, and he was a three-time New
York City Coach of the Year.
Malone then advanced to the collegiate ranks, working on the coaching
staffs at Fordham and Yale before being selected by Jim Boeheim to
join his staff at Syracuse prior to the 1978-79 season. During
Malone's six seasons at Syracuse the Orangeman compiled a 134-52
record and made four NCAA Tournament appearances and two NIT
appearances. Malone assumed the head coaching duties at Rhode Island
beginning in 1984 and had a 17-39 record over two seasons before
leaving to join the Knicks.
nba.293vpoznanovic,
B.J. TYLER
Position: Guard
Born: 4/30/71, Galveston, Texas
College: DePaul; Texas
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 185 lbs.
Background: One of the quickest young players in the NBA, B. J.
Tyler showed in college that he could run, dribble, and score in
impressive fashion. Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first
round of the 1994 NBA Draft, he promised to be an exciting player, and
he had certainly been that at the University of Texas. As a senior, he
had averaged 22.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 steals to earn
Southwest Conference Player of the Year honors and a spot on the the
Associated Press All-America Third Team.
Tyler, who transferred to Texas from DePaul after his freshman year,
was the only NCAA Division I player to score at least 600 points and
distribute at least 200 assists in the 1991-92 season. He broke his
foot as a junior, however, and played only 13 games. After his senior
year he left the school ranked in the Longhorns' top 10 in five career
categories, despite having suited up for only 76 games. His assists
total trailed only former NBA star Johnny Moore's.
The Sixers chose Tyler with the 20th overall pick in the 1994 NBA
Draft, and some thought he might win the starting point guard job from
incumbent Dana Barros. But injuries to Tyler, coupled with a
spectacular season by Barros, relegated Tyler to bench duty throughout
his rookie year. After the season, Philadelphia left him unprotected
in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft and he was taken by the Toronto
Raptors.
Transactions: Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round
(20th pick overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft. Selected by the Toronto
Raptors in the NBA Expansion Draft on 6/24/95.
1994-95: Originally rumored to be the Philadelphia 76ers' starting
point guard, Tyler wound up serving an apprenticeship to Dana Barros
in his rookie season. Two injuries took the momentum out of his year.
He spent 10 games on the injured list in February with a strained
abdominal muscle and then separated his shoulder on March 24 and was
shelved for the remainder of the season. In 55 games he averaged 3.5
points, 3.2 assists, and 0.65 steals in 14.7 minutes per outing. He
was 16-of-51 from three-point distance for a .314 percentage.
Among his better outings were a February 1 game against the Washington
Bullets (6 points, 5 assists, and no turnovers in 18 minutes) and a
season-best 16-point outing against the Golden State Warriors on March
22. His two biggest plays of the season came on January 21 against the
Los Angeles Lakers, when he sank a three-pointer and then moments
later came up with a steal and a layup to cap a 16-point fourth
quarter turnaround.
nba.294vpoznanovic,
ZAN TABAK
Position: Center
Born: 6/15/70, Split, Croatia
College: None
Height: 7' 0"
Weight: 245 lbs.
Background: Along with Hakeem Olajuwon from Nigeria, 7-footer Zan
Tabak from Croatia completed the Houston Rockets' international
brigade at the center position, backing up Olajuwon as a rookie in
1994-95. Tabak boasted an impressive roundball pedigree: his
father-in-law, Rato Tvrdic, was a top player in Europe, and his wife,
Gorana, played first-division ball for Croatia. His younger brother
also played professionally in Croatia. Tabak himself played six
seasons with Yugoplastica in the Yugoslavian league before being
drafted in the second round (51st pick overall) by the Rockets in
1991.
Instead of joining the Rockets, however, he played one year for
Slobodna Dalmatio in the Croatian League, averaging 16.0 points and
10.0 rebounds per contest. In summer 1992 Tabak played on the silver
medal-winning Croatian national team at the Olympic Games in
Barcelona. Other members of that team included NBA stars Drazen
Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, and Dino Radja.
The following season Tabak moved to the Livorno club in Italy's top
professional league, where he averaged 15.0 points and 11.0 rebounds
per contest. Signed by Milano for the 1993-94 season, Tabak finished
among the league leaders in field-goal percentage, rebounds, and
blocked shots. He averaged 15.5 points and 10.3 rebounds while
shooting .621 from the floor.
Tabak came to Houston for the 1994-95 season. A strong inside force
with a soft shooting touch, he saw limited action during his rookie
campaign. At season's end, the Rockets left him unprotected in the
1995 NBA Expansion Draft and he was picked up by the Toronto Raptors.
Transactions: Selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round
(51st pick overall) of the 1991 NBA Draft. Played in Croatia
(1991-92). Played in Italy (1992-93, 1993-94). Signed by the Rockets
on 7/20/94. Selected by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Expansion Draft
on 6/24/95.
1994-95: After honing his game in Europe for three seasons, Tabak
finally came to the NBA for 1994-95. He joined the Houston Rockets,
who had originally drafted him in 1991. Serving mostly as practice
fodder for Hakeem Olajuwon, Tabak saw limited court time as a rookie.
He played in only 37 games and averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in
less than 5 minutes per outing. He also endured two stints on the
injured list: five games in March with gastroenteritis and five games
in February and March with a strained back.
Tabak was largely a spectator during the Rockets' run to their second
straight championship. The team instead brought Charles Jones out of
retirement to back up Olajuwon in the playoffs. Tabak saw 31 minutes
of mop-up duty in 8 postseason games.
nba.295vpoznanovic,
VINCENZO ESPOSITO
Position: Guard
Born: 3/1/69, Caserta, Italy
College: Italy
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 198
Background: Played in Italian League from 1984-85 thru 1994-95 for
Caserta and Bologna...averaged a career-best 24.2 ppg in 31 games in
1994-95...career average of 13.4 ppg in 348 games in 11
seasons...member of 1990-91 Italian League champions Phonola Caserta.
Transactions: Never drafted by an NBA franchise. Played in Italy
from 1984-85 thru 1994-95. Signed as a free agent by the Toronto
Raptors on 7/20/95.
nba.296vpoznanovic,
ALVIN ROBERTSON
Position: Guard
Born: 7/22/62, Barberton, Ohio
College: Crowder Junior College; Arkansas
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Background: Alvin Robertson was among the most-feared defenders in
the NBA for more than five seasons. One of the league's all-time
leaders in steals, he topped the NBA in thefts three times and was NBA
Defensive Player of the Year for 1985-86, when he set a single-season
record for steals. Far from being one-dimensional, Robertson was a
double-digit scorer for most of his career who excelled by using his
superior athletic ability from baseline to baseline. In one 1986 game
he became one of only four players ever to record a quadruple-double.
That day he totaled an amazing 20 points, 10 assists, 11 rebounds, and
10 steals.
Robertson, who at 6-foot-4 was quick, strong, and relentless, retired
as the NBA's best steals artist ever in many respects. He set NBA
records for steals in a season (301), single-season average (3.67
steals per game), and career average (2.77 steals per game). He
finished third on the all-time list in steals with 1,946, behind John
Stockton and Maurice Cheeks, both of whom compiled their totals in
more seasons than Robertson did.
In addition, of the 13 players to ever record 10 or more steals in a
game, Robertson was the only player to accomplish the feat more than
once, doing so four times. He retired as one of only two players
(along with Magic Johnson) to lead the league in steals in consecutive
seasons, and one of only three players to do so in three separate
seasons (along with Micheal Ray Richardson and Michael Jordan).
Offensively, Robertson frequently scored on drives, dunks, and in
transition; he also had a respectable outside shot. A four-time
All-Star, his career averages were 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1
assists per game. After the 1992-93 season, his ninth in the league,
back problems ended his playing days, although he would be on Denver's
roster the following season.
Robertson arrived at the University of Arkansas in 1981 a relatively
unknown talent from Barberton, Ohio, by way of Crowder Junior College
in Missouri. With the Razorbacks, he quickly gained recognition for
his ferocious play. As a junior in 1982-83 he teamed with future NBA
guard Darrell Walker to form a tenacious defensive backcourt.
Following his senior season, Robertson teamed with Jordan and Patrick
Ewing on the gold medal-winning 1984 U.S. Olympic Team.
The San Antonio Spurs selected Robertson with the seventh pick in the
1984 NBA Draft. After a solid rookie season (9.2 ppg), Robertson
became a star in the league for the rest of the decade. After
recording 127 steals as a rookie, he exploded in 1985-86 to establish
NBA records with 301 steals-an average of 3.67 per game. By contrast,
the entire Sacramento Kings team had a total of 602 steals that year.
That season he also averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.5
assists. For his efforts he was named NBA Defensive Player of the
Year, Most Improved Player, an All-Star, and a member of the All-NBA
Second Team. He was No. 2 on the Spurs in scoring behind Mike Mitchell
(23.4 ppg). The Spurs went 35-47 and were swept in the first round of
the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 1986-87 Robertson again led the NBA in steals with an average of
3.21 per game on 260 thefts. He averaged 17.7 points and pulled the
remarkable quadruple-double on February 18 against the Phoenix Suns.
He was selected to the Western Conference All-Star Team and the NBA
All-Defensive First Team. The next season, 1987-88, was Robertson's
best offensively. He averaged career highs of 19.6 points and 6.8
assists while pulling down 6.1 rebounds per contest and earning his
third All-Star selection. He ranked second in the league in steals to
Michael Jordan and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Robertson's fifth and final season in San Antonio, 1988-89, was
another impressive campaign. He missed 17 games but was second in the
league in steals (3.03 per game) and second on the Spurs in scoring
(17.3 ppg). Despite his personal achievements, Robertson had never
enjoyed many team accomplishments. In his five years at San Antonio
the team never posted a winning season, and while it made two trips to
the playoffs, the squad never advanced past the first round. The Spurs
finished at 21-61 in 1988-89 and decided to make changes.
San Antonio sent Robertson and center Greg Anderson to Milwaukee in
exchange for forward Terry Cummings. Robertson spent 3Ż seasons with
the Bucks, and while he never surpassed the statistical marks of his
days with San Antonio, he remained among the league leaders in steals;
posted solid scoring, rebounding, and assists numbers; made another
trip to the All-Star Game; and played on two squads that broke .500.
His scoring average decreased in each of his three full seasons in
Milwaukee, to averages of 14.2, 13.6, and 12.3 points per game.
Matched against Jordan in the 1990 NBA Playoffs, Robertson averaged
23.5 points, but the Bulls won the first-round series in four games.
In 1990-91 Robertson led the league in steals, averaging 3.04 per
game, and made the All-Star Team. He excelled again in the playoffs,
averaging 23.7 points, but the Bucks didn't, losing to Philadelphia in
three straight.
The Bucks failed to make the playoffs in 1991-92, and midway through
the 1992-93 campaign Milwaukee sent Robertson to the Detroit Pistons
in exchange for forward Orlando Woolridge. To say things didn't work
out well for Robertson in Detroit would be an understatement.
Robertson finished the season at Detroit with an average of 9.0 points
per game and began the 1992-93 campaign on the sidelines with a back
injury. When General Manager Billy McKinney questioned Robertson's
commitment to rehabilitation, Robertson grabbed McKinney in a
chokehold. The matter was resolved when the Pistons traded Robertson
to Denver in exchange for guard Mark Macon and forward Marcus Liberty
on November 19, 1993.
Robertson was supposed to bring experience and defense to the young
Nuggets, but all he could really offer was a bad back. He never played
for the Denver team, officially retiring after the 1993-94 season.
Transactions: Selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round
(seventh pick overall) of the 1984 NBA Draft. Traded with Greg
Anderson to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Terry Cummings in
1989. Traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Orlando Woolridge
in 1993. Traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Mark Macon and
Marcus Liberty on November 19, 1993.
nba.297vpoznanovic,
SHARONE WRIGHT
Position: Center
Born: 1/20/73, Macon, Georgia
College: Clemson
Height: 6' 11"
Weight: 260 lbs.
Background: An active 6-foot-11 post player, Sharone Wright can
score, rebound, and block shots. He left Clemson after his junior
year, was selected sixth overall in the NBA Draft by the Philadelphia
76ers, and in his first season stepped in as a starter for 49 games.
He appears to have what it takes to be a productive if not outstanding
player for many seasons.
Wright averaged double figures in each of his three seasons at
Clemson, compiling averages of 12.0, 15.0, and 15.4 points per game,
respectively. He also hauled down 8.1, 10.5, and 10.6 boards per
contest, respectively, making him the only Atlantic Coast Conference
player to average double digits in both points and rebounds in 1992-93
and 1993-94. He finished fourth on the school's all-time rebounding
list behind NBA players Tree Rollins, Dale Davis, and Horace Grant.
Wright seemed to be what the Philadelphia 76ers needed-a big, mobile
forward who can play center. Wright and Scott Williams took the bulk
of the minutes at power forward, thus allowing Clarence Weatherspoon
to move to small forward. Wright, who averaged 11.4 points and 6.0
rebounds as a rookie, also spelled foul-prone center Shawn Bradley.
Although the Sixers were woeful in Wright's rookie season, he was a
bright spot for the team as part of a talented young front line.
Transactions: Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round
(sixth pick overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft. Traded to the Toronto
Raptors for Tony Massenburg, Ed Pinckney and the right to swap
first-round draft choices in either 1996 or 1997 and a second-round
draft choice in either 1996 or 1997 on 2/22/96.
1994-95: Wright proved in 1994-95 that he could be in the NBA to
stay. The first-year player started 49 contests for the Philadelphia
76ers and averaged 11.4 points and 6.0 rebounds. He improved his
scoring and rebounding averages every month during the season and
scored in double figures in his last seven games. At season's end he
was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
In an 11-game stretch from February 18 to March 12, Wright averaged
13.1 points and 9.0 rebounds. For the season, he shot .500 or better
from the field in 26 games.
Used at both power forward and center, Wright had a season-high 7
blocks on January 20 against the Washington Bullets. His average of
1.32 blocks per game ranked 23nd in the league. Other season highs
included 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 assists. He registered 10
double-doubles in points and rebounds. Although Philadelphia finished
a disappointing 24-58, Wright logged 2,044 minutes and proved to be a
solid building block for the future.
nba.298vpoznanovic,
DOUG CHRISTIE
Position: Guard-Forward
Born: 5/9/70, Seattle, Washington
College: Pepperdine
Height: 6' 6"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Background: An athletically gifted player, Doug Christie has the
potential to be an explosive swingman in the NBA. His career got off
to a rocky start, however, when he failed to reach a contract
agreement with the Seattle SuperSonics, and he has yet to find a
comfortable home for his talents and skills.
A native of Seattle, Christie attended college at Pepperdine, where he
averaged better than 19 points in each of his last two seasons. He was
selected by Seattle with the 17th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft,
but he sat out the first part of his rookie season while mired in
contract negotiations. He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in
February without ever playing for the Sonics. With the Lakers, he
appeared in 23 games that season and averaged 6.2 points. He appeared
in 65 games in 1993-94 and upped his offensive output to 10.3 points
per contest while showing flashes of brilliance, including a 33-point
outburst against the Los Angeles Clippers. During the offseason he
underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle.
Prior to the 1994-95 season, Christie was traded to the New York
Knicks. He never cracked the Knicks' regular rotation and appeared in
only a dozen games.
Transactions: Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round
(17th pick overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft. Traded by the SuperSonics
with Benoit Benjamin to the Los Angeles Lakers for Sam Perkins on
2/22/93. Traded by the Lakers to the New York Knicks for two future
second-round draft considerations on 10/13/94. Traded with Herb
Williams to the Toronto Raptors for Willie Anderson and Victor
Alexander on 2/18/96.
1994-95: The 1994-95 season was a disappointing one for Christie. He
underwent surgery in August to remove bone spurs in his left ankle. On
October 13 the Los Angeles Lakers, who had an abundance of potent
young scorers, traded him to the New York Knicks for a pair of
second-round draft picks. Head Coach Pat Riley never found much
playing time for the young swingman, however, and Christie appeared in
only 12 games. His season high was a 4-point outing against the Dallas
Mavericks on March 31. He scored only 1.3 points per game for the
season.
The Knicks finished at 55-27, then advanced to the Eastern Conference
Semifinals before losing to the Indiana Pacers in seven games.
Christie appeared in one game in New York's first-round matchup
against the Cleveland Cavaliers and in one game against the Pacers. He
was scoreless in 6 total minutes, missing all 4 of his field-goal
attempts.
1993-94: The Los Angeles Lakers' leading scorer until a left ankle
sprain on January 11 sidelined him for 16 games, Christie demonstrated
a great deal of promise in his first full NBA season. He started more
than half of the 65 games in which he played. However, the injury took
its toll, as evidenced by Christie's .388 field-goal shooting in 33
games after returning on February 20.
Prior to the setback he had scored a career-high 33 points on December
4 against the Lakers' crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. In
that same game he recorded career highs in three-pointers attempted
(7) and made (5), as well as free throws attempted (14) and made (10).
At the time, the five treys matched a club record held by Michael
Cooper, Magic Johnson, and Byron Scott; however, it was surpassed
later in the season by Nick Van Exel. Christie also recorded a
career-high 13 rebounds in a November 16 game against the Clippers. He
finished the season averaging 10.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1
assists in 23.3 minutes per game.
1992-93: Volleyball powerhouse Pepperdine gets more publicity for
its spikers and servers than for its basketball players, but Doug
Christie raised NBA scouts' eyebrows by averaging 19.5 points, 5.9
rebounds, and 4.8 assists in his senior year. He was impressive again
at the 1992 Orlando All-Star Classic, a pre-draft camp for college
seniors, earning selection to the all-tournament team.
The Seattle SuperSonics decided Christie would fare well playing in
his hometown and drafted him 17th overall in the 1992 NBA Draft. But
Seattle and Christie could not come to terms on a contract, and the
talented swingman was still unsigned when the Sonics traded his rights
along with Benoit Benjamin to the Los Angeles Lakers for Sam Perkins
on February 22.
The Lakers signed Christie four days later, and on March 12 he finally
began his rookie season. Coach Randy Pfund played Christie sparingly
at first, allowing him time to adjust to a difficult midseason
entrance.
He had his best games in April, scoring a season-high 17 points
against the Rockets in Houston on April 13, dishing for 9 assists
versus the Portland Trail Blazers on April 9, and pulling down 8
rebounds against the Utah Jazz on April 21. In 23 games overall he
averaged 6.2 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per
game.
nba.299vpoznanovic,
DAMON STOUDAMIRE
Position: Guard
Born: 9/3/73, Portland, Oregon
College: Arizona
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 171 lbs.
Background: Damon Stoudamire capped an outstanding four-year career
at Arizona by being named a consensus All-American and a finalist for
College Player of the Year. Stoudamire was a three-time All-Pac-10
selection and only the second player in Pac-10 history to log 1,800
points, 600 assists, and 400 rebounds in a career, joining NBA
All-Star Gary Payton. He led the Wildcats to the 1994 Final Four and a
pair of Pac-10 titles (1993 and 1994). At Arizona, he finished fourth
all-time in points (1,849), second in assists (663), and first in
three-pointers (272).
Stoudamire was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team after averaging
7.2 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds. He posted a season-high 19
points against USC and added 10 rebounds for his first double-double.
As a sophomore, Stoudamire earned All-Pac-10 honors with 11.0 points,
4.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. He guided a talent-laden
Wildcats squad to a 17-1 Pac-10 record and the school's sixth
conference title. At season's end he was a First Team All-West Region
selection by Basketball Times and a First Team All-District 8 pick by
the Basketball Writers Association. Over the summer he was captain of
the gold-medal-winning U.S. team at the World University Games in
Buffalo.
Stoudamire formed one of the nation's premier backcourts with Khalid
Reeves, now with the NBA's Miami Heat, as the two combined to average
42.5 points. They led the Wildcats to a second consecutive Pac-10
title and to the 1994 Final Four. Stoudamire again made the All-Pac-10
Team and received honorable mention All-America honors. He captained
Team USA at the Goodwill Games in Russia during the summer.
The Wildcats failed to repeat as Pac-10 champions, but Stoudamire had
his best collegiate season as a senior. He led the Pac-10 in scoring
(22.8 ppg) and assists (220) and was second in free-throw percentage
(.826). He paced Arizona in steals (52) and three-point shooting
(.476) and became the only Arizona player to score 40 points in a game
twice. His efforts earned him a share of the 1995 Pac-10 Player of the
Year Award (with UCLA's Ed O'Bannon) and All-Pac-10 honors for the
third consecutive season.
Transactions: Selected by the Toronto Raptors in the first round
(seventh pick overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft.
Selected by the Toronto Raptors in the first round (seventh pick
overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft.
nba.300vpoznanovic,
DWAYNE WHITFIELD
Position: Forward
Born: 8/21/72, Aberdeen, Mississippi
College: Jackson State
Height: 6' 9"
Weight: 240 lbs.
Background: Dwayne Whitfield was named Jackson State's Most Valuable
Player after a stellar 1994-95 season. He was invited to the
Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and registered 11 points and 4
rebounds in his first game before a foot injury sidelined him for the
remainder of the tourney.
"He's a blue-collar player," said San Antonio Spurs scout Ed Manning.
"He works his butt off. He's a lot like Dennis Rodman. He believes
every rebound is his."
Whitfield didn't see much action in his first two years of college. He
sat out his freshman season in order to become academically eligible,
then played in only 12 games as a sophomore before suffering a broken
left foot. Prior to his injury, he hit for a season-high 16 points
against Arkansas and tallied 13 points against Florida A&M.
Whitfield came back fully recovered as a junior and finally was able
to play a complete season. In 29 games he averaged 12.4 points and 6.7
rebounds while shooting .574 from the field. The 6-foot-9 forward
scored in double figures in 18 contests and collected a season-high 27
points in a game against Prairie View. He earned Southwestern Athletic
Conference All-Tournament honors after averaging 15 points and hitting
10 of 11 free throws in the postseason tournament.
As a senior, Whitfield was named to the Great Alaska All-Tournament
Team and was a First Team All-SWAC selection. He was also a First Team
All-Mississippi selection by the Mississippi State Writers
Association. He led the Tigers in scoring (19.6 ppg), rebounding (10.5
rpg), and blocked shots and shot a team-leading and career-high .610
from the floor. At the 1994 Great Alaska Shootout, Whitfield set a
tournament record with 21 rebounds against Louisville. For the season,
he scored in double figures 24 times and reached double figures in
rebounds 12 times. He was a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line
in a contest against conference rival Southern University.
Transactions: Selected by the Golden State Warriors in the second
round (40th pick overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft. Traded by the
Warriors with Victor Alexander, Carlos Rogers and the draft rights to
Martin Lewis and Michael McDonald to the Toronto Raptors for B.J.
Armstrong on 9/18/95.
Selected by the Golden State Warriors in the second round (40th pick
overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft. Traded by the Warriors with Victor
Alexander, Carlos Rogers and the draft rights to Martin Lewis and
Michael McDonald to the Toronto Raptors for B.J. Armstrong on 9/18/95.
nba.301vpoznanovic,
JIMMY KING
Position: Guard
Born: 8/9/73, South Bend, Indiana
College: Michigan
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 210 lbs.
Background: As a starting member of Michiganĺs ôFab Five,ö Jimmy
King helped the team to the NCAA Tournament for four consecutive years
and the NCAA Championship Game in both his freshman and sophomore
seasons. King finished his college career ranked second among
Michiganĺs all-time leaders in steals and games started, third in
three-point field goals, fourth in games played, seventh in assists,
and 11th in scoring. He is one of only eight Michigan players to have
posted career totals of 1,500 points and 500 rebounds. King played in
a total of 17 NCAA Tournament games, a school record he shares with
Jackson, and he finished his college career with an overall 13-4
tournament record. King impressed NBA scouts at the Portsmouth
Invitational Tournament in April. He made the All-Tournament team
after averaging 22.7 points. His impressive showing earned an him an
invitation to the Nike Desert Classic in Phoenix.
As a freshman, King placed ninth on Michiganĺs all-time freshman
scoring list with 337 points. His .467 three-point field-goal
percentage that year ranked fourth in school history.
During his sophomore campaign, King averaged 10.8 points and posted
career-highs in rebounds (159) and assists (110). In a Big-Ten matchup
against Purdue, he scored a career-high 24 points and collected six
rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. He scored the game-winning
basket during overtime against UCLA in the second round of the NCAA
Tournament. At seasonĺs end he was an honorable mention AllľBig Ten
Conference selection.
As a junior, King became the 32nd player in Michigan history to score
1,000 points. He enjoyed one of the best games of his career that
season with 22 points and 11 rebounds against Auburn. In the
postseason, King led the team with 18 points against Iowa in the Big
Ten opener, including a game-winning three-pointer with just 7.3
seconds remaining. He repeated as an honorable mention AllľBig Ten
selection.
In his final college campaign King scored in double figures in 28 of
30 games and led the team with 58 steals. He posted a career-high 17
rebounds versus Western Kentucky and added a season-high 23 points. He
was a Third Team AllľBig Ten selection by conference coaches.
Transactions: Selected by the Toronto Raptors in the second round
(35th pick overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft.
nba.302vpoznanovic,
OLIVER MILLER
Position: Center
Born: 4/6/70, Fort Worth, Texas
College: Arkansas
Height: 6' 9"
Weight: 285 lbs.
Background: A 6-foot-9 mountain of a center, Oliver Miller combines
superb shotblocking instincts with soft hands and good passing skills.
However, he has struggled at times with a weight problem that has kept
him from living up to his potential. An outstanding player at
Arkansas, he finished college as the school's all-time leader in
blocked shots and field-goal percentage and ranked second in rebounds,
sixth in assists, and seventh in scoring. In 1990-91, his junior
season, he shot an almost unbelievable .704 from the field.
The Phoenix Suns came up with a gem when they nabbed Miller with the
22nd overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He missed 25 games because of
injuries during his rookie season but averaged 5.6 points, 4.9
rebounds, and 1.78 blocks, backing up Mark West at center. In 24
playoff games that year, Miller raised his numbers to 7.2 points, 5.2
rebounds, and 2.45 blocked shots per contest, helping the Suns reach
the 1993 NBA Finals. The next season, 1993-94, he led the Suns in
field-goal percentage (.609) but did not make enough shots to qualify
among the league leaders.
After two seasons in Phoenix, Miller moved to the Detroit Pistons as a
restricted free agent for the 1994-95 season. A fractured hand that
required surgery took a bite out of his season and hampered his
effectiveness, but he still turned in a good year for the Pistons,
leading the team in blocked shots and finishing second in rebounding.
His stay in Detroit was a short one, however, as the Pistons left him
unprotected in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft and he was taken by the
Toronto Raptors.
Transactions: Selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round (22nd
pick overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft. Signed as a restricted free agent
by the Detroit Pistons on 9/6/94. Selected by the Toronto Raptors in
the NBA Expansion Draft on 6/24/95.
1994-95: A restricted free agent, Miller signed an offer sheet with
the Detroit Pistons on September 6. When the Phoenix Suns chose not to
match the Pistons' offer, Miller moved on to Detroit. After a fairly
slow start, he was forced to sit out two stints midway through the
season as a result of a fractured metacarpal bone in his right hand
that required surgery.
Miller returned from the injury in late January and did most of his
damage late in the season. In his last 31 games he averaged 9.6 points
and 8.2 rebounds while shooting .573 from the field. On March 3 he
grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds against the Atlanta Hawks. He hit
for a season-high 21 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on March
15.
All told, Miller appeared in 64 games for the Pistons, starting 22,
and averaged 8.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. His .555 field-goal
percentage trailed teammate Mark West's team-best number by a single
percentage point. Miller finished with 116 blocked shots to rank 10th
in the league at 1.81 rejections per game. The Pistons finished out of
the playoffs at 28-54.
1993-94: If Miller would only shoot more, he would probably be one
of the most efficient players in NBA history. After only two seasons
in the league he had compiled a career field-goal percentage of .561.
In 1993-94 alone he shot a gaudy .609 from the floor with the Phoenix
Suns. Miller did not, however, make enough shots in either of his
first two seasons to qualify for the NBA rankings. Had he made the
minimum 300 field goals (he had 277) in 1993-94, he would have
eclipsed Shaquille O'Neal (.599) as the league leader in shooting
accuracy.
Although Miller might not have reached the leaderboard in field-goal
percentage, he did rank eighth in shotblocking (2.26 per game),
despite his 6-foot-9 frame and despite the fact that he played only
25.9 minutes per game. Still struggling at times to control his
weight, he split the starting center duties with Mark West and
appeared in 69 contests overall, spending nine games on the injured
list with a bulging disk in his back. For the season, Miller averaged
9.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He was named NBA Player of
the Week for the week ending January 2, after averaging 24.5 points,
11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.00 blocks as a starter in two Suns
victories.
1992-93: Oliver Miller stepped right off the floor of legendary
Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he had been the top
hog, right into a significant role with the Western Conference
champion Phoenix Suns. The 6-foot-9 center completed his playing days
at the University of Arkansas as the school's all-time leader in
blocked shots (345) and field-goal percentage (.636). He also ranked
second in career rebounds (886), sixth in assists (296), and seventh
in scoring (1,674).
The Suns selected Miller with the 22nd overall pick in the 1992 NBA
Draft. His inaugural season in the NBA proved to be the stuff of which
dreams are made. Despite missing 25 games due to right knee and right
foot injuries, Miller cracked the Suns' regular rotation and helped
Phoenix amass a 62-20 regular-season mark and a berth in the 1993 NBA
Finals. In perhaps his most impressive contribution, he finished the
year ranked 15th in the NBA in blocked shots and third among rookies,
with 100. He also averaged 5.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
Miller swatted a season-high 7 shots against the Seattle SuperSonics
on April 16 and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds against the Indiana
Pacers on April 4. He had one of his better games of the season
against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 6 when he tallied 15 points,
12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks.
Miller was a force in the postseason, shooting .564 from the field and
averaging 7.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.46 blocks. In the decisive
Game 5 of a first-round series with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miller
blocked 7 shots, a Suns playoff record. He then recorded 21 blocked
shots in a six-game series versus the San Antonio Spurs.
nba.303vpoznanovic,
CARLOS ROGERS
Position: Forward-Center
Born: 2/6/71, Detroit, Michigan
College: Arkansas-Little Rock; Tennessee State
Height: 6' 11"
Weight: 220 lbs.
Background: An elite all-around athlete who can run the court and
connect on a medium-range jump shot, 6-foot-11 Carlos Rogers has the
potential to stand out in the NBA.
Rogers began his college career at Arkansas-Little Rock but
transferred to Tennessee State for his junior and senior seasons. In
both of those years he was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the
Year. He averaged 24.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocked shots as
a senior in 1993-94 and was an honorable mention Associated Press
All-American. Nominated for the Naismith Award as the top college
player in the country, Rogers was the only player to rank among the
NCAA's top 15 in scoring (15th), rebounding (10th), blocked shots
(14th), and field-goal percentage (12th, with a .614 mark). He
finished his college career with two-year averages of 22.5 points and
11.6 rebounds per game at Tennessee State. His finest moment as a
collegian came in the finals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament,
when he scored 38 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Tigers beat
Murray State to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.
Chosen by the Seattle Supersonics in the first round (11th pick
overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft, Rogers was traded to the Golden State
Warriors along with Ricky Pierce and two second-round draft picks for
Sarunas Marciulionis and Byron Houston in July 1994. He played in 49
games as a rookie with the Warriors, averaging 8.9 points and 5.7
rebounds.
Transactions: Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round
(11th pick overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft. Traded by the SuperSonics
with Ricky Pierce and two 1995 second-round draft picks to the Golden
State Warriors for Sarunas Marciulionis and Byron Houston on July 18,
1994. Signed by the Warriors to a multi-year contract on 11/8/94.
Traded by the Warriors with Victor Alexander and the draft rights to
Martin Lewis, Michael McDonald, and Dwayne Whitfield to the Toronto
Raptors for B.J. Armstrong on 9/18/95.
nba.304vpoznanovic,
TRACY MURRAY
Position: Forward
Born: 7/25/71, Los Angeles, California
College: UCLA
Height: 6' 7"
Weight: 228 lbs.
Background: A hot-shooting forward in college, Tracy Murray has yet
to find a regular role in the NBA despite leading the league in
three-point shooting in 1993ľ94. Murray, who set a California high
school career scoring record and averaged 44.3 points as a prep
senior, starred collegiately at UCLA. A teammate of future NBA players
Don MacLean, Mitchell Butler, Tyus Edney, and Ed OĺBannon, he was a
two-time member of the AllľPac-10 Conference First Team. As a junior
he led the conference in three-point shooting (78-of-156, .500) and
finished second in scoring (21.4 ppg). He also ranked among the league
leaders in rebounding, free-throw accuracy, field-goal percentage, and
steals.
Murray, a cousin of NBA player Lamond Murray, entered the 1992 NBA
Draft as a junior and was taken by the San Antonio Spurs with the 18th
overall pick. His draft rights were shuffled to the Milwaukee Bucks
and then to the Portland Trail Blazers, with whom he began the 1992ľ93
season. As a rookie he appeared in 48 games and averaged 5.7 points
and 1.7 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game.
Murrayĺs output increased slightly in his second season, as he
appeared in 66 games and averaged 6.6 points. Used mostly as a
three-point specialist off the bench, he played his role better than
anyone else in the league. He led the NBA with a .459 three-point
percentage, hitting exactly the minimum 50 three-point goals needed to
qualify.
Midway through the 1994ľ95 season Murray was traded along with Clyde
Drexler to the Houston Rockets for Otis Thorpe. A reserve for both
squads, Murray saw action in a total of 54 games. He was not on the
Rocketsĺ playoff roster as they marched to their second consecutive
championship.
Transactions: Selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round
(18th pick overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft. His rights were traded to
the Milwaukee Bucks for Dale Ellis on 7/1/92. The Bucks traded his
rights to the Portland Trail Blazers for Alaa Abdelnaby on 7/1/92.
Traded by the Trail Blazers with Clyde Drexler to the Houston Rockets
for Otis Thorpe, the rights to Marcelo Nicola and a conditional 1995
first-round draft pick on 2/14/95.
1994-95: Murray began his third season in Portland but finished it
as a member of the NBA-champion Houston Rockets. While still with the
Trail Blazers, he turned in one of his better performances on January
19 against the Phoenix Suns, scoring a season-high 19 points with a
career-high 5 assists.
After 29 games with Portland, however, he was packaged with Clyde
Drexler and sent to Houston on February 14 in exchange for Otis
Thorpe, the rights to Marcelo Nicola, and a draft pick. The trade
didnĺt do much to increase Murrayĺs playing time. For Portland he had
averaged 10.8 minutes per outing; at Houston he played 8.1 minutes per
contest. For the season, he averaged 4.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 54
appearances. The league leader in three-point shooting in 1993ľ94, he
registered a field-goal percentage of .408 and a three-point
percentage of .407 in 1994ľ95. He was not on the Rocketsĺ active
playoff roster as Houston marched to its second straight NBA
Championship.
1993-94: Throughout his years as a California high school and
college star, it was clear that Murray was a shooter of colossal
potential. In 1993ľ94, his second season in the NBA, he demonstrated
his prowess on the professional level. Despite playing only 12.4
minutes per game in 66 contests, Murray hit on 50 of 109 three-point
attempts to lead the NBA with a .459 percentage, just reaching the
minimum made three-pointers needed to qualify for the league rankings.
During the season Murray provided instant offense off the bench for
Portland Trail Blazers Coach Rick Adelman. He scored 6.6 points per
game, with a career high of 22 points against the Charlotte Hornets on
January 6. The Blazers advanced to the playoffs but lost to the
Houston Rockets in the first round. Murray saw action in only two of
Portlandĺs four playoff games, scoring 4 points in 11 total minutes.
1992-93: Tracy Murray scored 3,053 points at Glendora High School in
CaliforniaŚthe highest total ever by a prep player in that state. As a
senior he led the nation with his 44.3 scoring average and 125
three-point field goals.
After being selected to the AllľPac-10 Conference First Team for a
second consecutive season, Murray opted to leave UCLA after his junior
year and soon found himself on the court with a star-studded cast in
Portland.
He played in 48 games as a rookie and averaged 5.7 points and 1.7
rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game. Murray cracked the starting lineup
14 times and performed well, averaging 9.8 points on 50-percent
shooting as a starter. The big games seemed to bring out the best in
him, evidenced by his fine numbers in 26 games against the 15 other
NBA playoff entrants: 6.7 points per game, .462 field-goal shooting,
and .944 free-throw shooting.
Murrayĺs rookie highs included 20 points against the Los Angeles
Lakers on December 9, 8 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers in
the regular-season finale, and 36 minutes of playing time on March 11
at Houston against the Rockets. Murrayĺs free-throw percentage of .875
(35-of-40) was a team high. He didnĺt play in the four playoff games
against the San Antonio Spurs.
nba.305vpoznanovic,
MARTIN LEWIS
Position: Forward
Born: 4/28/75, Liberal, Kansas
College: Butler County (KS) CC, then Seward County (KS) CC
Height: 6' 5"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Background: A 6-foot-5 swingman from Liberal, Kansas, Martin Lewis
lit up the community college ranks for two seasons, then decided to
make the jump directly to the NBA. Passing up an offer to attend
Oklahoma State, Lewis entered the 1995 NBA Draft and was taken by the
Golden State Warriors with the 50th overall pick.
In his two college seasons Lewis played for two different schools in
the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. As a freshman in
1993-94 he earned co-Freshman of the Year honors while at Butler
Community College. In 36 games that season Lewis averaged 17.4 points
and 6.1 rebounds while shooting .549 from the floor and .388
(40-of-103) from three-point range. He led Butler to a 31-5 record and
was the conference's Western Division co-MVP as well as an All-Region
VI selection.
Lewis moved on to Seward County Community College for 1994-95. He
earned spots on the All-Conference First Team and the All-Region VI
team while leading Seward into the second round of the National Junior
College Athletic Association Tournament. In 37 games Lewis averaged
22.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.08 steals, and 1.81 blocks. He shot an
impressive .650 from the floor and .658 from the free-throw line.
Transactions: Selected by the Golden State Warriors in the second
round (50th pick overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft. Traded by the
Warriors with Victor Alexander, Carlos Rogers and the draft rights to
Michael McDonald and Dwayne Whitfield to the Toronto Raptors for B.J.
Armstrong on 9/18/95.
nba.306vpoznanovic,
ACIE EARL
Position: Forward-Center
Born: 6/23/70, Peoria, Illinois
College: Iowa
Height: 6' 10"
Weight: 240 lbs.
Background: A big-time shotblocker and defender in college with a
good scoring touch, 6-foot-10 center-forward Acie Earl has yet to see
sufficient playing time to establish himself in the NBA.
Earl had a breakout season as a sophomore at Iowa, leading the
Hawkeyes in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. In his junior year
he averaged 19.5 points and 4.0 blocks and earned the Big Ten
Defensive Player of the Year Award. The leading scorer, rebounder, and
shotblocker for Iowa in his senior campaign, he left as the school's
all-time leader in blocked shots and free-throw attempts and ranked
second in scoring and free-throws made.
Earl was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 19th overall pick in
the 1993 NBA Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 74 games and started 8
contests, mostly backing up veteran Robert Parish. Earl averaged 5.5
points and 3.3 rebounds and finished third on the team in blocked
shots. In his second season, however, he was used only sporadically
and made limited contributions. Following his two unremarkable seasons
in Boston, the Celtics left him unprotected in the 1995 NBA Expansion
Draft and he was chosen by the Toronto Raptors.
Transactions: Selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round
(19th pick overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft. Selected by the Toronto
Raptors in the NBA Expansion Draft on 6/24/95.
1994-95: The arrival of free-agent forward-center Pervis Ellison and
first-round draft pick Eric Montross didn't leave much playing time
for Earl. After having played in 74 games as a rookie, he saw action
in only 30 contests in his sophomore NBA campaign, logging just 6.9
minutes per appearance. His season highs of 17 minutes, 6 points, and
6 rebounds all came in games against the Orlando Magic. He was
sidelined for much of January after suffering a sprained wrist against
the Chicago Bulls on December 28.
The Boston Celtics made the playoffs despite an unremarkable 35-47
record. Earl appeared only once as the Celtics were ousted in four
games by Orlando in the first round. In 10 minutes of postseason
action he scored 2 points and grabbed 2 rebounds.
1993-94: With the continued solid play of veteran Robert Parish,
Acie Earl patiently waited his turn for regular minutes in the Boston
Celtics' frontcourt. When the Celtics selected the former Iowa
standout with their first-round pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, it was a
clear signal that Boston was prepared to phase in new blood on its
historic front line. Earl arrived with impressive college credentials:
he left as the Hawkeyes' second all-time leading scorer (1,779 points)
and ranked No. 7 on the NCAA's all-time shotblocking list.
Earl played at least 10 minutes in 23 of his first 24 games and 52
times overall. In a contest against the Seattle SuperSonics on
February 25, he logged a career-high 38 minutes and recorded 13 points
and 6 rebounds. For the year, he played in 74 games and averaged 15.5
minutes, 5.5 points, and 3.3 boards.
nba.307junior,
Vlade, ti si Bog.
nba.308junior,
Sad je moj odgovor malko zakasnio, pa sam ja u prednosti ;)
> Po mom mišljenju, Denver nema šta da traži u borbi za playoff.
Kao što vidiš, Denver te demantuje svakog trenutka. Prvo su prekinuli
seriju od 16 pobeda San Antonia, zatim savladali i Vankuver :) i mnogo
su bliži play-offu, nego još uvek neuigrani Golden State.
Sacramento me prijatno iznenadio žestinom kojom su krenuli ka play-offu, jer
se vidi da im je stvarno prigustilo (bar treneru ;) ako ne uđu u play-off.
Zaređali su par uzastopnih pobeda i to nad nimalo lakim protivnicima. Pravi
test biće im 14. aprila kad igraju u Denveru ;)
> Nekako mi se čini da će baš ona njihova utakmica posljednjeg
> dana regularnog dijela takmičenja biti utakmica odluke. :)
Maybe. Ima GS još šanse, da teluje tiho, kao autsajder .. kao i Washington
na istoku. Kad su ga svi otpisali, kao Phoenix se digao iz pepela ;)) ...
biće zanimljivo. Ali sad, već tipujem na Sacramento ...
jr.
nba.309junior,
Ovo što si poslao, me je neviđeno iznenadilo. Prvo, zašto najviše plaćamo
Spider Salley-a koji, usput, sad igra za Čikago? Damon, dobija mizernih milion
i po po sezoni, a jedno fantastično krilo kao Tracy Murray samo 250 000 !? Pa
Vincenco dobija duplo više od njega ...
Sve u svemu, vodimo zdrave finansije, jer od ukupnog troška tima od 18 mil.
dolara, otpustili smo:
> John Salley ............. 2,402,000
> Willie Anderson ......... 2,075,000 (average)
> Ed Pinckney ............. 1,926,000
> Victor Alexander ........ 1,595,000
> Keith Jennings .......... 700,000 (released)
> Tony Massenburg ......... 550,000
> Chris Whitney ........... 50,000 (released)
Što iznosi oko 9,5 mil. dolara .. znači više od pola troškova smo skresali ;)
Šta znače dobre finansije O:) Nego, možeš li da iskopaš koliko su igrači vezani
ugovorom? Damon pogotovo ...
P.S. Jel' imaš ovo za Denver? :) i/ili za Phoenix?
nba.310stefan,
> Vlade, ti si Bog.
Divac ili Poznanović? ;)
nba.311kum.djole,
>> Prvo, zašto najviše plaćamo Spider Salley-a..
-------
Al' si se ti uživeo.. ;) ..nhf. :)
nba.312wiper,
Procitah u novinam nesto malo o Divcu kazu imao je cetvrti
tripl dab . Moze li neko nesto vise da o tome.
hvala.
nba.313stefan,
>Procitah u novinam nesto malo o Divcu kazu imao je cetvrti
>tripl dab . Moze li neko nesto vise da o tome.
Utakmica protiv Vankuvera ako se ne varam, po 10 skokova i poena i 13
asistencija. Eto, to je to :)
nba.314junior,
>> Vlade, ti si Bog.
> Divac ili Poznanović? ;)
Ma volim ja i Divca, ali zna se ko je zakon ovde ... ;))
nba.315dizel,
>> Procitah u novinam nesto malo o Divcu kazu imao je cetvrti
>> tripl dab . Moze li neko nesto vise da o tome.
>
> Utakmica protiv Vankuvera ako se ne varam, po 10 skokova i
> poena i 13 asistencija. Eto, to je to :)
Otkud njemu 13 asistencija?
Inace,Divac igra u sve boljoj formi,i nadam se da ce u jos boljoj formi
zaigrati u play-offu(On je tada uvek najbolji).
nba.316stefan,
> Otkud njemu 13 asistencija?
Pa prvo je došlo onih prvih 10 a zatim i ove poslednje 3.
ps. znam, znam, al' kakvo pitanje takav i odgovor ;>
nba.317dizel,
>> Otkud njemu 13 asistencija?
>
> Pa prvo je doslo onih prvih 10 a zatim i ove poslednje 3.
>
Odgovor je strasan!!!
Pitam otkud njemu 13 asistencija,jer je zna da je on centar(ukoliko od skora
nije poceo da igra play-a),a centri bas i nisu poznati po asistencijama.
13 asistencija u utakmici je uspeh i za Stocktona i Jasona Kida,...
pa zbog toga pitam!
nba.318vpoznanovic,
Ovaj aprilski rok mi je dobro poremetio ritam, pa iako ni sad nemam
dovoljno vremena, ipak nema smisla da vas napuštam sedam dana prije
kraja regularnog dijela sezone. :) U narednim porukama idu sve novosti
(u to spadaju i najave, komentari intervjui...) iz lige u posljednjih
desetak dana, pregledi i statistike utakmica odigranih u zadnja tri
dana i tablice. Novosti nisu poslate hronološkim redom, nadam se da to
neće mnogo smetati. Ako nekoga interesuje neka posebna utakmica iz
perioda dok ih nisam slao, neka kaže. Gledaću da sutra pošaljem i sve
one individualne i timske statistike, top liste najboljih po kategorijama
i ostalo što bude zanimljivo.
nba.319vpoznanovic,
SONICS ACTIVATE ASKEW, PLACE FORD ON IR
The Seattle SuperSonics got back one of their most valuable reserves
today when swingman Vincent Askew was activated from the injured list.
The 30-year-old Askew was placed on the injured list on March 15th and
missed the last nine games due to a strained left groin. He is
averaging 8.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 60 contests this
season. The seventh-year veteran is in his third full season with
Seattle.
To make room for Askew, the Sonics placed forward Sherell Ford on the
injured list with chronic quadriceps tendinitis of the left leg. The
rookie has appeared in 27 games, averaging 3.2 points.
nba.320vpoznanovic,
WARRIORS SIGN CHURCHWELL FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON
The Golden State Warriors today signed swingman Robert Churchwell for
the remainder of the season.
The 6-foot-7 Churchwell has averaged 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in
three games with the Warriors since signing the first of two 10-day
contracts on March 14th.
Prior to joining Golden State, the former Georgetown standout starred
for the Chicago Rockers of the Continental Basketball Association.
Churchwell averaged 12.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 52 games with the
Rockers this season. He was named to the CBA's All-Rookie Second Team
last year after averaging 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
nba.321vpoznanovic,
HEALTHY DREXLER, ELIE READY TO BOOST ROCKETS
HOUSTON -- Be warned, NBA. The Houston Rockets are healing just in
time for the playoffs.
On Friday, the injury-riddled Rockets activated Clyde Drexler and
Mario Elie.
Drexler had been on the injured list since undergoing arthroscopic
surgery on his right knee Feb. 26. Elie fractured a bone in his right
arm Jan. 17.
Houston placed guards Melvin Booker, who has a strained back muscle,
and Tracy Moore, who has back spasms, on the injured list to make room
for Elie and Drexler.
Sam Cassell remains on the injured list after elbow surgery. Hakeem
Olajuwon is still out with sore knees, and Robert Horry also has
missed games recently as the Rockets lost seven consecutive games.
nba.322vpoznanovic,
WARRIORS RE-SIGN GEERT HAMMINK TO SECOND 10-DAY CONTRACT
The Golden State Warriors today signed center Geert Hammink to a
second 10-day contract.
Hammink appeared in two games for the Warriors, playing three minutes
and scoring four points in those contests. He also appeared in three
games with the Orlando Magic.
The 7-foot Hammink played for the Omaha Racers in the Continental
Basketball Association where he averaged 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds
in 29 games.
Hammink played in one game each for the Magic in each of the previous
two seasons after being selected as the 26th overall pick in the 1993
draft by Orlando. Prior to joining the Magic, Hammink spent one year
in the Italian League with the Shampoo Clear Cantu club team.
nba.323vpoznanovic,
SPURS' BOB HILL NAMED NBA COACH OF THE MONTH
Bob Hill of the San Antonio Spurs today was named NBA Coach of the
Month for March.
The Spurs won all 16 of their games last month and extended their
winning streak to a franchise-record 17 games before a loss to Phoenix
Tuesday night. The Spurs joined the 1970-71 Los Angeles Lakers as the
only teams in NBA history to go undefeated in more than 15 games in a
month.
The Spurs averaged 107.4 points and yielded 95.6 points per game in
March.
Other candidates for the award were M.L. Carr of Boston, Doug Collins
of Detroit, Pat Riley of Miami, Flip Saunders of Minnesota, Jeff Van
Gundy of New York, Brian Hill of Orlando, Cotton Fitzsimmons of
Phoenix, P.J. Carlesimo of Portland and George Karl of Seattle.
nba.324vpoznanovic,
NBA: INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Down Pat
Pat Riley has never missed the playoffs as an NBA head coach. In fact,
this will be the first time he's finished with fewer than 50 wins in a
season. Here's a look at Riley's worst regular-season victory totals:
1981-82 Lakers 50-21*
1991-92 Knicks 51-31
1983-84 Lakers 54-28
1994-95 Knicks 55-27
*Came in during season
Consistent Pat
Patrick Ewing is closing in on another 20+ ppg. season for the Knicks.
It will mark his 11th straight season averaging at least 20 ppg. Let's
look at his past success:
'94-95 23.9
'93-94 24.5
'92-93 24.2
'91-92 24.0
'90-91 26.6
'89-90 28.6
'88-89 22.7
'87-88 20.2
'86-87 21.5
'85-86 20.0
Dennis the menace
Say what you want about Dennis Rodman, but he's about to join Moses
Malone as the only player in NBA history to lead the league in
rebounding five straight seasons. Malone led from 1980-85. Wilt
Chamberlain led the league for four consecutive campaigns from 1959-63
and 1965-69.
Milestones
Steve Kerr of the Bulls is trying to become the first player in NBA
history to lead in three-point field goal percentage in consecutive
seasons ... Gheorge Muresan is trying to become the first Bullet to
lead in field goal percentage since Wes Unseld in 1975-76 (56.1 pct.)
... Anthony Mason is on the verge of becoming the first player in
Knicks history to lead the league in minutes played.
nba.325vpoznanovic,
TIMBERWOLVES ACTIVATE LANG, WEST, PLACE MARTIN ON IL
The Minnesota Timberwolves placed guard Darrick Martin on the injured
list today and activated center Andrew Lang and guard Doug West.
The 5-11 Martin, who was acquired on January 12th from the Vancouver
Grizzlies for a 1996 second-round draft pick, has tendinitis in his
right shoulder. He is averaging 7.0 points and 3.7 assists per game
this season.
The 6-11 Lang missed 11 games with a slight tear of his left calf
muscle. He was acquired on February 22nd in the deal that sent
Christian Laettner to the Atlanta Hawks and is averaging 12.4 points
and 6.5 rebounds.
The 6-6 West is the last original member of the Timberwolves. He had
been sidelined since March 8th with a strained arch in his right foot.
West is averaging 6.6 points and 2.2 rebounds.
nba.326vpoznanovic,
NORTHEASTERN INVESTIGATION SHOWS NO EVIDENCE OF LEWIS DRUG USE
A Northeastern University investigative commission looking into
allegations that members of the school's basketball team were using
drugs during the 1987 season has reportedly concluded there is not
sufficient evidence to prove that the late Reggie Lewis was among
those players. The Boston Globe is reporting that the commission
determined one unidentified player used cocaine that year and that
there were players who smoked marijuana, but not Lewis.
The Globe says the commission, which has been together for almost a
year, will release its findings within a week or so.
The investigation is a followup to the allegations that surfaced after
Lewis, who had become the captain of the Boston Celtics, collapsed and
died at the age of 27 while shooting baskets in July 1993. An autopsy
gave an irregular heartbeat as the cause of death, but questions into
Lewis' death arose after two doctors were quoted in a Wall Street
Journal article that said scarring on his heart was "consistent" with
signs of a cocaine-damaged heart. There were also several reports
dealing with Lewis' supposed cocaine use while he was at Northeastern
and with the Celtics.
It was last spring that the Globe reported that Northeastern
University president John Curry said he was told by former Huskies'
athletic director Irwin Cohen that Lewis had tested positive for
cocaine several days before the Huskies played in a 1987 NCAA
Tournament game. Curry said Cohen told him he learned about the
positive test from former Northeastern University medical examiner Dr.
Job Fuchs. But Fuchs told the Globe last year he was "absolutely
positive, just 1,000 percent certain that Reggie did not test positive
for cocaine."
Because Fuchs had already destroyed his records of the drug test, the
Globe says the commission findings are based on interviews with former
players and team officials. Its sources say that Cohen's comments were
the only link between Lewis and drug use while he was at Northeastern.
Lewis' widow has maintained her husband never used drugs, and never
refused to take a drug test, as has been alleged, after he collapsed
during a playoff game a few months before he died. She has refused to
release the autopsy report.
A medical review directed by the Massachusetts state medical examiner
concluded last spring that Lewis did not die from cocaine use, but as
a result of several different problems that caused his heart to beat
irregularly.
nba.327vpoznanovic,
GRIZZLIES SIGN CUONZO MARTIN TO 10-DAY CONTRACT
The Vancouver Grizzlies today signed guard/forward Cuonzo Martin to a
10-day contract and placed center Eric Mobley on the injured list due
to tendinitis in his right ankle.
The 6-foot-4 Martin starred in the Continental Basketball Association
for the Grand Rapids Mackers this season. He finished 10th in the
league in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game.
Martin will be reunited with Grizzlies guard Lawrence Moten. The two
were teammates at New Hampton, a prep school in New Hampshire.
Martin, who played a school-record 127 games at Purdue and served as
the Boilermakers captain for three seasons, was selected in the second
round of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, but was cut during
the final week of training camp.
Mobley, who was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the year,
is averaging 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 39 games this season.
nba.328vpoznanovic,
MIDWEST: MAVS UNDONE BY THE FOURTH J
Those feudin', fussin' Dallas Mavericks are at it again, and now we
know why.
A team that 15 months ago appeared to be on the brink of a
breakthrough to the elite level is lottery-bound for the sixth
consecutive season, and the total breakdown of team chemistry is
primarily to blame.
First, you might recall, Jamal Mashburn, one of the "Three J's" around
whom the Mavs are built, feuded with the other two J's, Jason Kidd and
Jimmy Jackson. Eventually, that friction was smoothed when Mashburn
went on the injured list. Then Jackson and Kidd began behaving like
junior high schoolers, mad at one another because they both had their
eye on the same cheerleader.
Turns out that in the case of Kidd and Jackson, jealousy is exactly
what drove a wedge between former friends. The Dallas Morning-News
reported Friday that a dispute over a woman both players were
interested in seeing on a road trip, all the way back in December,
poisoned their relationship. Things have gotten to the point where one
of them might have to be traded, for the good of the team.
The friction between the two definitely has gotten worse over the last
few weeks, and it's painfully obvious that the two don't talk to each
other at practice or in the locker room before games. In fact, after
Wednesday's victory over Houston, Kidd indicated he didn't know if the
two could co-exist.
"Yeah, there might need to be some changes," Kidd said.
Kidd shook his head when asked if the problem was personal.
"There's nothing personal," Kidd said. "Maybe jealousy. I don't try to
get involved in other people's problems. If they're jealous about
something I'm doing, that's their problem. They've got to work that
out themselves."
Mavericks coach Dick Motta declined comment but has admitted he is
concerned about the relationship between the two.
Jackson admitted he and Kidd are not as close as they were last season
or at the start of this season -- the two were considered best friends
-- but denied there is a problem.
"We still talk and communicate," Jackson said. "Now, maybe it's not as
much as last year, but Jason's under a lot of pressure to go out and
perform each and every night. I can understand that. I try to give him
his space and let Jason be Jason."
Forward George McCloud acknowledged the rift and said he didn't know
if the relationship could be repaired.
"It could be bad, but at the same time, maybe they can still work
things out," McCloud said. "I'm pretty sure they have to talk. They
have to get back to what they once had. Last year, they were pretty
much the best friends on the team."
Through all of this, Kidd did concede now was not the time to make a
determination about whether he or Jackson must go. Of course, in an
either-or situation, Jackson would be the one to go. A major hurdle,
however, would be that owner Donald Carter has said he doesn't want to
trade any of the Three J's.
"I don't know what the best thing is," Kidd said. "I've got to finish
out the season strong. We've got to stay on a winning note. We've been
hurt in so many different places, I can't let jealousy or anything get
in the way of me going out there to perform."
Have you noticed?
When the list of the NBA's most underrated players is compiled, make
sure Sean Elliott's name is near the top.
Elliott isn't the Spurs' best player. That distinction belongs to
David Robinson. And he certainly doesn't attract cameras and
controversy the way a certain tattooed time bomb of a power forward
did the previous two seasons.
But quietly, Elliott has fashioned the best season of his seven-year
pro career. He has averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and is just as
likely to find the ball in his hands at crunch time as Robinson. In
short, he might be the reason the Spurs have a good shot of advancing
all the way to The NBA Finals, something they fell two victories shy
of last spring.
"I guess, in a way, people think Sean is boring," Spurs executive vice
president of basketball operations Gregg Popovich said. "They think
he's not flamboyant. They think with Dennis (Rodman) gone, there's
nothing interesting to write about."
"He has really taken his game to another level," Robinson said of
Elliott. "He has stepped up and become more of a big-time scorer. He
takes it to the basket strong. I'm very proud of him."
This season, the 6-foot-8, 220-pound Elliott has added another
dimension to his game, abetting the perimeter game and slashing style
that previously had been his strength.
"My post game is better," Elliott said. "They can go to the post and
get something from me. Even if people my size are guarding me in the
post, they're still going to get something. I'm quicker than a lot of
guys my size. I'm getting double-teamed now, or guys play off me.
That's a lot better than last year. As soon as I catch it, it seems
people are running at me in the post."
Spurs coach Bob Hill said Elliott is having a career year. He calls
him "a great kid" and added the only problem he has seen is that
Elliott tends to be too hard on himself.
Right now, it can be argued that Elliott and the Spurs are being too
hard on the opposition, since they entered Sunday's game against the
Lakers with a 16-game winning streak.
"What people continually miss is that he guards the toughest guy on
the other team and does one heck of a job," Popovich said. "He plays
both ends of the floor, every single night. He's one of the reasons
this team is doing well. He's just a dream, and nobody knows it."
Best CBA team? Try Houston
T-Wolves coach Flip Saunders cut his teeth in the CBA, coaching seven
years with Rapid City, La Crosse and Sioux Falls. Saunders is the
second winningest coach in CBA history with 253 victories.
That made him a qualified analyst to discuss the newest CBA franchise,
the one in Houston, where seven of the 12 active players on the
Rockets roster have a CBA pedigree.
"One thing the CBA always has is guys who can score and guys who play
extremely hard," Saunders said. "And that's what the Rockets have
done, surround Hakeem (Olajuwon) with guys who can score and compete
extremely hard. They've built their whole team around that system. And
why not, when you've got the best in the business at center?"
Saunders added that players rescued from the CBA have prospered not
only because of the Rockets' system, but because of who the players
are.
"When you have guys get injured like Houston has, you either find some
guy who has been sitting on his couch at home or you go to the CBA,"
he said. "And all the guys the Rockets have gotten out of that league
are good people. Guys in the CBA who make it to the NBA and stay are
the good guys. The bad guys never make it out of the CBA."
For those who don't know, the Rockets have former CBA players Tim
Breaux, Eldridge Recasner, Chucky Brown, Tracy Moore, Charles Jones,
Sam Mack and Melvin Booker on the roster. Mario Elie, the ultimate CBA
refugee-made-good, is on the injured list, which is full.
Sitting for good
We won't have Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf to kick around for a while, maybe
even the rest of the season. The Nuggets put him on the injured list
with his bruised left foot and continuing problems with a sprained
right ankle.
They signed Greg Grant for the remainder of the season. He's 5-7, 29
and never has averaged more than 3.3 points in the NBA.
The latest on the Mahmoud flag flap was his first appearance at
McNichols Arena since his suspension for refusing to stand for the
national anthem. He did not suit up for Tuesday's game against the
Hornets, but showed up.
The Colorado chapter of the American Legion had shown up at McNichols
Area to pass out 15,000 American flags to attendees, asking them to
show their support of the flag by waving them at the conclusion of the
anthem, and also urging them not to boo Mahmoud when (and, it turned
out, if) he entered the game.
However, Mahmoud wimped out again, waiting out the anthem in a
hallway, then slinking out to take a seat at the end of the Nugs bench
for the game. He refused to speak to the media.
What you need to know is that the Nuggets are sick to death of the
whole thing, and putting Mahmoud on the injured list clearly is their
way of dealing with the distraction. After Abdul-Rauf took himself out
of last Thursday's game at Jersey after just six minutes, he was sent
back to Denver, ostensibly to get MRIs on both his ankles. The real
reason was to remove the distraction, and this latest move falls in
the same category.
While the club won't say Abdul-Rauf is out for the rest of the season,
Grant said he was told he was being signed for the remainder of the
season.
Draw your own conclusion.
Friendly foes
Has any elite team ever had an easier week than the Jazz did last
week?
Utah's three games were against Dallas, Milwaukee and Vancouver, three
teams that had lost a combined 42 straight.
Dallas entered the week with a 10-game losing streak and dropped its
11th straight to the Jazz. Milwaukee entered the week with a 12-game
losing streak, and dropped a club-record 13th in a row when it lost to
Utah. Vancouver had lost 20 in a row, and fell to the Jazz in Delta
Center, setting a new NBA record for a single-season losing streak.
The Grizzlies had turned Thursday's home game against Denver into
something of a must-win crusade, knowing a loss in that game would set
them up for the longest one-season losing streak in NBA history.
Denver eked out a 92-88 victory, though, and the Jazz applied the coup
de grace on Friday.
By the way, when the Grizzlies shoot at least 30 free throws, they are
11-5. Fewer than 30 free throws, 0-53.
We're not sure what that statistic means, but it's pretty amazing.
Griz coach Brian Winters no doubt believes it proves that an expansion
team can't get a break from the refs.
Mike Monroe, who covers the NBA for the Denver Post, writes a weekly
Midwest Division notebook for ESPNET SportsZone.
nba.329vpoznanovic,
NEW DENVER ARENA CLOSER TO REALITY AFTER LAND DEAL
DENVER -- Ascent Entertainment Group Inc. signed a $20 million
agreement Monday to purchase 49 acres of land from Southern Pacific as
a site for a new downtown basketball and hockey arena.
The deal is seen as a significant step toward groundbreaking for the
proposed $150 million Pepsi Center.
Besides the land purchase, Ascent, which owns both the NBA's Denver
Nuggets and NHL's Colorado Avalanche, acquired all of the arena
project assets belonging to The Anschutz Corp. for $6.6 million.
Ascent also will pay an additional $5 million and grant a paid-up
suite license, both linked to the construction and occupancy of the
proposed arena.
"We're committed to downtown Denver, and these agreements put the
Pepsi Center on a faster track toward the goal of a 1998 opening,''
said Charlie Lyons, president and chief executive officer of Ascent.
"We have other steps to clear before breaking ground, including
agreement with the city and county of Denver for the new arena and
release from our current leases at McNichols Arena. There's no doubt,
however, that we're closer today to achieving our goal of creating a
new anchor attraction for Denver's Central Platte Valley.''
nba.330vpoznanovic,
PARISH TIES KAREEM'S RECORD FOR CAREER NBA GAMES
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte Hornets starting center Robert Parish
tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Friday night for the most regular-season
games played in the history of the NBA.
Abdul-Jabbar, who also is the NBA's all-time scoring leader, played in
1,560 career games over a legendary 20-year career. Parish, who is in
his 20th season, tied Abdul-Jabbar at the opening tipoff of the
Hornets' game against the Chicago Bulls.
Parish, 42, is scheduled to play career game No. 1,561 on Saturday at
Cleveland.
Parish, the oldest active player in the NBA, is 14th on the all-time
scoring list with 23,116 points and sixth on the all-time rebounding
list with 14,578.
Parish, Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon and Phoenix forward Charles
Barkley are the only active players with 20,000 points and 10,000
rebounds.
The 7-foot-2, 230-pound Parish was a first round pick of Golden State
and the eighth selection overall in the 1976 draft. He spent four
years with the Warriors before being traded to Boston in 1980.
Parish played 14 years with the Celtics and was the starting center on
championship teams in 1981, 1984 and 1986.
Parish signed with Charlotte as an unrestricted free agent in August,
1994.
nba.331vpoznanovic,
VIRUS SIDELINES ABDUL-RAUF
DENVER -- Denver Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who was expected
to come off the injured list on Sunday, instead has been diagnosed
with a virus, team officials said.
The illness sent Abdul-Rauf to the hospital on Saturday. He was at
home in bed Sunday instead of with the Nuggets when they played the
Houston Rockets.
Abdul-Rauf missed five games while on the injured list because of a
sore foot.
The Nuggets, who are 2Ż games behind Sacramento for the Western
Conference's final playoff spot, beat the Rockets even without
Abdul-Rauf and their leading rebounder and shot blocker, Dikembe
Mutombo.
Mutombo has a hamstring injury he sustained in the first period Friday
against the Portland Trail Blazers.
nba.332vpoznanovic,
SPURS' DAVID ROBINSON NAMED NBA PLAYER OF MONTH FOR MARCH
David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs today was named National
Basketball Association Player of the Month for March.
Robinson, who played several games with stitches in his right middle
finger, helped the Spurs become just the second team in NBA history to
go undefeated in more than 15 games during a month. He averaged 25.3
points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocked shots as the Spurs went 16-0 and
set a team record.
Other candidates for Player of the Month honors were David Wesley of
Boston, Grant Hill of Detroit, Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning of
Miami, Shaquille O'Neal of Orlando, Kevin Johnson of Phoenix, Rod
Strickland of Portland, Gary Payton of Seattle and Tracy Murray of
Toronto.
nba.333vpoznanovic,
MIAMI NICE: RODMAN PROMISES TO BEHAVE TUESDAY
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls power forward Dennis Rodman will
return Tuesday night after serving a six-game suspension for
head-butting a referee during March 16 game at New Jersey.
"I've been a bad boy," Rodman said Sunday during an interview on
Chicago's WMAQ-TV. "I'm sorry. I'll be a good boy."
The Bulls, who went 5-1 in Rodman's absence, will play at Miami on
Tuesday in the first half of a home-and-home series. The teams meet
again Thursday at Chicago.
While in Miami, the Bulls will look to avenge a 113-104 loss at Miami
Arena on Feb. 23, when the Heat had only eight players in uniform.
At Monday's practice, Rodman showed off his most recent hairdo:
bright red. "I think Dennis looks best as a blond," Bulls coach Phil
Jackson quipped.
Rodman was suspended six games and fined $20,000 for his wild
theatrics March 16.
He picked up a technical foul early in the first quarter for pounding
the ball on the court. He was called for a personal foul late in the
first quarter and, as Rodman argued the call with referee Paul
Mihalak, referee Ted Bernhardt then raced over and called Rodman for
his second technical.
Rodman proceeded to lightly head-butt Bernhardt above the left eye.
Rodman then had to be restrained by teammate Luc Longley, who got
Rodman to leave the court.
On his way to the locker room, Rodman ripped his jersey off, threw it
onto the court and knocked over a water cooler.
"Physical assaults on referees cannot and will not be tolerated under
any circumstances," NBA senior vice president Rod Thorn said after
issuing the suspension. "The suspension and fine reflect not only the
head-butting, but the totality of his actions on the court."
The Bulls (62-8) need to go 8-4 over their final 12 games to become
the first team in NBA history to win 70 games in a regular season.
nba.334vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND'S ARVYDAS SABONIS NAMED NBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Portland Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis, who averaged 20.3
points and 9.5 rebounds in four wins last week, today was named the
National Basketball Association Player of the Week for the period
ending March 31st.
Sabonis also averaged 2.3 blocks and 2.0 assists in just 27.8 minutes
per contest. The 7-foot-3 rookie shot 65 percent (35-for-54) from the
field and 43 percent (3-of-7) from three-point range.
He began the week on Monday with 18 points and 15 boards in 26 minutes
against Philadelphia and then recorded 26 and 14 in 32 minutes versus
Golden State on Thursday.
Sabonis edged Miami center Alonzo Mourning, who averaged 31.7 points
and 12.7 rebounds and tallied a career-high 50 points against
Washington on Friday.
nba.335vpoznanovic,
SHAQ TO MISS GAME BECAUSE OF GRANDMOTHER'S DEATH
NEW YORK -- The Orlando Magic will be without All-Star center
Shaquille O'Neal when they visit the New York Knicks tonight.
O'Neal will miss the game because of the death of his grandmother and
could miss as many as three games. O'Neal had flown to New York on
Tuesday to take care of personal business when he learned of the
death.
O'Neal's maternal grandmother, Odessa Chambliss, died Tuesday night in
Newark, N.J., after a long illness, Magic spokesman Alex Martins said
Wednesday. Martins said he was told by the family that O'Neal was with
his grandmother when she died.
The funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
The Magic play Boston at home Thursday and Sunday against the Chicago
Bulls. Martins said O'Neal's status for the Bulls' game was uncertain.
The All-Star center scored 32 points and had eight rebounds in the
Magic's 98-79 victory against New York on Sunday. O'Neal is averaging
26.4 points and 10.8 eight rebounds. He missed Orlando's first 22
games this season with a torn ligament in his thumb.
O'Neal has led Orlando in scoring for the past four games, averaging
32 points over that span.
The Magic clinched the Atlantic Division title and the second seed in
the Eastern Conference with a 98-79 win over the Knicks in Orlando
Sunday. O'Neal scored 32 points and Penny Hardaway added 20.
The Magic have won seven of their last eight games since consecutive
losses at Denver and Seattle.
Anthony Mason scored 23 points, including a layup with 21 seconds left
as the Knicks rebounded from the loss to Orlando with a 90-86 win over
the Indiana Pacers Tuesday.
The win moved the Knicks within one game of the Pacers in the race for
the third playoff slot in the conference. The teams are tied in the
loss column but New York has two games in hand. The Pacers are playing
the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.
The Knicks have won four straight home games and four of their last
six contests overall.
The Magic have won two of three games from the Knicks this season and
the all-time series is tied, 14-14. New York has won its last two home
games against Orlando.
nba.336vpoznanovic,
PHILADELPHIA'S JERRY STACKHOUSE NAMED NBA ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Jerry Stackhouse of the Philadephia 76ers today was named National
Basketball Association Rookie of the Month for March.
Ironically, Stackhouse is being honoring less than two weeks after the
league suspended him for two games and fined him $7,500 for punching
Utah's John Stockton in a March 21st game.
Stackhouse, the third overall selection in the 1995 NBA Draft,
averaged 22.3 points, 4.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2
steals over 15 games. The swingman from North Carolina broke the
club's rookie scoring mark of 1,280 points with a 26-point effort
against Boston on March 27th.
Other candidates for the award included Boston's Eric Williams, Bob
Sura of Cleveland, Antonio McDyess of Denver, Kurt Thomas of Miami,
Portland's Arvydas Sabonis and Vancouver's Bryant Reeves. Also under
consideration were Joe Smith of Golden State and Toronto's Damon
Stoudamire, who have split the previous four awards.
nba.337vpoznanovic,
GIVE HIM THE THUMB: STACKHOUSE OUT FOR YEAR
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jerry Stackhouse will miss
the last eight games of the season due to a fractured right thumb.
The 76ers' rookie star suffered the injury in Friday night's 108-87
loss to Detroit.
The thumb on his shooting hand is in a cast and Stackhouse is expected
to need six to eight weeks to recover, the team said Saturday.
Soon after he was injured, doctors believed Stackhouse had a strained
ligament and expected him to miss one game. But a stress test and
X-rays on Saturday revealed the break and doctors recommended he sit
out the rest of the season.
Stackhouse was the NBA rookie of the month for March when he averaged
of 22.3 points, 4.5 assists and 4.1 rebounds. He also averaged 1.3
blocks and 1.2 steals in 15 games during March.
nba.338vpoznanovic,
STOUDAMIRE TO MISS ABOUT ANOTHER WEEK
Toronto Raptors rookie guard Damon Stoudamire is expected to miss
about another week of action because of tendinitis in his left knee.
Stoudamire, a leading contender for Rookie of the Year honors, missed
Thursday's game against Cleveland and underwent an MRI later in the
night. It revealed some acute patella tendinitis in the knee.
Doctors have prescribed a week of rest, which means Stoudamire will
likely miss three or four more games. Following his rest, Stoudamire
will go on a strengthening program.
The most likely cause for the tendinitis is a lot of playing time, as
he has averaged more than 40 minutes per game through the first 70
contests. Stoudamire leads the team with 19 points and 9.3 assists per
game.
nba.339vpoznanovic,
STRICKLAND PLEADS GUILTY TO STRIKING HIS GIRLFRIEND
NEW YORK -- Rod Strickland, the point guard for the Portland Trail
Blazers, pleaded guilty Monday to hitting his girlfriend.
Criminal Court Judge Lettiteia Martin ordered Strickland to attend a
therapy program for batterers. He faces up to a year in jail if he
fails to attend.
His lawyer, Ira London, refused to comment on the case.
Strickland was arrested in November on charges of assault, menacing
and harassment for allegedly hitting the mother of his 5-year-old son.
Judith Cruz, 31, of New York, said in court papers that Strickland had
"punched her in the eye two or three times, pushing her into a wall,
where she struck her head, then knocked her to the ground -- causing
serious physical injury.''
Prosecutors said the dispute began in a Manhattan nightclub and ended
in the first-floor hallway outside Cruz's apartment. The two were
arguing about their son, Brandon. Cruz said Strickland doesn't spend
enough time with the boy.
"It's been pretty tough, but I'm pretty tough,'' Strickland said in
November. "The most important thing is my family. This doesn't affect
me as much as it affects them. I've been through this before. They
haven't.''
Strickland, 29, was born in the Bronx and played for the New York
Knicks during his first season-and-a-half in the NBA.
He was acquitted along with current teammate Clifford Robinson last
year of misdemeanor battery charges stemming from an argument outside
a McDonald's restaurant in Chicago.
During the 1990-91 season, while playing with the San Antonio Spurs,
Strickland broke his hand in a fight outside a San Antonio night club.
Strickland, 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, is averaging 18.9 points, 9.8
assists and 4.4 rebounds a game.
nba.340vpoznanovic,
VAN GUNDY HAS TWO-YEAR DEAL ... IF KNICKS KEEP HIM
NEW YORK -- Jeff Van Gundy reportedly signed a nonguaranteed, two-year
contract extension just days after replacing Don Nelson as coach of
the New York Knicks.
The New York Times, citing an unidentified team official, reported in
Sunday's editions that Van Gundy signed a deal that would pay him $1
million per year over the next two seasons -- if the Knicks pick up
the option.
According to the report, the contract hinges on whether the team
decides to renew it around July 1, the beginning of the free-agent
signing period. The agreement is entirely at the club's option.
Van Gundy, 34, told the Times on Saturday that he signed the deal
about 10 days after he was hired, but he would not divulge details or
his coaching future. When Van Gundy was hired, Knicks general manager
Ernie Grunfield refused to call him an "interim" coach.
Van Gundy, a Knicks assistant under Nelson, Pat Riley, John MacLeod
and Stu Jackson, is 9-5 since taking over for Nelson, who was fired
March 8.
The Knicks are 44-30 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, 1Ż
games behind the Indiana Pacers.
nba.341vpoznanovic,
COACH OF YEAR CANDIDATES INCLUDE SOME SLEEPERS
Poll: Who deserve to be NBA coach of the year?
There are a number of exciting races as the NBA regular season heads
down the home stretch. Will Pat Riley finally miss out on the
playoffs? Does anyone deserve the eighth spot in the Western
Conference?
Who is the Coach of the Year?
Most people haven't given that one much thought, but the list of
viable and deserving candidates is a lot longer than you might think.
The candidates:
Phil Jackson, Chicago. Any coach who can approach 70 wins deserves
recognition, even if he has Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis
Rodman. Lost in the shuffle is last season's 47-35 record (minus
Jordan for most of the campaign). The Bulls are the prohibitive
favorite to win the NBA championship, and the last coach to win both
Coach of the Year and the Finals was Bill Sharman with the 1971-72
Lakers.
George Karl, Seattle. Give the man credit for another 60-win
season, accomplished with a new shooting guard (Hersey Hawkins) and a
cast of characters like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. Keeping that duo
happy is a challenge. Of course, his real prize will come if his team
advances past the first round of the playoffs.
Bob Hill, San Antonio. The Spurs could win a division title AR
(after Rodman). Hill has allowed Sean Elliott to flourish into a
superstar while Avery Johnson and Vinny Del Negro have been allowed to
excel as a backcourt. It helps having another coach on the floor and
in the locker room in Doc Rivers. Hill has quietly done a nice job.
Brian Hill, Orlando. Consider the injuries and realize the solid
performance of this veteran coach. This is another situation where the
juggling of egos is as important as the x's and o's. He handled the
Shaquille O'Neal situation relatively well last weekend; imagine if he
didn't put him in the game against the Bulls.
Doug Collins, Detroit. He inherited a team which won a total of
48 games over the past two seasons. His leadership has made a
difference as the Pistons are playoff bound for the first time since
1992. Collins didn't receive enough credit in his three-year stint in
Chicago; perhaps that will change this time around.
Mike Fratello, Cleveland. Brad Daugherty never moved from the bench
... Mark Price never put on a Cavs uniform this season either (dealt
to Washington). This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for
Cleveland. Fratello has sold this club on tremendous defense and
Terrell Brandon and company have come through. It's another playoff
run for the Cavs, thanks to the Czar of the Telestrator.
Bill Fitch, L.A. Clippers. Stop laughing at this one. The Clips won
17 games last season and did little to improve the franchise. He has
done a respectable job with limited resources. He won't win the award,
but he deserves some respect.
Seven outstanding performances, but only one trophy. It will be fun
to watch the results in this category following the season.
nba.342vpoznanovic,
DREXLER: LET THE FUN BEGIN
Drexler answers questions about the Rockets' chances in the playoffs,
his team's injuries and whom he thinks is the best in the West.
Q: Do you feel that the Rockets will have enough time to gel together
before the playoffs start because of all the injuries?
Drexler: Last year we had about four days once we got everyone
healthy. We got together and had a mini-camp and it worked out pretty
well for us. This year everybody is healthy and we have about 10 days
before the end of the season. We actually have more time then last
year.
Q: What are your thoughts on some of the guys who have come up from
the CBA? Is there anybody who can help the Rockets in their quest for
a third title?
Drexler: Yes, we have a couple of guys that we brought up that are
pretty good. Sam Mack has made a big impression on the members of this
team. He has shown that he can play at this level and has come in and
contributed.
Q: Because of being together another year and having some new players
come up, do you feel as though the team is better than last year?
Drexler: For the most part I think we are the same team. We've got
the same players and we are looking forward to having the same
results. The question is whether or not we can stay healthy.
Q: Should the Rockets be favored to come out of the West this year?
If not, who do you feel is the team to beat in the West this year?
Drexler: There are about five teams that could come out of the West
this year. We are certainly in the middle of the pack. It's going to
be very interesting this year. There are no mirrors or gimmicks. I
think the team that plays the best is the team that comes out of the
West. Let the fun begin.
Q: It looks as though the Rockets will be paired with the Lakers in
the first round. Obviously your team had some injuries, but now the
Lakers have Nick Van Exel missing the remainder of the regular season
and Cedric Ceballos has some knee problems. Going into the first
round, do you feel that the Lakers are a little off-balance and it
sort of equalizes things with your injuries?
Drexler: I agree, it gives them some instability as well. They have
had to make some adjustments. We certainly have had to make a lot of
them. Both teams will be trying to get things together as we get ready
for our playoff run. It's going to make for a very interesting series.
Q: At the start of the season, the Rockets were doing well -- until
the injuries. Could you assess where you are personally and how you
feel going into the playoffs?
Drexler: Personally, I feel pretty good. I'm starting to feel like
I'm 100 percent healthy; both physically and mentally. It's been a
great year in terms of everything else. The injury bug is the part of
the game that you have to deal with appropriately. I think the team's
frame of mind is most important. There is no one here who doesn't
believe we can't do the same thing we did last year.
Q: Were you shocked at all that the Spurs just got hot all of sudden
and won all 16 games in March?
Drexler: No, not really. They have a really talented team. I'm
shocked they haven't had a better year. For the most part they have a
lot of good players with a lot of good results, just like last season.
It's going to be interesting in the playoffs.
Q: Of course, David Robinson is the leader of the Spurs and
deservedly so. How much do you think Avery Johnson has to do with
them doing so well and how much of a leader do you think he is on the
court?
Drexler: Avery is a very good point guard. I think he is underrated.
The only thing lacking in his overall game is his ability to make open
jump shots. If he could do that, he'd be first team All-NBA. His
penetration, his ability to push the ball up and down the court and
make great passes, I don't think there is anybody in the league that
is any better than him. Avery has become a very capable guard.
Q: You guys have been able to maximize this factor of being the
underdog, the ignored team. Do you think that is still going to be
there this year? Again, people are talking about just about every
team except yours coming out of the West.
Drexler: That is the case every year. For the most part this team
has been able to stick together and come out and do what we can do. We
don't really think much about what everyone says about the other
teams. We know there are good teams out there. If someone overlooks
us, it's not our problem. Our problem is this team. We have to take
care of our own business. We try to do that.
Q: The one injured party on your team that there is some doubt about
is Sam Cassell. What is going on with Sam? Has he been working out
with you guys at all? Do you think he is going to be ready?
Drexel: Sam has been practicing with the team for the last week and
he looks pretty decent. It will probably be about another four or five
days and I think Sam will be back in the line-up. We are looking
forward to having him back. Hopefully we can keep everyone else
healthy in the interim.
Q: I was wondering who you think should be MVP of the league this
year?
Drexler: There are a lot of good candidates. You have to look at
Michael (Jordan), David (Robinson) and even Karl Malone. There are a
lot of good players, you really can't go wrong.
Q: Along the same vein, who do you see as Rookie of the Year?
Drexler: I like (Damon) Stoudamire for Rookie of the Year. I think
he has done an excellent job. He has come in and produced right away,
night after night. You can't argue with that.
Q: If the Rockets could just flip a switch and be a championship team
like they were last year, do you think that's a dangerous thing to
think?
Drexler: I don't think we think that. We are trying to have a great
record this year so we could have the home court advantage throughout
(the playoffs). It was going along pretty well until the injury bug
hit. Once that bug hit, we need to try and survive and live with our
position. It's not a question of turning it on or turning it off. I
think there are legitimate injuries we are trying to get over the best
we can.
Q: The Rockets are two-time Champions, not something that happens
very often in the league. Yet, you seem to be more ignored than teams
who have not won at all. You won once and nobody seems to give you
credit and then you won again and the (respect) still seems to be
lacking. Does the team find that insulting at all?
Drexler: I don't think it's lacking on this end. People in this part
of the country give us a lot of credit. I just think it's people on
the East and West coast who still think their good teams are superior.
They don't look at the end result. Our record speaks for itself.
Q: One of your teammates, Robert Horry had a really big start. He had
a 40-point game and people were projecting all sorts of great things
for Robert. He seems to have flattened out a bit. Could you comment
on the way he has played this season?
Drexler: Robert has been up and down. But for the most part he is
there defensively every night. His offense is a little off, but
defensively his is very good player. He fits in very well with this
team and he's a good guy.
nba.343vpoznanovic,
NBA NICKS VAN EXEL FOR SEVEN GAMES, $25,000
NEW YORK -- In less time than it took the NBA to suspend Dennis Rodman
six games for head-butting a referee, the league slapped Los Angeles
Lakers guard Nick Van Exel with a seven-game suspension and an
NBA-record $25,000 fine on Wednesday for shoving a referee during
Tuesday's game against the Denver Nuggets.
The suspension means Van Exel will miss the remainder of the regular
season, starting with the Lakers' 111-90 victory at Minnesota on
Wednesday.
Van Exel is scheduled to address the media regarding his suspension on
Thursday at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Rod Thorn, the NBA's senior vice president of operations, announced
the suspension and fined Wednesday.
"I think everybody understands that if this happens again, the penalty
will be even more severe," Thorn said.
Van Exel shoved referee Ron Garretson onto the scorer's table
following Van Exel's second technical during the Lakers' 98-91 loss to
Denver. The ejection carries an additional, automatic fine of $1,000.
"We agree with and support the league's decision 100 percent," Lakers
executive Jerry West said in a statement. "I've dedicated 35 years --
my entire adult life -- to this game and this league, and I think it
is imperative that the NBA address the incredible number of incidents
that are undermining the professionalism of this league.
"Personally, I am embarrassed and apologize to our fans."
Lakers veteran Magic Johnson was frustrated with Van Exel's outburst.
"It's inexcusable," Johnson said. "You just don't do that. Now he's
going to have to sit the rest of the season. Just when I thought we
were smart, and then wham!"
Thorn suspended Chicago Bulls forward Rodman for six games and fined
him $20,000 for lightly head-butting referee Ted Bernhardt in a game
last month.
"It was more than Rodman did," Thorn said of Van Exel's actions.
"Therefore, the fine was $5,000 more and one more game. I think we got
Mr. Van Exel's attention."
Van Exel was arguing a call with Garretson during a timeout and
received a technical foul with 3:23 left in the game. Van Exel argued
briefly near the scorer's table and was slapped with a second
technical, calling for an automatic ejection.
Van Exel began to walk away from Garretson, but then suddenly turned
back and pushed the referee onto the scorer's table. Johnson stepped
between the two and held Garretson while Van Exel was restrained by a
team official.
Garretson, who is the son of long-time referee and supervisor of
officials Darell Garretson, said he will reveal what Van Exel said to
him in a full report to his superiors.
"During a timeout, something was said unsportsmanlike by Van Exel to
me," Garretson said after Tuesday's game.
"Nick didn't know he had a technical foul and he tried to find out
why," Johnson said. "He asked about three times but I didn't hear
Ron's response.
"It surprised me. I never in my wildest dreams thought he would push
him. No matter how mad or frustrated you get, you don't do it. He will
hurt himself and hurt the team."
Van Exel, who had 10 points Tuesday, is averaging 14.9 points per game
and leads the Lakers in assists.
"I've seen more of this in one year in this league than in my other 12
years combined with all my other Laker teams," Johnson said of fines
and suspensions. "Maybe I shouldn't have come back."
Johnson returned to the NBA this year after a 4Ż-year retirement.
The Lakers are headed for the playoffs with a 48-28 record. They are
fourth the Western Conference, three games behind Utah and five games
ahead of Houston.
Just three weeks ago, Van Exel had been among the Lakers most critical
of teammate Cedric Ceballos for leaving the team unannounced for four
days.
"He abandoned us," Van Exel said at the time. "At a time like this, at
a time we have to stick together. It's going to be hard."
nba.344vpoznanovic,
VAN EXEL SORRY ABOUT HIS 'BIG MISTAKE'
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Van Exel apologized
Thursday for shoving referee Ron Garretson during Tuesday night's
game at Denver.
"First of all, I'd like to apologize to everyone in the organization,
starting with Jerry Buss down to Jerry West, Mitch Kupchak, everyone
who works with the Lakers," Van Exel said.
Van Exel, who made his first public comments about the incident at a
press conference Thursday, was suspended without pay for the team's
final seven games of the regular season and fined $25,000 for pushing
Garretson onto the scorer's table. Garretson had just issued Van Exel
his second technical and an automatic ejection with 3:23 remaining in
the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 98-91 loss to Denver. The ejection
carries an additional automatic $1,000 fine.
"I have already apologized to my teammates so I apologize to them
again also. But we are human and sometimes we do make mistakes, and I
did make a big mistake. I'm paying for it and I regret it right now,"
Van Exel said.
The suspension, the third-longest for an on-court incident, was
announced Wednesday by NBA senior vice president of operations Rod
Thorn.
Kermit Washington was suspended 26 games in 1977 for punching Rudy
Tomjanovich during a game, and Vernon Maxwell received a 10-game
suspension last year for hitting a fan in the stands.
Thorn suspended Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman for six games and
fined him $20,000 for head-butting referee Ted Bernhardt in a game
last month.
"Behind the scenes me and him have been going at it for three years,
but I could have just walked away, but I didn't," said Van Exel. "I
let my emotions get the best of me and I'm paying for it."
Van Exel was arguing a call with Garretson during a timeout and
received a technical foul with 3:23 left in the game. Van Exel argued
briefly near the scorer's table and was slapped with a second
technical, calling for an automatic ejection.
Van Exel began to walk away from Garretson, but then suddenly turned
back and pushed the referee onto the scorer's table. Magic Johnson
stepped between the two and held Garretson while Van Exel was
restrained by a team official.
"I didn't go back to hit him, I didn't even go back to touch him," Van
Exel said. "I wanted to just go back and yell at him. As I pulled away
from Rudy he was very close to my arm. I can't see myself hitting him
that hard to where he lands or jumps on the table."
Garretson, who is the son of longtime referee and supervisor of
officials Darell Garretson, said he will reveal what Van Exel said to
him in a full report to his superiors.
The Lakers won their first game without Van Exel, defeating the
Minnesota Timberwolves 111-90 Wednesday night. Sedale Threatt, who
started in place of Van Exel, had 20 points and eight assists. Threatt
shot 8-of-12 from the field, including 4-for-4 from three-point range.
Van Exel, who had 10 points in Tuesday's 98-91 loss, is averaging 14.9
points per game and leads the Lakers in assists.
The Lakers are headed for the playoffs with a 48-28 record.
nba.345vpoznanovic,
LAKERS STUDYING MAGIC OF PSYCHOLOGY
He is a coach on the floor, an extension of head man Del Harris and
Bill Bertka, Harris' astute top assistant.
Magic Johnson is unlike any player in the National Basketball
Association. He is so cerebral about the game, and now that the
playoffs are near, Magic is getting into his teammates' heads,
transmitting messages from the coaching staff.
"I'm working on them," Magic said with his ever-present smile and
glowing countenance. "I'm still getting to know this team, still
getting into their heads, but I have a great feeling about this team."
He is a voice of reason, a voice of influence, and Harris is counting
on Johnson to help bring this team together for the postseason and
make a serious run at the Western Conference title.
The psychological games have begun, and the teacher is Magic Johnson.
Various games the last couple weeks have been huge in Magic's feel for
this team, particularly a recent road trip that resulted in monstrous
victories at Orlando and Miami, and then a key Western Conference
showdown with the San Antonio Spurs at the Forum on Sunday, which the
Lakers also won.
"What a lot of people don't realize is that these guys here have never
been in big regular-season games," said Johnson, a five-time NBA
champion who was missed four seasons before un-retiring in January.
"Everybody forgets that about this team.
"It's funny, but when we were on the road (for a six-game, nine-day
road trip last week), there were a lot of people wearing Lakers
shirts," Magic said. "These guys have never seen that before. So,
they're coming to me saying, 'Buck -- now they call me Uncle Buck
(because of his age) -- is this how it used to be?' I said, 'All the
time. There's Laker fans everywhere.'
"Now these guys are lovin' it. People don't understand that this team
is going through something they've never gone through before, and
they're really enjoying it."
They're thriving on it, in fact, and Magic's experience and knowledge
is the thread connecting the coaching staff to the players.
"We're relying on Magic to help bring these guys along, to take their
hands and show them the way and how to prepare for an experience like
this," Harris says. "His experience, knowledge and the way he deals
with people is priceless for us as coaches."
The treacherous road trip did what Magic hoped: it sealed team
chemistry in light of Cedric Ceballos' controversial defection that
nearly shattered team spirit.
"We really came together on the trip," Johnson said. "This team played
basketball the way basketball should be played -- inside, outside,
defense, offense. It all came together. Guys are settling into their
roles, knowing what they're doing and what's expected."
The key component is focus, and the trip allowed the Lakers to do just
that.
"When a team is focused, it means everything," he said. "You can have
talent, but if you aren't focused you'll lose."
Part of Magic's job these next few weeks as the coach on the floor
will be to make sure the Lakers are focused, ready and prepared.
nba.346vpoznanovic,
KEVIN JOHNSON OF PHOENIX NAMED NBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Phoenix Suns point guard Kevin Johnson today was named the National
Basketball Association Player of the Week for the period ending April
7th.
Johnson averaged 21.5 points and 11 assists per game in leading
Phoenix to a 3-1 record for the week. He led the team in scoring in
wins over Utah and Vancouver, and dished out 12 assists as the Suns
snapped the San Antonio Spurs' 17-game winning streak last week.
Johnson also had 15 assists in the team's 130-121 double-overtime loss
to Seattle on Friday.
In 21 games since the All-Star break, Johnson has picked up the pace,
averaging 21.5 points, 9.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Johnson earned the award over teammate Wesley Person, Orlando's Horace
Grant and Toni Kukoc of Chicago.
nba.347vpoznanovic,
WILLIAMS REBOUNDS FROM THE PAIN
The first thing you notice is his infectious laugh. But it doesn't
take long to realize Jayson Williams' laughter hides the pain. The
great pain.
Williams is only 28, but he's already done too much living. He grew up
on the lower East Side of Manhattan in a neighborhood that would exact
a terrible price on the family before letting it go. Only now, after
Williams dedicated himself to healthy living and becoming the best
rebounder you've probably never heard of, can he and his family think
about the future without wallowing in the past.
"You sing that song, 'I was always smiling on the outside, tracking my
tears,'" Williams said. "I guess that's what I have to do to escape
this kind of stuff."
Tragedy strikes
There is the particularly poignant memory of one day in the early
1980s when, as a teenager, he entered the building where he lived.
"I saw some blood in the elevator and said, 'Wow, somebody must have
gotten hurt,'" Williams said. "Then I came out and I saw the blood in
the hallway and I saw the blood all the way to the door. I opened the
door and saw my sister lying on the floor. She was stabbed 17 times
and a hammer was broken over her head. The guy robbed her for two
dollars.
"She had to be rushed to the hospital in order to get a blood
transfusion. She wound up catching the AIDS virus."
When Linda Williams was diagnosed with AIDS in 1982, AIDS wasn't even
called AIDS. It was believed to be a disease acquired by gay men or
people of Haitian decent. Because people knew so little about the
disease, Linda was treated like a pariah. She was denied dental work
for teeth that her mother had to pull. She was forced to use the
hospital garbage elevator when visiting for treatment.
"While she was in the hospital it was like a scene from the movie
'Outbreak'," Williams recalled. "They had to wear all this stuff -- a
mask, these gowns and stuff over their shoes to go and see her. I
refused to do that; this is my sister."
Even after she died, Linda Williams could not escape humiliation; a
funeral home rejected her remains. Eventually, she received refuge
from a catholic church. She entered the books as one of the first AIDS
casualties in New York City.
But before her AIDS was diagnosed, Linda, while coping with the
assault, turned -- along with her sister Laura -- to intravenous drug
use.
"She could never live with her face being beaten up like that,"
Williams said. "She started doing stuff she shouldn't be doing. And
unfortunately my second sister caught the virus also -- from my first
sister. I guess that's the way she caught it; that's the way we
perceived it. I lost both my sisters who were my best friends."
Mrs. Williams noticed her son's pain.
"It was very hard on him," she remembered, "because he was hurt. He
was angry and the people on the lower East Side weren't used to women
having AIDS. So he stood out."
Laura Williams died in 1986.
Jayson's play suffers
Jayson says the deaths of his sisters had nothing to do with how he
behaved. But the loss of his sisters -- and one of their husbands --
to AIDS coincided with near-destructive behavior in Jayson's own life.
While at St. John's, he struck a fan with a chair during a game at
Providence College -- allegedly because the fan spat at him. During
two unproductive seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, he owned a bar
and partied hard.
"Playing your rookie season with Charles Barkley, you go out every
night and he goes on two hours of sleep." Williams said. "I'm a guy
that needs eight hours of sleep. So going out with Charles Barkley, he
just ruined me for two years. It took my liver two years to recover
after hanging out with Charles Barkley. So I miss Charles Barkley like
a diaper rash."
Two years ago, as a member of the New Jersey Nets, Williams realized
he had to slow down his off-the-court activities.
"There just comes a time in a man's life where he says 'Boom, I've got
to quit acting like a kid. I've got to grow up,'" he explained.
Williams lost weight (25 pounds), shed the bar and stopped drinking
alcohol during the regular season. These efforts have not gone
unnoticed by his mother.
"At 28," she said, "I have seen him start to change and start to be
more mature. He knows that if he is going to stay in this business of
the NBA, he needs to change his ways."
Williams' teammates have also noticed his transformation.
"I think he's more grounded now," Nets forward Armon Gilliam said.
"Now I think he'll try to do the right things. He's a guy that's
concerned about going to chapel now. He's trying to get himself on the
right track."
With his personal life under better control, Williams next needed to
worry about his professional life. Considered one of the strongest
players in the league, but not a consistent scorer, Williams has
turned to a role that defines him off the court -- rebounder.
"I tried it for one night and pulled down like 16 rebounds in 18
minutes and I said, 'Man, I could make a living out of this,'" he
explained.
Finally ... home sweet home
Off the court, Williams is fulfilling his dream -- a dream house.
Twenty years ago, he worked with his father in construction. Now, they
work together building a home in New Jersey where everyone will live.
Everyone. That includes a child of each of his late sisters and infant
Alex Jayson -- born to Monique, daughter of Laura. And it also
includes reserving a spot for each of his sisters.
"I have two bedrooms and nobody ever sleeps in them, that's why I need
16 bedrooms," Williams said. "One is for Linda and one is for Laura.
I'll dress it up and decorate it just the way I think they would like
it. I'll go in there and say, 'Here it is, we finally got it. We
finally made it right here and we are going to have a good time. This
is your house.'
"They will always be with me -- They are with me all the time."
nba.348vpoznanovic,
BULLETS LOSE MURESAN FOR REST OF SEASON
LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Bullets center Gheorghe Muresan will miss
the remainder of the season after injuring his right knee in a game
against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
A magnetic resonance imaging exam taken Thursday revealed a torn
medial collateral ligament and a partial tear of the medial meniscus
cartilage in the right knee. The injury will not require surgery.
Muresan suffered the injury 3:27 into the game when Boston's David
Wesley drove the lane and accidentally kicked the outside of Muresan's
right leg as he fell.
A candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, Muresan is
leading the club with 9.6 rebounds per game and 2.3 blocks while
averaging 14.5 points per outing. He was the lone Bullet to start all
76 games this season and was leading the league in field goal
percentage (58.3).
"He's a big inside scorer and his a big defensive stopper," Bullets
forward Juwan Howard said. "Without Gheorghe, it is not going to be
easy. But we're not done yet. We've overcome every injury thus far and
we truly believe we can still make the playoffs this season."
The Bullets are also without forwards Chris Webber and Rasheed Wallace
and guard Mark Price for the rest of the season. The team currently
stands 1Ż games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and last
playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
nba.349vpoznanovic,
DREAMING AGAIN: ROCKETS GET OLAJUWON BACK TONIGHT
HOUSTON -- The reeling Houston Rockets get a chance to right
themselves against the lowly Vancouver Grizzlies when the two Midwest
Division teams meet tonight at 8:30 ET.
Houston, which has lost three straight and nine of its past 10 games,
is expected to enjoy the return of center Hakeem Olajuwon, who has
missed the past seven games with tendinitis in both knees. The Rockets
lost six of those games and were 1-4 on the road during the stretch.
On Sunday, the Rockets lost 111-105 at Denver. Mark Bryant had 27
points and eight rebounds for the undermanned Rockets, who trail the
Los Angeles Lakers by 3Ż games for the fourth spot in the Western
Conference playoff race. The Rockets, who have clinched a playoff
berth, lead the Portland Trail Blazers by 3Ż games for the fifth spot
in the West.
Houston has lost six consecutive home games entering tonight's
contest. It is the longest losing streak since a franchise-record
11-game skid in the 1982-83 season.
Vancouver continues to play for pride in its inaugural NBA season. The
Grizzlies have lost consecutive games since snapping their 23-game
losing streak and have lost 31 of their past 33 games.
The Grizzlies were drilled 112-92 at home by Phoenix on Sunday. Bryant
Reeves scored 13 points for Vancouver, which enters tonight's game
with a 17-game losing streak on the road.
Vancouver is 3-34 on the road and 2-17 against Midwest Division
opponents.
Houston has won the three games between the teams by a combined 33
points. The Rockets posted a 95-89 victory at Vancouver on March 10,
behind 42 points and 18 rebounds from Olajuwon. Chris King scored 17
points for Vancouver, which has not allowed more than 100 points in
any of the three games.
nba.350vpoznanovic,
HILL INVOKES BIRD-LIKE COMPARISONS
He tops the Pistons in nearly every major statistical category, but
more importantly the team's results have been positive, too. Grant
Hill and his teammates are on the brink of their first playoff
appearance since the 1991-92 edition of the Bad Boys.
But instead of Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer and Isiah Thomas, this
Detroit edition is led by the soft-spoken forward from Duke, whose
star has risen beyond the flashy commercials and last year's rookie
honors.
"We've put the ball in Grant's hands and asked him to lead our team,"
said head coach Doug Collins.
"I enjoy having the ball in my hands," Hill said. "Hopefully my
teammates enjoy it as well."
Hill averaged 20.9 points and 9.8 rebounds through Detroit's first 73
games, in this just his second season in the league. Still learning
the game at 23 years of age, his potential is limitless.
"I think he's learned from year one to year two how to control a
game," said veteran teammate Joe Dumars. "Last year he did it strictly
on ability. This year he's thinking and controling the games."
"I've gotten stronger and am playing a lot more minutes now," Hill
said. "I'm able to play without being tired. I have a ball in my hands
a lot more so I have to make more decisions."
Improvement away from the ball
But Hill's biggest impact may be without the ball.
"I think what I've seen in his development is his concentration,"
Collins said. "We want him to feel like he's having an effect in every
minute that he plays. So, you know the numbers this year don't really
jump out as improvement.
"The big change is we're winning and I think our defensive numbers
are way down so his impact on the game is much greater this year than
last year."
This season's numbers for Hill are similar to another great player
who wore uniform No. 33. In his second NBA season, Larry Bird averaged
21 points, nearly 11 boards and about six assists.
So is there a natural comparison?
"You can't say that," Hill said. "Larry Bird was arguably the best
player ever to play the game. I'm just in my second season. Scoring,
rebounding, leadership -- whatever it took to win, he did it."
"The thing I don't like to do is compare players," Collins said. "I
think players are unique in their own way.
"If you want to make a comparison of his impact on our team and the
fact that when the game is on the line we want the ball in his hands
for himself or for someone else, then I would say that's a fair
comparison."
As much as Hill wants to play down such comparisons, the similarities
go well beyond just the stat sheet.
"They have the ability to make the other guys around them better,"
said Celtics head coach and former Bird teammate M.L. Carr. "They look
to them.
"He's getting other guys involved. Larry did the same thing. If Larry
wanted to score 35 points a game he could have done that. Grant has
the ability to do that, but they are total team players. Those
qualities stand out."
Hill and Dr. J?
Not everybody agrees with Carr, especially another former Bird
teammate.
"No!" said former Celtic Cedric Maxwell. "They are two completely
different players. I think Grant Hill physically just has so much more
talent getting up and down the court. I just think that Larry Bird was
just a basketball player per se.
"I would compare him with someone like Julius Erving."
"You're trying to compare a guy who's in his second season to a guy
who's trying to enter the Hall of Fame," points out Dennis Johnson,
who also played with Bird in Boston. "I see no comparisons at all."
The two players may have the similar effects on their respective
teams, but as former Celtic great Tommy Heinsohn points out, they do
it in very different ways.
"Larry Bird was a great three-point shooter," Heinsohn said. "That
set up the rest of his game. I don't think that's the biggest thing
that Grant Hill does. Hill is a take it to the basket guy with power.
The strength of their games is completely different.
"The underlying thing for me is the competitiveness. They'll go out
and know that they will have to continue to improve, expand their game
as the defenses start to learn their moves."
As much as Hill is flattered by the comparisons, he remembers a time
when being compared with Bird was unacceptable to him.
"I think it's interesting cause growing up I was always a Lakers fan
and I really use to dislike the Celts and dislike Larry Bird," Hill
recalls. "But as I got older and got to understand the game a lot
more, I really appreciate what he did.
"I've got almost all the tapes of when Boston played the Pistons and
I've been able to watch him and it's beautiful to watch. He wasn't the
most athletic guy but he was so smart and he knew how to maximize what
he had."
If Hill can maximize what he has, the results may be frightening.
nba.351vpoznanovic,
NBA BEAT: SONICS FOCUS ... FINALLY
Shawn Kemp apologized to his teammates this week for missing a team
flight to Portland last Saturday. He probably wouldn't have apologized
in the past. Maybe the Sonics are finally putting their knucklehead
days behind them.
Veteran guard Nate McMillan thinks Kemp and Gary Payton may have
finally turned the maturity corner.
"The best thing to do is take it out on the floor, take it out on the
other team, not on your teammates," McMillan said. "We've gotten a
little smarter."
Staying in Beantown?
Pervis Ellison has made what seemed a like a no-brainer into an
interesting call for the Celtics. They'll have 15 days after the
season ends to decide whether to pick up the remaining four years of
Ellison's $12 million contract.
Boston could use the room. Right now, the Celtics will have $10
million fewer than the Heat this off-season, $8 million fewer than the
Knicks and $5 million fewer than the Bullets -- all division rivals.
But lately, Ellison has been playing like the 20-point, 10-rebound guy
he was three years ago. And this will be the first time in five years
that his knees will be healthy enough to allow him to play over the
summer.
The envelope please ...
If it's April, it's time to hand out honors for the best of the NBA
this season:
Most valuable player: Michael Jordan. The best player on the best
team -- a team that's going to win 70 games. Enough said.
Coach of the year: Phil Jackson. With apologies to Mike Fratello,
Doug Collins and Bob Hill, Jackson is the head coach of the team
that's going to win 70 games. Enough said.
Rookie of the year: Damon Stoudamire. Yes, he has played a ton of
minutes, shot 42 percent and played for an expansion team that gives
him free reign, but he still has been terrific and a true leader.
Defensive player of the year: Gary Payton. He has been the leader on
a defense that's held opponents to 43 percent shooting, and will lead
the league in steals.
Best sixth man: Jayson Williams. He is averaging 10.3 rebounds in
exactly 23 minutes of play a night. There's a reason he doesn't play
more. Right?
Most improved player: Elden Campbell. His shooting has gone from 45
to 50 percent over last year; he has blocked 60 more shots; he has 60
more assists, grabbed 140 more rebounds and increased his steals.
That's not all due to Magic's return.
Executive of the year: Pat Riley. Despite the constraints of the
cap, Riley acquired a top-five center, a top-shelf point guard and
veterans entering the prime of their career -- all while clearing $13
million in cap room for next season.
All-NBA first team: Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Anfernee Hardaway,
Shaquille O'Neal and Grant Hill.
Biggest surprise: Cleveland.
Biggest disappointment: Denver. The Nuggets have squandered talent a
dozen other teams would love to have. They still have an outside shot
at the playoffs, but as one member of the organization put it, they
don't deserve to go.
nba.352vpoznanovic,
NETS MUST FINISH SEASON WITHOUT GILL
New Jersey Nets guard Kendall Gill, who has been on the injured list
since suffering a fractured left hand on Feb. 14, will miss the
remainder of the season.
Gill was examined Monday by Doctor Charles Melone, who determined that
Gill's strength is not 100 percent. The hand is not fully functional
and if he played, it could cause damage to the healing process.
"We are disappointed, especially for Kendall that he will not be able
to play before the season ends," Nets general manager Willis Reed
said. "But we feel this is a proper decision. Kendall has an excellent
prognosis for full recovery and the risks to his career are too great
to have him suffer any setbacks."
Gill suffered an unstable fracture of the left index metacarpal bone
in a game against Indiana when the elbow of Pacers guard Reggie Miller
landed on Gill's hand. He had surgery on Feb. 16.
Gill's season ends with him averaging 14 points per game. He had
provided an offensive boost since coming over in the trade that sent
Kenny Anderson to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 19, averaging 17.5
points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 11 games with New Jersey.
The Nets acquired Gill and guard Khalid Reeves from the Hornets for
point guard Anderson and swingman Gerald Glass. The 27-year-old Gill
is in his sixth season in the NBA. He had two stints with Charlotte
and also played for the Seattle SuperSonics.
nba.353vpoznanovic,
KNICKS' OAKLEY TO MISS ONE WEEK WITH EYE INJURY
NEW YORK -- New York Knicks forward Charles Oakley is expected to miss
at least one week with a displaced fracture near his right eye socket.
Oakley suffered the injury when he was hit with an inadvertent elbow
by teammate Patrick Ewing in Tuesday's game against Boston. He needed
six stitches to close a gash under the eye and missed Thursday's game
against Cleveland.
The injury is expected to take approximately a week for the swelling
to subside. He will then be re-examined by Knicks team physician
Norman Scott. Depending on the severity of the injury, the Knicks will
then determine if Oakley will be able to play with or without a
protective mask.
Oakley is expected to miss Saturday afternoon's game at Miami and
Monday's game against Toronto. J.R. Reid started for the injured
Oakley in Thursday's 101-97 loss to Cleveland.
The Knicks (45-32) are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, 2Ż
games behind Indiana and one game in front of Cleveland in the playoff
race.
Oakley was activated from the injured list on March 26 after missing
19 games with a fractured right thumb. In 10 games since his return,
Oakley averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. Oakley has missed 23
games this season due to injuries.
Oakley is averaging 11.4 points and 8.7 rebounds in 53 games this
season.
nba.354vpoznanovic,
NBA TICKER ... GRANT: 1 GAME SUSPENSION, $5,000 FINE ...
NEW YORK -- The NBA on Thursday suspended Orlando Magic forward Horace
Grant one game and fined him $5,000 for punching Cleveland Cavaliers
forward Danny Ferry in a game at Orlando Wednesday night.
Grant threw at punch at Ferry with 2:53 remaining in the third
quarter of Orlando's 116-104 win. He was ejected following the
incident, which is an additional automatic $1,000 fine.
Grant will miss Friday's game at home against the Indiana Pacers.
nba.355vpoznanovic,
'DO THE RIGHT THING: RODMAN CHANGES COLOR FOR A CAUSE
CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman's shocking pink hair
was chosen for a reason other than shock value.
The tempestuous rebounding specialist has gone through red, blond,
rust, green and other dye jobs. But Rodman says he will keep his pink
hairdo until Mother's Day to show support for women with breast
cancer.
The Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization asked Rodman to use his
head to advertise their May "Paint the Town Pink" week, which raises
money for its breast cancer support hotline and other services.
"I don't normally dye my hair for a cause, but this one hits close to
home," Rodman said Friday in a statement. "My aunt is a breast cancer
survivor, and I wanted to do it."
nba.356vpoznanovic,
SEVERAL SOURCES SAY BARKLEY, RICHMOND ARE FINAL OLYMPIC HOOP INVITES
NEW YORK -- So whose sources are right?
According to a Thursday report by KHTK Radio in Sacramento, Kings
guard Mitch Richmond and Seattle SuperSonics forward Shawn Kemp were
asked to fill the final two roster spots on the U.S. men's Olympic
basketball team. The radio report cited several NBA sources, including
Kings play-by-play man Grant Napear.
However, several sources told The Associated Press that Richmond and
Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley got the call to join the team at
the Olympics in Atlanta this summer. ESPN's David Aldridge and the
Dallas Morning News reported the same on Friday.
DREAM TEAM
Anfernee Hardaway
Grant Hill
Karl Malone
Reggie Miller
Hakeem Olajuwon
Shaquille O'Neal
Scottie Pippen
David Robinson
Glenn Robinson
John Stockton
On Friday, Richmond and Barkley declined to confirm the reported
invitations.
The Associated Press said its sources were close to the selection
committee but had asked not to be identified. If the selected players
-- whoever they are -- decide to accept the invitations, their
selections will be announced Saturday on NBC.
Richmond, who is averaging 23.3 points per game for Sacramento, is
among the most respected players in the game. Some of the league's
most visible performers, most notably Michael Jordan, have openly
pushed for Richmond to be selected.
Richmond is on pace to become just the seventh player in NBA history
to average 21 or more points per game in each of his first eight
seasons.
Kemp was a member of Dream Team II, which won the gold medal at the
world championships in Toronto during the summer of 1994. He was
chastised for grabbing his crotch after dunks during the world
championships, and members of the media speculated that might damage
his chances of making the '96 Olympic team.
Barkley wasn't exactly a monument to diplomacy during the 1992
Olympics, when the first Dream Team won the gold medal. During the
opening game, Barkley delivered an elbow to the chest of an Angolan
player as they ran down the court, prompting criticism from the media
and Barkley's U.S. teammates.
Kemp is averaging 20 points and 11.6 rebounds per game this season and
has led the Seattle SuperSonics to the best record in the Western
Conference. Barkley is averaging 23.3 points and 11.6 rebounds.
Barkley was the leading scorer on the first Dream Team, which also
included Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The team also included
David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone and John Stockton, all
members of the '96 Olympic team.
nba.357vpoznanovic,
Chicago (113) At New Jersey (100)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 28 5-15 3-4 3 2 5 3 0 0 2 15
Kukoc F 33 5-11 2-4 3 3 6 6 0 0 2 14
Rodman C 30 3-3 0-1 4 8 12 1 3 2 1 6
Harper G 26 5-9 4-6 3 0 3 4 2 0 2 14
Jordan G 26 8-18 1-4 3 4 7 3 0 3 3 17
Wennington 16 5-7 1-1 2 1 3 1 4 1 1 11
Kerr 24 4-8 3-3 0 1 1 2 0 2 1 12
Edwards 11 2-5 2-2 2 1 3 0 4 0 2 6
Brown 11 4-6 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 9
Caffey 16 0-3 3-6 4 3 7 0 2 0 2 3
Buechler 14 1-3 4-4 2 1 3 1 1 0 0 6
Simpkins 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 240 42-89 23-35 26 26 52 23 18 8 17 113
(.472) (.657) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 18(25 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 31 4-9 1-3 2 1 3 1 3 0 1 9
A Gilliam F 28 5-11 1-2 4 3 7 0 4 2 4 11
Williams C 21 4-5 0-0 2 5 7 0 2 0 2 8
Childs G 45 10-18 1-1 2 2 4 8 4 2 2 23
Reeves G 23 6-8 0-0 0 1 1 2 6 3 3 14
Bradley 26 4-9 1-4 1 1 2 1 5 0 2 9
Fleming 34 7-12 1-2 0 1 1 2 0 1 3 15
Graham 10 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
Mahorn 16 3-3 5-6 2 3 5 0 5 0 1 11
Werdann 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Dare Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Obannon Dnp - Sore Left Hamstring
Totals 240 43-77 10-18 13 18 31 16 30 8 18 100
(.558) (.556) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 20(29 Pts)
Chicago 29 25 31 28 - 113
New Jersey 20 18 34 28 - 100
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Rodman 2, Harper, Simpkins. New Jersey -
Bradley 2, A Gilliam.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 6-18 (.333), Pippen 2-6, Kukoc 2-4, Harper 0-1,
Jordan 0-1, Kerr 1-4, Brown 1-1, Buechler 0-1. New Jersey 4-10 (.400),
Childs 2-6, Reeves 2-3, Graham 0-1.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman, New Jersey - Assistant Coach Ray, Bradley.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Nolan Fine, Jim Capers.
A - 20,049. T - 2:02.
nba.358vpoznanovic,
BULLS TIE FRANCHISE RECORD BY CUTTING DOWN NETS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The last time the Chicago Bulls visited New
Jersey, Scottie Pippen stayed in Illinois because of injuries and
Dennis Rodman was ejected for head-butting a referee. The Bulls still
won.
Chicago was operating at full speed this time, and Michael Jordan
scored 17 points to lead six Bulls in double-figures as Chicago tied a
franchise record with its 67th victory of the season, 113-100 over the
Nets on Thursday.
"They play on a different level than we do," New Jersey coach Butch
Beard said. "This is like a scrimmage for them."
Chicago tied the franchise record set by the 1991-92 Bulls, who went
67-15 en route to the second of their three consecutive NBA titles.
Pippen scored 15 points Thursday and Toni Kukoc and Ron Harper had 14
apiece for the Bulls (67-9), who clinched home-court advantage
throughout the playoffs.
"From now on, none of the games are important because we clinched home
court," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. "I don't want to run anyone
into the ground. At the same time, I want to give everyone enough time
so they don't lose their rhythm."
Chicago needs to go just 3-3 in its final six games to become the
first team in NBA history to post 70 victories in a regular season.
"If we can't go 3-3 in the last six games, something's wrong," said
Chicago guard Steve Kerr, who scored 12 points against New Jersey.
Bill Wennington had 11 points in only 16 minutes and Rodman, making a
rare start at center, grabbed 12 rebounds.
Chris Childs scored 23 points and Vern Fleming had 15 for New Jersey,
which has lost five in a row.
After leading 29-20 after a quarter, the Bulls broke the game open
with a 14-2 spree to start the second period. Kerr and New Jersey's
Jayson Williams traded baskets to make it 31-22 before Chicago scored
the next 10 points.
Wennington and Kerr hit jumpers before Rodman had a tip-in for a 37-22
lead with 9:14 left in the second period. Harper scored consecutive
baskets and James Edwards capped the run with a 13-footer to give the
Bulls a 43-22 lead with 7:24 remaining.
Jordan gave Chicago its largest lead of the game at 80-54 with 3:28
remaining in the third quarter with a dunk. New Jersey came no closer
than nine points thereafter.
"Sometimes it's tough to get motivated in certain situations," said
Jordan, who played just 26 minutes. "Phil utilized the situation to
rest some of us."
Chicago shot 47 percent (42 for 89) from the field and outrebounded
the Nets 52-31.
"You only have to win games. It's not the process -- it's whether you
win," Jackson said of his liberal substitutions in the game. "I was
more pleased with my bench than my starters. The first unit was
lackadaisical. I was more pleased with my bench in the second and
fourth quarters."
Eleven Chicago players saw at least 11 minutes of action and no
starter played more than 33 minutes.
New Jersey shot a season-high 56 percent (43 for 77) from the field.
Khalid Reeves scored 14 points and Armon Gilliam and Rick Mahorn had
11 apiece.
nba.359vpoznanovic,
Cleveland (101) At New York (97)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 36 1-6 4-4 1 1 2 4 3 1 2 6
Ferry F 36 11-13 5-6 0 2 2 0 5 1 0 32
Cage C 22 2-2 2-2 1 1 2 0 3 0 1 6
Phills G 42 5-10 2-4 1 3 4 4 4 0 2 14
Brandon G 38 7-12 4-5 0 1 1 7 0 2 4 18
Hill 27 5-7 4-6 3 5 8 1 5 1 2 14
Majerle 29 3-10 3-3 0 0 0 4 3 2 1 11
Sura 10 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 2 0
Crotty Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lang Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-60 24-30 6 15 21 20 26 7 14 101
(.567) (.800) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 16(16 Pts)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mason F 45 4-8 9-11 5 2 7 6 4 0 2 17
Reid F 23 3-6 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 1 1 6
Ewing C 41 11-18 7-9 5 6 11 2 5 1 6 29
Starks G 34 4-11 3-3 1 1 2 8 5 1 1 14
Harper G 41 5-10 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 3 8 12
Davis 32 5-9 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17
Anderson 17 1-3 0-0 0 4 4 2 3 1 0 2
Williams 7 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
Gary Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lohaus Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Oakley Dnp - Not With Team
Ward Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-65 21-25 13 18 31 22 21 7 18 97
(.508) (.840) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 18(16 Pts)
Cleveland 20 22 34 25 - 101
New York 18 27 31 21 - 97
Blocked Shots: Cleveland - Mills. New York - Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Cleveland 9-20 (.450), Mills 0-2, Ferry 5-5, Phills
2-4, Brandon 0-2, Majerle 2-7. New York 10-18 (.556), Starks 3-5, Harper
2-5, Davis 5-7, Anderson 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Woody Mayfield, Greg Willard.
A - 19,763. T - 2:23.
nba.360vpoznanovic,
Cleveland 101, New York 97
Danny Ferry scored 25 of his career-high 32 points in the second half
and Terrell Brandon's layup with 3:16 to play snapped a tie as the
Cleveland Cavaliers moved closer to clinching a playoff berth with a
101-97 victory over the New York Knicks.
Brandon added 18 points for Cleveland (44-33), which also pulled
within one game of the Knicks for the fourth spot in the Eastern
Conference. A Cavaliers' victory or a loss by Miami or Charlotte will
clinch a playoff berth for Cleveland.
Patrick Ewing scored 29 points and Hubert Davis added 17 for the
Knicks (45-34), who have lost four consecutive home games to
Cleveland.
The Cavs are 17-4 when scoring 100 points or more. The road team has
won the last seven games in the series.
Derek Harper tied the game at 87-87 with a baseline jumper with 4:12
remaining. The Knicks had a chance to take the lead, but John Starks
missed a three-pointer from the top of the key.
Brandon then triggered a 7-0 spurt with a driving layup to give
Cleveland an 89-87 lead with 3:16 to play. Harper missed a
three-pointer and Ferry buried his fifth three-pointer of the game to
push the lead to 92-87. Bobby Phills capped the run with a layup to
make it 94-87 with 2:15 to go.
The Knicks made things interesting in the final minute. Anthony Mason
hit the first of two free throws to make it 96-93. He missed the
second, but Ewing was able to grab the offensive rebound. He was
fouled putting up a shot that rolled off the rim. Ewing, however,
missed the first foul shot with 23.5 seconds left and made the second
to pull New York within 96-94.
Ferry and Chris Mills each sank two free throws to ice the game.
Ferry, whose previous career high was 31 against Charlotte on February
13th, was 11-of-13 from the field and made all five of his three-point
shots.
Phills and Tyrone Hill added 14 points apiece for the Cavaliers, who
shot 57 percent (34-of-60) from the field. Dan Majerle scored 11 off
the bench.
Mason also scored 17 points for New York, which shot 51 percent
(33-of-65) from the field and 10-of-18 three-point shots. Harper and
Starks combined for 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting.
nba.361vpoznanovic,
Dallas (99) At Portland (114)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 39 6-23 2-4 3 3 6 2 2 1 2 17
Jones F 35 5-9 1-2 1 8 9 3 3 0 1 11
Williams C 27 1-2 0-0 4 3 7 1 2 1 1 2
Jackson G 32 9-22 4-4 1 4 5 6 4 0 0 23
Kidd G 39 7-16 1-2 3 7 10 10 3 2 4 19
Dumas 16 1-7 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 2 1 2
Parks 8 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Harris 9 1-6 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3
Meyer 21 2-8 3-5 4 1 5 1 4 0 0 7
Wood 14 3-4 4-4 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 11
Brooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Davis Dnp - Left Knee Surgery
Totals 240 37-101 15-21 16 29 45 26 20 8 9 99
(.366) (.714) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 9(8 Pts)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 27 4-10 0-2 1 7 8 0 0 1 2 8
C Robinson F 30 3-9 4-8 2 3 5 4 3 0 0 11
Sabonis C 23 6-9 8-8 6 9 15 1 2 0 2 21
Mckie G 17 1-7 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 1 0 2
Strickland G 34 7-12 2-2 0 2 2 8 0 1 2 17
Dudley 21 2-5 1-2 0 9 9 0 2 2 2 5
Wingfield 18 4-7 2-2 2 3 5 1 6 1 0 11
J Robinson 22 5-9 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 10
Williams 24 8-11 1-2 2 5 7 2 1 0 0 18
R Robinson 14 3-5 1-2 0 2 2 6 2 2 1 7
Trent 6 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 2
Spencer 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Totals 240 45-89 19-28 13 46 59 24 19 8 12 114
(.506) (.679) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 12(16 Pts)
Dallas 17 24 27 31 - 99
Portland 20 36 29 29 - 114
Blocked Shots: Dallas - Jones 2, Williams, Meyer. Portland - C Robinson,
Dudley, J Robinson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Dallas 10-40 (.250), Mccloud 3-12, Jones 0-2, Jackson
1-7, Kidd 4-9, Dumas 0-2, Parks 0-2, Harris 1-4, Wood 1-2. Portland 5-15
(.333), C Robinson 1-3, Sabonis 1-2, Mckie 0-2, Strickland 1-2, Wingfield
1-2, J Robinson 0-2, Williams 1-1, R Robinson 0-1.
Technicals: Portland - J Robinson.
Officials: Ron Garretson, David Jones, Jim Kinsey.
A - 20,436. T - 1:52.
nba.362vpoznanovic,
Portland 114, Dallas 99
Buck Williams and Arvydas Sabonis combined for 16 points in a
second-quarter run as the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers rolled to a
114-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Sabonis finished with 21 points and Williams 18 for Portland, which
opened up a two-game lead over the Phoenix Suns for sixth place in the
Western Conference. The Trail Blazers won for the 14th time in their
last 16 games and swept the season series.
Jim Jackson scored 23 points and Jason Kidd added 19 for Dallas, which
has lost 16 of its last 20 games. The Mavericks have lost 24 of the
last 29 games between the teams.
Portland used a 27-12 run in the second quarter to take a 56-41 lead
at halftime. The run was highlighted by an 8-3 spurt early on as
Rumeal Robinson, Horace Grant and Williams scored to give the Blazers
a 36-25 lead. After a three-pointer by Kidd, Sabonis had a basket to
push the lead to 38-28.
The Blazers took their largest lead of the game at 100-79 on a
three-pointer by Dontonio Wingfield with 6:20 to play.
Rod Strickland had 17 points and eight assists for Portland, which
shot 51 percent (45-of-89) from the field. Wingfield and Clifford
Robinson added 11 apiece and James Robinson netted 10.
Portland outrebounded the Mavericks, 59-45.
Popeye Jones and David Wood added 11 points apiece for Dallas, which
shot just 37 percent (36-of-101) from the field and 10-of-40 from
three-point range. The Mavericks never led in the game.
nba.363vpoznanovic,
Denver (109) At Houston (113)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Ellis F 40 7-18 3-4 0 5 5 1 3 1 1 19
L Ellis F 28 5-7 1-2 3 5 8 4 5 2 2 11
Mcdyess C 32 10-17 3-5 7 4 11 0 4 0 3 23
Stith G 23 3-7 1-2 3 3 6 2 1 0 2 7
Rose G 38 6-12 3-6 2 4 6 10 3 1 3 15
Hammonds 23 4-8 6-6 1 4 5 0 1 0 1 14
Maclean 36 8-17 2-4 2 10 12 5 2 0 3 18
Fish 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2
Overton 11 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 0 0 0
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mutombo Dnp - Left Hamstring Injury
Totals 240 44-89 19-29 18 36 54 28 21 4 15 109
(.494) (.655) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 15(21 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 24 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 6 4 2 0 6
Brown F 27 6-10 1-3 2 5 7 0 1 0 1 13
Olajuwon C 36 14-22 9-12 1 9 10 0 4 2 2 37
Drexler G 39 7-20 3-4 3 7 10 8 5 2 3 18
Smith G 24 4-7 0-0 1 1 2 8 2 1 0 9
Elie 28 5-8 3-5 2 1 3 4 2 2 1 13
Bryant 18 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 4 0 1 8
Recasner 24 2-5 2-2 0 0 0 7 2 1 0 6
Chilcutt 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
Mack 14 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 3
Breaux Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 45-85 18-26 9 26 35 36 27 11 8 113
(.529) (.692) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 9(5 Pts)
Denver 27 33 28 21 - 109
Houston 31 29 28 25 - 113
Blocked Shots: Denver - Mcdyess 3, L Ellis, Maclean. Houston - Olajuwon
4, Horry 2, Brown, Drexler.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Denver 2-8 (.250), D Ellis 2-5, Stith 0-1, Rose 0-2.
Houston 5-12 (.417), Horry 2-3, Drexler 1-3, Smith 1-2, Elie 0-1, Recasner
0-2, Mack 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Ken Mauer, Joe Borgia.
A - 16,285. T - 2:14.
nba.364vpoznanovic,
Houston 113, Denver 109
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 14 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter as
the Houston Rockets dealt the Denver Nuggets' playoff hopes a severe
blow with a 113-109 victory.
Clyde Drexler added 18 points for Houston (45-32), which moved within
3 1/2 games of the Los Angeles Lakers for the fourth spot in the
Western Conference. Olajuwon, who had missed the previous seven games
before returning Tuesday night, has 57 points in two games since
coming back.
"Denver played good enough to win," said Olajuwon. "I like this type
of game where it stays close and it is not a blowout. Tonight I got my
points in the flow of the game without thinking."
"I thought it was a great win, considering what we've gone through
against a team that had to win," said Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
"So many young guys, what a future (on Denver). We couldn't handle
them on the boards. Their energy and youth kept them in the game. It
came down to executing in crunch time. Mario had two great hustle
plays and Robert Horry with a three and a great back-door pass to
Clyde. I'd like to not have games like this, but the plus side is we
are being forced to win close ones."
Antonio McDyess scored 23 points and Dale Ellis added 19 for Denver
(33-44), which fell 2 1/2 games behind Sacramento for the eighth and
final playoff berth in the Western Conference. The Nuggets have been
the eighth seed the past two seasons.
"McDyess played Hakeem well I thought, he made him earn his shots, you
can't ask any more than that," said Denver coach Bernie Bickerstaff.
"Our guys did a hell of a job and I was proud of them. I'm not trying
to con anyone here, it's tough. We didn't come in talking about the
playoffs, we just talked about how well we've been playing and how we
wanted to finish strong. I have no gripes with anybody on the last
shot. Fonz had some concerns, though, he thought maybe he should have
taken the shot, but I can't fault him, he tried to make the unselfish
play."
Don MacLean gave Denver its final lead at 99-98 with 6:10 to play, but
Robert Horry hit a three-pointer to make it 101-99. Olajuwon followed
with a dunk to for a 103-99 edge with 5:09 left.
The teams traded baskets until LaPhonso Ellis made a free throw to
pull Denver within 107-104 with 1:40 to play. Drexler had a jumper and
dunk around a putback by LaPhonso Ellis to push Houston's lead to
111-106 at the 1:06 mark.
Dale Ellis pulled the Nuggets within 111-109 with a three-pointer with
44 seconds remaining. Denver forced a Rockets miss and got the ball
back. MacLean drove into the lane with 10 seconds to play, but was
forced into a turnover by Olajuwon, who hit two free throws to
preserve the victory.
Chucky Brown and Mario Elie added 13 points apiece for Houston, which
shot 53 percent (43-of-83) from the field. Olajuwon and Drexler pulled
down 20 of the Rockets' 35 rebounds.
MacLean finished with 18 points and Jalen Rose added 15 points and 10
assists for the Nuggets, who shot 49 percent (44-of-89) from the
floor. Denver, which played without center Dikembe Mutombo,
outrebounded Houston, 54-35.
There were 37 lead changes and 14 ties in the game.
nba.365vpoznanovic,
Golden State (111) At LA Clippers (101)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 26 6-9 2-2 1 3 4 1 4 0 0 14
Smith F 42 5-12 1-2 4 5 9 0 1 1 2 11
Willis C 33 11-20 2-2 2 4 6 0 0 0 4 24
Armstrong G 26 5-8 1-2 0 4 4 12 1 1 4 13
Sprewell G 44 11-21 4-6 0 5 5 5 1 2 3 28
Coles 27 4-5 2-2 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 14
Declercq 18 2-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 4
Marshall 24 1-3 0-0 1 4 5 3 3 1 0 3
Barry Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hammink Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rozier Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 45-80 12-16 9 26 35 23 14 6 14 111
(.563) (.750) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 15(20 Pts)
LA Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Rogers F 36 10-16 1-2 1 2 3 4 2 0 1 21
Vaught F 34 7-18 2-4 5 5 10 2 0 2 2 16
Roberts C 26 0-6 0-0 1 3 4 2 3 0 2 0
Richardson G 19 2-7 0-0 0 3 3 7 1 0 0 5
Barry G 31 6-14 2-2 3 1 4 3 1 1 1 15
Harvey 17 2-5 0-0 4 0 4 1 0 1 0 4
Dehere 29 5-13 2-4 1 4 5 4 1 0 2 16
Outlaw 14 2-2 2-4 2 1 3 3 1 1 0 6
Sealy 17 4-8 2-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 10
Murray 15 3-6 2-4 4 2 6 0 2 0 0 8
Piatkowski 2 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0
Williams Dnp - Tendonitis
Totals 240 41-96 13-22 23 22 45 28 15 6 10 101
(.427) (.591) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 11(16 Pts)
Golden State 34 27 28 22 - 111
LA Clippers 26 21 20 34 - 101
Blocked Shots: Golden State - Smith 3, Marshall 2, Kersey, Willis. LA
Clippers - Harvey 3, Outlaw 2, Roberts, Barry, Murray.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Golden State 9-13 (.692), Smith 0-1, Armstrong 2-3,
Sprewell 2-4, Coles 4-4, Marshall 1-1. LA Clippers 6-23 (.261), Rogers
0-3, Richardson 1-4, Barry 1-5, Dehere 4-8, Sealy 0-1, Murray 0-1,
Piatkowski 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Ed F Rush, Pat Adams.
A - 13,247. T - 1:56.
nba.366vpoznanovic,
Golden State 111, LA Clippers 101
Latrell Sprewell scored 28 points and Kevin Willis added 24 as the
Golden State Warriors remained in playoff contention with a 111-101
triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Pond in Anaheim,
California.
B.J. Armstrong added 13 points and 12 assists as the Warriors moved
within 1 1/2 games of the Sacramento Kings for the final playoff berth
in the Western Conference. Golden State won for just the second time
in its last 11 road games.
Sprewell was 11-of-21 from the field and Willis connected on 11-of-20
shots as Golden State shot 56 percent (45-for-80) from the floor.
"You never know when you're going to shoot well," Sprewell said. "Just
play hard and hope for the best. I hope we can get into the playoffs.
We have been playing well."
"I've been in this league for 12 years. I've seen teams blow leads
like this, but I knew that we had the personnel to pull out the win,"
Willis said.
The Warriors have five games left and the Kings have six games to go.
They face each other in Sacramento on April 21st in the season finale
for both teams.
Rodney Rogers scored 21 points for the Clippers, who have lost four of
their last five games. Loy Vaught had 16 points and 10 rebounds and
Terry Dehere added 16 points as the Clippers lost for the third
straight time against the Warriors.
"They shot the ball very well and we didn't do as well defensively as
we had to," Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "Terry Dehere had an
outstanding night and so did Rodney Rogers. It'll be interesting to
see how Golden State shoots tomorrow night. They had the best outside
shooting tonight that I'd seen in a long time."
Dehere's three-pointer closed a 13-0 spurt and pulled the Clippers
within 104-98 with 1:45 left in the game. Jerome Kersey, who had 14
points, made a dunk to give the Warriors a 106-98 lead with 1:19 left.
"I could see it coming, we relaxed and just let them back in the
game," Golden State coach Rick Adelman said. "You can't do that in
this league with anybody, but we'll take the win. Sprewell was
unbelievable, he's been playing so well. They had a hard time guarding
him, he's was playing with so much energy."
Charles Outlaw and Armstrong traded free throws that left the Clippers
with a 107-99 lead with 34 seconds left. Outlaw's dunk capped the
scoring for the Clippers and Kersey and Bimbo Coles each made a pair
of free throws for the Warriors.
Armstrong's three-pointer capped a 19-9 run and gave the Warriors the
lead for good, 29-19, with 3:03 left in the first quarter.
Donyell Marshall's three-pointer -- his only points -- gave the
Warriors a 59-43 lead with 2:19 left in the second. Willis made a hook
shot and layup in a 5-0 spurt that gave Golden State its biggest lead
of the game, 85-60, with 3:19 left. Coles made a three-pointer to give
the Warriors a 104-85 cushion with 4:40 left in the fourth.
nba.367vpoznanovic,
Milwaukee (105) At Miami (115)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Robinson F 44 8-16 11-11 1 11 12 6 3 0 5 27
Cummings F 23 4-7 3-4 1 5 6 4 5 2 1 11
Baker C 44 12-20 5-6 2 2 4 2 4 0 4 29
Douglas G 39 6-11 7-8 1 1 2 12 2 0 4 19
Newman G 38 3-5 5-7 1 2 3 3 3 1 2 11
Benjamin 15 0-1 0-0 0 4 4 0 4 1 1 0
Respert 13 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3
Mayberry 10 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Conlon 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Keys 7 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 5
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-65 33-38 6 25 31 29 23 5 20 105
(.538) (.868) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 20(22 Pts)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 32 5-8 0-0 2 6 8 1 4 3 0 10
Williams F 35 6-12 1-2 0 4 4 4 5 1 6 15
Mourning C 43 12-20 7-9 3 6 9 4 6 3 3 32
Chapman G 38 7-13 2-4 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 18
Hardaway G 32 6-11 6-7 1 1 2 12 5 1 3 19
Smith 23 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 6 1 2 1 9
Gatling 10 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Askins 9 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 0
Corbin 16 4-5 4-4 1 3 4 3 1 0 0 12
King 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Lenard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Schayes Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 44-80 20-26 7 27 34 32 30 10 14 115
(.550) (.769) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 14(13 Pts)
Milwaukee 27 16 30 32 - 105
Miami 27 29 26 33 - 115
Blocked Shots: Milwaukee - Robinson, Cummings, Baker, Conlon. Miami -
Williams, Thomas, Smith.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Milwaukee 2-8 (.250), Robinson 0-2, Douglas 0-2, Newman
0-1, Respert 1-1, Mayberry 0-1, Keys 1-1. Miami 7-19 (.368), Williams 2-6,
Mourning 1-1, Chapman 2-4, Hardaway 1-2, Smith 1-5, Askins 0-1.
Technicals: Milwaukee - Newman, Miami - Williams.
Officials: Ed Middleton, Luis Grillo, Blane Reichelt.
A - 15,090. T - 2:10.
nba.368vpoznanovic,
HEAT REGAINS EAST'S FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT ... FOR NOW
MIAMI -- Alonzo Mourning scored 32 points and Tim Hardaway had 19
points and 12 assists to lead the playoff-hungry Miami Heat to a
115-105 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
Rex Chapman chipped in with 18 points for Miami, which climbed into a
tie with the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and final playoff spot
in the Eastern Conference.
"If we play this way every night, we will win the last five games,"
Hardaway said. "The team's confidence is way up right now."
Vin Baker tallied 29 points and Glenn Robinson had 27 points and 12
boards for Milwaukee, which has dropped 18 of its past 20 games
overall and 12 of 13 on the road.
"This team is fighting for a playoff spot, so every possession is
important to them," Baker said of Miami. "We turned the ball over in
the first half and that was the difference in the game. They were
valuing the ball as if they were in the playoffs."
Miami led 56-43 at the half and used a 12-4 surge to take its biggest
lead of the game. Tony Smith's 3-pointer capped the run to make it
68-49 with 7:54 left in the third quarter.
The Bucks then scored the next 12 points, including two free throws
from Johnny Newman that cut the difference to 68-61 with 5:07 left.
Miami's Kurt Thomas countered with the next four points and Walt
Williams nailed a 3-pointer to bump the lead back to 75-61 with 3:46
to go in the period. The Bucks trailed 82-73 after three quarters and
didn't come any closer in the fourth.
Williams netted 15 points and Tyrone Corbin had 12 off the bench for
Miami, which shot 55 percent (44 for 80) from the floor. The Heat
began a three-game homestand, which also includes meetings with New
Jersey and New York.
"I hate back-to-backs, I can't stand them," said Mourning, whose team
also won at Charlotte on Wednesday night. "It's hard to come back with
the same effort. But when you do, that separates the mediocre from the
great teams."
Sherman Douglas recorded 19 points and 12 assists and Terry Cummings
and Newman each scored 11 for the Bucks, who shot 54 percent (35 for
65) from the floor and 87 percent (33 for 38) from the foul line.
nba.369vpoznanovic,
Golden State (81) At LA Lakers (94)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Smith F 38 6-19 0-0 3 5 8 0 3 1 2 12
Sprewell F 40 4-14 5-6 2 7 9 2 0 1 5 14
Willis C 34 5-11 5-5 3 6 9 0 3 1 1 15
Armstrong G 30 7-10 3-3 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 20
Coles G 37 6-12 0-0 2 1 3 9 3 1 5 12
Kersey 27 2-9 2-2 4 5 9 4 4 1 0 6
Declercq 11 0-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 2 0 0 0
Barry 16 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2
Marshall 7 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hammink Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rozier Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-79 15-16 16 26 42 17 19 6 15 81
(.392) (.938) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 16(15 Pts)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Campbell F 37 7-14 2-2 4 2 6 4 4 0 1 16
Ceballos F 28 7-14 0-0 1 4 5 1 2 0 2 15
Divac C 37 12-16 2-4 3 7 10 0 3 1 2 26
Jones G 32 4-12 0-0 1 3 4 8 0 3 3 9
Threatt G 36 0-5 0-0 1 3 4 5 2 2 2 0
Johnson 26 4-7 2-2 1 1 2 9 0 0 2 10
Peeler 29 7-14 0-0 2 3 5 3 1 0 0 16
Lynch 15 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 2
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Miller Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Strong Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Van Exel Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 42-84 6-8 14 24 38 30 13 6 12 94
(.500) (.750) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 13(14 Pts)
Golden State 26 23 19 13 - 81
LA Lakers 26 17 25 26 - 94
Blocked Shots: Golden State - Smith 2, Kersey 2, Sprewell. LA Lakers -
Campbell 4, Jones 3, Divac.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Golden State 4-13 (.308), Smith 0-1, Sprewell 1-5,
Willis 0-1, Armstrong 3-3, Coles 0-3. LA Lakers 4-16 (.250), Campbell 0-1,
Ceballos 1-1, Jones 1-4, Threatt 0-1, Johnson 0-2, Peeler 2-7.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Ron Olesiak, Bob Delaney.
A - 17,505. T - 1:58.
nba.370vpoznanovic,
L.A. Lakers 94, Golden State 81
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Anthony Peeler scored 12 of his 16 points in the
fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away for a 94-81
victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.
Golden State (34-44) missed a chance to pull within a half-game of
Sacramento Kings for the final playoff berth in the Western
Conference. The Kings lost at Vancouver and Golden State remained 1Ż
games in back of Sacramento.
Vlade Divac scored 26 points and Elden Campbell added 16 for Los
Angeles (49-28).
"I thought we played a tremendous second half," Los Angeles coach Del
Harris said. "You have to give Golden State credit. They were on top
of their game and were fighting for their position.
"We really extended to win this ball game by playing outstanding
defense in the second half. We are obviously one of the best defensive
teams in the league."
B.J. Armstrong scored 20 points and Kevin Willis added 15 for Golden
State, which went the final 6:54 without a basket.
Bimbo Coles pulled the Warriors within 79-77 on a basket with 6:54
remaining before Divac and Magic Johnson converted three-point plays
to push the Lakers' lead to 85-77 with 4:13 remaining.
Latrell Sprewell hit two free throws to make it 85-79 at the
four-minute mark, but Peeler responded with a layup and a dunk before
putting the game out of reach with a 3-pointer for a 92-79 advantage
with 2:24 remaining.
"Our confidence in the fourth quarter in holding people down is
growing every single game," Peeler said. "We really are playing much
better in the second half."
Golden State had taken a 44-36 lead with a 10-0 run in the second
quarter, six coming from Joe Smith. Golden State had led by 10 points
early in the second half, but the Lakers eventually pulled even at the
end of three quarters, 68-68.
Cedric Ceballos added 15 points for Los Angeles, which shot 50 percent
(42 for 84) from the field and outscored the Warriors 66-24 in the
paint. Johnson finished with 10 points and nine assists.
"We played hard, but just couldn't get it done offensively," Golden
State coach Rick Adelman said. "We had good opportunities in the first
half, but they took control of the tempo in the second half. They were
posting up Magic, and we just had too many breakdowns in the second
half."
Sprewell scored 14 points and Smith and Coles added 12 points apiece
for the Warriors, who shot 39 percent (31 for 79) from the field and
received only eight points from the bench.
nba.371vpoznanovic,
Indiana (111) At Orlando (101)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 34 1-5 1-2 1 3 4 5 3 1 0 3
D Davis F 36 7-10 2-4 9 11 20 3 2 0 2 16
Smits C 32 10-22 4-5 3 3 6 1 3 0 3 24
Miller G 38 10-21 3-3 1 3 4 2 1 3 2 29
Jackson G 31 2-6 2-2 1 3 4 8 3 0 4 7
A Davis 18 3-8 2-4 7 0 7 1 1 0 1 8
Ferrell 16 4-6 3-3 1 2 3 2 5 1 0 11
Workman 17 3-5 3-4 1 2 3 5 2 0 1 9
Pierce 12 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 4
Johnson 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Best 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 42-86 20-27 24 27 51 27 22 5 14 111
(.488) (.741) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 15(19 Pts)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 37 6-11 3-3 1 0 1 4 2 0 0 19
Royal F 22 1-2 2-5 0 1 1 1 3 2 1 4
Oneal C 32 16-28 1-5 7 4 11 3 5 1 2 33
Anderson G 43 4-14 5-6 3 6 9 1 4 1 2 13
Hardaway G 39 5-11 2-2 0 2 2 5 2 3 1 13
Vaughn 26 4-4 2-2 3 3 6 1 3 0 1 10
Shaw 18 1-3 1-2 0 0 0 3 1 1 5 4
Wolf 14 2-5 1-2 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 5
Bowie 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grant Dnp - Suspended By League
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-79 17-27 15 17 32 18 20 8 12 101
(.494) (.630) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 12(17 Pts)
Indiana 24 31 32 24 - 111
Orlando 27 20 26 28 - 101
Blocked Shots: Indiana - Smits 2, A Davis. Orlando - Vaughn 3, Anderson
2, Oneal 2, Royal, Wolf.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Indiana 7-15 (.467), Miller 6-11, Jackson 1-3, Ferrell
0-1. Orlando 6-18 (.333), Scott 4-9, Anderson 0-4, Hardaway 1-3, Shaw 1-2.
Technicals: Indiana - Illegal Defense, Orlando - Oneal, Head Coach Hill.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Tommy Nunez, Tommie Wood.
A - 17,248. T - 2:19.
nba.372vpoznanovic,
PACERS MAKE THEMSELVES RIGHT AT HOME IN ORLANDO
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Reggie Miller scored 15 of his 29 points in the third
quarter as the Indiana Pacers won their fourth game in a row, 111-101
over the slumping Orlando Magic 111-101 on Friday.
Rik Smits added 24 points and Dale Davis had 16 points and 20 rebounds
for Indiana (48-29), which leads New York by three games in the race
for third place in the Eastern Conference. Indiana and New York each
have five games left in the regular season.
Shaquille O'Neal scored 33 points Friday and Dennis Scott added 19 for
the Magic, which has lost four of its past six home games after
starting the season with a 33-game home winning streak.
Orlando and Indiana, who have developed a rivalry over the past three
years, split four games this season.
"We're happy. We haven't experienced a win down here in a long time,"
Pacers coach Larry Brown said. "I thought we played well. You've gotta
play well here to beat this team, especially at the level Shaq's
playing."
Orlando was playing without starting forward Horace Grant, who was
serving a one-game suspension for punching Cleveland's Danny Ferry.
Without Grant, Orlando was outrebounded 51-32 against Indiana,
including 24-15 on the offensive glass.
"We have a tough time rebounding against this team when we're at full
strength," Orlando coach Brian Hill said. "I thought our guys played
as hard as we possibly could, but the rebounding and second-chance
points got away from us in the second half."
Miller has averaged 29 points per game during Indiana's winning
streak, and his four 3-pointers in the third quarter helped push the
Pacers to a 79-72 lead over Orlando with two minutes left in the third
quarter.
The Pacers scored the next eight points of the game as Duane Ferrell
made a jumper, Antonio Davis and Dale Davis hit jumpers to push the
lead to 85-72 and Haywoode Workman added a basket to make it 87-72
with 38 seconds to play.
Indiana took its largest lead of the game at 102-85 with 5:51 to play.
The Magic came as close as 105-99 on a 3-pointer by Scott with 1:21 to
play, but Indiana hit its next six free throws to put the game away.
Nick Anderson and Anfernee Hardaway scored 13 points apiece for
Orlando, which shot 49 percent (39 for 79) from the field. Rookie
David Vaughn added a season-high 10 points.
nba.373vpoznanovic,
Milwaukee (97) At Atlanta (104)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Robinson F 41 5-18 0-0 0 3 3 5 3 0 2 11
Baker F 42 10-14 6-8 6 4 10 2 4 2 2 26
Benjamin C 9 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Newman G 39 10-17 2-2 1 2 3 0 4 5 1 24
Douglas G 38 9-13 2-4 1 1 2 6 2 0 2 21
Cummings 18 2-4 1-1 1 2 3 1 5 0 2 5
Keys 8 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
Respert 10 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Mayberry 9 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 2 2 0 1 0
Conlon 26 3-7 2-2 3 4 7 0 5 1 5 8
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-85 13-17 13 21 34 16 26 8 16 97
(.471) (.765) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 16(30 Pts)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 44 6-13 5-5 2 4 6 4 4 4 2 17
Long F 44 7-15 3-4 2 10 12 3 3 1 2 18
Henderson C 23 7-8 1-2 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 15
Blaylock G 42 9-16 5-7 3 4 7 6 1 1 1 25
Smith G 27 1-10 2-2 1 1 2 2 2 0 3 4
Laettner 29 3-6 10-10 5 7 12 2 4 0 2 16
Ehlo 25 2-8 4-4 0 3 3 1 0 1 1 9
Jordan 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-77 30-34 15 31 46 21 16 8 13 104
(.455) (.882) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 15(27 Pts)
Milwaukee 23 22 33 19 - 97
Atlanta 28 31 15 30 - 104
Blocked Shots: Milwaukee - Robinson, Newman, Cummings, Keys, Mayberry.
Atlanta - Laettner 2, Blaylock, Augmon.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Milwaukee 4-13 (.308), Robinson 1-4, Baker 0-1, Newman
2-3, Douglas 1-1, Keys 0-2, Respert 0-1, Mayberry 0-1. Atlanta 4-15
(.267), Long 1-2, Blaylock 2-5, Smith 0-4, Ehlo 1-4.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Lee Jones, Mark Wunderlich.
A - 16,129. T - 2:10.
nba.374vpoznanovic,
Atlanta 104, Milwaukee 97
ATLANTA -- Christian Laettner scored six of his 16 points during a
fourth-quarter spurt as the Atlanta Hawks moved closer to clinching a
playoff berth with a 104-97 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on
Friday.
Mookie Blaylock scored 25 points and Grant Long added 18 for Atlanta
(43-34), which moved into a tie with the idle Detroit Pistons for
fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
"It's a big win for us because we can't afford a lot of losses,"
Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens said. "We've got to build momentum."
Vin Baker scored 26 points and Johnny Newman added 24 for the Bucks,
who lost for the 18th time in the past 20 games.
The Hawks led 59-45 at halftime, but Milwaukee stormed back in the
third quarter on the strength of a 31-8 run to take a 76-67 lead with
3:23 left in the period.
"In the third quarter, we weren't in it," said Blaylock. "Our defense
fell asleep and they got easy baskets."
"We lost a little intensity on defense in the third quarter," Wilkens
said. "When you lose that intensity, guys get shots and make shots and
you can't let that happen. Finally, we got the intensity back and
moved the ball and made our shots. We have to learn from that."
The Hawks closed within 78-74 at the end of three quarters and took
the lead for good on Laettner's 18-footer with 8:23 to play for an
83-82 advantage. Laettner added a 10-footer and a pair of free throws
to push the lead to 87-82 with 6:55 remaining.
Milwaukee closed within 90-88 with 3:09 to play after a basket by
Newman, but the Hawks scored the next seven points of the game. Long
hit a 15-footer and two free throws before Craig Ehlo drilled a
3-pointer with 1:22 remaining for a 97-88 advantage.
Stacey Augmon scored 17 points and Alan Henderson had 15 for Atlanta,
which shot 46 percent (35 fir 77) from the field and outscored the
Bucks from the foul line, 30-13.
The Hawks outrebounded Milwaukee 46-34.
Sherman Douglas added 21 points and six assists for Milwaukee, which
shot 47 percent (40 for 85). The Bucks committed 16 turnovers, leading
to 30 points for Atlanta.
"I think we really made a great run in the third quarter," Baker said.
"They turned it up in the fourth. Even though we made the run, it was
very tough to come back after giving up 60 in the first half."
nba.375vpoznanovic,
Minnesota (106) At Washington (116)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 39 7-12 2-4 3 11 14 5 4 1 1 16
Gugliotta F 8 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 0 2 0
Lang C 35 10-15 1-2 4 4 8 0 4 0 2 21
West G 35 5-13 1-2 1 1 2 2 3 0 3 11
Webb G 27 3-11 0-0 0 1 1 6 3 0 2 7
Mitchell 32 7-12 1-1 3 3 6 1 2 0 3 15
Porter 24 6-11 4-4 1 2 3 3 2 3 1 17
Davis 21 1-5 6-6 3 2 5 4 2 1 1 8
Bragg 7 2-5 0-2 3 0 3 0 1 0 1 4
Riley 8 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Allen 4 2-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5
Rider Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Totals 240 44-88 16-23 18 28 46 21 25 7 16 106
(.500) (.696) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 17(28 Pts)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Cheaney F 31 6-14 1-2 0 2 2 1 3 5 0 13
Howard F 38 9-19 8-10 4 6 10 5 3 1 0 26
Mcilvaine C 35 5-6 2-3 0 8 8 0 2 0 2 12
Eackles G 36 5-12 4-4 0 2 2 3 2 0 2 16
B Price G 32 7-8 4-4 0 2 2 5 3 3 3 22
Legler 29 6-9 4-4 0 1 1 5 1 0 1 19
Thornton 7 0-1 1-2 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 1
Mccann 16 0-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 1 1 0
Whitney 16 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 0 3 7
Butler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Pack Dnp - Damaged Nerve -- Right Leg
Muresan Dnp - Injured Right Knee
Totals 240 41-75 24-29 6 25 31 21 22 10 13 116
(.547) (.828) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 13(18 Pts)
Minnesota 24 28 22 32 - 106
Washington 38 25 22 31 - 116
Blocked Shots: Minnesota - Lang 2, Garnett. Washington - Mcilvaine 5,
Legler.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Minnesota 2-7 (.286), West 0-1, Webb 1-3, Porter 1-3.
Washington 10-16 (.625), Cheaney 0-1, Eackles 2-5, B Price 4-5, Legler
3-4, Whitney 1-1.
Technicals: Minnesota - Illegal Defense, Lang, Washington - Illegal
Defense.
Officials: Dan Crawford, Mike Callahan, Tim Donaghy.
A - 18,756. T - 2:05.
nba.376vpoznanovic,
BULLETS GAIN GROUND ON HEAT, HORNETS
LANDOVER, Md. -- Brent Price scored 10 of his 22 points in the first
quarter as the Washington Bullets continued their late push for the
playoffs with a 116-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on
Friday.
Juwan Howard scored 26 points for the Bullets (38-39), who are one
game behind Miami and Charlotte for the eighth and final playoff berth
in the Eastern Conference.
Washington has won six in a row, its longest losing streak since a
seven-game spurt from Feb. 25 to March 9, 1988. The 1987-88 season
also was the last time Washington made the playoffs.
"We were very aggressive going to the basket tonight," Washington
coach Jim Lynam said Friday. "This was the kind of game that got your
adrenaline flowing. Jim McIlvaine gave us a huge boost."
McIlvaine started in place of center Gheorghe Muresan, who was injured
Wednesday in Boston and will miss the rest of the season because of a
strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
McIlvaine finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and five blocked
shots. Tim Legler came off the bench to score 19 points, and starters
Ledell Eackles and Calbert Cheaney had 16 and 13 points, respectively.
"They've got three players starting for them that were almost out of
the league a year ago, and are playing great basketball now,"
Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said of Price, Eackles and McIlvaine.
"I wish it was some other situation than this," McIlvaine said about
making his first career start because of Muresan's injury.
Andrew Lang scored 21 points and Terry Porter added 17 for Minnesota,
which was missing guard Isaiah Rider, who stayed in Minnesota after
spraining his right ankle in practice on Thursday.
The Timberwolves finished without forward Tom Gugliotta, who left the
game in the second quarter after taking an elbow to the ribs. X-rays
were negative and Gugliotta's injury was diagnosed as a bruised chest
wall.
"When you take your top scorers out of the game, it hurts," Saunders
said.
The Bullets took control of the game with an 18-8 run in the final
4:10 of the first quarter. Doug West pulled the Timberwolves within
20-16 with a jumper, but Price retaliated with a 3-pointer and Howard
made two free throws to extend Washington's lead to 25-16.
Spud Webb cut the deficit to 29-22 with 1:53 left in the opening
quarter before Washington closed the period out with a 9-2 tear.
Cheaney made a pair of jumpers before Lang hit a jumper to pull the
Wolves within 33-24 with 43 seconds to play.
Price hit two of four foul shots and closed the quarter with a
3-pointer to make it 38-24.
Washington shot 55 percent (41 for 75) from the field and 10 for 16
from 3-point range.
"Everyone is staying focused right now," McIlvaine said. "We're going
to keep this win streak going."
Sam Mitchell scored 15 points and West added 11 for Minnesota, which
shot 50 percent (44 for 88) from the field. The Wolves committed 17
turnovers, leading to 28 Washington points.
nba.377vpoznanovic,
Philadelphia (82) At Chicago (112)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Alston F 31 6-11 3-4 3 1 4 0 5 0 0 15
Weatherspoon F 39 7-14 1-2 2 6 8 3 2 1 4 15
Pinckney C 28 2-3 0-0 3 1 4 1 0 0 1 4
Maxwell G 40 7-17 3-7 1 3 4 6 3 3 4 18
Walters G 35 3-9 3-3 1 1 2 4 0 0 0 9
Ruffin 24 3-8 2-2 0 1 1 2 0 1 5 9
Massenburg 33 4-9 4-5 1 3 4 1 2 0 1 12
Thompson 10 0-0 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 0
Dumas Dnp - Fractured Right Foot
Higgins Dnp - Bursitisin Elbow
Stackhouse Dnp - Fractured Right Thumb
Sutton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-71 16-23 12 19 31 17 14 5 15 82
(.451) (.696) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 17(33 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 33 5-17 0-0 2 4 6 6 3 1 1 10
Kukoc F 36 8-15 3-3 2 0 2 5 4 0 3 22
Rodman C 37 4-7 2-2 6 10 16 4 2 0 2 10
Harper G 24 2-2 2-2 0 0 0 5 2 3 1 6
Jordan G 29 10-16 1-1 2 1 3 0 2 4 2 23
Wennington 14 1-2 2-2 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 4
Kerr 26 6-8 1-1 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 16
Caffey 10 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 2
Buechler 7 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 2 1 5
Edwards 8 2-5 0-1 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 4
Brown 12 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 3 3 0 0 4
Simpkins 4 2-3 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 6
Totals 240 45-83 13-14 14 24 38 28 22 11 12 112
(.542) (.929) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 12(9 Pts)
Philadelphia 21 16 22 23 - 82
Chicago 20 29 35 28 - 112
Blocked Shots: Philadelphia - Weatherspoon. Chicago - Pippen, Rodman,
Jordan, Edwards, Brown.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Philadelphia 2-17 (.118), Maxwell 1-8, Walters 0-4,
Ruffin 1-5. Chicago 9-25 (.360), Pippen 0-5, Kukoc 3-6, Rodman 0-2, Jordan
2-4, Kerr 3-5, Buechler 1-2, Brown 0-1.
Technicals: Philadelphia - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Terry Durham, Tony Brothers.
A - 23,633. T - 1:59.
nba.378vpoznanovic,
BULLS ONE WIN AWAY FROM TYING LAKERS' RECORD
CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan scored 23 points as the Chicago Bulls set a
franchise record for wins in a season with a 112-82 rout of the
Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Toni Kukoc added 22 points for the Bulls (68-9), who broke the club
record of 67 wins set during the 1991-92 season, the second of
Chicago's three consecutive NBA titles.
Chicago needs to win just two of its final five games to become the
first team in league history to win 70 games. The NBA record for
single-season victories is 69, set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
"We are motoring along. We have 68 wins with five to go," Jordan said.
"We've got a chance to get 70, but we know we have a tough battle on
Sunday. Cleveland's a team we may have to face in the playoffs, so
it's not going to be as easy as it was tonight."
"They may be the best group of five players I've seen in my 20 years
in the NBA," Sixers coach John Lucas said of the Bulls. "It's a joy to
see that group go out there and play their positions. They're going to
win 70 games, it's quite an acheivement."
Vernon Maxwell scored 18 points and Derrick Alston added 15 for
Philadelphia, which has lost 11 consecutive games to the Bulls and its
last seven at Chicago.
Alston tied the score 27-27 with two free throws with 9:03 left in the
second quarter before the Bulls took control of the game with a 17-4
tear.
Dennis Rodman started the run with two free throws and added a jumper
before Trevor Ruffin hit a jumper to pull Philadelphia within 31-29.
Steve Kerr nailed a 3-pointer and Ron Harper added a layup to push the
Chicago lead to 36-29 with 4:51 remaining.
Clarence Weatherspoon countered with a hook to make it 36-31 before
Kerr hit a pair of 3-pointers around a layup by Jordan for a 44-31
lead with 2:40 to go in the first half.
Chicago sealed the victory with a 22-7 run in the third quarter to
make it 71-46 with 4:10 remaining in the third quarter. Jordan had 12
points during the run.
"They came out really fast, and some of guys didn't shoot well early,"
Jordan said. "But in the second half, we were able to turn it on a
little bit. I got hot and we put some good defensive pressure on
them."
The Bulls' largest lead was at 30 points, the last time at the final
margin. Kerr finished with 16 points and Rodman and Pippen added 10
apiece for Chicago, which shot 54 percent (45 for 83) from the field
and scored 33 points off 17 Philadelphia turnovers.
Rodman also yanked down 16 rebounds. All 12 of Chicago's players
scored and nine players saw at least 10 minutes of action.
Weatherspoon scored 15 points, Tony Massenburg added 12 and Ruffin and
Rex Walters had nine apiece for the Sixers, who shot 45 percent (32
for 71) and made only two of 17 3-point shots.
nba.379vpoznanovic,
Sacramento (98) At Vancouver (99)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 37 8-14 3-5 0 7 7 2 4 4 5 19
Polynice F 30 5-8 3-3 3 6 9 2 2 1 2 13
Causwell C 19 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 2
Richmond G 27 4-11 2-4 2 2 4 2 5 1 3 12
Edney G 35 5-12 1-1 0 1 1 6 1 3 2 12
Hurley 9 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Owens 29 5-11 2-2 5 1 6 5 1 3 1 12
Smith 14 2-3 0-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 4
Marciulionis 29 9-13 3-3 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 22
Simmons 11 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 2
Gamble Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wil Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-81 14-20 11 23 34 25 21 16 19 98
(.494) (.700) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 19(26 Pts)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
King F 27 5-8 2-6 1 2 3 2 3 2 2 12
Amaya F 31 3-6 1-2 3 10 13 0 2 1 1 7
Reeves C 38 9-15 2-3 2 6 8 3 3 0 2 20
B Edwards G 28 5-12 2-3 1 2 3 3 4 3 4 13
Anthony G 28 3-7 4-4 0 1 1 7 0 3 2 12
Avent 23 4-5 0-0 1 4 5 2 5 1 4 8
Murdock 20 6-8 1-2 0 2 2 8 0 3 1 13
Wilkins 21 3-5 2-2 1 0 1 1 1 0 4 9
Scott 24 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 5
Manning Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Martin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Moten Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-72 14-22 9 28 37 27 19 14 22 99
(.556) (.636) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 22(25 Pts)
Sacramento 26 25 22 25 - 98
Vancouver 21 32 27 19 - 99
Blocked Shots: Sacramento - Causwell 2, Smith. Vancouver - Reeves 7,
Amaya, King, Scott.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Sacramento 4-11 (.364), Richmond 2-5, Edney 1-1, Owens
0-1, Marciulionis 1-4. Vancouver 5-11 (.455), King 0-1, B Edwards 1-2,
Anthony 2-4, Wilkins 1-2, Scott 1-2.
Technicals: Sacramento - Causwell, Marciulionis, Edney, Vancouver - Amaya.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Ed F Rush, Pat Adams.
A - 18,619. T - 2:08.
nba.380vpoznanovic,
BREAK UP THE GRIZ! VANCOUVER UPSETS KINGS
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Blue Edwards' 10-footer with 43 seconds
to play capped a 9-0 run as the Vancouver Grizzlies won for just the
third time in the past 36 games with an improbable 99-98 triumph over
the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
The last time the Grizzlies won, Edwards hit a 16-foot jumper with
eight-tenths of a second remaining for a 105-103 victory over the
Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3.
Vancouver rookie Bryant Reeves had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven
blocks against Sacramento, which maintained its 1Ż-game lead over
Golden State for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The
Warriors lost 94-81 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
"We just weren't very sharp tonight, and they played a heck of a
game," Sacramento coach Garry St. Jean said. "They shot the heck out
of the ball in the second period. We got back in there in the third
and made shots in the fourth, and we didn't take care of the ball down
the stretch."
Sarunas Marciulionis scored 22 points and Brian Grant added 19 for
Sacramento. The Kings had a chance to win the game, but Mitch
Richmond's 24-footer in the closing seconds clanged off the rim.
Gerald Wilkins had given Vancouver a 90-87 lead with 6:05 to play, but
the Kings reeled off the next 11 points. Billy Owens made a layup and
Marciulionis hit a 16-footer to give Sacramento a 91-90 lead with 4:22
to play.
Tyus Edney converted a three-point play and Marciulionis capped the
run with two baskets, including a layup for a 98-90 Kings lead with
2:23 remaining.
Byron Scott started the Vancouver comeback with a 3-pointer with 1:51
to play. Reeves made a layup to pull the Grizzlies within 98-95 with
1:32 remaining. Chris King made a layup 12 seconds later before
Edwards netted the winning points.
"Two minutes is an eternity," Vancouver coach Brian Winters said.
"That's three possessions."
On the ensuing possession, King drew an offensive foul on Grant, but
missed two free throws with 4.6 seconds to play before Richmond missed
his 3-pointer.
"Down the stretch we were able to defend," Edwards said. "We made them
shoot over us. You can never say enough about how much the fans bring
to the game. In the last couple of minutes they got loud and kind of
helped us get the other team rattled."
Edwards and Eric Murdock scored 13 points apiece and King and Greg
Anthony added 12 each for Vancouver, which shot 56 percent (40 for 72)
from the field and set a team record for field-goal percentage in a
quarter when it made 14 of 16 shots (88 percent) in the second period.
Olden Polynice scored 13 points and Richmond, Edney and Owens had 12
apiece for Sacramento, which shot 49 percent (40 for 81) from the
floor. The Kings committed 19 turnovers, leading to 26 Vancouver
points.
nba.381vpoznanovic,
Toronto (108) At Boston (136)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Miller F 22 2-4 0-0 2 3 5 5 2 0 4 4
Murray F 41 8-16 6-9 3 5 8 2 1 2 0 22
Earl C 44 13-23 14-19 4 8 12 3 3 0 6 40
Robertson G 27 1-3 0-0 0 4 4 3 2 2 4 2
Christie G 25 5-11 2-4 0 2 2 1 3 2 3 13
Lewis 22 3-7 1-1 3 0 3 1 3 1 2 8
O'Sullivan 10 2-5 1-2 3 2 5 1 2 0 0 5
King 28 7-11 0-0 3 3 6 6 4 1 3 14
Esposito 21 0-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 3 0
Stoudamire DNP - Left knee tendinitis
Tabak DNP - Strained left groin
Whitfield DNP - Left knee inflamation
TOTALS 240 41-86 24-35 18 28 46 23 22 8 25 108
(.477) (.686) Team rebs: 12 Total TO: 25 (30 pts)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Ellison F 25 2-6 2-2 3 3 6 0 4 0 3 6
Fox F 32 8-13 3-4 1 4 5 5 4 4 0 22
Lister C 10 2-5 0-0 4 4 8 0 3 0 0 4
Brown G 31 7-13 1-2 0 2 2 5 0 2 0 18
Minor G 35 7-13 7-9 3 1 4 1 4 2 0 21
Wesley 34 5-10 6-6 0 5 5 11 2 6 6 16
Day 24 6-15 4-4 3 4 7 2 1 0 1 17
Barros 28 8-16 2-2 2 3 5 3 3 0 2 24
Hamilton 6 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 4 0 1 0
Burrough 10 3-3 2-2 0 3 3 0 1 1 1 8
Mundt 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Williams Dnp - Sore Left Knee
Totals 240 48-97 27-31 17 29 46 28 26 16 14 136
(.495) (.871) Team rebs: 5 Total TO: 14 (17 pts)
Toronto 26 27 26 29 -- 108
Boston 33 30 35 38 -- 136
Blocked Shots: Toronto -- Earl 2, Miller, Robertson;
Boston -- Ellison 2, Fox, Lister, Minor, Day, Hamilton, Burrough.
3-pt. field goals: Toronto 2-10 (.200) -- Murray 0-1, Earl 0-1,
Robertson 0-1, Christie 1-2, Lewis 1-1, Esposito 0-4;
Boston 13-30 (.433) -- Fox 3-5, Brown 3-9, Wesley 0-2, Day 1-5,
Barros 6-9.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ronnie Nunn, Ted Bernhardt, Hank Armstrong.
Att.: 17,930. Time: 2:04.
nba.382vpoznanovic,
Castle Infinity
_________________________________________________________________
ESPNET SportsZone | NBA | Scores
CELTS ROUT RAPTORS, DESPITE ACIE EARL EXPLOSION
_________________________________________________________________
Box score | [IMAGE] Game flow
_________________________________________________________________
BOSTON -- When Boston drafted Acie Earl three years ago, the Celtics
hoped he would have games like this.
Of course, they hoped he'd have games like this while wearing Celtics
green, not the purple hue of the expansion Toronto Raptors.
Rick Fox scored eight of his 22 points during a third-quarter run as
the Celtics routed the Raptors 128-103 on Friday, despite a 40-point,
12-rebound performance by Earl.
Dana Barros scored 24 points for Boston, which needs to split its
final four games of the season to avoid having its worst record since
the pre-Larry Bird era, when the Celtics went 29-53 in the 1978-79
season.
Earl shot 13 for 23 from the field, 14 for 19 from the foul line and
blocked two shots. The only blemished on Earl's evening -- besides the
loss -- were his six turnovers.
"It was just a blessing I guess to come in and do well against the
Celtics," Earl said. "I knew I would have a big role tonight."
As a rookie with Boston during the 1993-94 season, Earl averaged 5.5
points and 3.3 rebounds in 74 games. Last year he only scored 66
points in 30 games and was left unprotected for the expansion draft.
His previous single-game career-high was 15 points. He had been
averaging 4.9 points and 11.1 minutes per game for Toronto; he
played 44 minutes Friday.
The Celtics broke the game open with an 19-2 run in the third quarter.
Earl pulled Toronto within 67-58, but Fox responded with a 3-pointer
and a layup to give Boston a 72-58 lead with 8:17 left.
David Wesley and Doug Christie traded baskets before Fox nailed
another 3-pointer and Wesley added a layup and two free throws to push
Boston's advantage to 81-60 at the 6:31 mark.
Greg Minor, who scored 21 points, netted the final five points of the
spurt, capping it with a three-point play with 5:35 remaining to give
Boston its largest lead at 86-60.
Dee Brown scored 18 points, Todd Day had 17 and Wesley 16 points and
11 assists for Boston, which shot 50 percent (48 for 97) from the
field, hit 13 of 30 3-point shots and scored 30 points off 25 Toronto
turnovers.
"We didn't play any defense at all. It was a horrible game," Toronto
coach Brendan Malone said.
Tracy Murray scored 22 points for the Raptors, who shot 48 percent (41
for 86) from the field.
_________________________________________________________________
ESPNET SportsZone | NBA | Scores
Contact ESPNET SportsZone
Copyright 1996 Starwave Corporation and ESPN Inc. All rights reserved.
Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form.
nba.383vpoznanovic,
Dallas (111) At Houston (112)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 48 11-22 3-4 4 3 7 6 3 4 2 29
Jones F 38 3-10 2-6 3 12 15 1 4 2 1 8
Williams C 13 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0
Jackson G 36 10-18 11-11 0 2 2 1 1 1 2 33
Kidd G 44 7-21 3-4 4 5 9 15 3 3 4 18
Meyer 28 5-8 3-4 6 4 10 1 6 2 1 13
Parks 15 2-3 0-1 2 1 3 1 2 0 2 4
Dumas 9 2-7 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 4
Harris 7 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2
Wood 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Davis Dnp - Knee Surgery
Totals 240 41-94 22-30 20 28 48 26 22 15 15 111
(.436) (.733) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(22 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 31 3-8 1-2 0 3 3 5 2 2 5 8
Brown F 31 6-10 3-3 2 6 8 1 0 0 2 15
Olajuwon C 32 13-21 5-6 3 10 13 6 5 0 5 31
Drexler G 26 4-10 3-5 2 4 6 5 4 1 4 13
Smith G 23 5-7 1-1 0 1 1 9 2 1 1 15
Bryant 26 4-8 3-4 6 6 12 2 3 2 2 11
Elie 24 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 6
Cassell 20 3-8 3-3 1 1 2 4 1 3 1 9
Mack 16 1-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 2
Chilcutt 6 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
Recasner 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-88 19-24 16 34 50 34 21 11 22 112
(.489) (.792) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 23(31 Pts)
Dallas 21 26 35 29 - 111
Houston 35 27 24 26 - 112
Blocked Shots: Dallas - Williams, Kidd. Houston - Olajuwon 10, Horry.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Dallas 7-22 (.318), Mccloud 4-9, Jones 0-2, Jackson
2-4, Kidd 1-5, Parks 0-1, Dumas 0-1. Houston 7-17 (.412), Horry 1-4,
Drexler 2-2, Smith 4-5, Elie 0-2, Mack 0-2, Chilcutt 0-1, Recasner 0-1.
Technicals: Houston - Elie 2 (Ejected), Drexler 2 (Ejected), Illegal
Defense.
Officials: Jack Nies, Don Vaden, Jim Capers.
A - 16,285. T - 2:10.
nba.384vpoznanovic,
ROCKETS, BACK AT FULL STRENGTH, BEAT MAVS IN THRILLER
HOUSTON -- Hakeem Olajuwon had a triple-double and hit an off-balance
jumper at the buzzer as Houston edged the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 on
Saturday for the Rockets' third win in a row.
Houston point guard Sam Cassell played his first game since undergoing
elbow surgery, meaning that for the first time since Jan. 17 -- when
Mario Elie sustained a fractured bone in his right forearm -- the
two-time defending NBA champs were at full strength.
All-Star guard Clyde Drexler missed six weeks after arthroscopic knee
surgery and Olajuwon missed 10 games with tendinitis in both knees.
Drexler and Elie returned to action April 5, Olajuwon came back
Tuesday and Cassell returned against Dallas with nine points and four
assists in 20 minutes.
The Rockets trailed 111-110 on Saturday when Sam Mack missed a jumper,
but the ball went out of bounds off Dallas' Popeye Jones with
four-tenths of a second left. Olajuwon took an inbounds lob from
Robert Horry and sank a shot from just inside the free-throw line.
"Believe it or not, that's the first time we've run that play,"
Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "They called timeout, so they
knew it was coming. But Robert Horry put it in play perfectly. It's
the little things like that that win games."
Olajuwon finished with 31 points, 13 rebounds, 10 blocks and six
assists.
Houston squandered an 18-point first-quarter lead, but rallied with an
8-1 run in the last 3:15 without Elie and Drexler, both of whom were
ejected with less than four minutes left.
Jim Jackson had 33 points, including the final 13 for the Mavericks,
who have lost three in a row. Jason Kidd narrowly missed his second
consecutive triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 15 assists and
nine rebounds.
"I really felt sorry for the kids after this one," Mavs coach Dick
Motta said. "We got beat tonight by a great play made by a better
team. We just can't play any better than we did tonight."
The Rockets trailed 104-102 with 3:50 remaining when Elie made an
apparent 3-pointer, but referee Jack Nies ruled that Elie's foot was
on the line.
Eleven seconds later, Nies whistled Elie for a personal foul on
Jackson. Elie jumped into the official's face and was hit with two
technicals, an automatic ejection.
"I just want stuff called both ways. It's not about Jackson -- he
played great," Ellie said. "He was having his way with me. But he was
being physical and I wasn't allowed to be."
Jackson went to the line and hit four free throws to put the Mavs
ahead 108-104. Then, with 3:28 to go, Nies called Drexler for a foul
on Jackson and Drexler responded. Nies gave him two quick technicals
and Jackson's free throws gave Dallas a six-point advantage.
"It was great, a great win, considering the forces against us,"
Drexler said. "We won't discuss those or we'll get fined. This was one
of the best games I ever had the pleasure of watching."
Olajuwon scored the next five points to cut the deficit to 110-109
with 2:10 left, but Jackson and Houston's Mark Bryant traded free
throws to make the score 111-100 with 80 seconds to play.
"We were up 15 points at halftime. There was no excuse for almost
losing this game," Olajuwon said. "It was a real character builder."
George McCloud had 29 points and seven rebounds for Dallas, which lost
to the Rockets for the third time in four meeting this season.
Chucky Brown and Kenny Smith scored 15 points apiece for Houston,
which shot 49 percent (43 for 88) from the field and outrebounded the
Mavericks 50-48.
Houston raced out to a 22-4 lead in the first quarter. Olajuwon, Brown
and Smith had six points apiece in the spurt as the Rockets took a
35-21 advantage into the second.
The Mavs used a 13-2 burst in the third quarter to get within 86-82
after three. Loren Meyer scored seven points during the burst and
finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
nba.385vpoznanovic,
Detroit (86) At Indiana (91)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 43 8-16 4-5 1 7 8 6 4 1 3 20
Thorpe F 33 4-6 2-2 3 6 9 1 4 0 1 10
West C 33 3-7 2-2 4 5 9 1 5 1 2 8
Houston G 36 3-16 5-6 0 2 2 1 1 0 2 13
Dumars G 38 6-13 0-0 1 4 5 3 1 0 1 13
Curry 14 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
Mills 21 7-12 0-0 0 4 4 1 5 1 1 20
Hunter 21 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 2
Roe 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Ratliff Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-73 13-15 10 29 39 15 23 4 10 86
(.438) (.867) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 11(12 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 40 8-19 3-6 4 7 11 1 1 3 2 20
D Davis F 29 2-6 0-0 1 8 9 2 2 0 2 4
Smits C 31 2-11 4-5 1 4 5 4 2 0 1 8
Miller G 11 5-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 12
Jackson G 38 6-7 0-0 0 1 1 9 2 0 1 12
A Davis 26 1-3 3-3 2 3 5 0 4 0 1 5
Workman 15 2-4 2-2 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 8
Ferrell 12 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 2
Best 9 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pierce 23 6-10 2-2 0 2 2 3 2 1 0 14
Johnson 6 2-3 2-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 6
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-76 16-20 8 29 37 23 17 6 8 91
(.461) (.800) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 8(10 Pts)
Detroit 19 29 22 16 - 86
Indiana 28 12 18 33 - 91
Blocked Shots: Detroit - West 3, Hill, Thorpe, Hunter. Indiana - A
Davis, Mckey.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Detroit 9-20 (.450), Houston 2-7, Dumars 1-3, Mills
6-8, Hunter 0-2. Indiana 5-11 (.455), Mckey 1-4, Miller 2-3, Workman 2-2,
Best 0-1, Pierce 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dan Crawford, David Jones, Sean Corbin.
A - 16,760. T - 2:09.
nba.386vpoznanovic,
PACERS RALLY TO WIN AFTER CONCUSSION STOPS MILLER
INDIANAPOLIS -- Derrick McKey scored 20 points as the Indiana Pacers
overcame the loss of All-Star guard Reggie Miller and a 12-point
deficit in the final 7:46 to defeat the Detroit Pistons 91-86 on
Saturday.
Miller was hospitalized after sustaining a concussion and possible
neck sprain late in the first quarter.
"When we lost Reggie, we knew that everybody had to step up," said
Pacers guard Ricky Pierce, who scored 14 points. "Late in the fourth
quarter, we really picked our defense up and came up with a lot of
good stops. We are at a point in the season when you have to be ready
to come out and produce."
The Pacers (49-29) have won five consecutive games and eight of their
last 10. Indiana leads the New York Knicks by 3Ż games for the third
playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with four games to play.
"This was about as much fun as any win I've been associated with --
college or pro -- because we tried hard and we were short-handed,"
Pacers coach Larry Brown said. "These wins are great, not only because
how we won, but because so many guys stepped up."
Miller had 12 points on five-for-seven shooting before his concussion.
He was stealing a pass from Mark West when Miller was sandwiched
between Detroit Otis Thorpe and Allan Houston.
Thorpe's knee struck Miller above his eye and the impact snapped
Miller's neck backward. He fell to the floor, where he stayed for
several moments, kicking his right leg up and down in obvious pain as
medical personnel evaluated him.
Dr. Sanford Kunkel, the Pacers' team physician, said Miller would be
kept overnight at St. Vincent Hospital for further neurological tests.
"The next few days he may not feel like himself,'' Kunkel said. "The
next 24 hours will tell.
"It's the same eye we sewed up 10 days ago,'' Kunkel said. "The long
time prognosis is fine. He was a little nauseous, a little sleepy.
That's pretty normal.''
Kunkel said Miller's availability for Monday's game with Charlotte was
questionable.
Terry Mills and Grant Hill scored 20 points apiece for Detroit
(43-34), which fell into a tie for sixth place in the East with the
Atlanta Hawks.
"You watched the last few minutes of the game, you make your own
judgment," Detroit coach Doug Collins snapped during a postgame
interview. "We had control of the game, but we lost control."
Hill made two free throws to give Detroit a 76-64 lead before the
Pacers went on a 17-4 tear. Antonio Davis started the run with a
three-point play and Hill made a foul shot to make it 77-67.
McKey and Pierce scored baskets to cut the deficit to 77-71 with 5:34
to play. Mark Jackson had a layup and McKey added another jumper to
pull Indiana within 77-75. Davis made a foul shot before Hill
converted a three-point play to give Detroit an 80-76 edge with 3:28
left.
Pierce made a 3-pointer before Eddie Johnson scored a basket to give
Indiana an 81-80 lead with 2:25 remaining. Hill countered with two
free throws, but Johnson responded with a 16-footer to give the Pacers
the lead for good at 83-82 with 1:51 to go.
Jackson scored on a circus shot with 37 seconds remaining and, after
Hill turned the ball over, McKey made two free throws with 10 seconds
remaining to seal the victory.
Jackson finished with 12 points and nine assists for Indiana, which
shot 46 percent (35 for 76) from the field.
Joe Dumars and Houston added 13 points apiece and Thorpe scored 10 for
Detroit, which shot 32 for 73 (44 percent).
The teams combined for only 19 turnovers and Detroit outrebounded the
Pacers 39-37.
nba.387vpoznanovic,
New York (95) At Miami (103)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mason F 46 11-19 4-7 3 6 9 5 3 3 0 26
Reid F 21 3-9 0-0 2 1 3 0 4 0 1 6
Ewing C 42 9-21 6-8 2 16 18 3 5 0 3 24
Davis G 27 2-8 1-1 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 6
Harper G 38 7-11 0-0 0 2 2 4 3 2 1 17
Williams 8 0-1 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 0 0 0
Ward 11 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 2
Starks 29 3-9 3-3 0 1 1 3 6 1 3 10
Anderson 18 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 4
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lohaus Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Oakley Dnp - Eye Injury
Totals 240 38-83 14-19 7 32 39 23 29 7 9 95
(.458) (.737) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 9(6 Pts)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 36 6-13 1-6 5 7 12 1 3 2 2 15
Williams F 36 5-8 5-8 0 8 8 2 3 0 1 15
Mourning C 43 8-13 9-10 2 12 14 2 4 1 2 25
Chapman G 42 4-10 6-7 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 18
Hardaway G 41 3-16 7-7 0 4 4 10 2 2 3 14
Smith 13 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 3
Gatling 16 5-9 1-1 2 1 3 0 4 0 0 11
Askins 13 1-2 0-0 2 4 6 2 1 0 0 2
Corbin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lenard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Schayes Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-74 30-41 11 39 50 20 19 5 10 103
(.446) (.732) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 11(11 Pts)
New York 21 26 22 26 - 95
Miami 19 30 30 24 - 103
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 3, Davis 2. Miami - Mourning 3, Thomas,
Hardaway, Smith, Gatling.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 5-12 (.417), Davis 1-3, Harper 3-4, Ward 0-2,
Starks 1-3. Miami 7-19 (.368), Thomas 2-4, Chapman 4-8, Hardaway 1-7.
Technicals: New York - Illegal Defense, Reid, Miami - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Tom Washington, Derrick Stafford.
A - 15,200. T - 2:28.
nba.388vpoznanovic,
RILEY BEATS NEW YORK, JUST IN THE KNICK OF TIME
MIAMI -- Walt Williams capped a third-quarter run with a pair of
3-pointers and Alonzo Mourning had 25 points and 14 rebounds as the
Miami Heat bolstered its playoff hopes with a 103-95 victory over the
New York Knicks on Saturday.
Miami coach Pat Riley got his first win over the Knicks since leaving
them as head coach after last season. Riley and the Heat lost their
first three meetings with the Knicks this season.
"It was a very exciting day from the standpoint of having a full house
and being on national television and getting a win that we desperately
needed," Riley said. "We won a game that we needed here against a
quality team. We haven't been able to deliver that punch here.
"We just don't want a letdown. That's all I am thinking about."
The Heat (40-38), which has won three in a row, grabbed sole
possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern
Conference, inching a half-game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets and 1Ż
games ahead of Washington.
"It's just another game under our belts -- we have four more to go,"
Mourning said. "We can't play well in the game tonight and then not be
focused for the Nets on Monday night. They are not playing for
anything. We don't want them to be the spoiler, so we really have to
capture that one."
Anthony Mason scored 26 points and Patrick Ewing had 24 points and 18
rebounds for the Knicks, who remain in fourth place in the East but
are just a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Heat held a 51-49 lead early in the second half when Tim Hardaway
hit a shot, Rex Chapman hit a 3-pointer and Williams followed with a
pair from long range. The run, which was interrupted only by a
3-pointer from New York's Derek Harper, increased Miami's cushion to
60-52 midway through the period.
"We wanted to keep running them," Chapman said. "We didn't want to get
into a slowdown, halfcourt game with them. They are a veteran team.
They have Patrick down there and if you let him face his back to the
basket, they're going to beat you."
New York got within 70-67 with 2:51 left in the third after a 6-0 run
but and could not get closer than five in the final quarter.
Hardaway, who finished with 14 points and 10 assists, hit a 3-pointer
to cap a quarter-ending 9-2 spurt as the Heat grabbed a 79-69 lead.
Miami maintained a 91-79 advantage before the Knicks used a 7-0 burst,
keyed by John Starks' three-point play, to get within 91-86 with 5:56
left.
"We do a lot of the same things, just like we're going up against one
another in practice," Ewing said. "They just outplayed us. All games
are key for us. We have to win all of our remaining games. I don't
think there will be a letdown against Toronto (on Monday)."
The Heat shot 45 percent (33 for 74) from the field, just shy of New
York's 46 percent (38 for 83). Miami made the difference at the foul
line, going 30 for 41 to New York's 14 for 19.
Miami played only eight players, but six of them scored in double
figures. Chapman had 18 points -- including 12 on 3-pointers --
Williams finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, Kurt Thomas had 15
points and Chris Gatling added 11 off the bench.
Miami held a 50-39 rebounding edge as Keith Askins grabbed six in 13
minutes off the bench and Thomas finished with eight. Mason had nine
rebounds for the Knicks.
"We reverted back a little bit rebounding and we didn't get to the
free-throw line," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Those were two
differences in the game.
"We have to stop the bleeding. It's not going to stop against Toronto
on Monday. They're an expansion team and we're going to have to play
better."
nba.389vpoznanovic,
Seattle (81) At San Antonio (84)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Schrempf F 38 7-14 4-6 1 5 6 4 3 0 6 20
Kemp F 29 5-14 3-6 5 9 14 1 4 1 3 13
Johnson C 14 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 2 4 0 1 4
Hawkins G 30 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 5 0 2 3 2
Payton G 40 5-15 5-6 1 4 5 4 1 3 4 15
Perkins 30 4-16 6-7 1 5 6 0 3 0 0 15
Askew 13 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 4
Brickowski 15 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 0 3 6
Mcmillan 24 0-2 0-0 1 4 5 2 2 1 0 0
Wingate 7 0-0 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 28-76 20-27 9 35 44 18 24 7 20 81
(.368) (.741) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 20(25 Pts)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 17 2-4 2-4 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 6
Smith F 28 2-8 1-2 2 4 6 3 4 0 2 5
Robinson C 43 8-16 8-11 4 12 16 3 5 1 4 24
Del Negro G 43 7-14 2-4 0 2 2 5 2 3 1 16
Johnson G 38 3-7 2-2 0 2 2 13 3 2 6 8
C Person 36 6-13 0-2 2 5 7 2 4 2 3 15
Rivers 16 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 1 1 5
Williams 8 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 1 2
W Perdue 11 1-2 1-4 0 3 3 0 4 0 1 3
Alexander Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Herrera Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-72 16-29 10 33 43 26 26 10 20 84
(.444) (.552) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 20(20 Pts)
Seattle 26 19 24 12 - 81
San Antonio 24 26 20 14 - 84
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp 3, Perkins 3, Johnson, Hawkins. San Antonio
- Smith 2, Robinson 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 5-29 (.172), D Schrempf 2-7, Kemp 0-2, Hawkins
0-3, Payton 0-3, Perkins 1-10, Askew 0-1, Brickowski 2-2, Mcmillan 0-1.
San Antonio 4-15 (.267), Del Negro 0-2, C Person 3-10, Rivers 1-3.
Technicals: Seattle - Askew 2 (Ejected), San Antonio - W Perdue.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Joe Borgia, Greg Willard.
A - 31,710. T - 2:35.
nba.390vpoznanovic,
SPURS EDGE SONICS IN BATTLE OF WEST'S BEST
SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs clinched their second consecutive
Midwest Division title by defeating Seattle 84-81 on Saturday,
delaying the SuperSonics' march to the Western Conference title.
David Robinson scored 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the
Spurs (57-21), who have the Midwest tiebreaker advantage over
second-place Utah (52-25) by virtue of winning the season series 3-1.
"We are looking at the big picture, and that is to win it all," said
San Antonio forward Charles Smith, downplaying the division crown.
San Antonio is 21-3 since Feb. 29.
"We're locked into the second spot for the Western playoffs and we can
play the last four games however we want," San Antonio coach bob Hill
said. "If we end up playing Seattle again, it'd be a great series. We
match up pretty well. Both teams won on each other's home court. We've
beat them the last two times we've played them."
The loss was only the third in 17 games for the Sonics (61-17), who
need just one more victory to wrap up the top seed in the West.
Detlef Schrempf scored 20 points to pace the Sonics, who shot just 37
percent from the field, including five for 29 from 3-point range.
"When you shoot 37 percent, you're not going to win," Seattle coach
George Karl said.
San Antonio built a 60-50 third-quarter lead. Seattle outscored the
Spurs 19-10 over the last 7:43 of the third quarter to pull within
70-69. Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp combined for 13 points during the
run.
"It was a hard game, not physical," Schrempf said.
Spurs point guard Avery Johnson, who had 13 assists, saw the game
differently.
"This was our most physical game of the season," Johnson said.
San Antonio never relinquished the lead in the fourth quarter. A
jumper by Hersey Hawkins with 2:55 left pulled the Sonics within
81-79. Vinny Del Negro, who finished with 16 points, answered with a
jumper to increase San Antonio's lead to 83-79.
"We had control in the second half," Hill said. "We had a plan, but we
froze. They did us a favor by pressing us after the timeout. Vinny
scored and it was huge."
Kemp converted one of two free throws with 2:05 left, but Robinson hit
one of two from the foul line to restore San Antonio's four-point
lead.
Sam Perkins hit a free throw with 15 seconds left and, after Chuck
Person missed two free throws for San Antonio with 10 seconds left,
the Sonics had a chance to tie the score. But Kemp missed two jumpers
in the final seconds.
"We've run the play before," Kemp said. "You've got to shoot when
you're that wide open. Avery Johnson dropped off me and, after the
first one, it came right back to me and I bricked it again. As bad as
we played, we had our chances and that means a lot to us."
Person finished with 15 points and played 36 minutes. Starting forward
Sean Elliott was limited to just 17 minutes and six points after
taking a hard fall.
"We've played without Sean before, so now is not the time for him to
be a hero," Robinson said. "We need Sean in the playoffs, so if he
needs to rest, then that is what he needs to do."
Payton and Perkins scored 15 points apiece for Seattle. But Payton was
five for 15 from the field and Perkins hit only four of 16 shots.
The teams split the season series 2-2.
nba.391vpoznanovic,
Utah (81) At LA Clippers (91)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Malone F 43 11-26 10-11 5 9 14 4 3 1 4 32
Benoit F 27 2-6 1-1 1 4 5 1 1 1 1 5
Spencer C 15 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 0 0 2
Stockton G 38 7-11 1-4 3 3 6 6 4 1 3 16
Hornacek G 34 5-15 0-1 0 4 4 4 2 0 2 12
Eisley 10 0-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1
Carr 25 2-7 1-2 0 1 1 0 4 1 0 5
Keefe 21 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 1 4
Morris 15 1-7 0-0 2 0 2 0 3 0 1 2
Ostertag 12 1-4 0-0 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 2
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Russell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-83 14-21 13 29 42 15 24 6 13 81
(.386) (.667) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 13(14 Pts)
LA Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Vaught F 38 6-15 0-2 2 6 8 1 1 1 2 12
Rogers F 34 3-10 2-2 0 4 4 4 4 0 3 9
Harvey C 23 1-5 0-0 3 5 8 1 2 1 0 2
Barry G 28 4-8 1-1 0 2 2 3 1 2 3 11
Richardson G 29 7-16 2-2 0 2 2 5 2 2 1 18
Murray 24 2-3 2-2 2 4 6 0 3 0 1 7
Sealy 20 1-4 8-8 0 2 2 0 2 1 1 10
Outlaw 24 2-5 1-2 3 5 8 0 5 0 0 5
Dehere 20 6-11 3-5 1 3 4 3 4 1 3 17
Piatkowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Tower Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roberts Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 32-77 19-24 11 33 44 17 24 8 14 91
(.416) (.792) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 17(20 Pts)
Utah 20 17 24 20 - 81
LA Clippers 26 22 20 23 - 91
Blocked Shots: Utah - Ostertag 2, Carr, Stockton, Spencer, Benoit. LA
Clippers - Rogers 5, Outlaw 3, Barry.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 3-12 (.250), Malone 0-1, Benoit 0-1, Stockton 1-4,
Hornacek 2-5, Morris 0-1. LA Clippers 8-19 (.421), Rogers 1-3, Barry 2-3,
Richardson 2-6, Murray 1-1, Sealy 0-1, Dehere 2-5.
Technicals: Utah - Malone.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Bob Delaney, Jim Kinsey.
A - 16,021. T - 2:16.
nba.392vpoznanovic,
L.A. Clippers 91, Utah 81
LOS ANGELES -- Pooh Rochardson scored 18 points and Terry Dehere added
10 of his 17 in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Clippers upset
the Utah Jazz 91-81 on Saturday.
Loy Vaught added 12 points for the Clippers, who have won 11 of their
past 17 home games against Utah.
"They were live and quick to the ball," Utah coach Jerry Sloan. "We
haven't finished games off -- I'm concerned about our intensity.
"As soon as they got back in the game, they knew they could play with
us. We can't win with one or two guys playing a little bit. We have to
play as a team."
The Clippers played without centers Brian Williams and Stanley
Roberts. Williams was placed on the injured list with tendinitis in
his right knee and Roberts has a sprained left ankle.
Karl Malone had 32 points and 14 rebounds and John Stockton scored 16
points for Utah. Malone reached 2,000 points in a season for the ninth
consecutive year, an NBA record.
"I just think when you look at the great players, it's something you
think about," Malone said about his milestone. "When I look at my
career, I've been lucky. I've been fortunate to play on a team that
has given me a lot of opportunities.
"You can't miss 10 or 12 games a season," said Malone, who has missed
four games in 11 years. "If you do, you take a big hit (on scoring
2,000)."
Utah used a 9-2 spurt to start the fourth quarter, tying the score at
70-70 with 7:39 to play after a layup by Stockton.
Dehere converted a three-point play with 6:59 left and added a free
throw to make it 74-70 with 5:51 to go. Stockton made a free throw
before Dehere canned a 3-pointer with 5:22 to play for a 77-71
Clippers' lead.
"Terry came off the bench and really gave us a boost," Vaught said.
"That's exactly what we needed him to do for us."
Utah pulled within 79-78 on a jumper by Adam Keefe with 3:29
remaining, but Dehere converted a three-point play to make it 82-78.
Lamond Murray sank two free throws and Bo Outlaw hit a foul shot to
push the lead to 85-78.
The Jazz came no closer than four points down the stretch.
Utah, which came into the game shooting 49 percent from the field,
made just 39 percent of its shots (38 for 83). Malone made 11 of 26
shots and Jeff Hornacek added 12 points.
Los Angeles shot 42 percent (32 for 77) from the floor.
"They won't be Tuesday night," Richardson said when asked if Utah was
out of sync. "They'll be looking to get this win back."
The teams play again at Utah on Tuesday.
nba.393vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Saturday, April 13 - 155 days, 1123 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 78 61 17 36 3 25 14 104.9 96.8 78.2 - L 1
Los Angeles Lakers 77 49 28 28 11 21 17 102.7 98.6 63.6 11.5 W 2
Portland Trail Blazers 77 41 36 25 14 16 22 99.6 97.4 53.2 19.5 W 2
Phoenix Suns 77 39 38 23 16 16 22 103.8 103.7 50.6 21.5 L 2
Sacramento Kings 77 35 42 23 15 12 27 99.6 102.6 45.5 25.5 L 2
Golden State Warriors 78 34 44 22 17 12 27 101.9 103.4 43.6 27.0 L 1
Los Angeles Clippers 78 29 49 19 21 10 28 99.5 102.8 37.2 32.0 W 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 78 57 21 32 7 25 14 103.6 96.8 73.1 - W 3
Utah Jazz 78 52 26 32 7 20 19 102.8 96.3 66.7 5.0 L 1
Houston Rockets 78 46 32 25 13 21 19 102.1 100.3 59.0 11.0 W 3
Denver Nuggets 77 33 44 23 15 10 29 98.1 100.5 42.9 23.5 L 1
Minnesota Timberwolves 78 26 52 17 22 9 30 98.2 103.3 33.3 31.0 L 2
Dallas Mavericks 78 24 54 15 24 9 30 102.3 107.4 30.8 33.0 L 3
Vancouver Grizzlies 77 13 64 10 28 3 36 89.8 100.4 16.9 43.5 W 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 77 56 21 35 4 21 17 104.2 98.8 72.7 - L 1
New York Knicks 78 45 33 25 14 20 19 96.7 94.7 57.7 11.5 L 2
Miami Heat 78 40 38 25 14 15 24 96.3 95.0 51.3 16.5 W 3
Washington Bullets 77 38 39 24 14 14 25 102.6 101.0 49.4 18.0 W 6
Boston Celtics 78 31 47 18 22 13 25 103.3 106.9 39.7 25.5 W 1
New Jersey Nets 77 29 48 19 19 10 29 93.4 97.3 37.7 27.0 L 5
Philadelphia 76ers 78 16 62 10 28 6 34 94.6 104.7 20.5 40.5 L 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 77 68 9 38 1 30 8 105.6 93.5 88.3 - W 2
Indiana Pacers 78 49 29 30 9 19 20 99.6 96.2 62.8 19.5 W 5
Cleveland Cavaliers 77 44 33 24 14 20 19 91.8 88.9 57.1 24.0 W 1
Detroit Pistons 77 43 34 27 11 16 23 95.5 92.9 55.8 25.0 L 1
Atlanta Hawks 77 43 34 25 14 18 20 98.1 97.1 55.8 25.0 W 1
Charlotte Hornets 77 39 38 25 14 14 24 103.0 103.7 50.6 29.0 L 1
Milwaukee Bucks 77 23 54 13 25 10 29 95.3 100.9 29.9 45.0 L 3
Toronto Raptors 77 20 57 14 25 6 32 97.5 104.6 26.0 48.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 78 61 17 36 3 25 14 104.9 96.8 78.2 - L 1 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 78 57 21 32 7 25 14 103.6 96.8 73.1 4.0 W 3 *
3. Utah Jazz 78 52 26 32 7 20 19 102.8 96.3 66.7 9.0 L 1 *
4. Los Angeles Lakers 77 49 28 28 11 21 17 102.7 98.6 63.6 11.5 W 2 *
5. Houston Rockets 78 46 32 25 13 21 19 102.1 100.3 59.0 15.0 W 3 *
6. Portland Trail Blazers 77 41 36 25 14 16 22 99.6 97.4 53.2 19.5 W 2 *
7. Phoenix Suns 77 39 38 23 16 16 22 103.8 103.7 50.6 21.5 L 2 *
8. Sacramento Kings 77 35 42 23 15 12 27 99.6 102.6 45.5 25.5 L 2
9. Golden State Warriors 78 34 44 22 17 12 27 101.9 103.4 43.6 27.0 L 1
10. Denver Nuggets 77 33 44 23 15 10 29 98.1 100.5 42.9 27.5 L 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 78 29 49 19 21 10 28 99.5 102.8 37.2 32.0 W 1
12. Minnesota Timberwolves 78 26 52 17 22 9 30 98.2 103.3 33.3 35.0 L 2
13. Dallas Mavericks 78 24 54 15 24 9 30 102.3 107.4 30.8 37.0 L 3
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 77 13 64 10 28 3 36 89.8 100.4 16.9 47.5 W 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 77 68 9 38 1 30 8 105.6 93.5 88.3 - W 2 *
2. Orlando Magic 77 56 21 35 4 21 17 104.2 98.8 72.7 12.0 L 1 *
3. Indiana Pacers 78 49 29 30 9 19 20 99.6 96.2 62.8 19.5 W 5 *
4. New York Knicks 78 45 33 25 14 20 19 96.7 94.7 57.7 23.5 L 2 *
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 77 44 33 24 14 20 19 91.8 88.9 57.1 24.0 W 1
6. Detroit Pistons 77 43 34 27 11 16 23 95.5 92.9 55.8 25.0 L 1
7. Atlanta Hawks 77 43 34 25 14 18 20 98.1 97.1 55.8 25.0 W 1
8. Miami Heat 78 40 38 25 14 15 24 96.3 95.0 51.3 28.5 W 3
9. Charlotte Hornets 77 39 38 25 14 14 24 103.0 103.7 50.6 29.0 L 1
10. Washington Bullets 77 38 39 24 14 14 25 102.6 101.0 49.4 30.0 W 6
11. Boston Celtics 78 31 47 18 22 13 25 103.3 106.9 39.7 37.5 W 1
12. New Jersey Nets 77 29 48 19 19 10 29 93.4 97.3 37.7 39.0 L 5
13. Milwaukee Bucks 77 23 54 13 25 10 29 95.3 100.9 29.9 45.0 L 3
14. Toronto Raptors 77 20 57 14 25 6 32 97.5 104.6 26.0 48.0 L 1
15. Philadelphia 76ers 78 16 62 10 28 6 34 94.6 104.7 20.5 52.5 L 2
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets
San Antonio Spurs Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz Portland Trail Blazers
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Miami Heat
New York Knicks Cleveland Cavaliers
Orlando Magic Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers Detroit Pistons
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 77 68 9 38 1 30 8 105.6 93.5 88.3 - W 2
2. Seattle Supersonics 78 61 17 36 3 25 14 104.9 96.8 78.2 7.5 L 1
3. San Antonio Spurs 78 57 21 32 7 25 14 103.6 96.8 73.1 11.5 W 3
4. Orlando Magic 77 56 21 35 4 21 17 104.2 98.8 72.7 12.0 L 1
5. Utah Jazz 78 52 26 32 7 20 19 102.8 96.3 66.7 16.5 L 1
6. Los Angeles Lakers 77 49 28 28 11 21 17 102.7 98.6 63.6 19.0 W 2
7. Indiana Pacers 78 49 29 30 9 19 20 99.6 96.2 62.8 19.5 W 5
8. Houston Rockets 78 46 32 25 13 21 19 102.1 100.3 59.0 22.5 W 3
9. New York Knicks 78 45 33 25 14 20 19 96.7 94.7 57.7 23.5 L 2
10. Cleveland Cavaliers 77 44 33 24 14 20 19 91.8 88.9 57.1 24.0 W 1
11. Detroit Pistons 77 43 34 27 11 16 23 95.5 92.9 55.8 25.0 L 1
12. Atlanta Hawks 77 43 34 25 14 18 20 98.1 97.1 55.8 25.0 W 1
13. Portland Trail Blazers 77 41 36 25 14 16 22 99.6 97.4 53.2 27.0 W 2
14. Miami Heat 78 40 38 25 14 15 24 96.3 95.0 51.3 28.5 W 3
15. Phoenix Suns 77 39 38 23 16 16 22 103.8 103.7 50.6 29.0 L 2
16. Charlotte Hornets 77 39 38 25 14 14 24 103.0 103.7 50.6 29.0 L 1
17. Washington Bullets 77 38 39 24 14 14 25 102.6 101.0 49.4 30.0 W 6
18. Sacramento Kings 77 35 42 23 15 12 27 99.6 102.6 45.5 33.0 L 2
19. Golden State Warriors 78 34 44 22 17 12 27 101.9 103.4 43.6 34.5 L 1
20. Denver Nuggets 77 33 44 23 15 10 29 98.1 100.5 42.9 35.0 L 1
21. Boston Celtics 78 31 47 18 22 13 25 103.3 106.9 39.7 37.5 W 1
22. New Jersey Nets 77 29 48 19 19 10 29 93.4 97.3 37.7 39.0 L 5
23. Los Angeles Clippers 78 29 49 19 21 10 28 99.5 102.8 37.2 39.5 W 1
24. Minnesota Timberwolves 78 26 52 17 22 9 30 98.2 103.3 33.3 42.5 L 2
25. Dallas Mavericks 78 24 54 15 24 9 30 102.3 107.4 30.8 44.5 L 3
26. Milwaukee Bucks 77 23 54 13 25 10 29 95.3 100.9 29.9 45.0 L 3
27. Toronto Raptors 77 20 57 14 25 6 32 97.5 104.6 26.0 48.0 L 1
28. Philadelphia 76ers 78 16 62 10 28 6 34 94.6 104.7 20.5 52.5 L 2
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 77 13 64 10 28 3 36 89.8 100.4 16.9 55.0 W 1
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.394vpoznanovic,
BULLS ACTIVATE LONGLEY ON INJURED LIST
The Chicago Bulls today activated starting center Luc Longley from the
injured list and he scored six points in 19 minutes in a 98-72 win
over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Longley was placed on the injured list for the second time this season
on March 28th with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He missed
nine games in February with a left knee medial collateral ligament
sprain.
To make room for Longley, the Bulls placed forward Jason Caffey on the
injured list with a left knee strain.
The Bulls visit the Cleveland Cavaliers this afternoon.
nba.395vpoznanovic,
CLIPPERS FC WILLIAMS PLACED ON INJURED LIST
Los Angeles Clippers forward-center Brian Williams, who has not played
this month, was placed on the injured list today with tendinitis in
his right knee, ending his season.
The 6-11 Williams has not played since March 30th, when he had eight
points and 10 rebounds in a 106-85 loss at Chicago. He missed six
games, including four losses, before the team made the move.
A player who goes on the injured list must miss at least five games.
The Clippers (28-49) have five games left this season, including
tonight's home contest against the Utah Jazz.
"Even if the tendinitis subsided by the middle of next week, it should
be unlikely that Brian would be able to regain enough conditioning in
time to do very much this late in the season," Clippers general
manager Elgin Baylor said.
The 27-year-old Williams averaged career highs of 15.8 points and 7.6
rebounds in 65 games this season. He is eighth in the league in
field-goal shooting at 54.3 percent.
Williams was acquired from the Denver Nuggets last September for
center Elmore Spencer. He spent two seasons with the Orlando Magic
before he was traded to Denver on August 19th, 1993.
To replace Williams on the roster, the Clippers re-activated center
Keith Tower from the injured list. Tower, sidelined since March 5th
with a strained lower back, is averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds
per game.
nba.396vpoznanovic,
PACERS' MILLER TO MISS THREE WEEKS AFTER SURGERY
INDIANAPOLIS -- Reggie Miller, the Indiana Pacers' top scorer, will be
out at least three weeks after undergoing surgery Sunday night to
repair a fractured eye socket.
Dr. Sanford Kunkel, the Pacers' team physician, said Miller will be
out of action for at least three weeks. The NBA playoffs begin in less
than two weeks.
"Everything went absolutely perfect," Kunkel said of the 30-minute
reconstructive surgery of Miller's right orbit. "There were no
complications, nothing out of the ordinary."
Miller was injured Saturday night during the first quarter of a
victory over the Detroit Pistons. After stealing a pass from Mark
West, Miller collided with Detroit's Otis Thorpe and was sandwiched
between Thorpe and Allan Houston.
The force of the collision with Thorpe caused Miller's head to snap
backward, and he left the game with a concussion. He spent the night
at St. Vincent's Hospital, where doctors discovered his eye socket had
been fractured.
Kunkel called it a "pretty significant injury"' which has left Miller
suffering from double vision.
"When an eye's hit with some degree of force, something's got to
give," said Dr. Michael Welsh, who performed the surgery and inserted
a plastic plate about the size of a quarter in place of the shattered
bone.
"We hope he's back in three weeks with protective eyewear," Kunkel
said.
Miller, a member of the 1996 United States Olympic basketball team, is
averaging 21.1 points per game for the Pacers. Miller averaged 29
points during the first four games of Indiana's current five-game
winning streak.
nba.397vpoznanovic,
USA BASKETBALL NAMES BARKLEY AND RICHMOND TO DREAM TEAM III
Forward Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns and guard Mitch Richmond
of the Sacramento Kings today were officially named as the final two
members to the 1996 Olympic Basketball team.
USA Basketball Executive Committee President C.M. Newton made the
official announcement this afternoon. The player selections were made
by USA Basketball's Senior National Team Committee, which is chaired
by NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn.
"The selection of Barkley and Richmond completes what we believe will
be another historic Dream Team," said Newton. "The Senior National
Team Committee did an outstanding job of assembling what is obviously
a very talented team, but also a team that I know will represent the
United States in a very positive way."
Barkley and Richmond will join 10 other NBA stars previously named in
Atlanta this summer on "Dream Team III."
Barkley is the fifth member of the original "Dream Team," which won
the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, invited to play in
Atlanta. Richmond was a member of the 1988 Olympic team that won a
bronze medal.
Barkley, who is averaging 23.3 points and 11.6 rebounds for Phoenix
this season, won the league's Most Valuable Player of the Year Award
in 1992-93. Barkley is one of just nine players in NBA history with
20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds.
"This is an honor," said Barkley. "I was surprised to be asked to
play, but this is something that is just too great to turn down. I
consider it a privilege anytime you get a chance to represent your
country."
Richmond, who is averaging 23.2 points per game for Sacramento, was
the Most Valuable Player of the 1995 NBA All-Star Game and his
selection was supported by many of the league's top performers, most
notably Michael Jordan.
"I'm very happy and excited about getting another opportunity to
return to the Olympics and play for a gold medal," said Richmond.
"It's a great honor for me, my family and the entire Kings
organization."
Richmond is on pace to become just the seventh player in NBA history
to average 21 or more points per contest in each of his first eight
seasons.
The USA Committee passed over Seattle SuperSonic stars Shawn Kemp and
Gary Payton in favor of Barkley and Richmond.
"I feel bad for them, they deserved the opportunity," said Seattle
coach George Karl. "Look at our record. Those guys are the main
reasons."
The 10 players previously named to the Olympic team were centers
Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson, forwards Karl
Malone, Scottie Pippen, Grant Hill and David Robinson and guards Penny
Hardaway, Reggie Miller and John Stockton.
Lenny Wilkens of Atlanta, the NBA's all-time winningest coach, will
serve as Olympic coach.
"I am very pleased with the team the Selection Committee has chosen to
represent the United States in this summer's Olympic Games," said
Wilkens. "I am confident that we can achieve the ultimate goal and
that is to bring home the gold medal. Charles and Mitch round out a
team that all of us on the Selection Committee believe gives us a
formidable array of talent to go into the Olympics with."
Robinson, Malone, Pippen and Stockton played for the original 1992
Dream Team.
The 1996 Summer Olympic Games will be held July 19-August 4 in
Atlanta. The men's basketball competition is scheduled for July
20-August 3 at the Georgia Dome and Morehouse College.
nba.398vpoznanovic,
MAGIC (YES, MAGIC) TOSSED FOR BUMPING REF
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Wild, wild West indeed:
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Magic Johnson, who earlier this week
admonished a teammate for pushing an referee, bumped one himself
Sunday and was ejected from a game against the Phoenix Suns;
Phoenix center Joe Kleine collapsed during the national anthem and was
taken to a hospital for overnight evaluation;
Phoenix All-Star Charles Barkley sat out the final 18 minutes with an
apparent injury to his right calf ("I'm struggling right now," Barkley
said after the game. "My legs are gone.") ;
Oh, and by the way, the Lakers held on for a 118-114 victory and their
first 50-win season since 1990-91, Johnson's final season before his
4Ż-year retirement.
Johnson was ejected with 4:13 left in the second quarter. He felt he
was fouled on a driving layup attempt and began arguing while walking
toward referee Scott Foster, drawing a technical foul.
Foster continued walking in a straight line, and Johnson appeared to
step into him, bumping his chest into Foster's right shoulder. Foster
immediately signaled for Johnson's ejection.
"He turned and walked into me," Johnson told NBC during the game. "I
didn't go over to bump into him. We bumped into each other. That's all
that happened."
Later on, Johnson said he was wrong.
"After looking at the replay, I realize it was my fault, I got in his
way," he said. "Although it wasn't intentional, I should have gotten
kicked out.
"I consider myself an ambassador in this league. With my reputation
and history, I can't imagine getting more than a one- or two-game
suspension. I have to accept the responsibility for what I did."
Foster spoke briefly to a pool reporter after the game.
"Intentional or accidental, it doesn't matter," he said. "He bumped me
and there's no question about whether he's ejected or not."
Lakers coach Del Harris defended Johnson, even though replays
indicated Johnson initiated the contact with Foster.
"Earvin, as a captain, went to him to say what a captain might say to
get the ref's attention," Harris said. "And it looked to me like the
referee came up and bumped him. I think the referee initiated the
contact.
"Two technicals on Earvin, given his history, is unnecessary."
Lakers guard Nick Van Exel drew a seven-game suspension for pushing
referee Ron Garretson during a loss at Denver on Tuesday. After the
game, Johnson said, "No matter how mad or frustrated you get, you
don't do it. He will hurt himself and hurt the team."
Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman was suspended for six games in
March for head-butting a referee.
"With Nick being kicked out and Rodman butting heads -- things like
that shouldn't happen," Johnson said after his ejection Sunday. "I was
wrong, and so was the referee for not talking to me."
nba.399vpoznanovic,
SUNS' KLEINE COLLAPSES DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Phoenix Suns center Joe Kleine will be
hospitalized overnight after collapsing during the national anthem
Sunday before the Suns' 118-114 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kleine is undergoing tests at Centinela Medical Center. Doctors and
team officials said it was not the first time he had fainted this
season. Joe Kleine Kleine
"The report I got is that Joe Kleine is doing fine," Suns coach Cotton
Fitzsimmons said. "They're keeping him for observation. That's the
last report I got, and that's good news for me."
Kleine was standing for the anthem when he lost consciousness and fell
backward. Trumpeter Jesse McGuire stopped when people noticed Kleine
on the floor. He remained on the floor for five minutes before being
removed on a stretcher by Forum personnel.
"I don't think anyone saw it -- we heard it," said Phoenix forward
Charles Barkley, a close friend of Kleine.
As he was wheeled past members of the media, Kleine responded to a
question by nodding that he was OK.
Kleine suffered no obvious injuries and was taken for tests at
Centinela, according to Suns media relations director Julie Fie.
"The biggest concern in a situation like this obviously is his cardiac
status," Lakers team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo said. "He's
undergoing some tests on his heart, lungs and mental status."
Fie said Kleine suffered a similar bout of dizziness earlier Sunday
and after a workout earlier this season. Lombardo confirmed that after
he spoke with Kleine.
"He had a fainting episode during warmups, which was similar to
something that occurred two weeks ago," Lombardo said.
After the incident, the anthem was performed again by McGuire.
A.C. Green replaced Kleine in the starting lineup and finished with 18
points and 14 rebounds.
Kleine, 34, is in his 10th season in the NBA and third with the Suns.
He was a member of the 1984 United States Olympic team.
He also has played for Sacramento and Boston in the NBA.
nba.400vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (99) At New Jersey (90)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 38 8-10 5-5 1 2 3 4 3 1 1 21
Long F 43 7-14 6-7 1 13 14 1 3 1 1 23
Laettner C 33 5-10 6-9 2 9 11 4 6 2 5 16
Smith G 38 2-9 5-5 2 2 4 2 3 0 2 11
Blaylock G 43 6-13 6-6 3 4 7 3 1 2 2 21
Henderson 17 1-5 0-2 1 0 1 0 6 0 0 2
Ehlo 23 1-2 3-5 0 3 3 3 3 1 3 5
Jordan 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 30-64 31-39 10 33 43 17 26 7 15 99
(.469) (.795) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 16(17 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 39 7-13 0-0 3 7 10 2 5 1 0 14
A Gilliam F 37 8-21 3-3 7 2 9 1 2 0 3 19
Bradley C 25 7-17 3-4 7 2 9 1 6 0 1 17
Reeves G 33 1-6 2-2 0 3 3 1 3 2 0 5
Childs G 41 5-14 2-2 1 1 2 8 4 1 5 14
Williams 15 1-5 5-7 8 3 11 0 5 1 1 7
Fleming 34 4-9 5-9 0 2 2 2 3 1 2 13
Mahorn 16 0-3 1-2 0 4 4 1 2 0 0 1
Dare Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Obannon Dnp - Sore Left Hand
Graham Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Werdann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-88 21-29 26 24 50 16 30 6 12 90
(.375) (.724) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 12(8 Pts)
Atlanta 30 23 23 23 - 99
New Jersey 15 26 22 27 - 90
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Blaylock 2, Long, Laettner, Henderson. New
Jersey - Brown 2, Bradley.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 8-22 (.364), Long 3-5, Smith 2-7, Blaylock 3-9,
Ehlo 0-1. New Jersey 3-11 (.273), Reeves 1-4, Childs 2-6, Fleming 0-1.
Technicals: Atlanta - Delay, New Jersey - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Joe Derosa, Kevin Fehr.
A - 17,762. T - 2:16.
nba.401vpoznanovic,
Atlanta 99, New Jersey 90
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Grant Long had 23 points and 14 rebounds to
lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 99-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets on
Sunday.
Stacey Augmon and Mookie Blaylock scored 21 points apiece and
Christian Laettner had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks
(44-34), who are tied with Detroit and Cleveland for the fifth spot in
the Eastern Conference playoff race.
"We're playing pretty well right now," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens said.
"We moved the ball well and were able to get a flow going."
Cleveland lost to Chicago on Sunday and Detroit beat Boston in
overtime. Detroit, Atlanta and Cleveland are within one game of
fourth-place New York in the East.
"Getting off to a fast start was a big key for us," said Blaylock, who
started his career with the Nets. "Playing the way we are playing now,
we definitely have a shot for the fourth spot."
Armon Gilliam scored 19 points and Shawn Bradley had 17 for the Nets.
Augmon scored 11 of his points in the first quarter when the Hawks
raced to a 30-15 lead. Atlanta hit 12 of 20 shots in the quarter and
the Nets were seven for 28 from the field. The Hawks scored the last
eight points of the quarter on a jumper and a three-point play by
Augmon and a 3-pointer by Blaylock.
"He's a key factor for us, especially down low," Wilkens said of
Augmon, a versatile guard-forward. "We can post him up. He's a key for
this team."
The Hawks led by as many as 20 points, 39-19, early in the second
quarter. But Bradley scored 13 points as the Nets closed the quarter
with a 22-14 run to pull within 53-41 at the half.
The Nets cut Atlanta's lead to six, 69-63, with two minutes left in
the third quarter, but Blaylock had a pair of free throws and a tip-in
and Long converted a three-point play to increase Atlanta's lead to
76-63.
A pair of free throws by Jayson Williams pulled the Nets within 91-86
with 1:32 left, but Long hit a layup and the Hawks converted 6-of-6
free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
P.J. Brown and Chris Childs each had 14 points for New Jersey.
Williams grabbed 11 rebounds, Brown 10 and Gilliam and Bradley had
nine apiece.
"We played hard, we just started out slow," Brown said. "We have to
play a good game throughout."
nba.402vpoznanovic,
Boston (96) At Detroit (105) - Final In Ot
Boston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ellison F 45 3-10 2-4 6 12 18 0 4 0 4 8
Fox F 25 2-10 0-2 1 1 2 3 6 0 1 4
Lister C 15 0-1 2-2 0 6 6 0 3 0 0 2
Wesley G 48 10-19 0-1 3 2 5 3 5 1 2 24
Minor G 33 4-10 1-2 2 6 8 2 3 2 1 9
Brown 33 4-12 0-0 0 0 0 3 5 2 0 10
Day 37 5-14 4-4 1 6 7 0 3 1 1 15
Barros 27 9-16 1-1 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 22
Burrough 2 0-1 2-2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2
Williams Dnp - Sore Left Knee
Hamilton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mundt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 37-93 12-18 16 33 49 13 29 7 10 96
(.398) (.667) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 12(9 Pts)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 46 6-20 4-5 3 9 12 10 3 2 4 16
Thorpe F 31 7-11 6-10 5 12 17 0 5 0 2 20
West C 15 1-7 2-2 2 0 2 0 3 0 2 4
Houston G 49 11-21 3-5 0 11 11 2 2 1 2 27
Dumars G 43 8-15 5-7 1 2 3 4 3 0 1 23
Mills 8 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Reid 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hunter 20 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 4
Curry 30 3-6 0-0 0 3 3 1 4 0 1 8
Ratliff 21 1-2 1-2 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 3
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roe Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 39-87 21-31 13 41 54 17 24 3 12 105
(.448) (.677) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 13(15 Pts)
Boston 22 27 14 28 5 - 96
Detroit 22 22 21 26 14 - 105
Blocked Shots: Boston - Ellison 3. Detroit - Ratliff 4, Hill, Thorpe.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Boston 10-23 (.435), Fox 0-2, Wesley 4-5, Brown 2-6,
Day 1-3, Barros 3-7. Detroit 6-13 (.462), Houston 2-4, Dumars 2-3, Mills
0-1, Curry 2-5.
Technicals: Boston - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Jim Clark, Tony Brothers.
A - 16,522. T - 2:24.
nba.403vpoznanovic,
Detroit 105, Boston 96 (OT)
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Grant Hill recorded his league-leading 10th
triple-double of the season as the Detroit Pistons clinched their
first playoff berth in four years with a 105-96 overtime victory over
the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
Hill finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He only had
one triple-double during his rookie season.
Otis Thorpe scored all 20 of his points in the second half and Joe
Dumars took control in the fourth quarter for Detroit (44-34), which
moved into a three-way tie with Cleveland and Atlanta for fifth place
in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit, Cleveland and Atlanta are only one game behind fourth-place
New York. Cleveland lost to Chicago on Sunday and Atlanta won in New
Jersey.
The Pistons closed Sunday's game with a 10-2 run, including a
3-pointer by Michael Curry around baskets by Dumars and Allan Houston.
"It was a tremendous win to get us into the playoffs," Detroit coach
Doug Collins said. "I told them in the huddle, 'Our first win was in
overtime, and overtime will get us into the playoffs.'"
David Wesley scored 24 points and Dana Barros added 22 for Boston,
which lost for the fifth time in eight games overall and to Detroit
for the first time in three games this season.
The Celtics made up a nine-point deficit in the final 2:05 of
regulation to force overtime.
Dumars had given Detroit a seemingly safe 89-80 lead after hitting two
free throws, but the Celtics scored 11 of the final 13 points of
regulation.
Todd Day hit a 3-pointer and Barros added a layup to make it 89-85
with 1:05 left. Wesley cut the deficit to 89-88 on a 3-pointer, but
Dumars hit two free throws with 4.7 seconds remaining to make it
91-88.
Dee Brown forced overtime three seconds later when he hit a 3-pointer
from the left baseline with 1.4 seconds to go.
Houston and Hill scored baskets to start overtime but Brown pulled the
Celtics within 95-94 before Detroit started its closing run.
Houston had 27 points and a career-high 11 rebounds and Dumars
finished with 23 points, including 12 of Detroit's final 15 points in
the fourth quarter.
"Joe was absolutely phenomenal tonight," Collins said. "That was
vintage Joe Dumars. He wanted the ball and hit the big shot.
"There was a point when he had detached himself from this team because
he didn't believe anymore. He was a tennis player. But look at him
now. He's exhausted, but he's proud to be a basketball player again."
"The old pro stepped up at crunch time," Boston coach M.L. Carr said
of Dumars. "You like to see something like that even though it was
against us.
"Our guys worked real hard to come back and get it 91-91. We've been
able to have some success when we've gone small, but he made some real
quick moves to the baskets."
Thorpe also grabbed 17 rebounds, 14 in the second half and overtime.
Detroit shot 45 percent (39 for 87) from the field and outrebounded
the Celtics, 54-49.
nba.404vpoznanovic,
Charlotte (94) At Philadelphia (78)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Johnson F 36 7-13 3-3 1 3 4 2 1 1 0 18
Geiger F 41 4-6 2-2 1 8 9 1 3 0 2 10
Parish C 20 2-3 2-4 2 4 6 1 0 0 1 6
Anderson G 31 5-14 1-1 2 1 3 6 2 2 0 14
Rice G 38 7-16 2-2 2 4 6 4 4 1 3 19
Curry 30 5-15 0-0 2 9 11 5 0 1 0 10
Addison 22 4-7 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 8
Goldwire 18 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 1 0 9
Myers 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Adams Dnp - Strained Right Groin
Hancock Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Zidek Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-81 10-12 10 32 42 25 14 6 7 94
(.469) (.833) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 8(8 Pts)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Weatherspoon F 40 8-18 4-4 1 10 11 1 1 2 0 20
Alston F 39 6-11 2-4 0 2 2 2 4 0 3 14
Pinckney C 33 2-5 2-2 5 9 14 1 0 0 2 6
Maxwell G 47 4-19 0-0 1 2 3 6 3 1 4 10
Walters G 34 4-4 2-2 1 0 1 8 5 1 1 11
Ruffin 26 4-12 0-0 0 2 2 4 3 0 3 9
Massenburg 21 4-6 0-0 1 5 6 1 0 0 1 8
Dumas Dnp - Fractured Right Foot
Higgins Dnp - Bursitis Right Elbow
Stackhouse Dnp - Fractured Right Thumb
Sutton Dnp - Injured Big Toe
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-75 10-12 9 30 39 23 16 4 14 78
(.427) (.833) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 15(12 Pts)
Charlotte 27 25 18 24 - 94
Philadelphia 27 16 21 14 - 78
Blocked Shots: Charlotte - L Johnson 2, Parish 2. Philadelphia - Alston
2, Pinckney.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Charlotte 8-24 (.333), L Johnson 1-2, Anderson 3-8,
Rice 3-5, Curry 0-6, Goldwire 1-3. Philadelphia 4-15 (.267), Maxwell 2-9,
Walters 1-1, Ruffin 1-5.
Technicals: Charlotte - Anderson, Philadelphia - Head Coach Lucas.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Mike Callahan, Tim Donaghy.
A - 10,079. T - 1:52.
nba.405vpoznanovic,
HORNETS KEEPS BUZZING TOWARD PLAYOFF SPOT
PHILADELPHIA -- Glen Rice scored 19 points and Larry Johnson added 18
as the Charlotte Hornets moved into a tie for the final playoff spot
in the Eastern Conference with a 94-78 victory Sunday over the anemic
Philadelphia 76ers.
Johnson and Dell Curry scored six points apiece in the fourth quarter,
when Charlotte held Philadelphia to 14 points and pulled away for its
sixth win in its last nine road games. The Hornets (40-38) are tied
with the Miami Heat for eighth place in the East.
"We got a spark off our bench," Hornets coach Allan Bristow said. "We
got Dell Curry working well off the screens and Glen Rice started to
heat up a bit. It was just a matter of where our defense was starting
to stop them consistently at the end."
Clarence Weatherspoon had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers
(16-63), who are assured of the second-worst campaign in franchise
history.
Philadelphia used just seven players and was held to 82 points or less
for the fourth consecutive game.
"We're playing seven guys, and we don't have enough options to go to,"
Sixers coach John Lucas said. "They went up to another level in the
fourth quarter. And around that same time we couldn't score."
The score was tied 27-27 after one quarter but Charlotte began the
second period with a 13-4 run. Rafael Addison scored four points and
Kenny Anderson capped it with a three-point play that gave the Hornets
a 40-31 lead with 4:32 left. Charlotte settled for a 52-43 halftime
lead.
Trevor Ruffin scored seven points in the third quarter as the Sixers
battled back to tie it at 61-61, but the Hornets closed the period
with a 9-3 burst for a 70-64 advantage entering the final 12 minutes.
Anderson scored 14 points and Curry had 10 and a career-high 11
rebounds for the Hornets, who shot 47 percent (38 for 81) from the
field and committed just eight turnovers.
"Defensively, we picked it up a little more," Rice said. "We tried to
be more aggressive and that got us going at the defensive end."
Derrick Alston scored 14 points, and Ed Pinckney had 14 rebounds for
the Sixers, who shot 43 percent (32 for 75) and were beaten 42-39 on
the boards.
"I look at all these games as must wins," Bristow said. "We can't
afford a slip."
nba.406vpoznanovic,
Chicago (98) At Cleveland (72)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 41 5-11 3-4 2 6 8 4 2 3 2 13
Kukoc F 31 2-8 0-0 1 1 2 5 3 2 2 6
Longley C 19 2-4 2-4 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 6
Harper G 31 5-9 3-4 2 3 5 3 1 3 1 15
Jordan G 35 11-18 6-6 3 9 12 3 0 1 3 32
Rodman 26 0-1 3-4 2 4 6 2 3 0 2 3
Kerr 23 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 2 0 10
Buechler 16 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 2 0 3
Wennington 8 2-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 4
Brown 6 1-3 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4
Simpkins 4 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-70 19-24 12 30 42 26 14 13 10 98
(.486) (.792) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 10(12 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 37 7-13 0-0 0 5 5 2 2 2 2 16
Ferry F 26 2-9 1-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 5
Cage C 18 1-1 0-0 5 3 8 0 1 0 0 2
Phills G 34 4-11 0-0 0 2 2 3 2 1 2 9
Brandon G 36 9-19 3-4 1 2 3 5 3 2 2 21
Hill 25 1-5 1-2 3 3 6 1 4 0 1 3
Majerle 28 4-8 1-2 0 3 3 4 1 1 4 11
Sura 21 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 5 0 1 3 0
Crotty 4 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 3
Lang 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Marshall 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Johnson 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Totals 240 30-75 6-10 11 22 33 20 15 7 16 72
(.400) (.600) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 17(19 Pts)
Chicago 24 22 25 27 - 98
Cleveland 17 18 14 23 - 72
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Pippen, Brown. Cleveland - Majerle 2, Mills.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 11-20 (.550), Pippen 0-1, Kukoc 2-3, Harper
2-4, Jordan 4-7, Kerr 2-2, Buechler 1-3. Cleveland 6-16 (.375), Mills 2-4,
Phills 1-4, Brandon 0-2, Majerle 2-4, Crotty 1-1, Marshall 0-1.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman.
Officials: Steve Javie, Blane Reichelt, Ed F Rush.
A - 20,562. T - 2:04.
nba.407vpoznanovic,
ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS: BULLS REACH 69
CLEVELAND -- Could it be any other way?
The Chicago Bulls reached the record books with their 69th
regular-season victory Sunday, and as usual it was Michael Jordan
leading the way.
Jordan had 32 points and 12 rebounds as the Bulls tied the NBA
single-season record for wins with a 98-72 thrashing of the Cleveland
Cavaliers. The victory pulls the Bulls even with the 1971-72 Los
Angeles Lakers, who went 69-13 that season.
The Bulls (69-9) have four chances to become the first team in NBA
history to reach the 70-win plateau. Their first shot at 70 will come
Tuesday at Milwaukee against one of the NBA's doormats. Should they
fails there, the Bulls host Detroit on Thursday and Indiana on
Saturday before finishing the regular season Sunday at Washington.
"We do want to win 70 games and the players are trying to push for it
as quickly as possible," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. "I think this
game today was indicative of the type of play this team has been able
to put together over the course of the year. I thought we made the
extra pass today and didn't rush anything."
Terrell Brandon had 21 points for the Cavaliers, who were swept in
four games this season by the Bulls in convincing fashion. Chicago won
all four games by an average margin of 22.3 points.
"We are not happy about it," Brandon said of the loss. "You can say
that they're a great team, but to lose like that, it's real
embarrassing. We didn't shoot the ball well and that was the problem.
It wasn't a fun game to play."
The loss -- coupled with Atlanta's win over New Jersey on Sunday and
Detroit's overtime victory over Boston -- dropped the Cavaliers
(44-34) into a tie with the Pistons and Hawks for the fifth playoff
spot in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit, Atlanta and Cleveland trail fourth-place New York by one
game.
Jordan scored nine points in the first quarter to help the Bulls take
a 24-17 lead. A dunk by Dan Majerle pulled Cleveland within 26-22
early in the second quarter, but the Bulls scored the next six points
on a free throw and a jumper by Ron Harper and a 3-pointer by Steve
Kerr. Chicago held a 46-35 halftime advantage.
The Bulls increased the lead to 61-45 and then closed the third
quarter with a 10-4 run to open a 71-49 bulge. Jordan scored seven
points and Harper hit a 3-pointer in the run.
Jordan sat out most of the fourth quarter.
Harper finished with 15 points and Scottie Pippen added 13 for the
Bulls. Chris Mills scored 16 points for the Cavaliers.
"Our congratulations to Chicago for tying the record, but I'm sorry it
came against us," Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello said. "They were
superb defensively and we had a hard time getting a good look at the
basket."
The Bulls served notice that this could be a record-breaking campaign
when they stampeded to a 41-3 record. Chicago's remarkable season has
featured winning streaks of 18 and 13 games. The Bulls were 12-2 in
November, 13-1 in December, 14-0 in January, 11-3 in February and 12-2
in March. They are 7-1 in April.
The pursuit of the record has been made easier by Chicago's stunning
38-1 home record, which included wins in its first 37 games at The
United Center this season.
The 1971-72 Lakers had an NBA-record 33-game winning streak during
their historic 69-13 season, which draws some interesting parallels to
Chicago's campaign.
Both teams benefited from expansion. The Cavaliers, Buffalo Braves and
Portland Trail Blazers all entered the NBA the year the Lakers set the
record. The Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies joined the league
this season.
"Expansion takes a little away from the record, but you can't take
away the fact this is a helluva season," Jordan said. "Seventy wins is
a motivating factor for me to get this team to win a title. At the
beginning of the season I never thought of 70 wins, but after a while
I thought we could win 70."
The 1971-72 Lakers hold the record for the best road winning
percentage in NBA history at .816 (31-7). The Bulls can tie the
1985-86 Boston Celtics for the best home record in league history at
40-1.
Both the Lakers and Bulls feature a three-pronged attack with two
terrific scorers and the league's leading rebounder. The Lakers had
the guard tandem of Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, who combined for
better than 51 points per game, and center Wilt Chamberlain, who
averaged 19.2 rebounds.
The Bulls have the league's leading scorer in Jordan, who combines
with Pippen for more than 50 points per game. Forward Dennis Rodman
averages 15 rebounds per game to lead the league.
There one personal tie between the teams is Bulls assistant coach Jim
Cleamons, who played for the 1971-72 Lakers, averaging 2.6 points per
game.
nba.408vpoznanovic,
Denver (98) At Minnesota (91)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Ellis F 19 2-5 1-4 1 3 4 0 4 2 0 5
Mcdyess F 41 9-18 3-4 5 7 12 1 5 0 2 21
Hammonds C 31 5-7 2-4 1 3 4 0 4 1 1 12
Stith G 36 4-9 4-5 0 8 8 7 2 2 3 12
Rose G 38 5-11 5-6 0 3 3 16 5 1 7 15
D Ellis 32 7-13 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 4 15
Maclean 24 5-10 6-8 1 3 4 3 2 0 1 16
Fish 8 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2
Overton 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Grant 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mutombo Dnp - Strained Left Hamstring
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-76 21-31 8 30 38 29 27 6 19 98
(.500) (.677) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 20(16 Pts)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 40 6-12 5-6 2 3 5 2 2 2 1 17
Mitchell F 38 7-10 3-4 1 2 3 0 6 0 2 17
Lang C 38 4-12 2-2 3 5 8 0 4 0 2 10
West G 24 0-6 2-2 0 1 1 2 5 0 1 2
Webb G 30 3-11 4-4 0 2 2 4 1 1 3 11
Porter 35 7-15 7-10 1 6 7 9 5 0 4 23
Allen 10 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 5
Riley 5 1-3 2-2 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 4
Davis 20 1-3 0-0 2 4 6 3 3 2 1 2
Bragg Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Gugliotta Dnp - Bruised Chest Wall
Rider Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Totals 240 31-76 25-30 10 26 36 21 27 5 15 91
(.408) (.833) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 16(15 Pts)
Denver 27 14 32 25 - 98
Minnesota 26 20 20 25 - 91
Blocked Shots: Denver - Mcdyess 2, L Ellis, Hammonds. Minnesota -
Garnett 3, Lang 3, Davis 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Denver 1-5 (.200), Stith 0-1, D Ellis 1-4. Minnesota
4-10 (.400), Mitchell 0-1, West 0-1, Webb 1-1, Porter 2-6, Allen 1-1.
Technicals: Minnesota - Head Coach Saunders.
Officials: Bernie Fryer, Joe Forte, Monty Mccutchen.
A - 18,717. T - 2:12.
nba.409vpoznanovic,
Denver 98, Minnesota 91
MINNEAPOLIS -- Antonio McDyess scored nine of his 21 points during a
17-6 third-quarter spurt to help the Denver Nuggets to a 98-91 victory
over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
Jalen Rose added 15 points and a career-high 16 assists for the
Nuggets, who played their second consecutive game without center
Dikembe Mutombo, who has a strained hamstring.
The victory moved the Nuggets within 1Ż games of Sacramento for the
final Western Conference playoff berth.
"We've still got a chance to make the playoffs, so today was a big
game," Rose said. "It feels good to win, especially without our
staring center. I was able to get 16 assists today because our guys
did a good job of moving when I had the ball."
The Wolves scored the first basket of the second half to take a 48-41
lead. McDyess followed with a three-point play to begin the
third-quarter spurt that gave the Nuggets a 58-54 advantage with 6:56
remaining in the period.
Denver led the rest of way, although its lead was cut to two on
various occasions. A basket by Kevin Garnett sliced the margin to
90-87 with 3:53 left, but Dale Ellis scored back-to-back baskets for
Denver to seal the victory.
Nuggets head coach Bernie Bickerstaff was not pleased with his team,
however.
"We did not play as well down the stretch as we should have," he said.
"That's one of the reasons we're in this hole."
Don MacLean scored 16 points and Tom Hammonds and Bryant Stith each
had 12 for the Nuggets.
Terry Porter scored a season-high 23 points for the Timberwolves, who
lost for the seventh time in nine games. Garnett and Sam Mitchell
added 17 points apiece for Minnesota, which has dropped 12 in a row to
the Nuggets.
"When things go bad, it's tough for the guys to go on," Minnesota
coach Flip Saunders said. "They have continued to play very hard."
nba.410vpoznanovic,
LA Clippers (96) At Sacramento (101)
LA Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Rogers F 38 7-15 1-2 1 2 3 2 2 4 3 16
Vaught F 36 8-14 2-2 2 8 10 1 1 0 4 18
Harvey C 26 1-4 0-3 2 2 4 1 2 0 3 2
Barry G 27 4-8 8-10 1 2 3 3 5 0 2 17
Richardson G 24 3-8 0-1 1 3 4 0 1 2 1 6
Murray 22 4-6 0-0 0 2 2 1 5 1 3 10
Sealy 21 3-8 2-3 2 2 4 3 6 1 1 9
Dehere 24 5-8 6-9 1 2 3 8 3 1 4 16
Outlaw 22 1-1 0-0 1 2 3 0 4 0 1 2
Piatkowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roberts Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Tower Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-72 19-30 11 25 36 19 29 9 22 96
(.500) (.633) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 23(25 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 36 5-13 3-4 2 4 6 1 1 0 2 13
Polynice F 37 7-14 4-6 8 10 18 1 4 0 2 18
Causwell C 29 3-5 0-0 4 7 11 0 6 1 2 6
Richmond G 32 9-19 9-11 1 1 2 6 5 3 4 30
Edney G 33 5-10 2-2 1 2 3 10 6 2 1 12
Owens 19 1-4 2-2 2 0 2 1 3 1 2 4
Smith 8 1-2 2-4 2 0 2 0 0 0 3 4
Marciulionis 14 2-5 1-2 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 6
C Williamson 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 2
Hurley 9 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
Simmons 18 0-3 6-10 1 2 3 2 2 0 2 6
Gamble Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-79 29-41 21 28 49 22 30 9 20 101
(.430) (.707) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 20(25 Pts)
LA Clippers 16 32 19 29 - 96
Sacramento 21 19 32 29 - 101
Blocked Shots: LA Clippers - Outlaw 3, Harvey 2, Vaught. Sacramento -
Grant 2, Polynice, Causwell, Owens.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Clippers 5-10 (.500), Rogers 1-3, Barry 1-2, Murray
2-2, Sealy 1-2, Dehere 0-1. Sacramento 4-12 (.333), Richmond 3-9, Edney
0-1, Marciulionis 1-2.
Technicals: LA Clippers - Dehere, Sacramento - Smith, Illegal Defense,
Causwell.
Officials: Bruce Alexander, Ed Middleton, Gary Benson.
A - 17,317. T - 2:24.
nba.411vpoznanovic,
Sacramento 101, L.A. Clippers 96
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Mitch Richmond scored six of his 30 points in
the final 2:21 as the Sacramento Kings continued their quest for their
first playoff berth in 10 years with a 101-96 victory over the Los
Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Olden Polynice had 18 points and 18 rebounds, Brian Grant scored 13
points and Tyus Edney had 12 points and 10 assists for Sacramento,
which remained 1Ż games ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the race
for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We were definitely lacking in intensity pretty much the entire first
half," Polynice said. "They had shot 58 percent and we shot 35
percent. When you are trying to make the playoffs, that's not how you
win games.
"At halftime, everybody just said what they had to do."
The Kings, who won for just the third time in the past seven games,
have a pivotal game at Denver on Monday. The Nuggets are two games
behind Sacramento in the West.
Loy Vaught had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Brent Barry scored 17 and
Rodney Rogers added 16 for Los Angeles (29-50), which is still trying
for its first 30-win season since a 41-41 record in the 1992-93
season.
"It was a critical game for the Kings and they played like it down the
stretch," Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "Richmond made three shots
that I'm going to have to look at the tape to see if they went in, but
that's why he's the player he is."
Richmond's technical free throw tied the score at 90-90 and his two
ensuing foul shots and 18-footer gave the Kings a 94-90 advantage with
1:51 left in the game.
"I think the first half was the ugliest basketball we ever played,"
Richmond said. "The Clippers dictated what we were able to do and they
got a lot of turnovers. But I think in the second half, we regrouped.
We came back aggressive and that's what got the win for us tonight."
The Clippers overcame a 21-16 deficit after one quarter by outscoring
the Kings 32-19 in the second quarter. Los Angeles held a 48-40 lead
at the half.
The Kings regained the lead at 72-67 entering the fourth quarter
behind Richmond's 21 points.
Barry made two free throws to pull the Clippers within 94-92 with 1:36
to go. Billy Owens sank a pair of free throws and Lionel Simmons made
four in a row to seal the game at 100-92 with 18 seconds remaining.
The Kings, who held a 49-36 rebounding edge, won despite shooting 43
percent (34 for 79) from the field and committing 20 turnovers.
Terry Dehere had 16 points and eight assists for the Clippers, who
shot 50 percent (36 for 72), but committed 23 turnovers that led to 25
points for the Kings.
nba.412vpoznanovic,
Orlando (101) At Milwaukee (114)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 42 10-19 0-0 4 8 12 4 3 0 1 21
Scott F 39 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 6 2 1 1 6
Oneal C 40 14-23 9-17 5 11 16 3 3 1 2 37
Anderson G 36 5-15 3-6 3 2 5 4 3 0 0 16
Hardaway G 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Shaw 29 5-11 1-2 0 3 3 3 4 0 2 13
Vaughn 5 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 0
Royal 13 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Bowie 16 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2 4
Thompson 17 2-7 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 0 1 4
Wolf Dnp - Concussion
Totals 240 40-89 13-25 13 28 41 25 25 2 10 101
(.449) (.520) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 10(14 Pts)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Baker F 41 10-19 7-11 1 7 8 3 2 0 0 27
Robinson F 39 6-13 2-2 1 1 2 5 2 1 1 15
Benjamin C 28 6-9 2-4 3 8 11 0 4 1 2 14
Douglas G 35 6-11 2-2 0 4 4 10 3 0 2 17
Newman G 44 10-14 4-5 3 1 4 1 4 2 2 25
Cummings 18 3-6 3-4 0 5 5 0 4 1 0 9
Conlon 1 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Keys 17 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 4
Mayberry 13 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 5 0 0 0 2
Duckworth 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Respert Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 44-78 21-30 8 28 36 28 23 5 8 114
(.564) (.700) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 8(8 Pts)
Orlando 28 24 30 19 - 101
Milwaukee 32 32 22 28 - 114
Blocked Shots: Orlando - Oneal. Milwaukee - Baker 2, Robinson, Newman,
Mayberry.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Orlando 8-24 (.333), Grant 1-1, Scott 2-5, Anderson
3-7, Hardaway 0-1, Shaw 2-5, Vaughn 0-1, Bowie 0-1, Thompson 0-3.
Milwaukee 5-10 (.500), Baker 0-1, Robinson 1-2, Douglas 3-5, Newman 1-1,
Mayberry 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Woody Mayfield, Paul Mihalak, Ted Bernhardt.
A - 17,502. T - 2:10.
nba.413vpoznanovic,
BUCKS UPSET ORLANDO; BULLS RUMORED TO BE SHAKING
MILWAUKEE -- Vin Baker scored 27 points and Johnny Newman added 25 as
the Milwaukee Bucks won for just the third time in 21 games with a
114-101 upset of the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
Up next for Milwaukee? The Chicago Bulls, who will come to town
Tuesday in search of their record-breaking 70th victory of the season.
"We came out and did what we needed to do," Baker said. "We are going
to enjoy this win tonight. Tomorrow, we begin to concentrate on
Chicago."
All-Star point guard Anfernee Hardaway, hindered by an ankle injury,
played just three minutes for Orlando.
"Penny only played the first few minutes so he would play in all 82
games," Magic coach Brian Hill said of Hardaway. "He wasn't able to
go, but he wanted to keep his games played intact. That was the only
reason he was out there."
Sherman Douglas added 17 points as the Bucks snapped a nine-game
losing streak against the Magic and took a 14-13 edge in the all-time
series. Milwaukee shot 11 for 17 from the field in the fourth quarter,
missing its first two and last two shots of the period.
Shaquille O'Neal had 27 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic, who have
lost four of their past five games but are already locked into the
second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
"We didn't play that hard tonight," O'Neal said. "But this game isn't
going to make or break our season. Right now, everyone is trying to
rest up and prepare for the playoffs.
"We gave it a good effort in the second half, but they made some real
tough shots. We missed Penny a bit, but he's getting his rest to
prepare for the playoffs."
O'Neal shot just nine for 17 from the foul line as Orlando lost for
just the third time in its last 12 road contests.
Horace Grant added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who shot
just seven for 22 from the floor in the final quarter.
Grant made consecutive 20-footers to open the fourth quarter, the
second of which tied the score 86-86 with 10:24 left. Milwaukee held a
91-90 edge before pulling away with a 14-4 spurt. Baker's alley-oop
dunk capped the run with 4:25 left, to give the Bucks a 105-94
cushion.
"It helped that we were double-teaming Shaq and that kept us ahead for
a while," Baker said. "We were only concentrating on playing hard and
trying to win."
Glenn Robinson made two free throws to close a 14-2 spurt that gave
Milwaukee a 30-23 lead with 1:19 left in the first. The Bucks scored
the first four points of the second quarter and Baker scored 18 of his
points as Milwaukee took a 64-52 cushion into halftime.
"I'd like to start by congratulating the Bucks and their coaching
staff for a great win," Hill said. "They shot the ball extremely well
and we had no intensity in the first half. We shot too many
3-pointers.
"The Bucks played very inspired basketball. Mike Dunleavy and his
staff had them very well prepared."
Dennis Scott's 3-pointer closed an 8-0 run as Orlando cut the deficit
to 69-62 with 8:50 left in the third. Brooks Thompson made a layup as
the Magic used a 7-0 spurt to close within 75-74 with 4:49 to go in
the third.
nba.414vpoznanovic,
Phoenix (114) At LA Lakers (118)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Barkley F 28 6-15 5-5 3 3 6 1 1 1 2 17
Finley F 45 6-12 0-0 1 3 4 4 2 1 1 13
Green C 33 7-11 4-6 5 9 14 0 1 1 2 18
W Person G 44 5-11 1-2 0 5 5 1 2 0 1 14
Johnson G 48 10-20 5-5 1 3 4 16 3 1 3 26
Tisdale 35 12-21 0-0 1 3 4 2 4 0 1 24
Carr 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2
Perry 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bennett Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Kleine Dnp - Sick
Manning Dnp - Tendinitis Left Knee
Williams Dnp - Injured Right Wrist
Totals 240 47-91 15-18 11 26 37 26 14 4 10 114
(.516) (.833) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 10(14 Pts)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Campbell F 34 8-11 2-2 2 7 9 2 5 0 3 18
Ceballos F 34 10-20 2-4 4 3 7 0 2 1 1 23
Divac C 37 5-8 2-2 4 9 13 6 1 1 2 12
Jones G 44 8-15 2-3 0 3 3 7 3 1 1 20
Threatt G 45 9-17 0-0 0 2 2 7 4 1 3 21
Strong 5 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Peeler 24 4-10 3-3 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 14
Johnson 8 3-4 2-2 0 1 1 2 2 0 2 8
Lynch 9 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 2 0 2
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Miller Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Van Exel Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 48-89 13-16 10 29 39 27 22 6 12 118
(.539) (.813) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 12(11 Pts)
Phoenix 31 27 27 29 - 114
LA Lakers 33 31 27 27 - 118
Blocked Shots: Phoenix - W Person 2, Tisdale 2, Green. LA Lakers -
Campbell, Jones.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Phoenix 5-11 (.455), Barkley 0-1, Finley 1-1, W Person
3-5, Johnson 1-4. LA Lakers 9-23 (.391), Ceballos 1-3, Jones 2-6, Threatt
3-8, Peeler 3-6.
Technicals: Phoenix - Barkley, LA Lakers - Johnson 2 (Ejected).
Officials: Hugh Evans, Nolan Fine, Scott Foster.
A - 17,505. T - 2:27.
nba.415vpoznanovic,
L.A. Lakers 118, Phoenix 114
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- In a game that saw Magic Johnson ejected for
bumping a referee and Joe Kleine fall unconscious during the national
anthem, the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Phoenix Suns 118-114
before a national-television audience Sunday.
Cedric Ceballos scored 23 points for the Lakers, who reached 50 wins
for the first time since the 1990-91 season.
Kevin Johnson had 26 points and 16 assists and Wayman Tisdale added 24
points for the Suns, who fell three games behind sixth-place Portland
in the Western Conference. Both teams have four games remaining.
Anthony Peeler's 3-pointer with 1:51 left in the third quarter snapped
an 81-81 tie and put the Lakers ahead for good, although Phoenix kept
the game interesting.
The Lakers led 91-85 after three quarters and opened a 99-89 advantage
on a jumper by Sedale Threatt with 8:58 remaining. Tisdale scored
eight points in the next eight minutes, including an 11-footer that
closed the deficit to 115-114 with 43 seconds to go.
A.C. Green rebounded a Lakers miss but threw away the outlet pass with
25 seconds left. A dunk by Lakers forward Elden Campbell made it
117-114 with 10 seconds to go and Tisdale missed a 3-pointer before a
free throw by Eddie Jones sealed matters.
Jones scored 20 points for the Lakers, who shot 54 percent (48 for 89)
from the field and held a 39-37 rebounding edge.
Wesley Person scored 14 points and Michael Finley added 13 for the
Suns, who shot 52 percent (47 for 91) and committed just 10 turnovers.
Threatt -- forced to play point guard for the entire second half with
Johnson and Nick Van Exel unavailable -- scored 21 points.
Johnson, who earlier this week admonished Van Exel for pushing a
referee, bumped Scott Foster and was ejected with 4:13 left in the
second quarter.
"I should get fined," Johnson said. "It was accidental, but the NBA
has set rules and guidelines."
"Intentional or accidental, it doesn't matter," Foster said. "He
bumped me and there's no question about whether he's ejected or not."
Kleine, the Suns' starting center, is undergoing a battery of tests
after he fainted during the national anthem prior to the game. He
remained on the floor for five minutes before being taken off on a
stretcher and to Centinela Medical Center.
"The report I got is that Joe Kleine is doing fine," Phoenix coach
Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "They're keeping him for observation. That's
the last report I got, and that's good news for me."
In addition, Phoenix All-Star forward Charles Barkley -- one day after
he was selected to Dream Team III -- sat out the final 18 minutes with
an unspecified leg injury.
Barkley scored 17 points but left the game with 5:52 left in the third
quarter. Trainers massaged his right calf several times throughout the
remainder of the game but he did not return.
"I'm struggling right now," Barkley said. "My legs are gone."
"It was my decision. I'm the coach," Fitzsimmons said. "Charles was
honest about it. He didn't have any legs. I could see he was in a lot
of pain but with the playoffs coming, there's no need to play him."
nba.416vpoznanovic,
Portland (81) At Vancouver (79)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 38 3-13 0-0 2 8 10 2 3 1 0 7
C Robinson F 44 9-15 4-5 2 3 5 1 2 1 6 23
Sabonis C 29 3-10 3-4 2 11 13 2 3 0 5 9
Mckie G 33 3-6 1-3 0 3 3 6 1 3 2 7
R Robinson G 24 6-11 1-2 2 3 5 3 2 1 6 14
Williams 24 1-3 0-0 2 1 3 0 2 2 3 2
J Robinson 24 6-11 1-2 0 4 4 4 1 1 1 15
Dudley 22 2-3 0-0 2 6 8 0 0 0 0 4
Wingfield 2 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Strickland Dnp - Strained Groin
Trent Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-73 10-16 12 40 52 18 14 9 23 81
(.452) (.625) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 24(17 Pts)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
King F 28 5-12 0-0 0 4 4 1 2 0 0 12
Amaya F 31 2-3 3-4 1 6 7 4 2 1 0 7
Reeves C 35 3-9 2-4 1 5 6 3 4 2 0 8
B Edwards G 36 9-19 1-2 2 3 5 3 0 2 2 21
Anthony G 22 1-6 0-0 0 1 1 7 1 2 3 3
Avent 30 2-7 0-0 0 9 9 2 3 1 2 4
Murdock 26 6-9 6-6 0 0 0 4 2 5 3 18
Moten 23 2-9 2-2 0 1 1 3 3 1 1 6
Wilkins 9 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
Manning Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Martin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Scott Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 30-76 14-18 4 29 33 29 17 14 12 79
(.395) (.778) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 14(13 Pts)
Portland 27 15 21 18 - 81
Vancouver 26 23 16 14 - 79
Blocked Shots: Portland - Grant 2, Sabonis 2, C Robinson, Mckie, Dudley.
Vancouver - Reeves 3, Avent 2, Amaya.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Portland 5-20 (.250), Grant 1-5, C Robinson 1-2,
Sabonis 0-2, Mckie 0-2, R Robinson 1-3, J Robinson 2-5, Wingfield 0-1.
Vancouver 5-15 (.333), King 2-4, B Edwards 2-3, Anthony 1-4, Moten 0-4.
Technicals: Portland - C Robinson.
Officials: Bill Spooner, Tommie Wood, Hue Hollins.
A - 16,522. T - 2:11.
nba.417vpoznanovic,
Portland 81, Vancouver 79
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- James Robinson made a game-tying
3-pointer with 56 seconds left and Arvydas Sabonis and Aaron McKie
added free throws down the stretch as Portland rallied for an 81-79
win over the Vancouver Grizzlies on Sunday, the Trail Blazers' 16th
victory in their past 18 games.
Clifford Robinson scored 23 points for the Blazers, who held the
Grizzlies scoreless in the final 81 seconds and won for the seventh
time in their last eight road games. Portland played without point
guard Rod Strickland, who sat out with a strained groin.
Blue Edwards scored 21 points and Eric Murdock added 18 for the
Grizzlies (13-65), who have lost 34 of their past 37 games.
The Blazers moved three games ahead of the Phoenix Suns in the race
for sixth place in the Western Conference. Both teams have four games
remaining.
Portland also gained another measure of redemption against expansion
Vancouver. The Blazers lost twice to the Grizzlies series before
winning a meeting earlier this month.
"I don't know what it is," Cliff Robinson said of Portland's struggles
against Vancouver. "Maybe it's the fact that they beat us in our home
opener."
A 20-footer by Horace Grant capped a 6-0 burst and gave Portland a
76-68 lead with 4:25 remaining. Chris King scored five of his 12
points during an 11-0 run and Vancouver regained a 79-76 advantage on
a jumper by Murdock with 1:21 to go.
James Robinson's 3-pointer tied the score and Sabonis was fouled with
19 seconds to go. He hit the first and missed the second, but McKie
grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He also made one free throw,
giving the Blazers an 81-79 edge with 16 seconds left.
King missed a 17-footer and time expired.
"We knew that they were going to go on a run," James Robinson said.
"Coach told us they were going to get their spurt going and we had to
maintain our composure. We did."
James Robinson scored 15 points and Rumeal Robinson added 14 for the
Blazers, who shot 45 percent (33 for 73) from the field and held a
52-33 rebounding edge. Sabonis had 13 rebounds and Grant added 10.
"What we've been doing is holding teams under 40 percent and under 90
points and outrebounding them," Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo said.
"Today we just pounded the boards.
"We were ugly and we turned it over. We missed free throws. We didn't
defend as well as we normally do in the first half but when it
mattered we got some stops."
Murdock had 18 points for the Grizzlies, who shot 40 percent (30 for
76) and were outscored 36-34 in the paint.
"I have no complaints with the effort we played with," Grizzlies coach
Brian Winters said. "We just didn't quite make the plays to finish the
game off. We played well at times and struggled a little bit
offensively, particularly in the second half. But we played hard and
played pretty well for most of the game."
Murdock scored 15 points in the first half as Vancouver opened a 49-42
lead. Rumeal Robinson scored eight points in the third quarter as
Portland closed the deficit to 65-63.
nba.418vpoznanovic,
Toronto (97) At Washington (110)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 41 9-21 3-4 3 4 7 1 1 0 1 24
Miller F 40 4-7 3-6 4 13 17 5 3 2 4 11
Earl C 39 8-19 10-11 3 4 7 1 0 0 1 26
Christie G 27 4-12 4-4 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 13
Robertson G 33 3-11 0-0 2 4 6 3 5 3 2 6
Esposito 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lewis 18 3-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 6
Osullivan 17 1-4 3-3 2 3 5 0 2 0 0 5
King 23 3-9 0-0 2 3 5 3 2 0 4 6
Tabak Dnp - Strained Left Groin
Whitfield Dnp - Sore Left Knee
Stoudamire Dnp - Left Knee Tendinitis
Totals 240 35-88 23-28 19 33 52 14 19 6 18 97
(.398) (.821) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 19(20 Pts)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Cheaney F 35 10-21 2-2 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 22
Howard F 40 12-19 5-7 1 11 12 3 3 1 4 29
Mcilvaine C 19 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 4 1 0 6
Eackles G 33 1-8 0-0 2 2 4 2 1 1 2 3
B Price G 31 5-14 0-0 1 3 4 4 4 2 2 13
Mccann 26 3-5 0-0 2 7 9 0 3 3 1 6
Whitney 17 3-5 2-2 0 3 3 7 3 1 0 9
Legler 27 7-11 3-3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 20
Thornton 12 1-3 0-0 3 3 6 0 2 1 0 2
Butler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Muresan Dnp - Injured Right Knee
Pack Dnp - Damaged Nerve -- Right Leg
Totals 240 45-89 12-14 9 32 41 20 22 10 10 110
(.506) (.857) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 10(9 Pts)
Toronto 23 31 25 18 - 97
Washington 30 31 26 23 - 110
Blocked Shots: Toronto - Lewis 2, Earl 2, Miller 2, Murray, Osullivan.
Washington - Mcilvaine 6, Legler, Howard, Cheaney.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Toronto 4-15 (.267), Murray 3-9, Christie 1-3,
Robertson 0-2, King 0-1. Washington 8-18 (.444), Cheaney 0-3, Eackles 1-3,
B Price 3-6, Whitney 1-1, Legler 3-5.
Technicals: Washington - B Price.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Luis Grillo, Terry Durham.
A - 18,756. T - 1:52.
nba.419vpoznanovic,
Washington 110, Toronto 97
LANDOVER, Md. -- Juwan Howard had 29 points and 12 rebounds as the
Washington Bullets moved within one game of the final playoff spot in
the Eastern Conference with their seventh consecutive victory, 110-97
over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
Calbert Cheaney scored 22 points and Tim Legler added 10 of his 20 in
the fourth quarter for Washington (39-39), which is one game behind
Charlotte and Miami, who are tied for eighth place in the East.
The Bullets haven't made the playoffs since 1988, the longest current
drought of any team in the conference.
"We're shooting the ball extremely well now," Bullets coach Jim Lynam
said. "This team is resilient. Juwan runs this team and the players
feed off of him."
"My teammates have confidence in me," Howard said. "As a group, we
play well. This was a very important win. It basically was a must for
us."
Acie Earl, who scored a career-high 40 points on Friday, followed with
26 points Sunday for Toronto, which has lost five of its last six
overall and fell to 6-33 on the road. The Raptors lost to the Bullets
for the first time in three games this season.
The Raptors closed to 78-77 on a jumper by Jimmy King with 2:10 left
in the third quarter, but the Bullets rattled off the next nine points
in a two-minute span. A 3-pointer by Chris Whitney, baskets by Cheaney
and Bob McCann and two free throws by Howard gave Washington an 87-77
bulge in the final seconds of the period.
Toronto closed to 103-94 with 3:45 to go on two free throws by Doug
Christie, who scored 13 points. But Howard's three-point play and a
tip-in by McCann boosted Washington's advantage to 14 points with just
over two minutes to play.
Brent Price added 13 points for the Bullets, who shot 51 percent (45
for 89) from the field and committed just 10 turnovers. Jim McIlvaine,
filling in for injured center Gheorghe Muresan, blocked six shots.
Tracy Murray scored 24 points and Oliver Miller added 11 and a
season-high 17 rebounds for the Raptors, who shot 40 percent (35 for
88) and held a 52-41 edge on the boards.
"I told them before the game that Legler can shoot and we have to stay
with the shooter," Raptors coach Brendan Malone said. "That's one
reason they've won seven in a row."
Howard scored 16 points and Cheaney 12 in the first half as the
Bullets grabbed a 61-54 lead. Earl kept the Raptors close with 18
points.
nba.420vpoznanovic,
Utah (82) At Golden State (93)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 24 4-14 0-0 4 2 6 0 1 3 3 8
Malone F 38 7-13 5-11 4 7 11 2 1 1 2 19
Spencer C 8 1-3 0-0 2 0 2 0 4 0 0 2
Hornacek G 31 3-9 3-3 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 10
Stockton G 38 2-6 1-1 0 1 1 14 4 1 2 7
Eisley 12 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 5 2 0 3 0
Ostertag 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Foster 20 5-8 0-0 0 6 6 0 1 0 0 10
Keefe 20 0-3 0-0 1 4 5 2 1 1 1 0
Carr 26 10-10 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 0 2 20
Morris 22 3-9 0-0 2 3 5 1 2 1 1 6
Russell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-76 9-15 13 26 39 28 21 8 14 82
(.461) (.600) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 14(17 Pts)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 38 6-16 3-5 5 8 13 2 2 1 2 15
Smith F 43 8-14 0-1 4 9 13 0 1 2 0 16
Willis C 17 2-7 0-2 2 3 5 0 3 0 4 4
Sprewell G 48 12-20 3-5 0 5 5 8 1 2 2 30
Armstrong G 34 3-8 5-8 1 1 2 6 2 1 3 13
Declercq 15 3-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 6
Coles 25 4-11 0-0 1 0 1 7 0 0 1 9
Rozier 20 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 4 1 0 0
Barry Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hammink Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Flu
Totals 240 38-79 11-21 14 29 43 24 16 7 12 93
(.481) (.524) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 13(12 Pts)
Utah 20 25 17 20 - 82
Golden State 23 19 27 24 - 93
Blocked Shots: Utah - Hornacek, Keefe. Golden State - Kersey, Smith,
Sprewell.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 3-15 (.200), Benoit 0-2, Malone 0-1, Hornacek 1-5,
Stockton 2-3, Morris 0-4. Golden State 6-11 (.545), Sprewell 3-5,
Armstrong 2-2, Coles 1-4.
Technicals: Golden State - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Ronnie Nunn, Ken Mauer, Hank Armstrong.
A - 15,025. T - 2:02.
nba.421vpoznanovic,
Golden State 93, Utah 82
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Latrell Sprewell scored 30 points in lifting Golden
State to a 93-82 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, keeping the
Warriors within 1Ż games of the final playoff spot in the Western
Conference.
Joe Smith had 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Warriors remained close
to eighth-place Sacramento in the Western playoff race. Golden State
is only a half-game ahead of hard-charging Denver.
Antoine Carr scored 20 points and Karl Malone added 19 points and 11
rebounds for the Jazz, who have dropped seven of their last nine
games. Utah has clinched a playoff berth but is just 1Ż games ahead of
the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed in the West.
"We have to be concerned about ourselves and not the Lakers," Utah
coach Jerry Sloan said. "You have to be concerned about yourself and
then maybe you can play better. We lost our intensity and I don't know
for what reason.
"We can't rest now; we've got to play."
Malone's 15-footer gave the Jazz a 57-54 advantage with 5:33 left in
the third quarter. Sprewell scored eight of his points as the Warriors
closed the third quarter with 15-5 run to take a 69-62 advantage.
Jerome Kersey, who had 15 points and 13 rebounds, made a 12-footer
with 7:07 left in the fourth to give the Warriors their biggest lead,
82-66.
Kevin Willis made a layup with 7:34 left in the second to give the
Warriors a 34-27 advantage. John Stockton scored his only six points
-- two 3-pointers -- as the Jazz closed the second with a 16-8 run for
a 45-42 halftime edge.
Malone made an 18-footer and David Benoit followed with a dunk to give
the Jazz their biggest lead, 49-42 with 10:56 left in the third.
Stockton had 14 assists for the Jazz, who shot just 20 percent (three
for 15) from 3-point range.
"We are not playing well," Stockton said. "We have moments where we
play pretty well, and then we don't compete for the next minute and
then we are in a hole.
"If everyone steps it up and gets it done, it can turn in one good
game and we can get it behind us and go about our business."
B.J. Armstrong scored 13 points for the Warriors, who shot 48 percent
(38 for 79) from the field but just 52 percent (11 for 21) from the
foul line.
nba.422vpoznanovic,
POOF! MAGIC SUSPENDED FOR THREE GAMES, FINED $10,000
NEW YORK -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar Magic Johnson, suspended for
three games and fined $10,000 for bumping a referee, called the
punishment "justified" and apologized for his actions.
Johnson was suspended and fined Monday by the NBA after bumping
second-year official Scott Foster in a nationally televised game
against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The incident came just five days
after Johnson publicly admonished teammate Nick Van Exel, who received
a seven-game suspension for pushing a referee.
"It's justified," said Johnson, who will miss all but one of the
Lakers' remaining regular-season games. "It's something that
unfortunately happened and I'm sorry that it happened, especially
since I came down hard on Nick."
Johnson, one of the NBA's most respected and cherished stars,
expressed remorse at exhibiting some of the behavior that has plagued
the league this season.
"I haven't slept," he said. "I feel so bad that it happened. I still
can't believe that I actually did that. I've had a great relationship
with referees and a great relationship in terms of the league and
players. It's not sitting well with me."
Johnson will sit out contests against Dallas, San Antonio and
Minnesota before returning for the regular-season finale against
Portland on Sunday.
Johnson was ejected with 4:13 left in the second quarter of an
eventual 118-114 home victory against the Suns. He felt he was fouled
on a driving layup attempt and began arguing as he walked toward
Foster, drawing a technical foul. Foster continued moving in a
straight line and Johnson stepped into him, bumping his chest into
Foster's right shoulder. Foster immediately signaled for Johnson's
ejection.
Johnson initially denied initiating contact in an interview with NBC
during the game but amended his comments afterwards. Television
replays indicated that Johnson initiated the contact.
Lakers general manager Jerry West agreed with the suspension.
"As with Nick Van Exel's suspension last week, we agree with the
league's decision 100 percent," West said. "These incidents are
regrettable and have been a distraction from what I believe the fans
really want to see -- the basketball action on the court. Our focus
now is on getting our entire team back together for the playoffs."
Johnson's suspension leaves the Lakers with just one point guard,
Sedale Threatt, who had moved into the starting lineup after Van Exel
was suspended. Threatt, Eddie Jones and Anthony Peeler are the only
active guards on the roster.
Johnson returned Jan. 30 after 4 1/2-year hiatus. In 1991, he
announced his retirement after contracting HIV, the virus that causes
AIDS.
The Lakers are 26-10 since the return of Johnson, who has played some
forward as well and is averaging 15.1 points, six rebounds and 6.9
assists per game. He led the Lakers to five NBA titles in the 1980s.
nba.423vpoznanovic,
PACERS' MILLER 'DOING WELL' DESPITE DOUBLE VISION
INDIANAPOLIS -- Reggie Miller, the Indiana Pacers' top scorer, is
progressing well a day after reconstructive surgery on his right eye
socket.
Miller was released from St. Vincent Hospital on Monday although he
still is experiencing double vision.
Ophthalmologist John Abrams said after Miller's surgery on Sunday that
the double vision, caused by his two eyes not focusing exactly in the
same direction, could take up to two months to clear. Monday night,
Abrams said there had been a marked improvement, but Miller still was
seeing double when he turned his eyes in certain directions.
"It's really tough to tell. It can be anywhere from a week to 10
days," Abrams said Monday. "It might resolve, or could be up to a
couple months. It's totally unpredictable.
"He's doing very well, considering it's 12 hours after surgery. His
eye moves well in all directions. He still has double vision, and the
muscle swelling looks good."
Dr. Sanford Kunkel, the Pacers' team physician, said Miller will be
out of action for at least three weeks. The NBA playoffs begin in less
than two weeks. The Pacers could be without him a lot longer than that
if his double vision has not cleared completely.
Doctors said Miller will have to rest at least a week before he can
begin to work out. Once his vision clears, he would wear protective
goggles while playing.
Miller was injured Saturday night during the first quarter of a
victory over the Detroit Pistons. After stealing a pass from Mark
West, Miller collided with Detroit's Otis Thorpe and was sandwiched
between Thorpe and Allan Houston.
The force of the collision with Thorpe caused Miller's head to snap
backward, and he left the game with a concussion. He spent the night
at St. Vincent's, where doctors discovered his eye socket had been
fractured.
Kunkel called it a "pretty significant injury."
"When an eye's hit with some degree of force, something's got to
give," said Dr. Michael Welsh, who performed the surgery and inserted
a plastic plate about the size of a quarter in place of the shattered
bone.
"We hope he's back in three weeks with protective eyewear," Kunkel
said.
Miller, a member of the 1996 United States Olympic basketball team, is
averaging 21.1 points per game for the Pacers. Miller averaged 29
points during the first four games of Indiana's current five-game
winning streak.
"Everything went absolutely perfect," Kunkel said of the 30-minute
reconstructive surgery of Miller's right orbit. "There were no
complications, nothing out of the ordinary."
Meanwhile, the Pacers had little time to worry about life without
their leading scorer and most popular player. The Pacers held a team
meeting after Monday morning's shoot-around and players discussed
``how to hold the fort down until Reggie gets back,'' guard Mark
Jackson said.
"We're going to miss him, no question about it," Jackson said.
"Somebody is going to have to step up. One night it's going to be me,
another night it's going to be Rik Smits, and another night it will be
Derrick McKey."
nba.424vpoznanovic,
MAGIC SIGN ANTHONY BONNER, ACTIVATE KONCAK
The Orlando Magic fortified their frontcourt today when they signed
forward Anthony Bonner for the remainder of the season and activated
center Jon Koncak from the injured list.
The 6-8 Bonner is a five-year NBA veteran who played in Italy this
season and will provide relief for power forward Horace Grant, who has
been battling nagging injuries all season.
Bonner played the last two seasons for the New York Knicks before
going overseas. He has averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds over his
career, which began with the Sacramento Kings in 1990.
The seven-foot Koncak had missed the last three games with a strained
right Achilles tendon. He is averaging 3.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per
game in 63 games as a backup to All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal.
To make roster room for Koncak, rookie forward David Vaughn was placed
on the injured list with a sprained left knee.
nba.425vpoznanovic,
SUNS CENTER JOE KLEINE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL TODAY
Phoenix Suns center Joe Kleine, who fainted during the national anthem
of a game Sunday, was released from Centinela Medical Center in Los
Angeles today.
A Suns spokeswoman said that Kleine had been released from the
hospital and his status for a home game with the Houston Rockets on
Tuesday night will be a game-time decision. He is expected to return
to Phoenix tonight.
Kleine was hospitalized overnight as a precaution after he collapsed
prior to Sunday's 118-114 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Doctors
and team officials said it was not the first time he had fainted this
season.
Kleine was standing for the anthem when he lost consciousness and fell
backwards. Trumpeter Jesse McGuire stopped when people noticed Kleine
on the floor. He remained on the floor for five minutes before being
removed on a stretcher by Forum personnel. As he was wheeled past
members of the media, Kleine responded to a question by nodding that
he was okay.
Suns media relations director Julie Fie said Kleine suffered a similar
bout of dizziness earlier Sunday and after a workout earlier this
season. Doctor Steve Lombardo, the physician for the Los Angeles
Lakers, said Kleine told him of the previous incidents.
The 34-year-old Kleine is in his 10th season in the NBA and third with
the Suns. He was a member of the 1984 Olympic team that won a gold
medal and also has played for Sacramento and Boston.
Kleine is averaging 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game this season
and 5.4 points and 4.6 rebounds for his career. He was replaced in the
starting lineup Sunday by A.C. Green.
nba.426vpoznanovic,
HEAT FINED COOL $25,000 FOR MEDIA SNUB
NEW YORK -- The NBA on Monday fined the Miami Heat $25,000 for failing
to make its players available to the media prior to a game with
Charlotte on April 10.
NBA rules require that teams open their locker rooms to the media for
a 45-minute period ending 45 minutes before the start of a game.
The Heat were fined for the same violation in December when the
players were not available before a game with the New York Knicks.
Head coach Pat Riley closed the locker room before the Dec. 19 game
that marked his return to Madison Square Garden for the first time
since stepping down as coach of the Knicks.
nba.427vpoznanovic,
LEGENDARY LAKERS ABOUT TO BE SECOND-BEST
CLEVELAND -- For nearly a quarter-century, great NBA teams have come
and gone, but none has matched the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' record
of 69 victories in a single season. Until now.
Slow start
The 1971-72 Lakers' 33-game winning streak followed a 6-3 start to the
season. The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls tied the record in their 78th game
of the season, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-72 on Sunday
behind 32 points and 12 rebounds from Michael Jordan.
The Bulls (69-9) need to win just one of their last four
regular-season games to become the first team in NBA history to reach
the 70-win plateau. Their first shot at No. 70 will be Tuesday at
Milwaukee.
1971-72 Lakers: Top players
Wilt Chamberlain: NBA's top rebounder (19.2 rpg); averaged 14.8
points; led league with .649 field-goal percentage.
Jerry West: League's assist leader (9.7 apg); seventh in the NBA in
scoring (25.8 ppg).
Gail Goodrich: Averaged 25.9 points, fifth in NBA; shot 85 percent
from foul line, third in NBA.
Jim McMillian: Averaged 18.8 points and 6.5 boards.
Happy Hairston: Identical averages for scoring and rebounding (13.1
and 13.1).
"We felt we had a chance to win a championship and weren't thinking in
terms of 69 or 70 wins," Jordan said of the Bulls' approach to the
season. "But when you go this far, you have a chance to make a mark on
history. Still, we don't want to lose our focus, and that's to win a
championship."
The Lakers had an NBA-record 33-game winning streak during their
historic 69-13 season, which draws some interesting parallels to
Chicago's campaign.
Both teams benefited from expansion. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Buffalo
Braves and Portland Trail Blazers all entered the NBA in 1971. The
Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies entered the league this
season.
Before Armani
Miami Heat coach Pat Riley scored 6.7 points per game for the 1971-72
Lakers.
"Expansion takes a little away from the record, but you can't take
away the fact this is a helluva season," Jordan said Sunday.
Similar to this season's Bulls, the Lakers featured a three-pronged
attack with two terrific scorers and the league's leading rebounder.
The Lakers had the guard tandem of Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, who
combined for better than 51 points per game, and center Wilt
Chamberlain, who averaged 19.2 rebounds.
Bye-bye Baylor
Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, battling back from a knee injury, retired
from the Lakers after nine games of the 1971-72 season.
The Bulls have Jordan and Scottie Pippen combining for more than 50
points per game and forward Dennis Rodman averaging 15 rebounds per
game.
The Bulls have been fortunate to have Toni Kukoc, a third scoring
threat. He is averaging 13.1 points per game this season, but his
scoring output has increased to 19.1 since joining the starting lineup
March 13.
There is one personal tie between the teams: Bulls assistant coach Jim
Cleamons, who played for the 1971-72 Lakers and averaged 2.6 points
per game.
Traitors?
The 1971-72 Lakers had only two coaches: Bill Sharman and assistant
K.C. Jones, both former Boston Celtics players.
Pippen says it's futile to try and compare teams from different eras.
"For anyone 20 years old or so, they can look at this Chicago team and
say it's the best basketball team they've seen," Pippen said. "I don't
think you can look back to the '70s and compare teams. But in my time
of having knowledge about basketball, I can say this is the best team
ever."
The 70-win achievement will serve as another chapter separating Jordan
from NBA greats Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Johnson and Bird dominated the 1980s. Johnson led the Los Angeles
Lakers to five NBA championships and Larry Bird guided the Celtics to
three NBA titles. Both men are three-time winners of the NBA Most
Valuable Player award. But their teams, which ranked among the NBA's
all-time greats, never won 70 games in season.
Jordan, who is closing in on his eighth NBA scoring title, led the
Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships (1991-93), a feat
accomplished by only two franchises in league history. And now Jordan
will likely add a fourth MVP award to his legendary career.
nba.428vpoznanovic,
REPORT: NETS TO CUT BEARD NEXT WEEK
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New Jersey Nets coach Butch Beard, who has
been under pressure all year long, reportedly will be fired at the end
of the season.
According to Monday's New York Post, the firing could come some time
next week, a few days after New Jersey meets the Atlanta Hawks in its
season finale next Sunday.
To make matters worse, Beard virtually assured his ouster by
criticizing his players and management with just a week left in the
season, the team president said Monday.
Michael Rowe said he was stunned by Beard's comments over the weekend
that he was coaching a team of "second line" players and that his
ability to motivate the club was hurt by management's refusal in
February to say he would return for a third season as coach.
"You can say this does not bode well for him," Rowe said Monday. "You
are absolutely right. This isn't the thing to do at the end of the
season when everybody is trying hard to finish out the season, to win
a game or two and go home on a good feeling."
There have been recent reports that Beard would be fired and that New
Jersey would woo Kentucky coach Rick Pitino. But Rowe said he planned
to discuss things with Beard after the season.
Nets management has said that it will evaluate the situation after the
season, but the decision might have been made when the Nets gave St.
John's University permission to speak to Beard about the vacant
coaching position that eventually went to Fran Fraschilla.
And the Post reported that one team official recently referred to
Beard as the "former coach."
"Everybody says I'm the root of all evil," Beard was quoted as saying
in published reports. "But I don't have an All-Star. All of our
starters are basically second-line people. I don't know what you
people want."
Rowe was really upset with the attack at the players and the roster.
He said Beard was the one who told him earlier this season to trade
Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson -- the Nets' two All-Stars.
Rowe said Beard was also told in February that he would not be judged
on wins and losses.
Beard, who is 59-101 in his two seasons, told the media following a
Saturday practice that he did not expect to be back next season. The
Nets have lost a season-high six consecutive games, including a 99-90
loss to the Hawks on Sunday.
According to Rowe, Beard said he just wanted the coach to work with
his young players and have them give a good effort every night.
"You don't have to tell them there are no All-Stars,'' Rowe said.
"These are hard-working, young, coachable kids who come to work
because they expect to be given all the tools to win a game. Maybe we
just didn't give them all the tools and you can figure out the tool
that was missing."
Beard signed a two-year deal with an option for a third season when he
succeeded Chuck Daly in 1994. It was the first NBA head coaching job
for Beard, who spent time as an assistant in New Jersey under current
Nets general manager Willis Reed and Bill Fitch.
Before joining the Nets, Beard was the head coach at Howard University
for four years. He led the Bison to an NCAA Tournament berth in 1992.
Beard spent nine seasons in the NBA as a player and was the point
guard for the 1975-76 Golden State Warriors team that won the
championship. A first-round pick in 1969 by Atlanta, Beard also played
for Cleveland and Seattle and finished his career with the New York
Knicks, who were coached by Reed at the time.
While admitting Beard might have been "tired, frustrated and
depressed" when he spoke last weekend, Rowe said there was still no
defense for mouthing off this late in the season.
"We agreed to have a meeting at the end of the season," Rowe said.
"Judging from the newspaper article, Butch has had the meeting,
evaluated the players and decided to publish the minutes. It's not a
rational thing to do."
nba.429vpoznanovic,
Charlotte (87) At Indiana (90)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Johnson F 42 3-12 8-11 0 7 7 6 3 1 1 14
Geiger F 41 5-10 0-0 5 4 9 0 4 0 1 10
Parish C 2 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 0
Rice G 43 10-16 6-7 0 3 3 2 3 3 4 31
Anderson G 34 4-11 6-6 0 2 2 1 3 1 3 14
Zidek 22 2-3 3-3 2 1 3 1 4 1 0 7
Goldwire 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 4 2 1 1 0
Curry 28 2-7 2-2 0 4 4 2 3 1 3 7
Addison 13 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 4
Myers 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Adams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hancock Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 28-65 25-29 8 24 32 17 26 9 13 87
(.431) (.862) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 14(18 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 35 6-11 6-6 2 2 4 2 4 0 2 18
D Davis F 31 4-11 3-6 6 6 12 0 5 1 0 11
Smits C 32 5-11 2-2 3 9 12 2 2 3 2 12
Workman G 20 1-3 2-2 1 1 2 3 2 0 3 5
Jackson G 37 5-10 4-6 1 2 3 6 3 3 1 15
Pierce 28 5-10 4-4 0 1 1 5 2 2 2 15
A Davis 18 1-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 2
Ferrell 9 2-2 0-0 2 1 3 1 4 1 0 4
Best 8 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
Johnson 22 3-7 0-0 1 4 5 3 2 0 0 8
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hoiberg Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-74 21-26 17 30 47 22 26 10 13 90
(.432) (.808) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 14(18 Pts)
Charlotte 28 24 19 16 - 87
Indiana 21 19 21 29 - 90
Blocked Shots: Charlotte - Geiger 2, Rice 2, Curry 2. Indiana - D Davis.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Charlotte 6-14 (.429), L Johnson 0-2, Rice 5-7,
Anderson 0-1, Curry 1-4. Indiana 5-13 (.385), Workman 1-2, Jackson 1-2,
Pierce 1-3, Best 0-1, Johnson 2-5.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Bernie Fryer, Monty Mccutchen.
A - 16,538. T - 0:00.
nba.430vpoznanovic,
PACERS SUBS SINK CHARLOTTE 90-87
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Charlotte Hornets, in a dog fight for a playoff
berth, had to be happy to hear that All-Star guard Reggie Miller
wouldn't be playing in Monday night's key game.
Well, Ricky Pierce filled Miller's pivotal "go-to guy" role to
perfection. Pierce scored 15 points, including the three-point play
that snapped a tie with 1:07 to go, as the Indiana Pacers rallied from
a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 90-87 victory over Charlotte.
The Pacers wrapped up third place in the Eastern Conference despite
playing without Miller, who was resting at home a day after surgery on
his fractured eye socket.
"Obviously, we missed Reggie. You could see that," said the Pacers'
Eddie Johnson, who scored all eight of his points in the fourth
quarter. "Right now, we've got to find a way to win ballgames, and the
main way is with defense."
At times in the fourth quarter, the Pacers' makeshift lineup included
reserves Pierce, Johnson, Duane Ferrell, Antonio Davis and Haywoode
Workman, who started in place of Miller and had five points and three
assists.
"It was a great win," Indiana coach Larry Brown said. "Obviously it's
hard finding offense without Reggie, but these guys sucked it up. It
was a team victory."
Charlotte dropped a game behind Miami, which beat New Jersey 110-90,
for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with
three games left in the regular season. If they finish in a tie, Miami
would get the spot because of its better record within the conference.
"We can't afford to lose any more games,'' Charlotte coach Allan
Bristow said. "We need to put pressure on the rest of the teams."
Indiana also overcame a fantastic first-half performance by Charlotte
forward Glen Rice, who was eight of eight from the field and scored 26
points in the first 15 minutes.
"It was one of those zones in the first half,'' Rice said. "My
teammates did a great job setting screens for me.''
But Rice managed just five points over the last 33 minutes as the
Hornets blew a 19-point second-quarter lead and fell one game behind
Miami in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern
Conference. Both teams have three games remaining.
"It was a good effort," Bristow said. "We had a nice little lead in
the second quarter. At the beginning of the fourth quarter I was
trying to rest a couple of our guys and they got seven quick points on
us."
The Hornets, who fell to 1-16 all-time at Market Sqaure Arena, took a
71-61 lead into the fourth quarter. But the Pacers opened the period
with a 16-3 run. A pair of baskets by Ferrell capped the burst and
gave Indiana a 77-74 lead with 6:48 to go.
A 3-pointer by Charlotte's Dell Curry created the first of four ties
over the next five minutes. Pierce hit a jumper and was fouled to give
Indiana the lead for good. Rik Smits hit a jumper, and Mark Jackson
made two foul shots to offset four free throws by Charlotte's Larry
Johnson. Kenny Anderson missed a layup, and Rice and Curry missed
3-pointers on Charlotte's final possession.
McKey scored 18 points, and Jackson tossed in 15 for Indiana. Rik
Smits added 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Dale Davis had 11 and 12
for the Pacers, who held a 47-32 edge on the boards.
Johnson and Anderson scored 14 points apiece, and Matt Geiger added 10
and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who made nine field goals in the
second half.
Rice was 5-of-5 shooting from the field in the first period, including
three from 3-point range. He scored 16 points in the final 6:34 of the
quarter as Charlotte turned an 8-5 deficit into a 28-21 lead.
Rice scored nine more points in the opening 2:43 of the second quarter
as Charlotte opened a 40-25 lead. The Hornets led by as many as 19
points before settling for a 52-40 halftime bulge as Jackson hit a
40-footer at the buzzer.
Charlotte shot 54 percent (19-of-35) from the field in the first half
and held Indiana to 37 percent (15-of-41). Rice was 8-of-8, including
four 3-pointers, and the Pacers' substitutes were 3-of-14.
nba.431vpoznanovic,
New Jersey (90) At Miami (110)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
A Gilliam F 35 4-15 4-7 1 6 7 0 2 1 2 12
Brown F 36 2-6 2-2 2 4 6 3 2 2 2 6
Bradley C 13 7-12 2-2 4 2 6 0 6 0 0 16
Childs G 29 3-10 3-3 1 4 5 5 3 0 1 10
Reeves G 30 3-6 3-4 0 1 1 3 6 1 2 11
Williams 26 3-8 2-2 3 5 8 1 3 0 1 8
Fleming 24 4-7 0-0 0 3 3 4 0 0 3 8
Graham 29 4-10 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 2 2 11
Mahorn 12 1-4 4-4 1 4 5 0 2 1 2 6
Werdann 6 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
Dare Dnp - Not With Team
Obannon Dnp - Bruised Left Hand
Totals 240 32-80 20-24 12 29 41 18 28 7 15 90
(.400) (.833) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(22 Pts)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Williams F 25 4-9 0-0 0 3 3 2 3 1 1 10
Thomas F 33 3-9 2-2 3 8 11 2 3 2 1 8
Mourning C 37 8-9 4-9 5 4 9 4 4 1 3 20
Chapman G 35 5-11 2-4 0 3 3 3 0 0 1 13
Hardaway G 37 5-10 4-6 0 3 3 9 3 3 6 15
Askins 23 4-5 0-0 1 1 2 3 5 1 0 12
Gatling 18 8-14 1-1 0 7 7 1 5 1 1 17
Smith 20 4-4 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 1 0 9
King 4 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0
Lenard 4 0-0 6-7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
Schayes 4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Corbin Dnp - Not With Team
Totals 240 41-75 19-29 10 33 43 28 25 10 14 110
(.547) (.655) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 14(12 Pts)
New Jersey 34 19 11 26 - 90
Miami 23 26 27 34 - 110
Blocked Shots: New Jersey - A Gilliam 2, Werdann. Miami - Thomas 2,
Mourning 2, Chapman, Askins.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New Jersey 6-15 (.400), Childs 1-4, Reeves 2-5, Graham
3-6. Miami 9-16 (.563), Williams 2-5, Chapman 1-3, Hardaway 1-3, Askins
4-4, Smith 1-1.
Technicals: Miami - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Jack Nies, David Jones, Mike Smith.
A - 14,815. T - 2:06.
nba.432vpoznanovic,
BLAZING HEAT BURN THE NETS BY 20
MIAMI -- The Miami Heat, scrapping for the final playoff berth in the
Eastern Conference, got just what it needed Monday night -- a game
with the pathetic New Jersey Nets.
The Heat held New Jersey scoreless during a seven-minute stretch as
Alonzo Mourning and Rex Chapman sparked a 16-0 third-quarter run that
lifted Miami to its fourth consecutive victory, 110-90.
The Heat moved one game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets -- who lost
90-87 at Indiana on Monday -- for final playoff spot in the Eastern
Conference.
New Jersey, which has dropped seven straight, led 59-54 with 9:57 to
go. But Mourning and Chapman scored four points apiece during a
seven-minute stretch that saw Miami rally for a 70-59 lead.
"They picked up their level of play in the second half, and we did not
accept the challenge," said Nets coach Butch Beard, who is rumored to
be out as coach at the end of the season.
"We were staying in the game mentally, but we knew we were going to
break it open eventually," Chapman said. "We are confident. It's not
like it used to be."
Mourning finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, and Tim Hardaway
added 15 points and nine assists to lead Miami.
Shawn Bradley led New Jersey with 16 points before fouling out with
3:39 left in the third quarter. Armon Gilliam added 12 points and
seven rebounds.
"I just wanted to play hard," Bradley said. "If I say anything else
about the fouls, I'll get fined."
Bradley had 12 points in the first quarter as the Nets seized a 34-23
lead. Hardaway had nine, and Mourning seven in the period.
Miami took its first lead at 54-53 when Mourning hit a hook shot early
in the third quarter. Two minutes later the Heat went ahead for good,
56-55, on a dunk by Walt Williams.
That started Miami's 16-0 run. During the stretch, New Jersey missed
10 consecutive shots and committed five turnovers, and Bradley picked
up his fifth and sixth fouls.
"We were shaky in the first half but got it together in the second
half and got some cheap baskets," Hardaway said. "Alonzo got Bradley
in foul trouble and when he fouled out we rolled from there."
The Nets' scoring drought finally ended when Chris Childs hit a
3-pointer with 2:43 left in the third period, trimming Miami's margin
to 70-58. Miami led by at least 10 points the rest of the way.
Kurt Thomas had eight points and 11 rebounds for the Heat, which got
17 points off the bench from Chris Gatling. Keith Askins also played
well as a reserve, shooting four-of-four shooting from 3-point range
and scoring 12 points.
Overall, Miami shot 55 percent (41-of-75) from the field and nine of
16 from behind the arc. New Jersey was just 40 percent (32-of-80) from
the floor.
Miami completed a five-game sweep of its season series against New
Jersey, which is out of playoff contention. The Nets have lost seven
in a row, their longest losing streak of the season.
nba.433vpoznanovic,
Sacramento (90) At Denver (86)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Polynice F 43 12-21 1-1 2 15 17 1 4 1 1 25
Grant F 33 3-9 8-10 2 6 8 0 2 0 2 14
Causwell C 20 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
Edney G 27 0-1 3-4 0 1 1 5 2 0 1 3
Richmond G 40 7-18 1-1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 17
Owens 25 4-10 0-0 1 2 3 3 6 0 1 8
Simmons 21 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 2 4 0 2 0
Smith 13 1-1 0-2 1 2 3 0 4 0 0 2
Marciulionis 17 5-8 6-6 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 19
C Williamson 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Gamble Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hurley Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-71 19-24 7 30 37 12 28 2 8 90
(.465) (.792) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 10(12 Pts)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mcdyess F 39 7-19 5-7 3 2 5 1 3 0 1 19
L Ellis F 38 5-8 5-8 1 8 9 1 5 1 2 15
Mutombo C 30 1-4 4-10 2 4 6 0 4 1 1 6
Rose G 34 6-7 3-4 1 5 6 7 5 1 3 16
Stith G 23 3-4 1-1 0 0 0 2 5 1 0 7
D Ellis 26 4-10 2-2 2 1 3 0 2 2 2 10
Maclean 18 1-9 5-6 0 4 4 2 1 0 1 7
Hammonds 14 1-2 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 1 0 3
Overton 6 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Fish 4 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Grant 8 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-66 27-42 11 26 37 13 27 7 10 86
(.439) (.643) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 11(17 Pts)
Sacramento 21 23 25 21 - 90
Denver 23 21 20 22 - 86
Blocked Shots: Sacramento - Grant 3, Polynice, Causwell, Simmons. Denver
- Mutombo 4, Mcdyess 2, L Ellis, D Ellis, Hammonds.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Sacramento 5-14 (.357), Richmond 2-9, Owens 0-1,
Marciulionis 3-4. Denver 1-5 (.200), Rose 1-1, Stith 0-1, D Ellis 0-3.
Technicals: Sacramento - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Nolan Fine, Scott Foster.
A - 15,415. T - 2:21.
nba.434vpoznanovic,
KINGS ELIMINATE DENVER, CLOSE IN ON PLAYOFF BERTH
DENVER -- See ya, Denver. Wouldn't wanna be ya.
The talented but troubled Denver Nuggets were eliminated from the
playoff chase Monday night, thanks to a 90-86 defeat to the Sacramento
Kings.
"This is a bitter pill to swallow," Nuggets guard Bryant Stith said,
"and I'll be home wondering what happened to us this season."
What is sadness for one team is happiness for another. The Kings moved
closer to their first playoff berth in 10 years with the victory.
"It's nice to close out the Nuggets since they closed us out a year
ago," Kings star Mitch Richmond said. "But there's no popping
champagne yet. We're still battling Golden State."
Sacramento holds a two-game lead over Golden State with three games
remaining in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the
Western Conference. The Kings are trying to end the longest current
playoff drought and make the postseason for the first time since the
1985-86 campaign.
Sacramento trailed by a point with 70 seconds to go, but Richmond hit
a pair of jump shots around two free throws by Brian Grant for an
86-81 lead with 29 seconds left. Sarunas Marciulionis added four free
throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
"I wanted the shot at the end like I always do," said Richmond, who
scored all 17 of his points in the second half. "I wanted to take the
ball to the hoop. I thought I got fouled but the refs did a great job
all night.
Olden Polynice had 25 points and 17 rebounds for the Kings, who were
eliminated from playoff contention by the Nuggets in the final game of
the 1994-95 season.
"We are almost but not quite in the playoffs," Polynice said.
"Tonight, we got lucky. They had a chance to win, but we pulled it
out. I'm not known to score 25 points but lately I've been putting it
up. Tonight we grew as a team, we knew they had been crashing the
boards but we fought hard and made some big plays."
Antonio McDyess had 19 points for Denver, which missed the playoffs
for the fourth time in the last six years. The Nuggets lost all four
games to the Kings this season.
"I give a lot of credit to the Kings," Nuggets coach Bernie
Bickerstaff said. "They played an excellent game. Polynice played a
Hall of Fame game. Mitch hit some great shots. When you go 27-for-42
from the line you are not going to win many games."
"It's a rough loss for us because this has been a tough season," Stith
said. "We never threw in the towel, but it's still a tough end."
Denver center Dikembe Mutombo returned from a strained hamstring but
scored just six points in 30 minutes.
"We had to play a heck of a game to win," Kings coach Garry St. Jean
said. "We shot ourselves in the foot with our loss at Vancouver.
Tonight we went with veterans down the stretch."
Polynice and Marciulionis combined for 27 points in the first half as
the teams played to a 44-44 tie after two periods.
LaPhonso Ellis was five of eight from the field for 15 points and
grabbed nine rebounds to lead Denver.
Kings starting center Duane Causwell played 20 minutes, scored no
points, took no shots, grabbed no rebounds, failed to record an assist
or a turnover but did have three fouls and a block.
Neither team led by more than four points in the first half, which
ended in a 44-44 tie.
In the first quarter, Polynice challenged an ailing Mutombo, who had
missed the previous two games with a strained left hamstring. Polynice
scored 13 points in the quarter -- more than his season average of
11.9 -- and grabbed six rebounds. But Denver led 23-21 at the end of
the period, helped by a 9-1 edge in free throws.
Marciulionis scored 12 points for the Kings in the second quarter,
including two quick 3-pointers, but the Nuggets added to their
advantage from the line. Denver hit 16-of-21 in the half, compared to
the Kings' four-of-seven.
Richmond, recently added to the U.S. Olympic team, was zero for four
from the field in the first half. But he scored 13 points in the third
period to help the Kings take an eight-point lead. His 3-pointer with
2:25 left in the period completed a 7-0 run that made it 67-59.
Denver chipped away at the deficit but was hurt by poor foul shooting,
hitting only 5 of 12. Mutombo hit one of two free throws with 2:10
left for an 81-80 lead, Denver's last.
nba.435vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (97) At Portland (121)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 39 5-13 1-1 1 2 3 0 2 0 5 12
Smith F 11 1-5 0-0 0 4 4 0 4 1 4 2
Robinson C 38 5-10 15-19 2 11 13 1 1 2 3 25
Del Negro G 33 8-17 1-1 0 2 2 3 2 0 2 18
Johnson G 42 4-9 6-8 0 1 1 14 1 6 3 14
W Perdue 15 1-3 0-0 2 1 3 0 3 0 0 2
C Person 33 8-13 0-0 0 2 2 1 5 1 0 21
Herrera 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Williams 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rivers 12 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 3
Anderson 3 0-0 0-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
Alexander 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Totals 240 33-74 23-31 6 24 30 20 24 10 17 97
(.446) (.742) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 17(18 Pts)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 29 4-9 0-0 2 3 5 4 1 0 0 8
C Robinson F 38 7-15 2-2 0 4 4 3 5 3 4 18
Sabonis C 26 7-10 8-10 1 8 9 3 3 0 2 22
Mckie G 23 6-11 2-2 0 3 3 3 3 2 2 15
Strickland G 33 5-12 4-4 3 2 5 12 4 1 4 14
R Robinson 13 2-5 0-2 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 4
Dudley 21 1-5 0-0 3 8 11 1 4 0 0 2
Williams 28 6-8 8-8 4 3 7 2 2 1 2 20
J Robinson 21 5-9 2-4 1 1 2 0 1 1 2 14
Wingfield 6 0-1 0-1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Trent 1 1-3 2-2 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 4
Spencer 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 44-88 28-35 16 34 50 30 26 9 17 121
(.500) (.800) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 17(23 Pts)
San Antonio 19 37 29 12 - 97
Portland 28 34 27 32 - 121
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Robinson 2, Smith. Portland - Sabonis 2,
Dudley 2, Grant, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 8-17 (.471), Elliott 1-2, Del Negro 1-4,
Johnson 0-1, C Person 5-8, Rivers 1-2. Portland 5-12 (.417), C Robinson
2-3, Sabonis 0-1, Mckie 1-4, Strickland 0-1, J Robinson 2-3.
Technicals: San Antonio - Illegal Defense, Head Coach Hill 2 (Ejected),
Rivers, W Perdue 2 (Ejected), Portland - C Robinson.
Officials: Bruce Alexander, Ed Middleton, George Toliver.
A - 21,401. T - 2:11.
nba.436vpoznanovic,
Portland 121, San Antonio 97
Arvydas Sabonis had 22 points and nine rebounds as the Portland Trail
Blazers locked up the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs
with a 121-97 rout of the San Antonio Spurs.
"It will give us a chance to rest a few guys for these last three
games," Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We don't look forward to
playing either Utah or the Lakers. We know that either one of them
would be a tough matchup."
Buck Williams added 20 points for the Trail Blazers, who have won four
straight games and 17 of 19. Portland beat San Antonio for the first
time in four meetings this season.
"It's a hell of a run at this stage of the year, especially when
you're playing against a lot of other teams that are trying to do the
same thing," Carlesimo said. "To put this kind of run together is
really nice."
David Robinson had 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who had
their three-game winning streak stopped. San Antonio has won the
Midwest Division and is the second seed in the West.
Spurs backup center Will Perdue and coach Bob Hill were both ejected
with 1:26 left in the game after receiving their second technical
fouls.
"I didn't think we started the game real well," Hill said. "The
Blazers came out and looked early like they wanted it a little more.
We didn't look like the Midwest Division champions tonight. For most
of the game, we seemed disinterested."
Chuck Person's three-pointer pulled the Spurs within 99-94 with 5:35
left. Person had 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field.
The Blazers followed with a 9-0 spurt, opening a 108-94 lead with 3:50
left.
Rod Strickland had 14 points and 12 assists as the Blazers improved to
17-2 since he returned from a pulled groin and suspension on March
8th. The injury is still bothering Strickland.
"Come playoff time, if it's still sore, I'll just have to play through
it," he said. "But I'm definitely going to rest it and not play these
last three games."
Avery Johnson made two free throws as the Spurs tied the score, 85-85,
with 30 seconds left in the third. Doc Rivers was called for a
flagrant foul on Williams and Hill received a technical for arguing
the call. Williams made the two free throws for the foul and Sabonis
made the two free throws for the technical as Portland took an 89-85
lead that it never lost.
Clifford Robinson had 18 points and Aaron McKie added 15 for the
Blazers, who shot 50 percent (44-for-88) from the field. Chris Dudley
came off the bench and grabbed 11 boards as Portland outrebounded San
Antonio, 50-30.
Vinny Del Negro had 18 points and Johnson added 14 points and 14
assists for the Spurs.
nba.437vpoznanovic,
Seattle (112) At Houston (106)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Schrempf F 37 5-12 4-4 0 3 3 3 4 1 5 15
Kemp F 37 9-14 9-11 3 7 10 4 2 1 3 27
Johnson C 16 1-1 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 1 2 2
Hawkins G 37 7-15 4-4 1 3 4 4 2 1 2 19
Payton G 38 12-21 4-5 1 1 2 9 1 6 1 31
Perkins 28 5-8 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 1 0 13
Askew 10 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 0
Mcmillan 21 2-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 0 3 1 5
Brickowski 16 0-1 0-0 1 3 4 2 5 0 0 0
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingate Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-79 21-24 7 25 32 27 21 14 15 112
(.519) (.875) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 15(13 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 29 1-3 0-0 1 7 8 5 3 3 1 3
Brown F 13 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4
Olajuwon C 40 10-15 5-7 3 9 12 5 5 1 5 25
Drexler G 37 9-17 6-6 1 2 3 3 4 3 2 26
Smith G 33 5-14 2-2 0 0 0 3 1 0 3 15
Elie 23 2-6 0-0 0 3 3 4 1 0 2 4
Cassell 30 7-10 6-6 0 2 2 1 4 0 3 23
Bryant 25 2-3 1-2 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 5
Mack 4 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
Chilcutt 6 0-0 1-2 0 4 4 1 0 0 0 1
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-76 21-25 6 28 34 25 25 7 18 106
(.500) (.840) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 18(27 Pts)
Seattle 28 28 27 29 - 112
Houston 22 31 27 26 - 106
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp 3, Johnson 2, Perkins, Mcmillan. Houston -
Olajuwon 2, Chilcutt 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 9-21 (.429), D Schrempf 1-4, Hawkins 1-3,
Payton 3-6, Perkins 3-4, Askew 0-2, Mcmillan 1-2. Houston 9-28 (.321),
Horry 1-3, Drexler 2-6, Smith 3-9, Elie 0-2, Cassell 3-5, Mack 0-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Tommy Nunez, Woody Mayfield.
A - 16,285. T - 2:16.
nba.438vpoznanovic,
ROCKING THE ROCKETS: SEATTLE CONTINUES DOMINANCE
HOUSTON -- Rarely does a team known for playoff failure look forward
to meeting the two-time defending champions in the playoffs.
Nevertheless, the Seattle SuperSonics certainly have to feel good
about their chances should the reigning champions, the Houston
Rockets, get in their path to the NBA Finals.
After all, Monday's 112-106 victory over Houston marked Seattle's
ninth consecutive victory against the Rockets and 16th in the last 20.
In fact, the Sonics are the last team to beat the Rockets in a playoff
series, eliminating Houston in the 1993 second round.
"We've been competitive with Houston down the years ever since I've
been here," said Sonics guard Gary Payton, whose team has been
eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the last two years. "We
just want to jump on each other and play hard.
Payton should be hyped about his performance Monday night. He had 31
points, nine assists and season-high six steals to lead Seattle to its
second Western Conference title in three seasons.
"We've beaten them nine in a row, but it doesn't mean a thing in the
(upcoming) playoffs," Payton said. "I don't know if we're even going
to play each other.
Shawn Kemp added 27 points for the SuperSonics.
Clyde Drexler scored 26 points, and Hakeem Olajuwon added 25 and 12
rebounds for the Rockets, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.
Drexler made two free throws to pull the Rockets within 106-104 with
2:05 left and after Seattle turned the ball over, Payton had a steal
and a layup to give the Sonics a 108-104 lead.
Payton stole Houston's inbounds pass and fed Detlef Schrempf, who was
fouled and hit two free throws for a 110-104 advantage with 40 seconds
left.
"Something just happened. The ball was just where it was at," Payton
said. "I got lucky, I wasn't thinking steal."
Payton made one more steal and converted a layup to give the Sonics a
112-104 cushion with just under 20 seconds to go.
"We played well; they played well," Karl said. "We made plays down the
stretch. Sometimes you make them offensively, sometimes defensively.
Tonight, we made them defensively."
Hersey Hawkins had 19 points, and Sam Perkins added 13 for Seattle.
Schrempf had 15 points and made all four of his free throws as the
Sonics shot 88 percent (21-for-24) from the line.
Olajuwon hit a short jumper with 6:12 left to give the Rockets a 97-96
edge, their first lead since the first quarter. Kemp hit a free throw
to tie it, but Drexler followed with a layup to give Houston a 99-97
advantage with 4:43 to go.
Hawkins made two free throws with 4:02 remaining, and Olajuwon's free
throw gave Houston its last lead at 100-99 with 3:45 left. Payton hit
a short jumper to give the Sonics a 101-100 lead with 3:28 to go.
"They hit every spot-up shot," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
"They hit every spot-up shot they took, and it used to be that was one
of their weaknesses.
"They might be as good as anyone now. We just didn't execute as well
as they did at the end."
nba.439vpoznanovic,
Toronto (79) At New York (125)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Osullivan F 47 4-12 0-0 3 7 10 1 3 2 1 8
Murray F 28 4-12 2-2 1 4 5 1 1 1 4 11
Earl C 44 9-21 7-10 5 6 11 1 3 0 4 25
Christie G 15 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 4
Robertson G 29 2-3 0-0 1 5 6 5 2 5 6 4
King 33 3-8 3-4 1 1 2 8 2 1 1 9
Lewis 23 0-3 1-4 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 1
Esposito 21 5-9 4-4 0 1 1 3 2 0 4 17
Miller Dnp - Sore Left Calf
Stoudamire Dnp - Tendinitis Left Knee
Tabak Dnp - Strained Left Groin
Whitfield Dnp - Inflamation Left Knee
Totals 240 29-73 17-24 12 25 37 20 13 10 24 79
(.397) (.708) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 24(34 Pts)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mason F 33 6-9 2-2 2 4 6 7 4 0 0 14
Reid F 29 3-5 2-2 1 6 7 2 0 0 3 8
Ewing C 30 11-19 1-2 3 6 9 1 1 1 1 23
Starks G 33 7-11 2-3 0 3 3 2 0 5 3 19
Harper G 22 5-9 0-0 0 0 0 6 3 0 0 12
Ward 25 3-5 2-2 1 1 2 6 2 3 3 11
Davis 26 5-12 2-2 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 13
Williams 18 4-6 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 1 2 8
Anderson 4 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
Grant 12 7-8 0-0 0 0 0 3 4 1 0 14
Lohaus 8 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 3
Oakley Dnp - Eye Injury
Totals 240 52-87 11-13 8 27 35 33 19 12 12 125
(.598) (.846) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 12(21 Pts)
Toronto 17 18 25 19 - 79
New York 29 26 32 38 - 125
Blocked Shots: Toronto - Osullivan 2, Murray. New York - Ewing 3, Reid,
Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Toronto 4-16 (.250), Osullivan 0-1, Murray 1-4,
Christie 0-2, King 0-2, Esposito 3-7. New York 10-18 (.556), Starks 3-3,
Harper 2-5, Ward 3-5, Davis 1-4, Lohaus 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Dan Crawford, Scott Wall.
A - 19,763. T - 1:56.
nba.440vpoznanovic,
New York 125, Toronto 79
Patrick Ewing scored 23 points and John Starks added 19 as the New
York Knicks routed the Toronto Raptors, 125-79, for their biggest
victory of the season. Starks shot 7-of-11 from the field -- including
3-of-3 from three-point range -- as the Knicks moved 1 1/2 games ahead
of idle Detroit in the race for fourth place in the Eastern Conference
and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
"We had to jump on this team very quickly," Starks said. "We have a
much better team. I have to keep stressing that."
"We needed a win, and we went out and got it," Ewing said You don't
want to come out flat and let them (Toronto) stick around. We have to
play hard and win the three remaining games."
The Knicks won all four meetings with the Raptors. It was New York's
largest margin of victory since a 48-point win over the Philadelphia
76ers on April 21st 1994.
"We were very thin up front and turned the ball over way too much,"
said Raptors coach Brendan Malon. "We were completely out of the game
and we got drilled and outmatched tonight."
Acie Earl had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost
three straight games and six of their last seven. Vincenzo Esposito
added 17 points -- one short of his career-high -- and was cheered by
Knicks fans every time he touched the ball in the second half.
"It didn't feel too strange because the fans are just like that in
Italy, they either love you or hate you," said Esposito. "I'm actually
used to crazy fans like this."
Starks scored six straight points as the Knicks took a 16-6 lead
midway through the first quarter. Ewing's jumper capped a 7-0 burst as
the Knicks increased the lead to 23-8 with 3:59 left in the first.
Anthony Mason and Willie Anderson added 14 points apiece for the
Knicks, who had seven players in double figures. Hubert Davis added 13
points as New York shot 60 percent (52-for-87) from the field and 56
percent (10-for-18) from three-pont range.
Tracy Murray added 11 points for the Raptors, who shot 40 percent from
the field but just 25 perecnt (4-for-16) from three-point range.
nba.441vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Monday, April 15 - 157 days, 1140 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 79 62 17 36 3 26 14 105.0 96.9 78.5 - W 1
Los Angeles Lakers 78 50 28 29 11 21 17 102.9 98.8 64.1 11.5 W 3
Portland Trail Blazers 79 43 36 26 14 17 22 99.6 97.2 54.4 19.0 W 4
Phoenix Suns 78 39 39 23 16 16 23 103.9 103.9 50.0 22.5 L 3
Sacramento Kings 79 37 42 24 15 13 27 99.5 102.3 46.8 25.0 W 2
Golden State Warriors 79 35 44 23 17 12 27 101.7 103.1 44.3 27.0 W 1
Los Angeles Clippers 79 29 50 19 21 10 29 99.5 102.7 36.7 33.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 79 57 22 32 7 25 15 103.6 97.1 72.2 - L 1
Utah Jazz 79 52 27 32 7 20 20 102.5 96.3 65.8 5.0 L 2
Houston Rockets 79 46 33 25 14 21 19 102.2 100.4 58.2 11.0 L 1
Denver Nuggets 79 34 45 23 16 11 29 97.9 100.3 43.0 23.0 L 1
Minnesota Timberwolves 79 26 53 17 23 9 30 98.1 103.2 32.9 31.0 L 3
Dallas Mavericks 78 24 54 15 24 9 30 102.3 107.4 30.8 32.5 L 3
Vancouver Grizzlies 78 13 65 10 29 3 36 89.7 100.2 16.7 43.5 L 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 78 56 22 35 4 21 18 104.2 99.0 71.8 - L 2
New York Knicks 79 46 33 26 14 20 19 97.0 94.5 58.2 10.5 W 1
Miami Heat 79 41 38 26 14 15 24 96.5 94.9 51.9 15.5 W 4
Washington Bullets 78 39 39 25 14 14 25 102.7 101.0 50.0 17.0 W 7
Boston Celtics 79 31 48 18 22 13 26 103.2 106.8 39.2 25.5 L 1
New Jersey Nets 79 29 50 19 20 10 30 93.3 97.5 36.7 27.5 L 7
Philadelphia 76ers 79 16 63 10 29 6 34 94.4 104.6 20.3 40.5 L 3
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 78 69 9 38 1 31 8 105.5 93.2 88.5 - W 3
Indiana Pacers 79 50 29 31 9 19 20 99.5 96.1 63.3 19.5 W 6
Detroit Pistons 78 44 34 28 11 16 23 95.6 92.9 56.4 25.0 W 1
Cleveland Cavaliers 78 44 34 24 15 20 19 91.5 89.0 56.4 25.0 L 1
Atlanta Hawks 78 44 34 25 14 19 20 98.1 97.0 56.4 25.0 W 2
Charlotte Hornets 79 40 39 25 14 15 25 102.7 103.2 50.6 29.5 L 1
Milwaukee Bucks 78 24 54 14 25 10 29 95.6 100.9 30.8 45.0 W 1
Toronto Raptors 79 20 59 14 25 6 34 97.3 104.9 25.3 49.5 L 3
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 79 62 17 36 3 26 14 105.0 96.9 78.5 - W 1 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 79 57 22 32 7 25 15 103.6 97.1 72.2 5.0 L 1 *
3. Utah Jazz 79 52 27 32 7 20 20 102.5 96.3 65.8 10.0 L 2 *
4. Los Angeles Lakers 78 50 28 29 11 21 17 102.9 98.8 64.1 11.5 W 3 *
5. Houston Rockets 79 46 33 25 14 21 19 102.2 100.4 58.2 16.0 L 1 *
6. Portland Trail Blazers 79 43 36 26 14 17 22 99.6 97.2 54.4 19.0 W 4 *
7. Phoenix Suns 78 39 39 23 16 16 23 103.9 103.9 50.0 22.5 L 3 *
8. Sacramento Kings 79 37 42 24 15 13 27 99.5 102.3 46.8 25.0 W 2
9. Golden State Warriors 79 35 44 23 17 12 27 101.7 103.1 44.3 27.0 W 1
10. Denver Nuggets 79 34 45 23 16 11 29 97.9 100.3 43.0 28.0 L 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 79 29 50 19 21 10 29 99.5 102.7 36.7 33.0 L 1
12. Minnesota Timberwolves 79 26 53 17 23 9 30 98.1 103.2 32.9 36.0 L 3
13. Dallas Mavericks 78 24 54 15 24 9 30 102.3 107.4 30.8 37.5 L 3
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 78 13 65 10 29 3 36 89.7 100.2 16.7 48.5 L 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 78 69 9 38 1 31 8 105.5 93.2 88.5 - W 3 *
2. Orlando Magic 78 56 22 35 4 21 18 104.2 99.0 71.8 13.0 L 2 *
3. Indiana Pacers 79 50 29 31 9 19 20 99.5 96.1 63.3 19.5 W 6 *
4. New York Knicks 79 46 33 26 14 20 19 97.0 94.5 58.2 23.5 W 1 *
5. Detroit Pistons 78 44 34 28 11 16 23 95.6 92.9 56.4 25.0 W 1 *
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 78 44 34 24 15 20 19 91.5 89.0 56.4 25.0 L 1 *
7. Atlanta Hawks 78 44 34 25 14 19 20 98.1 97.0 56.4 25.0 W 2 *
8. Miami Heat 79 41 38 26 14 15 24 96.5 94.9 51.9 28.5 W 4
9. Charlotte Hornets 79 40 39 25 14 15 25 102.7 103.2 50.6 29.5 L 1
10. Washington Bullets 78 39 39 25 14 14 25 102.7 101.0 50.0 30.0 W 7
11. Boston Celtics 79 31 48 18 22 13 26 103.2 106.8 39.2 38.5 L 1
12. New Jersey Nets 79 29 50 19 20 10 30 93.3 97.5 36.7 40.5 L 7
13. Milwaukee Bucks 78 24 54 14 25 10 29 95.6 100.9 30.8 45.0 W 1
14. Toronto Raptors 79 20 59 14 25 6 34 97.3 104.9 25.3 49.5 L 3
15. Philadelphia 76ers 79 16 63 10 29 6 34 94.4 104.6 20.3 53.5 L 3
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets
San Antonio Spurs Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz Portland Trail Blazers
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Miami Heat
New York Knicks Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers Cleveland Cavaliers
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 78 69 9 38 1 31 8 105.5 93.2 88.5 - W 3
2. Seattle Supersonics 79 62 17 36 3 26 14 105.0 96.9 78.5 7.5 W 1
3. San Antonio Spurs 79 57 22 32 7 25 15 103.6 97.1 72.2 12.5 L 1
4. Orlando Magic 78 56 22 35 4 21 18 104.2 99.0 71.8 13.0 L 2
5. Utah Jazz 79 52 27 32 7 20 20 102.5 96.3 65.8 17.5 L 2
6. Los Angeles Lakers 78 50 28 29 11 21 17 102.9 98.8 64.1 19.0 W 3
7. Indiana Pacers 79 50 29 31 9 19 20 99.5 96.1 63.3 19.5 W 6
8. New York Knicks 79 46 33 26 14 20 19 97.0 94.5 58.2 23.5 W 1
9. Houston Rockets 79 46 33 25 14 21 19 102.2 100.4 58.2 23.5 L 1
10. Detroit Pistons 78 44 34 28 11 16 23 95.6 92.9 56.4 25.0 W 1
11. Cleveland Cavaliers 78 44 34 24 15 20 19 91.5 89.0 56.4 25.0 L 1
12. Atlanta Hawks 78 44 34 25 14 19 20 98.1 97.0 56.4 25.0 W 2
13. Portland Trail Blazers 79 43 36 26 14 17 22 99.6 97.2 54.4 26.5 W 4
14. Miami Heat 79 41 38 26 14 15 24 96.5 94.9 51.9 28.5 W 4
15. Charlotte Hornets 79 40 39 25 14 15 25 102.7 103.2 50.6 29.5 L 1
16. Washington Bullets 78 39 39 25 14 14 25 102.7 101.0 50.0 30.0 W 7
17. Phoenix Suns 78 39 39 23 16 16 23 103.9 103.9 50.0 30.0 L 3
18. Sacramento Kings 79 37 42 24 15 13 27 99.5 102.3 46.8 32.5 W 2
19. Golden State Warriors 79 35 44 23 17 12 27 101.7 103.1 44.3 34.5 W 1
20. Denver Nuggets 79 34 45 23 16 11 29 97.9 100.3 43.0 35.5 L 1
21. Boston Celtics 79 31 48 18 22 13 26 103.2 106.8 39.2 38.5 L 1
22. Los Angeles Clippers 79 29 50 19 21 10 29 99.5 102.7 36.7 40.5 L 1
23. New Jersey Nets 79 29 50 19 20 10 30 93.3 97.5 36.7 40.5 L 7
24. Minnesota Timberwolves 79 26 53 17 23 9 30 98.1 103.2 32.9 43.5 L 3
25. Dallas Mavericks 78 24 54 15 24 9 30 102.3 107.4 30.8 45.0 L 3
26. Milwaukee Bucks 78 24 54 14 25 10 29 95.6 100.9 30.8 45.0 W 1
27. Toronto Raptors 79 20 59 14 25 6 34 97.3 104.9 25.3 49.5 L 3
28. Philadelphia 76ers 79 16 63 10 29 6 34 94.4 104.6 20.3 53.5 L 3
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 78 13 65 10 29 3 36 89.7 100.2 16.7 56.0 L 1
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.442vpoznanovic,
National Basketball Association Leaders Through Monday, April 15
SCORING
(MINIMUM OF 49 GAMES PLAYED OR 1344 POINTS SCORED)
PLAYER GP PTS AVG
------ -- --- ---
Michael Jordan, CHI 78 2389 30.6
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 70 1887 27.0
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 50 1342 26.8
Karl Malone, UTH 79 2036 25.8
David Robinson, SAS 79 1976 25.0
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 67 1562 23.3
Charles Barkley, PHO 71 1649 23.2
Mitch Richmond, SAC 78 1807 23.2
Patrick Ewing, NYK 73 1637 22.4
Penny Hardaway, ORL 78 1712 22.0
Glen Rice, CHA 76 1651 21.7
Juwan Howard, WAS 77 1652 21.5
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 74 1566 21.2
Reggie Miller, IND 76 1606 21.1
Vin Baker, MIL 78 1640 21.0
Clifford Robinson, POR 75 1566 20.9
Larry Johnson, CHA 78 1608 20.6
Grant Hill, DET 77 1582 20.6
Glenn Robinson, MIL 78 1587 20.4
Isaiah Rider, MIN 72 1443 20.0
Shawn Kemp, SEA 76 1522 20.0
Sean Elliott, SAS 74 1467 19.8
Scottie Pippen, CHI 73 1443 19.8
Dino Radja, BOS 53 1043 19.7
Allan Houston, DET 78 1529 19.6
Gary Payton, SEA 78 1522 19.5
Clyde Drexler, HOU 50 974 19.5
Terrell Brandon, CLE 71 1379 19.4
Jim Jackson, DAL 78 1506 19.3
Jerry Stackhouse, PHI 72 1384 19.2
REBOUNDING
(MINIMUM OF 49 GAMES PLAYED OR 768 REBOUNDS)
PLAYER GP REB AVG
------ -- --- ---
Dennis Rodman, CHI 60 889 14.8
David Robinson, SAS 79 971 12.3
Dikembe Mutombo, DEN 74 871 11.8
Shawn Kemp, SEA 76 879 11.6
Charles Barkley, PHO 71 821 11.6
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 70 770 11.0
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 50 546 10.9
Popeye Jones, DAL 64 696 10.9
Patrick Ewing, NYK 73 769 10.5
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 67 698 10.4
Jayson Williams, NJN 77 784 10.2
Loy Vaught, LAC 77 772 10.0
Karl Malone, UTH 79 785 9.9
Vin Baker, MIL 78 768 9.9
Dino Radja, BOS 53 522 9.9
Grant Hill, DET 77 757 9.8
Grant Long, ATL 78 755 9.7
Clarence Weatherspoon, PHI 75 722 9.6
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 76 728 9.6
Olden Polynice, SAC 78 746 9.6
ASSISTS
(MINIMUM OF 49 GAMES PLAYED OR 384 ASSISTS)
PLAYER GP AST AVG
------ -- --- ---
John Stockton, UTH 79 892 11.3
Avery Johnson, SAS 79 764 9.7
Rod Strickland, POR 67 640 9.6
Jason Kidd, DAL 77 729 9.5
Damon Stoudamire, TOR 70 653 9.3
Kevin Johnson, PHO 53 474 8.9
Kenny Anderson, CHA 66 549 8.3
Mark Jackson, IND 78 620 8.0
Tim Hardaway, MIA 77 604 7.8
Gary Payton, SEA 78 594 7.6
Greg Anthony, VAN 65 461 7.1
Chris Childs, NJN 76 537 7.1
Penny Hardaway, ORL 78 549 7.0
Nick Van Exel, LAL 74 509 6.9
Grant Hill, DET 77 529 6.9
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 57 389 6.8
Terrell Brandon, CLE 71 464 6.5
Jalen Rose, DEN 77 486 6.3
Tyus Edney, SAC 77 471 6.1
Scottie Pippen, CHI 73 434 6.0
FIELD GOAL PCT
(MINIMUM OF 288 FIELD GOALS MADE)
PLAYER GP FGM FGA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 76 466 798 .584
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 50 556 961 .579
Chris Gatling, MIA 69 314 551 .570
Shawn Kemp, SEA 76 518 915 .566
Dale Davis, IND 75 325 576 .564
Anthony Mason, NYK 79 423 765 .553
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 71 381 700 .544
Brian Williams, LAC 65 416 766 .543
Chucky Brown, HOU 79 291 537 .542
John Stockton, UTH 79 433 806 .537
Matt Geiger, CHA 76 354 659 .537
Otis Thorpe, DET 78 432 812 .532
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 74 602 1139 .529
Olden Polynice, SAC 78 409 778 .526
Oliver Miller, TOR 74 399 761 .524
FREE THROW PCT
(MINIMUM OF 120 FREE THROWS MADE)
PLAYER GP FTM FTA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, DEN 57 146 157 .930
Terrell Brandon, CLE 71 326 366 .891
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 79 253 284 .891
Dana Barros, BOS 77 125 142 .880
Brent Price, WAS 77 159 181 .878
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 79 241 277 .870
Tim Legler, WAS 75 129 149 .866
Mitch Richmond, SAC 78 405 468 .865
Reggie Miller, IND 76 430 498 .863
Kevin Johnson, PHO 53 330 383 .862
Magic Johnson, LAL 31 168 195 .862
Spud Webb, MIN 74 123 143 .860
Dell Curry, CHA 79 140 163 .859
Chris Mullin, GSW 55 137 160 .856
Chris Childs, NJN 76 259 303 .855
THREE POINT PCT
(MINIMUM OF 78 THREE POINT FIELD GOALS MADE)
PLAYER GP 3FG 3FA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Tim Legler, WAS 75 126 243 .519
Steve Kerr, CHI 78 117 228 .513
Hubert Davis, NYK 71 126 261 .483
B J Armstrong, GSW 79 94 195 .482
Brent Price, WAS 77 127 273 .465
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 79 99 216 .458
Bobby Phills, CLE 68 88 194 .454
Terry Dehere, LAC 79 132 300 .440
Mitch Richmond, SAC 78 216 495 .436
Eldridge Recasner, HOU 60 78 182 .429
Glen Rice, CHA 76 166 388 .428
David Wesley, BOS 79 110 258 .426
Michael Jordan, CHI 78 103 243 .424
Tracy Murray, TOR 79 143 338 .423
Brent Barry, LAC 76 121 287 .422
John Stockton, UTH 79 95 225 .422
STEALS
(MINIMUM OF 49 GAMES PLAYED OR 120 STEALS)
PLAYER GP STL AVG
------ -- --- ---
Gary Payton, SEA 78 223 2.9
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 77 199 2.6
Michael Jordan, CHI 78 172 2.2
Alvin Robertson, TOR 74 162 2.2
Jason Kidd, DAL 77 163 2.1
Penny Hardaway, ORL 78 158 2.0
Clyde Drexler, HOU 50 101 2.0
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 79 145 1.8
Eric Murdock, VAN 69 125 1.8
Tom Gugliotta, MIN 75 134 1.8
Eddie Jones, LAL 66 117 1.8
Scottie Pippen, CHI 73 128 1.8
Terrell Brandon, CLE 71 124 1.8
Nate Mcmillan, SEA 53 92 1.7
Greg Anthony, VAN 65 112 1.7
Karl Malone, UTH 79 134 1.7
John Stockton, UTH 79 133 1.7
Latrell Sprewell, GSW 75 124 1.7
Kenny Anderson, CHA 66 109 1.7
Robert Horry, HOU 71 116 1.6
BLOCKED SHOTS
(MINIMUM OF 49 GAMES PLAYED OR 96 BLOCKED SHOTS)
PLAYER GP BLK AVG
------ -- --- ---
Dikembe Mutombo, DEN 74 332 4.5
Shawn Bradley, NJN 76 265 3.5
David Robinson, SAS 79 266 3.4
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 70 201 2.9
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 67 182 2.7
Elden Campbell, LAL 78 205 2.6
Patrick Ewing, NYK 73 179 2.5
Gheorghe Muresan, WAS 76 172 2.3
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 50 108 2.2
Jim Mcilvaine, WAS 76 146 1.9
Lorenzo Williams, DAL 61 116 1.9
Oliver Miller, TOR 74 137 1.9
Andrew Lang, MIN 68 120 1.8
Vlade Divac, LAL 76 130 1.7
Joe Smith, GSW 79 130 1.7
Shawn Kemp, SEA 76 122 1.6
Kevin Garnett, MIN 77 122 1.6
Ervin Johnson, SEA 78 122 1.6
Theo Ratliff, DET 72 112 1.6
Robert Horry, HOU 71 109 1.5
nba.443vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Pacific Division Through Monday, April 15
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
---------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Latrell Sprewell 75 18.7 4.9 4.2 123- 247- 370 124 40 214 142
Joe Smith 79 15.2 8.7 1.0 287- 399- 686 81 130 132 213
Chris Mullin 55 13.4 2.9 3.5 44- 115- 159 75 32 122 127
Rony Seikaly 64 12.1 7.8 1.1 166- 333- 499 40 69 180 219
B J Armstrong 79 12.1 2.3 4.8 20- 158- 178 62 6 121 138
Bimbo Coles 78 11.1 3.3 5.3 49- 208- 257 91 17 167 250
Kevin Willis 73 10.6 8.6 0.7 203- 423- 626 29 40 159 248
Jerome Kersey 73 6.5 4.6 1.5 140- 197- 337 83 43 74 191
Donyell Marshall 59 5.7 3.4 0.8 60- 140- 200 22 30 47 80
Jon Barry 66 3.8 0.9 1.2 17- 45- 62 33 11 42 50
Clifford Rozier 57 3.1 3.0 0.4 70- 99- 169 19 30 40 133
Andrew Declercq 19 2.1 1.4 0.3 10- 16- 26 4 3 1 21
Robert Churchwell 3 2.0 1.0 0.3 0- 3- 3 0 0 2 1
Geert Hammink 5 1.6 0.6 0.0 2- 1- 3 0 0 2 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Sprewell 489-1145 .427 82-262 .313 339-424 .800 1399 32
Smith 451-981 .460 10-26 .385 291-375 .776 1203 30
Mullin 269-539 .499 59-150 .393 137-160 .856 734 26
Seikaly 285-568 .502 2-3 .667 204-282 .723 776 31
Armstrong 323-684 .472 94-195 .482 212-254 .835 952 35
Coles 308-755 .408 84-244 .344 168-209 .804 868 26
Willis 315-691 .456 1-9 .111 141-199 .709 772 25
Kersey 192-465 .413 3-17 .176 89-132 .674 476 16
Marshall 124-300 .413 28-91 .308 62-81 .765 338 24
Barry 89-183 .486 43-92 .467 31-37 .838 252 19
Rozier 76-130 .585 0-2 .000 26-55 .473 178 14
Declercq 16-32 .500 0-1 .000 8-15 .533 40 9
Churchwell 3-8 .375 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 6 6
Hammink 2-3 .667 0-0 .000 4-7 .571 8 4
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
--------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Loy Vaught 77 16.1 10.0 1.4 193- 579- 772 84 39 155 235
Brian Williams 65 15.8 7.6 1.9 149- 343- 492 70 55 190 227
Terry Dehere 79 12.5 1.8 4.3 39- 99- 138 54 16 185 228
Malik Sealy 59 11.8 3.9 1.9 72- 158- 230 83 26 106 146
Pooh Richardson 60 11.6 2.5 5.5 33- 115- 148 72 12 92 128
Rodney Rogers 64 11.5 4.2 2.3 107- 163- 270 71 30 137 208
Brent Barry 76 10.2 2.1 2.9 37- 122- 159 90 19 117 191
Lamond Murray 76 8.5 3.2 1.1 89- 156- 245 60 25 107 151
Stanley Roberts 48 7.0 3.3 0.7 40- 116- 156 15 38 44 142
Eric Piatkowski 63 4.4 1.6 0.7 40- 61- 101 23 9 41 78
Antonio Harvey 52 3.7 3.6 0.3 63- 122- 185 24 41 38 70
Charles Outlaw 77 3.4 2.3 0.6 71- 102- 173 41 87 42 122
Keith Tower 33 2.5 1.6 0.2 22- 29- 51 4 11 16 50
Logan Vander Velden 15 0.6 0.4 0.1 1- 5- 6 0 0 0 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Vaught 544-1042 .522 6-17 .353 148-203 .729 1242 28
Williams 416-766 .543 1-6 .167 196-267 .734 1029 35
Dehere 305-660 .462 132-300 .440 244-320 .763 986 31
Sealy 266-625 .426 19-94 .202 142-177 .802 693 29
Richardson 266-635 .419 87-230 .378 76-103 .738 695 31
Rogers 290-607 .478 48-145 .331 106-168 .631 734 25
Barry 274-575 .477 121-287 .422 106-130 .815 775 30
Murray 255-571 .447 37-115 .322 99-132 .750 646 22
Roberts 135-281 .480 0-0 .000 65-120 .542 335 25
Piatkowski 89-227 .392 37-110 .336 64-78 .821 279 16
Harvey 77-206 .374 0-2 .000 36-78 .462 190 13
Outlaw 98-170 .576 0-3 .000 67-148 .453 263 14
Tower 32-72 .444 0-1 .000 18-26 .692 82 19
Vander Velde 3-14 .214 0-5 .000 3-4 .750 9 2
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Cedric Ceballos 74 21.2 6.8 1.5 207- 297- 504 91 20 161 140
Magic Johnson 31 14.9 5.8 6.8 39- 141- 180 23 13 101 47
Nick Van Exel 74 14.9 2.5 6.9 29- 152- 181 70 10 156 115
Elden Campbell 78 13.9 7.7 2.1 152- 445- 597 83 205 127 288
Vlade Divac 76 13.0 8.6 3.3 194- 463- 657 74 130 191 261
Eddie Jones 66 12.4 3.3 3.5 41- 174- 215 117 42 87 155
Anthony Peeler 69 9.5 1.9 1.6 43- 85- 128 54 9 51 136
Sedale Threatt 78 7.1 1.1 3.2 18- 70- 88 62 11 67 168
Fred Roberts 29 3.8 1.4 0.8 14- 26- 40 16 4 22 22
George Lynch 72 3.8 2.7 0.7 78- 115- 193 40 9 35 97
Derek Strong 59 3.5 2.8 0.5 55- 109- 164 16 12 18 75
Corie Blount 55 3.2 3.0 0.8 68- 96- 164 22 34 42 104
Anthony Miller 27 1.3 0.9 0.2 11- 14- 25 4 1 8 19
Frankie King 6 1.2 0.3 0.3 1- 1- 2 2 0 2 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ceballos 602-1139 .529 48-172 .279 314-392 .801 1566 38
Johnson 136-287 .474 22-57 .386 168-195 .862 462 30
Van Exel 396-950 .417 144-403 .357 163-204 .799 1099 30
Campbell 424-839 .505 0-5 .000 233-330 .706 1081 29
Divac 400-778 .514 3-18 .167 186-289 .644 989 29
Jones 308-637 .484 73-205 .356 127-171 .743 816 27
Peeler 252-548 .460 95-231 .411 54-76 .711 653 25
Threatt 225-497 .453 52-157 .331 54-71 .761 556 27
Roberts 42-87 .483 4-12 .333 21-27 .778 109 19
Lynch 110-250 .440 3-12 .250 47-71 .662 270 14
Strong 68-155 .439 1-7 .143 68-83 .819 205 16
Blount 77-161 .478 0-1 .000 24-42 .571 178 11
Miller 15-35 .429 0-2 .000 6-10 .600 36 6
F King 3-11 .273 0-1 .000 1-3 .333 7 3
PHOENIX SUNS
------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Charles Barkley 71 23.2 11.6 3.7 243- 578- 821 114 56 218 208
Kevin Johnson 53 18.7 3.9 8.9 40- 166- 206 75 11 158 133
Michael Finley 78 15.0 4.5 3.4 132- 217- 349 83 29 124 188
Danny Manning 29 13.7 4.6 2.0 29- 103- 132 35 22 73 109
Wesley Person 78 12.4 3.7 1.7 49- 238- 287 52 21 80 145
Wayman Tisdale 59 10.1 3.1 0.9 46- 138- 184 13 32 57 171
Elliot Perry 77 8.4 1.7 4.4 34- 95- 129 80 6 140 137
Ac Green 78 7.6 6.7 0.9 157- 369- 526 42 23 77 137
John Williams 60 7.3 6.0 1.0 124- 233- 357 46 87 61 165
Mario Bennett 15 4.7 2.3 0.3 16- 19- 35 10 9 9 36
Chris Carr 56 3.9 1.6 0.7 22- 66- 88 9 5 37 70
Terrence Rencher 36 2.9 1.2 1.5 9- 35- 44 16 2 43 37
Joe Kleine 56 2.9 2.4 0.8 36- 96- 132 13 5 37 113
John Coker 5 1.6 0.4 0.2 2- 0- 2 0 1 0 1
Stefano Rusconi 7 1.1 0.9 0.4 3- 3- 6 0 2 3 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Barkley 580-1160 .500 49-175 .280 440-566 .777 1649 45
Johnson 320-629 .509 20-54 .370 330-383 .862 990 39
Finley 438-926 .473 59-182 .324 233-314 .742 1168 27
Manning 159-353 .450 3-12 .250 75-100 .750 396 32
W Person 360-815 .442 109-287 .380 140-183 .765 969 29
Tisdale 245-501 .489 0-0 .000 106-141 .752 596 30
Perry 241-516 .467 22-55 .400 145-185 .784 649 35
Green 208-424 .491 14-51 .275 159-223 .713 589 29
Williams 172-381 .451 0-1 .000 91-126 .722 435 23
Bennett 24-53 .453 0-1 .000 23-30 .767 71 12
Carr 82-197 .416 10-39 .256 44-54 .815 218 15
Rencher 33-100 .330 9-29 .310 31-46 .674 106 8
Kleine 71-169 .420 2-7 .286 20-25 .800 164 15
Coker 4-5 .800 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 8 4
Rusconi 3-9 .333 0-0 .000 2-5 .400 8 7
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
----------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Clifford Robinson 75 20.9 5.7 2.4 121- 309- 430 80 67 182 235
Rod Strickland 67 18.8 4.4 9.6 89- 208- 297 97 16 255 135
Arvydas Sabonis 71 14.5 8.1 1.8 142- 432- 574 60 76 149 206
Aaron Mckie 78 10.7 3.8 2.4 84- 212- 296 87 21 127 198
Harvey Grant 73 9.2 4.7 1.5 110- 234- 344 57 42 80 162
James Robinson 73 8.6 2.0 1.9 44- 103- 147 31 15 104 138
Gary Trent 67 7.6 3.4 0.8 83- 147- 230 25 10 90 116
Buck Williams 67 7.2 5.8 0.6 153- 236- 389 38 44 83 178
Rumeal Robinson 40 5.7 1.7 3.2 16- 53- 69 24 5 61 76
Chris Dudley 77 5.0 8.9 0.4 226- 462- 688 41 96 74 242
Dontonio Wingfield 43 3.7 2.3 0.6 44- 56- 100 18 5 30 71
Randolph Childress 28 3.0 0.7 1.1 1- 18- 19 8 1 28 22
Anthony Cook 11 1.4 1.1 0.2 5- 7- 12 0 1 1 8
Elmore Spencer 17 0.8 0.8 0.1 3- 10- 13 0 2 6 12
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
C Robinson 532-1255 .424 173-453 .382 329-505 .651 1566 41
Strickland 471-1023 .460 38-111 .342 276-423 .652 1256 32
Sabonis 381-700 .544 38-102 .373 229-302 .758 1029 26
Mckie 328-700 .469 36-107 .336 145-190 .763 837 24
Grant 299-646 .463 19-62 .306 57-104 .548 674 24
J Robinson 221-554 .399 97-272 .357 88-133 .662 627 22
Trent 218-423 .515 0-9 .000 76-139 .547 512 21
Williams 178-360 .494 2-3 .667 121-181 .669 479 21
R Robinson 85-201 .423 27-73 .370 30-47 .638 227 20
Dudley 154-339 .454 0-1 .000 78-153 .510 386 13
Wingfield 58-152 .382 19-61 .311 24-30 .800 159 17
Childress 25-79 .316 13-47 .277 22-27 .815 85 18
Cook 7-16 .438 0-2 .000 1-4 .250 15 4
Spencer 5-13 .385 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 14 5
SACRAMENTO KINGS
----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Mitch Richmond 78 23.2 3.4 3.2 50- 213- 263 121 18 211 229
Brian Grant 75 14.5 7.1 1.7 169- 360- 529 39 100 178 263
Billy Owens 59 13.3 6.6 3.4 133- 255- 388 46 37 160 183
Olden Polynice 78 12.0 9.6 0.7 250- 496- 746 52 65 120 243
Sarunas Marciulionis 51 10.9 1.5 2.2 20- 54- 74 50 4 94 111
Tyus Edney 77 10.7 2.5 6.1 60- 134- 194 86 3 190 198
Kevin Gamble 63 6.0 1.8 1.6 21- 90- 111 35 8 43 145
Corliss Williamson 51 5.8 2.1 0.5 56- 53- 109 11 8 75 113
Michael Smith 62 5.4 5.8 1.7 131- 228- 359 42 40 69 154
Lionel Simmons 51 4.5 2.7 1.5 39- 97- 136 27 19 48 84
Byron Houston 25 3.4 3.4 0.3 31- 53- 84 13 7 17 59
Duane Causwell 70 3.3 3.3 0.3 72- 158- 230 24 77 52 165
Bobby Hurley 69 3.1 1.1 2.9 12- 62- 74 27 3 82 118
Clint Mcdaniel 12 2.4 0.8 0.6 3- 7- 10 5 0 2 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Richmond 593-1331 .446 216-495 .436 405-468 .865 1807 47
Grant 414-814 .509 4-17 .235 254-348 .730 1086 32
Owens 312-644 .484 5-17 .294 154-242 .636 783 34
Polynice 409-778 .526 1-3 .333 120-197 .609 939 27
Marciulionis 173-373 .464 62-149 .416 146-187 .781 554 25
Edney 292-714 .409 51-137 .372 190-242 .785 825 20
Gamble 147-367 .401 43-110 .391 38-48 .792 375 37
C Williamson 124-264 .470 0-3 .000 46-82 .561 294 26
Smith 134-221 .606 1-1 1.000 66-163 .405 335 15
Simmons 78-198 .394 15-42 .357 56-77 .727 227 19
Houston 32-64 .500 1-3 .333 21-26 .808 86 8
Causwell 82-199 .412 0-1 .000 70-96 .729 234 18
Hurley 63-222 .284 21-73 .288 65-81 .802 212 17
Mcdaniel 8-23 .348 2-6 .333 11-14 .786 29 8
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Shawn Kemp 76 20.0 11.6 2.2 270- 609- 879 91 122 306 285
Gary Payton 78 19.5 4.2 7.6 97- 230- 327 223 19 250 215
Detlef Schrempf 60 17.3 5.3 4.4 70- 248- 318 55 8 136 171
Hersey Hawkins 79 15.6 3.7 2.7 86- 203- 289 145 13 160 170
Sam Perkins 79 11.9 4.5 1.5 95- 257- 352 83 45 82 167
Vincent Askew 68 8.5 3.1 2.4 64- 148- 212 45 14 92 176
Frank Brickowski 62 5.4 2.4 0.9 26- 121- 147 26 7 76 182
Ervin Johnson 78 5.3 5.2 0.6 126- 282- 408 36 122 96 234
Nate Mcmillan 53 4.9 3.8 3.6 40- 162- 202 92 17 73 136
David Wingate 57 3.7 1.0 0.9 16- 38- 54 19 2 39 62
Sherell Ford 27 3.2 0.9 0.2 12- 12- 24 7 1 6 26
Eric Snow 42 2.6 1.0 1.7 9- 34- 43 26 0 35 51
Steve Scheffler 33 1.6 0.9 0.1 14- 15- 29 6 1 8 21
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Kemp 518-915 .566 4-11 .364 482-650 .742 1522 32
Payton 599-1234 .485 95-289 .329 229-306 .748 1522 38
D Schrempf 345-705 .489 70-169 .414 277-355 .780 1037 35
Hawkins 426-903 .472 137-362 .378 241-277 .870 1230 35
Perkins 314-771 .407 128-356 .360 182-229 .795 938 26
Askew 213-429 .497 29-83 .349 124-162 .765 579 21
Brickowski 121-247 .490 31-76 .408 59-84 .702 332 21
Johnson 167-328 .509 1-3 .333 80-120 .667 415 28
Mcmillan 94-230 .409 43-117 .368 29-41 .707 260 13
Wingate 85-195 .436 14-29 .483 29-36 .806 213 18
Ford 28-78 .359 4-25 .160 26-34 .765 86 9
Snow 39-94 .415 2-10 .200 28-46 .609 108 9
S Scheffler 22-41 .537 1-5 .200 7-13 .538 52 8
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.444vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Midwest Division Through Sunday, April 14
DALLAS MAVERICKS
----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Jamal Mashburn 18 23.4 5.4 2.8 37- 60- 97 14 3 55 39
Jim Jackson 78 19.3 5.0 3.0 164- 228- 392 46 19 183 156
George Mccloud 76 19.1 4.8 2.6 110- 255- 365 104 36 158 204
Jason Kidd 77 16.4 6.7 9.5 196- 321- 517 163 26 306 150
Tony Dumas 63 11.7 1.8 1.5 55- 56- 111 40 11 74 120
Popeye Jones 64 11.5 10.9 2.0 247- 449- 696 51 26 103 248
Lucious Harris 57 7.8 2.0 1.3 38- 75- 113 31 3 41 55
Scott Brooks 66 5.1 0.6 1.5 10- 28- 38 42 3 41 53
Loren Meyer 68 5.0 4.3 0.8 105- 189- 294 17 30 60 211
Terry Davis 28 4.9 4.2 0.8 43- 74- 117 10 4 25 66
Cherokee Parks 61 3.8 3.3 0.4 64- 137- 201 25 31 29 91
David Wood 58 3.2 2.4 0.5 47- 91- 138 19 9 22 139
Lorenzo Williams 61 3.1 8.2 1.3 225- 274- 499 47 116 75 212
Reggie Slater 11 2.8 1.4 0.2 4- 11- 15 2 3 9 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mashburn 145-383 .379 35-102 .343 97-133 .729 422 37
Jackson 535-1234 .434 114-305 .374 322-392 .821 1506 38
Mccloud 514-1232 .417 252-656 .384 168-212 .792 1448 37
Kidd 461-1229 .375 124-377 .329 220-320 .688 1266 36
Dumas 260-614 .423 74-202 .366 143-239 .598 737 39
Jones 312-692 .451 13-33 .394 98-127 .772 735 24
Harris 170-365 .466 42-114 .368 65-83 .783 447 19
Brooks 128-284 .451 24-61 .393 53-63 .841 333 18
Meyer 134-304 .441 2-10 .200 67-99 .677 337 14
Davis 55-108 .509 0-0 .000 27-47 .574 137 15
Parks 92-231 .398 6-23 .261 41-61 .672 231 25
Wood 67-156 .429 19-56 .339 34-44 .773 187 19
Williams 82-207 .396 0-1 .000 23-65 .354 187 10
Slater 14-27 .519 0-0 .000 3-7 .429 31 11
DENVER NUGGETS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf 57 19.2 2.4 6.8 26- 112- 138 64 3 115 117
Dale Ellis 78 15.0 3.9 1.8 83- 223- 306 55 7 94 187
Bryant Stith 78 13.8 4.9 3.0 114- 264- 378 103 15 151 175
Antonio Mcdyess 72 13.4 7.4 1.0 208- 326- 534 52 106 144 238
Dikembe Mutombo 73 11.1 11.9 1.5 247- 618- 865 37 328 149 254
Don Maclean 52 10.9 3.5 1.5 55- 127- 182 19 5 58 98
Laphonso Ellis 41 10.2 6.8 1.7 77- 200- 277 32 25 68 151
Jalen Rose 76 10.0 3.3 6.3 43- 204- 247 47 37 223 218
Reggie Williams 50 4.8 2.3 1.5 25- 88- 113 31 19 48 132
Tom Hammonds 67 4.8 3.1 0.3 75- 131- 206 20 11 45 131
Doug Overton 51 3.2 1.0 1.9 6- 46- 52 11 4 34 45
Matt Fish 14 2.6 0.9 0.4 7- 6- 13 1 5 2 12
Randy Woods 8 2.4 0.8 1.5 3- 3- 6 6 1 5 13
Greg Grant 6 1.2 0.3 1.0 0- 2- 2 1 0 2 3
Rastko Cvetkovic 14 0.7 0.8 0.2 4- 7- 11 2 1 3 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Abdul-rauf 414-955 .434 121-309 .392 146-157 .930 1095 51
D Ellis 445-922 .483 145-346 .419 133-175 .760 1168 33
Stith 365-870 .420 41-143 .287 306-362 .845 1077 27
Mcdyess 404-817 .494 0-4 .000 153-227 .674 961 32
Mutombo 283-565 .501 0-1 .000 242-344 .703 808 22
Maclean 214-492 .435 13-47 .277 125-172 .727 566 38
L Ellis 169-392 .431 4-20 .200 75-126 .595 417 22
Rose 275-571 .482 31-101 .307 180-263 .684 761 19
Williams 94-253 .372 20-88 .227 33-39 .846 241 27
Hammonds 119-246 .484 0-0 .000 83-105 .790 321 26
Overton 60-162 .370 7-23 .304 35-50 .700 162 16
Fish 16-26 .615 0-0 .000 5-11 .455 37 10
Woods 6-22 .273 5-21 .238 2-2 1.000 19 5
Grant 3-8 .375 1-3 .333 0-0 .000 7 5
Cvetkovic 5-16 .313 0-1 .000 0-4 .000 10 2
HOUSTON ROCKETS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Hakeem Olajuwon 69 27.0 11.0 3.6 172- 586- 758 108 199 239 233
Clyde Drexler 49 19.4 7.4 5.8 94- 268- 362 98 24 132 145
Sam Cassell 58 14.2 3.1 4.6 50- 131- 181 53 4 150 159
Robert Horry 70 12.1 5.7 3.9 96- 304- 400 113 109 159 194
Mario Elie 41 11.3 3.4 3.0 42- 97- 139 43 11 55 88
Sam Mack 27 10.6 3.2 2.4 16- 69- 85 18 6 23 68
Tracy Moore 7 10.4 2.7 0.6 9- 10- 19 2 0 8 13
Chucky Brown 78 8.8 5.4 1.1 129- 291- 420 45 36 89 154
Mark Bryant 67 8.4 5.0 0.7 129- 204- 333 30 19 78 216
Kenny Smith 64 8.4 1.4 3.6 20- 71- 91 47 2 94 108
Eldridge Recasner 60 7.0 2.3 2.8 29- 108- 137 21 5 59 107
Henry James 7 4.3 0.9 0.3 3- 3- 6 0 0 4 13
Melvin Booker 11 4.0 0.8 1.9 1- 8- 9 5 1 12 18
Tim Breaux 54 3.2 1.2 0.4 23- 42- 65 11 8 30 47
Pete Chilcutt 70 2.6 2.1 0.3 50- 96- 146 18 10 20 61
Alvin Heggs 4 2.0 0.5 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 0 0
Jaren Jackson 4 2.0 0.8 0.0 0- 3- 3 1 0 0 5
Charles Jones 43 0.3 1.5 0.2 26- 40- 66 5 22 1 37
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Olajuwon 738-1446 .510 3-14 .214 383-531 .721 1862 51
Drexler 309-715 .432 74-218 .339 256-325 .788 948 41
Cassell 272-620 .439 66-194 .340 215-262 .821 825 33
Horry 299-729 .410 141-385 .366 111-143 .776 850 40
Elie 165-325 .508 38-114 .333 95-112 .848 463 20
Mack 104-242 .430 44-108 .407 34-41 .829 286 38
Moore 24-65 .369 9-24 .375 16-17 .941 73 17
Brown 289-532 .543 1-8 .125 104-150 .693 683 18
Bryant 222-418 .531 0-2 .000 120-166 .723 564 30
Smith 185-425 .435 83-216 .384 84-102 .824 537 22
Recasner 142-342 .415 78-182 .429 57-66 .864 419 21
James 10-24 .417 5-15 .333 5-5 1.000 30 16
Booker 16-50 .320 3-19 .158 9-11 .818 44 9
Breaux 64-168 .381 15-46 .326 29-46 .630 172 17
Chilcutt 67-163 .411 34-88 .386 11-19 .579 179 13
Heggs 3-5 .600 0-0 .000 2-3 .667 8 7
Jackson 0-8 .000 0-5 .000 8-10 .800 8 7
Jones 5-18 .278 0-0 .000 4-13 .308 14 4
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
----------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Isaiah Rider 72 20.0 4.1 2.9 96- 201- 297 47 24 194 196
Tom Gugliotta 75 16.1 8.9 3.1 169- 499- 668 134 93 222 254
Andrew Lang 68 11.9 6.4 0.9 150- 288- 438 41 120 117 230
Sam Mitchell 75 10.6 4.2 1.0 98- 214- 312 49 25 77 209
Kevin Garnett 77 10.3 6.2 1.8 165- 311- 476 82 122 103 183
Terry Porter 79 9.4 2.6 5.5 34- 171- 205 87 15 167 146
Spud Webb 74 7.0 1.3 3.8 24- 70- 94 52 6 105 104
Darrick Martin 59 7.0 1.4 3.7 16- 66- 82 53 3 107 123
Doug West 70 6.4 2.2 1.7 46- 106- 152 26 17 74 218
Micheal Williams 9 6.1 2.6 3.4 3- 20- 23 5 3 22 37
Eric Riley 24 3.8 3.1 0.2 32- 43- 75 7 14 17 42
Mark Davis 54 3.4 2.3 0.9 55- 69- 124 40 22 67 91
Jerome Allen 39 2.7 0.6 1.2 5- 20- 25 19 5 32 40
Marques Bragg 51 2.5 1.5 0.2 37- 39- 76 17 8 24 70
Charles Smith 8 0.8 0.6 0.8 0- 5- 5 1 0 5 7
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Rider 549-1175 .467 99-267 .371 246-294 .837 1443 33
Gugliotta 453-957 .473 24-80 .300 279-362 .771 1209 36
Lang 343-767 .447 1-4 .250 125-155 .806 812 29
Mitchell 281-579 .485 1-18 .056 228-279 .817 791 23
Garnett 344-705 .488 8-28 .286 99-138 .717 795 33
Porter 259-583 .444 68-215 .316 155-199 .779 741 23
Webb 177-403 .439 44-117 .376 123-143 .860 521 21
Martin 147-362 .406 20-69 .290 101-120 .842 415 24
West 168-378 .444 0-12 .000 114-144 .792 450 16
Williams 13-40 .325 1-3 .333 28-33 .848 55 18
Riley 35-73 .479 0-1 .000 22-28 .786 92 9
Davis 54-145 .372 4-13 .308 72-112 .643 184 12
Allen 35-102 .343 9-30 .300 26-36 .722 105 9
Bragg 53-118 .449 0-0 .000 23-41 .561 129 13
Smith 3-10 .300 0-3 .000 0-2 .000 6 4
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
-----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
David Robinson 78 25.0 12.3 3.1 307- 651- 958 105 264 181 254
Sean Elliott 73 19.9 5.2 2.8 64- 315- 379 65 32 190 171
Vinny Del Negro 78 14.6 3.2 3.8 36- 215- 251 80 6 93 158
Avery Johnson 78 12.9 2.5 9.6 37- 159- 196 112 21 185 170
Chuck Person 76 11.1 5.1 1.3 66- 319- 385 47 25 87 183
Charles Smith 71 8.4 5.0 0.9 133- 222- 355 48 79 102 219
Will Perdue 76 5.1 6.0 0.4 164- 295- 459 27 73 82 172
Doc Rivers 74 4.0 1.8 1.6 30- 105- 135 71 21 56 167
Dell Demps 16 3.3 0.6 0.5 2- 7- 9 3 1 12 10
Cory Alexander 58 2.9 0.7 2.1 9- 30- 39 27 2 66 92
Monty Williams 28 2.2 1.3 0.2 19- 16- 35 6 2 15 23
Carl Herrera 41 2.0 1.9 0.4 29- 49- 78 9 8 29 58
Greg Anderson 42 1.2 2.2 0.2 28- 66- 94 9 21 22 63
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Robinson 681-1318 .517 3-9 .333 586-771 .760 1951 45
Elliott 494-1063 .465 153-376 .407 314-410 .766 1455 36
Del Negro 456-911 .501 54-141 .383 175-211 .829 1141 31
Johnson 413-833 .496 6-30 .200 174-245 .710 1006 26
C Person 295-671 .440 183-445 .411 67-104 .644 840 25
Smith 240-566 .424 2-15 .133 117-161 .727 599 21
W Perdue 161-311 .518 0-1 .000 65-123 .528 387 18
Rivers 104-277 .375 43-129 .333 48-64 .750 299 11
Demps 19-33 .576 1-2 .500 14-17 .824 53 15
Alexander 62-150 .413 26-65 .400 16-25 .640 166 14
Williams 24-59 .407 0-1 .000 13-18 .722 61 14
Herrera 38-94 .404 0-0 .000 5-17 .294 81 6
Anderson 23-46 .500 0-1 .000 6-21 .286 52 6
UTAH JAZZ
---------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Karl Malone 79 25.8 9.9 4.2 173- 612- 785 134 54 188 242
Jeff Hornacek 79 15.1 2.5 4.2 58- 143- 201 103 20 125 167
John Stockton 79 15.1 2.8 11.3 53- 167- 220 133 15 238 202
Chris Morris 63 10.6 3.5 1.2 96- 122- 218 60 19 69 136
David Benoit 78 8.1 4.7 1.0 89- 279- 368 42 46 70 162
Antoine Carr 77 7.3 2.5 0.9 67- 123- 190 27 62 72 252
Adam Keefe 79 6.2 5.7 0.8 171- 277- 448 48 39 86 174
Felton Spencer 68 5.6 4.4 0.2 96- 201- 297 20 54 74 231
Howard Eisley 62 4.3 1.2 2.2 21- 52- 73 27 3 74 125
Greg Foster 71 3.9 2.4 0.4 50- 119- 169 7 21 56 120
Greg Ostertag 54 3.4 2.9 0.1 50- 108- 158 5 58 23 81
Jamie Watson 16 3.0 1.7 1.5 5- 22- 27 8 2 17 30
Byron Russell 56 2.7 1.4 0.5 21- 56- 77 24 7 32 60
Andy Toolson 13 1.7 0.5 0.1 0- 6- 6 0 0 2 12
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Malone 760-1477 .515 16-39 .410 500-691 .724 2036 51
Hornacek 421-848 .496 99-216 .458 253-284 .891 1194 29
Stockton 433-806 .537 95-225 .422 231-277 .834 1192 31
Morris 259-586 .442 62-191 .325 90-117 .769 670 23
Benoit 242-555 .436 63-187 .337 87-112 .777 634 24
Carr 226-488 .463 0-3 .000 109-138 .790 561 20
Keefe 174-333 .523 0-4 .000 138-198 .697 486 16
Spencer 139-265 .525 0-0 .000 103-148 .696 381 16
Eisley 96-223 .430 12-58 .207 65-77 .844 269 14
Foster 106-236 .449 1-8 .125 61-72 .847 274 16
Ostertag 76-160 .475 0-0 .000 30-48 .625 182 14
Watson 18-43 .419 3-7 .429 9-13 .692 48 7
Russell 50-130 .385 10-35 .286 39-57 .684 149 19
Toolson 8-22 .364 3-12 .250 3-4 .750 22 5
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Greg Anthony 65 14.3 2.4 7.1 27- 128- 155 112 11 152 132
Bryant Reeves 75 13.4 7.5 1.4 175- 390- 565 42 55 156 225
Blue Edwards 78 12.8 4.2 2.7 91- 234- 325 116 46 164 230
Byron Scott 76 10.3 2.4 1.5 38- 141- 179 61 18 92 122
Eric Murdock 69 8.7 2.3 4.5 26- 133- 159 125 8 124 131
Chris King 76 7.4 3.4 1.3 96- 159- 255 62 28 98 151
Lawrence Moten 40 6.6 1.3 1.1 30- 20- 50 23 5 39 52
Ashraf Amaya 51 6.5 5.7 0.6 107- 181- 288 21 9 54 145
Gerald Wilkins 24 6.2 2.4 2.5 21- 37- 58 17 1 33 46
Anthony Avent 67 5.7 4.9 0.9 102- 226- 328 28 36 91 188
Eric Mobley 39 4.8 3.6 0.6 54- 86- 140 14 24 50 87
Jeff Turner 13 3.6 2.2 0.5 10- 18- 28 2 1 11 33
Rich Manning 28 3.6 1.9 0.2 16- 38- 54 3 6 17 36
Doug Edwards 31 3.0 2.8 1.3 35- 52- 87 10 18 29 51
Cuonzo Martin 4 1.5 0.3 0.5 0- 1- 1 1 0 0 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Anthony 313-752 .416 85-257 .331 220-286 .769 931 32
Reeves 395-865 .457 0-3 .000 217-297 .731 1007 28
B Edwards 383-915 .419 84-240 .350 150-198 .758 1000 26
Scott 260-643 .404 70-206 .340 190-227 .837 780 27
Murdock 222-544 .408 45-136 .331 108-137 .788 597 20
King 224-527 .425 32-91 .352 85-128 .664 565 20
Moten 100-224 .446 17-52 .327 48-74 .649 265 21
Amaya 119-243 .490 0-1 .000 92-140 .657 330 18
Wilkins 61-171 .357 9-53 .170 18-21 .857 149 15
Avent 166-428 .388 0-0 .000 52-71 .732 384 16
Mobley 74-138 .536 1-2 .500 39-87 .448 188 12
Turner 18-51 .353 9-27 .333 2-2 1.000 47 16
Manning 46-108 .426 0-1 .000 9-14 .643 101 13
D Edwards 32-91 .352 0-4 .000 29-38 .763 93 11
Martin 2-4 .500 2-2 1.000 0-2 .000 6 3
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.445vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Atlantic Division Through Sunday, April 14
BOSTON CELTICS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Dino Radja 53 19.7 9.9 1.6 113- 409- 522 48 81 117 161
Rick Fox 78 13.8 5.4 4.6 154- 269- 423 106 38 212 279
Dana Barros 77 12.8 2.4 3.9 20- 167- 187 55 3 115 114
David Wesley 79 12.1 3.1 4.6 64- 184- 248 99 11 150 201
Todd Day 76 11.5 2.9 1.3 69- 148- 217 77 48 105 214
Eric Williams 64 10.7 3.4 1.1 92- 125- 217 56 11 88 147
Dee Brown 62 10.5 2.1 2.3 35- 93- 128 79 12 72 117
Greg Minor 75 9.5 3.3 1.9 89- 155- 244 35 9 76 153
Eric Montross 61 7.3 5.8 0.7 119- 233- 352 19 29 83 181
Pervis Ellison 67 5.3 6.5 0.9 148- 290- 438 38 96 82 200
Junior Burrough 58 2.8 1.8 0.3 42- 62- 104 12 9 34 64
Thomas Hamilton 8 2.8 1.8 0.1 8- 6- 14 0 7 7 10
Alton Lister 62 2.2 4.2 0.3 63- 195- 258 6 37 47 128
Doug Smith 17 1.9 1.3 0.2 12- 10- 22 3 0 11 21
Todd Mundt 30 1.1 0.9 0.1 10- 17- 27 2 5 3 28
Charles Claxton 3 0.7 0.7 0.0 2- 0- 2 0 1 1 4
Larry Sykes 1 0.0 2.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 1 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Radja 426-852 .500 0-0 .000 191-275 .695 1043 33
Fox 398-891 .447 93-263 .354 187-244 .766 1076 33
Barros 360-773 .466 140-351 .399 125-142 .880 985 24
Wesley 323-694 .465 110-258 .426 203-270 .752 959 37
Day 281-779 .361 91-287 .317 219-280 .782 872 41
Williams 241-546 .441 3-10 .300 200-296 .676 685 31
Brown 231-588 .393 64-211 .303 123-146 .842 649 21
Minor 307-608 .505 6-26 .231 91-120 .758 711 24
Montross 196-346 .566 0-0 .000 50-133 .376 442 19
Ellison 140-284 .493 0-0 .000 75-117 .641 355 23
Burrough 51-144 .354 0-0 .000 59-90 .656 161 10
Hamilton 8-25 .320 0-0 .000 6-14 .429 22 13
Lister 49-100 .490 0-0 .000 41-62 .661 139 10
D Smith 14-39 .359 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 33 6
Mundt 14-38 .368 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 33 8
Claxton 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 0-2 .000 2 2
Sykes 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
MIAMI HEAT
----------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Alonzo Mourning 66 23.4 10.4 2.2 201- 488- 689 64 180 249 234
Tim Hardaway 76 15.3 2.9 7.8 35- 185- 220 120 16 213 190
Rex Chapman 52 14.4 2.6 3.0 21- 115- 136 44 8 70 113
Walt Williams 69 13.9 4.3 3.2 89- 210- 299 77 57 143 227
Sasha Danilovic 18 13.7 2.4 2.6 11- 33- 44 14 3 36 45
Chris Gatling 68 11.0 5.9 0.6 127- 271- 398 32 40 91 206
Kurt Thomas 70 9.0 5.8 0.6 117- 288- 405 45 33 94 256
Keith Askins 72 6.0 4.4 1.6 110- 206- 316 46 58 81 262
Voshon Lenard 28 5.9 1.8 1.0 10- 39- 49 6 1 22 29
Tyrone Corbin 69 5.8 3.4 1.2 78- 158- 236 61 20 63 143
Jeff Malone 32 5.8 1.3 0.8 8- 32- 40 16 0 22 25
Tony Smith 55 4.8 1.6 2.6 28- 59- 87 35 9 61 96
Dan Schayes 29 3.2 2.9 0.3 28- 55- 83 10 14 22 57
Stacey King 13 2.8 1.6 0.2 8- 13- 21 6 1 17 39
Leron Ellis 12 1.1 0.7 0.3 5- 3- 8 2 3 3 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mourning 533-1026 .519 9-30 .300 467-679 .688 1542 50
Hardaway 399-945 .422 130-361 .360 233-291 .801 1161 31
Chapman 275-642 .428 122-326 .374 79-105 .752 751 39
Williams 345-773 .446 105-273 .385 164-224 .732 959 29
Danilovic 80-175 .457 34-76 .447 53-70 .757 247 30
Gatling 306-537 .570 0-1 .000 133-199 .668 745 24
Thomas 258-519 .497 2-6 .333 109-170 .641 627 29
Askins 147-375 .392 90-224 .402 45-57 .789 429 21
Lenard 51-134 .381 34-97 .351 28-36 .778 164 20
Corbin 152-339 .448 3-18 .167 95-115 .826 402 19
Malone 76-193 .394 5-16 .313 29-32 .906 186 21
Smith 102-245 .416 34-104 .327 28-44 .636 266 17
Schayes 30-89 .337 0-0 .000 34-43 .791 94 17
King 16-29 .552 0-0 .000 4-8 .500 36 8
Ellis 5-22 .227 0-0 .000 3-6 .500 13 4
NEW JERSEY NETS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Armon Gilliam 75 18.4 9.2 1.8 233- 454- 687 71 50 174 176
Kendall Gill 47 14.0 4.9 5.5 72- 160- 232 64 24 131 131
Chris Childs 75 12.7 3.1 7.1 48- 186- 234 105 8 220 238
Shawn Bradley 75 11.9 8.0 0.8 204- 395- 599 48 265 172 268
Kevin Edwards 34 11.6 2.2 2.1 14- 61- 75 54 7 68 67
P J Brown 77 11.1 6.9 2.0 202- 329- 531 74 98 129 241
Jayson Williams 76 8.6 10.2 0.6 332- 444- 776 32 53 102 233
Vern Fleming 73 7.7 2.1 3.0 44- 107- 151 39 4 110 112
Ed Obannon 64 6.2 2.6 1.0 65- 103- 168 44 11 62 95
Khalid Reeves 47 5.3 1.6 2.2 17- 57- 74 33 2 52 99
Greg Graham 49 4.0 1.0 0.9 15- 36- 51 18 1 40 52
Yinka Dare 58 2.8 3.1 0.0 56- 125- 181 8 40 72 117
Robert Werdann 10 2.4 1.9 0.0 4- 15- 19 3 1 4 13
Tim Perry 30 2.4 1.6 0.3 21- 27- 48 4 13 10 16
Rick Mahorn 46 2.3 2.1 0.2 29- 69- 98 11 13 25 66
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
A Gilliam 556-1169 .476 0-1 .000 269-336 .801 1381 32
K Gill 246-524 .469 26-79 .329 138-176 .784 656 30
Childs 305-741 .412 87-242 .360 256-300 .853 953 30
Bradley 367-820 .448 1-3 .333 159-233 .682 894 32
Edwards 142-390 .364 42-104 .404 68-84 .810 394 26
Brown 329-753 .437 1-13 .077 194-254 .764 853 23
Williams 249-605 .412 2-7 .286 156-265 .589 656 19
Fleming 214-491 .436 3-26 .115 132-175 .754 563 21
Obannon 156-400 .390 10-56 .179 77-108 .713 399 19
Reeves 87-207 .420 24-77 .312 53-71 .746 251 19
Graham 61-151 .404 21-54 .389 52-68 .765 195 15
Dare 63-144 .438 0-0 .000 38-62 .613 164 12
Werdann 10-21 .476 0-0 .000 4-8 .500 24 10
Perry 31-65 .477 4-8 .500 5-9 .556 71 14
Mahorn 39-111 .351 0-1 .000 29-41 .707 107 11
NEW YORK KNICKS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Patrick Ewing 72 22.4 10.6 2.0 149- 611- 760 64 176 209 236
Anthony Mason 78 14.4 9.4 4.4 213- 524- 737 69 32 196 233
Derek Harper 78 14.1 2.5 4.3 32- 166- 198 126 5 171 192
John Starks 77 12.4 2.9 3.9 29- 191- 220 97 7 146 219
Charles Oakley 53 11.4 8.7 2.6 162- 298- 460 58 14 104 195
Hubert Davis 70 10.8 1.7 1.4 34- 84- 118 29 8 60 106
Willie Anderson 72 10.0 3.3 2.7 48- 190- 238 74 58 138 226
Jr Reid 61 6.7 3.9 0.6 70- 168- 238 41 16 74 178
Gary Grant 45 4.7 1.2 1.5 12- 40- 52 38 3 44 87
Ronnie Grandison 4 4.0 3.0 0.5 5- 7- 12 4 0 1 3
Charlie Ward 58 3.7 1.5 2.0 26- 63- 89 48 4 75 93
Brad Lohaus 52 3.7 1.2 0.8 7- 56- 63 10 18 20 70
Herb Williams 41 3.0 2.0 0.6 12- 70- 82 11 31 19 72
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ewing 640-1382 .463 3-25 .120 331-437 .757 1614 41
Mason 417-756 .552 0-0 .000 285-399 .714 1119 30
Harper 415-897 .463 116-308 .377 154-202 .762 1100 25
Starks 349-795 .439 133-375 .355 125-167 .749 956 37
Oakley 211-448 .471 7-26 .269 175-210 .833 604 20
Davis 262-537 .488 125-257 .486 109-125 .872 758 30
Anderson 278-646 .430 34-118 .288 131-161 .814 721 26
Reid 152-306 .497 0-1 .000 104-138 .754 408 22
Grant 79-169 .467 7-23 .304 48-58 .828 213 16
Grandison 6-11 .545 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 16 7
Ward 77-201 .383 28-89 .315 34-50 .680 216 15
Lohaus 69-171 .404 50-120 .417 4-5 .800 192 22
Williams 54-141 .383 1-4 .250 13-20 .650 122 10
ORLANDO MAGIC
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Shaquille Oneal 50 26.8 10.9 2.9 168- 378- 546 32 108 139 177
Penny Hardaway 78 22.0 4.5 7.0 128- 219- 347 158 40 221 157
Dennis Scott 78 17.4 3.7 3.0 61- 231- 292 86 27 118 163
Nick Anderson 73 14.8 5.4 3.6 87- 305- 392 113 46 135 129
Horace Grant 59 13.5 9.3 2.7 165- 385- 550 61 71 63 136
Kenny Gattison 25 9.2 4.6 0.6 35- 79- 114 10 11 40 75
Brian Shaw 71 6.5 3.1 4.5 56- 161- 217 50 11 165 150
Donald Royal 60 5.3 2.4 0.7 54- 92- 146 26 13 51 92
Joe Wolf 64 4.6 2.9 1.0 49- 138- 187 15 5 42 163
Anthony Bowie 70 4.2 1.7 1.3 38- 78- 116 33 10 52 104
Brooks Thompson 30 3.9 0.8 1.0 3- 20- 23 11 0 21 34
Darrell Armstrong 13 3.2 0.2 0.4 0- 2- 2 6 0 6 4
Jon Koncak 63 3.1 4.3 0.8 62- 206- 268 27 44 39 217
David Vaughn 33 1.9 2.4 0.2 33- 47- 80 6 15 18 68
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Oneal 556-961 .579 1-2 .500 229-474 .483 1342 49
Hardaway 597-1172 .509 89-275 .324 429-564 .761 1712 42
Scott 467-1074 .435 249-595 .418 175-214 .818 1358 37
Anderson 381-867 .439 160-416 .385 157-229 .686 1079 34
Grant 325-633 .513 1-5 .200 148-201 .736 799 29
Gattison 91-190 .479 0-0 .000 47-78 .603 229 20
Shaw 172-465 .370 35-132 .265 81-104 .779 460 19
Royal 98-200 .490 0-2 .000 123-160 .769 319 16
Wolf 135-263 .513 0-6 .000 21-29 .724 291 16
Bowie 122-260 .469 12-31 .387 36-42 .857 292 20
Thompson 40-90 .444 19-55 .345 19-27 .704 118 21
Armstrong 16-32 .500 6-12 .500 4-4 1.000 42 8
Koncak 81-169 .479 3-9 .333 32-57 .561 197 11
Vaughn 27-80 .338 0-1 .000 10-18 .556 64 10
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Jerry Stackhouse 72 19.2 3.7 3.9 90- 175- 265 76 79 252 179
Clarence Weatherspoon75 16.3 9.6 2.0 228- 494- 722 106 98 172 204
Vernon Maxwell 73 16.1 3.1 4.4 37- 187- 224 93 12 211 179
Trevor Ruffin 58 12.9 2.2 4.5 18- 107- 125 41 2 143 128
Derrick Coleman 11 11.2 6.6 2.8 13- 59- 72 4 10 28 30
Tony Massenburg 51 10.2 6.7 0.6 123- 218- 341 26 20 68 132
Sean Higgins 44 8.0 2.1 1.3 20- 72- 92 24 11 49 90
Ed Pinckney 71 6.6 6.3 1.0 185- 264- 449 60 26 76 148
Scott Skiles 10 6.3 1.6 3.8 1- 15- 16 7 0 16 21
Richard Dumas 39 6.2 2.5 1.1 42- 57- 99 42 6 49 79
Derrick Alston 70 6.1 4.1 0.8 121- 169- 290 52 50 57 188
Greg Sutton 45 5.0 1.0 2.0 8- 38- 46 20 1 56 86
Trevor Wilson 6 3.8 2.3 0.7 7- 7- 14 3 0 1 9
Rex Walters 41 3.4 1.1 1.9 10- 34- 44 16 2 34 43
Scott Williams 13 3.1 3.5 0.4 13- 33- 46 6 7 8 27
Mike Brown 9 2.9 4.1 0.3 14- 23- 37 3 2 6 24
Lasalle Thompson 41 1.8 4.4 0.6 55- 125- 180 14 14 32 111
Elmer Bennett 8 1.4 0.6 1.0 1- 4- 5 1 1 7 6
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Stackhouse 452-1091 .414 93-292 .318 387-518 .747 1384 34
Weatherspoon 458-956 .479 0-2 .000 306-410 .746 1222 28
Maxwell 395-1012 .390 144-448 .321 239-315 .759 1173 41
Ruffin 251-613 .409 100-269 .372 144-178 .809 746 32
Coleman 48-118 .407 7-21 .333 20-32 .625 123 27
Massenburg 208-419 .496 0-3 .000 104-147 .707 520 25
Higgins 134-323 .415 48-129 .372 35-37 .946 351 27
Pinckney 169-327 .517 0-3 .000 132-173 .763 470 16
Skiles 20-57 .351 15-34 .441 8-10 .800 63 22
Dumas 95-203 .468 2-9 .222 49-70 .700 241 20
Alston 186-361 .515 1-3 .333 55-112 .491 428 30
Sutton 76-193 .394 39-98 .398 35-44 .795 226 14
Wilson 10-20 .500 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 23 12
Walters 43-117 .368 15-54 .278 37-44 .841 138 17
Williams 15-29 .517 0-2 .000 10-12 .833 40 10
Brown 9-16 .563 0-0 .000 8-17 .471 26 7
Thompson 29-68 .426 0-0 .000 15-20 .750 73 6
Bennett 4-17 .235 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 11 6
WASHINGTON BULLETS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Chris Webber 15 23.7 7.6 5.0 37- 77- 114 27 9 49 51
Juwan Howard 77 21.5 8.0 4.5 173- 443- 616 63 38 281 255
Robert Pack 31 18.1 4.3 7.8 29- 103- 132 62 1 114 68
Calbert Cheaney 66 15.1 3.4 2.2 64- 162- 226 65 16 123 186
Gheorghe Muresan 76 14.5 9.6 0.7 248- 480- 728 52 172 143 297
Rasheed Wallace 65 10.1 4.7 1.3 93- 210- 303 42 54 103 206
Brent Price 77 9.6 2.7 4.9 36- 175- 211 72 4 142 174
Tim Legler 75 9.6 1.9 1.8 28- 111- 139 43 12 43 139
Ledell Eackles 51 8.5 2.6 1.5 39- 94- 133 26 3 52 78
Mark Price 7 8.0 1.0 2.6 1- 6- 7 6 0 10 7
Chris Whitney 17 7.8 1.5 2.5 2- 23- 25 17 1 21 38
Mitchell Butler 57 3.9 1.9 1.1 25- 84- 109 38 11 63 98
Kevin Pritchard 2 3.5 1.0 3.5 0- 2- 2 2 0 0 3
Greg Grant 21 3.3 1.3 4.0 4- 23- 27 20 2 25 36
Bob Mccann 58 2.7 2.0 0.4 35- 81- 116 17 10 34 106
Jim Mcilvaine 76 2.3 2.7 0.1 57- 145- 202 18 146 36 155
Jeff Webster 11 1.6 0.6 0.3 2- 5- 7 4 0 3 7
Bob Thornton 5 0.6 2.2 0.0 6- 5- 11 1 1 1 4
Mike Peplowski 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Webber 150-276 .543 15-34 .441 41-69 .594 356 40
Howard 680-1399 .486 3-12 .250 289-387 .747 1652 32
Pack 190-444 .428 26-98 .265 154-182 .846 560 35
Cheaney 402-849 .473 48-144 .333 143-200 .715 995 29
Muresan 466-798 .584 0-1 .000 172-278 .619 1104 31
Wallace 275-565 .487 27-82 .329 78-120 .650 655 22
B Price 228-485 .470 127-273 .465 159-181 .878 742 30
Legler 231-456 .507 126-243 .519 129-149 .866 717 21
Eackles 145-332 .437 51-116 .440 91-107 .850 432 24
M Price 18-60 .300 10-30 .333 10-10 1.000 56 13
Whitney 41-78 .526 17-35 .486 34-36 .944 133 19
Butler 83-209 .397 12-54 .222 43-77 .558 221 22
K Pritchard 2-3 .667 1-1 1.000 2-3 .667 7 7
Grant 29-76 .382 6-28 .214 5-6 .833 69 14
Mccann 62-129 .481 1-2 .500 29-61 .475 154 13
Mcilvaine 58-133 .436 0-0 .000 56-98 .571 172 12
J Webster 8-23 .348 2-6 .333 0-0 .000 18 12
Thornton 1-6 .167 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 3 2
Peplowski 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.446vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Central Division Through Sunday, April 14
ATLANTA HAWKS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Steve Smith 76 18.0 4.1 2.8 118- 193- 311 61 14 139 194
Christian Laettner 70 16.6 7.2 2.7 169- 334- 503 66 63 180 261
Mookie Blaylock 77 16.0 4.1 5.9 108- 207- 315 199 16 177 143
Grant Long 78 13.2 9.7 2.2 236- 519- 755 103 33 149 230
Stacey Augmon 73 12.8 4.0 1.8 134- 160- 294 99 27 135 186
Ken Norman 33 9.2 4.0 1.9 40- 92- 132 15 16 45 68
Craig Ehlo 75 8.4 3.2 1.7 63- 179- 242 78 8 96 131
Sean Rooks 62 6.4 3.9 0.7 76- 164- 240 20 36 72 133
Alan Henderson 75 6.2 4.6 0.7 160- 184- 344 43 41 82 208
Matt Bullard 44 3.8 1.3 0.4 18- 41- 59 16 11 23 49
Reggie Jordan 20 3.6 2.5 1.1 22- 27- 49 9 6 14 26
Donnie Boyce 6 2.7 1.0 0.3 3- 3- 6 3 1 6 2
Howard Nathan 5 2.6 0.0 0.4 0- 0- 0 3 0 8 2
Ronnie Grandison 22 2.1 1.9 0.5 15- 27- 42 8 1 11 27
Tim Kempton 3 0.0 0.7 0.3 0- 2- 2 0 0 1 5
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Smith 468-1088 .430 134-407 .329 295-359 .822 1365 32
Laettner 418-862 .485 9-39 .231 316-388 .814 1161 29
Blaylock 442-1079 .410 224-599 .374 122-162 .753 1230 28
Long 381-798 .477 29-79 .367 242-318 .761 1033 24
Augmon 346-709 .488 1-4 .250 242-304 .796 935 24
Norman 126-272 .463 33-84 .393 17-48 .354 302 26
Ehlo 240-564 .426 76-207 .367 73-94 .777 629 28
Rooks 133-268 .496 1-6 .167 130-197 .660 397 19
Henderson 178-411 .433 0-3 .000 109-183 .596 465 16
Bullard 63-159 .396 24-70 .343 16-20 .800 166 28
Jordan 26-57 .456 0-0 .000 20-35 .571 72 14
Boyce 6-14 .429 2-6 .333 2-4 .500 16 8
Nathan 5-9 .556 0-1 .000 3-4 .750 13 6
Grandison 15-43 .349 4-14 .286 13-19 .684 47 8
Kempton 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
-----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Glen Rice 75 21.6 4.9 3.0 83- 283- 366 82 16 152 206
Larry Johnson 77 20.7 8.4 4.4 239- 404- 643 51 43 171 166
Kenny Anderson 65 15.1 2.9 8.4 59- 129- 188 108 13 140 170
Dell Curry 78 14.5 3.2 2.2 65- 182- 247 106 22 120 163
Scott Burrell 20 13.2 4.9 2.4 26- 72- 98 27 13 43 76
Matt Geiger 75 11.3 8.4 0.8 193- 438- 631 45 61 135 283
Anthony Goldwire 38 5.5 1.1 2.6 8- 35- 43 15 0 60 72
Michael Adams 21 5.4 1.1 3.2 5- 17- 22 21 4 25 25
Darrin Hancock 60 4.2 1.6 0.8 39- 55- 94 26 5 52 87
Pete Myers 69 4.0 2.0 2.1 35- 105- 140 33 17 81 131
Robert Parish 70 3.9 4.2 0.4 86- 205- 291 20 50 48 71
George Zidek 67 3.8 2.5 0.2 64- 106- 170 8 7 37 157
Rafael Addison 49 3.3 1.7 0.5 22- 59- 81 9 9 22 67
Tyrone Bogues 6 2.3 1.2 3.2 6- 1- 7 2 0 6 4
Gerald Glass 15 1.7 0.5 0.3 6- 2- 8 3 1 0 10
Donald Hodge 15 1.2 1.5 0.3 9- 14- 23 1 8 2 26
Corey Beck 5 1.0 1.4 1.0 3- 4- 7 1 0 4 8
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Rice 579-1232 .470 161-381 .423 301-360 .836 1620 38
L Johnson 562-1171 .480 64-176 .364 406-537 .756 1594 44
Anderson 326-788 .414 84-240 .350 243-318 .764 979 39
Curry 416-925 .450 158-391 .404 138-161 .857 1128 27
Burrell 92-206 .447 37-98 .378 42-56 .750 263 26
Geiger 349-649 .538 3-8 .375 148-203 .729 849 28
Goldwire 67-173 .387 29-75 .387 46-60 .767 209 20
Adams 37-83 .446 14-41 .341 26-35 .743 114 14
Hancock 106-203 .522 1-3 .333 41-67 .612 254 16
Myers 91-245 .371 14-58 .241 80-122 .656 276 20
Parish 113-225 .502 0-0 .000 47-67 .701 273 16
Zidek 95-228 .417 0-0 .000 61-83 .735 251 21
Addison 72-155 .465 0-8 .000 17-22 .773 161 16
Bogues 6-16 .375 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 14 4
Glass 12-33 .364 1-6 .167 1-1 1.000 26 5
Hodge 9-24 .375 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 18 8
Beck 2-8 .250 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 5 5
CHICAGO BULLS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Michael Jordan 78 30.6 6.7 4.3 145- 378- 523 172 40 187 189
Scottie Pippen 73 19.8 6.6 6.0 144- 338- 482 128 56 196 190
Toni Kukoc 77 13.1 4.0 3.5 108- 197- 305 63 27 110 144
Luc Longley 58 9.1 5.1 2.0 96- 202- 298 19 78 108 211
Steve Kerr 78 8.4 1.3 2.4 23- 81- 104 61 2 38 100
Ron Harper 78 7.4 2.6 2.6 73- 131- 204 104 32 72 134
Dennis Rodman 60 5.4 14.8 2.5 335- 554- 889 36 26 130 182
Bill Wennington 70 5.4 2.5 0.7 58- 114- 172 21 16 37 171
Dickey Simpkins 57 3.7 2.6 0.7 64- 86- 150 9 8 52 74
Jud Buechler 71 3.6 1.4 0.8 44- 55- 99 30 7 39 66
James Edwards 25 3.4 1.2 0.3 11- 18- 29 1 6 19 53
Jason Caffey 57 3.2 2.0 0.4 51- 60- 111 12 7 48 91
Randy Brown 65 2.5 0.9 1.0 16- 45- 61 49 11 28 82
John Salley 14 2.3 2.3 0.9 14- 18- 32 7 13 11 32
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Jordan 876-1760 .498 103-243 .424 534-641 .833 2389 53
Pippen 542-1167 .464 145-381 .381 214-316 .677 1443 40
Kukoc 362-742 .488 80-200 .400 203-261 .778 1007 34
Longley 226-472 .479 0-0 .000 74-96 .771 526 21
Kerr 233-457 .510 117-228 .513 74-80 .925 657 19
Harper 230-487 .472 26-97 .268 94-135 .696 580 22
Rodman 135-286 .472 3-26 .115 50-96 .521 323 12
Wennington 169-340 .497 1-1 1.000 37-43 .860 376 18
Simpkins 75-154 .487 1-1 1.000 58-89 .652 209 12
Buechler 103-224 .460 37-86 .430 14-22 .636 257 14
Edwards 36-93 .387 0-0 .000 13-22 .591 85 12
Caffey 71-162 .438 0-1 .000 40-68 .588 182 13
Brown 68-165 .412 1-6 .167 24-39 .615 161 10
Salley 10-32 .313 0-0 .000 12-20 .600 32 12
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Terrell Brandon 71 19.4 3.3 6.5 46- 190- 236 124 32 133 140
Chris Mills 76 15.3 5.5 2.4 106- 314- 420 68 48 117 229
Bobby Phills 68 14.7 3.6 3.7 57- 188- 245 92 26 116 179
Danny Ferry 78 13.4 3.8 2.4 68- 229- 297 53 29 117 222
Dan Majerle 78 10.7 3.9 2.6 70- 232- 302 80 31 89 125
Tyrone Hill 40 8.1 5.6 0.8 86- 136- 222 28 19 59 133
Michael Cage 78 6.0 9.0 0.7 265- 434- 699 82 78 53 207
Bobby Sura 75 5.4 1.7 3.0 32- 96- 128 55 19 111 120
Harold Miner 19 3.2 0.6 0.4 4- 8- 12 0 0 14 23
John Crotty 56 3.0 1.0 1.8 20- 34- 54 21 6 50 60
Antonio Lang 38 3.0 1.3 0.3 17- 33- 50 12 12 24 60
John Amaechi 26 2.7 2.0 0.3 13- 38- 51 6 10 33 47
Donny Marshall 32 2.1 0.7 0.2 7- 15- 22 8 1 7 22
Joe Courtney 23 1.7 2.1 0.4 24- 25- 49 5 6 17 35
Darryl Johnson 11 1.1 0.2 0.1 2- 0- 2 0 0 1 3
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Brandon 483-1038 .465 87-220 .395 326-366 .891 1379 32
Mills 432-925 .467 79-204 .387 216-261 .828 1159 30
Phills 364-779 .467 88-194 .454 181-229 .790 997 43
Ferry 402-874 .460 136-346 .393 101-129 .783 1041 32
Majerle 289-716 .404 139-396 .351 118-166 .711 835 25
Hill 123-240 .513 0-0 .000 78-129 .605 324 19
Cage 207-375 .552 0-1 .000 50-92 .543 464 20
Sura 143-340 .421 26-73 .356 96-136 .706 408 19
Miner 23-52 .442 2-10 .200 13-13 1.000 61 13
Crotty 50-112 .446 8-27 .296 62-72 .861 170 19
Lang 40-74 .541 0-2 .000 34-46 .739 114 14
Amaechi 26-65 .400 0-0 .000 18-32 .563 70 11
Marshall 21-61 .344 6-26 .231 18-31 .581 66 9
Courtney 15-35 .429 0-0 .000 8-18 .444 38 5
Johnson 5-12 .417 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 12 2
DETROIT PISTONS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Grant Hill 77 20.6 9.8 6.9 127- 630- 757 99 47 253 236
Allan Houston 78 19.6 3.7 3.1 53- 233- 286 60 15 223 223
Otis Thorpe 78 14.2 8.4 1.9 201- 458- 659 49 38 184 284
Joe Dumars 64 11.7 2.0 3.8 27- 103- 130 42 3 92 103
Terry Mills 78 9.2 4.3 1.2 104- 229- 333 38 18 91 186
Lindsey Hunter 76 8.5 2.5 2.3 44- 142- 186 80 17 72 176
Michael Curry 42 4.7 1.9 0.5 25- 54- 79 21 1 20 80
Theo Ratliff 72 4.5 3.9 0.2 105- 179- 284 14 112 56 136
Don Reid 65 3.8 3.0 0.2 76- 117- 193 46 40 38 194
Mark Macon 23 3.2 1.0 0.7 10- 12- 22 15 0 9 34
Mark West 45 3.2 2.8 0.1 47- 78- 125 6 35 34 128
Eric Leckner 16 2.8 2.1 0.1 8- 25- 33 1 4 11 29
Stephen Bardo 9 2.4 2.4 1.7 2- 20- 22 4 1 5 17
Lou Roe 47 1.9 1.6 0.3 28- 46- 74 10 8 14 41
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Hill 551-1190 .463 5-26 .192 475-635 .748 1582 35
Houston 533-1195 .446 176-425 .414 287-348 .825 1529 38
Thorpe 432-812 .532 0-4 .000 245-340 .721 1109 27
Dumars 242-574 .422 119-291 .409 146-179 .816 749 41
Mills 264-634 .416 74-192 .385 114-147 .776 716 24
Hunter 224-592 .378 113-278 .406 82-116 .707 643 21
Curry 68-146 .466 20-50 .400 43-60 .717 199 17
Ratliff 122-218 .560 0-1 .000 83-118 .703 327 21
Reid 99-174 .569 0-0 .000 47-73 .644 245 12
Macon 29-67 .433 7-15 .467 9-11 .818 74 12
West 58-120 .483 0-0 .000 28-45 .622 144 15
Leckner 18-25 .720 0-0 .000 8-13 .615 44 13
Bardo 9-23 .391 0-4 .000 4-6 .667 22 8
Roe 31-85 .365 2-9 .222 23-28 .821 87 14
INDIANA PACERS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Reggie Miller 76 21.1 2.8 3.3 38- 176- 214 77 13 189 175
Rik Smits 60 18.6 6.8 1.8 113- 295- 408 16 43 152 217
Derrick Mckey 71 11.8 4.9 3.6 118- 229- 347 80 43 134 235
Dale Davis 74 10.4 9.1 1.0 233- 439- 672 52 106 114 226
Mark Jackson 77 9.8 3.8 8.0 62- 231- 293 92 5 195 146
Ricky Pierce 72 9.6 1.8 1.3 39- 91- 130 49 6 88 183
Antonio Davis 78 8.9 6.1 0.5 179- 296- 475 32 65 82 242
Eddie Johnson 58 7.8 2.4 1.1 44- 96- 140 20 4 54 96
Haywoode Workman 73 3.6 1.6 2.8 25- 94- 119 65 5 85 147
Duane Ferrell 50 3.5 1.6 0.6 26- 56- 82 20 2 32 74
Travis Best 55 3.5 0.8 1.7 11- 31- 42 20 3 55 74
Dwayne Schintzius 32 3.3 2.3 0.4 21- 51- 72 11 11 19 53
Adrian Caldwell 50 2.0 2.0 0.1 38- 61- 99 9 5 32 69
Fred Hoiberg 13 1.7 0.7 0.5 4- 5- 9 2 0 5 9
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Miller 504-1066 .473 168-410 .410 430-498 .863 1606 40
Smits 450-860 .523 1-5 .200 216-272 .794 1117 44
Mckey 330-681 .485 17-66 .258 163-214 .762 840 25
D Davis 321-565 .568 0-0 .000 126-267 .472 768 21
Jackson 279-591 .472 60-140 .429 135-174 .776 753 21
Pierce 250-560 .446 33-98 .337 155-186 .833 688 26
A Davis 228-460 .496 1-2 .500 239-334 .716 696 26
Johnson 171-414 .413 39-114 .342 69-77 .896 450 26
Workman 94-242 .388 21-65 .323 52-71 .732 261 14
Ferrell 69-138 .500 0-7 .000 36-48 .750 174 11
Best 58-145 .400 7-23 .304 68-80 .850 191 10
Schintzius 48-107 .449 0-0 .000 10-17 .588 106 17
Caldwell 42-76 .553 0-0 .000 16-34 .471 100 11
Hoiberg 6-15 .400 0-2 .000 10-12 .833 22 8
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Vin Baker 78 21.0 9.9 2.6 252- 516- 768 58 84 211 259
Glenn Robinson 78 20.4 6.2 3.6 131- 353- 484 94 41 272 224
Sherman Douglas 75 10.9 2.3 5.4 52- 117- 169 55 4 182 152
Johnny Newman 78 10.9 2.5 1.9 65- 130- 195 89 15 103 247
Benoit Benjamin 79 9.0 6.7 0.8 140- 387- 527 45 86 142 219
Terry Cummings 77 8.0 5.4 1.1 154- 264- 418 54 29 65 247
Lee Mayberry 78 5.4 1.1 3.8 21- 68- 89 59 11 88 140
Marty Conlon 72 5.2 2.4 0.9 58- 114- 172 19 11 77 124
Shawn Respert 58 4.7 1.2 1.1 26- 43- 69 27 6 39 63
Randoplh Keys 65 3.5 1.8 1.0 40- 74- 114 29 13 29 130
Jerry Reynolds 19 3.0 1.7 0.6 13- 20- 33 15 6 16 20
Mike Peplowski 4 1.3 1.0 0.3 1- 3- 4 0 1 2 6
Kevin Duckworth 8 1.1 0.9 0.3 2- 5- 7 2 0 2 19
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Baker 660-1349 .489 10-44 .227 310-459 .675 1640 41
Robinson 601-1329 .452 86-250 .344 299-369 .810 1587 39
Douglas 316-641 .493 36-103 .350 151-207 .729 819 26
Newman 304-613 .496 57-153 .373 181-221 .819 846 27
Benjamin 287-579 .496 0-3 .000 138-190 .726 712 29
Cummings 257-553 .465 1-7 .143 101-155 .652 616 24
Mayberry 151-359 .421 74-187 .396 41-68 .603 417 16
Conlon 149-317 .470 5-29 .172 74-98 .755 377 18
Respert 102-267 .382 36-111 .324 30-37 .811 270 19
Keys 86-199 .432 22-67 .328 34-41 .829 228 17
Reynolds 21-53 .396 1-10 .100 13-21 .619 56 9
Peplowski 2-4 .500 0-0 .000 1-3 .333 5 3
Duckworth 3-14 .214 0-0 .000 3-6 .500 9 3
TORONTO RAPTORS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Damon Stoudamire 70 19.0 4.0 9.3 59- 222- 281 98 19 267 166
Tracy Murray 78 16.0 4.2 1.6 106- 221- 327 80 35 116 199
Oliver Miller 74 12.7 7.3 2.7 167- 370- 537 101 137 188 268
Sharone Wright 57 11.7 6.3 0.7 148- 208- 356 30 49 109 163
Alvin Robertson 73 9.5 4.3 4.1 104- 208- 312 157 36 166 254
Carlos Rogers 56 7.7 3.0 0.6 80- 90- 170 25 48 61 87
Zan Tabak 67 7.7 4.8 0.9 117- 203- 320 24 29 101 204
Doug Christie 51 7.0 2.7 1.9 29- 108- 137 63 19 84 133
Acie Earl 38 6.3 2.6 0.6 37- 61- 98 12 30 39 60
John Salley 25 6.0 3.9 1.6 26- 71- 97 11 12 39 72
Martin Lewis 12 5.7 2.1 0.3 13- 12- 25 7 2 9 17
Dwayne Whitfield 6 4.3 3.3 0.3 8- 12- 20 3 2 6 10
Jimmy King 58 4.2 1.7 1.3 39- 58- 97 18 10 55 71
Vincenzo Esposito 26 3.6 0.6 0.7 4- 11- 15 7 0 33 25
Dan Osullivan 3 3.3 5.3 0.3 7- 9- 16 0 1 2 7
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Stoudamire 481-1129 .426 133-337 .395 236-296 .797 1331 30
Murray 469-1024 .458 142-334 .425 168-203 .828 1248 40
Miller 399-761 .524 0-11 .000 139-211 .659 937 29
Wright 248-512 .484 1-3 .333 167-259 .645 664 30
Robertson 273-585 .467 39-146 .267 106-153 .693 691 30
Rogers 178-344 .517 3-21 .143 71-130 .546 430 28
Tabak 225-414 .543 0-1 .000 64-114 .561 514 26
Christie 128-299 .428 37-92 .402 62-86 .721 355 21
Earl 87-205 .424 0-3 .000 67-93 .720 241 40
Salley 51-105 .486 0-0 .000 47-65 .723 149 15
Lewis 27-52 .519 2-5 .400 12-19 .632 68 17
Whitfield 8-19 .421 0-0 .000 10-14 .714 26 16
King 96-223 .430 5-31 .161 47-66 .712 244 14
Esposito 28-84 .333 10-47 .213 27-35 .771 93 18
Osullivan 3-12 .250 0-0 .000 4-5 .800 10 5
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.447vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics (Through Sunday, April 14)
OFFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
Chicago 78 3136-6541 .479 514-1270 .405 1441-1926 .748 105.5
Seattle 78 2930-6094 .481 550-1514 .363 1772-2329 .761 104.9
Orlando 78 3036-6318 .481 584-1568 .372 1468-2129 .690 104.2
Phoenix 78 2979-6318 .472 313-941 .333 1835-2377 .772 103.9
San Antonio 78 3000-6276 .478 496-1266 .392 1588-2166 .733 103.6
Boston 79 3037-6680 .455 503-1387 .363 1574-2213 .711 103.2
Charlotte 78 2963-6313 .469 553-1451 .381 1547-2019 .766 102.9
LA Lakers 78 3058-6375 .480 445-1283 .347 1466-1964 .746 102.9
Washington 78 3054-6280 .486 468-1142 .410 1435-1964 .731 102.7
Utah 79 3008-6170 .488 364-985 .370 1718-2236 .768 102.5
Dallas 78 2961-7054 .420 704-1937 .363 1350-1877 .719 102.3
Houston 78 2914-6295 .463 594-1638 .363 1543-2021 .763 102.1
Golden State 79 2948-6435 .458 429-1150 .373 1713-2250 .761 101.8
Indiana 78 2850-5920 .481 347-932 .372 1725-2284 .755 99.6
Sacramento 78 2824-6170 .458 438-1128 .388 1685-2296 .734 99.6
LA Clippers 79 3011-6356 .474 488-1313 .372 1350-1911 .706 99.5
Portland 78 2921-6398 .457 457-1291 .354 1452-2209 .657 99.4
Atlanta 78 2837-6358 .446 541-1529 .354 1438-1904 .755 98.1
Denver 78 2872-6320 .454 388-1107 .350 1520-2041 .745 98.1
Minnesota 79 2865-6234 .460 266-816 .326 1757-2259 .778 98.1
Toronto 78 2935-6275 .468 391-1110 .352 1347-1862 .723 97.5
New York 78 2825-6064 .466 460-1219 .377 1429-1890 .756 96.7
Miami 78 2753-6035 .456 519-1382 .376 1490-2089 .713 96.3
Detroit 78 2677-5845 .458 516-1292 .399 1590-2115 .752 95.6
Milwaukee 78 2884-6184 .466 338-1001 .338 1348-1829 .737 95.6
Philadelphia 79 2685-6167 .435 471-1379 .342 1614-2196 .735 94.4
New Jersey 78 2719-6396 .425 225-682 .330 1619-2171 .746 93.4
Cleveland 78 2623-5698 .460 571-1500 .381 1321-1722 .767 91.5
Vancouver 78 2631-6157 .427 344-1049 .328 1391-1927 .722 89.7
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
Chicago 1184-2275 3459 1940 712 1115 329
Seattle 918-2334 3252 1912 840 1377 364
Orlando 916-2279 3195 1962 627 1104 391
Phoenix 959-2358 3317 1885 594 1153 328
San Antonio 896-2456 3352 1958 616 1141 519
Boston 1022-2330 3352 1729 632 1265 393
Charlotte 947-2156 3103 1825 557 1183 264
LA Lakers 950-2188 3138 1988 674 1099 498
Washington 877-2215 3092 1729 568 1267 478
Utah 950-2287 3237 2064 638 1167 398
Dallas 1342-2242 3584 1818 607 1199 324
Houston 890-2332 3222 1865 618 1193 455
Golden State 1121-2219 3340 1829 676 1307 454
Indiana 951-2151 3102 1839 546 1271 314
Sacramento 1049-2235 3284 1747 615 1386 413
LA Clippers 929-2103 3032 1607 677 1305 387
Portland 1104-2453 3557 1660 558 1297 397
Atlanta 1130-2041 3171 1525 719 1158 292
Denver 974-2364 3338 1788 482 1189 567
Minnesota 944-2182 3126 1801 630 1370 460
Toronto 1015-2102 3117 1832 704 1451 468
New York 802-2328 3130 1715 615 1207 357
Miami 951-2377 3328 1650 532 1318 433
Detroit 855-2326 3181 1529 484 1152 354
Milwaukee 939-2056 2995 1676 545 1238 302
Philadelphia 993-2090 3083 1553 604 1367 409
New Jersey 1288-2387 3675 1646 592 1308 535
Cleveland 817-1972 2789 1731 634 1026 317
Vancouver 916-2051 2967 1630 689 1276 328
DEFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
Cleveland 78 2559-5537 .462 489-1270 .385 1338-1761 .760 89.0
Detroit 78 2680-6080 .441 479-1311 .365 1408-1966 .716 92.9
Chicago 78 2740-6105 .449 427-1208 .353 1362-1886 .722 93.2
New York 78 2717-6160 .441 402-1223 .329 1548-2098 .738 94.7
Miami 78 2597-6000 .433 427-1185 .360 1787-2383 .750 95.0
Indiana 78 2702-5995 .451 457-1283 .356 1641-2220 .739 96.2
Utah 79 2650-5935 .447 527-1367 .386 1781-2367 .752 96.3
San Antonio 78 2863-6524 .439 409-1253 .326 1415-1942 .729 96.8
Seattle 78 2736-6235 .439 505-1444 .350 1575-2205 .714 96.8
Atlanta 78 2890-6083 .475 449-1241 .362 1340-1791 .748 97.0
Portland 78 2821-6364 .443 439-1279 .343 1499-2027 .740 97.2
New Jersey 78 2837-6298 .450 510-1350 .378 1409-1905 .740 97.3
LA Lakers 78 2972-6454 .460 428-1145 .374 1333-1810 .736 98.8
Orlando 78 2919-6407 .456 462-1271 .363 1424-1937 .735 99.0
Vancouver 78 2929-6149 .476 445-1175 .379 1509-2050 .736 100.2
Houston 78 3008-6559 .459 458-1280 .358 1347-1911 .705 100.3
Denver 78 2937-6424 .457 427-1166 .366 1532-2008 .763 100.4
Milwaukee 78 2934-6104 .481 483-1218 .397 1518-2092 .726 100.9
Washington 78 2895-6312 .459 349-1037 .337 1738-2272 .765 101.0
Sacramento 78 2833-6146 .461 448-1175 .381 1879-2489 .755 102.5
LA Clippers 79 2969-6221 .477 426-1147 .371 1753-2354 .745 102.8
Golden State 79 3088-6511 .474 461-1264 .365 1511-2024 .747 103.1
Minnesota 79 2971-6329 .469 510-1330 .383 1702-2290 .743 103.2
Charlotte 78 3097-6347 .488 506-1279 .396 1366-1859 .735 103.4
Phoenix 78 3061-6476 .473 510-1370 .372 1469-1989 .739 103.9
Philadelphia 79 3165-6555 .483 502-1374 .365 1431-1922 .745 104.6
Toronto 78 2965-6263 .473 490-1351 .363 1746-2342 .746 104.7
Boston 79 3163-6595 .480 402-1121 .359 1712-2288 .748 106.8
Dallas 78 3238-6558 .494 450-1145 .393 1453-1988 .731 107.4
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
Cleveland 835-2064 2899 1753 479 1211 327
Detroit 920-2161 3081 1644 525 1106 366
Chicago 932-2024 2956 1532 558 1347 297
New York 953-2327 3280 1585 612 1227 265
Miami 947-2203 3150 1559 611 1219 388
Indiana 958-1958 2916 1632 627 1199 399
Utah 895-2079 2974 1578 559 1227 388
San Antonio 1061-2346 3407 1738 573 1203 410
Seattle 1026-2140 3166 1689 726 1441 369
Atlanta 995-2186 3181 1750 540 1328 336
Portland 888-2222 3110 1733 667 1134 391
New Jersey 984-2236 3220 1783 624 1209 489
LA Lakers 1072-2199 3271 1930 557 1254 455
Orlando 1027-2265 3292 1785 612 1174 319
Vancouver 1040-2422 3462 1904 660 1362 453
Houston 1073-2367 3440 1843 641 1171 374
Denver 903-2259 3162 1806 576 1065 387
Milwaukee 944-2189 3133 1836 625 1149 358
Washington 1063-2231 3294 1606 661 1306 368
Sacramento 1011-2192 3203 1721 736 1298 487
LA Clippers 1000-2272 3272 1588 663 1317 387
Golden State 1062-2193 3255 2020 672 1312 363
Minnesota 994-2229 3223 1902 694 1300 484
Charlotte 910-2242 3152 1940 506 1154 369
Phoenix 948-2260 3208 1979 558 1136 405
Philadelphia 1119-2389 3508 2007 696 1225 473
Toronto 1037-2162 3199 1865 715 1265 453
Boston 1006-2488 3494 1842 655 1272 460
Dallas 1026-2584 3610 1883 657 1278 508
(NOTE: DEFENSIVE STATISTICS REFLECT CUMULATIVE TOTALS OF A
TEAM'S OPPONENTS)
nba.448vpoznanovic,
NBA Team Comparison Through Sunday, April 14
POINTS FIELD GOAL 3-PT FG
PER GAME PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE TURNOVERS PER GAME
TEAM OWN OPP OWN OPP OWN OPP OWN OPP MARGIN
Atlanta 98.1 97.1 .446 .475 .354 .362 14.8 17.0 +2.2
Boston 103.2 106.8 .455 .479 .362 .359 16.0 16.1 +0.1
Charlotte 102.9 103.4 .469 .488 .381 .395 15.2 14.8 -0.4
Chicago *105.5 93.2 .479 .449 .405 .353 14.3 17.3 *+3.0
Cleveland 91.5 *89.0 .460 .462 .381 .385 *13.2 15.5 +2.3
Dallas 102.3 107.4 .420 .494 .363 .393 15.4 16.4 +1.0
Denver 98.1 100.4 .455 .457 .350 .366 15.2 13.7 -1.5
Detroit 95.6 92.9 .458 .442 .399 .365 14.8 14.2 -0.6
Golden State 101.7 103.1 .458 .474 .373 .364 16.6 16.6 0.0
Houston 102.1 100.3 .463 .459 .363 .358 15.3 15.0 -0.3
Indiana 99.6 96.2 .481 .451 .372 .356 16.3 15.4 -0.9
LA Clippers 99.5 102.7 .474 .477 .372 .371 16.5 16.7 +0.2
LA Lakers 102.9 98.8 .480 .460 .347 .374 14.1 16.1 +2.0
Miami 96.3 95.0 .456 *.433 .376 .360 16.9 15.6 -1.3
Milwaukee 95.5 100.9 .466 .481 .336 .397 15.9 14.7 -1.2
Minnesota 98.1 103.2 .460 .470 .326 .383 17.3 16.4 -0.9
New Jersey 93.4 97.3 .425 .450 .330 .377 16.8 15.5 -1.3
New York 96.7 94.7 .466 .441 .377 .328 15.5 15.7 +0.2
Orlando 104.2 99.0 .481 .456 .372 .363 14.2 15.1 +0.9
Philadelphia 94.4 104.6 .435 .483 .341 .365 17.3 15.5 -1.8
Phoenix 103.9 103.9 .472 .473 .333 .373 14.8 14.6 -0.2
Portland 99.4 97.2 .458 .443 .354 .343 16.6 14.5 -2.1
Sacramento 99.6 102.5 .458 .461 .388 .381 17.8 16.7 -1.1
San Antonio 103.6 96.8 .478 .439 .392 *.326 14.6 15.4 +0.8
Seattle 104.9 96.8 .481 .439 .363 .350 17.7 *18.4 +0.7
Toronto 97.5 104.7 .468 .473 .352 .363 18.6 16.2 -2.4
Utah 102.5 96.3 *.487 .446 .370 .386 14.8 15.5 +0.7
Vancouver 89.7 100.2 .427 .476 .328 .379 16.3 17.3 +1.0
Washington 102.7 101.0 .486 .459 *.409 .337 16.2 16.7 +0.5
------------------ RECORDS ------------------
UNDER 100 PTS OT DECIDED BY
REBOUND PCT OWN OPP GAMES 3-PTS(LESS) 10-PTS(MORE)
TEAM OFF DEF TOT W-L W-L W-L W-L W-L
Atlanta .341 .672 .499 21-26 34-10 2-0 9-7 17-11
Boston .291 .698 .490 4-31 14-9 3-4 8-7 12-25
Charlotte .297 .703 .496 11-19 23-5 2-5 6-7 18-17
Chicago *.369 .710 *.539 15-7 52-3 2-0 5-2 44-2
Cleveland .284 .702 .490 27-30 40-24 2-2 8-5 26-18
Dallas .342 .686 .498 4-27 10-8 4-4 7-9 9-28
Denver .301 .724 .514 14-33 25-19 2-1 5-6 11-19
Detroit .283 .716 .508 20-30 38-19 4-2 8-9 24-11
Golden State .339 .676 .506 10-29 19-9 2-1 8-6 13-22
Houston .273 .685 .484 10-19 25-11 1-3 6-9 16-12
Indiana .327 .692 .515 15-25 36-11 1-1 7-8 22-7
LA Clippers .290 .678 .481 7-29 20-8 0-2 4-3 11-22
LA Lakers .302 .671 .490 8-23 33-11 0-0 9-8 29-13
Miami .302 .715 .514 14-33 31-20 2-1 6-9 20-16
Milwaukee .301 .686 .489 9-43 16-20 1-1 3-5 9-24
Minnesota .298 .687 .492 9-36 21-7 0-4 5-9 11-25
New Jersey .365 .708 .533 20-39 26-21 3-3 5-6 9-26
New York .256 .710 .488 22-28 38-13 3-2 4-0 18-14
Orlando .288 .689 .492 17-15 41-5 5-0 11-5 32-14
Philadelphia .294 .651 .468 2-43 10-15 0-1 7-6 4-43
Phoenix .298 .713 .508 3-23 20-8 4-4 4-4 18-18
Portland .332 *.734 .534 15-24 30-12 3-3 7-11 20-12
Sacramento .324 .688 .506 13-28 26-7 2-1 6-5 10-26
San Antonio .276 .698 .496 12-15 38-6 0-3 8-4 31-8
Seattle .300 .695 .507 15-12 42-6 4-2 8-8 30-7
Toronto .320 .669 .494 6-33 13-15 2-3 6-9 8-29
Utah .314 .719 .521 13-17 41-8 1-2 5-6 34-8
Vancouver .274 .664 .462 6-57 9-30 4-3 5-3 1-35
Washington .282 .676 .484 10-23 26-12 2-3 4-8 21-16
* = Indicates League Leader
REBOUND PERCENTAGE:
Off - a team's offensive rebounds divided by offensive rebound
opportunities (that team's total number of missed shots)
Def - a team's defensive rebounds divided by defensive rebound
opportunities (the total number of missed shots by that
team's opponents)
Tot - a team's total rebounds divided by rebound opportunities
(the sum of missed shots by that team and its opponents)
nba.449dizel,
> nemam dovoljno vremena, ipak nema smisla da vas napustam sedam
> dana prije kraja regularnog dijela sezone. :) U narednim
Svaka ti cast.Sta bismo mi bez tebe.E,da te pitam,odakle skidas ove
poruke?
nba.450j.bojan,
Rodman kaznjen zbog fizickog dejstva na sudiju!
-novcana kazna od 23000 dolara
-i 6 utakmice!
nba.451vpoznanovic,
MOURNING NOT TARGET IN SEARCH OF HIS HOME, FBI SAYS
WASHINGTON -- The FBI searched Alonzo Mourning's home and carried away
boxes of records, but the Miami Heat star was not a target of the
investigation, the agency said.
One arrest has been made in the case, but because the search warrant
has been sealed, no other information could be released, said FBI
spokeswoman Susan Lloyd.
Mourning shares the home with a cousin, who according to one report
was arrested on drug charges within the last 24 hours. Potomac is a
suburb of Washington D.C., where Mourning played his college
basketball at Georgetown University.
Lloyd would not confirm a report by CNN that the search of Mourning's
Potomac, Md., home was part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
Courtney McFee, a spokeswoman for Montgomery County police, said she
understood from the FBI the operation was drug-related.
"I can confirm that one arrest was made but can't reveal the charges
because of the sealed warrant," Lloyd said.
Mourning -- who lives at the posh, suburban Washington house primarily
in the summer during the NBA off-season -- was on a team flight to
Philadelphia at the time of the raid and reportedly is not the target
of the investigation. The Heat play the 76ers on Wednesday night.
"I've never seen anything suspicious going on there and would never
assume anything was going on, especially with Alonzo," said one of
Mourning's neighbors.
Federal agents from the Washington and Baltimore field offices, along
with police officers from the District of Columbia and Montgomery
County, Md., took part in the operation.
A Toyota Supra and were seen removing boxes of records from the home
after a 2Ż-hour search, Lloyd said. A neighbor said the Supra belongs
to Mourning's cousin, whom he identified only as Eric.
Mourning was involved in a police raid while at Georgetown. He was in
a house with people he knew when police entered the home and
apprehended alleged drug dealers. He was not arrested or charged.
nba.452vpoznanovic,
ROSS PEROT JR. REPORTEDLY BUYS MAVS
DALLAS -- The Dallas Mavericks have been sold to a group led by Ross
Perot Jr., according to several news reports Tuesday.
The Dallas Morning News, KDFW-TV and KLIF-AM reported Tuesday night
that Mavericks owner Don Carter had reached an agreement to sell the
club to the Dallas developer.
The reports, each citing unidentified sources, said that Carter plans
to retain 20 percent interest in the club and had returned an
eight-figure "earnest money" check to Thomas Hicks, Perot's reported
competition in bidding for the NBA club.
The newspaper reported that the check was for $10 million. However,
the station reported that Perot might invite Hicks to buy a minority
interest in the team, with Perot retaining 50 percent.
The Perot group emerged Monday, a source told the newspaper, after
increasing its offer from $115 million to $125 million.
"The deal is in the hands of the attorneys,'' Carter said prior to
Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. "As soon as they
get through with it, there'll be a press conference.''
Carter said his primary concern is receiving an assurance from the new
owner that the franchise will remain in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
"I'm satisfied with the work my attorneys have done and the guarantee
that the team won't leave the Metroplex," Carter said.
However, Hicks told the newspaper, "I met with Ross (Monday) and I'm
confident we're going to find a way to align our economic interest of
the Stars and the Mavericks and the new arena."
Nevertheless, Mavericks players were cognizant of the change Tuesday.
"It's a sad day to see Mr. C. leave the organization because he's been
a tremendous part of the organization. ... It's almost like being
traded," said Mavericks player Scott Brooks.
Sources told the newspaper that Frank Zaccanelli, president of Perot's
Hillwood Development Co., probably would emerge as Perot's "front man"
and be involved in the Mavericks' day-to-day operations.
Other people expected to have involvement in the Perot group are auto
dealer David McDavid and former Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach,
both as minority investors and background players.
The Carter and Perot families -- particularly Carter's son, Ron, and
Ross Perot Jr. -- are close. The families have discussed several
partnerships, including possibly involving NASCAR once the Texas Motor
Speedway is completed.
The Morning News also reported that Hicks might purchase the team and
then align with Perot. Hicks said last week that if Perot bought the
Mavs, he saw "no reason why the Stars and Mavericks couldn't form a
smooth new-arena partnership."
Carter has owned the Mavericks since their 1980 expansion season.
Hicks purchased the Stars from Norman Green earlier this year. Hicks,
49, is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Hicks,
Muse, a private investment firm that has done $6 billion in
transactions since its formation in 1989.
Hicks said when he purchased the Stars that his top priority was
getting a new arena with lucrative luxury boxes. The Stars and
Mavericks currently play in Reunion Arena, and they have been
negotiating with the city for several months to build a new facility
that would be owned by the teams.
Carter recently announced his intention to sell the NBA club, although
he said he wanted to keep a piece of the franchise.
Carter paid $12 million to found the franchise. It is now valued at
more than $125 million.
nba.453vpoznanovic,
CELTICS ROOKIE ERIC WILLIAMS TO MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON
Boston Celtics' highly regarded rookie forward Eric Williams will miss
the team's two remaining regular season games after undergoing
arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today.
Williams injured the knee in an April 9th contest against the New York
Knicks, and sat out the last two games. After an MRI last the weekend,
Williams experienced swelling and discomfort, prompting the surgery.
Celtics team physician Arnold Scheller performed the procedure, which
removed a loose body from the knee.
Williams, who was the Celtics first pick in last year's draft,
averaged 10.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 64 games this season.
The Celtics are scheduled to play at New Jersey and will host the
Knicks to conclude their season. The team is not in contention for a
playoff spot.
nba.454vpoznanovic,
JUWAN HOWARD OF WASHINGTON NAMED NBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Washington Bullets forward Juwan Howard today was named the National
Basketball Association Player of the Week for the period ending April
14th.
Howard led Washington to a 4-0 record as the Bullets pulled within 1
1/2 games of Miami for the eighth and final playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference with victories over Boston, Minnesota, Toronto and
the Heat.
Howard averaged 26.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and six assists and also
shot 53.3 per cent from the floor and 83.9 per cent at the free throw
line in the four games. Howard's best game came against the Raptors in
which he scored 29 points ands pulled down 12 rebounds in a 110-97
victory.
Howard earned the award over Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon, Indiana's
Reggie Miller, Alonzo Mourning of Miami, Orlando's Shaquille O'Neal,
Arvydas Sarbonis of Portland and Acie Earl of Toronto.
nba.455vpoznanovic,
SUNS CENTER JOE KLEINE CONTINUES TREATMENT IN PHOENIX
Team doctors for Phoenix Suns center Joe Kleine said today he has had
no further episodes of dizziness or fainting since he passed out
Sunday prior to a game.
Kleine is not dressed for tonight's home game against the Houston
Rockets. A team spokeswoman said he has continued to undergo extensive
evaluation and tests at St. Luke's Medical Center in Phoenix, all of
which have been normal.
Kleine's condition will be monitored by Doctors Craig Phelps and
Richard Emerson, both team physicians. The doctors did not give an
immediate prognosis for his return.
Kleine was released from Centinela Medical Center in Los Angeles on
Monday, one day after he fainted during the national anthem prior to a
road game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Doctors and team officials
said it was not the first time he had fainted this season.
Kleine was standing for the anthem when he lost consciousness and fell
backwards. Trumpeter Jesse McGuire stopped when people noticed Kleine
on the floor. He remained on the floor for five minutes before being
removed on a stretcher by Forum personnel. As he was wheeled past
members of the media, Kleine responded to a question by nodding that
he was okay.
Suns media relations director Julie Fie said Kleine suffered a similar
bout of dizziness earlier Sunday and after a workout earlier this
season. Doctor Steve Lombardo, the physician for the Los Angeles
Lakers, said Kleine told him of the previous incidents.
The 34-year-old Kleine is in his 10th season in the NBA and third with
the Suns. He was a member of the 1984 Olympic team that won a gold
medal and also has played for Sacramento and Boston.
Kleine is averaging 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game this season
and 5.4 points and 4.6 rebounds for his career.
nba.456vpoznanovic,
Chicago (86) At Milwaukee (80)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kukoc F 28 3-8 1-2 1 2 3 4 2 0 1 7
Pippen F 40 7-19 1-2 5 1 6 2 4 1 5 16
Longley C 30 6-11 4-5 3 4 7 3 2 0 1 16
Harper G 25 2-7 4-4 0 4 4 2 2 0 0 9
Jordan G 42 9-27 3-4 1 8 9 4 1 2 4 22
Rodman 41 3-6 1-4 7 12 19 4 3 0 1 7
Kerr 28 3-4 2-2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 9
Wennington 6 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Brown Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Buechler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Simpkins Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-85 16-23 18 34 52 21 16 4 13 86
(.388) (.696) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 14(16 Pts)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Keys F 29 0-5 2-2 0 7 7 2 3 1 0 2
Robinson F 37 4-14 0-2 2 2 4 1 3 0 3 10
Baker C 42 13-28 2-4 3 9 12 2 2 1 1 28
Douglas G 39 5-9 4-5 2 3 5 4 5 2 2 14
Newman G 42 6-11 0-0 0 1 1 2 4 1 1 12
Cummings 26 5-9 0-0 3 5 8 2 3 1 1 10
Mayberry 9 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Respert 8 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 3
Benjamin 8 0-1 1-2 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 1
Conlon Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-81 9-15 10 32 42 14 22 7 9 80
(.420) (.600) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 10(5 Pts)
Chicago 28 12 22 24 - 86
Milwaukee 25 24 19 12 - 80
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Longley 2, Jordan. Milwaukee - Baker.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 4-18 (.222), Kukoc 0-2, Pippen 1-6, Harper 1-5,
Jordan 1-4, Kerr 1-1. Milwaukee 3-16 (.188), Keys 0-2, Robinson 2-5, Baker
0-3, Newman 0-2, Respert 1-4.
Technicals: Milwaukee - Robinson, Baker.
Officials: Joe Forte, Ron Olesiak, Derek Richardson.
A - 18,633. T - 2:05.
nba.457vpoznanovic,
SUPER 70: BULLS BUCK MILWAUKEE FOR HISTORIC WIN
MILWAUKEE -- The Chicago Bulls ran into history Tuesday night, but it
wasn't exactly a stampede.
The Bulls became the first team in NBA history to win 70 games, but it
wasn't the decisive historic victory championship teams are remembered
for.
Chicago held the lowly Milwaukee Bucks scoreless over the final 4:14
of regulation to escape with an 86-80 victory.
BEST OF THE BEST
The best regular seasons in each of the four major pro sports with
records and winning percentages:
NBA
1996 Chicago Bulls 70-9 .886
1972 Los Angeles Lakers 69-13 .841
1967 Philadelphia 76ers 68-13 .840
1986 Boston Celtics 67-15 .817
1992 Chicago Bulls 67-15 .817
NHL
1977 Montreal Canadiens 60- 8-12 .825
1978 Montreal Canadiens 59-10-11 .806
1996 Detroit Red Wings 62-13-7 .799
1976 Montreal Canadiens 58-11-11 .794
NFL
1972 Miami Dolphins 14-0 1.000
1942 Chicago Bears 11-0 1.000
1934 Chicago Bears 13-0 1.000
1929 Green Bay Packers 12-0-1 .962
1923 Canton 11-0-1 .958
Major League Baseball
1906 Chicago Cubs 116-36 .763
1902 Pittsburgh Pirates 103-36 .741
1909 Pittsburgh Pirates 110-42 .724
1954 Cleveland Indians 111-43 .721
1927 New York Yankees 110-44 .714
"Relief is the overwhelming emotion," coach Phil Jackson said. "This
basketball club has done a great job of finding the clues to solve the
puzzles."
The Bulls broke the mark set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, who
went 69-13 and went on to win the championship. Chicago is 70-9 with
three games left but plans to rest superstars Michael Jordan and
Scottie Pippen in preparation for the playoffs.
"It was a very ugly game, but sometimes ugly is beautiful," said
Jordan, who had 22 points but shot 9-for-27. "We put a lot of pressure
on ourselves to end this 70 business right here.
"I'm glad that it's over with. This was a long time coming. ... I'm
happy and relieved at the same time."
Some of the Bulls already have called themselves the greatest team in
NBA history, a boast that's sure to be debated. They'd get a good
argument from anyone using Tuesday night's performance to judge.
The Bulls were out of synch all night, looking tight in their biggest
game of the season.
"One thing we committed to in the locker room before the game was if
they did get 70, they wouldn't get it easy," Milwaukee's Terry
Cummings said. "I didn't expect us to get blown out tonight."
The Bulls, who have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, will
face Miami, Charlotte or Washington in the first round of the playoffs
beginning April 25.
Steve Kerr and Ron Harper led the Bulls with seven points each in the
final period -- when Chicago outscored Milwaukee 24-12.
Dennis Rodman, the temperamental forward who came to the Bulls in a
trade with San Antonio, grabbed 19 rebounds. The trio of Rodman,
Pippen and Jordan has a combined eight NBA titles.
"We're not going to be upset any more for the rest of the season,"
said Rodman. "We're going to go out there and set a standard that this
is the way it's going to be done. It's going to be done the Bulls way.
"There were so many distractions and so much hype with this 70 wins.
Getting it over with was more of a relief for us."
The Bulls trailed 68-62 entering the fourth quarter but took the lead
for good at 75-74 on a 3-pointer by Kerr with 7:20 to play.
A turnaround jumper by Vin Baker, who scored 28 points, pulled
Milwaukee within 82-80 with 4:14 remaining, but the Bucks didn't score
again. The teams traded five consecutive empty possessions before Luc
Longley made two foul shots with 21 seconds left to give Chicago an
84-80 lead.
Jordan shot just nine of 27 from the field, missing all his shots in
the final four minutes when Chicago struggled to pull away. His
biggest play, however, was blocking a 3-point attempt by Johnny Newman
with 16 seconds left that could have pulled the Bucks within one.
Instead, Kerr was fouled, made two foul shots and the outcome was
sealed.
"It's disappointing that we lost, but our guys put up a good fight,"
Bucks coach Mike Dunleavy said. "It can be a little disheartening when
you have almost as many people cheering for the opposing team. But our
guys came out and got our fans into the game."
The Bucks didn't even play defense in the final six seconds, allowing
the Bulls to walk off their court hugging and high-fiving, their
season-long quest finally fulfilled.
"We didn't seem fluid as a team and we ended up making it a lot
harder," Jordan said. "It was a sigh of relief because everybody put
so much (emphasis) on 70."
Longley had 16 points and Jordan grabbed nine rebounds for the Bulls,
who shot 39 percent (33-of-85) from the field but held a 52-42 edge in
rebounds.
Sherman Douglas scored 14 points and Johnny Newman added 12 for the
Bucks, who shot 42 percent (34-of-81), including 3-of-16 from 3-point
range.
Milwaukee held Chicago to 12 points in the second quarter and led by
as many as 11 points before settling for a 49-40 halftime lead. Jordan
scored nine points in the third quarter as the Bulls cut the deficit
to six points.
"It was very dramatic and enjoyable for anybody watching the game, the
intensity it was played under," Jackson said. "This basketball club
has done a dramatic job this year of finding the clues to how to solve
the puzzle that's presented to them every night on the floor.
"I'll probably smoke a victory cigar tonight."
nba.458vpoznanovic,
Cleveland (80) At Atlanta (77)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 39 3-9 2-2 2 6 8 2 3 0 0 8
Ferry F 36 7-17 0-2 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 15
Cage C 32 6-11 0-0 12 3 15 0 3 0 0 12
Phills G 37 4-11 0-2 3 4 7 4 3 3 2 9
Brandon G 43 10-18 5-6 1 3 4 6 3 1 5 25
Majerle 20 2-5 1-1 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 5
Hill 18 1-3 2-2 0 5 5 0 2 0 0 4
Sura 7 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 0
Crotty 4 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Lang 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Amaechi Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-78 10-15 19 25 44 15 20 4 11 80
(.436) (.667) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 13(10 Pts)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 26 2-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 0 0 1 4
Long F 44 3-8 2-4 3 3 6 3 1 0 1 9
Laettner C 29 8-14 3-3 3 3 6 0 3 0 2 19
Smith G 44 9-20 0-0 1 4 5 1 4 2 2 22
Blaylock G 42 1-7 1-2 2 3 5 7 3 4 2 4
Ehlo 26 2-6 2-2 1 3 4 1 3 0 2 8
Henderson 23 3-6 5-7 3 1 4 0 3 0 1 11
Jordan 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 28-65 13-18 13 20 33 14 18 6 12 77
(.431) (.722) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 12(18 Pts)
Cleveland 15 18 26 21 - 80
Atlanta 30 17 10 20 - 77
Blocked Shots: Cleveland - Ferry. Atlanta - Laettner 3, Long, Augmon,
Smith.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Cleveland 2-19 (.105), Mills 0-2, Ferry 1-5, Phills
1-5, Brandon 0-4, Majerle 0-1, Sura 0-2. Atlanta 8-19 (.421), Long 1-2,
Smith 4-9, Blaylock 1-4, Ehlo 2-4.
Technicals: Atlanta - Blaylock.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Bob Delaney, Sean Corbin.
A - 11,615. T - 2:00.
nba.459vpoznanovic,
CAVS RALLY FROM 20 DOWN, BURN ATLANTA
ATLANTA -- Trailing by 20 points in the first half, the Cleveland
Cavaliers staged a big rally to beat Atlanta Hawks and take over sole
possession of fifth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Brandon scored 16 of his 25 points in the second half, including a
crucial 20-footer with five seconds left, to lead the Cavaliers past
Atlanta 80-77 on Tuesday in a pivotal last-season matchup.
"When you're down by 20, it looks really bad. But we got it down by 14
at halftime and that was reachable,'' Cavs coach Mike Fratello said.
"We knew we could overcome that.''
The Cavaliers victory drops the Hawks one game behind Cleveland to
seventh. Detroit, which was idle, trails the Cavaliers by one-half
game.
Atlanta led 76-75 after Craig Ehlo sank a pair of free throws but
Danny Ferry, who finished with 15 points after going 0-for-7 in the
opening period, hit a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left. After a free
throw by the Hawks' Grant Long brought them within a point, Brandon
used a pick by Ferry to drain the victory-sealing jumper.
"It was great," Brandon said. "The first half was crazy. Steve Smith
shot the ball extremely well. Mike (Fratello) was real calm and told
me to pressure Mookie a little more.
"We moved the ball much better in the second half. We just played
hard. It was a total team effort tonight. We didn't want to get
swept."
The Hawks led 40-20 in the second quarter and 47-33 at the half, but
Cleveland began the second half on a 24-5 run to take a five-point
lead with 3:03 left in the quarter. Atlanta scored just 10 points in
the third period, tying a season low last set Dec. 9 against the
Knicks.
Michael Cage, who set team records for most offensive rebounds in a
half (10) and in a game (12), added 12 points and 16 rebounds Tuesday.
"I was looking to get to the glass," Cage said. "I just tried to find
a way to get us shots. It created a positive factor at the half, even
though we weren't playing well."
Steve Smith scored 22 points, and Christian Laettner added 19 for
Atlanta, which had won all three previous meetings against the Cavs
this season.
"We get down a few points and a lot of people on our team think it's
the worst thing and we get down on ourselves. I don't know why,"
Laettner said.
Said Smith: "This was a tough one. I don't know how to explain it.
It's not just an ordinary loss. Basketball is two halves. They beat us
in the second half more than we beat them in the first half."
Cleveland had lost three of its last four games and faces
fourth-seeded New York on Thursday. The Cavaliers are one game behind
the Knicks for the fourth playoff seed.
"They started the game really well because they had open looks,"
Fratello said. "With our basketball team, it's hard to come back, but
we came out in the second half and shot the ball much better. I was so
excited because of how the guys came back. Everybody on the bench was
into it."
Hawks guard Mookie Blaylock recorded his 200th steal, the fourth
consecutive season he has posted 200 swipes.
nba.460vpoznanovic,
Houston (100) At Phoenix (111)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elie F 27 3-8 2-2 1 4 5 1 2 1 0 8
Brown F 26 2-6 0-0 1 5 6 1 2 0 1 4
Bryant C 21 6-9 1-2 0 7 7 2 4 0 3 13
Drexler G 28 5-15 2-2 1 2 3 6 1 2 0 13
Smith G 21 5-10 0-0 0 2 2 3 3 0 1 12
Cassell 27 5-16 6-7 1 1 2 7 2 0 2 18
Chilcutt 29 5-10 3-3 1 2 3 0 2 1 0 15
Mack 23 6-14 0-0 2 2 4 4 2 0 2 15
Jones 20 0-0 0-0 2 2 4 2 4 0 1 0
Recasner 18 1-6 0-0 2 4 6 0 2 0 0 2
Horry Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Olajuwon Dnp - Tendinitis Both Knees
Totals 240 38-94 14-16 11 31 42 26 24 4 10 100
(.404) (.875) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 10(8 Pts)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Finley F 43 6-11 6-6 3 4 7 8 3 0 1 18
Green F 22 1-7 1-1 1 8 9 0 2 0 1 3
Tisdale C 40 10-18 4-4 2 9 11 2 3 0 0 24
W Person G 37 5-13 5-5 2 8 10 2 0 1 2 17
Johnson G 34 8-14 4-4 1 3 4 12 3 0 2 20
Manning 32 5-8 0-1 0 4 4 1 5 0 2 10
Perry 14 1-5 1-3 0 0 0 2 1 1 2 3
Carr 15 6-8 2-2 2 4 6 2 2 0 1 14
Bennett 3 0-2 2-2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2
Barkley Dnp - Sprained Right Calf
Kleine Dnp - Fainting Spells
Williams Dnp - Injured Right Wrist
Totals 240 42-86 25-28 13 40 53 29 19 2 11 111
(.488) (.893) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 13(15 Pts)
Houston 21 25 23 31 - 100
Phoenix 20 25 38 28 - 111
Blocked Shots: Houston - Brown 2, Chilcutt, Mack. Phoenix - Finley 2,
Johnson 2, Tisdale.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Houston 10-41 (.244), Elie 0-5, Drexler 1-6, Smith 2-7,
Cassell 2-6, Chilcutt 2-6, Mack 3-8, Recasner 0-3. Phoenix 2-6 (.333), W
Person 2-6.
Technicals: Houston - Cassell.
Officials: Steve Javie, Gary Benson, Blane Reichelt.
A - 19,023. T - 2:06.
nba.461vpoznanovic,
Phoenix 111, Houston 100
Wayman Tisdale scored 12 of his 24 points in the decisive third
quarter and Kevin Johnson added 20 points and 12 assists as the
Phoenix Suns snapped a three-game losing streak with a 111-100 victory
over the Houston Rockets.
Michael Finley scored 18 points and Wesley Person contributed 17 and
10 rebounds for the Suns, who were without All-Star forward Charles
Barkley and centers John Williams and Joe Kleine.
Sam Cassell had 18 points and seven assists and Sam Mack scored 15
points for the Rockets, who have lost two in a row following a
three-game winning streak. Houston was without center Hakeem Olajuwon,
who has tendinitis in both knees.
Mark Bryant's hook shot in the first minute of the second half gave
the Rockets a 48-47 lead, but the Suns scored the next nine points --
four by Johnson -- to take a 56-48 advantage with 9:08 left in the
third quarter.
Houston closed to 68-63 on a jumper by Clyde Drexler before Phoenix
scored 11 of the next 13 points for a 79-65 bulge with 2:02 left in
the period. Person keyed the burst with a three-pointer.
The Rockets got no closer than 14 points until scoring the final seven
points of the game.
nba.462vpoznanovic,
LA Clippers (85) At Utah (108)
LA Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Vaught F 36 6-13 0-0 6 7 13 4 0 1 0 12
Rogers F 36 7-12 2-3 0 5 5 6 2 3 3 17
Harvey C 20 1-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 2 2
Richardson G 24 5-10 0-0 0 3 3 1 0 2 0 12
Piatkowski G 26 5-10 2-2 0 1 1 2 3 0 2 13
Dehere 20 3-7 0-2 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 9
Barry 22 0-4 1-2 0 2 2 3 1 2 1 1
Roberts 13 2-10 3-4 1 0 1 1 4 0 2 7
Outlaw 26 2-6 3-4 8 3 11 1 3 2 2 7
Sealy 12 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 5
Tower 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Murray Dnp - Sick
Totals 240 33-86 11-17 16 25 41 20 18 11 16 85
(.384) (.647) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 19(29 Pts)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Malone F 33 10-13 6-7 0 6 6 4 1 0 3 26
Benoit F 20 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 4
Spencer C 20 3-7 1-3 0 2 2 0 2 0 2 7
Stockton G 36 1-4 3-3 0 3 3 11 0 4 5 5
Hornacek G 29 10-15 2-2 2 2 4 3 2 2 1 26
Eisley 12 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 4
Ostertag 21 4-8 4-4 3 6 9 0 5 0 1 12
Keefe 12 2-3 1-2 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 5
Morris 19 2-10 4-6 4 3 7 0 2 2 0 8
Carr 20 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 3 1 0 2 2
Russell 16 2-4 4-4 2 2 4 1 2 1 1 9
Foster 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 240 39-77 25-31 12 29 41 27 17 10 16 108
(.506) (.806) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 17(15 Pts)
LA Clippers 26 19 22 18 - 85
Utah 31 27 25 25 - 108
Blocked Shots: LA Clippers - Harvey 3, Rogers 2, Outlaw 2, Sealy,
Piatkowski. Utah - Ostertag 3, Malone, Keefe, Morris, Russell, Carr.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Clippers 8-21 (.381), Rogers 1-3, Richardson 2-5,
Piatkowski 1-3, Dehere 3-5, Barry 0-2, Sealy 1-3. Utah 5-10 (.500), Malone
0-1, Hornacek 4-5, Eisley 0-1, Morris 0-2, Russell 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Tommie Wood, Bill Spooner.
A - 19,535. T - 2:02.
nba.463vpoznanovic,
Utah 108, LA Clippers 85
Karl Malone and Jeff Hornacek scored 26 points apiece and keyed a
second-quarter run as the Utah Jazz cruised to a 108-85 victory over
the Los Angeles Clippers for just their third win in 10 games.
The Jazz remained 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the
third seed in the Western Conference and have won all 20 games at the
Delta Center against the Clippers. The Lakers have three games left
and the Jazz have two.
"I'm not concerned about who we play," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said.
"I'm concerned about getting back on the track. We're going to
practice tomorrow and get evrybody back into the right frame of mind
and forget about everything going on for the past two or three weeks."
Rodney Rogers scored 17 points and Eric Piatowski added 13 for the
Clippers, who lost three of four games against the Jazz this season.
Loy Vaught had 12 points and 13 rebounds as Los Angeles lost for the
sixth time in its last eight games.
"They got into their routine and got things going and we couldn't get
it going and they just got a big lead and they was comfortable with
it," Rogers said. "We made a few runs but we got too many silly fouls
and they blocked a lot of our shots and that was the difference."
Malone scored the first five points of a 13-2 burst that closed the
first half and Hornacek closed it with consecutive three-pointers for
a 58-45 advantage.
Hornacek shot 10-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-5 from
three-point range. Malone made 10-of-13 field goal attempts as the
Jazz shot 51 percent (39-for-77) from the field.
"It's a hard thing to explain, you wonder if there is a little bit of
a letdown with those other games," Hornacek said. "When you can't
catch San Antonio and you have a big lead on the Lakers and then all
of a sudden you've got to win your last three and they win the rest of
theirs just to keep your spot."
Pooh Richardson's three-pointer capped a 9-0 spurt and brought Los
Angeles within 71-60 with 5:21 to go in the third. Hornacek and Malone
answered with consecutive 19-footers to give the Jazz a 15-point
cushion. Dehere hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 75-63 with
4:07 left, but the Clippers came no closer.
Dehere made 3-of-5 three-point attempts but the Clippers shot just 38
percent (33-for-86) from the field. Richardson had 12 points and Bo
Outlaw grabbed 11 rebounds for Los Angeles.
nba.464vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers (113) At Dallas (95)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Campbell F 39 7-17 4-4 5 4 9 9 2 1 4 18
Ceballos F 34 10-17 3-4 3 4 7 2 0 2 3 23
Divac C 25 4-10 0-0 0 7 7 3 5 1 2 8
Jones G 38 8-14 3-4 1 6 7 3 1 3 4 22
Threatt G 41 6-10 0-0 2 3 5 4 1 2 3 15
Peeler 25 5-9 1-3 0 5 5 1 2 0 2 14
Lynch 20 2-5 4-6 1 2 3 0 1 5 1 8
Strong 9 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 0
Blount 7 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 0 1 0
Roberts 2 2-3 1-1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 5
Johnson Dnp - Suspended By League
Van Exel Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 44-86 16-22 13 35 48 22 18 14 22 113
(.512) (.727) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 22(16 Pts)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 42 5-20 6-6 3 1 4 2 4 3 1 16
Jones F 33 9-18 0-0 8 3 11 1 4 1 4 19
Williams C 8 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 2
Kidd G 39 3-7 0-0 0 6 6 10 2 3 4 7
Jackson G 29 6-15 3-3 6 0 6 1 2 2 3 15
Meyer 24 3-7 3-3 3 4 7 0 1 1 3 9
Dumas 22 4-12 4-6 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 12
Parks 23 2-7 0-1 1 8 9 2 2 0 1 4
Harris 9 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Wood 8 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 1 4
Brooks 3 2-4 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 7
Davis Dnp - Surgery-Left Knee
Totals 240 37-98 18-21 24 25 49 16 23 10 20 95
(.378) (.857) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 22(21 Pts)
LA Lakers 32 27 23 31 - 113
Dallas 21 28 15 31 - 95
Blocked Shots: LA Lakers - Campbell 4, Ceballos 2, Peeler, Blount. Dallas
- Mccloud, Meyer, Dumas, Parks.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Lakers 9-16 (.563), Ceballos 0-2, Jones 3-5, Threatt
3-3, Peeler 3-6. Dallas 3-25 (.120), Mccloud 0-8, Jones 1-4, Kidd 1-4,
Jackson 0-5, Dumas 0-1, Parks 0-2, Brooks 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Derrick Stafford, Tom Washington.
A - 17,502. T - 1:59.
nba.465vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers 113, Dallas 95
Eddie Jones scored 12 of his 22 points in the first quarter as the
short-handed Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth straight game, a
113-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Cedric Ceballos had 23 points and Elden Campbell added 18 and nine
rebounds for the Lakers, who played without Magic Johnson and Nick Van
Exel. Johnson served the first game of his three-game suspension for
bumping a referee and Van Exel is in the midst of a seven-game
suspension for pushing an official.
Los Angeles has won all four games against the Mavericks this season
and 32 of the last 37 since the 1987-88 season.
"We got careless with the lead several times, but other times, we had
a very nice effort," Lakers coach Del Harris said. "It is nice to win
on the road without Nick and Magic. Elden Campebll has come so far in
his total game. He's a dominating defender and he's an outstanding
shooter in the field."
Popeye Jones scored 19 points and George McCloud had 16 for Dallas,
which dropped its fourth straight contest.
"Campbell, (Divac) Vlade and (Cedric) Ceballos are just way too much
for us," Mavs coach Dick Motta said. "They're are going to be a heck
of a team in the playoffs. I can see why Houston is worried about
playing them. They can shoot, rebound and pass."
The Lakers raced out to a 19-8 lead in the first 6:45 before settling
for a 32-21 advantage after one quarter.
"When you play against a guy like Jason Kidd, you need to keep them
off the boards and slow down their transition game," Eddie Jones said.
"He's (Magic) our emotional leader out there, he gets you going. When
things aren't going our way, he calms us down."
The Mavs closed within 40-34 with 6:35 to go in the first half but the
Lakers used an 11-4 run for a 51-38 lead with 2:41 left. Los Angeles
outscored Dallas 23-15 in the third quarter for an 82-64 bulge
entering the final session.
Sedale Threatt scored 15 points and Anthony Peeler contributed 14 off
the bench for the Lakers, who shot 51 percent (44-of-86) from the
field and 9-of-16 (56 percent) from three-point range.
Jim Jackson had 15 points and Tony Dumas added 12 for Dallas, which
shot 38 percent (37-of-98) from the field and 12 percent (3-of-25)
from three-point range.
nba.466vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (95) At Vancouver (86)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 26 8-12 2-2 0 3 3 2 0 1 0 23
Smith F 27 3-7 2-2 0 3 3 2 1 1 0 8
Robinson C 20 6-6 2-2 1 4 5 1 1 0 0 14
Del Negro G 33 5-10 0-0 0 5 5 8 0 2 1 10
Johnson G 35 7-17 3-3 0 3 3 7 1 1 2 17
C Person 19 1-6 0-0 1 3 4 2 2 1 2 2
Rivers 13 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 3
W Perdue 20 4-4 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 1 2 8
Alexander 15 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 1 1 0 2 2
Williams 22 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 0 2 4
Anderson 8 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Herrera 2 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4
Totals 240 40-78 9-9 3 34 37 26 14 7 11 95
(.513) (1.000) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 11(13 Pts)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
King F 33 7-16 0-1 1 4 5 1 4 3 1 17
Amaya F 19 1-3 1-2 3 4 7 1 2 0 0 3
Reeves C 9 2-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 4
B Edwards G 30 0-6 0-0 1 3 4 3 3 1 2 0
Anthony G 15 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 0 2 5
Scott 26 5-9 2-2 0 5 5 3 0 1 1 14
Avent 27 2-10 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 4
Wilkins 28 5-7 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 12
Murdock 33 7-12 2-2 0 5 5 10 3 2 3 16
Manning 12 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 6
Moten 8 2-3 1-1 2 1 3 3 0 0 0 5
Martin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-82 6-8 8 27 35 28 18 8 12 86
(.439) (.750) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 13(19 Pts)
San Antonio 27 21 25 22 - 95
Vancouver 19 24 17 26 - 86
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Robinson, W Perdue. Vancouver - King, Amaya.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 6-16 (.375), Elliott 5-8, Del Negro 0-2, C
Person 0-2, Rivers 1-2, Alexander 0-1, Herrera 0-1. Vancouver 8-23 (.348),
King 3-7, B Edwards 0-2, Anthony 1-3, Scott 2-4, Wilkins 2-3, Murdock 0-3,
Moten 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ronnie Nunn, Ken Mauer, Hank Armstrong.
A - 16,127. T - 1:51.
nba.467vpoznanovic,
San Antonio 95, Vancouver 86
Sean Elliott scored seven of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and
Avery Johnson added 17 as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Vancouver
Grizzlies, 95-86, and remained unbeaten against the expansion team.
David Robinson scored 14 points and Johnson added eight assists for
San Antonio , which beat the Grizzlies for the fourth time this
season. The Spurs notched their 58th win as they inch closer toward
their second straight 60-win season. San Antonio closes the season
with home games against the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
"We want to get the 60-win season and that means we have to win our
last two," Robinson said. "We are still shooting for some things,
keeping ourselves motivated for the last two games."
"We're workng hard to win these last three games and hopefully get the
home court versus Orlando if they come out of the East," Spurs coach
Bob Hill said. The Magic are 57-22 with three games left.
Chris King scored 17 points, Eric Murdock added 16 and Byron Scott 14
for Vancouver, which lost its 66th game. The Grizzlies have lost 35 of
their last 38 contests. Greg Anthony left the game in the third
quarter with a strained neck muscle.
"Sean (Elliott) is one of those guys who is an all-star," Scott
admited. He has been doing that all year long. The last game we played
him, we were able to hold him pretty much in check and didn't let him
get a lot of shots, a lot of good looks. Tonight he had great looks
and he knocked them all down. You just can't leave a guy like him open
for easy jump shots. Once we did, he took advantage of that."
After the Grizzlies pulled within 84-75 on Murdock's six-footer,
Robinson made two free throws and Elliott hit a three-pointer to seal
the game at 89-75 with 4:21 to go.
"They were struggling a little bit, but we have some guys who are beat
up too this late in the season," Elliott said. We just tried to make
all of them drivers, not give them any wide-open looks at the basket.
When you do that, usually, the percantages go down. "
Robinson's eight points gave the Spurs a 27-19 lead entering the
second quarter. San Antonio settled for a 48-43 halftime lead behind
Elliott's 13 points before expanding its advantage to 73-60 after
three quarters.
Vinny Del Negro had 10 points and eight assists for San Antonio, which
shot 51 percent (40-of-78) from the field and scored 19 points off 13
Vancouver turnovers.
Bryant Reeves was held to four points on 2-of-7 shooting for
Vancouver, which shot 44 percent (36-of82) and was outscored 44-32 in
the paint.
Both teams combined for just 17 free throw attempts as the Grizzlies
posted team lows with six free throws and eight attempts. Earlier this
season, the expansion Toronto Raptors became the only team in N-B-A
history to not make a free throw in a game.
nba.468vpoznanovic,
Washington (95) At Orlando (113)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Howard F 41 10-17 8-9 5 10 15 2 2 1 5 28
Cheaney F 28 3-11 1-1 1 4 5 3 5 0 1 7
Mcilvaine C 26 1-3 2-2 2 1 3 0 5 1 0 4
Eackles G 24 2-9 0-0 2 2 4 0 0 0 1 5
B Price G 34 9-15 0-0 1 5 6 8 1 3 4 22
Mccann 25 5-9 1-3 4 1 5 0 3 0 1 11
Legler 27 2-5 3-4 1 0 1 4 2 2 1 9
Whitney 14 2-10 0-0 0 2 2 2 4 0 1 6
Butler 16 0-2 3-4 0 1 1 1 1 2 3 3
Thornton 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Lewis 2 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Muresan Dnp - Injured Right Knee
Totals 240 34-82 18-23 17 26 43 20 24 10 17 95
(.415) (.783) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 18(24 Pts)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 41 4-9 2-4 4 5 9 1 1 0 0 10
Scott F 34 6-10 4-5 1 4 5 3 2 1 2 20
Oneal C 38 10-22 6-10 6 12 18 1 4 1 3 26
Anderson G 30 3-11 0-0 2 2 4 5 1 5 0 7
Hardaway G 33 9-15 8-8 0 1 1 8 1 0 1 26
Koncak 11 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 1 2
Shaw 24 4-7 2-2 1 0 1 5 3 3 2 13
Bowie 18 2-4 2-2 1 0 1 2 4 1 1 6
Royal 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Bonner 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 0
Thompson 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
Wolf Dnp - Concussion
Totals 240 40-83 24-31 16 28 44 25 23 11 12 113
(.482) (.774) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 13(17 Pts)
Washington 30 19 21 25 - 95
Orlando 27 30 31 25 - 113
Blocked Shots: Washington - Mcilvaine 2, Cheaney, Mccann. Orlando -
Grant 2, Oneal 2, Scott, Royal.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Washington 9-24 (.375), Cheaney 0-3, Eackles 1-3, B
Price 4-7, Legler 2-3, Whitney 2-7, Butler 0-1. Orlando 9-21 (.429), Grant
0-1, Scott 4-7, Anderson 1-5, Hardaway 0-3, Shaw 3-4, Thompson 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Jim Kinsey, Mark Wunderlich.
A - 17,248. T - 2:08.
nba.469vpoznanovic,
ORLANDO DAMAGES MIRACLE BULLETS' HOPES
ORLANDO, Fla. -- We've heard of the Magic Bullet Theory, although few
of us believe.
Washington, thanks to a 113-95 setback Tuesday night, has to become
the Miracle Bullets if they want to make the playoffs for the first
time in 10 years. Few of us believe it possible.
"It would take a miracle at this point," Bullets guard Brent Price
said. "I would say there is a flicker there. It will be tough."
Dennis Scott scored 17 of his 20 points in the middle two quarters as
the Orlando Magic dealt Washington a severe blow to its playoff hopes.
The Bullets, who haven't made the playoffs since 1988, had their
seven-game winning streak snapped and fell two games behind Miami for
the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with three games
remaining.
Washington has games remaining against Boston, Toronto and Chicago and
only can make the playoffs by winning all of its games as Miami loses
all of its games and ninth-place Charlotte loses at least twice. The
Bullets would then gain the berth with a tiebreaker advantage over the
Heat.
"To be honest, we felt we had to win them all," said Washington coach
Jim Lynam, whose team has been hit hard by injuries. "I think we
played reasonably well. These guys played hard. There's not much more
you can ask."
Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, who played on a sprained ankle,
had 26 points apiece to lead the Magic, which had lost four of its
last five games. Orlando, which also got 18 rebounds from O'Neal, is
locked into the second seed in the East.
"A lot has been said lately about what's going on with us, and we're
just trying to get back on track, try and finish out as strong as
possible and have some type of momentum going into the playoffs,"
Scott said.
Price scored 12 of his 22 points in the first quarter as Washington
grabbed a 30-27 lead. But a 3-pointer by Scott capped a 10-2 burst
that gave Orlando a 37-32 lead with 8:32 to go before halftime.
Scott scored nine points in the second quarter, which ended with the
Magic holding a 57-49 lead. Price opened the third quarter with a
3-pointer, but Scott scored eight points in a 21-8 burst.
"For other than the first quarter when we gave up 30 points, we pretty
much controlled the game from a defenssive standpoint," Orlando coach
Brian Hill said. "Our defense allowed us to get out and get some
transition baskets, opened up some 3-point shots in transition for
Dennis Scott, which kind of broke the game open there in the beginning
of the third quarter."
A jumper by Horace Grant opened Orlando's lead to 78-60 with 4:18 left
in the period. The Magic led by as many as 27 points in the final
quarter.
Brian Shaw scored 13 points, and Grant added 10 and nine rebounds for
Orlando, which shot 48 percent (40-of-83) from the field and outscored
Washington 54-28 in the paint.
Juwan Howard had 28 points and 15 rebounds for the Bullets, who shot
41.5 percent (34-of-82) and committed 18 turnovers.
nba.470vpoznanovic,
>> Vlade, ti si Bog.
Zar si sumnjao u to? O;)
nba.471vpoznanovic,
>> Kao što vidiš, Denver te demantuje svakog trenutka. Prvo su prekinuli
>> seriju od 16 pobeda San Antonia, zatim savladali i Vankuver :)
Hm, nešto si pobrkao. Denver je izgubio obe utakmice od San Antonia u toj
seriji (4. i 6. marta), a prekinuta je u Phoenixu, i to nakon 17 pobjeda.
>> i mnogo su bliži play-offu, nego još uvek neuigrani Golden State.
>> Sacramento me prijatno iznenadio žestinom kojom su krenuli ka play-offu, jer
>> se vidi da im je stvarno prigustilo (bar treneru ;) ako ne uđu u play-off.
>> Zaređali su par uzastopnih pobeda i to nad nimalo lakim protivnicima. Pravi
>> test biće im 14. aprila kad igraju u Denveru ;)
Ukazala im se prilika da nakon deset godina uđu u playoff, i zaista su
ozbiljno riješili da je iskoriste. Pošteno su dobili tu utakmicu u
Denveru i praktično ih izbacili iz trke. Nekako bih više volio da plasman
izbore Warriorsi, ali izgleda da su Kingsi to više zaslužili.
>> Maybe. Ima GS još šanse, da teluje tiho, kao autsajder .. kao i Washington
>> na istoku. Kad su ga svi otpisali, kao Phoenix se digao iz pepela ;)) ...
>> biće zanimljivo. Ali sad, već tipujem na Sacramento ...
Potrebna im je pobjeda u Minnesoti. Bez toga mogu odmah na odmor. A u
vezi Washingtona... samo neka Webber i Price stanu na noge, i da se
naravno Murešan zakrpi, pa ćeš ti da vidiš kandidata sljedeće godine. :)
nba.472vpoznanovic,
>> Ovo što si poslao, me je neviđeno iznenadilo. Prvo, zašto najviše plaćamo
>> Spider Salley-a koji, usput, sad igra za Čikago? Damon, dobija mizernih
milion
>> i po po sezoni, a jedno fantastično krilo kao Tracy Murray samo 250 000 !?
Pa
>> Vincenco dobija duplo više od njega ...
E, ljudi se pitaju zašto Pippen već godinama zarađuje manje od Kukoča,
zašto je jedan Dale Davis bolje plaćen od Reggie Millera ili Frank
Brickowski od Shawn Kempa, zašto čitava serija igrača Golden State
Warriorsa prima više od jednog Latrell Sprewella ili zašto su A.C. Green
i Danny Manning na mnogo većoj cijeni od jednog Charles Barkleya, pa opet
ništa. :) A da ti ne nabrajam kuriozitete u razlikama između zarada
igrača iz različitih ekipa. Čudne su te finansije. ;) U svakom slučaju,
ovo su podaci iz decembra prošle godine, i trebalo bi da su prilično
pouzdani.
>> Nego, možeš li da iskopaš koliko su igrači vezani ugovorom? Damon
>> pogotovo ...
Za Damona znam da je potpisao ugovor na tri godine; detalji nisu poznati.
Za ostale nemam te informacije. Ako ih negdje nađem, poslaću.
>> P.S. Jel' imaš ovo za Denver? :) i/ili za Phoenix?
Naravno. :)
Denver Nuggets ......... $24,553,000
Player Salary
Dikembe Mutombo ......... $3,250,000
LaPhonso Ellis .......... 3,039,000
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf ...... 2,600,000
Alvin Robertson ......... 2,300,000 (released)
Antonio McDyess ......... 2,213,000
Reggie Williams ......... 1,853,000
Bryant Stith ............ 1,550,000
Dale Ellis .............. 1,310,000
Jalen Rose .............. 1,268,000
Elmore Spenser .......... 1,300,000 (released)
Tom Hammonds ............ 970,000
Randy Woods ............. 950,000 (released)
Don MacLean ............. 925,000
Doug Overton ............ 600,000
Greg Grant .............. 225,000 (released)
Rastko Cvetkovic ........ 200,000
Phoenix Suns ........... $36,525,000
Player Salary
Danny Manning ........... $6,833,000
A.C. Green .............. 6,473,000 (average)
Charles Barkley ......... 4,760,000
John Williams ........... 4,151,000 (average)
Wayman Tisdale .......... 3,475,000
Kevin Johnson ........... 2,900,000
Elliot Perry ............ 2,025,000 (average)
Jerod Mustaf ............ 1,600,000 (released)
Joe Kleine .............. 1,040,000
Wesley Person ........... 845,000
Michael Finley .......... 628,000
Tony Smith .............. 500,000
Mario Bennett ........... 480,000
Stefano Rusconi ......... 415,000
Chris Carr .............. 200,000
John Coker .............. 200,000
nba.473vpoznanovic,
>> Procitah u novinam nesto malo o Divcu kazu imao je cetvrti
>> tripl dab . Moze li neko nesto vise da o tome.
Dobio si odgovor, ali za ubuduće... Samo kopaj po ovim pregledima i
statistikama što šaljem, sve ćeš naći. :)
nba.474vpoznanovic,
>> Pitam otkud njemu 13 asistencija,jer je zna da je on centar(ukoliko od skora
>> nije poceo da igra play-a),a centri bas i nisu poznati po asistencijama.
>> 13 asistencija u utakmici je uspeh i za Stocktona i Jasona Kida,...
>> pa zbog toga pitam!
Na toj utakmici Magic nije igrao zbog ozljede desnog koljena, pa je Divac
morao da namiri kvotu asistencija. :)
nba.475vpoznanovic,
>> Svaka ti cast.Sta bismo mi bez tebe.E,da te pitam,odakle skidas ove
>> poruke?
Sa nekoliko američkih sportskih mreža.
nba.476vpoznanovic,
>> Rodman kaznjen zbog fizickog dejstva na sudiju!
>> -novcana kazna od 23000 dolara
>> -i 6 utakmice!
Da informacija nije malo zastarjela? Kaznu je već i odradio. :)
nba.477vpoznanovic,
Boston (121) At Washington (106)
Boston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Fox F 36 6-12 5-5 2 8 10 4 4 2 2 17
Burrough F 12 6-8 1-1 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 13
Ellison C 19 3-7 0-0 1 8 9 0 3 1 2 6
Minor G 27 5-9 0-0 0 4 4 1 4 0 0 10
Wesley G 34 4-12 3-4 1 4 5 7 2 1 3 12
Day 23 9-13 4-5 0 4 4 3 4 1 1 28
Barros 30 5-10 2-2 0 0 0 3 1 0 2 13
Lister 24 0-0 0-0 1 8 9 0 4 0 0 0
Brown 29 9-16 1-1 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 20
Hamilton 4 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 0
Mundt 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Williams Dnp - Left Knee Tendinitis
Totals 240 48-89 16-18 5 40 45 20 29 6 13 121
(.539) (.889) Team Rebs: 2 Total To: 13(10 Pts)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Cheaney F 31 9-13 4-9 0 1 1 0 4 0 1 24
Howard F 45 13-27 14-17 4 9 13 3 5 0 7 40
Mcilvaine C 32 0-3 0-2 1 7 8 0 3 0 0 0
Eackles G 41 5-13 1-3 2 2 4 2 2 0 2 12
B Price G 35 7-12 2-2 0 4 4 8 4 1 2 18
Legler 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Whitney 17 1-5 1-1 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 3
Mccann 18 2-5 1-2 1 7 8 0 2 1 1 5
Butler 17 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 2 3 1 0 2
Lewis 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Thornton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Muresan Dnp - Injured Right Knee
Totals 240 39-83 23-36 9 30 39 17 24 4 14 106
(.470) (.639) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 14(11 Pts)
Boston 32 25 23 41 - 121
Washington 25 27 26 28 - 106
Blocked Shots: Boston - Ellison 2, Lister 2, Minor. Washington -
Mcilvaine 6, Mccann 3, Howard.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Boston 9-18 (.500), Fox 0-2, Wesley 1-2, Day 6-7,
Barros 1-5, Brown 1-2. Washington 5-13 (.385), Cheaney 2-2, Eackles 1-4, B
Price 2-4, Whitney 0-1, Butler 0-2.
Technicals: Boston - Illegal Defense, Washington - Howard.
Officials: Jim Capers, Don Vaden, Jack Nies.
A - 18,756. T - 2:06.
nba.478vpoznanovic,
CELTICS HAND SNAKE-BIT BULLETS A TOUGH LOSS
LANDOVER, Md. -- Todd Day scored 23 of his 28 points in the fourth
quarter Wednesday as the Boston Celtics raced to a 121-106 victory
over the Washington Bullets, who were pushed to the brink of
elimination from the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Bullets (39-41) wasted a career-high 40 points from Juwan Howard
and squandered a great chance to improve their standing after the
Miami Heat lost to lowly Philadelphia.
Washington, which hasn't made the playoffs since 1988, trails Miami by
two games with two to play. The Bullets also need some help from the
Charlotte Hornets, who are one-half game behind Miami.
IF IT WASN'T FOR BAD LUCK
At least Tim Legler waited until there were only two games left.
The Washington guard sustained a knee injury Wednesday and joined a
long list of Bullets with season-ending injuries:
INJURY GMS. LAST GAME
R.Pack Knee 31 Jan. 6
C.Webber Shoulder 15 Jan. 21
M.Price Foot 7 Jan. 24
R.Wallace Thumb 65 March 22
G.Muresan Knee 76 April 10
"This is one of the worst losses I have experienced on an NBA level,"
Howard said. "To lose a game like this when you had a chance to make
the playoffs -- this is what you work hard for."
Washington, which has been plagued by injuries all season, lost
shooting guard Tim Legler, who suffered ligament and cartilage damage
in his right knee in the first half.
Legler was the Long-Distance Shootout champ at All-Star weekend, and
he leads the NBA in 3-point shooting this season at 52 percent (128
for 246).
Day made one of his five 3-pointers with 10:44 left in the fourth
quarter to close an 8-0 spurt and give the Celtics an 88-78 advantage.
"I think the fact that we played last night -- and they did not --
hurt us," Washington coach Jim Lynam said. "They had more energy.
You've got to give them credit. They have been playing smaller and
quicker. Day had a terrific night."
Boston shot seven for nine from three-point range in the final period,
including five for five by Day.
Calbert Cheaney scored 24 points and Brent Price added 18 and eight
assists for the Bullets, who split four games with the Celtics this
season.
"We wanted to get out and run with them," Boston coach M.L. Carr said.
"I know this was a tough loss for them, but we're still trying to
build this team. Day was big today."
Howard's 15-footer closed a 10-2 run and gave the Bullets their first
lead since the first quarter at 72-69 with 5:27 left in the third
quarter.
Howard made a layup with one minute left to tie it 78-78, but Dana
Barros made a driving layup with 10 seconds left to give the Celtics a
two-point edge heading into the final period.
"We still have to hold our heads high, especially with what the
Bullets have gone through," said Howard, an All-Star in only his
second NBA season. "Our goal now is to just make it to .500 and that
will put a smile on my face.
"Juwan Howard is happy with what he has done, but he has not reached
his peak yet."
Day's final 3-pointer gave the Celtics their biggest lead, 117-100,
with 1:17 left. Dee Brown scored 20 points and Rick Fox added 17 and
10 rebounds for the Celtics, who had seven players in double figures.
"The guys kept finding me and I was able to get some good shots off,"
Day said. "That's been our problem the whole year -- finding guys. I
got into a rhythm and the team fed off of that."
Junior Burrough scored a career-high 13 points and Barros added 13.
Burrough, who shot six for eight from the field, hit his head on the
rim going up for a dunk in the third quarter but returned to the game.
Boston shot 54 percent (48 for 89) from the field and 89 percent (16
for 18) from the foul line.
nba.479vpoznanovic,
Golden State (109) At Minnesota (103)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 38 5-19 3-4 7 7 14 2 4 2 0 13
Smith F 46 8-14 5-7 5 5 10 2 4 1 3 21
Declercq C 28 4-12 2-2 5 3 8 1 4 2 1 10
Sprewell G 46 11-19 4-8 0 4 4 1 2 0 5 31
Armstrong G 31 4-13 13-14 1 1 2 7 3 2 2 23
Marshall 21 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 0 0 0
Coles 22 4-9 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 1 0 9
Barry 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
Rozier 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hammink Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Willis Dnp - Sprained Lower Back
Totals 240 37-88 27-35 18 25 43 20 21 8 11 109
(.420) (.771) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 11(13 Pts)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 42 7-10 4-8 3 6 9 6 2 4 3 18
Gugliotta F 41 10-22 2-2 4 3 7 3 3 1 4 23
Lang C 19 2-5 0-0 1 5 6 0 5 0 2 4
Rider G 31 2-11 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 4 4
Webb G 17 2-6 2-2 0 2 2 4 3 0 1 6
Mitchell 28 8-13 4-5 4 9 13 1 2 0 2 20
Porter 31 6-11 6-7 0 2 2 8 3 1 1 20
West 22 3-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 5 2 2 7
Davis 7 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
Allen 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Bragg Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Riley Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-83 19-26 14 31 45 26 27 8 19 103
(.482) (.731) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 19(34 Pts)
Golden State 32 23 28 26 - 109
Minnesota 26 32 25 20 - 103
Blocked Shots: Golden State - Sprewell 4, Kersey, Smith, Declercq,
Marshall. Minnesota - Garnett 6, Lang 3, Gugliotta.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Golden State 8-17 (.471), Sprewell 5-8, Armstrong 2-4,
Marshall 0-1, Coles 1-4. Minnesota 4-13 (.308), Gugliotta 1-2, Rider 0-3,
Webb 0-1, Porter 2-5, West 1-1, Allen 0-1.
Technicals: Minnesota - Head Coach Saunders, Lang, Gugliotta.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Luis Grillo, Pat Adams.
A - 12,719. T - 2:13.
nba.480vpoznanovic,
Golden State 109, Minnesota 103
MINNEAPOLIS -- Latrell Sprewell scored 31 points as the Golden State
Warriors kept their playoff hopes alive with a 109-103 victory over
the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
The Warriors (36-44) remained within two games of the Sacramento Kings
for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. Sacramento
edged Phoenix 103-102 on Wednesday and visits Utah on Saturday before
hosting the Warriors in the season finale on Sunday.
"I told them before the game and at the start of the fourth quarter,
'If we don't win tonight, our season is over,'" Golden State coach
Rick Adelman said Wednesday. "Latrell played a great game. He played
with a lot of energy and set the tone tonight."
B.J. Armstrong added 23 points for the Warriors, who host Portland on
Friday before traveling to Sacramento. Golden State has won five of
its past seven games and took three of the four meetings against
Minnesota this season.
Armstrong shot just four for 13 from the floor, but he was 13 for 14
from the foul line.
Gugliotta scored 23 points and Sam Mitchell added 20 and 13 rebounds
for the Timberwolves (26-54), who have lost four in a row.
Mitchell made a short jumper with 10 minutes left to tie the score
88-88. Joe Smith's dunk closed a 9-2 spurt as the Warriors took a
97-90 lead with 5:44 left and never trailed thereafter.
Gugliotta's 17-footer capped an 11-0 burst that gave the Wolves a
51-47 advantage with two minutes left in the second quarter. Minnesota
held a 58-55 advantage at halftime.
Kevin Garnett was called for goaltending on Jerome Kersey's layup to
give the Warriors a 59-58 edge with 9:33 to go in the third period.
Golden State led for most of the remainder of the quarter but
Minnesota tied it 83-83 on Doug West's 43-footer at the buzzer.
Smith had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Kersey added 13 and 14 for the
Warriors, who shot 42 percent (37 for 88) from the field.
"This was one we needed to put pressure on Sacramento," Smith said.
"Latrell really stepped up for us tonight."
Terry Porter had 20 points and eight assists and Garnett added 18 and
nine rebounds for the Wolves.
"We had a tough game and we had stretches where we had trouble,
especially in the fourth quarter," Porter said. "Opponents think of us
as an easy win. Next year, we are going to take a step and start
winning more games."
nba.481vpoznanovic,
Indiana (93) At Detroit (102)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 40 3-11 1-1 2 5 7 4 4 1 1 7
D Davis F 30 2-6 2-4 6 5 11 0 4 0 1 6
Smits C 27 6-12 6-8 2 4 6 2 4 1 2 18
Workman G 23 3-8 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 4 6
Jackson G 39 6-12 3-3 0 4 4 10 0 1 0 17
A Davis 21 2-4 2-3 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 6
Ferrell 14 1-5 2-2 1 1 2 0 3 0 1 4
Johnson 18 3-7 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 1 8
Pierce 22 5-10 6-6 0 2 2 1 3 3 0 17
Best 6 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hoiberg Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-76 24-29 12 27 39 20 26 6 12 93
(.421) (.828) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 12(10 Pts)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 44 5-9 5-5 0 9 9 6 4 0 4 15
Thorpe F 41 8-12 3-8 2 6 8 2 6 2 4 19
West C 14 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
Houston G 42 9-18 7-8 1 2 3 3 2 0 2 31
Dumars G 42 4-8 2-2 1 2 3 11 1 0 1 11
Ratliff 5 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
Hunter 12 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 5
Mills 32 6-10 3-5 2 5 7 1 4 1 1 19
Curry 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
Reid 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roe Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-67 20-28 6 27 33 26 26 3 13 102
(.522) (.714) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 14(18 Pts)
Indiana 24 21 28 20 - 93
Detroit 20 30 29 23 - 102
Blocked Shots: Indiana - D Davis 4, Mckey, Smits. Detroit - Hill,
Ratliff.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Indiana 5-19 (.263), Mckey 0-2, Workman 0-2, Jackson
2-6, Ferrell 0-1, Johnson 2-5, Pierce 1-3. Detroit 12-22 (.545), Houston
6-9, Dumars 1-4, Hunter 1-3, Mills 4-5, Curry 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Ted Bernhardt, Joe Borgia.
A - 17,380. T - 2:17.
nba.482vpoznanovic,
DETROIT'S VICTORY PRESERVES MAYHEM IN EAST RACE
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Allan Houston scored 31 points as the Detroit
Pistons defeated the Indiana Pacers 102-93 on Wednesday, further
muddling the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Pistons (45-34) moved into a tie with the idle Cleveland Cavaliers
for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Detroit is within one game
of New York for fourth place and one game ahead of Atlanta for
seventh.
"It was a great win for us. Now we know that we can't finish eighth,"
Detroit coach Doug Collins said. "It is up to seventh now and
hopefully we can keep moving forward."
Otis Thorpe and Terry Mills added 19 points each for the Pistons, who
have won six of their last eight games and avenged a 91-86 loss at
Indiana on Saturday.
Rik Smits scored 18 points and Mark Jackson and Ricky Pierce added 17
apiece for the Pacers (50-30), whose six-game winning streak ended.
Indiana already has locked up the third seed in the Eastern
Conference.
Indiana again played without All-Star guard Reggie Miller, who will
miss up to three weeks while recovering from surgery to repair a
fractured eye socket.
The Pacers had closed within 97-93 and had a chance to pull even
closer with a jump ball with 1:06 remaining Wednesday. Indiana won the
initial tap, but referee Dick Bavetta ordered a re-jump and the
Pistons won possession. Mills nailed a 3-pointer to push the lead to
seven and Detroit held Indiana scoreless the rest of the way.
Detroit had taken control of the game with an 11-4 run at the outset
of the second half. Joe Dumars started the spurt with a 3-pointer to
give the Pistons a 53-45 lead.
Smits and Haywoode Workman had baskets around a jumper by Thorpe to
cut it to 55-49, but Houston drilled a pair of 3-pointers to give the
Pistons a 61-49 lead with 9:54 remaining in the third quarter.
"Allan likes TBS and Turner," Collins quipped, referring to the cable
networks that televised NBA games. "He is averaging 30 points per game
on Turner and 19 for the rest of the season."
Indiana closed within two on two occasions, the last time on a pair of
free throws by Pierce that made it 77-75 with 10:56 to play.
Grant Hill added 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Detroit,
which shot 52 percent (35 for 67) from the field. Dumars finished with
11 points and 11 assists.
Smits, Jackson and Pierce were the only players in double figures for
Indiana, which shot 42 percent (32 for 76) and outrebounded the
Pistons 39-33.
"I haven't seen the Pistons not play hard in any game this year,"
Indiana coach Larry Brown said. "They just shot the ball well and that
was the difference. They knew we were limited offensively."
nba.483vpoznanovic,
Miami (86) At Philadelphia (90)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 28 6-12 0-0 3 7 10 0 3 0 1 12
Williams F 33 3-10 2-5 2 2 4 5 1 2 4 10
Mourning C 39 5-15 6-8 4 7 11 2 2 1 2 16
Chapman G 31 1-6 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 4 2
Hardaway G 40 5-11 2-3 0 2 2 11 2 3 4 16
Gatling 28 9-10 1-3 1 8 9 1 3 3 1 19
Smith 25 1-6 0-0 1 2 3 4 3 0 2 2
Askins 16 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 9
Corbin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lenard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Schayes Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-74 11-19 11 30 41 26 18 9 18 86
(.446) (.579) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 20(32 Pts)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Alston F 38 4-9 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 8
Weatherspoon F 43 11-16 3-4 2 6 8 3 3 4 4 25
Thompson C 33 1-5 0-0 1 7 8 0 5 2 1 2
Maxwell G 45 10-26 10-13 2 2 4 6 2 2 2 31
Walters G 36 5-8 0-0 0 3 3 8 5 4 2 12
Pinckney 9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
Ruffin 6 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0
Massenburg 19 3-6 0-0 0 5 5 1 2 0 0 6
Sutton 11 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 0 1 6
Dumas Dnp - Fractured Right Foot
Higgins Dnp - Bursitis Right Elbow
Stackhouse Dnp - Fractured Right Thumb
Totals 240 36-77 13-17 5 25 30 25 21 13 13 90
(.468) (.765) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 13(9 Pts)
Miami 20 23 22 21 - 86
Philadelphia 20 21 21 28 - 90
Blocked Shots: Miami - Askins 2, Chapman, Mourning, Williams.
Philadelphia - Thompson 4, Weatherspoon 2, Alston 2, Walters, Sutton.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Miami 9-16 (.563), Williams 2-5, Chapman 0-1, Hardaway
4-6, Smith 0-1, Askins 3-3. Philadelphia 5-14 (.357), Maxwell 1-6, Walters
2-3, Ruffin 0-1, Sutton 2-4.
Technicals: Miami - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Joe Derosa, Scott Wall.
A - 12,613. T - 2:12.
nba.484vpoznanovic,
HEAT DROPS CRUCIAL GAME IN MAXWELL'S HOUSE
PHILADELPHIA -- Vernon Maxwell scored 31 points Wednesday as the
Philadelphia 76ers rallied for a 90-86 victory over the Miami Heat,
which saw its lead for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth
trimmed to one-half game.
The Heat's four-game winning streak ended, and Miami (41-39) is just
one victory ahead of the Charlotte Hornets (40-39) in the race for
eight place in the East. Miami -- which holds the tiebreaker edge over
Charlotte -- has two games remaining and the Hornets have three left.
"We just didn't make enough plays when it counted," Miami coach Pat
Riley said. "We had the opportunity and we didn't sustain anything in
the second half. We didn't come up with any plays when it counted.
"There were six or seven straight possessions where it was we score,
they score. Whoever got to two or four points ahead was going to win
the game. They did a good job of making plays, knocking down free
throws to win it."
Miami hopes to get a boost from rookie guard Sasha Danilovic, who is
recovering from wrist surgery and has missed the past 60 games. He is
working out with the team and is expected to be activated Friday.
Chris Gatling scored 19 points Wednesday and Tim Hardaway and Alonzo
Mourning added 16 apiece for Miami, which lost to Philadelphia for the
first time in four games this season.
"We have a chance to make the playoffs and we're not going to throw it
away," Mourning said. "We're going to win the next two games."
Clarence Weatherspoon added 25 points for Philadelphia (17-63), which
snapped a three-game losing skid and won for just the third time in 10
games.
The Sixers used a 7-0 run in the midway through the fourth quarter to
take control of the game. Weatherspoon had tied the score 79-79 with a
12-footer with 5:09 to play. Greg Sutton followed with a 3-pointer to
give Philadelphia an 82-79 advantage before Rex Walters capped the run
with a layup with 3:22 remaining.
"It was a big win for us. We played hard and with a lot of grit,"
Weatherspoon said. "A lot of people didn't give us a chance against a
team that's fighting for a playoff spot. We came in and set them back
a notch."
Hardaway answered with a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to two points,
but Weatherspoon made a nine-foot jumper to push Philadelphia's lead
to 86-82 at the 1:39 mark.
Rex Chapman had a basket with 48 seconds remaining, but Maxwell sank
two free throws to make it 88-84 with 14 seconds to play. Mourning
responded with a hook shot, but Maxwell made two more free throws to
complete the scoring.
Weatherspoon became the fourth player this season to have at least 100
points, rebounds, steals, assists and blocked shots. He joined Shawn
Kemp of the Seattle SuperSonics and Houston Rockets teammates Robert
Horry and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Philadelphia shot 47 percent (36 for 77) from the field and scored 32
points off 20 Miami turnovers. Walters scored 12 points and was the
only Sixer other than Maxwell in double figures.
The Heat shot 45 percent (33 for 74) and held a 41-30 rebounding edge.
Kurt Thomas had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Walt Williams added 10
points for Miami.
"There were parts of the game when Philly's defense was digging and
digging and it made it difficult to make my moves," Mourning said. "It
was a case of their defense making it harder for me to make my shots.
nba.485vpoznanovic,
Phoenix (102) At Sacramento (103)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Finley F 45 5-12 0-0 1 3 4 4 4 0 0 12
Green F 18 1-2 3-3 0 5 5 0 1 1 1 5
Tisdale C 28 7-13 2-2 3 2 5 1 5 0 4 16
W Person G 41 6-11 0-1 1 6 7 1 1 1 1 14
Johnson G 39 6-12 4-6 0 5 5 12 5 0 4 16
Manning 27 10-15 2-2 0 5 5 2 4 3 2 22
Perry 9 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 6
Bennett 23 4-7 1-4 1 7 8 0 5 1 2 9
Carr 10 0-3 2-2 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 2
Barkley Dnp - Strained Right Calf
Kleine Dnp - Fainting Spells
Williams Dnp - Sore Right Wrist
Totals 240 42-79 14-20 6 35 41 23 28 6 16 102
(.532) (.700) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 16(25 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 31 4-10 1-1 3 2 5 2 2 0 4 9
Polynice F 30 6-13 1-2 3 5 8 1 4 0 2 13
Causwell C 9 1-3 0-0 3 3 6 0 2 0 0 2
Richmond G 43 6-18 16-18 3 2 5 6 2 1 4 32
Edney G 37 7-14 3-4 1 2 3 9 2 1 0 18
Owens 32 6-12 0-0 2 7 9 2 4 1 2 12
Smith 15 2-3 0-4 4 3 7 0 3 2 0 4
Hurley 4 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Marciulionis 19 0-5 4-6 0 1 1 3 0 1 0 4
C Williamson 3 1-1 1-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 3
Simmons 17 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 2 0 5
Gamble Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-86 27-39 19 29 48 26 21 8 12 103
(.407) (.692) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 12(10 Pts)
Phoenix 32 22 23 25 - 102
Sacramento 28 17 30 28 - 103
Blocked Shots: Phoenix - Bennett 2. Sacramento - Grant 2, Causwell,
Richmond.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Phoenix 4-12 (.333), Finley 2-3, W Person 2-6, Johnson
0-1, Perry 0-1, Carr 0-1. Sacramento 6-23 (.261), Richmond 4-11, Edney
1-5, Owens 0-1, Marciulionis 0-3, Simmons 1-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Ronnie Nunn, Greg Willard.
A - 17,317. T - 2:22.
nba.486vpoznanovic,
Sacramento 103, Phoenix 102
Mitch Richmond hit two free throws with two seconds to play as the
Sacramento Kings moved closer to clinching their first playoff berth
in 10 years with a 103-102 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Richmond finished with 32 points and Tyus Edney added 18 points for
Sacramento (38-42), which has a two-game lead over the Golden State
Warriors for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. The
Kings are at Utah on Saturday before closing the season at home
against Golden State on Sunday night. Sacramento has not made the
playoffs since the 1985-86 season.
"We got some big rebounds and defensive stops and then converted when
we needed to on the offensive end," said Richmond. "We kept our heads
in the game and we knew we had to slow down the pace (in the second
half)."
After Wayman Tisdale hit a 10-foot jumper to give Phoenix a 102-101
lead with nine seconds to play, Richmond got the ball on the baseline
and pump-faked, drawing a foul from Kevin Johnson. He sank both shots
for a one-point lead.
Phoenix did not get a final shot off as Danny Manning committed a
turnover.
Manning scored 22 points and Tisdale added 16 for Phoenix (40-40),
which lost for the fourth time in five games and can finish no better
than seventh in the West.
Suns forward Charles Barkley did not play due to a strained right
calf.
"We definitely let one slip away," said Johnson. "We had control of
the game from the very beginning, they battled back and we were able
to open it up again. We just didn't play smart down the stretch."
Sacramento's Olden Polynice tied the game, 99-99, on a layup with 1:04
to play. Johnson made the second of two free throws nine seconds
later.
Richmond responded with two free throws to give Sacramento a 102-101
lead with 20 seconds remaining. Tisdale then hit his 10-footer before
Richmond's heroics.
Phoenix had taken its largest lead of the game at 68-50 when Manning
hit a 12-footer with 7:09 left in the third period but the Kings
responded with a 25-7 run over the next 6:58 with Richmond scoring 10
points, including a pair of free throws to tie the game, 75-75, with
11 seconds left in the third quarter.
"We just wanted to make sure that we ran our plays right and that we
were getting good looks at the basket," said Edney. "Mitch was playing
all out and was picking up big foul calls down the stretch."
Polynice added 13 points for Sacramento, which shot 41 percent
(35-of-86) from the field and outrebounded the Suns, 48-41. The Kings
outscored Phoenix from the line, 27-14.
Johnson finished with 16 points and 12 assists and Wesley Person added
14 points for the Suns, who shot 53 percent (42-of-79) and committed
16 turnovers, leading to 25 points for Sacramento.
nba.487vpoznanovic,
Portland (90) At Seattle (96)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 40 4-12 2-2 3 3 6 2 2 2 1 11
C Robinson F 38 6-15 8-10 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 21
Sabonis C 26 8-14 2-3 2 5 7 0 2 1 2 18
Mckie G 31 2-6 3-4 1 4 5 5 2 1 2 8
R Robinson G 22 3-9 2-2 2 1 3 2 2 0 3 10
Dudley 17 1-8 1-2 3 4 7 0 1 0 1 3
J Robinson 26 4-9 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 11
Williams 20 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 4 0 1 2
Wingfield 20 2-5 2-4 1 3 4 1 2 2 1 6
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Trent Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Strickland Dnp - Not With Team
Totals 240 31-83 20-27 13 24 37 18 22 12 13 90
(.373) (.741) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 15(11 Pts)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 26 3-5 4-6 1 7 8 0 5 1 1 10
D Schrempf F 37 4-13 3-5 1 3 4 5 4 1 5 12
Johnson C 28 5-8 2-2 2 11 13 1 3 1 1 12
Hawkins G 30 7-12 2-2 0 2 2 3 0 1 2 20
Payton G 33 8-16 0-0 4 2 6 10 1 3 7 17
Mcmillan 30 4-5 0-0 1 3 4 2 3 2 0 11
Perkins 22 1-5 2-2 0 4 4 1 3 0 0 4
Brickowski 14 2-5 2-2 0 4 4 1 3 0 2 7
Wingate 19 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 3
S Scheffler 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Askew Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Totals 240 35-74 15-19 9 36 45 27 22 9 19 96
(.473) (.789) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 19(22 Pts)
Portland 26 18 20 26 - 90
Seattle 19 25 34 18 - 96
Blocked Shots: Portland - Sabonis 2, C Robinson, Wingfield. Seattle -
Johnson 3, Kemp 2, Hawkins, Brickowski.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Portland 8-26 (.308), Grant 1-3, C Robinson 1-7,
Sabonis 0-1, Mckie 1-4, R Robinson 2-4, J Robinson 3-5, Wingfield 0-2.
Seattle 11-24 (.458), D Schrempf 1-4, Hawkins 4-8, Payton 1-2, Mcmillan
3-3, Perkins 0-1, Brickowski 1-3, Wingate 1-3.
Technicals: Portland - Dudley, Seattle - D Schrempf.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Nolan Fine, Scott Foster.
A - 17,072. T - 2:05.
nba.488vpoznanovic,
Seattle 96, Portland 90
Hersey Hawkins scored 20 points to lead a balanced attack as the
Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 96-90, for
their 11th straight home win.
Gary Payton had 17 points and 10 assists and Ervin Johnson added 12
points and 13 rebounds for the SuperSonics, who have won 13 of their
last 15 games and must win their final two contests to become the 10th
team in N-B-A history to reach 65 victories. Seattle (63-17) matched
its franchise-record for wins, set in the 1993-94 season.
"It's understandable that they wouldn't be as excited as I am because
they've done it before but it ith most wins I've had in one year,"
said Hawkins, who has played for Philadelphia and Charlotte. "I've
paid my dues, I've been on some losing teams, that's why I'm enjoying
the heck out of this."
Detlef Schrempf had 12 points and Nate McMillan added 11 for Seattle,
which won three of four games from Portland this season. The Sonics
have already clinched the first seed in the Western Conference, the
second time in three seasons they have enjoyed the top spot.
"I wasn't happy the whole game, I thought everyone was asleep,"
Seattle coach George Karl said. "It just kind of seemed that it had an
exhibition attitude to it. I don't know if that was me or telling the
guys we're going to cut minutes. I want a much sharper game on Friday.
I think this was a game to just forget about and go forward."
Clifford Robinson scored 21 points and Arvydas Sabonis added 18 for
the Trail Blazers, who had their four-game winning streak stopped.
"We wanted a decent effort, in terms that I thought we brought some
energy but we didn't defend their guards the whole night," Portland
coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "They killed us on penetration and they
hurt us on the offensive boards and they hurt us in transition, they
were just doing the things they do well. It was not a good performance
by us, it's disappointing."
Schrempf's jumper opened the second half and gave the Sonics the lead
for good, 46-44, with 11:15 left. Johnson made three straight field
goals and Sam Perkins hit two free throws to close a 16-6 spurt and
give Seattle its biggest lead, 73-59, with 2:07 left in the third.
"Against Portland, you're always worried about them rushing in for the
rebound, trying to keep the ball alive," Johnson said. "In the first
half I was able to get a lot of rebounds to keep us alive and limit
them to just one shot. That's where they are big at, is the offensive
boards, so we were able to slow them down."
Robinson converted a three-point play to cap a 6-0 burst as the
Blazers closed within, 87-83, with 4:38 left in the fourth but came no
closer.
Dontonio Wingfield made an eight-footer to give the Blazers a 35-26
advantage with 6:11 left in the second. The Sonics scored 15 straight
points to take a 41-35 advantage with 1:05 left in the second.
Robinson's three-pointer tied the score, 43-43, with 1:05 left.
Sabonis and Schrempf traded free throws and the teams were tied,
44-44, at halftime.
nba.489vpoznanovic,
Toronto (95) At New Jersey (107)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 40 8-18 1-2 2 4 6 1 1 3 2 18
Osullivan F 46 6-11 3-3 3 3 6 0 3 0 2 15
Earl C 48 13-30 2-2 4 5 9 2 2 3 3 28
Christie G 25 3-6 0-0 0 2 2 4 3 0 1 8
Robertson G 43 5-8 1-1 3 10 13 8 4 3 7 13
King 23 4-8 1-2 1 1 2 5 2 1 2 9
Lewis 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
Esposito 11 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2
Miller Dnp - Bruised Right Calf
Stoudamire Dnp - Tendinitis Left Knee
Whitfield Dnp - Injured Knee
Tabak Dnp - Strained Left Groin
Totals 240 41-86 8-10 13 25 38 22 17 10 18 95
(.477) (.800) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 18(17 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 46 13-18 3-4 5 6 11 1 2 1 1 30
A Gilliam F 31 5-13 0-0 5 6 11 3 1 0 1 10
Bradley C 37 3-14 5-5 5 5 10 2 4 1 2 11
Reeves G 17 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 3 3 1 3 5
Childs G 19 6-11 0-0 0 2 2 8 1 5 2 15
Williams 29 8-14 0-0 2 4 6 1 0 2 1 16
Fleming 37 5-11 0-0 2 5 7 10 1 2 3 10
Graham 22 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 2 2 10
Mahorn 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Dare Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Obannon Dnp - Sore Left Hand
Werdann Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 46-93 8-9 19 30 49 32 14 14 15 107
(.495) (.889) Team Rebs: 1 Total To: 15(11 Pts)
Toronto 29 25 26 15 - 95
New Jersey 31 25 23 28 - 107
Blocked Shots: Toronto - Earl 2, Murray, Osullivan, King. New Jersey -
Bradley 12, Williams 2, Brown, A Gilliam, Fleming.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Toronto 5-11 (.455), Murray 1-4, Christie 2-3,
Robertson 2-3, Esposito 0-1. New Jersey 7-12 (.583), Brown 1-1, Reeves
1-3, Childs 3-4, Graham 2-4.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Bernie Fryer, Mark Wunderlich, Monty Mccutchen.
A - 14,688. T - 1:56.
nba.490vpoznanovic,
New Jersey 107, Toronto 95
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Shawn Bradley had a triple-double and P.J.
Brown scored a career-high 30 points as the New Jersey Nets snapped a
seven-game losing streak with a 107-95 triumph over the Toronto
Raptors.
Acie Earl scored 28 points for Toronto (20-60), leading the Raptors
for the fourth game in a row. He is averaging 27.5 points during that
span.
Bradley had 11 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 12 blocks for his
second career triple-double as. Brown surpassed his previous high of
23 against the New York Knicks on Jan. 4.
"It feels good to finally put this losing streak to an end," said
Brown, who also grabbed 11 rebounds. "Hopefully we can turn this into
a two-game winning streak on Friday against the Celtics."
The end of the losing skid followed rumors that Nets coach Butch Beard
might be replaced after the season.
After Earl's jumper cut Toronto's deficit to 91-89, New Jersey went on
a 9-0 run. Greg Graham hit a 3-pointer, stole the ball and followed
with a dunk to give New Jersey a 100-89 lead with 3:56 left.
Brown hit hit second 3-pointer of the season with 1:28 to go to give
the Nets a 103-91 lead. He had been one for 13 from the three-point
line this season.
"I had to shoot the three," Brown said jokingly. "This might be my
only chance for me to score 30 points in an NBA game."
The Raptors, who have lost seven of their last eight games, had their
largest lead at 18-10 after Tracy Murray hit a layup with 6:03 left in
the opening quarter. But the Nets went on an 8-0 run to tie the game.
Brown had 18 points at halftime as New Jersey held a 56-54 lead. Earl
scored 12 points in the third quarter as the Raptors took an 80-79
edge.
"We had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter," said Toronto
guard Alvin Robertson who finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. "We
just didn't do the job down the stretch, but we competed pretty hard
despite only having eight guys."
Damon Stoudamire, Oliver Miller, Zan Tabak and Dwayne Whitfield did
not suit up for Toronto because of various injuries.
"They only had eight players. It would have been embarrassing losing
to them," Nets forward Jayson Williams said.
The game was stopped for eight to 10 minutes in the third quarter
after a bolt on the 24-second clock behind the Toronto basket broke
following a Murray dunk.
nba.491vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Wednesday, April 17 - 159 days, 1154 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 80 63 17 37 3 26 14 104.9 96.8 78.8 - W 2
Los Angeles Lakers 79 51 28 29 11 22 17 103.0 98.7 64.6 11.5 W 4
Portland Trail Blazers 80 43 37 26 14 17 23 99.5 97.2 53.8 20.0 L 1
Phoenix Suns 80 40 40 24 16 16 24 104.0 103.8 50.0 23.0 L 1
Sacramento Kings 80 38 42 25 15 13 27 99.6 102.3 47.5 25.0 W 3
Golden State Warriors 80 36 44 23 17 13 27 101.8 103.1 45.0 27.0 W 2
Los Angeles Clippers 80 29 51 19 21 10 30 99.3 102.8 36.3 34.0 L 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 80 58 22 32 7 26 15 103.4 97.0 72.5 - W 1
Utah Jazz 80 53 27 33 7 20 20 102.6 96.2 66.3 5.0 W 1
Houston Rockets 80 46 34 25 14 21 20 102.1 100.6 57.5 12.0 L 2
Denver Nuggets 79 34 45 23 16 11 29 97.9 100.3 43.0 23.5 L 1
Minnesota Timberwolves 80 26 54 17 24 9 30 98.2 103.3 32.5 32.0 L 4
Dallas Mavericks 79 24 55 15 25 9 30 102.2 107.5 30.4 33.5 L 4
Vancouver Grizzlies 79 13 66 10 30 3 36 89.7 100.1 16.5 44.5 L 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 79 57 22 36 4 21 18 104.3 99.0 72.2 - W 1
New York Knicks 79 46 33 26 14 20 19 97.0 94.5 58.2 11.0 W 1
Miami Heat 80 41 39 26 14 15 25 96.4 94.8 51.3 16.5 L 1
Washington Bullets 80 39 41 25 15 14 26 102.7 101.4 48.8 18.5 L 2
Boston Celtics 80 32 48 18 22 14 26 103.4 106.8 40.0 25.5 W 1
New Jersey Nets 80 30 50 20 20 10 30 93.5 97.5 37.5 27.5 W 1
Philadelphia 76ers 80 17 63 11 29 6 34 94.3 104.4 21.3 40.5 W 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 79 70 9 38 1 32 8 105.2 93.0 88.6 - W 4
Indiana Pacers 80 50 30 31 9 19 21 99.4 96.1 62.5 20.5 L 1
Detroit Pistons 79 45 34 29 11 16 23 95.7 92.9 57.0 25.0 W 2
Cleveland Cavaliers 79 45 34 24 15 21 19 91.4 88.9 57.0 25.0 W 1
Atlanta Hawks 79 44 35 25 15 19 20 97.8 96.8 55.7 26.0 L 1
Charlotte Hornets 79 40 39 25 14 15 25 102.7 103.2 50.6 30.0 L 1
Milwaukee Bucks 79 24 55 14 26 10 29 95.4 100.7 30.4 46.0 L 1
Toronto Raptors 80 20 60 14 25 6 35 97.3 105.0 25.0 50.5 L 4
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 80 63 17 37 3 26 14 104.9 96.8 78.8 - W 2 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 80 58 22 32 7 26 15 103.4 97.0 72.5 5.0 W 1 *
3. Utah Jazz 80 53 27 33 7 20 20 102.6 96.2 66.3 10.0 W 1 *
4. Los Angeles Lakers 79 51 28 29 11 22 17 103.0 98.7 64.6 11.5 W 4 *
5. Houston Rockets 80 46 34 25 14 21 20 102.1 100.6 57.5 17.0 L 2 *
6. Portland Trail Blazers 80 43 37 26 14 17 23 99.5 97.2 53.8 20.0 L 1 *
7. Phoenix Suns 80 40 40 24 16 16 24 104.0 103.8 50.0 23.0 L 1 *
8. Sacramento Kings 80 38 42 25 15 13 27 99.6 102.3 47.5 25.0 W 3
9. Golden State Warriors 80 36 44 23 17 13 27 101.8 103.1 45.0 27.0 W 2
10. Denver Nuggets 79 34 45 23 16 11 29 97.9 100.3 43.0 28.5 L 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 80 29 51 19 21 10 30 99.3 102.8 36.3 34.0 L 2
12. Minnesota Timberwolves 80 26 54 17 24 9 30 98.2 103.3 32.5 37.0 L 4
13. Dallas Mavericks 79 24 55 15 25 9 30 102.2 107.5 30.4 38.5 L 4
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 79 13 66 10 30 3 36 89.7 100.1 16.5 49.5 L 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 79 70 9 38 1 32 8 105.2 93.0 88.6 - W 4 *
2. Orlando Magic 79 57 22 36 4 21 18 104.3 99.0 72.2 13.0 W 1 *
3. Indiana Pacers 80 50 30 31 9 19 21 99.4 96.1 62.5 20.5 L 1 *
4. New York Knicks 79 46 33 26 14 20 19 97.0 94.5 58.2 24.0 W 1 *
5. Detroit Pistons 79 45 34 29 11 16 23 95.7 92.9 57.0 25.0 W 2 *
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 79 45 34 24 15 21 19 91.4 88.9 57.0 25.0 W 1 *
7. Atlanta Hawks 79 44 35 25 15 19 20 97.8 96.8 55.7 26.0 L 1 *
8. Miami Heat 80 41 39 26 14 15 25 96.4 94.8 51.3 29.5 L 1
9. Charlotte Hornets 79 40 39 25 14 15 25 102.7 103.2 50.6 30.0 L 1
10. Washington Bullets 80 39 41 25 15 14 26 102.7 101.4 48.8 31.5 L 2
11. Boston Celtics 80 32 48 18 22 14 26 103.4 106.8 40.0 38.5 W 1
12. New Jersey Nets 80 30 50 20 20 10 30 93.5 97.5 37.5 40.5 W 1
13. Milwaukee Bucks 79 24 55 14 26 10 29 95.4 100.7 30.4 46.0 L 1
14. Toronto Raptors 80 20 60 14 25 6 35 97.3 105.0 25.0 50.5 L 4
15. Philadelphia 76ers 80 17 63 11 29 6 34 94.3 104.4 21.3 53.5 W 1
IF THE PLAYOFFS START NOW...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle Supersonics Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Lakers Houston Rockets
San Antonio Spurs Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz Portland Trail Blazers
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Bulls Miami Heat
New York Knicks Detroit Pistons
Orlando Magic Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers Cleveland Cavaliers
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 79 70 9 38 1 32 8 105.2 93.0 88.6 - W 4
2. Seattle Supersonics 80 63 17 37 3 26 14 104.9 96.8 78.8 7.5 W 2
3. San Antonio Spurs 80 58 22 32 7 26 15 103.4 97.0 72.5 12.5 W 1
4. Orlando Magic 79 57 22 36 4 21 18 104.3 99.0 72.2 13.0 W 1
5. Utah Jazz 80 53 27 33 7 20 20 102.6 96.2 66.3 17.5 W 1
6. Los Angeles Lakers 79 51 28 29 11 22 17 103.0 98.7 64.6 19.0 W 4
7. Indiana Pacers 80 50 30 31 9 19 21 99.4 96.1 62.5 20.5 L 1
8. New York Knicks 79 46 33 26 14 20 19 97.0 94.5 58.2 24.0 W 1
9. Houston Rockets 80 46 34 25 14 21 20 102.1 100.6 57.5 24.5 L 2
10. Detroit Pistons 79 45 34 29 11 16 23 95.7 92.9 57.0 25.0 W 2
11. Cleveland Cavaliers 79 45 34 24 15 21 19 91.4 88.9 57.0 25.0 W 1
12. Atlanta Hawks 79 44 35 25 15 19 20 97.8 96.8 55.7 26.0 L 1
13. Portland Trail Blazers 80 43 37 26 14 17 23 99.5 97.2 53.8 27.5 L 1
14. Miami Heat 80 41 39 26 14 15 25 96.4 94.8 51.3 29.5 L 1
15. Charlotte Hornets 79 40 39 25 14 15 25 102.7 103.2 50.6 30.0 L 1
16. Phoenix Suns 80 40 40 24 16 16 24 104.0 103.8 50.0 30.5 L 1
17. Washington Bullets 80 39 41 25 15 14 26 102.7 101.4 48.8 31.5 L 2
18. Sacramento Kings 80 38 42 25 15 13 27 99.6 102.3 47.5 32.5 W 3
19. Golden State Warriors 80 36 44 23 17 13 27 101.8 103.1 45.0 34.5 W 2
20. Denver Nuggets 79 34 45 23 16 11 29 97.9 100.3 43.0 36.0 L 1
21. Boston Celtics 80 32 48 18 22 14 26 103.4 106.8 40.0 38.5 W 1
22. New Jersey Nets 80 30 50 20 20 10 30 93.5 97.5 37.5 40.5 W 1
23. Los Angeles Clippers 80 29 51 19 21 10 30 99.3 102.8 36.3 41.5 L 2
24. Minnesota Timberwolves 80 26 54 17 24 9 30 98.2 103.3 32.5 44.5 L 4
25. Dallas Mavericks 79 24 55 15 25 9 30 102.2 107.5 30.4 46.0 L 4
26. Milwaukee Bucks 79 24 55 14 26 10 29 95.4 100.7 30.4 46.0 L 1
27. Toronto Raptors 80 20 60 14 25 6 35 97.3 105.0 25.0 50.5 L 4
28. Philadelphia 76ers 80 17 63 11 29 6 34 94.3 104.4 21.3 53.5 W 1
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 79 13 66 10 30 3 36 89.7 100.1 16.5 57.0 L 2
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.492vpoznanovic,
BUCKS' DUNLEAVY DISPUTES REPORTS OF HIS IMMINENT FIRING
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mike Dunleavy, who has not been able to win more
than 35 games in any of his four seasons as head coach of the
Milwaukee Bucks, disputed a broadcast report that he will be fired
after the season.
WITI television in Milwaukee, citing reliable sources close to the
organization, is reporting that Dunleavy could be relieved of his
coaching duties as early as Monday.
"It's not true. I'm still the coach. I'm still here," Dunleavy said
after the Bucks' 111-103 victory at Charlotte, damaging the Hornets'
fading playoff hopes.
"(Team owner) Herb Kohl has previously said he'll make a decision on
Mike soon after the season," Bill King, the Bucks media relations
spokesman, said before the game. "We have no timetable or comment on
the report."
Milwaukee is 25-55 with two games remaining.
Dunleavy took over as coach of the Bucks in 1992 after spending two
years as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He signed and eight-year, $8
million contract with the Bucks, who gave the Lakers two second-round
draft choices as compensation for signing Dunleavy.
Milwaukee had high aspirations for this season following a 34-48
record last year, the third biggest improvement in the NBA last
season. Instead, the Bucks are wrapping up their fifth consecutive
losing season.
Dunleavy spent 11 seasons in the NBA as a player after being selected
by the Philadelphia 76ers in the sixth round of the 1976 draft. He
also played with Houston, San Antonio and Milwaukee and helped the
1980-81 Rockets to the NBA Finals.
Dunleavy retired after the 1985-86 season and became an assistant
coach for the Bucks, where he suited up for a total of seven games
during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons when injuries depleted the
Milwaukee roster.
During Dunleavy's rookie year as a head coach, the Lakers reached the
1991 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls.
nba.493vpoznanovic,
BULLS' HARPER TO MISS LAST TWO GAMES WITH ANKLE INJURY
Chicago Bulls guard Ron Harper, who has not missed a game all season,
will sit out the final two games of the regular season after suffering
an injury to his left ankle during the Bulls' 110-79 win over the
Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
Harper was going for a loose ball near the end of the first quarter
when a teammate stepped on the ankle as he was going out of bounds. He
was helped off the floor and went to the locker room for x-rays, which
revealed a sprain.
"It's a moderate sprain of the left ankle," said Bulls trainer Chip
Schaefer. "His X-rays were normal. He has very mild instability, maybe
a little swelling. We're hoping he's back on his feet by the first of
next week."
Harper will sit out Chicago's home game against Indiana on Saturday
and the Bulls regular-season finale on Sunday in Washington.
The 6-6 guard was averaging 7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds through the
first 79 games for the Bulls. He had five points on 2-of-7 shooting
tonight.
Harper was signed as a free agent in 1994 and was supposed to provide
the Bulls with scoring punch prior to Michael Jordan's return from
retirement. However, Harper averaged just 6.9 points in 77 games,
nearly 10 points below his career average.
Harper spent his first eight seasons in the NBA with the Cleveland
Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers.
nba.494vpoznanovic,
BULLETS' LEGLER SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY KNEE SURGERY
LANDOVER, Md. -- Tim Legler, whose injury damaged the Washington
Bullets' playoff chances, will undergo surgery Friday to repair torn
ligaments in his right knee.
Legler, the first guard off the bench for Washington, was carried off
the court with 1:15 to play in the first period of Wednesday's 121-106
loss to the Boston Celtics. He was diagnosed with a torn anterior
cruciate ligament and a torn cartilage in the knee.
The surgery is expected to cause Legler to miss the start of the
1996-97 season.
"This is a tough blow for Tim because he has had such a great season,"
Bullets coach Jim Lynam said. "I know Tim, though, and he will work
hard to get back to the high level of play he experienced this year."
The Bullets are two games behind Miami and 1Ż games in back of
Charlotte in the race of the last spot in the Eastern Conference
playoffs.
Washington already had lost starting center Gheorghe Muresan for the
rest of the season with a knee injury last Wednesday at Boston.
Muresan had been averaging 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds.
Legler was averaging 9.6 points and 1.8 assists for the Bullets in 76
games. He shot 50.5 percent from the field, including a league-leading
52 percent from 3-point range and won the Long Distance Shootout
during All-Star weekend.
Legler has spent the past six seasons bouncing between the NBA and the
Continental Basketball Association, although he did play 79 games for
the Dallas Mavericks during the 1993-94 season.
nba.495vpoznanovic,
KNICKS' OAKLEY OUT UNTIL PLAYOFFS BEGIN
NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks placed Charles Oakley on the injured
list Thursday, meaning the veteran forward will miss the final three
games of the regular season.
Oakley, who has a fractured eye socket, remains eligible for the
team's playoff roster, which will be announced next week. The Knicks
activated forward Ronnie Grandison for the remainder of the regular
season.
Oakley was elbowed below the right eye by teammate Patrick Ewing
during a game against Boston on April 9. Oakley has not played since,
missing three games.
A CAT scan this week revealed no further displacement of the fracture
and surgery will not be necessary.
nba.496vpoznanovic,
ORLANDO F SCOTT SETS NBA RECORD FOR THREE-POINTERS IN A GAME
Orlando forward Dennis Scott set an NBA record for 11 three-pointers
in the Magic's 119-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks tonight.
He bettered the mark of 10, set by teammate Brian Shaw, when he was
with the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars and Dallas
Mavericks forward George McCloud, who did it on December 16th in a
111-108 overtime loss to Phoenix.
Scott, who finished with 35 points, set the record with a shot from
the right wing with 5:15 to play. Less than a minute later, Scott left
to a standing ovation.
"I really didn't know (about the record) until I made the 10th one,"
said Scott. "Then of course, Paul Porter (the public address
announcer) announced it, I hate when he does things like that, you
know when the Hawks started playing me. I was like, 'Why is he doing
that?' But that's when I really knew how close I was."
He made 11-of-17 shots from three-point range, making 3-of-4 in the
first quarter, 1-of-2 in the second, 4-of-6 in the third and 3-of-5 in
the fourth.
"Last year when I first got here, Dennis told me that he was going to
get the three-point record and that I was to be the one to pass him
the ball," said Shaw. "It's kind of ironic, but it happened tonight.
He just grabbed me and said, 'Told you so,' and he said thanks for
looking for him."
"I told Dennis it would be special to him but they should have an
asterisk by my name because it was the original distance," added Shaw.
nba.497vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (104) At Orlando (119)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 26 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 4
Long F 31 4-13 4-4 7 9 16 2 0 2 0 12
Laettner C 27 3-7 1-1 2 4 6 1 4 1 3 7
Smith G 42 8-14 2-4 3 1 4 3 2 2 2 18
Blaylock G 34 3-13 0-0 0 2 2 4 4 0 4 7
Ehlo 25 7-10 3-3 0 4 4 5 1 4 4 20
Rooks 21 2-5 5-5 1 4 5 2 2 0 1 9
Henderson 20 6-10 4-8 1 4 5 2 2 0 1 16
Jordan 6 2-3 1-2 1 1 2 2 1 0 2 5
Boyce 4 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 6
Bullard 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-83 20-27 16 30 46 23 16 9 17 104
(.470) (.741) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 17(19 Pts)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 39 12-20 0-0 1 5 6 2 1 2 1 35
Grant F 34 5-10 0-0 4 3 7 7 2 1 0 10
Oneal C 33 7-16 8-14 5 9 14 3 4 0 3 22
Hardaway G 30 4-10 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 4 3 8
Anderson G 30 4-9 5-5 2 7 9 6 1 0 3 15
Koncak 9 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 2
Shaw 22 2-4 2-2 1 0 1 6 3 2 1 7
Royal 16 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 8
Bowie 18 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 4 0 0 0 2
Thompson 5 4-6 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 10
Bonner 4 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 0
Wolf Dnp - Did Not Dress
Totals 240 44-88 15-21 13 30 43 32 19 11 12 119
(.500) (.714) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 12(17 Pts)
Atlanta 18 30 20 36 - 104
Orlando 36 32 23 28 - 119
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Rooks 2, Smith 2, Laettner. Orlando - Oneal,
Grant.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 6-17 (.353), Long 0-2, Smith 0-3, Blaylock 1-5,
Ehlo 3-5, Boyce 2-2. Orlando 16-30 (.533), Scott 11-17, Hardaway 0-4,
Anderson 2-3, Shaw 1-3, Thompson 2-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Derrick Stafford, Tom Washington.
A - 17,248. T - 1:56.
nba.498vpoznanovic,
TRIPLE FEATURE: ORLANDO'S 3-D SETS RECORD WITH 11 TREYS
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Dennis Scott set an NBA single-game record by making
11 3-pointers as the Orlando Magic thumped the Atlanta Hawks 119-104
on Thursday night.
Craig Ehlo scored 20 points and Alan Henderson added 16 for Atlanta,
which fell 1Ż games behind the Detroit Pistons for the sixth playoff
spot in the Eastern Conference.
Dennis Scott hugs Brian Shaw after breaking the NBA record for
3-pointers formerly held by Shaw.
Scott beat the mark of 10, held by teammate Brian Shaw -- then with
the Miami Heat -- Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars and Dallas
Mavericks forward George McCloud.
Scott, dubbed "3-D" for his outside shooting, made his 11th 3-pointer
from the right wing with 5:15 remaining and left to a standing ovation
less than a minute later. He finished with 35 points.
"Right now, this is sweet," Scott said. "But I don't want to let this
overshadow what's most important, which is performing well in the
playoffs."
Scott also equalled the mark if 3-pointers in a half with seven,
becoming the sixth player to do so. He joined Dumars, Allan Houston,
Michael Adams, John Starks and John Roche.
"He was tremendous tonight," Atlanta guard Steve Smith said of Scott.
"That's a sign of a team that's unselfish. You could see guys were
looking for him. You could see it in his eyes -- he really wanted the
record after he got to eight or nine."
Shaquille O'Neal added 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Magic.
Orlando broke the game open with a 16-4 run in the first quarter.
Scott started the run with his third 3-pointer of the game to make it
17-10 with 6:52 left.
Atlanta cut the deficit to 19-14 before the Magic rattled off the next
11 points.
Horace Grant had a tip-in and Nick Anderson added a 3-pointer to make
it 24-14. O'Neal hit two free throws and a seven-footer for a 28-14
lead. Grant capped the run with a 16-footer to give Orlando a 30-14
advantage with 2:46 remaining.
"They shot the ball so well in the first part of the game and we never
recovered," Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens said. "After the 20-point
lead, I thought from that point on we started getting loose and
started playing well.
"You just can't spot a team like them by 20. They shot it well, made
some big shots, and we just never got in the game."
The Magic took its largest lead of the game at 60-31 with 4:45 to play
in the first half after a 3-pointer by Anderson.
Anderson finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists for
Orlando, which shot 50 percent (44 for 88) from the field and set a
team record by making 16 3-pointers. Grant and Brooks Thompson scored
10 points apiece.
Smith scored 18 points for Atlanta, which shot 47 percent (39 for 83)
from the floor and outrebounded the Magic 46-43.
nba.499vpoznanovic,
Denver (98) At Dallas (132)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Maclean F 35 9-18 11-15 3 6 9 2 1 1 3 29
L Ellis F 27 4-12 0-0 2 5 7 0 1 1 6 8
Mcdyess C 31 8-20 0-0 7 4 11 1 4 2 4 16
Rose G 26 4-11 5-6 1 1 2 4 3 2 3 13
Stith G 29 3-10 3-3 1 4 5 2 1 2 2 9
Williams 17 0-0 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 0 1 0
Overton 20 1-5 4-4 0 4 4 4 2 2 2 7
Hammonds 15 4-8 1-4 3 1 4 0 3 1 1 9
Fish 17 1-4 2-2 1 2 3 1 1 1 0 4
Grant 23 1-5 0-0 2 0 2 3 3 0 0 3
D Ellis Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mutombo Dnp - Strained Left Hamstring
Totals 240 35-93 26-34 20 31 51 17 21 12 22 98
(.376) (.765) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 22(31 Pts)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 30 8-15 2-2 0 3 3 6 3 4 3 23
Jones F 12 0-3 0-0 0 7 7 0 4 0 1 0
Williams C 27 2-3 1-3 3 7 10 3 2 0 1 5
Kidd G 31 9-12 0-0 2 5 7 10 3 2 4 19
Jackson G 34 9-18 3-4 0 3 3 3 1 1 4 25
Wood 36 6-10 2-4 2 8 10 1 5 0 1 15
Meyer 20 4-9 0-0 2 4 6 1 6 2 2 8
Dumas 23 7-12 4-4 0 0 0 3 3 1 1 18
Harris 15 3-4 3-4 0 2 2 1 0 1 1 9
Brooks 12 3-4 4-4 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 10
Davis Dnp - Left Knee Surgery
Parks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 51-90 19-25 9 40 49 30 27 11 19 132
(.567) (.760) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 19(21 Pts)
Denver 16 27 29 26 - 98
Dallas 32 33 38 29 - 132
Blocked Shots: Denver - L Ellis, Rose, Stith, Williams, Fish. Dallas -
Williams 3, Mccloud, Jackson, Wood, Meyer.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Denver 2-10 (.200), Maclean 0-1, L Ellis 0-1, Rose 0-3,
Stith 0-2, Overton 1-2, Grant 1-1. Dallas 11-21 (.524), Mccloud 5-8, Kidd
1-1, Jackson 4-7, Wood 1-3, Dumas 0-1, Harris 0-1.
Technicals: Dallas - Wood, Mccloud.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Jim Clark, Gary Benson.
A - 15,907. T - 2:02.
nba.500vpoznanovic,
Dallas 132, Denver 98
Jim Jackson scored 25 points as the Dallas Mavericks pounded the
Denver Nuggets, 132-98, in a game with no playoff implications.
George McCloud added 23 points for Dallas, which raced to a 32-16 lead
after a quarter and led by as many as 42 points. The 34-point margin
of victory is a season-high. The Mavericks snapped a four-game losing
streak and won for just the fourth time in 22 games.
It was the largest victory for the team since a 131-96 victory over
Houston on January 19th, 1986. It is tied for the seventh-largest
margin of victory in franchise history.
Don MacLean scored 29 points and Antonio McDyess added 16 for Denver,
which lost for the fifth time in eight games.
Dallas broke the game open with a 13-0 blitz in the first quarter.
MacLean had pulled the Nuggets within 6-5 at the 9:18 mark, but
Jackson made a layup and McCloud followed with a layup and
three-pointer to make it 13-5 with 8:21 remaining.
Lorenzo Williams and Jason Kidd followed with layups before Jackson
capped the run with a layup of his own to give Dallas a 19-5 lead with
5:32 remaining.
Dallas shot a blistering 57 percent (51-of-90) from the field and
11-of-21 from three-point range. Kidd finished with 19 points, 10
assists and seven rebounds, Tony Dumas added 18 points, David Wood
netted 15 and 10 rebounds and Scott Brooks scored 10 points.
Jalen Rose was the only other player in double figures for Denver with
13 points. The Nuggets shot 38 percent (35-of-93) from the field and
committed 22 turnovers, leading to 31 Dallas points.
Denver allowed the Mavericks to score 37 fast-break points.
nba.501vpoznanovic,
Detroit (79) At Chicago (110)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Curry F 45 2-7 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 2 2 4
Thorpe F 19 1-8 2-6 2 4 6 2 2 1 1 4
Ratliff C 30 5-9 0-0 5 6 11 1 2 2 0 10
Houston G 23 6-13 0-1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 13
Hunter G 46 8-18 2-4 0 3 3 7 4 3 5 19
Reid 32 5-10 2-2 1 7 8 0 2 1 2 12
Mills 18 5-11 3-3 1 2 3 0 3 2 3 14
Roe 21 1-4 1-4 2 2 4 0 1 0 3 3
Leckner 6 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Dumars Dnp - Upper Respiratory Infection
Hill Dnp - Bruised Foot
West Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-83 10-20 11 25 36 12 21 12 17 79
(.398) (.500) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 17(16 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 24 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 8 2 0 1 6
Rodman F 22 3-6 3-4 6 12 18 3 4 0 2 9
Longley C 18 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 4 0 2 6
Harper G 12 2-7 0-0 1 4 5 1 1 1 1 5
Jordan G 24 11-18 4-4 1 4 5 1 1 1 2 30
Kukoc 27 6-10 2-2 1 4 5 4 0 0 0 16
Kerr 25 3-8 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 7
Edwards 18 1-7 0-0 1 4 5 1 1 0 2 2
Salley 14 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 0
Brown 21 7-11 2-3 0 2 2 3 0 6 1 16
Simpkins 13 2-4 2-4 2 1 3 0 1 0 4 6
Buechler 22 3-5 0-0 0 3 3 3 1 2 0 7
Totals 240 43-87 13-17 13 40 53 28 19 12 18 110
(.494) (.765) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 18(16 Pts)
Detroit 17 26 21 15 - 79
Chicago 30 29 23 28 - 110
Blocked Shots: Detroit - Ratliff 2. Chicago - Rodman, Longley, Edwards.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Detroit 3-10 (.300), Curry 0-2, Houston 1-4, Hunter
1-2, Mills 1-2. Chicago 11-23 (.478), Pippen 2-6, Rodman 0-1, Harper 1-2,
Jordan 4-5, Kukoc 2-3, Kerr 1-2, Brown 0-3, Buechler 1-1.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman.
Officials: Bob Delaney, Ed T Rush, Tim Donaghy.
A - 23,614. T - 1:55.
nba.502vpoznanovic,
AILING PISTONS FEEL MUCH WORSE AFTER LOSS IN CHICAGO
CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan scored 30 points before sitting out the
fourth quarter as the Chicago Bulls routed the Detroit Pistons 110-79
on Thursday.
Detroit (45-34), the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, missed an
opportunity to advance in the playoff race. A victory would have given
the Pistons the same record as Cleveland and New York.
The Pistons played without Grant Hill and Joe Dumars. Hill was
suffering from a sprained left ankle and Dumars sat out with a
respiratory infection.
"We treated this game like a tough one, but it turned out to be a
tuneup for us," Jordan said. "Without Hill and Dumars, they weren't in
very good shape."
Chicago (71-9) showed no signs of letdown after earning its NBA-record
70th victory Tuesday at Milwaukee. After Thursday's victory, the Bulls
are within one of matching the record for home wins in a season (40),
set by the Boston Celtics in 1985-86.
The victory over Detroit did include bad news for Chicago: Starting
guard Ron Harper was carried off the court at the end of the first
quarter with an injury to his left ankle. He will miss the final two
games of the regular season.
Harper was going for a loose ball when a teammate stepped on Harper's
ankle as he was going out of bounds.
"It's a moderate sprain of the left ankle," Bulls trainer Chip
Schaefer said. "His X-rays were normal. He has very mild instability,
maybe a little swelling. We're hoping he's back on his feet by the
first of next week."
Harper will sit out Chicago's home game against Indiana on Saturday
and the Bulls regular-season finale on Sunday in Washington.
Toni Kukoc and Randy Brown had 16 points apiece for the Bulls, who
posted their 16th consecutive victory over the Pistons. Lindsey Hunter
finished with 19 points for Detroit, which hasn't beaten the Bulls
since March 14, 1993.
"That wasn't pretty, but the Bulls aren't any concern of ours right
now," Pistons coach Doug Collins said. "They're a great team, but we
have to take care of ourselves. Even if we had been at full strength,
we would have been undermanned anyway."
The Bulls took control in the first quarter with a 20-8 run as Jordan
began the spurt with a three-point play with 7:27 left. He had all 11
of his first-quarter points in the burst, including two 3-pointers as
Chicago held a 30-17 lead after one period.
Jordan added 10 in the second period as the Bulls built a 59-43
cushion at intermission. Chicago took its largest lead of the game at
110-75 on a free throw by Dickey Simpkins that capped a 16-2 run with
1:05 to go.
Dennis Rodman grabbed 18 rebounds and Scottie Pippen had eight assists
for Chicago, which shot 49 percent (43 for 87) from the field and
outrebounded the Pistons 53-36.
Terry Mills came off the bench to finish with 14 points for the
Pistons, who shot 33 for 83 (40 percent) from the floor, including
three for 10 from 3-point range.
nba.503vpoznanovic,
LA Clippers (107) At Houston (115)
LA Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Vaught F 42 11-17 1-2 2 11 13 2 3 1 0 24
Rogers F 41 5-11 1-3 1 3 4 6 2 1 3 11
Harvey C 21 5-7 1-3 5 3 8 0 3 0 3 11
Barry G 20 4-4 1-2 1 3 4 1 2 1 1 11
Richardson G 32 6-11 2-2 2 3 5 5 2 3 3 16
Sealy 28 3-15 3-4 3 3 6 2 0 1 2 10
Roberts 23 3-8 3-6 1 1 2 2 5 0 1 9
Dehere 17 4-11 0-0 0 1 1 3 4 0 1 11
Outlaw 16 2-4 0-0 1 3 4 1 1 0 0 4
Murray Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Piatkowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Tower Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-88 12-22 16 31 47 22 22 7 14 107
(.489) (.545) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 14(13 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mack F 30 2-8 3-3 0 1 1 4 2 1 1 8
Brown F 21 3-4 0-0 2 6 8 2 0 1 3 6
Olajuwon C 42 14-24 7-8 1 7 8 4 3 3 2 35
Drexler G 34 8-17 1-5 1 4 5 10 3 2 0 18
Smith G 20 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 3 2 0 1 5
Elie 24 5-11 0-0 2 1 3 2 2 0 0 12
Cassell 31 5-12 8-10 0 3 3 6 1 0 2 20
Bryant 27 2-2 2-2 0 4 4 1 4 1 0 6
Chilcutt 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Recasner 5 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Jones 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Horry Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 43-87 21-28 7 27 34 32 18 8 9 115
(.494) (.750) Team Rebs: 16 Total To: 9(10 Pts)
LA Clippers 32 28 27 20 - 107
Houston 29 26 29 31 - 115
Blocked Shots: LA Clippers - Rogers 3, Harvey 2, Vaught, Barry,
Richardson, Sealy, Roberts. Houston - Olajuwon 3.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Clippers 9-21 (.429), Vaught 1-1, Rogers 0-2, Barry
2-2, Richardson 2-5, Sealy 1-3, Dehere 3-8. Houston 8-24 (.333), Mack 1-5,
Drexler 1-5, Smith 1-2, Elie 2-4, Cassell 2-5, Chilcutt 0-1, Recasner 1-2.
Technicals: Houston - Elie.
Officials: Joe Forte, Ron Olesiak, Derek Richardson.
A - 16,285. T - 2:07.
nba.504vpoznanovic,
Houston 115, L.A. Clippers 107
HOUSTON -- Hakeem Olajuwon scored 18 of his 35 points in the second
half and Mario Elie and Clyde Drexler each hit key shots down the
stretch as the Houston Rockets topped the Los Angeles Clippers 115-107
on Thursday.
Sam Cassell had 20 points and Drexler finished with 18 for the
Rockets, who won for just the fifth time in the past 17 games. Houston
won all four meetings with the Clippers this season and 15 of the last
16.
"In the fourth quarter, we were outstanding," Rockets coach Rudy
Tomjanovich said. "We took a giant step in the right direction
tonight. If this is a typical Rockets' fourth quarter. I am pleased
with it."
Loy Vaught scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Pooh
Richardson added 16 points for the Clippers, who have dropped seven of
their last nine contests.
"We had the lead several times tonight, but we missed two layups, two
critical free throws and we had two turnovers in a two-minute span,"
Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "We can't do that and win close
games."
Terry Dehere's 3-pointer with 2:28 remaining tied the score at
106-106, but Elie converted a layup to give Houston the lead for good.
Elie was called for a taunting foul following his basket, but Brent
Barry missed the technical foul shot.
"I felt better, but I have to keep working to strengthen my knee for
the playoffs," said Olajuwon, who missed nine games in recent weeks
with tendinitis. "There are no substitutions for playing in game
conditions.
"I focused on just winning the game. The second half, we just picked
up our defense and intensity."
After Rodney Rogers hit one of two free throws to pull Los Angeles
within 108-107 with 1:59 to play, Drexler converted a layup, giving
Houston a three-point edge with 70 seconds to go.
Cassell sank one of two foul shots making it 111-107 with 29 seconds
left before Drexler stole a pass and fed Elie for a dunk.
"We needed to get our minds into this game," Elie said. "The first
half was horrendous and the guys were running right by us. Coach said
some things at halftime that I can't repeat.
"We are not worried about our offense right now, but we have to
recommit on defense."
Antonio Harvey had 11 points and eight rebounds and Rogers added 11
points and six assists for the Clippers, who shot just 55 percent (12
for 22) from the foul line but had a 47-34 rebounding advantage.
The Clippers led 60-55 at intermission and opened a 73-63 advantage
with 8:06 left in the third quarter. Houston closed within 87-84
entering the final stanza.
Houston played without forward Robert Horry, who has an ankle injury.
nba.505vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers (100) At San Antonio (103)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ceballos F 33 5-13 2-2 1 8 9 3 1 0 0 14
Campbell F 33 9-18 9-11 3 2 5 4 5 1 2 27
Divac C 32 5-8 1-2 2 8 10 6 3 1 4 11
Jones G 32 6-9 1-3 2 2 4 3 4 0 1 16
Threatt G 39 7-10 0-0 0 1 1 8 5 3 3 19
Lynch 26 2-8 0-0 2 1 3 2 3 0 1 4
Peeler 35 2-10 2-3 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 7
Roberts 6 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Strong 4 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Suspended By League
Van Exel Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 37-78 15-21 11 23 34 28 22 8 13 100
(.474) (.714) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 13(20 Pts)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 43 10-17 3-4 1 3 4 3 3 2 3 23
W Perdue F 23 3-4 0-0 4 4 8 1 4 0 1 6
Robinson C 34 9-21 11-14 5 6 11 3 4 2 4 29
Del Negro G 43 7-14 0-0 0 4 4 3 2 2 2 16
Johnson G 31 8-15 4-4 0 2 2 7 2 0 1 20
Rivers 22 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
C Person 34 2-9 0-0 8 9 17 1 3 0 1 4
Anderson 10 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Alexander Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Herrera Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Smith Dnp - Synovitis Right Knee
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-84 18-22 18 30 48 19 20 7 13 103
(.488) (.818) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 14(14 Pts)
LA Lakers 35 28 29 8 - 100
San Antonio 24 25 29 25 - 103
Blocked Shots: LA Lakers - Campbell 2, Divac, Jones. San Antonio -
Robinson 4, W Perdue, C Person, Anderson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Lakers 11-21 (.524), Ceballos 2-4, Jones 3-6,
Threatt 5-6, Peeler 1-4, Roberts 0-1. San Antonio 3-7 (.429), Del Negro
2-2, Rivers 1-2, C Person 0-3.
Technicals: San Antonio - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Tommy Nunez, Bill Spooner, Hue Hollins.
A - 22,184. T - 2:18.
nba.506vpoznanovic,
San Antonio 103, LA Lakers 100
Sean Elliott scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and
David Robinson added 29 points to help the San Antonio Spurs overcome
a 21-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-100.
Avery Johnson had 20 points and seven assists and Robinson added 11
rebounds and four blocked shots for San Antonio, which trailed 80-59
midway through the third quarter. The Spurs, who have won 15 of their
last 16 games at home, have already clinched the Western Conference's
second seed.
San Antonio won their 59th game with one game to go. Coach Bob Hill
admitted to wanting to win 60 games, clinching a possible home-court
advantage over the Orlando Magic in the N-B-A Finals should they meet.
Elden Campbell scored 27 points, Sedale Threatt had 19 and eight
assists and Eddie Jones added 16 points for the Lakers, who were held
to eight points in the fourth quarter while playing without the
suspended Magic Johnson and Nick Van Exel.
Los Angeles, which had its four-game winning streak snapped, fell two
games behind the Utah Jazz in the race for the third playoff spot in
the West.
After George Lynch gave the Lakers their largest lead with 5:57 left
in the third, the Spurs scored the next seven points as they drew
within 80-66 on Vinny Del Negro's three-pointer.
After Jones hit a three-pointer to give Los Angeles a 92-76 lead with
37 seconds remaining in the third, Person made quarter-ending layup to
ignite a 19-1 run.
Elliott scored eight points in the run, including a layup to give San
Antonio the lead for good at 95-93 lead.
Person grabbed 17 rebounds and Del Negro scored 16 for San Antonio,
which shot 49 percent (41-of-84) from the field and held a 48-34
rebounding edge.
Cedric Ceballos had 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Vlade
Divac added 11 points and 10 boards for Los Angeles, which shot 47
percent (37-of-78) and was outscored by a 50-24 margin in the paint.
The Spurs won the season series, 3-1, but are unlikely to meet the
Lakers until the Western Conference finals should they both advance.
nba.507vpoznanovic,
Milwaukee (111) At Charlotte (103)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Robinson F 38 8-14 6-6 1 5 6 7 3 1 1 23
Baker F 44 9-17 0-2 0 9 9 2 4 2 2 18
Benjamin C 23 6-6 0-0 0 4 4 1 1 0 1 12
Newman G 39 0-3 4-6 0 2 2 3 3 0 3 4
Douglas G 38 7-13 4-4 1 3 4 12 1 1 3 19
Cummings 23 5-9 2-3 3 3 6 1 5 0 2 12
Respert 22 7-9 3-3 2 1 3 1 0 1 1 20
Mayberry 10 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 3
Keys 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Conlon Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-74 19-24 7 27 34 29 19 6 14 111
(.581) (.792) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 15(19 Pts)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Johnson F 39 1-9 0-0 5 1 6 5 0 2 4 2
Geiger F 24 3-7 1-2 3 6 9 1 3 1 1 7
Parish C 23 1-2 0-0 1 5 6 1 2 0 1 2
Rice G 45 9-22 10-12 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 29
Anderson G 35 10-13 4-6 1 4 5 10 2 1 2 28
Zidek 12 4-5 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 8
Hancock 11 2-4 2-2 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 6
Curry 26 7-11 0-1 0 2 2 0 2 0 2 16
Goldwire 14 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 5 2 0 1 3
Myers 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Addison 9 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 2
Adams Dnp - Pulled Right Groin
Totals 240 39-80 17-23 12 24 36 27 20 7 15 103
(.488) (.739) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 15(17 Pts)
Milwaukee 28 32 28 23 - 111
Charlotte 31 22 25 25 - 103
Blocked Shots: Milwaukee - Baker 3. Charlotte - Parish, Rice, Anderson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Milwaukee 6-11 (.545), Robinson 1-3, Newman 0-1,
Douglas 1-2, Respert 3-3, Mayberry 1-1, Keys 0-1. Charlotte 8-18 (.444),
Rice 1-7, Anderson 4-4, Curry 2-4, Goldwire 1-3.
Technicals: Milwaukee - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Joe Derosa, Sean Corbin.
A - 24,042. T - 2:01.
nba.508vpoznanovic,
BIG DOG TAKES BITE OUT OF HORNETS' PLAYOFF HOPES
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson scored 23 points and Shawn
Respert added 20, including a 3-pointer during a decisive
fourth-quarter run, as the Milwaukee Bucks dealt a near-fatal blow to
the playoff hopes of the Charlotte Hornets with a 111-103 victory
Thursday.
The Hornets had an opportunity to tie Miami for the eighth and final
playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, but instead fell a full game
behind the Heat with two games left.
"Disappointing," Hornets forward Glen Rice said. "We had a chance to
do something, but we didn't come out with the intensity it takes to
win. There's nothing I can explain."
Milwaukee won for just the fifth time in 28 games, amid rumors that
coach Mike Dunleavy would be fired at the end of the season.
"We've been doing a much better job defensively," Dunleavy said.
"We've been doing the things we needed to do and playing it closer to
the vest, like in a playoff situation."
Rice had 20 points and Kenny Anderson scored 28 for the Hornets, who
have lost three of their past four games.
Charlotte forward Larry Johnson managed just two points on one-of-nine
shooting in 39 minutes.
The Bucks held a 91-85 advantage, but pulled away as Terry Cummings
scored four points during a 13-5 run. Robinson hit two free throws
with 9:11 to play and Sherman Douglas scored on a layup.
"We never seemed to mesh early, and we have to in order to be a good
team," Hornets coach Allan Bristow said. "We just seemed like we
weren't ready to play."
Respert hit a 3-pointer for a 98-85 lead before Anderson answered for
Charlotte with a layup. Douglas made a jumper and Rice sank two free
throws before Cummings finished off the burst with a jumper and layup
with 4:15 left.
Douglas had 19 points and 12 assists and Vin Baker finished with 19
points for the Bucks, who had lost seven of the last eight games to
the Hornets.
"I was not surprised by this win," Baker said. "We moved the ball well
and executed when we had to. We took our time on the inside and got
some good shots."
Darrin Hancock scored 16 points for Charlotte, which held a 36-34
advantage in rebounding. Matt Geiger had nine rebounds and Anderson
handed out 10 assists.
"I don't know why we just didn't come out and play as a team,"
Anderson said.
The Bucks used an 8-0 run bridging the second and third quarters to
build a 13-point lead. Baker had a pair of dunks as Milwaukee took a
66-53 advantage before the Hornets used a 17-6 spurt to get within
72-70 on a layup by Rice with 6:27 to go.
nba.509vpoznanovic,
New York (77) At Cleveland (92)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mason F 35 5-9 3-4 3 4 7 2 1 0 5 13
Reid F 14 0-4 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1
Ewing C 31 8-15 1-2 1 8 9 0 2 0 5 18
Starks G 41 5-12 2-2 1 3 4 3 3 0 4 13
Harper G 33 3-8 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 2 4 7
Davis 28 0-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 6 1 0 0
Ward 15 3-3 0-0 0 4 4 5 0 1 1 8
Williams 17 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2
Anderson 16 5-6 1-2 0 3 3 0 1 1 1 11
Grandison 6 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Lohaus 4 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-68 8-12 6 26 32 18 18 8 21 77
(.471) (.667) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 21(28 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 40 6-14 0-0 1 5 6 4 2 3 1 12
Ferry F 24 4-7 1-2 1 2 3 2 4 0 2 12
Cage C 23 3-4 0-0 4 1 5 0 3 3 0 6
Phills G 42 6-11 3-5 0 2 2 11 4 5 5 17
Brandon G 35 6-15 6-7 0 3 3 3 0 1 2 20
Hill 23 3-6 1-2 3 5 8 0 3 0 0 7
Majerle 30 4-8 1-2 0 1 1 3 2 0 1 12
Sura 15 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 3
Amaechi 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crotty 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Lang 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Marshall 2 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
Totals 240 34-73 12-18 10 21 31 25 19 14 12 92
(.466) (.667) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 13(12 Pts)
New York 13 15 19 30 - 77
Cleveland 22 21 28 21 - 92
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 2, Mason, Starks, Williams, Anderson,
Grandison. Cleveland - Mills 2, Ferry 2, Sura 2, Brandon, Majerle,
Amaechi.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 5-16 (.313), Ewing 1-1, Starks 1-4, Harper
1-4, Davis 0-4, Ward 2-2, Lohaus 0-1. Cleveland 12-23 (.522), Mills 0-1,
Ferry 3-6, Phills 2-4, Brandon 2-4, Majerle 3-6, Sura 1-1, Marshall 1-1.
Technicals: New York - Ewing, Harper, Reid, Mason, Cleveland - Ferry.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Bruce Alexander, Luis Grillo.
A - 20,562. T - 1:57.
nba.510vpoznanovic,
CAVS WREST EAST'S FOURTH SEED AWAY FROM KNICKS
CLEVELAND -- Terrell Brandon scored 20 points and Danny Ferry sparked
a first-quarter run as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New York
Knicks 92-77 on Thursday in a crucial matchup of possible playoff
opponents.
The victory moves Cleveland into fourth place in the Eastern
Conference and gives them the homecourt advantage should they meet New
York in the playoffs. New York slips into fifth and could finish as
low as the seventh slot.
"We knew it would take a solid performance throughout," Cavaliers
coach Mike Fratello said of the victory. "We worked extremely hard at
both ends of the floor."
The Cavaliers and Knicks have identical records at 46-34, but
Cleveland would win a tiebreaker because it won three of the four
meetings between the teams this season.
"In a big game, I can not remember a time where a team played as
poorly as we did," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "You can't turn
the ball over 21 times against a team like Cleveland.
"I think the Cavs have perfected their offensive game. They know what
they are doing and they do it very well."
Tied at 13-13 with 3:48 to go in the first quarter, Ferry scored five
points to ignite a 9-0 run by the Cavaliers. Ferry, who had eight
points in the period, sank a 3-pointer with three seconds left in the
quarter to cap the spurt.
"The key for us tonight was really how we came out and played right
away," Ferry said. "I think Chris Mills did a good job of setting the
tone. The first quarter, he was just all over the place and that can
be contagious."
Patrick Ewing had 18 points and Anthony Mason and John Starks added 13
apiece for the Knicks.
"We had a lot of forced turnovers and sloppy ball handling in the
first quarter and that gave them confidence," Knicks point guard Derek
Harper said. "As far as the playoffs, if you are not on top of your
game, you're going to get beat."
"They outplayed us and we got embarrassed," Ewing said.
Ferry finished with 12 points and Bobby Phills added 17 and a
season-high 11 assists for the Cavaliers.
"It was a very intense game and a playoff-type atmosphere," Phills
said. "It was great to get this win at home in front of the fans."
nba.511vpoznanovic,
Utah (94) At Vancouver (79)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 34 7-13 0-0 1 10 11 0 1 1 1 15
Malone F 37 11-21 4-6 1 6 7 4 1 2 5 26
Spencer C 11 2-5 0-0 3 2 5 0 3 0 1 4
Hornacek G 34 7-10 4-4 1 2 3 5 1 1 1 19
Stockton G 38 4-6 0-2 1 1 2 9 3 2 2 8
Ostertag 11 0-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
Eisley 10 3-6 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 6
Morris 14 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 2
Keefe 7 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
Carr 17 3-8 3-4 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 9
Russell 27 2-4 0-0 5 4 9 0 1 3 1 5
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-82 11-16 15 30 45 21 15 10 15 94
(.488) (.688) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 15(18 Pts)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
King F 43 7-18 2-2 4 10 14 2 2 1 1 21
Amaya F 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Reeves C 14 4-5 2-2 2 1 3 1 0 1 1 10
B Edwards G 29 4-11 1-2 1 3 4 1 2 0 1 9
Anthony G 20 2-5 2-2 1 5 6 3 0 0 2 8
Avent 42 1-9 0-0 4 7 11 3 4 2 6 2
Scott 29 1-8 3-4 0 1 1 5 0 0 0 6
Murdock 24 5-12 2-2 0 0 0 3 3 0 1 12
Wilkins 22 1-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 2
Moten 12 3-6 0-0 1 0 1 2 1 1 2 6
Martin 3 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 3
D Edwards Dnp - Flu
Totals 240 29-81 12-14 14 28 42 22 13 5 17 79
(.358) (.857) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 19(23 Pts)
Utah 27 20 27 20 - 94
Vancouver 24 20 14 21 - 79
Blocked Shots: Utah - Benoit 3, Ostertag 2, Malone, Carr. Vancouver -
King 3, Avent 2, Scott 2, Moten.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 3-6 (.500), Benoit 1-3, Hornacek 1-1, Morris 0-1,
Russell 1-1. Vancouver 9-24 (.375), King 5-7, B Edwards 0-1, Anthony 2-3,
Scott 1-6, Murdock 0-2, Wilkins 0-3, Moten 0-1, Martin 1-1.
Technicals: Vancouver - Anthony 2 (Ejected).
Officials: Ed Middleton, George Toliver, Steve Javie.
A - 18,407. T - 1:55.
nba.512vpoznanovic,
Utah 94, Vancouver 79
Karl Malone scored six of his 26 points in a key third-quarter run and
Jeff Hornacek added 19 as the Utah Jazz clinched the third playoff
spot in the Western Conference with a 94-79 victory over the expansion
Vancouver Grizzlies.
David Benoit had 15 points and 11 rebounds and John Stockton handed
out nine assists for Utah, which won its second straight after a
stretch of seven losses in nine games. The Jazz have assured
themselves of the third seed and will most likely play the Portland
Trail Blazers in the first round.
"We went to a smaller lineup," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "Then we
went to a bigger lineup. We had some opportunities, but we still
didn't go after the basketball the way I thought we should. We were
able to get to the defensive boards and I think that helped us."
Chris King had 21 points and 13 rebounds, Eric Murdock scored 12
points and Bryant Reeves added 10 for Vancouver, which dropped to
13-67 by losing for the 30th time in 32 games.
With losses in each of their last two games, the Grizzlies would catch
the dubious 13-69 mark set by the 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks for the
fourth-worst record in league history. The Grizzlies also tied the
Miami Heat for the most losses by an expansion team.
"I think the people of Vancouver got an introduction to N-B-A
basketball even though it was the losing end of it," Grizzlies coach
Brian Winters said. "They got to see some great players come into the
city and this building."
After the Grizzlies pulled within 53-49 on a pair of free throws by
Greg Anthony, Hornacek hit a 20-footer and made a layup to ignite a
16-4 run.
"We got them running and that's something I think we haven't been
doing all year," Hornacek said. "It seems when we get on the road,
we've been more attentive, slowing it down, running half-court
offenses instead of playing pretty much the same way at home. We're
not a fast-breaking team, but we'd like to take the opportunities.
Tonight, especially in the third quarter, we did that."
Malone made a layup and a pair of 10-footers to spark the spree and
Benoit made a six-footer to give the Jazz a 69-53 bulge with 1:45 left
in the third quarter.
The Jazz settled for a 74-58 lead entering the fourth behind Malone's
20 points.
Antoine Carr added nine points and Stockton added eight for Utah,
which shot 49 percent (40-of-82) from the field and scored 23 points
off 19 forced turnovers.
Anthony Avent grabbed 11 rebounds for Vancouver, which shot 36 percent
(29-of-81) and was outscored, 50-26, in the paint.
nba.513dizel,
>>> Svaka ti cast.Sta bismo mi bez tebe.E,da te pitam,odakle
>>> skidas ove poruke?
>
> Sa nekoliko americkih sportskih mreza.
Pretpostavio sam.Pa,koliki su ti onda racuni za tel?
nba.514lexus,
Po Vladi Oliću, Danilović će zaigrati u PlayOff-u!
To mu je (Vladi) izjavio Pat Rilley u nedavnom
razgovoru.
nba.515vpoznanovic,
SONICS BUILT INJURED LIST ONE BRICK AT A TIME
SEATTLE -- Seattle SuperSonics reserve forward/center Frank Brickowski
will miss the team's final two regular-season games because of
tendinitis in his right shoulder.
Brickowski is eligible to return for the start of the playoffs. When a
player is placed on the injured list with less than five games left in
the season, he is only obligated to miss the remaining games.
Brickowski is averaging 5.4 points in 63 games this season. He missed
the entire 1994-95 season with a dislocated shoulder.
The Sonics activated rookie forward Sherell Ford from the injured list
to replace Brickowski. Ford had missed the previous eight games because
of quadriceps tendinitis in his left leg. He has appeared in 27 games
this season, averaging 3.2 points per game.
nba.516vpoznanovic,
STERN: NBA WILL CRACK DOWN ON LEAGUE VIOLENCE
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (AP) -- The NBA plans to come down hard on
players like Los Angeles' Magic Johnson and New York's J.R. Reid for
violence on the court, commissioner David Stern said Friday.
"If it keeps occurring, we're prepared to cost games, seasons and
careers over this," Stern said of the two recent incidents.
Speaking at a luncheon sponsored by The Economic Club of Phoenix,
Stern addressed such topics as ethics and marketing trends in
sports.
In February, Reid threw an elbow to the mouth of Phoenix's A.C.
Green during a Suns-Knicks game, knocking out two of his teeth. Reid
was suspended for two games and fined.
On Monday, the league suspended Johnson for three games and fined
him $10,000 for bumping referee Scott Foster during a Lakers-Suns
game the previous day. Johnson had recently criticized several
teammates for aggressive behavior.
"You've got large men in small places running very fast," Stern
said. "As well as we try to police it, there are going to be
outbursts."
Sterns said the public has turned sports into an arena for moral
debate.
"We understand the power of sport to sell sneakers or cereal, but
also the de facto standard for engaging our nation in important
discussions," he said, citing AIDS, law and religious discrimination
as parallels.
"If someone reports that one-third of the nation will be illiterate
by the next century, that's a statistic," he said. "But if someone
reports that Dexter Manley can't read -- now that's a story."
The league has grown from 30 employees in 1984 to 600 in 1996, and
markets $3 billion worth of goods compared to $40 million in 1982,
with 15 percent of its business outside of the United States.
The NBA is pouring more resources into the Internet, he said. There
will be full-motion video of basketball games online, as well as
home shopping for league merchandise. At this point, only 5 percent
of fans actually attend games.
The growing hype over basketball stars has led some to pursue a
professional career without finishing college. Stern said he
disapproved of the trend.
"It would be good for us if players stayed in college. They'd be
more mature and I think it might be better for us, but it's up to
them," he said.
nba.517vpoznanovic,
Boston (112) At New Jersey (106)
Boston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Fox F 36 8-11 0-0 0 8 8 1 3 1 2 19
Burrough F 21 5-12 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 1 2 10
Lister C 24 2-5 0-2 3 10 13 0 4 0 1 4
Minor G 30 3-11 4-5 2 4 6 1 2 0 0 10
Wesley G 38 7-14 4-6 1 2 3 14 2 0 1 21
Day 32 3-11 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 1 2 7
Barros 25 10-14 2-2 0 3 3 2 1 0 1 27
Hamilton 8 0-1 1-4 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 1
Brown 22 1-3 9-9 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 11
Mundt 4 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Ellison Dnp - Sore Lower Back
Totals 240 40-83 20-28 9 34 43 20 18 3 10 112
(.482) (.714) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 10(11 Pts)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 37 8-14 2-2 3 5 8 4 2 0 1 19
A Gilliam F 33 11-19 4-7 2 6 8 2 1 1 0 26
Bradley C 32 7-18 3-4 5 8 13 0 5 0 3 17
Reeves G 31 1-5 3-4 1 2 3 4 3 1 4 5
Fleming G 44 3-12 1-2 3 5 8 17 2 0 2 7
Graham 30 5-14 0-0 2 1 3 1 4 1 0 14
Williams 18 3-8 0-0 4 3 7 2 1 0 0 6
Mahorn 10 2-4 0-0 0 4 4 1 1 0 0 4
Werdann 5 3-5 2-3 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 8
Childs Dnp - Concussion
Dare Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Obannon Dnp - Sore Left Hand
Totals 240 43-99 15-22 20 35 55 32 21 3 10 106
(.434) (.682) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 10(18 Pts)
Boston 30 27 26 29 - 112
New Jersey 32 26 18 30 - 106
Blocked Shots: Boston - Lister 3, Fox 2, Day 2, Hamilton 2, Burrough. New
Jersey - Bradley 10, Williams 2, Reeves, Brown.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Boston 12-18 (.667), Fox 3-4, Wesley 3-5, Day 1-3,
Barros 5-5, Brown 0-1. New Jersey 5-19 (.263), Brown 1-1, Bradley 0-1,
Reeves 0-4, Fleming 0-2, Graham 4-11.
Technicals: New Jersey - Graham.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Tom Washington, Mike Callahan.
A - 17,776. T - 2:11.
nba.518vpoznanovic,
Boston 112, New Jersey 106
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Dana Barros scored 27 points and his
3-pointer with 2:29 to play snapped a tie as the Boston Celtics took a
112-106 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Friday.
Nets center Shawn Bradley recorded his second consecutive
triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Armon
Gilliam scored 26 points for New Jersey.
David Wesley added 21 points for the Celtics, who salvaged a split of
the season series against New Jersey and improved to 12-11 against
Atlantic Division opponents.
"These guys have played well this year. Unfortunately, we are running
out of games," Boston coach M.L. Carr said. "We are trying to build a
team here and this is a positive start."
Bradley said the Nets also need to build on this season.
"For next year, we need to keep everyone, if possible," he said. "The
less changes the better."
Greg Graham scored the final five points of a 7-0 run to give New
Jersey a 96-95 lead. Greg Minor answered with a layup and Wesley
nailed a 3-pointer to give the Celtics a 100-96 advantage with 4:57
remaining.
Bradley had a reverse dunk and Gilliam added two free throws to tie
the score with 2:53 to go. Barros then hit the key 3-pointer and added
a pair of free throws around a foul shot by Wesley to make it 106-100
with 40 seconds left.
The Nets had a chance to tie the score after Barros' 3-pointer, but
they committed a turnover.
Rick Fox added 19 points for Boston, which shot 48 percent (40 for 82)
from the field.
Vern Fleming, starting in place of the injured Chris Childs, had 17
assists for the Nets, who shot 43 percent (43 for 99) and outrebounded
Boston 55-43. Graham finished with 14 points off the bench.
nba.519vpoznanovic,
Charlotte (115) At New York (108)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Curry F 37 8-15 4-4 1 4 5 3 3 1 4 22
L Johnson F 45 9-18 9-10 2 16 18 2 3 1 3 28
Parish C 23 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4
Rice G 41 9-16 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 2 1 21
Anderson G 31 3-8 5-6 0 3 3 7 2 1 0 12
Goldwire 18 5-6 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 12
Addison 14 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 0 2 4
Zidek 23 3-5 4-4 2 1 3 1 5 0 1 10
Hancock 8 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 2
Adams Dnp - Pulled Right Groin
Geiger Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Myers Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-75 24-26 6 29 35 18 21 5 12 115
(.547) (.923) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 13(15 Pts)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mason F 47 11-13 3-4 2 5 7 6 4 0 5 25
Reid F 20 0-2 0-0 2 5 7 1 4 1 2 0
Ewing C 44 10-26 8-9 3 12 15 11 3 0 1 28
Starks G 38 6-14 2-2 0 2 2 5 4 1 1 18
Harper G 42 6-13 2-4 0 2 2 5 3 2 2 16
Davis 20 3-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 7
Ward 6 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 2
Anderson 10 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 6
Williams 13 3-4 0-0 2 1 3 1 2 0 0 6
Grandison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lohaus Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-83 15-19 9 28 37 31 26 5 13 108
(.518) (.789) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 13(17 Pts)
Charlotte 27 31 24 33 - 115
New York 33 20 31 24 - 108
Blocked Shots: Charlotte - None. New York - Mason, Ewing, Starks.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Charlotte 9-20 (.450), Curry 2-3, L Johnson 1-2, Rice
3-6, Anderson 1-5, Goldwire 2-3, Addison 0-1. New York 7-22 (.318), Ewing
0-2, Starks 4-10, Harper 2-6, Davis 1-2, Ward 0-1, Anderson 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Paul Mihalak, Joe Borgia.
A - 19,763. T - 2:07.
nba.520vpoznanovic,
VICTORY IN NEW YORK CAN'T SAVE CHARLOTTE
NEW YORK -- One day after an embarrassing loss to Milwaukee, Larry
Johnson and the Charlotte Hornets regrouped and took a 115-108 victory
over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Hornets' reward? They were eliminated from the playoff race.
Charlotte (41-40) needed the Miami Heat to lose to Milwaukee and
finish in a three-way tie with Miami and Washington in order to make
the playoffs. Instead, Miami beat Milwaukee 106-100 and clinched the
final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference.
"We're not a very good team unless all our parts are working,"
Charlotte coach Allan Bristow said. "There's a couple of games we
wished he had back."
When asked if he was looking at the scoreboard for updates on the Heat
game, Bristow said, "Yes, right from the beginning. I glanced at it
about 50 times."
Johnson scored only two points in 39 minutes Thursday as Charlotte
lost at home to lowly Milwaukee.
Less than 24 hours later, Johnson was sensational against New York. He
played 45 minutes and finished with 28 points and 18 rebounds.
"We've got to stop listening to the media, because we ain't as
talented as everybody thinks," Johnson said of the disappointing
season.
Patrick Ewing recorded his first career triple-double with 28 points,
15 rebounds and 11 assists for New York (46-35), which fell into fifth
place in the East.
The Knicks, who lost the tie-breaker to Cleveland, are only a
half-game ahead of the Detroit Pistons for sixth place in the East.
Anthony Mason pulled New York even at 100-100 with 2:57 remaining.
Charlotte then went on a 7-1 run, as George Zidek completed a
three-point play, Dell Curry added two free throws and Johnson nailed
a turnaround jumper.
Ewing converted a three-point play to halve the deficit before Ewing
and Mason each missed shots before Johnson slammed the door with a
three-point play.
Curry scored 22 points and Kenny Anderson and Anthony Goldwire scored
12 points apiece for Charlotte, which shot 55 percent (41 for 75) from
the field and missed only two free throws in 26 attempts.
Mason made 11 of 13 from the field and scored 25 points for New York,
which shot 52 percent (43 for 83) from the floor.
nba.521vpoznanovic,
Dallas (103) At Phoenix (123)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mccloud F 36 3-14 4-4 3 4 7 3 1 2 4 10
Jones F 33 2-11 4-6 5 6 11 2 3 1 1 8
Williams C 28 1-2 0-2 3 2 5 1 4 1 1 2
Jackson G 34 8-16 3-4 1 2 3 2 0 0 0 21
Kidd G 40 14-23 5-6 2 6 8 10 1 2 9 37
Meyer 12 3-7 0-0 2 4 6 0 4 0 2 7
Dumas 8 0-4 2-2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2
Wood 14 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 0 0
Harris 21 4-11 0-0 1 2 3 2 0 1 2 10
Parks 12 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 4
Brooks 2 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 2
Davis Dnp - Left Knee Injury
Totals 240 38-95 18-24 20 29 49 24 19 8 19 103
(.400) (.750) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 19(31 Pts)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Finley F 46 11-15 1-1 3 7 10 9 3 1 5 23
Tisdale F 26 12-19 0-0 2 2 4 2 4 2 1 24
Williams C 31 3-7 4-4 2 8 10 1 2 0 0 10
W Person G 41 9-16 0-0 2 7 9 3 0 1 1 21
Johnson G 40 8-19 4-5 1 5 6 19 3 7 6 21
Green 21 2-4 1-4 1 3 4 0 1 1 0 5
Manning 16 4-10 4-4 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 12
Perry 8 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 4
Carr 9 1-2 1-2 2 2 4 2 2 1 0 3
Bennett 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Barkley Dnp - Strained Right Calf
Kleine Dnp - Fainting Spells
Totals 240 52-94 15-20 14 34 48 40 17 14 13 123
(.553) (.750) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 14(16 Pts)
Dallas 24 25 31 23 - 103
Phoenix 34 32 25 32 - 123
Blocked Shots: Dallas - Williams. Phoenix - Williams 3, Tisdale, Manning.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Dallas 9-28 (.321), Mccloud 0-6, Jones 0-1, Jackson
2-7, Kidd 4-5, Meyer 1-1, Dumas 0-1, Wood 0-3, Harris 2-4. Phoenix 4-9
(.444), W Person 3-6, Johnson 1-2, Manning 0-1.
Technicals: Dallas - Illegal Defense 2, Williams, Phoenix - Illegal
Defense 2.
Officials: Lee Jones, Dan Crawford, Kevin Fehr.
A - 19,023. T - 1:59.
nba.522vpoznanovic,
Phoenix 123, Dallas 103
PHOENIX -- Phoenix rookie Michael Finley came within one assist of his
first triple-double as the Suns routed the Dallas Mavericks 123-103 on
Friday and clinched the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
Finley had 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists and Wayman Tisdale
also scored 23 points for Phoenix (41-40), which will play the San
Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
"I didn't even know I was that close to a triple-double," Finley said.
"If I had known, I would have got it. I guess that's a rookie
mistake."
Kevin Johnson had 21 points, 19 assists, seven steals and six rebounds
for Phoenix.
Jason Kidd had 37 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for Dallas,
which lost for the 19th time in the past 23 games.
Phoenix broke the game open with a 13-4 run in the second quarter.
Loren Meyer pulled the Mavericks within 39-29, but Johnson hit a foul
shot and Danny Manning added a layup to make it 42-29 with 9:52 left
in the first half.
Dallas pulled within 91-84 early in the fourth quarter, but Wesley
Person scored eight points during a 19-5 run to put the game away.
Person capped the run with a 3-pointer to give the Suns a 110-89 lead
with 5:52 to play.
Manning finished with 12 points for Phoenix, which shot 55 percent (52
for 94) from the field. Tisdale scored 18 of his points in the second
half and Finley shot 11 for 15 from the floor.
Jim Jackson added 21 points for Dallas, which shot 40 percent
(38-of-95) from the field and nine for 28 from 3-point range.
"We've got one more game and we're trying to keep it together," Dallas
coach Dick Motta said. "In terms of hustle, the game was a lot closer
tonight than the score shows. We just couldn't hit a shot."
nba.523vpoznanovic,
Miami (106) At Milwaukee (100)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 25 4-5 2-2 1 4 5 0 6 1 0 10
Williams F 22 3-5 0-4 2 3 5 1 4 2 2 8
Mourning C 43 11-16 6-8 3 6 9 3 5 3 2 28
Chapman G 34 5-11 2-4 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 14
Hardaway G 44 6-14 2-5 0 2 2 19 3 2 6 17
Gatling 19 3-6 4-4 1 2 3 1 3 0 2 10
Askins 28 3-7 0-0 2 4 6 1 2 1 1 8
Smith 23 5-10 0-2 1 2 3 2 3 0 1 11
Corbin 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Schayes 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lenard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-75 16-29 10 24 34 28 26 9 17 106
(.533) (.552) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 17(0 Pts)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Baker F 41 6-13 5-7 4 7 11 1 4 1 2 17
Robinson F 44 9-17 9-9 3 6 9 4 2 0 4 28
Cummings C 14 1-4 1-2 0 5 5 1 5 0 1 3
Douglas G 39 7-10 1-3 0 0 0 10 3 3 5 17
Newman G 33 6-10 0-2 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 12
Benjamin 10 1-4 0-0 1 3 4 0 3 0 1 2
Respert 21 1-6 2-2 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 5
Conlon 23 4-7 8-8 0 4 4 1 2 1 2 16
Mayberry 9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
Keys 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peplowski Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-71 26-33 8 27 35 19 24 12 16 100
(.493) (.788) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 16(0 Pts)
Miami 31 27 23 25 - 106
Milwaukee 31 25 21 23 - 100
Blocked Shots: Miami - Mourning, Smith. Milwaukee - Baker 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Miami 10-23 (.435), Williams 2-4, Chapman 2-3, Hardaway
3-5, Askins 2-6, Smith 1-5. Milwaukee 4-13 (.308), Robinson 1-4, Douglas
2-4, Newman 0-1, Respert 1-3, Conlon 0-1.
Technicals: Miami - Gatling, Milwaukee - Newman.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Derrick Stafford, Tim Donaghy.
A - 18,633. T - 2:10.
nba.524vpoznanovic,
HEAT LANDS EAST'S FINAL PLAYOFF BID
MILWAUKEE -- Alonzo Mourning scored 30 points as the Miami Heat
clinched the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a
106-100 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
Tim Hardaway added 17 points for the Heat (42-39), who will play the
Chicago Bulls in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Miami is in the playoffs for the first time since 1993 and the second
time in franchise history. It will also mark the second time the Heat
plays the Bulls in the playoffs.
"It feels great from the standpoint that this team inherited each
other," said Miami coach Pat Riley of reaching the playoffs. "We made
some drastic changes when we were six games below .500 and it seemed
like we were down and out. Since then, we've been 19-10.
"We had a chance to lay claim to something very positive tonight and
we accomplished that."
The "drastic changes" Riley referred to were the three trades he made
Feb. 22, when he brought Tim Hardaway, Walt Williams, Chris Gatling,
Tyrone Corbon and Tony Smith to the Heat and sent Kevin Willis, Billy
Owens, Bimbo Coles, Kevin Gamble and Terrence Rencher out of Miami.
Glenn Robinson scored 28 points Friday and Vin Baker and Sherman
Douglas added 17 apiece for Milwaukee, which has lost 13 in a row to
the Heat. The Bucks were one day removed from beating Charlotte, which
was Miami's main competition for the final spot playoff spot.
Mourning scored the first six points of an 8-0 run in the third
quarter as Miami opened up a 72-62 lead with 6:54 left. Mourning hit
three consecutive post-up jumpers and Kurt Thomas capped the run with
a 15-footer.
Milwaukee pulled within 81-77 at the end of three quarters and traded
baskets with the Heat on the first three possessions of the fourth
quarter. Miami then hit 3-pointers on its first three shots to open up
a 90-83 lead.
Miami shot 53 percent (40 for 75) from the field and only 55 percent
(16 for 29) from the line. Hardaway also had 19 assists and Rex
Chapman added 14 for the Heat.
"It feels great," Mourning said. "We look back at all the things we've
had to sacrifice and we look at our down moments. But we focused our
concentration on our good moments, and that paid off."
Milwaukee shot 49 percent (35 for 71) from the field and grabbed only
eight offensive rebounds.
A Milwaukee television station reported Thursday that Bucks coach Mike
Dunleavy would be fired Monday. Dunleavy disputed the reports.
"This week we played playoff-intensity basketball," Bucks forward
Johnny Newman said Friday. "We're not focusing on who's coming back.
But whoever does, we'll make the most of it.
"As far as coach Dunleavy and whatever was said about him, he always
came in and made sure that we were prepared for each game and focused
on what needed to be done."
nba.525vpoznanovic,
Minnesota (86) At Seattle (94)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 33 4-7 0-0 3 2 5 2 3 0 2 8
Gugliotta F 33 5-10 3-4 0 3 3 2 5 3 2 14
Lang C 32 2-7 0-0 1 6 7 1 4 0 3 4
Rider G 41 8-13 1-1 2 6 8 7 3 1 3 19
Webb G 27 4-11 0-0 0 2 2 5 1 0 1 10
Mitchell 31 9-15 3-5 1 6 7 1 6 0 3 21
West 20 1-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 1 1 2
Porter 21 2-4 3-4 1 1 2 7 3 1 4 8
Bragg 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Davis 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Allen Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Riley Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-71 10-14 9 28 37 25 27 6 19 86
(.493) (.714) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 24(35 Pts)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 39 3-12 7-8 4 7 11 5 3 1 7 13
D Schrempf F 39 6-13 5-6 1 3 4 5 1 0 3 18
Johnson C 25 3-7 0-0 0 6 6 0 2 2 0 6
Hawkins G 35 9-13 0-0 0 4 4 3 3 3 1 23
Payton G 34 6-14 0-0 2 2 4 3 2 2 2 12
Perkins 23 6-14 2-3 3 1 4 1 0 0 0 15
Mcmillan 30 2-3 0-0 0 4 4 2 4 1 2 4
Wingate 15 0-1 3-5 0 0 0 2 4 0 1 3
Askew Dnp - Sprained Right Ankle
Ford Dnp - Coach'S Decision
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-77 17-22 10 27 37 21 19 9 16 94
(.455) (.773) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 16(13 Pts)
Minnesota 17 29 23 17 - 86
Seattle 26 16 28 24 - 94
Blocked Shots: Minnesota - Garnett, Gugliotta. Seattle - Perkins 2,
Mcmillan, Johnson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Minnesota 6-17 (.353), Gugliotta 1-3, Rider 2-3, Webb
2-9, Porter 1-2. Seattle 7-22 (.318), D Schrempf 1-4, Hawkins 5-8, Payton
0-3, Perkins 1-5, Mcmillan 0-1, Wingate 0-1.
Technicals: Minnesota - Gugliotta, Porter, Seattle - Illegal Defense,
Mcmillan.
Officials: Steve Javie, Blane Reichelt, George Toliver.
A - 17,072. T - 2:02.
nba.526vpoznanovic,
Seattle 94, Minnesota 86
The Seattle SuperSonics set a franchise mark with their 64th win as
Hersey Hawkins scored 23 points and Detlef Schrempf scored the last
four points of the game in the 94-86 victory over the Minnesota
Timberwolves.
The SuperSonics beat the Timberwolves for the 22nd consecutive time
and improved to 25-3 all-time against Minnesota. Seattle has not lost
to the Timberwolves since a 100-96 overtime loss at home on March
15th, 1991.
Schrempf scored 16 points and Shawn Kemp added 13 points and 11
rebounds for Seattle, which won its 12th straight at home and was
victorious for the 14th time in the last 16 games. Seattle has already
clinched the Western Conference's top seed.
"I think everyone wants to get on with it (the playoffs)," Sonics
coach George Karl said. "The exciting thing is that I think we're
confident. I know I have never been this confident with a team since
I've been in Seattle. This is the best team I've had. It does a lot of
things well. It can win in a lot of ways. Mentally, it has a toughness
that the Seattle SuperSonics have not had over the last three or four
seasons. I think everyone is anxious. I'm sure a lot of us wish it was
Tuesday or Wednesday."
Sam Mitchell scored 21 points and Isaiah Rider added 17 for Minnesota,
which lost its fifth straight.
"We turned it over a few times and they hit some three-point shots and
we didn't counter," Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said. "We
probably ran out of gas. We didn't play a lot of guys. We went with a
lot of our veteran-type guys. They just made plays and that's how they
won 64 games this season. They have the ability to make those kind of
plays."
After Mitchell made one free throw to pull Minnesota within 90-86 with
two minutes remaining, Schrempf hit a hook shot from the baseline and
made two free throws to seal the game in the final minute.
Mitchell tied the game at 73-73 with a jumper before Gary Payton made
consecutive layups and Hawkins made consecutive three-point field
goals. Kemp's two free throws gave Seattle an 89-76 lead with four
minutes to go.
"Teams that aren't going to the playoffs can make the game ugly," Kemp
said. "So it's you're job to control the game and try to put some kind
of direction into the game. But often, when you have guys missing
shots, it makes things even worse. Tonight, we just made some mental
errors early, which caused us to put a lot of pressure on ourselves.
But we turned things around late in the third quarter and throughout
the fourth quarter, so it worked out in the end."
Sam Perkins scored 15 points and Gary Payton added 12 for Seattle,
which shot 46 percent (35-of-77) from the field and scored 35 points
off 24 forced turnovers.
nba.527vpoznanovic,
Orlando (112) At Philadelphia (92)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 28 2-4 1-1 0 3 3 3 0 1 0 6
Grant F 30 6-13 2-2 2 2 4 3 3 0 0 14
Oneal C 32 10-16 3-5 3 7 10 4 3 0 3 23
Hardaway G 25 6-7 3-3 0 1 1 9 1 4 3 15
Anderson G 26 4-7 0-0 0 4 4 3 2 1 1 10
Koncak 8 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2
Shaw 21 3-6 2-2 0 3 3 3 1 1 2 9
Royal 18 3-6 1-2 1 2 3 2 1 0 1 7
Bonner 23 4-8 3-5 4 8 12 3 4 1 2 11
Bowie 20 2-3 2-2 0 2 2 4 3 0 1 6
Thompson 9 3-6 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 9
Wolf Dnp - Concussion
Totals 240 44-78 17-22 11 33 44 35 21 8 15 112
(.564) (.773) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 15(15 Pts)
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Alston F 28 1-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 0 0 1 2
Weatherspoon F 34 8-17 2-2 1 8 9 2 3 1 1 18
Thompson C 30 3-6 4-4 4 2 6 0 3 2 2 10
Maxwell G 23 5-14 2-4 0 1 1 4 1 1 2 13
Walters G 44 3-7 5-7 0 2 2 10 3 1 0 13
Sutton 31 5-11 0-2 0 2 2 2 3 2 2 15
Massenburg 19 1-3 4-6 4 1 5 0 1 1 2 6
Pinckney 13 0-2 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1
Ruffin 18 5-15 1-1 1 2 3 2 2 0 1 14
Dumas Dnp - Fractured Right Foot
Higgins Dnp - Bursitisin Elbow
Stackhouse Dnp - Fractured Right Thumb
Totals 240 31-79 19-28 13 21 34 21 17 9 12 92
(.392) (.679) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 14(16 Pts)
Orlando 21 28 31 32 - 112
Philadelphia 21 24 21 26 - 92
Blocked Shots: Orlando - Oneal 2, Royal. Philadelphia - Weatherspoon.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Orlando 7-13 (.538), Scott 1-3, Anderson 2-2, Shaw 1-3,
Thompson 3-5. Philadelphia 11-28 (.393), Maxwell 1-6, Walters 2-5, Sutton
5-9, Ruffin 3-8.
Technicals: Orlando - Head Coach Hill, Philadelphia - Maxwell.
Officials: Bernie Fryer, Jack Nies, Monty Mccutchen.
A - 18,168. T - 2:05.
nba.528vpoznanovic,
Orlando 112, Philadelphia 92
PHILADELPHIA -- Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 10 rebounds Friday
as the Orlando Magic took a 112-92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers
in the last game at the Spectrum.
Clarence Weatherspoon scored 18 points for the 76ers, who will move
next door to the new CoreStates Spectrum next season.
LaSalle Thompson made a 13-footer to give the 76ers a 42-41 edge with
3:50 left in the second quarter. Dennis Scott responded with an
18-footer as the Magic took a 43-42 lead that they never lost.
Orlando held a two-point lead and halftime and O'Neal made two free
throws to close a 13-5 spurt and give the Magic a 62-52 cushion with
8:07 left in the third.
"I came out in the third and said I'd take over," O'Neal said. "I put
down a couple of dunks and we were fine."
Thompson made a short jumper to end a 9-2 run as Philadelphia cut the
deficit to 64-61 with 6:16 left in the third. Anthony Bowie's layup
completed a 16-4 burst and gave Orlando an 82-65 advantage with 51
seconds to go in the third.
Philadelphia did not come closer than 11 points in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia guard Vernon Maxwell suffered a sprained medial
collateral ligament in his left knee in the third quarter and did not
return.
nba.529vpoznanovic,
Portland (95) At Golden State (87)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 37 6-11 0-0 1 6 7 1 5 0 0 12
C Robinson F 42 8-18 14-16 1 6 7 3 3 0 4 32
Sabonis C 20 5-9 0-0 3 4 7 1 3 3 3 11
Mckie G 23 4-8 4-5 1 2 3 3 4 1 4 12
R Robinson G 23 2-3 1-2 1 1 2 6 0 0 5 6
J Robinson 31 1-2 0-0 0 6 6 9 4 2 3 3
Dudley 26 3-4 1-2 2 7 9 1 3 0 1 7
Williams 32 5-8 2-2 3 2 5 2 3 1 4 12
Trent 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingfield Dnp - Tendinitis Left Knee
Strickland Dnp - Left Groin Strain
Totals 240 34-63 22-27 12 35 47 26 25 7 24 95
(.540) (.815) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 25(28 Pts)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 37 3-8 4-7 5 0 5 0 6 3 0 10
Smith F 44 5-17 6-8 5 6 11 0 3 2 1 16
Willis C 19 0-6 0-0 3 3 6 2 2 2 0 0
Armstrong G 26 5-14 2-2 1 1 2 5 4 2 3 13
Sprewell G 48 10-27 7-8 0 1 1 5 5 1 2 30
Declercq 26 2-4 1-2 3 1 4 0 4 1 2 5
Coles 29 5-9 0-2 0 1 1 6 1 2 1 13
Marshall 11 0-4 0-0 2 3 5 0 1 0 0 0
Barry Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Churchwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hammink Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rozier Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 30-89 20-29 19 16 35 18 26 13 9 87
(.337) (.690) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 9(12 Pts)
Portland 27 20 23 25 - 95
Golden State 21 28 18 20 - 87
Blocked Shots: Portland - Dudley, Williams. Golden State - Smith 2,
Kersey, Declercq.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Portland 5-15 (.333), Grant 0-1, C Robinson 2-7,
Sabonis 1-1, Mckie 0-2, R Robinson 1-2, J Robinson 1-2. Golden State 7-20
(.350), Smith 0-2, Armstrong 1-5, Sprewell 3-9, Coles 3-3, Marshall 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Jess Kersey, David Jones, Mike Smith.
A - 15,025. T - 2:14.
nba.530vpoznanovic,
BLAZERS ELIMINATE WARRIORS; KINGS REACH PLAYOFFS
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Clifford Robinson scored 32 points to lead the
Portland Trail Blazers to a 95-87 victory over Golden State on Friday
night, eliminating the Warriors from the playoffs.
As a result of Golden State's loss, the Sacramento Kings clinched its
first playoff berth since 1986. That was the team's first season in
Sacramento after moving from Kansas City.
Latrell Sprewell scored 30 points and played all 48 minutes for the
Warriors, who needed a victory Friday and a win over Sacramento on
Sunday to claim the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western
Conference.
"Of course it's disappointing," Sprewell said of missing the
postseason. "That's what we're playing for -- to sneak into the
playoffs. But we just didn't shoot the ball as well as we wanted to."
Aaron McKie, Harvey Grant and Buck Williams each scored 12 points for
the Blazers. Portland took three of four games from Golden State this
season and has won five of its last six games overall.
"We tried to come in and keep our momentum," Grant said. "I think we
turned up our defense in the second half. We showed how we've been
playing for the last couple of months."
Robinson's 3-pointer closed a 7-0 spurt and gave the Blazers a 79-71
lead with 7:34 left in the game. Robinson shot 14 four 16 from the
foul line and scored Portland's last nine points.
"This is a good sign. We played against a team that really needed the
game and we still pulled it out," Robinson said. "We wanted this game,
too. It doesn't mean much to us in the standings, but this can
definitely help us gain some momentum heading into playoffs."
Jerome Kersey's driving layup capped a 10-3 run and gave the Warriors
a 37-36 edge with 4:50 left in the second. Sprewell made a 3-pointer
to give Golden State its biggest lead, 47-42, with 2:12 left in the
second. The Warriors held a two-point lead at halftime.
Joe Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Kersey added 10 points for
the Warriors. Golden State shot just 34 percent (30 for 89) from the
field, including six for 27 in the fourth.
The score was tied five times in the third before Robinson's 13-footer
gave Portland the lead for good, 62-61 with 3:10 left.
nba.531vpoznanovic,
Vancouver (92) At Denver (78)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
King F 30 4-11 3-5 0 4 4 1 4 1 1 11
B Edwards F 33 6-10 1-2 2 4 6 0 4 1 2 13
Avent C 28 4-7 5-6 0 4 4 2 4 0 6 13
Anthony G 27 3-8 0-1 0 5 5 7 2 3 2 7
Moten G 31 5-9 0-0 1 4 5 1 1 4 3 11
Scott 26 2-8 3-4 1 3 4 0 2 0 5 8
Murdock 33 7-12 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 6 2 14
Wilkins 32 6-11 0-0 0 4 4 2 3 3 1 15
Amaya Dnp - Sprained Ankle
D Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Martin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reeves Dnp - Sore Right Knee
Totals 240 37-76 12-18 4 30 34 15 21 18 22 92
(.487) (.667) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 22(16 Pts)
Denver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Ellis F 31 5-9 4-7 8 9 17 1 1 2 4 14
Maclean F 26 6-18 1-2 3 1 4 1 0 0 4 13
Mcdyess C 18 2-7 0-0 3 2 5 1 3 0 1 4
Rose G 21 4-7 1-2 1 1 2 0 0 2 3 9
Stith G 32 4-12 2-4 4 5 9 1 3 4 4 10
Grant 25 2-8 0-0 1 2 3 5 0 1 2 4
D Ellis 17 2-9 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 5
Hammonds 14 1-9 2-2 5 2 7 0 0 1 1 4
Williams 13 0-1 0-0 0 5 5 1 3 3 2 0
Fish 19 2-3 2-2 1 2 3 1 4 0 1 6
Overton 24 4-8 1-1 0 3 3 3 2 0 3 9
Mutombo Dnp - Strained Left Hamstring
Totals 240 32-91 13-20 26 33 59 14 17 13 26 78
(.352) (.650) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 27(31 Pts)
Vancouver 21 26 18 27 - 92
Denver 17 15 24 22 - 78
Blocked Shots: Vancouver - Moten 2, Scott 2, King, Avent, Murdock,
Wilkins. Denver - L Ellis 2, Mcdyess, Williams, Fish.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Vancouver 6-19 (.316), King 0-3, B Edwards 0-1, Anthony
1-4, Moten 1-1, Scott 1-4, Murdock 0-2, Wilkins 3-4. Denver 1-10 (.100),
Rose 0-1, Grant 0-2, D Ellis 1-6, Williams 0-1.
Technicals: Denver - Head Coach Bickerstaff.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Ted Bernhardt, Tony Brothers.
A - 15,119. T - 1:54.
nba.532vpoznanovic,
Vancouver 92, Denver 78
DENVER -- Gerald Wilkins scored 15 points and Blue Edwards sparked a
pair of runs to lead the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies to a 92-78
victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
The 16-point difference represented Vancouver's largest margin of
victory this season.
"I was having fun out there," Wilkins said. "I don't think Denver
necessarily wanted it. Somebody needs to get them motivated."
Eric Murdock scored 14 points and Edwards and Anthony Avent added 13
apiece for Vancouver, which registered its 14th victory on the season.
The Grizzlies, who dressed just eight players, improved to 3-20
against Midwest Division rivals this season.
"It wasn't pretty, but it was a win," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters
said. "I'll take it. I'll take 20 ugly wins. We only had Avent and
King as front-line players, so we had to go with it."
LaPhonso Ellis scored 14 points, Don MacLean added 13 and Bryant Stith
had 10 for Denver, which played without Dikembe Mutombo in losing for
the fourth time in five games.
The Nuggets, who lost to the Grizzlies for the first time in four
meetings, were eliminated from playoff contention on Monday.
"I think it's obvious that we have one group who cares about the team
and winning, and one group that doesn't," Ellis said.
Lawrence Moten hit an 18-footer to give the Grizzlies the lead for
good at 16-15. Vancouver settled for a 21-17 lead entering the second
quarter behind Avent's eight points.
After the Nuggets pulled within 41-32 on Jalen Rose's 11-footer,
Murdock hit a short jumper to ignite a 13-2 run, bridging both halves.
Edwards hit three field goals during the spurt and Moten's 3-pointer
gave Vancouver a 54-34 bulge three minutes into the third quarter.
Denver pulled within 71-64 on Doug Overton's jumper with 8:53 left in
the fourth quarter before Murdock hit a jumper to ignite a 19-8 run
that sealed the game. Edwards scored seven points during the spurt,
including a 3-pointer that gave Vancouver a 90-72 advantage.
Greg Anthony handed out seven assists and Murdock had seven of the
team's 16 steals for Vancouver, which shot 49 percent (37 for 76) from
the field. The Grizzlies registered just their fourth road victory
despite being outrebounded by a 59-34 margin.
Stith was held to four-for-12 shooting and MacLean shot six for 18 for
Denver, which committed 27 turnovers that led to 31 points for the
Grizzlies.
"It looks like the guys are trying to improve their position in the
lottery," Nuggets coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "Actually, when you
have 19 turnovers in the first half and shoot 35 percent in the game,
you could tell we're not mentally into it.
"My message to the guys is that whatever is said about us is what we
deserve. We have it coming."
nba.533vpoznanovic,
Washington (103) At Toronto (107)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Cheaney F 37 4-10 3-4 0 4 4 4 5 1 1 12
Howard F 42 19-29 3-8 3 6 9 4 4 2 5 42
Mcilvaine C 23 0-3 0-2 2 4 6 1 5 1 0 0
B Price G 35 4-14 3-3 1 1 2 11 1 2 2 14
Eackles G 40 4-11 2-4 0 3 3 6 3 2 2 11
Mccann 26 4-6 2-3 5 5 10 1 3 2 2 10
Butler 19 3-10 2-2 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 9
Whitney 13 1-3 3-4 0 2 2 3 3 0 1 5
Thornton 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Lewis Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-86 18-30 13 27 40 30 26 10 14 103
(.453) (.600) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 14(15 Pts)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 39 8-16 8-8 1 7 8 2 3 1 2 27
Miller F 39 4-9 2-2 2 11 13 9 4 3 6 10
Earl C 41 4-9 6-9 1 4 5 1 5 0 3 14
Robertson G 19 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 4 4 1 0 2
Christie G 42 11-16 5-5 2 5 7 5 4 4 5 30
Lewis 16 1-4 2-2 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 4
Whitfield 16 2-8 1-4 1 2 3 0 2 0 1 5
King 22 4-7 3-4 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 11
Esposito 6 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Totals 240 37-75 27-34 9 34 43 22 26 11 19 107
(.493) (.794) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 21(18 Pts)
Washington 32 27 15 29 - 103
Toronto 21 30 30 26 - 107
Blocked Shots: Washington - Mcilvaine 3, Cheaney, Butler. Toronto -
Miller 3, Earl 3, King.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Washington 7-19 (.368), Cheaney 1-2, Howard 1-1, B
Price 3-11, Eackles 1-2, Butler 1-2, Whitney 0-1. Toronto 6-13 (.462),
Murray 3-5, Christie 3-4, Lewis 0-2, King 0-1, Esposito 0-1.
Technicals: Washington - Head Coach Lynam 2 (Ejected), Toronto - Miller.
Officials: Ed F Rush, Bruce Alexander, Pat Adams.
A - 24,454. T - 2:16.
nba.534vpoznanovic,
Toronto 107, Washington 103
TORONTO -- Doug Christie scored a season-high 30 points as the Toronto
Raptors knocked off the Washington Bullets 107-103 on Friday.
Tracy Murray added 27 points for the Raptors, who won the season
series against Washington, 3-1. Christie helped put the game out of
reach with five unanswered points, including a reverse dunk that made
it 100-91 with 2:25 to play.
Juwan Howard scored a career-high in points for the second consecutive
game, finishing with 42 points. He scored 40 points against Boston in
a 121-106 setback on Wednesday.
"I definitely want to do what it takes to help the team win," Howard
said. "I love to win. I take this seriously. This team should lose to
no one."
The Raptors rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit with a 15-6
run at the outset of the second half. Christie capped the run with two
free throws and a dunk to give Toronto a 66-65 edge with 7:14 left.
Oliver Miller gave the Raptors the lead for good less than four
minutes later when he hit two free throws for a 72-71 lead. Washington
pulled within 105-103 on a 3-pointer by Howard with 14 seconds
remaining, but Toronto center Acie Earl hit two free throws to close
the scoring.
Christie, who was 11 for 16 from the field, finished three points shy
of his career-high of 33, set Dec. 4, 1993, when he played for the Los
Angeles Lakers.
Toronto shot 49 percent (37 for 75) from the field and outscored the
Bullets from the foul line, 27-18. Earl added 14 points and Miller was
one assist shy of a triple-double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and nine
assists.
"They started out like a house on fire, they didn't miss many shots,"
Murray said of the Bullets. "When we picked up the intensity, they
started missing shots.
The expansion Raptors close their first season Sunday with a home game
against Philadelphia.
"We have so much talent. We've got something good here," Murray said.
"We want to end the season on a good note -- that would be a real
positive for the fans, to have them keep the Raptor fever."
Brent Price had 14 points and 11 assists for Washington, which shot 45
percent (39 for 86) from the field. Bob McCann added 10 points and 10
rebounds.
nba.535vpoznanovic,
EVO GA! :)
HEAT'S DANILOVIC TO RETURN FROM DECEMBER INJURY
MIAMI -- The Miami Heat activated rookie guard Sasha Danilovic from
the injured list Saturday, and he will play Sunday against the Atlanta
Hawks.
The Heat placed forward Chris Gatling on the injured list with a
strained left knee to make room for Danilovic. Because it is the last
game of the season, Gatling will only have to sit out Sunday's game
instead of the standard five-game minimum, which means he will be
eligible for the playoffs.
Miami coach Pat Riley said Danilovic will be included on the 12-man
playoff roster, which must be submitted to the league by Monday. The
Heat plays Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.
Danilovic has not played since injuring his right wrist during a
105-80 loss at Golden State on Dec. 12. He had been on the injured
list since Dec. 19.
In January, Danilovic had surgery to repair a bone in his wrist.
Before the surgery, he had been going through a series of unsuccessful
rehabilitation attempts to correct the chronic condition.
Danilovic, a native of Serbia, has played in 18 games for the Heat and
averaged 13.7 points per game.
nba.536vpoznanovic,
Detroit (73) At Cleveland (75)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 44 4-13 0-0 0 7 7 5 1 1 4 8
Thorpe F 33 5-8 0-0 0 3 3 1 5 1 2 10
Reid C 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 2
Houston G 46 9-10 4-4 0 7 7 1 2 1 5 26
Dumars G 44 3-7 7-9 0 3 3 7 1 1 3 14
Curry 23 3-6 2-2 2 2 4 1 3 0 0 8
Hunter 17 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 0
Mills 28 2-9 1-2 0 6 6 4 1 0 2 5
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Ratliff Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roe Dnp - Coach'S Decision
West Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 27-56 14-17 2 30 32 20 17 4 17 73
(.482) (.824) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 17(17 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 43 9-15 0-0 3 5 8 2 2 0 1 18
Ferry F 35 5-9 0-0 1 3 4 4 3 2 1 11
Cage C 34 3-5 0-0 4 1 5 1 2 0 1 6
Phills G 43 9-17 2-4 2 5 7 5 4 1 2 21
Brandon G 36 5-16 1-2 0 4 4 8 3 2 0 12
Majerle 22 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 5
Hill 14 0-0 0-2 1 1 2 0 2 1 2 0
Sura 13 1-6 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 0 1 2
Amaechi Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Crotty Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lang Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-74 3-8 11 21 32 23 17 7 9 75
(.459) (.375) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 9(11 Pts)
Detroit 22 18 13 20 - 73
Cleveland 23 19 18 15 - 75
Blocked Shots: Detroit - Thorpe, Curry, Mills. Cleveland - Mills 2,
Majerle 2, Ferry, Phills.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Detroit 5-10 (.500), Houston 4-4, Dumars 1-2, Hunter
0-1, Mills 0-3. Cleveland 4-16 (.250), Mills 0-1, Ferry 1-1, Phills 1-4,
Brandon 1-5, Majerle 1-3, Sura 0-2.
Technicals: Cleveland - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Joe Forte, Ron Olesiak, Mark Wunderlich.
A - 20,562. T - 2:08.
nba.537vpoznanovic,
CAVS STOP PISTONS, GAIN HOME COURT IN FIRST ROUND
CLEVELAND -- Winning ugly. That's what the Cleveland Cavaliers do.
Sure, the Cavs aren't the prettiest of teams. In fact it's difficult
to find many NBA teams with less luster, but these guys win. Heck,
they scored just one point in the last 4Ż minutes Saturday but still
beat the Detroit Pistons 75-73 to clinch home-court advantage in the
first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Bobby Phills, who scored 21 points, prevented a potential game-winning
shot by stripping Grant Hill of the ball with 1.1 seconds left to
preserve the victory.
"It was fitting that the game ended on a defensive play," Cleveland
point guard Terrell Brandon said. "That's been our trademark all
year."
Chris Mills added 18 points for Cleveland.
"I'm very, very proud of the effort of everybody on this team this
season," Cavs coach Mike Fratello said. "It was a man's game out there
today. They were after each other."
Both teams finish the regular season Sunday. Cleveland is at Indiana
and Detroit is at home against Milwaukee.
Detroit trailed 74-73 and had a chance to win the game with 10 seconds
left. Grant Hill, who returned to the lineup after missing a game with
a bruised foot, was dribbling when Phills knocked the ball away,
recovered it and then called a timeout with 1.1 seconds left.
"I got lucky, got a hand in there and swiped the ball away from him,"
Phills said. "It was just instinctive to call a timeout."
Brandon, who had 12 points, made the first free throw and purposely
missed the second, allowing time to run out.
Allan Houston finished with 26 points for the Pistons, who are just a
half-game ahead of Atlanta for the sixth playoff spot. Detroit has
dropped two in a row.
"What it comes down to right now at this stage of time is they're a
little tougher a team than we are," Pistons coach Doug Collins said.
"We're tough. They're a little tougher because they have been in the
playoffs wars and we haven't."
Hill finished with eight points and was scoreless in the second half.
The Cavaliers took a 74-68 lead on a dunk by Michael Cage with 4:45 to
play, then didn't score again until Brandon made a free throw with
two-tenths of a second left.
"I don't like that it came down to where we had to get a stop to hold
on to the win," Fratello said. "I wish there was a little more room
than that. But if there was a trademark that we tried to put a stamp
on early in the year, it was that we wanted to be as good as we could
be defensively."
The Pistons did not score a point after Joe Dumars sank a free throw
to close to 74-73 with 2:23 to go.
It was Detroit's ninth consecutive road loss against the Cavaliers.
The Pistons have lost nine of their last 11 road games overall.
Danny Ferry finished with 11 points for Cleveland, which shot 46
percent (34 for 74) from the field. Terry Mills had eight rebounds and
Phills added seven. Brandon handed out eight assists.
Dumars had 14 points and Otis Thorpe 10 for the Pistons. Hill and
Houston had seven rebounds apiece as Detroit shot 48 percent (27 for
56).
"We fought hard," Houston said. "We just didn't make the plays down
the end."
Cleveland trailed 37-34 with 3:40 left in the second quarter, but
began their run as Ferry made a layup. Dumars hit a free throw, but
Phills had a layup and jumper to give the Cavs a 40-38 advantage.
Hill and Mills exchanged baskets just before the half and Cleveland
opened the second half with the first six points on jumpers by Ferry,
Cage and Mills.
nba.538vpoznanovic,
Indiana (100) At Chicago (99)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 25 6-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 1 4 12
D Davis F 35 6-12 4-10 5 4 9 1 2 3 1 16
Smits C 35 5-11 7-11 1 6 7 1 3 1 4 17
Workman G 13 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2
Jackson G 32 4-8 4-4 1 2 3 5 2 4 3 12
Pierce 16 2-5 6-6 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 10
Johnson 12 1-4 1-2 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 3
A Davis 23 2-5 3-6 4 7 11 1 2 1 2 7
Best 21 6-8 1-2 0 1 1 2 2 0 2 13
Ferrell 14 3-9 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 6
Hoiberg 14 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 2
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-74 26-41 11 28 39 15 16 14 17 100
(.500) (.634) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 17(16 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Rodman F 26 3-4 0-0 7 8 15 3 3 0 4 6
Kukoc F 31 8-13 0-2 2 2 4 5 4 1 1 20
Longley C 24 3-7 0-0 4 2 6 1 4 3 2 6
Pippen G 30 5-11 0-0 2 2 4 3 0 3 5 11
Jordan G 31 9-23 4-5 0 2 2 6 4 1 3 24
Edwards 14 2-5 3-4 2 1 3 2 6 0 0 7
Kerr 22 2-9 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 6
Buechler 19 4-6 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 1 0 10
Brown 21 2-9 1-2 1 1 2 6 3 1 1 5
Salley 17 2-3 0-0 4 3 7 0 2 0 3 4
Simpkins 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Haley Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-90 8-13 22 26 48 27 31 10 19 99
(.444) (.615) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 19(27 Pts)
Indiana 27 25 25 23 - 100
Chicago 30 20 27 22 - 99
Blocked Shots: Indiana - D Davis, Hoiberg, Smits. Chicago - Salley 2,
Longley, Jordan, Edwards, Brown.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Indiana 0-2 (.000), Workman 0-1, Johnson 0-1. Chicago
11-25 (.440), Kukoc 4-7, Pippen 1-4, Jordan 2-5, Kerr 2-5, Buechler 2-2,
Brown 0-2.
Technicals: Chicago - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Tommy Nunez, Ken Mauer.
A - 23,784. T - 2:27.
nba.539vpoznanovic,
BULLS IN A FOUL MOOD AFTER HOME LOSS TO PACERS
CHICAGO -- Eddie Johnson converted one of two free throws after
Michael Jordan was whistled for a foul with less than a second left as
the Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 100-99 on Saturday.
The loss spoiled the Bulls' bid to tie the 1985-86 Boston Celtics for
the best single-season home record in NBA history (40-1).
The Bulls (71-10), who already became the first team in NBA history to
reach 70 wins in a season, finished 39-2 at home and close their
season Sunday at Washington.
Referee Hue Hollins whistled Jordan for a foul as Johnson was
attempting a jumper with five-tenths of a second left. Johnson hit the
first free throw to snap a 99-99 tie, and intentionally missed the
second.
Chicago grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with two-tenths of a
second remaining, but the Bulls were unable to get a shot off.
"Michael got me on the wrist," Johnson said. "If they didn't call it,
I wouldn't have been theatrical about it. But he did get me. Hue made
a gutsy call."
"He saw what he saw," Jordan said of the foul call.
For years, opponents have claimed Jordan often gets the benefit of
favorable officiating.
"Normally, Michael is invisible" to referees, Indiana coach Larry
Brown said. "So if he fouls, he fouls. Usually, they can't see it."
Hollins whistled Chicago's Scottie Pippen for a controversial foul in
the final seconds of a Bulls' loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of
a playoff series in 1994.
In that game, Pippen was called for fouling Hubert Davis on a
3-pointer, and Davis made three foul shots. The Knicks won the game
and eventually took the series, ending the Bulls' run of three
consecutive championships.
"I didn't see the foul at the end, but for some reason I was not
surprised," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said of the call against Jordan.
"It was an interesting call. History repeats itself. At least the ref
gets point for consistency."
The win was the seventh in eight games for the Pacers, who are locked
in the third playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Indiana handed
the Bulls two of their 10 losses this season. The Pacers (51-30)
finish their season Sunday against Cleveland.
Rik Smits led the Pacers with 17 points and Dale Davis added 16. The
Pacers played their third consecutive game without star guard Reggie
Miller, who is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured right
orbital bone around the eye socket.
"I think it will help us as a team because we have lost a great
player," Brown said of winning without Miller. "This will help."
Pippen and Dennis Rodman sat out the entire fourth quarter as Jackson
tried to rest some of his players for the playoffs. Ron Harper and
Bill Wennington were resting injuries and didn't suit up.
"They didn't play their main guys the whole game," Smits said. "It's
nice to be one of two teams to beat them here, but its not the same."
The Bulls' first home loss was to Charlotte, 98-97, on April 8.
Jordan scored 24 points and Toni Kukoc had 20 for the Bulls.
After a 10-foot jumper by James Edwards gave Chicago a 91-90 lead with
5:39 left, the Pacers scored nine unanswered points. Smits converted a
three-point play to start the run. Antonio Davis' free throw with 1:58
left capped the run and increased Indiana's lead to 99-91.
Jordan then sparked a comeback as the Bulls scored eight consecutive
points to tie the score. Jordan and Kukoc hit back-to-back 3-pointers
to pull the Bulls within 99-97. Jordan's 17-foot jumper with 50
seconds left made it 99-99.
Travis Best had 13 points and Derrick McKey and Mark Jackson added 12
points apiece for the Pacers.
nba.540vpoznanovic,
Minnesota (82) At LA Lakers (106)
Minnesota
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Garnett F 37 6-13 2-3 4 7 11 2 1 0 2 14
Gugliotta F 29 5-15 5-6 3 9 12 2 3 1 6 15
Lang C 29 6-11 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 1 2 12
Rider G 17 1-7 1-1 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4
Webb G 26 3-10 0-0 2 0 2 4 1 0 3 7
West 26 3-7 0-0 0 3 3 2 3 1 2 6
Porter 26 2-10 0-0 1 2 3 5 2 0 0 4
Mitchell 22 5-11 2-2 4 3 7 0 3 0 2 12
Davis 10 1-4 1-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 3
Allen 6 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 3
Bragg 6 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 2 2
Riley 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
Totals 240 34-93 11-14 17 31 48 15 20 6 22 82
(.366) (.786) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 22(24 Pts)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ceballos F 35 14-22 8-9 3 6 9 2 2 1 2 36
Lynch F 25 2-7 2-3 1 6 7 1 1 1 1 6
Campbell C 27 5-8 1-2 1 8 9 2 3 2 2 11
Jones G 36 8-14 1-2 1 4 5 8 2 4 3 19
Threatt G 31 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 2
Strong 26 2-10 1-2 5 5 10 2 2 1 0 5
Peeler 29 6-17 1-1 0 2 2 3 0 2 1 16
Roberts 13 3-5 0-0 2 3 5 1 0 0 2 6
Blount 18 2-5 1-2 1 2 3 0 3 3 4 5
Divac Dnp - Strained Lower Back
Johnson Dnp - Suspended By League
Van Exel Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 43-92 15-21 14 36 50 23 14 14 16 106
(.467) (.714) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 16(8 Pts)
Minnesota 25 24 19 14 - 82
LA Lakers 28 27 23 28 - 106
Blocked Shots: Minnesota - Lang 3, Garnett 2, Gugliotta, Webb, Mitchell,
Riley. LA Lakers - Lynch, Jones.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Minnesota 3-12 (.250), Gugliotta 0-1, Lang 0-1, Rider
1-2, Webb 1-2, Porter 0-4, Allen 1-2. LA Lakers 5-24 (.208), Ceballos 0-4,
Jones 2-6, Threatt 0-2, Strong 0-2, Peeler 3-8, Roberts 0-1, Blount 0-1.
Technicals: LA Lakers - Head Coach Harris.
Officials: Terry Durham, Ed Middleton, Tony Brothers.
A - 17,505. T - 2:00.
nba.541vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers 106, Minnesota 82
Cedric Ceballos scored 22 of his 36 points in the second half as the
undermanned Los Angeles Lakers handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their
season-ending sixth straight loss, 106-82.
Eddie Jones added 19 points and Anthony Peeler chipped in 16 off the
bench for the Lakers, who have won 11 of their last 14 games. Los
Angeles, which visits Portland on Sunday, is the fourth seed in the
Western Conference and will face the two-time defending champion
Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
Los Angeles played without guard Nick Van Exel and forward Magic
Johnson, who are both serving suspensions for bumping referees. The
Lakers played just nine players as center Vlade Divac sat out with
lower back strain.
"I was very satisfied with our game tonight," said Del Harris, who
posted his 100th victory as a Laker coach. "I thought it would be a
difficut game for us, because at practice it seemed like our players
had lost interest in the rest of the season. Other then some really
bizarre circumstances, we would have won all of these games to this
point."
Tom Gugliotta had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Kevin Garnett
contributed 14 and 10 for the Timberwolves (26-56), who finished with
their best record since a 29-53 mark in the 1990-91 season.
"It has been a long, sort of confusing, sort of difficult season,"
Garnett said. "Losing, I understood that coming in. It was a fun
season. I learned a lot, on and off the court."
Gugliotta pulled the Wolves within 58-56 with a free throw early in
the third quarter but Ceballos scored 11 points in a 14-2 run as the
Lakers boosted their lead to 72-58 with 3:53 remaining in the period.
Minnesota closed the quarter with a 10-4 spurt and entered the final
period trailing, 78-68. Sam Mitchell had six points in the run and
finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
But Ceballos scored 11 of the Lakers' first 13 points in the fourth
quarter. His reverse layup off a fast break gave the Lakers a 91-70
lead with 7:12 remaining.
"I really wasn't thinking anything against Minnesota," said Cebellos,
who shot 14-for-22 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line.
"I just wanted to play active. We wanted to have a lot of fun, that
was the first thing and after that, I was getting the opportunity to
score. We got away from that at the end and coasted after that."
Los Angeles took its largest lead at 101-72 when Derek Strong dunked
with 2:41 to go.
Elden Campbell had 11 points and nine rebounds and Strong grabbed 10
rebounds for the Lakers, who have beaten the Timberwolves three
straight games, 12 of their last 14, and lead the all-time series
22-6.
nba.542vpoznanovic,
New Jersey (99) At Atlanta (121)
New Jersey
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 33 2-7 3-3 3 1 4 2 2 2 0 7
Williams F 40 16-25 3-5 1 5 6 0 1 1 2 35
Bradley C 34 3-9 0-2 3 7 10 3 3 0 2 6
Childs G 30 10-16 0-1 2 2 4 3 4 1 7 24
Reeves G 22 2-4 2-3 0 0 0 5 4 1 2 7
Fleming 12 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 0 4 2
Mahorn 22 1-3 1-2 1 2 3 4 2 2 3 3
Graham 32 4-11 0-0 0 2 2 4 4 2 2 10
Werdann 15 2-4 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 2 2 5
Dare Dnp - Coach'S Decision
A Gilliam Dnp - Sore Foot
Obannon Dnp - Sore Left Hand
Totals 240 41-82 10-18 11 22 33 24 21 11 24 99
(.500) (.556) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 26(29 Pts)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Long F 28 4-10 2-2 1 3 4 2 1 1 1 11
Augmon F 34 5-9 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 2 2 10
Laettner C 33 9-11 2-2 4 5 9 3 5 1 1 20
Smith G 27 4-9 11-11 0 3 3 3 4 2 2 19
Blaylock G 28 7-13 2-2 0 5 5 5 0 6 3 20
Ehlo 21 1-6 1-2 1 3 4 2 2 1 1 3
Henderson 15 2-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 5
Rooks 15 5-6 0-0 3 2 5 1 3 1 4 10
Jordan 16 5-7 1-1 0 1 1 3 0 3 2 11
Bullard 11 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 8
Boyce 7 1-6 0-0 2 1 3 1 0 0 0 2
Norman 5 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
Totals 240 47-83 20-22 12 27 39 23 19 18 19 121
(.566) (.909) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 19(23 Pts)
New Jersey 23 32 15 29 - 99
Atlanta 32 26 34 29 - 121
Blocked Shots: New Jersey - Bradley, Werdann. Atlanta - Augmon 3, Rooks,
Jordan.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New Jersey 7-18 (.389), Childs 4-9, Reeves 1-2, Graham
2-7. Atlanta 7-20 (.350), Long 1-3, Smith 0-1, Blaylock 4-10, Ehlo 0-3,
Rooks 0-1, Bullard 2-2.
Technicals: Atlanta - Blaylock.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Jim Clark, Luis Grillo.
A - 11,238. T - 1:55.
nba.543vpoznanovic,
VICTORY GIVES HAWKS UPWARD MOBILITY IN EAST RACE
ATLANTA -- Mookie Blaylock and Christian Laettner scored 20 points
apiece as the Atlanta Hawks pounded the New Jersey Nets 121-99 on
Saturday and moved up in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Hawks and Detroit Pistons have identical 45-36 records and are one
game behind fifth-place New York. Atlanta visits Miami, Detroit hosts
Milwaukee and New York travels to Boston on Sunday, the final day of
the regular season.
Atlanta holds the tiebreaker edge over Detroit and New York, so the
Hawks are in sixth place ahead of the Pistons and can pass New York
for fifth place with a victory Sunday.
"I think we have a good chance of moving into the fifth playoff
position," Atlanta swingman Stacey Augmon said. "We'll just cross our
fingers and hope for the best."
Jayson Williams scored a career-high 35 points and Chris Childs added
24 for New Jersey, which finished 30-52 and out of the playoffs for
the second consecutive season.
Atlanta broke the game open with a pair of third-quarter runs. The
Hawks opened the second half with a 7-0 run as Blaylock hit a
3-pointer and Grant Long made two jumpers to give Atlanta a 65-55 lead
with 10:29 left.
Atlanta built the advantage to 76-64 and reeled off the next 12 points
to take control. Laettner started the run with a tip-in and Steve
Smith added a layup and two free throws to make it 82-64 with 4:42
remaining.
Augmon converted a layup, Long hit a jumper and Reggie Jordan closed
the run with a dunk for an 88-64 lead.
Atlanta had seven players in double figures. Smith scored 19, Long and
Jordan had 11 points apiece and Augmon and Sean Rooks each scored 10.
The Hawks shot 57 percent (49 for 83) from the field and scored 29
points off 26 New Jersey turnovers.
"It was a good game. The guys played hard," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens
said. "We moved the ball, our defense was constant and we came out in
the third quarter and got going again. It was a good game for us to
finish at home with.
"We want to take intensity into the playoffs, so it shouldn't be hard
to maintain."
Williams nearly doubled his career high, which was 20 points against
Cleveland on Feb. 25, 1995. Greg Graham scored 10 points and was the
only other player in double figures for New Jersey, which shot 50
percent (41 for 82) from the floor.
"We didn't have the success we would've liked, but we have a good
bunch of guys," Childs said. "It's unfortunate we didn't play up to
expectations, but we're a young team and we have a long ways to go."
nba.544vpoznanovic,
Sacramento (92) At Utah (104)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Polynice F 26 10-16 1-2 3 2 5 1 3 0 3 21
Grant F 25 4-7 3-4 1 2 3 1 1 1 0 11
Causwell C 17 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 1 1 0
Richmond G 21 4-7 4-5 0 0 0 1 1 2 3 13
Edney G 21 1-3 4-6 0 2 2 4 1 1 0 6
Hurley 29 1-3 2-2 0 0 0 7 1 1 3 5
Owens 14 2-5 2-2 2 0 2 0 2 1 1 6
Smith 31 3-5 0-2 3 7 10 2 5 2 2 6
C Williamson 8 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
Simmons 28 5-10 0-0 1 3 4 3 0 1 2 13
Gamble 20 5-10 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 11
Marciulionis Dnp - Sick
Totals 240 35-72 16-23 11 20 31 20 18 10 16 92
(.486) (.696) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 18(21 Pts)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Malone F 23 8-9 2-4 1 5 6 3 1 2 3 18
Benoit F 18 4-10 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 8
Spencer C 9 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 0 4
Stockton G 14 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 1 1 4
Hornacek G 21 4-7 0-0 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 8
Ostertag 21 6-11 2-2 3 3 6 0 4 0 1 14
Eisley 34 3-9 0-0 0 2 2 7 3 1 2 8
Keefe 21 4-9 0-1 3 1 4 1 0 2 1 8
Foster 22 1-7 0-0 3 6 9 0 0 0 1 2
Carr 21 3-9 2-2 4 3 7 3 0 1 2 8
Morris 17 3-5 4-4 0 2 2 2 0 1 2 11
Russell 19 2-4 5-6 0 0 0 3 3 1 2 11
Totals 240 42-86 15-19 16 27 43 27 20 9 15 104
(.488) (.789) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 16(15 Pts)
Sacramento 25 23 27 17 - 92
Utah 24 30 30 20 - 104
Blocked Shots: Sacramento - Smith 2, C Williamson, Grant. Utah - Carr,
Foster, Keefe.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Sacramento 6-15 (.400), Richmond 1-3, Edney 0-1, Hurley
1-3, Simmons 3-4, Gamble 1-4. Utah 5-12 (.417), Benoit 0-2, Hornacek 0-1,
Eisley 2-3, Morris 1-3, Russell 2-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Lee Jones, Mike Smith.
A - 19,911. T - 1:56.
nba.545vpoznanovic,
Utah 104, Sacramento 92
SALT LAKE CITY -- Karl Malone scored 18 points as the Utah Jazz
completed the second-best season in franchise history with a 104-92
victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
Rookie center Greg Ostertag added 12 points for Utah (55-27), which
finished third in the Western Conference and will play the Portland
Trail Blazers -- one of the hottest teams in the league -- in the
first round of the playoffs.
"Portland's probably playing as well as anybody in the league right
now," said Utah coach Jerry Sloan, referring to the Blazers' 18-3 run
to end the regular season. "They have some difficult matchups for us.
I can't have two or three guys try to carry us, or it will be a short
series."
Utah's 55 wins are the second-most in franchise history, exceeded only
by 60 victories last season, when the Jazz also was the third seed.
Olden Polynice scored 21 points and Mitch Richmond added 13 for
Sacramento (38-43), which clinched its first playoff berth in 10 years
when Golden State lost to Portland on Friday. The Kings will face
top-seeded Seattle in the first round.
The Jazz took control of the game with an 11-0 run that bridged the
second and third quarters. Kevin Gamble had pulled Sacramento within
49-48 on a jumper with 1:40 to play in the half, but the Kings went
scoreless for the next 4:43.
Ostertag started the run with a layup and Bryon Russell nailed a
3-pointer to make it 54-48 at halftime. Felton Spencer and Malone made
jumpers before Jeff Hornacek capped the run with a jumper to give Utah
a 60-48 lead with 8:57 left in the third quarter.
"The reserves came in and did real well," Ostertag said. "We executed
well. I think if we can continue to get that effort off the bench for
every game, then we are going to be a tough team to beat because we've
got a good, deep bench."
Utah took its largest lead of the game at 80-62 with three minutes
left in the third quarter on a 15-footer by Ostertag. Sacramento came
no closer than seven points thereafter.
The Jazz shot 49 percent (42 for 86) from the field. Russell and Chris
Morris added 11 points apiece as Utah outrebounded the Kings 43-31 and
scored 21 points off 18 Kings' turnovers.
Lionel Simmons scored 13 points and Gamble and Brian Grant added 11
apiece for Sacramento, which also shot 49 percent (35 for 72) from the
field.
nba.546superhik,
Danilović skinut sa liste povređenih... sada još samo da se
vrati u formu!
nba.547vpoznanovic,
AILING SMITS EXPECTED BACK FOR PLAYOFFS
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers center Rik Smits was placed on the
injured list Sunday with a sore right foot.
Smits, who is averaging a career-best 18.5 points and 6.9 rebounds,
missed Sunday's final game of the regular season against the Cleveland
Cavaliers but is expected back for the playoffs.
Usually players placed on injured reserve are required to sit out five
games, but since Sunday is the last game of the regular season it is
the only one Smits is required to miss, the team said.
Center Dwayne Schintzius, who had missed the previous five games with
a sprained left foot, was activated from the injured list.
The Pacers must announced a 12-man active roster for the playoffs on
Monday.
nba.548vpoznanovic,
CARR SAYS HE'S PARKED ON CELTICS' BENCH
BOSTON -- Boston Celtics coach/general manager M.L. Carr will return
as coach.
Carr said he made the announcement to end speculation that the team
was searching for a new coach.
"I said last year when I took this position that I would do anything
it took to bring this team back," he said. "I want to end all that
speculation. I'm going to coach the Boston Celtics."
Owner Paul Gaston, who was at Sunday's season-ending game against the
New York Knicks, said he left the decision to Carr.
"It's up to him," Gaston said. "He's earned another shot."
The Celtics lost 122-111 Sunday to end the season with a 33-49 record
-- their third consecutive losing season. The once-proud franchise has
won 16 NBA championships -- but none in the last 10 years, matching
the longest drought in its history.
Speculation had Carr resigning as coach and assistant coach and former
Celtics star Dennis Johnson or Kentucky coach Rick Pitino taking over.
Carr finished 33-49 in his first season as coach.
"There's been a lot of speculation of who will coach this team in the
future," Carr said. "A lot of you have been writing and talking about
Rick Pitino, who I think is a great coach. I think he's done a great
job in Kentucky, but ... I'm going to coach the Boston Celtics."
Carr played nine seasons in the NBA, including six with the Celtics
where he was a member of their 1981 and 1984 NBA championship teams.
Carr served as a Celtics scout from 1985-91 and community relations
director from 1991-94 before being promoted to vice president/director
of basketball operations on June 14, 1994.
Carr then named himself head coach after the 1994-95 season.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Carr also is the team's
executive vice president and director of basketball operations.
nba.549vpoznanovic,
RAPTORS COACH MALONE REPORTEDLY TO BE FIRED IN NEXT 48 HOURS
Toronto Raptors coach Brendan Malone, who guided the expansion
team to 21 wins in its first season, reportedly will be fired on
Monday or Tuesday.
Canadian Press is reporting tonight that Malone, who feuded this
season with Raptors general manager Isiah Thomas over the use of
players, will be fired.
"I can't control what's going to happen," Malone said after
today's 109-105 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. "I did
my best, and I know that. I think Toronto liked the team we put
on the floor."
Apparently, Thomas wasn't happy with the team Malone put on the
floor. The general manager was upset with the minutes given to
better players, such as rookie point guard Damon Stoudamire and
veteran guard Alvin Robertson.
With no hope of making the playoffs, Thomas wanted some of the
team's younger players, such as forward Carlos Rogers, to play
more and develop.
Malone relied on the same core of six or seven players and got
big wins against playoff teams such as Chicago, Cleveland and
Miami. But Stoudamire, who was second in the league in minutes
played at more than 40 per game, went down with a knee injury
earlier this month.
Toronto finished 21-61, better than the 76ers and the expansion
Vancouver Grizzlies. Malone, who celebrated his 54th birthday
today, made no apologies for his coaching style.
"In retrospect, this season was a smashing success for the
Toronto Raptors," he said. "We exceeded all expectations. It
was a great way to kick off an inaugural season. I enjoyed my
opportunity as coach of the Toronto Raptors."
Malone was hired by Thomas on June 2nd, 1995. The two were
friends from their days together with the Detroit Pistons, where
Thomas was a star point guard and Malone was an assistant under
Chuck Daly.
Malone also was a Pistons assistant under Ron Rothstein and Don
Chaney and a college assistant at Syracuse University under Jim
Boeheim. He remained confident about his future.
"Either I'll be a candidate for an assistant coaching job or a
head coaching job," he said. "I will be in the N-B-A."
nba.550vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (104) At Miami (92)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 38 7-11 9-13 1 2 3 3 1 5 0 23
Long F 32 3-9 7-9 1 6 7 2 1 2 6 13
Laettner C 29 4-13 2-2 6 8 14 4 3 3 1 10
Smith G 37 5-12 10-11 2 1 3 4 3 1 6 22
Blaylock G 38 2-11 2-4 0 5 5 5 1 3 2 7
Ehlo 22 3-5 2-2 0 2 2 2 1 2 1 9
Rooks 18 4-6 0-0 1 4 5 2 3 2 3 8
Henderson 16 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 2 6
Jordan 10 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 6
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-76 32-41 11 30 41 24 17 19 21 104
(.447) (.780) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 21(25 Pts)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 29 4-7 1-2 2 7 9 1 3 1 3 9
Williams F 17 3-6 1-1 1 3 4 1 3 1 0 8
Mourning C 31 6-10 5-8 5 4 9 2 0 1 6 17
Hardaway G 32 4-12 0-0 0 2 2 6 3 4 6 8
Chapman G 20 3-9 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 1 1 6
Danilovic 25 3-9 2-2 1 1 2 1 4 1 1 8
Corbin 30 3-12 5-5 3 5 8 1 4 2 4 11
Smith 23 4-9 0-0 0 0 0 3 3 1 2 10
King 12 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2
Schayes 11 2-2 3-3 1 4 5 1 2 1 1 7
Lenard 10 2-7 0-0 2 1 3 2 2 0 1 6
Askins Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-88 17-21 16 29 45 20 26 14 25 92
(.398) (.810) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 25(32 Pts)
Atlanta 19 30 26 29 - 104
Miami 24 21 12 35 - 92
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Laettner 4, Rooks 3, Henderson 2, Blaylock,
Ehlo. Miami - Mourning 5, Schayes 2, Hardaway, Thomas, King.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 4-10 (.400), Smith 2-3, Blaylock 1-5, Ehlo 1-2.
Miami 5-21 (.238), Williams 1-2, Hardaway 0-4, Chapman 0-4, Danilovic 0-2,
Smith 2-5, Lenard 2-4.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ronnie Nunn, Hue Hollins, Tommie Wood.
A - 15,200. T - 2:13.
nba.551vpoznanovic,
HAWKS AVOID ORLANDO BY BEATING THE HEAT
MIAMI -- Steve Smith scored eight of his 22 points during a 16-0 burst
in the third quarter as the Atlanta Hawks secured the sixth seed in
the Eastern Conference with a 104-92 victory over the Miami Heat on
Sunday.
The Hawks (46-36) will face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of
the playoffs. Game One will be Thursday and Game Two Saturday, both in
Indianapolis.
Indiana will be without All-Star guard Reggie Miller, who is
recovering from surgery to repair a fractured eye socket.
If the Hawks had lost Sunday, they would have opened the playoffs
against Shaquille O'Neal, Anfernee Hardaway and the Orlando Magic.
"There is a big difference between playing Orlando and playing Indiana
-- a big difference," Smith said. "Indiana is missing Reggie and that
does take something away from their offense."
Alonzo Mourning scored 17 points and Tyrone Corbin added 11 on Sunday
for the Heat (42-40), who rested all of their starters in the fourth
quarter and will take on the Chicago Bulls in the first round starting
Friday. Game Two is next Sunday.
Stacey Augmon added 23 points for the Hawks, who won six of their last
nine road games and held eight of their final nine opponents to less
than 100 points.
The Hawks held a 53-50 lead two minutes into the second half before
Smith and Augmon keyed the burst that left the Hawks with a 69-50
advantage.
Christian Laettner added 14 rebounds and 10 points for Atlanta, which
shot 45 percent (34 for 76) from the field and made four of their 10
3-pointers.
"I'm looking forward to my first playoff games," said Laettner, who
was a postseason fixture at Duke University but never made it to the
NBA playoffs with the Minnesota Timberwolves. "It's going to be very
interesting to see what I can do. I think we can win the series."
Kurt Thomas had nine points and nine rebounds for Miami, which used
rookie guard Sasha Danilovic for the first time since Dec. 12.
Danilovic, who underwent surgery on his right wrist in January, played
25 minutes and scored eight points. He was three for nine from the
field.
"I needed the playing time, but I'm not 100 percent and I will not be
at least until the Olympics," said Danilovic, who is Serbian. "But I
am ready to help the team now. Playing against the best team will be a
challenge."
nba.552vpoznanovic,
Chicago (103) At Washington (93)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kukoc F 26 7-14 0-0 3 3 6 2 0 0 2 15
Rodman F 24 2-2 2-2 1 10 11 1 4 0 1 6
Longley C 19 4-8 2-2 1 3 4 1 3 0 1 10
Pippen G 30 7-12 5-6 1 3 4 5 2 1 0 20
Jordan G 24 11-22 3-3 1 3 4 4 0 4 1 26
Kerr 26 3-4 2-2 0 1 1 1 4 0 1 9
Edwards 15 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 4
Buechler 30 2-7 0-0 1 4 5 0 2 1 0 4
Brown 27 1-7 1-2 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 3
Salley 4 0-0 0-0 2 1 3 1 1 0 1 0
Haley 7 2-6 1-2 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 5
Simpkins 8 0-2 1-4 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 1
Totals 240 41-89 17-23 12 34 46 17 24 7 9 103
(.461) (.739) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 9(11 Pts)
Washington
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Cheaney F 37 8-22 0-0 2 1 3 3 5 1 2 17
Howard F 44 11-28 5-5 3 4 7 2 3 1 5 27
Mcilvaine C 35 3-3 0-1 4 7 11 0 3 1 0 6
Eackles G 39 5-12 4-4 1 3 4 0 1 0 0 14
B Price G 36 4-8 3-5 0 5 5 12 4 0 3 14
Butler 17 1-4 0-0 1 3 4 1 2 0 0 2
Mccann 16 3-4 2-5 1 3 4 0 2 1 4 8
Whitney 15 0-3 3-3 0 4 4 1 0 0 0 3
Lewis 1 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Thornton Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Legler Dnp - Injured Right Knee
Muresan Dnp - Injured Right Knee
Totals 240 36-85 17-23 13 30 43 19 20 4 14 93
(.424) (.739) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 14(22 Pts)
Chicago 31 20 29 23 - 103
Washington 22 30 23 18 - 93
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Longley 2, Pippen, Salley. Washington -
Mcilvaine 9.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 4-13 (.308), Kukoc 1-4, Pippen 1-4, Jordan 1-3,
Kerr 1-1, Buechler 0-1. Washington 4-13 (.308), Cheaney 1-3, Eackles 0-3,
B Price 3-6, Butler 0-1.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman, Washington - Cheaney.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Scott Wall, Paul Mihalak.
A - 18,756. T - 2:10.
nba.553vpoznanovic,
PERFECTIONIST PIPPEN SAYS, '72-10 ... WE'LL SETTLE FOR THAT'
LANDOVER, Md. -- Michael Jordan had 26 points in just 24 minutes of
play and Scottie Pippen scored seven of his 20 points during a
decisive 15-0 fourth-quarter run as the Chicago Bulls defeated the
Washington Bullets 103-93 on Sunday, the final day of the regular
season.
Chicago forward Jack Haley, a favorite of the Bulls' fans, played his
first game of the season after spending the first 80 in the injured
list. He finished with five points and two rebounds in seven minutes.
He suited up for Saturday's loss to Indiana, but he didn't play.
The Bulls, who became the first team in NBA history to reach the
70-win plateau, finished 72-10. Chicago was 33-8 on the road, tying
the Bulls with the 1972-73 Boston Celtics and the 1974-75 Celtics for
most road wins in a season.
"We had great opportunities to set records and meet challenges,"
Pippen said. "Seventy-two is a great number. We'd have liked to have
nine losses or less than that, but 72-10 sounds great and we'll settle
for that.
"Of course, our goal this season has always been to win the title, and
that's what we're looking forward to now."
Chicago will face Miami in the first-round of the playoffs.
"It's a very unique success this year," Jordan said. "I'd like to
think we have a great team. We still have a lot to prepare for,
because the regular season doesn't really count."
Jordan won his eighth career scoring title with an average of 30.4
points per game All eight times Jordan has averaged better than 30
points.
Chicago's Dennis Rodman grabbed 11 rebounds and became only the second
player in NBA history to win five consecutive rebounding titles.
Rodman averaged 14.9 rebounds in 64 games this season.
Moses Malone was the only other player to win five rebounding titles
in a row.
Although the game meant nothing to the playoff race, the players
didn't cut back on their intensity. Rodman and Washington's Calbert
Cheaney got tangled up late in the third quarter, and Cheaney was
called for a technical foul after delivering a hard forearm to
Rodman's chest after the whistle.
Chicago center James Edwards and Washington guard Ledell Eackles were
ejected for fighting in the fourth quarter.
Juwan Howard led Washington with 27 points. The Bullets -- who lost
Chris Webber, Mark Price, Robert Pack, Gheorghe Muresan and Tim Legler
to injuries during the season -- finished with a 39-43 record.
"We did a great job. We have to be proud of the effort despite the
injuries," Howard said. "Everybody stepped it up a notch and that's
what teams are all about. I'm definitely happy with the success of our
team."
The Bullets scored the first six points of the fourth quarter and took
an 81-80 lead on a basket by Howard with 8:31 remaining. The Bulls
then reeled off 15 consecutive points over the next 4:57 to open a
95-81 advantage. Pippen capped the run with a 3-pointer.
Toni Kukoc had 15 points for the Bulls.
Cheaney scored 17 points and Brent Price had 14 points and 12 assists
for the Bullets. Jim McIlvaine finished with nine blocked shots and 11
rebounds for Washington.
Chicago won all four meetings from the Bullets this season.
nba.554vpoznanovic,
Cleveland (88) At Indiana (89)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ferry F 25 4-12 1-1 0 2 2 1 2 1 0 11
Mills F 26 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 2 2 8
Cage C 15 1-1 0-0 3 2 5 1 0 2 0 2
Brandon G 22 6-9 0-0 0 1 1 6 1 4 2 13
Phills G 19 3-8 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 1 1 7
Hill 21 3-5 0-0 4 3 7 0 4 2 3 6
Majerle 29 6-13 0-0 0 1 1 4 0 0 1 15
Sura 26 3-8 3-5 1 1 2 5 5 0 2 9
Lang 23 1-2 0-1 0 3 3 0 0 2 0 2
Marshall 21 2-5 4-4 2 1 3 2 4 0 0 8
Amaechi 13 3-4 1-1 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 7
Crotty Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-75 9-12 10 16 26 24 24 14 12 88
(.480) (.750) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 12(13 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Davis F 24 1-5 0-2 2 3 5 1 1 0 3 2
Mckey F 10 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 1 2 2
A Davis C 22 3-7 2-2 4 4 8 1 0 0 2 8
Hoiberg G 22 1-3 5-6 0 0 0 0 2 3 2 8
Jackson G 22 2-5 4-4 1 3 4 0 2 0 2 9
Best 26 4-6 4-6 0 0 0 3 2 0 2 13
Caldwell 20 4-7 2-2 4 7 11 0 4 0 3 10
Ferrell 33 5-12 4-7 3 1 4 1 2 1 1 14
Johnson 21 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 1 6
Pierce 15 2-5 3-3 1 2 3 2 0 1 2 7
Schintzius 14 1-3 3-4 2 4 6 1 0 1 0 5
Workman 11 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 5
Totals 240 28-61 27-36 18 27 45 13 17 7 21 89
(.459) (.750) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 21(20 Pts)
Cleveland 28 25 12 23 - 88
Indiana 19 25 17 28 - 89
Blocked Shots: Cleveland - Ferry 4, Cage, Hill, Marshall. Indiana -
Ferrell, Schintzius.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Cleveland 7-24 (.292), Ferry 2-5, Mills 0-2, Brandon
1-2, Phills 1-4, Majerle 3-8, Marshall 0-3. Indiana 6-7 (.857), Hoiberg
1-1, Jackson 1-1, Best 1-1, Johnson 2-3, Workman 1-1.
Technicals: Indiana - Head Coach L Brown.
Officials: Bill Oakes, Nolan Fine, Mike Callahan.
A - 16,708. T - 2:09.
nba.555vpoznanovic,
Indiana 89, Cleveland 88
INDIANAPOLIS -- Travis Best's 3-pointer with 8.8 seconds left lifted
the Indiana Pacers to an 89-88 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on
Sunday.
The Pacers (52-30) closed the regular season with eight wins in nine
games and are the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for
the second year in a row. Indiana will meet Atlanta in the first round
of the playoffs.
Indiana will start the playoffs without All-Star guard Reggie Miller,
who is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured eye socket.
Cleveland (47-35) is the fourth seed in the East playoffs and will
meet New York in the first round. The Cavaliers and Knicks finished
with identical records, but Cleveland won the tiebreaker on the basis
of a 3-1 season-series record against New York.
"I thought both teams competed today," Cleveland coach Mike Fratello
said. "We just couldn't hang in there at the end."
Indiana coach Larry Brown used all 12 players. No Pacers starter
played more than 24 minutes. Fratello also used his bench extensively,
as no Cavaliers starter played more than 26 minutes.
A 3-pointer by Dan Majerle gave Cleveland an 87-84 lead with 58
seconds remaining. A layup by Best with 43 seconds left pulled the
Pacers within 87-86.
Bob Sura hit one of two free throws for Cleveland with 19 seconds
remaining before Best hit a 24-foot jumper for the winning basket.
"This kid can make shots and do some things we need," Brown said Best,
a rookie point guard. "He has worlds of talent. I'm proud of him"
The Cavaliers had a chance to win the game, but Sura missed a
15-footer in the final seconds.
Duane Ferrell led Indiana with 14 points off the bench and Best
finished with 13. Adrian Caldwell had 10 points and 11 rebounds for
Indiana.
"I was glad to get Duane Ferrell 33 minutes," Brown said. "A.C.
(Caldwell) did some great things and Travis did some good things. Now
we have to hope Reggie gets back quickly and figure out who we can
play."
Majerle led the Cavaliers with 15 points. Terrell Brandon had 13
points and Danny Ferry finished with 11.
nba.556vpoznanovic,
Dallas (103) At San Antonio (98)
Dallas
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Jackson F 48 11-26 12-12 3 8 11 3 4 0 4 35
Jones F 32 4-9 0-0 0 12 12 0 3 1 0 8
Williams C 23 1-1 0-0 3 3 6 0 6 0 0 2
Dumas G 27 3-13 1-6 2 1 3 1 1 0 1 7
Kidd G 43 6-21 6-8 2 8 10 15 1 3 2 21
Meyer 16 1-3 0-0 2 4 6 1 2 0 0 2
Parks 19 5-6 0-0 0 4 4 0 5 0 1 11
Harris 26 6-14 0-0 1 2 3 4 1 2 2 15
Wood 6 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2
Brooks Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Davis Dnp - Left Knee Surgery
Mccloud Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-94 21-28 13 43 56 25 23 6 10 103
(.394) (.750) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 11(9 Pts)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 42 8-22 6-6 3 4 7 3 2 1 0 24
W Perdue F 17 4-9 2-2 5 6 11 0 2 0 1 10
Robinson C 39 10-23 12-17 4 9 13 2 2 2 2 32
Del Negro G 37 2-10 2-2 0 10 10 5 4 1 2 6
Johnson G 41 6-13 2-2 0 4 4 11 5 0 4 14
Rivers 18 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 3
C Person 25 2-6 0-0 1 4 5 0 4 0 1 6
Anderson 9 0-0 0-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Williams 6 1-3 1-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 3
Herrera 6 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
Alexander Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Smith Dnp - Synovitis Right Knee
Totals 240 34-90 25-33 14 42 56 21 23 5 11 98
(.378) (.758) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 12(17 Pts)
Dallas 19 31 26 27 - 103
San Antonio 31 20 23 24 - 98
Blocked Shots: Dallas - Jackson 2, Williams 2, Jones, Dumas. San Antonio
- Anderson 2, Elliott.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Dallas 8-28 (.286), Jackson 1-11, Jones 0-1, Dumas 0-2,
Kidd 3-7, Parks 1-1, Harris 3-6. San Antonio 5-14 (.357), Elliott 2-6, Del
Negro 0-1, Rivers 1-2, C Person 2-5.
Technicals: San Antonio - Illegal Defense 4.
Officials: Don Vaden, Jack Nies, Jim Capers.
A - 18,174. T - 2:08.
nba.557vpoznanovic,
Dallas 103, San Antonio 98
SAN ANTONIO -- Jim Jackson scored 35 points, including seven during an
8-3 run that ended the game, as the Dallas Mavericks downed the San
Antonio Spurs 103-98 on Sunday.
San Antonio's David Robinson knotted the score at 95-95 on two free
throws with 2:52 remaining before Jackson scored five consecutive
points to make it 100-95 with 50.4 seconds to play.
Jason Kidd added a free throw for a six-point lead and, after Chuck
Person nailed a 3-pointer, Jackson converted two foul shots with 8.5
seconds remaining for the final margin.
Kidd recorded his eighth triple-double of the season with 21 points,
15 assists and 10 rebounds. Popeye Jones grabbed 12 boards for Dallas,
which won for just the fifth time in its past 24 contests. The
Mavericks ended their disappointing season at 26-56.
"The ball didn't go in early but we didn't get down, we just kept
playing hard," Kidd said. We kept it close and down the stretch we got
some easy baskets, which normally goes the other way.
"This was a good end to the season. It's not bad to beat San Antonio
at home twice this season."
Robinson finished with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Sean Elliott netted
24 points for the Spurs, who will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday in
the first round of the playoffs. San Antonio, which is the West's
second seed, ended with a 59-23 record.
"The second half became a struggle -- the guys didn't shoot as well as
normal. Dallas got momentum and kept it," Spurs coach Bob Hill said.
"Sixty wins would have been nice, but we've got bigger fish to fry. We
need to worry about Phoenix."
The Spurs scored the first seven points of the game and extended the
lead to 22-7 with 3:56 left in the first quarter when Vinny Del Negro
scored four points during a 10-0 spurt.
The margin was cut to 31-19 after 12 minutes and a 10-2 Maverick burst
reduced the difference to 40-38 with 4Ż minutes to go in the first
half. The biggest advantage either team held until the fourth period
was six points.
Lucious Harris tallied 15 points and Cherokee Parks had 11 for Dallas,
which shot 39 percent (37 for 94) from the field. Jackson, who also
snared 11 boards, made just one of 11 3-point attempts.
"We've had a lot of problems this season," Dallas coach Dick Motta
said. "We've lost so many close games and our injuries have come at
bad times during the season. So this was a positive way to end the
season and hopefully it will help us next season."
Avery Johnson totaled 14 points and 11 assists, Will Perdue had 10
points and 11 rebounds and Del Negro grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds
for the Spurs, who shot 38 percent (34 for 90) from the floor.
nba.558vpoznanovic,
Golden State (100) At Sacramento (107)
Golden State
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kersey F 27 5-8 1-4 2 5 7 1 4 3 1 11
Smith F 36 5-12 1-2 3 7 10 0 4 1 2 11
Willis C 29 10-15 2-3 2 4 6 0 3 1 2 22
Sprewell G 35 5-11 2-6 1 4 5 4 1 2 1 13
Armstrong G 35 8-16 7-9 0 2 2 8 2 2 2 24
Declercq 13 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 4
Coles 10 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 2
Marshall 17 1-9 2-2 3 2 5 0 0 0 1 4
Barry 16 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 0 0 3
Rozier 12 3-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 6
Churchwell 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hammink 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Totals 240 41-84 15-26 12 28 40 20 19 9 12 100
(.488) (.577) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 15(15 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 28 5-11 4-5 2 6 8 0 3 0 3 14
Polynice F 20 6-11 0-2 1 4 5 0 0 0 2 12
Causwell C 25 7-11 0-0 7 2 9 0 5 2 0 14
Richmond G 24 8-12 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 1 2 20
Edney G 27 5-9 0-0 2 0 2 7 2 1 2 11
Marciulionis 22 3-11 5-7 0 2 2 3 1 1 2 13
Owens 22 3-12 1-3 6 6 12 2 3 1 1 7
Hurley 19 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 6 2 0 1 2
Smith 28 5-9 2-8 5 8 13 2 4 1 1 12
Gamble 4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Simmons 21 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 3 0 1 1 2
C Williamson Dnp - Back Spasms
Totals 240 44-95 12-25 25 32 57 24 21 8 15 107
(.463) (.480) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 16(16 Pts)
Golden State 29 23 33 15 - 100
Sacramento 31 21 24 31 - 107
Blocked Shots: Golden State - Smith, Willis, Sprewell. Sacramento -
Smith 4, Owens, Polynice, Simmons.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Golden State 3-11 (.273), Sprewell 1-3, Armstrong 1-3,
Coles 0-3, Marshall 0-1, Barry 1-1. Sacramento 7-14 (.500), Richmond 4-6,
Edney 1-1, Marciulionis 2-5, Simmons 0-2.
Technicals: Golden State - Marshall (Ejected), Sacramento - Polynice.
Officials: Terry Durham, Steve Javie, Bill Spooner.
A - 17,317. T - 2:01.
nba.559vpoznanovic,
Sacramento 107, Golden State 100
Mitch Richmond scored 20 points and Tyus Edney and Michael Smith keyed
a fourth-quarter run as the Sacramento Kings beat the Golden State
Warriors, 107-100, in their playoff-tuneup for their first post-season
action in 10 years.
Brian Grant and Duane Causewll each scored 14 points for the Kings,
who won at home for the 10th time in 12 games and ended the regular
season by winning four of their last five. Sarunas Marciulionis scored
13 points and Edney added 11 and seven assists.
The Kings (39-43) are in the playoffs for the first time since 1986,
their first season in Sacramento. Sacramento, which got into the
playoffs when Golden State lost to Portland on Friday, will open up
with the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the
playoffs.
B.J Armstrong scored 25 points, Kevin Willis added 20 and Latrell
Sprewell and Jerome Kersey each scored 13 points for Golden State,
which lost the season series 3-1.
Golden State (36-46) is out of the playoffs for the third time in four
seasons. The Warriors had a four-game losing streak, including three
defeats at home, late in the season.
After Armstrong made a layup to give the Warriors a 92-83 lead, Edney
scored seven points and Smith added six during the Kings' 22-8 run.
Grant's two free throws capped the burst and sealed the game.
nba.560vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers (92) At Portland (88)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ceballos F 34 7-12 2-2 1 6 7 3 1 0 1 17
Campbell F 21 2-6 2-2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 6
Divac C 32 5-11 2-4 2 3 5 2 5 0 2 12
Threatt G 30 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 1 0 4
Jones G 42 7-11 4-4 0 2 2 0 0 5 4 20
Johnson 33 1-7 4-6 1 2 3 10 1 3 2 6
Lynch 15 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 1 2 3
Peeler 23 7-18 3-3 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 20
Roberts 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Strong 4 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Van Exel Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 34-76 17-21 7 21 28 19 17 12 13 92
(.447) (.810) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 13(17 Pts)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C Robinson F 44 7-18 9-11 0 3 3 4 5 0 8 25
Grant F 32 5-10 1-4 3 1 4 0 4 1 1 12
Dudley C 26 4-7 0-0 8 8 16 2 5 0 2 8
R Robinson G 28 2-8 0-0 0 4 4 7 1 2 3 4
Mckie G 31 3-8 0-0 0 0 0 9 0 3 2 7
Williams 29 8-11 2-4 3 7 10 1 2 1 2 18
Trent 19 2-6 2-2 1 6 7 0 0 0 2 6
J Robinson 31 3-9 1-2 0 2 2 3 2 1 2 8
Sabonis Dnp - Sore Right Knee
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Strickland Dnp - Left Groin Strain
Wingfield Dnp - Tendinitis Left Knee
Totals 240 34-77 15-23 15 31 46 26 19 8 22 88
(.442) (.652) Team Rebs: 17 Total To: 22(30 Pts)
LA Lakers 27 26 24 15 - 92
Portland 31 28 17 12 - 88
Blocked Shots: LA Lakers - Campbell, Jones. Portland - Dudley 3,
Williams 2, Grant, Trent, J Robinson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Lakers 7-15 (.467), Ceballos 1-2, Threatt 0-1, Jones
2-5, Johnson 0-1, Lynch 1-1, Peeler 3-5. Portland 5-14 (.357), C Robinson
2-4, Grant 1-1, Mckie 1-4, J Robinson 1-5.
Technicals: LA Lakers - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Greg Willard, Ted Bernhardt.
A - 21,401. T - 2:09.
nba.561vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers 92, Portland 88
Eddie Jones scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half as the Los
Angeles Lakers edged the Portland Trail Blazers, 92-88, to close the
1995-96 regular season in the N-B-A.
Anthony Peeler also scored 20 points for the Lakers (53-29), who won
12 of their final 16 games and became a much-improved team when Magic
Johnson joined them out of retirement.
Johnson, who returned to the lineup after serving a three-game
suspension for bumping a referee, added six points and 10 assists off
the bench. The Lakers finished in fourth place in the Western
Conference and will host the two-time defending champion Houston
Rockets in the first round.
Clifford Robinson scored 25 points and Buck Williams added 18 for
Portland (44-38), which lost for just the fourth time in its final 22
games as the Blazers stormed to the sixth spot in the playoffs.
Portland opens at Utah in the first round.
The teams split four games this season. Cedric Ceballos capped a 19-4
Lakers' run with a tip-in to give Los Angeles an 85-78 lead with eight
minutes to play. Jones had eight points in the run.
Portland responded with eight consecutive points to take an 86-85 lead
with 2:40 to play on a six-footer by Buck Williams. The Lakers,
however, took the lead back when Vlade Divac had a tip-in 20 seconds
later.
The Blazers had a chance to tie the game with 11 seconds to play
trailing 90-88, but James Robinson's inbounds pass was stolen by
Jones, who made two free throws to complete the scoring.
Ceballos finished with 17 points and Divac 12 for the Lakers, who shot
45 percent (34-of-76) and scored 30 points off of 22 Portland
turnovers.
Williams grabbed 10 rebounds for Portland, which shot 44 percent
(34-of-77) and outrebounded the Lakers, 46-28. Despite his 25 points,
Williams committed eight turnovers.
nba.562vpoznanovic,
Milwaukee (92) At Detroit (108)
Milwaukee
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Cummings F 26 2-9 0-0 2 6 8 0 3 1 0 4
Robinson F 24 5-8 2-3 0 2 2 2 4 0 2 12
Baker C 42 11-22 4-7 4 4 8 5 3 3 0 26
Douglas G 35 8-11 1-1 0 2 2 2 3 0 1 19
Newman G 36 7-13 0-2 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 17
Keys 20 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 4 1 2 2
Benjamin 6 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Respert 19 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 5
Mayberry 13 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 2
Conlon 16 0-3 2-4 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2
Peplowski 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2
Duckworth Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-79 10-19 8 19 27 15 22 9 7 92
(.481) (.526) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 8(6 Pts)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 36 4-9 5-6 0 10 10 8 1 0 2 13
Ratliff F 16 0-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
Thorpe C 32 6-13 7-8 6 6 12 2 3 0 4 19
Houston G 32 7-8 0-1 0 4 4 2 3 0 2 18
Dumars G 25 6-9 7-7 0 2 2 5 1 0 1 19
Mills 23 6-11 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 1 1 15
Curry 25 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 6 1 1 0
West 18 3-4 0-0 2 6 8 1 3 0 1 6
Hunter 25 5-12 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 1 3 12
Reid 3 1-1 2-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 4
Roe 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leckner 2 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 38-71 23-26 10 35 45 23 25 3 15 108
(.535) (.885) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 15(12 Pts)
Milwaukee 31 17 27 17 - 92
Detroit 31 31 25 21 - 108
Blocked Shots: Milwaukee - Robinson, Cummings, Baker, Peplowski. Detroit
- West 2, Ratliff, Houston, Mills, Hunter.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Milwaukee 6-11 (.545), Robinson 0-1, Baker 0-1, Douglas
2-2, Newman 3-4, Keys 0-1, Respert 1-1, Mayberry 0-1. Detroit 9-16 (.563),
Houston 4-5, Dumars 0-1, Mills 3-5, Hunter 2-5.
Technicals: Detroit - Head Coach Collins.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Ed F Rush, Bruce Alexander.
A - 18,689. T - 1:58.
nba.563vpoznanovic,
Detroit 108, Milwaukee 92
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Otis Thorpe and Joe Dumars each scored 19
points as the Detroit Pistons cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks 108-92
on Sunday. The importance of the game was diminished by an Atlanta
Hawks victory.
Allan Houston added 18 points for the Pistons, who had a chance to
finish in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a victory and an
Atlanta loss to the Miami Heat. The Hawks clinched the sixth seed,
however, with a victory in Miami.
Houston was seen for eight from the from the field and made four of
five 3-point shots.
Detroit (46-36) will play the Orlando Magic in the first round of the
playoffs. Games One is in Orlando on Friday and Game Two is there
Sunday.
"This has been a great year. We're plus-18 over last year and after
the game, I thanked the players and told them that I'm very proud of
them," said Detroit coach Doug Collins, who completed his first year
at the helm. "We might not be as talented as I want us to be, but
we're starting to get tough. Otis and Joe have given us the anchor to
build on."
"I think we're ready. This is what we've been looking for all season,"
Houston said of the postseason. "It feels great to be ready to go.
"I know how Milwaukee feels tonight. That's how we felt the last two
years, making our travel plans. In my rookie season, I planned on
going home two months before the season ended."
Vin Baker had 26 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks (25-57), who
missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and dropped 22 of
their final 26 games.
"We didn't have control of the boards," Milwaukee coach Mike Dunleavy
said. "We gave up to many points in the first half.
"Any time you go 25-57, there's a lot of frustration involved. We have
a lot of decisions to make as far as our future is concerned. I was
pleased with the way we played this last week of the season. We're in
a position to make great strides."
The Pistons trailed by four points with 41 seconds left in the first
quarter when they went on a 20-6 run to grab a 46-36 lead with 6:01
left in the first half. Grant Hill had six points in the run and
Dumars added five.
Hill finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and was
one of six Pistons to score in double figures. Thorpe added 12
rebounds as the Pistons held a 45-27 advantage on the boards.
Terry Mills scored 15 points and Lindsey Hunter added 12 as Detroit's
bench outscored Milwaukee's 37-14.
"I don't think the disappointment was tonight. It was yesterday, when
we lost to Cleveland," Detroit's Mark West said. "That was a game we
really needed. We had a chance and fell short."
Detroit opened its biggest lead at 108-87 with 1:23 left Sunday.
"We know this hasn't been a productive season, but we played well the
last six or seven games, up until tonight," Milwaukee veteran Johnny
Newman said. "Detroit showed that a team can make big strides in one
year. Doug came in and put in discipline and hard work and it paid off
for them."
nba.564vpoznanovic,
New York (122) At Boston (111)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Reid F 16 5-7 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 0 10
Mason F 43 10-11 5-5 0 7 7 4 4 0 5 25
Ewing C 40 9-14 10-11 1 12 13 2 5 3 5 28
Starks G 32 8-14 0-0 1 6 7 5 0 0 2 18
Harper G 35 7-12 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 1 1 14
Davis 31 5-7 1-2 0 3 3 2 3 0 3 11
Anderson 11 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 3 1 0 0 4
Ward 23 3-7 1-2 2 4 6 4 3 1 0 7
Grant 7 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5
Grandison 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lohaus 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 51-80 17-20 4 38 42 25 21 5 17 122
(.638) (.850) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 18(20 Pts)
Boston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Burrough F 23 2-6 1-2 2 1 3 0 4 2 3 5
Fox F 39 9-14 4-5 2 7 9 5 4 4 0 25
Ellison C 19 2-4 0-0 2 2 4 1 4 0 0 4
Wesley G 42 4-16 7-8 2 6 8 7 2 0 5 17
Minor G 28 5-12 4-5 2 1 3 5 2 1 1 15
Brown 26 5-10 2-2 1 2 3 2 1 0 0 15
Barros 29 4-8 1-1 1 1 2 1 0 3 2 13
Day 27 6-14 1-2 1 0 1 2 4 2 1 15
Hamilton 5 1-4 0-0 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 2
Mundt 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lister Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Williams Dnp - Left Knee Surgery
Totals 240 38-89 20-25 14 23 37 23 21 12 13 111
(.427) (.800) Team Rebs: 2 Total To: 14(18 Pts)
New York 39 30 33 20 - 122
Boston 32 30 25 24 - 111
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 2, Starks 2, Ward. Boston - Fox,
Ellison, Minor, Day.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 3-10 (.300), Starks 2-4, Harper 0-2, Anderson
0-1, Ward 0-2, Grant 1-1. Boston 15-29 (.517), Fox 3-3, Wesley 2-7, Minor
1-1, Brown 3-6, Barros 4-7, Day 2-5.
Technicals: New York - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Tommy Nunez, Bernie Fryer, Derek Richardson.
A - 18,624. T - 2:01.
nba.565vpoznanovic,
KNICKS SECURE EAST'S FIFTH SEED WITH VICTORY OVER CELTICS
BOSTON -- Patrick Ewing scored 28 points and Anthony Mason added 25 on
Sunday as the New York Knicks wrapped up the fifth seed in the Eastern
Conference with a 122-111 victory over the Boston Celtics in the
season finale for both teams.
John Starks scored 18 points for New York, which will face the
Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. The Knicks
(47-35) have reached at least the second round of the playoffs every
year since 1991. New York beat the Cavaliers in the first round last
year.
"We have to play big to win, especially against quality teams," Knicks
coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I think this game with Boston was a good
preparation for us because they break down the defense off the dribble
just like Cleveland, and we did a good job of handling that today."
The Knicks completed a season sweep of the Celtics and beat Boston for
the 15th consecutive time, the longest winning streak any team has
ever had against the Celtics. New York has not lost to Boston since
April 8, 1992 and has won 17 of the last 18 meetings between the
teams.
Rick Fox had 25 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics, who finished
33-49, their third season in a row with less than 35 victories.
"Let me just say I'm extremely proud of this team," Celtics coach M.L.
Carr said. "We could have folded when Dino Radja went down and when
Eric Montross went down. The last couple of months, the team was
having fun."
New York used a 7-0 run in the first quarter to take the lead for
good. Mason hit an eight-footer to put the Knicks up 21-20, and Derek
Harper capped the spurt with a jumper for 24-20 lead with 5:13 to en
route to a 39-32 advantage after one period.
The Knicks maintained the seven-point lead at halftime and pushed it
to 80-69 in the third quarter before the Celtics went on a 10-2 run to
pull within 82-79 on a 3-pointer by David Wesley with 5:47 remaining.
New York responded with the next nine points as John Starks sank a
3-pointer to push the lead back to 12 points. Boston did close to
116-107 with 3:18 left, but Ewing and Starks hit back-to-back jumpers
to seal the game.
"Obviously, we've been in a little bit of a down period," Van Gundy
said. "Where we found ways to lose close games, we're looking to try
to turn things around as best as we can in the next couple of days."
Ewing grabbed 13 rebounds and Mason had seven for New York, which shot
a season-high 64 percent (51 for 80) from the floor and held a 42-37
rebounding edge. Harper added 14 points.
"We're going to have to play better defense against Cleveland than the
last two games we played," Ewing said. "Our offense was stuck in
neutral the last time we played them."
Wesley had 17 points and Greg Minor and Dee Brown scored 15 apiece for
the Celtics, who trying to win consecutive home games for the first
time since early March.
nba.566vpoznanovic,
Orlando (103) At Charlotte (100)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 35 7-12 0-0 3 7 10 1 2 0 1 14
Scott F 38 4-9 2-2 0 3 3 3 3 0 0 12
Oneal C 36 9-18 3-8 0 8 8 3 5 1 7 21
Anderson G 37 8-10 4-6 1 5 6 2 2 2 2 23
Hardaway G 37 7-11 5-5 1 3 4 13 1 0 1 19
Koncak 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Shaw 18 1-4 4-4 0 2 2 4 3 2 3 7
Royal 7 1-2 1-2 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 3
Bowie 12 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 2
Bonner 13 1-4 0-2 2 2 4 0 2 2 0 2
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wolf Dnp - Concussion
Totals 240 39-73 19-29 10 31 41 27 20 9 15 103
(.534) (.655) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 16(21 Pts)
Charlotte
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L Johnson F 44 8-15 4-6 3 6 9 5 1 0 3 22
Curry F 40 8-16 2-3 2 4 6 3 2 0 1 19
Parish C 26 5-13 1-2 2 2 4 0 3 0 1 11
Rice G 40 3-10 2-2 2 2 4 1 2 2 3 9
Anderson G 30 6-14 2-2 3 2 5 9 1 0 1 17
Zidek 20 1-7 3-3 1 3 4 0 3 0 0 5
Goldwire 18 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 7
Hancock 15 3-4 4-4 0 2 2 0 4 2 2 10
Addison 7 0-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 3 0
Adams Dnp - Pulled Right Groin
Geiger Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Myers Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-85 18-22 14 23 37 20 20 4 15 100
(.435) (.818) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 15(22 Pts)
Orlando 26 20 29 28 - 103
Charlotte 37 22 20 21 - 100
Blocked Shots: Orlando - Oneal 2, Scott, Hardaway. Charlotte - Parish 3,
Curry.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Orlando 6-13 (.462), Scott 2-6, Anderson 3-4, Hardaway
0-1, Shaw 1-2. Charlotte 8-17 (.471), L Johnson 2-3, Curry 1-4, Rice 1-2,
Anderson 3-6, Goldwire 1-2.
Technicals: Orlando - Head Coach Hill, Charlotte - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Ron Olesiak, Joe Forte.
A - 24,042. T - 2:22.
nba.567vpoznanovic,
Orlando 103, Charlotte 100
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Anfernee Hardaway scored 11 of his 19 points in a
three-minute span of the fourth quarter as the Orlando Magic reached
60 wins with a 103-100 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Nick Anderson scored 23 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 21 for the
Magic (60-22), which will open against the Detroit Pistons in the
first round of the playoffs. Orlando closed its most successful
regular season ever with a four-game winning streak.
"I feel our record would have been better if I had not sat out our
first 27 games," said O'Neal, who sustained a broken thumb in the
preseason.
Larry Johnson scored 22 points and Dell Curry added 19 for the Hornets
(41-41), who blew a nine-point lead in the final 4:34. Charlotte,
eliminated from the playoff race on Friday, has lost its last six
games with Orlando, including all four this season.
"Well, the game sort of typifies a little bit of the season," Hornets
coach Allan Bristow said. "We had some good runs and just fell a
little bit short."
The Hornets blew a 23-point second-quarter lead. Orlando led 79-75
after three quarters and opened the margin to 92-83 with 4Ż minutes to
play. Hardaway scored 11 points during a 15-2 run that gave the Magic
the lead for good. Anderson capped the burst with a 3-pointer for a
98-94 lead with 1:36 left and Orlando held on.
"This is a great boost, coming back from 23 points down," Hardaway
said. "We came out in the first half like we really didn't want to
play. I feel if you are going to put on your uniform, you must come to
play. It took them going up by 23 to wake us up and get us going."
Horace Grant had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Hardaway added 13
assists for the Magic, which shot 53 percent (29 for 73) from the
field and held a 41-37 edge in rebounds.
Kenny Anderson had 17 points and nine assists for the Hornets, who
shot 44 percent (37 for 85) and held an 18-5 advantage in
second-chance points.
Charlotte opened a 59-46 halftime lead as Curry scored 13 points and
Kenny Anderson added 10.
nba.568vpoznanovic,
Philadelphia (109) At Toronto (105) - Final In Ot
Philadelphia
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Massenburg F 20 2-4 3-4 0 1 1 0 5 1 3 7
Weatherspoon F 46 14-26 7-10 6 8 14 3 4 1 2 35
Pinckney C 34 2-6 3-4 3 5 8 0 5 3 0 7
Walters G 45 10-16 0-1 3 3 6 12 2 4 5 23
Sutton G 25 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 7 2 3 3 5
Ruffin 36 7-18 3-3 2 2 4 5 2 2 2 18
Alston 33 7-13 0-0 4 2 6 2 2 3 1 14
Thompson 26 0-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 6 1 2 0
Dumas Dnp - Fractured Right Foot
Higgins Dnp - Bursitisin Elbow
Maxwell Dnp - Sprained Left Knee
Stackhouse Dnp - Fractured Right Thumb
Totals 265 44-95 16-22 20 25 45 30 28 18 18 109
(.463) (.727) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 20(23 Pts)
Toronto
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Murray F 50 7-22 3-4 4 2 6 4 4 2 8 21
Miller F 51 15-25 5-8 8 4 12 9 5 4 8 35
Earl C 39 4-11 0-0 4 2 6 0 3 3 0 8
Robertson G 41 4-8 0-4 2 7 9 9 4 0 4 8
Christie G 31 6-11 2-2 3 5 8 8 1 2 3 18
Whitfield 16 3-3 3-4 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 9
Lewis 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
King 25 3-9 0-1 1 5 6 1 1 0 0 6
Esposito 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Rogers Dnp - Strained Neck
Stoudamire Dnp - Tendinitis Left Knee
Tabak Dnp - Strained Left Groin
Totals 265 42-89 13-23 22 27 49 31 20 11 28 105
(.472) (.565) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 28(34 Pts)
Philadelphia 28 29 25 17 10 - 109
Toronto 33 18 29 19 6 - 105
Blocked Shots: Philadelphia - Weatherspoon 7, Pinckney 2, Thompson 2,
Walters. Toronto - Murray 3, Miller 3, Earl 2, Lewis, King.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Philadelphia 5-16 (.313), Walters 3-4, Sutton 1-6,
Ruffin 1-6. Toronto 8-18 (.444), Murray 4-11, Robertson 0-2, Christie 4-5.
Technicals: Philadelphia - Illegal Defense 2, Toronto - Miller.
Officials: Bob Delaney, Tom Washington, Jim Kinsey.
A - 27,118. T - 2:25.
nba.569vpoznanovic,
FINISHING WITH AUTHORITY: 76ERS NIP RAPTORS IN OT
TORONTO -- The Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors provided few
highlights this NBA season. They were victims on many reels, but
rarely did they star.
Sunday's season finale for two of the three worst teams in the league
might be the exception. Maybe they saved their best for last.
Clarence Weatherspoon recorded 35 points and 14 rebounds and Rex
Walters added a career-high 23 points, including a 3-pointer in
overtime that gave the 76ers the lead for good in a 109-105 victory
over the Raptors.
Walters also dished out 12 assists and Trevor Ruffin tallied 18 points
for Philadelphia, which finished with the Eastern Conference's worst
record at 18-64. It is the team's worst record since setting the
league low with a 9-73 mark in the 1972-73 season.
"We played hard. We put it on the line," Weatherspoon said. "It was a
trying year for us. I think you've got to take a couple of steps
backward before going forward. We've taken a lot of steps backwards,
so we have to go forward sometime."
Oliver Miller totaled a career-high 35 points, 12 rebounds and nine
assists, and Tracy Murray had 21 points for Toronto, which dropped 12
of its last 15 games to finish its inaugural season at 21-61. The
Raptors lost three of four meetings with the 76ers this season.
"In retrospect, this season was a smashing success for the Toronto
Raptors," said Toronto coach Brendan Malone, whose future with the
team is in doubt. "We exceeeded all expectations.
"It was a great way to kick off an inaugural season. I enjoyed my
opportunity as coach of the Toronto Raptors. I can't control what's
going to happen. I did my best, and I know that."
Trailing 95-88 in the fourth quarter, Miller scored the first four
points of an 8-0 run that gave Toronto a 96-95 advantage with 1:38
remaining. Ruffin then converted a free throw with 56 seconds left and
Walters had a 3-pointer 13 seconds later to put the Sixers up 99-96.
The Raptors then missed on four 3-point field-goal attempts before
Doug Christie nailed one to tie the score at 99-99 with 1.4 seconds to
play.
After the teams traded baskets in overtime, Walters made a 3-pointer
with 3:48 left and Weatherspoon had a dunk to make it 106-101 with
2:59 to go.
"This was a great opportunity for me to show what I can do,'' said
Walters, who got the extra playing time because of injuries to four
players, including rookie standout Jerry Stackhouse. "When you get the
chance to play, you have to take advantage."
Philadelphia coach John Lucas, believed to be on the NBA chopping
block, said his team's woes were mostly the fault of fate.
"If we get some people healthy, I think we can improve," Lucas said
"Injuries are out of my control. I'll say it now: We've turned the
corner.
"Beginning next year, we will begin to be a quality team. When you
take over a city, a team, a situation like this, I just try to create
an honest product and an honest team."
nba.570vpoznanovic,
Phoenix (110) At Houston (118)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Finley F 36 5-12 2-2 0 4 4 4 1 1 3 12
Tisdale F 27 5-13 2-2 2 8 10 2 5 0 1 12
Williams C 24 5-9 0-0 3 2 5 1 3 0 1 10
Carr G 23 1-7 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 3
Perry G 48 14-22 5-6 0 7 7 11 1 5 3 35
W Person 37 10-22 3-3 2 6 8 3 2 0 1 24
Manning 9 0-2 1-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1
Green 27 3-7 4-6 7 3 10 0 0 1 0 10
Bennett 9 1-2 1-6 2 2 4 1 5 0 0 3
Barkley Dnp - Strained Right Calf
Johnson Dnp - Left Calf Strain
Kleine Dnp - Did Not Travel
Totals 240 44-96 18-27 17 34 51 24 19 7 10 110
(.458) (.667) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 10(12 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elie F 22 5-7 1-1 2 3 5 7 0 1 2 12
Brown F 24 4-8 0-0 2 5 7 4 3 1 1 8
Olajuwon C 25 6-9 2-2 0 6 6 1 1 1 1 14
Mack G 43 9-20 2-2 0 7 7 6 2 3 2 26
Smith G 24 4-10 1-2 0 2 2 5 2 0 1 11
Moore 31 6-11 2-2 1 2 3 2 3 0 0 18
Chilcutt 20 1-5 2-2 0 2 2 2 1 0 2 5
Recasner 24 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 2 2 10
Bryant 15 5-7 2-4 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 12
Jones 12 1-1 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 2
Cassell Dnp - Sore Left Foot
Drexler Dnp - Swollen Right Knee
Totals 240 45-86 12-15 5 33 38 33 19 8 12 118
(.523) (.800) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 13(16 Pts)
Phoenix 23 29 32 26 - 110
Houston 33 26 27 32 - 118
Blocked Shots: Phoenix - Tisdale 2, W Person, Manning. Houston -
Olajuwon 3, Mack 2, Jones 2, Smith, Chilcutt.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Phoenix 4-16 (.250), Finley 0-1, Carr 1-2, Perry 2-3, W
Person 1-8, Manning 0-1, Green 0-1. Houston 16-30 (.533), Elie 1-2, Mack
6-11, Smith 2-4, Moore 4-6, Chilcutt 1-3, Recasner 2-4.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Joe Derosa, Sean Corbin.
A - 16,285. T - 2:14.
nba.571vpoznanovic,
HAKEEM'S SUN BLOCK ESTABLISHES NBA RECORD
HOUSTON -- Hakeem Olajuwon became the NBA's all-time leader in
blocked shots and the Houston Rockets prepared for the defense of
their back-to-back league titles by rallying for a 118-110 victory
over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Olajuwon, who entered the game two blocked shots behind Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar's total of 3,189, got his third block in the third
quarter to take over the top spot all-time.
SWAT TEAM
The NBA's all-time leaders in blocked shots:
Hakeem Olajuwon 3,190
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3,189
Mark Eaton 3,064
Wayne "Tree" Rollins 2,542
Rober Parish 2,342
Blocks have been kept as an official statistic since 1973-74, the
fifth season of Abdul-Jabbar's 20-year NBA career, five seasons after
Bill Russell had retired and one year after Wilt Chamberlain's final
game.
"A shot-blocker is well-respected," said Olajuwon, a 12-year veteran.
"I feel honored to even be mentioned as one of the all-time
shot-blockers."
"It's a great credit to a great player to accomplish that," Rockets
coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "Along that honor, Hakeem is more than
just a shot-blocker. He's our pillar of strength and leadership. It's
something wonderful, something he should be very proud of."
During a timeout immediately after setting the record, Olajuwon was
presented a large framed photograph of him blocking a shot by
Abdul-Jabbar, who retired after the 1988-89 season.
Olajuwon also received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of
16,285.
"After the first two blocks, the third one became very difficult,"
Olajuwon said. "I started to concentrate on it. I didn't know how or
when, but I wanted to get it.
"It couldn't have happened any better. It was the last game of the
season. We were on national TV. We were at home. It was just perfect."
Sam Mack scored 26 points and Tracy Moore added 18 for Houston
(48-34), which won five of its last seven games to finish fifth in the
Western Conference. The Rockets, who will face the Los Angeles Lakers
in the first round of the playoffs, were seeded sixth last year, when
they won their second consecutive title.
"It was a rare year where it looked like it was going to be the Lakers
for a long time," Tomjanovich said. "We got every possible game of
their last 25 broken down so we know tendencies. Getting them stopped
is another thing. I shouldn't say stopped, because you cannot stop
people, but you can neutralize them."
Elliot Perry scored a career-high 35 points for Phoenix (41-41), which
played without injured stars Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson and
lost five of their last seven games. The Suns finished seventh in the
West and will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
Phoenix took its last lead at 93-91 on a dunk by Mario Bennett with
10:13 remaining, but Houston took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by
Moore moments later.
A layup by Eldridge Recasner gave the Rockets a 103-99 lead with 5:07
to play. The Suns cut the deficit to one point, but Recasner hit a
3-pointer to give Houston a 110-106 lead with 2:52 to go.
A 3-pointer by Pete Chilcutt opened the lead to 113-106 and Recasner
made another 3-pointer to boost the lead to 118-108 with 1:03 left.
Olajuwon scored 14 points for the Rockets, who had seven players in
double figures despite playing without guards Clyde Drexler and Sam
Cassell, who sat out with minor injuries. Houston shot 52 percent (45
for 86) from the field, including 16 for 30 from behind the arc.
Wesley Person scored 24 points and Perry added 11 assists for the
Suns, who shot 46 percent (44 for 96) and held a 51-38 edge in
rebounds. Perry also scored 35 points on Jan. 12 against Dallas.
nba.572vpoznanovic,
Seattle (88) At Denver (99)
Seattle (88)
REBOUNDS
Player POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
Schrempf F 27 5-9 2-4 1 1 2 2 3 0 2 13
Kemp F 13 2-5 0-0 1 5 6 0 5 0 1 5
Johnson C 32 5-9 3-5 1 5 6 0 6 1 1 13
Payton G 26 5-12 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 12
Hawkins G 25 1-8 4-4 0 2 2 3 0 0 1 6
Perkins 24 4-7 5-7 3 4 7 0 3 0 0 13
Wingate 27 2-11 0-0 1 1 2 2 0 1 1 4
Askew 24 2-7 1-1 1 5 6 2 2 2 4 5
Snow 24 3-6 1-3 0 0 0 2 2 2 3 7
Scheffler 15 2-4 2-6 2 2 4 0 4 0 0 6
Ford 3 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4
Mcmillan DNP - Coach's Decision
Totals 240 33-80 18-30 11 26 37 12 28 10 14 88
(.413) (.600) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 14 (17 PTS)
Denver (99)
REBOUNDS
Player POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
D.Ellis F 38 8-18 1-2 3 2 5 1 1 0 0 21
L.Ellis F 26 6-11 5-7 5 7 12 2 5 0 3 17
Mcdyess C 39 6-17 8-9 4 9 13 1 2 0 4 20
Rose G 26 1-8 2-2 0 3 3 5 3 1 2 4
Stith G 43 4-15 8-9 6 2 8 2 3 4 0 16
Hammonds 17 2-3 1-2 1 2 3 0 2 0 1 5
Overton 19 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 2 0 0 1 4
Maclean 23 3-10 3-3 1 5 6 5 5 1 2 10
Grant 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Fish 3 1-2 0-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 0 2
Mutombo DNP - Strained Left Hamstring
Williams DNP - Coach's Decision
Totals 240 33-87 28-36 22 33 55 19 23 7 14 99
(.379) (.778) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15 (10 PTS)
Seattle 28 25 20 15 -- 88
Denver 19 26 29 25 -- 99
Blocked Shots: Seattle -- Kemp 3, Johnson 3, Wingate 2, Perkins, Askew;
Denver -- Mcdyess 5, L.Ellis 3, Rose, Hammonds, Overton.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 4-15 (.267) -- D.Schrempf 1-2, Kemp 1-1,
Payton 2-5, Hawkins 0-2, Perkins 0-1, Wingate 0-1, Askew 0-3;
Denver 5-16 (.313) -- D.Ellis 4-9, L.Ellis 0-1, Rose 0-2, Stith 0-2,
Overton 0-1, Maclean 1-1.
Technicals: Seattle -- Payton, Illegal Defense, Kemp (Ejected-Fighting);
Denver -- Coach Bickerstaff, Hammonds (Ejected-Fighting), Rose, Mcdyess.
Officials: Dan Crawford, Derrick Stafford, Tim Donaghy.
Att.: 15,921. Time: 2:10.
nba.573vpoznanovic,
SONICS' PLAYOFF RUN MIGHT BEGIN WITHOUT KEMP
DENVER -- Dale Ellis scored 21 points and Antonio McDyess added 20 on
Sunday as the Denver Nuggets beat Seattle 99-88, denying the
SuperSonics their 65th victory of the season.
When Seattle, the top seed in the West, plays Sacramento in the first
round of the playoffs. The Sonics might have to start the postseason
without All-Star forward Shawn Kemp.
After hitting a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter, Kemp
exchanged words with Denver's Tom Hammonds while running down the
floor. Each player threw one punch and connected.
Throwing a punch draws an automatic suspension. The NBA has to
determine whether or not Kemp will serve his suspension during the
playoffs or next season.
"If Shawn gets suspended, it will affect us" Sonics forward Detlef
Schrempf said. "I didn't see the fight at all."
Since Denver did not qualify for the postseason, Hammonds would have
to serve a suspension next season.
Kemp's arm inadvertently hit one of the referees during the
altercation.
"I don't know if it was a fight or not," Denver coach Bernie
Bickerstaff said. "It's different out there and a lot of emotions were
running high out there.
"I hope Kemp doesn't get anything (a suspension), for Seattle's sake,"
Bickerstaff said.
"I saw two guys get tied up and they tried to separate with their arms
and elbows," Seattle coach George Karl said. "They just got tangled
up."
Kemp and Hammonds left their respective locker rooms without speaking
to reporters.
Denver completed a disappointing season with a 35-47 record, but the
Nuggets did not let Seattle get the victory that would have made it
the 10th team in NBA history to reach 65 wins.
Schrempf, Sam Perkins and Ervin Johnson scored 13 points apiece for
Seattle, which has homecourt advantage in the playoffs against any
team other than the Chicago Bulls.
Seattle and Chicago could only meet in the NBA Finals.
LaPhonso Ellis added 17 points for Denver, which beat Seattle for the
first time in four meetings this season and halted its six-game losing
streak against the Sonics.
The Nuggets won despite shooting 38 percent (33 for 87) from the
field. Denver held the Sonics to 41 percent (33 for 80) shooting and
owned a 55-37 rebounding edge. McDyess had 13 rebounds and LaPhonso
Ellis added 12.
Bryant Stith added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Nuggets.
"It was not a good season. No excuses, and I take my responsibility in
that," Bickerstaff said.
Perkins added seven rebounds and Gary Payton had 12 points for
Seattle.
"There wasn't a basketball game played tonight," Karl said. "It didn't
have much energy to it. It was a meaningless game played with
meaningless energy. I'm sure there were two or three games like this
out there today."
nba.574vpoznanovic,
Vancouver (108) At LA Clippers (101)
Vancouver
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
King F 38 8-13 0-0 1 6 7 0 2 1 2 20
Amaya F 29 1-6 4-7 4 4 8 2 4 1 2 6
Avent C 29 6-12 0-0 2 8 10 0 5 0 3 12
Anthony G 33 4-12 7-8 1 6 7 3 1 1 2 16
B Edwards G 36 8-14 5-6 3 4 7 1 4 0 1 21
Scott 26 3-8 5-6 1 2 3 0 2 1 2 11
Murdock 19 3-7 2-2 0 3 3 2 2 2 2 8
Wilkins 23 4-10 2-2 1 1 2 2 4 0 0 10
Moten 7 2-5 0-0 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 4
D Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Martin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reeves Dnp - Tendinitis Right Knee
Totals 240 39-87 25-31 15 34 49 11 24 7 14 108
(.448) (.806) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 14(17 Pts)
LA Clippers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Vaught F 28 10-15 0-0 3 7 10 0 3 1 3 20
Rogers F 29 4-11 4-6 5 2 7 5 4 0 1 12
Harvey C 18 0-5 1-2 0 5 5 0 2 2 1 1
Richardson G 26 4-8 0-0 0 2 2 2 4 0 0 11
Barry G 27 5-14 3-3 0 3 3 6 2 2 1 13
Murray 10 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 4
Outlaw 25 5-6 4-12 7 5 12 0 1 1 1 14
Sealy 19 1-7 2-3 1 2 3 1 2 0 3 4
Roberts 24 1-5 3-3 0 3 3 4 2 0 1 5
Dehere 24 3-8 1-3 2 0 2 3 5 0 3 8
Piatkowski 10 4-5 1-2 0 1 1 2 2 1 2 9
Tower Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-88 19-34 18 31 49 23 27 8 17 101
(.443) (.559) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 17(24 Pts)
Vancouver 25 20 25 38 - 108
LA Clippers 22 24 29 26 - 101
Blocked Shots: Vancouver - Avent 3. LA Clippers - Barry 2, Outlaw 2,
Harvey.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Vancouver 5-14 (.357), King 4-5, Anthony 1-4, B Edwards
0-1, Scott 0-1, Murdock 0-2, Wilkins 0-1. LA Clippers 4-19 (.211), Vaught
0-1, Rogers 0-3, Richardson 3-5, Barry 0-5, Murray 0-1, Dehere 1-3,
Piatkowski 0-1.
Technicals: Vancouver - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ron Garretson, David Jones, Kevin Fehr.
A - 13,298. T - 2:18.
nba.575vpoznanovic,
Vancouver 108, L.A. Clippers 101
LOS ANGELES -- Blue Edwards scored 21 points and Chris King added 20
as the Vancouver Grizzlies capped their inaugural season with a
108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
The victory, the second in a row for the Grizzlies, gave them 15 wins
this season. Vancouver won its first two games and last two games and
went 11-67 in between, including an NBA record 23-game losing streak.
"You have to give the guys credit; they didn't give up," Vancouver
coach Brian Winters said. "They played hard to the very end. They were
professionals. There was no secret that this year was difficult."
Only five teams in league history won fewer games, but the Grizzlies
ended their season with perhaps their best quarter of the campaign.
Trailing 75-70 just 30 seconds into the final period, Vancouver went
on a 16-0 run to take the lead for good.
"The last couple of games when we got down, we got together and stayed
with our strength," Edwards said. "We had troubles in our defensive
end this season. Once we were able to play better defense and getting
rebounds, everybody had a lot of life and energy and a lot of
intensity, which made us play a lot better."
Loy Vaught scored all of his 20 points in the second half for the the
Clippers (29-53), who improved 12 victories over last season but
failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
Charles Outlaw added 14 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, which
was just 39 for 88 (44 percent) from the field, including four for 19
from beyond the arc.
Chris King keyed the pivotal fourth-quarter stretch with seven points
and capped the spurt with an eight-foot jumper with 7:13 to go.
The Clippers drew within 99-96, on a Terry Dehere's 3-pointer, with
two minutes to go but were unable to overcome the deficit.
Greg Anthony, who finished with 16 points, made six free throws in the
final 19 seconds to seal the victory.
"We finished strong collectively from a competitive standpoint,"
Anthony said. "Our guys stepped up big and we won two games in a row."
The loss prevented Los Angeles from sweeping the four-game series.
"I just wanted to win the game," Clippers guard Pooh Richardson said.
"Who wanted to lose the last game of the season to an expansion team?
In a situation like this, you have to win."
nba.576vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1995/96
(Sunday, April 21 - 163 days, 1189 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 82 64 18 38 3 26 15 104.5 96.7 78.0 - L 1
Los Angeles Lakers 82 53 29 30 11 23 18 102.9 98.5 64.6 11.0 W 2
Portland Trail Blazers 82 44 38 26 15 18 23 99.3 97.0 53.7 20.0 L 1
Phoenix Suns 82 41 41 25 16 16 25 104.3 104.0 50.0 23.0 L 1
Sacramento Kings 82 39 43 26 15 13 28 99.5 102.3 47.6 25.0 W 1
Golden State Warriors 82 36 46 23 18 13 28 101.6 103.1 43.9 28.0 L 2
Los Angeles Clippers 82 29 53 19 22 10 31 99.4 103.0 35.4 35.0 L 4
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
San Antonio Spurs 82 59 23 33 8 26 15 103.4 97.1 72.0 - L 1
Utah Jazz 82 55 27 34 7 21 20 102.5 95.9 67.1 4.0 W 3
Houston Rockets 82 48 34 27 14 21 20 102.5 100.7 58.5 11.0 W 2
Denver Nuggets 82 35 47 24 17 11 30 97.7 100.4 42.7 24.0 W 1
Dallas Mavericks 82 26 56 16 25 10 31 102.5 107.5 31.7 33.0 W 1
Minnesota Timberwolves 82 26 56 17 24 9 32 97.9 103.2 31.7 33.0 L 6
Vancouver Grizzlies 82 15 67 10 31 5 36 89.8 99.8 18.3 44.0 W 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 82 60 22 37 4 23 18 104.5 99.0 73.2 - W 4
New York Knicks 82 47 35 26 15 21 20 97.2 94.9 57.3 13.0 W 1
Miami Heat 82 42 40 26 15 16 25 96.5 95.0 51.2 18.0 L 1
Washington Bullets 82 39 43 25 16 14 27 102.5 101.5 47.6 21.0 L 4
Boston Celtics 82 33 49 18 23 15 26 103.6 107.0 40.2 27.0 L 1
New Jersey Nets 82 30 52 20 21 10 31 93.7 97.9 36.6 30.0 L 2
Philadelphia 76ers 82 18 64 11 30 7 34 94.5 104.5 22.0 42.0 W 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 82 72 10 39 2 33 8 105.2 92.9 87.8 - W 1
Indiana Pacers 82 52 30 32 9 20 21 99.3 96.1 63.4 20.0 W 2
Cleveland Cavaliers 82 47 35 26 15 21 20 91.1 88.5 57.3 25.0 L 1
Detroit Pistons 82 46 36 30 11 16 25 95.4 92.9 56.1 26.0 W 1
Atlanta Hawks 82 46 36 26 15 20 21 98.3 97.1 56.1 26.0 W 2
Charlotte Hornets 82 41 41 25 16 16 25 102.8 103.4 50.0 31.0 L 1
Milwaukee Bucks 82 25 57 14 27 11 30 95.6 100.9 30.5 47.0 L 2
Toronto Raptors 82 21 61 15 26 6 35 97.5 105.0 25.6 51.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Seattle Supersonics 82 64 18 38 3 26 15 104.5 96.7 78.0 - L 1 *
2. San Antonio Spurs 82 59 23 33 8 26 15 103.4 97.1 72.0 5.0 L 1 *
3. Utah Jazz 82 55 27 34 7 21 20 102.5 95.9 67.1 9.0 W 3 *
4. Los Angeles Lakers 82 53 29 30 11 23 18 102.9 98.5 64.6 11.0 W 2 *
5. Houston Rockets 82 48 34 27 14 21 20 102.5 100.7 58.5 16.0 W 2 *
6. Portland Trail Blazers 82 44 38 26 15 18 23 99.3 97.0 53.7 20.0 L 1 *
7. Phoenix Suns 82 41 41 25 16 16 25 104.3 104.0 50.0 23.0 L 1 *
8. Sacramento Kings 82 39 43 26 15 13 28 99.5 102.3 47.6 25.0 W 1 *
9. Golden State Warriors 82 36 46 23 18 13 28 101.6 103.1 43.9 28.0 L 2
10. Denver Nuggets 82 35 47 24 17 11 30 97.7 100.4 42.7 29.0 W 1
11. Los Angeles Clippers 82 29 53 19 22 10 31 99.4 103.0 35.4 35.0 L 4
12. Dallas Mavericks 82 26 56 16 25 10 31 102.5 107.5 31.7 38.0 W 1
13. Minnesota Timberwolves 82 26 56 17 24 9 32 97.9 103.2 31.7 38.0 L 6
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 82 15 67 10 31 5 36 89.8 99.8 18.3 49.0 W 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 82 72 10 39 2 33 8 105.2 92.9 87.8 - W 1 *
2. Orlando Magic 82 60 22 37 4 23 18 104.5 99.0 73.2 12.0 W 4 *
3. Indiana Pacers 82 52 30 32 9 20 21 99.3 96.1 63.4 20.0 W 2 *
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 82 47 35 26 15 21 20 91.1 88.5 57.3 25.0 L 1 *
5. New York Knicks 82 47 35 26 15 21 20 97.2 94.9 57.3 25.0 W 1 *
6. Atlanta Hawks 82 46 36 26 15 20 21 98.3 97.1 56.1 26.0 W 2 *
7. Detroit Pistons 82 46 36 30 11 16 25 95.4 92.9 56.1 26.0 W 1 *
8. Miami Heat 82 42 40 26 15 16 25 96.5 95.0 51.2 30.0 L 1 *
9. Charlotte Hornets 82 41 41 25 16 16 25 102.8 103.4 50.0 31.0 L 1
10. Washington Bullets 82 39 43 25 16 14 27 102.5 101.5 47.6 33.0 L 4
11. Boston Celtics 82 33 49 18 23 15 26 103.6 107.0 40.2 39.0 L 1
12. New Jersey Nets 82 30 52 20 21 10 31 93.7 97.9 36.6 42.0 L 2
13. Milwaukee Bucks 82 25 57 14 27 11 30 95.6 100.9 30.5 47.0 L 2
14. Toronto Raptors 82 21 61 15 26 6 35 97.5 105.0 25.6 51.0 L 1
15. Philadelphia 76ers 82 18 64 11 30 7 34 94.5 104.5 22.0 54.0 W 1
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 82 72 10 39 2 33 8 105.2 92.9 87.8 - W 1
2. Seattle Supersonics 82 64 18 38 3 26 15 104.5 96.7 78.0 8.0 L 1
3. Orlando Magic 82 60 22 37 4 23 18 104.5 99.0 73.2 12.0 W 4
4. San Antonio Spurs 82 59 23 33 8 26 15 103.4 97.1 72.0 13.0 L 1
5. Utah Jazz 82 55 27 34 7 21 20 102.5 95.9 67.1 17.0 W 3
6. Los Angeles Lakers 82 53 29 30 11 23 18 102.9 98.5 64.6 19.0 W 2
7. Indiana Pacers 82 52 30 32 9 20 21 99.3 96.1 63.4 20.0 W 2
8. Houston Rockets 82 48 34 27 14 21 20 102.5 100.7 58.5 24.0 W 2
9. Cleveland Cavaliers 82 47 35 26 15 21 20 91.1 88.5 57.3 25.0 L 1
10. New York Knicks 82 47 35 26 15 21 20 97.2 94.9 57.3 25.0 W 1
11. Atlanta Hawks 82 46 36 26 15 20 21 98.3 97.1 56.1 26.0 W 2
12. Detroit Pistons 82 46 36 30 11 16 25 95.4 92.9 56.1 26.0 W 1
13. Portland Trail Blazers 82 44 38 26 15 18 23 99.3 97.0 53.7 28.0 L 1
14. Miami Heat 82 42 40 26 15 16 25 96.5 95.0 51.2 30.0 L 1
15. Phoenix Suns 82 41 41 25 16 16 25 104.3 104.0 50.0 31.0 L 1
16. Charlotte Hornets 82 41 41 25 16 16 25 102.8 103.4 50.0 31.0 L 1
17. Washington Bullets 82 39 43 25 16 14 27 102.5 101.5 47.6 33.0 L 4
18. Sacramento Kings 82 39 43 26 15 13 28 99.5 102.3 47.6 33.0 W 1
19. Golden State Warriors 82 36 46 23 18 13 28 101.6 103.1 43.9 36.0 L 2
20. Denver Nuggets 82 35 47 24 17 11 30 97.7 100.4 42.7 37.0 W 1
21. Boston Celtics 82 33 49 18 23 15 26 103.6 107.0 40.2 39.0 L 1
22. New Jersey Nets 82 30 52 20 21 10 31 93.7 97.9 36.6 42.0 L 2
23. Los Angeles Clippers 82 29 53 19 22 10 31 99.4 103.0 35.4 43.0 L 4
24. Dallas Mavericks 82 26 56 16 25 10 31 102.5 107.5 31.7 46.0 W 1
25. Minnesota Timberwolves 82 26 56 17 24 9 32 97.9 103.2 31.7 46.0 L 6
26. Milwaukee Bucks 82 25 57 14 27 11 30 95.6 100.9 30.5 47.0 L 2
27. Toronto Raptors 82 21 61 15 26 6 35 97.5 105.0 25.6 51.0 L 1
28. Philadelphia 76ers 82 18 64 11 30 7 34 94.5 104.5 22.0 54.0 W 1
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 82 15 67 10 31 5 36 89.8 99.8 18.3 57.0 W 2
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.577vpoznanovic,
1996 NBA PLAYOFFS
WESTERN CONFERENCE (First round: best of 5, 2-2-1)
1 2 3 4 5
(1) Seattle Supersonics (0)
(8) Sacramento Kings (0)
(4) Los Angeles Lakers (0)
(5) Houston Rockets (0)
(2) San Antonio Spurs (0)
(7) Phoenix Suns (0)
(3) Utah Jazz (0)
(6) Portland Trail Blazers (0)
EASTERN CONFERENCE (First round: best of 5, 2-2-1)
1 2 3 4 5
(1) Chicago Bulls (0)
(8) Miami Heat (0)
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers (0)
(5) New York Knicks (0)
(2) Orlando Magic (0)
(7) Detroit Pistons (0)
(3) Indiana Pacers (0)
(6) Atlanta Hawks (0)
nba.578vpoznanovic,
Eto, na ovaj način smo zaokružili regularni dio ove sezone. Prve utakmice
prvog kola plejofa igraju se u četvrtak. Najave za njih imate u današnjim
pregledima. Kompletan raspored još nije poznat, o tome ćete biti naknadno
obaviješteni. ;)
Ja ću se truditi da kao i do sada ovde prenosim sve važnije novosti,
preglede i statistike utakmica, ali nemojte to shvatiti kao obećanje,
pogotovo što mi pretplata ističe sredinom maja, a nisam siguran kada ću je
produžavati.
nba.580kant,
> pogotovo što mi pretplata ističe sredinom maja, a nisam siguran
> kada ću je produžavati.
Aman, poklonite čoveku jedno 6 meseci pretplate, mislim da je to
zaslužio.
nba.581mpavlo,
>> pogotovo sto mi pretplata istice sredinom maja, a nisam siguran
>> kada cu je produzavati.
> Aman, poklonite coveku jedno 6 meseci pretplate, mislim da je to
> zasluzio.
I ja sam za to da mu se produzi pretplata, jer na Sezamnet-u ne postoji brzi i
bolji izvor kvalitetnih informacija od vpoznanovic-a. Covek je sve radio, kako
sam shvatio, samoinicijativno i volonterski i ucinio temu nba najatraktivnijom
(bar od onih tema koje ja pratim). Svaka cast.
nba.582vpoznanovic,
RAPTORS FIRE MALONE AS COACH
TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors on Monday fired head coach Brendan
Malone, who guided the expansion team to 21 victories in its first
season but was sent packing because of several feuds he had with
general manager Isiah Thomas.
Malone was replaced by assistant coach Darrell Walker, 34, who spent
only this past season as an assistant coach following a 10-year
playing career in the NBA.
"Brendan was a tireless worker," Thomas said. "Everything he did was
based on winning. Unfortunately, we had philosophical differences
about where the organization was heading.
"Darrell understands what we're trying to accomplish here," Thomas
said of Walker.
"I can't control what's going to happen," Malone had said after a
109-105 overtime loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the season finale
Sunday.
"I did my best, and I know that. I think Toronto liked the team we put
on the floor."
Apparently, Thomas wasn't happy with the team Malone put on the floor.
The general manager was upset with the minutes given to better
players, such as rookie point guard Damon Stoudamire and veteran guard
Alvin Robertson.
With no hope of making the playoffs, Thomas wanted some of the team's
younger players, such as forward Carlos Rogers, to play more and
develop.
"Clearly, we're not on the same page," Thomas said Sunday.
Malone relied on the same core of six or seven players and got big
wins against playoff teams such as Chicago, Cleveland and Miami. But
Stoudamire, who was second in the league in minutes played at more
than 40 per game, went down with a knee injury earlier this month.
Toronto finished 21-61, better than the 76ers and the expansion
Vancouver Grizzlies. Malone, who celebrated his 54th birthday Sunday,
made no apologies for his coaching style.
"In retrospect, this season was a smashing success for the Toronto
Raptors," he said. "We exceeded all expectations. It was a great way
to kick off an inaugural season. I enjoyed my opportunity as coach of
the Toronto Raptors."
Thomas hired Malone on June 2, 1995. The two were friends from their
days together with the Detroit Pistons, where Thomas was a star point
guard and Malone was an assistant under Chuck Daly.
Malone also was a Pistons assistant under Ron Rothstein and Don Chaney
and a college assistant at Syracuse University under Jim Boeheim.
Malone, who had two years remaining on a contract that paid him
$300,000 annually, remained confident about his future.
"Either I'll be a candidate for an assistant coaching job or a head
coaching job," he said. "I will be in the NBA."
nba.583vpoznanovic,
NETS CUT LOOSE BEARD
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Butch Beard was fired as head coach of the
New Jersey Nets on Monday, two days after the team finished its second
straight 30-win season.
Beard all but guaranteed his dismissal two weeks ago when he
criticized his bosses and called his team a bunch of "second-line
players" who might never get better.
Team general manager Willis Reed, who said the firing was his
decision, indicated that the negative comments weren't a big factor in
his decision to fire Beard.
"I thought Butch had taken the players as far as he could," said Reed,
who indicated there is no timetable in naming a replacement.
"I want the best coach possible, whether that's an NBA coach or a
great college coach, I can't say at this time," said Reed, who
answered speculation that the Nets want Kentucky coach Rick Pitino: "I
think we'll try to talk to all of the people I feel are great coaches,
and that won't be limited to Pitino. I just read a story where he said
he wanted to stay at Kentucky and win another NCAA title."
Beard posted indentical 30-52 records in each of his two seasons as
head coach. The Nets finished the year losing 11 of their last 13,
including a 121-99 loss at Atlanta Saturday night.
In a conference call with reporters in which he did not take questions,
Beard said he was "extremely happy for the opportunity that the Nets
gave me. I'm sorry it didn't work out the way we wanted it to."
Beard thanked the players for playing hard and his coaches for working
hard.
"I wish the New Jersey Nets a lot of luck with whomever they get in
here," he said. "I will move on and they will move on."
A source close to the team said Beard had a three-year contact, with
the final year being an option at the team's discretion. Because they
let him go, the team chose not to pick up the option. Beard is owed no
money, the source said.
"I am disappointed that things did not work out better," Reed said.
"This is a tough thing for me to do. I helped bring Butch here and I
share some of the responsibility for the team performance this season.
We have evaluated our operation and this is one of the changes we felt
we want to make to get to the next level."
Nets mangement had said that they would evaluate the situation after
the season, but Beard may have sealed his fate two weeks ago when he
predicted he would be fired.
The Nets last month gave St. John's University permission to speak to
Beard about the vacant coaching position that eventually went to Fran
Fraschilla.
Beard signed a two-year deal with an option for a third season when
he succeded Chuck Daly in 1994. It was the first NBA head coaching job
for Beard, who spent time as an assistant in New Jersey under Reed and
Bill Fitch.
Before joining New Jersey, Beard was the head coach at Howard
University for four years. He led the Bison to an NCAA Tournament
berth in 1992.
Beard spent nine seasons in the NBA as a player and was the point
guard for the 1975-76 Golden State Warriors team that won the
championship. A first-round pick in 1969 by Atlanta, Beard also played
for Cleveland and Seattle and finished his career with the New York
Knicks, who were coached by Reed at the time.
nba.584vpoznanovic,
BRISTOW TO FEEL HORNETS STING SOON
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Hornets reportedly have decided to
fire head coach Allan Bristow, whose team failed to reach the playoffs
this year after winning 50 games the previous season.
Sports Radio 610, WFNZ in Charlotte is reporting that Bristow will be
let go Tuesday after compiling a 207-203 mark in his five seasons with
the franchise. Bristow is the winningest coach in Hornets history.
The Hornets were 41-41 and failed to make the playoffs, finishing one
game behind the Miami Heat for the final Eastern Conference postseason
berth. Charlotte closed out its season Sunday by squandering a
nine-point lead in the final four minutes and losing 103-100 to the
Orlando Magic.
One year earlier, Bristow guided Charlotte to the club's first 50-win
season and second trip to the NBA playoffs before being eliminated by
the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets' 50-32 mark was nine games better than
their previous season and was the fifth best improvement in the
league.
Before moving to the sidelines in 1991, Bristow spent the previous
year as the Hornets' vice president of basketball operations. He was
responsible for drafting center Alonzo Mourning, whom he traded to the
Heat for Glen Rice in a six-player deal just prior to the start of
this past season.
Bristow played 10 years in the NBA and averaged 7.8 points and 4.0
rebounds. He was selected in the second round of the 1973 draft by the
Philadelphia 76ers and played two seasons with Philadlephia before
signing with the San Antonio Spurs.
After spending four years with San Antonio, Bristow played two
seasons apiece for Utah and Dallas. Following his playing career,
Bristow was an assistant coach for the Spurs and Denver Nuggets.
nba.585vpoznanovic,
SONICS ANXIOUS FOR WORD ON KEMP PENALTY
SEATTLE -- Those underachieving Seattle SuperSonics, first-round
losers the last two seasons, are anxiously awaiting word from the NBA
about the playing status of star Shawn Kemp.
The Sonics, the winningest team in the regular season over the last
four years, face the prospect of being without Kemp for part of this
year's postseason run.
The 6-foot-10 power forward could be suspended and/or fined after
being ejected for fighting with Denver's Tom Hammonds in Sunday
night's 99-88 Nuggets victory in the regular-season finale.
"It's still under review," NBA spokesman Chris Brienza said. "We
should have an announcement early Tuesday afternoon."
Part of the NBA's problem is that the league has not been able to find
any video of the incident, so NBA vice president Rod Thorn might have
to rely on word of mouth.
"Of the 1,189 games, something like 1,050 are on television. This is
one of the ones that wasn't," NBA vice president Rod Thorn said. "We
have a local TV tape of the aftermath, but it doesn't show the
altercation itself."
NBA officials are awating a copy of the Nuggets' in-house videotape,
hoping it might show the incident, Brienza said.
"I saw two guys get tied up and they tried to separate with their arms
and elbows," Sonics coach George Karl said. "They just got tangled
up."
Kemp gave the Sonics a 63-59 lead with a 3-pointer with 4:45 left in
the third quarter. Returning downcourt, Hammonds tried to set a pick
and Kemp met him with a forearm to his chest. Hammonds also threw a
forearm and the battle was on until coaches, teammates and referees
restored order.
The Seattle Times quoted unnamed McNichols Arena security personnel as
saying Kemp pursued Hammonds near the Denver locker room before being
restrained.
Neither player spoke with reporters after the game.
The Sonics ended the season with the second-best record in the league
and have won more games than any other NBA team in the last four years
-- 239, 18 more than the Chicago Bulls -- but have lost in the first
round of the playoffs the past two seasons.
A suspension would cost them their top rebounder and scorer for at
least the opener of their best-of-five series against the Sacramento
Kings, which begins Friday night.
"If Shawn gets suspended, it's a huge deal," Sonics co-captain Nate
McMillan said.
nba.586vpoznanovic,
GOOD NEWS-BAD NEWS: JAPAN GETS MAGIC, NETS
NEW YORK -- The New Jersey Nets and Orlando Magic will meet at the
Tokyo Dome in Japan for regular-season games on Nov. 7 and 9.
The 1996 event will mark the fourth time that the league will stage
regular-season games in Japan. The most recent was 1994, when the
Portland Trail Blazers won a pair of games from the Los Angeles
Clippers at Yokohama Arena.
"The NBA is pleased to continue the tradition of playing
regular-season games in Japan, where support for the NBA and the sport
of basketball has grown tremendously," said NBA commissioner David
Stern.
This will mark the first overseas visit for both the Nets and the
Magic.
In 1990, the NBA became the first American pro sports league to
conduct regular-season games outside North America when Phoenix and
Utah played two games in Tokyo's Metropolitan Gym.
The 1996-97 NBA season is scheduled to begin Nov. 1.
nba.587vpoznanovic,
DOCTORS CLEAR SUNS' KLEINE FOR PLAYOFFS
PHOENIX -- Joe Kleine, the Phoenix Suns center who fainted during the
national anthem April 14, has been cleared to play Friday night.
Team doctor Richard Emerson said Monday none of the tests performed on
Kleine revealed any problem.
Emerson said Kleine has recovered from the fainting episode, "and the
prognosis is very good for no future episodes."
Kleine collapsed before a road game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He
was wheeled from the court on a gurney, missed that game and was held
out of the last four.
The Suns start the playoffs Friday night at San Antonio.
nba.588vpoznanovic,
UCONN JUNIOR ALLEN JUMPS TO NBA
STORRS, Conn. -- University of Connecticut All-America guard Ray Allen
announced Monday that he will forgo his senior season and jump to the
NBA.
"I believe a lot has been learned by me here at this university and it
is time to move on," said Allen, who is likely to be a top pick in the
June 26 draft. "Wherever I end up after this year, I will always be an
ambassador of this university.''
Allen, who had tears in his eyes at a campus news conference,
explained his decision by saying he wants to be in the best possible
position to take care of himself, his daughter and his family.
"Clearly, he has graduated basketball life,'' said UConn coach Jim
Calhoun. "He has done everything here a coach could possibly ask.''
Allen, the 6-foot-5 Big East Conference Player of the Year, would
become the second UConn player in three years to leave school early
for the NBA. Donyell Marshall, drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves
and now with the Golden State Warriors, left in 1994.
Allen led the Huskies to a 32-3 record and the top seed in the NCAA
Southeast Regional this past season. He hit the game-winning shot as
Connecticut captured its second Big East Tournament title with a 75-74
win over Georgetown. The Huskies were knocked out of the NCAA
Tournament by Mississippi State in the regional semifinals.
Allen became the first player in UConn history to earn All-America
status as a sophomore. He has scored 1,922 points in his three
seasons, placing him third on the Huskies' all-time scoring list.
nba.589vpoznanovic,
Evo spiskova po 12 igrača prijavljenih za playoff...
Chicago Bulls Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
0 Randy Brown G 6-3 190 5 New Mexico State
7 Toni Kukoc G-F 6-11 230 2 Croatia
9 Ron Harper G 6-6 198 9 Miami (Ohio)
13 Luc Longley C 7-2 265 4 New Mexico
22 John Salley F-C 6-11 255 9 Georgia Tech
23 Michael Jordan G 6-6 198 10 North Carolina
25 Steve Kerr G 6-3 180 7 Arizona
30 Jud Buechler G-F 6-6 220 5 Arizona
33 Scottie Pippen G-F 6-7 225 8 Central Arkansas
34 Bill Wennington C 7-0 260 8 St. John's
53 James Edwards C 7-1 252 18 Washington
91 Dennis Rodman F 6-8 210 9 S.E. Oklahoma State
Head Coach: Phil Jackson
nba.590vpoznanovic,
Orlando Magic Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Anfernee Hardaway G-F 6-7 215 2 Memphis State
3 Dennis Scott G-F 6-8 229 5 Georgia Tech
5 Donald Royal F 6-8 210 5 Notre Dame
12 Joe Wolf F-C 6-11 253 6 North Carolina
14 Anthony Bowie G 6-6 200 7 Oklahoma
20 Brian Shaw G 6-6 194 6 Cal Santa Barbara
22 Brooks Thompson G 6-4 193 1 Oklahoma State
24 Anthony Bonner F 6-8 225 6 St. Louis
25 Nick Anderson G 6-6 220 6 Illinois
32 Shaquille O'Neal C 7-1 301 3 Louisiana State
45 Jon Koncak C 7-0 250 10 Southern Methodist
54 Horace Grant F 6-10 235 8 Clemson
Head Coach: Brian Hill
nba.591vpoznanovic,
Indiana Pacers Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 Haywoode Workman G 6-3 180 4 Oral Roberts
4 Travis Best G 5-11 182 R Georgia Tech
8 Eddie Johnson F 6-7 215 13 Illinois
9 Derrick McKey F 6-10 225 8 Alabama
13 Mark Jackson G 6-1 180 8 St John's
22 Ricky Pierce G-F 6-4 215 13 Rice
27 Duane Ferrell F 6-7 215 7 Georgia Tech
31 Reggie Miller G 6-7 185 8 UCLA
32 Dale Davis F 6-11 230 4 Clemson
33 Antonio Davis C-F 6-9 230 2 Texas-El Paso
45 Rik Smits C 7-4 265 7 Marist
50 Adrian Caldwell C-F 6-9 265 3 Lamar
Head Coach: Larry Brown
nba.592vpoznanovic,
Cleveland Cavaliers Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Terrell Brandon G 5-11 180 4 Oregon
3 Bob Sura G 6-5 200 R Florida State
9 Dan Majerle G-F 6-6 220 7 Central Michigan
11 John Crotty G 6-1 185 3 Virginia
13 John Amaechi C-F 6-10 270 R Penn State
14 Bobby Phills G 6-5 220 4 Southern
21 Antonio Lang F 6-8 205 1 Duke
24 Chris Mills F 6-6 216 2 Arizona
32 Tyrone Hill F 6-9 245 5 Xavier (Ohio)
33 Donny Marshall F 6-7 230 R Connecticut
35 Danny Ferry F 6-10 235 5 Duke
44 Michael Cage F-C 6-9 248 11 San Diego State
Head Coach: Mike Fratello
nba.593vpoznanovic,
New York Knicks Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 John Starks G 6-5 185 6 Oklahoma State
7 J.R. Reid F 6-9 255 6 North Carolina
11 Derek Harper G 6-4 206 12 Illinois
14 Anthony Mason F 6-7 250 6 Tennessee State
20 Ronnie Grandison F 6-6 220 6 New Orleans
21 Charlie Ward G 6-2 190 1 Florida State
23 Gary Grant G 6-3 185 7 Michigan
32 Herb Williams F-C 6-11 260 14 Ohio State
33 Patrick Ewing C 7-0 240 10 Georgetown
34 Charles Oakley F 6-9 245 10 Virginia Union
40 Willie Anderson G 6-8 200 7 Georgia
44 Hubert Davis G 6-5 183 3 North Carolina
Head Coach: Jeff Van Gundy
nba.594vpoznanovic,
Atlanta Hawks Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ====== === == == === =======
2 Stacey Augmon G-F 6-8 205 4 Nevada-Las Vegas
3 Craig Ehlo G-F 6-7 205 12 Washington State
5 Ken Norman F 6-8 228 8 Illinois
8 Steve Smith G 6-8 215 8 Michigan State
10 Mookie Blaylock G 6-1 185 7 Oklahoma
22 Reggie Jordan G 6-4 195 1 New Mexico State
24 Donnie Boyce G 6-5 196 R Colorado
32 Christian Laettner F 6-11 245 2 Duke
43 Grant Long F 6-9 248 7 Eastern Michigan
44 Alan Henderson F 6-9 235 R Indiana
45 Sean Rooks C-F 6-10 250 2 Arizona
50 Matt Bullard F 6-10 235 4 Iowa
Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens
nba.595vpoznanovic,
Detroit Pistons Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Lindsey Hunter G 6-2 195 2 Jackson State
3 Lou Roe F 6-7 220 R Massachusetts
4 Joe Dumars G 6-3 195 10 McNeese State
6 Terry Mills F 6-10 250 5 Michigan
12 Michael Curry G 6-5 210 1 Georgia Southern
20 Allan Houston G 6-6 200 2 Tennessee
33 Grant Hill F 6-8 225 1 Duke
41 Mark West C 6-10 246 12 Old Dominion
42 Theo Ratliff C-F 6-10 225 R Wyoming
45 Eric Leckner C 6-11 265 6 Wyoming
50 Otis Thorpe F 6-10 246 11 Providence
52 Don Reid F 6-8 250 R Georgetown
Head Coach: Doug Collins
nba.596vpoznanovic,
Miami Heat Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 Keith Askins G-F 6-8 224 5 Alabama
5 Sasha Danilovic G 6-6 200 R Serbia
7 Rex Chapman G 6-4 195 7 Kentucky
10 Tim Hardaway G 6-0 195 6 Texas-El Paso
14 Tony Smith G 6-4 204 5 Marquette
15 Chris Gatling C-F 6-10 230 4 Old Dominion
21 Stacey King C-F 6-11 250 6 Oklahoma
23 Tyrone Corbin F 6-6 225 10 Depaul
24 Dan Schayes C-F 6-11 276 14 Syracuse
33 Alonzo Mourning C 6-10 262 2 Georgetown
40 Kurt Thomas F 6-9 230 R Texas Christian
42 Walt Williams G-F 6-8 230 3 Maryland
Head Coach: Pat Riley
nba.597vpoznanovic,
Seattle Supersonics Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 Vincent Askew G-F 6-6 235 6 Memphis State
3 Eric Snow G 6-3 200 R Michigan State
10 Nate McMillan G-F 6-5 200 9 North Carolina St.
11 Detlef Schrempf F 6-10 235 10 Washington
14 Sam Perkins C-F 6-9 255 11 North Carolina
20 Gary Payton G 6-4 190 5 Oregon State
25 David Wingate G-F 6-5 185 9 Georgetown
33 Hersey Hawkins G 6-3 190 7 Bradley
34 Frank Brickowski C-F 6-9 248 11 Penn State
40 Shawn Kemp F 6-10 245 6 Trinity JC
50 Ervin Johnson C 6-11 245 2 New Orleans
55 Steve Scheffler C 6-9 250 5 Purdue
Head Coach: George Karl
nba.598vpoznanovic,
San Antonio Spurs Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Cory Alexander G 6-1 185 R Virginia
3 Monty Williams F 6-8 225 1 Notre Dame
6 Avery Johnson G 5-11 180 7 Southern
11 Carl Herrera F 6-9 225 4 Houston
15 Vinny Del Negro G 6-4 200 5 North Carolina St.
25 Doc Rivers G 6-4 210 12 Marquette
32 Sean Elliott F 6-8 220 6 Arizona
33 Greg Anderson C-F 6-10 250 7 Houston
41 Will Perdue C 7-0 240 7 Vanderbilt
45 Chuck Person F 6-8 230 9 Auburn
50 David Robinson C 7-1 250 6 Navy
54 Charles Smith F 6-10 245 7 Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Bob Hill
nba.599vpoznanovic,
Utah Jazz Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
00 Greg Ostertag C 7-2 280 R Kansas
10 Howard Eisley G 6-2 177 1 Boston College
12 John Stockton G 6-1 175 11 Gonzaga
14 Jeff Hornacek G 6-4 190 8 Iowa State
21 David Benoit F 6-8 220 4 Alabama
31 Adam Keefe F 6-9 241 3 Stanford
32 Karl Malone F 6-9 256 10 Louisiana Tech
34 Bryon Russell F 6-7 225 2 Long Beach State
43 Chris Morris F 6-8 220 7 Auburn
44 Greg Foster C 6-11 240 5 Texas-El Paso
50 Felton Spencer C 7-0 265 5 Louisville
55 Antoine Carr C-F 6-9 255 11 Wichita State
Head Coach: Jerry Sloan
nba.600vpoznanovic,
Los Angeles Lakers Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Anthony Peeler G 6-4 212 3 Missouri
3 Sedale Threatt G 6-2 185 12 West Virginia Tech
7 Derek Strong F 6-8 250 4 Xavier (Ohio)
9 Nick Van Exel G 6-1 183 2 Cincinnati
12 Vlade Divac C 7-1 250 6 Serbia
23 Cedric Ceballos F 6-7 225 5 Fullerton State
24 Fred Roberts F 6-10 218 11 Brigham Young
25 Eddie Jones G-F 6-6 190 1 Temple
32 Magic Johnson F 6-9 255 12 Michigan State
34 George Lynch F 6-8 223 2 North Carolina
41 Elden Campbell C-F 6-11 250 4 Clemson
43 Corie Blount F 6-10 242 2 Cincinnati
Head Coach: Del Harris
nba.601vpoznanovic,
Houston Rockets Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ====== === == == === =======
2 Mark Bryant C-F 6-9 245 7 Seton Hall
3 Eldridge Recasner G 6-3 190 1 Washington
4 Sam Mack F 6-7 220 1 Houston
10 Sam Cassell G 6-3 195 2 Florida State
17 Mario Elie G-F 6-5 210 5 Amer. International
22 Clyde Drexler G 6-7 222 12 Houston
25 Robert Horry F 6-10 220 3 Alabama
27 Charles Jones C 6-9 215 12 Albany State
30 Kenny Smith G 6-3 170 8 North Carolina
32 Pete Chilcutt F 6-11 235 4 North Carolina
34 Hakeem Olajuwon C 7-0 255 11 Houston
52 Chucky Brown F 6-8 215 6 North Carolina St.
Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
nba.602vpoznanovic,
Portland Trail Blazers Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Rod Strickland G 6-3 185 7 DePaul
3 Clifford Robinson F 6-10 225 5 Connecticut
10 Dontonio Wingfield F 6-8 256 1 Cincinnati
11 Arvydas Sabonis C 7-3 292 R Lithuania
21 Rumeal Robinson G 6-2 195 4 Michigan
23 Aaron McKie G 6-5 209 1 Temple
24 Chris Dudley C 6-11 240 9 Yale
26 James Robinson G 6-2 180 2 Alabama
27 Elmore Spencer C 7-0 270 4 UNLV
33 Gary Trent F 6-8 250 R Ohio University
44 Harvey Grant F 6-9 235 7 Oklahoma
52 Buck Williams F 6-8 225 14 Maryland
Head Coach: P.J. Carlesimo
nba.603vpoznanovic,
Phoenix Suns Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 Elliot Perry G 6-0 160 3 Memphis State
4 Michael Finley F 6-7 215 R Wisconsin
7 Kevin Johnson G 6-1 190 8 California
8 Mario Bennett F 6-9 235 R Arizona State
11 Wesley Person G 6-6 195 1 Auburn
15 Danny Manning C-F 6-10 234 7 Kansas
18 John Williams C-F 6-11 245 10 Tulane
23 Wayman Tisdale C-F 6-9 260 10 Oklahoma
34 Charles Barkley F 6-6 252 10 Auburn
35 Joe Kleine C 7-0 271 9 Arkansas
43 Chris Carr G 6-5 207 R Southern Illinois
45 A.C. Green F 6-9 225 10 Oregon State
Head Coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons
nba.604vpoznanovic,
Sacramento Kings Playoff Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
0 Olden Polynice C-F 7-0 250 8 Virginia
2 Mitch Richmond G 6-5 215 7 Kansas State
4 Corliss Williamson F 6-7 245 R Arkansas
5 Tyus Edney G 5-10 152 R UCLA
7 Bobby Hurley G 6-0 165 2 Duke
13 S. Marciulionis G 6-5 215 6 Lithuania
22 Lionel Simmons F 6-7 210 5 La Salle
30 Billy Owens F-G 6-9 225 4 Syracuse
31 Duane Causwell C 7-0 240 5 Temple
33 Brian Grant F 6-9 254 1 Xavier
34 Michael Smith F 6-8 230 1 Providence
40 Kevin Gamble F-G 6-6 225 8 Iowa
Head Coach: Garry St. Jean
nba.605vpoznanovic,
A ovo je kompletan raspored utakmica... Kao što vidite, američke
televizijske stanice će direktno prenositi sve susrete...
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
First round (best-of-five; all times Eastern)
*if necessary
Eastern Conference
Chicago vs. Miami
April 26 at Chicago 9:30 p.m. TBS
April 28 at Chicago 5:30 p.m. NBC
May 1 at Miami 8 p.m. TNT
May 3 *at Miami 8 p.m. TNT
May 5 *at Chicago TBA NBC
Orlando vs. Detroit
April 26 at Orlando 7 p.m. TBS
April 28 at Orlando 12:30 p.m. NBC
April 30 at Detroit 8 p.m. TNT
May 2 *at Detroit TBA
May 5 *at Orlando TBA
Indiana vs. Atlanta
April 25 at Indiana 8 p.m. TNT
April 27 at Indiana 8 p.m. TNT
April 29 at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
May 2 *at Atlanta TBA
May 5 *at Indiana TBA
Cleveland vs. New York
April 25 at Cleveland 7 p.m. TBS
April 27 at Cleveland 1 p.m. NBC
May 1 at New York 7 p.m. TBS
May 3 *at New York TBA
May 5 *at Cleveland TBA
Western Conference
Seattle vs. Sacramento
April 26 at Seattle 10:30 p.m. TNT
April 28 at Seattle 9 p.m. TNT
April 30 at Sacramento 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 2 *at Sacramento TBA
May 4 *at Seattle TBA
San Antonio vs. Phoenix
April 26 at San Antonio 8 p.m. TNT
April 28 at San Antonio 3 p.m. NBC
May 1 at Phoenix 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 3 *at Phoenix TBA
May 5 *at San Antonio TBA
Utah vs. Portland
April 25 at Utah 9:30 p.m. TBS
April 27 at Utah 10:30 p.m. TNT
April 29 at Portland 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 1 *at Portland 9:30 p.m. TBS
May 5 *at Utah TBA
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston
April 25 at L.A Lakers 10:30 p.m. TNT
April 27 at L.A Lakers 3:30 p.m. NBC
April 30 at Houston 9 p.m. TBS
May 2 *at Houston TBA
May 4 *at L.A Lakers TBA
nba.606vpoznanovic,
Detaljne analize mečeva prvog kola...
Chicago vs. Miami
Fri., April 26: at Chicago, 9:30 p.m. (TBS)
Sun., April 28: at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. (NBC)
Wed., May 1: at Miami, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Fri., May 3: at Miami,* 8 p.m. (TNT)
Sun., May 5: at Chicago,* TBA (NBC)
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
Chicago breezed through the regular season to become the winningest
team in NBA history, and by doing so secured the home-court advantage
throughout the playoffs. Throughout all this, head coach Phil Jackson
has kept his team focused on the real prize, the NBA Championship. In
Miami, the Bulls will face a familiar rival on the sidelines in Pat
Riley, but the rest of the cast may not be as familiar. Three
diffferent Heat teams took the court against the Bulls during the
regular season, as Riley orchestrated a major overhaul of his roster
at midseason by acquiring key players such as Tim Hardaway, Walt
Williams and Chris Gatling. The Bulls won the season series 3-1,
including both meetings when Miami had its present roster, as the Heat
had trouble stopping the Bulls' high-scoring offense.
Chicago Bulls (72-10)
No. 1 seed
OFFENSE: Very few players in the league can guard Michael Jordan,
the league's scoring champion, let alone Jordan in tandem with
Scottie Pippen. Jordan averaged 32.0 points per game in the season
series and Pippen contributed 17.3 ppg. They remain choices 1 and
1A on an offense which led the league in scoring and was second in
three-point shooting percentage. Steve Kerr is the main three-point
bomber, while Toni Kukoc gives the Bulls versatility by playing all
five positions. He averaged 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists
and 1.8 steals per game against the Heat.
DEFENSE: Three defensive whizzes -- Jordan, Pippen and Dennis Rodman
-- supply excellent pressure on the ball. Chicago forced Miami into
19.8 turnovers per game, which often led to easy baskets at the
other end of the floor, and the Bulls will keep the pressure on in
the playoffs. Without a dominating center, the Bulls will look to
their guards to help double-team Miami's Alonzo Mourning in the post,
and will rotate centers Luc Longley and Bill Wennington on Mourning.
Miami couldn't keep Rodman off the boards; he averaged 13.0 rebounds
per game during the season series.
BENCH: Chicago has a strong, veteran bench, starting with Kukoc, who
hurt the Heat from the three-point arc, shooting .438. Kerr can also
provide scoring spark, especially from long range, while Wennington
and John Salley provide depth down low.
KEY MATCHUP: The Bulls must be careful to avoid a letdown of any sort
against a young, aggressive Miami team. They possess veteran leadership
in Jordan, Pippen and Jackson, and know what it takes to win in the
playoffs.
Miami Heat (42-40)
No. 8 seed
OFFENSE: Miami had trouble scoring points during the regular season,
averaging only 94.3 points per game against the Bulls, and must
maximize every trip down the floor. The Heat will look early and often
to All-Star Alonzo Mourning, who averaged 18.5 points and 11.0 rebounds
per game against the Bulls, as they try to exploit Chicago's lack of a
dominating center. Tim Hardaway, Walt Williams and Rex Chapman are
quality outside shooters and ballhandlers who can take the ball to the
basket, which should take some pressure off Mourning. Chris Gatling
averaged 17.0 points per game in two games against the Bulls.
DEFENSE: Miami, which ranked fifth in the NBA in fewest points allowed,
gave up 104.0 per game against the Bulls -- holding Chicago slightly
under its season average -- and must continue to shut down the Bulls'
high-powered offense. The Heat will use Keith Askins, Chapman and
Williams at various times in their effort to contain Jordan. Miami,
which also surrendered 15.3 offensive rebounds a game against the Bulls,
will look to Mourning, Gatling and Williams to neutralize Rodman and
Pippen on the offensive glass.
BENCH: Riley, who is known to shorten his rotation come playoff time,
will use Gatling's scoring, rebounding and rugged play around the basket
to provide a spark. Askins has emerged as a defensive stopper who will
be vital in containing Jordan, while veteran Tyrone Corbin will be
expected to contribute defense and rebounding.
KEY MATCHUP: Mourning against the Bulls' centers. Mourning is the team
leader at both ends of the floor, and for the Heat to have a chance of
pulling an upset, he must become the dominant player in this series.
Mourning must be a major offensive force inside and also must dominate
the paint on defense, preventing the Bulls from getting too many easy
trips to the basket.
nba.607vpoznanovic,
Cleveland vs. New York
Thurs., April 25: at Cleveland, 7 p.m. (TBS)
Sat., April 27: at Cleveland, 1 p.m. (NBC)
Wed., May 1: at New York, 7 p.m. (TBS)
Fri., May 3: at New York,* TBA
Sun., May 5: at Cleveland,* TBA
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
The Cavaliers and Knicks are two teams known for their defense. The
Cavs won the season series 3-1 on the strength of near-flawless
offensive execution and a tough defense which limited the Knicks to
86.0 points per game. Both teams favored half-court, low-scoring games
during the regular season, but the Knicks took that approach to the
extreme in their April 18 loss at Cleveland, managing only 28 points
in the first half en route to a 92-77 loss. The road team won three of
the four games, so both teams should feel confident playing away from
home. Look for a deliberately paced, low-scoring series in which both
teams will seek to establish shooting consistency.
Cleveland Cavaliers (47-35)
No. 4 seed
OFFENSE: The Cavs rely on a ball-control offense which helps slow the
pace of the game, but gets them few easy chances around the basket.
The league's second-lowest scoring team during the regular season, the
Cavs are a patient and unselfish squad who rely on hitting the open
man, and they specialize in the pick-and-roll. Their balanced attack
saw five players score in double figures. An excellent three-point
shooting quartet of All-Star Terrell Brandon (19.5 points per game in
four games against the Knicks), Danny Ferry (18.3 ppg), Bobby Phills
(18.3 ppg) and Dan Majerle (8.3 ppg) averaged 8.0 three-pointers per
game against New York during the regular season.
DEFENSE: Cleveland's hard-working defense starts with the
lightning-quick Brandon, who will look to disrupt the Knicks' offensive
flow; he averaged 2.0 steals in the season series. The Cavs allowed their
opponents the fewest points per game in the league, and will have to
minimize the Knicks' second and third shots, as they were outrebounded by
6.3 per game during the season series. Michael Cage (7.5 rpg) is a
force in the middle who needs to contain Patrick Ewing, and Tyrone Hill
(8.0 rpg) is a solid rebounder and tough defender in the paint.
BENCH: Former All-Stars Majerle and Hill anchor the bench. Majerle (8.3
ppg) has the shooting touch and rugged approach the Cavs will need
against the physical Knicks, and Hill will help Cage handle Ewing in
the post.
KEY MATCHUP: Brandon is the Cavs' spark, on both ends of the court. How
he controls the tempo and handles Derek Harper's pressure will be
essential for Cleveland. If Harper looks to pick up the pace for the
Knicks, Brandon must stay patient and not get forced into an up-tempo
game.
New York Knicks (47-35)
No. 5 seed
OFFENSE: In order to be successful against the Cavs, the Knicks must
concentrate on getting the ball inside to Patrick Ewing (18.8 ppg in
the season series), Anthony Mason (11.5 ppg) and, if healthy, Charles
Oakley (15.0 ppg). Oakley missed the season's final five games,
including two losses to Cleveland, with a cracked bone under his right
eye, but is expected to return for the playoffs. Ewing, the focal
point of the Knicks' half-court offense, gave the Cavs constant problems
down low, shooting .525 from the floor. The Knicks will need consistent
outside contributions from Derek Harper (11.3 ppg), John Starks (11.3
ppg) and Hubert Davis (10.5 ppg), and they may look to push the pace a
bit more than usual, with the hopes of scoring easy baskets in
transition.
DEFENSE: The Knicks' success begins and ends with hard work on the
defensive end of the floor. During the season series, they were often
beaten trying to double-team against the Cavs' patient attack; in the
playoffs, they plan to revert to a straight man-to-man defense. Harper,
Starks and Davis, with help off the bench from Charlie Ward and Willie
Anderson, will be asked to slow down the Cavs' excellent guard tandem
of Phills and Brandon. The Knicks must do a better job of defending the
three-point shot, particularly Ferry, who shot .450 from beyond the arc.
The questionable status of Oakley, the heart of the Knicks' defense,
will force J.R. Reid to pick up the rebounding slack.
BENCH: When hot, Davis is one of the league's best shooters; his
offensive contributions will be crucial. Anderson will be called upon
to shut down the Cavs' long-range bombers.
KEY MATCHUP: Starks must play with the fire that made him an All-Star
two seasons ago. If he finds his shot early, it gives the Knicks
another needed scorer and takes pressure off Ewing. On the defensive
side, Starks' ability to stop the bigger, stronger Phills from scoring
in the low post is crucial.
nba.608vpoznanovic,
Orlando vs. Detroit
Fri., April 26: at Orlando, 7 p.m. (TBS)
Sun., April 28: at Orlando, 12:30 p.m. (NBC)
Tue., April 30: at Detroit, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Thurs., May 2: at Detroit,* TBA
Sun., May 5: at Orlando,* TBA
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
Orlando is out to serve notice that its trip to last year's Finals was
no fluke, and with two years of playoff experience, this talented group
is hungry in its quest for an NBA Championship. Having lost only four
games on its home court all season, that advantage will certainly be
vital. The Magic posted a 3-1 record against the Pistons during the
regular season, and the team has improved its play on the road, losing
only four games away from home since the All-Star break. The Pistons
also come in on a roll, having gone 24-15 after the All-Star break;
coach Doug Collins will call upon playoff-tested veterans Joe Dumars
and Otis Thorpe to provide leadership to Grant Hill, Allan Houston and
the young Pistons.
Orlando Magic (60-22)
No. 2 seed
OFFENSE: Anfernee Hardaway (18.0 points, 6.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds per
game against the Pistons this season) leads a team loaded with offensive
weapons. With Shaquille O'Neal sidelined with a broken thumb during the
early part of the season, Hardaway's all-around game carried the Magic,
and he will be counted on to get the ball to the right people. Shaq
posted modest numbers (14.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg) against the Pistons during
the regular season, but might dominate with his inside moves, rebounding
and ever-developing outside shooting touch. Horace Grant, (20.5 ppg) the
Magic's leading scorer during the season series, will be counted upon
for consistent offensive production. Long-range bombers Nick Anderson
(.435 three-point field goal percentage) and Dennis Scott (.320) should
prevent the Pistons from double- or triple-teaming O'Neal.
DEFENSE: O'Neal's size, strength, and quickness will challenge the
Pistons' ability to establish a consistent inside game. Hardaway is
another disruptive force on the defensive end, averaging 2.0 steals
against the Pistons; he'll be asked to stop Houston. Scott should draw
the task of guarding Hill, with help from Hardaway, Brian Shaw and
Anthony Bowie.
BENCH: Jon Koncak (5.0 rpg) did a fine job subbing for Shaq and will be
looked upon for more of the same. Shaw provides good relief at either
backcourt spot, while Bowie (8.0 ppg) and Donald Royal (3.8 ppg) provide
defensive spark and depth.
KEY MATCHUP: With all the firepower available to the Magic on offense,
Scott's three-point shooting will prove to be crucial in preventing the
Pistons from double-teaming O'Neal in the low post.
Detroit Pistons (46-36)
No. 7 seed
OFFENSE: The Pistons will rely on the overall game of Grant Hill, the
league's only player to rank in the top 20 in scoring, assists and
rebounds. Hill, who averaged only 14.5 points per game against Orlando,
will have to step it up. Allan Houston (20.8 ppg), a deadly perimeter
shooter, shot .550 from three-point range against Orlando and must
continue to take some of the scoring pressure off of Hill. Finding a
third consistent scorer will be essential, with the list of candidates
including Terry Mills (10.0 ppg), Lindsey Hunter (10.8 ppg) and veteran
Joe Dumars (5.3 ppg).
DEFENSE: The Pistons are an aggressive team who usually win their games
on the defensive end. That approach will be put to the test against the
explosive Magic. With a major matchup problem against O'Neal, the
Pistons may double- and triple-team the Magic star every time he touches
the ball. Hill, Houston, Dumars and Hunter must slow the Magic's
three-point attack to keep the games close. Otis Thorpe is one of the
league's top rebounders (6.3 rpg against the Magic) and will receive help
in the paint from rookie Theo Ratliff (3.7 rpg).
BENCH: Mills provides some scoring and rebounding off the bench, and
Hunter is a steady floor leader when called upon. Ratliff, the team's
leading shotblocker, must be aggressive against the Magic frontline.
KEY MATCHUP: Without a solid inside game, the Pistons will need more
from Hill than the 14.5 points he averaged against the Magic in the
regular season. Hill's scoring creativity and versatility were key to the
Pistons' success all year, and Detroit needs more of the same if it has
hopes of pulling off the upset.
nba.609vpoznanovic,
Indiana vs. Atlanta
Thurs., April 25: at Indiana, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Sat., April 27: at Indiana, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Mon., April 29: at Atlanta, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Thurs., May 2: at Atlanta,* TBA (TNT)
Sun., May 5: at Indiana,* TBA (NBC)
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals the past two years, the
Pacers have their sights set on the NBA Finals all season long. But as
if teams like Atlanta, Orlando and Chicago weren't obstacles enough,
the Pacers will have to work their postseason magic without their chief
postseason magician. All-Star guard Reggie Miller, who's logged some
unforgettable playoff performances in recent years, is out for at least
two weeks of the postseason while recovering from a fractured eye
socket suffered in an April 13 game against Detroit. Miller or no
Miller, the Pacers will face a stiff test in Lenny Wilkens' Hawks, who
play smart and together, and rarely beat themselves. Indiana won the
season series 3-1 but faced the Hawks just once after Atlanta's
midseason acquisition of Christian Laettner.
Indiana Pacers (52-30)
No. 3 seed
OFFENSE: Miller's scoring expertise will be severely missed. The Pacers
will look to Rik Smits, Derrick McKey and Ricky Pierce to make up the
26.0 points per game Miller averaged against Atlanta in the regular
season. It's not all bad news, however; both Pierce and McKey were on
fire against Atlanta this season. Pierce scored 15.3 points per game
and shot .630 from the field, while McKey averaged 13.7 points on .533
shooting. Smits (18.7 ppg) has an assortment of moves in the low post
and, at 7-foot-4, will be tough for the Hawks, with no true center,
to handle. The Pacers rely on a balanced scoring attack, but in close
games will need to find a go-to replacement for Miller's heroics.
DEFENSE: A big, physical and playoff-tested front line of Smits (5.7
rebounds per game against the Hawks), Dale Davis (9.8 rpg) and Antonio
Davis (5.8 rpg) will try to control the boards and make driving to the
lane difficult for the Hawks. Indiana will look to put defensive
specialist McKey (4.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals per game) on Hawks gunner
Steve Smith and will match tenacious Haywoode Workman against Hawks
point guard Mookie Blaylock.
BENCH: The Pacers have a strong bench, loaded with playoff experience.
Antonio Davis gives the team a tough inside presence, while Pierce will
need to provide scoring punch in Miller's absence. Workman is a
relentless defender and has played well in past playoff action, giving
him the nod over promising rookie Travis Best on coach Larry Brown's
depth chart.
KEY MATCHUP: Without Miller's scoring prowess, Mark Jackson (9.3 points,
8.0 assists per game) will be called upon to get the ball to the hot
hand on the floor, be it Smits, McKey or Pierce. Not known as a scorer,
Jackson shot .600 from the field against the Hawks during the season,
despite being guarded by the disruptive Blaylock.
Atlanta Hawks (46-36)
No. 6 seed
OFFENSE: Atlanta's offense centers upon the multitalented Steve Smith
(16.0 ppg against the Pacers). Smith can singlehandedly take over a
game with his excellent outside shooting and his ability to get to the
hoop, but the Pacers held him to .353 shooting in the season series.
To take pressure off Smith, the Hawks have six players who averaged
double figures during the regular season. Stacey Augmon (15.5 ppg) and
Mookie Blaylock (15.3 ppg, 5.8 apg) can take the ball to the basket and
will provide a defensive challenge for the Pacers. The midseason
addition of Christian Laettner (9.0 ppg) gives the Hawks another
excellent all-around player who can score down low as well as kick the
ball out to Smith, Craig Ehlo (10.5 ppg) and Blaylock.
DEFENSE: Even in Miller's absence, Atlanta must do a better job of
contesting the Pacers' outside shots. Smith, Augmon and Ehlo must
challenge Pierce and McKey to consistently hit outside shots with a man
in their face. Blaylock, one of the league's best defensive guards,
averaged 2.5 steals against Indiana during the regular season. Laettner
(3.0 rpg) and Grant Long (8.8 rpg) will be challenged against Smits and
the rest of the Pacers' strong front line, and must stay out of foul
trouble.
BENCH: Ehlo is a consistent scorer who shot .467 from the field in the
season series; he will be counted upon heavily. Sean Rooks can fill in
down low to give Laettner or Long a breather, but the starting five
will be counted on to carry the bulk of the minutes.
KEY MATCHUP: Not a classic post-up center, Laettner's ability to handle
and shoot the ball will be vital, but he must stay out of foul trouble
against Smits to prevent the Pacers' front line from taking control.
nba.610vpoznanovic,
Seattle vs. Sacramento
Fri., April 26: at Seattle, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
Sun., April 28: at Seattle, 9 p.m. (TNT)
Tue., April 30: at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
Thurs., May 2: at Sacramento,* TBA
Sat., May 4: at Seattle,* TBA (NBC)
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
Chuck Daly's analysis: "Sacramento may have a real problem with Seattle
because they're playing against an outstanding Sonics team, and having
been eliminated in the first round the past two years, Seattle will be
playing with a very high level of intensity. Seattle will attack
Sacramento with full-court pressure and traps, and the defenses they
will throw at them force so many turnovers. Sacramento will have to be
at the top of their game."
Seattle dominated the Western Conference for the third straight regular
season and swept its season series with the Kings, 4-0. To erase the
memory of consecutive first-round playoff exits in the past two seasons,
the Sonics must continue the unselfish team play that has exemplified
their season, while the Kings, not a high-scoring team, must control
the tempo by winning the battle of the boards and keeping the Sonics in
a half-court game. During the regular-season series, the Sonics were
able to open up their offense, averaging 111.0 points on .513 shooting
from the floor, while holding the Kings to 98.3 points and .443
shooting.
Seattle SuperSonics (64-18)
No. 1 seed
OFFENSE: The league's second-highest scoring team during the regular
season, the Sonics are equally adept at scoring in a half-court offense
or with an up-tempo attack. Shawn Kemp, whose status is in question
following his ejection for fighting in Sunday's season finale at
Denver, was a dominating presence in the paint against the Kings during
the regular-season series, averaging 18.5 points per game, while Hersey
Hawkins, Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins and Gary Payton give the
Sonics a plentiful supply of three-point shooters. Payton averaged 23.3
points against the Kings. His ability to penetrate to the basket
collapses defenses and creates open shots for the Sonics' shooters, as
evidenced by his 8.3 assists per game during the season series.
DEFENSE: With the league's top thief, Payton, at the point, the Sonics
led the NBA in steals, and had 52 in the four regular-season games with
the Kings. Payton recorded 14 of those steals, and his relentless
pressure on the ball will test the Kings' Tyus Edney and Bobby Hurley;
the Sonics forced the Kings into 77 turnovers in the four games, creating
numerous fast-break and transition opportunities. With Kemp (11.5 rpg)
and Ervin Johnson (8.5 rpg) helping control the boards, the Sonics
outrebounded the Kings by 2.8 per game during the season series.
BENCH: Vincent Askew (8.7 ppg) and Perkins (7.8 ppg) provide the offense
off the Sonics' bench. Frank Brickowski (5.3 ppg) and Nate McMillan (3.5
ppg, 8.0 apg) provide depth and tough defense.
KEY MATCHUP: Kemp must continue to produce against the Kings' big front
line as he did during the season series, shooting .605 from the floor.
The Kings will try to slow the Sonics into a half-court game, putting
the pressure on Kemp to deliver.
Sacramento Kings (39-43)
No. 8 seed
OFFENSE: All-Star Mitch Richmond is the Kings' primary offensive threat.
Richmond, who averaged 19.0 points per game against the Sonics but shot
just .413 from the floor, must find his shot early to open up
opportunities inside for Olden Polynice (14.8 ppg), Michael Smith (11.0
ppg) and Brian Grant (10.8 ppg). The Kings' size enabled them to earn
32.3 free-throw attempts per game against the Sonics, but they must
convert at better than their .680 season series rate. Billy Owens' size
and ballhandling skills will be vital in helping point guards Tyus Edney
and Bobby Hurley cope with the Sonics' defensive pressure.
DEFENSE: With Polynice (8.8 rpg), Smith (6.0 rpg), Owens (6.0 rpg) and
Grant (5.3 rpg), the Kings are a strong rebounding team. They must limit
the Sonics' second-shot opportunities. Edney and Hurley had their hands
full with Payton during the regular season, and must keep the pressure
on him to prevent the Sonics from opening up their high-octane offense.
BENCH: Hurley (3.0 ppg, 2.8 apg) gives the Kings depth at point guard,
while Sarunas Marciulionis (12.5 ppg) provides offensive spark. Smith,
Corliss Williamson (12.5 ppg) and Duane Causwell (2.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
provide the size up front the Kings will need to wear down and contain
Kemp.
KEY MATCHUP: Edney and Hurley must be able to withstand Payton and the
Sonics' defensive pressure and keep the Kings in their offense. The pair
combined for 8.8 assists per game against the Sonics, but must reduce
their 4.5 turnovers per game if the Kings are to limit the Sonics'
fast-break opportunities.
nba.611vpoznanovic,
Los Angeles vs. Houston
Thurs., April 25: at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
Sat., April 27: at Los Angeles, 3:30 p.m. (NBC)
Tue., April 30: at Houston, 9 p.m. (TBS)
Thurs., May 2: at Houston,* TBA
Sat., May 4: at Los Angeles,* TBA (NBC)
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
Chuck Daly's analysis: "Houston has gone through their usual struggle
with injuries, but I think they'll be ready for the series. The Lakers
did very well last year without Magic Johnson, and he has added so
much to this team. I think a question on both sides is how healthy
each team will be; pulled muscles and other injuries can be a factor
at any time. A real question will be if Houston can play up to that
level they were at last year and the year before. There's no doubt
about Hakeem Olajuwon, but with Vlade Divac and Elden Campbell, Los
Angeles has got more than one guy to try to stop him. This is the
premier series in the Western Conference."
ested by injuries all season, the Rockets must summon the heart and
composure that lifted them to back-to-back NBA Championships. Hakeem
Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Sam Cassell and Mario Elie all returned from
injuries in the late stages of the season, returning the Rockets to
full strength. The Lakers have the talent to compete with any team in
the league, and went 29-10 since the return from retirement of Magic
Johnson, but Houston won the closely contested regular season series,
3-1.
Los Angeles Lakers (53-29)
No. 4 seed
OFFENSE: With the ballhandling skills of Magic Johnson (8.0 points,
4.0 assists per game) to go with point guard Nick Van Exel (18.0 ppg,
6.8 apg) and reserve Sedale Threatt (4.5 ppg, 2.8 apg), the Lakers are
effective either in a half-court offense or playing full-court. There
is no shortage of scoring options, either, with Johnson, Van Exel,
Cedric Ceballos (22.3 ppg), Eddie Jones (15.8 ppg), Elden Campbell
(11.8 ppg), Vlade Divac (14.3 ppg) and Anthony Peeler (7.3 ppg) all
capable of putting up points in a hurry. Nevertheless, the Rockets held
the Lakers to 100.3 points per game during the season series.
DEFENSE: The Lakers rely on quickness and ball-hawking, finishing
fourth in the league in blocked shots and sixth in steals. Campbell
(9.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks per game) and Divac (7.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg) form
a solid interior defense, and will have to step up to handle the
dominating Olajuwon. The Lakers outrebounded the Rockets by 2.5 per
game during the season series, but will need to limit second shots by
the Rockets, who shot .491 from the field.
BENCH: Johnson's presence deepens an excellent bench rotation which
includes Peeler, Threatt and George Lynch (5.5 ppg). The Lakers rotate
nine players. All receive ample minutes, leaving their starters fresh
throughout the game, which will be vital against the Rockets'
comparable depth.
KEY MATCHUP: Divac will have his hands full with Olajuwon, who averaged
28.0 points per game during the season series and is one of the
league's most dominant post players. Divac' ability to handle The Dream
one-on-one will enable Van Exel, Jones and Ceballos to contest the
Rockets' outside shooters and create transition scoring opportunities.
Houston Rockets (48-34)
No. 5 seed
OFFENSE: In Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets possess perhaps the most
unstoppable low-post player in the game. He averaged 28.0 points per
game against the Lakers and shot .540 from the field; the Lakers will
be hard-pressed to counter his ability to score from almost any angle.
Olajuwon's dominance forces defenses to double-team him, leaving Clyde
Drexler (22.5 ppg), Sam Cassell (16.3 ppg), Robert Horry (10.3 ppg)
and Kenny Smith (10.0 ppg) open for three-pointers, which they must
convert to keep the pressure off Olajuwon. The return from injury of
sixth man Mario Elie (13.0 ppg) provides an invaluable spark for the
Rockets off the bench.
DEFENSE: In addition to his offensive prowess, Olajuwon (11.0 rebounds,
2.0 blocks per game) is also a superior defender. However, the Rockets
were outboarded by the Lakers by 2.5 rebounds per game during the
regular season, and must keep the Lakers' active front line off the
boards. Cassell will have to contain the speedy Van Exel, whose
creativity in the open court is a key to the Lakers' offense.
BENCH: With sparkplug Cassell, Elie, Mark Bryant (9.3 ppg) and quickly
improving CBA alumni Sam Mack (7.0 ppg) and Eldridge Recasner (2.8 ppg),
the Rockets' bench is deeper than in either of their two previous
championship runs, which will help them match up against the equally
deep Lakers.
KEY MATCHUP: Fully recovered from a broken arm, Elie will be counted
upon to supply the clutch baskets, tenacious defense and veteran
leadership that had been missing from the Rockets most of the season.
Elie also will be called upon at various times to defend against
Ceballos, Jones and Peeler, and must help limit the Lakers' offensive
options.
nba.612vpoznanovic,
San Antonio vs. Phoenix
Fri., April 26: at San Antonio, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Sun., April 28: at San Antonio, 3 p.m. (NBC)
Wed., May 1: at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
Fri., May 3: at Phoenix,* TBA
Sun., May 5: at San Antonio,* TBA
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
Chuck Daly's analysis: "San Antonio's had an outstanding year, and
Phoenix has struggled so much this season, with injuries to Danny
Manning and Kevin Johnson, so nobody knows what to expect from them.
Phoenix is a dangerous team, but with the home-court advantage, San
Antonio will have an edge. Avery Johnson and Kevin Johnson will
probably nullify each other, though Kevin Johnson might have problems
dealing with Avery Johnson's end-to-end speed over a five-game series.
A big problem for the Suns will be finding someone who can handle
David Robinson."
The Spurs' half-court offense and depth were particularly effective
against the Suns during the regular season, as San Antonio won the
regular-season series, 3-1. David Robinson dominated in the paint,
averaging 28.0 points and 12.3 rebounds per game during the season
series, while Avery Johnson ran the Spurs' offense effectively with
13.3 points and 12.0 assists per game, and committed just three
turnovers in the four games. The Suns prefer an up-tempo game, but
were unable to open things up against the Spurs, averaging just 79
shots and 96.8 points per game during the season series. Charles
Barkley averaged 24.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, but shot just
.400 from the floor; the Suns shot just .435 as a team and will need
to find more easy shots.
San Antonio Spurs (59-23)
No. 2 seed
OFFENSE: The Spurs are a talented offensive team and can score
effectively in the half-court or full-court offense. David Robinson and
Avery Johnson were a deadly half-court tandem against the Suns, while
Sean Elliott (21.5 ppg), Charles Smith (10.0 ppg), Chuck Person (12.5
ppg) and Vinnie Del Negro (9.8 ppg) add to the Spurs' offensive balance.
Elliott, who shot .500 from the floor, must continue to share the
offensive load to keep the Suns from double-covering Robinson.
DEFENSE: The Spurs, who pressure the ball, came up with 24 steals in the
four-game series. Behind Robinson and midseason acquisition Smith, the
Spurs were the NBA's second-best defensive rebounding team, but were
outrebounded by the Suns by five per game in the series. Robinson (4.7
blocks per game) disrupted the Suns' offense in the paint, allowing
Johnson and the other Spurs guards to challenge the Suns' perimeter game.
Phoenix managed just .435 shooting from the floor, including .268 from
three-point range.
BENCH: Person and Doc Rivers (6.8 ppg) provide instant offense off the
bench, although Person, the Spurs' top three-point shooter, managed
only .344 from behind the arc against the Suns. Role players Will
Perdue (4.5 rpg) and Cory Alexander (1.7 ppg) contribute mainly on the
defensive end.
KEY MATCHUP: Avery Johnson outplayed his Suns counterpart, Kevin
Johnson, during the season series. His ability to orchestrate the Spurs'
offense as he did during the regular season, and to keep Johnson from
getting the Suns running, will be the keys to keeping the Spurs in their
half-court game.
Phoenix Suns (41-41)
No. 7 seed
OFFENSE: The Suns will attempt to create a wide-open, full-court offense
against the Spurs. Point guard Kevin Johnson (12.0 points, 8.3 assists
per game) can create offense from anywhere on the court, and must push
the ball upcourt to find open shots for the Suns. Charles Barkley is a
dominating inside player who can also shoot the three-pointer, though he
shot just .105 from behind the arc against the Spurs. Michael Finley
(18.8 ppg), Wesley Person (13.3) and Danny Manning (9.0 ppg) are all
natural scorers who make the Suns' offense potent in the open floor.
Finley's effectiveness, however, may be limited by a sprained ankle he
suffered in Sunday's season finale at Houston.
DEFENSE: The Suns' wide-open style may allow the Spurs some easy
baskets, but their main worry will be with the Spurs' half-court
offense. Behind Barkley and John Williams (11.3 rpg), the Suns
outrebounded the Spurs during the season series, but must put more
pressure on the ball. The Suns had just 19 steals and must force the
Spurs into more than the 42 turnovers they committed.
BENCH: Manning is among the top sixth men in the league, and Person is
the Suns' leading three-point shooter, shooting .350 against the Spurs
during the season. With A.C. Green (7.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Elliot Perry
(5.0 ppg), the Suns possess a deep, versatile bench, which must produce
for them to play their wide-open offensive style and stop the Spurs in
the half-court.
KEY MATCHUP: Johnson must attack the Spurs' interior defense to create
easy scoring opportunities for Barkley, Manning and Finley, and must
keep the pressure on Spurs point guard Avery Johnson to prevent him
from orchestrating San Antonio's efficient half-court offense.
nba.613vpoznanovic,
Utah vs. Portland
Thurs., April 25: at Utah, 9:30 p.m. (TBS)
Sat., April 27: at Utah, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
Mon., April 29: at Portland, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
Wed., May 1: at Portland,* 9:30 p.m. (TBS)
Sun., May 5: at Utah,* TBA
* - if necessary / TBA - to be announced
Chuck Daly's analysis: "Utah's been up and down late in the season,
but they have so much playoff experience; that'll be a big plus for
them. This will be a great series, though, because Arvydas Sabonis
makes the Blazers a very tough team. He has so much talent, and had
he started the year in the starting lineup, he'd probably be the
Rookie of the Year. Sabonis makes everybody better; he's an incredible
passer, and has great touch and range. The Blazers are a very, very
dangerous club. This series will be a close one."
The Blazers enter the playoffs one of the hottest teams in the league,
thanks to their new-found stifling defense, and must continue to play
together to handle the well-tuned Jazz, who rely on a controlled
offensive tempo and the overall excellence of their two superstars,
Karl Malone and John Stockton. Utah took the regular-season series
from Portland, 3-1, but that was before Arvydas Sabonis joined the
Blazers' starting lineup, the turning point in their season. Both the
Jazz and Blazers are top rebounding teams who are used to winning the
battle of the boards and limiting their opponent's second-shot
opportunities.
Utah Jazz (55-27)
No. 3 seed
OFFENSE: The Jazz led the league in field-goal percentage during the
regular season, and shot .525 from the field in the regular-season
series with the Blazers. John Stockton and Karl Malone, masters of the
pick-and-roll, form perhaps the greatest half-court duo in NBA history,
and both were productive against the Blazers. Malone averaged 32.5
points per game, on .570 shooting, and 9.0 rebounds per game, while
Stockton averaged 11.8 points and 10.5 assists per game. Stockton and
Jeff Hornacek (20.5 ppg) lead the perimeter offense. Chris Morris
(9.0 ppg) provides a full-court dimension, which will be vital in
handling the Blazers' defensive pressure.
DEFENSE: The Jazz were among the league's top rebounding teams, but
were outboarded by the Blazers by 1.5 rebounds per game during the
season series. Stockton will have his hands full with creative point
guard Rod Strickland, and must keep the pressure on his Portland
counterpart to preventing the Blazers from effectively running their
offense. Led by Malone, Hornacek and Stockton, the Jazz had 38 steals
against the Blazers during the regular season.
BENCH: Morris and Antoine Carr (11.7 ppg) are the primary offensive
threats off the Jazz bench. Adam Keefe (6.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Greg
Foster (5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg) provide depth up front and will see plenty
of action against the Blazers' deep frontcourt.
KEY MATCHUP: Stockton, the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals,
must provide plenty of both against Strickland. After committing 14
turnovers against the Blazers, Stockton must protect the ball and limit
Strickland's ability to penetrate defenses. Stockton is the key as the
Jazz attempt to maintain the deliberate tempo necessary to execute their
efficient half-court offense.
Portland Trail Blazers (44-38)
No. 6 seed
OFFENSE: Rod Strickland (19.5 points, 7.3 assists per game) can create
offense from anywhere on the court, and the Blazers have plenty of
outside shooting with Clifford Robinson (28.0 ppg), James Robinson
(9.0 ppg), Strickland and Aaron McKie (8.0 ppg). Arvydas Sabonis (7.3
ppg) was a key addition to the Blazers' starting lineup; his shooting
range and passing skills help create opportunities for the Blazers'
outside shooters. The Blazers shot just .451 from the field against the
Jazz during the season, and will need Strickland and Sabonis to help
create more open shots. The Blazers did earn 30.5 free throws per game
against the Jazz, and will continue to utilize their frontcourt depth
in the paint.
DEFENSE: With Chris Dudley (10.5 rpg), Sabonis (6.8 rpg), Harvey Grant
(6.0 rpg), Clifford Robinson (4.7 rpg) and Gary Trent (3.8 rpg), the
Blazers were the NBA's top defensive rebounding team. Their tough
interior defense will be challenged by Malone, a superior offensive
rebounder, and Utah's solid front line. Strickland had just two steals
against the Jazz and committed 17 turnovers. He must pressure Stockton
to disrupt Utah's offense.
BENCH: James Robinson and Rumeal Robinson (2.0 ppg) give the Blazers
backcourt depth and scoring punch, and Buck Williams, Dudley and Trent
provide plenty of rebounding. The Blazers' depth will be key in their
efforts to contain Malone.
KEY MATCHUP: Sabonis' presence in the starting lineup gave the Blazers
another scoring threat, while Dudley helped solidify their defensive
unit off the bench. The Blazers went 18-4 after Sabonis joined the
starting five, and his versatility will be key as he attempts to share
the scoring load with Strickland and Clifford Robinson and limit the
effectiveness of Utah's big men.
nba.614vpoznanovic,
Još malo analiza i prognoza, ovog puta u režiji Jacka Ramsaya...
BREAKDOWN: NO. 1 BULLS VS. NO. 8 HEAT
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat.
Guards: Chicago is a very good defensive team that forces a lot of
turnovers. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are great team defenders
and they pick off a lot of passes, so I expect they will be focused
and operating at their best.
Forwards: Pippen and Dennis Rodman make up a devastating forward
tandem that any team would be hard pressed to top.
Centers: Alonzo Mourning is one of the league's top centers, meaning
he is certainly better than the Bulls' center-by-committee.
Bench/Depth: Toni Kukoc is one of the best sixth men in the league
and Steve Kerr is instant offense off the bench.
3-point shooting: The Bulls are third in the NBA in 3-point
percentage.
Playoff experience: The Bulls have a decided edge here.
Coaching: Phil Jackson and Pat Riley are two of the best in the
postseason.
Overall: Chicago will win in three or four, taking advantage of the
Heat's tendency to turn it over too often and Miami's inability to
make consistent perimeter shots.
nba.615vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 4 CAVS VS. NO. 5 KNICKS
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks.
Guards: Derek Harper and John Starks rate a slight step ahead of
Terrell Brandon and Bobby Phills.
Forwards: The Charles Oakley-Anthony Mason combination has the edge
on the inside, but Danny Ferry and Chris Mills take the edge outside.
Centers: Patrick Ewing is ahead of Michael Cage in every area.
Bench/Depth: Pretty even here with Cleveland's Dan Majerle and New
York's Hubert Davis each providing a solid spark.
3-point shooting: The Cavs are a great 3-point shooting team. They
have Phills, Mills, Ferry and Majerle. Brandon mostly penetrates to
set up the shots, but he also can shoot treys.
Playoff experience: A slight edge to the Knicks here.
Coaching: Mike Fratello has done the most with the least of any team
in the NBA.
Overall: Cleveland in four. Player-for-player you would probably
give the Knicks the advantage at almost every position, but Cleveland
demonstrates the epitomy of team play.
nba.616vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 2 MAGIC VS. NO. 7 PISTONS
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons.
Guards: On the surface, you would say Orlando, with Penny Hardaway
and Nick Anderson, has the big edge. But thinking practically, Joe
Dumars and Allan Houston are very capable guys. Dumars has a lot of
experience and that makes it a lot closer.
Forwards: My expectation is that Anderson will defend Grant Hill,
but he won't stop him from penetrating. Hill takes it to the basket
probably better than anybody in the league. He's really their point
guard -- a point forward --and that really fits his game. Horace Grant
has the edge over Otis Thorpe, even though Thorpe is a good player.
Centers: Shaq will dominate over whomever they put out there. The
Pistons will trap him and force him to make passes, but he's so quick
and strong that he'll score before they have a chance to double him.
Bench/Depth: Neither team is very strong off the bench.
3-point shooting: Orlando with a big edge because of Dennis Scott,
Anderson and Hardaway.
Playoff experience: Except for Dumars, Thorpe and Mark West, Detroit
has very little.
Coaching: I think Brian Hill is an underrated guy, so I think that's
a wash.
Overall: Orlando in four. For the Pistons to have a chance, and they
certainly do, they have to play the good defense they've played all
year. But Orlando has the best first team in the league, and if
they're focused, which I think they'll be for this series. I don't
think Detroit can beat them. I think the games will be hard fought,
and Detroit will probably win a game -- maybe two, but I doubt it.
nba.617vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 3 PACERS VS. NO. 6 HAWKS
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Guards: With Reggie Miller on the sideline, you have to favor the
Hawks. But an X-factor for the Pacers is rookie guard Travis Best. If
he comes up big -- and he is a feisty little guy -- that could be
enough for the Pacers to win.
Atlanta's Mookie Blaylock and Stacey Augmon will steal your eye teeth
if your mouth's open a little bit. Steve Smith can stroke it long.
Blaylock is a little erratic, but he will knock down big shots for
you.
Forwards: Derrick McKey and Dale Davis form a formidable pair,
especially on the glass. Augmon can run the floor and is a great
complement to the other guys. Atlanta's Grant Long is one of the most
underrated players in the league.
Centers: Give the edge to Rik Smits, but he is hurting (foot
injury). Christian Laettner is doing a good job and he will fight
Smits.
Bench/Depth: Ricky Pierce and Eddie Johnson give the Pacers a pair
of experienced veterans to draw upon. Craig Ehlo could be a factor for
the Hawks.
3-point shooting: Without Miller, you give the edge to Atlanta.
Playoff experience: They've both been there, it's just that
Indiana's gone farther. But I still call it even.
Coaching: Very even with Lenny Wilkens and Larry Brown.
Overall: The Hawks in five. I think Atlanta is capable of the upset.
What the Hawks have to do is hold the Pacers even on the boards. If
they do that, I think they win. Atlanta is great at forcing turnovers
and generating an up-tempo game. The Hawks will be outsized at every
frontcourt position by the Pacers, but they won't be out-battled. It's
another team that's bigger than the sum of its parts.
nba.618vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 1 SONICS VS. NO. 8 KINGS
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
Seattle SuperSonics and Sacramento Kings.
Guards: Gary Payton against whomever: Tyus Edney, Bobby Hurley,
Sarunas Marciulionis -- Payton is just going to harass them to death.
At the two-guard, Mitch Richmond is one of the top players in the
league, but in this case, he just can't do it himself. Teamwise, the
Sonics force the most turnovers in the league, and Sacramento is
second in turnovers. It's just too much.
Forwards: I think Seattle dominates in every department except the
two-guard. The Kings only chance is if Richmond, Brian Grant and
Marciulionis have career games three times, and I don't think that can
happen.
Centers: Ervin Johnson is maturing and seeing more minutes.
Bench/Depth: Sam Perkins provides a double threat for the Sonics on
the inside and outside.
3-point shooting: The Kings' percentage is better, but the Sonics
get more production and have four legitimate weapons here: Hersey
Hawkins, Perkins, Detlef Schrempf and Payton.
Playoff experience: The Kings haven't been there since 1985-86 and
haven't won a game since 1980-81. Enough said.
Coaching: Even though he hasn't had much success in the postseason,
Seattle's George Karl gets the edge over Garry St. Jean, who is making
his first playoff appearance.
Overall: Sonics in a sweep. The Seattle defense is just too strong.
I think the Sonics come into this series focused, they'll dominate and
defensively they will just take the Kings right out of the game.
nba.619vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 4 LAKERS VS. NO. 5 ROCKETS
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Guards: I'd say it's even. The Rockets have a flood of guys now who
have gained valuable experience, but they have their main guys back
now. They have Clyde Drexler, Kenny Smith and Sam Cassell, and
Eldridge Recasner is a solid guy now. They can use Mario Elie back
there, and Sam Mack suddenly has developed.
I don't what list of players they're going to use because they can't
keep all those guys eligible for the playoffs, but they have a flood
of pretty good backcourt men.
And, of course, the Lakers have Nick Van Exel and they can use Magic
Johnson back there. I like Eddie Jones a lot. Anthony Peeler is strong
and Sedale Threatt is a very valuable utility guy. So I'd say it
washes out.
Another key in this series is how the Lakers will defend Drexler.
Jones is a pretty good defender, but I don't think he can play Clyde
when he takes him to the post. Clyde will take him down there and
score against him.
Forwards: I would give a slight edge to the Lakers, with Cedric
Ceballos' scoring outweighing Robert Horry's defense.
Centers: Hakeem Olajuwon has been virtually impossible for the
Lakers to stop. And the problem there is if they double Olajuwon, that
opens up the 3-point shooting.
Bench/Depth: The Rockets have the edge with all their 3-point
shootersand the guys off the bench. They can start Chucky Brown, they
can bring Elie into the game or they can start Elie. They can bring
Pete Chilcutt in off the bench. They can start Kenny Smith or bring
him off the bench. This is a team that is very deep and skilled with
players who know their roles very, very well.
3-point shooting: Houston by a big margin. They have all kinds of
guys: Horry and Cassell, Elie is a very good shooter and Smith will
shoot in streaks. Even the big guys can go out and knock down the
3-pointer. Chilcutt can hit threes, so they havet a load of guys.
That's a strong part of their game.
Playoff experience: You go with Houston again -- except for Magic,
who is the X-factor for the Lakers. He is capable of controlling a
game down the stretch, but my sense is that the Rockets will defend
him adequately, so he isn't quite as dominant as he has been during
the regular season.
Coaching: I'd say that's a wash. You have two very capable guys.
Overall: Rockets in five.
nba.620vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 2 SPURS VS. NO. 7 SUNS
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns.
Guards: A great matchup at the point guard with Kevin Johnson
against Avery Johnson -- Johnson against Johnson. Both guys need to
keep the other guy from penetrating, but I don't think either guy can
do it. So whoever does that better might tip the scales in favor of
his team.
At the two-guard position it's very even with Vinny Del Negro and
Wesley Person -- they're both good shooters. Del Negro has more
experience, but Person has done well in big games.
Forwards: If everybody is healthy, I would give the edge to Phoenix.
Charles Barkley against Charles Smith -- that favors the Suns. Sean
Elliott against Michael Finley is a great matchup. If Finley (sprained
ankle) isn't 100 percent, that's a big loss. If Finley isn't
available, that makes the job considerably easier for San Antonio
because Finley is a great young player.
Centers: That's a big factor because Phoenix almost has to do it by
committee, and then you get into the need to double-team and that
stretches them out too much. The Suns best chance might be to play
three forwards and use Wayman Tisdale down there and double-team David
Robinson as often as they can and play very aggressively -- but I
don't think it's enough.
Bench/Depth: It's really even.
3-point shooting: The Spurs are among the NBA's best in 3-point
shooting at just more than 39 percent. Chuck Person provides a huge
spark off the bench here. Phoenix's philosophy without Dan Majerle and
Danny Ainge has changed: The Suns don't take as many and don't make
as many as they used to.
Playoff experience: About even.
Coaching: I'd give Cotton Fitzsimmons a little edge here just
because all the playoff action he has had.
Overall: Spurs in five.
nba.621vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 3 JAZZ VS. NO. 6 BLAZERS
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Dr. Jack Ramsay examines the first-round playoff matchup between the
Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Guards: John Stockton is the master point guard on offense, but he
can't stop Rod Strickland from penetrating. The series might hinge on
which guy is able to somehow control the other.
Forwards: Karl Malone over anybody that the Blazers have, but Buck
Williams and Co. -- Harvey Grant, Cliff Robinson, Chris Dudley -- will
all get a whack at Malone. While they won't stop him, I think they
might be able to wear him down.
Centers: When you add Arvydas Sabonis' complete game -- passing,
scoring, rebounding -- to the team defense and Strickland's
penetration, I think Portland upsets Utah.
Bench/Depth: I give the edge to the Blazers.
3-point shooting: Jeff Hornacek and Stockton are high percentage
from 3-point land. The Blazers shoot 'em -- not with the accuracy of
Utah, but not bad. I'd give Utah a little edge there, but not
decisive.
Playoff experience: Utah has more experience and has gone farther
lately.
Coaching: I'd go with Utah's Jerry Sloan over Portland's P.J.
Carlesimo because of his experience.
Overall: Portland in five.
nba.622vpoznanovic,
I na kraju, konačne individualne i timske statistike regularnog dijela
sezone 1995/96 i liste najboljih svih vremena po kategorijama...
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Atlantic Division Through Sunday, April 21
BOSTON CELTICS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Dino Radja 53 19.7 9.9 1.6 113- 409- 522 48 81 117 161
Rick Fox 81 14.0 5.6 4.6 158- 292- 450 113 41 216 290
Dana Barros 80 13.0 2.4 3.8 21- 171- 192 58 3 120 116
David Wesley 82 12.3 3.2 4.8 68- 196- 264 100 11 159 207
Todd Day 79 11.7 2.8 1.4 70- 154- 224 81 51 109 225
Eric Williams 64 10.7 3.4 1.1 92- 125- 217 56 11 88 147
Dee Brown 65 10.7 2.1 2.3 36- 100- 136 80 12 74 119
Greg Minor 78 9.6 3.3 1.9 93- 164- 257 36 11 77 161
Eric Montross 61 7.3 5.8 0.7 119- 233- 352 19 29 83 181
Pervis Ellison 69 5.3 6.5 0.9 151- 300- 451 39 99 84 207
Junior Burrough 61 3.1 1.8 0.3 45- 64- 109 15 10 40 74
Thomas Hamilton 11 2.3 2.0 0.1 10- 12- 22 0 9 9 12
Alton Lister 64 2.2 4.4 0.3 67- 213- 280 6 42 48 136
Doug Smith 17 1.9 1.3 0.2 12- 10- 22 3 0 11 21
Todd Mundt 33 1.1 0.9 0.1 11- 17- 28 2 5 3 29
Charles Claxton 3 0.7 0.7 0.0 2- 0- 2 0 1 1 4
Larry Sykes 1 0.0 2.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 1 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Radja 426-852 .500 0-0 .000 191-275 .695 1043 33
Fox 421-928 .454 99-272 .364 196-254 .772 1137 33
Barros 379-805 .471 150-368 .408 130-147 .884 1038 27
Wesley 338-736 .459 116-272 .426 217-288 .753 1009 37
Day 299-817 .366 100-302 .331 224-287 .780 922 41
Williams 241-546 .441 3-10 .300 200-296 .676 685 31
Brown 246-617 .399 68-220 .309 135-158 .854 695 21
Minor 320-640 .500 7-27 .259 99-130 .762 746 24
Montross 196-346 .566 0-0 .000 50-133 .376 442 19
Ellison 145-295 .492 0-0 .000 75-117 .641 365 23
Burrough 64-170 .376 0-0 .000 61-93 .656 189 13
Hamilton 9-31 .290 0-0 .000 7-18 .389 25 13
Lister 51-105 .486 0-0 .000 41-64 .641 143 10
D Smith 14-39 .359 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 33 6
Mundt 16-41 .390 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 37 8
Claxton 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 0-2 .000 2 2
Sykes 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
MIAMI HEAT
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Alonzo Mourning 70 23.2 10.4 2.3 218- 509- 727 70 189 262 245
Tim Hardaway 80 15.2 2.9 8.0 35- 194- 229 132 17 235 201
Rex Chapman 56 14.0 2.6 3.0 22- 123- 145 45 10 79 117
Walt Williams 73 13.6 4.3 3.2 94- 221- 315 83 58 150 238
Sasha Danilovic 19 13.4 2.4 2.5 12- 34- 46 15 3 37 49
Chris Gatling 71 11.1 5.9 0.6 129- 288- 417 36 40 95 217
Kurt Thomas 74 9.0 6.0 0.6 126- 314- 440 49 36 99 271
Keith Askins 75 6.1 4.3 1.6 113- 211- 324 48 61 82 271
Voshon Lenard 30 5.9 1.7 1.0 12- 40- 52 6 1 23 31
Tyrone Corbin 71 5.8 3.4 1.2 81- 163- 244 63 20 67 147
Jeff Malone 32 5.8 1.3 0.8 8- 32- 40 16 0 22 25
Tony Smith 59 5.1 1.6 2.6 30- 65- 95 37 10 66 106
Dan Schayes 32 3.2 2.8 0.3 29- 60- 89 11 16 23 60
Stacey King 15 2.5 1.5 0.1 9- 14- 23 7 2 18 39
Leron Ellis 12 1.1 0.7 0.3 5- 3- 8 2 3 3 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mourning 563-1076 .523 9-30 .300 488-712 .685 1623 50
Hardaway 419-992 .422 138-379 .364 241-305 .790 1217 31
Chapman 289-679 .426 125-337 .371 83-113 .735 786 39
Williams 358-803 .446 112-289 .388 167-234 .714 995 29
Danilovic 83-184 .451 34-78 .436 55-72 .764 255 30
Gatling 326-567 .575 0-1 .000 139-207 .671 791 24
Thomas 275-552 .498 2-6 .333 114-176 .648 666 29
Askins 157-391 .402 99-237 .418 45-57 .789 458 21
Lenard 53-141 .376 36-101 .356 34-43 .791 176 20
Corbin 155-351 .442 3-18 .167 100-120 .833 413 19
Malone 76-193 .394 5-16 .313 29-32 .906 186 21
Smith 116-274 .423 38-116 .328 28-46 .609 298 17
Schayes 32-94 .340 0-0 .000 37-46 .804 101 17
King 17-36 .472 0-0 .000 4-8 .500 38 8
Ellis 5-22 .227 0-0 .000 3-6 .500 13 4
NEW JERSEY NETS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Armon Gilliam 78 18.3 9.1 1.8 241- 472- 713 73 53 177 180
Kendall Gill 47 14.0 4.9 5.5 72- 160- 232 64 24 131 131
Chris Childs 78 12.9 3.1 7.0 51- 194- 245 111 8 230 246
Shawn Bradley 79 12.0 8.1 0.8 221- 417- 638 49 288 179 286
Kevin Edwards 34 11.6 2.2 2.1 14- 61- 75 54 7 68 67
P J Brown 81 11.3 6.9 2.0 215- 345- 560 79 100 133 249
Jayson Williams 80 9.0 10.0 0.6 342- 461- 803 35 57 106 238
Vern Fleming 77 7.7 2.2 3.3 49- 121- 170 41 5 122 115
Ed Obannon 64 6.2 2.6 1.0 65- 103- 168 44 11 62 95
Khalid Reeves 51 5.5 1.6 2.3 18- 61- 79 37 3 63 115
Greg Graham 53 4.5 1.1 1.0 17- 40- 57 25 1 46 64
Robert Werdann 13 3.0 1.8 0.2 5- 18- 23 5 3 6 17
Yinka Dare 58 2.8 3.1 0.0 56- 125- 181 8 40 72 117
Rick Mahorn 50 2.4 2.2 0.3 31- 79- 110 14 13 30 72
Tim Perry 30 2.4 1.6 0.3 21- 27- 48 4 13 10 16
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
A Gilliam 576-1216 .474 0-1 .000 277-350 .791 1429 32
K Gill 246-524 .469 26-79 .329 138-176 .784 656 30
Childs 324-778 .416 95-259 .367 259-304 .852 1002 30
Bradley 387-873 .443 1-4 .250 169-246 .687 944 32
Edwards 142-390 .364 42-104 .404 68-84 .810 394 26
Brown 354-798 .444 3-15 .200 204-265 .770 915 30
Williams 279-660 .423 2-7 .286 161-272 .592 721 35
Fleming 227-524 .433 3-28 .107 133-177 .751 590 21
Obannon 156-400 .390 10-56 .179 77-108 .713 399 19
Reeves 95-227 .419 28-91 .308 61-82 .744 279 19
Graham 78-193 .404 32-82 .390 52-68 .765 240 15
Werdann 16-32 .500 0-0 .000 7-13 .538 39 10
Dare 63-144 .438 0-0 .000 38-62 .613 164 12
Mahorn 43-122 .352 0-1 .000 34-47 .723 120 11
Perry 31-65 .477 4-8 .500 5-9 .556 71 14
NEW YORK KNICKS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Patrick Ewing 76 22.5 10.6 2.1 157- 649- 806 68 184 221 247
Anthony Mason 82 14.6 9.3 4.4 220- 544- 764 69 34 211 246
Derek Harper 82 14.0 2.5 4.3 32- 170- 202 131 5 178 201
John Starks 81 12.6 2.9 3.9 31- 205- 236 103 11 156 226
Charles Oakley 53 11.4 8.7 2.6 162- 298- 460 58 14 104 195
Hubert Davis 74 10.7 1.7 1.4 35- 88- 123 31 8 63 120
Willie Anderson 76 9.8 3.2 2.6 48- 198- 246 75 59 141 230
Jr Reid 65 6.6 3.9 0.7 73- 182- 255 43 17 79 187
Gary Grant 47 4.9 1.1 1.5 12- 40- 52 39 3 45 91
Charlie Ward 62 3.9 1.7 2.1 29- 73- 102 54 5 79 98
Brad Lohaus 55 3.6 1.2 0.8 7- 57- 64 10 18 20 70
Herb Williams 44 3.1 2.1 0.6 15- 75- 90 14 33 22 79
Ronnie Grandison 6 3.0 2.2 0.3 5- 8- 13 4 1 1 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ewing 678-1456 .466 4-28 .143 351-461 .761 1711 41
Mason 449-798 .563 0-0 .000 298-414 .720 1196 30
Harper 436-939 .464 121-325 .372 156-206 .757 1149 25
Starks 375-846 .443 143-396 .361 131-174 .753 1024 37
Oakley 211-448 .471 7-26 .269 175-210 .833 604 20
Davis 275-566 .486 127-267 .476 112-129 .868 789 30
Anderson 288-660 .436 34-120 .283 132-163 .810 742 26
Reid 160-324 .494 0-1 .000 107-142 .754 427 22
Grant 88-181 .486 8-24 .333 48-58 .828 232 16
Ward 87-218 .399 33-99 .333 37-54 .685 244 15
Lohaus 71-175 .406 51-122 .418 4-5 .800 197 22
Williams 62-152 .408 1-4 .250 13-20 .650 138 10
Grandison 7-15 .467 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 18 7
ORLANDO MAGIC
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Shaquille Oneal 54 26.6 11.0 2.9 182- 414- 596 34 115 155 193
Penny Hardaway 82 21.7 4.3 7.1 129- 225- 354 166 41 229 160
Dennis Scott 82 17.5 3.8 3.0 63- 246- 309 90 29 121 169
Nick Anderson 77 14.7 5.4 3.6 92- 323- 415 121 46 141 135
Horace Grant 63 13.4 9.2 2.7 178- 402- 580 62 74 64 144
Kenny Gattison 25 9.2 4.6 0.6 35- 79- 114 10 11 40 75
Brian Shaw 75 6.6 3.0 4.5 58- 166- 224 58 11 173 160
Donald Royal 64 5.3 2.4 0.7 57- 96- 153 29 15 52 97
Joe Wolf 64 4.6 2.9 1.0 49- 138- 187 15 5 42 163
Brooks Thompson 33 4.2 0.7 0.9 4- 20- 24 12 0 24 35
Anthony Bowie 74 4.2 1.7 1.4 40- 83- 123 34 10 55 112
Anthony Bonner 4 3.3 4.8 1.0 6- 13- 19 3 0 3 11
Darrell Armstrong 13 3.2 0.2 0.4 0- 2- 2 6 0 6 4
Jon Koncak 67 3.0 4.1 0.8 63- 209- 272 27 44 41 226
David Vaughn 33 1.9 2.4 0.2 33- 47- 80 6 15 18 68
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Oneal 592-1033 .573 1-2 .500 249-511 .487 1434 49
Hardaway 623-1215 .513 89-283 .314 445-580 .767 1780 42
Scott 491-1117 .440 267-628 .425 182-222 .820 1431 37
Anderson 400-904 .442 168-430 .391 166-240 .692 1134 34
Grant 347-677 .513 1-6 .167 152-207 .734 847 29
Gattison 91-190 .479 0-0 .000 47-78 .603 229 20
Shaw 182-486 .374 41-144 .285 91-114 .798 496 19
Royal 106-216 .491 0-2 .000 125-164 .762 337 16
Wolf 135-263 .513 0-6 .000 21-29 .724 291 16
Thompson 48-103 .466 25-64 .391 19-27 .704 140 21
Bowie 128-272 .471 12-31 .387 40-46 .870 308 20
Bonner 5-15 .333 0-0 .000 3-7 .429 13 11
Armstrong 16-32 .500 6-12 .500 4-4 1.000 42 8
Koncak 84-175 .480 3-9 .333 32-57 .561 203 11
Vaughn 27-80 .338 0-1 .000 10-18 .556 64 10
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Jerry Stackhouse 72 19.2 3.7 3.9 90- 175- 265 76 79 252 179
Clarence Weatherspoon78 16.7 9.7 2.0 237- 516- 753 112 108 179 214
Vernon Maxwell 75 16.2 3.1 4.4 39- 190- 229 96 12 215 182
Trevor Ruffin 61 12.8 2.2 4.4 21- 111- 132 43 2 149 132
Derrick Coleman 11 11.2 6.6 2.8 13- 59- 72 4 10 28 30
Tony Massenburg 54 10.0 6.5 0.6 127- 225- 352 28 20 73 140
Sean Higgins 44 8.0 2.1 1.3 20- 72- 92 24 11 49 90
Ed Pinckney 74 6.5 6.2 1.0 189- 269- 458 64 28 77 156
Scott Skiles 10 6.3 1.6 3.8 1- 15- 16 7 0 16 21
Derrick Alston 73 6.2 4.1 0.8 127- 175- 302 56 52 59 191
Richard Dumas 39 6.2 2.5 1.1 42- 57- 99 42 6 49 79
Greg Sutton 48 5.3 1.0 2.1 8- 42- 50 25 2 62 92
Rex Walters 44 4.2 1.3 2.4 13- 42- 55 25 4 41 53
Trevor Wilson 6 3.8 2.3 0.7 7- 7- 14 3 0 1 9
Scott Williams 13 3.1 3.5 0.4 13- 33- 46 6 7 8 27
Mike Brown 9 2.9 4.1 0.3 14- 23- 37 3 2 6 24
Lasalle Thompson 44 1.9 4.5 0.6 62- 137- 199 19 20 37 125
Elmer Bennett 8 1.4 0.6 1.0 1- 4- 5 1 1 7 6
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Stackhouse 452-1091 .414 93-292 .318 387-518 .747 1384 34
Weatherspoon 491-1015 .484 0-2 .000 318-426 .746 1300 35
Maxwell 410-1052 .390 146-460 .317 251-332 .756 1217 41
Ruffin 263-648 .406 104-284 .366 148-182 .813 778 32
Coleman 48-118 .407 7-21 .333 20-32 .625 123 27
Massenburg 214-432 .495 0-3 .000 111-157 .707 539 25
Higgins 134-323 .415 48-129 .372 35-37 .946 351 27
Pinckney 171-335 .510 0-3 .000 136-179 .760 478 16
Skiles 20-57 .351 15-34 .441 8-10 .800 63 22
Alston 198-387 .512 1-3 .333 55-112 .491 452 30
Dumas 95-203 .468 2-9 .222 49-70 .700 241 20
Sutton 85-217 .392 47-117 .402 35-46 .761 252 15
Walters 61-148 .412 22-66 .333 42-52 .808 186 23
Wilson 10-20 .500 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 23 12
Williams 15-29 .517 0-2 .000 10-12 .833 40 10
Brown 9-16 .563 0-0 .000 8-17 .471 26 7
Thompson 33-83 .398 0-0 .000 19-24 .792 85 10
Bennett 4-17 .235 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 11 6
WASHINGTON BULLETS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Chris Webber 15 23.7 7.6 5.0 37- 77- 114 27 9 49 51
Juwan Howard 81 22.1 8.2 4.4 188- 472- 660 67 39 303 269
Robert Pack 31 18.1 4.3 7.8 29- 103- 132 62 1 114 68
Calbert Cheaney 70 15.1 3.4 2.2 67- 172- 239 67 18 128 205
Gheorghe Muresan 76 14.5 9.6 0.7 248- 480- 728 52 172 143 297
Rasheed Wallace 65 10.1 4.7 1.3 93- 210- 303 42 54 103 206
Brent Price 81 10.0 2.8 5.1 38- 190- 228 78 4 153 184
Tim Legler 77 9.4 1.8 1.8 29- 111- 140 45 12 45 141
Ledell Eackles 55 8.6 2.7 1.6 44- 104- 148 28 3 57 84
Mark Price 7 8.0 1.0 2.6 1- 6- 7 6 0 10 7
Chris Whitney 21 7.1 1.6 2.4 2- 31- 33 18 1 23 46
Mitchell Butler 61 3.9 1.9 1.1 29- 89- 118 41 12 67 104
Kevin Pritchard 2 3.5 1.0 3.5 0- 2- 2 2 0 0 3
Greg Grant 21 3.3 1.3 4.0 4- 23- 27 20 2 25 36
Bob Mccann 62 3.0 2.3 0.4 46- 97- 143 21 14 42 116
Jim Mcilvaine 80 2.3 2.9 0.1 66- 164- 230 21 166 36 171
Jeff Webster 11 1.6 0.6 0.3 2- 5- 7 4 0 3 7
Cedric Lewis 3 1.3 0.7 0.0 2- 0- 2 1 0 0 0
Bob Thornton 7 0.4 1.7 0.0 6- 6- 12 1 1 1 7
Mike Peplowski 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Webber 150-276 .543 15-34 .441 41-69 .594 356 40
Howard 733-1500 .489 4-13 .308 319-426 .749 1789 42
Pack 190-444 .428 26-98 .265 154-182 .846 560 35
Cheaney 426-905 .471 52-154 .338 151-214 .706 1055 29
Muresan 466-798 .584 0-1 .000 172-278 .619 1104 31
Wallace 275-565 .487 27-82 .329 78-120 .650 655 22
B Price 252-534 .472 139-301 .462 167-191 .874 810 30
Legler 233-461 .505 128-246 .520 132-153 .863 726 21
Eackles 161-377 .427 54-128 .422 98-118 .831 474 24
M Price 18-60 .300 10-30 .333 10-10 1.000 56 13
Whitney 45-99 .455 19-44 .432 41-44 .932 150 19
Butler 88-229 .384 13-60 .217 48-83 .578 237 22
K Pritchard 2-3 .667 1-1 1.000 2-3 .667 7 7
Grant 29-76 .382 6-28 .214 5-6 .833 69 14
Mccann 76-153 .497 1-2 .500 35-74 .473 188 13
Mcilvaine 62-145 .428 0-0 .000 58-105 .552 182 12
J Webster 8-23 .348 2-6 .333 0-0 .000 18 12
Lewis 2-3 .667 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 4 2
Thornton 1-6 .167 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 3 2
Peplowski 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.623vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Central Division Through Sunday, April 21
ATLANTA HAWKS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Steve Smith 80 18.1 4.1 2.8 124- 202- 326 68 17 151 207
Christian Laettner 74 16.5 7.3 2.7 184- 354- 538 71 71 187 276
Mookie Blaylock 81 15.7 4.1 5.9 110- 222- 332 212 17 188 151
Grant Long 82 13.2 9.6 2.2 248- 540- 788 108 34 157 233
Stacey Augmon 77 12.7 4.0 1.8 137- 167- 304 106 31 138 188
Ken Norman 34 8.9 3.9 1.9 40- 92- 132 15 16 46 68
Craig Ehlo 79 8.5 3.2 1.8 65- 191- 256 85 9 104 138
Sean Rooks 65 6.5 3.9 0.7 81- 174- 255 23 42 80 141
Alan Henderson 79 6.4 4.5 0.7 164- 192- 356 44 43 87 217
Reggie Jordan 24 3.9 2.2 1.2 23- 29- 52 12 7 19 30
Matt Bullard 46 3.8 1.3 0.4 18- 42- 60 17 11 24 50
Donnie Boyce 8 3.0 1.3 0.4 5- 5- 10 3 1 6 2
Howard Nathan 5 2.6 0.0 0.4 0- 0- 0 3 0 8 2
Ronnie Grandison 22 2.1 1.9 0.5 15- 27- 42 8 1 11 27
Tim Kempton 3 0.0 0.7 0.3 0- 2- 2 0 0 1 5
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Smith 494-1143 .432 140-423 .331 318-385 .826 1446 32
Laettner 442-907 .487 9-39 .231 324-396 .818 1217 29
Blaylock 455-1123 .405 231-623 .371 127-170 .747 1268 28
Long 395-838 .471 31-86 .360 257-337 .763 1078 24
Augmon 362-738 .491 1-4 .250 251-317 .792 976 24
Norman 127-273 .465 33-84 .393 17-48 .354 304 26
Ehlo 253-591 .428 82-221 .371 81-103 .786 669 28
Rooks 144-285 .505 1-7 .143 135-202 .668 424 19
Henderson 192-434 .442 0-3 .000 119-200 .595 503 16
Jordan 36-71 .507 0-0 .000 22-38 .579 94 14
Bullard 66-162 .407 26-72 .361 16-20 .800 174 28
Boyce 9-23 .391 4-8 .500 2-4 .500 24 8
Nathan 5-9 .556 0-1 .000 3-4 .750 13 6
Grandison 15-43 .349 4-14 .286 13-19 .684 47 8
Kempton 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Glen Rice 79 21.7 4.8 2.9 86- 292- 378 91 19 163 217
Larry Johnson 81 20.5 8.4 4.4 249- 434- 683 55 43 182 173
Kenny Anderson 69 15.2 2.9 8.3 63- 140- 203 111 14 146 178
Dell Curry 82 14.5 3.2 2.2 68- 196- 264 108 25 130 173
Scott Burrell 20 13.2 4.9 2.4 26- 72- 98 27 13 43 76
Matt Geiger 77 11.3 8.4 0.8 201- 448- 649 46 63 137 290
Anthony Goldwire 42 5.5 1.0 2.7 8- 35- 43 16 0 63 79
Michael Adams 21 5.4 1.1 3.2 5- 17- 22 21 4 25 25
Darrin Hancock 63 4.3 1.6 0.8 40- 58- 98 28 5 56 94
George Zidek 71 4.0 2.6 0.2 69- 114- 183 9 7 38 170
Robert Parish 74 3.9 4.1 0.4 89- 214- 303 21 54 50 80
Pete Myers 71 3.9 2.0 2.0 35- 105- 140 34 17 81 132
Rafael Addison 53 3.2 1.7 0.6 25- 65- 90 9 9 27 74
Tyrone Bogues 6 2.3 1.2 3.2 6- 1- 7 2 0 6 4
Gerald Glass 15 1.7 0.5 0.3 6- 2- 8 3 1 0 10
Donald Hodge 15 1.2 1.5 0.3 9- 14- 23 1 8 2 26
Corey Beck 5 1.0 1.4 1.0 3- 4- 7 1 0 4 8
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Rice 610-1296 .471 171-403 .424 319-381 .837 1710 38
L Johnson 583-1225 .476 67-183 .366 427-564 .757 1660 44
Anderson 349-834 .418 92-256 .359 260-338 .769 1050 39
Curry 441-974 .453 164-406 .404 146-171 .854 1192 27
Burrell 92-206 .447 37-98 .378 42-56 .750 263 26
Geiger 357-666 .536 3-8 .375 149-205 .727 866 28
Goldwire 76-189 .402 33-83 .398 46-60 .767 231 20
Adams 37-83 .446 14-41 .341 26-35 .743 114 14
Hancock 112-214 .523 1-3 .333 47-73 .644 272 16
Zidek 105-248 .423 0-0 .000 71-93 .763 281 21
Parish 120-241 .498 0-0 .000 50-71 .704 290 16
Myers 91-247 .368 14-58 .241 80-122 .656 276 20
Addison 77-165 .467 0-9 .000 17-22 .773 171 16
Bogues 6-16 .375 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 14 4
Glass 12-33 .364 1-6 .167 1-1 1.000 26 5
Hodge 9-24 .375 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 18 8
Beck 2-8 .250 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 5 5
CHICAGO BULLS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Michael Jordan 82 30.4 6.6 4.3 148- 395- 543 180 42 197 195
Scottie Pippen 77 19.4 6.4 5.9 152- 344- 496 133 57 207 198
Toni Kukoc 81 13.2 4.0 3.5 115- 208- 323 64 27 114 150
Luc Longley 62 9.1 5.1 1.9 104- 214- 318 22 84 114 224
Steve Kerr 82 8.4 1.3 2.3 25- 85- 110 63 2 42 109
Ron Harper 80 7.4 2.7 2.6 74- 139- 213 105 32 73 137
Dennis Rodman 64 5.5 14.9 2.5 356- 596- 952 36 27 138 196
Bill Wennington 71 5.3 2.5 0.7 58- 116- 174 21 16 37 172
Jack Haley 1 5.0 2.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 1 2
Jud Buechler 74 3.8 1.5 0.8 45- 66- 111 34 7 39 70
Dickey Simpkins 60 3.6 2.6 0.6 66- 90- 156 9 8 56 78
James Edwards 28 3.5 1.4 0.4 15- 25- 40 1 8 21 61
Jason Caffey 57 3.2 2.0 0.4 51- 60- 111 12 7 48 91
Randy Brown 68 2.7 1.0 1.1 17- 49- 66 57 12 31 88
John Salley 17 2.1 2.5 0.9 20- 23- 43 8 16 16 38
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Jordan 916-1850 .495 111-260 .427 548-657 .834 2491 53
Pippen 563-1216 .463 150-401 .374 220-324 .679 1496 40
Kukoc 386-787 .490 87-216 .403 206-267 .772 1065 34
Longley 242-502 .482 0-0 .000 80-103 .777 564 21
Kerr 244-482 .506 122-237 .515 78-84 .929 688 19
Harper 234-501 .467 28-104 .269 98-139 .705 594 22
Rodman 146-304 .480 3-27 .111 56-106 .528 351 12
Wennington 169-343 .493 1-1 1.000 37-43 .860 376 18
Haley 2-6 .333 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 5 5
Buechler 112-242 .463 40-90 .444 14-22 .636 278 14
Simpkins 77-160 .481 1-1 1.000 61-97 .629 216 12
Edwards 41-110 .373 0-0 .000 16-26 .615 98 12
Caffey 71-162 .438 0-1 .000 40-68 .588 182 13
Brown 78-192 .406 1-11 .091 28-46 .609 185 16
Salley 12-35 .343 0-0 .000 12-20 .600 36 12
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Terrell Brandon 75 19.3 3.3 6.5 47- 201- 248 132 33 142 147
Chris Mills 80 15.1 5.5 2.4 112- 331- 443 73 52 121 240
Bobby Phills 72 14.6 3.6 3.8 62- 199- 261 102 27 126 192
Danny Ferry 82 13.3 3.8 2.3 71- 238- 309 56 37 122 233
Dan Majerle 82 10.6 3.7 2.6 70- 235- 305 81 34 93 131
Tyrone Hill 44 7.8 5.6 0.8 94- 150- 244 31 20 64 144
Michael Cage 82 6.0 8.9 0.7 288- 441- 729 87 79 54 215
Bobby Sura 79 5.3 1.7 3.0 34- 101- 135 56 21 115 126
Harold Miner 19 3.2 0.6 0.4 4- 8- 12 0 0 14 23
John Crotty 58 3.0 0.9 1.8 20- 34- 54 22 6 51 60
Antonio Lang 41 2.8 1.3 0.3 17- 36- 53 14 12 24 61
John Amaechi 28 2.8 1.9 0.3 13- 39- 52 6 11 34 49
Donny Marshall 34 2.3 0.8 0.2 9- 17- 26 8 2 7 26
Joe Courtney 23 1.7 2.1 0.4 24- 25- 49 5 6 17 35
Darryl Johnson 11 1.1 0.2 0.1 2- 0- 2 0 0 1 3
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Brandon 510-1096 .465 91-235 .387 338-381 .887 1449 32
Mills 454-971 .468 79-210 .376 218-263 .829 1205 30
Phills 386-826 .467 93-211 .441 186-240 .775 1051 43
Ferry 422-919 .459 143-363 .394 103-134 .769 1090 32
Majerle 303-748 .405 146-414 .353 120-169 .710 872 25
Hill 130-254 .512 0-0 .000 81-135 .600 341 19
Cage 220-396 .556 0-1 .000 50-92 .543 490 20
Sura 148-360 .411 27-78 .346 99-141 .702 422 19
Miner 23-52 .442 2-10 .200 13-13 1.000 61 13
Crotty 51-114 .447 8-27 .296 62-72 .861 172 19
Lang 41-77 .532 0-2 .000 34-47 .723 116 14
Amaechi 29-70 .414 0-0 .000 19-33 .576 77 11
Marshall 24-68 .353 7-30 .233 22-35 .629 77 9
Courtney 15-35 .429 0-0 .000 8-18 .444 38 5
Johnson 5-12 .417 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 12 2
DETROIT PISTONS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Grant Hill 80 20.2 9.8 6.9 127- 656- 783 100 48 263 242
Allan Houston 82 19.7 3.7 3.1 54- 246- 300 61 16 233 233
Otis Thorpe 82 14.2 8.4 1.9 211- 477- 688 53 39 195 300
Joe Dumars 67 11.8 2.1 4.0 28- 110- 138 43 3 97 106
Terry Mills 82 9.4 4.3 1.2 108- 244- 352 42 20 98 197
Lindsey Hunter 80 8.5 2.4 2.4 44- 150- 194 84 18 80 185
Michael Curry 46 4.6 1.9 0.6 27- 58- 85 24 2 24 92
Theo Ratliff 75 4.6 4.0 0.2 110- 187- 297 16 116 56 144
Don Reid 69 3.8 2.9 0.2 78- 125- 203 47 40 41 199
Mark Macon 23 3.2 1.0 0.7 10- 12- 22 15 0 9 34
Mark West 47 3.2 2.8 0.1 49- 84- 133 6 37 35 135
Eric Leckner 18 2.4 1.9 0.1 8- 26- 34 2 4 11 30
Stephen Bardo 9 2.4 2.4 1.7 2- 20- 22 4 1 5 17
Lou Roe 49 1.8 1.6 0.3 30- 48- 78 10 8 17 42
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Hill 564-1221 .462 5-26 .192 485-646 .751 1618 35
Houston 564-1244 .453 191-447 .427 298-362 .823 1617 38
Thorpe 452-853 .530 0-4 .000 257-362 .710 1161 27
Dumars 255-598 .426 121-298 .406 162-197 .822 793 41
Mills 283-675 .419 82-207 .396 121-157 .771 769 24
Hunter 239-628 .381 117-289 .405 84-120 .700 679 21
Curry 73-161 .453 20-53 .377 45-62 .726 211 17
Ratliff 128-230 .557 0-1 .000 85-120 .708 341 21
Reid 106-187 .567 0-0 .000 51-77 .662 263 12
Macon 29-67 .433 7-15 .467 9-11 .818 74 12
West 61-126 .484 0-0 .000 28-45 .622 150 15
Leckner 18-29 .621 0-0 .000 8-13 .615 44 13
Bardo 9-23 .391 0-4 .000 4-6 .667 22 8
Roe 32-90 .356 2-9 .222 24-32 .750 90 14
INDIANA PACERS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Reggie Miller 76 21.1 2.8 3.3 38- 176- 214 77 13 189 175
Rik Smits 63 18.5 6.9 1.8 119- 314- 433 21 45 160 226
Derrick Mckey 75 11.7 4.8 3.5 123- 238- 361 83 44 143 246
Dale Davis 78 10.3 9.1 1.0 252- 457- 709 56 112 119 238
Mark Jackson 81 9.9 3.8 7.8 65- 242- 307 100 5 201 153
Ricky Pierce 76 9.7 1.8 1.3 40- 96- 136 57 6 93 188
Antonio Davis 82 8.8 6.1 0.5 188- 313- 501 33 65 87 248
Eddie Johnson 62 7.7 2.5 1.1 45- 108- 153 20 4 56 104
Travis Best 59 3.8 0.8 1.6 11- 33- 44 20 3 63 80
Duane Ferrell 54 3.7 1.7 0.6 32- 61- 93 23 3 34 83
Haywoode Workman 77 3.6 1.6 2.8 27- 97- 124 65 5 93 152
Dwayne Schintzius 33 3.4 2.4 0.4 23- 55- 78 12 12 19 53
Adrian Caldwell 51 2.2 2.2 0.1 42- 68- 110 9 5 35 73
Fred Hoiberg 15 2.1 0.6 0.5 4- 5- 9 6 1 7 12
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Miller 504-1066 .473 168-410 .410 430-498 .863 1606 40
Smits 466-894 .521 1-5 .200 231-293 .788 1164 44
Mckey 346-712 .486 17-68 .250 170-221 .769 879 25
D Davis 334-599 .558 0-0 .000 135-289 .467 803 21
Jackson 296-626 .473 64-149 .430 150-191 .785 806 21
Pierce 264-590 .447 35-104 .337 174-205 .849 737 26
A Davis 236-482 .490 1-2 .500 246-345 .713 719 26
Johnson 180-436 .413 45-128 .352 70-79 .886 475 26
Best 69-163 .423 8-25 .320 75-90 .833 221 13
Ferrell 80-166 .482 0-8 .000 42-57 .737 202 14
Workman 101-259 .390 23-71 .324 54-73 .740 279 14
Schintzius 49-110 .445 0-0 .000 13-21 .619 111 17
Caldwell 46-83 .554 0-0 .000 18-36 .500 110 11
Hoiberg 8-19 .421 1-3 .333 15-18 .833 32 8
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Vin Baker 82 21.1 9.9 2.6 263- 545- 808 65 91 216 272
Glenn Robinson 82 20.2 6.2 3.6 137- 368- 505 95 42 282 236
Sherman Douglas 79 11.2 2.3 5.5 55- 125- 180 61 4 193 164
Johnny Newman 82 10.9 2.4 1.9 66- 134- 200 92 15 109 257
Benoit Benjamin 83 8.8 6.5 0.8 141- 398- 539 45 86 144 224
Terry Cummings 81 8.0 5.5 1.1 162- 283- 445 56 30 69 263
Marty Conlon 74 5.3 2.4 0.9 58- 119- 177 20 11 79 126
Lee Mayberry 82 5.2 1.1 3.7 21- 69- 90 64 11 89 144
Shawn Respert 62 4.9 1.2 1.1 28- 46- 74 32 6 42 67
Randoplh Keys 69 3.4 1.8 0.9 41- 84- 125 32 13 31 139
Jerry Reynolds 19 3.0 1.7 0.6 13- 20- 33 15 6 16 20
Mike Peplowski 5 1.4 0.8 0.2 1- 3- 4 1 2 2 6
Kevin Duckworth 8 1.1 0.9 0.3 2- 5- 7 2 0 2 19
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Baker 699-1429 .489 10-48 .208 321-479 .670 1729 41
Robinson 627-1382 .454 90-263 .342 316-389 .812 1660 39
Douglas 343-684 .501 41-111 .369 161-220 .732 888 26
Newman 323-650 .497 60-161 .373 185-231 .801 891 27
Benjamin 294-590 .498 0-3 .000 140-194 .722 728 29
Cummings 270-584 .462 1-7 .143 104-160 .650 645 24
Conlon 153-327 .468 5-30 .167 84-110 .764 395 18
Mayberry 153-364 .420 75-189 .397 41-68 .603 422 16
Respert 113-292 .387 42-122 .344 35-42 .833 303 20
Keys 87-208 .418 22-71 .310 36-43 .837 232 17
Reynolds 21-53 .396 1-10 .100 13-21 .619 56 9
Peplowski 3-5 .600 0-0 .000 1-3 .333 7 3
Duckworth 3-14 .214 0-0 .000 3-6 .500 9 3
TORONTO RAPTORS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Damon Stoudamire 70 19.0 4.0 9.3 59- 222- 281 98 19 267 166
Tracy Murray 82 16.2 4.3 1.6 114- 238- 352 87 40 132 208
Oliver Miller 76 12.9 7.4 2.9 177- 385- 562 108 143 202 277
Sharone Wright 57 11.7 6.3 0.7 148- 208- 356 30 49 109 163
Alvin Robertson 77 9.3 4.4 4.2 110- 232- 342 166 36 183 268
Carlos Rogers 56 7.7 3.0 0.6 80- 90- 170 25 48 61 87
Zan Tabak 67 7.7 4.8 0.9 117- 203- 320 24 29 101 204
Doug Christie 55 7.6 2.8 2.1 34- 120- 154 70 19 95 141
Acie Earl 42 7.5 3.1 0.6 51- 78- 129 18 37 49 73
Dan Osullivan 5 6.6 6.4 0.4 13- 19- 32 2 4 5 13
John Salley 25 6.0 3.9 1.6 26- 71- 97 11 12 39 72
Dwayne Whitfield 8 5.0 3.1 0.3 9- 16- 25 3 2 8 14
Martin Lewis 16 4.7 1.8 0.2 15- 14- 29 8 3 14 21
Jimmy King 62 4.5 1.8 1.4 43- 67- 110 21 13 60 78
Vincenzo Esposito 30 3.9 0.5 0.8 4- 12- 16 7 0 39 27
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Stoudamire 481-1129 .426 133-337 .395 236-296 .797 1331 30
Murray 496-1092 .454 151-358 .422 182-219 .831 1325 40
Miller 418-795 .526 0-11 .000 146-221 .661 982 35
Wright 248-512 .484 1-3 .333 167-259 .645 664 30
Robertson 285-607 .470 41-151 .272 107-158 .677 718 30
Rogers 178-344 .517 3-21 .143 71-130 .546 430 28
Tabak 225-414 .543 0-1 .000 64-114 .561 514 26
Christie 150-337 .445 46-106 .434 69-93 .742 415 30
Earl 117-276 .424 0-3 .000 82-114 .719 316 40
Osullivan 13-35 .371 0-1 .000 7-8 .875 33 15
Salley 51-105 .486 0-0 .000 47-65 .723 149 15
Whitfield 13-30 .433 0-0 .000 14-22 .636 40 16
Lewis 29-60 .483 2-7 .286 15-25 .600 75 17
King 110-255 .431 5-34 .147 54-77 .701 279 14
Esposito 36-100 .360 13-56 .232 31-39 .795 116 18
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.624vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Pacific Division Through Saturday, April 21
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Latrell Sprewell 78 18.9 4.9 4.2 124- 256- 380 127 45 222 150
Joe Smith 82 15.3 8.7 1.0 300- 417- 717 85 134 138 224
Chris Mullin 55 13.4 2.9 3.5 44- 115- 159 75 32 122 127
B J Armstrong 82 12.3 2.2 4.9 22- 162- 184 68 6 128 147
Rony Seikaly 64 12.1 7.8 1.1 166- 333- 499 40 69 180 219
Bimbo Coles 81 11.0 3.2 5.2 49- 211- 260 94 17 171 253
Kevin Willis 75 10.6 8.5 0.7 208- 430- 638 32 41 161 253
Jerome Kersey 76 6.7 4.8 1.5 154- 209- 363 91 45 75 205
Donyell Marshall 62 5.5 3.4 0.8 65- 148- 213 22 31 48 83
Jon Barry 68 3.8 0.9 1.3 17- 46- 63 33 11 42 51
Clifford Rozier 59 3.1 2.9 0.4 71- 100- 171 19 30 40 135
Andrew Declercq 22 2.7 1.8 0.4 18- 21- 39 7 5 4 30
Robert Churchwell 4 1.5 0.8 0.3 0- 3- 3 0 0 2 1
Geert Hammink 6 1.3 0.7 0.0 2- 2- 4 0 0 2 2
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Sprewell 515-1202 .428 91-282 .323 352-446 .789 1473 32
Smith 469-1024 .458 10-28 .357 303-392 .773 1251 30
Mullin 269-539 .499 59-150 .393 137-160 .856 734 26
Armstrong 340-727 .468 98-207 .473 234-279 .839 1012 35
Seikaly 285-568 .502 2-3 .667 204-282 .723 776 31
Coles 318-777 .409 88-254 .346 168-211 .796 892 26
Willis 325-712 .456 1-9 .111 143-202 .708 794 25
Kersey 205-500 .410 3-17 .176 97-147 .660 510 16
Marshall 125-314 .398 28-94 .298 64-83 .771 342 24
Barry 91-185 .492 44-93 .473 31-37 .838 257 19
Rozier 79-135 .585 0-2 .000 26-55 .473 184 14
Declercq 24-50 .480 0-1 .000 11-19 .579 59 10
Churchwell 3-8 .375 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 6 6
Hammink 2-4 .500 0-0 .000 4-7 .571 8 4
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Loy Vaught 80 16.2 10.1 1.4 204- 604- 808 87 40 158 241
Brian Williams 65 15.8 7.6 1.9 149- 343- 492 70 55 190 227
Terry Dehere 82 12.4 1.7 4.3 41- 102- 143 54 16 191 239
Pooh Richardson 63 11.7 2.5 5.4 35- 123- 158 77 13 95 134
Rodney Rogers 67 11.6 4.3 2.5 113- 173- 286 75 35 144 216
Malik Sealy 62 11.5 3.9 1.9 76- 164- 240 84 28 113 150
Brent Barry 79 10.1 2.1 2.9 38- 130- 168 95 22 120 196
Lamond Murray 77 8.4 3.2 1.1 89- 157- 246 61 25 108 151
Stanley Roberts 51 7.0 3.2 0.8 42- 120- 162 15 39 48 153
Eric Piatkowski 65 4.6 1.6 0.7 40- 63- 103 24 10 45 83
Antonio Harvey 55 3.7 3.6 0.3 69- 131- 200 27 47 44 76
Charles Outlaw 80 3.6 2.5 0.6 87- 113- 200 44 91 45 127
Keith Tower 34 2.4 1.5 0.2 22- 29- 51 4 11 16 50
Logan Vander Velden 15 0.6 0.4 0.1 1- 5- 6 0 0 0 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Vaught 571-1087 .525 7-19 .368 149-205 .727 1298 28
Williams 416-766 .543 1-6 .167 196-267 .734 1029 35
Dehere 315-686 .459 139-316 .440 245-325 .754 1014 31
Richardson 281-664 .423 94-245 .384 78-105 .743 734 31
Rogers 306-641 .477 49-153 .320 113-180 .628 774 25
Sealy 272-655 .415 21-100 .210 147-184 .799 712 29
Barry 283-597 .474 123-296 .416 111-137 .810 800 30
Murray 257-575 .447 37-116 .319 99-132 .750 650 22
Roberts 141-304 .464 0-0 .000 74-133 .556 356 25
Piatkowski 98-242 .405 38-114 .333 67-82 .817 301 16
Harvey 83-224 .371 0-2 .000 38-83 .458 204 13
Outlaw 107-186 .575 0-3 .000 74-164 .451 288 14
Tower 32-72 .444 0-1 .000 18-26 .692 82 19
Vander Velde 3-14 .214 0-5 .000 3-4 .750 9 2
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Cedric Ceballos 78 21.2 6.9 1.5 215- 321- 536 94 22 167 144
Nick Van Exel 74 14.9 2.5 6.9 29- 152- 181 70 10 156 115
Magic Johnson 32 14.6 5.7 6.9 40- 143- 183 26 13 103 48
Elden Campbell 82 13.9 7.6 2.2 162- 461- 623 88 212 137 300
Vlade Divac 79 12.9 8.6 3.3 198- 481- 679 76 131 199 274
Eddie Jones 70 12.8 3.3 3.5 45- 188- 233 129 45 99 162
Anthony Peeler 73 9.7 1.9 1.6 45- 92- 137 59 10 56 139
Sedale Threatt 82 7.3 1.2 3.3 20- 75- 95 68 11 74 178
George Lynch 76 3.8 2.8 0.7 82- 127- 209 47 10 40 106
Fred Roberts 33 3.7 1.4 0.8 18- 29- 47 16 4 24 24
Derek Strong 63 3.4 2.8 0.5 60- 118- 178 18 12 20 80
Corie Blount 57 3.2 3.0 0.7 69- 101- 170 25 35 47 109
Anthony Miller 27 1.3 0.9 0.2 11- 14- 25 4 1 8 19
Frankie King 6 1.2 0.3 0.3 1- 1- 2 2 0 2 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ceballos 638-1203 .530 51-184 .277 329-409 .804 1656 38
Van Exel 396-950 .417 144-403 .357 163-204 .799 1099 30
Johnson 137-294 .466 22-58 .379 172-201 .856 468 30
Campbell 447-888 .503 0-5 .000 249-349 .713 1143 29
Divac 414-807 .513 3-18 .167 189-295 .641 1020 29
Jones 337-685 .492 83-227 .366 136-184 .739 893 27
Peeler 272-602 .452 105-254 .413 61-86 .709 710 25
Threatt 241-526 .458 60-169 .355 54-71 .761 596 27
Lynch 117-272 .430 4-13 .308 53-80 .663 291 14
Roberts 48-97 .495 4-14 .286 22-28 .786 122 19
Strong 72-169 .426 1-9 .111 69-85 .812 214 16
Blount 79-167 .473 0-2 .000 25-44 .568 183 11
Miller 15-35 .429 0-2 .000 6-10 .600 36 6
F King 3-11 .273 0-1 .000 1-3 .333 7 3
PHOENIX SUNS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Charles Barkley 71 23.2 11.6 3.7 243- 578- 821 114 56 218 208
Kevin Johnson 56 18.7 4.0 9.2 42- 179- 221 82 13 170 144
Michael Finley 82 15.0 4.6 3.5 139- 235- 374 85 31 133 199
Danny Manning 33 13.4 4.3 2.0 30- 113- 143 38 24 77 121
Wesley Person 82 12.7 3.9 1.7 56- 265- 321 55 22 85 148
Wayman Tisdale 63 10.7 3.4 0.9 55- 159- 214 15 36 63 188
Elliot Perry 81 8.6 1.7 4.4 34- 102- 136 87 6 146 140
Ac Green 82 7.5 6.8 0.9 166- 388- 554 45 23 79 141
John Williams 62 7.3 6.0 1.0 129- 243- 372 46 90 62 170
Mario Bennett 19 4.5 2.6 0.3 21- 28- 49 11 11 11 46
Chris Carr 60 4.0 1.7 0.7 27- 75- 102 10 5 40 77
Terrence Rencher 36 2.9 1.2 1.5 9- 35- 44 16 2 43 37
Joe Kleine 56 2.9 2.4 0.8 36- 96- 132 13 5 37 113
John Coker 5 1.6 0.4 0.2 2- 0- 2 0 1 0 1
Stefano Rusconi 7 1.1 0.9 0.4 3- 3- 6 0 2 3 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Barkley 580-1160 .500 49-175 .280 440-566 .777 1649 45
Johnson 342-674 .507 21-57 .368 342-398 .859 1047 39
Finley 465-976 .476 61-186 .328 242-323 .749 1233 27
Manning 178-388 .459 3-14 .214 82-109 .752 441 32
W Person 390-877 .445 117-313 .374 148-192 .771 1045 29
Tisdale 279-564 .495 0-0 .000 114-149 .765 672 30
Perry 261-549 .475 24-59 .407 151-194 .778 697 35
Green 215-444 .484 14-52 .269 168-237 .709 612 29
Williams 180-397 .453 0-1 .000 95-130 .731 455 23
Bennett 29-64 .453 0-1 .000 27-42 .643 85 12
Carr 90-217 .415 11-42 .262 49-60 .817 240 15
Rencher 33-100 .330 9-29 .310 31-46 .674 106 8
Kleine 71-169 .420 2-7 .286 20-25 .800 164 15
Coker 4-5 .800 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 8 4
Rusconi 3-9 .333 0-0 .000 2-5 .400 8 7
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Clifford Robinson 78 21.1 5.7 2.4 123- 320- 443 86 68 194 248
Rod Strickland 67 18.8 4.4 9.6 89- 208- 297 97 16 255 135
Arvydas Sabonis 73 14.5 8.1 1.8 147- 441- 588 64 78 154 211
Aaron Mckie 81 10.7 3.8 2.5 86- 218- 304 92 21 135 204
Harvey Grant 76 9.3 4.8 1.5 117- 244- 361 60 43 82 173
James Robinson 76 8.5 2.1 2.0 44- 113- 157 34 16 111 146
Gary Trent 69 7.5 3.5 0.7 84- 154- 238 25 11 92 116
Buck Williams 70 7.3 5.8 0.6 159- 245- 404 40 47 90 187
Rumeal Robinson 43 5.7 1.8 3.3 19- 59- 78 26 5 72 79
Chris Dudley 80 5.1 9.0 0.5 239- 481- 720 41 100 78 251
Dontonio Wingfield 44 3.8 2.4 0.6 45- 59- 104 20 6 31 73
Randolph Childress 28 3.0 0.7 1.1 1- 18- 19 8 1 28 22
Anthony Cook 11 1.4 1.1 0.2 5- 7- 12 0 1 1 8
Elmore Spencer 17 0.8 0.8 0.1 3- 10- 13 0 2 6 12
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
C Robinson 553-1306 .423 178-471 .378 360-542 .664 1644 41
Strickland 471-1023 .460 38-111 .342 276-423 .652 1256 32
Sabonis 394-723 .545 39-104 .375 231-305 .757 1058 26
Mckie 337-722 .467 38-117 .325 152-199 .764 864 24
Grant 314-679 .462 21-67 .313 60-110 .545 709 24
J Robinson 229-574 .399 102-284 .359 89-135 .659 649 22
Trent 220-429 .513 0-9 .000 78-141 .553 518 21
Williams 192-384 .500 2-3 .667 125-187 .668 511 21
R Robinson 92-221 .416 30-79 .380 33-51 .647 247 20
Dudley 162-358 .453 0-1 .000 80-157 .510 404 13
Wingfield 60-157 .382 19-63 .302 26-34 .765 165 17
Childress 25-79 .316 13-47 .277 22-27 .815 85 18
Cook 7-16 .438 0-2 .000 1-4 .250 15 4
Spencer 5-13 .385 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 14 5
SACRAMENTO KINGS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Mitch Richmond 81 23.1 3.3 3.2 54- 215- 269 125 19 220 233
Brian Grant 78 14.4 7.0 1.6 175- 370- 545 40 103 185 269
Billy Owens 62 13.0 6.6 3.3 143- 268- 411 49 38 164 192
Olden Polynice 81 12.2 9.4 0.7 257- 507- 764 52 66 127 250
Sarunas Marciulionis 53 10.8 1.5 2.2 20- 57- 77 52 4 96 112
Tyus Edney 80 10.8 2.5 6.1 63- 138- 201 89 3 192 203
Kevin Gamble 65 5.9 1.7 1.5 21- 92- 113 35 8 43 147
Corliss Williamson 53 5.6 2.1 0.4 56- 56- 112 11 9 76 115
Michael Smith 65 5.5 6.0 1.7 143- 246- 389 47 46 72 166
Lionel Simmons 54 4.6 2.7 1.5 41- 104- 145 31 20 51 85
Byron Houston 25 3.4 3.4 0.3 31- 53- 84 13 7 17 59
Duane Causwell 73 3.4 3.4 0.3 83- 165- 248 27 78 53 173
Bobby Hurley 72 3.1 1.0 3.0 12- 63- 75 28 3 86 121
Clint Mcdaniel 12 2.4 0.8 0.6 3- 7- 10 5 0 2 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Richmond 611-1368 .447 225-515 .437 425-491 .866 1872 47
Grant 427-842 .507 4-17 .235 262-358 .732 1120 32
Owens 323-673 .480 5-18 .278 157-247 .636 808 34
Polynice 431-818 .527 1-3 .333 122-203 .601 985 27
Marciulionis 176-389 .452 64-157 .408 155-200 .775 571 25
Edney 305-740 .412 53-144 .368 197-252 .782 860 20
Gamble 152-379 .401 44-114 .386 38-48 .792 386 37
C Williamson 125-268 .466 0-3 .000 47-84 .560 297 26
Smith 144-238 .605 1-1 1.000 68-177 .384 357 15
Simmons 86-217 .396 19-51 .373 56-77 .727 247 19
Houston 32-64 .500 1-3 .333 21-26 .808 86 8
Causwell 90-216 .417 0-1 .000 70-96 .729 250 18
Hurley 65-230 .283 22-76 .289 68-85 .800 220 17
Mcdaniel 8-23 .348 2-6 .333 11-14 .786 29 8
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Shawn Kemp 79 19.6 11.4 2.2 276- 628- 904 93 127 315 298
Gary Payton 81 19.3 4.2 7.5 104- 235- 339 231 19 260 220
Detlef Schrempf 63 17.1 5.2 4.4 73- 255- 328 56 8 146 179
Hersey Hawkins 82 15.6 3.6 2.7 86- 211- 297 149 14 164 173
Sam Perkins 82 11.8 4.5 1.5 101- 266- 367 83 48 82 173
Vincent Askew 69 8.5 3.2 2.4 65- 153- 218 47 15 96 178
Ervin Johnson 81 5.5 5.4 0.6 129- 304- 433 40 129 98 245
Frank Brickowski 63 5.4 2.4 0.9 26- 125- 151 26 8 78 185
Nate Mcmillan 55 5.0 3.8 3.6 41- 169- 210 95 18 75 143
David Wingate 60 3.7 0.9 1.0 17- 39- 56 20 4 42 66
Sherell Ford 28 3.2 0.9 0.2 12- 12- 24 8 1 6 27
Eric Snow 43 2.7 1.0 1.7 9- 34- 43 28 0 38 53
Steve Scheffler 35 1.7 0.9 0.1 16- 17- 33 6 1 8 25
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Kemp 526-937 .561 5-12 .417 493-664 .742 1550 32
Payton 618-1276 .484 98-299 .328 229-306 .748 1563 38
D Schrempf 360-740 .486 73-179 .408 287-370 .776 1080 35
Hawkins 443-936 .473 146-380 .384 247-283 .873 1279 35
Perkins 325-797 .408 129-363 .355 191-241 .793 970 26
Askew 215-436 .493 29-86 .337 125-163 .767 584 21
Johnson 180-352 .511 1-3 .333 85-127 .669 446 28
Brickowski 123-252 .488 32-79 .405 61-86 .709 339 21
Mcmillan 100-238 .420 46-121 .380 29-41 .707 275 13
Wingate 88-212 .415 15-34 .441 32-41 .780 223 18
Ford 30-80 .375 4-25 .160 26-34 .765 90 9
Snow 42-100 .420 2-10 .200 29-49 .592 115 9
S Scheffler 24-45 .533 1-5 .200 9-19 .474 58 8
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.625vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Midwest Division Through Saturday, April 21
DALLAS MAVERICKS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Jamal Mashburn 18 23.4 5.4 2.8 37- 60- 97 14 3 55 39
Jim Jackson 82 19.6 5.0 2.9 173- 237- 410 47 23 191 165
George Mccloud 79 19.0 4.8 2.7 116- 263- 379 113 38 166 212
Jason Kidd 81 16.6 6.8 9.7 203- 350- 553 175 25 328 155
Tony Dumas 67 11.6 1.7 1.5 58- 57- 115 42 13 77 128
Popeye Jones 68 11.3 10.8 1.9 260- 477- 737 54 27 109 262
Lucious Harris 61 7.9 2.0 1.3 41- 81- 122 35 3 46 56
Scott Brooks 69 5.1 0.6 1.5 11- 30- 41 42 3 43 53
Loren Meyer 72 5.0 4.4 0.8 114- 205- 319 20 32 67 224
Terry Davis 28 4.9 4.2 0.8 43- 74- 117 10 4 25 66
Cherokee Parks 64 3.9 3.4 0.5 66- 150- 216 25 32 31 100
David Wood 62 3.4 2.5 0.6 51- 103- 154 19 10 24 150
Lorenzo Williams 65 3.1 8.0 1.3 234- 287- 521 48 122 78 226
Reggie Slater 11 2.8 1.4 0.2 4- 11- 15 2 3 9 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mashburn 145-383 .379 35-102 .343 97-133 .729 422 37
Jackson 569-1308 .435 121-333 .363 345-418 .825 1604 38
Mccloud 530-1281 .414 257-678 .379 180-224 .804 1497 37
Kidd 493-1293 .381 133-396 .336 229-331 .692 1348 37
Dumas 274-655 .418 74-207 .357 154-257 .599 776 39
Jones 327-733 .446 14-39 .359 102-133 .767 770 24
Harris 183-397 .461 47-125 .376 68-87 .782 481 19
Brooks 134-293 .457 25-62 .403 59-69 .855 352 18
Meyer 145-330 .439 3-11 .273 70-102 .686 363 14
Davis 55-108 .509 0-0 .000 27-47 .574 137 15
Parks 101-247 .409 7-26 .269 41-62 .661 250 25
Wood 75-174 .431 20-62 .323 38-50 .760 208 19
Williams 87-214 .407 0-1 .000 24-70 .343 198 10
Slater 14-27 .519 0-0 .000 3-7 .429 31 11
DENVER NUGGETS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf 57 19.2 2.4 6.8 26- 112- 138 64 3 115 117
Dale Ellis 81 14.9 3.9 1.7 88- 227- 315 57 8 97 191
Bryant Stith 82 13.7 4.9 2.9 125- 275- 400 114 16 157 187
Antonio Mcdyess 76 13.4 7.5 1.0 225- 343- 568 54 114 154 250
Don Maclean 56 11.2 3.7 1.6 62- 143- 205 21 5 68 105
Dikembe Mutombo 74 11.0 11.8 1.5 249- 622- 871 38 332 150 258
Laphonso Ellis 45 10.5 7.2 1.6 93- 229- 322 36 32 83 163
Jalen Rose 80 10.0 3.3 6.2 46- 214- 260 53 39 234 229
Tom Hammonds 71 4.8 3.1 0.3 85- 138- 223 23 13 48 137
Reggie Williams 52 4.6 2.4 1.4 25- 97- 122 34 21 51 137
Doug Overton 55 3.3 1.2 1.9 8- 55- 63 13 5 40 49
Matt Fish 18 2.9 1.2 0.4 10- 11- 21 3 7 3 19
Randy Woods 8 2.4 0.8 1.5 3- 3- 6 6 1 5 13
Greg Grant 10 1.4 0.7 1.4 3- 4- 7 2 0 5 7
Rastko Cvetkovic 14 0.7 0.8 0.2 4- 7- 11 2 1 3 11
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Abdul-rauf 414-955 .434 121-309 .392 146-157 .930 1095 51
D Ellis 459-959 .479 150-364 .412 136-179 .760 1204 33
Stith 379-911 .416 41-148 .277 320-379 .844 1119 27
Mcdyess 427-880 .485 0-4 .000 166-243 .683 1020 32
Maclean 233-547 .426 14-49 .286 145-198 .732 625 38
Mutombo 284-569 .499 0-1 .000 246-354 .695 814 22
L Ellis 189-432 .438 4-22 .182 89-148 .601 471 22
Rose 290-604 .480 32-108 .296 191-277 .690 803 19
Hammonds 127-268 .474 0-0 .000 88-115 .765 342 26
Williams 94-254 .370 20-89 .225 33-39 .846 241 27
Overton 67-178 .376 8-26 .308 40-55 .727 182 16
Fish 21-36 .583 0-0 .000 10-19 .526 52 10
Woods 6-22 .273 5-21 .238 2-2 1.000 19 5
Grant 6-23 .261 2-6 .333 0-0 .000 14 5
Cvetkovic 5-16 .313 0-1 .000 0-4 .000 10 2
HOUSTON ROCKETS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Hakeem Olajuwon 72 26.9 10.9 3.6 176- 608- 784 113 207 247 242
Clyde Drexler 52 19.3 7.2 5.8 97- 276- 373 105 24 134 153
Sam Cassell 61 14.5 3.1 4.6 51- 137- 188 53 4 157 166
Robert Horry 71 12.0 5.8 4.0 97- 311- 408 116 109 160 197
Tracy Moore 8 11.4 2.8 0.8 10- 12- 22 2 0 8 16
Mario Elie 45 11.1 3.4 3.1 47- 108- 155 45 11 59 93
Sam Mack 31 10.8 3.2 2.6 18- 80- 98 22 9 28 75
Chucky Brown 82 8.6 5.4 1.1 134- 307- 441 47 38 94 163
Kenny Smith 68 8.5 1.4 3.6 21- 75- 96 47 3 100 116
Mark Bryant 71 8.4 4.9 0.7 130- 216- 346 31 19 83 228
Eldridge Recasner 63 6.9 2.3 2.7 31- 113- 144 23 5 61 111
Henry James 7 4.3 0.9 0.3 3- 3- 6 0 0 4 13
Melvin Booker 11 4.0 0.8 1.9 1- 8- 9 5 1 12 18
Tim Breaux 54 3.2 1.2 0.4 23- 42- 65 11 8 30 47
Pete Chilcutt 74 2.7 2.1 0.4 51- 105- 156 19 14 22 65
Alvin Heggs 4 2.0 0.5 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 0 0
Jaren Jackson 4 2.0 0.8 0.0 0- 3- 3 1 0 0 5
Charles Jones 46 0.4 1.6 0.3 28- 46- 74 5 24 3 44
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Olajuwon 768-1494 .514 3-14 .214 397-548 .724 1936 51
Drexler 331-764 .433 78-235 .332 265-338 .784 1005 41
Cassell 289-658 .439 73-210 .348 235-285 .825 886 33
Horry 300-732 .410 142-388 .366 111-143 .776 853 40
Moore 30-76 .395 13-30 .433 18-19 .947 91 18
Elie 180-357 .504 41-127 .323 98-115 .852 499 20
Mack 121-287 .422 54-135 .400 39-46 .848 335 38
Brown 300-555 .541 1-8 .125 104-150 .693 705 18
Smith 201-464 .433 91-238 .382 87-106 .821 580 22
Bryant 237-439 .540 0-2 .000 126-176 .716 600 30
Recasner 149-359 .415 81-191 .424 57-66 .864 436 21
James 10-24 .417 5-15 .333 5-5 1.000 30 16
Booker 16-50 .320 3-19 .158 9-11 .818 44 9
Breaux 64-168 .381 15-46 .326 29-46 .630 172 17
Chilcutt 73-179 .408 37-98 .378 17-26 .654 200 15
Heggs 3-5 .600 0-0 .000 2-3 .667 8 7
Jackson 0-8 .000 0-5 .000 8-10 .800 8 7
Jones 6-19 .316 0-0 .000 4-13 .308 16 4
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Isaiah Rider 75 19.6 4.1 2.8 99- 210- 309 48 24 201 204
Tom Gugliotta 78 16.2 8.9 3.1 176- 514- 690 139 96 234 265
Andrew Lang 71 11.7 6.4 0.9 153- 302- 455 42 126 124 241
Sam Mitchell 78 10.8 4.4 1.0 107- 232- 339 49 26 84 220
Kevin Garnett 80 10.4 6.3 1.8 175- 326- 501 86 131 110 189
Terry Porter 82 9.4 2.6 5.5 36- 176- 212 89 15 172 154
Spud Webb 77 7.1 1.3 3.8 26- 74- 100 52 7 110 109
Darrick Martin 59 7.0 1.4 3.7 16- 66- 82 53 3 107 123
Doug West 73 6.4 2.2 1.6 48- 113- 161 30 17 79 228
Micheal Williams 9 6.1 2.6 3.4 3- 20- 23 5 3 22 37
Eric Riley 25 3.7 3.0 0.2 32- 44- 76 8 15 17 42
Mark Davis 57 3.3 2.2 0.8 56- 69- 125 40 22 68 92
Jerome Allen 41 2.6 0.6 1.2 5- 20- 25 21 5 34 42
Marques Bragg 53 2.5 1.5 0.2 38- 41- 79 17 8 26 71
Charles Smith 8 0.8 0.6 0.8 0- 5- 5 1 0 5 7
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Rider 560-1206 .464 102-275 .371 248-296 .838 1470 33
Gugliotta 473-1004 .471 26-86 .302 289-374 .773 1261 36
Lang 353-790 .447 1-5 .200 125-155 .806 832 29
Mitchell 303-618 .490 1-18 .056 237-291 .814 844 23
Garnett 361-735 .491 8-28 .286 105-149 .705 835 33
Porter 269-608 .442 71-226 .314 164-210 .781 773 23
Webb 186-430 .433 47-129 .364 125-145 .862 544 21
Martin 147-362 .406 20-69 .290 101-120 .842 415 24
West 175-393 .445 1-13 .077 114-144 .792 465 16
Williams 13-40 .325 1-3 .333 28-33 .848 55 18
Riley 35-74 .473 0-1 .000 22-28 .786 92 9
Davis 55-149 .369 4-13 .308 74-116 .638 188 12
Allen 36-105 .343 10-33 .303 26-36 .722 108 9
Bragg 54-120 .450 0-0 .000 23-41 .561 131 13
Smith 3-10 .300 0-3 .000 0-2 .000 6 4
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
David Robinson 82 25.0 12.2 3.0 319- 681-1000 111 271 190 262
Sean Elliott 77 20.0 5.1 2.7 69- 327- 396 69 33 198 178
Vinny Del Negro 82 14.5 3.3 3.8 36- 236- 272 85 6 100 166
Avery Johnson 82 13.1 2.5 9.6 37- 169- 206 119 21 195 179
Chuck Person 80 10.9 5.2 1.3 76- 337- 413 49 26 91 197
Charles Smith 73 8.3 5.0 0.9 133- 229- 362 50 80 106 224
Will Perdue 80 5.2 6.1 0.4 175- 310- 485 28 75 86 183
Doc Rivers 78 4.0 1.8 1.6 30- 108- 138 73 21 57 175
Dell Demps 16 3.3 0.6 0.5 2- 7- 9 3 1 12 10
Cory Alexander 60 2.8 0.7 2.0 9- 33- 42 27 2 68 94
Monty Williams 31 2.2 1.3 0.3 20- 20- 40 6 2 18 26
Carl Herrera 44 1.9 1.8 0.4 30- 51- 81 9 8 29 61
Greg Anderson 46 1.2 2.2 0.2 29- 71- 100 9 24 22 66
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Robinson 711-1378 .516 3-9 .333 626-823 .761 2051 45
Elliott 525-1127 .466 161-392 .411 326-423 .771 1537 36
Del Negro 478-962 .497 57-150 .380 178-214 .832 1191 31
Johnson 438-887 .494 6-31 .194 189-262 .721 1071 26
C Person 308-705 .437 190-463 .410 67-104 .644 873 25
Smith 244-578 .422 2-15 .133 119-163 .730 609 21
W Perdue 173-331 .523 0-1 .000 67-125 .536 413 18
Rivers 108-290 .372 47-137 .343 48-64 .750 311 11
Demps 19-33 .576 1-2 .500 14-17 .824 53 15
Alexander 63-155 .406 26-66 .394 16-25 .640 168 14
Williams 27-68 .397 0-1 .000 14-20 .700 68 14
Herrera 40-97 .412 0-1 .000 5-17 .294 85 6
Anderson 24-47 .511 0-1 .000 6-25 .240 54 6
UTAH JAZZ
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Karl Malone 82 25.7 9.8 4.2 175- 629- 804 138 56 199 245
Jeff Hornacek 82 15.2 2.6 4.2 62- 147- 209 106 20 127 171
John Stockton 82 14.7 2.8 11.2 54- 172- 226 140 15 246 207
Chris Morris 66 10.5 3.5 1.2 100- 129- 229 63 20 71 140
David Benoit 81 8.2 4.7 1.0 90- 293- 383 43 49 71 166
Antoine Carr 80 7.3 2.5 0.9 71- 129- 200 28 65 78 254
Adam Keefe 82 6.1 5.6 0.8 176- 279- 455 51 41 88 174
Felton Spencer 71 5.6 4.3 0.2 100- 206- 306 20 54 77 240
Howard Eisley 65 4.4 1.2 2.3 22- 56- 78 29 3 77 130
Greg Foster 73 3.8 2.4 0.3 53- 125- 178 7 22 58 120
Greg Ostertag 57 3.7 3.1 0.1 57- 118- 175 5 63 25 91
Jamie Watson 16 3.0 1.7 1.5 5- 22- 27 8 2 17 30
Byron Russell 59 3.0 1.5 0.5 28- 62- 90 29 8 36 66
Andy Toolson 13 1.7 0.5 0.1 0- 6- 6 0 0 2 12
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Malone 789-1520 .519 16-40 .400 512-708 .723 2106 51
Hornacek 442-880 .502 104-223 .466 259-290 .893 1247 29
Stockton 440-818 .538 95-225 .422 234-282 .830 1209 31
Morris 265-606 .437 63-197 .320 98-127 .772 691 23
Benoit 255-581 .439 64-192 .333 87-112 .777 661 24
Carr 233-510 .457 0-3 .000 114-144 .792 580 20
Keefe 180-346 .520 0-4 .000 139-201 .692 499 16
Spencer 146-281 .520 0-0 .000 104-151 .689 396 16
Eisley 104-242 .430 14-62 .226 65-77 .844 287 14
Foster 107-244 .439 1-8 .125 61-72 .847 276 16
Ostertag 86-182 .473 0-0 .000 36-54 .667 208 14
Watson 18-43 .419 3-7 .429 9-13 .692 48 7
Russell 56-142 .394 14-40 .350 48-67 .716 174 19
Toolson 8-22 .364 3-12 .250 3-4 .750 22 5
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Greg Anthony 69 14.0 2.5 6.9 29- 145- 174 116 11 160 137
Bryant Reeves 77 13.3 7.4 1.4 178- 392- 570 43 55 157 226
Blue Edwards 82 12.7 4.2 2.6 98- 248- 346 118 46 170 243
Byron Scott 80 10.2 2.4 1.5 40- 152- 192 63 22 100 126
Eric Murdock 73 8.9 2.3 4.5 26- 143- 169 135 9 132 140
Chris King 80 7.9 3.6 1.3 102- 183- 285 68 33 103 163
Gerald Wilkins 28 6.7 2.3 2.4 22- 43- 65 21 2 37 55
Lawrence Moten 44 6.6 1.4 1.1 36- 25- 61 29 8 44 54
Ashraf Amaya 54 6.3 5.6 0.6 114- 189- 303 22 10 57 151
Anthony Avent 71 5.9 5.0 1.0 108- 247- 355 30 42 107 202
Eric Mobley 39 4.8 3.6 0.6 54- 86- 140 14 24 50 87
Rich Manning 29 3.7 1.9 0.2 16- 39- 55 3 6 17 37
Jeff Turner 13 3.6 2.2 0.5 10- 18- 28 2 1 11 33
Doug Edwards 31 3.0 2.8 1.3 35- 52- 87 10 18 29 51
Cuonzo Martin 5 1.8 0.4 0.4 1- 1- 2 1 0 1 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Anthony 324-781 .415 90-271 .332 229-297 .771 967 32
Reeves 401-877 .457 0-3 .000 219-299 .732 1021 28
B Edwards 401-956 .419 84-245 .343 157-208 .755 1043 26
Scott 271-676 .401 74-221 .335 203-243 .835 819 27
Murdock 244-587 .416 45-145 .310 114-143 .797 647 20
King 250-585 .427 44-113 .389 90-136 .662 634 21
Wilkins 77-205 .376 14-64 .219 20-23 .870 188 15
Moten 112-247 .453 18-55 .327 49-75 .653 291 21
Amaya 121-252 .480 0-1 .000 97-149 .651 339 18
Avent 179-466 .384 0-0 .000 57-77 .740 415 16
Mobley 74-138 .536 1-2 .500 39-87 .448 188 12
Manning 49-113 .434 0-1 .000 9-14 .643 107 13
Turner 18-51 .353 9-27 .333 2-2 1.000 47 16
D Edwards 32-91 .352 0-4 .000 29-38 .763 93 11
Martin 3-5 .600 3-3 1.000 0-2 .000 9 3
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.626vpoznanovic,
National Basketball Association Leaders Through Sunday, April 21
Scoring Average
Player G FG FT PTS AVG
Jordan, Chi. 82 916 548 2491 30.4
Olajuwon, Hou. 72 768 397 1936 26.9
O'Neal, Orl. 54 592 249 1434 26.6
Malone, Utah 82 789 512 2106 25.7
Robinson, S.A. 82 711 626 2051 25.0
Barkley, Pho. 71 580 440 1649 23.2
Mourning, Mia. 70 563 488 1623 23.2
Richmond, Sac. 81 611 425 1872 23.1
Ewing, N.Y. 76 678 351 1711 22.5
Howard, Was. 81 733 319 1789 22.1
Hardaway, Orl. 82 623 445 1780 21.7
Rice, Cha. 79 610 319 1710 21.6
Ceballos, LA-L 78 638 329 1656 21.2
Miller, Ind. 76 504 430 1606 21.1
Baker, Mil. 82 699 321 1729 21.1
C. Robinson, Por. 78 553 360 1644 21.1
Johnson, Cha. 81 583 427 1660 20.5
Robinson, Mil. 82 627 316 1660 20.2
Hill, Det. 80 564 485 1618 20.2
Elliott, S.A. 77 525 326 1537 20.0
Houston, Det. 82 564 298 1617 19.7
Kemp, Sea. 79 526 493 1550 19.6
Rider, Min. 75 560 248 1470 19.6
Jackson, Dal. 82 569 345 1604 19.6
Pippen, Chi. 77 563 220 1496 19.4
Brandon, Cle. 75 510 338 1449 19.3
Payton, Sea. 81 618 229 1563 19.3
Stackhouse, Phi. 72 452 387 1384 19.2
Stoudamire, Tor. 70 481 236 1331 19.0
McCloud, Dal. 79 530 180 1497 18.9
Sprewell, G.S. 78 515 352 1473 18.9
Gilliam, N.J. 78 576 277 1429 18.3
Smith, Atl. 80 494 318 1446 18.1
Scott, Orl. 82 491 182 1431 17.5
Weatherspoon, Phi. 78 491 318 1300 16.7
Kidd, Dal. 81 493 229 1348 16.6
Laettner, Min.-Atl. 74 442 324 1217 16.4
Maxwell, Phi. 75 410 251 1217 16.2
Vaught, LA-C 80 571 149 1298 16.2
Gugliotta, Min. 78 473 289 1261 16.2
Field Goal Pct.
Player FG FGA PCT
Muresan, Was. 466 798 .584
Gatling, G.S.-Mia. 326 567 .575
O'Neal, Orl. 592 1033 .573
Mason, N.Y. 449 798 .563
Kemp, Sea. 526 937 .561
D. Davis, Ind. 334 599 .558
Sabonis, Por. 394 723 .545
Williams, LA-C 416 766 .543
Brown, Hou. 300 555 .541
Stockton, Utah 440 818 .538
Geiger, Cha. 357 666 .536
Ceballos, LA-L 638 1203 .530
Thorpe, Det. 452 853 .530
Polynice, Sac. 431 818 .527
Miller, Tor. 418 795 .526
Vaught, LA-C 571 1087 .525
Mourning, Mia. 563 1076 .523
Smits, Ind. 466 894 .521
Malone, Utah 789 1520 .519
Robinson, S.A. 711 1378 .516
Olajuwon, Hou. 768 1494 .514
Divac, LA-L 414 807 .513
Hardaway, Orl. 623 1215 .513
Grant, Orl. 347 677 .513
Johnson, Pho. 342 674 .507
Grant, Sac. 427 842 .507
Douglas, Bos.-Mil. 345 685 .504
Campbell, LA-L 447 888 .503
Hornacek, Utah 442 880 .502
Barkley, Pho. 580 1160 .500
Minor, Bos. 320 640 .500
Radja, Bos. 426 852 .500
Del Negro, S.A. 478 962 .497
Jordan, Chi. 916 1850 .495
Newman, Mil. 321 649 .495
Johnson, S.A. 438 887 .494
Jones, LA-L 337 685 .492
Garnett, Min. 361 735 .491
Augmon, Atl. 362 738 .491
Kukoc, Chi. 386 787 .490
Steals Per Game
Player G STL AVG
Payton, Sea. 81 231 2.85
Blaylock, Atl. 81 212 2.62
Jordan, Chi. 82 180 2.20
Kidd, Dal. 81 175 2.16
Robertson, Tor. 77 166 2.16
Hardaway, Orl. 82 166 2.02
Murdock, Mil.-Van. 73 135 1.85
Jones, LA-L 70 129 1.84
Hawkins, Sea. 82 149 1.82
Gugliotta, Min. 78 139 1.78
Brandon, Cle. 75 132 1.76
Pippen, Chi. 77 133 1.73
Stockton, Utah 82 140 1.71
Malone, Utah 82 138 1.68
Hardaway, G.S.-Mia. 80 132 1.65
Horry, Hou. 71 116 1.63
Sprewell, G.S. 78 127 1.63
Barkley, Pho. 71 114 1.61
Harper, N.Y. 82 131 1.60
Anderson, Orl. 77 121 1.57
Olajuwon, Hou. 72 113 1.57
Richmond, Sac. 81 125 1.54
Johnson, S.A. 82 119 1.45
B. Edwards, Van. 82 118 1.44
Weatherspoon, Phi. 78 112 1.44
McCloud, Dal. 79 113 1.43
Childs, N.J. 78 111 1.42
Miller, Tor. 76 108 1.42
Phills, Cle. 72 102 1.42
Stoudamire, Tor. 70 98 1.40
Fox, Bos. 81 113 1.40
Stith, Den. 82 114 1.39
Augmon, Atl. 77 106 1.38
Robinson, S.A. 82 111 1.35
Curry, Cha. 82 108 1.32
Long, Atl. 82 108 1.32
Harper, Chi. 80 105 1.31
Hornacek, Utah 82 106 1.29
Maxwell, Phi. 75 96 1.28
Starks, N.Y. 81 103 1.27
Rebounds Per Game
Player G OFF DEF TOT AVG
Rodman, Chi. 64 356 596 952 14.9
Robinson, S.A. 82 319 681 1000 12.2
Mutombo, Den. 74 249 622 871 11.8
Barkley, Pho. 71 243 578 821 11.6
Kemp, Sea. 79 276 628 904 11.4
Olajuwon, Hou. 72 176 608 784 10.9
Ewing, N.Y. 76 157 649 806 10.6
Mourning, Mia. 70 218 509 727 10.4
Vaught, LA-C 80 204 604 808 10.1
Williams, N.J. 80 342 461 803 10.0
Baker, Mil. 82 263 545 808 9.9
Malone, Utah 82 175 629 804 9.8
Hill, Det. 80 127 656 783 9.8
Weatherspoon, Phi. 78 237 516 753 9.7
Long, Atl. 82 248 540 788 9.6
Muresan, Was. 76 248 480 728 9.6
Polynice, Sac. 81 257 507 764 9.4
Mason, N.Y. 82 220 544 764 9.3
Gilliam, N.J. 78 241 472 713 9.1
D. Davis, Ind. 78 252 457 709 9.1
Dudley, Por. 80 239 481 720 9.0
Cage, Cle. 82 288 441 729 8.9
Gugliotta, Min. 78 176 514 690 8.8
Smith, G.S. 82 300 417 717 8.7
Divac, LA-L 79 198 481 679 8.6
Willis, Mia.-G.S. 75 208 430 638 8.5
Johnson, Cha. 81 249 434 683 8.4
Geiger, Cha. 77 201 448 649 8.4
Thorpe, Det. 82 211 477 688 8.4
Howard, Was. 81 188 472 660 8.1
Bradley, Phi.-N.J. 79 221 417 638 8.1
Sabonis, Por. 73 147 441 588 8.1
Campbell, LA-L 82 162 461 623 7.6
McDyess, Den. 76 229 343 572 7.5
Reeves, Van. 77 178 392 570 7.4
Miller, Tor. 76 177 385 562 7.4
Laettner, Min.-Atl. 74 184 354 538 7.3
Grant, Sac. 78 175 370 545 7.0
Brown, N.J. 81 215 345 560 6.9
Ceballos, LA-L 78 215 321 536 6.9
Assists Per Game
Player G AST AVG
Stockton, Utah 82 916 11.2
Kidd, Dal. 81 783 9.7
Johnson, S.A. 82 789 9.6
Strickland, Por. 67 640 9.6
Stoudamire, Tor. 70 653 9.3
Johnson, Pho. 56 517 9.2
Anderson, N.J.-Cha. 69 575 8.3
Hardaway, G.S.-Mia. 80 640 8.0
Jackson, Ind. 81 635 7.8
Payton, Sea. 81 608 7.5
Hardaway, Orl. 82 582 7.1
Childs, N.J. 78 548 7.0
Anthony, Van. 69 476 6.9
Van Exel, LA-L 74 509 6.9
Hill, Det. 80 548 6.9
Brandon, Cle. 75 487 6.5
Rose, Den. 80 495 6.2
Edney, Sac. 80 491 6.1
Blaylock, Atl. 81 478 5.9
Pippen, Chi. 77 452 5.9
Douglas, Bos.-Mil. 79 436 5.5
Porter, Min. 82 452 5.5
Coles, Mia.-G.S. 81 422 5.2
B. Price, Was. 81 416 5.1
Armstrong, G.S. 82 401 4.9
Wesley, Bos. 82 390 4.8
Fox, Bos. 81 369 4.6
Shaw, Orl. 75 336 4.5
Murdock, Mil.-Van. 73 327 4.5
Howard, Was. 81 360 4.4
Mason, N.Y. 82 363 4.4
Maxwell, Phi. 75 330 4.4
Johnson, Cha. 81 355 4.4
Perry, Pho. 81 353 4.4
Harper, N.Y. 82 352 4.3
Jordan, Chi. 82 352 4.3
Dehere, LA-C 82 350 4.3
Malone, Utah 82 345 4.2
Sprewell, G.S. 78 328 4.2
Robertson, Tor. 77 323 4.2
3-Pt Field Goal Pct.
Player 3FG 3GA PCT
Legler, Was. 128 245 .522
Kerr, Chi. 122 237 .515
Davis, N.Y. 127 267 .476
Armstrong, G.S. 98 207 .473
Hornacek, Utah 104 223 .466
B. Price, Was. 139 301 .462
Phills, Cle. 93 211 .441
Dehere, LA-C 139 316 .440
Richmond, Sac. 225 515 .437
Houston, Det. 191 447 .427
Jordan, Chi. 111 260 .427
Wesley, Bos. 116 272 .426
Scott, Orl. 267 628 .425
Rice, Cha. 171 403 .424
Stockton, Utah 95 225 .422
Murray, Tor. 151 358 .422
Askins, Mia. 99 237 .418
Barry, LA-C 123 296 .416
Peeler, LA-L 105 254 .413
D. Ellis, Den. 150 364 .412
Elliott, S.A. 161 392 .411
Person, S.A. 190 463 .410
Miller, Ind. 168 410 .410
Barros, Bos. 150 368 .408
Dumars, Det. 121 298 .406
Hunter, Det. 117 289 .405
Curry, Cha. 164 406 .404
Kukoc, Chi. 87 216 .403
Mills, Det. 82 207 .396
Stoudamire, Tor. 133 337 .395
Ferry, Cle. 143 363 .394
Abdul-Rauf, Den. 121 309 .392
Anderson, Orl. 168 430 .391
Williams, Sac.-Mia. 114 293 .389
Brandon, Cle. 91 235 .387
Hawkins, Sea. 146 380 .384
Richardson, LA-C 94 245 .384
Smith, Hou. 91 238 .382
McCloud, Dal. 257 678 .379
C. Robinson, Por. 178 471 .378
Free Throw Pct.
Player FT FTA PCT
Abdul-Rauf, Den. 146 157 .930
Hornacek, Utah 259 290 .893
Brandon, Cle. 338 381 .887
Barros, Bos. 130 147 .884
B. Price, Was. 167 191 .874
Hawkins, Sea. 247 283 .873
Richmond, Sac. 425 491 .866
Miller, Ind. 430 498 .863
Legler, Was. 132 153 .863
Webb, Atl.-Min. 125 145 .862
Johnson, Pho. 342 398 .859
Mullin, G.S. 137 160 .856
Johnson, LA-L 172 201 .856
Brown, Bos. 135 158 .854
Curry, Cha. 146 171 .854
Childs, N.J. 259 304 .852
Pierce, Ind. 174 205 .849
Pack, Was. 154 182 .846
Stith, Den. 320 379 .844
Armstrong, G.S. 234 279 .839
Rider, Min. 248 296 .838
Rice, Cha. 319 381 .837
Scott, Van. 203 243 .835
Jordan, Chi. 548 657 .834
Oakley, N.Y. 175 210 .833
Del Negro, S.A. 178 214 .832
Murray, Tor. 182 219 .831
Stockton, Utah 234 282 .830
Mills, Cle. 218 263 .829
Smith, Atl. 318 385 .826
Jackson, Dal. 345 418 .825
Cassell, Hou. 235 285 .825
Houston, Det. 298 362 .823
Dumars, Det. 162 197 .822
Scott, Orl. 182 222 .820
Laettner, Min.-Atl. 324 396 .818
Mitchell, Min. 237 291 .814
Ruffin, Phi. 148 182 .813
Robinson, Mil. 316 389 .812
Anderson, Tor.-N.Y. 132 163 .810
Blocks Per Game
Player G BLK AVG
Mutombo, Den. 74 332 4.49
Bradley, Phi.-N.J. 79 288 3.65
Robinson, S.A. 82 271 3.30
Olajuwon, Hou. 72 207 2.88
Mourning, Mia. 70 189 2.70
Campbell, LA-L 82 212 2.59
Ewing, N.Y. 76 184 2.42
Muresan, Was. 76 172 2.26
O'Neal, Orl. 54 115 2.13
McIlvaine, Was. 80 166 2.08
Miller, Tor. 76 143 1.88
Williams, Dal. 65 122 1.88
Lang, Atl.-Min. 71 126 1.77
Divac, LA-L 79 131 1.66
Garnett, Min. 80 131 1.64
Smith, G.S. 82 134 1.63
Kemp, Sea. 79 127 1.61
Johnson, Sea. 81 129 1.59
Ratliff, Det. 75 116 1.55
Horry, Hou. 71 109 1.54
McDyess, Den. 76 114 1.50
D. Davis, Ind. 78 112 1.44
Weatherspoon, Phi. 78 108 1.38
Grant, Sac. 78 103 1.32
Dudley, Por. 80 100 1.25
Brown, N.J. 81 100 1.23
Gugliotta, Min. 78 96 1.23
Outlaw, LA-C 80 91 1.14
Baker, Mil. 82 91 1.11
Stackhouse, Phi. 72 79 1.10
Smith, N.Y.-S.A. 73 80 1.10
Causwell, Sac. 73 78 1.07
Sabonis, Por. 73 78 1.07
Benjamin, Van.-Mil. 83 85 1.02
Cage, Cle. 82 79 0.96
Laettner, Min.-Atl. 74 71 0.96
Perdue, S.A. 80 75 0.94
C. Robinson, Por. 78 68 0.87
Geiger, Cha. 77 63 0.82
Polynice, Sac. 81 66 0.81
nba.627vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics (Through Sunday, April 21)
OFFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
Chicago 82 3293-6892 .478 544-1349 .403 1495-2002 .747 105.2
Orlando 82 3203-6640 .482 622-1645 .378 1543-2232 .691 104.5
Seattle 82 3074-6404 .480 581-1596 .364 1843-2424 .760 104.5
Phoenix 82 3159-6673 .473 327-984 .332 1907-2472 .771 104.3
Boston 82 3163-6941 .456 539-1452 .371 1630-2284 .714 103.6
San Antonio 82 3148-6602 .477 518-1320 .392 1663-2261 .736 103.4
LA Lakers 82 3216-6707 .479 477-1359 .351 1529-2049 .746 102.9
Charlotte 82 3108-6618 .470 584-1520 .384 1631-2119 .770 102.8
Dallas 82 3124-7431 .420 735-2039 .360 1426-1975 .722 102.6
Houston 82 3078-6638 .464 637-1761 .362 1611-2105 .765 102.5
Utah 82 3129-6415 .488 377-1013 .372 1769-2302 .768 102.5
Washington 82 3202-6616 .484 493-1211 .407 1511-2076 .728 102.5
Golden State 82 3056-6696 .456 447-1198 .373 1775-2340 .759 101.6
Sacramento 82 2971-6494 .457 462-1194 .387 1759-2407 .731 99.6
LA Clippers 82 3126-6618 .472 509-1374 .370 1392-1984 .702 99.4
Indiana 82 2979-6205 .480 363-973 .373 1823-2416 .755 99.3
Portland 82 3064-6709 .457 480-1358 .353 1537-2321 .662 99.3
Atlanta 82 2985-6665 .448 566-1595 .355 1523-2012 .757 98.3
Minnesota 82 2974-6481 .459 279-858 .325 1797-2313 .777 97.8
Denver 82 3001-6657 .451 397-1148 .346 1614-2173 .743 97.7
Toronto 82 3084-6598 .467 414-1168 .354 1412-1953 .723 97.5
New York 82 3003-6382 .471 485-1285 .377 1480-1954 .757 97.2
Miami 82 2902-6347 .457 552-1458 .379 1553-2187 .710 96.5
Milwaukee 82 3034-6489 .468 357-1052 .339 1412-1920 .735 95.6
Detroit 82 2810-6122 .459 545-1350 .404 1657-2206 .751 95.4
Philadelphia 82 2796-6418 .436 492-1437 .342 1662-2263 .734 94.5
New Jersey 82 2881-6750 .427 250-746 .335 1672-2244 .745 93.7
Cleveland 82 2761-5998 .460 596-1582 .377 1355-1775 .763 91.1
Vancouver 82 2772-6483 .428 372-1129 .329 1446-1998 .724 89.8
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
Chicago 1249-2409 3658 2033 745 1175 345
Orlando 966-2401 3367 2081 666 1160 406
Seattle 955-2448 3403 1999 882 1441 392
Phoenix 1009-2501 3510 2001 623 1206 344
Boston 1050-2427 3477 1792 653 1302 412
San Antonio 937-2586 3523 2044 645 1195 534
LA Lakers 995-2303 3298 2080 722 1163 514
Charlotte 987-2256 3243 1907 582 1240 277
Dallas 1408-2379 3787 1913 642 1270 342
Houston 919-2451 3370 1981 645 1243 475
Utah 993-2373 3366 2139 667 1215 416
Washington 929-2328 3257 1815 596 1327 506
Golden State 1170-2288 3458 1887 706 1342 469
Sacramento 1111-2346 3457 1829 643 1442 434
LA Clippers 979-2190 3169 1672 703 1355 411
Indiana 1009-2263 3272 1909 583 1335 326
Portland 1160-2577 3737 1760 594 1376 417
Atlanta 1182-2148 3330 1609 771 1227 319
Minnesota 984-2272 3256 1867 650 1435 481
Denver 1053-2487 3540 1851 521 1264 597
Toronto 1071-2213 3284 1927 746 1542 493
New York 829-2447 3276 1822 645 1271 377
Miami 998-2493 3491 1752 574 1394 456
Milwaukee 972-2161 3133 1753 579 1287 312
Detroit 884-2443 3327 1610 506 1215 367
Philadelphia 1031-2161 3192 1629 644 1414 432
New Jersey 1350-2503 3853 1752 627 1375 571
Cleveland 867-2055 2922 1818 673 1073 340
Vancouver 957-2170 3127 1706 727 1344 349
DEFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
Cleveland 82 2674-5787 .462 513-1322 .388 1400-1844 .759 88.6
Chicago 82 2880-6428 .448 437-1249 .350 1424-1985 .717 92.9
Detroit 82 2827-6396 .442 505-1380 .366 1458-2039 .715 92.9
New York 82 2859-6470 .442 442-1311 .337 1621-2191 .740 94.9
Miami 82 2734-6304 .434 446-1237 .361 1878-2498 .752 95.0
Utah 82 2747-6174 .445 550-1427 .385 1820-2421 .752 95.9
Indiana 82 2841-6292 .452 493-1368 .360 1703-2302 .740 96.1
Seattle 82 2873-6552 .438 533-1531 .348 1654-2307 .717 96.7
Portland 82 2953-6677 .442 472-1355 .348 1574-2127 .740 97.0
Atlanta 82 3044-6419 .474 479-1329 .360 1392-1866 .746 97.1
San Antonio 82 3017-6866 .439 441-1337 .330 1485-2034 .730 97.1
New Jersey 82 3006-6625 .454 543-1415 .384 1476-1994 .740 97.9
LA Lakers 82 3118-6806 .458 442-1203 .367 1395-1890 .738 98.5
Orlando 82 3060-6736 .454 496-1357 .366 1499-2037 .736 99.0
Vancouver 82 3080-6488 .475 459-1226 .374 1561-2129 .733 99.8
Denver 82 3091-6741 .459 453-1235 .367 1600-2105 .760 100.4
Houston 82 3178-6908 .460 482-1344 .359 1423-2012 .707 100.7
Milwaukee 82 3084-6415 .481 514-1293 .398 1590-2193 .725 100.9
Washington 82 3061-6648 .460 377-1102 .342 1822-2378 .766 101.5
Sacramento 82 2987-6461 .462 461-1215 .379 1950-2596 .751 102.3
LA Clippers 82 3090-6472 .477 444-1195 .372 1824-2444 .746 103.0
Golden State 82 3206-6752 .475 477-1306 .365 1564-2102 .744 103.1
Minnesota 82 3086-6586 .469 530-1393 .380 1761-2368 .744 103.2
Charlotte 82 3254-6651 .489 530-1338 .396 1440-1957 .736 103.4
Phoenix 82 3217-6837 .471 551-1492 .369 1540-2083 .739 104.0
Philadelphia 82 3284-6796 .483 526-1421 .370 1472-1986 .741 104.5
Toronto 82 3146-6624 .475 519-1416 .367 1799-2416 .745 105.0
Boston 82 3296-6857 .481 415-1163 .357 1767-2366 .747 107.0
Dallas 82 3403-6921 .492 470-1194 .394 1535-2097 .732 107.5
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
Cleveland 874-2167 3041 1818 504 1282 345
Chicago 977-2139 3116 1592 595 1405 312
Detroit 964-2268 3232 1730 559 1153 385
New York 995-2425 3420 1671 653 1291 281
Miami 983-2314 3297 1645 662 1285 414
Utah 936-2152 3088 1640 585 1283 409
Indiana 1004-2051 3055 1726 663 1258 420
Seattle 1076-2253 3329 1776 758 1513 390
Portland 929-2319 3248 1817 711 1192 407
Atlanta 1054-2292 3346 1841 580 1404 351
San Antonio 1109-2473 3582 1849 604 1257 428
New Jersey 1028-2355 3383 1876 665 1270 515
LA Lakers 1146-2316 3462 2006 588 1334 483
Orlando 1087-2365 3452 1869 644 1238 333
Vancouver 1102-2550 3652 1988 698 1432 472
Denver 934-2385 3319 1875 617 1130 418
Houston 1126-2497 3623 1945 671 1223 400
Milwaukee 994-2306 3300 1935 648 1210 372
Washington 1105-2367 3472 1690 696 1362 390
Sacramento 1056-2308 3364 1804 767 1356 504
LA Clippers 1034-2362 3396 1658 688 1357 401
Golden State 1113-2291 3404 2096 695 1372 382
Minnesota 1036-2317 3353 1966 725 1343 498
Charlotte 953-2358 3311 2049 536 1212 380
Phoenix 1003-2382 3385 2088 586 1190 423
Philadelphia 1163-2479 3642 2099 724 1288 491
Toronto 1097-2271 3368 1990 769 1326 492
Boston 1039-2591 3630 1916 667 1314 489
Dallas 1087-2726 3813 1983 702 1348 529
(NOTE: DEFENSIVE STATISTICS REFLECT CUMULATIVE TOTALS OF A
TEAM'S OPPONENTS)
nba.628vpoznanovic,
NBA Team Comparison Through Sunday, April 21
POINTS FIELD GOAL 3-PT FG
PER GAME PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE TURNOVERS PER GAME
TEAM OWN OPP OWN OPP OWN OPP OWN OPP MARGIN
Atlanta 98.3 97.1 .448 .474 .355 .360 15.0 17.1 +2.1
Boston 103.6 107.0 .456 .480 .371 .357 15.9 16.0 +0.1
Charlotte 102.8 103.4 .470 .489 .384 .396 15.1 14.8 -0.3
Chicago *105.2 92.9 .478 .448 .403 .350 14.3 17.1 *+2.8
Cleveland 91.1 *88.5 .460 .462 .377 .388 *13.1 15.6 +2.5
Dallas 102.5 107.5 .420 .492 .360 .394 15.5 16.5 +1.0
Denver 97.7 100.4 .451 .459 .346 .367 15.4 13.8 -1.6
Detroit 95.4 92.9 .459 .443 .404 .366 14.8 14.1 -0.7
Golden State 101.6 103.1 .456 .475 .373 .365 16.4 16.7 +0.3
Houston 102.5 100.7 .464 .460 .362 .359 15.2 14.9 -0.3
Indiana 99.3 96.1 .480 .452 .373 .360 16.3 15.3 -1.0
LA Clippers 99.4 103.0 .472 .477 .370 .372 16.5 16.5 0.0
LA Lakers 102.9 98.5 .480 .458 .351 .367 14.2 16.3 +2.1
Miami 96.5 95.0 .457 *.434 .379 .360 17.0 15.7 -1.3
Milwaukee 95.5 100.9 .467 .481 .338 .398 15.7 14.8 -0.9
Minnesota 97.9 103.2 .459 .469 .326 .380 17.4 16.3 -1.1
New Jersey 93.7 97.9 .427 .454 .335 .383 16.8 15.5 -1.3
New York 97.2 94.9 .471 .442 .377 .337 15.5 15.7 +0.2
Orlando 104.5 99.0 .482 .454 .378 .366 14.1 15.1 +1.0
Philadelphia 94.5 104.5 .436 .483 .342 .370 17.2 15.7 -1.5
Phoenix 104.3 104.0 .473 .470 .332 .370 14.7 14.5 -0.2
Portland 99.3 97.0 .458 .442 .353 .348 16.8 14.5 -2.3
Sacramento 99.5 102.3 .457 .462 .387 .379 17.6 16.6 -1.0
San Antonio 103.4 97.1 .477 .439 .392 *.330 14.6 15.3 +0.7
Seattle 104.5 96.7 .480 .439 .364 .348 17.6 *18.4 +0.8
Toronto 97.5 105.0 .467 .475 .354 .367 18.8 16.2 -2.6
Utah 102.5 95.9 *.488 .445 .372 .385 14.8 15.6 +0.8
Vancouver 89.8 99.8 .428 .475 .329 .374 16.4 17.4 +1.0
Washington 102.5 101.5 .484 .461 *.406 .342 16.2 16.6 +0.4
------------------ RECORDS ------------------
UNDER 100 PTS OT DECIDED BY
REBOUND PCT OWN OPP GAMES 3-PTS(LESS) 10-PTS(MORE)
TEAM OFF DEF TOT W-L W-L W-L W-L W-L
Atlanta .341 .671 .499 21-27 36-11 2-0 9-8 19-12
Boston .288 .700 .489 4-31 14-9 3-4 8-7 13-26
Charlotte .295 .703 .495 11-20 23-6 2-5 6-9 18-17
Chicago *.368 .712 *.540 16-8 55-3 2-0 5-3 46-2
Cleveland .286 .701 .490 30-31 43-25 2-2 10-6 27-18
Dallas .341 .686 .498 4-28 12-8 4-4 7-9 10-30
Denver .306 .727 .516 15-36 26-21 2-1 5-6 12-21
Detroit .280 .717 .507 20-32 40-20 4-2 8-10 25-12
Golden State .339 .672 .504 10-30 19-10 2-1 8-6 13-22
Houston .269 .685 .482 10-19 25-11 1-3 6-9 16-13
Indiana .330 .693 .517 17-26 39-11 1-1 10-8 22-7
LA Clippers .293 .679 .483 7-30 20-8 0-2 4-3 11-23
LA Lakers .301 .668 .488 9-23 36-11 0-0 9-9 31-13
Miami .301 .717 .514 14-35 32-21 2-1 6-9 21-17
Milwaukee .297 .685 .487 9-45 16-21 1-1 3-5 9-25
Minnesota .298 .687 .493 9-38 21-8 0-4 5-9 11-26
New Jersey .364 .709 .532 20-41 27-21 3-3 5-6 10-28
New York .255 .711 .489 22-29 39-14 3-2 4-0 20-15
Orlando .290 .688 .494 17-15 43-5 5-0 12-5 35-14
Philadelphia .294 .650 .467 3-44 11-15 1-1 7-6 4-44
Phoenix .297 .714 .509 3-23 20-8 4-4 4-5 20-18
Portland .333 *.735 .535 16-26 32-14 3-3 7-11 21-12
Sacramento .325 .689 .507 14-29 27-7 2-1 7-5 10-27
San Antonio .275 .700 .496 13-17 39-6 0-3 9-4 31-9
Seattle .298 .695 .506 17-13 44-7 4-2 8-8 30-8
Toronto .321 .668 .494 6-35 13-15 2-4 6-9 8-31
Utah .316 .717 .521 14-17 44-8 1-2 5-6 37-8
Vancouver .273 .663 .461 7-59 10-32 4-3 5-3 2-36
Washington .282 .678 .484 10-25 26-12 2-3 4-8 21-19
* = Indicates League Leader
REBOUND PERCENTAGE:
Off - a team's offensive rebounds divided by offensive rebound
opportunities (that team's total number of missed shots)
Def - a team's defensive rebounds divided by defensive rebound
opportunities (the total number of missed shots by that
team's opponents)
Tot - a team's total rebounds divided by rebound opportunities
(the sum of missed shots by that team and its opponents)
nba.629vpoznanovic,
(Complete through Sunday, April 21st)
Division Records
Eastern Conference
------------------
Atlantic Central Midwest Pacific
-------- ------- ------- -------
Atlanta Hawks 17-9 15-13 7-7 7-7
Boston Celtics 12-12 11-19 5-9 5-9
Charlotte Hornets 13-13 13-15 8-6 7-7
Chicago Bulls 23-3 24-4 13-1 12-2
Cleveland Cavaliers 16-10 13-15 8-6 10-4
Detroit Pistons 12-14 15-13 9-5 10-4
Indiana Pacers 17-9 19-9 8-6 8-6
Miami Heat 13-12 16-13 9-5 4-10
Milwaukee Bucks 8-18 8-20 5-9 4-10
New Jersey Nets 8-17 13-16 6-8 3-11
New York Knicks 16-8 16-14 10-4 5-9
Orlando Magic 21-3 19-11 10-4 10-4
Philadelphia 76ers 5-19 7-23 5-9 1-13
Toronto Raptors 9-17 5-23 3-11 4-10
Washington Bullets 10-14 11-19 10-4 8-6
Western Conference
------------------
Atlantic Central Midwest Pacific
-------- ------- ------- -------
Dallas Mavericks 4-10 3-13 10-14 9-19
Denver Nuggets 6-8 7-9 13-11 9-19
Golden State Warriors 8-6 6-10 15-13 7-17
Houston Rockets 6-8 11-5 15-9 16-12
Los Angeles Clippers 6-8 2-14 13-15 8-16
Los Angeles Lakers 10-4 9-7 17-11 17-7
Minnesota Timberwolves 3-11 6-10 10-14 7-21
Phoenix Suns 10-4 8-8 14-14 9-15
Portland Trail Blazers 10-4 5-11 18-10 11-13
Sacramento Kings 7-7 9-7 12-16 11-13
San Antonio Spurs 10-4 10-6 19-5 20-8
Seattle SuperSonics 11-3 11-5 21-7 21-3
Utah Jazz 10-4 12-4 14-10 19-9
Vancouver Grizzlies 4-10 2-14 3-21 6-22
East vs. West Division Records
Eastern Conference
------------------
vs. Eastern vs. Western
93-94 94-95 95-96 93-94 94-95 95-96
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Atlanta Hawks 42-14 28-28 32-22 15-11 14-12 14-14
Boston Celtics 21-35 24-32 23-31 11-15 11-15 10-18
Charlotte Hornets 29-27 36-20 26-28 12-14 14-12 15-13
Chicago Bulls 38-18 35-21 47-7 17-9 12-14 25-3
Cleveland Cavaliers 31-25 33-23 29-25 16-10 10-16 18-10
Detroit Pistons 12-44 21-35 27-27 8-18 7-19 19-9
Indiana Pacers 32-24 35-21 36-18 15-11 17-9 16-12
Miami Heat 32-24 25-31 29-25 10-16 7-19 13-15
Milwaukee Bucks 14-42 26-30 16-38 6-20 8-18 9-19
New Jersey Nets 32-24 21-35 21-33 13-13 9-17 9-19
New York Knicks 40-16 37-19 32-22 17-9 18-8 15-13
Orlando Magic 35-21 39-17 40-14 15-11 18-8 20-8
Philadelphia 76ers 17-39 16-40 12-42 8-18 8-18 6-22
Toronto Raptors 0-0 0-0 14-40 0-0 0-0 7-21
Washington Bullets 17-39 16-40 21-33 7-19 5-21 18-10
Western Conference
------------------
vs. Eastern vs. Western
93-94 94-95 95-96 93-94 94-95 95-96
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Dallas Mavericks 3-25 13-15 7-23 10-44 23-31 19-33
Denver Nuggets 15-13 14-14 13-17 27-27 27-27 22-30
Golden State Warriors 17-11 7-21 14-16 33-21 19-35 22-30
Houston Rockets 20-8 20-8 17-13 36-18 27-27 31-21
Los Angeles Clippers 10-18 7-21 8-22 17-37 10-44 21-31
Los Angeles Lakers 15-13 18-10 19-11 18-36 30-24 34-18
Minnesota Timberwolves 7-21 9-19 9-21 13-41 12-42 17-35
Phoenix Suns 19-9 20-8 18-12 37-37 39-15 23-29
Portland Trail Blazers 18-10 16-12 15-15 29-25 28-26 29-23
Sacramento Kings 11-17 14-14 16-14 17-37 25-29 23-29
San Antonio Spurs 23-5 21-7 20-10 32-22 41-13 39-13
Seattle SuperSonics 19-9 23-5 22-8 44-10 34-20 42-10
Utah Jazz 17-11 24-4 22-8 36-18 36-18 33-19
Vancouver Grizzlies 0-0 0-0 6-24 0-0 0-0 9-43
Records on Days of Week
Eastern Conference
------------------
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
------ ------- --------- -------- ------ -------- ------
Atlanta 2-4 8-5 5-5 5-7 10-6 8-8 8-1
Boston 2-3 2-9 12-9 2-2 9-11 3-5 3-10
Charlotte 2-2 8-5 6-10 3-5 7-11 9-5 6-3
Chicago 4-1 13-3 9-0 14-0 13-1 12-1 7-4
Cleveland 2-1 9-6 3-5 11-4 6-7 11-5 5-7
Detroit 4-5 5-3 10-7 6-4 9-4 7-10 5-3
Indiana 3-0 12-4 6-7 4-5 12-6 8-3 7-5
Miami 3-6 5-5 8-7 4-5 8-6 10-8 4-3
Milwaukee 1-3 4-13 5-7 6-5 3-14 3-9 3-6
New Jersey 2-5 5-9 7-6 1-6 5-13 7-8 3-5
New York 3-3 7-7 8-7 4-5 8-6 9-4 8-3
Orlando 5-1 12-2 11-3 4-2 17-3 5-6 6-5
Philadelphia 2-4 4-6 5-16 0-2 4-17 1-15 2-4
Toronto 1-6 6-12 1-8 0-11 4-11 3-7 6-6
Washington 2-4 3-5 8-10 4-3 8-12 7-5 7-4
Western Conference
------------------
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
------ ------- --------- -------- ------ -------- ------
Dallas 3-3 5-15 2-2 6-8 5-10 2-11 3-7
Denver 3-2 7-8 3-5 5-11 3-9 8-7 6-5
Golden State 2-5 7-7 4-8 3-9 7-7 11-6 2-4
Houston 3-3 12-6 7-5 11-5 2-4 9-6 4-5
LA Clippers 1-4 5-11 3-9 7-5 6-5 3-12 4-7
LA Lakers 2-0 10-8 10-4 2-3 18-3 3-7 8-4
Minnesota 3-1 4-8 4-14 1-2 8-13 3-10 3-8
Phoenix 1-3 9-6 7-7 5-2 9-11 3-4 7-8
Portland 4-3 8-8 5-4 5-5 8-7 5-7 9-4
Sacramento 3-4 6-9 5-6 4-5 9-9 5-4 7-6
San Antonio 5-2 8-5 12-4 7-2 9-6 11-0 7-4
Seattle 6-0 12-5 12-3 4-1 14-4 11-3 5-2
Utah 12-2 7-3 11-3 6-3 10-6 7-6 2-4
Vancouver 1-7 1-11 2-10 1-8 5-14 3-5 2-12
Triple-Doubles
Date Player Team Opponent Statistics, Categories
Career
---- ------ ---- -------- ----------------------
------
11/09 Scottie Pippen Chicago Cleveland 18 Pts, 13 Reb, 12 Ast 15
11/18 Kendall Gill Charlotte S. Antonio 11 Pts, 10 Reb, 12 Ast 1
11/21 Damon Stoudamire Toronto Seattle 20 Pts, 12 Reb, 11 Ast 1
11/21 Jason Kidd Dallas Chicago 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 11 Ast 5
11/22 Scottie Pippen (2) Chicago S. Antonio 15 Pts, 10 Reb, 13 Ast 16
11/22 Charles Barkley Phoenix Atlanta 20 Pts, 12 Reb, 11 Ast 18
12/02 Grant Hill Detroit Atlanta 24 Pts, 13 Reb, 11 Ast 2
12/02 Dikembe Mutombo Denver Minnesota 22 Pts, 16 Reb, 10 Blk 8
12/12 Kendall Gill (2) Charlotte Phoenix 18 Pts, 11 Reb, 12 Ast 2
12/13 Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Vancouver 15 Pts, 14 Reb, 10 Blk 11
12/15 Grant Hill (2) Detroit New Jersey 19 Pts, 10 Reb, 12 Ast 3
12/20 Derrick McKey Indiana La Lakers 17 Pts, 13 Reb, 11 Ast 1
12/27 Chris Webber Washington Golden St. 40 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 5
12/28 Hakeem Olajuwon (2) Houston New Jersey 22 Pts, 18 Reb, 10 Ast 12
12/28 Grant Hill (3) Detroit Toronto 17 Pts, 10 Reb, 11 Ast 4
12/29 Brian Shaw Orlando LA Clippers 11 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 1
01/05 Sherman Douglas Milwaukee Portland 15 Pts, 10 Reb, 11 Ast 1
01/12 Jason Kidd (2) Dallas Phoenix 33 Pts, 12 Reb, 16 Ast 6
01/13 Jason Kidd (3) Dallas Charlotte 17 Pts, 10 Reb, 11 Ast 7
01/13 Grant Hill (4) Detroit New Jersey 26 Pts, 13 Reb, 13 Ast 5
01/16 Dennis Rodman Chicago Philadelphia10 Pts, 21 Reb, 10 Ast 1
01/23 Jason Kidd (4) Dallas Sacramento 29 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 8
01/27 Clyde Drexler Houston Detroit 24 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 19
01/30 Jason Kidd (5) Dallas LA Clippers 21 Pts, 16 Reb, 16 Ast 9
02/01 Clyde Drexler (2) Houston Charlotte 16 Pts, 10 Reb, 14 Ast 20
02/02 Karl Malone Utah LA Clippers 27 Pts, 15 Reb, 10 Ast 1
02/13 Clyde Drexler (3) Houston Dallas 21 Pts, 14 Reb, 12 Ast 21
02/14 Magic Johnson LA Lakers Atlanta 15 Pts, 10 Reb, 13 Ast 138
02/21 Grant Hill (5) Detroit New York 25 Pts, 15 Reb, 11 Ast 6
02/23 Jason Kidd (6) Dallas LA Lakers 17 Pts, 10 Reb, 12 Ast 10
02/29 Jason Kidd (7) Dallas Denver 26 Pts, 12 Reb, 12 Ast 11
03/01 Blue Edwards Vancouver Dallas 15 Pts, 13 Reb, 11 Ast 1
03/04 Grant Hill (6) Detroit Atlanta 17 Pts, 11 Reb, 12 Ast 7
03/07 Larry Johnson Charlotte Dallas 21 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 5
03/13 Grant Hill (7) Detroit Phoenix 18 Pts, 17 Reb, 11 Ast 8
03/14 Shawn Bradley New Jersey Washington 19 Pts, 17 Reb, 11 Blk 1
03/15 Kevin Johnson Phoenix Phila. 14 Pts, 10 Reb, 13 Ast 11
03/16 Chris Childs New Jersey Chicago 18 Pts, 10 Reb, 14 Ast 1
03/17 Grant Hill (8) Detroit Denver 20 Pts, 13 Reb, 10 Ast 9
03/18 Gary Payton Seattle LA Clippers 20 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 4
03/19 Anthony Bowie Orlando Detroit 20 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 1
04/05 Vlade Divac LA Lakers Vancouver 10 Pts, 10 Reb, 13 Ast 4
04/07 Grant Hill (9) Detroit Boston 16 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 10
04/11 Jason Kidd (8) Dallas Portland 19 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast 12
04/13 Hakeem Olajuwon (3) Houston Dallas 31 Pts, 13 Reb, 10 Blk 13
04/14 Grant Hill (10) Detroit Boston 16 Pts, 12 Reb, 10 Ast 11
04/17 Shawn Bradley (2) New Jersey Toronto 11 Pts, 10 Reb, 12 Blk 2
04/19 Shawn Bradley (3) New Jersey Boston 17 Pts, 13 Reb, 10 Blk 3
04/19 Patrick Ewing New York Charlotte 28 Pts, 15 Reb, 11 Ast 1
04/21 Jason Kidd (9) Dallas San Antonio 21 Pts, 10 Reb, 15 Ast 13
Attendance
Home Attendance Road Attendance
TEAM G Att Avg G Att Avg
---- - --- --- - --- ---
Atlanta Hawks 41 496669 12114 41 714066 17416
Boston Celtics 41 732841 17874 41 706112 17222
Charlotte Hornets 41 985722 24042 41 690050 16830
Chicago Bulls 41 969149 23638 41 816705 19920
Cleveland Cavaliers 41 730095 17807 41 681421 16620
Dallas Mavericks 41 684138 16686 41 705178 17199
Denver Nuggets 41 675426 16474 41 677487 16524
Detroit Pistons 41 730573 17819 41 715632 17454
Golden State Warriors 41 616025 15025 41 687222 16762
Houston Rockets 41 667685 16285 41 729564 17794
Indiana Pacers 41 673967 16438 41 714843 17435
Los Angeles Clippers 41 414560 10111 41 676181 16492
Los Angeles Lakers 41 649634 15845 41 751924 18340
Miami Heat 41 606091 14783 41 713406 17400
Milwaukee Bucks 41 647088 15783 41 679670 16577
Minnesota Timberwolves 41 585669 14285 41 664271 16202
New Jersey Nets 41 811422 19791 41 699704 17066
Seattle SuperSonics 41 697301 17007 41 708723 17286
Toronto Raptors 41 950330 23179 41 676865 16509
Utah Jazz 41 813073 19831 41 703999 17171
Vancouver Grizzlies 41 704489 17183 41 665147 16223
Washington Bullets 41 688354 16789 41 707747 17262
Grand Totals 1189 20513218 17252 1189 20513218 17252
nba.630vpoznanovic,
Games won/lost by # points
20- 15- 10- WINS LOSSES 6- 11- 16-
>20 16 11 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 10 15 20 >20
Dallas ....... 2 1 4 7 4 1 3 4 0 4 0 5 1 2 15 17 6 6
Denver ....... 2 2 7 13 3 3 4 1 0 3 3 0 3 4 15 7 4 8
Houston ...... 3 4 9 17 5 4 3 2 1 3 4 2 1 3 8 9 2 2
Minnesota .... 3 2 5 5 3 3 1 2 2 1 5 3 1 4 19 5 6 12
San Antonio .. 9 5 15 19 1 1 4 2 3 1 1 2 1 3 7 4 3 1
Utah ......... 12 9 12 15 1 1 3 2 0 2 1 3 3 3 9 4 1 1
Vancouver .... 0 0 2 4 1 3 0 2 3 0 3 0 4 8 18 13 7 14
Golden State . 4 2 5 12 3 2 7 0 1 1 2 3 3 3 16 10 4 4
LA Clippers .. 1 2 7 8 5 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 5 3 21 8 8 5
LA Lakers .... 11 8 8 9 4 4 4 3 2 6 1 2 1 1 6 7 4 1
Phoenix ...... 5 2 9 12 5 4 2 1 1 2 2 1 3 5 12 8 4 4
Portland ..... 6 5 9 13 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 7 7 3 6 6 3 2
Sacramento ... 4 5 0 14 6 3 3 1 3 1 4 0 2 0 11 11 5 9
Seattle ...... 10 8 10 20 6 2 2 3 3 3 0 5 0 1 1 4 1 3
Boston ....... 4 3 4 8 3 3 0 2 6 2 2 3 2 6 11 7 6 10
Miami ........ 6 8 4 18 0 0 4 2 0 4 3 2 5 1 8 8 6 3
New Jersey ... 1 3 6 10 3 2 0 3 2 1 1 4 3 1 18 12 5 7
New York ..... 7 2 9 18 4 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 4 17 5 5 2
Orlando ...... 10 8 14 10 4 2 2 6 4 2 1 2 1 0 3 7 3 3
Philadelphia . 2 0 2 4 0 3 2 2 3 1 2 3 1 4 10 17 11 15
Washington ... 6 4 10 12 2 1 1 2 1 3 3 2 3 3 14 7 6 2
Atlanta ...... 5 4 9 14 4 1 6 2 1 2 3 3 2 3 11 4 3 5
Charlotte .... 2 4 8 16 2 3 1 2 3 0 5 4 2 4 12 7 1 6
Chicago ...... 21 11 13 15 2 5 4 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 1
Cleveland .... 9 4 11 8 3 2 5 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 10 10 5 2
Detroit ...... 6 6 10 14 1 1 1 4 3 4 1 5 2 3 10 7 1 3
Indiana ...... 2 7 11 19 2 1 4 2 4 3 3 2 2 1 13 3 1 2
Milwaukee .... 1 1 6 7 3 4 1 0 2 0 2 3 3 3 25 6 6 9
Toronto ...... 0 4 4 5 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 7 3 5 14 11 7 12
Win-Loss for last # games (H=home, R=road):
L5 L10 L15 L20 HL5 HL10 HL15 HL20 RL5 RL10 RL15 RL20
Dallas ...... 2-3 4-6 5-10 5-15 2-3 3-7 5-10 7-13 1-4 2-8 4-11 4-16
Denver ...... 2-3 4-6 7-8 8-12 3-2 6-4 9-6 13-7 2-3 3-7 3-12 4-16
Houston ..... 3-2 5-5 6-9 8-12 4-1 5-5 8-7 12-8 1-4 3-7 6-9 8-12
Minnesota ... 0-5 2-8 4-11 7-13 1-4 4-6 6-9 8-12 1-4 3-7 4-11 6-14
San Antonio . 3-2 6-4 10-5 15-5 3-2 8-2 13-2 17-3 2-3 7-3 11-4 14-6
Utah ........ 3-2 5-5 8-7 12-8 3-2 7-3 12-3 17-3 2-3 4-6 7-8 9-11
Vancouver ... 2-3 3-7 4-11 4-16 1-4 2-8 2-13 3-17 2-3 2-8 2-13 2-18
Golden State 2-3 5-5 6-9 8-12 3-2 5-5 7-8 11-9 2-3 3-7 4-11 6-14
LA Clippers . 1-4 2-8 4-11 7-13 2-3 6-4 9-6 9-11 0-5 1-9 3-12 4-16
LA Lakers ... 4-1 8-2 11-4 13-7 5-0 7-3 11-4 15-5 3-2 6-4 10-5 14-6
Phoenix ..... 2-3 4-6 8-7 10-10 4-1 8-2 12-3 16-4 1-4 2-8 4-11 7-13
Portland .... 3-2 7-3 12-3 16-4 4-1 9-1 12-3 12-8 3-2 7-3 8-7 12-8
Sacramento .. 4-1 6-4 9-6 11-9 4-1 8-2 10-5 11-9 1-4 3-7 4-11 4-16
Seattle ..... 3-2 7-3 12-3 16-4 5-0 10-0 14-1 19-1 2-3 6-4 10-5 14-6
Boston ...... 3-2 5-5 7-8 10-10 2-3 5-5 8-7 9-11 3-2 5-5 6-9 8-12
Miami ....... 3-2 5-5 8-7 12-8 3-2 7-3 10-5 13-7 2-3 6-4 8-7 10-10
New Jersey .. 1-4 1-9 3-12 5-15 1-4 3-7 4-11 7-13 0-5 2-8 5-10 6-14
New York .... 2-3 5-5 7-8 11-9 2-3 6-4 8-7 13-7 3-2 6-4 8-7 9-11
Orlando ..... 4-1 6-4 10-5 13-7 3-2 6-4 11-4 16-4 4-1 8-2 11-4 14-6
Philadelphia 2-3 4-6 5-10 5-15 2-3 3-7 5-10 7-13 2-3 2-8 3-12 4-16
Washington .. 1-4 6-4 9-6 11-9 3-2 5-5 9-6 10-10 3-2 6-4 7-8 8-12
Atlanta ..... 3-2 5-5 8-7 11-9 2-3 6-4 10-5 14-6 3-2 6-4 7-8 11-9
Charlotte ... 2-3 4-6 7-8 10-10 1-4 5-5 8-7 11-9 4-1 6-4 7-8 9-11
Chicago ..... 4-1 8-2 12-3 17-3 3-2 8-2 13-2 18-2 5-0 9-1 12-3 15-5
Cleveland ... 3-2 6-4 9-6 12-8 3-2 6-4 8-7 13-7 3-2 6-4 8-7 11-9
Detroit ..... 3-2 6-4 8-7 11-9 5-0 9-1 13-2 16-4 1-4 2-8 5-10 8-12
Indiana ..... 4-1 8-2 11-4 13-7 5-0 8-2 12-3 14-6 3-2 5-5 8-7 10-10
Milwaukee ... 2-3 3-7 4-11 4-16 1-4 2-8 3-12 5-15 2-3 2-8 2-13 4-16
Toronto ..... 1-4 2-8 3-12 5-15 2-3 3-7 5-10 6-14 1-4 1-9 2-13 4-16
Month and Division Records
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Mid Pac Atl Cen
Dallas ....... 5-8 3-11 6-8 5-9 3-14 4-6 10-14 9-19 4-10 3-13
Denver ....... 4-9 9-7 5-9 5-7 7-9 5-6 13-11 9-19 6-8 7-9
Houston ...... 11-4 11-4 7-8 9-4 4-9 6-5 15-9 16-12 6-8 11-5
Minnesota .... 3-9 4-11 4-10 5-9 8-8 2-9 10-14 7-21 3-11 6-10
San Antonio .. 8-4 11-4 9-5 9-5 16-0 6-5 19-5 20-8 10-4 10-6
Utah ......... 12-4 8-5 9-5 9-3 12-4 5-6 14-10 19-9 10-4 12-4
Vancouver .... 2-13 3-12 5-9 1-8 0-17 4-8 3-21 6-22 4-10 2-14
Golden State . 5-10 7-7 6-8 8-5 5-11 5-5 15-13 7-17 8-6 6-10
LA Clippers .. 7-8 4-11 5-8 3-10 8-8 2-8 13-15 8-16 6-7 2-15
LA Lakers .... 7-7 9-8 9-3 10-2 10-5 8-4 17-11 17-7 10-4 9-7
Phoenix ...... 6-7 7-7 6-9 9-4 8-8 5-6 14-14 9-15 10-4 8-8
Portland ..... 7-8 5-9 9-6 4-9 11-3 8-3 18-10 11-13 10-4 5-11
Sacramento ... 11-4 6-5 6-7 2-13 7-9 7-5 12-16 11-13 7-7 9-7
Seattle ...... 9-6 11-2 12-3 11-1 13-3 8-3 21-7 21-3 11-3 11-5
Boston ....... 5-7 7-9 4-11 4-9 8-8 5-5 5-9 5-9 12-12 11-19
Miami ........ 9-3 6-10 4-12 8-5 10-4 5-6 9-5 4-10 13-12 16-13
New Jersey ... 5-8 5-9 7-9 7-6 5-11 1-9 6-8 3-11 8-17 13-16
New York ..... 10-4 9-5 8-6 5-8 9-6 6-6 10-4 5-9 16-8 16-14
Orlando ...... 13-2 10-4 8-6 11-3 12-3 6-4 10-4 10-4 21-3 19-11
Philadelphia . 2-10 3-12 3-12 3-10 3-14 4-6 5-9 1-13 5-19 7-23
Washington ... 5-8 10-5 6-8 3-11 9-7 6-4 10-4 8-6 10-14 11-19
Atlanta ...... 9-5 4-10 11-4 7-5 9-7 6-5 7-7 7-7 17-9 15-13
Charlotte .... 7-8 7-8 7-5 7-6 8-8 5-6 8-6 7-7 13-13 13-15
Chicago ...... 12-2 13-1 14-0 11-3 12-2 10-2 13-1 12-2 23-3 24-4
Cleveland .... 6-8 9-4 8-8 10-2 7-9 7-4 8-6 10-4 16-10 13-15
Detroit ...... 5-9 10-5 6-6 7-6 11-5 7-5 9-5 10-4 12-14 15-13
Indiana ...... 6-6 9-6 14-2 8-6 7-8 8-2 8-6 8-6 17-9 19-9
Milwaukee .... 4-9 6-8 5-9 5-9 1-15 4-7 5-9 4-10 8-18 8-20
Toronto ...... 5-10 4-11 3-10 2-10 4-12 3-8 3-11 4-10 9-17 5-23
Division Records
W-L HW HL RW RL Mid Pac Atl Cen
Midwest 264-310 161 126 103 184 84-84 86-110 43-55 51-61
Pacific 306-268 187 100 119 168 110-86 84-84 62-35 50-63
Atlantic 269-305 163 124 106 181 55-43 36-62 85-85 93-115
Central 350-306 208 120 142 186 61-51 62-50 115-93 112-112
10 Largest Win Margins (home team listed first)
11/8 49 SA 111, Van 62
4/15 46 NY 125, Tor 79
3/5 41 Mia 113, Min 72
3/29 40 Tor 86, Orl 126
3/23 40 Sea 129, Phi 89
12/12 40 Sac 93, Hou 133
12/29 39 Sea 124, Bos 85
12/30 38 SA 122, Min 84
3/27 37 Sea 132, Cha 95
2/14 37 Sea 130, Min 93
10 Lowest Scores (home team listed first)
2/21 57 Phi 57, Mia 66
11/8 62 SA 111, Van 62
3/30 64 GS 64, Cle 90
1/13 65 Van 69, Mia 65
2/21 66 Phi 57, Mia 66
3/19 67 Chi 89, Sac 67
3/1 68 Atl 74, Cle 68
12/21 68 Sea 92, Van 68
3/15 69 Det 80, Cle 69
1/16 69 Por 87, Den 69
10 Highest Scores (home team listed first)
1/12 140 Pho 130, Dal 140
4/6 139 Tor 106, NY 139
2/29 137 Den 120, Dal 137
11/15 137 Pho 127, Den 137
4/12 136 Bos 136, Tor 108
2/8 136 Dal 136, Uta 133
12/27 135 Por 135, Bos 109
12/2 135 Was 135, Bos 107
2/8 133 Dal 136, Uta 133
12/12 133 Sac 93, Hou 133
nba.631vpoznanovic,
NBA All-Time Points Leaders
POINTS
------
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
2. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
3. Moses Malone 27,409
4. Elvin Hayes 27,313
5. Oscar Robertson 26,710
6. John Havlicek 26,395
7. Alex English 25,613
8. Dominique Wilkins 25,389
9. Jerry West 25,192
10. x-Michael Jordan 24,503
11. x-Karl Malone 23,347
12. Adrian Dantley 23,177
13. Elgin Baylor 23,149
14. x-Robert Parish 23,173
15. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 21,837
16. Larry Bird 21,791
17. Hal Greer 21,586
18. Walt Bellamy 20,941
19. Bob Pettit 20,880
20. George Gervin 20,708
x-active
LEADING ACTIVE PLAYERS CLOSING IN
---------------------------------
Charles Barkley 20,542
Clyde Drexler 19,816
nba.632vpoznanovic,
NBA All-Time Rebound Leaders
REBOUNDS
--------
1. Wilt Chamberlain 23,924
2. Bill Russell 21,620
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 17,440
4. Elvin Hayes 16,279
5. Moses Malone 16,212
6. x-Robert Parish 14,620
7. Nate Thurmond 14,464
8. Walt Bellamy 14,241
9. Wes Unseld 13,769
10. Jerry Lucas 12,942
11. Bob Pettit 12,849
12. x-Buck Williams 12,437
13. Paul Silas 12,347
14. Elgin Baylor 11,463
15. Dolph Schayes 11,256
16. Bill Bridges 11,054
17. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 11,023
18. Jack Sikma 10,816
19. Dave Cowens 10,444
20. Bill Laimbeer 10,400
X-ACTIVE
LEADING ACTIVE PLAYERS CLOSING IN
---------------------------------
Charles Barkley 10,316
Karl Malone 9,725
nba.633vpoznanovic,
N-B-A All-Time Assist Leaders
ASSISTS
-------
1. x-John Stockton 11,297
2. x-Magic Johnson 10,131
3. Oscar Robertson 9,887
4. Isiah Thomas 9,061
5. Maurice Cheeks 7,392
6. Len Wilkens 7,211
7. Bob Cousy 6,955
8. Guy Rodgers 6,917
9. Nate Archibald 6,476
10. John Lucas 6,454
11. Reggie Theus 6,453
12. x-Muggsy Bogues 5,870
13. x-Derek Harper 5,834
14. x-Kevin Johnson 5,788
15. x-Terry Porter 5,759
16. Larry Bird 5,695
17. Rickey Green 5,221
18. Sleepy Floyd 5,074
X-ACTIVE
nba.634vpoznanovic,
N-B-A All-Time Blocks Leaders
BLOCKS
------
1. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 3,190
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3,189
3. Mark Eaton 3,064
4. Tree Rollins 2,542
5. x-Robert Parish 2,335
6. x-Patrick Ewing 2,332
7. Manute Bol 2,086
8. George Johnson 2,082
9. Larry Nance 2,027
10. X-David Robinson 1,994
X-ACTIVE
nba.635vpoznanovic,
N-B-A All-Time Steals Leaders
STEALS
------
1. x-John Stockton 2,364
2. Maurice Cheeks 2,310
3. x-Alvin Robertson 2,112
4. x-Michael Jordan 2,024
5. x-Clyde Drexler 1,962
6. Isiah Thomas 1,861
7. x-Derek Harper 1,753
8. x-Magic Johnson 1,714
9. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 1,692
10. Fat Lever 1,666
11. Gus Williams 1,638
12. Julius Erving 1,511
nba.636vpoznanovic,
All-Time Winningest NBA Coaches
(THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 21ST)
COACH W-L PCT.
===== === ====
x-Lenny Wilkens 1,013-851 .543
Red Auerbach 938-479 .662
x-Dick Motta 918-963 .488
x-Bill Fitch 891-994 .473
Jack Ramsay 864-783 .525
Don Nelson 851-629 .575
X-Cotton Fitzsimmons 835-764 .522
Gene Shue 784-861 .477
x-Pat Riley 799-337 .703
John MacLeod 707-657 .518
x - active
nba.637vpoznanovic,
Records For Expansion Coaches
Below are the records in terms of service for the head
coach of recent N-B-A expansion teams:
Team Coach Record/duration
---- ----- ----------------
Toronto Brendan Malone 1 year, 21-61
Orlando Matt Guokas 4 years, 111-217
Miami Ron Rothstein 3 years, 57-189
Charlotte Dick Harter 1 year, 20-62
Minnesota Bill Musselman 2 years, 51-113
Vancouver Brian Winters (X) 1 year, 15-67
(X) - still active
nba.638vpoznanovic,
REPORT: DUNLEAVY ABOUT TO GET BUCKED
The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly will relieve Mike Dunleavy of his head
coaching duties.
The New York Post reported Tuesday that Dunleavy is out as head coach
of the Bucks, but the official announcement will be delayed pending
the completion of negotiations regarding the four years left on
Dunleavy's eight-year contract and his status as vice president of
basketball operations.
WITI TV in Milwaukee reported last week that Dunleavy would be
relieved of his duties after the 1995-96 season.
Milwaukee finished with a disappointing 25-57 record this season, a
nine-game slide from 1994-95 when the Bucks were 34-48. Dunleavy has a
107-221 record in four years as Bucks' coach.
Dunleavy resigned as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in May of
1992 to accept an eight-year, $8 million contract as coach and vice
president of operations with the Bucks.
Dunleavy spent 11 seasons in the NBA as a player after being selected
by the Philadelphia 76ers in the sixth round of the 1976 draft. He
also played with Houston, San Antonio and Milwaukee and helped the
1980-81 Rockets to the NBA Finals.
Dunleavy retired after the 1985-86 season and became an assistant
coach for the Bucks, where he suited up for a total of seven games
during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons.
nba.639vpoznanovic,
BRISTOW FEELS HORNETS' STING
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Allan Bristow is out as head coach of the Charlotte
Hornets.
The Hornets and Bristow announced at a morning news conference that
both sides have mutually agreed on a coaching change for the 1996-97
season. A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
"Allan and I came to a mutual agreement that it was time for us to
make a change and head in a different direction," said Hornets owner
George Shinn. "Allan has been with us a long time. I feel he always
did the very best job he possibly could."
The Hornets finished 41-41 this season and failed to make the
playoffs after recording a franchise-record 50 wins in 1994-95.
"We will begin the search for a head coach immediately," said Hornets
Vice President of Basketball Operations Bob Bass. "Our primary goal is
to bring in the best available coach for our particular team.
Combining that with our two first round draft picks and our salary
slot, we feel we are heading in the right direction."
Charlotte was involved in a race with the Miami Heat for the eighth
and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But the Hornets
finished the season with four losses in their last six games and
dropped their final four home games, including a 116-95 loss to the
Heat on April 10.
Bristow, the winningest coach in franchise history, compiled a
207-203 mark in five seasons at Charlotte.
Bristow owned the third-longest tenure with his current team of any
coach in the NBA, trailing only Chicago's Phil Jackson and Utah's
Jerry Sloan.
Bristow guided Charlotte to the club's first 50-win season and second
trip to the NBA playoffs in 1994-95. But the Hornets were beaten in
the first round of the playoffs by the Chicago Bulls. The Hornets'
50-32 mark was nine games better than their previous season.
Bristow led Charlotte to the playoffs in two of the last four years,
including a 1993 playoff-series win over the Boston Celtics.
Before moving to the sidelines in 1991, Bristow spent the previous
year as the Hornets' vice president of basketball operations. He was
responsible for drafting center Alonzo Mourning, who the Hornets
traded to the Heat for Glen Rice in a six-player deal just prior to
the start of the 1995-96 season.
Bristow played 10 years in the NBA and averaged 7.8 points and 4.0
rebounds. He was selected in the second round of the 1973 draft by the
Philadelphia 76ers and played two seasons with the Sixers before
signing with the San Antonio Spurs.
After spending four years with San Antonio, Bristow played two
seasons apiece for Utah and Dallas. Following his playing career,
Bristow was an assistant coach for the Spurs and Denver Nuggets.
nba.640vpoznanovic,
IS THE ADMIRAL TOO MUCH OF A GENTLEMAN?
David Robinson is a shot-blocking, unselfish big man who can beat
guards down the floor. He has won a Most Valuable Player Award and an
Olympic gold medal, however he has been labeled soft in some NBA
circles, especially when the post season rolls around.
"You take any of the guys you call 'toughest guys out there,' and you
pit them against me on that floor, and none of them are going to come
out on top," Robinson said.
That's pretty tough talk from a guy who has spent some time on
Sesame Street.
His talent is unquestioned. He's won just about every individual honor
in the NBA. But until he can spur his team to postseason greatness,
Robinson's career may be haunted by that four-letter word.
"I don't think you have a guy who can win the MVP being soft," said
Spurs forward Sean Elliott. "I don't think you have a guy who could
put up the kind of numbers he puts up being soft. I don't think that's
possible."
A soft MVP does sound a bit strange, so maybe that's not quite the
perfect term to describe the Admiral.
"He's never been soft," said Spurs G.M. Gregg Popovich. "But has he
been passionate? No. Is he passionate now? He's getting real close."
If he lacks say Michael Jordan's passion for the game, maybe it's
because the game hasn't been in his blood nearly as long. For
Robinson, basketball has been an acquired taste.
"David never really played basketball in an inner city all his life
like most of us did," said Spurs guard Avery Johnson. "Dave is a Naval
Academy guy. He comes from a great family. I love his parents. It's
just a different upbringing.
"But at the same time, he has to be tough to accomplish all the
things he has in his career."
"I'm not sure that he's not quite tough enough," said ESPN NBA
analyst Dr. Jack Ramsay.
If he's toughness isn't the problem, then what is?
"He may not be mean enough," Ramsay said. "All the great guys who
have led their teams -- Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird --
these guys would tear your heart out if it meant winning the game.
Playoff plight
David Robinson: last three seaons
Reg. season playoffs
PPG> 26.9 23.8
FG% 52 44
Team Win% 68 52
> 25.0 PPG in '95-96
"That kind of grab ya by the throat, reach down and take your heart
and rip it out -- that kind of mentality, while in social company is
not acceptable, on the basketball floor it's pretty good."
"Guys in this league, man they're like sharks," Johnson said. "They
see blood and no matter what it is, they'll try to eat you alive. With
David, he's accomplished a lot and everybody's saying he's got to get
a little tougher to win a championship."
So if Robinson were meaner, would the Spurs have done more in previous
postseason appearances?
"I would say yes," said Ramsay.
Mr. Robinson: Too nice to his neighbors?
"He kind of shies away from contact a little bit," said Heat center
Alonzo Mourning. "You can tell the players who kind of shy away and
don't want the banging."
However, that's not the way Robinson sees it.
"I play 82 games a season and everybody sends their biggest fellas at
me," Robinson said. "They double and triple team me, and so I go to the
foul line 10 or 15 times a night."
Of course to hear his coach and teammates tell it, Robinson should be
going to the line even more than that.
"I think that his 'nice guy' image hurts him," said Spurs guard Doc
Rivers. "Quite honestly, I think that referees feel like they can call
what they want to on David. They don't have to worry about it.
"Charles Barkley cries on every call, so I think refs think about it
sometimes. With David they don't think that they are going to have a
problem, so David gets taken advantage somewhat."
He's an officer and a gentleman -- a Naval Lieutenant with a degree in
mathematics, a pianist and a saxophonist.
"He's the greatest role model this league has, and we don't use him
enough," said Spurs coach Bob Hill. "I have three sons and if they grow
up to be anywhere close to what David is, I'll die a happy father."
How can you not admire Robinson's well-roundedness -- his intelligence,
the way he deals with people and the way he contributes to his
community. But if he comes up short in the playoffs again, his critics
may not care what kind of role model he is.
"I guess maybe he's a state of the art professional in a time where
being professional is not the right thing to do and that's where our
society is headed in the wrong direction," said Hill. "With kids
wearing their pants down below their butts and earrings and all this
stuff, he came along at probably the right time."
So what's more important to the Admiral? An NBA championship or being
a role model?
"Being a role model is much more important," Robinson said. "You'll
have all the rings you want, all the records you want, but what really
lasts is the impact you have on the people's lives.
"When you die it's neat to be a trivia question for somebody 20 years
from now, but in all honesty, that's not what it's all about."
So, while the Spurs aren't guaranteed any playoff success this season,
their fans can take pride in the fact that they have the most
gentlemanly center in the league on their side.
nba.641vpoznanovic,
MAGIC'S GABRIEL WITHDRAWS FROM SIXERS' GM JOB RACE
Orlando Magic vice president of basketball operations and player
personnel John Gabriel announced Tuesday that he has withdrawn from
consideration for the Philadelphia 76ers' general manager position.
Gabriel was believed to be the leading candidate when Comcast, a major
cable television corporation, announced March 19 that it was buying
both the 76ers and the NHL Philadelphia Flyers. Pat Croce, a close
friend of Gabriel, became the Sixers' new president upon the purchase
of the teams.
"Even though the temptation to rebuild a team was a great one and it's
flattering to be recognized by another organization, we still have the
challenge and goal of bringing a world championship to Orlando," said
Gabriel.
Negotiations between the Magic and Gabriel are on-going regarding
Gabriel's future with the team.
"The most important aspect to me was to avoid this being a distraction
as our team prepares for the playoffs," said Gabriel. "I will continue
to work within ownership's time frame regarding my future."
Gabriel is in his 14th season in the NBA and has been with the Magic
organization since its inception. He was promoted to his current
position in January of 1994 after serving as the club's director of
player personnel and director of scouting.
Gabriel and Orlando general manager Pat Williams are responsible for
building the roster of the Magic, which went to the 1995 NBA Finals in
just the team's sixth year of existence.
John Lucas currently holds the titles of head coach and general
manager of the Sixers. But he is on shaky ground with the new
ownership after a disastrous 18-64 season.
nba.642vpoznanovic,
DID JORDAN'S 'EMERGENCY' INVOLVE A SAND TRAP?
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson snickered
Wednesday when told that Michael Jordan had canceled a nationwide
conference call with reporters earlier in the day, citing an
unspecified emergency.
At least the coach didn't show any concern about missing the NBA's
leading scorer and his team leader on the eve of the playoffs.
"I think the emergency is the sun is shining and it's a beautiful day
in Chicago," said Jackson, who somehow kept the word "golf" from
crossing his smiling lips.
Jordan said he hoped to reschedule the conference call.
"These things happen from time to time," NBA spokesman Chris Brienza
said. "He said there was an emergency. We understand what the word
means. People are human beings. He was doing us a favor. They said he
would try to reschedule. We take them at their word."
nba.643vpoznanovic,
KEMP MUST MISS SONICS' FIRST PLAYOFF GAME
NEW YORK -- Seattle SuperSonics All-Star forward Shawn Kemp on Tuesday
was suspended for one game and fined $7,500 for his altercation with
Tom Hammonds of Denver during the regular-season finale on Sunday.
Kemp was suspended for trading punches with Hammonds in the Sonics'
99-88 loss and will miss Seattle's playoff opener at home on Friday
against Sacramento.
Hammonds received the same penalty as Kemp and will sit out the first
game of the 1996-97 regular season. The Nuggets did not make the
playoffs.
Part of the NBA's problem in determining punishment for the two
players was that the league was not able to find any video of the
incident, so NBA vice president Rod Thorn had to rely on reports and
word of mouth.
"Of the 1,189 games, something like 1,050 are on television. This is
one of the ones that wasn't," Thorn said. "We have a local TV tape of
the aftermath, but it doesn't show the altercation itself."
"I saw two guys get tied up and they tried to separate with their arms
and elbows," Sonics coach George Karl said. "They just got tangled
up."
Kemp gave the Sonics a 63-59 lead with a 3-pointer with 4:45 left in
the third quarter. Returning downcourt, Hammonds tried to set a pick
and Kemp met him with a forearm to his chest. Hammonds also threw a
forearm and the battle was on until coaches, teammates and referees
restored order.
The Seattle Times quoted unnamed McNichols Arena security personnel as
saying Kemp pursued Hammonds near the Denver locker room before being
restrained.
Neither player spoke with reporters after the game.
The Sonics ended the season with the second-best record in the league
and have won more games than any other NBA team in the last four years
-- 239, 18 more than the Chicago Bulls -- but have lost in the first
round of the playoffs the past two seasons.
The 6-foot-10, 245-pound Kemp, who never played college basketball, is
in his sixth NBA season, averaging team-bests of 19.6 points and 11.4
rebounds. He is shooting 57.4 percent from the field.
Kemp, who was recently passed over for "Dream Team III", missed three
games this season due to a sprained left foot suffered March 1 at
Boston. The Sonics won two of the three games.
The NBA on Tuesday also suspended Washington Bullets forward Ledell
Eackles for one game and fined him $7,500 for throwing a punch at
Chicago's James Edwards in the Bullets' 103-93 loss to the Bulls on
Sunday. Eackles, like Hammonds, will sit out the first game of the
1996-97 regular season.
The ejections of Kemp, Hammonds and Eackles also carry an automatic
$1,000 fine.
nba.644vpoznanovic,
PITINO REPORTEDLY TURNS DOWN HUGE OFFER
Rick Pitino, who led Kentucky to the NCAA championship this season,
has reportedly turned down a five-year, $20 million offer to become
the head coach and director of basketball operations of the New Jersey
Nets.
The New York Daily News reported Tuesday that Pitino officially
declined the Nets' offer Monday night.
The newspaper said that Pitino flew in from Lexington, Kent. last
Tuesday to meet with Nets owners David Gerstein and Joe Taub. But the
major stumbling block in the negotiations was that Pitino was
reportedly seeking part ownership of the team.
Pitino flew back to Lexington on Thursday when the Nets reportedly
made a counter-offer for as high as $20 million for five years, but
were not willing to give Pitino equity in the franchise.
Pitino has said in numerous interviews that he has no intention of
leaving Kentucky. He has coached the Wildcats for the past seven years
and led the school to its first national championship since 1978 this
season.
The New Jersey Nets fired head coach Butch Beard on Monday.
nba.645vpoznanovic,
ROCKETS OPEN DEFENSE OF TITLE AS NBA PLAYOFFS BEGIN THURSDAY
The Houston Rockets begin their quest for a third straight National
Basketball Association title when the playoffs begin Thursday night.
The Rockets (48-34) visit the Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) in the most
compelling of the eight opening-round series.
Three other series begin Thursday. The Utah Jazz host the Portland
Trail Blazers in the other Western Conference series. In the Eastern
Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers entertain the New York Knicks and
the Atlanta Hawks visit the Indiana Pacers.
Houston again spent the second half of the regular season shuffling
personnel while stumbling in the standings. They again open the
playoffs with a handful of players nursing injuries. They again will
probably not have the homecourt advantage in any of their playoff
series.
The center of Houston is again Hakeem Olajuwon, who averaged nearly 27
points and 11 rebounds while becoming the all-time leading
shot-blocker. While the Rockets' roster contains a number of former
CBA players, the Rockets have three key players back from injuries --
Clyde Drexler, Mario Elie and Sam Cassell. Olajuwon is also healthy
after missing a chunk of playing time.
The Lakers counter with Magic Johnson, who ended his 4 1/2-year
retirement in January and provided a talented team with on-court
leadership, smarts and skills still among the best in the game.
However, the Lakers have had their share of problems off the court,
beginning with captain and forward Cedric Ceballos going AWOL over
playing time. Earlier this month, Nick Van Exel and Johnson received
suspensions from the NBA for confrontations with officials.
Johnson, Van Exel and Ceballos will be ready for the playoffs and give
the Lakers an excellent rotation of eight players, all of whom have
the potential to score 30 points on any night.
Two teams whose offenses begins with their point guards meet in the
series between Utah (55-27) and Portland (44-38). For Utah, it is John
Stockton, who led the league in assists for an unprecedented ninth
straight season at 11.2 per contest.
Stockton's counterpart is Rod Strickland, who had put aside his
differences with coach P.J. Carlesimo to spark the Trail Blazers to 16
wins in their last 20 games.
New York and Cleveland finished with identical 47-35 marks, but the
squads took different paths to the playoffs.
The Knicks were considered underachievers this season and enter the
playoffs with five losses in their last eight games. New York was
19-21 against teams with winning records and posted its lowest win
total in five seasons. Head coach Don Nelson was fired in March and
replaced by Jeff Van Gundy.
Mike Fratello is a strong candidate for NBA Coach of the Year after
guiding the Cavs to the fourth seed in the East.
The Pacers will be without star guard Reggie Miller for their series
with the Hawks. Miller, who led the Pacers in scoring for the seventh
straight season at 21.1 points per game, suffered a severely fractured
right eye socket in a collision with Detroit forward Otis Thorpe on
April 13th.
The remaining four playoff series begin Friday night.
The Chicago Bulls set an NBA record with 72 regular season wins and
will host the Miami Heat, who play their first playoff game under head
coach Pat Riley.
While Chicago is the top seed in the East, the honor in the West
belongs to the Seattle SuperSonics, who host the Sacramento Kings. The
Sonics have been ousted in the first round of the playoffs the last
two seasons and will play Friday without forward Shawn Kemp, who will
sit out a one-game suspension for fighting.
Phoenix is at San Antonio and Orlando plays Detroit in Friday's other
playoff openers.
All first round series are best-of-five. All remaining series are
best-of-seven.
nba.646vpoznanovic,
SIX TEAMS DRAW TO DETERMINE DRAFT POSITIONS
NEW YORK -- Three pairs of teams who finished the regular season with
identical records had their positions in the 1996 NBA draft determined
Wednesday by blind draws.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who finished tied with the Dallas
Mavericks at 26-56, won their draw and will have the fifth-most
chances -- 77 out of 1,000 -- in the 13-team draft lottery.
The Detroit Pistons, who finished tied with the Atlanta Hawks at
46-36, won their draw and will pick 18th. Atlanta will select 19th.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished tied with the New York Knicks at
47-35, won their draw and get the 20th pick. The Knicks pick 21st.
The NBA draft lottery, which weights the non-playoff teams by order of
record, will be conducted May 12 and determine the order of the first
13 picks in the draft.
The draft will take place June 26 at the Continental Arena in East
Rutherford, N.J.
nba.647vpoznanovic,
SMOOTH SAILING IN SALT LAKE
As soon as the NBA regular season ended, the chopping-block started
falling. Monday, Toronto's Brendan Malone and New Jersey's Butch Beard
found themselves jobless; Tuesday, it was Charlotte's Allan Bristow.
Rumors persist that more coaches will be joining them in the coming
weeks.
This all brings to mind the tenuous nature of being a head coach in
the NBA. With all the changes, it may be hard to believe, but the
senior statesman among active coaches is Utah's Jerry Sloan. Some 70
coaches have come and gone since Sloan became head coach of the Utah
Jazz in December of 1988.
Even Sloan is surprised by his own longevity. "I'm totally shocked by
it all the time, the fact that I still have a job," he said.
What might be more shocking is that he has held his job despite never
being named coach of the year and never taking the Jazz to the NBA
Finals. In fact, his teams have been first-round playoff losers four
times, despite the nearly uninterrupted service of two players among
the greatest ever at their positions -- John Stockton and Karl Malone.
"We have two of the greatest players at their positions because of
Jerry Sloan," said Jazz president Frank Layden. "I don't know of
anybody else who could take our team to the next level and do it the
way we want to do it. We haven't paid the devil to get to the next
level."
In Salt Lake City, the devil never has and never will be a season
ticket holder. Jazz audiences are mainly Mormon. The NBA's smallest
market may be it's friendliest.
"Jerry's a blue-collar guy," said Layden. "These people identify with
Jerry. They like how he is. He doesn't have the Italian suits on and
the Gucci shoes. He's got a John Deere hat on."
"They're very, very forgiving people," Malone said. "Everybody likes
to takes shots at the Mormons, but they are some of the most forgiving
people that I have ever met."
"Traditionally, we try to be nice," said Robert Kirby, a religion
humor columnist for The Salt Lake Tribune. "There's something about
us. If you're not nice, you go to hell and nobody wants to go to hell;
so let's behave ourselves.
"I guess most Mormons don't want to turn themselves into monsters
over something like sports."
So does the fact that Sloan works in an environment largely made up
of Mormon's explain his longevity?
"I think so," said Malone. "Larry is a Mormon."
That's Larry H. Miller, the owner of the Jazz. Surviving the
volatility of Miller, who's never shy about expressing himself, is
another testament to Sloan's mastery.
"There's no geniuses in the business," Sloan said. "I'm certainly at
the bottom of the list when it comes to basketball coaching."
He may not be a genius, but his record speaks for itself. Not only
does he have the longest tenure of any coach in the league, but he's
won more than 50 games seven times.
"I think there's a lot more to the game than X's and O's," Sloan
said. "I think it's having the ability to be able to relate to
people."
And certain locations produce people who are easier to communicate
with.
"Running the New York Knicks is a lot different than running the Utah
Jazz," explained Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts. The
Utah native ran the Jazz for six years during the '80s. Now he is the
man responsible for firing Don Nelson after posting a 34-25 record.
"When you're running the New York Knicks, you can't say 'Well, we hope
we have a competitive team.' or 'We're looking forward to having a
good team.' The only answer is 'We want a championship team. That's
what we're all about here.' And in Utah, I'm not sure the urgency is
quite the same."
As a result, in many respects Sloan is the most fortunate and most
secure coach in the league. The Jazz haven't fired a coach since Dec.
10, 1981.
"Jerry would have to do some pretty radical things to get himself
fired," Miller said. "He'd probably have to come in with a Dennis
Rodman haircut in yellow and do a few other things worse than that."
And if Miller ever fired Sloan, he'd face the ire of both his stars.
"I'll go to bat for him as long as I play," Malone said. "I will not
play for any other coach."
"I don't want to play for anybody besides Jerry Sloan," added
Stockton.
If such extreme loyalty from today's superstars appears startling,
consider the superstars. Malone and Stockton are the modern embodiment
of Sloan himself.
"Those guys could only play for a coach like Sloan," said University
of Utah coach Rick Majerus. "Sloan was them and they are Sloan."
"Is it worth dealing with a coach that I can't sit down with and have
dinner with or I can't walk to the back of the plane and sit down and
talk about personal stuff?" Malone said. "A championship is not worth
that to Karl Malone."
They say that winning isn't everything, and in Utah it could become
the state motto. In fact, there are some players team management
doesn't want to see in a Jazz uniform.
"I would rather lose than have Dennis Rodman on our team," Layden
said.
"If what it took to win a championship was to win 60 games but have
guys I wouldn't talk to in the locker room, I wouldn't be in this,"
Miller said.
Despite lacking the "win at all costs" frame of mind, Utah has been
remarkably successful -- both before and after Sloan became head
coach. Over the last 10 years, only the Lakers have won more games
than the Jazz. And in a state where sports is not the predominant
religion, that kind of consistency is appreciated.
"Are they good enough to win a championship?" asked Lex Hemphill,
beat writer for The Salt Lake Tribune. "Well, if the answer is no,
then I think that mature people can accept that."
"Sure I want to win a championship," admitted Guard Jeff Hornacek.
"But if you don't win it, you're a good person. Life goes on."
And for Jerry Sloan and the Utah Jazz that's all that seems to
matter.
nba.648vpoznanovic,
STATS CLASS: A LOOK INSIDE THE PLAYOFF NUMBERS
Bulls beware
Over the last six seasons, only one team has finished with the best
regular-season record and gone on to win the NBA championship:
Season Top team Record Playoff result
94-95 San Antonio 62-20 Lost in Western finals
93-94 Seattle 63-19 Lost in 1st round
92-93 Phoenix 62-20 Lost in finals
91-92 CHICAGO 67-15 WON TITLE
90-91 Portland 63-19 Lost in Western finals
89-90 Lakers 63-19 Lost in finals
Charles in charge
In the last four years, Charles Barkley's scoring average has
increased during the postseason compared to his regular season stats:
Reg. season Postseason
94-95 23.0 25.7
93-94 21.6 27.6
92-93 25.6 26.6
91-92 23.1 24.9
Life of Riley
Phil Jackson and Pat Riley meet in the postseason for the fourth time.
Here's a glance at the prior three meetings:
93-94: Eastern semifinals Knicks def. Bulls 4-3
92-93: Eastern finals Bulls def. Knicks 4-2
91-92: Eastern semifinals Bulls def. Knicks 4-3
Three for all
Well, almost all. Of the four players with 200 or more three-point
field goals made this season, three are in the playoffs. Only George
McCloud of Dallas is missing from that group.
Dennis Scott, Orlando 267
George McCloud, Dallas 257
Mookie Blaylock, Atlanta 231
Mitch Richmond, Sacramento 225
Fab 15
Only 15 players participating in the playoffs started all 82 games
this season. San Antonio is the only team to boast three men in this
select circle: David Robinson, Avery Johnson and Vinny Del Negro.
Orlando (Penny Hardaway and Dennis Scott), New York (Anthony Mason and
Derek Harper) and Utah (Karl Malone and John Stockton) had two each.
The others were: Grant Long, Atlanta; Michael Jordan, Chicago; Otis
Thorpe, Detroit; Chucky Brown, Houston; Elden Campbell, Lakers; and
Hersey Hawkins, Seattle.
nba.649vpoznanovic,
JORDAN, OTHER BULLS ARE PEOPLE'S CHOICES
Michael Jordan called Scottie Pippen the leader of the Chicago Bulls
earlier this season, but by the end of the year there were few fans
who believed him.
Jordan, with 70 percent of vote in the weeklong poll, received roughly
10 times the support of each of the runnerups, Orlando's Anfernee
Hardaway (7.3 percent) and Pippen (6.3 percent). His share of the vote
was appropriate -- considering that the Bulls were the first team in
league history to break the 70-win barrier. Chicago finished at 72-10,
with Jordan leading the team and NBA in scoring at 30.4 points a game.
Pippen was second on the team, at 19.4 points a game.
A total of 22,786 votes were accepted in the poll, one of six Zone
polls related to NBA postseason player awards in which a total of
53,017 votes were accepted. In a previous poll, Chicago's Phil Jackson
was tabbed as Coach of the Year.
Jordan was also the people's choice for Comeback Player of the Year,
beating out the Los Angeles Lakers' Magic Johnson. Bulls players won in
two other categories as well, with Toni Kukoc the landslide choice for
Sixth Man of the Year and Dennis Rodman edging out Seattle's Gary
Payton for Defensive Player of the Year. The only non-Bulls to emerge
with any virtual hardware were Toronto's Damon Stoudamire, the top
choice for Rookie of the Year, and Washington's Gheorghe Muresan, the
Most Improved Player of the Year.
Now that's domination. Below are the results of each poll.
Most Valuable Player
Choice Percentage
Michael Jordan 70.0 %
Anfernee Hardaway 7.3
Scottie Pippen 6.3
David Robinson 5.8
Shawn Kemp 5.4
Hakeem Olajuwon 4.2
Shaquille O'Neal 1.0
Rookie of the Year
Damon Stoudamire 47.0 %
Arvydas Sabonis 11.8
Michael Finley 9.6
Jerry Stackhouse 9.1
Joe Smith 8.8
Kevin Garnett 6.2
Bryant Reeves 3.9
Antonio McDyess 3.6
Sixth Man of the Year
Toni Kukoc 58.2 %
Magic Johnson 16.4
Sam Cassell 14.2
Sam Perkins 4.7
Hubert Davis 3.6
Sarunas Marciulionis 2.9
Defensive Player of the Year
Dennis Rodman 24.1 %
Gary Payton 21.7
Hakeem Olajuwon 17.3
Scottie Pippen 14.4
Michael Jordan 10.6
Dikembe Mutombo 8.8
Mookie Blaylock 3.1
Comeback Player of the Year
Michael Jordan 42.8 %
Magic Johnson 32.0
Terrell Brandon 15.5
Sarunas Marciulionis 4.0
LaPhonso Ellis 3.4
Greg Anthony 2.3
Most Improved Player
Gheorghe Muresan 29.4 %
Elden Campbell 15.9
Allan Houston 13.6
George McCloud 12.3
Danny Ferry 11.5
Chris Childs 5.9
Tracy Murray 4.0
Jayson Williams 3.9
Matt Geiger 3.6
nba.650vpoznanovic,
BULLETS' JUWAN HOWARD NAMED NBA PLAYER OF MONTH FOR APRIL
Juwan Howard of the Washington Bullets today was named National
Basketball Association Player of the Month for April.
Howard helped the Bullets remain in contention for a playoff spot
despite playing without several key members of the team. He averaged
29.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 10 games. Howard shot
52.8 percent (144-of-216) from the floor and 80.5 percent at the free
throw line (62-of-77).
Other candidates for Player of the Month honors were Michael Jordan of
Chicago, Latrell Sprewell of Golden State, Tim Hardaway of Miami and
Shaquille O'Neal of Orlando.
nba.651vpoznanovic,
PHIL JACKSON OF CHICAGO NAMED NBA COACH OF THE MONTH
Phil Jackson of the Chicago Bulls today was named National Basketball
Association Coach of the Month for April.
The Bulls won 10-of-12 games for the month to become the winningest
team in NBA history with a 72-10 season record. The Bulls eclipsed the
Los Angeles Lakers' 24-year old record with an 86-80 win over the
Milwaukee Bucks on April 16th.
During the month, Chicago averaged 103.7 points while holding
opponents to 88.8 points per game. No team scored 100 points against
Chicago for the month.
Jackson also won the award in January and is the only NBA coach to win
the award twice in this season.
Other candidates for the award were Indiana's Larry Brown, Miami's Pat
Riley, P.J. Carlesimo of Portland, Sacramento's Garry St. Jean, George
Karl of Seattle, and Washington's Jim Lynam.
nba.652vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND'S ARVYDAS SABONIS NAMED NBA ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Arvydas Sabonis of the Portland Trail Blazers today was named National
Basketball Association Rookie of the Month for April.
The 7-foot-3 Sabonis averaged 16.1 points, 11.0 rebounds during 10
games in April. Sabonis helped the Blazers to an 18-3 record after
being inserted into the starting lineup on March 8th.
Sabonins averaged 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds over the final 21
games and became the first Portland rookie to score 1,000 points in a
season since Kelvin Ramsey in 1980-81.
Other candidates for the award included Golden State's Joe Smith, Kurt
Thomas of Miami, Kevin Garnett of Minnesota and Sacramento's Tyus
Edney.
nba.653vpoznanovic,
ORLANDO'S DENNIS SCOTT NAMED NBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Orlando Magic forward Dennis Scott today was named the National
Basketball Association Player of the Week for the period ending April
21st.
Scott set a new NBA three-point field goal record against the Atlanta
Hawks last week, going 11-for-17 from the three-point arc to lead
Orlando to a 119-104 win on Thursday. Scott's hot hand helped the
Magic to an overall 4-0 record for the week.
Scott averaged 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game,
shooting 55.8 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from three-point
range on the week. He had 35 points against the Atlanta Hawks and 20
points in a win over Washington Tuesday.
Scott earned the award over last week's winner Juwan Howard of
Washington, Philadelphia's Clarence Weatherspoon and Kevin Johnson of
Phoenix.
nba.654vpoznanovic,
SIXERS OWNERSHIP CHANGES HANDS
The NBA Board of Governors has approved the sale of the Philadelphia
76ers to the Comcast Corporation. The partnership takes over the
ownership of the club, with Pat Croce assuming the role of team
president, effective immediately.
"The chance to restore the pride in the 76ers name throughout our
community is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Croce said. "I'm
psyched to take on this challenge."
Comcast becomes the fourth group to own the franchise since it moved
to Philadelphia from Syracuse, New York in May of 1963.
The Sixers are 1,429-1,240 in 34 seasons in Philadelphia, and the
franchise possesses an overall mark of 2,035-1,677 since the 1949-50
season. The franchise is one of only three to have recorded over 2,000
wins in its history. The Sixers garnered world championships in 1967
and 1983.
Comcast has also entered into a partnership with Spectacor, Inc. to
own the Philadelphia Flyers, subject to NHL approval. When that
transfer is completed, Comcast will contribute the 76ers to the new
partnership.
Comcast is principally engaged in the development, management and
operation of wired telecommunications, including cable television and
telephone services; wireless telecommunications, including cellular,
personal communications services and direct to home satellite
television; and content through principal ownership of QVC, the
world's premier electronic retailer and other programming investments.
The company's consolidated and affiliated operations serve over nine
million customers worldwide.
nba.655vpoznanovic,
GRIZZIES' RICH MANNING UNDERGOES ANKLE SURGERY
Vancouver Grizzlies reserve center Rich Manning today underwent
successful surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle and is
expected to make a complete recovery.
Manning appeared in 29 games this season, averaging 3.7 points and 1.9
rebounds. He began the season on the injured list, was waived on
November 27th and re-signed with Vancouver on January 12th. Manning
recorded a team-record five blocked shots against Phoenix on February
19th.
nba.656vpoznanovic,
SPURS' DAVID ROBINSON WINS 1996 IBM AWARD
Center David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs today was named the
winner of the 1996 IBM Award, determined by a computerized rating that
measures a player's overall contributions to a team.
It was the fifth IBM Award and third straight for Robinson, who
previously won the award in 1990, 1991, 1994 and 1995. Charles Barkley
of Phoenix won the IBM Award three consecutive seasons from 1987 to
1989.
Robinson led the Spurs to a 59-23 record and the Midwest Division
title this season. He averaged 25.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.3 blocks,
3.0 assists and 1.35 steals per game. Robinson ranked second in the
league in rebounding, third in shot-blocking, fifth in scoring and
20th in field goal percentage (.516).
The seven-time All-Star scored in double figures in 81 of 82 games,
scoring only six points on March 4th when he was forced to leave the
game due to a finger injury. He had 20 or more points 64 times and 30
or more points 23 times.
The IBM Award, created before the 1983-84 season, honors the player
who contributes most to his team's overall success. The award utilizes
a computer evaluation of key offensive and defensive statistics to
determine an overall leader.
Detroit Pistons forward Grant Hill finished second. Utah Jazz forward
Karl Malone was third followed by guard Michael Jordan of Chicago and
center Alonzo Mourning of Miami.
nba.657vpoznanovic,
REGGIE-LESS PACERS MUST PICK UP SLACK WHEN HAWKS ATTACK
INDIANAPOLIS -- Without All-Star guard Reggie Miller in the early
going, earning a third consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference
finals will be very difficult for the Indiana Pacers, who begin their
playoff journey with a first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.
From top to bottom, the Pacers might have the best roster in the
league. Even without Miller, they have enough to knock off the Hawks,
whom they have eliminated in each of the past two years. But Miller
will be very much needed for a likely rematch with the Orlando Magic
in the second round.
GAME ONE
The series opener between the Hawks and Pacers will be Thursday at 8
p.m. ET on TNT and The Zone's Live Audio. Miller, who led the Pacers
in scoring for the seventh season in a row at 21.1 points per game,
sustained a fracture of his right eye socket during a collision with
Detroit's Otis Thorpe on April 13. Miller is doubtful for the series
against Atlanta.
"They cleared him to do some exercise and some shooting," Pacers coach
Larry Brown said of Miller. "He has a little double-vision when he
looks up and to the side. I don't anticipate him playing in the near
future.
"He's trying in any way possible to come back. The doctors say when
the double vision leaves, he'll be able to play."
Indiana had won eight of 10 games prior Miller's eye injury and and
managed to win three of the final four contests without him. But the
Pacers will need contributions from everyone to return to the
conference finals.
The new go-to player will be center Rik Smits, who became a star in
last year's playoffs and averaged 18.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per
game this season. Smits has been unable to practice lately because of
an injury, but he is expected to play.
The rest of the scoring slack must be absorbed by forwards Derrick
McKey and Eddie Johnson and guards Mark Jackson and Ricky Pierce, none
of whom averaged more than 12 points this season. Pierce will replace
Miller in the starting lineup.
Miller normally operates from the perimeter. That puts the burden on
Johnson and Pierce, veterans who can shoot but don't do it with the
same intensity and flair as Miller.
"Everybody stepped up after Reggie's injury," Brown said. "Eddie
Johnson and Ricky Pierce stepped up the scoring and spread out the
defense. They're probably going to double up Smits, so we need that
outside shooting."
Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens won't be lulled into a false sense of
security by Miller's absence.
"We have to approach it as if Reggie is going to be there," he said.
"Ricky Pierce shoots well and has been in playoff situations. We have
our work cut out for us."
Indiana will have history on its side against Atlanta, having won
playoff encounters the Hawks the past two years. Last year, Miller
averaged better than 31 points per game in a first-round sweep. The
year before, the Pacers won a second-round matchup in six games from
the Hawks.
The teams' only other playoff meeting occurred in 1987, with Atlanta
posting a 3-1 first-round victory. Overall, the Pacers have won
8-of-13 playoff games with the Hawks.
Atlanta won four of its past six games, including a victory over Miami
on the final day to clinch the sixth seed over Detroit and avoid the
Magic until the second round.
Steve Smith led the club in scoring at 18.1 points per game and could
shine without the trash-talking Miller in his face. Mookie Blaylock,
Stacey Augmon and Grant Long helped Atlanta enjoy balanced scoring
throughout the season, as evidenced by a different leading scorer in
each of the last six games.
Center Christian Laettner will have an opportunity to prove his worth
as he appears in his first NBA postseason action. He was acquired Feb.
22 after spending 3Ż tumultuous seasons with the Minnesota
Timberwolves.
"I hope he's going to be really excited because he hasn't been there
before," Wilkens said of Laettner. "I expect he''ll be nervous, but
I'm sure being in the playoffs will override that."
Laettner will guard Smits, who has a six-inch height advantage.
"Smits has the size and is a good low-post player," Wilkens said.
"Christian is a little quicker."
The Pacers won three of four meetings with Atlanta this season. Miller
averaged 26.0 points and Smits 18.6. Smith scored 16 points per game
for the Hawks.
nba.658vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON STILL THE TEAM TO BEAT AT PLAYOFF TIME
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Houston Rockets have the Los Angeles Lakers
and the rest of the Western Conference right where they want them.
The two-time defending NBA champions again spent the second half of
the regular season shuffling personnel while stumbling in the
standings. They again open the NBA playoffs with a handful of players
nursing injuries. Once again it's doubtful they will have home-court
advantage in any of their playoff series.
GAME ONE
The series opener between the Rockets and Lakers will be Thursday at
10:30 p.m. ET on TNT and The Zone's Live Audio. And again, the Rockets
are the team to beat for the NBA title.
"They're a good defensive team," said Lakers coach Del Harris, whose
team will get the first crack at dethroning the champions. "They have
a prolific inside game as well as an outside game. They have a lot of
weapons."
Harris has a weapon of his own in Magic Johnson, who ended his 4Ż-year
retirement in January and provided a talented team with on-court
leadership, smarts and skills still among the best in the game.
However, the Lakers have had problems that threaten to disrupt the
team's chemistry and bring an early end to a potentially special
postseason.
In March, team captain and forward Cedric Ceballos left the team
without permission because he was upset about playing time. He claimed
he had to take care of a personal matter, which turned out to be water
skiing at Lake Havasu, Ariz.
Upon his return, Ceballos was suspended by the team and stripped of
his captaincy.
Teammate Nick Van Exel admonished Ceballos for his actions, but it
wasn't long before he had problems of his own. He shoved a referee
onto a scorer's table and was suspended by the league for the final
seven games of the regular season.
Even Johnson got into the act. Five days after he admonished Van
Exel, Johnson himself bumped an official and drew his own three-game
suspension from the league.
The suspensions of Van Exel and Johnson forced Harris to juggle his
rotation for the final two weeks of the season. This is not the time
of the season that a coach wants to be dealing with chemistry and
doling out minutes.
Johnson, Van Exel and Ceballos will be ready for the playoffs and give
the Lakers an excellent rotation of eight players, each of whom have
the potential to score 30 points on any night.
"They have so much talent," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "We
count eight players who can score points on any night and young
players who can run the floor.
"Here is a team that, without Magic, is good. With Magic, he gives
them championship caliber."
The Lakers had seven players average at least 9.7 points per game, led
by Ceballos at 21.2. Included in that group is forward Elden Campbell,
who averaged 13.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks and was one of
the league's most improved players.
"I think he is having a great year and his confidence is high,"
Tomjanovich said of Campbell. "We have to contain him so he won't
score those points like the other scorers they have."
It is nervous-time for coaches, but you would think Tomjanovich was
getting ready to play the legendary 1971-72 Lakers. Although he won't
admit it, he has the most respected and feared team.
Last season, Tomjanovich's team had to overcome adversity early in the
playoffs. During a first-round series against Utah, guard Vernon
Maxwell couldn't deal with being second-string behind Clyde Drexler.
The Rockets granted Maxwell a leave of absence for the rest of the
playoffs, and he now plays for Philadelphia.
Shortly after Maxwell's leave of absence was granted, forward Carl
Herrera sustained a shoulder injury to kept him out for the rest of
the postseason. As a result, Houston went on to win the championship
with only 10 players on the postseason roster.
This season, Tomjanovich's main problem has been injuries. But now
that Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Mario Elie and Sam Cassell are
healthy, Houston is lethal again.
It all starts with Olajuwon, who averaged nearly 27 points and 11
rebounds and became becoming the NBA's all-time leading shot-blocker.
He must be double-teamed, which opens the floor for everyone else.
Drexler, Elie and Robert Horry can shoot 3-pointers or dunk over
opposing centers. Cassell and Kenny Smith both can beat a defender off
the dribble or stick open jumpers. Elie and Horry both can shut down
opponents with tough defense.
For the third consecutive year, the Rockets headed to Galveston,
Texas, to get reacquainted with one another and make another run at
the title.
"Everybody's in a state of mind where we feel it's time to go to
work," Olajuwon said. "We have these two days to really maximize
condition-wise and also make up a rotation before the playoffs."
Los Angeles went 29-11 after Johnson returned in late January. Only
one team beat them twice during that stretch -- Houston.
The Rockets beat the Lakers at home and on the road. They beat them
with Johnson in the lineup and with him on the sideline. They beat
them with Drexler and Elie and without them.
And with their reign as NBA champions on the line, the Rockets will
find a way to beat the Lakers in this series, too.
nba.659vpoznanovic,
CAVS, KNICKS LOOK TO AVOID REBUILDING PROCESS
CLEVELAND -- Two teams whose shortcomings have been exposed at times
-- and disguised just well enough at others -- meet in a first-round
matchup during which a loss for either side could spark the start of a
rebuilding process.
The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers finished with identical
47-35 marks, but the two squads could not have traveled more distinct
paths to arrived at this point.
GAME ONE
The series opener between the Knicks and Cavs will be Thursday at 7
p.m. ET on TBS and The Zone's Live Audio. The Cavaliers captured the
fourth seed in the conference despite starting 0-7, playing without
All-Star center Brad Daugherty for the second consecutive season, and
missing All-Star forward Tyrone Hill for the first half of 1995-96.
The Cavs also traded All-Star point guard Mark Price before the start
of the season.
All this helps establish Cleveland's Mike Fratello as a strong
candidate for Coach of the Year honors because the general consensus
is that the Cavaliers overachieved. But the NBA is a league where
talent wins, and the Cavaliers are not given enough credit for
resurrecting a lost art: choosing a style of play and sticking with
it.
"I think ever since last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been
one of the best-coached teams in the league," said Miami coach Pat
Riley, who coached the Knicks for four seasons. "He's like the coach
of the moment, and if it's not (Chicago's) Phil Jackson, then Mike
Fratello is my Coach of the Year."
For the Knicks, the first season in the post-Riley era was a turbulent
one which featured the firing of coach Don Nelson, sweeping salary
cap-induced trades, disgruntled players popping off in the press and
the failure to adopt any specific style of play.
The Knicks are considered moody, surly underachievers who are nowhere
near as good as they believe. Failing to believe that their window of
opportunity has slammed shut, beginning the transitional process has
left both fans and the media with mixed postseason expectations.
Center Patrick Ewing, the focus of the team, believes the Knicks can
win a championship as presently constituted, yet management made
changes to create room under the cap for next season. It is this aura
of uncertainty that cost Nelson his job and might prove to be the
undoing of current coach Jeff Van Gundy.
While Cleveland relies on a half-court offense that emphasizes
high-percentage sets, the Knicks look to get the ball to Ewing and
offer little else in terms of offensive diversity.
Ewing, who averages 22.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, shot just
46 percent from the field and took 500 more shots than any other
teammate. Only forward Anthony Mason, who shot 56 percent from the
floor, made more shots than he missed.
To make matters worse, the Knicks don't rebound their misses. New York
was the worst offensive-rebounding team in the league and won't catch
any breaks on the boards against the Cavs. In fact, you can expect a
series of low-scoring games as Cleveland set an NBA record by
surrendering just 88.5 points per game, the lowest since the inception
of the shot clock some 40 years ago.
Cleveland's offense is headed by guard Terrell Brandon, who enjoyed a
breakout offensive season, averaging 19.4 points and 6.5 assists per
game and making his first All-Star team. He recorded a career-high 11
assists and tied a career-high with five steals in the Cavaliers'
clutch victory over New York on April 18.
Forward Danny Ferry and guard Bobby Phills -- two of the most
improved players in the league -- each scored at an 18.3 clip against
the Knicks this season. Cleveland is 10-3 when Ferry scores 20 or more
points, as he did when he recorded a career-high 32 at New York on
April 11.
The Cavaliers committed the fewest turnovers in the league this season
and posted the second-best turnover rate in NBA history. They also
convert their free throws (76 percent) and shot better than 50 percent
from the field in 25 games. It is more style than substance that
allowed them to break 100 points just 21 times.
The Knicks limp into the best-of-five series having dropped five of
their last eight regular-season games. New York was 19-21 against
teams with winning records and posted its lowest win total in five
seasons.
Despite posting 21 road wins, the Knicks did not dominate in their
building. They went 26-15 at home, their worst mark at Madison Square
Garden since going 21-20 in 1990-91.
Cleveland enters the playoffs hot, having won 21 of their past 31
games at Gund Arena and 12 of 19 overall.
The Cavaliers earned the right to play a potential fifth game at home
by defeating the Knicks 92-77 one week ago. The win snapped a six-game
home losing streak to New York.
Should the series boil down to coaching, the advantage wouldn't
necessarily favor Fratello. The fiery coach gets the most out of his
players in the regular season by making every game count, but sports
just a 19-28 mark in the playoffs.
Van Gundy should have picked up valuable postseason experience sitting
beside Riley during the past four seasons.
The Knicks appear headed for an off-season shakeup, including the
addition of at least one high-salaried free agent. The Cavaliers are
caught in the NBA purgatory of not being good enough to contend for a
title but not bad enough to land in the lottery. Cleveland has two
first-round picks in the next draft, which could provide the influx of
talent required to take the team to the next step.
With the prospect of facing the Chicago Bulls looming in the second
round, neither team should worry about arena availability in late May.
However, the team that loses this series will have to face the
questions regarding the future, which will outweigh the answers this
season might have provided.
nba.660vpoznanovic,
UTAH, PORTLAND BOTH GET TO THE POINT
SALT LAKE CITY -- Two teams whose offenses begin with superstar point
guards meet in the first round Thursday when the Utah Jazz and
Portland Trail Blazers square off in the Western Conference playoffs.
For Utah, it is "Mr. Reliable," John Stockton. As always, he was
quietly efficient and equally deadly this season, doing anything and
everything to help the Jazz win.
GAME ONE
The series opener between the Blazers and Jazz will be Thursday at
9:30 p.m. ET on TBS and The Zone's Live Audio. Stockton led the league
in assists for an unprecedented ninth consecutive season at 11.2 per
game. He also scored 14.7 points per game and had a 3.72
assists-to-turnover ratio.
Stockton has speed, court savvy and accuracy. He shot 54 percent from
the field, 42 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the line.
When you averages Stockton's assists and points -- giving two points
per assist -- he averages 37.1 points per game, which is 36.2 percent
of the team's offense. He also plays tough defense, as evidenced by
his ranking as the NBA's all-time leader in steals.
While Stockton is reserved and just goes about his business, his
counterpart for this series -- Rod Strickland -- is anything but. His
disdain for coach P.J. Carlesimo is known throughout the league and it
got to the point where Strickland was suspended right around the trade
deadline.
Strickland was upset that he was not traded before the deadline, and
he walked out on the team. The Blazers suspended Strickland, who
eventually decided to make amends and just play. Portland is grateful
for the decision.
The Blazers are one of the hottest teams in the league entering the
playoffs, winning 16 of their last 20 games. The beginning of their
hot streak coincided with Strickland's return from suspension and a
groin injury, and the addition of center Arvydas Sabonis in the
starting lineup.
Strickland played just 67 games, averaging 18.8 points and 9.6
assists. Taking the aforementioned points-assists formula and applying
it to Strickland, his 37 points per game account for 37.3 percent of
Portland's 99.3 points per game.
As much as the point guards will be involved in deciding the outcome,
it is the big men who will have an equal say in dictating this series.
Utah has its other standby, All-Star forward Karl Malone. "The
Mailman" delivered steadily throughout the season, averaging 25.7
points and 9.8 rebounds. Without Stockton, Malone is not as effective,
and vice versa.
For Portland, it is Sabonis who controls the middle. The 31-year-old
"rookie" from Lithuania averaged 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds, and he
is unique in that he is a stellar passer and his range extends to the
3-point arc, where the 7-foot-3 center hit 38 percent.
The big X-factor in this series is Blazers forward Clifford Robinson,
who led the team in scoring at 21.1 points per game but seems to get
lost in the shuffle at times. As a reminder, Robinson scored 78 points
in the last three games of the season. If he gets hot, he makes
Strickland and Sabonis that much more effective.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is concerned about Portland's activity around
the backboard. The Blazers were third in the league in rebounding and
boast six players -- including the 6-1 Strickland -- who grabbed at
least 4.4 rebounds per game. In contrast, the Jazz have just three.
"It's their ability to grab the rebounds which is going to be a big
part of the playoffs," Sloan said.
Chris Dudley led Portland with nine rebounds per game, followed by
Sabonis (8.1), Buck Williams (5.8), Clifford Robinson (5.8), Harvey
Grant (4.8) and Strickland (4.4).
Utah figures to have the edge in any close game. The Jazz shot 77
percent from the line this season, fourth in the league. The Blazers
were last at 66 percent and poor foul shooting plagued them all
season.
Of the Portland regulars, only Sabonis (.757) and Aaron McKie (.764)
shot better than 70 percent from the foul line.
nba.661vpoznanovic,
1995-96 National Basketball Association Coaches Of The Month
April -- Phil Jackson, Chicago Bulls
March -- Bob Hill, San Antonio Spurs
February -- George Karl, Seattle SuperSonics
January -- Phil Jackson, Chicago Bulls
December -- Mike Fratello, Cleveland Cavaliers
November -- Garry St. Jean, Sacramento Kings
nba.662vpoznanovic,
1995-96 National Basketball Association Players Of The Month
April -- Juwan Howard, Washington Bullets
March -- David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
February -- Charles Barkley, Phoenix Suns
January -- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
December -- Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls
November -- Penny Hardaway, Orlando Magic
nba.663vpoznanovic,
1995-96 National Basketball Association Rookies Of The Month
April -- Arvydas Sabonis, Portland Trail Blazers
March -- Jerry Stackhouse, Philadelphia 76ers
February -- Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
January -- Damon Stoudamire, Toronto Raptors
December -- Joe Smith, Golden State Warriors
November -- Damon Stoudamire, Toronto Raptors
nba.664vpoznanovic,
1995-96 NBA Players Of The Week
The following are the 1995-96 National Basketball Association Players of
the Week:
April 21st -- Dennis Scott, Orlando Magic
April 14th -- Juwan Howard, Washington Bullets
April 7th -- Kevin Johnson, Phoenix Suns
March 31st -- Arvydas Sabonis, Portland Trail Blazers
March 24th -- Chris Gatling, Miami Heat
March 17th -- Grant Hill, Detroit Pistons
March 10th -- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
March 3rd -- Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic
February 25th -- Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics
February 18th -- Armon Gilliam, New Jersey Nets
February 11th -- All-Star break, no selection made
February 4th -- Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
January 28th -- Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers
January 21st -- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
January 14th -- David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
January 7th -- Clifford Robinson, Portland Trail Blazers
December 31st -- Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
December 24th -- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
December 17th -- Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls
December 10th -- Dikembe Mutombo, Denver Nuggets
December 3rd -- Terrell Brandon, Cleveland Cavaliers
November 26th -- Shawn Kemp, Seattle SuperSonics
November 19th -- Cedric Ceballos, Los Angeles Lakers
November 12th -- Penny Hardaway, Orlando Magic
nba.665vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (92) At Indiana (80)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 22 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 3 3 2 1 4
Long F 40 4-11 4-4 5 9 14 4 4 0 2 13
Laettner C 31 6-14 2-3 3 3 6 1 5 1 3 14
Blaylock G 45 4-11 2-4 1 1 2 9 2 3 3 12
Smith G 39 10-15 3-4 0 2 2 3 3 1 2 27
Rooks 12 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2
Henderson 22 3-5 0-0 2 0 2 2 2 0 0 6
Ehlo 25 4-10 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 2 1 12
Jordan 4 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-73 11-15 13 21 34 24 24 9 14 92
(.479) (.733) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 14(12 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Davis F 35 1-5 2-4 5 7 12 1 1 1 3 4
Mckey F 36 5-8 4-5 0 5 5 2 4 3 4 15
Smits C 31 8-14 3-4 4 5 9 4 3 1 4 19
Jackson G 42 3-10 3-4 1 3 4 2 1 0 1 11
Pierce G 33 3-10 7-8 0 0 0 5 3 2 1 13
A Davis 26 4-6 2-2 3 2 5 0 5 2 3 10
Caldwell 3 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
Ferrell 9 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 2
Best 14 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 4
Workman 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
Johnson 9 0-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Miller Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 28-66 21-27 13 24 37 18 21 11 18 80
(.424) (.778) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 19(26 Pts)
Atlanta 21 28 19 24 - 92
Indiana 27 13 28 12 - 80
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Smith 2, Laettner. Indiana - D Davis 3, Pierce.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 11-23 (.478), Long 1-2, Blaylock 2-8, Smith
4-6, Ehlo 4-7. Indiana 3-12 (.250), Mckey 1-1, Jackson 2-6, Pierce 0-1,
Best 0-2, Johnson 0-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dan Crawford, Bennett Salvatore, David Jones.
A - 16,438. T - 2:13.
nba.666vpoznanovic,
HAWKS HAVE GUARDED OPTIMISM AFTER BEATING PACERS
INDIANAPOLIS -- With All-Star guard Reggie Miller in street clothes,
the rest of the Indiana Pacers' guards needed to pick up the slack on
Thursday.
Didn't happen.
Instead, Atlanta guards Steve Smith, Mookie Blaylock and Craig Ehlo
scored 51 points on 50-percent shooting as the Hawks took a 92-80
victory over Indiana in the opening game of their Eastern Conference
quarterfinal series.
Christian Laettner added 14 points and Grant Long had 13 points and 14
rebounds for the Hawks, who won a playoff game at Market Square Arena
for the first time since May 1, 1987. Indiana eliminated Atlanta from
the playoffs the previous two years.
"It's really big when you can come in here and get a win," said
Smith, who scored five of his 27 points during a fourth-quarter run.
"We put total energy out there. They are a big team -- a really big
team.
"It's good to win at the right time -- playoff time."
Rik Smits scored 19 points and Derrick McKey added 15 for Indiana,
which is expected to play without Miller the entire series as he
recovers from surgery to repaired a fractured eye socket.
"I just came to watch the game," said Miller, who covered his eyes
with purple-tinted glasses as he watched from the Pacers' bench. "It
(the injury) is coming along. But until the double-vision goes away,
I'm pretty much helpless."
Ricky Pierce, starting in place of Miller, finished with 13 points on
just three-for-10 shooting from the field. Mark Jackson also was three
for 10 and the backcourt reserves -- Travis Best, Haywoode Workman and
Eddie Johnson -- were a combined two for 10.
Smith was sensational for Atlanta, shooting 10 for 15 from the floor
and four for six from 3-point range. Blaylock scored 12 points and
handed out nine assists, and Ehlo came off the bench to drill four
3-pointers and finish with 12 points.
The Pacers closed the third quarter with an 8-0 run and tied the score
68-68 on two free throws by Dale Davis with 57 seconds left.
Atlanta started the final quarter with a 16-7 run, holding Indiana to
two baskets over a nearly nine-minute span. Laettner gave the Hawks
the lead for good with a layup 76 seconds into the period and Alan
Henderson added a layup to make it 72-68 with 9:12 to play.
Smits had a putback to make it 72-70, but Laettner hit a 19-footer and
Henderson nailed a 17-footer to push the lead to 76-70 with 7:27
remaining.
Antonio Davis hit an eight-foot baseline jumper to pull Indiana within
four, but Smith hit three free throws and a layup to give the Hawks an
81-72 bulge with 5:10 remaining.
Smits and Pierce made three free throws to make it a six-point game,
but Blaylock hit a foul shot and scored a transition layup to give
Atlanta an 84-75 advantage.
Indiana pulled within 86-80 and had a chance to draw closer, but
Jackson missed a 3-pointer from the left wing. Long sank two free
throws with 1:06 left to give the Hawks an 88-80 edge.
"They just played better than we did," Indiana coach Larry Brown said.
"The first half, we're down nine and everybody is concerned about
3-pointers.
"I thought we had control and in the fourth quarter, we
self-destructed."
Indiana jumped out to a 20-12 lead on Smits' hook shot with 4:39 left
in the first quarter. The Pacers held a 27-21 lead after 12 minutes,
making 60 percent (12 of 20) of their shots.
The Hawks regrouped in the second quarter, closing the half on a 13-4
run over the final 4:18. Craig Ehlo hit a pair of 3-pointers and Smith
added five points as Atlanta led 49-40 at intermission.
"I thought Craig Ehlo was incredible when he came in in the second
quarter," Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens said. "The first game is always
important. We didn't lose our composure when they ran off a few
points. You don't want to let them win, because then they come back
here with the momentum."
Atlanta shot 48 percent (35 for 73) from the field and scored 26
points off 19 Atlanta turnovers.
Atlanta made 11 of 23 3-pointers. The Pacers made just three of 12
shots from beyond the arc.
Jackson had 11 points and Antonio Davis added 10 for the Pacers, who
shot 42 percent (28 for 66) from the field. Dale Davis grabbed 12
rebounds for Indiana, which held a 37-34 rebounding edge.
The Pacers outscored the Hawks from the foul line, 21-11.
nba.667vpoznanovic,
Houston (87) At LA Lakers (83)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 37 0-8 0-0 3 5 8 1 5 4 2 0
Brown F 15 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 2
Olajuwon C 42 14-26 5-7 1 7 8 2 4 5 4 33
Drexler G 40 7-18 6-8 1 6 7 4 3 2 2 21
Smith G 27 3-6 1-1 0 1 1 4 1 1 0 7
Elie 31 3-5 0-0 0 7 7 1 2 1 0 7
Cassell 21 2-8 1-3 0 3 3 2 3 0 2 5
Bryant 19 5-7 2-2 2 3 5 0 3 1 0 12
Mack 8 0-2 0-2 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcutt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-84 15-23 8 37 45 14 23 14 10 87
(.417) (.652) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 11(4 Pts)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Campbell F 26 3-8 1-4 0 8 8 1 3 0 4 7
Ceballos F 44 9-20 2-2 3 9 12 1 2 1 2 22
Divac C 36 3-10 0-2 5 3 8 6 4 0 3 6
Jones G 35 7-12 0-1 2 2 4 1 5 2 1 19
Van Exel G 32 1-11 3-4 1 2 3 8 4 1 3 5
Johnson 36 4-11 10-12 1 12 13 3 1 0 5 20
Lynch 10 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 2 4
Threatt 18 0-6 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
Roberts 3 0-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 0
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Peeler Dnp - Strained Right Calf
Strong Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-83 16-25 14 40 54 20 22 4 22 83
(.349) (.640) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 22(25 Pts)
Houston 21 19 25 22 - 87
LA Lakers 22 17 27 17 - 83
Blocked Shots: Houston - Horry 3, Olajuwon, Drexler, Bryant. LA Lakers -
Divac 2, Ceballos, Campbell.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Houston 2-11 (.182), Horry 0-2, Drexler 1-4, Smith 0-2,
Elie 1-2, Cassell 0-1. LA Lakers 9-26 (.346), Ceballos 2-4, Divac 0-2,
Jones 5-8, Van Exel 0-4, Johnson 2-4, Lynch 0-1, Threatt 0-3.
Technicals: Houston - Illegal Defense, LA Lakers - Head Coach Harris.
Officials: Ronnie Nunn, Dick Bavetta, Ken Mauer.
A - 17,505. T - 2:25.
nba.668vpoznanovic,
Houston 87, LA Lakers 83
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 33 points as the Houston Rockets opened their
quest for a third consecutive N-B-A title by holding off the Los
Angeles Lakers, 87-83, in Game One of their Western Conference
quarterfinal series.
Clyde Drexler added 21 points for Houston, which extended its road
playoff winning streak to eight games. The Rockets won at the Greater
Western Forum for the first time since May 21st, 1986, when Ralph
Sampson's miraculous throw-in at the buzzer advanced Houston to the
N-B-A Finals.
Cedric Ceballos had 22 points and 11 rebounds and Magic Johnson added
20 opints and 13 boards off the bench for Los Angeles, which went
scoreless for an eight-minute stretch in the fourth quarter.
Game Two is Saturday at Los Angeles.
After Johnson made a three-point play for the first points of the
fourth quarter to give Los Angeles a 69-65 lead, the Rockets went on a
13-0 run as Los Angeles missed its next 11 shots.
Drexler and Sam Cassell scored baskets to tie the game, but Olajuwon
made consecutive hook shots to give Houston a 73-69 lead with 7:47 to
play. Cassell added a three-point play before Olajuwon capped the run
to make it 78-69 with 4:25 to play.
Eddie Jones ended the drought with a three-pointer and Nick Van Exel
made two free throws to pull the Lakers within 78-74 at the
three-minute mark before Mario Elie answered with a three-pointer and
Drexler made a free throw and scored a layup off a turnover by Johnson
to push Houston's lead to 84-74 with 1:52 remaining.
Los Angeles made one last gasp, pulling within 86-83 as Johnson and
Jones hit three-pointers to cap a 9-2 run. But Drexler hit the second
of two free throws with 3.5 seconds to play to complete the scoring.
Houston shot only 42 percent (35-of-84) from the field and was
outrebounded, 54-45. Mark Bryant added 12 points off the bench for the
Rockets, who shot 2-of-11 from three-point range.
Jones added 19 points for the Lakers, who shot only 35 percent
(29-of-83) from the floor. Los Angeles committed 22 turnovers, leading
to 25 Houston points.
The Lakers scored only four points off 11 Houston turnovers.
Houston has never lost a playoff series in franchise history after
winning the first game of a series, winning all 14 of the previou
series.
nba.669vpoznanovic,
New York (106) At Cleveland (83)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mason F 40 4-12 2-2 4 3 7 7 1 0 0 10
Oakley F 34 8-15 0-0 1 2 3 2 3 0 0 17
Ewing C 40 9-15 4-6 1 6 7 5 2 0 1 23
Starks G 46 7-12 1-2 0 7 7 7 3 3 2 21
Harper G 35 3-10 4-4 0 2 2 7 1 0 0 12
Davis 22 5-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 15
Williams 8 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Ward 13 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 4 2 1 0 6
Grandison 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-74 13-16 6 25 31 32 15 4 4 106
(.514) (.813) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 5(8 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 26 2-7 1-1 0 3 3 2 2 0 1 5
Ferry F 41 5-12 0-0 1 3 4 4 2 0 2 11
Cage C 30 4-6 1-1 2 6 8 0 1 0 0 9
Phills G 39 5-12 0-1 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 11
Brandon G 40 8-17 0-0 1 5 6 5 3 1 2 18
Hill 16 2-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 5 0 1 4
Majerle 34 8-13 3-3 2 3 5 5 1 1 0 23
Sura 7 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 0
Amaechi 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crotty 2 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Lang 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Marshall 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 34-70 7-8 7 25 32 22 14 3 10 83
(.486) (.875) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 14(15 Pts)
New York 22 18 29 37 - 106
Cleveland 17 23 27 16 - 83
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 2, Mason, Starks. Cleveland - Mills 2,
Cage 2, Ferry, Phills.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 17-22 (.773), Oakley 1-1, Ewing 1-1, Starks
6-9, Harper 2-3, Davis 5-6, Ward 2-2. Cleveland 8-21 (.381), Mills 0-2,
Ferry 1-5, Phills 1-4, Brandon 2-3, Majerle 4-7.
Technicals: New York - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Ron Garretson, Joe Derosa.
A - 16,419. T - 2:01.
nba.670vpoznanovic,
KNICKS DIAL 3 FOR LONG-DISTANCE VICTORY
CLEVELAND -- After losing their playoff opener, the Cleveland
Cavaliers are sure to have nightmares about a certain number.
And those bad dreams are sure to star No. 3 John Starks, No. 33
Patrick Ewing and all the 3-pointers the New York Knicks drilled
during their 106-83 victory Thursday.
"We had some amazing shooting," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said.
"Obviously, you're not going to shoot threes that well every night.
But that was the way we found a win tonight. We're going to have to
find a different way to win on Saturday (in Game 2)."
Starks hit six treys and Hubert Davis had five as the Knicks made 17
of 22 attempts from beyond the arc and took a 1-0 lead in the
best-of-five Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Ewing, a 7-foot-1 All-Star center, also got in on the act, making his
only 3-point attempt while on his way to 23 points. Starks had 21
points and Charles Oakley returned from an eye injury to score 17.
New York shot 77 percent from 3-point range, 51 percent (38 for 74)
from the floor and 81 percent (13 for 16) from the foul line.
The Knicks broke open a close game with a 20-0 fourth-quarter run,
sparked by six points from Davis, five by Sparks and Anthony Mason's
four.
Dan Majerle's 3-pointer gave Cleveland its last lead at 75-74 with
9:16 remaining before the Knicks reeled off 20 consecutive points to
take a 94-75 advantage with 4:02 to play.
"We played a good team and we were able to come out with a win
tonight," Ewing said. "In my mind we are not even trying to make a
statement -- we are just trying to win.
"We were penetrating and they were doubling me, and I was trying to
get into the teeth of the defense and hit the open people."
Davis scored 15 points and Derek Harper had 12 for the Knicks, who set
a franchise playoff-record with their 17 3-pointers. The old mark of
13 was set last May 4 against the Cavs, as the Knicks went on to win
that first-round series 3-1.
The Knicks also recorded 32 assists Thursday and committed just four
turnovers.
Majerle came off the bench to score 23 points for Cleveland, and
All-Star point guard Terrell Brandon chipped in 18 points.
"The Knicks are a veteran team and have been through a lot of big
games before," Cavs coach Mike Fratello said. "We did a poor job at
times in our decision making and at other times they made shots with
hands in their faces. It was not a good second half tonight at all."
Michael Cage's three-point play gave Cleveland a 45-41 lead early in
the third quarter before New York scored the next 14 points for a
55-45 lead. Oakley netted seven during the burst, which was capped by
Harper's 3-pointer with less than seven minutes left in the period.
The Cavs rallied with a 15-5 surge that evened the score at 60-60 on
Majerle's 3-pointer with 2:50 left. The next two minutes were played
evenly before Davis' 3-pointer began an 8-0 spree that put New York
ahead 74-67 early in the fourth quarter.
But Cleveland answered with its own 8-0 run, featuring five points
from Majerle that gave the team its last lead.
"We know what time of the year it is," Mason said. "Experience and
concentration helps. We never lost confidence and it is a new season.
The Cavs played well, but the stakes are big and we have to turn it
up."
Oakley returned to the New York lineup after missing the last six
games of the regular season with an eye injury.
Danny Ferry and Bobby Phills each scored 11 points and Cage had nine
points and eight boards for the Cavs, who shot 49 percent from the
field (34 for 70) and 88 percent (seven for eight) from the foul line.
"We have no excuses," Brandon said. "The intensity level was just not
there in the second half like it should have been."
The teams finished with identical 47-35 records in the regular season,
but Cleveland received the higher seed because it won the season
series.
nba.671vpoznanovic,
Portland (102) At Utah (110)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 37 2-5 0-4 1 3 4 1 4 0 2 4
C Robinson F 39 6-17 7-10 1 3 4 4 4 0 3 21
Sabonis C 34 5-11 16-20 2 4 6 1 3 0 2 26
Mckie G 16 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0
Strickland G 41 8-16 9-11 2 5 7 12 4 1 3 27
Williams 23 3-4 0-0 3 2 5 0 3 0 2 6
Dudley 26 2-4 0-0 4 6 10 0 4 0 0 4
J Robinson 14 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 1 3
R Robinson 7 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 8
Wingfield 3 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 3
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Trent Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-68 32-45 14 25 39 20 31 3 13 102
(.456) (.711) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 14(22 Pts)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 34 3-5 2-2 1 5 6 0 2 0 1 9
Malone F 41 14-21 5-15 1 8 9 1 3 2 3 33
Spencer C 16 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 4
Hornacek G 37 10-13 6-8 0 2 2 3 2 2 2 30
Stockton G 41 2-4 7-8 0 2 2 23 2 0 1 11
Eisley 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0
Ostertag 17 0-2 2-6 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 2
Keefe 8 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0
Morris 5 0-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Carr 21 3-7 3-4 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 9
Foster 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Russell 12 4-5 4-5 0 2 2 1 1 2 0 12
Totals 240 38-66 29-48 5 24 29 31 29 6 7 110
(.576) (.604) Team Rebs: 16 Total To: 7(2 Pts)
Portland 26 30 25 21 - 102
Utah 30 14 29 37 - 110
Blocked Shots: Portland - Mckie 2, Sabonis, Williams, J Robinson. Utah -
Malone, Ostertag, Carr, Russell.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Portland 8-20 (.400), Grant 0-1, C Robinson 2-6, Mckie
0-1, Strickland 2-4, Williams 0-1, J Robinson 1-3, R Robinson 2-3,
Wingfield 1-1. Utah 5-6 (.833), Benoit 1-2, Hornacek 4-4.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Bernie Fryer, Hugh Evans, Terry Durham.
A - 19,614. T - 2:32.
nba.672vpoznanovic,
Utah 110, Portland 102
John Stockton came within one assist of matching his N-B-A playoff
record and Karl Malone scored six of his 33 points in a fourth-quarter
run as the Utah Jazz rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to
defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, 110-102, in the opener of their
Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Stockton had 23 assists, one shy of the record he shares with Magic
Johnson. Stockton dished out 24 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers
on May 17th, 1988, and Johnson accomplished the feat May 15th, 1984,
against Phoenix.
Jeff Hornacek added 30 points for Utah, which outscored the Suns in
the fourth quarter, 37-21.
Rod Strickland scored 27 points and Arvydas Sabonis added 26 for
Portland, which has not won at Utah since January 24th, 1993, a
seven-game span with six of the losses coming during the regular
season.
Game Two is Saturday at Utah.
After the Blazers took their last lead of the game at 91-90 on a free
throw by Strickland with 5:36 to play, Malone and the Jazz went on a
9-2 run.
Malone started the run with a turnaround jumper and a 10-foot baseline
jumper to make it 94-91. Harvey Grant missed two free throws, but
Sabonis made a pair to pull Portland within 94-93 with 3:37 left.
Stockton responded with two free throws and Bryon Russell made one to
make it 97-93. Malone then scored while he was fouled, but missed the
free throw, giving the Jazz a 99-93 lead with 2:18 remaining.
Portland got as close as 101-97 with 1:32 to play on two free throws
by Sabonis, but Hornacek nailed a three-pointer with just over a
minute to play to seal the victory.
"They just made a big run, they made the run and momentum went on
their side and they just carried on," said Strickland. "I said all
along it's going to be tough to win here, but we played well until the
end so we just got to find a way to stop them and the surges they have
from time to time."
Bryon Russell scored seven of his 12 points in the first six minutes
of the fourth quarter as he replaced an ineffective David Benoit.
"I thought he came off the bench and gave us a tremendous lift," said
Utah coach Jerry Sloan. "We were really struggling, and Bryon did a
terrific job. We didn't have much energy, and he was tenacious all
over the floor."
"We won ... I don't worry about the past, what's done is done," said
Russell. "I just look forward to being ready every time coach calls on
me."
The Blazers used two second-quarter runs to take control. Rumeal
Robinson scored eight points in a 10-0 spree, giving Portland a 36-30
lead with 7:10 to play on a layup. He hit a pair of three-pointers in
front of a jumper by Clifford Robinson.
Portland closed the quarter on a 12-4 kick as Strickland scored six
points, including two free throws with three seconds left to give the
Blazers a 56-44 lead at intermission, their largest lead of the game.
Russell finished with 12 points off the bench and Stockton had 11
points and only one turnover to go with his 23 assists. Utah shot 58
percent (38-of-66) from the field, including 5-of-6 from three-point
range. The Jazz committed only seven turnovers.
Clifford Robinson had 21 points, but hit just 6-of-17 shots for
Portland, which shot 46 percent (31-of-68). Sabonis made 16-of-20 free
throws as the Blazers connected on 32-of-45 foul shots.
"We proved that we can play here and we know we can win here," said
Clifford Robinson. "We can take a lot of positives from this game. We
obviously wanted to get the game, it was a big game to start the
series."
Portland outrebounded the Jazz, 39-29, and had a 14-5 edge on the
offensive end. The Blazers committed 14 turnovers, leading to 22 Utah
points.
nba.673vpoznanovic,
CAMBY UNSURE IF HE'S READY FOR 'NBA LIFESTYLE'
BOSTON -- Despite reports to the contrary, Massachusetts center Marcus
Camby says he hasn't decided if he's ready for the NBA.
Camby, the national player of the year, said Friday night that he
might not be ready for the NBA lifestyle. Then again, Camby didn't say
he'd be returning for his senior season, either.
"Probably the most aggravating part is people asking, 'What are you
going to do?' '' Camby said in an interview with New England Cable
News. "And you don't have an answer at this point.''
ESPN sources confirmed Friday that Camby would pass up his senior
season and enter the NBA Draft. The Boston Globe and Boston Herald,
both citing sources close to the UMass program, reported that Camby
plans to announce the decision during a news conference Monday.
The Globe's source said Camby had not signed with an agent, which
would allow him to return to school if he changes his mind.
Underclassmen have until May 12 to declare their eligibility but can
change their mind before the June 26 draft.
If Camby declares for the NBA Draft, he probably will be one of the
top three picks. He also would have to play many more than the 37
games UMass played last season.
"I don't know if I'm ready to live the NBA lifestyle. I don't know if
I'm ready to compete in an 82-game schedule,'' Camby told New England
Cable News. "There's no question in my mind that I can play at the
next level. I just have to feel comfortable with it.
"It's a very hard schedule. The travel definitely takes its wear and
tear on a player.''
The 6-foot-11 senior led UMass to its first trip to the NCAA Final
Four this past season, averaging 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.9
blocked shots.
Two of Camby's teammates, junior guards Edgar Padilla and Carmelo
Travieso, said they think Camby will head to the NBA.
"We know he's been hounded a lot, so we don't bring it up unless he
wants to talk, and then we tell him what we think," Travieso told the
Union-News of Springfield on Friday.
"As a senior (next season), I'd love him to stay. It would be super to
play with him,'' Padilla told the Union-News. "But it's his decision.
If he wants to leave, I wish him well."
nba.674vpoznanovic,
BULLETS GET A LEGLER UP, PICK UP 3-POINT SHOOTER'S OPTION
LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Bullets guard Tim Legler, who led the NBA
in 3-point shooting percentage this season, had the option year on his
contract picked up Friday.
The 6-foot-4 Legler shot 52 percent (128-for-245) from 3-point range
and went on to capture the Long Distance Shootout during the All-Star
weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
He also averaged 9.4 points and 1.8 assists in 23 minutes per game and
ranked ninth in the league in free-throw percentage (86.3).
Legler underwent reconstructive surgery April 19 after tearing the
anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage in his right knee in an April
17 game.
The surgery is expected to cause Legler to miss the start of the
1996-97 season.
"Tim was an integral part of the success of the Bullets this past
season," Bullets vice president and general manager John Nash said. "I
have no doubt that Tim is determined to rehabilitate his knee and
return to the Bullets lineup next season."
The guard had spent the past six seasons bouncing between the NBA and
the Continental Basketball Association.
nba.675vpoznanovic,
ALEXANDER THE GREAT BECOMES ROCKETS' SOLE OWNER
HOUSTON -- Les Alexander told Houston television station KRIV on
Friday that he is now the sole owner of the two-time defending NBA
champion Houston Rockets.
The Rockets currently are in search of their third NBA title during
Alexander's brief tenure as owner.
Alexander bought the remaining 5.7 percent share of the franchise from
Austin, Texas, real estate developer Gary Bradley. Alexander did not
disclose the price.
Alexander purchased 86.3 percent of the Rockets from Charlie Thomas in
July, 1993. Alexander bought another 8 percent of the team last year
from Dallas businessman Bill Esping.
nba.676vpoznanovic,
NBA BEAT: WALKER, NBA TAKE STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION
It was good to see Darrell Walker standing side-by-side with Isiah
Thomas the other day as the Toronto Raptors' new head coach. Every
league has an old-boy network, and the NBA isn't any different.
But in case you haven't noticed, Walker isn't an old boy. Nor was he a
superstar player. He was a hard-working, defensive-minded point guard
who frequently led the Washington Bullets in rebounding, despite
standing just 6-foot-5 and having bad shins.
It's hard to recall an African-American with such a rÚsumÚ -- and a
lack of coaching experience -- getting a shot.
Scouting report
M.L. Carr's ideas in Boston continue to cause raised eyebrows around
the league. The latest came when Carr sent injured forward Dino Radja
and his wife to Paris to serve as the Celtics' scouts for the European
Championships last week -- instead of the team's personnel men.
Biting the bullet
Juwan Howard made it quite clear last week that the Bullets have to
come strong to the table if they hope to keep him. He suggested
Washington make a phone call to his agent, David Falk, at 12:01 a.m.
on July 1, the first day of free agency.
For his part, Falk is now suggesting it'll take an average of $14
million a year to sign Howard.
Don't push me
The league warned playoff teams in its annual pre-postseason memo that
any contact with officials would result in multiple-game suspensions.
That doesn't necessarily mean one longer than Nick Van Exel's
seven-game stint, but the league is keeping its options open.
Flight options
Along with finalizing the sale of the 76ers and Mavericks, the NBA's
board of governors this week reconsidered an old proposal to set up a
league-wide plane-chartering service for all teams.
The league grew concerned this year after the charter service for both
the Spurs and Hawks went bankrupt, forcing the teams to scramble for
commercial flights the last six weeks of the regular season.
Doomsday for the Dallas brain trust?
Speaking of the Mavericks' sale, the acquisition of the team by Ross
Perot Jr.'s group does not bode well for general manager Norm Sonju.
And who knows now about Dallas' long-planned transfer of head coaching
power from Dick Motta to Brad Davis? ... Now that John Gabriel has
turned down Pat Croce's offer for the 76ers' general manager job,
Croce might turn next to Houston's Bob Weinhauer, who interviewed for
the position a couple of weeks ago. ... Also, Brad Greenberg, the
former player personnel director of the Trail Blazers, was in
Philadelphia on Friday for an interview.
Georgetown's Jerome Williams and Othella Harrington helped themselves
immensely at last week's pre-draft camp in Phoenix. Williams showed an
ability to handle the all that will make the 6-foot-9 forward a hot
commodity at draft time ... Santa Clara's Steve Nash was the
consensus pick for top point guard at the camp, assuring himself of
going high in the first round.
nba.677vpoznanovic,
PIPPEN WILL GO GLASS; YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK
CHICAGO -- How did a young Scottie Pippen learn the bank shot?
"When I was small, it was the only way I could get the ball to fall in
the basket," said Pippen, now 30 years old and 6-foot-7. "I would keep
trying and I'd hit the bottom of the rim.
Scottie Pippen has averaged 17.7 points per game and shot 49 percent
from the field during his nine-year NBA career. His playoff numbers
are 18.2 points per game and 47 percent. "Finally, you learn to back
away and go for the angles at the basket."
Back then, while growing up in Arkansas, Pippen used the bank shot out
of necessity. Today it's the staple in his potent scoring game.
"I think it's always been my signature shot," said the Chicago Bulls
forward, a six-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion. "As long as
I've been able to play, I think it's one shot I've always felt very
good about taking at any time."
Pippen uses the bank shot in an era where calling glass has lost its
luster. However, there was a time when the bank shot had more respect.
A shot once in vogue
"When I first started coaching in the '40s, some coaches insisted on
the bank shot from the 45-degree angle, both off the post and
face-ups," Bulls assistant coach Tex Winter said. "Sam Jones comes to
mind. He was one of the great bank-shooters of all time. I think he
may have been one of the best."
Jones averaged 17.7 points per game and was a member of 10 NBA
championship teams during his 12-year career with the Boston Celtics
(1957-58 to 1968-69).
"It became a great emphasis in the early and middle '70s," Bulls coach
Phil Jackson said of the bank shot. "Because you had a square, it made
the shot softer, it helped your angles and you didn't have to be as
accurate with the shot."
By watching his heroes, Pippen learned their style and tried to
emulate it.
"I think that's how I got attached to it," Pippen said. "I watched
players as I grew up as a kid.
"Alex English used the bank shot a lot back in his time. He had a
really nice loft on the ball. Once it hit the glass, it had a pretty
good shot of going in."
English averaged 21.5 points per game during his 15-year NBA career.
His best years were with the Denver Nuggets, when he played in eight
consecutive All-Star Games (1982-89).
The bank shot has become somewhat of a lost art in the '90s. In fact,
Phil Jackson was hard-pressed to name modern-day replacements for
Jones, English and Bill Walton.
Pippen's name springs to mind, of course. When working out of
Chicago's famed triangle offense, Pippen uses the bank shot "in the
post at times, but I used it a lot coming off screens from the
baseline pick," he said.
More times than not, when Pippen rolls off the pick, he'll be at a
45-degree angle on the wing -- the optimum place to bang it off the
board.
"I get in situations, certain angles on the court where I'm indecisive
about whether I should shoot a bank shot or straight on at the
basket," Pippen said. "Most of the time, I try to come off the glass."
Why it works
What makes the bank shot so successful?
"You can get it over a defense better," Winter said. "The trajectory
of your shot is much higher than it would be shooting directly at the
basket because you put a tremendous arc on the ball.
"If Scottie didn't have that in his repertoire, it would cut down his
scoring potential. He'd have to develop other skills," Winter said.
If you were to take away Scottie Pippen's bank shot and what would he
be?
"Average," Pippen said.
nba.678vpoznanovic,
Detroit (92) At Orlando (112)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 40 10-13 1-1 2 9 11 4 3 0 2 21
Thorpe F 25 4-8 2-2 2 4 6 1 1 0 2 10
West C 23 5-9 0-0 1 3 4 0 5 0 2 10
Houston G 41 6-13 5-6 0 2 2 4 4 0 2 19
Dumars G 34 5-9 2-2 2 2 4 2 1 0 1 14
Leckner 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Mills 22 4-11 1-2 2 1 3 4 3 0 1 10
Hunter 25 1-6 1-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 0 3
Curry 12 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 2
Reid 9 1-3 1-3 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 3
Roe 6 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 0
Ratliff Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-76 13-18 12 24 36 18 25 2 10 92
(.487) (.722) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 12(17 Pts)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 35 8-14 1-1 1 1 2 2 3 0 1 23
Grant F 34 7-10 1-2 4 9 13 1 3 0 0 15
Oneal C 36 9-19 3-10 4 4 8 7 3 0 2 21
Anderson G 37 4-7 4-5 1 2 3 1 1 1 3 12
Hardaway G 35 6-12 3-4 0 6 6 9 2 2 0 18
Koncak 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Shaw 24 3-5 2-2 0 1 1 11 4 0 2 9
Bowie 12 2-2 2-2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 6
Wolf 5 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
Royal 12 1-2 3-3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 5
Bonner 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Thompson 1 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 240 41-74 20-31 11 24 35 34 19 3 8 112
(.554) (.645) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 8(8 Pts)
Detroit 18 29 17 28 - 92
Orlando 24 23 33 32 - 112
Blocked Shots: Detroit - West, Houston. Orlando - Hardaway 2, Oneal,
Anderson, Grant, Koncak.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Detroit 5-18 (.278), Hill 0-1, Houston 2-6, Dumars 2-4,
Mills 1-5, Hunter 0-2. Orlando 10-17 (.588), Scott 6-9, Anderson 0-2,
Hardaway 3-4, Shaw 1-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Bill Oakes, Paul Mihalak.
A - 17,248. T - 2:11.
nba.679vpoznanovic,
ORLANDO ROUTS DETROIT; TIGHT FIRST HALF WAS AN ILLUSION
ORLANDO, Fla. -- At the end of the first half, the Orlando Magic and
Detroit Pistons were all tied up. Then the Magic pulled off a
Houdini-like escape.
Orlando closed the third quarter with a 22-10 run as the explosive
Magic took a 112-92 victory over Detroit on Friday, the opener of
their best-of-five Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Dennis Scott led the way with 23 points and Nick Anderson scored eight
of his 12 points during the crucial third-quarter run.
"The outcome will be the same if we play this way the rest of the
series," said Orlando forward Horace Grant, who had 15 points and 13
rebounds. "I'm sure that they're going to make some changes and,
believe me, it's not going to be as easy as it was tonight.
"But we came out and played very aggressive, hit the boards hard and
Dennis hit some shots."
Scott hit six of his nine 3-point attempts, and Shaquille O'Neal and
Anfernee Hardaway weren't far away from triple-doubles. O'Neal
finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and
Hardaway had 18 points, six rebounds and nine assists.
The score was tied 47-47 at halftime, but Orlando took control and led
80-64 heading into the final period. Anderson started the 22-10 run
with a driving dunk and Brian Shaw closed it out with a 3-pointer with
22.5 seconds left.
"I was just very happy to get off to a good start tonight with this
win, especially after last night's activities in the league with the
road teams coming in and winning," Magic coach Brian Hill said in
reference to Thursday's playoff openers, when the visitors won three
of the four games.
"I thought we picked up the play much more to our potential in the
second half. We were a little less aggressive than I would have liked
in the first half."
Shaw came off the bench to contribute nine points and 11 assists for
Orlando, which shot 59 percent (10 for 17) from 3-point range and 55
percent (41 for 74) overall.
Grant Hill had 21 points and 11 rebounds and Allan Houston had 19
points for Detroit, which is making its first playoff appearance since
the 1991-92 campaign. The Pistons couldn't keep up from 3-point range,
shooting just 28 percent (five for 18).
"In the playoffs, every possession counts," Grant Hill said. "You
can't have turnovers, carelessness, mental mistakes or situations
where you don't score and execute.
"They came out in the third quarter and did all of the things they
needed to do. We didn't. They got a big lead and we played catch up
the rest of the game."
Orlando, which never trailed, scored the first seven points and built
a 20-10 lead with 5:25 left on Scott's 3-point shot. Scott scored nine
points in the first period -- all on threes -- as the team held on for
a 24-18 lead after 12 minutes.
"I just come in every day and play my game, knowing that Shaquille and
Anfernee are going to get double-teamed a lot. They do a good job of
finding me on the perimeter," Scott said. "Tonight, my shot was
falling."
The Magic gradually built the advantage to 40-27 on Anderson's
alley-oop basket with six minutes to go in the half. The margin was
still at 44-31 before Detroit closed out the half with a 16-3 burst.
Houston, who scored 11 points in the second quarter, scored the first
seven points of the run that evened the score at 47-47.
Orlando had 34 assists and committed just eight turnovers. The Magic
won three of the four meetings with Detroit during the regular season.
Orlando built its biggest lead of the game at 97-75 on Anthony Bowie's
two foul shots with 7:45 remaining, before Terry Mills netted seven
points during a 9-2 Piston surge that cut the deficit to 99-84 with
5:10 to play.
Joe Dumars, playing in his 100th career playoff game, scored 14 points
and Otis Thorpe, Mark West and Mills each had 10 for Detroit, which
shot 49 percent (37 for 76) from the floor.
Thorpe only played 25 minutes before leaving in the third quarter with
a contusion to the outside of his left leg.
"We need to concentrate for 48 minutes," Houston said. "It can't be
like the regular season, where if you lose focus for three of four
minutes, it won't hurt you. You can't make mental mistakes like you do
during the regular season. That's what hurts you."
nba.680vpoznanovic,
Miami (85) At Chicago (102)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 26 2-4 2-2 1 5 6 1 6 1 2 6
Williams F 34 5-11 1-2 1 7 8 1 1 1 2 12
Mourning C 21 3-8 4-6 0 2 2 0 6 0 6 10
Chapman G 34 4-9 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 10
Hardaway G 44 12-19 1-2 0 3 3 7 2 3 9 30
Gatling 26 4-8 2-3 5 4 9 0 6 1 5 10
Askins 10 0-3 0-0 2 1 3 1 2 0 1 0
Schayes 10 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2
Smith 13 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 4 1 1 2
Danilovic 22 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 0 3
Corbin Dnp - Coach'S Decision
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-67 10-15 9 24 33 14 32 8 27 85
(.493) (.667) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 28(36 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 42 4-10 5-8 1 7 8 3 1 5 3 13
Kukoc F 38 9-17 2-4 1 6 7 3 1 0 3 21
Longley C 14 1-3 2-2 2 1 3 2 6 0 3 4
Harper G 26 5-8 1-2 1 0 1 2 2 4 3 11
Jordan G 38 13-22 9-12 2 2 4 2 5 1 4 35
Rodman 27 1-3 1-2 5 5 10 1 4 0 2 3
Kerr 27 1-3 5-6 0 1 1 3 1 2 0 8
Wennington 7 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
Brown 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2
Buechler 7 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Salley 9 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 1 1 0
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-74 25-36 13 24 37 17 24 14 19 102
(.500) (.694) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 21(12 Pts)
Miami 22 32 13 18 - 85
Chicago 29 25 25 23 - 102
Blocked Shots: Miami - Thomas, Williams. Chicago - Longley 2, Pippen,
Jordan.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Miami 9-23 (.391), Williams 1-5, Chapman 2-5, Hardaway
5-10, Askins 0-1, Danilovic 1-2. Chicago 3-17 (.176), Pippen 0-3, Kukoc
1-7, Harper 0-1, Jordan 0-1, Kerr 1-3, Buechler 1-2.
Technicals: Miami - Thomas, Assistant Coach Mcadoo, Gatling 2 (Ejected),
Illegal Defense, Mourning 2 (Ejected), Head Coach Riley 2 (Ejected),
Chicago - Rodman, Head Coach Jackson.
Officials: Luis Grillo, Steve Javie, Joe Forte.
A - 24,104. T - 2:24.
nba.681vpoznanovic,
CHICAGO'S ADOPTED HERO OUTSHINES ITS NATIVE SON
CHICAGO -- Chicago is Tim Hardaway's hometown, but it's Michael
Jordan's town.
Hardaway kept Miami in Friday's game during the first half, but Jordan
scored eight of his 35 points during a 19-4 third-quarter run that
lifted the Chicago Bulls to a 102-85 victory over the Heat in the
opener of their best-of-five Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Toni Kukoc scored 21 points and Dennis Rodman grabbed 10 rebounds for
Chicago. Hardaway paced Miami with 30 points on 12-for-19 shooting.
Hardaway had 26 points in the first half on 10-for-12 shooting,
including a five-for-six effort for long range. He had 20 points in
the second quarter alone, as the Heat forged a 54-54 tie.
Defended aggressively by Ron Harper, however, Hardaway had only two
points in the third quarter. Harper also scored eight points during
the crucial third period.
"Harper ignited us in the second half," Jordan said. "What really
happened to Tim is that in the second half, Harper became offensively
aggressive and made Hardaway play on both ends."
Tempers flared, which they often seem to do when Chicago plays a Pat
Riley-coached team.
"We anticipated a war," Jordan said. "Pat Riley's team is always
intimidating -- or trying to be, anyway."
Miami drew nine technicals and three ejections. Riley, Alonzo Mourning
and Chris Gatling received two technicals apiece and were ejected in
the fourth quarter. Rookie Kurt Thomas got a technical at 8:53 of the
first period, assistant coach Bob McAdoo was whistled at 4:22 of the
first quarter and the team also was penalized once for illegal
defense.
Rodman was whistled for a technical with 4:22 left in the first
quarter and Chicago coach Phil Jackson was given one with 70 seconds
left in the opening half.
"Some guys lost their poise out there," Jordan said. "I think (Bulls
center) Luc Longley lost his poise a little, then he got it back. For
a minute, I thought we lost Rodman, but he also got it back.
"I was glad the Heat lost their cool before we did. Mentally, I think
Alonzo Mourning got himself out of the game."
Jackson pulled a mild surprise by starting Kukoc at forward instead of
Rodman.
"I had a feeling that they wanted to confront Dennis and it would
probably distract us early," Jackson said. "And we wanted to move Kurt
Thomas out onto the wing with Toni. We liked that matchup."
They should like that matchup: Kukoc was Chicago's second-leading
scorer Friday and Thomas was one of three Miami players to foul out,
joining Mourning and Gatling.
Longley, Mourning's counterpart at center, also fouled out.
Kukoc scored 10 points in the first quarter to stake Chicago to a
29-22 lead, but Hardaway sparked the Heat in the second quarter. Miami
outscored Chicago 32-25 and tied the score at halftime.
Miami couldn't carry the momentum into the second half, as the Heat
scored just 31 points after the intermission.
Miami held a 61-60 lead when Harper touched off the third-quarter
burst with a layup, giving Chicago the lead for good with 8:38 left in
the period.
Rodman's layup with 27.6 seconds left in the quarter completed the run
and gave Chicago a 79-65 lead.
"You have to give them credit in the second half," Mourning said.
"They came out and continued to give a strong defensive effort. They
adjusted to our game and were to shut Timmy down."
The Bulls maintained the lead thereafter, and Mourning fouled out with
Chicago holding a 92-79 advantage with 4:49 left in the game.
The frustrated Mourning was held to just 10 points, two rebounds and
21 minutes of playing time. He fouled out with 3:49 to play, and then
let Scottie Pippen get under his skin.
Pippen said something to Mourning as he left the floor, and Mourning
launched a profanity-laden tirade. The result was Mourning's second
technical and an automatic ejection. Riley was ejected soon
thereafter.
"This whole thing should be about equality, even though it's not,"
Riley said of the playoffs. "They won 72 games, we won 42. That's a
30-game difference. But it's still two teams who want it just as
badly.
"That's the absurdity of it. One team (Chicago) gets 36 free throws,
the other team gets 15. It's going to be hard to win. That's not a
complaint -- it's reality."
"It was like five guys playing against eight out there," Hardaway
said. "We played physical and they played physical, but we got the
ticky-tack fouls called on us. They got only the obvious fouls called.
"It was ridiculous that things like that happen. The guys in here are
mad and upset about what happened tonight.
"It was almost like they had a vendetta against us," Hardaway said of
the officials "I expected them to come out and take control and call
some fouls, but not like this."
Walt Williams added 12 points for the Heat, who shot 49 percent (33
for 67) from the floor.
Chicago got 13 points, eight rebounds and five steals from Pippen.
Jordan made 13 of his 22 shots and Kukoc was nine for 17 from the
floor, despite missing six of his seven 3-point attempts.
Harper had 11 points and for steals for Chicago.
Rex Chapman and Gatling added 10 points apiece and Gatling had nine
rebounds for the Heat.
Gatling fouled out with 2:40 left in the game and was also issued his
second technical and an ejection.
"For as ugly a game as that was, it was a pretty win for us. We'll
take it," Jackson said. "The game was played with some animosity and
it was physical in nature. I thought the referees did a good job of
keeping control.
"After tonight, both teams will go out and make adjustments. It think
you'll see a physical game again on Sunday, but hopefully it will be
more artistic."
nba.682vpoznanovic,
Phoenix (98) At San Antonio (120)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Barkley F 38 7-17 11-12 5 7 12 3 5 0 2 26
Green F 27 2-6 4-4 1 4 5 0 0 1 0 8
Williams C 17 4-7 3-3 1 3 4 0 3 0 2 11
W Person G 43 5-14 1-2 2 3 5 1 2 0 1 13
Johnson G 36 5-8 4-4 0 2 2 11 1 1 2 14
Tisdale 19 1-9 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 2
Manning 20 5-9 1-4 0 2 2 1 6 1 0 11
Perry 20 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 2 0 6
Kleine 5 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Carr 10 2-3 1-2 1 0 1 1 3 2 1 5
Bennett 5 1-3 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 0 2 2
Finley Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 35-83 25-31 14 23 37 19 24 8 11 98
(.422) (.806) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 11(14 Pts)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 25 7-9 1-2 0 3 3 3 4 1 1 16
Smith F 26 3-6 0-0 2 5 7 3 3 1 1 6
Robinson C 31 11-17 6-7 2 4 6 1 2 2 0 28
Del Negro G 43 13-19 1-3 0 2 2 5 1 0 0 29
Johnson G 39 6-13 0-0 1 4 5 18 1 1 3 12
C Person 27 3-6 2-4 0 4 4 5 2 0 1 11
W Perdue 24 8-9 1-2 2 7 9 0 2 0 1 17
Rivers 12 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
Herrera 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0
Anderson 4 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 0
Williams 2 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1
Alexander 2 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 51-82 12-20 8 31 39 35 21 6 12 120
(.622) (.600) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 12(8 Pts)
Phoenix 26 18 29 25 - 98
San Antonio 28 30 37 25 - 120
Blocked Shots: Phoenix - Barkley, Tisdale, Manning, Carr. San Antonio -
Robinson 3, Smith, Del Negro, Anderson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Phoenix 3-11 (.273), Barkley 1-2, W Person 2-9. San
Antonio 6-9 (.667), Elliott 1-1, Del Negro 2-2, C Person 3-5, Rivers 0-1.
Technicals: Phoenix - Barkley.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Ed F Rush, Nolan Fine.
A - 16,545. T - 2:10.
nba.683vpoznanovic,
SPURS USE SUNS FOR TARGET PRACTICE
SAN ANTONIO -- When your opponent shoots 62 percent from the field and
67 percent from 3-point range, you can forget about winning.
"I'm glad this game is over. I wish I'd had a towel on the bench to
throw in," Phoenix forward Charles Barkley said Friday night after his
Suns lost 120-98 to the San Antonio Spurs in the opening game of their
best-of-five playoff series.
EN FUEGO
How the Spurs' top contributors fared from the field Friday (in order
of percentage):
Perdue 8-9 .889
Elliott 7-9 .778
Del Negro 13-19 .684
Robinson 11-17 .647
Smith 3-6 .500
C.Person 3-6 .500
A.Johnson 6-13 .462
Vinny Del Negro scored a playoff career-high 29 points and David
Robinson added 28 points to lead six Spurs in double figures.
Robinson said that type of team balance will be vital to San Antonio's
chances of success.
"For us to win a championship, we are going to have to play every game
like we did tonight. Everyone helped and contributed," Robinson said.
"But this was just a stepping stone. Our biggest test will be Sunday,
because Phoenix is not going to lie down."
Del Negro hit 13 of 19 field-goal attempts and Robinson was 11 for 17
for San Antonio, which shot a team playoff-record 62 percent (51 for
82) from the floor. The Spurs also were six for nine from 3-point
territory.
Del Negro and Robinson each netted 11 points in the third quarter when
the Spurs shot a franchise-record 84 percent from the floor (16 for
19) to blow the game open.
"I started the game slow. I wasn't aggressive and I wasn't into the
flow of the game," Del Negro said. "As the game went on, I began to
get into the flow, and when we started to run I got some easy looks at
the basket.
"It just shows the closeness of this team," Del Negro said. "When I
couldn't get things going, Avery Johnson and Sean Elliott told me to
just keep looking for the ball and they did a good job of getting me
in the flow."
Will Perdue added a playoff career-high 17 points and nine rebounds,
and Avery Johnson had 12 points and tied a career high with 18
assists, including a club playoff-record eight in the third quarter.
Barkley had 26 points and 12 boards and Kevin Johnson added 14 points
and 11 assists for Phoenix, which dropped three of four encounters
with the Spurs during the regular season.
The Suns played without rookie swingman Michael Finley, who is
suffering from a sprained left ankle.
"The Spurs really took us apart. They played us well," Suns coach
Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "They got a good performance out of their
players and kicked us today.
"But you still have to win three games in this series. The Suns lost
last year by 33 in the first game and came back strong. We'll come
back Sunday -- we just need to make some adjustments."
Phoenix jumped out to a 13-6 lead 4:47 into the game before Robinson
scored six points during a 14-7 Spurs run that evened the score at
20-20 with 2:57 left in the quarter. Robinson had 10 points and three
rebounds in the first 12 minutes as the Spurs held a 28-26 lead.
San Antonio extended a 38-34 second-quarter lead by reeling off eight
unanswered points to take a 46-36 advantage with four minutes left in
the half. Del Negro scored all 11 of his first-half points and the
Spurs shot 65 percent (13 for 20) in the second quarter to hold a
58-44 lead at the intermission.
San Antonio put the game away early in the third quarter when Robinson
scored six points during an 11-2 burst that pushed the margin to 73-50
with 8:27 left. Barkley's 3-pointer brought the Suns within 83-67 with
four minutes left in the period, but San Antonio countered with a 10-2
spree to make it 93-69 with 68 seconds left.
Elliott scored 16 points and Chuck Person added 11 off the bench for
the Spurs, who shot worse from the foul line -- 12 for 20 -- than from
the field. The team had 35 assists and led the Suns in fast-break
points, 23-7.
"Tonight we really moved the ball well and played very unselfish,"
Elliott said. "No one was making individual plays. If someone had a
good shot, they passed to someone who had a better shot, and that was
the key tonight."
Wesley Person scored 13 points and John "Hot Rod" Williams and Danny
Manning each added 11 for Phoenix, which shot 42 percent from the
floor.
"There were a lot of problems tonight," Kevin Johnson said. "There
were a lot of new plays and our transition defense broke down. Vinny
Del Negro hit a lot of shots and it was difficult to derail them.
"Lately for us, when it rains, it pours."
nba.684vpoznanovic,
Sacramento (85) At Seattle (97)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 23 2-7 5-6 1 3 4 0 3 1 5 9
Owens F 31 4-9 1-3 1 6 7 1 2 1 2 9
Polynice C 38 7-11 0-1 4 5 9 0 4 0 2 15
Edney G 29 7-12 2-2 0 2 2 2 6 0 2 16
Richmond G 39 4-13 9-12 2 6 8 4 5 1 7 18
Simmons 22 3-6 0-0 0 4 4 2 4 1 3 7
Smith 17 2-2 0-0 1 3 4 2 3 0 0 4
Marciulionis 28 0-6 4-7 1 1 2 4 2 2 2 4
Gamble 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Causwell 12 0-1 3-4 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 3
Hurley Dnp - Coach'S Decision
C Williamson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-67 24-35 11 31 42 15 30 6 23 85
(.433) (.686) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 24(24 Pts)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Perkins F 36 7-13 0-1 0 6 6 1 3 2 2 17
D Schrempf F 38 9-18 4-6 1 1 2 3 3 0 2 22
Johnson C 25 2-5 1-1 3 7 10 0 3 0 2 5
Hawkins G 37 1-5 7-9 0 0 0 5 3 2 0 9
Payton G 45 8-17 12-16 0 6 6 9 4 4 4 29
Askew 23 0-3 1-2 0 2 2 0 4 1 2 1
Brickowski 12 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 6 1 3 2
Mcmillan 23 4-6 0-0 0 1 1 5 1 0 0 12
Wingate 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Kemp Dnp - Suspended By League
Totals 240 32-69 25-35 4 23 27 23 27 10 15 97
(.464) (.714) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 15(14 Pts)
Sacramento 13 25 26 21 - 85
Seattle 24 27 24 22 - 97
Blocked Shots: Sacramento - Polynice 2, Grant, Simmons. Seattle - Payton
2, Johnson, D Schrempf, Askew, Brickowski.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Sacramento 3-13 (.231), Owens 0-1, Polynice 1-1, Edney
0-2, Richmond 1-2, Simmons 1-3, Marciulionis 0-4. Seattle 8-18 (.444),
Perkins 3-6, D Schrempf 0-1, Hawkins 0-2, Payton 1-3, Brickowski 0-1,
Mcmillan 4-5.
Technicals: Sacramento - Illegal Defense 2, Owens, Seattle - Illegal
Defense 3.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Jack Nies, Tommy Nunez.
A - 17,072. T - 2:31.
nba.685vpoznanovic,
SONICS PROVE YOU CAN'T KEMP A GOOD TEAM DOWN
SEATTLE -- After winning their playoff opener on Friday, all the
Seattle SuperSonics wanted to do was talk about was Game 2.
Gary Payton scored 16 of his 29 points in the first half and Sam
Perkins added 17 in place of the suspended Shawn Kemp as Seattle held
off the Sacramento Kings 97-85 to open their best-of-five Western
Conference quarterfinal series.
Kemp, Seattle's leading scorer and rebounder, was serving a one-game
suspension for fighting during the regular-season finale. The
four-time All-Star will return to the Seattle lineup on Sunday.
"I think he's going to be pretty hungry when he gets back in there,"
Payton said. "Don't you?"
"When we get the big fella inside again, I'm going to get a chance to
hit some threes," Hersey Hawkins said. "I'm looking forward to that."
"It was really weird not having Shawn out there because everything we
do revolves around Shawn," Sonics reserve Vincent Askew said. "We play
real good defense as a team, but when you lose a guy like Shawn other
guys have to step up, and they did.
"I think Sunday is real important for us to hold on to the home-court
advantage and put all the pressure on Sacramento."
Seattle scored the game's first nine points and never trailed on
Friday.
"Sacramento proved tonight that they are a worthy playoff team and
that they are not going to go away easily," Sonics coach George Karl
said. "I thought our offense could have been a lot better because it
was our defense that got us through this game tonight."
Payton was eight for 17 from the field, and he handed out nine assists
and grabbed six rebounds. Detlef Schrempf added 22 points and Nate
McMillan scored all 12 of his points on 3-pointers for Seattle.
"They key to the game was to come out aggressive and stay aggressive
the whole game," McMillan said. "We were a small team tonight and we
knew we were going to have to work real hard on the boards. I thought
we held our own."
The Sonics won for the 39th time in 42 home games this season and
defeated the Kings for the 24th time in the past 30 meetings.
The Kings got as close as 85-78 with 4:18 remaining on a pair of free
throws by Brian Grant, but Seattle went on a 12-4 spurt for a 97-82
lead with 50 seconds left.
McMillan hit a 3-pointer to begin the surge and, after a dunk by
Grant, Payton converted two free throws and Schrempf nailed a 15-foot
jumper to make it 92-80 with 2:17 left.
A layup by Perkins and another 3-pointer by McMillan gave Seattle a
97-82 advantage.
Mitch Richmond had 18 points and eight rebounds, but hit just four of
13 shots from the floor and committed seven turnovers. Rookie Tyus
Edney contributed 16 points and Olden Polynice added 15 points and
nine rebounds for the Kings, who are making their first playoff
appearance since 1986.
"We have to look at what we did wrong, and that's handling the ball,"
Richmond said. "That's one of our big problems. We have to handle the
pressure and the ball. We beat them on the boards, but now we have to
get ready for Shawn Kemp."
Sacramento committed 12 turnovers in the first quarter, helping the
Sonics to a 24-13 lead. Payton scored 10 points in the second quarter
as Seattle assumed a 51-38 advantage at the intermission.
The Kings shot 43 percent (29 for 67) from the floor and 23 percent
(three for 13) from 3-point range.
nba.686vpoznanovic,
DUNLEAVY OUT AS BUCKS COACH BUT KEEPS VP JOB
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks relieved Mike Dunleavy of his head
coaching duties Saturday, but announced he will remain as the club's
vice president of basketball operations.
Saturday's announcement was apparently delayed pending the completion
of negotiations regarding the four years left on Dunleavy's eight-year
contract and his status as vice president of basketball operations.
Bucks owner Herb Kohl said Dunleavy's deal wouldn't be restructured in
any way, meaning he will make $6.4 million over the last four years of
his eight-year pact.
"We are determined to improve the fortunes of our team on the court,"
Kohl said at a news conference. "We feel Mike has the talent and
ability to make a significant contribution to our front office and we
welcome his full-time attention to those duties."
Milwaukee finished with a disappointing 25-57 record this season, a
nine-game slide from 1994-95 when the Bucks were 34-48. Dunleavy has a
107-221 record in four years as Bucks' coach.
"Needless to say, I'm disappointed about not being back as coach next
year," Dunleavy said. "It's certainly a situation where I understand
the move and I am going to go forward with this job like I do anything
else, in a professional way, to do the best that I can to help this
organization attain the goals that I had four years ago -- and that's
to be a championship contending team."
Kohl said Dunleavy will have a role in the search for a new coach but
the owner will have the final decision. Kohl hasn't set a deadline.
Kohl ruled out the University of Utah's Rick Majerus, a former Bucks
assistant and Marquette coach who had been rumored as a strong
candidate.
Dunleavy resigned as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in May of
1992 to accept an eight-year, $8 million contract as coach and vice
president of operations with the Bucks.
Dunleavy succeeded Pat Riley as coach of the Lakers in June of 1990.
He led the Lakers to the NBA Finals in his first year as head coach in
1991 and compiled a 101-63 record in two years with the Lakers.
Dunleavy spent 11 seasons in the NBA as a player after being selected
by the Philadelphia 76ers in the sixth round of the 1976 draft. He
also played with Houston, San Antonio and Milwaukee and helped the
1980-81 Rockets to the NBA Finals.
Dunleavy retired after the 1985-86 season and became an assistant
coach for the Bucks, where he suited up for seven games during the
1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons.
nba.687vpoznanovic,
TIMBERWOLVES GUARD AGREES TO SETTLEMENT IN KICKING LAWSUIT
MINNEAPOLIS (Apr 27, 1996 - 16:05 EST) -- Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Isaiah Rider Jr. has settled a lawsuit filed by a woman he is
convicted of assaulting at a sports bar in the Mall of America in
March 1994.
The settlement is "well into the six figures," the Star Tribune of
Minneapolis reported Saturday, quoting unidentified sources.
The confidential settlement that ended the suit was submitted Friday
to Hennepin County District Judge Thomas Carey after a series of
mediation sessions ended the day before, said mediator F. Clayton
Tyler.
Tyler said the judge is expected to approve the settlement.
Kimberly Rakos, 36, suffered lower back injuries after Rider kicked
her during a promotional event at America Live Sports Bar, the
newspaper said.
Rider was scheduled to sign autographs at the bar but did not show up,
telling a promoter at the bar that it was his birthday.
He later showed up and Rakos, the bar's general manager, told him that
children had been waiting to get his autograph. He then swore at her,
according to court records.
After more conversation in the bar's office, Rakos placed her hand on
Rider's elbow and said, "I want you to go. We're not getting anywhere
with this," court papers said. Rider then kicked her, witnesses told
police.
Pat Daly, operations manager at a mall restaurant, said he saw Rakos
"flying across the hallway into the wall."
Rakos had just returned from maternity leave after giving birth, her
boyfriend, David Valentini, said.
Rider, 25, said that Rakos grabbed him and threatened to call
security. He said he pushed her with his foot to release himself from
her grip, court records said.
He was convicted in September 1994 of fifth-degree assault and
sentenced to two years probation, 35 hours of community service and
ordered to complete an anger-violence counseling program. He was fined
$850 and received a 30-day stayed jail sentence.
Rakos filed the suit in January 1995, saying she faced disabling
injuries, limited future earnings and humiliation. Her attorney, Keith
Johnson, said she was "very happy" with the settlement.
Rider would not comment on the case.
"It's settled and he's pleased to move on with his life," said Rider's
attorney, Chris Madel. "He's a gentleman. I never found J.R. Rider to
be anything but a total gentleman."
nba.688vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (94) At Indiana (102) - Final In Ot
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 29 3-5 4-5 0 3 3 0 2 1 0 10
Long F 36 4-11 3-3 2 3 5 3 6 2 3 11
Laettner C 44 5-10 4-6 4 5 9 1 4 0 5 14
Smith G 45 9-21 4-4 3 5 8 1 4 1 3 25
Blaylock G 44 4-11 2-2 1 5 6 7 3 2 4 12
Rooks 9 1-1 1-2 2 0 2 2 2 0 1 3
Ehlo 29 3-9 1-2 0 3 3 1 2 2 0 8
Henderson 20 4-5 0-0 2 0 2 0 5 1 0 8
Jordan 9 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 3
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 34-76 20-26 14 25 39 16 28 9 16 94
(.447) (.769) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 20(24 Pts)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 38 5-11 3-4 2 6 8 0 5 4 3 14
D Davis F 38 3-10 1-3 4 8 12 1 5 0 2 7
Smits C 38 13-20 3-3 3 3 6 1 4 0 1 29
Pierce G 39 2-6 8-8 1 0 1 3 4 3 4 12
Jackson G 37 6-10 4-6 0 3 3 9 2 1 2 16
A Davis 29 3-5 3-3 2 5 7 2 1 0 0 9
Workman 14 0-6 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 2
Ferrell 15 1-5 1-2 2 1 3 1 3 1 1 3
Best 17 4-7 1-1 0 0 0 1 3 1 2 10
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Miller Dnp - Eye Injury
Totals 265 37-80 26-32 14 27 41 18 28 10 17 102
(.463) (.813) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 17(15 Pts)
Atlanta 15 27 19 26 7 - 94
Indiana 29 24 19 15 15 - 102
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Laettner 3, Augmon 2, Smith 2, Blaylock, Rooks.
Indiana - Mckey, D Davis, Smits, A Davis.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 6-18 (.333), Long 0-2, Smith 3-5, Blaylock 2-6,
Ehlo 1-5. Indiana 2-9 (.222), Mckey 1-3, Pierce 0-1, Jackson 0-2, Workman
0-1, Best 1-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Joe Derosa, Ron Garretson.
A - 16,709. T - 2:42.
nba.689vpoznanovic,
PACERS, SMITS SMITE THE HAWKS IN OT
INDIANAPOLIS -- With Reggie Miller injured, the Indiana Pacers'
inside-outside game is just an inside game.
Fortunately for the Pacers, they still have the Dutch Boy in the
paint.
Indiana squandered a five-point lead in the final 15 seconds of
regulation, but scored the first nine points of overtime and defeated
the Atlanta Hawks 102-94 on Saturday to even their best-of-five
playoff series at one game apiece.
Indiana center Rik Smits, a native of the Netherlands, hit 13 of 20
shots from the field and scored 29 points, including five in overtime.
"I got to shoot around before the game and my shot was dropping, so I
really felt good going into the game," Smits said. "I think the team
feels good. If we can get one in Atlanta, bring it back home 2-2 and
get some rest between games, we should be pretty good.
"But we're going down there to get two wins."
The Pacers, who never trailed in the game, led by as many as 13 points
in the fourth quarter and held an 87-82 advantage with 26 seconds
left.
Then Atlanta's Craig Ehlo hit a 3-pointer with 14.8 seconds remaining
and, after an errant inbounds pass by Derrick McKey, Steve Smith
scored on a baseline layup with 7.4 seconds left to tie the score at
87-87.
Indiana had a chance to win the game in regulation, but McKey missed a
driving layup with one second left.
The Pacers scored the first nine points of the overtime and the Hawks
missed their first five shots.
Miller is not expected to play in the series while he recovers from
surgery to repair a fractured right eye socket.
In Miller's absence, Indiana has struggled with the outside shot. The
Pacers shot three for 12 from 3-point range during a 92-80 loss in
Game 1, and they were two for nine Saturday.
Smits is battling injury problems of his own: sore feet that have
bothered him since college and have been particularly troublesome this
season.
"They felt great in the first quarter, but during the game they got
really sore," said Smits, who felt a little better Saturday while
wearing a different style of shoes.
"They're actually some shoes I wore about two years ago," he said.
"They've got a little more cushion in the bottom. They have real thick
padding under the feet and gave me relief."
In overtime, Mark Jackson converted a pair of free throws and Smits
converted a three-point play with 3:30 left to give Indiana a 92-87
lead. A layup by Davis and a pair of free throws by Haywoode Workman
increased the advantage to 96-87.
The Hawks pulled within five, 99-94, on a layup by Smith with 38.6
seconds remaining. But Ricky Pierce converted a pair of free throws
and Jackson added a free throw in the final 36 seconds to seal the
victory.
Smith, who scored 27 points on Thursday, led the Hawks with 25 points
Saturday.
"They came out and played well in overtime," Smith said. "Mark Jackson
came out and hit some big shots. We had a chance; that's all we can
ask for with a chance to win."
Jackson finished with 16 points and nine assists.
"I felt like at the end of the game, we made a great play to get to
the overtime," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens said. "But we ran out of gas
in overtime. We stopped moving and that really hurt us."
Smits scored eight points as the Pacers raced to a 21-7 lead. He hit
seven of nine shots and had 14 points in the first quarter while the
Hawks converted just five of 14 shots from the field.
A tip-in by Smits gave Indiana its biggest lead at 33-17 with 10:49
left in the second quarter. The Pacers held a 53-42 halftime
advantage.
A 20-foot jumper by Jackson with 9:11 left in the third quarter
increased Indiana's lead to 61-46. But the Hawks responded with a 15-6
run to pull within 67-61. Christian Laettner had a jumper and two free
throws and Smith capped the run with a three-pointer with 3:13 left in
the quarter.
The Pacers then closed the quarter with five unanswered points on a
pair of free throws by McKey and a three-point play by Travis Best to
open the lead to 72-61.
A 3-pointer by Best gave Indiana a 79-66 lead with 9:11 remaining. But
the Hawks went on a 14-4 run to pull within 83-80 with 3:06 left.
McKey scored 14 points and Pierce had 12 for the Pacers. Laettner had
14 points and nine rebounds and Mookie Blaylock added 12 points for
the Hawks.
"We definitely had to get this one," McKey said. "After tonight, we
realize that we can go down there and win."
nba.690vpoznanovic,
Houston (94) At LA Lakers (104)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 41 3-10 7-11 1 6 7 4 2 2 3 14
Brown F 16 2-3 4-4 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 8
Olajuwon C 32 8-11 2-4 1 6 7 2 6 1 1 18
Drexler G 37 6-16 0-0 1 5 6 4 2 4 2 13
Smith G 13 1-3 1-1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 3
Cassell 35 10-20 0-0 1 4 5 8 3 1 3 22
Elie 34 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 6
Bryant 27 3-6 4-5 1 3 4 1 3 0 0 10
Mack 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcutt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-77 18-25 5 28 33 22 19 9 11 94
(.468) (.720) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 11(17 Pts)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Campbell F 27 4-7 0-2 1 6 7 3 6 0 2 8
Ceballos F 25 5-12 2-2 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 13
Divac C 34 4-7 2-2 3 9 12 1 4 0 4 10
Jones G 45 9-18 1-1 5 6 11 2 3 0 1 20
Van Exel G 31 5-14 4-6 2 5 7 4 2 0 1 15
Peeler 25 3-11 4-4 2 1 3 1 0 2 2 12
Johnson 31 7-11 11-13 1 6 7 5 1 0 1 26
Threatt 17 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0
Lynch 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roberts Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Strong Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-83 24-30 15 36 51 19 19 4 13 104
(.446) (.800) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 15(17 Pts)
Houston 11 31 27 25 - 94
LA Lakers 24 25 25 30 - 104
Blocked Shots: Houston - Horry 4, Olajuwon 4. LA Lakers - Campbell 3,
Divac.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Houston 4-20 (.200), Horry 1-4, Drexler 1-6, Smith 0-1,
Cassell 2-6, Elie 0-2, Mack 0-1. LA Lakers 6-17 (.353), Ceballos 1-3,
Jones 1-5, Van Exel 1-2, Peeler 2-5, Johnson 1-1, Threatt 0-1.
Technicals: Houston - Horry, Illegal Defense, Head Coach Tomjanovich, LA
Lakers - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Terry Durham, Bernie Fryer.
A - 17,505. T - 2:30.
nba.691vpoznanovic,
LIKE MAGIC, LAKERS EVEN SERIES WITH HOUSTON
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Game 2 of the Lakers-Rockets playoff series went
like this: Magic Johnson was in a groove and Hakeem Olajuwon was on
the bench.
Johnson scored 26 points Saturday and Los Angeles took advantage of
Olajuwon's foul trouble as the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets
104-94 to even their Western Conference first-round series at one game
apiece.
Eddie Jones had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Los Angeles and Nick Van
Exel bounced back from a terrible opening game with 15 points. Vlade
Divac had 10 points and 12 rebounds as the Lakers snapped Houston's
eight-game playoff road winning streak, which dated back to last
season.
Johnson was frustrated by Thursday's 87-83 loss, in which coach Del
Harris played Johnson on the perimeter instead of the low post and
allowed Van Exel to handle the ball.
Johnson bounced back Saturday, shooting seven for 11 from the field
and 11 for 13 from the foul line. He also had seven rebounds and five
assists.
"I tried to do what I do best," Johnson said. "I don't want any more
mental lapses like Game 1.
"Del and I are cool. We're not feuding or anything; it's a clear
understanding of what has to happen," Johnson said. "Today I just
decided I was going to go back to being me -- just give me the ball
and look out."
Sam Cassell scored 22 points for the Rockets, who played the final 10
minutes without Olajuwon. The All-Star center fouled out when he
picked up two fouls during a 19-second span early in the fourth
quarter.
"It was unfortunate losing Hakeem," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich
said. "That has never happened to me before. The two quick fouls was a
very rare, strange situation."
Olajuwon, however, didn't take exception to the last two fouls.
"Let's not talk about the fifth and sixth fouls; I'm not questioning
those," said Olajuwon, who had 18 points, seven rebounds and four
blocks. "I'm questioning the first four. The way they called them
today, there was no way I was staying in the game.
"When Chucky Brown obviously made one foul, and I'm not even near the
play and they call it on me (Olajuwon's third), how can I not foul
out?
"All I had was two fouls."
The two-time defending champion Rockets -- who had not lost on the
road in the playoffs since Game 2 of the 1995 conference semifinals
against Phoenix -- can win the best-of-five series with home wins
Tuesday and Thursday.
"We're capable of winning two (in Houston)," Johnson said. "We played
great road basketball the last month of the season. We have to be like
they were in the first game.
"We have to play aggressively -- take the ball to the rim and not
settle for 3-point baskets."
Johnson scored eight points after Olajuwon left, including five
during a 14-4 run that gave Los Angeles a 93-82 lead with 4:30 to go.
He capped the burst with a pair of free throws and a hook shot.
"We knew Houston would make a run," Jones said. "We needed somebody to
do something more, and Magic was the man for us. We showed we didn't
lose our composure as a young team. It shows we're growing up."
A steal and dunk by Clyde Drexler cut Houston's deficit to five
points. But after the teams traded baskets, Divac made a bank shot
with the shot clock running down, giving the Lakers a 97-90 lead with
1:58 remaining.
Cedric Ceballos scored 13 points and Anthony Peeler, who sat out Game
1 with a calf injury, added 12 for the Lakers. Los Angeles shot 45
percent (37 for 83) from the field and held a huge 51-33 rebounding
edge.
"Magic kept telling me to shoot, and I listened," Peeler said. "After
a while I started to get into the flow of things."
Houston's Robert Horry, held scoreless in Game 1, scored 14 points and
blocked four shots Saturday. Drexler added 13 for Houston, which shot
47 percent (36-of-77) but four of 20 from 3-point range.
Houston trailed for much of the game until Drexler -- who went
scoreless in the first half -- scored nine points in the third quarter
and fueled a 23-9 spurt. His 3-pointer gave the Rockets a 65-58 lead
with 4:53 to go.
But Olajuwon picked up his fourth foul less than a minute later on a
three-point play by Jones. Johnson made a layup to tie the score, and
a 3-pointer by Peeler gave the Lakers the lead for good at 68-65.
Houston trailed 74-69 after three quarters, but Cassell took over
after Olajuwon fouled out. His basket capped a 10-4 burst and pulled
the Rockets within 79-78.
Houston shot just 16 percent (three for 19) and trailed 24-11 after
one quarter. Van Exel, who had just five points in Game 1, had seven
in the period.
The Rockets shot 74 percent (14 for 19) in the second quarter and
briefly gained the lead at 42-41 on Cassell's basket. Olajuwon shot
all five shots in the period before the Lakers closed the half with an
8-0 run featuring 3-pointers by Jones and Johnson.
"I thought we were in the game until the last two minutes," Cassell
said. "We fought back and played tough all the way."
nba.692vpoznanovic,
New York (84) At Cleveland (80)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mason F 48 10-15 3-5 4 8 12 5 1 0 1 23
Oakley F 37 4-9 0-0 2 3 5 2 3 1 4 8
Ewing C 39 8-20 0-0 1 11 12 2 2 0 4 16
Starks G 44 5-11 3-4 1 3 4 7 1 1 5 16
Harper G 34 3-9 1-2 0 4 4 5 4 2 2 8
Davis 18 3-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 8
Williams 6 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Ward 14 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 4 3 1 1 4
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grandison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-72 8-13 10 29 39 25 16 5 18 84
(.486) (.615) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 18(23 Pts)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 38 5-11 0-0 1 4 5 2 4 0 1 10
Ferry F 42 6-17 0-0 0 5 5 3 5 2 0 12
Cage C 34 4-7 2-4 5 3 8 1 0 2 0 10
Phills G 35 4-13 0-0 3 3 6 1 3 1 1 8
Brandon G 41 7-16 6-7 0 1 1 12 2 2 4 21
Majerle 26 4-12 0-0 0 5 5 3 5 1 1 11
Hill 14 4-5 0-1 3 3 6 0 0 0 0 8
Sura 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Crotty 7 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
Amaechi Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lang Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-81 8-12 13 24 37 23 20 9 8 80
(.420) (.667) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 9(9 Pts)
New York 17 27 18 22 - 84
Cleveland 21 20 18 21 - 80
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 5, Harper. Cleveland - Cage 2, Majerle
2, Brandon, Crotty.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 6-16 (.375), Oakley 0-1, Ewing 0-1, Starks
3-6, Harper 1-5, Davis 2-2, Ward 0-1. Cleveland 4-23 (.174), Mills 0-2,
Ferry 0-7, Phills 0-2, Brandon 1-2, Majerle 3-10.
Technicals: New York - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, David Jones, Dan Crawford.
A - 17,232. T - 2:23.
nba.693vpoznanovic,
KNICKS SEND CAVS TO BRINK OF ELIMINATION
CLEVELAND -- Anthony Mason scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to
lead the New York Knicks to an 84-80 victory Saturday over the
Cleveland Cavaliers and a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five
Eastern Conference playoff series.
The series shifts to New York for Game 3 on Wednesday night as
Cleveland tries to become only the sixth team to rally from a 2-0
deficit in a five-game series.
Mason played all 48 minutes and hit 10 of 15 shots from the field.
Patrick Ewing scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and
grabbed 12 rebounds for the Knicks, and John Starks added 16 points.
"I felt I had to be more aggressive today. I didn't think I was
aggressive enough in the first game," Mason said. "We are comfortable
going back to our homecourt, and we don't want this series to go any
longer than it has to."
"It was a tough ballgame," Ewing said. "They made us work for
everything, but the guys stepped up.
"All we feel is confidence. When the Cavs double and triple team me
like that, we've got to pass the ball and kick it out to open people.
As long as we continue to do that, we'll continue to win."
Terrell Brandon led Cleveland with 21 points and 12 assists.
"We have to execute a lot better down the stretch," Brandon said. "We
didn't allow them to hit 17 3-pointers, but the other things killed
us."
The Knicks blistered the Cavs with 17 treys on Thursday.
The Cavaliers were a horrific four for 23 from 3-point range Saturday.
Danny Ferry, who finished with 12 points, missed all seven of his
3-point attempts and was six for 17 from the field. Dan Majerle had 11
points but was three of 10 from 3-point territory.
"We executed defensively better and concentrated more, but we fell
short in a couple of areas we need to correct," Cavs coach Mike
Fratello said. "Shot selection at critical times is very important.
"We didn't get the critical stop at the time we needed it, and that's
basically the difference in the game. The Knicks got critical baskets
when they had to."
The Knicks held a 66-61 lead early in the fourth quarter, but a pair
of free throws and a layup by Brandon pulled the Cavaliers within
66-65 with nine minutes left. Mason then converted a three-point play,
and Hubert Davis hit a 3-point jumper to open a 72-65 lead for the
Knicks with 6:43 remaining.
Majerle hit a 3-pointer with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter to pull
Cleveland within 78-75. The Cavaliers had a chance to tie the game,
but Ferry missed a 3-point attempt with two minutes left.
Ewing hit a jumper with 1:41 remaining to give New York an 80-75
advantage. Michael Cage converted one of two free throws with 1:28
remaining, and Brandon hit an 18-foot jumper with 18.6 seconds left to
pull Cleveland within 80-78.
Starks converted a pair of free throws with 17.7 seconds remaining,
and after a missed shot by Ferry, Derek Harper hit one of two free
throws with 12.3 seconds remaining to increase the Knicks' lead to
83-78.
Brandon hit a layup with 1.9 seconds left, but Mason converted a free
throw with four-tenths of a second remaining to seal the win.
The Cavaliers raced to a 19-9 lead in the first nine minutes of the
game. The Knicks committed four turnovers in the game-opening run, one
less than they had in the series-opening win Thursday.
New York then responded with a 19-8 spurt to take a 28-27 lead early
in the second quarter. Starks sparked the run with a pair of
three-point plays.
The Knicks held a 44-41 halftime advantage. Starks scored 14 of his
points in the half, including three 3-pointers.
"We know we can beat this team," Starks said. "We have to jump on them
early and not let them dictate how they are going to play us. They are
a team that lulls you to sleep."
Harper sparked a 7-0 third-quarter run with a 3-pointer and a layup to
increase New York's lead to 57-48. But Majerle hit a 3-pointer in the
final minute of the quarter to pull the Cavs within 62-59.
"We can't worry about shots in the playoffs," Harper said. "You have
to play the game unconditionally and not worry about who gets the
shots. Experience separates the playoffs from the regular season, and
we feel comfortable."
Cleveland, although it's down, is not out.
"You're never dead. Stranger things have happened in playoff
situations," Majerle said. "We have been a good team on the road all
year long, so you can't count us out."
nba.694vpoznanovic,
Portland (90) At Utah (105)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C Robinson F 36 5-15 4-4 0 4 4 1 4 2 4 16
Williams F 22 2-3 2-3 1 1 2 0 5 0 1 7
Sabonis C 36 8-19 10-15 7 5 12 1 4 1 3 26
Grant G 32 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 5
Strickland G 38 8-17 2-8 5 3 8 7 4 1 2 20
Dudley 23 2-3 2-2 1 4 5 0 5 1 1 6
R Robinson 10 1-6 0-2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 3
Mckie 18 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 4 2 0 2 0
Wingfield 17 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 5
Trent 8 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2
J Robinson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-81 20-34 15 23 38 16 33 7 13 90
(.383) (.588) Team Rebs: 17 Total To: 13(20 Pts)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 34 6-9 2-2 1 1 2 0 3 0 4 17
Malone F 38 12-23 6-11 0 14 14 3 3 1 2 30
Spencer C 17 0-0 2-2 2 3 5 0 4 1 2 2
Hornacek G 32 6-9 2-2 1 3 4 2 4 0 0 18
Stockton G 38 5-8 5-7 0 1 1 16 4 1 3 15
Eisley 11 0-0 3-4 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 3
Russell 17 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 2 0
Ostertag 23 6-6 0-0 1 4 5 0 1 0 1 12
Carr 17 2-6 2-4 0 1 1 0 5 0 1 6
Keefe 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Morris 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-64 22-32 5 32 37 23 29 3 15 105
(.594) (.688) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 15(14 Pts)
Portland 27 23 28 12 - 90
Utah 30 20 27 28 - 105
Blocked Shots: Portland - Williams, Dudley. Utah - Stockton 3, Carr 3,
Ostertag 2, Spencer 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Portland 8-22 (.364), C Robinson 2-7, Williams 1-1,
Sabonis 0-1, Grant 1-4, Strickland 2-2, R Robinson 1-4, Mckie 0-1,
Wingfield 1-2. Utah 7-9 (.778), Benoit 3-3, Malone 0-2, Hornacek 4-4.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Ronnie Nunn, Ken Mauer.
A - 19,911. T - 2:27.
nba.695vpoznanovic,
Utah 105, Portland 90
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Jazz sputtered toward the end of the
regular season, looking like candidates for the scrap heap.
Now the Jazz looks like a finely tuned basketball machine.
Karl Malone scored eight of his 30 points during a key fourth-quarter
run as the Utah Jazz beat the Portland Trail Blazers 105-90 on
Saturday and took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five playoff series.
During Utah's first two playoff games, the only negative has been
Malone's free-throw shooting. A career 72-percent shooter from the
line, the Mailman is delivering at meager 42-percent rate (11 for 26)
this postseason.
Of course, he's also averaging 31.5 points and 11.5 rebounds and is
shooting 59 percent from the field during the Portland series.
"They played great defense on Karl all night and he just came up with
shot after shot," Utah point guard John Stockton said Saturday.
"That's why he's the Mailman."
Stockton had 15 points and 16 assists in Game 2. Over two games he is
shooting 58 percent from the field and 80 percent from the foul line.
More important, he has 39 assists and four turnovers -- an amazing
assist-to-turnover ration of 10-1.
"This is one of those series where you get pretty pumped up, but I've
been trying to stay pretty mellow," Stockton said. "Going into this
series, I wanted to be more aggressive and less passive, and the
shot's been there."
And get this: the 6-foot-1 Stockton, who has averaged 0.2 blocks per
game during his career, rejected three Portland shots Saturday.
Jeff Hornacek scored 30 points Thursday and 18 on Saturday. He is
shooting 72 percent from the floor and hasn't missed yet on eight
attempts from 3-point range.
When David Benoit wasn't producing in Game 1, coach Jerry Sloan put
Bryon Russell into the game. Russell scored seven of his 12 points in
the first six minutes of the fourth quarter as Utah rallied.
Benoit came back strong in Game 2, scoring 17 points and hitting six
of nine from the field, including all three of his 3-pointers.
"Our younger guys came and did a great job of making some big shots,"
Stockton said. "David Benoit was tremendous handling the pressure."
Another youngster who made an impact was rookie Greg Ostertag. The
backup center hit all six of his field-goal attempts and finished with
12 points, five rebounds and two blocks in just 23 minutes.
Portland center Arvydas Sabonis had 26 points and 12 rebounds. Rod
Strickland had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and
Clifford Robinson scored 16 points for the Blazers.
Portland scored just 12 points in the final period. Only five points
were scored by someone other than Strickland over the final 12
minutes.
"They executed well. They pick-and-rolled us to death and we just
couldn't put the ball in the hole," Strickland said. "We're going home
and we should be confident about our chances at home."
Malone's nine points led the Jazz to a 30-27 lead entering the second
quarter. The score was tied 50-50 at halftime, and the Blazers took a
78-77 advantage into the fourth.
After Robinson hit a jumper to give Portland an 80-79 lead -- its last
-- in the first minute of the fourth, the Jazz scored the next 10
points of a 21-5 run. Greg Ostertag ignited the spree with a dunk and
Stockton made consecutive layups to give the Jazz an 89-80 advantage
with 6:53 left in the game.
After Strickland hit a 3-pointer to draw Portland within 89-83, Malone
scored the next eight points for Utah with three jumpers and two free
throws. A tip-in by David Benoit and one free throw by Stockton sealed
the game for the Jazz at 100-85 with 1:42 to go.
Utah shot 59 percent (38 for 64) from the field, including seven of
nine from 3-point range.
The Jazz scored 20 points off 13 Portland turnovers.
Clifford Robinson, Rumeal Robinson and Harvey Grant were held to a
combined eight-for-29 shooting for Portland, which shot 38 percent (31
for 81) from the field.
"There is no explanation," Clifford Robinson said. "If I had the
answers, it wouldn't happen."
nba.696vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
First round (best-of-five; all times Eastern)
*if necessary
Eastern Conference
Chicago leads Miami 1-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 at Chicago 5:30 p.m. NBC
May 1 at Miami 8 p.m. TNT
May 3 *at Miami 8 p.m. TNT
May 5 *at Chicago TBA NBC
Orlando leads Detroit 1-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 at Orlando 12:30 p.m. NBC
April 30 at Detroit 8 p.m. TNT
May 2 *at Detroit TBA
May 5 *at Orlando TBA
Atlanta, Indiana tied 1-1
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
May 2 at Atlanta TBA
May 5 *at Indiana TBA
New York leads Cleveland 2-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 at New York 7 p.m. TBS
May 3 *at New York TBA
May 5 *at Cleveland TBA
Western Conference
Seattle leads Sacramento 1-0
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 at Seattle 9 p.m. TNT
April 30 at Sacramento 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 2 *at Sacramento TBA
May 4 *at Seattle TBA
San Antonio leads Phoenix 1-0
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 at San Antonio 3 p.m. NBC
May 1 at Phoenix 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 3 *at Phoenix TBA
May 5 *at San Antonio TBA
Utah leads Portland 2-0
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 at Portland 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 1 *at Portland 9:30 p.m. TBS
May 5 *at Utah TBA
Houston, L.A. Lakers tied 1-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 at Houston 9 p.m. TBS
May 2 at Houston TBA
May 4 *at L.A Lakers TBA
nba.697vpoznanovic,
Detroit (77) At Orlando (92)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 42 8-18 2-2 2 3 5 2 5 1 3 19
Thorpe F 41 4-7 2-4 6 10 16 3 3 0 3 10
West C 30 3-8 5-10 4 2 6 1 4 1 0 11
Houston G 47 8-20 4-4 1 4 5 1 2 0 4 23
Dumars G 42 5-12 1-1 1 3 4 2 2 0 3 12
Reid 11 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Curry 19 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 2
Mills 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Roe 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hunter Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Ratliff Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-69 14-21 14 24 38 9 19 3 13 77
(.420) (.667) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 14(17 Pts)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 40 6-10 0-2 1 3 4 2 3 2 2 14
Grant F 42 7-15 0-0 4 6 10 1 3 1 1 14
Oneal C 36 13-19 3-6 3 4 7 6 5 0 5 29
Anderson G 38 5-10 1-2 2 4 6 4 0 1 1 15
Hardaway G 39 5-14 4-5 0 4 4 8 1 2 0 15
Koncak 16 1-1 1-3 0 4 4 0 6 1 0 3
Shaw 18 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 1 1 0
Bowie 10 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2
Wolf 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Bonner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Royal Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-73 9-18 10 27 37 26 19 8 11 92
(.521) (.500) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 11(8 Pts)
Detroit 19 19 19 20 - 77
Orlando 25 16 24 27 - 92
Blocked Shots: Detroit - Curry. Orlando - Grant 2, Oneal, Anderson,
Koncak.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Detroit 5-12 (.417), Hill 1-1, Houston 3-7, Dumars 1-3,
Mills 0-1. Orlando 7-18 (.389), Scott 2-4, Anderson 4-8, Hardaway 1-4,
Shaw 0-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Steve Javie, Joe Forte, Ron Olesiak.
A - 17,248. T - 2:12.
nba.698vpoznanovic,
ORLANDO HOPES TO RIDE MAGIC BROOM TO DETROIT
ORLANDO, Fla. -- After being swept twice in recent years, the Orlando
Magic finally gets a chance to do some sweeping.
Shaquille O'Neal scored 29 points on Sunday, including a pair of hook
shots during a decisive third-quarter run as Orlando took a 92-77
playoff victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Orlando can sweep the best-of-five series with a victory Tuesday on
the Pistons' home court.
"We're going back to their place and we don't want them to have a lot
of confidence," Orlando point guard Anfernee Hardaway said. "Nobody
wants to get swept. We know how that feels, so I'm sure they're going
to be ready to play."
Indiana swept Orlando in the first round of the 1994 playoffs, the
Magic's first-ever postseason appearance. Orlando advanced to the 1995
NBA Finals, where Houston won with a four-game sweep.
O'Neal hit 13 of 19 shots from the field on Sunday, most of them
coming on power moves inside against Detroit centers Mark West and Don
Reid. O'Neal is 7-foot-1, 300 pounds; West is 6-10 and Reid, a
rookie, stands 6-8. West and Reid each weigh 250 pounds.
O'Neal also had seven rebounds and six assists, despite having to
spend time on the bench because of foul trouble.
The Pistons held a 48-47 lead after a basket by Otis Thorpe with 7:47
left in the third quarter. But Orlando went on a 14-2 run over the
next 3:10 to open a 61-50 advantage.
O'Neal sparked the spurt with a pair of hook shots. Dennis Scott hit a
3-pointer and a jumper, Nick Anderson converted a 3-pointer and Horace
Grant scored on a dunk during the run.
The Pistons pulled within 69-61 early in the fourth quarter, but Jon
Koncak converted a three-point play to open an 11-point lead for
Orlando with 9:51 left.
After a jumper by Detroit's Allan Houston, Hardaway hit a 3-pointer
and Grant scored on a layup to increase Orlando's lead to 77-63 with
7:45 left.
"We just tried to force the tempo," Hardaway said. "It was a
low-scoring game until the fourth quarter, but we just tried to force
the tempo, play hard defense, get out and run and make them miss."
The Magic led by as many as 16 points, 88-72, after a 3-pointer by
Anderson with 1:28 remaining.
Anderson finished with 15 points, including four 3-pointers, and
Hardaway had 15 points and eight assists. Grant scored 14 points and
grabbed 10 rebounds and Scott also had 14 points for the Magic.
Houston led Detroit with 23 points. Grant Hill added 19 points and
Thorpe had 16 rebounds for the Pistons.
O'Neal scored 11 points in the first 9Ż minutes as Orlando raced to a
25-15 lead. The Pistons pulled within 41-38 at halftime. Joe Dumars
scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half for Detroit.
nba.699vpoznanovic,
Miami (75) At Chicago (106)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Thomas F 17 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 2 0
Williams F 17 0-4 0-0 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 0
Mourning C 30 3-8 8-14 1 7 8 2 4 1 7 14
Chapman G 24 5-10 0-0 0 1 1 2 4 2 0 11
Hardaway G 28 2-9 4-5 0 0 0 4 5 0 2 9
Corbin 26 1-3 3-4 1 2 3 0 2 1 1 5
Gatling 22 1-6 3-6 3 8 11 0 1 0 2 5
Smith 26 4-8 0-0 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 10
Danilovic 23 5-9 3-3 1 0 1 1 4 0 3 15
Askins 8 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0
King 12 0-3 1-2 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 1
Schayes 7 2-3 1-2 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 5
Totals 240 23-65 23-36 10 27 37 15 29 6 20 75
(.354) (.639) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 21(24 Pts)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 35 10-14 1-4 2 6 8 8 1 3 2 24
Kukoc F 37 4-12 0-0 2 5 7 4 3 0 2 8
Longley C 15 3-6 1-2 2 3 5 1 5 0 2 7
Harper G 29 3-5 0-4 3 3 6 6 3 3 2 6
Jordan G 32 9-17 9-12 0 4 4 4 0 1 0 29
Rodman 14 0-1 2-4 0 5 5 2 4 0 2 2
Wennington 8 0-0 0-0 2 1 3 1 3 1 0 0
Buechler 13 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 0 3
Kerr 22 3-7 6-6 0 2 2 4 3 0 1 13
Brown 10 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
Salley 17 1-2 1-3 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 3
Edwards 8 2-3 1-2 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 5
Totals 240 39-73 21-37 11 34 45 31 29 9 14 106
(.534) (.568) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 15(18 Pts)
Miami 19 19 19 18 - 75
Chicago 28 35 24 19 - 106
Blocked Shots: Miami - Mourning. Chicago - Pippen, Kukoc, Salley.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Miami 6-20 (.300), Williams 0-2, Chapman 1-5, Hardaway
1-4, Smith 2-4, Danilovic 2-4, Askins 0-1. Chicago 7-21 (.333), Pippen
3-6, Kukoc 0-6, Harper 0-1, Jordan 2-3, Buechler 1-1, Kerr 1-4.
Technicals: Miami - Hardaway, Chicago - Rodman 2 (Ejected).
Officials: Mike Mathis, Bill Oakes, Paul Mihalak.
A - 24,202. T - 2:33.
nba.700vpoznanovic,
BULLS DON'T GET RILED BY IRRITATING HEAT RASH
CHICAGO -- If you can't beat 'em, beat on 'em.
That has been Pat Riley's strategy when playing against the Chicago
Bulls. Once again, it didn't work.
Michael Jordan scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half when the
Chicago Bulls built a 25-point lead en route to a 106-75 rout over the
Riley-coached Miami Heat on Sunday.
Chicago can sweep the best-of-five playoff series with a victory
Wednesday at Miami.
"I think we showed that we're smarter than them," said Jordan, who
faced the same tactics when Riley coached the New York Knicks. "They
physically try to take us out of what we're trying to do. But we just
ignore that and play our game."
Riley said his team took the figurative beating.
"That was as complete and thorough a beating as one could take," Heat
coach Pat Riley said. "The Bulls came out and did everything right.
They played tough defensively and hit their shots; we were just the
opposite.
"We're not throwing in the towel. We're going to, Miami where the
people are behind us."
Jordan was injured during the game -- strangely enough on a play with
relatively little contact.
He injured his lower back while attempting a reverse layup with 2:39
left in the quarter. He was fouled on the play and converted both free
throws before leaving the game.
"I wrenched my back on that layup," Jordan said. "I had this injury
before. It's not that big of a deal."
Jordan returned at the start of the second half and played the entire
third quarter, but was on the court stretching his back in the fourth
quarter before heading into the locker room for treatment.
"Michael pulled a muscle in his lower back, but he's quite a bit
better," said Dr. John Hefferon, the Bulls' team physician. "We got
him out at the end of the third quarter so he could get treatment.
He'll be just fine by Wednesday."
Miami center Alonzo Mourning had a miserable game, finishing with 14
points and seven turnovers. His biggest accomplishment was being
involved in a play that led to the ejection of Chicago's Dennis
Rodman.
"That's a great game. He might get that $20 million he wants," quipped
Chicago's Scottie Pippen, who has traded verbal barbs with Mourning
all week, both through the media and during the games. "He's playing
with a lot of frustration right now."
Mourning seemed to be involved in most of the noteworthy
confrontations Sunday afternoon.
After Chicago's Ron Harper collided with a Miami assistant the two
exchanged words, Mourning shoved Harper in the face. Harper was
restrained by teammate Jud Buechler, and the teams went to their
respective locker rooms.
Later, Mourning tried to engage in a staredown with Luc Longley after
a foul was whistled on the Chicago center.
Then, with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Rodman was
called for a foul against Mourning. The two players exchanged words,
but only Rodman received a technical. It was his second, warranting an
automatic ejection.
As he left the court, Rodman made an obscene gesture at referee Bill
Oakes.
Jordan had 16 points in the second quarter when the Bulls outscored
the Heat 35-19.
The Bulls led by as many as 34 points in the second half. Pippen had
24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for Chicago.
"This is as good a game as we played so far. This is the type of
effort we need every night if we're going to go deep in the playoffs,"
Jordan said. "Scottie got his game going, which was a big boost for
our team."
Sasha Danilovic led Miami with 15 points in 23 minutes off the bench.
Mourning was held to four points in the first half.
"They made the plays -- we didn't," Mourning said. "We just didn't put
the ball in the basket tonight. We had way too many lapses defensively
and they took advantage of it. Give them credit. They are very good."
Jordan scored eight points as the Bulls raced to an 18-6 lead in the
first 7Ż minutes. The Heat pulled within nine, 28-19, at the end of
the quarter.
But the Bulls started the second quarter with a 13-3 run to open a
41-22 advantage. Jordan hit a 17-foot jumper, a layup and three free
throws during the spurt.
The Bulls closed the half with a 15-5 run for a 63-38 halftime bulge.
Jordan converted a 3-pointer and three free throws in the spurt.
Buechler hit a 3-pointer with four seconds left in the half.
Chicago started the third quarter with a 13-4 run to open its biggest
lead at 76-42. A layup by Longley capped the run with 8:16 left in the
quarter.
The Bulls matched their biggest lead at 93-59 after a 12-foot jumper
by Steve Kerr with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter.
"They're an aggressive team and they play very hard," said Miami point
guard Tim Hardaway, who was held to nine points after scoring 30 in
Game 1. "Everyone in this room is mad. I know we'll come out to play
our best on Wednesday. We need to play harder and more aggressive."
nba.701vpoznanovic,
Phoenix (105) At San Antonio (110)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Green F 22 3-5 1-2 2 3 5 1 3 0 1 7
Barkley F 45 12-26 6-9 8 12 20 4 3 1 2 30
Williams C 26 2-3 2-4 1 5 6 1 6 0 0 6
W Person G 47 5-13 1-1 0 4 4 1 4 1 1 14
Johnson G 48 7-17 6-8 0 7 7 16 2 0 5 21
Manning 31 6-16 4-4 3 0 3 1 4 0 3 16
Tisdale 20 5-9 1-2 0 1 1 0 5 0 1 11
Perry 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bennett Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Carr Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Finley Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Kleine Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-89 21-30 14 32 46 24 27 2 13 105
(.449) (.700) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 13(14 Pts)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 46 5-14 9-10 1 2 3 1 1 0 4 19
Smith F 15 1-4 0-0 1 3 4 1 4 1 0 2
Robinson C 42 14-25 12-16 4 17 21 1 4 2 1 40
Johnson G 47 5-12 2-4 0 5 5 15 3 3 1 12
Del Negro G 25 2-7 4-4 1 0 1 2 3 2 0 8
C Person 31 5-10 3-3 0 3 3 2 4 1 1 16
Rivers 8 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3
W Perdue 25 3-5 4-4 3 5 8 0 4 0 2 10
Herrera 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alexander Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-78 34-41 10 36 46 22 24 9 9 110
(.462) (.829) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 10(8 Pts)
Phoenix 25 34 25 21 - 105
San Antonio 23 36 26 25 - 110
Blocked Shots: Phoenix - Williams 2, Johnson 2, Barkley. San Antonio -
Robinson 3, Smith 2, Elliott, C Person.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Phoenix 4-17 (.235), Green 0-1, Barkley 0-4, W Person
3-8, Johnson 1-3, Manning 0-1. San Antonio 4-9 (.444), Elliott 0-3, C
Person 3-5, Rivers 1-1.
Technicals: Phoenix - Tisdale, Illegal Defense, San Antonio - W Perdue,
Illegal Defense, Johnson.
Officials: Don Vaden, Ed Middleton, Hue Hollins.
A - 19,507. T - 2:44.
nba.702vpoznanovic,
ROBINSON BURIES SUNS WITH SOFT 40 POINTS
SAN ANTONIO -- In the past week, the media has dredged up some old
questions: Is David Robinson too nice to win a championship? Does he
lack the toughness or nastiness he might need to take the San Antonio
Spurs to the next level?
Foolish reporters.
Robinson set career playoff-highs with 40 points and 21 rebounds
Sunday as the Spurs defeated the Phoenix Suns 110-105. San Antonio can
sweep the best-of-five Western Conference playoff series with a
victory in Phoenix on Wednesday.
"David's a great player," Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "All
that media stuff is a joke. Guys don't have to win a title to be an
all-time great. Even if he never won a title, David will make it to
the Hall of Fame."
Robinson scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, including a
tip-in, a baseline fadeaway jumper and a driving layup in the final 3
minutes, 15 seconds.
Overall, he hit 14 of 25 shots from the field and was 12 for 16 from
the foul line.
"Really soft, isn't he? It's incredible how soft he is!" Spurs coach
Bob Hill said sarcastically at the postgame news conference.
Robinson's performance indicated he indeed is tough enough, and that
nasty isn't necessary. He declined to acknowledge the issue, however.
"I'm not out to prove anything to anyone; the only thing on my mind
is winning games," he said. "I'm still growing and learning, so if
people want to criticize me, then let them."
As good as Robinson and Spurs were on Saturday, it paled by comparison
to Game 1 of the series when San Antonio shot 62 percent from the
field and won 120-98.
"I felt that I had to score more today because we didn't shoot the
ball like we shot Friday night," Robinson said.
Charles Barkley led Phoenix with 30 points and 20 rebounds. Kevin
Johnson had 21 points and 16 assists for the Suns.
"It was a very tough game to lose, but it was a great game to be a
part of," Barkley said. "We played hard and didn't get any breaks.
David played terrific -- you've got to give them credit."
"This was a tough game for us. We knew that they would come after us
today after being embarrassed Friday," San Antonio forward Chuck
Person said. "Barkley and K.J. came to play. They played hard and with
a lot of intensity."
A 3-pointer by Phoenix guard Wesley Person -- Chuck's younger brother
-- with 11:40 remaining gave the Suns a 87-85 lead. The Spurs then
went on a 12-1 run, capped by a Robinson layup with 8:39 left, to take
a 97-88 advantage.
The Suns scored the next seven points as Barkley converted a
three-point play, Johnson hit a jumper and Danny Manning added a pair
of free throws to pull the Suns within 97-95 with 6:03 left.
Robinson hit one of two free throws and Sean Elliott converted two
free throws with 4:04 remaining to increase San Antonio's advantage to
100-95. After Barkley scored on a corner jumper, Robinson tipped in a
missed shot with 3:15 left.
Barkley and John "Hot Rod" Williams hit two free throws apiece to pull
the Suns within 102-101 with 1:52 left.
Robinson then scored on a fadeway jumper from the baseline to give San
Antonio a 104-101 advantage with 1:30 remaining.
Kevin Johnson hit a foul-line jumper with 48 seconds left to pull the
Suns within one at 104-103. Robinson scored on a driving layup with 31
seconds remaining, but Johnson converted a pair of free throws with
17.3 seconds left to pull the Suns within one again at 106-105.
Elliott, who finished with 19 points, hit a pair of free throws with
12 seconds remaining to increase the lead to 108-105. Phoenix had a
chance to tie the score, but A.C. Green shot an airball on a 3-point
attempt with six seconds left and Chuck Person converted two free
throws with 4.6 seconds remaining to seal the win.
Chuck Person scored 16 points and Avery Johnson had 12 points and 15
assists for the Spurs. Manning had 16 points and Wesley Person added
14 for the Suns.
The score was tied 59-59 at halftime. Robinson had 20 points and 14
rebounds at the half.
The Suns again played without rookie swingman Michael Finley, who is
suffering from a sprained left ankle.
Spurs reserve point guard Doc Rivers left the game in the first half
with spasms in his lower back and did not return.
nba.703vpoznanovic,
Sacramento (90) At Seattle (81)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 39 4-10 1-2 2 5 7 2 3 0 2 9
Owens F 39 6-9 0-1 2 4 6 5 4 2 5 12
Polynice C 26 6-11 0-2 6 10 16 1 3 1 0 12
Edney G 20 0-7 1-2 1 0 1 2 4 3 1 1
Richmond G 48 13-22 8-9 1 3 4 4 3 2 7 37
Smith 30 2-3 1-3 3 5 8 3 5 0 1 5
Marciulionis 28 4-11 1-2 1 0 1 5 0 2 4 12
Simmons 10 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2
Causwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Gamble Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Hurley Dnp - Coach'S Decision
C Williamson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-76 12-21 17 28 45 24 24 11 21 90
(.474) (.571) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 25(21 Pts)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 38 6-13 9-11 4 4 8 1 3 0 9 21
D Schrempf F 40 3-10 4-6 0 2 2 2 4 2 5 10
Johnson C 15 0-3 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 1 2 0
Hawkins G 39 6-9 4-5 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 18
Payton G 35 4-12 1-2 1 0 1 7 5 2 2 10
Perkins 26 4-10 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 1 0 8
Mcmillan 22 1-3 0-0 1 5 6 5 2 1 2 3
Askew 17 4-5 0-1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 8
Brickowski 8 0-0 3-4 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 3
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingate Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 28-65 21-29 8 20 28 20 21 8 21 81
(.431) (.724) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 21(15 Pts)
Sacramento 22 21 22 25 - 90
Seattle 23 26 18 14 - 81
Blocked Shots: Sacramento - Grant 3. Seattle - Kemp 5, Johnson 3,
Mcmillan.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Sacramento 6-20 (.300), Owens 0-1, Edney 0-1, Richmond
3-10, Marciulionis 3-7, Simmons 0-1. Seattle 4-15 (.267), D Schrempf 0-2,
Hawkins 2-4, Payton 1-4, Perkins 0-4, Mcmillan 1-1.
Technicals: Sacramento - Illegal Defense, Seattle - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Bob Delaney, Derrick Stafford.
A - 17,072. T - 2:22.
nba.704vpoznanovic,
KINGS UPSET SNAKE-BITTEN BLOOPERSONICS
SEATTLE -- To the casual observer, it was just one loss in a
best-of-five playoff series.
To a Seattle SuperSonics fan, it was a sign of Armageddon. The end
might be near ... again.
The Sonics lost 90-81 to Sacramento on Sunday as Mitch Richmond
unloaded 37 points and the Kings evened the series at 1-1.
"It was no offense, no rebounding and a lot of turnovers that lost it
for us tonight," Sonics forward Detlef Schrempf said. "And when a guy
like Mitch Richmond starts feeling good and gets into a groove like he
did tonight, there's no telling what kind of numbers he'll put up."
This is much more than a first-round series for the Sonics. It's a
shot at redemption for a team that was the top seed in the Western
Conference in 1994, and then lost right away to eighth-seeded Denver.
Seattle followed that with a 1995 first-round loss to the Los Angeles
Lakers, again despite being the higher-seeded team.
The Sonics won 64 games this season, the 11th most in NBA history. Yet
here they are, the conference's top seed, and they're tied with the
No. 8 team.
Sonics coach George Karl, who is in the final year of his contract,
put on a brave face Sunday.
"In the second half, we were outhustled, outrebounded," Karl said. "I
don't think this is the time to get all shook up and worried about
this one game. We need to stay together as a unit and share the ball a
little better."
Richmond scored eight points in the final six minutes as the Kings
franchise took its first postseason win in 15 years. The Kings earned
their last playoff victory April 22, 1981, in the Western Conference
finals against Houston. That was five years before the franchise moved
from Kansas City to Sacramento.
Former Sonic Olden Polynice grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 12 points
in Game 2 for the Kings. Billy Owens and Sarunas Marciulionis --
another former Sonic -- had 12 points apiece for the Kings, who
snapped a string of 10 consecutive playoff losses.
"It's just terrific for our franchise and a tremendous boost for our
ball club," Kings coach Garry St. Jean said. "But I've got to tell
you, we felt good going into this game because we knew we didn't play
our best the other night."
Gary Payton scored 29 points Friday as Seattle won Game 1, 97-85.
But in Game 2, Payton went to the bench after picking up his fifth
foul with 4:37 left in the third quarter. The Sonics led 60-57 at the
time.
Payton didn't return until midway through the fourth quarter.
"Gary Payton's really the key to their team," Owens said. "Without
him, they're not nearly as aggressive."
Richmond shot 13 for 22 from the field and made eight on nine free
throws for Sacramento, which held a 45-28 rebounding edge.
"I wasn't in foul trouble and my teammates found me," Richmond said.
"I wanted to be very aggressive in the first half and try to get some
shot attempts instead of turnovers.
"I was trying to take the ball to the basket because they weren't
giving me the 3-point shot the last two games. So I wanted to be
aggressive and take the ball to the hole."
All-Star forward Shawn Kemp returned to the Seattle lineup after
serving a one-game suspension for fighting during the regular-season
finale. He had 21 points, eight rebounds and nine turnovers Sunday as
Seattle lost at home for just the fourth time this season.
Hersey Hawkins scored 18 points for Seattle, but Payton and Schrempf
were held to 10 points apiece on a combined seven-for-22 shooting. As
a team, Seattle shot 43 percent (28 for 65) from the field and
committed 21 turnovers.
After Kemp made one free throw to give the Sonics a 72-71 lead --
their last -- with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, Richmond sank a
technical free throw to ignite a game-ending 19-9 run. Michael Smith
followed with a short hook shot to give the Kings the lead for good.
Richmond made a layup, Marciulionis made a 3-pointer, Brian Grant hit
a 14-footer and Smith made one free throw to give Sacramento an 82-74
advantage with 2:27 left.
After Hawkins drilled a 3-pointer to close Seattle within 85-79 with
1:50 left, Richmond made a layup to restore the Kings' eight-point
lead.
Kemp made two free throws for Seattle to cut the deficit to 87-81 with
one minute to go, but Kings rookie Tyus Edney sank a free throw and
Richmond hit a layup to seal the game.
nba.705vpoznanovic,
NBA SLAPS RODMAN WITH $5,000 FINE FOR OBSCENE GESTURE
NEW YORK -- Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman was fined $5,000 by
the NBA on Monday for making an obscene gesture following his ejection
during Sunday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal against
the Miami Heat.
The ejection also carries an additional $1,000 fine.
Rodman was whistled for his second technical foul -- an automatic
ejection -- with 3:01 remaining in the third quarter of Chicago's
106-75 victory. As he left the court, Rodman stormed off the court,
took off his shirt to give to a fan (as is his custom) and crossed his
arms in an obscene gesture toward referee Bill Oakes.
"Dennis and I had a little talk," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said
Monday. "I'm not comfortable with Dennis' mental standpoint. He felt
like he was picked out and made an example of. It was a physical game,
but Dennis carried it too far.
"We tried to tell him that after the whistle blows, contact stops. I
think Dennis understands. How he's going to play is another
statement."
Rodman declined comment Monday. But on his television show the
previous night, the "Worm" repeated what has been his standard line of
defense all season: NBA referees are out to get him.
Playoff distractions are nothing new for Rodman. His erratic behavior,
selfishness and bickering with referees contributed to the San Antonio
Spurs' postseason failure last year.
San Antonio had the league's best record last year but lost to Houston
in the playoffs. Rodman got much of the blame, causing distractions by
missing practices, removing his shoes on the bench and refusing to
join team huddles during timeouts.
Rodman didn't get along with Spurs coach Bob Hill but has said he
respects the laid-back Jackson. Certainly, nobody has been more
supportive of Rodman than Jackson, who urged general manager Jerry
Krause to trade with San Antonio because the Bulls needed a tough
power forward.
The Bulls will try to complete a three-game sweep of their
opening-round series Wednesday at Miami.
It was just the latest in a series of incidents involving Rodman, who
tied for the NBA lead with 29 technical fouls this season and served a
six-game suspension for head-butting a referee during a March 16 game.
Rodman's book -- supposedly an outrageous, tell-all publication --
comes out this week. In addition, Rodman has started complaining that
he is underpaid.
He told ESPN on Sunday that Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf should pay him
$10 million a year. Rodman, whose salary this season is $2.5 million,
said he'd retire rather than play for "only" $4 million. The way
Rodman has acted, it's doubtful Reinsdorf would pay him even that
much.
While not condoning Rodman's behavior, Jackson agreed that Rodman gets
special attention from NBA referees.
"Basketball is a game where if you're going to isolate on one player,
you can certainly do that to anybody in the NBA," Jackson said.
"Because almost every sequence of plays ... there's something going
on. It looks like they have him in full view. But that's life. He just
has to play through it."
nba.706vpoznanovic,
BLAZERS' DUDLEY WINS NBA CITIZENSHIP AWARD
NEW YORK -- Portland Trail Blazers center Chris Dudley on Monday was
named the winner of the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for
the 1995-96 season.
The award is presented annually to the NBA player, coach or trainer in
recognition of outstanding community service and charitable work. It
was named after former NBA commissioner J. Walter Kennedy, who served
from 1963 to 1975.
Dudley, in becoming the second Portland player to win the award, was
honored for his work on behalf of children and young adults. The
6-foot-11 center donated $300,000 to the Oregon chapter of the "I Have
A Dream" Foundation to sponsor 76 fourth graders at a northeast
Portland elementary school. He also donated $100,000 for renovations
to the Gales Creek Camp in Oregon, which is one of only two summers
camps in the nation geared toward young diabetic people.
nba.707vpoznanovic,
MAGIC MOVE GABRIEL TO GM, WILLIAMS TO SENIOR EXECUTIVE VP
The Orlando Magic today announced that John Gabriel, who was
responsible for building the team's current roster, has been promoted
to general manager and Pat Williams was elevated to senior executive
vice president.
Gabriel, who recently withdrew his name from consideration for the
general manager position with the Philadelphia 76ers, will oversee all
of Orlando's basketball operations and handle all contract
negotiations, while also conducting the team's draft responsibilities.
Williams will serve in strategic planning activities relating to the
Magic's parent company, RDV Sports.
"The success of our organization is directly related to the
individuals that we have had leading this team over the past seven
years," said Magic President Bob Vander Weide. "It is important to our
continued success that both John and Pat play intergral roles in our
future growth."
Gabriel is in his 14th season in the NBA and has been with the Magic
organization since its inception. He was promoted to his current
position in January, 1994 after serving as the club's Director of
Player Personnel and Director of Scouting.
"I am extremely grateful to be afforded this opportunity to play an
intergral role in the future of our Magic family," Gabriel said. "It
is my goal to see our plan through of bringing an NBA Championship to
Orlando."
Gabriel was instrumental in the 1993 draft day deal that sent Chris
Webber to Golden State for guard Penny Hardaway and three draft
choices. He was also responsible for signing forward Horace Grant and
guard Brian Shaw the following summer.
Williams was responsible for bringing the first major professional
sports franchise to Orlando in June of 1986. He spent the previous 12
years as general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, where he built the
team that captured the NBA Championship in 1983.
"I am really pleased with this new front office alignment," Williams
said. "I'm excited about all of my new responsibilities and I am very
enthusiastic about our future."
Williams also served as general manager of the Chicago Bulls from
1969-73 and spent one season as the general manager of the Atlanta
Hawks before moving on to Philadelphia.
nba.708vpoznanovic,
Indiana (83) At Atlanta (90)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 36 6-14 1-1 2 6 8 3 5 0 2 13
D Davis F 31 6-7 0-0 3 7 10 0 4 0 1 12
Smits C 35 5-14 3-4 2 3 5 1 3 1 3 13
Pierce G 28 4-14 0-0 1 1 2 5 2 1 3 10
Jackson G 32 3-10 1-1 1 3 4 6 3 1 3 7
A Davis 25 2-3 4-6 2 4 6 0 2 1 1 8
Best 18 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 4
Ferrell 18 2-5 0-1 2 1 3 0 1 2 1 4
Workman 17 5-6 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 12
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Miller Dnp - Eye Injury
Totals 240 35-77 9-13 15 26 41 16 22 7 17 83
(.455) (.692) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 18(26 Pts)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 41 2-7 2-4 0 4 4 6 4 1 3 6
Long F 41 6-15 1-2 4 2 6 0 2 0 1 13
Laettner C 39 7-17 10-11 5 3 8 2 1 2 1 24
Smith G 43 10-15 1-2 1 3 4 1 3 1 0 26
Blaylock G 43 6-15 2-3 0 3 3 7 0 8 2 16
Ehlo 13 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 0
Henderson 7 2-4 0-0 2 0 2 1 2 0 2 4
Rooks 9 0-0 1-2 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 1
Jordan 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-76 17-24 13 19 32 18 15 13 10 90
(.434) (.708) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 11(14 Pts)
Indiana 20 20 25 18 - 83
Atlanta 21 19 29 21 - 90
Blocked Shots: Indiana - A Davis 3, D Davis. Atlanta - Smith 2,
Henderson 2, Blaylock, Laettner, Rooks, Jordan.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Indiana 4-10 (.400), Pierce 2-5, Jackson 0-2, Best 0-1,
Workman 2-2. Atlanta 7-18 (.389), Long 0-2, Smith 5-8, Blaylock 2-7, Ehlo
0-1.
Technicals: Atlanta - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Jack Nies, Hugh Evans, Jim Clark.
A - 11,290. T - 2:17.
nba.709vpoznanovic,
CHRISTIAN COALITION TAKES OVER IN ATLANTA
ATLANTA -- Christian Laettner, embarrassed by his performance against
Pacers center Rik Smits, went back to school.
Laettner, playing with the emotion he showed during his college career
at Duke, dominated the taller, stronger Smits on Monday to lead the
Atlanta Hawks to a 90-83 victory and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five
playoff series.
Laettner, a natural power forward forced to play center for the Hawks,
made 10-of-11 free throws, outscoring Smits 24-13 and even
outrebounding him 8-5.
"Christian had an outstanding game," Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens said.
"He was very aggressive getting after loose balls. We wanted to
involve him more. When I talk about Christian, I'm talking about both
ends of the court. He beat Rik to spots several times."
Laettner ended nearly a four-minute drought and gave Atlanta the lead
for good at 81-80 with a 7-foot jumper with 3:05 to play. Steve Smith,
who led Atlanta with 26 points, added a 3-pointer as the shot clock
expired with 91 seconds left as the Hawks held Indiana to one basket
over the final 5:13.
"Time was running out, Christian drew a double-team, he got it out to
me and the only thing I had left to do was really push it," Smith
said. "I had a good chance to shoot it, and lucky for us it went in."
Lucky for the Hawks they have Mookie Blaylock, who tied a playoff
record with eight steals, including two in the closing seconds.
"Mookie Blaylock is one of the most underrated point guards in the
league," Indiana coach Larry Brown said. "Laettner was great. He
fought Rik in the post. He made pressure plays. And he kept rebounds
alive."
Derrick McKey and Smits scored 13 points apiece for Indiana, which has
advanced to the Eastern Conference finals the past two seasons but is
playing without All-Star guard Reggie Miller, out with a fractured eye
socket.
Game 4 is Thursday at Atlanta. The Hawks have been eliminated by the
Pacers in each of the last two seasons. Atlanta has not led a series
2-1 since 1987-88, when the Hawks eventually defeated Milwaukee in
five games.
Antonio Davis capped a 7-0 run with a free throw at the 3:58 mark,
giving the Pacers an 80-79 lead. Haywoode Workman closed Indiana
within 84-83 on a 3-pointer with 57 seconds to play.
After a turnover by Atlanta, the Pacers had a chance to take the lead
but Mark Jackson missed a 12-footer from the right wing. Smith was
fouled during a scramble for a loose ball and made the second of two
foul shots with 11 seconds remaining to give Atlanta a two-point lead.
"It's a shame that a referee has to call a loose-ball foul with seven
seconds to go after there was a tackle play in Indiana at the end of
the game and they don't blow the whistle," Brown said.
"I don't worry about pressure and who's it on. The responsibility of
all of us is to be ready every single night. These guys grow up
wanting to be in big games and now they have their chance."
Indiana got the ball back, but Ricky Pierce's pass intended for
Jackson was stolen by Blaylock, who hit two free throws with 3.4
seconds left to seal the victory. Blaylock then stole the inbounds
pass and buried a 3-pointer as time expired.
"I was going to take it one-on-one to the middle for a shot when I
drove with the ball," Pierce said. "I saw another guy coming at me and
I tried to pass it off. And Mookie was in between Mark and Travis
(Best) and I was undecided about who to pass to. I wanted to hit
Travis because Mookie was leaning towards him, so I threw it over to
Mark and he stole the ball."
Blaylock had 16 points, eight steals and seven assists. The steals
tied an NBA record last set by Tim Hardaway with the Golden State
Warriors against Seattle on April 30, 1992.
"You have to give a lot of credit to Mookie Blaylock," Smith said. "He
had a lot of steals; he's a thief. It was a storybook for him."
Atlanta had taken a 68-55 lead with 3:27 to play in the third quarter
after a pair of free throws by Laettner ended an 18-6 burst. Smith and
Laettner combined for 12 points in the run.
"I felt like I had a bad first half and wanted to come out more
aggressive in the second," said Laettner, who made 10-of-11 from the
line. "My teammates were making great passes and I was hitting my free
throws."
The Pacers then retaliated with a 14-1 spurt, tying the game at 69-69
early in the fourth quarter on a turnaround by Dale Davis. Duane
Ferrell scored five points in the run.
Grant Long added 13 points for Atlanta, which shot 43 percent
(33-of-76) from the field and was outrebounded 41-32. The Hawks scored
26 points off 18 Indiana turnovers.
Indiana shot 46 percent (35-of-77) from the floor. Dale Davis had 12
points and 10 rebounds, and Workman finished with 12 points off the
bench after scoring just two points in the first two games combined.
nba.710vpoznanovic,
Utah (91) At Portland (94) - Final In Ot
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 48 4-16 0-0 3 8 11 1 3 0 1 8
Malone F 47 13-30 9-12 1 9 10 4 5 1 4 35
Spencer C 14 3-5 0-0 3 2 5 0 4 0 1 6
Hornacek G 40 4-13 1-1 1 4 5 2 6 0 0 9
Stockton G 46 2-6 8-8 1 2 3 11 5 2 5 13
Eisley 7 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 0
Russell 12 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 3
Ostertag 21 3-6 1-1 7 1 8 0 4 0 0 7
Carr 23 4-8 2-2 2 5 7 0 4 0 1 10
Morris 4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
Keefe 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 34-90 21-24 19 35 54 19 35 3 14 91
(.378) (.875) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 14(15 Pts)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C Robinson F 44 3-12 5-7 1 3 4 1 2 2 3 11
Grant F 35 3-10 0-0 2 4 6 1 3 0 0 6
Sabonis C 38 10-22 5-11 3 9 12 2 4 2 1 27
Mckie G 40 4-10 7-9 3 7 10 1 4 0 1 16
Strickland G 45 6-19 7-11 3 5 8 8 2 0 2 19
Dudley 15 0-1 1-2 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 1
Williams 32 2-8 1-2 6 4 10 1 3 1 0 5
R Robinson 8 1-3 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3
Wingfield 8 2-5 0-2 2 0 2 1 3 0 1 6
J Robinson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Trent Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 31-90 27-46 21 34 55 16 25 7 10 94
(.344) (.587) Team Rebs: 19 Total To: 10(12 Pts)
Utah 17 14 28 24 8 - 91
Portland 11 26 26 20 11 - 94
Blocked Shots: Utah - Ostertag 4, Benoit 2, Carr. Portland - C Robinson
3, Sabonis.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 2-10 (.200), Benoit 0-4, Hornacek 0-3, Stockton
1-1, Russell 1-1, Morris 0-1. Portland 5-16 (.313), C Robinson 0-3,
Sabonis 2-5, Mckie 1-3, Strickland 0-2, Wingfield 2-3.
Technicals: Portland - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Derrick Stafford, Bob Delaney.
A - 21,401. T - 2:49.
nba.711vpoznanovic,
BRICK CITY: SABONIS PAVES WAY TO PORTLAND WIN
PORTLAND, Ore. -- In case you missed the Portland-Utah matchup Monday
night, don't feel bad. You weren't the only one that missed.
Both teams were missing. Just about every shot they took.
One-hundred-and-thirty-seven bricks, to be exact. The Blazers and Jazz
turned the Rose Garden into a masons convention.
But with so many misses, perhaps it was only fitting that the overtime
struggle be settled on a rebound.
Buck Williams' putback with 14 seconds to play in overtime snapped a
tie as the Portland Trail Blazers staved off elimination with a 94-91
victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night in Game 3 of their Western
Conference quarterfinal series.
"We put ourselves in a situation that we shouldn't have been in," said
Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo, who watched helplessly as his team blew
a 13-point second-half lead. "But we responded on the defensive end."
Williams got inside of Karl Malone, giving the Utah star a nudge in
the process, then grabbed a rebound of Arvydas Sabonis' missed hook
shot and put back a layup to give the Trail Blazers a 93-91 lead. It
was only Williams' second field goal of the game.
"This was one of the more physical games I've played in," Williams
said. "The referees let us play tonight. They didn't call a lot of
ticky-tack fouls. ... We have a defensive team. We play very
aggressively."
Following a Utah timeout, John Stockton missed a running 16-footer
from the right side that would have tied the game. Portland rebounded
and called timeout with 3.5 seconds to play, and Rod Strickland was
fouled less than a second later downcourt. Strickland, who scored 16
of his 19 points after halftime, made the second of two free throws to
make it 94-91.
"We played hard, but we certainly didn't play well," Strickland said.
"But we gutted it out and we got the victory. All that (stuff) about
us not being able to play in the fourth quarter didn't mean much
tonight.
"The homecourt means a lot. They did what they had to do at home, and
we did what we had to do at home tonight."
Utah had one last chance to tie but with sharpshooter Jeff Hornacek on
the bench after fouling out, the Jazz got the ball to Chris Morris,
whose 3-pointer from three feet beyond the top of the key was off the
mark at the buzzer.
Sabonis had a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds, but missed two
crucial free throws late in regulation.
Malone scored 35 points and Stockton added 13 for Utah, which still
holds a two games to one lead in the best-of-five series. Game 4 is
Wednesday in Portland.
Portland led 91-87 with 1:26 to go following a driving, spinning
5-foot jumper by Clifford Robinson, but Malone hit two free throws to
cut the deficit in half. On the ensuing possession, Aaron McKie missed
a 3-pointer but Benoit, who had grabbed the rebound, stumbled to the
floor and was tied up by Strickland.
On the resulting jump ball, Utah won control but Jeff Hornacek and
Harvey Grant were called for a double foul, and Hornacek fouled out.
Utah won the jump ball, ultimately leading to Benoit's jumper.
"We feel pretty good about our situation," Hornacek said. "We feel
like we can win one of the next two games, but you have to give
Portland credit. They came out fighting hard tonight, and it's not
going to be easy trying to put this team away."
The Jazz feel pretty good because they know the Blazers have
free-throw phobia. The Blazers, the worst free-throw shooting team in
the NBA, shot only 59 percent from the line and missed four of six in
the final minute of regulation Monday. It almost was enough to cause
them to blow a fourth-quarter lead for the third game in a row.
But even Dream Teamer Malone wasn't immune to the shooting flu. He hit
just 13-of-30 shots Monday. His 15-footer with 21 seconds left in the
fourth quarter tied the game at 83 and forced the overtime. But he
also missed two free throws with 1:02 left in the fourth period and
the game tied 81-81.
"I missed two big ones at the end," Malone said, "but I'm not going to
look back and worry about it. This game's behind us."
The Blazers used a 7-2 run over the first 4:22 of the fourth quarter
to open up a 70-63 lead on a 3-pointer by rookie Dontonio Wingfield.
Utah countered with a 14-5 tear to take a 77-75 lead with 2:51 to play
after Hornacek corralled a deflected pass and knocked down an open
jumper from the left wing.
Portland missed four-of-six free throws, three by Sabonis, in the
final minute that gave the Jazz a chance to tie.
"It was do-or-die tonight," said McKie, who went scoreless in the
first two games but had 16 points and 10 rebounds Monday. "We knew
that if we lose, it's vacation. But with this win, the goal now is to
get back to Utah. ... I got a lot more physical on defense and in
turn, it gave me extra confidence on offense."
Clifford Robinson awoke from his four-year playoff nightmare to score
five of his 11 points in the overtime for Portland. He was just
2-for-11 from the field in regulation, including an ill-advised,
errant 3-pointer with five seconds to go and the game tied at 83.
"It just feel good to get the win," Robinson said. "If we hadn't
gotten the win what was going to be said: 'Cliff took the shot at the
end and he messed up the game. Why did he take that shot?' "
Portland led 37-31 at halftime. The 68 points tied the all-time NBA
playoff low for the first two quarters.
The first quarter was especially ugly.
The Blazers, who had scored a record-low 12 points in the fourth
quarter of Saturday night's loss at Utah, were even worse in the first
quarter of Game 3 with only 11 points on four-for-21 shooting.
Utah wasn't much better with 17 points. In the second quarter,
Portland warmed up a little behind the play of Sabonis, using a 15-3
run to take a 32-25 lead on Robinson's bank shot, his only field goal
of the half, with 2:56 to play.
nba.712vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
First round (best-of-five; all times Eastern)
*if necessary
Eastern Conference
Chicago leads Miami 2-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 Chicago 106, Miami 75
May 1 at Miami 8 p.m. TNT
May 3 *at Miami 8 p.m. TNT
May 5 *at Chicago TBA NBC
Orlando leads Detroit 2-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 Orlando 92, Detroit 77
April 30 at Detroit 8 p.m. TNT
May 2 *at Detroit TBA
May 5 *at Orlando TBA
Atlanta leads Indiana 2-1
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 Atlanta 90, Indiana 83
May 2 at Atlanta TBA
May 5 *at Indiana TBA
New York leads Cleveland 2-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 at New York 7 p.m. TBS
May 3 *at New York TBA
May 5 *at Cleveland TBA
Western Conference
Seattle, Sacramento tied 1-1
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 Sacramento 90, Seattle 81
April 30 at Sacramento 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 2 at Sacramento TBA
May 4 *at Seattle TBA
San Antonio leads Phoenix 2-0
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 San Antonio 110, Phoenix 105
May 1 at Phoenix 10:30 p.m. TNT
May 3 *at Phoenix TBA
May 5 *at San Antonio TBA
Utah leads Portland 2-1
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 Portland 94, Utah 91 (OT)
May 1 *at Portland 9:30 p.m. TBS
May 5 *at Utah TBA
Houston, L.A. Lakers tied 1-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 at Houston 9 p.m. TBS
May 2 at Houston TBA
May 4 *at L.A Lakers TBA
nba.713koky,
> Phoenix (105) At San Antonio (110)
Na STB-u i BK su rekli da su Barkley i Robinson imali po 12 skokova.
Odakle im ta informacija, ako se ovde pojavljuju druge brojke ?
Barkley 20
Robinson 21
nba.714vpoznanovic,
Uh, ljudi, ovako vam to izgleda kad vam postanu dostupne i komercijalne
vijesti Associated Pressa (prepoznaćete ih po malim slovima u naslovu). :)
Uobičajeni pregledi i statistike sinoćnjih utakmica su na kraju.
Jordan expected to be fine for next game
DEERFIELD, Ill. (Apr 29, 1996 - 17:41 EST) -- In agony with back
spasms about 15 hours earlier, Michael Jordan walked into Chicago
Bulls headquarters Monday with a bounce in his step -- and with
confidence that he'll be ready for the next game.
"I was surprised at how well he was doing. He was quite a bit looser
than yesterday," Bulls trainer Chip Schaefer said. "Now I'd be
surprised if he's not close to normal by tomorrow."
Jordan suffered the spasms late in the second quarter of Sunday's
playoff victory over the Miami Heat, bringing the sellout crowd to an
uncomfortable silence.
Though the NBA's all-time scoring average leader returned for the
third quarter -- to relieved applause from the fans who consider him
the greatest player ever -- he was noticeably stiff. And Jordan left
the court for the trainer's room well before the Bulls wrapped up the
106-75 victory that gave them a 2-0 series lead.
Jordan received treatment Monday but didn't practice, and he left
without talking to the media.
"Michael feels quite comfortable that he'll be ready Wednesday" for
Game 3 at Miami, coach Phil Jackson said. "Michael has the ability,
like a lot of great athletes, to recover quickly."
Said Scottie Pippen, Jordan's only remaining teammate from the 1991,
1992 and 1993 championship years: "I've seen him take quite a few
falls. He's always been able to bounce back."
Some of those falls came against the "Bad Boy" Detroit Pistons, who
had a big rivalry with Chicago in the late 1980s and early '90s. Three
former Bad Boys are now with the Bulls: Dennis Rodman, John Salley and
James Edwards.
"I played against this guy and I put him on his back a couple of
times," Salley said. "One time, Dennis and I hit him, and his feet
went out from under him. He fell on his tailbone and I knew he was in
pain. He got up limping. They called a timeout and when he came out of
the timeout, it was like he had gone out and gotten a new tailbone.
"He just keeps going. He's a competitor."
Jordan, who scored 26 of his 29 points Sunday before leaving with the
injury, got twisted around when Chris Gatling fouled him and
immediately grimaced in pain. The foul wasn't a particularly hard one
-- not nearly as vicious as the one Keith Askins committed on Jordan
in the third quarter.
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a target the next game," Jordan said
after Sunday's win. "I'll be ready. We'd like to finish off the Heat
as soon as possible."
Jackson would like to think that Miami coach Pat Riley and his players
will be too professional to try to hurt Jordan.
"You can't be worried about those things," Jackson said. "You have to
understand that the Heat plays very physically when it comes to going
to the basket. We'll just have to be able to take our blows and make
our foul shots."
Salley, who played three seasons for Miami, said Askins isn't in awe
of Jordan and might take another shot at the Bulls' star.
"Keith is not a Michael Jordan fan at all," Salley said. "He thinks
Michael puts his shoes on one at a time, like the rest of us. He
doesn't realize that Michael's shoes just go on his feet all by
themselves."
nba.715vpoznanovic,
Kidd to talk to group interested in buying Mavericks
DALLAS (Apr 29, 1996 - 16:53 EST) -- The Ross Perot Jr. group wants to
get Jason Kidd's advice before making any personnel decisions once
they officially purchase the Dallas Mavericks.
The All-Star guard was in town Monday to talk to the Perot Jr. group,
a sign the sale of the Mavericks could be announced later this week.
Kidd wants the new owners of the NBA franchise to keep Dick Motta as
coach. Current owner Donald Carter said Kidd's "input is very
important" to the sale of the club.
"I think we need coach Motta," Kidd said after the Mavericks completed
their regular season. "I hope he's the coach next year."
Carter said he is hopeful the sale can be finalized this week.
Completion of the $125 million sale has been considered a formality
since April 15, when the Perot group reached an agreement in principle
to purchase the team.
"I wore a suit to work Friday and I told my employees that Friday
couldn't be a casual clothes day because I thought that they were
close," said Carter. "I ain't putting on a suit until I hear something
for certain."
A Maverick's spokesman said Carter may not have to wear a suit until
at least Tuesday.
Despite paperwork delays, Carter was enthusiastic about the sale and
potential impact on the franchise.
"I feel excited about the future of the team, about the new arena,
everything," Carter said.
He said the sale would be good for the city and would help the effort
to build a new sports arena.
Carter, who paid $12 million for the team in 1980, said he would keep
between 21 and 30 percent of the franchise.
Joining Perot, the son of Dallas billionaire Ross Perot, in the
purchase of the team are auto dealer David McDavid and Frank
Zaccanelli.
Carter said he expects the new ownership group to interview Motta,
team president Norm Sonju and director of player personnel Keith
Grant.
nba.716vpoznanovic,
Johnson seeks that old Lakers magic
HOUSTON (Apr 29, 1996 - 20:47 EST) -- The Los Angeles Lakers may be
doing what the Houston Rockets did a year ago -- getting better during
the playoffs.
And one big reason is Magic Johnson, who is blending with his new
teammates as the Lakers await Game 3 Tuesday night in their
first-round series with the defending champions.
Johnson, who won five titles in the 1980s with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is
trying to get this team in a championship frame of mind.
"We feared no one and we knew what we could do," Johnson said of the
Lakers' glory days. "We came in and said, 'We're taking over.' These
guys don't know me and I don't know them."
But Johnson is getting closer after leading the Lakers to a 104-94
victory Saturday that evened the series at a game apiece.
"They haven't seen me say 'get out of the way, I'm going to take it
over,"' Johnson said. "I've got to know when to take over a game. I
had a feeling before when Byron (Scott) would be off. I'd say, 'Uh oh,
I've got to take over."'
He's still having a hard time getting to that point with his current
teammates.
"Now, I'm hesitating and that's not me," Johnson said.
Game 4 is at The Summit on Thursday and Game 5, if necessary, is in
Los Angeles on Saturday.
The Rockets fought through injuries last season, just as they have
this year, and blossomed in the playoffs en route to their second
straight NBA crown.
The Lakers are hoping that as Johnson, who came out of retirement to
play 32 regular-season games, will help them get stronger in the
playoffs.
Johnson says he and Nick Van Exel are starting to mix well.
"When I first came back, he wasn't sure where he fit," Johnson said.
"He didn't know if I would take his minutes. He stood and watched and
then he said, 'I think I can play with this old man.' He saw that he
could get some easy shots."
Johnson felt he wasn't involved enough in the loss in Game 1. He got
the ball in Game 2 and the Lakers won.
"Maybe I didn't handle it too well, but I know what I have to do,"
Johnson said. "If I'm not effective, I don't think we'll win. Every
player wants the ball. I want it and Hakeem (Olajuwon) wants it. You
don't want to sit, you want to show what you can do."
Keeping Olajuwon in the game will be the key for the Rockets in Game
3. The center fouled out Saturday with 10 minutes to play and Los
Angeles pulled away.
"That's why you're going to see him on fire," teammate Mario Elie
said. "When you have a star like Hakeem sitting down half the game,
he's going to come back with a huge game."
Olajuwon groused after fouling out, but now says he's put that behind
him.
No unfinished business?
"That's why it's a best-of-5 game series," Olajuwon said. "If this
were college, we'd be finished now. The unfinished business now is the
ball is in our court. We came back home 1-1. It could have been
worse."
The Rockets have been missing their 3-point touch in the playoffs,
hitting just 6 of 31 shots. That's got to change, too.
"I'm not a psychic or anything, but I hope we can get it going outside
because that takes the pressure off Hakeem inside," Sam Cassell said.
"We've got good ball movement so we've just got to take the shot. We
passed up too many open shots on Saturday."
nba.717vpoznanovic,
Heat burn to beat smirking Bulls
MIAMI (Apr 29, 1996 - 19:53 EST) -- The Miami Heat still believe they
can beat the Chicago Bulls, and that's no joke.
"I hate them smiling at us, laughing at us, talking stuff and making
fun of us," Heat guard Tim Hardaway said Monday. "We have to go out
and try to do something about it."
Winning and grinning, the Bulls sent the Heat into full retreat with a
pair of lopsided victories at the United Center. Chicago will go for a
sweep in the best-of-five first-round playoff series Wednesday at
Miami Arena.
Heat coach Pat Riley is unaccustomed to playoff failure on this scale.
In New York and Los Angeles, each of his 13 teams advanced to the
second round.
But Riley said all is not lost -- only the first two games.
"We need to get a win," he said. "There have been a lot of teams that
lost the first two games on the road, and you go home and get your win
and you build from there."
For Miami, the defeats carried an extra sting because the series has
been filled with ill will between the teams.
Center Alonzo Mourning -- full of bravado earlier -- and forward Walt
Williams declined to talk to reporters Monday, meaning the Bulls
apparently have already won the war of words.
"They're the best right now," Miami forward Chris Gatling said. "We're
trying to learn."
Against perhaps the best team ever, few gave the Heat much of a
chance. But they have yet to give the Bulls even a good game, losing
by 17 points Friday and 31 Sunday.
"If you take a look at teams in the past that have become good teams,
they've all gone through some adverse times," Riley said. "Even the
Bulls last year went through it. If we're facing some right now, then
I hope it will advance us and prepare us and equip us for the next
game or the next series or the next year."
Despite the challenge of containing Michael Jordan, the Heat's biggest
problems have been at the offensive end. They averaged 80 points and
23.5 turnovers in the two losses while shooting just 42 percent.
The biggest culprit has been Mourning with 13 turnovers and just 24
points, barely half his average.
"It's not just Zo; everybody has to get going." Hardaway said.
"Everybody played terrible Sunday."
He's right -- starting forwards Williams and Kurt Thomas were shut
out.
Don't expect Riley to single out anyone for blame.
"This team won a lot of big games down the stretch with a lot of
contributions from everybody," he said. "That's who we are. Then we go
on the road to Chicago in the playoffs and don't play well.
"Don't start pointing fingers at individual players. It's not fair to
them. Our team has gotten beaten by a very good team, and I'm not
going to point at anybody."
nba.718vpoznanovic,
NBA early draft entries through April 29
College and high school players who have announced they will enter the
1996 NBA draft early:
Ray Allen, g, junior, Connecticut
Kobe Bryant, f, Lower Merion HS, Ardmore, Pa.
Marcus Camby, c, junior, Massachusetts
Ronnie Henderson, g, junior, LSU
Dontae' Jones, f, junior, Mississippi State
Stephon Marbury, g, freshman, Georgia Tech
Darnell Robinson, c, junior, Arkansas
Samaki Walker, c, sophomore, Louisville
Lorenzen Wright, c, sophomore, Memphis
nba.719vpoznanovic,
Van Gundy nixes credit for New York's lead
PURCHASE, N.Y. (Apr 29, 1996 - 20:00 EST) -- Jeff Van Gundy doesn't
want any credit for the New York Knicks' success, even though his job
is riding on it.
Van Gundy, who took over when Don Nelson was fired March 8, has a
non-guaranteed, $1 million contract for next season.
If New York keeps winning, it will be hard for management to justify
another change. But if the Knicks suddenly collapse against Cleveland
or get swept by in the second round, Van Gundy's seven-year
association with the team likely will end.
New York leads Cleveland 2-0, with Game 3 in the best-of-five series
Wednesday night. Game 4, if necessary, is Friday night.
Ernie Grunfeld, the president and general manager Knicks, reiterated
Monday that Van Gundy's status will be evaluated after the season.
"This is a time to be concentrating on the playoffs," Grunfeld said.
"He's had the team playing very hard and very well, and from that
standpoint we're very happy with the job he's doing."
Van Gundy, a 34-year-old former Knicks assistant under Nelson, Pat
Riley, John MacLeod and Stu Jackson, was his usual self-deprecating
self Monday after practice.
"I come to work every day, and I think I know what my contribution
should be," he said. "To try to have a working environment that's the
best it can be for the players, to plan and prepare and get them ready
for the next game and to fight anything that gets in the way of
winning.
"I know that NBA basketball is about 2 percent coaching and 98 percent
playing. And that's probably the biggest thing I've done well. After
I've done those three things, I've tried to stay out of the way."
Still, Van Gundy is operating under the same lame-duck status as
several of his veteran players.
Derek Harper will be a free agent this summer, as will J.R. Reid,
Willie Anderson, Gary Grant and Herb Williams. Patrick Ewing has only
one season left on his contract.
New York will have about $10 million of salary cap room to play with
in the free agent market, and the direction they move in -- including
who will be the coach -- will be determined largely by how well they
do in the playoffs.
"I think this team gets too much of a knock in the regular season,"
Van Gundy said. "This team had 47 wins and I don't know where that
ranks in the whole scheme of things, but in one city it's cause for
celebration and in another city it's a reason to back up the truck."
The Knicks have been unusually sharp in the first two games against
the Cavs.
"I didn't get them refocused or ready," Van Gundy said. "I tried to
plan and prepare. If you're going to give credit for being ready to
play, it's the team's."
New York hasn't lost in the first round of the playoffs since 1991,
Van Gundy's second season as an assistant, but they haven't swept a
first-round series since 1989 against Philadelphia.
Van Gundy said the Knicks will change little in Game 3, and he expects
few adjustments by Cavs coach Mike Fratello.
"I think Jeff is holding his own against Fratello," said John Starks,
who averaged 18.5 points in the first two games while shooting 60
percent from 3-point range. "He's not panicking, he's calling the
right plays, taking timeouts at the right time. I can't say he's been
outcoached."
Backup Hubert Davis is 7-for-8 from 3-point range, Patrick Ewing is
averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds and Anthony Mason is averaging
16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.
The Knicks haven't really shown a weak spot, while the Cavs have
received sub-par performances from Danny Ferry, Bobby Phills and Chris
Mills.
"I can't tell coming out of a locker room if we're going to play well
or not play well," Van Gundy said. "That's impossible to tell.
Sometimes it changes between the locker room and the layup line,
something can happen that you have no control over.
"If you can tell whether a team was ready or not, you should be a
coach making a million dollars."
nba.720vpoznanovic,
Magic have overmatched Pistons on brink of elimination
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Apr 29, 1996 - 13:29 EST) -- How sl-o-o-ow can
you go?
The upstart Detroit Pistons figured their best chance of bushwhacking
the powerful Orlando Magic was to turn down the tempo. It was a nice
try, but it didn't work.
Orlando won Game 1 by 20 points, Game 2 by 15 points, and can sweep
the best-of-5 first-round series with a victory Tuesday night at The
Palace.
"We've got to grind it out," Pistons coach Doug Collins said. "We
don't have the firepower they do. I'm not crying. That's just the
difference between the two teams."
When the Magic has its regular starting lineup on the floor --
Shaquille O'Neal, Dennis Scott, Horace Grant, Anfernee Hardaway and
Nick Anderson -- they are formidable, to say the least. The defending
Eastern Conference champions won 60 games this season. They were 29-5
when those five were healthy enough to play together.
"I think with the five guys we have starting, we're hard to beat,"
Grant said. "I mean, five guys have to step up to beat us, not just
two or three."
At the moment, the Pistons don't have that many horses.
Still, the Pistons were able to win one of four from the Magic during
the regular season. Their strategy was to go with a slow, deliberate
offense. The idea is to milk every second from every possession in
hopes of keeping the game within reach.
Sometimes it works. In the first two playoff games, the Pistons were
tied and within three at halftime. Each time, the Magic put the game
away with a surge in the third quarter. Orlando has outscored Detroit
by a combined 57-36 in the third quarter.
"It's very hard to force tempo on them because they don't want to
run," Hardaway said. "Everything they get they're going to slow down
and set up a half-court game unless the numbers are perfect for them,
like a 3-on-1."
It comes with a price, however. Because they work the ball up the
court so deliberately, the Pistons frequently find themselves with 10
seconds or less to get into an offense and put up a shot before the
24-second clock expires.
"It's a difficult way to live," Pistons captain Joe Dumars said. "And
when you play the way we play, you have to have a high rate of
success, because you're only going to get so many shots."
The strategy worked well enough to limit Orlando to 73 shots in Game
2. The problem, from a Detroit standpoint, was that the Magic made 38
of those shots. The Pistons, however, made only 29 of 69 shots.
"We understand what we're up against," said Dumars, the lone holdover
from the Detroit team that won successive NBA titles in 1989 and 1990.
"And that's why we have to keep the tempo to our liking. Because once
they start blocking shots and getting steals, they get out in the open
court and run. And we can't keep up with them."
The Pistons might be more competitive if their bench were just a
little deeper. Detroit got only two points from the bench in Game 2.
Orlando's bench only scored five points, but that's plenty when all
five starters are scoring at least 14.
"I'd love to make this a chess match," Collins said. "But they've got
all the kings and I've got a couple of rooks right now."
nba.721vpoznanovic,
Suns try to avoid first playoff sweep since 1989
PHOENIX (Apr 29, 1996 - 20:29 EST) -- The Phoenix Suns, who haven't
been blanked in a playoff series in seven years, are on the bubble
after losing two straight in San Antonio.
Of course, the Suns were worse off in 1993, when they started 0-2 at
home before running the table on the Los Angeles Lakers. Energized by
former coach Paul Westphal's guarantee his team would come back,
Phoenix rebounded from the early scare and reached the finals.
But only Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson are holdovers from three
years ago, and they weren't enough Sunday, when David Robinson led the
Spurs to a 110-105 victory despite what may have been the Suns'
emotional high-water mark.
Phoenix coach Cotton Fitzsimmons emphasized he's an optimist.
"See this cup I'm holding; this cup is more than half-full," he said
Monday.
But Fitzsimmons shied away from predicting the Suns could beat the
Spurs three straight, starting Wednesday night.
"You'll have to talk to somebody else about that. That happened to be
a very good prophecy by Paul," Fitzsimmons said.
This time, the Suns' opponent is a division champion, and the Suns are
the seventh seed. Also, San Antonio's stars -- Robinson and Sean
Elliott -- are at the top of their game compared with Phoenix's team
leaders.
In the late stages of Game 2, Barkley missed a shot and Johnson
committed the last of his five turnovers when he got hemmed in
underneath the basket.
Plus, the Suns, an old team, may have to finish the series without
their freshest set of legs. Fitzsimmons said rookie starter Michael
Finley's ankle injury will keep him out of at least the next two
games.
Meanwhile, the Spurs keep getting the necessary boost from different
players.
In a 22-point rout of the Suns on Friday, Will Perdue and Vinny Del
Negro did the damage. Two days later, Robinson scored 40 points and
had 21 rebounds -- just enough to blunt a spirited game by the Suns --
and Avery Johnson had 12 points, 15 assists and just three turnovers.
All that didn't keep Kevin Johnson from predicting Phoenix would
advance to the next round. He said the Suns may have found themselves
in Game 2.
"I've been saying all year that you need a point in time where your
team has a defining moment, and it's not always when you're
victorious," Johnson said. "Just a certain point where everybody gets
on the same page."
San Antonio's Chuck Person said the first-game blowout made the Suns
dangerous for the rest of the series.
"Barkley and KJ came to play," Person said. "They played hard and with
a lot of intensity. They were phenomenal."
"They're not done yet. There's still some basketball left to be
played," said Robinson, who was injured in 1992, when the Suns beat
the Spurs 3-0 in the first round. It was the last time the Spurs, who
reached the Western Conference finals last year, have been swept.
"Our standard for this season is last year's playoff run," Avery
Johnson said. "We want to do better than that, so we are really
focusing on winning this series."
nba.722vpoznanovic,
Kings come home after stunning Sonics in Game 2
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Apr 29, 1996 - 20:29 EST) -- Kings fans were
celebrating their first playoff spot in a decade when Olden Polynice
grabbed the microphone and warned: "It's not good to just get into the
playoffs. We have to make some noise."
By evening their first-round series against Seattle with a 90-81 win
Sunday night, Sacramento let out a primal scream and forced the
SuperSonics into another episode of reliving collapses of playoffs
past.
It was the Kings' first playoff game win since 1981. As they prepared
for Game 3 of the best-of-5 series on Tuesday, the Kings tried to
dampen their excitement and act like savvy playoff veterans.
"I think we opened a few eyes with one victory, but the only way we're
really going to make any noise is by taking the series," said forward
Brian Grant. "The momentum is in our favor now, but it doesn't mean
anything unless we build on it."
The Kings, in the playoffs for the first time in a decade, are the
only team with a losing regular-season record in the playoffs. They
are trying to become only the second No. 8 seed to win a playoff
series since the NBA went to a 16-team playoff format in 1984.
The only successful No. 8 seed was Denver, which stunned the Sonics
two seasons ago. Seattle also lost in the first round last year, and
Sunday's defeat immediately revived questions about their postseason
blahs.
"We put enough pressure on ourselves without hearing it from you every
day," Sonics forward Detlef Schrempf complained Monday to reporters at
the team's practice in Seattle. "We know we'll continue to hear it
until we do better."
A big reason for Sacramento's win in Game 2 was a 45-28 rebounding
advantage, despite the return of Shawn Kemp to the Seattle lineup
after a one-game suspension.
But Polynice, who has led the Kings in rebounds in each of the first
two games, was limping badly Monday because of a bruised right thigh.
He watched film with his teammates for an hour and a half, but headed
for the training room when the Kings took the floor for a short
practice.
"Trying to put pressure on the leg hurts," said Polynice, injured
Sunday when he collided with Seattle's Nate McMillan while jostling
for a rebound. "It's just real sore and real stiff right now."
Polynice, who had several hours of electric stimulation on the thigh
Monday, vowed to play Tuesday. He has not missed a game due to injury
since joining the Kings in February 1994.
The Sonics, winners 97-85 in Game 1 on Friday, swept their four-game
season series against Sacramento and have not lost consecutive games
since November.
"No one's panicking," said Seattle guard Hersey Hawkins. "It's a long
time since we've lost two games in a row. Now is not the time to do it
again. They were tougher than us in Game 2, but we know what we did
wrong."
While Seattle is trying to ignore its past playoff collapses, the
Kings are trying not to get caught up in the excitement of their fans,
who mobbed the airport Sunday night to welcome back the team.
"There was just a thunderous ovation for everybody. I don't know if
anyone will ever forget that," Kings coach Garry St. Jean said with a
raspy, tired voice. "All of us who have been here for some time know
what these fans have gone through in terms of disappointment."
And Polynice, who issued his warning to fans after the regular-season
finale on April 21, said the Kings -- who lost 11 in a row in the
middle of the season -- still have proven nothing to the rest of the
NBA.
"We've got to win this series. We want to show people we belong here,
we want to show teams around the league," he said. "They might think
we got in because Denver had a bad year or Golden State blew it, but
we got here because we busted our butts -- especially after we lost 16
of 17."
nba.723vpoznanovic,
In playoffs for first time, Laettner having fun again
ATLANTA (Apr 30, 1996 - 14:48 EST) -- Christian Laettner looks like
he's back at Duke.
The fist is pumping. The lungs are howling. The body is diving to the
floor for loose balls.
Look closely and you might even see the beginnings of a smile,
something that was unthinkable during his three-plus seasons with the
Minnesota Timberwolves.
"I can't remember when I've had more fun playing basketball," Laettner
said, savoring his 24-point, eight-rebound performance Monday night in
a 90-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference
playoffs. "It was like a practice game with no refs. If you get
fouled, don't worry about it."
Laettner was a fixture in the postseason at Duke, leading the Blue
Devils to NCAA titles in 1991 and '92. But when he got to Minnesota,
he found himself on a team that had no hope of making the playoffs.
With every defeat, Laettner's patience diminished and his reputation
as a whiner grew. Finally, after he directed an outburst at teenager
Kevin Garnett, the Timberwolves shipped him to the Hawks in February.
In Atlanta, Laettner has been leery of opening up to the media, but he
seems to be making a concerted effort to mesh with his new teammates.
He's constantly offering encouragement and hasn't complained about
having to play out of position at center.
He credits his change in attitude to being with a playoff team.
"Working hard for three years in the NBA, playing and practicing as
much as anyone else and you're not winning your share of games because
you're not on a very good team," he said. "I'm glad to be on a better
team, that's all."
The Hawks, who have a 2-1 edge in their best-of-5 series with the
Pacers, are one victory away from moving into the second round for
just the second time in eight years. Game 4 will be Thursday night in
Atlanta.
Laettner's passion for the game was very evident against the Pacers
Monday night. Giving up five inches and 35 pounds to Rik Smits,
Indiana's 7-foot-4, 265-pound center who scored 29 points in Game 2,
he made up for the size disadvantage with pure effort.
He hurled his body on the floor for loose balls. He kept wading inside
to keep the ball alive on the offensive boards. He brought the crowd
to its feet midway through the third quarter when he outmuscled
everyone for a rebound and was fouled on the following shot, his
emotions erupting in a primal scream.
"Yeeeaaahhh!" he yelled, his fist pumping furiously.
"It was like something was born tonight," he said later. "The refs let
us bang a little more than in Indiana (during the first two games).
The intensity was overwhelming, and we played with a lot more fire."
The Pacers, who needed a big performance from Smits to compensate for
the absence of Reggie Miller due to an eye injury, couldn't help but
notice Laettner's play. Smits finished 5-of-14 from the field and had
only five rebounds.
"Laettner was great," Indiana coach Larry Brown said. "He fought Rik
on the post. He made pressure plays. And he kept rebounds alive."
nba.724vpoznanovic,
Bulls sense kill against Heat
MIAMI (Apr 30, 1996 - 18:47 EST) -- Pat Riley hurried out of the gym
following practice Tuesday and disappeared up a set of stairs, taking
them two at a time.
He had reason to rush. Against the Chicago Bulls, Riley and his Miami
Heat face a long, hard climb.
Despite spasms in Michael Jordan's back and Dennis Rodman's behavior,
Chicago leads Miami 2-0 in their first-round playoff series.
Basketball's best team goes for a sweep Wednesday night at Miami
Arena.
"We sensed the kill when we started this series," Bulls forward
Scottie Pippen said.
Miami would need three consecutive wins to overtake Chicago, and since
the Bulls haven't lost three in a row all season, no one has raised
the possibility. Even Heat center Alonzo Mourning abandoned the brazen
tone that backfired on him in the first two games.
"This is a learning experience for me," he said, "and hopefully it
will better me as a player."
The Bulls' blowouts of 17 and 31 points have been marred only by
Jordan's injury and Rodman's ire.
Jordan sustained back spasms during Sunday's 106-75 victory in Game 2.
He sat out part of the second half but practiced Tuesday and expects
to play Wednesday.
Rodman was fined $5,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture
toward a referee while leaving the court Sunday after being ejected in
the third quarter. Coach Phil Jackson said the incident was
embarrassing, and it renewed the Bulls' concern that Rodman may come
unraveled during the playoffs, as he did last year with San Antonio.
"He wants to be a bad boy and show everybody they can't control him,"
Miami guard Tim Hardaway said. "He needs to grow up, that's what he
needs to do."
Rodman has averaged just 7.5 rebounds a game, half his league-leading
average. Jordan, on the other hand, paced Chicago in both victories
with 35 and 29 points.
The last time Jordan made a postseason appearance in Miami, he scored
56 points. That was four years ago.
"What can you say?" Riley said. "You're talking about the greatest
single player maybe in the history of mankind. Somewhere along the way
we have to play a rock-solid game offensively and hope we can contain
him a little bit."
Miami's premier player, like Jordan, is hurting the Heat. Mourning has
more turnovers than rebounds -- 13 to 10 -- and just 24 points.
Mourning rejected the suggestion that his team relies too heavily on
him.
"That's why they have me down here," he said. "That's why I'm on the
cover of the media guides and magazines. That's why when we play on
NBC, the camera is always on me -- because they picture me as being
the franchise player.
"Therefore I have to step up to the challenge, and to tell you the
truth, I haven't performed to that level yet."
Maybe a change of venue will produce a different result. The road game
will be the first in the playoffs for the Bulls, and during a record
72-victory season, eight of their 10 defeats came away from the United
Center.
The Heat, however, are uncertain whether they can count on crowd
support at Miami Arena.
"I think there are more Chicago Bulls fans here than Miami Heat fans,"
Hardaway said. "What's going to change it? If we win the series."
That's unlikely. But the Heat badly want to win at least one game and
achieve a measure of redemption for their poor play thus far.
Given the circumstances, Jordan figures the Bulls merely need to stay
close.
"If we can get past the first half in contention, then hopefully our
experience will overcome them and make them feel there's no hope
left," Jordan said. "We have to put them in position where they give
up on themselves."
Riley, who holds the NBA playoff record for coaching victories with
137, finds himself on the verge of being blanked in 1996. He bristled
when the possibility was raised that his team had practiced for the
final time.
"Don't ask me that question," he said. "You can report it, but don't
ask me that question. I'm getting excited about Game 3."
nba.725vpoznanovic,
Cavs arrive as longshots in series
NEW YORK (Apr 30, 1996 - 18:00 EST) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers,
winners of their last three games at Madison Square Garden, came to
town Tuesday looking to become only the sixth team in NBA history to
recover from an 0-2 deficit and win a five-game series.
There is a tremendous home-court disadvantage in the Knicks-Cavs
series, with the road team winning 12 of the last 14 games. Game 3 is
Wednesday night at 7 p.m. EDT.
New York hasn't defeated Cleveland at home in more than a year. The
Cavs beat the Knicks by 10 in December and by four in early April.
"As Terrell Brandon says: Lights, camera, action. They feel
comfortable playing here," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said.
Cleveland also won its last playoff game at the Garden, 90-84 in the
first round last season to even that series 1-1. The Cavs eventually
lost 3-1 by losing two straight at Gund Arena.
New York has had 15 losses at home this season -- the most in five
years.
"It's been a steady decline since we were 37-4 (in 1992-93). I don't
have an answer for that. We've got to find a way to reverse that trend
at home," Van Gundy said. "It's a great concern, particularly because
Cleveland has handled us not only this year, but more so last year.
They blew us out both times, I mean big time. They had us down by 25
both games."
But Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello wasn't expecting a letdown from the
Knicks, especially since New York is looking at a probable
second-round matchup with the Chicago Bulls.
"New York will try to end its series as quickly as they can so they
will have the same preparation time, the same rest time, etc. (as the
Bulls). The last thing they want to do is go into a five-game series
and then face a team that won three straight and is ready to go,"
Fratello said Tuesday.
The last team to come back from an 0-2 deficit and win three straight
in a five-game series was the Denver Nuggets in 1994 against Seattle.
The Phoenix Suns in 1993 against the Los Angeles Lakers were the only
team in NBA history to lose the first two games at home and then win
the next three.
"They will try to break our spirit early in the game and hope that
we'll just say: 'That's it, we can't do it,"' Fratello said.
One key for Cleveland will be its outside shooting.
In Cleveland's last victory at New York on April 11, Danny Ferry had
the highest-scoring game of his career, scoring 32 points on 11-of-13
shooting -- including 5-for-5 on 3-pointers -- as the Cavs won 101-97.
In the Cavs' three regular season victories over New York, they
averaged nine 3-pointers a game, but in their two playoff losses they
have made only 12.
Ferry is shooting just 38 percent overall and 1-for-12 on 3-pointers,
Bobby Phills is 1-for-6 on 3-pointers and Chris Mills is 0-for-4.
"New York has obviously made us do some things that we don't want to
do. It's a different Knicks team now, and when you go back to the
regular season, the only time when they were healthy they beat us by
10 points," Fratello said.
"They've just done a great job. Going to Charleston (for pre-playoff
camp) was very good for them, It reunited the group, got it back
together again and got their heads all in the same direction,"
Fratello said.
"But at the same time, if we couldn't do it, I'd say 'Hey, we just
can't do it,' but that's not the case."
nba.726vpoznanovic,
Rockets' Tomjanovich succeeds in job he never really wanted
Riverside Press-Enterprise
(Apr 30, 1996 - 10:00 EST) -- It's probably simplistic to think of
Del Harris and Rudy Tomjanovich as mentor and protege. After all, it
has been a lot of years since the two worked together, when Harris was
the coach of the Houston Rockets and Tomjanovich was first a veteran
player nearing the end of his career and then an advance scout.
Besides, Tomjanovich has earned his stripes as a coach -- thanks to
back-to-back NBA championships -- even though he has said all along he
doesn't really want to be a head coach.
"Who the hell said I'm comfortable with this thing," the Rockets'
coach joked the other day. "It's a tough job, and I've been very
fortunate. But I wouldn't recommend it ... There's problems every day.
It never ends."
If it is that difficult, that treacherous a job, it's hard to tell
from the results, or the respect Tomjanovich has received not only
from the league but also from the toughest audience of all, his
players.
After all, they're the ones who benefit from some of the things
Tomjanovich learned playing for Harris, who now is pacing in front of
the opposite bench during the Los Angeles Lakers-Rockets first-round
playoff series, which continues Tuesday night in Houston tied 1-1.
The principles are simple: Treat your players like grown men, give
them the respect they deserve, but always put the welfare of the
franchise above the ego of the individual.
"He's not an authoritarian coach," said Tomjanovich's superstar,
Hakeem Olajuwon. "He puts people in responsible positions, and he
stresses the importance of the team. He says it is our team, and no
one player is bigger than the team, so he uses the team to fight
against any individual that's not one of the group."
Tomjanovich spent his last two seasons as a player -- 1979-80 and
'80-81 -- under Harris.
His final season, Houston finished 40-42 in the regular season,
stunned the defending champion Lakers in the first round and rode that
momentum all the way to the NBA Finals, falling to Boston in six
games.
"As a player, he (Harris) would let me make suggestions," Tomjanovich
remembered. "We'd talk about things. We even hung around a little bit
off the court -- played some golf, played some tennis, had some beers
and talked about the great game of basketball."
Tomjanovich retired as a player in October of 1981. Shortly after
that, Harris offered him a spot as an advance scout, and Tomjanovich
spent two seasons on the road, watching the rest of the league and
learning more about the game.
"It was the foundation (of his education)," Tomjanovich said. "I
learned a lot just by analyzing other people's offenses."
Harris recalled that while Tomjanovich seemed to have the makings of a
basketball lifer, it was hard to tell if he had the makings of a head
coach, because he had no interest in that particular job description.
"I know how many times he'd say, 'Boy, I never want to be a head
coach,"' Harris said. "I know he wanted to stay in Houston and be a
career assistant coach. He loved the city of Houston, he wanted to
stay there, and he figured that if he was a head coach, someday they'd
run him out.
"Right now, that doesn't seem like it's going to happen, but that was
his perception at the time."
Afraid that he'd be sent packing anyway when Harris was fired in 1983
-- "that staggered me," he says now -- Tomjanovich instead moved into
a spot on the coaching staff of successor Bill Fitch. He remained an
assistant for eight-plus seasons under Fitch and Don Chaney before
that day in February 1992 when Chaney was fired and management let it
be known that Tomjanovich had no choice but to take the job.
Since then, he has a regular season record of 224-134, a 37-22 playoff
record, and an amazing 10-1 record the last three seasons in games in
which the Rockets have faced elimination. He has the unwavering
support of his management and of his star players, hardly an easy task
in today's NBA.
Maybe it's because he runs his team the way he liked to be coached --
unpretentiously, with firmness but also with respect.
"Everybody has to coach to their personality. You can't try to be
someone you're not. I think the things that I do are use honesty,
respect until it's no longer deserved, and understanding. I also
project an image that they're going to be well taken care of because
of the preparation, the work. I'm going to try to come up with the
answers.
"But it's really a give-and-take situation. I try to have my guys
believe it's their team, too, and let's take responsibility for it."
Sound familiar? Well, this is the way Harris once described the job:
"You've got to be able to give respect to the players. You've got to
be able to give them input. You have to listen, because there's no
respect if you don't listen or allow input. Then, it's just all talk."
nba.727vpoznanovic,
NBA players without college experience
(Apr 30, 1996 - 19:01 EST) -- Players who did not play college
basketball prior to joining the NBA (excluding players who played
professionally outside the United States):
Player, First NBA season, Last NBA season
Kevin Garnett, 1995-96, active
Thomas Hamilton, 1995-96, active
Lloyd Daniels, 1992-93, 1994-95
Shawn Kemp, 1989-90, active
Moses Malone, 1976-77 (ABA 1974-76), 1994-95
Bill Willoughby, 1975-76, 1983-84
Darryl Dawkins, 1975-76, 1988-89
Reggie Harding, 1963-64 (ABA 1967-68), 1967-68
Bob Knight, 1954-55, 1954-55
Ed Stanczak, 1949-50 (NBL 1946-49), 1950-51
Al Cervi, 1949-50 (NBL 1937-49), 1952-53
George Ratkovicz, 1949-50 (NBL 1941-49), 1954-55
Joe Graboski, 1948-49, 1961-62
James Browne, 1948-49, 1949-50
Stan Brown, 1947-48, 1951-52
Connie Simmons, 1946-47, 1955-56
Stan Miasek, 1946-47, 1952-53
Leo Gottlieb, 1946-47, 1947-48
John Murphy, 1946-47, 1946-47
Tony Kappen, 1946-47, 1946-47
Nick Shaback, 1946-47, 1946-47
nba.728vpoznanovic,
Sabonis likes his first taste of NBA playoffs
PORTLAND, Ore. (Apr 30, 1996 - 20:36 EST) -- Arvydas Sabonis finally
has had a taste of NBA playoff intensity, and he likes it.
"Every game is like your last game," he said Tuesday. "All players
play very hard and strong. It's another story, I think. It's
interesting. You need to play 100 percent."
Without the 7-foot-3 Lithuanian, the Portland Trail Blazers almost
certainly would not have even made the playoffs. As the Blazers try to
even their best-of-5 series 2-2 at home Wednesday night, Sabonis is
obviously the No. 1 weapon.
In the first three games, the 31-year-old rookie averaged 26.3 points
and 10 rebounds. His minutes of play, held down during the regular
season because of his long history of leg problems, have inched
upward. In Monday night's 94-91 overtime victory that kept Portland
alive in the series, he had 27 points and 12 rebounds in 38 minutes,
his longest time on the court so far.
"You don't think about whether you're tired or you're not tired,"
Sabonis said. "You just play."
Sabonis' wife is expecting their third child any day. He seemed
surprised that he might even have the option of skipping a game to be
with her when the child is born.
"I don't know how it is here in the United States. If it's possible to
come back or not," he said, adding with a smile. "But I think she's
going to wait."
Even though he's been tough on the Jazz, Sabonis has not been his
usual accurate self from the field, shooting just 44 percent, partly
because he has been contending with an aggressive defense from Felton
Spencer, Greg Ostertag and Antoine Carr.
"I'm still waiting for him to have one of his 9-for-11 nights,"
Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "I'm very happy with the way a lot
of our people are playing, but the one thing I'm hoping for that we
haven't seen from us is a real strong offensive night."
The offense couldn't have been much more miserable for both teams than
it was Monday night, when the Blazers shot 34 percent and the Jazz 38
percent. They were even worse in the first half.
Portland scored an all-time low 12 points in the fourth quarter of
Game 2 Saturday night in Salt Lake City, then followed with an even
more futile 11 points in the first quarter of Game 3.
The 68 points scored in the first half (Portland led 37-31) Monday
night tied the NBA's all-time low for the playoffs.
"I can't see us playing any worse than that, or even that bad
offensively," the Blazers' Rod Strickland said.
Utah shot 59 percent from the field in the first two games. Karl
Malone, who was 13-for-30 in his 35-point performance Monday night,
said the poor shooting in Game 3 had little to do with Portland's
defense.
"I look at it as what we didn't do and what I didn't do," Malone said
Tuesday. "I guarantee you one thing, I'm not going to stop. If the
shot's open, I'm going to take it. We just didn't capitalize."
No team depends more on precise offensive execution than Utah, and the
Jazz didn't have it Monday night.
"If you don't execute, you don't get any decent shots to break teams
down," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "If you execute and break them
down a time or two, the confidence starts to build a little bit."
Wednesday night's game is the fourth in seven days for the two teams.
Fatigue would seem a possibility, but Sloan scoffs at the notion.
"The only time you have to worry about being tired is when the season
is over," he said.
If Portland wins, the deciding Game 5 will be Sunday in Salt Lake
City. It was in Game 5 of the first round a year ago that Utah blew a
big lead at home and lost to eventual NBA champion Houston. Forget
about any comparison, Sloan said.
"Last year and 10 years ago have nothing to do with this team," he
said.
nba.729vpoznanovic,
Spurs hoping to prove they have killer instinct
PHOENIX (Apr 30, 1996 - 18:06 EST) -- The San Antonio Spurs, a team
accused of having no killer instinct, plan to erase that image by
eliminating the Phoenix Suns.
"We're in position to sweep," coach Bob Hill said about Wednesday
night's Game 3 of the first-round series. "They have to beat us three
games in a row, and I don't think they can do that. We're a very good
road team."
The Spurs, who beat Phoenix 3-1 in the regular season, own a 2-0
series lead, routing Phoenix the first game in San Antonio and pulling
out a narrow victory the next.
Now, they go for the jugular.
But David Robinson, mindful of San Antonio's 0-5 record in playoff
games played in Phoenix, was more cautious than his coach.
"They're not done yet. There's still some basketball left to be
played," he said.
Robinson is the 1996 playoffs' leading scorer (34.0) and
second-leading rebounder (13.5). In addition, Avery Johnson is second
in assists (16.5), Will Perdue is second in field-goal percentage
(78.6) and Vinny Del Negro is first in 3-point shooting -- he's tried
just two and made both.
The Suns counter with Charles Barkley, who is fourth in scoring (28.0)
and first in rebounding (16.0), and Kevin Johnson, who ranks just
below Avery Johnson in assists. But nobody in the supporting cast has
been spectacular in the postseason, with Michael Finley out because of
a sprained ankle and Danny Manning slowed by tendinitis.
Doc Rivers, the Spurs' lone injured player, did not travel to Phoenix
on Tuesday because of back spasms. But he's a backup.
Perdue, Del Negro and Avery Johnson starred in the Spurs' 120-98
obliteration of the Suns, played days after a round of stories that
labeled Robinson as "soft."
Then the towering center took over Sunday to lead a 110-105 win,
scoring 40 points and grabbing 21 rebounds after Phoenix adjustments
made to corral Perdue and Del Negro left him open.
"To Bob's credit, we were very prepared for a lot of that stuff,"
Robinson said.
One thing Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons did in the second contest was
keep John Williams, a strong defensive player, on Robinson for 26
minutes, nine more than in the first. And when Williams sat down,
Barkley drew the single-coverage assignment on the Spurs' superstar.
Williams said the same scheme was likely to be in evidence in the
America West Arena.
"He's going to get his points," Williams said. "What we don't want is
for one of their role players to go off on us."
Barkley observed that the Suns came closer when Robinson ran wild.
"Dave Robinson is a great player, and that's it," Barkley said. "We
didn't do a very good job on him in Game 1, and we expected to
dominate one game, and he played terrific Sunday."
Barkley dismissed Hill's comment as trying to pump up his team.
"We're going to go out there and do our best," Barkley said. "If the
Spurs have got a better team, they're going to beat us. I don't think
they do."
nba.730vpoznanovic,
Sonics lack heart of champions
Scripps-McClatchy Western Service
(Apr 30, 1996 - 07:42 EST) -- Let's have a big Sacramento welcome for
the Seattle SuperSonics, best in the West and suddenly unable to draw
a breath without choking.
Winners of 64 games in the regular season, the Sonics are threatening
to flush the residue of those victories down the drainpipe.
As basketball teams go, the Sonics are better than the Kings in every
measurable category -- measurable being defined as qualities that can
be statistically proven.
The Sonics have a superior point guard, stronger forwards, a deeper
bench. And experience? Well, experience isn't even close.
Yet in the category of heart -- the one subjective concept that can
make a real difference in the postseason -- the Kings are winning in a
romp.
Here's how Sonics forward Detlef Schrempf put it, neatly summarizing
Seattle's code-blue crash: "There was no offense, no rebounding and a
lot of turnovers."
And there will be no future for the Sonics if they can't get past the
Kings in the Western Conference playoffs.
Despite their high-priced talent and impressive record, despite their
pretensions, the Sonics have the heart of a butterfly. They are
beautiful to behold. Get too close and they flutter away.
In the space of three hours Sunday, the Sonics not only lost
home-court advantage in their playoff series against the Kings, they
took the first wobbly steps toward one of the most spectacular
flameouts in contemporary NBA history.
The only reason for winning all those games in the regular season was
to secure the home-court nod come tournament time. Now the tournament
is here, and the Sonics can write off the last six months as a waste
of time.
It might not be so bad if the Sonics were having problems against a
contender. Instead, the Seattle juggernaut finds itself backed against
the wall by a bunch of slap-happy playoff freshmen, neophytes whose
mothers are still packing their lunches.
The Kings haven't done anything to deny their newcomer status. They
have been sloppy and inconsistent, enduring awful stretches sprinkled
with flashes of brilliance by Mitch Richmond, Brian Grant, Tyus Edney
and Sarunas Marciulionis.
The Sonics have been known for their defense, but their traps and
double teams are nothing compared to the defensive posture assumed by
the squad away from the court.
Having folded in the playoffs the last two seasons, the Sonics are
experts at inventing excuses. A suitable playoff motto for the Sonics,
courtesy of the O.J. defense team: If the other team gives us fits,
we'll just call it quits.
"We can't be worrying about what happened to us the last two years,"
Seattle swingman Nate McMillian said. "We need to get together and
figure out what changes we'll need to make to play better."
Last season the Sonics said they were too tight, too selfish, too
immature to advance in the playoffs. This season, rolling to those 64
triumphs, the SuperSonics began referring to themselves as "great."
They are great, all right -- great big flops.
For all their supposed greatness, for all their depth and speed and
size and experience, the Sonics have yet to produce a first-class
quarter against the Kings.
In Game 1, the Sonics could have knocked the Sacramentans over with a
whisper, such was the Kings' paralyzed condition.
But what did the Sonics do? They failed to put the Kings away until
the final minutes, letting the Kings pull within seven points. A true
contender -- the Chicago Bulls or Houston Rockets -- would have
hammered the Kings by 30 points.
And Game 1 merely encouraged the Kings. They cast away their fears,
tossed aside their worries and correctly identified the Sonics as a
club with big hats and no cattle, flat-liners on the cardiac monitor.
None of which is to say the Sonics can't come back. Order up 12 heart
transplants and an oil drum of intestinal fortitude and the Sonics
will be ready to go, pretenders to the throne of greatness.
nba.731vpoznanovic,
Miller leaving Raptors
TORONTO (Apr 30, 1996 - 19:42 EST) -- Oliver Miller has filed for his
free agency, leaving the NBA Toronto Raptors with an unexpected $2.5
million windfall.
Miller exercised a right in his contract to declare himself a free
agent a day after the NBA season ended, Raptors officials said
Tuesday.
The team can now use the $2.5 million he was to be paid next season on
free agents. They could also renegotiate a deal with Miller.
"It's going to provide us with some flexibility," said Glen Grunwald,
Toronto's assistant general manager and vice-president of legal
affairs.
Miller has been with three teams in a four-year NBA career and was the
last player chosen by GM Isiah Thomas in the June 1995 expansion
draft. The 6-foot-9, 300-pound center averaged 12.9 points and 7.4
rebounds in 76 games with the expansion Raptors last season.
"I don't want Isiah to think I'm betraying him or anything like that,"
Miller told the Toronto Sun from his home in Dallas on Monday. "When I
was going through a lot of personal stuff this season, Isiah was right
there for me.
"I'm not going to do anything crazy and be greedy. I'd like to finish
my career in Toronto. Basically, this is a business decision."
Miller, who turned 26 on April 6, was the most vocal critic of coach
Brendan Malone, who was replaced after the season. Miller said Malone
didn't give him the respect he was due and treated the players
differently after wins than after losses.
However, Miller was also a fan favorite and, apparently, a favorite of
management. At a post-game ceremony on the last day of the regular
season, he was heralded as a key part of the Raptors' future by team
president John Bitove.
With Miller's salary, the Raptors were precariously close to the $18
million they will have to spend on players next season under salary
cap rules.
nba.732vpoznanovic,
Temporary order gives custody to mother of former UNC star's child
DURHAM (Apr 30, 1996 - 13:42 EST) -- Rasheed Wallace of the Washington
Bullets will not be allowed to remove his 8-month old son from North
Carolina under a judicial protective order.
The custody order, signed Monday by Chief District Court Judge Kenneth
C. Titus, allows the child's mother, Chiquita Bryant, to keep the
infant with her. The order is temporary, pending a further judicial
review.
In requesting the order, Bryant said Wallace "has not made reasonable
attempts to spend time with the child and is unavailable to the
child."
In addition to custody, Bryant wants Wallace to pay child support and
reimburse her for legal fees, since she is a full time student at N.C.
Central University.
Bryant had Wallace arrested earlier this month on an assault charge.
She claims he entered her home and choked her in an attempt to remove
the child from her arms. Bryant says Wallace intended to take the
child with him to Maryland.
Wallace was a star at North Carolina.
nba.733vpoznanovic,
BULLETS GM NASH RESIGNS
Washington Bullets vice president and general manager John Nash on
Tuesday announced his resignation, effective immediately. A search for
a successor will begin immediately.
In a prepared statement, Nash cited personal reasons for his
departure.
"For reasons that are personal, I have decided to resign from my
position with the Washington Bullets, effective immediately," said
Nash. "Mr. Pollin (owner Abe Pollin) and the Bullets organization gave
me a wonderful opportunity to help rebuild the franchise. Despite our
inability to make the playoffs this past year, I truly believe that
the Bullets have the quality players on their roster needed to be a
playoff team next year and a contender by the time they become the
Wizards.
"My immediate plans are uncertain, but I do intend to focus on some
personal family matters. I would prefer to have no further public
comment on this matter at this time."
Nash leaves the Bullets after almost six years as the team's vice
president and general manager. Nash was hired in June of 1990.
nba.734vpoznanovic,
INJURY SIDELINES HEAT RESERVE SCHAYES
Miami Heat reserve center Danny Schayes will sit out Wednesday's
playoff contest against the Chicago Bulls because of fractures on the
right of his face.
Schayes sustained the injury during a practice session on April 23,
but initial examinations allowed him to play in the first two games of
the series this past weekend. A lack of progress in the healing
process led to a CAT scan being taken this morning, which revealed the
fractures.
The 15-year NBA veteran appeared in 32 games with the Heat after
signing as a free agent on Dec. 12. He averaged 3.2 points and 2.8
rebounds in 12.5 minutes per outing during the regular season and 3.5
points and 2.0 boards in the two playoff games.
The Bulls lead the Heat, two games to none, in the best-of-five
series.
nba.735vpoznanovic,
REGGIE LEWIS' WIFE SUES DOCTORS FOR NEGLIGENCE
BOSTON -- The wife of former Boston Celtics' star Reggie Lewis has
sued the team of cardiologists that cleared Lewis to play after he had
collapsed during a playoff game.
Donna Harris-Lewis claims in a suit filed Tuesday in Suffolk Superior
Court that Dr. Gilbert Mudge Jr. and three associates were negligent
in telling Lewis he could play without limitations after his collapse
on April 29, 1993.
Lewis later died while shooting baskets on July 1993.
The suit, which seeks unspecified damages, claims Mudge failed to
treat Lewis with the "standard care and skill required of and
ordinarily exercised by the average qualified physician."
The suit also says Reggie Lewis "experienced conscious pain and
suffering prior to his death."
Mudge treated Lewis at Brigham and Women's hospital some time after
his first collapse. Lewis originally was evaluated by team physicians
at New England Baptist Hospital, but left and sought treatment from
Mudge.
On Tuesday, the hospital defended Mudge and his associates, Mark
Creager and Peter Friedman of Brigham and Women's, and John Rutherford
of Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
"We believe that when the facts in this case are fully reviewed in a
court of law, it will be determined that the physicians acted in a
responsible manner and in the best interests of Mr. Lewis," the
statement read.
nba.736vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers (98) At Houston (104)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Campbell F 35 8-11 2-3 1 9 10 2 5 1 2 18
Ceballos F 35 6-11 3-3 3 3 6 0 2 0 2 16
Divac C 23 4-9 2-2 1 3 4 1 1 0 1 11
Jones G 38 7-12 1-2 0 4 4 1 3 1 0 16
Van Exel G 36 5-16 0-0 1 4 5 4 2 0 2 12
Johnson 38 2-9 3-4 4 5 9 13 0 0 2 7
Peeler 23 3-10 0-0 0 2 2 2 4 2 0 8
Threatt 12 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 10
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lynch Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roberts Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Strong Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-86 11-14 10 31 41 25 18 4 9 98
(.453) (.786) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 9(8 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 41 6-12 0-0 2 8 10 3 3 2 0 15
Brown F 20 4-7 0-0 0 4 4 0 3 1 0 8
Olajuwon C 42 12-27 6-7 2 6 8 3 2 0 2 30
Drexler G 39 6-12 4-8 1 6 7 11 1 3 1 16
Smith G 17 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 4
Cassell 31 4-10 1-2 0 3 3 6 1 1 1 9
Elie 30 5-9 2-2 1 0 1 4 0 1 0 14
Bryant 20 4-6 0-0 2 3 5 0 5 0 1 8
Chilcutt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mack Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 43-88 13-19 8 31 39 29 15 8 5 104
(.489) (.684) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 5(7 Pts)
LA Lakers 28 27 20 23 - 98
Houston 34 22 24 24 - 104
Blocked Shots: LA Lakers - Campbell 2, Divac 2. Houston - Olajuwon 2,
Horry 2, Drexler, Cassell, Elie, Bryant.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Lakers 9-28 (.321), Ceballos 1-4, Divac 1-2, Jones
1-3, Van Exel 2-5, Johnson 0-2, Peeler 2-6, Threatt 2-6. Houston 5-16
(.313), Horry 3-7, Drexler 0-2, Smith 0-1, Cassell 0-3, Elie 2-3.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Steve Javie, Ed F Rush, Don Vaden.
A - 16,285. T - 2:11.
nba.737vpoznanovic,
NO FOUL PLAY: ROCKETS TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD
HOUSTON -- What a slight difference it makes when Hakeem Olajuwon
plays in the fourth quarter.
Olajuwon, who fouled out with 10 minutes remaining in a Game 2 loss,
scored six of his 30 points in a decisive 13-0 fourth-quarter run as
the Houston Rockets moved a step closer to the second round with a
104-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday to take 2-1 lead
in the best-of-five Western Conference quarterfinal series.
The two-time defending champions can close out the series at home with
a victory in Game 4 on Thursday. The Rockets are trying to become the
fourth franchise to win three straight championships.
During the 13-0 run, the Lakers were held scoreless for six minutes
and 20 seconds.
"Our defense made some big steals," said Olajuwon, who committed only
two fouls. "We pressured the ball. In the playoffs, defense is the
key."
Clyde Drexler added 16 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds for the
Rockets.
"We had a great stretch of defense in the fourth quarter," Houston
coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "Our guys have been in so many tight
games and survived, we're not the kind of team that rolls over."
Magic Johnson, who scored 26 points in the Lakers' victory in Game 2,
had seven points, 13 assists and nine rebounds in 38 minutes, but shot
just two for nine from the field.
"It was frustrating because, well, give them credit, they doubled me,
which they hadn't done before," Johnson said. "It took me so far out
of my game and we hadn't seen that."
"This was the best game of any series (this year) and I've seen them
all," Johnson added. "No game compares to this one. People blocking
shots, 3-pointers, we come back, they come back, going back and forth.
It's just one of those incredible things."
Elden Campbell scored 18 points and Eddie Jones and Cedric Ceballos
added 16 apiece for Los Angeles, which is trying to avoid being
eliminated in the first round for the third time in its past four
playoff appearances.
Sedale Threatt scored the last of his 10 consecutive points for the
Lakers with a 3-pointer at the 8:20 mark to give Los Angeles an 89-86
lead, but the Lakers went cold after that.
Robert Horry tied the game with a 3-pointer before Mario Elie gave
Houston the lead for good with two free throws to make it 91-89 with
7:38 remaining. The teams went scoreless for nearly three minutes
before Olajuwon hit a hook shot to extend Houston's lead to 93-89 with
4:40 left.
Drexler had a steal and fed Elie for a dunk before Olajuwon added two
free throws and a hook shot to make it 99-89 with 2:27 to go. Anthony
Peeler finally ended the drought with a 3-pointer to pull Los Angeles
within 99-92 at the 2:01 mark, but Olajuwon hit a jumper to restore
the nine-point bulge 18 seconds later.
Los Angeles pulled within 102-98 on a 3-pointer by Peeler with 33
seconds to play, but failed to take advantage of Drexler's poor free
throw shooting down the stretch. He made just two of six free throws
in the final 33 seconds, but the Lakers failed to score.
Horry finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Elie added 14 off
the bench for Houston, which shot 49 percent (43 of 88) from the floor
and committed only five turnovers.
"It's a lot of pride and grit on this team," said Elie. "We have
playoff experience. We know each other's strengths and tendencies and
we have the big guy in the middle."
Six players finished in double figures for Los Angeles as Nick Van
Exel scored 12 points, Vlade Divac added 11 and Threatt 10 for the
Lakers, who shot 45 percent (39 of 86).
Houston just played a good game overall," Lakers coach Del Harris
said. "They were terrific for four quarters. We we terrific for all
but six minutes."
nba.738vpoznanovic,
Orlando (101) At Detroit (98)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 45 6-10 3-4 1 3 4 2 4 1 2 18
Grant F 40 7-10 2-2 5 11 16 1 5 0 0 16
Oneal C 32 4-13 5-9 1 4 5 3 5 1 6 13
Anderson G 41 7-14 6-10 3 4 7 1 3 1 1 22
Hardaway G 41 7-17 8-9 2 3 5 5 2 2 3 24
Shaw 14 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 3 1 1 0
Koncak 11 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 2
Wolf 10 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 4
Bowie 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
Bonner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Royal Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-73 24-34 13 27 40 17 32 6 15 101
(.479) (.706) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 15(15 Pts)
Detroit
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Hill F 33 4-8 9-11 0 6 6 5 5 2 3 17
Thorpe F 35 5-9 5-6 6 7 13 3 5 0 2 15
West C 25 3-4 1-3 1 5 6 0 3 0 0 7
Houston G 48 11-25 9-10 0 1 1 1 5 0 5 33
Dumars G 47 6-14 1-1 2 3 5 7 2 0 3 15
Curry 12 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2
Reid 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0
Hunter 11 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Mills 19 1-7 4-4 1 1 2 0 3 1 0 6
Ratliff 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leckner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roe Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-71 29-35 10 23 33 16 30 3 14 98
(.451) (.829) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 14(19 Pts)
Orlando 27 24 30 20 - 101
Detroit 18 30 22 28 - 98
Blocked Shots: Orlando - Grant, Oneal, Hardaway. Detroit - Reid 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Orlando 7-18 (.389), Scott 3-6, Anderson 2-5, Hardaway
2-5, Shaw 0-2. Detroit 5-20 (.250), Houston 2-8, Dumars 2-7, Curry 0-1,
Hunter 1-2, Mills 0-2.
Technicals: Orlando - Illegal Defense, Detroit - Head Coach Collins 2
(Ejected), Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ed Middleton, Hue Hollins, Nolan Fine.
A - 20,386. T - 2:52.
nba.739vpoznanovic,
MAGIC BROOM RIDE: ORLANDO SWEEPS DETROIT
DETROIT -- First, Shaq was out with foul trouble. Then, Doug Collins
went out with technical foul trouble.
Anfernee Hardaway, however, stayed in the game and ignited a
third-quarter rally to lead the Orlando Magic to a 101-98 victory over
the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, completing the first-round playoff
sweep.
Hardaway scored 15 of his 24 points in the third period and sparked a
16-6 burst with Shaquille O'Neal on the bench. The burst turned a
57-55 lead into a 73-61 advantage.
"When Shaq went out, Penny said he wanted the ball and he was taking
over," Orlando's Dennis Scott said. "And that's exactly what we let
him do, because we knew he would do it."
The Pistons' frustration peaked when coach Doug Collins was ejected
after drawing his second technical foul with 2.4 seconds remaining in
the third quarter.
Nick Anderson added 22 points for Orlando, which nearly blew a
10-point lead in the final 5:45 as Allan Houston, who finished with 33
points, rallied the Pistons. Detroit had two final attempts to tie the
game, but the Magic held on to win the best-of-five series for its
first-ever playoff sweep.
"I know we had a lot of tired guys, but I think it was good for us to
get it done in three if we could," Orlando coach Brian Hill said.
"Certainly, they made us go to the wire for us. I thought Penny was
the big difference in the second half."
Horace Grant scored 16 points, including a controversial putback
basket with 11.2 seconds left to give the Magic a 99-95 lead.
Orlando led 97-95 with 36 seconds to play and worked the shot clock
down before Hardaway launched a long 3-pointer right before the shot
clock expired that did not appear to touch the rim. The ball was
batted around and eventually put in by Grant.
"His shot did not hit the rim but it came off Shaq and hit the rim.
Then Horace picked it up and scored," Hill said.
"It definitely hit the rim because that's why I fumbled it," said
Orlando center Shaquille O'Neal. "It may have only hit a screw, but it
hit something."
The referees originally ruled a 24-second violation, then reversed
their decision and gave the Magic the basket. On the ensuing
possession, Houston nailed a 3-pointer to make it 99-98 with just over
eight seconds to play.
Anderson then hit two free throws with 7.5 seconds to go for the final
margin.
The Magic, defending Eastern Conference champs and seeded second,
await the winner of the Indiana-Atlanta series. Sixth-seeded Atlanta
holds a 2-1 edge and can close out the series Wednesday night with a
win at home.
"Controversy has followed Orlando and Detroit all year. If I say
something, it's going to sound like I'm whining and I'm not going to
do that," Collins said. "I hope our guys don't think I let them down
tonight. I was just going to go to bat for them. When I left, I
thought my spirit was still with them."
The third quarter rally for Orlando began when Hardaway hit a jumper
and converted a three-point play around two free throws by Hill to
make it 62-57 with 8:25 to play. Scott added a layup before Terry
Mills hit a jumper to pull the Pistons within 64-59.
Grant hit two jumpers around a layup by Otis Thorpe, extending
Orlando's lead to 68-61. Collins earned his first technical, leading
to a foul shot by Scott to make it 69-61.
Hardaway and Anderson added a free throw each before Joe Wolf closed
the run with a jumper to make it 73-61 with 3:32 left in the third
quarter.
"When Shaq is out, I'm the man we go to," Hardaway said. "They used
the energy from Collins leaving and the crowd. They had nothing to
lose, they made some big shots. We knew they were a good team and we
weren't expecting to sweep them."
The Magic led 91-81 on a basket by Anderson before Detroit made one
last rally. Houston hit a runner and converted a three-point play
around a free throw by Joe Dumars to close the gap to 91-87 with 4:38
to play.
O'Neal made one of four free throws on Orlando's next two possessions
and Dumars nailed a 3-pointer to make it 92-90 at the 2:25 mark. Grant
then hit two free throws and a 19-foot jumper to push the Magic's lead
to 96-90 with 90 seconds left.
O'Neal finished with 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting and then complained
about the calls he wasn't getting.
"I was tired, but that wasn't why I missed eight of nine in the first
half," said O'Neal. "Let's be honest. I'm the only guy in the NBA that
can say on national TV, 'They're going to foul me,' and then they do
foul me. And I still don't get a call. After 80 games a year, I'm
surprised I don't get to go to the line more. Nothing's changed.
"It's not humanly possible for Mark West to push me like that without
having two hands on my back. it can't be done, you can't tell me it
can."
nba.740vpoznanovic,
Seattle (96) At Sacramento (89)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Schrempf F 37 6-11 2-4 0 5 5 6 3 0 5 16
Kemp F 22 3-8 1-5 3 6 9 0 5 2 2 7
Johnson C 16 1-6 0-0 4 2 6 0 3 2 0 2
Hawkins G 33 2-8 9-11 1 1 2 0 2 1 2 14
Payton G 45 5-11 4-6 1 6 7 7 3 1 2 15
Perkins 31 5-13 5-8 2 3 5 1 3 1 1 17
Mcmillan 20 3-5 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 0 0 7
Askew 19 1-5 3-3 1 1 2 2 3 0 0 6
Brickowski 17 5-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 1 0 12
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingate Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-73 24-37 12 30 42 17 28 8 12 96
(.425) (.649) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 12(12 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Owens F 36 3-9 2-2 2 8 10 6 5 0 2 8
Grant F 36 4-13 0-4 3 4 7 2 6 0 2 8
Polynice C 41 8-16 2-2 5 9 14 0 5 0 1 18
Richmond G 48 6-17 8-11 0 5 5 2 3 0 1 24
Edney G 35 7-13 2-2 1 5 6 5 0 2 2 17
Smith 18 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 3
Marciulionis 16 2-5 1-2 2 0 2 3 0 3 0 6
Simmons 10 2-4 1-2 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 5
Causwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Gamble Dnp - Not Wth Team - Personal Reason
Hurley Dnp - Coach'S Decision
C Williamson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-79 17-27 13 32 45 21 25 7 8 89
(.418) (.630) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 10(13 Pts)
Seattle 26 22 16 32 - 96
Sacramento 28 22 23 16 - 89
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp 2, Payton 2. Sacramento - Grant 2,
Polynice 2, Owens.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 10-22 (.455), D Schrempf 2-3, Hawkins 1-2,
Payton 1-4, Perkins 2-5, Mcmillan 1-2, Askew 1-3, Brickowski 2-3.
Sacramento 6-19 (.316), Owens 0-2, Richmond 4-10, Edney 1-3, Marciulionis
1-3, Simmons 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Illegal Defense, Sacramento - Illegal Defense 3,
Simmons.
Officials: Dan Crawford, Joe Forte, Greg Willard.
A - 17,317. T - 2:27.
nba.741vpoznanovic,
SONICS RALLY BEHIND BIG FOURTH QUARTER
SACRAMENTO -- It's never easy with these guys.
The Seattle SuperSonics, not a team that has thrived on pressure in
recent seasons, appear intent on proving that pressure can become
their ally.
Tuesday, tied 1-1 with the Sacramento Kings in their best-of-five
Western Conference series, the heavily-favored, top-seeded Sonics fell
behind by 10 points in the third quarter, still trailed by eight with
six minutes remaining -- and actually rallied to win the game, 96-89.
A pressure situation, and the Sonics actually responded.
"We wanted to let everyone know what type of team we are, what kind of
guts we have," Seattle guard Hersey Hawkins said. "We just had to keep
our composure."
Hawkins' 3-pointer with 1:04 left capped a 9-0 run that give Seattle a
92-86 lead.
"They started to hit the shots when they needed them," said Kings
guard Tyus Edney. "I don't think it was so much that we were running
out of gas down the stretch, they were just hitting the shots that
they were missing earlier in the game."
Seattle dodged a major bullet en route to a 2-1 lead. The SuperSonics,
who have won 185 games the past three regular seasons but were
eliminated in the first round of the last two playoffs, trailed 69-59
with 2:53 left in the third quarter after an 11-0 run by Sacramento.
"We had trouble making shots, but we stayed together and pulled it out
in the fourth quarter," said Detlef Schrempf, who scored 16 points
including the go-ahead layup with 2:39 remaining in that game that
gave Seattle an 87-86 lead. "We were pointing fingers early, but we
stayed together."
Mitch Richmond scored 24 points and Olden Polynice added 18 for
Sacramento, playing its first home playoff game since 1986.
The Kings have not won a home playoff game since an 88-79 victory over
Houston in the Western Conference finals on April 22, 1981 -- when
they were in Kansas City. Game 4 is Thursday at Sacramento.
Edney gave the Kings an 83-75 lead with 5:47 to play on a 3-pointer
before the roof caved in. Seattle closed within two points on
3-pointers by Frank Brickowski and Sam Perkins, who totaled 17 points.
Sarunas Marciulionis made a free throw, but Perkins hit two foul shots
to pull the Sonics within 84-83 with 3:43 to play. Richmond and Hersey
Hawkins traded free throws before Schrempf's go-ahead layin.
On Sacramento's next possession, Brian Grant missed two free throws.
Shawn Kemp, who battled foul trouble the entire game and scored only
seven points in 22 minutes, scored in the paint and was fouled, but
missed the foul shot. After another Sacramento miss, Hawkins drilled a
3-pointer from the right side.
Billy Owens had a tip-in with 54 seconds left for Sacramento's only
basket in the final 5:47. The Kings were outscored in the fourth
quarter 32-16.
"It's not over. Sacramento has really made this a great series," said
Seattle coach George Karl. "We stayed in the game. We didn't lose our
belief even though we were frustrated."
Edney finished with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists for
Sacramento. Seattle's bench outscored the Kings' reserves 42-14.
nba.742junior,
> Na STB-u i BK su rekli da su Barkley i Robinson imali po 12
> skokova. Odakle im ta informacija, ako se ovde pojavljuju druge
> brojke ?
Odluči sam kome ćeš da veruješ ;) Ja sam već rekao ko je meni Bog ;))
A što se tiče BK i StB, dobijaju podatke sa istog mesta, odatle je uostalom
i jedino moguće .. samo je pitanje preko koliko kanala dobiju tu vest, a zatim
ostaje i pitanje voditelja koji čita podatke .. ;))
nba.743imangovski,
Jel prenose(direktno)play off na bk,i kad?
nba.744vpoznanovic,
DREXLER'S INJURY A PAIN IN THE NECK FOR ROCKETS
HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets guard Clyde Drexler had neck spasms during
practice Wednesday, and there is a chance he might not play Thursday
night in Game 4 of the Rockets' playoff series against the Los Angeles
Lakers.
The Rockets lead the Lakers 2-1 in the best-of-5 first-round series.
Dr. Bruce Mosley said Drexler's neck was stiff when he awakened
Wednesday and the condition worsened during practice.
"What we're hoping is that he makes a really good turnaround during
the next 24 hours and will be ready to play," Mosley said. "But that's
something we'll have to decide Thursday.''
nba.745vpoznanovic,
MAVS' DUMAS CHARGED IN ATTACK ON PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND
DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks guard Tony Dumas has been charged with
assault on his pregnant girlfriend. Police say Dumas beat and punched
her.
Police filed a Class A misdemeanor assault charge against Dumas
stemming from an incident last Friday. The charge carries a penalty of
up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
The assault charge is Dumas' second brush with the law this year.
On Jan. 14, Dumas was arrested and charged with falsely reporting to
police that his car had been stolen.
Police say he filed the report as a cover for fleeing the scene of an
accident earlier that night. The false report charge against him is
pending.
Dumas was a first-round draft pick of the Mavericks in 1994 after
leaving Missouri-Kansas City.
nba.746vpoznanovic,
HOYA SAYS SEE YA: IVERSON TO ENTER NBA DRAFT
WASHINGTON -- Georgetown point guard Allen Iverson announced Wednesday
he will bypass his final two years of college eligibility and enter
the NBA draft.
Iverson becomes the first Georgetown player in John Thompson's 24
years as coach to leave school early. The school has featured star
players such as Patrick Ewing, Eric "Sleepy" Floyd, Alonzo Mourning
and Dikembe Mutombo.
Iverson made the official announcement at an afternoon news conference
at the school and was accompanied by Thompson.
"After carefully weighing my options with coach Thompson and my
family, I've decided to enter the NBA draft," Iverson said. "I
definitely plan to further my education, but my family needs to be
addressed right now."
Iverson has an immediate need for the money an NBA contract would
bring. He announced Wednesday for the first time that he is a father
of a 1-year-old girl, and he said he wants to get a specialist for his
younger sister, whom he said was suffering from seizures.
Iverson has been driving a $130,000 Mercedes on loan from a car dealer
since early April, adding to the speculation he would leave school
early. The matter likely would have been investigated by the NCAA if
Iverson decided to return for his junior year.
Thompson on Wednesday blamed Iverson's departure on NCAA rules that
prohibit the university from giving the sophomore's sister the medical
help she needs.
"We have the most antiquated set of rules," Thompson said. "There are
almost archaic."
Many NBA scouts say Iverson will be the first point guard selected and
a likely top-four selection in the draft. Iverson and Stephon Marbury,
who left Georgia Tech after his freshman year, are rated as the top
point guards in the draft.
"It's going to be difficult in the beginning, but here at Georgetown
we're prepared for things like that," Iverson said of life after
college. "He (Thompson) gets us prepared for things like that. I'm
going to take a lot of the things he taught me and a lot of the things
he told the other players and just use that."
Iverson led Georgetown to a 29-8 record and three NCAA Tournament wins
in 1995-96. The Hoyas advanced to the East Regional final before
losing to Massachusetts.
"Anytime that Allen Iverson leaves, in my opinion, would be too soon,"
Thompson said. "When you look at something like this, you have to look
at it from a broad perspective and you have to consider all things
that are involved.
"It would be stupid of me to try and train a man to think and make
judgements, and then me try to persuade him or discourage him from
doing something he feels in his heart he must do.
"If Allen had a choice, he would stay at Georgetown University,"
Thompson said. "If you listen very carefully to what he said to you,
at this time in his life, it's necessary for him to make this decision
and go forward."
Iverson was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in both his
freshman and sophomore years. He led the conference in scoring at 24.5
points per game, and steals at 3.8. Iverson averaged 3.6 turnovers and
was fourth in conference field-goal percentage at 49.1. Iverson's 5.03
assist average ranked eighth in the Big East in 1995-96.
Iverson's stay at Georgetown began in controversy.
In December, the Virginia Court of Appeals reversed the 1993
conviction of Iverson and two friends in connection with a bowling
alley brawl.
Iverson was an 18-year-old high school student when he was convicted
of three counts of maiming by mob in connection with a chair-throwing
incident during a fight at a Hampton, Va., bowling alley in February,
1993.
He was sentenced to five years in prison and served three months
before being granted clemency and enrolling at Georgetown. Iverson was
one of the nation's top freshmen players last year.
Iverson's lawyers argued in their appeal that the incident was
racially motivated and that no mob formed. The appeals court agreed
that there was no mob involved.
nba.747vpoznanovic,
NETS NOT FOR SALE, BUT OWNERSHIP WILL BE RESTRUCTURED
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New Jersey Nets will not be sold and the
team's board of directors will meet Friday to restructure the
ownership group.
The Wednesday announcement ends weeks of speculation, including
reports that John McMullen -- owner of hockey's New Jersey Devils --
offered $90 million to buy the Nets.
According to Nets president Michael Rowe, board member Henry Taub will
be named chairman and chief executive officer on Friday, replacing
Alan Aufzien. Principal owners David Gerstein and Jerry Cohen will
retain their ownership interests, Rowe said.
"The Nets ownership considered substantial offers to sell the team,
but decided to commit themselves to strengthening the organization and
building the organization and building the best team possible," Rowe
said.
Nets executives said they have advised NBA officials of the team's
plans.
New Jersey finished sixth in the Atlantic Division in 1995-96 with a
30-52 record, 30 games behind first-place Orlando and 12 games out of
the final Eastern Conference playoff berth. The Nets traded former
All-Stars Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson during the season, missed
the playoffs for the second consecutive season and fired coach Butch
Beard.
nba.748vpoznanovic,
PEROT GROUP BUYS MAVS; COACH MOTTA STEPS DOWN
DALLAS -- After much speculation, Dallas Mavericks owner Donald Carter
officially agreed Wednesday to sell a majority interest in the team to
a group headed by Ross Perot Jr. and David McDavid.
The sale is rumored to be for $125 million, more than 10 times the $12
million Carter paid for the expansion team in 1980.
Mavericks coach Dick Motta, the third-winningest coach in NBA history,
agreed to step down as part of the sale. Motta, 64, will stay with the
Mavericks as a basketball consultant, according to a team spokeswoman.
"Coach Motta has a personal relationship with Don Carter, as everyone
knows," McDavid said. "He expressed to me that he wanted to exit when
Don sold majority interest. We've asked him to stay on as a basketball
consultant and he accepted.
"We're putting together a list of coaching candidates and coach Motta
will be consulted for his input. We're looking forward to benefiting
from his vast knowledge of the NBA and the Mavericks."
Motta guided Dallas to a combined 62-102 record over the past two
seasons in his second stint with the Mavericks. He also coached the
team for its first seven seasons in the NBA, compiling a 267-307 mark
and four playoff appearances.
The announcement of the sale was made at a 4 p.m. ET news conference
at Reunion Arena.
"I'm at peace and I'm excited about the future of the Mavericks and
what this new blood can do for the team," said Carter, who will retain
a minority ownership stake. "I believe I'm putting the team in good
hands. That helps ease the pain and gives me strong faith in the
future.
"These new owners will appreciate the strong organization and the
relationships we've built."
The group is headed by Perot, the son of the businessman and former
presidential candidate. McDavid, a Dallas-area car dealer, will
represent the team on the NBA Board of Governors.
Other notable names reportedly involved in the group include former
Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Roger Staubach and professional golfer
Fred Couples.
"David and I are very excited and honored to be in partnership with
the Carters as owners of the Mavericks," said Perot, who serves as
chairman of the successful Hillwood Development Corporation. "The next
few years are going to be very exciting ones in the history of this
team and this community with the building of a great team and a great
arena. We look forward to a very bright future."
Dallas Stars owner Thomas Hicks reportedly was also in negotiations to
purchase the Mavericks from Carter. Both teams currently play in
Reunion Arena.
The Mavericks became the NBA's 23rd franchise in 1980. The height of
their success came in 1987, when they won 53 games and reached the
Western Conference finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven
games.
But injuries, bad trades, free agency and the recurring
substance-abuse woes of forward Roy Tarpley led to the franchise's
decline. In the 1992-93 and 1993-94 campaigns, the Mavericks went
24-140, the worst two-season record in NBA history.
This season, the Mavericks were expected to push for a playoff spot,
but injuries and dissension hurt the team as it sputtered to a 26-56
record. Dallas has not reached the playoffs since 1990.
nba.749vpoznanovic,
BULLETS NAME UNSELD TO REPLACE NASH AS GM
LANDOVER, Md. -- Wes Unseld, who played for the Washington Bullets for
13 seasons and coached them for seven, was named general manager on
Wednesday.
Unseld takes over for John Nash, who resigned as general manager on
Tuesday.
"Many times through the history of this franchise, I have turned to
Wes to lead the way," Bullet chairman Abe Pollin said. "As we enter a
very exciting and important time in the Bullets development, I can
think of no other candidate more appropriate to take the Bullets into
the future than Wes Unseld."
Unseld was the executive vice president for the Bullets and Washington
Sports and Entertainment for the previous two years. He managed the
sponsorship, communications, community relations and game operations
for the Bullets and the NHL's Washington Capitals.
Unseld was the top overall pick of the Baltimore Bullets in the 1968
NBA draft and that season joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players
ever to win the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors in
the same campaign.
Unseld was a Hall of Fame player, and he played on the 1977-78 Bullets
team that won the NBA championship. He did not fare as well as the
coach, compiling a record of 202-345 from 1987 to 1994.
In a prepared statement issued Tuesday, Nash cited personal reasons
for his departure and said that he would be attending to family
affairs in the near future without any further comment.
Nash, 49, left the Bullets after almost six years as the team's vice
president and general manager. Nash was hired in June of 1990.
Nash's most significant moves as Bullets general manager came in 1994
when he selected forward Juwan Howard in the first round of the June
draft and then acquired forward Chris Webber from Golden State in
November.
However, the Bullets failed to qualify for the playoffs in Nash's
tenure as general manager and their streak of eight consecutive years
without making the playoffs is currently the longest in the NBA's
Eastern Conference.
nba.750vpoznanovic,
Cleveland (76) At New York (81)
Cleveland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mills F 41 4-15 0-0 4 4 8 1 4 2 1 8
Ferry F 34 3-12 0-0 0 6 6 2 6 1 2 6
Cage C 37 0-1 0-0 6 6 12 1 4 0 0 0
Phills G 22 4-10 1-3 1 4 5 1 1 0 2 10
Brandon G 44 6-14 7-8 0 2 2 7 5 1 5 19
Hill 23 3-5 7-8 4 3 7 0 6 0 2 13
Majerle 31 4-11 5-6 0 2 2 1 0 2 2 16
Sura 8 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 2 4
Amaechi Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Crotty Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lang Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Marshall Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 26-71 20-25 15 27 42 14 29 7 16 76
(.366) (.800) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 17(16 Pts)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Oakley F 32 5-10 2-4 3 3 6 4 6 1 4 13
Mason F 45 4-10 3-4 1 8 9 4 3 2 2 11
Ewing C 42 5-10 6-14 2 8 10 1 2 0 6 16
Starks G 39 7-11 3-6 0 5 5 4 3 0 4 22
Harper G 35 2-5 2-4 0 4 4 3 3 3 1 6
Davis 28 2-4 4-5 1 2 3 1 2 0 1 9
Williams 6 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Ward 13 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 2 1 2 3 0
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grandison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 27-55 20-37 8 30 38 19 20 8 21 81
(.491) (.541) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 21(22 Pts)
Cleveland 16 16 23 21 - 76
New York 24 26 16 15 - 81
Blocked Shots: Cleveland - Ferry, Cage. New York - Ewing 4, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Cleveland 4-19 (.211), Mills 0-1, Ferry 0-4, Phills
1-4, Brandon 0-4, Majerle 3-6. New York 7-13 (.538), Oakley 1-1, Starks
5-7, Davis 1-3, Ward 0-2.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Jack Nies, Tommy Nunez.
A - 19,763. T - 2:29.
nba.751vpoznanovic,
KNICKS SWEEP CAVS, DESPITE NOT WAITING TO EXHALE
NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks did everything in their power to give
the game away in the fourth quarter.
Problem was, the Cleveland Cavaliers just wouldn't accept the gift.
The Knicks blew a 19-point lead Wednesday night but recovered to
defeat Cavaliers 81-76 for a three-game sweep of their Eastern
Conference first-round series.
"Tonight we sort of exhaled. We played to get the game over with, and
we didn't close them out," Knicks guard Derek Harper said. "In order
to beat Chicago, we're going to have to play very consistent
basketball for 48 minutes."
New York will play the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the best-of-seven
conference semifinals that begin Sunday at Chicago. This marks the
fifth time in six seasons that Chicago and New York will meet in the
playoffs.
John Starks scored 22 points and Patrick Ewing -- who missed five
consecutive free throws down the stretch -- added 16 points against
Cleveland, as the Knicks swept a playoff series for the first time
since eliminating the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round in 1989.
"Again, it was a struggle at home," New York coach Jeff Van Gundy said
Wednesday. "Despite what happened tonight, we made the plays we needed
to to win the game. I don't think we were complacent -- we were
playing a desperate team out there and you have to give them all the
credit.
"It was good for us to get the sweep. It takes a lot of mental
toughness to do what we did."
When Cleveland point guard Terrell Brandon was called for his fifth
foul with one minute left in the third quarter, Starks started started
grinning and waving five fingers in the face of Cavs coach Mike
Fratello.
"I appreciate John trying to help me out, telling me that my point
guard had five fouls. That was very considerate on his part," Fratello
said sarcastically.
After that, the Cavs rallied and the Knicks began to crumble.
Cleveland trailed 68-57 early in the fourth quarter, but used a 13-2
run to tie the score. Dan Majerle started the spurt with four free
throws and Brandon added a jumper to make it 68-63 with 7:30 to play.
Cleveland's Tyrone Hill added a turnaround jumper, but Anthony Mason
broke the Knicks' dry spell with a layup to make it 70-65 with 6:18 to
go.
Brandon scored before Majerle made a free throw and a hook shot to tie
the score with 4:48 remaining.
"This was a tough series," Starks said. "Even though we swept,
Cleveland didn't give up at all. It just shows you what kind of team
they have."
New York took control again, taking off on a 7-0 run. Mason and Ewing
each made a foul shot before Starks drilled a 3-pointer from the left
baseline to make it 75-70 with 3:21 to play. Harper then stole the
ball from Brandon on the left side and converted a layup to extend the
lead to 77-70 at the 3:02 mark.
"We had a chance at the end but there was a three from Starks, and
then Brandon got stripped and all of a sudden it was 77-70," Fratello
said.
Cleveland made one last push, pulling within 78-76 on a layup by Hill
with 49 seconds remaining. Mason responded with a layup 14 seconds
later and Brandon missed a 3-pointer. Ewing then missed two free
throws with 23 seconds to go, but Majerle missed a layup and Starks
hit the second of two free throws with 12 seconds left to complete the
scoring.
Brandon scored 19 points and Majerle added 16 for fourth-seeded
Cleveland, which was eliminated in the first round for the third year
in a row. The Cavaliers have lost to the Knicks the past two
postseasons.
The Cavaliers are 1-9 in their past three playoff appearances and were
swept for the second time in that span. Cleveland lost in three games
to Chicago in 1994.
"You have to give the Knicks credit. They played good team basketball
down the stretch," Fratello said. "We're hurting very much as a team
right now, but I am very satisfied with the effort we got tonight. We
are looking to improve next year and I feel we will be a stronger
club."
The Knicks are in the second round for the fifth consecutive year, the
second-longest active streak behind Chicago's nine years.
"Hopefully, we can bring this brand of basketball into the next
round," Starks said. "We are a confident team right now, I'm looking
forward to play Chicago. They're the best and you have to go through
them to win the championship."
New York had taken its largest lead of the game at 44-25 with 1:38
left in the first half when Charles Oakley made a foul shot. Starks
gave the Knicks a 50-32 halftime lead on a 42-footer as time expired.
Oakley scored 13 points and Mason added 11 and nine rebounds for New
York, which shot 49 percent (27 for 55) from the floor and overcame 21
turnovers.
Hill added 13 points off the bench for the Cavs, who shot only 37
percent (26 for 71). They made just four of 19 3-pointers and were
just 16 of 63 from 3-point range (26 percent) for the series.
The Knicks connected on 30 of 51 3-pointers (59 percent) during the
series, including 17 of 22 in Game 1.
The Cavaliers made 37.7 percent of their 3-pointers in the regular
season, as did New York.
nba.752vpoznanovic,
Chicago (112) At Miami (91)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kukoc F 30 4-8 6-7 1 4 5 4 2 1 1 14
Pippen F 39 6-12 8-11 8 10 18 10 3 1 5 22
Longley C 21 4-8 2-2 2 3 5 1 2 0 1 10
Jordan G 33 10-23 3-3 1 2 3 2 0 3 0 26
Harper G 34 5-6 2-2 0 2 2 3 2 0 1 13
Rodman 18 3-4 0-0 2 1 3 3 4 0 0 6
Kerr 23 2-5 2-2 0 1 1 3 0 1 1 7
Brown 7 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1
Buechler 14 3-7 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 2 7
Salley 8 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Wennington 13 3-5 0-0 2 2 4 1 1 2 1 6
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-80 24-29 17 31 48 27 17 8 12 112
(.500) (.828) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 12(13 Pts)
Miami
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Williams F 19 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 0 0 2
Thomas F 17 2-5 2-2 3 5 8 2 5 0 1 6
Mourning C 41 11-19 8-8 2 6 8 2 3 1 3 30
Chapman G 30 3-9 0-0 0 4 4 2 1 1 1 6
Hardaway G 38 6-15 0-0 1 1 2 6 3 0 4 14
Gatling 20 1-8 1-3 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 3
Askins 30 4-7 3-3 1 2 3 1 5 1 3 13
Smith 22 4-10 0-0 2 0 2 3 0 2 1 10
Danilovic 15 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 7
Corbin 8 0-2 0-0 3 1 4 1 1 1 0 0
King Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Schayes Dnp - Fractures Right Side Of Face
Totals 240 35-84 14-16 15 23 38 22 22 7 14 91
(.417) (.875) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 14(24 Pts)
Chicago 37 25 27 23 - 112
Miami 23 21 22 25 - 91
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Pippen 3. Miami - Mourning 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 8-20 (.400), Kukoc 0-3, Pippen 2-4, Jordan 3-6,
Harper 1-1, Kerr 1-3, Buechler 1-3. Miami 7-27 (.259), Williams 0-2,
Chapman 0-3, Hardaway 2-8, Askins 2-4, Smith 2-6, Danilovic 1-4.
Technicals: Miami - Hardaway.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Bennett Salvatore, Ron Olesiak.
A - 15,200. T - 2:12.
nba.753vpoznanovic,
BULLS COMPLETE THEIR WHAMMY ON MIAMI
MIAMI -- Phil Jackson's greatest admirer is ... Pat Riley?
"Phil has put together a machine that is incredibly in sync," Riley
said Wednesday after his Miami Heat lost 112-91 to Jackson's Chicago
Bulls, who swept the first-round playoff series. "When you vote for
coach of the year, my vote is for Phil. There isn't anybody in the
league doing a better job."
Michael Jordan scored 26 points in three quarters and Scottie Pippen
had a triple-double on Wednesday. Chicago won three games by an
average of 22.7 points and swept its first-round foe for the fifth
time in the past six years.
Chicago advanced to the second round for the ninth consecutive
postseason, the longest active streak in the league.
"I don't want to sit here and I don't want my players to sit here and
wallow in total domination by the Bulls," Riley said. "They are a
well-oiled machine -- a great, great team on a mission. In spite of
what happened tonight, I'm very happy with our team."
The Bulls, who won a record 72 games during the regular season, will
face the New York Knicks in the second round, starting Sunday at
Chicago. The Knicks knocked off Cleveland in the first round and will
face the Bulls in the playoffs for the fifth time in the past six
seasons.
Riley coached New York during the previous four Bulls-Knicks
postseason matchups. During that time, he and Jackson feuded through
the media because Jackson didn't like New York's less-than-artistic
form of physical basketball, and Riley and his Knicks didn't care.
"Obviously the Knicks run the same system as Miami does," Jackson said
Wednesday. "We're going to have to be prepared for a team that
basically does the same thing."
Jordan aggravated the back injury he sustained in Game 2. He watched
the opening minutes of the fourth quarter while he was on his stomach
in front of the bench, receiving treatment. He left for the locker
room with seven minutes to play.
"It was tough getting loose, but once I got loose I felt pretty good,"
Jordan said. "I was looking forward to getting this thing over so I
could use these three days to get healthy."
Pippen had 22 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists for Chicago, which
used a 15-4 run first-quarter run to take control of Game 3.
"I don't think it was an easy series," said Pippen, who had engaged in
verbal jousting with Miami center Alonzo Mourning throughout the
series. "I think we stepped up our game and played much better than
they probably anticipated."
Mourning, who was held to 24 points in the first two games, scored 30
points and Tim Hardaway added 14 for Miami, which fell to 0-6 in the
playoffs all-time against the Bulls. Miami has lost those against by
an average of 20.5 points.
"It's not a good feeling at all. It's just not a good feeling,"
Mourning said. "The fact is that we've gone through a lot as a team --
a lot of ups and downs, basically a roller coaster year. It's amazing
that we put ourselves in the playoffs."
Chicago grabbed control of the game in the first quarter. Mourning
gave Miami its final lead of the game at 10-9 with a seven-foot hook
shot, but the Bulls reeled off the next 10 points.
Jordan scored 14 and Pippen added nine as Chicago raced to a 37-23
lead after one period. The Bulls made 14 of 23 shots in the quarter.
The Bulls used a 27-12 rebounding advantage to open a 62-44 halftime
lead. Miami came no closer than 15 points in the second half. Chicago
took its largest lead of the game at 105-74 on a 3-pointer by Steve
Kerr with 7:07 remaining.
All five Chicago starters scored in double figures as Kukoc scored 14,
Harper 13 and Longley 10. The Bulls shot 50 percent (40 for 80) from
the field and outrebounded Miami 48-38.
Chicago forward Dennis Rodman, who was ejected in Game 2 and fined for
making an obscene gesture as he left the court, played only 18 minutes
and finished with six points and three rebounds.
Keith Askins scored 13 points and Tony Smith added 10 for Miami, which
shot 42 percent (35 for 84) from the floor and was outscored 24-14
from the foul line. The Heat committed 14 turnovers, leading to 24
Chicago points.
nba.754vpoznanovic,
Utah (90) At Portland (98)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Benoit F 34 5-9 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 1 13
Malone F 38 4-16 7-12 2 4 6 6 4 6 2 15
Spencer C 20 0-3 0-0 2 2 4 0 4 0 1 0
Hornacek G 36 11-17 4-4 1 3 4 3 3 1 3 30
Stockton G 39 3-13 5-5 1 1 2 11 2 4 1 11
Eisley 9 0-2 2-2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 2
Ostertag 24 3-5 3-4 3 2 5 0 5 1 1 9
Russell 10 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0
Morris 15 0-4 4-6 2 4 6 0 1 1 0 4
Carr 12 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 4
Foster 1 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Keefe 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 29-77 25-33 14 20 34 21 28 14 9 90
(.377) (.758) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 10(9 Pts)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Grant F 31 4-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 8
C Robinson F 29 3-8 7-11 2 1 3 1 5 1 4 15
Sabonis C 35 6-13 10-12 0 13 13 4 5 1 3 25
Mckie G 37 5-10 0-0 1 3 4 2 2 2 5 10
Strickland G 38 10-16 5-6 2 4 6 7 1 1 2 27
Williams 26 1-2 2-2 1 3 4 0 3 0 1 4
R Robinson 10 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 2 7
Wingfield 15 0-3 1-2 2 2 4 3 3 0 2 1
Dudley 19 0-3 1-2 2 4 6 0 1 0 0 1
J Robinson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Spencer Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Trent Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-66 26-35 11 32 43 18 24 5 19 98
(.485) (.743) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 19(23 Pts)
Utah 17 23 24 26 - 90
Portland 27 27 20 24 - 98
Blocked Shots: Utah - Ostertag, Carr. Portland - Williams 2, Grant,
Sabonis, Dudley.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 7-15 (.467), Benoit 3-5, Hornacek 4-4, Stockton
0-1, Russell 0-1, Morris 0-4. Portland 8-17 (.471), Grant 0-1, C Robinson
2-4, Sabonis 3-3, Mckie 0-2, Strickland 2-3, R Robinson 1-2, Wingfield 0-2.
Technicals: Utah - Malone, Illegal Defense, Portland - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Dan Crawford, Joe Forte, Joe Derosa.
A - 21,401. T - 2:16.
nba.755vpoznanovic,
I BEG YOUR PARDON: JAZZ DOESN'T DIG ROSE GARDEN
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland's Rose Garden smelled quite foul to the
Utah Jazz.
Arvydas Sabonis scored 18 of his 25 points in the first half as the
Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 98-90 on Wednesday, forcing
a decisive fifth game in their Western Conference first-round series.
After winning the first two games of the series in Salt Lake City, the
Jazz came to Oregon and lost twice at the Blazers' new arena.
"We knew we could win these games on our home court," said Portland
guard Rod Strickland, who had 27 points and seven assists. "It was
just a matter of getting it done.
"They did what they had to do at their place and we've done what we've
had to do at our place. Now we have to figure out a way to steal one
there on Sunday. It's not going to be easy. We'll have to play a very,
very good game."
Game 5 is Sunday at Salt Lake City. The Jazz held a 2-1 lead over the
Houston Rockets in the first round last season, but lost the final two
games, including a 95-91 home loss in Game 5.
"I'm not making any predictions about Sunday other then we'll go in
there and give it out best effort," Portland forward Buck Williams
said. "They are a very, very good team at home and it will take a
monumental effort from us to win this series."
Utah's Jeff Hornacek scored 30 points and Karl Malone, who scored 98
points in the first three games, was held to just 15.
"Chalk this game up as an experience," said Malone, who shot four for
16 from the field. "I had a bad game and I take the responsibility for
the loss. It was just one of those things where I just didn't play
well and I really don't have anything negative to say. Portland played
very hard and they played well at home."
Utah had pulled within 34-28 on two free throws by John Stockton with
almost seven minutes to play in the first half, but Portland took off
on a 17-4 tear.
Strickland closed the run with a 12-footer, giving the Blazers a 51-32
lead with 1:30 to play in the first half.
Portland took its largest lead of the game when Clifford Robinson hit
a 3-pointer with 9:31 left in the third quarter to give the Blazers a
63-42 lead.
Utah came as close as eight points early in the fourth quarter, but
Rumeal Robinson converted a layup and Clifford Robinson added a
three-point play to give Portland a 79-66 lead just two minutes into
the final period.
Clifford Robinson finished with 15 points and Aaron McKie added 10 for
Portland, which shot 49 percent (32 for 66) from the field and
outrebounded the Jazz 43-34. Sabonis pulled down 13 rebounds, all on
the defensive end.
David Benoit scored 13 points and Stockton added 11 points and 11
assists for Utah, which shot 38 percent (29 for 77) from the field.
The Jazz made 38 percent (63 for 167) of its shots in the two games at
Portland after making 59 percent (76 for 130) in the two games at
Utah.
"They played well," Hornacek said. "They just came out and beat us.
They were 18-4 at the end of the season and they are a very good team.
Sabonis was outstanding and they got a great effort from Rod
Stickland.
"We can't get our heads down. It will help to go home and be in our
home court."
nba.756vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (93) At Phoenix (94)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 45 9-21 0-0 2 1 3 5 1 3 2 20
Smith F 19 1-3 2-2 0 2 2 0 5 1 1 4
Robinson C 35 8-18 6-6 4 3 7 4 4 1 4 22
Del Negro G 40 3-12 0-0 1 5 6 8 1 3 1 6
Johnson G 46 9-16 1-2 1 7 8 6 2 0 2 19
W Perdue 21 2-2 0-0 4 5 9 0 2 0 1 4
C Person 28 6-10 2-2 0 3 3 1 4 0 0 18
Alexander 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Herrera 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rivers Dnp - Lower Back Spasms Not Wth Team
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-84 11-12 12 27 39 25 21 8 11 93
(.452) (.917) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 11(13 Pts)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Green F 21 0-3 2-2 2 4 6 0 3 0 1 2
Barkley F 40 6-12 12-15 2 11 13 3 3 1 2 25
Williams C 38 2-9 0-0 6 5 11 0 5 0 2 4
W Person G 48 9-19 2-2 4 5 9 1 1 0 2 23
Johnson G 41 8-18 2-3 2 4 6 8 2 0 4 18
Tisdale 20 3-8 0-0 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 6
Manning 19 7-14 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 2 2 14
Perry 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0
Carr 6 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
Bennett Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Finley Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Kleine Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-86 18-22 20 33 53 18 16 3 13 94
(.419) (.818) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 13(9 Pts)
San Antonio 26 28 17 22 - 93
Phoenix 23 29 24 18 - 94
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Robinson 3, W Perdue, C Person. Phoenix -
Barkley, Williams, W Person.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 6-16 (.375), Elliott 2-7, Del Negro 0-4, C
Person 4-5. Phoenix 4-11 (.364), Green 0-1, Barkley 1-3, W Person 3-7.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Bob Delaney, Greg Willard.
A - 19,023. T - 2:15.
nba.757vpoznanovic,
SUNS RISE IN THE WES AS SPURS GO SOUTH
PHOENIX -- There were more than 19,000 happy people at America West
Arena on Wednesday, but one Person was particularly relieved.
"I'm glad we won because I couldn't have gone home for the summer if
my brother swept me," said Phoenix guard Wesley Person, who scored 23
points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Suns defeated the San Antonio
Spurs 94-93 in Game 3 and staved off elimination from the first round
of the playoffs.
Wesley's older brother Chuck finished with 18 points for San Antonio,
shooting four for five from 3-point range. Game 4 of the best-of-five
playoff series is Friday at Phoenix.
Danny Manning scored 12 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter for
Phoenix. Charles Barkley, who was scoreless in the first and fourth
quarters, finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
"We obviously dodged a bullet so we can live another day," Phoenix
coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "We struggled a great deal on our
shooting. But I have no complaints about the effort my team put out.
"Manning stepped up in the fourth quarter when we had to have him. I
rested him most of the ball game; he's been having trouble with his
tendinitis in his knee."
Phoenix was able to hold San Antonio without points in consecutive
possessions over the final 11:14 of the game. Suns center John "Hot
Rod" Williams made two crucial defensive plays in the late going,
batting a rebound to Wesley Person with 45 seconds left and tying up
David Robinson for a jump ball with 12.7 seconds to go.
"I can't say enough about John Williams and job he did on Robinson,"
Fitzsimmons said. "The fact is that we didn't have to double-team
Robinson hardly at all."
Robinson, who was scoreless in the first quarter, finished with 22
points and Sean Elliott added 20 for San Antonio, which missed two
opportunities to win in the final 8.8 seconds. Vinny Del Negro missed
a 3-pointer from the left wing and Elliott missed a jumper from just
beyond the foul line.
"I had a good look at the last shot, but unfortunately it didn't go
down," Del Negro said. "Now we have to re-group and get ready for
Friday. If we made a shot here and there, we get the victory. But
we're still in the driver's seat."
"I really thought we were going to get this game," Robinson said. "I
never doubted it the whole game. I put my money on Vinny on shooting
that shot every day of the week.
"We didn't establish our presence early in the game and they took
advantage of it."
San Antonio had taken its final lead -- the 13th lead change of the
fourth quarter -- on a 12-footer by Elliott to make it 89-88 with 5:15
to play. Wesley Person responded with a layup to give Phoenix the lead
for good at the 3:42 mark, and Manning added a putback almost a minute
later to give the Suns a 92-89 lead.
Chuck Person answered with a dunk to bring San Antonio within 92-91,
but Kevin Johnson converted a layup to restore the three-point lead
with 1:48 left. Robinson scored the game's final points on a layup
with 90 seconds to play.
Phoenix had led 76-71 at the start of the fourth quarter, but the
Spurs set up the see-saw for the final period as Chuck Person hit a
3-pointer and Robinson converted a three-point play to give San
Antonio a 77-76 lead with 11:14 to go.
Wesley Person hit three of his seven 3-point attempts. Kevin Johnson
added 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
"When I'm making the outside shot, they have another person they have
to come out for," Wesley said. "And that takes a lot of pressure off
Charles and Kevin."
Phoenix shot 42 percent (36 for 86) from the field and held a 53-39
edge in rebounds, including 20-12 on the offensive end. Barkley
outscored San Antonio at the foul line: Barkley was 12 for 15 and
the Spurs were 11 for 12.
The Spurs shot 45 percent (38 for 84) from the floor. Elliott was
nine for 21 from the field, Del Negro was three for 12 and Robinson
was eight for 18.
"We played awful," San Antonio coach Bob Hill said. "That's the worst
game we've played in. We were impatient and we didn't keep our
composure. We didn't rebound. We didn't drive the ball.
"It was just a very poor performance on our part. We don't talk about
wins and losses, we talk about performances. And that was a bad
performance."
There were 23 lead changes and 15 ties in the game.
nba.758vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
First round (best-of-five; all times Eastern)
*if necessary
Eastern Conference
Chicago defeats Miami 3-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 Chicago 106, Miami 75
May 1 Chicago 112, Miami 91
Orlando defeats Detroit 3-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 Orlando 92, Detroit 77
April 30 Orlando 101, Detroit 98
Atlanta leads Indiana 2-1
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 Atlanta 90, Indiana 83
May 2 at Atlanta 7 p.m. TNT
May 5 *at Indiana TBA
New York defeats Cleveland 3-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 New York 81, Cleveland 76
Western Conference
Seattle leads Sacramento 2-1
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 Sacramento 90, Seattle 81
April 30 Seattle 96, Sacramento 89
May 2 at Sacramento 10:30 p.m. TBS
May 4 *at Seattle TBA
San Antonio leads Phoenix 2-1
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 San Antonio 110, Phoenix 105
May 1 Phoenix 94, San Antonio 93
May 3 at Phoenix 9 p.m. TNT
May 5 *at San Antonio TBA
Utah, Portland tied 2-2
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 Portland 94, Utah 91 (OT)
May 1 Portland 98, Utah 90
May 5 at Utah TBA
Houston leads L.A. Lakers 2-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 Houston 104, L.A. Lakers 98
May 2 at Houston 9:30 p.m. TNT
May 4 *at L.A Lakers TBA
nba.759vpoznanovic,
BY GHEORGHE, MURESAN WINS NBA'S MOST IMPROVED
LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Bullets center Gheorghe Muresan received
the NBA's Most Improved Player Award after receiving 50 of a possible
113 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters.
NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik presented Muresan with the award
during a Thursday ceremony on Capitol Hill.
"When I came to the NBA, I knew there were very good players here,"
said Muresan, a three-year NBA veteran. "But I knew if I worked hard I
would get better. This is very nice."
Muresan, the NBA leader in shooting percentage at .584, also averaged
career-highs in points (14.5), rebounds (9.6), blocked shots (2.26),
assists (0.7) and steals (0.68). Muresan was eighth in the league in
blocked shots.
His scoring average went up 4.5 points per game in 1995-96, his
rebounding average improved by 2.9 per game and the Bullets improved
their win total by 18 and narrowly missed the playoffs.
BIG GHEORGHE
Gheorghe Muresan's statistics during his first three NBA seasons:
PTS. REB. BLK. FG pct.
1993-94 5.6 3.6 0.9 .545
1994-95 10.0 6.7 1.7 .560
1995-96 14.5 9.6 2.3 .584*
* led NBA "I wasn't sure when we drafted him that he would be in a
Bullets uniform at this time. I thought he'd stay in Europe for at
least three seasons," John Nash, Washington's former general manager,
said of Muresan last month. "He's made progress well beyond what I
could have envisioned."
The 7-foot-7 center from Romania started the first 76 games for the
Bullets this past season before a right knee injury sidelined him. He
shot better than .500 from the field in 58 games and blocked two or
more shots 43 times.
George McCloud of Dallas was second in the balloting with 23 votes and
Cleveland teammates Danny Ferry and Terrell Brandon shared third place
with six votes each.
Eighteen players received votes. They were Terry Murray of Toronto
(4), Brian Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers (4), Elden Campbell of
the Los Angeles Lakers (3), Shawn Bradley and Chris Childs of New
Jersey (2), Allen Houston of Detroit (2), Bobby Phills of Cleveland
(2), Dennis Scott of Orlando (2), David Wesley of Boston (2), Greg
Anthony of Vancouver (1), Vinny Del Negro of San Antonio (1), Matt
Geiger of Charlotte (1), Juwan Howard of Washington (1) and Jayson
Williams of New Jersey (1).
nba.760vpoznanovic,
NETS' EDWARDS HAS SCAR TISSUE REMOVED FROM KNEE
CLEVELAND -- The New Jersey Nets announced Thursday that guard Kevin
Edwards underwent surgery on his right knee in Cleveland.
Edwards had tendinitis scar tissue and calcification removed from his
quadriceps tendon, located above the knee cap. He will begin a
rehabilitation program that will last approximately 10 to 12 weeks,
but is expected to ready for training camp in October.
Edwards, 30, appeared in 34 games this past season and averaged 11.6
points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He missed 48 games
because of the injury and was placed on the injured list Jan. 15.
nba.761vpoznanovic,
Indiana (83) At Atlanta (75)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 35 5-12 3-3 0 6 6 2 3 0 2 14
D Davis F 42 1-2 1-4 2 7 9 1 4 2 2 3
Smits C 26 8-12 1-1 2 7 9 0 6 0 4 17
Pierce G 25 5-11 2-4 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 12
Jackson G 37 5-15 1-2 0 7 7 5 1 4 3 12
A Davis 26 2-5 2-2 4 2 6 1 3 0 3 6
Workman 11 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 3
Ferrell 14 3-5 1-3 2 0 2 0 3 1 0 7
Best 24 2-5 5-6 1 4 5 3 1 1 1 9
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Miller Dnp - Eye Injury
Totals 240 32-69 16-25 11 34 45 14 25 10 17 83
(.464) (.640) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 18(12 Pts)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 29 2-7 4-4 1 3 4 1 3 1 1 8
Long F 40 4-12 0-2 6 6 12 2 3 1 2 9
Laettner C 33 3-9 3-6 3 5 8 1 5 1 3 9
Smith G 45 6-18 6-7 0 5 5 2 2 1 2 19
Blaylock G 43 7-18 0-0 2 4 6 5 2 2 4 17
Ehlo 22 2-6 1-1 0 2 2 0 1 1 2 6
Henderson 10 1-3 0-0 2 1 3 0 2 0 0 2
Jordan 5 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3
Rooks 13 1-3 0-3 3 0 3 0 4 0 2 2
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 27-77 15-25 17 26 43 11 22 9 17 75
(.351) (.600) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 17(18 Pts)
Indiana 25 25 18 15 - 83
Atlanta 22 19 23 11 - 75
Blocked Shots: Indiana - D Davis, Smits, A Davis. Atlanta - Smith 3,
Laettner, Long, Blaylock, Rooks.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Indiana 3-10 (.300), Mckey 1-3, Jackson 1-4, Workman
1-2, Best 0-1. Atlanta 6-20 (.300), Long 1-3, Smith 1-4, Blaylock 3-10,
Ehlo 1-3.
Technicals: Indiana - Smits.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Bill Oakes, Don Vaden.
A - 15,482. T - 2:13.
nba.762vpoznanovic,
PACERS FORCE GAME 5; WILL REGGIE RETURN?
ATLANTA -- What the playoffs be without some drama? Heck, what would
the playoffs be without Reggie Miller?
Indiana used a stifling defense to hold Atlanta scoreless for more
than seven minutes in the fourth quarter Thursday night, as the Pacers
defeated the Hawks 83-75 to force a decisive fifth game in their
first-round playoff series.
"I can't remember better defense than that in a key game," Pacers
coach Larry Brown said.
Here's where the plot thickens: Miller, Indiana's All-Star guard,
might return Sunday for Game 5. He missed the final 4Ż games of the
regular season and the first four games of the playoffs while
recovering from surgery to repair a fractured eye socket.
"Sunday, I'm going to say some prayers," Brown said Thursday. "He shot
today and he looked pretty damn good, but I don't expect him to be
back."
The Indiana players aren't counting on Miller's return, either.
"We're tired of talking about Reggie. We haven't had him for nine
games," power forward Dale Davis told reporters who only wanted to
talk about one person -- Miller.
After the game, Miller said he didn't expect to play unless Indiana
made it to the second round against Orlando.
Rik Smits had 17 points and nine rebounds in Game 4 and Derrick McKey
scored 14 points. McKey converted a crucial three-point play with 2:54
to go as the Pacers used an 8-0 run to extend a two-point lead into an
81-71 advantage with 75 seconds to go.
The Hawks hit just five of 23 shots (22 percent) in the fourth quarter
and were held to a franchise playoff-low 11 points in the period. The
75 points scored by the Hawks was their second lowest output in
postseason history.
"We missed shots, they made shots," Atlanta guard Steve Smith said.
"We had opportunities.
"We need a win, and we need to play hard with a lot of emotion and
have fun. Basketball is still a fun game. It's a one-game series now."
A first-round loss would be quite a turn of events for an Indiana team
that reached the Eastern Conference finals the previous two seasons.
"I think the difference was we set the tone today," Smits said. "It
comes down to our character and effort. You don't go to the Eastern
finals without any character. Everybody stepped up and made big
plays."
Smith scored 19 points and Mookie Blaylock added 17 for the Hawks, who
missed 13 consecutive shots in the final quarter.
"We started to stand around a little bit and then we didn't get
Christian Laettner involved enough," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens said.
"You have to have ball movement and you have to defend. This game was
a missed opportunity.
"We have to do a better job next game. We've won in Indiana and the
players know that."
Smits was eight for 12 from the field and scored 15 of his points in
the first half as the Pacers built a 50-41 lead. Indiana seized a
25-22 first-quarter lead behind eight points from Mark Jackson and six
from Smits.
"We had our backs up against the wall. They were up 2-1 and at home
and there definitely was a sense of urgency," Jackson said. "We're a
good team with a lot of character and we responded. Our biggest weapon
is our defense and our intensity. That's how we win games.
"We could've folded, but that's not the makeup of our team."
Dale Davis grabbed nine rebounds and Jackson finished with 12 points,
seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Travis Best, who hit a
jumper during the pivotal fourth-quarter spurt, contributed nine
points, including five-for-six shooting from the foul line.
Atlanta forwards Stacey Augmon and Grant Long combined to shoot six
for 19 from the field, scoring just 17 points in 69 minutes. Long led
all players with 12 rebounds.
The Hawks had seven blocked shots, including three by Smith.
nba.763vpoznanovic,
LA Lakers (94) At Houston (102)
LA Lakers
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Ceballos F 38 10-19 4-5 4 8 12 3 4 3 3 25
Campbell F 41 5-13 5-7 1 6 7 2 3 0 2 15
Divac C 22 4-9 1-2 2 4 6 0 1 0 0 9
Jones G 37 4-7 3-4 0 2 2 2 5 5 2 14
Van Exel G 38 5-13 3-3 0 1 1 11 2 1 5 15
Johnson 30 2-8 4-4 2 3 5 5 1 0 4 8
Threatt 10 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 0
Peeler 24 3-6 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 2 1 8
Blount Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Lynch Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Roberts Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Strong Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-77 20-25 10 27 37 24 20 11 18 94
(.429) (.800) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 18(17 Pts)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 40 7-13 0-2 1 5 6 4 4 4 1 17
Brown F 29 6-7 4-4 0 2 2 1 4 0 2 16
Olajuwon C 42 12-22 1-2 4 7 11 7 4 4 5 25
Drexler G 36 2-11 2-2 0 6 6 7 2 3 4 6
Smith G 24 6-6 1-1 0 2 2 6 1 1 2 17
Elie 30 4-8 1-1 1 2 3 2 1 0 0 9
Bryant 8 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2
Cassell 24 1-6 8-9 0 2 2 2 3 0 2 10
Mack 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0
Jones 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcutt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-75 17-21 6 28 34 29 21 12 18 102
(.520) (.810) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 19(13 Pts)
LA Lakers 29 22 25 18 - 94
Houston 35 23 25 19 - 102
Blocked Shots: LA Lakers - Campbell 3, Jones. Houston - Olajuwon 2,
Drexler 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: LA Lakers 8-21 (.381), Ceballos 1-5, Campbell 0-1,
Divac 0-1, Jones 3-3, Van Exel 2-5, Johnson 0-2, Threatt 0-1, Peeler 2-3.
Houston 7-18 (.389), Horry 3-8, Drexler 0-2, Smith 4-4, Elie 0-2, Cassell
0-1, Mack 0-1.
Technicals: LA Lakers - Ceballos, Illegal Defense, Houston - Brown,
Illegal Defense.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Ed Middleton, Jim Clark.
A - 16,285. T - 2:22.
nba.764vpoznanovic,
HAIL TO THE CHAMPS: ROCKETS OUST LAKERS
HOUSTON -- Life was easier when Magic Johnson was lining up next to
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar instead of lining up against Hakeem Abdul
Olajuwon.
Olajuwon scored 25 points, including a pair of key baskets down the
stretch, as the two-time defending champion Houston Rockets advanced
to the Western Conference semifinals with a 102-94 victory over the
Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
"Houston beat us by putting it all out on the line," said Johnson, a
five-time NBA champion who returned to the Lakers this season after a
4&3189;-year retirement. "They came in as a unit and shut us down for
four or five minutes."
Houston won the best-of-five series 3-1 and advanced to face the
Seattle SuperSonics, the top seed in the West. Game 1 of the
best-of-seven semifinals will be Saturday afternoon in Seattle.
Olajuwon hit a one-handed jumper Thursday night to give Houston a
91-81 advantage with 6:05 to go, the Rockets' largest lead of the
fourth quarter. When the Lakers drew within five points with 4:28 to
play, Olajuwon hit a fadaway baseline jumper to push the lead to
93-86.
He then blocked Elden Campbell's shot on Los Angeles' next possession.
"The last two games defense was key, especially in the fourth
quarter," said Olajuwon, who finished with 11 rebounds, seven assists,
four steals and a pair of blocks. "Robert Horry was fantastic tonight.
He stepped up on offense, played great defense and had so many key
baskets."
Horry and Kenny Smith added 17 points apiece for Houston. Smith hit
all six of his shots, including four from 3-point range.
The Lakers, who lost both games in Houston, fell apart down the
stretch with questionable shot selection, erratic passing and poor
clock management. Los Angeles coach Del Harris sat Magic Johnson most
of the final six minutes as the Lakers failed to overcome a five-point
deficit.
"He was obviously struggling tonight," Harris said of Johnson. "We
needed a push and it's easier to do with young legs."
"I think he felt that that unit was playing well and that was fine
with me," said Johnson, who had eight points, five assists and five
rebounds in 30 minutes. "They were doing a good job and I didn't want
to rock the boat."
Johnson, 36, said he plans to play next year, hopefully as the Lakers'
point guard.
"I want to come back," he said. "If I feel that there's something
different, then I won't come back. Right now I feel like I want to
come back. I hope to be back."
Trailing 91-81, the Lakers cut the deficit to five points with 4:22 to
go. Anthony Peeler scored all five points on a 3-pointer and a jumper
from the top of the key, but Los Angeles committed a series of miscues
and never were able to overcome the deficit.
The Lakers were able to draw no closer than 98-94 with 16.8 seconds
remaining but Sam Cassell hit a pair of free throws and Clyde Drexler
capped the game with a steal and fast-break dunk.
"I think there were a lot of key possessions, especially in the third
and fourth period and everything seemed to go our way," said Drexler,
who shot just two for 11 from the field. "But the key was just
continuing to hustle."
Los Angeles shot just seven for 20 in the final period and committed
six turnovers.
"First of all, let me say how much I respect the Los Angeles Lakers,"
Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "I have a long relationship with Del
Harris and I think they have great players.
"Basic team defense is always there for us," Tomjanovich said of his
own team. "The Houston Rockets aren't ever going to win by being an
offensive team."
Ceballos led Los Angeles with 25 points and a playoff career-high 12
rebounds. Campbell and Van Exel added 15 points apiece.
Smith and Chucky Brown scored 10 points apiece as the Rockets seized a
35-29 lead first-quarter lead. Brown and Smith were held scoreless in
the second quarter, but Olajuwon led a charge that pushed Houston's
lead to 58-51.
Ceballos had 11 points and Jones added five in the third quarter but
the Lakers still trailed by seven after three quarters.
The Lakers were eliminated in the first round for the third time in
their last four playoff appearances.
nba.765vpoznanovic,
Seattle (101) At Sacramento (87)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Schrempf F 33 5-13 2-3 3 7 10 9 2 1 3 13
Kemp F 33 9-15 5-9 3 5 8 1 4 6 4 23
Johnson C 15 1-5 1-1 0 4 4 0 3 0 1 3
Hawkins G 23 6-10 2-2 3 1 4 2 4 1 2 17
Payton G 41 10-18 5-8 1 5 6 5 3 2 3 29
Perkins 27 2-10 2-2 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 6
Askew 22 1-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 0 1 2
Mcmillan 28 1-1 1-2 1 4 5 3 1 3 1 4
Brickowski 13 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 4
Snow 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Wingate 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S Scheffler 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
Totals 240 37-82 18-27 12 33 45 21 23 13 20 101
(.451) (.667) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 20(14 Pts)
Sacramento
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot Ast Pf St To Pts
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Owens F 25 2-7 0-0 0 3 3 2 6 1 2 4
Grant F 26 6-12 1-2 1 1 2 0 2 1 4 13
Polynice C 36 3-8 4-4 1 8 9 2 3 0 0 10
Richmond G 11 1-2 3-3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 5
Edney G 37 4-10 5-6 0 3 3 2 1 3 4 14
Simmons 35 9-20 4-5 3 3 6 3 3 2 2 24
Smith 22 2-5 3-6 3 6 9 1 3 1 1 7
Marciulionis 29 2-7 3-4 0 2 2 2 2 3 4 7
Causwell 13 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 2 2
C Williamson 2 0-1 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Hurley 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gamble 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 30-74 24-31 8 29 37 15 22 11 19 87
(.405) (.774) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 19(24 Pts)
Seattle 25 25 27 24 - 101
Sacramento 22 26 21 18 - 87
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp 3, D Schrempf, Johnson, Askew, Mcmillan.
Sacramento - Polynice 3, Smith 2, Simmons, Grant.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 9-23 (.391), D Schrempf 1-4, Hawkins 3-4,
Payton 4-5, Perkins 0-5, Askew 0-2, Mcmillan 1-1, Brickowski 0-2.
Sacramento 3-12 (.250), Richmond 0-1, Edney 1-2, Simmons 2-4, Marciulionis
0-4, Causwell 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Kemp, Sacramento - .
Officials: Ed F Rush, Ron Garretson, Steve Javie.
A - 17,317. T - 2:18.
nba.766vpoznanovic,
SONICS LOWER THE BOOM ON FIRST-ROUND JINX
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- It isn't customary for a top seed to revel in a
first-round victory. But for the long-suffering Seattle SuperSonics,
it's understandable.
"I am so thrilled that we've gotten past the first round. It's relief
and elation combined," Seattle forward Sam Perkins said Thursday night
after the Sonics registered a 101-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings
and won the best-of-five series 3-1.
Seattle has been a Western Conference power the past three regular
seasons, but lost in the first round each of the previous two
postseasons.
"It took two years to climb over this," Perkins said. "Now that we're
near the top, we can see some daylight."
Gary Payton scored 10 of his 29 points in the third quarter and Shawn
Kemp added 23 points and eight rebounds for Seattle.
"It's more of a sense of relief," Kemp said of winning the series.
"Now we can relax and play our style of basketball. We don't have to
worry about the first-round exit."
Thursday night is all the time Seattle will have to enjoy the
first-round victory. Up next are the two-time defending Houston
Rockets when the second round begins Saturday in Seattle.
"Sacramento did something for us that we will be very thankful for if
we have some success in the playoffs," Sonics coach George Karl said.
"They made us work in a playoff series and we got some intensity,
emotion, and focus in our team that we hadn't had in the last couple
of years.
"It is a great relief to get that monkey off our back that has been
there for the last couple of years."
Payton hit four of five from 3-point range, grabbed six rebounds and
handed out five assists. Detlef Schrempf came within one assist of a
triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the
Sonics.
"We got that monkey off our back finally," Schrempf said. "I hope we
play with more consistency, work on our free throws, and take each
possession seriously against Houston."
Hersey Hawkins had 17 points for Seattle, which shot 45 percent (37
for 82) from the field and 39 percent (nine for 23) from 3-point
range.
Lionel Simmons scored 24 points, Tyus Edney had 14 and Brian Grant 13
for the Kings, who remained winless at home in the playoffs since
April 22, 1981 -- when home was in Kansas City.
"The series was a learning experience," All-Star guard Mitch Richmond
said. "I think it shows what we can do if we go out and play like that
throughout the season."
Sacramento played the entire second half without Richmond, who
sustained a sprained right ankle with 5:29 left in the second quarter
and did not return. He finished with five points.
"I couldn't run on it, I couldn't push off on it, and I couldn't move
laterally on it, so we waited a little while and nothing happened,"
Richmond said.
The Sonics used a 15-2 run to take a 71-57 lead with 5:58 left in the
third quarter. Sacramento got no closer than eight points the rest of
the way.
"I can't tell you how proud I am to coach this team," Kings coach
Garry St. Jean said. "I don't want to sound clichÚ-ish, but life is
about doing the best you can. Our guys gave us every ounce that they
had and that's what life is all about."
Edney's 3-pointer with 9:28 to go in the third got the Kings within
56-55, but Payton answered with a 3-pointer of his own and hit a short
jumper with 8:43 left to give Seattle a 61-55 edge.
"We were able to stay in the game for a while because we were all
playing so hard. We were being aggressive and going right at them,"
Edney said. "Everybody was trying to pick up the slack. It may have
looked like it was 'Mission Impossible' without Mitch, but we weren't
thinking like that."
Hawkins converted a three-point play, and after Olden Polynice sank a
pair of free throws, Sam Perkins hit a jumper to make it 66-57 with
7:12 remaining. Hawkins added a 3-pointer and Perkins made a hook shot
to cap the burst with 5:58 to play in the third quarter.
Michael Smith's one-handed shot in the lane pulled Sacramento within
85-77 with 7:06 left, but Kemp converted a three-point play and Nate
McMillan and Payton each made a foul shot to give Seattle a 90-77
advantage with 5:57 remaining.
"Shawn Kemp played exceptionally well tonight," Schrempf said. "He is
an instrumental part of our team."
The Kings held their final lead of the game, 40-39 with 3:44 left in
the first half before Schrempf's 3-pointer put the Sonics ahead,
42-40, with 3:13 to play.
Kemp and Payton each had 12 points in the first half as Seattle took a
50-48 lead at the intermission.
nba.767vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
First round (best-of-five; all times Eastern)
*if necessary
Eastern Conference
Chicago defeats Miami 3-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 Chicago 106, Miami 75
May 1 Chicago 112, Miami 91
Orlando defeats Detroit 3-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 Orlando 92, Detroit 77
April 30 Orlando 101, Detroit 98
Atlanta, Indiana tied 2-2
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 Atlanta 90, Indiana 83
May 2 Indiana 83, Atlanta 75
May 5 at Indiana TBA
New York defeats Cleveland 3-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 New York 81, Cleveland 76
Western Conference
Seattle defeats Sacramento 3-1
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 Sacramento 90, Seattle 81
April 30 Seattle 96, Sacramento 89
May 2 Seattle 101, Sacramento 87
San Antonio leads Phoenix 2-1
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 San Antonio 110, Phoenix 105
May 1 Phoenix 94, San Antonio 93
May 3 at Phoenix 9 p.m. TNT
May 5 *at San Antonio TBA
Utah, Portland tied 2-2
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 Portland 94, Utah 91 (OT)
May 1 Portland 98, Utah 90
May 5 at Utah TBA
Houston defeats L.A. Lakers 3-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 Houston 104, L.A. Lakers 98
May 2 Houston 102, L.A. Lakers 94
nba.768kum.djole,
Što ne pričaju o povredi leđa kad odigra fenomenalno..?
Svašta..
nba.769schef,
=- HAIL TO THE CHAMPS: ROCKETS OUST LAKERS
A šta sam ja pričao (pisao)? Tačno sam bre znao... :(
Srleř
nba.770vpoznanovic,
Evo i prvih playoff statistika...
National Basketball Association Leaders Through Thursday, May 2
SCORING
(MINIMUM OF 1 GAMES PLAYED OR 56 POINTS SCORED)
PLAYER GP PTS AVG
------ -- --- ---
Michael Jordan, CHI 3 90 30.0
David Robinson, SAS 3 90 30.0
Karl Malone, UTH 4 113 28.3
Charles Barkley, PHO 3 81 27.0
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 4 106 26.5
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 4 104 26.0
Allan Houston, DET 3 75 25.0
Steve Smith, ATL 4 97 24.3
Rod Strickland, POR 4 93 23.3
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 4 87 21.8
Mitch Richmond, SAC 4 84 21.0
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 3 63 21.0
Gary Payton, SEA 4 83 20.8
Scottie Pippen, CHI 3 59 19.7
John Starks, NYK 3 59 19.7
Rik Smits, IND 4 78 19.5
Terrell Brandon, CLE 3 58 19.3
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 4 76 19.0
Penny Hardaway, ORL 3 57 19.0
Grant Hill, DET 3 57 19.0
Sean Elliott, SAS 3 55 18.3
Patrick Ewing, NYK 3 55 18.3
Dennis Scott, ORL 3 55 18.3
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 3 54 18.0
Tim Hardaway, MIA 3 53 17.7
Kevin Johnson, PHO 3 53 17.7
Eddie Jones, LAL 4 69 17.3
Shawn Kemp, SEA 3 51 17.0
Dan Majerle, CLE 3 50 16.7
Wesley Person, PHO 3 50 16.7
REBOUNDING
(MINIMUM OF 1 GAMES PLAYED OR 32 REBOUNDS)
PLAYER GP REB AVG
------ -- --- ---
Charles Barkley, PHO 3 45 15.0
Horace Grant, ORL 3 39 13.0
Olden Polynice, SAC 4 48 12.0
Otis Thorpe, DET 3 35 11.7
Scottie Pippen, CHI 3 34 11.3
David Robinson, SAS 3 34 11.3
Dale Davis, IND 4 43 10.8
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 4 43 10.8
Karl Malone, UTH 4 39 9.8
Patrick Ewing, NYK 3 29 9.7
Michael Cage, CLE 3 28 9.3
Anthony Mason, NYK 3 28 9.3
Grant Long, ATL 4 37 9.3
Will Perdue, SAS 3 26 8.7
Magic Johnson, LAL 4 34 8.5
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 4 34 8.5
Shawn Kemp, SEA 3 25 8.3
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 4 33 8.3
Elden Campbell, LAL 4 32 8.0
Chris Gatling, MIA 3 24 8.0
ASSISTS
(MINIMUM OF 1 GAMES PLAYED OR 16 ASSISTS)
PLAYER GP AST AVG
------ -- --- ---
John Stockton, UTH 4 61 15.3
Avery Johnson, SAS 3 39 13.0
Kevin Johnson, PHO 3 35 11.7
Rod Strickland, POR 4 34 8.5
Terrell Brandon, CLE 3 24 8.0
Penny Hardaway, ORL 3 22 7.3
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 4 28 7.0
Gary Payton, SEA 4 28 7.0
Scottie Pippen, CHI 3 21 7.0
Nick Van Exel, LAL 4 27 6.8
Clyde Drexler, HOU 4 26 6.5
Magic Johnson, LAL 4 26 6.5
Brian Shaw, ORL 3 18 6.0
John Starks, NYK 3 18 6.0
Tim Hardaway, MIA 3 17 5.7
Mark Jackson, IND 4 22 5.5
Anthony Mason, NYK 3 16 5.3
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 3 16 5.3
Detlef Schrempf, SEA 4 20 5.0
Vinny Del Negro, SAS 3 15 5.0
Derek Harper, NYK 3 15 5.0
FIELD GOAL PCT
(MINIMUM OF 12 FIELD GOALS MADE)
PLAYER GP FGM FGA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Will Perdue, SAS 3 13 16 .813
Ron Harper, CHI 3 13 19 .684
Mark Bryant, HOU 4 13 20 .650
Greg Ostertag, UTH 4 12 19 .632
Chucky Brown, HOU 4 13 21 .619
Horace Grant, ORL 3 21 35 .600
Kenny Smith, HOU 4 12 20 .600
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 4 31 52 .596
Dennis Scott, ORL 3 20 34 .588
Rik Smits, IND 4 34 60 .567
Grant Hill, DET 3 22 39 .564
John Starks, NYK 3 19 34 .559
Scottie Pippen, CHI 3 20 36 .556
Eddie Jones, LAL 4 27 49 .551
David Robinson, SAS 3 33 60 .550
FREE THROW PCT
(MINIMUM OF 5 FREE THROWS MADE)
PLAYER GP FTM FTA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Chucky Brown, HOU 4 8 8 1.000
Steve Kerr, CHI 3 13 14 .929
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 4 11 12 .917
Allan Houston, DET 3 18 20 .900
John Stockton, UTH 4 25 28 .893
Dan Majerle, CLE 3 8 9 .889
Ac Green, PHO 3 7 8 .875
Terrell Brandon, CLE 3 13 15 .867
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 4 13 15 .867
Grant Hill, DET 3 12 14 .857
Travis Best, IND 4 6 7 .857
Mark Bryant, HOU 4 6 7 .857
Ricky Pierce, IND 4 17 20 .850
Magic Johnson, LAL 4 28 33 .848
Antonio Davis, IND 4 11 13 .846
Derrick Mckey, IND 4 11 13 .846
THREE POINT PCT
(MINIMUM OF 3 THREE POINT FIELD GOALS MADE)
PLAYER GP 3FG 3FA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 4 12 15 .800
Nate Mcmillan, SEA 4 7 9 .778
Hubert Davis, NYK 3 8 11 .727
Chuck Person, SAS 3 10 15 .667
John Starks, NYK 3 14 22 .636
Haywoode Workman, IND 4 3 5 .600
Dennis Scott, ORL 3 11 19 .579
Steve Smith, ATL 4 13 23 .565
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 4 5 9 .556
Rod Strickland, POR 4 6 11 .545
Eddie Jones, LAL 4 10 19 .526
David Benoit, UTH 4 7 14 .500
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 4 6 12 .500
Michael Jordan, CHI 3 5 10 .500
Kenny Smith, HOU 4 4 8 .500
Dontonio Wingfield, POR 4 4 8 .500
Jud Buechler, CHI 3 3 6 .500
STEALS
(MINIMUM OF 1 GAMES PLAYED OR 5 STEALS)
PLAYER GP STL AVG
------ -- --- ---
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 4 15 3.8
Clyde Drexler, HOU 4 12 3.0
Robert Horry, HOU 4 12 3.0
Scottie Pippen, CHI 3 9 3.0
Shawn Kemp, SEA 3 8 2.7
Karl Malone, UTH 4 10 2.5
Sarunas Marciulionis, SAC 4 10 2.5
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 4 10 2.5
Ron Harper, CHI 3 7 2.3
Gary Payton, SEA 4 9 2.3
Tyus Edney, SAC 4 8 2.0
Eddie Jones, LAL 4 8 2.0
Ricky Pierce, IND 4 8 2.0
Penny Hardaway, ORL 3 6 2.0
Anthony Peeler, LAL 3 6 2.0
Derrick Mckey, IND 4 7 1.8
John Stockton, UTH 4 7 1.8
Vinny Del Negro, SAS 3 5 1.7
Derek Harper, NYK 3 5 1.7
Michael Jordan, CHI 3 5 1.7
David Robinson, SAS 3 5 1.7
BLOCKED SHOTS
(MINIMUM OF 1 GAMES PLAYED OR 4 BLOCKED SHOTS)
PLAYER GP BLK AVG
------ -- --- ---
Patrick Ewing, NYK 3 11 3.7
Shawn Kemp, SEA 3 10 3.3
David Robinson, SAS 3 9 3.0
Elden Campbell, LAL 4 9 2.3
Robert Horry, HOU 4 9 2.3
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 4 9 2.3
Steve Smith, ATL 4 9 2.3
Greg Ostertag, UTH 4 8 2.0
Brian Grant, SAC 4 7 1.8
Olden Polynice, SAC 4 7 1.8
Michael Cage, CLE 3 5 1.7
Scottie Pippen, CHI 3 5 1.7
Antoine Carr, UTH 4 6 1.5
Dale Davis, IND 4 6 1.5
Christian Laettner, ATL 4 6 1.5
Horace Grant, ORL 3 4 1.3
Antonio Davis, IND 4 5 1.3
Vlade Divac, LAL 4 5 1.3
Ervin Johnson, SEA 4 5 1.3
Clyde Drexler, HOU 4 4 1.0
Gary Payton, SEA 4 4 1.0
Buck Williams, POR 4 4 1.0
Charles Barkley, PHO 3 3 1.0
Penny Hardaway, ORL 3 3 1.0
Alonzo Mourning, MIA 3 3 1.0
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 3 3 1.0
Charles Smith, SAS 3 3 1.0
John Williams, PHO 3 3 1.0
Greg Anderson, SAS 1 1 1.0
James Robinson, POR 1 1 1.0
nba.771vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics (Through Thursday, May 2)
OFFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
San Antonio 3 125-244 .512 16-34 .471 57-73 .781 107.7
Chicago 3 116-227 .511 18-58 .310 70-102 .686 106.7
Orlando 3 114-220 .518 24-53 .453 53-83 .639 101.7
Phoenix 3 111-258 .430 11-39 .282 64-83 .771 99.0
Utah 4 139-297 .468 21-40 .525 97-137 .708 99.0
Houston 4 153-324 .472 18-65 .277 63-88 .716 96.8
Portland 4 125-305 .410 29-75 .387 105-160 .656 96.0
LA Lakers 4 138-329 .419 32-92 .348 71-94 .755 94.8
Seattle 4 128-289 .443 31-78 .397 88-128 .688 93.8
New York 3 100-201 .498 30-51 .588 41-66 .621 90.3
Detroit 3 98-216 .454 15-50 .300 56-74 .757 89.0
Atlanta 4 129-302 .427 30-79 .380 63-90 .700 87.8
Sacramento 4 128-296 .432 18-64 .281 77-114 .675 87.8
Indiana 4 132-292 .452 12-41 .293 72-97 .742 87.0
Miami 3 91-216 .421 22-70 .314 47-67 .701 83.7
Cleveland 3 94-222 .423 16-63 .254 35-45 .778 79.7
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
San Antonio 30-94 124 82 23 33 18
Chicago 41-89 130 75 31 48 10
Orlando 34-78 112 77 17 34 14
Phoenix 48-88 136 61 13 37 12
Utah 43-111 154 94 26 46 23
Houston 27-124 151 94 43 46 26
Portland 61-114 175 70 22 56 16
LA Lakers 49-134 183 88 23 64 16
Seattle 36-106 142 81 39 68 26
New York 24-84 108 76 17 44 15
Detroit 36-71 107 43 8 40 5
Atlanta 57-91 148 69 40 62 27
Sacramento 49-120 169 75 35 78 19
Indiana 53-111 164 66 38 72 15
Miami 34-74 108 51 21 63 5
Cleveland 35-76 111 59 19 40 14
DEFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
New York 3 94-222 .423 16-63 .254 35-45 .778 79.7
Chicago 3 91-216 .421 22-70 .314 47-67 .701 83.7
Atlanta 4 132-292 .452 12-41 .293 72-97 .742 87.0
Indiana 4 129-302 .427 30-79 .380 63-90 .700 87.8
Seattle 4 128-296 .432 18-64 .281 77-114 .675 87.8
Orlando 3 98-216 .454 15-50 .300 56-74 .757 89.0
Cleveland 3 100-201 .498 30-51 .588 41-66 .621 90.3
Sacramento 4 128-289 .443 31-78 .397 88-128 .688 93.8
Houston 4 138-329 .419 32-92 .348 71-94 .755 94.8
Utah 4 125-305 .410 29-75 .387 105-160 .656 96.0
LA Lakers 4 153-324 .472 18-65 .277 63-88 .716 96.8
Portland 4 139-297 .468 21-40 .525 97-137 .708 99.0
San Antonio 3 111-258 .430 11-39 .282 64-83 .771 99.0
Detroit 3 114-220 .518 24-53 .453 53-83 .639 101.7
Miami 3 116-227 .511 18-58 .310 70-102 .686 106.7
Phoenix 3 125-244 .512 16-34 .471 57-73 .781 107.7
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
New York 35-76 111 59 19 40 14
Chicago 34-74 108 51 21 63 5
Atlanta 53-111 164 66 38 72 15
Indiana 57-91 148 69 40 62 27
Seattle 49-120 169 75 35 78 19
Orlando 36-71 107 43 8 40 5
Cleveland 24-84 108 76 17 44 15
Sacramento 36-106 142 81 39 68 26
Houston 49-134 183 88 23 64 16
Utah 61-114 175 70 22 56 16
LA Lakers 27-124 151 94 43 46 26
Portland 43-111 154 94 26 46 23
San Antonio 48-88 136 61 13 37 12
Detroit 34-78 112 77 17 34 14
Miami 41-89 130 75 31 48 10
Phoenix 30-94 124 82 23 33 18
(NOTE: DEFENSIVE STATISTICS REFLECT CUMULATIVE TOTALS OF A
TEAM'S OPPONENTS)
nba.772vpoznanovic,
Free agent Ellis eying return to Nuggets
DENVER (May 3, 1996 - 11:35 EST) -- Dale Ellis, a starter for most of
the 1995-96 season with the Denver Nuggets, has exercised an opt-out
clause in his contract, making the 35-year-old guard a free agent.
Ellis' attorney, Jerome Stanley, said said he anticipates his client
will re-sign with the Nuggets. Denver wants him to stay and has
offered him more than $1.6 million for next season.
"This is more a formality because of the structure of the salary cap,"
Stanley said. "Dale has every intention and hope of being with the
Denver Nuggets next season."
Todd Eley, Denver's general manager, said the club anticipated Ellis'
move and would like to re-sign him.
"Any time a player has an opportunity to terminate a contract, you
have to be prepared for that," Eley said. "Our intention is for Dale
Ellis to be a member of the Denver Nuggets next year."
Ellis is the NBA's career 3-point leader with 1,119 in his 13-year
career with Dallas, Seattle, Milwaukee, San Antonio and Denver. He
averaged 14.9 points last season.
nba.773vpoznanovic,
Magic Johnson: 'I want to come back'
HOUSTON (May 3, 1996 - 11:41 EST) -- As the clock wound down on the
Los Angeles Lakers' season, Magic Johnson watched helplessly from the
bench. When he got into the game in the final minute, all the plays
went through his teammates.
And after the Houston Rockets bounced his team from the first round of
the NBA playoffs with a 102-94 victory Thursday night, Johnson was
noncommittal about returning for one more shot at another title.
"I want to come back," Johnson said. "If I feel that there's something
different, then I won't come back. Right now I feel like I want to
come back. I hope to be back."
The Lakers hoped Johnson's return from a 4 1/2-year retirement in
January would mean a return to playoff glory.
Johnson, who scored only eight points Thursday, said he was
disappointed by his team's lack of cohesion and its finger-pointing in
the series.
The Rockets beat Los Angeles with teamwork, not talent, he said.
"It's just the trust in one another," he said. "They trust in one
another. We don't have that trust.
"We just had a lot of little things going on that couldn't bring us
all together in the end to win games. I hope that taught us all a
lesson and our young players can look at Houston and say, 'This is the
way we should be.' "
He also hinted that his teammates could determine whether or not he
returns for another year.
"My main thing is I want to win," he said. "I like to win and so we're
going to have to address the situation in Los Angeles and quit blaming
different people.
"That's the difference between a Laker team and a world champion."
Johnson left basketball just before the start of the 1991-92 season
after learning he tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS. He
returned the following year, only to retire again after a few
exhibition games.
He also coached the Lakers for 16 games in 1994.
Johnson returned as a player on Jan. 29, saying "it's now or never."
He now plays power forward, not the point guard spot he dominated for
more than a decade.
"I'm 36. If this is the last hurrah, so be it," he said. "If it's next
year, we'll see."
Johnson, who signed a contract for the remainder of this season,
reported back to the Lakers 27 pounds heavier than he was in 1991, and
he acknowledged being five steps slower.
He also was joining a much different Lakers team than he left.
Johnson's last game that counted was a loss in the fifth and final
game of the 1991 NBA Finals against Chicago.
The Lakers haven't been close to the Finals since, but Johnson's
return sparked hope he could lead his young teammates to the top. The
early results indicated that hope was not misplaced.
In his first game, Jan. 30 against Golden State, Johnson had 19
points, 10 assists and eight rebounds while showing all the moves that
make him a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.
He averaged 14.6 points in 32 regular-season games, and the Lakers won
22 of them en route to a fourth-place finish in the Western
Conference.
But even Johnson's vast playoff experience wasn't enough to get Los
Angeles past the two-time defending champions.
Johnson had 20 points and 13 rebounds in a Game 1 defeat and 26 points
in a Game 2 victory. In Game 3, he scored seven points as Houston took
a 2-1 series advantage.
With the Lakers facing elimination Thursday night, Johnson displayed
only a glimmer of his former playoff magic. He missed a layup, and
quicker players stole his passes. He shot just 2-of-8 from the field.
"I didn't shoot the ball well once I did get it," he said. "I didn't
like my performance in the last two games."
nba.774vpoznanovic,
S.C. prep star O'Neal enters NBA draft
COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 3, 1996 - 11:41 EST) -- Jermaine O'Neal, perhaps
the best prep prospect ever to come from South Carolina, said Friday
he will make himself available for the NBA draft.
However, the 6-foot-11 O'Neal also left open the prospect of attending
college and said if he does withdraw from the draft he will chose from
among Kentucky, Clemson and South Carolina.
"I thought this would be the best decision as of right now so I won't
be left out in the cold come June or July," the 17-year-old O'Neal
said.
But the Eau Claire High School star also plans to retake the college
entrance examination Saturday to try to raise his SAT score about 100
points and qualify for admission.
"If I qualify in the next month or two, I'll probably withdraw from
the draft and choose my school," he said.
O'Neal averaged 18.2 points and 12.3 rebounds a game last season and
led Eau Claire to three straight AAA state championships.
His mother, Angela Ocean, said her son has talked of applying for the
NBA draft since the start of his senior season in November.
"At this moment, I'm happy, I'm pleased with my son, and whatever his
decision is, I'm just there to back him up 100 percent," she said.
NBA scouts say O'Neal could be picked late in the first round, but his
slender 225-pound body might have trouble going against post players
like Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Alonzo Mourning.
O'Neal said a few NBA scouts had watched him play, but it was while he
was hurt.
"They didn't really get to see me actually play 100 percent," he said.
O'Neal said he would use that as a personal challenge "and just try to
work hard, just to prove them wrong."
George Glymph, Eau Claire's coach, wants O'Neal in school. But he
understands the NBA's lure and says O'Neal has a chance to progress to
the top.
Just watching O'Neal move from a gangly freshman to a polished star
gives Glymph hope.
"If he keeps working with the same zeal and aggressiveness he's shown
here, he can be All-Pro," Glymph said.
The only players to jump to the NBA without having played in college
are Kevin Garnett, Moses Malone, Shawn Kemp, Darryl Dawkins and Bill
Willoughby.
O'Neal's draft position is likely to be pushed down by college
underclassmen coming out, like junior Ray Allen of Connecticut,
sophomore Marcus Camby of UMass and freshman Stephon Marbury of
Georgia Tech.
Allen's father, Walter, says pressures on prep stars like O'Neal force
poor decisions.
"They shouldn't do it because physically, they're not ready and going
against guys like Mourning would be hard," he said.
Even if O'Neal decided to go to college, the NCAA considers his draft
entry an intent of professionalism. A school would have to appeal to
the NCAA to regain his eligibility.
O'Neal isn't worried about that now. He said Thursday that now that
his decision has been made, he will concentrate on next month's
graduation.
"No one really understands what you have to go through," he said.
nba.775vpoznanovic,
Flow of talent to NBA draft thrills Raptors
TORONTO (May 3, 1996 - 10:11 EST) -- As undergraduates keep on
declaring themselves available for the National Basketball Association
draft, the pool of talent around the Toronto Raptor draft table keeps
getting deeper. When the lottery for draft picks takes place May 19,
the Raptors won't mind if that talent has grown from a pool to an
ocean.
"From a franchise selfish perspective, we're pleased to see them
coming out for the draft. We could pick anywhere between No. 2 and No.
6, so the more there are, the more likely we are to have a better
player," Raptor vice-president Glen Grunwald said.
Wednesday, all-America sophomore Allen Iverson of Georgetown became
the 10th man to put his name up for the draft before graduation,
joining Massachusetts junior center Marcus Camby and Pennsylvania
high-school star Kobe Bryant on the draft-eligible list, and there may
be more declaring themselves by the May 12 deadline. The draft is set
for June 26.
The fact that there's a rookie salary cap may have slowed the flow of
underclassmen, but it hasn't taken away the appeal of playing in the
big time. Iverson is the first player under coach John Thompson to
leave Georgetown early for the NBA.
"After carefully weighing my options with coach Thompson and my
family, I've decided to enter the NBA draft," said Iverson, who had
recently been seen driving a flashy Mercedes, a tip-off that he was
not about to return to the college ranks.
Technically, he is pleading hardship in order to be drafted early. "My
family needs to be addressed right now."
Iverson, who announced for the first time that he is a father of a
one-year-old girl, said he wants to get a specialist for his younger
sister, who he said was suffering from seizures. In 24 years under
Thompson, 72 of 74 players, including Patrick Ewing and Alonzo
Mourning, who have stayed four years have received their degrees.
Iverson played an up-tempo game last season. Perhaps the quickest
player in the NCAA, he averaged 24.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists
and 3.5 steals. He was the Big East defensive player of the year for
the second time.
It is generally accepted that Camby, Georgia Tech freshman guard
Stephon Marbury, Connecticut junior forward Ray Allen, Villanova
forward Kerry Kittles and Iverson are the most attractive players
available in the draft.
Still undecided about staying in school is Wake Forest junior center
Tim Duncan, who will rate among the top five picks should he leave
school early. That gives the expansion Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies
a chance to add another franchise cornerstone.
"We want the best player available to us in our position, but it also
depends what happens with Oliver Miller and Tracy Murray," Grunwald
said.
Murray's $250,000 contract has expired and Miller, at the urging of
his new agent, has exercised an option to get out of the last two
years of his three-year deal that paid him $2 million last season.
Both are considered free agents.
Miller's free agency doesn't necessarily mean there's a lot of room
under the salary cap to sign Murray. That is the case under the highly
complex salary cap rules only if the Raptors want to renounce him --
declare they do not want to sign Miller again, Grunwald said.
If they are in the bidding game, however, Miller's salary is entered
under the cap at 200 percent of his previous year's pay or $4 million
until Miller signs somewhere. And, to make things fuzzier, if Miller
is renounced and doesn't get a contract elsewhere, the Raptors can't
re-sign him until the 66th day of the season.
nba.776vpoznanovic,
Raging Starks carries Knicks
NEW YORK (May 3, 1996 - 09:41 EST) -- It should have been nothing,
really, a highlight to be teased on an overnight edition of
SportsCenter, a stolen fragment of serendipity from an evening that
surely looked to be more coronation that celebration. John Starks was
dribbling as he always dribbles, head down, legs pumping, destination
unknown.
At midcourt, he let fly a wild, double-dipped heave, and as this was
clearly the New York Knicks' night, it splashed cleanly through the
basket at east end of Madison Square Garden. Nineteen thousand
spectators, bored by Knick dominance and Cleveland Cavalier
ineptitude, roared their approval.
So few of these Garden evenings ever end in blowouts, and the Knicks'
fans had little idea how to react to one. The score was now 50-32 at
the half and the Cavaliers seemed freshly embalmed. Starks' bomb
signalled that a fine party was now under way.
Little did they know. Little could they know. But by the deepest
pocket of the fourth quarter, it would turn out that Starks' little
miracle was all that was keeping the Knicks above sea level, all that
kept them in a 70-70 tie, late. The Garden was in a panic, the Knicks
were limping through a purple funk of a second half.
The out-of-town scoreboard sneered at the Knicks with just as much
sinister glee as the one over their heads, the one that now informed
the Knicks they were in for an unexpected -- and unwanted --
cockfight. The Chicago Bulls' lead over the Miami Heat in Game 3 of
their playoff series seemed to grow in multiples of five every time
the updates were posted. They were coasting, taking care of their end
of the deal.
Now it was the Knicks' turn. Now, one last time in a series he has
owned, it was John Starks' turn.
"When the ball comes to you and you're open," Starks said, "you have
to take the shot. And you have to have the confidence that you'll make
it."
First, Anthony Mason would attempt two free throws, make one. Then
Patrick Ewing would attempt two free throws, make one. This
newly-installed point-per-minute attack proved effective as a stopgap
measure only because the Cavaliers often treat the offensive end of a
basketball floor as if they are constantly on the lookout for trap
doors.
But the Knicks needed more.
And so Starks called for the basketball, wide open along the baseline,
right in front of the Cavaliers' bench. The lead was 72-70, the ball
trickled around the perimeter and now it was in Starks' hands. The
Garden, which has loved Starks from the moment he stepped out of the
CBA, out of some Walter Middy daydream, began to buzz as Starks teed
up, squared his feet.
And nailed the jumper. Knicks by five, 75-70.
There would be no need for a Game 4 of this sweaty series. The Knicks
would close out the Cavs, 81-76, sweep this best-of-five series, set
themselves up for the always-enjoyable task of matching up with the
Chicago Bulls for a few friendly get-togethers across the next week or
two.
"Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!" the fans yelped, giddy at having something to
embrace at the home stretch of a most unpredictable basketball season.
The Knicks seemed to fill the Garden with an airy sigh of relief,
grateful to be done with the Cavaliers, ready now for a shot at the
varsity.
And they have Starks to thank for that more than anyone. From the
moment he knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers in prologue of Game 1,
Starks was the point man on the Knick attack, the safety valve when
the Cavaliers shrouded the Knicks' post players. He took smart shots
all series, made a healthy pile of them, and as always was a raging
emotional waterfall, beating on his chest, kicking teammates, winking
at his coach, Jeff Van Gundy, before connecting on two big free throws
late in Game 2.
"When John is playing well," Derek Harper said, "he's a pleasure to
watch. And a pleasure to play alongside."
This has been such a cyclone of a year for Starks, who never hit it
off with Don Nelson, who missed the paternal tutelage of Pat Riley,
who popped off at a reporter at midseason and endured his usual
assortments of slumps and slanders.
It is possible he may not be back next year, not if the Knicks can
draw a big-money shooting guard like Reggie Miller to New York. But it
is certain that next year would already be here had the Knicks not had
him these last six days.
"Whatever it takes to win," Starks said, "I'm there."
He will have to be, once the Knicks begin to tangle with their old
friends from Midway. There will be plenty of time to worry about that,
though. For one night, he was everything he has always been for these
Knicks. And everything they needed him to be.
nba.777vpoznanovic,
Former Bulls cheerleader wins $317,000 from unwanted Chicken dance
CHICAGO (May 2, 1996 - 21:48 EST) -- A former Chicago Bulls
cheerleader injured in an unwanted dance with the Famous Chicken was
awarded more than $317,000 Thursday.
The Famous Chicken, also known as Ted Giannoulas, has been performing
at sporting events around the country for over 20 years.
Kimberly Smith, once a member of the LuvaBulls, was performing at
halftime during a Jan. 11, 1991 Bulls game when the Chicken grabbed
her, forced her into a quick dance and then rolled her on the floor.
Smith claimed she severely hurt her elbow and jaw while tumbling
against the hardwood floor and was forced to give up cheerleading.
It took a Cook County jury six hours to return with the award.
"This is more than I ever expected to receive," Smith said. However,
she said an apology from Giannoulas would make her feel better.
Giannoulas, 42, was not in court Thursday when the jury announced the
award but later said he would appeal.
The award is "as absurd as it looks," he said in a telephone
interview. "This will not stand."
His lawyer, Brian Bell, noted that seven months after the stunt, Smith
was healthy enough to perform a backflip and a cartwheel in a tavern
dance contest that she won.
One juror said Smith should have told them about the dance contest
herself, but said she did not damage her credibility by failing to do
so. The juror also noted that the LuvaBulls choreographer, familiar
with the Chicken's tumbling stunt, warned Giannoulas not to perform it
at this game but was ignored.
nba.778vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (116) At Phoenix (98)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 45 4-7 5-6 4 4 8 1 0 1 3 15
Smith F 25 6-13 0-4 2 4 6 2 2 1 1 12
Robinson C 36 12-21 6-7 5 8 13 6 6 0 5 30
Del Negro G 43 10-15 0-0 0 2 2 6 2 1 1 25
Johnson G 45 7-15 1-2 1 2 3 13 2 1 1 15
C Person 25 5-8 0-0 2 4 6 1 4 0 1 13
Alexander 3 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 2
Williams 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
W Perdue 17 2-2 0-0 0 7 7 1 3 0 0 4
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Herrera Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rivers Dnp - Back Spasms
Totals 240 47-82 12-19 15 32 47 30 21 4 12 116
(.573) (.632) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 12(13 PTS)
Phoenix
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Green F 17 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 2
Barkley F 41 6-15 8-11 3 6 9 5 4 2 0 21
Williams C 34 6-13 3-5 3 2 5 0 3 0 2 15
W Person G 45 3-10 0-0 2 3 5 0 0 2 1 7
Johnson G 26 7-14 2-2 0 2 2 8 3 1 0 16
Perry 23 4-7 0-1 0 1 1 6 1 0 0 8
Manning 20 4-9 0-0 0 2 2 3 4 1 1 8
Carr 20 6-9 3-3 1 3 4 3 3 0 3 17
Tisdale 8 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Bennett 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Kleine 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Finley Dnp - Sprained Left Ankle
Totals 240 39-86 16-22 10 20 30 26 19 7 7 98
(.453) (.727) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 7(7 PTS)
San Antonio 28 24 33 31 - 116
Phoenix 26 25 18 29 - 98
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Smith 2, Elliott, Robinson, Del Negro,
Johnson. Phoenix - Williams 4, Barkley.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 10-16 (.625), Elliott 2-3, Del Negro 5-7, C
Person 3-6. Phoenix 4-13 (.308), Green 0-1, Barkley 1-3, W Person 1-5,
Johnson 0-1, Carr 2-3.
Technicals: San Antonio - Illegal Defense, Smith, Phoenix - Barkley.
Officials: Bernie Fryer, Bennett Salvatore, Hugh Evans.
A - 19,023. T - 2:11.
nba.779vpoznanovic,
ADMIRAL, SPURS PUT SUNS IN DRY DOCK
PHOENIX -- David Robinson scored 30 points and Vinny Del Negro had 25
as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-98 on Friday
and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.
The Spurs won the best-of-five series 3-1 and await the winner of the
series between the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers, who play
Game 5 on Sunday.
"It's just the first round, but it gives us a chance to get home, get
rested and watch Game 5 of the other series," Spurs coach Bob Hill
said. "So this was really big. Our defense was great."
Phoenix's Charles Barkley scored 21 points and would not answer
questions about retirement following the game. The Suns were
eliminated in the first round for the first time since 1991.
"It's no fun to lose in the first round," Barkley said. "It's no fun
to play on a .500 team. Our organization isn't used to this."
Robinson made 12 of 21 shots and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Spurs
outrebounded the Suns 47-30. San Antonio made 47 of 82 shots (57
percent) and were 10 for 16 from 3-point range.
Avery Johnson added 15 points and 13 assists for the Spurs, who used a
13-3 run in the third quarter to break open a tight game.
"The effort was fantastic," Robinson said. "Last year we started
strong and kind of eased off. Tonight we maintained that intensity. I
saw great focus. When we're playing this way we are at our best."
San Antonio, which is the highest-scoring team in the playoffs,
outscored the Suns 64-47 in the second half and won for the first time
in seven playoff games at Phoenix.
The Spurs led 54-53 with 10:25 left in the third quarter, but went on
a 13-3 burst to open an 11-point lead with 6:48 left. Johnson had four
points and Del Negro added three.
The Suns drew within six points with 6:01 left in the quarter, but San
Antonio closed the period with an 18-8 run. Del Negro hit a pair of
3-pointers to key the spurt.
Charles Smith had eight of his 12 points during the third quarter,
which saw San Antonio convert 14 of 21 field-goal attempts. The Suns
made just seven of 20 shots in the period.
Robinson scored 14 points in the first quarter as the Spurs seized a
28-26 lead.
Phoenix knotted the score at 35-35 with 7:37 left in the first half,
but the Spurs were able to grab a 52-51 halftime lead. Barkley had 18
points and rookie Chris Carr added 13 by the intermission.
Carr finished with a career-high 17 points and was six for nine from
the field. Kevin Johnson added 16 points and eight assists for the
Suns.
nba.780vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7 games; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago vs. New York
Sunday May 5 at Chicago 5:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 7 at Chicago TBA TNT
Saturday May 11 at New York 1 p.m. NBC
Sunday May 12 at New York 5:30 p.m. NBC
(Rest of schedule TBA)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle vs. Houston
Saturday May 4 at Seattle 3:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 6 at Seattle 9 p.m. TNT
Friday May 10 at Houston TBA TNT
Sunday May 12 at Houston TBA TNT
(Rest of schedule TBA)
First round
(Best-of-5 games; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago defeats Miami 3-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 Chicago 106, Miami 75
May 1 Chicago 112, Miami 91
Orlando defeats Detroit 3-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 Orlando 92, Detroit 77
April 30 Orlando 101, Detroit 98
Atlanta, Indiana tied 2-2
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 Atlanta 90, Indiana 83
May 2 Indiana 83, Atlanta 75
May 5 at Indiana 1 or 8:30 p.m.
New York defeats Cleveland 3-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 New York 81, Cleveland 76
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle defeats Sacramento 3-1
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 Sacramento 90, Seattle 81
April 30 Seattle 96, Sacramento 89
May 2 Seattle 101, Sacramento 87
San Antonio defeats Phoenix 3-1
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 San Antonio 110, Phoenix 105
May 1 Phoenix 94, San Antonio 93
May 3 San Antonio 116, Phoenix 98
Utah, Portland tied 2-2
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 Portland 94, Utah 91 (OT)
May 1 Portland 98, Utah 90
May 5 at Utah 3 p.m.
Houston defeats L.A. Lakers 3-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 Houston 104, L.A. Lakers 98
May 2 Houston 102, L.A. Lakers 94
nba.781basrak,
> Što ne pričaju o povredi leđa kad odigra fenomenalno..?
> Svašta..
I bolje je ovako. Bar će da se odmori, zaleči povredu ako je ima i da dođe na
vreme na pripreme reprezentacije.
nba.782basrak,
> the best prep prospect ever to come from South Carolina
^^^^
Šta mu dođe ovo?
nba.783vitez.koja,
#=> Što ne pričaju o povredi leđa kad odigra fenomenalno..?
#=> Svašta..
Ipak da igra samo 22 min. u četvrtoj utakmici nije baš
najnormalnije, a nije bilo problema sa greškama niti bilo šta drugo?
sk
nba.784vpoznanovic,
PACERS' MILLER WORKS OUT; NOT RULED OUT OF PLAYOFFS
Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Reggie Miller worked out today for the
first time since undergoing surgery to his right eye socket and may
return if the club advances past the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
The Pacers will host the Atlanta Hawks in the fifth and decisive game
of their opening round playoff series Sunday afternoon.
Miller underwent surgery April 14th for a severe fracture of the orbit
bone of his right eye socket.
Miller will not play Sunday, but the Pacers have not ruled out the
possibility he may be able to return if the club advances in the
playoffs.
Miller suffered the injury and sustained a concussion when he collided
with Detroit forward Otis Thorpe in an April 17th game against
Detroit. Thorpe's knee struck Miller above his right eye and the
impact snapped Miller's head backward.
Miller, a member of the 1996 Olympic team, averaged 21.1 points for
the Pacers this season.
nba.785vpoznanovic,
BULLS' JORDAN EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR SUNDAY'S PLAYOFF GAME
Chicago Bulls superstar guard Michael Jordan is expected to be ready
for Sunday's playoff series opener against the New York Knicks despite
a sore lower back.
Jordan was bothered by back spasms throughout Chicago's first round
three-game sweep of the Miami Heat, but still averaged 30 points in
the series.
Jordan scored 26 points in 33 minutes in Chicago's series-clinching
112-91 win at Miami Wednesday night. When Jordan was not in the game,
he stretched out on the sidelines instead of sitting on the bench in
order to prevent his back from stiffening.
"I think he'll be able to play effectively, at least as effectively as
Game Three in Miami," said Bulls trainer Chip Schaefer. "Hopefully
he'll be close to 100 per cent by Sunday."
Jordan, playing in his first full season in three years, averaged 30.4
points in 82 games to win his record eighth career scoring title.
Jordan won seven consecutive scoring titles from 1986-87 to 1992-93
before retiring from the NBA. He ended his retirement late in the
1994-95 season.
nba.786vpoznanovic,
BOOK WORM
In his new autobiography, "Bad As I Want To Be," Dennis Rodman lets
us in on a few thoughts that, surprisingly, we were better off not
knowing.
But we're not about to withhold valuable information that will lend
insight into Rodman's psyche.
So here are some of the revelations from Rodman's book:
On nude basketball: "After my last game ... I'll walk off the
court and take off one piece of clothing with every step. Then I'll
be at about midcourt, and I'll walk the rest of the way into the
locker room nude. Nobody's ever done that before, and it can be my
parting shot to the NBA."
On occasionally cross-dressing: "I like bringing out the feminine
side of Dennis Rodman."
On Madonna: Rodman claims that Madonna wanted to have his baby. He
adds, "In the end, (the relationship) didn't work because I didn't
want to be known as Madonna's boy toy. But there were so many strong
feelings there; it could happen where we get back together. If I
wanted Madonna right now ... she would respond."
On the superiority of black basketball players: "The whole thing
is simple: A black player knows he can go out on the court and kick
a white player's (butt)."
On the San Antonio Spurs, his former team: "They might as well
have put 'BIG DISTRACTION' above my locker in San Antonio. You can
blame me ... but they might be more of a basketball team if David
Robinson didn't freeze up every time they play a big game. I got
sold out by the players, the coaches, the management."
On suicide: "I'll know when my life is complete. Then I'll take
out a gun and shoot myself in the head. That's how it will end."
The book, which features a picture of a nude Rodman holding a
strategically placed basketball on the front cover and an uncovered
photo from behind on the back cover, was released to bookstores
Wednesday.
nba.787vpoznanovic,
NO. 1 SONICS VS. NO. 5 KNICKS
Guards: Seattle has an advantage at the point guard matchup with
Gary Payton over either Sam Cassell or Kenny Smith. Seattle is going
to enjoy that matchup because Payton is such a versatile player. He's
a good perimeter player, can play in the open floor and he can post
you up or drive to the basket.
At the two-guard position, though, the overwhelming advantage goes to
Houston's Clyde Drexler over Hersey Hawkins.
Forwards: At one position, of course, Shawn Kemp has a tremendous
advantage over all of Houston's forwards because of his ability to
rebound, score, defend, run the floor, post up and shoot a jumpshot.
Detlef Schrempf also enjoys that advantage too over all of Houston's
forwards. He's a multipurpose player as well. That advantage is
extremely large.
Centers: All of a sudden the advantages at the forward positions are
negated by Hakeem Olajuwon. Hakeem's ability to block shots, rebound
and score requires so much attention.
Bench/depth: With either Mario Elie or Sam Cassell coming off the
bench -- depending on who starts -- the Houston bench goes a little
deeper. Elie can raise the game to another level. No one on the
Seattle bench has that ability.
There's also Robert Horry for the Rockets. The starting forward adds
depth to the Houston offense, and he is Mr. Playoff -- you have to
guard him and that will give Hakeem even more room to operate.
3-point shooting: Seattle has Hawkins, Schrempf, Payton and Sam
Perkins. Houston has Cassell, Horry, Elie, Smith and Drexler -- a
slight edge goes to Houston.
Playoff experience: Seattle's playoff experience had been not
getting past the first round. It also would have been very easy to
just dismantle Sacramento and send them to the golf course early --
but the Sonics didn't do that.
Coaching: Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich gets the edge. He's done an
outstanding job. George Karl is still under the gun because he has not
gotten his team to the level they should be at.
Overall: The word around the league is that Seattle is not a very
good halfcourt team. When you're not a good half-court team, it means
that either you are not disciplined offensively or the offensive
scheme isn't very good. It spells a "D" grade for Seattle in the
halfcourt.
In the open floor, you have a heck of a Sonics team. The Rockets have
to keep the score between 85 and 95 to keep the Sonics in the
halfcourt. If they do that, I like Houston in five games.
nba.788vpoznanovic,
NO. 1 SONICS VS. NO. 5 ROCKETS
Second-round statistical comparisons between the Sonics and Rockets:
Seattle Sonics Houston Rockets
Overall Record 3-1 3-1
PPG 93.8 96.8
PPG allowed 87.8 94.8
FG pct. 44.3 47.2
FG pct. defense 43.2 41.9
Rebounds per game 35.5 37.8
Rebound margin -6.8 -8.0
Turnovers per game 17.0 11.5
3-pt. FG pct. 39.7 27.7
Regular-season series: Sonics, 4-0. Seattle has won the past nine
meetings. George Karl's team beat Houston twice in April (118-103 at
home on April 3 and 112-106 at the Summit on April 15). Seattle shot a
team-record 64.9 percent from the floor in the April 3 game.
Seattle was the only team to win twice at Houston this season.
Gary Payton dominated against the Rockets, averaging 28.8 points per
game and shooting 59.2 percent from the floor (including 55 percent
from 3-point range) in the four meetings this season. Shawn Kemp
contributed 22.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, shooting a torrid
61.2 percent. Hersey Hawkins added 16.8 ppg.
Hakeem Olajuwon netted 27.3 points per game in playing three times vs.
the Sonics (he sat out the April 3 game because of tendinitis in both
knees). Houston averaged 13 offensive rebounds per game against the
Sonics. Seattle shot 51.6 percent from the floor compared to Houston's
42.6 in the four matchups.
Past playoff series history: Sonics, 4-0. The last time these teams
met was 1993, and the series was decided in overtime of Game 7.
Seattle prevailed 103-100 as the home team captured every contest.
That was the last time the two-time defending champions lost a playoff
series.
The Sonics also eliminated the Rockets in 1982 (2-1), 1987 (4-2) and
1989 (3-1). That 1993 Seattle squad had several familiar faces:
Kemp, Payton, Sam Perkins, Nate McMillan and Vincent Askew.
How they got here: Both teams won in four games in their
opening-round series. Seattle knocked off the Sacramento Kings and
survived a first-round series for the first time since 1993. Payton
led the Sonics with a 20.8 points and seven assists per game during
the series. Kemp averaged 17 points and 8.3 rebounds. He also sat out
Game 1 of the series following a suspension for fighting in the
regular-season finale.
Two surprise keys were McMillan (seven of nine 3-pointers made) and
Frank Brickowski (eight of 12 from the field). Seattle held Sacramento
to 43.2 percent from the floor and forced almost 20 turnovers per
outing.
Houston got past the Lakers with the help of a few surprises sources
as well. Mark Bryant (65 percent), Chucky Brown (61.9 percent) and
Kenny Smith (60 percent) all shot well from the field, picking up the
slack for struggling Robert Horry (37.2 percent), Clyde Drexler (36.8
percent) and Sam Cassell (38.6 percent). Houston has to be concerned
with its overall 3-point shooting (18 for 65) against the Lakers.
Olajuwon averaged 26.5 points and 8.5 rebounds vs. the Lakers. No
surprise there.
Worth noting: Seattle was 13-1 at home vs. Midwest Division teams
during the regular season. ... The Sonics also went 29-2 when
shooting 50 percent or better from the field during the 1995-96
campaign. ... Seattle is the first team in NBA history to lead the
league in steals four seasons in a row. ... Chucky Brown was the
only Rockets player to appear in all 82 games this season. ... In
its past 10 regular season games, Houston allowed more than 50-percent
shooting just twice, both times against Seattle. ... The Rockets
were a .500 team (30-30) in the regular season when shooting less than
50 percent. ... Houston enters this series 10-4 in its past 14 road
games in the playoffs.
nba.789vpoznanovic,
NO. 1 BULLS VS. NO. 5 KNICKS
Guards: Trying to stop Michael Jordan defensively will put a
tremendous strain on John Starks' offense. When he can't stop Jordan,
John's offense is discouraged to a degree. That will make it easier
for Jordan to light him up even more -- which happens almost every
night with Jordan.
The matchup is not even close -- Chicago, hands down.
Rumor has it that the Knicks will try Anthony Mason on Michael. That's
wonderful: guards like big men trying to guard them because they
don't know how. They're easy to fool, they're easy to fake and they're
easy to get out of position. Michael could have a field day with that
-- take him outside, trick him, go between his legs, spin on him and
do anything he wants.
Forwards: As a whole, the forward position still goes Chicago
because the Bulls have three outstanding forwards in Scottie Pippen,
Dennis Rodman and Toni Kukoc.
Rodman and Pippen are both great defenders and rebounders, and Toni
also offers a mismatch because he can get in the lane and break down
the defense. It's a mismatch that New York has to find a way to stop.
If Mason is guarding Jordan, who's going to guard Toni?
Centers: No question the plus goes to Patrick Ewing. Chicago can
accept that -- the Bulls might not even double Ewing. The Bulls can
let Patrick take that turnaround jumper all day, which will take away
the 3-pointers from Starks, Derek Harper and Hubert Davis. Chicago
might make Patrick live off that jumper.
The edge goes to New York, but again, the Bulls can live with that.
Bench/depth: Because of the way Chicago runs its rotation, I still
give the edge to the Bulls. Pippen goes out, Kukoc goes in -- Phil
Jackson has a knack of keeping one or two of those guys on the floor
at the same time. Steve Kerr can come in and spread the floor because
he is a great 3-point shooter. I give the nod to Chicago's bench.
3-point shooting: You have Jordan, Pippen, Kukoc, Kerr, Jud Buechler
and they can all shoot it. The edge goes to Chicago.
Playoff experience: I'd say those teams are even. Both teams have
been there and done that. The Knicks have been to the NBA Finals --
they lost but they've been there. They're still playing under that Pat
Riley mystique; the Knicks have been ordained to play a certain
way,and they're playing out that ordainment.
Chicago has also been there and done that and they are led by two
pretty dog-gone good players in Pippen and Jordan.
Coaching: With all due respect to Jeff Van Gundy, he has not been
in a playoff situation where he has had to make in-game chess moves.
If the decisions Jeff makes are not sound, player confidence goes
down. He'll have to answer, "Coach, it's not working. What do we do?"
Phil Jackson has his team -- he has honed and sharpened them. The
Bulls have heard Phil for so long that they sometimes know what he'll
say before he says it. They become coaches on the floor to an extent,
and that's very important.
Overall: It's sack the quarterback time for the Knicks. If the
Knicks can get Michael out of the game, they can make it a five or six
game series. If they don't sack Michael, Chicago in four -- New York
just is not strong enough.
nba.790vpoznanovic,
Houston (75) At Seattle (108)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 25 2-4 1-2 0 3 3 2 2 1 0 5
Horry F 33 7-14 0-2 2 3 5 3 1 2 3 18
Olajuwon C 34 3-9 0-0 0 4 4 1 2 0 1 6
Drexler G 30 7-15 0-0 5 4 9 2 2 3 3 15
Smith G 16 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 5 1 0 1 0
Cassell 24 3-12 4-4 0 3 3 4 2 3 4 11
Elie 23 3-7 1-2 2 1 3 2 2 1 2 9
Bryant 13 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
Mack 18 4-8 0-1 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 9
Chilcutt 10 1-4 0-2 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 2
Recasner 8 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0
Jones 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 30-83 6-13 11 25 36 23 13 11 16 75
(.361) (.462) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 17(18 PTS)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 30 7-11 3-3 2 10 12 1 3 0 3 17
D Schrempf F 33 6-13 1-2 3 4 7 3 2 0 0 13
Johnson C 20 6-9 0-0 1 5 6 1 4 1 0 12
Hawkins G 30 3-9 2-2 0 3 3 2 0 4 2 9
Payton G 40 11-22 1-1 1 3 4 7 1 2 4 28
Perkins 22 6-8 3-3 2 4 6 2 0 0 1 17
Mcmillan 23 2-5 0-0 0 7 7 5 1 4 2 6
Askew 23 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 3 0 2 2 4
Brickowski 7 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 0
S Scheffler 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
Snow 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0
Wingate 4 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Totals 240 44-85 10-11 10 42 52 28 15 15 16 108
(.518) (.909) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 18(12 PTS)
Houston 28 16 15 16 - 75
Seattle 29 15 29 35 - 108
Blocked Shots: Houston - Olajuwon, Elie. Seattle - Kemp 3, Johnson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Houston 9-30 (.300), Horry 4-10, Drexler 1-5, Smith
0-1, Cassell 1-4, Elie 2-3, Mack 1-5, Chilcutt 0-1, Recasner 0-1. Seattle
10-26 (.385), D Schrempf 0-2, Hawkins 1-3, Payton 5-12, Perkins 2-2,
Mcmillan 2-5, Askew 0-1, Snow 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Ronnie Nunn, Terry Durham.
A - 17,072. T - 2:14.
nba.791vpoznanovic,
SONICS SABOTAGE ROCKETS WITH 108-75 ROUT
SEATTLE -- Saturday, in a nutshell: It was Seattle's most convincing
playoff victory in franchise history, and it marked a new low for
Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets.
Gary Payton scored 28 points and Sam Perkins keyed a second-half run
as the Seattle SuperSonics took a 108-75 victory over the two-time
defending champion Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their Western
Conference semifinal series.
Game 2 will be Monday night in Seattle.
"It's a great win for us, but we can't celebrate," Sonics coach George
Karl said. "All we've done, basically, is begun the chess match. With
a seven-game series, the first two games are the most difficult to
get.
"I think you're going to see on Monday night a championship basketball
team come after us with tremendous intensity, some better preparation,
and some adjustments."
Seattle's 33-point margin of victory was its largest ever in the
playoffs and it also was the worst postseason loss for Houston.
The Sonics held Olajuwon to a playoff-low six points on three-for-nine
shooting. His previous postseason low was 11 points against the Los
Angeles Lakers on April 29, 1990.
"Our plan is to double-team him, from everywhere, from everybody,"
Sonics guard Hersey Hawkins said of Olajuwon. "He has no idea who's
coming."
"They're determined to get the ball out of my hands," Olajuwon said.
"So we have to adjust our system. They're coming at me even before the
ball is thrown to the low post."
Shawn Kemp had 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Sonics outrebounded
Houston 52-36.
"Hakeem is no dummy," Kemp said. "He's going to come out and change
his game plan around a little bit. Trust me, he probably won't have
six points Monday, but hopefully we'll have the same results."
Robert Horry had 18 points for the Rockets, who managed just 31 points
and shot 33 percent (13 for 40) in the second half.
Seattle, which made 25 of 45 shots in the second half, used a 23-4 run
to break open a five-point game in the third quarter.
"In the third quarter, we got a little impatient and a little sloppy,"
Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "Let's just say the ball didn't
go in the basket. The fast-breaking game caved in. It was a just like
a dam breaking and we couldn't stop the water coming over us.
"We're going to have to regroup and understand what they're doing."
The Sonics began their decisive burst leading 60-55 with 3:26 to go in
the third quarter. Nate McMillan hit a 3-pointer and Perkins added a
basket. Kemp followed with a three-point play for a 68-55 lead.
Mario Elie hit a basket to snap the run, but Perkins followed with
another 3-pointer for a 71-57 lead with 40 seconds left in the
quarter. Clyde Drexler hit a 15-footer, but Payton ended the period
with a basket for a 73-59 lead.
Perkins and McMillan opened the final quarter with consecutive
3-pointers and Detlef Schrempf added consecutive baskets for an 83-59
advantage with 8:38 remaining.
The teams were knotted at 44-44 at the half as Payton led all scorers
with 19 points.
Payton scored 13 points in the first quarter as the SuperSonics seized
a 29-28 lead. Horry had 12 and Drexler seven in the period for the
Rockets.
nba.792vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7 games; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago vs. New York
Sunday May 5 at Chicago 5:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 7 at Chicago TBA TNT
Saturday May 11 at New York 1 p.m. NBC
Sunday May 12 at New York 5:30 p.m. NBC
(Rest of schedule TBA)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle leads Houston 1-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 at Seattle 9 p.m. TNT
Friday May 10 at Houston TBA TNT
Sunday May 12 at Houston TBA TNT
(Rest of schedule TBA)
First round
(Best-of-5 games; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago defeats Miami 3-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 Chicago 106, Miami 75
May 1 Chicago 112, Miami 91
Orlando defeats Detroit 3-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 Orlando 92, Detroit 77
April 30 Orlando 101, Detroit 98
Atlanta, Indiana tied 2-2
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 Atlanta 90, Indiana 83
May 2 Indiana 83, Atlanta 75
May 5 at Indiana 1 p.m. NBC
New York defeats Cleveland 3-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 New York 81, Cleveland 76
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle defeats Sacramento 3-1
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 Sacramento 90, Seattle 81
April 30 Seattle 96, Sacramento 89
May 2 Seattle 101, Sacramento 87
San Antonio defeats Phoenix 3-1
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 San Antonio 110, Phoenix 105
May 1 Phoenix 94, San Antonio 93
May 3 San Antonio 116, Phoenix 98
Utah, Portland tied 2-2
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 Portland 94, Utah 91 (OT)
May 1 Portland 98, Utah 90
May 5 at Utah 3 p.m. NBC
Houston defeats L.A. Lakers 3-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 Houston 104, L.A. Lakers 98
May 2 Houston 102, L.A. Lakers 94
nba.793imangovski,
U prvoj utakmici polufinala play off-a nba lige Sonics-i su razbili
Rockets-e rezultatom 108:75 ( sto mi nesto zao ;)
nba.794lexus,
=> NO. 1 SONICS VS. NO. 5 KNICKS
Knicks, ha ;)
Ne znam zašto, ali čini mi se da Sonicsi igraju protiv Rocketsa :)))
nba.795vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (89) At Indiana (87)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 31 4-8 0-0 3 0 3 1 3 2 3 8
Long F 31 2-10 0-0 1 4 5 3 1 0 3 4
Laettner C 30 5-13 5-5 5 6 11 1 4 1 2 15
Smith G 35 6-11 3-4 3 2 5 3 5 3 2 17
Blaylock G 44 8-21 2-2 3 4 7 2 2 2 5 23
Ehlo 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Rooks 18 4-8 2-2 2 1 3 2 2 1 0 10
Bullard 25 2-5 2-4 0 3 3 0 4 0 1 8
Henderson 17 2-2 0-1 0 2 2 2 3 0 0 4
Jordan 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-79 14-18 17 23 40 17 25 9 16 89
(.418) (.778) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 17(14 PTS)
Indiana
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Mckey F 35 3-12 0-0 4 2 6 3 3 0 3 8
D Davis F 36 5-7 0-0 6 7 13 1 2 0 2 10
Smits C 36 8-17 1-2 2 6 8 2 4 0 2 17
Miller G 31 7-17 13-15 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 29
Jackson G 36 1-6 4-4 1 6 7 8 2 0 4 7
Pierce 8 2-6 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 4
A Davis 21 2-6 2-2 1 6 7 0 1 0 3 6
Ferrell 18 0-2 2-2 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 2
Best 11 1-1 0-0 1 3 4 3 2 2 3 2
Workman 8 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2
Caldwell Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 30-76 22-25 17 30 47 20 20 4 20 87
(.395) (.880) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 21(30 PTS)
Atlanta 22 30 15 22 - 89
Indiana 25 22 16 24 - 87
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Augmon 2, Bullard 2, Laettner, Smith, Ehlo,
Long. Indiana - A Davis.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 9-20 (.450), Long 0-2, Smith 2-2, Blaylock
5-12, Ehlo 0-1, Bullard 2-3. Indiana 5-16 (.313), Mckey 2-5, Miller 2-6,
Jackson 1-4, Pierce 0-1.
Technicals: Indiana - Illegal Defense, Miller.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Dick Bavetta, Bob Delaney.
A - 16,731. T - 2:29.
nba.796vpoznanovic,
PACER-ERASER HAWKS REACH ROUND 2
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Atlanta Hawks didn't need kryptonite to win their
first-round playoff series. The second round, however, could be a
different story.
Mookie Blaylock scored 23 points Sunday, including a pivotal driving
layup with 43 seconds left, and Atlanta spoiled the surprising return
of Reggie Miller with an 89-87 victory over Indiana in the fifth and
deciding game of the series.
"I'm not no Superman, even though people perceive me to be that way,"
said Miller, Indiana's All-Star guard. "It wasn't guaranteed just
because I was in a uniform that we were going to win this game. In
truth, it probably was a lot harder."
Miller missed the first four games of the series after undergoing
surgery three weeks ago for a severe fracture of the orbit bone of his
right eye socket. He wore protective goggles Sunday and sparked the
Pacers with 29 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks advance to the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals,
where they will meet the Orlando Magic and Shaquille O'Neal -- the
7-foot-1, 305-pound center who sports a Superman tattoo on one of his
huge biceps.
Miller nearly rallied the Pacers from a five-point deficit in the
final half-minute Sunday.
After Blaylock's crucial layup, Miller was fouled by Stacey Augmon
while attempting a 3-pointer with 31.3 seconds remaining. Miller
converted all three free throws to pull Indiana within 89-87.
Blaylock committed a turnover on Atlanta's ensuing possession, giving
Indiana the ball with 11.3 seconds left.
Point guard Mark Jackson had trouble setting up a final play for the
Pacers, finally passing the ball to Miller in the closing seconds.
Miller, who was double-teamed behind the 3-point line, head-faked in
front of the defenders, stepped -- traveled, actually -- inside the
three-point line and hit the front of the rim on the Pacers' final
shot.
"We were trying to run Reggie off screens and if he wasn't open, to
look inside," Pacers coach Larry Brown said of the final play. "I'm
proud of Reggie. We came out thinking he's going to win the game for
us and he did everything he could to win the game."
Miller played 31 minutes and was seven for 17 from the field --
including two for six from 3-point range -- and 13 for 15 from the
foul line.
"I've been tinkering with coming back since the end of Game 4," Miller
said. "I didn't decide to play until I got to the arena this morning,
and I said I was good to go. I still have double vision when I look up
and my neck still hurts."
The game might have been Miller's last with Indiana. He becomes an
unrestricted free agent this summer and plans to explore his options.
"The Pacers definitely are in the catbird's seat," he said Sunday.
"All my roots are here."
Atlanta led by as many as nine points, 72-63, after a 3-pointer by
Matt Bullard early in the fourth quarter. Miller then took over,
scoring 13 points to spark a 21-11 run. He capped the spurt with a
long 3-pointer to give Indiana an 84-83 lead with 2:18 remaining.
But the Hawks proceeded to score the next six points on a tip-in by
Steve Smith, a rebound basket by Christian Laettner and Blaylock's
layup.
Smith had 17 points and Laettner added 15 points and 11 rebounds for
the Hawks.
"We knew we could come in here and win," Smith said. "It didn't matter
if Reggie played or not."
"It's a great feeling to come up here and get a win," Blaylock said.
"Our trademark is our defense and we stepped it up today."
The victory was especially sweet for Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens,
since the Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs the previous two
seasons by Indiana. The Pacers ousted Atlanta in the second round of
the 1994 playoffs and in the first round of the 1995 postseason.
"We knew it was going to be a most difficult game because they play
good at home," Wilkens said. "We played hard all game. All through the
series we prepared for Reggie, that he could come back. We are a good
team that works hard on the defensive end. It's a thrilling feeling
for this team."
The Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference finals each of the
previous two years, losing to New York in 1994 and Orlando in 1995.
"This was very disappointing," Jackson said. "When you let a team stay
in the game and beat you, it's tough. We are a better basketball team
than we showed today.
"You have to give them credit. They made shots, they got second shots,
they outrebounded us and they took it from us. We just didn't get the
job done."
Rik Smits had 17 points and Dale Davis added 10 points and 13 rebounds
for the Pacers.
The Pacers raced to a 17-9 lead in the first seven minutes, but
Blaylock hit a pair of 3-pointers and the Hawks pulled within 25-22 at
the end of the quarter.
Smith hit a 3-pointer and a 14-foot jumper to spark a 14-4
second-quarter run which gave Atlanta a 46-42 lead. The Hawks held a
52-47 halftime advantage.
Indiana pulled within 54-51 early in the third quarter, but Laettner
converted a three-point play and added a pair of free throws as the
Hawks scored seven of the next nine points to open a 61-53 lead.
nba.797vpoznanovic,
Portland (64) At Utah (102)
Portland
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C Robinson F 33 4-9 5-5 0 3 3 1 4 2 2 13
Grant F 29 2-8 0-0 1 6 7 0 4 0 1 4
Sabonis C 34 6-16 2-2 0 8 8 1 1 0 1 14
Strickland G 40 5-16 0-0 0 2 2 8 3 2 3 10
Mckie G 23 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 2 1 5
Wingfield 19 3-8 1-2 4 1 5 0 0 0 0 9
Dudley 9 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 5 0 1 2
Williams 30 1-6 0-0 2 2 4 0 4 0 1 2
R Robinson 8 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0
J Robinson 12 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 1 2 5
Trent 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Spencer 1 0-0 0-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 26-79 8-11 8 25 33 14 27 8 13 64
(.329) (.727) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 14(13 PTS)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Malone F 31 11-21 3-10 1 9 10 1 2 1 2 25
Benoit F 19 1-2 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 0 0 2
Spencer C 12 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 2
Stockton G 37 7-11 5-5 0 4 4 11 1 2 4 21
Hornacek G 29 3-7 5-5 2 5 7 4 0 0 2 11
Ostertag 29 2-6 4-6 3 5 8 0 3 1 1 8
Eisley 11 0-3 4-4 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 4
Morris 19 3-7 0-0 1 4 5 2 0 0 0 8
Russell 29 4-8 1-1 4 4 8 2 4 4 0 10
Carr 14 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 4
Keefe 6 0-1 4-4 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4
Foster 4 1-2 1-2 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 3
Totals 240 35-76 27-37 14 40 54 23 18 8 11 102
(.461) (.730) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 11(0 PTS)
Portland 12 12 14 26 - 64
Utah 18 28 24 32 - 102
Blocked Shots: Portland - C Robinson 2, Grant. Utah - Ostertag 5,
Spencer 2, Malone, Hornacek, Morris, Keefe, Foster.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Portland 4-11 (.364), C Robinson 0-3, Grant 0-1,
Strickland 0-1, Mckie 1-1, Wingfield 2-2, J Robinson 1-3. Utah 5-16
(.313), Benoit 0-1, Stockton 2-4, Hornacek 0-1, Eisley 0-1, Morris 2-5,
Russell 1-4.
Technicals: Portland - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Steve Javie, Ron Garretson.
A - 19,682. T - 2:17.
nba.798vpoznanovic,
UTAH SENDS PORTLAND OUT IN A BLAZE OF GORY SHOOTING
SALT LAKE CITY -- Did you hear the one about the Portland Trail
Blazers? Utah kept all its players on the bench, and it only took
Portland five minutes to score!
It wasn't that bad -- but it was darn close. Portland set two NBA
playoff records for futility Sunday afternoon as the Utah Jazz rolled
to a 102-64 rout in the fifth and decisive game of their first-round
Western Conference playoff series.
PLAYOFF LOWS
Since the 24-second shot clock was introduced in 1954-55:
64 points: Portland at Utah (102), May 5, 1996
68: New York at Indiana (88), May 28, 1994
69: Indiana at Atlanta (92), May 12, 1994
70: Golden State vs. L.A. Lakers (126), April 21, 1973
70: Seattle at Houston (91), April 23, 1982
71: Syracuse vs. Fort Wayne (74) at Indianapolis, April 7, 1955
71: Houston vs. Boston (94), May 9, 1981
"From tipoff to the buzzer, it was the best game we've played all
season," said Utah forward Karl Malone, now 32 years old. "It also was
a great game for us after all the things that are said about us
getting old."
"We had to have this game, and we went out and got it," said Utah
point guard John Stockton, 34. "We made adjustments on their game and
we executed the way we're supposed to offensively."
Portland's 64 total points and 24 first-half points are the worst in
the history of the postseason.
"Portland has 12 points in the first quarter, 12 in the second and 14
in the third," NBC's Greg Gumbel said at the beginning of the fourth
quarter.
"They're heating up," analyst Bill Walton deadpanned.
The New York Knicks held the previous low with 68 points in an 88-68
loss to Indiana on May 28, 1994, in the Eastern Conference finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers held the previous record for fewest points in
the first half of a playoff game with 28 in an April 7, 1974 contest
at Milwaukee.
Fewest points in a second half is 27 by Philadelphia against Boston on
May 21, 1982, and Indiana against New York on May 9, 1995.
"The Jazz were that good, and we were that bad," Portland coach P.J.
Carlesimo said. "They ran out on us and controlled the game. They
jumped on us and didn't let us get back in the game."
Malone had 25 points and 10 rebounds and Stockton had 21 points and 11
assists for the Jazz, who will play the San Antonio Spurs in the
best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals.
"Our guys played well and with a lot of emotion defensively to start
the ball game," Utah coach Jerry Sloan. "We had to go back to square
one and play them as well as we could and hope that they miss some
shots. Fortunately for us, they missed some shots and we were able not
to give them second shots."
Arvydas Sabonis led Portland with 14 points and Clifford Robinson
added 13.
FEWEST POINTS IN ONE HALF
In an NBA playoff game:
24 points: Portland at Utah, May 5, 1996 (first half)
27: Philadelphia vs. Boston, May 21, 1982 (second)
28: L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee, April 7, 1974 (first)
28: San Antonio vs. Portland, May 7, 1993 (second)
The Blazers hit just 33 percent from the field for the game, hitting
26 for 79 shots, and were outrebounded 54-33.
"We just got really cleaned up on the boards, which is very unusual
for us," Carlesimo said of his team, which averaged 45.6 rebounds per
game in the regular season, second only to Dallas' 46.2.
"For most of the first four games we were able to take away the
transition game, but today -- particularly when we got down -- we were
a step slow. We got outplayed. They defended, rebounded very well,
took care of the ball and executed."
It marked the fourth consecutive year the Blazers have been eliminated
in the first round of the playoffs.
The Jazz started the second quarter with a 17-5 run to open a 35-17
lead. Chris Morris and Bryon Russell came off the bench and scored six
points apiece during the run.
Utah opened a 70-38 bulge after three quarters, already scoring enough
points to win the game. The Jazz led by as many as 40 points in the
fourth quarter.
"We were a little bit more live, a little bit quicker to the
basketball," Sloan said. "We got a few more loose balls and a couple
more hustle plays, and you have to have that if the crowd is going to
have an effect."
Jeff Hornacek scored 11 points in 29 minutes and Russell added 10 for
the Jazz.
Portland point guard Rod Strickland hit just five of 16 shots from the
field and finished with 10 points.
nba.799vpoznanovic,
New York (84) At Chicago (91)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Oakley F 43 4-9 6-7 6 7 13 2 4 0 3 14
Mason F 45 5-11 2-2 1 4 5 2 4 0 3 12
Ewing C 43 9-23 3-5 3 13 16 1 3 1 5 21
Starks G 39 0-9 4-4 2 0 2 2 4 0 1 4
Harper G 40 8-17 1-2 0 0 0 5 2 2 1 19
Ward 8 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 4
Davis 15 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 0 3 8
Reid 7 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 2
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grandison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-79 16-20 12 28 40 14 21 4 17 84
(.405) (.800) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 17(20 PTS)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 43 4-15 3-3 5 5 10 7 0 2 1 11
Rodman F 33 0-3 3-4 3 9 12 2 4 1 3 3
Longley C 35 4-10 0-0 5 3 8 2 5 2 1 8
Harper G 30 2-7 0-0 2 5 7 3 3 1 0 4
Jordan G 41 17-35 9-9 1 4 5 2 4 0 1 44
Kukoc 28 1-8 5-6 1 1 2 5 2 2 0 7
Kerr 15 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 8
Salley 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Edwards 7 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
Brown 2 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Wennington 4 1-1 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 2
Buechler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-87 22-24 18 30 48 21 23 8 8 91
(.379) (.917) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 9(10 PTS)
New York 17 30 22 15 - 84
Chicago 25 29 19 18 - 91
Blocked Shots: New York - None. Chicago - Longley 2, Pippen, Harper.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 4-15 (.267), Starks 0-5, Harper 2-5, Ward 0-2,
Davis 2-3. Chicago 3-19 (.158), Pippen 0-4, Harper 0-2, Jordan 1-5, Kukoc
0-4, Kerr 2-4.
Technicals: New York - Harper, Mason, Oakley, Chicago - Jordan, Pippen.
Officials: Ed F Rush, Don Vaden, Joe Crawford.
A - 24,394. T - 2:24.
nba.800vpoznanovic,
ALL ABOARD! JORDAN EXPRESS ROLLS OVER KNICKS
CHICAGO -- "When you look at the stat sheet and see the way I shot and
Toni (Kukoc) shot, it's good to have Michael on the court," Chicago
Bulls forward Scottie Pippen said of teammate Michael Jordan. "We kind
of rode his back."
Pardon the pun.
Jordan overcame back problems to score 44 points Sunday as the Bulls
defeated the New York Knicks 91-84 in Game 1 of their Eastern
Conference second-round series.
Jordan scored six points in the final four minutes and Chicago held
New York without a field goal over the final five minutes.
"We feel fortunate to win this game," Jordan said. "They kept us out
of sync offensively. Luckily we played our usual good defensive game
and shut them down at the end."
Jordan made 17 of 35 shots and all nine of his free throws as he
eclipsed the 40-point plateau in a playoff game for the 29th time in
his career. He showed no effects of a back injury other than receiving
treatment on the sideline when he was not in the game.
Chicago's other top scorers had a rough time. Pippen missed 11 of his
15 shots and Kukoc missed seven of his eight field-goal attempts.
"We anticipated a game like this and we got it," Bulls coach Phil
Jackson said. "We played the game the Knicks wanted to. They set the
tempo and we got away from our game. Tuesday we will have to play our
type of game."
Fortunately for the Bulls, Knicks guard John Starks -- who was pivotal
in New York's first-round victory over Cleveland -- missed all nine of
his shots from the field, including five from three-point range.
"I had no rhythm," Starks said. "Tuesday is another game."
Patrick Ewing led New York with 21 points and 16 rebounds, but he hit
just nine of 23 shots and committed five turnovers. The Knicks shot 41
percent (32 for 79) from the field and were four for 15 from 3-point
range.
"We competed hard and put ourselves in a position to win in the fourth
quarter," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I didn't do a good job
giving them the offense. I'm going to have to do a better job if we
are going to win."
"I thought we had them where we wanted them at the end," Ewing said.
"We just couldn't hit our shots in the critical stretch. It's
frustrating in a way because we feel we can beat this team. They just
got too many second shots and loose balls."
Dennis Rodman grabbed 12 rebounds as the Bulls held a 48-40 edge on
the boards, including an 18-12 advantage on offensive rebounds.
The Knicks trailed 54-47 at halftime and by 13 in the third quarter
before using a 13-0 run to tie the score. Chicago, which missed 11
consecutive shots at one point, regrouped and grabbed a 73-69 edge
entering the fourth quarter.
After Bill Wennington's jumper gave Chicago a 79-71 lead with 9:23
remaining, the Knicks began to chip away. Hubert Davis hit a 3-pointer
and Derek Harper made a driving layup to cut the deficit to 79-76 with
7:31 to go.
Jordan hit a pair of free throws as Chicago made its first 20 shots
from the foul line. But Ewing made a jumper and Harper sank a jumper
as New York got within a point with 5:15 to go.
However, that was New York's last basket. After Rodman and Starks
exchanged a pair of free throws, Jordan hit a fadeaway jumper with
Harper hanging on him to extend the lead to 85-82.
Starks missed a 3-pointer and Rodman hit a free throw to push the
advantage to four points. After Ewing traveled with 3:11 to go, Jordan
drove past Harper and over Ewing for a layup that gave Chicago an
88-82 lead.
Oakley hit a pair of free throws to get the Knicks within 88-84 with
2:47 remaining but those were the last points for New York. Jordan's
jumper and Kukoc's free throw capped the scoring.
The teams are meeting in the playoffs for the fifth time in six
seasons and the game featured the physical play that has typified past
showdowns. Double technicals were issued to Harper and Jordan in the
second and Oakley and Pippen in the fourth.
The Bulls led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter.
nba.801vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago leads New York 1-0
Sunday May 5 Chicago 91, New York 84
Tuesday May 7 at Chicago 9:30 p.m. TNT
Saturday May 11 at New York 1 p.m. NBC
Sunday May 12 at New York 5:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Chicago TBA
Thursday May 16 *at New York TBA
Sunday May 19 *at Chicago TBA
Orlando vs. Atlanta
Wednesday May 8 at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 10 at Orlando 7 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 12 at Atlanta 12:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 13 at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Wednesday May 15 *at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 17 *at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 19 *at Orlando TBA NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle leads Houston 1-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 at Seattle 9 p.m. TNT
Friday May 10 at Houston 9:30 p.m TNT
Sunday May 12 at Houston 3 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Seattle TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Houston TBA
Saturday May 18 *at Seattle TBA NBC
San Antonio vs. Utah
Tuesday May 7 at San Antonio 7 p.m. TNT
Thursday May 9 at San Antonio 8 p.m. TNT
Saturday May 11 at Utah 3:30 NBC
Sunday May 12 at Utah 8:30 p.m. TNT
Tuesday May 14 *at San Antonio TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Utah TBA
Saturday May 18 *at San Antonio TBA NBC
First round
(Best-of-5)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago defeats Miami 3-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 Chicago 106, Miami 75
May 1 Chicago 112, Miami 91
Orlando defeats Detroit 3-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 Orlando 92, Detroit 77
April 30 Orlando 101, Detroit 98
Atlanta defeats Indiana 3-2
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 Atlanta 90, Indiana 83
May 2 Indiana 83, Atlanta 75
May 5 Atlanta 89, Indiana 87
New York defeats Cleveland 3-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 New York 81, Cleveland 76
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle defeats Sacramento 3-1
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 Sacramento 90, Seattle 81
April 30 Seattle 96, Sacramento 89
May 2 Seattle 101, Sacramento 87
San Antonio defeats Phoenix 3-1
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 San Antonio 110, Phoenix 105
May 1 Phoenix 94, San Antonio 93
May 3 San Antonio 116, Phoenix 98
Utah defeats Portland 3-2
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 Portland 94, Utah 91 (OT)
May 1 Portland 98, Utah 90
May 5 Utah 102, Portland 64
Houston defeats L.A. Lakers 3-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 Houston 104, L.A. Lakers 98
May 2 Houston 102, L.A. Lakers 94
nba.802lexus,
=> Starks G 39 0-9 4-4 2 0 2 2 4
=> 0 1 4 ^^^
Ovaj Starks stvarno ne ume da šutira u važnim utakmicama...
nba.803schef,
=- Portland (64) At Utah (102)
^^ ^^^
Kuku... ;)
Srleř
nba.804vpoznanovic,
FITS LIKE A GLOVE: PAYTON IS NBA'S TOP DEFENDER
SEATTLE -- Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton, who led the
NBA in steals with 2.85 per game, was named Defensive Player of the
Year on Monday by a landslide vote.
Payton received 56 of a possible 113 votes from a panel of sports
writers and broadcasters. Chicago forward Scottie Pippen was second
with 15 votes and Denver center Dikembe Mutombo, last year's winner,
was third with 13 votes.
VOTING
Payton Sonics 56
Pippen Bulls 15
Mutombo Nuggets 11
Robinson Spurs 9
Olajuwon Rockets 8
Jordan Bulls 7
Rodman Bulls 4
Grant Magic 1
Outlaw Clippers 1
Sprewell Warriors 1
Payton, 27, is nicknamed "The Glove" because of the aggressive,
attacking style he uses to he cover opponents.
The 6-foot-4 Payton, a two-time NBA All-Defensive team selection,
helped Seattle lead the league in steals (10.7 per game) for the
fourth consecutive season. The SuperSonics also led the league in
turnovers forced with 18.5 per game.
"In high school, I was offensive minded," Payton said at a Monday news
conference in Seattle, where the Sonics were preparing to face Houston
in Game 2 of their second-round series.
"I liked George Gervin a lot and you know he didn't play no 'D.' He
didn't play 'D' at all."
During Payton's rookie year he met up with defensive ace Alvin
Robertson, currently a Toronto Raptors guard who was with Milwaukee at
the time.
"When I faced him for the first time in my pro career, I threw the
ball up the court and he jumped in the middle of the air and grabbed
it," Payton said. "I said, 'Hey, I'm going to be like him. I'm going
to imitate him a lot.' That's what I've been trying to do the last
couple of years."
Payton also said former Oregon State Ralph Miller and Sonics assistant
Tim Grgurich helped in Payton's development as a top-notch defender.
Payton, a three-time All-Star, will become a free agent after the
playoffs end. It has been speculated it will take a $50 million
contract for the Sonics to keep him.
nba.805vpoznanovic,
MOURNING UNDERGOES SURGERY ON RING FINGER
MIAMI -- Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, who is eligible for free
agency in July, underwent outpatient surgery Monday to repair a
chronic dislocation problem on the ring finger of his left hand.
Mourning had a damaged ligament in the finger that caused it to
dislocate several times, most recently during a first round playoff
game against Chicago.
Heat team physician Doctor Harlan Selesnick said Mourning's finger
will be in a splint for approximately three weeks before he begins
rehabilitation.
Mourning, who was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets Nov. 3 in a
multi-player deal, averaged 23.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in 70 games
for the Heat this season.
nba.806vpoznanovic,
SIX PLAYERS ADDED TO HALL OF FAME
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Former college and pro stars George Gervin, Gail
Goodrich and David Thompson were among six former players inducted
into the Basketball Hall of Fame Monday.
The other inductees: former European star Kresimir Cosic, who passed
away last May at the age of 46; women's star Nancy Lieberman-Cline;
and early National Basketball Association star George Yardley.
The six were selected from a list of 20 candidates. An individual
needed 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for induction. Cosic
was nominated by the International Screening Committee and Yardley was
nominated by the Veterans Screening Committee.
Gervin, who played in both the American Basketball Association and the
NBA, was a 12-time All-Star and one of only three players in NBA
history to win four or more scoring titles. His career scoring average
of 26.2 points a game is the sixth highest in NBA history.
Gervin is one of only seven players in NBA history to score more than
2,000 points in six consecutive seasons and he is one of only four
players in league history to score in double figures in 400 or more
games. Gervin had a 63-point single-game performance in 1978 and is
one of only 15 players in NBA history to surpass 60 points in a
regular season game.
Goodrich helped UCLA to two NCAA championships and led his conference
in scoring (21.5 ppg.) as the Bruins compiled a 30-0 record in 1964.
He went on to play 14 seasons in the NBA, where he was selected to the
All-Star team five times and was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers'
1972 championship team.
Thompson was a three-time All-America at North Carolina State and was
named College Basketball Player of the Year twice. He was named the
Most Valuable Player of the 1974 NCAA Championship tournament and his
number 44 jersey is the only one ever retired at North Carolina State.
Thompson was the ABA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in
the All-Star game, played in four NBA All-Star games and was named the
game's MVP in 1979, becoming the only player to win the award in both
leagues. Thompson averaged 22.1 points a game and his 73-point
performance against Detroit in April, 1978, is the third highest in
NBA history. His number 33 jersey also has been retired by the Denver
Nuggets.
Yardley played seven seasons in the NBA and in 1957-58 became the
first player to score 2,000 points in a season. He was named to the
NBA All-Star team six times and averaged 19.2 points for his career.
Cosic, who died last May from lymphoma, starred at Brigham Young but
made his reputation on the international scene. After leading BYU in
scoring in his final two years, he went on to play on four Olympic
teams for the former Yugoslavia. He was a member of the silver medal
team in 1968 and the gold medal team in 1980 and starred for two World
Championship gold medal teams.
Lieberman was a member of two Pan American gold medal winning teams
and played for the United States squad that won the silver medal at
the 1976 Olympics. Lieberman was a three-time All-America at Old
Dominion and led the school to back-to-back national championships in
1979 and 1980. Lieberman led Old Dominion to a 72-2 record over those
two seasons and was named College Player of the Year.
She became the first woman to play in a men's league when she signed
with the Springfield Fame of the United States Basketball League in
1986.
nba.807vpoznanovic,
KENTUCKY'S WALKER TO LEAP INTO NBA
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Sophomore forward Antoine Walker, the second-leading
scorer on Kentucky's 1995-96 national championship team, says he will
not return to the Wildcats for his junior season and make himself
eligible for the NBA Draft.
Walker told a news conference Monday morning that he needed to do
something for his family and especially for his mother who had worked
hard to raise her family.
"Everyone knows how great a feeling it was to win a national
championship and I would love to come back and do it again, but my
family has been there for me throughout my whole life and it's time
for me to repay them," said Walker at the morning news conference at
the school. "They have worked my whole life and put me through school.
I feel like that I'm making a good decision and I'm helping my family
out and also fulfilling one of my dreams."
The 6-8 Walker averaged 15.2 points and a team-leading 8.4 rebounds in
36 games for the Wildcats this past season. Kentucky finished 34-2 and
won its first national championship since 1978. The Wildcats beat
Syracuse in the NCAA Championship game on April 1.
"Whatever he wants to do is great, it's not up to me to agree or
disagree, it's up to me to point out all the options so he can make an
intelligent decision," said coach Rick Pitino. "If I were an NBA team,
based on the potential of this young man, I can't say I'd draft him
one because that would be too biased. But if I had the second pick in
the draft, based on potential, this young man has all the potential
that you saw in an early Magic Johnson. Never would I compare anyone
to Magic Johnson, and apply that kind of pressure, but he has those
skills, that type of charisma, that leadership and I think he is
absolutely going to be a great pro."
Members of Kentucky's coaching staff talked to NBA scouts last week
and learned Walker would be a possible lottery pick if he entered the
draft. Walker would likely be selected anywhere from 8-13 in the June
draft.
Under NCAA rules, a player can return to college within 30 days of
being drafted provided he has not yet retained the services of an
agent.
The loss of Walker leaves Kentucky with only two returning starters --
guard Anthony Epps and forward Derek Anderson -- from the 1995-96
championship team. Guard Tony Delk and center Walter McCarty were
senior starters.
Walker played in all 33 games for Kentucky as a freshman, averaging
7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game under Pitino's
rotation system.
Walker's perimeter game is questionable, however. He sank only nine of
46 3-pointers.
He was the MVP of the Southeastern Conference Tournament as a freshman
and a consensus All-SEC selection this year.
Pitino said he presented options to Walker, but that Walker made the
decision to forego the rest of his college eligibility.
Pitino warned that something would have to be done to keep talented
underclassmen from leaving early before they are ready to handle the
jump emotionally to the NBA.
He suggested that if they don't want to go to college, they could play
in the CBA to get ready for the NBA.
nba.808vpoznanovic,
NO KIDDING! VAUGHN WON'T LEAVE KANSAS FOR NBA
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Jacque Vaughn, the Big Eight's player of the year,
says he will return to play his senior season with the University of
Kansas basketball team.
At a news conference at the university, Vaughn said Monday he had
chosen not to leave early to try a career in the NBA.
Experts had said Vaughn, a point guard, would benefit from another
year of seasoning and might win a bigger contract if he played his
final year of college basketball.
nba.809vpoznanovic,
INJURY-PLAGUED LIVINGSTON PRESUMES HE'LL ENTER NBA DRAFT
Injury-plagued point guard Randy Livingston of Louisiana State
announced on Monday that he will enter the NBA draft.
Livingston played parts of two seasons at LSU and dropped out of
school on Feb. 16 to devote himself full-time to rehabilitation work
following a season of nagging injuries that cut short his sophomore
season.
"I wish to thank everybody who supported me through these times,"
Livingston said. "I will enter the draft with every option open."
Under NCAA rules, a player can return to college within 30 days of
being drafted provided he has not yet retained the services of an
agent.
Livingston averaged 14 points, 9.4 assists and four rebounds in
1994-95, his redshirt season after sitting out a year recovering from
anterior cruciate surgery in his right leg. He played in 16 games
before suffering a fractured patella tendon on the same leg in a game
at Arkansas in January, 1995.
Livingston returned last December and averaged 6.1 points and 5.3
assists in 13 games before quitting to continue his rehab.
"Not having his spirits broken after three years of suffering
heartaches indicated this is a strong-willed person," LSU coach Dale
Brown said. "After visiting with Randy and his mom and discussing all
the options available, this is the best thing for Randy to do at this
time."
Livingston is the second LSU guard to apply for the draft, joining
junior Ronnie Henderson.
nba.810vpoznanovic,
Houston (101) At Seattle (105)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Brown F 23 5-10 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 11
Horry F 37 4-9 2-4 1 3 4 5 3 2 0 14
Olajuwon C 41 8-21 1-1 4 12 16 4 2 2 5 17
Drexler G 37 7-11 2-2 2 7 9 4 3 2 3 19
Smith G 27 3-11 2-2 2 1 3 7 3 0 1 11
Cassell 26 1-5 6-8 0 0 0 5 3 1 1 9
Bryant 17 5-7 2-3 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 12
Elie 25 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 1 5
Mack 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Jones 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcutt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-81 16-22 10 28 38 28 20 8 12 101
(.444) (.727) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 12(18 PTS)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 35 5-13 7-8 2 8 10 2 3 0 4 17
D Schrempf F 45 9-16 1-3 1 9 10 5 2 0 5 21
Johnson C 14 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 2
Hawkins G 32 3-6 2-2 0 4 4 4 3 1 2 11
Payton G 43 7-15 1-3 0 5 5 5 4 3 1 18
Mcmillan 24 5-6 0-0 0 4 4 3 1 0 1 15
Perkins 27 3-5 0-0 1 2 3 4 1 0 1 9
Askew 13 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 6
Brickowski 7 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 6
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingate Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-70 11-16 4 34 38 25 20 4 16 105
(.529) (.688) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 16(23 PTS)
Houston 19 32 31 19 - 101
Seattle 22 27 31 25 - 105
Blocked Shots: Houston - Olajuwon 4, Horry. Seattle - Kemp 2, D
Schrempf, Johnson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Houston 13-27 (.481), Horry 4-7, Drexler 3-4, Smith
3-8, Cassell 1-3, Elie 1-4, Mack 1-1. Seattle 20-27 (.741), D Schrempf
2-5, Hawkins 3-3, Payton 3-5, Mcmillan 5-5, Perkins 3-5, Askew 2-2,
Brickowski 2-2.
Technicals: Seattle - Payton, Illegal Defense 3.
Officials: Paul Mihalak, Hugh Evans, Bill Oakes.
A - 17,072. T - 2:22.
nba.811vpoznanovic,
ARC KEEPS SONICS SAFE; ROCKETS ARE FLOODED
SEATTLE -- The two-time defending champion Houston Rockets are
accustomed to seeing the inside-outside game work to perfection.
However, they're not used to seeing it work against them.
Seattle set an NBA playoff record with 20 3-pointers -- including 13
in a row -- during a 105-101 victory over Houston on Monday night,
giving the SuperSonics a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinal
series.
HOT SHOTS
Seattle's numbers from 3-point range Monday:
M-A
McMillan 5-5
Hawkins 3-3
Askew 2-2
Brickowski 2-2
Payton 3-5
Perkins 3-5
Schrempf 2-5
TOTALS 20-27
"The 3-pointer is a part of both teams' offenses," Seattle guard Nate
McMillan said. "Houston has been winning like this the last two
years."
"To take a barrage like that was amazing," Houston coach Rudy
Tomjanovich said. "If we played any other team in the league, I'm sure
we'd win the game and it probably wouldn't even be a close game."
Game 3 is Friday at Houston. The Rockets have trailed in four of the
eight series they have won in capturing the past two NBA titles.
Houston trailed Phoenix 2-0 in the conference semifinals last year and
won in seven games.
On Monday, Seattle went inside to 6-foot-10 forwards Detlef Schrempf
and Shawn Kemp, who scored 21 and 17 points, respectively, and grabbed
10 rebounds apiece.
The Sonics also went outside -- boy, did they ever go outside. Seattle
hit 20 of 27 from 3-point range, an incredible 74-percent success
rate.
"This year, coach went to a thing where he started making us shoot
threes after practice," Seattle point guard Gary Payton said of
Seattle coach George Karl. "We have to make at least 30 threes before
we leave practice and it's been helping us a lot."
Houston held the previous playoff record of 19 3-pointers, set last
April 29 against Utah. Seattle and Houston combined to hit 33 from
long distance Monday, also a playoff record.
McMillan tied an NBA playoff with his five-for-five shooting from
beyond the arc. He matched the record set by Dallas' Brad Davis of
Dallas and matched by Byron Scott for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991.
Seattle's bench of McMillan, Sam Perkins, Vincent Askew and Frank
Brickowski scored 36 points and made 12 of 14 3-pointers.
HOT SHOTS, PART DEUX
Most 3-pointers by a team in an NBA playoff game:
20: Seattle vs. Houston
May 6, 1996
19: Houston at Utah
April 29, 1995
17: New York at Cleveland
April 25, 1996
14: Houston at Orlando (OT)
June 7, 1995
14: Orlando at Houston
June 14, 1995
"We have so many weapons," Schrempf said. "If we make the extra pass,
we usually get a good shot in. When we got down, we started playing a
little harder and played together."
The Sonics made 10 of 13 3-pointers in the second half, when they
erased a 10-point deficit.
Perkins' 3-pointer with 2:11 to play set the record and gave Seattle a
103-99 lead, but Mario Elie's basket 19 seconds later pulled Houston
within two points and the Rockets had one last chance to tie.
Schrempf missed two free throws but forced a jump ball with 45 seconds
left. Houston controlled the tip, but Payton poked the ball away from
Hakeem Olajuwon. Kemp sank two free throws with 10 seconds left to
seal the victory.
Payton, who was named Defensive Player of the Year earlier in the day,
added 18 points for the Sonics, who trailed for much of this game.
"I knew Hakeem was going to get the ball and try to do something,"
Payton said of his crucial steal. "I stuck my hand in there and
knocked it loose. Fortunately, Shawn was able to pick it up."
Clyde Drexler scored 19 points and Olajuwon added 17 points and 16
rebounds for Houston.
"They played well, they shot the ball well," Drexler said of the
Sonics. "When a team shoots that well, they deserve to win.
"I think both teams were playing at a very high level of playoff
basketball. We happened to lose this one by a couple of points but
we're looking forward to Game 3. They held serve, they won two games
in their gym."
Seattle has won 11 consecutive games against the Rockets since the
1994 season and is also the last team to beat Houston in the playoffs,
eliminating the Rockets in six games in the conference semifinals in
1993.
Houston still led 88-82 after a basket by Mark Bryant with 9:18 to
play, but the Sonics stormed back with a 15-2 tear.
Hersey Hawkins and Payton hit 3-pointers to tie the score 88-88 with
7:58 left. Olajuwon answered with a hook shot to give Houston its
final lead, but Schrempf made a hook shot and Payton converted a layup
and added a jumper to make it 94-90 with 6:09 remaining.
Hawkins capped the run with a 3-pointer to give Seattle a 97-90 lead
with 5:17 to go.
Houston clawed back with a 9-3 spurt. Elie and Nate McMillan traded
3-pointers before Olajuwon had a putback and Sam Cassell hit four free
throws to make it 100-99 with three minutes to play.
After Kemp missed a shot in the post, Houston had a chance to take the
lead but Drexler missed a reverse layup in transition.
"There was a lot of physical play tonight. It was one of the most
physical games I've probably played in my career," Kemp said. "Lots of
elbows, lots of grinding inside. The thing was we didn't give up, we
just kept going inside, even though they were elbowing us inside. We
kept going back inside to make it happen."
Robert Horry scored 14 points, Bryant 12 and Chucky Brown and Kenny
Smith 11 apiece for the Rockets, who shot 44 percent (36 for 81)
overall and 48 percent (13 for 27) from 3-point range.
nba.812vpoznanovic,
JACKSON FINALLY WINS COACH OF THE YEAR
NEW YORK -- After leading the Chicago Bulls to an NBA-record 72 wins,
Phil Jackson was named NBA Coach of the Year on Tuesday.
Jackson received 82 of a possible 113 votes from a nationwide panel of
writers and broadcasters.
Mike Fratello of the Cleveland Cavaliers finished second with 22
votes.
Jackson guided the Bulls to the best record in NBA history at 72-10,
breaking the record of 69 held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.
"This is a dream year and we've had a wonderful ride up to this
point," said Jackson. "I receive this as a member of the Bulls
organization with gratitude and thanks to the players."
"The coach is always the jockey and the players drag him down the
racetrack... coaching is really a partnership between the players and
the coaching staff... this year wasn't as much work as I've had to do
in other years, but certainly some of the off-the-court work was as
difficult as on the court."
Despite coaching the Bulls to three straight NBA titles from 1991 to
1993, Jackson had never won Coach of the Year honors.
Doug Collins of the Detroit Pistons and Bob Hill of the San Antonio
Spurs tied for third with three votes apiece. Rudy Tomjanovich of the
Houston Rockets received two votes and Lenny Wilkens of the Atlanta
Hawks had one vote.
The Bulls also set NBA records for most consecutive home wins (44) and
most consecutive home wins to start a season (37) in 1995-96.
The Coach of the Year receives the Red Auerbach Trophy in honor of
Auerbach, the president of the Boston Celtics, who guided the Celtics
to nine NBA championships between the 1956-57 and 1966-67 seasons.
nba.813vpoznanovic,
New York (80) At Chicago (91)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Oakley F 39 3-10 3-6 6 5 11 0 4 0 4 9
Mason F 44 5-10 0-0 3 5 8 1 2 1 3 10
Ewing C 39 9-19 5-9 1 9 10 1 2 0 4 23
Starks G 32 2-5 8-8 0 3 3 4 4 4 3 12
Harper G 40 4-13 0-0 0 1 1 5 4 1 5 11
Davis 19 0-4 1-2 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 1
Grant 8 2-5 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 1 1 6
Williams 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Anderson 10 2-6 2-2 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 6
Grandison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Ward Dnp - Flu
Totals 240 28-74 19-27 13 25 38 13 21 8 20 80
(.378) (.704) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 20(24 PTS)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 41 7-21 2-2 2 3 5 6 4 4 2 19
Rodman F 31 3-4 0-0 5 14 19 1 4 0 5 6
Longley C 25 3-6 0-0 4 5 9 0 5 0 3 6
Harper G 33 5-13 3-4 4 5 9 3 4 0 2 15
Jordan G 40 11-25 5-5 3 2 5 5 0 3 2 28
Kukoc 25 2-7 2-2 0 0 0 2 3 1 0 6
Kerr 19 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 5
Buechler 4 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 0
Edwards 5 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 2
Wennington 14 1-1 1-2 0 3 3 1 3 1 0 3
Salley 3 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Brown Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 35-86 14-17 18 36 54 19 26 9 17 91
(.407) (.824) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 18(20 PTS)
New York 19 22 18 21 - 80
Chicago 22 20 19 30 - 91
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 4. Chicago - Longley 3, Rodman 2, Pippen.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 5-19 (.263), Oakley 0-1, Starks 0-1, Harper
3-8, Davis 0-4, Grant 2-3, Anderson 0-2. Chicago 7-21 (.333), Pippen 3-7,
Harper 2-3, Jordan 1-3, Kukoc 0-4, Kerr 1-2, Buechler 0-2.
Technicals: New York - Ewing, Harper, Starks, Chicago - Assistant Coach
Cleamons, Harper.
Officials: Bernie Fryer, Jack Nies, Jess Kersey.
A - 24,328. T - 2:19.
nba.814vpoznanovic,
SCOTTIE STRIKES IN FOURTH AS BULLS GO UP 2-0
CHICAGO -- Scottie Pippen scored nine of his 19 points in a
fourth-quarter run as the Chicago Bulls took a 2-0 lead in their
Eastern Conference semifinal series with a 91-80 victory over the New
York Knicks.
Pippen, 3-for-16 in the first three quarters, made his first four
shots of the final period to spark a Bulls rally.
Pippen hit a jumper, a 3-pointer and then a dunk to cap a 12-0 spurt
that put the Bulls up 76-63 with about seven minutes left.
"I wasn't going to back away from my shot," he said. "I still thought
I had good rhythm and (assistant coach) Tex Winter told me just catch
the ball and pull up a shoot."
"We were just hoping we could get something going offensively," Pippen
said. "We didn't shoot well the whole game." The Bulls, who won a
record 72 games in the regular season, remained unbeaten in the
playoffs, with just one of the wins coming by less than 10 points.
Game 3 is Saturday at New York.
Pippen, who was 4-for-15 and had only 11 points in Chicago's 91-84
victory in Game 1, bounced back with a solid effort, keying a 14-4 run
at the outset of the final quarter.
Michael Jordan, who scored 44 points on 17-of-35 shooting in Game 1,
had 28 points and made 11 of 25 shots for Chicago.
"We made some big plays down the stretch,'' Jordan said. ``Our defense
held them ... and we made some big baskets, especially Scottie."
Patrick Ewing scored 23 points and John Starks added 12 for New York,
which was held to 21 points in the fourth quarter. The Knicks have
scored a combined 76 points in the second halves of the two games.
"Right now we're playing not to lose and you can't play like that,"
said Knicks guard Derek Harper. "You can't worry about whether or not
you're going to be the guy to not come up with the right play. You're
not going to hold a team like Chicago down, a guy like Scottie down,
every night."
New York's frustration surfaced after the Bulls took control.
Patrick Ewing, who scored only one of his 23 points in the final
period, charged toward Chicago assistant coach Jim Cleamons, who
exchanged words with Ewing from the Bulls bench. Referee Jess Kersey
restrained Ewing and a double technical was assessed, two of five
technicals in the final period.
"Their bench was just talking a lot of trash," Ewing said. "We're sick
of hearing them bitch and moan. They talk to the refs and then we
don't get a call."
Ewing started quickly for the Knicks but faded in the fourth quarter.
He had two points in the final period of Game 1.
Games 3 and 4 in the best-of-7 series are Saturday and Sunday at
Madison Square Garden.
Dennis Rodman had 19 rebounds for Chicago. After the game, he gave his
jersey to talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who recently interviewed
Rodman about his new book, "Bad As I Wanna Be."
Chicago's 12-0 spurt was part of a 24-6 run in which the Bulls were 10
of 14 from the field. During the stretch, the Knicks missed all four
of their shots, committed five turnovers and went more than seven
minutes and 30 seconds without a field goal.
"Our defense has been able to shut them down when they needed
offense," Pippen said.
The Bulls again shut down John Starks, holding the Knicks' long-range
shooter to 2-for-5 from the field and 12 points. Starks missed all
nine of his field goal attempts in Game 1 and scored only four points.
Toni Kukoc's driving basket gave the Bulls a 61-59 lead at the end of
a third quarter, in which the teams combined for just 37 points. The
Knicks made just 6 of 20 shots in the quarter, and the Bulls were 6 of
19.
Jordan, limited to four first-quarter points, scored the first seven
of the second period and the Bulls surged to a 10-point lead. But
Starks had eight points, including his first basket of the series, and
Derek Harper hit a 3-pointer as the Knicks used an 11-4 run to close
within a point at halftime.
nba.815vpoznanovic,
Utah (95) At San Antonio (75)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Morris F 22 6-11 0-0 2 3 5 0 4 1 1 13
Malone F 35 10-23 3-5 3 4 7 2 5 3 3 23
Spencer C 22 3-6 0-0 5 1 6 1 3 0 2 6
Hornacek G 35 7-12 1-1 2 3 5 3 3 0 0 17
Stockton G 39 5-10 2-2 0 5 5 19 2 1 3 13
Eisley 9 0-2 0-0 2 2 4 4 0 1 0 0
Ostertag 10 0-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
Russell 31 4-7 0-0 1 5 6 1 4 1 2 11
Carr 16 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 4
Keefe 21 3-7 2-2 1 2 3 1 5 0 2 8
Benoit Dnp - Contusion Left Knee
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-88 8-10 18 27 45 31 30 7 14 95
(.455) (.800) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 14(14 PTS)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 37 2-7 9-13 0 1 1 4 5 2 4 14
Smith F 12 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 1 0 4
Robinson C 43 9-12 11-18 2 4 6 4 3 2 4 29
Del Negro G 36 1-11 1-1 0 2 2 4 1 0 1 3
Johnson G 43 3-8 0-0 0 4 4 5 2 1 4 6
W Perdue 22 4-6 0-0 3 4 7 0 2 0 1 8
C Person 31 3-6 1-2 0 4 4 2 2 0 1 8
Alexander 5 1-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
Herrera 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Williams 4 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
Anderson 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rivers Dnp - Back Spasms
Totals 240 25-60 23-36 7 23 30 19 16 6 16 75
(.417) (.639) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 17(17 PTS)
Utah 29 17 28 21 - 95
San Antonio 18 23 20 14 - 75
Blocked Shots: Utah - Spencer 3, Morris, Russell. San Antonio - Robinson
5, Elliott, Smith, W Perdue, C Person.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 7-14 (.500), Morris 1-3, Hornacek 2-5, Stockton
1-3, Russell 3-3. San Antonio 2-5 (.400), Elliott 1-1, Del Negro 0-2, C
Person 1-2.
Technicals: Utah - Malone, Illegal Defense 2, Head Coach Sloan, San
Antonio - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Derrick Stafford, Dan Crawford.
A - 15,112. T - 2:12.
nba.816vpoznanovic,
MASSACRE AT THE ALAMO: JAZZ DRUMS UP 20-POINT WIN
SAN ANTONIO -- It was massacre time all over again in San Antonio.
Only this time it was Utah, not the Mexicans, invading the
Alamo(dome).
Karl Malone scored 23 points and John Stockton had 13 points and 19
assists as Utah routed San Antonio 95-75 Tuesday night to win the
opener of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series.
The Spurs, who have never won a playoff series after losing the first
game, were booed in the Alamodome as they lost the homecourt advantage
in the best-of-7 series. Game 2 is Thursday in San Antonio.
"It was a plain old-fashioned (butt)-kicking," said San Antonio coach
Bob Hill. "Nothing we did worked, I thought they played great and we
didn't. Give them credit, we have work to do, but we will be back."
The Jazz, who led by five points at halftime, built a comfortable lead
in the third quarter and maintained it the rest of the way. Utah
opened the second half with a 17-7 run to take a 63-48 lead with 6:35
remaining in the third period.
Jeff Hornacek scored nine of his 17 points in the third period for the
Jazz, who led 74-61 at the start of the final period. Utah led by at
least 10 points throughout the fourth quarter.
David Robinson had 29 points and six rebounds for San Antonio. Sean
Elliott added 14 points for the Spurs.
"We didn't come in prepared for their intensity," Robinson said." We
didn't make good decisions and I felt like our minds just weren't
there."
After holding Portland to an NBA playoff-low 64 points in Game 5 of
their opening-round series, the Jazz came up with another defensive
gem against San Antonio.
"We got a little bit lucky with the ball bouncing our way," said Utah
coach Jerry Sloan. "We executed, our guys off the bench competed hard.
I was shocked that they missed as many shots as they missed. It's only
one game, we only beat the Spurs once all year and it was kind of
fluke down here (San Antonio)."
The Spurs didn't score for a four-minute stretch in the first period
as Utah went on a 12-0 run and built a 25-7 lead with 3:25 remaining.
Chuck Person's 3-pointer with 2:42 left in the first finally moved the
Spurs into double figures (25-11) and San Antonio fought back to cut
Utah's lead to 46-41 at halftime.
The Jazz advanced to the semifinals by eliminating the Trail Blazers
3-2 in the first round, including a 102-64 victory Sunday in Game 5.
The Spurs beat Phoenix 3-1 in the first round.
nba.817vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago leads New York 2-0
Sunday May 5 Chicago 91, New York 84
Tuesday May 7 Chicago 91, New York 80
Saturday May 11 at New York 1 p.m. NBC
Sunday May 12 at New York 5:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Chicago TBA
Thursday May 16 *at New York TBA
Sunday May 19 *at Chicago TBA
Orlando vs. Atlanta
Wednesday May 8 at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 10 at Orlando 7 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 12 at Atlanta 12:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 13 at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Wednesday May 15 *at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 17 *at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 19 *at Orlando TBA NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle leads Houston 2-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 Seattle 105, Houston 101
Friday May 10 at Houston 9:30 p.m TNT
Sunday May 12 at Houston 3 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Seattle TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Houston TBA
Saturday May 18 *at Seattle TBA NBC
Utah leads San Antonio 1-0
Tuesday May 7 Utah 95, San Antonio 75
Thursday May 9 at San Antonio 8 p.m. TNT
Saturday May 11 at Utah 3:30 NBC
Sunday May 12 at Utah 8:30 p.m. TNT
Tuesday May 14 *at San Antonio TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Utah TBA
Saturday May 18 *at San Antonio TBA NBC
First round
(Best-of-5)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago defeats Miami 3-0
April 26 Chicago 102, Miami 85
April 28 Chicago 106, Miami 75
May 1 Chicago 112, Miami 91
Orlando defeats Detroit 3-0
April 26 Orlando 112, Detroit 92
April 28 Orlando 92, Detroit 77
April 30 Orlando 101, Detroit 98
Atlanta defeats Indiana 3-2
April 25 Atlanta 92, Indiana 80
April 27 Indiana 102, Atlanta 94 (OT)
April 29 Atlanta 90, Indiana 83
May 2 Indiana 83, Atlanta 75
May 5 Atlanta 89, Indiana 87
New York defeats Cleveland 3-0
April 25 New York 106, Cleveland 83
April 27 New York 84, Cleveland 80
May 1 New York 81, Cleveland 76
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle defeats Sacramento 3-1
April 26 Seattle 97, Sacramento 85
April 28 Sacramento 90, Seattle 81
April 30 Seattle 96, Sacramento 89
May 2 Seattle 101, Sacramento 87
San Antonio defeats Phoenix 3-1
April 26 San Antonio 120, Phoenix 98
April 28 San Antonio 110, Phoenix 105
May 1 Phoenix 94, San Antonio 93
May 3 San Antonio 116, Phoenix 98
Utah defeats Portland 3-2
April 25 Utah 110, Portland 102
April 27 Utah 105, Portland 90
April 29 Portland 94, Utah 91 (OT)
May 1 Portland 98, Utah 90
May 5 Utah 102, Portland 64
Houston defeats L.A. Lakers 3-1
April 25 Houston 87, L.A. Lakers 83
April 27 L.A Lakers 104, Houston 94
April 30 Houston 104, L.A. Lakers 98
May 2 Houston 102, L.A. Lakers 94
nba.818vpoznanovic,
OLAJUWON PAYS $5,000 FOR ELBOWING SCHREMPF
Houston Rockets All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon was fined $5,000
Wednesday by the NBA for elbowing Seattle SuperSonics forward Detlef
Schrempf in Saturday's opening game of their Western Conference
semifinal playoff series.
The incident, in which Olajuwon elbowed Schrempf in the back of the
head, occurred in the third quarter of Seattle's 108-75 rout. No
flagrant foul was called on the play. Olajuwon was held to a
season-low six points on three for nine shooting.
The Sonics lead the best-of-7 series, 2-0, with Game 3 scheduled for
Friday at Houston.
nba.819vpoznanovic,
MARCIULIONIS UNDERGOES MINOR KNEE SURGERY
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Kings guard Sarunas Marciulionis
underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday to remove
loose cartilage.
Marciulionis missed 14 games midway through this season after having
arthroscopic surgery on the right knee, which was bothering him again
throughout the last few weeks of the season and the playoffs.
Marciulionis, who averaged 10.8 points and 2.2 assists in a reserve
role for the Kings in the regular season, is expected to begin
rehabilitation on Monday. He is expected to be at full strength in
time for the Olympic Games this summer in Atlanta where he will lead
his native Lithuania.
Marciulionis missed 14 games midway through this season after having
arthroscopic surgery on the right knee, which was bothering him again
throughout the last few weeks of the season and the playoffs.
The 31-year old Marciulionis spent the first five seasons of his NBA
career with the Golden State Warriors before playing for the Seattle
SuperSonics in 1994-95. He joined the Kings along with forward Byron
Houston on September 18th, 1995, in exchange for center Frank
Brickowski.
nba.820vpoznanovic,
FORMER BLAZERS OFFICIAL TACKLES TASK OF FIXING SIXERS
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday named Brad
Greenberg as the team's general manager and vice president of
operations.
Greenberg, a former Portland Trail Blazers vice president of player
personnel, replaces John Lucas as general manager. Lucas is also the
head coach of the Sixers, but his status is uncertain with the hiring
of Greenberg.
"I need the opportunity to sit down and talk with John Lucas before
any decision is made," said Greenberg at a news conference.
Lucas has compiled a 42-122 record through two seasons and has two
years remaining on his contract.
The Sixers were purchased by ComCast Cable Corp. from Harold Katz last
month and a front-office upheaval was expected after the Sixers
stumbled to an 18-64 record. Only the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies
finished with a worse record. Philadelphia is the first team in league
history to see its win total drop for six consecutive seasons.
Greenberg, 42, was vice president of player personnel for the Trail
Blazers until last June, when his contract expired. He joined Portland
as a scout in 1987 and was promoted to vice president in 1992.
Sixers president Pat Croce interviewed a number of candidates for the
job, including Bob Weinhauer, the Houston Rockets' vice president of
basketball operations; Dave Wohl, the Miami Heat's executive vice
president for basketball operations; Mitch Kupchak, the Los Angeles
Lakers' general manager; and former Charlotte Hornets coach Allen
Bristow.
"People have been asking me basketball questions since it was
announced that I had acquired the club," Croce said. "My answer was
always the same, I'll leave the basketball decisions to an expert in
the field. After a great deal of consideration, I'm pleased to
announce that I've found that person in Brad Greenberg."
Greenberg played at American University, graduating in 1977, and was
later an assistant there under current Washington Bullets coach Jim
Lynam. When Lynam became coach at St. Joseph's in 1978, Greenberg
followed as an assistant.
After Lynam left, Greenberg stayed as an assistant to Jim Boyle from
1981 to 1984 before leaving to become an assistant coach for the Los
Angeles Clippers when Lynam was hired as coach.
With the Clippers, Greenberg was involved in coaching and player
personnel. He also spent a season as an assistant coach with the New
York Knicks. His brother, Seth, is head coach at South Florida.
nba.821vpoznanovic,
GOIN' PRO: THREE MORE UNDERCLASSMEN OPT FOR NBA
The list is getting longer by the day. California freshman Shareef
Abdur-Rahim and juniors Jess Settles of Iowa and Jeff McInnis of North
Carolina added their names on Tuesday to the list of underclassmen
declaring their eligibility for the NBA draft.
Abdur-Rahim, a 6-10, 225-pound forward, was the first freshman ever
named Pacific-10 player of the year after leading the conference in
scoring. He is the second freshman to declare for the draft, joining
Georgia Tech point guard Stephon Marbury. Abdur-Rahim will likely be a
lottery selection.
"I'm not doing this for any selfish reasons. This is not for me,"
Abdur-Rahim said at a news conference with tears running down his
face. "If I was in this world by myself, I'd stay at the University of
California. My mom has sacrificed for me all my life, and so has my
father."
Abdur-Rahim averaged 21.1 points and 8.7 rebounds in 28 games for
California. The Golden Bears advanced to the NCAA Tournament and
finished with a 17-11 record, losing to Iowa State in the first round
as Abdur-Rahim scored only seven points on 1-for-6 shooting.
"It was a difficult decision for me, but in the end I decided that
leaving school was the best decision for me and my family at this
time," Abdur-Rahim said. "I am leaving school at this time for my
interest in helping my family's financial need."
The loss of Abdur-Rahim, a native of Marietta, Ga., along with the
transfers of Jelani Gardner and Tremaine Fowlkes, will make the
1996-97 season a major rebuilding year for coach Todd Bozeman.
The 6-6 Gardner has transferred to Pepperdine and the 6-7 Fowlkes also
left the school. The two combined for better than 20 points a game
last season. Fowlkes, Pac-10 freshman of the year in 1994-95, is
looking to transfer to Fresno State.
Settles, who led the Hawkeyes in scoring and rebounding as a junior,
added his name to a list that now includes 15 underclassmen and two
high school players.
"I've always had two dreams," said Settles, a 6-7 native of Winfield,
Iowa. "I've dreamed of playing for the Hawkeyes and I've dreamed of
playing in the NBA."
Settles averaged 15.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season. He
shot nearly 48 percent from the field and was named to the All-Big Ten
Conference first team. He also was named to the Big Ten All-Academic
team.
The 21-year-old Settles revealed at a news conference Tuesday in Iowa
City that he has had discussions with NBA general managers and intends
to hire an agent.
"I called 10-12 general managers in the NBA," Settles said. "The
general consensus is that I will be picked anywhere from number 15 to
number 25.
"I will get an agent. I am interviewing agents now. I'm going all the
way on this."
Settles said he will participate in NBA pre-draft workouts next month
in Chicago.
McInnis, a second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection this
year, McInnis led the Tar Heels in scoring and assists. The junior
point guard averaged 16.5 points and compiled 170 assists to lead the
21-11 Tar Heels to the second round of the 1996 NBA tournament.
As a sophomore, he helped lead North Carolina past Kentucky in the
NCAA Southeast Regional final to earn a spot in the 1995 Final Four.
McInnis acknowledged he would likely be better off to wait another
year before entering the draft, but said his decision is based on
personal reasons, primarily his need to help his family financially.
Coach Dean Smith said he expected McInnis to be chosen in the first
round, but not in the top five.
"He has played well for us and against several players already in the
NBA,'' Smith said. "He will be a solid point guard for an NBA team.''
nba.822vpoznanovic,
Rodman book bares more than his flesh
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
(May 7, 1996 - 10:53 EST) -- A lot of people are trashing Dennis
Rodman's book because it isn't fit reading for a 10-year-old.
That appraisal is a correct one, but you could turn it around. You
could say that the problem with many books about sports figures is
that they appear to be written for children. All wholesome platitudes,
no real information. Safe, sanitary, salable.
As was to be expected, Rodman's autobiography, "Bad As I Wanna Be," is
at the other end of the spectrum. It should probably come with a
sticker that says: "Don't try this at home, kids." Instead, it comes
covered with Rodman, nothing much on but a basketball, sitting
backward on a motorcycle. And that's a lot better than the back cover,
on which Rodman moons the world.
But the thing is, the power forward of the Chicago Bulls bares
everything inside the book, too. In the book, written with Tim Keown
-- more likely spoken into Tim Keown's tape recorder -- Rodman is dead
honest. Painfully honest.
This is a strange thing to admit, but at the end of the book, you
liked Rodman a little better than when you started. Maybe he has a
24-hour persecution complex, and maybe his endless search for
attention can become tedious. But even if he is not a picture of
stability, he also might not be a total idiot.
He pulls absolutely no punches, and some of the things he says about
struggling against convention make him almost a sympathetic figure.
The powers of the National Basketball Association don't like him,
Rodman says, because they want "robots who can dunk." Rodman is the
all-purpose anti-robot.
You don't buy a book about a sports figure expecting a contemplation
of death. But you get that here. Rodman is obsessed with death, but at
least it's his own.
The current Rodman, the real Rodman, we are told, emerged from a 1993
night in a parking lot outside the Palace at Auburn Hills. Rodman,
alone with a gun, contemplated suicide. Then he decided that what he
needed to do was get rid of the outer Rodman, and keep the inner
Rodman.
"I sat in that pickup and had a duel with myself," Rodman says. "I
didn't need the gun; it all took place in my mind. I walked one way
and I walked the other way. At 10 paces, I turned and shot the
imposter. I killed the Dennis Rodman that had tried to conform to what
everybody wanted him to be."
To give a larger taste of this literary effort, you would like to
quote typical passages. But you can't, not in the family newspaper.
Much of this book is written in locker room language, which has the
single virtue of being unaffected.
But check out this insight: "Fifty percent of life in the NBA is sex.
The other 50% is money." OK, that's off the court. Surprising, isn't
it? You thought it was 40-60.
There is plenty of basketball in here. Center David Robinson of the
San Antonio Spurs, closer to the standard NBA ideal of manhood, is
ripped repeatedly as a big-game choke. And if you're looking for
distractions for the current Bulls, how about: "We'll cover up for
(Toni) Kukoc's mistakes."
There is Rodman in Detroit: Chuck Daly understood; Rodman in San
Antonio: the fall guy; and Rodman in Chicago: Phil Jackson is cool.
And there is, of course, the mandatory chapter on Rodman and Madonna.
So what?
No, it's not going into the elementary school library. But if a good
autobiography is supposed to be revealing, well, this book takes
revealing to new heights.
"Bad" requires neither a Pulitzer prize nor a blanket condemnation.
nba.823vpoznanovic,
Mavericks search for coach
DALLAS (May 8, 1996 - 02:17 EST) -- The Dallas Mavericks have a wide
list of coaching candidates, and the team's new owners reportedly want
permission to speak with Indiana Pacers coach Larry Brown.
The roll call of candidates was being evaluated Tuesday by new owners
Ross Perot Jr., David McDavid and Frank Zaccanelli. It was compiled by
team president Norm Sonju, player personnel director Keith Grant and
Dick Motta, who moved from coach to consultant when the team was sold
last week.
Two Mavericks' sources told The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday the
ownership has asked Sonju to get permission to talk to Brown. If that
happens -- and if he indicates genuine interest -- he would
immediately become the No. 1 candidate, the sources said.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, names appearing on at least
two lists were Mavericks assistant Brad Davis, Kentucky coach Rick
Pitino, former Phoenix coach Paul Westphal, ex-Celtics coach Chris
Ford, recently deposed Charlotte coach Allan Bristow and Chicago
assistant Jim Cleamons.
Other names reportedly on the master list are Utah assistant Phil
Johnson; Indiana assistant Gar Heard, who coached 53 games for Dallas
in 1992-93; and Seattle assistant Bob Weiss, a former Mavericks
assistant who has been a head coach with the Spurs, Hawks and
Clippers.
Dallas also may be eyeing University of Kansas coach Roy Williams and
University of Massachusetts coach John Calipari, although Sonju said
NBA experience would be major plus.
The new owners would like to have someone hired by the June 26 draft.
They are likely to become directly involved with a candidate once the
nominee gets past the initial screening with Sonju or Grant.
"You can book it that before anyone is going to be hired, the
ownership group is going to feel really good about it," Sonju said.
"We want to make sure they absolutely embrace them."
nba.824vpoznanovic,
Grant will be key to Hawks-Magic series
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 7, 1996 - 23:05 EST) -- Horace Grant, a
self-described man of few words, knows when to speak his mind.
His comments may not always sit well with the rest of the Orlando
Magic; however, the defending Eastern Conference champions rarely
question their validity.
When the Magic were foundering with a 9-14 road record in February,
Grant accused his teammates of lacking heart. Instead of dividing the
club, the stinging criticism inspired a stunning turnaround that has
seen the team win 15 of 19 road games since the All-Star Game break.
"Horace Grant is a champion," said Detroit coach Doug Collins, whose
team was swept by Orlando in the opening round of the playoffs as
Grant averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds.
"He is the heart and soul of that team. Talk about their talent or
whatever. Horace Grant holds that team together. ... All you have to
do is look at their record without him this year (10-9) and what it
was with him (50-13)."
The Magic are heavily favored to beat the Atlanta Hawks in a
second-round series that begins Wednesday night at Orlando Arena. The
leadership the 30-year-old Grant provides a team built around two
young superstars is one of the reasons why.
The 6-foot-10 forward won three NBA championship rings with the
Chicago Bulls before signing with the Magic last season. He helped
Orlando to its first appearance in the NBA Finals a year ago and was
angered in February by what he perceived as a sign of complacency
among some of his teammates.
When the Magic scored a franchise-low seven points in the fourth
quarter of a road loss at Detroit, Grant vented his frustration and
didn't care who disliked his choice of words.
"We don't have to get along to play," the nine-year veteran said.
"That's one thing I've learned in the NBA. As long as we play together
out there on the court, that's all that matters."
Grant also knows when to turn up the heat on the court. He was
Orlando's most consistent player in the first-round sweep of Detroit
and will be one of the keys in the conference semifinals against the
Hawks, who advanced by beating Indiana in five games.
If Atlanta, as expected, defends Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee
Hardaway with double teams in the post, it's likely to free Grant,
Nick Anderson and 3-point specialist Dennis Scott for open shots on
the perimeter.
The last time the teams played during the regular season, Scott made a
league-record 11 3s in a 15-point Orlando victory.
"I know they're going to key on me, but I don't think they'll go out
of their way to shut me down because they've got a bigger problem --
how are they going to stop Shaquille," Scott said.
"Christian Laettner did a good job against (Indiana's) Rik Smits, but
Shaq is 10 times more mobile than Smits and 10 times better down low.
Then too, they've got to do something about Penny. I'm predicting I'll
still get a few looks, but I might not get as many as I did before."
Atlanta's Steve Smith agrees that the Hawks' biggest concern is
containing O'Neal.
"Everything begins and ends with him. Dennis, Penny, Horace, they all
feed off the way you play Shaq," Smith said. "We'll double him because
you can't single cover him. Then it's, 'Can Dennis do to us what he
did last time? Can we rotate up quick enough?' There's the series."
A series Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens notes that many expect to be
one-sided. He relishes the role of underdog.
"I think it's great. People are taking us lightly at a time when our
team is really coming together," he said. "You look back over the
season, how we grew as a team. You look at the determination and grit
we showed (in the first round). ... It's heart-warming."
nba.825vpoznanovic,
Suns clear lockers for early vacation
PHOENIX (May 7, 1996 - 13:30 EST) -- If the Phoenix Suns are broken up
in the offseason, it won't happen because they're a dynasty. Just the
opposite.
The Suns (41-41) under-achieved this season, failing to win at least
50 games for the first time since 1987-88. Following Monday's team
meeting with coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, the players realize changes
will be made.
"He just put it on the table and said, 'Hey look, this is the last
time all you guys will be in this room together,"' guard Kevin Johnson
said. "That's when it kind of hit home."
"I'm sure there'll be some type of changes made," Danny Manning said.
"Who, how many, what? We don't know."
Speculation is rampant about the future of Charles Barkley, who isn't
talking retirement for the first time in three seasons. That doesn't
mean Barkley will return to Phoenix, which acquired him four years ago
and reached the NBA Finals in his first season with the Suns.
Barkley missed 11 games, Johnson 26 and Manning 49 because of
injuries. Then San Antonio won three of four games to eliminate the
Suns from the playoffs in the first round for the first time since
1991.
Barkley said he saw it coming at training camp, after the Suns traded
Dan Majerle and a first-round draft choice to Cleveland for center
John Williams. Earlier, the Suns let Danny Ainge go.
Without Majerle and Ainge on the perimeter, the Suns went from one of
league's best 3-point-shooting teams to one of the worst -- making
33.2 percent of 984 attempts after hitting 36.9 percent of 1,584 tries
the previous season.
"I said if me or KJ is not healthy at any time throughout the season,
we're going to struggle," Barkley said. "Because we weren't good
defensively, and then you compound that with shooting problems.
Without the only two guys on the team who can really get their own
shot, we were going to struggle."
Barkley said he's willing to return to the Suns, but he wouldn't
object to a trade if it's to a championship contender.
"I'm sure we'll sit down with Charles and discuss our options as we do
with the other guys, Charles not being any different than the other
guys," Fitzsimmons said.
The Suns have made some impressive moves during the last four
offseasons.
But signing any free agent who's an established outside shooter is
unlikely, because they're more than $12 million over the 1996-97
salary cap.
The team still has a $1 million cap exception to hire a free agent.
That amount was enough to induce A.C. Green to join the Suns in 1993
and Manning in 1994. Both signed one-year contracts and were rewarded
after their first season in Phoenix with much larger, multiyear pacts.
Barkley, who made $4.7 million this season, is scheduled to make about
$4 million next year. If he were traded, the contracts for any player
or players acquired would have to total within 15 percent of
Barkley's.
nba.826vpoznanovic,
After disastrous end to playoff run, Blazers face personnel questions
PORTLAND, Ore. (May 6, 1996 - 21:11 EST) -- After a season with more
ups and downs than an elevator gone berserk, the Portland Trail
Blazers face some serious personnel decisions.
The season's end couldn't have been much uglier than Sunday's 102-64
loss to the Utah Jazz in the deciding Game 5 of their first-round
playoff series.
"The longest day any of us had to sit through," Blazers president Bob
Whitsitt said. "That sting is going to stay with us, and hopefully
we'll use that to have a good summer of work and motivation for next
season."
Among other things, the Blazers must decide whether to trade unhappy
point guard Rod Strickland, who has two years left on his contract but
has made it clear he doesn't want to play for coach P.J. Carlesimo.
Whitsitt also must determine whether to exercise the option year of
contracts with Clifford Robinson and James Robinson. And there's the
question of whether to re-sign 36-year-old Buck Williams. Whitsitt
might let any or all three go and use their salary slots to sign a
free agent.
"I'm not going to rush into saying anything," Whitsitt said Monday.
"We've got until July 1 to make those decisions."
Strickland, who had his best NBA season but left the team for six
games in a dispute with Carlesimo, said Sunday that he didn't expect
to be back.
"I've got one foot out the door and the other on a banana peel," he
said. "I think I'm pretty much out. I think it's time for a change."
But Whitsitt said he'd made no promises to Strickland and would not
trade his point guard just to get rid of him.
"With Rod, I'll do the same thing I did last year," Whitsitt said.
"I'll let a month or so go by and we'll sit down and talk and go from
there. Rod had a very good year. He's a very important part of what
we're doing."
There's certainly a reluctance to break up the outside-inside
combination of Strickland and Arvydas Sabonis.
"There is not a better center-point guard passing combination in the
NBA," Whitsitt said.
Carlesimo said there was "no question" he and Strickland could make it
through another season.
Clifford Robinson struggled on offense for the fourth playoffs in a
row, shooting just 34 percent from the field. The Blazers have the
option of keeping Robinson for one more year, or they could sign him
to a new contract.
"I'm not worried about that now," Robinson said Sunday. "I'm a
20-point scorer, an All-Star. If I'm not wanted here, I know I can
play someplace else."
Carlesimo indicated he expected Robinson to be back.
"I don't anticipate any problems with Cliff and Bob working things
out," Carlesimo said.
Williams is a different matter. After 15 NBA seasons, the power
forward's best years in the league are behind him. He's among the most
popular Blazers and fills a much-needed leadership role. Still, the
Blazers might be reluctant to sign him to a big contract when they're
trying to rebuild.
"I've had no chance to reflect on that, whether I play here or at
all," Williams said. "Portland is my first choice. I've said I'd like
to finish my career here."
Whitsitt said Carlesimo improved as an NBA coach in his second season.
Whitsitt said he judges a coach on how he performs when things are at
their worst, such as during Strickland's walkout.
"P.J. had an opportunity to point a lot of fingers and let a lot of
things leak out that would have made him look a lot better," Whitsitt
said. "He didn't do that. He kept things in-house. He stayed
professional, and quite frankly a lot of coaches wouldn't do that."
A definite bright spot is Sabonis, who has four years left on his NBA
contract. The 7-foot-3 Lithuanian answered skeptics who wondered if
his injury-wracked body could survive in the NBA. He not only
survived, he became a star.
The only question is how weary he'll be next fall after playing in the
Olympic Games this summer.
The team's biggest need is basic -- someone who can consistently make
shots from the outside and the free throw line.
"I've said all along that one of the glaring areas where we have a
need is in people who can shoot the basketball," Whitsitt said.
There are plenty of free agents available this year, but Whitsitt
downplayed Portland's chances of landing any of them.
"We're not going to be a big player in the free agents market. We
don't have the salary cap structure that allows us to do that," he
said.
Both Whitsitt and Carlesimo tried to fight through the gloom that
followed Sunday's rout and emphasize the positive aspects, especially
the way the Blazers played during their 18-4 run at the end of the
regular season and two homecourt playoff victories over Utah.
"At the beginning of the season, what I clearly sensed and heard from
everybody is we weren't a .500 team. We weren't a playoff team,"
Carlesimo said. "I think you need to give our players their due. They
were better than that. They were a lot better."
nba.827vpoznanovic,
Playoff hero McMillan always thought he was a good shooter
SEATTLE (May 7, 1996 - 23:00 EST) -- Nate McMillan is hoping Bernie
Bickerstaff is watching the Seattle SuperSonics' playoff series
against Houston on television.
He's not trying to prove a point to the former Sonics' coach, but it's
happening just the same.
"I just wish back then I would have gotten the confidence from the
staff that some of these players are getting coming into the league
now," McMillan said.
After his dazzling 3-point shooting display in Seattle's 105-101 Game
2 victory over Houston in the Western Conference semifinals, the
player whom Bickerstaff forbid to shoot in the 1980s has a place among
the elite shooters in the NBA record book.
On Monday night, when the Sonics took a 2-0 lead in the series, he was
an impeccable 5-for-5 from behind the arc to tie a playoff record for
the most 3-pointers made in a game without a miss.
"I've always felt I could shoot the ball," said McMillan, who played
college ball at North Carolina State and Chowan Junior College in
Mufreesboro, N.C. "But, at one particular time, the system didn't want
me to shoot it."
Left open by a Rockets' defense trying to defend the Sonics' other
players, McMillan led Seattle to an incredible 20-for-27 3-point
shooting barrage that was a playoff record.
"The shots were there and my legs felt pretty good," he said. "If the
shots are there, I'm going to take them. They're falling for me right
now."
Falling is just about the way to describe McMillan's playoff shooting
this season.
In the Sonics' 3-1 first-round victory over Sacramento and two games
against Houston, McMillan is a phenomenal 14-for-19 from behind the
line.
A 10-year veteran who played his first four seasons under Bickerstaff,
he has become a go-to guy in the Sonics' offense if the team's other
go-to guys aren't open.
"Nate's a great shooter," teammate Detlef Schrempf said. "When he gets
the ball in a rhythm, when he spots up and he's got confidence, he's a
great shooter. Early in his career, the coach told him not to shoot
the ball, but he can shoot it. When we pass the ball to him, we have
all the confidence in the world in him."
McMillan, 31, was the Sonics' starting point guard under Bickerstaff
before Gary Payton came to Seattle in 1990. McMillan now is a valuable
bench player who has been a second team on all-defense the past two
seasons.
Two years ago, McMillan was the NBA steals champion with 2.96 a game,
a title Payton won this season with 2.85 when Payton was the league's
Defensive Player of the Year.
In 1986-87, McMillan's first year in the league, he had 25 assists to
tie a league record for the most assists in a game as a rookie.
McMillan thinks out loud about what would have happened if Bickerstaff
had given him a green light to shoot instead of telling him only to
pass the ball and play defense.
"I wonder where my game would have been," he said.
Meanwhile, the Sonics' all-time leader in assists and steals is hoping
to get some more 3-point shots against the Rockets when the series
switches to Houston Friday night and Sunday.
And if he doesn't?
"My thing is that I've always played within a system," he said with a
shrug. "Scoring or stats have never been a big thing for me."
nba.828vpoznanovic,
Bullets' rookie Wallace receives deferred prosecution
DURHAM (May 7, 1996 - 20:23 EST) -- Rasheed Wallace of the Washington
Bullets will get to wait a year before his case goes forward on
charges he assaulted his girlfriend.
Chiquita Bryant, Wallace's girlfriend and mother of his child, filed
the charges over the Easter weekend.
Wallace's lawyer, Mike Grace said Bryant and prosecutors agreed to the
arrangement.
Grace said prosecution will be deferred one year under certain
conditions. If the conditions are met, he said, the case will be
dismissed.
Durham District Attorney Jim Hardin said Wallace's arrangement with
the court includes community service and 12 months' probation.
Wallace, a former North Carolina star who just finished his rookie NBA
season, will have to participate in a program that helps men change
attitudes about domestic violence.
nba.829vpoznanovic,
NBA coaches of the year
(May 7, 1996 - 19:41 EST) -- A list of coaches of the year as voted on
by the media.
1963 -- Harry Gallatin, St. Louis Hawks
1964 -- Alex Hannum, San Francisco Warriors
1965 -- Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics
1966 -- Dolph Schayes, Philadelphia 76ers
1967 -- Johnny Kerr, Chicago Bulls
1968 -- Richie Guerin, St. Louis Hawks
1969 -- Gene Shue, Baltimore Bullets
1970 -- Red Holzman, New York Knicks
1971 -- Dick Motta, Chicago Bulls
1972 -- Bill Sharman, Los Angeles Lakers
1973 -- Tom Heinsohn, Boston Celtics
1974 -- Ray Scott, Detroit Pistons
1975 -- Phil Johnson, Kansas City-Omaha Kings
1976 -- Bill Fitch, Cleveland Cavaliers
1977 -- Tom Nissalke, Houston Rockets
1978 -- Hubie Brown, Atlanta Hawks
1979 -- Cotton Fitzsimmons, Kansas City Kings
1980 -- Bill Fitch, Boston Celtics
1981 -- Jack McKinney, Indiana Pacers
1982 -- Gene Shue, Washington Bullets
1983 -- Don Nelson, Milwaukee Bucks
1984 -- Frank Layden, Utah Jazz
1985 -- Don Nelson, Milwaukee Bucks
1986 -- Mike Fratello, Atlanta Hawks
1987 -- Mike Schuler, Portland Trail Blazers
1988 -- Doug Moe, Denver Nuggets
1989 -- Cotton Fitzsimmons, Phoenix Suns
1990 -- Pat Riley, Los Angeles Lakers
1991 -- Don Chaney, Houston Rockets
1992 -- Don Nelson, Golden State Warriors
1993 -- Pat Riley, New York Knicks
1994 -- Lenny Wilkens, Atlanta Hawks
1995 -- Del Harris, Los Angeles Lakers
1996 -- Phil Jackson, Chicago Bulls
nba.830vpoznanovic,
1996 NBA DRAFT ORDER
Nos. 1-13 determined by lottery
Chances in lottery
Team record (out of 1,000)
Vancouver 15-67 250
*Philadelphia 18-64 200
*Toronto 21-61 157
Milwaukee 25-57 120
Minnesota 26-56 77
Dallas 26-56 76
L.A. Clippers 29-53 44
New Jersey 30-52 29
Boston 33-49 18
Denver 35-47 11
**Golden State 36-46 7
***Washington 39-43 6
Charlotte 41-41 5
14. Sacramento
15. Phoenix or Cleveland****
16. Charlotte (from Miami)
17. Portland
18. New York (from Detroit via San Antonio)
19. Atlanta or New York (via Miami)*****
20. Cleveland
21. New York
22. Houston
23. Indiana
24. L.A. Lakers
25. Utah
26. Detroit (from San Antonio)
27. Orlando or Golden State**
28. Seattle
29. Chicago
* Philadelphia has the right to swap its own first-round draft pick
for Toronto's first-round draft pick.
** If Golden State's pick is one of the top three, Orlando will
receive that pick and Golden State will receive Orlando's pick (via
Washington).
*** Cleveland will receive Washington's first round pick.
**** Cleveland has the option to receive Phoenix's first-round draft
pick.
***** New York (via Miami) has the option to receive this pick.
nba.831vpoznanovic,
NBA DRAFT RANKINGS
Here is an early ranking of the top 75 prospects for the 1996 NBA
Draft (updated May 8):
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School
1 Tim Duncan* C 6-10 240 Wake Forest
2 Marcus Camby** PF 6-11 220 Massachusetts
3 S. Abdur-Rahim** PF 6-9 210 California
4 Ray Allen** SG 6-5 205 Connecticut
5 Allen Iverson** PG 6-0 170 Georgetown
6 Erick Dampier* C 6-11 265 Mississippi St.
7 Stephon Marbury** PG 6-2 180 Georgia Tech
8 John Wallace SF 6-8 225 Syracuse
9 Antoine Walker** SF 6-8 224 Kentucky
10 Lorenzen Wright PF 6-11 230 Memphis
11 Kerry Kittles SG 6-5 179 Villanova
12 Todd Fuller C 6-11 255 NC State
13 Kobe Bryant# G 6-6 190 Lower Merion (Pa.) HS
14 Samaki Walker** PF 6-9 240 Louisville
15 Roy Rogers F-C 6-10 230 Alabama
16 Walter McCarty F 6-10 230 Kentucky
17 Jerome Williams F 6-9 206 Georgetown
18 Jermaine O'Neal# F 6-11 225 Eau Claire (S.C.) HS
19 Dontae Jones** SF 6-7 220 Mississippi St.
20 Ryan Minor SF 6-7 220 Oklahoma
21 Steve Nash PG 6-3 185 Santa Clara
22 Travis Knight C 7-0 235 Connecticut
23 Russ Millard F 6-9 240 Iowa
24 Priest Lauderdale* C 7-3 290 Greece/Central St.
25 Vitaly Potapenko** C-F 6-10 290 Wright State
26 Steve Hamer C 7-0 245 Tennessee
27 Jeff McInnis** PG 6-4 182 North Carolina
28 Moochie Norris PG 6-1 175 West Florida
29 Mark Hendrickson PF 6-9 240 Washington St.
30 Tony Delk G 6-1 193 Kentucky
31 Joseph Blair F-C 6-10 250 Arizona
32 Ronnie Henderson** SG 6-4 193 LSU
33 Brian Evans SF 6-8 220 Indiana
34 Drew Barry PG 6-4 191 Georgia Tech
35 Doron Sheffer PG 6-5 197 Connecticut
36 Mark Pope PF 6-10 235 Kentucky
37 Othella Harrington PF 6-9 235 Georgetown
38 Reggie Geary PG 6-2 187 Arizona
39 Chucky Atkins PG 5-11 160 South Florida
40 Amal McCaskill C-F 6-11 235 Marquette
41 Ben Davis PF 6-8 240 Arizona
42 Jason Sasser SF 6-6 225 Texas Tech
43 Mark Sanford** SF 6-8 200 Washington
44 Carlos Strong F 6-8 230 Georgia
45 Ron Riley SG 6-5 205 Arizona State
46 Randy Livingston** PG 6-4 209 LSU
47 Marcus Brown SG 6-3 180 Murray State
48 Eric Gingold C 7-4 290 Williams Coll. (MA)
49 Simeon Haley C 7-0 235 Missouri
50 Brandon Jessie G-F 6-4 239 Utah
51 Johnny Rhodes SG 6-4 205 Maryland
52 Tim Moore SF 6-8 215 Houston
53 Jess Settles** SF 6-7 220 Iowa
54 Donta Bright SF 6-6 223 Massachusetts
55 Dante Calabria SG 6-5 195 North Carolina
56 Jeff Nordgaard SF 6-7 215 Wisconsin-GB
57 Shandon Anderson F-G 6-6 205 Georgia
58 Marcus Mann PF 6-8 240 Miss.Valley St.
59 Darnell Robinson** C 6-11 270 Arkansas
60 Jamie Feick PF 6-9 250 Michigan State
61 Raimonds Miglinieks PG 6-3 200 Cal-Irvine
62 Derek Fisher PG 6-1 200 Ark.-LR
63 Kenneth Roberts SF 6-8 210 BYU
64 Malik Rose PF 6-7 250 Drexel
65 Art Long PF 6-9 253 Cincinnati
66 Kevin Granger G 6-3 190 Texas Southern
67 Kebu Stewart** PF 6-8 240 Cal St-Bakersfield
68 Sammie Haley C 7-1 235 Missouri
69 Erick Strickland SG-PG 6-3 213 Nebraska
70 Brian Tolbert SG-PG 6-2 165 Eastern Michigan
71 Jaron Boone SG 6-6 198 Nebraska
72 Chris Robinson SG 6-5 205 W. Kentucky
73 Bernard Hopkins SF 6-7 240 Va. Commonwealth
74 Tommy McGhee SG 6-2 187 Rice
75 Theron Wilson SF 6-9 205 Eastern Michigan
*-Has not officially committed to the draft
**-Underclassmen committed to the draft
#-High school player
nba.832vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (105) At Orlando (117)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 39 7-14 9-11 2 5 7 4 3 3 2 23
Long F 27 5-11 0-0 3 4 7 0 5 1 2 11
Laettner C 27 3-5 1-2 1 2 3 1 3 3 2 7
Smith G 44 5-16 8-10 1 1 2 9 3 2 0 18
Blaylock G 39 6-14 4-4 2 2 4 5 1 1 1 18
Rooks 17 2-3 2-4 0 3 3 1 5 0 0 6
Bullard 13 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 3
Henderson 25 8-10 1-2 5 3 8 1 3 0 4 17
Jordan 9 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 1 1 2
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Ehlo Dnp - Migrane Headache
Totals 240 38-78 25-33 14 22 36 23 23 11 13 105
(.487) (.758) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 13(18 PTS)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 37 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 2 4 1 2 5
Grant F 35 8-11 1-1 2 8 10 1 3 1 1 17
Oneal C 36 18-28 5-11 9 4 13 6 2 0 2 41
Anderson G 41 8-16 3-3 0 4 4 4 1 3 2 21
Hardaway G 36 12-19 6-9 3 3 6 6 4 2 2 32
Koncak 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0
Shaw 18 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 5 5 0 4 0
Wolf 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Bowie 12 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
Royal 11 0-0 1-2 0 3 3 0 2 0 0 1
Bonner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 48-83 16-26 15 24 39 26 23 9 13 117
(.578) (.615) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 14(16 PTS)
Atlanta 24 32 24 25 - 105
Orlando 29 33 30 25 - 117
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Augmon, Blaylock, Jordan. Orlando - Grant 2,
Oneal.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 4-15 (.267), Augmon 0-1, Long 1-1, Smith 0-5,
Blaylock 2-6, Bullard 1-2. Orlando 5-16 (.313), Scott 1-5, Anderson 2-7,
Hardaway 2-3, Shaw 0-1.
Technicals: Orlando - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Bennett Salvatore, Ronnie Nunn.
A - 17,248. T - 2:08.
nba.833vpoznanovic,
LAETTNER NO MATCH FOR SHAQ'S MAGIC ACT
ORLANDO -- Count on Christian Laettner to pass the buck, if not the
ball.
Victimized by Shaquille O'Neal's playoff-franchise record 41 points,
Atlanta's Laettner figured it was just too much Shaq for one man to
handle Wednesday night as the Orlando Magic rolled to a 117-105
victory in the opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinal
series.
"Obviously it's very hard to stop him when they're throwing it into
him 50 times a game,'' said Laettner, who picked up two early fouls
and never did get enough help from his teammates to shut Shaq down.
O'Neal, who also grabbed 13 rebounds, bettered his own playoff scoring
mark of 39, set against Indiana in Game Two of their Eastern
Conference finals last season. He set the record by finishing an
alley-oop pass from Penny Hardaway with 4:53 to play.
The four-time All-Star outscored Laettner 41-7, then downplayed his
domination of Atlanta's undersized starting center. Hawks backup Sean
Rooks didn't have much success slowing down O'Neal, either.
"I'm just going to go out every night and play my game. I hope y'all
are not going to make it some Laettner-O'Neal matchup,'' the 7-foot-1
O'Neal said. "This is a team effort.''
Orlando, which was idle for eight days after eliminating Detroit in
the first round, broke the game open with a 12-3 spurt at the start of
the second half. Hardaway added a playoff career-high 32 points.
O'Neal said he took advantage of the Hawks' defensive strategy.
"They didn't double-team me much, and when teams don't double-team me
I try to get as many points as I can down low,'' he said.
"If they're not going to double me, I'm going to continue to get deep
and go to my strong moves. If they do double, I'm going to pass it out
to my guys and they're going to hit their shots."
Expect a different approach from Atlanta in Game Two, which will be
Friday in Orlando.
"We'll just have to go back to the drawing board," said Atlanta guard
Stacy Augmon. "The plan was to come every other play on Shaq, and we
didn't get it together. We doubled down and he kicked it out, and
Penny hit it or (Nick) Anderson hit it. They're very tough, but they
can be beaten."
Augmon scored 23 points and Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock added 18
points for Atlanta, which eliminated the Indiana Pacers in five games
in the first round. The Hawks allowed more than 87 points just once
against the Pacers.
After O'Neal scored 25 points to give the Magic a 62-56 halftime lead,
he opened the second half with a dunk and a hook around a 15-footer by
Grant Long to make it 66-58. Nick Anderson hit a jumper with 10:17
left and Grant added a 15-footer to make it 70-58.
Smith made a free throw before Anderson hit a six-footer and Grant
closed the run with a fast-break dunk, making it 74-59 with 8:18 left
in the third quarter.
Orlando was never seriously threatened thereafter and led by as many
as 17 points. Anderson scored 21 points, Grant added 17 and Dennis
Scott netted five for the Magic, whose five starters accounted for all
but one of the team's points.
The Orlando bench, which scored just 36 points in the three wins over
Detroit, contributed only a free throw by Donald Royal. Magic reserves
took just one shot in 55 total minutes, a missed three-pointer by
Brian Shaw.
"We played excellent defense in the third quarter and it got us out on
the break," said Orlando coach Brian Hill. "We were 8-for-8 on
fastbreaks in the third quarter, which kind of broke open the game."
O'Neal was 18-of-28 from the field, Hardaway made 12-of-19 and Grant
was 8-of-11 from the floor for Orlando, which shot a blistering 58
percent (48-of-83).
O'Neal simply overpowered the smaller Laettner, getting many of his
shots from in close. O'Neal also had six assists, passing out of the
double-team.
"Nothing surprised us. It's not as physical a series as the one we
came out of," said Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens. "We just didn't play
the kind of defense we're capable of playing. We could be a whole lot
better. We're not going to quit, we'll keep on working hard and next
game we'll be a whole lot better."
Orlando outscored Atlanta in the paint, 70-44.
Smith, who averaged 22.8 points on 51 percent shooting overall and 60
percent from 3-point range in the first round, was 5-of-16 from the
field and 0-for-5 from 3-point range. He did have nine assists.
Alan Henderson added 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting for Atlanta, which
shot 49 percent (38-of-78) from the floor and 4-of-15 from 3-point
range.
nba.834vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Atlantic Division Through Wednesday, May 8
MIAMI HEAT
----------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Alonzo Mourning 3 18.0 6.0 1.3 3- 15- 18 2 3 16 13
Tim Hardaway 3 17.7 1.7 5.7 1- 4- 5 3 0 15 10
Rex Chapman 3 9.0 2.0 1.7 0- 6- 6 3 0 1 6
Sasha Danilovic 3 8.3 0.3 1.3 1- 0- 1 1 0 3 8
Tony Smith 3 7.3 1.3 2.7 3- 1- 4 4 0 3 7
Chris Gatling 3 6.0 8.0 0.3 10- 14- 24 2 0 8 8
Walt Williams 3 4.7 4.0 1.7 3- 9- 12 1 1 3 4
Keith Askins 3 4.3 2.7 0.7 3- 5- 8 1 0 4 9
Kurt Thomas 3 4.0 5.3 1.0 4- 12- 16 2 1 5 13
Dan Schayes 2 3.5 2.0 0.0 2- 2- 4 0 0 2 1
Tyrone Corbin 2 2.5 3.5 0.5 4- 3- 7 2 0 1 3
Stacey King 1 1.0 3.0 1.0 0- 3- 3 0 0 0 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mourning 17-35 .486 0-0 .000 20-28 .714 54 30
Hardaway 20-43 .465 8-22 .364 5-7 .714 53 30
Chapman 12-28 .429 3-13 .231 0-0 .000 27 11
Danilovic 9-18 .500 4-10 .400 3-3 1.000 25 15
Smith 9-19 .474 4-10 .400 0-0 .000 22 10
Gatling 6-22 .273 0-0 .000 6-12 .500 18 10
Williams 6-18 .333 1-9 .111 1-2 .500 14 12
Askins 4-11 .364 2-6 .333 3-3 1.000 13 13
Thomas 4-10 .400 0-0 .000 4-4 1.000 12 6
Schayes 3-4 .750 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 7 5
Corbin 1-5 .200 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 5 5
King 0-3 .000 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 1 1
NEW YORK KNICKS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Patrick Ewing 5 19.8 11.0 2.0 8- 47- 55 1 15 20 11
John Starks 5 15.0 4.2 4.8 3- 18- 21 8 1 15 15
Anthony Mason 5 13.2 8.2 3.8 13- 28- 41 3 1 9 11
Charles Oakley 5 12.2 7.6 2.0 18- 20- 38 2 0 15 20
Derek Harper 5 11.2 2.2 5.0 0- 11- 11 8 1 9 14
Hubert Davis 5 8.2 2.0 0.6 3- 7- 10 0 0 6 10
Willie Anderson 1 6.0 2.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 1 0 0 2
Gary Grant 1 6.0 3.0 0.0 2- 1- 3 1 0 1 0
Charlie Ward 4 3.5 1.0 2.8 1- 3- 4 5 0 4 6
Herb Williams 4 2.3 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 1 0 1
Jr Reid 1 2.0 1.0 1.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 1 2
Ronnie Grandison 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ewing 40-87 .460 1-2 .500 18-34 .529 99 23
Starks 21-48 .438 14-28 .500 19-24 .792 75 22
Mason 28-58 .483 0-0 .000 10-13 .769 66 23
Oakley 24-53 .453 2-4 .500 11-17 .647 61 17
Harper 20-54 .370 8-21 .381 8-12 .667 56 19
Davis 13-22 .591 10-18 .556 5-7 .714 41 15
Anderson 2-6 .333 0-2 .000 2-2 1.000 6 6
Grant 2-5 .400 2-3 .667 0-0 .000 6 6
Ward 6-15 .400 2-7 .286 0-0 .000 14 6
Williams 3-5 .600 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 9 4
Reid 1-1 1.000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
Grandison 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
ORLANDO MAGIC
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Shaquille Oneal 4 26.0 8.3 5.5 17- 16- 33 1 4 15 15
Penny Hardaway 4 22.3 5.3 7.0 5- 16- 21 8 3 5 9
Nick Anderson 4 17.5 5.0 2.5 6- 14- 20 6 2 7 5
Horace Grant 4 15.5 12.3 1.0 15- 34- 49 2 6 2 14
Dennis Scott 4 15.0 2.8 2.0 3- 8- 11 4 0 7 14
Donald Royal 2 3.0 2.0 0.0 1- 3- 4 0 0 0 2
Anthony Bowie 4 2.5 0.3 1.5 0- 1- 1 0 0 0 2
Brian Shaw 4 2.3 1.0 5.8 1- 3- 4 2 0 8 13
Joe Wolf 4 1.5 0.3 0.3 0- 1- 1 1 0 2 5
Jon Koncak 4 1.3 1.8 0.0 1- 6- 7 2 2 1 13
Brooks Thompson 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
Anthony Bonner 1 0.0 0.0 1.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Oneal 44-79 .557 0-0 .000 16-36 .444 104 41
Hardaway 30-62 .484 8-16 .500 21-27 .778 89 32
Anderson 24-47 .511 8-22 .364 14-20 .700 70 22
Grant 29-46 .630 0-0 .000 4-5 .800 62 17
Scott 22-42 .524 12-24 .500 4-7 .571 60 23
Royal 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 4-5 .800 6 5
Bowie 4-5 .800 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 10 6
Shaw 3-12 .250 1-7 .143 2-2 1.000 9 9
Wolf 3-6 .500 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 6 4
Koncak 2-2 1.000 0-0 .000 1-3 .333 5 3
Thompson 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 1 1
Bonner 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.835vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Central Division Through Wednesday, May 8
ATLANTA HAWKS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Steve Smith 6 22.0 4.3 3.2 8- 18- 26 9 10 9 20
Mookie Blaylock 6 16.3 4.7 5.8 9- 19- 28 18 4 19 10
Christian Laettner 6 13.8 7.5 1.2 21- 24- 45 8 7 16 22
Grant Long 6 10.2 8.2 2.0 21- 28- 49 4 2 13 21
Stacey Augmon 6 9.8 3.8 2.5 7- 16- 23 10 5 10 18
Alan Henderson 6 6.8 3.2 1.0 13- 6- 19 1 2 6 17
Matt Bullard 2 5.5 2.0 0.0 0- 4- 4 0 2 2 4
Craig Ehlo 5 5.2 2.2 0.6 0- 11- 11 6 1 4 6
Sean Rooks 6 4.0 2.5 0.8 9- 6- 15 1 3 5 15
Reggie Jordan 6 1.7 0.7 1.2 0- 4- 4 3 2 2 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Smith 46-96 .479 15-30 .500 25-31 .806 132 27
Blaylock 35-90 .389 16-49 .327 12-15 .800 98 23
Laettner 29-68 .426 0-0 .000 25-33 .758 83 24
Long 25-70 .357 3-12 .250 8-11 .727 61 13
Augmon 20-45 .444 0-1 .000 19-24 .792 59 23
Henderson 20-29 .690 0-0 .000 1-3 .333 41 17
Bullard 3-8 .375 3-5 .600 2-4 .500 11 8
Ehlo 9-29 .310 6-17 .353 2-3 .667 26 12
Rooks 9-16 .563 0-0 .000 6-13 .462 24 10
Jordan 4-8 .500 0-0 .000 2-4 .500 10 3
CHICAGO BULLS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Michael Jordan 5 32.4 4.2 3.0 7- 14- 21 8 1 7 9
Scottie Pippen 5 17.8 9.8 6.8 18- 31- 49 15 7 13 9
Toni Kukoc 5 11.2 4.2 3.6 5- 16- 21 4 1 6 11
Ron Harper 5 9.8 5.0 3.4 10- 15- 25 8 1 8 14
Steve Kerr 5 8.2 1.0 2.2 0- 5- 5 3 0 5 5
Luc Longley 5 7.0 6.0 1.2 15- 15- 30 2 7 10 23
Dennis Rodman 5 4.0 9.8 1.8 15- 34- 49 1 2 12 20
Jud Buechler 4 3.3 2.0 0.3 1- 7- 8 1 0 4 3
James Edwards 3 3.0 1.3 0.0 0- 4- 4 0 0 1 6
Randy Brown 4 2.8 0.3 0.0 0- 1- 1 1 0 0 2
Bill Wennington 5 2.6 3.0 0.6 6- 9- 15 4 0 1 9
John Salley 5 0.8 0.8 0.2 0- 4- 4 1 1 3 8
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Jordan 60-122 .492 7-18 .389 35-41 .854 162 44
Pippen 31-72 .431 8-24 .333 19-28 .679 89 24
Kukoc 20-52 .385 1-24 .042 15-19 .789 56 21
Harper 20-39 .513 3-8 .375 6-12 .500 49 15
Kerr 11-26 .423 6-16 .375 13-14 .929 41 13
Longley 15-33 .455 0-0 .000 5-6 .833 35 10
Rodman 7-15 .467 0-0 .000 6-10 .600 20 6
Buechler 5-14 .357 3-8 .375 0-0 .000 13 7
Edwards 3-5 .600 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 9 5
Brown 5-8 .625 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 11 6
Wennington 6-10 .600 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 13 6
Salley 1-4 .250 0-0 .000 2-5 .400 4 3
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Terrell Brandon 3 19.3 3.0 8.0 1- 8- 9 4 1 11 10
Dan Majerle 3 16.7 4.0 3.0 2- 10- 12 4 2 3 6
Danny Ferry 3 9.7 5.0 3.0 1- 14- 15 3 2 4 13
Bobby Phills 3 9.7 4.7 2.0 5- 9- 14 2 1 5 4
Tyrone Hill 3 8.3 5.0 0.0 7- 8- 15 0 0 3 11
Chris Mills 3 7.7 5.3 1.7 5- 11- 16 2 2 3 10
Michael Cage 3 6.3 9.3 0.7 13- 15- 28 2 5 0 5
Bobby Sura 3 1.3 0.3 1.0 0- 1- 1 1 0 4 4
John Crotty 2 1.0 0.5 0.5 1- 0- 1 1 1 1 0
John Amaechi 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
Donny Marshall 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
Antonio Lang 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Brandon 21-47 .447 3-9 .333 13-15 .867 58 21
Majerle 16-36 .444 10-23 .435 8-9 .889 50 23
Ferry 14-41 .341 1-16 .063 0-0 .000 29 12
Phills 13-35 .371 2-10 .200 1-4 .250 29 11
Hill 9-12 .750 0-0 .000 7-9 .778 25 13
Mills 11-33 .333 0-5 .000 1-1 1.000 23 10
Cage 8-14 .571 0-0 .000 3-5 .600 19 10
Sura 2-3 .667 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 4 4
Crotty 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 2 2
Amaechi 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Marshall 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Lang 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
DETROIT PISTONS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Allan Houston 3 25.0 2.7 2.0 1- 7- 8 0 1 11 11
Grant Hill 3 19.0 7.3 3.7 4- 18- 22 3 0 8 13
Joe Dumars 3 13.7 4.3 3.7 5- 8- 13 0 0 7 5
Otis Thorpe 3 11.7 11.7 2.3 14- 21- 35 0 0 7 9
Mark West 3 9.3 5.3 0.3 6- 10- 16 1 1 2 12
Terry Mills 3 5.3 1.7 1.3 3- 2- 5 1 0 1 6
Lindsey Hunter 2 3.0 1.0 0.5 1- 1- 2 1 0 0 2
Michael Curry 3 2.0 1.0 0.3 1- 2- 3 1 1 0 5
Don Reid 3 1.0 0.3 0.3 0- 1- 1 0 2 1 8
Lou Roe 2 0.0 1.0 0.0 1- 1- 2 1 0 0 1
Theo Ratliff 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
Eric Leckner 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 2
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Houston 25-58 .431 7-21 .333 18-20 .900 75 33
Hill 22-39 .564 1-2 .500 12-14 .857 57 21
Dumars 16-35 .457 5-14 .357 4-4 1.000 41 15
Thorpe 13-24 .542 0-0 .000 9-12 .750 35 15
West 11-21 .524 0-0 .000 6-13 .462 28 11
Mills 5-20 .250 1-8 .125 5-6 .833 16 10
Hunter 2-8 .250 1-4 .250 1-2 .500 6 3
Curry 3-7 .429 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 6 2
Reid 1-3 .333 0-0 .000 1-3 .333 3 3
Roe 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Ratliff 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Leckner 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
INDIANA PACERS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Reggie Miller 1 29.0 1.0 1.0 1- 0- 1 1 0 0 1
Rik Smits 5 19.0 7.4 1.6 13- 24- 37 2 2 14 20
Derrick Mckey 5 12.8 6.6 2.0 8- 25- 33 7 1 14 20
Mark Jackson 5 10.6 5.0 6.0 3- 22- 25 6 0 13 9
Ricky Pierce 5 10.2 0.8 3.0 3- 1- 4 8 1 12 13
Antonio Davis 5 7.8 6.2 0.6 12- 19- 31 3 6 10 12
Dale Davis 5 7.2 11.2 0.8 20- 36- 56 3 6 10 16
Travis Best 5 5.8 2.2 1.8 3- 8- 11 6 0 10 10
Haywoode Workman 5 3.8 0.6 0.4 1- 2- 3 2 0 2 5
Duane Ferrell 5 3.6 1.8 0.6 6- 3- 9 4 0 4 10
Adrian Caldwell 1 2.0 1.0 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 0 0
Eddie Johnson 1 0.0 0.0 1.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Miller 7-17 .412 2-6 .333 13-15 .867 29 29
Smits 42-77 .545 0-0 .000 11-14 .786 95 29
Mckey 24-57 .421 5-12 .417 11-13 .846 64 15
Jackson 18-51 .353 4-18 .222 13-17 .765 53 16
Pierce 16-47 .340 2-8 .250 17-20 .850 51 13
A Davis 13-25 .520 0-0 .000 13-15 .867 39 10
D Davis 16-31 .516 0-0 .000 4-11 .364 36 12
Best 11-22 .500 1-6 .167 6-7 .857 29 10
Workman 7-16 .438 3-5 .600 2-2 1.000 19 12
Ferrell 7-19 .368 0-0 .000 4-8 .500 18 7
Caldwell 1-1 1.000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
Johnson 0-5 .000 0-2 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.836vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Midwest Division Through Wednesday, May 8
HOUSTON ROCKETS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Hakeem Olajuwon 6 21.5 9.0 3.2 12- 42- 54 12 14 18 20
Clyde Drexler 6 15.0 7.3 5.3 10- 34- 44 17 4 15 13
Robert Horry 6 13.0 6.7 3.3 10- 30- 40 16 10 9 18
Sam Cassell 6 11.0 2.7 4.5 1- 15- 16 6 1 13 15
Chucky Brown 6 8.3 2.5 0.7 2- 13- 15 2 0 2 13
Mario Elie 6 8.3 2.8 2.0 4- 13- 17 5 2 4 8
Mark Bryant 6 7.3 3.2 0.5 5- 14- 19 1 2 2 16
Kenny Smith 6 7.0 1.2 4.2 2- 5- 7 2 0 5 7
Sam Mack 5 2.4 1.6 0.2 0- 8- 8 1 0 2 1
Pete Chilcutt 1 2.0 3.0 0.0 2- 1- 3 0 0 1 0
Charles Jones 3 0.0 0.3 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 0 0
Eldridge Recasner 1 0.0 1.0 2.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 1 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Olajuwon 57-116 .491 0-0 .000 15-21 .714 129 33
Drexler 35-83 .422 6-23 .261 14-20 .700 90 21
Horry 27-66 .409 15-38 .395 9-19 .474 78 18
Cassell 21-61 .344 4-18 .222 20-26 .769 66 22
Brown 20-35 .571 0-0 .000 10-12 .833 50 16
Elie 20-42 .476 6-16 .375 4-5 .800 50 14
Bryant 18-30 .600 0-0 .000 8-10 .800 44 12
Smith 15-34 .441 7-17 .412 5-5 1.000 42 17
Mack 5-13 .385 2-8 .250 0-3 .000 12 9
Chilcutt 1-4 .250 0-1 .000 0-2 .000 2 2
Jones 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Recasner 0-3 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
-----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
David Robinson 5 29.8 10.6 3.2 17- 36- 53 7 15 14 19
Sean Elliott 5 16.8 3.6 2.8 7- 11- 18 7 3 14 11
Vinny Del Negro 5 14.2 2.6 5.0 2- 11- 13 6 2 3 8
Chuck Person 5 13.2 4.0 2.2 2- 18- 20 1 3 4 16
Avery Johnson 5 12.8 5.0 11.4 3- 22- 25 6 1 11 10
Will Perdue 5 8.6 8.0 0.2 12- 28- 40 0 2 5 13
Charles Smith 5 5.6 4.4 1.2 6- 16- 22 5 6 3 14
Doc Rivers 2 1.5 0.5 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 1 3
Cory Alexander 4 1.3 0.8 0.0 2- 1- 3 0 0 1 1
Monty Williams 3 0.3 0.7 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 2 2
Greg Anderson 2 0.0 1.0 0.0 0- 2- 2 1 1 0 0
Carl Herrera 4 0.0 0.5 0.3 0- 2- 2 0 0 2 6
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Robinson 54-93 .581 0-0 .000 41-54 .759 149 40
Elliott 27-58 .466 6-15 .400 24-31 .774 84 20
Del Negro 29-64 .453 7-15 .467 6-8 .750 71 29
C Person 22-40 .550 14-23 .609 8-11 .727 66 18
Johnson 30-64 .469 0-0 .000 4-8 .500 64 19
W Perdue 19-24 .792 0-0 .000 5-6 .833 43 17
Smith 13-31 .419 0-0 .000 2-6 .333 28 12
Rivers 1-3 .333 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 3 3
Alexander 2-4 .500 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 5 3
Williams 0-3 .000 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 1 1
Anderson 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Herrera 0-2 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
UTAH JAZZ
---------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Karl Malone 6 26.8 9.3 2.8 8- 48- 56 14 2 16 22
Jeff Hornacek 6 19.2 4.5 2.8 7- 20- 27 3 1 7 18
John Stockton 6 14.0 2.8 15.2 2- 15- 17 10 3 17 16
David Benoit 5 9.8 5.0 0.2 5- 20- 25 0 2 7 12
Greg Ostertag 6 6.3 5.2 0.0 15- 16- 31 2 13 3 16
Antoine Carr 6 6.2 2.2 0.2 4- 9- 13 0 6 3 22
Bryon Russell 6 6.0 3.7 0.7 6- 16- 22 8 2 4 12
Chris Morris 6 4.5 3.3 0.3 7- 13- 20 2 2 2 6
Felton Spencer 6 3.3 3.8 0.2 13- 10- 23 1 7 7 22
Adam Keefe 6 2.0 1.0 0.2 2- 4- 6 0 1 2 11
Greg Foster 3 1.7 1.7 0.0 3- 2- 5 0 1 0 2
Howard Eisley 6 1.5 1.3 2.2 3- 5- 8 1 0 2 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Malone 64-134 .478 0-2 .000 33-65 .508 161 35
Hornacek 41-71 .577 14-21 .667 19-21 .905 115 30
Stockton 24-52 .462 4-9 .444 32-35 .914 84 21
Benoit 19-41 .463 7-15 .467 4-4 1.000 49 17
Ostertag 14-29 .483 0-0 .000 10-17 .588 38 12
Carr 15-38 .395 0-0 .000 7-10 .700 37 10
Russell 13-25 .520 5-9 .556 5-6 .833 36 12
Morris 10-30 .333 3-13 .231 4-6 .667 27 13
Spencer 9-19 .474 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 20 6
Keefe 3-9 .333 0-0 .000 6-6 1.000 12 8
Foster 2-3 .667 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 5 3
Eisley 0-10 .000 0-1 .000 9-10 .900 9 4
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.837vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics Pacific Division Through Wednesday, May 8
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Cedric Ceballos 4 19.0 8.3 1.3 11- 22- 33 4 1 8 9
Eddie Jones 4 17.3 5.3 1.5 7- 14- 21 8 1 4 16
Magic Johnson 4 15.3 8.5 6.5 8- 26- 34 0 0 12 3
Elden Campbell 4 12.0 8.0 2.0 3- 29- 32 1 9 10 17
Nick Van Exel 4 11.8 4.0 6.8 4- 12- 16 2 0 11 10
Anthony Peeler 3 9.3 2.7 1.0 2- 6- 8 6 0 3 6
Vlade Divac 4 9.0 7.5 2.0 11- 19- 30 0 5 8 10
Sedale Threatt 4 2.5 0.8 1.0 1- 2- 3 2 0 3 4
George Lynch 2 2.0 1.5 0.5 0- 3- 3 0 0 2 4
Fred Roberts 1 0.0 3.0 0.0 2- 1- 3 0 0 1 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ceballos 30-62 .484 5-16 .313 11-12 .917 76 25
Jones 27-49 .551 10-19 .526 5-8 .625 69 20
Johnson 15-39 .385 3-9 .333 28-33 .848 61 26
Campbell 20-39 .513 0-1 .000 8-16 .500 48 18
Van Exel 16-54 .296 5-16 .313 10-13 .769 47 15
Peeler 9-27 .333 6-14 .429 4-4 1.000 28 12
Divac 15-35 .429 1-5 .200 5-8 .625 36 11
Threatt 4-18 .222 2-11 .182 0-0 .000 10 10
Lynch 2-4 .500 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 4 4
Roberts 0-2 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
PHOENIX SUNS
------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Charles Barkley 4 25.5 13.5 3.8 18- 36- 54 4 4 6 15
Kevin Johnson 4 17.3 4.3 10.8 2- 15- 17 2 2 11 8
Wesley Person 4 14.3 5.8 0.8 8- 15- 23 3 1 5 7
Danny Manning 4 12.3 2.8 1.3 4- 7- 11 4 1 6 15
John Williams 4 9.0 6.5 0.3 11- 15- 26 0 7 6 17
Chris Carr 3 8.0 2.3 1.3 3- 4- 7 2 1 4 6
Wayman Tisdale 4 5.3 1.0 0.5 3- 1- 4 1 1 1 7
Ac Green 4 4.8 4.5 0.5 6- 12- 18 1 0 2 7
Elliot Perry 4 3.5 0.5 3.0 0- 2- 2 2 0 0 3
Mario Bennett 2 2.0 1.5 0.0 2- 1- 3 0 0 2 0
Joe Kleine 2 0.0 0.5 0.0 1- 0- 1 1 0 1 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Barkley 31-70 .443 3-12 .250 37-47 .787 102 30
Johnson 27-57 .474 1-4 .250 14-17 .824 69 21
W Person 22-56 .393 9-29 .310 4-5 .800 57 23
Manning 22-48 .458 0-1 .000 5-8 .625 49 16
Williams 14-32 .438 0-0 .000 8-12 .667 36 15
Carr 9-14 .643 2-3 .667 4-5 .800 24 17
Tisdale 10-30 .333 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 21 11
Green 6-17 .353 0-3 .000 7-8 .875 19 8
Perry 7-14 .500 0-0 .000 0-1 .000 14 8
Bennett 2-4 .500 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 4 2
Kleine 0-2 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
----------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Arvydas Sabonis 5 23.6 10.2 1.8 12- 39- 51 4 3 10 17
Rod Strickland 5 20.6 6.2 8.4 12- 19- 31 5 0 12 14
Clifford Robinson 5 15.2 3.6 1.6 4- 14- 18 7 5 16 19
Aaron Mckie 5 6.2 3.6 1.8 4- 14- 18 6 2 9 13
Harvey Grant 5 5.4 4.0 0.8 5- 15- 20 0 2 3 16
Dontonio Wingfield 5 4.8 2.8 0.8 10- 4- 14 0 0 3 10
Buck Williams 5 4.8 5.0 0.2 13- 12- 25 1 4 5 18
Rumeal Robinson 5 4.2 0.4 0.6 0- 2- 2 3 0 3 8
James Robinson 2 4.0 0.5 1.5 0- 1- 1 1 1 3 4
Chris Dudley 5 2.8 5.4 0.2 9- 18- 27 2 2 4 18
Gary Trent 2 1.0 0.5 0.0 0- 1- 1 1 0 0 3
Elmore Spencer 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Sabonis 35-81 .432 5-9 .556 43-60 .717 118 27
Strickland 37-84 .440 6-12 .500 23-36 .639 103 27
C Robinson 21-61 .344 6-23 .261 28-37 .757 76 21
Mckie 11-30 .367 2-8 .250 7-9 .778 31 16
Grant 13-38 .342 1-7 .143 0-4 .000 27 8
Wingfield 8-21 .381 6-10 .600 2-6 .333 24 9
Williams 9-23 .391 1-2 .500 5-7 .714 24 7
R Robinson 8-19 .421 4-9 .444 1-4 .250 21 8
J Robinson 3-10 .300 2-6 .333 0-0 .000 8 5
Dudley 5-13 .385 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 14 6
Trent 1-4 .250 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
Spencer 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-2 .000 0 0
SACRAMENTO KINGS
----------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Mitch Richmond 4 21.0 4.3 3.0 3- 14- 17 3 0 15 11
Olden Polynice 4 13.8 12.0 0.8 16- 32- 48 1 7 3 15
Tyus Edney 4 12.0 3.0 2.8 2- 10- 12 8 0 9 11
Brian Grant 4 9.8 5.0 1.0 7- 13- 20 2 7 13 14
Lionel Simmons 4 9.5 3.0 2.0 4- 8- 12 6 2 6 12
Billy Owens 4 8.3 6.5 3.5 5- 21- 26 4 1 11 17
Sarunas Marciulionis 4 7.3 1.8 3.5 4- 3- 7 10 0 10 4
Michael Smith 4 4.8 5.5 2.0 7- 15- 22 1 2 2 14
Duane Causwell 2 2.5 2.5 0.5 1- 4- 5 0 0 2 3
Corliss Williamson 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
Kevin Gamble 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
Bobby Hurley 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Richmond 24-54 .444 8-23 .348 28-35 .800 84 37
Polynice 24-46 .522 1-1 1.000 6-9 .667 55 18
Edney 18-42 .429 2-8 .250 10-12 .833 48 17
Grant 16-42 .381 0-0 .000 7-14 .500 39 13
Simmons 15-33 .455 3-9 .333 5-7 .714 38 24
Owens 15-34 .441 0-4 .000 3-6 .500 33 12
Marciulionis 8-29 .276 4-18 .222 9-15 .600 29 12
Smith 7-12 .583 0-0 .000 5-11 .455 19 7
Causwell 1-3 .333 0-1 .000 3-4 .750 5 3
C Williamson 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 1-1 1.000 1 1
Gamble 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Hurley 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G PPG RPG APG OFF-DEF --TOT STL BLK TO PF
Gary Payton 6 21.5 4.8 6.7 4- 25- 29 14 4 16 20
Shawn Kemp 5 17.0 9.4 1.0 14- 33- 47 8 15 22 18
Detlef Schrempf 6 15.8 6.0 4.7 8- 28- 36 3 3 20 16
Hersey Hawkins 6 13.0 2.5 2.2 5- 10- 15 9 0 8 14
Sam Perkins 6 12.3 4.2 2.0 5- 20- 25 4 0 5 9
Nate Mcmillan 6 7.8 4.5 3.7 2- 25- 27 8 2 6 9
Frank Brickowski 6 4.5 1.2 0.3 0- 7- 7 2 1 8 15
Vincent Askew 6 4.5 2.2 1.3 3- 10- 13 4 2 6 13
Ervin Johnson 6 4.0 5.0 0.2 9- 21- 30 4 7 6 17
David Wingate 3 0.7 0.3 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 0 1
Steve Scheffler 2 0.0 0.5 0.5 0- 1- 1 1 0 1 2
Eric Snow 2 0.0 0.5 1.0 0- 1- 1 1 0 2 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Payton 45-95 .474 15-33 .455 24-36 .667 129 29
Kemp 30-60 .500 0-0 .000 25-36 .694 85 23
D Schrempf 38-81 .469 5-17 .294 14-24 .583 95 22
Hawkins 21-47 .447 10-18 .556 26-31 .839 78 18
Perkins 27-59 .458 10-27 .370 10-14 .714 74 17
Mcmillan 16-26 .615 14-19 .737 1-2 .500 47 15
Brickowski 10-15 .667 4-8 .500 3-4 .750 27 12
Askew 10-28 .357 3-8 .375 4-6 .667 27 8
Johnson 11-29 .379 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 24 12
Wingate 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
S Scheffler 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Snow 0-1 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
(NOTE: STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR MORE THAN ONE TEAM
ARE CUMULATIVE)
nba.838vpoznanovic,
NBA Team-By-Team Statistics (Through Wednesday, May 8)
OFFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
Orlando 4 162-303 .535 29-69 .420 69-109 .633 105.5
San Antonio 5 197-386 .510 28-55 .509 92-128 .719 102.8
Chicago 5 184-400 .460 28-98 .286 106-143 .741 100.4
Phoenix 4 150-344 .436 15-52 .288 80-105 .762 98.8
Utah 6 214-461 .464 33-70 .471 132-184 .717 98.8
Seattle 6 209-444 .471 61-131 .466 109-155 .703 98.0
LA Lakers 4 138-329 .419 32-92 .348 71-94 .755 94.8
Houston 6 219-488 .449 40-122 .328 85-123 .691 93.8
Atlanta 6 200-459 .436 43-114 .377 102-141 .723 90.8
Portland 5 151-384 .393 33-86 .384 113-171 .661 89.6
Detroit 3 98-216 .454 15-50 .300 56-74 .757 89.0
Sacramento 4 128-296 .432 18-64 .281 77-114 .675 87.8
Indiana 5 162-368 .440 17-57 .298 94-122 .770 87.0
New York 5 160-354 .452 39-85 .459 76-113 .673 87.0
Miami 3 91-216 .421 22-70 .314 47-67 .701 83.7
Cleveland 3 94-222 .423 16-63 .254 35-45 .778 79.7
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
Orlando 49-102 151 103 26 48 17
San Antonio 52-149 201 131 33 62 33
Chicago 77-155 232 115 48 75 20
Phoenix 58-108 166 87 20 44 17
Utah 75-178 253 148 41 71 40
Seattle 50-182 232 134 58 102 34
LA Lakers 49-134 183 88 23 64 16
Houston 48-177 225 145 62 75 33
Atlanta 88-136 224 109 60 92 38
Portland 69-139 208 84 30 70 19
Detroit 36-71 107 43 8 40 5
Sacramento 49-120 169 75 35 78 19
Indiana 70-141 211 86 42 93 16
New York 49-137 186 103 29 81 19
Miami 34-74 108 51 21 63 5
Cleveland 35-76 111 59 19 40 14
DEFENSE
TEAM G FGM-FGA PCT 3PM-3PA PCT FTM-FTA PCT AVG
==== == ========= === ======= === ========= === ===
Chicago 5 151-369 .409 31-104 .298 82-114 .719 83.0
New York 5 162-395 .410 26-103 .252 71-86 .826 84.2
Utah 6 176-444 .396 35-91 .385 136-207 .657 87.2
Seattle 6 194-460 .422 40-121 .331 99-149 .664 87.8
Indiana 5 162-381 .425 39-99 .394 77-108 .713 88.0
Cleveland 3 100-201 .498 30-51 .588 41-66 .621 90.3
Atlanta 6 210-451 .466 22-73 .301 110-148 .743 92.0
Orlando 4 136-294 .463 19-65 .292 81-107 .757 93.0
Sacramento 4 128-289 .443 31-78 .397 88-128 .688 93.8
LA Lakers 4 153-324 .472 18-65 .277 63-88 .716 96.8
San Antonio 5 190-432 .440 22-66 .333 88-115 .765 98.0
Houston 6 219-484 .452 62-145 .428 92-121 .760 98.7
Portland 5 174-373 .466 26-56 .464 124-174 .713 99.6
Detroit 3 114-220 .518 24-53 .453 53-83 .639 101.7
Miami 3 116-227 .511 18-58 .310 70-102 .686 106.7
Phoenix 4 172-326 .528 26-50 .520 69-92 .750 109.8
- REBOUNDS -
OFF-DEF TRB AST STL TO BLKS
======= === === === == ====
Chicago 59-127 186 78 33 100 9
New York 71-142 213 99 36 67 24
Utah 76-162 238 103 36 87 28
Seattle 70-173 243 126 54 107 26
Indiana 74-114 188 86 49 79 35
Cleveland 24-84 108 76 17 44 15
Atlanta 85-165 250 112 51 107 19
Orlando 50-93 143 66 19 53 8
Sacramento 36-106 142 81 39 68 26
LA Lakers 27-124 151 94 43 46 26
San Antonio 76-135 211 118 27 58 22
Houston 63-210 273 141 42 98 24
Portland 57-151 208 117 34 57 35
Detroit 34-78 112 77 17 34 14
Miami 41-89 130 75 31 48 10
Phoenix 45-126 171 112 27 45 24
(NOTE: DEFENSIVE STATISTICS REFLECT CUMULATIVE TOTALS OF A
TEAM'S OPPONENTS)
nba.839vpoznanovic,
NBA Team Comparison Through Wednesday, May 8
POINTS FIELD GOAL 3-PT FG
PER GAME PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE TURNOVERS PER GAME
TEAM OWN OPP OWN OPP OWN OPP OWN OPP MARGIN
Atlanta 90.8 92.0 .436 .466 .377 .301 15.3 17.8 +2.5
Chicago 100.4 *83.0 .460 .409 .286 .298 15.0 *20.0 *+5.0
Cleveland 79.7 90.3 .423 .498 .254 .588 13.3 14.7 +1.4
Detroit 89.0 101.7 .454 .518 .300 .453 13.3 11.3 -2.0
Houston 93.8 98.7 .449 .452 .328 .428 12.5 16.3 +3.8
Indiana 87.0 88.0 .440 .425 .298 .394 18.6 15.8 -2.8
LA Lakers 94.8 96.8 .419 .472 .348 .277 16.0 11.5 -4.5
Miami 83.7 106.7 .421 .511 .314 .310 21.0 16.0 -5.0
New York 87.0 84.2 .452 .410 .459 *.252 16.2 13.4 -2.8
Orlando *105.5 93.0 *.535 .463 .420 .292 12.0 13.3 +1.3
Phoenix 98.8 109.8 .436 .528 .288 .520 *11.0 11.3 +0.3
Portland 89.6 99.6 .393 .466 .384 .464 14.0 11.4 -2.6
Sacramento 87.8 93.8 .432 .443 .281 .397 19.5 17.0 -2.5
San Antonio 102.8 98.0 .510 .440 *.509 .333 12.4 11.6 -0.8
Seattle 98.0 87.8 .471 .422 .466 .331 17.0 17.8 +0.8
Utah 98.8 87.2 .464 *.396 .471 .385 11.8 14.5 +2.7
------------------ RECORDS ------------------
UNDER 100 PTS OT DECIDED BY
REBOUND PCT OWN OPP GAMES 3-PTS(LESS) 10-PTS(MORE)
TEAM OFF DEF TOT W-L W-L W-L W-L W-L
Atlanta .348 .615 .473 3-2 3-1 0-1 1-0 1-1
Chicago .377 .724 *.555 2-0 5-0 0-0 0-0 4-0
Cleveland .294 .760 .507 0-3 0-2 0-0 0-0 0-1
Detroit .316 .676 .489 0-3 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-2
Houston .186 .738 .452 1-2 3-0 0-0 0-0 0-2
Indiana *.380 .656 .529 1-3 2-3 1-0 0-1 0-1
LA Lakers .283 *.832 .548 0-3 1-1 0-0 0-0 1-0
Miami .276 .643 .454 0-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-3
New York .257 .659 .466 2-2 3-2 0-0 0-0 1-1
Orlando .345 .671 .514 1-0 3-0 0-0 1-0 3-0
Phoenix .315 .706 .493 1-2 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-2
Portland .314 .709 .500 2-2 2-0 1-0 1-0 0-2
Sacramento .316 .769 .543 1-3 1-2 0-0 0-0 0-2
San Antonio .278 .662 .488 0-2 2-2 0-0 0-1 2-1
Seattle .224 .722 .488 2-1 4-1 0-0 0-0 3-0
Utah .316 .701 .515 1-2 3-2 0-1 0-1 3-0
* = Indicates League Leader
REBOUND PERCENTAGE:
Off - a team's offensive rebounds divided by offensive rebound
opportunities (that team's total number of missed shots)
Def - a team's defensive rebounds divided by defensive rebound
opportunities (the total number of missed shots by that
team's opponents)
Tot - a team's total rebounds divided by rebound opportunities
(the sum of missed shots by that team and its opponents)
nba.840dizel,
> => Starks G 39 0-9 4-4 2 0 2
> 2 4 => 0 1 4 ^^^
>
> Ovaj Starks stvarno ne ume da sutira u vaznim utakmicama...
Mnogo je dobar cesto puta,ali kada je najbitnije(najcesce protiv famoznog
Cikaga) zakaze...
Steta!
nba.841lexus,
=> Mnogo je dobar cesto puta,ali kada je najbitnije(najcesce protiv
=> famoznog Cikaga) zakaze...
A možda i protiv Houstona u finalu ;)
nba.842vpoznanovic,
>>> Sa nekoliko americkih sportskih mreza.
>>
>>Pretpostavio sam.Pa,koliki su ti onda racuni za tel?
Još uvijek su u razumnim granicama. Nadam se da će tako i ostati. :)
nba.843vpoznanovic,
>>> pogotovo što mi pretplata ističe sredinom maja, a nisam siguran
>>> kada ću je produžavati.
>>
>> Aman, poklonite čoveku jedno 6 meseci pretplate, mislim da je to
>> zaslužio.
Hvala, hvala, i tebi i ostalima koji su podržali tu ideju :), ali ipak
nije mi to bila namjera. Pokušao sam baš da istaknem da se ne postavlja
pitanje da li ću produžiti pretplatu, već kada ću to uraditi - odmah ili
u julu. Zaista ne bih volio da junski ispitni rok dovedem u pitanje kao
što sam zamalo aprilski.
nba.844vpoznanovic,
>> I ja sam za to da mu se produzi pretplata, jer na Sezamnet-u ne postoji brzi
>> i bolji izvor kvalitetnih informacija od vpoznanovic-a. Covek je sve radio,
>> kako sam shvatio, samoinicijativno i volonterski i ucinio temu nba
>> najatraktivnijom (bar od onih tema koje ja pratim). Svaka cast.
Uh, nemojte više, molim vas, stvarno ću se uobraziti. :)
nba.845vpoznanovic,
>> Na STB-u i BK su rekli da su Barkley i Robinson imali po 12 skokova.
>> Odakle im ta informacija, ako se ovde pojavljuju druge brojke ?
>>
>> Barkley 20
>> Robinson 21
Studio B i BK očigledno prenose vijesti iz istih agencijskih izvora.
Prateći godinama rezultate sa naših televizijskih kanala, nebrojeno puta
sam bio svjedok grubih grešaka. Nemam pojma šta je bio uzrok, ali znam da
sam potpuno izgubio povjerenje u njih.
Ne mogu sa sigurnošću da tvrdim da je i u ovom slučaju taj izvor
proslijedio pogrešnu informaciju ili da je ljudski faktor s njihove strane
zakazao, ali mogu da kažem da su izvori mojih informacija nešto
najmjerodavnije što se može zamisliti. Naime, statistike koje šaljem
nastaju kao proizvod obrade prijenosa utakmica u realnom vremenu i ja ih
uzimam praktično iz prve ruke. Kasnije one u identičnoj formi postaju dio
službene arhive NBA. Znači, nema apsolutno nikavih posrednika, čime je
mogućnost greške svedena na minimum.
nba.846vpoznanovic,
>> Jel prenose(direktno)play off na bk,i kad?
Ne, idu samo pregledi i snimke u standardnom večernjem terminu. Po svoj
prilici, ništa od direktnih prijenosa neće biti do finala, a ni to još
nije zvanično potvrđeno. Koliko mogu da vidim, NBA se ove godine dobro
zatvorila prema ostatku svijeta što se tiče direktnih prijenosa utakmica.
Ranije se u ranim poslijepodnevnim satima nacrtaš pred televizorom i
ne ustaješ sve do jutra - sve utakmica za utakmicom. Sad kad su postali
svjesni svoje ogromne popularnosti, izgleda da nisu više spremni da nam
gratis izlaze u susret.
nba.847vpoznanovic,
>> A šta sam ja pričao (pisao)? Tačno sam bre znao... :(
Posljedica unutrašnjih problema u ekipi, koji kao po pravilu kod Lakersa
posljednjih godina dostižu kulminaciju u plejofu. :(
Ali to svakako nije razlog da ne priznamo tvoje prognozerske sposobnosti.
:)
nba.848vpoznanovic,
>>> the best prep prospect ever to come from South Carolina
>> ^^^^
>> Šta mu dođe ovo?
Koliko ja znam, to je izraz za onoga ko pohađa školu, đaka, u ovom
slučaju srednjoškolca.
nba.849vpoznanovic,
BULLS TRIO LEADS NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
NEW YORK -- Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman of the
Chicago Bulls became the first trio of teammates in 13 years to make
the NBA's all-defensive team. The team was announced Thursday.
The three Bulls were joined on the first team by Seattle's Gary Payton
and San Antonio's David Robinson. Earlier this week, Payton was named
the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Pippen received 55 of a possible 56 points in voting by 29 NBA
coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own players. Pippen
was named on 27 first-team ballots. Jordan got 53 points and 25
first-team votes, and Rodman got 30 points and 11 first-team votes.
Payton got 48 points and 20 first-team votes, and Robinson got 42
points and 16 first-team votes.
The second team consisted of Orlando's Horace Grant (25 points, eight
first-team votes) and Indiana's Derrick McKey (15, five) at forward,
Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon (27, eight) at center and Atlanta's Mookie
Blaylock (22, four) and Cleveland's Bobby Phills (12, three) at guard.
The last time three players from the same team made the all-defensive
team was in 1982, when Moses Malone, Bobby Jones and Maurice Cheeks of
the Philadelphia 76ers were picked. This is the fifth time in NBA
history that it's happened.
Others receiving votes this year, with point totals, (first-place
votes in parentheses): Dikembe Mutombo (four) 13, Shawn Kemp (three)
9, John Stockton (two) 9, Dale Davis (one) 9, Karl Malone (one) 9,
Derek Harper (two) 8, Mitch Richmond (two) 8, Grant Hill (one) 7,
Alonzo Mourning (one) 4, Anthony Mason (one) 3, Stacey Augmon 3,
Robert Horry 3, Jason Kidd 3, Nate McMillan 3, Anfernee Hardaway 2,
Terrell Brandon 1, Elden Campbell 1, Chris Childs 1, Sean Elliott 1,
Brian Grant 1, Eddie Jones 1, Grant Long 1, Charles Oakley 1,
Shaquille O'Neal 1, Sam Perkins 1, John Starks 1, Bryant Stith 1, Rod
Strickland 1.
nba.850vpoznanovic,
Brown out, Westphal moves up Mavericks' list
DALLAS (May 9, 1996 - 11:41 EST) -- Paul Westphal, fired this season
by the Phoenix Suns, is a leading candidate to replace Dick Motta as
coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
"They've got a great nucleus with Jamal Mashburn, Jason Kidd and Jim
Jackson, and a lot of coaches would be attracted to that job,
including me," Westphal told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on
Wednesday. "I've only heard rumors so far, but I hope they call.
They've got a great upside."
Indiana's Larry Brown also has been mentioned, but Pacers president
Donnie Walsh said the Mavericks had not contacted him for permission
to talk to Brown and that there's no way he would agree to it.
Mavericks assistant Brad Davis has expressed an interest and the team
also considered Chicago assistant Jim Cleamons. However, the Bulls
will not grant permission to talk to Cleamons until their season ends.
Davis was Motta's top assistant for two seasons.
"I think I'm ready after playing under Dick and coaching with him,"
Davis said. "My biggest strength is I know the team and the
organization and I know how to relate to our players. They've said
I'll get an interview, and I'm excited."
Meanwhile, the new majority owner Ross Perot Jr. is considering
Cityplace, a development north of downtown, as a site for a new arena.
One proposal for the site, carrying a price tag of $600 million to
$800 million, includes an arena with 22,000 seats and 100 or more
skyboxes, a shopping mall, offices, condos, multiscreen cinema and
450-room hotel.
"I think it's very viable and very attractive," Perot said.
nba.851vpoznanovic,
IOWA'S KINGSBURY TO TAKE A SHOT AT NBA
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa sharpshooter Chris Kingsbury
told the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette on Wednesday night that he plans
to write a letter to the NBA and declare himself eligible for the
league's draft.
Kingsbury, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound guard, said he is not looking for an
agent and that if he isn't selected in the first round during the June
26 draft, he will return to school for his senior season.
"The past couple years, only a couple of second-rounders have made the
final roster," Kingsbury said in Thursday editions of the Gazette.
"There's a big difference between the 29th and 20th pick."
Kingsbury's Iowa teammate, Jess Settles, declared himself eligible for
the NBA draft at a Tuesday news conference. Settles, a 6-7, 220-pound
junior, was an all-Big Ten forward and Iowa's leading scorer and
rebounder last season.
Underclassmen and high school players have until May 12 to make their
decisions.
Kingsbury is Iowa's all-time leading 3-point shooter. He averaged 16.8
points per game as a sophomore but dipped to 11.9 as a junior. He
missed three games last year after being suspended for unsportsmanlike
conduct.
"Last year I didn't have a great year, but I had some problems and I
kind of got down on basketball," he told the Gazette. "I know what I
can do. I play my best basketball against great players."
Kingsbury scored 30 points during a 101-95 upset victory over
Connecticut last season.
nba.852vpoznanovic,
Utah (77) At San Antonio (88)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Morris F 17 1-3 0-0 2 1 3 1 3 0 1 2
Malone F 41 12-25 0-0 1 7 8 3 3 1 4 24
Spencer C 12 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 4 0 0 0
Hornacek G 27 1-6 1-1 0 1 1 2 3 1 2 3
Stockton G 40 1-6 2-2 0 5 5 13 4 2 6 4
Eisley 7 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 4
Russell 31 6-12 0-0 2 3 5 5 1 1 0 16
Ostertag 21 2-4 1-2 0 8 8 0 3 0 0 5
Keefe 21 5-5 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 1 0 11
Carr 23 4-11 0-0 0 0 0 5 5 0 2 8
Benoit Dnp - Bruised Knee
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-78 4-5 7 31 38 30 27 6 15 77
(.436) (.800) Team Rebs: 2 Total To: 16(16 PTS)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 37 2-9 8-10 0 4 4 0 3 2 4 12
Smith F 22 5-8 0-0 3 2 5 2 2 0 0 10
Robinson C 40 9-20 6-10 4 8 12 3 3 2 2 24
Del Negro G 32 4-11 2-2 0 6 6 2 1 1 2 10
Johnson G 42 4-11 0-0 1 2 3 10 1 3 2 8
W Perdue 34 2-4 4-6 1 6 7 4 1 0 0 8
C Person 27 6-11 1-1 1 5 6 0 1 1 2 16
Alexander 6 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 0
Anderson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Herrera Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rivers Dnp - Back Spasms
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-74 21-29 11 35 46 22 12 9 12 88
(.432) (.724) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 15(15 PTS)
Utah 9 29 16 23 - 77
San Antonio 25 11 27 25 - 88
Blocked Shots: Utah - Ostertag 2, Spencer, Russell, Malone, Carr. San
Antonio - Robinson 3, Smith 2.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 5-11 (.455), Morris 0-1, Hornacek 0-1, Stockton
0-2, Russell 4-6, Keefe 1-1. San Antonio 3-9 (.333), Elliott 0-2, Del
Negro 0-1, C Person 3-6.
Technicals: Utah - Morris, Head Coach Sloan 2 (Ejected), Malone, Illegal
Defense.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Hue Hollins, Ron Olesiak.
A - 18,635. T - 2:08.
nba.853vpoznanovic,
SPURS' VICTORY SILENCES THE BOO-BIRDS
SAN ANTONIO -- You want a definition of pressure? How about when
15,000 of your own fans boo you -- and you have to play in front of
them two nights later?
After falling apart in Game 1, the San Antonio Spurs withstood the
pressure and rallied to defeat the Utah Jazz 88-77 on Thursday night,
evening their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
The Spurs lost the first game 95-75 on Tuesday night and were booed
soundly by the Alamodome crowd.
"There was a lot of pressure after losing the first game," San Antonio
center David Robinson said after Game 2. "Everyone was on edge coming
in."
Robinson led the Spurs with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks
Thursday. Chuck Person added 16 points off the bench.
Karl Malone scored 24 points for the Jazz, but was whistled for a
crucial technical foul late in the game with the Jazz trailing 78-72.
Bryon Russell added 16 points for Utah, which was held to its lowest
playoff point total in franchise history.
Game 3 is Saturday at Utah.
"We won the first game and in this game, we came out and just relaxed
and they jumped out to a big lead," Malone said. "We were happy to get
a win here, but we felt like we were in this one."
San Antonio bolted to an 11-0 lead, paced by Avery Johnson's four
points. The Jazz was scoreless until Malone hit a jumper with 7:40
left in the first quarter.
Utah was four for 17 from the field in the first period and avoided
matching its playoff low for points in the first quarter when Greg
Ostertag hit the second of two free throws with 35 seconds left.
Trailing 25-9 after one quarter, Utah regrouped and closed the half
with a 25-5 run. The Jazz took a 38-36 lead at halftime on a 3-pointer
by Adam Keefe at the buzzer.
The Jazz took its final lead of the game at 52-51 with 4:47 to go in
the third quarter on a basket by Ostertag, but San Antonio took
control of the game with a 15-2 spurt.
Person capped the run with a 3-pointer 59 seconds into the final
quarter.
The Jazz staged one last stand, pulling within 76-72 on a free throw
by John Stockton with 2:34 remaining. Johnson made a layup to push the
Spurs lead to six points, and then Malone was whistled for a foul on
Perdue following a Utah miss and was called for a technical foul for
lightly shoving Perdue.
Utah coach Jerry Sloan, who had picked up a technical foul in the
second quarter, argued the call and was ejected with 1:50 remaining.
Robinson and Purdue made three of four free throws to extend the lead
to 81-72 and the Spurs never trailed.
Sloan said he thought Malone and Perdue were about to get into an
altercation.
"Next time I'll wait until somebody gets his head knocked off," Sloan
said. "It was just a mistake on my part to go out there."
"I never talk about the officiating; I'm not going to start now,"
Malone said. "It's just the way it happened. We didn't do what we
needed down the stretch."
The Jazz shot 44 percent (34 for 78) from the floor and was outscored
21-4 from the foul line. Utah's five free-throw attempts were the
fewest in team playoff history, far lower than the 14 they attempted
against Dallas on April 18, 1986.
The four made foul shots are also a playoff low, seven fewer than the
11 against Dallas.
"They just came at us really hard," Sloan said. "We just couldn't get
to the free-throw line and they took the ball to us."
The Spurs concentrated on stopping Utah's money play: the
pick-and-roll.
"We were a lot more aggressive on the pick-and-roll tonight," Robinson
said. "Tonight, they didn't get those wide-open looks. Losing the
first game was tough, but tonight was a good bounce back. The road
ahead is a long one."
"We had two major goals: Play pick-and-roll defense and rebound,"
San Antonio coach Bob Hill said. "Overall, we kept them out of the
middle of the floor and off the boards.
"We were god-awful in Game 1. We weren't great tonight but we were
better."
San Antonio's other four starters, Johnson, Vinny Del Negro, Smith and
Sean Elliott, combined to go eight for 31 from the field in Game 1.
They bounced back with 40 points on 15-for-39 shooting Thursday.
Utah's supporting cast around Malone could not score in Game 2. Chris
Morris, Felton Spencer, Jeff Hornacek and Stockton combined to make
three of 18 shots.
The Utah reserves were better, shooting 19 for 35 from the floor.
Keefe finished with 11 points off the bench on five-for-five shooting.
"The Spurs got after it tonight," Stockton said. "Our bench did a
great job. Those (of us) who should have started should have played
like our bench. The playoffs are serious -- we did not get it done
tonight."
nba.854vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago leads New York 2-0
Sunday May 5 Chicago 91, New York 84
Tuesday May 7 Chicago 91, New York 80
Saturday May 11 at New York 1 p.m. NBC
Sunday May 12 at New York 5:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Chicago TBA
Thursday May 16 *at New York TBA
Sunday May 19 *at Chicago TBA
Orlando leads Atlanta 1-0
Wednesday May 8 Orlando 117, Atlanta 105
Friday May 10 at Orlando 7 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 12 at Atlanta 12:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 13 at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Wednesday May 15 *at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 17 *at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 19 *at Orlando TBA NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle leads Houston 2-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 Seattle 105, Houston 101
Friday May 10 at Houston 9:30 p.m TNT
Sunday May 12 at Houston 3 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Seattle TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Houston TBA
Saturday May 18 *at Seattle TBA NBC
Utah, San Antonio tied 1-1
Tuesday May 7 Utah 95, San Antonio 75
Thursday May 9 San Antonio 88, Utah 77
Saturday May 11 at Utah 3:30 NBC
Sunday May 12 at Utah 8:30 p.m. TNT
Tuesday May 14 *at San Antonio TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Utah TBA
Saturday May 18 *at San Antonio TBA NBC
nba.855vpoznanovic,
National Basketball Association Leaders Through Thursday, May 9
SCORING
(MINIMUM OF 5 GAMES PLAYED OR 112 POINTS SCORED)
PLAYER GP PTS AVG
------ -- --- ---
Michael Jordan, CHI 5 162 32.4
David Robinson, SAS 6 173 28.8
Karl Malone, UTH 7 185 26.4
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 5 118 23.6
Steve Smith, ATL 6 132 22.0
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 6 129 21.5
Gary Payton, SEA 6 129 21.5
Rod Strickland, POR 5 103 20.6
Patrick Ewing, NYK 5 99 19.8
Rik Smits, IND 5 95 19.0
Scottie Pippen, CHI 5 89 17.8
Shawn Kemp, SEA 5 85 17.0
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 7 118 16.9
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 6 98 16.3
Sean Elliott, SAS 6 96 16.0
Detlef Schrempf, SEA 6 95 15.8
Clifford Robinson, POR 5 76 15.2
Clyde Drexler, HOU 6 90 15.0
John Starks, NYK 5 75 15.0
Christian Laettner, ATL 6 83 13.8
Chuck Person, SAS 6 82 13.7
Vinny Del Negro, SAS 6 81 13.5
Anthony Mason, NYK 5 66 13.2
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 6 78 13.0
Robert Horry, HOU 6 78 13.0
Derrick Mckey, IND 5 64 12.8
John Stockton, UTH 7 88 12.6
Sam Perkins, SEA 6 74 12.3
Charles Oakley, NYK 5 61 12.2
Avery Johnson, SAS 6 72 12.0
REBOUNDING
(MINIMUM OF 5 GAMES PLAYED OR 64 REBOUNDS)
PLAYER GP REB AVG
------ -- --- ---
Dale Davis, IND 5 56 11.2
Patrick Ewing, NYK 5 55 11.0
David Robinson, SAS 6 65 10.8
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 5 51 10.2
Scottie Pippen, CHI 5 49 9.8
Dennis Rodman, CHI 5 49 9.8
Shawn Kemp, SEA 5 47 9.4
Karl Malone, UTH 7 64 9.1
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 6 54 9.0
Anthony Mason, NYK 5 41 8.2
Grant Long, ATL 6 49 8.2
Will Perdue, SAS 6 47 7.8
Charles Oakley, NYK 5 38 7.6
Christian Laettner, ATL 6 45 7.5
Rik Smits, IND 5 37 7.4
Clyde Drexler, HOU 6 44 7.3
Robert Horry, HOU 6 40 6.7
Derrick Mckey, IND 5 33 6.6
Antonio Davis, IND 5 31 6.2
Rod Strickland, POR 5 31 6.2
ASSISTS
(MINIMUM OF 5 GAMES PLAYED OR 32 ASSISTS)
PLAYER GP AST AVG
------ -- --- ---
John Stockton, UTH 7 104 14.9
Avery Johnson, SAS 6 67 11.2
Kevin Johnson, PHO 4 43 10.8
Rod Strickland, POR 5 42 8.4
Scottie Pippen, CHI 5 34 6.8
Gary Payton, SEA 6 40 6.7
Mark Jackson, IND 5 30 6.0
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 6 35 5.8
Clyde Drexler, HOU 6 32 5.3
Derek Harper, NYK 5 25 5.0
John Starks, NYK 5 24 4.8
Detlef Schrempf, SEA 6 28 4.7
Sam Cassell, HOU 6 27 4.5
Vinny Del Negro, SAS 6 27 4.5
Kenny Smith, HOU 6 25 4.2
Anthony Mason, NYK 5 19 3.8
Nate Mcmillan, SEA 6 22 3.7
Toni Kukoc, CHI 5 18 3.6
Ron Harper, CHI 5 17 3.4
Robert Horry, HOU 6 20 3.3
FIELD GOAL PCT
(MINIMUM OF 24 FIELD GOALS MADE)
PLAYER GP FGM FGA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Horace Grant, ORL 4 29 46 .630
David Robinson, SAS 6 63 113 .558
Shaquille Oneal, ORL 4 44 79 .557
Eddie Jones, LAL 4 27 49 .551
Chuck Person, SAS 6 28 51 .549
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 7 42 77 .545
Rik Smits, IND 5 42 77 .545
Olden Polynice, SAC 4 24 46 .522
Nick Anderson, ORL 4 24 47 .511
Shawn Kemp, SEA 5 30 60 .500
Michael Jordan, CHI 5 60 122 .492
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 6 57 116 .491
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 4 30 62 .484
Penny Hardaway, ORL 4 30 62 .484
Anthony Mason, NYK 5 28 58 .483
FREE THROW PCT
(MINIMUM OF 10 FREE THROWS MADE)
PLAYER GP FTM FTA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Steve Kerr, CHI 5 13 14 .929
John Stockton, UTH 7 34 37 .919
Cedric Ceballos, LAL 4 11 12 .917
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 7 20 22 .909
Allan Houston, DET 3 18 20 .900
Antonio Davis, IND 5 13 15 .867
Terrell Brandon, CLE 3 13 15 .867
Reggie Miller, IND 1 13 15 .867
Grant Hill, DET 3 12 14 .857
Michael Jordan, CHI 5 35 41 .854
Ricky Pierce, IND 5 17 20 .850
Magic Johnson, LAL 4 28 33 .848
Derrick Mckey, IND 5 11 13 .846
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 6 26 31 .839
Chucky Brown, HOU 6 10 12 .833
Tyus Edney, SAC 4 10 12 .833
THREE POINT PCT
(MINIMUM OF 3 THREE POINT FIELD GOALS MADE)
PLAYER GP 3FG 3FA PCT
------ -- --- --- ---
Nate Mcmillan, SEA 6 14 19 .737
Jeff Hornacek, UTH 7 14 22 .636
Bryon Russell, UTH 7 9 15 .600
Dontonio Wingfield, POR 5 6 10 .600
Matt Bullard, ATL 2 3 5 .600
Haywoode Workman, IND 5 3 5 .600
Chuck Person, SAS 6 17 29 .586
Hubert Davis, NYK 5 10 18 .556
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 6 10 18 .556
Arvydas Sabonis, POR 5 5 9 .556
Eddie Jones, LAL 4 10 19 .526
Steve Smith, ATL 6 15 30 .500
John Starks, NYK 5 14 28 .500
Dennis Scott, ORL 4 12 24 .500
Penny Hardaway, ORL 4 8 16 .500
Rod Strickland, POR 5 6 12 .500
Frank Brickowski, SEA 6 4 8 .500
STEALS
(MINIMUM OF 5 GAMES PLAYED OR 10 STEALS)
PLAYER GP STL AVG
------ -- --- ---
Mookie Blaylock, ATL 6 18 3.0
Scottie Pippen, CHI 5 15 3.0
Clyde Drexler, HOU 6 17 2.8
Robert Horry, HOU 6 16 2.7
Sarunas Marciulionis, SAC 4 10 2.5
Gary Payton, SEA 6 14 2.3
Karl Malone, UTH 7 15 2.1
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 6 12 2.0
John Stockton, UTH 7 12 1.7
Stacey Augmon, ATL 6 10 1.7
Derek Harper, NYK 5 8 1.6
Ron Harper, CHI 5 8 1.6
Michael Jordan, CHI 5 8 1.6
Shawn Kemp, SEA 5 8 1.6
Ricky Pierce, IND 5 8 1.6
John Starks, NYK 5 8 1.6
Sean Elliott, SAS 6 9 1.5
Hersey Hawkins, SEA 6 9 1.5
Avery Johnson, SAS 6 9 1.5
David Robinson, SAS 6 9 1.5
Steve Smith, ATL 6 9 1.5
BLOCKED SHOTS
(MINIMUM OF 5 GAMES PLAYED OR 8 BLOCKED SHOTS)
PLAYER GP BLK AVG
------ -- --- ---
David Robinson, SAS 6 18 3.0
Patrick Ewing, NYK 5 15 3.0
Shawn Kemp, SEA 5 15 3.0
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU 6 14 2.3
Elden Campbell, LAL 4 9 2.3
Greg Ostertag, UTH 7 15 2.1
Robert Horry, HOU 6 10 1.7
Steve Smith, ATL 6 10 1.7
Luc Longley, CHI 5 7 1.4
Scottie Pippen, CHI 5 7 1.4
Charles Smith, SAS 6 8 1.3
Antonio Davis, IND 5 6 1.2
Dale Davis, IND 5 6 1.2
Ervin Johnson, SEA 6 7 1.2
Christian Laettner, ATL 6 7 1.2
Felton Spencer, UTH 7 8 1.1
Antoine Carr, UTH 7 7 1.0
Clifford Robinson, POR 5 5 1.0
Stacey Augmon, ATL 6 5 0.8
Buck Williams, POR 5 4 0.8
nba.856dizel,
> => Mnogo je dobar cesto puta,ali kada je najbitnije(najcesce
> protiv => famoznog Cikaga) zakaze...
>
> A mozda i protiv Houstona u finalu ;)
Auuuuu, tada me je najvise iznervirao...
U poslednjoj utakmici je imao sut npr. 15/1...
A u prethodnim mecevima je bio super...
Ali, nadam se da ce sada zaigrati dobro, kao u
one dve prve utakmice, kada je pre par
godina, dok je Dzordan jos igrao za Bullse,
New York poveo sa 2:0, pobedama u svojoj hali...
Tada je Starka bio njabolji na terenu, potpuno zaustavio
Dzordana (potpuno znaci da je Dzordan postigao "samo" 20 poena), :))
ali je sam postizao po 25...
Posle toga vise nije pruzao takve partije i Bullsi su taj duel dobili
sa 4:2.
Ne volim New York mnogo, ali Cikago mnogo mrzim, pa zato zelim
da se dogodi iznenadjenje u ovom duelu!!!(sto je verovatno nemoguce,,,)
Ali,nema veze.
nba.857junior,
> Ne, idu samo pregledi i snimke u standardnom večernjem terminu.
A koji su to standardni termini ? Nikako da uhvatim NBA Action ;(
nba.858vpoznanovic,
KUKOC INJURES BACK, WILL MISS GAMES IN NEW YORK
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc injured his lower
back in practice Friday at the team's practice facility, and the team
doctor said Kukoc will miss the next two games of the Eastern
Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.
The Bulls lead the best-of-7 series 2-0 heading into Games 3 and 4
Saturday and Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Trainer Chip Schaefer said Kukoc suffered a lower lumbar injury while
doing a jump-stop maneuver near the end of the workout. Kukoc was
taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, team physician
Dr. James Hefferon said.
"He jammed his back in practice today and he was in a lot of pain, a
lot of back spasms -- so much so it was hard for him to even get up
off the floor," Hefferon said. "He's feeling much better now."
Kukoc missed the team flight to New York and was scheduled to undergo
a magnetic-resonance imaging test later Friday to determine the extent
of the injury.
Hefferon compared the back injury to an ankle sprain in which the
joint is severely twisted.
"The ligaments will get sprained and the muscles will tighten up in
order to protect the back, and that's basically we think what happened
to Toni," Hefferon said.
Game 5, if necessary, is scheduled back at Chicago on Tuesday night.
Kukoc was one key to the Bulls' record-breaking 72-10 regular season.
He averaged 13.1 points while shooting 49 percent from the field and
40 percent on 3-pointers.
Since the playoffs began, he lost the touch on his 3-point shot,
missing 23 of 24 attempts. He is averaging 11.2 points and 4.2
rebounds in five playoff games.
nba.859vpoznanovic,
BULLS' ASSISTANT CLEAMONS FINED FOR VERBAL CONFRONTATION
NEW YORK -- The NBA fined Chicago Bulls' assistant coach Jim Cleamons
$2,500 Friday for his actions during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference
semifinals on Tuesday.
Cleamons was fined for initiating a verbal confrontation with New York
Knicks' center Patrick Ewing during Chicago's 91-80 victory.
Cleamons is in his seventh year with the Bulls and has been highly
touted as a future NBA head coach. He played in the NBA for nine years
and was a teammate of head coach Phil Jackson with the Knicks in
1977-78.
The Bulls lead the best-of-7 series, 2-0, with Game 3 scheduled for
Saturday at New York.
nba.860vpoznanovic,
WAKE FOREST'S DUNCAN CHOOSES SCHOOL OVER NBA DRAFT
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Tim Duncan, a consensus All-American at Wake
Forest last season, announced Friday that he will return to the
Atlantic Coast Conference school for his senior season, bucking the
trend of undergraduates leaving early to enter the NBA Draft.
Duncan resisted the money of the NBA, something Connecticut junior Ray
Allen, Massachusetts junior Marcus Camby, Georgetown sophomore Allen
Iverson and Georgia Tech freshman Stephon Marbury all could not. All
are expected to be drafted in the Top 10, possibly even the first five
selections. Duncan would have drawn consideration as the top overall
pick.
"Being a part of Wake Forest and the basketball program here has meant
a great deal to me the past three years," said Duncan in a prepared
statement. "At this point in my life, I feel the best thing for me is
to remain at Wake Forest for another year. I have a strong desire to
complete my degree, which I can do next spring, and believe that the
additional time spent here will only benefit my development as a
basketball player as well."
The 6-foot-11 center enjoyed a banner year, averaging 19.1 points and
12.3 rebounds in 32 games. Duncan shot 55.5 percent from the field and
blocked 120 shots, raising his three-year total to 379, third in the
conference and eighth in NCAA history.
Duncan was the ACC Player of the Year and was named to the all-ACC
regular season and conference tournament first teams for the second
consecutive season as well as the Defensive Player of the Year. He
closed the season with seven consecutive double-doubles in points and
rebounds as Wake Forest advanced to the Midwest Regional Finals,
losing to eventual champion Kentucky 83-63.
Duncan's scoring has improved each of the last two years. After
scoring just under 10 points per game freshman year, Duncan averaged
16.8 points as a sophomore before netting just over 19 per game last
year.
"The presence that Tim has shown on the basketball floor for three
years has been just as evident the past few weeks as he as gone about
making this decision," said Wake Forest coach Dave Odom. "I am amazed
at his ability to concentrate on academicism, enjoy life as a student
and still move forward with this process. I truly believe this was his
decision alone."
Wake Forest has posted a 73-24 record in Duncan's three seasons,
winning consecutive ACC Tournaments in 1995 and 1996. The Demon
Deacons have a 6-3 record in the NCAA Tournament with Duncan and last
year's regional final appearance was the deepest entry into the NCAA
Tournament for the first time since 1962, when they finished third.
nba.861vpoznanovic,
NO BULL: DAMPIER MIGHT DOG MSU FOR NBA
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State junior center Erick Dampier
threw his name into the NBA draft on Friday but said he won't hire and
agent in order to keep open the possibility of returning to college
next season.
In a statement released by Mississippi State, the 6-foot-11, 265-pound
Dampier said he was submitting his name for the June 26 draft "in
order to begin gathering information about my possible draft
position."
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is midnight
Sunday.
Dampier, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection, is the
second MSU underclassman to declare his draft eligibility since the
Bulldogs appeared in their first-ever NCAA Final Four.
Junior forward Dontae' Jones made himself available after playing just
one season at State. But Jones cannot return to school since he has
already signed with an agent.
Dampier averaged 14.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game
this past season for the Bulldogs, who set a school record with 26
victories.
"Erick is basically in a situation where he can only make a positive
decision at this time because of his expected high draft position,
whether it be opting for the NBA or returning to school," Mississippi
State coach Richard Williams said.
Because he hasn't signed with an agent, Dampier has until 48 hours
before the draft to withdraw his name and keep his college
eligibility.
If a players goes through the draft, he can still return to school,
but his rights are bound to the team that drafted him.
Dampier is 13th on Mississippi State's career scoring list with 1,231
career points and is fourth with 859 career rebounds. He is one of
only four Bulldogs who have scored at least 1,000 points and grabbed
800 rebounds.
During MSU's Final Four season, Dampier set a school record with 106
blocked shots and he also holds the career record with 249.
nba.862vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (94) At Orlando (120)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 27 1-4 0-0 1 2 3 3 2 0 2 2
Long F 21 2-9 0-0 2 2 4 3 0 2 0 5
Laettner C 32 8-12 3-3 1 5 6 0 6 2 2 20
Smith G 37 6-14 5-6 2 2 4 5 3 1 2 18
Blaylock G 42 8-14 3-4 1 2 3 3 1 0 5 25
Ehlo 22 0-3 2-2 0 1 1 3 1 1 3 2
Henderson 27 2-7 4-5 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 8
Rooks 16 2-4 4-4 1 3 4 1 5 2 0 8
Jordan 6 1-2 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 3
Bullard 8 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 3
Boyce 2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-75 22-26 10 21 31 18 22 9 16 94
(.413) (.846) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 16(21 PTS)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 35 7-12 0-0 2 5 7 1 2 0 0 17
Grant F 32 7-13 0-0 3 8 11 2 2 1 1 14
Oneal C 32 11-15 6-8 4 5 9 5 3 1 5 28
Anderson G 31 6-11 8-8 1 2 3 5 1 6 2 22
Hardaway G 29 5-13 4-4 1 2 3 7 1 2 2 15
Koncak 13 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 0 0
Shaw 22 3-6 0-0 1 3 4 6 0 0 1 8
Bowie 16 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 0 2
Wolf 16 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 4
Royal 8 1-2 3-4 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 5
Bonner 3 1-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Thompson 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 2
Totals 240 45-85 22-26 15 31 46 30 20 10 12 120
(.529) (.846) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 12(10 PTS)
Atlanta 19 27 20 28 - 94
Orlando 36 31 22 31 - 120
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Long, Laettner, Smith, Blaylock. Orlando -
Oneal, Bowie, Thompson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 10-27 (.370), Long 1-3, Laettner 1-3, Smith
1-4, Blaylock 6-10, Ehlo 0-2, Bullard 1-3, Boyce 0-2. Orlando 8-17 (.471),
Scott 3-6, Anderson 2-4, Hardaway 1-3, Shaw 2-3, Thompson 0-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Joe Forte, Don Vaden.
A - 17,248. T - 2:08.
nba.863vpoznanovic,
FE, FI ... HO HUM: MAGIC GIANT HURTS HAWKS AGAIN
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Gigantic center Shaquille O'Neal has dominated the
first two games of Orlando's second-round playoff series against the
Atlanta Hawks -- but don't be tricked into thinking the Magic is a
one-man team.
O'Neal had 28 points and nine rebounds and Nick Anderson had 22 points
and six steals on Friday as Orlando won 120-94 and took a 2-0 lead in
their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Dennis Scott had 17 points and seven rebounds, Horace Grant had 14
points and 11 rebounds and Anfernee Hardaway had 15 points and seven
assists before sitting out with injuries to his hamstrings.
"They shot the ball extremely well in these two games," Atlanta coach
Lenny Wilkens said. "You know that Shaquille and Penny (Hardaway) are
going to play well, but the two guys I feel are really key and have
made a huge difference are Horace Grant and Nick Anderson. Those two
guys have been incredible. It's like they don't miss a shot."
Orlando shot 53 percent (43 for 83) from the field. O'Neal was 11 for
15 from the floor and the frontcourt of Grant, Scott and O'Neal missed
just 15 of 40 shots. Anderson was six for 11 from the floor.
The 7-foot-1, 305-pound O'Neal, who set a franchise playoff record in
Game 1 with 41 points, continued to pound the smaller frontline of the
Hawks, scoring 25 in the first half for the second game in a row.
"We just played good team basketball," O'Neal said. "When guys get
doubled, they pass it out to the open guys who make plays."
Scott scored five points in the series-opener and was the only Orlando
starter who failed to reach double figures in that game. In Game 2, he
scored eight of his 17 points during a 21-7 run that gave the Magic a
36-19 lead after one quarter.
"Everybody's just stepping up and making big contributions right now,
and that's what you want this time of year," Orlando coach Brian Hill
said. "We even got it from our bench tonight -- 24 points and 13
rebounds. It was a real good win for us."
Hardaway sat out the entire fourth quarter after straining his right
hamstring. He already was playing with a tender left hamstring.
"His right hamstring just tightened up," Orlando trainer Lenny Currier
said. "He went along and he just wasn't able to get loose. He really
started to favor it in the third period. When the period ended, he
really didn't need to go any further, so we brought him out of the
ball game at that point."
Mookie Blaylock scored 26 points and Christian Laettner added 20
points for Atlanta, which has never rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win
a playoff series.
"They played two great games," Blaylock said. "It's hard to go in
there and stop Shaq. You go double, and they hit the threes.
"They're not as great on the road as they are at home. We beat them at
home before, so we know what to do."
Game 3 is Sunday at Atlanta, where the Hawks beat Orlando twice during
the regular season.
Grant Long pulled Atlanta within 15-12 with 6:23 left in the first
quarter before the Magic broke the game open. Grant started the burst
with a 19-footer, Scott had a layup and Hardaway added a layup to make
it 21-12 with 4:39 remaining.
Long answered with a 3-pointer, but Grant hit an 18-foot jumper and
Scott connected on a 3-pointer to make it 26-15 with 2:52 remaining.
Laettner hit a jumper before Hardaway responded with two jumpers
around a 3-pointer by Scott to push the lead to 33-17.
Laettner hit a layup before Hardaway canned a three-pointer at the
buzzer to give Orlando a 36-19 lead after 12 minutes.
Atlanta got no closer than 17 points and the Magic opened up its
largest lead of the game at 57-28 after Anderson threw down the second
of his consecutive dunks.
nba.864vpoznanovic,
Seattle (115) At Houston (112)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Schrempf F 38 10-15 7-8 0 5 5 5 4 3 2 28
Kemp F 41 6-19 9-10 8 10 18 3 3 2 6 21
Johnson C 12 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Hawkins G 28 5-8 0-0 0 4 4 3 2 1 1 10
Payton G 44 12-19 2-4 1 0 1 8 1 0 4 28
Mcmillan 23 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 0
Perkins 33 5-8 5-6 0 4 4 2 3 2 0 17
Askew 18 3-5 4-6 1 2 3 3 5 1 0 11
Brickowski 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingate Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-78 27-34 12 26 38 28 22 10 14 115
(.526) (.794) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 14(13 PTS)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 34 3-8 0-0 1 4 5 0 5 2 3 7
Brown F 27 5-8 1-2 1 4 5 1 2 0 2 11
Olajuwon C 46 7-12 10-11 2 11 13 9 3 2 7 24
Drexler G 37 10-21 5-6 1 2 3 2 5 2 0 28
Smith G 48 8-15 6-6 2 2 4 11 5 2 2 27
Bryant 15 0-1 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 0
Elie 23 4-10 3-3 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 13
Cassell 10 0-4 2-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 2
Chilcutt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Mack Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-79 27-30 8 26 34 25 27 8 16 112
(.468) (.900) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 17(21 PTS)
Seattle 28 34 28 25 - 115
Houston 37 29 18 28 - 112
Blocked Shots: Seattle - D Schrempf, Kemp, Johnson, Askew. Houston -
Olajuwon 3, Horry 2, Elie.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 6-13 (.462), D Schrempf 1-2, Hawkins 0-2,
Payton 2-4, Perkins 2-3, Askew 1-2. Houston 11-27 (.407), Horry 1-4,
Drexler 3-8, Smith 5-10, Elie 2-4, Cassell 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Steve Javie, Ed F Rush.
A - 16,285. T - 2:27.
nba.865vpoznanovic,
Seattle 115, Houston 112
HOUSTON -- Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf scored 28 points apiece as
the Seattle SuperSonics rallied from a 16-point first-quarter deficit
and posted a 115-112 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday,
pushing the two-time defending NBA champions to the brink of playoff
elimination.
The Sonics can close out the best-of-7 second-round series in Game 4
on Sunday in Houston.
"Three wins feels good, but it's not over and it doesn't feel that
good," Payton said. "It'll feel a lot better when we get number four."
Shawn Kemp had 21 points and 18 rebounds for Seattle, which has won 12
consecutive games against Houston since a loss on March 10, 1994.
The Sonics fell behind 11-2 at the start of Friday's game and 26-10
after Houston guard Clyde Drexler made a basket with 4:31 remaining in
the opening quarter.
"We knew the storm was coming early. We called timeout and told
ourselves to calm down," Kemp said. "We knew down two games, they'd
come out shooting for the stars."
Seattle, which failed to advance to the second round the past two
seasons, is one victory away from advancing to the conference finals
for the first time since 1993, when the Sonics lost to Phoenix in
seven games.
Drexler scored 28 points and Kenny Smith added 22 of his 27 in the
first half for Houston, which has won its past eight playoff games
when facing elimination. The Rockets, the only team to rally from a
3-1 deficit in playoff history, will now try to become the first team
to rally from a 3-0 deficit.
"It's a position that I don't like and I don't feel comfortable with,
but we're going to try and give it our all on Sunday and that's all we
can do," Houston swingman Mario Elie said.
"We're just going to have to go out and do it," Drexler said. "No one
else has done it before."
Houston took its final lead of the game on a layup by Robert Horry for
a 95-93 advantage with 9:32 to play. The Sonics then went on an 8-2
burst. Sam Perkins hit a hook shot and Vincent Askew made two free
throws to give Seattle a 97-95 edge.
Smith tied the score with two free throws of his own before Hersey
Hawkins had a runner and Kemp added a steal and dunk to give the
Sonics a 101-97 lead with 4:28 to go.
Mario Elie and Horry hit 3-pointers around a basket and free throw by
Perkins, cutting the deficit to 104-103 with 2:44 left.
Kemp and Perkins each hit two free throws around a hook shot by
Schrempf, pushing Seattle's lead to 110-103 with 1:23 remaining.
Houston countered with a 9-3 burst, capped by a 26-footer by Elie to
pull the Rockets within 113-112 with 13.9 seconds to play.
Payton hit two free throws to make it 115-112 with 10.2 seconds to go.
Houston inbounded the ball to Elie, who dribbled up the right side of
the court and launched a hurried 3-pointer from nearly the identical
spot of his made one, but it bounced off the rim.
Payton also had eight assists for Seattle. He is averaging 22.4 points
and 6.9 assists in seven games in the playoffs. Perkins added 17
points off the bench for the Sonics, who shot 53 percent (41 for 78)
from the field.
"This is a special team," Payton said. "We stay poised. We stick
together. Right now, we're just playing ball. We found an answer to
everything they've thrown at us and we've executed on those answers."
Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon was one assist shy of a triple-double,
finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Elie added 13
points off the bench for Houston, which shot 47 percent (37 for 79)
from the floor and 11 for 27 from 3-point range. Smith also dished out
11 assists.
"I thought it wasn't a very good basketball game, but there was some
great individual performances," Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
"I thought we played hard, but we're playing against a very good
basketball team. We had some costly turnovers in the fourth quarter.
They just seem to come in spurts and that really hurts you, especially
in a close game."
Houston had taken an 82-81 lead with 4:10 to go in the third quarter
on a basket by Elie, but the Sonics closed the quarter with a 9-2 run,
capped by dunks by Payton and Schrempf.
The Rockets countered with a 11-3 run, capped by Horry's basket with
9:32 to play.
Seattle outscored the Rockets 58-36 in the paint and 16-4 in
transition.
"I thought we had them and even in the fourth quarter when we were up
by one," said Smith, who was eight for 15 from the field. "They just
made the big offensive plays. They've been making them all series. I'm
just waiting for it to not work and it can change the whole series.
One game can propel you two more a lot of times."
nba.866dizel,
> => Mnogo je dobar cesto puta,ali kada je najbitnije(najcesce
> protiv => famoznog Cikaga) zakaze...
>
> A mozda i protiv Houstona u finalu ;)
Auuuuu, tada me je najvise iznervirao...
U poslednjoj utakmici je imao sut npr. 15/1...
A u prethodnim mecevima je bio super...
Ali, nadam se da ce sada zaigrati dobro, kao u
one dve prve utakmice, kada je pre par
godina, dok je Dzordan jos igrao za Bullse,
New York poveo sa 2:0, pobedama u svojoj hali...
Tada je Starka bio njabolji na terenu, potpuno zaustavio
Dzordana (potpuno znaci da je Dzordan postigao "samo" 20 poena), :))
ali je sam postizao po 25...
Posle toga vise nije pruzao takve partije i Bullsi su taj duel dobili
sa 4:2.
Ne volim New York mnogo, ali Cikago mnogo mrzim, pa zato zelim
da se dogodi iznenadjenje u ovom duelu!!!(sto je verovatno nemoguce,,,)
Ali,nema veze.
nba.867kant,
> Hvala, hvala, i tebi i ostalima koji su podržali tu ideju :),
> ali ipak nije mi to bila namjera. Pokušao sam baš da istaknem
> da se ne postavlja pitanje da li ću produžiti pretplatu, već
> kada ću to uraditi - odmah ili u julu.
Naravno da ti to nije bila namera...Jednostavno smatram da to
što radiš ima veliki značaj za conf. i za SEZAM kao sistem i da
su zvaničnici sa SEZAM-a davno trebali da reaguju i na neki
način pokažu da cene tvoj trud. Možda bi to nekoga motivisalo da
radi nešto slično u nekoj drugoj conf. U svakom slučaju, "ako te
se sete na Dan bezbednosti, sete se", ako ne, još jednom hvala u
ime par ljudi kojima zaista mnogo znače tvoji prilozi.
> Zaista ne bih volio da junski ispitni rok dovedem u pitanje
> kao što sam zamalo aprilski.
Srećno na ispitima.
nba.868dizel,
> Naravno da ti to nije bila namera...Jednostavno smatram da to
> sto radis ima veliki znacaj za conf. i za SEZAM kao sistem i da
> su zvanicnici sa SEZAM-a davno trebali da reaguju i na neki
> nacin pokazu da cene tvoj trud. Mozda bi to nekoga motivisalo
> da radi nesto slicno u nekoj drugoj conf. U svakom slucaju,
> "ako te se sete na Dan bezbednosti, sete se", ako ne, jos
> jednom hvala u ime par ljudi kojima zaista mnogo znace tvoji
> prilozi.
>
Predlazem da svi ucesnici konferencije sport koje interesuju
vesti koje salje vpoznanovic nacine nekakvu inicijativu,
u stilu peticije illi nekog protesta, u cilju omogucavanja
besplatnog pristupa vpoznanovica ovom sistemu...
Ko je za?
nba.869vpoznanovic,
ORLANDO'S HARDAWAY UNCERTAIN FOR SUNDAY'S GAME
ORLANDO, Fla.-- Orlando Magic point guard Anfernee Hardaway is
uncertain for Sunday's playoff game at Atlanta due to sore hamstrings.
Hardaway left in the third quarter of Friday's 120-94 rout of the
Atlanta Hawks and did not return. He finished with 15 points and seven
assists in 29 minutes.
"His right hamstring just tightened up," said Orlando trainer Lenny
Currier after Friday's game. "He went along and he just wasn't able to
get loose. He really started to favor it in the third period, so when
the period ended, he really didn't need to go any further, so we
brought him out of the game at that point."
Hardaway did not participate in a light workout Saturday morning and
will continue to receive treatment for the hamstrings Saturday and
Sunday.
"Penny has played with a sore left hamstring since the Detroit series
and overcompensated with the right one," said Magic coach Brian Hill.
"Actually, the right hamstring is better today but the left one is
still giving him pain. Hopefully, the next 24 hours will make it
better."
The Magic lead the Hawks, two games to none, with Game 3 Sunday
afternoon and Game 4 Monday night at Atlanta.
Hardaway played all 82 games this season and averaged 21.7 points, 7.1
assists and 4.3 rebounds. He has averaged 20.8 points, 7.0 assists and
4.8 rebounds in five playoff games, all wins for Orlando.
nba.870vpoznanovic,
Chicago (99) At New York (102) - Final In Ot
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Rodman F 52 2-4 3-3 2 14 16 3 4 3 3 7
Pippen F 49 10-29 0-0 4 4 8 6 4 3 4 24
Longley C 26 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 5 0 0 6
Jordan G 51 17-35 10-13 3 1 4 2 2 2 4 46
Harper G 36 1-8 1-2 1 2 3 1 5 2 0 4
Wennington 15 2-4 0-0 2 1 3 0 3 0 1 4
Kerr 24 3-5 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 2 1 6
Buechler 7 0-0 2-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2
Salley 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Edwards 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brown Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Kukoc Dnp - Sore Lower Back
Totals 265 38-92 16-20 12 24 36 16 28 12 13 99
(.413) (.800) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 14(22 PTS)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Oakley F 44 4-8 5-6 4 9 13 2 4 2 7 13
Mason F 49 7-10 4-6 3 7 10 2 2 1 3 18
Ewing C 45 8-15 6-8 2 11 13 3 2 0 1 22
Starks G 43 11-18 3-5 0 4 4 6 5 3 3 30
Harper G 39 1-11 1-1 0 1 1 2 2 1 2 3
Ward 20 5-6 2-4 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 12
Davis 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Anderson 18 1-6 2-3 0 1 1 0 2 1 3 4
Grandison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 37-75 23-33 10 36 46 17 19 9 20 102
(.493) (.697) Team Rebs: 16 Total To: 21(23 PTS)
Chicago 17 21 20 30 11 - 99
New York 25 18 19 26 14 - 102
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Rodman, Harper. New York - Ewing 3.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 7-21 (.333), Pippen 4-11, Jordan 2-5, Harper
1-4, Kerr 0-1. New York 5-17 (.294), Oakley 0-1, Starks 5-8, Harper 0-5,
Ward 0-1, Anderson 0-2.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman, New York - Oakley.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Hue Hollins, Joe Derosa.
A - 19,763. T - 3:02.
nba.871vpoznanovic,
KNICKS THROW UP ROADBLOCK IN BULLS' PATH
NEW YORK -- The collapse of the New York Knicks was all too imminent
and even expected. After all, these are the Chicago Bulls. A late
fourth-quarter rush. Some turnovers from the Knicks. Some magic from
that Michael Jordan fellow.
All that did happen. Except the Knicks won.
Patrick Ewing scored five of his 22 points in overtime as the Knicks
survived another fourth-quarter collapse and 46 points by Michael
Jordan for a 102-99 victory over Chicago, the Bulls' first loss in
this year's playoffs.
The Knicks blew an eight-point lead in the final 90 seconds as Jordan
rallied the Bulls from an 88-80 deficit by scoring the final eight
points of regulation. Chicago still leads the best-of-seven series
2-1, with Game 4 at New York on Sunday.
"The only people that feel we're pushovers were the media," Ewing
said. "I know we're capable of beating this team. We let two games get
away from us in Chicago, came back and won this one and we have
another one tomorrow. We're focused on that and we'll come out hard."
Ewing, who has been blamed for the team's poor play in the late stages
of games, answered his critics with a free throw and a pair of big
baskets in the final 2Ż minutes of overtime. He made a tough runner in
the lane and a jumper to give the Knicks a 98-97 lead with 37 seconds
to go.
Charles Oakley then stripped the ball from Jordan and John Starks
recovered. Jordan fouled Starks, who made two foul shots with 27
seconds left. Scottie Pippen dunked and Oakley made two free throws
before Pippen missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
"I never figured we were invincible. If there was an aura around us
because of the 72 games we won in the regular season, I don't think
(the players) felt that way," Jordan said.
Starks, who made just two shots in the first two games, scored 30
points but rushed a baseline jumper and missed in the waning moments
of regulation, drawing a glare from Ewing, who was open.
"I thought John Starks had a tremendous game for us," Ewing said. "He
got out of his slump he had in the first two games and came up big."
It was Starks, Ewing and unheralded Charlie Ward who helped the Knicks
build their 13-point lead. Ward made a pair of drives around Ewing's
jumper to give New York a 73-67 lead and added another after two
baskets by Jordan to rebuild the lead to 10 points.
The Bulls played without forward Toni Kukoc, who will also miss
Sunday's game with a back injury. Kukoc was Chicago's third-leading
scorer during the regular season and playoffs, but is just one for 24
from 3-point range in the postseason.
Pippen scored 24 points but shot just 10 of 29 from the field. His
cold shooting left the Bulls standing around and watching Jordan
again, just as they did in Game 1, when Jordan bailed them out with 44
points. He is averaging nearly 40 points per game in the series.
The Knicks led 82-69 with 5Ż minutes remaining in the fourth quarter
and still held an 88-80 advantage after Ewing's jumper with 1:30 to go
before coming apart, just as they did in the final period of the first
two games in Chicago.
Jordan sank a 3-pointer and Pippen made a steal to set up another
jumper by Jordan that cut the deficit to 88-85 with 45 seconds to go.
Oakley traveled to set up Jordan's game-tying 3-pointer with 19
seconds left.
"We spent a lot of energy," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who made a
statement then declined to answer questions after the game. "It's
going to be real interesting tomorrow to see which team can step up,
resuscitate, and come back with a kind of game plan."
Jordan was held to two points for the first 16 minutes of the second
half but scored 16 points in the final eight minutes of the fourth
quarter. Pippen and Starks traded 3-pointers in overtime before Jordan
made a jumper, two free throws and a follow shot to give the Bulls a
97-94 lead with 2:03 to go.
Anthony Mason scored 18 points and Oakley had 13 points and 13
rebounds for the Knicks, who shot 49 percent (37 of 76) from the field
and held a 46-36 rebounding advantage. Ward scored 12 points, Ewing
had 13 rebounds and Mason 10.
Dennis Rodman played all but 10 seconds and had seven points and 16
rebounds for the Bulls, who shot just 41 percent (38 of 92). Pippen
missed 14 of his first 18 shots.
The Knicks cooled off Jordan in the third quarter, holding him to two
points. But they got careless and relinquished the lead for the first
time. A 3-pointer by Ron Harper pulled the Bulls within one point, and
Pippen stole a bad inbounds pass and made a 3-pointer, giving Chicago
a 51-49 lead with 6:03 to go in the period.
New York bounced back with eight straight points. Mason made a free
throw and Starks sank a 3-pointer to give the Knicks the lead for good
at 53-51 with 4:57 to go. Ewing's turnaround jumper and Oakley's
tip-in extended the advantage to 57-51.
The Bulls closed to 60-58 and had a chance to tie the score or regain
the lead, but Steve Kerr missed a layup and lost his dribble out of
bounds after making a pair of backcourt steals. Mason's drive gave the
Knicks a 62-58 lead entering the final period.
Starks, who scored just 16 points in the first two games, came out
animated and aggressive. He had 13 points in the first half as the
Knicks gained control early and held a 43-38 lead.
Jordan kept the Bulls in it with 22 points. He shot seven for 14 from
the field but his teammates were just seven of 22, including an awful
three-for-13 showing by Pippen.
Mason scored six points and Starks five in a 13-0 run midway through
the first quarter as the Bulls missed seven straight shots. A steal
and reverse dunk by Starks capped the burst and gave the Knicks a 19-6
lead.
With Kukoc in Chicago and Pippen off target, Jordan again was the
focal point of the offense, scoring 11 points in the first quarter,
which ended with New York holding a 25-17 lead.
nba.872vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (75) At Utah (105)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 31 5-11 6-6 1 4 5 0 3 0 2 17
Smith F 10 1-2 0-0 0 4 4 0 4 0 3 2
Robinson C 35 4-10 3-9 4 5 9 1 1 0 1 11
Del Negro G 41 6-12 1-1 0 2 2 0 2 2 1 15
Johnson G 35 2-9 3-4 0 2 2 10 2 1 2 7
W Perdue 14 3-4 2-2 4 2 6 0 1 0 1 8
C Person 21 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 2 5
Alexander 18 3-6 2-2 0 0 0 2 3 1 2 8
Anderson 11 0-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 0
Williams 15 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 2
Herrera 9 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 0
Rivers Dnp - Did Not Travel
Totals 240 27-67 17-24 12 22 34 14 23 6 18 75
(.403) (.708) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 19(13 PTS)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Morris F 27 5-8 0-0 1 4 5 2 2 3 1 12
Malone F 33 14-24 4-7 5 6 11 6 2 1 0 32
Spencer C 15 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 2 0 4
Hornacek G 31 6-11 3-3 1 1 2 5 0 0 1 17
Stockton G 29 2-6 1-1 1 1 2 7 3 1 2 6
Eisley 24 6-6 2-2 1 1 2 4 0 0 1 14
Ostertag 12 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 4 0 0 2
Russell 28 4-8 0-0 2 2 4 1 2 0 3 10
Keefe 15 1-3 1-1 1 5 6 0 0 0 0 3
Carr 11 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 1 2 0
Benoit 12 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 5
Foster 3 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0
Totals 240 43-81 11-14 15 25 40 29 19 8 12 105
(.531) (.786) Team Rebs: 4 Total To: 13(14 PTS)
San Antonio 20 22 16 17 - 75
Utah 32 19 32 22 - 105
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Robinson 3, Del Negro. Utah - Morris,
Malone, Spencer, Stockton, Carr.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 4-10 (.400), Elliott 1-4, Del Negro 2-2, C
Person 1-2, Alexander 0-2. Utah 8-12 (.667), Morris 2-3, Malone 0-1,
Hornacek 2-2, Stockton 1-2, Russell 2-2, Benoit 1-2.
Technicals: San Antonio - Head Coach Hill, C Person 2 (Ejected), Utah -
Illegal Defense, Carr.
Officials: Jess Kersey, Bennett Salvatore, Terry Durham.
A - 19,911. T - 2:16.
nba.873vpoznanovic,
ALL THAT JAZZ IS MORE THAN SPURS CAN HANDLE
SALT LAKE CITY -- Game 3 was definitely All that Jazz. And a lot of
the Mailman. And even more of that defense. And very little of David
Robinson.
Karl Malone scored 32 points and shut down Robinson as the Utah Jazz
smothered the San Antonio Spurs 105-75 on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead
in their Western Conference semifinal series.
Jeff Hornacek scored 10 of his 17 points during a pair of decisive
third-quarter bursts for the Jazz, who limited the Spurs to 75 points
for the second game in the series. Game 4 is Sunday night at Salt Lake
City.
Robinson, guarded by the shorter Malone for much of the game, managed
just 11 points. He shot just four of 10 from the field and three of
nine from the foul line and netted just three points in the second
half, when the Spurs were held to just 33 points.
"This is crazy," Robinson said. "It was a time when we had a good
opportunity in here and today wasn't an example of good basketball.
They're looking good and we haven't scored. We have to figure a way to
put the ball in the basket a lot better than we have been."
San Antonio has been held to its second-lowest playoff total in its
two losses in Games 1 and 3. Utah was limited to a team playoff
record-low 77 points in losing Game 2.
"They were very physical with us," Spurs coach Bob Hill said. "They
put us on our heels and basically the game was over. We were very
apologetic, we didn't fight back, we didn't get dirty.
"They told us what they were going to do in the paper. They called our
bluff. They put it in the paper and then they did it and we didn't
respond."
Malone scored 21 points in the first half and held Robinson to eight
as the Jazz opened a 51-42 lead. Malone and Hornacek scored four
points apiece in a 10-2 run that opened the third quarter and gave the
Jazz a 61-44 lead with 7:17 left in the period.
Hornacek had a free throw, 20-footer and 3-pointer during an 11-4
burst that closed the quarter and gave the Jazz an 83-58 bulge. Utah
shot 72 percent (13 of 18) from the field in the period and held San
Antonio to 29-percent shooting (five of 17).
"Going to the basket strong sets the tone for us. I see what the
defense gives me and play off that," said Malone.
The Jazz never trailed by less than 22 points thereafter and opened
its largest lead at 103-70 on a short jumper by Howard Eisley with
3:45 to go.
Eisley scored 14 points off the bench and Chris Morris 12 for Utah,
which shot 53 percent (43 of 81) to 40 percent for San Antonio.
Sean Elliott scored 17 points and Vinny Del Negro 15 for the Spurs,
who committed 19 turnovers. Forward Chuck Person was ejected for
arguing with a referee late in the third quarter.
Malone scored 16 points in the first quarter, including eight in a
14-3 run the Jazz used to take control for good. Utah held a 32-20
lead after one period.
"When Karl is going, the rest of the team feeds off him -- and we all
really get going. He was in the groove today," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan
said.
nba.874vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago leads New York 2-1
Sunday May 5 Chicago 91, New York 84
Tuesday May 7 Chicago 91, New York 80
Saturday May 11 New York 102, Chicago 99 (OT)
Sunday May 12 at New York 5:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Chicago TBA
Thursday May 16 *at New York TBA
Sunday May 19 *at Chicago TBA NBC
Orlando leads Atlanta 2-0
Wednesday May 8 Orlando 117, Atlanta 105
Friday May 10 Orlando 120, Atlanta 94
Sunday May 12 at Atlanta 12:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 13 at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Wednesday May 15 *at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 17 *at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 19 *at Orlando TBA NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle leads Houston 3-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 Seattle 105, Houston 101
Friday May 10 Seattle 115, Houston 112
Sunday May 12 at Houston 3 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 14 *at Seattle TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Houston TBA
Saturday May 18 *at Seattle TBA NBC
Utah leads San Antonio 2-1
Tuesday May 7 Utah 95, San Antonio 75
Thursday May 9 San Antonio 88, Utah 77
Saturday May 11 Utah 105, San Antonio 75
Sunday May 12 at Utah 8:30 p.m. TNT
Tuesday May 14 *at San Antonio TBA
Thursday May 16 *at Utah TBA
Saturday May 18 *at San Antonio TBA NBC
nba.875dizel,
> Chicago (99) At New York (102) - Final In Ot
Najzad! :)
Cikago je izgubio!
> 3-pt field goals: Starks 5-8
Starks je proradio!
Samo da tako nastavi i Jordan i ekipa ce imati mnogo tezi posao!
NEW YORK!
nba.876dizel,
> San Antonio (75) At Utah (105)
>
Sta se desava sa San Antoniom.Ovo je drugi poraz od Jute, i to opet
sa velikom razlikom (prvi put sa 20, a ovog puta sa cak 30 razlike).
Del Negro cele sezone nije promasivao, a sad sutira u stili 11-2...
Robinson cas igra dobro, cas nema pojma...
U najmanju ruku, cudno.
nba.877lexus,
=> Sta se desava sa San Antoniom.Ovo je drugi poraz od Jute, i to opet
=> sa velikom razlikom (prvi put sa 20, a ovog puta sa cak 30
=> razlike). Del Negro cele sezone nije promasivao, a sad sutira u
=> stili 11-2... Robinson cas igra dobro, cas nema pojma...
Dešava se da su naleteli na Jazzere ;)
Utah igra odličnu odbranu protiv San Antonia i zasad uspeva :)))
Mailman je zaustavio Robinsona na ovoj utakmici.
A što se tvoje konstatacije da Admiral čas igra dobro, čas nema
pojma tiče, u pravu si. I to nije samo ove sezone, nego stalno.
Čoveku se dešava da se potpuno izgubi na terenu, ne prati akcije,
zamišljen je... Što reče Vlada Olić: "Robinson svira saksofon u mislima,
umesto da prati dešavanja na terenu." :)))))
nba.878vitez.koja,
Sietl - Hjuston 4 : 0
Hjuston stigao -20 u poslednjoj četvrtini (bilo je oko 9 min. do
kraja) serijom trojki i presingom po celom terenu uspeo izboriti
produžetak...
Hjuston bio na -4, Olajdžuvon promašuje 2 bacanja na 4 min. pre
kraja, Sietl opet ide na +9, minut i po do kraja. Opet presing
Hjustona i Hori (2 puta) i Kasel (4 sec pre kraja) postižu trojke,
Dreksler daje 2 bacanja, a sa druge strane samo Pejton pravi ulaz (15
sec pre kraja) i to je produžetak.
U produžetku, Hjuston dobro počeo, Sietl bez poena 3 minuta, onda
čini se ključni momenat - 6. lična Horiju (pred kraj je i Šrempf
izašao) i serija 7:0 Sietla i to bi bio kraj. Olajdžuvon bez poena u
produžetku, ali istini za volju, i bez lopti...
Tako je ispao još jedan tim za koji sam navijao...
sk
nba.879vitez.koja,
#=>> 3-pt field goals: Starks 5-8
#=> Starks je proradio!
#=> Harper G 39 1-11 1-1
E još da je ovaj proradio... Ajmo Nju Jork, Nju Jork...
Neće valjda da ispadnu svi timovi za koje ja navijam :)...
sk
nba.880vpoznanovic,
Orlando (103) At Atlanta (96)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 40 5-8 1-1 0 6 6 2 3 0 1 15
Grant F 42 6-9 8-8 1 6 7 4 2 1 0 20
Oneal C 37 10-16 4-13 6 6 12 4 5 0 3 24
Anderson G 40 7-16 2-4 3 3 6 1 4 0 3 18
Hardaway G 39 9-19 2-4 2 0 2 6 1 2 2 21
Koncak 10 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 0 5 0 0 0
Shaw 22 2-7 0-0 1 1 2 3 3 2 2 5
Bowie 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Wolf 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Bonner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Royal Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-76 17-30 14 25 39 20 25 5 11 103
(.513) (.567) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 11(13 PTS)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 30 4-7 4-5 0 2 2 1 4 0 1 12
Long F 42 2-7 9-10 2 11 13 6 0 1 1 13
Laettner C 35 11-20 4-7 1 3 4 3 4 0 1 26
Smith G 44 5-11 5-6 1 2 3 5 3 0 3 16
Blaylock G 44 8-17 0-0 0 3 3 8 0 3 0 20
Ehlo 17 0-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 1
Rooks 13 3-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 5 0 1 6
Henderson 6 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
Jordan 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0
Bullard 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 34-70 23-30 6 25 31 24 20 5 9 96
(.486) (.767) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 9(5 PTS)
Orlando 31 23 28 21 - 103
Atlanta 30 21 31 14 - 96
Blocked Shots: Orlando - Oneal 2, Anderson. Atlanta - Blaylock 2,
Henderson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Orlando 8-18 (.444), Scott 4-6, Anderson 2-8, Hardaway
1-2, Shaw 1-2. Atlanta 5-17 (.294), Long 0-3, Smith 1-4, Blaylock 4-9,
Ehlo 0-1.
Technicals: Orlando - Illegal Defense 3, Atlanta - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Steve Javie, Jack Nies.
A - 15,476. T - 2:22.
nba.881vpoznanovic,
PENNY PLAYS, HAWKS PAY THE PRICE
ATLANTA -- Penny's hamstrings were sore and Shaq's free throws were
sore, but it was the Atlanta Hawks who were left in pain on Sunday.
Anfernee Hardaway, playing despite two tight hamstrings, scored 21
points and Shaquille O'Neal overcame foul trouble to score 24 points
as the Orlando Magic stopped the Hawks 103-96, holding Atlanta
scoreless over the game's final 2:47.
The Magic went up 3-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series and
remained the lone unbeaten team in the playoffs at 6-0 and can
complete the sweep with a win in Atlanta on Monday.
"I don't care what the critics say," O'Neal said. "We just have to
focus on one thing -- we want jewelry."
"I felt great," Hardaway said. "There wasn't any pain today. It felt
tight once when I went down, but that was it."
Orlando took the lead for good with 7 1/2 minutes left and turned away
a late rally by the Hawks, who played their first competitive game of
the series but still came up short.
"Now, with the experience from last year's playoffs, we really know
how to win," Hardaway said. "The first few games against them, we
jumped on them early. Today, we really had to play defense."
Christian Laettner battled foul trouble to score 26 points for
Atlanta, which scored just 14 points in the final period.
"We played a little better," Laettner said. "We did a little more on
our home court. Obviously, we didn't do well enough. We were able to
get a little closer but they were just a little too much for us. Some
of us have to have career days tomorrow."
Orlando again got very little help from its bench, which scored five
points, all by Brian Shaw in the final period. In Game 1, Magic
reserves totaled one point. In Game 2 -- a rout with plenty of garbage
time -- the subs managed 24.
Two free throws in separate trips by O'Neal -- who was four of 13 from
the line -- gave the Magic an 89-88 lead. O'Neal departed with his
fifth foul but jumpers by Shaw and Nick Anderson built the lead to
five points with 5:20 to go.
"They really made some big shots down the stretch," Hawks coach Lenny
Wilkens said. "I think Hardaway stepped up and hit some big shots.
Nick Anderson had a couple of big shots."
O'Neal returned and powered a slam over Laettner -- also playing with
five fouls -- for a 97-91 lead. Steve Smith hit a technical foul shot
and Laettner made an 18-footer and two free throws to bring Atlanta
within 97-96 with 2:47 remaining.
O'Neal passed out of a double-team to Dennis Scott, who sank a
3-pointer to give Orlando a 100-96 lead. Laettner missed a jumper and
Hardaway followed his own miss to make it 102-96 with 1:46 to play.
"I told him (Scott), 'You're going to come off your man and I'm going
to give it to you,'" O'Neal said.
Horace Grant scored 20 points and O'Neal grabbed 12 rebounds for the
Magic. Anderson scored 18 points and Scott added 12 of his 15 on
3-pointers.
"No matter what they threw at us, we kept our composure," O'Neal said.
"We just played good team ball. Penny was hurt a little bit, I was in
foul trouble. The guys stepped up, especially Nick and Dennis."
Mookie Blaylock scored 20 points and Smith 16 for Atlanta, which
hasn't advanced to the conference finals since 1970. Long had 13
rebounds.
"I thought that we had a great effort," Wilkens said. "I thought that
our guys played real hard out there and tried to make things happen.
Orlando came up with the big plays, though."
nba.882vpoznanovic,
Seattle (114) At Houston (107) - Final In Ot
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D Schrempf F 31 7-12 3-4 1 5 6 2 6 1 4 18
Kemp F 44 13-19 6-7 4 11 15 0 5 0 4 32
Johnson C 13 0-3 0-0 2 5 7 1 3 0 1 0
Hawkins G 33 6-13 4-4 0 3 3 5 2 1 2 17
Payton G 49 9-19 5-10 1 3 4 11 2 3 1 24
Mcmillan 31 1-6 3-4 1 4 5 5 2 4 0 6
Perkins 40 5-9 3-6 3 5 8 0 4 2 3 14
Askew 19 1-6 1-4 0 0 0 1 3 1 0 3
Brickowski 5 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 0 0
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Snow Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Wingate Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 42-87 25-39 12 38 50 26 30 12 15 114
(.483) (.641) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 15(20 PTS)
Houston
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Horry F 45 7-17 1-4 4 8 12 4 6 3 3 20
Brown F 13 0-2 4-4 3 1 4 0 2 1 0 4
Olajuwon C 50 11-19 4-8 3 3 6 3 5 1 4 26
Drexler G 36 4-14 7-8 4 11 15 6 4 2 5 15
Smith G 19 0-4 2-2 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 2
Bryant 26 3-4 4-5 1 4 5 0 4 0 1 10
Elie 37 5-14 4-4 2 3 5 2 4 2 1 15
Cassell 35 5-16 1-1 0 0 0 6 4 0 3 15
Mack 4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcutt Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Jones Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Recasner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 265 35-92 27-36 17 32 49 23 31 10 18 107
(.380) (.750) Team Rebs: 12 Total To: 18(24 PTS)
Seattle 26 31 26 18 13 - 114
Houston 18 25 23 35 6 - 107
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp 3, Johnson 2, Mcmillan 2, Perkins 2, Askew,
Brickowski. Houston - Horry.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 5-23 (.217), D Schrempf 1-1, Kemp 0-1, Hawkins
1-6, Payton 1-4, Mcmillan 1-4, Perkins 1-5, Askew 0-2. Houston 10-34
(.294), Horry 5-11, Olajuwon 0-1, Drexler 0-3, Smith 0-4, Elie 1-4,
Cassell 4-10, Mack 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Illegal Defense, Houston - Elie, Drexler.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Bernie Fryer, Ron Garretson.
A - 16,611. T - 2:50.
nba.883vpoznanovic,
SONICS KO THE CHAMPS IN OVERTIME
HOUSTON -- The kings are dead.
The two-time defending champion Houston Rockets were swept out of the
Western Conference semifinals by the Seattle SuperSonics, who blew a
20-point lead but got six clutch points in overtime from Hersey
Hawkins for a 114-107 victory.
"Our heart was there, but we ran into a team that's really got it
going," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "They have so much depth
and so much confidence.
"We ran into a phenomenal basketball team. They were the guys who made
the big shots. They were great."
The proud Rockets -- who were 8-0 in elimination games during their
title years -- erased an 88-68 deficit in the final nine minutes of
regulation with a barrage of 3-pointers, the last one by Sam Cassell
from the left corner with 4.1 seconds to go. But Houston managed only
a 3-pointer by Cassell in the last 3:15 of overtime.
Thanks in large part to the Reign Man, Houston's NBA reign is over.
Shawn Kemp got the Sonics off quickly, scoring 14 of the team's first
18 points and finished with a game-high 32 points and 15 rebounds.
Point man Gary Payton added 24 points and 11 assists for the Sonics,
who have owned the Rockets over the past two years and finally got a
chance to prove it in the playoffs. Seattle entered the series with
nine consecutive wins over Houston and extended that streak to 13 with
its first-ever series sweep.
"It's more a relief than exciting because we kicked a big lead,"
Sonics coach George Karl said. "The last four games is probably the
best basketball we've played in a while, and I think we'll continue to
do that."
Clyde Drexler's free throw to open overtime gave the Rockets their
first lead, and Mario Elie's running banker made it 104-101 with 3:15
to go. But Sam Perkins made two foul shots, and Hawkins scored on a
drive to give Seattle the lead for good with 1:28 remaining.
After a steal, Kemp scored inside and was fouled with 1:07 left. He
completed the three-point play and, after Cassell missed a 3-pointer,
Hawkins made two free throws to push the lead to 110-104 with 31
seconds left.
Cassell made a 3-pointer, but Kemp answered with two free throws with
13 seconds to play. Houston never got another shot as Hawkins
converted a steal into a layup.
The Sonics, who handed the Rockets their last elimination in the 1993
conference semifinals, won their sixth consecutive postseason game and
await the winner of the series between the San Antonio Spurs and Utah
Jazz. Seattle, which had been eliminated in the first round the last
two years, moved into the conference finals for the first time since
1993.
"We're a little looser now, more focused," Karl said. "We don't point
fingers as much (because) we don't have the pressure on us."
Seattle appeared to have the game won on several occasions, the last
time after Payton's jumper and 3-pointer boosted the lead to 99-90
with 1:32 to go in the fourth quarter. But Drexler made two foul
shots, and Robert Horry sank two 3-pointers around a steal to cut the
deficit to 99-98 with 30 seconds left.
Kemp made two free throws to give Seattle a three-point lead, but
Payton inexplicably double-teamed Hakeem Olajuwon, who passed to a
wide-open Cassell for the tying shot.
The Sonics had a chance to win in regulation, but Kemp, who took the
inbounds pass from Nate McMillan following a timeout, missed a driving
layup with Hakeem Olajuwon fronting him all the way to the hoop.
In the period, the Rockets were seven of 10 from 3-point range,
including five of six from Horry.
Detlef Schrempf scored 18 points, Hawkins added 17 and Perkins 14 for
the Sonics, who shot 48 percent (42-of-87) from the field.
Olajuwon scored 26 points, Horry added 20 and Drexler, Cassell and
Elie had 15 apiece. Drexler had 15 rebounds and Horry 12 for Houston,
which shot 38 percent (35-of-92).
A 3-pointer by Perkins gave the Sonics their largest lead at 88-68
with 9:03 left in the fourth quarter. Horry made three 3-pointers and
Drexler scored eight points in a 22-6 burst that pulled the Rockets
within 94-90 with 2:36 to go.
The Rockets hit just five of 20 shots (25 percent) in the opening
quarter, stayed close from the foul line, converting six of six until
an 8-0 run at the end of the period pulled the Sonics to a 10-point
advantage.
Kemp scored 14 of Seattle's first 18 points, including a dunk that
triggered an 8-0 run and gave the Sonics a 26-16 lead. Elie's
22-footer in the closing seconds of the period made it 26-18.
The Rockets started to fall apart after that. Elie was called for an
offensive foul, rolled the ball across the court for a delay of game
and then drew a technical foul.
Drexler, who had two quick fouls in the first period, got his third in
the opening minutes of the second quarter and was slapped with a
technical for arguing the call. A basket by Mark Bryant cut the
deficit to six points early in the second quarter, but Houston was
held without a field goal for over three minutes as Seattle opened a
41-22 lead.
Seattle, clicking along with 55 percent shooting, eventually built
their lead to 20 points before settling for a 57-43 halftime bulge.
Houston made an 11-6 run to start the second half, trimming a Seattle
lead that had grown to as much as 20 points into single digits. But as
he has done throughout the series, Schrempf's 3-pointer with 6:57
remaining in the third period highlighted a 10-2 Sonics run and
blunted the Rockets' attempt at a comeback.
The Rockets' 3-pointers, clunkers for the entire game, suddenly
started going in. The Sonics, meanwhile, went cold everywhere, even
the free throw line, hitting just two of 10 during one stretch that
allowed Houston to get back into the game and send it to overtime.
nba.884vpoznanovic,
Chicago (94) At New York (91)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Rodman F 41 3-10 0-2 10 9 19 3 5 2 6 6
Pippen F 39 3-11 2-4 4 3 7 5 3 2 3 9
Longley C 21 2-5 1-2 3 1 4 3 6 0 3 5
Jordan G 40 7-23 11-13 2 6 8 8 5 2 0 27
Harper G 40 6-15 3-3 3 2 5 2 2 0 2 18
Kerr 23 2-2 3-3 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 7
Brown 12 3-4 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 8
Edwards 4 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
Buechler 5 3-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6
Wennington 7 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4
Salley 8 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
Kukoc Dnp - Back Injury
Totals 240 33-81 22-29 23 23 46 22 28 7 15 94
(.407) (.759) Team Rebs: 9 Total To: 17(16 PTS)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Oakley F 38 6-9 5-6 3 2 5 0 5 3 3 17
Mason F 38 0-2 1-2 0 5 5 3 4 0 4 1
Ewing C 42 10-21 9-10 0 10 10 1 5 0 4 29
Starks G 39 4-11 4-5 0 3 3 3 3 2 5 13
Harper G 37 5-8 2-2 0 3 3 5 4 1 0 15
Ward 9 1-2 1-3 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 3
Anderson 14 1-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 5
Williams 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
Davis 19 2-4 4-4 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 8
Grandison Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-58 28-34 4 24 28 14 27 7 20 91
(.500) (.824) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 20(22 PTS)
Chicago 24 27 26 17 - 94
New York 28 22 18 23 - 91
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Longley 3, Rodman, Jordan, Brown. New York -
Ewing 4, Williams.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Chicago 6-20 (.300), Pippen 1-4, Jordan 2-7, Harper
3-9. New York 5-14 (.357), Oakley 0-1, Starks 1-5, Harper 3-6, Ward 0-1,
Anderson 1-1.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman, Head Coach Jackson, Longley, New York -
Illegal Defense, Oakley.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Bill Oakes, Ed Middleton.
A - 19,763. T - 2:49.
nba.885vpoznanovic,
WENNIE THE BULL SAVES CHICAGO
NEW YORK -- With the series in jeopardy of being tied, the Chicago
Bulls turned to their go-to guy ... Bill Wennington.
The Bulls reserve center upstaged original Dream Teamers Michael
Jordan and Patrick Ewing on Sunday with a pair of baskets in the final
88 seconds -- his only points of the game -- to lift Chicago to a
94-91 victory over the New York Knicks and a 3-1 lead in their Eastern
Conference semifinal series.
The Bulls, whose Game 3 overtime loss was their first of the playoffs,
can wrap up the best-of-seven series with a home win Tuesday. The
Knicks, who have come up just short in all three losses, have lost
nine consecutive games at Chicago, including the first two of this
series.
Jordan -- who scored 44, 28 and 46 points in the first three games of
the series -- hit for 27 points Sunday but was zero for six in the
fourth quarter. His two free throws with 11 seconds left gave Chicago
a 94-91 lead. Ewing scored 29 points but missed a jumper and traveled
in the final minute. John Starks also traveled before he made what
would have been a game-tying 3-pointer.
Jordan, who is averaging 36.3 points per game in the series, picked up
his fifth foul with 7:17 remaining and Chicago holding an 86-76 lead.
But Jordan played on.
By the time four minutes remained, he was arguing with hecklers and it
looked as if Chicago's dream season was starting to unravel. The
Knicks responded with a 13-0 run, holding the Bulls scoreless for
nearly six minutes.
Charles Oakley and Starks each made two foul shots before Starks sank
a 3-pointer. Hubert Davis made a pair of free throws, and Ewing
drained back-to-back jumpers to give New York an 89-86 lead with 1:41
to go.
"Ewing did what I did yesterday -- keep his team involved," Jordan
said.
Wennington got all alone for a dunk with 1:28 left, and Ewing hit
another jumper before Scottie Pippen scored for the first time since
the final minute of the opening quarter, bringing Chicago within 91-90
with 1:01 remaining.
Ewing traveled and Wennington made a 10-footer from the right
baseline, giving the Bulls the lead for good with 36 seconds to play.
Ewing rushed a jumper from the corner and the Knicks had to commit
three fouls to get Jordan on the line.
After the free throws, Derek Harper -- who suffered a bruised right
shoulder but returned -- dribbled upcourt and passed to Anthony Mason,
who set a pick for Starks coming around the top of the circle. But
Starks took a skip step before launching his shot.
Ron Harper scored 18 points for the Bulls, who had two players in
double figures for the third time in the series. Pippen had just nine
points on three of 11 shooting and was 13 of 40 in the two games in
New York.
Chicago got a big boost from Dennis Rodman, who had 19 rebounds and
assists on both Wennington baskets. Rodman grabbed 10 rebounds on the
offensive end, where the Bulls enjoyed a 23-4 edge. Jordan had eight
assists but hit just seven-of-23 shots from the field.
Charles Oakley scored 17 points, Derek Harper had 15 and Starks 13 for
the Knicks, who shot 50 percent (29-of-58) but took 23 less shots than
the Bulls. Ewing grabbed 10 rebounds.
Chicago closed the third quarter with a 15-2 run, sparked by seven
points by Jordan and a rare four-point play by Ron Harper, to take a
77-68 lead.
Derek Harper scored 13 points in the first period, when New York led
by as many as eight points before settling for a 28-24 edge. Chicago
took its first lead at 51-50 on Jordan's 3-pointer 36 seconds before
halftime.
nba.886schef,
=- E još da je ovaj proradio... Ajmo Nju Jork, Nju Jork...
=- Neće valjda da ispadnu svi timovi za koje ja navijam :)...
Eh dečki dečki, sam' se vi nadajte... :) Ima da gledamo finala
Chicago - Orlando na istoku i Seattle - Utah na zapadu i UBEĐEN sam
da će šampion da bude ili Orlando ili Seattle! Chicago neće uspeti
obe ove ekipe da bije. Lično mislim da će Seattle da prođe u finale
mnogo lakše nego Chicago na istoku te će mu to olakšati posao protiv
Chicaga... Bar' se nadam. :) Ne volim kad pobeđuje ekipa sa Hrvatom
u njoj... :)
Srleř
nba.887vpoznanovic,
LOUISVILLE'S OSBORNE JUMPS ABOARD NBA GRAVY TRAIN
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville forward Jason Osborne, who couldn't
handle academia at the University of Louisville, says he doesn't need
it.
Osborne, who sat out the 1995-96 season after failing to meet academic
requirements, on Sunday became the second Cardinals underclassman to
declare himself eligible for the NBA draft, just hours before the
midnight deadline.
College underclassmen and high school players have until midnight
Sunday to apply for the draft.
"This is a decision I have been contemplating for a long time," said
Osborne, who joined teammate Samaki Walker on the NBA gravy train.
"This was definitely a hard decision.
"With the support of my family, friends and the grace of God, I am
confident that I can compete at the professional level and make my
family happy."
The 6-foot-8, 210-pound Osborne started as a freshman and sophomore
for Louisville in 1993-94 and 1994-95. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.6
rebounds and 3.1 assists as a sophomore. Osborne averaged 9.6 points,
6.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 1993-94 and was named to the Metro
Conference All-Freshman team.
Osborne said he thought his versatility would be attractive to NBA
teams.
"I can do a lot of different things, with my height," Osborne said.
Osborne said he has not signed with an agent, leaving open the
possibility that he could return to the Cardinals if he were
disappointed with how he fared in the draft. But he dodged a question
about whether he would be academically eligible at Louisville in the
1996-97 season.
"I'd prefer not to talk about that right now," he said.
Coach Denny Crum was traveling and did not attend the news conference,
but a school spokesman said Crum "did wish Jason the best."
Marcus Camby of Massachusetts, Ray Allen of Connecticut, Allen Iverson
of Georgetown and Stephon Marbury of Georgia Tech are among the
prominent underclassmen who have declared for the draft.
A total of 21 players have applied for early entry, including
Philadelphia high school star Kobe Bryant.
nba.888vpoznanovic,
CONVERSATION WITH KARL MALONE
Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone sat down recently to talk about the
nine-time All-Star's quest to win a championship, his family and his
teammate John Stockton, among other things.
Karl Malone "We've already talked about it, we won't play apart from
each other. We might miss some games because of injuries. But we'll
be on the same team." -- Karl Malone on John Stockton
Aldridge: Charles Barkley always says he can get through his career
without winning a championship, because he knows he has done the best
he can do. Would it bother you if you were never able to win a
championship?
Malone: If you look at it as a basketball accomplishment, it will
bother you, because you did not win the ultimate prize, so to speak.
As an athlete and as a person away from it, it doesn't bother me. I
feel when I go out and play I give it everything I've got. That is all
you can expect. If you can look in the mirror and say I tried to do
the things on and off the court to be a successful basketball player,
both individually and as a team, that's important. This is a game and
that's what it is. The game of life is still going to be looking Karl
Malone in the face. Being a husband and a father excites me more than
winning a championship, because that's real.
I've always said I love and respect what I do, but it doesn't make me
tick everyday. It doesn't drive me to do certain things. I respect the
game, that's why I give everything I've got when I'm playing. But when
I get home and I see my three kids and my wife, I know this is what my
life is all about.
Aldridge: You didn't want to talk to NBC last week because they hadn't
put the Jazz on television all year.
Malone: NBC is huge. Karl Malone is a little peon. That's the
reality. We haven't won a championship, and we don't have the kind of
guys that you'll go out and buy a jersey of theirs, but we do have a
pretty damn good team. It's just one of those little things that I
believe in. We have great athletes on this team and we have a pretty
good team and for us not be on NBC the whole year. I didn't like that.
I'm just Karl Malone, and that's NBC. It's their network. I'll
probably have nothing to do with it, and after this incident, I'll
surely have nothing to do with it now. But I do have a life, and that
is fine. It's just my way of saying we have a good team. Every now and
then gives us a token appearance, even if it's regional coverage. Let
us know that one of your trucks is in our building you're not in
somebody else's all the time.
I'm not being a horse's behind. It's just something I believe in. Once
I believe in something I don't just do it. I think about it before I
do it. I don't just run my mouth off to run it.
Aldridge: Your team never seems to get mentioned when you see all the
plans for the off-season with all the free agency that is happening.
The Knicks have $13 million, the Heat has $15 million. We never hear
about the Jazz. Does that bother you that it doesn't seem that the
Jazz is going to be involved in the free agency business this summer?
Malone: I don't really think it bothers me. I don't think I could
have said this in the past. But in the last three years I think that
if the right situation comes up with the right player that fits with
our team, the Jazz will do everything they can to sign that player.
We're not a team or an organization that is going to go out there and
throw money around just to get an athlete. They are also concerned
about the person, too. I can tell you right now that you can be one of
the most talented free agents out there, but if your attitude doesn't
fit what's already here and what's going to be here, they're not going
to sign you.
That's just the way we do things. You can call it what you want. You
can call it teasing the fans, but that is just they way we do things
in Utah. That's the way we'll continue to do things as long as I'm
here and Stockton and Jeff Hornacek. It's just what we believe in.
Aldridge: What has made you think the Jazz has changed its attitude
about signing people?
Malone: They went out and took some chances. They re-signed Antoine
Carr. They signed Chris Morris, Jeff Hornacek and Adam Keefe. They've
done those sort of things. In the past, they never did that. They used
to say we are going to stick with what we have and try to make it work.
Aldridge: John Stockton is a free agent after this season. I know
that nobody thinks he's going anywhere. But let's just say for the
sake of argument that he got some incredible offer that he really had
to think about. What would you do?
Malone: If that happened, I would be the horse's behind that I said
I wouldn't be. I can't see playing with another point guard. First of
all, I'm not going to groom another one. With some of these younger
ones, you never know what they are going to do. You don't know whether
they are going to eat the basketball or throw it up into the stands.
Second of all, I won't play without him. I mean if he got hurt or I
got hurt, the show would go on. But, we've already talked about it, we
won't play apart from each other. We might miss some games because of
injuries. But we'll be on the same team.
Aldridge: Where did you meet Stockton?
Malone: I met Stockton at the Olympic Games trials in Indiana. It's
sort of amazing. You had to be there. I don't know how many guys were
there, but we ate dinner and lunch in this big cafeteria. We just met
out of the blue. We were at the same table with 500 basketball
players. We sat down and just struck up a conversation. We started
talking about everything. The next thing I knew the Jazz drafted him.
A year later, in 1985, they drafted me. That's kind of how it
happened.
Aldridge: You said you can't imagine playing without Stockton, can
you remember what it was like not to have him as a point guard?
Malone: I can't remember what it was like. I can't even remember how
it all started clicking. It's kind of amazing if you talk about things
all time. If you talk about a certain play you kind of remember when
things started to jell, years ago, I can remember that.
I can't remember when we started running the pick and roll. It has
been so many years now. I can't remember that first pass he gave me
where I said that was pretty nice. Now all of a sudden we expect so
much out of each other that we have to do something really good to
impress each other. Every now and then that will happen in a game, and
we just kind of give each other that look. It doesn't work perfect all
the time, but when it does -- it's amazing.
nba.889vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (86) At Utah (101)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 41 6-15 8-10 0 3 3 1 2 0 4 22
Smith F 17 3-5 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 1 2 6
Robinson C 24 2-3 7-10 1 3 4 2 6 0 3 11
Del Negro G 41 4-11 1-2 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 9
Johnson G 34 5-10 4-5 0 0 0 8 4 6 6 14
W Perdue 24 0-2 0-0 2 5 7 0 3 1 2 0
C Person 39 6-9 3-3 1 6 7 2 2 0 1 17
Alexander 14 3-6 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 6
Anderson 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Herrera 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Williams 2 0-1 1-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Rivers Dnp - Back Spasms
Totals 240 29-63 24-32 7 23 30 15 23 9 20 86
(.460) (.750) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 20(20 PTS)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Morris F 36 11-14 0-0 0 5 5 3 1 1 2 25
Malone F 40 6-15 10-10 0 5 5 7 5 3 4 22
Spencer C 9 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 1
Hornacek G 34 3-10 3-3 1 5 6 4 2 2 0 10
Stockton G 36 5-9 2-2 2 3 5 10 2 3 6 13
Eisley 12 2-4 2-2 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 8
Ostertag 10 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Keefe 30 5-5 1-2 3 4 7 0 3 1 1 11
Carr 9 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 4
Russell 20 2-6 2-2 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 7
Benoit 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Foster Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 36-68 21-23 6 27 33 27 24 10 16 101
(.529) (.913) Team Rebs: 3 Total To: 17(8 PTS)
San Antonio 20 22 32 12 - 86
Utah 24 29 30 18 - 101
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - Smith, Robinson. Utah - Morris 3, Malone,
Spencer.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 4-9 (.444), Elliott 2-4, C Person 2-5. Utah
8-11 (.727), Morris 3-4, Hornacek 1-1, Stockton 1-1, Eisley 2-2, Russell
1-3.
Technicals: San Antonio - W Perdue.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Joe Forte, Bob Delaney.
A - 19,911. T - 2:12.
nba.890vpoznanovic,
JAZZ RATTLE AND HUMBLE ROBINSON
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Admiral has been taken hostage, leaving the San
Antonio Spurs' ship adrift in a sea of hostility and defeat.
And if the Spurs can't locate the old David Robinson, then their boat
is surely to sink.
For the second consecutive game, Robinson was tied up by a stingy
defense as the Utah Jazz rolled to a 101-86 victory Sunday to take a
3-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.
The new tame (lame?) Robinson took a mere three shots and was limited
to 11 points for the second consecutive day as San Antonio never
really challenged Utah's supremacy.
"The game speaks for itself. I have no other comment," said a somber
Robinson, who was scoreless in the second half.
Chris Morris scored 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting to lead the Jazz,
who also got 22 points from Karl Malone, including a 10-for-10
performance from the free-throw line. John Stockton added 13 points
and 10 assists.
Robinson was just two of three from the field and seven of 10 from the
line before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Sean Elliott led San
Antonio with 22 points, and Chuck Person added 17.
"I don't have any comment on the fouls on David -- except for about
four of them," Spurs coach Bob Hill said. "He didn't get the benefit
of the doubt on the calls tonight, as normally a player of his
magnitude gets."
The Jazz remained unbeaten in five home contests and have yet to allow
San Antonio more than 88 points in any of the four games. Utah's three
victories have been by 20, 30 and 15 points. Game 5 is Tuesday night
at the Alamodome.
"We are not shooting the ball very well," Hill said. "Utah is playing
great basketball right now, and you have to give them credit. All of
the things that are important this time of the season are clicking."
After trailing by nine as the final period began, Avery Johnson's
back-to-back layups cut the Spurs' deficit to 83-78. But San Antonio
would get no closer.
Utah, with Malone scoring twice inside and Stockton hitting two
perimeter jumpers, responded with a 16-2 run and took its biggest
lead, 99-80, on Bryon Russell's driving shot with 3:22 remaining.
The 6-foot-8 Morris, a starter ever since David Benoit was sidelined
by a bruised knee at the outset of this series, averaged just 5.1
points in Games 1-3 but was three for four from 3-point range in Game
4.
"I'm happy I came out loose, waited for a lot of shots," Morris said.
"(But) we can't look too far ahead. We got to think about the game
that is coming up.
"We can't look too far ahead. We got to think about the game that is
coming up and try to play them a different way because we know that
they are going to come out and change things."
San Antonio was down by 11 at halftime, and the Spurs' fortunes got
worse 24 seconds into the third quarter when Robinson was whistled for
his fourth foul. While he was out, the Jazz went on a 9-4 run to go up
62-46.
Robinson returned with 5:01 left in the quarter but was benched again
less than two minutes later after collecting his fifth foul. Robinson
would not play again until midway through the fourth quarter, and then
fouled out with 4:15 remaining when he collided with Stockton on a
rebound.
Howard Eisley's 3-pointer gave the Jazz an 80-61 lead, but even
without their star center the Spurs weren't done yet: A 13-3 run,
capped by Charles Smith's tip-in just before the horn, made it 83-74
entering the fourth.
"We kind of let up when Robinson got his fifth foul. Their subs came
in and got the lead down, but fortunately we were able to stop them,"
Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek said.
nba.891vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago leads New York 3-1
Sunday May 5 Chicago 91, New York 84
Tuesday May 7 Chicago 91, New York 80
Saturday May 11 New York 102, Chicago 99 (OT)
Sunday May 12 Chicago 94, New York 91
Tuesday May 14 at Chicago 8 p.m. TNT
Thursday May 16 *at New York TBA TNT or TBS
Sunday May 19 *at Chicago TBA NBC
Orlando leads Atlanta 3-0
Wednesday May 8 Orlando 117, Atlanta 105
Friday May 10 Orlando 120, Atlanta 94
Sunday May 12 Orlando 103, Atlanta 96
Monday May 13 at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Wednesday May 15 *at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 17 *at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 19 *at Orlando TBA NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle defeats Houston 4-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 Seattle 105, Houston 101
Friday May 10 Seattle 115, Houston 112
Sunday May 12 Seattle 114, Houston 107 (OT)
Utah leads San Antonio 3-1
Tuesday May 7 Utah 95, San Antonio 75
Thursday May 9 San Antonio 88, Utah 77
Saturday May 11 Utah 105, San Antonio 75
Sunday May 12 Utah 101, San Antonio 86
Tuesday May 14 at San Antonio TBA TNT or TBS
Thursday May 16 *at Utah TBA TNT or TBS
Saturday May 18 *at San Antonio TBA NBC
nba.892dizel,
># =>> 3-pt field goals: Starks 5-8
># => Starks je proradio!
># => Harper G 39 1-11 1-1
>
> E jos da je ovaj proradio... Ajmo Nju Jork, Nju Jork...
> Nece valjda da ispadnu svi timovi za koje ja navijam :)...
Valjda ce da zgaze Cikago i u drugoj utakmici na svom terenu,
a onda cemo da vidimo.
Od tri tima koja imalo volim iz NBA(Lakers,Phoenix i New York)
ostao je jos samo jedan. Na daj boze da i on ispadne.
nba.893dizel,
> olaksati posao protiv Chicaga... Bar' se nadam. :) Ne volim kad
> pobeduje ekipa sa Hrvatom u njoj... :)
>
Moj covek!
Javi se u forum!
nba.894dizel,
> but missed a jumper and traveled in the final minute. John
> Starks also traveled before he made what would have been a
> game-tying 3-pointer.
>
Jel vidite vi ovo?
Pogodio trojku, ali napravio korake...
:((((((((((((((((((
> an 89-86 lead with 1:41 to go.
Vodili smo 3 razlike 1:41 pre kraja!!1
Sto sada ne krene Derek Harpera kao u onoj utakmici u sezoni
kad je New York razbio Cikago a Harper dao otprilike 11 trojki...
nba.895imangovski,
>#=>> 3-pt field goals: Starks 5-8
>#=> Starks je proradio!
>#=> Harper G 39 1-11 1-1
>
> E jos da je ovaj proradio... Ajmo Nju Jork, Nju Jork...
> Nece valjda da ispadnu svi timovi za koje ja navijam :)...
S obzirom da je Golden State ispao jos pre play off-a;),zadnja
nada mi je sietl, a taj po svemuu sudeci nece ispasti tako lako;
4:0 protiv houston-a, nije lose. Bice 4:2 protiv Jute.
nba.896imangovski,
> =- E jos da je ovaj proradio... Ajmo Nju Jork, Nju Jork...
> =- Nece valjda da ispadnu svi timovi za koje ja navijam :)...
>
> Eh decki decki, sam' se vi nadajte... :) Ima da gledamo finala
> Chicago - Orlando na istoku i Seattle - Utah na zapadu i UBEDEN sam
> da ce sampion da bude ili Orlando ili Seattle! Chicago nece uspeti
> obe ove ekipe da bije. Licno mislim da ce Seattle da prode u finale
> mnogo lakse nego Chicago na istoku te ce mu to olaksati posao protiv
> Chicaga... Bar' se nadam. :) Ne volim kad pobeduje ekipa sa Hrvatom
> u njoj... :)
Ja od celog tima Chicaga (kojeg mrzim) jedino volim Kukoca.
nba.897imangovski,
>=> Sta se desava sa San Antoniom.Ovo je drugi poraz od Jute, i to opet
>=> sa velikom razlikom (prvi put sa 20, a ovog puta sa cak 30
>=> razlike). Del Negro cele sezone nije promasivao, a sad sutira u
>=> stili 11-2... Robinson cas igra dobro, cas nema pojma...
>
> Desava se da su naleteli na Jazzere ;)
> Utah igra odlicnu odbranu protiv San Antonia i zasad uspeva :)))
> Mailman je zaustavio Robinsona na ovoj utakmici.
> A sto se tvoje konstatacije da Admiral cas igra dobro, cas nema
> pojma tice, u pravu si. I to nije samo ove sezone, nego stalno.
> Coveku se desava da se potpuno izgubi na terenu, ne prati akcije,
> zamisljen je... Sto rece Vlada Olic: "Robinson svira saksofon u mislima,
> umesto da prati desavanja na terenu." :)))))
Mnogo citas Nasu Borbu:) To mu se desava samo u play off-u i protiv Indiane.
nba.898lexus,
=> Mnogo citas Nasu Borbu:) To mu se desava samo u play off-u i protiv
=> Indiane.
Našu Borbu čitam, ali ovaj citat je još iz starih brojeva Koša :)
Što će reći, Admiral još nije sazreo :)
nba.899vpoznanovic,
SIXERS FIRE COACH LUCAS, TWO ASSISTANTS
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers have a new owner, a new general
manager and soon will have a new head coach.
The 76ers announced on Monday that head coach John Lucas, along with
two assistants, will not return for the 1996-97 season.
Assistant coaches Ron Adams and Tom Thibodeau, who were coaches under
Lucas in San Antonio, were let go, but the club retained Sixers great
Maurice Cheeks, who will assist in the preparation for the NBA Draft
in June.
"I want to thank John and his staff for the contributions that they've
made to the 76ers over the past two seasons," said Brad Greenberg, the
team's general manager and vice president of basketball operations.
"However, as we continue to build the new Philadelphia 76ers, I've
decided to make a coaching change."
Greenberg, a former vice president of player personnel for the
Portland Trail Blazers, was named to replace Lucas as the 76ers'
general manager last Wednesday.
The Sixers were purchased by Comcast Cable Corp. from Harold Katz last
month and a front-office upheaval was expected after the Sixers
stumbled to an 18-64 record. Philadelphia is the first team in league
history to see its win total drop for six consecutive seasons.
The firing of Lucas ends what has been an dismal two seasons for
Philadelphia. The Sixers compiled a 42-122 record under Lucas. The
1995-96 team won just three more games than the expansion Vancouver
Grizzlies and posted the lowest win total in team history since the
infamous 1972-73 team went 9-73.
Lucas was hired as head coach and general manager in June 1994 after
two years as coach of the Spurs and he compiled a 24-58 record in his
first season.
This season, Lucas, 43, signed substance abuse offenders Richard Dumas
and Vernon Maxwell and then traded center Shawn Bradley to New Jersey
for underachieving Derrick Coleman. Maxwell averaged over 16 points
per game, but Dumas appeared in just 39 games and averaged 6.2 points
and the oft-injured Coleman played in only 11 games.
Lucas was the first overall pick in the 1976 NBA Draft by the Houston
Rockets and played with six different teams during a 13-year career.
He was an All-American player in both basketball and tennis at the
University of Maryland and holds the NBA record for assists in a
quarter with 14 in 1984.
Lucas, who battled substance abuse himself, later founded a company
that runs a number of drug treatment centers. He owned the Miami
Tropics of the United States Basketball League and used the club to
give recovering addicts a chance to resume their pro careers.
Lucas become the sixth coach to lose his job since the end of the
season, joining Allan Bristow (Charlotte), Butch Beard (New Jersey),
Dick Motta (Dallas), Mike Dunleavy (Milwaukee) and Brendan Malone
(Toronto).
nba.900vpoznanovic,
KNICKS G DEREK HARPER EXPECTED TO PLAY ON TUESDAY
The New York Knicks are expected to have the services of guard Derek
Harper for Game Five of the Eastern Conference semifinal with the
Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Harper, who suffered a bruised right shoulder and a strained neck in
Sunday's Game Four loss, was re-evaluated today by the Knicks medical
staff.
Harper was hurt midway through the fourth quarter of New York's 94-91
loss and the injury was originally diagnosed as a separated shoulder,
but he returned and played the final three minutes.
The 35-year-old Harper scored 15 points in Sunday's loss. He is
averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 assists in the playoffs.
Also, reserve guard Willie Anderson was checked out after he was hit
in the face while trying to cover Michael Jordan. He is also expected
to be available for Tuesday's game.
nba.901vpoznanovic,
BULLS' KUKOC EXPECTED TO MISS THIRD STRAIGHT PLAYOFF GAME
Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc is expected to miss his third
straight playoff game Tuesday when the Chicago Bulls host the New York
Knicks in their Eastern Conference series.
Kukoc missed both weekend games at New York due to a lower back
injury. The Bulls split the two games and lead the best-of-seven
series, three games to one.
Kukoc hurt his back in practice Friday morning at the Berto Center,
the team's practice facility in Deerfield, Illinois. The injury
occurred when Kukoc made a quick stop during practice and team
physician Doctor John Heffron said such a problem is not uncommon
among basketball players.
Kukoc is averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in five playoff games,
but has made just 1-of-24 shots from three-point range.
nba.902vpoznanovic,
Bulls backs back up the training room
DEERFIELD, Ill. (May 13, 1996 - 17:17 EST) -- Back-to-back-to-back.
The playoffs have become a pain for the Chicago Bulls.
First, Michael Jordan strained his back in the first round against
Miami. Then Toni Kukoc sprained ligaments in his back at practice last
Friday.
Now it's Scottie Pippen, who had back problems earlier this season,
who's hurting. He twisted it during the second quarter of Sunday's
94-91 victory over the New York Knicks that gave the Bulls a 3-1
series lead.
Who's the busiest man at the Berto Center, the Bulls' suburban
practice facility? Trainer Chip Schaefer.
"It's kind a coincidence we suffered three back problems through the
postseason. Hopefully they're behind us -- no pun intended," Schaefer
said Monday. "Each one of them is similar only in the sense of where
they are sore."
After consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday, there are other
physical concerns for the Bulls. Jordan, whose back has not affected
his play, has sore knees, as does Luc Longley. And Dennis Rodman has a
tender finger he jammed Sunday, although it is not serious.
Pippen has also been bothered by sore ankles, an ailing shoulder and
-- most especially -- by poor shooting in the series with the Knicks.
He's made only 24 of 76 field goal attempts.
Pippen's back should be OK for Tuesday night's Game 5. Whether his
offense will is another question.
"He was quite sore and tight yesterday as the game wore on," Schaefer
said. "This morning he came in and he was a little bit loose and had a
decrease in pain. He should be a lot better tomorrow."
Kukoc, also struggling with his shot, is expected to miss his third
straight game. His pain in the back is by far the most serious of the
three and he was to be re-examined by team physician Dr. John
Hefferon.
"He's really anxious to play again, but one of the concerns for Toni
is that he's unfairly comparing himself to some of the other back
injuries," Schaefer said.
"He's not being fair to himself and giving himself enough time. I know
he really wants to play. He wants to play tomorrow, but I don't know
that is the most prudent thing to do."
Jordan, Pippen and Kukoc weren't available for interviews Monday and
didn't practice. The Bulls had a light workout, mostly for reserves.
Earlier this season the Bulls had to place Pippen on the injured list
when nagging injuries affected his performance. Now there's no such
luxury or time.
"We're hoping it's not a setback, back to late February and March when
he had a number of things happen," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said.
"When Scottie is not functioning at his offensive best, it's still
very important to have him out there, because of the defense and the
things he does as a whole."
Jackson's concerns were as much about his aging team's energy level as
its bumps and bruises.
"Dennis played about 100 minutes this weekend. You think about it with
a weekend back-to-back and all of a sudden it's Tuesday and it's three
games in four days," Jackson said.
"What is important is that these guys have the energy and the active
ability to play."
Rodman celebrated his 35th birthday Monday. Rodman showed off a
Russian doll he received as a gift and also presented Jackson with a
ball cap that featured him, Jordan and Pippen. Rodman said he planned
a big party Tuesday night to celebrate his birthday, if the Bulls win.
He reiterated he'd like to return to the Bulls next season. "The world
tour is continuing," he said. "If I'm not here, I'll go somewhere
else, but I'd love to stay in Chicago."
nba.903vpoznanovic,
Raptors seek financing for land
TORONTO (May 10, 1996 - 23:17 EST) -- The Toronto Raptors say they are
almost ready to start building their new basketball arena, but they
still need financing to buy the land and won't give details about the
timing of the plan.
"I'm not giving you a sense of when we're going to start digging,"
said Jay Cross, who heads the group trying to put together the $180
million Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto. "We're there in every
technical sense. All of the agreements are settled."
But, Cross added, there are a few details to be worked out. The
Raptors still don't own the land and they are still trying to line up
financing.
Cross said the 187 documents required to close the land deal have all
been negotiated between the various parties including the Raptors,
Canada Post, which is selling the land, neighboring landowner Marathon
Realty, stadium sponsor Air Canada, the City of Toronto and Metro
governments.
The Raptors have also retained two investment firms, ScotiaMcLeod and
Prudential Securities, to scout the market for long-term financing for
the 22,500-seat basketball and hockey stadium.
The NBA franchise will likely seek backing from a syndicate of
insurance companies, rather than banks, because the insurance firms
offer longer-term arrangements to lock into recent low interest rates.
But before that can happen, lawyers from the parties involved in the
land deal have to cross-reference copies of the agreements and sign
them.
"That's going to take a few more days," Cross said.
The documents are "closing in escrow," he explained, meaning the deal
is put together in a file and given to an agent who keeps track of all
the papers and determines when everything is complete.
"When that happens I can't predict at this stage," Cross said.
Rumors of financial difficulties have swirled around the Raptors'
stadium project for months because Toronto City Council rushed through
its approval of the project so construction could have started by now.
That hasn't happened, and the Raptors have already paid one penalty
for not beginning construction last year. They face another if they
don't start digging before next fall.
nba.904vpoznanovic,
WEST VIRGINIA'S SIMPSON, COPPIN STATE'S MOTT JOIN NBA DRAFT LIST
Greg Simpson, a junior guard who was kicked off West Virginia's
basketball team after a hit-and-run accident, and Coppin State junior
forward Terquin Mott announced Monday that they beat the deadline and
have applied for the NBA draft on June 26.
College underclassmen and high school players had until midnight
Sunday to apply for the draft. The NBA is expected to release the
complete list of underclassmen who applied for the June draft either
Wednesday or Thursday.
Simpson, 22, of Lima, Ohio, sent a letter via Federal Express to the
NBA in New York on Friday, the day he was kicked off the team by coach
Gale Catlett, The Dominion Post reported.
Simpson still has a scholarship at West Virginia but his goal right
now is playing in the NBA, said Robert Mihlbaugh, Simpson's lawyer in
Ohio.
The 6-foot-1 Simpson averaged 13.2 points, 3 rebounds and 2.1 assists
a game in 23 games for the Mountaineers in 1995-96, their inaugural
Big East season.
On May 6, Simpson was sentenced to two days in jail and fined $260
after pleading no contest to leaving the scene of an accident, driving
with a suspended license and crossing the center line.
The May 2 accident was the latest in a string of violations for
Simpson dating back to his days at Ohio State, where he was Big Ten
freshman of the year before transferring to WVU for this season.
In December, Simpson was jailed for two days for driving without a
valid license in Cambridge, Ohio. Prosecutors dropped charges of
possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Ohio State officials tried unsuccessfully to revoke Simpson's
scholarship after he was accused of getting into a
punching-and-kicking incident with one woman and striking another
woman.
Mott, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference player of the year, spent
two years at La Salle before transferring to Coppin State. He has
indicated that he is leaving open the possibility that he could return
for his senior season.
Mott was a third-team GTE Academic All-America selection last season,
averaging 19 points and 7.4 rebounds while leading Coppin State to a
19-10 record. Mott shot 63.8 percent from the field to rank fifth
nationally.
"He wants to test the waters because of his family situation,'' Coppin
State coach Ron Mitchell said. "His mother passed away recently, and
he feels he needs to take care of his family.''
nba.905vpoznanovic,
Orlando (99) At Atlanta (104)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 41 3-12 0-0 0 5 5 2 2 0 4 8
Grant F 44 14-17 1-2 9 11 20 1 2 2 0 29
Oneal C 37 7-17 5-17 1 7 8 4 3 1 1 19
Anderson G 36 2-9 0-0 2 3 5 2 3 0 0 5
Hardaway G 37 10-19 9-11 2 2 4 11 3 3 1 29
Shaw 21 2-7 1-2 0 2 2 2 4 0 2 7
Koncak 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
Bowie 12 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2
Wolf 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Bonner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Royal Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 39-84 16-32 15 32 47 22 20 6 10 99
(.464) (.500) Team Rebs: 14 Total To: 11(19 PTS)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 28 4-8 5-6 1 4 5 4 0 1 4 13
Long F 42 5-9 1-2 1 6 7 5 3 0 2 11
Laettner C 30 6-11 5-7 1 5 6 2 5 1 1 17
Smith G 45 12-31 4-6 4 2 6 2 2 2 0 35
Blaylock G 39 5-9 0-1 1 4 5 11 4 0 2 14
Rooks 18 2-4 1-2 0 0 0 0 5 0 2 5
Henderson 5 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
Ehlo 24 3-4 0-0 1 3 4 1 3 1 1 7
Jordan 9 1-1 0-1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-79 16-25 9 26 35 25 24 5 12 104
(.481) (.640) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 12(14 PTS)
Orlando 29 18 36 16 - 99
Atlanta 44 23 15 22 - 104
Blocked Shots: Orlando - Scott, Oneal, Anderson. Atlanta - Smith 2,
Rooks, Ehlo.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Orlando 5-21 (.238), Scott 2-8, Anderson 1-6, Hardaway
0-3, Shaw 2-4. Atlanta 12-23 (.522), Long 0-1, Smith 7-14, Blaylock 4-7,
Ehlo 1-1.
Technicals: None.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Joe Derosa, Dan Crawford.
A - 12,645. T - 2:18.
nba.906vpoznanovic,
HAWKS HAND MAGIC FIRST PLAYOFF LOSS
ATLANTA -- Steve Smith scored a career playoff-high 35 points and the
Atlanta Hawks hit 12 3-pointers Monday to stave off the Orlando
Magic's plans for another playoff sweep.
Atlanta's 104-99 victory over Orlando narrowed the Magic's series lead
to 3-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The loss was the first
for Orlando in the playoffs after the Magic swept Detroit three
straight in the first round and won the first three games from
Atlanta.
Horace Grant had 29 points and 20 rebounds and Penny Hardaway also
scored 29 for the Magic.
Orlando center Shaquille O'Neal, who hit just 5 of 17 free throws and
missed four straight in crunch time, put the blame on his own
shoulders.
"Tonight was my fault," said O'Neal, now hitting just 42 percent from
the line in the playoffs. ``I don't make excuses for missing shots. I
just missed them. I wasn't concentrating, but I will be concentrating
Wednesday."
O'Neal virtually guaranteed the Magic would win Wednesday's Game 5 in
Orlando.
"Winning at home makes it sweeter," he said. "I'll be ready to send
all the crybabies home."
Atlanta's Christian Laettner, who scored 17 points and helped limit
O'Neal to 19, isn't so sure about O'Neal's promise.
"We kept plugging along," Laettner said. "They turned it up a notch
and we turned it up a notch. We'll do it again for the next game."
Smith, who hit seven 3-pointers, scored 23 of his points in the first
half when Atlanta built a 67-47 lead. But Orlando came out flying in
the third quarter and outscored the Hawks 30-9 in the first nine
minutes to take a 77-76 lead.
"They're a good team and they made a good run, but the thing is to be
able to withstand it," said Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens. "I thought that
our players showed a lot of poise during that stretch because it's
real easy to slide under. We wanted the game badly and I thought we
played real well. The effort that was given by the team was
tremendous."
Smith hit a 3-pointer and a baseline jumper as the Hawks started the
fourth quarter with a 12-5 run to regain a 94-88 advantage.
A hook shot by O'Neal pulled Orlando within 98-97 with 1:31 remaining.
After Grant Long hit a corner jumper for Atlanta, O'Neal missed a pair
of free throws and Smith converted a jumper in the lane with 40
seconds left to give Atlanta a 102-97 advantage.
"A lot of people were writing us off and we weren't going to just lay
down because they are a great team," said Smith. "It was definitely a
gut check for us. We just have to keep doing what we're doing."
What the Hawks did a lot of was go to Smith, who was 12 of 31 from the
field, including 7 of 14 from 3-point range.
"That's what we need out of Steve, he gave us great offense," said
Atlanta's Mookie Blaylock, who had 14 points and 11 assists, including
four 3-pointers of his own.
The Hawks came out firing in the first period, hitting 16 of 23 shots,
including 7 of 10 from 3-point range, and set a club record for points
in a quarter with 44. Smith scored 16 points in the quarter, including
four 3-pointers, as the Hawks built a 44-29 lead.
Laettner scored 11 of his 17 points in the first quarter for Atlanta.
Atlanta led by as many as 22 points, 63-41, after a jumper by Grant
Long with 2:56 left in the second quarter.
The Hawks held a 71-52 advantage with 10:32 left in the third quarter
before the Magic went on a 25-5 run. Hardaway scored 11 points and
Grant added seven in the spurt. O'Neal's layup with 3:16 left capped
the run and gave Orlando a 77-76 lead.
The Magic outscored the Hawks 36-15 in the quarter and held an 83-82
advantage, but Smith hit a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter and
Atlanta led the rest of the way.
"They had nothing to lose, we just weren't up for the challenge," said
Orlando's Grant, who hit 14 of 17 shots from the field. "But the great
thing about this league is we can redeem ourselves."
"You got to tip your hat to the Hawks, it was a great game," said
Hardaway.
Orlando starters Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott combined for just 13
points on 5 of 21 shooting from the field.
The Magic know they can do better.
"I think we'll close this out Wednesday night," said Grant. "It leaves
a bitter taste in your mouth, but we're veterans. We're going back
home. We're going to take the attitude that we took in the first two
games."
nba.907vitez.koja,
#=>> but missed a jumper and traveled in the final minute. John
#=>> Starks also traveled before he made what would have been a
#=>> game-tying 3-pointer.
#=> Jel vidite vi ovo?
#=> Pogodio trojku, ali napravio korake... :((((((((((((((((((
Davali tvoji omiljeni Hrvati (tj. HRT) izravan prijenos, a ja ti
ne budi šovinista pa gledaj, pa se nervirah :)... Ali nije mi Starks
nešto bio kriv, više Juing što napravi onako glupe korake i što je
ostavio Veningona samog kada je Rodman krenuo na ulaz (krenuo da lupi
Rodmanu bananu, k'o da je ovaj ne znam kakav strelac, pa mu nije dosta
taj koji ga je čuvao - Oukli valjda). Ipak dao je par važnih poena na
kraju, samo da je ovo uradio kako valja bio bi ubedljivo igrač meča.
Njujork je odigrao jedno 5 min. fantastične odbrane protiv Čikaga
(najjače petorke) što pokazuje da se može, ali da li i svih 48 min?
Eto Džordana su dugo držali na 25 poena uz očajan šut, ali ipak dade
na kraju ona bacanja.
#=>> an 89-86 lead with 1:41 to go.
#=> Vodili smo 3 razlike 1:41 pre kraja!!1
#=> Sto sada ne krene Derek Harpera kao u onoj utakmici u sezoni
#=> kad je New York razbio Cikago a Harper dao otprilike 11 trojki...
Onaj Sejli (ex-Detroit iz "onog" Bed Bojsi doba) je napravio tako
kvaran i grub faul nad njim da je to bilo tužno... Posle se vratio,
ali se ispostavilo da bi bilo bolje da nije :(
Valjda će da dobiju sledeću...
Od sve muke moraću da navijam za Čikago, za Orlando nikako ne mogu...
sk
nba.908vpoznanovic,
Juče se desilo dosta značajnih stvari u NBA ligi... obratite pažnju...
MAGIC RETIRES FOR THIRD TIME
LOS ANGELES -- Magic Johnson, who returned with glowing triumph to
the NBA after a 4Ż year absence but saw the season end in controversy
and disappointment, retired again Tuesday, saying he was returning to
his business interests.
The new Magic was a bulked-up power forward who challenged the like of
Dennis Rodman.
"I am ready to give it up. It's time to move on. I am going out on my
terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992,"
Johnson said in a statement released through his agent, Lon Rosen.
"I was satisfied with my return to the NBA, although I would have
hoped we (the Los Angeles Lakers) would have gone further into the
playoffs," he said.
Rosen said that Johnson's retirement had nothing to do with his
health. The Lakers were apparently unaware of Johnson's decision and
had no immediate reaction to his retirement.
Magic's announcement surprised the team, which was given no advance
warning of the move.
"From the time he came to this team almost 17 years ago, Earvin
Johnson has been a very special part of our lives," Lakers executive
vice president of basketball operations Jerry West said in a
statement.
"While this is a sad day, it's one that we always knew would come, and
I would rather look at it remembering all the great moments he brought
to this team and our fans. Obviously, we wish him the best in his
future endeavors, and will look forward to having him around as he was
the past 4Ż years before his comeback."
Lakers owner Jerry Buss said in a statement, "We want what is best for
Magic."
"We supported him in his return, and we support him again in his
retirement. Despite the disappointment he and our organization felt
during the playoffs, the special relationship Earvin continued to have
with fans everywhere, myself included, had to make this past season a
rewarding one for him."
Johnson, 36, would have been a free agent on July 1 and there was
speculation if he would return to the Lakers or leave for another
team. But only 10 days ago, in a news conference after the Lakers were
eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the Houston
Rockets, Johnson said he wanted to play next season.
"This is where I want to be, I'm a Laker," Johnson said May 3. "I'm
looking at the Lakers as No. 1."
Johnson first retired just before the start of the 1991-92 season
after learning he had tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS.
He unretired before the start of the 1992 season and played in
preseason games before objections from several NBA players about
playing with him, most notably Karl Malone, led to his second
retirement.
He returned to the Lakers on Jan. 29, collected 19 points and 10
rebounds his first game, and helped fuel a surge that led the team
into the playoffs.
Johnson played in 32 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 14.6
points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds. The Lakers won 20 of those
games. He was dominant at times, playing mostly at power forward, but
looked his age at others.
But he wasn't entirely happy with his role on the team, wanting to see
more action at point guard than power forward and hinting he would
welcome offers from other teams.
Johnson, who gave up a percentage of the Lakers when he came back,
said he will continue to cheer for the Lakers. "This team has a great
future and I will be excited to sit courtside and root them on to a
championship very soon. In announcing this decision now, I wanted to
give the Lakers every advantage in planning their future and securing
one of the much-talked about free agents this summer."
Rosen's release to the press said Johnson will return to his business
interests, which include Magic Johnson Theatres and a building-land
development company.
Besides the first-round playoff loss to Houston, the season ended in
controversy when Johnson was suspended for three games after bumping
referee Scott Foster. The bumping incident came just days after
Johnson had admonished younger teammate Nick Van Exel for pushing a
referee.
The Laker season seemed to disintegrate with infighting. Starting
forward Cedric Ceballos jumped the team for a few days, unhappy with
his playing time. At one time, Johnson said he had trouble relating to
the younger players.
The Rockets eliminated the Lakers in four games, winning the series
finale 102-94. Johnson, who scored eight points in the game, sat the
final five minutes on the bench as the Lakers were unable to overcome
a five-point deficit. Coach Del Harris said he wanted to go with
younger legs.
After that defeat, Johnson said he wanted to come back. "If I feel
that there's something different, then I won't come back. Right now I
feel like I want to come back. I hope to be back," he said.
Apparently, something happened in the ensuing 10 days. After a team
meeting on May 3, Johnson said, "As of today, I want to play next
year. I can't go out like this, I don't want to. This is not my style,
this is not what I came back for."
Stay tuned.
nba.909vpoznanovic,
Bravo Toni!
KUKOC GRABS NBA'S SIXTH MAN AWARD
Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc was named the winner of the NBA's
Sixth Man award on Tuesday.
Tony Kukoc was third on the Bulls in scoring, assists and 3-point
field goal percentage.
Kukoc received 45 of 113 votes from a nationwide panel of writers and
broadcasters. Portland center Arvydas Sabonis, was second with 24
votes, and New Jersey Nets center Jayson Williams was third with 14
votes.
The 6-foot-11 Kukoc averaged 13.1 points and four rebounds in 81 games
this season. He becomes the first Chicago player to win the award.
Kukoc has missed the last two games of the Bulls' Eastern Conference
semifinal series with the New York Knicks because of a back injury and
is not expected to be in uniform Tuesday night for Game 5.
Kukoc, who started 20 games this season, was third on the team in
scoring, assists and 3-point field goal percentage at 40.3 percent (87
for 216).
The 27-year-old Croatian scored a career-high 34 points against the
Miami Heat in a 100-92 win April 4 and had 24 points and a season-high
10 assists as Chicago beat the Denver Nuggets 108-87 March 15.
Kukoc averaged 15.7 points and 5.4 rebounds last season, but lost his
starting job this year after the Bulls acquired Dennis Rodman from San
Antonio.
Kukoc was the Bulls' second-round pick in 1990, but did not join
Chicago until the 1993-94 season. He was a member of three European
championship teams and was named the Player of the Year three times.
Kukoc helped Croatia to the silver medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
nba.910vpoznanovic,
NBA Sixth Man award voting
The following is the voting for the NBA's Sixth Man award:
45 -- Toni Kukoc, Chicago Bulls
24 -- Arvydas Sabonis, Portland Trail Blazers
14 -- Jayson Williams, New Jersey Nets
11 -- Sam Cassell, Houston Rockets
9 -- Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
5 -- Chuck Person, San Antonio Spurs
2 -- Chris Gatling, Miami Heat
2 -- Dell Curry, Charlotte Hornets
1 -- Steve Kerr, Chicago Bulls
nba.911vpoznanovic,
NBA Sixth Man award winners
1995-96 -- Toni Kukoc, Chicago
1994-95 -- Anthony Mason, New York
1993-94 -- Dell Curry, Charlotte
1992-93 -- Cliff Robinson, Portland
1991-92 -- Detlef Schrempf, Indiana
1990-91 -- Detlef Schrempf, Indiana
1989-90 -- Ricky Pierce, Milwaukee
1988-89 -- Eddie Johnson, Phoenix
1987-88 -- Roy Tarpley, Dallas
1986-87 -- Ricky Pierce, Milwaukee
1985-86 -- Bill Walton, Boston
1984-85 -- Kevin McHale, Boston
1983-84 -- Kevin McHale, Boston
1982-83 -- Bobby Jones, Philadelphia
nba.912vpoznanovic,
SONICS SIGN KARL FOR ANOTHER YEAR
SEATTLE -- The Seattle SuperSonics guaranteed the final year of coach
George Karl's contract on Tuesday, two days after the club swept the
defending champion Houston Rockets out of the playoffs.
Karl had one year remaining on his contract and there had been
speculation that he would not be back if the team fared poorly in the
playoffs. Despite successful regular seasons, Seattle had been
eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 1994 and 1995.
But the Sonics, who won a franchise-record 64 games this season,
knocked off the Sacramento Kings in the first round before the
four-game sweep of the Rockets.
"George and his staff have done a superb job," Sonics president and
general manager Wally Walker said. "The team has made positive
progress in so many ways this season and we are delighted to recognize
our coach's role in that progress."
Walker also said the team will discuss a contract extension in the
offseason.
The 45-year-old Karl joined the Sonics midway through the 1991-92
season and has compiled a 266-104 record with the club. In four full
seasons, he has guided Seattle to the best record in the NBA during
that span and two appearances in the Western Conference finals.
"I'm happy to be staying in Seattle and happy that the ownership and
Wally made this decision at this time," Karl said. "It allows me, our
staff and our team to really focus on the present and the task at
hand, which is bringing an NBA championship to Seattle."
Karl, who also coached the Golden State Warriors, has a career record
of 385-280. Had he not returned to Seattle, he had been mentioned as a
candidate for the vacant coaching job with the Charlotte Hornets.
nba.913vpoznanovic,
BICKERSTAFF TO REMAIN AS NUGGETS COACH
DENVER -- Denver Nuggets coach Bernie Bickerstaff says he will return
next season as the team's coach, ending speculation he may step down
after the team's disappointing season.
But Bickerstaff said Monday he has spoken with Charlie Lyons,
president of owner Ascent Entertainment Group, and will continue to
coach the team while also handling his duties as team president.
"I'm just too much of a competitor to walk away from the franchise,"
Bickerstaff said. "I don't do that because times are tough. I don't
mind the critiquing or any of those things. I know what I'm about as a
coach."
The Nuggets were 20-12 under Bickerstaff at the end of the 1994-95
season, but fell to 35-47 this past season and missed the playoffs.
nba.914vpoznanovic,
KNEE SURGERY SHOULDN'T KEEP SABONIS OUT OF OLYMPICS
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland center Arvydas Sabonis had knee surgery and
is expected to recover in time to play for his native Lithuania in this
summer's Olympic Games at Atlanta, the Trail Blazers announced Tuesday.
Trail Blazers team physician Dr. Don Roberts used an arthroscopic
technique that reduces recovery time to repair the torn medial
meniscus, or cartilage, in the 31-year-old's right knee.
In his rookie NBA season, Sabonis averaged 14.5 points and 8.1
rebounds per game. Sabonis became a starter late in the season and led
the team to a sixth-place finish in the Western Conference.
He finished second to winner Toni Kukoc in voting for the Sixth Man
award.
Portland lost to Utah in the first round of the playoffs.
nba.915vpoznanovic,
MAGIC ONE OF ALL-TIME BEST ... AT QUITTING
By Howard Blatt
Even though the Magic Johnson of the '90s is carrying around more
weight between his shoulders and knees than Liz Taylor, when it comes
to pulling off a stutter-step, misdirection move, the man is still
nimble enough to leave a whole world flat-footted and open-mouthed.
On Tuesday, after just a few short months back following four years
away, Johnson retired from the NBA -- a move that would've been
shocking if he hadn't done it so many times before. In fact, if you
are scoring at home, counting that false-start comeback that started
and ended before the 1992-93 season began, this is the third time
Magic has retired from the Lakers. He is 36.
For those of you without an abacus, this retirement marks the fourth
time Magic has left the Lakers, if you count his skid-mark-producing
exit as their coach, following one disastrous month, in the stretch
run of 1993-94.
Hey, Magic, Amtrack doesn't log this many departures.
Hate to spoil his fun, but it's starting to look like Magic is saying
good-bye because he thinks it is so much fun to say hello again. Magic
seems determined to break Larry Holmes' record for retirements and
Billy Martin's record for comebacks. Obviously, Magic feels about
playing basketball the same way Ross Perot fells about running for
president -- strongly both ways. Laker GM Jerry West better learn how
to lock the door behind him, because how many times can the same team
retire a guy's number, anyway?
How long will it be before Johnson starts hinting about the fact that
he has been working out and that he misses the rush of competition too
much to stay away? Will he be back in uniform before the next training
camp?
Magic now moves form active to inactive the way he once shifted gears
in the lane. Let us count the jukes.
Johnson first retired in 1991, after he was diagnosed as HIV positive,
and he reconsidered in less time than it took to hoist his jersey to
the rafters.
He came back for the All-Star Game in February 1992. He played in the
Olympics with Dream Team I that summer.
Then, he decided to unretire the first time, rejoining the Lakers for
the preseason until Karl Malone displayed the cajones to say what
other players were thinking at the time -- that they would rather not
have Magic bleed on him.
Hey, Magic, Amtrack doesn't log this many departures.
Then, Magic coached the Lakers for just long enough to learn that
even retirement is preferable to begging a bench of Generation X
snotnosers to break a sweat.
Then he owned the Lakers.
Then he came back as a player Jan. 29 of this season, figuring he
could be the world's first power point forward.
Within days, Magic hinted there must be a Dream Team III spot for an
old playmaker with a smile to rival Christie Brinkleyĺs, then took
himself out of consideration.
As a prospective free agent, he noted that it might be nice to play
his swan song in New York, or for his old greased-back friend Pat
Riley in Miami or alongside Shaq wherever he might be in 1996-97. He
thought out loud about playing everywhere other than L.A. -- except
Michigan State.
In the meantime, Magic said he planned on doing lots of dirty work and
showing Cedric Ceballos and Nick Van Exel how to win an NBA title. The
old timer thought they and the other Lakers burned with the same
desire to win a ring that had always motivated him.
Foolish, Magic. Doesn't he know they can afford to buy any ring they
want?
A funny thing happened before the Lakers went out in the first round
of the playoffs, to the Rockets. The half-his-age kiddies who rule the
Lakers day-care center wound up rubbing off on Magic instead of vice
versa. Who would have thunk it?
From Van Exel, Johnson learned the art of ref-roughing and he got
suspended for three games. From Ceballos, who reminded us that
sometimes a man just has to water ski, Johnson learned the art of the
self-serving sulk and sniped at Del Harris for not carving him a more
central role in the postseason.
Now Johnson has bowed out again. Until the next time he canĺt stand
being plain old Earvin and not Magic anymore.
nba.916vpoznanovic,
Navijači New Yorka, stvarno ste bili preveliki optimisti. ;)
New York (81) At Chicago (94)
New York
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Oakley F 41 5-8 4-7 3 10 13 2 4 1 3 14
Mason F 41 6-8 4-7 1 5 6 2 3 0 4 16
Ewing C 38 7-14 8-11 1 6 7 1 4 0 5 22
Starks G 32 3-10 3-5 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 10
Harper G 33 3-9 0-0 0 2 2 6 4 0 3 6
Anderson 22 3-9 0-0 1 4 5 1 3 2 1 6
Davis 17 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 4
Ward 15 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 4 0 3
Grandison 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grant Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Reid Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Williams Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 30-67 19-30 6 30 36 15 23 7 19 81
(.448) (.633) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 20(17 PTS)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 42 5-12 3-4 3 8 11 2 4 5 1 15
Rodman F 31 5-9 1-2 4 8 12 3 6 0 1 11
Longley C 23 1-7 2-2 1 2 3 1 6 0 3 4
Harper G 36 4-7 3-4 1 4 5 5 1 2 0 12
Jordan G 43 13-29 8-9 1 1 2 5 5 2 2 35
Wennington 24 2-7 0-0 1 3 4 3 3 0 1 4
Kerr 17 1-1 2-2 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 4
Buechler 5 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5
Brown 13 1-2 2-2 2 3 5 1 1 0 2 4
Salley 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Kukoc Dnp - Back Injury
Totals 240 34-78 21-25 13 30 43 23 28 9 12 94
(.436) (.840) Team Rebs: 2 Total To: 12(6 PTS)
New York 18 18 23 22 - 81
Chicago 18 24 26 26 - 94
Blocked Shots: New York - Ewing 3. Chicago - Longley, Wennington.
3-Pt. Field Goals: New York 2-13 (.154), Starks 1-4, Harper 0-3, Anderson
0-1, Davis 0-1, Ward 1-3, Grandison 0-1. Chicago 5-11 (.455), Pippen 2-4,
Harper 1-2, Jordan 1-2, Wennington 0-1, Buechler 1-2.
Technicals: New York - Ewing, Harper, Chicago - Rodman 2 (Ejected).
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Steve Javie, Ronnie Nunn.
A - 24,396. T - 2:30.
nba.917vpoznanovic,
ENRAGING BULLS STAMPEDE OVER KNICKS, AGAIN
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls continued their march toward the title
Tuesday as Michael Jordan scored 35 points in a 94-81 victory over
the New York Knicks that closed out the Eastern Conference semifinals
in five games.
If history is any indicator, knocking the Knicks out of the playoffs
again will mean the fourth NBA title in the 1990s for Chicago.
"I fully expect them to win the championship," New York coach Jeff Van
Gundy said Tuesday night after the game.
The last three times the Bulls beat New York -- 1991, 1992 and 1993 --
they went on to win titles. This series win marked the fifth time
Chicago has eliminated the Knicks in the past eight years.
Jordan, who scored 35 points and is 5-0 in series against the Knicks,
expects to get another shot at the Orlando Magic. The Magic, who beat
the Bulls in the second round last season, lead Atlanta 3-1 and can
wrap up that series Wednesday night.
"Orlando is a speed team, a quick team," Bulls coach Phil Jackson
said. "They will not be as physical as New York but they have the
ability to score a lot of points."
"Now I have a chance to redeem myself," said Jordan, who came out of
retirement last year but couldn't lead the Bulls past Orlando. "What
we all realize after this series is that we've got to play a lot
better to even come close to beating Orlando."
Tuesday's game was a typical Knicks-Bulls battle, with shoving
matches, trash talk, ragged play and 51 fouls.
"I hate series like that because it's not even a series, or a
basketball game. It's more like who can beat each other up first,"
said Chicago's Dennis Rodman, who had 12 rebounds and 11 points before
fouling out and was ejected after drawing his second technical foul
with 1:29 to play.
"Who can get last punch? That's not the way it should be, we should
play basketball," Rodman said. "You get a team like that they're
supposed to be professional, but they're paid a lot of money to play
football and rugby."
Chicago, which won an NBA record 72 games in the regular season,
improved to 7-1 in the postseason.
It marked the first time a best-of-seven series between the teams went
less than six games.
"They were short on offense," Jordan said. "They only had a couple
guys who could put the ball in the hoop. That's why they needed to
play a perfect game defensively every time. They gave us a good
series, even though it only went five games. They played us as hard as
anybody in the league."
New York had pulled within 76-70 with 5:42 to play on a basket by
Ewing before the Bulls put the game and the series away with a 7-0
run. Ron Harper hit a 3-pointer with 5:17 to play and Scottie Pippen
had a pair of free throws before Luc Longley took a pass from Dennis
Rodman on the break and threw down a dunk to make it 83-70 with 4:11
remaining.
Pippen added 15 points and Harper 12 for Chicago, which played without
forward Toni Kukoc, who missed the final three games of the series
with a back injury. Kukoc was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year earlier
on Tuesday.
Ewing scored 22 points and Anthony Mason added 16 for the Knicks, who
scored only 36 points in the first half and were not in contention in
the final five minutes for the first time in the series.
Asked if he felt sorry for Ewing, a close friend, Jordan said: "You
have sympathy for him, but not to the point where you'll sacrifice
your happiness. He had his chance when I was gone."
"It's frustrating to lose a game like this to end a series," Ewing
said. "I'm very disappointed about the outcome. I still think we're a
better team than they are but we didn't prove it."
Chicago closed the first half with a 12-2 run. Mason had given New
York a 34-30 lead with 3:36 to play in the first half but Rodman hit a
layup before Pippen hit a 10-footer to tie the game, 34-34.
Ewing hit a jumper before Pippen answered with a three-pointer to give
the Bulls the lead, 37-36. Jordan had a dunk and three free throws to
give Chicago a 42-36 halftime lead.
New York came no closer than five points in the second half, pulling
within 44-39 just 71 seconds into the third quarter.
Chicago shot 44 percent (34-of-78) from the field and outrebounded the
Knicks, 43-36, 13-6 in the offensive end. Rodman and Longley both
fouled out and the Bulls committed 28 turnovers.
John Starks added 10 points for the Knicks, who shot 45 percent (30 of
67) from the floor. New York committed 20 turnovers, leading to 17
Bulls points. The Knicks committed 20 or more turnovers in the final
four games and 98 in the series.
"It's a tough loss. It was a tough series," said Starks, who
anticipated a breakup of the current Knicks squad. "I'm sure they'll
be some changes here with the Knicks. We'll have to wait and see. I
would love to come back."
nba.918vpoznanovic,
Utah (87) At San Antonio (98)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Malone F 42 8-21 8-14 2 10 12 4 5 0 1 24
Morris F 30 3-11 2-2 6 5 11 1 3 2 0 8
Spencer C 16 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 2 4
Hornacek G 37 5-10 4-4 0 2 2 4 3 2 3 16
Stockton G 36 7-10 0-0 1 2 3 8 1 1 6 14
Ostertag 13 0-0 2-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 2
Eisley 12 0-3 1-2 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 1
Russell 17 3-6 2-3 0 2 2 1 2 1 1 9
Keefe 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Carr 18 0-2 1-2 1 0 1 2 4 0 1 1
Benoit 14 3-4 1-3 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 8
Foster 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 31-70 21-32 12 25 37 23 25 6 14 87
(.443) (.656) Team Rebs: 13 Total To: 14(25 PTS)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
W Perdue F 38 4-4 1-2 4 8 12 0 4 0 0 9
Elliott F 41 2-11 0-0 2 3 5 8 2 2 5 4
Robinson C 38 7-21 10-15 8 7 15 1 5 3 1 24
Del Negro G 33 8-14 3-5 0 1 1 2 4 1 0 21
Johnson G 36 8-14 5-6 1 0 1 1 1 3 2 21
Smith 13 1-1 1-2 1 2 3 2 3 1 0 3
C Person 24 4-7 2-2 1 2 3 1 4 0 0 14
Alexander 12 0-2 1-2 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 1
Anderson 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
Williams 1 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
Herrera Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Rivers Dnp - Back Spasms
Totals 240 34-74 24-36 17 25 42 18 25 11 10 98
(.459) (.667) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 10(6 PTS)
Utah 16 19 18 34 - 87
San Antonio 26 19 23 30 - 98
Blocked Shots: Utah - Malone 2, Spencer 2, Morris, Ostertag. San Antonio
- Elliott, Robinson, Smith.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 4-14 (.286), Morris 0-2, Hornacek 2-4, Stockton
0-1, Eisley 0-2, Russell 1-3, Benoit 1-2. San Antonio 6-14 (.429), Elliott
0-5, Del Negro 2-2, C Person 4-7.
Technicals: Utah - Malone.
Officials: Ron Garretson, Joe Crawford, Bill Oakes.
A - 34,215. T - 2:22.
nba.919vpoznanovic,
ADMIRAL KEEPS SPURS AFLOAT
SAN ANTONIO -- David Robinson scored 24 points -- two better than his
two-game output at Utah -- as the San Antonio Spurs staved off
elimination with a 98-87 victory over the Jazz in Game 5 of their
Western Conference semifinal series.
The series shifts back to Utah for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Jazz
win, they will play the Seattle SuperSonics in the conference final.
If the Spurs win, a deciding Game 7 will be Saturday at San Antonio.
Robinson, who scored 11 points apiece in losses in Games 3 and 4 at
Utah while being guarded by Karl Malone, capped a 14-0 third-quarter
run with a basket to give the Spurs a 61-45 lead with 3:35 to play.
The Jazz never came within double digits in the final quarter.
"I haven't been shooting a lot of jump shots in the series," said
Robinson. "But the guys just kept telling me to keep shooting. You
know they're going to make their run at you, so we wanted to get them
out of that is soon as possible."
Malone scored 24 points and Jeff Hornacek added 18 for Utah, which is
trying to advance to the conference finals for the second time in
three seasons.
San Antonio is trying to advance to the conference finals for the
second straight season.
After Utah pulled within 47-45 on a jumper by Hornacek, the Spurs
reeled off 14 consecutive points. Avery Johnson hit a 10-footer and a
layup before Will Perdue, who started at power forward in favor of
Charles Smith, had a follow shot to make it 53-45 with 7:20 remaining.
Robinson made two free throws before Sean Elliott and Purdue canned
jumpers. Robinson then capped the run to make it 61-45.
Robinson also pulled down 15 rebounds for San Antonio, which committed
only 10 turnovers. Johnson and Vinny Del Negro scored 21 points apiece
on 16-of-28 shooting, outplaying counterparts Hornacek and John
Stockton, who combined for 30 points.
"I think the pressure is still on us and I hope we look at it that
way," said Johnson. "It's when we relax and think we've got it made
when we get ourselves in trouble."
Elliott made just 2 of 11 shots from the field but had eight assists
for the Spurs, who shot 46 percent (34-of-74) from the floor and
outrebounded Utah, 42-37. Perdue contributed nine points and 12
rebounds while Smith had only three points in 13 minutes.
"We played Spurs basketball for the first time in this series," said
Spurs coach Bob Hill. "Our pick-and-roll defense has been as good as
it has been. Starting Will Perdue helps us pressure-wise and he is a
good defender as well."
Chuck Person added 14 points off the bench for the Spurs, who took a
26-16 lead after one quarter, led by nine points from Del Negro.
Stockton had 14 points, eight assists and six turnovers for Utah,
which shot 44 percent (31 of 70) from the floor. Stockton left the
game with 1:10 to play re-aggravating a hamstring injury. The Jazz
committed 14 turnovers, leading to 25 San Antonio points.
"I thought they were the aggressors all night long," said Utah coach
Jerry Sloan. "Our bench struggled and we're not going to beat anybody
without them competing. We got in a little bit of a hurry tonight,
that's what pressure will to do to you."
nba.920vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Second round
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago defeats New York 4-1
Sunday May 5 Chicago 91, New York 84
Tuesday May 7 Chicago 91, New York 80
Saturday May 11 New York 102, Chicago 99 (OT)
Sunday May 12 Chicago 94, New York 91
Tuesday May 14 Chicago 94, New York 81
Orlando leads Atlanta 3-1
Wednesday May 8 Orlando 117, Atlanta 105
Friday May 10 Orlando 120, Atlanta 94
Sunday May 12 Orlando 103, Atlanta 96
Monday May 13 Atlanta 104, Orlando 99
Wednesday May 15 at Orlando 8 p.m. TNT
Friday May 17 *at Atlanta 8 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 19 *at Orlando TBA NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle defeats Houston 4-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 Seattle 105, Houston 101
Friday May 10 Seattle 115, Houston 112
Sunday May 12 Seattle 114, Houston 107 (OT)
Utah leads San Antonio 3-2
Tuesday May 7 Utah 95, San Antonio 75
Thursday May 9 San Antonio 88, Utah 77
Saturday May 11 Utah 105, San Antonio 75
Sunday May 12 Utah 101, San Antonio 86
Tuesday May 14 San Antonio 98, Utah 87
Thursday May 16 at Utah TBA TNT or TBS
Saturday May 18 *at San Antonio TBA NBC
nba.921junior,
> Onaj Sejli (ex-Detroit iz "onog" Bed Bojsi doba) je napravio
John Spider Salley? Tip je genije ... :)
> Od sve muke moraću da navijam za Čikago, za Orlando nikako ne mogu...
E to je čovek ;) Volim ljude koji ne vole Šejkila. BTW, 4:2 za Čikago.
Slažeš se?
nba.922dizel,
>
> Ja od celog tima Chicaga (kojeg mrzim) jedino volim Kukoca.
Pa da, Kukoc je stvarno super igrac, i zao mi je sto se jos uvek
nije pokazai u pravom svetlu...(popnajvise zbog Pipena).
Njegova lucidnost i atraktivne asistencije su mnogo redje nego
dok je igrao u Evropi...Steta, mozda bi tako zaigrao kad bi dobio
vise slobode!
nba.923vpoznanovic,
STOUDAMIRE NAMED NBA ROOKIE OF YEAR
NEW YORK -- Damon Stoudamire of the Toronto Raptors was named NBA
Rookie of the Year on Wednesday.
Stoudamire received 76 of a possible 113 votes from a panel of
leaguewide sports writers and broadcasters. Portland's Arvydas Sabonis
was second with 17 votes, followed by Golden State's Joe Smith in
third with 15 votes.
"This is a great honor," said Stoudamire, a 5-foot-11 point guard from
the University of Arizona. "It's something I worked very hard for.
It's very meaningful for me that a lot of voters saw the importance of
me to this team."
"Damon has given us a lot of joy and he's brought a lot to this
franchise, a lot to this city," said Raptors general manager Isiah
Thomas, who knows a thing or two about playing point guard in the NBA.
"He really put us on the map in terms of an expansion team, in terms
of credibility and respectability."
Other players who received votes were Jerry Stackhouse of Philadelphia
(two), Michael Finley of Phoenix (two) and Kevin Garnett of Minnesota
(one).
Stoudamire, selected seventh in last June's draft, became the sixth
lowest selection to win the rookie award. The lowest ever was Mark
Jackson, who won after being the 18th pick of the New York Knicks in
the 1987 draft.
Last year's rookie award was shared by Grant Hill of Detroit and Jason
Kidd of Dallas.
Stoudamire averaged 19 points, 9.3 assists and four rebounds for the
expansion Raptors. He led all rookies in assists and steals and
averaged 40.9 minutes per game, seventh most for a rookie in NBA
history.
Stoudamire set a rookie record for 3-point field goals by hitting on
133 of his 337 attempts. He was also MVP of the rookie game during the
All-Star weekend.
nba.924vpoznanovic,
PHOENIX WILL BE LAND OF COTTON AGAIN NEXT SEASON
PHOENIX -- Cotton Fitzsimmons, who failed to rally the Suns in his
third stint as head coach, on Wednesday announced he would return to
coach the club for the 1996-97 season.
Fitzsimmons, who has 832 victories in 21 seasons, guided the Suns to a
27-22 record after replacing the fired Paul Westphal 33 games into the
season. Phoenix was eliminated in four games by the San Antonio Spurs
in the Western Conference quarterfinals.
"It's always been a handshake deal with Cotton," Suns president Jerry
Colangelo said. "He's my coach, not my interim coach."
Fitzsimmons, who began the season as the team's executive vice
president, coached the Suns in 1970-71 and 1971-72 and returned for
four more seasons from 1988 to 1992. He also has four seasons of 50 or
more wins.
In addition to his role as executive vice president, Fitzsimmons had
served as color analyst for Suns radio broadcasts.
nba.925vpoznanovic,
LAKERS' STRONG HAS FOOT SURGERY
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Derek Strong underwent
surgery on his right foot at Centinela Hospital Medical Center on
Wednesday.
The surgery included a reconstruction of a bone in the foot also known
as a first metatarsal osteotomy, a capsulorraphy to rebuild the tendon
around the bone and the removal of a bunion.
Strong should be released Thursday and will be on crutches for
approximately five to six weeks. He can begin workouts in about three
months.
Strong, who spent parts of the previous four seasons with Washington,
Milwaukee and Boston, appeared in 63 games with the Lakers this past
season, averaging 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per
game.
Strong becomes a free agent on July 1.
nba.926vpoznanovic,
Uz sve ono što je juče rečeno, evo još nekih podataka o slučaju "Magic"...
MAGIC DOESN'T LEAVE DOOR OPEN FOR RETURN
LOS ANGELES -- Proclaiming that "the final chapter was written in my
book," Los Angeles Lakers legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson confirmed
Wednesday that he will no longer play in the NBA.
"This is not a sad day or a bad day, it's a good day," said Johnson at
a news conference at the Great Western Forum. "God blessed me to come
back and I was happy I came back. I proved to myself I could do it. I
set out to do what I could. But it's over now and I'm not coming
back."
Johnson, 36, announced his retirement from the NBA in a news release
Tuesday, four months after his publicized return. But the retirement
was met with some skepticism since Johnson said after the Lakers were
eliminated by the Houston Rockets in the playoffs that he would
probably play in 1996-97.
Johnson made his retirement official Wednesday, stating numerous times
that his NBA career is over.
"When it's time to go, it's time to go, and it's time to move on,"
said Johnson. "The final chapter was written in my book. I'm happy I
came back to end it the way I wanted it. Now it's over. Don't worry
about another one of these news conferences, because this is it."
Johnson said he will return full-time to his business interests.
"If I was just a basketball player, I would probably still play, "said
Johnson. "But I'm a businessman as well, and I've got so many things
going on."
Johnson also said he would like to regain the small percentage of
ownership he had in the Lakers. He was forced to relinquish his share
when he returned to the team as a player in January.
Johnson returned to the Lakers on Jan. 30 after a 4Ż-year hiatus. In
1991, he announced his retirement after contracting HIV, the virus
that causes AIDS. The next year, he halted a comeback following
backlash from rivals -- most notably Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone --
who feared taking the court with an HIV-positive player.
"I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a
comeback in 1992," Johnson said Wednesday.
Los Angeles went 29-11 after Johnson returned and finished this past
regular season 53-29. Johnson played forward as well as guard and
averaged 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists. In the playoffs,
he averaged 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists as the Lakers
lost to the Rockets in four games in a first-round series.
Johnson earned $2.5 million this season and was to become a free agent
on July 1. He became disenchanted with the attitudes of today's
players and was very outspoken about it, especially when teammates
Cedric Ceballos and Nick Van Exel drew suspensions for separate
incidents.
Just five days after criticizing Van Exel, Johnson himself drew a
three-game suspension for doing the same thing Van Exel did -- bumping
an official. During the playoffs, Johnson questioned coach Del Harris'
strategy and demanded to handle the ball more.
After being eliminated from the playoffs, Johnson indicated he wanted
to return to playing point guard and said if the Lakers did not want
him, there were "five, six, 10 teams" that did. It was a far cry from
what was being said early in his comeback, when his presence was hoped
to be strong enough to lure Orlando center Shaquille O'Neal -- also a
free agent -- to the Lakers.
"From the time he came to this team almost 17 years ago, Earvin
Johnson has been a special part of our lives," said Lakers vice
president of basketball operations Jerry West. "While this is a sad
day, it's one we always knew would come, and I would rather look at it
remembering all the great moments he brought to this team and our
fans.
"Obviously, we wish him the best in his future endeavors, and will
look forward to having him around as he was the past 4Ż years before
his comeback."
While the events of the past five years may have somewhat dimmed
Johnson's star, there is no denying his greatness prior to his first
retirement. Johnson not only lifted the Lakers to the top of the NBA,
he -- along with Larry Bird and later Michael Jordan -- lifted the
league itself to unprecedented heights.
Johnson led the Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s before
finding out he had contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. That
forced his early retirement. After flirting with the idea of returning
many times, he finally came back as a power forward and sixth man with
30 extra pounds of bulk.
The Lakers drafted Johnson first overall in 1979 after he led Michigan
State to the NCAA championship. His trademark smile and enthusiasm
rejuvenated center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the pair became an awesome
force, winning five titles in the next nine years.
As a rookie, Johnson played center for the injured Abdul-Jabbar in
Game 6 of the 1980 Finals against Philadelphia and had 42 points, 15
rebounds and seven assists in the clinching win. He was named Most
Valuable Player of the Finals.
Johnson suffered a knee injury the following season and missed 45
games. He returned for the playoffs, but the Lakers were eliminated in
the first round by Houston. At the start of the 1981-82 season,
Johnson threatened to retire, saying the game wasn't fun anymore. The
Lakers responded by firing coach Paul Westhead and giving Johnson a
25-year, $25 million deal.
New coach Pat Riley installed "Showtime," a brand of running
basketball that took advantage of Johnson's dribbling ability, height,
passing skills and court awareness. The Lakers again won the title in
1982 and Johnson was again named Finals MVP.
Johnson was one of the only players who could grab a rebound, dribble
the length of the court and either score or pass for an easy basket.
The Lakers' statistical crew eventually created the "triple-double" --
double figures in three categories in the same game. Johnson is the
unofficial all-time leader with 138.
The Lakers reached the Finals in 1983 and 1984 but lost both times.
The 1984 loss was in seven games to the Boston Celtics and triggered
an argument that raged for years -- was Johnson better than Bird, or
vice versa?
The Lakers beat the Celtics in six games in 1985 to reclaim the title,
but were again upset by Houston in 1986. They returned to the Finals
in 1987 behind Johnson -- who won his first league MVP award -- and
again defeated the Celtics in six games for the title. Johnson
captured his third Finals MVP award.
In 1988, the Lakers became the first repeat champion in 19 years as
they beat the Detroit Pistons in seven games. They returned to the
Finals the following year as Johnson again was named MVP, but a
hamstring injury sidelined him and the Lakers were swept by the
Pistons.
Abdul-Jabbar retired and Johnson couldn't get the Lakers back to the
Finals in 1990, despite winning his third MVP trophy. In 1991 -- under
new coach Mike Dunleavy -- Johnson surpassed the all-time mark
established by Oscar Robertson and guided the team back to the Finals
for the ninth time in 12 years, where he met a new challenger --
Jordan, who assumed the title of NBA's best player when his Chicago
Bulls beat the Lakers in five games.
On Nov. 7, 1991, Johnson stunned the world with his retirement
announcement. He had learned he was HIV-positive from a blood test
required by an insurance plan and became the first prominent active
athlete to publicly declare he had the virus.
Johnson said he would be an active voice in the AIDS community and was
selected by President George Bush to head a committee. However, he
grew frustrated with bureaucracy and resigned from the post a short
time later.
Only 32, Johnson played in the 1992 All-Star Game and was named MVP
with an emotionally stirring 25-point performance. He was part of the
Dream Team that won a gold medal in the Barcelona Olympics that summer
and began pondering a comeback.
He returned in October and played in five preseason games for the
Lakers. However, some players expressed concern about competing
against someone who had HIV and Johnson scuttled the comeback. Johnson
was more warmly received this time around as many top players --
including Malone -- supported his return.
Johnson never left the Lakers family. He attended many games as a fan
and was given a small percentage of ownership in the club by majority
owner and friend Dr. Jerry Buss. There were many rumors regarding his
return as a player, but all were unfounded until this year.
Johnson did return as coach for a brief period at the end of the
1993-94 season. After guiding the team to victories in his first five
games, he became disenchanted with the attitudes of some of the
players and resigned, effective at the end of the season. The team
lost its last 11 games, the longest losing streak in franchise
history.
Johnson averaged 19.6 points, 11.2 assists and 7.3 rebounds in his
career. He led the league in assists four times, in steals twice and
in free-throw percentage once. He was named to the All-NBA first team
nine times and appeared in 11 All-Star games, winning MVPs in 1990 and
1992.
nba.927vpoznanovic,
Atlanta (88) At Orlando (96)
Atlanta
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Augmon F 38 6-8 5-5 0 3 3 4 2 0 0 17
Long F 42 10-16 2-2 4 9 13 2 3 0 3 24
Laettner C 33 5-11 1-4 3 5 8 3 4 1 1 11
Smith G 44 6-19 3-3 0 2 2 1 3 1 2 16
Blaylock G 43 5-15 1-4 2 2 4 7 0 1 3 14
Ehlo 14 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0
Rooks 15 0-0 2-2 2 3 5 1 5 1 1 2
Jordan 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
Henderson 6 0-1 2-2 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 2
Boyce Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Bullard Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Norman Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 33-74 16-22 13 25 38 22 19 5 11 88
(.446) (.727) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 11(16 PTS)
Orlando
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Scott F 32 2-8 1-1 1 3 4 4 3 0 0 7
Grant F 37 5-8 0-0 3 3 6 2 2 1 2 10
Oneal C 42 11-14 5-15 7 8 15 4 1 0 3 27
Anderson G 42 7-15 0-2 0 5 5 1 2 3 1 16
Hardaway G 42 9-23 4-6 7 4 11 3 2 1 3 24
Koncak 6 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 0
Shaw 22 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 0 2 6
Wolf 11 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 1 3 0 0 4
Bowie 6 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 2
Bonner Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Royal Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Thompson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 40-80 10-24 20 27 47 19 19 6 11 96
(.500) (.417) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 11(15 PTS)
Atlanta 20 27 26 15 - 88
Orlando 22 30 25 19 - 96
Blocked Shots: Atlanta - Laettner 2, Augmon, Blaylock. Orlando - Oneal,
Anderson.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Atlanta 6-25 (.240), Long 2-5, Smith 1-9, Blaylock 3-9,
Ehlo 0-2. Orlando 6-20 (.300), Scott 2-6, Anderson 2-8, Hardaway 2-5, Shaw
0-1.
Technicals: Atlanta - Illegal Defense, Long, Orlando - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Hue Hollins, Mike Mathis, Bob Delaney.
A - 17,248. T - 2:09.
nba.928vpoznanovic,
BRING ON THE BULLS! MAGICALLY, HAWKS DISAPPEAR
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Shaquille O'Neal had 27 points and 15 rebounds as the
Orlando Magic returned to the Eastern Conference finals with a 96-88
victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
The Magic captured the conference semifinal series in five games and
will face the record-setting Chicago Bulls in a showdown of the top
teams in the East. Orlando knocked off Chicago in the conference
semifinals last year.
"There's no pressure on us, we're the underdogs going in, so we're
going in relaxed and ready to play," said Orlando coach Brian Hill on
the upcoming series with the Bulls. "We're playing a team with 72
wins, what do they call them, unbeatable? We're going in to see what
we can do."
Penny Hardaway added 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Magic, who used
a 14-3 fourth-quarter run to break open the game.
"We knew coming into this game that if it went back to Atlanta, it
was going to be a long series," said Hardaway. "I don't think you want
to give a team like Atlanta a lot of confidence. We did in Game 4 and
they came in here and showed what we could do."
O'Neal also accepted responsibility for the team's five-point loss in
Game 4, saying he was experiencing chest pains when he had a
disappointing 19-point, eight-rebound outing.
A team physican examined the 7-foot-1, 325-pound center before he
played in the second half of the 104-99 loss, then O'Neal visited a
cardiologist on Tuesday. All tests were negative, Magic spokesman Joel
Glass said.
"The other day, I had some funny heartbeats. So the only thing I could
think about in the game was falling out or something," O'Neal said.
"I went to the doctor yesterday and he said it was only stress. I
said, 'Yes.' Now I'm back. I climbed in my truck, which is my stress
reliever, and now I'm fine."
O'Neal, who didn't score in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, made
11 of 14 shots from the field and went 5-for-15 from the foul line to
key a 96-88 victory that sends the Magic into the Eastern Conference
finals against the Chicago Bulls.
Grant Long scored a career playoff-high 24 points and Stacey Augmon
added 17 for Atlanta, which scored only 15 points in the fourth
quarter.
Long had pulled the Hawks within 79-78 at the 10:34 mark when he
followed a miss with a dunk, but he was called for a technical foul
for hanging on the rim, triggering Orlando's run.
Hardaway hit the technical free throw and Joe Wolf hit a jumper to
push the lead to 82-78. Steve Smith countered with a jumper to make it
82-80 with 9:25 left, but Nick Anderson, who finished with 16 points,
scored inside and Hardaway followed with a dunk and was fouled.
Hardaway missed the free throw and Mookie Blaylock made one of two
foul shots to make it 86-81. The Magic capped the run with seven
straight points as Brian Shaw made a jumper and a layup around a
three-pointer by Anderson for a 93-81 lead with 5:35 to go.
"In the fourth quarter, I just tried to take over," Hardaway added.
"Dennis (Scott) wasn't making shots, Horace wasn't making a lot of
shots and Shaquille was kind of quiet in the fourth quarter, so I just
took it upon myself to try and shoot the ball and be aggressive."
Atlanta had pulled within 77-73 at the end of three quarters on a
35-footer by Blaylock at the buzzer. Blaylock drew the Hawks within
one on a three-pointer to open the fourth period before Hardaway and
Long traded baskets.
O'Neal scored 13 of his 27 points in the third quarter, when the
Magic used an 13-7 burst to take a 70-60 lead with 3:20 left.
O'Neal was 11 of 14 from the field but only 5 of 15 from the foul
line. In the series, O'Neal shot 63 percent (57 of 90) from the field
but just 39 percent (25 of 64) from the foul line.
Smith, who scored a career playoff-high 35 points in Game Four to
help Atlanta stave off elimination, had 16 points. Blaylock added 14
points and Christian Laettner 11.
"They kept it together and they get a lot of credit," said Smith
about the Magic. "They kept it together and went down to the big fella
and kicked it back out and hit some three's."
nba.929vpoznanovic,
STOUDAMIRE UNANIMOUS PICK ON NBA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
NEW YORK -- One day after being named Rookie of the Year, Damon
Stoudamire was announced as a unanimous selection on the 1995-96
NBA all-rookie team Thursday.
Joining Toronto's Stoudamire were Joe Smith of Golden State, Jerry
Stackhouse of Philadelphia, Antonio McDyess of Denver, Arvydas Sabonis
of Portland and Michael Finley of Phoenix.
Stoudamire picked up 56 points in the voting by the NBA's 29 head
coaches. Each coach picked 10 players, regardless of position, and was
not allowed to vote for his own players. The Raptors' 5-foot-11
standout, selected seventh in last June's draft, received the maximum
28 first-team votes.
Smith received 54 points, followed by Stackhouse (52) and McDyess
(50). Finley and Sabonis each finished with 41 points.
This is only the third time in NBA history that six players made the
first team. Utah's Thurl Bailey tied with New York's Darrell Walker in
1983-84, and Wally Jones and Joe Caldwell tied in 1964-65.
The second team consisted of Kevin Garnett of Minnesota (35 points),
Bryant Reeves of Vancouver (28), Brent Barry of the Los Angeles
Clippers (21), Rasheed Wallace of Washington (15) and Tyus Edney of
Sacramento (15).
Others receiving votes were Kurt Thomas of Miami (14), Eric Williams
of Boston (nine), Alan Henderson of Atlanta (one), Theo Ratliff of
Detroit (one), Don Reid of Detroit (one) and Bob Sura of Cleveland
(one).
nba.930vpoznanovic,
KUKOC PRACTICES WELL, SHOULD BE READY FOR MAGIC
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Toni Kukoc practiced Thursday for the first time
since spraining his lower back and felt so good that Chicago Bulls
coach Phil Jackson had to tell him to leave the court.
``Toni ran through the first 45 minutes of practice, most of it light,
and five minutes of transition basketball,'' Jackson said. ``He wanted
to go longer, but we felt it was enough.''
Kukoc, who missed the last three games of the Bulls' second-round
series against the New York Knicks, should be ready for Sunday's
Eastern Conference championship opener against the Orlando Magic.
Kukoc, named the NBA's top sixth man earlier this week, averaged 20.3
points on 59 percent shooting, including 63 percent of his 3-pointers,
in four games against the Magic this season.
nba.931vpoznanovic,
CAVS, SUNS, MAVS AND JAZZ TO COMPETE IN MEXICO
The National Basketball Association today announced that the Cleveland
Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz will compete
in a preseason tournament in Mexico City next fall.
The games will be held Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th
at Mexico City's Palacio de los Deportes.
On October 26th, Cleveland will play Phoenix at 7 p.m. ET followed by
Dallas against Utah at 10 p.m. The winners will meet the following day
at 7 p.m. The third place game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
nba.932vpoznanovic,
13 TEAMS' FINGERS CROSSED FOR SUNDAY'S DRAFT LOTTERY
NEW YORK -- Representatives of 13 teams will assemble Sunday for the
12th annual NBA draft lottery, each hoping to secure the No. 1 pick.
The lottery, held at halftime (approximately 4:30 p.m. ET) of Game 1
of the Eastern Conference finals between Chicago and Orlando on
Sunday, features the 12 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs,
plus the Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired the Washington Bullets'
pick in the 1995 trade for Mark Price.
The Vancouver Grizzlies, who owned the worst record this season at
15-67, will have the best odds for the first pick, followed by the
Philadelphia 76ers (18-64) and Toronto Raptors (21-61).
However, according to their expansion agreements, Vancouver and
Toronto cannot select No. 1 until 1999. If either team should win the
lottery, it will automatically receive the second selection and the
team that was chosen second will get the No. 1 pick.
The order of selection for the teams that do not win one of the top
three picks will be determined by inverse order of their
regular-season record. Should Vancouver, Philadelphia and Toronto not
win one of the top three picks, the Grizzlies would pick no lower than
fourth, the 76ers no lower than fifth and the Raptors no lower than
sixth.
Players expected to be chosen early this year include Massachusetts
center Marcus Camby, Connecticut guard Ray Allen, Georgetown guard
Allen Iverson, Georgia Tech guard Stephon Marbury and Syracuse center
John Wallace.
Last year, the Golden State Warriors moved past four teams to win the
1995 lottery and drafted forward Joe Smith, who was named to the NBA
all-rookie first team Thursday.
nba.933vpoznanovic,
SONJU RETIRES AS MAVS PRESIDENT AND GM
DALLAS -- Norm Sonju, the only president and general manager in the
history of the Dallas Mavericks, announced Thursday he is retiring
after 16 years with the organization.
The announcement was not a surprise since the Mavericks were recently
sold by original owner Donald Carter to a group headed by Ross Perot
Jr., and David McDavid.
Dick Motta agreed to step down as head coach as part of the May 1 sale
of the team.
"New ownership absolutely must have complete freedom to manage their
investment as they see fit," said Sonju. "Prior to the sale, I felt I
should step aside, but I was asked to stay and help them get launched.
I am in complete support of our new owners."
Sonju was one of the driving forces in bringing an NBA expansion team
to Dallas in 1980.
nba.934vpoznanovic,
NBA RELEASES COMPLETE LIST OF EARLY ENTRY DRAFT CANDIDATES
Marcus Camby of Massachusetts, Ray Allen of Connecticut and Allen
Iverson of Georgetown headline the list of players who have filed as
early entry candidates for the 1996 National Basketball Association
draft.
The complete list of early entries was issued today by the NBA. A
total of 42 underclassmen have applied for the draft, including three
high school players.
The NBA draft will be held June 26th in New Jersey.
Underclassmen wishing to enter the draft were required to submit a
letter to the NBA postmarked no later than May 12th. Under NCAA rules,
a player can return to college within 30 days of being drafted
provided he has not yet retained the services of an agent.
Also filing for early entry were freshmen Stephon Marbury of Georgia
Tech and Shareef Abdur-Rahim of California, sophomores Lorenzen Wright
of Memphis and Antoine Walker of Kentucky and junior Erick Dampier of
Mississippi State.
Notable players currently competing outside the United States who
declared for the NBA draft include 7-2 Zydrunas Ilgauskas of Lithuania
and seven-footer Efthimis Retzias of Greece.
Three high school players applied for the draft one year after Kevin
Garnett applied for early entry and was selected with the fifth
overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Guard Kobe Bryant of Philadelphia, center Jermaine O'Neal of South
Carolina and forward Taj McDavid of South Carolina were the high
school players who entered the draft. Bryant is a potential lottery
pick.
Camby won the Naismith and Wooden Awards as the NCAA Player of the
Year after averaging 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots
per game as a junior. He led Massachusetts to a 35-2 record and their
first-ever berth in the Final Four.
Allen averaged 23.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as a
junior.
nba.935vpoznanovic,
BREAKDOWN: NO. 1 BULLS VS. NO. 2 MAGIC
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Guards: I believe Scottie Pippen will draw the assignment of
guarding Penny Hardaway, and that's a terrific matchup. I expect each
will defend the other, and both are good defenders. Pippen might give
Hardaway more trouble because he's taller, has long arms and will
harrass him as a passer; he can also defend him well if Penny posts
up. I give the slight edge to Chicago in that pairing because of
Pippen's defense.
At shooting guard, you'll have Nick Anderson against Michael Jordan --
another terrific matchup. Anderson is a very tough defender, not that
he'll be able to stop Michael. He'll be physical against Jordan, and
Anderson had a good experience against the Bulls in last year's
playoffs. Anderson can also take Jordan down low and post him up ...
it will make Michael work at both ends of the floor. Anderson won't
stop him, but over the span of 48 minutes, he should make Jordan less
effective.
Overall I rate the edge to the Bulls.
Forwards: At small forward, I look for Dennis Scott to be guarded by
Ron Harper. Against perimeter guys who put it on the floor, Harper is
a good defender. The Bulls veteran also is good at defending the
passing lanes and getting steals. He'll have trouble guarding Scott in
the post; Scott is a solid low-post player and on occasion, when the
Magic wants to move Shaq out to the edges, Scott can go down low. I
give Orlando the edge here, and Scott is obviously dangerous from
3-point range.
At power forward, I like Horace Grant over Dennis Rodman. While Rodman
is the better rebounder, Grant is the more effective overall player.
Grant is shooting the ball very well, and he should continue to do so.
The Magic gets the edge up front.
Centers: Shaq is the heavy favorite over Luc Longley and the other
guys Phil Jackson will throw at him. The Bulls will use their fouls
and try to put Shaq on the free throw line, where he has had very
limited success.
Bench/depth: That favors Chicago. Players like Steve Kerr, Bill
Wennington and Toni Kukoc -- pending his availability -- give the
Bulls a big edge. Orlando's bench has been very sketchy, and they need
good performances from Brian Shaw, Anthony Bowie and, probably, Joe
Wolf. I believe a team needs a rotation of eight players in a physical
series, and Chicago has that edge.
3-point shooting: I think Orlando is a better percentage 3-point
shooting team. You must guard them; Scott, Hardaway and Anderson all
can knock them down. Pippen has been erratic shooting the trey, and
teams have learned that you cannot give Kerr an open look out there.
Rebounding: Chicago is the best percentage rebounding team in the
league. That is not a strong feature of Orlando, so the Bulls have the
edge.
Coaching: Phil Jackson has his team -- he has honed them and he
was the Coach of the Year. Brian Hill deserves a lot of credit for
keeping the Magic going despite several injuries during the season.
Hill won last year's battle of the bench, so perhaps Jackson has
revenge in mind. It's an outstanding matchup of two men who deserve a
lot of credit.
Overall: I pick Chicago in seven games. This will be a very tough
series, physical and hard-fought.
nba.936vpoznanovic,
San Antonio (81) At Utah (108)
San Antonio
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Elliott F 41 5-13 5-7 1 3 4 2 3 0 1 16
W Perdue F 23 1-4 4-4 3 4 7 0 2 1 3 6
Robinson C 29 7-14 3-7 3 5 8 1 4 3 3 17
Del Negro G 45 6-12 0-1 1 1 2 0 3 2 0 17
Johnson G 40 3-13 3-4 1 4 5 8 3 1 1 9
Smith 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2
C Person 31 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 1 5 0 2 3
Herrera 3 0-0 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 2
Alexander 8 2-6 1-1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 6
Anderson 10 0-1 1-2 1 2 3 0 2 1 1 1
Williams 4 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
Rivers Dnp - Did Not Travel
Totals 240 27-70 19-28 12 23 35 13 27 8 12 81
(.386) (.679) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 12(23 PTS)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Malone F 26 3-5 2-2 2 3 5 1 2 0 1 9
Morris F 40 9-24 7-10 5 8 13 6 4 0 1 25
Spencer C 19 1-3 0-0 3 3 6 0 4 0 0 2
Hornacek G 28 4-9 2-2 1 0 1 2 2 1 2 12
Stockton G 35 4-6 0-0 1 5 6 13 4 0 3 9
Eisley 14 2-4 3-4 0 2 2 1 3 0 0 7
Russell 30 5-7 3-3 1 3 4 2 1 2 0 15
Keefe 26 8-11 2-4 1 6 7 0 2 0 2 18
Carr 7 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 1 4
Benoit 11 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 7
Ostertag 2 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Foster 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 41-79 19-25 15 32 47 29 26 3 10 108
(.519) (.760) Team Rebs: 7 Total To: 10(5 PTS)
San Antonio 17 21 23 20 - 81
Utah 22 29 27 30 - 108
Blocked Shots: San Antonio - W Perdue 2, Robinson 2, Herrera. Utah -
Spencer 2, Russell 2, Eisley, Ostertag, Stockton.
3-Pt. Field Goals: San Antonio 8-20 (.400), Elliott 1-4, Del Negro 5-7,
Johnson 0-2, C Person 1-4, Alexander 1-3. Utah 7-13 (.538), Malone 1-2,
Hornacek 2-3, Stockton 1-3, Russell 2-3, Keefe 0-1, Benoit 1-1.
Technicals: Utah - Illegal Defense.
Officials: Steve Javie, Ed T Rush, Jack Nies.
A - 19,911. T - 2:20.
nba.937vpoznanovic,
UTAH KNOCKS THE CRAP OUT OF SAN ANTONIO
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Jazz reserves outscored the San Antonio
bench 50-16. Spurs center David Robinson, one of the best role models
in sports, said "crap" in the postgame news conference.
Do you really need us to tell you who won Thursday's game?
Utah advanced to the Western Conference finals for the third time in
five years with an 108-81 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, closing
out their semifinal series in six games.
Karl Malone led the way for Utah with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
"It was a scary thing that we played as well as we did," Utah coach
Jerry Sloan said. "We got off to a really good start. We were able to
go inside right off the bat."
Adam Keefe scored 18 points off the bench and reserve swingman Bryon
Russell had 15 for the Jazz, who will play the Seattle SuperSonics in
the best-of-7 conference finals. Seattle swept the two-time defending
champion Houston Rockets in the conference semifinals.
Utah lost to Houston in the 1994 conference finals and to Portland in
1992.
Robinson was held scoreless in the first half and finished with 17
points Thursday night. He was in foul trouble for most of the first
half, picking up his third foul 14 seconds into the second quarter.
"I thought the call by Steve Javie was garbage and I think it was
personal," Robinson said of his third foul, a charge drawn by Malone.
"I've been seeing it all year long and it has been crap all year long
and I don't appreciate him bringing that on the floor," Robinson said
of Javie. " But I don't blame him for losing the game."
Robinson's patience has been tested this postseason, perhaps
contributing to his postgame "outburst." The media has suggested he is
"soft," even though the seven-time All-Star and reigning NBA MVP led
the Spurs to the Western Conference finals last season.
San Antonio coach Bob Hill had a more diplomatic description of
Thursday's game.
"Obviously, when David plays seven minutes in a half this deep in the
playoffs, it's going to be tough to score many points," Hill said.
"The officiating was fine ... it's difficult when you get to this
level and they put a couple of fouls on your star player."
The Jazz broke the game open with a 20-6 tear bridging the first and
second quarters. Chris Morris capped the run with a 3-pointer, giving
Utah a 33-20 lead with 8:05 remaining in the first half.
San Antonio closed within six points at 42-36, but the Jazz finished
the first half with a 9-2 run, capped by Stockton's 3-pointer right
before the buzzer which gave Utah a 51-38 lead at intermission.
Keefe was eight for 11 from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds, and
Russell hit five of his seven shots from the field. San Antonio's top
bench production came from rookie Cory Alexander, who scored six
points in eight minutes.
"Those guys didn't get a lot of playing time down the stretch, but we
said that going into the playoffs they were going to make the
difference," Malone said of the Utah reserves. "I think our bench
turned it up a notch."
"Our bench was sensational," Sloan said. "No doubt about it. I don't
know if you can ask a bunch of guys to play any better or harder than
we did. They deserve a lot of credit."
Utah outrebounded San Antonio 47-35. Stockton had 13 assists, giving
him 142 in 11 playoff games this postseason.
San Antonio shot just 39 percent (27 for 70) from the field and Utah
scored 23 points off 12 Spurs' turnovers. The Spurs' starting
backcourt of Vinny Del Negro and Avery Johnson hit nine of 25 shots
from the field.
Del Negro scored 17 points and Sean Elliott added 16.
"In a sense, this is a setback, because you work to build something up
and then you have to take a step back. It's disappointing,
definitely," Johnson said. "The main thing for us is to stick
together, and stay focused and look forward and work toward the
future."
Utah took its largest lead of the game with 1:36 to play when Russell
completed a three-point play to make it 108-76.
nba.938vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Conference Finals
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Orlando vs. Chicago
Sunday May 19 at Chicago 3:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 21 at Chicago 8:30 p.m. TNT
Saturday May 25 at Orlando 3:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 27 at Orlando 3:30 p.m. NBC
*Wednesday May 29 at Chicago 9 p.m. TNT
*Friday May 31 at Orlando 9 p.m. TNT
*Sunday June 2 at Chicago 7 p.m. NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle vs. Utah
Saturday May 18 at Seattle 3:30 p.m. NBC
Conference Semifinals
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago defeats New York 4-1
Sunday May 5 Chicago 91, New York 84
Tuesday May 7 Chicago 91, New York 80
Saturday May 11 New York 102, Chicago 99 (OT)
Sunday May 12 Chicago 94, New York 91
Tuesday May 14 Chicago 94, New York 81
Orlando defeats Atlanta 4-1
Wednesday May 8 Orlando 117, Atlanta 105
Friday May 10 Orlando 120, Atlanta 94
Sunday May 12 Orlando 103, Atlanta 96
Monday May 13 Atlanta 104, Orlando 99
Wednesday May 15 Orlando 96, Atlanta 88
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle defeats Houston 4-0
Saturday May 4 Seattle 108, Houston 75
Monday May 6 Seattle 105, Houston 101
Friday May 10 Seattle 115, Houston 112
Sunday May 12 Seattle 114, Houston 107 (OT)
Utah defeats San Antonio 4-2
Tuesday May 7 Utah 95, San Antonio 75
Thursday May 9 San Antonio 88, Utah 77
Saturday May 11 Utah 105, San Antonio 75
Sunday May 12 Utah 101, San Antonio 86
Tuesday May 14 San Antonio 98, Utah 87
Thursday May 16 Utah 108, San Antonio 81
nba.939vpoznanovic,
SPURS C DAVID ROBINSON LASHES OUT AT REF AT NEWS CONFERENCE
San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson, whose team was eliminated
from the playoffs by the Utah Jazz tonight, blasted official Steve
Javie at the post-game news conference.
Robinson did not score in the first half after picking up his third
foul 14 seconds into the second quarter. He finished with 17 points in
San Antonio's season-ending 108-81 loss at Utah.
"I thought the call by Steve Javie was garbage and I think it was
personal," Robinson said of his third foul, a charge drawn by Karl
Malone. "I've been seeing it all year long and it has been crap all
year long and I don't appreciate him bringing that on the floor. But I
don't blame him for losing the game."
Robinson is one of the most well-behaved and mild-mannered players in
the game, making his outburst all the more surprising. Some people
have labeled him "soft" despite averaging double figures in points and
rebounds in all seven of his NBA seasons.
Robinson, who averaged 25 points and 12.2 rebounds in the regular
season, was frustrated over the final four games of the series after
Utah made a defensive switch to have Malone, a smaller but more
physical power forward, guard Robinson.
The 7-foot center had only 11 points in Games Three and Four, both
losses. Robinson recovered to score 24 points in Game Five as San
Antonio staved off elimination, but the 1995 regular-season was not a
factor tonight.
"Let's just say that every time I've seen him, things have been the
same," he said, continuing his attack on Javie. "I'll just leave it at
that. That's as plain as I can put it. I think it was personal. You
can't bring that crap on the court. If you are going to make good
calls, that's fine, but that was just garbage."
nba.940vpoznanovic,
NO. 1 SONICS VS. NO. 3 JAZZ
DR. JACK RAMSAY'S SCORECARD
Payton going up against John Stockton. Payton is a buzzsaw type of a
defender who will make Stockton work hard. The Sonic star will
probably take away some of Stockton's effectiveness, though the Jazz
veteran is a master passer and he will find opportunities to get his
teammates involved. Stockton will have trouble defending against
Payton, who is very versatile; he can shoot from outside, can put it
on the floor taking it to the basket and he can post up very well.
He's surprising as a post-up performer. While I value Stockton's
ability, I see this matchup as a wash.
At the two guard slot, Hersey Hawkins and Jeff Hornacek are two very
similar players. They both are good shooters and pretty good passers
with limited running speed; both are effective players in their
offensive schemes. I'd call this matchup even as well.
Forwards: At the small forward, Utah has a few options for starter,
though Chris Morris is likely. He'll match up against Detlef Schrempf,
and there's a big edge for the Sonics there. Schrempf is having a
terrific playoff and he's had an outstanding season...he's lifted his
game, he can post you up, put it on the floor and drive, shoot from
long range and he's an excellent passer for a man his size. Bryon
Russell, Adam Keefe, David Benoit and Morris could all see time against
Schrempf, but none of them match up so it's a clear advantage to
Seattle here.
At the big forward, you have a great matchup as Karl Malone and Shawn
Kemp square off. These are two very active players. Malone is a much
better passer than Kemp; Shawn has trouble passing off the dribble.
Kemp is extremely athletic and he runs the floor like a deer. It will
be a hard matchup and I'll call it even.
So the overall forward edge goes to Seattle.
Centers: Felton Spencer and Greg Ostertag match up against Ervin
Johnson and Frank Brickowski. None of these four guys are significant
players, though they do a good job in the team scheme of things.
Johnson is only going to play around 12 minutes a game, though he
starts each time out. He blocks some shots and he can score around the
basket. Spencer is a slower, bigger guy who takes up a lot of room.
This is also a pretty even category.
Bench/depth: Even though Utah has been getting solid bench play in
the playoffs, as shown by Keefe's efforts in the last game against the
Spurs, I don't feel the Jazz has the same cohesiveness as the Sonics
bench. Seattle's defensive effort off the bench is better.
3-point shooting: Both of these teams shoot well from long distance.
When Seattle goes with a smaller lineup, pulling Johnson and inserting
Sam Perkins, they can put five capable three-point shooters on the
floor at the same time. Look at what happened when they hit 20 of them
against Houston! I give the Sonics a little edge here.
Overall: I give the slight edge to Seattle, which is well-rested, in
six or seven games.
nba.941vpoznanovic,
NBA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Conference Finals
(Best-of-7; all times Eastern; * - if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Orlando vs. Chicago
Sunday May 19 at Chicago 3:30 p.m. NBC
Tuesday May 21 at Chicago 8:30 p.m. TNT
Saturday May 25 at Orlando 3:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 27 at Orlando 3:30 p.m. NBC
*Wednesday May 29 at Chicago 9 p.m. NBC
*Friday May 31 at Orlando 9 p.m. NBC
*Sunday June 2 at Chicago 7 p.m. NBC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seattle vs. Utah
Saturday May 18 at Seattle 3:30 p.m. NBC
Monday May 20 at Seattle 9 p.m. TNT
Friday May 24 at Utah 8:30 p.m. TNT
Sunday May 26 at Utah 3:30 p.m. NBC
*Tuesday May 28 at Seattle 9 p.m. NBC
*Thursday May 30 at Utah 9 p.m. NBC
*Saturday June 1 at Seattle TBD NBC
Note: If the Eastern Conference series is completed in less than six
games, a possible Game 7 in the Seattle-Utah series would be played
Sunday, June 2.
nba.942vpoznanovic,
JAZZ PINING FOR SHOT AT NBA FINALS
SEATTLE -- Utah coach Jerry Sloan doesn't have to look far to see the
key to his team's chances against powerful Seattle.
He simply looks down the bench. And every face he sees must contribute
if the Jazz are going to reach the NBA Finals for the first time.
In advancing to the Western Conference final for the third time in
five years, the Utah Jazz got a tremendous boost from their bench.
They probably are going to need a bigger one against the Seattle
SuperSonics.
While most teams shorten their bench in the playoffs, Sloan has used
his about as much as he did in the regular season. Players such as
Bryon Russell, Howard Eisley, Adam Keefe and Chris Morris made key
contributions during the six games it took to eliminate the overrated
San Antonio Spurs.
Utah's four wins were by an average of 23 points, and a bench player
stepped up in each one, offering some needed support to perennial
All-Stars Karl Malone and John Stockton and shooting guard Jeff
Hornacek.
In Game 1, Morris and Russell combined for 24 points in the absence of
injured starter David Benoit. In Game 3, Eisley had 14 points, making
all six of his shots. In Game 4, it was Morris again with 25 points.
And in Game 6, Keefe scored 18 points and Russell added 15.
But if the Jazz are going to take out the SuperSonics and move into
the NBA Finals for the first time, these contributions cannot be a
bonus. They are required, because the Sonics are the deepest playoff
team.
Where the Jazz start three All-Star caliber players, the Sonics start
four. Where Utah's bench has nice complementary players, Seattle's
bench has defensive stoppers and 3-point shooters that can change a
game. And although the Jazz are unbeaten at home, the Sonics are the
only playoff team perfect on the road.
Seattle kept its road record spotless with a pair of wins over the
two-time defending champion Houston Rockets, finishing off a four-game
sweep that surprised more than a few observers and has the team
believing it can win its first NBA title since 1979.
Seattle All-Star guard Gary Payton continued his excellent play at
both ends of the floor. The Defensive Player of the Year averaged 24.5
points per game and made a handful of big shots in the late stages to
seal the last three wins over Houston.
Seattle forward Shawn Kemp emerged from a playoff semi-funk in Game 4
with 32 points and 15 rebounds, and a three-point play in overtime
that clinched the win.
Payton and Kemp play the same positions as Stockton and Malone and
should neutralize each other. That leaves Hornacek and the rest of the
Jazz to deal with Hersey Hawkins, Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins, Frank
Brickowski and defensive demons Nate McMillan and Vincent Askew.
"We have a lot of weapons," Hornacek said. "Karl and Shawn and John
and Gary will pretty much cancel each other out. So if our other guys
can step up against Seattle the way they did against the Spurs, we
have a real chance of slipping into Seattle and coming away with a win
or two."
Considering that the Sacramento Kings stole a game at the Key Arena in
the first round, Hornacek could be right. However, that was a Seattle
team still feeling its way around after two consecutive first-round
exits and the current version bears no resemblance.
If the Jazz are going to beat the Sonics, they will have to win at
least once at Seattle. Their best chance for that will be Saturday,
when the series opens. The first game traditionally is the easiest for
the road team to win and the Sonics will be playing for the first time
in six days.
"It is going to be a tough series, but I think that we deserve to be
there," Malone said. "We are not going to show up there and not expect
to win."
The Sonics are known for their defense, but they averaged 110.5 points
per game in their sweep of the Rockets. Utah, meanwhile, has picked up
the defense mantel, allowing just 81 points a night in its last seven
games. In the regular season, Utah won the first meeting by 18 points.
Seattle captured the next three by a combined 12.
The Jazz can expect to see the Sonics double-team Malone and rotate to
the perimeter shooters as they did do effectively to Houston center
Hakeem Olajuwon. Utah, however, might not use Malone in the low post
as much as they do against other teams and could use the pick-and-roll
with Stockton and Malone even more than they did against the Spurs. If
anything, it will move Kemp further from the defensive boards than he
likes to be.
The Sonics will use the 6-foot-10 Schrempf and his height advantage
over Benoit, Russell and Morris, none of whom are more than 6-8.
Schrempf also is an excellent passer and can help Payton run the
offense if Stockton becomes a pest. Utah has no one like that to help
out Stockton, so look for Payton to play him tight and jam the
pick-and-roll as much as possible.
Hornacek and Hawkins also are important. Both teams run these guys
around a maze of picks and screens to free them for jump shots. If
they are off, the entire offense breaks down.
Utah can force a seven-game series if it can steal the opener.
Otherwise it should be a short series, with Seattle returning to the
Finals for the first time in 17 years.
nba.943vpoznanovic,
BULLS, MAGIC PLAY NAME GAME IN 'AMERICA'S SERIES'
CHICAGO -- Air will be there, and so will Shaq. Penny and Pip will be
on hand, too. And expect a visit from The Worm. You know, the guy with
the tattoos and colored hair.
This is the Eastern Conference final between the Chicago Bulls and the
Orlando Magic. If you don't have a nickname, you're not invited.
"It's going to be a great matchup," said Atlanta guard Steve Smith,
who doesn't have a nickname and was bounced in five games by the Magic
in the conference semifinals. "I'm going to watch it."
So will millions of others. The series opens Sunday and all but one
game will be carried by NBC as the playoffs move into network prime
time. It is the most anticipated playoff matchup since the 1993 NBA
Finals.
"I guess this is what America wants," said Magic forward Dennis Scott,
also known as 3D. "America is about to get what they have been asking
for six months."
For those who think Jordan is a country in the Middle East, here is
the scenario. Michael "Air" Jordan ended his retirement in March 1995,
and everybody thought his return would boost Scottie Pippen and the
rest of the Bulls back on top, where they were from 1991 to 1993.
Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, however, had other ideas and the
Magic beat the Bulls in six games in the conference semifinals.
To battle the Magic, the Bulls acquired the combustible Dennis Rodman
-- a.k.a. "The Worm." Rodman's antics have lent a new meaning to the
phrase "rebounding fool," but he blended well with Jordan and Pippen
and the Bulls won an NBA-record 72 games.
The Magic won a franchise-record 60 games, even though they were
without O'Neal for 25 games. However, those gaudy numbers don't mean a
thing. Both teams are just interested in winning four of the next
seven.
The Bulls clearly have the edge. They won three of four games between
the clubs during the season and have the extra game at home, where
they went 39-2 this season. They also have Jordan, the greatest scorer
in the playoff history.
The Bulls clearly have all the pressure, though. No one will remember
the 72 wins if Chicago doesn't cap its season with a title. It is hard
to imagine a team that won 60 games as an underdog, but that's exactly
what the Magic are.
"We don't have any pressure because you guys don't expect us to win
anyway," said O'Neal, averaging 25.3 points in the postseason. "So
we're just going to go out there and play loose."
Said Magic guard Nick Anderson: "There's no pressure on us. We're the
underdogs going in, so we're going in relaxed and ready to play. We're
playing against a team with 72 wins. What do they call them --
unbeatable?"
Chicago can be beat, but not with anything less than Orlando's best.
When the Magic are at their best, though, they are pretty unbeatable
themselves.
The Bulls will have their hands full with O'Neal in the middle and may
resort to "Hack-a-Shaq" -- the strategy of fouling him as much as
possible. Chicago has four centers on its roster, and O'Neal is an
awful (40 percent) foul shooter.
"They're going to run fresh bodies at Shaquille," Orlando coach Brian
Hill said. "They're going to use all their fouls with four centers and
Rodman. They have 30 fouls to use per game."
"That's OK," O'Neal said. "I'll be ready. I worry about nothing. It
didn't bother me last year, so it isn't going to bother me this year."
The Magic sets up O'Neal on the low post and spread the floor with
excellent perimeter shooters like Hardaway, Anderson and Scott, who
might be the key. In the last two losses to Chicago, Scott shot a
combined one of 14 from the field.
The Bulls will run their triple-post offense, which the New York
Knicks were able to slow somewhat before falling in five games in the
conference semifinals. The Knicks used massive forward Anthony Mason
to jam Pippen whenever he tried to cut or drive to the basket. Pippen
settled for long jumpers and missed nearly 12 shots per game during
the series.
"Orlando is a speed team, a quick team," Bulls coach Phil Jackson
said. "They will not be as physical as New York, but they have the
ability to score a lot of points."
Jordan presents Orlando a bigger problem. Anderson had some success
against him last year, but Jordan still was a bit rusty from his March
comeback. He showed no rust this season, leading the league in scoring
for the eighth time.
Jordan also is the ultimate bail-out player, the one you want with the
ball when the offense breaks down and the shot clock is ticking away.
Hardaway has become Orlando's version of that player, but he has not
reached Jordan's level.
The Bulls also expect to get a boost from the return of forward Toni
Kukoc, who missed the final three games against the Knicks with a back
injury. He averaged nearly 22 points per game in three wins over
Orlando.
Rodman remains the one player who can affect the Bulls' fortunes. He
led the league in rebounding for the fifth consecutive season but
picked up four technical fouls in the final three games against New
York and could be on the verge of one of his trademark explosions.
Chicago can't afford any funny stuff from Rodman. Without him last
year, former Bull Horace Grant ran wild at power forward and was the
key to Orlando's victory. Grant is averaging 16.9 points and 11.6
rebounds in the playoffs and will be the key again this year if the
Bulls let him.
Nickname or no nickname.
nba.944vpoznanovic,
Bulls weigh options against 300-pound Shaq attack
DEERFIELD, Ill. (May 17, 1996 - 16:29 EST) -- Foul him. Double him.
Surround him.
All these strategies have been used against Shaquille O'Neal.
Chicago Bulls backup center Bill Wennington, the team's resident
prankster, offers yet another option for stopping the Orlando center
when the Eastern Conference finals begin Sunday.
"Tie an anvil to his ankle," Wennington said.
Even though the Bulls have four centers and 24 fouls to give, coach
Phil Jackson says he won't subscribe to the "Hack-A-Shaq" philosophy
against O'Neal, who helped Orlando beat Chicago in the playoffs last
year.
"They called fouls indiscriminately against our centers (last year)
and we don't want that to happen this year," Jackson said. "We don't
want to foul anybody."
Shaq shot 48.7 percent from the free-throw line this season and has
made only 40.4 percent of his shots from the line in eight playoff
games.
Luc Longley will have the main assignment of guarding O'Neal.
Wennington, John Salley and James Edwards could also get their turns.
"And Dennis (Rodman) will have a shot or two," Jackson said. "I
imagine that it's going to be a lot of eenie-meenie-minie-mo to see
who's going to go out and play Shaq. In the course of the game, a lot
of guys are going to get the opportunity."
O'Neal missed the first two regular-season games against the Bulls
with a broken thumb. In the two he played, the Magic lost. In one
game, his shorts started to fall down and he suggested later that a
Bulls player may have given his draw string a yank.
But it's at the free throw line where Shaq's game is really undressed.
"I'm not worried. It ain't nothing new. I'm a bad free throw shooter.
Everybody knows it anyway," he said. "I don't mind being fouled as
long as I get my free throws. Send me to the line. I've earned the
free throws."
The Bulls insist they're not going to constantly double team O'Neal
when he gets the ball, a defensive strategy that often forces him to
make passes back out to the perimeter.
Chicago doesn't want players like Horace Grant or Dennis Scott to get
wide-open shots when one of its defenders goes to help out on O'Neal.
"We are not going to send multiple defenders to defend Shaq. We're
going to make our centers have to play him on their own," Jackson
said.
"We don't want to leave their shooters out there on that 3-point range
alone. There may be other guys we have to double-team, (Penny)
Hardaway or somebody else, but with Shaq we're going to try to stay
home."
The 7-foot-2, 290-pound Longley said if there's one plus to guarding
O'Neal it's that he doesn't have to go out and contest jump shots as
he did against New York's Patrick Ewing in the previous round.
O'Neal's offensive repertoire is pretty much confined to the lane area
and around the basket.
"Shaq's just more physically overwhelming," Longley said. "Even with
Patrick, you can push him into a spot. Shaq, his game is to take his
ground."
Wennington admitted that when the 7-foot-1, 300-pound O'Neal barrels
to the basket, it's pretty much impossible to stop him.
"He's just a big, strong man," Wennington said. "You have to make him
bump and grind, pretty much wear him out."
nba.945vpoznanovic,
Retired dairy farmer wants to show Shaq the way
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 17, 1996 - 16:23 EST) -- Give Ted St. Martin a
basketball, a rim and one hour with Shaquille O'Neal, and he says he
can turn the Orlando Magic's bricklaying center into a 90 percent
shooter from the free throw line.
"I know I can do it," said St. Martin, a 61-year-old retired dairy
farmer who speaks with polite confidence. "I'm willing to stake my
reputation on it."
He didn't make a name for himself milking cows, either.
In his book, "The Art of Shooting Baskets," the foreword is written by
two of the best -- Bill Sharman and Rick Barry. St. Martin spent years
putting on free throw exhibitions at NBA games around the country, and
he recently broke his own record for consecutive free throws.
On a concrete court in the back of his Jacksonville home, he charges
$100 for a one-hour lesson and guarantees he can make a 90-percent
shooter out of anyone -- or the next lesson is free.
"No one has ever come back," says his wife, Barbara.
If this sounds hard to believe, consider what happened at the end of
one of St. Martin's clinics a couple of weeks ago, when a group of
teen-agers challenged him to shoot free throws until he missed.
Pull up a chair, boys.
St. Martin made the first free throw a little after 1 p.m. As darkness
fell seven hours and 20 minutes later, he had made 5,221 in a row
before one scooped out off the back of the rim.
Five thousand!
"It's easy to break when it's my own record," said St. Martin, who was
raised in the Yakima Valley area of Washington state, working a dairy
farm there and later in the San Joaquin Valley of California.
He first got his name in the Guiness Book of World Records in Fresno,
Calif., in 1972, by making 200 in a row. He has lost track how many
times he has set new marks.
Which brings us back to the Shaq.
In 54 games this season, O'Neal went to free throw line 1,033 times
and made only 592 for a 57 percent average. In eight playoff games, he
has made 40 percent from the free throw line, including 5-for-17 in
Wednesday's night win over Atlanta.
St. Martin watched that game. The only thing that kept him from
keeling over was that he had seen it before.
"I hear these announcers say someone is an excellent free throw
shooter and they're shooting 75 percent. Man, that gets me," said St.
Martin, who draws the line of excellence at 86 percent.
"It's so teachable. That's what I want to get across," he said. "You
can be at 90 percent after one session with me. If I can teach a kid
that, I know I can teach a pro."
Even Shaq?
"He would be THE major project," he said.
St. Martin won't say exactly what O'Neal needs to improve. After all,
he hopes an NBA team will ask for his help someday, and he doesn't
want to work for free.
His secret of success is nothing magical, and it rarely requires an
overhaul. Most of it is attitude, concentration and fundamentals. For
example, if you shoot with the right hand, he believes your right foot
should be lined up with the center of the rim.
Your eyes should be focused on the back -- not the front -- of the
rim, and they should stay there until the ball falls through the net.
Leave your arms extended. Don't put a death grip on the ball.
And enough of teammates coming over to slap fists with the shooter,
especially after a free throws bangs off the rim.
"They ought to kick him in the butt for missing," he said.
St. Martin put his words into practice out in his yard, draining 15
straight with a two-handed shot that rotates slightly sideways. It's
not the silkiest stroke, and he doesn't insist that anyone shoots it
like him -- as long as they get the same results.
"I look funny shooting it," he conceded. "Maybe that's why coaches
don't want to use me."
He said he has written letters to the Magic offering his services, but
is told only that his letter is on file.
For now, his clients are mostly high school players whose parents see
the value in free throwing shooting and don't mind plunking down $100.
He doubts he'll ever have Shaq in school, but he already has
considered how it would go.
"If I could confer with him for an hour, the first thing I would tell
him is he's a young man who can play this game for 20 years," St.
Martin said. "If he could just make 90 percent of his free throws, he
could break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record."
St. Martin would be willing to guarantee it.
nba.946vpoznanovic,
Will Perkins be with the Sonics next season?
SEATTLE (May 16, 1996 - 21:54 EST) -- Sam Perkins wonders if there
will be a 13th NBA season for him.
Because of his age and salary -- 35 next month, $3.8 million this
season -- Perkins is uncertain if he has a future with the Seattle
SuperSonics.
In pro basketball's new era of exorbitant superstar contracts, where
teams shuffle players to meet the salary cap, will any team be willing
to pay an aging veteran that kind of money?
"I don't know what's going to take place," says the free-agent-to-be.
If the Sonics are thinking of letting Perkins go, they may want to do
some re-thinking.
He hasn't slowed, or at least didn't look like he had in the Sonics'
playoff series against the two-time defending champion Houston
Rockets.
In Seattle's four-game sweep, Perkins was sensational, hitting 19 of
30 shots (63 percent), including 8 of 15 3-pointers (53 percent).
His accurate outside shooting as a reserve was a key reason the Sonics
reached the Western Conference finals. The Rockets couldn't figure out
a way stop him.
"Name me the person in this league who can guard Sam Perkins," Houston
coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
At 6-foot-9, he is a forward-center who spends time in the low post,
but also on the perimeter like a shooting guard. He has that kind of
shooting touch. And he was a key defender holding Hakeem Olajuwon in
check.
"Mainly, I'm defensive-minded when I go out there," he said. "I play
hard. I may look like I'm in slow motion, but my mind is going and I'm
intense."
Shawn Kemp, Seattle's all-star forward, has grown to appreciate the
subtleties of his teammate's game.
"He brings you a lot of character," Kemp said. "You know Sam's a
smooth guy. He's the kind of guy who can play and doesn't sweat that
much."
Perkins grew up in Brooklyn, teamed with Michael Jordan and James
Worthy to win an NCAA championship as a sophomore at North Carolina
and was the fourth player chosen in the 1984 draft, by Dallas.
Perkins spent his first six pro years with the Mavericks, 2 1/2
seasons in Los Angeles after signing with the Lakers as a free agent
and came to Seattle in a Feb. 22, 1993, trade for Benoit Benjamin and
Doug Christie.
It's been a good trade for the Sonics, who have utilized Perkins'
3-point shooting and long arms on defense.
He averaged 14.3 points in the Rockets' series after averaging 11.8
points this season.
Asked if he wanted to play as long as Robert Parish, who played his
20th NBA season at 42 with Charlotte this season, he shook his head.
"I'm not going to be like that," he said. "When I can't help a team
any more, I'm out of here."
nba.947vpoznanovic,
Utah (72) At Seattle (102)
Utah
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Malone F 33 10-19 1-6 1 7 8 5 1 2 4 21
Morris F 18 3-7 1-2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 7
Spencer C 17 2-5 2-2 2 1 3 0 3 0 2 6
Hornacek G 29 5-12 3-3 3 0 3 0 0 0 2 13
Stockton G 32 2-10 0-1 1 1 2 7 2 1 0 4
Eisley 16 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 5 3 0 3 3
Carr 19 1-3 1-2 1 2 3 2 3 1 0 3
Keefe 14 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
Russell 28 2-5 2-2 2 2 4 0 2 2 0 6
Ostertag 19 3-7 0-0 1 6 7 0 3 0 1 6
Benoit 12 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
Foster 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Totals 240 30-76 10-18 12 22 34 20 21 8 16 72
(.395) (.556) Team Rebs: 15 Total To: 17(28 PTS)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 33 10-11 1-3 3 8 11 0 2 1 2 21
D Schrempf F 28 4-8 4-6 0 2 2 5 1 1 1 14
Johnson C 20 5-8 0-1 3 4 7 0 5 0 1 10
Hawkins G 29 6-8 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 13
Payton G 35 8-16 3-6 1 3 4 7 3 3 2 21
Mcmillan 27 1-3 0-0 1 3 4 5 3 2 2 3
Perkins 23 4-10 2-2 2 2 4 3 2 1 1 13
Brickowski 15 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 3
Askew 15 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 0 3 2
S Scheffler 5 0-2 0-2 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 0
Snow 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 2
Wingate 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 240 41-75 10-20 11 28 39 27 22 11 14 102
(.547) (.500) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 14(10 PTS)
Utah 23 16 21 12 - 72
Seattle 24 30 23 25 - 102
Blocked Shots: Utah - Ostertag 2, Morris, Spencer. Seattle - Johnson 2,
Kemp, Mcmillan, Perkins, Askew.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Utah 2-14 (.143), Morris 0-1, Hornacek 0-1, Stockton
0-4, Eisley 1-3, Russell 0-2, Benoit 1-3. Seattle 10-20 (.500), D Schrempf
2-4, Hawkins 1-1, Payton 2-4, Mcmillan 1-2, Perkins 3-5, Brickowski 1-3,
Snow 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Illegal Defense 2.
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Ed Crawford, Ed F Rush.
A - 17,072. T - 2:12.
nba.948vpoznanovic,
KEMP'S REIGN DAY IN GAME 1 LEADS SONICS ROUT
SEATTLE -- It was, without a doubt, a definite reign day in Seattle.
And the local king of Reign in the Pacific Northwest is Shawn Kemp.
Kemp scored 21 points and fueled a 25-6 second-quarter burst, as the
SuperSonics overwhelmed the Utah Jazz 102-72 on Saturday in Game 1 of
the Western Conference finals, sending the Jazz to its worst-ever
playoff defeat.
Kemp's final point total may not have been spectacular, but the power
forward -- matched up against Utah's Karl Malone in a battle of
All-stars -- was steady and solid, making all nine of his first-half
shots and 10 of 11 in the game and grabbing 11 rebounds.
"It was a shocking game to me because it's very difficult to beat them
by a lot of points," Sonics coach George Karl said. "By far, this game
is an exception to what this series is going to be like."
After the first quarter, it was total domination for the Sonics, who
outrebounded Utah by 16 in the first half and shot 55 percent,
becoming the first team to reach 50 percent against the Jazz in the
playoffs. The Sonics extended their playoff winning streak to seven
games, the longest since Chicago won eight in a row from 1992 to 1993.
The game was symbolized by a five-point possession in the second
quarter, when the Sonics grabbed two offensive rebounds off missed
free throws.
"They had it all today and I don't think we did," Malone said. "It's
never good to get a butt-kicking like this, but if anything it'll wake
you up."
Gary Payton scored 21 points and held John Stockton to four -- and
only two after Utah's first possession of the game -- in a showdown of
All-star point guards.
The Jazz never recovered from Seattle's second-quarter outburst. Utah
led 33-29 with 7:14 left in the quarter when the Sonics, who hadn't
played since last Sunday after sweeping Houston, scored 10 straight
points.
Hersey Hawkins made a pair of jumpers around a free throw by Kemp to
give the Sonics the lead for good at 34-33 with 5:35 remaining. Kemp
then scored inside and Hawkins hit a 3-pointer to cap the run.
After a timeout, Malone, who scored 21 points, hit a hook shot, but
Sam Perkins made a 3-pointer and Kemp had a layup to boost the lead to
44-35. Seattle then closed the half with an 10-4 run for a 54-39 lead.
Kemp had 19 points and eight rebounds in the first half.
"Our All-Stars, Gary and Shawn, were special," Karl said. "When we
start rebounding like we did today, it seems to fuel out running game.
And when we can run, it leads to easy baskets."
Any chance Utah had of getting back into the game was thwarted when
Seattle opened the second half with a 10-2 burst in the first 2 &189#;
minutes. Schrempf made consecutive 3-pointers to boost the lead to
64-41 with 9:38 left in the third quarter.
It was garbage time thereafter, as Seattle maintained a 77-60 lead
after three quarters and the stars for both teams sat for most of the
fourth quarter. The margin got no lower than 15 points in the first
minute of the final period and as large as 32 points in the last
minute.
"It looked like they had 10 guys guarding us out there," Jazz coach
Jerry Sloan said. "They beat us every way you can in a game. They kept
playing and putting gasoline on the fire and just burned us up."
Playing in its third conference final in five years, the Jazz are now
0-7 in conference final road games. Utah is 1-5 on the road in this
year's playoffs.
"We had a lot of rest and needed to jump ourselves because we've been
sitting a long time," Payton said. "All our shooters are clicking
right now."
nba.949vpoznanovic,
Malone says this game was indeed foul
SEATTLE (May 18, 1996 - 20:47 EST) -- Karl Malone took a lot of the
blame.
"I guess I was due," the Utah Jazz's nine-time All-Star said Saturday.
"Sometimes you have it and sometimes you don't."
Malone, coming off a sensational series in which he outplayed San
Antonio's David Robinson, was a victim -- not a victimizer -- against
Shawn Kemp in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, a 102-72
victory by Seattle.
He led the Jazz with 21 points, but Kemp had 21 points, too, and
missed only one shot. Kemp shot only 37 percent in four regular-season
games against Utah.
"We didn't play, they played," Malone said. "They played tremendous."
With the Key Arena crowd of 17,072 chanting the seconds it took him to
take a foul shot, Malone was 1-for-6 from the line in the third
quarter when the Sonics wouldn't let Utah back in the game after
taking a 15-point halftime lead.
All of Malone's foul shots for the game came during a five-minute span
in the third period.
Sonics coach George Karl complained Friday that Malone was guilty of
sometimes taking 17 seconds to shoot a free throw. The NBA rule is 10
seconds.
Malone said the fans didn't have anything to do with his poor foul
shooting.
"They can say anything with the way I've been shooting them," said
Malone, who was 32 of 46 from the line in the Spurs' series. "I
haven't been shooting that well in the playoffs. Hopefully, I can
start shooting them better."
Malone downplayed his matchup with Kemp. Malone guarded the Seattle
power forward, but Ervin Johnson drew Malone on defense as the Sonics
tried to keep Kemp out of foul trouble.
Kemp refused to talk to reporters after being interviewed briefly by
NBC.
"I was just being patient, letting the game come to myself, not being
too aggressive on Karl," Kemp told the network. "Don't let him rip the
ball down low and just take the ball up strong. "
Gary Payton put some pressure on his teammate.
"For us to be successful, Shawn has to continue to play like that,"
Payton said. "He was tremendous."
Malone, who averaged 25 points in the San Antonio series, said this
wasn't a pure matchup between Kemp and himself because Kemp didn't
guard him.
"Too bad you guys can't make that comparison," he said.
The Sonics didn't double up on Malone after using double teams to stop
Hakeem Olajuwon in their series sweep over defending champion Houston.
Karl said they don't intend to do it in the series.
"Everybody at this point in the season has their little mind games
they like to play," Malone said of Karl's strategy. "I'm not even
getting into that."
Malone said the Sonics won in the second quarter when they
outrebounded the Jazz 13-2. Kemp had seven of his 11 rebounds and 11
points in the period.
"It was rather shocking," Malone said. "You can't allow yourself to
get beat on the boards like that. If we don't rebound, we don't have a
chance."
Added Kemp: "In the second quarter we came out much looser, got a lot
of easy points, rebounded the ball very well and got it started."
Malone said he didn't intend to watch videotape of Utah's worst
playoff defeat ever.
"It's not going to tell us anything besides we got our butts kicked,"
he said. "That was an old-fashioned one right there."
nba.950dizel,
> Utah (72) At Seattle (102)
Ubise ih!!!
E, samo da tako bude i u finalu protiv Chicaga!
nba.951mileusna,
>> NBA Sixth Man award voting
>> 45 -- Toni Kukoc, Chicago Bulls
>> 1 -- Steve Kerr, Chicago Bulls
Može li malo obaveštenja kako idu te nominacije pošto su
iz jednog kluba u izbor ušla dva igrača za najboljeg šestog
čoveka?
nba.952vpoznanovic,
>> A koji su to standardni termini ? Nikako da uhvatim NBA Action ;(
Standardan termin je onaj Koloseum, u 10 i nešto. NBA Action se, ako se
ne varam, emituje petkom u tom terminu. Ponekad ide i repriza subotom.
nba.953vpoznanovic,
>> U svakom slučaju, "ako te se sete na Dan bezbednosti, sete se", ako ne,
>> još jednom hvala u ime par ljudi kojima zaista mnogo znače tvoji prilozi.
Nema na čemu, bilo mi je zadovoljstvo da te informacije podijelim s vama.
>> Srećno na ispitima.
Hvala. :)
nba.954vpoznanovic,
>> Lično mislim da će Seattle da prođe u finale mnogo lakše nego Chicago
>> na istoku te će mu to olakšati posao protiv Chicaga... Bar' se nadam.
>> :) Ne volim kad pobeđuje ekipa sa Hrvatom u njoj... :)
Eh, kakav si ti ljubitelj košarke kad ovako razmišljaš... sad si me baš
razočarao... Pogotovo u vezi Tonija, koji sa negativnom konotacijom pojma
'Hrvat', na koju u ovom slučaju očigledno misliš, niti je kada imao niti
će kada imati veze. Igrač sa najvećim potencijalom koji je ikada otišao
sa ovih košarkaških prostora...
nba.955vpoznanovic,
Ok, došao je trenutak da vas napustim na neko vrijeme. Znam da je bez
veze što moram da se povučem baš sad, pred najbolje okršaje u plejofu,
ali šta da se radi, akademske obaveze zovu. ;) Nadam se da se ova tema
neće ugasiti do mog povratka, bar sad imate o čemu da diskutujete. :)
Ja ću naravno i dalje pratiti sve što se bude dešavalo u ligi, tako da
ako nekome bude trebala neka informacija, može da me kontaktira mailom
na Galebu (vladep) ili na Afroditi (pvlade). Trudiću se da odgovorim u
nekom razumnom roku. :)
Eto, uživajte u završnici takmičenja, sve vas pozdravljam do narednog
susreta. :)
nba.956lexus,
=> će kada imati veze. Igrač sa najvećim potencijalom koji je ikada
=> otišao sa ovih košarkaških prostora...
Po mom mišljenju, najtalentovaniji igrač sa ovih prostora je bio
pokojni Dražen Petrović. On je bio Đorđević i Danilović zajedno.
nba.957pifat,
Ako sam dobro upamtio, Čikago je razvalio Orlando kao dete zvečku -
122:83.
nba.958vitez.koja,
#=> Može li malo obaveštenja kako idu te nominacije pošto su
#=> iz jednog kluba u izbor ušla dva igrača za najboljeg šestog
#=> čoveka?
Nikako, sastane se neko društvo, valjda svi treneri klubova i
možda još po neko i onda glasaju, bez predložene liste (ne smeju za
svoje). E to je sve.
sk
nba.959junior,
> Ako sam dobro upamtio, Čikago je razvalio Orlando kao dete
> zvečku - 122:83.
121 : 83. Decu im je napravio ...
nba.960mileusna,
>> Ako sam dobro upamtio, Čikago je razvalio Orlando kao dete zvečku -
>> 122:83.
121:83 ako se ne varam, a i Sietl je pobedio Jutu takođe
sa solidnih dvadesetak koševa prednosti. :)
P.S. Čikago-Sietl 4:2 :)
nba.961vitez.koja,
#=> Po mom mišljenju, najtalentovaniji igrač sa ovih prostora je bio
#=> pokojni Dražen Petrović. On je bio Đorđević i Danilović zajedno.
Dražen Petrović je bio najmanje talentovan igrač od tih "velikih"
igrača. Sve je uradio isključivo zahvaljujući svom radu. Pa čuvene su
priče kako i koliko je trenirao (šut, sve priče koje sam čuo sam čuo
vezane su za vežbanje šuta). Kasnije u NBA je opet pokazao koliko je
radio na odbrani tamo... Brat mu je bio 20 puta talentovaniji, ali
džaba...
Đorđević jeste prosečno talentovan dečko. Isto je strašno naučen,
ali on je dugo, dugo vremena igrao "za statistiku" - nije bio ključni
čovek, koji će u zadnjih 5 min. preuzeti odgovornost, a pogledaš,
odličan šut, dosta asistencija, malo izgubljenih lopti. Tek u
poslednjoj Obradovićevoj sezoni je savladao tu psihološku barijeru i
postao pravi.
Danilović, Kukoč, Divac, Paspalj, Dalipagić, Ćosić, pa i Kićanović
su (bili) najtalentovaniji igrači sa ovih prostora. Za Rađu ne znam.
Poenta priče je da se pojam najtalentovaniji bitno razlikuje od
pojma najbolji.
sk
nba.962superhik,
=:> priče kako i koliko je trenirao (šut, sve priče koje sam čuo
=:> sam čuo vezane su za vežbanje šuta). Kasnije u NBA je opet
Da li bi ih podelio sa nama?
nba.963dizel,
> =:> price kako i koliko je trenirao (sut, sve price koje sam
> cuo =:> sam cuo vezane su za vezbanje suta). Kasnije u NBA je
> opet
>
> Da li bi ih podelio sa nama?
Ja znam price u vezi sa njegovim treniranjem u Realu!
Iako je bio najbolji (ubedljivo) igrac Evrope, on je dolazio
po 3 sata pre treninga za ostale prvotimce, i samo sutirao!
Desavalo se da i posle treninga ostaje i da radi...
Spanci su se tome cudili, ali svaka mu cast.
nba.964vitez.koja,
#=> =:> priče kako i koliko je trenirao (šut, sve priče koje sam čuo
#=> =:> sam čuo vezane su za vežbanje šuta). Kasnije u NBA je opet
#=> Da li bi ih podelio sa nama?
E sad, detalji... Pa ništa posebno ne znam, tj. nemam neki njegov
plan i program treninga ili tako nešto, ako si na to mislio. Pričalo
se o treninzima po 6h dnevno ekstra (preko normalne doze treninga, dok
je ugrao u Šibenci) i tako to... Onda čuvena pričica o takmičenju sa
bratom i 29 od 30 trica u doba Univerzijade i tako te priče...
sk
nba.965lexus,
Seattle poveo sa 2:0 u finalu zapadne konferencije.
Seattle-Utah 91:87
nba.966dizel,
Chicago je poveo sa 2:0 protiv Orlanda pobedom od 93:89(ili 87).
Izgleda da nam se priblizava finale Chicago - Seattle.
nba.967kum.djole,
>> je ugrao u Šibenci) i tako to... Onda čuvena pričica o takmičenju sa
>> bratom i 29 od 30 trica u doba Univerzijade i tako te priče...
..neko pomenu pre par godina da je zbog treninga propustio matursko. %)
nba.968kum.djole,
Oće l' mu dati 35 milki ? ;)
nba.969mango,
> Chicago je poveo sa 2:0 protiv Orlanda pobedom od 93:89(ili 87).
> Izgleda da nam se priblizava finale Chicago - Seattle.
Hm, ne bih rekao; nadam se da ce Orlando dobiti 4:3 (mada i njih
ne volim, ali ih manje mrzim od Chicaga, koji opet mrzim najvise od
svih timova) Ako 'rogonje' i prodju u finale bice 4:2 za Seattle (moje
favorite).
nba.970nenad,
> ..neko pomenu pre par godina da je zbog treninga propustio matursko. %)
Nije to ništa, znam slučaj jednog Sezamovca koji je zbog
rođendana Sezamovke takođe propusio matursko...
(Naravno, u pitanju je bila MG)
nba.972mpedja,
#$%&*-> Hm, ne bih rekao; nadam se da ce Orlando dobiti 4:3 (mada i njih
#$%&*-> ne volim, ali ih manje mrzim od Chicaga, koji opet mrzim najvise od
#$%&*-> svih timova) Ako 'rogonje' i prodju u finale bice 4:2 za Seattle
#$%&*-> (moje favorite).
Jeste, al kad na vrbi zasvrbi!
Po meni Chicago je favorit jer ima strava igrace na svim pozicijama.
Ne mogu oni protiv Jordana,Pippena,Horryja,nazalost Kukoca!
nba.973seki,
SE> Ne mogu oni protiv Jordana,Pippena,Horryja,nazalost Kukoca!
Horryja?
Ognjen
nba.974lexus,
=> Ne mogu oni protiv Jordana,Pippena,Horryja,nazalost Kukoca!
Horry?!?
Možda si mislio na Rodmana :>
Inače, Bulls-i bez Jordana su niko i ništa.
nba.975dizel,
> => Ne mogu oni protiv Jordana,Pippena,Horryja,nazalost Kukoca!
>
> Horry?!?
> Mozda si mislio na Rodmana :>
> Inace, Bulls-i bez Jordana su niko i nista.
Ma i sa njim ce da izgube...
Samo da ih Orlando (koji ne molim, ali ipak ih manje mrzim od Chicaga),ili
bar Seattle razbije...
Ipak, bice tesko!
nba.976vitez.koja,
#=> Oće l' mu dati 35 milki ? ;)
oće.
nba.977boshko,
Jel moze neko da mi nabroji tri petorke prvensta. Promaklo mi je a
bas me interesuje.
nba.978mpedja,
#$%&*-> Inace, Bulls-i bez Jordana su niko i nista.
I bez Jordana oni su se prilicno dobro odrzali!
Tu je jos bio Pippen!
nba.979mpedja,
#$%&*-> Ma i sa njim ce da izgube...
#$%&*-> Samo da ih Orlando (koji ne molim, ali ipak ih manje mrzim od
#$%&*-> Chicaga),ili bar Seattle razbije...
#$%&*->
#$%&*->
#$%&*-> Ipak, bice tesko!
Koga ti volis u NBA?
A da ce vam biti tesko, bice! Chikago po meni ima najbolji tim od
ostalih!
nba.980mileusna,
>> Inače, Bulls-i bez Jordana su niko i ništa.
E da, ponudu iz New Yorka, Džordan okarakterisao na sledeći
način: "Ponudao New Yorka je vredna pažnje. Nakon što uzmemo
titulu ove godine ozbiljno ću razmisliti o prelasku u drugi
klub." :)
nba.981junior,
> Oće l' mu dati 35 milki ? ;)
Que?
nba.982kum.djole,
>> Que?
Ma je l' moguće da ti ne pratiš..? ;)
Ćelavi traži 35 miliona $ za nastavak punjenja protivnika.
U protivnom menja klub.
nba.983mileusna,
Čikago - Orlando 86:67 (3:0) :) Inače, Sietl je izgubio
zadnju tekmu, tako da je sada rezultat na zapadu 2:1.
nba.984vitez.koja,
#=> A da ce vam biti tesko, bice! Chikago po meni ima najbolji tim od
#=> ostalih!
Ok, videćemo ih prvi put u finalu plej ofa protiv ekipe koja
takođe nema dominantnog centra... Zanimljiva teza, zar ne?
Dakle, u glavnim ulogama defanzivac godine protiv igrača godine i još
po neko :).
sk
nba.985kum.djole,
> Čikago - Orlando 86:67 (3:0) :) Inače, Sietl je izgubio
> zadnju tekmu, tako da je sada rezultat na zapadu 2:1.
Slabo nešto stižu vesti do Kragujevca.. ? ;)
Juta - Sietl 86:88 i 1:3.. dakle, gotova stvar.
nba.986mileusna,
Sietl - Juta (88:86) (3:1)
nba.987dizel,
># $%&*-> Ipak, bice tesko!
>
> Koga ti volis u NBA?
> A da ce vam biti tesko, bice! Chikago po meni ima najbolji tim
> od ostalih!
Ma svi moji omiljeni su vec ispali (Lakers, Knicks, Suns...)
Od preostalih, najdrazi mi je Seattle, tako da se nadam da
ce oni zaustaviti siloviti Chicago, koji vodi 3:0...
Utah je inace smanjila vodstvo Seattle-a na 2:1.
nba.988seki,
Zar ovde neko sumnja da ce Cikago uzeti titulu?
Ognjen
nba.989dizel,
> Sietl - Juta (88:86) (3:1)
Orlando - Chicago 101:106
Dakle , Cikago je u finalu NBA i to maksimalnom pobedom od 4:0.
Sra*je!
nba.990junior,
> Ćelavi traži 35 miliona $ za nastavak punjenja protivnika.
Ma kaži 18 po sezoni ;) Tako razumem ...
Inače, mislim da neće - biće suviše dosadna sledeća sezona, ako
Čikago ostane u ovakvom sastavu. Opet, ako bi dobili neki novi
tim sa Jordanom, recimo Toronto O:), bilo bi zanimljivo.
nba.991lexus,
=> Zar ovde neko sumnja da ce Cikago uzeti titulu?
Ja sumnjam!
Seattle će biti šampion!
Pobediće sa 4:3, zato što imaju više igrača.
nba.992mpedja,
#$%&*-> Dakle , Cikago je u finalu NBA i to maksimalnom pobedom od 4:0.
#$%&*-> Sra*je!
STRAVA! Jos samo da dobiju sijetl... :>>>>
nba.993mpedja,
#$%&*-> Od preostalih, najdrazi mi je Seattle, tako da se nadam da
#$%&*-> ce oni zaustaviti siloviti Chicago, koji vodi 3:0...
Da je silovit, silovit je i ne verujem da Seattle moze da ga zaustavi!
Sada je vec 4:0 i Chicago je vec u finalu!
nba.994mpedja,
#$%&*-> Ja sumnjam!
#$%&*-> Seattle ce biti sampion!
#$%&*-> Pobedice sa 4:3, zato sto imaju vise igraca.
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! KAKO DA NEEEEEEEE!
Ja ne sumnjam!
Chicago ce biti sampion!
Pobedice sa 4:2 zato sto imaju bolji tim. :)))
nba.995mpedja,
#$%&*-> tim sa Jordanom, recimo Toronto O:), bilo bi zanimljivo.
Ja se ne zalim. Svidjaju mi se njihovi dresovi!
nba.996mileusna,
>> Slabo nešto stižu vesti do Kragujevca.. ? ;)
Nije, nego se slabo uključuje informativna sprava zvana
TV. :) Inače, poslednji rezultat Jute i Sietla sam poslao samo
jedan čas nakon tebe, što i nije tako loše, zar ne? ;)
nba.997kum.djole,
> Nije, nego se slabo uključuje informativna sprava zvana
> TV. :) Inače, poslednji rezultat Jute i Sietla sam poslao samo
> jedan čas nakon tebe, što i nije tako loše, zar ne? ;)
Pa i nije, znači da Beograd ide sat vremena napred u odnosu
na Kragujevac kad se radi o NBA, a beskrajno zaostaje kad se
prenosi finalna utakmica KEŠ.. ;)
nba.998giovanni,
Ę? Dakle , Cikago je u finalu NBA i to maksimalnom pobedom od 4:0.
Ę? Sra*je!
Pravo da ti rečem, meni je draže da igra Čikago u velikom finalu nego
Orlando sa onim majmunom O'Nilom. Inače, navijam za Čikago ali u ovom
finalu sigurno neću navijati za njih jer je moj omiljeni tim Sijetl u
velikoj prednosti (čuj velikoj, skoro gotovo u finalu). Jedino što me
brine je što imam neki nezgodan osećaj da će Čikago i njih da razbije. :(((
nba.999mpedja,
#$%&*-> velikoj prednosti (cuj velikoj, skoro gotovo u finalu). Jedino sto me
#$%&*-> brine je sto imam neki nezgodan osecaj da ce Cikago i njih da
Mislim da to nie samo osecaj. Chicago ce sigurno da ih razbije!
nba.1000dizel,
> Ę? Dakle , Cikago je u finalu NBA i to maksimalnom pobedom od
> 4:0. Ę? Sra*je!
>
> moj omiljeni tim Sijetl u velikoj prednosti (cuj velikoj, skoro
> gotovo u finalu). Jedino sto me brine je sto imam neki nezgodan
> osecaj da ce Cikago i njih da razbije. :(((
Settle - Utah 85:88 (ili tako nesto, u produzetku)
tj. sada je 3:2 za Seattle...
Ko zna sta ce jos biti...
nba.1001lexus,
Utah - Seattle 118:83
Ukupan rezultat: 3:3
Majstorica - nedelja ujutru u sijetlu.
Ovo je najteži poraz koji je Seattle ikada
doživeo u Play-Offu
nba.1002vitez.koja,
Sietl - Juta 4:3
nba.1003budim,
(:) Sietl - Juta 4:3
A, lexe?... :>>>>
no comment? :>
poz,
budimir
nba.1004mpedja,
#$%&*-> Sietl - Juta 4:3
To je to.Znaci duel Chicago:Seattle! Jedva cekam da vidim tu 'borbu'.
Ubice ih Chicago ko malu decu.
nba.1005giovanni,
Ę? Sietl - Juta 4:3
YES! :))) Nego, koliki je rezultat bio na kraju i jel' zna neko raspored
finalnih tekmi i da li će neka domaća TV prenositi taj događaj?
nba.1006lexus,
=> YES! :))) Nego, koliki je rezultat bio na kraju i jel' zna neko
=> raspored finalnih tekmi i da li će neka domaća TV prenositi taj
=> događaj?
90:86 za Seattle... :(
Što se rasporeda tiče, neka neko pronađe vpoznanovic-a i natera
ga da se još jednom javi na Sezam ;)
nba.1008vitez.koja,
#=> YES! :))) Nego, koliki je rezultat bio na kraju i jel' zna neko
#=> raspored finalnih tekmi i da li će neka domaća TV prenositi taj
#=> događaj?
90:86 za Sietl... Utakmice se igraju u ritmu sredu, petak,
nedelja. Prva se igra u tri noću, druga u jedan, treća (valjda) opet u
tri, posle ne znam (znači prva u noći sreda na četvrtak). Ako sam
dobro razumeo prenosiće HRT, ako ti je to dovoljno domaće :) -
probajte da uhvatite kad imate neke smetnje na drugim programima...
Inače, poslah ovaj rezultat rizikujući bes sezamove populacije,
naime sve bilo super, gledao ja utakmicu na hrtu, kad 13 sec pre kraja
na 3 razlike za Sietl i tajm aut za Jutu nestade slike, sa sve
tonom... I pošto kasnije je odmah bio kraj programa, tj. nisu bili
produžeci, ja zaključih da je Sietl pobedio :)
sk
ps. Upravo javiše na BK da će da daju direktne prenose, en-bi-ej
fajnals on bi-kej :)
nba.1009seki,
> ps. Upravo javise na BK da ce da daju direktne prenose, en-bi-ej
> fajnals on bi-kej :)
Jel' istina da ce Vlada Olic prenositi utakmice?
Ognjen
nba.1010guta,
#> YES! :))) Nego, koliki je rezultat bio na kraju i jel' zna
#> neko raspored finalnih tekmi i da li će neka domaća TV
#> prenositi taj događaj?
BK TV
1. utakmica - Četvrtak, 6. jun, 03:00 direktan prenos, snimak 22:00
2. utakmica - Subota, 8. jun, 03:00 direktan prenos, snimak 22:00
3. utakmica - Ponedeljak, 10. jun, 01:30 direktan prenos, snimak 22:00
4. utakmica - Četvrtak, 13. jun, 03:00 direktan prenos, snimak 22:00
* 5. utakmica - Subota, 15. jun, 03:00 direktan prenos, snimak 22:00
* 6. utakmica - Ponedeljak, 17. jun, 01:30 direktan prenos, snimak 23:10
* 7. utakmica - Četvrtak, 20. jun, 03:00 direktan prenos, snimak 22:00
* - ako je potrebno ;)
nba.1011mpavlo,
> YES! :))) Nego, koliki je rezultat bio na kraju i jel' zna neko raspored
> finalnih tekmi i da li ce neka domaca TV prenositi taj dogadaj?
U danasnjoj Politici je na sportskoj strani izaslo da ce BK prenositi sve
utakmice finala izmedju Bulls-a i Supersonics-a.
datum vreme prenosa vreme reprize domacin
-- ----- ------------- ------------- -------
1 cetvrtak, 6. jun 03:00 22:02 Chicago
2 subota, 8.jun 03:00 22:02 Chicago
3 ponedeljak, 10.jun 01:30 22:02 Seattle
4 cetvrtak, 13.jun 03:00 22:02 Seattle
*5 subota, 17. jun 03:30 22:02 Seattle
*6 ponedeljak, 17.jun 01:30 23:10 Chicago
*7 cetvrtak, 20. jun 03:00 22:02 Chicago
* - Ako budu potrebne
nba.1012seki,
Chicago - Seattle 107:90, u prvoj utakmici!!!
Ognjen
nba.1013dizel,
Danas u Chicagu u prvom mecu playoffa
Chicago - Seattle 107:90
Prva pobeda Chicaga, sigurno nije i poslednja, ali se nadam
da ce Seattle dobiti 4 meca i postati sampion(sve manje nade!)
nba.1014cosmo,
ukoliko se ovo vec nije pojavilo.. sve o finalnoj seriji na
internetu.. http://www.finals.com
nba.1015mpedja,
#$%&*-> Prva pobeda Chicaga, sigurno nije i poslednja, ali se nadam
#$%&*-> da ce Seattle dobiti 4 meca i postati sampion(sve manje nade!)
Samo se ti nadaj...
nba.1016vitez.koja,
#=> Chicago - Seattle 107:90
#=> Prva pobeda Chicaga, sigurno nije i poslednja, ali se nadam
#=> da ce Seattle dobiti 4 meca i postati sampion(sve manje nade!)
Zašto sve manje nade? Nade je bilo malo i u početku, ali Sietl je
sinoć odigrao (onaj deo utakmice koji nisam prespavao) dosta dobro.
Džordana su čuvali svi i to je išlo, ali onda u 4/4 videli smo Toni
Show, slabije su (u napadu) igrali Šrempf i Pejton i to bi bilo to.
sk
nba.1017giovanni,
Ę? U danasnjoj Politici je na sportskoj strani izaslo da ce BK prenositi sve
Ę? utakmice finala izmedju Bulls-a i Supersonics-a.
Hvala i tebi i guti na trudu. Na žalost, prvu tekmu smo pukli (107:90)
ali nema veze. Ima još da se igra. :))
nba.1018seki,
Mislim da je Payton glavni krivac za poraz Seattle-a. Kad je trebao
da povuce, nigde ga nije bilo (doduse bio je izvanredno cuvan od
strane Harper-a). Vidi se da Seattle ima srce, ali nema iskustva tako
da ce biti najvise 4:2 za Chicago. Inace , mislim da je Kukoc resio
utakmicu sa onim vezanim trojkama.
Ognjen
nba.1019schef,
=- Danas u Chicagu u prvom mecu playoffa
=- Chicago - Seattle 107:90
Eh, da ne beše one %^#%$$% stoke Brikovskog, ko zna šta bi bilo. Ovako je
lepo poklonio Chicagu 4 sl.bacanja + napad u trenutku kada je još uvek bilo
nerešeno, a tada je po meni Seattle bio u zamahu. Ko zna šta bi bilo da nije
onako majmunski postupio, kao da nije znao da je Denis Rodman tu i da
provocira između ostalog...
A inače, kako vam se sviđa novi friz gorepomenutog Denisa napasti? :> Baš
je cooooool... ;)
nba.1020junior,
> Danas u Chicagu u prvom mecu playoffa
Zasluženo slavlje Čikaga, stvarno su bili neuporedivo bolji.
To najbolje govori odnos izgubljenih lopti, a i blokada
(Longli-4, Pipen-3).
Inače, Vlade mi je poslao statistike, ali mi ne radi DL na
galebu, pa ćete morati da sačekate da mail sa galeba stigne
na SezamNet.
nba.1021junior,
Evo ih podaci ... thnx to vpoznanovic
Seattle (90) at Chicago (107)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St to PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 41 9-14 14-16 5 3 8 2 6 2 7 32
D Schrempf F 35 3-8 6-6 3 5 8 3 4 1 2 13
Johnson C 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2
Hawkins G 35 2-9 5-5 0 3 3 1 2 0 1 9
Payton G 47 6-17 1-4 2 8 10 6 5 1 3 13
Perkins 37 5-14 1-1 4 1 5 2 3 1 3 14
Mcmillan 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Askew 25 1-4 2-2 0 6 6 1 4 0 1 5
Brickowski 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Wingate 2 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
Snow 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 27-68 31-36 14 27 41 16 29 6 17 90
(.397) (.861) Team Rebs: 9 Total to: 18(24 PTS)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St to PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 44 5-15 8-9 5 2 7 3 3 3 0 21
Rodman F 36 3-6 1-2 3 10 13 2 5 1 2 7
Longley C 26 5-12 4-5 1 0 1 1 4 0 1 14
Harper G 30 6-10 2-2 3 2 5 7 4 2 1 15
Jordan G 41 9-18 9-10 0 7 7 2 4 2 2 28
Kerr 12 0-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kukoc 27 7-13 2-3 3 1 4 4 3 1 0 18
Brown 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wennington 10 2-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 4
Buechler 9 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0
Salley 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 37-86 26-31 17 23 40 20 27 9 7 107
(.430) (.839) Team Rebs: 10 Total to: 7(12 PTS)
Seattle 18 30 29 13 - 90
Chicago 24 29 26 28 - 107
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp, Johnson. Chicago - Longley 4, Pippen 3,
Harper, Jordan.
3-Pt. Field goals: Seattle 5-16 (.313), D Schrempf 1-2, Hawkins 0-3,
Payton 0-3, Perkins 3-5, Askew 1-3. Chicago 7-26 (.269), Pippen 3-8,
Harper 1-3, Jordan 1-4, Kerr 0-3, Kukoc 2-5, Buechler 0-3.
Technicals: Seattle - Brickowski 2 (Ejected), Payton, Chicago - Rodman,
Jordan.
Officials: Joe Crawford, Dan Crawford, Bennett Salvatore.
A - 24,544. T - 2:26.
nba.1022junior,
I komentar iz novina:
BULLS USE FINAL QUARTER TO PHONE IN VICTORY
CHICAGO -- It was a perfect opportunity for the Seattle SuperSonics to
stun the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, but they couldn't pull it
off.
After giving the Bulls all they could handle for three periods, the
Sonics faded badly in the fourth quarter and lost to Chicago 107-90 in
Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Game 2 will be played Friday night in Chicago.
The Bulls outscored the Sonics 14-5 to start the fourth quarter and
take a 93-82 lead. The Bulls pulled away as the quarter wore on, and
their biggest margin was at the final buzzer.
"It was a feeling-out game," Chicago coach Phil Jackson said. "A game
where both teams came to terms with each other. We finally found a
rhythm late in the game, in the fourth quarter, and we took control."
Said Seattle coach George Karl: "They have a great tendency as the
game goes on to build their pressure. We got more tentative and they
got more aggressive. They won that battle of aggressiveness big-time."
Michael Jordan led Chicago with 28 points and Scottie Pippen added 21.
Toni Kukoc scored 18 points, sparking Chicago early in the fourth
quarter with a pair of 3-point baskets, one that resulted in a
four-point play.
"His seven points were huge," Karl said of Kukoc. "We had confidence
in the game at that point."
Dennis Rodman grabbed 13 rebounds for Chicago. Center Luc Longley
carried the Bulls early, scoring eight of his 14 points in the first
quarter.
Shawn Kemp led Seattle with 32 points -- only two in the fourth
quarter -- and Sam Perkins added 14. But the Sonics came up short off
the bench as the game wore on because forward Frank Brickowski was
ejected late in the first half and Nate McMillan was able to play only
6 minutes because of a back injury.
Seattle turned the ball over 18 times compared to only seven for the
Bulls.
"Turnovers and bench scoring were the key factors," Jackson said.
After struggling for three quarters, the Bulls finally heated up in
the fourth, shooting 61 percent and limiting Seattle to 28 percent
shooting. Seattle was still close, trailing 93-86 with 5 minutes 41
seconds remaining, but the Bulls then scored the next eight points.
Chicago, shooting poorly as it tried to shake the cobwebs from an
eight-day layoff, led 24-18 after one quarter. Chicago shot only 37.5
percent in the first period but Seattle was worse, shooting 35
percent.
"The thing that was missing was not our wind, but our continuity on
offense," Jordan said.
The natives grew restless in the United Center as Seattle, behind
eight points by Perkins, rallied to take a 32-28 lead in the first 4
minutes of the second quarter.
A 3-pointer by Jordan helped Chicago regain a 35-34 lead. The lead
changed hands six times after that before Chicago settled for a 53-48
halftime lead.
Things heated up late in the first half after Brickowski entered the
game for Seattle with 3:12 left. His job, as expected, was to mess
with Rodman, who sported a new multicolored hairstyle.
Brickowski picked up a flagrant foul for nailing Rodman with an elbow
to the throat with 1:27 left. Brickowski was then whistled for a
double technical and an ejection after jawing with Rodman and
Chicago's Jack Haley, who was on the bench in street clothes.
Brickowski yelled to Haley, asking if he was Rodman's "(expletive)
baby sitter."
Jordan and Kemp scored 18 points each in the first half. Chicago
stretched its lead to 67-56 early in the third quarter, but Seattle
wouldn't go away. The Sonics dropped in 10 free throws and took
advantage of an 0-for-6 Chicago drought to pull within 72-71 with 2:50
remaining.
Seattle tied the score at 75-75, but the Bulls led 79-75 after three
periods.
Jordan spent a long stint on the bench in the third.
"I didn't like the third quarter," Jackson said. "I took Michael out
to give him a rest so he'd have the energy in the fourth."
Said Jordan, "The fourth quarter is desire, execution, maintaining the
pressure. They succumbed to that pressure tonight."
nba.1023mango,
> Danas u Chicagu u prvom mecu playoffa
> Chicago - Seattle 107:90
> Prva pobeda Chicaga, sigurno nije i poslednja, ali se nadam
> da ce Seattle dobiti 4 meca i postati sampion(sve manje nade!)
Bice 4:2 za Seattle, pa vi kako hocete.
nba.1024seki,
SE> Bice 4:2 za Seattle, pa vi kako hocete.
Hrabra izjava, nema sta.....
Ognjen
nba.1025vitez.koja,
#=> Johnson C 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1
Primetiste li koju ludu rotaciju ima Sietl? Ovaj Irvin Džonson
počinje utakmicu na centru, odigra svojih 10 minuta u prvoj četvrtini,
umesto njega uđe neki bek (Eskju), a on do kraja uopšte ne ulazi :)
sk
nba.1026lexus,
=> Primetiste li koju ludu rotaciju ima Sietl? Ovaj Irvin Džonson
=> počinje utakmicu na centru, odigra svojih 10 minuta u prvoj
=> četvrtini, umesto njega uđe neki bek (Eskju), a on do kraja uopšte
=> ne ulazi :)
Umesto Džonsona najčešće ulazi Sem Perkins :)
A u trenucima gluposti Džordž Karla ulazi i
Frenk Brikovski...
nba.1027krimer,
Na poluvremenu Chicago-Seattle 46:45
Bice gusto!
P.S> Da li ima nekoga ovde sem mene da navija za Bullse? :)
nba.1028dizel,
Za one koji nisu gledali mec izmedju Seattle-a i Chicaga:
Trenutno je 12.3 sekunde do kraja i 91:88 za Chicago!
Chicago ima i loptu i samo cudo moze da se dogodi pa da Seattle
zabelezi pobedu. Rezultat se kretao ovako:
I cetvrtina 27:23 za Seattle
II cetvrtina 46:45 za Chicago
a posle trece cetvrtine Chicago je imao cak 11 poena prednosti.
U toj cetvrtini Rodman je imao 8 skokova i 8 poena, a Kukoc, koji
do tada nije postigao nijedan poen za 1,5 min. postigao je 8
poena(dve vezane trojke). Medjutim, Seattle je u poslednjoj cetvrtini
poceo da smanjuje prednost i odlicnom odbranom dosao na samo nekoliko
poena razlike u finisu, medjutim nerezonskim sutevima su prakticno
poklanjali llopte Bullsima, tako da ih nisu stigli.
Rodman je sjajno skakao i uhvatio preko 20 lopti!
Imao je i 11-12 skokova u napadu.
U samom finisu sonicsi su dosli na samo 3 poena 91:88.
Slobodna bacanja za Chicago je izveo je Pipen i oba promasio, ali opet
Rodman skace, ali se izborio samo za podbacivanje. U tri puta
ponovljenom podbacivanju Rodman je nadmasio Perkinsa, i od dva bacanja
pogodio je jedno, sto je bilo i konacnih 92:88, jer Seattle tada ni
trojkom nije mogao nesto vise da uradi...
Dakle, Chicago - Seattle u drugoj utakmici 92:88 :(((((((((
A to je 2:0 za Chicago...
nba.1029dizel,
> Primetiste li koju ludu rotaciju ima Sietl? Ovaj Irvin Dzonson
> pocinje utakmicu na centru, odigra svojih 10 minuta u prvoj
Pa zato sto napravi 5 licnih za 10 min...
nba.1030junior,
> P.S> Da li ima nekoga ovde sem mene da navija za Bullse? :)
Naravno. Neki su se ugojili zahvaljujući njima :>
BTW, evo novih podataka (10x to vpoznanovic)
Seattle (88) at Chicago (92)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 40 8-18 13-16 8 5 13 2 3 1 3 29
D Schrempf F 41 5-14 4-4 1 1 2 3 5 0 2 15
Johnson C 8 1-4 0-0 6 1 7 1 5 0 0 2
Hawkins G 39 6-11 3-5 0 2 2 0 5 2 3 16
Payton G 45 6-15 0-0 0 5 5 3 5 1 1 13
Perkins 33 5-10 3-4 1 3 4 0 3 0 3 13
Askew 22 0-1 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 2 4 0
Wingate 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Brickowski 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Snow 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mcmillan Dnp - back Injury
S Scheffler Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 31-75 23-29 16 23 39 10 30 6 16 88
(.413) (.793) Team Rebs: 7 Total to: 16(15 PTS)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 38 8-16 5-8 3 4 7 2 3 2 3 21
Rodman F 42 3-6 4-6 11 9 20 0 4 0 4 10
Longley C 25 1-5 0-1 0 3 3 3 5 2 3 2
Harper G 33 2-8 7-8 1 3 4 1 2 0 0 12
Jordan G 43 9-22 10-16 2 4 6 8 3 2 2 29
Kukoc 24 4-12 1-2 3 2 5 5 2 0 1 11
Wennington 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Buechler 5 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2
Salley 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0
Kerr 13 1-6 1-1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3
Brown 8 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 2 2 2
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 30-77 28-42 20 25 45 22 27 10 15 92
(.390) (.667) Team Rebs: 20 Total to: 15(18 PTS)
Seattle 27 18 20 23 - 88
Chicago 23 23 30 16 - 92
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp 4. Chicago - Pippen 2, Longley 2, Kukoc.
3-Pt. Field goals: Seattle 3-15 (.200), Kemp 0-1, D Schrempf 1-3, Hawkins
1-5, Payton 1-4, Perkins 0-1, Askew 0-1. Chicago 4-21 (.190), Pippen 0-4,
Harper 1-4, Jordan 1-2, Kukoc 2-7, Kerr 0-4.
Technicals: Seattle - Illegal Defense 4, Chicago - Illegal Defense 2,
Rogers.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Jess Kersey, Hue Hollins.
A - 24,544. T - 2:48.
nba.1031junior,
I komentar iz novina:
RODMAN RESCUES STRUGGLING BULLS WITH 20 BOARDS
CHICAGO -- The rock of the Chicago Bulls ... Dennis Rodman?
With his teammates struggling on Friday, it was Rodman to the rescue,
rebounding many of the Bulls' errant shots, scrambling for loose
balls, forcing jump balls, and hitting the clinching free throw as the
Bulls overcame a sluggish fourth quarter to defeat the Seattle
SuperSonics 92-88.
Rodman tied an NBA Finals record with 11 offensive boards and finished
with 20 total as Chicago took a 2-0 series lead. Toni Kukoc hit two
3-pointers in a crucial third-quarter spurt and Michael Jordan chipped
in with 29 points.
Game 3 is Sunday in Seattle and the SuperSonics will now try to become
the first team to rally from a 2-0 deficit since the 1977 Portland
Trail Blazers rallied to win four straight and beat the Philadelphia
76ers. Seattle will host the next three games.
Scottie Pippen added 21 points, but missed two crucial free throws
with 8.9 seconds to play that could have iced the game. Dennis Rodman,
who finished with 10 points and 20 rebounds, forced a jump ball with
Sam Perkins off the second miss.
After three attempted jumps, Rodman and the Bulls finally won the tip
after a scramble. Rodman was fouled and made the second shot to ice
the game. Rodman's 11 offensive rebounds tied an the Finals record set
by Elvin Hayes of the Washington Bullets on May 27, 1979, against
Seattle.
The Bulls held on despite not make a field goal in the game's final
6:11 and sinking only eight of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter.
But Seattle could counter with only two hoops in the final five
minutes.
Shawn Kemp had 29 points and Hersey Hawkins 16 for Seattle, which
trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter but cut the lead to 91-88
with 12.3 seconds left after two Kemp free throws.
Kukoc, who was the hero in Game 1 when he scored 10 consecutive
Chicago points, took the game over again at the end of the third
quarter in a 10-1 run over the final 2:25.
After Gary Payton pulled Seattle within 66-64 on a fadeaway jumper
with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter, Kukoc hit his first
3-pointer to make it 69-64. Kemp made a foul shot with 2:12 left to
make it 69-65, but Kukoc drained a 3-pointer from the right baseline
to open Chicago's lead to 72-65.
Jordan's steal led to an uncontested dunk by Pippen that made it 74-65
and after a miss by Perkins, Jordan led a fast break and zipped a pass
to a cutting Kukoc, who threw down a dunk for a 76-65 lead.
The Bulls took their largest lead of the game at 80-67 when Randy
Brown hit a jumper with 9:37 remaining. Unlike Game 1, the Sonics
refused to fold, methodically going on a 14-5 run to pull within 85-81
with 4:13 to play after Kemp converted a 3-point play.
Jordan made two free throws to make it 87-81 with just under four
minutes to go, but the teams went scoreless until Jordan hit a foul
shot with 91 seconds to go to push the lead back to seven points.
Kemp followed a miss by Detlef Schrempf and was fouled, pulling within
88-84 with 1:14 left. Jordan and Schrempf traded free throws to make
it 90-86 with 48 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Kerr missed a 3-pointer, but Rodman, who
had eight points and 10 rebounds in the third quarter alone, pulled
down the offensive rebound that tied him with Hayes.
Kukoc made one free throw to make it 91-86 with 15 seconds left and
Kemp hit two foul shots three seconds later to make it 91-88. Pippen
was fouled and bounced the first free throw off the rim. His second
attempt missed badly but Rodman was able to tie up Perkins to force
the jump ball.
Chicago looked nothing like the team that won 72 games down the
stretch, failing to apply its usually fatal grip on the game after
posting a double-digit lead. Kukoc's putback off a Longley miss with
6:11 left that gave Chicago an 84-76 lead was the final basket by the
Bulls, who missed their final eight shots from the field.
The Sonics, who were just one for 12 from the field in the final five
minutes of Game 1, were only two of eight from the field down that
same stretch on Friday.
The Bulls had threatened to blow the game open early in the third
quarter, taking a 63-56 lead after an 11-4 run that saw Pippen and
Rodman score four points apiece.
Seattle used an 8-1 run at the end of the first quarter to take a
27-23 lead. Kemp had 10 points in the quarter, but Perkins keyed the
run with a pair of hook shots. Chicago was able to take a 46-45 lead
at halftime on a 3-pointer by Jordan with 41 seconds to go.
nba.1032dselic,
> P.S> Da li ima nekoga ovde sem mene da navija za Bullse? :)
Evo ja navijam za njih.
nba.1033giovanni,
Ę? P.S> Da li ima nekoga ovde sem mene da navija za Bullse? :)
Evo, ja bi navijao za njih da ne igraju u finalu sa Seattleom. ;)
nba.1034seki,
Seattle - Chicago 86:108, u trecoj utakmici (ko ono rece da ce biti
4:2 za Seattle?)
Ognjen
nba.1035junior,
Evo podataka za ovu utakmicu (10x to vpoznanovic):
Chicago (108) at Seattle (86)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 40 5-14 1-3 2 6 8 9 3 3 0 12
Rodman F 31 1-3 3-6 3 7 10 2 5 1 2 5
Longley C 28 8-13 3-4 2 1 3 2 5 0 2 19
Kukoc G 37 4-11 5-5 1 6 7 7 3 1 0 14
Jordan G 41 11-23 11-11 2 1 3 5 1 2 3 36
Kerr 25 3-4 1-1 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 8
Harper 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wennington 15 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 6
Brown 10 2-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 6
Buechler 8 1-2 0-2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2
Salley 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 38-76 25-34 10 23 33 28 29 9 9 108
(.500) (.735) Team Rebs: 13 Total to: 11(11 PTS)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 42 4-7 6-6 1 3 4 0 5 0 5 14
D Schrempf F 41 7-15 5-6 1 4 5 3 3 0 3 20
Johnson C 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hawkins G 40 2-6 7-7 0 1 1 2 4 1 2 12
Payton G 45 7-15 5-6 2 5 7 9 2 2 3 19
Perkins 27 2-4 5-6 1 5 6 0 2 0 1 9
Askew 10 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 2
Brickowski 14 2-4 0-0 2 5 7 0 5 0 2 5
Wingate 12 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 5
S Scheffler 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Snow 3 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 0
Mcmillan Dnp - Did Not Dress
Totals 240 27-60 28-31 7 25 32 14 29 3 20 86
(.450) (.903) Team Rebs: 5 Total to: 21(26 PTS)
Chicago 34 28 13 33 - 108
Seattle 16 22 23 25 - 86
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Longley 2. Seattle - Kemp 4.
3-Pt. Field goals: Chicago 7-15 (.467), Pippen 1-4, Kukoc 1-3, Jordan 3-4,
Kerr 1-2, Brown 1-1, Buechler 0-1. Seattle 4-16 (.250), D Schrempf 1-5,
Hawkins 1-3, Payton 0-3, Perkins 0-1, Askew 0-1, Brickowski 1-2, Wingate
1-1.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman, Seattle - Payton, D Schrempf.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Dick Bavetta, Steve Javie.
A - 17,072. T - 2:31.
nba.1036junior,
I opet 10x to vpoznanovic:
THE INEVITA-BULLS!
SEATTLE -- Michael Jordan scored 27 of his 36 points in the first
half as the Chicago Bulls moved within one win of their fourth NBA
title in six years with a demoralizing 108-86 victory over the
Seattle SuperSonics.
Jordan, limited to 28 and 29 points in the first two games of
the series, finally had the game Chicago was anticipating and
Seattle was fearing. He eclipsed 30 points for the 10th time in
his last 12 Finals games and moved the Bulls to the brink of NBA
history.
"I was just going to come out and play and let my basketball do
the talking," Jordan said.
Chicago, which won a record 72 games during the regular season,
improved to 14-1 in the post-season with its ninth consecutive
triumph. It is the longest single-season streak since the Los
Angeles Lakers won their first 11 games in 1989 and places the
Bulls in position to surpass the top playoff record of 12-1 set
by the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers.
Luc Longley added a playoff career-high 19 points for Chicago,
which showed none of the flaws displayed in winning the first
two games at home. The Bulls scored the first seven points and
never trailed by less than 11 after the opening four minutes.
Detlef Schrempf scored 20 points for the Sonics, who were trying
to parlay a strong defensive effort at the end of Game Two and a
return to Key Arena into a chance to get back into the series.
Instead, Seattle enters Game Four on Wednesday with its first
three-game losing streak since last year's first-round playoff
exit and will try to avoid becoming the second straight Finals
sweep victim and the third in seven years.
The Sonics won 64 games during the regular season -- the 10th
best record in history -- but no team has rallied from a 3-0
deficit to win any NBA playoff series.
Seattle All-Stars Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton were shut down.
Kemp, who scored 61 points in the first two games, was hampered
by foul trouble and managed just 14. Payton had his third
straight sub-par game, scoring 19 meaningless points.
Any energy the Sonics hoped to derive from playing at home was
quickly defused by the Bulls, who scored 13 of the first 15
points. Jordan and Longley scored four points apiece in the
opening burst.
Two more baskets by Longley -- who has thoroughly outplayed his
counterpart, Ervin Johnson -- pushed the lead to 25-10 with 3:41
left before a dunk by Perkins.
Jordan made a jumper, a three-pointer and a steal before feeding
Scottie Pippen with a beautiful behind-the-back pass for an easy
dunk to boost the lead to 32-12 with 1:35 to go.
The Sonics forced jumpers and shot just 39 percent (7-of-18)
from the field. They also committed seven turnovers to none for
the Bulls, who shot 50 percent (14-of-28) and led 34-16 after
one period. Jordan scored 12 points in the quarter.
The injuries evened up as Bulls guard Ron Harper joined Sonics
swingman Nate McMillan on the sidelines. Harper did not start
due to a sore left knee. He made a brief appearance late in the
first quarter but quickly returned to the bench.
"There are very experienced team that wanted to come out and
make a statement early," McMillan said. "They shot the ball
well and the defense was there."
An 11-0 run by Seattle -- featuring a technical foul against
Chicago's Dennis Rodman -- closed the deficit to 34-23, but Bill
Wennington's jumper and Randy Brown's three-pointer pushed
Chicago's lead back to 16 points.
Schrempf got hot, scoring eight straight Seattle points to pull
the Sonics within 45-31 with 4:54 to go. But Schrempf kicked a
pass out of bounds and Frank Brickowski threw away an outlet
pass before Jordan again took over.
He made four straight free throws and matched four points by
Kemp with a pair of jumpers before sinking a long three-pointer.
Perkins made three free throws around Jordan's jumper and two
more free throws by Jordan rebuilt the lead to 22 points in the
final minute of the half. Pippen's runner with 6.5 seconds to
go gave Chicago a 62-38 halftime advantage.
Jordan shot 8-of-16 from the field and 8-of-8 from the line in
the first half, nearly matching his point total from each of the
first two games in Chicago.
Meanwhile, Seattle was 0-of-8 from three-point range, continuing
its poor outside shooting in the series. Through the first 2
1/2 games, the Sonics were 8-of-39 (21 percent) from behind the
arc.
But Chicago cooled off and Seattle got hot in the third quarter.
After Longley opened the period with a basket to give the Bulls
their largest lead at 26 points, they managed only a layup from
Jordan over the next eight minutes.
Hersey Hawkins scored seven points in a 16-2 burst that closed
the deficit to 66-54 with 3:33 to go. But Seattle couldn't get
closer and Chicago took a 75-61 advantage into the final period.
Any chance the Sonics had ended right there. Jordan scored,
Kerr made a foul shot after a technical against Payton and
Jordan completed a three-point play as the lead ballooned to 20
points with 11:08 to go.
"We pretty much controlled everything tonight," Jordan said.
"They made a big run at us in the third quarter but we took back
control and played a solid fourth quarter."
The only further interest was created by Rodman and Brickowski,
who engaged in several shoving matches before Brickowski earned
his second ejection of the series with 5:46 to go. Brickowski
also was ejected after a similar altercation with Rodman in Game
One.
"Seattle is off their game," Rodman said. "They're trying to
get into my head but they don't understand you can't mess with
the master. You can't mess with the master."
nba.1037junior,
> Seattle - Chicago 86:108, u trecoj utakmici (ko ono rece da ce
> biti 4:2 za Seattle?)
Izgleda da će ovo biti čistka Čikaga (a clean sweep ;). Ipak, Sietl treba da
bude zadovoljan .. prošli su prvo kolo .. malo su se preforsirali. :))
Inače, po meni, otkrovenje ovog finala je Luc Longley. Nijednu utakmicu nije
odigrao loše, a ne znam kako bi izgurao Čikago bez njegovih 3-4 blokade, ili
10-15 poena po utakmici. Kanađanin je uzeo stvar u svoje ruke :)
nba.1038lexus,
=> "Seattle is off their game," Rodman said. "They're trying to
=> get into my head but they don't understand you can't mess with
=> the master. You can't mess with the master."
Čovek je definitivno lud ;)
A Frank Brickowsky je u skladu sa svojim prezimenom...
hint -> Brick = cigla :)
nba.1039dizel,
>
> Bice 4:2 za Seattle, pa vi kako hocete.
Evo ga poznati prognozer iz teme rukomet:)))
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1040dizel,
> Na poluvremenu Chicago-Seattle 46:45
>
> Bice gusto!
>
> P.S> Da li ima nekoga ovde sem mene da navija za Bullse? :)
Ja, of course. I nemoj da brines bice 4:0.
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1041dizel,
> uradi... Dakle, Chicago - Seattle u drugoj utakmici 92:88
> :((((((((( A to je 2:0 za Chicago...
>
Izvini Marko.::)))0
4:0 100%
Marko znaci li ti nesto broj 10 ? :)))
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1043dizel,
>
> Evo, ja bi navijao za njih da ne igraju u finalu sa Seattleom.
> ;)
Za sve Seattle-ovce : Dokle da vas je*emo!
3:0 :)))))
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1044dizel,
Jos manje od pola sata do cetvrte (nadam se ne i poslednje) utakmice
NBA finala... Valjda se momci iz Seattlea zaigrati bolje, zaustaviti
Jordana,Pippena i Kukoca u sutu i Rodmana u skoku, pobediti bar jedan
mec... Ali, ukoliko pobede danas, skoro sam siguran da ce i sledeci
da dobiju (ali bice izuzetno tesko danas...).
Daj boze da sutra ujutro napisem u istoj ovoj. conf. 3:1 za Chicago...
POMOZI BOZE!!!
nba.1045mango,
Evo i prve pobede Sieattla. Razbismo ih;) 21 razlike- to je pravi
odnos snaga;) Bice 4:3 za nas;)) Skemp ih je napunio, bio je
najefikasniji, najbolji igrac utakmice. Posle ove tekme cu morati da
intervenisem kod Lenny Wilkinsa, gde da ovakvo krilo ne ode na OI?!;)
nba.1046dizel,
Pobeda Seattle-a od 21 razlike nad Chicagom u cetvrtoj utakmici!!!
Mislim da je bilo 106:85...
U timu Seattle-a, koji je od pocetka dobro zaigrao, svi su bili
dobri... i medju njima su vecinom podjedanko rasporedjenji poeni ...
U Cikagu, u prvom poluvremenu nije bilo raspolozenog igraca. Izgleda
da su prerano poceli da slave... Cak ni Rodman nije mogao da uzme
loptu pod kosem Kempu... U stvari, samo je Luk Longli, koga ja ne
cenim posebno, igrao odlicno... Ali, Seattle se raspucao sa linije za
3 poena (u prvom poluvremenu 3 trojke Paytona i po jedna Mcmilana,
Perkinsa i Vindgejta). Posle sam vec zaspao, ali nije ni bilo bitno...
Jedini koji se malo probudio u ekipi Cikaga je bio Toni Kukoc, koji
je popstigao i prve dve trojke za svoj tim(ostali su imali
katastrofalan procenat...)
Samo da se ovo ponovi i u petoj utakmici !!!
nba.1047junior,
Šmrc, izgubi Čikago .. al' nema veze .. vratiće se on.
Evo i statistika :
Chicago (86) at Seattle (107)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 40 4-17 0-0 3 8 11 8 5 1 3 9
Rodman F 41 4-6 0-0 8 6 14 4 5 0 1 8
Longley C 25 5-8 2-2 1 2 3 3 5 0 1 12
Harper G 13 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Jordan G 41 6-19 11-13 1 2 3 2 3 1 4 23
Kukoc 30 6-11 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 6 14
Kerr 22 1-6 2-2 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 5
Wennington 7 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4
Buechler 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Salley 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Brown 13 3-5 1-2 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 9
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 32-80 16-19 15 21 36 22 24 5 17 86
(.400) (.842) Team Rebs: 10 Total To: 18(25 PTS)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 33 12-17 1-1 3 8 11 3 4 2 1 25
D Schrempf F 42 6-13 1-2 2 3 5 3 1 1 2 14
Brickowski C 16 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 5 1 2 0
Hawkins G 37 6-9 4-4 3 3 6 2 3 1 1 18
Payton G 44 7-15 4-6 0 3 3 11 4 2 2 21
Wingate 17 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 4
Perkins 33 7-13 2-2 0 3 3 3 2 0 2 17
Mcmillan 14 2-3 2-2 0 3 3 3 2 0 1 8
S Scheffler 3 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
Snow 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Askew Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 41-73 16-19 9 26 35 25 24 7 13 107
(.562) (.842) Team Rebs: 5 Total To: 15(15 PTS)
Chicago 21 11 31 23 - 86
Seattle 25 28 31 23 - 107
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Pippen 2, Longley. Seattle - Kemp.
3-Pt. Field goals: Chicago 6-24 (.250), Pippen 1-8, Harper 0-1, Jordan
0-2, Kukoc 2-5, Kerr 1-4, Buechler 0-1, Brown 2-3. Seattle 9-17 (.529), D
Schrempf 1-2, Hawkins 2-3, Payton 3-6, Perkins 1-3, Mcmillan 2-3.
Technicals: Chicago - Rodman, Jordan, Seattle - Brickowski, D Schrempf,
Wingate.
Officials: Mike Mathis, Joe Crawford, Bill Oakes.
A - 17,072. T - 2:23.
nba.1048junior,
I sve ovo naravno, uz zahvalnost vpoznanovicu ...
BULLS CAN'T MAKE HISTORY OF SONICS
SEATTLE -- Gary Payton had 21 points and 11 assists and the Seattle
SuperSonics played the best defensive quarter in NBA Finals history
in a 107-86 victory over the Chicago Bulls, who were denied a
championship sweep.
The SuperSonics, limited to no more than 90 points in losing the
first three games, shut down Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and
the rest of the Bulls, who will have to wait until Game Five on
Friday for another shot at their fourth NBA title in six years.
The vaunted defense of the Sonics -- a forgotten aspect of this
series -- finally showed up in record fashion. Seattle limited
Chicago to 11 points in the second quarter, matching the fewest
in Finals history. The New York Knicks also scored 11 points in
the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 30th,
1972.
"I guess we're entitled to one bad game," said Jordan, who
managed 23 points on 6-of-19 shooting. "Nothing went right for
us tonight. Everything went wrong. We never really could catch a
break."
The Sonics opened a 25-21 lead after one quarter to 53-32 at
halftime. The advantage never dipped below 13 points and got as
big as 27 early in the fourth quarter.
Pippen was held to nine points on 4-of-17 shooting. Dennis
Rodman grabbed 14 rebounds but was not a factor with his play or
his psychological tactics. The Bulls matched their lowest total
of the post-season.
"I think you have to give Gary a lot of credit for the way he
played Michael tonight," said Seattle guard Hersey Hawkins, who
scored 18 points and took a turn guarding Jordan. "Gary didn't
win Defensive Player of the Year for nothing. He had a great
defensive game tonight."
"Gary was a lot more aggressive from start," said Sonics forward
Shawn Kemp, who had another outstanding game with 25 points and
11 rebounds. "He shot the ball well, too. His defense was
tremendous tonight. He probably won game for us."
Sam Perkins scored 17 points and Detlef Schremp added 14 for the
Sonics, who ended their longest losing streak of the season and
avoided an embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Bulls, who
were denied a piece of history.
Chicago, which won a record 72 games in the regular season, had
won nine consecutive playoff games to boost its post-season mark
to 14-1. A win would have surpassed the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers
(12-1) for the best playoff percentage.
It marked the first time since 1951 that a team holding a 3-0
lead did not win Game Four. However, no team has ever erased an
0-3 deficit to win any playoff series.
"This team's got to beat us three more times," Jordan said.
"We're not saying they can't do it, but we feel very confident."
The Bulls began as poorly as the Sonics did in Game Three. A
jumper by Hersey Hawkins gave Seattle its largest lead of the
series at 15-8 with 4:13 left in the period.
Payton scored eight points and Kemp and Hawkins six apiece as
the Sonics grabbed a 25-21 lead after one period, holding Jordan
to three points.
Seattle swingman Nate McMillan, who missed Games Two and Three
with a sciatic nerve, returned in late in the first quarter and
gave the team a defensive boost.
"It's good emotional lift (with him out there)," Kemp said. "I
think he helps Gary out in a number of ways."
"I think they were a step faster than we were tonight," Pippen
said. "They were very active, beating us to the loose balls.
They came ready to play."
Payton scored five points in an 11-0 burst that began the second
quarter and boosted the lead to 36-21 with 9:25 remaining.
A three-pointer by Sam Perkins ballooned the lead to 47-29 with
3:30 remaining. He added another jumper with 37 seconds to go
that gave Seattle a 53-32 halftime advantage.
Chicago shot just 38 percent (13-of-34) in the first half while
Seattle shot 51 percent (22-of-43). Jordan was 3-of-9.
"I was very frustrated," said Jordan, who had four turnovers and
a flagrant foul. "I think we all were. We couldn't get anything
to go our way."
The Bulls opened the third quarter with a charge. After Payton
scored, Toni Kukoc had five of his 14 points in a 7-0 run before
a banker by Kemp. Rodman had a tip-in and Jordan made a pair of
technical foul shots to cut the deficit to 57-43 with 8:31 left.
Payton and Kukoc traded baskets before Seattle ran off eight
straight points to rebuild the lead to 67-45 with 5:42 to go.
Kemp had a three-point play and an inside basket in the spurt.
"Shawn Kemp was making some great shots in the post," Bulls
coach Phil Jackson said. "They seemed to respond every time."
Jordan missed six straight shots before he finally found his
range, scoring nine of Chicago's next 17 points as the Bulls
closed to 75-62 with 1:38 left in the period. But McMillan's
three-pointer triggered a 9-1 burst that closed the quarter and
gave Seattle an 84-63 lead.
"I think he was a very emotional lift for them," Jordan said.
"He gave them some real good minutes."
A three-pointer by Randy Brown cut the deficit to 18 points, but
Payton made a foul shot, Schrempf and Hawkins had three-pointers
and Hawkins made a layup to give Seattle a 95-68 lead.
McMillan had eight points, including two three-pointers, in 14
minutes. The Sonics had 25 assists and just 15 turnovers while
forcing the Bulls into 17 turnovers, including four by Jordan.
Luc Longley scored 12 points and Brown added nine. Chicago shot
just 40 percent (32-of-80), including 6-of-24 from three-point
range.
nba.1049superhik,
=:> Za sve Seattle-ovce : Dokle da vas je*emo!
=:> 3:0 :)))))
Pozdrav iz Seattlea ;))) 3 : 1 -> 21 koš razlike (valjda)
nba.1050dizel,
Ubicu onog Kempa :)
Ipak 4:1.
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1051giovanni,
Ę? Pozdrav iz Seattlea ;))) 3 : 1 -> 21 koš razlike (valjda)
DA! :) Da li to počinje serija za titulu? :))))
Evo, javlja mi se ;) razbićemo ih i noćas! Znači već je 3:2. ;)
nba.1052vitez.koja,
#=> Samo da se ovo ponovi i u petoj utakmici !!!
100% hoće, ali onda dolazi i 6. utakmica...
...a u 7. je sve moguće ;))
sk
nba.1054avas,
Evo jednog avija za sijetlovce. Direktno sa http://www.finals.com
P.S.
Dakle, proradio EUnet.yu
sonics.arjnba.1055dizel,
>
> Ubicu onog Kempa :)
> Ipak 4:1.
Moram za srecu jos jednom da napisem nesto...
Prosli put, pred pobedu Seattlea napisao sam da
cu biti srecan ukoliko tog jutra budem napisao u
konf. da je rezultat Chicago - Seattle 3:1...
Ali, bice jako tesko.
A sada, bicu srecan ukoliko sutra ujutro budem
napisao u konf. Chicago - Seattle 3:2...
Ali, bice jako tesko.
nba.1056dizel,
U petoj utakmici izmedju Chicaga i Seattle-a, pobedio je Seattle sa
89:78. Sjajna pobeda Seattle-a. Payton 23 poena, Kemp 22, a kod
Chicaga Jordan 26, Pippen 14...
U cetvrtoj cetvrtini Seattle se sjajnom seijom na 4 minuta ore kraja
"odlepio" na velikih 13 poena razlike. Medjutim, posle time-out-a
Jacksona Bullsi smanjuju razliku na samo 6 poena...
Ipak, igraci Seattle-a, uspesnim izvodjenjem bacanja(i neuspesnim
sutevima trojki Bullsa) uspevaju da ubedljivo dobiju ovaj mec...
AND NOW, BACK TO CHICAGO!
nba.1057lexus,
=> Naravno da se salim, ali ukoliko bi ga trojke "krenule" onako
=> kao protiv Chicaga, ili kao protiv Houstona prosle godine u finalu
=> (15-1), mozda bih stvarno imao neke sanse...
Još kada bi on koji je najmanje 20 cm. viši od tebe išao na trojke ;)
Starks nije naročito dobar igrač, ume da bude precizan, pa čak
i da odigra dobru odbranu, ali nema jaku psihu...
On uvek u važnim utakmicma promašuje, a to ne sme sebi dozvoliti.
nba.1058dizel,
> On uvek u vaznim utakmicma promasuje, a to ne sme sebi
> dozvoliti.
Uvek se zbog njega strasno nerviram. Na nevaznim utakmicama
ne moze da promasi trojku, ali zato kad treba ne moze da se
dobaci...
nba.1059dizel,
Dobi nas opet onaj smrdljivi Seattle.
Dakle sad je 3:2, ali moram reci da je utakmica namestena...:)
Naime Jordan je u cetvrtak izjavio kako bi voleo da proslavi titulu
u Cikagu... Znaci pustismo ih.
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1060dizel,
> pravi odnos snaga;) Bice 4:3 za nas;)) Skemp ih je napunio, bio
> je najefikasniji, najbolji igrac utakmice. Posle ove tekme cu
> morati da intervenisem kod Lenny Wilkinsa, gde da ovakvo krilo
> ne ode na OI?!;)
On valjda na OI ne ide zbog ponasanja. Inace i ja ga cenim i smatram
jednim od najboljih cetvorki na svetu.
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1061giovanni,
Ę? Evo, javlja mi se ;) razbićemo ih i noćas! Znači već je 3:2. ;)
Evo jedne fine pesmice za "bikove":
Što ste došli
kad ste znali
da ste ovde n*jebali? :)))
Pa šta sam rek'o?! :))) Ko je najbolj?! :))) Do konačne pobede deli nas
samo ;> još dve pobede. :)))
BTW, kad je 6. tekma? Možda nedelja na ponedeljak?
nba.1062junior,
E ovo mi stvarno nije jasno. Dokle će bre, taj Čikago da ih zavlači, da
im daje lažnu nadu da mogu da dobiju :)
BTW, evo i statistika (of kors, 10x to vpoznanovic)
Chicago (78) at Seattle (89)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 44 5-20 3-4 5 3 8 5 4 1 2 14
Rodman F 37 2-5 2-2 5 7 12 2 5 0 2 6
Longley C 34 3-3 5-7 0 5 5 4 4 0 2 11
Kukoc G 37 5-13 0-0 2 7 9 3 3 1 2 11
Jordan G 43 11-22 4-5 2 2 4 1 3 1 2 26
Wennington 6 1-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 3
Harper 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kerr 24 2-8 2-3 0 1 1 2 3 0 1 7
Brown 10 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0
Salley 1 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Buechler 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Edwards Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-77 17-23 15 25 40 18 27 3 13 78
(.377) (.739) Team Rebs: 11 Total To: 13(13 PTS)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 46 8-16 6-8 3 7 10 3 4 0 4 22
D Schrempf F 39 5-12 2-2 1 4 5 1 2 0 2 13
Brickowski C 17 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 0 0 0
Hawkins G 38 7-14 5-5 3 2 5 1 3 1 2 21
Payton G 46 7-18 7-8 2 7 9 6 3 1 1 23
Perkins 28 1-6 5-6 0 4 4 2 3 1 0 7
Mcmillan 21 1-1 0-0 0 6 6 2 4 1 1 3
Wingate 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
S Scheffler 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Snow 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Askew Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Johnson Dnp - Coach'S Decision
Totals 240 29-69 25-29 9 32 41 17 23 4 10 89
(.420) (.862) Team Rebs: 6 Total To: 11(8 PTS)
Chicago 18 24 18 18 - 78
Seattle 18 25 19 27 - 89
Blocked Shots: Chicago - Pippen, Longley. Seattle - D Schrempf, Hawkins.
3-Pt. Field goals: Chicago 3-26 (.115), Pippen 1-8, Kukoc 1-5, Jordan 0-4,
Kerr 1-7, Brown 0-1, Buechler 0-1. Seattle 6-14 (.429), D Schrempf 1-1,
Brickowski 0-1, Hawkins 2-4, Payton 2-6, Mcmillan 1-1, Wingate 0-1.
Technicals: Chicago - Illegal Defense, delay, Seattle - Mcmillan.
Officials: Ed T Rush, Jess Kersey, Hue Hollins.
A - 17,072. T - 2:36.
nba.1063junior,
I sve što ide uz njih:
FOURTH-QUARTER BURST CARRIES SONICS BACK TO CHICAGO
SEATTLE -- Shawn Kemp had 22 points and 10 rebounds and the Seattle
SuperSonics used an 11-0 fourth-quarter run to again stave off
elimination and defeat the Chicago Bulls, 89-78, in Game Five of
the NBA Finals.
Seattle's second straight win shifts the series back to Chicago
for Game Six on Sunday, where the Bulls won the first two games
by a combined 21 points and will have a chance to clinch their
fourth NBA title in six years.
"I just wish we could have gotten this confidence early in the
series," said Seattle coach George Karl, whose team has held
Chicago to an average of 82 points in the last two games after
allowing 102.3 points in the three losses.
"I think the team's very disappointed," said Chicago guard
Michael Jordan. "We just didn't finish it in the fourth
quarter. We just didn't make any shots. They did a good job of
defending their home court."
No team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff
series, but the SuperSonics will bid to become the sixth team to
force a decisive seventh game and the first since the Denver
Nuggets won Games Four, Five and Six against the Utah Jazz in
the 1994 Western Conference semifinals.
"Our team showed class, pride and heart," said Seattle guard
Hersey Hawkins. "Shawn has had a great series. I don't think
they have anyone who can guard him."
"We knew we didn't want them to celebrate on our court," said
Seattle point guard Gary Payton. "We knew they were getting a
little bit tired and we had to keep the pressure on them and
keep running. We're playing better defense and shooting the
ball a lot better and not turning the ball over as much."
Jordan scored 26 points but only two in the fourth quarter for
Chicago, which has lost consecutive games for only the second
time this season. The Bulls missed 20 consecutive three-point
attempts until Scottie Pippen hit one with less than three
minutes left.
"We had the looks," Jordan said. "We just rushed 'em and didn't
knock the shots down. Hopefully we'll get in our building and
the shots will fall."
The Bulls have been held to consecutive playoff scoring lows in
Games Four and Five. Chicago's only other losing streak came at
at Denver and Phoenix on February 4th and 6th.
Pippen pulled the Bulls within 71-69 with a follow layup with
8:01 to play, but he missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer
and Seattle's Detlef Schrempf hit two free throws with 6:48 to
go to trigger the burst.
Schrempf added a twisting, fadeaway jumper to extend the lead to
75-69 and Gary Payton converted a jumper to make it 77-69 at the
5:13 mark. Following a miss by Toni Kukoc, Payton drilled a
three-pointer from the top of the key and Hawkins hit a layup to
give Seattle an 82-69 lead with less than four minutes to play.
Three-pointers by Pippen and Steve Kerr and a free throw by Luc
Longley pulled Chicago within 84-78 with 1:55 left, but Seattle
made five free throws down the stretch to hold on.
Payton had 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Seattle,
which shot 42 percent (29-of-69) from the floor and outscored
the Bulls from the foul line, 25-17. Hawkins added 21 points
and Schrempf finished with 13.
Nate McMillan, who has played the last two games despite a
painful sciatic nerve, made his only shot from the field and
pulled down six rebounds in 21 minutes.
Pippen finished with 14 points, but was a horrid 5-of-20 from
the field, including 1-of-8 from three-point range. Kukoc and
Luc Longley added 11 points apiece for Chicago, which shot 38
percent (29-of-77) from the field and 3-of-26 from three-point
range.
"We need to be more aggressive taking the ball to the basket,"
said Chicago coach Phil Jackson. "I think our guys ran out of
gas. Scottie couldn't find rhythm in his shot tonight. He had
some tough situations where he maybe rushed his shot."
"We're getting more comfortable with their offense, and their
cuts, and their cuteness," added Karl. "They run their offense
as well as anybody in basketball, but we're starting to build
our pressure more. I think it's a lot of heart. Our guys have
shown some class. We now know how to beat them."
Kerr, who entered the game 1-for-13 from three-point range in
the Finals, made just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc. Chicago is
27-for-112 (24.1 percent) from three-point range in the Finals.
The Sonics had threatened to run away with the game, taking a
51-44 lead with 8:02 to play in the third quarter on two free
throws by Kemp, but Jordan keyed an 11-1 run with five points
and the Bulls took a 55-52 lead on a jumper by Bill Wennington
with 4:51 remaining. Seattle reeled off seven consecutive
points on four free throws by Sam Perkins around a three-pointer
by Schrempf.
Seattle had taken a 39-34 lead on a layup by Schrempf, but
Jordan responded with a pair of jumpers around a free throw by
Bill Wennington to tie the game at 39-39. Jordan scored 11
points in the second quarter, but Seattle held a 43-42 lead at
intermission behind 14 points from Kemp.
Kukoc and Jordan combined for 13 points in the first quarter and
gave Chicago an 18-12 lead, but Hawkins countered with a
three-pointer from the left baseline and a three-point play in
the final 1:48 of the opening period to tie the game 18-18.
Kukoc again started in place of Ron Harper, who is still
bothered by a sore left knee. Harper entered the game, but
quickly left.
nba.1064mango,
>> Bice 4:2 za Seattle, pa vi kako hocete.
>
> Evo ga poznati prognozer iz teme rukomet:)))
Ako ima neko ko pise u ovoj konfi gluplje, nesmisljenije,
nepismenije, 'neznalackije'... poruke od tebe onda stvarno...
ma znam sta onda kupicu ti big mac obrok u koji ste se kladili
ti i junior, a koji mu naravno nikad neces kupiti. Ovo sam morao
da napisem, jer ti stvarno ne znas za meru, niti te neko moze
ubediti argumentima u istinu niti je sam shvatas. Uostalom sta se
ja nerviram, za sta sluzi ignore.
nba.1065dizel,
>>> Bice 4:2 za Seattle, pa vi kako hocete.
>>
>> Evo ga poznati prognozer iz teme rukomet:)))
>
> Ako ima neko ko pise u ovoj konfi gluplje, nesmisljenije,
> nepismenije, 'neznalackije'... poruke od tebe onda stvarno...
> ma znam sta onda kupicu ti big mac obrok u koji ste se kladili
> ti i junior, a koji mu naravno nikad neces kupiti. Ovo sam
> morao da napisem, jer ti stvarno ne znas za meru, niti te neko
> moze ubediti argumentima u istinu niti je sam shvatas. Uostalom
> sta se ja nerviram, za sta sluzi ignore.
Prvo, obrati paznju na poruke koje saljem ja, Marko i na poruke
koje salje Nikola (on svoje poruke uvek zavrsava sa Nikola, R.S.F.C -
vidi se koliko si pametan, pa to nisi uocio... :>).
Zatim, pitaj juniora da li smo se zaista kladili... ja sam pre neki
dan "procesljao" staru extra conf. i nisam nasao konacno kladjenje,
ali sam i pored toga u chatu juniora pozvao mac... On to nije
prihvatio, jer je on hteo od prilike da me nauci pameti...
Inace, ja volim da se kladim, pa to cesto cinim i nerealno,...
ali kada izgubim svoje opklade uvek isplatim!!!
Ignore inace sluzi za one kojima ponestane argumenata u prici...
(pronadji odgovor u konf. Sezamnet ili forum...)
nba.1066dizel,
> A sada, bicu srecan ukoliko sutra ujutro budem
> napisao u konf. Chicago - Seattle 3:2...
> Ali, bice jako tesko.
Ponovo se obistinilo...
Ajde da probamo i ovaj put.
Sutra ujutro cu bam napisati detaljan izvestaj sa
seste utakmice NBA finals, i bicu veoma srecan ukoliko
budem mogao da napisem Chicago - Seattle 3:3...
Ali, bice jako tesko.
nba.1067dizel,
Igraci Chicaga su obezbedili titulu najboljeg u nba u sestoj utakmici
nba finala. Pobeda od 4:2... Trenutno je minut do kraja i 87:70...
Steta... Cikago je sampion ne zahvaljujuci sjajnom suteru Dzordanu,
ili odlicnom Pipenu, illi izvrsnom asistentu Kukocu, nego
zahvaljujuci najgadnijem igracu ove lige denisu romanu. Najprljavija
igra ... Konacan rezultat 87:75...
:((((((((
nba.1068lexus,
Bullsi su šampioni.
U 6. utakmici pobeda od 87:75 i ukupna pobeda od 4:2.
To je 4. titula Čikaga u 6 godina.
nba.1069mango,
> Jos kada bi on koji je najmanje 20 cm. visi od tebe isao na trojke ;)
> Starks nije narocito dobar igrac, ume da bude precizan, pa cak
> i da odigra dobru odbranu, ali nema jaku psihu...
> On uvek u vaznim utakmicma promasuje, a to ne sme sebi dozvoliti.
Naravno da ne bi isao na trojke, mozda samo po koji put. On je tako
brz da bi se loptom potpisao na betonu, a zeldi ga ne bi ni video kad
zakucava iza njegovih ledja (pa dobro mozda bi stigao da se okrene;)
nba.1070mango,
> Dobi nas opet onaj smrdljivi Seattle.
> Dakle sad je 3:2, ali moram reci da je utakmica namestena...:)
Utakmica definitivno nije namestena, nego je Seattle odigrao
konacno onu pravu utakmicu, onako kako treba da igra- cvrsta
odbrana i trojke, a ona kucanja preko Kempa preko Rodmana necu
ni da pominjem;) Najbolje je bilo ono kucanje iza ledja sa dve
ruke kad se obesio Rodmanu o vrat nogama, a kad se spustio
Rodman mu je cetitao na potezu. Koji slift, boze:)))))))))))))
Toliko o 'faci' Rodmanu.
nba.1071seki,
Zelim da porucim svim Seattle-ovcima da su se hrabro drzali i donekle
spasili finale od dosadnog "klanja". See ya next year!!
Ognjen
nba.1072rados,
ma to je sve zbog MONEY
nba.1073rados,
SEATTLE CE SLEDECE SEZONE BITI CHAMP.!!!!
SVAKA CAST CHICAGU ODLICNO SU IGRALI!!!!!!
nba.1074rados,
KO JE PRIKLJUCEN NA INTERNET,A VOLI NBA,
IMA LEPE SLIKE DA SKINE!!!!
A,OD ZVUKOVA DA I NE PRICAM!!!
NPR:JORDAN KOMENTARISE O KEMPU I NJEGOVU ULOGU U SIJETLU
nba.1075junior,
Izvinite što kasnim (ispiti), ali evo i statistika iz finalne utakmice:
Seattle (75) at Chicago (87)
Seattle
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Kemp F 40 8-17 2-2 6 8 14 3 6 3 4 18
Schrempf F 40 9-17 3-4 1 4 5 2 3 1 5 23
Brickowski C 14 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Hawkins G 41 2-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 4 2 3 4
Payton G 47 7-10 2-2 0 4 4 7 3 2 5 19
Perkins 32 3-14 1-2 3 3 6 5 0 1 1 7
McMillan 10 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0
Wingate 9 2-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 4
Askew 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scheffler 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Snow 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Johnson DNP - Coach's Decision
Totals 240 31-73 8-10 12 23 35 19 20 10 20 75
(.425) (.800) Team Rebs: 8 Total To: 20(21 PTS)
Chicago
Rebounds
Player Pos Min Fgm-Fga Ftm-Fta Off-Def-Tot AST PF St To PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
Pippen F 42 7-17 0-0 2 6 8 5 4 4 3 17
Rodman F 38 4-9 1-3 11 8 19 5 4 3 0 9
Longley C 32 5-6 2-3 4 4 8 0 0 1 6 12
Harper G 38 3-11 2-2 0 3 3 2 1 2 2 10
Jordan G 43 5-19 11-12 3 6 9 7 3 2 5 22
Kukoc 22 4-11 0-0 3 0 3 1 0 1 2 10
Kerr 17 3-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 7
Buechler 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wennington 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Brown 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
Edwards DNP - Coach's Decision
Salley DNP - Coach's Decision
Totals 240 31-78 16-20 24 27 51 20 15 14 19 87
(.397) (.800) Team Rebs: 1 Total To: 19(17 PTS)
Seattle 18 20 20 17 -- 75
Chicago 24 21 22 20 -- 87
Blocked Shots: Seattle - Kemp 2, Brickowski. Chicago - Rodman, Longley,
Harper, Kukoc.
3-Pt. Field Goals: Seattle 5-24 (.208) - Schrempf 2-5, Brickowski 0-2,
Hawkins 0-4, Payton 3-5, Perkins 0-7, McMillan 0-1. Chicago 9-25 (.360) -
Pippen 3-7, Harper 2-5, Jordan 1-3, Kukoc 2-7, Kerr 1-2, Brown 0-1.
Technicals: Seattle - Payton. Chicago - Pippen.
Officials: Hugh Evans, Dick Bavetta, Steve Javie.
Att.: 24,544. Time: 2:18.
nba.1076junior,
I komentar:
BULLS FINALLY HAVE TITLE FOR FAIRY-TALE SEASON
CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls completed a
record-breaking run to their fourth NBA championship in six years
with an 87-75 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics in Game Six of
the Finals.
Jordan scored 22 points as he returned to the top of the game he
and the Bulls ruled with three consecutive titles from 1991 to
1993. The scoring champion and Most Valuable Player proved all
he had to as he led Chicago to one of the greatest seasons of
all time.
The Bulls won a record 72 games during the regular season and
raced through the playoffs with a 15-3 record, going 87-13 over
a 100-game haul that began with last year's elimination in the
conference semifinals against the Orlando Magic. Jordan looked
rusty after returning from a 17-month retirement but he used the
1995-96 season to show he was still the best player in the
world.
"I'm sorry I was out for 18 months but I'm happy I'm back and
I'm glad I can bring a championship back to Chicago," said
Jordan, who shot 5-of-19 and was held to his lowest total in a
Finals game but added nine rebounds and sevan assists.
On Father's Day, Jordan remembered his father, James, who was
always at his son's side at this time of year but was murdered
in 1993, which prompted Michael Jordan's retirement.
"It can't even put it in words," he said, tears welling up in
his eyes. "This is for Dad."
Jordan dedicated himself to reclaiming the title, but it would
not have been possible without forward Dennis Rodman, who again
was instrumental with nine points and 19 rebounds, including 11
on the offensive end, tying the Finals record he also matched in
Game Two. Rodman and Jordan fueled a 15-4 third-quarter burst
that gave the Bulls control for good.
Jordan was named Finals MVP for the fourth time in his career
despite reaching 30 points just once in the series. Jordan got
six votes from an 11-member media panel and Rodman, who grabbed
double figures in rebounds in every game, received two.
Jordan departed in the final minute and hugged Scottie Pippen.
After the final seconds ticked away, he hugged Rodman, grabbed
the game ball and knelt to the United Center floor with Rodman
in thanks. All team members donned shirts that read "Greatest
Team Ever."
That statement came into question as the Bulls lost the previous
two games after winning the first three. With a chance to sweep
the SuperSonics and complete the best post-season run ever, the
Bulls were beaten badly twice and found themselves one loss away
from a dramatic Game Seven, a situation they faced just once in
their four championship seasons.
Scottie Pippen came out of a slump with 17 points and Game Three
hero Luc Longley added 12 as the Bulls grabbed the lead in the
first quarter and never let go. The gritty Sonics made several
runs but had nothing left in the fourth quarter, when Shawn Kemp
fouled out midway through the period.
Detlef Schrempf scored 23 points, Gary Payton added 19 and Kemp
had 18 and 14 rebounds for the Sonics, who won 64 games in the
regular season and became the winningest team to fail lose the
championship.
Seattle, trying to become the first team since the 1951 New York
Knicks to force a seventh game in the Finals after losing the
first three, took solace in being the only team to beat Chicago
three times this season.
"We know we didn't give it our best shot in a couple of games
this series," Seattle coach George Karl said. "We just could
never play well on this court. Our team's heart was very big and
we showed a lot of pride, but we just didn't shoot the ball,
pass the ball or rebound the ball we enough to beat Chicago on
its home court."
Karl's counterpart, Chicago's Phil Jackson, became the fourth
coach in league history to win four championships, joining Red
Auerbach (nine), John Kundla (five) and Pat Riley (four).
The Sonics cut a 17-point deficit to nine entering the fourth
quarter, but a pair of three-pointers by Toni Kukoc, the star of
Game One, boosted the lead to 75-63 with 9:06 to go.
Pippen added a banker and Kemp fouled out with 4:39 left. Pippen
made two three-pointers as the lead ballooned to 87-70 and the
celebration began.
But the game was decided in the third quarter, when Jordan and
Rodman asserted themselves and keyed the pivotal run, boosting a
six-point lead to 17.
Jordan and Longley scored and Harper sank a three-pointer after
a basket by Payton, building the lead to 56-45 with 8:35 left in
the period.
Jordan made two free throws and Schrempf scored before Rodman
made consecutive baskets, including a reverse layup as he drew a
foul. He made the free throw and Jordan added a layup as the
lead grew to 64-47 with 6:40 to go.
On the verge of a blowout, Seattle responded with nine straight
points. Sam Perkins -- who had played poorly to that point --
made two baskets and Payton hit a three-pointer before a jumper
by Kemp closed the margin to 64-56 with 2:52 to go.
The Bulls built a two-point lead to 27-18 early in the second
quarter as Jordan scored five points in a 9-2 burst. Seattle
battled back but Chicago then took control on both backboards.
Harper made two free throws before Longley, Pippen and Kukoc all
scored inside to boost the lead to 41-29 with 3:59 left in the
half. The baskets by Pippen and Kukoc came off offensive
rebounds.
The Sonics responded with an 8-0 burst, capped by Kemp's block
of Jordan and his layup at the other end to close the deficit to
four points in the final minute. Longley had a layup and
Jordan made two free throws around a foul shot by Perkins to
give the Bulls a 45-38 halftime lead.
nba.1077madamov,
Mislim da je interesantno i ovde da se pročita:
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 01:51:51 -0400
From: MacWay@aol.com
To: macway@solutions.apple.com
Subject: Chicago Bulls!
Message-ID: <960617015151_136464545@emout09.mail.aol.com>
Keyword: Advocacy, Macintosh in Action
In a struggle symbolic of Macintosh vs Seattle, this tidbit is from:
<HANSON1@applelink.apple.com>
Just a quick note to point out something you can tell everyone... The
Chicago Bulls Win With Macintosh!
The Chicago Bulls, 1996 NBA Champions have a secret weapon, the league's
most sophisticated computerized video coaching system based on Macintosh
and Newton.
In a secure dedicated room next door to the locker room at the United
Center, walls are filled with rack-mounted Macs digitizing the games'
video feed from multiple camera angles in real time. Like a scene from
mission control, a team of specialists sit in front of a wall of monitors
switching the cameras. Another group operates three Macs with 21" touch
screens running a custom front end that allows them to log each play, for
each team, along with player, location on the court and outcome.
This database is correlated to the SMPTE time code of the digital video
to provide instant random access of each play that needs to be analyzed.
A Newton is used on the bench to log scenes that coaches are interested
in and dumped into the database. At halftime, while in the locker room,
several Macs connected to a 52" big screen display are used to cue up,
slow-mo and review the critical plays from the first half, (ever wonder
why the Bulls always play better in the second half?). They even have a
custom-built Mac that accompanies them on the road. Having seen this
system in operation, it's very impressive.
So, sure the Bulls are now the World Champian NBA team due to players
like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin and Dennis Rodman... but they also
have another competitive advantage-the Macintosh!
________________
Do you believe in Macintosh? Learn how to help the cause by subscribing
to the "EvangeList" listserver! Send email to: <evangelist@macway.com> or
go to: <http://www.solutions.apple.com/ListAdmin/>.
nba.1078dizel,
>
> Ponovo se obistinilo...
> Ajde da probamo i ovaj put.
> Sutra ujutro cu bam napisati detaljan izvestaj sa
> seste utakmice NBA finals, i bicu veoma srecan ukoliko
> budem mogao da napisem Chicago - Seattle 3:3...
Nista od toga.....
Cikago je pobedio sa 87:75 i uspeo da na trijumfalan nacin okonca sezonu
ispunjenu rekordima. MJ je jos jednom proglasen za MVP finala, cetvrti put
u karijeri, i on je prvi igrac kome je to uspelo. Takodje on je drugi igrac
koji je uspeo da u jednoj sezoni ponese sva tri MVP priznanja.
Cikago je iz cetvrtog puta uspeo da proslavi titulu u Cikagu:) sto je
izazvalo veliku euforiju medju navijacima. Red i mir :) je cuvalo vise od
5000 pandura. Troskovi obezbedjenja iznosili su preko pet miliona $!!!!!
Ipak je bilo obracuna vatrenim oruzjem, ali nije bilo mrtvih za razliku od
'93. Nadam se da ce ovaj tim Cikaga ostati i sledece godine, ali posle
MJ-ovih 18 miliona $ koliko je trazio po sezoni svasta je moguce.
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1081dizel,
> SEATTLE CE SLEDECE SEZONE BITI CHAMP.!!!!
Tesko, tesko....:)
> SVAKA CAST CHICAGU ODLICNO SU IGRALI!!!!!!
Hvala :)
Ipak smo trenutno najbolji.
BTW iskljuci Caps Lock...:)
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1085rados,
>klinton cestitao CHICAGU
>irvin(MAGIC)jonson ide u neki tim u ARGENTINI
nba.1086junior,
Jedna poruka u Forumu, dala mi je ideju da sastavim beli dream-team
Amerike, koji i nije nešto impozantan. Dakle, on glasi:
Play: Jason Kidd, John Stockton,
Šuteri: Jeff Hornacek, Chris Mullin, Rex Chapman, Tim Legler
Krila: Dan Majerle, Frank Brickowski, Jeff Turner, Bryant Reeves
Centri: Rony Seikaly, Shawn Bradely, Will Perdue
Kao što vidite, najveći problem je na krilima. Belaca ima dobrih playova
(ovde još mogu da se ubace i Stiv Kerr i Brooks Thompson), šutera im stvarno ne
treba, po tome su belci bili uvek poznati, i na centrima dobro stoje. Ali
krila, veoma slabo .. crnci su definitivno najbolji tu. Kao što vidite ovde sam
stavio sasvim prosečne NBA igrače, jer drugih jednostavno nema (ako sam nekog
zaboravio, vičite). U opciji je još bio i Jud Buechler iz Čikaga, ali nismo
valjda toliko nisko spali ... Očigledno da je Larry Bird bio poslednje belo
krilo koje je nešto značilo u Americi. :(
A postoji i očigledan problem sa godinama .. sve su uglavnom matori igrači, bez
neke velike šanse za napredovanje. Od mladih talenata, zapazio sam samo
Bailey-a (iz prošlogodišnjeg šampionskog tima UCLA-e) u NCAA i eventualno
Brenta Barry-a (iz LA Clippersa) u NBA-u. Kidd je van konkurencije ;)
Ovakav dream-team bi stvarno morao da se pomuči kad bi stao pred naše momke ;)
P.S. Napomena, svi igrači su Amerikanci ... zato nisu došli u obzir Rik Smits,
Šremf, Kukoč, Murešan, Longli ;) i ostali ...
nba.1087lexus,
=> Play: Jason Kidd, John Stockton,
Kidd baš i nije sasvim belac.
Mislim, beo je on, ali ima crnačku facu :)
nba.1088junior,
> => Play: Jason Kidd, John Stockton,
> Kidd baš i nije sasvim belac.
Fifti-fifti, uostalom, moramo malo da im progledamo kroz prste.
P.S. Pade mi na pamet .. mesto četvorke bi sigurno pripalo Donu MacLeanu
iz Denvera.
nba.1089mango,
>=> Play: Jason Kidd, John Stockton,
>
> Kidd bas i nije sasvim belac.
> Mislim, beo je on, ali ima crnacku facu :)
On je melez definitivno:)
nba.1090giovanni,
Ę? Mislim, beo je on, ali ima crnačku facu :)
A i igra kao crnac. :)
nba.1091vitez.koja,
#=> Play: Jason Kidd, John Stockton,
#=> Šuteri: Jeff Hornacek, Chris Mullin, Rex Chapman, Tim Legler
#=> Krila: Dan Majerle, Frank Brickowski, Jeff Turner, Bryant Reeves
#=> Centri: Rony Seikaly, Shawn Bradely, Will Perdue
Ej, gde Brikovski da ti igra za "reprezentaciju"... Fale Mahmud
Abdul Rauf i onaj iz Sakramenta, ne mogu se setim kako se zove (igrao
za Djuk), pa bi mogao da se Kid pomeri na šutera... Mislim da ti je i
Bredli Australijanac, a Perdju je mnogo mator, ali ako nema niko
drugi... A fale i onaj Del Negro i Guljota i Lejtner... Razmotri ti
ovo opet :)
sk
ps. Bob Harli?
nba.1092krimer,
> Ej, gde Brikovski da ti igra za "reprezentaciju"... Fale Mahmud
> Abdul Rauf i onaj iz Sakramenta, ne mogu se setim kako se zove (igrao
Pa zar Mahmed Abdul Rauf nije crnac ? Valjda se pre zvao Kris Dzekson (ili
sam ja mozda nesto pobrkao?). Ko ce ga znati vise kod ludih Amera? Vise se
lepo ne vidi ni ko je crn, a ko beo!
Pozdrav.
A.
nba.1093junior,
> Ej, gde Brikovski da ti igra za "reprezentaciju"... Fale Mahmud
> Abdul Rauf i onaj iz Sakramenta, ne mogu se setim kako se zove
Mahmud je crnac, i musliman .. tako da teško da bi upao. Ako ti
treba doneću ti njegov poster :) Žao mi je da ga bacim, a možda
ima njegovih fanova.
> (igrao za Djuk), pa bi mogao da se Kid pomeri na šutera...
Kidd je play. On ume da puca, ali čovek je bio 2-3 asistent lige,
a to nikako nije odlika šutera.
> Mislim da ti je i Bredli Australijanac, a Perdju je mnogo
> mator, ali ako nema niko drugi...
Bredli je diplomirao na BYU-u '91, tako da je završio američki
univerzitet .. ne znam da li je Australijanac. Mada, opet ...
> A fale i onaj Del Negro i Guljota i Lejtner...
Tom Guljota može kao krilo, definitivno bolje nego Brikovski :)
još ako igra sa Lejtnerom, starim ortakom ;) bilo bi krvi ...
Del Negro može da upadne, ali i dalje kao zamena, u rangu Rex Chapmana.
> Razmotri ti ovo opet :)
Hvala za sugestije, sa zadovoljstvom prihvaćene. ;)
> ps. Bob Harli?
Jeste, on igra u Sakramentu, ali tu nema mnogo zapaženu ulogu, jer
mu je ovogodišnji rookie Edney uzeo mesto. Ustvari oni se menjaju
i recimo, zajedno su čuvali Paytona .. a sa kolikim uspehom, videli
smo u prvoj rundi play-offa :) Stokton i Kidd su definitvno bolji.
nba.1094junior,
Za one koji ne znaju, obavljeno je par trade-ova u NBA:
Denver je pustio Jalena Rose-a i još nekog u Indijanu u zamenu za Marka
Jacksona. Dali su Mahmuda Abdula Raufa u Sacramento u zamenu za Marčulionisa i
37. pik na draftu. Očigledno će pokušati da organizuju tim sa klasičnim play-om
i šuterom, a pustili su nestabilnog Mahmuda, koji ih je ove sezone verovatno
koštao ulaska u play-off (nije igrao 10-15 utakmica zbog himne). Ipak po meni,
Marčulionis i 37. pik na draftu nisu prava cena za Mahmuda.
S druge strane, Sacramento je pustio Marčulionisa, istina, odličnog šutera,
ali i veoma bolešljivog :) Marčulionis je propustio više od pola sezone ove
godine zbog povrede ramena (prvo), a zatim i povrede lakta. Očigledno nije
građen za NBA. Sledeće godine imaće verovatno najjaču bekovsku liniju u zemlji
sa Mič Ričmondom i Mahmudom, upotpunjeni sa klasičnim play-ovima Ednijem i
Hurlijem .. verovatno će forsirati spoljnu liniju. Sigurno će pokušati da urade
nešto više u play-offu, naravno, ako ne puste više nikoga.
Indiana je pustila matorog Marka Džeksona i otvorila mesto za prošlogodišnjeg
rukija Travisa Besta. Jalen Rose i nije neko pojačanje .. verovatno će dovesti
još nekog ako ne žele da opet budu eliminisani u 1. ili 2. rundi play-offa.
Erik Montros iz Bostona je prešao u Dalas, kao i pravo 9. pika na ovom draftu,
a u zamenu su dobili 6. pik na draftu i pik iz prve runde '97. Novi trener
Dalasa, Džim Klemons o trade-u je rekao:
"Potreban nam je baš ovakav tip igrača, prava "petica", u srcu reketa. Mislim
da on ima sve potrebne kvalitete za ovo mesto, a posebno mi se dopada njegova
čvrstina. On je još uvek mlad i nedokazan igrač u NBA, ali smatram da je
ogroman potencijal."
Alonzo Moning verovatno ostaje u Majamiju, jer su mu ponudili 13 miliona dolara
po sezoni (ne znam ko bi to odbio :).
I još jedan trade - Pit Čilkat i Tim Bru iz Hjustona, zajedno sa pikom iz 1. i
2. runde ovogodišnjeg drafta otišli su u Vankuver, a Hjuston je dobio 3 pika iz
druge runde drafta, na koje je Vankuver imao pravo.
P.S. Sve informacije su iz Žurnala, tako da ne odgovaram za njih ;)
nba.1095lexus,
=> Za one koji ne znaju, obavljeno je par trade-ova u NBA:
Šta se zna o ovogodišnjem draftu?
Osim da je u sredu - 26. ovog meseca :)
nba.1096vitez.koja,
#=> Mahmud je crnac, i musliman .. tako da teško da bi upao. Ako ti
#=> treba doneću ti njegov poster :) Žao mi je da ga bacim, a možda
#=> ima njegovih fanova.
Ajde što je crnac, to da mu i oprostimo, ali musliman... Nego
nekako je kafen (i ima belačku bradu :), pa rekoh da ga prošvercujemo
(posle bismo i Starksa :)...
#=>> Mislim da ti je i Bredli Australijanac, a Perdju je mnogo
#=>> mator, ali ako nema niko drugi...
#=> Bredli je diplomirao na BYU-u '91, tako da je završio američki
#=> univerzitet .. ne znam da li je Australijanac. Mada, opet ...
Ja malo mešam njega i Longlija... Čini mi se da je Bredli otišao u
Australiju i bio dve godine tamo među nekim mormonima (i nije igrao
košarku), pa zaključih da je on odande...
#=>> A fale i onaj Del Negro i Guljota i Lejtner...
#=> Tom Guljota može kao krilo, definitivno bolje nego Brikovski :)
#=> još ako igra sa Lejtnerom, starim ortakom ;) bilo bi krvi ...
#=> Del Negro može da upadne, ali i dalje kao zamena, u rangu Rex
#=> Chapmana.
Tako sam i ja mislio :)... Inače, strašno je kako Del Negra i
Čepmena može da krene jednu utakmicu, ne mogu da promaše, misliš,
da su zajebali Džordana, ali onda sledećih 10 utamica imaju učinak 0.
sk
nba.1097kum.djole,
>> Hvala za sugestije, sa zadovoljstvom prihvaćene. ;)
I ? Kakve bi šanse imali 'plavi' protiv takve, mlečnobele škvadre ?
nba.1098lexus,
=> I ? Kakve bi šanse imali 'plavi' protiv takve, mlečnobele škvadre ?
Velike.
Čak verujem da bi naši imali više šansi od belih NBA zvezda...
Jedino što su ovi fizički spremniji, u svemu ostalom su naši
bolji...
Zato oni imaju crnce ;)
nba.1099junior,
>>> Hvala za sugestije, sa zadovoljstvom prihvaćene. ;)
> I ? Kakve bi šanse imali 'plavi' protiv takve, mlečnobele
> škvadre ?
:))
Ma razvalili bi ih. Kao što ćemo i pravi dream team. Jes' da su jači na
bekovima, al' kad su krila i centri u pitanju ... Pippen će dugo da se pita
šta ga je snašlo kad Paljo uzme da ga čuva, a Šejkil će da se moli Bogu da
ne sretne opet Drobnjaka i Bulatovića. Naravno, i Leni Vilkins će odmah da
poleti u Beograd, zaslepljen Mutinom košuljom, da i on naruči jednu za sebe.
A još ako Šćepanović bude igrao ... ma nemaju Ameri šanse. :)
nba.1100mpavlo,
>Fale Mahmud Abdul Rauf i onaj iz Sakramenta... pa bi mogao da se Kid pomeri
...
^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^
Ooooop, stani malo.
Po ovim kriterijumima bi Michael Jackson prvi trebao da udje ;).
M. A. Rauf je primio muslimansku veru, tzv "BLACK muslim", a i Kid je dosta
garav. Evo zamena: Leitner i Del Negro. 100% white.
nba.1101kum.djole,
>> Čak verujem da bi naši imali više šansi od belih NBA zvezda...
Zato ostajem pri stavu da je nepravedna odluka FIBE da na SP i
Olimpijadama učestvuje kompletan tim američkih profesionalaca.
Možda je bolje rešenje da se ekipa skroji 'po pola'.
Ko zna, možda će i oni shvatiti šta su uradili, kad bude bilo dosadno..
...pa ćemo i mi možda nekad osvojiti neko 'celozemaljsko' zlato.
nba.1102darone,
>> Ko zna, možda će i oni shvatiti šta su uradili, kad bude bilo dosadno..
Što je dosadno? Jel imaju ameri (kao nacija) najbolje košarkaše na
svetu? Imaju? Tačka. Da ti nije žao što su definitivno bolji? ;)
Svašta, kao kad bi mi slali na evropsko prvenstvo polutim.
nba.1103kum.djole,
>> Što je dosadno? Jel imaju ameri (kao nacija) najbolje košarkaše na
>> svetu? Imaju? Tačka. Da ti nije žao što su definitivno bolji? ;)
Nije mi žao, naravno, bolji su i to debelo.
Radi se o tome da niti jedna evropska zemlja, a bogUmi ni kompletna
Evropa još nije dostigla nivo profesionalizma koji vlada u SAD, niti
će u skorije vreme uspeti da ga dostigne.
Nešto mora da se promeni. Moje lično mišljenje je da SP i Olimpijada
gube draž ako na bukvalno svakom takmičenju jedna ekipa ima 'osigurano'
zlato. Samim tim, ne mora da znači da SAD mora da se povinuje Evropi
i pruži joj šansu za ravnopravan duel, ali nešto se svakako mora
srediti i organizovati. Ako u FIBI konce budu vukli Evropljani,
kroz nekoliko godina izdejstvovaće neko pravilo koje sam ja pomenuo,
a to je da njihov tim bude podređen 'evro-američkim standardima.
Sve je više slučajeva da Evropljani igraju u NBA, što je možda
i dobro, ali igra neke reprezentacije ne bazira se samo na njima.
Tačnije, to je propast, jer košarka je - timski sport.
Naravno, ako Ameri budu imali reč, Evropa će imati jedinstvenu ligu
sa tridesetak timova raspoređenih u 'regionalne konferencije' što će
verovatno i EU podržati, jer im na taj način puni kasu i forsira
zajedništvo. Ko zna. Možda je ovo čak i bolja ideja.
A možda ćemo ih za nekoliko decenija i bez nekih velikih reformi
čak i rezultatski ugroziti. Možda..
nba.1104dizel,
>
> ps. Bob Harli?
Play u Duke-u (bio), a sada igra u nekom od Nba timova, ali
nisam siguran u kom...
nba.1105lexus,
=> A možda ćemo ih za nekoliko decenija i bez nekih velikih reformi
=> čak i rezultatski ugroziti. Možda..
2004. Amerika neće osvojiti zlatnu Olimpijsku medalju u košarci.
Cenim da će NBA do tada pojesti samu sebe, Ameri će malo biti
u panici i poslaće koledž igrače, a onda će biti lako ;)
nba.1106budim,
(:) 2004. Amerika neće osvojiti zlatnu Olimpijsku medalju u košarci.
(:) Cenim da će NBA do tada pojesti samu sebe, Ameri će malo biti
(:) u panici i poslaće koledž igrače, a onda će biti lako ;)
Štef, prebaci ovo u viceve ili extra/misterije... :))))
poz,
budimir
nba.1107giovanni,
Ę? Štef, prebaci ovo u viceve ili extra/misterije... :))))
Ipak, samo u viceve. :)))) Ovaj vic opasno ugrožava dizele. Možda
i ne dobiju nagradu za vic meseca za onaj o Liverpoolu. :))))
nba.1108junior,
Dalas je ponudio Jima Jacksona Fenixu u zamenu za Barkley-a. K.J. je rekao da
će otići iz Fenixa ako smatraju da je to u interesu tima. Izgleda da se polako
raspadaju snovi o šampionskoj tituli ...
nba.1109junior,
Neko se raspitivao o draftu? E, pa prošao je:
P.S. 10x to vpoznanovic
P.P.S. Peđa Stojaković je iako je bio tek neki 30-ti na draftu
draftovan kao 14. ove godine ;)
1996 NBA Draft
The following are the selections in the 1996 National Basketball
Association Draft at East Rutherford, New Jersey:
FIRST ROUND
-----------
1. Philadelphia -- Allen Iverson, g, Georgetown
2. Toronto -- Marcus Camby, c, Massachusetts
3. Vancouver -- Shareef Abdur-Rahim, f, California
4. Milwaukee -- Stephon Marbury, g, Georgia Tech
5. Minnesota -- Ray Allen, g, Connecticut
6. Boston (from Dallas) -- Antoine Walker, f, Kentucky
7. LA Clippers -- Lorenzen Wright, c-f, Memphis
8. New Jersey -- Kerry Kittles, g, Villanova
9. Dallas (from Boston) -- Samaki Walker, f, Louisville
10. Indiana (from Denver) -- Erick Dampier, c, Mississippi St
11. Golden State -- Todd Fuller, c-f, North Carolina State
12. Cleveland (from Washington) -- Vitaly Potapenko, c, Wright State
13. Charlotte -- Kobe Bryant, g, Lower Merion HS (PA)
14. Sacramento -- Predrag Stojakovic, f, PAOK (Greece)
15. Phoenix -- Steve Nash, g, Santa Clara
16. Charlotte (from Miami) -- Tony Delk, g, Kentucky
17. Portland -- Jermaine O'Neal, f, Eau Claire HS (SC)
18. New York (from Detroit via San Antonio) -- John Wallace, f, Syracuse
19. New York (from Atlanta via Miami) -- Walter McCarty, f, Kentucky
20. Cleveland -- Zydrunas Ilgauskas, c, Atletas (Lithuania)
21. New York -- Dontae' Jones, f, Mississippi State
22. Vancouver (from Houston) -- Roy Rogers, f, Alabama
23. Denver (from Indiana) -- Efthimis Retzias, c, PAOK (Greece)
24. LA Lakers -- Derek Fisher, g, Arkansas-Little Rock
25. Utah -- Martin Muursepp, f, Estonia
26. Detroit (from San Antonio) -- Jerome Williams, f, Georgetown
27. Orlando -- Brian Evans, f, Indiana
28. Atlanta (from Seattle) -- Priest Lauderdale, c, Peristeri Nikas (Greece)
29. Chicago -- Travis Knight, c, Connecticut
SECOND ROUND
------------
30. Houston (from Vancouver) -- Othella Harrington, f, Georgetown
31. Philadelphia -- Mark Hendrickson, f, Washington State
32. Philadelphia (from Toronto) -- Ryan Minor, f, Oklahoma
33. Milwaukee -- Moochie Norris, g, West Florida
34. Dallas -- Shawn Harvey, g, West Virginia State
35. Seattle (from Minnesota) -- Joe Blair, f, Arizona
36. L.A. Clippers -- Doron Sheffer, g, Connecticut
37. Denver (from New Jersey via Sacramento) -- Jeff McInnis, g, North
Carolina
38. Boston -- Steve Hamer, c, Tennessee
39. Phoenix (from Denver) -- Russ Millard, f, Iowa
40. Golden State -- Marcus Mann, f, Mississippi Valley State
41. Sacramento -- Jason Sasser, f, Texas Tech
42. Houston (from Washington via Orlando and Vancouver) -- Randy Livingston,
g, Louisiana State
43. Phoenix -- Ben Davis, f, Arizona
44. Charlotte -- Malik Rose, f, Drexel
45. Seattle (from Miami via Atlanta) -- Joe Vogel, c, Colorado State
46. Portland -- Marcus Brown, g, Murray State
47. Seattle (from Atlanta) -- Ron Riley, g, Arizona State
48. Philadelphia (from Detroit) -- Jaime Feick, c, Michigan State
49. Orlando (from New York via Minnesota and Vancouver) -- Amal McCaskill, c,
Marquette
50. Houston (from Cleveland) -- Terrell Bell, c, Georgia
51. Vancouver (from Houston) -- Chris Robinson, g, Western Kentucky
52. Indiana -- Mark Pope, c, Kentucky
53. Milwaukee (from LA Lakers via Seattle) -- Jeff Norgaard, f,
Wisconsin-Green Bay
54. Utah -- Shandon Anderson, f, Georgia
55. Washington (from San Antonio via Charlotte) -- Ronnie Henderson, g,
Louisiana State
56. Cleveland (from Orlando) -- Reggie Geary, g, Arizona
57. Seattle -- Drew Barry, g, Georgia Tech
58. Dallas (from Chicago) -- Darnell Robinson, c, Arkansas
ATLANTIC DIVISION
-----------------
BOSTON CELTICS
===============
Antoine Walker, F, Kentucky (1st Rd, 6)
Steve Hamer, C, Tennessee (2nd, 38)
MIAMI HEAT
==========
Traded future first round pick to Utah for Martin Muursepp, F,
Kalev Talinn Estonia (1st, 25)
NEW JERSEY NETS
===============
Kerry Kittles, G, Villanova (1st Rd, 8)
NEW YORK KNICKS
===============
John Wallace, F, Syracuse (1st Rd, 18)
Walter McCarty, F, Kentucky (1st Rd, 19)
Dontae' Jones, F, Mississippi State (1st Rd, 21)
ORLANDO MAGIC
=============
Brian Evans, F, Indiana (1st Rd, 27)
Amal McCaskill, C, Marquette (2nd Rd, 49)
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
==================
Allen Iverson, G, Georgetown (1st Rd, 1)
Mark Hendrickson, F, Washington State (2nd Rd, 31)
Ryan Minor, F, Oklahoma (2nd Rd, 32)
Jamie Feick, C, Michigan State (2nd Rd, 48)
WASHINGTON BULLETS
=================
Ronnie Henderson, G, LSU (2nd Rd, 55)
CENTRAL DIVISION
----------------
ATLANTA HAWKS
=============
Priest Lauderdale, C, Peristeri Nikas Greece (1st Rd, 28)
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
=================
Kobe Bryant, F, Lower Merion HS (1st Rd, 13)
Tony Delk, G, Kentucky (1st Rd, 16)
Malik Rose, F, Drexel (2nd Rd, 44)
CHICAGO BULLS
=============
Travis Knight, C, Connecticut (1st Rd, 29)
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
===================
Vitaly Potapenko, C, Wright State (1st Rd, 12)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, C, Lithuania (1st Rd, 20)
Reggie Geary, G, Arizona (2nd Rd, 56)
DETROIT PISTONS
===============
Jerome Williams, F, Georgetown (1st Rd, 26)
INDIANA PACERS
==============
Erick Dampier, C, Mississippi State (1st Rd, 10)
Mark Pope, C, Kentucky (2nd Rd, 52)
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
===============
Stephon Marbury, G, Georgia Tech (1st Rd, 4)
traded rights to Minnesota for Ray Allen, G, Connecticut,
and a future first round pick
Moochie Norris, G, West Florida (2nd Rd, 33)
Jeff Nordgaard, F, Wisconsin-Green Bay (2nd Rd, 53)
TORONTO RAPTORS
===============
Marcus Camby, F, Massachusetts (1st Rd, 2)
MIDWEST DIVISION
----------------
DALLAS MAVERICKS
================
Samaki Walker, F, Louisville (1st Rd, 9)
Shawn Harvey, G, West Virginia State (2nd Rd, 34)
Darnell Robinson, C, Arkansas (2nd Rd, 58)
DENVER NUGGETS
==============
Efthimis Retzias, C, PAOK Greece (1sd Rd, 23)
Jeff McInnis, G, North Carolina (2nd Rd, 37)
HOUSTON ROCKETS
===============
Othella Harrington, F, Oklahoma (2nd Rd, 30)
Randy Livingston, G, LSU (2nd Rd, 42)
Terrell Bell, C, Georgia (2nd Rd, 50)
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
======================
Ray Allen, G, Connecticut, (1st Rd, 5)
traded rights to Milwaukee for Stephon Marbury, G,
and a future first round pick
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
=================
None
UTAH JAZZ
=========
Martin Muursepp, F, Kalev Talinn Estonia (1st Rd, 25)
traded rights to Miami Heat for future first round pick
Shandon Anderson, F, Georgia (2nd Rd, 54)
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES
===================
Shareef Abdul-Rahim, F, California (1st Rd, 3)
Roy Rogers, F, Alabama (1st Rd, 22)
Chris Robinson, G, Western Kentucky (2nd Rd, 51)
PACIFIC DIVISION
----------------
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
=====================
Todd Fuller, F-C, North Carolina State (1st Rd, 11)
Marcus Mann, F, Mississippi Valley State (2nd Rd, 40)
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
==================
Derek Fisher, G, Arkansas-Little Rock (1st Rd, 24)
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
====================
Lorenzen Wright, C-F, Memphis (1st Rd, 7)
Doron Sheffer, G, Connecticut (2nd Rd, 36)
PHOENIX SUNS
============
Steve Nash, G, Santa Clara (1st Rd, 15)
Russ Millard, F, Iowa (2nd Rd, 39)
Ben Davis, F, Arizona (2nd Rd, 43)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
======================
Jermaine O'Neal, F, Eau Claire HS (1st Rd, 17)
Marcus Brown, G, Murray State (2nd Rd, 46)
SACRAMENTO KINGS
================
Predrag Stojakovic, F, PAOK Greece (1st Rd, 14)
Jason Sasser, F, Texas Tech (2nd Rd, 41)
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
===================
Joseph Blair, F, Arizona (2nd Rd, 35)
Joe Vogel, C, Colorado State (2nd Rd, 45)
Ron Riley, G, Arizona State (2nd Rd, 47)
Drew Barry, G, Georgia Tech (2nd Rd, 57)
nba.1110junior,
I izveštaj sa drafta (10x to vp):
SIXERS PICK IVERSON ONE; 17 UNDERS IN 1ST ROUND OF NBA DRAFT
The Philadelphia 76ers tonight made Georgetown's Allen Iverson the
first point guard selected as the top overall pick in the NBA draft
since 1979 when the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic Johnson out of
Michigan State.
A record 17 underclassmen, including the first seven picks, were
selected in the first round of the NBA Draft tonight at Continental
Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Toronto Raptors held true to their word and made Massachusetts
center Marcus Camby the second selection in the 1996 draft. Raptors
General Manager Isiah Thomas had said he would take Camby with the
second pick, even though many believed he would pick California
forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
The Vancouver Grizzlies used the third overall pick on Abdur-Rahim,
who left California after his freshman year.
The 6-0, 195-pound Iverson left Georgetown after his sophomore year
and is the fifth straight underclassmen to be selected first overall
in the draft.
Iverson will pair with Jerry Stackhouse, the third overall pick in the
1995 draft, to form perhaps the most exciting backcourt in the NBA.
"They just want me to come in and play my game, distribute the ball,"
said Iverson, who was criticized at times for shooting too much at
Georgetown. "They have great players on the team already in (Jerry)
Stackhouse and Derrick Coleman. They'd be crazy to think I'd come in
and try to take all the shots like I did at Georgetown."
Iverson, who is often compared to former Detroit Pistons great Isiah
Thomas, averaged 25 points, 4.7 assists and 3.35 steals in 37 games
for Georgetown this past season.
The 6-11, 220-pound Camby, who is projected as a power forward in the
NBA, swept all the National Player of the Year awards as a junior
after leading Massachusetts to a 35-2 record and the school's
first-ever trip to the Final Four. Camby averaged 20.5 points, 8.2
rebounds and 3.9 blocks for the Minutemen.
"People question what position I'll play, a three, four or a five, I
just see myself as a player," said Camby. "Just get me out on the
court and I'll play."
The 6-10, 220-pound Abdur-Rahim left California after his freshman
year and was highly coveted by Vancouver President and General Manager
Stu Jackson.
"With his versatility inside and outside, we've long considered
Shareef the perfect fit for the Grizzlies as we build the franchise
for long-term success," said Jackson.
Abdur-Rahim was the first freshman to be named Pac-10 Player of the
Year after averaging 21.6 points per game this past season. He also
averaged 8.7 rebounds and helped California to a 17-11 record and a
berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off the biggest
draft day trade shortly after making their selections.
The Bucks took Georgia Tech point guard Stephon Marbury with the
fourth pick and the Timberwolves selected Connecticut shooting guard
Ray Allen with the fifth pick. The teams then swapped picks with the
Bucks receiving a future first round pick from Minnesota.
The Boston Celtics, who traded center Eric Montross to Dallas last
week to move up three spots from ninth to sixth in the draft, selected
Kentucky sophomore forward Antoine Walker.
The Los Angeles Clippers selected Memphis center Lorenzen Wright, who
is projected as a power forward in the NBA, with the seventh pick.
The New Jersey Nets ended the string of underclassmen by taking
Villanova shooting guard Kerry Kittles with the first pick of the John
Calipari era.
The Mavericks selected Louisville sophomore forward Samaki Walker with
the ninth pick. The Indiana Pacers selected Mississippi State junior
center Erick Dampier to round out the top 10.
nba.1111junior,
I evo par vesti iz NBA (od vpoznanovica):
New York Daily News tvrdi da su u toku pregovori po kojima ce Barkley, zajedno
sa Elliotom Perryem, uskoro otici u Houston u zamjenu za Roberta Horrya i Sama
Cassella.
Inace, evo jos par stvari koje su se ovih dana desile u NBA... Glenn
Robinson je odustao od svog mjesta u Dream Teamu III, tako da je u novog
clana promovisan Gary Payton; Atlanta je u zamjenu za dva pika iz druge
runde drafta od Seattlea dobila jedan pik u prvoj rundi; Harlem Wizards,
profesionalni kosarkaski klub, tuzio je Washington Bulletse zbog najave
promjene imena; Jason Kidd je postavio ultimatum upravi Dallasa:
"Mijenjajte mene ili Jima Jacksona!"; Charlotte je odredjen za domacina
drafta naredne godine.
nba.1112dizel,
> Ipak, samo u viceve. :)))) Ovaj vic opasno ugrozava dizele.
^
Sto mene ? :) Ja sam se ogradio od one fantazije. :))
> Mozda i ne dobiju nagradu za vic meseca za onaj o Liverpoolu.
Sad ce Marko cim se upise na fax, da napise novu foru,
u stilu : Zvezda u ovoj sezoni ima jaci tim od Chicago
Bulls-a ....:)))
pozdrav,
Nikola R.S.F.C.
nba.1113giovanni,
Ę?> Ipak, samo u viceve. :)))) Ovaj vic opasno ugrozava dizele.
Ę? ^
Ę? Sto mene ? :) Ja sam se ogradio od one fantazije. :))
Izvinjavam se Nikoli zbog grešeke. :) Onaj vic opasno ugrožava Markov
biser. Zadovoljan? ;)
nba.1114lexus,
=> Izvinjavam se Nikoli zbog grešeke. :) Onaj vic opasno ugrožava
=> Markov biser. Zadovoljan? ;)
Samo vi zezajte ;)
Videćemo se za 8 godina...
nba.1115antun,
dnegde sam cuo da Shackil O,Nil prelazi iz Orlanda u Los Angeles LAKERS.Da li
je to tacno????????
nba.1116schef,
Vlade Divac prelazi u Charlotte!!!!
...javili danas na prvom programu. :)
Srleř
nba.1117wiper,
News from July 6.
The USA Men's Olympic Basketball Team (aka Dream Team III)
played a team of American college players in an exhibition game.
The Dream Team won the game, but the college kids put a scare in them
and led 59-42 at halftime.
Dream Team 96, USA Select Team 90 - at Detroit
Karl Malone (DT) had 13 points.
Scottie Pippen (DT) had 17 points including 6-9 FG and 5 rebounds.
Charles Barkley (DT) had 11 points on 4-4 FG and 3-3 FT and 7 rebounds.
Hakeem Olajuwon (DT) had 16 points including 6-9 FG and 5 blocks.
Shea Seals (ST) had 20 points on 8-11 FG and 4-5 3-pointers.
Austin Croshere (ST) had 10 points on 3-4 FG and 4-4 FT.
Tim Duncan (ST) had 9 points and 6 reobunds.
Brevin Knight (ST) had 8 points including 3-9 FG, 5 assists, and 4 steals.
nba.1118wiper,
News from July 7.
The USA Men's Olympic Basketball team played an exhibition game
verus the
Brazil Men's Olympic Basketball team.
Dream Team 109, Brazil 68 - at Cleveland
Scottie Pippen (DT) had 13 points and 5 rebounds.
Mitch Richmond (DT) had 21 points.
Shaquille O'Neal (DT) had 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Anfernee Hardaway (DT) had 10 points and 5 assists.
Oscar Schmidt (Bra) had 21 points including 4-7 3-pointers and 5
turnovers.
Rogerio Kiafke (Bra) had 12 points.
Andre Fonseca (Bra) had 8 points including 2-6 FG and 5 assists.
DT shot 59.4% (41-69) FG and Bra shot 30.6% (19-62) FG.
News from July 8.
New York named Brendan Malone and Tom Thibodeau as assistants
coaches.
Malone was the head coach for Toronto last season. Thibodeau
was an
assistant for Philadelphia last season.
Philadelphia named Ed Badger and Bob Ociepka as assistant
coaches. Badger
was an assistant for Miami last season and Ociepka was an
assistant for
the Clippers last season.
The free agent market is scheduled to open today (Tuesday) at
11:00 Central Time.
They are still working on finalizing the new collective
bargaining agreement and the NBA may extend the moratorium of no
player
signings or trades until the CBA is finalized.
nba.1119wiper,
News from July 9.
Charlotte named Lee Rose as an assistant coach. Rose had been the vice
president of player personnel for Milwaukee for the last 4 seasons.
Negotiations between the NBA and Players Association for the new
collective bargaining agreement hit a snag Tuesday morning. The NBA asked
for the an extension of the moratorium on a freeze of trades and player
signings, but the Players Association refused. Thus the NBA issued a
lockout. Negotiations continued and an agreement was reached on the issue
of how $50 million in TV revenue was to be divided. The NBA then lifted
the lockout a mere 3 hours later. The moratorium was extended to Thursday
at 4 pm Central time. Both sides say that no more issues need to be
resolved.
News from July 10.
Dallas promoted Keith Grant to Vice Presdient of Basketball Operations,
Jim Livingston to Vice President of Business Operations, Steve Letson to
Vice President of Operations, Kevin Sullivan to Vice President of
Communications, and Ron Ekker to Director of Scouting.
TNT announced that Doc Rivers is their new NBA broadcast analyst,
replacing the now Phoenix assistant coach Danny Ainge. [I guess this
means that Rivers is now retired as a player.]
The free agent market is expect to open at 4 pm Central time today
(Thursday).
The USA Men's Olympic Basketball team played an exhibition game against
the China Men's Olympic Basketball team.
Dream Team 119, China 58 - at Phoenix
Grant Hill (DT) had 14 points on 7-8 FG and 5 rebounds.
Reggie Miller (DT) had 16 points on 7-9 FG.
Scottie Pippen (DT) had 12 points and 5 assists.
Charles Barkley (DT) had 11 points including 4-5 FG, 5 rebounds, and 5
assists.
Zheng Wu (Chi) had 10 points including 3-11 FG and 7 turnovers.
Wang Zhizhi (Chi) had 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Hu Weidong (Chi) had 8 points on 3-9 FG, 5 assists, and 6 turnovers.
DT shot 69% (49-71) FG and Chi shot 33.3% (22-66) FG.
DT out-rebounded Chi 42-20.
nba.1120wiper,
News from July 11.
The NBA and the Players Association signed the new collective bargaining
agreement and the free agent market has opened. No signings yet, but a
couple of trades. The new CBA extends throught the 2000-01 season.
TRADE: Minnesota traded Andrew Lang to Milwaukee for Minnesota's draft
pick that Milwaukee received as part of the draft day Marbury-Allen trade.
TRADE: Charlotte traded the rights to draft pick Kobe Bryant to the LA
Lakers for Vlade Divac.
Philadelphia renounced the rights to Vernon Maxwell, Trevor Ruffin, Greg
Sutton, Richard Dumas, Sean Higgins, and LaSalle Thompson.
The LA Clippers renounced the rights to Keith Tower.
New York will host the 1998 NBA All-Star game.
All times central
The two remaining USA exhibition games
July 12 Dream Team versus Australian Olympic Team 7:00 (TNT)
July 14 USA Olympic Men's Team versus Greek Olympic Team 11:00 (NBC)
USA Olympic Schedule (televised by NBC)
Men's preliminares (scheduled 7:00 - 10:30 pm at Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring)
July 20 USA vs Argentina
July 22 Angola vs USA
July 24 Lithuania vs USA
July 26 USA vs China
July 28 USA vs Croatia (4:00 - 7:30 pm)
July 30
Men's quarterfinal 9:00 - 12:30 pm at Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring
Men's classification 2:00 - 5:30 pm at Morehouse College, Olympic Ring
Men's quarterfinal 7:00 - 10:30 pm, At Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring
August 1
Men's classification 9:00 - 12:30 pm at Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring
Men's semifinals 7:00 - 10:30 pm at Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring
August 2
Men's finals 9:00 - 12:30 pm at Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring
Men's finals 7:00 - 10:30 pm at Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring
August 3
Men's bronze & gold medal games 7:00 - 10:30 pm at Georgia Dome, Olympic Ring
nba.1121wiper,
News from July 12.
Chicago re-signed free agent Michael Jordan to a one year contract. The
contract is believed to be worth $20 - 30 million.
Chicago renounced their rights to first round draft pick Travis Knight.
Phoenix re-signed John Coker to a 2 year contract.
The USA Men's Olympic Basketball team played an exhibition game against
the Australian Men's Olympic Basketball team.
USA 118, Australia 77 - at Salt Lake City
Reggie Miller (USA) had 19 points on 6-6 FG, 3-3 3-poitners, and 4-4 FT in
19 minutes.
Shaquille O'Neal (USA) had 18 points including 7-10 FG and 6 rebounds in 17
minutes.
Karl Malone (USA) had 14 points including 6-8 FG.
David Robinson (USA) had 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Tony Ronaldson (Aus) had 12 points.
Andrew Gaze (Aus) had 11 points.
Shane Heal (Aus) had 28 points including 8-13 3-pointers and 5 turnovers.
USA shot 58.1% (43-74) FG and Aus shot 42.2% (27-64) FG.
nba.1122wiper,
Rumors from July 13.
No actual news, but a lot of rumors and since I won't be sending anything
out until Thursday, I'll pass them on.
According to Juwan Howard's agent, Miami and he are ironing out the
details for Miami to sign Howard. The contract is rumored to be 7 years,
$98 million.
Gary Payton says that he has narrowed down the teams he wants to sign with
to either Miami or Seattle.
New York rumoredly is about to sign Chris Childs to a 6 year, $24 million
contract.
New York is also rumoredly about to sign free agent Allan Houston.
This rumor has been around for a couple of days and Larry Johnson's agent
says it is a done deal. The rumored trade is Charlotte sends Larry
Johnson to New York for Anthony Mason and a body (often sited as Brad
Lohaus).
The LA Lakers have rumoredly offered Shaquille O'Neal a 7 year, $95
million contract. This offered was reported prior to the Juwan Howard
rumored contract became public.
nba.1123wiper,
Ako neko ima informacije o Olimpiskoj kosarci na internetu.Neka
prenese adresu.
Ja imam inf. da netcom od koga ja dobijam informacije prati samo
Dream Team III.
Moguce je da ce neko slati vesti sa olimpijade za sve utakmice.
Kao sto netcom salje za sva dogadjanja vezana za NBA.
nba.1124wiper,
News from July 14.
Houston signed Hakeem Olajuwon to a 5 year, $55-60 million extention. He
has 3 years left on his contract.
New York signed Allan Houston to a 7 year, $56 million contract.
New York signed Chris Childs to a 6 year, $24 million contract.
New York renounced their rights to Eric Anderson, Willie Anderson, Gary
Grant, Derek Harper, Ronnie Grandison, J.R. Reid, and Anthony Tucker.
TRADE: Charlotte traded Larry Johnson to New York for Anthony Mason and
Brad Lohaus.
Indiana re-signed Anthony Davis to a 7 year, $38.5 million contract.
Indiana re-signed Dale Davis to a 7 year, $42 million contract.
Miami signed Juwan Howard to a 7 year, $98 million contract.
Miami renounced their rights to Rex Chapman, Tyrone Corbin, Chris Gatling,
Stacey King, Jeff Malone, Danny Schayes, Tony Smith, and Walt Williams.
Miami re-signed Alonzo Mourning to a 7 year, $112 million contract..
The USA Men's Olympic Teams played their final exhibition game against the
Greece Men's Olympic Team.
USA 128, Greece 62 - at Indinanpolis
Charles Barkley (USA) had 13 points including 6-7 FG and 8 rebounds.
Reggie Miller (USA) had 21 points and 5 steals.
Karl Malone (USA) had 19 points including 7-9 FG.
Fragiskos Alvertis (Gre) had 14 points including 3-3 3-pointers.
Theofanis Christod (USA) had 11 points including 3-6 3-pointers.
USA shot 63.5% (47-74) FG and Gre shot 33.9% (20-59) FG.
News from July 15.
Wiliam Hunter was named as executive director of the NBA Players
Association. Patrick Ewing (NY) was named as Vice President and Chris
Dudley (Por) was named as secratery-treasurer.
Atlanta signed Dikembe Mutombo to a 5 year, $50 million contract.
TRADE: To sign Mutombo, Atlanta traded Grant Long and Stacey Augmon to
Detroit for a 1st round draft pick in '97 (top 16 protected), a 1st round
draft pick in '98 (lottery protected), the lowest 2nd round draft pick
Detroit owns in '97, and the highest 2nd round draft pick Detroit owns in
'99.
TRADE: Washington traded Rasheed Wallace and Mitchell Butler to Portland
for Rod Strickland and Harvey Grant.
Detroit re-signed Michael Curry and Don Reid.
Detroit renounced their rights to Lou Roe, Mark West, and Eric Leckner.
Washington signed Tracy Murray.
Philadelphia renounced their rights to Ed Pinckney.
Houston signed Brent Price to a 7 year, $18.2 million contract with an
opt-out clause after the 3rd year.
Seattle re-signed Sam Perkins to a 2 year contract.
News from July 16.
Houston signed Brent Price to a 7 year, $18 million contract.
Houston renounced their rights to Kenny Smith, Melvin Booker, and
Eldridge Recasner.
The LA Lakers signed Sean Rooks.
Philadelphia signed Don MacLean to a 5 or 6 year contract worth over $15
million.
Portland signed Kenny Anderson to a 7 year, $50 million contract.
Seattle re-signed Gary Payton to a 7 year, $85 million contract.
Atlanta re-signed Steve Smith.
TRADE: Seattle traded Vincent Askew to New Jersey for Greg Graham.
Seattle renounced their rights to Frank Brickowski and Ervin Johnson.
In an attempt to free up more money for the Shaquille O'Neal sweepstakes,
the LA Lakers traded Anthony Peeler, George Lynch, their '98 2nd round
pick, and their '99 2nd round pick to Vancouver for Vancouver's '98 and
'99 2nd round draft picks.
Vancouver renounced their rights to Ashraf Amaya, Anthony Avent, Chris
King, Gerald Wilkins, Rodney Dent, Cuonzo Martin, Eric Murdock, and
Derrick Phelps.
Orlando re-signed Horace Grant to a 5 year, $50 million contract.
News from July 17.
Dallas signed Chris Gatling to a 5 year, $21.329 million contract.
Dallas renounced their rights to Lucious Harris, Scott Brooks, Lorenzo
Williams, and David Wood.
News from July 18.
The LA Lakers signed Shaquille O'Neal to a 7 year, $120 million contract.
O'Neal will wear #34. The Lakers also announced a raise in the ticket
prices.
Miami signed P.J. Brown to a 7 year, $36 million contract.
Minnesota signed rookie Stephon Marbury to a 3 year, $5.67 million
contract.
Miami re-signed Tim Hardaway.
Denver re-signed Bryant Stith to a 5 year, $22 million contract.
Washington renounced their rights to Robert Pack, Mark Price, Ledell
Eackles, Bob McCann, and Bob Thornton.
nba.1125wiper,
News from July 21.
Seattle re-signed Hersey Hawkins to a 5 year contract. The contract will
average between $3 and $5.5 million.
Olympic Results - all games at Atlanta
USA 96, Argentina 68
David Robinson (USA) had 18 points on 5-7 FG and 8-10 FT and 7 rebounds in
17 minutes.
Grant Hill (USA) had 10 points on 5-7 FG and 5 assists.
Shaquille O'Neal (USA) had 13 points including 6-8 FG in 13 minutes.
Marcelo Niocla (Arg) had 13 points.
Juan Espil (Arg) had 27 points including 10-11 FT.
Milanesio (Arg) had 8 points and 7 assists.
USA shot 58.1% (36-62) FG and Arg shot 42.2% (19-45) FG.
USA out-rebounded Arg 37-17.
Lithuania 83, Croatia 81 (2OT)
Rimas Kurtinatis (Lit) had 12 points, 9 of which came in the 2nd overtime.
Arvydas Sabonis (Lit) had 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Toni Kukoc (Cro) had 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Yugoslavia 71, Greece 63
Zoran Savic (Yug) had 21 points including 9-12 FG.
Predrag Danilociv (Yug) had 16 points.
Panayotis Fassoulas (Gre) had 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Brazil 101, Puerto Rico 98
Oscar Schmidt (Bra) had 45 points including 10-23 3-pointers.
Jose Ortiz (PR) had 35 points and 11 rebounds.
Australia 111, South Korea 88
Andrew Gaze (Aus) had 26 points including 11-17 FG.
Shane Heal (Aus) had 23 points including 5-12 3-pointers and 11 assists.
Jae-Kun Jung (SK) had 23 points including 10-15 FG and 8 rebounds.
China 70, Angola 67
Wang Zhi-zhi (Chi) had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Antonio Carvalho (Ang) had 13 points.
nba.1126wiper,
News from July 23.
Dallas traded Popeye Jones, New York's 1997 draft pick (if not top 5, else
New York's 1998 pick), and gave Toronto the option to swap draft picks
with Minnesota's 1997 pick (if not #1, else option in 1998 to swap picks)
to Toronto for Jimmy King and 2nd round draft picks in 1997 and 1998 or
1998 and 1999. The trade frees up about $1.3 million for Dallas to use
towards a free agent.
Toronto renounced the rights to Oliver Miller.
Portland trade James Robinson, Bill Curley, and a 1997 or 1998 1st round
draft pick (at Portland's option) to Minnesota for Isaiah Rider.
Portland renounced their rights to Buck Williams, Rumeal Robinson, and
Elmore Spencer.
Portland re-signed Dontonio Wingfield.
Miami re-signed Tim Hardaway.
Seattle signed Craig Ehlo to a 3 year contract.
Denver signed Ervin Johnson to a 7 year, $15 million contract.
Philadelphia signed Lucious Harris to a 7 year contract.
Orlando signed rookie Brian Evans to a 3 year, $1.58 million contract.
nba.1127wiper,
News from July 24.
TRADE: Toronto traded the rights to New York's 1997 1st round draft pick
to New York for Hubert Davis.
The LA Lakers signed rookie Kobe Bryant to a 3 year contract.
Indiana signed rookie Erick Dampier to a 3 year contract.
Mark Pope, Indiana's 2nd round draft pick, will play next season in
Turkey.
Phoenix signed rookie Steve Nash to a 3 year, $3.16 million contract.
Brian Evans (Orl) underwent successful surgery on his dislocated right
should and will be out 4 to 6 months.
nba.1128wiper,
News from July 25.
Toronto renounced their rights to Dwayne Whitfield and Martin Lewis.
(thanks to Jeff Joseph)
New Jersey signed Robert Pack to a 5 year, $15 million contract.
The NBA released the 1996-97 schedule. The full listing can be found on
the web at:
http://www.nando.net/newsroom/sports/bkb/1995/nba/feat/nba.html
(by team, NBC, and TNT)
http://www.nba.com/gametime/newsked_nov.html
and several other web pages.
nba.1129wiper,
News from July 26.
Dallas signed Derek Harper to a 2 year, $2.86 million contract.
New York signed Buck Williams.
Washington signed Lorenzo Williams.
Utah re-signed Howard Eisley.
Cleveland signed rookie Vitaly Potapenko to a 3 year, $3,686,000 contract.
Milwaukee signed rookie Ray Allen to a 3 year, $5.13 million contract.
nba.1130wiper,
News from July 31.
The NBA rejected Miami's Juwan Howard contract saying that the contract
exceed the salary cap. The league said that Miami was careless and did
not follow protocol in signing Howard and that Miami reached an agreement
with Alonzo Mourning prior to signing Howard and, thus, Mourning's 96-97
salary counts against the cap.
The LA Lakers signed rookie free agent Travis Knight to a one year
contract. Chicago, who had draft Knight with the 29th pick, renounced
their rights to him on July 12.
Doron Sheffer, LA Clippers 2nd round pick, signed a 3 year contract with
Macabi Tel Aviv of Isreal. The contract has an out clause where Sheffer
can return to the NBA.
Cleveland released John Amaechi.
nba.1131wiper,
News from August 2.
Chicago has reportedly reached an agreement with Dennis Rodman for a 1
year, $8 to $10 million contract.
Boston signed Antoine Walker to a 3 year, $4,660,200 contract.
Boston re-signed Greg Minor to a 5 year, $13 million contract.
nba.1132wiper,
News from August 6.
New York signed rookie John Wallace to a 3 year, $2,257,900 contract.
New York signed rookie Walter McCarty to a 3 year, $2,156,300 contract.
New York signed rookie Dontae' Jones to a 3 year, $1,987,200 contract.
Vancouver signed rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim to a 3 year, $6,284,500
contract.
Milwaukee signed Armon Gilliam to a 4 year contract.
Miami renounced their claim to Juwan Howard, which frees the path for
Howard to rejoin the Washington Bullets. David Stern ruled that
Washington will lose their 1997 first round draft pick in order for Howard
to rejoin the team.
News from August 7.
New Jersey signed David Benoit to a 1 year, $500,000 contract.
Detroit re-signed Otis Thorpe to a 3 year, $15 million contract.
nba.1135schef,
Niko da napiše da je Sir Charles Barkley prešao u Houston, a u zamenu su
otišli Horry, Cassel i još dvojica (nisam zapamtio koja).
So, any comments to this? :) Ja mislim da se Houston zajeb'o do koske...
Srleř
nba.1136mikeman,
<<!>> Niko da napise da je Sir Charles Barkley presao u Houston, a u zamenu
<<!>> su otisli Horry, Cassel i jos dvojica (nisam zapamtio koja).
<<!>>
<<!>> So, any comments to this? :) Ja mislim da se Houston zajeb'o do
STTAAAAAA!!!!
Pa budale :((( Dadose igracine poput cassel-a i horry-ja i jos dva
komada za cica Barkleya :((( kreteni
Ma hjuston je propao (naravno subjektivno gledano )
i onako im je samo 5 igraca bilo ok tek da imaju za prvu postavu
sad dadose nekoliko njih i ostade - ostareli hakeem i sir charls
shit uuaa
nba.1137kum.djole,
>> So, any comments to this? :) Ja mislim da se Houston zajeb'o do koske...
Prosto ko pasulj.
Ne treba njima titula ove godine, treba im kinta za sledeći draft.
Kad dođe deda, biće spektakl.. i mnogo, ali mnogo će se kinte
ukebati (počev od ulaznica). Čim deda shvati da ni ove sezone
nema ništa od prstena, jer će ga Kasel i Hori mlatiti usred
Hjustona, otići će u legendu. Šteta što neću biti u mogućnosti
da to propratim, ali eto, javlja mi se..
nba.1138junior,
Šteta. Barkli je prešao u Hjuston u zamenu za Horija, Kasela, Brauna i pravo
na pik '97. Za Hjuston je potpisao i Kevin Vilis kao free agent.
Izgleda da će se ove sezone izdvojiti po 4 kluba u konferencijama, visoko
iznad ostalih. Po kvalitetu, naravno. Na istoku, to su Čikago, Njujork, Atlanta
i Orlando. Na zapadu, tipujem na Lakerse, Hjuston, Sijetl, San Antonio.
Biće poprilično nezanimljivo, mada uvek može neki autsajder da se ubaci.
Recimo, Sakramento ima možda i najbolji bekovski par u ligi
(AbdulRauf-Richmond), tu je Portland koji i bez Stricklanda može svašta.
A ne zaboravimo Toronto .. :)
nba.1139seki,
SE> Niko da napise da je Sir Charles Barkley presao u Houston, a u
SE> zamenu su otisli Horry, Cassel i jos dvojica (nisam zapamtio
SE> koja).
U pitanju su jos centar Mark Bryant i tesko krilp Chucky Brown. Sve u
svemu, ovo je izuzetno glup potez, ali i potez koji ce vratiti
publiku u Summit, na sta Houston prvenstveno racuna.
Ognjen
nba.1140lexus,
=> So, any comments to this? :) Ja mislim da se Houston zajeb'o do
=> koske...
Upropastili su se...
Hakala i Barkli će se 99% penzionišu sledeće sezone, a od Hjustona
će ostati samo H...
nba.1141schef,
=- Hakala i Barkli će se 99% penzionišu sledeće sezone, a od
=- Hjustona
Niko da spomene Clyde Drexlera? :)
I on će valjda u penziju... ;)
Srleř
nba.1142lexus,
=> Niko da spomene Clyde Drexlera? :)
Auuu, jes i on...
Trio eksumiranih... Još im samo Larry Bird fali...
nba.1143dizel,
*
* Niko da napiše da je Sir Charles Barkley prešao u Houston, a u
* zamenu su otišli Horry, Cassel i još dvojica (nisam zapamtio
* koja).
Chuckie Brown i MArk Bryant...
Houston se možda zeznuo, ali, ko zna...
Barkley bi svakom timu mnogo značio, ali je istina da je star, kao
i Olajuwon... Phoenix, sa druge strane, gubi jedinu pravu zvezdu, i
ostaje sa masom kvalitetnih igrača, ali ponovo nemaju dobrog centra,
što im je u poslednjih nekoliko godina bila ozbiljna smetnja...
Naravno, Horry je izvrsan igrač, a i Cassel će moći da odmeni, već starijeg
i često povređeog Kevina Johnsona... Videćemo!
nba.1144junior,
> Ne treba njima titula ove godine, treba im kinta za sledeći
> draft. Kad dođe deda, biće spektakl.. i mnogo, ali mnogo će se
Kume, mislim da grešiš. Barkli lovi titulu već par godina, a ni Hjustonu
nije pravo što je izvisio ove godine. Ono, jes' da je Čikago najjači, ali
oni nisu ni dogurali do finala. Menjali su Horija, dobro krilo i Kasela,
prosečnog beka, koga je _jednom_ krenuo šut u play-offu i zato je postao
poznat, za najboljeg ofanzivnog skakača u ligi - Barklija. Da ne spominjemo
Barklijevih 20 i kusur poena po meču (uz 12 skokova i 1,5 blokada). Uopšte,
sama pojava i iskustvo Barklija su dovoljan razlog za trade. Hori i Kasel nisu
bili nosioci igre Hjustona (ostalu dvojicu i ne spominjem, jer njih i ne
računam u igrače :), a sad trojka Hjustona Drexler-Hakeem-Barkley može egal
da se nosi sa trojkom Čikaga, možda i bolje. Tomjanovič je trener za respekt,
a ima _veoma_ iskusan tim .. Posle Čikaga, tipujem na Hjuston kao najveće
konkurente za osvajanje titule. Sietl se preforsirao prošle godine, a Lakersi
jesu jaki, ali još uvek mlad i _neuigran_ tim.
> sezone nema ništa od prstena, jer će ga Kasel i Hori mlatiti
> usred Hjustona, otići će u legendu.
Molim te ... taj Phoenix će i Toronto da bije .. :)
nba.1145junior,
> Hakala i Barkli će se 99% penzionišu sledeće sezone, a od
> Hjustona će ostati samo H...
Greška. Nijedan od njih ne ide u penziju. Ustvari, otići će kad odu
Džordan & co. Podatak koji govori u prilog mojoj tezi, jesu njihove plate.
Takva lova se ne daje čičicama koji idu penziju (čitaj: Parish :)
nba.1146junior,
> => Niko da spomene Clyde Drexlera? :)
> Trio eksumiranih... Još im samo Larry Bird fali...
Ccc, kakav to odnos imaš prema najvećim legendama NBA? :( Taj Bird je šetao
sve ove Horije, Brendone i ostale pi*kice koje danas igraju.
Ne prave ih više takvih ...
nba.1147lexus,
=> Ccc, kakav to odnos imaš prema najvećim legendama NBA? :( Taj Bird
=> je šetao sve ove Horije, Brendone i ostale pi*kice koje danas
=> igraju.
Nemam ja ništa protiv Birda, naprotiv, ali mislim da će Houston biti
ekipa u kojoj će sve zavisiti od dva igrača. A nemojmo zaboraviti da
Barkley ima slaba ledja zbog kojih se već dve godine povlači.
nba.1148lexus,
=> Naravno, Horry je izvrsan igrač, a i Cassel će moći da odmeni, već
=> starijeg i često povređeog Kevina Johnsona... Videćemo!
Cassela mrzim, ali je prilično dobar igrač. U Phoenixu sada valja samo
Horry, a to je nedovoljno za bilo šta...
nba.1149dizel,
* :), a sad trojka Hjustona Drexler-Hakeem-Barkley može egal da
* se nosi sa trojkom Čikaga, možda i bolje. Tomjanovič je trener
Ovde si verovatno u pravu... Čikagu će biti mnogo teže, jer će
sada imati i u Lakersima opasnog protivnika, a Houston takođe
neće biti nimalo lak zalogak (ali to će trajati možda samo 1-2
godine, jer su im trojica najvažnijih igrača već stari...)
nba.1150junior,
Inače, za one koji ne znaju.
Za najseksipilnijeg igrača prošle sezone, proglašen je Alonzo Morning :)
nba.1151superhik,
=:> Za najseksipilnijeg igrača prošle sezone, proglašen je Alonzo
=:> Morning :)
Verujem da ti je drago... :)
nba.1152junior,
> =:> Za najseksipilnijeg igrača prošle sezone, proglašen je
> Alonzo =:> Morning :)
> Verujem da ti je drago... :)
Pa, nisam ja glasao, ali kad pogledam .. stvarno izgleda simpatično :)
Uostalom, pogledaj Dream Team III i nađi jednu prijatnu facu :>
nba.1153kant,
Raspored utakmica u NBA za 1996/97.
nba_9697.zipnba.1154junior,
Da malo oživimo temu .. (10x ti vpoznanovic):
Atlanta Hawks
ACQUISITIONS
G Jon Barry Free agent (Golden State) 1 year, $250,000
F Willie Burton Free agent
F Tyrone Corbin Free agent (Miami)
C Horacio Llamas Rookie free agent
C Dikembe Mutombo Free agent (Denver) 5 years, $50 million
G Steve Smith Free agent (Atlanta) 7 years, $45 million
G Donnie Boyce Free Agent (Atlanta)
DEPARTURES
G-F Stacey Augmon Traded to Detroit
G-F Craig Ehlo Free agent (Seattle)
G Reggie Jordan Free agent (Portland)
F Grant Long Traded to Detroit
C Blair Rasmussen Waived
C-F Sean Rooks Free agent (L.A. Lakers)
Boston Celtics
ACQUISITIONS
C-F Frank Brickowski Free agent (Seattle)
F Nate Driggers Free agent
C Alton Lister Free agent (Boston)
G-F Greg Minor Free agent (Boston)
F Julius Nwosu Free agent
DEPARTURES
C Thomas Hamilton Released
C Eric Montross Trade (Dallas)
F Doug Smith Waived
C Todd Mundt Rights renounced
Charlotte Hornets
ACQUISITIONS
C Vlade Divac Trade (L.A. Lakers)
F Brad Lohaus Trade (New York)
F Anthony Mason Trade (New York)
F Ochiel Swaby Free agent
DEPARTURES
G Michael Adams Rights renounced
G Kenny Anderson Free agent (Portland)
G Kobe Bryant Traded to L.A. Lakers
F Larry Johnson Traded to New York
C Robert Parish Rights renounced
Chicago Bulls
ACQUISITIONS
G Michael Jordan Free agent (Chicago) 1 year, $25 million
F Dennis Rodman Free agent (Chicago) 1 year, $9 million
DEPARTURES
C Travis Knight Rights relinquished (signed with Lakers)
Cleveland Cavaliers
ACQUISITION
F Donny Marshall Free agent (Cleveland)
C Shawnelle Scott Free agent
C Mark West Free agent (Detroit)
DEPARTURES
C-F John Amaechi Waived
F Michael Cage Free agent (Philadelphia)
G Steve Colter Rights renounced
F John Crotty Will play in Italy
C Brad Daugherty Retired
G Darryl Johnson Rights renounced
G-F Dan Majerle Free agent (Miami)
G Harold Miner Rights renounced
Dallas Mavericks
ACQUISITIONS
F Chris Gatling Free agent (Miami) 5 years, $22 million
G Derek Harper Free agent (New York)
G Jimmy King Trade (Toronto)
C Eric Montross Trade (Boston)
DEPARTURES
G Scott Brooks Rights renounced
G Lucious Harris Rights renounced
F Popeye Jones Traded to Toronto
F-C Cherokee Parks Traded to Minnesota
F-C Lorenzo Williams Free agent (Washington)
F David Wood Rights renounced
Denver Nuggets
ACQUISITIONS
G-F Dale Ellis Free agent (Denver)
G Mark Jackson Trade (Indiana)
C Ervin Johnson Free agent (Seattle) 7 years, $15 million
G Sarunas Marciulionis Trade (Sacramento)
G Ricky Pierce Trade (Indiana)
G Bryant Stith Free agent (Denver) 5 years, $22 million
DEPARTURES
G Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Traded to Sacramento
C Rastko Cvetkovic Rights renounced
C Matt Fish Rights renounced
F Don MacLean Free agent (Philadelphia)
C Dikembe Mutombo Free agent (Atlanta)
G Doug Overton Rights renounced
G Jalen Rose Traded to Indiana
F-G Reggie Williams Traded to Indiana
Detroit Pistons
ACQUISITIONS
G-F Stacey Augmon Trade (Atlanta)
F Michael Curry Free agent (Detroit)
F Grant Long Trade (Atlanta)
F-C Rick Mahorn Free agent (New Jersey)
F Don Reid Free agent (Detroit)
G Ron Riley Trade (Seattle)
F Otis Thorpe Free agent (Detroit) 3 years
DEPARTURES
G Allan Houston Free agent (New York)
C Eric Leckner Rights renounced
F Lou Roe Rights renounced
C Mark West Free agent (Cleveland)
Golden State Warriors
ACQUISITIONS
G Mark Price Free agent (Washington)
G Latrell Sprewell Free agent (Golden State) 4 years, $32 million
DEPARTURES
G Jon Barry Free agent (Atlanta)
G Robert Churchwell Rights renounced
C Geert Hammink Rights renounced
F Jerome Kersey Free agent (L.A. Lakers)
G Ryan Lorthridge Rights renounced
G Dwayne Morton Rights renounced
F Kevin Willis Free agent (Houston)
Houston Rockets
ACQUISITIONS
F Charles Barkley Trade (Phoenix)
G Emanuel Davis Free agent
C Charles Jones Free agent (Houston)
G Sam Mack Free agent (Houston)
F Tracy Moore Free agent (Houston)
G Brent Price Free agent (Washington) 7 years, $18.2 million
F Kevin Willis Free agent (Golden State)
CONTRACT EXTENSION
C Hakeem Olajuwon 5 years, $60 million
DEPARTURES
G Melvin Booker Rights renounced
F Tim Breaux Traded to Vancouver
F Chucky Brown Traded to Phoenix
F Mark Bryant Traded to Phoenix
G Sam Cassell Traded to Phoenix
F Pete Chilcutt Traded to Vancouver
F Earl Cureton Rights renounced
F Robert Horry Traded to Phoenix
G Eldridge Recasner Rights renounced
G Kenny Smith Rights renounced
Indiana Pacers
ACQUISITIONS
G Jerome Allen Free agent (Minnesota)
F Antonio Davis Free agent (Indiana) 7 years, $38.5 million
F Dale Davis Free agent (Indiana) 7 years, $42 million
G Fred Hoiberg Free agent (Indiana) 2 years, $544,500
G Jalen Rose Trade (Denver)
F-G Reggie Williams Trade (Denver)
DEPARTURES
G Mark Jackson Traded to Denver
G Ricky Pierce Traded to Denver
F Mark Pope Will play in Turkey
Los Angeles Clippers
DEPARTURES
C-F Keith Tower Released
G Doron Sheffer Will play in Israel
Los Angeles Lakers
ACQUISITIONS
F David Booth Free agent
G Kobe Bryant Trade (Charlotte)
F Elden Campbell Free agent (L.A. Lakers) 7 years, $49 million
F Jerome Kersey Free agent (Golden State)
C Travis Knight Rookie free agent
C Shaquille O'Neal Free agent (Orlando) 7 years, $121 million
G Rumeal Robinson Free agent (Portland)
C-F Sean Rooks Free agent (Atlanta)
F Trevor Wilson Free agent
DEPARTURES
C Sam Bowie Rights renounced
C Vlade Divac Traded to Charlotte
G-F Magic Johnson Rights renounced
G Frankie King Rights renounced
F George Lynch Traded to Vancouver
F Anthony Miller Rights renounced
G Anthony Peeler Traded to Vancouver
F Fred Roberts Rights renounced
F Derek Strong Free agent (Orlando)
G Sedale Threatt Will play in France
Miami Heat
ACQUISITIONS
F P.J. Brown Free agent (New Jersey) 7 years, $36 million
G Gary Grant Free agent (New York)
G Tim Hardaway Free agent (Miami)
G-F Dan Majerle Free agent (Cleveland) 3 years, $8 million
C Alonzo Mourning Free agent (Miami) 7 years, $112 million
F Martin Muursepp Trade (Utah)
DEPARTURES
G Rex Chapman Rights renounced
F Tyrone Corbin Free agent (Atlanta)
F-C LeRon Ellis Free agent (Orlando)
F Chris Gatling Free agent (Dallas)
F Stacey King Rights renounced
G Jeff Malone Rights renounced
C Danny Schayes Rights renounced
G Tony Smith Rights renounced
F Walt Williams Free agent (Toronto)
Milwaukee Bucks
ACQUISITIONS
G Ray Allen Trade (Minnesota)
F Armon Gilliam Free agent (New Jersey) 4 years
C Andrew Lang Trade (Minnesota)
F Joe Wolf Free agent (Orlando)
DEPARTURES
C Benoit Benjamin Rights renounced
G Stephon Marbury Traded to Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
ACQUISITIONS
G Chris Carr Free agent (Phoenix) 3 years
F Bill Curley Trade (Portland)
G Stephon Marbury Trade (Milwaukee)
F-C Cherokee Parks Trade (Dallas)
G James Robinson Trade (Portland)
C Stojko Vrankovic Free agent (Croatia) 3 years
DEPARTURES
G Jerome Allen Free agent (Indiana)
G Ray Allen Traded to Milwaukee
F Marques Bragg Rights renounced
G-F Mark Davis Free agent (Philadelphia)
C Andrew Lang Traded to Milwaukee
G Darrick Martin Rights renounced
G Isaiah Rider Traded to Portland
C Eric Riley Rights renounced
G Spud Webb Rights renounced
New Jersey Nets
ACQUISITIONS
G-F Vincent Askew Trade (Seattle)
F Tony Massenburg Free agent (Philadelphia)
G Robert Pack Free agent (Washington) 5 years, $22 million
F David Benoit Free agent (Utah) 1 year
DEPARTURES
F P.J. Brown Free agent (Miami)
G Chris Childs Free agent (New York)
G Vern Fleming Rights renounced
F Armon Gilliam Free agent (Milwaukee)
G Greg Graham Traded to Seattle
F Rick Mahorn Free agent (Detroit)
F Tim Perry Rights renounced
New York Knicks
ACQUISITIONS
G Chris Childs Free agent (New Jersey) 6 years, $24 million
F Larry Johnson Trade (Charlotte)
G Allan Houston Free agent (Detroit) 7 years, $56 million
F Buck Williams Free agent (Portland)
C Herb Williams Free agent (New York)
DEPARTURES
F Eric Anderson Rights renounced
G Willie Anderson Rights renounced
G Hubert Davis Trade (Toronto)
F Ronnie Grandison Rights renounced
G Gary Grant Free agent (Miami)
G Derek Harper Free agent (Dallas)
F Brad Lohaus Traded to Charlotte
F Anthony Mason Trade to Charlotte
F J.R. Reid Will play in France
F Anthony Tucker Rights renounced
Orlando Magic
ACQUISITIONS
G Darrell Armstrong Free agent (Orlando)
F-C LeRon Ellis Free agent (Miami)
F Horace Grant Free agent (Orlando) 5 years, $50 million
C Felton Spencer Trade (Utah)
F Derek Strong Free agent (L.A. Lakers)
G-F Gerald Wilkins Free agent (Vancouver) 1 year, $250,000
DEPARTURES
F Anthony Bowie Will play in Italy
F Kenny Gattison Traded to Utah
C Shaquille O'Neal Free agent (Los Angeles Lakers)
G Brooks Thompson Traded to Utah
F Joe Wolf Free agent (Milwaukee)
Philadelphia 76ers
ACQUISITIONS
F Michael Cage Free agent (Cleveland)
G-F Mark Davis Free agent (Minnesota)
G Lucious Harris Free agent (Dallas)
F Don MacLean Free agent (Denver) 5 years, $15 million
DEPARTURES
F Derrick Alston Rights renounced
F Richard Dumas Will play in Greece
F Sean Higgins Rights renounced
F Tony Massenburg Free agent (New Jersey)
G Vernon Maxwell Free agent (San Antonio)
F Ed Pinckney Rights renounced
G Trevor Ruffin Rights renounced
G Greg Sutton Rights renounced
F-C LaSalle Thompson Rights renounced
Phoenix Suns
ACQUISITIONS
F Chucky Brown Trade (Houston)
F Mark Bryant Trade (Houston)
G Sam Cassell Trade (Houston)
C John Coker Free agent (Phoenix) 2 years
F Evric Gray Free agent (CBA)
F Robery Horry Trade (Houston)
DEPARTURES
F Charles Barkley Traded to Houston
G Chris Carr Free agent (Minnesota)
F Russ Millard Will play in Italy
Portland Trail Blazers
ACQUISITIONS
G Kenny Anderson Free agent (Charlotte) 7 years, $50 million
G Mitchell Butler Trade (Washington)
G Reggie Jordan Free agent (Atlanta)
G Isaiah Rider Trade (Minnesota)
F Jason Sasser Trade (Sacramento)
F Rasheed Wallace Trade (Washington)
F Dontonio Wingfield Free agent (Portland)
DEPARTURES
F Bill Curley Traded to Minnesota
F Harvey Grant Traded to Washington
G James Robinson Traded to Minnesota
G Rumeal Robinson Free agent (L.A. Lakers)
F Elmore Spencer Rights renounced
G Rod Strickland Traded to Washington
F Buck Williams Free agent (New York)
Sacramento Kings
ACQUISITIONS
G Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Trade (Denver)
DEPARTURES
G Sarunas Marciulionis Traded to Denver
F Jason Sasser Traded to Portland
San Antonio Spurs
ACQUISITION
G Vernon Maxwell Free agent (Philadelphia)
Seattle SuperSonics
ACQUISITIONS
G-F Craig Ehlo Free agent (Atlanta) 3 years
G Greg Graham Trade (New Jersey)
G Hersey Hawkins Free agent (Seattle) 2 years
C Jim McIlvaine Free agent (Washington) 7 years, $35 million
G Gary Payton Free agent (Seattle) 7 years, $85 million
F-C Sam Perkins Free agent (Seattle) 2 years
C Steve Scheffler Free agent (Seattle) 2 years
DEPARTURES
G-F Vincent Askew Traded to New Jersey
C Joseph Blair Will play for PAU-Orthez (French League)
C-F Frank Brickowski Free agent (Boston)
C Ervin Johnson Free agent (Denver)
G Ron Riley Traded to Detroit
F Joe Vogel Will play in Galatasaray, Turkey
Toronto Raptors
ACQUISITIONS
G Hubert Davis Trade (New York)
C Eric Gingold Rookie free agent
F Mark Hughes Free agent (CBA)
F Popeye Jones Trade (Dallas)
F Art Long Rookie free agent
F Walt Williams Free agent (Miami) 1 year, $247,500
DEPARTURES
G Vincenzo Esposito Waived
G Keith Jennings Rights renounced
G Jimmy King Traded to Dallas
C Oliver Miller Rights renounced
G-F Tracy Murray Free agent (Washington)
F Martin Lewis Rights renounced
G Alvin Robertson Rights renounced
F Dwayne Whitfield Rights renounced
Utah Jazz
ACQUISITIONS
G Howard Eisley Free agent (Utah)
F-C Greg Foster Free agent (Utah)
F Kenny Gattison Trade (Orlando)
G Brooks Thompson Trade (Orlando)
DEPARTURES
F Martin Muursepp Traded to Miami
F David Benoit Free agent (New Jersey)
C Felton Spencer Traded to Orlando
Vancouver Grizzlies
ACQUISITIONS
F Tim Breaux Trade (Houston)
F Pete Chilcutt Trade (Houston)
F George Lynch Trade (L.A. Lakers)
G Lee Mayberry Free agent (Milwaukee) 4 years, $5.7 million
G Anthony Peeler Trade (L.A. Lakers)
DEPARTURES
F Ashraf Amaya Free agent (Washington)
F Anthony Avent Rights renounced
F Rodney Dent Rights renounced
F Chris King Rights renounced
G Cuonzo Martin Rights renounced
G Eric Murdock Rights renounced
F Derrick Phelps Rights renounced
G Byron Scott Waived
G-F Gerald Wilkins Free agent (Orlando)
Washington Bullets
ACQUISITIONS
F Ashraf Amaya Free agent (Vancouver)
F Harvey Grant Trade (Portland)
F Juwan Howard Free agent (Washington) 7 years, $105 million
G-F Tracy Murray Free agent (Toronto) 7 years, $19 million
G Rod Strickland Trade (Portland)
G Chris Whitney Free agent (Washington)
F-C Lorenzo Williams Free agent (Dallas)
DEPARTURES
G Mitchell Butler Traded to Portland
G Ledell Eackles Rights renounced
F Bob McCann Rights renounced
C Jim McIlvaine Free agent (Seattle)
G Robert Pack Free agent (New Jersey)
G Brent Price Free agent (Houston)
G Mark Price Free agent (Golden State)
F Bob Thornton Rights renounced
F Rasheed Wallace Traded to Portland
nba.1155junior,
U sklopu oživljavanja teme ;), animacija jednog od najperspektivnijih
play-eva lige. Tyus Edney iz Sacramenta.
tyus.rarnba.1156mikeman,
Evo slike jordana (u sklopu ozivljavanja teme) :)
jordpic.zipnba.1157lexus,
=> Evo slike jordana (u sklopu ozivljavanja teme) :)
Tema će oživeti sama od sebe ;)
Naravno, kad za to dodje vreme, odnosno kad počne NBA liga :)
nba.1158mikeman,
Uz poruku nesto o Jordanu (ako uopste ima nesto sto se o njemu
ne zna) :)
jordan.zipnba.1159mikeman,
Evo i slike Medzika (iz mladjih dana)...
magic.zipnba.1160miko,
++ U sklopu ozivljavanja teme ;), animacija jednog od
++ najperspektivnijih play-eva lige. Tyus Edney iz
++ Sacramenta.
Sta sve covek u ovoj zemlji moze da izjavi i ostane na
slobodi :)) Strasno ... kakva dekadencija ;)))
nba.1161junior,
A evo i animacija koja je ovekovečila jedan od najlepših trenutaka
u NBA-u : Indijana izbacuje Orlando iz play-offa pogotkom Rika Smitsa
u poslednjoj sekundi ;))
riksmits.arjnba.1162junior,
Yugoslav point guard says he will sign with Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sep 17, 1996 - 18:17 EST) -- Aleksandar Djordjevic,
who helped Yugoslavia win a silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics, said
he will sign a contract with the Portland Trail Blazers next week.
The 6-foot-2 point guard said at a news conference in Belgrade on
Tuesday that he was leaving for Oregon on Wednesday.
"By transferring to Portland, part of my dreams have come true,"
Djordjevic said, "and if I stay in America, it means my quality has
been confirmed."
Blazers president Bob Whitsitt confirmed he has been talking with
Djordjevic and that the Yugoslavian star was coming to Portland this
week. No contract has been signed, Whitsitt said.
"I'm optimistic," Whitsitt said. "We think he's a good player and
obviously could make a good addition to the team."
Djordjevic, who called himself "the best playmaker in Europe," said he
would sign a one-year contract. Whitsitt said that the Blazers had
salary room to sign Djordjevic without making any other player moves.
Djordjevic, 28, has played in Italy the past few seasons. He is known
for his passing and shooting, Whitsitt said.
"For starters, he's a great free throw shooter. He shoots in the
mid-80s," Whitsitt said. "He's a very good playmaker and a very good
shooter, an excellent 3-point shooter. Like a lot of point guards, his
strengths would probably be more at the offensive end than the
defensive end."
Djordjevic said he expected to be a reserve but has been promised he
would get ample playing time.
The starting job will go to Kenny Anderson, who was signed by the
Blazers to a seven-year, $46 million contract as a free agent during
the off-season.
Djordjevic said he was "looking forward to play with Arvydas Sabonis
from Lithuania, one of the best centers in the world."
Sabonis is entering his second season with the Blazers.
Whitsitt said that, like Sabonis, Djordjevic would be no typical
rookie in his first NBA season.
"He's been a premiere player in Europe for a number of years,"
Whitsitt said. "He has a lot of big-time international experience.
Although he doesn't have NBA experience, he is a different kind of
rookie, just like Sabonis was a different kind of rookie."
The Blazers have been troubled in recent years by a lack of depth at
point guard and have had to pick up a free agent during the season,
usually from the Continental Basketball Association.
At his news conference, Djordjevic said he was donating to charity the
$20,000 he received from the Yugoslav government for helping to win
the silver medal.
nba.1163mikeman,
#> Tema ce oziveti sama od sebe ;)
#> Naravno, kad za to dodje vreme, odnosno kad pocne NBA liga :)
Naravno da je tako ;) ja sam se samo nadovezao na juniora ;))
nba.1164junior,
Danas sam saznao (iz poverljivih izvora :)), da Đorđević u Portlandu dobija
minimalac, tj. samo 247 500 $. To, na žalost može dosta uticati na njegovu
karijeru .. ne samo zato što je totalno plaćen ispod svojih vrednosti, već zato
što gazde klubova imaju očajan odnos prema onima koji rade za 'minimalac'. Kad
se još uzme u obzir da mu je konkurent za mesto u timu Keni Anderson težak 50
miliončića .. teško da će Đorđević da dobije onu minutažu koju su mu obećali.
nba.1165basrak,
> Kad se još uzme u obzir da mu je konkurent za
> mesto u timu Keni Anderson težak 50 miliončića .. teško da će
> Đorđević da dobije onu minutažu koju su mu obećali.
Već je rečeno da mu je minutaža obećana posredno preko mesta beka šutera, sa
povremenim zamenama Andersona na pleju...
nba.1166schef,
Ima li ko spisak igrača po timovima za novu sezonu?
nba.1167junior,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Real name
Lew Alcindor
Nicknames:
Big Fella
Captain (Cap)
Date of Birth (location)
16 April 1947, New York, New York, USA.
College: UCLA
Drafted: Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round
(first pick overall) of the 1969 NBA Draft.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Lewis Alcindor in New York City to parents
of West Indian heritage. He started playing basketball in elementary
school, going on to play for UCLA during his college years. He was a
member of three consecutive NCAA championship teams, 1967, 1968 and
1969, and was named Most Outstanding Player for each of those years,
the only college player in the history of the Final Four to have
received this award three times. Abdul-Jabbar's professional career
began with Milwaukee before he joined the L.A. Lakers in 1975. During
his professional career, he was a member of six NBA world-championship
teams, named Most Valuable Player six times (again, the only player in
the NBA's history to be awarded this honor six times), and he shares
the NBA record for the greatest number of seasons played (twenty).
Abdul-Jabbar is now retired from professional basketball and lives in
Hawaii. He is known among his friends for his love of reading, travel
and jazz.
Awards:
Rookie Of The Year
- 1969/70 (Milwaukee Bucks)
Most Valuable Player
- 1970/71 (Milwaukee Bucks)
- 1971/72 (Milwaukee Bucks)
- 1973/74 (Milwaukee Bucks)
- 1975/76 (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 1976/77 (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 1979/80 (Los Angeles Lakers)
Finals Most Valuable Player
- 1971 (Milwaukee Bucks)
- 1985 (Los Angeles Lakers)
NBA Championships
- 1970/71 (Milwaukee Bucks)
- 1979/80 (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 1981/82 (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 1984/85 (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 1986/87 (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 1987/88 (Los Angeles Lakers)
Average Scoring Titles
- 1970/71 31.7 ppg (Milwaukee Bucks)
- 1971/72 34.8 ppg (Milwaukee Bucks)
Records:
Points: 38387 (1st in NBA history)
Seasons: 20 (shares 1st place with Robert Parish)
Games: 1560 (2nd in NBA history)
Blocks: 3189 (2nd in NBA history)
Rebounds: 17440 (3rd in NBA history)
* Only player in NBA history with more than 30000 points, 15000
rebounds and 3000 blocks.
Retired Numbers:
33 - Milwaukee Bucks
33 - Los Angeles Lakers
- one of the four players in NBA history who led the league in
scoring in the same season in which he led his team to a
championship (1970/71 with Milwaukee Bucks - 31.7 points)
- one of the four players who won a scoring title and NBA
championship in the same season
Kareem is known as a pretty good actor too. He appeared in 11 movies
and TV series.
Forget Paris (1995) .... Himself
Slam Dunk Ernest (1995)
"Stand, The" (1994) (mini) TV Series .... The Monster Shouter
... aka "Stephen King's The Stand" (1994) (mini)
D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) .... Celebrity at Party
Jake Spanner, Private Eye (1989) (TV)
Troop Beverly Hills (1989) .... Himself
Fletch (1985) .... Himself
Airplane! (1980) .... Murdock
... aka Flying High (1980)
Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, The (1979)
Game of Death (1978)
Game of Death II (1977)
nba.1168junior,
LARRY BIRD
Rookie Of The Year
* 1979-80
3 Consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards
* 1983-84
* 1984-85
* 1985-86
3 NBA Championships
* 1980-81
* 1983-84
* 1985-86
2 Time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
* 1983-84
* 1985-86
Selected to 12 All-Star Teams
* 1979-80
* 1980-81
* 1981-82
* 1982-83
* 1983-84
* 1984-85
* 1985-86
* 1986-87
* 1987-88
* 1989-90
* 1990-91 (DNP due to injury)
* 1991-92 (DNP due to injury)
All Star Game Most Valuable Player
* 1981-82
4 Time NBA Free Throw Shooting Leader
* 1983-84 (.888)
* 1985-86 (.896)
* 1986-87 (.910)
* 1989-90 (.903)
Interesting Tidbits
* First player to shoot more than 50% from the floor and more than
90% from the free throw line. In addition to being the only player
to do this for 2 consecutive years!
+ 1986-87
+ 1987-88
* 2,000 points in 4 consecutive seasons.
+ 1984-85
+ 1985-86
+ 1986-87
+ 1987-88
* 52 games scoring 40 or more points.
* 4 games scoring 50 or more points.
* 69 Triple Doubles.
+ 59 during the Regular Season.
+ 1 before halftime. (April 1, 1987 vs. Washington Bullets)
* January 11, 1985: Scored his 10,000th career point.
* March 12, 1985: Scored 60 points in a game vs. Atlanta Hawks. The
most ever by a Celtic in a game.
* November 14, 1990: Registered his 5,000th career assist.
* November 30, 1990: Scored 20,000th career point. 15th player in
NBA history to do so.
* One of only five players in NBA history to register over 5,000
assists and score more than 20,000 points.
* When Bird played more than 3,000 minutes in a season, the Celtics
ended up in the NBA Finals.
* Boston never had a losing month when Bird played.
* AP Male Athlete of the Year for 1986.
* The Sporting News Man of the Year for 1986.
* Won an Olympic Gold Medal as a co-captain of the 1992 Team USA
Olympic Basketball Team (i.e. The Dream Team).
nba.1169junior,
Magic Johnson
Guard/Forward
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220
Born: August 14,1959 in Lansing, MI
College: Michigan State
Drafted: Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round
(first pick overall) of the 1979 NBA Draft.
Career Averages
Rebounds
Yr Tm G Min FGA Pct FTA Pct 3PM Pct Blk St TO Off Tot Ast
Pts
79-80 LAL 77 36.3 12.3 .530 6.0 .810 7 .226 0.5 2.4 4.0 2.2 7.7 7.3
18.0
80-81 LAL 37 37.1 15.9 .532 6.1 .760 3 .176 0.7 3.4 3.9 2.7 8.6 8.6
21.6
81-82 LAL 78 38.3 13.3 .537 5.6 .760 6 .207 0.4 2.7 3.7 3.2 9.6 9.5
18.6
82-83 LAL 79 36.8 11.8 .548 4.8 .800 0 .000 0.6 2.2 3.8 2.7 8.6 10.5
16.8
83-84 LAL 67 38.3 11.6 .565 5.3 .810 6 .207 0.7 2.2 4.6 1.5 7.3 13.1
17.6
84-85 LAL 77 36.1 11.7 .561 6.0 .843 7 .189 0.3 1.5 4.0 1.2 6.2 12.6
18.3
85-86 LAL 72 35.8 12.8 .526 6.0 .871 10 .233 0.2 1.6 3.8 1.2 5.9 12.6
18.8
86-87 LAL 80 36.3 16.4 .522 7.9 .848 8 .205 0.5 1.7 3.8 1.5 6.3 12.2
23.9
87-88 LAL 72 36.6 13.8 .492 6.8 .853 11 .196 0.2 1.6 3.7 1.2 6.2 11.9
19.6
88-89 LAL 77 37.5 14.8 .509 7.3 .911 59 .314 0.3 1.8 4.1 1.4 7.9 12.8
22.5
89-90 LAL 79 37.2 14.4 .480 8.1 .890 106 .384 0.4 1.7 3.7 1.6 6.6 11.5
22.3
90-91 LAL 79 37.1 12.4 .477 7.3 .906 80 .320 0.2 1.3 4.0 1.3 7.0 12.5
19.4
95-96 LAL 32 29.9 9.2 .466 6.3 .856 22 .379 0.4 0.8 3.2 1.3 5.7 6.9
14.6
Totals 906 36.7 13.2 .520 6.5 .848 325 .303 0.4 1.9 3.9 1.8 7.2 11.2
19.5
Career Totals
Yr Tm G Min FGA FGM FTA FTM 3PA 3PM Reb Ast Blk St TO
79-80 LAL 77 2795 949 503 462 374 31 7 596 563 41 187 305
80-81 LAL 37 1371 587 312 225 171 17 3 320 317 27 127 143
81-82 LAL 78 2991 1036 556 433 329 29 6 751 743 34 208 286
82-83 LAL 79 2907 933 511 380 304 21 0 683 829 47 176 301
83-84 LAL 67 2567 780 441 358 290 29 6 491 875 49 150 306
84-85 LAL 77 2781 899 504 464 391 37 7 476 968 25 113 305
85-86 LAL 72 2578 918 483 434 378 43 10 426 907 16 113 273
86-87 LAL 80 2904 1308 683 631 535 39 8 504 977 36 138 300
87-88 LAL 72 2637 996 490 489 417 56 11 449 858 13 114 269
88-89 LAL 77 2886 1137 579 563 513 188 59 607 988 22 138 312
89-90 LAL 79 2937 1138 546 637 567 276 106 522 907 34 132 289
90-91 LAL 79 2933 976 466 573 519 250 80 551 989 17 102 314
95-96 LAL 32 958 294 137 201 172 58 22 183 220 13 26 103
Totals 906 33245 11951 6211 5850 4960 1074 325 6559 10141 374 1724 3506
Personal Fouls (Disqualifications): 1979-80, 218 (1). 1980-81, 100 (0).
1981-82, 223 (1). 1982-83, 200 (1). 1983-84, 169 (1). 1984-85, 155 (0).
1985-86, 133 (0). 1986-87, 168 (0). 1987-88, 147 (0). 1988-89, 172 (0).
1989-90, 167 (1). 1990-91, 150 (0). 1995-96, 48 (0). Totals, 2050(5).
1995-96 Splits
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast
Pts
Total 32 29.9 .466 .856 .379 0.4 0.8 3.2 1.5(0) 1.3 5.7 6.9
14.6
Home 17 27.3 .497 .820 .419 0.4 1.0 2.9 1.5(0) 1.4 5.2 6.6
14.5
Road 15 32.9 .433 .891 .333 0.5 0.6 3.6 1.5(0) 1.1 6.3 7.1
14.7
0 Days Rest 6 31.8 .544 .955 .417 0.5 0.7 3.8 2.0(0) 1.3 7.3 8.0
18.2
1 Days Rest 15 31.4 .440 .847 .286 0.5 0.7 3.0 1.5(0) 1.5 5.7 6.9
15.6
2 Days Rest 2 35.5 .600 .833 .600 1.0 0.5 5.0 1.0(0) 1.0 5.5 4.0
21.5
3+ Days Rest 9 25.0 .403 .765 .462 0.1 1.1 2.8 1.3(0) 0.9 4.7 6.8
9.1
January 1 27.0 .500 .833 .000 0.0 2.0 4.0 5.0(0) 2.0 8.0 10.0
19.0
February 8 26.1 .485 .793 .357 0.5 1.1 2.5 0.8(0) 1.6 5.9 7.0
14.6
March 15 32.2 .486 .892 .400 0.3 0.7 3.7 1.7(0) 1.2 5.4 6.6
15.8
April 8 29.9 .391 .864 .412 0.5 0.5 2.9 1.4(0) 0.9 5.9 6.9
11.9
In wins 22 29.4 .490 .877 .306 0.4 1.0 3.1 1.4(0) 1.1 5.7 7.8
14.9
In losses 10 31.1 .422 .800 .500 0.5 0.5 3.5 1.8(0) 1.5 5.7 4.8
14.1
As Starter 9 38.6 .476 .915 .500 0.3 0.4 4.2 1.7(0) 1.1 7.2 6.7
19.1
Off Bench 23 26.6 .461 .823 .325 0.4 1.0 2.8 1.4(0) 1.3 5.1 7.0
12.9
As Start F 9 38.6 .476 .915 .500 0.3 0.4 4.2 1.7(0) 1.1 7.2 6.7
19.1
Tuesday 8 27.9 .393 .875 .400 0.6 1.0 2.8 1.3(0) 0.9 5.6 7.4
11.5
Wednesday 5 35.2 .510 .875 .455 0.6 0.8 3.8 2.2(0) 1.4 9.2 9.0
18.4
Thursday 3 34.3 .450 .833 .250 0.3 0.3 3.7 2.0(0) 1.7 5.3 5.3
17.7
Friday 7 28.6 .529 .906 .455 0.3 0.7 2.6 0.7(0) 1.3 4.6 7.3
15.4
Saturday 1 11.0 .500 --- --- 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0(0) 0.0 1.0 3.0
2.0
Sunday 8 30.6 .440 .810 .308 0.3 1.0 4.0 2.0(0) 1.5 5.4 5.8
15.1
vs. Div. 11 26.5 .462 .867 .200 0.2 0.7 2.8 1.6(0) 1.2 4.2 6.6
11.5
vs. Conf. 19 27.3 .450 .829 .257 0.5 0.8 3.2 1.5(0) 1.4 5.5 6.8
12.9
vs. Atl 2 40.5 .423 .667 .500 0.0 0.5 3.0 2.0(0) 1.0 10.0 11.0
15.5
vs. Cha 2 38.5 .563 .905 .333 1.0 0.0 4.0 1.0(0) 0.0 7.0 7.5
19.0
vs. Chi 1 32.0 .462 .500 .667 0.0 1.0 3.0 0.0(0) 2.0 3.0 3.0
15.0
vs. Cle 1 39.0 .615 .000 .600 0.0 0.0 5.0 3.0(0) 2.0 8.0 4.0
26.0
vs. Dal 1 31.0 .667 .900 .500 2.0 2.0 3.0 0.0(0) 3.0 8.0 11.0
30.0
vs. Den 2 29.5 .333 .800 .400 1.5 1.0 3.5 1.0(0) 1.5 8.5 7.0
15.0
vs. GS 3 29.0 .515 .889 .000 0.3 0.7 3.0 2.0(0) 1.3 4.7 8.3
16.7
vs. Hou 2 18.5 .417 .600 .000 0.0 1.0 4.0 2.0(0) 2.0 4.0 4.0
8.0
vs. LAC 1 1.0 --- --- --- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0(0) 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0
vs. Mia 1 39.0 .750 .000 --- 0.0 1.0 4.0 1.0(0) 1.0 9.0 9.0
27.0
vs. Mil 1 22.0 .750 .875 .000 0.0 1.0 2.0 2.0(0) 0.0 2.0 8.0
20.0
vs. Min 1 28.0 .400 .000 .000 2.0 0.0 4.0 3.0(0) 0.0 10.0 11.0
6.0
vs. NJ 1 31.0 .313 .875 .333 1.0 2.0 2.0 1.0(0) 3.0 9.0 8.0
18.0
vs. Orl 2 34.5 .421 .000 .000 0.5 1.5 4.0 2.0(0) 1.0 4.0 6.0
12.0
vs. Pho 2 20.0 .636 .000 .000 0.0 0.0 4.0 2.0(0) 1.0 3.5 5.0
10.0
vs. Por 2 30.5 .154 .750 .333 0.5 2.0 3.0 1.0(0) 1.0 4.0 9.0
5.5
vs. SA 1 41.0 .364 .833 .667 0.0 1.0 5.0 1.0(0) 2.0 9.0 7.0
15.0
vs. Sac 1 30.0 .500 .000 .500 0.0 1.0 5.0 1.0(0) 1.0 5.0 7.0
15.0
vs. Sea 2 36.5 .458 .778 .333 0.0 0.5 1.5 2.5(0) 2.0 6.0 6.5
15.5
vs. Tor 1 34.0 .417 .900 .000 0.0 0.0 5.0 2.0(0) 1.0 4.0 6.0
19.0
vs. Uta 1 31.0 .375 .833 .000 0.0 1.0 2.0 1.0(0) 2.0 7.0 6.0
21.0
vs. Was 1 15.0 .333 .000 .000 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0(0) 0.0 1.0 3.0
5.0
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast
Pts
Total 32 29.9 .466 .856 .379 0.4 0.8 3.2 1.5(0) 1.3 5.7 6.9
14.6
Career Highlights
1995: Announced on Jan. 29, 1996 his return to the Lakers after a 4
1/2 year retirement ... In his first game back on Jan. 30, was two
rebounds shy of a triple-double posting 19 points, 10 assists and
eight rebounds in 27 minutes ... Made his first start of the season in
a 104-93 loss to the Sonics on March 21... Served a three-game
suspension after bumping referee Scott Foster on April 14 vs. the
Suns, just shortly after criticizing teammate Nick Van Exel for
pushing a referee.
1994: Served as Laker Vice President and purchased a minority interest
in the team from Dr. Jerry Buss.
1993: Took over Laker coaching duties on March 27 after Randy Pfund
was fired and posted a 5-11 record.
1992: Played in preseason games for the Lakers but decided to forego
his comeback ... Some NBA players including Karl Malone were very
outspoken about their concern for Magic coming back to the league.
1991: Announced his retirement from basketball after revealing he was
infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS ... Still voted as an
All-Star starter and was named MVP of the game after posting 25
points, nine assists and five rebounds in 29 minutes of action ...
Joined Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar as the fifth Laker to have his jersey retired ... Played
on the U.S. Olympic team (the "Dream Team") that captured the gold
medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
1990: Surpassed Oscar Robertson to become the league's all-time leader
in assists with 9,888 on April 15 ... Played in his ninth NBA Finals,
but lost to the Bulls in five games.
1989: Named MVP for the second straight year and third team in four
years ... Earned All-Star MVP honors.
1988: Awarded the MVP of the regular season for the second time ...
Led the league in free throw percentage at 91.1 percent, the first
Laker to lead the NBA in that category ... Suffered a hamstring injury
in the NBA Finals and watched his Lakers fall to the Pistons in four
games.
1987: Averaged 12.6 assists and 19.9 points in the playoffs helping
the Lakers make good on Pat Riley's guarantee of a repeat title, and
became the first team to post back-to-back titles since the Celtics in
1968-69.
1986: Named MVP of the regular season and the NBA Finals becoming just
the fourth player in history to do so ... It also marked the first
time a player has won the Finals MVP award three times ... Led the
team in scoring for the first time averaging a career-high 23 .9
points per game, good for 10th in the league ... Helped the Lakers
defeat the Celtics in six games in the NBA Finals.
1985: Became the first NBA player in history to garner more than one
million All-Star Game votes ... Led the league in assists again.
1984: Helped the Lakers beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals in six
games ... Set a league record with an average of 17.0 assists in a
playoff series (vs. Portland).
1983: Averaged a franchise-high 13.1 assists per game ... Set an NBA
playoff record with 24 assists vs. Phoenix on May 15 ... Played in
another NBA Finals but lost to Boston in seven games.
1982: Selected to the All-NBA first team for the first time ... Led
the NBA in assists at 10.5 per game ... Swept by the Philadelphia
76ers in the NBA Finals despite his playoff averages of 17.9 points
and 12.8 assists per game.
1981: Joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the third player
in history to record 700 points, rebounds and assists in a single
season ... Averaged 17.4 points and 9.3 assists in the playoffs
helping the Lakers win the NBA championship, the first for first year
head coach Pat Riley and earning Johnson his second MVP Finals award
... Led the league in steals for the second straight season.
1980: Torn cartilage in his left knee forced him to miss 45 games ...
Led the league in steals and set a franchise record with 3.43 per
game.
1979: Became the first rookie in league history to be named MVP of the
NBA Finals after registering 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists
in the sixth game while starting at center for the injured Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar ... Started in the NBA All-Star Game and was runner-up to
Larry Bird for Rookie of the Year honors ... Became just the third
player ever to win back-to-back NCAA and NBA titles ... Unanimous
selection to the All-Rookie team.
College Highlights
Named Final Four MVP as a sophomore after leading Michigan State to
the NCAA Finals defeating Larry Bird and Indiana State in the title
game ... Led the Spartans to their first Big Ten title in 19 years
with a 25-5 record in his freshman season.
Personal
Nicknamed 'Magic' by a local sportswriter in high school after a
36-point, 18-rebound, 16-assist performance for Everett High School in
Lansing, Mich. ... Opened the Magic Johnson Theatre, a 12-screen
multiplex theatre in Los Angeles and Magic's Westland Plaza, a
shopping center in Las Vegas ... Has won a high school championship, a
college championship, five NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal
... Hosts the annual "Mid-summer Night's Magic" all-star game and
balck-tie dinner to benefit the United Negro College Fund.
nba.1170vitez.koja,
#=> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
#=> Game of Death (1978)
#=> Game of Death II (1977)
E svaka njemu čast za sve, ali da snimi 2. deo filma pre prvog, to
je nešto, bre! :)
sk
nba.1171kant,
Uz poruku je "season preview" po timovima za sezonu 96/97. (oko 3K po
timu - uključuje kratak pregled pred početak sezone, malo statistike i
raspored u predsezoni) i hronološki spisak transakcija u NBA od juna
zaključno sa 11. oktobrom.
preview.zipnba.1172kant,
Uz poruku su *.txt fajlovi sa podacima o timovima u atlanskoj diviziji.
Svaki fajl sadrži spisak igrača za sezonu 1996/97. sa osnovnim podacima
o igračima (mesto u timu, visina, težina, datum rođenja, koledž odnosno
zemlja odakle je došao i broj sezona u NBA), spisak trenera i istoriju
tima o kome se radi (navedene su titule, "penzionisani" brojevi dresova,
broj pobeda/poraza za svaku od sezona, detalji iz istorije kluba). U
sledećih par dana stići će isto ovo za ostale divizije.
atlantic.zipnba.1173kant,
Central division.
central.zipnba.1174kant,
Midwest division.
midwest.zipnba.1175kant,
Pacific division.
pacific.zipnba.1176junior,
Neki su tražili, Vlade nabavlja, ja ispunjavam.. :)
Jason Kidd
Point Guard
Height: 6-4
Weight: 212
Born: March 23,1973 in San Francisco, CA
College: California
Drafted: Selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round
(second pick overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft.
Career Averages
Rebounds
Yr Tm G Min FGA Pct FTA Pct 3PM Pct Blk St TO Off Tot Ast Pts
95 Dal 79 33.8 10.8 .385 3.5 .698 70 .272 0.3 1.9 3.2 1.9 5.4 7.7 11.7
96 Dal 81 37.5 16.0 .381 4.1 .692 133 .336 0.3 2.2 4.0 2.5 6.8 9.7 16.6
Totals 160 35.6 13.4 .383 3.8 .695 203 .311 0.3 2.0 3.6 2.2 6.1 8.7 14.2
Career Totals
Yr Tm G Min FGA FGM FTA FTM 3PA 3PM Reb Ast Blk St TO
94-95 Dal 79 2668 857 330 275 192 257 70 430 607 24 151 250
95-96 Dal 81 3034 1293 493 331 229 396 133 553 783 26 175 328
Totals 160 5702 2150 823 606 421 653 203 983 1390 50 326 578
Personal Fouls (Disqualifications): 1994-95, 146 (0). 1995-96, 155 (0).
Totals, 301(0).
1995-96 Splits
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 81 37.5 .381 .692 .336 0.3 2.2 4.0 1.9(0) 2.5 6.8 9.7 16.6
Home 41 38.4 .375 .694 .370 0.4 2.3 3.7 2.0(0) 2.4 6.6 10.2 16.6
Road 40 36.5 .388 .690 .298 0.3 2.0 4.4 1.8(0) 2.7 7.0 9.2 16.7
0 Days Rest 15 34.6 .360 .590 .242 0.2 1.7 5.0 1.9(0) 2.8 6.4 9.7 12.8
1 Days Rest 48 38.4 .374 .729 .346 0.4 2.0 3.7 1.9(0) 2.4 6.7 9.6 18.0
2 Days Rest 12 38.3 .384 .702 .364 0.3 2.8 3.8 2.3(0) 3.0 7.8 10.8 15.2
3+ Days Rest 6 35.8 .500 .536 .444 0.5 3.0 5.0 1.2(0) 1.7 6.7 8.2 18.2
November 13 35.2 .406 .621 .315 0.4 2.4 3.3 1.8(0) 2.2 7.1 8.5 15.0
December 13 37.0 .333 .543 .279 0.4 2.4 4.1 2.5(0) 1.9 5.5 9.5 11.6
January 14 40.3 .382 .763 .344 0.1 1.9 4.6 2.6(0) 2.9 8.1 11.2 19.3
February 14 39.0 .417 .724 .380 0.5 2.4 4.6 1.5(0) 2.2 6.2 10.7 20.2
March 17 34.9 .337 .686 .255 0.4 1.7 3.4 1.3(0) 3.1 6.6 7.8 15.4
April 10 39.2 .436 .719 .489 0.2 2.4 4.7 2.0(0) 2.6 7.7 11.0 18.7
In wins 26 39.2 .450 .717 .413 0.3 2.4 4.2 1.8(0) 2.5 7.8 11.0 21.5
In losses 55 36.7 .347 .667 .302 0.3 2.0 4.0 2.0(0) 2.5 6.4 9.0 14.3
As Starter 81 37.5 .381 .692 .336 0.3 2.2 4.0 1.9(0) 2.5 6.8 9.7 16.6
As Start G 81 37.5 .381 .692 .336 0.3 2.2 4.0 1.9(0) 2.5 6.8 9.7 16.6
Monday 6 35.8 .418 .750 .357 0.3 1.8 3.7 1.5(0) 2.5 5.8 9.8 18.8
Tuesday 19 38.2 .372 .750 .363 0.3 2.4 4.4 2.1(0) 2.5 7.2 9.2 16.1
Wednesday 4 37.3 .318 .667 .316 0.3 2.0 3.8 1.5(0) 2.0 6.8 8.8 14.5
Thursday 14 37.3 .437 .741 .387 0.4 2.5 3.6 1.8(0) 2.1 7.3 9.5 20.7
Friday 15 37.9 .381 .636 .259 0.3 2.3 3.9 1.8(0) 2.9 7.9 10.7 16.3
Saturday 13 38.2 .365 .636 .367 0.2 1.6 4.4 2.7(0) 2.5 5.7 10.2 14.4
Sunday 10 35.8 .340 .636 .235 0.5 2.1 4.1 1.4(0) 2.7 6.1 8.7 15.0
vs. Div. 24 37.9 .409 .717 .354 0.3 2.1 3.7 2.0(0) 2.5 6.6 10.5 18.6
vs. Conf. 52 38.0 .394 .686 .341 0.3 2.1 4.2 2.0(0) 2.5 7.1 10.4 17.4
vs. Atl 2 34.0 .320 .600 .250 0.0 2.0 4.5 2.5(0) 1.0 5.0 10.0 10.5
vs. Bos 2 37.5 .529 .667 .667 0.0 3.0 5.5 1.5(0) 2.0 5.5 11.0 26.0
vs. Cha 2 33.0 .423 .750 .400 0.0 1.5 5.0 2.0(0) 4.0 8.0 8.5 14.5
vs. Chi 1 47.0 .409 .556 .333 0.0 6.0 3.0 3.0(0) 8.0 15.0 11.0 25.0
vs. Cle 2 44.0 .308 .833 .250 0.0 1.0 4.0 2.0(0) 1.0 4.5 7.0 11.5
vs. Den 4 35.8 .519 .667 .333 0.0 2.5 2.8 3.0(0) 2.5 7.5 10.3 16.3
vs. Det 2 43.5 .238 .500 .286 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5(0) 4.0 9.0 10.0 13.0
vs. GS 4 34.5 .408 .625 .500 0.0 2.3 4.5 1.8(0) 3.0 5.8 12.0 13.8
vs. Hou 4 41.0 .368 .846 .222 0.5 2.0 3.5 2.5(0) 2.5 6.0 13.0 17.8
vs. Ind 2 36.5 .273 .500 .250 0.5 2.5 2.0 3.5(0) 2.5 6.5 8.5 12.5
vs. LAC 4 42.3 .427 .533 .370 0.0 2.3 5.0 1.8(0) 3.8 10.8 9.3 22.0
vs. LAL 4 36.0 .291 .000 .278 0.5 2.0 4.5 1.5(0) 2.5 7.5 11.0 9.3
vs. Mia 2 36.0 .478 .875 .600 1.0 2.0 5.0 1.5(0) 1.0 6.5 7.0 17.5
vs. Mil 2 33.5 .464 .000 .455 1.0 1.0 4.0 0.5(0) 0.5 2.0 8.0 16.5
vs. Min 4 39.3 .406 .545 .429 0.3 1.5 5.0 1.8(0) 3.0 5.5 9.5 16.8
vs. NJ 2 35.0 .400 .000 .429 0.0 4.5 3.0 2.0(0) 1.5 5.5 10.5 18.0
vs. NY 2 36.5 .308 .000 .273 1.0 1.0 7.5 1.0(0) 5.5 7.5 8.0 14.5
vs. Orl 2 32.5 .261 .857 .100 0.0 4.5 1.5 1.5(0) 2.0 7.0 9.5 12.5
vs. Phi 2 35.0 .257 .833 .286 0.5 2.0 4.0 1.5(0) 2.0 7.5 5.5 13.5
vs. Pho 4 43.0 .485 .786 .381 0.5 2.0 6.3 3.3(0) 1.3 6.8 10.8 24.0
vs. Por 4 30.0 .261 .750 .300 0.5 1.5 3.0 1.8(0) 1.5 5.8 8.8 8.3
vs. SA 4 38.8 .406 .684 .357 0.0 2.0 2.5 0.5(0) 2.5 8.8 10.8 18.5
vs. Sac 4 41.3 .343 .833 .235 0.5 2.5 5.3 2.0(0) 2.3 7.0 10.5 17.5
vs. Sea 4 40.0 .395 .500 .308 0.8 2.5 3.3 2.3(0) 3.8 8.8 10.5 19.8
vs. Tor 2 35.0 .438 .500 .182 0.0 3.0 4.5 1.5(0) 4.0 8.5 6.0 17.5
vs. Uta 4 37.0 .406 .733 .375 0.5 2.5 4.5 2.0(0) 1.3 4.0 11.0 22.5
vs. Van 4 35.8 .377 .750 .368 0.5 2.3 4.0 2.3(0) 3.0 8.0 8.5 20.0
vs. Was 2 32.5 .321 .000 .333 0.0 0.5 4.0 2.0(0) 1.0 2.0 5.0 11.0
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 81 37.5 .381 .692 .336 0.3 2.2 4.0 1.9(0) 2.5 6.8 9.7 16.6
1994-95 Splits
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Gam Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 79 33.8 .385 .698 .272 0.3 1.9 3.2 1.8(0) 1.9 5.4 7.7 11.7
Home 41 34.0 .343 .679 .220 0.3 2.0 3.1 2.0(0) 2.3 6.3 8.1 10.1
Road 38 33.6 .427 .719 .311 0.3 1.8 3.2 1.7(0) 1.5 4.5 7.2 13.4
0 Days Rest 21 34.3 .403 .697 .330 0.3 1.7 3.5 1.6(0) 2.0 5.3 7.4 13.0
1 Days Rest 32 33.2 .379 .718 .250 0.3 1.9 3.3 1.9(0) 1.8 5.0 7.9 11.9
2 Days Rest 20 35.3 .382 .719 .258 0.4 2.1 2.9 2.1(0) 2.1 6.3 7.8 11.3
3+ Days Rest 6 30.2 .362 .500 .091 0.3 2.2 2.3 2.0(0) 2.0 5.7 7.2 7.3
November 11 36.1 .350 .762 .154 0.2 2.0 2.4 2.2(0) 2.3 6.5 6.4 9.8
December 14 36.9 .338 .647 .103 0.4 2.7 3.8 2.5(0) 1.9 5.5 9.4 8.4
January 15 35.3 .411 .569 .280 0.1 1.9 3.1 1.8(0) 1.9 5.4 7.1 10.6
February 10 30.4 .422 .657 .261 0.5 1.8 2.9 1.9(0) 1.9 5.2 6.3 9.9
March 16 33.3 .417 .808 .267 0.5 1.4 3.2 1.3(0) 1.6 4.3 7.6 16.6
April 13 29.8 .361 .675 .391 0.2 1.7 3.5 1.5(0) 2.2 6.1 8.8 13.4
In wins 35 35.5 .399 .733 .322 0.3 1.9 3.2 2.0(0) 2.2 6.3 8.7 13.9
In losses 44 32.4 .372 .656 .232 0.3 1.9 3.1 1.7(0) 1.7 4.8 6.9 9.9
As Starter 79 33.8 .385 .698 .272 0.3 1.9 3.2 1.8(0) 1.9 5.4 7.7 11.7
As Start G 79 33.8 .385 .698 .272 0.3 1.9 3.2 1.8(0) 1.9 5.4 7.7 11.7
Monday 6 38.0 .455 .714 .391 0.5 3.2 4.2 2.0(0) 1.5 4.8 10.0 16.5
Tuesday 18 35.8 .354 .671 .267 0.6 2.2 2.3 2.2(0) 2.3 6.3 8.3 12.1
Wednesday 7 31.1 .453 .706 .294 0.1 1.6 3.3 2.0(0) 1.6 5.7 7.0 12.1
Thursday 12 33.0 .400 .786 .286 0.3 2.1 3.8 1.8(0) 1.9 4.7 7.3 11.0
Friday 14 32.2 .397 .721 .237 0.1 1.7 3.3 1.9(0) 2.2 5.3 6.9 10.3
Saturday 17 34.5 .330 .675 .212 0.2 1.5 3.2 1.8(0) 1.8 5.7 7.7 11.0
Sunday 5 28.8 .449 .667 .353 0.2 1.4 2.8 0.6(0) 1.0 4.2 6.6 11.6
vs. Div. 25 35.2 .357 .760 .345 0.3 1.9 3.2 1.8(0) 2.2 6.2 7.3 12.8
vs. Conf. 53 34.3 .379 .687 .293 0.3 2.0 3.2 1.9(0) 2.1 5.7 8.0 12.4
vs. Atl 1 34.0 .333 .000 .000 0.0 5.0 3.0 1.0(0) 4.0 5.0 6.0 10.0
vs. Bos 2 22.5 .308 .000 .000 0.0 1.5 4.0 2.5(0) 2.0 2.5 7.5 5.0
vs. Cha 2 35.0 .471 .667 .000 0.5 1.5 5.5 0.0(0) 1.5 5.0 8.5 9.0
vs. Chi 2 33.5 .400 .750 .500 0.0 0.5 3.0 1.0(0) 0.5 5.5 7.0 6.5
vs. Cle 2 40.5 .467 .818 .167 1.0 2.5 3.0 1.0(0) 2.0 5.5 8.5 19.0
vs. Den 5 35.4 .352 .714 .125 0.2 2.2 1.8 1.4(0) 2.2 7.0 5.8 10.0
vs. Det 2 32.5 .333 .667 .273 0.5 1.0 2.0 2.0(0) 2.0 5.0 7.0 12.5
vs. GS 4 38.0 .391 .737 .278 0.5 2.8 3.8 1.8(0) 2.8 6.8 11.8 17.3
vs. Hou 5 39.4 .333 .733 .464 0.4 2.6 3.4 2.6(0) 3.2 6.8 8.6 18.2
vs. Ind 2 37.5 .565 .750 .333 0.5 3.5 2.5 0.5(0) 2.0 5.0 9.5 15.5
vs. LAC 4 33.0 .404 .737 .235 0.0 1.3 2.5 1.5(0) 1.3 5.0 8.5 15.0
vs. LAL 4 34.0 .415 .429 .385 0.3 2.0 3.8 1.5(0) 2.0 5.8 8.8 10.5
vs. Mia 2 34.0 .259 .500 .083 0.5 1.5 1.5 1.5(0) 2.5 6.0 4.5 10.0
vs. Mil 1 24.0 .375 .000 .333 0.0 1.0 3.0 2.0(0) 1.0 5.0 9.0 9.0
vs. Min 4 31.3 .256 .684 .250 0.0 0.8 2.8 2.5(0) 2.8 6.8 7.5 9.3
vs. NJ 2 37.5 .313 .667 .000 0.0 2.5 3.5 3.0(0) 1.5 7.0 9.0 9.0
vs. NY 2 29.5 .500 .875 .333 0.0 0.0 3.0 2.0(0) 0.5 2.5 2.0 10.0
vs. Orl 2 28.0 .333 --- .333 0.0 2.0 4.5 2.5(0) 1.0 5.5 4.0 4.5
vs. Phi 2 36.0 .500 .750 .333 0.5 1.5 3.0 2.0(0) 2.5 6.5 8.0 16.5
vs. Pho 4 32.3 .390 .563 .167 0.5 2.5 4.8 2.8(0) 2.0 6.0 9.8 10.8
vs. Por 4 32.5 .500 .455 .125 0.8 2.5 2.5 3.3(0) 1.3 4.5 7.3 9.8
vs. SA 5 36.2 .447 .917 .333 0.8 2.4 3.6 1.2(0) 1.4 7.4 9.0 11.4
vs. Sac 4 37.3 .385 .375 .211 0.3 1.8 2.3 1.8(0) 2.0 4.3 6.5 11.8
vs. Sea 4 27.8 .355 .900 .286 0.0 2.0 3.3 2.0(0) 2.3 4.0 7.8 8.8
vs. Uta 6 33.3 .389 .800 .391 0.0 1.5 4.2 1.5(0) 1.7 3.7 6.0 14.2
vs. Was 2 29.0 .353 .500 .000 0.5 1.0 1.0 2.0(0) 1.0 4.0 8.5 6.5
Pre All-Star 44 35.4 .367 .659 .219 0.2 2.1 3.2 2.1(0) 2.0 5.7 7.5 9.5
Post All-Star35 31.7 .402 .736 .315 0.4 1.7 3.2 1.5(0) 1.9 5.1 7.9 14.5
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 79 33.8 .385 .698 .272 0.3 1.9 3.2 1.8(0) 1.9 5.4 7.7 11.7
Career Highlights
1995: Finished second in the league in assists with 9.7 per game ...
Posted back-to-back triple-doubles on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13 ... Voted to
start for the Western Conference All-Star team, became the first
Maverick to ever start in an All-Star game.
1994: Selected second overall in the 1994 draft by the Dallas
Mavericks behind Purdue's Glenn Robinson ... Named Co-Rookie of the
Year with Grant Hill ... Only unanimous selection to the All-Rookie
NBA first-team ... Led all rookies and tied for ninth in the league in
assists with 7.7 per game ... Led Mavericks and ranked sixth in the
league in steals with 1.91 per game ... Played in the inagural rookie
game during All-Star Weekend ... Named NBA Rookie of the Month for
March and NBA Player of the Week for the week of March 20 ... Ranks
fourth on the all-time impact rookies list helping the Mavericks
increase their wins by 23 games ... Only rookie in the NBA ranked in
the top 10 in two statistical categories ... Set a Maverick's rookie
record with 607 assists ... Led the NBA with four triple-doubles,
posting three of them in a week (April 5-11) ... Scored a career-high
38 points including a team record eight 3-pointers vs. Houston on
April 11 ... Fourth top rebounding guard in the NBA at 5.4 a game.
College Highlights
Consensus first team All-American as a sophomore when he led the
nation in assists with 9.1 ... Was the Pac-10 Player of the Year as a
sophomore ... Is the first California player and the first sophomore
ever to win the award ... Is the Golden Bears' career leader in steals
despite only playing two years of collegiate ball ... Set an NCAA
record for freshman steals in a season ... Became only the fifth
freshman ever to be named All-Pac 10.
Personal
Donated $46,100 to the West Dallas Community Church to purchase a
basketball floor upon signing with the Mavs, he made a similar
donation in East Oakland ... Founded the Jason Kidd Foundation with
proceeds from his fan club benefitting it.
nba.1177superhik,
=:> Neki su tražili, Vlade nabavlja, ja ispunjavam.. :)
Zahvali se čoveku :)
nba.1178sani.,
Bobedio MAJAMI MEDZIKSE :)))))))))
ps: veliki sam fan heat-a
:))))))
nba.1179drejk,
e kad ste vec tako dobri ako mozete nadjite neke podatke o Antoniju Mcdyessu
ili tako nekako... onaj sa dobrim odrazom znate ;))
aj hvala unapred
nba.1180junior,
> ako mozete nadjite neke podatke o Antoniju Mcdyessu
Kao što rekoh - vi tražite, Vlade nabavi, ja isporučujem :)
Antonio McDyess
Power Forward
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220
Born: September 7, 1974 in Quitman, MS
College: Alabama
Drafted: Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round
(second pick overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft.
Acquired: Traded by the Los Angeles Clippers with Randy Woods to
the Denver Nuggets for Brent Barry and Rodney Rogers on June 29,
1995.
Career Averages
Rebounds
Yr Tm G Min FGA Pct FTA Pct 3PM Pct Blk St TO Off Tot Ast Pts
96 Den 76 30.0 11.6 .485 3.2 .683 0 .000 1.5 0.7 2.0 3.0 7.5 1.0 13.4
Totals 76 30.0 11.6 .485 3.2 .683 0 .000 1.5 0.7 2.0 3.0 7.5 1.0 13.4
Career Totals
Yr Tm G Min FGA FGM FTA FTM 3PA 3PM Reb Ast Blk St TO
95-96 Den 76 2280 880 427 243 166 4 0 572 75 114 54 154
Totals 76 2280 880 427 243 166 4 0 572 75 114 54 154
Personal Fouls (Disqualifications): 1995-96, 250 (4). Totals, 250(4).
1995-96 Splits
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 76 30.0 .485 .683 .000 1.5 0.7 2.0 3.3(4) 3.0 7.5 1.0 13.4
Home 40 28.4 .488 .692 .000 1.8 0.7 1.9 3.3(4) 2.3 6.8 1.0 12.6
Road 36 31.8 .483 .673 .000 1.2 0.8 2.2 3.3(0) 3.8 8.4 1.0 14.3
0 Days Rest 19 30.6 .518 .789 .000 1.7 0.8 2.1 3.4(3) 3.4 7.9 1.0 15.3
1 Days Rest 31 29.5 .445 .648 .000 1.5 0.8 2.2 3.2(1) 2.7 6.7 1.0 12.5
2 Days Rest 20 31.9 .500 .618 .000 1.5 0.4 1.9 3.4(0) 3.7 9.1 1.1 13.9
3+ Days Rest 6 24.8 .547 .667 --- 0.7 1.0 1.5 3.2(0) 1.2 5.3 0.3 11.0
November 13 30.8 .445 .643 .000 1.5 0.9 2.2 3.8(1) 3.5 8.3 1.3 10.2
December 10 25.4 .471 .619 .000 1.7 1.1 1.8 3.0(1) 2.8 6.8 0.8 9.5
January 14 32.2 .538 .628 --- 1.6 0.6 2.1 3.4(0) 3.1 8.1 1.1 14.1
February 12 27.0 .512 .656 --- 1.0 0.8 1.8 3.3(0) 2.1 6.3 1.0 12.3
March 16 31.8 .506 .693 .000 1.3 0.5 2.2 2.6(1) 3.3 7.6 0.9 17.9
April 11 31.0 .418 .795 --- 2.1 0.4 2.0 3.8(1) 3.3 7.8 0.7 14.8
In wins 33 30.4 .490 .684 --- 2.0 0.6 2.1 3.5(2) 2.5 7.4 1.1 12.8
In losses 43 29.7 .482 .682 .000 1.1 0.8 2.0 3.2(2) 3.4 7.6 0.9 13.9
As Starter 75 30.1 .485 .685 .000 1.5 0.7 2.1 3.3(4) 3.0 7.5 1.0 13.5
Off Bench 1 23.0 .500 .500 --- 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0(0) 4.0 6.0 0.0 5.0
As Start F 68 30.4 .489 .682 .000 1.5 0.7 2.0 3.3(4) 2.9 7.5 1.0 13.6
As Start C 7 27.3 .446 .714 --- 1.6 0.3 2.4 3.7(0) 3.7 8.3 0.9 12.7
Monday 5 25.6 .491 .808 --- 1.2 0.4 1.2 3.2(0) 2.2 5.4 0.8 15.4
Tuesday 14 28.8 .466 .786 .000 1.9 0.4 1.4 3.3(1) 2.3 6.5 1.1 13.2
Wednesday 7 35.7 .554 .676 .000 1.0 1.0 3.1 3.9(0) 3.7 9.1 0.9 17.9
Thursday 14 29.9 .473 .744 --- 1.2 0.9 2.2 3.3(0) 4.1 8.1 0.9 14.9
Friday 12 28.1 .509 .471 .000 1.4 0.5 2.1 2.7(1) 2.3 6.4 1.1 10.5
Saturday 14 28.4 .453 .529 --- 1.7 1.2 2.0 3.4(2) 2.8 7.6 1.0 9.6
Sunday 10 34.6 .486 .660 .000 1.6 0.4 2.3 3.5(0) 3.5 9.2 1.1 16.5
vs. Div. 23 29.0 .444 .585 --- 1.6 0.7 2.3 3.3(1) 3.3 7.5 1.0 12.1
vs. Conf. 50 29.8 .437 .682 .000 1.5 0.7 2.1 3.3(2) 3.1 7.4 0.9 12.3
vs. Atl 1 40.0 .733 --- --- 1.0 0.0 0.0 5.0(0) 3.0 10.0 3.0 22.0
vs. Bos 2 22.5 .333 --- --- 1.0 0.0 1.0 3.0(0) 0.0 4.0 1.5 5.0
vs. Cha 2 30.0 .652 .875 --- 1.0 0.0 1.0 5.0(1) 2.5 6.5 1.0 18.5
vs. Chi 2 36.0 .643 .333 --- 0.0 0.0 2.5 2.0(0) 3.0 10.0 0.0 19.0
vs. Cle 1 29.0 .714 --- --- 2.0 0.0 2.0 1.0(0) 1.0 8.0 1.0 10.0
vs. Dal 4 28.0 .434 .286 --- 1.8 0.8 3.0 3.0(0) 4.3 9.3 0.8 12.0
vs. Det 2 31.0 .538 .250 --- 0.5 2.0 2.5 4.5(0) 4.0 8.5 2.5 15.0
vs. GS 3 30.0 .314 .889 .000 0.3 0.3 2.3 2.3(0) 2.3 7.7 0.3 10.0
vs. Hou 4 33.8 .533 .600 --- 2.3 0.8 3.0 3.5(0) 4.0 10.3 0.8 19.0
vs. Ind 1 38.0 .563 .750 --- 2.0 0.0 1.0 4.0(0) 5.0 10.0 0.0 21.0
vs. LAC 4 27.8 .450 .667 --- 1.0 1.3 2.3 2.5(0) 3.5 7.3 0.5 11.0
vs. LAL 4 28.3 .457 .571 --- 2.8 0.5 1.3 3.0(0) 1.8 4.3 0.5 12.5
vs. Mia 2 32.0 .593 .667 --- 3.0 2.0 2.0 5.0(0) 4.0 8.0 1.0 17.0
vs. Mil 2 29.0 .611 .500 --- 1.5 1.0 0.5 3.5(0) 2.5 5.5 1.5 12.0
vs. Min 4 29.3 .422 .833 --- 1.8 0.5 1.3 3.3(0) 2.5 7.3 1.3 10.8
vs. NJ 2 39.0 .564 .889 .000 1.5 0.5 2.0 2.5(0) 6.0 12.5 1.5 26.0
vs. NY 1 21.0 .400 --- .000 1.0 1.0 2.0 0.0(0) 1.0 3.0 1.0 4.0
vs. Orl 2 28.0 .481 .000 --- 1.0 0.5 4.5 3.0(0) 1.0 6.0 1.5 13.5
vs. Phi 2 14.5 .692 --- --- 2.0 0.5 0.0 4.0(1) 3.5 8.0 0.5 9.0
vs. Pho 4 32.8 .349 .636 --- 2.3 0.8 2.3 3.0(0) 3.0 8.0 1.0 9.3
vs. Por 4 24.5 .590 .857 --- 1.5 0.5 1.0 4.8(1) 2.0 5.5 1.0 14.5
vs. SA 3 21.7 .361 .800 --- 1.3 0.3 1.0 3.0(0) 3.0 5.3 0.3 10.0
vs. Sac 4 33.0 .347 .650 --- 0.8 0.8 1.3 3.8(0) 4.3 8.5 2.0 11.8
vs. Sea 4 36.5 .500 .857 .000 1.8 1.3 3.8 3.5(0) 4.0 10.5 0.8 18.0
vs. Tor 2 34.5 .640 .846 --- 2.0 0.5 1.5 2.5(0) 1.5 6.5 1.0 21.5
vs. Uta 4 29.5 .438 .333 --- 1.5 1.3 2.3 4.0(1) 2.3 6.3 1.5 7.5
vs. Van 4 30.3 .432 .619 --- 0.8 0.5 2.8 3.3(0) 3.8 6.3 1.0 12.8
vs. Was 2 35.0 .462 .714 --- 2.0 1.0 4.0 2.0(0) 3.0 9.0 0.0 17.0
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 76 30.0 .485 .683 .000 1.5 0.7 2.0 3.3(4) 3.0 7.5 1.0 13.4
Career Highlights
1995: Drafted with the second pick overall by the Clippers ... Traded
to Denver with Randy Woods for Brent Barry and Rodney Rogers from the
Clippers on June 29, 1995.
College Highlights
Led team in scoring with 13.9 points and rebounding with 10.2 per game
as a sophomore ... Recorded 26 double-doubles in two seasons ...
All-SEC second team honors as a sophomore and All-SEC third team and
third team Freshman All-American honors as a freshman ... Averaged
30.5 points and 18.0 rebounds in two NCAA Tournament games ...
Averaged 11.4 points and 8.1 rebounds as a freshman ... Led the team
in rebounding and blocked shots ... Wore a protective mask in the
first 18 games of the season after suffering a broken right cheekbone
in a preseason practice ... Left Alabama after his sophomore season.
Personal
Raised in Quitman, Miss., a town of 2,736.
nba.1181drejk,
ovaj VLADA JE KRALJ, aj salji onda i o Detlefu Shrempfu..
CARE
nba.1182djcorto,
> ovaj VLADA JE KRALJ, aj salji onda i o Detlefu Shrempfu..
Bese www.nba.com ? :)
nba.1184drejk,
sta je bre ponistio moderator??? djcorto, salji mi na mail ovo sto si hteo
nba.1185stefan,
> sta je bre ponistio moderator??? djcorto, salji mi na mail ovo sto si hteo
U poruci broj 4.1182 može pročitati šta je bilo u poništenoj poruci.
Nadam se da ćeš sada uz pomoć deduktivne metode provaliti zašto je dotična
poruka poništena.
nba.1186pertla,
Na koje e-mail adrese mogu da se postavljaju
pitanja za emisiju NBA Action?
nba.1187stealth,
Žarko Paspalj je napustio Atlanta Hawks-e i karijeru nastavlja u
Pari-sen-Žermenu.
nba.1188schef,
Počinje danas. :)
nba.1189seki,
Jel' bi neko mogao da posalje spisak utakmica koje ce prenositi BK
Telecom?
Ognjen
nba.1190rkovacevic,
POČELO JE POČELO! :))
NBA rezultati od 1.11.1996.
scores.txtnba.1191seki,
Lepa vest za sve nas, ljubitelje NBA basketa:
BK Telecom ce u sledecih 25 nedelja vrsiti prenose utakmica.
Prema tekstu iz Politike od cetvrtka 31.10, "jedan susret nedeljno ce biti
direktno prenosen u ranim jutarnjim casovima po jugoslovenskom vremenu, a bice
emitovan snimak u 22 casa istog dana. Tokom plej-ofa prenosice se dve utakmice
sedmicno, dok ce sve utakmice velikog finala biti direktno prenosene."
Raspored prenosa:
Majami-Cikago (7.11)
Hjuston-L.A Lejkers (13.11)
Sarlot-Njujork (21.11)
Hjuston-Portland (27.11)
Njujork-Majami (4.12)
L.A Lejkers-Orlando (7.12)
Cikago-L.A Lejkers (18.12)
Majami-Orlando (27.12)
San Antonio-Juta (3.1)
Sijetl-Majami (8.1)
Majami-Vasington (14.1)
Cikago-Njujork (22.1)
Majami-Feniks (28.1)
"All Star" mec (10.2)
Majami-Detroit (12.2)
L.A Lejkers-Cikago (16.2)
Orlando-Portland (20.2)
Cikago-Portland (25.2)
Majami-Vasington (7.3)
L.A Klipers-Golden Stejt (11.3)
Cikago-Sijetl (19.3)
Orlando-L.A Lejkers (23.3)
Vasington-Cikago (4.4)
Njujork-Cikago (11.4)
Majami-Cikago (17.4)
nba.1192rkovacevic,
NBA Scoreboard
November 2, 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home teams are on the bottom
Detroit Pistons 90 Final
Atlanta Hawks 78
Toronto Raptors 98 Final
Charlotte Hornets 109
//Divac: 32min 9po 11sk 4as 3bl
Miami Heat 97 Final
Indiana Pacers 95
//Danilović: 34min 15po 1sk 1as
Cleveland Cavaliers 98 Final in 1st OT
Washington Bullets 96
Philadelphia 76ers 86 Final
Chicago Bulls 115
Sacramento Kings 107 Final
Dallas Mavericks 94
Boston Celtics 102 Final
Milwaukee Bucks 124
Houston Rockets 110 Final
Phoenix Suns 95
Portland Trailblazers 93 Final
Seattle Supersonics 104
//Đorđević na listi povređenih
Utah Jazz 95 Final
Los Angeles Clippers 90
nba.1193junior,
> Na koje e-mail adrese mogu da se postavljaju
> pitanja za emisiju NBA Action?
Idi http://www.nba.com i potraži pitanja posetilaca. Tamo ćeš
i dobiti mogućnost pretplate na mailing listu i razne druge
stvari.
nba.1194junior,
Vi ste to tražili .. :)
Detlef Schrempf
Forward/Center
Height: 6-10
Weight: 235
Born: January 21, 1963 in Leverkusen, Germany
College: Washington
Drafted: Selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round
(eighth pick overall) of the 1985 NBA Draft.
Acquired: Traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Seattle SuperSonics
for Derrick McKey and Gerald Paddio on Nov. 1, 1993.
Career Averages
Rebounds
Yr Tm G Min FGA Pct FTA Pct 3PM Pct Blk St TO Off Tot Ast Pts
86 Dal 64 15.1 4.9 .451 2.4 .724 3 .429 0.2 0.4 1.3 1.1 3.1 1.4 6.2
87 Dal 81 21.1 6.9 .472 3.2 .742 33 .478 0.2 0.6 1.4 1.1 3.7 2.0 9.3
88 Dal 82 19.4 6.6 .456 3.2 .756 5 .156 0.4 0.5 1.3 1.2 3.4 1.9 8.5
89 Dal 37 22.8 7.1 .426 4.4 .789 2 .125 0.2 0.6 1.5 1.5 4.5 2.3 9.5
.. Ind 32 31.4 9.8 .514 5.9 .772 5 .263 0.3 0.9 2.4 2.2 7.2 2.9 14.8
Season 69 26.8 8.4 .474 5.1 .780 7 .200 0.3 0.8 1.9 1.8 5.7 2.6 12.0
90 Ind 78 33.0 10.5 .516 6.3 .820 17 .354 0.2 0.8 2.3 1.9 7.9 3.2 16.2
91 Ind 82 32.1 10.1 .520 6.6 .818 15 .375 0.3 0.7 2.1 2.2 8.0 3.7 16.1
92 Ind 80 32.6 11.6 .536 5.5 .828 23 .324 0.5 0.8 2.4 2.5 9.6 3.9 17.3
93 Ind 82 37.8 13.2 .476 8.0 .804 8 .154 0.3 1.0 3.0 2.6 9.5 6.0 19.1
94 Sea 81 33.7 11.1 .493 4.8 .769 22 .324 0.1 0.9 2.1 1.8 5.6 3.4 15.0
95 Sea 82 35.2 12.2 .523 6.4 .839 93 .514 0.4 1.1 2.1 1.6 6.2 3.8 19.2
96 Sea 63 34.9 11.7 .486 5.9 .776 73 .408 0.1 0.9 2.3 1.2 5.2 4.4 17.1
Totals 844 29.4 9.8 .497 5.3 .797 299 .382 0.3 0.8 2.0 1.7 6.3 3.3 14.3
Career Totals
Yr Tm G Min FGA FGM FTA FTM 3PA 3PM Reb Ast Blk St TO
85-86 Dal 64 969 315 142 152 110 7 3 198 88 10 23 84
86-87 Dal 81 1711 561 265 260 193 69 33 303 161 16 50 110
87-88 Dal 82 1587 539 246 266 201 32 5 279 159 32 42 108
88-89 Dal 37 845 263 112 161 127 16 2 166 86 9 24 56
..... Ind 32 1005 315 162 189 146 19 5 229 93 10 29 77
...Season 69 1850 578 274 350 273 35 7 395 179 19 53 133
89-90 Ind 78 2573 822 424 490 402 48 17 620 247 16 59 180
90-91 Ind 82 2632 831 432 539 441 40 15 660 301 22 58 175
91-92 Ind 80 2605 925 496 441 365 71 23 770 312 37 62 191
92-93 Ind 82 3098 1085 517 653 525 52 8 780 493 27 79 243
93-94 Sea 81 2728 903 445 390 300 68 22 454 275 9 73 173
94-95 Sea 82 2886 997 521 521 437 181 93 508 310 35 93 176
95-96 Sea 63 2200 740 360 370 287 179 73 328 276 8 56 146
Totals 844 24839 8296 4122 4432 3534 782 299 5295 2801 231 648 1719
Personal Fouls (Disqualifications): 1985-86, 166 (1). 1986-87, 224 (2).
1987-88, 189 (0). 1988-89, 220 (3). 1989-90, 271 (6). 1990-91, 262 (3).
1991-92, 286 (4). 1992-93, 305 (3). 1993-94, 273 (3). 1994-95, 252 (0).
1995-96, 179 (0). Totals, 2627(25).
1995-96 Splits
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 63 34.9 .486 .776 .408 0.1 0.9 2.3 2.8(0) 1.2 5.2 4.4 17.1
Home 32 32.9 .499 .743 .440 0.1 0.8 1.9 2.8(0) 0.9 5.5 4.8 16.1
Road 31 37.0 .476 .807 .379 0.2 1.0 2.8 2.9(0) 1.4 4.9 3.9 18.2
0 Days Rest 19 34.6 .520 .832 .415 0.2 0.9 2.1 2.6(0) 1.5 5.9 4.2 17.7
1 Days Rest 26 35.0 .474 .788 .408 0.1 0.9 2.5 3.0(0) 1.2 4.8 4.5 17.2
2 Days Rest 14 36.6 .471 .689 .422 0.1 0.9 2.4 2.7(0) 0.9 5.6 5.1 17.4
3+ Days Rest 4 29.8 .463 .789 .200 0.3 0.8 2.3 3.5(0) 0.5 3.3 2.3 13.5
November 15 37.7 .505 .771 .435 0.3 0.9 2.0 3.1(0) 1.3 5.6 3.7 19.1
December 4 32.0 .610 .947 .600 0.3 1.3 3.0 3.5(0) 0.8 4.8 4.3 17.8
January 5 25.0 .439 .750 .455 0.2 1.2 2.4 2.4(0) 0.8 4.2 2.6 10.6
February 12 33.2 .449 .716 .310 0.0 1.2 2.3 3.0(0) 1.1 5.1 5.1 15.8
March 16 37.1 .487 .778 .413 0.1 0.8 1.8 2.4(0) 1.1 5.3 4.7 18.1
April 11 35.5 .477 .797 .405 0.0 0.5 3.3 2.8(0) 1.5 5.3 4.9 17.5
In wins 50 34.5 .488 .783 .409 0.1 0.9 2.1 2.8(0) 1.1 5.1 4.6 16.6
In losses 13 36.5 .483 .750 .404 0.2 0.8 3.0 3.2(0) 1.4 5.5 3.7 19.2
As Starter 60 35.6 .490 .773 .405 0.1 0.9 2.3 2.9(0) 1.2 5.3 4.5 17.6
Off Bench 3 21.0 .368 .875 .500 0.0 1.3 2.3 2.0(0) 0.7 3.3 1.7 8.0
As Start F 59 35.6 .491 .770 .400 0.1 0.9 2.3 2.9(0) 1.2 5.4 4.5 17.5
As Start C 1 37.0 .417 .900 .667 0.0 0.0 2.0 2.0(0) 0.0 2.0 4.0 21.0
Monday 5 34.6 .436 .778 .474 0.2 1.4 2.8 2.6(0) 0.6 4.2 5.0 15.6
Tuesday 12 36.6 .483 .703 .400 0.0 1.0 1.8 2.7(0) 1.3 6.2 4.7 17.5
Wednesday 12 32.3 .536 .776 .378 0.1 0.8 2.1 2.9(0) 1.6 5.6 3.8 18.0
Thursday 3 32.7 .415 .000 .143 0.0 0.3 3.3 3.7(0) 1.3 6.0 4.7 15.0
Friday 13 36.5 .516 .790 .457 0.2 1.1 2.7 2.9(0) 1.1 4.8 4.2 18.6
Saturday 12 34.1 .468 .800 .455 0.3 0.6 1.8 2.9(0) 0.9 4.9 4.5 16.4
Sunday 6 36.7 .444 .774 .308 0.0 1.0 3.0 2.5(0) 1.2 4.5 4.3 15.3
vs. Div. 21 35.5 .424 .815 .286 0.1 1.3 2.8 3.1(0) 1.5 5.3 4.1 14.6
vs. Conf. 43 34.6 .481 .801 .379 0.1 1.0 2.7 2.9(0) 1.2 4.8 4.3 16.6
vs. Atl 1 28.0 .636 .600 .600 0.0 2.0 0.0 1.0(0) 2.0 4.0 7.0 20.0
vs. Bos 1 37.0 .417 .900 .667 0.0 0.0 2.0 2.0(0) 0.0 2.0 4.0 21.0
vs. Cha 2 33.0 .579 .889 .250 0.0 0.5 1.0 3.5(0) 0.5 5.0 3.5 16.0
vs. Chi 1 37.0 .364 .600 .000 0.0 0.0 3.0 3.0(0) 1.0 8.0 6.0 11.0
vs. Cle 1 47.0 .471 .375 .600 0.0 1.0 2.0 1.0(0) 1.0 8.0 6.0 22.0
vs. Dal 2 31.0 .433 .714 .167 0.0 1.0 2.5 3.5(0) 1.0 5.0 6.0 16.0
vs. Den 3 27.7 .621 .833 .571 0.0 0.3 1.7 3.3(0) 2.0 4.7 2.0 18.3
vs. Det 2 34.0 .484 .600 .444 0.0 0.5 0.5 3.5(0) 2.0 7.5 3.5 18.5
vs. GS 2 34.0 .500 .000 .500 0.0 1.5 3.5 2.0(0) 1.5 6.0 4.5 16.5
vs. Hou 4 36.3 .378 .714 .231 0.0 0.5 3.0 3.3(0) 0.5 5.0 7.0 14.3
vs. Ind 2 38.5 .667 .647 .000 0.5 1.5 1.0 2.5(0) 0.0 5.0 4.0 19.0
vs. LAC 4 33.5 .395 .762 .222 0.0 2.3 3.0 1.8(0) 1.0 4.0 3.0 12.0
vs. LAL 4 38.5 .365 .857 .200 0.3 0.5 3.3 4.0(0) 1.5 6.8 4.0 16.3
vs. Mil 1 32.0 .571 .833 .500 0.0 2.0 5.0 3.0(0) 0.0 5.0 5.0 14.0
vs. Min 4 33.5 .660 .846 .444 0.3 1.0 2.3 1.5(0) 1.0 3.8 3.5 19.3
vs. NJ 2 36.5 .615 .800 .500 0.5 0.5 1.5 3.5(0) 2.0 9.5 3.0 23.0
vs. NY 1 37.0 .438 .833 .714 0.0 0.0 3.0 2.0(0) 1.0 8.0 6.0 24.0
vs. Orl 1 39.0 .538 .417 .500 0.0 0.0 1.0 2.0(0) 1.0 5.0 5.0 20.0
vs. Phi 2 33.0 .435 .000 .200 0.0 0.0 0.5 3.0(0) 1.0 4.5 8.0 13.0
vs. Pho 3 40.7 .410 .588 .333 0.0 1.7 1.7 3.7(0) 2.3 6.7 5.3 14.7
vs. Por 4 35.5 .447 .762 .400 0.5 0.8 3.5 3.5(0) 1.0 5.5 5.0 15.5
vs. SA 3 40.3 .535 .650 .462 0.0 1.3 3.3 2.7(0) 0.7 6.3 5.3 21.7
vs. Sac 4 31.3 .486 .950 .286 0.0 1.5 2.0 3.5(0) 1.8 3.5 3.3 13.8
vs. Tor 2 33.0 .458 .857 .333 0.0 0.5 2.5 3.5(0) 1.5 4.5 3.0 17.5
vs. Uta 4 34.8 .553 .893 .600 0.5 0.3 2.3 2.3(0) 0.5 2.5 3.0 21.5
vs. Van 2 30.0 .522 .875 .750 0.0 0.5 2.5 2.0(0) 1.0 4.5 5.5 17.0
vs. Was 1 38.0 .294 .833 .200 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0(0) 2.0 8.0 2.0 21.0
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 63 34.9 .486 .776 .408 0.1 0.9 2.3 2.8(0) 1.2 5.2 4.4 17.1
1994-95 Splits
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 82 35.2 .523 .839 .514 0.4 1.1 2.1 3.1(0) 1.6 6.2 3.8 19.2
Home 41 35.0 .545 .838 .523 0.4 1.3 2.3 3.2(0) 1.4 6.1 4.0 19.5
Road 41 35.4 .503 .839 .505 0.4 1.0 2.0 3.0(0) 1.9 6.2 3.5 18.8
0 Days Rest 18 34.6 .517 .850 .514 0.3 1.1 1.8 3.1(0) 1.6 5.4 4.3 18.4
1 Days Rest 45 35.8 .518 .828 .487 0.5 1.3 2.2 3.0(0) 1.6 6.1 3.6 20.0
2 Days Rest 13 33.7 .547 .855 .652 0.4 0.8 2.5 3.2(0) 1.6 6.5 3.6 17.2
3+ Days Rest 6 36.0 .527 .872 .500 0.2 0.8 1.8 3.5(0) 2.7 8.5 3.5 19.3
November 14 35.0 .500 .819 .333 0.5 1.4 2.1 3.2(0) 1.6 7.1 2.5 16.4
December 13 33.8 .536 .896 .533 0.6 0.9 2.3 2.8(0) 1.8 6.0 4.1 17.5
January 13 35.6 .525 .850 .652 0.6 1.4 2.0 3.0(0) 2.2 7.2 2.9 20.8
February 13 36.0 .522 .760 .636 0.4 1.5 1.9 3.5(0) 1.4 5.8 5.1 20.2
March 17 35.9 .554 .854 .527 0.2 0.8 2.7 3.2(0) 1.4 5.5 4.4 20.8
April 12 34.7 .487 .873 .372 0.3 0.9 1.6 2.8(0) 1.5 5.7 3.7 19.2
In wins 57 33.9 .552 .858 .537 0.5 1.2 2.0 2.9(0) 1.6 6.1 3.6 19.7
In losses 25 38.2 .463 .789 .467 0.4 1.0 2.5 3.5(0) 1.8 6.5 4.1 17.9
As Starter 82 35.2 .523 .839 .514 0.4 1.1 2.1 3.1(0) 1.6 6.2 3.8 19.2
As Start G 5 34.4 .538 .880 .357 0.0 1.0 1.4 3.2(0) 1.4 5.6 3.2 19.4
As Start F 77 35.2 .521 .837 .527 0.5 1.1 2.2 3.1(0) 1.7 6.2 3.8 19.2
Monday 8 37.3 .538 .833 .571 0.5 1.0 2.1 3.1(0) 1.5 6.1 5.4 20.5
Tuesday 15 33.3 .497 .831 .469 0.3 0.5 1.7 3.1(0) 2.0 7.7 3.4 17.1
Wednesday 11 34.3 .548 .792 .571 0.5 1.4 1.5 2.9(0) 1.0 5.6 3.2 17.3
Thursday 15 36.5 .522 .873 .486 0.4 1.5 2.5 3.3(0) 1.9 5.5 3.9 21.0
Friday 12 37.7 .506 .778 .643 0.6 1.3 2.3 3.3(0) 1.6 6.3 4.4 20.9
Saturday 13 34.4 .564 .864 .435 0.3 1.4 2.6 2.9(0) 2.1 6.9 3.4 19.5
Sunday 8 33.1 .482 .871 .421 0.4 1.0 2.3 2.8(0) 1.0 4.3 3.1 17.8
vs. Div. 30 36.0 .525 .824 .450 0.3 1.1 2.4 3.2(0) 2.0 6.2 4.2 20.2
vs. Conf. 54 35.9 .521 .826 .432 0.4 1.3 2.1 3.1(0) 1.8 6.5 3.8 19.6
vs. Atl 2 32.0 .474 .750 .500 0.0 0.0 1.5 3.0(0) 0.5 4.0 3.5 11.5
vs. Bos 2 28.0 .630 .800 .667 0.5 0.0 1.0 2.5(0) 2.0 4.5 5.0 21.0
vs. Cha 2 41.0 .579 .909 .750 0.0 1.0 2.0 4.5(0) 0.0 3.0 5.0 19.0
vs. Chi 2 42.0 .455 .867 .000 0.5 2.0 2.0 3.5(0) 1.0 4.0 5.5 23.5
vs. Cle 2 30.5 .600 .818 .667 0.5 1.0 1.0 2.0(0) 0.5 4.5 3.5 20.5
vs. Dal 4 33.5 .574 .857 .429 0.3 1.5 1.8 2.5(0) 1.5 5.5 3.8 20.3
vs. Den 4 37.5 .591 .813 .615 1.3 2.0 2.3 2.3(0) 1.3 8.0 4.5 21.5
vs. Det 2 30.5 .706 .909 .000 0.0 0.5 3.0 2.0(0) 3.0 6.0 6.5 19.5
vs. GS 5 39.4 .610 .861 .500 0.0 1.2 1.6 3.6(0) 3.8 10.0 3.6 26.2
vs. Hou 4 34.5 .488 .867 .375 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0(0) 1.0 7.0 2.0 17.3
vs. Ind 2 36.5 .632 .786 .000 1.0 0.5 2.5 3.5(0) 2.0 9.5 3.0 18.0
vs. LAC 5 32.2 .623 .826 .500 0.4 1.4 2.2 2.8(0) 1.4 6.0 3.4 17.2
vs. LAL 5 34.8 .552 .763 .600 0.6 1.0 3.6 3.0(0) 2.0 6.6 3.6 21.8
vs. Mia 2 30.5 .444 .950 .500 0.0 1.0 2.0 2.5(0) 1.0 3.5 4.0 19.0
vs. Mil 2 30.0 .421 .778 .500 0.5 1.5 2.5 4.0(0) 2.0 3.5 2.0 12.5
vs. Min 4 33.8 .600 .778 .615 0.8 1.5 1.0 2.5(0) 2.3 5.8 3.3 22.0
vs. NJ 2 33.0 .423 .800 .000 0.5 0.5 3.0 3.5(0) 3.0 11.0 0.5 13.5
vs. NY 2 38.5 .344 .842 .000 0.0 2.0 5.0 4.0(0) 1.0 7.0 2.5 19.0
vs. Orl 2 27.0 .650 .000 .000 1.0 0.5 2.0 2.0(0) 1.5 5.0 3.0 16.5
vs. Phi 2 40.0 .520 .941 .800 1.5 1.0 1.5 2.5(0) 0.5 6.5 3.0 23.0
vs. Pho 5 37.2 .400 .923 .333 0.0 0.4 2.2 3.8(0) 1.4 6.0 3.4 17.0
vs. Por 5 36.2 .453 .872 .357 0.4 1.2 2.4 3.4(0) 1.2 3.6 4.4 19.4
vs. SA 4 37.5 .462 .760 .111 0.8 1.0 2.0 4.0(0) 1.5 8.8 3.8 17.0
vs. Sac 5 36.2 .522 .710 .571 0.6 1.2 2.2 2.6(0) 2.2 5.2 6.6 19.6
vs. Uta 4 37.5 .314 .857 .125 0.3 2.3 1.5 3.5(0) 2.0 6.5 3.0 14.8
vs. Was 2 35.0 .625 .875 .625 0.0 0.5 2.5 3.0(0) 0.5 5.5 5.0 21.0
Pre All-Star 45 34.8 .517 .849 .542 0.5 1.2 2.1 3.0(0) 1.8 6.7 3.3 18.2
Post All-Star37 35.6 .529 .827 .500 0.3 1.0 2.2 3.1(0) 1.5 5.5 4.3 20.4
--Shooting-- Rebounds
Per Game Avg. G Min FG% FT% 3P% Blk St TO PF(DQ) Off Tot Ast Pts
Total 82 35.2 .523 .839 .514 0.4 1.1 2.1 3.1(0) 1.6 6.2 3.8 19.2
Career Highlights
1994: Named to the All-NBA third team...Ranked second in the league in
3-point accuracy at 51.4 percent...Shot 52.3 percent from the field,
17th in the league, and 83.9 from the free throw line, 25th in the
league...Played on the 1995 Western Conference All-Star
Team...Averaged 19.2 points per game , second on the Sonics and 22nd
in the NBA...Also second in rebounding and third in assists on
team...Registered 11 double-doubles...Led the Sonics in scoring in the
playoffs averaging 18.8 per game.
1993: Traded by Indiana to the Sonics for Derrick McKey and Gerald
Paddio on Nov. 1 ... The trade sent Schrempf back to the area he calls
home after playing college ball for the University of Washington in
Seattle and high school ball for Centralia (Wash.) High ... Played in
81 games for the Sonics ... Averaged 15.0 points, third most on the
team ... Pulled down 454 rebounds, his lowest total since 1988-89 ...
The Sonics were 10-1 when he scored at least 20 points ... Averaged a
team-leading 18.6 points in five playoff games ... Shot 52 percent
from the floor in the playoffs.
1992: His fourth full season with the Pacers ... Set a career high by
averaging 19.1 points ... Named to the Eastern Conference All-Star
team ... Pulled down 9.5 rebounds ... Notched four triple-doubles ...
Averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 assists in the playoffs.
1991: Averaged 17.3 points in 80 regular-season appearances ... His
9.6-rebound average was the highest of his career ... Named NBA Sixth
Man of the Year ... Averaged 20.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.6
assists in February to earn NBA Player-of-the-Month honors ... Scored
26 points and grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds against Orlando Feb.
11 for his first career 20-20 game ... Averaged 21 points and 13
rebounds in the playoffs.
1990: Played in all 82 games for the Pacers ... Averaged 16.1 points
and 8.1 rebounds to win the first of two consecutive Sixth Man of the
Year awards ... Shot 52 percent from the floor, the second-highest
mark of his career.
1989: Averaged 16.2 points and 7.9 rebounds in his first full year
with the Pacers ... His .820 free-throw mark was second best of his
career ... Pulled down 620 rebounds, the first of four straight
seasons in which he grabbed at least 620.
1988: Began the year with Dallas ... Played 37 games with the
Mavericks, averaging 9.5 points and 4.4 rebounds ... Traded to Indiana
for Herb Williams and a second-round draft choice Feb. 21 ... Played
in 32 games with the Pacers, averaging 14.8 points and 7.2 rebounds
... Finished the season with a 12.0 scoring average, the first of six
straight seasons he scored in double figures heading into the 1994-95
campaign.
1987: Played in all 82 regular-season games as the Mavericks advanced
to the Western Conference Finals ... Averaged 8.5 points in 19.3
minutes ... Blocked 32 shots, the second-highest mark of his career.
1986: Played in 81 games for the Mavs, scoring 9.3 points per game ...
His .478 3-point percentage was second best in the NBA ... He finished
second to Larry Bird in the 3-point shooting contest at the All-Star
Game break.
1985: Played in 64 games as a rookie after being picked No. 8 overall
in the first round of the 1985 draft ... Averaged 6.2 points and 3.1
rebounds.
College Highlights
Ranks among the University of Washington's all-time top 10 in eight
categories ... Unanimous All-Pac-10 and third team All-American
selection in both his junior and senior seasons ... Started at every
position for the Huskies ... Washington was 46-17 his final two
seasons, their first back-to-back winning seasons and conference
titles since 1951-52 and 1952-53.
Personal
Born in Leverkusen, West Germany ... Played for the 1984 West German
Olympic Basketball Team and for the 1992 German Olympic Basketball
Team...Wife, Mary, is a former hurdler on the West German National
Team.
nba.1195vpoznanovic,
>> >> ovaj VLADA JE KRALJ, aj salji onda i o Detlefu Shrempfu..
>>
>> Bese www.nba.com ? :)
Nope. :) Podaci su komercijalni, odnosno, mogu se dobiti samo plaćanjem
pretplate.
nba.1196vpoznanovic,
E pa ljubitelji NBA, evo mene opet s vama. :) Zbog objektivnih razloga ;)
nisam stigao na sam početak sezone, ali ništa ne brinite, brzo ćemo mi to
nadoknaditi. :)
Ljetni period je bio vrlo buran, berza slobodnih agenata je ove godine
bila jedna od najzanimljivijih i najkvalitetnijih u istoriji lige. Tih
nekoliko mjeseci na NBA sceni je bilo sve samo ne odmor, pa ako se po
jutru dan poznaje, jubilarna 50-a sezona bi trebala da bude ako ne
uzbudljivija, ono makar onoliko uzbudljiva kao prethodna.
S obzirom da NBA košarka iz godine u godinu postaje sve popularnija i kod
nas, ja ću kao i prošle godine pokušati da dam svoj doprinos praćenju
svega toga. Ovde ćete moći da nađete statistike i preglede svih utakmica,
tablice, tekuće statistike igrača i timova, opise svih važnijih događaja
koji se budu dešavali tokom sezone, razne kritike, prognoze, intervjue,
analize i mnogo štošta još.
Mislim da nema potrebe da se na početku osvrćem na sve ono što se desilo
u pauzi. Oduzelo bi previše vremena, a vi ste onaj važniji dio tih
informacija na ovaj ili onaj način sigurno već saznali. Možda ću jednom
prilikom izdvojiti samo ono najbitnije što se ovde nije pojavilo i
poslati. Ako nekome treba bilo kakva informacija iz tog perioda ili od
ranije, neka slobodno pita, moja arhiva je za sve otvorena. :)
Prije nego što krenemo, par napomena. Rezultati, pregledi i statistike
utakmica, kao i najnovije vijesti će stizati svakog jutra (par sati nakon
završetka utakmica), eventualno kasnije prije ili ranije poslijepodne,
zavisno od mojih obaveza. Tablice ću, ako se drugačije ne dogovorimo,
slati jednom nedeljno, statistike najboljih po kategorijama, "NBA Best" i
slične dvaput mjesečno, a detaljan pregled učinka svih igrača i timova i
"All time" statistike jednom mjesečno. Mislim da je tako najpodesnije;
ako neko ima neki bolji predlog, neka kaže, uzeće se na razmatranje. :)
E pa, onda da krenemo. Prvo ide pregled utakmica odigranih juče, kao i
vijesti u posljednjih nekoliko dana. Večeras ću gledati da pošaljem
statistike svih ostalih odigranih utakmica. Od sutra nastavljamo po
rasporedu. :)
Šta još da vam kažem nego - uživajte! :))
nba.1197vpoznanovic,
CHARLOTTE (86) AT NEW YORK (113)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 40 4-6 2-2 0 2 2 6 3 0 1 10
GEIGER F 21 2-8 0-2 4 3 7 1 4 0 3 4
DIVAC C 14 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 1 4
CURRY G 28 5-13 1-1 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 12
BOGUES G 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
BURRELL 33 3-9 0-0 2 1 3 2 2 0 1 8
SMITH 11 2-6 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 3 5
GOLDWIRE 25 7-10 0-0 0 0 0 5 1 2 1 17
ZIDEK 29 3-8 2-4 3 8 11 3 5 0 4 8
DELK 15 5-9 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 2 14
ROSE 15 2-3 0-0 2 7 9 1 2 1 4 4
RICE DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 35-78 5-9 14 25 39 22 20 4 23 86
(.449) (.556) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 25(32 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 27 3-6 5-8 0 3 3 1 3 0 0 12
B WILLIAMS F 22 4-4 0-0 2 5 7 1 1 1 0 8
EWING C 27 5-11 6-6 1 3 4 3 2 3 2 16
HOUSTON G 27 5-11 3-3 2 2 4 1 1 0 2 14
WARD G 26 5-10 0-1 2 3 5 4 0 2 0 11
STARKS 23 5-8 4-4 1 0 1 7 1 1 1 17
WALLACE 27 7-13 0-0 2 3 5 0 5 0 3 14
H WILLIAMS 21 2-6 0-0 0 3 3 2 1 2 1 4
BROOKS 22 2-2 2-2 1 0 1 3 2 2 0 6
MCCARTY 12 3-6 2-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 8
JENT 6 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 3
OAKLEY DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 42-81 22-26 13 22 35 23 16 11 9 113
(.519) (.846) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 9(11 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 11 25 20 30 - 86
NEW YORK 37 33 19 24 - 113
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - CURRY, SMITH. NEW YORK - EWING 2, B WILLIAMS,
HOUSTON, WALLACE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 11-22 (.500), DIVAC 0-1, CURRY 1-2, BURRELL
2-6, SMITH 1-3, GOLDWIRE 3-4, DELK 4-6. NEW YORK 7-12 (.583), JOHNSON 1-1,
HOUSTON 1-3, WARD 1-2, STARKS 3-3, MCCARTY 0-1, JENT 1-2.
TECHNICALS: CHARLOTTE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, NEW YORK - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, BILL SPOONER, GREG WILLARD.
A - 19,763. T - 1:59.
CHARLOTTE (86) AT NEW YORK (113)
Patrick Ewing scored 12 of his 16 points in the first quarter as
the New York Knicks opened a 26-point lead and breezed to a
113-86 victory over the Charlotte Hornets in their home opener.
John Starks scored 17 for the Knicks (2-0), who never trailed
and beat the Hornets for just the second time in eight games.
New York used first-quarter spurts of five, six, 14 and 10
points to run away from Charlotte (1-1), which lost for the
first time under new coach Dave Cowens.
"I'm not surprised we played so well together," Ewing said. "The
first game we were kind of stuck in mud but tonight we came out
and executed."
The teams engineered a big off-season trade that saw the Knicks
acquire forward Larry Johnson for New York native Anthony Mason.
Johnson finished with 12 points and Mason, who is bitter toward
Knicks management, received a resounding cheer from the Madison
Square Garden crowd and scored 10.
"At first I was intimidated by the Garden," Johnson said. "I
was ready to play. I wasn't really nervous. I just wanted to
go out and try to put on a show for the fans and my team."
"It definitely felt good," Mason said of the greeting. "When
you come out, play hard and come to work every day, people
appreciate it no matter where you are. It felt real good to get
that reception."
Charlie Ward scored the game's first five points. A basket by
Vlade Divac cut the deficit to four before Buck Williams -- who
started for suspended forward Charles Oakley -- hit two jumpers
and a layup to give New York a 13-4 lead.
Dell Curry, who scored 38 points in Charlotte's opener, made a
jumper before Ewing scored six points and Johnson four in a 14-0
run. Ewing's 17-footer made it 27-6 with 3:44 to play in the
period.
The Hornets pulled wihin 27-11 on Curry's three-pointer before
the Knicks scored the last 10 points of the quarter, including
four by Ewing, for a 37-11 lead.
"It felt good," Ewing said. "We clicked on all cylinders
tonight. We were moving the ball, playing great defense. It was
a terrific game for us. We made a conscious effort to play
great individual defense."
New York shot 65 percent (15-of-23) in the quarter while holding
Charlotte to 36 percent (5-of-14).
"We didn't play very well today," Cowens said. "We started the
game slowly and couldn't match their intensity from the outset.
They shot extremely well. It's as simple as that. They were
ready and we weren't."
It was more of the same in the second quarter. A free throw by
Mason cut it to 41-17 before the Knicks scored 11 of the next 14
points. Rookie John Wallace scored four points and Starks had
five, including a layup that made it 52-20 with 6:55 remaining.
Starks scored 12 points in the quarter, which ended with New
York holding a 70-36 advantage. The Knicks opened their largest
lead at 85-47 with 4:10 left in the third quarter on a jumper by
Allan Houston, who scored 14 points.
"You always want to play well in your first home game," Houston
said. "The way we started off really aggressive, that took the
pressure off me. We were really playing hard. Plus, when you
have a 10-point lead, you can score and really have fun."
Wallace also scored 14 points and Ward added 11 for the Knicks.
Anthony Goldwire scored 17 points, rookie Tony Delk added 14 and
Curry 12 for the Hornets.
nba.1198vpoznanovic,
DENVER (88) AT SAN ANTONIO (79)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCDYESS F 37 6-16 1-2 0 10 10 2 4 0 0 13
L ELLIS F 26 6-17 0-0 4 3 7 1 3 0 3 12
JOHNSON C 29 3-5 1-1 1 8 9 1 3 1 1 7
STITH G 30 5-11 1-2 1 4 5 2 1 3 1 12
JACKSON G 32 1-5 2-2 0 3 3 10 2 1 8 5
D ELLIS 25 3-8 0-0 3 2 5 0 2 0 0 6
MURDOCK 16 1-5 4-4 0 3 3 6 2 2 1 7
MARCIULIONIS 10 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 1 1 7
HAMMONDS 13 0-3 4-4 3 1 4 0 3 0 0 4
PIERCE 21 4-7 7-8 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 15
HAM 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JENNINGS DNP - ON INJURED LIST
KING DNP - ON INJURED LIST
MCINNIS DNP - SUSPENDED BY TEAM
TOTALS 240 32-81 20-23 12 36 48 24 25 9 16 88
(.395) (.870) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 17(13 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 47 3-10 9-10 0 8 8 3 1 1 2 17
HERRERA F 15 1-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 2 2
ANDERSON C 21 2-2 1-1 1 7 8 1 3 0 1 5
DEL NEGRO G 37 4-10 2-2 1 2 3 1 3 0 0 11
JOHNSON G 37 6-13 1-2 0 4 4 7 3 5 3 14
SMITH 25 4-7 2-2 5 5 10 0 5 0 4 10
D WILKINS 22 1-13 8-14 7 1 8 2 1 0 2 10
ALEXANDER 8 2-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 2 1 6
MAXWELL 27 1-9 2-2 0 3 3 1 4 0 3 4
M WILLIAMS 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
W PERDUE DNP - LEFT THUMB
C PERSON DNP - ON INJURED LIST
ROBINSON DNP - ON INJURED LIST
TOTALS 240 24-75 25-33 15 32 47 16 25 9 18 79
(.320) (.758) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 20(11 PTS)
DENVER 25 27 12 24 - 88
SAN ANTONIO 18 16 22 23 - 79
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - MCDYESS 6. SAN ANTONIO - ELLIOTT 2, HERRERA 2,
JOHNSON, SMITH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 4-14 (.286), L ELLIS 0-1, STITH 1-4, JACKSON
1-1, D ELLIS 0-3, MURDOCK 1-3, MARCIULIONIS 1-1, PIERCE 0-1. SAN ANTONIO
6-16 (.375), ELLIOTT 2-3, DEL NEGRO 1-3, JOHNSON 1-2, D WILKINS 0-2,
ALEXANDER 2-2, MAXWELL 0-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, ED F RUSH, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 20,791. T - 2:07.
DENVER (88) AT SAN ANTONIO (79)
Ricky Pierce scored 15 points to lead a balanced attack and the
Denver Nuggets did not allow a basket for 11 minutes in the
first half of an 88-79 victory over the punchless San Antonio
Spurs.
Antonio McDyess added 13 points and LaPhonso Ellis 12 for the
Nuggets (1-1), who snapped an eight-game losing streak to the
Spurs. Denver led by as many as 20 points and held San Antonio
under 80 points for the second straight game.
"I thought we played well in spurts," Nuggets coach Bernie
Bickerstaff said. "Both teams scrapped defensively. I was
impressed with our intensity and effort, the little things
defensively."
Sean Elliott scored 17 points and Avery Johnsson added 14 for
the Spurs (0-2), who again played without injured All-Star
center David Robinson and made a team record-low nine baskets in
the first half. The two-time defending Midwest Division
champions have lost their first two games for just the second
time since joining the NBA in 1976.
"We played hard," Johnson said. "You never like to lose, but it
is a long season. This is like two steps in 5,000-meter race."
Elliott's three-pointer with 6:20 left in the first quarter gave
the Spurs a 16-12 lead. But San Antonio missed its next 15
shots as Denver went on a 24-6 run. Ellis had six points and
McDyess four in the burst.
"I thought we played a great first half," Ellis said. "We want
to win whether David is out there or not."
A basket by Johnson with 7:06 left in the second quarter ended
the drought and pulled the Spurs within 36-24. But the Nuggets
continued to build the lead, opening a 52-32 advantage on Ervin
Johnson's hoop with two minutes left in the half.
San Antonio was 9-of-37 (24 percent) from the field and trailed
52-34 at halftime. The field goals matched the nine it made in
the second half at Seattle on March 6th, 1981.
Vinny Del Negro had seven of his 11 points in the third quarter,
when the Spurs cut the deficit to 64-54. They closed to 75-69
on a steal and basket by Johnson with 3:33 to play, but Pierce
made two free throws and Dale Ellis sank a three-pointer to give
the Nuggets an 80-69 bulge with 2:32 left.
Bryant Stith scored 12 points, McDyess had 10 rebounds and Mark
Jackson had 10 assists for Denver, which shot 39.5 percent
(32-of-81).
Charles Smith had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who
shot 32 percent (24-of-75). Reserves Dominique Wilkins and
Vernon Maxwell, signed to give San Antonio an offensive boost,
were a combined 2-of-22 from the field.
"We all have to realize that this is what we got and this is
what we are working with," Smith said. "No matter what happens,
we all have to play together."
nba.1199vpoznanovic,
GOLDEN STATE (105) AT VANCOUVER (95)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 39 7-13 8-9 1 6 7 7 1 2 5 24
OWES F 31 7-9 0-0 3 4 7 0 5 0 1 14
FULLER C 39 4-11 4-8 2 7 9 2 2 1 2 12
SPREWELL G 41 6-20 5-6 3 6 9 7 1 1 6 20
PRICE G 29 5-9 1-1 0 6 6 3 1 1 2 14
MARSHALL 19 4-5 2-2 3 4 7 0 3 1 4 10
ARMSTRONG 20 4-9 1-1 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 9
COLES 22 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
KONCAK DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
ROYAL DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
SMITH DNP - BRUISED ANKLE
SPENCER DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 38-79 21-27 12 36 48 21 14 7 22 105
(.481) (.778) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 22(25 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 32 7-21 0-0 3 3 6 3 2 1 3 14
MOBLEY F 14 0-0 2-2 1 0 1 1 4 0 2 2
REEVES C 37 8-16 1-2 4 6 10 3 6 1 4 17
PEELER G 37 8-20 1-1 1 4 5 5 2 2 1 21
ANTHONY G 26 4-8 0-0 1 1 2 6 3 3 2 8
B EDWARDS 32 4-11 2-3 1 4 5 3 4 2 1 11
LYNCH 19 3-6 5-6 3 4 7 3 1 1 0 11
MAYBERRY 22 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 3 1 0 1 9
ROGERS 8 0-1 0-0 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 0
MOTEN 13 1-3 0-2 0 3 3 2 1 3 1 2
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-90 11-16 16 28 44 30 25 13 15 95
(.422) (.688) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 15(17 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 33 19 23 30 - 105
VANCOUVER 20 26 25 24 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - FULLER 2, MARSHALL 2, OWES. VANCOUVER -
PEELER 2, ROGERS 2, ABDUR-RAHIM, REEVES, B EDWARDS, LYNCH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 8-19 (.421), MULLIN 2-2, SPREWELL 3-6,
PRICE 3-6, MARSHALL 0-1, ARMSTRONG 0-3, COLES 0-1. VANCOUVER 8-22 (.364),
PEELER 4-10, ANTHONY 0-1, B EDWARDS 1-6, LYNCH 0-1, MAYBERRY 3-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DAVID JONES, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 15,781. T - 2:01.
GOLDEN STATE (105) AT VANCOUVER (95)
Chris Mullin scored 24 points, including the 15,000th of his
career, to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 105-95 win over
the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Golden State won the game with just eight players. Joe Smith
was in uniform, but did not play because of a bruised right
ankle. Felton Spencer, Donald Royal and Jon Koncak, who were
acquired Saturday from Orlando for Rony Seikaly and Clifford
Rozier, have yet to join the team.
"That's a lot isn't it?," said Mullin about his milestone. "It
shows that you've been playing a long, long time, but it feels
really nice to win and that's more important. We really
struggled on opening night and we had only eight guys, but we
went out there and we got the win tonight. The win is a lot
nicer than that other stuff."
Vancouver tied the score at 88-88 with 5:36 to play on Anthony
Peeler's jumper, but Golden State pulled away. B.J. Armstong
hit a layup, Ray Owes nailed a jumper and Latrell Sprewell added
a three-pointer.
"I was sure happy to get that three-pointer to go," Sprewell
said. "Those guys were coming back and that was a big momentum
shift for us. We knew we were undermanned, but we moved the ball
and played well defensively. Some good things happened."
After the Grizzlies' Blue Edwards scored on a layup, Mullin hit
a pair of free throws to cap a 9-2 run and give the Warriors a
97-90 lead.
Peeler scored 21 points and Bryant Reeves added 17 points and 10
rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have lost five all-time meetings
against the Warriors. Shareef Abdur-Rahim finished with 14
points and George Lynch added 11 off the bench.
"I'm still searching for a good starting rotation," said
Vancouver coach Brian Winters. "I like the way George Lynch
played tonight. He gave us a real spark off the bench and got
us back in the game."
nba.1200vpoznanovic,
MINNESOTA (85) AT LA LAKERS (91)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GUGLIOTTA F 43 10-25 5-5 6 8 14 4 3 2 4 26
K GARNETT F 39 6-11 0-2 0 6 6 3 2 1 2 12
VRANKOVIC C 12 0-3 0-0 1 4 5 1 4 0 1 0
PORTER G 21 4-8 0-0 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 9
WEST G 31 2-9 2-3 0 2 2 2 5 1 3 6
D GARRETT 23 2-4 2-2 3 4 7 0 2 1 1 6
PARKS 6 0-1 2-2 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 2
ROBINSON 27 4-9 3-4 0 1 1 3 2 0 3 12
CARR 17 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 0 4
MITCHELL 20 4-8 0-0 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 8
HEAL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARBURY DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 34-82 14-18 12 25 37 23 24 7 15 85
(.415) (.778) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(20 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CEBALLOS F 28 2-6 0-0 0 4 4 2 3 1 0 4
CAMPBELL F 25 3-8 1-1 1 4 5 1 1 0 2 7
ONEAL C 41 14-20 7-13 6 13 19 3 5 0 3 35
JONES G 42 4-11 0-0 0 4 4 3 1 1 3 11
VAN EXEL G 35 6-16 1-1 1 2 3 11 1 0 7 13
BLOUNT 23 6-9 0-0 5 2 7 0 4 0 3 12
BRYANT 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
FISHER 13 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 2 4 0 2 2
ROOKS 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
SCOTT 19 2-3 2-2 0 2 2 1 0 4 0 7
KNIGHT 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-79 11-17 14 33 47 23 21 6 21 91
(.481) (.647) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 22(25 PTS)
MINNESOTA 23 24 22 16 - 85
LA LAKERS 17 23 25 26 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - GUGLIOTTA 2, K GARNETT, VRANKOVIC, D GARRETT,
PARKS. LA LAKERS - ONEAL 3, BLOUNT, BRYANT, ROOKS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 3-13 (.231), GUGLIOTTA 1-3, PORTER 1-4,
ROBINSON 1-5, CARR 0-1. LA LAKERS 4-12 (.333), CEBALLOS 0-2, JONES 3-5,
VAN EXEL 0-3, FISHER 0-1, SCOTT 1-1.
TECHNICALS: LA LAKERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: TERRY DURHAM, STEVE JAVIE, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 15,407. T - 2:11.
MINNESOTA (85) AT LA LAKERS (91)
Shaquille O'Neal had 35 points and 19 rebounds as the Los
Angeles Lakers used a 20-2 run midway through the fourth quarter
to propel them to a 91-85 victory over the Minnesota
Timberwolves.
Nick Van Exel had 13 points and 11 assists and Corie Blount
added 12 points off the bench for the Lakers, who opened with
consecutive wins for the first time since starting the 1987-88
season 8-0.
"I just played well, made a lot of shots," said O'Neal. "My
teammates made me look good tonight. I could not have done it
without Nick and Eddie (Jones) giving me the ball. Our main goal
is to win."
Tom Gugliotta registered 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Kevin
Garnett and James Robinson scored 12 points apiece for the
Timberwolves, who missed their first ever 2-0 start. Minnesota
fell to 0-8 all-time in road openers and lost for the 13th time
in their last 15 meetings.
Minnesota led 74-65 following Gugliotta's three-pointer and a
basket by Sam Mitchell with 10:35 left in the fourth. But
Blount scored six points, Byron Scott added five and O'Neal
tallied the last five points, including a three-point play while
being held by James Robinson on a twisting layup for an 83-76
advantage with 3:36 to go.
"People can saw you hung close with them and be satisfied, but
we have to able to win those types of games," said Timberwolves
coach Flip Saunders. "We beat ourselves. You can not make those
mistakes against that team in that building."
The Wolves pulled within 87-83 on a three-pointer by Robinson
with 42 seconds left. However Scott hit two free throws and
O'Neal followed with a dunk, improving the Lakers to 23-6
all-time against Minnesota.
"Shaq was the difference in the game. He was huge at both ends.
Everyone will talk about his 35 points and 19 rebounds, but the
big thing was defense," said Lakers coach Del Harris. "We got
very active on defense in the second half. We planned to be
more aggressive. We just did what we needed to do, but Shaq took
it to another level defensively."
Gugliotta had 11 points and Garnett added eight to pace
Minnesota to a 47-40 halftime lead.
Eighteen-year old Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant became the
youngest player to appear in an NBA game. He missed his only
shot and grabbed one rebound in six minutes.
"I think it went well," said Bryant about his debut. "I am just
happy to get the victory. It's basketball. It's something I
have been doing all my life."
nba.1201vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1996/97
(Sunday, November 3 - 3 days, 28 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Los Angeles Lakers 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 93.5 83.5 100.0 - W 2
Portland Trail Blazers 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 103.5 94.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
Los Angeles Clippers 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 93.5 90.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
Seattle Supersonics 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 97.5 96.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
Sacramento Kings 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 96.0 95.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
Golden State Warriors 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 95.0 96.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
Phoenix Suns 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 88.5 103.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Houston Rockets 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 103.0 90.0 100.0 - W 2
Utah Jazz 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 97.0 90.5 100.0 - W 2
Denver Nuggets 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 89.5 85.5 50.0 1.0 W 1
Minnesota Timberwolves 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 83.5 84.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
Dallas Mavericks 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 93.0 99.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
San Antonio Spurs 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 78.5 85.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
Vancouver Grizzlies 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 90.0 109.5 0.0 2.0 L 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
New York Knicks 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 110.0 92.5 100.0 - W 2
Miami Heat 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 95.5 88.0 100.0 - W 2
Washington Bullets 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 96.0 95.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
Orlando Magic 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 92.0 96.0 0.0 1.5 L 1
New Jersey Nets 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 77.0 90.0 0.0 1.5 L 1
Boston Celtics 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 100.0 115.5 0.0 2.0 L 2
Philadelphia 76ers 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 94.5 113.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 111.0 92.0 100.0 - W 2
Milwaukee Bucks 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 117.5 102.5 100.0 - W 2
Detroit Pistons 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 92.5 83.5 100.0 - W 2
Cleveland Cavaliers 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 94.0 86.5 100.0 - W 2
Charlotte Hornets 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 97.5 105.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
Indiana Pacers 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 92.0 96.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
Toronto Raptors 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 98.5 108.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
Atlanta Hawks 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 79.5 92.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Houston Rockets 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 103.0 90.0 100.0 - W 2
2. Los Angeles Lakers 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 93.5 83.5 100.0 - W 2
3. Utah Jazz 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 97.0 90.5 100.0 - W 2
4. Portland Trail Blazers 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 103.5 94.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
5. Denver Nuggets 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 89.5 85.5 50.0 1.0 W 1
6. Los Angeles Clippers 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 93.5 90.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
7. Seattle Supersonics 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 97.5 96.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
8. Sacramento Kings 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 96.0 95.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
9. Golden State Warriors 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 95.0 96.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
10. Minnesota Timberwolves 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 83.5 84.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
11. Dallas Mavericks 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 93.0 99.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
12. San Antonio Spurs 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 78.5 85.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
13. Phoenix Suns 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 88.5 103.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 90.0 109.5 0.0 2.0 L 2
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 111.0 92.0 100.0 - W 2
2. New York Knicks 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 110.0 92.5 100.0 - W 2
3. Milwaukee Bucks 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 117.5 102.5 100.0 - W 2
4. Detroit Pistons 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 92.5 83.5 100.0 - W 2
5. Miami Heat 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 95.5 88.0 100.0 - W 2
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 94.0 86.5 100.0 - W 2
7. Washington Bullets 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 96.0 95.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
8. Charlotte Hornets 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 97.5 105.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
9. Orlando Magic 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 92.0 96.0 0.0 1.5 L 1
10. New Jersey Nets 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 77.0 90.0 0.0 1.5 L 1
11. Indiana Pacers 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 92.0 96.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
12. Toronto Raptors 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 98.5 108.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
13. Atlanta Hawks 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 79.5 92.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
14. Boston Celtics 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 100.0 115.5 0.0 2.0 L 2
15. Philadelphia 76ers 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 94.5 113.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 111.0 92.0 100.0 - W 2
2. New York Knicks 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 110.0 92.5 100.0 - W 2
3. Milwaukee Bucks 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 117.5 102.5 100.0 - W 2
4. Houston Rockets 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 103.0 90.0 100.0 - W 2
5. Los Angeles Lakers 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 93.5 83.5 100.0 - W 2
6. Detroit Pistons 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 92.5 83.5 100.0 - W 2
7. Miami Heat 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 95.5 88.0 100.0 - W 2
8. Cleveland Cavaliers 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 94.0 86.5 100.0 - W 2
9. Utah Jazz 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 97.0 90.5 100.0 - W 2
10. Portland Trail Blazers 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 103.5 94.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
11. Denver Nuggets 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 89.5 85.5 50.0 1.0 W 1
12. Los Angeles Clippers 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 93.5 90.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
13. Seattle Supersonics 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 97.5 96.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
14. Sacramento Kings 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 96.0 95.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
15. Washington Bullets 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 96.0 95.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
16. Minnesota Timberwolves 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 83.5 84.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
17. Golden State Warriors 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 95.0 96.0 50.0 1.0 W 1
18. Dallas Mavericks 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 93.0 99.0 50.0 1.0 L 1
19. Charlotte Hornets 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 97.5 105.5 50.0 1.0 L 1
20. Orlando Magic 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 92.0 96.0 0.0 1.5 L 1
21. New Jersey Nets 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 77.0 90.0 0.0 1.5 L 1
22. Indiana Pacers 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 92.0 96.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
23. San Antonio Spurs 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 78.5 85.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
24. Toronto Raptors 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 98.5 108.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
25. Atlanta Hawks 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 79.5 92.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
26. Phoenix Suns 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 88.5 103.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
27. Boston Celtics 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 100.0 115.5 0.0 2.0 L 2
28. Philadelphia 76ers 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 94.5 113.0 0.0 2.0 L 2
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 90.0 109.5 0.0 2.0 L 2
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.1202vpoznanovic,
NBA Top Individual Performances
(THROUGH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD)
------------------------------
POINTS
------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Dell Curry, CHA vs. Toronto 38 11-02-96
Shaquille Oneal, LAL vs. Minnesota 35 11-03-96
Reggie Miller, IND vs. Miami 34 11-02-96
Christian Laettner, ATL at Miami 31 11-01-96
Terrell Brandon, CLE at Washington 31 11-02-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at Boston 30 11-01-96
Allen Iverson, PHI vs. Milwaukee 30 11-01-96
Latrell Sprewell, GSW vs. La Clippers 29 11-01-96
Allan Houston, NYK at Toronto 28 11-01-96
Damon Stoudamire, TOR vs. New York 28 11-01-96
Jim Jackson, DAL at Denver 28 11-01-96
REBOUNDS
--------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Charles Barkley, HOU at Phoenix 33 11-02-96
Shaquille Oneal, LAL vs. Minnesota 19 11-03-96
Horace Grant, ORL vs. Washington 17 11-01-96
Ervin Johnson, DEN vs. Dallas 17 11-01-96
Dikembe Mutombo, ATL at Miami 16 11-01-96
Grant Hill, DET at Atlanta 15 11-02-96
Anthony Mason, CHA vs. Toronto 15 11-02-96
Brian Grant, SAC at Dallas 15 11-02-96
Tyrone Hill, CLE at Washington 15 11-02-96
Armon Gilliam, MIL at Philadelphia 14 11-01-96
Loy Vaught, LAC at Golden State 14 11-01-96
Shaquille Oneal, LAL vs. Phoenix 14 11-01-96
Tom Gugliotta, MIN at La Lakers 14 11-03-96
ASSISTS
-------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Tim Hardaway, MIA vs. Atlanta 12 11-01-96
Nick Van Exel, LAL vs. Minnesota 11 11-03-96
Damon Stoudamire, TOR vs. New York 10 11-01-96
Tyrone Bogues, CHA vs. Toronto 10 11-02-96
Clyde Drexler, HOU at Phoenix 10 11-02-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at San Antonio 10 11-03-96
Rod Strickland, WAS at Orlando 9 11-01-96
Clyde Drexler, HOU vs. Sacramento 9 11-01-96
Jason Kidd, DAL at Denver 9 11-01-96
Pooh Richardson, LAC at Golden State 9 11-01-96
Grant Hill, DET at Atlanta 9 11-02-96
Tim Hardaway, MIA at Indiana 9 11-02-96
Scottie Pippen, CHI vs. Philadelphia 9 11-02-96
Jason Kidd, DAL vs. Sacramento 9 11-02-96
nba.1203vpoznanovic,
Mashburn will be active for season opener
DALLAS (Oct 30, 1996 - 15:06 EST) -- Dallas Mavericks forward Jamal
Mashburn will suit up for Friday night's season opener and could play,
depending on his recovery from knee surgery that caused him to miss
most of last season.
"I don't know if I'll even play or how much, but I'll be suited up and
ready to go," said Mashburn, who last week expected to start the year
on the injured list.
"I went through a full practice (Tuesday) and I feel OK. Unless I have
some major setback, I hope to contribute and start working my way back
in."
Dallas has 14 players on its roster and likely will put two players on
the injured list to get down to the 12. Those two probably will be
rookie Samaki Walker and journeyman Greg Dreiling.
Mashburn, who played only 18 games last season before experiencing
pain in his knee, had been headed for a minimum absence of five games.
He had arthroscopic surgery Feb. 13.
"It looks like Jamal will be ready to take part, so we'll use him,"
said Mavericks coach Jim Cleamons. "We're going to do what's best for
him and we won't push him by any means.
"But if he's ready to help us, we'll take it."
The Mavericks had trimmed their roster to 14 by waiving Terry Davis,
Jimmy King and Herb Jones. Dallas must still pay Davis' $2.28 million
salary even if he is picked up by another NBA team. King is guaranteed
$330,000.
"We want to be competitive," Cleamons said. "How can I look my team in
the face and talk to them about winning if we don't do everything to
win? Why invite people to camp if they really don't have an
opportunity to make the team?"
Walker, a first-round pick from Louisville, had been projected to
start at power forward, but couldn't practice because of thigh
problems.
Free agent Erick Strickland beat out King for the fifth guard spot.
But Strickland, who has a sore right shoulder, also could start the
season on the injured list.
nba.1204vpoznanovic,
Smallest Pacer faces big challenge in second season
INDIANAPOLIS (Oct 30, 1996 - 15:06 EST) -- Travis Best, the smallest
member of the Indiana Pacers, could face the biggest challenge.
The 5-foot-11 Best starts his second NBA campaign at Detroit on
Friday, seeking to retain the starting point guard position role coach
Larry Brown now has given to four different players in as many
seasons.
Brown has specific demands for the position, ideas he learned playing
point guard under Dean Smith at North Carolina and carried into the
ABA, where he was a three-time All-Star.
Vern Fleming, Haywoode Workman and Mark Jackson also have been used at
point guard since Brown arrived in 1993.
"The point guard has to be someone with good athletic skills,
unselfish and a leader," Brown said. "He's the guy who runs the
offense and also has to be a good defender.
"It's not an easy job. We felt Mark did it, but we traded him because
we felt we needed to go in a different direction.
The Pacers defeated Orlando and San Antonio last weekend to finish the
preseason 5-3.
"Travis really showed a lot of progress the last two games," Brown
said. "... I like the way Travis is starting to learn, even though
it's been kind of rocky for him."
Best, a first-round draft pick who was a three-time all-conference
first team selection in the tough Atlantic Coast Conference, missed 13
games in his rookie season with an ankle injury and nine more when
Brown kept him on the bench. He played less than 10 minutes per outing
in 59 games as a reserve, but demonstrated the athletic abilities
attractive to Brown late in the season and in the playoffs.
Best admits he heads into his second season with room for improvement.
"I'm not really playing the way I want to play," Best said. "I feel
like I'm getting better. I'm learning more of what the coaches want of
me, and what the team needs of me."
At Georgia Tech, Best became the second player in ACC history to
record more than 2,000 points and 600 assists. He says he needs to
become more aggressive on the court, especially on offense.
"I think defensively, I've been playing pretty well," he said. "I just
need to keep away from some of the silly fouls that were a problem in
the preseason. Offensively, I need to be more aggressive, more
assertive, basically just look at the basket a little more."
Heading into training camp, Best was expected to contend with Jalen
Rose for the starting job.
"He's very versatile. He has a lot of heart. He wants to win, and he's
definitely a plus for us," Best said of the 6-8 Rose, acquired in a
trade that sent Jackson to Denver.
nba.1205vpoznanovic,
Bryant will miss at least two games
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Oct 30, 1996 - 18:48 EST) -- Kobe Bryant's debut
with the Los Angeles Lakers won't come before the team's third game of
the season at the earliest, and he might be placed on the injured
list.
Bryant, making the transition from high school to the NBA, will miss
the season-opener against Phoenix on Friday night and the second game
against Minnesota on Sunday night because of a strained left hip
flexor, said team spokesman John Black.
Both games will be played at the Forum. The Lakers play four games
next week -- at New York on Tuesday; at Charlotte on Wednesday; at
Toronto on Nov. 8, and at home against Atlanta on Nov. 10.
Bryant, who turned 18 on Aug. 23, was injured in the Lakers' preseason
game against Philadelphia on Oct. 18.
He missed the first two games of the preseason while recovering from a
fractured left wrist, and the final four after the hip injury. He
totaled 21 points in the two games in which he played.
"He's making some improvement," Black said Wednesday. "But he's still
several days away, at least. He's not even ready to begin practicing
yet. Even when he reaches that point, he's going to need several days
of practice before he's ready to play.
"He's going to be out for the weekend. That's probably the best case
scenario. There's even a possibility we will put him on the injured
list tomorrow."
If that should happen, Bryant would be required to miss at least five
games.
Bryant, a 6-foot-6 guard, was the 13th player taken in the NBA draft
in June. He was selected by Charlotte, then traded to the Lakers for
center Vlade Divac.
Bryant and Portland's Jermaine O'Neal will become the two youngest
players in NBA history when their careers begin. O'Neal also is 18,
but younger than Bryant.
Black also said that forward Jerome Kersey, who suffered a fractured
left foot during the preseason, would be placed on the injured list
Thursday.
nba.1206vpoznanovic,
Bryant enters NBA wise beyond his years
(Oct 30, 1996 - 09:24 EST) -- Watch Kobe Bryant play, or speak to him,
and you want to check his birth certificate. So much poise, so much
maturity ... he couldn't really be 18, could he?
Yes, he is. And there's a good reason why the Lakers' prodigy doesn't
act his age, why his head seems to have scarcely been turned by his
first exposure to life as a professional.
He's seen a lot of it before.
Joe "Jellybean" Bryant was a professional basketball player for 16
seasons, eight in the NBA, eight in Europe. Where Joe went -- be it
Philadelphia, San Diego, Houston, or Italy -- so did wife Pam,
daughters Sharia and Shaya and son Kobe.
Along the way, Joe and Pam taught their children how to treat people,
how to put things into perspective, how to be decent human beings.
"It's just meeting so many different people at an early age, being
exposed to so many things," Joe Bryant, now 42, said. "Now when a
situation comes up he knows how to act because he's been there before.
By traveling, seeing different cultures, different philosophies of
life, you tend to have more confidence in yourself."
On the eve of his big adventure -- his first NBA season, which
officially begins Friday night when the Lakers play Phoenix at the
Forum -- Bryant shows that the lessons have been taken to heart.
He defers to his older teammates. He treats fans and media members
with respect. And he hasn't allowed himself to be overwhelmed by the
good fortune that has come his way -- a three-year, $3.6 million NBA
contract, an endorsement deal with adidas, two appearances in TV
sitcoms, a guest spot with Jay Leno and the prospect of more Hollywood
activity, now that he has his Screen Actors Guild card.
"I learned to enjoy the game, and to enjoy life in general," Bryant
said of his father. "I think that's a very important lesson,
especially at this particular time in my life. There's a lot of people
out there who have high expectations, pressures and so forth, and that
can take some of the fun out of the game."
Rest assured, there will be high expectations, even though Bryant will
have the luxury of being broken in slowly, groomed for the future.
The urban legend that developed out of his feats as a high school
player, both during the prep season and in summertime pickup games
against the likes of current Lakers teammate Eddie Jones and the
Philadelphia 76ers' Jerry Stackhouse, created the image of a future
superstar.
It didn't hurt his reputation when Lakers vice president Jerry West,
talking about Bryant on draft day well before the Lakers acquired him,
called him "a potential star," and "an incredible prospect,"
Combine that with a winning personality -- winning enough to make
Bryant the only one in this year's NBA rookie class to be represented
by the William Morris Agency, a powerhouse of the entertainment
business -- and you have the object of envy, or admiration, for every
18-year-old whose first job out of high school pays the current
minimum wage of $4.75 an hour.
Consider: Bryant's rookie salary is $1 million. Divide that by the
hours required for regular-season games, practices and travel --
approximately 951 hours from Nov. 1 to April 20 -- and you have an
entry-level wage of $1,051.52 an hour.
Then again, if a young man is paid like a professional, it behooves
him to act like a professional. Some of the NBA's young millionaires
never get that hint. Bryant, apparently, learned it well before the
moment in April when he told a news conference at his suburban
Philadelphia high school that he was turning pro.
All he had to do was observe the way his father handled success and
failure.
"We never really brought work home, as far as being mad at the coach,
talking about the refs, things like that," Joe Bryant recalled. "Kids
pick up a lot of things. If I come home and I didn't have a good day
or we lost the game, I (didn't) want that to reflect on what Kobe
believes ... he must form his own opinion of life and his experiences,
and how to handle those situations."
Joe Bryant's NBA career probably could best be described as that of a
journeyman. At 6-10, he was an inside player who played with flair but
probably wanted to do more fancy stuff with the basketball than his
coaches felt comfortable with. Still, he averaged 8.7 points and 4.3
rebounds in 606 career NBA games, before carving out a successful
career in Italian ball.
When the Bryants moved to Italy in 1983, Kobe was 4, and sisters
Sharia and Shaya were 7 and 6, respectively. The family had to become
close-knit, at least while they were in the process of learning the
language.
"We didn't have anybody to depend on but our family," Kobe recalled.
"We had to stick together."
The family remains tight, to the point that everyone packed up and
moved from Philadelphia -- where Joe Bryant resigned his post as an
assistant coach at La Salle -- to L.A. to be with Kobe and help him
deal with the new demands on his life.
"He invited us," Joe said. "I'm sure that as time goes on, he's going
to probably become more independent. But I tell him, 'We're still
going to be your parents."'
Among the things Joe and Pam will do is help Kobe sort out all of the
offers and requests he will receive, so that he can manage his time
and concentrate on basketball.
Eventually, the endorsements and TV appearances and other ancillary
issues will all hinge on just how successful Bryant can be on the
floor. He hasn't had much opportunity to provide clues during the
exhibition season, missing the first two games while recovering from a
fractured wrist and sitting out the last four with a strained hip
flexor. That injury even could keep him out of Friday night's opener,
although Bryant said he's confident he'll be able to play.
As the first non-big man to attempt to make the jump from high school
to the pros, Bryant originally was criticized and his game downgraded
by NBA observers. His workouts for NBA teams before the draft removed
some of those doubts, and his performance in four LA Summer Pro League
games (25 points, 5.3 rebounds a game in four games) swayed some more
opinions.
But he has yet to be tested on the big stage, and he probably will
have some tough moments.
"Guys study tapes," Lakers veteran Byron Scott said. "They'll find out
what he likes to do and his patented moves, which way he likes to go
and his favorite shot. Then they'll try to take that away. And with
his being 18, you've got veteran guards who are physical, and they're
going to try to beat him up physically and get in his head.
"If I didn't know he was 18, I would have thought he'd played four
years of college and was 22 years old. His mind and maturity level
right now are both farther along than those of rookies who go through
four years of college."
Joe Bryant has, naturally, played a role in developing Kobe's skills,
both through instruction and through some intense one-on-one games.
Dads tend to shy away from such confrontations once their sons are
capable of beating them, but Joe says he's not to that point yet.
"I still get out there and school him," he laughed. "And I always win
because I'm the referee and the scorekeeper.
"When we play, we won't go out like we're going after each other. It's
more working on different moves, or I'll cut his right hand off so he
has to go left, things like that. I could never play him straight up."
Does Joe give him a taste of physical play?
"Oh, we've been doing that for years," he said. "I remember people
being concerned because he's playing against grown men. Shoot, I'm
6-10, 260. They don't get much bigger than me."
At this point, Bryant isn't exactly a candidate as spokesman for any
"stay-in-school" campaigns. But that could change, too. He bypassed
college basketball but says he plans to pursue a college education,
first by taking courses over the Internet and eventually by physically
attending classes, maybe even during the season.
"Why not?" he said. "I've been doing it my whole life."
Bryant scored 1080 on his SAT (on a scale ranging from 400 to 1600),
and college was a viable option.
"I was sure that I couldn't go wrong either way I decided," he said.
"I knew that if I'd gone to college I'd have gotten a great education
and played basketball, which I love to do very much, and met some new
people. If I went to the NBA, I'd play basketball, still have the
possibility of getting an education, and get to meet some new people.
"I want to have children one day. If I'm telling them to go out there
and get their education, and they look at me and say, 'Dad, you never
even went to college' ... that's something I don't want."
He might be a pretty eloquent spokesman after all.
nba.1207vpoznanovic,
NBA board approves payouts to low revenue teams
NEW YORK (Oct 30, 1996 - 20:01 EST) -- The NBA Board of Governors
approved a plan Wednesday to provide up to $3 million per year of
financial assistance to low-revenue teams.
Between five and eight teams are expected to qualify for the payments,
which will come from a special account the league has been
accumulating for four years.
"We've been leaving it there for what we'd call a rainy day, and it's
just begun drizzling," commissioner David Stern said last week.
The fund, which has grown to about $50 million, came from market
extension fees -- money paid into a central fund by teams that
broadcast their games beyond a 75-mile radius.
The NBA Planning Committee recommended that it be redistributed to
needy teams who are at an economic disadvantage because of their
market size.
At least three NBA teams lost money last season, and several others
were at the break-even point.
With the salary cap due to rise above $30 million in the next few
years, and with teams required to spend at least three-quarters of
that amount on player salaries, some owners have been worried that
they won't be able to turn a profit without assistance.
"You have to be a relatively small market and have revenues that don't
go beyond a certain level, and you have to meet certain criteria to
establish that your team is being run properly," deputy commissioner
Russ Granik said.
For example, the Milwaukee Bucks play in one of the smaller markets in
the league and make only a fraction of the local broadcast revenue
that large market teams such as New York or Chicago make.
If the Bucks satisfy all the criteria in the plan approved Wednesday,
they would receive anywhere from a few hundred thousand dollars to as
much as $3 million.
"We won't know until the end of the season which teams qualify and how
much money they will be able to receive," Granik said.
nba.1208vpoznanovic,
Eastern Conference won't be so bullish now
(Oct 30, 1996 - 07:54 EST) -- Michael Jordan's full-season return last
year might have stupefied the NBA's other teams, which promptly made
way as the Bulls got off to a 41-3 start and stampeded to the
championship.
There will be no such reverence toward His Airness this time.
The Knicks, for one, are tired of all this Bull. They put themselves
in position to challenge for the title by undergoing a drastic
makeover in the offseason, landing free agents Allan Houston, Chris
Childs and Buck Williams and trading for Larry Johnson.
The small-market Indiana Pacers are bent on continuing to make noise
in the postseason. They invested $116 million to keep three key
members of the team, Reggie Miller and the Davis tandem, Dale and
Antonio.
And although the Orlando Magic were sent reeling by Shaquille O'Neal's
defection to the Lakers, another power may be emerging in the East.
Thanks to commissioner David Stern's not-so Solomonic decision to
return Juwan Howard to Washington, the Bullets look primed to overcome
years of ineptitude and join the ranks of contenders.
Perhaps more important than the competition, the Bulls themselves seem
to lack the single-mindedness that made them nearly invincible last
season.
"It would be inhuman for us to have the same intensity now," reserve
guard Steve Kerr has said. "The entire focus of this season is to be
healthy and strong down the stretch. If we struggle a little early,
that's the way it's got to be."
That's not much of a crack, but it might be just enough.
A preview of the Eastern Conference in predicted order of finish, with
last season's record in parentheses:
New York (47-35): Patrick Ewing, still searching for his first
championship at 34, remains the centerpiece. But the Knicks have
diversified the offense with the offseason acquisitions. They've also
shed their plodding ways and made themselves younger, drafting three
talented forwards in the first round. Syracuse product John Wallace
has the best chance to see significant minutes among the three.
Childs is the biggest question mark on the team, and probably the key
to its title hopes. If he can play up to his second-half standards
last season, when he made the Nets forget about Kenny Anderson, the
Knicks have a bargain.
It behooves coach Jeff Van Gundy, in his first full season, to keep a
close eye on the team's chemistry. John Starks says he's accepted his
role as sixth man, but that may not last if sharpshooter Houston
struggles early. Veteran Williams was brought in for just such a
situation. The Knicks hope he provides a steadying influence as well
as solid rebounding all the way to the NBA Finals.
Chicago (72-10): This is essentially the same cast that ran roughshod
through the league last year. So why vote against them? Call it a
hunch. More accurately, call it the natural byproduct of success --
complacency.
Jordan and Dennis Rodman got their huge contracts in the offseason.
The championship has been attained. Even the incentive of playing for
the best mark ever is gone. What's left?
"I'm going to be pressed to find a lot of motivation," said coach Phil
Jackson. "Yet again, I trust the fact we have guys on this ballclub
who know the importance of doing their job."
Chicago will still be a formidable team and should battle for its
fifth title in the '90s. But "One more for the thumb" didn't work as a
battle cry for the Steelers. It says here it won't for the Bulls
either.
Indiana (52-30): This veteran club hopes a youngster will emerge at
the point and lead them deep into the playoffs.
Jalen Rose, acquired in the Mark Jackson trade, has looked good in the
preseason. However, the job still belongs to Travis Best, the Pacers'
top pick in last year's draft and a favorite of coach Larry Brown.
The Davises and Derrick McKey anchor a strong frontcourt that will be
bolstered by center Rik Smits when he returns from surgery on both
feet.
Washington (39-43): Nobody in the East boasts a more imposing
frontline than the Bullets, with Howard, Chris Webber and the vastly
improved Gheorghe Muresan.
The Bullets have filled their hole at point guard with the mercurial
Rod Strickland and have added bench scoring with 3-point specialist
Tracy Murray.
If coach Jim Lynam can figure out what makes Strickland tick, this
team will explode.
Orlando (60-22): You almost feel bad for the Magic, which did
everything in its power to keep O'Neal and still got ditched. The pity
lasts only until you ponder another postseason getting bombarded by
the obnoxious sounds and sights at the O-rena. Good riddance.
Actually, the Magic should still make the playoffs. Penny Hardaway was
outstanding during Shaq's injury absence last season and will get a
chance to show his real worth. But even he can't make up for the abyss
in the middle and the shallow bench.
Miami (42-40): When uber-coach Pat Riley stops moaning about losing
Howard on a salary cap technicality, he might realize he's got some
pretty good talent here.
Alonzo Mourning loves playing for Riley almost as much as he loves his
new $110 million contract, and second-year forward Kurt Thomas seems
ready to emerge. Riley was able to lure tough defender P.J. Brown and
keep rejuvenated point guard Tim Hardaway.
But he'll keep lamenting the one who got away.
Atlanta (46-36): There's still a franchise here? With all the hubbub
about the Olympics and the Braves, it's easy to forget. As if to send
a reminder, the Hawks spent $50 million on center Dikembe Mutombo.
The shot-blocking machine says now he actually wants to take some of
his own. Good luck with Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith and Christian
Laettner around.
Cleveland (47-35): "Tyrone Hill is looking like the old Tyrone Hill,"
said coach Mike Fratello, whose Cavs could use the toughness under the
boards the former All-Star provides.
Fratello says he'd like to can his slo-mo offense and send greyhounds
Terrell Brandon, Chris Mills and Bobby Phills running. But then he
adds, "Just because it's slower doesn't mean it's uglier."
Detroit (46-36): Upon the news of Allan Houston's signing with New
York, the Detroit Free Press ran this headline: "Houston? We have a
problem." The defection rocked the Pistons, who say they never got a
chance to make a counteroffer.
There are rumblings now that franchise swingman Grant Hill blames
Houston's departure on hard-driving coach Doug Collins, who would not
win a popularity contest in his own locker room. The Pistons picked up
Stacey Augmon and Grant Long from Atlanta for next to nothing, but
that may not be enough to continue Detroit's ascent.
New Jersey (30-52): Forward Jayson Williams will again finish among
the league leaders in rebounds and funny comments, which come in handy
when playing for such a bad club. The Nets were among the
worst-shooting teams in the NBA last year, and that's not likely to
change unless stringbean center Shawn Bradley suddenly becomes a force
in the middle. Right.
The five-year, $15 million contract of rookie coach John Calipari has
already aroused plenty of jealousy among his peers, who will be all
too happy to bury the Nets in the Meadowlands muck.
Charlotte (41-41): Muggsy Bogues is still limping and Anthony Goldwire
has been a bust in the preseason. The Hornets may open the season with
Tony Smith as their starting point guard. Need to know anything more?
This is a team that traded Larry Johnson and potential superstar Kobe
Bryant for Anthony Mason (who doesn't want to be there) and the
underachieving Vlade Divac. Dave Cowens must have wanted to get back
into coaching real bad.
Milwaukee (25-57): After failing to revive this moribund franchise as
coach and GM, Mike Dunleavy was removed from the bench. He's still in
the front office, however, and his relationship with new coach Chris
Ford may dictate the future of the Bucks.
Dunleavy did leave behind a decent foundation with forwards Vin Baker
and Glenn Robinson, but the latter's monstrous contract limits
Milwaukee's maneuverability. The Bucks added veterans Armon Gilliam
and Andrew Lang, and maybe rookie Ray Allen will fill the vacuum at
shooting guard.
Boston (33-49): The Celtics are thrilled with No. 1 pick Antoine
Walker, who represents the future. That's a good thing, because the
present is horrid. Boston gave up the second-most points in the league
last year and didn't do a thing to shore up its defense.
Pervis Ellison is unhappy playing center, Dee Brown hates the sight of
anything green, and the fans are yearning for the good old days at
"the Gahden." Celtic pride, catch it if you can find it.
Philadelphia (18-64): Last year's numbers were so staggeringly bad as
to seem comical. The 76ers ranked no better than fourth from the
bottom in several significant categories in a league comprising 29
teams.
The draft's No. 1 pick, erratic point guard Allen Iverson, will make
new coach Johnny Davis pull out his hair at least a couple of times a
game. But Philly does have some talent, including Jerry Stackhouse,
Derrick Coleman (remember him?) and Clarence Weatherspoon.
Toronto (21-61): Damon Stoudamire and rookie Marcus Camby are pretty
good starting points for a new franchise. After losing three starters
to free agency, the Raptors picked up Walt Williams and Popeye Jones
at bargain prices and added a fine shooter in Hubert Davis.
So even though the team won't be any good, Raptors management at least
has a clue about what it's doing. It will help if Darrell Walker, a
curious choice as the new coach, does too.
nba.1209vpoznanovic,
NBA's birthday boils down to a blatant bash
(Oct 30, 1996 - 09:12 EST) -- The NBA officially turns 50 on Friday.
But the party began early.
Chicago's record-breaking 72-victory regular season and 1995-96
championship only signaled the start of a gala off-season.
Dennis Rodman staged his own mystery wedding. He showed up as the
bride. Does that make him Dennis Rodwoman, too?
Dennis Rodman got a big raise, $10 million.
Dennis Rodman began production on his MTV show, which will air this
fall. He taped a David Letterman segment in which he and Dave played
two-on-two against Siskel and Ebert. Two thumbs sprained.
Michael Jordan made a feature film with Bugs Bunny. Jordan has his own
cologne -- one part charisma, one part Wallenda, one part sweat, one
part success. Eau de dough.
Michael Jordan got a gigantic raise, $35 million.
Shaquille O'Neal shifted the balance of power -- behind Chicago, that
is -- from East to West by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. O'Neal
then trashed former coach Brian Hill, nudging a reporter while saying,
"I'm just glad coach Del Harris knows something about the game."
Shaquille O'Neal got a stupefyingly high raise, $117 million.
Charles Barkley bashed Orlando for losing O'Neal.
"I compare it to when Milwaukee lost Kareem," Barkley said. "Only the
Magic didn't get anything back. They're one ACL away from being back
in the lottery."
Grant Hill, punk.
Hill is shown receiving bad-guy lessons from Bill Laimbeer in his
newest FILA ad. In Detroit's media guide, Hill lists his favorite
movie as "Scarface" and his favorite musical artist as Tupac Shakur,
who recently was shot to death.
"There is an edge to Grant this year," said Pistons coach Doug
Collins. "He has a whole different persona. He has even developed a
pretty nasty tongue. In fact, he is one of the best trash talkers on
the team."
"I'm going to start calling him Charles Barkley," Joe Dumars said.
Grant Hill hated his Dream Teammates at the 1996 Olympics. Every last
one of the guys on the Dream Team felt he was the best player in the
world.
"I came away from that more grown up, with less respect for them as
players and as people," Hill said. "At times I felt like I was the
most mature guy there."
Grant Hill became the anti-Barkley.
Cedric Ceballos bashed the Houston Rockets for adding Charles Barkley.
"Putting a bunch of old guys together" is the way Ceballos described
the Rockets' off-season tinkering.
Charles Barkley bashed Cedric Ceballos.
"We are an old team. I'm surprised Cedric is smart enough to know
that," said Barkley, who once said the Suns would have won the 1993
title if Ceballos had not gotten hurt in the Western Conference
finals. "But we won't take no spring break in the middle of the
season."
Dan Majerle's shot is on vacation his first season with Pat Riley in
Miami.
"I'll get it going eventually," said Majerle, a seven-year Sun. "I'm
just not used to playing that much defense."
New Philadelphia owner Pat Croce gave Jimmy Buffett a rubdown.
Croce, a big fan and a former physical therapist, supplied Buffett
back massages on consecutive nights during a summer concert tour to
ease persistent lumbar pain.
Now, Croce wants to stage a Parrothead Night for Buffet backers at the
Spectrum this season. Also in the works -- Hawg Night. Croce rides a
Harley-Davidson in a biker gang.
New Milwaukee coach Chris Ford laid down the law -- no cellular
telephones or pagers in his locker room.
Like guns in the Old West, "you have to check them at the door," Ford
said.
After a 22-day protest holdout, Shawn Kemp got a whopping raise, which
includes a $14.6 million balloon payment in 2002, $3.6 million in
incentives and a $2.1 million interest-free loan.
Brian Williams will not take a big raise. The Clippers have offered
$12 million over three years. He wants a monster raise, $35 million
over five.
Jim McIlvaine got a surprise raise, $35 million over seven years.
Xavier McDaniel got the minimum -- $247,500 -- to come back and jack
some jaws for New Jersey.
"You're talking about a guy who can beat somebody up," said new Nets
coach John Calipari. "If we're in any fights, we win. Basketball
games, we're not sure about yet."
Scottie Pippen may miss the start of the regular season after
off-season ankle surgery. He has not played in the preseason.
"That's not such a bad thing," Jordan said. "This will take some of
the expectations away, but I like to think we are mature enough not to
try to live up to expectations, anyway."
Rodman was AWOL from a preseason game. Rodman lost $15,000 in three
hours of craps in Las Vegas last weekend, when female admirers tried
to get his attention by grabbing his butt.
Dennis Rod-manservant Jack Haley did not get a raise. He got cut.
"They are all waiting for me to screw up," Rodman said. "I don't need
a baby sitter."
Every Western contender save Utah made a big-name, big-money change to
try to catch the Bulls.
"If there is good chemistry, you can be all right," said Indiana coach
Larry Brown. "It certainly helps to keep a team together, though I
don't think that's going to be the norm anymore.
"You look at baseball. When I was growing up I could tell you the
batting order and batting averages for teams. Now I read a box score,
I can't even tell you what team I'm looking at.
"I dread that day happenning to us. That would be a big mistake."
Magic Johnson bought 5 percent of the Lakers and retired.
"I'm happy right now," Johnson said. "There's no juice left. My juice
has already flowed. I closed the book. It's closed now, and I'm happy
with that closure."
nba.1210vpoznanovic,
Suns roster will be proving ground now that Barkley has departed
PHOENIX (Oct 30, 1996 - 09:36 EST) -- The Phoenix Suns are no longer a
destination point for the proven superstar.
Charles Barkley is gone. Kevin Johnson is injured again. And Danny
Manning is back for the first full season after his second knee
surgery.
Instead, coach Cotton Fitzsimmons sees a proving ground, for both the
booty from the Barkley trade -- Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant
and Chucky Brown -- and those still standing in Phoenix.
It is one of the reasons Fitzsimmons believes the Suns may surprise
doubters in Year 1 after Chuck.
"A lot of guys on this team have a lot to prove, for many different
reasons. They want to show people, 'Hey, we can play. We know how to
play. We're good,"' Fitzsimmons said. "I don't know why they
(ex-Rockets) wouldn't feel that? You think the Phoenix guys have that
after being in the shadow of Barkley? I don't know why they wouldn't?
So all that's going for us. That's just a natural thing for any
player. He likes to be recognized for what he does."
Fitzsimmons plans to give them all a chance to make a name for
themselves after a disappointing 41-41 season in 1995-96 in which
coach Paul Westphal was replaced just after the new year.
Fitzsimmons calls this his deepest, most versatile and most athletic
team and plans to tweak the game plan accordingly. The Suns will run a
triangle offense and also use a two-man game when they set up, but
they would rather run, period.
If the plan to install a trapping, rotating, pressure defense takes,
the Suns may most resemble the first several teams in Fitzsimmons'
second go-round, which began in 1988, when they had a 27-game
improvement over the previous year and re-entered the NBA elite.
Pacific Division rival Seattle has given the Suns a defensive model to
follow.
"I hope by the time the season is over we can get as good
(defensively) as Seattle. Those guys are great. If we get that good,
I'll be proud of this team," Horry said.
Manning will play both forwards and center and also will be used to
bring the ball up the floor against all but the most agile big men.
Bryant and John Williams, both out for a month, will play center and
big forward when they return.
Horry will post up but will also shoot three-pointers, as he did in
Houston during the Rockets' consecutive NBA championship runs in
1994-95. Michael Finley, a Dan Majerle clone, will play small forward
and big guard. He also can defend the point. Cassell and Johnson, when
he returns from a double hernia operation in six to eight weeks, will
play either guard spot.
A.C. Green and Wayman Tisdale will finally be able to get some big
minutes at power forward, now that Barkley is not spending all his
time there. But the Suns know they will miss Barkley.
"There are certain things he brings that nobody in the whole NBA could
bring, things we won't have," Johnson said. "Who is going to get you
10, 12 boards a game? Who is going to make that big block at the end
of the game?
"Before, Charles would cover up all the mistakes we made and still
make us play well. If we are to be successful, our team will epitomize
team basketball."
Off guard Wesley Person did not step up when the Suns called on him to
score last season, after letting Dan Majerle and Danny Ainge leave.
But Person has the purest outside shot on the team and again will be
expected to provide perimeter punch. Newcomer Rex Chapman has an
outside shot, too.
The leader any given night, however, could be a function more of
playing time and opportunity baskets than anything else.
"Nobody will be out there stepping around, just watching other players
play," Finley said.
Not only are the Suns a team without a star, they also are a team
without a starting lineup. While it seems clear that Manning, Finley,
Cassell and Horry will get plenty of minutes, Fitzsimmons is a
match-up guy, preferring to tailor his lineup to the one his opponent
throws out.
Joe Kleine may start against the bruisers of the league -- Shaquille
O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shawn Kemp. Then again, the Suns beat the
Lakers in Tucson last week with Green assigned to O'Neal.
The Suns can play big -- Kleine, Green, Manning, Finley and
Johnson/Cassell.
They can play small -- Manning, Horry, Finley, Wesley Person,
Johnson/Cassell.
They can play in-between -- Tisdale, Manning, Horry, Finley,
Johnson/Cassell.
"I'll play with my lineup all year long. With our versatility and our
depth, that's our strength. For me to say so-and-so and so-and-so are
going to start all 82 games, no matter what, I'm not going to do it
that way," Fitzsimmons said.
One thing seems certain -- the Suns will be better defensively without
Barkley, who most often saved his defense for the fourth quarter.
"I think we'll probably do a little more trapping, because we have
such good athletes. It makes sense to me. Why would we want to stand
up and go one-on-one against a big physical team? Make them get the
ball out of their hands. Let's play off our quickness," Brown said.
The new attention to defense "isn't lip service," new assistant coach
and head-coach-in-waiting Ainge said.
"My job is to make them accountable. I think we spent a lot of time in
practice focusing on the defense" in previous years, Ainge said.
"But we had offensive-minded players who would turn it on defensively,
on and off, and because we didn't have a parity on the roster," those
players would play.
Fitzsimmons does not foresee a problem getting his players to accept
their roles.
"Anybody can come off the bench. Everything is here," Fitzsimmons
said, pointing to his left temple.
"Are you tired this morning? It's all here. If your mental outlook is
good about coming off the bench, then you'll play well. If your mental
outlook is bad ...
"That will be the real key, everybody learning to play a role and
doing whatever they can to make this team a success."
Brown said he is willing.
"Some of us do have something to prove. Sometimes when you play with a
so-called superstar, it makes things easier for you. But sometimes
people think your game is based on what they do, and you can't do
anything for yourself," Brown said.
"Sure, it was easy playing with them (Hakeem and Clyde Drexler)
because they attracted so much attention. Now it will be harder, but
it can be done."
Cassell seems convinced.
"We're not rebuilding. This gives a chance for me to get some
freedom," Cassell said. "I think Danny Manning is going to have a hell
of a year. Robert's going to have a hell of a year. I'm going to have
a hell of a year. Kevin will come back and have a hell of a good year.
That's four guys who are going to have a hell of a year."
nba.1211vpoznanovic,
Brown, Djordjevic, O'Neal all on injured list
PORTLAND, Ore. (Oct 30, 1996 - 21:12 EST) -- The Portland Trail
Blazers placed three players on their injured list Wednesday to cut
the roster to the 12-man limit before they open their regular NBA
season Friday against the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Marcus Brown was sitting out the start of Portland's 27th season with
a strained groin, Aleksander Djordjevic has a sprained right ankle and
Jermaine O'Neal is still recovering from a sprained left knee.
All three must sit out a minimum of five games.
nba.1212vpoznanovic,
Richmond says he's been focused from game 1
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct 30, 1996 - 05:42 EST) -- Kings all-star guard
Mitch Richmond has been with his team in body, but not in soul.
His teammates know it, his coaches know it and most of all, Richmond
is aware he has not been himself.
They all look for signs that he is regaining his focus after an
emotional contract squabble with Kings vice president Geoff Petrie
that left Richmond angry enough to say Petrie had lied to him.
They have not had a meaningful conversation since the Oct. 4 start of
training camp. Petrie has made overtures toward Richmond, but they
have been rebuffed.
"He hasn't been as aggressive as he normally is," Petrie said.
"Everybody certainly knows what he's capable of doing. Now that the
games count, that will be the real test."
Richmond hurried out of practice Tuesday saying he had an appointment
and did not have time to talk.
When told the topic of the story was his mental focus as the team
approached its regular-season opener Friday at Houston, he said, "I'll
be all right."
However, Richmond's preseason performance actually has been far from
all right. Although he has struggled at times offensively, it is his
lack of defense that has been most disappointing. Last season at this
time, he was the point man on an aggressive, challenging defense. This
season, he has been unenthusiastic and unemotional.
Kings coach Garry St. Jean has been connected with Richmond longer
than any person with the team and has wondered when, or if, his star
will get back to playing like himself.
"You're writing about something that we around the team have tried to
give space," St. Jean said, "because of the respect we have for Mitch
as individuals, a team and an organization. It certainly hasn't been
his best training camp and a lot of it is mental.
"But because of the respect I have for him as a player and a person, I
believe, unless somebody tells me different, that Friday when the bell
comes around, he's going to be there."
St. Jean said that belief goes against his normal philosophy as a
coach.
"I don't believe you can turn it on and off," he said. "That when you
want to get it going, you can just flip a switch, turn your game on
and expect it to be there. But there are players who can do that."
Richmond's teammates believe he is capable of doing that.
"I've seen flashes of him," center Duane Causwell said. "Especially in
the (second) Chicago game, I kind of saw the old Rock. The man's pride
is hurt and that's the way you have to look at it. Some people say you
can't turn it on and off, but when the season starts, he'll be there
for us."
Forward Michael Smith acknowledged that Richmond has not performed as
in the past.
"I've seen him play like his old self (occasionally), but he's still
with us," Smith said.
"He's still a guy we can depend on, on and off the court. Off the
court, he's still as funny a guy as you can find. On the court, he has
not been the Mitch that we know.
"He's still going through his own personal problems, but we've talked
about it and I've got faith in him. He won't let us down. Once the
season starts, he's going to do what he's always done. He won't carry
that onto the court.
"He'll leave it off the court because that's what a professional
does."
Smith said he understands why Richmond feels the way he does.
"He's the second-best shooting guard in the league. If you give more,
you deserve more."
Lionel Simmons says the competitor in Richmond will bring out his
best.
"Once the game starts and the first person goes at him, that's when
he'll step up and go right back at him."
Simmons says the prevailing feeling around the team that Richmond's
subpar performance has filtered down to his teammates does not work
with him.
Said Olden Polynice: "Mitch is going to be ready because he doesn't
want to get embarrassed and he's not a quitter. And that's the bottom
line."
Richmond, unlike Seattle's Shawn Kemp, who stayed away from the
Sonics' training camp for three weeks to "get his head right,"
reported to Kings camp on time. Kemp has performed well since
returning to the Sonics and perhaps Richmond may second-guess his own
decision.
nba.1213vpoznanovic,
Who will win it all in '97? The Sonics think they will
SEATTLE (Oct 30, 1996 - 10:54 EST) -- First, there's Gary Payton, the
NBA's Defensive Player of the Year last season who makes backcourt
thievery an art form.
Then there's Shawn Kemp, who outplayed Utah's Karl Malone in the
Western Conference Finals in May to establish himself as the best
power forward in pro basketball.
Former All-Stars and seasoned veterans Detlef Schrempf and Hersey
Hawkins are back to start again alongside Payton and Kemp.
Add in new starting center Jim McIlvaine, a 7-foot-1 shot blocker who
was Gheorghe Muresan's caddie in Washington last season, and 14-year
veteran Craig Ehlo to a bench that includes Sam Perkins and Nate
McMillan.
Buoyed by the confidence of winning Games 4 and 5 against the Chicago
Bulls in the NBA Finals last season, the Sonics think this is going to
be their season.
They expect to win the league championship by beating the reigning
champions and the reigning king of the NBA, Michael Jordan, after they
get past the new and improved Los Angeles Lakers and Shaquille O'Neal
in the West.
"This team believes in itself," said George Karl, who coached the
Sonics to a franchise-record 64 regular-season wins last season. "This
team has very little fear."
"This team potentially is a better team than last year's team,"
general manager Wally Walker said.
The Sonics believe they will be better this season because Payton, 28,
last season's NBA steals champion who was a key member of the gold
medal-winning Olympic team in Atlanta last summer, and the wonderfully
gifted Kemp, a four-time All-Star at 26, are going to be even better.
And both have been pretty good. A year ago, Payton and Kemp were
second-team all-NBA players with Payton sixth in the MVP voting and
Kemp eighth.
Payton and Kemp were at their best in a season when the Sonics put
first-round playoff exits against Denver in '94 and the Lakers in '95
behind them with their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1979. That
was the last time the franchise won it all, and the basketball names
in Seattle were Lenny Wilkens, Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson and Jack
Sikma.
Walker, a member of that '79 team, took over as club president three
years ago after owner Barry Ackerley fired Bob Whitsitt, now
Portland's GM.
Walker, 42, left his own money management business in San Francisco to
take the Sonics' job. He said he wouldn't have accepted if he didn't
think Ackerley had serious aspirations to win a championship.
During the summer, Ackerley lavished millions to keep Payton ($87.5
million) from leaving as a free agent and millions more to land
McIlvaine ($33 million) to replace Ervin Johnson and Frank Brickowski
in the Sonics' middle.
Ackerley also signed Hawkins, 30, a calming influence in the locker
room, to a new five-year, $15 million deal.
The Sonics know O'Neal and the Lakers will challenge them in the
Pacific Division as well as the West. They still think they're better
than the Lakers, though.
"We're always worried about the competition," Walker said. "That's why
we didn't feel the status quo as good enough for us."
Karl, whose Sonics teams have won an amazing 72 percent of their games
since he left Real Madrid in Spain to come here 4 1/2 years ago,
watched his team beat the O'Neal-led Lakers during the exhibition
season. Now, he wants to do it four more times during the regular
season.
"A lot of people are talking about LA," he said. "My only concern is
about ourselves. Do we keep the attitude and the chemistry that we had
last year? Or do we get too cocky or too complacent or too selfish or
too individualistic?"
It'll be Karl's job to keep Payton, now that he has a gigantic
contract, and Kemp, who was a no-show for the first 22 days of
training camp because he was unhappy over his own contract, motivated.
The old ABA player also got a new contract from Ackerley during the
summer. Karl is confident he will be successful.
"This team has a big-time heart and a big-time talent," he said. "I
think it will continue to improve."
nba.1214vpoznanovic,
McIlvaine starting to make his mark
SEATTLE (Oct 30, 1996 - 06:30 EST) -- If the first-half dunk over
Shaquille O'Neal helped ease whatever doubts there might have been,
the second-half block of an O'Neal shot might have erased them.
Certainly, it was a meaningless preseason game between the Sonics and
Lakers last Friday in Boise, but it was still Shaquille O'Neal, and
Jim McIlvaine -- the third-year center signed to a $35 million,
seven-year contact during the summer -- didn't back down, impressing
teammates and coaches alike.
"Mac is coming along," said guard Nate McMillan. "He understands what
we want out of him."
What head coach George Karl wants out of 7-foot-1-inch, 260-pound
McIlvaine when the regular season begins Friday night at Utah is 20
minutes a night of shot blocking and rebounding with the occasional
basket or two.
"If he does that for us, we will be very effective," Karl said.
That's almost exactly what the 24-year-old McIlvaine did during the
preseason, as he averaged 23.8 minutes a game, 2.5 blocks, 5.1
rebounds and 6.9 points, shooting 54 percent from the floor.
"The exciting thing is his having success playing over 20 minutes a
night and knowing that he will get better," Karl said.
Karl noticed that McIlvaine's teammates weren't averse to throwing him
the ball late in games. "They are starting to feel confident in him
shooting the ball," Karl said. "He's a big target in there and he
catches the ball well."
McIlvaine said he has felt comfortable with the team throughout the
preseason and that he hasn't felt pressure to produce.
"I have confidence in my game," McIlvaine said. "I think guys just
need to get around me for a while and see what I'm capable of doing. I
didn't come in and try and surprise anybody or do anything that I'm
not capable of. I just want to do the things I'm capable of doing."
McIlvaine's biggest adjustment so far has been finding his comfort
zone in Karl's myriad of defenses, which sometimes find McIlvaine
guarding a much smaller player out on the wing.
"There's a lot more situations where we go out and switch and
sometimes have mismatches," McIlvaine said. "Sometimes I'll find
myself on the perimeter contesting a 3-point shot or trying to stop a
guy from getting in the lane and shooting.
"It's something I've done before, but it wasn't a part of our regular
game plan (at Washington, where McIlvaine played the last two years)
and it's taking some getting used to."
MCMILLAN PLANS TO PLAY: Nate McMillan made it through his second
straight full practice Tuesday, and afterward Karl said the plan is
for McMillan to be able to play when the season opens Friday.
"It's the first time in a while I remember him going back-to-back,"
Karl said. Right now, McMillan's main problem is a groin pull he
suffered during the Sonics' preseason game in Seville, Spain, on Oct.
20, although he also still suffers from the sciatic-nerve problem that
hampered him during the NBA Finals last June.
McMillan said he plans on being on the active roster when the season
starts, but he noted "I won't be out there embarrassing myself. We
have guys who can step in and fill that void. I don't have to be out
there trying to play hero."
ROSTER MOVES DUE: The Sonics didn't make any roster moves Tuesday,
although they must pare their current 15-man roster down to 12 by
Thursday at 3 p.m. PST.
The Sonics can put up to three players on injured reserve, and Karl
hinted that might be the way the team goes.
Reserve center Steve Scheffler (foot) is a certainty to go on the IR,
but it no longer looks like McMillan will go on the IR, which means
the team would have to make two more moves.
Free agent forward Larry Stewart has played well enough to make the
team, but guard Sherell Ford and Greg Graham have guaranteed
contracts. Ford has two years left on a three-year deal that totals
roughly $1.5 million, while Graham has three years left on the
original six-year, $7.35 million deal he signed as a rookie in 1993.
The Sonics would owe the reminder of the contracts on Ford and Graham
if they cut either player. Worse, they wouldn't get any relief from
the salary cap by cutting Ford, the team's 1995 first round draft
choice, or Graham, acquired during the off-season for Vincent Askew.
The Sonics are at their salary cap limit now, and would like to free
up room in future seasons to give Shawn Kemp more money.
Karl said Walker has been working the phones the past few days,
implying that the team might be trying to trade either Ford or Graham.
Then there's center Elmore Spencer, signed by the Sonics over the
weekend. Spencer signed a "make-good" deal, meaning the team can cut
him any time until Nov. 15 with no further financial obligation. If
they keep Spencer after that, he will make the NBA minimum of
$247,500.
But Karl said Tuesday the 7-foot, 310-pound Spencer isn't ready to
play.
"I don't think he's close to being in good shape," Karl said. "The way
we play, it's imperative that our big men can run and play on the
floor and cover big guys."
nba.1215vpoznanovic,
Bullets release Petruska and Blunt
LANDOVER, Md. (Oct 30, 1996 - 21:12 EST) -- The Washington Bullets
have released center Richard Petruska and guard Bernard Blunt, general
manager Wes Unseld said Wednesday.
Petruska played in all eight preseason games this year, averaging 4
points per game. He was signed as a training camp invitee earlier this
month.
Blunt joined the Bullets squad as a free agent two weeks ago. He
averaged four points per game in two games.
The Bullets roster now stands at 15. The team's opening day roster
will be completed Thursday.
nba.1216vpoznanovic,
Knicks' Childs to begin season on injured list
New York Knicks point guard Chris Childs, who suffered a fractured
right leg in practice three weeks ago, will begin the season on the
injured list, according to team president Ernie Grunfeld.
"Chris is making very good progress in his recovery, which is moving
according to schedule," said Grunfeld in a statement. "The X-rays
showed his leg is healing nicely. He will begin riding a stationary
bicycle and running in water during practice. We will continue to
monitor his progress and he'll be re-examined within a week. He will
start the season on the injured list."
The non-displaced fracture to the right fibula occurred during an
October 8th practice when Childs ran into teammate Charlie Ward, who
will inherit the starting point guard duties. Veteran Scott Brooks has
been signed since and will be used as a reserve.
New York, which opens its season Friday in Toronto, has not officially
placed Childs on the injured list yet.
The 28-year-old Childs played the last two years with the New Jersey
Nets and replaced Kenny Anderson as the team's starting point guard
last year. Childs' deal reportedly was worth $24 million over six
years.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Childs was a find for the Nets last season and
played so well the team dealt Anderson to Charlotte to give him the
starting job. He averaged 12.8 points, seven assists and 3.1 rebounds
in 78 games, including 54 starts.
Childs attended Boise State and had his NBA career delayed due to
alcohol problems.
nba.1217vpoznanovic,
Marathon negotiating session planned for new Atlanta arena
ATLANTA (Oct 31, 1996 - 10:30 EST) -- A marathon negotiating session
is planned Friday on a new downtown basketball arena with
representatives of Turner Broadcasting System, Atlanta, Fulton County
and the city-county recreation authority.
Although Turner officials are hopeful a deal can be struck, they have
begun pursuing other options. They recently renewed talks with Cobb
County leaders about building the arena there instead.
"The crunch time is now," said William Shaw, Turner's lead negotiator.
"We are optimistic that in the next few days this thing is going to
work out, but we have options if it doesn't."
Turner executives have grown increasingly frustrated and impatient
with city and Fulton County officials. The executives want a new arena
finished by fall 1999 for the Atlanta Hawks and a possible National
Hockey League team.
Turner plans Friday to formally apply for an NHL expansion franchise.
The executives also are worried about risking the tax-exempt status of
some of the project's bond financing. Proposed federal legislation
could jeopardize that status, adding $1 million a year to the cost,
unless bonds are issued by early January.
"Instead of them doing the walkathon, I'd like to see them doing some
sprints," Shaw said of government officials.
Mayor Bill Campbell said through a spokesman Wednesday that he has
recently talked with Ted Turner and is confident a final deal can be
reached within several days.
The deal must still be approved by City Council, the Fulton County
Commission and the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, a
process that could cause further delays.
nba.1218vpoznanovic,
Hornets trim roster to 12
CHARLOTTE (Oct 31, 1996 - 18:54 EST) -- The Charlotte Hornets trimmed
their active rosters to the opening night limit of 12 by waiving one
forward and placing two others on the injured list.
The Hornets waived Brad Lohaus, who averaged 2.7 points and seven
minutes a game in five exhibition games. He was obtained by the
Hornets along with Anthony Mason from the New York Knicks in exchange
for Larry Johnson in July.
Rafael Addison was placed on the injured list with a strained left
hamstring. He averaged 4.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1 assist and 12.7
minutes per game in six exhibition games.
Carlos Strong underwent surgery on Oct. 22 to remove a herniated disc
and scar tissue that were pressing on nerves in his back. He is out of
action indefinitely. Strong played in no exhibition games.
nba.1219vpoznanovic,
Can Bulls repeat without Haley?
(Oct 31, 1996 - 18:54 EST) - Some people tuning into the start of the
NBA season will wonder whether something is wrong with the set. Others
will wonder if rotisserie-league freaks staged a coup and replaced
commissioner David Stern.
The answer is neither. Between trades and rookie signings, more than
100 players wound up on new teams. They ranged from some of the
best-known names to the most obscure. All told, enough players moved
to make baseball look stable by comparison. This is what happens when
a league makes the kind of money the NBA did.
This is not necessarily progress. More player movement means less
loyalty all around and, so far, the increasing influx of younger
players has tended to mean more snots. About the best news is that for
all those player changes, only three are important enough to affect
the outcome of the coming season.
Posed in the form of questions, in descending order of importance,
they would be:
-- Now that he's through playing general manager, can Charles Barkley
still play well enough to win a title?
-- For a guy who couldn't handle Mickey Mouse-level distractions in
Orlando, can Shaq really hope to do better in Los Angeles?
-- Can Chicago win another title with Dennis Rodman but without Jack
Haley?
"I've never been his baby sitter or spokesman," said Haley, waived
Tuesday by Milwaukee and seeking employment as of this writing.
"To this day," he continued, "I have never talked to (Bulls coach)
Phil Jackson about Dennis Rodman in any capacity,"
Anybody who watched the Bulls run through the rest of the league en
route to a 72-10 season and the championship assumed Haley was in
Chicago for a purpose. He was always seated near Rodman on the bench
and, for all but one game, immaculately dressed in street clothes.
Haley now says he wasn't hired as a baby sitter. Or an aspiring model.
But that doesn't mean he didn't play a significant role in the Bulls'
success. An educated guess is that it was something similar to the
role he played in his first go-round in Chicago, before Rodman was
there.
That was as Michael Jordan's pigeon for card games and the like. The
truth is, people who gamble need someone they can beat if they gamble
often enough. Given Jordan's reputation for gambling often and poorly,
the presence of a cheerful pigeon should not be underestimated.
So will Haley's departure be enough to tip the balance of power?
Not to LA.
Shaq's shift from East Coast to West will make a much bigger stir in
the entertainment business than the basketball business. For starters,
another ad agency gets a crack at trying to convince us the only thing
Shaq cares about are championships.
Hope the new set of commercials contain plenty of actual footage of
the big fella practicing free throws. (How they'll get it is another
matter). But if championships were the only thing on Shaq's mind, he
would never have left behind the supporting cast in Orlando. The Magic
won 20 of the 28 games O'Neal missed last season against tougher
competition. And right now, no two Lakers equate to one Penny
Hardaway. That's why Los Angeles won't get out of the Western
Conference.
And why the Rockets will.
Unlike Shaq, Barkley's move to Houston will unite him with another
great player for the first time in his career. Two, in fact. Chuck
will be 34 by the time February rolls around and, while he can no
longer pull a team along by himself, this season he won't have to.
Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler will see to that.
Charles was so desperate to go to Houston after last season that he
played the roles of general manager, agent and discontented superstar
to get it done. The lesson Chicago proved last season is that it takes
two impact players to win consistently in the NBA, and at least three
to win a title. Even old ones.
"We got an old team," Barkley said. "That ain't no big deal to me."
It shouldn't be to anyone else, either.
For all the reshuffling everyone else did, Chicago's only significant
move -- other than letting Haley go -- was signing Robert Parish, the
oldest player in the league.
That means the Bulls actually got older. As to whether it also wrecked
the team chemistry -- with Rodman, an already fragile commodity --
remains to be seen. Phil Jackson wouldn't speculate.
"But I hate it," he said, "when guys I played against are on the
team."
nba.1220vpoznanovic,
Bulls merely want to be 'remarkable' again
DEERFIELD, Ill. (Oct 31, 1996 - 17:06 EST) -- It's time for the
encore.
Fresh off the best season in NBA history -- a 72-10 record followed by
a fourth championship in six years -- the Chicago Bulls expect only to
be special again.
"Whether it's 72 wins or not, they want to make it a remarkable year,"
coach Phil Jackson said. "They want to be entertaining and exacting.
They want people to remember this season."
The Bulls open Friday night at Boston with the same cast of characters
that ruled the NBA a year ago. And they say they still have the drive
to excel.
"If anything, we have more to prove now," Michael Jordan said. "We've
got to prove it wasn't a fluke last year. Everyone's going to look at
us with high expectations."
Indeed, has a team ever gone into a season with greater expectations?
Jordan simply expects to be the best basketball player on the planet.
Dennis Rodman expects a sixth consecutive rebounding crown. Scottie
Pippen expects to overcome an ankle injury and reclaim his unofficial
title of top all-around player.
Toni Kukoc expects to repeat as the NBA's best sixth man. Luc Longley,
Ron Harper, Steve Kerr and Bill Wennington expect to be solid role
players -- and to be rewarded with another championship.
"Last year was sort of anticipation and wonder. This year it's, 'Can
we live up to it? Can we redo it?' That's a different dynamic, but I
think we're up to the task," Longley said. "We're chomping at the bit.
We had so much fun last year. We can't wait to start winning again."
Can anything stop the Bulls?
"Boredom, inattentiveness, lack of urgency in play. Those are the
things we've had to guard against," Jackson said. "I think this team
is motivated. They want to do as well as last year. They don't know if
numbers are important to measure that by, but they want to be the team
that's on top."
Being the league's oldest team, health is a major issue. Three
starters -- Pippen, Longley and Harper -- are coming off surgery. A
fourth, Rodman, missed four preseason games with a sore hamstring.
"You have to be concerned about an old team being more susceptible to
injury," said owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who will spend almost $60 million
on players' salaries this season. "Then there's the motivation factor.
Michael was obviously obsessed with winning last year. We don't know
if Dennis or the other guys are going to have the same intensity."
The Bulls dealt very well with distractions last season, and there
will be more in 1996-97.
Both Jordan and Rodman have movies coming out. Rodman has a new show
on MTV. Jordan's new cologne is on the shelves. Pippen has become an
endorsement machine. Rodman is always an incident waiting to happen.
And then there's the fact that Jordan, Rodman and Jackson are signed
for this season only.
"No one knows if this is my last year or not," said Jordan, who'll
make a record $30 million. "As long as I've got the scissors, whenever
I want to cut it off ... by no means will I let someone else dictate
when it's time to walk away."
Jackson said he and his players don't worry about the future beyond
this season.
"We're just happy to be here. We're not looking at it as a last hurrah
type of thing," he said. "As for this year, there are expectations. We
deserve them. We have to live up to them."
nba.1221vpoznanovic,
Nuggets suspend McInnis, reduce roster to 12
DENVER (Oct 31, 1996 - 21:30 EST) -- The Denver Nuggets on Thursday
reduced their roster to the NBA-mandated 12 players, placing two
players on injured reserve and suspending rookie guard Jeff McInnis.
McInnis, the team's second-round draft choice from North Carolina, was
placed on the suspended list for conduct detrimental to the team.
Coach Bernie Bickerstaff did not elaborate. McInnis missed his fourth
straight day of practice on Thursday -- absences that Bickerstaff has
referred to as "excused."
Going on injured reserve were center Rich King, who has a torn
cartilage in his left knee, and guard Keith Jennings, who will undergo
surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The Nuggets open their 1996-97 season at home Friday night against the
Dallas Mavericks.
nba.1222vpoznanovic,
'The Fonz' is back for the Nuggets
(Oct 31, 1996 - 10:12 EST) -- If you close your eyes tightly, you can
envision LaPhonso Ellis in a black leather jacket and jeans, revving
his motorcycle, flashing a thumbs-up and saying, "Heeeeey."
Kick on the jukebox and start dancing. The Fonz is back.
After two long years of surgeries and rehabilitation, the Denver
Nuggets forward is looking a lot like the player he was before doctors
discovered cysts on both knees.
"I feel good, and I'm playing solid basketball right now. But I'm
hesitant to talk about being back. I think I just need to keep working
hard and stay the course," said Ellis, who will get his first official
test of the 1996-97 NBA season Friday night when the Nuggets open at
McNichols Arena against Dallas.
He has been impressive in the preseason, averaging a team-leading 17.5
points and seven rebounds in eight games. He converted .581 of his
field-goal attempts (50-for-86), .333 of his three-point attempts
(3-for-9) and .679 of his free-throw tries (36-for-53).
And he's back to running the floor in a way other NBA big men can only
dream about.
"I've been playing against Fonz ever since we were freshmen in
college," Nuggets captain Bryant Stith said. "His perimeter game is
back, he's running the court well; the only thing missing from his
game is that explosiveness he had his rookie season.
"He feared no one; he would dunk on anyone in his path. But that is
still coming.
"His strengths are his ability to run the floor, to fill the lanes on
the fast break and to hit the mid-range jump shot."
Ellis returned to the Nuggets on Jan. 6 last season, and coach Bernie
Bickerstaff soon was alternating Ellis and rookie Antonio McDyess at
power forward.
Bickerstaff knew the two ultimately would fight each other for minutes
and no one would benefit, especially the team.
So, as soon as the season ended, Bickerstaff talked with Ellis about a
position change.
The coach wanted to keep McDyess at power forward and move Ellis to
small forward.
"I knew that meant I'd have to work on my perimeter shooting," Ellis
said. "And that's what I did all last summer."
So far, so good.
But the plan was thrown into a nose dive when McDyess tore the
meniscus in his right knee Oct. 3, one day before training camp and
the injury required surgery that kept the second-year player sidelined
until this past Monday.
That meant Ellis spent the preseason working at power forward rather
than small forward. It also meant most of Ellis' point production came
from jump shots in transition rather than in the post, where most
power forwards score.
When McDyess returns full time, the plan is for the 6-foot-8,
240-pound Ellis to move back to small forward -- where one would
expect many of his points to come from the perimeter.
"The more I think about it," Ellis said, "once I play the (small
forward) spot, I'll probably be posting up a lot more because it's an
obvious mismatch, a (former) power forward posting up primarily
against a (small forward) player.
"It's interesting. But it's also nice, because it's challenging me to
be something I've always wanted to be -- a complete player who can
shoot the ball from the outside, who can post up, who can handle the
ball."
Bickerstaff has been cautious in discussions about Ellis.
The coach clearly likes what he has seen, but Ellis has appeared on
the verge of returning before, only to felled by injury.
"I can't say he's back," Bickerstaff said. "He's playing good, he's
running, he's doing all the things he did prior to (the surgeries),
and we're real happy with that. But the answer has to come from Fonz
in how he feels."
Depending on McDyess' recovery, the Nuggets could stick with their
preseason lineup for Friday's opener. That would mean Fonz would start
at power forward and Dale Ellis at small forward.
No matter where Fonz plays, Dale Ellis expects good things from the
former Notre Dame standout.
"If you look at how he's playing, even though he's at the (power
forward position), he's playing a small forward game: catching and
shooting; in the transition game he's hitting his jump shot. He has
the size and the quickness. I don't think changing back to small
forward (once McDyess returns) will affect him.
"Physically, he looks good, he's strong, his attitude is great ... and
he wants to win very, very bad."
nba.1223vpoznanovic,
Seikaly placed on suspended list, Warriors reduce roster
OAKLAND, Calif. (Oct 31, 1996 - 22:12 EST) -- Center Rony Seikaly was
placed on the suspended list as the Golden State Warriors cut their
roster to 12 players Thursday.
Seikaly, a holdout for training camp and the preseason, continued to
be the source of trade rumors, although Warriors general manager Dave
Twardzik denied a deal was imminent.
To reduce their active roster to 12 active players, the Warriors
placed guard Anthony Harris, forward Marcus Mann and center Mike
Peplowski on the injured list.
Harris a rookie out of Hawaii, has a hairline fracture to his right
ankle. In two preseason games with the Warriors, he had six points and
a blocked shot in 15 minutes.
Mann, the team's second-round pick in this year's draft, has a low
back strain. He averaged 2.7 points, two rebounds and 12 minutes in
five games this preseason.
Both Mann and Harris will miss a minimum of five games.
Peplowski, a four-year NBA veteran, tore the anterior cruciate
ligament and the medial meniscus in his left knee during the Warriors'
preseason game against the Denver Nuggets Oct. 18. He will miss the
entire season.
nba.1224vpoznanovic,
Houston places Price, Jones on injured list
HOUSTON (Oct 31, 1996 - 20:01 EST) -- The Houston Rockets placed point
guard Brent Price and center Charles Jones on the injured list
Thursday.
Price is expected to be out about three months after breaking a bone
near his left elbow. He averaged 6.3 points in three preseason games.
Jones, a 13-year veteran, has a strained lower back. He recently
signed for a third season with the Rockets and played in six preseason
games, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking four shots.
The Rockets open the regular season at home against the Sacramento
Kings on Friday night.
nba.1225vpoznanovic,
Shaq makes crown possible
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Oct 31, 1996 - 02:01 EST) -- Championships do not
just happen.
Wilt Chamberlain joined the Lakers in 1968. What an impressive
foundation they had with Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West.
Still, it was four seasons for everything to come together with a
championship season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joined the Lakers in 1976. Once again, it took
four seasons to win the NBA championship.
This is why this summer, when Shaquille O'Neal jumped from Orlando to
the Lakers, it was necessary to offer a word of caution -- in all
probability it would take three or four years for the Lakers to win
the championship.
That was before watching O'Neal play.
SEEING, BELIEVING
Once you see the big guy up close it is clear a championship could
happen in this, his first season with the Lakers.
This is not to say O'Neal's game was underrated. That's not possible.
He's won the NBA scoring championship. Along with David Robinson and
Hakeem Olajuwon, he's been an NBA All-Star center during the last
three seasons. The gentleman Shaq pushed into the background when he
elbowed his way onto the All-Star team was Patrick Ewing, who is not
exactly chopped liver.
And yet the scope of O'Neal's game is not completely appreciated.
To many, he is this giant of a young man at 7-foot-1 and 300 pounds
who dominates with brute strength. Al McGuire used to talk about big
men as aircraft carriers. O'Neal is the entire fleet.
But there's more to his game than bulk.
O'Neal brings skills to the court. He can catch and pass the
basketball. That's not as easy as it sounds. When the ball goes to
many centers it is as if they have glue on their hands. They check out
everyone on the court, sometimes two or three times, before passing.
With Shaq, it's bang-bang, the ball is tossed to him and it's in
someone else's hands.
DEFENSIVE IMPACT
This enables the offense to be fluid. It increases the ability of his
teammates to score.
When you see a player only once or twice a year, plus any number of
times on television, you miss little things. With O'Neal, you do not
see his quick feet, the way he spins to the basket. You do not see his
enthusiasm. As big as he is, you overlook his impact on defense.
Not all of this was missed. Some of it is new. Each year he expands
his game. This may be the best thing about Shaq. He's 24. He's a
four-year NBA veteran. As good as he is already, the upside remains
huge. His best years are ahead of him.
Del Harris, the Lakers' coach, found O'Neal receptive. Harris
responded by asking Shaq to assert himself more on defense and, as
impressive as his rebounding numbers have been, to pound the boards
even harder this season.
Speaking of O'Neal's age, that's another reason why declaring that the
Lakers will be in the hunt for the championship may be called a
stretch.
Not just O'Neal's age. Look at the starting lineup. Elden Campbell at
28 and Cedric Ceballos at 27 are the gnarled vets. Eddie Jones is 25.
Nick Van Exel is 24. They're backed up by Rumeal Robinson, 29, Sean
Rooks, 27, and Kobe Bryant, who is all of 18.
The late George Allen, coach of the Washington Redskins' famed
Over-the-Hill Gang, a group of football senior citizens who made it to
the Super Bowl, would shake his head and say these guys belong in the
first grade, not in the NBA Finals.
In June, we'll be saying youthful enthusiasm and talent more than
outweighed the fact there are no thirty-something players in the
starting lineup.
Make that enthusiasm, talent and mix.
The current hot word is chemistry. The Lakers have it. They have nice
balance. Granted, there will be some rough spots. The Sonics, Rockets,
Spurs, Jazz and Bulls are not going to roll over for them.
Just remember the Lakers have more than seven months to smooth things
out.
O'Neal brings his power game. Van Exel will get him the ball. Ceballos
is a slasher who will find his medium-range game improved because
O'Neal generates so much attention. Jones is another slasher. Van Exel
can pop from outside.
Then there's Campbell. Slowly, methodically, patiently, he's become a
valuable player. He's an excellent shot-blocker, a strong power
forward who isn't worried about his points. He loves setting picks.
His unselfish attitude is a critical ingredient for a championship
team.
The defense should be satisfactory. Jones has quick hands and great
instincts, which is why he steals so many passes. He and Van Exel can
play perimeter defense. Campbell and O'Neal can erase a lot of
mistakes by blocking shots.
Rooks and Robinson are role players. They know this and are eager to
be part of the mix. Bryant will run and gun, sort of a shadow Jones.
No, he doesn't have a clue on defense. That will come.
They'll all fit well with O'Neal.
So will Byron Scott, one of the major players from the old Lakers'
Showtime era. He returns at 35 as a spot player. Talk about popping
the outside jump shot. Scott has no conscience. Give him the ball and
he'll drill a shot without blinking.
Scott's a security blanket. He'll understand when the Lakers go with
Bryant. The kid needs playing time to learn the NBA game. The veteran
will be ready mentally when needed. In the playoffs, when Bryant's
minutes can be expected to drop, Scott will be rested and ready for
expanded minutes, just as Danny Ainge was late in his career for
Phoenix.
If all the pieces fit, and it looks as if they will, a championship
can happen for the Lakers this season.
nba.1226vpoznanovic,
Shaq era begins Friday night for Lakers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Oct 31, 1996 - 19:12 EST) -- One team added a young
superstar over the summer. The other traded an aging standout. And
both have a slew of new faces.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns will start finding out if the
moves they made translate into improvement Friday night when they open
the 1996-97 season against each other at the Forum.
The Lakers have seven new players on their 12-man active roster, and a
pair of forwards who were put on the injured list Thursday -- Jerome
Kersey and Trevor Wilson -- are also newcomers.
Leading the way, of course, is the $120 million man, center Shaquille
O'Neal, who signed a seven-year free-agent contract with the Lakers in
July after playing four seasons with the Orlando Magic.
O'Neal, 24, was named by coach Del Harris earlier this week as one of
three Laker captains. The others are starting point guard Nick Van
Exel, one of the five returnees from last year's team, and veteran
Byron Scott, who spent his first 10 NBA seasons with the Lakers before
playing elsewhere for three years.
The Lakers went 53-29 last season before losing to Houston in the
first round of the playoffs. This year, with O'Neal joining Van Exel,
Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell and Cedric Ceballos in the starting
lineup, and with a bench made up of Scott, rookies Kobe Bryant and
Derek Fisher, Rumeal Robinson, Sean Rooks and Corie Blount, among
others, the potential is much greater.
Of course, potential is just that. The games must be played.
Harris expressed anger late last week with how the team was coming
along after losing its final three preseason games.
"We did better," he said this week of recent practices. "Was it
perfect? No. There's a lot of distraction, and trying to keep
everybody focused is going to be a constant problem."
Bryant, suffering from a strained left hip flexor, returned to
practice Thursday.
"He looked pretty good," Lakers spokesman John Black said. "He's
probably not going to be ready for this weekend, but it's not an
impossibility. He's 18, he recovered quicker than normal guys do. He
looked OK in practice. There's a slight chance he might play (this
weekend), but it's not likely."
After facing the Suns, the Lakers play host to the Minnesota
Timberwolves on Sunday night. Then they play three games on the road,
starting at New York against the Knicks on Tuesday night. It's more
likely Bryant will make his professional debut on the road trip than
in one of the first two games.
The Suns, 41-41 last season after winning 59 games a year earlier,
traded 33-year-old Charles Barkley to Houston during the summer for
Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Chucky Brown and Mark Bryant.
Bryant, John "Hot Rod" Williams and Kevin Johnson are all starting the
season on the injured list for the Suns. But Cassell, Horry, Brown,
Michael Finley, A.C. Green and Danny Manning give them a productive
group of players.
nba.1227vpoznanovic,
Lakers to battle high expectations
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Oct 31, 1996 - 11:24 EST) -- High expectations.
The 12 players who don Lakers uniforms for Friday night's season
opener had better get used to them.
The bar effectively was raised when Shaquille O'Neal signed a Los
Angeles contract in August, and from this point nothing less than
serious contention for a championship will do.
Anything less, after an off-season in which $186 million in guaranteed
salaries (to O'Neal, Elden Campbell, Sean Rooks and Kobe Bryant) were
added to Jerry Buss' ledger, will be considered underachievement.
And not just in the eyes of the fans, either.
"We have high expectations, too," coach Del Harris said. "But the word
'contender' is the key. We're a legitimate contender, but that just
means we're in a position to challenge for something. That doesn't
mean you're automatically the champions or the big dog. It means you
might be. It means you have a chance to be.
"We believe we have a chance to be very good, and that's what
contending is all about."
Contending, in this case, means more than being a feared playoff
opponent by the time the season ends. The Lakers were that last
spring, and all it got them was embarrassment and bruised feelings by
the time their first-round loss to the Houston Rockets had run its
course.
No, this time the onus will be on the Lakers to reach the Western
Conference finals at the very least. Of course, there was a time when
making the Western Conference finals and losing was considered a
failure, so things aren't necessarily the way they used to be just
yet.
But they're getting there. Friday night's opener against Phoenix will
be the first of what could be 41 sellouts, which would be
unprecedented in Lakers history -- and which probably will be needed
to help defray all those big salaries.
Already, the atmosphere around the Forum resembles that of the 1980s,
said Byron Scott, the remaining on-court link to Showtime.
"The atmosphere, the crowd's response, the way we got out there and
got after them ... the setting was a lot like it used to be," Scott
said after one of the club's home exhibition appearances. "I remember
those days, and I enjoyed them. And I feel almost the same way now."
The biggest reason is also the biggest man in the lineup. O'Neal,
entering his fifth season in the NBA at just 24 years old, has won
individual honors but as yet no titles.
His signing with the Lakers -- after an acrimonious breakup with the
Orlando Magic, his former employer -- had a lot to do with feeling
comfortable in Los Angeles, but the heritage of championships also
appealed to him.
"I realize this organization has a great tradition of big men," O'Neal
said. "I'd like to take those guys' (strengths), whatever they did
best, and add it to my game but develop my own personality.
"I remember Showtime, baby -- Magic (Johnson), Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar),
the Lakers and Celtics, the Lakers and Knicks. (Growing up) I was
Magic. I wanted to be a 6-9 point guard."
It was Johnson's arrival in 1979 that presaged the Lakers' dynasty of
the '80s. But Johnson augmented an existing nucleus that already
included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Norm Nixon and Jamaal Wilkes, plus an
injured rookie named Michael Cooper. All would play key roles in
future championships.
And when Johnson suggests that these Lakers are, from 1-12, better
than the teams he played on... well, this requires some explanation.
Once he explains, it makes more sense.
"Our last three or four guys weren't as talented," Johnson said. "We'd
have a (Bob) McAdoo or a Cooper coming in, but after that we'd have a
big drop-off. Maybe not from 1-6 or 1-7, but from 1-12, no question
about it, there's more talent here.
"This team has a chance to be more exciting than our team, too,
because there are more finishers on this team. There's Kobe, Eddie
(Jones), Jerome (Kersey), who can still get out on that wing and dunk
on you, and Cedric (Ceballos). And now you've got the big boys (O'Neal
and Campbell) who can get out and run. Oh, man, they'll be a better
finishing team than we ever could be."
Going into the regular season, the Lakers will be slightly banged up.
Kersey, slotted as a small forward backup, is sidelined for the next
couple of weeks with a fracture in his left foot. Bryant, the
18-year-old prodigy who made the jump from high school ball to the
NBA, has been sidelined with a strained hip flexor the past week and a
half and may not be available for the opener.
And they'll face a tough schedule coming out of the gate. LA plays 10
of its first 17 on the road, with four back-to-backs in the first
month.
When fully healthy, the Lakers' rotation probably will consist of a
starting five of O'Neal at center, Campbell at power forward, Ceballos
at small forward, Jones at shooting guard and Nick Van Exel at point
guard.
Sean Rooks will back up O'Neal and Campbell. Kersey can play small
forward, but Jones also can slide over to small forward when Ceballos
goes out, with Scott and Bryant available at shooting guard. Rookie
Derek Fisher will back up Van Exel, and Corie Blount has earned
additional time at power forward with his play in the exhibition
season.
Rookie 7-footer Travis Knight, from Connecticut, probably won't play
much but will stay around as a project. With Kersey apparently
destined to start the season on the injured list, either forward
Trevor Wilson or guard Rumeal Robinson will make the opening-night
roster, as well.
That group will be charged with maintaining, and adding to, the
tradition exemplified by the six championship banners on the south
wall of the Forum, and the six retired numbers on the north wall (soon
to be seven, when Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich's number goes up Nov.
20).
"The tradition here is just like it is in Boston," said Scott, who was
an integral part of Lakers tradition in the '80s and came back -- on
an NBA minimum contract -- precisely for the chance to win another
championship here. "It's something you want to carry on as long as
possible, and everybody on this team has a responsibility to carry on
the tradition of Laker basketball -- to keep winning, to be
successful.
"We were the team of the '80s," he added. "The '90s haven't been real
successful. But the '90s aren't over."
nba.1228vpoznanovic,
O'Neal shakes the balance of power in Western Conference
(Oct 31, 1996 - 09:18 EST) -- The Lakers' signing of Shaquille O'Neal
sent general managers in the West scrambling for big, athletic bodies
they could throw at the 7-1, 300-plus-pound Goliath.
Predictably, there weren't many to be found. That helps explain
O'Neal's $120 million price tag for seven years. Something about
supply and demand.
It also sheds some light on why the Sonics were willing to give Jim
McIlvaine and his 2.1 points-per-game career scoring average a
seven-year, $35 million deal. Shawn Kemp found his new teammate's
contract so absurd he went on a protracted holdout. As the sixth
highest-paid Sonic, Kemp was insulted.
Money matters notwithstanding, the 7-1 McIlvaine can block shots and
clog the middle, and he's Seattle's only legitimate center. In a
conference that includes O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and
Arvydas Sabonis, that's an absolute necessity.
Here's a preview of the Western Conference in predicted order of
finish, with last season's record in parentheses:
Seattle (64-18): After putting up a respectable fight against the
Bulls in last year's NBA Finals, the SuperSonics seem the logical
heirs to the throne. Or at least they did until Kemp started whining
about his contract. If they can keep his discontentment from festering
all season, they should be back playing for the title.
Seattle features the enviable combination of a quick-striking offense
and a suffocating defense that hounds opponents into turnovers. That
plus the presence of steady veterans like Hersey Hawkins, Detlef
Schrempf and Nate McMillan make this club less likely to implode than
in the past.
Heck, even Gary Payton, armed with a new $85 million deal, is ready to
assume a position of responsibility.
"I see a remarkable maturity in Gary Payton," coach George Karl said
of his point guard. "The Dream Team experience has given him a
confidence and attitude I hadn't seen before."
If that attitude rubs off on Kemp, the Sonics should take off.
L.A. Lakers (53-29): The Lakers took the occasion of Shaq's signing to
raise ticket prices. But high as they went (especially those Jack
Nicholson courtside specials), they couldn't keep up with
expectations.
No wonder. The 24-year-old with the Superman tattoo on his left arm
has already proven he can leap tall opponents in a single bound and
stop a speeding fast break. Now if only someone would remove the
Kryptonite from the free throw line.
The starting lineup of O'Neal, Nick Van Exel, Cedric Ceballos, Elden
Campbell and budding star Eddie Jones should bring Showtime back to
Inglewood. High school sensation Kobe Bryant has yet to play a minute
and he's already a teen idol.
If coach Del Harris can keep his players' heads from inflating while
coaxing some solid minutes out of a thin bench, the Lakers might even
be more super than the Sonics.
Portland (44-38): A nuclear experiment gone awry does not have the
volatility of this group. As if moody Cliff Robinson playing out his
contract weren't enough, the Blazers have added Isaiah Rider (already
suspended for a game), Kenny Anderson and Rasheed Wallace to the mix.
Hope the windows of the Rose Garden are shatter-proof.
The scary thing is, these guys are loaded with talent. The frontline
of Sabonis, Robinson and Wallace towers over anybody else's and
18-year-old rookie Jermaine O'Neal looks like he's for real. Reserves
such as Chris Dudley and Aaron McKie would start on many other clubs.
If coach P.J. Carlesimo can somehow find the right chemistry, the
Blazers will blow out a lot of teams.
Houston (48-34): The three core players -- Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde
Drexler and Charles Barkley -- average 33 years of age and 10 All-Star
appearances. Clearly, the Rockets want another championship and they
want it now.
Whoever handles point guard duties will have a difficult task
distributing enough shots among the three future Hall of Famers.
Free-agent signee Brent Price was supposed to handle the job, but he's
out for four months with a broken arm. The search for his successor
continues.
Phoenix (41-41): Is this the year Robert Horry becomes the next
Scottie Pippen? The 6-10 Horry, one of four players acquired for
Barkley, represents a nightmarish matchup for most small forwards.
Being on the final year of his contract may motivate him to tap his
enormous potential.
The versatility and athleticism of players like Horry, Danny Manning
and Michael Finley will make the Suns fun to watch. Their ultimate
success will depend on whether Manning, point guard Kevin Johnson and
center Hot Rod Williams can remain relatively injury-free. History is
not on their side.
Utah (55-27): Sure, the Karl Malone-John Stockton act is still playing
to rave reviews. Their contributions helped the Jazz lead the league
in shooting at nearly 49 percent. But outside of Jeff Hornacek, the
supporting cast is questionable and those three guys average 33 years
of age.
Can Greg Ostertag provide a presence in the middle? Will perennial
underachiever Chris Morris ever live up to his ability? Will anybody
from the bench step up? Those are too many questions with uncertain
answers.
San Antonio (59-23): The Spurs have been taking flak for flaming out
in the playoffs after winning the Midwest Division title four out of
the last seven years. That might not be a concern this time.
All-world center David Robinson is out until perhaps December with a
back injury, putting pressure on Sean Elliott and the backcourt of
Vinny Del Negro and Avery Johnson to carry the load. San Antonio did
not get any better in the offseason, just older, adding 36-year-old
Dominique Wilkins and notorious hothead Vernon Maxwell.
Coach Bob Hill failed to get his desired contract extension in the
offseason. In fact, he may not last the year he has left.
Sacramento (39-43): Mitch Richmond and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf form a
high-octane backcourt, though the latter can't guard a statue. The
Kings are loaded with talented forwards like Brian Grant, Billy Owens
and Corliss Williamson, who after shedding some weight seems ready to
emerge.
Last year's playoff experience, which included a near-upset of the
Sonics, should prove beneficial. If they cut down on the turnovers,
the Kings could make even more noise in the postseason this year.
Denver (35-47): "We're in the same position as 19 or 20 other teams.
We've got a lot of new faces," said coach Bernie Bickerstaff. He
failed to mention the Nuggets are not as good as 19 or 20 other teams.
The new faces belong to Mark Jackson, Ricky Pierce, Sarunas
Marciulionis (all three fairly grizzled ones), Eric Murdock and Ervin
Johnson. They all should contribute in some measure, but it will be up
to Antonio McDyess and Bryant Stith to rescue this team from
mediocrity.
Golden State (36-46): Rony Seikaly's holdout makes an already soft
frontcourt even more suspect. Budding star forward Joe Smith can only
do so much by himself. Where are Chamberlain, Thurmond and Parish when
you need them?
Latrell Sprewell and B.J. Armstrong are a solid backcourt, but for the
Warriors to make a playoff run they need Chris Mullin and free-agent
signee Mark Price to find the fountain of youth. Good luck.
Dallas (26-56): Turns out gifted passer Jason Kidd took offense at a
teammate making a pass of his own -- at Kidd's date. So goes the story
of the rift between Kidd and Jim Jackson, reportedly rooted in a
dispute over singer Toni Braxton.
Every bit the problem as the J's is the D, as in the lack of it. New
coach Jim Cleamons inherits a club that was last in the league in
points, rebounds and shooting percentage allowed. The Mavs can stick
the J, but without a commitment to defense, it won't matter.
Minnesota (26-56): This will be another season of growing pains, but
GM Kevin McHale finally has the Wolves pointed in the right direction.
McHale has built a nice foundation with Kevin Garnett, Tom Gugliotta
and rookie Stephon Marbury. Perhaps more important, he's dumped
troublemakers Isaiah Rider and Christian Laettner.
There's still a ways to go: The center and shooting guard spots are
still liabilities. At least that's three fewer holes than in the past.
L.A. Clippers (29-53): The Clippers have a load of overweight centers,
from the gargantuan Stanley Roberts (just back from a suspension) to
the merely obese Kevin Duckworth, both well over 300 pounds. Dwayne
Schintzius, listed at 285, is puny by comparison. Meanwhile the team's
best power player, Brian Williams, remains unsigned.
It seems any stay longer than a year at Clipperland scars a player,
often forever. Lamond Murray and Eric Piatkowski regressed after fine
rookie seasons two years ago. Pity promising second-year guard Brent
Barry.
Vancouver (15-67): Last year the Grizzlies couldn't shoot (29th in the
league) or rebound (28th). Their leading scorer was point guard Greg
Anthony at a meager 14 points a game. No matter the country, those
numbers translate into trouble.
The frontline is starting to take shape with Bryant "Big Country"
Reeves and rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim. They, like the Vancouver fans,
will have to wait their turn.
nba.1229vpoznanovic,
Something old, something new: NBA season opens
(Oct 31, 1996 - 17:06 EST) -- When millions of Americans and Canadians
sit down in their easy chairs Friday night for the first televised NBA
game of the season, the newest thing they'll see will look like
something from 50 years ago.
The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors will be wearing old-fashioned
uniforms to commemorate the NBA's 50th anniversary. It will be the
first of 22 games this season in which teams go retro.
The New York-Toronto game comes 50 years to the date the first
Basketball Association of America contest was played between the
Knickerbockers and the Toronto Huskies on a hardwood floor laid over
the ice at Maple Leaf Gardens.
This time, the floor will be laid over the astroturf of the SkyDome.
And the Raptors, instead of wearing their usual red, white and purple
outfits, will be wearing plain white jerseys with "Huskies" written
across the front in blue letters.
New York also will wear replica uniforms with light blue lettering
outlined in orange against a blue background.
"Really? I didn't know. This is the first I've heard of it," Knicks
coach Jeff Van Gundy said Thursday. "I'm always the last guy to know."
The Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, Detroit Pistons,
Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio
Spurs and Seattle SuperSonics will also wear retro uniforms
occasionally during the first half of the season.
With so many familiar faces playing in new places, it's an interesting
twist to a season that promises to be a curious mix of old and new
Shaquille O'Neal will be wearing the purple and gold colors of the
Lakers and The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., will be packed with
celebrities again Friday night when Los Angeles plays the Charles
Barkley-less Phoenix Suns.
That game, too, will be televised nationally in the U.S. on cable.
It's one of 97 -- not counting the All-Star game -- that will be shown
on NBC, TNT and TBS this season.
O'Neal's free agent move to the Lakers, who gave him a $120 million,
seven-year contract, was the biggest story in a summer filled with
personnel changes around the league.
Barkley has moved over to the Houston Rockets, who have only two
players remaining from the team that won the first of its two
consecutive championships in 1994.
The Rockets open at home against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night,
the busiest night of the entire season with 14 games scheduled. The
Charlotte Hornets are the only team that won't be playing.
In other games, it's Chicago at Boston, Cleveland at New Jersey,
Milwaukee at Philadelphia, Washington at Orlando, Atlanta at Miami,
Indiana at Detroit, San Antonio at Minnesota, Dallas at Denver,
Seattle at Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State and Portland
at Vancouver.
Another 10 games will be played Saturday night and four more Sunday.
The moves of O'Neal and Barkley are just two of dozens that teams made
in an effort to catch up to the Chicago Bulls, who return basically
the same team that won a record 72 games last season before winning
their fourth championship in six years.
After missing most of the exhibition season, Scottie Pippen will be in
the starting lineup alongside Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Luc
Longley and Ron Harper.
The newest face on Chicago's bench will also be the oldest. Robert
Parish, who on Wednesday was named one of the 50 greatest players in
NBA history, will coax his 43-year-old body out for another season of
the sport he used to play alongside Larry Bird, Rick Barry, Gus
Williams and Jo Jo White.
The Seattle SuperSonics, last season's Western Conference champions,
will have Jim McIlvaine playing center beside an unhappy Shawn Kemp,
who made the mistake of signing a long-term contract two years ago
before the league's salary structure became so inflated over the
summer.
Among the players who were traded or switched teams for lucrative
contracts worth tens of millions of dollars are Dikembe Mutombo
(Atlanta), Rod Strickland (Bullets), Larry Johnson (Knicks), Anthony
Mason (Hornets), Kenny Anderson (Trail Blazers), Ervin Johnson
(Nuggets) and Sam Cassell (Suns).
The NBA's leading active career scoring leader is back, too. Dominique
Wilkins, who played last season in the Greek League, signed with the
San Antonio Spurs for the league's minimum salary of $247,500.
nba.1230vpoznanovic,
Early NBA player remembers the not-so-glory days
(Oct 31, 1996 - 08:48 EST) -- Harry Miller will see Toronto this week
for the first time in nearly 50 years. If basketball has changed
dramatically in that time, so has the city in which he once played the
game.
"That's what I understand," Miller said from his home in Latrobe, Pa.,
near Pittsburgh, "I'm looking forward to it."
Miller was known as Dutch when he played for the Toronto Huskies of
the Basketball Association of America, forerunner of the National
Basketball Association. He later was known as Moose, a name he said
came with maturity. Miller, 6-5 and 240 pounds, was sort of an
enforcer in those days when professional basketball was more physical
and less airborne than today's game. He was not a big scorer, but he
could pass with finesse, as the press coverage of those games reveals.
He played at Maple Leaf Gardens against the New York Knickerbockers on
Nov. 1, 1946, in what is recognized as the first NBA game. The Knicks
won 68-66 before 7,090, the largest crowd the Huskies would attract to
the Gardens.
Miller is the last surviving member of the Huskies who was with the
team all the way through their first season. He is coming to Toronto
to take part in the 50th anniversary celebrations when the Knicks play
the Toronto Raptors on Friday night at the SkyDome to open the 1996-97
NBA season.
The fact that he played in the first game and that the NBA is back in
Toronto has brought new awareness of the pioneer players like Miller,
who said he is deeply touched by the attention.
"I'm overwhelmed, that's the only word I can use. I'm all excited
about it."
It never occurred to Miller or his contemporaries that they could be
the beginning of something big.
"No. It's just something we wanted to do," he said. "We loved
basketball. We were gym rats, guys from the playgrounds of New York."
The Toronto that Miller left was smaller, a lot quieter and not nearly
so cosmopolitan. It must have been strange back then for a New Yorker.
"It was different, but it was enjoyable," he said. "Something
different that you wanted to be proud of. First of all, it was pro
basketball. You're getting paid to do it, that was something
different. Then to be in a different country doing it, that was also
something we enjoyed. Most of us were guys that just got back from the
(Second World) war."
Toronto used to shut down on Sundays. There weren't even Sunday
movies. The pubs were closed on Sunday and on other days there were
rules covering opening and closing times.
"You had to have a schedule to know when you could get a beer," he
said. "And then they had a room for ladies only and men only and for
men and women. In those days if you wanted a mixed drink you had to
get a bottle and have it at your home."
Cocktail lounges were in the process of being introduced. He was an
outgoing sort and working in that business was suggested to him by a
Toronto businessman as a possible opportunity, one he never took.
Miller and five teammates lived in a rooming house off Bloor Street.
They would go to the Gardens by trolley. He paid his rent by saving
meal money from road trips. There was a restaurant not far from the
boarding house. He remembers buying a liver dinner special that
included vegetables, potatoes, bread and salad for a total of 35
cents.
Road trips offered another way to profit besides stashing meal money.
He'd bring in cigarettes and a bottle or two of Southern Comfort from
trips to the United States. Travel was by train, and with trips often
taking five or six days, there wasn't much time to wash sweaty socks
and other apparel. The smell from the luggage bag discouraged close
inspection by customs officials.
"I used to bring in maybe six or eight cartons of cigarettes," he
said. "Cigarettes were very expensive in Canada. The people liked the
American cigarettes more. I had a guy that I sold them to who sent
them to England. He'd give me an order."
If Miller felt his salary of $3,500 for the season was small, he
didn't feel so badly when he learned from some of the Toronto Maple
Leafs of the National Hockey League that they were being paid $2,200
and $2,600. They would talk when they shared the same train. He became
particularly friendly with Leafs forward Bill Ezinicki.
"Talk about a tough guy," Miller said.
After basketball, Miller went into sales, then worked in special
education as a physical-education director. The 72-year-old is still
involved in sports. He evaluates basketball officials for National
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I. In summer, he runs the
hospitality room at the Pittsburgh Steelers' National Football League
training camp. He also does some scouting for the Seattle SuperSonics
of the NBA. He said he appreciates today's game.
"It is entertainment. It's unbelievable. Great athletes. I think
basketball players are the greatest athletes in sports. When you look
at some of these guys like (Michael) Jordan and (Scottie) Pippen, it's
unbelievable what they can do."
He saw the Raptors once last season on television.
"I couldn't believe that (Damon) Stoudamire. I watched him play at
Arizona, and for some reason he looked bigger when he was at Arizona.
He runs like he's got a motor up his rear. He's the kind of guy that
if he kept running on me, I'd have to punch him one. I used to hate
those little guys who could run. When we'd get frustrated and mad in
those days, we'd try to hurt a guy."
Playing the rough game involved some sneakiness.
"You didn't do it like, grab a guy and choke him, or something like
that," he said. "You'd try to use finesse. How good could you use an
elbow? We used our elbows discreetly. How good could you knock a guy
off with a hip? Stuff like that.
"But then inside -- don't forget they only had two officials then --
and if you had an official where he couldn't see you, you'd give a
little kidney punch every once in a while. You'd get your eyes busted
up, your nose."
It wasn't all rough stuff. The Huskies had few great moments. But one
was against the Philadelphia Warriors. The Huskies had been down by 25
points in the first half. They outscored Philadelphia 21-3 in the
final quarter and won 77-69. Miller held league-leading scorer Joe
Fulks to two points on free throws in the second half and also scored
nine points. There weren't enough games like that for the Huskies.
"If the team had gone another year, maybe it could have been a
different thing," Miller said, "you don't know."
nba.1231vpoznanovic,
Magic waive Ellis, place three on injured list
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct 31, 1996 - 19:36 EST) -- Orlando waived LeRon Ellis
and placed first-round draft pick Brian Evans and two others on the
injured list Thursday to trim its roster to the NBA season-opening
limit of 12 players.
The 6-foot-11 Ellis, a third-year pro, had been competing for backup
playing time at forward and center.
Evans missed training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery this
summer. He was joined on the injured list by Jon Koncak, who had
surgery last month to remove torn cartilage and bone spurs from his
left knee, and second-round draft pick Amal McCaskill (patella
tendinitis, right knee).
nba.1232vpoznanovic,
Edney is clear on role -- and goal
CHICAGO (Oct 31, 1996 - 08:01 EST) -- Things aren't that much
different for Sacramento point guard Tyus Edney.
But then again, yes they are.
Edney has a year of NBA experience, but he heads into his second
season wondering if he'll be a starter or a reserve.
Kings coach Garry St. Jean insists that just because Edney or Mahmoud
Abdul-Rauf begins the season as the starter does not mean that player
will be the starter for the remainder of the campaign.
That was pretty much the situation last year when Bobby Hurley began
as the starter but was replaced by Edney less than a month into the
season.
"There is nothing written in stone here," St. Jean said.
Edney says he is ready to perform, whether it is as a starter or a
reserve. His status may change, but his role will remain the same.
"I don't know exactly what my situation will be," Edney said. "But I
know what they'll want when I'm in the game. They want me to run the
team, like last year, push the ball upcourt and make things happen."
Edney said the experience of last season provides a level of comfort.
"I know what to expect from everything, including what the season is
like," he said. "Last year, everything was new, the players on the
other teams, our players, everything. It's just a little easier when
you kind of have an idea of what you're walking into."
Edney said he is not troubled by the team's acquisition of Abdul-Rauf.
"I just want the team to get better," he said. "That's the whole
idea."
Edney's improvement, along with that of Brian Grant, Michael Smith and
Corliss Williamson, will be the keys to the team's growth. One
characteristic of Edney's that will need no improvement is his
attitude. Edney also puts the team first.
That's why Edney was a fixture in the team's weight room this summer
and why he worked diligently to improve his outside shot. He knows he
needs to gain strength and weight and needs to prevent teams from
dropping off him and double-teaming the Kings' low-post players.
Edney averaged nearly 11 points last season, led the team in assists
with 6.1 per game and proved capable of producing during tough times.
Edney's performance in the playoffs was particularly impressive,
despite the problems he faced trying to guard the taller and stronger
Gary Payton.
Edney made just 41.2 percent of his field-goal attempts last season
but shot a respectable 37 percent from three-point range. It wasn't
Edney's perimeter shooting that pulled down his overall field-goal
percentage as much as when his penetration carried him into the lane
and led to tough shots.
"I worked on my shot to try to improve, but I felt last year that I
didn't shoot as well as I can," he said. "It was a little
frustrating."
But Edney said he will not be frustrated if he is not the starter.
"I don't know what will happen, and it is not my decision. I want what
is best for our team. Whatever the coaches believe will be the most
effective. That's the only concern."
Edney penetrates better in the half-court offense and pushes the ball
better on the fast break than Abdul-Rauf, but Abdul-Rauf is one of the
league's best shooters and provides a different type of threat.
Edney said his free-agent status at the end of the season is not a
concern.
"I plan to be here next year," he said. "I want to do everything I can
to help this team this year and in the future."
nba.1233vpoznanovic,
Owens could begin season on injured list
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct 30, 1996 - 05:54 EST) -- Kings forward Billy
Owens did not practice Tuesday and vice president Geoff Petrie
acknowledged that the versatile 6-foot-9 player could begin the season
on the injured list.
"It's a possibility," Petrie said of Owens, who is hampered by a
strained left groin. "We're going to meet (Wednesday) and decide what
the best thing is to do. He needs to be there for every game and every
day. We don't want to have him play one game and then sit the next.
It's one thing to do that in the exhibition season, but when the
season comes and you are trying to formulate a rotation and a core
group of guys, it's tough."
Owens has not played since last Wednesday in Pueblo, Colo.
Owens had a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Test done Monday, but Petrie
said it revealed nothing.
PLAYER MOVES DUE: The Kings likely will make moves Wednesday to get to
the 12-man active roster.
They have 15 players currently on the roster. Free-agent center Kevin
Salvadori will go on the injured list with his severely sprained left
ankle. He is still 2 1/2 weeks away from even practicing and the Kings
still will have to pay him while he is medically unfit.
Free agent Dell Demps has outplayed veteran Kevin Gamble and free
agent Gaylon Nickerson, but final roster decisions don't always come
down to just on-court play. Gamble could be part of a trade package if
the Kings plan to make such a move.
If Owens goes on the injured list, just one would have to go and the
guess here would be Nickerson.
EDNEY TO RETURN: Kings guard Tyus Edney missed practice Tuesday, but
said he expects to return to workouts Wednesday and plans to play in
Friday night's regular-season opener.
Edney has been limited by tendinitis in his left knee.
nba.1234vpoznanovic,
Karl worried about team's attitude
SEATTLE (Oct 31, 1996 - 05:36 EST) -- Maybe it was just a
psychological ploy intended to bring back to earth a team that's heard
a lot of good things about itself lately.
Maybe it was simply the frustration of a coach who is anxious to get
the regular season started.
Or maybe Sonic coach George Karl really is as concerned as he sounded
on Wednesday after a two-hour-plus practice.
"I think they think they are a little better than they are," said Karl
of the Sonics, the defending Western Conference champions who open
their season Friday night at Utah.
"I just think they are not working hard enough. Their attitude is
casual. They are not serious enough. I think we are preparing
ourselves for a big letdown."
Those words came two days after Karl had said he felt the team had
played well and accomplished much of what it wanted to in going 6-2 in
the preseason, beating Chicago, Indiana, Portland and the Lakers.
But Wednesday's lengthy practice that included two quarters of
full-scale scrimmaging left Karl unhappy.
"I hope I'm wrong, and there's a good chance I'm wrong," Karl said.
"But I was very disappointed in today's practice. ... There are some
things that need to be addressed, some problems that I'll address."
Karl wouldn't go into specifics, other than to say they involved "the
whole team."
A less-than-serious attitude, however, is something Karl had mentioned
earlier this week, when he said the team might be "too loose."
That was a charge Nate McMillan didn't disagree with.
"Any time a team has been successful they get a little cocky and stop
doing some of the things they had done to get there," McMillan said.
"But I don't think that will last long. We understand what we are
doing. We all work and play hard."
Forward Sam Perkins said what Karl may be perceiving as a lax attitude
may simply be a team worn down a little bit by a strange preseason
that included the three-week holdout of star Shawn Kemp and a trip to
Europe to play games in Germny and Spain.
Perkins, entering his 13th NBA season, said a scrimmage like the
Sonics had on Wednesday is "unusual" two days before the season. But
he said he understood it because the team hasn't had all the practice
time it has needed because of the awkward preseason, which also
included breaking in newcomers Jim McIlvaine and Craig Ehlo.
"It's been a little different, all the things that happened, and some
people are playing catch-up in a sense," Perkins said. "There's been
so many uncertainties and so many new people it's been an adjustment.
Maybe that's why we are behind."
Karl is worried that the team doesn't have much time to get ahead with
11 of its first 17 games on the road, including a six-game trip to the
East coast the third week of November.
"We are a good basketball team, but we are only special when our
attitude is special," Karl said. "And today's attitude was not
special."
ROSTER MOVES DUE THURSDAY: The Sonics must cut their active roster
from its current 15 to 12 by 3 p.m. PST THURSDAY.
One move that seems a certainty is putting backup center Steve
Scheffler on the injured reserve list, which means he would have to
sit out at least the first five games of the season. The Sonics can
put two other players on the injured reserve list, meaning they don't
technically have to cut anybody.
McMillan completed his third straight full practice Wednesday and
should be able to play in the opener Friday. Fighting for the other
spots are recently acquired center Elmore Spencer, free-agent forward
Larry Stewart and guards Greg Graham and Sherell Ford.
Karl apparently wants to keep Stewart, but the complication is that
Ford and Graham have guaranteed contracts that must be paid even if
the players are cut.
KEMP ANXIOUS TO GET STARTED: Kemp, for one, is glad the season starts
against Utah and Karl Malone, saying playing against The Mailman is a
good, quick way to get in game shape.
"It's going to be tough to play against Karl down low," Kemp said.
"You've got to remind yourself to keep the ball away from him and not
let him slap it away. All the little things you have to remind
yourself of."
Karl said he still thinks Kemp is rounding into shape and that it
might take 10-15 games for Kemp to get in optimum condition.
"He needs to play," Karl said. "He's probably not in game shape yet
and the only way he'll get in game shape is to play in a game. ...
He's a great athlete which will allow him to handle the tiredness and
his special skills will allow him to still perform at a high level
despite not being in the best of shape."
nba.1235vpoznanovic,
Sonics waive Ford; Graham, Scheffler on injured list
SEATTLE (Oct 31, 1996 - 22:18 EST) -- The Seattle SuperSonics waived
Sherell Ford, a first-round pick in last year's draft, the team
announced Thursday.
The 24-year-old small forward from Illinois-Chicago was signed
September 1995 to a three-year contract. He played sparingly,
averaging 3.2 points and 4.9 minutes in 28 regular-season games.
Guard Greg Graham was placed on the injured list Thursday with a
strained right thigh, the team also announced.
Center Steve Scheffler, who missed the last five preseason games, was
also put on the list. He has an injured right foot.
nba.1236vpoznanovic,
Raptors waive Tyler
TORONTO (Oct 31, 1996 - 18:48 EST) -- The Toronto Raptors waived guard
B.J. Tyler on Thursday and placed forward Mark Hughes on the injured
list.
Tyler missed all of last season because of nerve damage in his leg,
suffered when he left an ice bag on too long. The University of Texas
product was originally taken by the Raptors in the 12th round of the
NBA expansion draft last year.
Donald Whiteside beat Tyler out for the backup point guard job behind
captain Damon Stoudamire.
Hughes has been sidelined by a dislocated finger on his left hand.
The Raptors open their season Friday night at home to the New York
Knicks.
nba.1237vpoznanovic,
Muresan to start season on injured reserve
LANDOVER, Md. (Oct 31, 1996 - 21:12 EST) -- Washington Bullets center
Gheorge Muresan will start the season on the injured reserve list
because of a strained hip flexor.
Muresan was placed on the injured reserve list Thursday. The team also
released guard-forward Dwayne Morton.
Muresan strained the hip flexor while working out before the preseason
and did not play at all during the preseason. He is expected to miss
the first five games of the season.
nba.1238vpoznanovic,
Negotiations for downtown arena canceled
ATLANTA (Nov 1, 1996 - 00:01 EST) -- Negotiations for a new downtown
basketball arena were abruptly canceled after the Atlanta-Fulton
County Recreation Authority voted to name a plaza outside the new
baseball stadium after Hank Aaron.
Atlanta Hawks president Stan Kasten on Thursday halted the talks,
which were to resume Friday.
Kasten, who also is president of the Braves, was angered by the
action.
"They have no rights whatsoever to name or control anything having to
do with any area having to do with the stadium or parking," he said.
"I am canceling the arena negotiating sessions over the way they act."
The authority, which has been negotiating with owner Ted Turner and
the Hawks over the proposed $215 million arena for more than two
years, defended its action, saying it had naming rights to areas
outside the stadium.
"What we did today is unrelated to the arena deal," said Davetta
Johnson Mitchell, who chairs the authority. "This may be an excuse or
a ploy to walk away from the table."
She said the decision was made to honor Aaron and would not be
rescinded.
Turner executives have grown increasingly frustrated and impatient
with city and Fulton County officials. The executives want a new arena
finished by fall 1999 for their Atlanta Hawks and a possible National
Hockey League team.
Turner plans Friday to apply formally for an NHL expansion franchise.
nba.1239vpoznanovic,
Bulls know it won't be as easy this time around
DEERFIELD, Ill. (Nov 1, 1996 - 09:42 EST) -- The 72-10 record march
through the schedule last season is not the Chicago Bulls' goal this
time around.
As a matter of fact, they don't even figure on coming close to the
70-victory plateau.
"We are going to try to have as good of a season as we can have and go
from there," multi-talented Bulls forward Scottie Pippen said. "I
don't think that (72 victories) is realistic. What we did last season
was definitely history. It's going to be hard to go back and top that.
"Last season was a very special season."
Indeed.
Buoyed by the return of Michael Jordan for a full season, the addition
of rebounding madman Dennis "Bad As I Wanna Be" Rodman and the
splendid play of Pippen, the Bulls captured 41 of their first 44 games
during the 1995-'96 season.
Phil Jackson's crew then rolled to a record-breaking 70th victory in
Milwaukee at the Bradley Center, finished out the regular season and
breezed through the playoffs to capture its fourth National Basketball
Association title in the last six seasons by knocking off Shawn Kemp
and the Seattle SuperSonics in six games.
But last season was last season, and while the Bulls don't feel
they're up to chasing their own record, one goal remains the same:
They want to retain their title. Badly.
"It should be a fun season," said Jordan, who won his eighth NBA
scoring title and fourth most valuable player award last season. "I
anticipate us coming out and playing just as hard. We may not win 73
games or 72 games, but the ultimate goal is to win a championship."
Said Pippen: "The motivation is always the same, trying to maintain
your title. I think that's going to be the mind-set of our team,
thinking that we can come in and do it again."
The Bulls got a big boost when management kept the team together by
spending some loot. Jordan ($30 million), Rodman ($9 million) and
Jackson ($2.5 million) were all signed to one-year contracts during
the off-season.
The lengths of those deals and the fact that the Bulls are the oldest
team in the league has fueled the speculation that this season could
be the Bulls' farewell tour.
By the time the playoffs get into full swing, Rodman will be 36,
Jordan 34, Bill Wennington 34, Ron Harper 33, Pippen 31 and Steve Kerr
31. And the Bulls' lone off-season acquisition, Robert Parish, will be
a ripe 43.
"It's hard to say, but we have three guys coming back with one-year
deals," Pippen said. "We realize that we enjoy playing with one
another. We'll enjoy the challenge of going out and being a dominant
franchise."
The team won't lack for motivation, though, according to Jordan.
"The hook is to be a champion again," Jordan said. "We saw the hard
work that we had to put forth last year. A lot of guys on this team
had never experienced it before; now they've experienced it."
One key to a Bulls repeat will be the behavior of the cross-dressing
Rodman (sound familiar?).
His lifestyle aside, Rodman was fairly stable last season, and the
Bulls will need his contribution on a daily basis during the 1996-'97
campaign. Other than the head-butting incident with a referee, Rodman
made it through last season with no major blowups. Still, it must be
duly noted that Rodman was seeking that hefty new contract, chasing
down his third NBA crown and pursuing his fifth consecutive rebounding
title.
"Dennis has really made some tremendous strides in just the amount of
time that he's been with us," Jackson said. "We are really hopeful
that he can have a great year. He's now making the kind of money that
he deserves."
However, Rodman, who's been nursing a hamstring injury, has been
acting a bit strangely during the exhibition season. He's missed a few
practices and did not sit on the bench for a couple of games. Jordan
defended Jackson's decision to let Rodman work out at the Berto
Center, but he sounded a mild warning about Rodman's full
participation in team activities.
"I don't think Phil is going to let him deteriorate what this team is
all about, and the focus we are trying to achieve," Jordan said. "I
think he is going to give him space to be himself. If that means not
dressing up in a suit and not sitting on the bench, that is something
we have to accept.
"That is Phil's responsibility to make the judgment."
Rodman had permission to miss one game, but when he missed a second,
sirens went off. Rodman said he received permission from general
manager Jerry Krause to skip both the shoot-around that day and the
game that night.
"I was working out (at the Berto Center)," Rodman said. "I'm not
pulling a Horace Grant, (who) pulled out like he was hurt or
something. I'd rather be here working out, trying to get myself
together. It's kind of hard for me to sit there and not play."
The Bulls do need Rodman's contributions on the court, where there are
no plans to overhaul what was truly a winning formula. There will be
some minor tinkering, but most of that will be induced by the
off-season surgeries of Pippen (ankle), Harper (knee) and Luc Longley
(ankle).
Pippen played in only one pre-season game.
"I'm still having some soreness on my ankle, so I'm taking it easy,"
Pippen said. "I want my ankle to heal as much as possible before going
into the season. I have been bothered by this problem and dealing with
it for a few years, and I'd like to be done with it."
With the Bulls hobbled, a start comparable to theirs of a year ago is
not likely.
"You always want to go out and start in a good fashion, but we have
had some surgeries over the summer and haven't had a chance to
practice together as a unit," Jordan said. "It seems we were made to
get off to a slow start.
"But as long as you finish strong. This will take some of the
expectations away, but I like to think we are mature enough not to try
to live up to expectations, anyway. We are going to try and play our
style of basketball, and hopefully that will end up with a
championship."
The Bulls' leader would also like to add a fifth championship ring to
his collection.
This time, however, the march will be much more difficult.
nba.1240vpoznanovic,
Barkley joins 'Dream Team South'
(Nov 1, 1996 - 10:06 EST) -- With Charles Barkley joining Hakeem
Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler on the same team, the Rockets have an array
of stars that's matched only by Chicago's triumvirate of Michael
Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.
Barkley, Olajuwon and Drexler should all have a future place in the
NBA Hall of Fame, and all three have played for the U.S. Olympic team,
thus the "Dream Team South" nickname.
"Most people that start stuff like that, don't know anything about
basketball," Barkley huffed. "I'm just looking forward to the season.
Hopefully we can play well and it will all come together."
The Rockets plan to attack the regular season with Barkley starting at
power forward, Drexler at shooting guard and Olajuwon at center. Mario
Elie and Brent Price -- when healthy -- will man the small forward and
point guard spots, respectively.
"We all complement each other," said Olajuwon, who carried the Rockets
to back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. "It's like a weight and it's
balanced. Everybody can carry their own weight and make it easier on
each other. It's a good fit, not any friction. We just strengthen each
other."
The Rockets have been built around Olajuwon's solid low-post game and
Drexler's slashing drives to the basket. When teams swarm to Olajuwon,
he tosses the ball back outside to wide-open shooters.
It's still unclear how Barkley will fit into the mix. However, he's
not too concerned about blending in with his new squad.
"I don't worry about roles, I just play," Barkley said. "I just try to
be consistent and do my job every night. I think obviously with Clyde
and Hakeem, people expect us to have a good team and I expect that.
There haven't been any problems and it's going well."
The Over-The-Hill-Gang is another nickname that the Rockets can be
dubbed because of their collective ages. Barkley even attempts to find
some humor in the team's senior status.
"Hakeem, Clyde and I will all be 34 by the end of the season," Barkley
said. "Though with Hakeem, you can't really tell because over there in
Africa, when the babies are born, they just write down the year in the
dirt and when it rains it gets washed away. It's rained a lot over all
those years. No telling how old Hakeem is."
The Rockets were beset with injuries last season as they attempted to
defend their back-to-back titles. They were knocked out of the
playoffs by eventual Western Conference champion Seattle.
A repeat of the injury bug could derail the Rockets' grand title plan.
"If you get hurt, that's part of life," Barkley said. "I never get
upset about getting hurt."
Much has been made of Barkley's desire to win a championship.
"I never set goals, because you don't know how good you can be,"
Barkley said. "If I just play well, I think I'll know if I play well.
Everybody will know if I play well, but I don't necessarily set goals
because you don't want to put limitations on yourself."
Barkley will get more than $9 million on a contract that has two years
remaining. It seems as if Barkley has made it an annual affair to
state that he's contemplating retirement, but really, this could be
it.
"It depends on how I'm playing," Barkley said. "If I'm playing well
and finish out the seasons playing well, then I'll play. But I don't
perceive myself playing more than two years. I think that would be
stretching it. As long as I'm healthy I'd like to play this year and
next."
Barkley, Olajuwon and Drexler all can carry the offensive load. All
can post up. All can shoot from the field.
But it will be up to coach Rudy Tomjanovich to monitor the shot
distribution charts.
"Every team has to be concerned about that kind of stuff," Tomjanovich
said. "That's what basketball is all about. When the team wins out
over the individual, that's when you have a good year."
The Barkley deal has also rejuvenated Tomjanovich. He's been editing
his play book to best utilize all of Barkley's skills.
"It's very exciting because Charles is such a good passer,"
Tomjanovich said. "The layup becomes a weapon: guys cutting. Clyde
brought that to our team, too. We added a couple of different sets for
Clyde and before we even got into the one-on-one situation, guys were
cutting through and they were getting layups.
The Rockets, as some contend, may have mortgaged their future to
acquire Barkley from the Phoenix Suns by giving up Sam Cassell, Robert
Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown over the summer. Tomjanovich isn't
so sure about that.
"With the other team, that team, because of the salary cap would have
had to go on," Tomjanovich said. "As the older stars retired, we'd
still be over the cap and we couldn't change.
"The only way that we could change would be through a draft choice and
it would probably be in the 20s. Now after this era is over and these
guys are gone, it's just going to open up the salary cap and we could
go out and get a top-level player."
nba.1241vpoznanovic,
Heat, county agree on new deal for privately funded arena
MIAMI (Nov 1, 1996 - 16:54 EST) -- Taxpayers wouldn't pay for the
Miami Heat's new home under a plan announced Friday, but the proposal
to build the arena on the waterfront still faces a hurdle with voters
on Election Day.
The new deal between the Heat and Dade County calls for the team to
pay for the $165 million arena on vacant land downtown by Biscayne
Bay, with the county paying for a parking garage and some of the
building's operating costs.
Private funding could make the project more palatable for voters who
will decide in a referendum Tuesday whether the arena can be built on
the city-owned land.
"This deal doesn't mean anything if 51 percent of people vote yes on
Tuesday," Heat owner Micky Arison said.
Civic activist Dan Paul, who has led opposition to the arena, said the
new plan was "the same old deal in a new dress." He promised to
continue fighting against the project.
Polls showed the proposal for a publicly-funded arena on the
waterfront was unpopular. But a poll by The Miami Herald also showed
strong support for having an arena built on public land with private
money.
Metro-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, who ran for election on a promise to
fight the publicly-funded arena, stood next to Arison at a news
conference Friday and declared victory. Calling the new agreement a
"fair deal," he also switched sides on the referendum question and
asked voters to allow the arena on public land.
"Tax dollars will not be used to build the new arena," he said.
Under the old plan, the county would have been liable for up to $250
million in total costs while the new agreement allows the county to
make money, Penelas said.
Among the key elements to the new deal:
-- The Heat would cover the costs of building the arena, pegged at
$165 million, on land the county will lease from the city.
-- The county would own the arena and contribute $3 million toward
operating costs while retaining valuable naming rights to the
facility.
-- The Heat would keep all profits up to $14 million, after which the
county gets 40 percent.
-- The county would be responsible for building a 3,400 space garage,
while the Heat would operate it and receive the profits.
Still in question is the future of the Heat's current home, the
8-year-old Miami Arena.
Arison considers the Miami Arena inadequate. It lacks luxury suites
and has few sky boxes, which sports franchises consider vital these
days. He has said he would either sell or relocate the team if voters
reject the new project.
Paul said Penelas and Arison merely switched the public dollars to
other parts of the project to mask the real taxpayer bill and confuse
voters.
"It's nothing but a bait and switch," he said.
nba.1242vpoznanovic,
A lot has changed since NBA's first game in 1946
TORONTO (Nov 1, 1996 - 16:54 EST) -- The top salary was $10,000, about
a season's worth of meal money today.
Overnight train travel was the mode of transportation;
custom-outfitted chartered jets were not in vogue.
Room and board was about $10 a week, the luxury hotels were for
another class of citizen.
But eight men who played in the first game of what would be the NBA
all agree they had it good on Nov. 1, 1946, when the Toronto Huskies
and New York Knicks got things rolling at Maple Leaf Gardens.
"We were just so happy to be out of the service and get back home, we
would have played for nothing," said Henry "Moose" Miller, one of
eight surviving players from that game who were honored before Friday
night's Toronto Raptors-Knicks season-opener at the SkyDome.
"We thought we were doing all right."
The eight -- four Huskies and four Knicks -- were in Toronto to help
the NBA begin its 50th anniversary season. They were all on the floor
a half-century ago when 7,090 fans watched the first game of the
Basketball Association of America, which changed its name to the NBA
three years later.
"We didn't know what would come of the league," said Gino Sovran, a
native of Windsor, Ontario, who would appear in six games for the
Huskies. "We were just interested in making a living."
The now-historic Nov. 1 game was foisted on the BAA by the NHL. The
basketball league wanted to start Nov. 2, but the Toronto Maple Leafs
had a game at the Gardens that night and the BAA moved its opener a
night earlier.
The Knicks won 68-66.
Understandably, it wasn't the only time hockey and basketball mixed in
Toronto. But the mix didn't always come with predictable results.
"We used to know the hockey players well, that was the big sport up
here," Miller said. "They'd ask how much I made and when I told them
$3,500, guys wanted to smack me.
"They were making $2,400, $2,600."
The players also had to educate the fans.
"Canadians didn't know a lot of the basketball terms," Miller said.
"We'd be playing defense, the other team would be coming down the
court and the fans would be yelling, 'Check him, check him.' "
That the NBA now is honoring the men who blazed the trail for today's
millionaires is long overdue, commissioner David Stern said.
"I can say we have been so thoroughly focused on trying to stay afloat
and making sure we're ready for the future that we haven't had the
opportunity to develop the kind of traditions that baseball does
better than anyone else," Stern said.
"I think it (50th anniversary season) is a great excuse and reason for
doing it, but we should have been doing it better. It gives a richer
appreciation to our current players of some of the sacrifices and
contributions that have led to the success they now have."
nba.1243vpoznanovic,
To define change, just look at the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 09:06 EST) -- Anybody seen any children on playgrounds
practicing two-handed set shots lately?
Anybody out there worried that the game might be totally dominated and
maybe even distorted out of recognition by a man 6-10 tall, with a
hook shot?
Anybody got season tickets for the Fort Wayne team? Maybe Rochester?
The Waterloo Hawks? Maybe even the Milwaukee Hawks? The Chicago
Packers? (Were they kidding with that name?) Or for that matter, the
Sheboygan Redskins?
Every answer is either no or, "Are you kidding?" But think about it:
Fifty years in the history of humankind is the blink of an eye. But
within 50 years, the game of professional basketball was invented,
reinvented, revolutionized and finally marketed into orbit.
The National Basketball Association is celebrating its 50th
anniversary season. It is all right for the league to celebrate. No
other professional sport on the American scene has changed so much, so
rapidly, so often. And the changes have all worked.
Why? Better yet, why not?
It must be the shoes. No, no, the commercials only make it seem that
way. Actually, it's the players. The game used to be horizontal. Now,
it's vertical.
When the NBA started, it was largely a creature of the East and
Midwest, and it was played in some towns that would make Green Bay
look like Gotham. It was interesting, but it was not necessarily
threatening baseball as the national pastime.
George Mikan, alluded to just a few paragraphs ago, changed some of
that. Here was the NBA's first star Big Man. The Minneapolis Lakers
were his team. At least the nickname made sense. The Los Angeles
Lakers? But that's another story.
The lords of the early game were so worried about Mikan's dominance
that they doubled the width of the lane to keep him from hanging out
near the hoop. They even toyed with the notion of raising the height
of the basket to 12 feet, a thought that eventually someone will have
again.
Mikan represented the first leap forward, although leaps in that
postwar era don't really have much to do with leaps in this one.
The game had its brilliance in subsequent years. There were the Boston
Celtics teams on which Bill Russell appeared to be the inventor of
defense and rebounding, and on which Bob Cousy's ball-handling
wizardry was an omen of things to come.
The star center position became occupied by men who dwarfed Mikan and
whose athleticism seemed as gigantic as their stature. Wilt
Chamberlain. Later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Elsewhere, there were players
of stunning ability and staying power -- Elgin Baylor, Oscar
Robertson, Jerry West. Name your own favorites. Everyone from big,
tough Nate Thurmond to Nate "Tiny" Archibald. The list is nearly
inexhaustible and the history is rich.
But the fact is that the NBA did not soar in popularity until the last
two decades. And then soar it did.
Two men are widely given credit for initiating the push -- Magic
Johnson and Larry Bird.
They came to national attention competing for an NCAA championship,
and they kept going after it with the Lakers and the Celtics.
Basketball in Los Angeles became "Showtime." The faces of Hollywood
showed up at courtside. These were figures, at least in part, of
imagination. If they wanted to see basketball and be seen at
basketball games, well, it must be cool.
Dr. J, Julius Erving, must get an assist in here somewhere. He was not
only airborne for much of his professional life, he was also class. If
he didn't play on as many championship teams as Johnson or Bird, he
did introduce the broader public to the concept of multiple midair
moves.
And then, the ultimate breakthrough: Michael. Jordan. Air Jordan. He's
up, he's down, he's up again, he's across, he's swooping and soaring
and gravity-defying and scoring.
No other single athlete, in any other single sport, has had Jordan's
impact, not only on the audience but on the game itself. He is now the
measuring stick, the barometer, the standard. Somebody looks like a
young giant? Why, he could be the Michael Jordan of whatever.
Except that nobody else is quite the Michael Jordan of anything,
unless he is actually Michael Jordan himself. But that doesn't stop a
planet-full of people from trying to emulate him.
The cast of contemporary stars is too large to list here. But just
contemplate for a moment Hakeem Olajuwon, a giant of a man with moves
that a lead guard could envy. Fifty years ago, he would have been a
figure beyond imagination. Now, for every position, for every taste, a
standard of excellence has been set. And in trying to reach and
surpass those standards, the game only grows.
With more children playing the game, with more children seeing
basketball as the game, the talent pool grows and the game expands.
There are more wonderful basketball players than ever available, and
they are all fully aware that the game has grown to accommodate their
abilities.
Raise the basket? Hey, they might have to raise the roof. The game is
no longer ground-bound, and its future isn't horizontal, either.
The game is not free of troubles or potential pitfalls. The
exponential growth of salaries troubles the small-market franchises.
Management-labor squabbles have not erupted as they have in baseball,
but they are simmering. But unless you're going to worry about Dennis
Rodman's dress clashing with his current hair color, the state of the
NBA should not cause you to lose any sleep.
In the 50 years since the dawn of the pro game, you still have the
basket and you still have the ball. Apart from that, change has been a
constant. And in this case, given the entertainment value of the game
and the athleticism of its players, this has not merely been change
for the sake of change.
This has been growth ... by leaps and bounds.
nba.1244vpoznanovic,
You can't tell the players without a scorecard in the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 10:42 EST) -- Juwan Howard finished the 1995-'96
National Basketball Association season in the uniform of the
Washington Bullets.
Over the summer -- at least for a few weeks -- he found himself
preparing to wear the colors of Pat Riley's Miami Heat.
And today, well, Howard is right back where he started after
re-signing with Washington.
Howard's trek down and then back up the East Coast has come to
symbolize the unprecedented player movement that marked the NBA's
first off-season under its new collective bargaining agreement.
Literally, a scorecard is needed to track all of the player movement
and the wholesale face lifts that several teams underwent.
Don't show up at a Orlando Magic game expecting to see Shaquille
O'Neal.
He's now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
And if you wanted to see Denver and boo Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf during the
national anthem, you better make plans to attend the Sacramento game,
because he now shares the Kings' backcourt with Mitch Richmond.
Charles Barkley. Phoenix, right? Wrong. Call it the Dream Team South,
or the Houston Rockets, whichever name you prefer.
Dikembe Mutombo was a tower in Denver, but how he could be bigger than
CNN in Atlanta.
Mark Price was a Bullet like Howard, but that was then. He's with
Golden State.
Grant Hill's main man is sweet-shooting Allan Houston. That may be
true, but Hill will have to use the phone to talk to Houston, who is
now playing in Madison Square Garden with the New York Knicks after
signing a huge contract in the off-season.
What about the the Portland Trail Blazers? Well, there are some who
are calling them the Jail Blazers, simply because they now have Kenny
Anderson, Rasheed Wallace and former Minnesota bad boy Isaiah Rider in
their lineup.
"Let's just hope this summer was an aberration," Boston coach and
director of operations M.L. Carr said.
Bucks general manager Mike Dunleavy believes this signing frenzy was a
unique situation.
"I think this was an aberration because you had so many high-profile
free agents coming available," Dunleavy said. "I can't see it coming
up when you have the magnitude of stars like Shaq, Michael Jordan,
Rodman, Juwan Howard -- all of these guys to all be up in the same
year."
However, under the new collective bargaining agreement that
substantially raised the salary cap, this type of change most likely
is the wave of the future. Teams that are under the salary cap will
look to the free-agent pool as a way to get competitive quickly.
With the money that's being paid out -- there were three deals that
topped the $100 million mark -- there don't figure to be many teams
that will have funds to spend.
Not every team, however, got caught up in the player-signing frenzy.
The champion Chicago Bulls re-signed their own players, Michael Jordan
and Dennis Rodman. The Indiana Pacers successfully retained their top
three key free agents -- Antonio Davis, Dale Davis and Reggie Miller,
keeping that winning formula intact.
"It certainly helps to keep a team together, though I don't think
that's going to be the norm anymore," Pacers coach Larry Brown said.
With all the movement, league-wide observers will be watching closely
to see whether there was a power shift from the Eastern Conference to
the Western Conference or vice versa.
Certainly, the Lakers, with the addition of O'Neal, should be much
improved. Some even consider the Lakers, who won 53 games last season,
as title contenders.
"They are definitely a championship team now," Houston's Hakeem
Olajuwon said. "Once you have Shaq, you have a foundation, and you can
build quickly around it."
To make room for O'Neal's $120 million-plus deal, the Lakers had to
dump players. They filled out their roster with free agents such as
Jerome Kersey, Sean Rooks and Rumeal Robinson. They now feature a
starting five of O'Neal at center, Elden Campbell and Cedric Ceballos
at the forward spots, and Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones at the guards.
Lakers coach Del Harris doesn't expect the changes to take hold
overnight.
"It takes time," Harris said. "There is no microwave in basketball. It
takes time for things to simmer, to marinate."
The Detroit Pistons, who watched haplessly as agent Bill Strickland
guided Houston to the Knicks, were a big loser in the free-agent
signing bonanza.
Perhaps the biggest loser of all was Riley and the Heat. Miami lost
Howard because it was deemed to be over the salary cap. Riley figured
he had two marquee players in Alonzo Mourning and Howard to build a
title contender around. Now he's moving on to Plan B.
"We are going to have to develop the team differently," Riley said.
"We are going to have to get lucky with some draft choices, develop
some young players and do it that way.
"Maybe somewhere a timely trade might be able to enhance it."
Or another off-season of rapid change.
nba.1245vpoznanovic,
Hey! Who are those Husky guys?
(Nov 1, 1996 - 01:36 EST) - The NBA begins its 51st season tonight,
and one of the games will feature the New York Knicks playing a team
with "Huskies" written across their chests.
No, you didn't miss another round of expansion over the summer.
But you might have missed the announcement about retro uniforms.
The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors will be wearing old-fashioned
uniforms to commemorate the NBA's 50th anniversary. It will be the
first of 22 games this season in which teams wear replicas of uniforms
from the league's past.
The Raptors, instead of wearing their usual red, white and purple
outfits, will be wearing plain white jerseys with "Huskies" written
across the front in blue letters.
New York will wear uniforms with light blue lettering outlined in
orange against a blue background.
"Really? I didn't know. This is the first I've heard of it," Knicks
coach Jeff Van Gundy said Thursday. "I'm always the last guy to know."
The Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, Detroit Pistons,
Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio
Spurs and Seattle SuperSonics will also wear retro uniforms
occasionally during the first half of the season.
It's an interesting twist to a season that promises to be a curious
mix of old and new.
Shaquille O'Neal will be wearing the purple and gold colors of the
Lakers, and The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., will be packed with
celebrities again tonight when Los Angeles plays the Charles
Barkley-less Phoenix Suns.
That game, too, will be televised nationally in the U.S. on cable.
It's one of 97 -- not counting the All-Star game -- that will be shown
on NBC, TNT and TBS this season.
O'Neal's free-agent move to the Lakers, who gave him a $120 million,
seven-year contract, was the biggest story in a summer filled with
personnel changes around the league.
Barkley has moved over to the Houston Rockets, who have only two
players remaining from the team that won the first of its two
consecutive championships in 1994.
The Rockets open at home against the Sacramento Kings on the busiest
night of the entire season, with 14 games scheduled. The Charlotte
Hornets are the only team that won't be playing.
In other games, it's Chicago at Boston, Cleveland at New Jersey,
Milwaukee at Philadelphia, Washington at Orlando, Atlanta at Miami,
Indiana at Detroit, San Antonio at Minnesota, Dallas at Denver,
Seattle at Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State and Portland
at Vancouver.
Another 10 games will be played Saturday night and four more Sunday.
The moves of O'Neal and Barkley are just two of dozens that teams made
in an effort to catch up to the Chicago Bulls, who return basically
the same team that won a record 72 games last season before winning
their fourth championship in six years.
After missing most of the exhibition season, Scottie Pippen will be in
the starting lineup alongside Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Luc
Longley and Ron Harper.
The newest face on Chicago's bench will also be the oldest. Robert
Parish, who on Wednesday was named one of the 50 greatest players in
NBA history, will coax his 43-year-old body out for another season of
the sport he used to play alongside Larry Bird, Rick Barry, Gus
Williams and Jo Jo White.
The SuperSonics, last season's Western Conference champions, will have
Jim McIlvaine playing center beside an unhappy Shawn Kemp, who made
the mistake of signing a long-term contract two years ago before the
league's salary structure became so inflated over the summer.
Among the players who were traded or switched teams for lucrative
contracts worth tens of millions of dollars are Dikembe Mutombo
(Atlanta), Rod Strickland (Bullets), Larry Johnson (Knicks), Anthony
Mason (Hornets), Kenny Anderson (Trail Blazers), Ervin Johnson
(Nuggets) and Sam Cassell (Suns).
The NBA's leading active career scoring leader is back, too. Dominique
Wilkins, who played last season in the Greek League, signed with the
Spurs for the league's minimum salary of $247,500.
nba.1246vpoznanovic,
As teams revamp, NBA players are either haves or have-nots
TACOMA, Wash. (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:48 EST) -- Shaquille O'Neal was the
biggest winner.
Walt Williams was the biggest loser.
The gap between O'Neal's $120 million deal and Williams' $247,500
minimum contract is indicative of a widening gap between the NBA's
rich and poor.
The winners of the largest free-agency movement in league history were
crowned quickly in early July.
O'Neal was lured from Orlando by $120 million to become a Los Angeles
Laker. Alonzo Mourning re-signed with the Miami Heat for $112 million.
After the league invalidated the Heat's claim to Juwan Howard, he
re-signed with the Washington Bullets for $105 million.
Gary Payton became the highest-paid point guard in the league when the
Seattle SuperSonics forked over $87.5 million to re-sign him, and
Allan Houston left Detroit when the New York Knicks offered $56
million.
Dikembe Mutombo said goodbye to the Denver Nuggets for an Atlanta
Hawks deal worth $56 million and P.J. Brown shed the New Jersey Nets
for the Heat's $35 million. Jim McIlvaine signed with Seattle for a
similar figure after turning down a couple higher offers.
All of the nouveau riche signed seven-year deals -- O'Neal has an out
after three years -- except league most valuable player Michael
Jordan, who agreed to a one-year deal for $30 million with the
defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls.
As eye-popping as some of the new deals proved to be -- Payton
expected $56-60 million at the outset -- the number of players left to
scramble for the NBA's version of table scraps was equally surprising.
As space under the $24.3 million salary cap dissolved, players such as
Kenny Smith -- a key part of Houston's second consecutive NBA title
just 17 months ago -- signed for the minimum, with the Detroit
Pistons.
A week before training camps opened on Oct. 4, 56 free agents were
still looking for employment, many of whom continued to resist the
reality of signing for bottom-scale wages.
"Basketball is going through what baseball went through a few years
ago," said Elmore Spencer, a free agent who was unemployed until last
Saturday when he signed a "make-good," minimum contract with the
Sonics.
"You're going to have a have and have-not system, so most of the
veteran free agents are going to have to take the minimum until they
can show their value and move on when salary cap space opens up."
The vast majority of the free agents who settled for the league
minimum had no other choice.
But that was not the case for Walt Williams, Rex Chapman, Benoit
Benjamin, Brian Williams and Oliver Miller.
Walt Williams had two years remaining for $6 million when he exercised
the option in his contract, thinking the Heat would re-sign him at a
higher salary. But the Heat renounced him in order to sign Howard.
When the league ruled that the Heat couldn't have Howard, Miami
general manager and coach Pat Riley offered Williams a one-year deal
for $1 million or a seven-year deal with bonuses averaging $750,000 in
base salary.
By this time, Williams was no longer interested in playing for the
Heat. He waited for offers from other teams, but by then only a few,
including Charlotte and Cleveland, had room under the cap.
So, Williams accepted the minimum from the Toronto Raptors.
Chapman did the same with the Phoenix Suns only a few months after
turning down two offers from the Heat, a six-year, $4.5 million deal
and a one-year $1 million contract.
"We never tried to do anything but make him a good, solid offer,"
Riley told Miami reporters. "Maybe he didn't read the market. I think
the market has shown (a higher offer) wasn't there."
Similarly, Benjamin gave up a couple million with the Milwaukee Bucks
to explore other offers and ended up settling for the minimum with the
Raptors.
Brian Williams has yet to settle, and yet to find a job. His bid for
approximately $10 million a year went unanswered after McIlvaine, a
less-proven center, signed for $35 million with the Sonics.
Although Williams is arguably a better player than McIlvaine, his
market value was lower because no one had the desire nor salary cap
space to meet his asking price.
Miller could have stayed with the Raptors for $6 million over the next
two years, but he opted out and wound up with the Dallas Mavericks for
the minimum.
"Oh, well, life is one big risk," Miller told reporters. "Right now,
beggers can't be choosers."
Miller's departure from the Raptors was part of a complete roster
overhaul of the second-year franchise. Of the 14 players selected in
the expansion draft, only two are left, B.J. Tyler and Acie Earl.
The Knicks, Heat, Rockets, Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and second-year
Vancouver Grizzlies replaced nine members of their 1995-96 rosters and
seven other teams replaced seven players, including the Portland Trail
Blazers.
In an attempt to improve upon a 44-38 season, the Blazers traded
disgruntled point guard Rod Strickland and Harvey Grant to the Bullets
for Rasheed Wallace and Mitchell Butler, sent James Robinson and Bill
Curley to Minnesota for troubled shooting guard Isaiah Rider and
signed free-agent point guard Kenny Anderson.
Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo expects mixed results from the league's
roster revamping.
"Every situation will be different," he said. "Some will be a great
fit, things'll work out and it'll be a better situation than it was.
And there will probably be some where it won't work out. I don't think
there will be a constant.
"Early in the season, it'll take a little bit longer if you're
introducing a lot of faces like we are. It might not compare to the
stability of Seattle or a Chicago situation, but if you compare it to
a situation where things weren't great in the first place, you might
be better off. It may take a little time, depending on how many people
are playing key roles, but it may be worth it."
As for the possibility of fans losing interest amid all the changes,
Carlesimo foresees no problem.
"Our fans are going to support whoever's wearing black and red," he
said. "And Seattle's fans are going to support whoever's wearing green
and gold, I'm not saying it's not nice to have guys there for a long
time.
"But Chicago fans didn't have any trouble liking Dennis Rodman. Some
of Seattle's guys started in other places. Their fans loved Hersey
Hawkins last year. I didn't hear anyone say, 'Hey, I don't like Hersey
Hawkins, he hasn't been here all along.' It's the opposite, they love
him. How you play for your team is all fans are concerned with."
nba.1247vpoznanovic,
20 questions to consider about the NBA season
(Nov 1, 1996 - 11:48 EST) -- So much for summer vacations. A flood of
high-priced free agents turned the NBA's golf season into a bidding
bonanza, producing a curious cast of winners and losers.
Shaquille O'Neal brought a $120 million generation of Magic to Los
Angeles. Juwan Howard wound up going nowhere for more money, and Jim
McIlvaine discovered the road to riches goes through Seattle.
But not everyone is better off. Pat Riley got burned in Miami. Walt
Williams took a sizable pay cut to work in Toronto, and Orlando got
stuck with a big hole in the middle of Magic mania.
If the regular season proves as interesting as the offseason, NBA fans
can count on an entertaining ride through winter and spring.
As in life, there are more questions than answers:
1. Who were the winners in the free-agent market?
That's sure to spark more than a few watering-hole debates. O'Neal,
who signed a seven-year, $120 million deal with the Lakers, and
McIlvaine, a backup center who landed a seven-year, $35 million
contract with Seattle, made out well. So did Michael Jordan, who
stayed in Chicago with a one-year, $25 million deal, and Howard, whose
seven-year, $105 million contract with Washington was a $4.2 million
improvement over the voided deal he had struck with Miami.
The Lakers and Bullets look like the team free-agency winners. Los
Angeles landed a franchise player in O'Neal; Washington traded for and
signed Rod Strickland and was allowed to keep Howard after thinking it
had lost him to the Heat.?
2. Who lost the free-agent flurry?
Former Kings forward Walt Williams misjudged the market and wound up
signing for the minimum $247,500. He opted out of a contract that
would have paid him $2.8 million this season in Miami.
Speaking of Miami, Heat coach Pat Riley thought he had landed Howard
to play alongside Alonzo Mourning. But the NBA voided the deal, saying
the Heat violated salary-cap rules.
3. Who got the best of the Houston-Phoenix mega-deal?
To quote our good friend Deion Sanders, "Both." The Rockets obtained
Charles Barkley to go with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in their
quest for one more title. Phoenix got two young talents in Sam Cassell
and Robert Horry and solid role players in Chucky Brown and Mark
Bryant.
4. To whom will the Lakers turn for leadership?
Let's see. Shaquille O'Neal showed up after tip-off for one game last
season. Cedric Ceballos skipped out for a mini-vacation at Lake
Havasu, Ariz., and Nick Van Exel gave official Ron Garretson a
friendly little shove.
That leaves Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell, unless Kobe Bryant is
mature beyond his precious few years.
5. What's the most disturbing trend in the league?
Take your pick. If it's not the escalating salaries and ticket prices,
it's the increase in high school players and underclassmen heading to
the NBA.
6. How much impact will all those European draft picks have?
Not much this season. The Kings' Predrag Stojakovic and the Nuggets'
Efthimis Retzias are playing in Greece. Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas
is likely out for the season with a broken right foot. Atlanta's
Priest Lauderdale appears a year away from making a significant
contribution. But Cleveland's Vitaly Potapenko and Miami's Martin
Muursepp should help right away.
7. Which young players will emerge as stars?
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett grew an inch to 7 feet, though the
Timberwolves still list him at 6-11. But it's his skills, not his
size, that soon will make him an All-Star. Phoenix's Michael Finley
showed great ability as a rookie and should flourish with Barkley no
longer hogging the ball. Keep an eye on the Lakers' Jones, too.
8. Who's the Rookie of the Year?
Toronto's Marcus Camby will get the minutes and the shots to put up
good numbers. But don't count out New Jersey's Kerry Kittles or
Milwaukee's Ray Allen, two shooting guards who will have plenty of
scoring opportunities.
9. What about the MVP?
Well, you could make a case for Seattle's Gary Payton, Orlando's
Anfernee Hardaway or Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon. But Jordan remains the
game's dominant player.
10. Can the Bulls approach their record run of last season?
No. It takes too much energy to go all out every night in the NBA. And
Jordan (33), Scottie Pippen (31) and Dennis Rodman (35) are starting
to slow down.
11. Who will replace O'Neal at center with Orlando?
Felton Spencer. But don't worry. Danny Schayes is available as a
backup.
12. What can we expect from Kobe Bryant?
Commercials, videos and maybe even a few on-court appearances.
Actually, despite a broken wrist suffered at the start of training
camp, Bryant has a chance to break into the Lakers' rotation and show
he really didn't need college.
13. Will Magic Johnson try another comeback?
Not a chance. Johnson has bought back his minority 5 percent interest
in the Lakers, which means he can't play. Besides, he realized last
season that the new breed's attitude was not for him.
14. Which team will be the hardest to coach?
Well, Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo managed to get rid of Rod
Strickland. But would you want to run a team with Kenny Anderson,
Isaiah Rider, Clifford Robinson and Rasheed Wallace?
15. If you could start your own team with five guys, who would they
be?
Glad you asked. I'll take Anfernee Hardaway, Michael Jordan, Scottie
Pippen, Shawn Kemp and Hakeem Olajuwon. OK, your turn.
16. How many games will the Kings win?
Forty-two, a three-game improvement over last season. Mahmoud
Abdul-Rauf should supply some much-needed offense, Corliss Williamson
looks ready to contribute and Tyus Edney and Brian Grant should
continue to improve.
17. Which player is in the toughest spot?
Houston point guard Brent Price, once he returns to full strength
after breaking his left arm on Oct. 24. He'll have to get the ball to
Olajuwon, Barkley and Drexler, and there's only one ball available.
18. How did San Jose sneak into the NBA?
It didn't. But the Warriors will play their home games this season at
San Jose Arena while the Oakland Coliseum Arena is being renovated.
19. Which teams will make the playoffs?
Chicago (that was easy), New York, Orlando, Indiana, Washington,
Atlanta, Miami and Cleveland in the East. Out West, let's go with
Seattle, Houston, the Lakers, Utah, San Antonio, Phoenix, Sacramento
and Portland.
20. And the NBA champion?
Seattle. It's hard to imagine the Bulls having enough drive and
motivation to stay on top.
nba.1248vpoznanovic,
Ten things you should know about the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 07:12 EST) - 1. Introductions abound
Shell out a few bucks for a program, you'll need it to keep track of
the changes wrought by the largest free agent movement in league
history. More than 160 players changed teams, including 40 through
trades. Six teams (New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Los
Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Vancouver Grizzlies) replaced nine
members of their rosters. Fourteen teams replaced at least seven
players.
2. Bulls-eye
In an effort to challenge the Chicago Bulls for Eastern Conference
supremacy, the Knicks revamped their roster, trading Anthony Mason and
Brad Lohaus for Larry Johnson, and acquiring Allan Houston and Chris
Childs and Buck Williams through free agency.
3. Eye on Seattle
The Lakers and Houston made big changes in an attempt to challenge the
Sonics in the Western Conference. Los Angeles nearly gave away all of
its reserves to take free agent Shaquille O'Neal away from Orlando.
The Rockets traded four players (Chucky Brown, Mark Bryant, Sam
Cassell, Robert Horry) to see if aging superstar Charles Barkley can
combine with two other aging stars, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler,
to bring Houston another title.
4. Broken-hearted
Orlando, after losing O'Neal to the Lakers. Detroit, after losing
Allan Houston to the Knicks. Miami, after the league invalidated the
Juwan Howard deal and Howard stayed with the Bullets.
5. More youthful than ever
Portland Trail Blazers' 18-year-old Jermaine O'Neal is the youngest
player in NBA history. Lakers rookie Kobe Bryant (18 years, 2 months)
is the second-youngest. After only one year of college, rookies
Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Stephon Marbury are expected to carry part of
the scoring loads in Vancouver and Minnesota. With just two years of
college experience under their belts, lottery picks Allen Iverson
(Philadelphia) and Antoine Walker (Celtics) are expected to make an
impact.
6. Young veterans on the rise
Eddie Jones (Lakers), Bryon Russell (Jazz), Damon Stoudamire
(Raptors), Kevin Garnett (Timberwolves), Brent Barry (Clippers),
Antonio McDyess (Nuggets), Jerry Stackhouse (76ers), Joe Smith
(Warriors) and Michael Finley (Suns).
7. Blazing new trails
Three potentially great youngsters, Isaiah Rider, Kenny Anderson and
Rasheed Wallace, have landed in Portland after inauspicious starts in
the league. Rider, late of the Timberwolves, has been arrested for a
variety of offenses. Anderson, formerly of the New Jersey Nets and
Charlotte Hornets, has yet to live up to the promise that made him a
schoolboy legend in New York City, and Wallace has a temper that has
gotten him into trouble on and off the court. Rider has already missed
a shootaround and the Blazers' exhibition finale Sunday against the
Sonics. Anderson is benefiting from having a more talented cast around
him, and so far, Wallace's temper (21 technical fouls last season)
hasn't flared.
8. Now or never
Doug Christie (Raptors), Brooks Thompson (Jazz), Kendall Gill (Nets).
9. Father time taking its toll?
Michael Jordan (Bulls), Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets),
Patrick Ewing (Knicks), Kevin Johnson (Suns), John Stockton (Jazz).
10. The next most valuable player
Take your pick: Anfernee Hardaway (Orlando), Shawn Kemp (Sonics),
Shaquille O'Neal (Lakers), Gary Payton (Sonics).
nba.1249vpoznanovic,
Ewing, Knicks grinning again
NEW YORK (Nov 1, 1996 - 11:01 EST) -- That little grin has reappeared
on Patrick Ewing's face.
You know, the one he used to flash at Georgetown back in the early
1980s.
That's was the last time Ewing had a decent supporting crew.
Coincidently, that's the last time he captured a title -- albeit a
National Collegiate Athletic Association title.
This season, the New York Knicks' management has put a team around
Ewing for perhaps one last run at Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls
in the Eastern Conference and, quite possibly, another appearance in
the NBA Finals.
"We have a lot of new faces," a beaming Ewing said. "I'm very happy
with them. They are working hard and they are outstanding players and
outstanding individuals. Hopefully, we'll have an outstanding year as
we try to march to the championship."
The day this all came together -- July 14, 1996 -- is a day that could
go down in New York Knicks history.
That's the day that New York general manager Ernie Grunfeld pulled the
trigger on one trade and dropped $80 million on a couple of guards.
The Knicks traded Anthony Mason and Brad Lohaus to the Charlotte
Hornets for forward Larry Johnson.
Then they stole Allan Houston from the Detroit Pistons in a $54
million deal.
To fill the point guard spot, they slipped Chris Childs, a gritty
performer who came up on the hard side of the NBA, a $24 million deal.
And in just one day, the facelift of an aging team was complete.
"We are more talented than we were last year," Knicks coach Jeff Van
Gundy said. "If we are going to be better or not will depend solely on
how hard we are willing to work and how much we are willing to
sacrifice our own individual goals for the good of the team."
It's the consensus that the Knicks have some talent, but the main
question is whether Van Gundy knows what to do with his riches.
Former New York boss Pat Riley is quick to defend Van Gundy, who will
be in his first full season as a NBA head coach.
"Championship caliber coaches always have championship caliber
players," Riley said. "I've been blessed in my career to have been
around those kind of players.
"Jeff impressed me the very first day that I took the job in New York.
He's a coach's coach. He's from a coaching family. He knows the game."
The three new players bring different skills to the Knicks' mix.
Johnson is a proven scorer with defensive shortcomings. Houston and
Childs are either one-season wonders or on the cusp of super-stardom
-- depending on your perspective.
It also didn't take long for Johnson to absorb the Knicks unstated
mission: Catch the Bulls.
"I'm very comfortable with that," Johnson said. "If we beat Chicago,
that doesn't mean we'll win the title. We have a lot of teams to beat,
although Chicago is the reigning champion and has the best player in
the world in Michael. They have one of the best teams -- if not the
best team out there right now."
Houston, 25, had a breakthrough campaign when he averaged 19.7 points
last season for the Pistons. He was supposed to be part of Detroit's
one-two punch with Grant Hill for years to come. The Knicks had other
plans, however.
The Knicks will count on Houston to provide some offensive fireworks
with his deadly perimeter jump shot. He'll also have to step up his
defensive game or catch the wrath of Oakley.
Houston's being counted on heavily and if he doesn't deliver, there's
no room in the Big Apple for a $54 million bust. He'll be booed
unmercifully by the Madison Square Garden crowd if he doesn't deliver.
"The only pressure you feel is from yourself, but there is always that
feeling that you want to do well and prove yourself to everyone,"
Houston said.
To make room for Houston, the Knicks had to put John Starks in a
reserve role.
That figured to pose a potential problem because Starks was one of the
loudest complainers before Don Nelson was fired last season.
So far, Starks appears content at giving Toni Kukoc a run for the
Sixth Man award.
"It's a good role for me at this particular time," Starks said.
Childs, 28, was undrafted and played for six different Continental
Basketball Association teams over five seasons. He was solid last
season for the New Jersey Nets, but his deal caused shudders around
the league.
Is Childs worth $4 million a year?
With all the new talent, the Knicks are bracing for an adjustment
period.
"We know that sooner or later it's going to click the way we want it
to," Oakley said. "We just have to keep working hard. The new guys
have to realize that we are a hard working team. We give a lot of
effort."
In addition to the July 14 moves, the Knicks drafted a talented trio
of forwards in John Wallace, Walter McCarty and Dontae Jones.
"They are outstanding players," Ewing said. "A lot of them have some
negative baggage with them, but they've been nothing but great with
us."
We'll have to wait until June to see if Ewing is still wearing that
grin.
nba.1250vpoznanovic,
Rider cited for marijuana possession
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 1, 1996 - 00:12 EST) -- Isaiah "J.R." Rider, who
has said he looked forward to a fresh start in Portland, has been
cited for possession of marijuana less than two days before he is to
play in his first Trail Blazers game.
Rider, 25, was cited at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when sheriff's deputies
found him sitting in the back seat of a car parked alongside a highway
in Lake Oswego, an affluent suburb south of Portland.
"They observed Mr. Rider holding a pop can and a lighter near his
mouth," Clackamas County sheriff's spokesman Damon Coates said.
"Deputies seized the items and found the can to be converted into a
smoking device, which contained a small amount of marijuana."
Rider, already suspended for Friday night's season opener because he
missed the team's final exhibition game last Sunday, said after
Thursday's practice that he was only sitting in someone else's car.
"The bottom line is I happened to be a back seat passenger in
someone's car," Rider said, "but I'm a big name. The cops didn't find
a damn thing on me. But I'm a big name. I happened to be in someone
else's car, so it's kind of messed up."
Coach P.J. Carlesimo said Rider still would play Saturday night at
Seattle and no decision would be made on any action against the star
guard until the team investigates.
"It would be terribly unfair to jump to a conclusion without knowing
anything," Carlesimo said. "It's unfair to anybody. It wouldn't matter
whether it was J.R. or any of our players. You people are implying
that because there's a past here, we should jump to a conclusion.
That's not fair."
Rider had a history of off-court problems in his three seasons with
the Minnesota Timberwolves and was arrested this summer in his
hometown of Oakland, Calif., on charges of marijuana possession,
illegal gambling and possession of illegal cellular phones.
Blazers management came under considerable criticism when it went
ahead with a trade that brought Rider to Portland.
In Oregon, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is a
non-criminal offense subject to a minimum $500 fine. Rider was cited
to appear in court on the charge Nov. 18.
The sheriff's department said two deputies had parked their car nearby
and were on foot investigating an unrelated matter when they noticed
two cars pull off the highway and turn off their lights. Deputies
thought it was probably some teen-agers drinking, Coates said, but as
they approached they saw someone, later identified as Rider, lift a
soft drink can and a lighter to his mouth.
Rider was the only person cited. Neither the cars nor the others
inside them were searched, Coates said.
In his report, deputy Brian Manion said Rider argued that he did
possess the marijuana and initially refused to accept the citation, at
one point crumpling it and throwing it into the mud.
"I advised Mr. Rider about offensive littering, the possibility of
going to jail and further problems he would cause for himself if he
refused to pick up the citation," Manion wrote.
Rider, Manion said, "finally rolled his long sleeve shirt down over
his hand and picked up the citation as if it were contaminated. He
then got in the car and departed."
Rider said he planned to discuss the situation with Carlesimo and
Blazers president Bob Whitsitt.
"It looks bad now, but it will work out," Rider said.
Whitsitt was traveling and unavailable for comment.
Marijuana is not on the list of banned substances under NBA drug
policy negotiated as part of its agreement with the Players
Association. Smoking marijuana is a violation of Blazers team rules.
"Right now we just have to take this case and deal with it," assistant
general manager Jim Paxson said, "but our message to kids is to say no
to drug abuse and alcohol of any kind."
Blazers players were only vaguely aware of Rider's latest problems.
"When it rains, it pours," Kenny Anderson said. "He's a good guy. I
don't know what's going on."
Mitchell Butler said it's not up to the other players to say anything
to Rider about his behavior.
"He's a grown man," Butler said. "He can make his own decisions. It
doesn't matter what we say, he's going to do what he wants to do. He's
a good guy.
"I don't know the specifics behind this so I can't really comment on
whether it was his or whether it was someone else's. All I can say is
when he came out there today to work out, it didn't seem like there
was anything bothering him or anything bothering the team."
nba.1251vpoznanovic,
Success not always the winning ticket
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:24 EST) -- They failed to sign
draft picks, got into a nasty salary dispute with their best player,
watched their highest-paid man miss camp with a groin injury, fired a
popular TV analyst and scared the wits out of City Hall with whispers
about moving.
It wasn't a great summer for the Kings. Even their one big acquisition
looks unsettled.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is having trouble adjusting to life at point guard.
The man for whom Abdul-Rauf was traded, Lithuanian bulldozer Sarunas
Marciulionis, seems to have taken the Kings' pulmonary artery if not
their entire heart to Denver.
But fans should rejoice. The worst thing that could happen to the
Kings -- outrageous improvement -- seems as unlikely this season as it
was in the fall of 1986.
It's the economy, stupid. By reaching the playoffs last season for the
first time in a decade, the Kings gave themselves the best excuse to
raise ticket prices. And boy, did they raise them. They packed the
invoices with dynamite, lighted the fuse and blasted prices into the
stratosphere.
The ticket hike, which averaged about 20 percent, would have been
impossible without the playoff appearance against the Seattle
SuperSonics. Kings fans can only shudder to think where prices might
have gone had the club won more than just one lousy postseason game.
The economic absurdity of NBA life means Kings fans are pulling
against their personal best interests when they cheer for the team to
get better.
Financially, Sacramento NBA fans would be much better off if the Kings
returned to the time when the club habitually won 20-something games.
In those days, things were so bad at Arco Arena that management was
shamed into freezing ticket prices for three years.
The Kings were a laughingstock, but at least fans could enjoy the NBA
experience while paying among the lowest ticket prices in the league.
It was like driving an old and battered car to a fancy garden party.
The valets weren't impressed, but you still got into the party.
Now the Kings have begun to climb the slippery slope of NBA
respectability. As professional franchises and their fans go, there's
no more frustrating place.
The Kings are miles away from being really good, from challenging the
Chicago Bulls or SuperSonics for NBA supremacy. The Kings are primed
to challenge the Golden State Warriors for Northern California
mediocrity.
The Kings are barely good enough to justify a 20 percent price hike.
Even then, what are customers paying for? Will the Kings be 20 percent
better in 1997? Will they improve by seven or eight games and reach
the second round of playoffs? If something extraordinary happens and
the Kings win 47 games and knock the SuperSonics cold in April, what
will happen to prices next year? Don't ask.
Here's the good news. The Kings don't seem poised to improve. The
acquisition of Abdul-Rauf has been hailed as a triumph, but the
departure of Marciulionis isn't something to dismiss. Marciulionis may
have the knees of a 50-year-old, but his heart carried the Kings to
more than a few victories.
The salary dispute with Richmond may run deep. Richmond's stats likely
won't suffer -- he knows the value of stats -- but defensive
disinterest by Richmond could kill the Kings. Then there's Billy
Owens, the club's highest-paid player. His groin hasn't been healthy
since the first day of camp.
Off the court, the Kings angered fans by firing broadcaster Derrek
Dickey. City Hall was apoplectic when club owner Jim Thomas said he
would need a new arena -- preferably downtown, but maybe in another
town.
It's useful to recall 1986, the last time the Kings were coming off a
playoff season. They rebuilt and flopped, going from 37 to 29
victories. The community survived. Money that would have gone to
higher ticket costs helped other businesses.
This season won't be as bad. The Kings will win 35 games, down from
39. The playoffs will be contested elsewhere. Sadness will prevail.
Then new ticket prices will come, restrained and moderate, and all
will be right with the world.
nba.1252vpoznanovic,
Kings get first test against Houston
HOUSTON (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:01 EST) -- The Kings spent their preseason
floundering in a sea of hesitancy and defensive indifference. If the
exhibition games were quizzes, their 3-5 record represents a failing
grade.
But the real test -- the first of 82 -- begins Friday night at the
Summit against the retooled Houston Rockets as both squads open the
1996-97 regular season.
The Kings can erase any memories of their sometimes dismal preseason
performance with syncopated movement on the back-to-back Texas
two-step beginning in Houston and ending Saturday night in Dallas
against the Mavericks in their home opener.
"I think it was Olden (Polynice) that said it really doesn't make a
difference what we did during the preseason, if we come out and start
the season playing the way we are capable of playing," coach Garry St.
Jean said. "And he's right. But the fact of the matter is we have to
come out playing that way. You can't turn it on and off."
The Kings will go after the Rockets with a starting lineup that has
been together for just a few days. The groin strain that has prevented
forward Billy Owens from practicing or playing with any consistency
has created an opportunity for second-year man Corliss Williamson.
Williamson, who is making the transition from power forward to small
forward, will start alongside Brian Grant and Polynice in the
frontcourt. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf will open the season as the starting
point guard, joining shooting guard Mitch Richmond to give the Kings
potentially one of the deadliest-shooting backcourts in the league.
"With Mahmoud back there with Mitch, that gives them two players you
cannot leave open," Rockets swingman Mario Elie said. "That makes it
very difficult for a team to double-team Brian, Corliss, Billy or
O.P."
That is the type of trick bag into which the Kings hope to put their
opponents. So far, though, the offense has been coming around at a
snail's pace. Furthermore, the Kings' defense has been an equal
concern, mainly because the team has not shown the intensity and
togetherness of a year ago.
Maybe this team needs another brawl to bring it together like the one
that erupted early last season at Indiana. The Kings certainly need
something, everyone around the team acknowledges.
"We haven't had the same kind of tone we had last year at this time,"
vice president Geoff Petrie said. "That's for sure."
St. Jean, however, has seen improvement in one area: the play of
Williamson. The former Arkansas star was one of the team's better
offensive players in the preseason and clearly is more confident and
aggressive than he was last season.
But Williamson is still learning and will have to deal with smaller,
quicker players such as Elie on the defensive end. Elie, 6-foot-5 and
210 pounds, is not a focal point of the Rockets' offense, but he is
cagey and experienced. He can hit clutch shots, as his performance
during the Rockets' title runs in 1994 and 1995 showed.
Williamson will have to roam on the perimeter with Elie, who likes to
shoot the open three-pointer when Hakeem Olajuwon is double-teamed.
The Kings will get at least one break Friday night. The Rockets will
be without Charles Barkley, who will serve a one-game suspension
stemming from a preseason altercation last week.
The Kings had four days of practice this week and Williamson's
presence on the first team was not enough to prevent the second team
from waxing the first team's butts consistently.
That is either a sign that the Kings have a lot of depth or that the
first team does not have its act together.
Petrie said the season may be determined by how mentally prepared the
team is.
"The direction of the whole season hinges on whether we stay together
and develop the chemistry we had last season," he said. "I'm neutral
about how it will turn out.
"The positive is that we have four, five or six people who have been
around here for a couple of years with an elevated sense of success.
(The front office) can only do so much. These guys have to do a lot of
it by themselves."
And they have to do it quickly. The season-opening two-game road trip
begins a stretch of 12 of 18 games away from the friendly confines of
Arco Arena.
nba.1253vpoznanovic,
Sonics know the path to top of the NBA
(Nov 1, 1996 - 08:01 EST) - Having brought in a few complementary
electrons to circle the strong nucleus already on hand, the Seattle
SuperSonics should be even more powerful this season.
But haven't opponents -- particularly Houston and the Lakers --
seriously upped the ante in the Western Conference?
Seattle is a team that may have the NBA's best defense in recent
years, seeing as how the Sonics don't guard people as much as they
engage in 94-feet of athletic terrorism.
But on nights when the calls are close, and zones truly are illegal,
couldn't whistles derail the whole approach?
It's a team that is fueled by attitude -- elevated and energized by
bravado, bluster and back-street gamesmanship.
But if that attitude is redirected only a few degrees, and "punk"
degrades into "thug," couldn't this team explode in our faces?
And power forward Shawn Kemp is back after a holdout, looking every
bit the All-Star once again.
But what if the curious causes for his discontent once again surface
and he seeks renewal during a critical stretch of the season?
Anything's possible, certainly, but there's one valid reason, one
argument for dismissing the downside and believing that this team will
find success to equal or exceed last season's.
Because the Sonics now know the way.
They've been there before.
As Dennis Rodman said after Game 4 of the NBA Finals, when the Sonics
finally stood up to the Chicago Bulls' challenge: "Sleeping Beauty has
woke up."
Yeah, and she was pretty ticked about the tardy wake-up call.
"We didn't really even get into the Finals until after the third
game," Sonics coach George Karl said.
"We didn't know what to expect, we didn't know how to come out, how to
be focused," veteran guard Nate McMillan said. "It was a learning
experience for us."
There's a notion in the league that you have to get there once and
lose before you understand what it takes to win a title.
Detroit lost in 1988 before winning in '89; the Lakers lost in '84
before winning in '85. Philadelphia ('83 champs) and Seattle ('79
title) followed the same pattern.
Phil Jackson, Chicago's cosmic coach, would probably call this
progression of beneficial defeats an understanding of "The Tao." Karl
calls it "The Path."
"We now know the path," Karl said. "We've done it; we know the little
things, the little mistakes we made. So few teams in the West have
that advantage."
Last year's regular season and the team record 64 wins (38 at home) is
hardly mentioned around the Sonics' camp.
As guard Gary Payton repeatedly said last year, "It don't mean
nothin'."
True enough, the Sonics had enjoyed regular-season success the
previous two seasons, only to see it trivialized by early playoff
pratfalls.
Last year, though, the Sonics engaged in 21 playoff games -- an extra
one-fourth of a season.
"All the time, we talked about playoff character and playoff hurdles
you have to get over," Karl said. "You can talk about it all you want,
but it doesn't sink in until you go through it.
"There's a lot of little things, not dynamic psychological issues,
just little things you have to learn how to handle and be able to see
them before they get on top of you."
It is also impossible to overstate the difference of going into a
season after a loss in the NBA Finals instead of going into a season
after embarrassing early playoff ousters.
"A year ago, everybody was talking about the scars of the rope over
our throats," Karl said. "Now, the difference is confidence. And I
think our confidence has some soul to it. It has trust and it has
belief -- things that it didn't have last year."
And that was forged during the Finals, when Kemp grabbed the Sonics,
shook them, chided them publicly, and showed them the level of effort
it would take to compete against the Bulls.
Gary Payton, the league's best defender, caught his drift and the
Sonics won two of the last three games after opening 0-3.
To bolster the Payton-Kemp axis, the Sonics upgraded the center
position with Jim McIlvaine, who can apply a big body (and six fouls)
to opposing posts, and Craig Ehlo, a career 37-percent 3-point shooter
who defends as if his sneakers are on fire.
But Seattle was not the only active team in the off-season, which
makes the Western Conference race a volatile issue.
"Lots of teams have made lots of improvements, like the Lakers and
Houston," Payton said. "On top of that, a lot of people are gunning
for us now. But we've been there now.
"Now we know how to win it and that's what we're going to do. We know
how to get there; now we're going to win it."
nba.1254vpoznanovic,
Will Sonics play for love of money or love of championship?
TACOMA, Wash. (Nov 1, 1996 - 07:36 EST) -- Coach George Karl and his
Seattle SuperSonics overcame the psychological barrier of the first
round of the playoffs last season when they advanced to the NBA
Finals, then lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games.
"The monkey," Karl's frequent reference to the pressure that mounted
from failed expectations in the first round in 1994 and '95, jumped
off the Sonics' back when they rallied from a third-quarter deficit to
beat the Sacramento Kings in Game 3 en route to a 3-1 first-round
series victory.
The Sonics slayed the monkey with unselfish play, veteran leadership
and newly consistent performance levels from young stars Gary Payton
and Shawn Kemp.
Their challenge this time -- while attempting to wrest the NBA title
away from the Bulls -- is an equal intangible.
They must forget their financial bottom line.
In the wake of an unprecedented free-agent signing period that nearly
wiped out the league's middle-class, salary comparisons have never
been more of a recipe for disaster.
In the Sonics' case, has Kemp truly overcome the salary injustice that
prompted his 22-day training camp holdout?
Will Payton, owner of the largest piece of the Sonics' salary pie,
retain the motivation to excel now that he's assured of $87.5 million
for the next seven years?
Can Jim McIlvaine ignore the expectations stemming from his $35
million deal?
Will Craig Ehlo or Eric Snow lose enthusiasm if teammates making 10
times their wages are too frequently watching practice from the
sideline?
Kemp's holdout brought salary issues to the fore from the opening day
of training camp.
Instead of picking up where they left off, the defending Western
Conference champions waited 22 days, including five exhibition games,
for their leading scorer and top rebounder to join them.
Kemp not only missed the opportunity to refine his skills and improve
his conditioning while learning Karl's new offensive sets, he wasn't
able to develop a rapport with newcomers McIlvaine and Ehlo.
Although the league's new collective bargaining agreement barred Kemp
from re-negotiating his contract, he stayed away because he was upset
about the multi-millions awarded to players he deemed unworthy.
"When you play for seven years and you've proven yourself to be an
All-Star and then you see guys who haven't proved themselves sign for
millions of dollars, you have a right to be upset," he said. "After
all those signings that took place last summer I'm not going to sit
here and tell you I wasn't ticked off."
Tri-captain Nate McMillan saw the potential for problems amid the
biggest free-agent spending frenzy in the league's 50-year history.
"You look at these guys and you say, 'They got lucky,"' he said. "And
at the same time, you say, 'How could they get rewarded? You're going
on potential?'
"Large amounts of money have been given out, whether deserved or
lucky, and the fact is management gave it out. You have to live with
it. But I'm not going to sit here and say we're going to be
problem-free. Those with the huge contracts, if production is down,
you'll hear things."
McIlvaine disagrees.
"I don't think guys will sit in the locker room and look at each other
and get all (ticked) off about one guy making so much more than
another," he said. "... I think guys are just happy for each other
when they come into contracts like this."
Tri-captain Sam Perkins isn't so sure.
"This is the time of year when players have to put aside their salary
concerns," he said. "It's kind of hard to do that because you don't
feel appreciated at times. Some managements, they slight a player or
they stick you with an ultimatum. There's not much you can do with
contracts, you just feel unappreciated and you can't do anything about
it.
"But you don't want all that to come into play and affect team
togetherness. Sometimes it does with some teams. The good teams,
management takes care of its players. And if everybody feels they are
accountable and they deserve what they got, there's no problem. But
you have problems when teams start saying, 'You should make this. Why
should you get that?"'
As for the Sonics, Perkins said he can't predict whether salary issues
will affect team togetherness as the season progresses.
In July, when Perkins re-signed with the Sonics for $6 million over
two years, he avoided the media. Recently, he admitted to Karl's
contention that he was disappointed with the Sonics' offer.
"I put it behind me," he said. "What else can I do?"
Hersey Hawkins spoke to one reporter in mid-July when the Sonics
weren't budging on an offer he deemed low. The following day, Sonics
team president Wally Walker increased the offer to approximately $20
million over five years and Hawkins accepted.
Karl's contract negotiations were even more contentious. At one point,
he was willing to go through the entire season without a multi-year
extension rather than submit to the Sonics' offer because he felt
management was reneging on a promise to make him the league's
second-highest paid coach.
In the end, Walker and Karl reached a compromise. Karl signed for the
short-term -- a one-year extension for $3 million, the highest
coaching salary in the league for 1997-98.
For Karl, who claims money "is the dictator of respect," the contract
is a godsend.
Aside from the obvious personal benefits, he claims it will free him
to concentrate on coaching.
As for the potential for lingering salary issues with his players,
Karl said: "It's a different world. We're living in a world of
spiraling salaries, crazy stuff and how that affects each other.
"I just think everybody's gotta realize we're all becoming a very
secure people because of our business. I think it's important that our
players keep money off the basketball court and out of the locker
room. I've always said that, I've said that for years.
"But the business and the sport right now is becoming a little bit
more influential to performance. I'm not gonna sit here and deny that.
"I think last year the chemistry of our team was a big part of why we
were successful. We must regroup that and make it better. With the
addition of Ehlo and McIlvaine, we have two players that fit the
character of a Hersey Hawkins. I think Ehlo coming here and giving up
money, basically giving up a lot of money to win a championship, is a
tremendous commentary for the NBA.
"We just gotta regroup and forget about the business end of it and go
back to playing basketball like we're playing in the gym, not like
we're playing for money."
When Kemp returned, 10 days before Friday night's season opener, he
said he stayed away because he couldn't play if he was thinking about
money. Then, he conveyed an understanding of the importance of
maintaining the Sonics' unselfish blend of play.
"The Lakers went after Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) and the Bulls went
after (Robert) Parrish," he said. "That says a lot.
"I think the best teams have chemistry, regardless of talent. A lot of
teams take chances based on talent. In the long haul, guys have to get
used to each other. It can take time to click. We know that better
than anyone. ... The guys we brought in are not demanding guys. Three
or four years ago, when we had Eddie (Johnson) and Ricky (Pierce),
everybody wanted the ball."
Hawkins senses that Kemp's feelings won't linger.
"Evidently, Shawn's happy with whatever transpired in his talks (with
management)," he said.
In Hawkins' view, neither Kemp nor anyone else begrudges Payton his
windfall.
"He had a great year and when you have everything in your favor,
you're going to get paid a lot," he said. "I think everybody's happy
for him. The good thing about this team is that everybody wants to
win. That's the bottom line.
"Sam could have gone someplace else. I think I could have gone
someplace. Same with Jim McIlvaine and Craig Ehlo. ... Several guys
could easily be somewhere else. But we have an older team, it's more
mature. When you get older, you want to win."
If Kemp needs an example of the way to play while awaiting the next
big contract -- which won't be until 1998 unless the Sonics dump
several salaries next summer to get under the cap -- he need look no
further than his buddy, Payton.
Last season, Payton was the fifth-highest paid player on the team at
$2.7 million.
"My agent told me there was nothing for me to do," he said. "If I
would have bickered about the situation I probably would have played
bad worrying about it. So, I figured if I go out and play great,
what'll happen? And then, things started picking up each month and I
knew being patient would be best."
The way tri-captain Detlef Schrempf sees it, there will always be
complaints about salaries, whether it's the $2.2 million Jon Koncak
was paid in 1990 or the $74.4 million, 15-year deal rookie Chris
Webber signed in 1993, prompting the implementation of the rookie
salary cap two years later.
"Now those figures are nothing," he said. "So it's always going to be
like that. I don't know how much higher it can go."
To Karl, money is the new monkey he's keeping at bay.
"Mentally, our team is stronger than that," he said. "That's the
cancer of a losing team. We're a team on the verge of winning a
championship."
nba.1255vpoznanovic,
Sonics cut Ford
DENVER (Nov 1, 1996 - 06:48 EST) -- Sherell Ford lingered around
KeyArena after the Sonics' final practice of the preseason Thursday,
knowing that what awaited him was a meeting with general manager Wally
Walker.
Once he got to that meeting, Ford heard the news that had been rumored
for the past week -- that he would be cut even though the team owes
him about $1 million over the next two seasons.
The 6-foot-7 Ford, the team's 1995 first-round draft pick, was the
lone player waived Thursday as the Sonics trimmed their active roster
to the NBA minimum 12 in preparation for Friday night's season opener
at Utah. The Sonics also placed center Steve Scheffler (foot) and
guard Greg Graham (thigh) on the injured reserve list, meaning they
must sit out the first five games of the season.
That means free agent forward Larry Stewart and center Elmore Spencer
have made the team, although Spencer's long-term status is still
uncertain.
The 6-foot-8 Stewart, who played four seasons with the Washington
Bullets before spending last year in Spain, was impressive while
playing for the Sonics entry in the Los Angeles Summer Pro League, and
again during the preseason when he shot 50 percent and rebounded well.
"He gives us a good solid rebounder out of the (small forward) spot,
which is something we don't have, other than from Detlef Schrempf,"
Walker said.
The 7-foot, 270-pound Spencer, meanwhile, signed a "make-good"
contract last week, meaning the team has until Nov. 15 to decide to
keep him, or release him without owing him any more money. If he's on
the roster after Nov. 15, he'll make the NBA minimum $247,500.
"He had a good week of practice and he got better every day," Walker
said. Spencer also provides depth early in the season with Shawn Kemp
rounding into shape and Jim McIlvaine adjusting to playing major
minutes on a consistent basis for the first time in his career.
Ford, meanwhile, will be looking for another job after failing to
convince the Sonics that he had improved his defense and shooting.
Ford was the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 1995 draft
out of the University of Illinois-Chicago.
He was billed as a shooter after averaging 26 points a game his senior
season, but he played little last season, averaging only 3.2 points in
28 games, and shooting just 37 percent. Ford was on the injured list
during the Sonics' playoff run.
Ford had played well in the LA summer league, but wasn't able to show
the Sonics that he deserved playing time at shooting guard or small
forward, a position that got deeper when the team acquired Craig Ehlo
during the summer.
"There were a lot of things that went into it, but the net of it all
was that it was going to be difficult for him to get any playing
time," Walker said. "From his standpoint, this could help him move to
a better situation. I'm sure he'll catch on somewhere."
Walker said the team tried to trade Ford by Thursday's 3 p.m.
deadline, but couldn't get the right deal done, no doubt in part
because of Ford's guaranteed contract. The Sonics' decision to swallow
Ford's contract could be good long-term news for Graham, who is owed
roughly $1.2 million each of the next three years. The team might be
reluctant to cut two players with guaranteed deals.
nba.1256vpoznanovic,
Jazz ready for redemption
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 1, 1996 - 06:18 EST) -- It's been 152 days since
the Jazz and Sonics last laid eyes on each other.
It's been almost 22 weeks since Seattle edged the Jazz, 90-86, in Game
7 of the Western Conference finals.
It's been five months since the Sonics flew off to Chicago for a date
in the NBA Finals with the Bulls.
The Jazz?
On that breezy early summer night in the Pacific Northwest, they flew
home to recover from as fierce a battle as they'd ever fought.
Utah had rallied from a 3-1 deficit, tied the best-of-seven series
with consecutive wins and entered the final minute of Game 7 on even
terms with the favored Sonics.
But the Jazz's season ended unhappily.
Just as it had in the 1988 conference semifinals, when Magic Johnson
and the eventual world champion Lakers prevailed in a seventh game.
Just as it had in the 1992 conference finals against Portland, and
just as it had in the 1994 conference finals against Houston.
Friday night, the Sonics and Jazz meet again. This time, they play at
the Delta Center at 7 p.m. PST in the regular-season opener for both
teams.
The stakes are hardly as high as they were on June 2. But the memories
-- at least for some -- are vivid.
Bryon Russell remembers only "that we got eliminated. ... If we'd done
a couple of extra things, we would have been in the Finals."
Antoine Carr recalls that "everybody had counted us out. But we kept
fighting and fighting and took them to the final game."
John Stockton remembers one thing:"How it ended."
Only Karl Malone offers an unconventional recollection of the event.
Asked what pops into his mind when he thinks about Game 7, Malone
said, "I don't think about it. Not ever."
Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan nods when asked if he has special memories of
the loss. But he refuses to discuss them, saying, 'I can't tell you
what I remember most."
Perhaps it is the critical play in the final seconds that gnawed at
Greg Foster throughout the summer.
With plenty of residual despair still in his voice, he says, "It could
have gone either way."
"It" was a foul call in the final seconds of a tie game. Seattle's
Shawn Kemp caught the ball on the low block and spun to the baseline.
But Foster blocked his path.
Caught at a nearly impossible angle, Kemp flipped a shot at the basket
that had little chance of going in. For a split second, it seemed as
though the Jazz had possession and a chance at victory that had been a
decade in the making.
Instead, outside official Mike Mathis called a foul.
"You bodied him too much," Mathis told Foster at the time.
Like a man who had replayed the sequence in his mind hundreds of times
since it happened,. Foster said, "I was standing with my arms up.
Nothing more. But that's the way it was called, so what are you going
to do? You just go on."
In preparation for the season -- and for the opener against the Sonics
-- that's what the Jazz keep telling themselves.
Go on.
"You can't cry over spoiled milk," said Russell. "You've just got to
let it stay spoiled and ... give those (Seattle) guys credit for
winning."
"There were some tough battles," said Adam Keefe. "We came very, very
close. But I hope the guys on this team have put it behind them. The
thing is, you can't get down 3-1 in a series and expect to win.
Actually, it was miraculous that we got as close as we did."
Add Stockton: "If you dwell on things like that, it'll drive you
crazy. ... You've got to think forward because you can't do anything
about the past, except learn from it."
From their experience in last year's conference final, the Jazz know
they're opening this season against one of the NBA's best teams. Kemp
and Gary Payton are the leaders. A quality supporting cast includes
Detlef Schrempf and Hersey Hawkins.
Seemingly, the Sonics are much like the Jazz -- a top team trying
desperately to take one more step up the NBA's ladder of success.
The climb starts tonight when this often-headed rivalry resumes.
"It's not a hate-kind rivalry," said Russell. "But we definitely want
to beat those guys and let them know that we're contenders, just like
they are."
"I'd like it to be a rivalry," said Carr. "We're two great teams that
know how to play hard and ... like to really go at it. That sounds
like a rivalry to me."
nba.1257vpoznanovic,
Turner, Atlanta reach agreement on new Hawks stadium
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (Nov 2, 1996 - 22:48 EST) -- The Atlanta Hawks
reached agreement Saturday with city officials to build a $215 million
arena in downtown Atlanta to replace their current home, the Omni.
The agreement, announced at the home of a city negotiator, came after
months of on-again, off-again talks. Turner Broadcasting Systems,
which owns the Hawks, last week threatened to move to suburban Cobb
County if a settlement wasn't reached soon.
The new arena, if approved by municipal authorities, would open for
the 1999-2000 season. Demolition of the Omni would start in June.
During construction, the Hawks would play most of their home games at
Georgia Tech and a few at the Georgia Dome.
TBS officials announced plans to build a new arena two years ago,
saying that the Omni, where the team plays its home games, is too
small and would be impractical to modernize. The new arena will have
more than 20,000 seats, including more than 2,500 club-level seats and
as many as 100 skyboxes.
No name for the arena was immediately announced.
The plan involves tearing down the 24-year-old Omni and replacing it
with a $140 million arena. Another $75 million will be spent to make
improvements to public areas surrounding the downtown arena, including
a plaza connecting to the adjacent Georgia Dome and a walkway to the
Underground Atlanta entertainment complex.
A new car rental tax will pay for most of the improvements. Time
Warner, which merged with TBS last month, has committed $10 million.
The rest will be raised by public bonds.
The deal must be approved by the Atlanta City Council, the Fulton
County Commission and the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority,
the owner of the Omni. The authority will own and lease the new arena
to the Hawks.
nba.1258vpoznanovic,
Players get rings but banner hits snag
CHICAGO (Nov 2, 1996 - 22:48 EST) -- The Chicago Bulls can only hope
their season goes more smoothly than the raising of their NBA
championship banner.
After receiving their rings Saturday night, the players helped raise
the banner to the United Center rafters. But just before it got to the
top, one of the ropes came undone and the banner was left dangling by
one corner.
Shortly after the end of the 18-minute ceremony, United Center
employees removed the banner entirely.
Before the celebration, reserve guard Steve Kerr said: "I'm more
excited about the banner than the ring. I've seen those other banners
the last two years. To see this one, with my name on it, and know it's
going to be there as long as I live, that's really neat."
Other players were more thrilled about the rings.
"This is a piece of tangible evidence," Luc Longley said.
The top of each ring features four diamond-studded championship
trophies, one for each of the Bulls' titles this decade. The top is
bordered by 72 diamonds, symbolizing their league-record 72 victories
last season. And on the side are the phrases "GREATEST TEAM EVER,"
"WORLD CHAMPIONS" and "72 WINS."
Bulls general manager Jerry Krause enjoyed the biggest personal
triumph at the ring ceremony. Booed on similar occasions in the past,
he received a warm ovation this time.
On the other hand, NBA commissioner David Stern received as many boos
as cheers when introduced before the ceremony.
While most players walked slowly to get their rings, Dennis Rodman
sprinted onto the court. Rodman, who has been very critical of Stern,
barely acknowledged the commissioner's presence.
Michael Jordan, as always, got the loudest cheers. He then said: "We
plan on being back here."
John Salley and James Edwards, seldom-used members of last year's team
who weren't retained for this season, joined their ex-teammates at the
United Center to get their rings.
nba.1259vpoznanovic,
Shaq electrifies LA crowd
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov 2, 1996 - 00:06 EST) -- Shaquille O'Neal didn't
disappoint his new fans Friday night as the NBA season began for the
Los Angeles Lakers.
In the opening minutes against the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal looked like he
was worth every penny of the $120 million the Lakers lavished on him.
He overpowered Joe Kleine on the opening tip, sending the ball out of
bounds. O'Neal grabbed his first rebound seconds later, then scored
the Lakers' first points with a monster dunk off a feed from Nick Van
Exel.
A sellout crowd of more than 17,000 erupted in cheers and applause,
including courtside fans Jack Nicholson, Dyan Cannon and Norm Nixon.
"It's a wedding of Shaq and a great city," actor Louis Gossett Jr.
said from his seat two rows behind the basket. "It's the beginning of
a love affair."
If so, Susan Tenorio of Los Angeles was head-over-heels for the
7-foot-1, 300-pound center.
"I think it's wonderful. It's like new life," she said.
"We've been season ticket holders for 12 years through Kareem
(Abdul-Jabbar) and Magic (Johnson)," Tenorio said. "I think Shaq will
have the same impact because they have to double-team him."
From the looks of it, many fans arrived at the Forum already equipped
with their Shaq fashions. Youngsters and adults alike sported No. 34
jerseys and T-shirts.
For the unadorned, souvenir stands boasted a variety of Shaq wear,
including a $20 T-shirt with O'Neal dunking against a marque that read
"Opening night. Now appearing Shaq."
The selling of Shaq got going even before the Forum doors opened.
About four miles away, street vendors hawked O'Neal sweatshirts and
T-shirts at a freeway off-ramp.
Everyone wanted an opening night look at O'Neal, who received standing
ovations when the team came out for pre-game warmups and when he was
introduced.
The Lakers issued between 230 and 250 media credentials -- about 140
more than usual, team spokesman John Black said.
Noah Morrill couldn't believe his good fortune. The freckle-faced
8-year-old from Valencia found out he was going to the game -- and
sitting two rows behind the basket -- when he came home from school
Friday.
"I was just stoked," he said, adding that he thinks O'Neal is the best
basketball player. "I think he's pretty cool because he slam dunks."
His father, Steve Angelo, has high hopes for the Lakers.
"It's about time we got a lot of momentum behind us as far as the fans
go," he said. "The whole team together is going to do well."
nba.1260vpoznanovic,
Shaq a success in Laker debut
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov 2, 1996 - 12:48 EST) -- Shaquille O'Neal lived
up to the hype surrounding his regular-season debut with the Los
Angeles Lakers, even though the atmosphere was lacking a bit.
O'Neal dunked, rebounded and, surprisingly, made most of his free
throws in helping the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 92-86 Friday night.
"Of course, Shaq's going to be the top dog most every night," said
Lakers guard Nick Van Exel.
The most anticipated game at the Forum since Magic Johnson and Michael
Jordan faced each other nine months ago for the first time in five
years started out exciting enough.
In the opening minutes, O'Neal looked like he was worth every penny of
the $120 million the Lakers lavished on him as a free agent.
He overpowered Joe Kleine on the opening tip, sending the ball out of
bounds. O'Neal grabbed the game's first rebound seconds later, then
scored the first points with a monster dunk off a feed from Van Exel.
That got the crowd roaring.
"I was just stoked," said 8-year-old Noah Morrill, who got a close
look at O'Neal from his seat two rows behind the basket. "I think he's
pretty cool because he slam dunks."
The man known for his terrible free-throw shooting was actually pretty
good. O'Neal made 7-of-11 foul shots.
He picked up his fifth foul with 9:42 remaining, but stayed in the
game, and had 10 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in the
final period before leaving to an ovation with 46 seconds left.
"Shaq did a great job of keeping himself in the game," coach Del
Harris said. "He was the man in the fourth quarter."
The celebrity quotient was way up, just like in the "Showtime" days of
the 1980s. Jack Nicholson, Sharon Stone, Denzel Washington, Louis
Gossett Jr. and Dyan Cannon checked out the 7-foot-1, 300-pound
center.
"It's a wedding of Shaq and a great city," Gossett said from his seat
two rows behind the basket. "It's the beginning of a love affair."
Perhaps because it was opening night, the caliber of play was down.
The Lakers ran into problems in the final period, thanks at least in
part because four of their five starters were in foul trouble. The
Suns led briefly twice before Los Angeles scored 10 straight points to
go ahead 87-78 with about five minutes to play. Phoenix didn't
threaten thereafter.
"When Shaq wasn't in there, we came back," Suns coach Cotton
Fitzsimmons said. "When he was in, they played well. They better keep
Shaq out of foul trouble."
O'Neal said he thought he did "pretty well."
"It takes a lot out of my game," he said of the foul problems. "But I
have to stay aggressive. I went out and played hard. I would have
liked to have stayed out of foul trouble, but it happens.
"On any team, when four out of five starters are in foul trouble,
things are going to be shaky. We just wanted to start on the right
foot, and we did that. We want to win all our home games."
At times, the Suns had their hands full defending O'Neal.
"It's like fighting Hercules," Phoenix forward Wayman Tisdale said.
"We probably should have fouled him more."
O'Neal appreciated the standing ovations he received from 17,505 at
the Forum. Many of them wore No. 34 jerseys and T-shirts.
"I just want to tell them, 'Yell, yell, yell,"' he said. "And if you
need throat lozenges, I will provide them."
nba.1261vpoznanovic,
Minnesota rookie Marbury hurt five minutes into season
MINNEAPOLIS (Nov 2, 1996 - 01:06 EST) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves
gave away T-shirts Friday night that featured pictures of rookie
Stephon Marbury and the slogan "Breaking ankles."
Marbury thought he did.
The Wolves' highly regarded point guard twisted his right ankle when
he came down awkwardly after missing a shot. He crumpled to the floor
and was helped to the locker room, returning only briefly during the
third quarter of Minnesota's 82-78 victory over San Antonio.
"I did think I broke it, I ain't going to lie," Marbury said after
limping out of the training room. "I couldn't walk after that. ... It
was like when you hit your funny bone."
The ankle was only sprained and was sore but not badly swollen after
the game. Coach Flip Saunders said he hoped Marbury would be available
when the Wolves begin a four-game road trip Sunday against the Lakers.
Marbury missed all three of his shots and finished with three rebounds
and two assists, not the kind of debut the Wolves or their fans had
hoped for after Marbury averaged 17.3 points during the preseason to
lead all rookies.
Marbury's first game had been eagerly anticipated since the Wolves
traded Ray Allen, the fifth overall pick in June's draft, to Milwaukee
for Marbury along with center Andrew Lang. The Bucks picked Marbury
fourth, and Minnesota hopes the 19-year-old will develop into one of
the league's premier point guards.
"It was hard sitting on the bench watching them play," Marbury said.
"I'm just glad we won. If we wouldn't have won, I don't think I would
have been able to go to sleep."
nba.1262vpoznanovic,
Debuts of first-round draft picks
(Nov 2, 1996 - 02:24 EST) -- A list of how the top 30 selections in
the 1996 NBA draft fared on opening night (some players were injured,
some did not play because of coaches decision):
Pts Reb Ast Stl Blk
1, Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 30 2 6 1 0
2, Marcus Camby, Toronto 5 4 0 1 1
3, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vancouver 16 5 2 3 1
4, x-Stephon Marbury, Minnesota 0 3 2 0 0
5, y-Ray Allen, Milwaukee 13 2 0 3 0
6, Antoine Walker, Boston 12 3 0 0 0
7, Lorenzen Wright, L.A. Clippers DNP
8, Kerry Kittles, New Jersey 5 1 1 1 0
9, Samaki Walker, Dallas DNP, injured
10, Erick Dampier, Indiana DNP
11, Todd Fuller, Golden State 8 5 2 1 0
12, Vitaly Potapenko, Cleveland 4 2 0 1 0
13, z-Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers DNP
14, Predrag Stojakovic, Sacramento Not on roster
15, Steve Nash, Phoenix 0 0 0 0 0
16, Tony Delk, Charlotte
17, Jermaine O'Neal, Portland DNP, injured
18, John Wallace, New York 10 10 0 2 0
19, Walter McCarty, New York DNP
20, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland DNP, injured
21, Dontae' Jones, New York DNP, injured
22, Roy Rogers, Vancouver 0 3 0 0 1
23, Efthimios Rentzias, Denver DNP
24, Derek Fisher, L.A. Lakers 12 2 5 0 0
25, Martin Murrsepp, Utah Not on roster
26, Jerome Williams, Detroit DNP
27, Brian Evans, Orlando DNP, injured
28, Priest Lauderdale, Atlanta DNP
29, w-Travis Knight, L.A. Lakers 0 2 0 0 0
30, Othella Harrington, Houston 8 6 1 1 0
w-drafted by Chicago, traded.
x-drafted by Milwaukee, traded.
y-drafted by Minnesota, traded.
z-drafted by Charlotte, traded.
nba.1263vpoznanovic,
NBA today
(Nov 2, 1996 - 12:48 EST) - Charlotte at New York (6 p.m. EST). Larry
Johnson faces his former teammates for the first time since joining
the Knicks in an offseason deal that sent Anthony Mason and Brad
Lohaus to the Hornets.
STARS
-- Clyde Drexler, Rockets, had 25 points, nine assists, 10 rebounds
and 10 steals in Houston's 96-85 victory over visiting Sacramento.
-- Michael Jordan, Bulls, scored 30 points in Chicago's 107-98 victory
at Boston.
-- Allen Iverson, 76ers, scored 30 in his first regular-season as
Philadelphia fell to visiting Milwaukee 111-103.
STATS
Houston's Clyde Drexler was one assist short Friday night of joining
Hakeem Olajuwon, Alvin Robertson and Nate Thurmond as the only players
in NBA history to record a quadruple-double. Drexler had 25 points,
nine assists, 10 rebounds and 10 steals in the Rockets' 96-85 victory
over Sacramento.
SHAQ
Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 14 rebounds in his first game with
Los Angeles on Friday night, helping the Lakers beat Phoenix 96-82.
SHOOTING
Atlanta's Christian Laettner was 10-for-15 from the field and
10-for-11 from the line Friday night, scoring 31 points in a 94-81
loss to Miami.
SITES
Philadelphia and Golden State made their home debuts in new arenas
Friday night. The 76ers moved from the Spectrum to the CoreStates
Center, while the Warriors are playing at the San Jose Arena while the
Oakland Coliseum Arena is being renovated.
SOME DEBUT
Minnesota rookie Stephon Marbury sprained his ankle just five minutes
into Friday night's opener against San Antonio. He had an assist and
two rebounds and missed two shots before leaving.
SPEAKING
"I went to see my wife play in the women's league the other night and
there were probably three teams that played better than we did
tonight. That's the truth." -- Vancouver guard Blue Edwards after the
Grizzlies' 114-85 loss to Portland on Friday night.
nba.1264vpoznanovic,
Magic and Warriors exchange centers as part of deal
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Nov 2, 1996 - 17:48 EST) -- Rony Seikaly is heading
back to Florida. Felton Spencer is heading to his third team in four
months.
In a long anticipated move, the Golden State Warriors traded suspended
center Seikaly and his backup, Clifford Rozier, to the Orlando Magic
on Saturday for Spencer, John Koncak and Donald Royal.
The Warriors also sent a future second-round draft pick to Orlando.
Seikaly, who spent the past two years with the Warriors after six
seasons in Miami, was obtained to fill Orlando's hole at center since
Shaquille O'Neal went to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent this
summer.
Spencer, known more for his defense than his offense, said the Magic
apparently wanted a little more scoring punch in the middle.
"I think they were looking for a center who would be a little more
involved offensively for them. I think they felt Rony would fit the
system a little better," Spencer said. "I think they felt Rony would
give them a little more respect."
The 6-foot-11 Seikaly, who has averaged 14.8 points and 9.8 rebounds a
game during his NBA career, had demanded a trade and refused to report
to training camp. He had been suspended by Golden State.
The 7-foot Spencer spent the past three seasons at Utah after three
seasons in Minnesota. Spencer, traded to the Magic in August, has
averaged 6.7 points and 6.6 rebounds a game during his career.
"It's going to be a little bit difficult because it's a new situation
and it takes some time to adapt," Spencer said. "It might take us a
little while, but we'll learn the system and learn what the other guys
want out on the floor."
Rozier has averaged 5.1 points and 5.3 rebounds a game during two
mostly unhappy seasons at Golden State.
Seikaly and Rozier are expected to join Orlando on its trip to Tokyo,
where the Magic will face the New Jersey Nets on Thursday and Friday.
Koncak, who is out for the season following September surgery to
remove torn cartilage and bone spurs from his left knee, joins his
third NBA team. He spent last season with Orlando after 10 seasons in
Atlanta.
Royal, who averages 7.0 points a game, will be joining his fourth
team. He spent the last four years with Orlando after one-year stints
in Minnesota and San Antonio.
He can provide some scoring from the small-forward spot, which guard
Latrell Sprewell filled at times for the Warriors in Friday night's
97-85 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Royal had 12 points and Spencer had four as Orlando lost its opener
96-92 to Washington on Friday night. After the game, knowing a trade
was on the verge of being made, they watched the Warriors game on TV.
"It's kind of been a long day for me and Felton, it's been a long 24
hours," Royal said. "I'm real happy that we've gotten into a situation
where we feel a team can use us the way we wanted them to use us in
Orlando."
To make room, the Warriors waived guard Anthony Harris and placed
forwards Lou Roe and Andrew DeClercq on the injured list. Both Roe and
DeClercq played in Friday's loss to the Clippers.
Also, the Warriors moved forward Marcus Mann, a second-round draft
pick this summer, from the injured list to the suspended list. The
Warriors said Mann told them he cannot honor his contract for personal
reasons.
nba.1265vpoznanovic,
Rider: "These things won't happen again"
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 2, 1996 - 12:48 EST) -- Isaiah Rider feels he has
the support of the Portland Trail Blazers, despite his citation for
marijuana possession and a one-game suspension for missing the team's
final exhibition game.
"Everyone is telling me to keep my head up," Rider said Friday night,
as the team boarded a bus in Vancouver, British Columbia, for Seattle.
"I have people against me, but I have people for me, too."
Rider, cited by Clackamas County sheriff's deputies late Wednesday
night, met Friday morning with Blazers president Bob Whitsitt and came
away promising to get in no further trouble.
"I'm going to make sure none of these things happen again," he said on
the Blazers' postgame radio show after the team opened the season with
a 114-85 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
"I wouldn't say he drilled me, but at the same time, he talked to me
man-to-man," Rider said. "But the fact is these things can't happen."
A sheriff's deputy said he saw Rider put a pop can fashioned into a
pipe to his mouth and light a lighter in the back seat of a parked
car. Rider was cited for possession of less than an ounce of
marijuana, a non-criminal offense in Oregon subject to a $500 fine.
Rider declined to talk about the specifics of the case Friday.
"But I do think the outcome will be positive," he said.
Whitsitt said he did not interview any of Rider's four companions of
Wednesday night, but "the kind of conduct we read in the police report
is something we don't condone."
Deputies said Rider refused to take the citation, then crumpled it up
and threw it on the ground.
On Thursday, Rider denied the deputies' version of the incident.
"The bottom line is I happened to be a backseat passenger in someone's
car. But I'm a big name," Rider said. "The cops didn't find a damn
thing on me. But I'm a big name."
While Whitsitt refused to comment on Rider's remarks, Deputy Damon
Coates, spokesman for the Clackamas County sheriff's department, said
he couldn't "imagine a bigger contrast from the truth."
Coates said the reporting officer, Deputy Brian Manion, did not know
that Rider was a Trail Blazer until he confiscated the pipe and
marijuana.
"He doesn't follow basketball, and the name Isaiah Rider meant
absolutely nothing to him," Coates said.
Rider sat out the game against Vancouver because he failed to show up
for the Blazers' final exhibition game last Sunday.
The suspension apparently will cost Rider about $44,000, equal to
1-82nd of his $3.61 million salary this season.
Rider has one month to appeal the penalty to an arbitrator, but he
said he won't.
Whitsitt said the Blazers could have fined Rider up to $2,500 for his
alleged marijuana offense. Whitsitt and Rider refused to say whether
any fine was levied.
Rider said he will play tonight in Seattle.
"I think I'll have a great game," he said.
nba.1266vpoznanovic,
F MARTY CONLON SIGNS WITH CELTICS
The Boston Celtics added another forward to their roster tonight,
signing Marty Conlon, who joins his sixth team in six seasons.
The 28-year-old Conlon was one of the final cuts of the Phoenix Suns
earlier this week, despite being guaranteed $1.2 million this season.
The Celtics will pay him the league minimum of $247,500 and the Suns
will pick up the difference.
Conlon went to Phoenix with a first-round pick on September 25th in
the deal that sent guard Elliot Perry to the Milwaukee Bucks. He
averaged 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 74 games last season.
To make room for Conlon, the Celtics (0-1) waived forward Julius
Nwosu.
nba.1267vpoznanovic,
Karl hopes Sonics can pace themselves
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 2, 1996 - 06:12 EST) -- George Karl has taught the
Seattle SuperSonics to play an oppressive defense.
They reached the NBA Finals by playing with an almost frantic
intensity.
And now, he's trying to teach them something that might be difficult
to learn.
To pace themselves.
"My honest feeling is that we had a fantastic season last year," Karl
said as his team warmed up for its season opener against Utah in the
Delta Center. "But it was a very demanding year. I don't know if we
need to go out and try to win 65 games this year. We have to be
conservative with our intensity.
"We have to be sure we are ready, and I'm sure we are going to play
good basketball. I think right now, my mentality with the team is to
win the Pacific Division."
Having seen his team compete in 21 playoff games, ending in a 4-2
Finals loss to Chicago, Karl knows how draining the playoffs can be.
"Mentally, we were very strong last year, and I think we'll be
mentally strong again this season, but to demand it every game from
November to June two years in a row is difficult," he said. "There's
an edge there you've got to find and be sure you don't lose it in the
playoffs."
BIG MAC: Sonics watchers will keep new center Jim McIlvaine under the
microscope, but the 7-foot-1 McIlvaine said he's not gravely concerned
about his early performances.
"It's just important for us to come out and win games," he said. "If
I'm an important part of that, I'll be the happiest guy on the face of
the Earth."
OK, so he's already ripping off Lou Gehrig quotes. The important thing
is that he's fitting into the Sonics system.
"Everybody from the point guard to the big men have been really
helpful in giving me a player's perspective on what the coaches are
looking for from me," McIlvaine said. "And the coaches have been very
open in getting into the exact details of what they want from me.
They're very open and don't pull any punches."
McIlvaine came out impressively, scoring two baskets and blocking two
shots in the first period Friday.
NOTES: The Sonics play 11 of their first 17 games on the road. "That's
actually good for us," Karl said. "We seem to focus and concentrate
better when we're on the road." ... The Sonics came into the game
Friday with a weak 9-20 record in road openers, including a 112-94
opening-night loss against Utah in the Delta Center a year ago. ...
How could you tell the Sonics had a fairly strong contingent of fans
in the Delta Center on Friday? You could hear them counting when Karl
Malone attempted free throws. ...
The Sonics' special family tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at
KeyArena for all home games in November. Tickets are $7 per person and
fans can purchase up to four a game. Adults must be accompanied by a
child 18 years old or younger. Proof of identification will be
required.
nba.1268vpoznanovic,
Bulls celebrate last year, then look ahead
CHICAGO (Nov 3, 1996 - 16:18 EST) -- They celebrated one more time
their historic season of a year ago by slipping on rings and hoisting
a banner. Now the Chicago Bulls will concentrate on staying on top in
the NBA.
Who can challenge them?
"I can say four or five teams," Michael Jordan said mentioning the
Lakers, Knicks, Magic, Rockets and SuperSonics. "But when we look in
the mirror, I don't see why we should think anybody but us would win."
On their opening weekend, the Bulls rallied to beat the Boston Celtics
before routing the Philadelphia 76ers 115-86 to cap a Saturday night
of celebration when they received their championship rings for last
season.
"We've got to be ready to play solid basketball starting this week.
We've got four games in five nights, a couple on the road, a couple at
home. It's not going to be easy," Jordan said. "We really can't take
anything away from two games. The season's so long."
This first full week gives the Bulls -- the league's oldest team --
the conditioning test they will often face. There are two
back-to-backs with home games against Vancouver and Boston and road
games at Miami and Detroit, two other teams who will challenge team.
"Everybody says we're old and senile, and that we're going to struggle
as the season goes along," said Ron Harper, who surprised everyone by
hitting his first four 3-point attempts Saturday night. "But we've got
a smart coach who knows how to give us the time off when we need it."
Coach Phil Jackson says the Bulls will face challenges.
"I think as you go through the season, it's a purposeful march march
through the schedule," he said when asked the long regular season.
"The purpose right now is to get everybody playing well together."
Scottie Pippen, who didn't play much in the preseason after September
ankle surgery, was very active Saturday night. He had 22 points in 31
minutes.
The play of Pippen as Jordan's sidekick and the behavior of Dennis
Rodman, who got into foul trouble Saturday night and also a brief
shoving match with Doug Overton, will again be strong factors in the
Bulls' ability to be the league's best team.
The only glitch Saturday night came as the team raised its fourth
championship banner to the rafters. It slipped off a rope and for a
time dangled to one side.
The Bulls don't see it as a harbinger. Jordan says the plan is to be
participating in another ceremony at this time next year.
"A couple of guys want to do it back-to-back," said Jordan, who
earlier in this decade helped the Bulls win consecutively. "Chief
(Robert Parish) came here to leave on a good note. So we've got enough
motivation for other players."
nba.1269vpoznanovic,
For now, Bulls seeking a repeat on small scale
CHICAGO (Nov 3, 1996 - 18:30 EST) -- If staying on top is the supreme
challenge in sports, the Chicago Bulls have already succeeded in that
regard, albeit on a small scale.
If nothing else, their 2-0 start this weekend against two of the
league's doormats was a measuring stick of the Bulls' resiliency.
The big question is whether the Bulls can repeat as champions. But a
smaller and more immediate question is how the aging Bulls respond to
back-to-back games.
After opening the season in Boston on Friday night, the Bulls were on
a plane back to Chicago two hours after the game. They arrived home at
2 a.m. and were suiting up for another game little more than 12 hours
later.
The Bulls face 20 more back-to-backs this season, all involving
travel.
The Bulls were 20-2 in the second game of back-to-backs last year. But
the Bulls are considerably banged up this year, meaning recovery time
between games is paramount.
"It won't be as easy this year," said Michael Jordan. "Even though
it's early in the season, it can be a grind."
Especially when confronted by four games in five nights, which is the
Bulls' task at hand this week.
So the season of skepticism and speculation hits full stride this week
for the Bulls. The inevitable comparisons to last year will be
incessant, and curiosity will run high regarding the future of Jordan
and the dynastic Bulls.
They're the traveling rock 'n' roll show, The Rolling Stones in short
pants, with status and fanfare to match.
But the Bulls' biggest concern is finding enough stamina for an
encore.
"We're trying to bring the team along conditioning-wise," said Bulls
coach Phil Jackson. "We've showed the ability to play hard without
having to endure long minutes."
None of the Bulls' starters played more than 31 minutes Saturday
against the 76ers, and Jackson is certain to be more mindful of his
players' minutes this season than any other.
With a higher level of competitiveness in the Eastern Conference this
year, teams will literally try to run the Bulls ragged. And better
teams mean tougher competition for the Bulls.
"We're going to have to find a way to cover the small, quick guards,"
said Jackson. "There are a lot of young guards in the league now with
a lot of energy. I'm sure we'll see a lot of running as teams try to
tire us out early."
It also appears the Bulls are growing tired with Dennis Rodman's
antics. After being whistled for two fouls in the span of seven
seconds against Philadelphia, Rodman threw his hands in the air, then
tucked both hands in his shorts on the next possession as a form of
protest.
Jackson immediately removed Rodman, who glared at Jackson as he walked
grudgingly to the bench. Rodman has drawn technical fouls in each of
the first two games.
Jordan, for one, is already prepared to put out any potential fires.
"This team is accustomed to winning, and when you don't win, a lot of
these separate personalities and emotions run across each other's
paths," said Jordan. "Winning keeps everybody in line."
To that end, the Bulls are in fine shape, having won their first two
by a combined 38 points. But as Jackson warns, nothing is automatic.
"That (kind of thinking) could lead to false optimism," said Jackson.
"It's a purposeful march that you make through the schedule. At this
point, everything in the league is up for grabs."
"No team in this league can beat us when we're clicked in," proclaimed
Rodman. "It will take us 15-20 games to get in sync, into the flow,
vibe, but then it will take care of itself."
So far, so good.
nba.1270vpoznanovic,
Five years after announcement, Magic stays healthy by staying busy
LOS ANGELES (Nov 3, 1996 - 20:24 EST) -- Five years after announcing
he has the virus that causes AIDS, Magic Johnson says the most
difficult times are turning away people who want his time, and seeing
sick children.
"I don't feel sick or tired or anything," Johnson wrote in a column
for Sunday's Los Angeles Times.
"You know what you've got to do. You stay healthy, you work out all
the time, which I love to do anyway, you eat right, you take your
medicine and you just deal," he said.
Johnson disclosed in November 1991 that he was HIV-positive and
retired from the Los Angeles Lakers. He returned twice and retired
twice more.
Now, he's living for his wife and three children, Johnson said.
He stays busy overseeing his business and charitable ventures, and as
a minority owner of the Lakers. He relishes his role as an AIDS
activist, he said.
"I think that's the most difficult thing, that I still have a problem
saying no," he said. "I probably wear myself out sometimes trying to
do everything possible."
The many people he has met who have later died of AIDS have affected
him deeply, Johnson said.
"I think the hardest part, though, is all the beautiful children, who
are innocent and got it because their parents were using drugs or got
it because of a bad needle, or bad blood," Johnson said. "I think that
hurts you the most."
nba.1271vpoznanovic,
Riley gets No. 800 as Heat win by a hair
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 3, 1996 - 16:36 EST) -- Pat Riley recorded his 800th
regular-season NBA victory faster than any coach, and the first thing
his team did was try to mess up his well-plastered hair.
Riley reached the milestone Saturday in his 1,139th game and in his
15th year when Miami defeated Indiana 97-95.
Cotton Fitzsimmons, immediately ahead of him on the victory list with
832, didn't reach the mark until his 19th year. Atlanta's Lenny
Wilkens, the winningest coach in NBA history with 1,014 triumphs, also
needed 19 seasons to reach the mark.
The Heat put Riley in position for No. 800 by winning their season
opener over Atlanta 94-81 on Friday. But the possibility wasn't
discussed before the game.
"Nobody brought it (the milestone) up. There wasn't a word about it,"
said Tim Hardaway, who had 16 of his 25 points in the second half,
including a 21-foot jumper with 51.6 seconds left that became the
winning basket against Indiana.
"After the game it came up. We tried to mess up his hair. We got some
soap and some water, but it fell right back in place."
"They couldn't get through the concrete. I think Tim broke his hand
trying," Riley said. "It wasn't a pretty win. ... We made the stops we
had to make. It's a good win for us. ... There's nothing like playing
an ugly game on the road and winning."
Riley, 51, made his NBA coaching debut on Nov. 19, 1981 when he
replaced Paul Westhead with the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles went
50-21 that season under Riley and went on to win the league
championship. He took the Lakers to the finals seven times and
captured the league championship four times.
After nine years at Los Angeles, Riley stepped back to be a television
analyst with NBC for one year. He then took over the New York Knicks
for four seasons before moving to Miami last year.
"I feel good. The 15 years have gone by very fast, 800 is a lot of
wins and I had some great players."
He didn't name them, but the list includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic
Johnson and Patrick Ewing.
The Heat had another reason to celebrate. It was the first time Miami
won at Market Square Arena, a streak of frustration that began when
the Heat entered the league in 1988. Riley was the team's fourth head
coach when the Heat extended the losing streak to 15 last season with
two losses.
"Most of the guys on this team don't know anything about that," Riley
said.
"I didn't find that out until we came into the locker room after the
game," said Alonzo Mourning, who kept Miami in the game by scoring 21
of his 27 points in the first half before sitting out much of the
second half because of foul problems.
"Zoe kept us in it in the first half and Tim took over in the second
half," Riley said.
The Pacers had two chances to tie or gain the lead in the final
minute. The last came after a timeout with 12.8 seconds. Haywoode
Workman missed a 3-point attempt from the top of the key and Reggie
Miller failed on a desperation buzzer shot.
"You couldn't ask for a better look than what we got," Miller said.
nba.1272vpoznanovic,
Timberwolves' Marbury sidelined with sprained ankle
MINNEAPOLIS (Nov 3, 1996 - 01:01 EST) -- Rookie point guard Stephon
Marbury won't join the Minnesota Timberwolves on their four-game road
trip that starts Sunday because of a sprained ankle, the team said
Saturday.
Marbury injured his ankle in the season opener Friday after missing a
shot 6:47 into the first quarter against San Antonio.
He returned briefly in the third quarter of Minnesota's 82-78 win. An
MRI and X-rays showed no major damage, the team said.
Marbury averaged 17.3 points per game during the preseason to lead all
rookies.
He will miss games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns,
Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers.
nba.1273vpoznanovic,
Star gives Suns a taste of what they gave up
PHOENIX (Nov 3, 1996 - 16:42 EST) -- Charles Barkley wanted to please
the fans -- as always -- when he returned to Phoenix. He also wanted
to punish the Suns.
He accomplished both goals, and then some.
Barkley's career-high 33 rebounds in a 110-95 Houston victory Saturday
night punctuated the statement he felt he owed the organization that
dealt him to the Rockets on Aug. 19.
"I wish I could have finished my career here, but they made it
personal," said Barkley, who also had 20 points. "They said a lot of
bad things behind my back."
Barkley's first appearance in the America West Arena since May 3, when
the Suns were knocked out the playoffs, was bigger than he hoped. His
11 rebounds in the first quarter, 17 at halftime and 33 for the game
set arena records. He had three more than the Suns, and the
third-highest rebounding total in Houston history.
It was the biggest effort in an NBA game since Rony Seikaly had 34
rebounds on March 3, 1993.
"Rebounding is something I've always taken pride in," said Barkley,
one of 10 players to have 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. With
three more assists, he will join Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
and Elgin Baylor as the only players to have those numbers and 3,500
assists.
"I just want to rebound," Barkley said. "I don't think I'll get 33 a
night, but everybody talks about Dennis Rodman. Dennis is a great
rebounder, but if somebody told me, 'You don't have to score. Just go
out and rebound,' I've always felt like I could get a lot of
rebounds."
Hakeem Olajuwon had 24 points and Clyde Drexler 22, and Matt Maloney
hit four 3-pointers during a 16-0 run in the first quarter. But the
night belonged to Sir Charles from his appearance in the tunnel to a
party he threw at an exclusive nightspot for players from both teams
and invited guests.
Barkley wanted to join Olajuwon and Drexler so much that he lobbied
all summer for a trade from the city where he spent four seasons. His
refusal to return and references to himself as "slave labor" made the
rift between himself and the front office ever wider.
Barkley was the first Rocket introduced, drawing tumultuous applause.
But public address announcer Jeff Munn cut the ovation short by
introducing Barkley's teammates.
"I was thinking it was typical Suns ... They were going to announce
the next guy really quickly, which they did," Barkley said.
Munn denied that he was under orders to downplay Barkley's welcome,
saying he worked the introductions at his usual pace.
Suns fans tried to treat Barkley as a threat during the game, booing
him halfheartedly during free-throw attempts. Laughter rang out when
Barkley slipped running downcourt and missed a layup.
But Olajuwon trailed Barkley and dunked the rebound, and the fans
quickly turned on the home team, which shot 25 percent in the first
quarter.
When he came out of the game with 38 seconds left, after playing 45
minutes, Barkley got more applause and smiled but didn't acknowledge
the crowd with a wave.
"We're friends on and off the court," said the Suns' Michael Finley.
"I think he wanted me to do well. In a way, I wanted him to do well,
but I didn't want him to do what he did."
Sam Cassell, one of four Rockets the Suns obtained in the trade, led
Phoenix with 22 points. He was philosophical about Barkley's tour de
force.
"Without the effort from Charles, I think we win the game, but people
have great nights like that occasionally," Cassell said.
nba.1274vpoznanovic,
NBA coaching victories
(Nov 4, 1996 - 00:12 EST) -- A list of the coaches with 500 or more
NBA victories (x-Active) through Nov. 3:
No.
1. x-Lenny Wilkens, Atl 1,014
2. Red Auerbach 938
3. Dick Motta 918
4. x-Bill Fitch, LAC 892
5. Jack Ramsay 864
6. Don Nelson 851
7. x-Cotton Fitzsimmons, Phoe 832
8. x-Pat Riley, Mia 800
9. Gene Shue 784
10. John MacLeod 707
11. Red Holzman 696
12. Doug Moe 628
13. x-Larry Brown, Ind 585
14. Chuck Daly 564
15. Al Attles 557
16. K.C. Jones 522
17. x-Jerry Sloan, Utah 515
nba.1275slalevic,
Ovakvu poruku odavno nisam video. Svaka cast.
nba.1276vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (81) AT MIAMI (94)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 26 2-4 2-2 0 3 3 2 2 1 1 6
LAETTNER F 44 10-15 10-11 0 7 7 2 4 2 3 31
MUTOMBO C 39 3-7 3-4 7 9 16 1 3 0 4 9
SMITH G 38 5-14 7-9 1 0 1 1 4 0 1 17
BLAYLOCK G 41 3-17 2-2 1 4 5 4 2 5 7 10
NORMAN 23 1-6 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 3 3
BARRY 12 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 2 4 2
NEWBILL 12 0-0 2-2 0 4 4 0 1 0 0 2
RECASNER 5 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HENDERSON DNP - GASTROINTESTINAL FLU
LAUDERDALE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 25-65 27-32 10 30 40 13 20 10 23 81
(.385) (.844) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 24(17 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 42 4-10 2-2 0 2 2 5 0 2 2 14
THOMAS F 23 2-8 0-0 1 5 6 1 4 2 2 4
MOURNING C 37 11-19 4-7 4 8 12 0 4 1 6 26
DANILOVIC G 38 5-12 3-4 2 2 4 6 2 0 2 14
HARDAWAY G 39 6-10 4-4 0 1 1 12 1 3 1 20
BROWN 21 1-5 1-2 3 1 4 0 5 0 0 3
ASKINS 15 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 5
AUSTIN 16 3-7 0-0 3 4 7 2 5 0 4 6
GRANT 9 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 2
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-78 14-19 13 27 40 26 25 8 18 94
(.449) (.737) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 19(13 PTS)
ATLANTA 15 24 27 15 - 81
MIAMI 25 28 23 18 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - LAETTNER 3, MUTOMBO 2, NEWBILL 2. MIAMI -
MOURNING 3, THOMAS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 4-16 (.250), CORBIN 0-2, LAETTNER 1-2, SMITH
0-1, BLAYLOCK 2-7, NORMAN 1-3, BARRY 0-1. MIAMI 10-21 (.476), MAJERLE 4-7,
DANILOVIC 1-5, HARDAWAY 4-7, ASKINS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, JOE DEROSA, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 15,113. T - 2:11.
ATLANTA (81) AT MIAMI (94)
Alonzo Mourning scored 26 points and Tim Hardaway added 20 and
12 assists to lead the Miami Heat to a 94-81 opening-night
victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Mourning, who finished with 12 rebounds, had 15 points as the
Heat opened a 53-39 halftime lead. Dan Majerle tacked on 14
points in his first game in a Miami uniform.
"It's amazing how unselfish we were," said Mourning. "Guys were
giving up the ball without even thinking about it. It shows
what being together and having a good training camp can do. It's
going to make us a better team."
Christian Laettner led the Hawks with 31 points and Steve Smith
added 17. Dikembe Mutombo had nine points, 16 rebounds and two
blocked shots in his Atlanta debut.
Laettner appeared unimpressed by the strong physical play that
usually is a hallmark Miami coach Pat Riley's teams.
"Overall, they're not a devastatingly physical team, they let me
go inside," Laettner said.
Laettner's three-pointer capped a seven-point fourth-quarter run
that cut the deficit to 78-75 with 7:50 remaining.
But Hardaway had five points and Sasha Danilovic four as Miami
came back with a 12-3 spurt that ended with Mourning's jumper
for a 92-79 lead with 48 seconds to go.
"Our bench came through," said Hardaway. "Laettner got our big
guys in trouble. But we sustained our lead and pulled away. We
knew they were a great defensive team, but we took it to them."
Atlanta's shooting percentage of 44.8 was fifth-worst in the
league last year and it continued that trend, shooting only 38.5
percent from the field. The Hawks could only muster a combined
30 points in the first and fourth periods.
Miami led 25-15 after the first quarter.
"We won't find out about this team for a month, maybe longer
because of our schedule," Riley said in reference to his team's
heavy road schedule in November.
nba.1277vpoznanovic,
CHICAGO (107) AT BOSTON (98)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 40 8-17 1-2 1 7 8 6 4 2 5 18
RODMAN F 40 6-8 1-1 2 11 13 3 3 1 1 13
LONGLEY C 11 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 2 5 0 4 4
HARPER G 25 3-4 1-2 1 1 2 5 1 2 0 7
JORDAN G 43 10-22 10-13 1 3 4 3 2 0 1 30
KUKOC 30 6-11 8-10 1 3 4 7 3 1 2 20
KERR 21 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0
WENNINGTON 10 2-3 0-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4
BROWN 5 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 4
BUECHLER 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SIMPKINS 5 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
PARISH 9 3-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 3 6
TOTALS 240 42-74 22-32 8 29 37 28 23 7 19 107
(.568) (.688) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 27 5-12 1-4 1 2 3 0 4 0 1 12
WILLIAMS F 25 6-13 2-3 2 1 3 1 4 0 1 14
ELLISON C 31 2-4 3-5 4 6 10 0 5 3 3 7
WESLEY G 41 8-16 2-2 1 2 3 6 4 2 1 19
FOX G 37 4-14 0-1 3 6 9 3 2 1 3 10
BRICKOWSKI 19 1-3 0-2 1 1 2 4 5 2 5 3
BARROS 38 9-15 4-4 0 1 1 6 2 1 3 24
DAY 20 3-7 2-2 2 2 4 0 5 1 0 9
SZABO 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 0
LISTER DNP - ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR
NWOSU DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RADJA DNP - SORE RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 38-84 14-23 14 22 36 20 33 10 18 98
(.452) (.609) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
CHICAGO 27 21 32 27 - 107
BOSTON 28 31 18 21 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - KUKOC 3, RODMAN 2, LONGLEY, HARPER, WENNINGTON.
BOSTON - ELLISON 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 1-13 (.077), PIPPEN 1-3, HARPER 0-1, JORDAN
0-5, KUKOC 0-3, BUECHLER 0-1. BOSTON 8-20 (.400), WALKER 1-3, WESLEY 1-4,
FOX 2-5, BRICKOWSKI 1-2, BARROS 2-4, DAY 1-2.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - RODMAN, BOSTON - ELLISON.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, TOM WASHINGTON, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 18,624. T - 2:16.
CHICAGO (107) AT BOSTON (98)
Michael Jordan scored 30 points and Toni Kukoc added seven of
his 20 during a third-quarter burst as the Chicago Bulls opened
defense of their NBA title with a 107-98 victory over the Boston
Celtics.
Dennis Rodman added 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls, who
erased a 16-point second-quarter deficit and beat the Celtics
for the eighth straight time. Chicago won its first five games
last season en route to a league-record 72-10 mark.
The Bulls trailed 59-48 at halftime but used a 17-5 run to open
a five-point lead. Kukoc scored seven points as Chicago scored
11 straight, taking a 70-65 lead on a reverse layup by Rodman
with 4:45 left in the third quarter.
Toni came in in the second half, gave us some really good
offensive output," Jordan said. "Scottie missed some really
easy shots, I missed some easy shots, we had our opportunities,
but Toni started to knock them in for us and that's the makeup
of this team."
Boston's last lead came at 75-74 with 2:30 remaining on a jumper
by Dana Barros, who scored 24 points. But Chicago reclaimed an
80-77 lead after three quarters.
"In the second half our defense started to shut them down a
little bit and get our offense going a little bit," said Jordan,
who scored just two points in the third quarter. "We couldn't
get a handle in terms of what they were running."
A jumper by David Wesley pulled Boston within one point with
7:40 to play but long-time Celtic Robert Parish scored two
straight hoops and Scottie Pippen added a basket to boost the
lead to 94-87 with 4:36 left. Boston got no closer than six
points thereafter.
Parish, the oldest player in the NBA at 43, played the first 14
seasons of his stellar career with the Celtics, winning three
championships. He signed with the Bulls as a free agent and had
all six of his points in a two-minute span of the final period.
Wesley had 19 and Eric Williams added 14 for the Celtics, who
had just 39 second-half points and haven't beaten the Bulls
since April 22nd, 1994.
"They tried to get the crowd involved, jumping up and down and
get them feeling like the game was over and that's something the
old Celtics used to do to the old Bulls," said Bulls forward
Scottie Pippen, who scored 18 points. "They'd get a lead and
you'd think the game was over and that's pretty much what we
were able to do to them in the second half."
Boston played without forward Dino Radja, who was sidelined with
a sore left knee. Rookie forward Antoine Walker started and
scored 12 points.
"I didn't know until the very beginning of the game," Walker
said of his appearance in the starting lineup. "I'm glad to see
the coach had confidence in me, especially the first game
against Scottie Pippen."
The Celts led 28-27 after one quarter and used an 18-2 burst,
capped by Wesley's basket, to build a 51-35 advantage with 5:02
left in the half. Jordan scored 13 of Chicago's 21 points in
the second period.
"Boston came out and played extremely well in the first half,"
Jordan said. "It took us a while to make some adjustments."
nba.1278vpoznanovic,
CLEVELAND (90) AT NEW JERSEY (77)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 37 7-9 5-7 2 6 8 1 4 0 3 19
MILLS F 39 5-12 2-2 2 3 5 0 1 3 1 13
WEST C 12 2-3 2-2 1 0 1 1 3 1 1 6
BRANDON G 37 9-19 5-6 0 6 6 5 4 2 3 25
SURA G 38 4-10 0-0 2 4 6 3 3 1 0 8
FERRY 33 3-9 2-2 2 2 4 2 2 0 2 9
GEARY 12 1-2 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3
POTAPENKO 11 2-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 4 1 1 4
MARSHALL 11 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 0 3 3
LANG 9 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0
THOMAS 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
PHILLS DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 34-72 17-20 12 23 35 16 24 10 15 90
(.472) (.850) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 15(14 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OBANNON F 22 3-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 1 0 8
WILLIAMS F 33 2-9 4-8 2 10 12 0 2 1 5 8
BRADLEY C 35 2-5 5-8 2 6 8 1 2 0 3 9
PACK G 27 2-6 1-2 0 1 1 6 2 1 2 5
GILL G 41 5-15 12-12 2 3 5 3 4 1 5 22
ASKEW 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
KITTLES 23 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 5
MCDANIEL 19 1-4 0-0 3 1 4 1 2 1 3 3
REEVES 28 6-7 0-1 0 1 1 1 3 1 3 17
MASSENBURG 5 0-1 0-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
CALDWELL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 23-58 22-33 11 24 35 13 19 7 21 77
(.397) (.667) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 22(24 PTS)
CLEVELAND 28 25 17 20 - 90
NEW JERSEY 19 20 16 22 - 77
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - FERRY. NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 5, WILLIAMS,
REEVES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 5-10 (.500), MILLS 1-2, BRANDON 2-3, SURA
0-1, FERRY 1-2, MARSHALL 1-1, LANG 0-1. NEW JERSEY 9-18 (.500), OBANNON
2-4, PACK 0-2, GILL 0-1, KITTLES 1-4, MCDANIEL 1-2, REEVES 5-5.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, FERRY, NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, BILL SPOONER, GREG WILLARD.
A - 18,316. T - 2:09.
CLEVELAND (90) AT NEW JERSEY (77)
Terrell Brandon scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter
as the Cleveland Cavaliers spoiled the NBA debut of New Jersey
Nets coach John Calipari with a 90-77 season-opening victory.
Brandon scored seven points and Chris Mills hit two free throws
to close a 9-0 burst that gave the Cavaliers an 82-69 advantage
with 4:10 remaining.
"We played under control in the first half, I was getting the
ball to the right players," Brandon said. "I accept the
challenge to get our team to play well. We executed well down
the stretch. We just have to take it one game at a time, play
hard, don't get caught up in everything."
Calipari signed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Nets
after leading the University of Massachusetts to a 35-2 record
and the Final Four last season. The Nets, who were 30-52 last
season, matched a team record with nine three-pointers but set
team record lows with 23 baskets and 58 attempts.
"This game wasn't pleasant to watch or coach," Calipari said.
"We had no motion, no continuity. We just aren't playing well
together. I wish we could have played better. We had good
signs, but we have a long way to get home. Near the end we hung
tough, we have to start playing off one another.
Tyrone Hill had 19 points and eight rebounds and Mills added 13
points for Cleveland, which opened the 1995-96 season with seven
straight losses. The Cavaliers lost two of three to the Nets
last season.
"We were able to hit some key shots down the stretch," Cleveland
coach Mike Fratello said. "I think Tyrone came up with some big
shots for us. This is a new group of guys and it's nice to get
a win on the first day of the season. Up until a certain point,
the flow was cruising along but then it sort of went down.
That's when the Nets started their run."
Kendall Gill scored 22 points and Khalid Reeves added 15 of his
17 on three-pointers for the Nets. Reeves made a trio of
three-pointers and Kerry Kittles hit another as New Jersey
opened the final quarter with a 14-3 burst to close within 73-69
before Cleveland answered with nine straight points.
"The three-point shot got is going and we played off that
emotion," Calipari said. "Khalid played well and therefore,
played a lot of minutes. He was hitting the three and that's
what started us on the run."
"It's good to know that coach doesn't hold grudges," said
Reeves, who was kicked out of practice Wednesday. "I don't know
if more minutes will open up for me, we'll just have to take it
day by day."
Gill made a pair of free throws to start the game but the
Cavaliers answered with 12 straight points and never trailed
thereafter. New Jersey did not make a field goal until Ed
O'Bannon hit a three-pointer with 7:47 left in the first.
nba.1279vpoznanovic,
DALLAS (92) AT DENVER (91)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 33 6-14 3-3 0 3 3 2 5 2 1 16
MEYER F 23 2-7 2-2 1 3 4 0 6 1 3 6
MONTROSS C 24 3-5 0-0 2 5 7 1 3 0 2 6
KIDD G 33 3-11 0-0 1 4 5 9 1 2 3 7
JACKSON G 38 9-20 8-9 7 4 11 3 1 2 3 28
GATLING 22 8-13 1-6 6 4 10 0 5 2 2 17
MILLER 24 2-6 0-0 2 8 10 1 1 2 3 4
HARPER 15 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 0 1 0
MASHBURN 14 1-6 2-4 0 1 1 1 4 1 2 4
DUMAS 10 1-4 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 4
ROBERTS 4 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-88 18-26 20 33 53 21 30 13 20 92
(.398) (.692) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 22(22 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L ELLIS F 33 5-16 11-16 3 6 9 1 5 3 6 21
D ELLIS F 31 2-9 2-4 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 6
JOHNSON C 43 3-8 3-4 6 11 17 0 3 1 0 9
JACKSON G 34 2-5 2-2 0 0 0 7 2 0 3 7
STITH G 37 5-15 5-5 3 5 8 2 3 2 2 15
MCDYESS 17 3-9 1-3 3 4 7 0 1 0 2 7
MARCIULIONIS 18 4-9 5-6 1 2 3 1 2 0 2 14
PIERCE 9 1-3 3-3 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 5
MURDOCK 14 3-4 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 7
THOMPSON 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
HAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HAMMONDS DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 28-78 32-43 18 29 47 13 21 9 20 91
(.359) (.744) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 21(17 PTS)
DALLAS 26 22 20 24 - 92
DENVER 26 22 23 20 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MILLER 2, MCCLOUD, MONTROSS, JACKSON, GATLING,
MASHBURN. DENVER - L ELLIS 3, JOHNSON 3, THOMPSON 2, MCDYESS,
MARCIULIONIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 4-18 (.222), MCCLOUD 1-5, KIDD 1-4, JACKSON 2-5,
MASHBURN 0-2, DUMAS 0-2. DENVER 3-8 (.375), L ELLIS 0-2, D ELLIS 0-1,
JACKSON 1-1, STITH 0-2, MARCIULIONIS 1-1, MURDOCK 1-1.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - GATLING, DENVER - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, JACK NIES, MONTY MCCUTCHEN.
A - 16,104. T - 2:15.
DALLAS (92) AT DENVER (91)
Chris Gatling's dunk with seven seconds remaining capped a
last-minute comeback as the Dallas Mavericks scored the final
five points to give rookie coach Jim Cleamons a 92-91 victory
over the Denver Nuggets in the season opener.
"Well, that's one game down and 81 to go," said Cleamons, who
left his position as an assistant with the NBA champion Chicago
Bulls. "If the guys make me work this hard, I'll be an old man
by the end of the season. We had some lapses but we are getting
better. I'm happy with the way our guys performed."
Gatling's game-winning basket was set up by a steal by Oliver
Miller with 13 seconds to go. Gatling was fouled and missed the
free throw, but Gatling corraled the offensive rebound. Denver's
Bryant Stith stole a pass and drove the length of the court for
a basket that came after the buzzer.
"I couldn't hear the buzzer at all," Stith said. "The crowd was
loud. I was just trying to get the ball down the court quickly.
With everyone in disarray, that's the best chance to score."
"I thought Bryant did rught thing by not calling timeout at the
end because we had them scattered around," Nuggets coach Bernie
Bickerstaff said.
The Mavericks allowed seven straight points and trailed 91-87
before Jimmy Jackson made a free throw with 58 seconds to go and
added a jumper 29 seconds later.
Jackson had 28 points and 11 rebounds and Gatling added 17 and
10 for the Mavericks, who have beaten Denver three consecutive
times. Gatling was signed as a free agent during the off-season.
"One thing is constant with this team," Jackson said. "We're
not going to give up. When we run this offense correctly, we'll
get good shots and we'll make defensive adjustments as we go."
LaPhonso Ellis scored 21 points and Stith added 15 for Denver.
Center Ervin Johnson, signed as a free agent to replace the
departed Dikembe Mutombo, had nine points, a career-high 17
rebounds and three blocks.
A basket by Loren Meyer gave Dallas an 87-84 lead with 3:55 to
play before Denver rallied. Stith scored four points and Ellis
three to give the Nuggets a four-point lead with 1:18 remaining.
Jackson had 17 points in the first half, which ended in a 48-48
tie. The Mavericks built a 62-54 advantage with 5:21 left on a
jumper by Jamal Mashburn, who played for the first time since
last December and scored four points. But the Nuggets closed
the quarter with a 17-6 burst and took a three-point lead into
the final period.
George McCloud had 16 points, Oliver Miller 10 rebounds and
Jason Kidd nine assists for Dallas, which shot under 40 percent
(35-of-88) from the field but held a 53-47 edge in rebounds.
Sarunas Marciulionis scored 14 points in his debut for Denver.
The Nuggets shot under 36 percent (28-of-78) and missed 11 of 43
free throws.
"I thought offensively our flow was bad and in transition we
didn't convert," Bickerstaff said. "We had good ideas but
didn't always get it done. We shot 35 percent and lose by one."
nba.1280vpoznanovic,
INDIANA (89) AT DETROIT (95)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 37 7-12 1-2 4 7 11 0 4 2 2 15
MCKEY F 29 2-6 3-4 0 5 5 2 4 0 1 8
A DAVIS C 29 5-9 4-6 1 4 5 0 3 0 4 14
BEST G 27 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 2 4 4
MILLER G 41 4-15 7-7 1 3 4 6 2 0 3 17
ROSE 23 4-8 1-2 0 0 0 4 4 1 1 10
SCOTT 13 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 2
WORKMAN 13 4-5 0-0 2 0 2 1 3 0 1 8
WILLIAMS 20 2-7 1-2 1 6 7 1 3 0 1 5
ALLEN 8 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 3 2 1 0 6
DAMPIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-74 17-23 10 26 36 19 30 6 18 89
(.446) (.739) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(15 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 41 10-18 5-7 1 7 8 5 3 1 5 25
LONG F 23 1-2 0-0 2 3 5 1 4 0 3 2
THORPE C 27 5-8 1-4 3 2 5 2 5 3 3 11
CURRY G 10 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 2
DUMARS G 39 7-15 10-10 0 3 3 1 1 3 2 27
MAHORN 15 1-2 2-2 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 4
MILLS 15 0-3 2-2 2 4 6 1 1 1 2 2
HUNTER 40 5-13 3-4 0 3 3 1 1 0 1 16
AUGMON 28 2-4 2-6 1 5 6 0 1 1 1 6
RATLIFF 2 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-68 25-35 11 28 39 12 22 10 17 95
(.471) (.714) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 19(21 PTS)
INDIANA 17 28 14 30 - 89
DETROIT 16 25 27 27 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - MILLER 2, D DAVIS, A DAVIS. DETROIT - AUGMON 2,
MILLS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 6-21 (.286), MCKEY 1-3, BEST 0-3, MILLER 2-8,
ROSE 1-1, WORKMAN 0-1, WILLIAMS 0-1, ALLEN 2-4. DETROIT 6-20 (.300), HILL
0-1, CURRY 0-2, DUMARS 3-6, MILLS 0-1, HUNTER 3-10.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, KEN MAUER, WOODY MAYFIELD.
A - 21,450. T - 2:20.
INDIANA (89) AT DETROIT (95)
Joe Dumars scored 27 points, including four free throws in the
final 26 seconds, and shut down Reggie Miller defensively as the
Detroit Pistons defeated the Indiana Pacers, 95-89.
Dumars, who made all 10 of his free throw attempts, hit a pair
of free throws with 25.8 seconds left to give Detroit a 93-88
advantage. He added another pair from the line with 2.3 seconds
remaining as Detroit won its season opener for the first time
since 1990.
"It felt really good to be called on to do a lot," Dumars said.
"That's the role I'm used to and the one I like. I've guarded
all the guys like that: Michael, Magic, everybody. You are not
going to stop them completely, but you have to clamp down on
them at key stages of the game. That's what I did in the third
quarter."
Grant Hill added 25 points and a team-high eight rebounds and
five assists for the Pistons. Detroit also received a pair of
clutch layups from Otis Thorpe down the stretch.
"This was a nice win to start because we didn't want to start
the season in a hole again, especially since we're still trying
to get comfortable with each other," Hill said.
"That was great opener for us," Pistons coach Doug Collins said.
"We were really tight and got into some foul trouble, but we
guarded people and kept ourselves in the game. That's what we
have to do all season. New logo, new unis and a new floor but
the same old Joe. He won it for us with his shooting and
especially with his defense on Reggie."
Miller was guarded by Dumars and held to 17 points on 4-of-15
shooting. Dale Davis added 16 points and 11 rebounds for
Indiana.
"We had our shots," said Miller. "In today's game you just want
to give yourself a shot. We made some big stops, but then
didn't hit our shots. When they had to, they hit theirs. We
have to play better defense. I'm not worried about my shot, I'm
worried about the team defense."
"Dumars was great, he made the shots when he needed to," Indiana
coach Larry Brown said.
Indiana started its season without starting center Rik Smits,
who is still recovering from off-season surgery on both feet.
Tied at 83, Hill hit a jump shot to give the Pistons the lead
with just over three minutes left. Dumars then hit a jumper,
but Indiana's Jalen Rose sank a free throw to draw Indiana
within 87-84.
Thorpe hit a layup with 2:08 to go but again Indiana answered on
a basket by Haywoode Workman and a layup by Rose. Thorpe hit a
layup to push the advantage to 91-88 and Dumars added the two
free throws.
Derrick McKey made a free throw with 17 seconds left to draw the
Pacers within 93-89, but Dumars sealed the victory with two more
free throws.
Antonio Davis started in Smits' place and scored 14 points,
including six in the first quarter. The Pacers extended their
advantage to 45-41 at the half as Miller scored five points.
Dumars had 12 points in the third quarter as the Pistons used a
17-7 run to turn the halftime deficit into a 68-59 advantage.
nba.1281vpoznanovic,
LA CLIPPERS (97) AT GOLDEN STATE (85)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROGERS F 15 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 4 0 1 2
VAUGHT F 39 9-19 1-2 3 11 14 2 3 0 4 19
DUCKWORTH C 24 4-8 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 4 8
RICHARDSON G 30 7-9 0-2 1 3 4 9 3 3 1 16
SEALY G 39 7-15 1-2 3 5 8 1 1 1 2 15
D MARTIN 19 3-7 6-6 1 0 1 5 3 0 2 13
MURRAY 32 5-11 2-2 1 6 7 1 6 2 3 13
ROBERTS 9 1-3 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 0 1 2
DEHERE 9 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
OUTLAW 24 4-9 1-1 4 4 8 1 1 1 0 9
PIATKOWSKI DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WRIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-86 11-15 16 33 49 21 27 7 20 97
(.477) (.733) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(14 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 32 4-10 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 2 1 8
SMITH F 38 2-9 4-5 0 5 5 3 3 3 3 8
FULLER C 28 4-11 0-0 4 1 5 2 2 1 2 8
PRICE G 31 4-9 9-10 1 4 5 2 3 1 2 19
SPREWELL G 44 8-18 9-11 3 10 13 6 1 0 5 29
ARMSTRONG 16 1-5 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 2
ROZIER 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
COLES 24 3-8 1-1 2 2 4 1 3 1 2 8
DECLERCQ 7 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 3 0
OWES 15 1-2 1-2 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 3
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 27-75 24-29 12 27 39 20 17 8 20 85
(.360) (.828) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(21 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 27 18 30 22 - 97
GOLDEN STATE 29 13 23 20 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - SEALY, OUTLAW. GOLDEN STATE - SMITH 2,
SPREWELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 4-8 (.500), ROGERS 0-2, RICHARDSON 2-2, D
MARTIN 1-2, MURRAY 1-1, DEHERE 0-1. GOLDEN STATE 7-18 (.389), MULLIN 0-1,
PRICE 2-5, SPREWELL 4-7, ARMSTRONG 0-2, COLES 1-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON OLESIAK, JOE FORTE, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 15,593. T - 1:57.
LA CLIPPERS (97) AT GOLDEN STATE (85)
Loy Vaught scored 19 points and sparked a third-quarter run as
the Los Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 97-85, in
the first game at San Jose Arena.
Vaught also grabbed 14 rebounds. Pooh Richardson had 16 points
and nine assists and Malik Sealy added 15 points for Los
Angeles, which used an 11-2 run in the third quarter to expand a
one-point advantage into a 70-60 lead with 1:57 left.
Vaught ignited the run with a layup and capped it with a free
throw. Kevin Duckworth had four points during the stretch.
"We've played well like that for spurts of quarters, but you
never know during the exhibition season whether it's because of
the different combinations or what," admitted Clippers coach
Bill Fitch, who remains five losses away from 1,000.
Latrell Sprewell scored 29 points and newcomer Mark Price added
19 for Golden State, which will be playing at San Jose Arena
this season while the Oakland Coliseum Arena is being renovated
for next season.
"I think, deep inside, we wanted to win the first couple of
games to start the season off right," Sprewell said. "On the
other side of it, the next five or six games are going to be
pretty hard. I don't think too many people are giving us a
chance, but that's why you have to go out and play the games."
With the Clippers leading 32-31, newcomer Darrick Martin made a
layup to ignite a 13-3 run. Lamond Murray scored seven points
during the stretch, including a three-pointer that capped the
burst for a 45-34 advantage.
But Golden State bounced back by scoring the last eight points
of the half as Sprewell contributed four to close the deficit to
45-42.
Martin and Murray each finished with 13 points and Sealy grabbed
eight rebounds for Los Angeles, which outrebounded Golden State
49-39 and scored 21 points off 20 forced turnovers.
"It was a total team effort tonight at both ends of the floor,"
Martin said. "I think if we come and play team defense like
that, we are a hard team to stop. This is what we can do when we
are focused and we come out and play together as a team."
Sprewell tied his career high with 13 rebounds and added six
assists for Golden State, which shot 36 percent (27-of-75) from
the field. The Warriors could have used suspended center Rony
Seikaly, who is holding out in search of a trade. Golden State
was outscored 40-30 in the paint.
nba.1282vpoznanovic,
MILWAUKEE (111) AT PHILADELPHIA (103)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 38 8-14 2-2 0 5 5 3 3 2 3 19
BAKER F 39 7-18 11-12 6 7 13 2 5 1 5 25
LANG C 27 5-9 2-4 5 2 7 1 4 0 0 12
DOUGLAS G 31 8-13 6-8 3 3 6 8 5 0 1 22
ALLEN G 28 3-10 5-7 0 2 2 0 4 3 1 13
NEWMAN 23 2-5 2-6 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 6
GILLIAM 24 3-8 1-2 4 10 14 1 5 1 2 7
PERRY 17 2-6 2-3 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 7
WOLF 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HANCOCK 7 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0
WOOD 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-84 31-44 19 31 50 21 30 9 14 111
(.452) (.705) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 15(28 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 31 1-5 1-4 2 3 5 2 1 0 0 3
COLEMAN F 40 7-17 11-12 3 10 13 7 5 1 2 25
CAGE C 22 3-4 0-0 4 3 7 2 2 0 0 6
IVERSON G 37 12-19 4-6 2 0 2 6 5 1 3 30
STACKHOUSE G 35 6-15 2-4 0 0 0 3 2 0 4 14
MACLEAN 16 2-8 1-2 1 5 6 0 2 1 2 5
WILLIAMS 17 1-4 2-2 1 2 3 1 4 1 0 4
HARRIS 14 1-5 4-4 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 6
OVERTON 11 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 4
DAVIS 17 3-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 6 1 1 6
BRADTKE DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
WALTERS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-83 27-36 14 26 40 25 29 6 13 103
(.446) (.750) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 14(11 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 31 27 29 24 - 111
PHILADELPHIA 28 23 29 23 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - BAKER 3, ROBINSON 2, LANG 2. PHILADELPHIA -
WEATHERSPOON, COLEMAN, CAGE, WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 4-9 (.444), ROBINSON 1-3, ALLEN 2-3, NEWMAN
0-2, PERRY 1-1. PHILADELPHIA 2-10 (.200), COLEMAN 0-2, IVERSON 2-4,
STACKHOUSE 0-3, HARRIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - MACLEAN, IVERSON.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, PAUL MIHALAK, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 20,444. T - 2:26.
MILWAUKEE (111) AT PHILADELPHIA (103)
Ray Allen scored six of his 13 points down the stretch to
upstage 30 points by opposing rookie Allen Iverson as the
Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 111-103, in the
first NBA game in the CoreStates Center.
"It's nice to get on the winning side of Allen, even though he
wasn't guarding me," said Allen, who shot 3-of-10 and added
three steals. "I knew he was a competitor and is going to bring
it to the floor game in and game out."
Vin Baker scored 25 points and Sherman Douglas added 19 for the
Bucks, who blew a 14-point third-quarter lead but recovered and
gave coach Chris Ford a win in his Milwaukee debut.
"It was a very pivotal game for us because of the new staff and
all the changes that we made," Baker said. "This was a game
that tested our character. Hopefully with games like this, we
can turn Chris' hair white by the end of the season."
"We got a very good defensive effort from everyone tonight,"
said Ford, who coached the Boston Celtics for five seasons.
"Some of the things we worked on during camp paid off big-time
tonight. Our goals are to hold an opponent to a low field-goal
percentage and to outrebound them and we did that tonight."
Philadelphia shot 45 percent from the field and was beaten on
the boards, 50-40.
The 76ers took their first lead since the second quarter at
98-96 on a three-point play by Derrick Coleman with 3:39 to go.
But Milwaukee's Douglas tied it and Allen scored six points in
the next 94 seconds.
Iverson, the top overall pick in the 1996 draft, was called for
a technical foul and Allen, chosen four picks later, made the
free throw. He added a three-pointer for a 102-98 lead. After
Philadelphia's Clarence Weatherspoon and Allen each missed two
foul shots, Allen made two free throws for a 104-98 bulge with
1:57 to go.
"Everybody was into it -- my teammates, the coaches, the crowd
was into it, it was a great experience," Iverson said. "We took
a loss, but I think we learned a lot from it. It will only help
us down the road."
Coleman and Vin Baker traded a pair of free throws and Jerry
Stackhouse made one foul shot before Andrew Lang sealed it with
a dunk for a 108-101 advantage with a minute left.
Using his tremendous quickness, Iverson shot 12-of-19 from the
field and added six assists. Coleman chipped in 25 points and
13 rebounds for the 76ers, who lost their first game under new
coach Johnny Davis.
It was a learning experience for us," Davis said. "It's going to
be a step-by-step process. We're going to be scratching and
clawing for everything. We cannot afford to make mistakes down
the stretch. We cannot afford to give up second shots. We have
to execute and play good defense. All in all, it was a game that
I thought we could have won. This is a young team and we will
only get better each time out."
Douglas and Baker scored 13 points apiece as Milwaukee opened a
58-51 halftime lead. The Bucks built the advantage to 85-71 on
a 13-footer by former 76er Armon Gilliam with 3:06 left in the
third quarter.
Iverson scored 12 points in the third period as the Sixers cut
the deficit to 87-80 entering the fourth quarter.
The start of the game was delayed by an indoor fireworks display
that had to be cleaned up. Iverson had a pair of early airballs
as he showed the nerves of a rookie, but finished the opening
quarter with six points.
"I'm not making any excuses," he said. "Those were airballs,
they were baskets I should make, I wasn't nervous at all. I was
real excited about playing, I wanted to get the game on the
road. We had a little bit of a delay. I was a little upset
about that."
nba.1283vpoznanovic,
NEW YORK (107) AT TORONTO (99)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 29 4-5 4-6 1 2 3 3 6 1 4 12
B WILLIAMS F 35 4-6 4-4 2 4 6 1 4 1 1 12
EWING C 23 7-12 4-9 0 6 6 0 5 2 4 18
HOUSTON G 39 7-16 11-12 0 5 5 4 2 3 6 28
WARD G 29 1-3 2-2 1 4 5 8 3 1 2 4
STARKS 35 7-13 7-8 1 4 5 5 2 2 1 22
H WILLIAMS 20 0-4 1-2 2 1 3 0 2 1 2 1
WALLACE 24 3-9 4-8 4 6 10 0 3 2 2 10
BROOKS 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 0
JENT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OAKLEY DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 33-68 37-51 11 33 44 23 29 15 24 107
(.485) (.725) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 24(13 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 21 2-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 6 0 3 6
JONES F 28 2-5 3-3 2 7 9 1 3 2 2 7
TABAK C 22 0-1 3-8 3 4 7 2 4 0 4 3
CHRISTIE G 36 8-16 4-6 0 3 3 7 0 4 5 24
STOUDAMIRE G 38 9-17 6-7 0 2 2 10 6 2 7 28
ROGERS 30 5-10 1-2 5 3 8 2 6 1 2 12
DAVIS 30 2-7 1-2 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 6
CAMBY 15 2-5 1-2 0 4 4 0 6 1 0 5
WRIGHT 19 4-9 0-2 1 1 2 0 5 0 0 8
WHITESIDE 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BENJAMIN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
EARL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-78 19-32 11 26 37 24 38 11 24 99
(.436) (.594) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 24(23 PTS)
NEW YORK 26 23 25 33 - 107
TORONTO 28 17 30 24 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - B WILLIAMS, EWING, HOUSTON, STARKS, H WILLIAMS.
TORONTO - TABAK 2, CAMBY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 4-11 (.364), HOUSTON 3-5, WARD 0-2, STARKS
1-4. TORONTO 12-25 (.480), WILLIAMS 2-5, CHRISTIE 4-7, STOUDAMIRE 4-7,
ROGERS 1-2, DAVIS 1-4.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - EWING.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, NOLAN FINE, PAT ADAMS.
A - 28,457. T - 2:43.
NEW YORK (107) AT TORONTO (99)
Buck Williams and Allan Houston made successful Knicks debuts by
keying a 13-4 run midway through the fourth quarter that gave
New York a 107-99 victory over the Toronto Raptors and spoiled
the coaching debut of Darrell Walker.
The Knicks, who shuffled their roster by acquiring Houston,
Larry Johnson and Chris Childs in the off-season, gave Jeff Van
Gundy a win in his first game as full-time coach.
"For some odd reason, we were stuck in mud for the first three
quarters," said Van Gundy, who replaced Don Nelson during last
season's campaign. "We became energized in the fourth. We need
to be more fundamental with the basketball."
Childs is on the injured list with a broken leg and did not
play.
It was exactly 50 years to the day that the Knicks beat the
Toronto Huskies 68-66 in the first NBA game. To honor the
event, the teams wore uniforms similar to those the clubs wore
in 1946. Toronto's uniforms featured "Huskies" across the
front.
"I'm happy about the team's effort," said Walker, who started
his playing career with the Knicks. "We didn't make any free
throws, turned the ball over 24 times, but I'm happy. The
Knicks are a team that's been picked to go to the finals. My
team was right there for the win, I'm happy."
The Raptors held a 78-76 lead when Houston, who had 28 points,
hit a jumper with 9:48 left for the game's final tie. Williams
made a jumper to give the Knicks the lead for good 48 seconds
later.
"The names on the backs of the jerseys are not going to win it
for us," Houston said. "We're really going to have to work for
it. I had a lot of adrenaline my first game as a knick. It was
nice to be part of the first win."
After Toronto's Zan Tabak made one of two free throws, Williams
made two free throws and another jumper to increase New York's
lead to five points at the 6:12 mark.
Damon Stoudamire, who led Toronto with 28 points and 10 assists,
hit a three-pointer to close the gap to 84-82 with 5:52 to play,
but New York rookie John Wallace hit a jumper, and Toronto's
Doug Christie missed a pair of free throws. Patrick Ewing made
one from the foul line and Houston closed the run with a jumper
as New York opened an 89-82 cushion with 4:04 left.
John Starks added 22 points and Ewing had 18 for the Knicks, who
were 37-of-51 from the foul line, taking advantage of 38 Toronto
fouls as four Raptors fouled out. New York committed 29 fouls,
but Toronto was just 19-of-32 from the line.
Charlie Ward, who replaced Childs as the starting point guard,
dished out eight assists and Wallace, the rookie who carried
Syracuse to the brink of a national championship last season,
had 10 points and 10 rebounds in his NBA debut.
Wallace and Williams picked up the slack for forward Charles
Oakley, who is suspended for the first two games of the season
after body-slamming Houston's Charles Barkley in the preseason.
Christie, a former Knick, had 24 points and Carlos Rogers added
12 points and eight rebounds for Toronto. Popeye Jones grabbed
nine rebounds in his Raptors debut. Marcus Camby, the second
player picked in the draft, had five points and four rebounds in
15 minutes.
Stoudamire talked about the adjustment to Walker's running
style.
"It was kind of tiring, but it was fun, the 1995 Rookie of the
year said. "Once we master this style of play, it's going to be
even better. We played well enough tonight to win, the foul
shots killed us. We didn't win, but we've got a good base to
work from."
Johnson talked about his first game as a Knick.
"We got stiff and lost a little adrenaline because of the
ceremonies, but it was for the 50th anniversary," said Johnson,
who fouled out with 12 points and three rebounds in 29 minutes.
"They played us tough, but you expect that from these guys in
their building. They were pumped and they ran well. We turned
the ball over too many times (24), but we picked it up in the
fourth quarter. ... It's good to get the first win out of the
way."
nba.1284vpoznanovic,
PHOENIX (82) AT LA LAKERS (96)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 27 0-3 0-0 0 4 4 6 3 4 2 0
GREEN F 11 0-4 2-4 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 2
KLEINE C 16 1-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 1 2 2
PERSON G 40 7-18 3-3 5 4 9 1 1 2 2 17
CASSELL G 38 7-18 4-4 1 2 3 6 3 1 5 20
FINLEY 37 4-8 2-2 2 4 6 2 2 1 0 11
MANNING 32 5-16 2-5 3 3 6 1 4 1 1 12
TISDALE 25 7-15 2-3 2 2 4 1 5 0 0 16
NASH 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHAPMAN 9 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2
BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-91 15-21 15 21 36 21 25 11 12 82
(.352) (.714) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 12(8 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 37 3-7 10-12 1 6 7 4 3 0 3 16
CEBALLOS F 41 5-14 4-4 2 9 11 1 3 1 8 15
ONEAL C 35 8-10 7-11 4 10 14 3 5 0 5 23
JONES G 25 4-8 0-0 1 4 5 2 5 0 1 11
VAN EXEL G 28 1-5 0-0 0 4 4 8 3 2 2 2
FISHER 20 4-5 3-6 0 2 2 5 2 0 0 12
SCOTT 25 2-7 3-5 0 0 0 2 0 2 1 8
ROOKS 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
BLOUNT 19 3-4 1-2 3 3 6 0 3 0 1 7
ROBINSON 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2
KNIGHT 1 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
BRYANT DNP - STRAINED HIP FLEXOR
TOTALS 240 31-63 28-40 11 40 51 26 26 6 23 96
(.492) (.700) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 23(30 PTS)
PHOENIX 20 20 29 13 - 82
LA LAKERS 26 31 15 24 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - HORRY 2, GREEN, MANNING. LA LAKERS - CAMPBELL
3, CEBALLOS 2, ONEAL 2, SCOTT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 3-13 (.231), HORRY 0-1, PERSON 0-3, CASSELL
2-5, FINLEY 1-1, NASH 0-1, CHAPMAN 0-2. LA LAKERS 6-18 (.333), CEBALLOS
1-5, JONES 3-6, VAN EXEL 0-2, FISHER 1-1, SCOTT 1-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE CALLAHAN, TOMMY NUNEZ, DICK BAVETTA.
A - 17,505. T - 2:22.
PHOENIX (82) AT LA LAKERS (96)
Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 14 rebounds in his Lakers
debut and Eddie Jones scored eight of his 11 points in 15-4 run
to close the game as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the
new-look Phoenix Suns, 96-82, to win their fifth straight home
opener.
O'Neal, who signed a seven-year, $121 million free agent deal in
the off-season, scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. Elden
Campbell scored 16 points for the Lakers, who won their season
opener for the eighth time in 10 years.
"It's all about winning," O'Neal said. "It's always good to
start on the right foot. But keep in mind, it's 80 games. We're
1-0, (playing) 1.000. We just have to come out and play."
"Basically we had to come in and do it defensively with
rebounding and stealing the ball," Jones said. "I was on the
bench for three quarters with foul trouble. Once I got into the
fourth quarter, I had two fouls to give. I just took my shots
when I had them."
Cedric Ceballos, who grabbed 11 rebounds, scored all 15 of his
points in the first half as Los Angeles took a 57-40 lead at the
half.
"I have mixed feelings," began Lakers coach Del Harris. "I
don't look at victories as the gift horse in the mouth. A
victory is a victory and sometimes you play better than others.
Tonight wasn't any game that you would save the footage from and
put in Cooperstown. It was kind of a typical first encounter, a
lot of sloppy play.
"Nonetheless, the good news is we displayed not only the will to
win but the know-how to win in the fourth quarter. We were in
some dire circumstances with Shaq having five fouls and Phoenix
having the momentum."
Newcomer Sam Cassell scored 20 points and Wesley Person added 17
for the Suns, who dropped their fourth consecutive road opener.
Cassell came over in the blockbuster off-season trade, along
with forwards Robert Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown, that
sent All-Star forward Charles Barkley to Houston.
"We were at a disadvantage from the start by giving them the big
lead," Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "But I thought we
would come out of it. They kept battling and battling, but they
couldn't finsish. Some baskets just wouldn't fall for us. When
Shaq was not in there, we came back. When he was in, they
played well."
Cassell and Person each scored six points in the third quarter
as the Suns closed within 72-69 entering the final period.
"They played well," Cassell said. "They won the game. They have
a good team. We ran out of gas and they went on and did what
they had to."
Phoenix took a 78-77 lead on basket by Wayman Tisdale with about
eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Jones triggered a
10-0 run with a basket and capped it with a three-pointer for an
87-78 lead with 5:18 left.
Tisdale finished with 16 points for Phoenix, which has lost four
consecutive meetings to Los Angeles by a combined 51 points. The
Suns shot 35 percent (32-of-91) from the field and were
outrebounded 51-36.
About guarding O'Neal, Tisdale said, "It's like guarding
Hercules."
nba.1285vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (114) AT VANCOUVER (85)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 29 8-15 4-6 0 2 2 1 2 0 2 22
WALLACE F 26 5-7 0-2 2 2 4 1 2 0 1 10
SABONIS C 23 3-5 3-7 3 7 10 2 3 1 7 9
MCKIE G 24 2-5 4-5 0 1 1 4 0 3 0 8
ANDERSON G 29 8-13 1-2 3 4 7 8 2 3 4 20
TRENT 22 6-7 3-3 3 4 7 1 0 0 1 15
DUDLEY 25 4-10 0-0 4 6 10 0 3 0 1 8
JORDAN 15 3-6 0-0 2 1 3 2 2 1 1 6
BUTLER 24 4-9 0-0 0 1 1 6 0 1 0 10
WINGFIELD 19 2-9 0-0 5 4 9 4 6 3 0 4
CHILDRESS 4 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
RIDER DNP - SUSPENDED BY TEAM
TOTALS 240 45-86 17-27 22 32 54 30 20 12 17 114
(.523) (.630) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 17(20 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 35 6-14 4-6 2 3 5 2 1 3 2 16
MOBLEY F 20 4-5 3-4 2 0 2 3 3 0 2 11
REEVES C 26 4-15 0-0 1 3 4 3 3 0 1 8
PEELER G 25 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 0 1 4
ANTHONY G 24 2-3 1-2 0 2 2 3 1 1 3 6
CHILCUTT 25 3-6 1-2 2 3 5 0 5 0 0 8
B EDWARDS 28 7-13 0-1 0 3 3 3 3 0 3 16
MAYBERRY 24 4-6 3-4 0 1 1 4 1 2 0 12
LYNCH 8 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
ROGERS 13 0-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 0
MOTEN 7 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0
MANNING 5 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
TOTALS 240 34-77 12-19 9 18 27 23 21 7 15 85
(.442) (.632) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(26 PTS)
PORTLAND 29 27 30 28 - 114
VANCOUVER 26 27 16 16 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - SABONIS 3, WALLACE 2, C ROBINSON, MCKIE.
VANCOUVER - CHILCUTT 2, ABDUR-RAHIM, LYNCH, ROGERS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 7-17 (.412), C ROBINSON 2-5, SABONIS 0-1,
ANDERSON 3-5, BUTLER 2-4, WINGFIELD 0-2. VANCOUVER 5-14 (.357),
ABDUR-RAHIM 0-1, PEELER 0-1, ANTHONY 1-1, CHILCUTT 1-2, B EDWARDS 2-5,
MAYBERRY 1-3, LYNCH 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - WALLACE.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 19,193. T - 2:05.
PORTLAND (114) AT VANCOUVER (85)
Clifford Robinson scored seven of his 22 points in a 16-0 burst
in the third quarter as the Portland Trail Blazers breezed to a
season-opening 114-85 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Kenny Anderson had 20 points in his debut for the Trail Blazers,
who allowed 32 second-half points and avenged an embarrassing
home loss to expansion Vancouver in their season opener last
year.
Portland led 56-53 at halftime and scored eight of the first 10
points of the third quarter. Vancouver cut the deficit to 66-61
before Robinson triggered the 16-point explosion, boosting the
lead to 21 points with 3:35 to go.
"I really liked the way we ran the floor in the third," Blazers
coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "Kenny and Cliff made some great
decisions. I thought we played well in the first two (quarters),
but the way we played in the second half, we would've beaten
anyone tonight. We were flying."
The Blazers shot 65 percent (13-of-20) in the third period and
led 86-69 entering the fourth quarter, where it was more of the
same. Gary Trent scored eight of his 15 points in the period as
Portland opened a 35-point lead in the closing minutes.
Rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 16 points in his NBA debut for
the Grizzlies. Center Bryant Reeves started despite an injured
hip and scored just eight points on 4-of-15 shooting.
"So many things to learn, especially in a loss," the 19-year-old
Abdur-Rahim said. "They had more to do with me not getting in
there for rebounds. I wasn't doing it from the start, but
especially in the third. We were just running up and down and
watching them score. I know I've got a whole bunch of studying
to do out there."
Portland won despite the absence of guard Isaiah Rider, who sat
out a one-game suspension for missing a team bus earlier this
week. Rider also was arrested Wednesday on marijuana possession
charges.
Chris Dudley and Arvydas Sabonis had 10 rebounds each for the
Blazers, who held a 54-27 advantage on the boards and shot 52
percent (45-of-86) from the field. Anderson, who signed as a
free agent during the off-season, added eight assists.
"I think Kenny was the key," Carlesimo said. "He made so many
good decisions on the floor. He made some great assists, moves
and shots."
"We stacked it up defensively," Anderson said. "There was hands
and arms and backs in their faces. We really turned it up in
the third. Some nights, with our size, we can kill them on the
boards."
Blue Edwards scored 11 of his 16 points in the first half to
keep the Grizzlies close.
"We've got to look around the room and see that we're not going
to score a lot of points," Edwards said. "It's pretty clear
we've got to play defensive basketball to have any chance of
hanging in there."
nba.1286vpoznanovic,
SACRAMENTO (85) AT HOUSTON (96)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C WILLIAMSON F 37 7-11 0-0 1 3 4 4 5 1 4 14
GRANT F 25 3-11 2-2 1 5 6 0 2 0 1 8
POLYNICE C 32 0-4 1-4 2 5 7 3 3 1 4 1
RICHMOND G 32 6-12 1-1 0 5 5 3 1 1 3 14
ABDUL-RAUF G 29 7-13 2-2 0 2 2 5 2 1 2 17
SMITH 25 2-3 4-4 2 8 10 1 4 2 4 8
SIMMONS 18 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 1 4 6
EDNEY 26 4-11 6-8 0 1 1 0 1 4 4 14
CAUSWELL 16 1-1 1-2 1 2 3 1 4 0 1 3
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HURLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OWENS DNP - STRAINED LEFT GROIN
TOTALS 240 32-72 17-23 8 32 40 18 24 11 27 85
(.444) (.739) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 27(40 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 32 7-12 3-4 4 0 4 3 4 2 0 20
WILLIS F 39 3-12 2-2 1 4 5 0 3 0 2 8
OLAJUWON C 39 5-13 7-10 3 10 13 6 2 3 4 17
DREXLER G 42 8-21 7-10 4 6 10 9 2 10 7 25
MALONEY G 32 3-8 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 8
HARRINGTON 18 4-6 0-0 3 3 6 1 2 1 2 8
LIVINGSTON 14 1-2 0-3 0 1 1 1 4 1 2 2
BULLARD 14 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 2 1 8
MACK 5 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0
MOORE 3 0-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
DAVIS 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
BARKLEY DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 34-87 20-31 17 28 45 25 19 20 21 96
(.391) (.645) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 23(21 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 24 11 19 31 - 85
HOUSTON 31 21 24 20 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - GRANT 2, RICHMOND 2, CAUSWELL 2, C
WILLIAMSON, ABDUL-RAUF. HOUSTON - OLAJUWON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 4-12 (.333), RICHMOND 1-4, ABDUL-RAUF 1-2,
SIMMONS 2-4, EDNEY 0-2. HOUSTON 8-25 (.320), ELIE 3-6, WILLIS 0-1, DREXLER
2-5, MALONEY 1-5, BULLARD 2-3, MACK 0-1, MOORE 0-3, DAVIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, ED F RUSH, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 16,285. T - 2:07.
SACRAMENTO (85) AT HOUSTON (96)
Clyde Drexler nearly recorded a rare quadruple-double with 25
points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals and nine assists as the Houston
Rockets rolled to a 96-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings in
the season opener for both teams.
Only four players in NBA history -- Nate Thurmond, Alvin
Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson -- have recorded
quadruple-doubles. Robinson was the last player to accomplish
the feat with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks
for San Antonio against Detroit on February 17, 1994.
It was the 22nd career triple-double for Drexler, who was
recently named among the NBA's top 50 players of all-time.
The Rockets played without Charles Barkley, who served a
one-game suspension for throwing punches in a preseason game.
Barkley was acquired by Houston from Phoenix in exchange for
four players in the off-season.
Mario Elie had 20 points and Hakeem Olajuwon added 17 points and
13 rebounds for Houston.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, acquired from Denver in the off-season, led
Sacramento with 17 points. Mitch Richmond, Corliss Williamson
and Tyus Edney added 14 points apiece for the Kings.
Elie hit a pair of three-pointers in a 13-2 run which opened a
43-26 lead for the Rockets. Houston led by as many as 25
points, 67-42, in the third quarter.
The Kings opened the fourth quarter with a 15-5 run to cut
Houston's lead to 12, 81-69. Williamson scored three baskets in
the spurt.
But the Rockets upped their lead to 15, 90-75, with
three-and-a-half minutes left.
nba.1287vpoznanovic,
SAN ANTONIO (78) AT MINNESOTA (82)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HERRERA F 12 0-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 1 0 0
ELLIOTT F 41 5-11 3-6 1 7 8 3 3 1 2 14
ANDERSON C 20 1-3 0-0 2 5 7 0 2 0 1 2
DEL NEGRO G 18 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 2
JOHNSON G 25 6-11 1-2 0 1 1 5 5 0 3 14
MAXWELL 31 3-7 3-4 0 1 1 1 1 2 4 9
D WILKINS 36 7-21 2-2 3 5 8 2 2 1 2 18
SMITH 28 5-6 2-2 0 5 5 3 5 1 2 12
ALEXANDER 22 1-3 1-2 0 6 6 5 2 3 3 3
M WILLIAMS 7 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 4
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
W PERDUE DNP - FRACTURED LEFT THUMB
TOTALS 240 31-72 12-18 9 31 40 21 23 10 17 78
(.431) (.667) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(17 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 42 8-18 1-2 3 6 9 6 1 3 2 17
GUGLIOTTA F 43 9-20 6-7 3 7 10 1 2 1 4 24
VRANKOVIC C 27 3-4 0-0 0 4 4 1 2 0 1 6
WEST G 31 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 3 4
MARBURY G 8 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 2 0 0 1 0
PORTER 16 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 7
ROBINSON 30 4-10 5-8 0 1 1 5 2 0 3 15
MITCHELL 27 2-6 5-6 3 2 5 1 2 0 0 9
PARKS 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
CARR 10 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0
HEAL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D GARRETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-74 17-23 9 27 36 18 13 6 17 82
(.419) (.739) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 18(17 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 15 25 11 27 - 78
MINNESOTA 24 15 15 28 - 82
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - SMITH 3, D WILKINS. MINNESOTA - VRANKOVIC
5, K GARNETT 4, GUGLIOTTA 2, CARR.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 4-13 (.308), ELLIOTT 1-2, DEL NEGRO 0-1,
JOHNSON 1-1, MAXWELL 0-2, D WILKINS 2-5, ALEXANDER 0-2. MINNESOTA 3-8
(.375), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, MARBURY 0-1, PORTER 1-1, ROBINSON 2-4, CARR 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SAN ANTONIO - HEAD COACH B HILL.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TED BERNHARDT, JIM KINSEY.
A - 18,109. T - 2:07.
SAN ANTONIO (78) AT MINNESOTA (82)
James Robinson scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter
and Tom Gugliotta scored 24 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves
took advantage of the absence of injured David Robinson and
edged the San Antonio Spurs, 82-78, in the season opener for
both teams.
After San Antonio's Dominique Wilkins made a three-pointer to
tie the game 56-56 early in the third quarter, Robinson sank a
three-pointer on the next possession to give Minnesota the lead
for good.
Minnesota took a 67-59 lead with 6:51 to go on a pair of free
throws by Sam Mitchell, but San Antonio chipped away and cut the
deficit to 73-72 on Charles Smith's 15-footer with 2:04 left.
But Robinson answered with a three-pointer and the Timberwolves
built the lead to six on a jumper by Kevin Garnett, who finished
with 17 points.
After Wilkins hit a three-pointer with 62 seconds left,
Gugliotta nailed a 14-footer and Robinson hit two free throws to
ice the game.
"I have been to the Target Center a lot of times and this, by
far, was great atmosphere," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders.
"When the game started, the fans were into the game. And down
the stretch, they gave us a lift defensively."
Minnesota played most of the game without 19-year-old rookie
guard Stephon Marbury. The former Georgia Tech star twisted his
right ankle early in the game. He returned with 9:14 to go in
the third quarter, but left under three minutes later after
aggravating the injury. He did not score in eight minutes.
"Young kids like that usually haven't sprained their ankles that
much," said Saunders. "Usually they bounce back pretty quick.
With a day's rest and going out to Los Angeles and a chance to
play at the Forum, I think he'll be ready to play on Sunday."
The Timberwolves, who sported new uniforms and a new logo at
center court of the Target Center, won for just the fifth time
in 35 career meetings against the the Spurs.
Wilkins, signed as a free agent during the off-season, scored 18
points in his Spurs debut. He is the eighth-leading scorer in
NBA history but played last season in Greece.
"Putting in the new offense has been tough," said Smith. "During
the game, you had to react, you don't have time to think. I
don't want to make excuses. We had our chances to win."
Robinson, who recently was voted as one of the top 50 players of
all-time, will miss at least the first five games of the season
with a lower back injury. Will Perdue was expected to take
Robinson's place, but he has a broken thumb. The tandem of Greg
Anderson and Charles Smith played center and combined for 14
points.
Gugliotta was 9-for-20 from the field and added 10 rebounds.
Center Stojko Vrankovic set a career high with five blocked
shots.
Minnesota was outscored on the fast break 15-0, but had 11
second-chance points while holding San Antonio to just two. The
Timberwolves connected on just 42 percent (31-of-74) from the
field.
nba.1288vpoznanovic,
SEATTLE (91) AT UTAH (99)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D SCHREMPF F 40 8-16 7-8 0 8 8 4 5 1 2 24
KEMP F 35 7-15 11-14 4 8 12 1 6 0 5 26
MCILVAINE C 23 2-6 0-0 2 2 4 0 4 0 0 4
HAWKINS G 32 1-3 3-4 1 4 5 1 1 0 0 5
PAYTON G 39 9-15 4-6 2 4 6 6 1 3 4 24
PERKINS 33 3-11 1-2 0 5 5 0 3 0 0 8
EHLO 21 0-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 2 0 0
MCMILLAN 16 0-4 0-0 2 1 3 3 5 0 1 0
STEWART 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SNOW DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGATE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-75 26-34 12 34 46 16 26 6 12 91
(.400) (.765) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 12(23 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 34 3-8 3-4 0 2 2 2 4 0 1 12
MALONE F 40 11-20 5-8 4 9 13 5 5 1 3 27
OSTERTAG C 17 0-4 2-4 1 3 4 0 4 0 1 2
HORNACEK G 37 2-8 4-5 1 3 4 8 3 2 0 9
STOCKTON G 38 8-14 6-7 1 4 5 8 2 3 1 24
EISLEY 8 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 3
CARR 31 6-11 3-4 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 15
FOSTER 8 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 2
MORRIS 8 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 0
KEEFE 14 1-2 0-1 3 2 5 0 0 0 0 2
ANDERSON 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
THOMPSON 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 240 34-78 23-33 11 32 43 26 27 7 9 99
(.436) (.697) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 9(16 PTS)
SEATTLE 23 23 25 20 - 91
UTAH 28 25 22 24 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 4, KEMP, PAYTON. UTAH - CARR 3,
RUSSELL, MALONE, OSTERTAG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 5-18 (.278), D SCHREMPF 1-3, KEMP 1-1, HAWKINS
0-2, PAYTON 2-2, PERKINS 1-5, EHLO 0-2, MCMILLAN 0-3. UTAH 8-18 (.444),
RUSSELL 3-4, HORNACEK 1-2, STOCKTON 2-5, EISLEY 1-2, MORRIS 0-3, ANDERSON
1-2.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, MCMILLAN, UTAH - ILLEGAL DEFENSE
2, FOSTER.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, DAVID JONES, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 19,911. T - 20:56.
SEATTLE (91) AT UTAH (99)
Karl Malone scored 27 points, including six in a decisive
fourth-quarter run, and John Stockton added 24 and eight assists
as the Utah Jazz opened the season with a 99-91 victory over the
Seattle SuperSonics in a rematch of last year's Western
Conference final.
Trailing 81-80 with 6:45 remaining, the Jazz used a 19-10 run to
close out the game. Malone and Antoine Carr had six points
apiece during the spurt and Stockton added five.
Malone made 11-of-20 from the field and led Utah with 13
rebounds.
"We are going to saddle up and ride Karl forever," Stockton
said. "He is our go-to guy and the best power forward in the
game and people just keep thinking he's getting old and he just
gets better and better."
Shawn Kemp led Seattle with 26 points and Detlef Schrempf and
Gary Payton added 24 apiece. But Kemp and Schrempf were held to
four points each in the final period as the Utah defense kept
Seattle in check for the first nine minutes of the fourth
quarter.
The Sonics shot just 40 percent (30-of-75) from the floor and
5-of-18 from beyond the arc. After Kemp, Schrempf and Payton
the rest of the team combined to shoot 6-of-29 and scored 17
points.
"We've got to get a better feel for each other," Kemp said. "The
same thing happened last year. Any time you make new changes
your going to have a little different identity."
Trailing by a point with 6:45 to play, the Jazz took an 82-81
lead on a jumper by Carr. Stockton hit a jumper and Jeff
Hornacek and Malone capped the 8-0 run with layups. Hornacek,
who made just 2-of-8 from the floor, had eight assists for Utah.
"I was really pleased with the way the team played down the
stretch," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I didn't like the way
some of the younger guys played. If they're going to turn the
ball over the way we were during pre-season, then I just can't
play them."
Malone and Bryon Russell had eight points apiece during the
first quarter as Utah built a 28-23 advantage. Stockton had a
big second period as the Jazz extended the advantage to seven
points at halftime.
Kemp had eight points and Schrempf added six as Seattle drew
within 75-71 after three quarters. The lead switched back and
forth until Carr's basket sparked the key run.
Jim McIlvaine made his Seattle debut and played just 23 minutes,
battling foul trouble he scored only four points and grabbed
four rebounds.
Russell made 3-of-4 three-point attempts for the Jazz, who were
8-of-18 from beyond the arc.
"I set goals for myself to be a better player than I was last
year, and I think I have," Russell said. "I mean, it's only one
game, so we'll see as we go along."
nba.1289vpoznanovic,
WASHINGTON (96) AT ORLANDO (92)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GRANT F 34 3-4 4-4 1 6 7 2 3 0 2 11
HOWARD F 40 6-12 4-4 5 5 10 6 4 0 8 16
WEBBER C 37 7-16 5-10 0 1 1 2 5 3 3 19
CHEANEY G 32 4-12 1-1 1 3 4 1 0 0 1 9
STRICKLAND G 36 7-10 6-9 0 3 3 9 2 2 0 20
JACKSON 14 4-6 2-2 0 1 1 2 4 0 0 12
MURRAY 16 2-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 1 5
WALLACE 19 0-3 0-0 4 6 10 0 1 3 1 0
WHITNEY 12 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 4
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - SORE LEFT KNEE
TOTALS 240 35-74 22-30 11 26 37 25 24 10 16 96
(.473) (.733) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 16(21 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROYAL F 29 4-10 4-4 1 0 1 1 3 0 3 12
GRANT F 38 5-13 4-4 6 11 17 2 2 3 2 14
SPENCER C 19 2-2 0-0 5 1 6 1 2 0 1 4
ANDERSON G 38 6-19 0-0 0 5 5 2 3 2 0 15
HARDAWAY G 38 6-22 7-9 1 2 3 6 3 1 1 19
VAUGHN 21 3-4 1-1 4 3 7 0 2 0 3 7
WILKINS 23 4-8 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 0 3 9
SHAW 12 1-6 1-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 2 4
STRONG 17 4-6 0-0 4 1 5 1 3 0 1 8
ARMSTRONG 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 0
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - STRAINED LEFT HAMSTRING
TOTALS 240 35-91 17-20 22 26 48 17 22 7 16 92
(.385) (.850) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 17(21 PTS)
WASHINGTON 18 27 24 27 - 96
ORLANDO 26 26 19 21 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - GRANT 3, WEBBER 3, CHEANEY 2, HOWARD, MURRAY.
ORLANDO - GRANT, ANDERSON, STRONG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 4-13 (.308), GRANT 1-2, WEBBER 0-2, CHEANEY
0-1, STRICKLAND 0-1, JACKSON 2-3, MURRAY 1-4. ORLANDO 5-23 (.217),
ANDERSON 3-12, HARDAWAY 0-6, WILKINS 1-3, SHAW 1-2.
TECHNICALS: ORLANDO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, GEORGE TOLIVER, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 17,248. T - 2:22.
WASHINGTON (96) AT ORLANDO (92)
Rod Strickland had 20 points and nine assists in his Washington
debut as the Bullets handed the Orlando Magic an immediate home
loss, 96-92, in the first game of the post-Shaq era.
The Magic won their first 33 games at Orlando Arena last season
before suffering their first loss. But Orlando is a different
team this year without All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal, who
signed a seven-year, $123 million free agent contract with the
Los Angeles Lakers in the off-season.
But the loss was not without controversy. Gerald Wilkins hit
what appeared to be a game-tying three-point jumper from the
left corner with 7.4 seconds left for Orlando. But officials
ruled Wilkins' right foot was on the three-point line and called
it a two-point basket, leaving the Magic one point behind at
93-92.
"I thought it was a three," said Magic coach Brian Hill. "My
assistant said watching the replay inside it showed floor
between his foot and the line. But the official called a two
and it changes the whole outcome of the game."
"They said his foot was on the line, but that was a clutch
shot," said Strickland. "I was over there and I knew it was
good. I wasn't looking at his feet."
Juwan Howard then hit a pair of free throws with 6.5 seconds
left and Chris Webber added a free throw in the final seconds to
seal the win for Washington.
Orlando led by as many as 18 points, 48-30, in the second
quarter, but was unable to knock out the Bullets. Washington
closed the half with a 15-4 run to pull within 52-45.
"We showed mental toughness despite an 18-point deficit," said
Howard. "We came back and hung in there. This team has a lot
of heart and won't die. Tonight was a prime example of that."
The Magic opened the lead to 11, 68-57, in the third quarter but
the Bullets again battled back. Washington closed the quarter
with a 12-3 spurt to pull within 71-69.
The Bullets then took control with a 9-0 fourth quarter run. A
layup by Strickland capped the run and gave the Bullets an 80-75
lead with 7:40 left.
"He (Strickland) gives us a big boost, because he is one of the
premier point guards in the league," said Bullets coach Jim
Lynam. "He also gives us that floor leadership that may have
been lacking in the past. Brent Price did a great job last
year, but Rod is in a class of his own. We are happy to have
him aboard."
Webber, who missed 54 games last season with a separated
shoulder, had 19 points and Howard added 16 points and 10
rebounds for the Bullets.
"I was like a baby in Toys-R-Us, a kid in the candy store," said
Howard. "I was so excited to get this started."
Penny Hardaway played with a sore hamstring and led Orlando with
19 points, but hit just 6-of-22 shots from the field.
"They're going to miss Shaquille," said Webber. "A football
team would miss him. Penny's gonna have to put everybody on his
shoulders."
Nick Anderson had 15 points, but converted only 6-of-19 shots
from the field, and Horace Grant collected 14 points and 17
rebounds for the Magic.
Orlando played without starting forward Dennis Scott, who was
sidelined with a strained left hamstring. He started all 82
games last season and appeared in 129 consecutive games.
The Bullets received valuable contributions from their bench.
Jaren Jackson scored 12 points in 14 minutes and rookie Ben
Wallace grabbed 10 rebounds in 19 minutes of play for
Washington.
"I really think our bench is going to be our strong point this
year," said Webber. "They did a great job for us. They give us
a hard time in practice every day."
nba.1290vpoznanovic,
BOSTON (102) AT MILWAUKEE (124)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RADJA F 30 5-7 0-0 1 7 8 1 2 0 4 10
FOX F 29 5-13 1-2 4 2 6 1 5 0 1 11
ELLISON C 16 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 6 0 1 0
BARROS G 41 4-14 0-0 0 6 6 4 3 1 0 8
WALKER G 30 5-14 12-12 2 1 3 3 3 2 7 23
DAY 33 5-9 11-13 4 2 6 2 3 3 2 21
BRICKOWSKI 16 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 6 1 1 4
WILLIAMS 21 5-9 6-7 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 16
CONLON 16 2-5 4-4 3 2 5 1 1 0 1 8
SZABO 8 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 1
LISTER DNP - INJURED RIGHT SHOULDER
WESLEY DNP - SORE FOOT
TOTALS 240 33-80 35-40 16 25 41 16 30 7 17 102
(.413) (.875) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 17(30 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 22 7-10 4-5 1 4 5 0 5 1 2 18
ROBINSON F 28 8-16 4-6 1 3 4 5 3 0 0 21
LANG C 24 2-4 0-0 2 4 6 0 2 1 0 4
ALLEN G 21 7-10 2-3 1 2 3 2 1 3 1 18
DOUGLAS G 27 3-4 1-2 0 1 1 6 1 1 4 7
GILLIAM 29 4-9 9-12 4 8 12 2 3 1 1 17
NEWMAN 22 9-13 2-2 1 1 2 2 5 0 0 21
PERRY 21 0-4 2-2 1 2 3 5 2 0 1 2
HANCOCK 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
WOLF 18 2-3 2-2 1 3 4 1 3 0 1 6
RESPERT 15 1-5 4-4 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 7
WOOD 6 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3
TOTALS 240 44-81 30-38 13 31 44 25 30 7 10 124
(.543) (.789) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(14 PTS)
BOSTON 21 15 33 33 - 102
MILWAUKEE 35 29 32 28 - 124
BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - RADJA 2, ELLISON, DAY. MILWAUKEE - ROBINSON 2,
LANG 2, GILLIAM.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 1-12 (.083), FOX 0-2, BARROS 0-5, WALKER 1-2,
DAY 0-1, BRICKOWSKI 0-2. MILWAUKEE 6-10 (.600), ROBINSON 1-1, ALLEN 2-4,
NEWMAN 1-1, RESPERT 1-3, WOOD 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: TED BERNHARDT, RON GARRETSON, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 17,275. T - 2:17.
BOSTON (102) AT MILWAUKEE (124)
Ray Allen, Vin Baker and Johnny Newman helped spark a pair of
first-quarter runs as the Milwaukee Bucks broke on top early and
never looked back in 124-102 rout of the Boston Celtics.
Allen, the fifth player selected in the 1996 draft, scored 10
points in the opening quarter and keyed an 9-0 burst that turned
a one-point Milwaukee lead into a 25-15 advantage.
"It was very exciting playing at the Bradley Center," Allen
said. "I just tried to have a good time because that's when I
play my best. Johnny Newman shows me so much by just being on
the court. I'm watching him constantly and always learning from
him."
After the Celtics pulled within four, Baker and Newman combined
on an 8-0 run that pushed the lead to 33-19. The Celtics never
recovered, failing to cut the lead to single digits thereafter.
Newman and Glenn Robinson led the Bucks with 21 points apiece
and Armon Gilliam added 17 and 12 rebounds. Newman, who had 19
of his 21 points in the first half, shot 9-of-13 from the field.
Baker and Allen each made 7-of-10 shots as the Bucks shot 54
percent (44-of-81) from the floor and 6-of-10 from three-point
range.
"We had a great team effort," said Bucks coach Chris Ford, who
was facing the team he coached for five seasons. "A lot of guys
made a contribution. We owe it to the fans of Milwaukee to give
a maximum effort at home. Ray Allen is a steady, consistent
player; he doesn't make waves and just plays his game."
Rookie Antoine Walker led the Celtics with 23 and Todd Day added
21. Boston, which trailed by as many as 36 points, scored just
15 points in the second quarter.
"Tonight we came out as passive as we were strong in Chicago,"
Celtics coach M.L. Carr said. "That's not the team we are going
to have. The effort was unacceptable and will be corrected. The
margin of victory explains what happens when you don't get it
done."
Former Buck Marty Conlon was signed by the Celtics prior to the
game. Conlon wore the uniform of Julius Nwosu, who was waived.
In a jersey a few sizes too big with the number 0 and no name on
the back, Conlon was greeted with cheers from the crowd.
nba.1291vpoznanovic,
CLEVELAND (98) AT WASHINGTON (96) - FINAL IN OT
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 36 5-11 0-0 3 7 10 0 5 1 5 10
HILL F 28 5-8 2-5 5 10 15 0 6 0 3 12
WEST C 16 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 1 0
SURA G 38 4-6 0-0 1 3 4 5 3 1 4 9
BRANDON G 40 12-28 6-6 0 2 2 7 2 2 2 31
FERRY 30 3-6 6-6 3 3 6 0 3 2 1 12
POTAPENKO 34 7-14 8-9 2 3 5 0 6 0 0 22
GEARY 13 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 1 0 0
THOMAS 15 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 2
MARSHALL 15 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0
LANG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PHILLS DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 265 37-85 22-26 17 35 52 13 33 7 17 98
(.435) (.846) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 45 8-17 5-10 4 5 9 5 4 1 4 21
GRANT F 39 2-6 2-2 2 6 8 1 3 1 0 7
WEBBER C 42 7-17 1-4 3 6 9 5 6 0 5 15
CHEANEY G 37 6-11 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 1 1 12
STRICKLAND G 40 5-13 6-14 1 5 6 6 2 1 3 16
WALLACE 13 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 2
JACKSON 16 2-5 2-4 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 6
MURRAY 19 1-7 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 2
WHITNEY 13 3-4 5-5 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 13
FISH 1 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 2
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - LEFT KNEE TENDINITIS
TOTALS 265 36-82 21-39 13 31 44 19 24 4 15 96
(.439) (.538) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(16 PTS)
CLEVELAND 22 20 24 24 8 - 98
WASHINGTON 18 24 31 17 6 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - BRANDON, POTAPENKO. WASHINGTON - GRANT 5,
WEBBER 3.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 2-14 (.143), MILLS 0-2, SURA 1-1, BRANDON
1-7, FERRY 0-1, THOMAS 0-2, MARSHALL 0-1. WASHINGTON 3-8 (.375), GRANT
1-1, STRICKLAND 0-1, JACKSON 0-1, MURRAY 0-2, WHITNEY 2-3.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - HEAD COACH FRATELLO.
OFFICIALS: HANK ARMSTRONG, MIKE MATHIS, PAUL MIHALAK.
A - 18,756. T - 2:49.
CLEVELAND (98) AT WASHINGTON (96) - FINAL IN OT
Terrell Brandon scored 31 points, including two free throws with
1.8 seconds left in overtime, to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to
a 98-96 victory that spoiled the home opener of the Washington
Bullets.
With the score tied 96-96, Brandon took a pass on the left wing
and drew a foul from Chris Webber. He sank both free throws and
a final-second attempt by the Bullets was errant.
"This is a confidence builder for us, being able to bounce
back," Brandon said. "They knew I was getting the ball. I
always try to get my shot. I want to be the man to win the
game."
"The read came quick and he's such a great shooter, you have to
respect him," Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello said. "It's nice to
know we're not going to hang our heads in a close game. They
maintained their confidence throughout all of it."
Washington's Rod Strickland converted a three-point play with
8.7 seconds left, tying the game at 96-96. A pair of free throws
by Brandon had given the Cavaliers a 96-93 advantage.
Washington's Chris Whitney sent the game into overtime with a
leaning three-pointer from the top of the key with two seconds
left in regulation. Danny Ferry had sank a pair of free throws
to put Cleveland ahead, 90-87.
Rookie Vitaly Potapenko scored 22 points and Ferry added 12 for
Cleveland (2-0), which has won twice on the road.
"It's nice to have two on the road," Fratello said. "We're very
fortunate winning this one, though. Remember, they're missing
three big pieces (Gheorghe Muresan, Tim Legler and Lorenzo
Williams)."
Juwan Howard scored 21 points, Strickland added 16 and Webber
had 15 for Washington (1-1), which won at Orlando in its opener.
But Howard, Strickland and Webber combined to make just 12-of-28
from the line.
"Sometimes it's a mental thing, sometimes that just happens late
in the game," Washington coach Jim Lynam said.
"We're not going to dwell on this," Howard said. "This is only
our second game. We have to work on our free throws right now
and go on from here."
The Bullets took a 73-66 after three quarters as Howard had 16
and Strickland had 13.
Tyrone Hill added 12 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out
and Brandon handed out seven assists for Cleveland, which shot
44 percent (37-of-85) from the field and making 18 turnovers
that led to 23 points for Washington.
Whitney finished with 13 points and Calbert Cheaney added 12 for
Washington, which shot 44 percent (36-of-82) from the field and
was outrebounded, 52-44.
"Our defense has been pretty good and the chemistry will get
better," Lynam said. "Obviously, I would like to see us be a
little more proficient offensively."
nba.1292vpoznanovic,
DETROIT (90) AT ATLANTA (78)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LONG F 31 1-6 0-0 5 2 7 2 2 2 0 2
HILL F 38 7-14 8-8 4 11 15 9 4 3 4 22
THORPE C 44 3-13 6-8 3 3 6 2 3 2 1 12
DUMARS G 41 5-12 2-2 0 2 2 3 1 2 1 14
AUGMON G 22 5-9 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 1 3 10
HUNTER 26 5-9 2-2 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 15
MILLS 20 5-10 2-2 0 4 4 0 5 0 0 15
CURRY 16 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 1 0 0
WILLIAMS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MAHORN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RATLIFF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-75 20-22 14 25 39 20 22 11 12 90
(.413) (.909) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(11 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 25 2-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 1 2 4
LAETTNER F 41 9-16 2-2 1 4 5 1 5 0 2 20
MUTOMBO C 37 1-6 6-7 6 5 11 2 3 0 3 8
BLAYLOCK G 39 3-11 1-2 2 3 5 3 1 0 6 9
SMITH G 41 9-19 2-2 1 3 4 3 4 0 3 23
NORMAN 16 1-9 0-0 0 5 5 1 2 2 2 3
BARRY 20 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 6
NEWBILL 15 1-1 0-2 0 3 3 0 2 0 1 2
RECASNER 3 1-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
LAUDERDALE 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HENDERSON DNP - GASTROINTESTINAL FLU
TOTALS 240 29-72 12-17 12 29 41 11 20 3 19 78
(.403) (.706) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(31 PTS)
DETROIT 23 17 24 26 - 90
ATLANTA 20 24 15 19 - 78
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - HILL, THORPE. ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 2, SMITH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 8-20 (.400), LONG 0-1, HILL 0-1, DUMARS 2-5,
HUNTER 3-5, MILLS 3-7, CURRY 0-1. ATLANTA 8-24 (.333), CORBIN 0-1,
LAETTNER 0-1, BLAYLOCK 2-5, SMITH 3-7, NORMAN 1-7, BARRY 2-3.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, LUIS GRILLO, GARY BENSON.
A - 16,378. T - 2:08.
DETROIT (90) AT ATLANTA (78)
Grant Hill nearly recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 15
rebounds and nine assists as the Detroit Pistons defeated the
Atlanta Hawks, 90-78, to spoil the Hawks' home opener.
It was the lowest point total for the Hawks in a home opener.
The previous low was 87 points against Detroit in 1991.
Hill had 25 points and eight rebounds in Detroit's 95-89 win
over Indiana Friday.
The Pistons opened the third quarter with a 21-9 run to take a
61-53 lead. Lindsey Hunter scored eight of his 15 points in the
run.
"We came out in the third quarter and put it on them," said
Hill. "It was an overall team effort. Different guys are
stepping up to make big plays. We played good defense and I
think we can be a pretty good team, we are still feeling each
other out. I like what we have."
"We came out in the second half and we executed," said Pistons
coach Doug Collins. "It was a good, good win for us."
Steve Smith scored 23 points and Christian Laettner added 20 for
the Hawks, who suffered their second loss in as many nights.
Atlanta was beaten by Miami, 94-81, in its season opener Friday.
Smith scored 14 of his points in the first half to help the
Hawks build a 44-40 lead.
Hunter hit a three-pointer with 5:32 left in the third quarter
to give Detroit the lead for good at 54-51. He capped off the
21-9 third quarter run with a 17-foot jumper with 3:46 left.
"I got some pretty good looks, we tried to jump right on them,"
said Hunter. "We did pretty much what we wanted to, we just have
to take it one game at a time."
Detroit led by as many as 18 points, 90-72, after Terry Mills
converted a pair of free throws with 3:12 left in the fourth
quarter. Mills finished with 15 points in 20 minutes off the
bench.
"The real key was the turnovers, we forced 19 turnovers," said
Collins. "I said all along you can talk about Steve Smith and
his scoring and (Dikembe) Mutombo but the key to this team is
Mookie Blaylock. I'm not letting him get off."
Blaylock scored only nine points on 3-of-11 shooting from the
field.
"Right now you have to come out and play basketball instead of
watching it," said Blaylock. "We are not playing like we are
capable of, we are timid and not aggressive enough. We have to
jell together."
Stacey Augmon faced his former Hawk teammates for the first time
and scored 10 points for Detroit.
"I felt good to beat them somewhere where you played for a
while," said Augmon. "I had mixed feelings, it's good to beat
them. Defensively, we really tightened down, guys shot the ball
well inside out."
Dikembe Mutombo had eight points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta.
"We need to come together, it is a question of us staying
focused," said Mutombo. "Right now, I'm not worried that much.
We are still trying to learn each other and it will take a while
to adjust, maybe even half a season."
Atlanta played without flu-ridden forward Alan Henderson.
nba.1293vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON (110) AT PHOENIX (95)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 35 4-9 1-1 2 3 5 5 3 0 2 11
BARKLEY F 45 5-8 10-14 8 25 33 2 4 0 3 20
OLAJUWON C 35 12-19 0-0 5 3 8 3 2 0 4 24
DREXLER G 40 8-18 3-4 3 4 7 10 3 2 2 22
MALONEY G 26 5-14 2-2 0 1 1 4 5 1 2 17
WILLIS 14 0-3 1-2 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1
LIVINGSTON 10 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 2
MOORE 7 0-2 1-2 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 1
BULLARD 15 3-8 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 9
DAVIS 12 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 3 3
HARRINGTON 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MACK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-84 19-27 19 39 58 30 24 3 17 110
(.464) (.704) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 17(17 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 34 6-14 3-3 3 2 5 3 0 2 1 16
HORRY F 27 3-10 0-0 2 3 5 0 3 0 1 6
GREEN C 29 3-6 2-4 1 2 3 1 3 1 0 8
PERSON G 43 6-13 1-3 2 9 11 3 1 2 1 13
CASSELL G 33 8-18 4-5 0 3 3 5 1 1 0 22
CHAPMAN 22 4-9 2-3 0 1 1 4 2 0 1 12
BROWN 14 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
TISDALE 13 0-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
MANNING 13 3-5 1-1 0 0 0 0 6 1 1 7
NASH 12 1-3 6-7 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 9
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
KLEINE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-87 19-26 8 22 30 18 18 8 5 95
(.402) (.731) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 5(4 PTS)
HOUSTON 31 18 28 33 - 110
PHOENIX 13 27 25 30 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY 2, DREXLER, BULLARD. PHOENIX - HORRY,
CASSELL, CHAPMAN, MANNING.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 13-32 (.406), ELIE 2-5, BARKLEY 0-1, DREXLER
3-7, MALONEY 5-10, MOORE 0-2, BULLARD 2-6, DAVIS 1-1. PHOENIX 6-20 (.300),
FINLEY 1-2, HORRY 0-3, GREEN 0-1, PERSON 0-3, CASSELL 2-5, CHAPMAN 2-4,
NASH 1-2.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, DELAY, WILLIS, PHOENIX - ILLEGAL
DEFENSE 2, MANNING.
OFFICIALS: RON OLESIAK, JOE FORTE, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 19,023. T - 2:06.
HOUSTON (110) AT PHOENIX (95)
Charles Barkley had a career-high 33 rebounds and 20 points in
his return to Phoenix as he powered the Houston Rockets to a
110-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Barkley played four seasons for Phoenix before being dealt to
Houston for four players this summer. He got a mixed greeting
from the crowd at America West Arena but it changed to mostly
boos by the fourth quarter. He outrebounded his former team,
which managed just 30 rebounds.
"When you get it going, it snowballs," Barkley said. "I wanted
to get 20, but they were bouncing to me, then I figured I might
as well get all of them."
"He was a man possessed," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
"He's been talking about being a rebounder like this since his
first day in Houston. With a team like Phoenix that rotates and
gets out of position sometimes, he will clean up like a vacuum
cleaner."
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 24 points, Clyde Drexler added 22, 10
assists and seven rebounds and rookie Matt Maloney scored 12 of
his 17 in the first quarter, when the Rockets (2-0) opened an
18-point lead.
"It is really tough to struggle together with someone as we have
in the past and then face them on the other side," Drexler said
of his former teammates now on the Suns. "They're such nice
guys I was just hoping I didn't pass the ball to them."
Barkley shattered his career high of 26 set with Phoenix against
Houston on March 24th, 1995. It was the first 30-rebound game
since March 26th, 1996, when Dikembe Mutombo grabbed 31 for the
Denver Nuggets in a double-overtime affair against the Charlotte
Hornets.
Olajuwon was 12-of-19 from the field and added eight rebounds
for Houston, which grabbed 58 rebounds and was 13-of-32 from
three-point range. The Suns made just 6-of-20 three-pointers.
"Hakeem and Charles just killed us on the boards tonight," Suns
coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said. "We were forced to play outside
the paint and just couldn't get any shots to fall. It's one
thing to not have your inside people not be able to score, but
it's another to not be able to have them rebound, either."
Phoenix (0-2) closed to 12-10 with 7:50 remaining in the first
period on a basket by former Rocket Sam Cassell before Houston
scored the next 16 points. Maloney had three three-pointers and
Drexler added five points during the burst.
Barkley -- who sat out Houston's opener for fighting during the
pre-season -- went scoreless with 11 rebounds in the quarter,
which ended with the Rockets holding a 31-13 lead.
"He said, 'You take care of the first game and I'll take care of
the second game,' so he fulfilled it for me," Olajuwon said. "I
don't think he can be any better. He brought a lot of attention
to our team, so he's making this season fun, competitive and
something to look forward to."
Barkley had six more rebounds in the second quarter, when the
Rockets built their largest lead at 40-17 on a free throw by
Tracy Moore with 9:05 remaining. But Cassell scored 14 points
to help the Suns close the deficit to 49-40 at halftime.
But Phoenix got no closer. Barkley had nine points and nine
rebounds in the third quarter, helping the Rockets widen their
advantage to 77-65 entering the final period. The Suns got no
closer than 10 points thereafter.
Cassell scored 22 points and Michael Finley added 16 for the
Suns, who have lost four of five to the Rockets.
"They didn't do anything spectacular, but Charles Barkley, he's
a workhorse, he's the man," Cassell said. "Without the effort
from Charles Barkley, I think we win the game."
nba.1294vpoznanovic,
MIAMI (97) AT INDIANA (95)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 36 6-15 0-1 0 2 2 1 5 2 1 14
THOMAS F 34 3-11 1-1 1 8 9 1 5 1 3 7
MOURNING C 36 8-10 11-14 3 5 8 2 6 1 3 27
DANILOVIC G 34 5-9 2-3 0 1 1 1 2 0 4 15
HARDAWAY G 38 8-20 7-10 0 3 3 9 2 6 2 25
AUSTIN 21 0-2 1-3 0 4 4 0 6 1 2 1
BROWN 13 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 5 0 2 0
GRANT 16 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 1 2 6
ASKINS 12 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 2
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-72 22-32 6 26 32 20 34 12 19 97
(.472) (.688) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 32 3-8 1-2 6 6 12 1 5 0 0 7
MCKEY F 42 4-13 6-8 2 10 12 2 4 0 2 15
A DAVIS C 33 2-8 5-5 1 7 8 1 4 1 2 9
BEST G 25 5-9 1-2 0 2 2 5 0 2 4 11
MILLER G 39 11-22 9-11 0 4 4 3 2 1 4 34
SCOTT 12 2-4 2-2 1 1 2 0 4 0 0 6
WORKMAN 16 1-3 0-1 0 0 0 3 2 2 1 2
ROSE 20 2-3 4-5 0 1 1 0 2 1 4 8
WILLIAMS 13 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0
ALLEN 8 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 3
DAMPIER DNP - HERNIA SURGERY
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-73 28-36 10 31 41 17 25 8 19 95
(.425) (.778) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 19(21 PTS)
MIAMI 22 25 28 22 - 97
INDIANA 29 19 18 29 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - THOMAS 2, MAJERLE, MOURNING, AUSTIN, BROWN.
INDIANA - A DAVIS 2, D DAVIS, MILLER, ROSE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 7-26 (.269), MAJERLE 2-10, DANILOVIC 3-5,
HARDAWAY 2-10, ASKINS 0-1. INDIANA 5-11 (.455), MCKEY 1-2, BEST 0-1,
MILLER 3-6, WORKMAN 0-1, ALLEN 1-1.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - MILLER, HEAD COACH L BROWN, ASSISTANT COACH KING.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, JIM CLARK, JIM CAPERS.
A - 15,948. T - 2:24.
MIAMI (97) AT INDIANA (95)
Alonzo Mourning had 27 points and eight rebounds to lead the
Miami Heat to a 97-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers for their
first win ever at Market Square Arena.
Tim Hardaway added 25 points and Kurt Thomas grabbed eight
rebounds for the Heat (2-0), who had lost their first 14 games
at Indiana.
"We needed a spark from somewhere," Mourning said. "It's
unfortunate that we had to play catch up. I think that the
major part of it is that we kept our composure. When you have a
team down like this at home, you don't want to give them that
light."
Reggie Miller scored 34 points and Derrick McKey added 15 and 12
rebounds for the Pacers, who had won the last three meetings
against the Heat. Miller had a chance to win the game, but
missed a three-pointer from the top of the arc at the buzzer.
Mourning fouled out with 1:09 left and McKey sank a pair of free
throws, tying the score 95-95. Hardaway hit a 21-footer with
57.6 seconds left for the final margin.
"I just wanted to get a good shot for the team," Hardaway said.
"I just let the offense run through me, because last year he
(Miller) beat us. It's great to get the monkey off your back."
Haywoode Workman missed a three-pointer but Dale Davis grabbed
the rebound and passed to Miller at the top of the key for the
final shot.
"You couldn't ask for a better look than what we got," Miller
said. "I was open off the double screen, but Tim Hardway
pinched in to double team me and Haywoode (Workman) was open. It
was a great look, it just didn't go down. We've had our chances
the last two nights."
McKey also made two free throws to cap a 16-4 run and tie the
score 82-82 with 7:02 left in the fourth. Hardway answered with
a nine-foot hook shot to ignite a 7-0 spurt that ended with Dan
Majerle's dunk with 5:25 remaining. Sasha Danilovic scored 15
points and Majerle had 14.
Miller made a field goal and a three-pointer as the Pacers
scored the first 10 points of the game and led throughout the
entire period.
Hardway's jumper from the left baseline closed a 17-6 burst and
gave the Heat their first lead, 47-46, with 9.6 seconds left in
the second. Brent Scott coverted a layup with 1.4 seconds to go
and the Pacers took a 48-47 edge to halftime.
"We got off to just a horrible start," said Miami coach Pat
Riley, who won his 800th carer game. "Zo (Mourning) kept us in
it in the first half and Timmy took over in the second half. We
made the stops we had to make. It's a good win for us. We
could have put this game away many times."
Indiana held a 52-50 advantage with 9:50 left in the third but
Antonio Davis picked up his fourth foul and the Pacers were
forced to use a smaller lineup. The Pacers are without starting
center Rik Smits and rookie power forward Erick Dampier. Smits
had surgery on both feet and Dampier is recovering from hernia
surgery.
Miami took advantage of Indiana's substitutions and when
Hardaway made one of two free throws with 25 seconds left in the
third had a 75-64 lead. Hardaway's 24-footer gave the Heat
their biggest lead of the game, 78-66, with 11:13 to go in the
fourth.
nba.1295vpoznanovic,
PHILADELPHIA (86) AT CHICAGO (115)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
DAVIS F 34 3-8 1-4 3 6 9 4 4 3 2 8
WEATHERSPOON F 28 7-7 0-0 2 5 7 2 2 1 3 14
COLEMAN C 27 2-9 0-1 1 5 6 1 4 0 3 4
STACKHOUSE G 23 4-13 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 2 9
IVERSON G 26 4-13 5-8 1 3 4 2 0 2 5 15
MACLEAN 25 8-17 0-1 3 2 5 1 4 0 3 16
HARRIS 25 4-7 1-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 2 11
OVERTON 14 0-6 0-0 0 2 2 5 0 1 0 0
WILLIAMS 20 1-6 1-2 3 2 5 0 2 2 1 3
CAGE 10 1-2 0-0 2 2 4 2 0 0 1 2
WALTERS 8 0-1 4-4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4
BRADTKE DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 34-89 12-22 16 31 47 18 20 9 22 86
(.382) (.545) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 23(32 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 31 9-19 3-5 3 2 5 9 1 2 3 22
RODMAN F 24 1-5 0-0 3 9 12 3 3 0 2 2
LONGLEY C 23 3-4 5-6 2 3 5 0 2 1 2 11
JORDAN G 30 11-20 2-2 1 1 2 5 2 4 2 27
HARPER G 26 7-12 1-1 2 2 4 2 2 3 0 19
KUKOC 19 4-7 4-4 2 5 7 1 0 1 1 12
BROWN 22 2-7 0-0 0 7 7 1 3 0 3 5
KERR 22 3-9 0-0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 6
WENNINGTON 16 2-5 2-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 6
SIMPKINS 15 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 2
BUECHLER 12 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 3
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 44-93 17-20 14 34 48 29 20 13 16 115
(.473) (.850) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 16(15 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 17 21 26 22 - 86
CHICAGO 27 35 33 20 - 115
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - WILLIAMS 3, COLEMAN, IVERSON. CHICAGO -
HARPER 2, KUKOC.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 6-13 (.462), DAVIS 1-1, COLEMAN 0-1,
STACKHOUSE 1-3, IVERSON 2-3, HARRIS 2-3, OVERTON 0-1, WALTERS 0-1. CHICAGO
10-24 (.417), PIPPEN 1-4, JORDAN 3-7, HARPER 4-5, KUKOC 0-1, BROWN 1-1,
KERR 0-3, BUECHLER 1-3.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - WILLIAMS, OVERTON, CHICAGO - RODMAN.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, NOLAN FINE, PAT ADAMS.
A - 24,040. T - 2:00.
PHILADELPHIA (86) AT CHICAGO (115)
Ron Harper scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half as the
Chicago Bulls celebrated their 1996 NBA championship by racing
to a 24-point halftime lead and routing the Philadelphia 76ers,
115-86.
Michael Jordan scored 27 points and Scottie Pippen added 22 for
the Bulls (2-0), who received their championship rings from NBA
Commissioner David Stern and hoisted their fourth title banner
to the rafters of The United Center.
"Chicago is going to be considered one of the top teams ever in
our existence," Stern said during the ceremony, which lasted 20
minutes.
"It was nice to see some of the guys who hadn't won before go
through this experience," Jordan said.
One of the ropes snapped and left the banner dangling, but that
was about all that went wrong for Chicago, which has won 12 in a
row from Philadelphia since December 8th, 1993.
The Bulls held a 47-36 lead before exploding for 15 points in
the final 93 seconds of the first half, opening a 62-38 bulge at
intermission. Jordan started the burst with a 10-footer, Harper
added three points and Pippen six, including a three-pointer at
the buzzer.
"Tonight we played a very good first half, basically put the
game away," Jordan said. "But we need to get better than we
played during the whole game. We're going to play better teams
than Philadelphia."
"It was certainly a tough game for us, having to play after
their ring ceremony, but that's really no excuse," said Sixers
rookie Allen Iverson, who scored 15 points. "They just beat us
up, especially at the end of the first half. We kind of lost it
there in the last two minutes of the first half."
It was more of the same in the third quarter, when Jordan scored
12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including two three-pointers. The
Bulls held a 95-64 lead entering the fourth quarter and played
their bench thereafter.
Chicago opened its largest lead of 34 points three times, the
last at 115-81 on a basket by Bill Wennington with 1:57 to go.
Don MacLean scored 16 points and Clarence Weatherspoon added 14
for the Sixers (0-2), who shot just 38 percent from the field.
Iverson scored 30 points in his NBA debut on Friday night.
The 76ers scored seven of the first nine points, but the Bulls
quickly regrouped and opened a 27-17 advantage after one quarter
behind Harper's 12 points and Jordan's nine.
nba.1296vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (93) AT SEATTLE (104)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 36 6-14 4-4 1 2 3 1 2 0 5 17
WALLACE F 19 2-5 0-2 0 4 4 1 5 0 3 4
SABONIS C 24 3-5 2-3 2 7 9 1 1 1 0 8
ANDERSON G 26 4-11 5-6 1 2 3 4 4 1 2 13
MCKIE G 30 2-5 3-4 0 1 1 5 0 2 4 8
TRENT 25 6-8 3-4 2 3 5 0 5 0 1 15
RIDER 26 7-10 4-4 0 3 3 0 2 1 3 21
DUDLEY 18 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 1 3 0
JORDAN 7 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0
WINGFIELD 22 2-5 0-0 0 5 5 5 4 1 2 5
BUTLER 4 0-0 0-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
CHILDRESS 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 33-65 21-29 6 32 38 19 26 7 23 93
(.508) (.724) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 26(29 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 30 5-11 14-14 2 7 9 2 4 1 4 24
D SCHREMPF F 32 8-10 6-6 0 2 2 6 2 1 2 23
MCILVAINE C 22 1-2 0-1 0 4 4 1 4 0 1 2
HAWKINS G 33 6-11 2-2 2 4 6 2 1 1 1 15
PAYTON G 26 8-19 2-6 1 0 1 5 4 1 1 18
PERKINS 23 2-6 5-6 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 10
EHLO 19 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 7
MCMILLAN 20 1-1 2-2 0 3 3 4 1 2 0 5
STEWART 11 0-5 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 1 2 0
WINGATE 11 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
SNOW 8 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2 0
SPENCER 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
TOTALS 240 34-77 31-37 8 22 30 26 25 11 16 104
(.442) (.838) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
PORTLAND 26 11 27 29 - 93
SEATTLE 27 27 28 22 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - WALLACE, TRENT, DUDLEY. SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 5,
KEMP.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 6-16 (.375), C ROBINSON 1-4, SABONIS 0-1,
ANDERSON 0-1, MCKIE 1-2, RIDER 3-5, WINGFIELD 1-3. SEATTLE 5-15 (.333),
KEMP 0-1, D SCHREMPF 1-2, HAWKINS 1-4, PAYTON 0-2, PERKINS 1-2, EHLO 1-2,
MCMILLAN 1-1, STEWART 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, TOMMY NUNEZ, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 17,072. T - 2:14.
PORTLAND (93) AT SEATTLE (104)
Shawn Kemp scored 16 of his 24 points in the first half as the
Seattle SuperSonics raced to a 17-point halftime advantage and a
104-93 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers to win their fifth
consecutive home opener.
Detlef Schrempf scored 10 of his 23 points in a second-quarter
run and Gary Payton added 18 for Seattle (1-1), which held the
Trail Blazers to 11 points in the second quarter in defeating
them for the seventh time in eight home games. The SuperSonics
went 38-3 at home last season.
"In the first half we played real well and were up 19," Schrempf
said. "We wanted to come out in the third quarter and establish
ourselves again and did that. We kept that 19-point lead, but
we wanted to get it bigger than that."
Kemp is showing no ill effects from missing training camp and
most of the exhibition season, grabbing nine rebounds and
sinking all 14 of his free throws for Seattle.
Isaiah Rider returned from a one-game suspension to score 21
points and Clifford Robinson added 17 for Portland (1-1), which
lost to Seattle for the 11th time in the last 14 meetings. The
Trail Blazers committed 26 turnovers that led to 29 points for
Seattle.
"We tried to get the ball inside, but they defended very well,"
Blazers coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "They basically took us out
of our offense all night. We were a step slow in our excecution.
Offensive execution is where we are lacking right now."
Rider was suspended for missing a team bus last week and was
cited two days later on a marijuana charge, his second in the
last four months. He was playing his first game for the
Blazers, who defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies by 29 points on
Friday and face the SuperSonics in their home opener Monday.
After Rider made a 14-foot jumper to give Portland a 28-27 lead
30 seconds into the second quarter, Nate McMillan nailed a
three-pointer -- his only basket of the game -- to ignite a 25-3
run. Schrempf's nine-foot hook capped the burst, giving Seattle
a 50-33 advantage with 1:56 left in the half. Payton had three
fouls and did not play in the second quarter.
Robinson made a layup to close Portland within 61-50 less than
four minutes into the third quarter before Jim McIlvaine hit a
layup to ignite a 14-6 spurt. Schrempf's layup gave the Sonics a
75-56 bulge with 3:14 remaining in the period.
Hersey Hawkins scored 15 points, Sam Perkins added 10 and
McIlvaine blocked five shots for the Seattle, which won despite
shooting 44 percent (34-of-77) from the field and getting
outrebounded, 38-30. The Sonics led by as many as 26 points.
"We got into a lot of pressure situations," Seattle coach George
Karl said. "We were switching well and it was an offense that we
feel comfortable defending. Our pressure really bothered them.
It was good to see. Last night (against Utah) we played more of
a controlled mode. We need to get back to playing basketball
the way we know best and that's with our defensive presence
always on the court."
Gary Trent scored 15 points, Kenny Anderson added 13 and Arvydas
Sabonis grabbed nine rebounds for Portland, which lost despite
shooting 51 percent (33-of-65).
nba.1297vpoznanovic,
SACRAMENTO (107) AT DALLAS (94)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C WILLIAMSON F 23 3-7 1-3 2 1 3 1 4 1 3 7
GRANT F 34 8-14 4-6 8 7 15 2 2 2 2 20
POLYNICE C 22 3-6 0-0 1 6 7 2 3 0 1 6
RICHMOND G 44 8-16 7-9 0 6 6 2 5 1 1 24
ABDUL-RAUF G 25 1-7 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 2
EDNEY 24 6-10 10-12 2 2 4 3 1 3 5 23
SIMMONS 27 1-4 3-4 0 3 3 3 5 0 1 5
SMITH 21 5-7 4-5 3 4 7 3 1 0 1 14
CAUSWELL 16 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 4
GAMBLE 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
HURLEY 1 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
OWENS DNP - STRAINED LEFT GROIN
TOTALS 240 37-76 31-41 17 30 47 18 25 9 16 107
(.487) (.756) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 32 4-11 7-7 0 2 2 2 2 4 0 17
MEYER F 16 3-5 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 0 3 6
MONTROSS C 19 2-3 0-3 1 3 4 0 4 0 2 4
KIDD G 30 2-8 0-0 0 0 0 9 3 1 4 4
JACKSON G 40 8-16 9-10 4 6 10 5 4 1 3 26
GATLING 21 2-8 0-0 2 2 4 0 3 0 4 4
HARPER 18 4-6 1-4 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 10
MILLER 22 0-0 2-6 6 5 11 3 4 1 1 2
MASHBURN 20 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 4
DUMAS 19 6-10 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 0 13
STRICKLAND 3 1-2 2-2 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 4
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-76 21-32 14 22 36 23 32 11 19 94
(.447) (.656) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(18 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 25 31 28 23 - 107
DALLAS 24 13 22 35 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - GRANT, POLYNICE, RICHMOND, SMITH. DALLAS -
MILLER 2, GATLING, KIDD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 2-4 (.500), RICHMOND 1-1, EDNEY 1-2, SIMMONS
0-1. DALLAS 5-19 (.263), MCCLOUD 2-5, KIDD 0-3, JACKSON 1-3, HARPER 1-3,
MASHBURN 0-3, DUMAS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, JOE DEROSA, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 28,042. T - 2:15.
SACRAMENTO (107) AT DALLAS (94)
Mitch Richmond scored 24 points and Tyus Edney added a
career-high 23 to lift the Sacramento Kings to a 107-94 romp
over the Dallas Mavericks.
Edney scored 15 points and Brian Grant had 12 of his 20 in the
first half to stake the Kings (1-1) to a 56-37 halftime lead.
Edney sparked an 20-5 run with just over 10 minutes to go in the
second period, scoring 13 points.
"I just wanted to come in and make things happen," said Edney.
"I started off last year coming off the bench. I want to do
whatever helps the team."
Jimmy Jackson had 26 points and 10 rebounds George McCloud added
17 to lead the Mavericks (1-1) as rookie coach Jim Cleamons took
his first loss in the team's home opener.
"I thought we were a little out of sync tonight," said Cleamons.
"Our guys played hard tonight but we did not play with the
rhythm and tempo that we have the last four or five games. I
think they they were too anxious, which will happen to you
sometimes on opening night."
Dallas, which staged a comeback with seven seconds remaining to
win Friday's opener at Denver, was never really able to overcome
the Kings' spurt late in the first half. The Mavericks trailed
by as much as 29 in the third quarter when Edney's free throw
made it 78-49 with 2:58 remaining.
"Tyus really went out there and did some great things
offensively and defensively," said Kings' forward Corliss
Williamson. "He was a big boost for us tonight. Anytime you
come home from a road trip with a split, it's something good."
Dallas staged a brief run in the final period and twice got as
close as 13, the second time on rookie Erick Strickland's layup
with 22 seconds remaining.
"After a sub-par performance last night, it speaks well for the
confidence of this team that we came out and played well on both
ends of the floor," said Kings coach Garry St. Jean. "Tyus was
a major catalyst in the second quarter and through the game."
Sacramento forward Billy Owens missed the game due a strained
left groin. Dallas forward Chris Gatling came out of the game
briefly in the second quarter after suffering a sprained thumb.
nba.1298vpoznanovic,
TORONTO (98) AT CHARLOTTE (109)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 34 4-10 5-6 1 2 3 1 4 0 1 14
JONES F 21 3-4 0-0 3 4 7 0 3 0 0 6
TABAK C 32 5-14 4-4 3 2 5 1 3 0 2 14
CHRISTIE G 20 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 3 5 1 1 7
STOUDAMIRE G 36 8-16 0-3 0 4 4 5 2 1 4 19
DAVIS 32 2-13 4-6 1 2 3 2 3 0 0 8
CAMBY 13 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 4
ROGERS 29 6-7 0-0 2 6 8 2 4 1 1 13
WHITESIDE 12 3-3 1-2 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 9
BENJAMIN 7 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 2
WRIGHT 4 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
EARL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-83 14-21 10 24 34 17 29 5 11 98
(.458) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 45 7-10 4-4 4 11 15 3 1 1 2 18
GEIGER F 35 5-15 6-9 6 5 11 3 4 0 3 16
DIVAC C 32 4-14 1-2 6 5 11 4 5 0 3 9
CURRY G 43 15-23 2-2 0 4 4 3 4 1 1 38
BOGUES G 36 4-5 0-0 1 0 1 10 2 1 3 8
SMITH 7 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 4
ZIDEK 5 1-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 4
BURRELL 30 2-11 7-10 1 6 7 5 2 0 3 12
GOLDWIRE 6 0-1 0-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 0
ROSE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RICE DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 39-81 24-33 18 33 51 29 24 3 17 109
(.481) (.727) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(14 PTS)
TORONTO 27 23 29 19 - 98
CHARLOTTE 30 22 33 24 - 109
BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - ROGERS 2, TABAK, CAMBY, WILLIAMS. CHARLOTTE -
DIVAC 3, GEIGER, BURRELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 8-22 (.364), WILLIAMS 1-4, CHRISTIE 1-2,
STOUDAMIRE 3-7, DAVIS 0-6, ROGERS 1-1, WHITESIDE 2-2. CHARLOTTE 7-17
(.412), CURRY 6-11, BURRELL 1-5, GOLDWIRE 0-1.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - ROGERS, CHARLOTTE - HEAD COACH COWENS, GEIGER.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, DON VADEN, MIKE SMITH.
A - 24,042. T - 2:11.
TORONTO (98) AT CHARLOTTE (109)
Dell Curry scored 20 of his career-high 38 points in the third
quarter and newcomer Anthony Mason had 18 points and 15 rebounds
as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Toronto Raptors, 109-98,
in their season opener.
Matt Geiger had 16 points and 11 rebounds, newcomer Vlade Divac
also grabbed 11 boards and Mugsy Bogues handed out 10 assists
for the Hornets, who were the only team not play on Friday's
opening night.
Curry, whose previous career high was 33, started in place of
swingman Glen Rice, who missed the game because of a sprained
left ankle. Charlotte has won four of its five all-time
meetings with Toronto.
Damon Stoudamire scored 19 points and Walt Williams and Zan
Tabak each added 14 for the Raptors, who dropped to 0-2. As an
expansion team last season, Toronto won its opener but finished
21-61.
After Stoudamire made a layup to close Toronto within 69-65
midway through the third quarter, Mason hit a layup to ignite a
10-2 run. Curry scored five points during the stretch and Scott
Burrell made two free throws to give Charlotte a 79-67 lead with
3:26 left in the period.
Toronto scored the final seven points in the quarter to pull to
85-79. But Charlotte scored 13 of the final period's first 18
points. Mason scored five points during the burst, including a
three-point play for a 98-84 advantage with 4:38 remaining.
nba.1299vpoznanovic,
UTAH (95) AT LA CLIPPERS (90)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 36 4-7 8-10 1 3 4 2 3 2 1 16
MALONE F 35 8-17 5-11 4 8 12 6 2 0 4 21
OSTERTAG C 19 1-3 2-3 2 4 6 0 4 0 0 4
STOCKTON G 37 3-7 3-5 2 3 5 7 3 1 3 9
HORNACEK G 32 6-12 2-4 1 1 2 1 2 3 2 15
EISLEY 11 3-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 7
CARR 19 2-6 6-6 1 1 2 1 4 0 0 10
FOSTER 15 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
KEEFE 23 4-6 0-0 2 4 6 0 1 1 1 8
MORRIS 8 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
ANDERSON 5 1-3 1-1 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 3
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-71 27-40 14 28 42 18 25 7 13 95
(.465) (.675) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 13(15 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 36 4-11 3-4 4 9 13 3 4 2 0 11
ROGERS F 25 2-5 0-2 3 1 4 3 5 1 4 4
DUCKWORTH C 20 2-7 2-2 0 3 3 1 3 0 0 7
RICHARDSON G 32 4-10 2-4 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 13
SEALY G 36 6-17 7-8 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 19
MURRAY 23 3-5 2-2 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 9
ROBERTS 21 2-7 4-6 1 3 4 0 4 0 0 8
OUTLAW 19 1-2 0-3 0 4 4 1 2 0 0 2
PIATKOWSKI 6 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4
D MARTIN 9 1-2 0-1 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 2
DEHERE 13 5-7 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 2 11
WRIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-75 22-34 9 26 35 19 30 8 11 90
(.413) (.647) TEAM REBS: 16 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
UTAH 26 20 32 17 - 95
LA CLIPPERS 21 20 22 27 - 90
BLOCKED SHOTS: UTAH - OSTERTAG 3, MALONE, KEEFE. LA CLIPPERS - OUTLAW 2,
SEALY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: UTAH 2-9 (.222), RUSSELL 0-3, STOCKTON 0-2, HORNACEK
1-3, EISLEY 1-1. LA CLIPPERS 6-17 (.353), VAUGHT 0-2, ROGERS 0-1,
DUCKWORTH 1-2, RICHARDSON 3-6, SEALY 0-3, MURRAY 1-1, DEHERE 1-2.
TECHNICALS: UTAH - HORNACEK, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, LA CLIPPERS - .
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DERRICK STAFFORD, SCOTT WALL.
A - 13,041. T - 2:19.
UTAH (95) AT LA CLIPPERS (90)
Karl Malone had 21 points and 12 rebounds and John Stockton made
a driving layup with 30 seconds remaining as the Utah Jazz held
off a furious rally to spoil the Los Angeles Clippers' home
opener with a 95-90 victory.
Bryon Russell added 16 points and Jeff Hornacek had 15 for Utah
(2-0), which was coming off an impressive season-opening victory
over Seattle on Friday.
Malik Sealy scored 19 points and Pooh Richardson had nine of his
13 on three-pointers for Los Angeles (1-1). The Clippers have
lost to the Jazz in 10 of the last 13 meetings.
"If we play hard every game and don't give up, we'll be
successful," Sealy said. "They guys are trying to make changes
so we can have a better future around here."
Malone scored 10 points and Russell seven in the third quarter
as the Jazz took a 78-63 lead into the final 12 minutes. The
lead grew to 83-67 on two free throws by Antoine Carr, but the
Clippers pulled within 91-88 on Loy Vaught's 15-footer with 2:07
remaining. Terry Dehere had five points and Sealy added three
in the 21-8 run.
"It was a nice win for us," Malone said. "We had a big game
for us. We could have easily let down tonight. But I think for
the most part, we played hard and did what we needed to do. We
shouldn't have to go down to the wire to win. It's still early.
We have some things to improve on but it's nice to be 2-0."
"Every team is going to make a run," Stockton said. "I was
disappointed in how we played during their run. When it comes
down to it, we made nice plays and hung in there."
After Charles Outlaw missed two free throws for Los Angeles,
Stockton darted past Dehere for a three-point play and a
six-point cushion. Sealy followed with a layup, but Hornacek
sank a free throw to seal the win.
"Antoine set a screen," said Stockton. "They were very concerned
about Antoine on top and Karl down low. They left an open lane
to the basket and I was fortunate to get to the hole."
Clippers coach Bill Fitch absorbed his all-time leading 996th
loss and was not pleased.
"When you're playing catch-up, you've got to play perfect
basketball," he said. "They were the winning team, but they
didn't play perfect basketball down the stretch.
"We had a couple of chances at the end. We had it down to three,
but we missed a couple of free throws. We were hoping to get
them in the last lap of the race."
Carr ended with 10 points and Stockton handed out seven assists
for Utah, which won despite missing 13 free throws. The Jazz did
outrebound Los Angeles, 42-35.
Vaught had 11 points and 13 rebounds and Dehere finished with 11
for Los Angeles, which shot 41 percent (31-of-75) from the field
and made just 22-of-34 free throws.
nba.1300vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (94) AT PORTLAND (76)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LAETTNER F 18 2-8 1-1 1 3 4 0 4 0 2 5
CORBIN F 31 5-15 2-2 1 3 4 0 3 3 1 14
MUTOMBO C 41 5-13 3-4 3 4 7 0 3 2 0 13
SMITH G 38 7-15 2-4 0 2 2 5 2 0 5 19
BLAYLOCK G 38 8-13 2-2 0 3 3 5 2 2 2 22
NEWBILL 31 0-3 0-0 4 4 8 2 2 1 2 0
BARRY 18 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 2 3 5
BURTON 19 2-3 7-8 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 12
RECASNER 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LAUDERDALE 2 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
BOYCE 1 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
HENDERSON DNP - FLU
TOTALS 240 32-74 19-23 10 24 34 15 20 10 16 94
(.432) (.826) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(16 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 33 1-8 6-10 2 3 5 2 6 0 5 9
WALLACE F 28 4-7 0-0 1 5 6 1 1 0 2 8
SABONIS C 22 4-8 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 1 5 8
ANDERSON G 35 4-12 4-6 2 4 6 3 1 2 0 14
RIDER G 37 5-14 0-0 1 3 4 6 4 2 4 12
MCKIE 17 2-4 4-4 0 4 4 0 0 0 4 9
DUDLEY 26 2-3 1-2 4 5 9 0 2 2 2 5
JORDAN 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
TRENT 27 3-6 2-2 0 2 2 1 6 0 4 8
WINGFIELD 8 1-4 0-0 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 3
BUTLER 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 26-68 17-24 14 30 44 15 24 8 26 76
(.382) (.708) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 28(29 PTS)
ATLANTA 32 28 17 17 - 94
PORTLAND 13 27 19 17 - 76
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 5, BLAYLOCK 2, BURTON. PORTLAND -
WALLACE 2, SABONIS 2, DUDLEY 2, C ROBINSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 11-17 (.647), CORBIN 2-3, SMITH 3-5, BLAYLOCK
4-7, BARRY 1-1, BURTON 1-1. PORTLAND 7-19 (.368), C ROBINSON 1-4, SABONIS
0-1, ANDERSON 2-4, RIDER 2-7, MCKIE 1-1, WINGFIELD 1-2.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - SMITH.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, RON OLESIAK, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 21,567. T - 1:59.
ATLANTA (94) AT PORTLAND (76)
Tyrone Corbin scored 10 points in the first quarter as the
Atlanta Hawks raced to a 19-point lead and cruised to their
first win of the season, a 94-76 victory over the Portland Trail
Blazers.
Mookie Blaylock scored 22 points, Steve Smith added 19 and
Corbin finished with 14 for Atlanta, which beat Portland for the
fourth straight time dating back to the 1994-95 season.
Kenny Anderson scored 14 points and Isaiah Rider added 12 for
Portland (2-1), which dropped its home opener for the second
straight season.
The Hawks had a 15-0 run as they scored 20 of the game's first
26 points. Corbin ignited the burst with consecutive
three-pointers. Blaylock followed with back-to-back layups to
help the Hawks gain a 14-point cushion with 4:07 left in the
first quarter.
Mutombo and Blaylock scored seven points apiece to help Atlanta
build a 32-13 bulge entering the second quarter.
The Hawks led 60-40 at halftime behind 14 points from Smith, 12
from Corbin and 11 from Mutombo. Atlanta led by as many as 25
points at 87-72 with two minutes left in the game.
Mutombo finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and five blocked
shots and newly signed Willie Burton added 12 points for
Atlanta, which won despite shooting 43 percent (32-of-74) from
the field and being outrebounded by a 44-34 margin.
The Hawks played without forward Alan Henderson, who is
suffering from the flu, for the second straight game.
Clifford Robinson was held to nine points on 1-of-8 shooting for
the Blazers, who shot 38 percent (26-of-68) from the field and
committed 28 turnovers that led to 29 points for Atlanta.
nba.1301vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON (75) AT UTAH (72)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 44 2-8 5-6 3 17 20 4 2 4 5 9
ELIE F 34 4-6 7-8 0 1 1 2 3 2 4 16
OLAJUWON C 36 8-19 7-11 3 5 8 3 3 1 2 23
MALONEY G 32 1-8 0-2 1 3 4 5 0 1 2 3
DREXLER G 32 3-10 3-4 1 2 3 0 4 2 1 10
BULLARD 23 1-5 0-1 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 3
WILLIS 16 2-3 0-0 1 5 6 1 1 1 1 4
LIVINGSTON 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0
MOORE 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DAVIS 8 3-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 2 7
MACK 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 24-62 22-32 9 37 46 15 18 12 22 75
(.387) (.688) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 22(16 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 38 7-13 2-2 0 14 14 4 3 1 1 16
RUSSELL F 32 3-9 2-4 0 3 3 1 4 0 1 8
OSTERTAG C 18 0-2 0-0 0 5 5 0 3 0 3 0
STOCKTON G 34 6-11 0-0 2 0 2 4 0 2 7 14
HORNACEK G 33 3-11 3-3 0 3 3 5 4 2 1 9
EISLEY 14 4-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 8
CARR 21 1-7 1-2 2 1 3 0 2 1 1 3
MORRIS 16 4-9 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 2 1 8
KEEFE 15 0-3 0-0 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 0
FOSTER 19 3-9 0-0 3 0 3 0 4 0 0 6
ANDERSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-79 8-11 11 29 40 16 24 8 16 72
(.392) (.727) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
HOUSTON 19 11 26 19 - 75
UTAH 19 18 26 9 - 72
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY 2, OLAJUWON 2, DREXLER. UTAH - OSTERTAG
2, RUSSELL, HORNACEK, MORRIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 5-17 (.294), BARKLEY 0-3, ELIE 1-1, MALONEY
1-4, DREXLER 1-3, BULLARD 1-5, DAVIS 1-1. UTAH 2-12 (.167), RUSSELL 0-1,
STOCKTON 2-5, HORNACEK 0-2, EISLEY 0-1, MORRIS 0-3.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, UTAH - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, TOMMY NUNEZ, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 19,911. T - 2:08.
HOUSTON (75) AT UTAH (72)
Hakeem Olajuwon and rookie Emanual Davis scored five points
apiece during the fourth quarter, when the Houston Rockets held
the Utah Jazz to nine points and rallied for their third
straight win, 75-72.
Houston's Charles Barkley grabbed 20 rebounds for a total of 53
in his last two games. Olajuwon scored 23 points, Mario Elie
added 16 and Clyde Drexler had 10 for Houston, which overcame a
10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to remain unbeaten.
"I tell you it was fun out there," Barkley said. "Not just fun
because we won. I would have been happy because it was good for
us to let them know that we can come into a good team's building
and play well. I would have been disappointed if we would have
lost but we proved something to ourselves. We know we're going
to see these guys again many times, but it's important for us to
know we can play with them and come into a place like this and
win the game."
Karl Malone had 16 points and 14 rebounds and John Stockton
added 14 points for Utah, which lost for the first time in three
games. Stockton had just four assists and turned the ball over
seven times.
The 72 points by the Jazz was the lowest in franchise history.
The previous game low was 74 in 1974, when the Jazz still played
in New Orleans.
After Stockton opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer,
giving the Jazz a 66-56 lead, Barkley hit a pair of free throws
to ignite a 7-0 run. Davis followed with a layup and a
three-pointer to close within 66-63 four minutes into the
quarter.
Utah's Greg Foster hit a basket to regain a five-point lead, but
Olajuwon nailed a jumper and sank two free throws to pull Hoston
within 68-67. Malone followed with a pair of free throws to give
the Jazz a three-point advantage. But Elie made a basket and
Drexler and Olajuwon each added a free throw to give the Rockets
a 71-70 edge with 1:50 remaining.
"It was a real boring game...especially for me in the first
half," Foster said. "You know, missing shots I normally make
but you just got to keep your head in the game and remember
there are two halves to the game of basketball...but you just
have to keep having some fun out there."
After Foster's layup vaulted the Jazz up one, Barkley dunked to
put Houston ahead for good, 73-72. Elie followed with two free
throws for a 75-72 lead with three seconds left.
Utah's Jeff Hornacek had a chance to tie the score, but missed a
three-pointer.
Olajuwon added eight rebounds for Houston, which won despite
shooting just 39 percent (24-of-62) from the field and
committing 22 turnovers.
"Defense was the theme," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.
"You've got two very good teams that have won a lot of games in
the last several years and the foundation of their teams is
defense. I expected a game like this, I told some of the new
guys that this was just typical.
"At halftime, I was pretty happy, we played horrible and were
only down by seven (37-30). So I said, just hang in there and
keep believing in our system and we might have a chance to get
back into it, especially when we did so many things wrong. It's
amazing we could win a game like this on the road against a very
good team."
The Jazz shot 39 percent (31-of-79) from the field and were
outrebounded 46-40.
"We really had a tough time," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "We
just started hanging out against them and when you start doing
that against a team like that, (a team) that can block shots and
you know that you don't get much. We had some pretty decent
looks at the basket. I don't have a problem with some of the
shots we had, we just weren't able to make them. The other thing
is we gave up the easy basket."
nba.1302vpoznanovic,
Mason gets slap on the wrist in court
Charlotte Hornets forward Anthony Mason was fined 250- dollars and
sentenced to 120 hours of community service after pleading guilty
to a disorderly conduct charge. He was arrested July 24th in New
York after a scuffle with about 10 police officers over a parking
ticket dispute in Times Square.
The former New York Knick was charged with three counts of
second-degree assault, a felony which is punishable by up to seven
years in prison, and misdemeanor charges of menacing, disorderly
conduct and resisting arrest. Judge Dora Irizzary followed the
recommendation of prosecutors to dismiss all charges except for the
disorderly conduct violation.
The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Mason has picked up 28 points and 17
rebounds in two games this season.
nba.1303vpoznanovic,
Hawks place F Norman on injured list, sign G Burton
The winless Atlanta Hawks placed forward Ken Norman on the injured
list today and signed guard Willie Burton, one of their final training
camp cuts, the team announced.
Norman was to start at small forward for the Hawks, but sat out the
first two games with a lower back strain. He will miss a minimum of
five games.
Burton was signed as a free agent in the off-season and joins his
third NBA team. He is expected to be in uniform tonight when the Hawks
open a four-game road trip in Portland.
Last season, the 32-year-old Norman averaged 8.9 points per game, his
lowest total since his rookie campaign. He fell out of favor with
coach Lenny Wilkens and missed 48 games due to injuries and benchings.
The 28-year-old Burton played in Europe last season. He spent his
first four seasons with Miami before averaging a career-high 15.3
points per game for Philadelphia in the 1994-95 season.
nba.1304vpoznanovic,
Pacers trade Williams to Nets for Askew
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 4, 1996 - 21:36 EST) -- Vincent Askew was traded by
the New Jersey Nets to the Indiana Pacers for Reggie Williams on
Monday night in an exchange of veteran forwards.
Neither Askew nor Williams spent much time with the teams that traded
them.
New Jersey acquired Askew from Seattle in an offseason trade for guard
Greg Graham. Indiana got Williams and Jalen Rose in the offseason in
the deal that sent Mark Jackson to Denver.
Askew did not score in his one regular-season appearance with the Nets
on Friday night. The eight-year veteran from Memphis State played
seven minutes in the first quarter and then saw New Jersey drop a
90-77 decision to Cleveland in John Calipari's debut as Nets' coach.
"It was a change to try to see if we could add some more scoring to
our team," Calipari said Monday night. He said while watching the
Cleveland game he realized that the Nets need to get more scoring.
"We may have to bring in guys that can score the ball. I think that's
vital to enjoying the game," he said.
Williams, a Georgetown product, averaged 2.5 points in two games with
Indiana.
Taken by the Los Angeles Clippers as the fourth pick overall in the
1987 NBA Draft, Williams also played with San Antonio and Denver. His
best season was in 1991-92 when he averaged 18.2 points with the
Nuggets.
The 6-foot-6 Askew had been with Seattle for the past three seasons
before being traded to the Nets.
Askew, who also had brief NBA stints with Philadelphia and Golden
State, is expected to join the Pacers for Wednesday night's game in
Boston. He must first pass a physical.
"The way our team was shaping up, we felt we needed another player who
could defend, take the ball to the basket and play and defend multiple
positions," said Pacers president Donnie Walsh. "Vincent Askew can do
that for us."
nba.1305vpoznanovic,
Bucks have a legacy if nothing else
(Nov 4, 1996 - 09:54 EST) - Rookie guard Ray Allen peered into the
rafters of the Bradley Center before a Milwaukee Bucks practice,
digesting a morsel of local hoops history.
The banners that are draped in the upper reaches of the arena are a
not-so-subtle reminder of days past, of better times for the
franchise, of another gone-but-not-forgotten era.
They hang there for all to see:
"World Champions, 1971, Milwaukee Bucks."
"Western Conference Champions, 1974, Milwaukee Bucks."
Sandwiched between the championship flags are the banners displaying
seven retired uniform numbers worn proudly by some of the best players
ever to don the Bucks' colors. There's Oscar Robertson's No. 1; Jon
McGlocklin's No. 14; Bob Lanier's No. 16; Brian Winters' No. 32;
Junior Bridgeman's No. 2; Sidney Moncrief's No. 4; and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar's No. 33.
They are names that may or may not be familiar to the current crop of
Bucks. But they are names that are definitely not foreign to the
legion of local fans that has followed the franchise through its
trials, tribulations and successes in its 28 years in the National
Basketball Association.
The banners represent a tradition of past excellence that the current
corps of players, along with new coach Chris Ford and his staff, would
like to duplicate in the present.
"We want to start that tradition again," said Allen, the first-year
guard from Connecticut. "Because without tradition, you've got
nothing. You just got a lot of guys getting paid to play basketball.
"Everything has fallen off as a whole, including the fans. Tradition
is tradition because of the fans. The people. We want to establish
that tradition again, get back into it."
Two-time all-star forward Vin Baker, entering his fourth season, has
played for the Bucks longer than anyone on the current roster. He's
played many games under the memory-filled banners.
He, too, would like to restore the tradition -- for himself, for his
teammates, for the fans and for the city of Milwaukee. Baker sobbed in
the locker room in Cleveland when the Boston Celtics edged the Bucks
out of the final playoff spot by one game two years ago. It eats away
at him that he has never experienced the playoffs. He knows of the
fans' heartache and frustration, too.
The time has come, Baker feels, to relive all that was once pro
basketball in this city.
Now. This season. Without delay.
"You can get a feel for the tradition the Bucks have," said Baker,
who, once again, will be the heart and soul of the team. "Not just the
Bucks, but for the fans, too. They are basketball knowledgeable. They
know the history this team has. That's why they've been so
disappointed. They want to return to that. It's our turn to do it.
It's the city's turn to do it.
"In all sincerity, this is the best team we've had in Milwaukee (in
the Baker years). This is the most confident I've felt going into a
season. That's why I say we can win 45 or 46 games. I sincerely feel
this is a really good team."
The Bucks have not won that many games since 1990-'91, when coach Del
Harris' team was victorious 48 times. That was also the last time the
team appeared in the playoffs.
The Bucks have not won 50 games since Don Nelson's squad went 50-32 in
1986-'87. They have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs
since 1988-'89. And the Bucks have not played for a conference
championship since 1986.
That's a lot of have nots.
Over the past five seasons, the Bucks have averaged 28 victories and
have not won more than 34 games. Clearly, there is much room for
improvement.
This season, the Bucks have put themselves into a position where they
have the potential to make positive strides. Is it then realistic to
mention the playoffs and the Bucks in the same breath?
"Yes, absolutely," Dunleavy said. "If you look at our team, one thing
you see is we're deep in every position. Over the long haul, that will
be a positive. You look at other teams, and you may like their
starting five better. But if you take it all the way down the line, we
probably have a better chance of withstanding an injury or if a guy is
not playing well."
Talk of the playoffs may be a bit heady for the Bucks at this point.
You've got to walk before you can run. Just getting the franchise
turned back in the right direction would be a reasonable goal for now.
The restoration of the once-proud Bucks tradition was one of the first
things Ford touched on last June when he was hired as the sixth head
coach in the team's history.
Ford has spent the greater part of his NBA playing and coaching career
with the Boston Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in the
history of sport. He understands tradition. He has lived it.
It's a new generation of players who inhabit the league now, with a
different set a values. Even so, the concept of winning spans
generations and is the mission of Ford and his team, which is seeking
to link the Bucks' proud past with the present.
Or better yet, to start a tradition of their own.
"It's all about winning," Ford said. "What it takes to win. We want to
be part of the playoff picture. We haven't been there for a while."
nba.1306vpoznanovic,
Russell reveals secret dream: To be a Laker
(Nov 4, 1996 - 10:06 EST) -- The most successful Celtic of them all
secretly wished to be a Laker.
Bill Russell in purple and gold? Yup.
"One of the things I wish I could have done was play for the Lakers,"
Russell said at a rare public speaking appearance to announce the 50
greatest players in NBA history.
It was quite a revelation from the former center who led Boston to an
incredible eight consecutive championships from 1959-1966.
The streak ended in 1967 when Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia
76ers beat Boston 4-1 in the Eastern Conference finals. Russell and
the Celtics beat the Lakers for the championship in 1968 and 1969.
The 1969 Finals were the only time Russell and Chamberlain competed
against each other. Chamberlain took himself out of Game 7 with a knee
injury.
In all, Russell spent 13 years in the NBA, won 11 championships and
played in the NBA Finals 12 times.
"We won those championships one at a time," Russell said. "We never
discussed dynasties or anything like that, and we never looked past
the next game."
In Russell's mind, however, there was always one unfulfilled wish --
to be a Laker. The reason: He idolized the Lakers' center.
"George Mikan was my high school hero. I was a third-string, junior
varsity center, 6-foot-7 and 160 pounds, and I went to see the Lakers
play," Russell said.
"George Mikan came out of the locker room and saw me, and he walked
over and said, 'How ya doin,' big fella?' He stayed and talked to me
for 15 minutes and said one day I should be a Laker. And that's one of
the things I wish I could have done."
* * *
WILT'S TURN: Chamberlain also has an unfulfilled wish -- to play with
a 3-point line on the floor.
"If I played in the NBA today, I would want to be a guard," said
Chamberlain, who was a decent outside shooter in his day but rarely
ventured 22 feet from the basket.
"I was a tremendous 3-point shooter. Maybe my 100-point game would
have been 150 points," he joked.
"I wish you would have shot those 3s when you played us," retorted
Russell, who was 3 inches shorter than Chamberlain and was frequently
outplayed in the paint by his rival.
* * *
THE OLD NBA: Chamberlain, Russell, Mikan, Oscar Robertson and Julius
Erving were on hand as the league announced its 50 greatest players.
The discussion eventually turned to the different eras the NBA has
gone through, and Russell was asked if players are better today than
they were in the 1950s and '60s.
Russell told the story of Maurice King, who came out of Kansas in 1959
and was drafted by the Celtics.
"Maurice King was as good of a guard as you could find, but we had a
backcourt of Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Bill Sharman and Bob Cousy -- and
there was just no room for him," he said.
"All the teams were that deep, and there were only 10 players on the
rosters and only eight or nine teams. All the guys that could play
could really play. Now, the good teams have seven or eight players,
and after that they have practice players."
Erving had a different perspective.
"Today, talent-wise, the average player is more talented than he was
in my particular era," he said. "The difference probably lies in the
fact that today, he might not be as mentally and emotionally prepared
to get into the playoffs and win as we were in our era."
* * *
FASHION SHOW: When the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks tipped off
the season Friday night at the SkyDome, they wore replicas of uniforms
from 1946, when the first game of the Basketball Association of
America, the NBA's precursor, was played.
The Raptors played in uniforms that bore the name "Huskies" -- the
name of the original Toronto franchise that played there for only one
year.
There will be another 21 games featuring teams wearing retro uniforms.
The replica uniforms are made of nylon mesh, just like the normal
uniforms, and have a modern fit. At least one executive in the NBA
offices unsuccessfully lobbied to have the players wear satin uniforms
with baggy shorts -- just like the originals.
* * *
GRIST ON LIST: The debate began immediately after the NBA unveiled its
list of the 50 greatest players.
Much of it centered on the inclusion of Shaquille O'Neal, who has been
in the league only four years and whose teams have been swept in a
playoff round the past three seasons.
"He basically hasn't won anything significant, and even his individual
numbers haven't been that extraordinary. I think, frankly, they did
Shaq a disservice," said former Boston Celtics guard Bob Cousy, who
also made the list.
Cousy added, though, that O'Neal will "certainly deserve" to make the
list in two or three years.
The 50 players were selected by a panel of current and former players,
coaches, general managers, team executives and media members. Notable
by their absence were David Thompson, Alex English, Dominique Wilkins,
Bob Lanier, Connie Hawkins, Bob McAdoo and Joe Fulks.
* * *
MONEY MATTERS: The NBA's average ticket price for the 1996-97 season
is $34.08, an increase of 8 percent from last year, according to Team
Marketing Report, a Chicago-based newsletter.
The eight teams that have played in the NBA Finals since 1991 --
Chicago, Portland, New York, Houston, Orlando, Seattle, Phoenix and
the Los Angeles Lakers -- are among the nine teams with the highest
prices. The exception is the Boston Celtics, whose average price is
$39.25.
The Trail Blazers, who moved into a new arena last season, have the
highest average price at $47.49 -- a 12 percent increase from 1995-96.
The Los Angeles Clippers have the lowest average price at $24.81. The
Clippers are one of three teams lowering ticket prices this season.
The Celtics and Golden State Warriors, who are playing in San Jose
this season while their arena in Oakland is refurbished, are the
others.
Team Marketing Report said the NBA's average ticket price ranks third
among major professional sports behind the NHL ($38.34) and NFL
($35.74) and ahead of Major League Baseball ($11.20).
It costs a league-high $268.45 for a family of four to attend a Knicks
game -- with average-price tickets, concessions, souvenirs and
parking. The same family can attend a Hornets game for $152.28,
cheapest in the league.
nba.1307vpoznanovic,
NBA 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 3,500 assists club
(Nov 5, 1996 - 00:42 EST) -- A list of the National Basketball
Association players who have at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds
and 3,500 assists (x-Active) through Nov. 4:
Points Rebounds Assists
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387 17,440 5,660
2. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419 23,924 4,643
3. Elgin Baylor 23,149 11,463 3,650
4. x-Charles Barkley 20,769 10,364 3,501
nba.1308vpoznanovic,
Sonics already thinking about championships
SEATTLE (Nov 4, 1996 - 11:48 EST) -- The Seattle SuperSonics have more
on their minds than regular-season victories.
They'd like to replace the Chicago Bulls as NBA champions.
"We sat in here and watched Chicago get their rings and that's what we
want," Nate McMillan said. "Being the Western Conference champions is
great, but we want to be world champions."
After losing their opener in Utah, the Sonics were at their defensive
best in the second quarter in beating the revamped Portland Trail
Blazers 104-93 Saturday night.
With 7:07 remaining, coach George Karl's Sonics led 100-74.
The Sonics have three games this week. They play Atlanta in the Key
Arena on Tuesday night and are at Phoenix on Thursday night and San
Antonio on Friday.
The Sonics were surprise first-round playoff losers in the 1993-94 and
'94-95 seasons. By reaching the NBA Finals against the Bulls last
season, they lifted the pressure of the previous two seasons.
"I think the last couple of seasons we went into the season with a
noose around our necks," Karl said. "Well, that noose isn't there
anymore. This season we're going to have to motivate ourselves in
different ways."
The Sonics have a new player in their starting line-up this season for
defensive purposes. Against the Blazers, 7-foot-1 Jim McIlvaine had
five blocked shots, giving him nine in two games.
In 22 minutes, McIlvaine scored only two points, but the Sonics don't
care. They'll judge him on his blocks.
"I really enjoy playing this style of defense," McIlvaine said. "It's
demanding, but I'm in the best shape of my life."
The Sonics aren't concerned about McIlvaine's offense because because
they have All-Stars Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton and former All-Stars
Detlef Schrempf and Hersey Hawkins to do the bulk of their scoring.
Playing 30 minutes, Kemp led the way against Portland with 24 points,
making all 14 of his free-throw attempts. Payton sat out the second
quarter after getting three fouls in the opening period and wound up
with 18 points in 26 minutes.
Schrempf added 23 points and Hawkins 15. Off the bench, Sam Perkins
had 10 and new reserve Craig Ehlo scored seven.
The strength of the Sonics is still defense. In the second quarter,
the Blazers scored only 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
"We were a lot more aggressive than we were in the Utah game,"
McIlvaine said.
Before the game, the Sonics raised their Western Conference
championship banner that they won in seven games against Utah last
season. Then they went out and dismantled Portland.
Kemp, who blocked one shot against the Blazers, smiled when asked if
he intended to let McIlvaine do most of the shot blocking for the
Sonics this season.
"I'll still be blocking them when I can," he said. "I just won't have
to block as many this year."
nba.1309vpoznanovic,
Robertson gets jail time
SAN ANTONIO (Nov 4, 1996 - 19:24 EST) -- Former NBA All-Star Alvin
Robertson was ordered Monday to serve six months in jail for a
burglary conviction.
Robertson was convicted in October of burglarizing the apartment of
ex-girlfriend Sharon Raeford. Jurors decided he should be placed on 10
years' probation and fined $10,000.
On Monday, during a court appearance to set terms of probation, state
District Judge Raymond Angelini ordered the 34-year-old player to
serve six months in the Bexar County Jail.
The judge also ordered Robertson to do 500 hours of community service
and to pay $27,000 in restitution.
Eddie Garcia, Robertson's attorney, filed notice that he would appeal
the ruling, which could get Robertson released on bond. Robertson has
said he hoped to be back with an NBA team this season. Robertson
played five seasons with the Spurs and played last season with the
Toronto Raptors.
During the punishment phase of his trial, Robertson asked the jury to
give him another chance.
"I hope I get the opportunity to resume my place in society," said
Robertson, describing himself as a "decent, honest, hard-working guy."
The state court jury found him guilty of burglary with intent to
commit theft in connection with a rampage in June 1995 at Raeford's
apartment. He could have faced up to 20 years in prison for the felony
conviction.
Raeford did not testify against Robertson and reportedly left town
before the trial began. Robertson's wife, Jackie, testified on his
behalf, saying her husband was sorry for what he had done.
Robertson was jailed from Aug. 21 until Oct. 10 after his arrest in a
separate criminal mischief case in which he is accused of vandalizing
Raeford's 1994 BMW.
He already was serving a year's probation after pleading no contest in
April to misdemeanor assault charges involving two women.
nba.1310lexus,
=> Nope. :) Podaci su komercijalni, odnosno, mogu se dobiti samo
=> plaćanjem pretplate.
Kako si platio pretplatu?
nba.1311vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (117) AT SEATTLE (95)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 37 6-9 0-0 3 6 9 2 0 2 0 13
LAETTNER F 41 6-13 1-2 1 6 7 4 2 0 3 14
MUTOMBO C 26 5-8 0-0 0 1 1 0 5 0 1 10
SMITH G 38 8-19 6-6 3 6 9 7 2 2 4 27
BLAYLOCK G 34 8-16 0-0 0 4 4 7 5 4 1 21
BURTON 22 6-8 6-7 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 20
RECASNER 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
BARRY 17 4-7 1-1 1 2 3 2 0 1 1 11
NEWBILL 15 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 0
BOYCE 1 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
LAUDERDALE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
HENDERSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 43-81 15-18 10 28 38 23 20 9 15 117
(.531) (.833) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(15 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 32 10-12 3-3 3 6 9 2 6 1 3 23
D SCHREMPF F 37 5-10 2-3 2 6 8 8 2 0 4 12
MCILVAINE C 16 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 4
HAWKINS G 29 0-4 0-0 3 1 4 3 2 1 3 0
PAYTON G 40 8-17 4-4 0 0 0 8 2 3 2 24
PERKINS 32 5-11 2-2 2 6 8 0 0 3 2 14
EHLO 19 5-10 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 4 12
MCMILLAN 17 2-5 0-0 1 3 4 2 4 0 3 6
WINGATE 11 0-8 0-0 2 1 3 1 2 0 0 0
STEWART 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SNOW 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-81 11-12 13 25 38 25 23 10 21 95
(.457) (.917) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 21(31 PTS)
ATLANTA 34 21 36 26 - 117
SEATTLE 29 29 18 19 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 3, LAUDERDALE. SEATTLE - PERKINS, EHLO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 16-29 (.552), CORBIN 1-2, LAETTNER 1-1, SMITH
5-11, BLAYLOCK 5-7, BURTON 2-3, BARRY 2-4, BOYCE 0-1. SEATTLE 10-33
(.303), D SCHREMPF 0-3, HAWKINS 0-2, PAYTON 4-9, PERKINS 2-8, EHLO 2-6,
MCMILLAN 2-2, WINGATE 0-3.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - DELAY.
OFFICIALS: DERRICK STAFFORD, BILL OAKES, SCOTT WALL.
A - 17,072. T - 2:00.
ATLANTA (117) AT SEATTLE (95)
Steve Smith scored 16 of his 27 points in the third quarter as
the Atlanta Hawks made 16 three-pointers to rout the Seattle
SuperSonics, 117-95, for their second straight win.
Mookie Blaylock added 21 points and Willie Burton had 20 for
Atlanta (2-2), which snapped a four-game losing streak against
Seattle. Smith contributed nine rebounds and seven assists for
the Hawks, who were playing for the fourth time in five days.
"What we tried to do is have a good spacing, especially when we
know they're going to double-team," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens
said. "If we can stretch the floor out, then it's a long way to
have to run. We've got some guys that can make three-pointers
so we've got to take advantage of it."
"The win means a lot to us," Blaylock said. "We really did not
play well the first two ball games. This win says a lot about
our team."
Atlanta last beat Seattle by this big a margin on October 24th,
1973, winning 131-106 in Seattle.
Gary Payton scored 24 points, Shawn Kemp added 23 and Sam
Perkins had 14 for Seattle (1-2), which lost for just the second
time in nine home games with the Hawks. The SuperSonics also
had their 13-game home winning streak snapped.
"This does not happen very often in our building," Sonics coach
George Karl said. "It's a rare showing when a team comes in
here and takes the energy away from us."
The teams tied an NBA record with 62 three-point attempts in a
48-minute game, set last February 27th by Dallas and
Philadelphia.
After Jim McIlvaine made a layup to give Seattle a 65-60 lead
four minutes into the third quarter, Smith nailed a
three-pointer to ignite a 22-4 run and added eight points during
the spurt. Corbin made a three-pointer to cap the burst, giving
the Hawks an 82-69 lead with 3:11 to go in the third.
Smith scored five more points to extend the Hawks' lead to 91-76
entering the fourth quarter. The Sonics closed within 93-81
three minutes into the period, but never got closer as the Hawks
scored 22 of the next 30 points to build a 26-point bulge.
Christian Laettner scored 14 points and Corbin finished with 13
points and nine rebounds for Atlanta, which shot 53 percent
(43-of-81) from the field -- including a team-record 16
three-pointers.
"We didn't turn the ball over," Corbin said. "They made a lot
of mistakes as far as turning the ball over. We did a good job
of turning the ball and getting the ball to guys in their spots.
We penetrated to the basket and made the extra pass. We played
a great overall team tonight, offensively and defensively."
Former Hawk Craig Ehlo and Detlef Schrempf added 12 apiece for
Seattle, which shot 46 percent (37-of-81) and committed 21
turnovers that led to 31 points for Atlanta.
"We didn't show up tonight," Schrempf said. "They played
extremely well. We figured just by being on the court, we could
win the game and that's not the case."
"I'm sure they could look in our eyes and see the confusion,"
said Nate McMillan, who was held to six points. "It's the same
read that we pick up on teams when we're aggressive."
nba.1312vpoznanovic,
DALLAS (96) AT TORONTO (100)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 21 8-16 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 2 1 20
MEYER F 14 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 1 1 4
MONTROSS C 18 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 3 3 0 0 2
JACKSON G 35 5-18 9-12 1 5 6 2 4 0 1 20
KIDD G 37 3-8 0-2 2 4 6 5 2 2 3 8
MASHBURN 24 5-9 1-2 1 2 3 2 3 2 3 11
GATLING 32 6-14 10-14 6 5 11 2 1 1 1 22
MILLER 30 2-4 0-0 5 2 7 3 3 0 2 4
HARPER 13 1-2 2-2 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 4
DUMAS 11 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 2 0
ROBERTS 5 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-82 23-34 16 27 43 22 28 9 14 96
(.402) (.676) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(21 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 34 13-21 5-5 4 5 9 2 6 3 1 34
TABAK F 22 2-6 2-2 1 7 8 0 4 1 2 6
BENJAMIN C 9 0-1 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 1
CHRISTIE G 20 1-5 2-2 1 2 3 3 6 0 2 4
STOUDAMIRE G 43 10-22 5-6 1 1 2 8 3 0 2 28
ROGERS 31 1-7 0-0 4 8 12 1 2 1 3 3
CAMBY 28 2-6 3-4 1 2 3 0 4 0 2 7
DAVIS 33 7-11 1-1 0 2 2 0 3 3 3 15
JONES 12 1-2 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 0 2
WRIGHT 5 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0
WHITESIDE 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
EARL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-85 19-22 15 32 47 17 32 8 18 100
(.435) (.864) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
DALLAS 26 27 28 15 - 96
TORONTO 20 20 34 26 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MILLER 2, KIDD. TORONTO - CAMBY 5, ROGERS,
WRIGHT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 7-19 (.368), MCCLOUD 4-7, JACKSON 1-5, KIDD 2-5,
MASHBURN 0-1, DUMAS 0-1. TORONTO 7-20 (.350), WILLIAMS 3-6, CHRISTIE 0-3,
STOUDAMIRE 3-7, ROGERS 1-2, DAVIS 0-1, WHITESIDE 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, BRUCE ALEXANDER, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 17,065. T - 2:27.
DALLAS (96) AT TORONTO (100)
Walt Williams poured in 34 points and Damon Stoudamire scored
three of his 28 points in the final 44 seconds as the Toronto
Raptors posted their first win of the year, 100-96 over the
Dallas Mavericks.
Toronto, which trailed by as many as 18 points, used a 21-3 run
to take an 89-84 lead with 6:45 remaining. Williams scored 11
points during the spurt and Hubert Davis' jumper gave the
Raptors the five-point advantage.
Jim Jackson hit four consecutive free throws to put Dallas back
in front, 96-95, with 56.4 seconds to play. But Stoudamire
nailed a jumper with 44 seconds left and, after Chris Gatling
was called for traveling, Stoudamire added a foul shot to make
it 98-96 with 20.6 seconds to go.
Jackson and Jason Kidd missed three-point attempts and rookie
Marcus Camby converted two free throws to seal the win.
Chris Gatling led Dallas with 22 points and 11 rebounds off the
bench, while Jackson and George McCloud each scored 20 points.
The Mavs shot 40 percent (33-of-82) from the field and 68
percent (23-of-34) from the free-throw line.
"We started to celebrate during the game and we didn't take care
of business," said Mavericks coach Jim Cleamons. "Give the
Raptors credit. Don't take anything away from them, they
deserve the victory. They did what they were supposed to and
we're walking out of here with our tails between our legs."
Davis tallied 15 points and Carlos Rogers grabbed 12 rebounds
for Toronto, which shot just 43.5 percent (37-of-85) from the
floor, but 86 percent (19-of-22) from the foul line. Williams
added nine boards, while Zan Tabak had eight.
"It was a good victory," Stoudamire said. "We hung in. We
needed to play some good defense and had some crucial stops. We
made some big defensive plays. Camby made some big blocks and
hit two clutch free throws. I'm happy for Walt (Williams). It
is something to build on."
Williams came close to his career high of 40 points, set while
with Sacramento on January 2nd, 1993 against Philadelphia. He
played for the Kings and Miami Heat last year before signing for
the league minimum with Toronto in August.
"The win feels good," he said. "I think me and Damon took
control of the game. Our intensity on defense was great and we
hit our shots. It was a lot of fun, but we have to make sure
this continues into Friday."
nba.1313vpoznanovic,
DETROIT (83) AT PHILADELPHIA (81)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 41 9-22 4-8 3 11 14 9 3 3 5 22
LONG F 31 3-8 2-2 3 3 6 2 2 0 0 8
THORPE C 26 2-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 5 0 4 4
DUMARS G 41 6-12 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 2 4 15
HUNTER G 37 6-15 1-1 1 1 2 1 5 0 1 17
CURRY 15 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
MILLS 18 4-9 0-0 2 5 7 1 1 0 3 10
RATLIFF 9 0-0 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 1
AUGMON 17 1-5 2-4 1 2 3 2 2 1 1 4
MAHORN 4 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
SMITH 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-79 10-17 15 32 47 16 21 6 19 83
(.405) (.588) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 20(18 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
DAVIS F 45 3-11 3-4 4 8 12 7 4 6 0 9
WEATHERSPOON F 40 3-11 2-3 10 5 15 0 4 0 0 8
COLEMAN C 39 9-18 4-4 1 7 8 5 1 3 6 22
STACKHOUSE G 41 5-19 1-2 0 1 1 6 3 0 4 11
IVERSON G 38 9-18 3-7 2 5 7 2 4 3 3 24
HARRIS 11 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 4
OVERTON 10 1-2 1-1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 3
MACLEAN 8 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
CAGE 8 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 0
BRADTKE DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
WALTERS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-85 14-21 18 30 48 23 18 13 14 81
(.376) (.667) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 16(22 PTS)
DETROIT 20 19 22 22 - 83
PHILADELPHIA 27 17 23 14 - 81
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - RATLIFF 2, HILL. PHILADELPHIA - DAVIS 2,
STACKHOUSE, IVERSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 9-19 (.474), HILL 0-1, LONG 0-1, DUMARS 3-7,
HUNTER 4-7, MILLS 2-2, SMITH 0-1. PHILADELPHIA 3-13 (.231), COLEMAN 0-2,
STACKHOUSE 0-3, IVERSON 3-6, HARRIS 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BILL SPOONER, HUE HOLLINS, JOE BORGIA.
A - 12,713. T - 2:12.
DETROIT (83) AT PHILADELPHIA (81)
Grant Hill scored eight points in a game-ending 14-2 run,
including two free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining that gave
the Detroit Pistons an 83-81 victory over the winless
Philadelphia 76ers.
Allen Iverson's three-pointer with 4:29 to play gave the 76ers
as 79-69 lead, but the Pistons scored 14 of the final 16 points.
Lindsey Hunter and Terry Mills each hit three-pointers in the
run and Hill's 17-foot jumper with 1:37 to go made it 79-79.
Mark Davis made two foul shots with 80 seconds left, but Hill
dunked 23 seconds later to tie.
Davis' layup bounced off the rim and the Pistons called a
timeout. Hill drove the lane, was fouled with 2.8 seconds left
and sank both foul shots. Philadelphia's Lucious Harris missed a
19-foot baseline jumper as time expired.
Hill had 14 rebounds and fell one assist shy of a triple-double.
"We played as bad as you can play for 45 minutes," Hill said.
"We were down by 10, Mills hit a three, we got some shots and
played good defense down the stretch. I feel good that Doug
(Collins) has the confidence to go to me. I struggled as much
as you can struggle, missed free throws, layups and dunks. We
just have to think about what's going good today and try to take
over."
Hunter had 17 points and Joe Dumars added 15 for the Pistons,
who have won their first three games. Detroit, which has won
nine straight meetings with the 76ers, has held each of its
first three opponents to under 90 points.
"The defense helped turn it around late in the game," Detroit
coach Doug Collins said. "We also saw a different Grant Hill at
the end of this game. Last year he would not have made those
plays. Even though he was struggling in this game, he still put
the ball on the line to make those plays, that's what he has to
do. If you're coaching a guy who has the chance to be the best
player in the game, you have to give him the opportunity. Grant
is expected to do a lot for us. It reminds me of my early days
with Michael (Jordan) ... when he had to win games until other
guys grew up. That's what's gonna happen with Grant."
Iverson led Philadelphia with 24 points, Derrick Coleman had 22
points and eight rebounds and Clarence Weatherspoon added eight
and 15 as the 76ers fell to 0-3. Philadelphia shot a dismal 38
percent (32-of-85) from the field and was 3-for-13 from
three-point range.
"It was a tough loss, we played hard, we played well enough to
deserve a better ending than this," Philadelphia coach Johnny
Davis said. "It didn't happen that way, we'll just have to
regroup and get ready for the next game. Grant Hill came up
big for the Pistons down the stretch and we didn't get it done.
Still, it was a good effort, we executed better overall, the
effort I was pleased with, we came out with tremendous effort. "
Davis gave his early-season assessment of rookie guard Iverson.
"Iverson is a very good offensive player and a tenacious player
defensively. Each game is a learning experience for him. When
you look at how he's playing and where he should be in terms of
still in college, he's actually doing pretty well. Clearly
there are some things he still needs to learn, but those are
things you can only learn through practical experience."
Detroit led 58-57 with 3:35 left in the third quarter before
Philadelphia went on a 10-3 run for a 67-61 advantage entering
the final period.
Coleman scored 14 points and Iverson had nine to help the 76ers
to a 44-39 halftime lead.
nba.1314vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON (102) AT SACRAMENTO (80)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 34 5-11 5-8 3 9 12 3 4 3 3 16
ELIE F 24 3-6 1-2 0 2 2 2 2 1 2 7
OLAJUWON C 33 12-23 10-13 2 5 7 3 2 4 4 34
MALONEY G 30 5-5 0-0 0 1 1 5 1 1 1 12
DREXLER G 25 2-8 0-1 1 1 2 4 5 1 5 6
WILLIS 23 4-8 3-3 5 3 8 2 3 3 2 11
DAVIS 13 1-3 2-2 0 2 2 1 1 2 2 4
BULLARD 27 2-4 1-2 2 1 3 1 1 0 1 6
MACK 16 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 3
HARRINGTON 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2
LIVINGSTON 5 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1
MOORE 5 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 240 36-79 23-33 13 25 38 23 23 19 21 102
(.456) (.697) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 22(17 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C WILLIAMSON F 26 6-12 2-3 2 4 6 1 4 1 6 14
GRANT F 37 5-10 4-5 3 3 6 1 4 2 1 14
POLYNICE C 34 3-5 0-3 5 6 11 2 5 1 3 6
RICHMOND G 33 4-14 2-6 1 3 4 4 3 1 4 11
ABDUL-RAUF G 30 8-13 0-1 0 2 2 3 2 0 3 16
OWENS 22 2-10 0-2 2 4 6 2 1 1 2 4
SMITH 19 2-2 0-2 2 4 6 1 5 1 4 4
EDNEY 15 2-7 3-4 1 2 3 1 1 0 3 7
SIMMONS 15 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 2 0
CAUSWELL 6 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 6 0 1 2
HURLEY 3 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-78 13-28 18 30 48 16 32 8 29 80
(.423) (.464) TEAM REBS: 16 TOTAL TO: 29(31 PTS)
HOUSTON 25 24 22 31 - 102
SACRAMENTO 20 15 20 25 - 80
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - OLAJUWON 3, WILLIS. SACRAMENTO - GRANT 2,
POLYNICE, SIMMONS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 7-18 (.389), BARKLEY 1-3, ELIE 0-1, MALONEY
2-2, DREXLER 2-5, BULLARD 1-2, MACK 1-4, MOORE 0-1. SACRAMENTO 1-4 (.250),
RICHMOND 1-2, OWENS 0-2.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ELIE, BARKLEY, DREXLER, SACRAMENTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE
3.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 17,317. T - 2:11.
HOUSTON (102) AT SACRAMENTO (80)
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 34 points and Charles Barkley added 16
points and 12 rebounds as the Houston Rockets won their fourth
straight game with a 102-80 pasting of the Sacramento Kings.
Houston, the only 4-0 team in the league, defeated the Kings for
the second time in five days.
"I like the way our effort is going defensively," Rockets coach
Rudy Tomjanovich said. "The only way to win a championship is
to live and believe defense. Charles was something else
tonight, he always keeps you up and always has an angle. In an
82-game season, a guy like that is invaluable."
Olajuwon was 12-of-23 from the field, 10-of-13 from the foul
line, grabbed seven rebounds and added four steals and three
blocks. Matt Maloney had 12 points and Kevin Willis contributed
11 and eight rebounds for the Rockets, who have won their first
four games by a combined 51 points.
"Our defensive effort tonight, helping each other on defense,
putting pressure on the ball, made a lot of difference tonight,"
Olajuwon said. "I really played physical and caused the other
team to foul me."
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf led the Kings with 16 points and Brian Grant
and Corliss Williamson each added 14. Sacramento (1-2) lost in
its home opener.
Houston, which has won eight of its last nine games at
Sacramento, led 28-24 with 6:30 left in the second quarter
before embarking on a 21-11 run to take a 49-35 advantage at
halftime.
"We're playing well right now, we have some great guys like
Hakeem, who have already accomplished a lot in their careers,"
Barkley said. "Hopefully, we can keep getting better."
The Kings got as close as 62-53 with 3:28 to go in the third
quarter, but the Rockets scored nine of the final 11 points in
the period for a 71-55 cushion.
"We had some great looks at the basket and we just couldn't
finish them," Sacramento's Mitch Richmond said. "We couldn't
play any worse."
Sacramento commited 29 turnovers and shot a woeful 46 percent
(13-of-28) from the foul line. Richmond was held to just 11
points on 4-of-14 from the field.
"We've got no one to blame but ourselves, there is no excuse for
turning the ball over at that ratio," Kings coach Garry St. Jean
said. "Our execution on the offensive end left a lot to be
desired."
Sacramento's Billy Owens, who missed the first two games with a
groin injury, scored four points in 22 minutes off the bench.
nba.1315vpoznanovic,
LA CLIPPERS (82) AT DENVER (78)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 28 5-16 0-0 7 6 13 0 1 2 1 10
ROGERS F 23 5-10 4-5 1 3 4 2 3 0 1 15
DUCKWORTH C 15 0-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 1 3 1
RICHARDSON G 36 5-12 1-2 1 1 2 6 3 1 3 12
SEALY G 27 1-7 4-4 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 6
MURRAY 25 4-7 0-1 2 2 4 0 0 1 1 8
ROBERTS 29 8-12 5-6 3 4 7 2 1 0 1 21
OUTLAW 21 1-3 0-0 1 3 4 1 5 2 1 2
DEHERE 19 1-6 3-4 0 3 3 0 2 1 0 5
D MARTIN 12 0-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 0
WRIGHT 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
PIATKOWSKI 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 31-83 18-24 15 26 41 15 21 9 14 82
(.373) (.750) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(10 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
L ELLIS F 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MCDYESS F 34 5-8 0-0 2 3 5 0 5 1 5 10
JOHNSON C 32 1-5 0-2 3 6 9 0 5 1 0 2
STITH G 30 7-12 3-6 1 5 6 3 4 2 4 17
JACKSON G 40 3-6 3-5 0 7 7 16 4 1 6 9
D ELLIS 33 10-21 2-3 1 6 7 1 1 0 1 25
HAMMONDS 15 0-2 0-0 2 0 2 0 4 0 0 0
PIERCE 16 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 4
THOMPSON 12 0-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 0 2 0
HAM 3 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MURDOCK 8 0-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2
MARCIULIONIS 15 4-6 1-2 2 1 3 0 3 1 3 9
TOTALS 240 32-72 11-20 12 31 43 21 32 6 22 78
(.444) (.550) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 23(17 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 18 19 23 22 - 82
DENVER 30 17 19 12 - 78
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - ROBERTS 3, ROGERS, RICHARDSON, DEHERE.
DENVER - MCDYESS 3, HAMMONDS, THOMPSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 2-11 (.182), ROGERS 1-3, RICHARDSON 1-3,
MURRAY 0-1, DEHERE 0-1, D MARTIN 0-3. DENVER 3-14 (.214), L ELLIS 0-1,
STITH 0-2, D ELLIS 3-9, PIERCE 0-1, MARCIULIONIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: TOMMY NUNEZ, DICK BAVETTA, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 10,190. T - 2:10.
LA CLIPPERS (82) AT DENVER (78)
Stanley Roberts scored nine of his 21 points in the fourth
quarter and Terry Dehere sank two key free throws with 15
seconds left as the Los Angeles Clippers rallied for an 82-78
victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets led 72-64 with 8:26 remaining, but the Clippers
reeled off the next 11 points for a 75-72 advantage with 3:57 to
play. Roberts had six points during the run.
"Welcome back Mr. Roberts, he did a great job filling the middle
and taking rebounds," Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "He's
getting there and I'm happy for him. The best substitution of
the night was Dale Ellis for LaPhonso Ellis, he just killed us."
Dale Ellis hit a three-pointer and the ensuing foul shot for a
rare four-point play as Denver took its final lead of the game,
78-77, with 1:57 to go.
Roberts made one of two free throws to tie it seven seconds
later. After Denver failed to convert, former Nugget Rodney
Rogers made one of two foul shots, giving the Clippers a 79-78
edge. Dehere stole Ricky Pierce's pass and was fouled. He
converted both free throws to make it 81-78 with 15 seconds left
and Pooh Richardson added a final foul shot to seal the victory.
Rogers had 15 points and Richardson added 12 for the Clippers,
who have won two straight following a season-opening loss.
Ellis led the Nuggets with 25 points, Bryant Stith added 17 and
Mark Jackson contributed nine points and 16 assists as Denver
fell to 1-2.
After a 6-4 lead early in the first quarter, the Clippers didn't
lead again until Richardson hit a three-pointer to cap the 11-0
run and make it 75-72.
Ellis had nine points and Jackson eight as the Nuggets raced to
a 30-18 lead after one quarter. Denver carried a 47-37 lead
into halftime and had a 66-60 advantage entering the final
quarter.
Roberts was 8-for-12 from the field, grabbed seven rebounds and
blocked three shots in 29 minutes off the bench. Loy Vaught had
10 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who shot 37 percent
(31-of-83) from the floor.
"With my asthma, it was kind of hard to breathe," Roberts said.
"The oxygen bottle helped me. I'm not where I want to be but
it's the best game I've played so far."
After Ellis and Stith, Antonio McDyess with 10, was the only
other Nugget in double figures.
LaPhonso Ellis left in the first quarter with irritation of his
left knee and did not return. Ellis, who has a history of knee
trouble, will have an MRI on Wednesday.
"When LaPhonso went down, we had guys who got pretty down,"
Nuggets coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "But we can't get down
on ourselves. We haven't made the plays to give us a 14 or
16-point lead. You have to put teams away when you can. When a
guy is going to have an MRI, you have to be concerned with the
results."
"My left knee was bothering me a bit in pregame warmups but it
was something I felt I could play through once I warmed up,"
Ellis said. "On the first play of the game, I forced Rodney
(Rogers) to the middle and tried to block his shot. When I went
up, I felt a sharp pain in my lower kneecap area. The pain is
not the same pain I had when I hurt my left knee in the summer
of '94. It only hurts when I jump, not when I walk or run."
nba.1316vpoznanovic,
LA LAKERS (98) AT NEW YORK (92)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CEBALLOS F 42 5-10 6-7 1 4 5 4 0 2 2 18
CAMPBELL F 27 6-7 1-1 0 4 4 0 5 0 1 13
ONEAL C 41 12-23 2-5 3 10 13 1 5 2 2 26
JONES G 41 5-7 2-2 1 7 8 2 4 1 5 15
VAN EXEL G 32 3-11 6-7 0 2 2 8 0 0 1 13
BLOUNT 21 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 3 0
SCOTT 10 0-0 3-4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3
ROOKS 7 0-2 1-2 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 1
BRYANT 3 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
FISHER 16 1-3 6-6 1 0 1 5 1 0 2 8
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-64 28-36 10 29 39 21 20 6 17 98
(.500) (.778) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 35 2-7 3-8 5 2 7 6 1 0 3 7
OAKLEY F 36 8-11 0-0 4 7 11 1 5 2 4 17
EWING C 40 8-22 5-6 2 4 6 0 4 3 3 21
WARD G 38 3-9 0-0 0 4 4 9 5 0 0 9
HOUSTON G 35 8-17 0-1 1 1 2 0 1 3 2 19
B WILLIAMS 17 0-1 0-0 1 4 5 0 5 0 1 0
STARKS 23 2-9 1-2 0 1 1 4 3 1 0 7
H WILLIAMS 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
WALLACE 14 5-7 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 12
BROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JENT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-83 11-19 14 24 38 20 27 10 14 92
(.434) (.579) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 14(19 PTS)
LA LAKERS 25 24 24 25 - 98
NEW YORK 22 23 23 24 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL 5, JONES 2. NEW YORK - WARD, B WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 6-13 (.462), CEBALLOS 2-4, JONES 3-4, VAN
EXEL 1-5. NEW YORK 9-21 (.429), OAKLEY 1-1, EWING 0-1, WARD 3-8, HOUSTON
3-5, STARKS 2-6.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - B WILLIAMS, JOHNSON.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, ED F RUSH, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 19,763. T - 2:17.
LA LAKERS (98) AT NEW YORK (92)
Nick Van Exel's three-pointer with 39 seconds remaining capped a
decisive fourth-quarter run and lifted the Los Angeles Lakers to
their third straight victory, a 98-92 defeat of the New York
Knicks.
The Lakers used a 13-4 run in the final four minutes to break
open an 82-82 game. Van Exel had seven points in the spurt,
including a three-pointer from the left wing as the shot clock
expired. Van Exel, who hit four free throws to seal the
victory, was 2-for-10 from the field prior to the last-second
three-pointer.
"It felt perfect when it left my hand and most of them don't
feel that way, but this one did," Van Exel said. "It was a
simple clear-out with Shaq and I just left it go."
Shaquille O'Neal hit a key fallaway jumper with 95 seconds left
and finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks for the
Lakers, who also got 18 points from Cedric Ceballos.
"It was a big win for us and was good for our confidence at this
point in the season," Van Exel added. "We came away from here
with a good road win and proved something to the people that
were expecting us to get a win against one of the top teams."
"We want to establish home dominance and we want to be over .500
on the road. This is a good start for us," O'Neal said.
Patrick Ewing had 21 points for New York, which lost for the
first time in three games. Allan Houston added 19 points and
Charles Oakley had 17 and 11 rebounds in his first appearance of
the season.
"We have a long way to go to develop the mental disposition down
the stretch that it takes to win games," Knicks coach Jeff Van
Gundy. "It is not going to be technical. It is going to be
toughness and we have to develop that."
"I don't think this is typical of this team and what you'll see
in the future," Houston said. "It was a good test for us. This
was like a playoff game, now we have to learn to get control of
the game in the fourth quarter."
The Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak in New York,
winning at Madison Square Garden for the first time since March
10th, 1992. The Knicks lost to Los Angeles for just the second
time in their last nine meetings.
With the score tied, 82-82, Van Exel hit two free throws with
3:57 to play. Elden Campbell added a scoop layup for an 86-82
advantage, but Oakley's putback brought the Knicks within two
with 3:05 to go.
Ceballos was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound and made
both free throws for an 88-84 lead with 1:53 left. Oakley hit a
jumper with 95 seconds left to bring new York within a bucket,
but O'Neal answered by hitting his short jumper with 1:14 to go.
Larry Johnson, who was just 3-for-8 from the foul line, missed a
pair of free throws and Van Exel made Johnson by draining the
three-pointer. Van Exel added four free throws around a Charlie
Ward three-pointer before Houston capped the scoring with a
three-pointer in the final seconds.
"We let them get some offensive rebounds, but definitely the
missed free-throws by me shouldn't have happened," Johnson said.
"I'll learn from it."
Knicks rookie John Wallace continued his strong play with
12 points in 14 minutes off the bench.
nba.1317vpoznanovic,
MINNESOTA (98) AT PHOENIX (95)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 36 4-9 6-8 1 8 9 3 2 3 5 14
GUGLIOTTA F 37 6-12 7-10 2 3 5 3 4 1 1 19
VRANKOVIC C 31 3-6 2-2 1 6 7 1 4 0 4 8
WEST G 31 7-9 1-2 1 2 3 2 2 1 2 16
PORTER G 18 0-4 1-2 0 0 0 5 1 1 0 1
MITCHELL 30 7-10 2-2 1 2 3 2 3 0 3 16
PARKS 10 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1
ROBINSON 30 4-10 3-4 0 1 1 4 3 0 1 12
CARR 17 4-5 1-2 1 4 5 2 2 0 0 11
D GARRETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HEAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MARBURY DNP - DID NOT TRAVEL
TOTALS 240 35-65 24-34 7 26 33 22 23 6 16 98
(.538) (.706) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(20 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 28 2-7 1-2 1 0 1 3 2 2 2 5
GREEN F 18 2-5 3-4 2 3 5 0 1 0 1 7
MANNING C 36 10-19 4-6 4 4 8 2 6 1 2 24
PERSON G 23 2-3 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 5
CASSELL G 37 7-14 9-10 2 2 4 12 6 3 2 23
BROWN 5 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
CHAPMAN 25 4-12 0-0 3 0 3 3 3 1 2 10
FINLEY 22 2-6 0-2 4 4 8 2 0 0 1 4
KLEINE 20 0-3 1-2 1 5 6 2 3 0 1 1
NASH 11 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 4
TISDALE 15 5-9 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 10
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-81 18-26 19 23 42 26 28 7 14 95
(.457) (.692) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(22 PTS)
MINNESOTA 24 30 25 19 - 98
PHOENIX 28 19 20 28 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - K GARNETT 4, VRANKOVIC 2. PHOENIX - MANNING
2, FINLEY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 4-8 (.500), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, WEST 1-1, PORTER
0-2, ROBINSON 1-2, CARR 2-2. PHOENIX 3-10 (.300), HORRY 0-2, PERSON 1-2,
CASSELL 0-1, CHAPMAN 2-4, FINLEY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: DON VADEN, JESS KERSEY, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 19,023. T - 2:14.
MINNESOTA (98) AT PHOENIX (95)
Tom Gugliotta scored 19 points and James Robinson's
three-pointer with 79 seconds remaining put the Minnesota
Timberwolves ahead for good in a 98-95 victory over the Phoenix
Suns.
After Danny Manning gave Phoenix a 93-87 lead on a goaltending
call with 2:58 to play, Minnesota scored the next nine points,
including Robinson's three-pointer and two foul shots by
Gugliotta that made it 96-93 with 46.9 seconds left.
Sam Cassell converted a running jumper 11.8 seconds later to cut
the gap to one point before Gugliotta missed a shot, but got his
own rebound and kicked it out to Robinson, who got fouled.
Robinson made the first free throw, Doug West got the rebound on
the second and split his foul shots for a 98-95 advantage.
Phoenix failed to get off a three-pointer at the end.
"It says a lot about the character of this team," said
Gugliotta. "In the past we played good teams and once they came
back on us we would die and have a hard time coming back. Today
we gathered ourselves and made some defensive plays down the
stretch."
West and Sam Mitchell each added 16 points, while Kevin Garnett
had 14 points, nine boards and four blocks for Minnesota, which
is off to the first 2-1 start in franchise history. The
Timberwolves improved to 2-27 all-time against the Suns, with
the wins coming in their last two trips to Phoenix.
"This year we are coming out with a lot more intensity and
everybody is close and together," said Garnett. "We are a real
good team this year...and we can't sit back and let a team dog
us no more. They used to look at us as an easy "W", that's not
the case now."
Manning had 24 points and eight rebounds, while Cassell added 23
points and 12 assists for Phoenix, which is off to its first 0-3
start since 1985-86 when it began with nine straight losses. Rex
Chapman and Wayman Tisdale each had 10 points off the bench.
"We just missed our open shots period," Suns coach Cotton
Fitsimmons said. "We had the opportunites down the stretch but
just didn't follow through. We came back strong in the end, but
we let it slip away. Nothing is going to be easy for this team.
We just have to buckle down, go back to work and get the job
done."
Minnesota extended a 65-63 third-quarter lead when West scored
seven points in an 11-2 run that made it 76-65 with 1:13 left in
the period.
Phoenix got back in the game with a 17-4 burst, including 10
straight points to move ahead, 84-83. Cassell and Tisdale each
netted four, including a jumper by Tisdale with 6:35 left that
capped the run and put the Suns up by a point.
After a West jumper, the Suns went on a 9-2 spurt before the
Timberwolves started their decisive 9-0 run.
"I am very disappointed, losing to a team that we are supposed
to beat," Cassell said. "I still have confidence in my team and
the system, but some things just aren't clicking for us right
now. Down the stretch we were trying to protect our lead, not
build on it."
Robinson finished with 12 points and ex-Sun Chris Carr had 11
for Minnesota, which shot 54 percent (35-of-65) from the floor,
but got outrebounded, 42-33.
nba.1318vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (111) AT GOLDEN STATE (93)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 42 5-11 2-3 0 1 1 4 2 1 0 13
WALLACE F 40 15-20 2-2 7 2 9 3 1 1 3 32
SABONIS C 14 3-5 3-4 0 3 3 1 5 1 1 9
ANDERSON G 35 8-16 4-5 0 3 3 9 1 5 2 23
RIDER G 33 5-13 3-4 1 8 9 4 3 1 4 14
DUDLEY 28 1-5 0-3 5 4 9 3 4 1 1 2
TRENT 14 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 4 1 2 8
MCKIE 22 4-7 0-0 1 4 5 3 3 0 3 10
WINGFIELD 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
BUTLER 8 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 45-86 14-21 15 26 41 28 27 12 18 111
(.523) (.667) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 18(18 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 33 6-9 3-4 0 4 4 4 2 0 1 16
SMITH F 33 7-15 4-4 2 4 6 1 1 0 2 18
FULLER C 29 5-11 4-6 3 3 6 1 3 0 3 14
PRICE G 25 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 8 1 0 4 4
SPREWELL G 36 4-13 4-5 1 3 4 5 1 2 3 12
ARMSTRONG 11 0-3 2-2 0 1 1 3 2 0 2 2
SPENCER 8 0-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 1
OWES 24 6-9 3-6 7 5 12 2 6 1 2 15
MARSHALL 18 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 1 1 7
COLES 19 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 4
ROYAL 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
KONCAK DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 35-78 21-29 13 28 41 26 25 4 20 93
(.449) (.724) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 21(27 PTS)
PORTLAND 31 28 23 29 - 111
GOLDEN STATE 27 29 14 23 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - DUDLEY 2, SABONIS. GOLDEN STATE - FULLER,
OWES, MARSHALL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 7-17 (.412), C ROBINSON 1-3, WALLACE 0-1,
SABONIS 0-1, ANDERSON 3-5, RIDER 1-4, MCKIE 2-2, BUTLER 0-1. GOLDEN STATE
2-13 (.154), MULLIN 1-1, SMITH 0-1, PRICE 0-2, SPREWELL 0-5, MARSHALL 1-1,
COLES 0-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, TOMMIE WOOD, MONTY MCCUTCHEN.
A - 13,458. T - 2:02.
PORTLAND (111) AT GOLDEN STATE (93)
Rasheed Wallace scored 10 of his 32 points in a key 17-4
third-quarter run as the Portland Trail Blazers routed the
Golden State Warriors, 111-93.
Wallace made a career-high 15 field goals en route to his 32
points, shooting 15-of-20 from the field.
"I just took the open shots off the plays we ran," Wallace
said. "I just got the pass from Kenny (Anderson) or Aaron
(McKie) up top and I just took what they gave me. We were just
standing around last night in the loss. So, we came back in
here tonight and said as a team that we have to move with and
without the ball, and that's what we did out there tonight."
Portland's Anderson added 23 points and nine assists, including
12 points and six assists in the opening quarter. Isaiah Rider
had 14 for the Trail Blazers (2-2), who led 59-56 at halftime.
"The 10-0 start really helped us out because pretty much the
rest of the game they had to play the catch up game," said
Anderson. "We were able to set the pace."
Portland scored 17 of the first 21 points in the second half and
led, 76-60, with 5:30 left in the third quarter. The Blazers
outscored the Warriors in the period, 23-14.
"Offensively we played well in both halves," said Portland coach
P.J. Carlesimo. "The difference was that in the second half we
did a much better job on the defensive end. In the first half,
we couldn't stop them at all. It looked like the final score
was going to be 120-118. We got a little bit of a handle on it
in the second half."
"I think our key for the game was defense," said Rider. "I
think we held them to 37 points in the second half and more
times than not when you hold a team to 37 points in one half and
keep it up offensively, you are going to win the game."
Joe Smith scored 18 points and Chris Mullin added 16 for the
Warriors (1-2), who fell to 0-2 at home. Golden State has lost
its last three home games, dating back to last season.
Golden State trailed by 12 after the third quarter. The
Warriors could get no closer than 95-82 midway through the final
period on a pair of Joe Smith free-throws.
Rookie forward Ray Owes had 15 points and 12 rebounds in 24
minutes for the Warriors.
nba.1319vpoznanovic,
SAN ANTONIO (74) AT CLEVELAND (68)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 42 5-9 6-9 2 5 7 2 2 0 1 17
SMITH F 12 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 5 0 3 2
ANDERSON C 44 2-4 0-0 1 12 13 2 2 1 0 4
JOHNSON G 42 3-9 3-4 0 3 3 6 0 1 2 9
DEL NEGRO G 22 5-9 4-4 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 14
HERRERA 17 4-7 2-4 0 0 0 0 2 1 4 10
MAXWELL 26 3-10 1-2 0 1 1 2 2 1 3 8
KEMPTON 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
D WILKINS 26 3-9 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 0 3 8
ALEXANDER 6 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
M WILLIAMS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
W PERDUE DNP - FRACTURED LEFT THUMB
TOTALS 240 27-61 16-23 4 24 28 17 16 4 16 74
(.443) (.696) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 16(17 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 42 6-17 0-0 2 9 11 1 4 1 2 12
HILL F 30 4-9 3-8 6 4 10 0 3 0 4 11
WEST C 11 2-3 0-0 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 4
BRANDON G 41 8-18 3-4 0 2 2 4 1 3 2 21
SURA G 38 3-12 0-0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 7
FERRY 18 0-6 0-0 1 1 2 1 4 0 0 0
POTAPENKO 26 4-6 0-0 3 2 5 4 1 2 5 8
THOMAS 10 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 0 0 0
LANG 11 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3
GEARY 7 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2
MARSHALL 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
PHILLS DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 29-78 7-14 15 25 40 20 22 6 15 68
(.372) (.500) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 17(16 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 15 16 19 24 - 74
CLEVELAND 13 21 21 13 - 68
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - ANDERSON 5, JOHNSON 3, ELLIOTT. CLEVELAND -
MILLS 2, SURA, THOMAS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 4-13 (.308), ELLIOTT 1-2, DEL NEGRO 0-2,
MAXWELL 1-5, D WILKINS 2-4. CLEVELAND 3-14 (.214), MILLS 0-3, BRANDON 2-5,
SURA 1-3, FERRY 0-2, THOMAS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SAN ANTONIO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3.
OFFICIALS: DAVID JONES, DAN CRAWFORD, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 15,587. T - 2:17.
SAN ANTONIO (74) AT CLEVELAND (68)
Sean Elliott scored five of his 17 points in the final 48
seconds and Vinny Del Negro added 14 points to lead the San
Antonio Spurs to a 74-68 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland led 55-50 after three quarters and had a 60-52 cushion
with 8:49 left before the Spurs went on an 16-3 run to take the
lead for good. Vernon Maxwell scored seven straight points to
tie the game, Avery Johnson hit a jumper with 3:03 to play for a
65-63 lead and Elliott made a free throw and basket for a
five-point advantage with 47.6 seconds remaining.
San Antonio has won seven straight games over the Cavs,
including the last three at Cleveland. The Spurs tied a
franchise low with 31 first-half points and came within three
points of their record low for a game.
The Cavs, who have lost their last five home openers, haven't
beaten the Spurs since a 127-90 rout on March 23rd, 1993. The
team had won its first two games on the road in New Jersey and
Washington.
Terrell Brandon netted 21 points for Cleveland, Chris Mills
chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds and Tyrone Hill had 11 and
10. The Cavs shot a measly 37 percent (29-of-78) from the floor
and 50 percent (7-of-14) from the foul line, but outrebounded
the Spurs, 40-28.
"The Spurs did the things they had to do to win and it's to
their credit," Cavs coach Mike Fratello said. "What they did
was regroup, collect themselves and they played terrific down
the stretch. We were bad defensively and we were worse
offensively. That kind of sums up the whole thing."
Greg Anderson pulled down 13 rebounds and blocked five shots for
San Antonio, which is playing without star center David
Robinson. The Spurs have yet to score as many as 80 points this
season.
Cleveland used a 16-2 surge to open a 50-33 lead with 6:29 left
in the third quarter. But Dominique Wilkins came off the bench
to score eight points in a 17-5 spurt to close out the period
and cut the gap to five points.
"I think maybe they relaxed a bit," said Spurs coach Bob Hill.
"I kind of got that sense when they got control of the game and
perhaps they relaxed and we came out of a timeout, got a bucket,
got some momentum and got right back into the game. We ran a
lot of offense through Sean Elliott in the post and he did a
good job of getting out of double teams."
"We had two guys (Wilkins, Maxwell) come off the bench who
provided a big spark for us," Elliott added. "Those guys can
score in a hurry and tonight they did it for us by hitting some
big, big shots."
Cleveland came a point away from its record low of 67 points,
set against Portland in 1977 and equaled at Boston in 1995. The
team had surprisingly scored in the 90s in both of its previous
outings this season.
"It was kind of discouraging because we felt we had the Spurs
buried, but they hit some key shots," Brandon said. "We just
didn't execute down the stretch, which is something we had been
doing."
nba.1320vpoznanovic,
VANCOUVER (73) AT CHICAGO (96)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 31 5-11 1-2 3 1 4 1 2 1 3 11
MOBLEY F 19 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 2
REEVES C 33 4-14 3-3 2 3 5 2 1 1 1 11
ANTHONY G 30 4-11 1-2 0 3 3 5 1 3 3 13
PEELER G 28 3-11 0-0 2 3 5 2 3 0 4 8
ROGERS 23 4-8 0-2 4 1 5 1 5 0 2 8
B EDWARDS 20 2-6 0-0 0 5 5 2 2 0 0 5
LYNCH 19 2-6 2-6 1 3 4 1 2 0 1 7
MAYBERRY 18 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 2 2 4
MOTEN 14 1-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2
CHILCUTT 5 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-81 7-15 15 22 37 16 19 7 20 73
(.358) (.467) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 20(29 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RODMAN F 36 6-11 1-2 8 11 19 3 1 0 2 13
PIPPEN F 33 5-12 4-5 3 4 7 8 1 1 4 14
LONGLEY C 28 2-7 4-4 2 3 5 3 5 0 3 8
JORDAN G 31 9-18 1-1 2 5 7 3 2 4 4 22
HARPER G 23 2-5 4-5 2 2 4 0 1 2 1 8
BROWN 20 3-8 0-2 2 2 4 3 2 1 0 7
KUKOC 25 6-15 1-1 2 4 6 5 2 1 3 14
KERR 20 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 8
WENNINGTON 10 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
BUECHLER 8 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0
SIMPKINS 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-86 15-20 21 35 56 26 18 10 19 96
(.430) (.750) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 19(17 PTS)
VANCOUVER 27 16 13 17 - 73
CHICAGO 25 32 19 20 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS 2, REEVES, B EDWARDS. CHICAGO -
LONGLEY 5, PIPPEN, HARPER, KUKOC.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 8-18 (.444), ABDUR-RAHIM 0-1, ANTHONY 4-5,
PEELER 2-5, B EDWARDS 1-2, LYNCH 1-2, MAYBERRY 0-2, MOTEN 0-1. CHICAGO
7-20 (.350), RODMAN 0-1, PIPPEN 0-4, JORDAN 3-5, HARPER 0-1, BROWN 1-1,
KUKOC 1-2, KERR 2-5, BUECHLER 0-1.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - B EDWARDS.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, HANK ARMSTRONG, GREG WILLARD.
A - 23,726. T - 1:59.
VANCOUVER (73) AT CHICAGO (96)
Michael Jordan scored 22 points and Toni Kukoc and Scottie
Pippen added 14 apiece as the Chicago Bulls used a pair of
second-quarter runs to pull away from the Vancouver Grizzlies
and coast to a 96-73 victory.
The Grizzlies led 27-25 after the first quarter, but the Bulls
oustcored them in the decisive period, 32-16. With the game
tied at 29, Pippen tipped in a shot with 8:24 to go in the half,
sparking a 13-4 burst that culminated in a three-pointer by
Steve Kerr with 5:02 to play.
Dennis Rodman, who had 13 points and 19 rebounds, sparked a 7-1
run in the quarter's final minutes by hitting a driving layup
for a 57-40 advantage. Pippen had 10 points in the quarter and
Rodman added eight rebounds.
Pippen, Ron Harper and Luc Longley sat out the fourth quarter,
while Jordan and Rodman were removed with 8:23 to play and the
Bulls ahead, 83-56. Jordan hit 9-of-18 shots, added seven
rebounds and had four steals for Chicago, which led by as many
as 32.
"It took us a quarter to get used to them," Jordan said. "But it
showed the character of this team. In the second quarter, we
were able to use our defensive game. And tonight Dennis decided
to get in the game offensively. Up until tonight, he had been
one-dimensional. Tomorrow will be a good battle for us against
Miami. We're traveling all night and they'll be waiting for us."
"They are world champions because of the way they played
tonight," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters said. "They're good
offensively and terriffic defensively. They went up about 10
points and then they put the defensive pressure on us. We
couldn't find a way to make a basket. We're a young team, but we
have to play better than the way we played tonight."
Greg Anthony had 12 of his 13 points in the first quarter for
the Grizzlies, who have dropped their first three games. Bryant
Reeves added 11 and rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 10.
"My job on this team is to make sure that the young guys don't
take losses like tonight too hard," Anthony said. "I'm here to
remind them this is only one loss no matter how devastating the
night was. It's still only one game. The Bulls are the best
basketball team in the league no question. They are simply where
all other teams would like to be."
The Grizzlies shot just 35 percent (29-of-81) from the floor and
missed 8-of-15 free throws. Chicago also outrebounded
Vancouver, 56-37.
The Bulls, who won five straight to start last year's
record-breaking season, have opened with three straight wins for
just the sixth time in franchise history.
nba.1321vpoznanovic,
Fifteen nominees for hoops Hall of Fame
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Seven players, seven coaches and one contributor
were nominated Tuesday for election to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Players Alex English, Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson, Bobby Jones, Sidney
Moncrief, Jo Jo White and Jamaal Wilkes and coaches Pete Carril, Alex
Hannum, Don Haskins, Jim Phelan, Jerry Tarkanian, John Thompson and
Tex Winter were nominated along with contributor Lee Williams.
Nominees from the Women's, Veteran's and International Screening
Committee's will be released later this week.
English, Hannum, Jones and Moncrief are new nominees. The other
candidates have been nominated previously. An individual needs 18 of
24 votes from the Honors Committee for induction. The new inductees
will be named on Feb. 3, 1997.
Alex English -- The first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points
in eight straight seasons. An eight-time NBA All-Star, English ranks
seventh all-time in NBA scoring with 21,645 career points. He led the
Denver Nuggets to nine straight playoff appearances.
Dennis Johnson -- One of only 16 NBA players to score 15,000 points
and dish out 5,000 assists. A tremendous defensive specialist, Johnson
won NBA championships with the Seattle SuperSonics and Boston Celtics.
Gus Johnson -- The prototype power forward in the 1960s and early
1970s, was a four-time NBA All-Star with the Baltimore Bullets. A
defensive force, Johnson was twice voted to the NBA's All-Defensive
First Team. He averaged 17.1 ppg and 12.7 rpg during his nine-year NBA
career.
Bobby Jones -- A four-time NBA All-Star with Denver and Philadelphia,
was a fixture in the NBA playoffs 12 straight seasons. He helped
Philadelphia win the 1983 NBA title and was voted to the NBA's
All-Defensive First Team eight consecutive years.
Sidney Moncrief -- A five-time NBA All-Star with the Milwaukee Bucks
and a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Led the Bucks to
seven consecutive Central Division titles and three Eastern Conference
Finals.
Jo Jo White -- Played in seven NBA All-Star Games and led the Boston
Celtics to NBA titles in 1974 and 1976. Named MVP of the 1976 Finals
and earned a Gold Medal playing for the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team.
Jamaal Wilkes -- Won NCAA titles at UCLA in 1972 and 1973 and captured
NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and the Los
Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982 and 1985. NBA Rookie of the Year in 1975,
Wilkes was a three-time NBA All-Star.
Pete Carril -- Led Princeton to 514 wins in 29 seasons, including 13
Ivy League championships, ten 20 plus-win seasons, 13 postseason
appearances and the 1975 NIT championship.
Alex Hannum -- The only coach in professional basketball history to
win an NBA (1967 with the Philadelphia Warriors) and an ABA (1969
Oakland Oaks) championship. Coached nine Hall of Famers and coached 16
professional seasons.
Don Haskins -- Has led the University of Texas-El Paso to 17 20-plus
win seasons, a 678-313 record, a mark that includes the 1966 NCAA
title with the first all-black starting lineup. Tied for fifth place
on the NCAA's all-time victory list, Haskins' record includes seven
WAC titles, 14 NCAA tournament berths and seven NIT's.
Jim Phelan -- Has coached Mt. St. Mary's for 42 seasons and his 758
wins ranks sixth on the all-time win list and second among active
coaches. Has led 15 teams to the NCAA tournament, including five trips
to the NCAA Division II Final Four and a College Division championship
in 1962.
Jerry Tarkanian -- Is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach by
percentage (.826). Has never suffered a losing season in 25 years. His
teams have won 20 or more games 30 times and his 647 victories ranks
11th among active coaches. Led UNLV to the 1990 NCAA title. Currently
coaching Fresno State.
John Thompson -- Led Georgetown to the 1984 NCAA title, three NCAA
Final Fours in 1982, 1984 and 1985 and 14 consecutive NCAA tournament
appearances. Under Thompson, Georgetown has made 22 consecutive
postseason appearances (19 NCAA, three NIT). He owns a 553-208 career
record.
Tex Winter -- An assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls has won NBA
titles in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996. A veteran of 49 coaching seasons,
Winter was head coach in college or the NBA for 32 seasons and guided
Kansas State to eight Big Eight Conference championships and four
Final Fours.
Lee Williams -- Former Executive Director of the Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame, was instrumental in creating the first Hall
of Fame on the Springfield College campus in 1968 and then moving it
to an $11.5 million state-of-the-art museum in 1985.
nba.1322vpoznanovic,
NBA list of 50 greatest misses mark often: other notes
(Nov 5, 1996 - 10:30 EST) -- The National Basketball Association has
long been known as a league built on marketing. Commissioner David
Stern has managed to package the game and ship it off to just about
every corner of the world, finding most audiences can't get enough of
it.
By naming the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History," Stern and his
marketers have scored another coup, perhaps without even trying.
The reaction to the list has been swift and strong, with several
omitted players complaining and wondering about the relative merits of
the chosen ones. Fans, media members and observers also have been
evaluating the selections and ruminating over their worthiness.
Should Shaquille O'Neal have made it after just four seasons in the
league (and no rings on any of his fingers)? Does Jerry Lucas really
belong? How could they exclude Chet Walker or Gail Goodrich? Is it
true Bob Cousy was left out of the original list?
It all makes for great debate over a couple of beverages and keeps the
league's name at the forefront even before the season starts.
Bob McAdoo, now an assistant with the Miami Heat, was among those
upset at being left off. Of the 19 players to win the MVP award in the
league's 50-year history, he's the only one not on the list.
"I look at some of the people on that list and I should be on there,"
McAdoo said. "The biggest glare is Bill Walton. He only played two
full seasons. He had one good year."
When asked about O'Neal, McAdoo said: "What's with that? That's
ridiculous too. (He) hasn't done anything but make a lot of money."
The injury-plagued Walton averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds while
playing in just 468 games in 10 seasons, winning an NBA title in 1977
and the MVP award the next year.
McAdoo averaged 22.1 points and 9.4 rebounds in 14 seasons, winning
titles with the Lakers in 1982 and '85.
Does he have a case? How about rebounder extraordinaire Dennis Rodman?
His coach thinks he belongs.
"Dennis wasn't on the list?" Phil Jackson said. "That's surprising.
Dennis has done something that people just don't know about. He has
led the NBA in five consecutive years in rebounding. That is an
extremely impressive stat."
As always, Rodman had a say on the matter.
"It doesn't really faze me," he said. "All the NBA wants is choirboys.
The NBA is so messed up."
Maybe, but it knows how to get people to pay attention.
* * *
NOT SO EASY RIDER: It didn't take Isaiah Rider long to create his own
mess in Portland, just like he had in Minnesota and previously at
Nevada-Las Vegas. The Oakland native just has a knack for those
things.
First Rider missed an exhibition game at Corvallis, Ore., and was
suspended for the season opener. Then late Wednesday night he was
cited for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana.
Not content with the infraction, which is deemed non-criminal in
Clackamas County, Ore., Rider became defiant toward deputies, refusing
to accept the citation, then crumbling it and throwing it on the
ground.
He didn't sound too repentant when talking to reporters covering the
Trail Blazers, saying, "The cops didn't find a damn thing on me, but
I'm a big name. I happened to be in someone else's car, so it's kind
of messed up."
Coming on the heels of Rider's failure to show up for last Sunday's
exhibition, the episode must have sent a chill down the spine of the
Blazers' brass.
His former teammates, meanwhile, are struggling to keep from wagging a
finger and saying, "I told you so."
Said a Timberwolves player who did not want to be identified: "First
of all, I wouldn't have missed the bus. If I did, I would have found a
way to get to the game. Some spots on a leopard just don't change."
And that was before the drug citation.
* * *
THORPE ROLLS ON: The Pistons' Otis Thorpe is closing in on some
impressive milestones in a career remarkable as much for its
achievements as for the understated manner in which he's accomplished
them.
Starting his 13th season this weekend, Thorpe is looking to play in
his 1,000th game (he's at 955), score his 15,000th point (14,841) and
grab his 9,000th rebound (8,566).
Thorpe is perhaps most proud of having missed just 25 regular-season
games in his career, playing all 82 in nine seasons.
"When I came in, the life expectancy in the NBA was three or four
years," he said. "I said, 'Just let me get through my first contract.'
Then, 'Let me make it to 10 years.' Now I look at every day as a
bonus."
Pistons point guard Kenny Smith played with Thorpe in Sacramento and
Houston and appreciates his value.
"I've watched the strongest guys in the NBA play against him every
night," Smith said, "and it seems like those guys always go to finesse
games. Nobody tries to outpower Otis Thorpe. You look up the term
power forward and you will find the name Otis Thorpe."
* * *
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE: Mavericks management has sent a strong message of
its commitment to winning by eating more than $2.5 million in
guaranteed money owed forward-center Terry Davis and guard Jimmy King.
Both were beaten out of jobs in the preseason and were waived.
King, a former member of Michigan's Fab Five, cost the Mavs more than
money ($330,000). He was acquired along with a second-round draft pick
in a trade with the Toronto Raptors for strong rebounding forward
Popeye Jones and a first-round pick.
* * *
Philadelphia's Stan Brown -- who was 18 years and 4 months old when
he debuted in 1947 -- was the youngest player in league history until
this year. On opening night the Lakers' Kobe Bryant was 18 years, 2
months and 8 days, while the Blazers' Jermaine O'Neal (starting the
season on the injured list) was 18 years and 3 weeks old. ... Pistons
veteran Rick Mahorn on the new Grant Hill Bar: "I've been around for
all these candy bars. I was around when Reggie Jackson had his, when
Isiah (Thomas) had his. Hell, I was around when Babe Ruth had his, and
that's the only one that's still around." ... The Magic say they have
a fair amount of circumstantial evidence to show the Lakers tampered
with Shaq, but "no smoking gun," in the words of team president Bob
Vander Weide, so they won't be filing tampering charges. ... In the
absence of injured point guard Brent Price, Matt Maloney has won the
starting job for the Rockets, with fellow rookies Emanual Davis and
Randy Livingston as his backups. ... Bucks veteran Joe Wolf, who
played against Kevin Garnett twice in the preseason, believes the
Timberwolves' sensation is now a 7-footer. "He's got to be over 7 foot
now," said Wolf. "He's got to be still growing. He was towering over
me." They're both listed as 6-11.
* * *
THE LAST WORD: "It's an honor. But David Stern didn't send a check
with it, so it's not that great of an honor."-- Hornets coach and
former Celtic Dave Cowens, on being named to the list of 50 greatest
players in NBA history.
nba.1323vpoznanovic,
Japanese stare at Nets' 'Mr. Big'
TOKYO (Nov 5, 1996 - 13:30 EST) -- Shawn Bradley of the New Jersey
Nets is getting a lot of attention in Tokyo, and he hasn't even played
a game yet.
"I'm getting a lot of looks," said the 7-foot-6 center, who is in
Japan for games against the Orlando Magic on Thursday and Saturday.
Bradley was mobbed by Japanese reporters Tuesday after the Nets held
their first practice at the Tokyo Dome. The big question -- how does
it feel to be so tall?
"I guess it happens no matter where I am," he said. "But I love being
7-6."
The NBA has held regular season games in Japan every other year since
1990, when it became the first professional U.S. league to play
regular games outside North America.
The games have generally played to standing-room-only crowds, and have
helped feed a boom in the popularity of the game -- or at least of NBA
and basketball-related products -- in Japan.
The league's growing popularity prompted sponsors to move this year's
games to the Tokyo Dome, the largest stadium in Tokyo. It can hold
about 60,000 fans when set up for baseball, its usual configuration.
Orlando coach Brian Hill said he was concerned that the long trip to
Japan might affect his team, but, overall, thinks it could be a plus.
"We have three practices here, and three more once we get back to get
our act together before we have to play again," he said.
Rony Seikaly, acquired in a trade last week, will be making his debut
with the Magic.
"I might not be in great shape, I don't know," he said. "I haven't
played."
And though Hill said he is confident Seikaly will strengthen the team,
he said it might take a little time.
"We have seven players that weren't on our roster last year," he said.
"We'll just see how everybody fits in as we move through the next
couple of weeks."
nba.1324vpoznanovic,
Wilkens a father figure and coach to Ehlo
SEATTLE (Nov 5, 1996 - 07:48 EST) -- Craig Ehlo of the Seattle
SuperSonics says it's not going too far to claim that he and Lenny
Wilkens had something of a father-son relationship the last 10 years.
"It wasn't like I went to his house for barbecues or he came to my
house for barbecues," Ehlo said. "But as far as knowing how I felt, he
could always read how I was feeling and he knew the right thing to
say."
It was Wilkens, then the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who plucked
Ehlo from the Continental Basketball Association in January of 1987
and found him a valuable role on an up-and-coming team.
Ehlo had landed in the CBA after playing sparingly in three seasons at
Houston, but Wilkens loved Ehlo's tenacious style and willingness to
do whatever was asked, traits that soon made the former Washington
State star a fan favorite in Cleveland.
And when it was time for both men to move on after the 1993 season, it
was Wilkens who brought Ehlo with him to Atlanta, where Ehlo again
became such a fan favorite that he was one of only five NBA players
selected to help carry the Olympic torch to Atlanta for the 1996
Games.
But like all such relationships, inevitably the son becomes a man and
leaves home, to prove himself on his own.
"It's not that I was becoming stagnant or what he was saying was
becoming redundant," Ehlo said. "But basketball was becoming old to
me."
Ehlo didn't leave the Hawks by choice, being cut when the team needed
the salary cap room to sign free agent center Dikembe Mutombo. Ehlo
then signed with Seattle as a free agent, and Tuesday night faces
Wilkens for the first time since then when Atlanta comes to KeyArena
for a 7 p.m. game.
"He's the only coach I've ever really had in the NBA and it will be
really awkward to see him on the other side," Ehlo said.
But Ehlo says leaving Atlanta for Seattle has given him a new
basketball life.
"Coming into a new situation, a different philosophy, has given me a
rekindled spirit," Ehlo said. "I'm feeling a little bit reborn. It's
an opportunity to learn something different. I had done what he had
taught me for 10 years. Basketball can become dull sometimes."
In fact, Ehlo said he was considering retiring to his home in the
Spokane area when he was cut by Atlanta, unless a team such as the
Bulls or the Sonics called.
"I was thinking if something didn't make me jump at it right away, the
NBA was finished for me," Ehlo said. "I'd had my hey day, I'd made my
money and had the fun of playing against the Michael Jordans."
But Seattle did call, the day after the team signed Jim McIlvaine, who
like Ehlo is represented by Ron Grinker. Ehlo signed a guaranteed
three-year deal worth a reported $357,500 this year, down considerably
from the $1.8 million he earned last season and probably less than he
could have gotten from some other teams.
But Ehlo wants the chance to win a title, having never gotten further
than the Eastern Conference Finals with Cleveland in 1992. "If it was
the chance to compete for a title, I knew I couldn't turn down
something like that," Ehlo said.
Ehlo won't really be renewing too many old acquaintances as the Hawks
have only six players returning from the team from last year. Along
with getting rid of Ehlo, the Hawks cut several other veterans and
also traded Stacy Augmon and Grant Long to Detroit to free up the
money to sign Mutombo.
"I don't fault them at all," Ehlo said. "That was their plan, their
business decision."
But Ehlo said he doesn't think it made Atlanta a better team in the
short term, particularly because the team now has virtually no
experienced depth.
"The nucleus of that team now is fairly young so it should take a
couple of years," Ehlo said. "The one thing I've learned in this
league is that the bench wins you a lot of games. I wouldn't question
their depth, but I would say it's not real deep."
Experienced depth is exactly why Seattle got Ehlo, who is used to
coming off the bench. The 6-foot-7 Ehlo can play at either small
forward or big guard, defends well and is a career 37 percent 3-point
shooter.
So far, he's displayed mostly the defense in two games with Seattle,
helping spark a 21-7 second-quarter run that blew open the victory
Saturday over Portland. But through two games, Ehlo has made only
three of 11 field goals (27 percent) and one of four 3-pointers while
averaging 3.5 points.
"Craig has played very well for us, but he hasn't shot the ball well,"
said Sonics coach George Karl. "But I thought in the second quarter
(against Portland) he and (Hersey Hawkins) were great defensively."
Ehlo said he expects the transition to be gradual.
"I feel real comfortable in practice because there is no real
pressure," Ehlo said. "In the game itself, I feel a little
uncomfortable sometimes on where I should throw the ball and where I
should be. The other night, I made a baseline cut and threw it back to
Sam (Perkins) and he wasn't ready for my pass. He thought I was going
to shoot.
"It's just a matter of playing together. You can't do it over night.
By the end of December, the beginning of January, I should be
comfortable with everything."
But Ehlo wouldn't mind if the coming-out party started tonight so he
could show he has heeded the final advice he received from Wilkens
after being cut by the Hawks.
"He just said 'Here you go, you are out on your own now, I can't take
care of you anymore,"' Ehlo said.
Words any father eventually has to say.
nba.1325vpoznanovic,
>> Kako si platio pretplatu?
Kad su ~uli odakle sam, dali su mi je besplatno.
Zezam se :), preko prijatelja koji tamo živi.
nba.1326vpoznanovic,
Izgleda da su nam već na samom početku Karići uradili ono što im prezime
kazuje. ;(( Od najavljenog prijenosa utakmice Chicago-Miami nije bilo
ništa, a koliko sam mogao da vidim prateći program i čekajući zvaničnu
najavu, nije dato nikakvo obrazloženje zbog čega. Ostaje da se nadamo da
će bar večeras dati snimku.
A utakmica je bila baš onakva kakva se očekivala, borbena i neizvjesna.
Miami je fantastično krenuo, ubjedljivo dobio prvu četvrtinu i u drugu
ušao kao ravnopravan protivnik. Tada stvar u svoje ruke preuzima Jordan.
Bullsi u završnici poluvremena uspijevaju da preokrenu rezultat, a
početkom treće i da povećaju razliku na čitavih 15 poena. Kad se činilo
da je već sve gotovo, Miami počinje da se vraća u igru. Na tridesetak
sekundi prije kraja dolaze na samo 4 poena, ali tu se i zaustavljaju.
Šampioni nisu dozvolili nikakvo iznenađenje. Epilog: Jordan 50, Mourning
33 poena, Rodman 22 (9 u napadu), Mourning 19 (8 u napadu) skokova,
Danilović veoma dobar iz polja - šut 5-7 (ukupno 15 poena), ali i 6
prekršaja. Uostalom, evo, pogledajte i sami.
nba.1327vpoznanovic,
CHICAGO (106) AT MIAMI (100)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 43 6-17 3-4 3 4 7 5 3 2 2 17
RODMAN F 41 0-3 2-4 9 13 22 4 4 1 2 2
LONGLEY C 30 4-7 2-2 4 3 7 3 1 2 2 10
HARPER G 27 4-8 0-1 1 2 3 3 3 0 1 10
JORDAN G 40 18-33 13-14 1 5 6 0 1 1 0 50
KUKOC 27 4-9 2-3 0 1 1 2 4 2 4 11
BROWN 11 0-4 0-2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
BUECHLER 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
KERR 16 2-6 2-2 1 1 2 2 2 1 0 6
WENNINGTON 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SIMPKINS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-88 24-32 19 30 49 20 19 9 11 106
(.432) (.750) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 13(22 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 43 4-14 0-0 1 6 7 1 1 0 1 8
THOMAS F 27 3-6 3-4 2 5 7 1 5 0 2 9
MOURNING C 41 12-21 9-14 8 11 19 4 4 1 1 33
HARDAWAY G 38 6-15 5-5 0 2 2 3 1 1 3 18
DANILOVIC G 28 5-7 2-2 0 0 0 1 6 0 1 15
BROWN 26 3-5 0-0 1 3 4 2 6 0 2 6
ASKINS 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
GRANT 11 1-3 1-2 0 2 2 1 1 1 2 3
AUSTIN 6 2-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 4
LENARD 11 2-7 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 4
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-81 20-27 13 31 44 13 27 4 13 100
(.469) (.741) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 14(19 PTS)
CHICAGO 19 38 26 23 - 106
MIAMI 30 23 20 27 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - LONGLEY, JORDAN, KUKOC. MIAMI - MOURNING 4,
AUSTIN 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 6-19 (.316), PIPPEN 2-6, HARPER 2-5, JORDAN
1-2, KUKOC 1-1, BROWN 0-1, KERR 0-4. MIAMI 4-24 (.167), MAJERLE 0-8,
HARDAWAY 1-6, DANILOVIC 3-4, ASKINS 0-1, GRANT 0-1, LENARD 0-4.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - RODMAN, MIAMI - THOMAS.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, BILL SPOONER, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 15,200. T - 2:23.
CHICAGO (106) AT MIAMI (100)
Michael Jordan scored 50 points and Dennis Rodman grabbed a
season-high 22 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls remained unbeaten
with a 106-100 victory over the Miami Heat.
Jordan had double figures in all four quarters and has reached
50 points against 18 different teams. The eight-time scoring
champion scored 56 in a playoff game at Miami in 1992.
"The scenario tonight was perfect for a competitor," Jordan
said. "The club missed a lot of opportunities but I was in my
rhythm. I don't have to score 50 points every night for us to
win but we didn't get the normal support from our bench."
Rodman, who has won five straight rebounding titles, has pulled
down 41 rebounds in his last two games. Scottie Pippen scored
17 points for Chicago (4-0), which won its first five games last
season en route to a record 72 wins and an NBA championship.
"I get paid to take the bumps and grinds every night," Rodman
said. "When we're down, we never panic, we just keep on
playing."
The Bulls trailed 47-36 with 4:10 to go in the second quarter
before Jordan scored nine points in a 20-6 run that closed the
period. Pippen sank a three-pointer with two seconds left that
gave Chicago a 54-53 lead and Jordan stole the inbounds pass and
made another three-pointer at the buzzer.
Jordan and Ron Harper scored five points apiece in a 10-0 burst
that started the second half and gave the Bulls a 67-53 cushion
with 8:08 left in the period.
"It changed the momentum of the game," Jordan said. "We jumped
right on them in the third quarter and before you knew it, we
were up 13, 14 points."
"As a team, we worked too hard to get ourselves in a situation
where we're going to give a gift to the world champions with a
seven-minute run," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "They're too
good. They don't need any help."
Chicago led 84-73 entering the final 12 minutes, but Miami cut
it to 100-96 with 32 seconds to go on a hoop by Alonzo Mourning,
who had 33 points and 19 rebounds. But Harper had a transition
hoop to put the game away. Jordan had 12 points in the period.
Toni Kukoc scored 11 points and Harper and Luc Longley added 10
apiece for the Bulls, who shot just 43 percent (38-of-88) from
the field, including 18-of-33 by Jordan.
Tim Hardaway scored 18 points and Sasha Danilovic added 15 for
the Heat (2-1), who shot 47 percent (38-of-81) and took their
first loss of the season.
Miami fell to 5-32 all-time against Chicago, including a playoff
sweep last season. Hardaway told a newspaper that he was going
to avenge that loss tonight and apparently, Jordan heard about
it.
"He (Jordan) came out as a personal challenge from Hardaway,"
Pippen said. "Whether he admits it or not, he saw what was
written in the paper."
"I like facing their team and I like playing against Riley,"
Jordan said. "A team like this makes you ready for the
playoffs. My job is to make him disappointed."
Mourning scored 13 points as Miami jumped to a 30-19 lead after
one quarter. Jordan kept Chicago in it with 15 points.
nba.1328vpoznanovic,
DALLAS (84) AT DETROIT (103)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 31 4-8 3-4 2 6 8 2 1 2 0 11
MEYER F 15 0-2 1-2 2 2 4 1 2 0 1 1
MONTROSS C 22 2-3 0-2 0 1 1 2 3 0 1 4
KIDD G 30 4-9 2-2 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 12
JACKSON G 32 4-12 0-0 0 3 3 4 3 2 2 10
GATLING 28 6-13 0-0 2 3 5 0 3 0 1 12
MILLER 14 0-1 1-2 2 1 3 2 3 0 1 1
HARPER 19 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 2 2 4
MASHBURN 21 5-12 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 14
ROBERTS 4 0-1 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 1 0
DUMAS 12 7-10 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 15
STRICKLAND 12 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2 0
TOTALS 240 34-77 7-12 10 23 33 21 22 7 14 84
(.442) (.583) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 14(18 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HUNTER F 39 6-15 0-0 0 5 5 3 1 1 2 16
LONG F 28 4-9 0-0 4 0 4 2 2 0 1 9
THORPE C 33 8-13 1-1 3 10 13 2 2 1 1 17
AUGMON G 33 3-4 6-6 0 3 3 3 2 3 2 12
DUMARS G 35 6-10 3-4 1 1 2 8 1 0 2 18
MILLS 23 3-8 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 0 0 7
SMITH 14 2-5 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 7
CURRY 19 2-4 4-6 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 9
MAHORN 8 1-5 4-4 2 4 6 0 1 0 1 6
WILLIAMS 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
RATLIFF 4 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
HILL DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT WRIST
TOTALS 240 36-76 20-23 12 28 40 19 12 6 12 103
(.474) (.870) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(12 PTS)
DALLAS 22 17 15 30 - 84
DETROIT 25 23 23 32 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MONTROSS 2. DETROIT - THORPE 2, AUGMON, RATLIFF.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 9-25 (.360), MCCLOUD 0-4, KIDD 2-4, JACKSON 2-6,
MASHBURN 4-8, DUMAS 1-2, STRICKLAND 0-1. DETROIT 11-22 (.500), HUNTER 4-9,
LONG 1-2, DUMARS 3-4, MILLS 1-3, SMITH 1-2, CURRY 1-2.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, GATLING, DETROIT - THORPE.
OFFICIALS: DAVID JONES, RON GARRETSON, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 14,473. T - 2:00.
DALLAS (84) AT DETROIT (103)
Joe Dumars scored 18 points and Otis Thorpe chipped in 17 and 13
rebounds as the Detroit Pistons improved to 4-0 with a 103-84
victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Lindsey Hunter added 16 points for Detroit, which played without
star forward Grant Hill, who is nursing a sore right wrist. Hill
played in Tuesday night's win over Philadelphia and came out for
warmups, but changed into street clothes for the game. X-rays
taken during the game were negative and he is listed as
day-to-day.
"It is good to know that if Grant steps out, that there are a
lot guys to pick up the slack," Detroit coach Doug Collins said.
"We have got a very competitive group of guys, we are going to
play them all and see what happens."
Tony Dumas scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter to
lead Dallas, which has dropped three straight games since a
season-opening triumph at Denver. Jamal Mashburn chipped in 14
points and Chris Gatling and Jason Kidd each had 12.
"We played a good first quarter," said Dallas coach Jim
Cleamons. "I think during the second half, we were just
physically tired and spent from last night. But the Pistons
played last night too so I can't make that excuse. I am not
accustomed to nights like this, but in an 82-game season, these
nights will occur."
Dumars netted eight points in a 14-3 run to close the first
quarter and give the Pistons a 25-22 lead. Detroit scored 23
points in each of the next two periods, but held the Mavs to 32
total points as the lead was bumped up to 71-54 heading into the
fourth.
The margin remained at 17 points until Stacey Augmon had six
points in a 17-6 burst, which gave the Pistons their biggest
advantage at 97-69 with 3:43 remaining.
Augmon tallied 12 points for Detroit, which shot 87 percent
(20-of-23) from the foul line and 50 percent (11-of-22) from
three-point range. Detroit had won its first three games by an
average of just under seven points per contest.
"We sat down as a team and broke the season apart," said Thorpe.
"We wanted to start on a good note and we did that. Now we can
just take things one game at a time."
George McCloud contributed 11 points and eight rebounds for
Dallas, which shot 44 percent (34-of-77) from the field and 58
percent (7-for-12) from the free-throw line. The team was
outrebounded, 40-33.
"The ball is just not going in for us," said Kidd. "Tonight we
were on a cold streak. We have played some quality teams. We
are learning what it will take to be successful. It is just a
matter of time."
nba.1329vpoznanovic,
INDIANA (84) AT BOSTON (94)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 38 5-9 0-0 3 8 11 6 5 4 4 11
D DAVIS F 34 4-6 0-2 1 9 10 0 4 0 1 8
A DAVIS C 27 5-13 2-2 6 2 8 3 4 1 3 12
WORKMAN G 29 4-6 0-0 1 2 3 3 1 1 2 8
MILLER G 37 9-21 6-7 2 3 5 3 3 0 2 28
ASKEW 24 2-3 1-2 0 1 1 1 4 1 1 5
BEST 14 2-5 2-5 0 0 0 1 4 1 3 6
ROSE 20 2-6 2-2 1 5 6 2 1 2 5 6
DAMPIER 10 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 5 0 2 0
ALLEN 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-71 13-20 15 31 46 20 31 10 23 84
(.465) (.650) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 24(38 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 21 2-10 0-2 1 3 4 2 2 1 3 5
RADJA F 37 11-18 1-1 6 5 11 2 3 1 3 23
ELLISON C 31 2-4 0-0 2 2 4 2 5 1 1 4
WESLEY G 43 7-10 3-3 0 2 2 6 2 2 4 19
FOX G 29 2-7 0-0 0 2 2 7 3 3 1 4
DAY 10 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 3
WILLIAMS 26 7-12 4-7 0 5 5 1 1 0 2 18
BRICKOWSKI 13 2-6 2-3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 6
BARROS 25 5-9 2-3 0 3 3 2 1 3 0 12
CONLON 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
LISTER DNP - ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR
SZABO DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-80 13-21 9 24 33 24 19 11 15 94
(.488) (.619) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 15(15 PTS)
INDIANA 30 28 8 18 - 84
BOSTON 17 18 38 21 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - A DAVIS 3, D DAVIS 2, MCKEY, ROSE. BOSTON -
ELLISON 3, RADJA, WESLEY, BRICKOWSKI.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 5-15 (.333), MCKEY 1-1, A DAVIS 0-1, MILLER
4-10, BEST 0-1, ROSE 0-2. BOSTON 3-12 (.250), WALKER 1-2, WESLEY 2-2, FOX
0-3, DAY 0-1, BRICKOWSKI 0-1, BARROS 0-3.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, NOLAN FINE, MIKE SMITH.
A - 14,467. T - 2:12.
INDIANA (84) AT BOSTON (94)
Dino Radja recorded 23 points and 11 rebounds and David Wesley
added 19 points as the Boston Celtics overcame a 23-point
halftime deficit to post a 94-84 victory over the Indiana
Pacers.
Boston trailed 58-35 at the intermission before outscoring the
Pacers, 38-8, in the third quarter. Eric Williams poured in 16
points and Radja had 13 over the decisive 12 minutes.
"That was a great feeling today in the third quarter, playing
defense," said Radja. "I knew someone would cover for me and I
was there for others. This is an Indiana team, this isn't like
Vancouver or somebody. This is a team which played in the
(Eastern Conference) finals."
Indiana remained close in the final period until Radja and Dana
Barros each tallied six points in a 12-3 run that gave Boston a
91-81 lead with 40 seconds to play.
Williams netted 18 points for Boston (1-2), which won for the
first time this season and made up for a 4-0 season sweep at the
hands of the Pacers last season.
"I think we needed a good half," said Williams. "We played
three halves about as poorly as you can play, the two in
Milwaukee and tonight in the first half. We had to go out there
with a gut check. M.L. (Carr) really got us pumped up in the
second half and got us to play real hard. Our team needed a lift
and I just tried to do anything I could to spark the team."
"You see what happens when you play good defense," Celtics
forward Rick Fox said. "Now it's up to us not to think we could
do that at any point in time. M.L. was probably the only one who
wasn't booing us or laughing at us. He could have joined in.
Nobody should have had to watch that basketball. It was
motivation enough being down by that much."
Reggie Miller scored 28 points and Derrick McKey had 11 and 11
boards for Indiana, which set franchise record lows with just
eight points in a quarter and 26 in a half. The eight points
are unofficially the lowest point total allowed by Boston in a
period.
"I don't know what lesson can be learned from tonight," said
Miller. "We got our behinds beat. I don't know if you can learn
anything from this. This is one of the worst losses I've ever
been associated with in this organization."
Boston scored the first seven points of the game, but Miller
netted 12 points in a 16-2 Pacer spurt that gave them a
seven-point advantage with 5:35 left in the period.
Newly-acquired Vincent Askew tallied five points in a 12-3 burst
to close the quarter and give Indiana a 30-17 lead.
The Pacers extended the gap in the second period and built their
largest lead of the game with 57.9 seconds left before halftime
when Jalen Rose hit a jumper to make it 58-32. Antonio Davis
and McKey each netted six in the quarter.
"It's kind of been the history of this team, we come out, get a
big lead and not understand how we got there and not continue to
play the same way," said Antonio Davis. "It's just something we
have to correct."
Antonio Davis had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Dale Davis
grabbed 10 boards for Indiana, which outrebounded the Celtics,
46-33.
nba.1330vpoznanovic,
LA LAKERS (78) AT CHARLOTTE (88)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CEBALLOS F 32 4-10 0-0 1 5 6 2 2 0 2 8
CAMPBELL F 24 4-14 2-2 3 6 9 1 4 0 2 10
ONEAL C 42 10-18 2-5 3 7 10 1 4 0 4 22
JONES G 39 7-8 0-0 1 0 1 6 4 0 2 16
VAN EXEL G 36 5-11 4-4 0 2 2 7 3 1 1 15
BLOUNT 22 0-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 0
SCOTT 18 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 2
FISHER 12 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 0
BRYANT 7 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5
ROOKS 8 0-0 0-0 0 4 4 1 1 0 1 0
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-72 8-11 9 31 40 22 19 1 16 78
(.458) (.727) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 41 7-13 5-6 1 6 7 7 3 1 2 19
GEIGER F 39 9-20 0-1 6 4 10 0 4 1 2 22
DIVAC C 17 0-2 0-0 1 3 4 1 2 1 1 0
CURRY G 41 5-11 3-4 1 1 2 2 0 2 3 14
GOLDWIRE G 25 1-4 4-4 0 1 1 5 5 1 0 6
BURRELL 22 1-7 1-1 2 3 5 3 2 0 0 3
SMITH 23 5-9 4-6 2 1 3 7 2 0 0 14
ZIDEK 19 5-10 0-0 3 3 6 0 2 0 2 10
DELK 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROSE 6 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0
BOGUES DNP - SORE LEFT KNEE
RICE DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 33-80 17-22 16 24 40 25 21 7 10 88
(.413) (.773) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 10(11 PTS)
LA LAKERS 18 23 26 11 - 78
CHARLOTTE 18 15 37 18 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL 2, BLOUNT 2, CAMPBELL, SCOTT, ROOKS.
CHARLOTTE - BURRELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 4-17 (.235), CEBALLOS 0-4, JONES 2-2, VAN
EXEL 1-6, SCOTT 0-2, FISHER 0-1, BRYANT 1-2. CHARLOTTE 5-17 (.294), GEIGER
4-6, DIVAC 0-1, CURRY 1-4, GOLDWIRE 0-2, BURRELL 0-2, ZIDEK 0-1, DELK 0-1.
TECHNICALS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL, ILLEGAL DEFENSE, CEBALLOS, CHARLOTTE -
MASON.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, BOB DELANEY, TED BERNHARDT.
A - 24,042. T - 1:59.
LA LAKERS (78) AT CHARLOTTE (88)
Seven-footer Matt Geiger had 22 points, including a career-high
four three-pointers, as the Charlotte Hornets dealt the Los
Angeles Lakers their first loss of the season, 88-78.
Geiger, a four-year veteran who entered the game 8-for-27 from
three-point range in his career, fueled a third-quarter run that
gave the Hornets the lead for good. He also added 10 rebounds.
"We started out wanting to control the tempo and not have a
running game which is what the Lakers have been doing," Hornets
coach Dave Cowens said. "We came out ready to play 48 minutes
hard with no turnovers. It is hard to play a back-to-back game
like Los Angeles did tonight. They were fatigued and came in
thinking they had an easy win. Sometimes, it is all in your
mind."
After a basket by Elden Campbell gave the Lakers a 50-44 lead
with 8:22 to go in the third, Geiger scored seven points in a
13-3 burst as Charlotte opened a 57-53 lead with 5:23 remaining
in the period.
The Lakers pulled within one to 72-71 with 8:15 to go on a dunk
by Shaquille O'Neal, who had a season-low 22 points and 10
boards. But the Hornets scored the next 10 points, including
five by former Laker Tony Smith, to open an 82-71 lead with 5:35
left. Los Angeles got no closer than six points thereafter.
"It was simply a matter of Charlotte playing a very good game
and we didn't," Lakers coach Del Harris said. "You have to
credit Charlotte with thremendous energy. Their bench beat our
bench. We were totally out of rhythem offensively, our exclusion
was very weak. We didn't screen very well either."
Anthony Mason scored 19 points and Dell Curry added 14 for the
Hornets (2-1), who allowed just 11 points in the fourth quarter.
Charlotte won despite the absence of injured guards Glen Rice
and Muggsy Bogues. Rice has a sprained left ankle and has yet
to play this season. Bogues has been plagued by a sore knee.
Eddie Jones scored 16 points and Nick Van Exel added 15 for the
Lakers (3-1), who were coming off a road win over the New York
Knicks. Rookie 18-year-old Kobe Bryant had his best game with
five points in seven minutes.
O'Neal scored 12 points in the first half as the Lakers opened a
41-33 lead.
Campbell had 10 points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles, which
shot 46 percent (33-of-72) from the field and attempted just 11
free throws, making eight.
Smith and Dell Curry scored 14 points each for Charlotte, which
shot 41 percent (33-of-80) but made 17-of-22 foul shots.
"Defense is defintely the key," Smith said. "It was great. They
were behind us all the way. We made some great plays down the
stretch. I'm not here to play for the critics. I've got to come
in and go do the job and try to help the team however I can."
nba.1331vpoznanovic,
SAN ANTONIO (86) AT WASHINGTON (96)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 42 5-13 8-9 1 5 6 3 2 1 3 18
SMITH F 27 3-9 2-2 1 5 6 2 3 0 0 8
ANDERSON C 28 2-2 3-7 4 7 11 1 1 0 1 7
DEL NEGRO G 20 5-7 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 1 0 11
JOHNSON G 36 4-15 0-0 1 1 2 11 3 3 2 8
HERRERA 21 1-7 2-4 1 5 6 1 1 0 0 4
MAXWELL 28 5-11 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 1 2 10
ALEXANDER 12 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 3
D WILKINS 24 5-12 3-4 2 2 4 0 0 2 1 13
M WILLIAMS 2 2-3 0-0 3 0 3 0 2 1 0 4
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
W PERDUE DNP - FRACTURED LEFT THUMB
TOTALS 240 33-83 18-26 14 30 44 19 16 10 11 86
(.398) (.692) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 12(18 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 42 9-19 4-4 3 9 12 3 3 0 4 22
GRANT F 25 1-5 0-0 2 1 3 1 3 0 0 2
WEBBER C 40 8-19 6-6 8 13 21 4 4 0 2 22
CHEANEY G 25 6-8 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 1 1 13
STRICKLAND G 35 5-11 6-6 0 4 4 7 1 0 0 16
MURRAY 22 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 2 8
WALLACE 14 0-0 0-2 1 2 3 0 0 0 3 0
JACKSON 24 2-7 1-1 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 7
WHITNEY 13 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 1 1 6
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - SORE LEFT KNEE
TOTALS 240 36-83 17-19 14 38 52 19 18 3 14 96
(.434) (.895) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 14(19 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 23 24 20 19 - 86
WASHINGTON 26 17 27 26 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - HERRERA 2, SMITH. WASHINGTON - WEBBER 2,
WALLACE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 2-15 (.133), ELLIOTT 0-3, DEL NEGRO 1-3,
JOHNSON 0-1, MAXWELL 0-1, ALEXANDER 1-3, D WILKINS 0-4. WASHINGTON 7-16
(.438), GRANT 0-1, CHEANEY 1-1, STRICKLAND 0-1, MURRAY 2-4, JACKSON 2-6,
WHITNEY 2-3.
TECHNICALS: SAN ANTONIO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, WASHINGTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, JOE BORGIA, KEN MAUER.
A - 17,110. T - 2:06.
SAN ANTONIO (86) AT WASHINGTON (96)
Chris Webber scored 22 points and grabbed a career-high 21
rebounds to lead the Washington Bullets to their first win at
home, a 96-86 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs.
Webber eclipsed his previous high of 20, set November 26th, 1994
against the Los Angeles Lakers. Gheorghe Muresan was the last
Bullet to grab 20 rebounds, getting 21 in a game last season.
Sean Elliott scored 18 points and Greg Anderson grabbed 11
rebounds for the Spurs (1-3), who were just 2-of-15 from
three-point range but ecliped 80 points for the first time this
season. San Antonio again played without injured All-Star
center David Robinson.
"I felt good tonight," said Webber. "I know I haven't rebounded
well, but tonight felt different. I know the first game I had
one and the second game I had nine. I am not comfortable with
the ball yet, but I hope it comes real quick. I have to take
advantage of them not having David (Robinson) and us not having
Gheorghe. I stepped it up, but I know I can still play better."
Juwan Howard had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Rod Strickland
added 16 and seven assists for the Bullets (2-1), who took a
70-67 lead into the fourth quarter, then held the Spurs to 19
points.
"We still can't take this team lightly without David, they are a
good team," said Webber. "We won the ballgame when we didn't
let them score in the fourth. This is the deepest we have been,
the healthiest we have been, except for Gheorghe. But he'll be
back next week."
The 7-7 Muresan is expected to be able to play on November 12th
when the Bullets host the Detroit Pistons.
Consecutive three-pointers by Chris Whitney and Tracy Murray
gave the Bullets a 79-70 lead with 9:22 to play. The Spurs
pulled within 79-74 on a pair free throws by Dominique Wilkins
midway through the period but got no closer.
"We got our perimeter people making threes tonight, which didn't
happen the first three games." Washington coach Jim Lynam said.
The Bullets, who held a 52-44 edge on the boards, helped
themselves by making 17-of-19 free throws. In an overtime loss
to Cleveland, Washington made just 12-of-28 foul shots.
Avery Johnson handed out 11 assists for San Antonio, which shot
just 39 percent (33-of-83).
"We have to adjust to our game without David right now and
tonight it just didn't work out," Spurs coach Bob Hill said. "We
just gave them way too many boards. In the fourth, our defense
was nowhere to be seen. We don't have any time estimate on when
we are getting him back so we have to bear down and make due
without him."
nba.1332vpoznanovic,
VANCOUVER (89) AT MILWAUKEE (105)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 31 9-20 0-0 0 4 4 0 3 0 4 18
MOBLEY F 20 2-2 3-5 3 2 5 1 4 0 4 7
REEVES C 36 1-8 1-2 4 7 11 3 4 2 3 3
ANTHONY G 30 4-7 4-8 0 1 1 7 2 1 1 12
PEELER G 26 1-9 0-0 0 2 2 4 2 1 1 2
ROGERS 16 3-4 0-0 2 2 4 0 5 1 4 6
B EDWARDS 26 7-13 4-5 0 0 0 0 4 1 2 18
MANNING 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
LYNCH 21 4-7 0-0 4 1 5 1 2 2 2 8
MAYBERRY 18 3-7 2-2 1 1 2 3 0 0 0 8
MOTEN 7 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 7
CHILCUTT 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 37-82 14-22 14 21 35 20 27 9 22 89
(.451) (.636) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 22(34 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 38 8-13 4-5 4 7 11 1 3 2 5 20
ROBINSON F 29 7-12 3-4 0 5 5 2 3 1 1 18
LANG C 20 1-4 0-0 1 7 8 0 3 1 1 2
ALLEN G 26 7-12 5-6 0 2 2 1 3 1 3 20
DOUGLAS G 22 2-7 2-2 3 3 6 8 1 1 3 6
NEWMAN 23 3-6 8-8 0 0 0 5 4 0 1 14
GILLIAM 32 5-13 5-7 5 1 6 1 3 3 2 15
HANCOCK 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
WOOD 14 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
PERRY 26 4-8 0-0 1 2 3 6 1 1 2 8
WOLF 6 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 2
RESPERT 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 240 38-77 27-32 14 30 44 24 23 10 21 105
(.494) (.844) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 21(14 PTS)
VANCOUVER 19 20 22 28 - 89
MILWAUKEE 24 26 23 32 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ABDUR-RAHIM. MILWAUKEE - BAKER 2, ROBINSON 2,
GILLIAM.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 1-10 (.100), REEVES 0-1, ANTHONY 0-1, PEELER
0-2, B EDWARDS 0-1, MAYBERRY 0-3, MOTEN 1-1, CHILCUTT 0-1. MILWAUKEE 2-11
(.182), ROBINSON 1-3, ALLEN 1-5, DOUGLAS 0-1, PERRY 0-1, RESPERT 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, BRUCE ALEXANDER, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 13,689. T - 2:08.
VANCOUVER (89) AT MILWAUKEE (105)
Vin Baker scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and rookie
Ray Allen added 20 points as the Milwaukee Bucks cruised to a
105-89 rout over the winless Vancouver Grizzlies.
Glenn Robinson added 18 points for the Bucks (3-0), who are off
to their best start since going 7-0 in 1971, when they were
coming off their only NBA championship.
"We stayed focused throughout the game," said Chris Ford, who
has yet to lose a game as the Bucks head coach. "We knocked off
the first three teams like we should have. We have two great
offensive players in Glenn Robinson and Vin Baker, who draw
double-teams and give the other guys a chance."
Rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Blue Edwards had 18 points each
for the struggling Grizzlies (0-4), who have lost their first
four games by a combined 78 points.
"Defensively, we were pretty good," said Vancouver coach Brian
Winters. "But it's hard to sustain defense if you don't make
baskets. I thought that we had good opportunities. We have put
the ball in the basket."
Vancouver also had trouble from the foul line, shooting 14-of-22
for 63.6 percent. The Grizzlies were also poor from
three-point range, hitting on only one of 10.
Milwaukee, which never trailed, went on a 10-0 run to open a
16-6 lead.
"This was a great win, but we've got some tough teams coming up
later this week who will really test us," said Baker. "We
haven't even played our best defensive game yet."
Baker's dunk concluded an 11-1 second-quarter spurt that saw the
Bucks take a 39-24 lead with 5:48 to go in the half. Vancouver
never got closer than nine thereafter and trailed by double
digits throughout the second half.
"Once you start winning games, you start believing that you can
win," said Milwaukee forward Armon Gilliam. "We've played good
basketball thus far. Teams will be looking to have a battle when
they play the Bucks."
nba.1333vpoznanovic,
Hill sits out Mavericks-Pistons game
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Nov 6, 1996 - 21:30 EST) -- After taking part in
warmups, Grant Hill of the Pistons sat on the bench in street clothes
Wednesday night as a sore wrist kept him out of Detroit's game against
the Dallas Mavericks.
Hill originally sprained his right wrist in Detroit's season opener
against Indiana, and he reported soreness after an 83-81 victory over
Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
X-rays were negative, and the Pistons said his status is day-to-day.
Hill, a two-year veteran, averaged 23.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 7.7
assists in Detroit's first three games. He was the only NBA player to
lead his team in all three categories last season.
Lindsey Hunter replaced Hill in the starting lineup.
nba.1334vpoznanovic,
Bucks may have some answers
MILWAUKEE (Nov 6, 1996 - 08:54 EST) -- There are two questions that
need to be asked about the Milwaukee Bucks:
1: Will they play defense?
2: What about Ray Allen?
Let us proceed with the second question first, since it is easier.
Young Mr. Allen, picked up in a trade for the Bucks' first-round pick,
Stephon Marbury, is a shooting guard, who, by all accounts, can
actually shoot.
The Bucks have been searching for shooting guards in the draft with
some regularity, but the drafted shooting guards have not been
shooting with all that much consistency. Todd Day, the Bucks'
first-round pick in 1992, now of the Celtics, never came close to
fulfilling his promise in Milwaukee. He also demonstrated an attitude
regarding defense that could best be described as carefree.
Last year, Shawn Respert was the equivalent of a first-round pick,
obtained in a trade. The Bucks, then and now, do not seem inclined to
find out about Respert by actually allowing him to play on a regular
basis.
At the very least, the law of averages is with the Bucks in the case
of Ray Allen. Also on their side is the fact that Allen is seen from
every quarter as a solid citizen. A team cannot have too many of this
sort in these difficult times. In fact, some teams cannot find any in
these difficult times.
You noted with distinct pleasure that, in his very first professional
appearance, a Bucks victory in Philadelphia on Friday night, Allen was
credited with three steals. The Bucks trailed the league in this
category last season, but then, you have to be somewhere near an
offensive player to record a steal.
So Allen, whatever else he accomplishes, could actually add something
to the Bucks' defense. That brings us back to Topic 1.
This is, we are told, a new day for the Milwaukee franchise. The Bucks
return only five players from last season, although when you lose 57
games, in might be argued that the appropriate number of returnees
would be zero. That group committed the one unpardonable basketball
sin: It didn't play hard often enough to matter.
But there is allegedly a new tone, a new ethic, a new emphasis under a
new coach, Chris Ford. The primary task at hand, everyone agrees, is
playing better defense.
This is good. Late, but good. This is a concept that has been missing
from the Bucks' efforts in recent seasons. There should be no more
waiting, no more excuses and no more matador defenses.
Milwaukee fans have been endlessly patient, probably patient to a
fault. They have endured a delayed rebuilding, a rebuilding, a
rebuilding that was taken apart in a win-now-at-all-costs movement
last season. That brought you, for instance, Benoit Benjamin.
This is a Milwaukee team with more talent than any since the high
times of the Don Nelson era. After all, Vin Baker and Glenn Robinson
are the forwards. Baker seems to be closing in on his potential faster
than Robinson, but there is no question that this is a special
frontcourt pair.
Between Sherman Douglas and Elliot Perry, point guard should not be a
crisis. And now, there is a center, Andrew Lang, who will at least be
willing to do the difficult work. No, they're not the Chicago Bulls,
but they ought to be a universe above the dismal level of last season.
After five straight trips to the lottery, the Milwaukee franchise is
in danger of becoming Clippers North. The individual addition of Ray
Allen, and the collective desire to guard somebody, could mean that
the seemingly endless cycle of No-D, defeat, No-D, defeat, might
finally be broken.
nba.1335vpoznanovic,
NBA Commissioner: More frequent games in Japan unlikely
TOKYO (Nov 6, 1996 - 10:48 EST) -- NBA commissioner David Stern said
today the league intends to keep coming to Japan as long as fans keep
filling the stadiums.
"This is a wonderful way for us to start our season," Stern said. "And
it's a symbol of the acceptance of the NBA globally."
Stern, in Japan for the New Jersey Nets-Orlando Magic games Thursday
and Saturday, noted that fan turnout has been rising each time the NBA
has played here since 1990.
"We played to a sellout crowd of 10,000 at the Tokyo Metropolitan
Gymnasium, then a sellout crowd of 16,000 at the Yokohama Arena," he
said.
This year, sellouts of 38,000 at the Tokyo Dome -- the largest stadium
in Tokyo -- are expected for the Nets-Magic games.
"It's not what you would call intimate," Stern said of the stadium
that holds as many as 60,000 when arranged for maximum seating. "Japan
has become a very important market for the NBA."
Stern acknowledged that since the road trip involves a great deal of
preparation and can be hard on the players, Japanese fans will
probably have to settle for games every other year.
"It is an extraordinary undertaking, with great effort and great
expense," Stern said.
Although the NBA is likely to stick with the current formula, Stern
said the door is still open.
"We are evaluating the possibility of playing here every year," he
said.
But the NBA has no plans to bring an all-star game to Japan.
"We think that would be neat and profitable," Stern said. "But we
think that is something our teams' cities should get."
The NBA became the first professional U.S. league to hold a
regular-season game outside North America when it held its initial
Japan game series in 1990. This year, NBA exhibition games were also
played in Berlin, Seville and Mexico City.
NBA games are regularly broadcast on Japanese television, helping feed
a boom in the popularity of basketball in Japan.
nba.1336vpoznanovic,
Lawyers say Rider will plead innocent
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 6, 1996 - 15:18 EST) -- Asserting a police report
was inaccurate, lawyers for Portland Trail Blazers guard Isaiah Rider
say he will plead innocent to a marijuana possession accusation.
Rider was cited last week by Clackamas County sheriff's deputies for
having a small amount of marijuana in a Coca-Cola can that had been
fashioned into a pipe. Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana
is not a crime in Oregon, and Rider faces a fine of no more than
$1,000.
Rider was an occupant of one of two cars approached by deputies whose
suspicions were raised when the cars stopped in a dark spot along
Oregon 43 and switched off their headlights.
A deputy said he found Rider with the pipe to his lips, lighter in
hand, in the back seat of one of the two cars.
Attorneys Bob Weaver and Ken Wittenberg said Rider will request a
trial date at his Nov. 18 appearance in Clackamas County District
Court. Weaver represented figure skater Tonya Harding in the Nancy
Kerrigan case.
Rider's attorneys did not say how they would dispute the police
report.
nba.1337vpoznanovic,
Kings lack effort for opening night
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 6, 1996 - 05:42 EST) -- They were gathered
outside their dressing room, a tight little group of basketball
players bouncing on the balls of their feet, stretching their necks,
saying nothing.
Opening night is supposed to be bright lights, loud noises and sizzle
in the NBA, but for the Kings, it was time to close the eyes, hold the
breath and hope for the best.
Standing in the tunnel before their first home game of the season
Tuesday night, waiting for the introductions, the Kings were neither
nervous nor cocky. They weren't scared or obviously confident. They
were a collection of blank stares, a squad ready to accept whatever
fate the basketball gods were about to deliver.
That's the way it's going to be this season. The Kings say they are
eager to build on their most successful season since leaving Kansas
City, but they are a mixed bag of emotions, anxious and reluctant and
totally in the dark regarding their potential.
On the floor, crews were igniting fireworks, not the verbal or
emotional kind but real ones with black powder and smoke and booming
concussions. When the smoke cleared and the game began, the action was
much less inspiring.
There was Mario Elie, swingman for the Rockets, driving over Kings
forward Brian Grant for the first basket. There was Mitch Richmond
rocking back on his heels and scoring from the outside, a move for
which he deserves a copyright, and missing his next four shots.
Absent was a palpable intensity -- the hunger that characterized the
Kings in the early days last season.
Maybe the problem was the presence of the Rockets, an oversized, elite
team that brutalized the Kings 96-85 last Friday, when the clubs
opened the NBA season in Texas.
Maybe it was a bad taste left from the trauma of hearing Richmond call
his boss a liar. The incident -- Richmond claimed vice president Geoff
Petrie broke a promise to renegotiate a $3.5 million contact -- has
left a lingering smell at Arco Arena.
Whatever it was, the Kings were tentative and almost shy as they took
the floor. Their most spirited moments were provided by eager bench
warmers Tyus Edney and Michael Smith, who always seem to play as if
they will never play again.?
"The pot is still boiling," Kings coach Garry St. Jean said. "I don't
know what to tell you. I don't know what kind of team we have. The
other night in Houston, well, all I can say is Houston has a heck of a
team. Those guys are special.
"The next night in Dallas, we did a lot of good things. I was
especially happy with the way our bench played. But as far as anything
else goes, the rest of the season, I can't even guess."
From dumb turnovers to rebounds that slipped through fingers, from
poor shots to the failure to challenge on defense, the Kings are light
years removed from the modestly talented and competent group that won
39 games and reached the playoffs last spring.
"Look at our turnovers so far this season," St. Jean said. "The only
way I know how to compare those to anything are the penalties you see
the Oakland Raiders commit. It makes no sense."
The smoke from the fireworks cleared and the Kings roared into their
new campaign and fell on their faces. They scored 35 points in the
first half, a pathetic output that would shame many college squads.
Then again, college squads don't have to match up against Charles
Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Willis and Clyde Drexler. But 35
points in one half? On opening night, when the energy levels are high
enough to bubble over and run down the aisles?
Scores have been low during the first weekend of NBA games, but it
will take more than 35 points per half for the Kings to compete in the
Western Conference. It will take a better start if the club hopes to
gain momentum and return to the playoffs.
Mostly, it will take the things the Rockets displayed -- teamwork and
confidence and trust that runs from management to the coaching staff
to the starting five and down the bench. Such are the qualities the
Kings thrived on last season, never minding that they lacked the
Rockets' world-class talent.
No one expects the Kings to win 'em all. But it won't be long before
fans ask whether the Kings believe they can win at all.
nba.1338vpoznanovic,
Bullets still trying to make a name for themselves
LANDOVER, Md. (Nov 6, 1996 - 07:24 EST) -- The Washington Bullets have
one last chance to make a name for themselves. Judging from their
offseason moves, they're aiming to go out with a bang.
The long-suffering Bullets are getting a makeover next season with a
new nickname, the Wizards, and a new arena. But they have already
remade their team with their deepest and most talented roster in a
decade.
They plugged their revolving-door point guard parade with proven,
albeit mercurial, Rod Strickland from Portland. They bolstered their
bench with sharpshooter Tracy Murray, versatile guard/forward Harvey
Grant and shot blocking specialist Lorenzo Williams. And they found a
glass-cleaning leaper in rookie free agent Ben Wallace.
But most importantly, they retained the team's emotional core,
All-Star Juwan Howard and rim-rattling, fan-favorite Chris Webber.
After missing 95 games the past two years with shoulder ailments,
Webber is relieved to finally be back.
"The past two days were really long and hard, " Webber said Saturday
after the Bullets overtime 98-96 loss to Cleveland. "They were full of
emotion."
After starting the season Friday by stunning the Magic, 96-92, in
Orlando, the Bullets (1-1) fumbled away their home opener to the
Cavaliers, missing 18 free throws. They entertain San Antonio (0-2)
Wednesday night at USAir Arena.
"We may not have been clicking in certain areas, but we gave it the
effort," Webber said. "Our offense is nowhere near as good as it's
going to get."
But it was full of flair in their first two games, especially above
the rim. Howard and Webber played keep-away with pinpoint alleyoops
and full court touchdown passes for slams and Strickland quickly
adapted to his new teammates, dishing out 15 assists with only three
turnovers. Still, with several new players, and Webber returning after
a 10-month layoff, Bullets coach Jim Lynam admits they are a long way
from where they want to be.
"I think the chemistry will improve as we go along," Lynam said. "Our
defense has been pretty good, but I'd like to see us get a little more
efficient offensively."
It's ancient history now, but the Bullets used to be very efficient,
and consistent. They had 12 straight playoff seasons from 1968 to
1980, including three NBA finals appearances, and an NBA title in
1977-78.
But recently Washington has been about as successful as attempts at
campaign finance reform. It's been nine seasons since they've made the
playoffs. 10 seasons without a winning record. 15 ??
nba.1339vpoznanovic,
The Phons slated for arthroscopic surgery
DENVER -- Denver Nuggets forward LaPhonso Ellis will undergo
arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday and is expected to be
out of action for three to four weeks.
He underwent an MRI on Wednesday, which revealed a significant amount
of chondromalacia, or roughening of the articular cartilage in the
knee. Team physician Dr. Steve Traina will remove loose fragments from
the knee.
Ellis, 26, has undergone two previous surgeries in his career. He
missed 76 games in 1994-95 because of a stress fracture to the patella
of his right knee, and sat out the first 31 games last year because of
a stress fracture in his left knee.
Both conditions were caused by bone cysts, which are not a factor in
the current injury.
Ellis is averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds in three games this
season. He played just two minutes in Tuesday night's loss to the Los
Angeles Clippers.
nba.1340seki,
SE> Izgleda da su nam vec na samom pocetku Karici uradili ono sto im
SE> prezime kazuje. ;(( Od najavljenog prijenosa utakmice
SE> Chicago-Miami nije bilo nista, a koliko sam mogao da vidim
SE> prateci program i cekajuci zvanicnu najavu, nije dato nikakvo
SE> obrazlozenje zbog cega. Ostaje da se nadamo da ce bar veceras
SE> dati snimku.
Pise u "Politici", veceras (cetvrtak) u 22:10h na BK, Miami-Chicago.
Ognjen
nba.1341mileusna,
>> But Hardaway had five points and Sasha Danilovic four as Miami
^^^^^
Simpatično. :)
nba.1342vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (91) AT SACRAMENTO (87)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LAETTNER F 45 8-19 7-9 6 6 12 2 1 0 3 23
CORBIN F 28 3-8 4-4 2 3 5 1 3 4 3 10
MUTOMBO C 45 9-11 4-7 5 15 20 0 2 0 5 22
SMITH G 37 5-15 5-10 0 2 2 4 4 0 0 15
BLAYLOCK G 46 5-15 1-5 2 2 4 7 1 1 1 14
BURTON 20 1-4 2-2 0 1 1 0 4 0 3 5
BARRY 13 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0
NEWBILL 6 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HENDERSON DNP - FLU
LAUDERDALE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RECASNER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-74 23-37 15 30 45 15 17 8 17 91
(.432) (.622) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(12 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C WILLIAMSON F 22 1-4 1-2 2 4 6 2 4 0 1 3
GRANT F 31 5-14 0-0 1 5 6 1 4 1 3 10
POLYNICE C 42 10-16 5-6 3 12 15 3 4 0 1 25
RICHMOND G 41 11-23 5-6 1 2 3 3 2 3 2 29
ABDUL-RAUF G 33 0-6 0-0 0 1 1 7 3 0 2 0
OWENS 25 4-7 0-0 1 3 4 1 4 1 1 9
SMITH 17 2-2 0-0 2 2 4 1 2 0 2 4
CAUSWELL 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HURLEY 15 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 3 0 1 2 2
SIMMONS 8 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 5 0 2 5
EDNEY DNP - GROIN INJURY
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-76 13-16 10 31 41 22 28 6 16 87
(.461) (.813) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 16(14 PTS)
ATLANTA 16 18 29 28 - 91
SACRAMENTO 21 24 20 22 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 4, SMITH. SACRAMENTO - POLYNICE 2,
GRANT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 4-18 (.222), LAETTNER 0-1, CORBIN 0-2, SMITH
0-4, BLAYLOCK 3-8, BURTON 1-3. SACRAMENTO 4-6 (.667), RICHMOND 2-3,
ABDUL-RAUF 0-1, OWENS 1-1, SIMMONS 1-1.
TECHNICALS: SACRAMENTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, HEAD COACH ST JEAN.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, DON VADEN, MONTY MCCUTCHEN.
A - 17,317. T - 2:11.
ATLANTA (91) AT SACRAMENTO (87)
Mookie Blaylock hit a three-pointer with 74 seconds left in
regulation to cap a fourth quarter comeback as the Atlanta Hawks
defeated the Sacramento Kings, 91-87.
Sacramento had a chance to regain the lead trailing 87-85 with
12 seconds left. Mitch Richmond took the inbounds pass, took
two dribbles, pumped faked and took a three-pointer from the
left side which came off the rim and was rebounded by Atlanta's
Tyrone Corbin.
"I credit our defense tonight," Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens said.
"They allowed us to keep giving back a little at a time. Ty
(Corbin) came off the bench and hit those big free-throws for
us, Mookie hit a real big shot for us, and Dikembe (Mutombo) was
incredible."
Richmond netted 29 for Sacramento, including nine in the third
quarter, as the Kings (1-3) dropped to 0-2 at home.
Sacramento, which saw its 11-point halftime bulge dwindle to
just two after three quarters, struggled in the final period
that featured three ties and four lead changes.
"That loss hurt," said Sacramento coach Garry St. Jean. "I
thought we had a shot to win that game. We were in good
positions a number of times and we played well enough
defensively to win the game. Offensively, we failed to execute
down the stretch. When you go down to the last five minutes of
an NBA game, it is a question of whether you can step up and
execute and take advantage of situations that are on the floor,
and we didn't do it."
Christian Laettner scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for
Atlanta (3-2), which sank just 62 percent of their free-throws
(23-of-37).
"I'm on a better team now, we moved the ball around real well,
said Laettner. "My improvement is not really a matter of my
moving from center to forward, it is a combination of me being
on a better team and it is part of learning how to play the pro
game and being a little more comfortable."
Dikembe Mutombo dominated in the middle, scoring 22 points and
grabbing 20 rebounds, including five of Atlanta's 15 offensive
boards.
"This game I prepared myself much better than I did for the last
couple of games," said Mutombo. "My teammates came out and
looked for me down there in the end at that helped me also."
Mutombo added four blocked shots, highlighted by his 1,500th
career rejection at 5:16 of the first quarter.
"He was on the boards, down the stretch he got just about every
missed shot," Wilkens added. "He is an intimidating factor in
the middle. It is nice to have a big man, I have never had a
guy like that."
Olden Polynice finished with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting and
pulled down 15 rebounds for the Kings, who attempted only six
three-pointers, making four of them.
"This was one of those games that we gave away again and that's
really all I can say," Polynice said. "We built a nice lead and
then they made a run which every team does in the NBA."
nba.1343vpoznanovic,
HOUSTON (110) AT DENVER (108) - FINAL IN OT
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 38 6-12 3-5 4 11 15 5 6 2 5 16
ELIE F 37 3-5 3-4 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 9
OLAJUWON C 42 11-25 14-17 2 7 9 1 1 1 4 36
DREXLER G 40 5-16 1-2 4 2 6 9 2 0 2 13
MALONEY G 33 3-9 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 1 2 8
DAVIS 21 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 8
WILLIS 25 2-6 3-5 2 5 7 1 0 0 0 7
MACK 13 0-2 1-1 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1
MOORE 16 5-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 12
BULLARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
LIVINGSTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 38-89 25-34 13 29 42 23 17 5 14 110
(.427) (.735) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 17(21 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 47 11-26 5-6 6 8 14 0 0 2 1 33
MCDYESS F 30 3-11 1-2 3 9 12 0 6 2 2 7
JOHNSON C 37 2-3 4-6 4 7 11 1 6 1 2 8
JACKSON G 42 5-11 3-3 0 4 4 16 1 0 3 15
STITH G 31 5-17 4-4 3 1 4 2 2 1 3 14
THOMPSON 14 1-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 0 1 2
HAMMONDS 23 3-6 0-0 2 2 4 0 4 0 1 6
MARCIULIONIS 19 4-9 4-4 2 1 3 3 3 0 4 13
PIERCE 11 2-6 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 5
MURDOCK 11 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 5
HAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCINNIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 38-97 21-25 21 35 56 24 28 6 17 108
(.392) (.840) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 19(15 PTS)
HOUSTON 30 20 27 17 16 - 110
DENVER 29 23 19 23 14 - 108
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - DREXLER 2, OLAJUWON, BARKLEY. DENVER - MCDYESS
2, JOHNSON 2, THOMPSON 2, D ELLIS, MURDOCK.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 9-22 (.409), BARKLEY 1-3, ELIE 0-1, DREXLER
2-5, MALONEY 2-5, DAVIS 2-4, MOORE 2-4. DENVER 11-23 (.478), D ELLIS 6-11,
JACKSON 2-4, STITH 0-4, MARCIULIONIS 1-1, PIERCE 1-1, MURDOCK 1-2.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ELIE, DENVER - HEAD COACH BICKERSTAFF.
OFFICIALS: JIM CLARK, BENNETT SALVATORE, GARY BENSON.
A - 12,137. T - 2:37.
HOUSTON (110) AT DENVER (108) - FINAL IN OT
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 12 of his 36 points in overtime as the
unbeaten Houston Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets, 110-108,
to complete a perfect four-game road trip.
After Bryant Stith made two free throws to pull Denver within
99-96 with 3:58 left in overtime, Olajuwon scored Houston's next
10 points on four jumpers and two free throws to give the
Rockets a 109-103 lead with less than a minute remaining.
Both coaches agreed Olajuwon was dominant.
"As for expecting Hakeem to go off like that, we have seen it
happen so many times," said Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich. "And it
gets to a point where he is breathing pretty hard and looks like
he's tired, but he gets into a rhythm, a zone. That was just
amazing."
"Hakeem was the key, he had the answer," added Nuggets coach
Bernie Bickerstaff. "We got some pretty good shots and played a
good game. This can boost our confidence. We just didn't
convert down the stretch. I am proud of the guys and their
effort, but we have to sustain it."
Mark Jackson's three-pointer lifted Denver within 109-108, but
Houston's Mario Elie made one of two free throws for a two-point
lead with 16 seconds to go. But Denver missed a chance to tie as
Stith missed a 12-foot jumper from the right wing.
Olajuwon reaped the benefits of Denver's foul trouble after
starting forward Antonio McDyess and center Ervin Johnson each
picked up their sixth fouls in the final 90 seconds of
regulation.
"They had a lot of guys getting in foul trouble, so they didn't
have many guys to guard me," Olajuwon said. "In a close game,
the concentration level gets higher and I play better."
Charles Barkley added 16 points and 15 rebounds and Clyde
Drexler had 13 points for Houston, which improved to 5-0 and is
one of three unbeaten teams. Olajuwon added nine rebounds.
The Rockets have had a recent history of great success at the
outset of the season. Houston opened the 1993-94 season by
tying an NBA record with a 15-0 start en route to a world
championship. The following season, the Rockets won their first
nine as they won their second consecutive title. Last season,
they began 3-0.
Dale Ellis scored 33 points and pulled down a career-high 14
rebounds for Denver (1-3), which is winless in three home games
this season. Jackson scored 15 points and Stith added 14 for
the Nuggets.
"I don't think about the personal achievememt tonight because we
lost the game," Ellis said. "We had a chance to be one of the
best teams in the league. We put a lot into this game tonight.
We realize the potential of this team, with only five players
back from last year. Our team will take some time to gel."
The Nuggets were without starting forward LaPhonso Ellis, who
will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left knee Friday
and is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.
Denver forced overtime as Jackson hit a running seven-footer to
tie the game at 94-94 with six seconds left and Ellis blocked
Drexler's shot as time expired.
Tracy Moore scored 12 points and Drexler handed out nine assists
for Houston, which won despite shooting 43 percent (38-of-89)
from the field and being outrebounded, 56-42.
"I think we are a pretty good rebounding team, but they kicked
our butts on the boards," Tomjanovich said. "We hung in there.
The `Dream' was phenomenal late in the game. It was a
hard-fought game, we feel very fortunate to get the win. Teams
get sky-high for us because we are a high-profile team."
Sarunas Marciulionis scored 13 points and McDyess and Johnson
grabbed 12 and 11 rebounds, respectively, for Denver, which was
held to 39 percent shooting (38-of-97).
nba.1344vpoznanovic,
MINNESOTA (94) AT PORTLAND (95) - FINAL IN OT
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 44 5-18 1-4 3 7 10 6 4 2 0 11
GUGLIOTTA F 43 10-22 3-4 2 9 11 2 5 2 2 25
VRANKOVIC C 26 2-7 0-0 1 2 3 0 4 1 1 4
WEST G 39 6-9 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 2 1 12
PORTER G 21 0-4 3-3 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 3
MITCHELL 29 5-12 4-7 3 2 5 1 4 0 2 14
ROBINSON 31 4-12 6-6 2 2 4 4 2 0 0 15
D GARRETT 13 2-4 2-4 2 4 6 0 1 1 0 6
CARR 18 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 4
HEAL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARBURY DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
PARKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 36-93 19-28 13 31 44 16 26 8 8 94
(.387) (.679) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 9(9 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 34 2-11 1-2 0 3 3 2 2 0 3 6
WALLACE F 40 10-13 5-6 1 4 5 2 6 2 4 25
SABONIS C 33 5-12 5-6 1 16 17 4 4 0 2 17
ANDERSON G 43 6-17 8-9 0 5 5 3 3 3 1 21
RIDER G 27 2-8 4-4 1 3 4 3 2 0 5 9
DUDLEY 20 1-2 2-2 1 3 4 0 4 0 0 4
MCKIE 32 2-4 2-3 3 3 6 4 2 0 1 6
TRENT 15 2-6 0-1 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 4
WINGFIELD 17 1-6 1-2 1 3 4 0 4 0 3 3
BUTLER 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 31-80 28-35 9 42 51 18 28 5 19 95
(.388) (.800) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 19(23 PTS)
MINNESOTA 22 25 14 27 6 - 94
PORTLAND 25 25 23 15 7 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - K GARNETT 5, VRANKOVIC 2, GUGLIOTTA, D
GARRETT, CARR. PORTLAND - DUDLEY 4, SABONIS 3, C ROBINSON, MCKIE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 3-11 (.273), K GARNETT 0-1, GUGLIOTTA 2-3,
PORTER 0-2, ROBINSON 1-3, CARR 0-2. PORTLAND 5-22 (.227), C ROBINSON 1-5,
SABONIS 2-5, ANDERSON 1-5, RIDER 1-2, WINGFIELD 0-5.
TECHNICALS: MINNESOTA - DELAY, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, GUGLIOTTA, PORTLAND - C
ROBINSON 2 (EJECTED).
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DERRICK STAFFORD, SCOTT WALL.
A - 20,439. T - 2:42.
MINNESOTA (94) AT PORTLAND (95) - FINAL IN OT
Kenny Anderson's awkward 15-foot jumper as time expired in
overtime gave the Portland Trail Blazers a 95-94 victory over
the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Former Blazer James Robinson made two free throws with 18
seconds remaining to give Minnesota a 94-93 lead. Anderson
missed a jumper on the other end, but Portland maintained
possession with four seconds to play.
After a timeout, Anderson took the inbounds pass, dribbled from
the right wing to the foul line under heavy pressure, faked and
spun in the air before launching the winning shot.
Rasheed Wallace scored 25 points before fouling out, Anderson
finished with 21 and Arvydas Sabonis contributed 17 points and
17 rebounds for Portland, which has won 16 straight meetings
against Minnesota. The Trail Blazers have dominated the
all-time series, 27-2.
Tom Gugliotta had 25 points and 11 rebounds and Robinson added
15 points for Minnesota, which has split its first four games.
Kevin Garnett had 11 points on 5-of-18 from the field.
After falling behind 79-63 with 9:47 to go in regulation, the
Wolves began their comeback. They cut the deficit to 88-80 and
a three-pointer by Gugliotta pulled Minnesota within 88-83 with
2:45 left.
A put-back and a free throw by Garnett tied it, 88-88, with 73
seconds remaining. After a Portland turnover, Garnett missed
two awkward shots in the lane, but Anderson missed a jumper in
the final seconds of regulation to force the extra session.
nba.1345vpoznanovic,
NEW YORK (105) AT GOLDEN STATE (100)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 33 7-12 3-3 2 3 5 3 4 1 3 18
OAKLEY F 34 5-6 3-3 0 3 3 4 3 1 2 13
EWING C 38 14-20 5-6 3 6 9 3 4 1 5 33
HOUSTON G 34 2-10 2-4 0 1 1 3 3 3 6 7
WARD G 37 1-5 2-2 0 6 6 12 1 1 6 4
STARKS 30 5-8 5-5 0 1 1 2 6 0 5 17
WALLACE 16 3-5 5-5 2 1 3 1 2 1 1 11
B WILLIAMS 18 0-0 2-2 2 4 6 0 3 0 0 2
BROOKS DNP - DEHYDRATION DUE TO VIRUS
JONES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-66 27-30 9 25 34 28 26 8 28 105
(.561) (.900) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 28(35 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 29 6-12 2-2 2 0 2 4 4 4 0 16
SMITH F 43 10-17 5-6 3 2 5 2 2 0 5 26
FULLER C 37 5-9 4-4 1 1 2 0 4 0 2 14
PRICE G 28 5-9 1-1 0 0 0 6 1 2 4 13
SPREWELL G 39 3-11 10-10 0 2 2 9 4 3 6 18
ARMSTRONG 20 2-3 3-4 0 1 1 5 4 1 0 7
COLES 17 0-3 0-0 2 0 2 2 3 0 0 0
SPENCER 5 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 5 0 1 2
OWES 10 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 0
MARSHALL 12 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 4
KONCAK DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
ROYAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-72 25-27 10 11 21 29 31 10 20 100
(.472) (.926) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 22(15 PTS)
NEW YORK 28 16 29 32 - 105
GOLDEN STATE 26 22 25 27 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - EWING 3, WARD. GOLDEN STATE - SMITH 2, MULLIN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 4-14 (.286), JOHNSON 1-4, HOUSTON 1-1, WARD
0-4, STARKS 2-5. GOLDEN STATE 7-19 (.368), MULLIN 2-5, SMITH 1-4, PRICE
2-4, SPREWELL 2-3, COLES 0-1, MARSHALL 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - STARKS, JOHNSON, GOLDEN STATE - SPREWELL, MARSHALL.
OFFICIALS: MIKE CALLAHAN, DICK BAVETTA, TOMMY NUNEZ.
A - 16,639. T - 2:19.
NEW YORK (105) AT GOLDEN STATE (100)
Patrick Ewing scored 14 of his season-high 33 points in the
fourth quarter, including six over the final 90 seconds, as the
New York Knicks rallied for a 105-100 victory over the Golden
State Warriors.
Ewing was 14-for-20 from the field and converted a three-point
play with 2:42 remaining to put the Knicks ahead to stay, 94-92.
The fourth quarter featured 10 lead changes and five ties, but
the Warriors managed only three field goals over the final four
minutes.
"You have to play with emotion," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy
said. "We are learning as time goes on you have to play hard
and smart. I thought we played extremely hard tonight. You
really put yourself at a disadvantage when you turn the ball
over 28 times."
Larry Johnson added 18 points and John Starks had 17 to spark a
third-quarter comeback as New York posted its fourth straight
win over the Warriors.
"We just needed to get into it as a team," Starks said. "We
just weren't playing like we can play. We weren't reacting for
two-and-a-half quarters. I needed to come in and change the
flow of things."
Joe Smith scored 26 points and Latrell Sprewell added 18 and
nine assists for Golden State, which fell to 0-3 at home.
The Warriors had a 60-50 lead with 7:19 left in the third
quarter, but the Knicks closed the period with a 23-13 run as
Starks scored the final six points of the quarter. The run was
sparked by verbal sparring between Starks and Sprewell. Both
players picked up technical fouls in a 19-second span late in
the period.
New York overcame 28 turnovers by shooting 56 percent from the
field. The Knicks also held a 34-21 rebounding edge and
outscored the Warriors in the paint, 54-28.
"They're a good team and competitive," Ewing said. "They are
hungry just like we are. This is their home court, but we
showed a little more poise then we did the other night. It was
a tough game, but we got the win."
Led by Starks, New York's reserves outscored the Golden State
bench, 30-13.
Chris Mullin had 16 points, rookie Todd Fuller had 14 and Mark
Price 13 as all five Warriors' starters scored in double
figures.
nba.1346vpoznanovic,
ORLANDO (108) AT NEW JERSEY (95)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 41 6-13 0-2 2 4 6 3 2 3 2 14
GRANT F 27 6-11 0-0 3 7 10 2 3 2 2 12
VAUGHN C 23 3-6 4-7 1 5 6 0 2 1 1 10
HARDAWAY G 35 10-22 3-6 2 6 8 4 1 1 3 23
SHAW G 25 0-5 2-2 0 0 0 6 4 2 3 2
WILKINS 24 8-10 1-1 0 1 1 5 2 3 1 18
ARMSTRONG 19 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 6 1 4 2 8
SEIKALY 25 5-8 3-6 4 2 6 0 5 0 3 13
STRONG 19 2-7 2-2 3 3 6 0 1 0 1 6
SCHAYES 2 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - SORE LEFT HAMSTRING
TOTALS 240 43-86 17-28 15 29 44 26 22 16 18 108
(.500) (.607) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 18(20 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OBANNON F 19 1-9 2-2 1 3 4 0 3 1 1 4
J WILLIAMS F 34 4-17 5-6 8 8 16 1 4 1 3 13
BRADLEY C 21 7-10 4-5 7 4 11 0 5 1 1 18
GILL G 37 9-16 4-4 4 3 7 7 0 2 3 22
PACK G 23 3-10 4-4 0 2 2 5 1 1 3 10
MCDANIEL 31 4-10 0-0 4 4 8 2 3 1 2 8
KITTLES 25 2-7 0-0 1 0 1 4 3 3 1 4
MASSENBURG 19 3-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 6
CALDWELL 10 0-0 1-2 1 1 2 0 1 1 3 1
REEVES 15 2-6 4-4 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 9
DARE 6 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
R WILLIAMS DNP - DID NOT TRAVEL
TOTALS 240 35-94 24-27 28 27 55 20 24 11 21 95
(.372) (.889) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 21(25 PTS)
ORLANDO 22 29 31 26 - 108
NEW JERSEY 22 27 22 24 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: ORLANDO - SEIKALY 3, SHAW 2, WILKINS, ANDERSON, GRANT. NEW
JERSEY - KITTLES 2, GILL, J WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ORLANDO 5-14 (.357), ANDERSON 2-5, HARDAWAY 0-2, SHAW
0-1, WILKINS 1-3, ARMSTRONG 2-3. NEW JERSEY 1-11 (.091), OBANNON 0-4, GILL
0-1, PACK 0-1, KITTLES 0-1, REEVES 1-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, BERNIE FRYER, JIM CAPERS.
A - 38,639. T - 2:01.
ORLANDO (108) AT NEW JERSEY (95)
Nick Anderson and David Vaughn keyed a third-quarter run and
Penny Hardaway scored 23 points as the Orlando Magic routed the
New Jersey Nets, 108-95, in front of a sellout crowd of 38,639
at the Tokyo Dome in the Japan Games.
The opener of the two-game set marks the fourth time the NBA has
staged regular season games in Japan and the first in the Tokyo
Dome. The contests also represented the first time either
Orlando or New Jersey played a regular-season game abroad. The
teams will play again Friday at 10:30 pm EST.
It was the first game for both teams since last Friday. The
Magic were beaten by the Washington Bullets, 96-92, and the Nets
lost to Cleveland, 90-77, on opening night.
Gerald Wilkins had 18 points and Anderson added 14 for Orlando,
which defeated New Jersey for the fifth consecutive time. The
Magic were without guard Dennis Scott, who did not play due to a
strained left hamstring.
Kendall Gill scored 22 points, Shawn Bradley added 18 and 11
rebounds and Jayson Williams had 13 and 16 for New Jersey, which
fell to 0-2. The Nets played without head coach John Calipari,
who stayed in New Jersey to await the birth of his third child.
Assistant coach Don Casey served as Nets head coach.
After Bradley hit a 12-footer to give New Jersey a 59-57 lead
three minutes into the third quarter, Vaughn hit a pair of free
throws to ignite a 22-4 run for Orlando. Anderson scored nine
points during the burst -- including seven straight on three
jumpers -- and Darrell Armstrong nailed a 17-footer to give the
Magic a 79-63 advantage with 3:40 left in the third. Orlando
held an 82-71 lead entering the fourth quarter.
"We just wanted to come here and win these two games," Armstrong
said. "That's what we are paid to do. The bench came out ready
to play and it paid off in the second half. If we can continue
to get production from our bench, we can get a lot of rest for
our starters...coming here, the fans were into the game. It
surprised me and it didn't surprise me."
Hardaway had 16 points and Wilkins added 11 as the Magic took a
51-49 halftime lead. The game was tied, 22-22, after the first
quarter.
Rony Seikaly, who was playing his first game with the Magic
since being acquired in a six-player trade from Golden State on
Saturday, scored 13 points and Horace Grant added 12 and 10
rebounds for Orlando, which won despite committing 18 turnovers
and being outrebounded, 55-44.
Robert Pack scored 10 points andf Gill handed out seven assists
for New Jersey, which shot 37 percent (35-of-94) and turned the
ball over 21 times.
nba.1347vpoznanovic,
SEATTLE (103) AT PHOENIX (98)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D SCHREMPF F 38 6-11 3-8 6 7 13 4 4 0 3 17
KEMP F 36 4-9 8-13 2 5 7 0 6 4 7 16
MCILVAINE C 19 1-3 0-0 1 3 4 0 4 0 1 2
HAWKINS G 40 6-14 8-10 4 8 12 5 4 1 5 24
PAYTON G 40 11-22 1-2 3 1 4 7 4 5 3 25
MCMILLAN 22 2-5 0-0 0 5 5 4 2 1 1 4
PERKINS 24 3-6 3-5 1 2 3 0 2 2 1 10
EHLO 21 2-10 1-4 1 2 3 1 2 0 1 5
SNOW DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STEWART DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGATE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-80 24-42 18 33 51 21 28 13 22 103
(.438) (.571) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 23(30 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 21 2-6 2-2 0 2 2 4 2 1 1 6
MANNING F 40 8-18 7-9 5 6 11 5 4 2 3 23
KLEINE C 22 2-3 3-3 3 3 6 0 3 0 2 7
PERSON G 38 8-17 0-0 2 3 5 3 3 2 4 17
CASSELL G 35 3-13 5-5 2 2 4 8 4 1 3 12
FINLEY 27 4-9 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 1 1 8
CHAPMAN 23 5-9 0-0 0 3 3 3 1 1 3 12
GREEN 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
TISDALE 4 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
NASH 9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 2 0
BROWN 16 3-5 6-6 0 5 5 1 3 0 0 12
DAVIS 3 0-0 1-4 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 240 35-82 24-29 13 29 42 27 29 8 19 98
(.427) (.828) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 19(20 PTS)
SEATTLE 30 22 29 22 - 103
PHOENIX 23 14 28 33 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 3, KEMP, D SCHREMPF, PAYTON, PERKINS.
PHOENIX - MANNING 4, HORRY, PERSON, CHAPMAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 9-33 (.273), D SCHREMPF 2-4, KEMP 0-1, HAWKINS
4-10, PAYTON 2-9, MCMILLAN 0-3, PERKINS 1-4, EHLO 0-2. PHOENIX 4-19
(.211), HORRY 0-4, PERSON 1-7, CASSELL 1-4, FINLEY 0-1, CHAPMAN 2-3.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, PHOENIX - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 19,023. T - 2:18.
SEATTLE (103) AT PHOENIX (98)
Hersey Hawkins scored 24 points, including a pair of free throws
in the final 9.9 seconds, and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Seattle
SuperSonics held off a fourth-quarter run by the Phoenix Suns
for a 103-98 victory.
Gary Payton had 25 points and seven assists for Seattle (2-2),
which led by as many as 15 points late in the fourth quarter.
Danny Manning led Phoenix (0-4) with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
The Suns are off to their worst start since the 1985-86 season,
when they began 0-9.
"Now's a critical point for us," Manning said. "We don't have a
victory and it's easy to start pointing fingers. No one
individual on this team is playing exceptionally well. Before
any of us can point a finger or think about pointing a finger,
we have to look at ourselves. There's no dissension, we just
realize we have to come out and figure out a way to win."
Seattle appeared to have things in hand when Shawn Kemp hit two
free throws with 3:31 remaining in the game to make it 97-82.
But Phoenix then ran off eight straight points, concluding with
two free throws by Chucky Brown after Kemp fouled out with 1:43
to go.
It was 100-90 with 57.2 seconds left when Rex Chapman's
three-pointer cued an 8-1 run. Wesley Person put back a Danny
Manning miss with 15 seconds left to bring the Suns within three
at 101-98, but that would be as close as they would get.
"There's no need to be excited yet, we're just four or five
games into the season," said Kemp, who had 16 points, seven
rebounds and seven turnovers. "We've got to make better
decisions. We have to put together four quarters that are real
solid. But the decision-making made the game ugly. If you're
down by 20, you try to make the game ugly to get yourself back
into it. And tonight, they did. The ball started bouncing
around like popcorn. They made some shots, the players off the
bench came in and they got confidence. So we're not going to be
excited until we get things corrected."
Detlef Schrempf led the Sonics with 13 rebounds and 17 points.
"I thought we stunk," said Seattle coach George Karl. "We lost
our focus, we played like the scoreboard. We'd get a lead and
then we coast. It's a win and a good win for us, but in the
second half, there's not much to be happy about -- lack of
concentration, their mental focus.
"Phoenix puts a hustle team in the game early in the fourth
quarter, they run on us and because of lack of focus, it gets
them hustling. ... All of a sudden, there's energy in the
building and they make a three and it's a close game. We were
very fortunate to win this game," he added.
Person added 17 points for Phoenix, which shot just 42.7 percent
from the field and was outrebound, 51-42.
"We got some really good efforts tonight," said Suns coach
Cotton Fitzsimmons. "We just have to keep trying to find the
right combination. There's no doubt in my mind that trying to
find it has hurt us. We're just simply not shooting the ball
well. One of the areas that we always have a problem with is
the boards. We just need bigger people to play."
nba.1348vpoznanovic,
Dumars wins NBA sportsmanship award
Joe Dumars of the Detroit Pistons was named the recipient of the NBA
Sportsmanship Award on Thursday.
The NBA Sportsmanship Award will be presented annually to an NBA
player who best represents the classic ideals of sportsmanship on the
court, according to the league. Dumars is the first recipient.
Dumars won two NBA championships with the Pistons and is a five-time
All-Star during his 11 years with Detroit.
"Joe Dumars, universally respected by players, coaches and fans,
symbolizes the tradition that the NBA wants to recognize with the
Sportsmanship Award," NBA Commissioner David Stern said. "His style
and class on the court represent the epitome of sportsmanship, and
have set the standard for this award."
nba.1349vpoznanovic,
Hawks coach has already had a banner year
(Nov 7, 1996 - 07:36 EST) - If Atlanta Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens were
to stack the years of his incomparable basketball career on top of one
another like hardbound books, 1996 would obviously have the least
dust.
But when all is read and done, this year might still be sitting atop
the stack, as a quick leaf through the pages illustrates:
--On March 1, Wilkens won his 1,000th game, the first NBA coach to
reach that historic milestone.
-- On Aug. 3, he guided the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team to the
gold medal in Atlanta. It was a redemptive victory for Wilkens, whose
failure to make the 1960 Olympic team as a player represented a void
in his career.
-- Just last week, Wilkens was named one of the top 50 players in NBA
history by a panel of experts.
Certainly there have been other great years, such as 1995, when
Wilkens passed Red Auerbach to become the winningest coach in NBA
history, or 1979, when he coached the Seattle SuperSonics to a league
championship, or 1971, when he was named the most valuable player in
the NBA All-Star Game.
But the best part of this year for Wilkens is that it's not over yet.
Those are his favorite kind, and these Atlanta Hawks -- who play the
Kings Thursday night at Arco Arena -- are his kind of team.
"I love working with young guys who are responsive," Wilkens said.
"That's what drives me, and these guys are very responsive."
Atlanta's current roster features just one player -- point guard
Mookie Blaylock -- who was on the team when Wilkens arrived in 1993.
The Hawks traded for Steve Smith and Christian Laettner. They signed
free-agent center Dikembe Mutombo this past offseason.
Atlanta stunned Indiana in the first round of last year's playoffs and
looks even stronger this season. After losing their first two games,
the Hawks have won two in a row, including Tuesday's big road win over
defending Western Conference champion Seattle.
Despite all the personnel changes made on his watch, the Hawks haven't
had a losing record in any of Wilkens' three seasons.
"When I came to Atlanta, I didn't want to immediately make wholesale
changes," Wilkens said. "That's not good, to start out at the bottom.
If young players learn to lose, it's hard to teach them to win.
"We changed the team completely without going to the bottom. I'm proud
of that."
It wasn't until he broke Auerbach's hallowed record for career
coaching wins that many fans rediscovered Wilkens. But Thursday
night's game will be No. 2,007 of his coaching career -- after
participating in 1,150 games as a player.
"Lenny Wilkens is a credit to our profession," Kings coach Garry St.
Jean said. "He's not a guy out there tooting his own horn. He just
does it."
The honors are nice, to be sure. But coaching Dream Team III at this
summer's Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta was not his idea of a
relaxed vacation.
"As a coach, when you're involved in it, it's no fun," he said. "It's
a no-win situation. I didn't want to be the coach who lost the
Olympics in this country. But looking back on it, it was a tremendous
experience."
The satisfying part of being one of the NBA's greatest 50 players ever
-- Wilkens averaged 16.5 points over 15 seasons and twice led the
league in assists -- is that it reminds Generation X that the coach
played a little ball himself.
Coaching in an All-Star Game a couple of years back, Wilkens
demonstrated a particular move to Shaquille O'Neal. "Did you used to
play?" O'Neal asked Wilkens, who still chuckles about it.
"At this point in my career, my coaching overwhelms my playing,"
Wilkens said. "Today's young players don't have that sense of history.
A lot of them don't know how good Elgin Baylor was, or Oscar
Robertson."
They would if they looked it up in Wilkens' library.
nba.1350vpoznanovic,
Jordan's performance even makes Riley smile
MIAMI (Nov 7, 1996 - 14:48 EST) -- Michael Jordan sank another shot
that he launched near the Miami Heat bench, then ran back upcourt with
a smile of satisfaction.
Helpless witness Pat Riley also grinned.
"I've seen that so long," the Miami Heat coach said. "I think he does
it for my benefit now."
Jordan reaffirmed his greatness in a new season Wednesday night,
scoring 50 points to help the unbeaten Chicago Bulls beat the Heat
106-100.
Jordan reached the 50-point mark for the 36th time. He did it only
once last season, scoring an NBA season-high 53 points against Detroit
on March 7.
The 33-year-old Jordan, seeking his ninth scoring title, hiked his
average to a league-best 32.3 points through four games. Despite a new
$30 million one-year contract, he shows no signs of complacency.
Against the Heat, his incentive may have been a Miami newspaper story
Wednesday under the headline, "Hardaway wants to guard Jordan." In the
story, Heat guard Tim Hardaway said he relished the opportunity.
Jordan's reaction? He told teammates he expected to have a big night.
"He saw what was written in the paper," Bulls forward Scottie Pippen
said. "He came out as a personal challenge to Hardaway, whether he
admits it or not."
Jordan acknowledged special motivation, though he didn't specifically
mention Hardaway.
"This is a perfect game for a competitor like me -- on the road
against a team that is undefeated, a team we've done well against, a
team that is lying there waiting for you," he said. "I like playing a
team like this. They get us ready for the playoffs."
Miami (2-1) was swept by the Bulls in the first round of last season's
playoffs.
Chicago (4-0) can match the fastest start in franchise history by
winning Friday at Detroit. The Bulls started 5-0 last season en route
to a league record 72 victories and the NBA championship.
Jordan's latest scoring binge included turnarounds, fadeaways and a
3-point buzzer-beater to end the first half. He also made an
under-the-basket, back-to-the-backboard, over-the-shoulder shot that
most players miss in their dreams.
Even Jordan's teammates laughed at that one, and they've seen it all
before.
Heat fans have seen it all before, too. Jordan improved to 28-2
against Miami.
"I shot the ball well," he said. "I got out of the blocks quick."
Jordan scored the Bulls' first 11 points, and 15 of their 19 in the
first quarter.
"You never know what he's going to do," Riley said. "A lot of nights
he comes out and doesn't do anything but get his teammates involved.
Maybe he gets nine or 12 at the half, then he takes care of it in the
second half.
"This time he was committed to start quick. He was very
offensive-minded. Even when we double-teamed him, he scored. He's
simply the finest and the greatest."
nba.1351vpoznanovic,
Ellis faces surgery on Friday
DENVER (Nov 7, 1996 - 21:36 EST) -- Denver Nuggets forward LaPhonso
Ellis will undergo surgery to remove loose cartilage from his left
knee on Friday.
Ellis, who left Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers early,
will have the operation performed by team physician Dr. Steve Traina.
The loose cartilage was detected in a test on Wednesday.
"It's more of a cleaning than anything else," Ellis said. "I'm not
concerned about the surgery. I am more interested in getting back into
the lineup."
Ellis is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, much less than Denver officials
had feared. The fourth-year forward has missed extensive time with
knee problems over the last two seasons.
nba.1352vpoznanovic,
Barkley wants to go straight to the people
(Nov 7, 1996 - 08:12 EST) -- Rest easy Alabama. Sir Charles isn't
ready to throw his body into the political paint just yet.
"Politics is interesting for me," Charles Barkley said Wednesday in a
teleconference. "But I'll be honest with you, I don't really want to
work."
Nonetheless, the Houston Rockets forward does want to talk directly to
the people, with a Perot-esque twist.
"I would like to be on TV everyday and tell people to take control of
their own lives," he said. "Poor people, especially down South,
because of racism, have a lack of self-esteem and pride and they don't
push themselves to the limit.
"If I can just get on television I can tell them they can be
successful and they can be whatever they want to be."
Barkley is right where he wants to be with the 4-0 Rockets (going into
Thursday night's game at Denver) and sitting atop the NBA rebounding
chart with an eye-popping 21.7 per game.
"I think that's kind of exaggerated because of the Phoenix game (where
he nabbed 33 boards)," Barkley said. "But I'm going to try to have a
monster year in rebounding. I think my rebounding will improve this
year because every play's not coming to me."
After four years as the go-to guy in Phoenix, Barkley is happily
sharing the scoring load now with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
"Last year there wasn't a player in the league who was asked to do
more than me," Barkley said. "They asked me to get 25 points, 12
rebounds and play great defense. It was impossible. I'm not Superman
right now. I'm closer to Clark Kent some nights.
"The other night I played a monster game in Utah and only had nine
points. For me to only be able to have nine points and win is great. I
think that will help us in the long run where guys don't have to
dominate every night."
Barkley says Seattle is still the team to beat in the West but thinks
the Lakers may have the best players.
"They've probably got more talent than anyone," he said. "It's just a
matter if they can keep their egos and pride (in check) because
everyone can't play (at once)."
Barkley said he wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets were in the
running at the end of the season. And he wasn't surprised by President
Clinton's victory over Bob Dole.
"It went just like I expected," Barkley said. "But I didn't vote for
either one of them. Bob Dole is the same age as my grandmother and I
don't want her to be president."
nba.1353vpoznanovic,
Jury finds Miami Heat's Burnie liable -- for a lower fee
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Nov 7, 1996 - 20:12 EST) -- A federal jury on
Thursday ordered Miami Heat Ltd. to pay $10,000 in damages, ruling in
favor of a woman who said she was publicly humiliated by the team's
mascot at a 1994 exhibition game.
Yvonne Gil-Rebollo had sued for $1 million.
The charges stemmed from an Oct. 23, 1994, exhibition game in San
Juan, Puerto Rico, when mascot Wes Lockard, dressed up in his fuzzy
orange bird costume as the mascot "Burnie," dragged her onto the court
against her will.
Gil-Rebollo claimed she suffered severe mental and physical distress.
She claimed that Lockard bruised her arm and broke her purse strap
after he knocked her to the floor in front of 6,000 spectators.
Lockard said he "just wanted to dance" with Gil-Rebollo. She is the
wife of Francisco Rebollo, a Puerto Rico Supreme Court judge and the
sister of Guillermo Gil Bonar, the island's U.S. attorney.
"This was no case for that jury," an outraged Ana Bonar, the
plaintiff's mother, said of the eight-woman jury. "They clearly did
not understand the case."
David Efron, Gil-Rebollo's counsel, said he would appeal the decision.
"We respect the verdict," said a beaming Ricardo Casellas, the defense
counsel. "The plaintiff asked for $1 million and the jury showed what
they thought of that."
Lockard was all smiles Thursday but would not comment.
It was his second trial in connection with the incident at the 1994
game between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. In December 1994, a
local judge found Lockard guilty of aggravated battery against
Gil-Rebollo and fined him $300.
nba.1354vpoznanovic,
Karl worried more about his team than anything else
PHOENIX (Nov 7, 1996 - 07:48 EST) -- The Seattle SuperSonics hit the
floor at America West Arena in Phoenix at 6 p.m. PST Thursday to play
the re-tooled and mysterious Suns.
But Sonics coach George Karl suddenly isn't as worried about unlocking
the mysteries of other teams with his own club -- the defending
Western Conference champion -- struggling out of the gate to a 1-2
start.
"We just have to worry more about ourselves right now," said Karl, in
the wake of Tuesday night's 117-95 ambushing by Atlanta at KeyArena.
After the game, Karl said he wasn't sure his players had properly
"respected" Atlanta. But after watching film of the game, Karl said
Wednesday the effort was there.
"If we had done some things better, I'm still not sure we would have
won," Karl said. "They hit some tough shots. I thought we competed
hard, but we just had no confidence in our own game."
Karl said a few such games are inevitable in the 82-game marathon that
is the NBA regular season. But he was a little surprised that it
happened at KeyArena, where the team went 38-3 last year, and that it
happened so early in the season.
"It's a rude awakening," said guard Hersey Hawkins. "No one's happy
about it and no one should be happy about it. We all need to look in
the mirror and figure out why we didn't get ready for the Atlanta game
and make sure it doesn't happen again."
Karl said the Sonics simply need to get a few wins to get their
confidence back.
Thursday night would be a good place to start. The game is the the
first of a three-game road trip that continues to San Antonio on
Friday night and Sacramento on Monday, and the beginning of a stretch
of 10 of 13 overall away from Seattle.
And the Suns aren't anything like the team that Seattle fans once
loved to hate so much, now that Charles Barkley has been traded to
Houston.
Phoenix has seven players new to its roster from last year's 41-41
team, and will play Thursday night without injured guard Kevin Johnson
and center John Williams.
It's added up to an 0-3 start that included a loss at home Tuesday to
Minnesota.
"Their personality has changed," Karl said. "They have a lot of good
players, but it looks right now like they don't have a real definition
of who exactly will play what."
Phoenix went 5-3 in the preseason, then lost emotional games at Los
Angeles against the Lakers and at home against Barkley and Houston to
start the season. Then came the Tuesday night debacle when the Suns
lost for only the second time in 29 games against Minnesota.
The Suns are shooting only 40 percent from the floor and just 27
percent from the 3-point line. Typical starters so far have been Sam
Cassell and Wesley Person at guard, Robert Horry and A.C. Green at
forward and either Danny Manning or Michael Finley at center.
It could be a bad year for the Suns, but some figure that's what
management has in mind. Only Green and Manning are signed to deals
beyond this season, with Johnson expected to retire. The Suns could be
major players in the free agent market next summer.
HAWKINS TO PLAY: Hawkins put in a full practice Wednesday morning
despite still feeling some ill effects from the neck contusion he
suffered in the Atlanta loss when he was hit by Hawk Christian
Laettner.
Hawkins has started 300 straight games dating back to the 1992-93
season when he was with Philadelphia.
"My neck was stiff, but not to the point where I can't play or be
effective," Hawkins said.
In fact, Hawkins said he doesn't figure he can play a whole lot worse
than he has so far. Hawkins has scored only 20 points in Seattle's
first three games -- he was shut out against Atlanta -- and has made
only 7-of-18 field goal attempts.
"Maybe it will help," Hawkins said with a laugh. "I haven't been
shooting the ball that great so maybe having a stiff neck will help me
concentrate on the rim and knock some shots down."
nba.1355vpoznanovic,
Grizzlies coach, veterans need time to adjust to new roles
(Nov 7, 1996 - 13:54 EST) -- Brian Winters, the coach of the Vancouver
Grizzlies, doesn't often have a lot to say. He is a quiet man. So
given the time and care he must lavish on the younger Grizzlies, there
isn't much attention left over for the team's veteran players.
Consider the case of Blue Edwards. He is 31, with seven full National
Basketball Association seasons on his record. A year ago, Edwards
started at the shooting-guard spot in all 82 Grizzlies games and
hustled his way into the hearts of the city's new hoops fans. He was a
part of the team's preseason ad campaign. But it became clear last
month that Edwards had been demoted.
Anthony Peeler, who joined the Grizzlies in July from the Los Angeles
Lakers, took his job and Edwards is now Winters's sixth man, the
coach's choice when it is time to make the game's first substitution.
What did Winters tell Edwards about his demotion?
"Nothin'," Edwards said. "He has told me absolutely nothin'. Nobody
has said a word to me about it."
That is a potentially dangerous game of neglect. Winters is not
supposed to be simply a stopgap coach to take an expansion team
through the painful, formative years. He is supposed to be around when
and if the Grizzlies become a playoff team. Teaching is his strength,
and youngsters such as Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Roy Rogers and Bryant
Reeves must be taught. Abdur-Rahim, as gifted as he is, needs almost
constant coaching. But a successful modern coach also needs to have
open and active lines of communications with his other players.
The Grizzlies added half a roster of newcomers this season, most of
them with several years experience under their belts. The biggest
adjustment for them?
"I've had three or four guys come to me," one Grizzly said, "and
they'll ask me, 'How come he (Winters) never talks to me or says
much?' I just tell them, you know, it's hard for a coach to have a
one-on-one relationship with 12 guys."
A testament to Winters's coaching skills was the fact that the ragtag
Grizzlies were in the middle of the defensive pack last season in the
NBA. Fourteen teams allowed more points a game. And that is where he
is spending most of his time. Abdur-Rahim scored an average of 15
points in Vancouver's first two games, but the teen-ager was dreadful
defensively.
"I talk to him every day about it," Winters said.
"I take film clips out of games and show them to him so he can see
what he's doing wrong. You need to spend the time with the guys who
haven't been around, particularly the rookies."
Edwards, who will likely not be around when the Grizzlies become a
good team, was deeply disappointed by his demotion.
"Down inside it bothers me a lot," he said.
Plenty of court time will still come his way. He scored 16 points in
the horrible opening-night loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and then
ripped his teammates for not showing enough commitment. Edwards came
off the bench and scored 11 points Sunday against the Golden State
Warriors.
"My job was given to Anthony Peeler in training camp, and I expected
that move to happen," Edwards said.
"I don't like it, but I don't want to become a nuisance. But I would
like the coach to come up to me and say, 'I'm going to do this, I'm
going to do that.'
"It would have been nice for the coach and GM to say, 'Look, we're
going to play you at (small forward) this season,' or 'we're going to
bring you off the bench.' I'm more a small forward (than shooting
guard) anyway."
Blueprints for the Grizzlies' 1996-97 season suggested a struggling
start while the team knits together. That's why three losses will not
alarm anyone. Once everyone has blended, and once Abdur-Rahim is more
comfortable with the NBA, this is supposed to be a significantly
better team than it was last season.
Certainly, Abdur-Rahim seems a wise pick. He will learn to play better
defense, he will develop the strong perimeter shooting needed to be an
NBA small forward. Winters's investment in him will pay off.
Meanwhile, Winters himself will continue to learn in what is only his
second year as an NBA coach. The players say his knowledge of the game
and his attention to strategy and detail are outstanding. But in terms
of communications, the coach apparently still needs a little coaching.
nba.1356vpoznanovic,
Ukraine Train chugs into Cleveland
In Cleveland, the days of trying to ride a Hot Rod in the middle are
over. The Cavaliers realized that wasn't getting them anywhere.
Last year, they won in spite of their power game, not because of it.
However, after getting swept by the Knicks and Patrick Ewing in the
first round of the playoffs, the Cavs might have found an alternate
form of transportation to get deeper into the postseason. They have
boarded the train -- "The Ukraine Train," that is -- a sturdy
6-foot-10, 280-pound rookie from Kiev who steamrolled through his
first week in the NBA.
His name is Vitaly Potapenko (VEE-tal-lee poe-TAH-pen-koe), and if you
don't know how to pronounce it, you will soon. Though he's sharing the
center duties with 14-year veteran Mark West, the 21-year-old
Potapenko has gotten off to a terrific start. Through Cleveland's
first three games, he ranks fourth on the team in scoring and
rebounding and second in field goal percentage.
While three games does not a season make, Potapenko has flashed enough
raw ability to have Cleveland very optimistic. During the preseason he
ranked fifth on the team in scoring (10.1 ppg). More importantly, he
provides the presence in the paint the Cavs have been lacking. They
haven't had any kind of consistent offensive threat in the middle
since Brad Daugherty hurt his back during the 1993-94 season.
"The thing is, you have to be able to rebound to run the court," said
Cavs guard Bobby Phills. "When you have another big body that's able
to rebound like that, you're able to run and get out on the
fastbreak."
This optimism has been created by a player whom most people --
including some current teammates -- had never even heard of when
Cleveland made him the 12th overall pick in last June's draft.
"No, I really didn't know too much about him at all," Phills admitted.
That's because Potapenko grew up in Kiev, the Ukraine and spent just
two years playing collegiate basketball in the United States at Wright
State in Dayton, Ohio. Before that, he attended Kiev State University,
which didn't even sponsor a team. Instead, he played for a local club
team in the Ukraine. Despite his lack of publicity, though, Cleveland
knew exactly what to expect.
Playing in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference, the wide-bodied
Potapenko was dominant. He started all but one game during his brief
Raider career, averaging 20.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg; he also led the MCC in
field goal percentage both years, finishing 11th nationally last
season.
Unlike many players his size, Potapenko also displayed a nice touch
stretching beyond 10 feet from the hoop; he shot 72 percent from the
foul line during his collegiate career.
"We liked a lot of things about him when we saw him in college, when
we saw him in the postseason tryouts and when we brought him in for
the workout," said Cavs coach Mike Fratello. "But that doesn't mean
anything. You've got to do it in this league. You've got to get here
and you've got to get it done on a regular, consistent basis, that's
the key."
And though the season is just a few games old, Potapenko has shown
that ability thus far. His skills become obvious from the time he gets
onto the offensive end of the floor. He has an array of moves in the
low post: he can spin to the baseline, he can power his way to the
middle, or he can burn an opponent with a face-up short jumper. He can
do all of that just as comfortably with his left or right hand -- and
that includes his hook which he can hit either way. However, he was a
bit tentative utilizing that arsenal in the preseason.
"In exhibition season he shied away a little bit from using the lefty
hook," Fratello said. "He tried to keep coming back to the right hand.
And we told him, 'If you're on the other side of the floor, use the
lefty, because you've got it and it's good.' And he's used it."
Potapenko took that "tongue-lashing" to heart. In just his second
regular season game, he lit up All-Star forward Juwan Howard and Chris
Webber for 22 points in a 98-96 Cavaliers overtime victory at USAir
Arena.
"I was impressed by his play," Howard said. "He's a tough guy with a
lot of good low-post moves. He's going to have a good future in the
NBA, but I don't know too much about him."
Ignorance is bliss
Obviously, Howard should have done his homework better. Potapenko's
display of quickness and ambidexterity against the Bullets' stars
might seem surprising, but the soft-spoken Ukrainian wasn't among
those surprised. That is, until after the game when he saw the stat
sheet.
"I've been working on my moves ever since (I was a kid), it's not like
they're moves I've never done before," Potapenko said. "After the
game, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, I scored 22 points against Chris Webber
and Juwan Howard.' But during the game I wasn't thinking about it."
Potapenko's early season confidence can be considered a result of
fearlessness, but then again, it could just be a matter of ignorance.
"He doesn't care who's guarding him," Phills said. "The guy is from
overseas, so he doesn't know anything about no one. He doesn't care."
That's because Potapenko never faced an NBA All-Star before. Still he
has seen plenty of big men in his life.
"I'm always working out all the time. There were big guys in Ukraine,
guys you've never heard of, normal players -- they helped me," he
said. "Then I played in college. And all summer I played against
Georgetown guys and then in rookie camp against some other guys, it
helped me a lot."
And if Potapenko can improve upon or just keep up his early pace, he
might give the Cavs more help than they could have expected.
nba.1357vpoznanovic,
>> Pise u "Politici", veceras (cetvrtak) u 22:10h na BK, Miami-Chicago.
Utakmica je bila, a pred kraj su najavili direktan prijenos iz Houstona
u srijedu ujutro. Valjda ćemo ovaj put imati više sreće.
nba.1358vitez.koja,
#=> Izgleda da su nam već na samom početku Karići uradili ono što im
#=> prezime kazuje. ;(( Od najavljenog prijenosa utakmice
#=> Chicago-Miami nije bilo ništa, a koliko sam mogao da vidim prateći
Nije bilo ni najavljeno, pogrešno si shvatio. Za ovu sam negde
pročitao da će biti samo snimak, a za sledeće (valjda) idu direktno.
sk
nba.1359mboban,
=-= ako neko ima neki bolji predlog, neka kaže, uzeće se na razmatranje. :)
Verujem da bi svi lakše pratili događanja ako bi pre onih opširnih
poruka o utakmkicama (pojedinačne statistike, izveštaji) poslao jednu
poruku u kojoj su svi aktuelni rezultati i highlightsi. Sigurno znaš na
šta mislim, mislim na one kratke izveštaje koje si slao ranije i koji su
otprilike ovako izgledali:
Houston 108, Sacramento 99 (at Sacramento)
Charles Barkley (Hou) had 20 points and 11 rebounds
Hakeem Olajuwon (Hou) had 34 points including 13-15 FG
:
:
Houston outrebounded Sacramento 35-19
Atlanta 97, Toronto 94 (at Atlanta)
Dikembe Mutombo (Atl) had 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks
:
:
P.S.
Ove podatke sam kucao bezveze, svaka sličnost sa stvarnim rezultatima i
događajima je apsolutno slučajna. :)
nba.1360mpavlo,
HNA0545 4 SP 256 Hina Opci servis
NBA-IGRACI+SK 9/US US
PEDEST NAJBOLJIH NBA IGRACA SVIH VREMENA
NEW YORK, 29. listopada (Hina/Reuter) - Stotinu i sedam prstena prvaka,
vise od 400 izbora za All-Star utakmice i gotovo milijun postignutih
poena kolektivni je 'rezime' 50 najboljih NBA kosarkasa svih vremena.
Listu pedesetorice najboljih, koju su sastavili sportski novinari,
bivsi igraci i treneri te manageri i direktori klubova, sinoc je objavio
komesar David Stern prilikom proslave 50. obljetnice NBA lige.
Medu pedesetoricom ima jedanaest aktivnih igraca, koji su zajedno
skupili 49 nagrada za najkorisnijeg igraca, 17 nagrada novaka godine,
i 36 naslova najboljih strijelaca lige.
50 NAJBOLJIH NBA IGRACA SVIH VREMENA (po abecednom redu):
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (centar)
Nate Archibald (bek)
Paul Arizin (krilo)
Charles Barkley (krilo)
Rick Barry (krilo)
Elgin Baylor (krilo)
Dave Bing (bek)
Larry Bird (krilo)
Wilt Chamberlain (centar)
Bob Cousy (bek)
Dave Cowens (centar)
Billy Cunningham (bek)
Dave DeBusschere (krilo)
Clyde Drexler (bek)
Julius Erving (krilo)
Patrick Ewing (centar)
Walt Frazier (bek)
George Gervin (bek)
Hal Greer (bek)
John Havlicek (bek/krilo)
Elvin Hayes (krilo/centar)
Earvin Johnson (bek)
Sam Jones (bek)
Michael Jordan (bek)
Jerry Lucas (krilo/centar)
Karl Malone (krilo)
Moses Malone (centar)
Pete Maravich (bek)
Kevin McHale (krilo)
George Mikan (centar)
Earl Monroe (bek)
Hakeem Olajuwon (centar)
Shaquille O'Neal (centar)
Robert Parish (centar)
Bob Pettit (krilo/centar)
Scottie Pippen (krilo)
Willis Reed (centar)
Oscar Robertson (bek)
David Robinson (centar)
Bill Russell (centar)
Dolph Schayes (krilo/centar)
Bill Sharman (bek)
John Stockton (bek)
Isiah Thomas (bek)
Nate Thurmond (krilo/centar)
Wes Unseld (krilo/center)
Bill Walton (centar)
Jerry West (bek)
Lenny Wilkens (bek)
James Worthy (krilo)
(Hina) js js
301153 MET oct 96
nba.1361lexus,
=> Verujem da bi svi lakše pratili događanja ako bi pre onih opširnih
=> poruka o utakmkicama (pojedinačne statistike, izveštaji) poslao
=> jednu
U stvari, tako bi sve moglo da stane u tri poruke.
Jedna poruka samo rezultati + rezultati po četvrtinama +
highlighti, druga poruka uz koju bi bio okačen fajl sa
rezultatima i izveštajima utakmica i treća poruka sa
fajlom u kojem bi bile poruke sa ostalim NBA izveštajima.
nba.1362dizel,
** (.167), MAJERLE 0-8, HARDAWAY 1-6, DANILOVIC 3-4, ASKINS 0-1,
Pa Majerle bi mogao malo da smanji gas :)
Prodao je 4-5 lopti u trenucima kada je Čikago ušao
u pobedničku seriju! Tu seriju je trojkom prekinuo upravo
Danilović. Nije mi jasno zašto su toliko forsirali "Thunder
Dan-a" kada je Saši tako dobro išlo.
nba.1363schef,
=- HNA0545 4 SP 256 Hina Opci servis
Možete li izostaviti ove izveštaje iz 'lijepe njihove'? Ako neko može da
skida sa Tanjuga, u redu, ali da čitam izraze tipa 'novak' (debitant) i sl.
nemam nameru.
nba.1364vpoznanovic,
CHARLOTTE (102) AT WASHINGTON (87)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 43 8-11 1-4 3 7 10 7 2 0 0 17
GEIGER F 37 5-11 5-5 1 4 5 1 5 1 2 16
DIVAC C 19 2-6 1-1 1 6 7 1 2 1 0 5
RICE G 30 3-12 0-0 2 3 5 3 3 0 3 7
GOLDWIRE G 26 6-9 3-4 0 2 2 4 2 0 0 18
ZIDEK 9 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 1 0 4
BURRELL 20 0-4 3-4 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 3
CURRY 30 5-11 1-1 0 3 3 1 2 0 1 12
SMITH 23 7-9 2-2 0 4 4 4 1 0 1 20
DELK 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROSE 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
BOGUES DNP - LEFT KNEE TENDINITIS
TOTALS 240 38-76 16-21 7 35 42 23 20 4 8 102
(.500) (.762) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 10(10 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEBBER F 36 9-20 1-3 4 10 14 2 4 0 2 19
GRANT F 19 1-4 0-0 2 6 8 1 1 0 0 2
HOWARD C 37 6-23 2-4 6 2 8 5 5 1 0 14
CHEANEY G 25 3-7 0-2 0 1 1 2 5 1 0 6
STRICKLAND G 33 7-12 0-0 2 3 5 6 1 2 3 14
JACKSON 21 4-10 2-2 2 0 2 2 2 0 0 11
WALLACE 21 2-2 2-4 8 2 10 1 1 0 1 6
MURRAY 29 2-11 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 1 1 6
WHITNEY 17 3-7 2-3 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 9
AMAYA 2 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - ON INJURED LIST
TOTALS 240 37-99 9-18 25 30 55 22 21 5 7 87
(.374) (.500) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 7(7 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 25 22 25 30 - 102
WASHINGTON 21 23 18 25 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - SMITH, BURRELL, RICE, MASON. WASHINGTON -
WEBBER 2, MURRAY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 10-21 (.476), GEIGER 1-1, RICE 1-3, GOLDWIRE
3-6, BURRELL 0-3, CURRY 1-3, SMITH 4-5. WASHINGTON 4-15 (.267), WEBBER
0-1, STRICKLAND 0-2, JACKSON 1-3, MURRAY 2-6, WHITNEY 1-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, NOLAN FINE, MIKE SMITH.
A - 18,756. T - 2:01.
CHARLOTTE (102) AT WASHINGTON (87)
Tony Smith scored a career-high 20 points and Anthony Mason
added 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Charlotte Hornets posted
their first road win of the season, defeating the Washington
Bullets, 102-87.
Smith, a six-year veteran, had all his points through three
quarters as the Hornets built a 72-62 advantage. After a bucket
by Tracy Murray brought the Bullets within nine with just under
11 minutes left in regulation, Charlotte dominated the rest of
the game.
"Our defense and rebounds won us this game," said Smith, who
played only 23 minutes. "I just tried to take my shots and I
was lucky enough for them to go in."
"It was real good ballhandling tonight," added Hornets coach
Dave Cowens after the teams combined for just 15 turnovers.
"Our defense played superbly. Tony is that type of guy, a guy
you don't expect to get the ball. It was a quiet 20."
Matt Geiger added 16 points and Dell Curry had 12 for the
Hornets, who have won three of their first four games.
Chris Webber had 19 points and Rod Strickland and Juwan Howard
added 14 apiece for the Bullets, who made just 37-of-99 field
goal attempts. Washington has dropped four of its last five
meetings with Charlotte.
"It was one of those nights," said Bullets coach Jim Lynam.
"They were real good and we had trouble making good shots. You
can't beat yourself for missing shots. Taking them is what you
are supposed to do. They were just not falling."
Mason made 8-of-11 shots in addition to handing out seven
assists without a turnover. Anthony Goldwire made 6-of-9 shots
for 18 points in 26 minutes. Overall, the Hornets had 23 assists
against just eight turnovers.
Washington's Juwan Howard had one of his worst shooting nights
as a pro, going 6-for-23. Murray was 2-of-11 from the floor as
Washington outrebounded Charlotte, 55-42.
nba.1365vpoznanovic,
CHICAGO (98) AT DETROIT (80)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 41 6-12 2-4 1 5 6 6 2 2 2 16
RODMAN F 40 3-5 0-0 4 16 20 3 3 0 1 6
LONGLEY C 20 5-6 6-6 2 2 4 2 4 0 4 16
HARPER G 18 3-7 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 1 2 8
JORDAN G 36 6-14 2-2 1 3 4 8 3 1 0 15
KUKOC 29 6-15 4-6 1 2 3 2 1 3 0 16
KERR 30 4-6 1-1 1 3 4 2 0 1 0 12
PARISH 8 2-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 0 1 4
BUECHLER 10 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
SIMPKINS 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BROWN 4 0-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
WENNINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-73 17-21 12 34 46 25 17 8 10 98
(.493) (.810) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 11(10 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 38 9-19 3-6 1 5 6 5 3 0 3 21
LONG F 25 2-4 4-4 1 3 4 1 2 0 2 8
THORPE C 25 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 4 4
AUGMON G 28 4-9 0-0 3 3 6 1 1 1 2 8
DUMARS G 33 8-12 0-1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 22
HUNTER 34 1-7 1-2 0 2 2 1 3 0 0 3
MAHORN 11 1-2 0-1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
MILLS 14 2-8 0-0 3 3 6 0 1 0 1 5
CURRY 20 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 4 0 1 2
RATLIFF 8 1-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 2
SMITH 4 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-75 8-14 10 23 33 9 18 1 14 80
(.427) (.571) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(13 PTS)
CHICAGO 30 19 25 24 - 98
DETROIT 24 18 17 21 - 80
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - LONGLEY, KUKOC. DETROIT - RATLIFF 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 9-24 (.375), PIPPEN 2-6, HARPER 2-6, JORDAN
1-3, KUKOC 0-3, KERR 3-4, BUECHLER 1-2. DETROIT 8-15 (.533), DUMARS 6-7,
HUNTER 0-3, MILLS 1-3, SMITH 1-2.
TECHNICALS: DETROIT - MILLS.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, BRUCE ALEXANDER, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 21,454. T - 1:57.
CHICAGO (98) AT DETROIT (80)
Ron Harper drilled a pair of three-pointers in a third-quarter
run and Toni Kukoc, Scottie Pippen and Luc Longley scored 16
points apiece as the Chicago Bulls matched the best start in
franchise history with a 98-80 victory over the Detroit Pistons
in a battle of Central Division unbeatens.
Michael Jordan added 15 points and eight assists for the Bulls,
who are 5-0 for the second time in as many seasons. Chicago
also extended its winning streak over the Pistons to 17 games,
including nine in a row at the Palace in Auburn Hills.
"We're like two ships passing in the night," said Jordan.
"They're trying to head back in the direction where we are. A
game like this is a learning experience for them. They never
got a chance to establish an inside game. That puts a lot of
pressure on Grant (Hill) and Joe (Dumars), that's where they
miss Allan Houston at the number two guard."
"Obviously we were overmatched in a lot of different ways,"
said Pistons coach Doug Collins. "It was sort of a miracle that
we were down seven at half. Championships, they have grown, and
they're a great team. They could be one of the greatest all-time
teams, if not the greatest."
Joe Dumars scored 22 points for Detroit and Grant Hill, who sat
out Wednesday's game with a sore wrist, added 21. The Pistons
entered the game allowing just 83 points per game, the
second-best mark in the NBA.
"We've got our work cut out for us, we did not play well as a
team tonight," said Hill. "They took us out of our game. A
loss by 18 is the same as a loss by one point, so we can't let
that get us down. Our goal is still the same, we want to
improve as a team and compete in this league."
It was the first time since November 9th, 1984, that two 4-0
teams met and just the sixth time in NBA history such a matchup
has occurred.
Otis Thorpe pulled Detroit within 49-47 on a hook shot 56
seconds into the second half. But the Bulls responded with a
14-3 spurt. Harper opened it with a three-pointer and Jordan
knocked down a jumper to make it 54-47 with 10:13 left in the
third quarter.
Rick Mahorn responded with a basket, but Harper drilled another
three-pointer to extend the Bulls' lead to 57-49 with 9:30 to
go. Robert Parish hit a jumper and a putback before Steve Kerr
capped the run with a three-pointer to give Chicago a 64-49
advantage with 5:18 left.
Detroit got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Kerr finished with 12 points and Harper had eight for the Bulls,
who shot 49.3 percent from the field (36-of-73) and 9-of-24 from
three-point range. Dennis Rodman pulled down 20 rebounds,
including six on the offensive end, for Chicago, which
outrebounded the Pistons, 46-33.
Chicago outscored Detroit at the foul line, 17-8. It was the
first time Jordan did not lead the Bulls in scoring and the
second straight game in which Rodman has pulled down at least 20
rebounds.
"My offense wasn't real good tonight so I concentrated on
pushing the ball up the court," said Jordan, who shot 6-of-14
from the field. "Detroit plays a tough defense, but we were
very patient against it. You have to take what they give you."
The Bulls' reserves outscored Detroit's bench, 37-17. Grant
Long and Stacey Augmon had eight points apiece for the Pistons,
who shot 42.7 percent from the field (32-of-75), but made
8-of-15 three-pointers. Dumars nailed 6-of-7 from beyond the
arc.
Detroit had no fast break points.
nba.1366vpoznanovic,
GOLDEN STATE (91) AT DENVER (94)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
SMITH F 34 5-12 1-1 1 9 10 1 4 0 7 11
MULLIN F 36 3-9 2-2 0 3 3 1 2 0 1 8
FULLER C 17 1-6 0-0 3 4 7 0 1 0 2 2
SPREWELL G 44 10-21 9-9 0 2 2 1 1 4 3 29
PRICE G 26 6-10 1-2 1 2 3 7 4 1 3 16
SPENCER 18 1-3 2-2 1 4 5 1 2 0 3 4
ARMSTRONG 22 2-2 1-2 0 1 1 4 1 1 1 5
OWES 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
MARSHALL 9 1-2 2-2 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 4
COLES 16 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 8
ROYAL 17 1-4 2-2 0 3 3 2 2 0 0 4
KONCAK DNP - TORN CARTILAGE LEFT KNEE
TOTALS 240 33-74 20-22 6 31 37 18 20 7 21 91
(.446) (.909) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 21(24 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 40 8-19 6-7 2 1 3 3 4 2 3 23
MCDYESS F 40 10-20 7-8 4 1 5 2 2 3 5 27
JOHNSON C 42 7-10 2-2 5 12 17 1 4 2 0 16
JACKSON G 37 1-6 1-4 0 4 4 14 1 0 7 3
STITH G 36 4-15 3-4 2 4 6 2 3 1 0 12
MARCIULIONIS 8 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2
THOMPSON 6 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
PIERCE 12 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 2 2
HAMMONDS 8 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
MURDOCK 11 2-2 1-1 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 5
HAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCINNIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-82 20-26 13 27 40 26 19 9 18 94
(.439) (.769) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 19(19 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 20 32 26 13 - 91
DENVER 24 29 24 17 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - MULLIN 2, SMITH 2, SPENCER 2, ROYAL 2,
FULLER, SPREWELL. DENVER - MCDYESS 3, JOHNSON 3.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 5-14 (.357), SMITH 0-1, MULLIN 0-1,
SPREWELL 0-3, PRICE 3-6, COLES 2-3. DENVER 2-11 (.182), D ELLIS 1-7,
MCDYESS 0-1, STITH 1-2, MARCIULIONIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: GOLDEN STATE - ARMSTRONG.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, DON VADEN, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 10,302. T - 2:09.
GOLDEN STATE (91) AT DENVER (94)
Dale Ellis scored nine of his 23 points in a 12-2 run to end the
game as the Denver Nuggets rallied for a 94-91 victory over the
Golden State Warriors.
Joe Smith's jumper with 4:58 remaining gave Golden State its
biggest lead at 89-82 before Ellis scored five straight points
to cut the gap to two. Smith hit another jumper with 2:21 to go
for the Warriors' last points before Ervin Johnson converted a
layup and Ellis made two foul shots to tie it, 91-91, with 1:16
left.
Nine seconds later, Ellis stole the ball and coasted in for a
layup and Mark Jackson added a free throw for the final margin.
Mark Price and Latrell Sprewell missed three-pointers in the
final seconds for Golden State.
Antonio McDyess netted 27 points and Johnson added 16 and tied a
career high with 17 rebounds for Denver, which snapped a
two-game skid. Bryant Stith chipped in 12 points and Jackson
dished out 14 assists. The team was just 2-for-11 (18 percent)
from three-point range.
"The turnovers hurt us, but our intent was good," said Nuggets
coach Bernie Bickerstaff. "Dale (Ellis) and Ervin (Johnson)
saved us. McDyess stepped up tonight and got some confidence.
He's still getting his legs, this is his pre-season."
"Bernie (Bickerstaff) told us to relax because we wanted to win
so badly," said McDyess. "It feels good to get a win before the
road trip. Maybe I've put too much pressure on myself, I just
have to relax more."
Sprewell scored 29 points and Price had 16 and seven assists for
Golden State, which has dropped three straight. Smith
contributed 11 points and 10 boards, while the team shot 91
percent from the foul line (20-of-22).
"We didn't execute down the stretch," said Sprewell. "We needed
baskets, and weren't able to get them. They did a good job
defensively, they knew we needed a three and kept us spread
out."
Denver extended a 53-52 halftime advantage as McDyess had 10
points in a 19-10 run that made it 72-62 with 5:29 left in the
third period.
But Sprewell scored 10 points and Price five in a 16-3 burst
that put the Warriors ahead, 78-75, just before the end of the
quarter.
"Their big guys hurt us early," said Warriors forward Chris
Mullin. "Somehow we stayed in the game, which is amazing in
itself. Latrell Sprewell kept us in the game by himself. I felt
at halftime, we were lucky to be behind by only one point."
nba.1367vpoznanovic,
LA LAKERS (92) AT TORONTO (93)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CEBALLOS F 28 1-6 0-0 1 6 7 0 2 0 1 2
CAMPBELL F 39 5-12 5-5 3 2 5 4 2 1 0 15
ONEAL C 36 11-18 3-7 5 5 10 2 3 2 3 25
JONES G 42 8-16 6-10 2 5 7 3 1 4 3 25
VAN EXEL G 36 1-14 1-2 1 2 3 4 2 2 4 3
BLOUNT 12 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 0
ROOKS 4 1-2 0-1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
FISHER 8 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SCOTT 18 4-8 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 10
BRYANT 17 3-8 2-4 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 10
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-88 17-29 14 27 41 14 16 9 13 92
(.386) (.586) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 13(10 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 40 7-17 3-5 1 5 6 1 6 2 6 20
TABAK F 6 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 2 2 1 0 4
BENJAMIN C 22 4-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 1 0 8
CHRISTIE G 33 5-10 0-0 1 4 5 5 1 3 2 11
STOUDAMIRE G 41 9-17 0-0 0 10 10 10 0 1 7 21
CAMBY 28 4-7 6-9 2 3 5 1 5 0 2 15
ROGERS 22 3-4 0-0 2 3 5 0 3 0 0 7
WRIGHT 5 0-3 0-2 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 0
DAVIS 20 1-6 1-2 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 3
WHITESIDE 4 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 3
JONES 19 0-1 1-2 2 4 6 0 3 1 1 1
EARL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-75 11-20 11 36 47 22 26 9 19 93
(.480) (.550) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(25 PTS)
LA LAKERS 24 23 26 19 - 92
TORONTO 32 27 21 13 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - CEBALLOS 2, CAMPBELL 2, SCOTT, BRYANT. TORONTO
- ROGERS 4, CAMBY 2, WILLIAMS, CHRISTIE, JONES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 7-20 (.350), CEBALLOS 0-1, JONES 3-7, VAN
EXEL 0-5, FISHER 0-1, SCOTT 2-3, BRYANT 2-3. TORONTO 10-18 (.556),
WILLIAMS 3-5, CHRISTIE 1-2, STOUDAMIRE 3-5, CAMBY 1-1, ROGERS 1-1, DAVIS
0-3, WHITESIDE 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, JOE DEROSA, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 27,357. T - 2:09.
LA LAKERS (92) AT TORONTO (93)
Damon Stoudamire had a triple-double and hit a key three-pointer
down the stretch as the Toronto Raptors held off a
fourth-quarter charge by the Los Angeles Lakers for a 93-92
victory.
Stoudamire had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the
Raptors (2-2). Walt Williams added 20 points for the Raptors,
who led by as much as 13 before seeing their lead evaporate in
the fourth quarter.
"(Coach) Darryl (Walker) wanted me to go right at them and make
something happen (in the fourth quarter)," said Stoudamire. "I kind
of let the game flow to me and hit big shots down the stretch.
You're always nervous when the game is close. We hung in there and
got the victory."
Shaquille O'Neal scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for
the Lakers (3-2), but could not convert from the baseline at the
buzzer.
"We didn't play that well," said O'Neal. "We made a lot of turnovers.
I was wide open on the last play, but the ball just didn't come far
enough."
Los Angeles had the first basket of the game to make it 2-0 but
would never have the lead again. A Roy Rogers' dunk with 8:38 to
go in the second put Toronto up 41-25 for its largest lead and
the Lakers would not pull close until late in the fourth
quarter.
Los Angeles was within five at 88-83 with 3:43 to go when
Stoudamire came through with a layup and then hit a
three-pointer to make it 93-83 with 1:53 remaining.
A dunk by O'Neal brought pulled the Lakers within six and they
had a chance to cut it to four when Williams fouled out with
46.7 seconds to play. But Eddie Jones missed both free throws.
"We have not played game yet," said Lakers coach Del Harris.
"We've had a few good quarters. We should not be outrebounded
in a game like this. Of course 38 percent shooting doesn't buy
any groceries either."
Another O'Neal slam six seconds later set up Byron Scott's
high, arching three-pointer from the left wing with 24.9 seconds
to go, making it 93-92. Rookie and second overall draft pick
Marcus Camby had a chance to give his team some breathing room
but missed two free throws with 12 seconds to go.
"I'm proud of them tonight, we didn't fold," said Walker.
"We're starting to see something special in Damon and Marcus,
they're the future."We let them take their run. We took the
punch and got right back at it."
It is the first win in three all-time tries against the Lakers
for Toronto, which lost 111-106 at home to Los Angeles last
year.
nba.1368vpoznanovic,
MILWAUKEE (89) AT MIAMI (101)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 37 10-18 1-1 1 5 6 2 2 5 3 22
BAKER F 41 9-17 8-10 3 5 8 6 5 1 3 27
LANG C 32 4-6 0-0 1 9 10 0 4 1 1 8
ALLEN G 29 3-8 3-3 1 1 2 2 2 0 4 9
DOUGLAS G 32 4-8 2-2 0 1 1 3 4 2 3 10
NEWMAN 21 1-5 2-2 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 4
GILLIAM 22 2-8 2-2 2 4 6 0 0 1 0 6
PERRY 16 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 5 1 0 4 2
HANCOCK 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
WOLF 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
WOOD 1 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-74 19-22 8 29 37 20 24 10 20 89
(.459) (.864) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 20(26 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 34 6-10 1-2 3 2 5 0 1 1 2 14
THOMAS F 14 2-6 0-0 1 5 6 0 2 0 2 4
MOURNING C 36 10-17 3-7 3 7 10 0 2 1 3 23
DANILOVIC G 36 3-7 2-2 0 1 1 3 3 1 3 10
HARDAWAY G 28 5-11 2-4 0 1 1 9 2 1 0 12
GRANT 20 1-6 2-2 1 0 1 6 2 2 2 5
BROWN 21 4-6 5-6 3 1 4 1 2 0 1 13
ASKINS 22 3-4 0-0 1 6 7 0 1 0 1 8
AUSTIN 28 4-10 4-6 3 7 10 4 3 1 3 12
STRICKLAND 1 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-78 19-29 16 30 46 23 18 7 17 101
(.487) (.655) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 17(12 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 23 13 24 29 - 89
MIAMI 26 27 20 28 - 101
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - BAKER, LANG, GILLIAM, WOOD. MIAMI - MOURNING
3, THOMAS, BROWN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 2-7 (.286), ROBINSON 1-3, BAKER 1-1, ALLEN
0-1, NEWMAN 0-1, WOLF 0-1. MIAMI 6-12 (.500), MAJERLE 1-2, MOURNING 0-1,
DANILOVIC 2-3, HARDAWAY 0-1, GRANT 1-3, ASKINS 2-2.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - DANILOVIC.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, RON OLESIAK, BENNIE ADAMS.
A - 15,200. T - 2:04.
MILWAUKEE (89) AT MIAMI (101)
Alonzo Mourning scored 23 points to lead a balanced attack as
the Miami Heat maintained their mastery over the Milwaukee Bucks
and handed them their first defeat of the season, 101-89.
Miami has won 14 straight games against the Bucks since a 109-87
loss on January 28th, 1993. Dan Majerle added 14 points for the
Heat, who used a 14-0 run in the second quarter to break the
game open.
Vin Baker scored 27 points and Glenn Robinson added 13 for the
Bucks, who lost for the first time in four games under new coach
Chris Ford. Milwaukee was one of four unbeaten teams in the
league.
"We're aware of it, it's not something I care about all that
much," said Baker about the 14-game losing streak to the Heat.
"But that streak started when neither of us were making the
playoffs. We have to focus on beating this team. It's one of
those things, every team has a nemesis and they are ours."
Baker had pulled Milwaukee within 35-31 on a jumper with 7:49 to
play in the second quarter, but Miami held the Bucks scoreless
for almost six minutes. P.J. Brown started the run with a jumper
and Isaac Austin extended the Heat's lead to 39-31 at the 5:47
mark.
Mourning threw down a dunk with 4:50 to go and Sasha Danilovic
made two free throws to push the lead to 43-31. Keith Askins
and Mourning converted layups before Mourning sank a pair of
foul shots to give Miami a 49-31 lead with 1:57 left in the
second half.
Milwaukee pulled within 57-49 on a jumper by Robinson with 7:46
to play in the third quarter, but it was the only time the Bucks
were within single digits.
Brown contributed 13 points off the bench and Austin had a
career-high 12 for Miami, which outrebounded the Bucks 46-37.
Tim Hardaway had 12 points and nine assists while Danilovic
finished with 10. Mourning also grabbed 10 rebounds, as did
Austin.
"You always have to stay ready, you never know when you're going
to get your chances," said Austin, who played 28 minutes.
"We've had trouble with our offense, but when you play good
defense, you win games. I took the shots I have been working on
since training camp and it's starting to come, I'm starting to
feel comfortable."
"We wanted everyone pursuing rebounds," Heat coach Pat Riley
said. "Sometimes we leave it up to 'Zo (Mourning) and Kurt
(Thomas) too much."
Miami shot 48.7 percent from the field (38-of-78) and 6-of-12
from three-point range. The Heat scored 26 points off 20
turnovers by Milwaukee.
Sherman Douglas was the only other Bucks player who scored in
double figures with 10. Milwaukee's reserves were outscored
38-13, but the starters held a 76-63 advantage over Miami's
starting five.
"We let them set the tempo and helped them with a lot of
mistakes," said Douglas. "We have a game tomorrow, so we
can't dwell on this."
nba.1369vpoznanovic,
NEW JERSEY (82) AT ORLANDO (86)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OBANNON F 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
J WILLIAMS F 32 5-11 2-2 9 9 18 1 5 2 4 12
BRADLEY C 28 3-10 0-0 4 6 10 0 3 0 2 6
GILL G 38 4-10 3-4 0 3 3 2 4 3 7 11
PACK G 19 6-12 1-3 0 0 0 4 1 1 3 13
CALDWELL 20 2-3 0-2 1 4 5 1 3 0 0 4
KITTLES 33 3-8 2-2 2 1 3 4 3 2 2 9
MCDANIEL 29 3-11 1-2 6 7 13 2 1 0 0 9
MASSENBURG 16 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 1 1 6
REEVES 19 4-10 0-0 1 1 2 5 6 2 2 9
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
R WILLIAMS DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 34-86 9-15 23 33 56 19 29 11 21 82
(.395) (.600) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 22(20 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 38 7-13 0-2 2 4 6 1 4 4 1 15
GRANT F 35 6-17 6-6 6 7 13 2 0 3 1 18
VAUGHN C 26 1-5 3-4 6 7 13 0 3 0 0 5
HARDAWAY G 40 9-23 10-14 4 3 7 4 3 3 2 29
SHAW G 32 2-7 0-0 0 3 3 4 1 1 4 4
WILKINS 22 2-9 0-0 2 0 2 1 1 0 4 5
SEIKALY 19 1-9 0-2 5 3 8 0 3 0 3 2
ARMSTRONG 13 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 3 3 0 2 3
STRONG 15 2-4 1-2 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 5
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-91 20-30 28 28 56 15 18 11 18 86
(.341) (.667) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 18(25 PTS)
NEW JERSEY 13 25 15 29 - 82
ORLANDO 18 24 24 20 - 86
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 10, J WILLIAMS 2, MASSENBURG 2,
OBANNON, REEVES. ORLANDO - GRANT 2, HARDAWAY 2, ANDERSON, VAUGHN,
SEIKALY, ARMSTRONG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 5-15 (.333), OBANNON 1-2, GILL 0-1, KITTLES
1-5, MCDANIEL 2-3, REEVES 1-4. ORLANDO 4-17 (.235), ANDERSON 1-6, HARDAWAY
1-4, SHAW 0-1, WILKINS 1-4, ARMSTRONG 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, BERNIE FRYER, TOM WASHINGTON.
A - 38,639. T - 2:15.
NEW JERSEY (82) AT ORLANDO (86)
Penny Hardaway had 29 points and seven rebounds and the Orlando
Magic survived a fourth-quarter scare by the New Jersey Nets to
post an 86-82 victory and a sweep of the two-game NBA Japan
Games in Tokyo.
Horace Grant added 18 points and 13 boards and Nick Anderson
scored 15 for Orlando, which defeated New Jersey for the sixth
straight time. Hardaway netted 23 points and Gerald Wilkins had
18 Thursday as the Magic downed the Nets, 108-95, in the opener.
"We knew it was going to be a tougher team than we played last
game," said Grant. "This team has a lot of pride. Their pride
was hurt in the first game and they came out and played very
aggressive. I think we really underestimated them in the second
half."
Robert Pack scored 13 points and Jayson Williams added 12 and 18
rebounds for New Jersey, which fell to 0-3. The team has
dropped five games in a row and 12 of its last 13 dating back to
last season.
The Nets were without head coach John Calipari, who stayed in
New Jersey to await the birth of his third child. Assistant
coach Don Casey served as Nets head coach for the second
consecutive game.
"Congratulations to Orlando," said Casey. "They really stood
the test. I thought we played excellent basketball and made
some big time plays to stay with them and possibly have a chance
to beat them. But they held their fort and, at the critical
times, they made the plays."
David Vaughn pulled down 13 rebounds for Orlando, which won
despite shooting 34 percent (31-of-91) from the field and 67
percent (20-of-30) from the foul line.
Shawn Bradley had 10 rebounds and 10 blocks, while Xavier
McDaniel snared 13 caroms for the Nets, who shot 39.5 percent
(34-of-86) from the floor and 60 percent (9-for-15) from the
free-throw line.
After Ed O'Bannon began the game with a three-pointer, Orlando
scored the next 14 points, behind six from Grant. New Jersey
rallied with a 10-0 spurt to cut the deficit to 18-17 1:39 into
the second period. The score was tied 22 seconds later and a
7-0 spree gave the Nets a 29-25 advantage with 5:06 left in the
half.
The Magic scored the final three points of the second period and
the first four of the third for a 46-38 lead. A three-pointer
by Anderson gave Orlando its biggest lead of the game at 61-46
with 2:01 to go in the third.
The gap remained at 15 points 20 seconds into the final period
before New Jersey embarked on a 20-6 run. Pack had eight points
and Bradley six in the surge that cut the deficit to 74-73 with
6:42 to play. A Williams hook tied the score at 77-77 with 3:25
left, but Hardaway had a three-point play and Orlando never
trailed again.
"This group was very focused," Magic coach Brian Hill said. "I
think we did a good job defensively. We felt we had to play
good defense and keep them off the boards in order to win this
game. We did that in the beginning of the game. Unfortunately,
we lost the momentum as we moved through."
"It was a pride thing," said Pack about the second half. "You
don't want to get beat night in and night out by anyone,
especially not the same team. The fourth quarter was a pride
thing. We all came out and said, 'let's put this thing
together.' We gave it a good run. Unfortunately, we didn't get
completely over the hump."
The two-game set marked the fourth time the league has staged
regular season games in Japan. Thursday's contest marked the
first time either Orlando or New Jersey played a regular season
games abroad.
nba.1370vpoznanovic,
NEW YORK (88) AT LA CLIPPERS (81) - FINAL IN OT
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 40 6-9 1-2 4 2 6 2 3 0 5 13
OAKLEY F 39 4-8 3-5 5 4 9 2 5 1 5 11
EWING C 40 5-12 10-10 0 19 19 0 5 1 8 20
HOUSTON G 29 3-12 3-3 1 4 5 2 6 1 2 10
WARD G 18 2-4 1-2 0 2 2 5 2 0 2 5
STARKS 37 2-13 2-2 1 3 4 3 3 0 4 7
WALLACE 20 4-6 8-10 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 16
B WILLIAMS 21 3-6 0-0 5 1 6 0 6 2 3 6
H WILLIAMS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BROOKS 19 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 4 3 0
JENT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 29-72 28-34 16 38 54 14 35 9 32 88
(.403) (.824) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 32(32 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 25 0-5 3-4 1 5 6 0 3 1 3 3
ROGERS F 27 3-8 1-3 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 7
DUCKWORTH C 27 6-12 0-0 1 3 4 0 4 0 2 12
RICHARDSON G 31 2-10 0-0 1 1 2 3 2 5 2 4
SEALY G 24 3-8 7-7 0 2 2 0 1 1 3 13
ROBERTS 19 2-7 3-4 0 4 4 1 5 1 4 7
MURRAY 28 1-5 7-9 0 2 2 1 1 1 3 9
DEHERE 25 1-6 2-2 1 1 2 4 2 1 2 5
PIATKOWSKI 25 1-5 3-3 1 2 3 0 4 5 0 5
OUTLAW 26 3-6 4-8 4 3 7 1 2 3 1 10
WRIGHT 7 3-4 0-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 6
D MARTIN 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 265 25-76 30-42 10 24 34 11 28 20 20 81
(.329) (.714) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 21(22 PTS)
NEW YORK 26 17 22 12 11 - 88
LA CLIPPERS 18 22 15 22 4 - 81
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - EWING 4, JOHNSON, HOUSTON, WARD, B WILLIAMS. LA
CLIPPERS - OUTLAW 3, MURRAY 2, ROBERTS 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 2-15 (.133), HOUSTON 1-4, WARD 0-1, STARKS
1-10. LA CLIPPERS 1-7 (.143), ROGERS 0-1, RICHARDSON 0-2, MURRAY 0-1,
DEHERE 1-2, PIATKOWSKI 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, EWING, LA CLIPPERS - ILLEGAL
DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, JIM CLARK, GARY BENSON.
A - 13,242. T - 0:00.
NEW YORK (88) AT LA CLIPPERS (81) - FINAL IN OT
Patrick Ewing scored five of his 20 points in overtime and
grabbed 19 rebounds as the New York Knicks continued their
dominance over the Los Angeles Clippers with an 88-81 victory.
The Knicks scored the first four points of overtime on a pair of
free throws by rookie John Wallace and a 14-foot jumper by
Charles Oakley for an 81-77 lead.
After Charles Outlaw dunked to close the Clippers within 81-80,
Ewing converted a three-point play to restore the Knicks'
four-point lead with 1:50 left in the extra session. He added
two free throws with 9.6 seconds remaining for an 86-81 lead.
"I was just trying to do what it takes to win," Ewing said. "I
didn't play a particularly good game in my mind. I missed a lot
of easy shots, but I did what I had to do to help the team win.
We battled, kept our composure, especially in overtime, and we
were fortunate to come away with the win. We were disappointed
in our performance."
The Clippers forced overtime by scoring the last nine points in
the fourth quarter. Trailing 77-68, Stanley Roberts scored seven
points during the stretch -- including a key three-point play
with 1:30 remaining -- and Outlaw made one of two free throws to
tie the game at 77-77 with 24 seconds left in regulation.
"It's a hard game to swallow," Roberts said. "We worked hard to
get back in it. The effort was there. The shots just were not
falling. I did not help them in overtime. I didn't make my shots
down the line."
The Clippers forced New York's Scott Brooks into a turnover 17
seconds later, but failed to capitalize as Pooh Richardson
missed a last-second shot.
"It was a pretty good day against a good basketball team,"
Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "It was an awful good effort
from our bench. We forced a lot of turnovers. We held our own
in the second half. It's tough to do that against a team like
New York."
Wallace scored 16 points and Larry Johnson added 13 for New
York, which defeated the Clippers for the 18th time in 21
meetings. The Knicks have won four straight at Los Angeles.
Malik Sealy scored 13 points, Kevin Duckworth added 12 and
Outlaw had 10 and seven rebounds for the Clippers, who have lost
10 of their last 11 home games with New York.
Loy Vaught was held to three free throws -- going 0-for-5 from
the floor -- and six rebounds for the Clippers, who have yet to
score more than 97 points or yield more than 95.
"It's a tough loss here at home," Vaught admitted. "But we
still have more to learn. Going in the weight room, I think, is
affecting my shot. I just missed shots I normally make. Maybe I
got to stop going in there."
The Knicks won despite committing 32 turnovers that led to 32
points for the Clippers. New York has turned the ball over 60
times in its last two games.
"It's hard to get a road win, but we'll take it," Knicks coach
Jeff Van Gundy said. "We had the best player on the floor
(Ewing) and he made the big shot. It usually works out. We have
to play better. We turned the ball over too many times. We have
to take care of the ball. It's not acceptable."
Knicks point guard Charlie Ward left in the third quarter with a
strained hamstring, but New York improved to 3-0 on the road
this season.
Oakley finished with 11 points and nine rebounds for New York,
which shot 40 percent (29-of-72) from the field but outrebounded
Los Angeles 54-34. Allan Houston and John Starks combined for
17 points on 5-of-25 shooting for the Knicks. The same duo made
just 2-of-14 from three-point territory.
Richardson hit 2-of-10 from the field and handed out just three
assists for Los Angeles, which committed 21 turnovers that led
to 22 points for the Knicks.
nba.1371vpoznanovic,
PHILADELPHIA (115) AT BOSTON (105)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 32 7-9 5-6 4 7 11 5 1 2 1 19
COLEMAN F 45 4-10 6-8 1 7 8 5 3 1 7 15
WILLIAMS C 23 3-7 0-0 3 10 13 0 3 2 0 6
IVERSON G 42 9-19 14-22 0 6 6 4 2 2 4 32
STACKHOUSE G 20 2-10 1-2 0 0 0 0 4 0 3 5
MACLEAN 7 0-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
DAVIS 32 7-11 7-10 6 1 7 1 5 3 0 22
HARRIS 28 5-12 0-0 0 1 1 4 0 4 2 13
WALTERS 7 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 3
CAGE 4 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
BRADTKE DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
OVERTON DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 38-85 33-48 15 34 49 23 21 14 17 115
(.447) (.688) TEAM REBS: 20 TOTAL TO: 18(22 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 19 2-5 1-2 2 1 3 1 5 1 1 5
RADJA F 37 6-14 1-2 2 6 8 1 5 1 2 13
ELLISON C 25 2-6 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 0 2 4
WESLEY G 36 4-12 1-4 2 2 4 8 4 2 6 10
FOX G 33 6-12 7-8 2 5 7 2 4 3 4 21
DAY 23 4-10 4-4 1 2 3 1 2 1 1 13
WALKER 24 8-15 0-1 3 4 7 0 3 2 1 17
BRICKOWSKI 14 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 2 4
CONLON 6 1-1 0-0 2 1 3 1 0 0 0 2
BARROS 22 6-15 2-2 0 1 1 7 4 0 1 16
DRIGGERS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SZABO DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-93 16-23 16 28 44 22 34 10 20 105
(.441) (.696) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 20(23 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 27 28 25 35 - 115
BOSTON 24 35 20 26 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - COLEMAN 2, STACKHOUSE 2, DAVIS 2,
WEATHERSPOON, IVERSON. BOSTON - RADJA 2, ELLISON, FOX, DAY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 6-16 (.375), COLEMAN 1-3, IVERSON 0-3,
MACLEAN 0-1, DAVIS 1-1, HARRIS 3-7, WALTERS 1-1. BOSTON 7-19 (.368),
WESLEY 1-5, FOX 2-4, DAY 1-3, WALKER 1-3, BARROS 2-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, BLANE REICHELT, ED F RUSH.
A - 14,733. T - 2:17.
PHILADELPHIA (115) AT BOSTON (105)
Clarence Weatherspoon keyed a decisive third-quarter run with
seven points and rookie Allen Iverson added a career-high 32 as
the Philadelphia 76ers won for the first time this season,
defeating the Boston Celtics, 115-105.
The Sixers, who had dropped their first three games, scored 18
straight points late in the third quarter, turning a 14-point
deficit into a 79-75 lead. Weatherspoon had seven points during
the burst, which included five points apiece from Mark Davis and
Lucious Harris.
"We played with a lot of character down the stretch," said
Philadelphia's Johnny Davis, who earned his first coaching
victory. "There was a moment during the third quarter where it
was either step up or we really lose this ballgame. We got more
active on the defensive end, played with more purpose, executed
a lot better. Consequently, we hung in there and made a
ballgame out of it. Then we hung on to win it."
Iverson made 9-of-19 shots and 14-of-22 free-throw attempts in
42 minutes.
"We turned it up defensively and played the way we're capable of
playing," he said. "I'm still learning, I have to be patient,
wait for the shot, and get my teammates involved. Derrick
Coleman is talking to me. He knows more than the rest of us.
I'm definitely satisfied winning on the road. This game is
special because it is my first win, I want to enjoy this
tonight."
The win was the Sixers' first over Boston since December 23rd,
1994 -- a span of six games. Rick Fox led the Celtics with 21
points, but committed a pair of turnovers during Philadelphia's
key run.
Ahead 64-61 with 7:58 to play in the third quarter, Boston went
on an 11-0 run to open a 14-point advantage. Pervis Ellison
sparked the spurt with a basket and Dana Barros capped it with a
three-pointer. Ironically, the Celtics blew a 14-point lead two
nights after rallying from 26 points behind to win.
But Boston committed seven turnovers over the next five minutes,
including two apiece by Fox and David Wesley. Wesley had six of
the Celtics' 20 turnovers.
"When you're up 14 in the third quarter, it's time to get the
put-em-away attitude," said Celtics coach M.L. Carr. "We
didn't. We had three or four turnovers and that feeds opposing
teams and they capitalized on it. That 18-point run was an
absolute killer and those kind of turnovers break your back.
Our concern was Iverson, (Jerry) Stackhouse and Coleman.
Iverson was really the only one we lost track of."
Weatherspoon made 7-of-9 shots and grabbed 11 rebounds for the
the 76ers, who went to the free-throw line 48 times, making 33.
Davis, a rookie out of Texas Tech, had a career-high 22 points
off the bench as Philadelphia's bench accounted for 52 points.
"Mark was definitely a spark for us," Stackhouse said. "He
turned up the defensive intensity for us, got some steals and I
think that was the turning point in the game. Once we got them
and they got kind of rattled a little bit, we were able to get
control of the game from then on out."
nba.1372vpoznanovic,
SEATTLE (87) AT SAN ANTONIO (75)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 33 5-14 9-10 4 9 13 0 5 1 3 19
D SCHREMPF F 37 6-10 2-2 2 4 6 1 2 0 0 16
MCILVAINE C 16 3-5 1-2 1 1 2 0 3 0 1 7
PAYTON G 37 4-19 7-8 3 4 7 7 2 1 3 16
HAWKINS G 28 2-9 0-0 2 1 3 6 1 3 0 4
MCMILLAN 21 3-4 2-2 0 5 5 1 1 1 1 8
PERKINS 25 2-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 1 1 4
EHLO 26 5-10 0-0 3 4 7 1 3 1 1 11
WINGATE 15 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 1 2 2
SNOW 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
STEWART 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-79 21-24 16 30 46 18 21 9 12 87
(.392) (.875) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D WILKINS F 42 5-14 2-5 2 4 6 3 2 1 5 12
ELLIOTT F 40 6-14 2-3 3 8 11 3 2 2 2 15
ANDERSON C 36 1-3 2-2 1 7 8 0 2 1 2 4
DEL NEGRO G 31 5-11 1-1 0 3 3 5 3 1 1 11
JOHNSON G 36 7-13 1-4 1 3 4 7 2 0 2 15
KEMPTON 4 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
MAXWELL 27 3-10 3-6 0 1 1 1 3 0 2 9
M WILLIAMS 14 0-2 2-2 2 2 4 0 2 0 1 2
ALEXANDER 6 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 5
HERRERA 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 2
W PERDUE DNP - LEFT THUMB
SMITH DNP - SYNOVITIS RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 29-70 15-25 10 28 38 22 18 6 17 75
(.414) (.600) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 18(14 PTS)
SEATTLE 24 21 19 23 - 87
SAN ANTONIO 15 22 15 23 - 75
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE. SAN ANTONIO - ANDERSON 6, D WILKINS
2, M WILLIAMS 2, MAXWELL, ELLIOTT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 4-18 (.222), D SCHREMPF 2-3, PAYTON 1-6,
HAWKINS 0-4, MCMILLAN 0-1, PERKINS 0-2, EHLO 1-2. SAN ANTONIO 2-19 (.105),
D WILKINS 0-3, ELLIOTT 1-5, DEL NEGRO 0-6, JOHNSON 0-1, MAXWELL 0-3,
ALEXANDER 1-1.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - HEAD COACH KARL.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, WOODY MAYFIELD, GREG WILLARD.
A - 15,027. T - 2:11.
SEATTLE (87) AT SAN ANTONIO (75)
Shawn Kemp scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Gary
Payton added 16 points and seven assists to spark the Seattle
SuperSonics to an 87-75 victory over the struggling San Antonio
Spurs.
Seattle (3-2) scored the first seven points of the game and
never trailed.
The Sonics led by as many as 19 late in the game and held an
87-68 advantage with 1:11 to go, but the Spurs closed the
contest with a 8-0 run.
Sean Elliott and Avery Johnson topped San Antonio (1-4) with 15
points each. Johnson added seven assists for the Spurs, who have
ecliped 80 points just once this season.
San Antonio never got closer than three. Dominique Wilkins hit a
layup at 10:20 of third period to make it 45-42. Wilkins had a
chance to close it within a basket but missed a free throw after
being fouled on the play.
San Antonio forward Charles Smith did not play because of a
chronic knee problem. The Spurs were also without injured star
center David Robinson, who has been out the entire season with a
bad back. Robinson is scheduled to begin light workouts next
week.
The teams split last season's four-game series, with San Antonio
winning the last two by a combined four points.
nba.1373vpoznanovic,
VANCOUVER (72) AT CLEVELAND (88)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 33 2-8 0-0 2 4 6 3 1 1 3 4
ROGERS F 24 3-5 2-2 1 2 3 1 3 1 0 8
REEVES C 31 4-10 4-6 2 4 6 0 1 0 3 12
ANTHONY G 32 3-9 6-6 1 4 5 4 1 3 1 13
PEELER G 27 2-11 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 2 4
ABDUR-RAHIM 29 3-10 6-9 2 2 4 2 3 1 0 12
MOTEN 16 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 2
LYNCH 7 1-4 1-2 2 1 3 0 2 0 1 3
MAYBERRY 16 3-7 2-2 1 2 3 1 0 2 2 9
MOBLEY 5 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 0
CHILCUTT 10 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 2
MANNING 10 1-3 1-2 3 1 4 1 2 0 0 3
TOTALS 240 24-77 22-29 16 25 41 17 17 9 14 72
(.312) (.759) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(17 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 29 3-8 0-0 0 3 3 3 2 0 1 8
HILL F 24 4-5 1-2 4 5 9 1 2 1 2 9
WEST C 27 5-10 1-1 7 2 9 0 1 0 2 11
BRANDON G 15 2-9 0-0 0 1 1 5 3 0 2 4
SURA G 28 5-13 4-6 2 11 13 5 2 0 0 15
PHILLS 26 5-10 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 3 2 12
FERRY 24 2-5 0-0 0 4 4 1 2 0 4 6
POTAPENKO 21 5-10 2-2 2 3 5 2 3 0 1 12
GEARY 21 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 5 2 1 3 5
LANG 16 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 5 2 0 3
THOMAS 6 1-2 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
MARSHALL 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
TOTALS 240 35-79 10-14 15 34 49 24 22 8 18 88
(.443) (.714) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 18(21 PTS)
VANCOUVER 15 13 16 28 - 72
CLEVELAND 21 21 29 17 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ABDUR-RAHIM 2, REEVES, PEELER. CLEVELAND -
MILLS 2, HILL 2, PHILLS, POTAPENKO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 2-10 (.200), ANTHONY 1-3, PEELER 0-3, MOTEN
0-1, MAYBERRY 1-3. CLEVELAND 8-21 (.381), MILLS 2-3, BRANDON 0-2, SURA
1-3, PHILLS 2-5, FERRY 2-4, GEARY 1-2, THOMAS 0-1, MARSHALL 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE BORGIA, RONNIE NUNN, KEN MAUER.
A - 13,691. T - 2:02.
VANCOUVER (72) AT CLEVELAND (88)
Bobby Sura had 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds and Bobby
Phills scored 12 points in his first game of the season as the
Cleveland Cavaliers posted an 88-72 victory over the Vancouver
Grizzlies.
Sura and Phills each scored nine points over the first 24
minutes as the Cavs stormed to a 42-28 halftime lead. Vancouver
trailed 52-39 with 5:48 left in the third quarter before
Cleveland closed the period with a 19-5 run. Sura had six
points and Mark West five in the spurt that made it 71-44.
"The first three games I played solid but not great," said Sura.
"So it was nice to get a good one tonight and get a victory for
us. Some nights the rebounds are just coming to you. I was
getting to the ball before everybody else. We had a couple of
long days after losing to San Antonio (Tuesday) and (there was)
no way we were going to lose tonight."
Rookie Vitaly Potapenko also netted 12 points for Cleveland,
which is 3-1 for the first time since 1992-93. The team was
threatening its record of 61 points allowed in a game before the
Grizzlies scored 28 in the final quarter.
"We got an outstanding performance by Bobby Sura tonight with
his career high in rebounds," Cavs coach Mike Fratello said.
"He kept us going in the first half. You always turn the ship
around in the right direction when you have a bad game like we
did against San Antonio. You've got to turn it around."
Greg Anthony scored 13 points, while Bryant Reeves and rookie
Shareef Abdur-Rahim each added 12 for Vancouver, which has
dropped its first five games. Reeves and Blue Edwards had six
rebounds apiece for the Grizzlies, who shot just 31 percent
(24-of-77) from the field.
"When you shoot as poorly as we did, it's too hard, you can't
stay in games," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters said. "The Cavs
have a good defensive team and I give them credit for that, but
when you shoot 31 percent, you're not going to stay in any
game."
Vancouver held its last lead at 8-6 before the Cavs reeled off
seven straight points, including the final five by Phills, who
missed the first three games with a sprained ankle.
Cleveland led 21-15 after the first period and extended its
advantage when Potapenko scored eight in a 12-2 burst that made
it 33-17 five minutes into the second.
West totaled 11 points and nine rebounds, while Tyrone Hill also
pulled down nine boards as Cleveland won the rebounding battle,
49-41. Point guard Terrell Brandon was held to four points
after averaging 25.7.
"We just did not play well, we didn't play together," said
Anthony. "We didn't play particularly hard at times and that has
got to change. I don't know what it's going to take to turn
this around. We have to have six or seven guys contributing
heavily and right now we're not getting it."
nba.1374vpoznanovic,
Scott placed on injured list
The Orlando Magic have placed starting guard Dennis Scott on the
injured list with a strained left hamstring.
Scott, who missed the Magic's first game last week against
Washington, led the team and the league last year in three-point
shooting with 267 three-pointers, an NBA record, averaging 42.5-
percent from the arc.
During the 1995-96 campaign, Scott averaged 17.5 points, 3.8
rebounds and 2.9 assists per outing.
nba.1375vpoznanovic,
LaPhonso Ellis' surgery successful
DENVER -- Nuggets forward LaPhonso Ellis underwent successful
arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left knee Friday and is still
expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.
Ellis underwent an MRI Wednesday, which revealed a significant amount
of chondromalacia, or roughening of the articular cartilage in the
knee. Team physician Doctor Steve Traina removed loose fragments from
the knee in the operation Friday.
The fifth-year veteran has undergone two previous surgeries in his
career. He missed 76 games in 1994-95 due to a stress fracture to the
patella of his right knee, and sat out the first 31 games last year
because of a stress fracture in his left knee. Both conditions were
caused by bone cysts, which are not a factor in the current injury.
The 26-year-old Ellis is averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds in three
games this season. He played just two minutes in Tuesday night's loss
to the Los Angeles Clippers.
nba.1376vpoznanovic,
Celtics re-sign Driggers, shelve Lister
BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics Friday re-signed rookie guard-forward
Nate Driggers and placed veteran center Alton Lister on the injured
list with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Lister, a 245-pound seven-footer in his 15th NBA season, had surgery
on September 18th and is not expected back until after the All-Star
Game.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Driggers appeared in seven pre-season games
for the Celtics and averaging three points and 1.9 rebounds before
being waived on Halloween. He is expected to be in uniform Friday when
the Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers.
nba.1377vpoznanovic,
Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant Is Acting His Age Only On The Court
NEW YORK -- The youngest player in NBA history has no trouble
handling the full-court press of the New York media. However,
Kobe Bryant may be wondering when the games are going to get
this easy.
The 18-year-old backcourt prodigy of the Los Angeles Lakers is
worldly and engaging. He looks at reporters when answering
questions and smiles when he's finished. When the crowd around
him swells, Lakers media relations director John Black whispers
in his ear and Bryant replies, "Sure."
Everyone moves into an adjacent room, where Bryant can better
tell you why he didn't go to college, even though he attained
the required SAT scores; how he plans to enroll at UCLA, taking
classes in international business; and what he thinks he can do
at this level, where they say NBA stands for No Babies Allowed.
"I still don't know if I can play with these guys," Bryant said.
"I have to go out there and find out."
He is just about the only member of the Lakers who has doubts.
Everyone from the general manager to the coach to the All-Star
center to the guards who get most of his playing time believe
Bryant is going to be a superstar.
"We're gonna gradually get him in there," said Lakers coach Del
Harris. "He's 18 years old. He's gonna be here a long, long
time."
"He's going to be an outstanding player in this league," said
veteran guard Byron Scott. "I'm not trying to hold him back,
Del's not trying to hold him back. We just know right now that
experience is something he needs. Once he gets that experience,
his talent will take over."
Black finally breaks up the interview and Bryant disappears out
the door. Even the cynics in the room admit the kid has a
pretty good handle on all the attention he's been getting.
*****
As a senior at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, Bryant
was named Player of the Year by USA Today and Parade Magazine.
He averaged 31 points and 12 rebounds per game and scored more
points in high school than Wilt Chamberlain.
His short list of colleges included Duke, North Carolina and La
Salle, where his father starred 20 years ago. Joe "Jellybean"
Bryant played eight years in the NBA, including one for Harris
in Houston.
After speaking with coaches and scouts, Joe Bryant advised his
son to enter the NBA draft. Kobe was selected 13th -- a lottery
pick -- by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Lakers for
center Vlade Divac.
"When I was 18 years old, I wasn't thinking about playing in
this league," Scott said. "I was thinking about college. When I
got to about a junior in college, that's when I started to think
about the NBA. I was 21 then. Eighteen years old? I couldn't
fathom being in the NBA."
Joe Bryant, who once picked up his whole family and moved it to
Italy so he could play basketball, picked up his whole family
and moved it to Los Angeles so his son could play basketball.
"I'm not missing out on too much," Bryant said. "I still got
that home cooking."
You see, Kobe is like every other teenager who plays basketball
during the day and comes home at night to a meal prepared by his
mother. The only difference is Kobe goes to play basketball
with Cedric Ceballos and Nick Van Exel.
Los Angeles has been good to Kobe. He signed a three-year deal
worth $3.5 million. He made a guest appearance on "Arliss," the
HBO program about an unscrupulous agent. And he speaks fluent
Italian, which helps when faced with a snobby maitre'd.
Joe remains his son's advisor. He goes to every home game and
more than a few on the road, too. He was a teammate of Darryl
Dawkins, who also made the jump from high school. There is not
much that Joe hasn't seen in basketball and he shares all of it
with his son.
"One thing he has told me is that the game has changed so much,
the on-court activities and the off-court activities," the
younger Bryant said.
*****
For all of Bryant's refreshing maturity in the locker room, it
is on the court where you are quickly reminded he is 18.
That is where Bryant is now, working on his low-post moves with
Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis. With his back to the basket and
Rambis leaning on him, he takes a pass and shoots a turnaround
banker that clangs off the rim. He winces, either at the shot
or his heavily taped wrist.
"You do some things that are positive and some things where you
hit yourself in the head," he said.
Bryant sat out the season opener with a sore wrist that he broke
in a pickup game in Venice Beach. During the exhibition season,
he landed on his tailbone after a circus dunk, which earned him
his first nickname -- "Showboat," coined by teammate Shaquille
O'Neal.
He played six minutes at guard in the second game of the season
and did not score, missing his only shot. Afterward, he said,
"I think it went well. ... It's basketball. It's something I
have been doing all my life."
Harris has two solid shooting guards in Eddie Jones and Scott,
so Game Three of the season -- against the New York Knicks at
Madison Square Garden -- sees Bryant at a new position. He
starts the second quarter at small forward and Harris
immediately calls a play for him. He gets past New York Knicks
guard John Starks -- a good defender -- and draws a foul.
Bryant makes the first free throw and is no longer scoreless in
his NBA career. But it is all downhill from there. He tries
the turnaround move and gets trapped and whistled for traveling.
He allows Knicks rookie John Wallace to get loose for a layup.
"It's hard to find a spot for him," Harris said. "They trapped
everyone down low. I've got Eddie and Byron going well at two
(shooting guard). Kobe's best position is two."
"I keep telling him, `You're gonna get a chance to shine,' "
O'Neal said. "He's gonna be fine. I'm not gonna let him get
frustrated."
Bryant misses a shot on the next possession and returns to the
bench just three minutes after he left it. He is on the court
for the team's worst stretch in a 98-92 victory. Afterwards, a
reporter asks him about playing in Madison Square Garden and his
answer again reminds everyone of his age.
"It was cool," Bryant said. "It was a lot different than the
high school championships."
*****
Bryant isn't just another kid trying to jump from high school to
the NBA. At 6-6, he is the shortest. Shorter than Moses Malone,
shorter than Bill Willoughby, even shorter than Lloyd Daniels.
Kevin Garnett made the jump last year. Jermaine O'Neal, on the
injured list, is trying this year. Both are 6-11, which helps
in a league that still prefers height to skill.
"They can scare off a shot or get a rebound," Harris said.
"They don't have to worry about setting up plays, dribbling the
ball, passing the ball, getting upcourt, guarding real quick
guys. The athletic, quick, outside people have to play the
entire court. They can get embarrassed a lot easier."
"I'm the first guard to come out of high school," Bryant said.
"Everybody wants to see if I can do this or that."
The following night in Charlotte, Bryant does a little of this
and a little of that. He makes his first NBA basket and scores
five points in seven minutes. He also gets booed every time he
touches the ball after spurning the Hornets for Hollywood. But
the Lakers lose for the first time in four games.
"I'm learning every day and the guys have been good to me," he
said.
Two of those guys are the ones directly in front of him on the
depth chart -- Scott and Jones.
"I've never had a problem teaching or taking a young guy like
that under my wing because then you know what it's going to take
for him to be successful in this league," said Scott.
"We've talked on a number of occasions. I think it's good that
he's looking for that leadership from the guards and he goes to
Eddie and he calls me up. That's what he needs."
Bryant doesn't need much. At 18, he already is a millionaire
NBA player who still eats his mother's cooking every night. It
sure beats Sociology 101.
"It feels like I'm dreaming," he said. "Hopefully, I won't stop
dreaming."
nba.1378vpoznanovic,
Starks sparks Knicks with words and shots
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Nov 8, 1996 - 18:54 EST) -- John Starks calls it
"controlled emotion." His coach says the volatile New York Knicks
guard is "always walking the edge."
Starks provided intensity and some clutch scoring in the second half
to spark New York to a 105-100 win over the Golden State Warriors with
one of his patented manic performances Thursday night.
It all began midway through the third period, with the Knicks trailing
the Warriors. Starks, who had scored only two points in the first
half, began screaming at his teammates while waiting to enter the
game.
The Knicks responded with two baskets, and Starks continued his
cheerleading while walking toward the Golden State bench during a
Warriors timeout.
Golden State coach Rick Adelman screamed back while walking toward
Starks, who was called for a technical before even entering the game.
On the next play, Starks talked incessantly while repeatedly switching
off to guard whichever Warriors player had the ball. Latrell Sprewell
finally hit a 3-pointer over Starks and jawed at him all the way down
the court.
When their feet got tangled and Starks stumbled, Sprewell was called
for a technical.
"Starks got them fired up. He did his part," Sprewell said. "But he
also fired us up. He was trash talking, and that makes guys play
harder."
Less than a minute later, Golden State's Felton Spencer knocked Starks
to the floor with an elbow and was called for an offensive foul.
Charles Oakley got in Spencer's face, and a scrum developed in which
New York's Larry Johnson and Golden State's Donyell Marshall started
shoving each other.
Johnson and Marshall, who walked away screaming and pointing at each
other, both got technicals.
The tone of the game had changed, and so had the momentum. The Knicks,
who trailed by 10 points in the third period before Starks' loud
entrance, tied the score 73-73 after three quarters. They took command
in the final period.
Starks had 15 points in the second half, including two 3-pointers,
before fouling out.
"We just needed to get into it as a team," Starks said. "We weren't
playing as hard as we should have. I thought I'd just change the flow
of things and get everybody pumped up to play harder. It was
controlled emotion. I knew exactly what was going on."
Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said Starks makes the game exciting.
"He's got to be emotional to play well, so he's going to always walk
the fine line," Van Gundy said. "He gave us a big lift, he gave them a
big lift, he gave everyone a big lift. He's always walking the edge."
Patrick Ewing, who led the Knicks with 33 points, spent much of the
second half trying to keep Starks from picking up a second technical.
"That's John, he plays with a lot of emotion," Ewing said. "But we
don't want him to cross that line."
The Knicks out rebounded Golden State 34-21, a franchise-record low
for the Warriors. But New York, which entered the game commiting less
than 16 turnovers a game, gave the ball away 28 times -- resulting in
35 points for the Warriors.
"You have to play with emotion," Van Gundy said. "But we'll learn as
time goes on you have to play hard and smart. We played hard tonight.
But you put yourself at a disadvantage when you turn the ball over 28
times."
nba.1379vpoznanovic,
Sonics looking for time for Spencer
PHOENIX (Nov 8, 1996 - 06:01 EST) -- The Seattle SuperSonics' slow
start and tough November schedule are making it hard for coach George
Karl to find any playing time for center Elmore Spencer, who will be
paid a full season's NBA minimum salary ($247,500) if he is on the
roster after Nov.15.
Spencer, a 7-foot center signed as a free agent the last week of
training camp, has played only five minutes, all in the blowout
victory over Portland.
"I'd like to see him play, but it's hard to find time for a guy when
you're not playing well (as a team)," Karl said.
Sonics general manager Wally Walker has said it's likely a final
determination on Spencer will have to be made based almost solely on
practice.
Complicating the issue, however, is the toe injury to Steve Scheffler.
The team might be reluctant to cut Spencer if Scheffler isn't
available to add depth at center, and Karl said Thursday that
Scheffler isn't yet ready to come off the injured reserve list.
Scheffler and guard Greg Graham each are eligible to come off the
injured reserve list after the game Friday night at San Antonio.
"It's too bad Steve has been hurt because he would have gotten some
time," said Walker.
SUNS TRY TRIANGLE: If Phoenix's offense looked a little familiar
Thursday night, it should have.
With Charles Barkley gone to Houston, the Suns are trying the
"triangle" offense made famous by the Chicago Bulls. The offense puts
a premium on motion and creating the proper space between players.
Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons said he ran the offense during his first
of three stints coaching Phoenix back in the early '70s.
"Basically, it just gets you into something and then you go from
there," Fitzsimmons said. "The Bulls, they just get into it at the
start of a play and then they just play basketball -- Michael Jordan
isolated or Scottie Pippen posting up."
Fitzsimmons said he implemented the offense due to the absence of a
dominating presence like Barkley.
"For years, we knew what we were going to do offensively," Fitzsimmons
said. "But this year, we have a lot of players who are equally
talented."
GREEN PLAYS: Phoenix forward A.C. Green was listed as questionable for
the game Thursday after a back spasm problem reappeared in the Suns'
loss to Minnesota on Tuesday.
Right.
This is the guy who wore a specialized face mask last year after his
two bottom teeth were knocked out so he could keep his consecutive
games played streak alive.
Green didn't start but -- surprise -- entered the game with 12 seconds
left in the first quarter.
Green now has played in 817 consecutive regular season games, the
third-longest mark in history behind Randy Smith (906) and Johnny Kerr
(844).
nba.1380vpoznanovic,
Wilt the silent giant has captive audience
NEW YORK -- It's not often that Wilt Chamberlain is willing to climb
down off Mount Olympus and visit with mere mortals holding notebooks.
So when he does, you drop everything and get your questions ready.
Like: How does he feel to be known, first and foremost, as the only
player in NBA history to score 100 points in a game? (He hates it). Of
all his records -- he holds the record for records, an astounding 56
-- which ones does he considerable unbreakable? (You'll be surprised
to hear).
What was his relationship with Bill Russell really like? (You're in
for another surprise). What does he love to watch Michael Jordan do?
(It's not dunking).
What does he think of Dennis Rodman? Of Shaq making the NBA's 50
greatest players list after only four seasons in the league? Whom does
he think is the greatest ever?
Those issues were all brought up as Chamberlain came to New York to
help hype the NBA's All-50 Year team.
The 100-point game
Wilt: "I see now on TV where some company is saying you can buy a tape
with that game on it. Let me tell you, the only camera that was ever
in the arena that night was the one of me showing '100 points' on a
sign.
"When people see me, they say, 'There's the guy who scored 100
points.' It's a tag and I don't like that tag. It's not a putdown. But
it's a simplification of how people see me. It doesn't exemplify what
I tried to do in basketball.
"People forget, I had games where I took only one shot. Some games I
didn't take any. I led the league in scoring seven straight years and
then I was asked to do other things. That was a testament to how good
I was. They asked the best scorer of all time, at that time, to do
other things."
The unbreakable records
First, a little background: Besides his 100-point game, Wilt averaged
22.9 rebounds for his career. To give you an idea of how amazing that
is, Dennis Rodman averaged less than 13 rebounds in his first 10
seasons.
Wilt once played in 47 consecutive complete games. A.C. Green is
second with seven. In one season, Wilt once scored 50 points or more
in 45 games. Jordan has 29 career 50-point games in the regular
season. If you think Jordan has a shot at breaking Wilt's record for
records, forget it. When the season started this weekend, he needed to
break 52 more -- just to tie.
Wilt: "There's a lot of records that I can see that people won't be
able to break. But the 100-point game has never been one of them.
There are so many records that are far greater than the 100-point
game. Like my 50-point average (in '62). When I look at that one, I
go, 'Now, if you want to talk about an unbreakable record, that's it.'
"I didn't even know this for a long time, but I once averaged 48.5
minutes (also '62). I missed six minutes the whole season. I don't
know if that's great. That might have been crazy or stupid. The other
record is the 27 rebounds per game for a season (in '60 and '61). I
don't see anyone breaking that."
The Russell relationship
Fiction: Wilt hated Russell and vice versa.
Fact: Wilt had Russell over to his house for Thanksgiving dinner for
six consecutive years.
Wilt: "We were in an era when people thought he and I didn't like each
other. That's never been the case. We've always liked each other.
We've always been close. We talked a lot on the phone, almost every
day, and we still do.
"It was like a marriage. Sometimes, husbands and wives don't always
get along. Sometimes, people don't agree on everything that's being
said in the household. But you never see that in print. Whenever we
had an argument or a disagreement, people chose to take it and make it
out to be more than it was."
Watching Jordan
Wilt: "To me, the better part of his game is his defense. He becomes
very intense and disrupts in the same manner that K.C. Jones did for
the Celtics. There are guys who play Jordan who are afraid to put the
ball down and afraid to pass. They're always looking and saying,
'Where the hell is Michael?'
"He'll steal the ball or cause you to do something you don't want to
do. But Michael understands that we have always loved numbers and
scoring and the point system. The people who score the touchdowns or
score the baskets are the guys who get all the applause."
On Rodman
Wilt: "He's always been a talent. He embodies the specialty act we see
in the league now to the tenth-degree. He's a rebounder supreme and
that's all he wants to do. I don't know if it's all correct or good,
but he does it better than everybody else.
"Off the court, he has a right to do whatever he choses, just as I had
my rights. When I came in the league, they told me, no goatee. People
had to be clean-shaven. So I said, "No goatee, no Wilt-ee.' I made
some demands and did some things. I wasn't pure."
On Shaq
Wilt: "I'm not going to debate who is on the team. But I'd like to see
him play the game differently. With his power and his great agility
for his size, I'd have him taking every rebound off the boards. That's
how he would get all his points.
"I would make sure that the defensive boards would totally belong to
him. No one would come down the middle. If used in the right way, he
can do for a team what Bill Russell did for a team."
The greatest
Wilt won't come out directly and say it, but he mentions George Mikan
and himself. Why? They're the only players in league history who
forced rule changes, namely the widening of the lane.
So here's how Chamberlain answers the question for the ages: "Muhammad
Ali."
nba.1381lexus,
=> Shaquille O'Neal (centar)
Gde bre ova spodoba može u top50 svih vremena...
Sve je postalo samo jedna reklama...
nba.1382vpoznanovic,
>> Nije bilo ni najavljeno, pogrešno si shvatio. Za ovu sam negde
>> pročitao da će biti samo snimak, a za sledeće (valjda) idu direktno.
Bila je u spisku svih utakmica koje će se prenositi ove sezone, zar ne?
nba.1383vpoznanovic,
>> Verujem da bi svi lakše pratili događanja ako bi pre onih opširnih
>> poruka o utakmkicama (pojedinačne statistike, izveštaji) poslao jednu
>> poruku u kojoj su svi aktuelni rezultati i highlightsi. Sigurno znaš na
>> šta mislim, mislim na one kratke izveštaje koje si slao ranije i koji su
>> otprilike ovako izgledali:
Ako je problem samo praćenje, ja bez problema na početku svake poruke
mogu da ubacim nešto ovog tipa:
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 24 21 19 23 87
SAN ANTONIO 15 22 15 23 75 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 19, DETLEF SCHREMPF 16, GARY PAYTON 16
SAS - SEAN ELLIOTT 15, AVERY JOHNSON 15, DOMINIQUE WILKINS
12
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
SAS - SEAN ELLIOTT 11, GREG ANDERSON 8
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 7, HERSEY HAWKINS 6
SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 7, VINNY DEL NEGRO 5
ATT: 15,027
Da ide u odvojenoj poruci, ne vidim smisao; sve dok pad skidate
automatski, odnosno dok se sve poruke šalju u jednu temu, nemate mnogo
šansi da izdvajate samo ono što vas interesuje.
nba.1384vpoznanovic,
>> U stvari, tako bi sve moglo da stane u tri poruke.
>> Jedna poruka samo rezultati + rezultati po četvrtinama +
>> highlighti, druga poruka uz koju bi bio okačen fajl sa
>> rezultatima i izveštajima utakmica i treća poruka sa
>> fajlom u kojem bi bile poruke sa ostalim NBA izveštajima.
Čuj, mogu ja sve da strpam i u jednu poruku, tako bi mi čak i bilo lakše.
Mislio sam da šaljući na ovaj način vama činim uslugu. I čemu kačenje u
obliku fajla? Ako ti bude potrebna statistika jedne utakmice, moraćeš da
skidaš čitav fajl (isto i za vijesti). Više ćeš potrošiti za još jedan
poziv da bi skinuo taj fajl nego za onih 20-ak sekundi koliko ti je
potrebno da skineš arhivu čitavog pada. Ako je tvoj argument da se može
desiti da te u dužem periodu ne interesuje statistika nijedne utakmice,
ili nijedna vijest, onda je bolje da udariš resign na ovu temu (ili da
daš ignore meni ako te interesuju ostale diskusije). Poslije fino svratiš
svako mjesec dana, udariš jedan find na ono što te zanima i pokupiš samo
to.
Ne želim ovim da kažem da ja to neću tako da radim, i da bez pogovora
odbijam tvoj predlog, ali da bi se bilo šta promijenilo potrebno je da
te podrži većina onih koji prate ovu temu.
nba.1385vpoznanovic,
BOSTON (92) AT CHICAGO (104)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RADJA F 29 5-10 2-2 3 5 8 0 6 0 7 12
WILLIAMS F 33 4-9 2-2 1 3 4 0 2 0 5 10
BRICKOWSKI C 23 4-5 3-3 0 2 2 0 3 1 1 12
WESLEY G 34 3-7 3-6 2 3 5 6 1 2 2 10
FOX G 31 5-10 0-0 4 5 9 5 4 2 4 11
WALKER 23 2-10 1-3 3 5 8 1 4 2 2 5
DAY 30 5-13 8-10 0 4 4 0 3 0 3 20
CONLON 11 3-5 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 0 6
BARROS 23 3-9 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 2 1 6
DRIGGERS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
SZABO 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
ELLISON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-78 19-26 14 32 46 14 24 9 26 92
(.436) (.731) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 27(32 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 37 4-16 1-2 2 10 12 11 2 3 3 9
RODMAN F 29 1-3 1-2 5 5 10 3 4 1 4 3
WENNINGTON C 12 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 6
HARPER G 25 3-6 2-2 0 2 2 0 2 1 2 8
JORDAN G 32 10-23 7-11 2 1 3 3 2 1 0 27
KUKOC 25 8-12 4-7 0 4 4 3 3 1 1 21
PARISH 13 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 6
KERR 26 3-6 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 1 2 7
BUECHLER 7 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
BROWN 20 4-6 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 2 0 9
SIMPKINS 14 3-7 0-1 2 1 3 1 1 0 1 6
LONGLEY DNP - DID NOT DRESS
TOTALS 240 43-90 15-25 13 28 41 28 21 10 15 104
(.478) (.600) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(22 PTS)
BOSTON 30 18 20 24 - 92
CHICAGO 23 29 30 22 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - RADJA, BRICKOWSKI. CHICAGO - PIPPEN, HARPER,
PARISH, SIMPKINS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 5-17 (.294), BRICKOWSKI 1-2, WESLEY 1-2, FOX
1-4, WALKER 0-1, DAY 2-6, BARROS 0-2. CHICAGO 3-14 (.214), PIPPEN 0-3,
HARPER 0-1, JORDAN 0-2, KUKOC 1-4, KERR 1-2, BUECHLER 0-1, BROWN 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, SCOTT FOSTER, RON OLESIAK.
A - 23,813. T - 2:03.
BOSTON (92) AT CHICAGO (104)
Michael Jordan scored 27 points over three quarters and Scottie
Pippen finished one point shy of a triple-double as the Chicago
posted a 104-92 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Pippen totalled nine points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds as
Chicago moved out to its best start in franchise history at 6-0,
eclipsing last season's mark. Toni Kukoc added 21 points off
the bench.
"I'm not sure if we could be as good as last year," said Bulls
center Bill Wennington. "But I know this team likes to win and
hates to lose. The way we go at it everyday in practice leads
me to think if we were healthy we would have a great year."
Todd Day tallied 20 points and Frank Brickowski and Dino Radja
each added 12 for the Celtics, who have dropped the last nine
meetings with Chicago since a double-overtime win in April 1994.
"The Bulls are such a good team, it almost seems like they can
turn it on and off whenever they want to," said Day. "We have a
young group of guys. As the season moves on, we are going to
get better."
Radja scored 10 points and Brickowski had eight as Boston
stormed out to a 30-23 lead after 12 minutes. The Celtics
increased the lead to 43-33 with 5:53 left in the second quarter
before Randy Brown scored five points and Jordan four in a 19-3
run that gave the Bulls a 52-46 lead with 41.6 seconds
remaining.
The Bulls led by four at the half, but trailed 55-54, two
minutes into the third period. Jordan then had half the points
in a 16-4 spurt that gave Chicago the lead for good at 70-59
with 4:28 to play in the quarter.
A jumper by Dickie Simpkins gave Chicago its biggest lead at
84-68 15 seconds into the fourth and the closest Boston would
get thereafter is eight points.
"I thought we came out kind of sluggish tonight," said Jordan.
"It seemed to take us until the second quarter to get our rhythm
going. Scottie (Pippen) couldn't find the basket, it just
wouldn't drop for him, but he did a lot of other good things.
Right now our bench guys are playing good and picking us up."
Dennis Rodman pulled down just 10 boards for the Bulls, who were
outrebounded, 46-41. The team made just 3-of-14 three-point
attempts (21 percent) and 60 percent (15-for-25) of its free
throws.
Rick Fox added 11 points and nine rebounds, while Eric Williams
and David Wesley had 10 points apiece as Boston shot 44 percent
(34-of-78) from the floor and committed 26 turnovers.
"That's why they are the world champions," said Boston coach
M.L. Carr. "They can come out and look lousy for a couple of
quarters and still find some way to beat you. They had a poor
shooting night and we were in position to upset them. But when
you have Pippen, Jordan, Rodman, even Kukoc off the bench, they
are tough to beat."
nba.1386vpoznanovic,
MIAMI (91) AT DALLAS (84)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 42 8-16 0-0 1 5 6 7 1 1 0 19
THOMAS F 30 7-14 4-8 6 8 14 2 4 1 0 18
MOURNING C 35 5-12 1-3 5 7 12 3 4 0 6 11
DANILOVIC G 41 4-13 2-2 1 1 2 1 4 1 4 10
HARDAWAY G 41 6-20 6-10 1 3 4 7 2 6 0 19
BROWN 18 3-3 0-0 3 3 6 1 1 0 0 6
ASKINS 11 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 3
AUSTIN 15 2-4 1-2 2 2 4 1 1 0 6 5
GRANT 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-86 14-25 19 30 49 23 19 10 17 91
(.419) (.560) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 17(20 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 20 5-9 1-2 0 3 3 2 0 2 3 14
MEYER F 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 5 0 3 0
MONTROSS C 19 0-2 0-0 2 4 6 1 6 0 2 0
KIDD G 31 3-6 2-3 2 3 5 2 2 0 2 9
JACKSON G 31 4-10 0-1 2 3 5 2 2 0 2 8
GATLING 33 7-12 3-7 3 8 11 0 2 3 2 17
MILLER 26 3-9 2-2 4 6 10 1 5 0 2 8
MASHBURN 31 7-14 1-1 0 1 1 3 1 0 2 19
HARPER 17 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 0 1 2
DUMAS 17 2-6 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 6
ROBERTS 7 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 1
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-73 11-20 13 30 43 14 27 7 21 84
(.438) (.550) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 23(21 PTS)
MIAMI 24 26 23 18 - 91
DALLAS 19 22 24 19 - 84
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - THOMAS 2, MAJERLE, MOURNING, BROWN. DALLAS -
MONTROSS 2, MILLER 2, KIDD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 5-23 (.217), MAJERLE 3-6, THOMAS 0-1, DANILOVIC
0-6, HARDAWAY 1-8, ASKINS 1-2. DALLAS 9-21 (.429), MCCLOUD 3-6, KIDD 1-2,
JACKSON 0-1, MASHBURN 4-8, HARPER 0-2, DUMAS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, TIM DONAGHY, DERRICK STAFFORD.
A - 15,021. T - 2:29.
MIAMI (91) AT DALLAS (84)
Alonzo Mourning scored six of his 11 points in the final three
minutes as the Miami Heat continued their dominance of the
Dallas Mavericks with a 91-84 victory.
The Heat, who have beaten the Mavericks 10 consecutive times,
took advantage of horrendous foul shooting down the stretch by
Dallas. Chris Gatling missed four free throws in the final
period and Jimmy Jackson also missed a foul shot with four
minutes to go.
Mourning's dunk with three minutes left gave the Heat an 83-82
lead they wouldn't relinquish. Dan Majerle followed Mourning's
dunk with a three-pointer and Gatling, who played for the Heat
last season, missed a pair of free throws with 72 seconds left.
"We've played together for quite a bit now and we understand
what it takes down the stretch to win ball games," Mourning
said. "We got in the huddle with Dan (Majerle) and he said,
'this is what all the hard work is about. You just have to dig
down and win this thing.' And we did it."
Gatling, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds, hit a 20-footer to
bring the Mavericks within 88-84 but Dallas was unable to draw
any closer. After a free throw by Tim Hardaway with 20 seconds
left, Mourning sealed the victory with a dunk in the game's
final seconds.
"We played very well for three quarters," Heat coach Pat Riley
said. "They closed the game a couple of times and it became a
game again. We made some big plays and we kept rebounding the
ball and our defense really picked it up."
Hardaway and Majerle led Miami with 19 points apiece and Kurt
Thomas added 18 and 14 rebounds. Mourning grabbed 12 rebounds.
Jamal Mashburn had a season-high 19 points for Dallas, which
hasn't beaten the Heat since December 10th, 1991.
George McCloud added 14 points for the Mavericks, who committed
a season-high 23 turnovers and missed 9-of-20 free throws.
"It's like you get close but you forget what got you there,"
Mavericks coach Jim Cleamons said. "We had some ball movement.
We got the ball from one side to the other. They had some missed
assignments on the defensive end and we took advantage of it.
Unfortunately, we didn't do well enough to bring the baby home.
"You've got to have quite a bit of pride and I was happy the
guys showed in the third quarter that they were going to stand
up and defend what was theirs. But unfortunately, we came up a
little bit short."
Hardaway and Majerle each handed out seven assists for Miami,
which won despite shooting 42 percent (36-of-86) from the field,
56 percent (14-for-25) from the line and turning the ball over
17 times.
"I'm running up the floor, making things happen for my
teammates," Hardaway said. "We took it to the hole strong
tonight. That's what the coach keeps saying is that we take too
many outside shots. Instead, let's take it to the hole."
Dallas' starting backcourt of Jason Kidd and Jimmy Jackson were
held scoreless from 3:36 remaining in the first quarter through
3:14 left in the third quarter. The duo was held to a combined
17 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Kidd had just two assists.
nba.1387vpoznanovic,
MILWAUKEE (100) AT CHARLOTTE (98)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 33 5-13 9-11 1 4 5 0 5 0 4 20
BAKER F 47 9-22 8-13 2 10 12 5 4 1 3 28
LANG C 28 1-4 0-0 4 5 9 1 6 0 1 2
DOUGLAS G 36 6-12 4-6 2 2 4 7 5 1 1 16
ALLEN G 29 4-10 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 9
NEWMAN 32 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 0 1 1 7
GILLIAM 21 3-4 3-3 1 3 4 0 3 1 1 9
PERRY 12 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 7
WOLF 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
HANCOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOOD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-74 24-33 10 27 37 17 27 5 11 100
(.473) (.727) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 12(10 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 45 6-8 9-15 3 9 12 3 4 0 0 21
GEIGER F 19 3-6 3-4 1 1 2 2 4 1 1 9
DIVAC C 28 3-6 0-0 3 6 9 0 5 0 2 6
GOLDWIRE G 37 3-10 5-6 0 4 4 11 3 1 2 12
RICE G 40 7-17 3-5 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 18
ZIDEK 18 3-3 1-1 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 7
BURRELL 7 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 2
CURRY 35 8-13 4-7 0 4 4 2 2 2 3 23
SMITH 11 0-4 0-0 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 0
BOGUES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-68 27-40 8 26 34 24 26 5 10 98
(.485) (.675) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 10(9 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 24 30 28 18 - 100
CHARLOTTE 27 36 19 16 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - BAKER 3. CHARLOTTE - GEIGER 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 6-14 (.429), ROBINSON 1-3, BAKER 2-3, DOUGLAS
0-2, ALLEN 1-3, NEWMAN 1-1, PERRY 1-2. CHARLOTTE 5-16 (.313), GOLDWIRE
1-2, RICE 1-5, CURRY 3-7, SMITH 0-2.
TECHNICALS: MILWAUKEE - BAKER, CHARLOTTE - ZIDEK, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: ED F RUSH, TONY BROTHERS, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 24,042. T - 2:21.
MILWAUKEE (100) AT CHARLOTTE (98)
Vin Baker scored nine of his 28 points in the fourth quarter,
including a tie-breaking three-point play with 1:28 remaining
that lifted the Milwaukee Bucks to a 100-98 victory over the
Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets tied the score for the last time at 96-96 on Matt
Geiger's basket with 1:46 to go. But Baker made a short jumper
from the left side and was fouled 18 seconds later. His free
throw gave the Bucks a 99-96 advantage.
Dell Curry, who led Charlotte with 23 points, made two foul
shots with 42 seconds left. But the Hornets were whistled for
an illegal defense and Glenn Robinson made the technical foul
shot with 26 seconds to play.
Geiger stole the ball from Robinson, but Glen Rice missed a
three-pointer. The ball bounced out of bounds off Milwaukee
with four-tenths of a second remaining but Charlotte could not
get off a final shot.
"I had a decent look at the shot but it just didn't go in," said
Rice, who is playing despite a sprained ankle. "There won't be
too many times when I'm going to miss that shot. It should
never have gotten to that point, though. We had a good lead but
we didn't execute."
Robinson scored 20 points and Sherman Douglas added 16 for the
Bucks, who overcame a 16-point first-half deficit and have won
four of their first five games. Baker grabbed 12 rebounds and
scored 17 points after halftime.
"We really came out tonight saying that we need to win this game
after starting 3-0 and losing last night," Baker said. "This was
a character builder for us."
Anthony Mason had 21 points and 12 rebounds and Rice scored 18
points for the Hornets, who also won three of their first four.
Rice scored 11 points in the first quarter as Charlotte opened a
27-24 lead. The Hornets built their largest advantage at 55-39
with 4:10 remaining in the second quarter on a three-pointer by
Anthony Goldwire, who had 12 points and 11 assists.
"Allowing them to shoot 65 percent in the first half, we came
back and held them to 35 points in the second half," Bucks coach
Chris Ford said. "We did a great job on defense. Our guys dug
down and found a way to win."
The Bucks closed to 64-53 at halftime and continued their surge
in the third quarter. Robinson's three-pointer gave Milwaukee a
67-66 lead with 7:23 left in the period. The teams were tied
82-82 entering the final 12 minutes.
nba.1388vpoznanovic,
PHOENIX (95) AT PHILADELPHIA (112)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 23 3-6 0-0 3 2 5 0 3 0 4 6
MANNING F 28 3-7 0-2 1 6 7 0 3 1 3 6
KLEINE C 10 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
CASSELL G 25 3-12 11-12 0 1 1 7 3 1 2 17
PERSON G 29 3-8 0-0 1 0 1 3 3 4 1 6
NASH 23 4-8 3-4 1 2 3 5 2 0 5 11
CHAPMAN 30 5-11 0-0 0 1 1 8 6 0 1 11
FINLEY 26 8-11 7-10 0 4 4 0 4 0 2 25
TISDALE 7 1-5 2-2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 4
GREEN 15 2-2 1-2 1 2 3 0 2 1 0 5
BROWN 10 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
DAVIS 14 0-6 0-2 4 2 6 0 4 1 0 0
TOTALS 240 34-83 24-34 13 20 33 24 33 8 18 95
(.410) (.706) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 19(23 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
COLEMAN F 37 4-7 4-6 2 7 9 5 3 0 0 14
WEATHERSPOON F 29 3-4 3-4 3 12 15 0 2 1 0 9
WILLIAMS C 14 1-2 0-0 1 3 4 0 3 0 0 2
IVERSON G 26 3-10 0-0 0 2 2 8 6 3 9 6
STACKHOUSE G 38 11-21 12-14 0 1 1 3 2 3 5 36
WALTERS 22 2-4 1-2 0 0 0 5 4 1 2 6
MACLEAN 14 4-7 1-2 1 1 2 1 4 0 3 9
CAGE 15 2-3 0-2 4 4 8 0 2 0 0 4
HARRIS 22 4-8 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 3 12
DAVIS 21 3-6 8-9 2 1 3 2 5 0 4 14
BRADTKE 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
OVERTON DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 37-72 29-39 13 31 44 27 32 8 27 112
(.514) (.744) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 27(17 PTS)
PHOENIX 17 22 25 31 - 95
PHILADELPHIA 25 36 23 28 - 112
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - HORRY, MANNING, CASSELL, CHAPMAN, BROWN.
PHILADELPHIA - WEATHERSPOON 3, WILLIAMS 2, COLEMAN, STACKHOUSE, IVERSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 3-17 (.176), HORRY 0-1, CASSELL 0-2, PERSON
0-4, NASH 0-2, CHAPMAN 1-4, FINLEY 2-4. PHILADELPHIA 9-22 (.409), COLEMAN
2-4, IVERSON 0-3, STACKHOUSE 2-4, WALTERS 1-3, HARRIS 4-7, DAVIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, TOMMIE WOOD, NOLAN FINE.
A - 17,006. T - 2:19.
PHOENIX (95) AT PHILADELPHIA (112)
Jerry Stackhouse scored 21 of his career-high 36 points in the
first half, when the Philadelphia 76ers raced to a 27-point lead
and cruised to a 112-95 victory over the winless Phoenix Suns,
who are off to their worst start in 11 years.
Derrick Coleman and Mark Davis scored 14 points apiece for the
76ers, who beat the Suns for the first time in 11 games dating
to February 1st, 1991. Philadelphia has won two straight games
after opening the season with three losses and gave rookie coach
Johnny Davis his first home win.
Stackhouse clipped his goatee and eclipsed his previous career
high of 34, established November 7th, 1995 against Sacramento.
"I got rid of the goatee," he said. "I think that had something
to do with it. I tried to take it to the basket and get easy
opportunities. It's been mostly mental. I hope there are many
more career highs."
"He has a trememdous work ethic," Sixers coach Johnny Davis
said. "I feel it was just a matter of time before he plays the
way he's capable of playing. He never got down on himself. He
kept working and working and good things happen when you do
that."
Stackhouse picked up the slack for high-scoring rookie Allen
Iverson, who had a season-low six points before fouling out.
Iverson did have eight assists.
"I'm adjusting right now," Iverson said. "I'm still learning a
lot. This was our first home win and I enjoyed it. Personally,
I am going to play badly again before the season is out."
The Sixers never trailed. Stackhouse scored seven points in a
12-0 run that was capped by Coleman's three-pointer and gave
Philadelphia a 15-2 lead with 5:31 left in the first quarter.
Stackhouse scored 12 points in the period, which ended with the
Sixers holding a 25-17 lead. The Suns closed to 27-21 early in
the second quarter on a jumper by Michael Finley, but the Sixers
went on a 28-7 burst over the next seven-plus minutes.
Davis scored eight points and Stackhouse added five during the
spurt. A three-point play by Davis gave the 76ers their largest
lead at 55-28 with 4:08 left in the half.
"It was tough falling behind in the first half," Finley said.
"We have to get out of the box a little quicker. When we get in
the hole against any team it's tough to come back and win."
Philadelphia led 61-39 at intermission, shooting 49 percent
(21-of-43) from the field while holding Phoenix to 32 percent
(12-of-38). The Suns were 1-of-9 from three-point range.
The Sixers led 84-64 entering the final period, when Stackhouse
scored 13 points. The Suns got no closer than 16 points in the
final minute.
"I thought the defense was the difference tonight," davis said.
"We are doing a much better job on the boards."
Finley scored 25 points and Sam cassell added 17 for Phoenix
(0-5), which lost its first nine games in the 1985-86 season,
the worst start in franchise history.
"Starting out 0-5 is very frustrating, but personally it is
something I will get through and as a team we will get through
it,too," Cassell said.
Phoenix forward A.C. Green and Philadelphia center Michael Cage
extended their consecutive games-played streaks. Green, who has
the longest current streak at 818 games, scored five points.
Cage, who is second among active players with 580 games, scored
four.
nba.1389vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (102) AT SACRAMENTO (103)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 45 6-17 5-7 2 5 7 4 4 1 4 18
WALLACE F 30 6-9 3-4 3 4 7 1 5 0 2 15
SABONIS C 29 5-10 11-12 3 10 13 1 2 1 0 21
RIDER G 33 2-9 5-6 2 3 5 2 3 0 5 10
ANDERSON G 43 6-16 2-5 1 3 4 5 3 3 2 17
MCKIE 18 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 2 5
DUDLEY 17 3-6 2-2 5 4 9 0 3 0 1 8
TRENT 20 3-8 2-2 0 3 3 0 1 0 3 8
WINGFIELD 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
BUTLER 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-79 30-38 16 33 49 14 26 5 22 102
(.418) (.789) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 22(20 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 26 5-10 0-0 2 5 7 3 6 0 0 11
GRANT F 30 4-12 4-4 2 5 7 0 2 1 3 12
POLYNICE C 35 7-16 1-2 3 4 7 1 6 0 4 15
RICHMOND G 37 11-20 4-6 1 4 5 6 2 2 2 29
EDNEY G 31 2-8 0-1 1 1 2 5 1 2 2 4
C WILLIAMSON 21 4-8 6-6 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 14
SIMMONS 15 1-3 4-4 1 2 3 2 2 0 0 6
SMITH 15 2-3 0-2 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 4
CAUSWELL 13 1-2 0-2 2 2 4 0 5 0 2 2
HURLEY 17 2-3 1-2 0 2 2 4 4 0 0 6
ABDUL-RAUF DNP - SPRAINED LEFT THUMB
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-85 20-29 14 25 39 22 31 6 15 103
(.459) (.690) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(21 PTS)
PORTLAND 20 28 29 25 - 102
SACRAMENTO 31 24 18 30 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - C ROBINSON 2, WALLACE 2, SABONIS, RIDER, MCKIE.
SACRAMENTO - GRANT 2, SIMMONS 2, CAUSWELL 2, OWENS, POLYNICE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 6-18 (.333), C ROBINSON 1-5, SABONIS 0-3,
RIDER 1-3, ANDERSON 3-4, MCKIE 1-2, TRENT 0-1. SACRAMENTO 5-10 (.500),
OWENS 1-2, RICHMOND 3-6, EDNEY 0-1, HURLEY 1-1.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - ANDERSON.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, TED BERNHARDT, JIM KINSEY.
A - 17,317. T - 2:20.
PORTLAND (102) AT SACRAMENTO (103)
Lionel Simmons hit two free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining to
complete a closing 14-4 run and lift the Sacramento Kings to a
103-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
After Portland's Arvydas Sabonis made two free throws for a
102-101 advantage with 5.9 seconds left, Sacramento lined up to
inbound the ball. Portland's Clifford Robinson tipped the pass,
but fouled Simmons in pursuit of the loose ball.
The Trail Blazers had a chance to win the game, but Kenny
Anderson's one-handed drive in the paint bounced off the front
of the rim. Anderson beat Minnesota in similar fashion at home
Wednesday.
After Anderson made a three-pointer to give the Blazers a 98-89
lead with 3:10 remaining, Sacramento responded by scoring the
next 10 points as Richmond had seven. His three-pointer closed
the gap to 98-97 and his two free throws gave the Kings a 99-98
edge with 37 seconds remaining.
"When we came to the bench when we were down by nine points, we
were very confident," Richmond said. "We had this game, but we
kept putting them at the line and that gave them the opportunity
to get back into the game."
Richmond scored 12 of his 29 points during the final three
minutes and Olden Polynice added 15 points for Sacramento, which
snapped a two-game losing streak and posted its third straight
home win over Portland.
"That was a much needed win for our ballclub," Kings coach Gary
St. Jean said. "I can really kind of use tonight because we got
a heck of a total team effort. I just like the way a lot of
people played for us. We had a lot of people respond in a big
way in different ways, and that's the way I envision our team
playing."
Sabonis had 22 points and 13 rebounds, Robinson added 18 and
Anderson had 17 for Portland, which fell to 3-3.
"We played real hard, but we dug a huge hole early," Blazers
coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "We did a great job of hanging in
during the first half. We really didn't play well. We got
ourselves right back, if not in it, almost in control of it."
Richmond had nine as the Kings took a 31-20 lead into the second
quarter and had 13 as Sacramento led 55-48 at the half. But
Portland went on a 26-11 run behind eight points by Sabonis.
Gary Trent made two free throws to cap the run and give Portland
a 77-71 lead with 16 seconds left in the third quarter.
Corliss Williamson scored 14 points, Brian Grant added 12 and
Billy Owens had 11 for Sacramento, which won despite shooting 46
percent from the field (39-of-85) and getting outrebounded,
49-39.
Rasheed Wallace scored 15 points, but Isaiah Rider was held to
10 points on 2-of-9 shooting for Portland, which shot 42 percent
(33-of-79) and turned the ball over 22 times.
The game witnessed 15 ties and eight lead changes.
nba.1390vpoznanovic,
UTAH (85) AT HOUSTON (91)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 38 2-9 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 4 1 4
MALONE F 39 13-21 6-10 1 10 11 5 2 1 3 32
OSTERTAG C 25 2-7 3-4 3 3 6 0 5 0 0 7
HORNACEK G 34 3-11 3-3 0 2 2 4 1 2 2 9
STOCKTON G 40 8-13 5-6 0 2 2 6 3 2 4 22
EISLEY 8 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 0
CARR 16 0-5 1-2 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 1
KEEFE 16 1-2 1-4 1 3 4 0 2 2 2 3
FOSTER 14 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 4
MORRIS 10 1-5 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 1 1 3
ANDERSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-77 20-31 8 28 36 19 23 12 13 85
(.416) (.645) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 14(17 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 38 4-10 2-3 0 2 2 5 2 2 1 13
BARKLEY F 40 3-12 2-4 6 12 18 2 4 2 1 8
OLAJUWON C 33 14-27 10-12 4 5 9 2 4 1 1 38
DREXLER G 34 4-10 4-4 4 6 10 0 2 2 4 13
MALONEY G 27 2-6 1-2 0 2 2 7 4 1 2 5
DAVIS 21 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 0 1 0
WILLIS 21 1-4 5-7 3 4 7 0 3 0 3 7
BULLARD 19 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 2 5
MOORE 7 0-3 2-2 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 2
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
LIVINGSTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MACK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-81 26-34 18 35 53 22 23 8 15 91
(.370) (.765) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 16(20 PTS)
UTAH 19 24 22 20 - 85
HOUSTON 21 21 20 29 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: UTAH - MALONE, OSTERTAG, FOSTER. HOUSTON - BARKLEY 2,
DREXLER 2, OLAJUWON, WILLIS, BULLARD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: UTAH 1-10 (.100), RUSSELL 0-3, MALONE 0-1, HORNACEK
0-1, STOCKTON 1-3, EISLEY 0-1, MORRIS 0-1. HOUSTON 5-22 (.227), ELIE 3-6,
BARKLEY 0-2, DREXLER 1-4, MALONEY 0-3, DAVIS 0-2, BULLARD 1-3, MOORE 0-2.
TECHNICALS: UTAH - HEAD COACH SLOAN, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, HOUSTON - ILLEGAL
DEFENSE 2, BARKLEY.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, WOODY MAYFIELD, GREG WILLARD.
A - 16,285. T - 2:15.
UTAH (85) AT HOUSTON (91)
Hakeem Olajuwon overcame foul trouble to score 17 of his 38
points in the fourth quarter as the unbeaten Houston Rockets
defeated the Utah Jazz, 91-85, for their sixth straight win.
The Rockets trailed 65-62 entering the fourth quarter but took
the lead for good at 75-74 on a three-pointer by Matt Bullard
with 5:25 remaining. Olajuwon scored Houston's next 12 points
on four baskets and four free throws, providing the Rockets with
an 87-81 lead with under three minutes to go.
The Jazz cut the deficit to 90-85 with 2:12 left on a free throw
by John Stockton, who scored 22 points. But Utah never scored
again as Houston tacked on a foul shot by Mario Elie in the last
minute.
Elie and Clyde Drexler scored 13 points each and Charles Barkley
grabbed 18 rebounds for the Rockets, who share the NBA record
for wins at the start of a season with 15 in 1993. Houston and
Chicago, also 6-0, are the only unbeaten teams in the league.
Karl Malone scored a season-high 32 points for the Jazz, who
were playing for the first time since Monday and have dropped
two in a row.
Stockton scored 12 points and Malone eight in the first half as
Utah grabbed a 43-42 halftime edge. Olajuwon scored 17 points
despite three fouls.
Olajuwon scored two quick baskets in the second half but picked
up his first foul and sat down for the final 11 minutes of the
third quarter. Malone took advantage of his absence inside and
scored 14 points in the period, giving Utah a 65-62 lead.
Drexler pulled down 10 rebounds and Olajuwon added nine for the
Rockets, who shot 37 percent (30-of-81) from the field and held
a 53-36 rebounding advantage.
Malone grabbed 11 rebounds for the Jazz, who shot 42 percent
(32-of-77).
nba.1391vpoznanovic,
WASHINGTON (100) AT INDIANA (103) - FINAL IN OT
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 43 6-16 2-4 3 8 11 5 1 1 2 14
GRANT F 25 3-8 1-2 1 5 6 1 3 1 0 7
WEBBER C 48 10-17 5-9 4 7 11 6 5 2 5 25
CHEANEY G 35 5-13 0-1 2 5 7 3 4 1 2 10
STRICKLAND G 41 5-12 7-11 1 2 3 6 5 4 4 17
MURRAY 28 2-8 1-2 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 7
WALLACE 14 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 2
JACKSON 18 6-8 2-3 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 16
WHITNEY 12 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 2
AMAYA 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 39-88 18-32 12 30 42 23 30 10 15 100
(.443) (.563) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 16(14 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 38 4-12 3-7 3 6 9 2 5 0 1 11
D DAVIS F 37 6-10 2-3 2 9 11 0 3 2 5 14
A DAVIS C 37 7-11 6-8 2 9 11 0 6 2 3 20
MILLER G 42 5-17 6-6 1 5 6 6 2 0 3 16
WORKMAN G 23 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 4 4 0 1 4
ASKEW 25 3-5 1-2 2 2 4 2 2 1 1 7
DAMPIER 17 3-6 0-0 2 3 5 0 2 0 0 6
BEST 24 8-12 5-6 0 0 0 3 4 0 1 23
HOIBERG 11 0-2 0-0 0 3 3 1 1 1 0 0
ALLEN 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0
ROSE 4 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 0 2 2
SCOTT DNP - STRESS FRACTURE LEFT LEG
TOTALS 265 39-85 23-32 14 39 53 20 30 7 18 103
(.459) (.719) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
WASHINGTON 27 27 24 16 6 - 100
INDIANA 24 30 19 21 9 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - WEBBER 3, WALLACE 2, HOWARD. INDIANA - D
DAVIS 2, MCKEY, MILLER, ASKEW.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 4-13 (.308), GRANT 0-1, WEBBER 0-1, CHEANEY
0-2, STRICKLAND 0-1, MURRAY 2-5, JACKSON 2-2, WHITNEY 0-1. INDIANA 2-11
(.182), MCKEY 0-2, MILLER 0-3, WORKMAN 0-1, BEST 2-2, HOIBERG 0-1, ALLEN
0-1, ROSE 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, PAUL MIHALAK, HANK ARMSTRONG.
A - 15,591. T - 2:45.
WASHINGTON (100) AT INDIANA (103) - FINAL IN OT
Travis Best scored a career-high 23 points and Antonio Davis had
20 and 11 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers broke into the winning
column with a 103-100 overtime victory over the Washington
Bullets.
Washington led 88-81 with under four minutes left in regulation
before Best scored six points in a 13-4 run that gave the Pacers
a 94-92 lead with 5.4 seconds to play. But Rod Strickland got
the ball at midcourt and converted a driving layup as time
expired to force overtime.
In the extra session, Chris Webber's hook gave Washington a
96-94 advantage before Davis and Reggie Miller hit jumpers and
Dale Davis made a layup for a 100-96 lead with just over 90
seconds remaining. The Bullets never came closer than two
points thereafter.
"The team has been behind me and has kept pushing me," said
Best. "This has resulted in the type of game tonight. It is
extremely important to keep the momentum going as you know. As
a team we knew that we would be pushed to the wire."
"I'm proud of Travis and happy for him," said Pacers coach Larry
Brown. "A game like this is something he needs. He's had a lot
of responsibility put on his shoulders and it hasn't been easy.
He was great the whole game and he took over when we really
needed him. I told Travis he had to be a little more
offensive-minded and he made the plays."
Miller netted 16 points for Indiana, which prevented its first
0-4 start since 1988. The Pacers extended their winning streak
over Washington to five games overall and nine in a row at home.
"It was a good win, because we have struggled of late," said
Antonio Davis. "We have not played greatly. We played with
poise, good effort and good teamwork tonight."
Webber, who missed a three-pointer at the overtime buzzer, led
the Bullets with 25 points, 11 boards and six assists.
Strickland added 17 points, while Jaren Jackson had 16 off the
bench.
"It wasn't enough because we didn't win," said Webber. "We need
to keep playing and meshing, you've got to credit them because
they've got a good team. Usually with the hurt players somebody
will come in and step it up."
Washington led for most of the opening quarter thanks to a 9-2
run that made it 21-13 with 2:56 left in the period. The Pacers
trailed by as many as eight points, but rallied to take a 42-41
lead on Miller's lay-in with 5:06 to play in the half.
The score was tied at the half and remained knotted seven
minutes into the period before a 12-5 Washington burst that made
it 78-71 with 39.2 seconds left.
Indiana reeled off the next eight points to move ahead 79-78
before Webber scored the final three points in a 10-2 spree that
gave the Bullets their 88-81 advantage.
Dale Davis recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Derrick
McKey had 11 and nine for Indiana, which outrebounded the
Bullets, 53-42.
Juwan Howard had 14 points and 11 boards, while Calbert Cheaney
contributed 10 and seven, as the Bullets finished 18-of-32 (56
percent) from the foul line.
"They made the plays when they had to and we didn't," said
Strickland. "I knew they were going to fight back, they've got
competitive guys on their team. He had a great game (Best). He
got some good looks and made some big baskets."
nba.1392vpoznanovic,
Pacers G Haywoode Workman possibly out for season
Indiana Pacers guard Haywoode Workman went down with a torn anterior
cruciate ligament in his left knee in the fourth quarter of tonight's
overtime win over the Washington Bullets and may be lost for the
season.
Workman suffered the injury while driving towards the basket with 5:25
left in the period. He started the game and had four points and four
assists in 23 minutes.
"I know Woody was such a big part of this team, I'm sad for him," said
Pacers coach Larry Brown. "It's unfortunate that things like that
happen to good guys. He's got a lot of courage, he'll try and he's a
leader. You won't find many like him. Now Travis (Best), Jerome
(Allen) and Jalen (Rose) will have to do it by committee."
Workman, who is in his fourth season with Indiana and sixth in the
league, was averaging six points and 2.3 assists in three games
entering play tonight.
The Pacers already have the maximum three players on their injured
list -- guard Eddie Johnson, forward Duane Ferrell and center Rik
Smits.
nba.1393vpoznanovic,
Barring a miracle turnaround, Nuggets brass has got to go
DENVER (Nov 9, 1996 - 10:24 EST) -- The clock is ticking on the Bernie
Bickerstaff Era.
Bickerstaff is entering his seventh season as club president (his
third as coach) and his team is only slightly better equipped to
challenge for a championship than the old, broken-down club he
inherited during the darkest days of 1990.
He likes to ask media people, "Where's the accountability?"
Today, we ask the same question.
Unless this thing turns around dramatically, unless the Nuggets begin
to play like the team Bickerstaff thought he had this preseason -- and
we are willing to bet a bundle that it won't -- Charlie Lyons ought to
pull the plug. At the All Star break, at the end of the season,
whenever.
Dump Bickerstaff.
And then start the whole fool thing over again.
For this simple reason: It isn't working. And it isn't going to work.
Worse yet, there is no sense this franchise is building toward
anything.
Yes, the home team played a terrific game Thursday night against the
Rockets, battling through Laphonso Ellis' absence and foul troubles.
Ervin Johnson did a marvelous job on Hakeem Olajuwon -- at least
before he fouled out shortly before the end of regulation -- Sarunas
Marciulionis was a whirling dervish and Dale Ellis was nothing short
of amazing. And when the Nuggets fell behind late in the overtime,
they produced a little magic and pulled to within one point. These are
the kinds of nights, the kinds of efforts the Nuggets have to give
their fans on a regular basis if they want to win them back.
Problem is, they've only done it once in three home games.
Problem is, as well and as hard as they played, they still lost
because in overtime, the Rockets had Olajuwon and the Nuggets had, um,
LaSalle Thompson.
Problem is, the Nuggets played about as well and as heroically as they
could on their home floor, and still couldn't win.
Because they're not good enough.
The Nuggets can celebrate their nucleus all they want, but these are
the facts: LaPhonso Ellis is injury prone. Bryant Stith is nothing
more than a nice, average player who works hard and plays defense. The
only one with any star potential is Antonio McDyess, and he is a few
years away from finding his place in this league.
This isn't a solitary media person talking. This is a town filled with
hardcore basketball fans talking. More than 30 percent of this team's
season-ticket holders didn't bother to renew. If that's not a
repudiation of the latest rebuilding effort, it's hard to say what is.
Tuesday night, Denver told the Nuggets exactly what they thought. They
stayed away. Granted, it was an election night. And granted, it was
the Los Angeles Clippers, hardly a big draw. But not so long ago,
12,000 or more would show up simply out of habit.
Not anymore.
Nor did they sell out Thursday for the star-studded Rockets.
Now, you figure, the Nuggets will hit the skids when they go on the
road after Friday's home game against Golden State, and the excuses
will start anew: "Well, LaPhonso isn't in the lineup and he's our
heart and soul." And Bickerstaff will be given a longer grace period.
Don't be fooled. Don't let Ellis' absence obscure the truth about this
group. They try hard, but they are going nowhere fast, with or without
Ellis.
Understand, I like Bickerstaff, even if the feeling isn't mutual. He's
intelligent, opinionated and combative, a sharp basketball mind. And
before last year, I was convinced he had the Nuggets on the right
track. He had drafted well (Mark Macon being the exception), he had
traded well and he was showing patience with a team that seemed ready
to blossom, especially when Fonz returned to health.
And tason happened. The whole thing got out of control. Mahmoud
Abdul-Rauf and Anthemgate became a horrible, embarrassing mess.
Dikembe Mutombo lost his warrior spirit, and became consumed with
himself and his numbers. And Jalen Rose, his top draftee one year
earlier, was a pouty, petulant underachiever from the start.
Go ahead and blame the miserable 1995 season on the players, but
remember this: These were Bernie's guys. These were the people he
drafted. These were the people he believed would blossom into a
50-victory-plus team.
You can argue the Nuggets couldn't have kept Mutombo given the
limitations his agent put on the organization, but you can argue --
and we have argued since last season -- that the Nuggets should have
paid him his price and given the Mutombo-McDyess-Ellis front line more
time to develop.
Lyons cannot afford -- heck, Ascent cannot afford -- to let this
worsen. Already, they've been reduced to silly, bottom-line tactics
like the buy-the-Nuggets/get-the-Avalanche scheme. The Nuggets are
losing games, fans and money.
Tick ... tick ... tick ... tick ... tick ... tick ...
nba.1394vpoznanovic,
Kings' offense not clicking
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 9, 1996 - 05:36 EST) -- The problem is as
apparent as the solution is elusive.
The Kings' offense has been inconsistent in three of their first four
games and it is no coincidence the Kings have lost those three.
Now they face the athletic and unpredictable Portland Trail Blazers
Saturday night at Arco Arena.
Frankly, the Kings need a victory about as badly as Evander Holyfield
needs a reality check.
They have lost the first two on this four-game homestand that precedes
a wicked stretch of 10 road games in 12 contests.
Defensively, the Kings have been solid. Offensively, they have put the
"u" in ugly.
Kings coach Garry St. Jean came into the regular season wondering how
his team would play defensively. It struggled during the preseason but
has been solid in the regular season.
However, the sequence of post-up, pick-and-roll and movement-oriented
offense he envisioned during the summer has been nothing but a
struggle.
St. Jean said his team needs to become more reliant on the second and
third options of the team's various offensive sets.
"In every play, there is a first option, second option and third
option," he said after Friday's practice. "And when teams take away
the first option, we have to have the mind-set to look for the second
and third options."
St. Jean said the team had a talk this week.
"Everybody expressed their opinions and one theme that was prevailing
was that it was early in the season and there was no need to panic,"
St. Jean said. "We're not getting it done to the level that we want,
but that it was important for us to keep working hard and improve."
The Kings' offense, like every other team's, can appear complicated
and intricate. But there are basic tenets that have to be followed,
and the Kings have not done that.
No offense, especially one featuring sharpshooters Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
and Mitch Richmond, can be successful without other players setting
solid picks to free the scorers.
In recent years, the Kings have not set good picks. They don't have a
group of bulky, physical specimens, so players such as Olden Polynice,
Brian Grant, Michael Smith and Billy Owens will have to be more
precise.
Timing is everything when it comes to setting up a defender on an
offensive set, as is spacing. One second late or one second early can
ruin a play. One player out of place on a key play can lead to a
frenzy.
There are few Kings players who know their plays inside and out. That
is apparent on virtually every possession when the early -- and
crucial -- seconds of the offense are spent with one player directing
another.
"How are you going to run the offense when people don't know what they
are supposed to be doing?" one player asked. "That's one of the
reasons why our offense looks crazy sometimes."
Abdul-Rauf has admitted to having difficulty picking up the offense,
and he is the starting point guard. There are other players who have
not made that admission.
Even St. Jean has said that he has not done a good job getting
Abdul-Rauf the ball.
St. Jean envisioned a point-forward offense with Billy Owens running
the show and Abdul-Rauf and Richmond coming off picks. But with Owens
missing most of the preseason and Abdul-Rauf missing some of it, that
plan has stalled.
"We are going to find Mahmoud more," the coach said. "That I can
promise you."
St. Jean can design plays until his hair grows back, but if his
players don't hit open shots, the offense still won't work.
nba.1395djcorto,
> => Shaquille O'Neal (centar)
>
> Gde bre ova spodoba moze u top50 svih vremena...
Nemoj tako, on je omiljeni kosarkas moje cerke (13 meseci).
Vole deca majmune ...
NBA trebaju zvezde, pa, ako nema pametnih i dobrih (Jabbar,
Magic, itd) dosta je da su veliki i jaki.
nba.1396mboban,
=-= Ako je problem samo praćenje, ja bez problema na početku svake poruke
=-= mogu da ubacim nešto ovog tipa:
Ne, to ne bi ništa izmenilo...
Mislio sam da pre cele serije poruka u jednoj poruci pustiš sve rezultate
utakmica i učinak najzapaženijih igrača (znači sve u jednoj poruci, a ne
na početku svake poruke), koji bi u narednim porukama bili opširnije
obrađeni.
Uz svo poštovanje prema tebi i tvom radu i trudu, moram ti reći da mi se
trenutni sistem ovoga što radiš ne sviđa.
Trenutno mi se najviše sviđa ideja da u svakom paketu pošalješ takvu
poruku, a uz nju da u vidu arhiviranog fajla zakačiš opširnije rezultate,
vesti i tračeve (u 2 odvojena fajla u toj jednoj arhivi). U sledećoj
poruci bi išlo stanje na tabeli. Mislim da bi i tebi tako bilo lakše.
Lepo sve u jednoj poruci, da ne moraš da šalješ te mega-exece. I
pretraživanje bi bilo lakše. Ovako neko ko traži neki rezultat mora da
se probija kroz stotinjak poruka o tome kako je taj-i-taj igrač
suspendovan na toliko-i-toliko utakmica, kako se neki drugi igrač
oporavlja od povrede, itd... A pored svega toga, mislim da veliki broj
poruka koje šalješ utiču negativno na razvoj diskusije.
Nemoj pogrešno da me shvatiš, količina informacija treba da ostane ista,
ali da se sabije u manji broj poruka. Na kraju, problem će ti praviti i
limit od 300 konferencijskih poruka mesečno (osim ako spadaš među
povlašćene članove :).
Šta kažu ostali?
nba.1397sani.,
Ja se potpuno slazem.Predlog je prihvatljiv jer bi tada sve bilo mnogo
preglednije,a samim tim bi smo odrzali paznju ostalih zainteresenika za nba.
Puno pozdrava svim ljubiteljima nba-a.
nba.1398vitez.koja,
#=> Bila je u spisku svih utakmica koje će se prenositi ove sezone,
#=> zar ne?
Da, ali tamo gde sam ja pročitao (Politika valjda) je prilično
jasno bilo naglašeno da Mia - Chi nije prenos nego snimak...
sk
nba.1399vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (85) AT LA LAKERS (92)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LAETTNER F 38 4-17 5-6 1 8 9 2 3 0 1 14
CORBIN F 41 6-14 0-0 3 5 8 1 3 2 2 12
MUTOMBO C 38 3-8 6-9 2 5 7 1 4 0 2 12
SMITH G 22 5-11 1-1 1 2 3 3 1 0 1 14
BLAYLOCK G 44 6-14 1-1 1 2 3 12 1 6 0 16
NEWBILL 15 2-2 0-0 2 0 2 1 2 1 1 4
BURTON 9 0-6 2-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2
BARRY 18 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 11
LAUDERDALE 5 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RECASNER 10 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
HENDERSON DNP - FLU
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-84 15-19 10 24 34 21 18 10 9 85
(.357) (.789) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 10(14 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 33 3-9 3-4 3 6 9 2 4 1 3 9
CEBALLOS F 28 6-10 1-1 0 7 7 3 3 0 3 13
ONEAL C 39 9-20 1-4 6 12 18 4 5 2 3 19
JONES G 39 8-16 0-0 0 4 4 4 5 1 3 19
VAN EXEL G 35 4-7 0-0 0 3 3 5 0 0 0 10
ROOKS 21 2-4 3-5 1 1 2 2 5 1 1 7
FISHER 13 2-4 2-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 6
BRYANT 8 0-3 2-2 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 2
KNIGHT 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
SCOTT 21 2-4 2-2 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 7
BLOUNT DNP - LEFT THIGH CONTUSION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-77 14-20 11 37 48 24 23 5 16 92
(.468) (.700) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(20 PTS)
ATLANTA 22 30 15 18 - 85
LA LAKERS 22 16 32 22 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 3, LAUDERDALE. LA LAKERS - ONEAL 4,
ROOKS 3, CAMPBELL 2, JONES 2, SCOTT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 10-30 (.333), LAETTNER 1-3, CORBIN 0-4, SMITH
3-7, BLAYLOCK 3-10, BURTON 0-2, BARRY 3-4. LA LAKERS 6-16 (.375), CAMPBELL
0-1, JONES 3-9, VAN EXEL 2-3, FISHER 0-1, SCOTT 1-2.
TECHNICALS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, GARY BENSON, JIM CLARK.
A - 16,097. T - 2:10.
ATLANTA (85) AT LA LAKERS (92)
Eddie Jones scored 13 of his 19 points during a key
third-quarter run and Cedric Ceballos added 11 during the same
stretch as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a 19-point
deficit to defeat the Atlanta Hawks, 92-85.
After falling behind 57-38 just under a minute into the third
quarter, the Lakers rallied back. Shaquille O'Neal, who
finished with 19 points and 18 rebounds, had a dunk that seemed
to spark Los Angeles. Jones and Ceballos took over from there
as the Lakers, who improved to 3-0 at home, outscored the Hawks
32-10 over the rest of the quarter.
"When you are down by 14 of 15 or whatever, you want to get out
there and make something happen," Jones said. "We weren't
hustling, were weren't making steals, we weren't running, we
were just standing around. I think the key was that we got the
crowd going. We don't want to be booed at home, it leaves a bad
taste in you mouth."
"Eddie played a great game," O'Neal said. "He was a spark for us
in the third quarter. I shot the ball poorly tonight, but I
think I did other things well. We are going to have to learn as
a team that if we want to win that we have got to come in from
the jump ball. We can't wait until the third or fourth
quarter."
Los Angeles shot 65 percent from the field during the period
while holding Atlanta to just 19 percent (4-of-21) shooting. It
was the Lakers' sixth straight win over the Hawks and eighth
consecutive triumph over Atlanta at the Great Western Forum.
"That second half showed the kind of emotion and energy that we
are looking for," Lakers coach Del Harris said. "Hopefully this
is a breakthrough win for us. I know we had the fire coming out
into the third quarter."
Mookie Blaylock had 16 points and 12 assists to lead Atlanta,
which also got 14 points and nine boards from Christian
Laettner.
Byron Scott, who had seven points off the bench for the Lakers,
became just the 37th player in NBA history to play in 1000
regular season games.
Steve Smith had 11 of his 14 points in the first quarter when
O'Neal was held in check but the Hawks were able to manage just
a 22-22 tie after one period. Atlanta used a 27-12 run over the
first 9:10 of the second quarter to open a 49-34 lead. Smith
suffered a right ankle sprain and was limited to 22 minutes of
action.
"It (the sprain) hurt me twice as bad because we lost and I
thought I could make a difference tonight," Smith said.
The Hawks scored the first five points of the third quarter to
extend their advantage to 57-38 but O'Neal's dunk set the Lakers
offense in motion.
"In the second half we executed poorly, the Lakers saw an
opportunity and they took advantage of it," Hawks coach Lenny
Wilkens. "We got anxious and hurried our play, typical of a
young team. We started off strong behind Smith, but when he
went out we fell apart."
Six players scored in double figures for the Hawks but none made
more than half of their shots as Atlanta managed to shoot just
35 percent (30-of-84) from the floor. Los Angeles also held a
48-34 advantage on the boards.
nba.1400vpoznanovic,
DENVER (86) AT CLEVELAND (101)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 33 8-12 0-0 2 2 4 3 1 0 3 18
MCDYESS F 22 3-8 2-2 0 3 3 2 6 0 0 8
JOHNSON C 35 5-8 3-4 2 6 8 1 3 0 6 13
JACKSON G 33 3-10 0-0 1 6 7 14 4 0 3 7
STITH G 31 3-9 4-4 3 4 7 3 2 0 4 10
THOMPSON 5 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
HAMMONDS 26 3-4 0-0 2 3 5 0 4 2 0 6
PIERCE 10 1-4 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4
MURDOCK 11 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 2 3 3
MARCIULIONIS 18 3-9 0-0 2 2 4 2 3 0 2 7
HAM 8 1-2 2-2 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 4
MCINNIS 8 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 6
TOTALS 240 33-72 13-14 13 30 43 28 26 5 24 86
(.458) (.929) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 25(33 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 25 3-8 2-4 2 2 4 1 2 1 0 9
HILL F 29 3-9 1-3 2 3 5 2 3 3 2 7
WEST C 8 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 0
BRANDON G 30 7-16 3-3 0 4 4 8 1 1 1 19
PHILLS G 30 5-7 1-2 0 5 5 1 1 1 2 14
POTAPENKO 23 4-10 4-6 2 1 3 0 4 0 1 12
FERRY 31 8-11 0-0 1 1 2 4 2 1 0 20
SURA 24 5-7 3-4 1 5 6 9 0 1 4 14
GEARY 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
LANG 23 2-4 2-2 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 6
MARSHALL 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
THOMAS 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 240 37-76 16-24 10 22 32 26 20 9 14 101
(.487) (.667) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 14(16 PTS)
DENVER 23 15 24 24 - 86
CLEVELAND 22 31 20 28 - 101
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - JOHNSON 2, MCDYESS, HAMMONDS. CLEVELAND - LANG
2, MILLS, BRANDON, PHILLS, FERRY, SURA.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 7-15 (.467), D ELLIS 2-3, JACKSON 1-4, STITH
0-1, PIERCE 0-1, MURDOCK 1-1, MARCIULIONIS 1-3, MCINNIS 2-2. CLEVELAND
11-20 (.550), MILLS 1-1, BRANDON 2-5, PHILLS 3-4, FERRY 4-6, SURA 1-2,
GEARY 0-1, THOMAS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: DENVER - MARCIULIONIS.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, JOE DEROSA, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 13,921. T - 1:58.
DENVER (86) AT CLEVELAND (101)
Danny Ferry scored 20 points off the bench and Terrell Brandon
added 19 and eight assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers, off to
their best start in eight years, cruised to a 101-86 victory
over the Denver Nuggets.
Cleveland led 73-62 after three quarters and 79-69 with 9:58 to
play before Brandon and Bobby Sura each scored five points and
rookie Vitaly Potapenko and Antonio Lang had four apiece in an
18-0 run that gave the Cavs a 28-point lead with 4:43 to play.
Bobby Phills chipped in 14 points for Cleveland, which eclipsed
the century mark for the first time this season. The team is
4-1 for the first time since 1988-89.
"Defensively we had a couple of people who stepped up and did a
good job," said Cleveland coach Mike Fratello. "We mixed and
matched until we found a group that gave us enough energy and
gave us some stretches of outstanding defense. Danny Ferry came
back from a couple of tough games of shooting the ball. He
really had his stroke and confidence. Overall this is our best
team performance."
Dale Ellis tallied 18 points and Ervin Johnson had 13 and eight
rebounds for Denver, which began a five-game road trip. Bryant
Stith added 10 points, while Mark Jackson dished out 14 assists
as the Nuggets shot 93 percent (13-of-14) from the foul line,
but committed 24 turnovers.
Denver led 23-22 after 12 minutes and maintained a one-point
advantage before Sura hit two free throws to begin an 16-2 spurt
that gave Cleveland a 40-27 lead with 5:30 left in the first
half. Ferry had eight points in the run and 12 in the half.
"I just got a good rhythm going and got some good looks at the
basket," said Ferry. "Making three-pointers gives you momentum
because it spreads the floor and opens up the lanes for Brandon
and Sura. I just go out and play and try to think as little as I
can."
The Nuggets cut into a 15-point halftime deficit with a 17-4
burst to begin the third period. Ellis netted seven points and
Stith had four in the run that reduced the difference to 57-55
with 4:36 left in the quarter.
But the Cavs countered as Phills and Ferry each had five points
in a 16-7 spree that put the team up 73-62 heading into the
final period.
"We got back into the basketball games and we did what we've
been doing -- we turned it over," said Denver coach Bernie
Bickerstaff. "We fought all the way back within two points and
Dale (Ellis) went up for a shot and passed, which led to a
turnover. We inbound the ball and Ervin (Johnson) gets a
turnover, which is a five-point turnaround when Danny Ferry hits
a three."
Sura recorded 14 points, nine assists and six boards and
Potapenko had 12 points for Cleveland, which shot 49 percent
(37-of-76) from the floor. Denver was allowing a league-low
39.4 percent entering play.
The Cavs shot 55 percent (11-for-20) from three-point range, but
were outrebounded, 43-32. Cleveland has won six of the last
seven meetings at home against Denver.
"We had three straight turnovers when we got back into the
game," said Nuggets forward Antonio McDyess. "From there we
started going down hill and we couldn't get back into it. They
(Cleveland) have some pretty strong guys, plus their coach
rotates the guys in and out, so he brings new bodies out to you
every minute or so and that kind of wears the guys out who are
already out there."
nba.1401vpoznanovic,
MINNESOTA (70) AT LA CLIPPERS (81)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 38 7-14 1-2 4 5 9 0 4 1 1 15
GUGLIOTTA F 39 4-17 10-14 3 8 11 2 2 1 6 18
VRANKOVIC C 21 2-6 0-0 1 4 5 0 4 1 2 4
WEST G 29 3-10 2-2 2 2 4 0 3 1 2 8
PORTER G 20 1-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 2
D GARRETT 18 0-1 2-2 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 2
CARR 16 1-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 2
MITCHELL 25 1-4 4-4 1 4 5 1 3 0 1 6
ROBINSON 18 3-10 3-4 0 2 2 2 2 1 2 9
HEAL 14 1-4 1-2 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 4
PARKS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARBURY DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 23-75 23-30 12 32 44 6 23 7 15 70
(.307) (.767) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(11 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 29 2-7 0-0 3 5 8 0 4 2 2 4
ROGERS F 44 9-13 3-4 2 6 8 3 3 2 3 22
DUCKWORTH C 11 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
RICHARDSON G 27 1-10 0-0 1 3 4 4 0 1 1 2
SEALY G 24 1-10 4-4 1 2 3 0 1 2 2 6
D MARTIN 21 1-5 4-4 1 2 3 4 2 1 1 7
ROBERTS 32 7-17 5-6 4 10 14 0 5 0 1 19
OUTLAW 16 3-6 4-8 2 4 6 1 4 0 1 10
DEHERE 14 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
MURRAY 9 3-4 1-1 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 7
WRIGHT 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2
PIATKOWSKI 10 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 2
TOTALS 240 29-82 21-27 16 36 52 14 26 8 14 81
(.354) (.778) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 16(9 PTS)
MINNESOTA 22 19 14 15 - 70
LA CLIPPERS 19 26 8 28 - 81
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - VRANKOVIC 3, K GARNETT 2, WEST, D GARRETT,
CARR, MITCHELL. LA CLIPPERS - SEALY, OUTLAW.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 1-5 (.200), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, MITCHELL 0-1,
ROBINSON 0-1, HEAL 1-2. LA CLIPPERS 2-7 (.286), ROGERS 1-1, RICHARDSON
0-4, D MARTIN 1-1, PIATKOWSKI 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, TED BERNHARDT, JIM KINSEY.
A - 6,314. T - 2:09.
MINNESOTA (70) AT LA CLIPPERS (81)
Rodney Rogers scored 22 points and Stanley Roberts added 19 as
the Los Angeles Clippers used a decisive fourth-quarter run to
defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 81-70.
Los Angeles improved to 20-9 all-time against Minnesota, which
includes a 13-2 mark at home. The Clippers (3-2) have alternated
wins and losses in their first five games.
"It wasn't the greatest game, but a win is win," said Rogers,
who had totaled 28 points in his previous four games. "We could
have played a lot better. The guards did not shoot well, but
we'll take it. Sometimes you have bad days like that."
The Timberwolves, who have dropped two straight for the first
time this season, led 59-55 on James Robinson's jumper with
10:58 left.
Then Los Angeles went on a 15-0 run to take a 70-59 lead with
4:35 left to play. Ex-Timberwolf Darrick Martin had five points
in the run and Roberts and Charles Outlaw each added four.
"We came out of the blocks sluggish and did not get the job done
until the fourth quarter," said Roberts. "It was ugly, but it
was a win."
Tom Gugliotta had 18 points and led Minnesota in scoring for the
fifth time in five games. The 70 points tied a franchise-low
set January 9th, 1990 at Sacramento.
"I didn't think we gave the effort we needed to give. Our
execution was horrendous," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders.
"One thing about the Clippers -- we've played them five games
(since taking over as coach) and they have played us harder than
anyone."
Minnesota held its biggest lead with 2:07 left in the first on
Chris Carr's slam dunk as the Timberwolves took a 22-19 lead.
The Clippers followed with a 9-4 run in a 4:17 span to start the
second quarter. Rogers hit a three-pointer and Roberts added
four points on a dunk and a jumper to give the Clippers a 29-24
lead with 7:43 left to play.
Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 14-8 in the third quarter. Loy
Vaught's hook shot tied the game at 51, but neither team could
score until Minnesota's Stojko Vrankovic hit a 10-footer to give
the Timberwolves a 53-51 edge with 64 seconds to play in the
third.
"That killed us," said Garnett. "When you're out there losing
like that, you're sort of brainlocked on what's going on. We
have been playing well, but this is a step backward."
nba.1402vpoznanovic,
NEW YORK (101) AT VANCOUVER (82)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 29 6-10 0-0 1 3 4 4 2 1 0 12
OAKLEY F 33 6-8 0-0 3 4 7 3 5 1 4 12
EWING C 35 8-16 5-8 6 10 16 2 0 2 3 21
HOUSTON G 19 3-8 1-2 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 9
WARD G 20 5-9 0-0 0 4 4 4 1 0 2 13
STARKS 32 3-11 2-2 1 4 5 4 3 0 3 8
WALLACE 23 3-5 1-2 2 6 8 4 4 1 3 7
BROOKS 22 3-5 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 7
B WILLIAMS 21 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 2 0 2 1 4
JENT 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3
MCCARTY 3 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 42-82 9-14 14 33 47 27 24 8 17 101
(.512) (.643) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 17(13 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 30 2-8 4-5 2 3 5 1 3 0 2 8
ROGERS F 25 2-10 0-0 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 4
REEVES C 35 2-5 4-4 3 5 8 3 5 0 5 8
PEELER G 35 6-16 2-3 1 3 4 3 2 1 1 16
ANTHONY G 27 4-12 2-3 0 2 2 7 4 6 1 12
MAYBERRY 21 0-4 2-2 1 3 4 2 1 2 4 2
ABDUR-RAHIM 25 3-5 5-5 1 2 3 1 0 0 1 11
LYNCH 16 2-7 1-2 2 1 3 4 1 3 0 5
MOTEN 13 4-6 2-3 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 12
MOBLEY 11 2-3 0-1 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 4
MANNING 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 27-76 22-28 13 23 36 22 18 12 17 82
(.355) (.786) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
NEW YORK 26 21 29 25 - 101
VANCOUVER 24 21 17 20 - 82
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - B WILLIAMS 3. VANCOUVER - ROGERS 4, B EDWARDS,
REEVES, MOBLEY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 8-15 (.533), HOUSTON 2-3, WARD 3-4, STARKS
0-4, BROOKS 1-2, JENT 1-1, MCCARTY 1-1. VANCOUVER 6-17 (.353), B EDWARDS
0-1, PEELER 2-4, ANTHONY 2-6, MAYBERRY 0-2, ABDUR-RAHIM 0-1, LYNCH 0-1,
MOTEN 2-2.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - BROOKS.
OFFICIALS: BILL SPOONER, TOMMIE WOOD, HUE HOLLINS.
A - 17,356. T - 2:10.
NEW YORK (101) AT VANCOUVER (82)
Patrick Ewing recorded 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Charlie
Ward added 13 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 101-82
rout of the Vancouver Grizzlies.
The Knicks completed a sweep of their three-game West Coast
trip, but the first two games weren't as easy. They rallied
from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors,
105-100, on Thursday and took the Los Angeles Clippers to
overtime before winning, 88-81, on Friday.
"I didn't think it was an easy game at all," said Knicks coach
Jeff Van Gundy. "I thought that the Grizzlies played
particularly well in the first half. I was very happy with the
Knicks performance in the second half. I felt they passed the
ball well, defended well and rebounded well."
Anthony Peeler scored a season-high 16 points and Greg Anthony
and Lawrence Moten had 12 apiece for Vancouver, which owns sole
possession of the worst record in the NBA (0-6).
"I know they are a tough team, but I was embarrassed by our
effort out there in the second half," said Anthony. "We weren't
competitive enough for our home crowd. We got into foul trouble
with some key guys and we didn't really get a chance to get into
the game. But they are a very talented team and we would have
had to have our best game to give them a run."
Ward scored 10 of his points in the first period as New York
opened up a 26-24 advantage. The margin was 47-45 at the half
in favor of the Knicks before they opened the gap in the third
quarter.
Ewing netted five points in a 13-2 run, capped by his free throw
with 4:32 left in the period that made it 67-53. Vancouver
closed within 69-60 on a dunk by Eric Mobley, but New York put
the game away with a 15-4 spurt.
Charles Oakley started the burst with a follow of a missed shot
and closed it with a tip-in to extend the lead to 84-64 with
7:08 to play. The Knicks took their biggest lead at 94-70 on a
three-pointer by rookie Walter McCarty in the final minutes.
"We're not playing together enough yet and we showed that
especially in the third quarter tonight," said Peeler. "You
can't get down if you miss shots. You have to work on boards.
We've got to do our own jobs, but work hard as a team to put our
game together. We're just not getting any easy baskets."
Larry Johnson and Oakley each contributed 12 points for New
York, which shot 51 percent (42-of-82) from the floor, including
8-for-15 from three-point range (53 percent). Every Knick
scored at least three points.
"I thought the difference between the first half and the second
half was that the Knicks got back on defense," said Ewing. "I
felt it definitely wasn't an easy game. Every game is tough in
the NBA."
Rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim added 11 points off the bench for
Vancouver, which shot just 35 percent (27-of-76) from the field
and were outrebounded, 47-36.
nba.1403vpoznanovic,
SAN ANTONIO (81) AT PORTLAND (94)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D WILKINS F 35 9-20 0-0 7 4 11 2 1 0 0 18
ELLIOTT F 38 4-11 2-2 2 1 3 4 2 0 3 12
ANDERSON C 17 0-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 4 2 3 0
JOHNSON G 35 6-7 1-2 1 0 1 3 2 3 1 14
DEL NEGRO G 16 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 0
KEMPTON 18 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 1 2 0
MAXWELL 36 4-15 7-10 0 3 3 2 3 2 1 17
M WILLIAMS 26 6-7 2-3 1 3 4 0 4 0 0 14
ALEXANDER 13 0-5 2-2 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 2
HERRERA 6 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 4
W PERDUE DNP - FRACTURED LEFT THUMB
SMITH DNP - SWOLLEN RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 31-78 14-19 15 17 32 15 21 8 10 81
(.397) (.737) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 10(13 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 32 4-8 0-0 1 2 3 4 3 2 7 9
WALLACE F 26 5-7 2-3 1 3 4 0 4 1 1 12
SABONIS C 21 3-7 1-1 0 6 6 3 2 2 2 7
ANDERSON G 35 5-10 5-6 0 0 0 7 2 0 0 17
RIDER G 36 8-15 4-6 3 3 6 2 4 0 2 23
TRENT 14 2-7 2-2 4 4 8 0 2 0 1 6
DUDLEY 25 1-4 1-2 5 7 12 2 1 0 1 3
MCKIE 19 2-6 4-4 1 1 2 3 2 1 0 8
WINGFIELD 24 4-11 0-0 3 2 5 3 2 0 2 9
JORDAN 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
CHILDRESS 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
BUTLER 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 34-75 19-24 18 30 48 24 22 6 17 94
(.453) (.792) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 17(19 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 19 27 16 19 - 81
PORTLAND 30 22 19 23 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - M WILLIAMS 3, D WILKINS. PORTLAND - C
ROBINSON, WALLACE, SABONIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 5-19 (.263), D WILKINS 0-2, ELLIOTT 2-5,
JOHNSON 1-1, DEL NEGRO 0-1, MAXWELL 2-7, ALEXANDER 0-3. PORTLAND 7-23
(.304), C ROBINSON 1-4, SABONIS 0-3, ANDERSON 2-3, RIDER 3-6, TRENT 0-1,
MCKIE 0-3, WINGFIELD 1-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: LUIS GRILLO, JOE CRAWFORD, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 20,111. T - 2:00.
SAN ANTONIO (81) AT PORTLAND (94)
Isaiah Rider scored 23 points and Kenny Anderson added 17 as the
Portland Trail Blazers starting backcourt dominated their San
Antonio Spurs counterparts in a 94-81 victory.
Rider hit 8-of-16 shots, including 3-of-6 from three-point
range, and Anderson added seven assists without a turnover. The
duo combined for 40 points, nine assists and six rebounds while
San Antonio's starting guards, Avery Johnson and Vinny Del Negro
were held to 14 points, four assists and two rebounds.
"I found my stroke again, I guess I came out feeling good and
felt like we did a good job of moving the ball on the double
teams," Rider said. "I got some easy shots and good looks.
That's always fun, instead of taking tough shots and trying to
create. We definitely felt good going into this game."
"We had to do it against a team that is struggling," Anderson
said. "We had to keep them down and we didn't that. I felt
good, I am going to try to adapt to certain things and try to
get my assists up."
Chris Dudley chipped in with 12 rebounds off the bench as the
Trail Blazers extended a six-point halftime lead with seven
consecutive points to start the third quarter.
Dominique Wilkins led the Spurs with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The Spurs did receive solid bench play from Vernon Maxwell, who
had 17 points, and Monty Williams, who chipped in with 14.
"It was my best all-around game tonight, but I still am not
shooting well," Wilkins said. "Defensively, we could be doing
some better things, but with the group we have, we have done
very well. I still can do a lot of things that young guys can't
do. I still feel I am very competitive. Eventually, this team
will do better."
Rider scored 11 in the first quarter as the Trail Blazers raced
to a 12-4 lead and built the advantage to 30-19 after the first
period. Rider added eight in the second quarter as Portland held
on for a 52-46 halftime lead.
The Spurs managed to shoot just 39 percent (31-of-78) from the
field and 5-of-19 from three-point range in losing for the fifth
time in six games. The Spurs have managed to surpass 81 points
in just one of their six contests thus far.
"I thought we did a whale of a job for three quarters of a
game," Spurs coach Bob Hill said. "We played hard, particularly
late in the first half. If we continue to play with such
intensity, I feel we will be a good team when we get healthy."
Greg Anderson started at center for the Spurs in place of
injured superstar David Robinson, and was held scoreless in 17
minutes. He split time in the middle with Tim Kempton who
failed to score in 18 minutes of action.
"Whenever we don't have to worry about the Admiral, it makes it
easier," Rider added. "He is a shot-blocker and an offensive
force down there. Whenever you don't have David in there, is is
always easier and you have to take advantage of that."
nba.1404vpoznanovic,
Blue-collar Williams cleans glass for the Nets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- He doesn't want his own show on MTV. He
doesn't want a multipage spread in GQ. Nor does he want to dye his
hair every color of the rainbow.
The one thing Dennis Rodman has that Jayson Williams wants is the NBA
rebounding crown.
"I'd like to lead the league in rebounding," says Williams, now in his
seventh NBA season. "I could have won the rebounding title last year,
if I played more."
The 6-foot-10 Williams might be right. Almost.
He grabbed 803 rebounds, averaging 10 per game last season, good for
10th in the NBA. But he played just 23.1 minutes per game.
League-leader Rodman, who claimed his fifth consecutive rebound title,
pulled down 14.9 boards per game and saw 33 minutes of action per
night.
Prorated over an entire 48-minute NBA game, Williams would have
averaged 20.7 rebounds per game. But that would still rank him second
to Rodman, who would have averaged 21.9 boards a game if he played the
full 48.
Despite his lack of minutes, Williams placed second to only Rodman in
total offensive rebounds last year, hauling in 342 (Rodman grabbed
356). David Robinson (319) was the only other NBA player to grab more
than 300 offensive boards last season.
However, besides fighting for playing time, Williams also had to fight
his teammates just to get the ball last year.
"I played on the best rebounding team in the NBA last season,"
Williams says of the Nets, who hauled down a league-best 3,853. "I had
to rebound against P.J. Brown, Eddie O'Bannon, Shawn Bradley and Armon
Gilliam. In Chicago, Rodman was the only rebounder on that team, so
his teammates let him grab the rebounds."
But this season Williams shouldn't have that problem. Both Brown and
Gilliam left New Jersey as free agents, going to Miami and Milwaukee,
respectively. New Nets head coach John Calipari has anointed Williams
a team captain and awarded him the starting power forward position.
This will give him the minutes to compete for the NBA rebounding
title.
"Both Jayson and Kendall Gill are our captains. They add leadership
and they know the NBA game," says Calipari. "Jayson's done a fine job
for us. He plays so hard and really believes in this organization."
Newfound leader
Not only is it the first time in his pro career that Williams will be
a starter, it'll also be the first time he's ever had a leadership
role on an NBA team.
"It's a good feeling to know that five years ago there were
(newspaper) articles saying I would not make the team," recalls
Williams. "Now I'm the captain. It has been a 360-degree turnaround."
"Five years ago there were articles saying I would not make the
team," Williams says. "Now I'm the captain. It has been a 360-degree
turnaround."
Williams' quick wit and easy-going nature make him one of the best
interviews in the NBA. But it wasn't always that way; throughout his
collegiate career at St. John's and his early years in the NBA,
Williams had picked up a reputation for being pompous, bold, and
brash.
Now that's behind him, and he feels he has to be a leader by example.
"In Philly, I was just reckless," says Williams, who was originally
drafted by Phoenix and then traded to the 76ers. "I was just immature.
Socially, I had to grow up.
"Now I'm my own man and I make my own decisions. Right now I'm happy
with myself, I've got it together. For me to be successful, we've got
to win games in New Jersey, and I've got to be a part of that."
Not just be a part, but the catalyst. The Nets are one of the youngest
NBA teams and Williams, 28, is the one of their oldest players; only
Tony Massenburg (29), Adrian Caldwell (30) and recent acquisition
Reggie Williams (32) are older.
In fact, prior to the acquisition of 10-year veteran Reggie Williams,
Jayson Williams was the team's most seasoned NBA player, with six
years under his belt. And in his fifth year in New Jersey, Williams is
amazed that he's a senior team member.
"Most of the time I have to show the new guys the ins and outs of the
Nets organization," he says.
"Big Jay has been here the longest," O'Bannon says. "The young guys go
to him when they want to know something."
And part of that responsibility includes breaking in the new coach,
Williams' third during his stint in New Jersey.
"I didn't expect coach Cal to be so cool," Williams says. "I didn't
think I'd like the way he would coach. I thought he'd come in yelling
and not be up on the NBA game. But I should have known better. He
brought UMass to a conference championship in just eight years, and
their program was down."
Williams serves as the buffer between the players and Calipari.
"As captain, the players come to me," says Williams. "I have to play
middle-man between them and coach Cal. I have to keep the peace and
build up the family we have here."
Second-year forward Ed O'Bannon knows when he has a problem or
question, Williams is the one to ask.
"Big Jay has been here the longest," says the former first-round draft
pick. "The young guys go to him when they want to know something."
With Calipari in charge, Williams thinks the Nets future is bright. He
feels that will help him earn a spot among the league's top power
forwards.
"I'm not just going to average 14 rebounds. I'm going to be putting in
13 or 14 points to go along with it," he says. "I'm going to be
scoring points too. I don't want to be known as just a rebounder."
nba.1405vpoznanovic,
Record-setting Bulls are at it again
CHICAGO (Nov 10, 1996 - 17:18 EST) -- Coming off the best season in
NBA history -- a record 72 regular-season victories followed by a
dominating championship run -- the Chicago Bulls couldn't possibly be
better.
Or could they?
"Last year, we had key guys get hurt and miss games. We expect the
same this year, but maybe it won't happen," Ron Harper said. "If we
can stay healthy, we might just be better.
"As long as we keep our intensity and enthusiasm, we have a chance to
win every game."
Every game?
You mean 82-0?
"Why not?" Harper said. Then he laughed.
The Bulls are 6-0 after beating Boston 104-92 Saturday. That betters
their team-record start of a year ago, when they won their first five
games before losing. Houston also won its first six games and is the
NBA's only other unbeaten team.
To a man, the Bulls say they have improved.
"We are better from a knowledge standpoint," Michael Jordan said.
"Physically, OK, we have that extra year of beating on our bodies, but
we only can get better because of playing together for a period of
time. We have a sense of expectation from each other, and our roles
are pretty much set, and that makes us a better team."
Coach Phil Jackson agreed. "We have a chance to be better," he said.
"Last year at this time, Dennis Rodman was missing 12 games with an
injury. Now he's here. Last year, we lost Scottie Pippen for a
stretch. Maybe that doesn't happen this year. We have more depth, with
everyone more confident in each other, and more shared experience."
Bill Wennington put it this way: "The only question is: 'Athletically,
can we sustain the grind of a whole season and keep winning?' Do I
have any doubts? No."
And Steve Kerr said, "I think back to last year, how perfect it went.
It was a dream season, really. And we've picked up right where we left
off."
The fast start has been somewhat surprising in that Pippen, Harper and
Luc Longley were coming off surgery.
"I didn't think we would be very conscious of our record the first
month or so," Pippen said. "But this team ... we can't do anything but
play to win."
The Bulls were helped by the schedule-makers, who gave them Boston,
Vancouver and Philadelphia -- three bad teams -- out of the gate.
Victories in those games preceded road wins over better teams, Miami
and Detroit, and got people talking about the 70-win mark again. Last
season, such talk didn't start until about the midway point.
"I don't want to start looking forward to winning 72-plus games or
whatever," Pippen said, "but if we're able to stay healthy, the sky's
the limit."
Opponents say the same thing.
"You saw greatness," Detroit coach Doug Collins said. "They are one of
the greatest teams of all-time, maybe the greatest. No team in the NBA
can play with them right now."
Said Boston forward Rick Fox: "They might be in for a better year than
last year, which is scary. For them, it's getting easier because they
know each other so well."
All 12 players who spent the entire 1995-96 season with the team are
back. Jordan is going for a ninth NBA scoring title; Rodman, for a
sixth straight rebounding crown; Pippen, for a seventh All-Star
selection; Toni Kukoc, for repeat Sixth Man honors.
The only newcomer is Robert Parish -- and calling him a new anything
seems wrong. He's 43 and has played more games than anyone in league
history.
The addition of Parish upped the average age of the NBA's oldest team
to 32.
"We're old, but we're not too old to win," Harper said. "I'm not
saying we'll win every game, but we go into every game thinking we're
going to win. Our team goal this year is the same as last -- to win
every time we take the floor."
nba.1406vpoznanovic,
NBA play has been a slam-dunk snooze
(Nov 10, 1996 - 20:18 EST) -- The NBA is fannnntastic? I love this
game?
Based on the first nine days of the season, it's time for the league's
marketing gurus to come up with a few new slogans. Perhaps: better
than warm milk. Or: more effective than counting sheep.
Play was so sloppy and offenses were so bad that fans did all they
could to keep from falling asleep. Of the 69 games played through
Saturday night, just six ended with both teams scoring more than 100
points -- and two of those went to overtime. One team won despite
scoring 74 points.
This is fantastic?
"The only ones who like it are the ones whose teams are winning," said
Phoenix Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons. "But it's still not very
entertaining.
"There are going to be (rule) changes. The trend is going too fast the
other way."
The league has changed things before in hopes of increasing scoring,
such as when it abolished hand-checking and adopted the three-pointer.
But Fitzsimmons says the league hurt itself a couple of years ago when
it moved the three-point line closer to the basket.
Teams now are so smitten with posting up players while spotting up on
the perimeter that games sometimes come to a virtual crawl. As for
other theories, some say defenses are better; others say clubs are
relying on two-man isolation sets. Injuries, bad shooting and younger
(read: unprepared) rookies all have played a part.
Another culprit is free agency. A majority of the league's 29 teams
have at least five new players since the end of last season.
"All the veteran teams that didn't have a lot of player movement are
scoring about the same," said Suns forward Robert Horry.
Au contraire. Utah didn't make any changes and it is scoring nearly 14
fewer points. Seattle lost no key players and added a shot-blocking
center, yet it is scoring nearly nine fewer points a game.
In fact, only the Knicks, Heat, 76ers, Bucks and T-Wolves entered play
Saturday night averaging more points than they did a year ago.
Milwaukee has made the biggest jump, from 95.6 to 107.3. The biggest
dropoff has been by the Spurs, who have fallen to 78.4 after averaging
103.4 last season. Of course, they're also without injured captain
David Robinson and his 25 points a game.
I love this game? Uh, no.
* * *
CAN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT
The Mavericks are off to a slow start, having lost four straight after
a season-opening win, and some are pointing to the personality
conflict between Jason Kidd and Jimmy Jackson. But closer to the truth
is that injuries and poor shooting have hampered the Mavs.
Dallas not only is shooting a meager 42 percent from the field, but
small forward Jamal Mashburn has yet to find his rhythm -- or defense
-- since returning from season-ending knee surgery a year ago, and
Kidd cannot consistently jump or put on a burst of speed because of
problems with his right knee.
Highlighting Kidd's struggles: He was outscored by Kings backup Tyus
Edney 24-3; by Raptors starter Damon Stoudamire 28-8; by Pistons
backup Lindsey Hunter 16-12, including 11-0 in the third quarter; and
by Heat starter Tim Hardaway 19-9.
As for the Kidd-Jackson feud, it reportedly was resolved in the
offseason, after Bulls star Michael Jordan requested a one-on-one with
Kidd during a promotional tour in Japan.
"He heard the rap about getting along with teammates a thousand times
before," said Kidd's agent, Aaron Goodwin ."But coming from Michael, I
guess it sunk in a little more."
* * *
STACKING THE DECK
Sixers guard Jerry Stackhouse opened a season in a slump for the first
time he can remember -- he was 17-of-57 from the field entering
Saturday night's game against the Suns -- and it was taking all the
self-control he could muster not to lose it.
"It's tough, but I'm trying to look at the big picture," he said. "I'm
trying to keep it all in perspective, reminding myself that it's
early, that there's time to correct whatever's wrong."
Apparently he has corrected the problem. Stackhouse went for a
career-high 36 points Saturday night in a 112-95 victory over the
Suns. The timing couldn't have been better, inasmuch as no other Sixer
had more than 14.
* * *
STILL A WISE GUY
Knicks guard John Starks lost his starting job this year but not his
volatile ways.
As he sat at the scorer's table late in the third quarter Thursday
night against the Warriors, Starks pointed his finger at the Golden
State bench and loud-talked in the team's direction.
A timeout delayed his entering the game, but did not prevent him from
picking up a technical for cursing at Warriors coach Rick Adelman.
When Starks got on the court, he attacked the basket and the Warriors'
pride.
"We weren't playing as hard as we're capable of playing," said Starks.
"I thought I just needed to come in and change the flow of things and
just get everybody pumped up to play a little harder. It was
controlled emotion. I knew exactly what I was doing."
Famous last words?
nba.1407vpoznanovic,
Six months after prom, Bryant a wallflower
(Nov 10, 1996 - 14:06 EST) - Kobe Bryant's eyes said it all.
He was staring at Shaquille O'Neal, looking like a child seeking a
autograph who can't believe Shaq is right in front of him.
The look was a mix of bewilderment, envy and idol worship. Call it the
"I can't believe Shaq is my teammate" stare.
It happened last Tuesday during a timeout in the Los Angeles Lakers'
third game of the season. O'Neal was on the bench during a huddle and
Bryant was standing on the perimeter, his disbelieving eyes riveted on
his $120 million teammate.
It was a brief snapshot of what life has become for the 18-year-old
rookie, the youngest player ever to appear in an NBA game.
"Daddy Shaq looks after him," coach Del Harris said. "But he doesn't
seem too aware of his age. Kobe seems like he's already seen it all at
age 18."
Harris said Bryant is having no trouble adjusting to the unsupervised
NBA lifestyle, and Bryant claims he is staying away from the
after-hours scene that many of the young Lakers players freely indulge
in.
"Kobe is pretty mature for an 18-year-old, pretty sophisticated,"
Harris said. "His dad (Joe "Jellybean" Bryant) spent eight years in
the NBA and eight years in Europe, and Kobe was with him. He's been
around the pro basketball scene, and that's one reason why it might
work out better for him than it would for some other 18-year-olds."
Bryant has been unable to make much of a dent in the Lakers' rotation.
He has averaged 5.3 minutes per game with almost as many turnovers
(five) as points (six).
Bryant missed much of training camp with a broken wrist, and Harris is
determined to bring him along slowly.
"He has seen very, very limited practice time, and anything I say
about his talent at this point is still based on what we saw before
the draft," Harris said. "He may have to get used to this kind of
limited playing time."
Bryant, for his part, is anxious to get on the court more often.
"I still don't know if I can play with these guys. I've got to get out
there and find out," he said.
Bryant's overseer has seen flashes of greatness already.
Said O'Neal: "I've seen him do some things that I haven't seen in a
long time. He's going to be nice."
SHAQ DADDY: The Los Angeles nightlife hasn't exactly impressed O'Neal.
"I haven't gotten out much. I have a kid now, so I change diapers,"
O'Neal said of his daughter, Tiahura, who was born the day after
O'Neal signed with Los Angeles over the summer.
O'Neal is living with his girlfriend in Los Angeles and has put his
Orlando mansion, complete with 10-car garage, up for sale.
"Rony Seikaly can have it for $10 million," O'Neal said of the new
center for the Magic.
O'Neal clearly had a strong opinion on the trade that sent Seikaly to
Orlando for Donald Royal, Felton Spencer and John Koncak's contract,
laughing out loud when alluding to it. But he wouldn't say who he was
laughing about.
"I'll get myself in trouble if I don't keep my mouth shut," he said.
UNEMPLOYED: Down in Dallas, a 5-foot-7 former slam dunk champion is
practicing his 44-inch vertical leap.
Spud Webb can still dunk, but he has no place to jam.
One of the free agents who was shut out of the lucrative spending
spree this summer, Webb is waiting for the phone to ring.
"He's patiently waiting, working out six days a week, bench-pressing
300 pounds," agent Jeff Blakely said. "We're hoping to have something
done by the end of the month."
The three most likely destinations for Webb are Houston, Charlotte or
Indiana. The Rockets, who offered Webb the NBA minimum salary of
$247,500 over the summer, have been using rookie Matt Maloney at the
point in starting the season 5-0. Brent Price is out with a broken arm
until January or February.
The Hornets expected to use Muggsy Bogues at the point this season,
but his surgically repaired knee remains heavily damaged -- "It's bone
scraping against bone," one team official said -- and he might be
headed back to the injured list or into retirement.
Tony Smith and Anthony Goldwire have been sharing Charlotte's point
guard duties, but the Hornets have enough salary cap room available to
win the bidding for Webb -- if they want to.
Indiana moved veteran Haywoode Workman into the starting lineup this
week, apparently abandoning the Travis Best experiment. The Pacers
also have Jalen Rose, whose questionable playmaking abilities have
left Larry Brown contemplating moving him to off-guard or small
forward.
Another possible landing zone for Webb could be Vancouver. The
Grizzlies are rumored to be shopping Greg Anthony.
ALSO WAITING: Also sitting at home pondering his future is
forward-center Brian Williams, who averaged 15.8 points and 7.6
rebounds for the Clippers last season.
The Clippers haven't budged off their original offer, and Williams
refuses to return to Los Angeles unless the offer is increased.
Utah and Indiana both have $1 million salary cap exceptions and a need
for a stopgap center. Greg Ostertag has struggled in the starting
lineup for the Jazz and Rik Smits is injured for the Pacers.
"When the salary cap increases (perhaps next week), perhaps those
teams will have a little more money to make an offer that might be
deemed acceptable for one year," agent Fred Slaughter said, adding
that six teams have expressed an interest in signing Williams.
RAPTORS OWNERSHIP: John Bitove and Allan Slaight are in an ownership
showdown in Toronto.
Each owns 39.5 percent of the team, and Slaight has exercised a clause
requiring Bitove to buy him out or be bought out himself by Nov. 14.
Bitove is expected to go the former route, and Toronto businessman
Joseph Rotman and Texas millionaire Gavin Maloof have emerged as two
leading contenders to be his new partner. Maloof's father owned part
of the Houston Rockets in the early 1980s.
The ownership situation has held back groundbreaking on the Raptors'
new arena. Bitove wants to go ahead with plans for a $200 million,
self-sufficient arena that's been in the proposal stage for more than
two years. Slaight is thought to want to join forces with the NHL's
Toronto Maple Leafs on a new facility.
"The ownership of the team and its direction is probably a more
important issue in the long run than the building issue," NBA
commissioner David Stern said. "So if there's a little bit more of a
delay, I'm not sure I can have the right to complain, although,
obviously, we'd like to see the building get under way as soon as
possible."
LOW SCORES: Of course it's early, but scoring in the NBA is way down
so far.
Through Thursday night, only four teams were averaging more than 100
points. Nine teams were averaging fewer than 90.
Last season, 13 teams averaged at least 100 points and only one,
Vancouver, averaged fewer than 90 points.
The Grizzlies' 1995-96 average of 89.8 points was the second-lowest in
NBA history, but their production was prodigious compared to that of
this season's San Antonio Spurs, who have reached 80 points only once
and are averaging 79.3 per game.
NEW HOMES: Of all the players who changed teams this summer, three who
have been particularly successful with their new teams are Charles
Barkley, Rasheed Wallace and Mark Jackson.
Barkley is leading the league in rebounding with 20 per game and his
Houston Rockets were 5-0 heading into the weekend. The man who said he
could out rebound Dennis Rodman "if I wanted to" had 33 rebounds in
his return to Phoenix on the second night of the season. Rodman
currently ranks second with 16.5 per game.
Wallace is leading the league in field goal percentage, going
36-for-52 (69 percent) in Portland's 3-2 start.
Jackson has averaged a league-leading 12.3 assists -- 3.8 more than
anyone else -- for the 1-3 Denver Nuggets.
nba.1408vpoznanovic,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1996/97
(Sunday, November 10 - 10 days, 74 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Los Angeles Lakers 6 4 2 3 0 1 2 91.2 87.5 66.7 - W 1
Los Angeles Clippers 5 3 2 1 2 2 0 86.2 83.2 60.0 0.5 W 1
Seattle Supersonics 5 3 2 1 1 2 1 96.0 96.4 60.0 0.5 W 2
Portland Trail Blazers 7 4 3 2 1 2 2 97.9 93.4 57.1 0.5 W 1
Sacramento Kings 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 92.4 97.0 40.0 1.5 W 1
Golden State Warriors 5 1 4 0 3 1 1 94.8 100.4 20.0 2.5 L 3
Phoenix Suns 5 0 5 0 3 0 2 93.0 103.8 0.0 3.5 L 5
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Houston Rockets 6 6 0 2 0 4 0 97.3 87.5 100.0 - W 6
Utah Jazz 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 87.7 86.8 50.0 3.0 L 2
Minnesota Timberwolves 5 2 3 1 0 1 3 85.8 88.0 40.0 3.5 L 2
Denver Nuggets 6 2 4 1 3 1 1 90.8 92.5 33.3 4.0 L 1
Dallas Mavericks 5 1 4 0 2 1 2 90.0 98.4 20.0 4.5 L 4
San Antonio Spurs 6 1 5 0 2 1 3 78.8 85.8 16.7 5.0 L 3
Vancouver Grizzlies 6 0 6 0 3 0 3 82.7 101.5 0.0 6.0 L 6
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
New York Knicks 6 5 1 1 1 4 0 101.0 91.0 83.3 - W 3
Miami Heat 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 96.6 91.0 80.0 0.5 W 2
Orlando Magic 3 2 1 1 1 1 0 95.3 91.0 66.7 1.5 W 2
Washington Bullets 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 95.0 96.2 40.0 2.5 L 2
Philadelphia 76ers 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 99.4 101.8 40.0 2.5 W 2
Boston Celtics 5 1 4 1 2 0 2 98.2 106.8 20.0 3.5 L 2
New Jersey Nets 3 0 3 0 2 0 1 84.7 94.7 0.0 3.5 L 3
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 6 6 0 3 0 3 0 104.3 88.2 100.0 - W 6
Cleveland Cavaliers 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 89.0 81.0 80.0 1.5 W 2
Milwaukee Bucks 5 4 1 2 0 2 1 105.8 98.6 80.0 1.5 W 1
Detroit Pistons 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 90.2 86.0 80.0 1.5 L 1
Charlotte Hornets 5 3 2 2 1 1 1 96.6 95.2 60.0 2.5 L 1
Atlanta Hawks 6 3 3 0 1 3 2 91.0 89.0 50.0 3.0 L 1
Toronto Raptors 4 2 2 2 1 0 1 97.5 101.0 50.0 3.0 W 2
Indiana Pacers 4 1 3 1 1 0 2 92.7 96.5 25.0 4.0 W 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Houston Rockets 6 6 0 2 0 4 0 97.3 87.5 100.0 - W 6
2. Los Angeles Lakers 6 4 2 3 0 1 2 91.2 87.5 66.7 2.0 W 1
3. Los Angeles Clippers 5 3 2 1 2 2 0 86.2 83.2 60.0 2.5 W 1
4. Seattle Supersonics 5 3 2 1 1 2 1 96.0 96.4 60.0 2.5 W 2
5. Portland Trail Blazers 7 4 3 2 1 2 2 97.9 93.4 57.1 2.5 W 1
6. Utah Jazz 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 87.7 86.8 50.0 3.0 L 2
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 5 2 3 1 0 1 3 85.8 88.0 40.0 3.5 L 2
8. Sacramento Kings 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 92.4 97.0 40.0 3.5 W 1
9. Denver Nuggets 6 2 4 1 3 1 1 90.8 92.5 33.3 4.0 L 1
10. Golden State Warriors 5 1 4 0 3 1 1 94.8 100.4 20.0 4.5 L 3
11. Dallas Mavericks 5 1 4 0 2 1 2 90.0 98.4 20.0 4.5 L 4
12. San Antonio Spurs 6 1 5 0 2 1 3 78.8 85.8 16.7 5.0 L 3
13. Phoenix Suns 5 0 5 0 3 0 2 93.0 103.8 0.0 5.5 L 5
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 6 0 6 0 3 0 3 82.7 101.5 0.0 6.0 L 6
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 6 6 0 3 0 3 0 104.3 88.2 100.0 - W 6
2. New York Knicks 6 5 1 1 1 4 0 101.0 91.0 83.3 1.0 W 3
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 89.0 81.0 80.0 1.5 W 2
4. Milwaukee Bucks 5 4 1 2 0 2 1 105.8 98.6 80.0 1.5 W 1
5. Miami Heat 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 96.6 91.0 80.0 1.5 W 2
6. Detroit Pistons 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 90.2 86.0 80.0 1.5 L 1
7. Orlando Magic 3 2 1 1 1 1 0 95.3 91.0 66.7 2.5 W 2
8. Charlotte Hornets 5 3 2 2 1 1 1 96.6 95.2 60.0 2.5 L 1
9. Atlanta Hawks 6 3 3 0 1 3 2 91.0 89.0 50.0 3.0 L 1
10. Toronto Raptors 4 2 2 2 1 0 1 97.5 101.0 50.0 3.0 W 2
11. Washington Bullets 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 95.0 96.2 40.0 3.5 L 2
12. Philadelphia 76ers 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 99.4 101.8 40.0 3.5 W 2
13. Indiana Pacers 4 1 3 1 1 0 2 92.7 96.5 25.0 4.0 W 1
14. Boston Celtics 5 1 4 1 2 0 2 98.2 106.8 20.0 4.5 L 2
15. New Jersey Nets 3 0 3 0 2 0 1 84.7 94.7 0.0 4.5 L 3
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 6 6 0 3 0 3 0 104.3 88.2 100.0 - W 6
2. Houston Rockets 6 6 0 2 0 4 0 97.3 87.5 100.0 - W 6
3. New York Knicks 6 5 1 1 1 4 0 101.0 91.0 83.3 1.0 W 3
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 89.0 81.0 80.0 1.5 W 2
5. Milwaukee Bucks 5 4 1 2 0 2 1 105.8 98.6 80.0 1.5 W 1
6. Miami Heat 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 96.6 91.0 80.0 1.5 W 2
7. Detroit Pistons 5 4 1 2 1 2 0 90.2 86.0 80.0 1.5 L 1
8. Los Angeles Lakers 6 4 2 3 0 1 2 91.2 87.5 66.7 2.0 W 1
9. Orlando Magic 3 2 1 1 1 1 0 95.3 91.0 66.7 2.5 W 2
10. Los Angeles Clippers 5 3 2 1 2 2 0 86.2 83.2 60.0 2.5 W 1
11. Charlotte Hornets 5 3 2 2 1 1 1 96.6 95.2 60.0 2.5 L 1
12. Seattle Supersonics 5 3 2 1 1 2 1 96.0 96.4 60.0 2.5 W 2
13. Portland Trail Blazers 7 4 3 2 1 2 2 97.9 93.4 57.1 2.5 W 1
14. Atlanta Hawks 6 3 3 0 1 3 2 91.0 89.0 50.0 3.0 L 1
15. Utah Jazz 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 87.7 86.8 50.0 3.0 L 2
16. Toronto Raptors 4 2 2 2 1 0 1 97.5 101.0 50.0 3.0 W 2
17. Washington Bullets 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 95.0 96.2 40.0 3.5 L 2
18. Minnesota Timberwolves 5 2 3 1 0 1 3 85.8 88.0 40.0 3.5 L 2
19. Philadelphia 76ers 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 99.4 101.8 40.0 3.5 W 2
20. Sacramento Kings 5 2 3 1 2 1 1 92.4 97.0 40.0 3.5 W 1
21. Denver Nuggets 6 2 4 1 3 1 1 90.8 92.5 33.3 4.0 L 1
22. Indiana Pacers 4 1 3 1 1 0 2 92.7 96.5 25.0 4.0 W 1
23. Golden State Warriors 5 1 4 0 3 1 1 94.8 100.4 20.0 4.5 L 3
24. Dallas Mavericks 5 1 4 0 2 1 2 90.0 98.4 20.0 4.5 L 4
25. Boston Celtics 5 1 4 1 2 0 2 98.2 106.8 20.0 4.5 L 2
26. New Jersey Nets 3 0 3 0 2 0 1 84.7 94.7 0.0 4.5 L 3
27. San Antonio Spurs 6 1 5 0 2 1 3 78.8 85.8 16.7 5.0 L 3
28. Phoenix Suns 5 0 5 0 3 0 2 93.0 103.8 0.0 5.5 L 5
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 6 0 6 0 3 0 3 82.7 101.5 0.0 6.0 L 6
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.1409vpoznanovic,
DENVER (104) AT TORONTO (93)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 48 15-23 1-2 0 4 4 3 2 1 1 37
MCDYESS F 22 6-8 2-5 3 2 5 0 5 1 2 14
JOHNSON C 30 3-3 2-2 2 9 11 0 4 0 3 8
STITH G 35 6-12 3-3 0 7 7 2 1 0 1 15
JACKSON G 44 2-8 4-6 0 6 6 15 2 3 6 9
HAM 19 2-4 1-8 1 0 1 0 6 0 5 5
HAMMONDS 21 4-5 1-2 0 2 2 2 4 3 5 9
MARCIULIONIS 15 1-4 4-4 1 2 3 3 3 0 2 7
MURDOCK 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0
THOMPSON 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
MCINNIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PIERCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-67 18-32 7 33 40 27 29 8 26 104
(.582) (.563) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 28(28 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 37 0-8 2-2 0 6 6 4 5 1 2 2
CAMBY F 33 10-19 6-8 3 4 7 0 3 1 6 26
BENJAMIN C 6 0-0 2-2 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
CHRISTIE G 34 3-11 5-5 3 1 4 4 3 3 3 11
STOUDAMIRE G 36 4-13 2-2 2 2 4 6 2 4 2 13
ROGERS 30 6-13 4-7 5 4 9 0 4 1 1 17
DAVIS 25 3-8 1-1 0 1 1 0 4 0 4 9
WHITESIDE 12 1-3 1-2 0 2 2 3 1 1 0 4
JONES 19 1-3 1-1 1 1 2 1 4 0 2 3
WRIGHT 6 2-4 2-4 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 6
EARL 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TABAK DNP - SORE LEFT HEEL
TOTALS 240 30-83 26-34 16 22 38 18 27 11 21 93
(.361) (.765) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 22(25 PTS)
DENVER 31 22 24 27 - 104
TORONTO 17 17 33 26 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - JOHNSON 3, STITH. TORONTO - CAMBY 2, ROGERS 2,
WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 8-20 (.400), D ELLIS 6-11, STITH 0-3, JACKSON
1-4, MARCIULIONIS 1-2. TORONTO 7-18 (.389), WILLIAMS 0-1, CHRISTIE 0-2,
STOUDAMIRE 3-6, ROGERS 1-2, DAVIS 2-5, WHITESIDE 1-2.
TECHNICALS: DENVER - D ELLIS, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, MONTY MCCUTCHEN, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 17,132. T - 2:13.
DENVER (104) AT TORONTO (93)
Dale Ellis scored 21 of his season-high 37 points in the first
half, when the Denver Nuggets raced to a 19-point lead and held
on for a 104-93 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Bryant Stith had 15 points and Mark Jackson added 15 assists for
the Nuggets, who have won three all-time meetings with Toronto.
Denver shot nearly 60 percent from the field and led by 23
points early in the third quarter.
"It was a good victory after a dissapointing loss in Cleveland,"
said Ellis. "I don't remember ever playing 48 minutes, but when
you are shooting well you never feel tired."
Rookie Marcus Camby, making his first NBA start, scored 20 of
his season-high 26 points in the second half for the Raptors,
who shot less than 26 percent in the first half and had a
two-game winning streak snapped.
"We'd came down and make a run and they would come right back,"
said Camby. "My job is to block shots and rebound and get the
ball to our scorers. I don't expect to lead the team in points."
Ellis shot 15-of-21 from the field, including 6-of-11 from
beyond the three-point arc. The NBA's all-time leader in
three-pointers has led the Nuggets in scoring four times in
seven games and had 33 in an overtime loss to Houston last week.
Ellis scored 12 points in the first quarter as the Nuggets raced
to a 31-17 lead. Toronto closed to 33-27 before Stith scored
five points and Ellis four in a 10-1 burst that made it 44-28
with 5:37 remaining in the second quarter.
The Raptors went scoreless for the final four minutes of the
first half, which Ellis closed with a jumper and a three-pointer
for a 53-34 lead. Denver shot 59.5 percent (22-of-37) and held
Toronto to 26 percent (11-of-43).
"He played a good game," Denver Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said of
Ellis. "He is a young buck, he was shooting the ball and he was
getting his breaks between timeouts."
A jumper by Ervin Johnson, who had eight points and 11 rebounds,
gave the Nuggets their largest lead at 57-34 with 10:41 left in
the third quarter. But Camby scored 11 points in the period and
the Raptors cut the deficit to 77-67 entering the final quarter.
A jumper by Hubert Davis pulled Toronto within 80-74 with 10:14
to go, but Jackson scored five points in a 14-5 run that sealed
the game. His two free throws made it 94-79 with 5:04 left.
"The story is that we shot 37 percent," said Raptors coach
Darrell Walker. "We had 21 turnovers and we didn't come to
play. It was a blessing in disguise that we lost this game
because we didn't show up."
Jackson added nine points and six rebounds and outplayed 1996
Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire, who had 13 points and six
assists. Jackson is averaging 15 assists over his last five
games.
Antonio McDyess added 14 points for the Nuggets, who shot 58
percent and overcame 26 turnovers. Carlos Rogers scored a
season-high 17 points and Doug Christie added 11 for the
Raptors, who shot 36 percent.
"We are still making a lot of crucial turnovers," said McDyess.
"We let them back in the game. They played good defense but our
turnovers kept the game close."
Vancouver forward Zan Tabak did not dress for the game and is
day-to-day with a sore left heel.
nba.1410vpoznanovic,
PHOENIX (79) AT CHICAGO (97)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MANNING F 29 6-13 0-0 0 8 8 1 4 0 2 12
HORRY F 26 4-12 2-4 5 2 7 1 2 0 7 11
KLEINE C 23 1-3 0-0 2 3 5 0 2 0 1 2
CASSELL G 25 4-9 2-3 1 3 4 5 2 3 3 10
PERSON G 32 5-9 0-0 0 6 6 2 1 0 0 11
GREEN 8 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FINLEY 30 4-10 8-10 1 6 7 1 2 0 1 17
NASH 24 3-4 3-4 1 2 3 6 1 1 2 9
CHAPMAN 20 0-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0
TISDALE 11 0-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
BROWN 8 1-3 1-4 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 3
DAVIS 4 1-1 2-2 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 4
TOTALS 240 29-74 18-27 11 35 46 17 19 5 17 79
(.392) (.667) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 42 7-19 0-0 3 5 8 7 2 1 1 18
RODMAN F 37 3-6 1-2 6 16 22 4 2 0 2 7
LONGLEY C 10 0-2 1-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1
HARPER G 27 3-6 2-2 0 2 2 4 3 3 0 8
JORDAN G 35 12-21 1-2 1 1 2 5 1 1 3 26
KERR 30 5-10 0-0 1 0 1 3 1 1 3 12
KUKOC 24 4-10 4-4 0 1 1 3 4 0 0 12
WENNINGTON 6 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2
BROWN 12 2-7 0-0 3 1 4 1 1 2 1 4
PARISH 9 2-5 1-2 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 5
CAFFEY 4 1-1 0-1 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 2
BUECHLER 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 39-90 12-17 15 33 48 28 19 8 11 97
(.433) (.706) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 11(12 PTS)
PHOENIX 23 18 14 24 - 79
CHICAGO 21 18 29 29 - 97
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - MANNING 2. CHICAGO - PIPPEN, JORDAN, BROWN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 3-13 (.231), HORRY 1-3, CASSELL 0-2, PERSON
1-2, FINLEY 1-5, CHAPMAN 0-1. CHICAGO 7-24 (.292), PIPPEN 4-9, HARPER 0-1,
JORDAN 1-1, KERR 2-7, KUKOC 0-2, BROWN 0-2, BUECHLER 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, BOB DELANEY, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 23,807. T - 2:03.
PHOENIX (79) AT CHICAGO (97)
Michael Jordan scored 26 points and keyed a pair of second-half
runs as the undefeated Chicago Bulls continued their best start
ever with a 97-79 victory over the winless Phoenix Suns.
Dennis Rodman grabbed 22 rebounds and Scottie Pippen scored 18
points for the Bulls, who shook off a sluggish first half and
improved to 7-0. Chicago won six of its first seven games last
season en route to a record-setting 72-10 mark and their fourth
NBA title.
"Mentally we're better than last year," said Jordan, who scored
17 points after halftime.
Michael Finley had 17 points for the Suns (0-6), who are off to
their worst start in 11 years and are one of three winless
teams. Phoenix lost its first nine games in the 1985-86 season.
"It's real special to come here and play in my hometown," Finley
said. "Hopefully, one day, I'll get a victory here. We knew we
had to come in here and respect the world champions. And they
are famous for their third-quarter runs. They did us in that
way tonight."
The Suns led 43-41 at halftime and still held a 47-46 edge after
Robert Horry made two free throws with 8:47 to go in the third
quarter. But Phoenix managed just two baskets by Sam Cassell
over the next 7 1/2 minutes.
"I told the guys after the game that even though we were up two
at the half, we shot only 39 percent," said Suns coach Cotton
Fitzsimmons said. "I knew the Bulls would shoot better and the
question was whether we would shoot better. We played with them
for 30 minutes after the Bulls showed their world championship
floor."
Jordan and Toni Kukoc scored four points apiece in a 17-4 burst
and a pair of foul shots by Kukoc gave Chicago a 64-51 lead with
1:10 left in the period.
"We have to make adjustments to these new teams," Jordan said.
"It appears right now we play better coming from behind. We
have been taking care of business, but it's a dangerous way to
live."
The Bulls led 68-55 entering the fourth quarter but the Suns
scored the first five points, closing to 68-60 on a bucket by
rookie Steve Nash with 11:10 remaining. Jordan scored 11 points
in a 17-7 spurt. Pippen's two free throws capped it and gave
Chicago its largest lead at 87-67 with 4:16 to play.
Kukoc and Steve Kerr scored 12 points apiece for Chicago, which
shot 43 percent (39-of-90) from the field but committed just 11
turnovers.
"It was cold in the building here tonight and it was a tough
night for us shooting the ball," Pippen said. "We're not really
putting a string of runs together right now. Hopefully that
will come with better execution."
Danny Manning scored 12 points and Horry and Wesley Person added
11 each for Phoenix, which shot 39 percent (29-of-74) and had 18
turnovers, leading to 19 Chicago points.
The Suns held their largest lead at 23-16 on a basket by Person
with 1:03 left in the first quarter.
nba.1411vpoznanovic,
San Antonio at Utah, Postponed
The game between the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz was
postponed as the cold ice surface of the Delta Center warped
plastic rods connecting sections of the hardwood floor.
Official Jess Kersey made the decision to postpone the game at
9:50 p.m. EST, 50 minutes after the scheduled start. Kersey
spoke with Jazz officials and consulted with NBA vice president
of operations Rod Thorn before postponing the game.
"There's no way that the floor is playable tonight and for the
safety of the players in our league, we feel like it's necessary
to cancel the game," Kersey said.
According to a statement from the Jazz, Delta Center maintenance
personnel noticed this morning that portions of the floor where
sections meet were rising 1/16 inch. Those portions were sanded
and treated with varnish, but Kersey indicated that the court
was not drying quick enough.
The hardwood floor was bought this summer by the Delta Center.
It has a groove on its underside and plastic rods run the length
of the floor's sections. Apparently, the plastic rods could not
withstand the cold ice surface in isolated areas and warped,
causing the rise in certain sections.
"There's too many gaps in the floor and it's raised too high,"
Kersey said. "If a player were to go down, it's a possibility of
him cutting a leg, cutting an arm and that's something that we
don't want to do."
The Jazz have two home games this week and will use the old
floor from last season. The game was rescheduled for December
15th at 9 p.m. EST. Both teams have home games the previous
night and are off the following night.
"You know it is a break for us," Spurs coach Bob Hill said. "It
would be a break for anybody that's got a lot of injuries that
goes in to play a game and especially as beat up as we are."
San Antonio is without All-Star center David Robinson and
forwards Chuck Person and Will Perdue. Forward Charles Smith
sprained an ankle Sunday night and is questionable.
A handful of games were postponed last season by a snowstorm
along the Eastern seaboard in December. A game between the
Phoenix Suns and Washington Bullets at USAir Arena scheduled for
December 6th, 1994, was postponed by condensation on the court.
"In the history of the Jazz, both in New Orleans and in Utah,
I'm not aware of any game ever being canceled," Jazz media
relations director David Allred said.
The Delta Center also is home to the Utah Grizzlies of the
International Hockey League.
nba.1412vpoznanovic,
SEATTLE (110) AT SACRAMENTO (94)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D SCHREMPF F 40 5-11 2-4 2 5 7 2 3 2 1 12
KEMP F 40 13-16 5-7 0 9 9 4 2 2 4 31
MCILVAINE C 22 2-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 2 1 4
HAWKINS G 29 6-10 4-4 1 3 4 4 1 1 2 19
PAYTON G 37 9-17 3-4 0 3 3 9 2 4 4 21
PERKINS 24 3-6 2-3 2 2 4 4 3 1 2 10
EHLO 21 3-6 0-0 1 5 6 0 3 0 1 7
SNOW 17 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 6 4 0 2 4
WINGATE 9 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
STEWART 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MCMILLAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 44-73 16-22 7 29 36 30 21 12 17 110
(.603) (.727) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 17(22 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 36 6-13 0-0 3 1 4 5 2 0 4 13
POLYNICE F 30 2-6 0-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 4
CAUSWELL C 26 3-5 2-2 1 1 2 0 5 1 2 8
RICHMOND G 36 10-18 6-7 0 4 4 5 1 2 1 28
ABDUL-RAUF G 30 3-8 1-1 0 1 1 4 2 2 1 7
EDNEY 16 3-6 2-2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 8
SMITH 29 7-13 1-5 7 10 17 3 1 1 3 15
C WILLIAMSON 18 0-2 3-4 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 3
SIMMONS 18 2-8 2-2 0 2 2 3 1 0 2 8
HURLEY 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GRANT DNP - STRAINED RIGHT SHOULDER
TOTALS 240 36-79 17-25 11 21 32 24 17 7 17 94
(.456) (.680) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 17(22 PTS)
SEATTLE 27 28 29 26 - 110
SACRAMENTO 22 22 24 26 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 2, KEMP. SACRAMENTO - CAUSWELL 3,
SMITH, SIMMONS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 6-15 (.400), D SCHREMPF 0-2, HAWKINS 3-5,
PAYTON 0-2, PERKINS 2-4, EHLO 1-2. SACRAMENTO 5-13 (.385), OWENS 1-2,
POLYNICE 0-1, CAUSWELL 0-1, RICHMOND 2-5, SIMMONS 2-4.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, SACRAMENTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, BILL SPOONER, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 17,317. T - 2:04.
SEATTLE (110) AT SACRAMENTO (94)
Shawn Kemp scored 16 of his 31 points in the first quarter and
Gary Payton added 21 as the Seattle SuperSonics completed a
perfect three-game road trip with a 110-94 victory over the
Sacramento Kings.
Kemp added nine rebounds and Payton handed out nine assists for
Seattle, which defeated the Kings for the fifth straight time.
Hersey Hawkins scored 19 points and Detlef Schrempf added 12 and
seven rebounds for the SuperSonics, who won for the fourth time
in five games.
"Shawn Kemp had an unbelievable basketball game," Sonics coach
George Karl said. "He carried us tonight. In the second half,
we fortunately had a big enough lead to hold on. Shawn's
presence, his enthusiasm, his energy was very dominating out
there."
Mitch Richmond scored 28 points and Michael Smith added 15 and a
career-high 17 rebounds for Sacramento, which has lost 38 of the
last 50 meetings since the 1985-86 season. Forward Brian Grant
did not play because of a strained right shoulder for the Kings,
who fell to 1-3 at home.
The SuperSonics took a 27-22 lead entering the second quarter
before distancing themselves. After Sacramento's Lionel Simmons
hit a three-pointer to close within 44-39, Kemp made one free
throw to ignite an 8-0 run. Payton followed with a 20-foot
jumper, Hawkins nailed a three-pointer and Schrempf made a
15-footer to give Seattle a 52-39 advantage with 2:18 left in
the second quarter.
The Sonics settled for a 55-44 halftime lead behind Kemp's 25
points.
"The way Shawn was playing in the first half, we didn't have to
do much," Schrempf said. "We had to space the court, they didn't
double team him, and he was just killing them down low."
The Kings closed within 76-66 with 1:59 remaining in the third
quarter on a free throw by Smith. But Seattle put the game away
by scoring the next eight points. Consecutive three-pointers by
Sam Perkins and Craig Ehlo and a dunk by Kemp gave the Sonics an
84-66 bulge with 40 seconds left.
The Sonics led by as many 21 points midway through the fourth
quarter as Schrempf made a layup for a 99-78 advantage.
Perkins scored 10 points and Payton had four steals for Seattle,
which shot 60 percent (44-of-73) from the field and made 12
steals.
Billy Owens scored 13 points and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was held to
seven points in 30 minutes for Sacramento, which shot 46 percent
(36-of-79) and committed 17 turnovers.
"This was the best offense we have played all year," Karl added.
"Defensively, we were fine. Richmond is a great player, Owens
will help them this year more than he did last year."
"(The Sonics) shot well tonight, 60 percent from the field, but
we felt we had a chance to get in the game," Richmond said. "We
just missed shots or made turnovers. I think our defense wasn't
as intense as it was in the last two ball games, and that really
hurt us."
nba.1413vpoznanovic,
Childs close to making season debut
The New York Knicks could be on the verge of getting starting point
guard Chris Childs into action. He has been sidelined since
suffering a nondisplaced fracture of his right leg in a collision
with teammate Charlie Ward in practice on October 8th.
Childs has already been taking part in shooting drills and team
walk-throughs, and will be examined today or Tuesday to determine
whether he can be activated off the injured list for the Tuesday
night meeting with Philadelphia.
Childs joined the Knicks as a free agent in the off-season. He got
a six-year deal worth a reported 24-million dollars after averaging
12.8 points, seven assists and 3.1 rebounds a game for New Jersey
last season.
nba.1414vpoznanovic,
Kings' Grant to miss Sonics game
Sacramento Kings forward Brian Grant will miss Monday's game
against Seattle because of a strained right shoulder. He aggravated
the injury during practice on Sunday.
Grant missed much of training camp and the first five pre- season
games because of the same problem. He will be evaluated over the
next few days.
Grant, in his third season, is the team's second-leading scorer
through five games this season, averaging 12.8 points per game. He
has also grabbed eight rebounds per game and leads the team in
blocked shots.
Olden Polynice is expected to move from center to power forward,
with Duane Causwell starting at center.
nba.1415vpoznanovic,
KJ and Bryant could be back tonight
Phoenix, off to an 0-5 start, could get some added help tonight
against unbeaten Chicago. Starting guard Kevin Johnson and forward
Mark Bryant are expected to be examined to determine if they can
come off the injured list to face the Bulls. Neither player has
been available this season.
Johnson, plagued by injuries the past several seasons, underwent an
operation in September for an abdominal hernia after non-surgical
treatment did not correct the problem. Bryant is recovering from
arthroscopic surgery performed in early October after he tore
cartilage in his left knee during a workout.
Johnson is coming off a 1995-96 season in which injuries limited
him to just 56 games. He ended the year with averages of 18.7
points, 9.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds a game. Because of injuries,
Johnson has missed 114 games over the past four-plus seasons.
Bryant was acquired from Houston in the off-season deal that sent
Charles Barkley to the Rockets. In his 71 games with Houston last
year he averaged 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds. It was Bryant's only
year in Houston after spending his first seven NBA seasons with
Portland.
nba.1416vpoznanovic,
Muresan may be ready to play
The Washington Bullets are expected to decide after today's
practice whether starting center Gheorge Muresan is ready to be
activated off the injured list for Tuesday's game against Detroit.
He has missed the opening five games of the season because of a
strained hip flexor that had bothered him since before training
camp.
Muresan's agent told the Washington Post the 7-foot-7 Romanian
doesn't have any pain in his hip and is "eager to start."
Muresan, considered a project when drafted in the second round of
the 1993 draft, won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award last year.
He set career marks with averages of 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds
in 76 games. His career marks include averages of 10.5 points and
6.9 rebounds.
The news might not be as positive for Bullets' backup center
Lorenzo Williams. He went on the injured list last Friday because
of an irritated ligament in his left knee, and a decision is
expected by the middle of the week on whether he will need
arthroscopic surgery. That would sideline him for 3-to-4 weeks.
nba.1417vpoznanovic,
Rodman -- fashion starts here.
Being named one of the world's worst-dressed celebrities hasn't
stopped Dennis Rodman from being contacted by big-shot designers.
The Worm's people are reportedly talking with Italian designer Gianni
Versace's people about outfitting the NBA rebounder for various TV
appearances and having the flashy NBA rebounder appear in a Versace ad
campaign, says the New York Post.
No word yet on whether Rodman will model the men's or women's line.
nba.1418vpoznanovic,
Wolves' Marbury aims for Tuesday return
MINNEAPOLIS -- Rookie point guard Stephon Marbury, who missed
Minnesota's recent four-game road trip because of a sprained right
ankle, hopes to return Tuesday when the Timberwolves play host to the
Portland Trail Blazers.
Marbury continued to undergo treatment on the ankle Monday, and a
decision on his status is expected to be made Tuesday.
Marbury suffered the injury in the first quarter of Minnesota's season
opener against San Antonio on Nov. 1. He returned for a three-minute
stint in the third quarter of the Wolves' 82-78 victory but was forced
to leave due to soreness in the ankle.
A magnetic resonance imaging exam showed no damage to the ankle, but
Marbury did not accompany the team on a four-game road trip in which
the Timberwolves went 1-3.
Marbury, who led the Wolves in scoring (17.3) and assists (4.8) in the
preseason, was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Milwaukee
Bucks and traded to the Timberwolves on draft day last June.
nba.1419vpoznanovic,
Rockets C Hakeem Olajuwon named NBA Player of the Week
Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon was named the NBA Player of the
Week for the period that started the season until Sunday, November
10th.
Olajuwon averaged 28.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7
steals as he helped the Rockets to a 6-0 start, including a 4-0 mark
on the road. Olajuwon has averaged 36 points in his last three
contests.
He is shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 76.2 percent from the
foul line. Olajuwon also has a team-high eight blocked shots. He has
led the team in scoring the last five games.
Other players considered for the award were Chicago Bulls guard
Michael Jordan, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Terrell Brandon, Los Angeles
Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, Milwaukee Bucks forward Vin Baker,
Orlando Magic guard Anferenee Hardaway, Philadelphia 76ers rookie
guard Allen Iverson, Seattle SuperSonics forward Shawn Kemp and
Toronto Raptors guard Damon Stoudamire.
nba.1420vpoznanovic,
Olajuwon's back sore; X-rays show no fracture
HOUSTON (Nov 11, 1996 - 13:48 EST) -- Hakeem Olajuwon made a trip to a
hospital after experiencing a sore back Sunday but X-rays showed no
fractures.
The Houston Rockets center had the tests after the left side of his
back began hurting the day after he scored 38 points to lead his team
to a victory over Utah.
Olajuwon was listed as probable for Tuesday's game against the Los
Angeles Lakers.
The soreness was traced to an incident between Olajuwon and Utah's
John Stockton late in the first half Saturday. Olajuwon was called for
a flagrant foul when he hit Stockton with his forearm, apparently a
reaction after Stockton laid an elbow into the left side of Olajuwon's
back.
Olajuwon said nothing about the injury following the game.
"He's probably got bruised ribs on his left side," team physician Dr.
Jim Muntz said Sunday. "There's no fracture. We got him on some strong
anti-inflammatory medication and some local treatment. I'd say he'll
probably be able to play Tuesday. He really wants to."
nba.1421vpoznanovic,
For Rockets, November means no losses
HOUSTON (Nov 11, 1996 - 17:06 EST) -- The Houston Rockets wish every
month was November.
They have had terrific starts in the four years they have begun the
season with Rudy Tomjanovich as coach, going 41-6 mark during the
month.
This season is no exception.
The Rockets and Chicago Bulls entered this week the only unbeaten
teams in the NBA, each 6-0, with four of Houston's victories coming on
the road.
In 1993, Tomjanovich's first full season behind the bench, Houston
started the year 15-0. In 1994, the team was 9-0, then 6-0 last year.
When asked to explain the November success, Tomjanovich, whose
birthday is Nov. 24, looked to the stars.
"I'm a Sagittarius," he said.
The Rockets are going with a new lineup this season following a
4-for-1 offseason deal that brought Charles Barkley from Phoenix.
"This is a different team from the others and we are building
character," says Hakeem Olajuwon, who leads the league in scoring at
28.7 points a game, including 38 in a victory Saturday night over
Utah.
"This team has a lot of guys who can do a lot of things," added Clyde
Drexler. "That's what makes us so dangerous. We don't have a
weakness."
Olajuwon anchors the scoring. Drexler is third in the league in steals
and Houston overall is tops in that category, averaging 12 a game.
Barkley leads the NBA in rebounds, nearly 20 a game.
Then throw in some key role players -- newly acquired Kevin Willis
spelling Olajuwon, re-acquired Matt Bullard hitting a clutch 3-point
shot and rookie point guard Matt Maloney filling in for injured Brent
Price.
"This team is proving its goal is very clear -- we just want to win,"
Olajuwon says. "Everybody is willing to take their role. I like the
chemistry we have."
The Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) come to town Tuesday, setting up a
showdown between the league's top centers -- Olajuwon and Shaquille
O'Neal.
"They made a major change with Shaq in the middle," Tomjanovich said.
"I expect them to be one of the powers in the West. They have great
young personnel. They are explosive and now they have a power game
inside with Shaq."
Olajuwon, however, certainly will not be at full strength and may not
even play at all. Drexler's sore knees kept him out of practice Monday
as well.
"It's a day-to-day deal," Drexler said. "Hopefully, this will pass."
Of more concern was Olajuwon, who woke up Sunday with a pain in his
left side, resulting from an elbow Saturday by Utah's John Stockton.
X-rays showed no fractures but Olajuwon missed practice Monday as the
Rockets made their first appearance at their new training center in
West Houston.
"I don't know," said Olajuwon, pointing to his sore ribs. "I just
can't turn. It's one of those games where I have to be able to move.
Right now I can't even move."
"I'm always concerned; that's my job," Tomjanovich said of Olajuwon's
health. "I'm not going to jump the gun. I just hope for the best. If
not, we'll deal with it the best we can."
Added Barkley: "If he can't play, the other guys are just going to
have to step up and play. I have great confidence in everybody. But we
can't go a long stretch without him."
nba.1422vpoznanovic,
Nuggets get up on wrong side of bed -- in Cleveland
CLEVELAND (Nov 11, 1996 - 11:42 EST) -- The Denver Nuggets are now 0-1
in morning games, and the way they played Sunday at Gund Arena, it's a
good thing they don't have any more of them this season.
Though Sunday's matinee began at 1:30 in Cleveland, for the Nuggets,
who arrived from Denver to a Lake Erie snowstorm Saturday night, it
was 11:30 a.m. They looked as if they would have been more comfortable
lounging at a brunch buffet than playing basketball.
They were in the game for a quarter, leading 23-22 after one on the
strength of solid shooting (.526) and patient defense, waiting out the
Cavaliers' soporific attack.
But they collapsed in the second quarter, losing the period 31-15,
then were embarrassed in the fourth on the way to a 101-86 loss.
It was actually worse than that. The Cavaliers led by 29 after an 18-0
run in the fourth quarter during which the Nuggets might as well have
taken seats and ordered drinks.
"We took a lot of pictures," coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "Polaroid
would have been proud."
It's quite a feat to give up 100 points to the Cavaliers, whose game
plan is to use most of the clock on every possession and keep the
score down. They were averaging 86 coming into the game and had not
scored 30 points in any quarter.
The Nuggets were helpless against Cleveland's pick and roll. In the
first half, they switched on it, leaving Cleveland's All-Star point
guard, Terrell Brandon, with a tough choice.
He could abuse whatever big man had switched onto him, or he could
find 6-foot-10 Danny Ferry, defended by the 6-3 Mark Jackson. Didn't
matter which he chose. He scored or Ferry scored. Brandon finished
with 19 points, Ferry with 20.
"That's why they run the play, because they have the advantage,"
Jackson said.
"Your job is to make them take the toughest shot -- Terrell Brandon
taking a three with a big man's hand in his face. Tomorrow we could
play it the same way and look like world beaters."
Denver's Antonio McDyess fouled out after 22 minutes on the floor. One
was a foul Ervin Johnson admitted was his; another came on a play
McDyess was nowhere near.
"I was near half-court just running upcourt and they called the foul
on me," a bewildered McDyess said. In the replay, McDyess did not
appear in the picture. Despite vehement protests by the Nuggets bench,
referee Joe DeRosa insisted McDyess was the guilty party.
"Basically, I think what was done to McDyess was criminal,"
Bickerstaff said. "He was not allowed to play."
Trailing by 15 at halftime, the Nuggets roared back with a 17-4 run to
open the third. With his team down 57-55 with 4 minutes left in the
period, Dale Ellis passed up a shot at the top of the key to try to
hit Johnson under the basket.
The ball was intercepted, and Bobby Phills drained a three at the
other end. Two turnovers later, the Cavs' lead was back to 10.
"When we battled back to within two and they got it back to 10, it
just deflated us," captain Bryant Stith said.
The Nuggets went on to commit 25 turnovers, six by Johnson, who twice
gave it up trying to dribble. Cleveland scored 33 points off those
mistakes. Denver got just 16 off Cavs turnovers.
"We got back in the basketball game, and we did what we've been doing
-- we turned it over," Bickerstaff said. "When we get in a game, or a
have a lead, we don't milk it. We turn it off."
Fans might have done the same if this one had been on TV. Fortunately
for the Nuggets' struggling marketing department, it wasn't.
nba.1423vpoznanovic,
Rider's homecoming kicks off four-game trip
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 11, 1996 - 21:42 EST) -- The first extended road
trip for the Portland Trail Blazers should get off to a rousing start
Tuesday night in Minnesota, where Isaiah Rider could be in for a rude
return.
Rider had some unflattering comments about his former teammates after
he was traded to the Blazers this year, insinuating that the
Timberwolves were satisfied with losing.
Some Minnesota players responded by saying Rider was a big part of the
problem, and that the Timberwolves were well rid of him.
Rider's problems since he arrived in Portland -- failing to show up
for an exhibition game and being cited for possession of marijuana --
only adds to the fuel to his incendiary "homecoming."
Rider says the more hostile attention he gets Tuesday night, the
better.
"We've got a lot of people on our team who can play good ball and do a
lot of things, so I won't be the focal point," Rider said. "They can
stop me. I don't care. Kenny (Anderson) can get 20 and Rasheed
(Wallace) can get 20 and Cliff (Robinson) can get 20, and we win the
game. So if you want to concentrate on me, it doesn't matter at all."
And when he's showered with boos from the Target Center crowd, Rider
said, "that just causes adrenaline rather than discomfort or anything
like that."
Rider already has had one game against Minnesota. Last Thursday, he
was held to nine points and was benched by coach P.J. Carlesimo down
the stretch as the Blazers beat the Timberwolves in Portland 94-93 on
a desperation basket by Anderson at the buzzer.
Anderson insisted after the game that he wasn't upset about his
minimal playing time, because the team won.
After he scored a season-high 23 in Portland's 94-81 victory over San
Antonio Sunday night, Rider said he'd accept another low-scoring game
in Minneapolis.
"I'm not caught up in that Minnesota stuff," Rider said. "We're the
better team. We're going to go further in the playoffs. That's the
bottom line to me and that's the ultimate satisfaction."
The trip also includes stops in Cleveland Wednesday, New Jersey Friday
and Indiana Sunday. Given the erratic nature of Portland's play this
season, the Blazers could win all four or lose all four, Carlesimo
said.
With three new starters, Portland is off to a 4-3 start in what is
bound to be a sometimes ugly learning process.
"I think we're getting better," Carlesimo said. "At times, you see
glimpses of people getting comfortable with each other, moving the
ball and playing very well together."
At other times, the Blazers are more likely to turn the ball over than
score.
"Defense has still been a constant. Rebounding has been a constant,"
Carlesimo said. "Free throw shooting is much improved, which is
encouraging. The turnovers have been a disaster."
Portland is averaging 21 turnovers per game.
"We clearly need to sit down and talk more with the players as we go
along because I think it's tough for them," Carlesimo said. "There's
so much of a learning process going on, and it's a tough thing."
nba.1424vpoznanovic,
Kings now play against expectations, too
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 11, 1996 - 11:06 EST) -- There was 3:28 left,
the Sacramento Kings had just fallen behind by nine points, and more
than a few of the 17,317 in the Arco Arena started to leave.
No surprise in most cases, really, except that this is Sacramento,
where the fans are legendary for their die-hardness, having sold out
all 457 games the Kings have played since moving to this city in 1985
in support of a team that has won exactly one playoff game in that
time.
Arco Arena will be sold out again Monday night when the Kings play
host to Seattle in a 7:30 game, the two teams' first meeting since
they faced off in the first round of the 1996 playoffs when the Kings
got that lone playoff victory representing Sacramento.
"I don't want to get on them," said guard Mitch Richmond about the
early-leaving fans. "Maybe they had to get up early and go to church."
What no one knew was whether the fans who were leaving had simply
given up hope, or instead have been so spoiled by the playoff
appearance last year -- the first by the Kings in 10 years -- that
they aren't going to put up with losing anymore.
"Our fans see us now as a playoff team and see us winning more games
and those are realistic expectations," said coach Garry St. Jean.
They also are now the expectations of the players, which is why there
was much consternation when the Kings lost three of their first four
games, including the first two in Arco. St. Jean felt compelled to
meet with his players and tell them it was too early to panic, what
with their being 78 games left on the schedule and all.
But when the Kings fell nine down after Kenny Anderson's 3-pointer,
there was a lot of nervousness knowing that Seattle was next in town
followed by 10 of 12 on the road. Then the Kings went on a 14-4 run,
hitting six consecutive free throws in the final 37 seconds, to pull
out a 103-102 victory.
"That was a much-needed win," St. Jean said.
Players acknowledged they were already starting to feel the heat.
"Everybody wants to get back to the playoffs so everybody was playing
tight instead of just getting into the flow," said forward Billy
Owens.
But there also have been some other problems. Foremost has been trying
to break in Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf as point guard. Abdul-Rauf, acquired in
a trade with Denver during the off-season, is shooting only 41 percent
and averaging only 8.8 points a game and sat out the victory over
Portland with a strained thumb, a game in which Tyus Edney and Bobby
Hurley played well in his place. Abdul-Rauf might be back Monday for
the game against Seattle.
There also have been other minor injuries to Owens and Edney, which
have hampered St. Jean's efforts in putting in some new offensive
wrinkles designed to take some of the scoring pressure off of All-Star
guard Richmond.
Some players have complained the team was trying to do too many new
things on offense, and St. Jean has apparently streamlined it some.
Richmond was back to his old dominating ways Saturday, scoring 29
points against Portland.
"Frankly, we haven't played as well as we did at the beginning or end
of last season," St. Jean said. "But I don't think this team has lost
confidence in itself."
Much of that confidence was gained in last year's run to the playoffs
and first-round performance against Seattle. Sacramento won Game 2 in
KeyArena to tie the series, which set off panic in Seattle among fans
who had seen the Sonics lose the previous two years in the first
round.
But the Sonics rallied from nine down in the fourth quarter to win
Game 3 in Arco -- a turning point for Seattle in its own run to the
NBA Finals -- then won Game 4 handily.
St. Jean said he doesn't dwell on how close the Kings came to
potentially knocking out a team that eventually made it to the NBA
Finals.
"They had the poise and the veterans to come back," St. Jean said. "I
thought we played pretty darn well. We didn't lose (Game 3), they took
it from us."
"The Seattle series was a good experience for us," said center Olden
Polynice, who played for the Sonics from 1987 to 1991. "I know I
learned a lot. They played the games the way they needed to be played.
They played defense when they needed to play defense. They won when
they needed to win."
That's what Polynice said the Kings now need to do.
"I know people are still questioning the Sacramento Kings," Polynice
said. "We want to let people know that we are not a fluke. That we got
into the playoffs because we won the games we needed to win and that
we are building a good team here."
Evidently, however, some fans in Sacramento are among those who still
aren't convinced.
nba.1425vpoznanovic,
Kings' team effort in comeback pleases St. Jean
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 11, 1996 - 11:18 EST) -- Kings coach Garry St.
Jean saw a lot of positives in his team's victory over the Portland
Trail Blazers on Saturday night.
He also knows the Kings must develop a lot more before they can call
themselves a good team.
Monday night at Arco Arena, the Kings finish a four-game homestand
against an already developed squad: the 1996 NBA finalist Seattle
SuperSonics (3-2).
Afterward comes a stretch of 10 road games in 12 contests. Seven of
those road games come against 1996 playoff teams, including the first
Wednesday night in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz, which has
defeated the Kings 10 consecutive times.
The simplistic view suggests that the Kings (2-3) need every win they
can get. Yet gradual improvement is just as important.
St. Jean looked at his team's performance against Portland, and
despite the necessity of a late fourth-quarter comeback, he saw a
number of players who produced in key situations.
"We got a heck of a total team effort," he said. "There were a lot of
players who responded in a big way and in different ways. I can go up
and down the ladder and say something good about everybody."
Mitch Richmond was the offensive catalyst with a game-high 29 points,
but he also had a game-high six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
In addition, the All-Star played tremendous defense against Isaiah
Rider and helped force him into a 2-for-9, five-turnover, 10-point
night.
But Richmond is a relative constant on this team.
Billy Owens returned the starting lineup at small forward and ran a
sizable amount of the offense from the top of the floor. Center Olden
Polynice battled against the much taller and stronger Arvydas Sabonis
and provided an offensive lift with 15 points.
Point guard Tyus Edney was not 100 percent because of a groin injury,
but he started for the injured Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and supplied an
offensive boost in the first quarter. Defensively, Edney was tough
down the stretch against Kenny Anderson, who missed four shots in the
final three minutes.
Corliss Williamson stepped down into the second unit and gave that
group a badly needed chunk of scoring. Williamson did most of his work
in the low post and scored 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting. He also was 6
for 6 from the free-throw line.
"Corliss did not have to accept coming off the bench the way he did,"
St. Jean said. "But he did not let it affect him negatively and he
gave us a big boost. That is precisely the role I envisioned for him.
"When you've got Mitch and Brian (Grant) and Mahmoud and Olden on the
floor, it's just easier to find (Williamson) shots with the other
guys. He's a primary option on that unit."
Lionel Simmons came through with the big free throws at the end of the
game, but it was his knowledge of the system and overall poise that
prompted St. Jean to keep him on the floor after Owens and Polynice
fouled out.
Duane Causwell was scary at times with a couple of turnovers, but he
did grab four rebounds in 13 minutes and was a factor defensively down
the stretch.
Then there was Bobby Hurley, who received 17 minutes of playing time
and came up with six points, four assists, two rebounds and no
turnovers. Hurley made 2 of his 3 shots, including his lone
three-point attempt.
"I can't say enough about that guy," St. Jean said. "He did a terrific
job running the offense."
Hurley's minutes could be nipped because Abdul-Rauf said he would play
Monday. He did not practice Sunday in an effort to protect his sore
left hand.
nba.1426vpoznanovic,
Camby: A Raptor spreads his wings
TORONTO (Nov 11, 1996 - 17:24 EST) -- The signs of brilliance are
becoming more frequent -- the blocked shot at one end of the court,
the dunk at the other.
There is a new edge to his game, an edge that comes from confidence as
Marcus Camby starts to exert his presence on the Toronto Raptors.
While still being brought along slowly -- he averaged 21 minutes a
game in Toronto's first four games -- the prized rookie is forcing
himself into the action more and more.
"I'm just feeling more comfortable as I get more playing time and get
into the games," said Camby, the 6-foot-11 forward drafted second
overall by Toronto last June. "I think the guys can see I'm making
some strong strides right now."
Coach Darrell Walker is one of the believers.
"His confidence is growing every day," he said. "I saw it in training
camp before he twisted his ankle; the greatness was there. After he
got hurt, he was a little tentative but now that's disappearing."
One play in an upset of the Los Angeles Lakers spoke volumes about
Camby's emergence.
Taking the ball just off the side of the foul line, he saw Shaquille
O'Neal slide over to block the lane. Undaunted, he started to drive,
got fouled hard and made both free throws. Other rookies, and some
veterans, might have looked to pass, or at least tried to avoid the
collision with O'Neal.
"He's going to be a great one," Walker said. "That play shows you what
kind of kid he is. He doesn't have any fear."
One thing that's impressed the Raptors is Camby's willingness to
accept his role. On a team with Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams, Doug
Christie and Hubert Davis, the rookie doesn't have to score. He just
has to play his game.
"He's running, filling the lanes, blocking shots, playing defense,"
Walker said. "The best thing is, he's been making good basketball
plays."
Camby's biggest attribute his athleticism. While he could stand
another 15 or 20 pounds of muscle on his slight 220-pound frame, he
runs the floor like a small forward and can block shots despite being
banged around under the rim.
He averaged just 7.8 points a game through Toronto's first four games
but is blocking more than two shots a game and hauling in about four
rebounds.
"I don't have to score 20 points a night," said last season's NCAA
player of the year from Massachusetts. "Everyone knows Damon's the
leader on this team. I can go grab rebounds, block some shots and give
the team some energy off the bench. I just want to fit in and fill my
role."
He comes to the league carrying a lot of expectations. Sports
Illustrated picked him as its preseason favorite for rookie of the
year.
"When I was in college, no one predicted I'd be player of the year and
I won that," Camby said. "I hope being picked to win isn't some kind
of a jinx."
nba.1427vpoznanovic,
Unsafe floor forces Spurs-Jazz postponement
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 11, 1996 - 23:54 EST) -- A damaged floor at the
Delta Center was deemed unsafe and forced the postponement of Monday
night's NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz.
"There is no way the game can be played tonight," NBA referee Jess
Kersey said while workers attempted to repair the floor. "We feel it
is necessary to cancel the game for the safety of the players."
Kersey announced the postponement approximately 50 minutes after the
scheduled tipoff and after conferring with both head coaches and the
NBA.
"The floor seems to get worse as the night progresses," Kersey said.
"There are just too many gaps that are raised too high. If a player
would go down, he could cut a leg and that would be unfortunate."
But Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, a former NBA player, said he played on
worse surfaces.
"Both (Spurs head coach) Bob Hill and I agreed that we've played on
worse floors before, but we're not talking about forty years ago,"
Sloan said. "We're talking about today, which is a much different game
with a lot more at stake for each player."
The crowd booed when it was announced the game would be postponed and
rescheduled for Dec. 15.
"It's unsettling for the fans who made the commitment to come tonight,
but I don't think anybody wants to see anybody get hurt," said David
Allred, vice president of public relations for the Jazz.
Edges of the sectioned hardwood floor were sticking up as high as
one-eighth of an inch in more than 30 places, according to Jazz
spokesman Nathan Kirkham.
Jazz officials blamed the cause of the problem as a combination of
weakened plastic support rods and moisture from the ice rink under the
floor.
The problems were first noticed by maintenance personnel Monday
morning, and workers sanded and treated the affected areas with
varnish as the scheduled gametime approached.
The new floor was installed last summer at a cost of $70,000 when the
Jazz changed their logo. Team officials said a decision on whether the
floor can be repaired or must be replaced in the next two days will be
made after the manufacturer, Horner Floors, has a chance to inspect
its condition.
The Jazz are scheduled to host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday
night. A team official said the building's previous floor could be
re-installed if the new floor is unfixable.
nba.1428vpoznanovic,
Bullets forward Howard charged with DWI
WASHINGTON (Nov 11, 1996 - 18:18 EST) -- Juwan Howard was arrested
early Monday, charged with drunken driving after his 1995 Mercedes was
spotted speeding down a Washington street.
The Washington Bullets forward had just left a nightclub when the
arrest was made at 3:45 a.m., said District of Columbia police
spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile. Howard was released on his own
recognizance and a Dec. 6 court date was set.
"This is truly a big embarrassment for me personally and for my family
and also for the Bullets organization," Howard said after practice
Monday at Bowie State University.
Howard said he understood that "we all have to follow rules and
regulations," adding that he would continue to be himself and "let
everyone know that I'm not perfect."
Bullets general manager Wes Unseld said Howard was "deeply affected
and hurt" by the incident.
"I think we will accept Juwan's statement that he made a mistake and
let him go on," Unseld said.
Howard, known for his charitable work around the Washington area in
his two years with the Bullets, had signed a seven-year, $100 million
dollar contract with the Miami Heat in July.
That deal, which was subsequently voided by the league because it
exceeded Miami's salary cap, would have made him one of highest paid
athletes in sports history.
Given a second chance, Bullets owner Abe Pollin shelled out roughly
the same amount Miami had offered.
Re-signed by the Bullets, Howard said he had not wanted to leave
Washington and called his return "truly a blessing."
This season, he is averaging 17.4 points and 10 rebounds a game. Last
year, he averaged 22.1 points and 8.1 rebounds a game and was named to
the All-Star team.
nba.1429junior,
> Šta kažu ostali?
Meni ovako savršeno odgovara, jer su poruke savršeno pregledne.
Mnogo preglednije nego da skidam fajl pa da ga onda pregledam.
Uz to, u SORu imam mogućnost i da sačuvam poruke koje me zanimaju,
dok u onom slučaj to ne bih mogao.
PS. Znam šta ti želiš .. ti hoćeš izveštaje od NBA-dailya, koji su
veoma sažeti, kratki i pregledni. Ako uspem da se ponovo pretplatim
na njega (neće da mi prihvate :( ), redovno ću ih slati u konfu.
nba.1430dizel,
** DENVER (104) AT TORONTO (93)
Da li iko zna šta je sa Rastkom Cvetkovićem? :)
nba.1431superhik,
=:> PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST
A gde je Đorđević, je l' igra on uopšte...?
nba.1432stukelj,
Neka mi neko napise sve sto zna o ekipi "Golden State Warriors"!!!!
Mislim na njihov ovogodisnji sastav!!!
nba.1433vitez.koja,
#=> Da li iko zna šta je sa Rastkom Cvetkovićem? :)
Šutnuli ga iz Denvera pred početak sezone, valjda je bio opet
povređen...
sk
nba.1434vitez.koja,
Mogu samo da kazem, da ko nije gledao obavezno gleda reprizu... Dalje
ne citajte ako necete sebi da pokvarite uzivanje!!!
Hjuston protiv Lejkersa
100:100 na kraju, sa trojkom Barklija 5 sec pre kraja, a pre toga jos
jedna trojka na manje od minut do kraja (imali su -9 na pocetku 4/4)
Ludilo u dvorani, Lejkersi promasuju zadnji napad...
Produzeci!
111:108 i onda trojka Sebaljosa 45 sec pre kraja
113:111 Hakim sa 5m 30 sec pre kraja (razigrao se u produzetku, kad je
izasao Shaq, inace je u prvom poluvremenu igrao 5 min i dobio
3 licne)
113:113 Kembel sa slobodnih bacanja, 8 sec do kraja
113:113 Bez suta Mareja pre kraja (Barkli zasrao stvar)
2. produzetak!
113:118 Kucanje Sebaljosa i trojka Van Eksela, 3 min do kraja
Serija promasaja...
Sudije sviraju licne Lejkersima, problematicno... Ulazi
Trevis Najt (beli centar, ruki) za Lejkerse.
3 sec Hakimu na 2:55 do kraja
113:121 Van Eksel jos jedna trojka! na 2:02. Hjuston bez poena u 2.
produzetku.
115:121 Polaganje Hakima pored Najta, 1:45
Prodor Eksela, iz ocaja lopta prema Najtu, koji pravi korake,
ali, svira se faul Hjustonu
115:122 Najt promasuje ceo kos sa bacanja, ali daje drugi (primetan
uticaj Shaqa ;), 1:33
Olajdzuvon promasuje preko Kembela, ali ipak lopta za
Hjuston. Mdjt. grese i Lejkersi na 1:20 imaju loptu. Ne ide
se na faul! Trevis Najt ubacuje jedan tip-in (prvi pogodak u
karijeri!) - 115:124, sve je gotovo, 59.9 do kraja...
Sutiraju trojke Barkli, Balard... Nista, mnogo su stari za
dva produzetka, Barkli se umorio u 3/4, u produzecima nije
imao snage. Jebiga tri cetvrtine je igrao sam...
115:126 Van Eksel, pustili ga
Shaq u prvoj cetvrtini dao 20 poena (imao je 12/14 za svoju ekipu u
jednom trenutku). Hakimu sviraju faul i kad popreko pogleda nekog.
Bekovi Lejkersa se ispromasivali. Edi Dzons dobar jedno vreme, ali
napravio 6. licnu na oko 6 min do kraja. Krenulo malo Van Exela u 4/4,
takoda je sebicno igrao do kraja regularnog dela. Met Balard ulazi za
Hjuston i postize 7 poena za dva minuta, posle se i on primio i kako
dobije loptu sutne trojku... Dreksler ocajan, valjda samo 1 poen uz
ocajan sut i puno gresaka... Tajmauti posle svakog napada pocevsi od
2 min do kraja regularnog dela... U 2. produzetku Van Exel opet usao
u seriju (prosralo ga) i to je to...
Sudjenje ocajno i na stetu Hjustona
sk
nba.1435vpoznanovic,
CHARLOTTE (97) AT MIAMI (105)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 41 2-9 3-5 3 6 9 4 2 0 1 7
GEIGER F 20 1-2 0-0 2 2 4 1 2 0 3 2
DIVAC C 38 11-17 0-0 2 11 13 2 5 2 4 22
GOLDWIRE G 31 3-5 1-2 0 3 3 4 2 0 3 10
RICE G 40 9-18 4-5 1 1 2 3 3 0 2 26
ZIDEK 4 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1
CURRY 27 4-7 3-3 0 3 3 3 2 1 2 13
SMITH 17 4-7 2-2 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 10
BURRELL 15 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 4
ROSE 7 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 3 0 1 2
BOGUES DNP - SORE LEFT KNEE
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-69 15-21 9 27 36 21 23 6 20 97
(.522) (.714) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 23(35 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
THOMAS F 22 3-7 6-7 4 3 7 0 2 0 2 12
MAJERLE F 48 8-15 1-1 3 2 5 1 3 2 2 20
MOURNING C 34 6-16 2-2 2 7 9 2 2 1 3 14
DANILOVIC G 29 6-9 4-5 0 3 3 2 4 1 0 17
HARDAWAY G 39 9-20 1-1 3 1 4 12 3 3 1 22
ASKINS 14 1-2 1-1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3
BROWN 29 3-10 0-0 4 2 6 0 4 1 1 6
AUSTIN 12 3-5 1-1 0 1 1 0 4 0 4 7
GRANT 13 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 5 2 1 1 4
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-89 16-18 17 20 37 22 24 10 14 105
(.461) (.889) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 14(14 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 22 20 27 28 - 97
MIAMI 22 29 26 28 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - DIVAC 2, GEIGER, MASON, SMITH. MIAMI - BROWN
4, MOURNING 3, AUSTIN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 10-18 (.556), GEIGER 0-1, GOLDWIRE 3-4, RICE
4-7, CURRY 2-4, SMITH 0-1, BURRELL 1-1. MIAMI 7-20 (.350), MAJERLE 3-8,
DANILOVIC 1-3, HARDAWAY 3-7, ASKINS 0-1, GRANT 0-1.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, GARY BENSON, DAVID JONES.
A - 14,393. T - 2:06.
CHARLOTTE (97) AT MIAMI (105)
Tim Hardaway had 22 points and 11 assists as the Miami Heat
defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 105-97, for their third straight
victory.
Dan Majerle added 20 points and former Hornet Alonzo Mourning
contributed 14 points and nine rebounds as Miami defeated
Charlotte for the third time in four meetings.
"It was a tough, physical game, we had some runs but they came
back," Miami coach Pat Riley said. "He's (Hardaway) a winner,
his assist-to-turnover ratio (52-to-7) is mind boggling. We're
getting good balance."
Glen Rice scored 26 points and Vlade Divac added 22 points and
13 rebounds for the Hornets, who fell to 1-2 on the road.
Charlotte played without point guard Muggsy Bogues, who sat out
with a sore left knee.
Hardaway had nine points as the Heat ended the first quarter
with an 11-0 run to tie it, 22-22. Majerle's three-pointer gave
the Heat the lead for good, 31-28, with 9:09 left in the second.
Rice hit a three-pointer just over a minute later, but
Mourning's hook shot completed a 13-3 spurt that gave Miami a
46-34 lead with 3:42 left in the second.
"We played them tough except for the second quarter," said
Charlotte coach Dave Cowens. "All off a sudden we stopped
sharing the ball. Sixty points in the paint, 17 offensive
rebounds, that hurt us. Big game from Vlade, that was good to
see, but we milked that until it was dry."
"I took it upon myself to play good defense, hit a couple of
shots and make some threes," Hardaway said. "I knew Zo
(Mourning) was under the weather so I had to pick him up. We
almost let it get away. Maybe we were looking too much to
tomorrow."
Rice's jumper closed a 15-5 burst that pulled Charlotte within,
85-84, with 6:47 to go in the fourth. Hardaway made a layup and
a free throw as Miami answered with a 9-2 spurt to take a 90-84
lead with 5:17 remaining.
"We have to a better job keeping a team down when we have them
down," Majerle said.
The Hornets managed to close within 94-90 on Rice's jumper with
3:02 left but Kurt Thomas converted a three-point play closing
Miami's 6-0 spurt for a 100-90 lead with 2:17 remaining.
nba.1436vpoznanovic,
CLEVELAND (83) AT ATLANTA (87)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 37 4-13 4-6 1 4 5 1 1 0 2 13
HILL F 43 6-11 2-4 7 6 13 2 5 1 2 14
WEST C 19 1-2 2-3 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 4
PHILLS G 41 2-11 1-2 2 5 7 3 4 1 4 6
BRANDON G 37 9-14 4-4 0 5 5 7 1 3 3 25
SURA 20 4-7 0-1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 9
FERRY 28 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 2 8
POTAPENKO 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
LANG 8 1-1 1-1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 3
MARSHALL 3 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
GEARY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-68 15-23 13 25 38 16 22 6 18 83
(.441) (.652) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 39 5-10 2-2 3 3 6 3 4 1 3 13
LAETTNER F 41 4-11 6-7 2 4 6 2 6 0 2 14
MUTOMBO C 40 2-10 1-2 3 6 9 2 3 0 3 5
BOYCE G 16 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2
BLAYLOCK G 44 15-26 3-4 3 5 8 8 3 2 3 39
BARRY 27 3-8 0-0 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 6
BURTON 15 1-3 2-2 0 0 0 1 3 1 0 4
RECASNER 10 1-2 2-2 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 4
NEWBILL 8 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0
LAUDERDALE DNP - SUBLEXED PATELLA
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 32-76 16-19 12 22 34 22 22 5 13 87
(.421) (.842) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 14(19 PTS)
CLEVELAND 14 21 26 22 - 83
ATLANTA 19 17 21 30 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - WEST 2, LANG 2, BRANDON. ATLANTA - LAETTNER
3, MUTOMBO 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 8-23 (.348), MILLS 1-5, HILL 0-1, PHILLS 1-5,
BRANDON 3-5, SURA 1-2, FERRY 2-5. ATLANTA 7-22 (.318), CORBIN 1-1, BOYCE
0-2, BLAYLOCK 6-14, BARRY 0-3, BURTON 0-1, RECASNER 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, RON OLESIAK, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 7,385. T - 2:23.
CLEVELAND (83) AT ATLANTA (87)
Mookie Blaylock scored a career-high 39 points, including six
three-pointers, and hit an 18-foot jumper with four seconds
remaining to give the Atlanta Hawks an 87-83 victory over the
Cleveland Cavaliers.
Blaylock, who scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, made a
career-high 15 field goals, grabbed eight rebounds and handed
out eight assists. He also attempted a career-high 26 shots.
"It feels good. You know when you shoot it's going to go in for
you," Blaylock said. "Career highs aren't as important as the
win. I felt every shot I put up was going to go in. I was just
able to pull the game out at the end. I don't care about how
many points I got, it's a good win for us and that's what I'm
glad about."
Bobby Sura's layup with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter pulled
the Cavaliers within 81-80, but Blaylock hit an off-balance
20-foot jumper with the shot clock winding down to make it 83-80
with 24 seconds to go.
Bobby Phills nailed a three-pointer from the right corner with
12 seconds to play, tying it, 83-83. Blaylock dribbled the
length of the court and made a running 18-foot jumper to put
Atlanta ahead, 85-83.
"They played hard. I know how Lenny is, he expects his players
to play hard," Brandon said, referring to Hawks coach Lenny
Wilkens. "It was a close game tonight and they won. They
collectively won as a team, it was a team effort for them."
Brandon was asked if it was frustrating to guard a red-hot
Blaylock.
"It's not frustrating because I would've done the same things.
You have to take the bitter with the sweet. That's how it is
sometimes. I'll keep my head up," he said. "I wish I was a
little bit taller. He hit a good shot, I was right there and he
hit a great shot."
Phills' three-pointer with one second left fell short and
Eldridge Recasner sank two free throws to complete the scoring.
"Ths shot looked good, but it hit the front," Phills said of his
missed three-pointer. "It was one of those things that if it
had gone in, it would've been a great shot, but I missed it."
Terrell Brandon scored 25 points and Tyrone Hill added 14 points
and 13 rebounds for Cleveland, which dropped to 4-2.
Christian Laettner had 14 points and Tyrone Corbin 13 for the
Hawks, who have won four of their last five games. Atlanta also
has won four of the last five meetings with Cleveland.
"It's like a road game because we go from here straight to the
airport," Wilkens said. "Eleven out of 14 on the road, but
we're mentally prepared for it. It's a tough first month. You
won't believe this, but we make Mookie practice runners. ... We
have him work on pull-ups and runners."
The Hawks were without starting shooting guard Steve Smith, who
is nursing a sprained right ankle. Atlanta dressed just nine
players due to injuries to Ken Norman, Alan Henderson, Smith and
Priest Lauderdale.
"The troops are running low and I'm not exactly playing great,"
Laettner said. "Mookie had a great game, that's what we needed.
We've got a good bunch of guys and everyone's pulling for one
another. We have good guys on the bench that can pick us up."
The Cavs held a 74-70 lead with 6:10 remaining but Blaylock hit
a layup and Corbin's runner in the lane with 4:59 to play tied
it, 74-74. Blaylock and Laettner each hit one of two free
throws to give the Hawks the lead for good, 76-74, with 3:21
left.
A three-pointer by Blaylock and a 20-foot jumper by Jon Barry
sandwiched around a Tyrone Hill dunk put the Hawks up 81-76 with
1:56 remaining. A pair of foul shots by Brandon and a layup by
Sura closed Cleveland within 81-80 with 71 seconds to go.
Cleveland was held scoreless for a span of more than six minutes
bridging the first and second quarters before Phills hit a free
throw.
nba.1437vpoznanovic,
DETROIT (92) AT WASHINGTON (79)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
THORPE F 26 2-7 1-1 2 1 3 1 3 0 3 5
LONG F 43 4-11 3-4 8 3 11 2 1 2 1 12
MILLS C 34 7-14 0-0 0 5 5 3 2 0 1 19
HILL G 35 7-15 9-11 0 9 9 7 3 0 3 24
DUMARS G 37 4-10 1-2 0 8 8 4 2 3 0 13
HUNTER 29 6-10 0-0 1 0 1 0 4 2 1 12
AUGMON 14 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 2
REID 5 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 4 2
SMITH 17 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 3
CURRY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MAHORN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RATLIFF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-75 14-18 11 31 42 19 20 8 15 92
(.440) (.778) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 16(16 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 43 6-12 3-4 3 8 11 4 2 1 3 15
WEBBER F 42 8-19 1-4 3 4 7 4 0 1 1 19
MURESAN C 24 1-7 2-3 0 3 3 0 4 0 3 4
CHEANEY G 25 2-9 0-0 2 3 5 1 4 0 3 5
STRICKLAND G 32 3-7 2-2 0 4 4 6 0 1 3 8
GRANT 19 2-4 0-0 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 4
WHITNEY 16 1-6 4-4 2 1 3 2 2 0 1 7
MURRAY 16 2-7 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 0 4
JACKSON 23 5-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 1 13
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-79 12-17 13 28 41 19 18 3 15 79
(.380) (.706) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 15(24 PTS)
DETROIT 28 20 25 19 - 92
WASHINGTON 15 15 23 26 - 79
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - HILL 2. WASHINGTON - MURESAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 12-24 (.500), LONG 1-2, MILLS 5-10, HILL 1-1,
DUMARS 4-6, HUNTER 0-3, SMITH 1-2. WASHINGTON 7-18 (.389), WEBBER 2-3,
CHEANEY 1-2, STRICKLAND 0-1, WHITNEY 1-5, MURRAY 0-3, JACKSON 3-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, TOMMY NUNEZ, WOODY MAYFIELD.
A - 16,111. T - 1:56.
DETROIT (92) AT WASHINGTON (79)
Grant Hill had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and
Terry Mills scored 10 of his 19 on three-pointers to propel the
Detroit Pistons to a 92-79 victory over the Washington Bullets.
Joe Dumars added 13 points for Detroit (5-1), which bounced back
from its first loss of the season, a 98-80 defeat to Chicago
Friday. Dumars has scored 53 points over the last three games
for the Pistons, who improved to 3-1 on the road. They did not
post their third road victory last season until December 19th.
Chris Webber had 19 points and seven rebounds for Washington
(2-4), which has lost three straight and fell to 1-3 at home.
The Bullets struggled with their shooting all night, hitting
only 26 percent from the field in the first half and 44 percent
overall.
Washington also had trouble with its transition game, converting
only two points off the fast break in the first half.
"The first half of the game could not have been any worse for
this team," said Bullets coach Jim Lynam. "The shots were not
good. We looked very frustrated. We would miss a shot and five
guys would try to rebound."
Detroit led by as many as 26 in the second quarter on a Mills'
three-pointer with 3:12 to go. The Bullets managed just three
points in the final 4:10 of the first quarter and scored 15 in
each of the first two periods to establish a season low. They
trailed 48-30 at the half.
"Detroit changed their starting lineup when the game began,"
said Lynam. "It was difficult to adjust. Hill is a great
penetrator."
Terry Murray's jumper brought Washington within 60-46 with 5:47
remaining in the third, but that was the closest the Bullets got
in the quarter as the Pistons built a 73-53 advantage after
three.
Bullets forward Juwan Howard, who was arrested on a drunk
driving charge early Monday morning in Washington, D.C.,
scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
"This seems like our training camp," said Howard. "There's
a lot of talent here. We've got to step up and play."
The loss spoiled the return of Washington center Gheorghe
Muresan, who had four points and three rebounds in 24 minutes.
The 7-foot-7 center was activated from the injured list Monday
and made his season debut. Muresan strained his right hip flexor
over the summer and missed all of training camp before being
placed on the injured list to start the season.
"This was the big fellow's first camp," Webber said of Muresan.
"He is gonna get into it."
nba.1438vpoznanovic,
GOLDEN STATE (102) AT SEATTLE (121)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 35 9-15 1-1 1 4 5 4 4 0 7 21
SMITH F 36 4-12 2-3 3 2 5 1 2 1 3 10
FULLER C 29 5-9 0-0 0 7 7 3 1 0 3 10
PRICE G 30 6-11 0-0 1 2 3 5 0 1 0 16
SPREWELL G 40 8-15 7-7 1 3 4 7 2 2 4 27
ARMSTRONG 18 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 4
COLES 18 2-8 0-0 2 1 3 2 1 0 1 4
ROYAL 19 2-3 2-4 1 1 2 1 4 0 0 6
SPENCER 11 0-3 0-2 3 2 5 0 4 0 1 0
OWES 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MARSHALL 2 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
KONCAK DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 39-81 13-19 12 24 36 23 20 4 19 102
(.481) (.684) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 19(30 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 39 14-22 5-7 3 5 8 2 2 1 3 33
D SCHREMPF F 38 10-13 4-5 0 4 4 8 4 0 1 27
MCILVAINE C 17 2-4 1-2 1 4 5 1 3 1 0 5
HAWKINS G 34 9-13 1-2 1 2 3 2 3 2 1 22
PAYTON G 41 6-15 0-2 3 2 5 11 3 5 3 13
PERKINS 20 4-7 4-6 0 4 4 2 2 0 0 12
EHLO 26 2-8 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 2 0 5
WINGATE 16 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 2
SNOW 7 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 2
STEWART 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MCMILLAN DNP - STRAINED GROIN
SPENCER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 49-86 15-24 9 23 32 34 21 11 9 121
(.570) (.625) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 9(14 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 38 19 24 21 - 102
SEATTLE 29 28 27 37 - 121
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - FULLER. SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 3, KEMP 2,
PERKINS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 11-19 (.579), MULLIN 2-4, SMITH 0-1, PRICE
4-5, SPREWELL 4-8, MARSHALL 1-1. SEATTLE 8-18 (.444), D SCHREMPF 3-4,
HAWKINS 3-4, PAYTON 1-4, PERKINS 0-2, EHLO 1-2, WINGATE 0-2.
TECHNICALS: GOLDEN STATE - MULLIN.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, JIM KINSEY, TED BERNHARDT.
A - 17,072. T - 2:07.
GOLDEN STATE (102) AT SEATTLE (121)
Shawn Kemp scored a season-high 33 points and Detlef Schrempf
added a season-high 27 to lead the Seattle SuperSonics to their
fourth straight win, a 121-102 victory over the Golden State
Warriors.
Kemp, who posted a season high for the second straight game, hit
14-of-22 shots, while Schrempf connected on 10-of-13 attempts
from the floor. Kemp has made 71 percent of his shots
(27-of-38) over the last two games.
"Kemp's going to hurt you inside and if you double on him and
they make shots, it's a "Catch 22" situation," Warriors coach
Rick Adelman said. "It's a challenge we're going to have all
year long. When you give up 70 points in the paint, that's
difficult. We talked before the game about not giving them the
easy baskets. "
Hersey Hawkins, who made 9-of-13 shots, scored 22 points and
Gary Payton added 13 points and 11 assists for Seattle, which
won for the fifth time in six games and improved to 4-0 against
Pacific Division opponents. The Sonics have won the last six
meetings against the Warriors.
"What I am annoyed at more than anything else is that teams are
doing what I know they can do against us," Sonics coach George
Karl said. "In the past, our strength has been taking away
teams' strengths. We are not playing bad. It's just that I want
us to get special and maybe I want us to get special faster than
they want to get special. I belive that personality traits that
you build in the regualr season, you build into the playoffs.
And I don't want to be trying to turn things on in April."
Latrell Sprewell scored 27 points, Chris Mullin added 21 and
Mark Price had 16 for Golden State, which suffered its fourth
straight loss. The Warriors have lost nine of the last 10
meetings with the Sonics and 17 of the last 20 since the 1992-93
season.
"We need to just keep plugging away and look at the ways we
played well together however long it lasted," Mullin said.
"Focus on that and just stay positive. It will come together in
time."
After Golden State's Donald Royal made a layup to tie the game,
87-87, three minutes into the fourth quarter, Sam Perkins hit a
short hook to ignite a 23-9 run. Schrempf had a pair of
three-pointers and a layup during the stretch, and Craig Ehlo
capped the burst with a basket to give Seattle a 105-91 lead
with 4:36 to go.
Seattle overcame a 38-point first quarter by Golden State, which
raced to a nine-point lead behind 15 points from Sprewell and 73
percent team shooting.
"They shot the ball exteremly well," Schrempf said. "They
played like they were on the playground. They moved the ball
around, shot threes and played real relaxed. We had a tough
tinme, controlling them. We finally got the jump on them in the
first quarter. "
The SuperSonics pulled into a 57-57 halftime tie behind 15
points by Kemp and 14 by Schrempf. Kemp also scored 15 points
in the third quarter as the Sonics vaulted into an 84-81 lead
entering the final 12 minutes.
"We didn't play well in the first half and George chewed us
out," Hawkins said. "And we responded in the second half.
Whatever we accomplished last year doesn't matter. Every team
that plays against us wants to beat us. So we have to be
mentally prepared to play every night."
Perkins finished with 12 points, Kemp had eight rebounds and
Schrempf handed out eight assists for Seattle, which shot 57
percent (49-of-86) from the floor and committed just nine
turnovers. Newcomer Jim McIlvaine had three of Seattle's six
blocked shots.
Joe Smith and Todd Fuller each had 10 points for Golden State,
which turned the ball over 19 times leading to 30 points for the
Sonics.
nba.1439vpoznanovic,
INDIANA (82) AT DALLAS (103)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 29 1-5 1-2 1 2 3 3 2 1 1 3
D DAVIS F 36 3-11 0-0 3 7 10 1 2 2 4 6
A DAVIS C 34 2-12 5-8 3 5 8 0 3 0 0 9
BEST G 29 3-5 1-2 1 2 3 5 4 1 3 7
MILLER G 22 7-13 2-4 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 19
ALLEN 16 3-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 4 8
ASKEW 10 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
DAMPIER 25 2-9 3-4 5 4 9 2 2 0 2 7
ROSE 22 6-10 0-1 1 3 4 1 2 3 3 12
HOIBERG 17 1-5 6-6 1 2 3 2 0 1 1 9
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-81 18-27 16 27 43 16 21 8 19 82
(.358) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 20(24 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASHBURN F 24 4-11 1-3 3 3 6 2 3 0 3 10
MEYER F 23 4-8 0-0 1 5 6 0 2 1 2 8
MONTROSS C 22 3-5 0-0 1 6 7 0 5 0 1 6
KIDD G 26 2-6 1-2 2 2 4 11 0 0 1 6
JACKSON G 27 5-10 4-4 0 2 2 2 2 1 2 16
GATLING 22 7-11 1-1 2 4 6 0 3 4 2 15
MILLER 24 2-4 0-0 2 9 11 2 2 1 2 4
HARPER 22 8-11 1-3 0 1 1 4 3 0 1 17
DUMAS 21 2-8 1-2 2 1 3 6 3 0 1 5
MCCLOUD 23 5-9 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 0 3 14
WALKER 3 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
ROBERTS 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
TOTALS 240 43-86 9-15 14 37 51 29 24 7 19 103
(.500) (.600) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 22(18 PTS)
INDIANA 24 14 24 20 - 82
DALLAS 29 34 17 23 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - DAMPIER 3, MCKEY 2, ROSE 2, A DAVIS, MILLER.
DALLAS - MONTROSS 3, MILLER 2, MASHBURN 2, MEYER, KIDD, JACKSON, GATLING,
WALKER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 6-12 (.500), MCKEY 0-1, MILLER 3-5, ALLEN 2-3,
ROSE 0-1, HOIBERG 1-2. DALLAS 8-21 (.381), MASHBURN 1-4, KIDD 1-4, JACKSON
2-4, HARPER 0-1, DUMAS 0-2, MCCLOUD 4-6.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - MILLER 2 (EJECTED), DAMPIER, DALLAS - HARPER.
OFFICIALS: ED F RUSH, DON VADEN, BENNIE ADAMS.
A - 14,153. T - 2:08.
INDIANA (82) AT DALLAS (103)
Derek Harper scored four of his 17 points in a decisive
second-quarter run and Jim Jackson added 16 points to help the
Dallas Mavericks snap a four-game losing streak with an easy
103-82 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
The Mavericks held a 37-30 lead with 8:31 left in the second
quarter before embarking on an 18-5 run. Harper and Loren Meyer
each scored four points and George McCloud made a three-pointer
as Dallas took a 55-35 advantage with 2:09 to play in the half.
"Fortunately, we found a way to get off to a good start and were
able to build a lead and hold on to it," Dallas coach Jim
Cleamons said. "If my bench is consistent then that helps me in
terms of my rotations and substitutions. We talked earlier that
we wanted to win at home and we were disappointed that we
dropped our first two home games. We needed to get this thing
started in the right direction. Our defense gave us an
opportunity to win and get the ball in the open floor."
Chris Gatling had 15 points and Jason Kidd handed out 11 assists
for the Mavericks, who improved to 2-4 this season with their
first home win. Dallas defeated Indiana for just the second
time in their last eight meetings.
Reggie Miller scored 19 points before he was ejected in the
third quarter and Jalen Rose added 12 for Indiana, which dropped
to 1-4.
"They were quicker to the ball, they took it to the basket, they
were great," Pacers coach Larry Brown said. "Then their bench
came in and played great. I didn't see one guy out there that
didn't contribute. We need to keep working it."
The Mavs opened their lead to 63-38 at halftime with Jackson
scoring 11 and Harper 10.
"With this performance everybody was on top of their game
offensively and defensively," Kidd siad. "Hopefully, this is
the week that it all comes together. Everybody contributed on
the bench. Now we're excited and we have to do the same thing
when we play Minnesota. Everything was in sync now, it is just
a matter of us doing that on a consistent basis."
The Pacers responded with the first five points of the second
half to get within 20 with 10:38 left in the third, but Dallas
scored 12 of the next 13 points for a 75-44 advantage with 7:49
to go.
Jackson had five points and Mahsburn made a three-pointer during
the run. Miller received his second technical foul at 9:08 of
the third and was ejected.
Dallas rookie forward Samaki Walker, the ninth overall pick in
this year's draft, made his NBA debut. He was the only Maverick
who failed to score, although he grabbed two rebounds and
blocked a shot in three minutes.
The 20-year-old Walker, who started the regular season on the
injured list with a strength deficit in his right quadricep,
became the youngest player in Mavericks' history to appear in a
regular-season game.
McCloud finished with 14 points and Mashburn had 10 for Dallas,
which shot 50 percent (43-of-86) from the field and 38 percent
(8-of-21) from three-point range.
Miller and Rose were the only Pacers to score in double figures.
Indiana shot 36 percent (29-of-81) from the field and was
outrebounded, 51-43.
nba.1440vpoznanovic,
LA CLIPPERS (99) AT VANCOUVER (92) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROGERS F 36 5-8 2-2 1 4 5 4 5 0 2 12
VAUGHT F 29 0-8 0-0 3 6 9 4 2 2 1 0
DUCKWORTH C 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
SEALY G 44 7-16 7-9 3 2 5 3 5 1 2 22
RICHARDSON G 37 5-15 2-2 1 5 6 4 0 1 2 15
ROBERTS 28 7-11 1-2 2 5 7 1 6 0 0 15
DEHERE 11 2-6 1-2 0 1 1 1 3 0 1 5
OUTLAW 40 5-7 3-4 3 5 8 1 3 5 1 13
MURRAY 30 1-10 2-2 3 6 9 6 0 1 1 4
PIATKOWSKI 10 1-2 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3
D MARTIN 14 3-7 1-1 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 7
WRIGHT 6 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 3
TOTALS 290 37-94 21-27 16 36 52 25 27 11 15 99
(.394) (.778) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 16(9 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 43 5-10 0-0 1 3 4 0 4 0 5 11
ROGERS F 21 3-5 1-2 2 4 6 1 2 0 0 7
REEVES C 50 10-18 10-13 2 9 11 2 5 1 4 30
PEELER G 50 7-17 4-4 0 7 7 6 4 3 2 21
ANTHONY G 46 6-15 3-4 1 8 9 11 4 3 2 19
LYNCH 21 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 2 2 0 1 0
ABDUR-RAHIM 31 2-10 0-0 4 5 9 0 4 3 3 4
MAYBERRY 12 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0
MOBLEY 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MOTEN 8 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 290 33-81 18-23 11 36 47 25 28 11 17 92
(.407) (.783) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 17(12 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 13 23 24 21 6 12 - 99
VANCOUVER 30 16 20 15 6 5 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - OUTLAW 4, VAUGHT 2, SEALY 2. VANCOUVER -
REEVES 5, ROGERS 2, MOTEN 2, LYNCH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 4-18 (.222), ROGERS 0-1, SEALY 1-1,
RICHARDSON 3-7, DEHERE 0-3, MURRAY 0-4, PIATKOWSKI 0-1, D MARTIN 0-1.
VANCOUVER 8-16 (.500), B EDWARDS 1-2, PEELER 3-7, ANTHONY 4-7.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, B EDWARDS.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, LUIS GRILLO, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 14,259. T - 2:47.
LA CLIPPERS (99) AT VANCOUVER (92) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
Malik Sealy scored 22 points and Pooh Richardson added five of
his 15 in the second overtime to lead the Los Angeles Clippers
to a 99-92 victory over the winless Vancouver Grizzlies.
The Clippers have won three straight road games for the first
time since posting consecutive wins at Dallas, Denver and
Cleveland in the 1992-93 season. Stanley Roberts had 15 points
for Los Angleles, which has won consecutive games for the first
time this season.
Los Angeles trailed the entire game until Richardson banked a
short jumper as time ran out in the fourth quarter, tying the
score, 81-81.
"We wanted to try and get a shot in the post to see if we could
get a double or something," Richardson said. "We couldn't
penetrate so we took the shot. Suddenly the ball was loose and I
picked it up and basically threw it in the basket to beat the
buzzer."
The game was delayed for five minutes in the first overtime as
as lightning from a storm reduced the arena lighting.
Bryant Reeves scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 11
rebounds for the Grizzlies (0-7), who have lost four of five
meetings with the Clippers.
"Our confidence was definitely there," Reeves said. I thought
we were going to win the game all alone. I know I had to make
some plays down the stretch. Unfortantely I missed a free throw
there that could have put it away for us. But those things
happen, I can't be down on myself. I thought we played a great
game. It's just hard for me to accept now that we've lost.
Hopefully we can build on this."
Greg Anthony was one rebound shy of becoming the second Grizzlie
in franchise history to record a triple-double. Anthony
finished with 19 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.
nba.1441vpoznanovic,
LA LAKERS (126) AT HOUSTON (115) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CEBALLOS F 46 9-20 2-3 4 6 10 1 4 0 0 22
CAMPBELL F 43 2-9 7-8 5 5 10 0 3 1 2 11
ONEAL C 42 15-24 4-8 6 9 15 2 6 1 5 34
JONES G 36 7-12 1-1 2 1 3 2 6 1 2 18
VAN EXEL G 54 10-27 5-5 0 2 2 14 0 2 0 29
ROOKS 17 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 6 0 0 0
SCOTT 40 1-3 4-4 0 5 5 1 1 0 2 7
FISHER 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
BRYANT 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 2
KNIGHT 3 1-1 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 3
BLOUNT DNP - LEFT THIGH CONTUSION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 290 46-100 24-31 18 30 48 20 27 5 14 126
(.460) (.774) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 14(16 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 36 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 4 2 4 3 3
BARKLEY F 58 10-18 10-13 9 7 16 5 3 0 7 33
OLAJUWON C 32 12-22 7-9 1 6 7 2 4 1 1 31
DREXLER G 29 1-9 2-2 2 3 5 5 1 3 1 4
MALONEY G 21 2-9 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 5
WILLIS 19 3-9 0-0 4 2 6 0 4 0 1 6
MOORE 25 2-7 1-1 0 0 0 5 2 0 1 5
DAVIS 37 7-10 0-2 1 4 5 8 3 1 0 19
JONES 7 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
MACK 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
BULLARD 22 4-8 0-0 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 9
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 290 42-98 20-27 18 28 46 32 20 10 16 115
(.429) (.741) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
LA LAKERS 30 19 29 22 13 13 - 126
HOUSTON 23 26 21 30 13 2 - 115
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - CAMPBELL 2, ONEAL 2, JONES, SCOTT. HOUSTON -
OLAJUWON 4, BARKLEY 3, DREXLER, WILLIS, JONES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 10-27 (.370), CEBALLOS 2-4, JONES 3-6, VAN
EXEL 4-12, SCOTT 1-3, FISHER 0-1, BRYANT 0-1. HOUSTON 11-37 (.297), ELIE
1-4, BARKLEY 3-6, DREXLER 0-3, MALONEY 1-6, MOORE 0-5, DAVIS 5-7, MACK
0-1, BULLARD 1-5.
TECHNICALS: LA LAKERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, HOUSTON - HEAD COACH
TOMJANOVICH, BARKLEY, BULLARD.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, NOLAN FINE, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 16,285. T - 3:04.
LA LAKERS (126) AT HOUSTON (115) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
Shaquille O'Neal had 34 points and 15 rebounds and Nick Van Exel
added eight of his 29 points in double-overtime as the Los
Angeles Lakers handed the Houston Rockets their first loss of
the season, 126-115.
Despite playing without O'Neal, who fouled out with 17 seconds
left in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles outscored Houston, 13-2,
in the second overtime. Cedric Ceballos had 22 points and 10
rebounds and Eddie Jones added 18 points although he fouled out
with 9:46 left in the fourth.
"I felt we played very well," O'Neal said. "We took the Rockets
into two overtimes even after two starters fouled out. The win
brings us closer together as a team. If everyone can play their
role like tonight than we can win on any given night."
Van Exel, who shot 10-of-27 from the field, also had 14 assists
as the Lakers squared their road record at 2-2.
"I had to get my confidence going," Van Exel said. "I still
have to come out and play my game. I played decent. I had to
keep talking to myself and stay in the game."
Charles Barkley scored 33 points and Hakeem Olajuwon added 31
for Houston (6-1), which was the last undefeated team in the
Western Conference. The Chicago Bulls have won their first
seven games.
"We played as well as we could but that's basketball," said
Barkley. "I didn't expect us to go 82-0. This will be a battle
all year with these guys. Utah, Seattle and the Lakers, every
time we play those teams we have to be ready to play."
Elden Campbell made a layup to give the Lakers the lead for
good, 115-113, just 18 seconds into the second overtime. Van
Exel's three-pointer made it 118-113, 37 seconds later. Both
teams were scoreless until Van Exel made another three-pointer
with 2:02 left for a 121-113 advantage.
Travis Knight's free throw made it 122-113 with 1:33 remaining.
Mario Elie then made a jumper for Houston's only points of the
period to make it 122-115.
Knight had a tip in with just under a minute left and Van Exel
had a jumper for the final points with 12.5 seconds to go.
Byron Scott made a free throw with 8:19 left in the fourth to
give the Lakers their biggest lead of the game, 89-77. Rookie
Emanuel Davis, who had a career-high 19 points, nailed a three
pointer to close a 13-5 run and pull the Rockets within 94-90
with 3:49 remaining.
"We loooked like we had it all going and then all of a sudden
they got it all going," said Lakers coach Del Harris. "You
wouldn't expect a team wihout their big guns to win but that
exactly what happened. We weren't worried when Shaq went out.
Had it not been for the huge effort from Elden we wouldn't have
won."
Olajuwon made two free throws to cut the deficit to 94-91 with
2:43 left. Ceballos followed with a three-pointer to give the
Lakers a 97-91 cushion with 1:41 to go. The Rockets outscored
the Lakers, 9-3, the rest of the way as Barkley's three-pointer
tied the score at 100 with 5.7 seconds left.
"It was a good game and it could have gone either way," Olajuwon
said. "LA played a wonderful game down the stretch. We missed
some wide open shots at the end that we have to make. We found
the open man but didn't make the shot."
Olajuwon scored eight of Houston's 13 points and Ceballos had
seven for the Lakers in the first overtime. Ceballos opened the
scoring with a 20-footer just 16 seconds into the session. But
the Rockets tied the score as Olajuwon sank two free throws with
just over four minutes left.
Van Exel hit an 18-footer to give the Lakers a 104-102 edge with
3:50 left but Olajuwon's hook shot tied it 22 seconds later.
Ceballos made a running jumper as Los Angeles took its final
lead of the first overtime, 106-104, with 3:07 left. Davis made
a three-pointer and Matt Bullard followed with a 19-footer to
give Houston a 109-106 lead with 2:13 remaining.
Campbell made two free throws to pull the Lakers within a point
but Houston regained a three-point lead on Olajuwon's layup.
Ceballos made a three-pointer to knot the score 111-111 with
44.5 seconds left. Olajuwon hit a 16-footer with 25.5 seconds
left but Campbell hit a pair of free throws with eight seconds
to go.
nba.1442vpoznanovic,
PHILADELPHIA (101) AT NEW YORK (97)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
COLEMAN F 40 5-15 5-8 2 2 4 3 1 1 5 16
WEATHERSPOON F 38 0-4 1-2 2 4 6 0 4 0 1 1
WILLIAMS C 36 7-9 1-2 5 7 12 1 3 0 1 15
IVERSON G 44 10-19 10-17 3 4 7 6 2 2 5 35
STACKHOUSE G 36 8-14 7-12 0 4 4 5 3 2 2 28
HARRIS 13 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
CAGE 11 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
OVERTON 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
DAVIS 18 2-7 0-2 1 2 3 3 4 2 1 4
BRADTKE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MACLEAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALTERS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-71 24-43 13 25 38 19 19 7 16 101
(.465) (.558) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 16(24 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 37 10-17 6-7 2 3 5 3 6 0 0 28
OAKLEY F 35 4-8 1-2 3 4 7 3 4 3 1 9
EWING C 41 12-23 2-6 3 12 15 2 4 1 2 26
HOUSTON G 30 2-10 2-2 0 1 1 6 4 0 0 7
WARD G 29 5-7 0-0 1 2 3 6 6 1 3 12
STARKS 24 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 5 9
H WILLIAMS 6 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
BROOKS 15 1-2 0-0 2 2 4 0 6 0 0 2
B WILLIAMS 14 0-1 0-0 2 3 5 0 1 1 1 0
WALLACE 8 1-5 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 2
JENT 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-81 13-19 14 28 42 22 34 7 14 97
(.481) (.684) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 15(20 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 30 19 23 29 - 101
NEW YORK 26 20 28 23 - 97
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - COLEMAN. NEW YORK - EWING 2, JOHNSON, WARD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 11-19 (.579), COLEMAN 1-3, IVERSON 5-9,
STACKHOUSE 5-5, HARRIS 0-1, DAVIS 0-1. NEW YORK 6-15 (.400), JOHNSON 2-6,
HOUSTON 1-5, WARD 2-2, STARKS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, MONTY MCCUTCHEN, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 19,763. T - 2:20.
PHILADELPHIA (101) AT NEW YORK (97)
Rookie Allen Iverson scored 25 of his season-high 35 points in
the second half and made a key steal in the final minute as the
Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks, 101-97, for
their first win at Madison Square Garden in nearly three years.
In a game that featured 17 ties and 15 lead changes, Iverson
showed veteran composure. He used his tremendous quickness to
foul out both of New York's point guards in the fourth quarter,
when he scored 10 points and corraled two crucial loose balls.
"Solid, solid performance by Alan, just in terms of composure,
pushing the ball forward and creating the tempo we talked
about," Philadelphia coach Johnny Davis said. "He's learning
every game and every possession, he did a real nice job for us."
Derrick Coleman's two free throws gave Philadelphia a 97-95 lead
with 51 seconds left and Iverson grabbed a pass that bounced off
the hands of John Starks. He was fouled and made one free throw
for a 98-95 lead with 38 seconds to go.
"I think I already proved that I should be on this level,"
Iverson said. "Now what I'm trying to do is win. Whatever the
team needs me to do, whatever the coaches want me to do --
that's what I try to do. I don't try to go out there and
impress."
Iverson was asked if he thought anybody could guard him.
"I don't think so, when my jumper is on, I can pretty much do
whatever I want. But when the junmper is on, it's hard to stop
anybody in this league."
The Knicks tried three three-pointers on their next possession,
including two by Larry Johnson, who led New York with 28 points.
But all three missed and Iverson grabbed the rebound. He added
another free throw with five seconds left.
Jerry Stackhouse scored 28 points for Philadelphia, which won at
New York for the first time since January 23rd, 1994, snapping a
five-game losing streak at the Garden. Scott Williams had 15
points and 12 rebounds and Coleman added 14 points as the Sixers
won their third straight game overall.
"Scott played terrific," Davis said. "He took Ewing on. That's
a colossal test as you know and he didn't back down."
Patrick Ewing had 26 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who
are 4-0 on the road but 1-2 at home. New York had won 24 of its
previous 29 games against Philadelphia.
"In games like this you have to win despite your struggles,"
Ewing said. "Whether you're struggling or not, we should've won
this game. Alan Iverson is a great player, but this loss is on
us."
Iverson made two free throws and Stackhouse hit a three-pointer
to give Philadelphia a 93-89 lead with 3:04 remaining. But
Charles Oakley made a foul shot and, after Coleman missed two
free throws, Johnson tied the game with a three-pointer with
1:50 to play.
"On the coast, we got away with a lot because we didn't play
with that much intensity," New york's Alan Houston said. "But
you can't afford to do that when you play a team that's
explosive. Against a team like Philly, you have to play great
individual defense because they are so good at penetrating and
kicking out to an open man. Especially a guy like Iverson, he's
so dangerous because he handles the ball. He's not just a
scoreer, he's a good passer."
Iverson made two more free throws before Ewing tied it for the
last time at 95-95 with 1:21 left. Philadelphia was 14-of-26
from the line in the final period.
Iverson had three three-pointers and 15 points in the third
quarter, which featured seven ties and five lead changes.
Stackhouse, who was coming off a career-high 36 points against
Phoenix on Saturday, scored 17 in the first half as the Sixers
grabbed a 49-46 lead. Johnson kept the Knicks close with 15
points.
"I don't think I was in a slump, I was getting the shots I
wanted, I had been starting off taking jumpers," Stackhouse
said. "Tonight I tried to get myself something going to the
basket, those kind of shots build your confidence."
Late in the first half, Iverson went in for a breakaway layup
and was pushed into the basket support by Oakley, who was
assessed a flagrant foul. Iverson came up holding his right
elbow but stayed in the game.
nba.1443vpoznanovic,
PHOENIX (89) AT MILWAUKEE (99) - FINAL IN OT
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 38 4-7 0-0 1 5 6 3 6 1 2 9
MANNING F 40 10-17 2-4 4 6 10 3 6 0 2 22
KLEINE C 17 2-3 0-0 0 5 5 0 0 0 2 4
CASSELL G 37 11-18 6-7 1 2 3 7 6 2 9 30
PERSON G 26 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 2 6
TISDALE 8 0-4 0-2 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
NASH 15 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 0 0 2
FINLEY 35 3-9 1-1 3 4 7 1 1 2 1 8
GREEN 21 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 1 0 0 0 2
CHAPMAN 28 3-13 0-0 1 2 3 3 1 1 0 6
BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 38-89 9-14 10 30 40 22 22 7 19 89
(.427) (.643) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 19(28 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 48 13-25 5-7 5 7 12 3 3 2 3 32
ROBINSON F 41 8-19 4-4 3 2 5 2 3 1 6 20
LANG C 15 1-5 0-0 2 1 3 1 0 0 1 2
DOUGLAS G 26 0-2 0-0 1 2 3 3 1 1 0 0
ALLEN G 42 9-19 4-6 1 7 8 3 1 2 1 23
NEWMAN 19 1-4 2-2 1 0 1 1 2 2 0 4
PERRY 27 2-4 1-2 1 0 1 4 1 0 1 5
GILLIAM 36 5-14 3-3 8 14 22 0 0 0 3 13
WOLF 5 0-2 0-0 0 5 5 0 1 0 0 0
HANCOCK 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WOOD 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 39-95 19-24 22 38 60 17 12 8 15 99
(.411) (.792) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(17 PTS)
PHOENIX 27 16 27 16 3 - 89
MILWAUKEE 27 18 16 25 13 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - HORRY 4. MILWAUKEE - BAKER 5, ROBINSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 4-18 (.222), HORRY 1-2, CASSELL 2-6, PERSON
0-2, NASH 0-1, FINLEY 1-3, CHAPMAN 0-4. MILWAUKEE 2-9 (.222), BAKER 1-2,
DOUGLAS 0-1, ALLEN 1-5, PERRY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: MILWAUKEE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 4.
OFFICIALS: DERRICK STAFFORD, BILL OAKES, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 13,565. T - 2:25.
PHOENIX (89) AT MILWAUKEE (99) - FINAL IN OT
Vin Baker scored five of his 32 points in overtime and Armon
Gilliam added a career-high 22 rebounds as the the Milwaukee
Bucks defeated the winless Phoenix Suns, 99-89.
The win was the first for Milwaukee (5-1) over Phoenix since
March 5th, 1991, snapping an 11-game losing streak in the
series. The Suns (0-7) have lost eight straight dating back to
the final game last season.
"We went out tonight against a team that's strong and we knew
they were going to throw their best stuff at us," said Bucks
coach Chris Ford. "We got big play out of Vin Baker, Armon
Gilliam and Ray Allen. It was a great team win."
Michael Finley's three-point play accounted for all the Suns'
points in overtime. Then, with 3:36 to go, Baker scored five of
the Milwaukee's final eight points on a jumper and a
three-pointer. Glenn Robinson and Allen added four points each
in overtime.
Sam Cassell had 30 points for Phoenix, which needs two more
losses to tie the worst start in franchise history. The Suns
began the season with nine straight defeats in 1985-86.
"When you're going bad, you're going bad," said Phoenix coach
Cotton Fitzsimmons. "We played hard but couldn't get it done.
This was a game we deserved to win."
Baker and Robinson, who entered the game with a combined 43.6
average, totaled 52 points. Allen, acquired in a draft day
trade with Minnesota, hit 9-of-19 shots en route to a
career-high 23 points.
"We believed in ourselves in training camp," he said. "We're
becoming a better team. Now we know we can pull off the close
games which gives us confidence on the road."
The Bucks won depsite hitting just 41 percent of their shots
(39-for-95). Milwaukee had a 60-40 rebounding edge, including a
22-10 advantage on the offensive boards.
"I was forunate enough to get some offensive rebounds that kind
of fell in my direction," said Gilliam, who also scored 13
points. "Tonight was my night to see just what I could do. I'm
just going to go out each night and fill the void."
Danny Manning added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns.
nba.1444vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (97) AT MINNESOTA (100)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALLACE F 32 4-8 7-8 2 5 7 0 5 1 2 15
C ROBINSON F 42 4-12 3-4 1 2 3 4 2 1 3 14
SABONIS C 22 3-5 1-2 3 5 8 6 1 1 1 8
RIDER G 39 8-21 2-4 0 4 4 1 0 1 3 22
ANDERSON G 36 2-12 11-14 1 1 2 8 4 3 1 15
TRENT 10 3-4 0-0 3 2 5 0 0 0 2 6
MCKIE 21 1-5 2-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 5
DUDLEY 25 3-6 0-3 1 6 7 1 5 0 1 6
WINGFIELD 12 2-4 2-3 2 1 3 1 2 0 0 6
BUTLER 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-78 28-40 13 28 41 21 20 7 13 97
(.385) (.700) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 14(12 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GUGLIOTTA F 41 7-19 11-18 3 8 11 6 3 3 5 26
K GARNETT F 39 9-13 2-2 5 6 11 5 2 4 3 20
VRANKOVIC C 11 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 4
WEST G 28 4-9 2-2 1 1 2 0 6 0 0 10
PORTER G 36 4-7 8-10 2 4 6 8 4 0 3 18
PARKS 11 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 2
MITCHELL 27 6-14 0-1 1 2 3 2 4 0 0 13
ROBINSON 22 1-6 1-4 0 3 3 3 4 0 2 3
CARR 10 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
HEAL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D GARRETT 14 1-2 0-0 2 3 5 0 4 1 1 2
MARBURY DNP - DID NOT DRESS
TOTALS 240 36-79 24-37 15 29 44 25 32 8 15 100
(.456) (.649) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 15(17 PTS)
PORTLAND 20 24 27 26 - 97
MINNESOTA 25 26 28 21 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - C ROBINSON 2, WALLACE, SABONIS, ANDERSON.
MINNESOTA - K GARNETT 3, GUGLIOTTA 3, VRANKOVIC 2, D GARRETT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 9-21 (.429), C ROBINSON 3-7, SABONIS 1-1,
RIDER 4-8, ANDERSON 0-2, MCKIE 1-2, BUTLER 0-1. MINNESOTA 4-8 (.500),
GUGLIOTTA 1-1, WEST 0-1, PORTER 2-4, MITCHELL 1-1, CARR 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - WALLACE, RIDER, ILLEGAL DEFENSE, MINNESOTA -
ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: KEN MAUER, BLANE REICHELT, PAUL MIHALAK.
A - 14,107. T - 2:32.
PORTLAND (97) AT MINNESOTA (100)
Tom Gugliotta scored 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and hit a
free throw with eight seconds remaining as the Minnesota
Timberwolves held off a late charge by the Portland Trail
Blazers for a 100-97 victory.
Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 11 rebounds and Terry Porter
had 18 points and eight assists for Minnesota (3-3), which
defeated Portland for the first time in 16 games.
Gugliotta has led the Timberwolves in scoring in every game.
"Our forwards were great," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders.
"Googs (Gugliotta) and K.G. (Garnett) played a great game. One
of the team's key is that we play with a lot of energy. We came
out with a lot of energy and that was important for us from the
standpoint of winning our home games."
Former Timberwolf Isaiah Rider had 22 points and Rasheed Wallace
added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Blazers, who had won
their last six at Minnesota and still lead the all-time series,
27-3.
"It was an important win for us tonight for the fact that we are
3-3 and not 2-4," said guard James Robinson. "As a team, we need
to start the season out well to carry the momentum throughout
the year."
The Timberwolves held a 98-94 lead with a minute to go as the
momentum shifted back and forth. Kenny Anderson stole the ball
from Gugliotta, was fouled by Porter with 57.8 remaining and hit
a free throw to bring Portland within three.
The Blazers tried to tie it on three seperate three-point
attempts as Rider missed the first and had the second blocked
and Cliff Robinson banged the third off the rim with 19.3
seconds to go.
"We did not do the things we should have," said Portland coach
P.J. Carlisimo. "They came out early and took control. In the
second half, we did a much better job of taking care of the
ball. The only quarter we played well on defense was the
fourth."
Porter opened a 99-95 lead on a free throw with nine seconds
remaining, but Dontonio Wingfield made one of two with 8.8 to go
to set the stage for Gugliotta's heroics. Portland had one
final opportunity when Porter fouled Anderson with 1.3 seconds
left. Anderson hit the first foul shot, but Gugliotta grabbed
the rebound on the second to seal the victory.
"The fast start helped them win this game," said Wallace. "It's
like we were in a daze. In the second half, we played better,
but it was too late."
It was the second straight heartstopper in a week between the
two teams. On Thursday, the Trail Blazers won a 95-94 thriller
in Portland when Anderson hit an awkward one-handed drive in the
lane as time ran out.
Minnesota center Stojko Vrankovic left with a right eye
contusion at 5:20 of the second quarter and did not return.
nba.1445vpoznanovic,
BULLETS' MURESAN ACTIVATED; EXPECTED TO START TONIGHT
Washington Bullets center Gheorghe Muresan has been activated from the
injured list and is expected to make his season debut tonight against
the Detroit Pistons.
The 7-foot-7 Muresan strained his right hip flexor over the summer and
missed all of training camp before being placed on the IL to start the
season. Room was made for him over the weekend when center Lorenzo
Williams was disabled with a knee injury.
Muresan was named the NBA's Most Improved Player last season when he
led the league in shooting percentage (58.4) and set career highs in
points (14.5), rebounds (9.6), blocked shots (2.26), assists (0.7) and
steals (0.68). The 25-year-old native of Romania improved his scoring
average by 4.5 per game, his rebounding average by 2.9 and his blocked
shots by 0.52.
nba.1446vpoznanovic,
WOLVES' MARBURY WILL NOT RETURN TONIGHT
Rookie point guard Stephon Marbury, who missed Minnesota's recent
four-game road trip due to a sprained right ankle, will not play
tonight when the Timberwolves host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Marbury continued to undergo treatment on the ankle Monday and a
decision to delay his return was made today.
Marbury suffered the injury in the first quarter of Minnesota's season
opener against San Antonio November 1st. He returned for a
three-minute stint in the third quarter of the Wolves' 82-78 victory,
but was forced to leave due to soreness in the ankle.
An MRI showed no damage to the ankle, but Marbury did not accompany
the team on the road trip in which the Timberwolves went 1-3.
Marbury, who led the Wolves in scoring (17.3) and assists (4.8) in the
pre-season, was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Milwaukee
Bucks and was traded to the Timberwolves on draft day.
Minnesota hosts Dallas on Thursday.
nba.1447vpoznanovic,
Hawks placed Henderson on the injured list
Atlanta Hawks forward Alan Henderson, who has missed the entire season
because of gastrointestinal flu, was placed on the injured list
Tuesday as doctors struggle to find the cause of his ailment.
Dr. Milton Frank, the team physician, said Henderson's condition is
similar to gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the intestinal tract,
and is complicated by a mild inflammation of the pancreas.
The Hawks dressed only nine players for an 87-83 victory over
Cleveland on Tuesday. Steve Smith, Ken Norman and Priest Lauderdale
also missed the game because of injuries.
nba.1448vpoznanovic,
Walker activated; Strickland on IR
DALLAS (Nov 12, 1996 - 20:18 EST) -- The Dallas Mavericks activated
first-round pick Samaki Walker from the injured list Wednesday.
To make room for him on the roster, the Mavericks placed undrafted
rookie guard Erick Strickland on the injured list. He has a strained
left shoulder.
Dallas made the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Walker the ninth overall pick in
last summer's draft, but have yet to see the forward play because of a
problem in his right quadricep.
Walker, who left Louisville after two seasons, will become the
youngest player in team history when he debuts.
Strickland must miss five games while recovering from the injury he
suffered in a preseason game Oct. 16. He's scored four points in 15
minutes over two games this season.
nba.1449vpoznanovic,
Pistons activate Reid, place Williams on injured list
DETROIT (Nov 12, 1996 - 21:48 EST) -- The Detroit Pistons on Tuesday
activated forward/center Don Reid and placed rookie forward Jerome
Williams on the injured reserve with a sprained wrist.
Reid was placed on the injured list on Oct. 31, after undergoing
arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 12 to repair ligaments in his left knee.
He did not play in the preseason and has not played in the regular
season to date.
Reid played 69 games for the Pistons in 1996-97 season, starting 46
times. The Pistons were 30-16 in games that Reid started at center.
Williams will stay on the injured list for at least five games.
nba.1450vpoznanovic,
Spurs-Jazz game rescheduled for April
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 12, 1996 - 17:18 EST) -- The Utah Jazz game
against San Antonio that was postponed because of a damaged floor has
been rescheduled for April 7 at the Delta Center.
The game was postponed Monday by NBA officials out of concern for
players' safety. Edges of the sectioned hardwood floor were sticking
up as high as one-eighth of an inch in more than 30 places, according
to Jazz spokesman Nathan Kirkham.
The team said on Tuesday the NBA had rescheduled the game to April 7
at 7 p.m. Wednesday's game against Sacramento will be played as
scheduled on a previous Jazz floor, which will be installed that
morning.
nba.1451vpoznanovic,
AROUND THE NBA: Riley gets his 800th win
(Nov 12, 1996 - 10:36 EST) -- As the victory total mounts, Pat Riley's
place in basketball history rises with it. Miami's win over Indiana
last weekend was the 800th of his coaching career. He became the ninth
pro coach -- we count Larry Brown's combination of ABA and NBA
victories, though the NBA doesn't -- to reach that number.
Even more impressive is his .702 winning percentage -- second in
league history only to Phil Jackson's .721 -- and his 137 playoff
victories, most in league annals by far.
Still, skeptics point out that Riley has been lucky. What if his first
head coaching opportunity had come with an expansion team? Would he
have turned out to be Bill Musselman or Dick Harter?
He inherited a Los Angeles Lakers team with Magic Johnson and Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, won four championships, then had the clout to call his
own shot, moving first to New York, where Patrick Ewing was in
residence, and then to Miami, where, with total control of the
organization, he swung a series of deals to remake the team.
His pile of playoff victories is a product not only of these great
players, but of the vast expansion of the league and playoffs since
Red Auerbach's day. Auerbach won 38 fewer playoff games, but that was
all he needed to earn nine championships, more than twice as many as
Riley.
For the skeptics, it is fitting that Riley's gaudy winning percentage,
fashioned mostly with those Showtime teams of the '80s, has now been
surpassed by Jackson's, who had arguably even greater good fortune to
get his coaching break with a team that included Michael Jordan.
It is the Miami team that will be the best gauge of Riley's ability.
He inherited nothing there. Now he has Alonzo Mourning, but only
because he engineered the trade to get him. He was just a little too
contemptuous of league rules in manipulating the salary cap to sign
Juwan Howard last summer, and that's why the league nullified the
deal.
But the Heat has played well in the early going. If Miami turns into a
contender, it will be solely on his account.
At his most introspective, even Riley admits to thinking sometimes
that he is an accidental legend.
"It's gone by very fast," he said. "I've seen Earvin retire, Kareem
retire. The four years I spent in New York were probably the hardest
years I worked in my life. Now I'm here with a new franchise. I walk
around sometimes in my house and say, 'What am I doing here?"'
* * *
PARENTAL RIGHTS: In a world in which coaches no longer can tell
players anything, parents may have the only influence left. Last
season, Isaiah Rider's mother had to rush out onto the floor in
Minnesota to quiet one of her son's tantrums.
Last week, after shooting .424 and averaging five rebounds in his
first two games, Chris Webber found a message on his answering machine
from his father, Mayce.
"He said, 'I don't want to criticize your game,' and he has never told
me anything about my game before, not one time in my whole life," said
Webber. "By him watching our first two games, he said it seemed
different, that I needed to turn up the effort."
The next night, Webber registered 22 points and a career-best 21
rebounds against the Spurs.
"When I first heard (the message), my reaction was one of pride. I
said, 'C'mon, I'm giving everything. I haven't played in a while,"'
Webber said. "Then I thought, 'He's right.' When I got out, I knew I
was going to give everything."
Hmmm. Wonder why Bullets coach Jimmy Lynam never thought of that.
* * *
BRAINS OF THE OPERATION: When Brent Price broke his elbow in
preseason, most analysts figured the Rockets would sign Spud Webb or
trade for another established point guard to-run their high-powered
offense. But coach Rudy Tomjanovich says he likes his three-headed
rookie in the spot for now -- starter Matt Maloney, who shoots threes;
Randy Livingston, who penetrates; and Emanual Davis, who plays
defense.
With offensive stars Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde
Drexler, all accomplished passers, the Rockets, like the Bulls with
Jordan and Scottie Pippen, don't think they need a traditional point
guard.
* * *
AROUND THE LEAGUE: In Tokyo, where the Magic and Nets played a
two-game series last week, Orlando players visited a Buddhist temple
and were each given a small packet said to contain Buddha. They were
told it would provide good luck for their games against New Jersey.
One catch: Nets players toured the same temple and got the same gift
Dennis Johnson, passed over for induction into the Hall of Fame last
year, is back on the ballot this year, but says he's not losing sleep
over it. "After I didn't get in last year, I learned that I don't need
anything to solidify my career," he said. "Would I still like it? Yes.
But if I don't, I won't cry. And I won't sit on the edge of my seat
waiting. I mean that." Johnson was a five-time All-Star, nine-time
all-defensive team selection and three-time NBA champion.
Here's what the Bulls' Ron Harper, an accomplished defensive guard,
had to say about Sixers rookie Allen Iverson: "The kid can flat-out
play. All the hype about him is true. I've played Anfernee Hardaway
and all the guards out west, and there's nobody as quick as him. The
kid is going to be something special. When he learns how to play the
game -- whew! -- I hope I'm retired by then."
Don't look now, but the Milwaukee Bucks are trying to play defense.
Coach Chris Ford's favorite stat is defensive field goal percentage,
and his team's .437 mark helped explain its 3-0 start ... With Shawn
Bradley now well-established in his role as a bust, the rumor mill has
him being shipped home to Utah, in hopes that's where his game is. But
he makes $5.1 million, and the Jazz isn't giving up any front-line
players, which makes it hard to do ... Suns tickets, once a hot item,
are cooling quickly with the departure of Barkley. Ticket brokers, who
routinely bought up any available tickets to sold-out America West
Arena, are buying only for the lone Bulls game this season.
* * *
TO TELL THE TRUTH: Houston's Charles Barkley, on his suburban digs: "I
live so far out of town, I feel like I'm on the Ponderosa. The other
day, I saw Hoss and Little Joe and Ben Cartwright behind my house."
-- The Clippers' Brent Barry on the rehabilitation of his sprained
left thumb: "I did some work with some silly putty. I think I was
supposed to squeeze the silly putty, but I kept making impressions of
the newspaper comics."
-- Blazers president Bob Whitsitt on police allegations Isaiah Rider
was found smoking marijuana from a soda can in a parked car by an
Oregon highway: "I'm not saying it's good, but there are different
degrees of bad."
* * *
NUMBERS: 72 points by the Utah Jazz in a loss to Houston on Monday,
eradicating the franchise record of 74 set in its first game in 1974,
when the team was in New Orleans.
-- 33 rebounds by Charles Barkley in his return to Phoenix, three more
than the entire Suns team.
-- 30 points by rookie Allen Iverson in his pro debut, most ever by a
Sixer in his first game. Previous best: Jerry Stackhouse, 27, last
year. The pro debuts of some who went on to be stars: Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, 29; Elvin Hayes, 25; Oscar Robertson, 21; Michael
Jordan, 16; Larry Bird, 14.
-- The Lakers' Kobe Bryant became the youngest player ever to set foot
in an NBA game at 18 years, two months and 11 days, beating out
Stanley Brown (18 years, four months), Bill Willoughby (18 years, five
months) and Darryl Dawkins (18 years, nine months). Bryant won't hold
the mark long. Jermaine O'Neal of the Trail Blazers, currently on the
injured list, is seven weeks younger.
nba.1452vpoznanovic,
It's a boy for Nets coach
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Nov 12, 1996 - 23:30 EST) -- New Jersey Nets
coach John Calipari and his wife may have themselves a power forward.
Calipari's wife Ellen gave birth Monday to their third child,
10-pound, 7-ounce Bradley Vincent Calipari, at Valley Hospital in
Ridgewood.
The baby arrived two days after the Nets returned from a team trip to
Japan, which Calipari missed so he could be with his expecting wife.
"Mother and child are doing well," said Nets spokesman John Mertz.
Calipari said the baby was not named after the team's center Shawn
Bradley or recently traded swingman Vincent Askew. Rather, Calipari
said, his wife chose the name Bradley, and the name Vincent came from
his father.
The Caliparis have two other children, both girls.
Calipari signed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Nets in
June to be coach and head of basketball operations. He spent the
previous eight years at the University of Massachusetts, leading the
Minutemen to a 193-71 record and a berth in the NCAA Final Four last
season.
nba.1453vpoznanovic,
Raptors waive Benjamin
TORONTO (Nov 12, 1996 - 20:18 EST) -- Center Benoit Benjamin was
waived Tuesday by the Toronto Raptors, the NBA team announced.
Benjamin, who was signed as a free agent by the Raptors on Oct. 11,
averaged 3.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 11 minutes in four games this
season. The 7-foot center was a starter in three of his four
appearances.
The Raptors' active roster now stands at 11.
nba.1454vpoznanovic,
McCaw takes over control of Canucks, Grizzlies
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Nov 12, 1996 - 23:18 EST) -- Seattle
businessman John McCaw Jr. has taken over full control of the
Vancouver Canucks and Grizzlies.
The chairman of Orca Bay, the company that controls the NHL and NBA
teams plus GM Place arena, had been a partner with Arthur Griffiths,
whose family bought control of the Canucks in the '70s.
McCaw agreed Tuesday to purchase all remaining shares in Orca Bay held
by Griffiths, giving him full control of the two franchises as well as
the arena.
With the financial help of McCaw, a childhood friend, Griffiths
brought the NBA to Vancouver last year in a new arena that also housed
the Canucks.
"Arthur set out with a dream and accomplished both of those goals,"
McCaw said. "I hope people don't lose sight of those accomplishments
taken at great personal risk."
McCaw said Griffiths came to him this week about a buyout and "looking
for a way to diversify his holdings."
Griffiths originally had an estimated 40 percent stake in Orca Bay,
but media reports had his share dropping as low as 10 percent in
recent months. McCaw and Griffiths both refused to disclose details of
the transaction.
McCaw immediately named Griffiths vice chairman and alternate governor
of both franchises.
McCaw now owns 100 percent of Orca Bay Arena Ltd., 100 percent of Orca
Bay Basketball Ltd. and 72 percent of Northwest Sports Enterprises
Ltd., which owns the Canucks. McCaw also has the right to acquire an
additional 14 percent of outstanding shares in Northwest Sports.
Orca Bay also owns the Vancouver VooDoo of Roller Hockey International
and is a partner of the Greater Vancouver Open on the PGA Tour.
nba.1455vpoznanovic,
Coming home again not the same for Cheaney
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 12, 1996 - 08:48 EST) -- No roar, just applause that
is barely beyond polite. The heart strings are still connected, but
they pull harder in one direction, and softer in another.
Calbert Cheaney is introduced into an NBA starting lineup in Indiana,
but it is for the Washington Bullets and not the Indiana Pacers.
Enough time has passed. The fans put their hands together, but are
careful not to offend Dale Davis, much less Reggie Miller.
Cheaney is Indiana University's and the Big Ten's all-time leading
scorer. He was college basketball's national player of the year as a
senior. He still wears No. 40. But, somehow, things just don't add up
the same.
Time and circumstance have moved his place. He is, almost suddenly,
the relatively distant IU star who now comes into Market Square Arena
to try and beat the Pacers.
But understand: When he was a rookie, the Pacers knew nothing of
pulsating playoff runs. Then, the place went wild for Calbert Cheaney
like Indiana was about to play Michigan for the Big Ten championship.
Now, Cheaney starts his fourth season in Bullet red. They still love
Calbert, but it's more like the love for a member of your extended
family. It used to be like the love for a son.
Playing for IU was another life. Hated Wolverines Chris Webber and
Juwan Howard are now Cheaney's family -- and perhaps will be for many
years to come. And the formerly detestable Jalen Rose -- Michigan's
main mouth -- is a supposed good guy in Indiana white.
But it gets stranger still.
Somebody named Fred Hoiberg, who is somebody short, somebody with
close blond hair, somebody who never was better as an eighth grader
than Steve Alford was as an IU senior, comes off the Pacers' bench --
Damon Bailey's hypothetical job -- and gets a louder cheer than
Calbert Cheaney.
Yes, they just go corn-shucking mad for those former Iowa State
Cyclones here in Hoosierland. Once the Pacemates start dancing and
Boomer starts bouncing off his trampoline, they'll cheer any and all
things Pacer -- make some noise, Fred HoIberg's in the game!
So guess what? Calbert Cheaney isn't breathless when he comes home to
play basketball. He leaves his 20 free passes for family and friends,
battles Reggie Miller for a night, earns Reggie's praise -- "He was
forcing me into situations where I couldn't shoot" -- and then catches
a late dinner, a plane, and a couple of days later he and two-fifths
of the Fab Five do it again with the Detroit Pistons.
Bob Knight screams, Calbert Cheaney doesn't hear him, and life goes
on.
Glad you're home, Calbert, but save your points for somebody else, OK?
"Just another game," Cheaney said before going out and scoring 10 and
holding Miller to 16 in a 103-100 overtime loss. "See some family,
some friends, and that's good, but it's just normal."
What isn't normal is losing. That's what Cheaney's been doing for
three years. The last time the Bullets had a winning record -- the
1986-87 season -- Cheaney was in high school in Evansville, Ind. This
is the side effect of being the No. 6 pick overall in the 1993 NBA
Draft: You join a team that just lost 60 games, and will lose 58, 61,
and 43 games in the first half of your six-year contract.
This doesn't happen to Fred Hoiberg.
"You just have to be patient," said Cheaney. "You grow up winning all
the time and it's kind of disappointing" losing all the time.
Probably, those days are going, going, gone. Howard was an all-star
last year, and Webber is just one healthy season away from becoming
one, too. Which is why in August when the Bullets signed Howard to a
contract that runs through the 2002-2003 season, coach Jim Lynam said:
"I'm looking forward to this season more than anything I have ever
done in my whole life."
With Saturday's defeat -- a game the Bullets really should have won
--they are 2-3. But more telling, they're committed to a nucleus of
forwards Webber and Howard, guards Cheaney and Rod Strickland, and 7-7
center Gheorghe Muresan.
Losing doesn't have to be normal. They will win some of the close
ones, too.
"If we learn from one another, we can be very good," Cheaney said. "If
we can get that right, the sky's the limit for our team."
His team, the Washington Bullets. Three cheers for Fred Hoiberg and
Iowa State.
nba.1456vpoznanovic,
Chaney tutors Knicks Kids
He has done just about everything there is to do in the NBA, but even
Don Chaney has to admit that his new role with the New York Knicks is
a little "out of the ordinary."
Chaney, who was synonymous with defensive excellence during his
12-year NBA career and later captured a Coach of the Year award during
his nine-year head-coaching tenure, is now responsible for grooming
the Knicks Kids: rookies John Wallace, Walter McCarty and Dontae
Jones.
"I'm the babysitter," Chaney says with a laugh.
Life in the NBA is difficult, and no one knows that better than
Chaney, who played for two of history's most glorified teams -- the
Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers -- and coached some of the most
insipid -- the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit Pistons (post-Isiah
Thomas Era).
So when the Knicks' front office and coaching staff pulled off one of
the greatest draft heists in history by snagging the equivalent of
three Top 10 picks with the 18th, 19th and 21st selections, the
organization figured it needed a top-flight, experienced NBA man to
bring these players along.
The call went to Chaney, who has spent 28 of his 50 years on earth in
the NBA and was a member of two world champion Celtic teams, 1969 and
1974.
"I love it," Chaney says of working with the kids. "They're great guys
and are willing to learn, see their mistakes and adjust to improve."
Chaney pulls the three rookies together at least three times a week to
review film of their most recent performances. "At first I thought
it'd be tough to get them all to sit down and watch tape, but they
look forward to it."
Even if one of the players hasn't played in the previous game -- and
Jones has been out all season with a bad foot -- the trio meets
regardless.
"That's because they found they can still all learn from each other,"
says Chaney. "Even if only one guy plays and makes mistakes, they can
all benefit."
Predictably, it's been Wallace who has adjusted the quickest to the
NBA lifestyle.
"That's mainly because he's played the most," Chaney says. "He's
really come a long way in a short period of time. He struggled badly
in summer camp. He had a lot of weaknesses we were aware of, but we
were unaware they were so bad. His defense was really bad, but he's
improved, and I believe it's partly because of the film critiquing
we've done.
"Offensively he's been tremendous. He's given us tremendous energy on
the offensive end. To me, the most important thing for a rookie to
learn is what he can and can't do. John has and he's benefited from
it."
Chaney is still stunned the Knicks were able to grab Wallace with the
18th pick in the draft.
"We were just lucky that other teams, for some reason, were afraid of
him," he says. "We were a little hesitant because we didn't know what
we were getting. But we're elated with him, his attitude, his work
ethic.
"He's going to be a super player. He's easily a Top 10 pick."
While Wallace has been stellar on offense, McCarty has been brilliant
on defense.
"They're complete opposites as far as their strengths go," Chaney
says. "So just from that respect, they've helped each other improve on
their weaknesses."
Wallace, who scored in double figures in each of the Knicks' first
five games, has come along so rapidly, "he points out his mistakes
before I do," Chaney says. "That's amazed me. That shows how much he
cares and how much he wants to learn."
nba.1457schef,
=- CHARLOTTE (97) AT MIAMI (105)
DIVAC C 38 11-17 0-0 2 11 13 2 5 2 4 22
Bogami :) ovu je Divac odlično odigrao. ;) Šta se bre bunite na njega? :)
Možda je imao motivaciju protiv Danilovića? ;)
DANILOVIC G 29 6-9 4-5 0 3 3 2 4 1 0 17
A i Saša mu ne ostade dužan. :) Uostalom, Miami je pobedio. ;)
nba.1458basrak,
> Meni ovako savršeno odgovara, jer su poruke savršeno pregledne.
> Mnogo preglednije nego da skidam fajl pa da ga onda pregledam.
>
> Uz to, u SORu imam mogućnost i da sačuvam poruke koje me
> zanimaju, dok u onom slučaj to ne bih mogao.
Telegram podrške i od mene ;) iz istih razloga.
Ako mislite da me to sve zanima, onda se varate jer u 99% slučajeva čitam samo
one tekstove i izveštaje sa utakmica u kojima igraju naši i ex-naši košarkaši
(ne računajući rezultate koje onako skipujući sve pogledam). Šta me ne zanima,
lupim zvezdicu, a šta me zanima pročitam, a ponekad i ostavim. Mislim da je
tako lakše nego da se iz fajla čupa ono što ti treba, naročito ako želiš nešto
od svega toga i da ostaviš...
nba.1459dizel,
** A gde je Đorđević, je l' igra on uopšte...?
Povređen! Neće igrati 4-5 nedelja.
nba.1460vpoznanovic,
Eh, šta su ti moderne komunikacije... Internet... :) Dragi moji
Sezamovci, evo ja se upravo vratio sa razgovora s Magicom Johnsonom. :)
Bio je to "live from Atlanta" razgovor preko IRC-a, u kojem je Magic, u
svom debitantskom nastupu, iz nekog od studija CNN-a čitav sat odgovarao
na pitanja zainteresovanih iz cijelog svijeta. Nažalost, upao sam pred
sam kraj, tek da naslutim o čemu je bilo riječi i da osjetim atmosferu.
U trenutku kad sam se uključio bila su 122 korisnika na kanalu, a do
kraja se broj samo povećavao. Chat je bio moderisan, tako da se pitanja
nisu mogla postavljati direktno, već isključivo preko moderatora,
novinara sportske redakcije CNN-a, Freda Hickmana, koji će, uzgred budi
rečeno, biti jedan od glavnih voditelja 24-časovnog sportskog programa
pod nazivom CNN/SI, koji počinje u decembru ove godine.
Uglavnom, ono što sam uspio čuti pomalo me iznenadilo. Zapravo, način na
koji je Magic odgovarao za mene je bio neočekivan. Izgleda da je u
čitavom razgovoru bilo prisutno dosta emocija (onaj dio koji sam slušao,
a u kojem je govorio o starim vremenima, bio je vrlo sentimentalan), koje
su sigurno bile izazvane dobro smišljenim pitanjima. Možda i griješim,
možda je ostatak razgovora protekao u drugačijem tonu, ali takav je bio
utisak koji sam ja stekao. Nekome tu možda neće biti ništa neobično,
čovjek na kraju krajeva već godinama boluje od neizlječive bolesti, ali
ja sam do sada uglavnom navikao da ga viđam nasmijanog i spremnog za
šalu, a i nekako mi takvo raspoloženje ne priliči razgovoru putem takvog
medija, pred više od stotinu, mahom mlađih slušalaca.
Žao mi je što vam ovom prilikom ne mogu prenijeti ništa konkretno, bio
sam premalo prisutan da bih mogao da napravim neki rezime onoga o čemu je
Magic govorio. Očekivao sam da će moderator na kraju dati obavještenje
gdje će se na Webu moći naći transcript razgovora, što je česta praksa
kad su u pitanju takva dešavanja na IRC-u, ali nažalost ništa slično nisu
spomenuli. Dali su samo dvije adrese na kojima će se moći čuti u
RealAudio formatu.
Pokušao sam i nekoga da pitam da mi pošalje svoj log, ali se po završetku
stvorila takva gužva da je sve to bilo nemoguće pratiti. Za svega
nekoliko sekundi bi se napunio čitav ekran, tako da se sve nije moglo čak
ni pročitati u realnom vremenu. Bilo je tu raznih komentara... neki su
bili nezadovoljni što na njihova pitanja nije odgovoremo, drugi su bili
presrećni što na njihova jeste :), treći su lupetali kojekakve gluposti,
četvrti "lupali glavom o zid" što su pomiješali vremenske zone i
zakasnili. ;)
U svakom slučaju, ako na neki način nabavim razgovor u tekstualnom
obliku, poslaću ga.
nba.1461vpoznanovic,
ATLANTA (85) AT BOSTON (103)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LAETTNER F 36 11-15 2-4 4 9 13 8 2 3 4 27
CORBIN F 36 5-11 0-2 2 4 6 2 3 0 3 11
MUTOMBO C 30 2-3 2-4 1 7 8 3 2 0 4 6
BLAYLOCK G 12 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 3
BOYCE G 17 3-7 1-2 0 1 1 2 3 1 1 8
BARRY 38 5-13 3-4 2 3 5 5 2 4 4 17
BURTON 22 1-7 3-4 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 5
NEWBILL 18 1-3 0-0 3 2 5 0 2 1 2 2
RECASNER 31 2-13 1-2 2 0 2 2 1 0 5 6
ALSTON DNP - DID NOT DRESS
HENDERSON DNP - GASTROINTESTINAL FLU
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 31-76 12-22 14 27 41 24 18 10 25 85
(.408) (.545) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 27(32 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 28 6-12 0-0 1 6 7 6 3 0 5 15
WILLIAMS F 25 3-4 4-7 1 4 5 3 2 1 0 10
RADJA C 27 3-7 4-5 2 5 7 1 3 2 3 10
WESLEY G 40 7-12 0-0 1 1 2 5 4 3 3 16
FOX G 25 4-5 4-4 0 6 6 4 3 3 4 12
BARROS 33 7-15 0-0 0 1 1 4 0 2 3 18
DAY 17 2-10 0-0 4 2 6 1 2 0 1 4
CONLON 20 3-7 0-0 1 2 3 2 3 0 3 6
BRICKOWSKI 9 4-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 10
SZABO 10 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 0
DRIGGERS 6 0-1 2-2 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
ELLISON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-78 14-18 11 33 44 27 21 12 22 103
(.500) (.778) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 25(22 PTS)
ATLANTA 22 22 21 20 - 85
BOSTON 41 21 23 18 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - BOYCE 3, MUTOMBO, BURTON. BOSTON - WALKER, FOX,
BARROS, DRIGGERS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 11-27 (.407), LAETTNER 3-5, CORBIN 1-2,
BLAYLOCK 1-2, BOYCE 1-3, BARRY 4-6, BURTON 0-4, RECASNER 1-5. BOSTON 11-21
(.524), WALKER 3-5, WESLEY 2-4, BARROS 4-9, DAY 0-1, BRICKOWSKI 2-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, TOMMY NUNEZ, WOODY MAYFIELD.
A - 13,184. T - 2:00.
ATLANTA (85) AT BOSTON (103)
Dana Barros came off the bench to score 18 points, all in the
first half, and David Wesley added 16 as the Boston Celtics
defeated the Atlanta Hawks for the first time in seven attempts
with a 103-85 rout.
Rookie Antoine Walker tacked on 15 points for the Celtics, who
had lost 19 of their last 23 games against Atlanta. Boston
(2-4), which had lost four of its last five overall, held an
opponent under 100 points for just the second time this season,
winning both.
"That's my job to come off the bench and hit some shots," said
Barros. "It's like a snowball effect. We had it going in the
first half and just kept it going."
Christian Laettner scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and
handed out eight assists for the Hawks (4-4), who won all four
meetings with the Celtics last season and four of its last five
games overall this season.
Atlanta guard Mookie Blaylock, who is nursing a sore right ankle
played only 12 minutes. Blaylock's backcourt partner Steve
Smith, who leads the team with 19.2 points per game, has a
sprained ankle and did not accompany the team to Boston.
"They put the trap on us," said Laettner. "We didn't have our
starting guards out there and it showed. We needed to rely on
people coming off the bench. When people are down and injured,
you have to step up, we didn't do that tonight."
Laettner hit 11-of-15 from the field, but his teammates were not
nearly as accurate, connecting on just 20-of-61. Jon Barry had
17 points and five assists for the Hawks. Atlanta committed 25
turnovers.
"The Celtics tried to push the ball and they do a good job of
the that, so you've got to give them credit, said Hawks coach
Lenny Wilkens. "But what I can't take is the turnovers. We had
just way to many turnovers and that to me is intolerable,
because they're missed opportunities. Maybe its me, maybe I
expect a lot. I know Steve is not out there and I know Mookie
isn't there."
Laettner hit a jumper at 11:40 of the first period to open the
scoring and give Atlanta its only lead of the game. The Hawks
were within a basket at 10-8 when Boston went on a 17-6 run,
capped by Barros' three-pointer with 3:52 left. The Celtics
then closed out the period with a 9-0 burst to make it 41-22.
Barros also keyed a 13-3 second-quarter spurt that took it to
54-31 with 6:40 remaining in the half. Boston led 62-44 at
halftime.
We need to come out like we did tonight, every night," said
Boston coach M.L. Carr.
The Celtics put it away with a 12-5 run to open the second half
as Walker's layup made it 74-49 with 6:41 remaining. Barry's
three-pointer closed the Hawks to 82-65 with 58 seconds to go in
the period, but Atlanta got no closer in the second half.
nba.1462vpoznanovic,
DENVER (94) AT DETROIT (95) - FINAL IN OT
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 51 7-21 2-2 2 2 4 4 5 0 3 20
MCDYESS F 41 9-17 2-4 2 6 8 1 5 0 3 20
JOHNSON C 35 2-7 0-0 0 8 8 1 4 1 0 4
JACKSON G 41 5-11 2-3 3 4 7 13 1 1 2 15
STITH G 26 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 6
MURDOCK 13 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 1 0 4
MARCIULIONIS 21 3-5 2-2 0 0 0 4 3 3 4 10
HAMMONDS 26 1-4 4-4 1 6 7 0 2 0 0 6
HAM 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
PIERCE 8 2-5 2-2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7
MCINNIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 35-82 14-17 8 30 38 25 24 6 13 94
(.427) (.824) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(12 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 43 9-22 8-10 1 5 6 2 2 2 0 27
LONG F 34 2-10 3-6 6 3 9 2 3 1 2 7
THORPE C 45 7-15 1-1 6 8 14 1 2 0 4 15
HUNTER G 39 8-13 0-1 0 5 5 2 5 0 0 16
DUMARS G 45 6-11 3-3 0 3 3 5 2 1 2 17
REID 8 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 2
MILLS 19 2-4 0-0 1 5 6 0 3 1 1 6
CURRY 9 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
AUGMON 14 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 0
SMITH 9 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 5
MAHORN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RATLIFF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 37-86 15-21 15 31 46 14 21 5 11 95
(.430) (.714) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 13(12 PTS)
DENVER 14 21 27 26 6 - 94
DETROIT 16 21 32 19 7 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - JOHNSON 3, MCDYESS, HAMMONDS. DETROIT - HILL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 10-17 (.588), D ELLIS 4-10, JACKSON 3-4,
MARCIULIONIS 2-2, PIERCE 1-1. DETROIT 6-12 (.500), HILL 1-1, HUNTER 0-2,
DUMARS 2-3, MILLS 2-3, CURRY 0-1, SMITH 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, SCOTT FOSTER, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 13,717. T - 2:25.
DENVER (94) AT DETROIT (95) - FINAL IN OT
Grant Hill scored 27 points, including a pair of free throws
with 5.5 seconds left in overtime, to lead the Detroit Pistons
to a 95-94 victory over the Denver Nuggets for their sixth win
in seven games.
Hill took an inbound pass inside the paint and was fouled by
Antonio McDyess as he was taking a short jumper. After Hill
sank both shots, Bryant Stith tried to dribble through a
double-team team and lost the ball out of bounds.
"That was just a grind-it-out win," said Detroit coach Doug
Collins. "In the first half our guys were very sluggish. I
told our guys that when you look back on it at the end of the
season these are the kind of games you have to find a way to win
and we did."
Detroit is off to its best start since winning the first eight
game of the 1988-89 season, which ended with their first NBA
championship.
"We started out fast and we hope to keep it up," Hill said. "The
game tonight was not very pretty. It was almost playoff style,
a lot of defense and a lot of mistakes. I like to have the ball
in my hands at the end of the game. It feels like you can
control the outcome. It feels good that your teammates and
coaches are looking for you."
McDyess had 20 points and eight rebounds and Dale Ellis added 20
points as the Nuggets fell to 1-2 on their five-game road trip.
The game featured 17 lead changes and 12 ties.
"This is a pretty good basketball team," said Denver coach
Bernie Bickerstaff. "We're a good basketball team too but we
haven't realized that yet. Our mistakes our compounded. In the
first half especially, we played enthusiastic and energized."
McDyess made a layup to give the Nuggets a 90-88 lead 36 seconds
into the overtime. The Pistons tied it Lindsey Hunter's
10-footer with just over four minutes left. Neither team scored
until Hill made a free throw to give Detroit a 91-90 edge with
1:44 left.
"I knew Grant was tired at the end of the game when he was
pulling up and shooting jump shots," Collins said. "I thought
our initial defense was good in a lot of situations."
Mark Jackson tossed an alley-oop to McDyess, who dunked to give
the Nuggets a 92-91 edge with 1:32 to go. Jackson had 15 points
and 13 assists.
"We outplayed them down the stretch but some tough calls went
their way and not ours," Jackson said. "I've been on teams
where you get the calls and on some where they go against you.
It's very frustatating because this was our game to win. I
thought some of the calls tonight made a difference. We're
happy with the way we played. If we can play this well every
night, we'll beat a lot of teams."
Dumars made a 16-footer as the Pistons regained the lead, 93-92,
with 31 seconds left. Ellis returned and sank a six-footer over
Dumars for Denver's final lead with 19.7 seconds left.
Neither team had more than a four-point lead in the first half
and the Pistons held a 37-35 edge at the intermission.
"I played a lot of guys in the first half," Collins said. "I got
10 in hoping that I could buy some time."
Hill began and ended an 8-2 run as he made a 13-footer with 7:30
left in the fourth quarter to give the Pistons their biggest
lead of the game, 78-67. Sarunas Marciulionis made a layup and a
three-pointer that closed a 10-0 spurt and pulled the Nuggets
within 78-77 with 4:44 left.
Hill made two free throws with 4:22 left to give Detroit an
80-77 lead but Ellis answered with a jumper just 12 seconds
later.
A pair of free throws by Hill gave Detroit an 82-79 lead with
3:52 left in the fourth. Marciulionis sank a three-pointer to
tie the score, 82-82, at the three-minute mark. It was the
first time Denver tied the score since it was 29-29 with 2:39
left in the second.
Grant Long made a free throw to give Detroit an 83-82 edge with
2:45 remaining and Otis Thorpe's turnaround jumper made it a
three-point game with 1:40 left. The Nuggets tied the score
again as Jackson hit a three-pointer with 1:23 left. Dumars
answered with a three-pointer with 1:03 to go to give Detroit an
88-85 advantage.
Jackson made his third three-pointer of the game with 40.6
seconds remaining in regulation tying the score again. Hill
missed a 14-footer as time ran out.
nba.1463vpoznanovic,
LA LAKERS (83) AT SAN ANTONIO (95)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CEBALLOS F 34 2-7 0-0 2 1 3 2 2 1 1 4
CAMPBELL F 22 1-4 0-0 3 3 6 1 3 2 2 2
ONEAL C 37 11-15 8-11 4 6 10 1 2 0 6 30
JONES G 40 8-19 1-2 0 2 2 1 3 2 1 22
VAN EXEL G 34 1-8 0-0 0 2 2 8 2 0 6 2
SCOTT 23 2-4 5-6 0 3 3 4 2 1 2 10
ROOKS 4 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 0
FISHER 14 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 0 1 3
BLOUNT 15 1-3 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 0 1 2
BRYANT 6 2-2 1-1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 6
ROBINSON 9 1-7 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 2
KNIGHT 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 30-76 15-20 13 21 34 18 21 9 23 83
(.395) (.750) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 23(26 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 45 5-11 3-4 1 6 7 11 4 1 5 14
D WILKINS F 38 10-19 4-5 6 5 11 4 0 2 2 28
ANDERSON C 24 2-2 0-0 1 7 8 1 5 4 3 4
MAXWELL G 40 9-20 1-2 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 22
JOHNSON G 39 7-11 2-2 1 2 3 10 1 3 1 16
KEMPTON 13 0-1 0-0 1 2 3 1 0 0 3 0
M WILLIAMS 11 1-3 0-4 1 4 5 0 1 0 3 2
ALEXANDER 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0
HERRERA 21 4-7 1-2 4 2 6 0 4 2 0 9
DEL NEGRO DNP - LEFT KNEE AND ANKLE
W PERDUE DNP - LEFT THUMB
SMITH DNP - RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 38-75 11-19 15 28 43 29 19 13 20 95
(.507) (.579) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 22(14 PTS)
LA LAKERS 20 18 17 28 - 83
SAN ANTONIO 22 30 21 22 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL 4, CEBALLOS 2. SAN ANTONIO - D WILKINS
2, ANDERSON 2, M WILLIAMS 2, KEMPTON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 8-23 (.348), CEBALLOS 0-1, JONES 5-10, VAN
EXEL 0-2, SCOTT 1-3, FISHER 1-3, BRYANT 1-1, ROBINSON 0-3. SAN ANTONIO
8-20 (.400), ELLIOTT 1-3, D WILKINS 4-9, MAXWELL 3-8.
TECHNICALS: LA LAKERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, SAN ANTONIO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 26,002. T - 2:09.
LA LAKERS (83) AT SAN ANTONIO (95)
Dominique Wilkins scored 18 of his season-high 28 points in the
first half and Vernon Maxwell added 22 points as the undermanned
San Antonio Spurs surprised the Los Angeles Lakers, 95-83.
The loss could prove to be a costly one for Los Angeles (5-3).
Lakers forward Cedric Ceballos was carried off the floor on a
stretcher with 3:48 remaining after suffering a partial tear of
his right patella tendon.
Ceballos will be examined Thursday in Los Angeles by team
physician Dr. Steve Lombardo. Ceballos had four points and
three rebounds in 34 minutes.
Wilkins also grabbed 11 rebounds for San Antonio, which snapped
a three-game losing streak, despite playing without three
starters. Forward Charles Smith and guard Vinny Del Negro sat
out with knee injuries and center David Robinson has missed
every game this season with back problems. The Spurs will be
without Robinson for at least another week.
Shaquille O'Neal had 30 points and 10 rebounds and Eddie Jones
added 22 points for the Lakers, who were coming off Tuesday's
double-overtime win against Houston. Los Angeles has lost seven
straight regular-season games in San Antonio and has never won
in the AlamoDome.
"It was David vs. Goliath tonight," said Spurs point guard Avery
Johnson, who had 16 points and 10 assists. "We were staring 1-6
in the face, however David won tonight. Goliath was on the floor
unconscious."
"They played their game, getting the ball into Shaq," said Spurs
center Greg Anderson. "We had energy tonight. Personally, my
goal was to keep Shaq out of the paint. He'll get his points and
boards, but you have to make him earn his shots."
The Spurs (2-5) surpassed 81 points for just the second time
this season. San Antonio led by as many as 20 points on
Maxwell's layup at 2:19 of the third quarter.
"We were dragging and tired and a step slow," said Lakers guard
Byron Scott. "There were no excuses for the loss. We weren't as
mentally prepared as we should have been. San Antonio was ready,
we weren't."
O'Neal's hook pulled the Lakers within 54-48 with 8:43 to go in
third quarter. But the Spurs went on a 10-0 run capped by a
three-pointer from Wilkins.
"Obviously we need to do a better job on back-to-back games,
because we have eight more this season," said Los Angeles coach
Del Harris. "Our timing was bad. It got worse as the game went
on tonight."
nba.1464vpoznanovic,
MIAMI (71) AT CHICAGO (103)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 23 1-6 0-0 0 3 3 4 5 0 1 3
THOMAS F 17 0-3 1-2 0 6 6 0 6 0 2 1
MOURNING C 34 7-16 6-11 1 5 6 0 5 0 2 20
DANILOVIC G 36 4-10 2-2 0 1 1 1 3 1 4 10
HARDAWAY G 34 2-10 3-5 1 3 4 4 2 0 1 8
BROWN 26 5-8 2-4 2 6 8 0 3 1 3 12
ASKINS 16 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 5
GRANT 16 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 4
AUSTIN 19 3-6 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 1 6
LENARD 14 1-5 0-0 2 2 4 2 0 0 0 2
STRICKLAND 5 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 27-75 14-24 7 32 39 14 32 2 15 71
(.360) (.583) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 15(22 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 37 5-14 2-2 2 4 6 2 3 2 2 12
RODMAN F 30 0-3 2-2 5 14 19 2 1 0 1 2
LONGLEY C 23 3-7 2-4 2 5 7 3 5 0 0 8
HARPER G 21 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 1 0 2
JORDAN G 34 8-23 12-16 1 4 5 3 3 1 0 28
KUKOC 31 11-14 4-4 0 4 4 4 1 0 2 26
CAFFEY 9 2-2 5-6 0 3 3 2 2 0 0 9
KERR 26 3-5 1-2 0 0 0 1 3 2 1 10
BROWN 14 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 0 1 6
WENNINGTON 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
BUECHLER 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-80 28-36 10 38 48 25 21 6 7 103
(.450) (.778) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 7(6 PTS)
MIAMI 18 20 13 20 - 71
CHICAGO 21 25 27 30 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - MOURNING 3. CHICAGO - LONGLEY 2, RODMAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 3-16 (.188), MAJERLE 1-4, DANILOVIC 0-1, HARDAWAY
1-4, ASKINS 1-2, GRANT 0-1, LENARD 0-3, STRICKLAND 0-1. CHICAGO 3-7
(.429), HARPER 0-1, JORDAN 0-1, KUKOC 0-1, KERR 3-4.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - PIPPEN, LONGLEY.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, KEN MAUER, MIKE SMITH.
A - 23,889. T - 2:07.
MIAMI (71) AT CHICAGO (103)
Michael Jordan scored 28 points and Toni Kukoc added 26 as the
Chicago Bulls extended the best start in franchise history and
remained the league's only unbeaten team with a 103-71 rout of
the Miami Heat.
Kukoc and Jordan keyed a 13-5 run to start the second half,
scoring six and five points respectively, as the Bulls opened a
59-43 advantage. Chicago sealed the victory with a 12-2 spurt
later in the period.
"Phil has a lot of faith in me this year coming off the bench,"
Kukoc said. "They trust me to shoot the ball and I have been
making the majority of my shots, but everything starts with our
defense and we were able to shut down their offense tonight."
The Bulls, who completed a sweep of their three-game homestand,
have won their first eight games and are ahead of last-season's
pace, when they won a record 72 games.
"Tonight, I was pleased that we got out of the locker room, out
to the floor, played a good first half," Bulls coach Phil
Jackson said. "It was the kind of game where we had to grind it
out for three quarters and then the dam broke loose for us."
Alonzo Mourning led Miami with 20 points and P.J. Brown added
12. The Heat have won five of seven games this season, with both
losses coming to Chicago.
"This was like a highlight film," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "It
was a defensive clinic that they put on. We had no energy from
the start. We must have left everything in the win last night
at Charlotte."
"They just dominated us," Riley added. "The difference in the
game was Kukoc. He was hot even though we were able to shut down
Pippen and Jordan by percentages."
The Bulls won five of the last six meetings with the Heat and
are 27-5 all-time against Miami. They have also won the last
five games in Chicago and are 14-2 at home against the Heat.
Both teams shot poorly in the first quarter as the Bulls held a
21-18 lead. Jordan was just 2-of-9 from the field but led all
scorers with nine points.
Mourning had a big second quarter with eight points but Kukoc
and Jordan combined for 14, as Chicago extended its advantage to
46-38 by halftime.
nba.1465vpoznanovic,
PHILADELPHIA (98) AT TORONTO (110)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 41 12-15 2-2 5 4 9 1 2 0 1 26
COLEMAN F 37 5-11 6-8 3 2 5 5 4 1 4 16
WILLIAMS C 16 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 1 2 2
STACKHOUSE G 35 6-21 4-4 3 4 7 3 4 2 3 19
IVERSON G 44 8-18 3-6 2 0 2 3 1 1 5 24
CAGE 10 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
HARRIS 18 1-7 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 2 0 2
DAVIS 32 2-4 2-4 1 3 4 1 4 4 4 7
OVERTON 4 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
BRADTKE 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
MACLEAN DNP - TENDINITIS RIGHT KNEE
WALTERS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-80 17-24 16 19 35 17 21 11 19 98
(.450) (.708) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 20(25 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 43 7-14 3-4 2 7 9 3 3 2 5 22
JONES F 31 2-3 2-2 7 7 14 1 4 0 2 6
CAMBY C 31 9-14 5-5 1 2 3 1 5 1 4 23
CHRISTIE G 39 3-10 2-2 3 4 7 4 3 1 1 10
STOUDAMIRE G 42 8-28 3-3 3 1 4 12 3 4 7 21
ROGERS 25 8-12 2-2 5 5 10 0 2 1 0 20
DAVIS 9 1-3 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 4
WHITESIDE 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0
WRIGHT 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
EARL 11 1-5 2-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 4
HUGHES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TABAK DNP - SORE LEFT HEEL
TOTALS 240 39-90 21-22 22 29 51 23 24 10 23 110
(.433) (.955) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 25(30 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 23 21 22 32 - 98
TORONTO 23 24 35 28 - 110
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - STACKHOUSE 2, IVERSON, WILLIAMS, COLEMAN.
TORONTO - CAMBY 5, ROGERS 2, JONES, CHRISTIE, STOUDAMIRE, EARL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 9-25 (.360), COLEMAN 0-2, STACKHOUSE 3-8,
IVERSON 5-11, HARRIS 0-3, DAVIS 1-1. TORONTO 11-21 (.524), WILLIAMS 5-7,
CHRISTIE 2-4, STOUDAMIRE 2-7, ROGERS 2-2, DAVIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - WILLIAMS.
OFFICIALS: GREG WILLARD, RONNIE NUNN, JOE BORGIA.
A - 17,385. T - 2:08.
PHILADELPHIA (98) AT TORONTO (110)
Rookie Marcus Camby scored 11 of his 23 points in the third
quarter as the Toronto Raptors cruised to a 110-98 victory over
the Philadelphia 76ers, who had their three-game winning streak
snapped.
Walt Williams scored 22 points and Damon Stoudamire added 21 and
12 assists for the Raptors, who ended a three-game losing streak
against the 76ers. Toronto scored a season-high 35 points in
the third quarter.
Camby scored eight points in an 11-2 run that opened the second
half which built a three-point lead to a 58-46 advantage on
Stoudamire's jumper with 8:34 remaining. The Raptors shot 52
percent in the period (13-of-25) and took an 82-66 lead into
the final quarter.
Camby's basket gave Toronto its largest lead at 88-68 with 11:09
to play before Philadelphia's Clarence Weatherspoon scored six
points in a 14-2 spurt. A three-pointer by Jerry Stackhouse cut
the deficit to 90-82 with 8:12 left, but Stoudamire responded
with a three-pointer and the Sixers got no closer than 10 points
thereafter.
"We're back at .500 and I'm trying to focus on the next one,"
Raptors coach Darrell Walker said. "We've got a young
basketball team. When we look two years down the road, it's
going to be a special team."
Camby, the second overall pick in the NBA draft, had five blocks
and won his first duel with top pick Allen Iverson, who scored
24 points for the Sixers.
"Marcus Camby played really well tonight," Iverson said. "They
got the victory, so that speaks for itself."
"(Iverson) was restricted a bit in college," Camby said. "I
think he's the quickest player I've seen one-on-one."
Carlos Rogers had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Popeye Jones
grabbed 14 rebounds for the Raptors, who held a 51-35 advantage
on the boards.
"I don't know if it was my night or not," Rogers said. "I think
it was the team's night. I'm getting to the point where me and
Marcus are working together and one of us is going to get the
rebounds."
Weatherspoon scored a season-high 26 points and Stackhouse added
19 for Philadelphia (3-4), which was trying to climb above .500
for the first time in over a year.
"We didn't start playing until the fourth quarter," Stackhouse
said. "We were winning in the first half, yet we didn't have
any enthusiasm. I'm just disappointed about the way that we
played."
Iverson was 8-of-18 from the field and committed five turnovers.
But he forced Stoudamire, the 1996 Rookie of the Year, into
8-of-28 shooting and seven turnovers.
"I think there was a little of (cat-and-mouse) between me and
Iverson," Stoudamire said. "I'm not used to someone coming out
and running off the points. Usually I'm the one that does
that."
Iverson, who scored a season-high 35 points in a win at New York
on Wednesday, had 11 in the first period, which ended in a 23-23
tie. Stackhouse's three-pointer gave Philadelphia its biggest
lead at 42-30 with 4:38 left in the second quarter.
But Toronto closed the half with a 17-2 run, keyed by six points
by Stoudamire. A basket by Rogers gave the Raptors the lead for
good at 45-44.
"We took a half-step backwards tonight," Sixers coach Johnny
Davis said. "Anything that can throw you off your game, I want
us to respond to. Tonight we didn't come up with what we needed
to. I'm trying to get our team to a point of not using excuses.
Our offensive execution was a problem."
nba.1466vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (70) AT CLEVELAND (81)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 38 4-12 2-2 1 5 6 6 2 0 3 11
WALLACE F 31 5-9 2-3 0 7 7 1 2 0 1 12
SABONIS C 22 1-4 0-2 1 5 6 2 2 1 0 2
ANDERSON G 39 4-12 3-6 1 2 3 3 4 3 5 12
RIDER G 37 6-17 2-3 3 3 6 5 4 1 5 15
DUDLEY 13 0-4 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 0 1 0
MCKIE 19 1-4 0-0 0 3 3 3 2 1 1 3
TRENT 28 6-8 0-0 1 6 7 1 1 0 2 12
WINGFIELD 13 1-4 0-0 2 1 3 1 2 0 3 3
BUTLER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 28-74 9-16 11 34 45 22 21 6 21 70
(.378) (.563) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 21(31 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 32 6-9 0-0 1 4 5 3 1 0 3 13
HILL F 35 5-9 4-4 4 3 7 2 3 2 1 14
WEST C 17 3-7 0-0 0 3 3 2 1 0 0 6
BRANDON G 35 1-11 4-4 0 3 3 5 3 3 3 6
PHILLS G 30 4-12 3-3 0 4 4 4 1 1 2 12
FERRY 31 6-11 0-0 0 6 6 2 2 1 1 15
SURA 25 5-7 0-0 1 3 4 2 3 2 3 11
LANG 17 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
POTAPENKO 13 2-10 0-0 1 3 4 1 4 0 1 4
GEARY 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-77 11-11 7 29 36 21 21 9 14 81
(.416) (1.000) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 15(15 PTS)
PORTLAND 18 17 16 19 - 70
CLEVELAND 22 24 15 20 - 81
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - SABONIS 3, WALLACE 2, C ROBINSON. CLEVELAND -
WEST 2, SURA 2, PHILLS, LANG, GEARY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 5-13 (.385), C ROBINSON 1-5, SABONIS 0-1,
ANDERSON 1-4, RIDER 1-1, MCKIE 1-1, WINGFIELD 1-1. CLEVELAND 6-14 (.429),
MILLS 1-2, BRANDON 0-2, PHILLS 1-4, FERRY 3-5, SURA 1-1.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DERRICK STAFFORD, BILL OAKES, SCOTT WALL.
A - 13,757. T - 2:05.
PORTLAND (70) AT CLEVELAND (81)
Danny Ferry scored four of his 15 points in a decisive
fourth-quarter run and Chris Mills added a key three-pointer
late in the game as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the
Portland Trail Blazers, 81-70.
The Cavaliers defense held the Trail Blazers to a regular-season
record low point total. Portland's 70 points was two fewer than
they scored in its previous record low, set against the Utah
Jazz on January 23rd, 1996. Overall, the Trail Blazers shot
just 37 percent (28-of-74) from the field and made just 9-of-16
free-throw attempts.
"I think that they are an excellent defensive team," said
Portland head coach P.J. Carlesimo. "They are not winning with
mirrors or by accident. They are winning because they play
hard, are well-coached and have good players."
"We'll take the win," Cavs coach Mike Fratello said. "It's
always good to bounce back from a disappointing loss like last
night."
Ahead 61-51 entering the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers put the
game away by opening the period with an 11-0 run. Ferry had a
pair of buckets in the spurt as Cleveland held Portland without
a basket for the first 5:17 of the quarter.
"When I square up I am squaring up with the basket much better
now," Ferry said. "I like those hook shots now."
Bobby Sura opened the quarter with a three-pointer and Ferry
followed with a basket for a 66-51 lead. Sura then hit a bucket
with 8:50 to play and Ferry added another basket for a 70-51
advantage. Rookie Vitaly Potapenko, who made just 2-of-10
shots, capped the run by tipping in a shot for a 21-point lead
with 6:43 left.
The Trail Blazers bounced back by going on a 15-0 burst of their
own. But after Portland drew within 72-66 with 99 seconds
remaining, Mills sank a three-pointer to put the game out of
reach.
Cleveland has allowed more than 90 points in a game just once in
seven contests this season. Leading scorer Terrell Brandon was
held to just 1-of-11 from the field, with the lone basket coming
with nine seconds to play.
"I was just cold tonight and wasn't shooting the ball well,"
Brandon said. "We kept our poise and kept moving."
The Trail Blazers have dropped the opening two games of their
four-game road trip. Isaiah Rider led Portland with 15 points
and Kenny Anderson added 12 but the backcourt duo shot just
10-of-29 from the floor.
"We are struggling right now," Anderson said. "We let them get a
10-point lead and to them it is like a 20-point lead. We
stopped Brandon tonight but the other guys stepped up and that
is what killed us."
Portland's bench managed just 18 points, 12 of which came from
Gary Trent, who was 6-of-8 from the field and grabbed seven
rebounds in 28 minutes.
Low-scoring Mark West had six points in the first quarter as the
Cavs built a 22-18 lead. A 14-4 run midway through the second
quarter extended the advantage to 40-26 but Portland drew within
11 points by halftime.
nba.1467vpoznanovic,
SACRAMENTO (74) AT UTAH (105)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
POLYNICE F 25 0-7 1-2 0 7 7 0 3 1 1 1
OWENS F 29 3-6 3-4 0 1 1 4 4 0 3 9
CAUSWELL C 30 0-2 3-6 3 5 8 2 5 0 1 3
RICHMOND G 27 5-18 6-6 2 1 3 2 1 2 3 16
ABDUL-RAUF G 24 5-12 0-0 1 3 4 4 3 0 3 11
SMITH 25 4-4 0-0 1 6 7 0 2 0 0 8
C WILLIAMSON 20 2-6 1-2 1 1 2 1 6 0 3 5
SIMMONS 17 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 2 2
EDNEY 24 4-9 3-4 0 1 1 3 1 2 1 12
GAMBLE 12 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 4
HURLEY 7 0-3 3-4 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3
GRANT DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 26-76 20-28 10 29 39 16 27 5 17 74
(.342) (.714) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(19 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 29 8-11 6-6 0 5 5 4 2 1 5 22
RUSSELL F 24 4-7 5-7 0 4 4 1 2 1 0 15
OSTERTAG C 38 7-12 0-0 1 12 13 0 4 0 0 14
STOCKTON G 28 5-7 1-2 0 0 0 10 1 5 3 13
HORNACEK G 27 2-7 6-8 1 3 4 3 2 2 2 11
EISLEY 20 2-6 0-0 1 3 4 1 3 0 2 4
CARR 14 3-8 0-2 3 1 4 0 0 0 0 6
MORRIS 15 2-6 0-0 1 2 3 2 0 1 1 4
KEEFE 24 3-6 4-8 3 3 6 4 3 0 2 10
FOSTER 8 1-4 2-2 0 3 3 1 1 0 0 4
ANDERSON 7 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 2
THOMPSON 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 38-77 24-35 11 37 48 26 20 10 16 105
(.494) (.686) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 16(14 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 21 14 19 20 - 74
UTAH 29 25 27 24 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - C WILLIAMSON 2, GAMBLE 2, POLYNICE, CAUSWELL,
ABDUL-RAUF. UTAH - MALONE 2, OSTERTAG 2, RUSSELL, HORNACEK, CARR.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 2-13 (.154), OWENS 0-1, RICHMOND 0-3,
ABDUL-RAUF 1-2, SIMMONS 0-1, EDNEY 1-2, GAMBLE 0-2, HURLEY 0-2. UTAH 5-9
(.556), RUSSELL 2-2, STOCKTON 2-2, HORNACEK 1-4, MORRIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, LUIS GRILLO, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 19,283. T - 2:01.
SACRAMENTO (74) AT UTAH (105)
Karl Malone scored 22 points in three quarters and Bryon Russell
added 15 as the Utah Jazz breezed past the Sacramento Kings for
the 11th straight time, 105-74.
Second-year center Greg Ostertag had his best NBA game with 14
points and 13 rebounds and John Stockton added 13 points and 10
assists for the Jazz, who snapped a two-game losing streak.
"I don't talk to the guys about being hungry," said Utah coach
Jerry Sloane. "Some of these guys have heard that since they
were in grade school. I just want them to eat well, sleep well
and come and play basketball."
Mitch Richmond scored 16 points for the Kings, who trailed by as
many as 39 points and lost for the fourth time in five games.
Sacramento shot 34 percent (26-of-76) from the field and were
held to a season-low in points.
Jeff Hornacek scored eight of his 11 points in the first quarter
as Utah opened a 29-21 lead. The Jazz then used two runs in the
second quarter to put away the game.
After the teams traded baskets, Chris Morris had all four of his
points in a 10-4 spurt that gave Utah a 41-27 lead with 5:57 to
play in the period. Malone scored seven points in an 11-4 run
to close the half and give the Jazz a 54-35 lead.
The lead ballooned to 81-54 after three quarters as Malone had
nine more points. Utah's largest advantage was 98-59 on a hoop
by Antoine Carr with 5:15 remaining in the game.
Adam Keefe had 10 points for the Jazz, who had six players in
double figures and shot 49 percent (38-of-77). Utah also held a
48-39 rebounding advantage.
"Really, the past two games we didn't play particularly well and
we were looking forward to coming out and playing and getting
another chance to get into a groove a little bit," Keefe said.
Tyus Edney scored 12 points and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf added 11 for
the Kings, who were 2-of-13 from three-point range.
nba.1468vpoznanovic,
WASHINGTON (106) AT NEW JERSEY (91)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEBBER F 37 11-15 4-6 4 5 9 5 4 1 6 26
HOWARD F 36 8-16 6-7 2 5 7 4 2 1 3 22
MURESAN C 19 3-7 0-0 4 6 10 0 4 2 3 6
CHEANEY G 28 5-10 1-1 0 1 1 0 5 1 0 11
STRICKLAND G 33 6-10 2-3 1 3 4 8 1 4 4 14
GRANT 26 2-6 1-2 1 3 4 1 0 0 1 7
JACKSON 20 3-7 0-1 1 0 1 0 3 1 2 6
WHITNEY 15 2-3 2-2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 6
WALLACE 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
MURRAY 21 2-6 3-4 0 2 2 1 2 4 1 8
FISH 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 42-82 19-26 13 26 39 22 23 16 20 106
(.512) (.731) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 20(26 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OBANNON F 17 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 1 6
J WILLIAMS F 42 5-14 4-4 14 4 18 0 5 1 4 14
BRADLEY C 33 4-16 5-8 6 7 13 0 3 0 2 13
GILL G 38 7-18 1-1 4 6 10 3 4 2 8 15
KITTLES G 35 9-12 1-2 0 6 6 5 1 1 4 21
R WILLIAMS 17 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 4
PACK 25 2-6 2-2 0 2 2 4 3 0 7 6
MASSENBURG 19 3-5 2-4 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 8
REEVES 6 0-2 2-2 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 2
CALDWELL 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MCDANIEL 5 1-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 2
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-89 17-23 28 30 58 17 24 5 30 91
(.404) (.739) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 30(29 PTS)
WASHINGTON 26 30 25 25 - 106
NEW JERSEY 21 16 28 26 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - WEBBER 3, MURESAN 2, MURRAY, GRANT,
STRICKLAND. NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 6, KITTLES, GILL, J WILLIAMS, OBANNON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 3-12 (.250), CHEANEY 0-1, GRANT 2-4, JACKSON
0-3, MURRAY 1-4. NEW JERSEY 2-10 (.200), OBANNON 0-1, GILL 0-2, KITTLES
2-3, R WILLIAMS 0-1, PACK 0-1, REEVES 0-2.
TECHNICALS: WASHINGTON - STRICKLAND.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, TIM DONAGHY, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 10,884. T - 2:03.
WASHINGTON (106) AT NEW JERSEY (91)
Chris Webber scored 26 points and Tracy Murray had all eight of
his points in a second-quarter surge as the Washington Bullets
snapped a three-game losing streak with a 106-91 victory over
the winless New Jersey Nets.
Juwan Howard added 22 points and Rod Strickland 14 for the
Bullets, who led by as many as 20 points in the second period
and never by less than 10 thereafter.
"We're not the greatest perimeter shooting team," Washington
coach Jim Lynam said. "When we can get Rod in the open floor
and cap it with Chris and Juwan, who are both very good
finishers, that's when we're at our best."
Rookie Kerry Kittles, making his first start, scored 12 of his
21 points in the final quarter for the Nets (0-4), who were
playing for the first time since returning from a pair of losses
in Japan against the Orlando Magic.
New Jersey committed a season-high 30 turnovers and remains
mired with Phoenix (0-7) and Vancouver (0-7) as the league's
only winless teams.
"Turnovers lead to easy baskets, so that's our whole goal -- to
get turnovers and score and make them pay for those turnovers,"
Webber said. "That was definitely part of the plan."
Working mostly against Nets 7-6 center Shawn Bradley, Webber
scored eight points and Howard six in the first quarter as
Washington opened a 26-21 lead. The Nets had nine turnovers.
"He's a center and I'm a forward," Webber said. "I think I
should use my quickness to my advantage. A couple of times he
and I were left one-on-one and he's a great shot-blocker, so I'm
glad I was able to do that."
Murray came off the bench to score eight points in the first six
minutes of the second period. He had a three-pointer and three
foul shots before capping a 15-4 burst with a layup that gave
the Bullets a 41-25 lead with 6:11 to go in the half.
"We have some horses on this team," Murray said. "We got the
ball in Rod's hands and he pushed it up the floor. With him
doing that, we were able to get the easy buckets. We seem to be
running a lot."
Two straight baskets by Webber gave Washington its largest lead
at 56-36 just before halftime. New Jersey had 12 more turnovers
in the period.
"We didn't have motion, we didn't have movement," Nets coach
John Calipari said. "Everybody was trying to do it their way.
And we turn it over four or five times and all of a sudden
you're down 20."
Shawn Bradley and Kendall Gill scored six points apiece in the
third quarter as the Nets closed the deficit to 81-65 entering
the final period. Consecutive baskets by Gill cut it to 97-87
with 2:25 to go, but Webber's two free throws and a three-point
play by Rod Strickland sealed the win.
Strickland added eight assists for Washington, which shot 51
percent (42-of-82) from the field.
Gill had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Jayson Williams had 14 and
18 and Bradley 13 and 13 for New Jersey, which held a 58-39 edge
in rebounds, but shot just 40 percent (36-of-89).
"I'm calm. I've played in some games before," said Kittles, who
had seven turnovers. "No need for me to be nervous. If we take
our time and concentrate a little more, the turnovers will cut
down."
nba.1469vpoznanovic,
Kings' Grant slated for shoulder surgery
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento Kings announced forward Brian
Grant has been scheduled to undergo athroscopic surgery Thursday on
the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
The 6-foot-9 forward currently is second on the team in scoring (12.8
ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg). The former Xavier star is in his third
year in Sacramento after the Kings made him the eighth overall pick in
the 1994 draft.
Grant originally suffered the injury during the off-season and missed
the majority of training camp and the first five preseason games. He
will be out of action for an unspecified amount of time.
nba.1470vpoznanovic,
Hawks put Lauderdale on injured list
ATLANTA (Nov 13, 1996 - 18:30 EST) -- The Atlanta Hawks put
first-round pick Priest Lauderdale on the injured list Wednesday
because of soreness in his right knee.
The 7-foot-4 Lauderdale joins Ken Norman and Alan Henderson on the
injured list.
Lauderdale played 13 games at Central State in Ohio during the 1993-94
season. He averaged 20.1 points and 10.2 rebounds there before the
NAIA ruled he was incorrectly admitted to Central State as a junior
college transfer when he should have been listed as a freshman.
He left school and played with Peristeri Nikas in the Greek League
last season, averaging 16.7 points and 11.2 rebounds a game.
nba.1471vpoznanovic,
Ceballos tears patella tendon
SAN ANTONIO (Nov 14, 1996 - 00:30 EST) -- Lakers forward Cedric
Ceballos was wheeled off the court on a stretcher Wednesday night
after tearing the patella tendon in his right knee on a drive to the
basket against the Spurs.
The Lakers said he would be examined Thursday in Los Angeles by team
doctor Steve Lombardo. They set no timetable for his return.
Ceballos was driving to the basket on a 2-on-1 break with 3:49 left in
the fourth quarter when he came down awkwardly after scoring his
second basket of the game.
The Lakers said he suffered a partial tear of the tendon. He was on
the floor for about five minutes before being wheeled off.
"We'll have to step up and play better without Cedric. Cedric is good
around the basket, but we'll need more," Nick Van Exel said.
Ceballos, averaging 11.7 points and 7.1 rebounds, finished with four
points on 2-for-7 shooting as the Lakers lost 95-83.
nba.1472vpoznanovic,
AROUND THE NBA: Blazers hope rewards worth the risks
(Nov 13, 1996 - 10:48 EST) -- This year marks the 20th anniversary of
that memorable season in which the Portland Trail Blazers rode Bill
Walton's back to the NBA championship.
They have made a couple of returns to the Finals since but haven't won
any more titles. That's a significant wait for any team. In Portland,
where the Blazers are the only game in town, it's an eternity.
After an up-and-down season last year, team president Bob Whitsitt
drastically restructured the roster, adding six new players. Some of
them, though talented, arrived in town with more baggage than a jumbo
jet's worth of overhead compartment.
Concerns about the character of offseason acquisitions like Isaiah
Rider, Rasheed Wallace and Kenny Anderson were heightened when Rider
got into trouble even before the season started.
Not only did Rider miss an exhibition game and a shoot-around, but on
Oct. 30 he was cited for possession of less than an ounce of
marijuana. Rider has said he'll contest the charge.
Whitsitt and the Blazers, meanwhile, may face charges that they're
trying to win at any price.
"I've talked to a lot of people, and nobody's told me we've sold our
soul to the devil," Whitsitt told a reporter in response to a
question. "You're not sensationalizing, are you?"
Whitsitt is aware his offseason moves have intensified the media
scrutiny of his team. He said he would not judge the latest Rider
incident until the legal system has done so, and insisted he stands by
his choices.
"Ultimately what the player does makes you look really smart or really
stupid," Whitsitt said. "We don't have the ability to change our minds
after a trade is made."
Whitsitt has been known to take chances before. As the Sonics' general
manager from 1986-94 he drafted Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton despite
their shaky reputations. Those decisions turned into winners, but
Whitsitt well knows the dangers of playing with fire.
"I haven't had to bail anybody out in Portland," he said. "I did in
Seattle."
* * *
MAYBE I'LL STICK AROUND: The venerable Joe Dumars was an integral part
of the Pistons championship teams of the late '80s and early '90s.
But after the departure of the Bad Boys, the Pistons became a shell of
their old selves, losing a total of 116 games in 1993-94 and 1994-95.
Last year, cast in a secondary role by new coach Doug Collins, Dumars
said this season would be his last.
Lo and behold, basketball is fun again, and Dumars is reconsidering.
The Pistons are said to be ready to offer the 35-year-old Dumars a
two-year contract extension. If he continues his current pace,
however, Dumars might prefer to try out the free market.
Through Monday, Dumars was averaging 19.2 points a game on 52.5
percent shooting, including 17-of-29 from 3-point range.
"This would be the first time I've been a free agent in my career,"
Dumars said. "It would be uncharted water for me. But for right now, I
plan to play this season. Afterward we can sit down and see where we
are and where we're going."
Dumars, who felt Collins put him out to pasture prematurely last year,
has reached an agreement with the coach regarding his role. Collins
now wants the classy veteran to stick around for a while.
"I told Joe that when the time is right, let me know what you want to
do," said Collins, who's in charge of the team's personnel decisions.
"As long as you want to play and you are having fun, we want you to be
here."
* * *
TIMEOUT FOR TRIVIA: How valuable a commodity is Charles Barkley? When
he was traded for the first time, from Philadelphia to Phoenix in June
of 1992, he fetched three players in return. This past offseason it
took the Houston Rockets four players to pry the 33-year-old Barkley
from the Suns. Can you name the seven players? Answer below.
* * *
FREE SHOTS: The Grizzlies' Shareef Abdur-Rahim never wore the No. 3 in
high school but adopted it when he entered Cal to honor his sister
Qaadirah. That's the number she wore when she played basketball. ...
The Bulls are huge just about everywhere. Ask guard Steve Kerr, who
did some camps with the Spurs' Sean Elliott over the summer in Japan
and found himself constantly recognized because of his team
affiliation. "I'm not saying people on the streets were swarming me,
but there were Japanese people stopping me in the sidewalks," Kerr
said. "That is pretty impressive considering four years ago I was
playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and I could walk the streets of
Cleveland and nobody knew who I was." ... The 76ers' Don MacLean is a
partner with former UCLA teammate Trevor Wilson in a Southern
California eatery and catering service called Sandbag's. Was Brickbags
taken?
* * *
TRIVIA ANSWER:The 76ers received Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry and Andrew
Lang in exchange for Barkley four years ago. The Suns commanded Robert
Horry, Sam Cassell, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown from the Rockets.
Given his early-season exploits and his productivity during his four
years in Phoenix, Barkley might have been a steal both times.
* * *
THE LAST DRIBBLE: "This year we have a physical masseuse. Last year we
needed a mental masseuse," New Jersey forward Jayson Williams, on the
Nets' commitment to improving conditions for the players.
nba.1473vpoznanovic,
Magic guard Anderson refutes allegations of rape
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov 13, 1996 - 23:18 EST) -- Orlando Magic guard Nick
Anderson called a press conference Wednesday night to refute
allegations by an Orlando woman that he raped her last February.
"I say to you and to all the fans of the Orlando Magic that this
allegation is false and untrue," Anderson said, tears streaming from
his eyes and his voice choking.
A woman, who wasn't identified, filed a complaint against Anderson
with the Orlando Police Department on Oct. 8. The woman said Anderson
raped her Feb. 26, Orlando Police spokesman Sgt. Bill Molloy said.
Molloy said police were investigating but that no charges had been
filed.
Bill Pollak, Anderson's agent, said the woman threatened to file the
complaint unless Anderson paid her $600,000 by Oct. 1.
"This incident has weighed heavily on my mind, but I will be ready to
play," said Anderson, an eight-year veteran.
Anderson's lawyer, Harrison Slaughter, said Anderson had volunteered
to take a lie detector test and passed.
"Nick is the one who asked for the polygraph test and we are convinced
... he did not commit rape," Slaughter said.
nba.1474vpoznanovic,
Suns slow to rise this season
PHOENIX (Nov 13, 1996 - 18:30 EST) -- The Phoenix Suns knew they were
giving up double-figure scoring and rebounding when they traded
Charles Barkley. They forgot it was also goodbye to their only
intimidator.
After a 99-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime, the Suns have
lost their first seven games, second-worst start in their history.
Unless they win in Vancouver on Thursday night, they will be 0-8 when
they return to Phoenix to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
The 1985-86 team started 0-9 and finished 32-50, failing to make the
playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. This time, the Suns are
trying to keep intact an eight-year string of playoff appearances, but
the outlook is grim.
Center Joe Kleine joked that it may be time for an exorcism. Others
point to the fact that Mark Bryant, the best inside player of the four
Phoenix obtained from Houston for Barkley, is on the injured list
along with Kevin Johnson and John "Hot Rod" Williams, the No. 1
center.
No one alludes to Barkley by name, although assistant coach Danny
Ainge came close when he acknowledged: "Interior defense and
rebounding would help."
Those words, plus scoring, were synonymous with Barkley for four
seasons in Phoenix.
"It was a terrible mistake to trade Barkley. He was the franchise,"
fan Lowell Nelson said Wednesday.
Nelson, a custom bootmaker in suburban Scottsdale, said recent
personnel moves, including trading Dan Majerle for Williams in October
1995, have been disastrous.
"When they got rid of Majerle and Ainge, then picked up 'Shot Rod,' it
made no sense," Nelson said. "And Barkley was ticked off when they let
(coach Paul) Westphal go. That's when he wanted out."
Phoenix, one of the highest-scoring teams in the NBA during four
seasons when Tom Chambers started at power forward and four more with
Barkley filling that spot, is outscoring just eight of the NBA's 29
teams (90.4 points) and outrebounding four (38.4).
And the Suns are 27th in points allowed (102.1) and opponents'
rebounds (49.5).
It's obvious that the missing stars of the 1994 and 1995 teams that
took the Rockets to seven games in back-to-back second-round series
represent the inside and outside firepower the Suns lack.
What the numbers can't measure is how glad other teams are not to have
to deal with Barkley at either end.
Vin Baker had a career-high 22 rebounds Tuesday night, helping the
Bucks outrebound the Suns 30-15 in the second half while battling back
from nine points down.
It was the second straight 22-rebound game for a Suns' opponent.
Dennis Rodman had that many Monday night in a 97-79 Chicago victory
that Michael Jordan called "kind of a fun night."
Even if Phoenix beats the Grizzlies in a clash of teams with 0-7
records, the November schedule won't get easier.
Next week, the Suns play the Lakers, Bulls and Rockets, getting
another dose of Barkley, who had 33 rebounds against them Nov. 2. Of
four more games before the month ends, the only team playing at
Phoenix's level is New Jersey.
Bryant, who averaged 16.9 points and 7.1 rebounds in seven starts at
center for Houston last season, and Johnson are expected to be cleared
for practice in the next two weeks, so there are signs the plunge will
end.
If not, even the lottery won't help. The Suns gave their first-round
draft pick in 1996, 1997 or 1998 to Cleveland for Williams, and the
Cavaliers decided not to use the lottery-protected choice in June.
nba.1475vpoznanovic,
Abdul-Rauf lost in sea of thoughts
(Nov 13, 1996 - 06:36 EST) - A box of ginseng extract sits in his
locker, near a plastic bottle of water. His brain is cluttered with
demons. Now the time has come to disappear, to retreat to a quiet
place and think about everything and nothing.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is a deeply spiritual person, and that's the
problem. He's a thinking man stuck in a job that devours people who
think too much.
His job -- point guard for the Kings -- provides golden rewards for
physical feats and lightning bolts of inspiration. Professional
basketball has no patience for guys who try to think their way through
life.
That's where Abdul-Rauf is -- thinking and failing and thinking some
more and making it worse.
Not quite three weeks into his first season in Sacramento, he's a bust
in the backcourt, a proud veteran unable to do the things he was hired
to do. He's alone and lost, a disappointment to himself and the team.
He isn't sure whether he should pass the ball or shoot it. His
teammates, intentionally or by oversight, won't or can't find him in
the mad frenzy on the floor. Defenders get downright happy when they
see him; his presence makes their work easier.
"I'm trying too hard, thinking too much. I'm not just playing the
game," Abdul-Rauf said this week.
"Basketball is supposed to be something that flows naturally,
something that's fun. It's none of those things right now."
The Kings used to hate to see Abdul-Rauf coming. When he played for
the Denver Nuggets, he could destroy the Kings, picking his way around
screens, launching from 23 feet and blasting their lights out.
The memory of Abdul-Rauf's past success brought hope during the
summer, when the Kings traded Sarunas Marciulionis to Denver for
Abdul-Rauf. The newcomer was supposed to fill a vital role in the
backcourt alongside Mitch Richmond, demanding double coverage from
defenses, opening the inside game, giving the Kings striking power
from long distance and point-blank range.
In the home opening loss to Houston, Abdul-Rauf scored 16 points but
didn't attempt a three-point basket. Against Atlanta, he missed all
six shots and injured his hand, forcing him to miss the next game. He
returned Monday in a loss to Seattle and scored seven points but was
tentative and uncertain and worried about his hand.
"He's struggling big time," Kings coach Garry St. Jean said. "We've
got to reach out to him as a team. He's having a rough time. We've got
to find a way to get him more involved. Right now, we don't know what
the problem is."
Abdul-Rauf doesn't know the answer. He knows his hand hurts -- he
accidentally struck Mookie Blaylock, and it began to swell. X-rays
were negative. He knows he's still learning the Sacramento offense.
But those excuses don't explain the problem.
"I'm confused about things," Abdul-Rauf said. "I look at all these
options -- this option, that option, pass the ball, shoot it -- and I
can't decide what to do. I'm not putting any pressure on the defense,
and that's why they brought me here. I'm not sure about my role. I've
got to sit with the coaches and talk about it. It's not their fault.
It's my fault."
Abdul-Rauf will sit with the coaches and ask whether he's a point
guard or shooting guard. If the coaches are wise, they will give him
clear and precise definitions. He's too confused to be weighted down
with vague options. Maybe later, but not now.
Beyond the coaches, Abdul-Rauf will go someplace alone and think about
his career and life. He said he will go away for "reflection, because
reflection's always good if you act on it."
In the short term, the Kings should forget about Abdul-Rauf as a point
guard, ballhandler and decoy for Richmond. They should let him
concentrate on what he does best -- finding screens and shooting. He
may duplicate many of Richmond's duties, but that will allow
Abdul-Rauf to regain his confidence.
Without his confidence, Abdul-Rauf might as well be back in Denver.
"I can't go on playing like this," he said.
The words came without reflection, contemplation or thought. Some
things are just obvious.
nba.1476vpoznanovic,
Snow getting his chance
SEATTLE (Nov 13, 1996 - 05:42 EST) -- The lone positive of the groin
injury to Nate McMillan is that the Seattle SuperSonics get a chance
to see if second-year guard Eric Snow can fulfill the potential he
showed this summer.
Snow had played only 12 minutes in Seattle's first five games before
hitting the floor for 17 minutes in the victory Monday night at
Sacramento when he had four points, six assists and two turnovers.
"He played like he's capable of playing," said coach George Karl.
"Good defense, handled the ball, found people. He's tough."
Snow played this summer on the Sonics' team in the Los Angeles Summer
Pro League, and on a combined Seattle-Golden State team in the Rocky
Mountain Revue summer league in Utah, and was so impressive that the
Sonics received numerous trade inquiries.
"People were very interested in Eric," said team president and general
manager Wally Walker.
"We got more inquiries about Eric than about any other player," Karl
said. "He had that good of a summer."
The only knock on Snow, and the reason he lasted until the second
round of the 1995 draft after a solid career at Michigan State is his
shooting.
But Karl, who got Snow through a draft-day trade with Milwaukee, loves
Snow's defense and attitude, two reasons why Snow always was viewed a
bit more favorably than the first-round selection of last year,
Sherell Ford.
"Eric's a much more mature person and player than Sherell," Karl said.
"He took it much more seriously than Sherell."
MOVES AHEAD: Walker said a move could be made Wednesday on backup
center Elmore Spencer, who was signed to a "make-good" contract the
last week of the preseason. If Spencer is on the roster after
Thursday, the Sonics owe him a full season's minimum salary of
$247,500.
The 7-foot, 270-pound Spencer had played only five minutes in one game
-- the blowout win over Portland -- before Tuesday night, missing his
only shot. But Walker has said all along Spencer would be evaluated
more on his play in practice than his play in games. Karl hasn't
sounded too impressed.
Clouding the issue, however, is that Steve Scheffler, while eligible
to come off the injured list, isn't yet ready to play while recovering
from a right foot injury. Walker said it could be at least another
week before Scheffler would be able to fully practice.
Cutting Spencer and activating guard Greg Graham, who is also eligible
to come off the IR, would leave the Sonics with only two listed
centers -- Jim McIlvaine and Sam Perkins.
"You can see right now that Detlef (Schrempf) is playing a lot of
four," Walker said. "But Larry Stewart is capable of helping us."
Walker also didn't rule out the possibility of bringing in another big
man.
BY THE NUMBERS: The Sonics are the fifth-oldest team in the NBA and
have the third-most experience, according to the results of the NBA's
annual player survey, which was released Tuesday.
The Sonics average 29.27 years (San Antonio is No. 1 at 30.58) and
6.79 years of NBA experience (the Bulls are first at 7.14).
Also, the Sonics are tied as the 15th-tallest team in the NBA,
averaging 6-feet, 7.07 inches (the Bulls are first at 6-8.50) and are
20th in weight at 220.93 pounds (again, the Bulls are first at
241.07).
NOTES: The Sonics played their third set of back-to-back games
Tuesday. They were already 2-0 in the second game of back-to-backs
this year and were 17-5 last year in such situations. ... The Sonics
have started the same lineup in all seven games, with no changes
apparent anytime soon. The Sonics started 13 different lineups last
year.
nba.1477vpoznanovic,
Raptors new coach puts on a hyper show
(Nov 13, 1996 - 09:01 EST) -- One of Darrell Walker's goals as new
head coach of the Toronto Raptors is to make sure point guard Damon
Stoudamire is not overused. When Walker took the job, he probably
didn't think he would be talking about reducing his own minutes.
Walker's courtside manner has been one of the conversation pieces
early in the Raptors' second National Basketball Association season.
He is animated, to say the least.
"I'm sure I'll calm down," he said when asked about it after a
practice last week, and then grinned. "I'll limit my minutes on the
sideline."
Walker, 35, is three seasons removed from his playing career -- he was
known for his intensity -- which ended with a championship with the
Chicago Bulls in 1993. But some nights he's as busy on the sidelines
as his players are on the court. He gets up and down his end of the
court with the best of them, yelling instructions to his players or
critiques to the referees.
Fortunately, basketball coaches aren't into wearing headphones. He
says he doesn't want to be considered a sideshow, that the players are
the show. But he has been hard to ignore. He admits to being hyper.
In last a recent victory over the Dallas Mavericks, he was hampered a
bit by a cold and a hoarse voice and even sat down for a spell. But
mostly he was busy as usual, and when the referees missed a foul on
Stoudamire in the final minute against the Mavericks, he hammered the
dashboard along media row with both hands.
During tense moments, he assumes a semi-crouch. At times, he'll kick
out with either leg. On the last play of Friday's victory over the Los
Angeles Lakers, he showed that he hasn't lost an inch from his
vertical leap.
"It's just natural," Walker said. "I don't see anything wrong with it.
(Dallas coach) Jim Cleamons was up. He was hollering. I don't want
anybody to make a big deal out of it. That's just me. Judge me on what
my team does."
He has a point there. No one can complain about the results. The
Raptors played well in an opening-night loss to the New York Knicks on
Nov. 1. They have since defeated Dallas and the Lakers in exciting
games for a 2-3 record.
"I'm sure everybody is watching the players," Walker said. "I don't
know why everybody wants to make a big thing out of it."
"I think we can relate to it," center Acie Earl said. "It kind of
keeps the barrier down between player and coach."
Forward Carlos Rogers relates to Walker's intense style but said it
probably depends on the player.
"He's kind of hyper," Rogers said. "Some people who are sensitive, and
him being hyper, he has a tendency to explode for that moment but he
doesn't mean any harm by that moment. Some people might think he's
being hard on them but actually he's just trying to motivate you in
the way he knows how."
The only thing that concerns Rogers at times is that Walker might be
given a technical foul.
"I don't have a problem with it but it's just sometimes I'm saying to
myself, 'Coach Walker, please don't get a tech,"' Rogers said.
"'Please don't get too much into it.' He's just like a rookie, too,
and the referees are waiting to break him in anyway."
Just before the season was to open, Walker said: "I just have to learn
to deal with holding my emotions back a little bit."
And he intends to keep basketball in perspective.
"I'm not going to be consumed with the game; there's more to life than
that," he said. "When the game is over, we win or lose, get ready for
the next game. Don't carry on why didn't we do this and why didn't we
do that. I'm not going to take it home to my wife and kids. Look at
the film down the road, see what we can do to get better the next
game."
Walker was working for the NBA Players Association when he was
approached by the Raptors to become an assistant coach for last
season. Walker had played with Raptor executive vice-president Isiah
Thomas with the Detroit Pistons in 1991-92. When Brendan Malone was
fired at the end of the season last April, Walker took over.
"It took forever to convince me to be an assistant coach," Walker
said. "But once I got here I enjoyed it and had a good time. I'm not
one of those guys who's been a coach for years and said I can't wait
to be a head coach. But I'm a head coach and I'm going to have fun
with it."
nba.1478vpoznanovic,
Older floor will be installed for Jazz-Kings game
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 13, 1996 - 10:54 EST) -- The Utah Jazz will play
on a re-installed older floor when they play host the Sacramento Kings
tonight.
The club also announced Tuesday that its game against San Antonio,
which was postponed Monday night because of the floor problems, has
been rescheduled for April 7 at the Delta Center.
The game was postponed by NBA officials out of concern for players'
safety. Edges of the sectioned hardwood floor were sticking up as high
as one-eighth of an inch in more than 30 places, according to Jazz
spokesman Nathan Kirkham.
The new floor was purchased last summer for $70,000 when the Jazz
changed their logo.
The problems were first noticed by maintenance personnel Monday
morning, and workers sanded and treated the affected areas with
varnish. Jazz officials blamed the problem on weakened plastic support
rods and moisture from the ice rink under the floor.
The floor had been placed over the hockey ice Saturday morning.
"That's the longest this floor had ever been laid over the ice," said
David Allred, vice president for public relations. "The thinking now
is that's probably why we had this problem."
Allred said the old floor probably will be used for a couple of
months.
"This is just fine," Jazz owner Larry Miller said of the new date for
the game. "This gives San Antonio a chance to get all of their players
back and the game will be very competitive. That will be good for the
league, good for the fans, good for everybody."
San Antonio (1-5) is missing several players because of injury, most
notably All-Star center David Robinson.
nba.1479junior,
> Da li iko zna šta je sa Rastkom Cvetkovićem? :)
Nije našao angažman u NBA, verovatno se vraća u Evropu (čitaj:Zvezdu) :)
nba.1480junior,
> Sudjenje ocajno i na stetu Hjustona
Suđenje je bilo kao i na svim utakmicama, nisu zbog tog izgubili. :)
Ali, toliko lepih blokada na jednoj utakmici dugo nisam video
(posebno izdvajam onu Jonesa na Van Exelu i Drexlera na Bryantu).
nba.1481lexus,
=> Ceballos tears patella tendon
Kad smo već kod ovoga ;)
Juče sam posetio NBA Live 97 site na easports.com-u.
Uglavnom, svečana prezentacija igre je održana u kući
gore navedenog košarkaša. Na slikama je moguće videti
par Lakersa i par Clippersa koji se odvaljuju od
igranja na konzoli :) Za više informacija o igri prebacite
raspravu u igre ili mi pišite mail... Mada je najbolje
da sami pogledate preko interneta. :)
nba.1482schef,
=-> Uz to, u SORu imam mogućnost i da sačuvam poruke koje me
=-> zanimaju, dok u onom slučaj to ne bih mogao.
=- Telegram podrške i od mene ;) iz istih razloga.
I od mene. Lepo je ovako kako Vlade radi, s' tim što bi bilo lepo da pre
svih poruka ide jedna u kojoj su samo rezultati od tog dana kao uvertira onome
što sledi.
nba.1483schef,
=- Nije našao angažman u NBA, verovatno se vraća u Evropu
=- (čitaj:Zvezdu) :)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Super. :)
nba.1484vpoznanovic,
CHARLOTTE (89) AT ORLANDO (96)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 45 4-7 0-0 0 5 5 3 3 0 0 8
GEIGER F 28 5-7 2-2 3 6 9 2 3 2 2 12
DIVAC C 33 7-12 3-6 3 4 7 2 5 1 0 18
RICE G 38 7-16 8-8 2 0 2 2 2 0 3 23
GOLDWIRE G 22 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 4 0 3 5
SMITH 26 2-11 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 2 2 5
ZIDEK 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
CURRY 37 6-13 1-1 1 5 6 0 2 0 1 15
BURRELL 6 1-7 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 3
BOGUES DNP - SORE LEFT KNEE
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-78 14-17 12 23 35 14 22 5 12 89
(.436) (.824) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 36 7-16 1-2 1 5 6 1 1 0 0 17
GRANT F 36 1-7 1-2 2 9 11 3 2 2 3 3
VAUGHN C 13 3-6 0-0 2 0 2 0 2 1 1 6
HARDAWAY G 41 4-13 3-4 1 6 7 7 3 1 1 14
SHAW G 22 4-7 2-2 1 0 1 3 0 1 4 11
SEIKALY 30 6-11 1-4 5 6 11 0 5 0 0 13
WILKINS 21 5-10 1-3 3 2 5 1 2 0 2 11
STRONG 18 5-8 0-0 3 4 7 0 2 1 0 10
ARMSTRONG 23 4-7 1-2 0 1 1 5 0 1 0 11
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-85 10-19 18 33 51 20 17 7 11 96
(.459) (.526) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 11(15 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 22 18 27 22 - 89
ORLANDO 27 21 19 29 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - DIVAC 3, GEIGER 2, GOLDWIRE. ORLANDO -
ANDERSON 2, VAUGHN 2, SEIKALY 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 7-17 (.412), GEIGER 0-1, DIVAC 1-1, RICE 1-4,
GOLDWIRE 1-2, SMITH 1-4, CURRY 2-4, BURRELL 1-1. ORLANDO 8-20 (.400),
ANDERSON 2-7, HARDAWAY 3-6, SHAW 1-2, WILKINS 0-1, ARMSTRONG 2-4.
TECHNICALS: CHARLOTTE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, ORLANDO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, NOLAN FINE, BENNIE ADAMS.
A - 17,248. T - 2:05.
CHARLOTTE (89) AT ORLANDO (96)
Nick Anderson scored 17 points and Penny Hardaway added 14 as
the Orlando Magic, playing for the first time in six days,
defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 96-89, for their third straight
victory.
The Magic, who lost their season opener, were playing for the
first time since winning a pair of games against the New Jersey
Nets in Tokyo. Orlando has won seven straight and 10 of its
last 12 games against Charlotte. All four players off Orlando's
bench scored in double figures.
"I was very pleased with this win tonight," said Orlando coach
Brian Hill. "First of all, you're scared to death coming in to
the game because it's your first game back from a long trip. I
thought this was a night where the second unit really gave us a
huge lift, 45 points and 24 rebounds from our guys off the
bench. Everyone did a great job."
Anderson, who was accused of rape by a local woman Monday,
received a standing ovation when he made a free throw to give
the Magic a 93-85 lead with 39.3 seconds left. Anderson, who
missed his first five free throws this season, denied the
accusation and was not charged by the Orlando police.
"It feels good," said Anderson about the crowd's response.
"Honestly, deep down inside, I didn't know people respected me
this much. Some feelings came through my body that I'd never
experienced before. I've been through a lot of adversity, but
never like this."
Glen Rice scored 23 points and Vlade Divac added 18 for the
Hornets, who have lost three in a row and fell below .500 for
the first time this season.
"My offense was sloppy," said Rice, who shot 7-of-16 from the
field and had three turnovers. "I missed a lot of easy shots,
turned the ball over more than I wanted to. I have to start
working a little harder on taking care of the ball, making the
open shots and stepping up and being the leader."
Dell Curry, who had 15 points, hit a three-pointer to give the
Hornets a 77-73 lead with 8:26 left, but the Magic responded
with a 12-0 burst. Darrell Armstrong, who had 11 points off the
bench, answered with a three-pointer as the Magic pulled within
77-76 with eight minutes left.
Hardaway made two free throws with 7:34 left to give the Magic
the lead for good, 78-77. Hardaway then had a steal and started
a fast break that ended with Derek Strong's dunk for an 80-77
lead. Strong, who had 10 points, had a tip-in and Hardaway
closed the run with a three-pointer for an 85-77 lead with 4:53
to play.
Anderson had 12 points and Rony Seikaly had 11 of his 13 as
Orlando took a 48-40 halftime lead.
Rice made a layup to close a 9-2 spurt as the Hornets took their
biggest lead of the game, 58-53, with 8:06 left in the third
quarter. Brian Shaw answered with a three-pointer and a pair of
free throws as the Magic tied the score, 58-58.
nba.1485vpoznanovic,
DALLAS (90) AT MINNESOTA (100)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MEYER F 8 3-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 6
MASHBURN F 38 0-7 4-8 2 5 7 8 1 0 1 4
MONTROSS C 26 6-8 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 0 1 12
JACKSON G 39 5-15 4-5 2 6 8 5 0 2 2 15
KIDD G 37 5-15 4-6 2 2 4 5 2 3 6 16
GATLING 29 9-17 8-11 7 7 14 1 4 2 4 26
MILLER 14 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 3 0
MCCLOUD 28 2-7 1-3 0 3 3 4 6 2 0 5
HARPER 18 3-8 0-0 0 1 1 2 4 0 1 6
DUMAS 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALKER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-81 21-33 14 30 44 27 26 9 21 90
(.407) (.636) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 21(28 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GUGLIOTTA F 40 14-20 2-2 2 9 11 4 6 2 3 30
K GARNETT F 38 5-16 3-4 1 10 11 4 3 2 5 13
VRANKOVIC C 21 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 3 4
WEST G 36 7-12 2-2 2 5 7 4 2 1 2 16
PORTER G 25 5-8 3-4 1 2 3 7 1 2 2 14
D GARRETT 9 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
ROBINSON 23 4-9 0-0 0 2 2 4 3 1 2 8
MITCHELL 30 2-9 8-8 5 3 8 2 4 0 2 12
CARR 12 1-3 1-3 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 3
PARKS 6 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
HEAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MARBURY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-84 19-23 13 35 48 25 25 11 20 100
(.476) (.826) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 20(25 PTS)
DALLAS 23 24 18 25 - 90
MINNESOTA 22 19 28 31 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MILLER 2, MASHBURN, HARPER. MINNESOTA -
VRANKOVIC 4, K GARNETT 3, WEST 3, GUGLIOTTA 2, PARKS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 3-13 (.231), MASHBURN 0-4, JACKSON 1-2, KIDD
2-3, MCCLOUD 0-2, HARPER 0-2. MINNESOTA 1-8 (.125), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, WEST
0-2, PORTER 1-2, ROBINSON 0-2, CARR 0-1.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, MILLER.
OFFICIALS: MIKE SMITH, MONTY MCCUTCHEN, JACK NIES.
A - 14,079. T - 2:09.
DALLAS (90) AT MINNESOTA (100)
Tom Gugliotta had a season-high 30 points and 11 rebounds as the
Minnesota Timberwolves posted consecutive wins for the first
time this season with a 100-90 victory over the Dallas
Mavericks.
Minnesota (4-3), in its eighth year, had never been over .500
this late in a season. Doug West added 16 points for the
Timberwolves, who have won five straight games over the
Mavericks and evened the all-time series at 18-18.
"We've learned a lot the last couple of weeks," Gugliotta said.
"We are going out and playing hard. We are off to a good start,
but it's only been seven games, there is a lot more to go. We
definitely expected to win tonight and Tuesday night and all our
home games. We are happy about it but we have to go on the road
to New York. We are happy we played well but we can play
better."
Chris Gatling had a season-high 26 points and 14 rebounds off
the bench and Jason Kidd added a season-high 16 points for the
Mavericks, who were also trying to post consecutive wins for the
first time this season. Gatling had 15 points and Eric Montross
scored eight of his 15 as Dallas took a 47-41 halftime lead.
"It's a league record we scored over 100 two times in a row,"
jokes Minnesota coach Flip Saunders. "We coudln't get a lot of
things to go in the first half. We had a lot of easy shots we
missed."
The Timberwolves opened the third quarter with a 13-0 burst to
take the lead for good. West scored six points on the run and
Terry Porter made a three-pointer to close it as Minnesota took
a 54-47 advantage with 9:19 left in the third.
"The third quarter was our worst," Dallas coach Jim Cleamons
said. "We did not get shots and turned over the ball, and our
team was gone. It was nothing Minnesota did, other than being
more on the ball than us. We played a pretty good first half,
so I don't know why we were flat in the third quarter."
Kidd made a driving layup to close a 6-0 run and pull the
Mavericks within 67-65 with 5:31 left in the third. Montross
sank a six-foot hook shot as Dallas cut the deficit to two for
the final time at 67-65 with 46 seconds left in the period.
Sam Mitchell, who had 12 points off the bench, to cap a 7-0
burst and give Minnesota a 74-65 lead with 9:11 left.
Terry Porter had 14 points and Kevin Garnett added 13 and 11
rebounds for Minnesota.
Derek Harper made a 20-footer to end a 9-2 run as Dallas took
its biggest lead of the game, 32-24, with 7:49 left in the
second.
nba.1486vpoznanovic,
INDIANA (88) AT HOUSTON (90)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 20 2-3 2-2 2 5 7 3 4 0 2 7
D DAVIS F 40 4-8 0-2 2 11 13 2 2 0 0 8
A DAVIS C 24 1-5 1-5 2 5 7 2 5 1 4 3
BEST G 29 9-15 4-5 0 0 0 0 4 2 3 23
MILLER G 38 4-18 5-6 2 3 5 5 2 4 4 13
ROSE 9 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 3
DAMPIER 15 1-4 5-6 3 1 4 1 5 0 1 7
ASKEW 29 5-9 0-0 1 4 5 3 6 0 1 10
FERRELL 16 5-7 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 11
ALLEN 10 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0
HOIBERG 10 1-4 1-1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 3
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-77 19-29 12 31 43 19 33 9 18 88
(.429) (.655) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(25 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 22 3-8 1-2 1 1 2 1 5 0 0 7
BARKLEY F 44 6-13 13-17 1 8 9 2 2 2 5 25
OLAJUWON C 31 7-13 7-8 4 8 12 4 5 1 4 21
DREXLER G 37 2-6 2-5 1 7 8 5 2 2 2 6
MALONEY G 22 3-6 1-1 0 0 0 5 3 0 1 8
MACK 20 3-7 1-2 1 2 3 0 1 1 1 7
DAVIS 26 1-5 1-2 0 1 1 4 3 1 3 4
WILLIS 22 0-4 0-0 4 1 5 1 3 0 4 0
BULLARD 16 4-8 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JONES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MOORE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-70 26-37 12 28 40 22 24 7 20 90
(.414) (.703) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 21(16 PTS)
INDIANA 25 21 26 16 - 88
HOUSTON 24 23 16 27 - 90
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - MCKEY, D DAVIS, DAMPIER. HOUSTON - OLAJUWON 4,
DREXLER, MACK, BULLARD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 3-13 (.231), MCKEY 1-1, BEST 1-2, MILLER 0-6,
ROSE 1-2, ASKEW 0-1, HOIBERG 0-1. HOUSTON 6-22 (.273), ELIE 0-2, BARKLEY
0-1, DREXLER 0-2, MALONEY 1-3, MACK 0-4, DAVIS 1-4, BULLARD 4-6.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, HOUSTON - ELIE, BARKLEY, ILLEGAL
DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 16,285. T - 2:26.
INDIANA (88) AT HOUSTON (90)
Hakeem Olajuwon scored nine of his 21 points in the final 3:35,
including the game-winning jumper with 20 seconds to go, as the
Houston Rockets edged the Indiana Pacers, 90-88, for their
eighth victory in nine games.
Charles Barkley had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets,
who held the Pacers without a field goal over the final 4 1/2
minutes as they erased a nine-point deficit.
"We were very fortunate to win this game," Rockets coach Rudy
Tomjanovich said. "We didn't play good basketball until the
fourth quarter."
Houston won its first seven games before losing in double
overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"This was definitely a gutsy performance by us tonight," Barkley
said. "I played the entire game against the Lakers on Tuesday
night and I did not get a breather until the 34th minute of this
game. But it's all about winning."
Indiana's Travis Best scored a career-high 23 points, including
a jumper that gave the Pacers an 85-76 lead with 4:32 to play.
But Mario Elie made a layup and Olajuwon sank two free throws to
cut the deficit to five points with 3:35 remaining.
Reggie Miller made a free throw, but Olajuwon had a three-point
play and a jumper to give Houston its first lead since early in
the third quarter at 87-86 with 1:33 to play.
Barkley made a foul shot but Miller made two to tie it, 88-88,
with 34 seconds left. Olajuwon then made a fadeaway jumper for
the winning points.
Indiana elected not to call timeout and Miller had a 15-footer
from the left wing blocked by Olajuwon. The clock expired as a
mad scramble for the rebound ensued.
Olajuwon's fourth block of the game capped an awful game for
Miller, who scored 13 points but shot just 4-of-18 from the
field.
"The defense was the biggest factor in us coming back," said
Tomjanovich. "It won't show up in the stats, but Mario Elie and
Clyde Drexler did an excellent job holding Miller."
"The refs were a joke tonight," Miller said. "Every time
Charles and Hakeem were touched, the whistle blew. It was
really embarrassing."
Indiana's front line of Dale Davis, Antonio Davis and Derrick
McKey combined for just 18 points as the Pacers fell to 4-22
all-time at Houston.
Dale Davis had 13 rebounds. Best, a second-year guard, matched
a career high set November 9th against Washington.
Matt Bullard had four three-pointers for a season-high 12 points
for the Rockets, who shot 41 percent (29-of-70) from the field.
Barkley had 14 points and Olajuwon 11 in the first half to help
Houston grab a 47-46 edge. Best scored 11 points in the third
period to give Indiana a 72-63 bulge entering the final quarter.
nba.1487vpoznanovic,
MILWAUKEE (86) AT GOLDEN STATE (95)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 37 5-15 1-1 2 6 8 4 3 0 4 12
BAKER F 43 15-25 2-3 5 9 14 4 4 1 2 32
LANG C 18 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2
DOUGLAS G 29 4-7 0-0 1 1 2 4 2 1 4 9
ALLEN G 27 1-11 2-2 3 1 4 2 4 0 2 4
NEWMAN 28 3-8 1-1 0 4 4 0 4 1 1 7
GILLIAM 34 6-10 4-4 4 5 9 4 3 2 2 16
PERRY 19 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 2
WOOD 5 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
HANCOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOLF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-82 10-11 15 29 44 21 21 6 16 86
(.451) (.909) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 18(15 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 38 7-10 2-4 2 1 3 5 2 3 3 16
SMITH F 39 12-24 2-2 2 7 9 1 3 2 2 26
FULLER C 22 3-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 6
PRICE G 27 3-9 0-0 1 0 1 9 1 0 2 6
SPREWELL G 45 9-20 7-9 0 4 4 2 0 2 1 26
SPENCER 16 2-2 1-3 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 5
ARMSTRONG 12 0-2 1-1 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 1
ROYAL 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DECLERCQ 19 3-4 3-4 2 5 7 0 2 0 1 9
COLES 17 0-0 0-0 0 3 3 3 3 0 1 0
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OWES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-77 16-23 9 25 34 24 14 7 11 95
(.506) (.696) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 12(10 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 25 26 19 16 - 86
GOLDEN STATE 27 16 28 24 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - BAKER 3. GOLDEN STATE - SMITH 3, SPREWELL 3,
FULLER, MULLIN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 2-12 (.167), ROBINSON 1-3, BAKER 0-1, DOUGLAS
1-2, ALLEN 0-3, NEWMAN 0-1, PERRY 0-2. GOLDEN STATE 1-10 (.100), MULLIN
0-1, SMITH 0-2, PRICE 0-3, SPREWELL 1-3, ARMSTRONG 0-1.
TECHNICALS: MILWAUKEE - NEWMAN, GOLDEN STATE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BILL SPOONER, TOMMIE WOOD, HUE HOLLINS.
A - 14,414. T - 2:00.
MILWAUKEE (86) AT GOLDEN STATE (95)
Latrell Sprewell and Joe Smith scored 26 points apiece and
rookie Andrew DeClercq scored eight of his nine points in the
fourth quarter as the Golden State Warriors snapped a four-game
losing streak with a 95-86 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Smith grabbed nine rebounds and Chris Mullin added 16 points for
the Warriors, who recorded their first victory in four home
games. Golden State has won seven of its last eight home
meetings with the Bucks.
"It's a great win, with the way things have been going for us,"
Warriors coach Rick Adelman said. "I could say it was the best
win all year, and I'd be right. But our guys, the second half,
they really turned it up on the defensive end. We held them to
under 40 points and in the fourth quarter we were just terrific
the way we defended and handled the boards."
The Warriors held a 77-76 lead with 8:26 remaining before an
18-6 run gave them a comfortable 95-82 advantage with 80 seconds
to play. DeClercq, who was activated from the injured list
prior to the game, scored eight points, and Mullin and Sprewell
added six apiece, in the final quarter.
"We hung in there and we kept playing," Mullin said. "We got
the lead and we were able to stay on the boards. We made some
stops, got some rebounds, and made plays. He (DeClercq) sparked
us, and he has been playing pretty well in practice."
After Armon Gilliam hit a free throw with 7:03 to play to pull
the Bucks within 79-78, DeClercq and Sprewell each made two foul
shots and DeClercq converted a layup to make it 85-78 with 5:24
left.
A put-back by DeClercq and a 14-foot jumper by Smith made it
89-78 with 3:57 to play. DeClercq shot 3-of-4 from the floor
and grabbed seven rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.
"It felt good being out there again," DeClercq said. "My
teammates have been supportive. We knew we had to play physical
and go to the boards. I had a couple of good practices and my
energy level was high. I'm just happy I could contribute to a
win for our team."
Vin Baker had 32 points and 14 rebounds and Armon Gilliam added
16 and nine for Milwaukee, which lost for just the second time
in seven games. Rookie Ray Allen was held to four points on
1-of-11 from the field.
The Warriors missed their only free-throw attempt in the first
half but shot 10-of-14 from the foul line in the third quarter
with Sprewell going 5-for-6. Golden State shot 51 percent
(39-of-77) from the field but was outrebounded, 44-34.
Milwaukee closed the first half on a 12-5 run for a 51-43 lead
at halftime. Gilliam scored six points and Newman added five in
the spurt.
The Warriors scored the first six points of the third quarter to
get within 51-49, and they pulled ahead, 71-70, on DeClercq's
free throw with one second left in the quarter.
nba.1488vpoznanovic,
PHOENIX (89) AT VANCOUVER (92)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 34 7-13 0-2 2 3 5 2 5 0 1 16
MANNING F 32 6-10 1-2 6 9 15 3 4 0 5 13
KLEINE C 19 0-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 2 0
PERSON G 26 3-12 6-6 0 0 0 3 1 3 0 14
NASH G 46 5-9 6-6 2 5 7 12 5 1 6 17
FINLEY 33 6-12 1-2 2 5 7 2 1 0 2 14
CHAPMAN 8 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 2
GREEN 16 0-3 0-0 1 4 5 0 1 1 3 0
TISDALE 17 5-11 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 1 10
BROWN 9 1-2 1-1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 3
CASSELL DNP - FLU
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-82 15-19 15 34 49 23 20 5 22 89
(.415) (.789) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 23(29 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 34 12-14 9-9 2 1 3 3 2 1 1 34
ROGERS F 27 5-10 0-0 1 4 5 0 3 0 0 10
REEVES C 42 4-9 0-0 1 4 5 5 3 1 3 8
PEELER G 20 3-11 0-1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 6
ANTHONY G 31 4-10 2-3 0 5 5 10 2 6 1 11
LYNCH 16 1-7 0-0 2 1 3 1 0 2 2 2
MAYBERRY 17 0-2 0-0 1 3 4 3 3 0 1 0
MOTEN 26 8-19 0-1 2 1 3 4 3 1 1 20
CHILCUTT 21 0-2 1-2 2 3 5 0 0 1 0 1
MANNING 6 0-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0
ABDUR-RAHIM DNP - DID NOT DRESS
MOBLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-88 12-16 12 24 36 26 17 12 11 92
(.420) (.750) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 11(12 PTS)
PHOENIX 30 8 23 28 - 89
VANCOUVER 25 14 26 27 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - MANNING, FINLEY, CHAPMAN. VANCOUVER - ROGERS 2,
REEVES, PEELER, ANTHONY, CHILCUTT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 6-19 (.316), HORRY 2-5, PERSON 2-6, NASH 1-2,
FINLEY 1-2, CHAPMAN 0-4. VANCOUVER 6-27 (.222), B EDWARDS 1-2, PEELER 0-4,
ANTHONY 1-6, LYNCH 0-1, MAYBERRY 0-2, MOTEN 4-12.
TECHNICALS: PHOENIX - HORRY, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, TED BERNHARDT, JIM KINSEY.
A - 15,158. T - 2:13.
PHOENIX (89) AT VANCOUVER (92)
Blue Edwards scored a franchise-record 34 points, including four
free throws down the stretch, to lead the Vancouver Grizzlies to
a 92-89 victory over Phoenix in Suns' coach Cotton Fitzsimmons
last game.
Fitzsimmons announced his retirement before the game and
assistant coach Danny Ainge will take over.
"After we played Philadelphia and we played really poorly I was
embarrassed as a coach by the way we played, for the players and
for the franchise," Fitzsimmons said. "I take full
responsibility for our losses. It's not just tonight, I didn't
like the way we played in the last four games.
"You never want to go out losing but my guys tried hard and they
played hard. Just being in the league, I fulfilled a dream. I
wanted to be a pro coach since the seventh grade. I'd have to
say I'm a survivor, over 26 years in the league."
Lawrence Moten, who added 20 points, hit a three-pointer from
the right arc to give the Grizzlies the lead for good, 88-87
with 28.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
After Danny Manning was called for an offensive foul, Edwards
made two free throws for a 90-87 advantage with 18.4 seconds
left.
"Everybody likes to be in that situation where you can make the
winning basket or play defensively," Edwards said. "I didn't
want to lose the game and we didn't. It's a big win but it's
only one. It won't help us tomorrow night. We've got three
games in four nights and the only way this will help us is if we
remember what we did and repeat it."
Rookie Steve Nash scored a season-high 17 points for the Suns
(0-8), who along with the New Jersey Nets, are the only winless
teams in the NBA.
"It was a really great honor that the people responded that
way," said Nash, who is from nearby Victoria, British Columbia.
"It made me very proud and it was really exciting. I love them
a lot for supporting me and I want to make them proud. I tried
to make the most of it starting and playing a lot minutes. We've
got a new coach coming in, so we've got to build on this and
strengthen our character."
Phoenix had a chance to tie, but Robert Horry shot an air ball
on a three-point attempt. Manning caught the rebound and hit a
layup, cutting the deficit to 90-89 with 3.7 seconds left. But
Edwards, who was 12-of-14 from the field and 9-of-9 from the
free-throw line, made his final two shots with three seconds
left for the final margin.
nba.1489vpoznanovic,
SEATTLE (94) AT LA CLIPPERS (78)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D SCHREMPF F 34 4-9 1-2 2 4 6 4 4 3 4 10
KEMP F 35 9-15 2-2 5 10 15 1 5 2 3 20
MCILVAINE C 23 2-5 0-2 1 3 4 0 2 1 0 4
PAYTON G 36 8-18 7-10 1 5 6 8 2 2 6 25
HAWKINS G 34 2-8 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 2 0 4
SNOW 23 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 5 3 0 2 6
EHLO 23 0-2 1-2 1 0 1 2 2 2 0 1
PERKINS 20 5-10 2-2 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 16
STEWART 8 3-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 6
WINGATE 4 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2
MCMILLAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-80 13-20 13 30 43 23 22 14 16 94
(.463) (.650) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(9 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROGERS F 26 3-5 1-2 0 2 2 3 3 3 3 8
VAUGHT F 39 5-14 1-4 4 7 11 1 3 1 1 11
DUCKWORTH C 9 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 0
RICHARDSON G 22 0-4 0-0 0 4 4 2 4 0 0 0
SEALY G 34 6-16 5-5 0 2 2 3 2 1 3 17
ROBERTS 10 1-2 2-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 4
OUTLAW 36 2-9 1-4 5 6 11 2 3 0 4 5
MURRAY 22 3-6 1-1 3 1 4 0 1 0 1 7
DEHERE 9 0-2 3-4 0 1 1 1 3 1 3 3
PIATKOWSKI 14 4-5 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 9
D MARTIN 18 5-7 1-3 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 12
WRIGHT 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 30-72 15-25 12 30 42 14 21 7 20 78
(.417) (.600) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 21(14 PTS)
SEATTLE 29 20 23 22 - 94
LA CLIPPERS 19 17 25 17 - 78
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 4, STEWART. LA CLIPPERS - OUTLAW 4,
DUCKWORTH 3, ROBERTS 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 7-18 (.389), D SCHREMPF 1-4, PAYTON 2-4,
HAWKINS 0-2, EHLO 0-2, PERKINS 4-6. LA CLIPPERS 3-9 (.333), ROGERS 1-1,
RICHARDSON 0-1, SEALY 0-1, OUTLAW 0-1, DEHERE 0-1, PIATKOWSKI 1-1, D
MARTIN 1-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, JOE DEROSA, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 6,238. T - 2:04.
SEATTLE (94) AT LA CLIPPERS (78)
Gary Payton scored nine of his 25 points in the opening quarter
as the Seattle SuperSonics raced to a 10-point lead and never
trailed, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in a Pacific
Division matchup, 94-78.
Payton added eight assists and six rebounds despite playing with
a slight groin injury for Seattle (6-2).
"I am going to play whether I am hurt or not," said Payton. "I
just won't pratice for a few games, probably this whole road
trip. I am just going to play hard, they can't get me off my
game. I'll punish them by my good playing."
Shawn Kemp had 20 points and grabbed 15 boards for the
first-place Sonics, which twice owned a 16-point lead, including the
final margin.
"I am not happy with my condition," Kemp said. "I need to
get on a treadmill to get myself into the best shape I can be
in. I started a little slow this year."
Malik Sealy scored 17 points to lead the Clippers (4-3), who
could only get as close as 64-59 on a 20-foot jumper by Darrick
Martin that capped a 14-3 run with 1:49 remaining in the third
period. Martin had five points in the run and finished with 12
points in 18 minutes off the bench.
Loy Vaught added 11 points and 11 rebounds for Los Angeles,
which grabbed an 8-4 lead midway through the first period on a
17-foot jumper by Sealy.
"A couple of guys fell asleep in the first half tonight, you
can't do that against good teams," said Clippers coach Bill
Fitch. "Good teams make you pay for your mistakes, it makes
hard to play from behind against gopod teams. Evertime we made a
mistake, they made us pay for them. It is a sign of a good team
when they make you pay for all your sins."
Seattle went on to score the next six points and claimed the
lead for good at 4:47 on a three-pointer by Payton.
Sam Perkins scored 16 points in 20 minutes for Seattle,
including 4-for-6 from three-point territory. The Sonics made
seven three-pointers overall, shooting 39 percent.
"I didn't want to play a slow game," said Seattle coach George
Karl. "The Clippers have too much confidence in the tempo game.
We came out strong in the first half, our defense was especially
strong. We had a little in the third, it is sometimes hard to
sustain big leads. We had a strong finish in the fourth quarter
though."
"We had a good defensive effort for most of the game," said
Kemp. "We've tried to force them to take bad shots, to turn the
ball over."
Stanley Roberts played just 10 minutes for Los Angeles, going
1-of-2 from the field and blocking two shots before
leaving the game with a bruised hip. He will not play in
tomorrow's contest across town against the Lakers.
"They have so many versatile players," said Roberts. "They are
a talented team and they are going to get better as the year
goes on."
The Sonics extended the lead to 61-45 with 5:55 remaining in the
third on Detlef Schrempf's two free throws.
nba.1490vpoznanovic,
TORONTO (96) AT NEW YORK (99)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 43 5-13 1-2 0 3 3 2 5 4 3 13
JONES F 29 3-4 2-2 1 7 8 0 5 1 2 8
CAMBY C 36 9-14 11-13 1 1 2 0 4 4 1 29
CHRISTIE G 40 4-7 1-2 0 6 6 4 3 2 2 10
STOUDAMIRE G 42 10-25 3-3 1 3 4 13 3 4 4 26
DAVIS 11 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
ROGERS 25 1-4 2-2 1 5 6 0 5 0 1 4
WHITESIDE 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
EARL 7 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
LOHAUS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TABAK DNP - SORE LEFT HEEL
WRIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-75 21-26 5 25 30 20 26 15 13 96
(.453) (.808) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(23 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 25 1-3 0-0 2 3 5 0 3 2 2 2
OAKLEY F 32 5-12 0-0 6 9 15 4 3 0 2 10
EWING C 39 9-16 7-10 1 8 9 1 5 0 6 25
HOUSTON G 26 3-8 3-3 0 2 2 1 3 0 6 11
WARD G 39 3-6 6-8 2 2 4 11 4 2 1 13
WALLACE 18 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 5 4
STARKS 35 9-16 6-7 1 4 5 6 2 1 2 27
BROOKS 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0
B WILLIAMS 17 2-4 3-8 3 1 4 0 0 0 0 7
JENT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-69 25-36 15 30 45 25 25 5 24 99
(.493) (.694) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 24(21 PTS)
TORONTO 26 21 29 20 - 96
NEW YORK 19 28 23 29 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - CAMBY 4, WILLIAMS 2, CHRISTIE 2. NEW YORK -
EWING 3, B WILLIAMS 3, WALLACE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 7-27 (.259), WILLIAMS 2-8, CAMBY 0-2, CHRISTIE
1-2, STOUDAMIRE 3-10, DAVIS 0-2, ROGERS 0-1, WHITESIDE 1-2. NEW YORK 6-14
(.429), JOHNSON 0-1, HOUSTON 2-5, WARD 1-2, STARKS 3-5, BROOKS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, HEAD COACH WALKER.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, DAVID JONES, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 19,763. T - 2:25.
TORONTO (96) AT NEW YORK (99)
John Starks scored 13 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter as
the New York Knicks rallied for their fourth win in five games,
a 99-96 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Starks saw extensive playing time in the second half after Allan
Houston turned an ankle early in the third quarter. He had 10
points in a 20-4 burst that turned an eight-point deficit into a
91-83 lead with 3:33 to play.
"I think that John gave us a good lift off the bench," Knicks
coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Allan was a little banged, so I
stayed with John and he played very well for us. But Allan's
OK. He was able to come back in at the end."
Patrick Ewing had 25 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks,
who beat Toronto for the second time this season and improved to
6-0 all-time against the Raptors, who entered the NBA last year.
Rookie Marcus Camby scored a season-high 29 points and Damon
Stoudamire added 26 and 13 assists for Toronto. Camby, the
second overall pick in the draft, is averaging 26 points in his
last three games.
"It was real tough but we should have gotten the win tonight,"
Camby said. "They are a quality team. They say the Knicks are
supoposed to go to the NBA Finals, but we played them tough
twice, so that says a lot about our team."
A basket by Walt Williams gave the Raptors a 79-71 lead with
11:27 to play, but Starks scored 10 points and Ewing seven over
the next eight minutes. A three-pointer by Starks completed the
burst and gave the Knicks an eight-point lead.
"Give them credit, they made it a helter-skelter game," Ewing
said. "They trapped us and took us out of our post game and
rolls. Fortunately, we toughened up our defense in the fourth
quarter."
"I just wanted to come out and be aggressive," Starks said.
"Against a team that presses, you have to take it to the basket.
Once you break the press, you have to attack it."
Another basket by Williams pulled Toronto within 95-94 with 51
seconds left. Ewing made two free throws and Stoudamire missed
an off-balance shot with 25 seconds to go.
After New York's Buck Williams missed two foul shots, Stoudamire
and Starks each made a pair, leaving the Knicks with a 99-96
lead with 11 seconds to go. Stoudamire drove and passed to the
6-11 Camby, who missed a three-pointer as time expired.
"The Knicks are lucky to get out of here with a win," Raptors
coach Darrell Walker said. "I never say anything but my guys
came in here and competed. We didn't call a timeout, we went
with our gut feeling and Marcus had a shot and he missed it.
There wasn't any confusion. I considered a timeout but Damon
and I wanted to go for it and we did."
Charlie Ward had 13 points and 11 assists and Charles Oakley had
10 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who shot 49 percent
(34-of-69) from the field and held a 45-30 rebounding edge.
Williams scored 13 points and former Knick Doug Christie added
10 for the Raptors, who shot 45 percent (34-of-75).
Stoudamire had 11 and Camby nine as Toronto raced to a 26-19
lead after one period. The Raptors held a 47-38 advantage but
Ewing scored four points and Ward made three free throws in a
9-0 run that closed the first half and tied the game. Camby and
Stoudamire helped the Raptors build a 76-70 lead entering the
final period.
"I think in the first half, we were not in the right position to
break their press," Starks said. "But we did a better job in
the second half."
Houston returned in the closing seconds and finished with 11
points.
nba.1491vpoznanovic,
Utah president Layden resting after gall bladder surgery
SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Jazz president Frank Layden is resting
comfortably in good condition Thursday after a 2Ż-hour gall bladder
operation Wednesday night.
Layden complained of stomach pains Wednesday and underwent tests at
LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Doctors removed his gall bladder and
some gall stones. His release date from the hospital has not been
determined.
Layden was named general manager of the team in May 1979, and added
the role of head coach in December 1981. He compiled a 277-294 record
until stepping down in 1988, earning NBA Coach of the Year honors in
1983-84 when the Jazz won the Midwest Division.
nba.1492vpoznanovic,
Kings loses Grant indefinitely to rotator cuff surgery
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Kings forward Brian Grant underwent
successful arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair an incomplete tear
in his in his right rotator cuff and will be out indefinitely, the
team announced.
The procedure was performed by team physician Dr. Richard Marder at
the University of California-Davis Medical Center. Grant will begin
rehabilitation Monday and will be sidelined for an unspecificed amount
of time.
Grant, second on the team in scoring and rebounding, originally
suffered the injury during the offseason and missed the majority of
training camp and the first five preseason games.
The 6-9 Grant is averaging 12.8 points and eight rebounds per game.
After playing collegiately at Xavier (Ohio), he was the eighth overall
pick in the 1994 NBA draft.
Grant had missed the last two games, both losses for struggling
Sacramento (2-5). The Kings have used center Olden Polynice at power
forward in Grant's absence.
nba.1493vpoznanovic,
Old-timers Howell, Risen join Hall of Fame nominees
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Basketball Hall of Fame Thursday added
Bailey Howell and Arnie Risen as the two nominees for election from
the veteran's screening committee.
Howell was a two-time All-American forward at Mississippi State and
still ranks as the school's all-time leader in rebounding, free throws
made and attempted, and is second in scoring. He enjoyed a 12-year NBA
career (1959-71) with Detroit, Baltimore, Boston and Philadelphia,
appearing in six All-Star Games and winning two NBA Championships as a
Celtic.
Risen played professionally for 13 seasons with Indianapolis of the
National Basketball League, Rochester of the NBL/NBA and the NBA's
Boston Celtics. The forward was a member of two NBA Championship
teams, was a three-time All-Star and perenially ranked among the
league's leading rebounders.
The Hall of Fame announced its 15 regular nominees on Nov. 5. The
seven players nominated were Alex English, Dennis Johnson, Gus
Johnson, Bobby Jones, Sidney Moncrief, Jo Jo White and Jamaal Wilkes.
English, Jones and Moncrief are first-time nominees.
The seven coaches nominated were Alex Hannum, Jerry Tarkanian, Pete
Carril, Don Haskins, Jim Phelan, John Thompson and Tex Winter along
with contributor Lee Williams. Hannum is the only first-time nominee
among the coaches.
Joan Crawford and Denise Curry were named as the candidates from the
women's committee on Tuesday. Crawford starred in the AAU leagues in
the 1950s and '60s. Curry was a four-year starter and three-time
All-American (1979-81) at UCLA.
Nominees from the International Committee will be announced next week.
An individual needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for
induction. The new inductees will be named on Feb. 3, 1997.
nba.1494vpoznanovic,
Ceballos sidelined 6-8 weeks
LOS ANGELES (Nov 14, 1996 - 19:30 EST) -- The news was bad, but it
could have been worse. Los Angeles Lakers forward Cedric Ceballos will
be sidelined 6-8 weeks because of a partial tear of the patella tendon
in his right knee.
Ceballos, 27, landed awkwardly while making a fast-break layup with
just under four minutes remaining in San Antonio's 95-83 victory over
the visiting Lakers on Wednesday night.
Ceballos had to be wheeled off the court after the injury, which was
diagnosed after the game and confirmed Thursday when he was examined
by team physician Dr. Stephen Lombardo of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic
Clinic.
In his third season with the Lakers, Ceballos has averaged 10.8 points
and 6.6 rebounds in eight games. He averaged 21.7 points and 8.0
rebounds in the 1994-95 season, when he was selected to play in the
NBA All-Star game, and 21.2 points and 6.9 rebounds last season.
"It's certainly a blow," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said
Thursday, shortly after hearing the news. "But it's not what you fear
most, and that's losing the athlete for the season."
The Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last
spring. Ceballos is only one of five returning players from that team.
The current squad is built around center Shaquille O'Neal, who signed
a seven-year, $120 million free-agent contract in July.
Kupchak said he spoke with coach Del Harris and executive vice
president of basketball operations Jerry West after hearing the news.
"We don't think at this time we're going to go outside the
organization and pick up a player," Kupchak said. "We're hopeful that
Jerome (Kersey) or Trevor (Wilson), knock on wood, if they continue to
progress, who know the system, will be available."
The Lakers didn't make an immediate roster move and Kupchak said none
was expected in the next few days.
Kersey and Wilson, both forwards signed during the offseason, have
been on the injured list since the season started, Kersey with a
stress fracture of the left foot and Wilson with tendinitis in his
left knee.
"With Jerome's original timetable, which was 2-4 weeks, we're there,"
Kupchak said. "It's really up to him, how he feels, and whether our
doctor is going to give him a green light.
"We're hopeful we can make do with what we have in house at least
until (Kersey or Wilson) can come back. We're very hopeful that one
will be activated within a week or 10 days."
Kupchak said the versatility of several Lakers players, like shooting
guard Eddie Jones, backup forward Corie Blount and swing man Kobe
Bryant, would help.
"We brought Jerome in here to back up Cedric," Kupchak said. "Between
Jerome, Corie (Blount) and Eddie, we should be OK.
"Injuries are part of it. San Antonio had four starters out last
night. Atlanta has some guys out. We'd rather get our injuries now
than in April or May."
As far as who would replace Ceballos in the starting lineup, Kupchak
said that was up to Harris and the coaching staff.
"Obviously, Eddie is a 6-6 small forward if need be," Kupchak said.
"Corie Blount's a 6-10 guy. It depends on who we're matched up with."
If Jones moves to small forward, veteran Byron Scott could open at
shooting guard.
Kupchak said he hadn't spoken with Ceballos since the injury.
"Knowing Cedric, he's probably down. And disappointed," Kupchak said.
"And he's probably trying to figure out ways to speed his recovery and
start working out, which he obviously can't do yet. He has that kind
of personality."
The Lakers (5-3) didn't practice Thursday. On Friday night at the
Forum they play the Los Angeles Clippers, who have won four of six
this season.
nba.1495vpoznanovic,
Magic player denies rape allegation; says woman wants money
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov 14, 1996 - 13:30 EST) -- Orlando Magic guard Nick
Anderson has denied a rape allegation, saying that he is a target of
extortion by the woman and a black separatist group.
The woman filed a complaint with police Oct. 8, alleging she was raped
Feb. 26 at her home in Orlando, said police spokesman Bill Mulloy.
Anderson denied the accusation at a news conference Wednesday night at
Orlando Arena.
Anderson and his attorneys said the group representing the woman sent
a letter on Sept. 18, demanding $600,000 by Oct. 1 or that a police
complaint would be filed.
Anderson said he rejected the demand.
"These allegations are totally untrue, totally false," Anderson said
before breaking down in tears.
The group supporting the woman, the Pan Afrikan InterNational Movement
(PAIN), scheduled a news conference later today to publicize the
allegation. Kwane Akkebala, assistant chief elder of the group,
refused to talk about the claim beforehand.
Anderson was interviewed by police Oct. 18. Police refused to discuss
the case because it is under investigation.
nba.1496vpoznanovic,
Phoenix coach thinking of quitting after winless start
PHOENIX (Nov 14, 1996 - 19:24 EST) -- The game plan was for Phoenix's
Cotton Fitzsimmons to finish his 21st season in the NBA, then turn the
Suns over to coach-in-waiting Danny Ainge.
But the Suns' worst start in 11 years has Fitzsimmons dejected enough
to think about moving the timetable up, according to a published
report.
The 65-year-old Fitzsimmons refused Thursday to discuss the story
published hours before in the Tribune (Ariz.) Newspapers.
"No way. Just ask me about basketball," he told Canadian Press after a
morning shootaround at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, where
the Suns were to play the Vancouver Grizzlies on Thursday night.
Fitzsimmons hurried his players into a waiting bus.
"You've got to understand, I'm my own boss," said Fitzsimmons, who
retained his title of senior executive vice president when he took
over coaching chores Jan. 17. "I do what I want."
Both the Suns and Grizzlies, a second-year expansion team, took 0-7
records into the game. In the Suns' case, a loss would leave them one
defeat shy of the worst start in franchise history -- nine consecutive
losses in 1985-86.
Fitzsimmons did not return telephone calls by The Associated Press to
his room at the team hotel. General manager Bryan Colangelo told KTAR
Radio in Phoenix that Fitzsimmons had done nothing to change his
status.
"Tonight Cotton is the coach of the Phoenix Suns," he said.
Team president Jerry Colangelo was not available for comment. But he
told the Tribune he'd noticed a change in the normally gregarious
Fitzsimmons.
"He's not his effervescent self. Everyone can see that," said
Colangelo, who first hired Fitzsimmons in 1970. "If he decides he
can't do it or doesn't want to do it, it's totally his call. This
isn't his fault."
Fitzsimmons, who is No. 7 in NBA coaching victories, said he was
embarrassed by the emotionless way the team played in a 112-95 loss at
Philadelphia last Saturday night.
"The fact that I can't get it from them is embarrassing to me as a
coach. It's embarrassing for the franchise. I thought we'd be better,"
he said. "I hate to be in this fix. But that's where we are today."
The Suns have struggled since trading Charles Barkley to Houston
during the offseason.
Normally one of the league's high-octane teams, they have yet to score
100 points in a game this season -- another franchise record-low
streak -- and rank near the bottom in points allowed, scoring and
rebounding.
The Suns have two centers on the injured list -- Mark Bryant and John
"Hot Rod" Williams -- and guard Kevin Johnson has been sidelined since
undergoing hernia surgery in late September.
Jerry Colangelo said his team was looking to deal for "an impact
player," but would not discuss prospects.
The Tribune said the Suns are interested in trading for Portland
forward Clifford Robinson.
Ainge, who had no previous coaching experience, was hired as an
assistant in May. He played the final three seasons of his 14-year NBA
career with Phoenix before taking a television analyst job with TNT in
1995.
During stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Buffalo Braves, Kansas City
Kings, San Antonio Spurs and seven-plus seasons with Phoenix,
Fitzsimmons coached teams to an 832-774 record prior to the trip to
Vancouver.
He also was director of player personnel for Golden State during the
1976-77 season.
He stepped upstairs in 1992, allowing protege Paul Westphal to take
over a team that included the newly acquired Barkley. Westphal had
been groomed during four years as an assistant, but he was fired after
the injury-plagued 1995-96 team got off to a 14-19 start.
nba.1497vpoznanovic,
Phoenix coach quits, passes reins to assistant coach
PHOENIX (Nov 15, 1996 - 00:54 EST) -- Cotton Fitzsimmons quit as coach
of the Phoenix Suns, turning over the winless team to assistant Danny
Ainge following a 92-89 loss Thursday night to the Vancouver
Grizzlies.
Fitzsimmons had planned to accede to Ainge at the end of this, his
21st season as an NBA coach. But the Suns' worst start in 11 years led
Fitzsimmons to change that plan.
After losing Thursday night, the Suns fell to 0-8, while allowing the
Grizzles to win for the first time after seven losses this season.
Fitzsimmons, who also is senior vice president of the Suns, said he
was stepping aside now "in the best interest of the club."
"By me stepping down this early in the season, the team will have 74
games to straighten themselves out and head in the right direction,"
he said in a statement released by the team.
"Our game plan was for me to turn this club over to Danny Ainge at the
end of the season," the statement said. "This was something we had
tried and done successfully in the past. Unfortunately, it was not
working this time.
Earlier in the day, the 65-year-old Fitzsimmons had refused to discuss
media reports of his retirement.
"No way. Just ask me about basketball," he told Canadian Press after a
morning shootaround at GM Place in Vancouver before hustling his
players into a waiting bus. "You've got to understand, I'm my own
boss. I do what I want."
The team said president Jerry Colangelo, general manager Bryan
Colangelo, Fitzsimmons and Ainge planned to conduct a news conference
Friday on the changes.
After the loss Thursday night, Phoenix is just a defeat shy of the
franchise record set in the 1985-86 season.
Fitzsimmons, No. 7 in NBA coaching victories, said he was embarrassed
by the emotionless way the team played in a 112-95 loss at
Philadelphia last Saturday night.
"The fact that I can't get it from them is embarrassing to me as a
coach. It's embarrassing for the franchise. I thought we'd be better,"
Fitzsimmons had said. "I hate to be in this fix. But that's where we
are today."
Jerry Colangelo was not available for comment, but he told the Tribune
(Ariz.) Newspapers he'd noticed a change in the normally gregarious
Fitzsimmons.
"He's not his effervescent self. Everyone can see that," said
Colangelo, who first hired Fitzsimmons in 1970. "If he decides he
can't do it or doesn't want to do it, it's totally his call. This
isn't his fault."
The Suns have struggled since trading Charles Barkley to Houston
during the offseason.
Normally one of the league's high-octane teams, they have yet to score
100 points in a game this season -- another franchise record-low
streak -- and rank near the bottom in points allowed, scoring and
rebounding.
The Suns have two centers on the injured list -- Mark Bryant and John
"Hot Rod" Williams -- and guard Kevin Johnson has been sidelined since
undergoing hernia surgery in late September.
Jerry Colangelo said his team was looking to deal for "an impact
player," but would not discuss prospects.
The Tribune said the Suns are interested in trading for Portland
forward Clifford Robinson.
Ainge, who had no previous coaching experience, was hired as an
assistant in May. He played the final three seasons of his 14-year NBA
career with Phoenix before taking a television analyst job with TNT in
1995.
During stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Buffalo Braves, Kansas City
Kings, San Antonio Spurs and seven-plus seasons with Phoenix,
Fitzsimmons coached teams to an 832-775 record.
He also was director of player personnel for Golden State during the
1976-77 season.
He stepped upstairs in 1992, allowing protege Paul Westphal to take
over a team that included the newly acquired Barkley. Westphal had
been groomed during four years as an assistant, but he was fired after
the injury-plagued 1995-96 team got off to a 14-19 start.
nba.1498vpoznanovic,
Cotton Fitzsimmons' career coaching record
Regular season W L Pct
1970-71 Phoenix 48 34 .585
1971-72 Phoenix 49 33 .598
1972-73 Atlanta 46 36 .561
1973-74 Atlanta 35 47 .427
1974-75 Atlanta 31 51 .378
1975-76 Atlanta 28 46 .378
1977-78 Buffalo 27 55 .329
1978-79 Kansas City 48 34 .585
1979-80 Kansas City 47 35 .573
1980-81 Kansas City 40 42 .488
1981-82 Kansas City 30 52 .366
1982-83 Kansas City 45 37 .549
1983-84 Kansas City 38 44 .463
1984-85 San Antonio 41 41 .500
1985-86 San Antonio 35 47 .427
1988-89 Phoenix 55 27 .671
1989-90 Phoenix 54 28 .659
1990-91 Phoenix 55 27 .671
1991-92 Phoenix 53 29 .646
1995-96 Phoenix 27 22 .551
1996-97 Phoenix 0 8 .000
Totals 832 775 .518
Playoffs W L Pct.
1973 Atlanta 2 4 .333
1979 Kansas City 1 4 .200
1980 Kansas City 1 2 .333
1981 Kansas City 7 8 .467
1984 Kansas City 0 3 .000
1985 San Antonio 2 3 .400
1986 San Antonio 0 3 .000
1989 Phoenix 7 5 .583
1990 Phoenix 9 7 .563
1991 Phoenix 1 3 .250
1992 Phoenix 4 4 .500
1996 Phoenix 1 3 .250
Totals 35 49 .417
nba.1499vpoznanovic,
Sonics cut Spencer
SEATTLE (Nov 14, 1996 - 07:06 EST) -- Question: Which Sonic has
appeared in the fewest regular-season games ever?
Answer: Elmore Spencer, who was waived by the team Wednesday after
playing in only one game this season -- for a total of five minutes --
without scoring a point.
That barely nudges Mike Champion (1988-89), Greg Ballard (1988-89),
John Shumate (1980-81) and Willie Wise (1977-78) out of the category.
All four played in two games, although Champion played only four
minutes.
Spencer's waiving also means the team will likely announce the signing
of another reserve big man Thursday to a "make-good" contract similar
to that signed by the 7-foot, 270-pound Spencer, who would have been
guaranteed a full year's salary had he been on the roster Thursday.
"We want to continue to pursue other players and we were in a
situation where if we kept (Spencer) much longer, we would have had to
tie him up (for the year)," said coach George Karl. "This frees us up
now to bring in other guys."
One of those other guys won't be former Sonic Benoit Benjamin,
however, who was waived by Toronto on Tuesday. "I think the scars
there are too deep," Karl said.
Whoever it is will also have to sign for the minimum, because that's
all the Sonics can fit under the salary cap.
The Sonics do have two players eligible to come off the injured
reserve list -- center Steve Scheffler and guard Greg Graham. But
Scheffler hasn't recovered from a right foot injury and the Sonics
need another big man more than they need Graham.
PAYTON MISSES PRACTICE: Guard Gary Payton was one of four Sonics to
sit out of practice Wednesday, although he is expected to play in
Thursday night's game in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
Payton didn't practice while resting a groin pull suffered during
Tuesday night's 110-94 win over Golden State in which Payton played 41
minutes.
"Knowing Gary, he will play," Karl said. "He's a gamer."
Payton would not talk to reporters after Wednesday's practice.
Also sitting out practice where Nate McMillan, whose groin injury will
hold him out until at least Tuesday's game at Toronto, Scheffler and
Craig Ehlo, who had some emergency dental work done.
nba.1500vpoznanovic,
Longtime Jazz PA announcer has seen the good, bad and the ugly
(Nov 14, 1996 - 07:42 EST) - Midway through the fourth quarter of a
close game against Seattle, public address announcer Dan Roberts waits
for a timeout to end. As the Jazz return to the floor, he pops his
trademark question on the crowd of 19,911 that has invaded the Delta
Center for 2 hours of NBA action.
"Hey everybody," Roberts shrieks, "how 'bout this Jazz?"
Once again, Roberts' timing is perfect. Once again, he elicits the
response he seeks. The crowd roars its approval, and the Jazz --
eventually -- manage to defeat the Sonics.
Roberts is in his 26th season as the arena voice of professional
basketball in Utah. That voice -- if not his face -- is as well-known
around here as Hot Rod Hundley's.
Why does he do it?
Certainly, there's more to it than Roberts' $500-per-month salary and
the three season tickets tossed his way by the Jazz.
"Simple," he says, "I love being part of the game."
The Jazz -- and their fans -- seem to love Roberts.
On his 50th birthday -- prior to the Jazz-Sonics season opener -- the
club provided a gigantic 50th birthday cake.
"He's one of the best on the league," said David Allred, the Jazz's
vice president of media relations.
"He works hard," added owner Larry Miller. "He's developed a special
relationship with our fans."
Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan agreed, saying, "He does a great job. He's very
professional. From what I hear, he tries to acknowledge everybody the
same way. Some places, they announce their guys with a great, big,
boisterous voice and then announce the other team like, 'Oh, well.'
That's not real fair to the players. And that's not the way Dan does
it."
Often, however, he has been the target for criticism from out-of-town
media members who blast his style.
He acknowledges: "I'm very biased. But I also try not to let it come
through."
Asked about those critics, Roberts quickly lists those who have
written nasty things about him: Art Spander of the San Francisco
Examiner, Kerry Eggers of The (Portland) Oregonian, and Bob Ryan of
the Boston Globe.
According to Roberts, Spander directly blamed him for an on-court
brawl at the end of Game 2 in the 1987 playoffs with Golden State.
"He said that I was a hip, flip DJ who helped cause the fight by
whipping the crowd into a frenzy," Roberts said.
Did he whip the crowd into a frenzy?
"Absolutely," Roberts said. "But I don't think I can take credit for
any fight."
Meanwhile, Eggers wrote that Roberts was "a broken-down tractor-pull
announcer." Ryan called him the "clown of the Salt Palace," for which
he later apologized.
Roberts was born in Ely, Nev., but he has lived in Utah most of his
life. He attended Skyline High, played quarterback and graduated in
1965.
"That was the last year Skyline was really bad," he said. "They've
been winning ever since I left."
Roberts started out as the public address announcer for the Utah Stars
of the ABA in 1971. Hired by public relations director Harvey
Kirkpatrick, Roberts heard that his closest competition for the job
was a woman.
"Harvey," he said, "was way, way ahead of his time."
Roberts' love affair with basketball -- and Utah fans' love affair
with Roberts -- bloomed during those crazy days in the ABA.
"I was the first PA guy to introduce Moses Malone," he said. "That's
one small claim to fame. ... But the whole experience was wonderful.
The games were wide open -- back and forth. I saw guys like Rick Barry
and Dr. J. Even Wilt Chamberlain, who was the coach of San Diego for
awhile."
One night, during a Utah-Denver game, Roberts didn't think much of a
call by referee Jack Madden.
"I said, 'Oddly enough, the foul was called on ...," Roberts said.
"Well, Jack didn't like that one bit. He stopped the game, came over
to the scorer's table and told me -- if I did that again -- he's kick
my (rear) out."
Fun times in the ABA.
But, alas, the Stars folded in 1975.
Roberts was "very depressed," though he wasn't away from basketball
long. Roberts announced games for the Utah Prospectors of old Western
Basketball League, and Jerry Pimm also hired him to announce
University of Utah games.
Roberts was back in business.
The highlight of Roberts' tenure at Utah came in March of 1979. He
announced NCAA championship game between Magic Johnson's Michigan
State team and Larry Bird of Indiana State.
"It was a magical night," he said. "Those kind of games just don't
happen very often."
A few months later, the Jazz moved from New Orleans. Roberts
auditioned for the job and David Fredman, then the team's public
relations director and now an assistant coach, hired him.
"It was a tough decision because we had some good candidates,"
recalled Fredman. "But Dan had a voice -- deep and powerful -- that I
thought could excite a crowd. ... We also had a good PA guy in New
Orleans, and Dan sounded a lot like him."
From Game 1, Roberts has been the arena voice of the Jazz. Just don't
ask him much about Game 1.
"I don't remember any of the players or even who won," he said. "But I
remember the Osmonds sang the National Anthem."
Roberts' tenure with the Jazz apparently ended in the spring of 1985,
when he moved to California in search of "greener pastures." By the
following fall, however, Roberts had moved back to Utah.
Quickly, Roberts re-established his niche in Utah basketball circles.
Since then, he has worked playoff games, the 1993 All-Star Game and
hundreds of regular-season games.
Through all the excitement and criticism, Roberts keeps his cool --
except, perhaps, when it's time to exhort the Jazz and their fans.
"I love this game," he said. "And I love this team."
nba.1501vitez.koja,
#=>> Sudjenje ocajno i na stetu Hjustona
#=> Suđenje je bilo kao i na svim utakmicama, nisu zbog tog izgubili.
#=> :)
Daj, dobili su tri tehničke od kojih su najmanje dve neopravdane
(ok, ono za korake sam preterao)... Inače ovi tvoji Reptorsi se nešto
razigrali (ili ove sezone navijaš za Grizlije? ;)
sk
nba.1502junior,
> BARKLEY F 44 6-13 13-17 1 8 9 ... 25
> Charles Barkley had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets,
Ko ovde laže? Jel' 12 ili 9 skokova?
nba.1503junior,
> (ok, ono za korake sam preterao)... Inače ovi tvoji Reptorsi se
> nešto razigrali (ili ove sezone navijaš za Grizlije? ;)
Pu, pu .. daleko bilo. Ko će da navija za one seljake? :)
Ono su bre Indijanci, Toronto je za njih kultura .. :)
A da su se razigrali, jesu. Sad su otpustili Benjamina, Marcus Camby
(ovogodišnji pik) je zaigrao u prvoj petorci, dobija po 30-ak minuta
po meču, a igra fantastično (zadnje 2 utakmice u startnoj petorci:
prosek 26 poena, 4 skoka, 4 blokade, 2 ukradene, BEZ izgubljenih lopti :),
uz standardno dobrog Damona i Carlosa (Rogers) imamo veoma konkurentnu
ekipu.
Ove godine teško da ćemo ući u play-off, uspeh bi bio i osvajanje
25-30 pobeda, što je, ja mislim, sad i realnost. Važno je napomenuti da imamo
_najmlađi_ tim u NBA-u, jer nijedan igrač nema više od 4 godine iskustva.
A i trener nam ima 35 godina, tako da je to, u pravom smislu reči, perspektivna
ekipa. Ako uzmemo još 1 dobrog pika, a kad odu ovi matorci za godinu-dve-tri
(Ewing, Barkley, Jordan, Rodman, Oukley, Dumars, Stockton, Malone,...) imaćemo
ekipu za titulu. :)
nba.1504vpoznanovic,
Da ne bih svima pojedinačno odgovarao, evo jednog kolektivnog odgovora u
vezi predloga za organizaciju slanja NBA vijesti u ovu temu...
Vidim da ste se u jednakom broju izjasnili za dosadašnji način slanja i
za način kojim bi se novosti slale u obliku fajlova vezanih uz poruke.
Ovih dana sam dosta razmišljao o tome, pokušavajući da osmislim metod
kojim bi i jedna i druga strana bile podjednako zadovoljne, ali nikako
nisam uspijevao pronaći sistem pomoću kojeg bi to sve bilo izvodljivo s
jednog naloga. Tada mi se s idejom javio nenad. Predlog je bio jako
dobar, i ja sam ga uz neke dodatke prihvatio. Evo o čemu se radi...
Otvoren je fiktivni nalog nba.news, sa kojeg ću kao i do sada slati
detaljne preglede utakmica, vijesti i statistike. Istovremeno ću sa svog
naloga svaki dan u jednoj poruci slati kratak izvještaj u kojem će se
nalaziti samo rezultati i nekoliko osnovnih podataka o utakmicama
odigranim tog dana (rezultati po četvrtinama i učinak najboljih u tri
kategorije).
Oni koji ne žele da prate sve daće ignore korisniku nba.news i preuzimaće
samo kratak izvještaj. Kad im zatreba nešto više, samo će skinuti ignore
i potražiti željene informacije. Na taj način će biti pošteđeni skidanja
čitavog fajla, a tekst će lako moći i da pretražuju komandom 'find' (što
je dobra osobina i za neka kasnija pretraživanja). Oni koje ne zanimaju
rezultati i statistike, već žele da prate samo diskusiju, a takvih je
vjerujem jako malo, ovom metodom slanja biće minimalno ugroženi.
Korisnici koji žele da prate sve neće morati ničim da se prilagođavaju,
pratiće temu kao i do sada.
Toliko o praćenju. Što se sadržaja tiče, za sada nemam u planu da vas u
kratkom izvještaju obavještavam o slanju detaljnih statistika i tablica,
koje će kao što sam rekao ići jednom nedeljno, odnosno jednom ili dvaput
mjesečno, niti da pravim rezime vijesti, koji sam siguran da ćete prvi
tražiti. Prije nego što počnem da razmišljam o tome, treba prvo da vidim
kako će sve ovo funkcionisati i koliki će to posao zapravo biti.
Mislim da je ovo najobjektivniji način koji se u ovom trenutku može
realizovati i da smo svima podjednako izašli u susret. Zahvaljujem se
Upravi sistema na podršci.
Primjena novog načina slanja počinje od sutra, čim podesim parametre
novog naloga i dok svi pročitate ovo obavještenje.
nba.1505vpoznanovic,
CHICAGO (110) AT CHARLOTTE (87)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 33 6-12 4-4 0 5 5 7 4 2 3 17
RODMAN F 28 2-2 2-2 6 11 17 3 2 0 5 6
LONGLEY C 20 3-6 0-0 3 3 6 3 0 1 2 6
JORDAN G 29 15-25 4-4 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 38
HARPER G 26 4-7 0-0 2 1 3 2 0 2 0 8
KERR 24 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 1 0 0
KUKOC 26 6-8 1-1 1 1 2 5 0 0 3 15
CAFFEY 18 5-6 0-1 1 2 3 0 1 1 2 10
PARISH 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
BROWN 14 4-6 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 1 8
BUECHLER 9 0-2 0-2 1 1 2 2 2 0 2 0
WENNINGTON 7 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 240 46-83 11-14 14 31 45 29 16 9 20 110
(.554) (.786) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 20(15 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GEIGER F 24 3-7 0-0 3 2 5 1 2 0 2 6
MASON F 32 6-13 2-4 1 3 4 4 3 0 1 14
DIVAC C 19 0-3 1-2 1 3 4 3 3 0 1 1
RICE G 32 7-15 4-4 0 1 1 2 3 0 3 21
GOLDWIRE G 9 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 0
SMITH 34 6-11 0-0 0 0 0 6 0 0 1 13
CURRY 21 2-9 0-0 0 2 2 3 0 1 2 4
BURRELL 16 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 2 0 7
ROSE 20 1-7 2-2 4 4 8 0 5 1 0 4
DELK 17 4-8 3-3 3 2 5 5 0 2 2 13
ZIDEK 16 2-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 4
BOGUES DNP - SORE LEFT KNEE
TOTALS 240 34-89 12-15 13 22 35 27 19 7 14 87
(.382) (.800) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(22 PTS)
CHICAGO 26 29 34 21 - 110
CHARLOTTE 18 18 19 32 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - PIPPEN, JORDAN, HARPER. CHARLOTTE - RICE,
SMITH, BURRELL, ZIDEK.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 7-16 (.438), PIPPEN 1-3, JORDAN 4-5, HARPER
0-3, KERR 0-1, KUKOC 2-2, BUECHLER 0-1, WENNINGTON 0-1. CHARLOTTE 7-22
(.318), GEIGER 0-1, RICE 3-6, SMITH 1-3, CURRY 0-5, BURRELL 1-3, DELK 2-4.
TECHNICALS: CHARLOTTE - MASON.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, GREG WILLARD, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 24,042. T - 1:55.
CHICAGO (110) AT CHARLOTTE (87)
Michael Jordan scored 38 points and Scottie Pippen added 17
points and seven assists as the Chicago Bulls continued to
dominate opponents with a 110-87 dismantling of the Charlotte
Hornets.
Jordan, who always plays well in his home state, hit 15-of-25 of
shots in just 29 minutes. He also keyed a second-quarter run
before sitting out the entire fourth quarter.
"I felt good tonight," Jordan said. "I came out aggressive and
looked for my shot and it felt good. We came out quick and
wanted to put them away so we could get some rest before
tomorrow nights game back home."
"Coaching against Michael Jordan, what can I say," Hornets coach
Dave Cowens said. "He didn't miss many shots. He put a stamp on
the game, made a statement, typical Michael Jordan."
Dennis Rodman, who sat out the final period with Jordan and
Pippen, had six points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls, who are
off to the best start in franchise history and remained the
NBA's lone unbeaten team at 9-0.
"Well, you know, we can't look at records right now," said
Pippen. "We have to take one game at a time. We know the 33
consecutive win record is out there, but we are just trying to
play each game as hard as possible."
Chicago, which set an NBA record with 72 victories last season,
has beaten opponents by an average of 18 points this year.
Chicago's closest game was a six-point win over Miami on
November 6th.
Glen Rice had 21 points and Anthony Mason added 14 for the
Hornets, who have dropped four straight after opening the season
3-1.
"You can't start feeling sorry for yourself," Rice said. "You
can't lose confidence and can't stop shooting. We didn't
convert our shots. If we converted our shots the game would
have been much closer."
Jordan had 14 in the first quarter as Chicago raced to a 26-18
lead after one quarter. But it was an 18-4 run midway through
the second quarter that put the game out of reach.
Jason Caffey's jumper started the burst with 6:13 left in the
half and Rodman's layup with 53 seconds remaining capped it.
Jordan had nine points in the stretch that saw Chicago turn a
seven-point lead into a 55-34 advantage.
Chicago led by as many as 37 in the third quarter and emptied
their bench in the fourth quarter.
nba.1506vpoznanovic,
CLEVELAND (105) AT PHILADELPHIA (89)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 43 10-17 4-4 0 3 3 5 1 2 0 25
HILL F 39 5-7 1-2 5 6 11 2 4 2 2 11
WEST C 10 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 2 4
BRANDON G 39 10-21 2-3 0 4 4 13 1 2 3 24
PHILLS G 42 9-13 5-9 0 5 5 3 4 4 2 26
POTAPENKO 12 0-2 2-2 1 1 2 0 2 0 3 2
SURA 14 1-8 0-0 1 3 4 3 5 1 0 3
FERRY 24 3-8 0-0 0 4 4 3 5 0 1 7
LANG 16 0-1 3-4 1 1 2 0 3 1 1 3
GEARY 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-80 17-24 9 29 38 29 28 12 14 105
(.500) (.708) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 14(18 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 44 7-13 5-5 8 6 14 2 3 1 2 19
COLEMAN F 43 6-15 6-6 3 7 10 6 3 0 4 19
WILLIAMS C 20 1-6 0-0 2 4 6 2 3 1 1 2
IVERSON G 34 6-19 3-4 2 6 8 8 2 0 4 16
STACKHOUSE G 32 3-11 6-9 0 1 1 3 4 2 6 14
HARRIS 20 3-5 1-2 0 2 2 1 1 0 2 8
DAVIS 31 3-10 1-2 2 3 5 1 1 0 2 8
WALTERS 10 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 3
CAGE 6 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
BRADTKE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HENDRICKSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MACLEAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-81 22-28 18 31 49 24 20 4 22 89
(.370) (.786) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 22(27 PTS)
CLEVELAND 23 25 31 26 - 105
PHILADELPHIA 24 28 20 17 - 89
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - BRANDON 2, WEST, LANG. PHILADELPHIA -
WILLIAMS 2, COLEMAN, DAVIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 8-17 (.471), MILLS 1-4, BRANDON 2-4, PHILLS
3-4, SURA 1-2, FERRY 1-3. PHILADELPHIA 7-18 (.389), COLEMAN 1-2, IVERSON
1-3, STACKHOUSE 2-4, HARRIS 1-3, DAVIS 1-5, WALTERS 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, BENNIE ADAMS, TOM WASHINGTON.
A - 12,901. T - 2:11.
CLEVELAND (105) AT PHILADELPHIA (89)
Bobby Phills scored 26 points and Terrell Brandon had eight of
his 24 in a 14-0 fourth-quarter run as the Cleveland Cavaliers
posted a 105-89 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brandon, who also dished out 13 assists, extended a two-point
lead and began the decisive run with a three-point play and
capped it with a three-point field goal to make it 103-87 with
62 seconds remaining.
"After I missed my first three shots, I asked Coach if I was
doing anything wrong mechanically," said Brandon. "He said I
wasn't, so I went out and I hit my next shot. That helped my
confidence. Anytime you have four games in five nights, the
first half is going to be difficult. We layed back a little too
much in the first half, but in the second half we got some
defensive intensity. Our defense rotated better and
double-downed better."
Chris Mills added 25 points and Tyrone Hill had 11 and 11
rebounds for Cleveland, which improved to 6-2, but eclipsed the
century mark for just the second time this season. The Cavs
have only surrendered 90 points once.
"When we made a run from 10 down in the third quarter, it was at
a point when we weren't feeling very good about ourselves," said
Cavs coach Mike Fratello. "We went into the locker room
frustrated about turnovers, but to me the big difference in the
second half was when Terrell Brandon made a great call during
our timeout, then went out and made a big basket that brought us
to within two (60-58). I won't tell you what he said, but he
read their defense and suggested something that worked. We
gambled on it, but it was an intelligent read on his part."
Clarence Weatherspoon had 19 points and 14 boards, while Derrick
Coleman had 19 and 10 for Philadelphia, which has lost 11
straight at home to the Cavs. The Sixers' last home win over
Cleveland came on March 31st, 1991 and they have dropped eight
in a row in the series.
"It was a physical game, we ran the lead up, but we didn't make
the stops when they made their run," said Weatherspoon. "A
couple of turnovers helped them down the stretch. We have to
find a way to put teams away. We can't let teams back in there
and take our momentum away."
Sixers rookie point guard Allen Iverson totaled 16 points, eight
boards and eight assists, but had to leave with 6:15 remaining
after colliding with Danny Ferry, who was setting a pick.
X-rays revealed a slightly separated left shoulder and he will
miss Saturday's game in Miami.
Coleman and Jerry Stackhouse each scored 14 points to help the
76ers to a 52-48 halftime advantage. But Phills netted 12
points in the third, while Stackhouse was scoreless, as
Cleveland assumed a 79-72 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Consecutive layups by Hill and Mills bumped the lead to 85-73
with 9:39 to play before Mark Davis had five points in a 10-0
spurt, which was capped by a three-pointer by Coleman that cut
the gap to 85-83 with 7:26 left.
The teams traded baskets until Brandon started the 14-0 burst.
Philadelphia outrebounded the Cavs, 49-38, but shot just 37
percent (30-of-81) from the floor.
"This is a very tough game to swallow because I thought we had
control of it twice," said Sixers coach Johnny Davis.
"Particularly in the third quarter when we were up 10 and had
them on the ropes. We allowed them to get back into the game,
that's one of the things that we are trying to get away from as
a team. To be able to go up 10 points, we have to finish a team
off. We had good looks, we just didn't put a ball in a basket."
nba.1507vpoznanovic,
DENVER (82) AT BOSTON (80)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 48 14-28 2-2 2 6 8 1 4 1 3 36
MCDYESS F 32 3-10 2-2 4 8 12 1 6 1 4 8
JOHNSON C 24 0-2 4-6 2 6 8 0 4 3 1 4
JACKSON G 41 3-13 0-0 4 1 5 12 1 0 5 7
STITH G 36 2-11 5-6 0 4 4 2 2 3 1 10
HAMMONDS 30 3-7 0-0 2 4 6 1 2 0 2 6
MARCIULIONIS 12 2-6 4-4 2 0 2 1 3 2 3 8
HAM 10 0-0 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 0
MURDOCK 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
MCINNIS 3 1-2 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3
PIERCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 28-81 18-22 16 32 48 20 24 10 20 82
(.346) (.818) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 22(28 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 35 3-11 1-2 2 4 6 2 5 0 4 7
WILLIAMS F 30 2-5 5-6 1 1 2 1 4 0 3 9
RADJA C 40 8-15 0-0 2 13 15 2 2 1 2 16
WESLEY G 46 7-17 3-4 1 2 3 7 1 1 3 18
FOX G 28 6-12 5-5 1 1 2 1 4 0 2 17
DAY 26 4-13 3-4 2 6 8 2 2 1 2 11
ELLISON 15 0-1 0-0 1 4 5 1 0 1 0 0
CONLON 17 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 1 4 2 2 2
DRIGGERS 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
BRICKOWSKI DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SZABO DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-76 19-23 10 31 41 17 23 6 18 80
(.395) (.826) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 18(28 PTS)
DENVER 17 15 28 22 - 82
BOSTON 20 22 20 18 - 80
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - MCDYESS 2, JOHNSON 2, HAM, JACKSON. BOSTON -
RADJA 7, ELLISON 2, WESLEY, FOX, CONLON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 8-20 (.400), D ELLIS 6-9, JACKSON 1-4, STITH
1-3, MARCIULIONIS 0-2, MURDOCK 0-1, MCINNIS 0-1. BOSTON 1-16 (.063),
WALKER 0-3, RADJA 0-1, WESLEY 1-5, FOX 0-2, DAY 0-4, DRIGGERS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: DENVER - D ELLIS, HEAD COACH BICKERSTAFF.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, LUIS GRILLO, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 14,133. T - 2:12.
DENVER (82) AT BOSTON (80)
Ervin Johnson sank three free throws in the final 54 seconds
lifting the Denver Nuggets to their first win in Boston this
decade, an 82-20 defeat of the Celtics.
Johnson sank a pair of free throws with 54 seconds remaining to
give Denver an 81-80 lead. After Boston's Rick Fox missed a
three-pointer with 36 seconds left, Johnson added another free
throw with 1.2 seconds remaining.
After Dino Radja's desparation shot at the buzzer fell short,
the Nuggets had their first victory in Boston since December
9th, 1989.
"No excuses on that last shot, it was just a good defensive
play," said Celtics rookie Antoine Walker. "We still gave
ourselves a chance in the fourth, but a lot of mistakes is what
broke us."
Dale Ellis led the Nuggets with 36 points and Antonio McDyess
chipped in with eight points and 12 rebounds. It was Ellis'
third 30-point game of the season and second in three games.
"I'm happy, but I'm more thrilled to get a win on the road,"
Ellis said. "This team (Boston) was up by 10, they got a little
too confident and relaxed a little bit to allow us to get back
into it. When you get a win in someone else's building, it
doesn't matter what happens during the course of the game. You
are just happy to get one, but we have a lot of stuff we need to
work on."
Mark Jackson added 12 assists, his eighth consecutive game of
10-or-more assists. He's now five games short of the team
record, set by Michael Adams in 1991.
"I just have so many weapons, this offense is tailor made for a
guy who can put the ball in the right hands," Jackson said.
"Dale coming off screens, McDyess down low and Brian Stith on
the other side, it is just an ideal situation for me."
enjoyable."
David Wesley had 18 points and Radja added 16, 15 rebounds and a
career-high seven blocks for Boston, which led by as many as 14
in the third quarter.
"It is always tough to loose, whether you are playing cards or
chess, it's always tough," Radja said.
Sarunas Marciulionis scored five of his eight points during a
6-0 third-quarter run that brought the Nuggets within 60-57 with
45 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The teams traded
baskets until Radja's layup with 84 seconds left gave Boston an
80-79 advantage.
The Nuggets won despite shooting 34 percent (28-of-81) from the
field and committing 22 turnovers. Denver's bench also managed
just 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
Boston, which only shot 39 percent (30-of-77) from the field,
was forced to play without guard Dana Barros, who is suffering
from the flu.
nba.1508vpoznanovic,
INDIANA (93) AT SAN ANTONIO (78)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 36 5-10 4-5 0 5 5 4 0 1 2 15
D DAVIS F 37 6-8 1-2 4 15 19 0 2 0 1 13
A DAVIS C 31 4-7 5-6 4 2 6 1 2 3 3 13
BEST G 33 5-11 3-6 0 1 1 2 5 2 5 14
MILLER G 31 2-8 6-6 0 6 6 4 1 0 3 12
DAMPIER 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
ASKEW 17 0-4 0-0 1 1 2 2 4 0 0 0
HOIBERG 17 5-7 3-4 1 5 6 1 3 1 2 15
ALLEN 15 0-3 1-2 0 1 1 7 1 0 0 1
FERRELL 13 3-5 3-4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 10
ROSE 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-65 26-35 10 37 47 21 19 7 17 93
(.462) (.743) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 20(23 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 33 3-9 2-5 1 2 3 1 1 1 3 9
D WILKINS F 41 6-18 5-6 7 9 16 1 4 0 3 19
ANDERSON C 23 1-2 0-0 0 4 4 1 4 2 0 2
MAXWELL G 42 7-21 0-0 0 5 5 4 4 0 1 16
JOHNSON G 28 5-11 0-1 0 1 1 7 1 2 3 10
ALEXANDER 19 5-8 3-4 0 0 0 7 2 2 2 15
M WILLIAMS 22 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 1 3 0 1 3
HERRERA 23 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 4 2 0 0
KEMPTON 9 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
DEL NEGRO DNP - LEFT KNEE AND ANKLE
W PERDUE DNP - LEFT THUMB
SMITH DNP - RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 29-76 13-20 8 23 31 22 23 9 13 78
(.382) (.650) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 13(10 PTS)
INDIANA 26 25 21 21 - 93
SAN ANTONIO 25 15 12 26 - 78
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - D DAVIS 2, A DAVIS, MCKEY. SAN ANTONIO -
ELLIOTT 2, JOHNSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 7-20 (.350), MCKEY 1-4, BEST 1-4, MILLER 2-5,
HOIBERG 2-4, ALLEN 0-2, FERRELL 1-1. SAN ANTONIO 7-26 (.269), ELLIOTT 1-4,
D WILKINS 2-6, MAXWELL 2-10, JOHNSON 0-1, ALEXANDER 2-5.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: JIM CLARK, BENNETT SALVATORE, GARY BENSON.
A - 14,395. T - 2:06.
INDIANA (93) AT SAN ANTONIO (78)
Derrick McKey and Fred Hoiberg each scored 15 points as the
Indiana Pacers used a pair of big runs in the middle quarters en
route to their first road win of the season, a 93-78 victory
over the San Antonio Spurs.
The Pacers have won five straight over the Spurs since losing
both meetings in 1993-94. Dale Davis, who contributed 13 points
and 19 rebounds, had a dunk to close a 12-0 spurt and give
Indiana a 41-29 lead with 5:49 left in the second quarter. The
Pacers opened the trip with losses to the Dallas Mavericks and
Houston Rockets.
"When you are 2-5 every game's a struggle," said Indiana coach
Larry Brown. "I'm proud we could come back tonight especially
after last night, because we should have won that one. A lot of
teams wouldn't have fought back and I'm proud of them tonight."
Davis shot 6-of-8 from the field and Hoiberg shot 5-of-7 for a
career high in points and grabbed six rebounds in 17 minutes.
Indiana, which was without starting center Rik Smits again, had
seven players in double figures.
"Hopefully we'll now get another one at home and get a little
streak started," said Hoiberg.
Dominique Wilkins had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Spurs,
who were held scoreless for a span of nearly 10 minutes in the
third quarter. San Antonio has been held under 80 points in
five of its eight games. The Spurs are without starting center
David Robinson and backup Will Perdue.
"We started pressing and started thinking about the shots and
everything was compounded," Wilkins said. "We're not taking the
opportunities."
Avery Johnson made a layup to pull the Spurs within 53-46 with
10:46 left in the third. But Reggie Miller made a three-pointer
to spark an 18-0 burst that ended with Duane Ferrell's free
throw for a 72-46 cushion with 55 seconds to go. The Spurs had
just six points in the quarter until Vernon Maxwell made a pair
of three-pointers in the final 38 seconds.
"Our energy level was low from the start," Johnson said. "I
think we just falied to follow the game plan."
Maxwell had 16 points and Johnson added 10 points and seven of
San Antonio's 22 assists. Cory Alexander had a career-high 15
points in 19 minutes.
Sean Elliott, who was held to nine points in 33 minutes, made a
three-pointer as the Spurs tied the score, 25-25, with 27.3
seconds left in the first quarter. Travis Best, who had 14
points, made a free throw with 1.4 seconds to go, giving the
Pacers the lead for good 26-25.
nba.1509vpoznanovic,
LA CLIPPERS (100) AT LA LAKERS (107)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 29 4-17 2-2 5 7 12 2 1 3 4 10
ROGERS F 19 2-5 3-4 1 1 2 3 4 0 1 7
DUCKWORTH C 13 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 2 2
SEALY G 39 8-13 3-7 2 3 5 4 4 3 0 19
RICHARDSON G 28 4-6 0-0 0 2 2 4 2 2 4 9
ROBERTS 27 3-8 2-2 0 3 3 0 5 2 5 8
DEHERE 10 2-3 2-2 0 1 1 4 2 0 1 7
MURRAY 29 6-8 2-6 3 1 4 4 3 0 1 15
OUTLAW 19 5-6 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 1 1 10
PIATKOWSKI 7 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 5
WRIGHT 8 3-4 0-0 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 6
D MARTIN 12 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 2
TOTALS 240 41-81 14-23 16 25 41 25 31 12 22 100
(.506) (.609) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 22(27 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 39 9-11 2-4 5 5 10 4 6 1 4 20
JONES F 44 11-19 7-7 0 5 5 4 4 5 5 32
ONEAL C 29 6-11 6-10 2 1 3 3 6 3 3 18
SCOTT G 39 6-11 4-4 1 1 2 4 3 0 2 19
VAN EXEL G 40 1-10 2-4 1 5 6 15 0 2 4 4
ROOKS 10 1-4 1-2 2 3 5 0 1 0 1 3
FISHER 8 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
BLOUNT 23 1-2 0-0 0 5 5 0 1 2 0 2
BRYANT 7 1-4 2-3 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 4
ROBINSON 1 0-0 2-4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-73 27-40 12 25 37 31 25 13 20 107
(.507) (.675) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 20(25 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 23 26 27 24 - 100
LA LAKERS 28 28 31 20 - 107
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - ROGERS, MURRAY, OUTLAW. LA LAKERS -
CAMPBELL 2, ONEAL 2, ROOKS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 4-10 (.400), ROGERS 0-1, RICHARDSON 1-2,
DEHERE 1-2, MURRAY 1-1, PIATKOWSKI 1-2, D MARTIN 0-2. LA LAKERS 6-15
(.400), JONES 3-6, SCOTT 3-5, VAN EXEL 0-2, BRYANT 0-2.
TECHNICALS: LA CLIPPERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, LA LAKERS - ONEAL.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, JIM CAPERS, ED F RUSH.
A - 16,207. T - 2:19.
LA CLIPPERS (100) AT LA LAKERS (107)
Eddie Jones scored a career-high 32 points and Elden Campbell
added 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers
remained undefeated at home with a 107-100 victory over the Los
Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers topped the 100-point mark for just the second time
this season in winning their fourth home game. Byron Scott
added 19 points and played 39 minutes in his first start for the
Lakers since May 19th, 1993.
"Having Cedric out is a big loss, he does a lot of things for
you," said Scott referring to forward Cedric Ceballos, who is
out with partially torn patella in his right knee. "You just
have to go out there and bust your butt and see what happens. I
was shocked by that, 40 minutes, I'll wake up tomorrow and feel
it. I just look forward to getting in there and helping the
team any way I can."
Shaquille O'Neal, who fouled out with 6:58 left in the fourth
quarter, had 18 points and three rebounds, marking the first
game that he did not lead the team in points and rebounds. Nick
Van Exel had 15 assists and has led the Lakers in assists every
game.
"Even when Shaq was out I didn't think his leaving was a plus or
minus," said Clippers coach Bill Fitch. "I've seen too many
times when they lose a guy like that when your team goes down
and is not effective."
Malik Sealy scored 19 points and Lamond Murray added 15 for the
Clippers, who fell to 11-54 all-time at the Great Western Forum.
They have not won there since December 9th, 1994. The loss was
the Clippers' first in four road games this season.
Pooh Richardson made a 16-footer as the Clippers tied the score,
35-35, with 8:09 left in the second quarter. O'Neal then sank a
pair of free throws to give the Lakers the lead for good, 37-35,
with 7:45 left. Jones had 17 points while O'Neal and Campbell
each added 11 to help the Lakers to a 56-49 halftime advantage.
Derek Fisher made a layup to cap an 11-4 burst and give the
Lakers their biggest lead of the game, 87-72, with 1:48 left in
the third.
"It was a win, we're glad to get it," lakers coach Del Harris
said. "It got down to where we struggled but we held our
composure and won. Nick moved the ball well, basketball is a
game of movement and we do our best when we move."
Charles Outlaw made a layup at the end of a fast break to finish
a 12-2 run and pull the Clippers within 98-96 with 3:36
remaining in the fourth. The Clippers had a chance to make it a
two-point game but Sealy missed a pair of free throws with 3:03
left.
Scott made a three-pointer as the 24-second clock ran out to
give the Lakers a 102-95 cushion with 2:06 to go.
"We had great ball movement, I was pretty much wide open for the
shot thanks to Nick," said Scott.
nba.1510vpoznanovic,
MIAMI (77) AT ATLANTA (85)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 42 2-7 0-2 1 3 4 4 3 1 1 5
THOMAS F 19 5-10 1-1 2 4 6 1 4 1 2 11
MOURNING C 34 8-12 0-1 2 8 10 3 5 0 3 17
HARDAWAY G 43 8-19 1-1 1 2 3 8 5 3 3 23
DANILOVIC G 38 1-6 1-1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 4
BROWN 21 2-5 3-4 0 2 2 1 5 1 2 7
GRANT 8 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0
AUSTIN 22 3-9 2-4 2 5 7 0 4 0 2 8
ASKINS 12 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 2
LENARD 1 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-77 8-14 10 25 35 19 33 7 14 77
(.390) (.571) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(15 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 41 5-10 9-10 1 6 7 0 2 2 2 22
LAETTNER F 43 6-15 6-7 0 6 6 1 3 2 2 19
MUTOMBO C 29 4-8 4-7 6 11 17 2 4 1 2 12
RECASNER G 42 3-8 8-8 4 4 8 3 3 3 5 14
BARRY G 45 3-11 6-8 2 4 6 3 1 1 2 12
NEWBILL 16 0-2 0-2 2 2 4 0 1 0 0 0
BOYCE 9 0-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 0
BURTON 15 1-2 4-6 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 6
ALSTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BLAYLOCK DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
MILLER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 22-60 37-48 16 35 51 10 18 10 17 85
(.367) (.771) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(13 PTS)
MIAMI 27 29 13 8 - 77
ATLANTA 19 19 28 19 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - BROWN, AUSTIN, ASKINS. ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 4,
LAETTNER 2, RECASNER, NEWBILL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 9-22 (.409), MAJERLE 1-5, MOURNING 1-1, HARDAWAY
6-11, DANILOVIC 1-2, ASKINS 0-1, LENARD 0-2. ATLANTA 4-15 (.267), CORBIN
3-5, LAETTNER 1-2, RECASNER 0-1, BARRY 0-5, BOYCE 0-2.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO.
OFFICIALS: NOLAN FINE, JOE FORTE, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 16,378. T - 2:22.
MIAMI (77) AT ATLANTA (85)
Tyrone Corbin scored 22 points and Eldridge Recasner made six
free throws in the final minute as the Atlanta Hawks limited the
Miami Heat to and NBA-record 21 points in the second half en
route to an 85-77 victory.
After the Heat were called for an illegal defense technical
foul, Christian Laettner made the free throw, pulling the Hawks
within 74-73 with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter. Corbin made
a three-pointer with 1:45 to go, putting the Hawks ahead for
good, 76-74. It was Atlanta's first lead since the first
quarter.
"It was a great win for us," said Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkins.
"We had to be ready to play mentally and physically. I didn't
want them to drop their heads at halftime, the big thing was we
had to defend and we did that. I thought Dikembe came back in
the second half and was awesome. I told the guys 'we have
nothing to lose, let's go out and play hard.' It's a good
example of what hard work does."
Atlanta played without its starting backcourt of Mookie Blaylock
and Steve Smith. Both have sprained right ankles and are listed
as day-to-day. Center Dikembe Mutombo had three fouls and was
scoreless in the first half, but finished with 12 points and 13
rebounds. Laettner had 19 points.
"My teammates said 'Dik, we need you in the game,' " Mutombo
said. "I went in and do whatever I have to do to win the
ballgame. I think the defense intensity was very high in the
second half and that was the reason why we got back in the
ballgame."
"It was a very good win for us," Laettner said. "We hung in
there and we scraped all night. When Dikembe came back our
defense was great. I think we played really hard and we did it
with guys who haven't played a lot all season."
Tim Hardaway scored 21 of his 23 points in the first half for
the Heat, who fell to 2-14 all-time at Atlanta. Hardaway was
6-of-7 from three-point range, including a 40-foot shot at the
buzzer, and scored 21 points as Atlanta jumped to a 56-38
halftime lead.
"That was an incredible display in the second half of totally
incompetent basketball," said Miami coach Pat Riley. "We had a
chance to do something tonight and we just did not finish the
game. Give Lenny and his team a lot of credit for getting right
back into the game. It was just an awful loss."
Recasner made the first two of his six free throws to give
Atlanta a 78-74 lead with 43 seconds left. After Alonzo
Mourning missed a hook shot, Corbin's two free throws stretched
the lead to 80-74 with 36 seconds remaining.
"I have always been a pretty decent free throw shooter," said
Recasner, who made all eight of his free throw attempts fro the
game. "I'm just really fortunate to be able to knock them
down."
Mourning made a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 80-77 with
33 seconds to go and Miami immediately fouled Jon Barry, who
made one of two free throws. Dan Majerle missed a three-pointer
on Miami's following possession and Recasner's two free throws
made it 83-77 with 19 seconds left. Hardaway and Voshon Lenard
each missed three-pointers for Miami and Recasner's final pair
of free throws closed the scoring with eight seconds remaining.
"I don't even want to talk about it," Hardaway said. "I'm
speechless."
Hardaway scored nine of his points during an 18-4 run that gave
Miami a 27-17 lead with 1:39 left in the first quarter. Mourning
scored 14 of his 17 points in first half as the Heat took their
biggest lead of the game, 56-38, at halftime.
nba.1511vpoznanovic,
MILWAUKEE (99) AT SACRAMENTO (103)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 43 10-21 7-10 3 4 7 5 4 1 3 29
BAKER F 10 1-4 3-4 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 5
WOLF C 16 0-4 0-0 2 2 4 1 4 0 0 0
DOUGLAS G 35 8-11 2-3 0 2 2 10 1 1 0 20
ALLEN G 26 3-5 3-4 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 9
GILLIAM 42 5-14 4-6 5 8 13 0 3 0 5 14
HANCOCK 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 2
WOOD 20 2-3 1-1 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 7
PERRY 13 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 1 1 4
NEWMAN 30 2-10 5-7 4 2 6 0 5 0 2 9
LANG DNP - ACHILLES TENDON INJURY
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-79 25-35 15 27 42 20 21 5 11 99
(.430) (.714) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 11(18 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
POLYNICE F 36 6-13 3-6 4 8 12 2 4 0 1 15
OWENS F 18 3-6 0-0 1 0 1 1 4 2 2 7
CAUSWELL C 9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
RICHMOND G 41 11-18 7-8 0 4 4 6 3 1 3 30
ABDUL-RAUF G 34 9-18 2-2 0 1 1 4 3 0 2 22
C WILLIAMSON 30 9-16 4-4 2 2 4 1 3 0 3 22
SMITH 28 2-3 0-1 3 5 8 2 3 0 1 4
EDNEY 14 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2
SIMMONS 25 0-0 1-2 0 8 8 7 4 0 1 1
GAMBLE 4 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
HURLEY 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GRANT DNP - SHOULDER INJURY
TOTALS 240 41-77 17-23 10 29 39 26 26 3 14 103
(.532) (.739) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(20 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 34 24 20 21 - 99
SACRAMENTO 22 29 31 21 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - BAKER 2, DOUGLAS 2, ROBINSON, GILLIAM, WOOD.
SACRAMENTO - C WILLIAMSON 2, POLYNICE, SMITH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 6-14 (.429), ROBINSON 2-7, WOLF 0-1, DOUGLAS
2-2, WOOD 2-3, NEWMAN 0-1. SACRAMENTO 4-10 (.400), OWENS 1-1, RICHMOND
1-4, ABDUL-RAUF 2-5.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, BLANE REICHELT, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 17,317. T - 2:15.
MILWAUKEE (99) AT SACRAMENTO (103)
Mitch Richmond scored 12 of his season-high 30 points in the
fourth quarter and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf had nine of his 22 in a
key third-quarter run as the Sacramento Kings defeated the
Milwaukee Bucks, 103-99.
Corliss Williamson added a season-high 22 points for Sacramento,
which won for the first time in three games and improved to 3-5.
"We were fortunate to play a strong second half because we had a
poor first quarter," Kings coach Gary St. Jean said. "I really
like the way we responded in the second half defensively and we
made some good decisions down the stretch."
The Kings have won the last three meetings by a combined 38
points and hold a 10-5 edge in the series over the last eight
seasons.
Sacramento won for just the second time in five home games.
Glenn Robinson scored 29 points and Sherman Douglas added 20 and
a season-high 10 assists for Milwaukee, which dropped its second
straight and lost All-Star forward Vin Baker during the contest.
Baker left with a bruised right hip after he was undercut by
Sacramento's Michael Smith while going for a rebound with 1:51
left in first quarter. Baker made two free throws before
exiting and did not return. X-Rays were negative and Baker is
listed as day-to-day.
"As an overview of the game, I really want to share with you
that I hope Vin Baker is okay," St. Jean said. "He is a class
act as a young man and as a player."
After rookie Ray Allen was credited with a goaltending basket to
close Milwaukee within 90-89 midway through the fourth quarter,
Olden Polynice made a layup to ignite a 6-1 spurt. Richmond
capped the run with consecutive jumpers to give the Kings a
96-90 lead with 2:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Allen brought Milwaukee back one final time, hitting a 21-footer
to close the Bucks within 98-95 before Abdul-Rauf answered back
with a long jumper of his own to seal the game with 1:04
remaining.
"My shot felt pretty good tonight," Abdul-Rauf said. "I've been
saying that I have got to be more aggressive, and so tonight I
was more concious of that, trying to play more aggressive both
offensively and defensively. Fortunately, the shots were
falling, but most important was that we got the victory."
Richmond had 16 of Sacramento's last 25 points.
"Mahmoud did a great job tonight," Richmond said. "We wanted
him to look for his shots and go for it. I think he did that
tonight and he'll hopefully feel comfortable playing and keep
looking for his shots. It was important to get this win at
home. We play nine of our next 10 on the road and it's going to
be tough."
The Kings overcame a 13-point deficit in the second quarter.
After Douglas made a layup to give the Bucks a 48-35 lead midway
through the second quarter, Richmond hit a 21-footer to ignite a
12-3 run.
Polynice and Williamson each scored four points during the burst
as Williamson's dunk capped the run to pull the Kings within
51-47 with 3:03 to go in the first half.
The Kings trailed 58-51 at the half, but began chipping away at
the deficit in the third quarter as Abdul-Rauf hit a 21-footer
to ignite an opening 12-2 run. Rauf had nine points during the
burst, including an 18-footer to give Sacramento a 63-60 lead.
Richmond made a layup one minute later to give the Kings the
lead for good at 65-63.
Polynice finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Lionel
Simmons had eight rebounds and seven assists for Sacramento,
which shot 53 percent (41-of-77) from the field and took
advantage of Baker's injury to outscore Milwaukee 44-30 in the
paint.
Armon Gilliam had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Milwaukee, which
shot 43 percent (34-of-79) from the floor.
nba.1512vpoznanovic,
PORTLAND (93) AT NEW JERSEY (85)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
TRENT F 28 3-7 4-4 0 2 2 1 2 2 2 10
DUDLEY F 40 3-7 1-2 4 9 13 0 5 0 0 7
SABONIS C 5 0-1 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 0
RIDER G 42 6-17 2-2 0 3 3 4 3 2 5 15
ANDERSON G 40 5-11 12-14 1 6 7 2 1 1 2 22
WINGFIELD 26 3-4 2-2 0 3 3 1 3 4 1 8
C ROBINSON 35 7-19 7-12 1 5 6 2 5 1 3 21
MCKIE 14 1-2 3-4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6
BUTLER 10 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 4
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-71 31-40 7 32 39 10 21 11 14 93
(.423) (.775) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 14(9 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OBANNON F 21 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 5
J WILLIAMS F 42 3-12 7-9 9 7 16 2 6 0 5 13
BRADLEY C 37 6-14 4-6 5 5 10 0 5 0 6 16
KITTLES G 31 1-10 0-0 1 2 3 4 0 1 1 3
GILL G 32 5-16 6-7 3 9 12 1 5 0 3 16
R WILLIAMS 20 1-7 2-2 0 4 4 0 3 0 1 4
MASSENBURG 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
REEVES 23 4-10 1-2 0 0 0 3 3 1 1 13
MCDANIEL 10 2-3 0-2 1 2 3 0 2 1 1 4
PACK 18 4-6 0-0 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 9
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
CALDWELL DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 29-86 20-28 20 30 50 12 31 3 20 85
(.337) (.714) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 20(22 PTS)
PORTLAND 18 22 24 29 - 93
NEW JERSEY 19 23 16 27 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - DUDLEY 2, C ROBINSON, MCKIE. NEW JERSEY -
BRADLEY 5, GILL 2, KITTLES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 2-18 (.111), RIDER 1-6, ANDERSON 0-5,
WINGFIELD 0-1, C ROBINSON 0-5, MCKIE 1-1. NEW JERSEY 7-21 (.333), OBANNON
1-3, BRADLEY 0-1, KITTLES 1-2, GILL 0-3, R WILLIAMS 0-3, REEVES 4-8, PACK
1-1.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - C ROBINSON.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, WOODY MAYFIELD, TOMMY NUNEZ.
A - 12,016. T - 2:18.
PORTLAND (93) AT NEW JERSEY (85)
Ex-Net Kenny Anderson scored 22 points, including a pair of free
throws during a decisive fourth-quarter run, as the Portland
Trail Blazers kept New Jersey winless with a 93-85 victory.
Clifford Robinson, who did not start because he violated a team
rule, scored 21 points, Isaiah Rider added 15 and Gary Trent had
10 for Portland, which improved to 1-2 on its four-game road
trip. Chris Dudley, another former Net, grabbed 13 rebounds for
the Trail Blazers.
Portland center Arvydas Sabonis left with 7:22 left in the first
quarter with a bruised right hip and a bruised right elbow.
Rasheed Wallace was excused for personal reasons.
"I thought our guys played hard," Trail Blazers coach P.J.
Carlesimo said. "We had a day to get ready. I thought Trent
played hard and Kenny did a tremendous job. Our guys had the
will to win. A lot of people stepped up and played hard. Had it
gone to a one-possession game, I would have put Rasheed in."
"I thought it was real important to get a win," Dudley said.
"With Rasheed out and Sabonis getting injured, we were real
short on big men. The Nets will be one of the better teams on
the boards."
Shawn Bradley and Kendall Gill each scored 16 points and Jayson
Williams added 13 for New Jersey, which fell to 0-5 under new
coach John Calipari and remained one of two NBA teams without a
win. The Phoenix Suns are 0-8.
"I'm definitely not happy and I told that to the team," Nets
coach John Calipari said. "We had the opportunity to win. I
told the guys we had to move on. We have another game tomorrow.
We didn't execute down the stretch. We could have and should
have won. Right now, we're in a slump, but soon things will
swing the other way."
The Nets' start is the worst in team history, eclipsing an 0-4
start in 1987-88.
Anderson was making his second appearance in New Jersey since
the Nets traded him to Charlotte last January 16th. He added
seven rebounds.
After Gill's jumper closed New Jersey within 82-81 with 2:39
left in the fourth quarter, Dontonio Wingfield and Anderson each
made a pair of free throws to build a five-point cushion with a
little over two miutes remaining. Williams missed a pair of
free throws in between for New Jersey.
"We were closer than two days ago (against Washington),"
Williams rationalized. "We could win. I should make those two
free throws, although I wasn't tense. We can't make so many
mistakes and win. I hate to come so close and lose. We gave a
good fight to a good team. He (Calipari) wanted to win this one
more than anyone."
Mitchell Butler followed with a fast-break dunk to give the
Blazers an 88-81 lead with 1:29 remaining. After Williams sank
a pair from the line, Anderson sealed the victory with two free
throws for a seven-point lead with 74 seconds to go.
Williams added 16 rebounds, Gill had 12 and Bradley 10 for New
Jersey which shot just 34 percent (29-of-86) from the field.
nba.1513vpoznanovic,
VANCOUVER (96) AT UTAH (104)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 37 9-22 4-4 1 2 3 1 3 1 1 23
ROGERS F 26 3-6 1-2 2 5 7 0 5 0 2 7
REEVES C 39 8-17 3-4 2 3 5 4 4 1 0 19
MOTEN G 36 8-15 2-2 2 0 2 1 4 1 1 21
ANTHONY G 36 4-13 1-2 0 7 7 7 3 3 0 10
MAYBERRY 15 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0
MOBLEY 21 3-3 0-1 3 1 4 1 2 1 1 6
LYNCH 13 2-3 1-4 1 2 3 2 1 2 0 5
ABDUR-RAHIM 14 2-5 1-2 1 2 3 1 1 1 2 5
MANNING 3 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PEELER DNP - DID NOT DRESS
TOTALS 240 39-89 13-21 12 23 35 18 24 10 8 96
(.438) (.619) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 8(6 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 22 2-4 1-2 1 1 2 1 4 0 1 5
MALONE F 32 7-12 7-8 0 13 13 2 1 1 4 21
OSTERTAG C 31 7-15 2-2 11 9 20 1 2 0 3 16
HORNACEK G 28 6-13 4-6 2 2 4 4 0 0 1 16
STOCKTON G 36 4-6 2-2 0 1 1 18 2 1 4 10
EISLEY 12 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 2 2 0 1 2
MORRIS 4 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0
KEEFE 21 3-5 1-2 1 6 7 0 3 0 0 7
CARR 23 3-7 2-4 0 4 4 1 2 1 2 8
FOSTER 10 3-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6
ANDERSON 21 5-8 2-4 2 2 4 1 0 0 1 13
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-78 21-30 18 40 58 31 17 3 18 104
(.526) (.700) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 18(16 PTS)
VANCOUVER 25 21 18 32 - 96
UTAH 21 24 25 34 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS 3, MOTEN. UTAH - OSTERTAG 3, MALONE 2,
EISLEY 2, HORNACEK, CARR, FOSTER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 5-17 (.294), B EDWARDS 1-3, MOTEN 3-5,
ANTHONY 1-7, MAYBERRY 0-2. UTAH 1-7 (.143), RUSSELL 0-2, HORNACEK 0-2,
STOCKTON 0-1, EISLEY 0-1, ANDERSON 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, JOE DEROSA, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 19,046. T - 2:01.
VANCOUVER (96) AT UTAH (104)
Karl Malone scored 21 points and John Stockton handed out a
season-high 18 assists as the Utah Jazz defeated the Vancouver
Grizzlies for the fifth straight time, 104-96.
Greg Ostertag posted career highs with 16 points and 20 rebounds
and Jeff Hornacek also had 16 points for Utah, which won its
second straight following two losses in a row. Malone added 13
rebounds for the Jazz, who have beaten the second-year
Grizzlies in all five meetings by a combined 69 points.
"Early on, I was frustrated with our turnovers and their
offensive rebounds," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "A lot of it
was just throwing the ball away. When you concentrate you put
the ball where its supposed to go and when you don't then you
turn it over and we turned it over 13 times in the first half."
Blue Edwards scored 23 points, Lawrence Moten added 21 and
Bryant Reeves had 19 for Vancouver, which fell to 1-8 one day
after posting its first win of the season.
"I thought we played a pretty good first half," Grizzlies coach
Brian Winters said. "But, you know we were outrebounded
severely in the first half and in the second half. When that
happens, it's hard to win the basketball game. That's number
one. Number two (is) they upped the pressure there for about
three or four minutes in that period."
After Edwards hit a three-pointer to close Vancouver within
60-58 midway through the third quarter, Ostertag dunked to
ignite a 12-4 run. Ostertag had five points during the stretch
and Malone hit a layup to cap the burst and give the Jazz a
70-62 lead with 40 seconds left.
"The past couple of games I just wanted to come out and bust my
rear and play real hard," Ostertag said. "The fans have been
waiting to see it, the coach has been waiting to see it, I've
been waiting to see it and my teammates have been waiting to see
it. I guess I'm finally there at least I'm getting closer.
"I know Karl is backing me up there somewhere and the whole
offense goes through him so there is no reason why I can't go
get the boards like that every night. Because I'm big, I'm long
maybe if I can just get my arms up I can just tap a couple to
myself every once in a while."
The Jazz had a six-point cushion entering the fourth quarter
behind Malone's 19 points and Ostertag's 14.
Utah built its largest lead in the fourth quarter as rookie
Shandon Anderson made two free throws and tipped in a miss to
highlight a 12-4 run. Adam Keefe capped the burst with a dunk,
giving the Jazz a 90-75 advantage with 4:33 left.
Vancouver made things interesting as Lawrence Moten and Greg
Anthony each scored five points during a 15-6 run. Anthony made
one free throw to cap the spurt as the Grizzlies closed within
96-90 with one minute left.
But Utah sealed the game as Malone and Antoine Carr each sank a
pair of free throws.
Anderson finished with a season-high 13 points and Stockton had
10 for Utah, which shot 53 percent (41-of-78) from the field and
outrebounded Vancouver, 58-35.
Anthony finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and seven
assists for Vancouver, which shot 44 percent (39-of-89).
nba.1514vpoznanovic,
WASHINGTON (84) AT DETROIT (95)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEBBER F 34 3-10 0-0 1 3 4 3 1 2 3 6
HOWARD F 32 7-11 0-0 1 2 3 3 3 0 4 14
MURESAN C 27 2-4 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 0 4 4
CHEANEY G 26 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 8
STRICKLAND G 30 4-8 3-3 0 0 0 9 0 3 3 11
GRANT 22 3-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 8
MURRAY 20 3-10 1-2 3 3 6 1 1 1 0 8
JACKSON 24 3-9 0-0 2 2 4 4 4 0 1 7
WHITNEY 20 5-7 4-5 0 3 3 2 2 0 0 18
WALLACE 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AMAYA 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-72 8-10 9 21 30 23 17 6 16 84
(.472) (.800) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 16(20 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 35 3-5 2-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 9
LONG F 38 5-10 0-0 2 9 11 2 3 2 1 10
THORPE C 39 10-14 0-0 3 9 12 2 4 0 2 20
HILL G 41 10-18 7-8 0 2 2 4 2 1 3 27
DUMARS G 39 9-13 3-3 0 2 2 5 1 0 2 25
RATLIFF 2 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
HUNTER 27 1-6 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 1 1 2
AUGMON 8 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
CURRY 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MAHORN 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
SMITH 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
REID DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-68 14-15 6 24 30 18 19 5 12 95
(.559) (.933) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(20 PTS)
WASHINGTON 21 26 12 25 - 84
DETROIT 27 17 30 21 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - MURESAN, STRICKLAND, GRANT. DETROIT - NONE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 8-19 (.421), WEBBER 0-1, STRICKLAND 0-2,
GRANT 2-3, MURRAY 1-4, JACKSON 1-5, WHITNEY 4-4. DETROIT 5-10 (.500),
MILLS 1-1, HILL 0-1, DUMARS 4-7, HUNTER 0-1.
TECHNICALS: WASHINGTON - HEAD COACH LYNAM, DETROIT - HEAD COACH COLLINS.
OFFICIALS: DERRICK STAFFORD, BILL OAKES, SCOTT WALL.
A - 21,454. T - 1:57.
WASHINGTON (84) AT DETROIT (95)
Grant Hill scored five of his 27 points during a key
third-quarter run and Joe Dumars added 15 of his 25 in the
second half to lead the surprising Detroit Pistons to a 95-84
victory over the Washington Bullets.
The Pistons have won three straight since their only loss of the
season to Chicago on November 8th. Detroit (7-1) is off to its
best start since opening the 1988-89 season with eight
consecutive victories.
"I thought it was the best we've executed offfensively," Pistons
coach Doug Collins said. "We went into the post, got
double-teamed and moved the ball. We rebounded the ball and we
didn't turn it over. The third quarter was as beautiful as it
could get. Just watching our defense and our rotation, our
execution and our unselfishness, that was fun to watch."
Detroit trailed 49-44 with 11:16 left in the third quarter, but
went on a 17-4 run for a 61-53 lead with 4:37 to play in the
third. Otis Thorpe had six of his 20 points in the run, Hill
added five and Dumars made a three-pointer.
Thorpe's 15-foot jumper ignited the run and Dumars capped it
with a 15-foot jumper. Detroit outscored Washington 30-12 in
the decisive third quarter.
The Pistons opened their lead to 74-59 after three. Washington
got as close as 85-76 with 4:29 to play on Jaren Jackson's
three-pointer. But Hill scored the next four points to give
Detroit a 13-point advantage with 3:13 left.
"I played against those guys a lot," Hill said, referring to
Bullets Chris Webber and Juwan Howard. "I get up for the game.
It's like the Chicago game, a game you kind of circle on the
calendar. It comes from playing them for a long time, they can
beat you in so many ways. We had our guys -- Otis and Grant
(Long) really locked in so they couldn't beat on us."
Chris Whitney scored 18 points and Howard contributed 14 for the
Bullets, who have lost four of their last five games.
"It's not the type of game anybody wants," Howard said. "We
wanted to come out there and win the game, but we failed.
They're a good team, you have to give them credit. Hopefully,
next time we play them it will be a different outcome. The
third quarter's really what hurt us. We scored like 12 points
in the third quarter, you can't do that in this league."
Thorpe grabbed 12 rebounds and Long had 10 for Detroit, which
has held all eight of its opponents under 100 points. The
Pistons shot 56 percent (38-of-68) from the field and 93 percent
(14-for-15) from the foul line.
nba.1515vpoznanovic,
Ceballos goes on injured list
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov 15, 1996 - 19:36 EST) -- Lakers forward Cedric
Ceballos, who partially tore a knee tendon on Wednesday, was placed on
the injured list Friday.
Ceballos is expected to be sidelined a minimum of six weeks, the team
said.
He partially tore patella tendon of the right knee during Wednesday's
game at San Antonio. Ceballos is averaging 10.8 points and 6.6
rebounds in eight games this season.
nba.1516vpoznanovic,
Baker suffers bruised hip
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 16, 1996 - 01:42 EST) -- Milwaukee Bucks
forward Vin Baker injured his right hip in Friday's game against the
Sacramento Kings and left Arco Arena at halftime on crutches.
In a scramble for a rebound under the Kings' basket, Baker was fouled
from behind and took a hard fall. After several minutes on the floor,
he stayed in the game and made two free throws. Baker then left the
court at the 1:50 mark of the first quarter and didn't return.
He was taken to a hospital for precautionary X-rays, which turned out
negative. The injury was termed a bruised hip.
Baker entered the game as the league's fourth leading scorer,
averaging 26 points a game. He's among the top 10 in four categories,
including rebounds at 10.7 a game.
Bucks coach Chris Ford said Baker would miss practice Saturday and
would be day-to-day for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles
Clippers.
nba.1517vpoznanovic,
1996-97 NBA salaries
(Nov 15, 1996 - 22:54 EST) -- By The Associated Press:
ATLANTA HAWKS
Dikembe Mutombo $8,013,000
Christian Laettner $4,500,000
Steve Smith $4,500,000
Ken Norman $2,869,000
Mookie Blaylock $2,800,000
Alan Henderson $910,000
Priest Lauderdale $548,000
Jon Barry $247,500
Willie Burton $247,500
Tyrone Corbin $247,500
Ivano Newbill $247,500
Eldridge Recasner $247,500
Donnie Boyce $247,500
BOSTON CELTICS
Dino Radja $5,313,000
Dana Barros $3,400,000
Dee Brown $3,250,000
Todd Day $2,915,000
Greg Minor $1,800,000
Pervis Ellison $1,760,000
Rick Fox $1,750,000
Antoine Walker $1,620,000
Frank Brickowski $1,500,000
Eric Williams $1,008,000
Alton Lister $500,000
David Wesley $350,000
Marty Conlon $247,500
Steve Hamer $220,000
Brett Szabo $220,000
Nate Driggers $220,000
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Vlade Divac $4,718,000
Glen Rice $4,002,000
Anthony Mason $2,777,000
Dell Curry $1,830,000
Muggsy Bogues $1,575,000
Matt Geiger $1,562,000
Scott Burrell $1,235,000
Tony Delk $870,000
George Zidek $694,000
Rafael Addison $290,000
Anthony Goldwire $250,000
Tony Smith $247,500
Malik Rose $220,000
Carlos Strong $220,000
CHICAGO BULLS
Michael Jordan $30,140,000
Dennis Rodman $9,000,000
Toni Kukoc $3,960,000
Ron Harper $3,840,000
Luc Longley $2,790,000
Scottie Pippen $2,250,000
Randy Brown $1,300,000
Dickey Simpkins $1,040,000
Robert Parish $1,000,000
Bill Wennington $1,000,000
Steve Kerr $750,000
Jason Caffey $700,000
Jud Buechler $500,000
Thomas Hamilton $247,000
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Danny Ferry $4,643,000
Tyrone Hill $3,480,000
Mark West $2,000,000
Bobby Phills $1,808,000
Terrell Brandon $1,312,000
Chris Mills $1,235,000
Vitaly Potapenko $1,068,000
Bob Sura $864,000
Zydrunas Ilgauskas $720,000
Antonio Lang $520,000
Donny Marshall $450,000
Shawnelle Scott $300,000
Carl Thomas $247,500
Reggie Geary $220,000
DALLAS MAVERICKS
Jason Kidd $4,408,000
Jim Jackson $3,900,000
Jamal Mashburn $3,833,000
Chris Gatling $3,047,000
Derek Harper $1,300,000
Eric Montross $1,280,000
Samaki Walker $1,246,000
Tony Dumas $1,120,000
George McCloud $1,100,000
Loren Meyer $639,000
Greg Dreiling $247,500
Oliver Miller $247,000
Fred Roberts $247,000
Erick Strickland $220,000
DENVER NUGGETS
Bryant Stith $3,400,000
LaPhonso Ellis $3,294,000
Mark Jackson $2,900,000
Antonio McDyess $2,545,000
Sarunas Marciulionis $2,500,000
Ervin Johnson $1,636,000
Dale Ellis $1,600,000
Ricky Pierce $1,200,000
Tom Hammonds $1,070,000
Keith Jennings $247,500
Rich King $247,500
Eric Murdock $247,500
LaSalle Thompson $247,500
Darvin Ham $220,000
Jeff McInnis $220,000
DETROIT PISTONS
Otis Thorpe $7,000,000
Grant Hill $5,025,000
Joe Dumars $3,075,000
Stacey Augmon $2,480,000
Terry Mills $2,457,000
Grant Long $2,260,000
Lindsey Hunter $1,715,000
Theo Ratliff $821,000
Jerome Williams $568,000
Michael Curry $400,000
Rick Mahorn $400,000
Don Reid $400,000
Litterial Green $247,500
Kenny Smith $247,500
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Latrell Sprewell $7,000,000
Mark Price $3,409,000
Donyell Marshall $3,360,000
Chris Mullin $2,844,000
Joe Smith $2,794,000
Felton Spencer $2,694,000
B.J. Armstrong $2,400,000
Donald Royal $1,700,000
Bimbo Coles $1,400,000
Jon Koncak $1,150,000
Todd Fuller $1,125,000
Andrew DeClercq $276,000
Mike Peplowski $247,500
Lou Roe $247,500
Ray Owes $220,000
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Hakeem Olajuwon $9,655,000
Clyde Drexler $5,500,000
Charles Barkley $4,695,000
Brent Price $1,600,000
Kevin Willis $1,500,000
Mario Elie $1,400,000
Matt Bullard $247,500
Othella Harrington $247,500
Charles Jones $247,500
Sam Mack $247,500
Matt Maloney $247,500
Tracy Moore $247,500
Emanual Davis $220,000
Randy Livingston $220,000
INDIANA PACERS
Reggie Miller $11,250,000
Dale Davis $6,508,000
Antonio Davis $5,200,000
Rik Smits $4,000,000
Derrick McKey $3,000,000
Vincent Askew $2,000,000
Jalen Rose $1,560,000
Eddie Johnson $1,200,000
Erick Dampier $1,184,000
Haywoode Workman $1,080,000
Duane Ferrell $1,040,000
Travis Best $666,000
Fred Hoiberg $297,000
Jerome Allen $247,500
Brent Scott $247,500
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Stanley Roberts $3,250,000
Loy Vaught $3,100,000
Pooh Richardson $2,721,000
Lamond Murray $2,700,000
Rodney Rogers $2,280,000
Terry Dehere $1,905,000
Malik Sealy $1,732,000
Lorenzen Wright $1,480,000
Eric Piatkowski $1,363,000
Brent Barry $958,000
Dwayne Schintzius $625,000
Charles Outlaw $600,000
Darrick Martin $375,000
Kevin Duckworth $247,500
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Shaquille O'Neal $10,714,000
Elden Campbell $7,000,000
Cedric Ceballos $2,400,000
Nick Van Exel $1,900,000
Eddie Jones $1,800,000
Corie Blount $1,235,000
Sean Rooks $1,200,000
Kobe Bryant $1,015,000
Derek Fisher $612,000
Jerome Kersey $247,500
Rumeal Robinson $247,500
Byron Scott $247,500
Trevor Wilson $247,500
Travis Knight $220,000
MIAMI HEAT
Alonzo Mourning $9,380,000
Tim Hardaway $2,500,000
Dan Majerle $2,350,000
P.J. Brown $2,000,000
Predrag Danilovic $1,892,000
Kurt Thomas $1,238,000
Keith Askins $650,000
Gary Grant $500,000
Martin Muursepp $401,000
Ed Pinckney $300,000
Isaac Austin $247,500
Tony Farmer $247,500
Voshon Lenard $247,500
Mark Strickland $247,500
James Scott $220,000
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Glenn Robinson $4,640,000
Vin Baker $3,765,000
Sherman Douglas $3,594,000
Andrew Lang $2,332,000
Armon Gilliam $2,317,000
Elliot Perry $2,000,000
Ray Allen $1,785,000
Shawn Respert $1,417,000
Johnny Newman $1,225,000
Joe Wolf $400,000
Darrin Hancock $247,500
Keith Tower $247,500
David Wood $247,500
Moochie Norris $220,000
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Tom Gugliotta $5,000,000
Stoyko Vrankovic $2,900,000
Micheal Williams $2,475,000
Doug West $2,155,000
Stephon Marbury $1,917,000
Terry Porter $1,775,000
Kevin Garnett $1,666,000
James Robinson $1,235,000
Sam Mitchell $1,200,000
Bill Curley $1,123,000
Cherokee Parks $1,117,000
Chris Carr $750,000
Shane Heal $320,000
Dean Garrett $247,500
Virginius Praskevicius $220,000
NEW JERSEY NETS
Shawn Bradley $5,130,000
Kendall Gill $3,800,000
Robert Pack $2,700,000
Kevin Edwards $2,280,000
Jayson Williams $2,250,000
Reggie Williams $2,048,000
Khalid Reeves $1,752,000
Yinka Dare $1,448,000
Kerry Kittles $1,356,000
Ed O'Bannon $1,303,000
David Benoit $508,000
Xavier McDaniel $254,000
Adrian Caldwell $247,500
Tony Massenberg $247,500
NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS
Larry Johnson $5,004,000
Allan Houston $5,000,000
Patrick Ewing $3,000,000
Chris Childs $2,600,000
Charles Oakley $2,600,000
John Starks $1,913,000
Buck Williams $1,193,000
Charlie Ward $888,000
John Wallace $785,000
Herb Williams $757,000
Walter McCarty $750,000
Dontae Jones $691,000
Scott Brooks $247,500
Chris Jent $247,500
Eric Leckner $247,500
ORLANDO MAGIC
Horace Grant $14,857,000
Anfernee Hardaway $6,655,000
Brian Shaw $4,000,000
Nick Anderson $3,790,000
Rony Seikaly $3,752,000
Dennis Scott $3,000,000
Clifford Rozier $1,040,000
David Vaughn $614,000
Brian Evans $551,000
Darrell Armstrong $410,000
Danny Schayes $247,500
Derek Strong $247,500
Gerald Wilkins $247,500
Amal McCaskill $220,000
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Derrick Coleman $6,739,000
Clarence Weatherspoon $3,300,000
Scott Williams $2,400,000
Jerry Stackhouse $2,286,000
Allen Iverson $2,267,000
Don MacLean $1,780,000
Michael Cage $1,473,000
Rex Walters $1,235,000
Lucious Harris $1,200,000
Mark Bradtke $247,500
Mark Davis $247,500
Mark Hendrickson $247,500
Doug Overton $247,500
PHOENIX SUNS
Kevin Johnson $7,000,000
Danny Manning $6,833,000
A.C. Green $4,315,000
John Williams $4,151,000
Wayman Tisdale $3,475,000
Robert Horry $1,703,000
Sam Cassell $1,235,000
Joe Kleine $1,235,000
Mark Bryant $1,150,000
Wesley Person $1,040,000
Steve Nash $916,000
Michael Finley $723,000
Chucky Brown $500,000
Rex Chapman $247,500
Ben Davis $220,000
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Kenny Anderson $4,175,000
Chris Dudley $4,100,000
Isaiah Rider $3,610,000
Clifford Robinson $2,924,000
Arvydas Sabonis $2,640,000
Rasheed Wallace $2,060,000
Gary Trent $1,176,000
Aaron McKie $1,040,000
Jermaine O'Neal $827,000
Randolph Childress $784,000
Mitchell Butler $600,000
Dontonio Wingfield $500,000
Aleksandar Djordjevic $247,500
Reggie Jordan $247,500
Marcus Brown $220,000
SACRAMENTO KINGS
Billy Owens $3,773,000
Mitch Richmond $3,575,000
Lionel Simmons $3,194,000
Olden Polynice $3,140,000
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf $3,100,000
Bobby Hurley $3,068,000
Duane Causwell $2,215,000
Michael Smith $1,570,000
Brian Grant $1,293,000
Kevin Gamble $1,196,000
Corliss Williamson $1,051,000
Tyus Edney $247,500
Kevin Salvadori $247,500
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
David Robinson $9,952,000
Sean Elliott $5,333,000
Charles Smith $3,557,000
Chuck Person $2,060,000
Vinny Del Negro $2,023,000
Carl Herrera $1,550,000
Will Perdue $1,544,000
Avery Johnson $1,040,000
Monty Williams $1,040,000
Vernon Maxwell $1,000,000
Greg Anderson $584,000
Cory Alexander $521,000
Tim Kempton $247,500
Dominique Wilkins $247,500
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
Gary Payton $10,212,000
Detlef Schrempf $3,333,000
Shawn Kemp $3,300,000
Jim McIlvaine $3,000,000
Sam Perkins $2,730,000
Hersey Hawkins $2,604,000
Nate McMillan $1,355,000
Greg Graham $1,330,000
David Wingate $560,000
Craig Ehlo $360,000
Steve Scheffler $275,000
Eric Snow $247,500
Larry Stewart $247,500
TORONTO RAPTORS
Sharone Wright $3,100,000
Marcus Camby $2,434,000
Popeye Jones $1,581,000
Damon Stoudamire $1,547,000
Doug Christie $1,355,000
Hubert Davis $1,295,000
Acie Earl $1,235,000
Carlos Rogers $1,144,000
Zan Tabak $800,000
Mark Hughes $247,500
Walt Williams $247,500
Donald Whiteside $220,000
UTAH JAZZ
John Stockton $6,000,000
Karl Malone $4,657,000
Chris Morris $2,500,000
Jeff Hornacek $2,396,000
Antoine Carr $2,300,000
Adam Keefe $1,950,000
Brooks Thompson $1,118,000
Jamie Watson $1,000,000
Greg Ostertag $573,000
Greg Foster $420,000
Bryon Russell $385,000
Howard Eisley $298,000
Shandon Anderson $220,000
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES
Shareef Abdur-Rahim $2,186,000
Blue Edwards $2,100,000
George Lynch $2,090,000
Greg Anthony $1,875,000
Bryant Reeves $1,695,000
Anthony Peeler $1,540,000
Lee Mayberry $1,100,000
Eric Mobley $992,000
Pete Chilcutt $700,000
Roy Rogers $664,000
Lawrence Moten $321,000
Doug Edwards $247,500
Rich Manning $247,000
Chris Robinson $220,000
WASHINGTON BULLETS
Juwan Howard $9,750,000
Chris Webber $8,000,000
Harvey Grant $4,111,000
Calbert Cheaney $3,200,000
Rod Strickland $3,036,000
Gheorghe Muresan $2,363,000
Tracy Murray $1,700,000
Lorenzo Williams $940,000
Tim Legler $450,000
Chris Whitney $400,000
Ashraf Amaya $247,500
Matt Fish $247,500
Jaren Jackson $247,500
Ben Wallace $247,500
nba.1518vpoznanovic,
Injured knee will sideline Hardaway up to six weeks
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov 15, 1996 - 19:42 EST) -- The Orlando Magic's
early-season fortunes suffered a blow Friday when the team learned
that Penny Hardaway's ailing left knee will require surgery that'll
sideline him up to six weeks.
The all-star point guard has been slowed since training camp by
soreness that also contributed to a problem with his left hamstring.
Earlier tests revealed no damage to the knee, although the pain
persisted.
The team said Hardaway, 25, will undergo exploratory arthroscopic
surgery on Sunday and will be sidelined 2-6 weeks, depending on what
doctors find.
"The reason we are performing this procedure instead of an MRI is
because we believe Penny has some torn cartilage," said Dr. Jim
Barnett, who examined Hardaway on Friday and consulted with Houston
specialist Dr. Walter Lowe.
"Once we perform the procedure, we will have a better idea about the
prognosis and subsequent time off."
The Magic is off to a 3-1 start with Hardaway assuming a bigger role
in the offense because of the departure of Shaquille O'Neal, who
signed a $120 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The fourth-year pro, hampered by an inflamed hamstring tendon as well
as persistent pain behind his knee, is averaging 21.3 points, 6.3
rebounds and 5.3 assists.
"Some days I couldn't even hardly walk," Hardaway said. "I just played
because I thought the team really needed me. ... You can look at it
two ways. The good part is that when I come back, I'll be healthy. The
bad part is that I'm missing games."
Hardaway is not sure when he injured the knee, but thinks it might
have occurred in a collision with Detroit's Joe Dumars during the
first round of last season's playoffs.
Although the knee bothered him the rest of the playoffs, he didn't
experience as much pain while playing for the United States in the
Olympics during the summer.
An MRI two weeks ago didn't reveal ligament damage. Hardaway was given
medication and accompanied the team to Japan for two games against the
New Jersey Nets.
He scheduled another doctor's appointment after playing 41 minutes in
Orlando's 96-89 victory over Charlotte on Thursday night.
"The medicine made me feel a lot better, and we thought the problem
was almost solved until last night's game when I really couldn't jump.
I said: 'We have got to do something about it."'
Hardaway scored 14 points, going 4-for-13 from the field against the
Hornets. He also had seven rebounds and seven assists, but coach Brian
Hill said he clearly was not the player he's accustomed to watching.
"He made some moves around the basket and didn't finish them, plays he
would normally just explode over guys and dunk," Hill said. "But there
was no explosion."
Gerald Wilkins will replace Hardaway in the lineup Saturday night
against Toronto.
nba.1519vpoznanovic,
Iverson suffers separated shoulder
PHILADELPHIA (Nov 15, 1996 - 23:48 EST) -- Philadelphia 76ers rookie
point guard Allen Iverson separated his shoulder Friday night in a
105-89 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Team surgeon Dr. Jack McPhilemy said Iverson would be sidelined for at
least one week, although Iverson himself said he could be back by next
Wednesday.
Iverson came out of the game with 6:16 remaining in the fourth quarter
after colliding with Danny Ferry underneath the Cavs' basket. He
stayed on the bench for a couple of minutes before leaving for the
locker room.
He was taken to a hospital for X-rays.
"I ran into a screen and it didn't feel right. I threw a pass and I
knew something was wrong, so I took myself out. Right now, I think I
can be back by Wednesday. I don't think it's that bad," Iverson said.
Iverson, the No. 1 overall pick of last summer's draft, is the leading
scorer among NBA rookies. He scored 16 points Friday night, 7.7 below
his team-leading average.
nba.1520vpoznanovic,
NBA cool to Iverson's playground style
(Nov 15, 1996 - 09:12 EST) -- Basketball is the game of the
playgrounds, but the National Basketball Association resists and
resents playground hoop culture. Oh sure, league-packaged highlights
of games are virtually limited to dunks, which are to the playground
what kneeling is to church. The NBA's media people know how to appeal
to the residents of the playground. And the league seems in touch with
its asphalt roots, standing well out in front of the other
professional sports enterprises in terms of minority hiring on the
court and in the front office. The NBA looks like what you'd find on
or around an urban playground.
Still, the NBA's cool embrace of Allen Iverson, the first overall
selection in last summer's draft, suggests that commissioner David
Stern isn't about to pave over the hardwood. Iverson, the quintessence
of playground hoops, is not just taking the NBA by storm in his rookie
season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He is going up against the
orthodoxies of a league that has maintained as its logo the silhouette
of Jerry West, a player whose game was textbook rather than hip-hop.
As a high-school junior, Iverson was Virginia's best player on both
the court and the gridiron. He spent a good portion of his senior year
in jail for his part in a brawl at a bowling alley in his hometown of
Hampton. The brawl was set off by racial tensions and some people
believed the case was not black and white so much as the verdict was
white-trumping-black.
Iverson was eventually granted clemency and his conviction was
overturned on appeal. Iverson went on to Georgetown, favorite school
of the playgrounds. His calves had no more meat on them than a
third-rate chicken wing, yet he was clearly the fastest player in the
collegiate ranks. He pushed the ball up the court at full throttle.
His jump shot was ugly, but he pulled the trigger on it without a
conscience or consideration of teammates. He was a scorer rather than
a shooter, a creator of chances, mostly his own. He was not a savvy
player, but rather a sublimely gifted athlete, the anti-West.
Iverson outgrew Georgetown by the end of his sophomore year. His
selection by the 76ers had all the makings of disaster: A
fundamentally unsound point guard seemingly oblivious or indifferent
to the game's subtleties going to the worst team in the league.
Perhaps the mechanical fundamentals are overrated. The real
fundamentals are results.
In his first six games as a pro, Iverson averaged almost 24 points a
contest. Critics questioned his shot selection, yet he was knocking
down 48 per cent of his shots from the field. In New York Tuesday
night, he scored 35 points and fouled out two defenders in a 101-97
victory over the purportedly mighty Knicks.
Wednesday night's loss to the Raptors at the Skydome was far from
Iverson's best game. Of course, in this matchup of Toronto and
Philadelphia, fans will look for the game within the game, Iverson
versus Raptors point guard Damon Stoudamire, last year's NBA rookie of
the year. The numbers suggest something of a saw-off. Iverson
outscored Stoudamire 24 to 21. He was clearly more effective in
creating his own shot and showed better judgment in letting fly.
Iverson shot 8-for-16 from the field, Stoudamire 8-for-26.
"If I had 26 shots, I figure I'd better get 21 points," Iverson noted
ruefully. "I can get my shot anytime I want."
Toronto's tiny tattooed wonder enjoyed a healthy margin in assists, 12
to Iverson's three, but that's just the nature of their contrasting
games. Asked about the similarities in their styles, Iverson ignored
the fundamentals, as is his wont, and cut through something more
elemental.
"He has a lot of confidence and I play with my heart more than skill,"
he said. "I've dealt with more pressure in my life than basketball. I
deal with pressure every time I'm criticized."
Despite the loss, Iverson showed evidence that only injury or burnout
can stop him from becoming the next big thing in this league and, with
the graying and balding of its biggest names, this league is desperate
for a next anything.
How has the NBA responded to this prodigy's arrival? Curiously, with
hostility.
The league sent Iverson a memo advising him that his cross-over
dribble is palming. Any player who dribbles the ball behind his back
is probably in technical violation of the rule book. And even on more
conventional dribbling, backcourters consistently caress the ball
below its equator.
Iverson's hesitation at the top of the bounce is a violation, but it
has been that way for guards ranging from Nate Archibald to Tim
Hardaway. Their flourishes went uncalled. NBA refs, however, have been
calling Iverson as if they had quotas to fill, even whistling him for
a violation when he brings the ball up the court under no pressure in
a half-court offense.
Sure, Iverson's game is playground. Yes, the league thinks his shorts,
the height of playground fashion, are too baggy. All of this is like
telling Elvis that his hair is too long to play Nashville. If you get
lost in the look you're missing the substance.
Carry the ball? Iverson can carry a team and in time maybe a league.
The world is his playground and those guys writing the memos and
blowing the whistles better get used to it.
nba.1521vpoznanovic,
Ainge believes he'll rise to occasion
PHOENIX -- New Phoenix Suns coach Danny Ainge, former coach Cotton
Fitzsimmons and President and CEO Jerry Colangelo addressed the media
Friday for the first time since the team named Ainge the new head
coach just eight games into the season.
"Cotton has done a fantastic job and he's a great coach and great
friend," Colangelo said. "He will continue to be with the franchise,
he's going to be right by our side being involved with every
basketball decision."
Disappointed with the Suns' 0-7 start, Fitzsimmons told the team
before Thursday night's game against Vancouver that he was retiring,
putting an end to a coaching career that spanned 26 years and more
than 800 victories.
"I'm kind of like a bad penny, you can't get rid of me," joked
Fitzsimmons. "I'm not dead, don't feel bad for me. Feel bad for Ainge
-- he's the guy that has to coach.
"I wouldn't have done this if I didn't think he could do the job. If I
thought that Jerry had hired me a country bumpkin that couldn't do the
job, I would've sat there all the way through. He can do the job and
should do it now."
"I kind of sensed something was up for a week, just being with
Cotton," added Colangelo. "It was starting to show on his face. When
he informed me on the afternoon of the Milwaukee game (Tuesday), I
knew it would not be appropriate to try and persuade him in any shape
or form."
After the announcement, the Suns dropped a 92-89 decision to the
Grizzlies, leaving them the lone winless team in the Western
Conference at 0-8.
The 36-year-old Ainge, who ended a 13-year playing career with
Phoenix, was hired May 30 as Fitzsimmons' eventual successor. Ainge's
first game will be Sunday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers. If
Phoenix losses Sunday it would match the franchise's worst start of
0-9 in 1986.
"I am very excited to get the chance to coach," said Ainge. "That's
why I took the job originally. I feel very qualified, but it did catch
me off-guard that it happened as soon as it happened.
"I felt that my presence and my position in some cases were
undermining his (Cotton's) authority. The fact that players would come
to me, it was like we had two head coaches and Cotton didn't have the
authority. It was a weird deal.
"They (the players) knew I was going to be the coach next year and
some of them were already campaigning for playing time."
Ainge also established what would be a no non-sense approach to his
job.
"I'm not afraid of any of these guys, I want to win," he said. "I'm
not afraid to sit guys I've played with or that I was close to or sit
guys that I'm not big fans of -- I'm going to play the guys that earn
the minutes."
It is believed to be the earliest NBA coaching change since Gene Shue
was fired by the Philadelphia 76ers six games into the 1977-78 season.
At 65, Fitzsimmons was the oldest coach in the NBA. He came down from
the front office last season to replace Paul Westphal, who was fired
on Jan. 16. Westphal served as an assistant to Fitzsimmons before
taking over as coach in 1992.
Fitzsimmons will take another position in the organization. He already
has served as director of player personnel, broadcaster and three
stints as coach. He is expected to return to a vice president position
in the Suns organization.
"I have total confidence in Danny Ainge, the staff and the players to
get the job done," Fitzsimmons said earlier this week. "I will always
be available to provide any input to the coaching staff and players
and will now devote my time and energy to the continued improvement
and success of the Phoenix Suns franchise."
In a coaching career that began in 1970, he compiled a record of
832-775, placing him seventh on the all-time victory list. He won
Coach of the Year Awards in 1979 with the Kansas City Kings and 1989
with Phoenix.
The Suns traded All-Star forward Charles Barkley during the off-season
and Fitzsimmons installed a triangle offense similar to the one used
by the NBA champion Chicago Bulls. But the early results have not been
good. The Suns are 21st in offense and 26th in defense.
Ainge, a 13-year NBA veteran with four teams, will have former NBA
forward Paul Silas and Donn Nelson as assistants. Ainge played in six
NBA Finals, winning championships with Boston in 1984 and 1986.
Ainge left his position as television analyst for Turner Sports to
take the job with the Suns. Prior to his basketball career, Ainge
played baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays.
nba.1522vpoznanovic,
Cotton quits; Ainge taking over
VANCOUVER, B.C. (Nov 15, 1996 - 11:30 EST) -- Before the season
opened, the Phoenix Suns were seen as possibly a surprise team in the
NBA's Western Conference.
Going winless in eight games makes that possibility true for the wrong
reasons, and Cotton Fitzsimmons took full responsibility.
Fitzsimmons, 65, resigned Thursday, effective after the game the Suns
lost 92-89 to Vancouver, and handed the team over to assistant Danny
Ainge, 37.
Ainge, who says his last experience as a head coach was with eighth
graders, was to have inherited the team at the end of the season, but
the Suns' worst start in 11 years led Fitzsimmons to halt his 21st
season early.
"I made the decision last Saturday after the (112-95) Philadelphia
loss," Fitzsimmons said. "I was embarrassed by the way we played."
And though Fitzsimmons said he takes full responsibility for where the
Suns are now, neither Ainge nor Suns president Jerry Colangelo agreed.
"This isn't his fault," Colangelo said. "We haven't had certain people
play up to par, we've had a terrible schedule, and we haven't had a
roster that was healthy."
Ainge, who helped the Suns reach the playoffs in 1993 as a player,
took a similar position.
"It's certainly not Cotton's fault we started this way. He isn't
responsible for one loss," Ainge said.
Fitzsimmons, No. 7 in NBA coaching victories, was optimistic before
the season started two weeks ago.
"I like to see something come from nothing," he said. "Maybe that's
one reason I'm so pumped up this year. The challenge to turn another
team around in adrenaline to me."
Then the struggle took its toll. "I could see the wear and tear on
him. The stress. It concerned me," said Colangelo, who first hired
Fitzsimmons in 1970.
Colangelo tried to cheer Fitzsimmons up, but "this was 100 percent
Cotton's call," Colangelo said. As for Ainge, he said, "I think he's
ready."
Fitzsimmons was disturbed by the team's lackluster play. The Suns,
normally a high-octane team, apparently had no passion.
"The fact that I can't get it from them is embarrassing to me as a
coach," Fitzsimmons said. "It's embarrassing for the franchise."
Tuesday, before the Suns' 99-89 overtime loss to Milwaukee, he told
Colangelo that Thursday was the day he would step down.
"You never want to go out losing," he said Thursday. "My guys are
snakebit. I have plenty of wins. My team needs to win, to get the
snake off the back.
"By me stepping down this early in the season, the team will have 74
games to straighten themselves out and head in the right direction."
The Suns have struggled since trading Charles Barkley to Houston
during the offseason. They have yet to score 100 points in a game this
season -- another franchise record-low streak -- and rank near the
bottom in points allowed, scoring and rebounding.
They also have two centers on the injured list -- Mark Bryant and John
"Hot Rod" Williams, and guard Kevin Johnson has been sidelined since
undergoing hernia surgery in late September. Power forward A.C. Green
has been playing hurt.
Ainge, who is about to get some of those players back, is optimistic.
"It will be a struggle for us to make the playoffs, but we have a
chance to do it," said Ainge, who remembers sitting around the kitchen
table as a boy and using salt and pepper shakers to plot plays and
strategy with his older brothers. He said he would rely heavily on
assistant coaches Donn Nelson and Paul Silas.
"And I plan on making changes," he said. "What they will be, I don't
know yet. I need to sit down with Donnie and Paul and set down a plan.
I do think there's some light ahead.
"We're going to build a foundation, simplify and go from there.
"The biggest challenge for me is just deciding who is going to play,"
he added. "We've got rebounders, tough guys, shooters. we've got a
variety of talent.
"The toughest call, especially when we get our three injured guys
back, is to decide how to use them. Sometimes finding the right
chemistry is more important than anything else."
Ainge, who has no previous coaching experience, was hired as an
assistant in May. He played the final three seasons of his 14-year NBA
career with Phoenix before taking a television analyst job with TNT in
1995.
Fitzsimmons, who remains senior vice president of the Suns, coached
teams to an 832-775 record during stints with the Atlanta Hawks,
Buffalo Braves, Kansas City Kings, San Antonio Spurs and seven-plus
seasons with Phoenix.
He also was director of player personnel for Golden State during the
1976-77 season.
He stepped upstairs with the Suns in 1992, allowing protege and former
Suns star Paul Westphal to take over a team that included the newly
acquired Barkley. Westphal was groomed during four years as an
assistant, but he was fired after the injury-plagued 1995-96 team got
off to a 14-19 start.
nba.1523vpoznanovic,
Sabonis injures hip and elbow
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Nov 15, 1996 - 21:30 EST) -- Portland center
Arvydas Sabonis had to leave the Trail Blazers' game against New
Jersey on Friday night after injuring his right hip and elbow in a
first-quarter fall.
Sabonis was hurt after missing a rebound follow of a Kenny Anderson
shot with about 7:50 to play. He was replaced by Dontonio Wingfield 28
seconds later.
After being treated in the locker room, Sabonis returned to the bench
and spent the rest of the half there. He was not on the bench for the
second half.
Sabonis, who has started all 10 games for Portland, was averaging 9.9
points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.67 blocks in 23.3 minutes.
The injury left the Trail Blazers shorthanded since forward Rasheed
Wallace was not with the team. He was allowed to miss the game for
personal family business.
Clifford Robinson was taken out of the starting lineup and did not
play in the first quarter for violating team rules, the club said.
nba.1524vpoznanovic,
The Kings big man makes his point
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 15, 1996 - 05:42 EST) -- Kings center-forward
Olden Polynice didn't get much accomplished with just one point scored
Wednesday night in a 105-74 loss to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.
However, he did make a political statement when he refused to sit in a
chair on the visitors bench that bore the name "Texaco" on the seat
back. Many of Polynice's teammates covered the name with a towel.
Polynice said he was supporting a boycott and protest of the company,
which is under siege for alleged racial discrimination and use of
racial slurs in a conversation among company executives.
"I've been learning through the media about what has been going on
with the company, and I was not going to sit in the seat," Polynice
said. "I've heard some of the tapes and have been reading about it. I
think it's time that people stand up for what they believe. We know
that racism is a big part of this country and that America is very
hypocritical."
Polynice had noticed the logo on the seat back during the team's
morning shootaround and said to everyone, "I'm not sitting in those
chairs."
David Allred, Utah vice president of public relations, was seated near
the Kings bench and said Polynice did not cause a disturbance.
"He just said he wasn't sitting in the seats," Allred said. "He was
pretty cool about it. He motioned to a ball boy that he wanted another
chair, and the first thing I thought was that the chair was broken.
You're into the game at the time. That's how naive I was about it, but
then one of the fans told him to sit down.
"And O.P. said he was not going to sit in a chair that had Texaco on
it. He said he'd rather sit on the floor."
"Texaco is one of the team's major sponsors," Allred said, "and the
issue is one the organization will have to handle. We contacted our
representative (Thursday), and he said we were not the only team he
had heard from. Obviously, we are concerned about the issue."
The Texaco name is on the seat back of the folding chairs on both the
visiting and home benches.
Allred said he has received no complaints from the Jazz players.
"People have to realize that not all athletes or African Americans are
ignorant," Polynice said. "And it's not like we all do not care. There
are some of us who are concerned about how we are perceived. And I
would have the (same) mentality if the slurs were pertaining to Puerto
Ricans or Mexicans or whoever. Any racist terminology is
unsatisfactory and cannot be tolerated."
nba.1525vpoznanovic,
New owners takes over Raptors
TORONTO (Nov 15, 1996 - 11:30 EST) -- A Canadian broadcasting
executive took control of the Toronto Raptors Friday, immediately gave
a pat on the back to general manager Isiah Thomas and said he would
join the Toronto Maple Leafs on a new stadium.
Allan Slaight, owner of media giant Standard Broadcasting, took over
the NBA team overnight when president John Bitove Jr. was unable to
come up with the estimated $65 million necessary to purchase Slaight's
39.5 percent of the franchise by the midnight deadline.
The NBA must approve any change in the ownership structure.
Slaight said Thomas' job as vice-president and general manager was
secure. Thomas also owns nine percent of the team.
"I think he's one of the class acts, in business and sports," Slaight
said in an interview on his flagship station CFRB. "Isiah will be with
us. Isiah is happy and proud to be part of the Raptors and the Toronto
scene."
Slaight forced the ownership issue last month when he invoked a
"shotgun clause" in the ownership agreement whereby one had to buy out
the other or be bought out himself for a reported $42 million.
"I don't feel particularly comfortable with how it evolved," Slaight
said.
Both Slaight and Bitove owned 39.5 percent of the Raptors, with 10
percent also owned by the Bank of Nova Scotia, nine percent by
vice-president and Thomas and one percent each by former Ontario
premier David Peterson and the estate of the late Phil Granovsky.
The major impact of the ownership changes will be on the Raptors'
oft-delayed new arena.
Unlike Bitove, Slaight had insisted the Raptors and Leafs should share
an arena.
Asked today if the Leafs and Raptors could share a facility, Slaight
said: "Yes, I do."
Slaight also said there would be no immediate changes in the
day-to-day operation of the team.
"I think that's an absolutely superb staff down there," he said.
"There's no contemplation on our part in terms of changes or firings."
nba.1526nba.news,
Tačno na vrijeme! :) Upravo sam dostigao limit za slanje poruka u
konferencije, pa moram odmah da počnem s ovog naloga.
Bitove bows out, Slaight maps out Raptors' future
TORONTO (Nov 15, 1996 - 18:42 EST) -- The organization John Bitove Jr.
built from scratch three years ago will be left largely intact by
radio magnate Allan Slaight, the new majority owner of the Toronto
Raptors.
Isiah Thomas, who owns nine percent of the stock, is secure as general
manager and vice-president of the NBA team.
"I'm pretty sure we can form a relationship where we can work
together," Thomas said Friday. "I'll meet with Allan and see what
direction he wants to go."
Slaight, owner of media giant Standard Broadcasting, gained control
when Bitove failed to come up with the estimated $65 million needed to
buy out Slaight's 39.5 percent at Thursday's deadline.
Bitove told reporters he had been overwhelmed by support and offers to
help buy the team, but called the sale "probably the most prudent
thing to do for reasons that will remain confidential."
He did not elaborate.
Slaight will make some notable changes:
-- A new team president to replace Bitove will be announced within two
days.
-- Slaight plans to sell some of his 79 percent control of the teams.
-- The Raptors will work with the NHL's Maple Leafs in a new building,
although the Leafs insist it won't be the downtown site that Bitove
coveted for the Raptors.
"We are not interested in that site," said Leafs alternate governor
Brian Bellmore. "We don't think the design or the economics of the
site are good."
Bellmore restated the intention to build and control a new arena to
replace the 65-year-old Maple Leaf Gardens, although he was open to
the idea the Raptors could be more than just a tenant.
"If they want to participate, that would be something for future
discussions," Bellmore said. "With Mr. Slaight gaining control and
given his preference for sharing a facility, we think it would be
better for both organizations."
Bellmore said he hoped to meet with Slaight early next week.
"I would like to think for the fans of Toronto, there will be a superb
two-team building," Slaight told a news conference. "That's the main
benefit I believe will flow from this."
nba.1527nba.news,
Jazz release Thompson
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 15, 1996 - 21:30 EST) -- The Utah Jazz has
released Brooks Thompson and brought Jamie Watson off the injured
list, the Jazz announced Friday.
Utah traded Felton Spencer to Orlando in August in exchange for guard
Thompson and Kenny Gattison, who has since retired.
Thompson, 26, is a free agent and Spencer is with Golden State.
Thompson's time on the court has been minimal this season -- just
eight minutes in two games -- and he has one assist, with no points
and no rebounds.
Watson, who plays guard and forward, was placed on the injured list
with a sprained left ankle the day before the regular season began.
Last season, Watson, 24, sat out 66 games after undergoing ankle
surgery.
He played in 16 games, averaging 3 points, before surgery.
nba.1528nba.news,
Bullets' Williams undergoes knee surgery
WASHINGTON -- Washington Bullets center Lorenzo Williams underwent
surgery Friday to correct an irritated meniscus in his left knee and
is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks.
The procedure was performed by team physician Dr. Steven Haas.
Williams suffered the injury on Oct. 13 in just his second pre-season
game.
"We are happy that only minimal problems were discovered," said
general manager Wes Unseld. "We look forward to a speedy recovery and
a healthy Lorenzo back on the court."
Williams averaged 3.1 points and eight rebounds in 65 games last
season. The 6-foot-9 center is in his fourth year out of Stetson
University.
nba.1529nba.news,
Sonics sign FC Antonio Harvey
The Seattle SuperSonics today signed 6-11 forward/center Antonio
Harvey.
The 26-year-old Harvey is a three-year veteran who played last season
with the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers. He appeared
in 55 games and averaged 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
nba.1530nba.news,
Marbury to remain out until next week
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie starting point guard Stephon Marbury
will remain sidelined until at least next week. He suffered a
sprained right ankle in the season-opening game against San
Antonio, has already missed six games.
Marbury is not even making the trip to his hometown of New York
City for a Saturday contest against the Knicks. He is instead
hoping to return Tuesday in Houston.
Marbury led the Timberwolves in both scoring and assists in the
preseason. He was the fourth player taken in the June draft after
playing just one season at Georgia Tech. Despite being a freshman,
he was a first-team All-ACC selection and third-team All-American
after averaging 18.9 points a game and dishing out 161 assists for
the Yellow Jackets.
nba.1531nba.news,
NBA beat: Running up traveling calls
The league is making more traveling calls this season than in previous
years, but insists it isn't picking on Sixers rookie Allen Iverson.
Vice president of operations Rod Thorn said referees won't allow
anyone to bring the ball shoulder level, as Iverson does, and then
take three steps in any direction without the ball hitting the floor.
"It's an incredible advantage to be able to do that," Thorn said.
Thorn also points out that one of the game's most flagrant carriers,
Michael Jordan, was whistled for three walking violations last week
against the Suns.
Big-man hunt
Don't be surprised if John Salley winds up in a Sonics uniform soon,
now that Elmore Spencer didn't pan out and Seattle's looking for a
backup power forward and center to ease the load on Sam Perkins.
Salley is available again after a short but harrowing stay in Greece,
where he didn't get paid on time, couldn't get his team to repair his
stalled-out BMW and had his home broken into just minutes after his
wife and child had left the premises.
The Penny ante
Orlando has two years until Penny Hardaway can opt out of his $70
million contract and become a free agent. And don't worry; with Gary
Payton already getting more than $12 million a year and Kenny Anderson
more than $7 million per year, Hardaway will opt out.
But with the Shaquille O'Neal saga still fresh in their minds, the
Magic wants to do anything to avoid a showdown. So management is
courting Hardaway now.
"A lot of people right now, just in this city maybe, are upset that
Shaquille left," said John Gabriel, vice president of player
operations. "There will be those who second-guess our management and
how we treated our players along the way.
"I can only say, it is at the top. It is paramount to us that our
players know we care for them, therefore we must start our homework
now for a Penny Hardaway. We must find out what he likes, what he
doesn't like. We must find out how he feels about this team, this
organization."
nba.1532nba.news,
Lakers add new dimensions to Shaq's game
NEW YORK -- Shaquille O'Neal loves L.A., and why not? Except for the
mansion he still owns in Orlando, he's out of Hooterville. He doesn't
have to deal with Nick Anderson, Brian Hill or small-town life in
Central Florida.
Now, as a member of the Lakers, Shaq's a big fish in Hollywood's big
pond. He finally gets to play with a guy named Nick he genuinely likes
(Van Exel). The pay's not bad ($123 million over seven seasons,
including $10.7 million this year) and Del Harris' offense couldn't be
better.
"I'm trying to be a leader on the court," Shaq said recently. "And I'm
trying to be a leader off the court with this team, too."
On court, there have been some major changes in Shaq's game and the
Lakers' approach, as outlined by several NBA scouts:
Where you'll find him
Left low block: Still his favorite spot for jump power moves into the
middle, jump hooks and dunks. It's also where he starts his spin moves
to the baseline. Just don't expect him to automatically go there as he
was required to do in Orlando.
Top of the key/foul line: The Magic never let him get this far away
from the basket. But the Lakers look to get the ball into his hands
out top and have him try to beat slower centers on drives.
Changes in Lakers' offense
The New Showtime: The Lakers have always been a great running team,
but they're pushing it even more and placing an emphasis on always
passing the ball ahead because of Shaq's ability to run the floor.
After David Robinson, he's probably the best big man on the break in
the entire league.
Playing inside-out: Last year, the Lakers' offense didn't look inside
first. That's because Vlade Divac was better either stepping out for
jumpers or pick-and-rolls, and their only low-post threat was the
oft-erratic Elden Campbell.
Now, their first option is to look inside to Shaq, and then have him
work the ball outside to perimeter players such as Eddie Jones. With
Shaq bound to draw special defenses inside, the Lakers' perimeter
players are going to be even better than the Magic's once they get the
ball passed out.
Before, Shaq played with spot-up shooters like Anderson and Dennis
Scott, each of whom can't break down a defense. But Jones, Van Exel
and a healthy Cedric Ceballos are slashers who can get to the basket.
That means defenses can't run at them on rotations as quickly, which,
in turn, means more open jumpers.
Changes in Shaq's game
Looking for the return pass: Shaq used to be the ultimate
pass-and-watch player. Now he no longer stands around and watches the
action after he gives the ball up. If forced by a double-teaming
defense to pass off, he tries to put himself back in position to get
the ball back.
No more Mr. Nice Guy: In his final season in Orlando, he was nice and
quiet. Now, the old, animated Shaq is back.
He's more vocal than ever, whether it's jawing with his own teammates
or getting into verbal flare-ups with opponents. And that has
translated at the defensive end, where he is much more active
challenging shots than he was in Orlando.
Before the season started, Harris challenged Shaq to finish in the top
three in rebounds and blocks. Looks like he'll meet those.
Shaq out front: Despite his constant campaigning, Shaq was never
allowed to set up at the high post in Orlando. He always had to go
into the left low box and stay there.
That made the Magic a predictable team, allowing opponents to devise
ways to prevent him from getting the ball right away in the halfcourt
offense. (In the playoffs, the Bulls constantly made Penny Hardaway
dribble up the right side, a move Orlando never adjusted to).
Ultimately, Orlando's insistence of putting Shaq down low at all times
drove a wedge between Shaq and Hill. Harris realizes the best way to
get Shaq the ball is with movement. So he will move his center around,
sometimes putting him at the foul line or top of the key.
There are even plans for isolations on the wing. Shaq doesn't have
near the accuracy of Hakeem Olajuwon, but O'Neal knows that and is
more apt to pass off than take the 15-footer.
The driver: The Magic didn't let Shaq put the ball on the floor. Now
he has the freedom to drive when he sets up outside. That is forcing
opponents to decide who is going to guard him out front and whether or
not to send a double-team at him immediately.
Crunch-time threat: Down the stretch of games with the Magic, Shaq was
ordered to get as far away from the ball as possible and teammates
were told to look elsewhere if they needed to get rid of the ball. The
Lakers have taken the total opposite approach. They want him to get
the ball late in games and have done so.
Older and wiser: According to several scouts, Shaq is maturing as a
passer. In his fifth season, he is showing signs of seeing the floor
better, understanding double-teaming schemes and getting rid of the
ball when he should.
A new technique: You might not notice a difference in Shaq's
free-throw percentage, but he has made a radical change in his
technique. Before, he would stop at the top of his shot and fire away.
Most times, they had no shot. Now, he is putting an emphasis on
shooting the ball all in one motion. Hey, it can't hurt.
Why Shaq will dominate out West
Bulls coach Phil Jackson has predicted that Shaq will challenge
Michael Jordan for the scoring title because of the up-tempo style out
West. That's just one factor as Shaq goes for his second scoring
crown.
The biggest difference is that there isn't the banging and physical
play that often slowed Shaq when he played for the Magic. The refs
allow much more contact in the East.
But there is also a major strategical factor that should play in
Shaq's favor. In the East, teams would start battling Shaq as he began
to run into the post to establish position. Then they would try to
muscle him out and finally double-team him once he caught the entry
pass.
Out West, teams don't try to push opposing centers out of the low box
and are willing to let big men get position. Only then do they begin
to try to move them out. And when it comes to double-teaming, except
for Seattle, Western teams rarely do it.
Who's in love with Shaq
Other than Jerry Buss, Jerry West, David Stern, every Lakers fan alive
and all of Southern California? Just about all his new teammates.
With the addition of an inside scoring threat defenses have to
respect, the perimeter players are all getting better looks. For all
you rotisserie-league players, this could mean huge seasons if you
were lucky enough to get Jones. He and Ceballos are the players who
normally are positioned to get the ball at the end of a full rotation.
Who wishes Shaq would go back to Orlando
Besides the Magic and Clippers? Elden Campbell took 888 shots last
season. He'll never get that many attempts in a season as long as he
is in L.A.
Keys to stopping Shaq
Hack a Shaq: Because hitting foul shots is still his glaring weakness,
many teams probably will still try to put him on the line. But out
West, most teams don't have the depth in the middle that allowed
several Eastern teams to constantly send him to the line.
Take a flop: Teams still know that Shaq, 24, can let his emotions get
the best of him. He will get flustered if calls don't go his way --
especially if he commits some offensive fouls early in games.
Watch for teams with veterans who are respected by refs and can pull
off flops -- Charles Oakley, Dennis Rodman and Buck Williams come to
mind -- to try this tactic. The best defense against Shaq still is to
get him into early foul trouble and limit his minutes.
Make him pass: That means sending constant double-teams at him,
forcing the ball out of his hands and making the other Lakers beat
you.
nba.1533lexus,
=> Mislim da je ovo najobjektivniji način koji se u ovom trenutku može
=> realizovati i da smo svima podjednako izašli u susret. Zahvaljujem
Savršeno :)
Takodje bih te zamolio da u jednoj poruci pošalješ sve dosadašnje
rezultate. O:) Naravno, može i neko drugi, ako ima.
nba.1535vpoznanovic,
Saturday, November 16
Atlanta at Chicago 69:97
Boston at Washington 92:106
Denver at New Jersey 99:106
Detroit at Cleveland 102:98
Golden State at Houston 103:115
Minnesota at New York 79:82
Philadelphia at Miami 91:89
Sacramento at Seattle 96:108
Toronto at Orlando 87:92
Utah at Dallas 88:87
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 16 17 23 13 69
CHICAGO 19 25 27 26 97 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 17, ELDRIDGE RECASNER 15, DIKEMBE
MUTOMBO 9
CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 25, STEVE KERR 12, DENNIS RODMAN 11
HIGH REBOUND: ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 11, ANTHONY MILLER 7
CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 15, LUC LONGLEY 7
HIGH ASSISTS: ATL - ELDRIDGE RECASNER 4, DONNIE BOYCE 2
CHI - SCOTTIE PIPPEN 7, THREE PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 23,939
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
BOSTON 24 24 34 10 92
WASHINGTON 23 30 24 29 106 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: BOS - DINO RADJA 26, ERIC WILLIAMS 19, DAVID WESLEY 13
WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 19, ROD STRICKLAND 19, CHRIS WEBBER 17
HIGH REBOUND: BOS - DINO RADJA 14, THREE PLAYERS WITH 6
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 10, JUWAN HOWARD 9
HIGH ASSISTS: BOS - DAVID WESLEY 10, RICK FOX 6
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 8, ROD STRICKLAND 7
ATT: 18,756
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DENVER 17 22 26 34 99
NEW JERSEY 21 31 21 33 106 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DEN - DALE ELLIS 27, ANTONIO MCDYESS 23, BRYANT STITH 16
NJN - KENDALL GILL 32, KERRY KITTLES 19, ROBERT PACK 16
HIGH REBOUND: DEN - ERVIN JOHNSON 14, ANTONIO MCDYESS 7
NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 18, KENDALL GILL 9
HIGH ASSISTS: DEN - MARK JACKSON 16, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2
NJN - ROBERT PACK 9, KERRY KITTLES 5
ATT: 13,309
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DETROIT 18 23 28 33 102
CLEVELAND 18 24 29 27 98 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DET - GRANT HILL 27, LINDSEY HUNTER 23, OTIS THORPE 18
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 25, BOB SURA 17, TWO PLAYERS WITH 13
HIGH REBOUND: DET - OTIS THORPE 6, JOE DUMARS 6
CLE - TYRONE HILL 10, DANNY FERRY 6
HIGH ASSISTS: DET - GRANT HILL 7, LINDSEY HUNTER 3
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 8, BOBBY PHILLS 5
ATT: 17,808
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
GOLDEN STATE 23 30 25 25 103
HOUSTON 27 26 35 27 115 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 23, CHRIS MULLIN 20, JOE SMITH 18
HOU - CLYDE DREXLER 33, HAKEEM OLAJUWON 23, MARIO ELIE 15
HIGH REBOUND: GSW - ANDREW DECLERCQ 10, FELTON SPENCER 8
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 18, HAKEEM OLAJUWON 9
HIGH ASSISTS: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
HOU - CLYDE DREXLER 9, MARIO ELIE 5
ATT: 16,285
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 23 18 21 17 79
NEW YORK 22 17 20 23 82 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 19, TERRY PORTER 16, TWO PLAYERS WITH
12
NYK - PATRICK EWING 26, LARRY JOHNSON 13, JOHN STARKS 13
HIGH REBOUND: MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 9, DEAN GARRETT 7
NYK - PATRICK EWING 15, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 4, TERRY PORTER 3
NYK - ALLAN HOUSTON 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 19,763
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 24 22 24 21 91
MIAMI 25 19 32 13 89 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHI - JERRY STACKHOUSE 33, DERRICK COLEMAN 20, REX WALTERS
14
MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 23, DAN MAJERLE 19, SASHA DANILOVIC 18
HIGH REBOUND: PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 9, MICHAEL CAGE 9
MIA - ISAAC AUSTIN 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: PHI - REX WALTERS 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2
ATT: 15,200
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 18 29 25 24 96
SEATTLE 27 27 26 28 108 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 27, MICHAEL SMITH 12, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 11
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 25, GARY PAYTON 19, DETLEF SCHREMPF 16
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - BILLY OWENS 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - MICHAEL SMITH 5, THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
SEA - GARY PAYTON 9, SHAWN KEMP 7
ATT: 17,072
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TORONTO 25 22 21 19 87
ORLANDO 25 21 29 17 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: TOR - WALT WILLIAMS 29, DAMON STOUDAMIRE 17, DOUG CHRISTIE
11
ORL - NICK ANDERSON 25, RONY SEIKALY 17, GERALD WILKINS 13
HIGH REBOUND: TOR - DOUG CHRISTIE 7, CARLOS ROGERS 5
ORL - NICK ANDERSON 11, RONY SEIKALY 9
HIGH ASSISTS: TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 5, WALT WILLIAMS 3
ORL - BRIAN SHAW 10, HORACE GRANT 5
ATT: 17,248
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
UTAH 15 23 29 21 88
DALLAS 15 20 18 34 87 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 23, KARL MALONE 19, TWO PLAYERS WITH 15
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 23, JIM JACKSON 14, DEREK HARPER 12
HIGH REBOUND: UTH - BRYON RUSSELL 13, KARL MALONE 8
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 20, JASON KIDD 8
HIGH ASSISTS: UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
DAL - JASON KIDD 7, DEREK HARPER 7
ATT: 15,947
nba.1536vpoznanovic,
>> Takodje bih te zamolio da u jednoj poruci pošalješ sve dosadašnje
>> rezultate.
Izvoli. :)
Friday, November 1
Atlanta at Miami 81:94
Chicago at Boston 107:98
Cleveland at New Jersey 90:77
Dallas at Denver 92:91
Indiana at Detroit 89:95
L.A. Clippers at Golden State 97:85
Milwaukee at Philadelphia 111:103
New York at Toronto 107:99
Phoenix at L.A. Lakers 82:96
Portland at Vancouver 114:85
Sacramento at Houston 85:96
San Antonio at Minnesota 78:82
Seattle at Utah 91:99
Washington at Orlando 96:92
Saturday, November 2
Boston at Milwaukee 102:124
Cleveland at Washington 98:96
Detroit at Atlanta 90:78
Houston at Phoenix 110:95
Miami at Indiana 97:95
Philadelphia at Chicago 86:115
Portland at Seattle 93:104
Sacramento at Dallas 107:94
Toronto at Charlotte 98:109
Utah at L.A. Clippers 95:90
Sunday, November 3
Charlotte at New York 86:113
Denver at San Antonio 88:79
Golden State at Vancouver 105:95
Minnesota at L.A. Lakers 85:91
Monday, November 4
Atlanta at Portland 94:76
Houston at Utah 75:72
Tuesday, November 5
Atlanta at Seattle 117:95
Dallas at Toronto 96:100
Detroit at Philadelphia 83:81
Houston at Sacramento 102:80
L.A. Clippers at Denver 82:78
L.A. Lakers at New York 98:92
Minnesota at Phoenix 98:95
Portland at Golden State 111:93
San Antonio at Cleveland 74:68
Vancouver at Chicago 73:96
Wednesday, November 6
Chicago at Miami 106:100
Dallas at Detroit 84:103
Indiana at Boston 84:94
L.A. Lakers at Charlotte 78:88
San Antonio at Washington 86:96
Vancouver at Milwaukee 89:105
Thursday, November 7
Atlanta at Sacramento 91:87
Houston at Denver 110:108
Minnesota at Portland 94:95
New York at Golden State 105:100
Orlando at New Jersey 108:95
Seattle at Phoenix 103:98
Friday, November 8
Charlotte at Washington 102:87
Chicago at Detroit 98:80
Golden State at Denver 91:94
L.A. Lakers at Toronto 92:93
Milwaukee at Miami 89:101
New Jersey at Orlando 82:86
New York at L.A. Clippers 88:81
Philadelphia at Boston 115:105
Seattle at San Antonio 87:75
Vancouver at Cleveland 72:88
Saturday, November 9
Boston at Chicago 92:104
Miami at Dallas 91:84
Milwaukee at Charlotte 100:98
Phoenix at Philadelphia 95:112
Portland at Sacramento 102:103
Utah at Houston 85:91
Washington at Indiana 100:103
Sunday, November 10
Atlanta at L.A. Lakers 85:92
Denver at Cleveland 86:101
Minnesota at L.A. Clippers 70:81
New York at Vancouver 101:82
San Antonio at Portland 81:94
Monday, November 11
Denver at Toronto 104:93
Phoenix at Chicago 79:97
Seattle at Sacramento 110:94
Tuesday, November 12
Charlotte at Miami 97:105
Cleveland at Atlanta 83:87
Detroit at Washington 92:79
Golden State at Seattle 102:121
Indiana at Dallas 82:103
L.A. Clippers at Vancouver 99:92
L.A. Lakers at Houston 126:115
Philadelphia at New York 101:97
Phoenix at Milwaukee 89:99
Portland at Minnesota 97:100
Wednesday, November 13
Atlanta at Boston 85:103
Denver at Detroit 94:95
L.A. Lakers at San Antonio 83:95
Miami at Chicago 71:103
Philadelphia at Toronto 98:110
Portland at Cleveland 70:81
Sacramento at Utah 74:105
Washington at New Jersey 106:91
Thursday, November 14
Charlotte at Orlando 89:96
Dallas at Minnesota 90:100
Indiana at Houston 88:90
Milwaukee at Golden State 86:95
Phoenix at Vancouver 89:92
Seattle at L.A. Clippers 94:78
Toronto at New York 96:99
Friday, November 15
Chicago at Charlotte 110:87
Cleveland at Philadelphia 105:89
Denver at Boston 82:80
Indiana at San Antonio 93:78
L.A. Clippers at L.A. Lakers 100:107
Miami at Atlanta 77:85
Milwaukee at Sacramento 99:103
Portland at New Jersey 93:85
Vancouver at Utah 96:104
Washington at Detroit 84:95
Saturday, November 16
Atlanta at Chicago 69:97
Boston at Washington 92:106
Denver at New Jersey 99:106
Detroit at Cleveland 102:98
Golden State at Houston 103:115
Minnesota at New York 79:82
Philadelphia at Miami 91:89
Sacramento at Seattle 96:108
Toronto at Orlando 87:92
Utah at Dallas 88:87
nba.1537nba.news,
ATLANTA (69) AT CHICAGO (97)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LAETTNER F 31 7-17 2-3 1 4 5 1 1 1 2 17
CORBIN F 28 1-7 2-2 0 2 2 0 4 1 0 4
MUTOMBO C 36 4-10 1-3 3 8 11 1 2 0 4 9
RECASNER G 41 5-13 4-5 2 1 3 4 0 1 1 15
BARRY G 37 3-6 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 7
BURTON 18 1-6 5-6 2 2 4 0 1 0 2 7
BOYCE 18 4-8 0-2 0 1 1 2 3 0 0 8
NEWBILL 11 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 2 2
MILLER 14 0-5 0-0 2 5 7 0 2 0 0 0
ALSTON 6 0-5 0-0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
BLAYLOCK DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 26-80 14-21 15 25 40 9 17 6 12 69
(.325) (.667) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 13(20 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 34 5-10 0-1 1 4 5 7 4 0 0 10
RODMAN F 31 5-6 0-0 5 10 15 3 1 0 2 11
LONGLEY C 27 2-9 2-2 1 6 7 4 3 0 2 6
HARPER G 17 3-5 0-0 1 0 1 2 2 0 1 6
JORDAN G 35 11-23 3-4 0 5 5 3 2 1 2 25
KERR 28 4-7 0-0 0 3 3 3 0 1 0 12
KUKOC 15 2-7 2-2 1 2 3 4 1 0 1 7
BROWN 16 4-5 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 0 0 8
WENNINGTON 19 2-2 0-0 0 2 2 3 5 0 2 4
BUECHLER 12 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 5
CAFFEY 6 1-3 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-81 8-10 9 35 44 34 20 2 10 97
(.506) (.800) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 10(14 PTS)
ATLANTA 16 17 23 13 - 69
CHICAGO 19 25 27 26 - 97
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 2, LAETTNER. CHICAGO - LONGLEY 2,
HARPER, BUECHLER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 3-13 (.231), LAETTNER 1-3, RECASNER 1-3, BARRY
1-2, BURTON 0-3, BOYCE 0-2. CHICAGO 7-17 (.412), PIPPEN 0-2, RODMAN 1-2,
LONGLEY 0-1, HARPER 0-1, JORDAN 0-1, KERR 4-5, KUKOC 1-2, BUECHLER 1-3.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - .
OFFICIALS: SEAN CORBIN, DAVID JONES, DAN CRAWFORD.
A - 23,939. T - 1:51.
ATLANTA (69) AT CHICAGO (97)
Michael Jordan scored 25 points as the Chicago Bulls remained
the league's only unbeaten team with a 97-69 rout of the Atlanta
Hawks, extending their franchise-record start to 10-0.
Chicago is five victories away from matching the league's best
start, shared by the 1993 Houston Rockets and the 1948
Washington Capitols. The Bulls have won nine straight against
Atlanta and have won their first 10 games by an average of 19.8
points.
"It's going to get tougher for us," said Jordan. "We just have
to maintain our focus and not think that we're better than
everyone else. We need to continue to work hard, specifically
with seven games starting on the road."
Steve Kerr added 12 points and Dennis Rodman 11 for Chicago,
which has won its last three games by at least 23 points and has
five victories by 20 points or more.
Christian Laettner scored 17 points and Eldridge Recasner added
15 for Atlanta, which was held to a season-low point total and
has lost three in a row on the road. Starting guards Steve
Smith and Mookie Blaylock did not play due to sprained right
ankles.
"Considering how many players we had tonight, I thought we gave
it a good effort," said Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens. "To be
honest, some of my bench guys didn't really know the offense
that well. But without Mookie and Smith, we're going to lose a
lot of games."
The Bulls broke the game open with a 9-2 run late in the second
quarter. Tyrone Corbin pulled Atlanta within 35-29 on an 18-foot
jumper, but Randy Brown answered with a 19-footer. Bill
Wennington nailed a baseline jumper to extend the lead to 39-29,
but Donnie Boyce hit a short jumper to make it 39-31 with 2:50
to play in the first half.
Jordan sank one of two free throws before making a pair of
jumpers to push the lead to 44-31 with 37 seconds left in the
first half.
Atlanta made one last push in the second half, closing within
50-45 with on a hook shot by Dikembe Mutombo with 6:28 left in
the third quarter, but Chicago went on a 12-4 spree. Jordan had
a pair of jumpers around a transition layup before Mutombo hit a
hook shot to make it 56-47 with 4:44 remaining.
Scottie Pippen and Laettner traded layups, but Pippen added a
19-footer before Jordan capped the run with a nine-footer to
make it 62-49 with 3:16 to play in the third quarter.
"I really didn't find myself on the court until the second
half," said Jordan. "Once I got going, I was pretty hot. But
give credit to our bench, when we came out in the second
quarter, they sustained and built our lead."
Chicago shot 50.6 percent (41-of-81) from the field and 7-of-17
from three-point range. The Bulls scored 20 points off 13
Atlanta turnovers. Rodman finished with 11 points -- all in the
first half -- and 15 rebounds.
"I think this is the most games we've played in the early part
of the season before going out on a Western road trip," said
Bulls coach Phil Jackson. "Tonight was indicative of the last 10
games we played. We are just trying to stay tuned into the
game-by-game situation.
"We have some teams in the East who are playing very well, so
even though we've won 10 straight, we have not built any type of
cushion. We have to keep playing well."
Mutombo finished with nine points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta,
which shot 32.5 percent (26-of-80) from the floor. Jon Barry
was the only Hawks starter to make 50 percent of his field
goals, going 3-for-6 from the field.
"Chicago is the best team in the NBA, everyone knows that," said
Mutombo. "Without Mookie making the plays for us, we were in
trouble. I do enjoy playing Eastern (Conference) basketball,
there is more concentration on defense and rebounding."
The Bulls' reserves scored 39 points compared to just 17 for
Atlanta's bench.
nba.1538nba.news,
BOSTON (92) AT WASHINGTON (106)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 32 5-7 0-0 0 6 6 0 3 0 0 10
WILLIAMS F 33 7-17 5-8 3 3 6 2 2 1 0 19
RADJA C 37 12-26 2-3 2 12 14 1 2 1 3 26
FOX G 31 3-5 0-0 4 2 6 6 3 2 2 6
WESLEY G 39 5-14 2-3 0 4 4 10 2 0 0 13
BRICKOWSKI 11 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 2
CONLON 13 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 4
BARROS 23 3-9 0-0 1 0 1 3 0 1 2 8
DAY 12 2-4 0-1 0 4 4 1 0 0 1 4
ELLISON 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
DRIGGERS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SZABO 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 39-88 11-17 10 31 41 24 21 5 11 92
(.443) (.647) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 13(19 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 39 9-17 1-2 4 5 9 2 3 2 3 19
WEBBER F 40 6-17 5-6 1 9 10 8 2 1 1 17
GRANT C 22 3-7 0-0 1 3 4 2 2 0 0 6
CHEANEY G 21 4-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 8
STRICKLAND G 37 8-15 3-4 1 3 4 7 3 0 2 19
MURESAN 26 6-7 0-2 3 5 8 1 4 0 0 12
JACKSON 24 2-6 4-5 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 8
WHITNEY 16 4-6 2-2 0 3 3 4 0 0 2 11
MURRAY 15 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 6
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 44-85 15-21 10 32 42 25 19 3 9 106
(.518) (.714) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 9(4 PTS)
BOSTON 24 24 34 10 - 92
WASHINGTON 23 30 24 29 - 106
BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - RADJA, BRICKOWSKI. WASHINGTON - WEBBER 4,
MURESAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 3-14 (.214), WALKER 0-1, WESLEY 1-6, BARROS 2-5,
DAY 0-2. WASHINGTON 3-13 (.231), WEBBER 0-1, GRANT 0-1, STRICKLAND 0-1,
JACKSON 0-4, WHITNEY 1-3, MURRAY 2-3.
TECHNICALS: BOSTON - ELLISON, WASHINGTON - .
OFFICIALS: DEREK RICHARDSON, TOM WASHINGTON, JESS KERSEY.
A - 18,756. T - 2:05.
BOSTON (92) AT WASHINGTON (106)
Reserve Chris Whitney scored six of his 11 points in a key
fourth-quarter run as the Washington Bullets held the Boston
Celtics scoreless for the final 6:06 in a 106-92 comeback
victory.
Whitney scored a pair of baskets to trigger a tie-breaking 19-5
burst that closed the game. His driving layup with 6:58 to play
gave the Bullets the lead for good and he added another layup
seconds later.
Juwan Howard and Rod Strickland each scored 19 points for the
Bullets, who outscored Boston 29-10 in the final period. Over
the last 13:48, the Bullets outscored the Celtics, 37-12.
"It was unbelievable," said Boston coach M.L. Carr of the final
6:06. "We just didn't get any good opportunities to shoot the
good shots."
Washington's Chris Webber finished just two assists shy of his
first triple-double of the season, totaling 17 points, 10
rebounds and eight assists. Gheorghe Muresan had a season-high
12 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Washington, which
shot a season-high 51.8 percent (44-of-85) from the field.
"Some nights the shooting is there and sometimes it is not,"
said Bullets coach Jim Lynam. "Tonight we shot 51 percent, I
would take that every night. This is who we are.
"I did not choose to start Gheorghe because he is still in the
process of recovering. When Gheorghe is himself he is a tough
guy to get by. He played great coming off the bench."
Dino Radja scored 26 points for Boston, which has yet to win on
the road this season. The Celtics have been blown out away from
the FleetCenter, losing by an average of 16 points in three road
contests.
Radja hurt his right hand with 8:43 left on a shot underneath
the basket against Muresan and had to leave the game, further
handicapping Boston's offense.
Boston opened its largest lead at 77-64 on Eric Williams' free
throws with 3:08 remaining in the third quarter. The lead was
cut to 82-77 after the period and Washington started the final
quarter with a 10-0 burst.
"We played great for 3 1/2 quarters," said Carr. "Then they just
turned up the heat defensively and we got away from some of the
things that we were doing successful."
"We just totally self-destructed down the stretch," said Celtic
guard David Wesley. "Maybe we are out there playing not to
lose. I don't know what's wrong with us, your guess is as good
as mine."
Howard scored 13 points in the first half as Washington opened a
53-48 lead. Radja scored 13 points in the third quarter to help
Boston grab the lead.
nba.1539nba.news,
DENVER (99) AT NEW JERSEY (106)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 45 10-19 2-2 1 2 3 1 5 1 1 27
MCDYESS F 39 9-22 5-9 1 6 7 2 4 0 3 23
JOHNSON C 31 5-5 0-0 3 11 14 1 4 1 1 10
JACKSON G 44 3-7 4-4 0 5 5 16 5 1 3 12
STITH G 36 6-18 3-4 1 2 3 0 2 2 0 16
HAMMONDS 5 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 2 0
PIERCE 3 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MCINNIS 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 3
HAM 17 0-2 2-4 1 2 3 2 3 0 0 2
MARCIULIONIS 16 3-7 0-2 0 0 0 2 2 1 3 6
MURDOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-84 16-25 8 29 37 25 28 6 16 99
(.440) (.640) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 37 12-17 8-9 2 7 9 4 5 1 3 32
J WILLIAMS F 34 1-10 1-2 10 8 18 2 6 0 3 3
BRADLEY C 19 0-4 4-6 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 4
KITTLES G 35 8-15 2-3 3 2 5 5 0 3 1 19
PACK G 40 5-15 6-10 0 5 5 9 2 3 4 16
MCDANIEL 16 2-6 1-2 1 2 3 0 2 0 1 5
MASSENBURG 25 3-5 1-2 1 4 5 0 2 2 2 7
REEVES 18 5-8 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 1 2 13
R WILLIAMS 14 3-7 1-2 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 7
OBANNON 2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
CALDWELL DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 39-89 24-36 18 34 52 20 26 10 16 106
(.438) (.667) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 16(10 PTS)
DENVER 17 22 26 34 - 99
NEW JERSEY 21 31 21 33 - 106
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - MCDYESS 3, JOHNSON, JACKSON, HAM. NEW JERSEY -
BRADLEY 3, J WILLIAMS 2, KITTLES, MASSENBURG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 9-22 (.409), D ELLIS 5-10, JACKSON 2-3, STITH
1-3, PIERCE 0-1, MCINNIS 1-1, MARCIULIONIS 0-4. NEW JERSEY 4-13 (.308),
GILL 0-1, KITTLES 1-2, REEVES 3-5, R WILLIAMS 0-3, OBANNON 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE SMITH, HUGH EVANS, RON OLESIAK.
A - 13,309. T - 2:15.
DENVER (99) AT NEW JERSEY (106)
Kendall Gill scored a season-high 32 points to lead the New
Jersey Nets to a 106-99 victory over the Denver Nuggets for
coach John Calipari's first NBA win.
The Nets, who lost their first five games, also scored more than
100 points for the first time this season. Rookie Kerry Kittles
added 19 points and Jayson Williams grabbed 18 rebounds as New
Jersey defeated Denver for the fourth straight time.
"Our objective was to stop Dale Ellis, it feels good to go home
with a win," said Gill. "I am glad we are not 0-6. I felt
everybody concentrated tonight and that helped us get the win."
New Jersey's victory leaves the Phoenix Suns as the lone winless
team.
Ellis scored 27 points and Antonio McDyess added 23 for the
Nuggets, who finished 2-3 on their five-game road trip against
Eastern Conference teams.
"Kendall Gill played outstanding," said Calipari. "I told him
before the game that it was his job to make it hard on Dale
Ellis. I didn't care if he scored or not. Robert Pack was a
real leader, he ran the team well tonight. The difference out
there tonight was that we played to win, not to lose."
McDyess made an 18-footer to cap a 13-1 spurt as Denver tied the
score, 60-60, with 4:59 remaining in the third quarter. Shawn
Bradley made one free throw with 4:07 left to give the Nets a
61-60 edge. McDyess followed with a 17-footer to give the
Nuggets a 62-61 edge for their first lead since the first
quarter.
"Tonight we just couldn't get anything to fall," McDyess said.
"We can't get down about this game because we have something
like 70 games left. I felt more relaxed in the second half,
some of my shots started falling."
Gill made a 17-footer as New Jersey regained the lead, 63-62,
with 3:30 left. Bryant Stith made one free throw as Denver tied
the score, 63-63, 10 seconds later. Gill made a 19-footer to
give the Nets a 65-63 lead and Mark Jackson sank two free throws
as the Nuggets tied the score for the final time with 2:41 left.
Gill scored four points, including a 17-footer as time expired,
for the Nets, who ended the quarter with an 8-0 burst.
Stith had 16 points and Jackson added 12 and 16 assists. Ervin
Johnson had 10 points and 14 rebounds.
The Nuggets were able to cut the lead to 83-81 when Jackson made
a free throw with 5:24 left in the fourth. But Robert Pack
answered with two free throws to give New Jersey an 85-81
advantage with 5:14 remaining.
Gill had 11 points and Khalid Reeves added nine of his 13 as the
Nets took a 52-39 halftime lead.
nba.1540nba.news,
DETROIT (102) AT CLEVELAND (98)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 44 8-15 10-13 0 5 5 7 2 2 3 27
LONG F 20 2-4 1-2 4 0 4 1 4 0 0 5
THORPE C 32 7-11 4-5 3 3 6 2 4 0 1 18
DUMARS G 38 2-6 6-6 0 6 6 2 2 0 1 10
HUNTER G 45 6-14 7-8 1 3 4 3 3 1 2 23
REID 16 1-1 0-0 2 1 3 1 4 0 0 2
AUGMON 12 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0
RATLIFF 4 1-3 0-1 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 2
MILLS 22 4-7 3-3 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 13
SMITH 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CURRY 6 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
MAHORN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-64 33-40 11 21 32 18 26 4 9 102
(.484) (.825) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 10(11 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 33 3-5 2-2 1 3 4 1 3 0 1 10
HILL F 43 3-6 7-10 2 8 10 2 4 0 2 13
WEST C 7 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 4
BRANDON G 41 10-20 3-3 1 4 5 8 3 0 4 25
PHILLS G 33 5-10 0-0 2 3 5 5 5 0 0 13
POTAPENKO 9 0-2 5-6 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 5
FERRY 37 4-10 0-0 1 5 6 2 5 0 0 9
SURA 25 5-8 4-9 0 2 2 2 6 1 0 17
LANG 12 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 2
GEARY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-65 21-30 10 25 35 20 32 1 10 98
(.508) (.700) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 12(10 PTS)
DETROIT 18 23 28 33 - 102
CLEVELAND 18 24 29 27 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - REID 2, AUGMON, RATLIFF. CLEVELAND - BRANDON,
PHILLS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 7-15 (.467), HILL 1-1, DUMARS 0-2, HUNTER 4-7,
MILLS 2-4, CURRY 0-1. CLEVELAND 11-21 (.524), MILLS 2-2, BRANDON 2-8,
PHILLS 3-5, FERRY 1-2, SURA 3-4.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, JIM KINSEY, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 17,808. T - 2:23.
DETROIT (102) AT CLEVELAND (98)
Grant Hill scored 27 points, including six in a row down the
stretch, and the Detroit Pistons made 14 free throws in the last
four minutes for a 102-98 victory over the Cavaliers, their
first in Cleveland in nearly five years.
Lindsey Hunter scored 23 points and Otis Thorpe added 18 for the
Pistons (8-1), who have won four in a row and are off to their
best start since 1988, when they won their first eight. Detroit
had lost 11 of its last 12 at Cleveland and had not won since
February 6th, 1992.
"We feel we are a mirror image of the Cavs," Pistons coach Doug
Collins said. "We have the same style where we depend on our
spacing, our guards and our defense. We had two heart-breaking
losses here last year, and to execute the way we did down the
stretch tonight and play that well, it was a great win for us.
We just moved the ball well against their double-teams."
Terrell Brandon scored 25 points and Bob Sura added 17 for the
Cavaliers, who allowed 100 points for the first time in 16 games
dating to last season. Cleveland, which had a two-game winning
streak snapped, had been giving up just 81.4 points per game.
"We don't intentionally let teams shoot open threes," Cavs coach
Mike Fratello said. "When defense breakdowns occur, that's what
happens. You have to step up and make free throws if you're
going to be involved in close games. The Pistons stepped up and
made them."
A basket by Cleveland's Bobby Phills forged the 19th and final
tie at 83-83 with 5:33 remaining and a jumper by Danny Ferry
gave the Cavs the lead 46 seconds later.
Terry Mills made a three-pointer and Hunter sank two foul shots
to give Detroit the lead for good at 88-85 with 3:46 remaining.
Phills scored again, but Hill made a free throw, a three-point
play and two more foul shots in a two-minute span, building the
lead to 94-87 with 1:12 to go.
"I felt good," Hill said. "I wanted to play well here. I wanted
the team to play well because we haven't won in this building
since I've been here. The last time I played a bad game."
Hunter's free throws began a stretch where the Pistons made
14-of-15 from the line to seal the game. Hill's three-point
play was the only basket for Detroit in the last four minutes.
"Everyone stepped up in the fourth quarter," Hunter said. "We
weren't worried about getting our offense going. They were
hitting shots and we were missing shots. We knew if we kept
getting good looks, we'd knock those shots down."
Mills scored 13 points and Joe Dumars added 10 for the Pistons,
who shot 48 percent (31-of-64) from the field and 82 percent
(33-of-40) from the line. Detroit's only loss came to Chicago,
which is 10-0.
Phills and Tyrone Hill scored 13 points apiece and Hill grabbed
10 rebounds for the Cavs, who shot 51 percent and held a 35-31
rebounding edge.
Cleveland led 42-41 at halftime behind Sura's 12 second-quarter
points. Brandon had six points in the third quarter to help push
the lead to 71-69 entering the final period. He added 12 more
in the fourth quarter.
"Hunter is their point guard, but Hill is the one who controls
the team," Brnddon said. "They played good defense and guarded
us well."
nba.1541nba.news,
GOLDEN STATE (103) AT HOUSTON (115)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 41 9-13 2-2 1 2 3 5 2 4 4 20
SMITH F 40 8-18 2-2 3 3 6 1 1 2 3 18
FULLER C 11 2-4 1-2 0 1 1 0 4 1 0 5
SPREWELL G 40 9-20 4-4 1 3 4 11 2 3 5 23
PRICE G 20 2-8 0-0 1 2 3 2 0 3 3 5
SPENCER 24 4-4 2-5 4 4 8 0 3 0 0 10
ARMSTRONG 16 4-10 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8
COLES 29 2-6 0-0 1 3 4 5 0 3 0 5
DECLERCQ 16 3-9 3-3 8 2 10 0 5 1 2 9
ROYAL 3 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OWES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 43-95 14-18 19 20 39 24 18 17 17 103
(.453) (.778) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 18(18 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 35 4-10 4-4 1 5 6 5 2 1 4 15
BARKLEY F 34 2-8 6-7 6 12 18 4 4 0 6 10
OLAJUWON C 41 9-15 5-6 2 7 9 4 3 2 7 23
DREXLER G 41 14-20 2-4 1 4 5 9 1 2 2 33
MALONEY G 26 4-6 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 2 5 10
MACK 20 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 8
DAVIS 22 3-5 0-0 0 3 3 2 0 2 2 6
WILLIS 21 4-5 2-2 0 2 2 0 2 1 1 10
JONES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MOORE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BULLARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 43-74 19-23 10 34 44 28 15 11 28 115
(.581) (.826) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 28(36 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 23 30 25 25 - 103
HOUSTON 27 26 35 27 - 115
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - SMITH, SPREWELL, SPENCER. HOUSTON -
OLAJUWON 4, BARKLEY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 3-15 (.200), MULLIN 0-1, SMITH 0-1,
SPREWELL 1-4, PRICE 1-4, ARMSTRONG 0-2, COLES 1-3. HOUSTON 10-21 (.476),
ELIE 3-6, BARKLEY 0-2, DREXLER 3-6, MALONEY 2-3, MACK 2-3, DAVIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, JIM CLARK, GARY BENSON.
A - 16,285. T - 2:05.
GOLDEN STATE (103) AT HOUSTON (115)
Clyde Drexler scored a season-high 33 points and dished out nine
assists and Hakeem Olajuwon added 23 points and nine rebounds to
lift the once-beaten Houston Rockets to a 115-103 victory over
the struggling Golden State Warriors.
Charles Barkley added 10 points and 18 rebounds for Houston
(8-1), which suffered its only loss of the season in double
overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 12th.
Drexler, who is nursing a sore left knee, was 14-of-20 from the
field after going only 3-for-15 over the last two games.
"I really stunk up the place the last couple of games, but you
have to play through your injuries," said Drexler.
"This is a good win for us, winning the way we did in a up-tempo
game," said Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "The half-court
offense is our type of game. Clyde did a great job in transition
and the defense caused a lot of turnovers. It's good to know you
can win these types of games."
Latrell Sprewell scored 22 points and had 11 assists and Chris
Mullin added 20 points for Golden State (2-5), which has lost
five of its last six games.
"That's what unique about this Houston team," said Warriors
coach Rick Adelman. "On any given night one of their superstars
can step up and win the game all by himself. Drexler stepped up
tonight. He did some good things for them."
Olajuwon's jumper at 6:15 capped Houston's 14-6 second-quarter
run for a 43-33 advantage. But Mullin had nine points to drive a
20-10 spurt which gave Golden State a 53-53 tie at the half.
Drexler's slam with 6:52 to play gave the Rockets their largest
lead at 102-85. But Bimbo Coles' three-pointer finished off an
11-0 run to pull the Warriors within 102-96 with 3:05 to go.
Drexler and Olajuwon answered back consecutive jumpers to
re-establish the lead and Matt Maloney's three-pointer iced the
victory.
"The nature of this league is not to take anyone for granted,"
said Olajuwon. "Every game is different. We ran with them and
that is not something we are used to doing. It will pay off
later, when we face teams like Denver who like to run."
Golden State came in as the third-worst defensive team in the
league, yielding 101.3 points a game.
"We know Drexler was hurt, but his type of game comes off
transition and there's nothing you can do about that," said
Sprewell. "We had our chances, but we either made a turnover or
a bad shot."
nba.1542nba.news,
MINNESOTA (79) AT NEW YORK (82)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 40 4-17 4-4 4 5 9 2 3 2 0 12
GUGLIOTTA F 42 6-19 7-9 0 5 5 4 5 4 5 19
VRANKOVIC C 19 3-3 0-2 1 0 1 0 5 0 1 6
WEST G 37 6-11 0-1 1 0 1 2 3 0 2 12
PORTER G 34 4-9 7-8 2 3 5 3 0 3 2 16
D GARRETT 23 2-5 2-2 4 3 7 0 3 0 0 6
ROBINSON 14 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 6 6
MITCHELL 17 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 3 0
CARR 11 0-2 2-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 2
PARKS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
HEAL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARBURY DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 27-73 22-28 12 19 31 14 25 9 21 79
(.370) (.786) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 22(26 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 37 5-10 3-6 2 4 6 4 3 1 4 13
OAKLEY F 24 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 3 1 7
EWING C 43 9-17 8-12 2 13 15 2 1 0 3 26
HOUSTON G 32 5-13 0-0 0 1 1 5 2 0 3 11
WARD G 32 3-6 1-2 1 2 3 4 5 2 5 8
BROOKS 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
STARKS 25 4-12 4-4 1 1 2 1 2 3 6 13
B WILLIAMS 29 1-1 0-0 1 3 4 0 3 1 2 2
WALLACE 10 1-1 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 1 2 2
JENT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-64 16-24 9 31 40 17 24 11 27 82
(.484) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 27(23 PTS)
MINNESOTA 23 18 21 17 - 79
NEW YORK 22 17 20 23 - 82
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - GUGLIOTTA. NEW YORK - JOHNSON 3, EWING 2,
HOUSTON, WALLACE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 3-8 (.375), GUGLIOTTA 0-3, WEST 0-1, PORTER
1-1, ROBINSON 2-2, CARR 0-1. NEW YORK 4-13 (.308), OAKLEY 1-1, HOUSTON
1-4, WARD 1-4, STARKS 1-4.
TECHNICALS: MINNESOTA - GUGLIOTTA, NEW YORK - JOHNSON.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, MIKE CALLAHAN, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 19,763. T - 2:23.
MINNESOTA (79) AT NEW YORK (82)
Patrick Ewing had 26 points and 15 rebounds and Charlie Ward
snapped a tie with a driving layup with 2:07 left as the New
York Knicks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 11th
straight time, 82-79.
Ewing scored nine points in the final four minutes of the third
quarter, helping New York erase a 10-point deficit. Ward's drive
gave the Knicks a 76-74 lead and, after Tom Gugliotta missed a
pair of jumpers for Minnesota, Ewing made a 20-footer with 28
seconds to go.
"We're still trying to mesh, still trying to jell," Ewing said.
"We know what we have to do, we know our identity. We're just
not meshing yet."
"We're not playing well," said Ward, who scored eight points as
the Knicks improved to 7-2. "(But) if you're not playing at
your best and winning, it's a good sign."
Terry Porter had a basket and three free throws around a pair of
foul shots by John Starks to pull Minnesota within 80-79 with 11
seconds left. But Starks made two more foul shots and Gugliotta
missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Starks scored 11 of his 13 in the second half and Larry Johnson
added 13 for the Knicks, who have won five of six overall and
heven't lost to Minnesota since January 16th, 1991. Ewing needs
just six points to become the 24th NBA player to score 20,000.
Gugliotta scored 19 points and Porter added 16 for the
Timberwolves, who were trying to move two games above .500 for
the first time in the eight-year history of the franchise.
"We should have had this game and we came in expecting to win,"
Gugliotta said. "However, we are winning at home and we are
going to keep working hard and start getting some wins on the
road."
The Knicks went nearly four minutes without a basket and a
jumper by Gugliotta gave the Wolves a 58-48 lead with 4:15 left
in the third period. But Ewing scored nine straight New York
points and Starks closed the quarter with a steal and driving
layup at the buzzer, cutting the deficit to 62-59.
The surge continued in the fourth quarter. Starks and Ward
scored on drives to give the Knicks their first lead since the
first quarter at 63-62. Minnesota's Dean Garrett tipped in a
hoop, but Ewing, Johnson and rookie John Wallace scored baskets
to give the Knicks a 69-64 lead with 7:17 remaining.
Starks, who scored a season-high 27 points in New York's 99-96
win over Toronto on Thursday, made a three-pointer to give New
York a 74-70 advantage with 5:26 to go. But a pair of foul
shots each by Kevin Garnett and Gugliotta tied it for the final
time with 2:17 remaining. However, the Wolves also missed four
foul shots during that stretch.
"We had a chance to win, but we missed some key free throws down
the stretch," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "We are a
team that is improving. Usually when we come into this building,
we don't give ourselves a chance to win. But we played very
hard today."
Allan Houston added 11 points for the Knicks, who were 6-of-6
from the foul line in the fourth quarter after missing eight of
their first 18 foul shots. New York shot 48 percent (31-of-64)
from the field and outrebounded Minnesota, 40-31, but committed
27 turnovers.
"When you miss free throws like we do, you just put a burden on
yourself," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "We play
unbelievable halfcourt defense, we dominate the boards and we
shot the ball well. But if you turn the ball over and miss free
throws, you're gonna make it very difficult to play the way you
need to."
Garnett and Doug West each scored 12 points for Minnesota (4-4),
which had a two-game winning streak snapped. The Wolves shot
just 37 percent (27-of-73).
West scored eight points in the first quarter, which ended with
Minnesota holding a 23-22 lead. The Wolves began the second
period with nine straight points, capped by James Robinson's
three-pointer for a 32-22 advantage with 8:55 to play in the
half.
But Minnesota went cold, managing just one field goal in the
next seven-plus minutes, as New York rallied to tie it.
With just over three minutes to go in the half, Gugliotta and
Johnson began shoving under Minnesota's basket. The two
exchanged pushes while running upcourt and shoved each other
again under New York's basket. The players had to be separated
and both received technical fouls.
"The Knicks knock you around," Gugliotta said. "As we all know,
they are a physical team."
The skirmish sparked the Knicks, who got a three-pointer from
Ward and jumpers by Houston and Johnson to forge a 36-36 tie.
But Porter scored Mnnesota's final five points of the half for a
41-39 edge.
nba.1543nba.news,
PHILADELPHIA (91) AT MIAMI (89)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 45 2-10 1-2 1 5 6 2 0 0 2 5
COLEMAN F 39 7-12 6-9 2 7 9 4 4 2 4 20
WILLIAMS C 14 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 4 0 0 4
STACKHOUSE G 43 8-20 14-18 3 1 4 4 2 3 7 33
WALTERS G 35 4-9 2-2 0 1 1 5 3 1 3 14
HARRIS 16 2-5 2-2 1 1 2 0 2 1 3 6
CAGE 34 2-4 0-0 2 7 9 0 2 3 0 4
DAVIS 14 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 5
BRADTKE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HENDRICKSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
IVERSON DNP - SEPARATED LEFT SHOULDER
MACLEAN DNP - TENDINITIS RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 29-67 25-33 10 24 34 17 22 10 20 91
(.433) (.758) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 22(26 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 41 8-17 0-1 3 4 7 2 1 4 2 19
THOMAS F 26 1-6 4-4 1 4 5 0 4 2 2 6
MOURNING C 26 3-6 3-4 0 5 5 1 4 0 8 9
DANILOVIC G 39 7-15 1-2 2 1 3 0 3 0 3 18
HARDAWAY G 42 9-22 4-4 3 2 5 13 2 1 2 23
BROWN 17 2-5 2-2 4 3 7 1 5 1 3 6
ASKINS 16 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2
AUSTIN 27 2-3 0-0 3 9 12 1 6 2 1 4
GRANT 6 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 2
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-79 14-17 16 28 44 20 28 11 23 89
(.430) (.824) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 23(30 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 24 22 24 21 - 91
MIAMI 25 19 32 13 - 89
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - COLEMAN 4, WILLIAMS 2, WEATHERSPOON. MIAMI
- MAJERLE, MOURNING, AUSTIN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 8-16 (.500), COLEMAN 0-1, STACKHOUSE 3-7,
WALTERS 4-6, DAVIS 1-2. MIAMI 7-23 (.304), MAJERLE 3-9, DANILOVIC 3-6,
HARDAWAY 1-6, ASKINS 0-1, GRANT 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, TOMMY NUNEZ, WOODY MAYFIELD.
A - 15,200. T - 2:14.
PHILADELPHIA (91) AT MIAMI (89)
Rex Walters, playing in place of the injured Allen Iverson, hit
a three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining to rally the
Philadelphia 76ers to a 91-89 victory over the Miami Heat.
Walters had four three-pointers and 14 points and handed out
five assists for the 76ers, who went on a 14-2 run to end the
game. Jerry Stackhouse led Philadelphia with 33 points and
Derrick Coleman added 20.
"Jerry (Stackhouse) drew the defense to him and found me," said
Walters. "The ball bounced off the rim and went in."
Iverson, the top pick in the 1996 draft, did not play because of
a slightly separated left shoulder. He is averaging 22.8 points,
4.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game but may be sidelined for a
week.
"Tonight was about stepping up and each one of them did
what they had to do to win," said Sixers coach Johnny Davis. "DC
(Coleman) set an example for the team and the rest of the players
responded."
Tim Hardaway led Miami with 23 points and 13 assists and Dan
Majerle added 19 points. Sasha Danilovic had 18 points and Issac
Austin grabbed 12 rebounds for the Heat.
"We always get a lead -- third quarter, second quarter,
halftime -- and we always loss it in the fourth quarter and that's
what's been happening," said Hardaway.
Majerle's jumper capped a 9-2 surge that made it 87-77 with 6:24
remaining, but Miami -- held to eight points in the final period
Friday night -- could manage only one field goal thereafter.
"We did a bad job executing down the stretch," said Majerle. "We
turned the ball over a few times and they hit some big shots. Now
we've got to go out on the road and win."
The Heat saw a four-game winning streak against the Sixers come
to an end and lost to Philadelphia for just the second time in
10 games.
nba.1544nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (96) AT SEATTLE (108)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
POLYNICE F 34 5-11 0-0 0 5 5 0 5 0 1 10
OWENS F 33 3-10 5-6 2 6 8 3 1 0 3 11
CAUSWELL C 14 1-2 0-0 1 5 6 0 4 1 1 2
ABDUL-RAUF G 37 4-10 1-1 0 1 1 3 3 0 3 10
RICHMOND G 39 9-18 7-8 0 3 3 2 3 1 6 27
EDNEY 19 3-6 3-4 0 2 2 3 2 1 1 11
SMITH 30 4-5 4-8 3 3 6 5 4 1 0 12
SIMMONS 15 3-4 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 6
C WILLIAMSON 18 1-3 5-5 1 4 5 0 5 0 5 7
HURLEY 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GRANT DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 33-69 25-32 8 29 37 17 29 4 20 96
(.478) (.781) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 21(28 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 35 8-18 9-11 5 7 12 7 5 1 4 25
D SCHREMPF F 37 4-11 6-8 2 0 2 4 1 0 0 16
MCILVAINE C 27 3-6 1-2 0 4 4 1 5 0 0 7
PAYTON G 37 7-14 4-6 0 2 2 9 2 2 1 19
HAWKINS G 32 4-9 3-3 1 2 3 3 2 2 0 11
PERKINS 21 4-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 1 0 12
STEWART 11 2-2 3-4 2 2 4 0 2 0 3 7
SNOW 16 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 1 1 4
EHLO 20 1-3 5-6 0 3 3 1 2 5 1 7
WINGATE 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
GRAHAM 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-76 31-40 12 25 37 26 23 12 10 108
(.461) (.775) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 10(10 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 18 29 25 24 - 96
SEATTLE 27 27 26 28 - 108
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - POLYNICE, SMITH, SIMMONS. SEATTLE -
MCILVAINE 4, D SCHREMPF.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 5-13 (.385), OWENS 0-1, ABDUL-RAUF 1-3,
RICHMOND 2-5, EDNEY 2-4. SEATTLE 7-16 (.438), D SCHREMPF 2-3, PAYTON 1-4,
HAWKINS 0-3, PERKINS 4-5, EHLO 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SACRAMENTO - C WILLIAMSON, SEATTLE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, JOE BORGIA, KEN MAUER.
A - 17,072. T - 2:17.
SACRAMENTO (96) AT SEATTLE (108)
Shawn Kemp scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter as
the Seattle SuperSonics rolled to a 108-96 victory over the
Sacramento Kings, their sixth-straight triumph.
Kemp finished with 12 rebounds and seven assists, falling three
assists shy of his first triple-double of the season.
Gary Payton scored 19 points and dished out nine assists and
Detlef Schrempf added 16 points for Seattle, which outscored the
Kings in each quarter.
The SuperSonics led by as many as 14 points in the first half,
going up 53-39 on a Jim McIlvaine 11-foot jumper. McIlvaine had
seven points, four rebounds and four blocked shots.
"We missed so many layups there it got scary for a while," said
Seattle coach George Karl. "We were a little bit loose
finishing shots, but defensively, as the game went on, our defense
got better, which is, I think, a good sign."
Mitch Richmond had 27 points for the Kings, who got as close as
81-77 at 10:15 of the final period on a three-pointer by Corliss
Williamson before Seattle went on a 15-2 run to end the threat.
Sam Perkins contributed 12 points off the Seattle bench,
highlighted by four three-pointers, tying a season-high as
Seattle defeated the Kings for the sixth straight time.
"We started moving the ball around, we got some easy shots and
got some steals on defense," said Schrempf. "I don't think we
played with a lot of intensity, but we played well enough to win
and make it a sort of easy night."
Michael Smith had 12 points, and Tyus Edney and Billy Owens 11
for the Kings, who played without the services of forward Brian
Grant.
Sacramento was sloppy on the offense end of the court, turning
the ball over 21 times, with six coming in the final period.
Seattle took advantage of those mistakes all game long,
converting them into 28 points.
"We just didn't protect the ball," said Richmond. "I had three
turnovers (fourth quarter) myself. I think that's what killed
us because we were definitely in a good position to win this
game."
"We hung around for a long time, we didn't play perfect
basketball, but we got the lead down to five or six points,"
said Kings coach Garry St. Jean. "Then we had a rash of
turnovers that was our nemesis in the second half and they
turned the defense up and made some shots."
Payton scored nine points as Seattle raced to a nine-point first
quarter lead. Sacramento attempted to close the gap in the third
quarter behind Richmond's 10 points, but trailed 80-72 after
three. The Kings opened the final quarter by outscoring Seattle
5-1 before the Sonics regained control of the game.
nba.1545nba.news,
TORONTO (87) AT ORLANDO (92)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 40 9-14 6-6 2 1 3 3 4 2 1 29
JONES F 18 0-3 0-0 3 1 4 1 4 0 1 0
CAMBY C 10 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 4
STOUDAMIRE G 39 7-14 2-2 0 2 2 5 0 3 5 17
CHRISTIE G 37 5-12 0-0 2 5 7 2 1 3 3 11
DAVIS 27 1-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 2
ROGERS 32 3-8 0-1 0 5 5 1 3 1 3 6
WRIGHT 17 3-9 2-2 2 2 4 0 3 0 2 8
EARL 16 5-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 10
WHITESIDE 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
LOHAUS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TABAK DNP - SORE LEFT HEEL
TOTALS 240 35-77 10-11 11 19 30 14 21 11 17 87
(.455) (.909) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 17(17 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GRANT F 42 3-6 0-0 1 4 5 5 2 1 2 6
ANDERSON F 40 9-18 2-3 3 8 11 2 1 3 3 25
VAUGHN C 16 4-6 4-6 3 3 6 0 0 0 4 12
WILKINS G 37 6-12 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 13
SHAW G 31 2-7 0-0 1 3 4 10 4 0 3 5
SEIKALY 28 5-12 7-8 6 3 9 1 4 2 0 17
ARMSTRONG 23 4-9 2-2 1 1 2 2 3 0 4 12
STRONG 23 1-6 0-0 3 4 7 2 1 0 3 2
HARDAWAY DNP - INFLAMED HAMSTRING TENDON
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-76 15-19 19 26 45 23 15 7 19 92
(.447) (.789) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 19(21 PTS)
TORONTO 25 22 21 19 - 87
ORLANDO 25 21 29 17 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - WRIGHT 2, CAMBY. ORLANDO - VAUGHN, ARMSTRONG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 7-22 (.318), WILLIAMS 5-5, STOUDAMIRE 1-6,
CHRISTIE 1-7, DAVIS 0-1, ROGERS 0-2, EARL 0-1. ORLANDO 9-19 (.474),
ANDERSON 5-10, WILKINS 1-2, SHAW 1-2, ARMSTRONG 2-5.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, DON VADEN, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 17,248. T - 2:06.
TORONTO (87) AT ORLANDO (92)
Nick Anderson scored a season-high 25 points, including two
three-pointers in the final 99 seconds, and added 11 rebounds as
the Orlando Magic won their fourth straight game, defeating the
Toronto Raptors, 92-87.
Anderson stepped up in the absence of injured superstar guard
Penny Hardaway. His three-pointer with 1:39 to play extended
Orlando's lead to 87-81. After the Raptors drew within a basket
with 58 seconds left, Anderson hit another three-pointer for a
90-85 advantage.
"With Dennis (Scott) and Penny out, obviously Nick has got to be
a guy who gets somewhere in the 15- to 20-shot range for us,"
said Magic coach Brian Hill.
Hardaway suffered a knee injury and is expected to miss between
two and six weeks. He will have arthroscopic surgery on Sunday
and the outcome of the procedure will determine how much time he
misses.
"I'm very happy to be 4-1," Hill added. "The flip side of that
is I expected to be 4-1 after these games. I'm really pleased
to be off to this type of start with everything that has
happened to us."
Brian Shaw started in Hardaway's place and dished out 10 assists
while committing just three turnovers. Center Rony Seikaly also
picked up the scoring slack, adding a season-high 17 points and
nine rebounds off the bench.
"We had a chance to tie the game but Brian Shaw was out of
control," Raptors coach Darrell Walker said. "Hubert Davis
leaves Nick Anderson open for a three. There's nothing that I
can do."
Walt Williams scored 29 points for the Raptors, who have split
their last six games but have yet to win on the road. Williams
was red-hot in the first half, making 5-of-5 three-pointers en
route to 25 by intermission.
"I didn't take enough shots in the second half," Williams said.
"I still felt the same rhythm, but I just didn't take the shots.
They lost Penny, who is a great player, but they came out and
played hard."
Raptors rookie Marcus Camby, who is suffering from the flu, left
the game in the first quarter after playing just 10 minutes. He
had averaged 26 points in his last three games.
Toronto drew within 82-81 on a jumper by Damon Stoudamire with
5:05 remaining. Horace Grant's basket with 3:27 extended the
Magic's lead to three points and the teams exchanged a pair of
possessions before Anderson's three-pointer gave Orlando an
87-81 lead.
Williams hit a layup with 84 seconds left and Stoudamire sank a
pair of free throws to bring the Raptors within 87-85 with 58
seconds to go. Anderson missed a three-pointer on Orlando's next
possession but Grant grabbed the rebound. Anderson then drained
the key three-pointer for a 90-85 lead with 26 seconds left.
Carlos Rogers and Gerald Wilkins exchanged baskets in the final
25 seconds to cap the scoring.
The Magic used just eight players, but the three reserves --
Seikaly, Darrell Armstrong and Derek Strong -- combined for 31
points and 18 rebounds.
Other than Williams, the Raptors combined to shoot 2-of-17 from
three-point range.
nba.1546nba.news,
UTAH (88) AT DALLAS (87)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 38 6-18 7-10 0 8 8 3 3 0 3 19
RUSSELL F 41 5-11 2-2 4 9 13 2 3 2 3 15
FOSTER C 25 2-4 3-3 0 2 2 0 3 0 1 7
STOCKTON G 38 7-11 4-4 1 2 3 8 5 1 5 23
HORNACEK G 37 5-15 5-6 0 3 3 3 6 2 2 15
EISLEY 11 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 1 0 3
CARR 23 2-8 2-4 3 0 3 0 4 0 2 6
ANDERSON 10 0-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
KEEFE 11 0-1 0-0 2 0 2 2 1 0 2 0
MORRIS 6 0-1 0-0 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 0
OSTERTAG DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 28-75 23-29 13 29 42 20 28 6 18 88
(.373) (.793) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(22 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MEYER F 13 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 2 0
MASHBURN F 21 3-11 1-2 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 8
MONTROSS C 23 2-5 0-0 1 6 7 0 2 0 1 4
KIDD G 42 1-9 2-4 3 5 8 7 2 1 1 4
JACKSON G 23 6-11 2-3 0 2 2 0 3 0 1 14
GATLING 35 10-18 3-6 6 14 20 0 4 0 6 23
HARPER 23 4-10 2-4 0 1 1 7 4 1 2 12
MCCLOUD 27 3-8 1-2 1 1 2 2 2 2 0 10
MILLER 25 2-2 2-2 2 4 6 0 6 2 3 6
DUMAS 8 1-3 4-4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALKER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-78 17-27 14 35 49 17 29 6 19 87
(.410) (.630) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 19(26 PTS)
UTAH 15 23 29 21 - 88
DALLAS 15 20 18 34 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: UTAH - RUSSELL 3, MALONE, HORNACEK, CARR. DALLAS -
GATLING.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: UTAH 9-13 (.692), RUSSELL 3-4, STOCKTON 5-5, HORNACEK
0-2, EISLEY 1-1, ANDERSON 0-1. DALLAS 6-20 (.300), MASHBURN 1-4, KIDD 0-4,
JACKSON 0-2, GATLING 0-1, HARPER 2-4, MCCLOUD 3-4, DUMAS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: UTAH - FOSTER, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2,
HARPER.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 15,947. T - 2:33.
UTAH (88) AT DALLAS (87)
John Stockton scored eight of his 23 points in the final 1:16,
including two free throws with two seconds left, to lift the
Utah Jazz to an 88-87 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Stockton made a three-pointer with 1:16 remaining to pull the
Jazz within 83-80. Oliver Miller made two free throws to give
the Mavericks an 85-80 lead with 53 seconds to go, but Stockton
made another three-pointer to cut the deficit to two points with
46 seconds left.
"A couple of shots fell and all of a sudden we were in it and it
gave us a breath a life," Stockton said. "I don't plan
anything. I just play and they just kind of open. I just read
the play."
Derek Harper's two free throws gave Dallas an 87-83 lead with 25
seconds remaining. But Jeff Hornacek made a driving layup and
free throw after a foul by Miller, cutting it to 87-86 with 22
seconds left. Utah immediately fouled Harper and he missed both
free throws.
"I think we kind of relaxed before the game was officially
over," Dallas coach Jim Cleamons said. "Give Utah credit they
hit a couple of shots down the stretch that I thought were tough
shots. Stockton's two three-pointers. We went to the
free-throw line and didn't knock down our free throws. They
scored baskets and we came up empty handed."
The Jazz let the clock run down and Miller fouled Stockton as he
was shooting a running one-hander from the foul line. After
Stockton converted both free throws, Jason Kidd's three-pointer
bounced off the rim as time ran out.
"That's what basketball is all about," Utah coach Jerry Sloan
said. "It is up and down like a yo-yo. I wasn't relaxed. But
I still have confidence if you keep playing. He (Stockton) is
really amazing. I almost took him out of the ballgame because
he could barely walk. He sprained his ankle. He finished the
game. I don't know how he did it."
Chris Gatling scored 13 points and George McCloud made a trio of
three-pointers as the Mavericks outscored the Jazz, 30-8, over
the first 10:06 of the fourth quarter to take their biggest lead
of the game, 83-75.
Gatling had 23 points and a career-high 20 rebounds and McCloud
added 10 points. However, Kidd was held to four points on
1-of-9 shooting.
Bryon Russell scored 10 of his 15 points as the Jazz took a
38-35 lead at halftime.
Karl Malone scored four of his 19 points as Utah scored the
first six points of the third quarter to take a 44-35 lead with
10:34 left. Russell made a running jumper with 21.9 seconds
left in the period to cap a 6-0 burst and give the Jazz their
biggest lead of the game, 67-53.
"I think that I didn't shoot the ball real well," said Malone,
who shot 6-of-18. "I had an awful game. We were still able to
win. We made it tougher than it should have been but we won the
ballgame."
nba.1547nba.news,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1996/97
(Saturday, November 16 - 16 days, 122 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 9 7 2 3 1 4 1 101.4 94.7 77.8 - W 6
Los Angeles Lakers 9 6 3 4 0 2 3 95.9 92.8 66.7 1.0 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 10 5 5 2 1 3 4 94.5 92.0 50.0 2.5 W 1
Los Angeles Clippers 8 4 4 1 3 3 1 88.5 88.6 50.0 2.5 L 2
Sacramento Kings 9 3 6 2 3 1 3 92.1 100.8 33.3 4.0 L 1
Golden State Warriors 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 96.8 103.0 25.0 4.5 L 1
Phoenix Suns 8 0 8 0 3 0 5 90.2 100.9 0.0 6.5 L 8
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Houston Rockets 9 8 1 4 1 4 0 100.4 93.6 88.9 - W 2
Utah Jazz 7 5 2 3 1 2 1 92.6 86.3 71.4 2.0 W 3
Minnesota Timberwolves 8 4 4 3 0 1 4 88.5 88.6 50.0 3.5 L 1
Denver Nuggets 10 4 6 1 3 3 3 92.4 92.9 40.0 4.5 L 1
Dallas Mavericks 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 91.3 95.2 25.0 5.5 L 2
San Antonio Spurs 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 80.7 86.4 25.0 5.5 L 1
Vancouver Grizzlies 9 1 8 1 4 0 4 86.2 100.1 11.1 7.0 L 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
New York Knicks 9 7 2 3 2 4 0 98.2 91.3 77.8 - W 2
Orlando Magic 5 4 1 3 1 1 0 94.8 89.8 80.0 1.0 W 4
Miami Heat 9 5 4 3 2 2 2 91.7 92.3 55.6 2.0 L 3
Washington Bullets 9 4 5 2 3 2 2 94.4 94.6 44.4 3.0 W 1
Philadelphia 76ers 9 4 5 1 3 3 2 97.3 101.1 44.4 3.0 W 1
Boston Celtics 8 2 6 2 3 0 3 95.7 100.9 25.0 4.5 L 2
New Jersey Nets 6 1 5 1 4 0 1 89.3 97.0 16.7 4.5 W 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 10 10 0 6 0 4 0 103.3 83.5 100.0 - W10
Detroit Pistons 9 8 1 4 1 4 0 92.8 87.2 88.9 1.5 W 4
Cleveland Cavaliers 9 6 3 3 2 3 1 90.2 83.7 66.7 3.5 L 1
Milwaukee Bucks 8 5 3 3 0 2 3 101.6 97.5 62.5 4.0 L 2
Atlanta Hawks 10 5 5 2 1 3 4 87.2 89.4 50.0 5.0 L 1
Toronto Raptors 8 3 5 3 2 0 3 97.0 99.6 37.5 6.0 L 2
Charlotte Hornets 8 3 5 2 2 1 3 94.5 98.4 37.5 6.0 L 4
Indiana Pacers 7 2 5 1 1 1 4 90.6 93.9 28.6 6.5 W 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Houston Rockets 9 8 1 4 1 4 0 100.4 93.6 88.9 - W 2
2. Seattle Supersonics 9 7 2 3 1 4 1 101.4 94.7 77.8 1.0 W 6
3. Utah Jazz 7 5 2 3 1 2 1 92.6 86.3 71.4 2.0 W 3
4. Los Angeles Lakers 9 6 3 4 0 2 3 95.9 92.8 66.7 2.0 W 1
5. Portland Trail Blazers 10 5 5 2 1 3 4 94.5 92.0 50.0 3.5 W 1
6. Los Angeles Clippers 8 4 4 1 3 3 1 88.5 88.6 50.0 3.5 L 2
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 8 4 4 3 0 1 4 88.5 88.6 50.0 3.5 L 1
8. Denver Nuggets 10 4 6 1 3 3 3 92.4 92.9 40.0 4.5 L 1
9. Sacramento Kings 9 3 6 2 3 1 3 92.1 100.8 33.3 5.0 L 1
10. Dallas Mavericks 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 91.3 95.2 25.0 5.5 L 2
11. San Antonio Spurs 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 80.7 86.4 25.0 5.5 L 1
12. Golden State Warriors 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 96.8 103.0 25.0 5.5 L 1
13. Vancouver Grizzlies 9 1 8 1 4 0 4 86.2 100.1 11.1 7.0 L 1
14. Phoenix Suns 8 0 8 0 3 0 5 90.2 100.9 0.0 7.5 L 8
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 10 10 0 6 0 4 0 103.3 83.5 100.0 - W10
2. Detroit Pistons 9 8 1 4 1 4 0 92.8 87.2 88.9 1.5 W 4
3. New York Knicks 9 7 2 3 2 4 0 98.2 91.3 77.8 2.5 W 2
4. Orlando Magic 5 4 1 3 1 1 0 94.8 89.8 80.0 3.5 W 4
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 9 6 3 3 2 3 1 90.2 83.7 66.7 3.5 L 1
6. Milwaukee Bucks 8 5 3 3 0 2 3 101.6 97.5 62.5 4.0 L 2
7. Miami Heat 9 5 4 3 2 2 2 91.7 92.3 55.6 4.5 L 3
8. Atlanta Hawks 10 5 5 2 1 3 4 87.2 89.4 50.0 5.0 L 1
9. Washington Bullets 9 4 5 2 3 2 2 94.4 94.6 44.4 5.5 W 1
10. Philadelphia 76ers 9 4 5 1 3 3 2 97.3 101.1 44.4 5.5 W 1
11. Toronto Raptors 8 3 5 3 2 0 3 97.0 99.6 37.5 6.0 L 2
12. Charlotte Hornets 8 3 5 2 2 1 3 94.5 98.4 37.5 6.0 L 4
13. Indiana Pacers 7 2 5 1 1 1 4 90.6 93.9 28.6 6.5 W 1
14. Boston Celtics 8 2 6 2 3 0 3 95.7 100.9 25.0 7.0 L 2
15. New Jersey Nets 6 1 5 1 4 0 1 89.3 97.0 16.7 7.0 W 1
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 10 10 0 6 0 4 0 103.3 83.5 100.0 - W10
2. Houston Rockets 9 8 1 4 1 4 0 100.4 93.6 88.9 1.5 W 2
3. Detroit Pistons 9 8 1 4 1 4 0 92.8 87.2 88.9 1.5 W 4
4. New York Knicks 9 7 2 3 2 4 0 98.2 91.3 77.8 2.5 W 2
5. Seattle Supersonics 9 7 2 3 1 4 1 101.4 94.7 77.8 2.5 W 6
6. Orlando Magic 5 4 1 3 1 1 0 94.8 89.8 80.0 3.5 W 4
7. Utah Jazz 7 5 2 3 1 2 1 92.6 86.3 71.4 3.5 W 3
8. Cleveland Cavaliers 9 6 3 3 2 3 1 90.2 83.7 66.7 3.5 L 1
9. Los Angeles Lakers 9 6 3 4 0 2 3 95.9 92.8 66.7 3.5 W 1
10. Milwaukee Bucks 8 5 3 3 0 2 3 101.6 97.5 62.5 4.0 L 2
11. Miami Heat 9 5 4 3 2 2 2 91.7 92.3 55.6 4.5 L 3
12. Portland Trail Blazers 10 5 5 2 1 3 4 94.5 92.0 50.0 5.0 W 1
13. Atlanta Hawks 10 5 5 2 1 3 4 87.2 89.4 50.0 5.0 L 1
14. Los Angeles Clippers 8 4 4 1 3 3 1 88.5 88.6 50.0 5.0 L 2
15. Minnesota Timberwolves 8 4 4 3 0 1 4 88.5 88.6 50.0 5.0 L 1
16. Washington Bullets 9 4 5 2 3 2 2 94.4 94.6 44.4 5.5 W 1
17. Philadelphia 76ers 9 4 5 1 3 3 2 97.3 101.1 44.4 5.5 W 1
18. Denver Nuggets 10 4 6 1 3 3 3 92.4 92.9 40.0 6.0 L 1
19. Toronto Raptors 8 3 5 3 2 0 3 97.0 99.6 37.5 6.0 L 2
20. Charlotte Hornets 8 3 5 2 2 1 3 94.5 98.4 37.5 6.0 L 4
21. Sacramento Kings 9 3 6 2 3 1 3 92.1 100.8 33.3 6.5 L 1
22. Indiana Pacers 7 2 5 1 1 1 4 90.6 93.9 28.6 6.5 W 1
23. Dallas Mavericks 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 91.3 95.2 25.0 7.0 L 2
24. Boston Celtics 8 2 6 2 3 0 3 95.7 100.9 25.0 7.0 L 2
25. San Antonio Spurs 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 80.7 86.4 25.0 7.0 L 1
26. Golden State Warriors 8 2 6 1 3 1 3 96.8 103.0 25.0 7.0 L 1
27. New Jersey Nets 6 1 5 1 4 0 1 89.3 97.0 16.7 7.0 W 1
28. Vancouver Grizzlies 9 1 8 1 4 0 4 86.2 100.1 11.1 8.5 L 1
29. Phoenix Suns 8 0 8 0 3 0 5 90.2 100.9 0.0 9.0 L 8
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.1548nba.news,
76ers' Iverson out at least a week with separated shoulder
Philadelphia 76ers star rookie point guard Allen Iverson will be
sidelined at least a week with a slightly separated left shoulder.
Iverson sustained the injury when he ran into a pick set by
Cleveland's Danny Ferry in the fourth quarter of Friday's 105-89 loss
to Cleveland.
Iverson will miss tonight's game at Miami and Wednesday's home game
against Indiana.
Iverson had 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in Friday's
loss. He was taken for X-rays after the game, which revealed the
separation.
"I ran into a screen. It didn't feel right, so I stayed in one play
and threw a pass," Iverson said Friday night. "I saw I couldn't do
more, so I sat down."
Iverson left Georgetown after his sophomore season and was selected
with the first overall pick in the June NBA Draft. He is averaging
22.8 points, 4.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds in eight games. Iverson
scored a career-high 35 points in Philadelphia's 101-97 win at New
York Monday.
nba.1549nba.news,
Miami sinks to new offensive low in loss to Atlanta
ATLANTA (Nov 16, 1996 - 12:42 EST) -- Voshon Lenard fired up one last
shot before the buzzer sounded. Appropriately enough, it missed the
basket entirely, and the humiliation was complete for the Miami Heat.
A team that claims to be a member of the NBA had actually played an
entire second half, that's two 12-minute quarters, and scored a grand
total of 21 points.
Not 21 baskets, mind you. Twenty-one points.
"We were awful on layups, we were awful on jumpers," said coach Pat
Riley, whose slick-backed head had no answers Friday night in an 85-77
loss to Atlanta. "We must have missed 10 layups. NBA players have got
to make those. We kept missing and it got contagious."
No wonder the Heat's postgame comments were peppered with words like
embarrassment and shame. With 13 points in the third quarter and eight
in the fourth, they established a new NBA record for second-half
scoring futility, low-balling the previous mark of 24.
That was bad enough. Then consider Miami's record-breaking performance
came against an Atlanta team that was missing two of its best players
(guards Mookie Blaylock and Steve Smith) and often had four
minimum-salary players on the court at the same time.
"We had the Hawks without Mookie and Steve," said Alonzo Mourning, one
of only three Miami players to score in double figures. "Man, they'll
be laughing at us around the league. I don't like it."
Give the Hawks some credit. They are one of the best defensive teams
in the league and coach Lenny Wilkens always seems to draw the best
out of his players in adverse situations.
Still, the depth of Miami's offensive ineptitude was staggering. You
got the feeling the Hawks could have pulled their players off the
court for a rest every now and then and the Heat still wouldn't have
been able to score.
Amazingly, the first two quarters were the exact opposite. Miami shot
54 percent (21-of-39) and walked off the court with a 56-38 lead at
halftime.
"We were sharp, focused early," Riley said. "I guess we started
thinking it was over. The guys knew Atlanta had played (Thursday)
night in Boston and didn't have their backcourt. But that's no excuse
for our lack of effort in the second half."
Miami was a miserable 6-of-20 from the field in the third quarter, but
still led 69-66. The final period, though, was so painful to watch
that Riley finally plopped down on the bench and rubbed his eyes, as
if unable to believe what he was seeing.
It took almost four minutes for the Heat to score its first basket. It
would be another four-plus minutes before they scored another. And if
Mourning had not made a desperation 3-pointer in the final minute --
his first of the season from that range -- Miami would have broken the
marks for fewest points in a fourth quarter and fewest points in any
half.
As it is, the New Orleans Jazz retains the latter mark with its
20-point first half against Seattle in 1975. But the Heat gave it a
good run by making 3-of-18 shots in the fourth period.
The final tally for the second half: 9-for-38. Ouch.
"It's not just about throwing it up there and hoping it's going to go
in," Riley said. "It's about putting it in the basket."
Afterward, the dapper coach kept reporters out of the locker room for
nearly 20 minutes, but they didn't have to put their ears to the door
to hear the harsh words inside.
"Pat did a little screaming," Mourning said. "We deserved it."
nba.1550nba.news,
Former Toronto coach Malone lands well with Knicks
(Nov 16, 1996 - 09:01 EST) -- It was a question Brendan Malone seemed
likely to ponder rather than answer quickly. Would he rather be an
assistant coach on a team that might win the NBA Finals or be the head
coach of a team that might struggle to win 25 games?
"I want to be a head coach," Malone said rapidly before the question
was finished. "As a head coach you're calling the shots. As an
assistant you're making suggestions. As an assistant coach you're in
the game but you're not as emotionally involved. Being a head coach is
a real high."
When the National Basketball Association's coaching merry-go-round
stopped during the summer, Malone had an assistant's job with the New
York Knicks. Last year's stint with the Toronto Raptors had been his
first chance to be a head coach in the NBA, and he loved it. Malone
wanted more. He was a candidate for the New Jersey Nets head-coaching
position, which went to high-profile college coach John Calipari. And
he was beaten by a nose in the Milwaukee Bucks' coaching derby. Chris
Ford got that job.
"Senator (Herb) Kohl (the Bucks' owner) called me and told me he went
back and forth between me and Chris Ford," Malone said. "I asked him
how he made the final decision. He told me it was a gut feeling.
Shortly after that Jim Cleamons (the new Dallas Mavericks coach) said
he wanted to talk to me about a job. But by then I had already talked
to the Knicks."
The Knicks were a perfect fit. Malone is a New York guy and even his
staunchest defenders during last spring's squabble with Raptors
management would admit his fiery temperament is better suited to a
team with championship aspirations. Malone was fired by Raptors
general manager Isiah Thomas supposedly because he would not give more
floor time to a group of young players who are no longer on NBA
rosters.
"A lot of people ask me whether I'm bitter," Malone said. "But it's
all in the past. I had a lot of great experiences in Toronto. My wife
and I were having breakfast one morning in the summer at home (in
Birmingham, Mich.) and Isiah came in and sat with us. I talked to
(Raptors coach) Darrell Walker briefly when we played Toronto up in
Ottawa and John Bitove came over to shake hands. Life goes on."
The Knicks, who are coached by 35-year-old Jeff Van Gundy, will
certainly keep Malone, 54, busy. They have been a decent team for
years, reaching the NBA Finals two years ago and consistently reaching
the later rounds of the playoffs. This summer they were overhauled.
Center Patrick Ewing, the team's cornerstone for more than a decade,
is still just that, but three of the 1996-97 starting five are new to
the team -- point guard Chris Childs, who is recovering from a broken
leg and has yet to play, shooting guard Allan Houston and small
forward Larry Johnson.
"I would say that, like all teams, when you add three new faces, a
chemistry has to develop," Malone said. "Also, Jeff has implemented an
offense that emphasizes ball movement and player movement. They're
adjusting well. They like it. But it takes time."
New York beat the Raptors Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, a
place where the team desperately needs to establish itself. The Knicks
are 4-0 on the road, including a 101-82 win over the Vancouver
Grizzlies Sunday at General Motors Place. But before Thursday they had
won only once in three outings at the Garden. There was a loss to
Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers and, more troubling, was a
loss Tuesday night to the Philadelphia 76ers.
"Our goal is to win a championship but our immediate goal is just to
win," Malone said. "Before you start winning any championships you
have to get the best record, get home-court advantage."
Ewing, as usual, is leading the Knicks in scoring and rebounding,
averaging 22.1 points and 10.7 boards before Thursday. Shooting guard
John Starks, who lost his starting job to Houston, has been what the
Knicks coaches hoped he would be -- a positive force off the bench.
Starks, a long-range gunner who wears a T-shirt that says "You miss
100 percent of the shots you don't take," spurred the Knicks to a
come-from-behind victory off the bench last week.
Of course, the Knicks are not the only team that concerns Malone. He
remains passionately interested in what is happening with the Raptors.
Malone pays particular attention to second-year point guard Damon
Stoudamire.
"Isiah's picked up some quality basketball players," Malone said. "I
think their roster has improved, I think they have a lot of offensive
weapons, but the man is still Damon."
nba.1551nba.news,
Kings on verge of signing Daniels
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 16, 1996 - 05:30 EST) -- The Kings are set to
sign 6-foot-7 swingman Lloyd "Sweet Pea" Daniels to a one-year,
non-guaranteed contract this weekend.
Daniels, who last played in the NBA during the 1994-95 season for the
Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers, spent the 1995-96
season playing for Scavolini Pesaro of the Italian League.
Daniels, 29, will slip into the roster spot occupied by forward Brian
Grant, who is out after undergoing arthroscopic surgery Thursday on
his right shoulder to repair a partially torn rotator cuff.
Meanwhile, Daniels, who worked out for the Kings on Friday, was to
undergo a physical Friday night. Kings vice president Geoff Petrie
said the team would wait a few days before signing Daniels.
"I credit him for honesty," Petrie said. "He said he was feeling a
little queasy. Both his wife and kids had had a stomach flu and he
wasn't feeling all there. But he shot the ball really well when we
worked him out."
Daniels played in the Jersey Shore League this summer with Kings guard
Bobby Hurley, who raved about him.
"I'm just thankful for the opportunity," Daniels said Friday night.
Daniels, a New York City playground legend, has a troubled past.
"All of the stuff that happened to him happened a long time ago,"
Petrie said.
nba.1552nba.news,
Schrempf keeps working on his shots
SEATTLE (Nov 16, 1996 - 06:01 EST) -- For Detlef Schrempf, every
missed shot is a form of motivation.
"I always think I shouldn't miss an open jumper," said Schrempf, a
forward for the Seattle SuperSonics, who host the Sacramento Kings
Saturday night at 7 p.m. PST at KeyArena. "And when I miss one, I get
frustrated."
In the old days, such frustration might stay with Schrempf for a
while.
Now, entering his 12th season in the NBA and fourth with the Sonics,
Schrempf has found some perspective.
"I realized you aren't going to shoot 100 percent, although your goal
is always to try and get close to that," he said.
Just how close Schrempf seems on the verge of finding out this season.
So far, his has been the only consistent outside shooting touch on a
Sonic team that is 6-2 despite its relative offensive struggles.
Schrempf is averaging 17.6 points a game while shooting 57.8 percent
from the field (only Shawn Kemp's 58.8 is higher), including a 40
percent mark (10-of-25) from the three-point line. Seattle is shooting
47 percent as a team and only 32 percent from three-point range.
"He has just been a tremendously efficient basketball player," said
coach George Karl, pointing out that Schrempf also is second on the
team in assists (4.6 a game).
Schrempf doesn't credit the fast start to anything other than the hard
work that has been the trademark of his career. Schrempf, in fact,
used to have a reputation as a perfectionist who was rarely happy with
his game no matter what he did, a trait he says he has relaxed a bit
in recent years.
"I saw a lot of guys who had a lot more talent than me who wouldn't
take the game seriously and that was frustrating to me," Schrempf
said.
Especially in his early years in Dallas when Schrempf was a borderline
NBA player.
It's easy to forget that phase of his career now, but it's obvious
it's still part of what keeps Schrempf going.
Drafted with the eighth pick of the first round by the Mavericks in
1985, he found it hard to break in to a front-line that featured
current teammate Sam Perkins and Mark Aguirre.
His third year, he seemed to regress from the year before, and was
traded midway through the following season to Indiana, where he
finally blossomed.
"I think without my attitude I wouldn't be here," Schrempf said. "I
didn't play much my first three years and I could have just gone back
to Europe."
Instead, he kept working, finally becoming a starter, and then an
All-Star, with Indiana and Seattle.
In his best season two years ago, Schrempf averaged 19.2 points and
shot 52 percent from the floor and a team record 51.4 percent from the
3-point line.
All his stats dropped last year when he missed 19 games and then had
the predictable struggle getting back into shape after suffering a
non-displaced fracture of his left fibula.
"It wasn't a wasted year at all," Schrempf said. "It was a great year
(for what the team did), but it was just tough getting hurt and
sitting at home and not being able to do much."
Karl said Schrempf is back in All-Star form this year, although
Schrempf said he doesn't care that much about such things.
"My goals are that I want to shoot a certain percentage and do certain
things defensively and rebounding and with assist-to-turnover ratios,"
Schrempf said.
SONICS SIGN HARVEY: The Sonics signed 6-foot-11 free agent center
Antonio Harvey to a contract Friday and he will be in uniform for
Saturday night's game against Sacramento.
Harvey replaces Elmore Spencer, who was cut Wednesday. Like Spencer,
Harvey signed a "make-good" contract that will become guaranteed later
if the Sonics decide to keep him for the entire season.
Harvey played two seasons with the Lakers, then played last year with
Vancouver and the Clippers, averaging 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in
55 games. He wasn't in any team's camp this fall, saying he was
waiting for the right deal from the right team.
The Sonics like the defensive potential of Harvey, who has a vertical
leap of 36 inches.
In the 94-95 season, Harvey averaged a blocked shot every 14 minutes,
comparable to league averages.
nba.1553nba.news,
Evo i jučerašnjeg spiska zarada za ovu sezonu, samo sortiranog...
1996-97 NBA salaries (sorted)
1. Michael Jordan (Chicago) $30,140,000
2. Horace Grant (Orlando) $14,857,000
3. Reggie Miller (Indiana) $11,250,000
4. Shaquille O'Neal (L.A. Lakers) $10,714,000
5. Gary Payton (Seattle) $10,212,000
6. David Robinson (San Antonio) $9,952,000
7. Juwan Howard (Washington) $9,750,000
8. Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston) $9,655,000
9. Alonzo Mourning (Miami) $9,380,000
10. Dennis Rodman (Chicago) $9,000,000
11. Dikembe Mutombo (Atlanta) $8,013,000
12. Chris Webber (Washington) $8,000,000
13. Latrell Sprewell (Golden State) $7,000,000
Otis Thorpe (Detroit) $7,000,000
Elden Campbell (L.A. Lakers) $7,000,000
Kevin Johnson (Phoenix) $7,000,000
17. Danny Manning (Phoenix) $6,833,000
18. Derrick Coleman (Philadelphia) $6,739,000
19. Anfernee Hardaway (Orlando) $6,655,000
20. Dale Davis (Indiana) $6,508,000
21. John Stockton (Utah) $6,000,000
22. Clyde Drexler (Houston) $5,500,000
23. Sean Elliott (San Antonio) $5,333,000
24. Dino Radja (Boston) $5,313,000
25. Antonio Davis (Indiana) $5,200,000
26. Shawn Bradley (New Jersey) $5,130,000
27. Grant Hill (Detroit) $5,025,000
28. Larry Johnson (New York) $5,004,000
29. Allan Houston (New York) $5,000,000
Tom Gugliotta (Minnesota) $5,000,000
31. Vlade Divac (Charlotte) $4,718,000
32. Charles Barkley (Houston) $4,695,000
33. Karl Malone (Utah) $4,657,000
34. Danny Ferry (Cleveland) $4,643,000
35. Glenn Robinson (Milwaukee) $4,640,000
36. Steve Smith (Atlanta) $4,500,000
Christian Laettner (Atlanta) $4,500,000
38. Jason Kidd (Dallas) $4,408,000
39. A.C. Green (Phoenix) $4,315,000
40. Kenny Anderson (Portland) $4,175,000
41. John Williams (Phoenix) $4,151,000
42. Harvey Grant (Washington) $4,111,000
43. Chris Dudley (Portland) $4,100,000
44. Glen Rice (Charlotte) $4,002,000
45. Rik Smits (Indiana) $4,000,000
Brian Shaw (Orlando) $4,000,000
47. Toni Kukoc (Chicago) $3,960,000
48. Jim Jackson (Dallas) $3,900,000
49. Ron Harper (Chicago) $3,840,000
50. Jamal Mashburn (Dallas) $3,833,000
51. Kendall Gill (New Jersey) $3,800,000
52. Nick Anderson (Orlando) $3,790,000
53. Billy Owens (Sacramento) $3,773,000
54. Vin Baker (Milwaukee) $3,765,000
55. Rony Seikaly (Orlando) $3,752,000
56. Isaiah Rider (Portland) $3,610,000
57. Sherman Douglas (Milwaukee) $3,594,000
58. Mitch Richmond (Sacramento) $3,575,000
59. Charles Smith (San Antonio) $3,557,000
60. Tyrone Hill (Cleveland) $3,480,000
61. Wayman Tisdale (Phoenix) $3,475,000
62. Mark Price (Golden State) $3,409,000
63. Dana Barros (Boston) $3,400,000
Bryant Stith (Denver) $3,400,000
65. Donyell Marshall (Golden State) $3,360,000
66. Detlef Schrempf (Seattle) $3,333,000
67. Shawn Kemp (Seattle) $3,300,000
Clarence Weatherspoon (Philadelphia) $3,300,000
69. LaPhonso Ellis (Denver) $3,294,000
70. Dee Brown (Boston) $3,250,000
Stanley Roberts (L.A. Clippers) $3,250,000
72. Calbert Cheaney (Washington) $3,200,000
73. Lionel Simmons (Sacramento) $3,194,000
74. Olden Polynice (Sacramento) $3,140,000
75. Sharone Wright (Toronto) $3,100,000
Loy Vaught (L.A. Clippers) $3,100,000
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (Sacramento) $3,100,000
78. Joe Dumars (Detroit) $3,075,000
79. Bobby Hurley (Sacramento) $3,068,000
80. Chris Gatling (Dallas) $3,047,000
81. Rod Strickland (Washington) $3,036,000
82. Derrick McKey (Indiana) $3,000,000
Dennis Scott (Orlando) $3,000,000
Patrick Ewing (New York) $3,000,000
Jim McIlvaine (Seattle) $3,000,000
86. Clifford Robinson (Portland) $2,924,000
87. Todd Day (Boston) $2,915,000
88. Mark Jackson (Denver) $2,900,000
Stoyko Vrankovic (Minnesota) $2,900,000
90. Ken Norman (Atlanta) $2,869,000
91. Chris Mullin (Golden State) $2,844,000
92. Mookie Blaylock (Atlanta) $2,800,000
93. Joe Smith (Golden State) $2,794,000
94. Luc Longley (Chicago) $2,790,000
95. Anthony Mason (Charlotte) $2,777,000
96. Sam Perkins (Seattle) $2,730,000
97. Pooh Richardson (L.A. Clippers) $2,721,000
98. Lamond Murray (L.A. Clippers) $2,700,000
Robert Pack (New Jersey) $2,700,000
100. Felton Spencer (Golden State) $2,694,000
101. Arvydas Sabonis (Portland) $2,640,000
102. Hersey Hawkins (Seattle) $2,604,000
103. Charles Oakley (New York) $2,600,000
Chris Childs (New York) $2,600,000
105. Antonio McDyess (Denver) $2,545,000
106. Tim Hardaway (Miami) $2,500,000
Sarunas Marciulionis (Denver) $2,500,000
Chris Morris (Utah) $2,500,000
109. Stacey Augmon (Detroit) $2,480,000
110. Micheal Williams (Minnesota) $2,475,000
111. Terry Mills (Detroit) $2,457,000
112. Marcus Camby (Toronto) $2,434,000
113. Cedric Ceballos (L.A. Lakers) $2,400,000
B.J. Armstrong (Golden State) $2,400,000
Scott Williams (Philadelphia) $2,400,000
116. Jeff Hornacek (Utah) $2,396,000
117. Gheorghe Muresan (Washington) $2,363,000
118. Dan Majerle (Miami) $2,350,000
119. Andrew Lang (Milwaukee) $2,332,000
120. Armon Gilliam (Milwaukee) $2,317,000
121. Antoine Carr (Utah) $2,300,000
122. Jerry Stackhouse (Philadelphia) $2,286,000
123. Rodney Rogers (L.A. Clippers) $2,280,000
Kevin Edwards (New Jersey) $2,280,000
125. Allen Iverson (Philadelphia) $2,267,000
126. Grant Long (Detroit) $2,260,000
127. Jayson Williams (New Jersey) $2,250,000
Scottie Pippen (Chicago) $2,250,000
129. Duane Causwell (Sacramento) $2,215,000
130. Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Vancouver) $2,186,000
131. Doug West (Minnesota) $2,155,000
132. Blue Edwards (Vancouver) $2,100,000
133. George Lynch (Vancouver) $2,090,000
134. Rasheed Wallace (Portland) $2,060,000
Chuck Person (San Antonio) $2,060,000
136. Reggie Williams (New Jersey) $2,048,000
137. Vinny Del Negro (San Antonio) $2,023,000
138. Mark West (Cleveland) $2,000,000
Elliot Perry (Milwaukee) $2,000,000
P.J. Brown (Miami) $2,000,000
Vincent Askew (Indiana) $2,000,000
142. Adam Keefe (Utah) $1,950,000
143. Stephon Marbury (Minnesota) $1,917,000
144. John Starks (New York) $1,913,000
145. Terry Dehere (L.A. Clippers) $1,905,000
146. Nick Van Exel (L.A. Lakers) $1,900,000
147. Predrag Danilovic (Miami) $1,892,000
148. Greg Anthony (Vancouver) $1,875,000
149. Dell Curry (Charlotte) $1,830,000
150. Bobby Phills (Cleveland) $1,808,000
151. Eddie Jones (L.A. Lakers) $1,800,000
Greg Minor (Boston) $1,800,000
153. Ray Allen (Milwaukee) $1,785,000
154. Don MacLean (Philadelphia) $1,780,000
155. Terry Porter (Minnesota) $1,775,000
156. Pervis Ellison (Boston) $1,760,000
157. Khalid Reeves (New Jersey) $1,752,000
158. Rick Fox (Boston) $1,750,000
159. Malik Sealy (L.A. Clippers) $1,732,000
160. Lindsey Hunter (Detroit) $1,715,000
161. Robert Horry (Phoenix) $1,703,000
162. Donald Royal (Golden State) $1,700,000
Tracy Murray (Washington) $1,700,000
164. Bryant Reeves (Vancouver) $1,695,000
165. Kevin Garnett (Minnesota) $1,666,000
166. Ervin Johnson (Denver) $1,636,000
167. Antoine Walker (Boston) $1,620,000
168. Dale Ellis (Denver) $1,600,000
Brent Price (Houston) $1,600,000
170. Popeye Jones (Toronto) $1,581,000
171. Muggsy Bogues (Charlotte) $1,575,000
172. Michael Smith (Sacramento) $1,570,000
173. Matt Geiger (Charlotte) $1,562,000
174. Jalen Rose (Indiana) $1,560,000
175. Carl Herrera (San Antonio) $1,550,000
176. Damon Stoudamire (Toronto) $1,547,000
177. Will Perdue (San Antonio) $1,544,000
178. Anthony Peeler (Vancouver) $1,540,000
179. Frank Brickowski (Boston) $1,500,000
Kevin Willis (Houston) $1,500,000
181. Lorenzen Wright (L.A. Clippers) $1,480,000
182. Michael Cage (Philadelphia) $1,473,000
183. Yinka Dare (New Jersey) $1,448,000
184. Shawn Respert (Milwaukee) $1,417,000
185. Bimbo Coles (Golden State) $1,400,000
Mario Elie (Houston) $1,400,000
187. Eric Piatkowski (L.A. Clippers) $1,363,000
188. Kerry Kittles (New Jersey) $1,356,000
189. Doug Christie (Toronto) $1,355,000
Nate McMillan (Seattle) $1,355,000
191. Greg Graham (Seattle) $1,330,000
192. Terrell Brandon (Cleveland) $1,312,000
193. Ed O'Bannon (New Jersey) $1,303,000
194. Derek Harper (Dallas) $1,300,000
Randy Brown (Chicago) $1,300,000
196. Hubert Davis (Toronto) $1,295,000
197. Brian Grant (Sacramento) $1,293,000
198. Eric Montross (Dallas) $1,280,000
199. Samaki Walker (Dallas) $1,246,000
200. Kurt Thomas (Miami) $1,238,000
201. Rex Walters (Philadelphia) $1,235,000
Acie Earl (Toronto) $1,235,000
Sam Cassell (Phoenix) $1,235,000
James Robinson (Minnesota) $1,235,000
Corie Blount (L.A. Lakers) $1,235,000
Joe Kleine (Phoenix) $1,235,000
Chris Mills (Cleveland) $1,235,000
Scott Burrell (Charlotte) $1,235,000
209. Johnny Newman (Milwaukee) $1,225,000
210. Lucious Harris (Philadelphia) $1,200,000
Eddie Johnson (Indiana) $1,200,000
Sam Mitchell (Minnesota) $1,200,000
Sean Rooks (L.A. Lakers) $1,200,000
Ricky Pierce (Denver) $1,200,000
215. Kevin Gamble (Sacramento) $1,196,000
216. Buck Williams (New York) $1,193,000
217. Erick Dampier (Indiana) $1,184,000
218. Gary Trent (Portland) $1,176,000
219. Jon Koncak (Golden State) $1,150,000
Mark Bryant (Phoenix) $1,150,000
221. Carlos Rogers (Toronto) $1,144,000
222. Todd Fuller (Golden State) $1,125,000
223. Bill Curley (Minnesota) $1,123,000
224. Tony Dumas (Dallas) $1,120,000
225. Brooks Thompson (Utah) $1,118,000
226. Cherokee Parks (Minnesota) $1,117,000
227. George McCloud (Dallas) $1,100,000
Lee Mayberry (Vancouver) $1,100,000
229. Haywoode Workman (Indiana) $1,080,000
230. Tom Hammonds (Denver) $1,070,000
231. Vitaly Potapenko (Cleveland) $1,068,000
232. Corliss Williamson (Sacramento) $1,051,000
233. Monty Williams (San Antonio) $1,040,000
Duane Ferrell (Indiana) $1,040,000
Avery Johnson (San Antonio) $1,040,000
Aaron McKie (Portland) $1,040,000
Clifford Rozier (Orlando) $1,040,000
Wesley Person (Phoenix) $1,040,000
Dickey Simpkins (Chicago) $1,040,000
240. Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers) $1,015,000
241. Eric Williams (Boston) $1,008,000
242. Jamie Watson (Utah) $1,000,000
Bill Wennington (Chicago) $1,000,000
Vernon Maxwell (San Antonio) $1,000,000
Robert Parish (Chicago) $1,000,000
246. Eric Mobley (Vancouver) $992,000
247. Brent Barry (L.A. Clippers) $958,000
248. Lorenzo Williams (Washington) $940,000
249. Steve Nash (Phoenix) $916,000
250. Alan Henderson (Atlanta) $910,000
251. Charlie Ward (New York) $888,000
252. Tony Delk (Charlotte) $870,000
253. Bob Sura (Cleveland) $864,000
254. Jermaine O'Neal (Portland) $827,000
255. Theo Ratliff (Detroit) $821,000
256. Zan Tabak (Toronto) $800,000
257. John Wallace (New York) $785,000
258. Randolph Childress (Portland) $784,000
259. Herb Williams (New York) $757,000
260. Chris Carr (Minnesota) $750,000
Steve Kerr (Chicago) $750,000
Walter McCarty (New York) $750,000
263. Michael Finley (Phoenix) $723,000
264. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cleveland) $720,000
265. Jason Caffey (Chicago) $700,000
Pete Chilcutt (Vancouver) $700,000
267. George Zidek (Charlotte) $694,000
268. Dontae Jones (New York) $691,000
269. Travis Best (Indiana) $666,000
270. Roy Rogers (Vancouver) $664,000
271. Keith Askins (Miami) $650,000
272. Loren Meyer (Dallas) $639,000
273. Dwayne Schintzius (L.A. Clippers) $625,000
274. David Vaughn (Orlando) $614,000
275. Derek Fisher (L.A. Lakers) $612,000
276. Mitchell Butler (Portland) $600,000
Charles Outlaw (L.A. Clippers) $600,000
278. Greg Anderson (San Antonio) $584,000
279. Greg Ostertag (Utah) $573,000
280. Jerome Williams (Detroit) $568,000
281. David Wingate (Seattle) $560,000
282. Brian Evans (Orlando) $551,000
283. Priest Lauderdale (Atlanta) $548,000
284. Cory Alexander (San Antonio) $521,000
285. Antonio Lang (Cleveland) $520,000
286. David Benoit (New Jersey) $508,000
287. Dontonio Wingfield (Portland) $500,000
Chucky Brown (Phoenix) $500,000
Jud Buechler (Chicago) $500,000
Alton Lister (Boston) $500,000
Gary Grant (Miami) $500,000
292. Donny Marshall (Cleveland) $450,000
Tim Legler (Washington) $450,000
294. Greg Foster (Utah) $420,000
295. Darrell Armstrong (Orlando) $410,000
296. Martin Muursepp (Miami) $401,000
297. Michael Curry (Detroit) $400,000
Don Reid (Detroit) $400,000
Chris Whitney (Washington) $400,000
Rick Mahorn (Detroit) $400,000
Joe Wolf (Milwaukee) $400,000
302. Bryon Russell (Utah) $385,000
303. Darrick Martin (L.A. Clippers) $375,000
304. Craig Ehlo (Seattle) $360,000
305. David Wesley (Boston) $350,000
306. Lawrence Moten (Vancouver) $321,000
307. Shane Heal (Minnesota) $320,000
308. Ed Pinckney (Miami) $300,000
Shawnelle Scott (Cleveland) $300,000
310. Howard Eisley (Utah) $298,000
311. Fred Hoiberg (Indiana) $297,000
312. Rafael Addison (Charlotte) $290,000
313. Andrew DeClercq (Golden State) $276,000
314. Steve Scheffler (Seattle) $275,000
315. Xavier McDaniel (New Jersey) $254,000
316. Anthony Goldwire (Charlotte) $250,000
317. Tim Kempton (San Antonio) $247,500
Tyus Edney (Sacramento) $247,500
Aleksandar Djordjevic (Portland) $247,500
Rex Chapman (Phoenix) $247,500
Doug Overton (Philadelphia) $247,500
Mark Davis (Philadelphia) $247,500
Gerald Wilkins (Orlando) $247,500
Danny Schayes (Orlando) $247,500
Chris Jent (New York) $247,500
Tony Massenberg (New Jersey) $247,500
David Wood (Milwaukee) $247,500
Darrin Hancock (Milwaukee) $247,500
Mark Strickland (Miami) $247,500
Tony Farmer (Miami) $247,500
Byron Scott (L.A. Lakers) $247,500
Jerome Kersey (L.A. Lakers) $247,500
Kevin Duckworth (L.A. Clippers) $247,500
Brent Scott (Indiana) $247,500
Walt Williams (Toronto) $247,500
Matt Maloney (Houston) $247,500
Charles Jones (Houston) $247,500
Matt Bullard (Houston) $247,500
Lou Roe (Golden State) $247,500
Kenny Smith (Detroit) $247,500
LaSalle Thompson (Denver) $247,500
Rich King (Denver) $247,500
Greg Dreiling (Dallas) $247,500
Carl Thomas (Cleveland) $247,500
Larry Stewart (Seattle) $247,500
Marty Conlon (Boston) $247,500
Eldridge Recasner (Atlanta) $247,500
Tyrone Corbin (Atlanta) $247,500
Jon Barry (Atlanta) $247,500
Willie Burton (Atlanta) $247,500
Ivano Newbill (Atlanta) $247,500
Donnie Boyce (Atlanta) $247,500
Mark Hughes (Toronto) $247,500
Tony Smith (Charlotte) $247,500
Ashraf Amaya (Washington) $247,500
Keith Jennings (Denver) $247,500
Eric Murdock (Denver) $247,500
Litterial Green (Detroit) $247,500
Mike Peplowski (Golden State) $247,500
Doug Edwards (Vancouver) $247,500
Othella Harrington (Houston) $247,500
Sam Mack (Houston) $247,500
Tracy Moore (Houston) $247,500
Matt Fish (Washington) $247,500
Jerome Allen (Indiana) $247,500
Rumeal Robinson (L.A. Lakers) $247,500
Trevor Wilson (L.A. Lakers) $247,500
Isaac Austin (Miami) $247,500
Voshon Lenard (Miami) $247,500
Keith Tower (Milwaukee) $247,500
Dean Garrett (Minnesota) $247,500
Adrian Caldwell (New Jersey) $247,500
Scott Brooks (New York) $247,500
Eric Leckner (New York) $247,500
Derek Strong (Orlando) $247,500
Mark Bradtke (Philadelphia) $247,500
Mark Hendrickson (Philadelphia) $247,500
Reggie Jordan (Portland) $247,500
Kevin Salvadori (Sacramento) $247,500
Dominique Wilkins (San Antonio) $247,500
Jaren Jackson (Washington) $247,500
Eric Snow (Seattle) $247,500
Ben Wallace (Washington) $247,500
384. Fred Roberts (Dallas) $247,000
Oliver Miller (Dallas) $247,000
Thomas Hamilton (Chicago) $247,000
Rich Manning (Vancouver) $247,000
388. Marcus Brown (Portland) $220,000
Virginius Praskevicius (Minnesota) $220,000
Travis Knight (L.A. Lakers) $220,000
Emanual Davis (Houston) $220,000
Jeff McInnis (Denver) $220,000
Malik Rose (Charlotte) $220,000
Brett Szabo (Boston) $220,000
Steve Hamer (Boston) $220,000
Nate Driggers (Boston) $220,000
Carlos Strong (Charlotte) $220,000
Reggie Geary (Cleveland) $220,000
Erick Strickland (Dallas) $220,000
Darvin Ham (Denver) $220,000
Ray Owes (Golden State) $220,000
Randy Livingston (Houston) $220,000
James Scott (Miami) $220,000
Moochie Norris (Milwaukee) $220,000
Amal McCaskill (Orlando) $220,000
Ben Davis (Phoenix) $220,000
Shandon Anderson (Utah) $220,000
Chris Robinson (Vancouver) $220,000
Donald Whiteside (Toronto) $220,000
nba.1554nba.news,
Evo i tekućih sastava ekipa, raspoređenih po divizijama...
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 Donyell Marshall F 6-9 218 2 Connecticut
5 Donald Royal F 6-8 218 6 Notre Dame
11 B.J. Armstrong G 6-2 185 7 Iowa
12 Bimbo Coles G 6-2 182 6 Virginia Tech
15 Latrell Sprewell G 6-5 190 4 Alabama
17 Chris Mullin F 6-7 215 11 St. John's
21 x-Lou Roe F 6-7 220 1 Massachusetts
25 Mark Price G 6-0 180 10 Georgia Tech
32 Joe Smith F 6-10 225 1 Maryland
34 s-Marcus Mann F 6-8 245 R Miss. Valley State
35 Ray Owes F 6-9 224 R Arizona
45 x-Jon Koncak C 7-0 255 11 South. Methodist
50 Felton Spencer C 7-0 280 6 Louisville
51 x-Mike Peplowski C 6-10 270 3 Michigan State
52 Todd Fuller C 6-11 255 R North Carolina St
55 Andrew DeClercq F 6-10 230 1 Florida
Head Coach: Rick Adelman
x - injured list
s - suspended list
Los Angeles Clippers Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
00 Kevin Duckworth C 7-0 300 10 Eastern Illinois
2 Pooh Richardson G 6-1 180 7 UCLA
7 Lamond Murray F 6-7 236 2 California
8 f-Brian Williams C 6-11 260 5 Arizona
15 Darrick Martin G 5-11 170 2 UCLA
21 Malik Sealy G 6-8 190 4 St. John's
24 Terry Dehere G 6-4 190 3 Seton Hall
31 x-Brent Barry G 6-6 185 1 Oregon State
33 x-Dwayne Schintzius C 7-2 285 6 Florida
35 Loy Vaught F 6-9 240 6 Michigan
45 Charles Outlaw C/F 6-8 210 3 Houston
52 Eric Piatkowski G/F 6-7 215 2 Nebraska
53 Stanley Roberts C 7-0 290 3 Louisiana State
54 Rodney Rogers F 6-7 255 4 Wake Forest
55 Lorenzen Wright F 6-11 240 R Memphis
Head Coach: Bill Fitch
x- injured list
f- free agent
Los Angeles Lakers Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 Derek Fisher G 6-1 200 R Ark.-Little Rock
4 Byron Scott G 6-4 205 13 Arizona St.
6 Eddie Jones G/F 6-6 190 2 Temple
8 Kobe Bryant G 6-6 200 R Lower Merion HS
9 Nick Van Exel G 6-1 183 3 Cincinnati
12 x-Jerome Kersey F 6-7 240 12 Longwood (VA.)
20 Rumeal Robinson G 6-2 195 5 Michigan
23 Cedric Ceballos F 6-7 225 6 CS Fullerton
24 x-Trevor Wilson F 6-8 222 4 UCLA
34 Shaquille O'Neal C 7-1 300 4 Louisiana St.
40 Travis Knight C 7-0 235 R Connecticut
41 Elden Campbell F/C 6-11 250 6 Clemson
43 Corie Blount F 6-10 242 3 Cincinnati
45 Sean Rooks C 6-10 260 4 Arizona
Head Coach: Del Harris
x- injured list
Phoenix Suns Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 x-Mark Bryant F/C 6-9 245 8 Seton Hall
3 Rex Chapman G 6-4 195 8 Kentucky
4 Michael Finley F 6-7 215 1 Wisconsin
7 x-Kevin Johnson G 6-1 190 9 California
10 Sam Cassell G 6-3 185 3 Florida St.
11 Wesley Person G 6-6 195 2 Auburn
13 Steve Nash G 6-3 195 R Santa Clara
15 Danny Manning F/C 6-10 234 8 Kansas
18 x-John Williams C/F 6-11 245 10 Tulane
23 Wayman Tisdale C/F 6-9 260 11 Oklahoma
25 Robert Horry F 6-10 220 4 Alabama
35 Joe Kleine C 7-0 271 11 Arkansas
43 Ben Davis F 6-9 240 R Arizona
45 A.C. Green F 6-9 225 11 Oregon St.
52 Chucky Brown F 6-8 215 7 N.C. State
Head Coach: Danny Ainge
x-injured list
Portland Trail Blazers Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 Clifford Robinson F 6-10 225 6 Connecticut
4 x-Marcus Brown G 6-3 185 R Murray State
5 x-Jermaine O'Neal F 6-11 226 R Eau Claire HS
6 Mitchell Butler G/F 6-5 210 3 UCLA
7 Kenny Anderson G 6-1 168 5 Georgia Tech
10 Dontonio Wingfield F 6-8 256 2 Cincinnati
11 Arvydas Sabonis C 7-3 292 1 Lithuania
12 Randolph Childress G 6-2 188 1 Wake Forest
19 x-Aleksandar Djordjevic G 6-2 198 R Yugoslavia
23 Aaron McKie G 6-5 209 2 Temple
24 Chris Dudley C 6-11 240 10 Yale
30 Rasheed Wallace C/F 6-10 225 1 North Carolina
31 Reggie Jordan G 6-4 195 2 New Mexico State
33 Gary Trent F 6-8 250 1 Ohio University
34 Isaiah Rider G 6-5 215 3 UNLV
Head Coach: P.J. Carlesimo
x- injured list
Sacramento Kings Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
0 Olden Polynice F/C 7-0 250 9 Virginia
2 Mitch Richmond G 6-5 215 8 Kansas State
3 Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf G 6-1 162 6 Louisiana State
4 Corliss Williamson F 6-7 245 1 Arkansas
5 Tyus Edney G 5-10 152 1 UCLA
7 Bobby Hurley G 6-0 165 3 Duke
22 Lionel Simmons F 6-7 210 6 LaSalle
30 Billy Owens F/G 6-9 225 5 Syracuse
31 Duane Causwell C 7-0 240 6 Temple
32 x-Kevin Salvadori C 7-0 231 R North Carolina
33 Brian Grant F 6-9 254 2 Xavier
34 Michael Smith F 6-8 230 2 Providence
40 Kevin Gamble F/G 6-6 225 9 Iowa
Head Coach: Garry St. Jean
x- injured list
Seattle Supersonics Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 Craig Ehlo G/F 6-7 205 13 Washington State
10 Nate McMillan G/F 6-5 200 10 No. Carolina St.
11 Detlef Schrempf F 6-10 235 11 Washington
13 Eric Snow G 6-3 200 1 Michigan State
14 Sam Perkins F/C 6-9 255 12 North Carolina
20 Gary Payton G 6-4 190 6 Oregon State
21 x-Greg Graham G 6-4 182 3 Indiana
22 Jim McIlvaine C 7-1 260 2 Marquette
23 Larry Stewart F 6-8 230 4 Coppin State
25 David Wingate G/F 6-5 185 10 Georgetown
33 Hersey Hawkins G 6-3 190 8 Bradley
40 Shawn Kemp F 6-10 256 7 Trinity J.C. (TX)
55 x-Steve Scheffler C 6-9 250 6 Purdue
Head Coach: George Karl
x- injured list
nba.1555nba.news,
Midwest Division
Dallas Mavericks Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ====== === == == === =======
00 Eric Montross C 7-0 270 2 North Carolina
2 Oliver Miller C 6-9 310 4 Arkansas
5 Jason Kidd G 6-4 205 2 California
7 Tony Dumas G 6-6 190 2 Mo-Kansas City
12 Derek Harper G 6-4 206 13 Illinois
20 Erick Strickland G 6-3 210 R Nebraska
21 George McCloud G/F 6-8 215 5 Florida State
24 Jim Jackson G 6-6 220 3 Ohio State
25 Chris Gatling F/C 6-10 230 5 Old Dominion
32 Jamal Mashburn F 6-8 240 2 Kentucky
40 Loren Meyer C 6-10 260 1 Iowa State
44 Fred Roberts F 6-10 210 12 Brigham Young
50 x-Greg Dreiling C 7-1 265 9 Kansas
52 x-Samaki Walker F 6-9 240 R Louisville
Head Coach: Jim Cleamons
x-injured list
Denver Nuggets Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == == =======
1 x-Keith Jennings G 5-7 160 3 E. Tenn. St.
3 Dale Ellis G/F 6-7 215 13 Tennessee
5 Jeff McInnis G 6-4 190 R North Carolina
8 Sarunas Marciulionis G 6-5 215 7 Lithuania
13 Mark Jackson G 6-3 185 9 St. John's
14 Eric Murdock G 6-1 200 5 Providence
20 x-LaPhonso Ellis F 6-8 240 4 Notre Dame
21 Tom Hammonds F 6-9 225 7 Georgia Tech
22 Ricky Pierce G 6-4 215 14 Rice
23 Bryant Stith G 6-5 208 4 Virginia
24 Antonio McDyess F 6-9 220 1 Alabama
35 Darvin Ham F 6-7 220 R Texas Tech
41 LaSalle Thompson F/C 6-10 260 14 Texas
50 Ervin Johnson C 6-11 245 3 New Orleans
53 x-Rich King C 7-2 265 4 Nebraska
Head Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
x- injured list
Houston Rockets Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ====== === == == === =======
3 X-Randy Livingston G 6-4 209 R Louisiana State
4 Charles Barkley F 6-6 252 12 Auburn
5 Sam Mack F 6-7 220 2 Houston
9 Tracy Moore G 6-4 200 4 Tulsa
12 Matt Maloney G 6-3 200 R Pennsylvania
15 Emanual Davis G 6-5 195 R Delaware State
17 Mario Elie G/F 6-5 210 6 Amer. International
20 x-Brent Price G 6-1 185 3 Oklahoma
22 Clyde Drexler G 6-7 222 13 Houston
27 Charles Jones C 6-9 215 13 Albany State
32 Othella Harrington F/C 6-9 235 R Georgetown
34 Hakeem Olajuwon C 7-0 255 12 Houston
42 Kevin Willis F/C 7-0 245 12 Michigan State
50 Matt Bullard F 6-10 235 5 Iowa
Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
x - injured list
Minnesota Timberwolves Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ====== === == == === =======
3 Stephon Marbury G 6-2 180 R Georgia Tech
4 x-Micheal Williams G 6-2 175 8 Baylor
5 Doug West G/F 6-6 220 7 Villanova
10 Shane Heal G 6-0 180 R Australia
11 Stoyko Vrankovic C 7-2 260 2 Croatia
15 x-Bill Curley F 6-9 245 2 Boston College
21 Kevin Garnett F 6-11 220 1 Farragut Academy HS
22 Dean Garrett C 6-11 250 R Indiana
24 Tom Gugliotta F 6-10 240 4 NC State
26 James Robinson G 6-2 180 3 Alabama
30 Terry Porter G 6-3 195 11 UW-Stevens Point
42 Sam Mitchell F 6-7 215 7 Mercer
43 Chris Carr G 6-6 220 1 Southern Illinois
44 Cherokee Parks F/C 6-11 240 1 Duke
55 x-Virginius Praskevicius F/C 6-8 230 R Lithuania
Head Coach: Phil "Flip" Saunders
x- injured list
San Antonio Spurs Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Cory Alexander G 6-1 185 1 Virginia
3 Monty Williams F 6-8 225 2 Notre Dame
6 Avery Johnson G 5-11 180 8 Southern
7 Carl Herrera F 6-9 225 5 Houston
8 Tim Kempton C/F 6-10 265 7 Notre Dame
11 Vernon Maxwell G 6-4 190 8 Florida
15 Vinny Del Negro G 6-4 200 6 North Carolina St.
21 Dominique Wilkins F 6-8 230 13 Georgia
32 Sean Elliott F 6-8 220 7 Arizona
33 Greg Anderson C/F 6-10 250 8 Houston
41 Will Perdue C 7-0 240 8 Vanderbilt
45 x-Chuck Person F 6-8 230 10 Auburn
50 x-David Robinson C 7-1 250 6 Navy
54 Charles Smith F 6-10 245 7 Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Bob Hill
x- injured list
Utah Jazz Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
00 Greg Ostertag C 7-2 280 1 Kansas
3 Bryon Russell F 6-7 225 3 Long Beach State
10 Howard Eisley G 6-2 177 2 Boston College
12 John Stockton G 6-1 175 12 Gonzaga
14 Jeff Hornacek G 6-4 190 8 Iowa State
15 Jamie Watson F 6-7 190 2 South Carolina
31 Adam Keefe F 6-9 241 4 Stanford
32 Karl Malone F 6-9 256 11 Louisiana Tech
34 Chris Morris F 6-8 220 8 Auburn
40 Shandon Anderson F 6-6 208 R Georgia
44 Greg Foster C 6-11 250 6 Texas-El Paso
55 Antoine Carr C/F 6-9 255 12 Wichita State
Head Coach: Jerry Sloan
x- injured list
Vancouver Grizzlies Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 Greg Anthony G 6-2 185 4 UNLV
3 Shareef Abdur-Rahim F 6-9 230 R California
5 x-Chris Robinson G 6-5 200 R Western Kentucky
7 Anthony Peeler G 6-4 208 4 Missouri
11 Lee Mayberry G 6-1 180 4 Arkansas
15 Rich Manning C 6-11 253 4 Washington
21 Lawrence Moten G 6-5 185 1 Syracuse
30 Blue Edwards G 6-4 228 7 East Carolina
32 x-Doug Edwards F 6-7 235 3 Florida State
33 Pete Chilcutt F 6-11 240 5 North Carolina
34 George Lynch F 6-8 228 3 North Carolina
44 Roy Rogers F 6-10 235 R Alabama
50 Bryant Reeves C 7-0 292 1 Oklahoma State
52 Eric Mobley C 6-11 235 2 Pittsburgh
Head Coach: Brian Winters
x- injured list
nba.1556nba.news,
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
4 David Wesley G 6-0 198 3 Baylor
7 x-Dee Brown G 6-2 192 6 Jacksonville
8 Antoine Walker F 6-9 225 R Kentucky
9 x-Greg Minor G/F 6-6 230 2 Louisville
11 Dana Barros G 5-11 163 7 Boston College
13 Todd Day G/F 6-6 188 4 Arkansas
27 Nate Driggers G/F 6-4 215 R Montevallo
29 Pervis Ellison F/C 6-10 242 7 Louisville
30 Marty Conlon F 6-11 245 5 Providence
34 Frank Brickowski F/C 6-9 248 12 Penn State
40 Dino Radja F/C 6-11 255 3 Croatia
42 x-Steve Hamer C 7-0 245 R Tennessee
43 Brett Szabo C 6-11 230 R Augustana
44 Rick Fox G/F 6-7 249 5 North Carolina
53 Alton Lister F/C 7-0 245 15 Arizona State
55 Eric Williams F 6-8 220 1 Providence
Head Coach: M.L. Carr
x-injured list
Miami Heat Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 Keith Askins G-F 6-8 224 6 Alabama
4 x-Tony Farmer F 6-9 245 R Nebraska
5 Predrag Danilovic G 6-6 200 1 Serbia
8 Isaac Austin C 6-10 270 3 Arizona State
9 Dan Majerle G-F 6-6 220 8 Cent. Michigan
10 Tim Hardaway G 6-0 195 7 Texas-El Paso
21 Voshon Lenard G 6-4 205 1 Minnesota
23 Gary Grant G 6-3 185 8 Michigan
30 Mark Strickland F 6-9 220 1 Temple
31 x-Martin Muursepp F 6-9 235 R Estonia
32 x-James Scott G-F 6-6 195 R St. John's
33 Alonzo Mourning C 6-10 261 4 Georgetown
40 Kurt Thomas F 6-9 230 1 Texas Christian
42 P.J. Brown F 6-11 240 3 Louisiana Tech
54 Ed Pinckney F 6-9 240 11 Villanova
Head Coach: Pat Riley
x- injured list
New Jersey Nets Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ====== === == == === =======
6 Khalid Reeves G 6-3 201 2 Arizona
7 Reggie Williams F/G 6-7 195 9 Georgetown
13 Kendall Gill G 6-5 216 6 Illinois
14 Robert Pack G 6-2 190 5 Southern Calif.
21 x-Kevin Edwards G 6-3 210 8 DePaul
22 x-David Benoit F 6-8 220 5 Alabama
30 Kerry Kittles G 6-5 179 R Villanova
31 Ed O'Bannon F 6-8 222 1 UCLA
33 Yinka Dare C 7-0 265 2 George Wash.
34 Xavier McDaniel F 6-7 218 10 Wichita St.
44 Tony Massenburg F 6-9 250 4 Maryland
45 Shawn Bradley C 7-6 248 3 BYU
50 Adrian Caldwell F 6-8 265 4 Lamar
55 Jayson Williams F 6-10 245 6 St. John's
Head Coach: John Calipari
x- Injured List
New York Knicks Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 x-Chris Childs G 6-3 195 2 Boise State
2 Larry Johnson F 6-7 263 5 Nev-Las Vegas
3 John Starks G 6-5 185 7 Oklahoma State
4 Scott Brooks G 5-11 165 8 Cal-Irvine
5 x-Dontae' Jones F 6-8 220 R Mississippi St
7 Chris Jent F 6-7 220 1 Ohio State
20 Allan Houston G 6-6 200 3 Tennessee
21 Charlie Ward G 6-2 190 2 Florida St
25 x-Eric Leckner C 6-11 265 7 Wyoming
32 Herb Williams F/C 6-11 260 15 Ohio State
33 Patrick Ewing C 7-0 240 11 Georgetown
34 Charles Oakley F 6-9 245 11 Virginia Union
40 Walter McCarty F 6-10 230 R Kentucky
44 John Wallace F 6-9 225 R Syracuse
52 Buck Williams F 6-8 225 15 Maryland
Head Coach: Jeff Van Gundy
x- injured list
Orlando Magic Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
00 x-Amal McCaskill F/C 6-11 235 R Marquette
1 Anfernee Hardaway G/F 6-7 215 3 Memphis State
3 x-Dennis Scott F 6-8 235 6 Georgia Tech
4 Rony Seikaly C 6-11 253 8 Syracuse
10 Darrell Armstrong G 6-1 180 2 Fayetteville St.
20 Brian Shaw G 6-6 200 7 UC Santa Barbara
21 Gerald Wilkins G/F 6-6 225 10 Tenn.-Chattanooga
24 Danny Schayes C 6-11 260 15 Syracuse
25 Nick Anderson G/F 6-6 228 7 Illinois
33 Derek Strong F 6-9 240 5 Xavier
34 x-Brian Evans F 6-8 220 R Indiana
42 David Vaughn F/C 6-9 240 1 Memphis
44 Clifford Rozier C/F 6-11 245 2 Louisville
54 Horace Grant F 6-10 245 9 Clemson
Head Coach: Brian Hill
x- injured list
Philadelphia 76ers Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 Allen Iverson G 6-0 165 R Georgetown
4 Michael Cage C/F 6-9 248 12 San Diego State
7 Mark Davis G/F 6-7 210 1 Texas Tech
9 Doug Overton G 6-3 190 4 LaSalle
14 x-Mark Hendrickson F 6-9 220 R Washington St.
23 Rex Walters G 6-4 190 3 Kansas
25 Don MacLean F 6-10 235 4 UCLA
30 Lucious Harris G 6-5 205 3 Long Beach State
35 Clarence Weatherspoon F 6-7 240 4 So.Miss.
42 Jerry Stackhouse G/F 6-6 218 1 North Carolina
44 Derrick Coleman F 6-10 260 6 Syracuse
50 Mark Bradtke C/F 6-10 265 R Redcliff H.S. (AU)
55 Scott Williams C/F 6-10 230 6 North Carolina
Head Coach: Johnny Davis
x- injured list
Washington Bullets Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Rod Strickland G 6-3 185 8 DePaul
4 Chris Webber F 6-10 245 3 Michigan
5 Juwan Howard F 6-9 250 2 Michigan
12 Chris Whitney G 6-0 170 3 Clemson
22 Matt Fish C 6-11 275 2 NC-Wilmington
23 x-Tim Legler G 6-4 200 6 LaSalle
30 Ben Wallace F 6-9 240 R Va. Union
32 Jaren Jackson G 6-6 210 6 Georgetown
35 Tracy Murray F 6-7 228 4 UCLA
40 Calbert Cheaney G/F 6-7 215 3 Indiana
43 X-Lorenzo Williams C 6-9 230 4 Stetson
44 Harvey Grant F 6-9 225 8 Oklahoma
50 Ashraf Amaya F 6-8 250 1 Southern Ill.
77 Gheorghe Muresan C 7-7 303 3 Cluj Univ.
Head Coach: Jim Lynam
x- injured list
nba.1557nba.news,
Central Division
Atlanta Hawks Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ====== === == == === =======
2 Anthony Miller G 6-9 255 2 Michigan State
3 x-Ken Norman F 6-8 228 9 Illinois
5 Eldridge Recasner G 6-3 190 2 Washington
8 Steve Smith G 6-8 215 5 Michigan State
10 Mookie Blaylock G 6-1 185 7 Oklahoma
15 Priest Lauderdale C 7-4 343 R Central State
17 Jon Barry G 6-4 205 4 Georgia Tech
24 Donnie Boyce G 6-5 196 1 Colorado
28 Ivano Newbill C 6-11 245 1 Georgia Tech
32 Christian Laettner F/C 6-11 245 4 Duke
33 Tyrone Corbin F 6-6 225 11 DePaul
34 Willie Burton F 6-8 219 5 Minnesota
44 Alan Henderson F 6-9 235 1 Indiana
45 Derrick Alston F 6-11 225 2 Duquesne
55 Dikembe Mutombo C 7-2 250 5 Georgetown
Head Coach: Lenny Wilkens
x-injured list
Charlotte Hornets Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
00 Tony Delk G 6-2 189 R Kentucky
1 Tyrone Bogues G 5-3 141 9 Wake Forest
5 Anthony Goldwire G 6-2 182 1 Houston
7 x-Rafael Addison F 6-8 241 5 Syracuse
12 Vlade Divac C 7-1 260 7 Serbia
14 Anthony Mason F 6-8 250 7 Tennessee St.
24 Scott Burrell G/F 6-7 226 3 Connecticut
25 George Zidek C 7-1 264 1 UCLA
30 Dell Curry G/F 6-5 205 10 Virginia Tech
31 Malik Rose F 6-7 250 R Drexel
34 Tony Smith G 6-4 205 6 Marquette
41 Glen Rice G/F 6-8 220 7 Michigan
43 x-Carlos Strong F 6-8 245 R Georgia
52 Matt Geiger F/C 7-1 245 4 Georgia Tech
Head Coach: Dave Cowens
x-injured list
Chicago Bulls Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
x-Thomas Hamilton C 7-2 330 1 Pittsburgh
00 Robert Parish C 7-1 244 20 Centenary
1 Randy Brown G 6-2 191 5 New Mexico State
7 Toni Kukoc F/G 6-11 232 3 Croatia
8 Dickey Simpkins F 6-10 264 11 Providence
9 Ron Harper G 6-6 216 10 Miami-Ohio
13 Luc Longley C 7-2 292 5 New Mexico
23 Michael Jordan G 6-6 216 11 North Carolina
25 Steve Kerr G 6-3 181 8 Arizona
30 Jud Buechler G/F 6-6 228 6 Arizona
33 Scottie Pippen F/G 6-7 228 9 Central Arkansas
34 Bill Wennington C 7-0 277 9 St. John's
35 x-Jason Caffey F 6-8 256 1 Alabama
91 Dennis Rodman F 6-6 220 10 Southeastrn Ok St
Head Coach: Phil Jackson
x-injured list
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Terrell Brandon G 5-11 180 5 Oregon
2 Reggie Geary G 6-2 187 R Arizona
3 Bob Sura G 6-5 200 1 Florida State
11 x-Zydrunas Ilgauskas C 7-3 238 R Lithuania
14 Bobby Phills G 6-5 220 5 Southern
21 Antonio Lang F 6-8 230 2 Duke
23 Carl Thomas G 6-4 195 1 Eastern Michigan
24 Chris Mills F 6-6 216 3 Arizona
32 Tyrone Hill F 6-9 245 6 Xavier
33 Donny Marshall F 6-7 230 1 Connecticut
35 Danny Ferry F 6-10 235 6 Duke
41 Mark West C 6-10 246 13 Old Dominion
44 x-Shawnelle Scott C 6-11 250 R St. John's
52 Vitaly Potapenko C/F 6-10 280 R Wright State
Head Coach: Mike Fratello
x-injured list
Detroit Pistons Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
1 Lindsey Hunter G 6-2 195 3 Jackson St.
2 Stacey Augmon G/F 6-8 205 5 Nevada-Las Vegas
4 Joe Dumars G 6-3 195 11 Mcneese St.
6 Terry Mills F 6-10 250 6 Michigan
9 x-Litterial Green G 6-1 195 2 Georgia
12 Michael Curry G 6-5 210 2 Georgia Southern
13 Jerome Williams F 6-9 206 R Georgetown
30 Kenny Smith G 6-3 170 9 North Carolina
33 Grant Hill F 6-8 225 2 Duke University
42 Theo Ratliff F/C 6-10 225 1 Wyoming
43 Grant Long F 6-9 248 8 Eastern Michigan
44 Rick Mahorn F 6-10 260 15 Hampton Inst.
50 Otis Thorpe F 6-10 246 12 Providence
52 x-Don Reid F 6-8 250 1 Georgetown
Head Coach: Doug Collins
x-injured list
Indiana Pacers Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
2 Vincent Askew G/F 6-6 235 7 Memphis State
3 X-Haywoode Workman G 6-3 180 5 Oral Roberts
4 Travis Best G 5-11 182 1 Georgia Tech
5 Jalen Rose G 6-8 210 2 Michigan
8 x-Eddie Johnson F 6-7 215 14 Illinois
9 Derrick McKey F 6-10 225 9 Alabama
20 Fred Hoiberg G 6-4 203 1 Iowa State
25 Erick Dampier C/F 6-11 265 R Mississppi State
27 Duane Ferrell F 6-7 215 8 Georgia Tech
31 Reggie Miller G 6-7 185 9 UCLA
32 Dale Davis F 6-11 230 5 Clemson
33 Antonio Davis F/C 6-9 230 3 Texas-El Paso
45 x-Rik Smits C 7-4 265 8 Marist
53 Jerome Allen G 6-4 184 1 Pennsylvania
55 Brent Scott F/C 6-10 250 R Rice
Head Coach: Larry Brown
x - injured list
Milwaukee Bucks Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 Shawn Respert G 6-2 185 1 Michigan State
5 Elliot Perry G 6-0 160 4 Memphis
7 David Wood F 6-9 230 6 Nevada-Reno
10 Armon Gilliam F 6-9 260 9 UNLV
12 Darrin Hancock G/F 6-7 205 2 Kansas
13 Glenn Robinson F 6-7 235 2 Purdue
20 Sherman Douglas G 6-1 195 7 Syracuse
22 Johnny Newman F 6-7 200 10 Richmond
23 Joe Wolf F/C 6-11 260 8 North Carolina
25 x-Moochie Norris G 6-1 180 R West Florida
28 Andrew Lang C 6-11 275 8 Arkansas
34 Ray Allen G 6-5 205 R Connecticut
42 Vin Baker F 6-11 245 3 Hartford
51 x-Keith Tower C/F 6-10 260 3 Notre Dame
Head Coach: Chris Ford
x- injured list
Toronto Raptors Roster
NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS COLLEGE
== ===== === == == === =======
3 Zan Tabak C 7-0 245 2 Croatia
4 Sharone Wright C/F 6-11 260 2 Clemson
12 Donald Whiteside G 5-11 170 R No. Illinois
13 Doug Christie G/F 6-6 205 4 Pepperdine
20 Damon Stoudamire G 5-10 171 1 Arizona
21 Marcus Camby C/F 6-11 220 R Massachusetts
34 Carlos Rogers F/C 6-11 220 2 Tennessee St.
42 Walt Williams F/G 6-8 230 4 Maryland
44 Hubert Davis G 6-5 183 4 North Carolina
54 Popeye Jones F 6-8 250 3 Murray State
55 Acie Earl C 6-10 240 3 Iowa
Head Coach: Darrell Walker
x- injured list
nba.1558nba.news,
NBA Top Individual Performances
(THROUGH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH)
---------------------------------
POINTS
------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Michael Jordan, CHI at Miami 50 11-06-96
Mookie Blaylock, ATL vs. Cleveland 39 11-12-96
Dell Curry, CHA vs. Toronto 38 11-02-96
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU vs. Utah 38 11-09-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at Charlotte 38 11-15-96
Dale Ellis, DEN at Toronto 37 11-11-96
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU at Denver 36 11-07-96
Jerry Stackhouse, PHI vs. Phoenix 36 11-09-96
Dale Ellis, DEN at Boston 36 11-15-96
Shaquille Oneal, LAL vs. Minnesota 35 11-03-96
Allen Iverson, PHI at New York 35 11-12-96
REBOUNDS
--------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Charles Barkley, HOU at Phoenix 33 11-02-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI at Miami 22 11-06-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI vs. Phoenix 22 11-11-96
Armon Gilliam, MIL vs. Phoenix 22 11-12-96
Chris Webber, WAS vs. San Antonio 21 11-06-96
Charles Barkley, HOU at Utah 20 11-04-96
Dikembe Mutombo, ATL at Sacramento 20 11-07-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI at Detroit 20 11-08-96
Greg Ostertag, UTH vs. Vancouver 20 11-15-96
Chris Gatling, DAL vs. Utah 20 11-16-96
ASSISTS
-------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
John Stockton, UTH vs. Vancouver 18 11-15-96
Mark Jackson, DEN vs. La Clippers 16 11-05-96
Mark Jackson, DEN vs. Houston 16 11-07-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at New Jersey 16 11-16-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at Toronto 15 11-11-96
Nick Van Exel, LAL vs. La Clippers 15 11-15-96
Mark Jackson, DEN vs. Golden State 14 11-08-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at Cleveland 14 11-10-96
Nick Van Exel, LAL at Houston 14 11-12-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at Detroit 13 11-13-96
Damon Stoudamire, TOR at New York 13 11-14-96
Terrell Brandon, CLE at Philadelphia 13 11-15-96
Tim Hardaway, MIA vs. Philadelphia 13 11-16-96
nba.1559nba.news,
1996-97 Triple Doubles
REGULAR SEASON
==============
1. Clyde Drexler, HOU vs SAC, 11/01, 25 pts, 10 rbs, 10 steals, 4th season,
24th career
2. Damon Stoudamire, TOR vs LAL, 11/08, 21 pts, 10 rbs, 10 assists,
2nd season, 3rd career
nba.1560nba.news,
Ostale statistike će stići nešto kasnije.
nba.1561nba.news,
NBA Scoring
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp PTS AVG
Michael Jordan, Chi 10 288 28.8
Hakeem Olajuwon, Hou 9 247 27.4
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 9 232 25.8
Grant Hill, Det 8 195 24.4
Shawn Kemp, Sea 9 217 24.1
Vin Baker, Mil 8 187 23.4
Tom Gugliotta, Min 8 187 23.4
Mitch Richmond, Sac 9 208 23.1
Dale Ellis, Den 10 231 23.1
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 8 184 23.0
Patrick Ewing, Nyk 9 206 22.9
Allen Iverson, Phi 8 182 22.8
Karl Malone, Uth 7 158 22.6
Damon Stoudamire, Tor 8 173 21.6
Gary Payton, Sea 9 185 20.6
Glenn Robinson, Mil 8 161 20.1
Terrell Brandon, Cle 9 180 20.0
Alonzo Mourning, Mia 9 180 20.0
Reggie Miller, Ind 7 139 19.9
Kendall Gill, Njn 6 118 19.7
Steve Smith, Atl 6 115 19.2
Sam Cassell, Pho 7 134 19.1
Glen Rice, Cha 5 95 19.0
Tim Hardaway, Mia 9 170 18.9
Eddie Jones, Lal 9 169 18.8
Jerry Stackhouse, Phi 9 169 18.8
Chris Webber, Was 9 168 18.7
Christian Laettner, Atl 10 184 18.4
Joe Dumars, Det 9 161 17.9
Walt Williams, Tor 8 140 17.5
nba.1562nba.news,
NBA Rebounding
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp Reb AVG
Charles Barkley, Hou 8 141 17.6
Dennis Rodman, Chi 10 169 16.9
Jayson Williams, Njn 6 98 16.3
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 9 112 12.4
Dale Davis, Ind 7 86 12.3
Ervin Johnson, Den 10 112 11.2
Horace Grant, Orl 5 56 11.2
Patrick Ewing, Nyk 9 99 11.0
Karl Malone, Uth 7 76 10.9
Armon Gilliam, Mil 8 86 10.8
Loy Vaught, Lac 8 86 10.8
Dikembe Mutombo, Atl 10 107 10.7
Shawn Kemp, Sea 9 94 10.4
Dino Radja, Bos 7 71 10.1
Chris Gatling, Dal 8 81 10.1
Alonzo Mourning, Mia 9 91 10.1
Tyrone Hill, Cle 9 88 9.8
Clarence Weatherspoon, Phi 9 88 9.8
Tom Gugliotta, Min 8 78 9.8
Vin Baker, Mil 8 77 9.6
nba.1563nba.news,
NBA Assists
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp AST AVG
Mark Jackson, Den 10 133 13.3
Nick Van Exel, Lal 9 80 8.9
John Stockton, Uth 7 61 8.7
Damon Stoudamire, Tor 8 69 8.6
Tim Hardaway, Mia 9 77 8.6
Gary Payton, Sea 9 70 7.8
Sam Cassell, Pho 7 50 7.1
Rod Strickland, Was 9 64 7.1
Charlie Ward, Nyk 9 63 7.0
Avery Johnson, Sas 8 56 7.0
Terrell Brandon, Cle 9 62 6.9
David Wesley, Bos 7 48 6.9
Scottie Pippen, Chi 10 68 6.8
Greg Anthony, Van 9 60 6.7
Jason Kidd, Dal 8 51 6.4
Sherman Douglas, Mil 8 49 6.1
Grant Hill, Det 8 48 6.0
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 8 48 6.0
Mookie Blaylock, Atl 8 47 5.9
Clyde Drexler, Hou 9 51 5.7
nba.1564nba.news,
NBA Steals
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp Stl AVG
Greg Anthony, Van 9 29 3.2
Gary Payton, Sea 9 26 2.9
Clyde Drexler, Hou 9 24 2.7
Tim Hardaway, Mia 9 24 2.7
Mookie Blaylock, Atl 8 20 2.5
Kenny Anderson, Por 10 24 2.4
Nick Anderson, Orl 5 12 2.4
Damon Stoudamire, Tor 8 19 2.4
Kevin Garnett, Min 8 18 2.3
Horace Grant, Orl 5 11 2.2
John Stockton, Uth 7 15 2.1
Doug Christie, Tor 8 17 2.1
Avery Johnson, Sas 8 17 2.1
Pooh Richardson, Lac 8 17 2.1
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 8 17 2.1
Mark Davis, Phi 9 19 2.1
Tom Gugliotta, Min 8 16 2.0
George Mccloud, Dal 8 16 2.0
Rod Strickland, Was 9 17 1.9
Chris Mullin, Gsw 8 15 1.9
nba.1565nba.news,
NBA Blocked shots
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp BLK AVG
Shawn Bradley, Njn 6 29 4.8
Jim Mcilvaine, Sea 9 26 2.9
Dikembe Mutombo, Atl 10 28 2.8
Kevin Garnett, Min 8 22 2.8
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 9 24 2.7
Marcus Camby, Tor 8 21 2.6
Vin Baker, Mil 8 19 2.4
Stoyko Vrankovic, Min 8 19 2.4
Hakeem Olajuwon, Hou 9 20 2.2
Chris Webber, Was 9 20 2.2
Antonio Mcdyess, Den 10 22 2.2
Alonzo Mourning, Mia 9 19 2.1
Charles Outlaw, Lac 8 16 2.0
Dino Radja, Bos 7 14 2.0
Greg Ostertag, Uth 6 12 2.0
Ervin Johnson, Den 10 19 1.9
Patrick Ewing, Nyk 9 17 1.9
Roy Rogers, Van 9 16 1.8
Greg Anderson, Sas 8 13 1.6
Brian Grant, Sac 5 8 1.6
nba.1566nba.news,
NBA Field goal percentage
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp Fgm Fga PCT
Michael Smith, Sac 9 30 42 .714
Rasheed Wallace, Por 9 56 85 .659
Charles Oakley, Nyk 7 35 57 .614
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 9 96 159 .604
John Stockton, Uth 7 41 69 .594
Tyrone Hill, Cle 9 42 73 .575
Anthony Mason, Cha 8 44 77 .571
Shawn Kemp, Sea 9 75 132 .568
Chris Mullin, Gsw 8 51 91 .560
Gary Trent, Por 10 38 68 .559
Larry Johnson, Nyk 9 44 79 .557
Marcus Camby, Tor 8 40 72 .556
Detlef Schrempf, Sea 9 56 101 .554
Ervin Johnson, Den 10 31 56 .554
Sherman Douglas, Mil 8 35 64 .547
nba.1567nba.news,
NBA Free throw percentage
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp Ftm Fta PCT
Ricky Pierce, Den 8 14 15 .933
Kendall Gill, Njn 6 34 37 .919
Horace Grant, Orl 5 11 12 .917
John Starks, Nyk 9 31 34 .912
Terrell Brandon, Cle 9 30 33 .909
Fred Hoiberg, Ind 4 10 11 .909
Chris Whitney, Was 9 19 21 .905
Joe Dumars, Det 9 28 31 .903
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 8 55 61 .902
Sam Cassell, Pho 7 41 46 .891
Gary Trent, Por 10 16 18 .889
Tyrone Corbin, Atl 10 21 24 .875
Reggie Miller, Ind 7 41 47 .872
Joe Smith, Gsw 7 20 23 .870
Cedric Ceballos, Lal 8 13 15 .867
nba.1568nba.news,
NBA 3-point shooting percentage
Through Saturday, November 16
Player Gp 3fg 3fa PCT
Donald Whiteside, Tor 8 5 8 .625
Rex Walters, Phi 5 7 12 .583
Joe Dumars, Det 9 27 47 .574
Aaron Mckie, Por 10 8 14 .571
Tony Delk, Cha 4 6 11 .545
Carlos Rogers, Tor 8 7 13 .538
Bob Sura, Cle 9 10 19 .526
Anthony Goldwire, Cha 8 11 21 .524
John Stockton, Uth 7 12 23 .522
Walt Williams, Tor 8 21 41 .512
Eddie Jones, Lal 9 28 55 .509
Terry Mills, Det 9 17 34 .500
Khalid Reeves, Njn 6 14 28 .500
Chris Whitney, Was 9 11 22 .500
Darrell Armstrong, Orl 5 7 14 .500
Matt Geiger, Cha 8 5 10 .500
nba.1569nba.news,
NBA Defense statistics
Through Saturday, November 16
Team G Fgm-Fga PCT 3pm-3pa PCT Ftm-Fta PCT AVG
Chicago 10 321-806 .398 55-171 .322 138-214 .645 83.5
Cleveland 9 264-645 .409 51-132 .386 174-241 .722 83.7
Utah 7 212-536 .396 34-124 .274 146-210 .695 86.3
San Antonio 8 253-611 .414 43-136 .316 142-182 .780 86.4
Detroit 9 296-679 .436 71-182 .390 122-168 .726 87.2
LA Clippers 8 251-599 .419 36-110 .327 171-236 .725 88.6
Minnesota 8 260-617 .421 34-111 .306 155-220 .705 88.6
Atlanta 10 340-759 .448 80-198 .404 134-178 .753 89.4
Orlando 5 173-409 .423 24-78 .308 79-100 .790 89.8
New York 9 281-663 .424 64-157 .408 196-271 .723 91.3
Portland 10 338-804 .420 53-142 .373 191-260 .735 92.0
Miami 9 283-649 .436 51-130 .392 214-280 .764 92.3
LA Lakers 9 322-749 .430 63-179 .352 128-188 .681 92.8
Denver 10 334-819 .408 55-160 .344 206-277 .744 92.9
Houston 9 323-762 .424 41-136 .301 155-222 .698 93.6
Indiana 7 245-540 .454 41-140 .293 126-192 .656 93.9
Washington 9 328-740 .443 43-142 .303 152-198 .768 94.6
Seattle 9 312-677 .461 60-155 .387 168-235 .715 94.7
Dallas 8 271-641 .423 44-110 .400 176-233 .755 95.3
New Jersey 6 217-486 .447 28-93 .301 120-169 .710 97.0
Milwaukee 8 296-634 .467 24-98 .245 164-227 .722 97.5
Charlotte 8 311-666 .467 51-136 .375 114-160 .713 98.4
Toronto 8 282-611 .462 57-145 .393 176-258 .682 99.6
Vancouver 9 347-743 .467 51-147 .347 156-210 .743 100.1
Sacramento 9 320-700 .457 54-152 .355 213-303 .703 100.8
Boston 8 303-643 .471 43-128 .336 158-228 .693 100.9
Phoenix 8 292-637 .458 56-173 .324 167-239 .699 100.9
Philadelphia 9 341-762 .448 65-164 .396 163-220 .741 101.1
Golden State 8 326-652 .500 45-123 .366 127-166 .765 103.0
- Rebounds -
Off-Def TRB AST Stl To BLKS
Chicago 128-275 403 157 60 176 33
Cleveland 109-242 351 180 48 160 51
Utah 84-219 303 123 55 108 33
San Antonio 107-244 351 162 55 138 39
Detroit 102-246 348 186 53 135 26
LA Clippers 102-247 349 158 75 156 50
Minnesota 103-254 357 167 63 151 40
Atlanta 118-293 411 228 75 180 46
Orlando 85-128 213 92 48 88 39
New York 98-207 305 182 94 186 39
Portland 124-253 377 201 74 155 68
Miami 105-274 379 157 76 168 47
LA Lakers 127-235 362 218 89 142 46
Denver 138-291 429 188 84 178 65
Houston 123-257 380 174 84 160 44
Indiana 72-196 268 152 66 125 43
Washington 129-281 410 170 58 148 39
Seattle 93-253 346 195 59 165 50
Dallas 123-240 363 151 67 145 58
New Jersey 83-167 250 114 70 103 35
Milwaukee 97-212 309 180 51 125 32
Charlotte 116-218 334 172 53 101 40
Toronto 116-228 344 180 67 160 37
Vancouver 147-310 457 231 74 171 55
Sacramento 120-256 376 202 102 158 43
Boston 104-244 348 193 71 147 48
Phoenix 117-264 381 197 64 145 48
Philadelphia 138-259 397 206 86 167 45
Golden State 103-225 328 216 77 155 37
(Note: Defensive Statistics Reflect Cumulative Totals Of A
Team's Opponents)
nba.1570nba.news,
NBA Offense statistics
Through Saturday, November 16
Team G Fgm-Fga PCT 3pm-3pa PCT Ftm-Fta PCT AVG
Chicago 10 402-838 .480 60-178 .337 169-227 .744 103.3
Milwaukee 8 299-646 .463 30-86 .349 185-239 .774 101.6
Seattle 9 332-707 .470 61-184 .332 188-255 .737 101.4
Houston 9 315-724 .435 74-216 .343 200-278 .719 100.4
New York 9 323-666 .485 50-130 .385 188-253 .743 98.2
Philadelphia 9 306-713 .429 61-152 .401 203-294 .690 97.3
Toronto 8 283-646 .438 69-173 .399 141-188 .750 97.0
Golden State 8 288-631 .456 44-127 .346 154-194 .794 96.8
LA Lakers 9 317-692 .458 57-161 .354 172-244 .705 95.9
Boston 8 293-657 .446 39-131 .298 141-191 .738 95.8
Orlando 5 182-429 .424 31-93 .333 79-116 .681 94.8
Charlotte 8 282-619 .456 62-150 .413 130-178 .730 94.5
Portland 10 335-762 .440 61-184 .332 214-294 .728 94.5
Washington 9 333-744 .448 43-127 .339 141-212 .665 94.4
Detroit 9 302-666 .453 72-157 .459 159-205 .776 92.8
Utah 7 237-535 .443 28-78 .359 146-209 .699 92.6
Denver 10 338-796 .425 65-164 .396 183-247 .741 92.4
Sacramento 9 312-688 .453 32-85 .376 173-245 .706 92.1
Miami 9 313-715 .438 58-187 .310 141-205 .688 91.7
Dallas 8 276-641 .431 51-156 .327 127-199 .638 91.3
Indiana 7 228-526 .433 34-103 .330 144-202 .713 90.6
Phoenix 8 274-669 .410 32-129 .248 142-196 .724 90.3
Cleveland 9 307-680 .451 62-154 .403 136-186 .731 90.2
New Jersey 6 196-502 .390 28-88 .318 116-162 .716 89.3
LA Clippers 8 265-649 .408 26-87 .299 152-217 .700 88.5
Minnesota 8 262-625 .419 22-69 .319 162-221 .733 88.5
Atlanta 10 302-742 .407 78-211 .370 190-256 .742 87.2
Vancouver 9 298-741 .402 49-151 .325 131-189 .693 86.2
San Antonio 8 242-590 .410 38-141 .270 124-183 .678 80.8
- Rebounds -
Off-Def TRB AST Stl To BLKS
Chicago 135-327 462 272 82 142 41
Milwaukee 116-242 358 165 60 126 40
Seattle 108-251 359 219 98 138 41
Houston 129-283 412 220 95 184 47
New York 115-264 379 199 84 190 45
Philadelphia 133-251 384 193 82 178 46
Toronto 101-213 314 155 80 156 51
Golden State 93-202 295 185 64 155 36
LA Lakers 112-273 385 199 60 166 63
Boston 100-226 326 164 70 153 37
Orlando 102-142 244 101 48 83 27
Charlotte 97-215 312 185 41 121 29
Portland 131-319 450 201 79 196 54
Washington 120-262 382 197 60 128 47
Detroit 105-243 348 145 56 133 29
Utah 86-223 309 156 53 104 42
Denver 128-312 440 233 74 206 60
Sacramento 106-256 362 179 59 174 46
Miami 117-249 366 180 71 153 43
Dallas 115-237 352 174 69 156 38
Indiana 87-222 309 132 55 137 37
Phoenix 104-214 318 178 59 129 32
Cleveland 108-247 355 185 68 141 38
New Jersey 128-178 306 101 47 131 52
LA Clippers 110-236 346 144 82 143 40
Minnesota 93-224 317 149 62 130 66
Atlanta 124-274 398 163 81 172 52
Vancouver 118-220 338 197 90 142 49
San Antonio 90-213 303 161 69 129 48
nba.1571nba.news,
NBA Team-by-team comparison
Through Saturday, November 16
Points Field Goal 3-Pt Fg
Per Game Percentage Percentage Turnovers Per Game
Team Own OPP Own OPP Own OPP Own OPP Margin
Atlanta 87.2 89.4 .407 .448 .370 .404 17.2 18.0 +0.8
Boston 95.8 100.9 .446 .471 .298 .336 19.1 18.4 -0.7
Charlotte 94.5 98.4 .456 .467 .413 .375 15.1 12.6 -2.5
Chicago *103.3 *83.5 .480 .398 .337 .322 *14.2 17.6 *+3.4
Cleveland 90.2 83.7 .451 .409 .403 .386 15.7 17.8 +2.1
Dallas 91.3 95.3 .431 .423 .327 .400 19.5 18.1 -1.4
Denver 92.4 92.9 .425 .408 .396 .344 20.6 17.8 -2.8
Detroit 92.8 87.2 .453 .436 *.459 .390 14.8 15.0 +0.2
Golden State 96.8 103.0 .456 .500 .346 .366 19.4 19.4 0.0
Houston 100.4 93.6 .435 .424 .343 .301 20.4 17.8 -2.6
Indiana 90.6 93.9 .433 .454 .330 .293 19.6 17.9 -1.7
LA Clippers 88.5 88.6 .408 .419 .299 .327 17.9 19.5 +1.6
LA Lakers 95.9 92.8 .458 .430 .354 .352 18.4 15.8 -2.6
Miami 91.7 92.3 .438 .436 .310 .392 17.0 18.7 +1.7
Milwaukee 101.6 97.5 .463 .467 .349 *.245 15.8 15.6 -0.2
Minnesota 88.5 88.6 .419 .421 .319 .306 16.3 18.9 +2.6
New Jersey 89.3 97.0 .390 .447 .318 .301 21.8 17.2 -4.6
New York 98.2 91.3 *.485 .424 .385 .408 21.1 *20.7 -0.4
Orlando 94.8 89.8 .424 .423 .333 .308 16.6 17.6 +1.0
Philadelphia 97.3 101.1 .429 .448 .401 .396 19.8 18.6 -1.2
Phoenix 90.3 100.9 .410 .458 .248 .324 16.1 18.1 +2.0
Portland 94.5 92.0 .440 .420 .332 .373 19.6 15.5 -4.1
Sacramento 92.1 100.8 .453 .457 .376 .355 19.3 17.6 -1.7
San Antonio 80.8 86.4 .410 .414 .270 .316 16.1 17.3 +1.2
Seattle 101.4 94.7 .470 .461 .332 .387 15.3 18.3 +3.0
Toronto 97.0 99.6 .438 .462 .399 .393 19.5 20.0 +0.5
Utah 92.6 86.3 .443 *.396 .359 .274 14.9 15.4 +0.5
Vancouver 86.2 100.1 .402 .467 .325 .347 15.8 19.0 +3.2
Washington 94.4 94.6 .448 .443 .339 .303 *14.2 16.4 +2.2
------------------ Records ------------------
Under 100 PTS Ot Decided By
Rebound PCT Own OPP Games 3-PTS(Less) 10-PTS(More)
Team Off Def Tot W-L W-L W-L W-L W-L
Atlanta .297 .699 .492 4-5 5-4 0-0 0-0 2-4
Boston .291 .685 .484 1-4 2-1 0-0 0-1 2-4
Charlotte .308 .650 .483 1-5 3-1 0-0 0-1 3-2
Chicago .329 .719 .534 4-0 9-0 0-0 0-0 8-0
Cleveland .309 .694 .503 4-3 6-2 1-0 1-0 5-0
Dallas .324 .658 .492 1-6 2-2 0-0 1-1 1-3
Denver .305 .693 .506 3-5 4-3 0-2 2-3 1-1
Detroit .299 .704 .500 6-1 8-1 1-0 2-0 4-1
Golden State .292 .662 .474 1-3 2-2 0-0 0-1 1-4
Houston .334 .697 .520 4-0 6-0 1-1 3-0 4-1
Indiana .307 *.755 .536 1-5 1-4 1-0 1-2 1-2
LA Clippers .308 .698 .498 4-3 4-3 1-1 0-0 2-1
LA Lakers .323 .683 .515 4-3 4-3 1-0 0-1 2-2
Miami .299 .703 .491 3-3 5-2 0-0 1-1 2-1
Milwaukee .354 .714 .537 1-3 3-1 1-0 1-0 3-1
Minnesota .268 .685 .470 2-4 4-4 0-1 2-2 1-1
New Jersey .434 .682 .550 0-5 1-3 0-0 0-0 0-3
New York .357 .729 *.554 3-2 6-1 1-0 2-0 2-0
Orlando *.443 .626 .534 3-1 4-1 0-0 0-0 1-0
Philadelphia .339 .645 .492 1-4 3-1 0-0 1-1 2-3
Phoenix .283 .647 .455 0-8 0-5 0-1 0-2 0-5
Portland .341 .720 .544 3-4 5-2 1-0 1-2 3-3
Sacramento .293 .681 .491 0-6 2-2 0-0 1-0 1-5
San Antonio .269 .666 .463 2-6 2-6 0-0 0-0 1-4
Seattle .299 .730 .509 2-2 6-1 0-0 0-0 6-1
Toronto .307 .647 .477 1-5 3-2 0-0 1-1 1-2
Utah .282 .726 .505 3-2 5-2 0-0 1-1 1-0
Vancouver .276 .599 .425 1-8 1-3 0-1 1-0 0-6
Washington .299 .670 .482 2-4 4-3 0-2 0-2 3-3
* = Indicates League Leader
Rebound Percentage:
Off - a team's offensive rebounds divided by offensive rebound
opportunities (that team's total number of missed shots)
Def - a team's defensive rebounds divided by defensive rebound
opportunities (the total number of missed shots by that
team's opponents)
Tot - a team's total rebounds divided by rebound opportunities
(the sum of missed shots by that team and its opponents)
nba.1572schef,
=- Stoyko Vrankovic, Min 8 19 2.4
^
;)
nba.1573vpoznanovic,
Sunday, November 17
Golden State at San Antonio 102:92
L.A. Lakers at Phoenix 102:88
Milwaukee at L.A. Clippers 94:102
Portland at Indiana 88:83
Vancouver at Seattle 81:91
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
GOLDEN STATE 15 28 33 26 102
SAN ANTONIO 24 23 16 29 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: GSW - B J ARMSTRONG 24, LATRELL SPREWELL 20, JOE SMITH 17
SAS - VERNON MAXWELL 17, AVERY JOHNSON 17, VINNY DEL NEGRO
16
HIGH REBOUND: GSW - JOE SMITH 11, LATRELL SPREWELL 6
SAS - THREE PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: GSW - B J ARMSTRONG 6, LATRELL SPREWELL 4
SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 9, VINNY DEL NEGRO 5
ATT: 13,334
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA LAKERS 21 26 24 31 102
PHOENIX 17 23 20 28 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAL - EDDIE JONES 18, SHAQUILLE ONEAL 16, KOBE BRYANT 16
PHO - MICHAEL FINLEY 20, REX CHAPMAN 17, ROBERT HORRY 14
HIGH REBOUND: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 13, EDDIE JONES 9
PHO - REX CHAPMAN 7, AC GREEN 7
HIGH ASSISTS: LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 9, EDDIE JONES 6
PHO - MICHAEL FINLEY 7, ROBERT HORRY 5
ATT: 19,023
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MILWAUKEE 27 25 27 15 94
LA CLIPPERS 26 24 30 22 102 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 31, RAY ALLEN 23, TWO PLAYERS WITH 11
LAC - RODNEY ROGERS 20, MALIK SEALY 18, STANLEY ROBERTS 17
HIGH REBOUND: MIL - ARMON GILLIAM 17, RAY ALLEN 7
LAC - LOY VAUGHT 10, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
HIGH ASSISTS: MIL - SHERMAN DOUGLAS 3, ELLIOT PERRY 3
LAC - POOH RICHARDSON 11, RODNEY ROGERS 4
ATT: 7,311
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 23 16 26 23 88
INDIANA 22 22 16 23 83 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: POR - ARVYDAS SABONIS 18, RASHEED WALLACE 17, CLIFFORD
ROBINSON 16
IND - REGGIE MILLER 30, ERICK DAMPIER 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH
11
HIGH REBOUND: POR - ISAIAH RIDER 9, FOUR PLAYERS WITH 8
IND - DALE DAVIS 13, ERICK DAMPIER 5
HIGH ASSISTS: POR - KENNY ANDERSON 12, CLIFFORD ROBINSON 3
IND - TRAVIS BEST 7, REGGIE MILLER 4
ATT: 13,555
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
VANCOUVER 21 17 18 25 81
SEATTLE 24 18 23 26 91 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: VAN - ROY ROGERS 18, GREG ANTHONY 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 11
SEA - GARY PAYTON 21, SAM PERKINS 15, HERSEY HAWKINS 14
HIGH REBOUND: VAN - ROY ROGERS 9, BRYANT REEVES 8
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 11, JIM MCILVAINE 9
HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - BLUE EDWARDS 5, LAWRENCE MOTEN 5
SEA - GARY PAYTON 8, ERIC SNOW 3
ATT: 17,072
nba.1574nba.news,
GOLDEN STATE (102) AT SAN ANTONIO (92)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 38 7-9 0-0 3 2 5 3 3 2 2 15
ROYAL F 7 1-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 3
SMITH C 41 5-14 7-7 1 10 11 3 2 1 3 17
SPREWELL G 41 7-16 2-2 0 6 6 4 3 2 2 20
PRICE G 19 2-4 1-3 0 2 2 2 4 1 3 6
DECLERCQ 14 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 2 0
ARMSTRONG 31 8-10 7-8 1 2 3 6 2 2 1 24
COLES 22 4-8 3-3 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 12
FULLER 5 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
OWES 4 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0
SPENCER 18 2-3 1-2 2 3 5 0 2 0 0 5
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-71 22-27 9 31 40 21 23 9 14 102
(.507) (.815) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(21 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D WILKINS F 30 4-13 2-2 3 4 7 2 1 1 2 11
ELLIOTT F 39 6-12 2-4 3 2 5 1 2 0 0 14
ANDERSON C 20 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 2 0 0
MAXWELL G 34 8-18 0-0 1 4 5 3 5 0 4 17
JOHNSON G 40 8-14 1-1 0 1 1 9 3 4 1 17
DEL NEGRO 26 6-14 3-3 2 2 4 5 3 0 2 16
W PERDUE 24 2-5 3-6 5 2 7 2 3 0 2 7
ALEXANDER 8 2-6 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 2 1 5
HERRERA 15 1-4 0-0 1 6 7 0 1 0 0 2
M WILLIAMS 4 1-2 1-3 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 3
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - INJURED RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 38-88 12-19 17 23 40 24 22 9 12 92
(.432) (.632) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 12(13 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 15 28 33 26 - 102
SAN ANTONIO 24 23 16 29 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - MULLIN 2, SMITH 2, SPREWELL, COLES,
SPENCER. SAN ANTONIO - W PERDUE 4, ELLIOTT 3, DEL NEGRO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 8-17 (.471), MULLIN 1-1, SPREWELL 4-9,
PRICE 1-3, ARMSTRONG 1-1, COLES 1-3. SAN ANTONIO 4-24 (.167), D WILKINS
1-7, ELLIOTT 0-2, MAXWELL 1-9, DEL NEGRO 1-2, ALEXANDER 1-4.
TECHNICALS: GOLDEN STATE - SPENCER, SAN ANTONIO - ELLIOTT.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, DON VADEN, BENNIE ADAMS.
A - 13,334. T - 2:04.
GOLDEN STATE (102) AT SAN ANTONIO (92)
B.J. Armstrong scored a season-high 24 points and Latrell
Sprewell added 10 of his 20 in an 18-1 third-quarter run as the
Golden State Warriors defeated the slumping San Antiono Spurs,
102-92.
With the game tied 51-51 with 8:38 left in the third quarter,
the Warriors scored 18 of the next 19 points for a 69-52
advantage with 4:45 to go. Golden State held San Antonio
scoreless for nearly four minutes before Vinny Del Negro's free
throw ended the drought.
Golden State shot 62 percent (13-of-21) in the decisive third
quarter and held the Spurs to 26 percent (6-of-23).
"The first half was slow, this is our second game in two nights
and we were sluggish," Warriors coach Rick Adelman said.
"However we fought through it to give us a chance to win the
game. In the third quarter, Sprewell got it going to ignite our
run and that helped us through the rest of the game."
The Warriors built their lead to 19 points early in the fourth
quarter before the Spurs whittled it to 97-89 with 76 seconds
remaining on Vernon Maxwell's three-pointer.
Joe Smith had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Chris Mullin
contributed 15 points for Golden State, which had lost four of
its last five games. The Warriors shot 51 percent (36-of-71)
from the field and 47 percent (8-of-17) from three-point range.
Armstrong hadn't scored more than nine points in any game this
season. He was 8-of-10 from the field and added eight assists.
"We made some good defensive stops in the second quarter and
Sprewell helped us on both ends of the court," Armstrong said.
"He gave us a chance to win. I was playing off of Chris and
that made things easy for me. We have to work hard for
everything that this team gets in this league. They are
struggling and we know that. This was a good win."
Maxwell scored 17 points and Avery Johnson added 17 and nine
assists for San Antonio, which has lost five of its last six
games. The Spurs shot 43 percent (38-of-88) from the field and
just 17 percent (4-of-24) from three-point range.
"The third quarter has been our Achilles heel all year," Del
Negro said. "Tonight we got good shots but we didn't hit them.
It's frustrating. I'm not 100 percent, my leg is still hurting
and I haven't played in a week. Tonight we felt good about
ourselves but we didn't get it done. We need to be healthy, we
have played a tough schedule so far, so it can only get better."
San Antonio center Will Perdue played his first game of the
season after missing the first eight with a broken left thumb.
"I felt pretty good for my first game of the season," Perdue
said. "We had trouble in the third again, we just have to come
out and run the ball to get it up the floor. We need to start
forcing the action, we have a tendency to lay back. They have
scorers that got hot tonight and that hurt us. This season is
82 games, we have the talent to turn it around but if we
continue to play like this, it's going to be a long season."
Dominique Wilkins scored seven points and Maxwell had four to
help the Spurs to a 24-15 lead after one quarter.
San Antonio held a 38-28 advantage with 5:37 left in the half
before the Warriors closed to 47-43 at intermission.
nba.1575nba.news,
LA LAKERS (102) AT PHOENIX (88)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JONES F 45 6-15 4-5 1 8 9 6 2 2 4 18
CAMPBELL F 32 4-9 1-2 1 3 4 0 4 1 1 9
ONEAL C 40 7-12 2-5 1 12 13 1 3 1 4 16
SCOTT G 24 2-4 8-8 0 3 3 3 3 1 0 14
VAN EXEL G 38 4-10 5-5 0 3 3 9 0 2 5 15
KERSEY 18 1-3 1-4 0 4 4 4 2 1 0 3
BLOUNT 18 3-4 1-4 1 3 4 1 2 1 0 7
FISHER 10 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4
BRYANT 14 5-8 2-2 2 0 2 2 2 0 4 16
ROOKS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-69 24-35 6 36 42 26 19 9 20 102
(.493) (.686) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 20(15 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 32 5-15 2-2 2 2 4 5 4 0 2 14
MANNING F 32 4-7 0-0 4 2 6 4 2 4 3 8
GREEN C 24 2-7 0-1 3 4 7 0 1 1 2 4
PERSON G 38 6-11 1-1 1 4 5 1 0 2 2 13
CHAPMAN G 33 7-15 2-3 1 6 7 2 2 0 2 17
FINLEY 34 7-18 5-6 0 4 4 7 2 2 1 20
NASH 21 2-6 2-2 0 1 1 4 4 2 1 6
BROWN 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
KLEINE 22 3-5 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 1 0 6
TISDALE 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
CASSELL DNP - FLU
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-85 12-15 11 27 38 24 18 12 14 88
(.424) (.800) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 14(23 PTS)
LA LAKERS 21 26 24 31 - 102
PHOENIX 17 23 20 28 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - JONES, BLOUNT. PHOENIX - TISDALE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 10-24 (.417), JONES 2-7, SCOTT 2-2, VAN EXEL
2-7, FISHER 0-2, BRYANT 4-6. PHOENIX 4-19 (.211), HORRY 2-5, MANNING 0-1,
GREEN 0-1, PERSON 0-1, CHAPMAN 1-6, FINLEY 1-4, NASH 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PHOENIX - KLEINE, HEAD COACH AINGE, ASSISTANT COACH NELSON,
ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, BLANE REICHELT, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 19,023. T - 2:09.
LA LAKERS (102) AT PHOENIX (88)
The winless Phoenix Suns matched a franchise record for their
worst start ever in Danny Ainge's first game as coach, losing
102-88 to the Los Angeles Lakers, who got 16 points and 13
rebounds from Shaquille O'Neal.
The Suns are the only winless team in the NBA at 0-9, tying a
similar start in the 1985-86 season. The first eight losses
came under coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, who resigned Thursday and
was replaced by Ainge, an assistant who was supposed to take
over next season.
"We just had a really tough time finding the whole," said Ainge.
"We're not confident in our offense. We can't execute our
deffense. I see two differnet teams in the practice and in the
games. We need a shot in the arm and K.J. (Kevin Johnson)
return will be a shot in the arm. I know Wesley Person and Rex
Chapman are a lot better shooters then they've shown in the
game."
The Suns have failed to reach 100 points this season. In his
first game as coach after a 14-year career as a player, Ainge
watched his team squander an early eight-point lead by going
scoreless for more than eight minutes over a span that bridged
the first and second quarters.
Phoenix also allowed Lakers 18-year-old rookie Kobe Bryant to
score a season-high 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting in 14 minutes
off the bench.
"I'm very happy with Kobe," said Los Angeles coach Del Harris.
"He was a significant factor tonight by hitting some important
shots and distributing the ball."
Eddie Jones added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers,
who sealed their fourth victory in five games with a 7-0 run
midway through the fourth quarter.
Michael Finley led the Suns with 20 points and seven assists
while Rex Chapman added 17 points and seven rebounds.
After a Danny Manning basket gave the Suns a 17-9 lead with 5:56
to go in the first quarter, Phoenix didn't score again until
9:21 was remaining in the half.
The Suns drew within 75-69 on a free throw by Rex Chapman with
8:45 to play. But Byron Scott hit a three-pointer, Jones sank a
10-footer and O'Neal added a basket to push the advantage to
82-69 with 7:30 to go.
O'Neal took just 12 shots and scored just three points in the
second half but the Lakers made 41 percent (10-of-24) of their
shots from three-point range and made twice as many free throws
(24-12) as the Suns.
"He's (O'Neal) going to have big games against big teams but
against less dominant teams he's going to get ganged up on like
he was tonight," said Harris. "He gave the ball up tonight just
like he's supposed to."
"They (the Suns) haven't won a game," O'Neal observed. "They
have a new coach. We knew they were going to come out smoking.
We held our composure. As for me, I'm not looking to lead the
league in scoring anymore. I led the league in scoring once so
I have that trophy in the house all ready. They were coming at
me very quickly and I was getting the ball out to my shooters
and they shot very, very well."
Nick Van Exel added 15 points and nine assists.
nba.1576nba.news,
MILWAUKEE (94) AT LA CLIPPERS (102)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 41 13-27 3-4 2 3 5 1 1 2 3 31
GILLIAM F 45 4-12 3-6 4 13 17 0 3 2 1 11
WOLF C 31 3-5 0-0 1 4 5 1 5 0 0 6
DOUGLAS G 24 3-8 0-0 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 6
ALLEN G 33 9-19 2-3 4 3 7 2 2 1 4 23
TOWER 20 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0
PERRY 24 4-7 3-3 0 0 0 3 2 4 2 11
NEWMAN 22 1-4 4-4 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 6
BAKER DNP - STRAINED RIGHT HIP
HANCOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOOD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-85 15-20 12 25 37 10 16 11 14 94
(.435) (.750) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 14(18 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 31 6-14 0-0 4 6 10 0 3 1 1 12
ROGERS F 30 7-9 4-6 0 5 5 4 2 0 3 20
DUCKWORTH C 13 1-4 1-2 0 0 0 0 4 1 2 3
RICHARDSON G 36 3-10 0-0 4 4 8 11 2 4 3 7
SEALY G 37 6-18 6-6 2 4 6 3 1 2 2 18
OUTLAW 24 2-3 1-2 2 6 8 0 1 1 0 5
ROBERTS 30 8-14 1-1 1 5 6 0 3 0 0 17
MURRAY 13 4-5 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 0 2 8
DEHERE 6 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2
D MARTIN 6 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
WRIGHT 3 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 0
PIATKOWSKI 11 3-4 3-4 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 10
TOTALS 240 40-85 18-23 15 32 47 23 19 10 17 102
(.471) (.783) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 17(24 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 27 25 27 15 - 94
LA CLIPPERS 26 24 30 22 - 102
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - ROBINSON 3, GILLIAM 3, ALLEN. LA CLIPPERS -
ROBERTS 3, VAUGHT 2, SEALY 2, ROGERS, OUTLAW.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 5-13 (.385), ROBINSON 2-5, ALLEN 3-6, PERRY
0-1, NEWMAN 0-1. LA CLIPPERS 4-8 (.500), ROGERS 2-2, RICHARDSON 1-3, D
MARTIN 0-1, PIATKOWSKI 1-2.
TECHNICALS: MILWAUKEE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, JOE BORGIA, KEN MAUER.
A - 7,311. T - 2:08.
MILWAUKEE (94) AT LA CLIPPERS (102)
Rodney Rogers scored 20 points to lead a balanced attack and the
Los Angeles Clippers used a 15-4 second-half run to defeat the
shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks, 102-94.
Malik Sealy scored 18 points and Stanley Roberts added 17 for
the Clippers, who snapped a two-game losing streak and extended
Milwaukee's losing streak to three games, all on the road.
Glenn Robinson scored 31 points and rookie Ray Allen added 23 --
both season highs -- for the Bucks, who were without frontcourt
starters Vin Baker and Andrew Lang. Baker, an All-Star forward,
sat out with a bruised right hip. Lang was put on the injured
list earlier in the day with a right Achilles tendon injury.
Milwaukee led 79-74 with just under two minutes to play in the
third quarter, but Pooh Richardson's jumper capped a 6-0 burst
that closed the period and gave Los Angeles the lead.
"The last four minutes the defense was the difference for us,"
Clippers coach Bill Fitch said. "You get to where you shutout
the other team in the last three minutes in the ballgame and you
should win. They had two key players out. Robinson came along
and picked it up and had his best game of the year."
The run continued in the fourth quarter. Richardson stole the
ball and fed Lamond Murray for a jumper that gave the Clippers
an 89-83 bulge with 8:18 remaining. Loy Vaught contributed four
points and Eric Piatkowski added three in the run.
"I came in and tried to do the best I could," Roberts said. "We
started out sluggish but we had a big fourth quarter with our
defense. I'm just taking it one day at a time. It's fun out
there when you get your wind and get past your aches and pains.
I'm still making some mental mistakes but I'm working on it."
"Stanley likes to perform," said Fitch. "If he gets the feel of
how much fun it is to play in shape, that's more incentive than
anything you can pay him. When he does get in shape I don't want
to be his coach, I want to be his agent."
The Bucks closed to 93-92 on a jumper by Johnny Newman with 5:05
to go, but went without a basket until Elliot Perry scored with
26 seconds to play. During the drought, Roberts had a dunk,
Sealy made two free throws and Vaught sank a 14-footer to give
the Clippers a seven-point bulge.
"We needed to play smart and come up with the loose balls,"
Bucks coach Chris Ford said. "We needed to find a way to win.
We didn't. We had opportunities to put it away but didn't. This
is a major disappointment. We didn't take care of business. We
just made too many mistakes."
"We couldn't makes a shot down the stretch," said Robinson.
"When we did make a shot, we couldn't stop them."
Vaught had 12 points and 10 rebounds, Richardson had 11 assists
and Piatkowski had 10 points off the bench for the Clippers, who
shot 47 percent (40-of-85) from the field and held a 47-37 edge
in rebounds.
"I felt we played hard down the stretch," Richardson said. "You
can't shut someone totally down. Maybe you can make them go to
their second or third option."
Armon Gilliam had 11 points and 17 rebounds and Perry added 11
points for the Bucks, who shot 43.5 percent (27-of-85) and had
just 10 assists.
"We just fell on hard times in the fourth quarter," said Allen.
When that happens we have to resort to other measures. We
didn't crash the boards at the end and pick up those small
possesions. Stanley Roberts was creating a lot of turmoil down
in the paint and that disrupted our defense. Baker definitely
creates lots of disturbance himself. When he's gone that's a
major presence missing for us."
Center Keith Tower, who was activated from the injured list to
replace Lang, was scoreless with one rebound in 20 minutes.
Robinson and Allen had eight points apiece in the first quarter
as Milwaukee grabbed a 27-26 lead. Robinson added eight more in
the second period, which ended with the Bucks holding a 52-50
edge.
nba.1577nba.news,
PORTLAND (88) AT INDIANA (83)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 43 4-12 7-8 0 4 4 3 1 0 1 16
WALLACE F 27 7-14 3-4 3 5 8 0 4 1 0 17
SABONIS C 32 6-11 5-5 3 5 8 2 4 1 3 18
ANDERSON G 44 5-15 1-2 0 8 8 12 0 2 3 11
RIDER G 21 3-8 0-0 2 7 9 1 4 0 2 6
TRENT 22 3-6 0-0 2 0 2 1 4 1 0 6
MCKIE 31 4-8 0-0 1 3 4 2 1 1 3 10
DUDLEY 20 2-2 0-0 3 5 8 0 2 0 0 4
BUTLER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGFIELD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-76 16-19 14 37 51 21 20 6 12 88
(.447) (.842) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 14(24 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 38 5-12 0-3 3 10 13 2 1 1 1 10
MCKEY F 36 4-7 3-4 1 3 4 0 6 2 1 11
A DAVIS C 30 2-9 0-0 4 0 4 1 3 0 1 4
BEST G 38 4-9 3-4 1 3 4 7 3 2 2 11
MILLER G 36 9-17 6-7 0 2 2 4 0 1 3 30
DAMPIER 24 3-11 7-10 2 3 5 1 1 0 0 13
ALLEN 9 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
ASKEW 17 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 2
HOIBERG 12 0-3 2-2 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 2
FERRELL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 28-73 21-30 12 26 38 17 16 6 9 83
(.384) (.700) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 10(15 PTS)
PORTLAND 23 16 26 23 - 88
INDIANA 22 22 16 23 - 83
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - SABONIS 3, DUDLEY 2, WALLACE, MCKIE. INDIANA -
DAMPIER 2, D DAVIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 4-18 (.222), C ROBINSON 1-6, WALLACE 0-1,
SABONIS 1-1, ANDERSON 0-4, RIDER 0-2, MCKIE 2-4. INDIANA 6-14 (.429), BEST
0-2, MILLER 6-10, ALLEN 0-1, ASKEW 0-1.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - WALLACE.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, GREG WILLARD, BILL SPOONER.
A - 13,555. T - 2:08.
PORTLAND (88) AT INDIANA (83)
Arvydas Sabonis and Rasheed Wallace fueled a third-quarter rally
and Clifford Robinson made four free throws in the final 30
seconds to give the Portland Trail Blazers an 88-83 victory over
the struggling Indiana Pacers.
Sabonis scored 10 points and Wallace nine in the third quarter,
when the Trail Blazers turned a seven-point deficit into a
five-point lead. Despite a bruised right elbow and right rib,
Sabonis scored 18 points, including a hook shot that snapped a
79-79 tie with 2:46 remaining.
Aaron McKie's three-pointer extended the lead to 84-79 with 1:57
left. Travis Best made a layup and Dale Davis was fouled while
grabbing a rebound, giving Indiana a chance to pull within one
with 1:10 to go.
But Davis, a 38 percent foul shooter, missed both free throws
and Reggie Miller, who scored 30 points, fumbled a pass on
Indiana's next possession.
"We made too many mental mistakes that really cost us the game,"
Davis said. "We need better defense and a stronger finish."
Robinson, who was benched for the first quarter of Friday's game
at New Jersey for violating team rules, made two foul shots with
17 seconds to go. Davis scored inside, but Robinson made two
more with 5.3 seconds left to seal Portland's second consecutive
road win.
"It seems most nights, leads aren't safe," Portland coach P.J.
Carlesimo said. "We played hard all night, and that was the
difference. ... There's so few games in the league that when you
get a lead, the other team goes away. You can win a close game
on the road by making your free throws."
Wallace scored 17 points and Robinson added 16 for the Blazers,
who have played eight of their first 11 on the road and are 4-4
in those games. Kenny Anderson had 11 points and a season-high
12 assists for Portland, which held a 51-38 rebounding edge.
"We just execute a lot more and make the extra pass," Anderson
said. "I was getting the players involved, and that's the key."
"We had to dig down in ourselves tonight," Wallace said. "We're
not where we want to be yet, but we're getting there. I think
we did a good job on the boards."
Rookie Erick Dampier scored 13 points and Davis added 10 and 13
rebounds for the Pacers, who also began 2-6 two years ago.
"I'm proud we came back," Pacers coach Larry Brown said. "Our
defense was terrific. We just can't score. We get the ball
inside and struggle with it. The key was the beginning of the
third quarter. We defended well and didn't get any shots down.
For the most part, we had good shots, we're just not making
them."
A three-pointer by Sabonis gave Portland a 65-60 lead entering
the fourth quarter and two free throws by Robinson pushed the
lead to 79-67 with 6:50 remaining. But Miller had six points
and Best four in a 12-0 run that tied it with 3:06 to play.
Miller scored 16 points in the first half, helping Indiana take
a 44-39 lead. Wallace and Anderson kept Portland close with
eight points apiece.
nba.1578nba.news,
VANCOUVER (81) AT SEATTLE (91)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROGERS F 30 9-15 0-0 4 5 9 0 1 0 3 18
B EDWARDS F 36 3-12 4-4 2 4 6 5 5 0 2 11
REEVES C 26 1-4 1-1 3 5 8 0 4 1 6 3
MOTEN G 42 4-11 1-2 0 3 3 5 2 3 2 11
ANTHONY G 31 3-9 4-4 1 4 5 2 4 1 4 12
MOBLEY 9 1-1 1-2 1 2 3 0 3 0 2 3
MANNING 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PEELER 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ABDUR-RAHIM 24 3-7 2-2 2 3 5 2 5 0 4 8
MAYBERRY 21 3-8 0-0 2 1 3 2 4 0 1 8
LYNCH 16 3-6 1-2 2 4 6 1 1 3 1 7
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-75 14-17 17 31 48 17 29 8 25 81
(.400) (.824) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 26(31 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WINGATE F 24 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 0 6
KEMP F 26 3-10 5-10 5 6 11 2 5 2 2 11
MCILVAINE C 19 3-5 0-0 2 7 9 0 2 0 0 6
PAYTON G 37 6-18 9-11 2 4 6 8 3 5 1 21
HAWKINS G 38 5-11 2-3 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 14
PERKINS 29 4-8 4-4 0 1 1 2 2 3 2 15
EHLO 24 5-9 0-0 1 3 4 1 2 1 3 10
STEWART 27 2-5 4-5 1 2 3 0 2 1 3 8
SNOW 16 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 1 1 0
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D SCHREMPF DNP - FLU
TOTALS 240 31-77 24-33 12 26 38 18 21 17 14 91
(.403) (.727) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 15(17 PTS)
VANCOUVER 21 17 18 25 - 81
SEATTLE 24 18 23 26 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS 2, B EDWARDS, ABDUR-RAHIM. SEATTLE -
MCILVAINE 2, PERKINS 2, KEMP, PAYTON, EHLO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 7-21 (.333), B EDWARDS 1-3, MOTEN 2-6,
ANTHONY 2-4, PEELER 0-1, MAYBERRY 2-6, LYNCH 0-1. SEATTLE 5-21 (.238),
WINGATE 0-3, KEMP 0-1, PAYTON 0-6, HAWKINS 2-3, PERKINS 3-4, EHLO 0-2,
STEWART 0-1, SNOW 0-1.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - ANTHONY, SEATTLE - PAYTON.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, ED F RUSH, JIM CAPERS.
A - 17,072. T - 2:05.
VANCOUVER (81) AT SEATTLE (91)
Gary Payton scored 10 of his 21 points in the third quarter as
the Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies, 91-81,
for their seventh straight victory.
Payton had eight assists and five steals for the SuperSonics,
who outscored Vancouver in each period.
Sam Perkins scored seven of his 15 points in the opening quarter
and Hersey Hawkins had 14 for Seattle, which led by as many as
15 points with under 4:00 remaining.
Shawn Kemp's hook shot midway through the second quarter gave the
SuperSonics the lead for good at 35-33.
Seattle entered the third quarter leading 42-38 and proceeded to
hold the Grizzlies scoreless for the first 3:32 of the period.
"Defensively, we were very sound," Seattle coach George Karl
said. "We were as aggresive and alert as we've been in a long
time. Mentally our offense broke down and tried to do it by
ourselves too much. We're working very hard and not rewarding
ourselves with making good offensive decisions."
The Grizzlies made a final run at Seattle, cutting the deficit
to 81-74 with 2:46 remaining. The SuperSonics responded
immediately as Hawkins hit a three-pointer, Kemp made one of two
free throws and followed with a layup to salt the win for
Seattle, pushing the lead to 13 points with 1:30 left.
"We didn't do exactly what we wanted to do but it ended up
working out to our advantage," Seattle center Jim McIlvaine
said. "We got the shots we wanted to get and we played good
enough on defense to pull it out down the line." McIlvaine
finished with just six points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field.
Kemp was plagued by foul trouble, finishing with 11 points and
11 rebounds in 26 minutes.
"A lot of times when you play teams like Vancouver and the
Clippers, when they have less talent and are not as good as your
team, they try to make the game ugly," Kemp said.
Rookie Roy Rogers scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed
nine rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have dropped nine of their
first 10 games. Greg Anthony had 12 points followed by Blue
Edwards and Lawrence Moten, who each had 11.
The Grizzlies, who are averaging 19 turnovers a game, committed
26, leading to 31 Seattle points. Vancouver led 10-4 midway
through the opening quarter, but watched it slip away and
trailed 24-21 after the first.
"We got down by five or six but we turned the ball over too many
times," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters said. "It is hard to come
back when you commit 26 turnovers in the game. Eight or less
turnovers and it may have been a different game."
"We need to take care better care of the basketball," Edwards
said. "We had too many turnovers and it it is hard to get
started offensively when that happens."
Seattle forward Detlef Schrempf sat out the game with the flu.
nba.1579nba.news,
Penny surgery not too costly: 2-4 weeks
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando Magic star point guard Anfernee Hardaway
underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Sunday morning and
will be sidelined two to four weeks.
Dr. James Barnett repaired torn cartilage in Hardaway's knee.
"As suspected, we found a tear of the lateral meniscus during the
arthroscopic procedure on Penny's left knee," said Dr. Barnett. "It
was a very small part of the cartilage which was torn, so we feel very
good about his prognosis. He has absolutely no other abnormalities in
the knee. We will begin the rehabilitation immediately and expect him
to return to action in two to four weeks."
The 6-foot-7, 215-pounder is in his third season out of Memphis. He
played in Orlando's first four games this season and averaged 21.3
points. He had been bothered by inflammation in a hamstring tendon and
continual soreness behind the left knee.
"All season my performance hasn't been a Penny Hardaway performance,"
said Hardaway. I haven't had a good game where I've felt comfortable
yet. I haven't dunked the ball this season, maybe once in Japan.
That's not my game, I'm more of an explosive player."
The Magic defeated Toronto 92-87 Saturday night in its first game
without Hardaway this season.
nba.1580nba.news,
Bucks put starting center on injured list
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks placed starting center Andrew Lang on
the injured list Sunday and activated journeyman Keith Tower.
The 6-foot-11 Lang suffered a right Achilles tendon injury during a
95-86 loss at Golden State on Thursday and did not play in a 103-99
loss at Sacramento the following night. He is averaging 4.6 points and
6.4 rebounds in seven games this season.
Milwaukee acquired Lang and the rights to Ray Allen from Minnesota in
exchange for the rights to Stephon Marbury. Lang's presence has
allowed All-Star Vin Baker to play at his natural position of power
forward.
Lang, 30, is playing for his fifth team in his eighth NBA season. He
entered the season with averages of 6.6 points, five rebounds and
nearly two blocks per game.
Tower, 26, began the season on the injured list with a broken right
hand.
Milwaukee is off to a 5-3 start, its best since winning 11 of its
first 14 in 1992.
nba.1581nba.news,
Kings bring Lloyd Daniels back to NBA
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The Sacramento Kings placed forward
Brian Grant on the injured list Sunday and signed well-traveled
swingman Lloyd Daniels, who joins his fourth NBA team.
The 6-foot-7 Daniels, known for his outstanding range and passing
skills, is expected to be in uniform Monday when the Kings visit the
Vancouver Grizzlies.
Grant had successful arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair an
incomplete tear in his in his right rotator cuff. He will begin
rehabilitation Monday but is sidelined indefinitely.
Grant was averaging 12.8 points and eight rebounds per game.
Daniels, 29, averaged 23.2 points with Scavolini Pesaro of the top
Italian League last season. He last played in the NBA in 1995 with the
Los Angeles Lakers.
The former New York high school star played two games for a junior
college before beginning his pro career. After leaving college,
Daniels was shot in New York during a dispute over drug money.
He played for the San Antonio Spurs in 1992-93 and 1993-94, averaging
7.5 points and shooting 34 percent from 3-point range.
Daniels started the 1994-95 campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers, but
he asked to be released early in the season. He latched on with the
Lakers and averaged a combined 6.9 points in 30 games with both teams.
In addition to three NBA seasons, Daniels has played in the CBA, GBA,
USBL and in New Zealand.
nba.1582nba.news,
Ten down ... 72 wins to go?
CHICAGO (Nov 17, 1996 - 15:54 EST) -- A perfect 10.
Ten games played. Ten victories by an average of 19.8 points. Even the
prospect of playing their next seven games on the road doesn't concern
the seemingly invincible Chicago Bulls.
"I'm kind of surprised we've been winning by 20 points a game. No one
could have predicted that," Michael Jordan said. "Hopefully, we don't
get complacent. I don't think that will happen. This team is
knowledgeable about what's ahead."
Beginning Wednesday, the Bulls play at Phoenix, Denver, Utah and Los
Angeles (Clippers) over a six-day stretch. After coming home for the
Thanksgiving holiday, the defending champions fly to Texas for games
on consecutive nights against Dallas and San Antonio -- perhaps with a
chance to break the league record of 15 consecutive wins to start a
season.
The Bulls then return and will bus to Milwaukee for a Dec. 3 game
before finally playing again at the United Center on Dec. 5 against
the Clippers.
"I don't know, I'd like to see us come home above .500," Chicago coach
Phil Jackson said. "If we come home with four out of seven, I'll be
pleased with that."
Yeah, right.
"Phil's a mysterious bloke," center Luc Longley said. "I guess he
feels that if you advertise little and deliver a lot, you're
overachieving. The danger of always delivering so much is that it
leaves you room only to underachieve. But I think we would be pretty
disappointed with 4-3."
Said Jordan: "Typical coach. We all want 7-0; Phil wants 4-3."
While Jordan thinks Chicago is better than the team that set an NBA
record with 72 wins last season, he is enough of a realist to know the
Bulls haven't exactly faced the best competition around -- Boston
(twice), Philadelphia, Charlotte, Vancouver, Phoenix. Saturday, they
beat an Atlanta team that was without injured starters Mookie Blaylock
and Steve Smith.
"They haven't been the same caliber of teams that we're going to have
to face. We've got to sharpen our instruments," Jordan said.
"Going on the road 10-0, you can't rest on that. Teams are going to be
sitting back there waiting for you. They're going to have sold-out
arenas. Every game's going to be like a championship game for them, so
you have to meet their intensity."
The Bulls went 6-1 on a similar road trip last season.
"The good start we had on that trip set the tone for the rest of the
year," Longley said. "Going on the road is a real positive in that it
gives us a chance to get on the road as a group and bond a bit."
As for the opportunity to make history -- again -- the Bulls are still
downplaying their chances of topping the 15-0 starts of the 1948
Washington Capitols and 1993 Houston Rockets.
"If we get to that point, great. If we start skipping over teams,
looking at the record, that's a mistake," Jordan said. "We feel
confident, making history or not making history."
But Jackson said he knows his players have a keen sense of history, a
sense he witnessed often last season.
"I just think they like the attention. They like when people stand up
and notice them," the coach said. "That's the type of thing that
motivates this team."
nba.1583nba.news,
Lakers activate Kersey from injured list
PHOENIX (Nov 17, 1996 - 23:30 EST) -- Jerome Kersey, on the injured
list since Oct. 31 with a fractured left foot, was activated by the
Los Angeles Lakers prior to Sunday night's game against the Phoenix
Suns.
Kersey, a 13-year veteran, signed as a free agent by the Lakers in
August, was injured during an Oct. 16 preseason game against Dallas in
Fresno, Calif.
nba.1584nba.news,
AROUND THE NBA: Iverson says he is being hazed
(Nov 17, 1996 - 20:30 EST) -- The NBA office is keeping a close eye on
Allen Iverson.
The No. 1 overall pick of last summer's draft, Iverson has been the
most exciting newcomer in the first three weeks of the NBA season.
But the Philadelphia 76ers' speedy point guard has also been under
some special scrutiny, the subject of a memo from the league office to
the team.
The gist of it:
"Dear Mr. Iverson, Your shorts are too long and your black ankle
braces are covering up too much of your white socks. Clean up your act
or suffer the consequences. Oh, and by the way, we've decided that
your unstoppable crossover dribble move is illegal. Have a nice day.
Sincerely, the NBA."
After the memo was sent, Iverson was whistled for palming the ball
three times in two games.
"It's a move that I've been doing all my life. It's what got me here,"
Iverson said. "I'll continue to break down the tape and look at it,
but my hand is not under the ball. My hand is on the side of the ball.
"The opposing benches are screaming, 'Carry, carry, carry.' And the
referees hear that and they've had the tendency to call it."
Iverson wasn't called for palming as he scored 35 points Tuesday night
in a road victory against New York, but he was wearing white ankle
braces instead of black. His shorts, although still longer than those
of his teammates, were trimmed on the outside to show a hint of knee.
"You look around the league and you'll see guys with shorts a lot
longer than mine -- a lot longer!" Iverson said.
Iverson isn't going to fight battles he can't win, and he has
refrained from arguing with referees. But he also won't give in easily
to a power establishment that he thinks is targeting him.
"I don't think it matters when I explain it," he said. "Being a rookie
and just being me, it doesn't matter when I explain things to the
referee. What I'm trying to do now is be quiet and let the captains
deal with it.
"I'm a rookie, and I guess they're trying to make me earn everything I
get in this league. It's something else."
The hazing has come from other quarters, too.
In a game against Chicago, some members of the Bulls were giving
Iverson grief about the number of shots he was taking.
"Dennis Rodman said, 'It's a shame you take so many shots.' But I
don't pay him no mind. He's just out there to get inside people's
heads," Iverson said. "Nothing they say matters in my life. I'm not
out there criticizing their games, I feel they're good basketball
players. But in my life, off the basketball court, they don't even
exist."
* * *
SWAMP THINGS: Remember that $15 million, five-year contract that John
Calipari signed with the New Jersey Nets?
Well, guess what? He hasn't exactly signed it.
Calipari has signed a memorandum of employment, rather than a
contract, while his agent and the Nets work out sticking points. The
sides have reportedly agreed to an escape clause after three years.
It hasn't been a smooth start to the season for the former UMass
coach, whose team entered the weekend with an 0-4 record.
Point guard Robert Pack, who signed a five-year free agent contract
over the summer, has already been replaced in the starting lineup by
rookie Kerry Kittles.
Some of the Nets players have openly criticized Calipari's
college-style coaching methods, and a mutiny didn't seem far off after
Calipari put the team through a 4-hour practice -- something unheard
of in the NBA.
There has also been sniping at Shawn Bradley for failing to add any
muscle in the offseason, but Nets general manager John Nash was
insistent Friday that the team was not shopping the 7-foot-4 center.
"Teams call all the time asking about our players, and we call asking
about theirs," Nash said. "But that's normal procedure in NBA front
offices. There is no validity to any of those rumors about Shawn
Bradley being traded."
* * *
COACH CHATTERBOX: One of the league's other rookie coaches, Darrell
Walker of the Toronto Raptors, has already had several major
personality clashes with players -- his own and others.
Walker waived Benoit Benjamin last week after a heated argument in
practice about Benjamin's effort during wind sprints.
"There's no regrets. We gave him a chance and it didn't work out,"
Walker said. "Now he's got to go out in the real world. Good luck."
Walker also got into a shouting match with Dale Ellis of the Denver
Nuggets, a rare display of coach vs. player trash talking. It so
inflamed Ellis that he scored 37 points.
"He wasn't much of a player and isn't much of a coach," Ellis said.
Walker also had words with Anthony Mason during a Raptors-Hornets
game, but it was nothing like the scene at the SkyDome with Ellis.
"Dale Ellis goes back to when we played. I hated him and he hated me,"
said Walker, 35. "Anthony Mason was just talk. He came and found me
after the game and apologized. Everybody talks in the NBA. Nobody just
plays. If I say something, I say it once and put it where it hurts."
* * *
MORE STRONG WORDS: The Indiana Pacers thought the referees cost them a
game Thursday night at Houston.
"In my 27 years, I've never said this after a game. But this was an
embarrassment to the league," coach Larry Brown said. "This is the
most blatant case of the referees taking a game away from us.
The Pacers felt the crew of Ed Middleton, Terry Durham and Tony
Brothers gave several crucial calls to Hakeem Olajuwon in the final
minutes of a 90-88 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Said Reggie Miller: "These referees were a joke. It's absolutely
comical what they're doing to this team. These referees come into this
league and they think they're bigger than the league. They are the
worst."
NBA vice president Rod Thorn said Friday he was awaiting a report on
the matter from the league's security office. Brown and Miller can
expect fines Monday.
* * *
UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS: Three games stand out on next week's schedule:
On Tuesday night, it's the Lakers at the Warriors. Shaquille O'Neal
gets to go up against Felton Spencer, the player who was supposed to
replace him in Orlando. After just one game with the Magic, Spencer
was dealt to Golden State for Rony Seikaly.
On Wednesday night, the Knicks play at the Hornets. Larry Johnson
returns to Charlotte, where he spent the first five years of his pro
career.
On Saturday night, it's the Bulls at the Jazz. Could this be Chicago's
first loss of the season? Utah, one of the better teams in the West,
is especially tough on its home court. And the Bulls will be playing
their third road game in four nights.
* * *
MINOR MATTERS: The CBA opened its season Friday night with 11 teams
stocked with NBA wannabes.
Among them are five second-round NBA draft choices who were cut in
training camps: Ryan Minor (No. 32, Philadelphia), Russ Millard (No.
39, Phoenix), Jason Sasser (No. 41, Sacramento), Ron Riley (No. 47,
Seattle) and Terrell Bell (No. 50, Houston).
Shawn Harvey (No. 34, Dallas) and Drew Barry (No. 57, Seattle) were
waived by the Florida Beachdogs.
One former first-round draft pick and NBA veteran who won't be playing
in the CBA is John "Hot Plate" Williams, formerly of the Los Angeles
Clippers and Washington Bullets.
Williams, whose weight troubles knocked him out of the NBA, showed up
at Beachdogs camp "20 to 30 pounds" overweight, coach Eric Musselman
said.
"He went through the two-a-days, he never asked out and I have nothing
negative to say about him, but in an up-and-down league like the CBA
we felt his limited mobility wouldn't help us," Musselman said.
* * *
CLIPPER CORNER: Two more losses by Bill Fitch's Clippers will make him
the first head coach in NBA history to lose 1,000 games. But those two
losses won't be as automatic as one would expect from the Los Angeles
Clippers.
Going into Friday night's game against the Lakers, the Clippers were
actually above .500 at 4-3 -- and two of the losses were to Utah by 5
points and to New York by 7 in overtime.
"When you've had your backs against the wall for the last couple of
years like they have, you really haven't had a whole lot to work
with," Shawn Kemp said after Seattle beat the Clippers 94-78 Thursday
night.
"But the one thing a coach can stress to his team is to play defense
-- for everybody to hustle after every loose ball and to come in and
play 'scrap ball.' And they're doing it well. I take my hat off to
them. I thought they worked their butts off and guarantee they'll have
a much better season than they had last year."
* * *
LINE OF THE WEEK: Darvin Ham of the Denver Nuggets from Monday night's
victory at Toronto: 19 minutes, five points, six fouls, five
turnovers, 1-for-8 from the foul line.
Ham, a rookie from Texas Tech, made the cover of Sports Illustrated
last March shattering a backboard against North Carolina in the NCAA
tournament.
nba.1585basrak,
> 19 x-Aleksandar Djordjevic G 6-2 198 R Yugoslavia
> 5 Predrag Danilovic G 6-6 200 1 Serbia
> 12 Vlade Divac C 7-1 260 7 Serbia
Zanimljivo ;)
nba.1586vpoznanovic,
Monday, November 18
Sacramento at Vancouver 84:83
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 22 17 20 25 84
VANCOUVER 20 17 26 20 83 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - BILLY OWENS 17, OLDEN POLYNICE 15, MITCH RICHMOND 14
VAN - BRYANT REEVES 19, ROY ROGERS 13, SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM
12
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - OLDEN POLYNICE 11, BILLY OWENS 10
VAN - ROY ROGERS 9, THREE PLAYERS WITH 5
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 5, TYUS EDNEY 4
VAN - GREG ANTHONY 10, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 14,672
nba.1587nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (84) AT VANCOUVER (83)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 38 7-12 3-3 5 5 10 3 4 0 1 17
POLYNICE F 39 7-15 1-2 6 5 11 2 4 0 2 15
CAUSWELL C 19 3-6 1-2 2 0 2 0 3 1 2 7
RICHMOND G 38 5-15 4-5 0 5 5 5 4 1 3 14
ABDUL-RAUF G 25 5-12 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 2 10
C WILLIAMSON 25 5-7 0-0 2 1 3 3 3 2 1 10
SMITH 20 2-5 1-1 3 4 7 1 2 0 0 5
EDNEY 21 1-6 2-2 2 2 4 4 1 0 3 4
SIMMONS 15 1-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 2 1 1 2
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HURLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DANIELS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-82 12-15 23 27 50 19 24 5 15 84
(.439) (.800) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(10 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 34 4-12 0-0 1 4 5 3 3 1 0 8
ROGERS F 33 6-14 1-3 3 6 9 0 2 0 1 13
REEVES C 35 7-11 5-5 1 4 5 0 4 0 4 19
MOTEN G 36 5-10 0-0 2 0 2 4 3 1 2 12
ANTHONY G 30 3-7 1-2 0 1 1 10 3 1 2 9
MOBLEY 15 1-4 0-2 2 3 5 1 0 0 0 2
MAYBERRY 18 2-6 0-2 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 6
LYNCH 20 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 1 1 2
ABDUR-RAHIM 19 3-5 6-8 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 12
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PEELER DNP - DID NOT DRESS
TOTALS 240 32-73 13-22 11 20 31 24 19 6 12 83
(.438) (.591) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 12(13 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 22 17 20 25 - 84
VANCOUVER 20 17 26 20 - 83
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - CAUSWELL 2. VANCOUVER - B EDWARDS, REEVES,
MOTEN, MOBLEY, LYNCH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 0-9 (.000), OWENS 0-1, RICHMOND 0-3,
ABDUL-RAUF 0-1, EDNEY 0-2, SIMMONS 0-2. VANCOUVER 6-15 (.400), B EDWARDS
0-3, MOTEN 2-3, ANTHONY 2-3, MAYBERRY 2-5, LYNCH 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: NOLAN FINE, MIKE SMITH, JOE FORTE.
A - 14,672. T - 2:12.
SACRAMENTO (84) AT VANCOUVER (83)
Billy Owens scored 17 points, including a jumper with 61 seconds
remaining, to lift the Sacramento Kings past the Vancouver
Grizzlies, 84-83.
Owens had 10 rebounds and Olden Polynice finished with 15 points
and 11 boards for Sacramento (4-6), which won for the first time in
three games at Vancouver.
Bryant Reeves had 19 points for the Grizzlies (1-10), who grabbed a
four-point lead after three quarters on a Lee Mayberry
three-pointer at the buzzer.
After Owens' basket gave the Kings a 84-83 lead, Vancouver blew
a chance to win the game with 3.2 seconds remaining. Greg
Anthony's jump shot from the top of the key went off the glass
and rolled off the rim.
"Down the stretch you have to put the ball in the hole," Owens
said. "Tonight we were able to do it. They had some shots but
they missed them and we made them. It is just a matter of shots
falling and not falling, that's what happens."
"It was close ballgame the whole way," Sacramento coach Garry
St. Jean said. "We are very fortunate to leave here with a win.
I am not greedy, I am very happy to get the win. We'll try to
improve game to game. We've certainly a long way to go, but to
get a road win - you don't complain."
Sacramento dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Grizzlies
50-31, including a 23-11 edge on the offensive glass.
"I think the difference was offensive rebounding on Sacramento's
part," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters said. "When you give up 23
offensive rebounds, you don't deserve to win."
"In a close game, a point here or there can make the difference
but taking care of our defensive boards, they outrebounded us
50-31, that's a bigger point."
Roy Rogers scored 13 points while Lawrence Moten and rookie
Shareef Abdul-Rahim each had 12 for the Grizzlies, who took an
83-80 lead on Reeves' two free throws with 2:01 to go.
Sacramento countered 20 seconds later with a Corliss Williamson
layup, cutting Vancouver's lead to one. Owens game- winning
bucket followed, putting the Kings up by the final score.
After Moten rejected a driving attempt by Mitch Richmond with
21.9 remaining, a series of timeouts ensued. Blue Edwards
inbounded the ball to Anthony with 3.2 on the clock and promptly
missed the game's final shot.
"It shouldn't have come to that (last shot)," said Anthony.
"Obviously, they scored their last 10 points on second shots.
That's the tell-tale of the game. We have to rebound the
basketball. That's why it bites you, comes back to haunt you,
when you don't rebound the ball well."
"We had a chance to win, we were competitive, a ball bounces in,
we make one more free throw or a defensive rebound and we win
the game, but that didn't happen," said Winters.
Vancouver guard Anthony Peeler did not dress for the game,
suffering from a sore calf muscle. He is listed as day-to-day.
"At times you have to realize that we haven't been together long
enough to know one another so there's going to be some
miscommunication out there," said Edwards. "Certainly when you
play the style we've had to - playing aggressive, trying to
out-scrap people, it is going to be ugly basketball."
The Kings attempted nine three-point shots, coming up empty
while Vancouver made 40 percent of their three-pointers
(6-of-15).
nba.1588nba.news,
Celtics' Radja breaks finger, out 7-10 days
BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics, who have struggled so far this season
with just two wins in their first eight games, will be without their
leading scorer and rebounder, Dino Radja, for at least the next week
due to a broken finger.
Radja, a forward who played on Croatia's national team at the 1996
Olympics in Atlanta, broke the middle finger in his right hand in
Saturday's 106-92 loss to the Washington Bullets. Radja still managed
a season-high 26 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.
He has led the team in scoring twice and in rebounding five times.
Radja has averaged 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds in seven games this
season, shooting 51.5 percent from the field. Last season, he led the
team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19.7 and 9.9, respectively.
nba.1589nba.news,
Nuggets swingman Dale Ellis named NBA Player of the Week
Dale Ellis, who helped lead the Denver Nuggets to three wins in four
games this week, today was named NBA Player of the Week for the period
ending November 17th.
Ellis averaged a league-high 30.4 points per game as Denver improved
to 4-6 on the season. He shot 50.5 percent from the field, 52.5
percent (21-of-40) from three-point range and became the first player
in league history to make 1,300 three-point shots.
Ellis, who played all but five minutes of a possible 197 this week,
had 37 points in the Nuggets 104-93 victory over Toronto on Monday. He
was held to 20 points in Denver's 95-94 overtime loss at Detroit two
nights later. He bounced back with 36 points and eight rebounds as the
Nuggets posted an 82-80 triumph at Boston on Friday before scoring 27
points and making his 1,300th three-pointer in a 106-99 loss to New
Jersey on Saturday.
Other players considered for the award were Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Terrell Brandon, Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars and forward Grant
Hill, New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing, Orlando Magic guard Nick
Anderson, Phoenix Suns forward Michael Finley and Seattle SuperSonics
forward Shawn Kemp.
nba.1590nba.news,
Council approves $215 million arena plan
ATLANTA (Nov 18, 1996 - 22:48 EST) -- City Council members gave
unanimous approval Monday for a $215 million arena in downtown Atlanta
to replace the Omni, the current home of the Atlanta Hawks.
The project still needs the approval of the Fulton County Commission
and the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, which owns the
Omni.
The arena will be built on the site of the Omni.
Turner Broadcasting System officials announced plans to build a new
arena two years ago for the Hawks, saying that the Omni was too small
and would be impractical to modernize. The new arena will have more
than 20,000 seats, including more than 2,500 club-level seats and as
many as 100 skyboxes.
The arena would be ready for the fall 1999 season.
In the interim, the Hawks would play at the Georgia Dome and at
Georgia Tech's Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
Time Warner, which merged with TBS in October, has committed $10
million toward building the $140 million arena, while the rest will be
raised by public bonds.
The new arena, if approved by all municipal authorities, would give
modern, state-of-the art facilities to all three of Atlanta's
major-league teams. The NFL Falcons moved into the Georgia Dome in
1992 and the Braves are scheduled to move into the refurbished Olympic
Stadium next season.
nba.1591nba.news,
Knicks may clear Childs for return
The New York Knicks should know by this afternoon whether starting
point guard Chris Childs will be ready to make his season debut
tomorrow night in Orlando. He suffered a nondisplaced fracture of
his right leg in a collision with teammate Charlie Ward in practice
on October 8th, but was able to return to practice last week.
Childs' status will be re-evaluated after today's practice.
Childs joined the Knicks as a free agent in the off-season, getting
a six-year deal worth a reported 24-million dollars. He had
averaged 12.8 points, seven assists and 3.1 rebounds a game for New
Jersey last season.
nba.1592nba.news,
Pacers' Miller and Brown fined for remarks about officials
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 18, 1996 - 18:30 EST) -- Indiana star Reggie Miller
was fined $10,000 and Pacers coach Larry Brown was fined $5,000 on
Monday for remarks they made following a loss last week to Houston.
The penalties were announced by Rod Thorn, the NBA's senior vice
president for basketball operations.
"These referees were a joke," Miller said Thursday's 90-88 defeat at
Houston. "It's absolutely comical what they're doing to this team. ...
These referees come into this league and they think they're bigger
than the league."
"In 27 years, I've never said this after a game, but this was an
embarrassment to the league," Brown said. "This is the most blatant
case of the referees taking a game away from us."
The game was officiated by Ed Middleton, Terry Durham and Tony
Brothers.
The Pacers were called for 33 fouls in the game. Officials called 24
personals and two technicals against the Rockets.
Miller and Brown had no comment on the fines, which both can easily
afford.
Miller signed a multiyear contract valued at more than $11 million
this year and Brown's contract guarantees that he be among the top
five-highest paid coaches in the league.
nba.1593nba.news,
Heat names Pfund general manager, Wohl resigns
MIAMI (Nov 18, 1996 - 18:30 EST) -- The Miami Heat hired Randy Pfund
as general manager on Monday and announced the resignation of Dave
Wohl, executive vice president of basketball operations.
"I have resigned from the Miami Heat to pursue other opportunities,
both in and out of basketball," Wohl said. "I am proud to have
represented the Miami Heat where so much progress was made in many
different areas, both on and off the basketball court."
Wohl, who joined the Heat in their inaugural season as a scout, said
he believed the Heat "will continued to grow under the leadership of
Mickey Arison and Pat Riley into one of the finest franchises in the
NBA."
After serving as a scout in the team's first season, Wohl served three
years as an assistant coach for Ron Rothstein and was the Heat's
television analyst for one season. He rejoined the team as executive
vice president of basketball operations in February 1995.
Pfund came to the Heat as executive vice president of player personnel
in September 1995. He is a 12-year NBA veteran, who was Los Angeles
Lakers head coach from 1992-94. He also served as Lakers' assistant
coach under Riley and helped guide the team to two consecutive NBA
world championships in 1987 and 1988.
nba.1594nba.news,
NBA All-Star ballot
(Nov 18, 1996 - 18:42 EST) -- Ballot for the starting teams in the
1997 NBA All-Star game to be played Feb. 9 at Gund Arena in Cleveland.
Starters will be announced on January 26 (x-player traded to other
conference and listed with former team. Votes count towards new
conference):
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: Vin Baker, Milwaukee; Derrick Coleman, Philadelphia; Dale
Davis, Indiana; Horace Grant, Orlando; Grant Hill, Detroit; Juwan
Howard, Washington; Larry Johnson, New York; Toni Kukoc, Chicago;
Christian Laettner, Atlanta; Anthony Mason, Charlotte; Charles Oakley,
New York; Scottie Pippen, Chicago; Dino Radja, Boston; Glenn Robinson,
Milwaukee; Dennis Rodman, Chicago; Dennis Scott, Orlando; Otis Thorpe,
Detroit; Antoine Walker, Boston; Clarence Weatherpoon, Philadelphia;
Chris Webber, Washington.
Guards: Ray Allen, Milwaukee; Nick Anderson, Orlando; Travis Best,
Indiana; Mookie Blaylock, Atlanta; Terrell Brandon, Cleveland; Chris
Childs, New York; Joe Dumars, Detroit; Anfernee Hardaway, Orlando; Tim
Hardaway, Miami; Allan Houston, New York; Allen Iverson, Philadelphia;
Michael Jordan, Chicago; Reggie Miller, Indiana; Robert Pack, New
Jersey; Bobby Phills, Cleveland; Glen Rice, Charlotte; Steve Smith,
Atlanta; Jerry Stackhouse, Philadelphia; Damon Stoudamire, Toronto;
Rod Strickland, Washington.
Centers: Shawn Bradley, New Jersey; Marcus Camby, Toronto; Vlade
Divac, Charlotte; Patrick Ewing, New York; Luc Longley, Chicago;
Alonzo Mourning, Miami; Gheorghe Muresan, Washington; Dikembe Mutombo,
Atlanta; Rik Smits, Indiana; x-Felton Spencer, Orlando (Golden State).
* * *
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vancouver; Charles Barkley, Houston;
Elden Campbell, L.A. Lakers; Cedric Ceballos, L.A. Lakers; Sean
Elliott, San Antonio; LaPhonso Ellis, Denver; Michael Finley, Phoenix;
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota; Brian Grant, Sacramento; Tom Gugliotta,
Minnesota; Shawn Kemp, Seattle; Karl Malone, Utah; Danny Manning,
Phoenix; Jamal Mashburn, Dallas; Antonio McDyess, Denver; Chris
Mullin, Golden State; Cliff Robinson, Portland; Detlef Schrempf,
Seattle; Joe Smith, Golden State; Loy Vaught, L.A. Clippers.
Guards: Kenny Anderson, Portland; Brent Barry, L.A. Clippers; Sam
Cassell, Phoenix; Clyde Drexler, Houston; Hersey Hawkins, Seattle;
Jeff Hornacek, Utah; Jim Jackson, Dallas; Mark Jackson, Denver; Avery
Johnson, San Antonio; Kevin Johnson, Phoenix; Eddie Jones, L.A.
Lakers; Jason Kidd, Dallas; Stephon Marbury, Minnesota; Gary Payton,
Seattle; Mitch Richmond, Sacramento; Isaiah Rider, Portland; Latrell
Sprewell, Golden State; Bryant Stith, Denver; John Stockton, Utah;
Nick Van Exel, L.A. Lakers.
Centers: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston; Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers; Sam
Perkins, Seattle; Olden Polynice, Sacramento; Bryant Reeves,
Vancouver; David Robinson, San Antonio; Arvydas Sabonis, Portland;
x-Rony Seikaly, Golden State (Orlando); Brian Williams, L.A. Clippers;
John Williams, Phoenix.
nba.1595nba.news,
AROUND THE NBA: Barkley-Rodman get into war of dresses
(Nov 18, 1996 - 11:54 EST) -- Finally, a wager among tough guys worth
waiting for.
Winner gets the NBA rebounding title. Loser ... wears a dress. For one
of the competitors, this is just an alternative wardrobe choice.
But the Round Mound of Rebound in something strapless? As Dick Enberg
might say, "Oh, my."
It didn't take much prompting for Dennis Rodman, the
cross-dressing-rebounder of the defending champion Bulls, to react to
Charles Barkley's proclamation that he might take Rodman's rebounding
crown now that he has Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler as teammates
in Houston and doesn't have to worry about scoring.
"If Charles wants the rebounding title, he can have it, if he's he's
willing to work hard enough to take it from me," said Rodman, batting
his lashes. "But I'm not giving it up without a fight.
"Since Charles has been joking about me wearing dresses, if I beat him
out of the rebounding title he says he's going to win, then I'd like
to see him wear a dress on television. Now I'm putting the ball in his
court. Let's see what he has to say about that."
Give Rodman this much: He finally found bait too outrageous even for
the King of Outrageousness. Barkley was noncommittal.
"It ain't no big deal for him to wear a dress," said Sir Charles. "If
he loses and wears a dress, it ain't no biggie. He'll probably
sabotage it and lose so that he can wear one."
Barkley won the league's glass-cleaning title his third season with a
14.6 average for Philadelphia. Rodman has won the past five in a row,
joining Moses Malone as the only players to accomplish that feat.
Of course, Wilt Chamberlain won 11 rebounding titles, including two
streaks of four straight and one of three. He was interrupted by Bill
Russell and Elvin Hayes. And never wore a floor-length gown, far as we
know.
IS DAVY CROCKETT AVAILABLE?: The Spurs have never felt so close to the
Alamo. With David Robinson, Will Perdue and Chuck Person already out
with injuries, Charles Smith declared himself out of action
indefinitely as a result of chronic pain in his right knee.
"There is no timetable," he said. "This is very serious. I can't even
give 50 percent because of the injury."
The Spurs might seek an injury exception to the salary cap for either
Smith or Person in an effort to bid for unsigned big man Brian
Williams, but the exception slots -- about $1 million for Person, $1.7
million for Smith -- would be nowhere near the $7 million that agent
Fred Slaughter has been demanding for Williams.
Unlike Jim Bowie and his doomed crew, the Spurs do have hope for
reinforcements. Robinson, suffering from lower back pain, has returned
to light running and shooting practices with the team and hopes to be
back in action late this month.
RIDER ON THE STORM: Isaiah Rider made his return to Minnesota on
Tuesday, declining most requests for interviews from Twin Cities
media. He had 22 points for the visiting Blazers, but his former team
beat his new one, 100-97. Former mate Tom Gugliotta blocked his shot
with 19 seconds left to help secure the victory.
After Portland's shoot-around, with Minnesota media types chasing him
as he rushed for a side exit, Rider turned briefly to make this
unsolicited declaration: "I built this house. It's still my place."
HISTORICAL ALLEGATIONS: "Sexpose," a Van Nuys, Calif., publication
sold in adult bookstores (we hear) and said to make The National
Enquirer look like The Book of Mormon, published a story in which a
woman alleged she enjoyed the intimacies of Michael Jordan's company
during a visit to Denver four years ago. The Bulls won the 1992 game
107-100. Jordan scored 37.
Diverted momentarily from publicizing his new cologne and movie,
Jordan called the tale "fictionalized trash," adding: "This comes with
the territory when you're in the public light like I am. I know that
I'm always fair game for people trying to make money."
Orlando's Nick Anderson said he learned the same lesson when
confronted with a rape allegation by an Orlando woman. A letter warned
a police complaint would be filed alleging an incident nine months ago
unless Anderson paid her $600,000.
"I went to law school," said Bill Pollack, Anderson's agent. "I know
what extortion is."
* * *
NOTES
The Lakers were happy to hear Cedric Ceballos will miss 6-8 weeks
with his knee injury rather than the entire season, as was originally
thought. Still, L.A. is in trouble at small forward with veteran
Jerome Kersey also on the shelf with a broken foot. The options at
small forward: Corie Blount, Trevor Wilson or moving Eddie Jones up
from shooting guard and veteran Byron Scott in for Jones.
NBA officials say they've broken down Sixers rookie Allen Iverson's
beguiling crossover move and determined it is a carrying violation. "I
just take it on the chin and keep going," said Iverson, the early
leader for rookie of the year, having scored 30 against Milwaukee in
the season-opener and 32 against Boston a week later.
The rap against Mark Jackson when Indiana traded him to Denver was
he couldn't play defense. So check this out: Toronto's star point
guard, Damon Stoudamire, had 28 points against New York's Charlie
Ward, 19 against Charlotte's Muggsy Bogues, 28 against Dallas' Jason
Kidd and 21 against the Lakers' Nick Van Exel. Against Jackson and the
Nuggets last Monday: 13 points on 4-for-13 shooting; six assists to 13
for Jax.
Portland's Clifford Robinson is looking for big numbers in his
contract year. Agent Brad Marshall is ruminating aloud about seven
years, $84 million. One problem: Robinson was averaging only 13.5
points per game on .375 shooting in the early going. Last season, he
got out of the gate among the league's scoring leaders at nearly 28
points a game.
The Kings started last season 5-0, but stumbled to 2-5 at this
year's opening gun, then lost power forward Brian Grant (shoulder
surgery) for up to two months.
Orlando expects to lose Penny Hardaway for 4-6 weeks following
arthroscopic knee surgery.
When the Suns lost to Chicago last week, they didn't have one player
in uniform who was on their roster when they played the Bulls in the
NBA Finals only three years ago. Only Kevin Johnson remains, and he's
injured. "I don't think we're going to win 50 games," said Danny
Ainge, who took over as coach for Cotton Fitzsimmons after the team
fell to 0-8 in Vancouver on Thursday. "I think that's become obvious."
Benoit Benjamin was waived by Toronto, his seventh NBA team. His
five games with the Raptors was his shortest stay yet, eclipsing the
13 he managed with Vancouver.
Seattle waived Elmore Spencer after deploying him for five minutes.
In Pat Riley's ball-hawking defense, Tim Hardaway is returning to
the early days of his pro career, when he was among the league leaders
in steals. He had six in a victory over Dallas last weekend and was
leading the league at 3.3 per game. In his second season with Golden
State, he trailed only Jordan, John Stockton and Alvin Robertson in
the final rankings. "He's finally healthy," said the Mavs' Kidd.
"That's the main reason."
New York point guard Chris Childs resumed practice Wednesday, coming
back from a fractured fibula.
Things are so bad in Vancouver, the Province, a local newspaper, is
now grading between-quarter dunks of the team mascot, Grizz. It uses a
four-paw rating system in which four represents "pawsitively awesome."
No, really.
Seattle's Shawn Kemp on the winless Suns' new "triangle offense,"
designed to emulate Chicago's championship scheme: "Didn't look like
any triangle I ever saw."
nba.1596nba.news,
'NBA at 50' was a great show, but not a great documentary
(Nov 18, 1996 - 11:12 EST) -- NBA fans should rejoice: TNT will
rebroadcast "NBA at 50" Monday night at 10 p.m. (Eastern) and Tuesday
night at 11 p.m. (Eastern).
But NBA historians should cringe.
The two-hour special contains remarkable clips and interviews from the
league's infancy with George Mikan, the Celtics' dominance in the '60s
with Bill Russell, the league's renaissance in the '80s with Magic
Johnson and Larry Bird and the present day brilliance of Michael
Jordan.
But don't be fooled by the dazzling footage and candid conversations.
This isn't a top-notch documentary. For every tantalizing chat with
Wilt Chamberlain or Dr. J, there was a puzzling omission. Where was
Elvin Hayes, the fourth-leading scorer of all-time? Why was Moses
Malone, the third leading scorer (counting two ABA seasons) barely
mentioned?
For every glowing tribute of the early '70s New York Knicks' teamwork
to the Hakeem Olajuwon-led Houston Rockets' courage, there was
complete ignorance of the Seattle Supersonics' and Washington Bullets'
titles in the late '70s.
For every kernel of long-forgotten trivia like who made the first
basket in NBA history -- Ossie Schectman of the Knicks -- there were
clips lacking proper explanation and some glaring gaffes. Nate
Archibald, a Kansas City Royal? That must have been news to George
Brett.
The show contains dozens of fabulous dunks from the wizardry of the
Brooklyn playgrounds to the misnamed pregame "layup" line of the late
'70s Philadelphia 76ers. But amazingly it didn't include either of
Darryl Dawkins' backboarding-shattering jams.
It also highlighted some of the most famous plays in NBA history,
including Larry Bird's last-second steal of Isiah Thomas' pass in Game
5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. But the narration didn't
explain the context of the play, merely saying it occurred during "the
pivotal game of the series."
Then there were the bizarre captions used to identify the players. The
first time Bill Walton was shown, he was called a "broadcaster."
Charles Barkley was correctly identified with the Houston Rockets, but
was shown draining a game-winning shot for Phoenix. Was it too much to
include each of the player's teams and the years spent there?
Despite all the flaws, it is an enjoyable special. If you're a fan,
check it out. You'll probably think it a great show.
Just don't call it a great documentary.
nba.1597nba.news,
Blazers' Rider set for the other court on Feb. 7
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov 18, 1996 - 22:36 EST) -- Portland Trail Blazers
guard Isaiah Rider will go on trial Feb. 7 after pleading innocent to
marijuana possession charges.
Clackamas County sheriff's deputies cited Rider Oct. 31 a few blocks
from his apartment in suburban Lake Oswego. Rider, one of five people
in two parked cars, was the only person cited.
Deputies reported Rider was holding a lighter and a pop can with holes
in it to his mouth. The deputies said they found less than an ounce of
marijuana in the crude pipe.
Ken Wittenberg, one of his attorneys, would not discuss the case,
other than to say: "We'll be in court on the seventh. You can come see
for yourselves."
If convicted, Rider, faces a minimum $500 fine.
nba.1598nba.news,
Inconsistent Kings make finding a rotation difficult
VANCOUVER, B.C. (Nov 18, 1996 - 10:18 EST) -- Kings coach Garry St.
Jean has been trying to establish a consistent playing rotation, but
he's had one problem.
No matter which decision he makes, the majority of his players are
performing inconsistently.
Instead of establishing a rotation, perhaps St. Jean should be
consulting with a psychiatrist to get into the heads of his players.
However, St. Jean has seen signs in recent games that his squad is
getting its act together, but knows it has much room to grow.
He hopes the improvement continues Monday at the GM Place when the
Kings meet the Vancouver Grizzlies.
The coach has started Duane Causwell at center during the past four
games in the absence of injured power forward Brian Grant, but in the
past two, has opted to use energizing reserve forward Michael Smith to
begin the second half.
St. Jean said it has not been so much what Causwell hasn't been doing,
but what Smith has gotten done.
"It's just all the little things Michael does," the coach said. "He
brings us an energy with all of the hustle stuff."
St. Jean has not started Smith instead of Causwell to open games
because both like "the Animal" in his sixth-man role.
"I don't really want to start," Smith said. "I'd rather keep doing the
same old thing. That's what I've been doing the last three years,
right?"
St. Jean said, "I know Michael likes the role he has had and I like it
too for what he gives us. He and I are on the same page.
In a way, there is comfort to be derived from the fact that only Mitch
Richmond and Smith have even approached their expected level of
performance.
Center Olden Polynice normally is a picture of consistency, but after
a strong preseason, he has struggled. Polynice was especially
non-productive last week with averages of 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds
in four games.
Going against Vancouver's 7-foot, 290-pound center Bryant "Big
Country" Reeves is a difficult chore for Polynice, 7 feet, 250 pounds.
Reeves averaged 20.8 points and almost 10 rebounds against the Kings
last season and helped lead the then-expansionist Grizzlies to
victories in each of their two games here.
Perhaps even more distressing has been Polynice's defense. Big
frontcourt players have had their way against the Kings this season
and many of them have Polynice's primary responsibility. From
offensive juggernauts such as Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon and Seattle's
Shawn Kemp to Utah's Greg Ostertag and Denver's Dikembe Mutombo, each
have had big nights against Polynice and Sacramento.
But Polynice is not alone in his heretofore inconsistent play.
Starting small forward Billy Owens has been spotty. Owens still is not
in exceptional shape and clearly suffered a major setback by not being
able to play or practice consistently during the preseason.
Include Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's early-season struggles and there is a
starting lineup that has been basketball-schizophrenic.
St. Jean has tried to play just nine players with Smith, Tyus Edney,
Lionel Simmons and Corliss Williamson coming off the bench. Excepting
Smith, each has been unable to find consistent individual offensive
rhythm." It's depended on the game and the opponent," St. Jean said of
his rotation, "and how we're playing ... I don't want to be
herky-jerky."
St. Jean has tried to keep either Abdul-Rauf or Richmond on the floor
at the same time to keep his offense potent. Williamson comes in with
the second unit and is a primary scorer on that unit, while Smith is
the best frontcourt defender. Simmons' shooting is the best example of
his inconsistency.
The former LaSalle star is shooting 36.3 percent overall on 12 of 33
from the field, but 45.5 percent from three-point range on five of
11."
The rotation could be expanded if free-agent Lloyd Daniels learns the
offense and then adds punch.
nba.1599superhik,
Je l' zna neko kada Chicago i Detorit igraju ?
nba.1600vpoznanovic,
Tuesday, November 19
Atlanta at Cleveland 63:73
Dallas at Milwaukee 97:100
L.A. Lakers at Golden State 112:109
Miami at Denver 104:86
Minnesota at Houston 93:122
New York at Orlando 92:88
Sacramento at Portland 90:92
Seattle at Toronto 106:98
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 15 22 16 10 63
CLEVELAND 20 19 17 17 73 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 16, TYRONE CORBIN 14, MOOKIE
BLAYLOCK 13
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 18, DANNY FERRY 14, BOBBY PHILLS 12
HIGH REBOUND: ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 9, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 9
CLE - TYRONE HILL 11, CHRIS MILLS 9
HIGH ASSISTS: ATL - MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
CLE - THREE PLAYERS WITH 5
ATT: 14,182
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 25 20 27 97
MILWAUKEE 23 26 20 31 100 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DAL - JASON KIDD 25, JAMAL MASHBURN 16, GEORGE MCCLOUD 15
MIL - ARMON GILLIAM 27, JOHNNY NEWMAN 27, GLENN ROBINSON 16
HIGH REBOUND: DAL - JASON KIDD 13, OLIVER MILLER 8
MIL - ARMON GILLIAM 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
HIGH ASSISTS: DAL - JASON KIDD 8, GEORGE MCCLOUD 3
MIL - SHERMAN DOUGLAS 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 13,225
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA LAKERS 38 19 31 24 112
GOLDEN STATE 33 24 25 27 109 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 27, SHAQUILLE ONEAL 26, EDDIE JONES 18
GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 33, JOE SMITH 19, MARK PRICE 18
HIGH REBOUND: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 12, JEROME KERSEY 8
GSW - JOE SMITH 12, FELTON SPENCER 7
HIGH ASSISTS: LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 12, SHAQUILLE ONEAL 7
GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 10, B J ARMSTRONG 7
ATT: 18,742
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 28 25 24 27 104
DENVER 21 19 21 25 86 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 23, PJ BROWN 18, SASHA DANILOVIC 13
DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 27, BRYANT STITH 11, MARK JACKSON 10
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - PJ BROWN 11, ALONZO MOURNING 8
DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 10, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 7, DAN MAJERLE 5
DEN - MARK JACKSON 11, JEFF MCINNIS 3
ATT: 12,119
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 24 24 16 29 93
HOUSTON 34 37 26 25 122 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 20, TOM GUGLIOTTA 17, STEPHON MARBURY
12
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 22, CLYDE DREXLER 18, MARIO ELIE 17
HIGH REBOUND: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 7, KEVIN GARNETT 6
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 17, KEVIN WILLIS 7
HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - STEPHON MARBURY 7, TERRY PORTER 5
HOU - THREE PLAYERS WITH 7
ATT: 16,285
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 22 28 22 20 92
ORLANDO 11 19 24 34 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NYK - PATRICK EWING 24, JOHN STARKS 15, CHARLIE WARD 14
ORL - GERALD WILKINS 24, DARRELL ARMSTRONG 19, HORACE
GRANT 15
HIGH REBOUND: NYK - PATRICK EWING 16, CHARLES OAKLEY 14
ORL - HORACE GRANT 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
HIGH ASSISTS: NYK - CHARLIE WARD 7, JOHN STARKS 4
ORL - DARRELL ARMSTRONG 8, DEREK STRONG 2
ATT: 17,248
NBA FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 24 16 22 23 5 90
PORTLAND 18 29 20 18 7 92 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF 31, THREE PLAYERS WITH 12
POR - CLIFFORD ROBINSON 23, KENNY ANDERSON 20, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 14
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - OLDEN POLYNICE 12, MICHAEL SMITH 10
POR - ARVYDAS SABONIS 10, CHRIS DUDLEY 10
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
POR - ISAIAH RIDER 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 20,245
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 29 32 21 24 106
TORONTO 24 12 32 30 98 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 26, GARY PAYTON 24, DETLEF SCHREMPF 17
TOR - DOUG CHRISTIE 31, WALT WILLIAMS 22, MARCUS CAMBY 12
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 18, SAM PERKINS 5
TOR - POPEYE JONES 11, THREE PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 6, HERSEY HAWKINS 4
TOR - MARCUS CAMBY 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 18,803
nba.1601nba.news,
ATLANTA (63) AT CLEVELAND (73)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 38 5-11 2-2 3 4 7 3 4 1 3 14
LAETTNER F 44 7-17 1-2 1 8 9 2 5 0 2 16
MUTOMBO C 36 1-6 1-4 3 6 9 2 1 1 3 3
BLAYLOCK G 42 5-19 0-0 2 4 6 4 2 3 4 13
BARRY G 31 2-8 0-0 0 4 4 3 0 1 1 4
RECASNER 23 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 1 0 5
NEWBILL 10 0-1 3-4 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 3
BURTON 10 1-3 3-3 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 5
NORMAN 6 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
ALSTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 23-71 10-15 10 31 41 16 20 7 16 63
(.324) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(17 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 38 3-9 1-1 2 7 9 3 1 1 0 7
HILL F 36 2-6 3-3 3 8 11 3 3 0 1 7
WEST C 22 3-3 0-0 2 2 4 0 3 0 0 6
BRANDON G 36 8-19 1-1 1 5 6 5 3 1 1 18
PHILLS G 37 5-16 0-0 1 4 5 5 2 0 5 12
SURA 23 3-8 1-2 2 4 6 5 1 1 3 7
FERRY 26 5-12 1-2 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 14
POTAPENKO 11 1-5 0-0 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 2
LANG 10 0-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 0
MARSHALL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GEARY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-81 7-9 14 36 50 22 16 3 13 73
(.370) (.778) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 14(6 PTS)
ATLANTA 15 22 16 10 - 63
CLEVELAND 20 19 17 17 - 73
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 3, LAETTNER 2, CORBIN, BLAYLOCK.
CLEVELAND - WEST 3, HILL, MILLS, FERRY, LANG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 7-23 (.304), CORBIN 2-5, LAETTNER 1-1, BLAYLOCK
3-11, BARRY 0-2, RECASNER 1-3, NORMAN 0-1. CLEVELAND 6-14 (.429), MILLS
0-1, BRANDON 1-3, PHILLS 2-4, SURA 0-1, FERRY 3-5.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, TOMMY NUNEZ, BILL SPOONER.
A - 14,182. T - 1:55.
ATLANTA (63) AT CLEVELAND (73)
Terrell Brandon scored 18 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers
limited the Atlanta Hawks to a franchise-low 26 points in the
second half en route to a 73-63 victory.
Danny Ferry added 14 points for the Cavaliers, who have won
three of their last four games. Cleveland, which became the
first team in league history to allow less than 90 points per
game in successive seasons, is permitting a league-low 81.6
points per game this season. Cleveland shot a season-low 37
percent (30-for-81) from the field.
Christian Laettner had 16 points and nine rebounds for the
Hawks, who had been held to 26 points in a half twice before by
the Cavaliers. Atlanta, which began the season with three
straight road wins, is 0-2 on its current four-game road trip
and has lost four in a row away from home.
Tyrone Corbin had 14 points and Mookie Blaylock added 13 for the
Hawks, who shot just 32 percent (23-of-71) from the field.
"The first order of business will be to change the rims on the
backboards, because when you look at the shooting percentage of
both the teams, either they really got at each other
defensively, or there's something on top of those rims," said
Cleveland coach Mike Frattello.
Brandon made a 17-footer to give the Cavaliers the lead for
good, 49-47, with 4:12 left in the third quarter. Ferry made a
three-pointer and one of two free throw attempts to stretch the
lead to 53-47.
"We would rather win ugly than lose pretty, that is for sure,"
Brandon said. "Both teams played very good defense. I don't
think that either one of us shot very well, but I think that is
because both teams were contesting just about evey shot."
Laettner made an 11-footer with 9:58 left to pull the Hawks
within 56-55. But Brandon answered 42 seconds later with a
three-pointer to make it 59-55. Atlanta again closed within a
point on Laettner's three-pointer with 3:49 to go. Brandon
answered with an 18-footer to give Cleveland a 63-60 advantage
and spark a 12-1 burst with 3:28 left.
"We didn't space the floor properly tonight," Atlanta coach
Lenny Wilkens said. "Then we tried to do too much on our own.
Then, when our defense broke down a couple of times, we seemed
to lose confidence. It was not a pretty game."
Ferry had 14 points in 26 minutes off the bench. He made a
three-pointer to cap a 7-0 spurt and give Cleveland a 31-23 lead
with 5:39 left in the second quarter. Dikembe Mutombo made a
free throw with 1:09 left in the second as the Hawks ended the
second with an 11-2 run to close within 39-37 at halftime.
"We knew the game was going to be very close. All we had to do
was stay focused and stay with them all the way and try to steal
this one away from them," said Mutombo, who grabbed nine
rebounds but scored just three points on 1-of-6 shooting from
the floor. "But it just didn't happen."
Blaylock's three-pointer with 11:10 left in the third quarter
gave the Hawks their first lead at 40-39.
nba.1602nba.news,
DALLAS (97) AT MILWAUKEE (100)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MEYER F 15 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 1 2
MASHBURN F 38 4-10 6-8 0 4 4 2 2 1 5 16
MONTROSS C 20 0-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 5 0 2 0
JACKSON G 35 4-12 4-6 1 3 4 2 5 2 1 14
KIDD G 43 9-17 5-8 7 6 13 8 3 2 3 25
HARPER 26 6-10 2-2 0 1 1 1 3 1 3 15
MILLER 27 3-5 2-4 2 6 8 0 2 1 0 8
WALKER 11 1-1 0-2 1 3 4 0 4 0 2 2
MCCLOUD 24 5-10 2-2 0 5 5 3 3 1 3 15
ROBERTS 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DUMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GATLING DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 33-72 21-32 11 33 44 17 31 8 20 97
(.458) (.656) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 21(18 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILLIAM F 44 9-19 9-9 2 11 13 0 2 2 1 27
ROBINSON F 39 7-16 2-2 1 3 4 3 5 2 4 16
WOLF C 18 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 0 0
ALLEN G 16 2-8 3-4 1 0 1 3 3 0 2 8
DOUGLAS G 36 4-8 0-2 1 4 5 6 3 3 0 11
NEWMAN 37 11-16 5-8 0 0 0 2 2 1 2 27
TOWER 14 1-1 0-2 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 2
WOOD 20 0-1 1-4 1 4 5 0 3 0 0 1
HANCOCK 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0
PERRY 12 3-8 2-2 2 1 3 0 2 0 1 8
BAKER DNP - DID NOT DRESS
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-79 22-33 9 28 37 16 25 10 11 100
(.468) (.667) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 12(13 PTS)
DALLAS 25 25 20 27 - 97
MILWAUKEE 23 26 20 31 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MONTROSS. MILWAUKEE - TOWER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 10-22 (.455), MASHBURN 2-6, JACKSON 2-5, KIDD
2-4, HARPER 1-3, MCCLOUD 3-4. MILWAUKEE 4-12 (.333), ROBINSON 0-1, ALLEN
1-4, DOUGLAS 3-4, NEWMAN 0-2, PERRY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: MILWAUKEE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: GREG WILLARD, MIKE MATHIS, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 13,225. T - 2:20.
DALLAS (97) AT MILWAUKEE (100)
Armon Gilliam and Johnny Newman each scored four of their 27
points in the final three minutes as the Milwaukee Bucks held
off the Dallas Mavericks, 100-97, to snap a three-game losing
streak.
Glenn Robinson added 16 points for the Bucks, who overcame the
absence of frontcourt starters Vin Baker and Andrew Lang and
remained unbeaten (4-0) at home. Milwaukee has beaten Dallas in
nine of their last 12 meetings.
"Hey, it wasn't pretty," said Bucks coach Chris Ford. "But I
haven't seen a win that wasn't good. Johnny Newman played
outstanding and Armon Gilliam was really on tonight. We had to
get contributions from Joe Wolf and Keith Tower. They kept us
in the game."
Jason Kidd had season highs of 25 points and 13 rebounds for the
Mavericks, who have lost seven of eight. Dallas had a chance to
tie, but Jamal Mashburn missed a three-pointer and time expired.
"Mash(burn) was wide and took the three. I thought he could've
taken it to the cup," said Mavericks coach Jim Cleamons.
"Twenty-one turnovers cost us 18 points, and we also missed 11
free throws. In a game like this, you can't afford to miss 11
free throws."
Derek Harper's basket gave the Mavs their last lead at 88-87
with 3:15 to go. But Newman, whose points were a season high,
scored 24 seconds later to give the Bucks the lead for good and
Sherman Douglas added a three-pointer to make 92-88 with 2:15 to
play.
Mashburn made two free throws and Newman missed a pair with 1:39
remaining. But he stole the outlet pass and went in for a layup
to give Milwaukee a 94-90 bulge.
"I wanted to be aggressive and hit the jumpers," said Newman.
"I also wanted to be active going to the basket. I needed to
step it up and get involved. I had to have a good game. I
wanted to contribute on the road trip, but now is fine."
"I usually concentrate on rebounding," said Gilliam, who shot
9-of-19 from the field. "But tonight, other things were more
important -- like scoring, which I work on just as much as
rebounding. I wanted to go out there tonight and use all my
talent."
George McCloud of Dallas and Gilliam traded baskets and Mashburn
and Gilliam exchanged a pair of foul shots before Kidd added a
free throw to make it 98-95 with 18 seconds left. Milwaukee's
David Wood was fouled and missed both free throws and Kidd went
the length of the court for a layup, cutting it to 98-97 with 12
seconds remaining. Milwaukee's Elliot Perry made two foul shots
before Mashburn's miss.
Gilliam had 13 rebounds and Douglas added 11 points for the
Bucks, who shot 47 percent (37-of-79) from the field and made
just 12 turnovers.
Harper and McCloud scored 15 points apiece and Jim Jackson added
14 for the Mavs, who held a 44-37 rebounding edge but committed
21 turnovers. Kidd finished two assists shy of a triple-double.
"We played well enough to win, we just didn't finish our layups
and foul shots," added Cleamons. "It's a tough lesson to learn,
but we have to learn it to get where we want to go."
nba.1603nba.news,
LA LAKERS (112) AT GOLDEN STATE (109)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 27 5-7 0-0 3 2 5 5 6 2 2 10
JONES F 40 6-11 4-7 1 5 6 4 3 3 3 18
ONEAL C 45 12-19 2-8 1 11 12 7 3 0 2 26
SCOTT G 16 1-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
VAN EXEL G 45 11-16 2-2 0 0 0 12 1 1 3 27
BLOUNT 18 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
KERSEY 23 6-8 1-2 3 5 8 1 3 2 0 13
BRYANT 8 0-2 3-4 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 3
FISHER 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROOKS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROBINSON 13 4-9 0-0 1 0 1 3 2 0 1 10
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 46-80 12-23 9 27 36 34 22 9 13 112
(.575) (.522) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 13(14 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 31 6-11 3-3 2 3 5 2 1 0 2 17
SMITH F 45 7-16 4-5 2 10 12 3 2 0 3 19
SPENCER C 25 2-4 2-4 2 5 7 0 5 0 0 6
PRICE G 26 7-11 0-0 0 1 1 6 0 1 1 18
SPREWELL G 46 13-23 3-4 0 0 0 10 3 2 4 33
FULLER 15 0-3 0-0 3 2 5 0 3 0 2 0
ARMSTRONG 22 3-7 0-0 0 2 2 7 1 0 2 6
COLES 20 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 4 3 0 1 9
DECLERCQ 9 0-0 1-2 1 2 3 0 4 0 0 1
ROYAL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OWES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-80 13-18 10 27 37 32 22 3 15 109
(.513) (.722) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(15 PTS)
LA LAKERS 38 19 31 24 - 112
GOLDEN STATE 33 24 25 27 - 109
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL 3, CAMPBELL 2, ROBINSON. GOLDEN STATE -
SMITH, COLES, DECLERCQ.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 8-15 (.533), JONES 2-5, SCOTT 1-2, VAN EXEL
3-4, BRYANT 0-1, ROBINSON 2-3. GOLDEN STATE 14-26 (.538), MULLIN 2-4,
SMITH 1-1, PRICE 4-6, SPREWELL 4-10, ARMSTRONG 0-1, COLES 3-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, JOE BORGIA, KEN MAUER.
A - 18,742. T - 2:26.
LA LAKERS (112) AT GOLDEN STATE (109)
Nick Van Exel had 27 points and 12 assists and Shaquille O'Neal
added 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers
to a 112-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors for their
third straight victory.
Eddie Jones added 16 points for the Lakers, who have won five of
their last six games and four of their last five meetings with
the Warriors.
"I wanted to come out and be aggressive because I know the way
Mark Price and those guys play," Van Exel said. "They were
going to come at me, so I wanted to make them play a little
defense."
Latrell Sprewell scored a season-high 33 points and Joe Smith
added 19 for the Warriors, who have lost six of their last eight
games. Golden State made 14 three-pointers for a team record by
a Lakers' opponent.
"We just didn't do what we had to do defensively, it's as simple
as that," Golden State coach Rick Adelman said. "We've just had
six staight games now that we've played good teams and been in
all the games, but we haven't had enough stops to win those
games."
The game was delayed for approximately 20 minutes in the first
quarter when the scoreboard clock malfunctioned. The clocks
were not able to be fixed and the officials kept the time with
stopwatches.
"If every NBA game was like that, you wouldn't be reading any
articles about what has happened to shooters, what has happened
to the running game, or what has happened to scoring," Lakers
coach Del Harris said. "That's the way the game should be
played."
Sprewell had 24 of his points, including Golden State's last 11,
as the Warriors and Lakers were tied 57-57 at halftime.
Felton Spencer made a hook shot to give the Warriors a 73-66
lead with 6:23 left in the third quarter. But the Lakers
responded with a 12-0 spurt and never trailed thereafter. Jones
had a dunk with 3:11 left in the third to close the run and make
it, 78-73.
nba.1604nba.news,
MIAMI (104) AT DENVER (86)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 36 4-7 1-2 0 2 2 5 1 3 0 11
BROWN F 38 7-13 4-6 2 9 11 0 4 2 2 18
MOURNING C 36 9-12 5-8 1 7 8 4 4 1 4 23
DANILOVIC G 33 4-10 3-3 0 0 0 2 3 2 2 13
HARDAWAY G 35 5-8 1-2 0 3 3 7 1 2 2 12
ASKINS 20 1-3 0-0 2 1 3 3 5 0 2 3
GRANT 17 5-8 0-1 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 12
AUSTIN 15 1-6 3-6 0 0 0 2 4 1 1 5
PINCKNEY 4 1-2 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2
LENARD 3 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
STRICKLAND 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-72 17-28 7 23 30 23 24 12 15 104
(.542) (.607) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(13 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCDYESS F 40 11-19 5-8 2 8 10 0 2 0 6 27
D ELLIS F 38 4-17 0-0 0 4 4 0 0 0 7 9
JOHNSON C 27 3-4 2-4 5 3 8 0 4 1 0 8
STITH G 33 4-12 3-3 3 2 5 0 2 0 1 11
JACKSON G 36 1-5 8-8 3 5 8 11 1 1 2 10
MARCIULIONIS 11 2-2 1-2 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 6
HAMMONDS 10 0-0 1-2 1 3 4 0 1 0 2 1
HAM 13 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 6 0 1 2
MCINNIS 12 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 0 1 5
THOMPSON 14 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 5 0 0 2
MURDOCK 6 2-3 1-1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 5
TOTALS 240 31-72 21-28 16 30 46 15 23 3 24 86
(.431) (.750) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 24(29 PTS)
MIAMI 28 25 24 27 - 104
DENVER 21 19 21 25 - 86
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - MOURNING 2. DENVER - JOHNSON 6, JACKSON 2,
MCDYESS, THOMPSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 9-14 (.643), MAJERLE 2-2, DANILOVIC 2-3, HARDAWAY
1-2, ASKINS 1-2, GRANT 2-4, LENARD 1-1. DENVER 3-15 (.200), D ELLIS 1-6,
STITH 0-2, JACKSON 0-1, MARCIULIONIS 1-1, MCINNIS 1-5.
TECHNICALS: DENVER - HEAD COACH BICKERSTAFF.
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DERRICK STAFFORD, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 12,119. T - 2:03.
MIAMI (104) AT DENVER (86)
Alonzo Mourning scored 23 points and P.J. Brown added 18 and 11
rebounds as the Miami Heat used a big first-quarter run and
never trailed thereafter in a 104-86 victory over the Denver
Nuggets.
The Heat, who opened a six-game road trip against Western
Conference opponents, stopped a three-game losing streak and
improved to 3-1 when scoring at least 100 points. Miami has won
three straight meetings against Denver and leads the all-time
series, 11-10.
"We had a rock-solid game," Miami coach Pat Riley said. "We had
some real good runs and maintained a double digit lead. We shot
tha ball well and did not turn it over. That equalized the fact
that we did not rebound well."
Antonio McDyess had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets,
who have lost three of their last four games. Denver is 0-4
when allowing oppenents to score more than 100 points. Dale
Ellis, who was averaging 23.1 points entering the game, had just
nine points on 4-of-17 shooting.
Miami shot 54 percent (39-for-72) from the field, including 64
percent (9-for-14) from three-point range. The Heat scored 29
points off 24 Denver turnovers.
"Fifteen turnovers in the first half and giving up 29 points off
turnovers for the game, it's pretty tough to win," Denver coach
Bernie Bickerstaff said. "It was just an all around bad day at
the office for all of us."
Bryant Stith, who had 11 points, made a driving layup and free
throw after a foul, to give the Nuggets their last lead of the
game, 11-9, with 6:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Tim Hardway, who had 12 points and seven assists, made a running
jumper to ignite a 16-2 spurt and tie the score 11-11 with 6:21
left in the first. Hardaway had nine points in the run and
Mourning capped it with a jumper for a 25-13 advantage.
"Playing on the road is really tough," Mourning said. "It's
important for us to go over .500 in these games. We have quite
a bit of talent on this team and will get better and better if
we get healthy. It's a matter of refocusing and going back to
the fundamentals and that pays off in the games."
McDyess made an eight-footer with 2:12 left in the second
quarter to pull the Nuggets within 45-38. But Mourning had five
points as the Heat ended the second quarter with a 9-2
run to take a 53-40 halftime lead.
"I knew it would take a great game for us to win," McDyess said.
"It seemed like I was the only one on and no one else could get
going."
Sasha Danilovic had 13 points for the Heat, who had all five
starters score in double figures.
Mourning and Brown had dunks on successive possessions to give
Miami its biggest lead of the game, 95-71, with 4:24 to go in
the fourth.
nba.1605nba.news,
MINNESOTA (93) AT HOUSTON (122)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GUGLIOTTA F 31 5-13 7-9 0 7 7 3 4 1 2 17
K GARNETT F 31 10-16 0-2 3 3 6 2 1 1 2 20
VRANKOVIC C 21 1-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 4 1 1 2
WEST G 23 2-4 1-2 0 2 2 1 3 2 1 5
PORTER G 15 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 5 0 0 1 2
D GARRETT 5 0-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 0
MARBURY 21 4-10 0-0 0 0 0 7 0 2 4 12
ROBINSON 18 3-14 1-3 0 3 3 4 1 0 0 8
MITCHELL 19 5-8 1-1 4 1 5 1 2 0 0 11
CARR 23 1-6 0-0 2 3 5 2 1 0 1 2
PARKS 21 4-6 0-0 2 3 5 1 1 1 0 8
HEAL 12 2-7 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 6
TOTALS 240 38-94 10-17 14 27 41 29 19 8 12 93
(.404) (.588) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(16 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 29 6-11 2-2 0 4 4 7 2 2 0 17
BARKLEY F 34 7-11 6-9 3 14 17 7 2 1 1 22
OLAJUWON C 18 5-9 0-0 1 4 5 2 0 0 3 10
DREXLER G 34 5-9 7-10 1 4 5 7 2 2 4 18
MALONEY G 26 5-8 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 2 2 12
WILLIS 23 7-12 0-2 2 5 7 0 4 0 0 14
DAVIS 22 2-5 2-2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 7
BULLARD 14 2-2 1-1 0 3 3 1 0 0 0 6
MACK 14 2-4 2-2 0 3 3 3 0 0 1 6
HARRINGTON 16 3-7 2-2 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 8
MOORE 10 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 2
JONES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 45-81 22-30 10 40 50 31 15 8 15 122
(.556) (.733) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 15(14 PTS)
MINNESOTA 24 24 16 29 - 93
HOUSTON 34 37 26 25 - 122
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - PARKS 3, VRANKOVIC 3. HOUSTON - BARKLEY 2,
HARRINGTON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 7-21 (.333), PORTER 0-1, MARBURY 4-7,
ROBINSON 1-5, CARR 0-3, HEAL 2-5. HOUSTON 10-20 (.500), ELIE 3-4, BARKLEY
2-4, DREXLER 1-3, MALONEY 2-4, DAVIS 1-2, BULLARD 1-1, MACK 0-2.
TECHNICALS: MINNESOTA - ASSISTANT COACH SICHTING, ASSISTANT COACH WITTMAN,
HOUSTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, DON VADEN, BENNIE ADAMS.
A - 16,285. T - 1:56.
MINNESOTA (93) AT HOUSTON (122)
In a game that saw All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon taken to a
hospital with an irregular heartbeat, the Houston Rockets got 22
points and 17 rebounds from Charles Barkley and trounced the
Minnesota Timberwolves, 122-93, for their ninth win in 10 games.
Olajuwon had 10 points and five rebounds in the first half, when
Houston opened a 71-48 lead. But he did not play in the second
half and was taken to Methodist Hospital with an abnormal heart
rhythm, which the team described as "not serious."
The 33-year-old Olajuwon is an 11-time All-Star who won the Most
Valuable Player Award in 1994 and led the Rockets to consecutive
NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. He had clotting problems in
the 1991-92 season and was treated with blood thinners. He also
wore an elastic sleeve on his leg to improve circulation.
"I'm concerned about Hakeem's situation," Rockets coach Rudy
Tomjanovich said. "He had this condition a few years ago. It's a
day-to-day deal and we can just hope for the best."
A team spokesman said Olajuwon underwent an EKG and will be kept
overnight for further tests. A hospital spokeswoman said he
would not be discharged until his heart rate returns to normal,
which could be as early as Wednesday.
Barkley had 18 points and 12 rebounds in the first half, when
the Rockets shot 67 percent (26-of-39) from the field, including
a blistering 82 percent (14-of-17) in the second quarter.
Clyde Drexler scored 18 points and Mario Elie added 17 for the
Rockets, who had lost their last two meetings with Minnesota.
"I hope he's okay," said Drexler, Olajuwon's teammate in college
and the NBA. "He's an integral part of this team. He's the
center of attention and we need him to be successful."
Kevin Garnett scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half and
Tom Gugliotta added 17 for the Timberwolves (4-5), who have lost
two in a row to drop under .500.
"Every night, you should be impressed by something they do,"
said Garnett. "Those are three Dream-Teamers. I am a big fan of
all three of them. How can anyone not be impressed by what they
do?"
Wolves teenage rookie guard Stephon Marbury played for the first
time since spraining his ankle in the season opener and scored
12 points.
The game was tied when Drexler scored seven points in a 17-4 run
that gave Houston a 28-15 lead with 2:02 remaining in the first
period. The Rockets shot 55 percent (12-of-22) and opened a
34-24 lead after one quarter.
Barkley had 10 points in the second period, when Houston built
the lead to 25 points before settling for a 71-48 advantage at
halftime. The Wolves shot 44 percent (19-of-43) in the first
half.
"It was fun to get a blowout," Drexler said. "We've been
talking about blowing someone out and tonight we did it. We
worked hard from start to finish. In the first half, we played
like we are capable of playing. Everything clicked. We shot the
ball well and our defense was good."
The Rockets built the lead to 35 points on a basket by Elie late
in the third period and led by 36 points early in the fourth
quarter.
"Everybody played well," Tomjanovich said. "Our defense was the
foundation and we finally got our running game going. I can't
believe we had 25 fast-break points. This is the best we have
shot all season."
Kevin Willis scored 14 points and Matt Maloney 12 for Houston,
which shot 56 percent overall and held a 50-41 rebounding edge.
Barkley, Drexler and Elie each had seven assists.
All of Marbury's points came on three-pointers and he had seven
assists for Minnesota, which shot 40 percent.
nba.1606nba.news,
NEW YORK (92) AT ORLANDO (88)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OAKLEY F 38 6-12 0-0 4 10 14 2 4 0 8 12
JOHNSON F 34 4-8 0-1 2 0 2 3 3 1 3 8
EWING C 39 8-15 7-9 2 14 16 3 4 3 5 24
HOUSTON G 25 1-6 2-2 1 3 4 1 6 0 3 4
WARD G 32 5-8 2-2 0 7 7 7 5 1 3 14
CHILDS 16 1-3 3-5 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 5
STARKS 22 6-11 1-2 0 2 2 4 6 0 4 15
WALLACE 14 0-3 4-4 2 1 3 1 0 0 0 4
B WILLIAMS 19 2-5 0-0 2 2 4 1 4 1 0 4
BROOKS 1 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-71 21-27 13 39 52 24 33 8 27 92
(.465) (.778) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 27(13 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 40 6-17 0-5 1 1 2 1 4 6 1 14
GRANT F 40 6-13 3-3 3 5 8 1 3 0 2 15
VAUGHN C 14 1-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 1 1 2
WILKINS G 41 6-14 11-11 1 4 5 1 4 2 3 24
SHAW G 26 0-7 0-0 0 4 4 1 4 0 4 0
SEIKALY 29 2-8 4-8 1 4 5 0 4 0 1 8
ARMSTRONG 25 4-8 8-8 1 1 2 8 0 0 3 19
STRONG 25 2-6 2-2 0 2 2 2 1 1 0 6
MCCASKILL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - BRONCHITIS
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 27-76 28-37 7 24 31 14 23 10 15 88
(.355) (.757) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(16 PTS)
NEW YORK 22 28 22 20 - 92
ORLANDO 11 19 24 34 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - EWING 7, WARD 2, HOUSTON, B WILLIAMS. ORLANDO -
SHAW, SEIKALY, STRONG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 5-10 (.500), EWING 1-1, HOUSTON 0-1, WARD 2-3,
CHILDS 0-1, STARKS 2-4. ORLANDO 6-18 (.333), ANDERSON 2-6, WILKINS 1-4,
SHAW 0-1, ARMSTRONG 3-5, STRONG 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - OAKLEY, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, ORLANDO - ILLEGAL
DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, TED BERNHARDT, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 17,248. T - 2:31.
NEW YORK (92) AT ORLANDO (88)
Patrick Ewing had 24 points, 16 rebounds and became the 23rd
player in NBA history to score 20,000 points as the New York
Knicks built a 25-point third-quarter lead before turning back
the undermanned Orlando Magic, 92-88, in an Atlantic Division
battle.
John Starks added 15 points and Charlie Ward 14 for New York,
which led 65-40 with 4:31 to play in the third quarter after
Charles Oakley made a 21-footer. Orlando rallied within 88-85
with 1:16 to play on a three-pointer by Nick Anderson.
Orlando had a chance to pull closer after Darrell Armstrong drew
a charge on Knicks point guard Chris Childs with 52 seconds to
play, but Armstrong had his driving shot blocked by Ewing on the
next possession.
Childs and Scott Brooks hit two free throws in the final 14
seconds to preserve the victory for the Knicks, who won at
Orlando for the first time since a 111-90 rout at March 27th,
1994. Childs, signed as a free agent in the off-season, was
making his Knicks debut after breaking his leg in an exhibition
game.
"When you're on the road, you have to play hard to get a win,"
Knicks forward Charles Oakley said. "We didn't get nervous. We
had the lead and we just had to make sure we kept the lead."
Ewing's 20,000th point came on a layup in the low post with 5:43
remaining in the second quarter. The game was stopped briefly
and Ewing was given the ball.
Gerald Wilkins scored 24 points and Armstrong added a
career-high 19 for Orlando, which had a four-game winning streak
snapped. The Magic were without injured starters Penny Hardaway
and Dennis Scott.
"In the fourth quarter, we showed that we can play without Penny
and Dennis," Armstrong said. "I think we were just tense in the
first half because this was our first big game of the season.
I'm all about playing hard all the time and trying to get all
the guys going."
New York scored the first six points of the game and took off on
an 18-2 run. Charles Oakley hit a jumper and Larry Johnson added
a layup before Ewing drilled a 13-footer for a 6-0 lead 1:46
into the contest. David Vaughn countered with a seven-footer
for Orlando before Johnson hit a jumper and Allan Houston made a
layup.
A pair of free throws by Ewing pushed the lead to 12-2 with 6:37
left in the first quarter. Ward and Oakley made jumpers before
a basket by Johnson gave the Knicks an 18-2 lead with just over
five minutes left in the first half.
New York held the Magic to 11 points in the first quarter and 30
points in the first half, both franchise lows. Orlando's
previous lows for points in the first quarter and first half
were 14 and 30, respectively.
"Give New York the credit, they set the tone for the game right
from the beginning," said Orlando coach Brian Hill. "They beat
us to the loose balls, beat us to the rebounds. This is the
first time we've been severely outrebounded at all this year."
Oakley finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds for New York,
which outrebounded the Magic 52-31, including 13-7 on the
offensive glass.
Childs played 16 minutes off the bench and had five points, two
assists, two steals and one turnover. Ward also had seven
rebounds and five assists while Ewing blocked a season-high
seven shots.
"I consider it a blessing for me," said Ward about the extended
playing time he received in Childs' absence. "I worked very
hard to get to not just starting, but playing. It really
doesn't matter what people say about me. I just want to
continue doing the things I'm capable of doing, and that's
playing hard every night."
Orlando shot just 36 percent (27-of-76) from the floor and
failed to capitailize on 27 New York turnovers, scoring just 13
points off them. Horace Grant had 15 points and eight rebounds
and Anderson finished with 14 and six steals.
nba.1607nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (90) AT PORTLAND (92) - FINAL IN OT
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
POLYNICE F 38 4-12 2-4 5 7 12 0 5 0 0 10
OWENS F 46 4-12 0-0 1 5 6 3 1 0 3 9
CAUSWELL C 17 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 1 3 4
RICHMOND G 42 5-18 0-0 0 6 6 3 2 1 3 12
ABDUL-RAUF G 42 13-21 0-0 0 5 5 3 3 1 2 31
SMITH 24 5-5 2-3 5 5 10 2 2 1 2 12
C WILLIAMSON 30 6-9 0-0 0 2 2 2 5 0 2 12
SIMMONS 16 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 2 0
EDNEY 10 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 0
DANIELS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HURLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 39-83 4-7 11 33 44 16 25 5 18 90
(.470) (.571) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 18(20 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 48 10-19 2-2 2 2 4 2 2 1 0 23
WALLACE F 37 7-17 0-0 5 3 8 2 1 1 2 14
SABONIS C 32 5-13 4-6 2 8 10 1 2 2 2 14
ANDERSON G 46 6-14 6-7 2 2 4 3 3 2 1 20
MCKIE G 19 0-3 3-4 0 3 3 3 1 0 1 3
TRENT 21 3-6 0-0 2 2 4 0 1 0 1 6
DUDLEY 21 3-5 0-2 5 5 10 0 2 0 0 6
RIDER 41 3-12 0-0 2 2 4 5 4 1 2 6
BUTLER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JORDAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGFIELD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 37-89 15-21 20 27 47 16 16 7 9 92
(.416) (.714) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 9(8 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 24 16 22 23 5 - 90
PORTLAND 18 29 20 18 7 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - POLYNICE 2, OWENS 2, SMITH, C WILLIAMSON.
PORTLAND - MCKIE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 8-15 (.533), OWENS 1-2, RICHMOND 2-6,
ABDUL-RAUF 5-6, SIMMONS 0-1. PORTLAND 3-12 (.250), C ROBINSON 1-2, SABONIS
0-1, ANDERSON 2-4, MCKIE 0-2, RIDER 0-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, JIM CAPERS, ED F RUSH.
A - 20,245. T - 2:16.
SACRAMENTO (90) AT PORTLAND (92) - FINAL IN OT
Arvydas Sabonis' basket with 20.7 seconds left in overtime
lifted the Portland Trail Blazers to their third straight
victory, a 92-90 win over the Sacramento Kings.
After Sacramemto's Corliss Williamson hit a running hook to tie
the game, 90-90, with 1:26 remaining in the extra session, the
teams exchanged missed shots.
Sabonis broke the deadlock with a leaning hook in the paint.
Sacramento's Mitch Richmond missed a fadeaway from the baseline
at the buzzer.
Richmond, who was held to 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting, had a
chance to put the game away in regulation, but his last-second
shot was blocked from behind by Aaron McKie.
Clifford Robinson scored a season-high 23 points, Kenny Anderson
added 20 and Sabonis finished with 14 and 10 rebounds for
Portland, which won for the sixth time in nine games. Rasheed
Wallace added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Trail
Blazers, who outscored the Kings, 23-8, on second-chance points.
"At the end of the overtime, I have to say I was a little
tired," said Robinson, who played all 53 minutes. "But we got
the win and that's all that mattered."
"I told someone the other day that I wouldn't be surprised if
the Sacramento game went down to the last shot," Blazers coach
P.J. Carlesimo said. "It seems we always play that kind of game
with Sacramento. All of our games with (the Kings) are
cliffhangers. We're pleased obviously with the win."
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf scored a season-high 31 points on 13-of-21
shooting and Michael Smith added 12 points and 10 rebounds for
Sacramento, which dropped to 2-4 on the road and 1-3 against
Pacific Division opponents.
"(Abdul-Rauf) was on fire," Anderson said. "I tried to get him
out of his rhythm. Once he gets in his rhythm, you could be in
for a long night. I knew the game was close. I just wanted to
make it tough for him. The last two possessions they had, he
kind of bobbled the ball."
The Kings took a 24-18 lead into the second quarter behind Olden
Polynice's seven points. But Robinson scored nine of his 13
first-half points in the second quarter as Portland grabbed a
47-40 halftime lead.
The Trail Blazers settled for a 67-62 lead after three quarters
behind Robinson's 21 points before Abdul-Rauf scored 17 in the
fourth quarter to help force the extra session. Abdul-Rauf's
layup with 52 seconds left gave the Kings an 85-83 lead before
Sabonis' drive tied the game, 85-85, with 2.4 seconds left.
"I think it was the best quarter I've had for a long time," Rauf
said. "I think so anyway. ... Sabonis hit the big shot when they
needed it. We came down and didn't execute on the next play.
You have to give credit to Wallace, who hit another big shot."
Chris Dudley grabbed 10 rebounds, but Isaiah Rider was held to
six points on 3-of-12 shooting in 41 minutes for Portland. The
Blazers committed just nine turnovers and won despite shooting
42 percent (37-of-89) from the field. Rider did not participate
in the shootaround and came off the bench. No reason was given.
Williamson finished with 12 points and Polynice added 10 points
and 12 rebounds from Sacramento, which turned the ball over 18
times and attempted only seven free throws.
nba.1608nba.news,
SEATTLE (106) AT TORONTO (98)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 32 9-14 8-11 5 13 18 0 3 3 3 26
D SCHREMPF F 34 3-13 9-12 1 3 4 2 3 2 3 17
MCILVAINE C 16 2-3 0-2 1 0 1 1 5 0 3 4
PAYTON G 35 11-19 0-0 1 3 4 6 3 1 3 24
HAWKINS G 31 2-9 4-6 0 3 3 4 0 3 2 9
STEWART 28 3-5 3-4 1 2 3 1 4 3 3 9
PERKINS 27 2-4 0-0 1 4 5 2 2 1 3 5
SNOW 22 2-4 2-3 1 2 3 2 3 1 1 6
WINGATE 11 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 2
HARVEY 4 1-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 4
EHLO DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-74 30-42 11 32 43 20 25 14 21 106
(.473) (.714) TEAM REBS: 16 TOTAL TO: 21(22 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMBY F 37 4-9 4-6 1 6 7 4 6 2 2 12
JONES F 39 3-8 5-5 7 4 11 3 3 1 2 11
WRIGHT C 22 2-8 1-3 1 1 2 1 1 0 4 5
CHRISTIE G 41 9-21 10-10 2 5 7 1 5 2 6 31
WILLIAMS G 40 8-16 1-1 2 4 6 2 6 4 2 22
LOHAUS 9 1-6 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3
WHITESIDE 19 1-7 0-0 1 1 2 3 2 1 1 3
ROGERS 17 2-8 2-3 5 2 7 2 3 2 3 6
DAVIS 14 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
EARL 2 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STOUDAMIRE DNP - DID NOT DRESS
TOTALS 240 32-90 23-28 19 24 43 16 26 13 20 98
(.356) (.821) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 22(31 PTS)
SEATTLE 29 32 21 24 - 106
TORONTO 24 12 32 30 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - KEMP 4, PERKINS 2, MCILVAINE. TORONTO - WRIGHT,
WILLIAMS, CHRISTIE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 6-22 (.273), D SCHREMPF 2-5, PAYTON 2-8,
HAWKINS 1-5, STEWART 0-1, PERKINS 1-3. TORONTO 11-30 (.367), CHRISTIE 3-9,
WILLIAMS 5-9, LOHAUS 1-3, WHITESIDE 1-6, ROGERS 0-1, DAVIS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, BLANE REICHELT, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 18,803. T - 2:08.
SEATTLE (106) AT TORONTO (98)
Shawn Kemp scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half, when
Seattle opened a 27-point lead, and the SuperSonics held on for
their eighth straight victory, 106-98 over the short-handed
Toronto Raptors.
Gary Payton scored 24 points and Detlef Schrempf added 17 for
the SuperSonics, who took advantage of the absence of Raptors
guard Damon Stoudamire and built a 61-34 lead just before the
end of the first half.
"Most of them have been ugly wins, nothing pretty," said
Schrempf, who played despite having the flu. "But we haven't
really played anybody yet. I still feel weak. I feel winded. I
didn't feel good today, but I thought I'd give it a try."
Doug Christie scored 20 of his season-high 31 points in the
third quarter for Toronto, which cut the deficit to four points
with 2:40 to go, but could get no closer and dropped their third
straight game. The Raptors shot a franchise-low 23 percent
(11-of-48) from the field in the first half.
Christie started at point guard for Stoudamire, who leads the
team in scoring and assists but sat out with a callous on his
right foot. He is not expected to miss any more games with the
injury.
Kemp scored 10 points in each of the first two quarters and
pulled down 13 of his 18 rebounds in the first half, when
Seattle raced to a 25-point lead. His basket in the final
seconds of the opening quarter gave the SuperSonics a 29-24 lead
and he scored six more points in a 12-0 burst that began the
second period and widened the advantage to 17 points with 7:50
left.
Journeyman Antonio Harvey, signed last week and making his
Sonics debut, contributed four points in an 8-0 spurt that gave
Seattle a 51-28 lead with 3:03 to go. Payton's basket late in
the half gave the Sonics their largest lead at 61-34.
"I can't be unhappy with my team," Sonics coach George Karl
said. "They played a great game. Shawn had an excellent first
half."
"I don't know what team showed up in the first half," Raptors
coach Darrell Walker said. "The real team showed up in the
second half. This team doesn't know how to show up some nights.
We were lifeless, we had no emotion."
After managing just 12 points in the second quarter, Toronto
went to a small, pressing lineup and outscored Seattle 32-21 in
the third period behind Christie, whose 20 points were a club
record.
"We came out tonight and we didn't have any emotion," Christie
said. "We didn't take it upon ourselves to come out and play. I
just tried to hit my shots. If they were there, I took them."
The Raptors trailed 82-66 entering the fourth quarter and cut
the deficit to 97-93 with 2:40 left on a hook by Popeye Jones,
who had 11 points and 11 rebounds. But Toronto's Walt Williams
missed a three-pointer and Hersey Hawkins and Larry Stewart made
consecutive layups to rebuild Seattle's lead to 101-93 with 1:30
to go.
"We're having trouble turning the lights on and off," Karl said.
"We're putting it into fifth gear and then switching down to
third. They got the lead down to 18, then down to 11, then down
to four. That's usually what happens with a big lead on the
road in the NBA."
Hawkins and Stewart scored nine points apiece for the Sonics,
who shot 47 percent (35-of-74) from the field. Seattle posted
winning streaks of 14 and nine games last season, when it won a
franchise-record 64 games.
"We played well considering Detlef still has the flu, Craig Ehlo
didn't play and Shawn had to come out in the fourth quarter with
a cut," Hawkins said. "I don't think anybody is complaining
about the game. We got the win. Some of the games have been
ugly. It's great that we can win not playing well."
Rookie Marcus Camby scored 11 points for the Raptors, who shot
36 percent (32-of-90) and shot 14 less free throws than Seattle.
nba.1609nba.news,
Orlando places Penny on injured list
ORLANDO, Fla. -- All-Star point guard Anfernee Hardaway of the Orlando
Magic was placed on the injured list Tuesday because of a knee injury.
Rookie forward/center Amal McCaskill was activated to fill Hardaway's
spot on the roster. McCaskill, a 6-foot-11, 235-pounder, has been on
the injured with patella tendinitis.
Hardaway will be sidelined two to four weeks after undergoing
arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee Sunday
morning.
"As suspected, we found a tear of the lateral meniscus during the
arthroscopic procedure on Penny's left knee," said Dr. James Barnett,
who performed the surgery.
"It was a very small part of the cartilage which was torn, so we feel
very good about his prognosis. He has absolutely no other
abnormalities in the knee. We will begin the rehabilitation
immediately and expect him to return to action in two to four weeks."
Hardaway played in Orlando's first four games this season and averaged
21.3 points. He had been bothered by inflammation in a hamstring
tendon and continual soreness behind the left knee.
"All season my performance hasn't been a Penny Hardaway performance,"
Hardaway said. I haven't had a good game where I've felt comfortable
yet. I haven't dunked the ball this season, or maybe once in Japan.
That's not my game, I'm more of an explosive player."
The Magic defeated Toronto 92-87 Saturday night in its first game
without Hardaway this season.
nba.1610nba.news,
Knicks G Childs to make season debut tonight
Point guard Chris Childs, who suffered a fractured right leg in
practice three weeks ago, will make his long-awaited New York Knicks
debut tonight at Orlando.
Childs was activated off the injured list today, and the Knicks placed
little-used forward Chris Jent on the IL with a lower back strain.
Childs signed a six-year, $24 million free agent contract with the
Knicks, who planned to make him their starting point guard. But he
suffered a non-displaced fracture to the right fibula October 8th in
practice when he ran into teammate Charlie Ward. Ward and veteran
Scott Brooks manned the point in his absence.
The 28-year-old Childs played the last two years with the Nets and
replaced Kenny Anderson as the team's starting point guard last
season.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Childs was a find for the Nets last season and
played so well the team dealt Anderson to Charlotte to give him the
starting job. He averaged 12.8 points, seven assists and 3.1 rebounds
in 78 games, including 54 starts.
Childs attended Boise State and had his NBA career delayed due to
alcohol problems.
nba.1611nba.news,
Nuggets place G Pierce on injured list; waive C King
The Denver Nuggets, who have struggled to the middle of the pack in
the Midwest Division with a 4-6 record, today placed veteran guard
Ricky Pierce on the injured list with a strained back and waived
center Rich King.
Pierce, who came over with Mark Jackson and a first-round pick from
the Indiana Pacers in an off-season deal, averaged 5.3 points in eight
games with Denver. He missed two games in Denver's recent five-game
road trip and barely played in the three others. Pierce will miss at
least five games.
Pierce joins forward LaPhonso Ellis and guard Keith "Mister" Jennings
on the injured list.
King, who signed on October 1st, had not played with the team and
missed all of the pre-season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn
lateral meniscus in his left knee.
nba.1612nba.news,
Up next on the Bulls' victory tour ...
This week the Chicago Bulls embark on a road swing that pits the
defending champs against seven teams with a combined record of 23-38
(as of Nov. 18).
The Bulls (10-0) need five victories in a row to tie the NBA record
for longest winning streak to start a season, shared by the 1948-49
Washington Capitols and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets.
(All times ET; team's record in parentheses)
Nov. 20 at Phoenix (0-9) 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Denver (4-6) 9 p.m.
Nov. 23 at Utah (5-2) 9 p.m.
Nov. 25 at L.A. Clippers (5-4) 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 29 at Dallas (2-6) 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 at San Antonio (2-7) 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 3 at Milwaukee (5-4) 8:30 p.m.
nba.1613nba.news,
Former Chicago Bull Hodges sues NBA
CHICAGO (Nov 19, 1996 - 19:12 EST) -- Activism on the part of African
Americans -- and not diminishing talents -- ended former Chicago Bulls
player Craig Hodges' career in the NBA, he contends in a federal
lawsuit.
Hodges, 36, played 3 1/2 seasons for the Bulls, including their first
two championship seasons of 1990-91 and 1991-92. Hampered by ankle and
knee injuries, he missed 26 games in his final season and averaged a
career-low 4.3 points.
In a lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court, Hodges claims no
other team would give him a tryout after his contract with the Bulls
expired because the league blacklisted him.
He is seeking unspecified damages from the NBA.
The lawsuit says the league and the Bulls were embarrassed by Hodges
during the team's visit to the White House after winning its first
title in 1991. Hodges wore African garments and handed then-President
Bush a letter "calling for an end to injustice toward the
African-American community," the lawsuit says.
Hodges' lawyer, David Odom, said Hodges is an outspoken advocate of
living his life as close as possible to the culture of his African
ancestors.
The lawsuit says that as a relatively young player who twice led the
NBA in 3-point field goal percentage, teams would have been interested
in Hodges if the league had not wanted him out.
NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said the league would reserve comment
until it had seen the lawsuit. Bulls officials did not return calls
for comment Tuesday.
Hodges is now the basketball coach at Chicago State University, and he
signed as a free agent this year with the Rockford Lightning of the
Continental Basketball Association.
nba.1614nba.news,
Daniels becomes Kingmaker
Just two days into the Continental Basketball Association season, the
NBA's official developmental league promoted its first player this
year to the big show: Fort Wayne Fury forward Lloyd Daniels joined the
Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Nov. 17.
Daniels, 29, slips into the roster spot occupied by forward Brian
Grant, who is out indefinitely after undergoing arthroscopic surgery
on his right shoulder to repair a partially torn rotator cuff.
This will be the third stint in the NBA for Daniels, the one-time New
York City playground legend who has fought through drug and alcohol
abuse, a slew of legal problems and even being shot.
His college career was derailed before it ever began. Daniels was to
attend UNLV and play for Jerry Tarkanian in 1987, but he was arrested
in a Las Vegas crack house a few days before the start of the season,
forcing him to leave school.
Daniels has been on the move since playing high school basketball at
four different schools. He played professionally:
in Italy and New Zealand;
with two teams in the United States Basketball League (including
John Lucas' Miami Tropics);
with the Greensboro (N.C.) Gaters of the now-defunct Global
Basketball Association;
with three different teams in the CBA;
and the Spurs, Sixers, Lakers and Kings of the NBA.
Daniels, known as "Sweet Pea" because of the greenish tint to his
complexion, first played in the NBA during the 1992-93 season. The
Spurs signed him following a summer season with the Long Island Surf
in the USBL, where he averaged 23.7 points and 8.9 assists. Daniels
was reunited with Tarkanian in San Antonio for a short time before
"Tark the Shark" was fired.
Daniels went on to play three seasons in the NBA, averaging 7.4
points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 172 regular-season games with
the Spurs (1992-93 and 1993-94), the Philadelphia 76ers (1994-95) and
the Los Angeles Lakers (1994-95).
Last season he chose to play in Italy. During the 1995-96 season
Daniels averaged 23.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists with
Scavolini Pesaro in the Italian A1 League, the country's top division.
Following the season he played in the Jersey Shore League with Kings
teammate Bobby Hurley.
In a CBA career that dates to 1988, Daniels has been selected to two
CBA All-Star Games (1988 and 1995). He has averaged 21.1 points per
game in 66 contests over three seasons in the CBA.
During the 1994-95 CBA season, Daniels averaged 27.3 ppg (second in
the league) while shooting .467 percent (332 for 711) from the floor,
en route to being named a 1995 CBA American Conference All-Star.
Following the season, he was named CBA All-League Second Team. Daniels
holds the Fury club record for most points in a single game with 49
against the Omaha Racers on Nov. 30, 1994.
nba.1615nba.news,
Veteran Armstrong sparks Warriors
SAN ANTONIO (Nov 19, 1996 - 10:18 EST) -- B.J. Armstrong has never
coveted the Sixth Man of the Year award.
He's always thought of himself as a starter, and his low productivity
as a backup has reflected that.
Sixth man? Might as well call him fifth wheel.
After winning three championships as a regular with the Chicago Bulls,
Armstrong is clearly uncomfortable with a bench role on a losing team.
That's why his 24-point output in Sunday night's 102-92 victory over
the San Antonio Spurs was so welcome by the Golden State Warriors. Not
only did it represent nearly 20 points more than Armstrong has been
averaging, but it energized a lethargic team playing consecutive
nights.
True to his reputation as a team player, Armstrong has kept from
chirping too much about his limited role. But there's no question he
savored the season-high 31 minutes he played Sunday.
"I got some extended minutes playing with Chris (Mullin) and those
guys, and they make the game easy," said Armstrong, who made eight of
10 shots and added a team-high six assists. "Playing out there with
those guys makes a big difference."
Golden State was coming off an energy-sapping loss the night before at
Houston, whereas the rested Spurs were getting Vinny Del Negro and
Will Perdue back from sick bay. So you had to figure the catch of the
day would be Warriors Alamoed.
Instead, Golden State took advantage of the extended absences of San
Antonio standouts David Robinson and Chuck Person and earned a split
on its Texas trip.
"To get a road win, whether they're beat up or not, is important for
us going back home to play the Lakers (Tuesday) and the stretch we
have coming up," said coach Rick Adelman.
The flight home was a happy one thanks largely to Armstrong and fellow
backup guard Bimbo Coles. They combined for 19 points and just one
turnover to rescue the Warriors from a first-half malaise.
"We feel comfortable with each other," said Coles, who chipped in 12
points in 22 minutes. "We play with each other every day in practice,
so we know how to play together and what to expect from each other."
They also know to get the ball to Latrell Sprewell when he turns on
the jets. Sprewell scored 12 of his 20 points as the Warriors wiped
out a 47-43 halftime deficit with an astonishing 26-4 run to start the
second half.
For now Armstrong will not get the distinction of being a starter, but
at least he's got his coach's attention -- in case he was feeling like
a fifth wheel.
nba.1616nba.news,
Scoreboards go out at Warriors-Lakers game
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Nov 20, 1996 - 00:01 EST) -- A computer problem
caused a 17-minute interruption in the first quarter of the Golden
State Warriors' game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night
and forced officials into some old-fashioned methods of timekeeping.
With the game clocks and 24-second clocks turned off, officials kept
time at courtside with stopwatches and public address announcer Dick
Callahan called out whenever a team had 10 seconds left to shoot.
Before the clocks were turned off, officials worked furiously to
install a new computer control panel and Los Angeles coach Del Harris
worried about his team's flight home for a game Wednesday night
against Utah.
"You do whatever it takes, because we've got to travel and play
tomorrow night," Harris told referee Paul Mihalak. "It's getting
late."
Golden State forward Chris Mullin threw a mini-basketball playfully at
the overhead scoreboard while other players took practice shots during
the interruption.
The scoreboards were back in working order at the start of the second
quarter.
nba.1617nba.news,
Olajuwon leaves game with abnormal heart rhythym
HOUSTON (Nov 20, 1996 - 00:01 EST) -- Houston Rockets center Hakeem
Olajuwon experienced an a irregular heartbeat during halftime of
Tuesday night's game against Minnesota and was hospitalized for
precautionary tests.
Olajuwon walked out of The Summit under his own power. The Rockets
issued a statement saying Olajuwon's condition was not believed
serious.
"He had a glass of water at halftime and as soon as he had it, he felt
his heart beating irregularly," Rockets spokesman Tim Frank said. "We
brought the doctors in.
"Hakeem went through this before in 1991. I don't think we're looking
at anything of severe magnitude," Frank said.
Frank said Olajuwon's condition was called atrial fibrillation.
Olajuwon underwent an electrocardiogram (EKG) at Methodist Hospital
and would undergo more tests.
"It still hasn't returned to normal," Frank said. "It looks like he'll
stay the night. It has to be treated medically and when it returns to
normal, he'll be back on the court.
"He'll be evaluated further and his condition is day-to-day."
The Rockets host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
Olajwuon experienced an irregular heartbeat during the 1991-92 season,
but it returned to normal after medication.
Olajuwon has been sidelined with other medical conditions. He had
anemia at the end of the 1994-95 championship season and was
hospitalized with a blood clot in his left leg before the 1990-91
season. Blood thinners dissolved the clot.
nba.1618nba.news,
Surprising Clippers off to good start
LOS ANGELES (Nov 19, 1996 - 21:42 EST) -- The Los Angeles Clippers
have been one of the NBA's more pleasant surprises in the early stages
of this season, especially since they've been without two of their
better players.
Entering a three-game road trip that begins Wednesday night at San
Antonio, the Clippers are 5-4 and unbeaten in three road games.
They hope guard Brent Barry will return during the road trip, which
continues Thursday at Dallas and finishes Saturday at Minnesota. Barry
has been on the injured list with a strained ligament in his left
thumb.
As for the other player, center Brian Williams, there's no telling if
he'll ever play with the team again.
Williams, 27, had a breakthrough season last year -- his first with
the Clippers -- averaging 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds in 65 games.
In his previous four seasons, two each with Orlando and Denver, he
never averaged more than 9.1 points or 5.7 rebounds.
Traded to the Clippers along with Barry and Rodney Rogers in exchange
for Antonio McDyess, Randy Woods and Elmore Spencer before the 1995-96
season, Williams opted out of a $2.5 million contract for this season,
as was his right, to become a free agent. He earned $2.2 million last
season.
Now, he's a man without a team. His agent, Fred Slaughter, was quoted
in Tuesday's Los Angeles Daily News as saying he hasn't counted out
reaching an agreement with the Clippers.
Slaughter didn't return a phone call by The Associated Press on
Tuesday.
"It was their choice to stop negotiating," Slaughter told the Daily
News. "But I haven't closed the door. Brian is simply exercising his
right as a player, there is no acrimony with the Clippers."
Slaughter told the Daily News that seven teams are interested in
Williams, but wouldn't name any of them.
Asked if Williams was willing to sit out the season, Slaughter said,
"Not necessarily."
Andy Roeser, the Clippers' executive vice president, said the Clippers
"will respond only to what we hear directly from Fred. But I will say
this, it is preposterous for Fred to say that we ended the
negotiations."
Reportedly, the Clippers haven't spoken directly with Slaughter since
Oct. 20 despite daily efforts to reach him until last week, when they
said they would make no further efforts to contact him.
After the start of the season, the Clippers upped their original offer
of $12 million over three years to $16.8 million for four years.
Reportedly, Slaughter first asked in July for a $100 million contract
over seven years for Williams.
Center Stanley Roberts, often injured and out of shape, has been a big
reason for the Clippers' early-season success. Playing as a backup, he
has averaged 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in 23-plus minutes per game.
In a 102-94 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday night, Roberts, appearing
to be in better shape than he's been in years, had 17 points, six
rebounds and three blocked shots.
The next loss by the Clippers will be the 1,000th of coach Bill
Fitch's career. Fitch, 61, already has more losses than any coach in
NBA history, but he has coached more games than anyone else. His 896
wins are the fourth-highest in league history, behind Lenny Wilkens,
Dick Motta and Jack Ramsay.
nba.1619nba.news,
Heat forward Thomas out with stress facture
MIAMI (Nov 19, 1996 - 18:48 EST) -- The Miami Heat began their
six-game road trip Tuesday without starting forward Kurt Thomas, who
will be sidelined one to three months with a stress fracture in his
right ankle.
Thomas, though he was hurt two weeks ago, hadn't missed any games. But
the pain bothered him and intensified during Saturday's loss to
Philadelphia. An MRI then revealed the stress fracture.
Thomas, one of Miami's top interior defenders, was averaging 8.0 point
and 7.3 rebounds per game. His absence means more minutes for P.J.
Brown, Isaac Austin and Ed Pinckney.
Thomas will decide shortly whether to have surgery or let the injury
heal with rest. Thomas said he was told he'll miss "a little over a
month" if he opts for surgery.
"The worst case would be eight to 12 weeks if I don't have surgery,"
Thomas said.
nba.1620nba.news,
Ewing hits 20,000 career points
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov 19, 1996 - 21:30 EST) -- Patrick Ewing became the
23rd player in NBA history to score 20,000 career points when he made
a layup during the second quarter of Tuesday night's game between the
New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.
The 12th-year pro began the night six points shy of the plateau.
Officials stopped the game and presented the ball to the Knicks
center.
Clyde Drexler of the Houston Rockets should reach 20,000 soon, too.
Drexler started the night 74 points shy of 20,000.
nba.1621nba.news,
Sonics need to focus
TORONTO (Nov 19, 1996 - 06:18 EST) -- The Seattle SuperSonics' recent
habit of sleep-walking through games probably is nothing that 21,000
opposing fans in the SkyDome can't help cure. Or 19,000-plus in
Madison Square Garden. Or 24,000 in Charlotte.
If the Sonics have been lacking in challenges lately -- they've won
seven in a row, but have often done so in a fashion not befitting a
team with designs on the NBA title -- that doesn't figure to be a
problem the next nine days as the team embarks on its longest road
trip of the year.
Starting Tuesday and continuing through next Wednesday, Seattle plays
at Toronto, Washington, New York, Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota.
"It'll be good for us," said coach George Karl. "I think there will be
some sound challenges, some serious mental stuff for us to overcome.
We are ready to go out there and make some basketball wins in tougher
situations than we have been in in the first eight, nine games."
While only the game against New York is a real marquee matchup, the
trip looks tougher than it might have initially because Washington
(4-5) and Minnesota (4-4) are each off to decent starts and 3-6
Toronto has been especially tough at home.
The six opponents on this trip have a combined record of 24-27. The
six teams Seattle beaten during its seven-game winning streak (the
Sonics defeated Sacramento twice) are only 15-40 today.
The Sonics also have some bad recent history in a couple of the arenas
on this trip -- Seattle lost the only time it played expansion Toronto
in the SkyDome last year, and later in the season had its
franchise-record 14-game winning streak broken at Washington.
But guard Hersey Hawkins sees no reason why the Sonics can't clean up
back east.
"We are going to some places where we can win," Hawkins said. "I am
looking forward to sweeping the East. I think we have a good chance of
doing that."
That loss at Washington last season became more important over the
summer because it was in large part how Jim McIlvaine played in that
game that impressed Karl and the rest of the Sonics' brass. When
McIlvaine became a free agent during the summer, the Sonics signed him
to a seven-year, $35 million deal.
It's been breaking in McIlvaine, as well as fellow newcomer Craig
Ehlo, that has been partially responsible for the Sonics' sometimes
sluggish play on offense. The Sonics are 8-2 despite shooting better
than 46 percent only three times.
Karl said Sunday after the 91-81 victory over Vancouver, in which the
Sonics shot just 40 percent, that the team looked like it lacked
confidence on the offensive end. But that might also be due to the
continuing absence of guard Nate McMillan, who is on the injured
reserve list with a groin injury, and the absence Sunday of Detlef
Schrempf, who had the flu.
Schrempf made the trip to Toronto, practiced with the team Monday, and
is expected to play Tuesday.
But defense has been a constant for the Sonics, who have allowed only
two teams to score 100 or more points this season -- Atlanta got 117
on a night when the Hawks were unconscious, and Golden State got 102
in a game the Warriors lost by 19.
"The last few games we've started to come together a little bit better
defensively," said McIlvaine.
"Every game we go out and learn a little bit more about our team and
about guys' capabilities and how we defend certain plays that other
teams run against us."
There will be a few defensive challenges on this trip, from trying to
stop Damon Stoudamire Tuesday, former Fab Fivers Juwan Howard and
Chris Webber on Wednesday, Patrick Ewing on Sunday and Kevin Garnett
next Wednesday.
Such road trips can often help define a season, although Seattle seems
in too solid a state to have anything short of injuries to Gary Payton
and Shawn Kemp alter its course.
And McIlvaine, for one, said he thinks all the talk about how hard it
is playing on the road isn't quite accurate.
"I don't really mind going on the road," McIlvaine said. "I get a lot
more rest and the day is focused around basketball. You get back to
the room and sleep all afternoon after a practice, and it allows you
to focus more about why you are on the road and what you are doing.
When you are at home, you might have a more distractions. I get more
focused on the road and I think that helps me."
nba.1622vpoznanovic,
>> Je l' zna neko kada Chicago i Detorit igraju ?
Jednu utakmicu su već odigrali, osmog ovog mjeseca u Detroitu, bilo je
98:80 za Chicago. Narednu igraju 25. decembra u Chicagu.
nba.1623superhik,
Sasha Danilovic HTML format, preuzeto sa NBA.COM-a...
Karijera, povreda i učinci...
sasha.zipnba.1624basrak,
> Sasha Danilovic HTML format, preuzeto sa NBA.COM-a...
> Karijera, povreda i učinci...
U čemu je razlika između sasha.htm i sashacp.htm ili kako se već zovu ta dva
fajla u arhivi? Meni su oba ista...
nba.1625vpoznanovic,
Wednesday, November 20
Chicago at Phoenix 113:99
Detroit at Boston 108:83
Indiana at Philadelphia 103:92
L.A. Clippers at San Antonio 93:81
Miami at Vancouver 94:75
New York at Charlotte 86:93
Seattle at Washington 115:110
Utah at L.A. Lakers 113:97
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHICAGO 35 27 25 26 113
PHOENIX 26 21 23 29 99 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHI - SCOTTIE PIPPEN 37, MICHAEL JORDAN 37, TONI KUKOC 13
PHO - MICHAEL FINLEY 17, DANNY MANNING 16, SAM CASSELL 13
HIGH REBOUND: CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 16, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 8
PHO - DANNY MANNING 10, AC GREEN 7
HIGH ASSISTS: CHI - SCOTTIE PIPPEN 7, TONI KUKOC 6
PHO - STEVE NASH 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 19,023
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DETROIT 26 25 30 27 108
BOSTON 23 16 17 27 83 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DET - GRANT HILL 23, LINDSEY HUNTER 22, OTIS THORPE 13
BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 18, TODD DAY 14, RICK FOX 12
HIGH REBOUND: DET - FOUR PLAYERS WITH 5
BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 9, MARTY CONLON 8
HIGH ASSISTS: DET - JOE DUMARS 9, LINDSEY HUNTER 5
BOS - DAVID WESLEY 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
ATT: 14,291
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
INDIANA 26 21 28 28 103
PHILADELPHIA 29 18 22 23 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: IND - REGGIE MILLER 22, TRAVIS BEST 18, ERICK DAMPIER 15
PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 21, REX WALTERS 21, JERRY STACKHOUSE
18
HIGH REBOUND: IND - ERICK DAMPIER 10, DALE DAVIS 9
PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 12, SCOTT WILLIAMS 10
HIGH ASSISTS: IND - TRAVIS BEST 8, REGGIE MILLER 6
PHI - JERRY STACKHOUSE 6, REX WALTERS 6
ATT: 11,831
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA CLIPPERS 22 26 22 23 93
SAN ANTONIO 20 17 24 20 81 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAC - LOY VAUGHT 20, STANLEY ROBERTS 12, RODNEY ROGERS 10
SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 24, WILL PERDUE 13, VERNON MAXWELL
13
HIGH REBOUND: LAC - LOY VAUGHT 8, STANLEY ROBERTS 7
SAS - WILL PERDUE 14, DOMINIQUE WILKINS 9
HIGH ASSISTS: LAC - TERRY DEHERE 7, THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2
ATT: 13,386
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 19 32 24 19 94
VANCOUVER 25 20 18 12 75 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 19, ISAAC AUSTIN 17, DAN MAJERLE 16
VAN - BRYANT REEVES 16, GREG ANTHONY 14, BLUE EDWARDS 11
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - THREE PLAYERS WITH 9
VAN - BRYANT REEVES 10, ROY ROGERS 6
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 7, DAN MAJERLE 6
VAN - GREG ANTHONY 7, LAWRENCE MOTEN 6
ATT: 15,054
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 23 28 19 16 86
CHARLOTTE 23 22 23 25 93 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NYK - PATRICK EWING 18, ALLAN HOUSTON 16, JOHN STARKS 14
CHA - VLADE DIVAC 23, ANTHONY MASON 20, GLEN RICE 11
HIGH REBOUND: NYK - CHARLES OAKLEY 15, PATRICK EWING 9
CHA - VLADE DIVAC 13, MALIK ROSE 6
HIGH ASSISTS: NYK - THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
CHA - TYRONE BOGUES 10, GLEN RICE 5
ATT: 24,042
NBA FINAL IN 2ND OT
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT 2OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 23 28 24 22 10 8 115
WASHINGTON 28 20 19 30 10 3 110 FINAL IN 2ND OT
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 34, GARY PAYTON 31, DETLEF SCHREMPF 23
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 34, TRACY MURRAY 16, THREE PLAYERS WITH
15
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - DETLEF SCHREMPF 15, SHAWN KEMP 12
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 13, JUWAN HOWARD 13
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 7, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
WAS - ROD STRICKLAND 9, JUWAN HOWARD 8
ATT: 18,756
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
UTAH 22 24 34 33 113
LA LAKERS 27 21 21 28 97 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: UTH - KARL MALONE 37, JOHN STOCKTON 16, JEFF HORNACEK 12
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 26, NICK VAN EXEL 20, EDDIE JONES 16
HIGH REBOUND: UTH - GREG OSTERTAG 9, SHANDON ANDERSON 7
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 15, ELDEN CAMPBELL 6
HIGH ASSISTS: UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 13, KARL MALONE 6
LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 11, EDDIE JONES 3
ATT: 16,122
nba.1626nba.news,
CHICAGO (113) AT PHOENIX (99)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 36 15-23 1-3 3 5 8 7 2 1 3 37
RODMAN F 36 1-3 1-2 6 10 16 1 3 0 3 3
LONGLEY C 21 1-2 1-1 2 4 6 5 4 0 4 3
HARPER G 17 0-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 0 1 0
JORDAN G 35 16-29 5-6 1 3 4 4 3 1 2 37
KERR 27 3-9 3-3 0 1 1 2 2 1 0 11
KUKOC 26 5-13 2-4 2 3 5 6 2 2 1 13
CAFFEY 11 1-3 1-3 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 3
BROWN 13 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 6
WENNINGTON 11 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0
BUECHLER 7 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 0
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 45-92 14-22 16 33 49 28 25 8 17 113
(.489) (.636) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 17(18 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HORRY F 29 5-9 1-3 2 4 6 3 1 1 1 12
MANNING F 28 5-9 6-6 3 7 10 1 2 1 1 16
KLEINE C 25 2-5 1-2 1 3 4 1 3 1 1 5
PERSON G 26 1-10 0-0 2 2 4 2 3 0 2 2
CASSELL G 24 5-15 1-2 1 2 3 3 1 3 2 13
NASH 15 4-8 0-0 0 2 2 6 5 1 2 8
FINLEY 29 6-13 4-4 1 0 1 2 1 1 3 17
CHAPMAN 17 3-8 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 7
GREEN 20 2-4 0-2 1 6 7 0 3 0 0 4
TISDALE 3 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
BROWN 11 3-3 0-0 1 1 2 2 5 0 3 6
DAVIS 13 3-4 1-2 2 3 5 0 2 2 1 7
TOTALS 240 40-93 14-21 15 31 46 21 29 10 16 99
(.430) (.667) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 17(18 PTS)
CHICAGO 35 27 25 26 - 113
PHOENIX 26 21 23 29 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - PIPPEN 2, HARPER 2, KUKOC 2, RODMAN, JORDAN,
LONGLEY. PHOENIX - NONE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 9-20 (.450), PIPPEN 6-10, HARPER 0-1, KERR 2-6,
KUKOC 1-2, BROWN 0-1. PHOENIX 5-16 (.313), HORRY 1-2, PERSON 0-3, CASSELL
2-6, FINLEY 1-4, CHAPMAN 1-1.
TECHNICALS: PHOENIX - CHAPMAN, GREEN.
OFFICIALS: DERRICK STAFFORD, BILL OAKES, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 19,023. T - 2:04.
CHICAGO (113) AT PHOENIX (99)
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen scored 37 points apiece and
combined to score the team's first 25 points as the Chicago
Bulls remained unbeaten by breezing to a 113-99 victory over the
Phoenix Suns.
Pippen, who made 15-of-23 field goals attempts, scored 18 points
in the first quarter. Jordan, who shot 16-of-29, added 14 as the
Bulls built a 35-26 first-quarter lead. Pippen added eight
rebounds and seven assists for Chicago, which was playing the
first game of its seven-game road trip.
"We took what they gave us," Jordan said. "Scottie got out of
the block quickly and the took some of the pressure off me. The
triangle offense (which Phoenix installed in training camp this
season) is not something you can pick up in a couple of weeks.
It took us five or six years to understand all the portions and
we got the guy, mastermind Tex Winter. It's different coming in
here. Obviously, the biggest difference is there's no (Charles)
Barkley."
Dennis Rodman grabbed 16 rebounds, Toni Kukoc scored 13 points
and Steve Kerr added 11 for Chicago, which extended the best
start in franchise history to 11-0. The NBA record for most
wins to start the season is 15, held by the 1948-49 Washington
Capitols and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets.
"We felt this team (Phoenix) would play really hard because they
were up against a wall, having not won a game," Bulls coach Phil
Jackson said. "We felt we were riding the confidence level too
highly. It was the kind of game we needed: a good running game
to start off the road trip."
Michael Finley scored 17 points, Danny Manning added 16 and Sam
Cassell had 13 for the Suns. Phoenix is off to its worst start
in franchise history at 0-10, eclipsing its previous mark set at
the start of the 1985-86 season. The Suns have yet to score 100
points in any game this season.
New Suns coach Danny Ainge, who took over for Cotton
Fitzsimmons, is just realizing what he is in for.
"Where's Cotton? I want to kill that guy," Ainge joked.
"(Chicago) is a great basketball team, that's the bottom line.
They played well. Pippen has been struggling with his shot. He's
had as good a luck as we've given him tonight. He killed us.
Those outside shots were devastating. The same with Jordan,
although you expect that out of Jordan."
"I'm going crazy," Cassell admitted. "I've got to get a win.
We've got to get a win as a team. So their intensity for myself
will definitely be there tomorrow (against Houston)."
After A.C. Green made a layup to close Phoenix within 25-22 with
two minutes left in the first quarter, Pippen ignited a
quarter-closing 10-4 run. Pippen scored seven points during the
burst, including a three-pointer that capped the spurt for a
nine-point lead entering the second quarter.
Following Manning's two free throws that closed the Suns to
within 50-42 four minutes before halftime, the Bulls scored 10
of the next 13 points. Pippen's three-pointer with 31 seconds
left gave Chicago a 60-45 advantage.
The Bulls scored the last five points of the third quarter to
take an 87-70 lead after three quarters. Kerr made a pair of
free throws and Jordan converted a three-point play to help the
Bulls gain a 17-point lead into the fourth quarter.
nba.1627nba.news,
DETROIT (108) AT BOSTON (83)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LONG F 20 0-3 2-2 2 3 5 0 0 2 1 2
THORPE F 24 5-14 3-4 2 2 4 0 4 0 2 13
MILLS C 23 4-8 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 9
DUMARS G 26 4-6 3-3 0 4 4 9 1 0 3 12
HILL G 30 8-11 6-7 0 5 5 3 1 2 1 23
HUNTER 31 7-11 6-7 0 2 2 5 2 4 2 22
RATLIFF 19 2-5 0-0 2 3 5 1 1 0 0 4
AUGMON 19 1-2 2-2 1 4 5 1 2 1 1 4
REID 20 3-8 0-0 2 0 2 0 4 2 3 6
CURRY 13 2-4 2-2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 6
SMITH 10 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 5
MAHORN 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 39-76 24-27 10 27 37 24 20 12 14 108
(.513) (.889) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(13 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 36 8-19 2-3 3 6 9 5 3 2 4 18
WILLIAMS F 18 2-4 0-0 2 2 4 1 5 0 1 4
CONLON C 26 4-6 3-4 4 4 8 0 0 0 2 11
WESLEY G 36 2-7 2-2 0 1 1 9 2 3 5 6
FOX G 33 5-13 2-2 4 3 7 1 3 2 2 12
BRICKOWSKI 20 1-6 2-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 4
BARROS 25 1-7 4-4 0 2 2 5 2 0 2 6
DAY 24 5-9 3-5 5 2 7 1 2 1 2 14
DRIGGERS 13 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 4
SZABO 9 1-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 4
ELLISON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RADJA DNP - BROKEN FINGER
TOTALS 240 31-77 20-24 18 23 41 22 21 9 21 83
(.403) (.833) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 22(26 PTS)
DETROIT 26 25 30 27 - 108
BOSTON 23 16 17 27 - 83
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - THORPE 2, HILL, RATLIFF, AUGMON. BOSTON -
CONLON, SZABO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 6-16 (.375), MILLS 1-5, DUMARS 1-3, HILL 1-1,
HUNTER 2-5, CURRY 0-1, SMITH 1-1. BOSTON 1-11 (.091), WALKER 0-2, WESLEY
0-1, BRICKOWSKI 0-1, BARROS 0-5, DAY 1-1, DRIGGERS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: BOSTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, JOE DEROSA, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 14,291. T - 2:02.
DETROIT (108) AT BOSTON (83)
Grant Hill scored 23 points and Lindsey Hunter added 22 as the
Detroit Pistons remained undefeated on the road with a 108-83
victory over the Boston Celtics, their fifth straight win
overall.
The Pistons stopped a five-game losing streak at Boston and
improved to 5-0 on the road. Detroit (9-1) is off to its best
start since beginning the 1970-71 season with a 12-1 record and
has not allowed an opponent to score more than 98 points.
"I feel we're really playing well now," Hill said. "I take
pride in defense, it all starts with defense. We're focused on
the road and it shows."
Rookie Antoine Walker had 18 points and a season-high nine
rebounds and Todd Day added 14 for the Celtics, who had won
eight of the last 11 meetings with the Pistons. Boston, which
played without leading scorer and rebounder Dino Radja, has lost
three straight and five of its last six.
"It was not a fun game for us tonight but you need to give
Detroit credit," Boston coach M.L. Carr said. "If you look at
the ballgame down the stretch we didn't play with fire we
needed. We needed a gallant effort but we are not going to be
discouraged."
Otis Thorpe scored 13 points and Joe Dumars added 12 and nine
assists for the Pistons, who shot 24-for-27 from the line.
"I'm glad we got a win," Detroit coach Doug Collins said.
"Boston is always a rough city. Our guys came right off the bat
and kept it rolling. We didn't look back. The guys we needed
to play well did play well and more importantly, they did it
together. Joe, Grant, Theo (Ratliff) and Otis all did a
tremendous job. They were shorthanded and we took advantage."
Hill made a three-pointer as time ran out in the first quarter
to give the Pistons the lead for good, 26-23. Hunter made a
20-footer to start a 14-3 run and Hill's free throw closed it to
give Detroit a 49-32 advantage with 1:44 left in the second
quarter. Hill had 14 and Hunter added nine as the Pistons took
a 51-39 lead at halftime.
Rick Fox, who scored 12 points, had a tip-in to pull Boston
within 57-45 with 8:19 left in the third quarter. But Dumars
answered with a 15-footer to make it 57-45 and the Celtics never
came any closer.
Kenny Smith sank a three-pointer to complete a 26-9 burst and
give the Pistons an 81-54 advantage with 40 seconds to go in the
period.
The Pistons took their biggest lead of the game, 92-61, on
Ratliff's 17-footer with 9:49 left.
Boston, which was held under 90 points for just the second time
this season, shot only 1-for-11 from three-point range.
"I know what this team is going through," Dumars said about the
Celtics. "I went through it a couple of years ago myself. It's
never going to be a one-man show, the team has to be balanced
and with me, Grant, and Lindsey at guard, it is."
nba.1628nba.news,
INDIANA (103) AT PHILADELPHIA (92)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 17 3-7 2-3 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 8
D DAVIS F 28 7-9 0-0 5 4 9 1 3 0 0 14
DAMPIER C 41 6-9 3-4 2 8 10 1 3 1 1 15
MILLER G 37 8-19 3-5 0 4 4 6 2 1 4 22
BEST G 32 7-15 1-2 0 3 3 8 2 2 1 18
ASKEW 22 2-4 3-4 0 5 5 2 6 1 0 8
ROSE 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2
A DAVIS 18 0-1 2-2 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 2
ALLEN 18 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 4 3 4 2 2
FERRELL 16 5-7 2-3 0 1 1 0 5 0 1 12
SCOTT 1 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
HOIBERG 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 40-76 16-23 11 26 37 24 29 9 15 103
(.526) (.696) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(18 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 35 3-6 8-10 2 5 7 2 2 1 4 14
COLEMAN F 41 7-12 5-6 6 6 12 5 5 0 8 21
WILLIAMS C 32 1-5 0-0 3 7 10 0 3 0 2 2
STACKHOUSE G 40 5-20 5-9 3 3 6 6 3 1 2 18
WALTERS G 41 8-17 0-0 1 2 3 6 3 3 3 21
HARRIS 16 3-7 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 8
CAGE 13 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 0
DAVIS 20 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 8
BRADTKE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
HENDRICKSON 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
IVERSON DNP - LEFT SHOULDER
MACLEAN DNP - TENDINITIS RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 30-72 18-25 15 25 40 20 19 5 22 92
(.417) (.720) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 22(19 PTS)
INDIANA 26 21 28 28 - 103
PHILADELPHIA 29 18 22 23 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - DAMPIER 4, A DAVIS 2. PHILADELPHIA -
WEATHERSPOON 2, COLEMAN 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 7-17 (.412), MCKEY 0-2, MILLER 3-8, BEST 3-5,
ASKEW 1-1, ROSE 0-1. PHILADELPHIA 14-35 (.400), COLEMAN 2-4, STACKHOUSE
3-12, WALTERS 5-11, HARRIS 2-4, DAVIS 2-4.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, PHILADELPHIA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TONY BROTHERS, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 11,831. T - 2:06.
INDIANA (103) AT PHILADELPHIA (92)
Reggie Miller scored 22 points and Travis Best added 18 as the
Indiana Pacers pulled away in the second half for a 103-92
victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rookie Erick Dampier had a season-high 15 points and 10 rebounds
for Indiana, which had lost four of their last five games. The
Pacers, who are still without center Rik Smits, won their second
straight road game.
"We did a better job on the boards," Indiana coach Larry Brown
said. "We did a better job of getting to their shooters
defensively. We defended much better in the fourth quarter and
we rebounded much better. We were able to get some easy shots.
I felt we defended well for the game."
Derrick Coleman and Rex Walters scored 21 points apiece for the
76ers, who were held to 45 points in the second half. Walters
has scored 44 points in two games in place of rookie guard Allan
Iverson, who is sidelined with a separated shoulder.
Philadelphia set team records for three-pointers made (14) and
attempted (35). The 76ers made 13 three-pointers at Dallas on
February 27th, 1996 and attempted 31 against Charlotte on
January 27th, 1996. The 76ers were 8-of-15 in the first half
but 4-of-13 in the fourth quarter.
"In the first two quarters, we were knocking 'em down," Walters
said. "We were shooting a very high percentage of threes. Then
in the fourth quarter, maybe it was just (tired) legs."
Miller scored seven points in the third quarter, when Indiana
took the lead for good. A layup by Walters pulled Philadelphia
within 66-65, but in the final minute of the period, Best made a
driving layup and Dampier made a free throw after stealing a bad
pass from Coleman, giving the Pacers a 75-69 lead.
"Just because we're 2-6, it doesn't mean we haven't been
confident in the way we've been playing," Best said. "Nobody's
hung their heads. We've been playing well. That's the key.
We've played well the last three or four games and any time you
do that, you're not going to hang your head."
Walters opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, but a
jumper by Dampier and a layup by Dale Davis gave the Pacers a
79-72 lead with 10:20 remaining.
The 76ers cut it to four points, but Indiana scored eight of the
next 10 points to take control. Reserve Duane Ferrell had a
free throw and a basket before Coleman dunked. But Davis made a
jumper, Miller sank a foul shot and Dampier added a dunk for an
89-79 advantage with 7:01 left. Philadelphia got no closer than
eight points thereafter.
"Our big kid was great," Brown said of Dampier. "He was making
amazing progress in camp, then he has hernia surgery before the
year. So this was his first real opportunity, and I thought he
was tremendous."
"Missing the three-pointers didn't kill us," Walters said. "More
importantly, the turnovers and the second shots that we allowed
them in the fourth quarter hurt us. We have to value the
basketball a little more. You can't have turovers or second
shots."
Davis had 14 points and nine rebounds and Ferrell added 12
points for Indiana, which shot 53 percent (40-of-76) from the
field.
"We've been struggling to score as of late," Miller said. "Guys
are looking to step it up offensively. When guys are
double-teaming me, they have to understand that when I kick it
out to them, they have to shoot the basketball."
Jerry Stackhouse scored 18 points and Clarence Weatherspoon
added 14 for the Sixers. Coleman grabbed 12 rebounds and Scott
Williams pulled down 10.
Miller scored 13 points and Dampier eight in the first half,
which ended in a 47-47 tie. Weatherspoon and Stackhouse scored
nine apiece for the Sixers.
nba.1629nba.news,
LA CLIPPERS (93) AT SAN ANTONIO (81)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 35 8-9 4-5 4 4 8 0 1 0 1 20
ROGERS F 25 4-10 2-2 2 1 3 3 4 0 2 10
DUCKWORTH C 21 4-10 0-0 3 3 6 0 3 2 1 8
SEALY G 33 2-10 2-2 0 4 4 3 3 0 3 7
RICHARDSON G 25 2-6 0-2 1 3 4 3 0 0 2 5
OUTLAW 21 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 3 1 2
ROBERTS 18 4-8 4-8 2 5 7 2 2 0 1 12
DEHERE 21 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 7 2 1 1 7
MURRAY 20 2-5 2-2 0 2 2 0 3 0 1 7
PIATKOWSKI 15 3-4 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 9
WRIGHT 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
D MARTIN 2 1-1 4-4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
TOTALS 240 34-73 19-26 12 26 38 20 19 6 15 93
(.466) (.731) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 16(21 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 40 3-14 2-2 1 3 4 2 2 1 1 8
D WILKINS F 36 7-18 10-10 6 3 9 0 5 2 3 24
W PERDUE C 40 4-9 5-8 7 7 14 1 5 0 2 13
DEL NEGRO G 24 4-6 3-3 1 1 2 2 2 1 3 12
JOHNSON G 37 1-7 1-2 0 3 3 11 1 3 4 3
MAXWELL 25 5-12 1-2 0 2 2 0 2 3 1 13
HERRERA 25 4-6 0-0 1 2 3 0 5 0 1 8
ANDERSON 6 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 0
ALEXANDER 6 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
KEMPTON 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - INJURED RIGHT KNEE
M WILLIAMS DNP - INJURED RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 28-75 22-27 17 22 39 17 24 10 15 81
(.373) (.815) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(13 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 22 26 22 23 - 93
SAN ANTONIO 20 17 24 20 - 81
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - DUCKWORTH 2, OUTLAW, ROBERTS, MURRAY. SAN
ANTONIO - ELLIOTT, D WILKINS, ANDERSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 6-18 (.333), ROGERS 0-2, SEALY 1-3,
RICHARDSON 1-4, DEHERE 1-3, MURRAY 1-3, PIATKOWSKI 2-3. SAN ANTONIO 3-18
(.167), ELLIOTT 0-5, D WILKINS 0-4, DEL NEGRO 1-1, MAXWELL 2-6, ALEXANDER
0-2.
TECHNICALS: LA CLIPPERS - ROGERS, SAN ANTONIO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, RON OLESIAK, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 13,386. T - 2:11.
LA CLIPPERS (93) AT SAN ANTONIO (81)
Loy Vaught had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead the Los
Angeles Clippers to a 93-81 victory over the injury-riddled
Spurs for their first win in San Antonio in over seven years.
Stanley Roberts added 12 points for the Clippers, who stopped a
12-game losing streak at San Antonio, winning there for the
first time since a 115-103 victory on March 13th, 1989.
"We really played good defense tonight," said Clippers guard
Malik Sealy. "This is a game where you have ups and downs. We
were fortunate to maintain the lead throughout."
Dominique Wilkins scored 24 points for the Spurs, who have lost
three straight and six of their last seven. Vernon Maxwell and
Will Perdue each added 13 points for the Spurs, who again were
without starting center David Robinson and starting forward
Charles Smith.
Robinson, who averaged 25 points and 12.2 rebounds last season,
has a lower back strain and may return next week. Smith missed
his sixth straight game with chronic synovitis in his right
knee.
Sean Elliott made a layup to give the Spurs a 17-16 edge with
1:52 left in the first quarter. But Vaught answered with a
15-footer to give the Clippers the lead for good 21 seconds
later.
Terry Dehere made a three-pointer to close an 8-0 spurt and give
the Clippers a 30-20 advantage with 9:01 left in the second
quarter. Vaught had eight points and Stanley Roberts added
seven as Los Angeles took a 48-37 lead at halftime.
Roberts also grabbed seven rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench
and starting center Kevin Duckworth had eight points and six
rebounds.
"Any win is a great win," Duckworth said. "Tonight we played a
scrappy game to get a 'W.' In this league any team can beat any
other team on any given night. In the second and third quarters
we played great defense. We had a couple of key steals, played
hard and hit our free throws to put the game away. We had fun
and just played basketball."
Rodney Rogers, who scored 10 points, had a dunk to give the
Clippers their biggest lead at 56-42 with 8:19 left in the third
quarter.
Maxwell made a three-pointer and a layup to end a 7-0 run and
pull the Spurs within 85-81 with 2:07 left in the fourth
quarter. But Los Angeles reserve guard Darrick Martin entered
the game and made a layup and four free throws as the Clippers
scored the final eight points.
"We're getting our butts beat," Maxwell said. "We need to find
a way to be positive to and play 40 minutes of ball. We also
need to look for ways to help our confidenc. We had a poor
effort tonight. When I hit the three, the game was basically
over. The first 45 minutes of the game was where the problem
was. It seems everything goes against us."
nba.1630nba.news,
MIAMI (94) AT VANCOUVER (75)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 46 6-14 0-0 4 5 9 6 2 1 2 16
BROWN F 36 1-8 2-2 3 5 8 1 2 2 2 4
MOURNING C 21 6-11 2-4 4 5 9 0 4 1 5 14
DANILOVIC G 23 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 3
HARDAWAY G 33 7-11 0-2 0 3 3 7 2 1 4 19
AUSTIN 30 6-12 5-8 1 8 9 3 3 0 2 17
ASKINS 22 3-7 4-4 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 10
GRANT 15 1-4 2-2 1 1 2 3 1 1 0 5
PINCKNEY 5 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
STRICKLAND 5 1-3 0-0 3 1 4 0 1 0 0 2
LENARD 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
SCOTT 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 240 33-78 17-24 18 30 48 23 19 8 17 94
(.423) (.708) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 19(22 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 35 5-8 0-0 1 3 4 1 2 1 4 11
ROGERS F 30 4-9 2-2 1 5 6 0 5 0 2 10
REEVES C 39 7-14 2-3 2 8 10 2 4 0 1 16
MOTEN G 35 1-9 5-6 1 3 4 6 2 2 7 7
ANTHONY G 33 3-8 5-5 0 3 3 7 2 5 2 14
MAYBERRY 15 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 2
MOBLEY 12 1-1 2-4 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4
PEELER 13 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 7
LYNCH 10 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 2
ABDUR-RAHIM 18 0-5 2-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 2
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 25-62 20-24 5 26 31 20 22 8 22 75
(.403) (.833) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 22(27 PTS)
MIAMI 19 32 24 19 - 94
VANCOUVER 25 20 18 12 - 75
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - BROWN 5, MOURNING 3, MAJERLE, ASKINS. VANCOUVER -
ROGERS 3, REEVES 2, B EDWARDS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 11-23 (.478), MAJERLE 4-9, DANILOVIC 1-3,
HARDAWAY 5-7, ASKINS 0-2, GRANT 1-1, SCOTT 0-1. VANCOUVER 5-15 (.333), B
EDWARDS 1-1, MOTEN 0-3, ANTHONY 3-6, MAYBERRY 0-1, PEELER 1-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: TOMMIE WOOD, MARK WUNDERLICH, ED T RUSH.
A - 15,054. T - 2:06.
MIAMI (94) AT VANCOUVER (75)
Tim Hardaway scored 19 points and Isaac Austin added 17 and nine
rebounds off the bench to lead the Miami Heat to a 94-75 victory
over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Dan Majerle added 16 points and a season-high nine rebounds for
Miami, which has opened its six-game road trip with consecutive
victories following a three-game losing streak.
"Everybody played well tonight," Majerle said. "We did what we
had to do. We know if we play well we can beat these guys and
after a slow start we did a good job, especially on the boards."
Bryant Reeves had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Greg Anthony
added 14 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost four straight
games. The Grizzlies have lost two of three meetings all-time
against the Heat.
"They have a physical and mental toughness we just don't have,"
said Vancouver coach Brian Winters. "Even on a second night of
back-to-back games they had it. When they shoot like that and
you get outrebounded like we did you don't have a chance."
Keith Askins, who had 10 points off the bench, made a pair of
free throws to pull the Heat within 31-30 with 7:50 left in the
second quarter. Roy Rogers was called for goaltending on a
Austin's layup and Miami took the lead for good, 32-31, with
7:27 to play in the second.
Hardaway made a three-pointer to close a 17-4 spurt and give the
Heat a 43-33 lead with 3:14 left in the second. Hardaway had 12
points and Alonzo Mourning scored 10 of his 14 as the Grizzlies
built a 51-45 halftime lead. Majerle grabbed seven boards as
the Heat outrebounded the Grizzlies 14-4 in the second quarter.
Mourning had nine rebounds and three blocked shots in just 21
minutes.
"When you have to leave the game early it's great to come off
the bench and step up like that," Mourning said. "That will
certainly be one of the keys for us through the rest of the
season."
Miami increased its lead to 75-63 at the end of the third
quarter. Voshon Lenard's jumper gave the Heat their biggest
lead of the game, 94-71, with 1:45 remaining. Miami
outrebounded Vancouver 48-31.
nba.1631nba.news,
NEW YORK (86) AT CHARLOTTE (93)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OAKLEY F 37 2-8 5-6 4 11 15 2 4 1 2 9
JOHNSON F 27 4-5 1-3 2 1 3 1 4 0 1 9
EWING C 39 4-11 10-13 1 8 9 0 4 0 5 18
WARD G 30 3-7 2-2 1 0 1 3 2 1 1 9
HOUSTON G 32 7-16 0-0 0 1 1 3 5 0 4 16
WALLACE 17 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 0
CHILDS 18 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 3 3
B WILLIAMS 14 4-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 1 2 8
STARKS 26 5-11 3-3 0 3 3 3 2 1 1 14
BROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-68 21-27 8 29 37 14 31 4 20 86
(.441) (.778) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 23(29 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GEIGER F 20 3-8 2-2 0 3 3 1 5 1 0 8
MASON F 39 6-11 8-12 0 5 5 4 4 2 4 20
DIVAC C 33 9-19 4-5 4 9 13 1 5 0 1 23
CURRY G 37 4-9 2-2 0 1 1 1 3 3 1 10
BOGUES G 33 2-6 2-2 0 3 3 10 1 3 4 6
RICE 33 5-12 0-0 0 0 0 5 2 0 2 11
ZIDEK 6 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
BURRELL 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0
GOLDWIRE 15 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 8
ROSE 13 1-2 5-8 4 2 6 2 4 2 1 7
DELK 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-75 23-31 8 27 35 25 26 11 17 93
(.440) (.742) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 17(16 PTS)
NEW YORK 23 28 19 16 - 86
CHARLOTTE 23 22 23 25 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - WALLACE 2, EWING 2, B WILLIAMS. CHARLOTTE -
GEIGER, MASON, DIVAC, ROSE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 5-13 (.385), WARD 1-4, HOUSTON 2-6, CHILDS
1-1, STARKS 1-2. CHARLOTTE 4-10 (.400), GEIGER 0-1, DIVAC 1-1, CURRY 0-1,
RICE 1-3, GOLDWIRE 2-4.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - STARKS, CHARLOTTE - MASON, DIVAC.
OFFICIALS: LUIS GRILLO, BENNETT SALVATORE, DON VADEN.
A - 24,042. T - 2:31.
NEW YORK (86) AT CHARLOTTE (93)
Vlade Divac scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter as
the Charlotte Hornets took advantage of sloppy play down the
stretch by the New York Knicks for a 93-86 victory.
Ex-Knick Anthony Mason added 20 points for Charlotte, which
snapped a four-game losing streak and avenged a 113-86 loss at
New York on November 3rd. The Hornets also snapped a two-game
home losing streak.
Patrick Ewing scored 18 points and Allan Houston added 16 for
New York, which lost its first road game of the season and had a
three-game winning streak halted. The Knicks were trying for
their first 6-0 road start since the 1969-70 season, when they
won the NBA title.
Larry Johnson, who was dealt to New York in exchange for Mason
and Brad Lohaus, had only nine points and three rebounds in 27
minutes in his return to Charlotte.
"I thought we would play well," said Johnson about his
homecoming. "In the third and fourth quarter, the crowd got
into it and we couldn't get it together. It was frustrating
to lose, but we've got another game coming up quick so we've
got to put it back together."
New York trailed 88-86 when Ewing made the first of two free
throws with 44 seconds left. Mason also made one of two free
throws with 29 seconds to play and the Knicks had a chance to
tie. After a timeout, a pass was mishandled by Ewing and
fumbled by Charles Oakley. Dell Curry grabbed the loose ball
and hit two free throws to make it 91-86 with 21 seconds left.
Divac added two free throws with 13 seconds to play to cap the
scoring. New York committed seven of its 23 turnovers in the
final four minutes.
"We didn't execute," said Ewing. "We let it slip away and slip
away. We made too many mistakes to be able to win the game."
"Turnovers came back to haunt us, and it keeps happening," said
Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy. "It's the same old story, and has
become a habit with the front and backcourt. We're just not
doing a good job with the ball."
Ewing gave New York its largest lead of the fourth quarter when
he made two free throws for a 74-70 advantage with 10:46 to
play. But the Hornets responded with a 12-5 run. Glen Rice and
Divac had two baskets each and Anthony Goldwire drilled a
three-pointer to give Charlotte an 85-81 lead with 5:03 left.
Ewing and Mason each made one free throw before Divac scored in
the low post to give Charlotte an 88-82 bulge with 2:38 to go.
Starks had a steal and dished to Oakley, who made a layup.
Oakley then hit one of two free throws with 1:14 left to draw
the Knicks within three.
Rice had 11 points off the bench and Curry finished with 10 for
Charlotte, which shot 44 percent (33-of-75) from the field.
Muggsy Bogues had 10 assists and three steals for the Hornets,
who scored 29 points off 23 New York turnovers.
"When you have fun, you always play good basketball," said
Divac, who shot 9-of-19 from the field. "When you have
pressure, you have more turnovers."
"Everybody's very happy in the locker room," said Charlotte
coach Dave Cowens. "We needed a win bad. Our defense efforts
were showing up. I was very happy for Mason. He showed New
York a win."
Oakley had 15 rebounds and Starks had 14 off the bench for New
York, which were outscored in the paint, 42-26. The Knicks had
only 35 points in the second half, 16 in the fourth quarter.
nba.1632nba.news,
SEATTLE (115) AT WASHINGTON (110) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 50 12-23 10-16 1 11 12 2 5 3 5 34
D SCHREMPF F 50 8-18 6-6 2 13 15 4 3 0 2 23
MCILVAINE C 23 0-1 0-0 1 7 8 0 3 2 2 0
HAWKINS G 39 2-10 0-0 2 2 4 4 3 1 4 5
PAYTON G 52 13-22 1-3 2 1 3 7 4 2 3 31
STEWART 21 0-0 6-6 1 1 2 1 2 0 1 6
EHLO 18 0-4 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 2 0
PERKINS 28 4-10 4-4 1 3 4 1 3 3 1 14
SNOW 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 0
WINGATE 3 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 290 39-89 29-37 11 38 49 22 28 12 21 115
(.438) (.784) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 22(28 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GRANT F 26 2-5 0-0 1 5 6 0 4 2 3 4
HOWARD F 51 4-14 7-8 6 7 13 8 6 1 3 15
WEBBER C 56 15-24 3-6 5 8 13 5 5 1 2 34
CHEANEY G 22 0-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 0
STRICKLAND G 46 7-18 1-2 5 6 11 9 1 0 7 15
JACKSON 19 4-10 0-0 2 1 3 0 3 0 1 11
MURRAY 36 5-16 2-2 2 4 6 1 6 2 1 16
WHITNEY 29 4-13 4-7 1 3 4 0 1 1 2 15
WALLACE 5 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MURESAN DNP - FLU
TOTALS 290 41-106 17-25 23 35 58 24 29 7 20 110
(.387) (.680) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 20(19 PTS)
SEATTLE 23 28 24 22 10 8 - 115
WASHINGTON 28 20 19 30 10 3 - 110
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - KEMP 3, PERKINS, HAWKINS, MCILVAINE, D SCHREMPF.
WASHINGTON - WEBBER 7, GRANT 2, MURRAY 2, STRICKLAND, JACKSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 8-21 (.381), D SCHREMPF 1-2, HAWKINS 1-6,
PAYTON 4-6, EHLO 0-2, PERKINS 2-5. WASHINGTON 11-30 (.367), GRANT 0-1,
WEBBER 1-1, STRICKLAND 0-1, JACKSON 3-6, MURRAY 4-12, WHITNEY 3-9.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - PAYTON, ILLEGAL DEFENSE, WASHINGTON - WHITNEY.
OFFICIALS: SEAN CORBIN, DAN CRAWFORD, TED BERNHARDT.
A - 18,756. T - 2:46.
SEATTLE (115) AT WASHINGTON (110) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
Gary Payton scored four of his season-high 31 points in the
second overtime and Shawn Kemp added a season-high 34 points as
the Seattle SuperSonics outlasted the Washington Bullets,
115-110, for their ninth straight victory.
Detlef Schrempf hit a baseline jumper 19 seconds into the second
overtime to give Seattle a 109-107 lead, and after pair of
misses by Washington, Payton made a turnaround jumper in the
lane, making it 111-107 with 2:56 left.
Washington's Tracy Murray missed a three-pointer and Juwan
Howard also missed a shot before Payton's driving layup with
2:03 to play gave the Sonics a 113-107 advantage. Chris Whitney
missed a three-pointer and Hersey Hawkins made a key steal on
Howard's pass during a 2-on-1 break.
"We never gave up and we kept fighting," Howard said. "We ran
out of steam in the end. We couldn't hit the shot."
Sam Perkins made two free throws with 7.8 seconds left to seal
Seattle's 10th victory in 12 games this season.
"We were very tired, we fought hard and we hung on," Seattle
coach George Karl said. "We had just enough to figure it out.
It wasn't very pretty, but it's a road win. I'm just glad we're
playing winning basketball, because we're not playing good
basketball."
Detlef Schrempf had 23 points and 15 rebounds for Seattle, which
has won 14 of the last 15 meetings with the Bullets.
"They had a lot of confidence, they kept making the
three-pointer and that made the game difficult," Kemp said.
"They made us beat them, we used our heads and played a simple
game in the end. We made some smart decisions down the stretch,
but we're still not playing well."
Chris Webber poured in a season-high 34 points on 15-of-24 from
the field and added 13 rebounds, five assists and seven blocks
for the Bullets, who have alternated wins and losses in their
last five contests.
"The best aspect of this game is that we saw a a lot of heart on
the court," Bullets coach Jim Lynam said. "We can play much
better than the three quarters though, our defense stuck
together in the second half, which gave us the confidence to
come back. We were just very tired at the end. Webber's
numbers are unbelievable, especially his seven blocks."
The Bullets trailed 92-76 with 5:18 remaining in regulation
before storming back with a 21-5 run to tie it, 97-97, and force
the extra session. Whitney made a pair of three-pointers and
had seven points and Webber added seven during the run.
Webber kept the Bullets going in the first overtime, scoring all
10 points. Kemp's layup with 57 seconds left in the first
overtime gave Seattle a 107-105 edge, but Webber dunked to tie
for the Bullets.
"I though I played a good game, but we came up short in the
end," Webber said. "They are a great team. Kemp was a player I
looked up to in college. He showed what he can do against us
tonight."
The Sonics had a chance to win with two seconds to go, but
Webber blocked Kemp's shot from the foul line.
Washington's Rod Strickland just missed a triple-double with 15
points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Howard added 15 points
and 13 rebounds for the Bullets, who shot 39 percent (38-of-106)
from the field.
Washington played without center Gheorghe Muresan, who was
suffering from the flu.
nba.1633nba.news,
UTAH (113) AT LA LAKERS (97)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 35 14-21 9-11 0 6 6 6 3 2 3 37
RUSSELL F 38 4-6 0-1 1 5 6 1 4 3 2 10
OSTERTAG C 29 5-7 0-0 0 9 9 1 6 0 0 10
HORNACEK G 31 4-9 4-4 0 4 4 5 2 0 1 12
STOCKTON G 37 5-8 5-5 0 2 2 13 5 3 2 16
EISLEY 11 1-1 7-8 1 0 1 2 1 1 3 9
FOSTER 7 1-4 3-4 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 5
CARR 20 4-7 0-0 1 3 4 3 2 1 2 8
MORRIS 9 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2
ANDERSON 17 1-4 2-3 2 5 7 2 2 0 0 4
KEEFE 5 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0
WATSON 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 40-72 30-36 7 35 42 35 28 11 13 113
(.556) (.833) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(12 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 31 2-6 0-0 3 3 6 0 3 0 0 4
JONES F 41 7-19 0-0 1 4 5 3 1 2 4 16
ONEAL C 41 11-22 4-10 8 7 15 2 4 1 4 26
SCOTT G 16 1-8 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 3
VAN EXEL G 36 6-13 6-8 0 1 1 11 2 0 2 20
KERSEY 15 2-5 5-6 2 1 3 0 5 1 0 9
FISHER 12 0-3 1-2 1 0 1 0 4 0 1 1
BRYANT 21 4-5 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 2 11
ROOKS 8 1-1 0-1 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 2
BLOUNT 11 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 0
ROBINSON 5 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
KNIGHT 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 36-84 16-27 16 23 39 21 26 4 15 97
(.429) (.593) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(11 PTS)
UTAH 22 24 34 33 - 113
LA LAKERS 27 21 21 28 - 97
BLOCKED SHOTS: UTAH - OSTERTAG 3, CARR 2. LA LAKERS - ONEAL 4, BRYANT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: UTAH 3-12 (.250), MALONE 0-1, RUSSELL 2-3, HORNACEK
0-3, STOCKTON 1-3, MORRIS 0-2. LA LAKERS 9-22 (.409), JONES 2-6, SCOTT
1-4, VAN EXEL 2-5, KERSEY 0-1, FISHER 0-2, BRYANT 3-3, ROBINSON 1-1.
TECHNICALS: UTAH - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, LA LAKERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, KERSEY.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, MIKE SMITH, NOLAN FINE.
A - 16,122. T - 2:25.
UTAH (113) AT LA LAKERS (97)
Karl Malone scored a season-high 37 points, including 20 in the
third quarter, and John Stockton added 16 and 13 assists as the
Utah Jazz extended their winning streak to four games with a
113-97 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Malone made 8-of-8 shots from the field in the third period but
had just two points in a pivotal 15-4, third quarter run that
blew open a tied game. Malone was 10-of-10 overall in the
second half.
"Truly, it was an ugly first half," Malone said. "Neither team
seemed like they wanted to play. All of a sudden, we came out
in the second half and started to execute. It's kind of amazing
what a team can do when they play cohesively. These guys were
playing some good basketball before this. Then we came in and
showed them we can go with them."
Shaquille O'Neal led Los Angeles with 26 points and 13 rebounds
and Nick Van Exel added 20 points and 11 rebounds. The loss was
the first of the season for the Lakers at home and snapped their
three-game winning streak overall.
"Utah played a tremendous game," Lakers coach Del Harris said.
"Karl Malone seems never to run down. For us to have won
tonight, we would've had to play our best game of the year."
"I'm not going to make excuses. It's a long season. We played
well in the first half and then we came out kind of flat. They
hit a lot of shots in the second half."
The Lakers retired the number 25 of Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich
during halftime ceremonies. Among the luminaries who intended
the ceremony were Wilt Chamberlain, John Wooden, Walt Hazzard
and James Worthy.
O'Neal had 14 points in the first quarter as the Lakers raced to
a 27-22 lead. The Jazz used an 11-7 run midway through the
second quarter to take a 38-37 lead with a 5:43 to play.
"I thought he (O'Neal) was going to get 90 points the way he
started," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "We started doubling Shaq
and that helped a little bit."
The game stayed tight and the Lakers knotted the score at 58
with 6:12 to play in the third. The Jazz then went on a 15-4
run, capped by a pair of free throws by Howard Eisley with 2:48
remaining. Jeff Hornacek added four free throws during the
stretch, which also included a laup by Greg Ostertag.
"It's a time that you make sure that everyone is aware that he's
(Malone) hot," said Stockton. "One guy doesn't win a game for
you, but when one player is hot, that opens things up for
everyone else."
The Lakers were unable to overcome the spurt and failed to shut
down the Jazz offense over the final 12 minutes.
nba.1634nba.news,
Olajuwon in hospital after irregular heartbeat
HOUSTON -- Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon remained in a hospital
Wednesday after being taken there with an irregular heartbeat during
the Rockets' 122-93 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday night. He will
be out of action five to seven days.
Olajuwon will remain in the hospital until Thursday. In a written
release, team spokesman Tim Frank said Olajuwon, "Underwent an
elective cardioversion early this morning. He responded well and his
heartbeat went back to normal cardiac rhythm."
Frank said Olajuwon will probably undergo an exercise stress test and
is expected to be out of action for five to seven days.
Olajuwon walked out of The Summit without help Tuesday night, and
the Rockets issued a statement saying Olajuwon's condition was not
believed serious.
Olajuwon, 33, scored 10 points in the first half, helping the Rockets
to a 71-48 lead. But he did not play in the second half and was taken
to Methodist Hospital during the third quarter.
He experienced an irregular heartbeat during the 1991-92 season, but
it returned to normal with the help of medication.
According to team spokesman Tim Frank, Olajuwon entered the locker
room at halftime and had a glass of water. As soon as he drank it, his
heart started feeling strange. He was examined by team doctors and
said he felt better, although his heart rate still had not returned to
normal.
Doctors suggested he undergo tests and Olajuwon was taken to the
hospital, where he underwent an EKG and further tests. A hospital
spokeswoman said Olajuwon cannot be discharged until his heart rate
returns to normal, which could be as early as Wednesday.
"He has atrial fibrillation, which is a type of arrhythmia," Frank
said Tuesday night. " (Former Rocket) Vernon Maxwell had this in 1993
and Hakeem had it at the beginning of the 1991 season. It is not
uncommon among athletes. They are going to treat it with medication
after they complete the test. As soon as his heartbeat returns to
normal, he'll be back on the floor."
Early in the 1991-92 season, Olajuwon had clotting problems and was
treated with blood thinners. He also wore an elastic sleeve on his leg
to improve circulation.
The Rockets host winless Phoenix on Thursday.
Olajuwon is an 11-time All-Star who won the Most Valuable Player award
in 1994 and led the Rockets to NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.
nba.1635nba.news,
Warriors G Coles out with broken right wrist
Golden State Warriors reserve point guard Bimbo Coles was placed on
the injured list today with a broken right wrist he suffered Tuesday
night.
Coles had nine points and four assists in 20 minutes before he was
hurt in the second half of a 112-109 home loss to the Los Angeles
Lakers. He will wear a cast for two weeks before being re-evaluated.
The 28-year-old Coles is averaging 5.2 points and 2.1 assists in 10
games this season. He was acquired in a trade with Miami last season
after spending five-plus seasons with the Heat. He entered the season
with career averages of 9.0 points and 4.4 assists.
The loss of Coles doesn't leave the Warriors short-handed. The club
has Mark Price as its starting point guard and reserve B.J. Armstrong
can also play the point.
To replace Coles on the roster, Golden State activated forward Lou Roe
from the injured list. Roe played his rookie season with the Detroit
Pistons before he was signed by the Warriors as a free agent during
the off-season. He had been sidelined with a strained right hamstring.
nba.1636nba.news,
Calipari, Nets owners argue contract clause
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Nov 20, 1996 - 17:24 EST) -- Five days after
his first win as an NBA coach, New Jersey Nets coach John Calipari had
to think about what would happen if he were fired.
The former Massachusetts coach, who signed a five-year, $15 million
contract to become Nets coach and executive vice president, met with
team owners Tuesday to discuss a contract clause that would dictate
how much money Calipari would receive if he got fired.
The so-called offset clause, which was not in the original agreement,
says Calipari will receive the full balance of $15 million if he were
fired by the Nets, but would allow the team to deduct what Calipari
might earn in another coaching job.
Nets president Michael Rowe said the offset clause is standard in pro
basketball. Calipari said he doesn't understand why they are even
discussing the clause.
"If they want to fire me, they want to recoup some of their money if I
get another job," Calipari said. "That's what an offset is, it's about
being fired. And I'm like, why are we talking about this."
Rowe said if the Nets let Calipari go and he gets another job, he
could be receiving two checks at once, which would not be fair to the
Nets or to the ticket buyers. Rowe said he hopes they can resolve the
issue soon.
But Calipari said there is nothing to be resolved.
"I have an agreement and there's no offset in it," Calipari said.
Calipari denied speculation that he might be in line for the UCLA job,
where Jim Harrick was fired last week.
"I have a five-year deal," Calipari said, "and I have every
expectation to be here hopefully longer than that."
The Nets are 1-5 this season. Their lone win was a 105-99 victory over
the against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
nba.1637nba.news,
The flu makes its rounds
TORONTO (Nov 20, 1996 - 05:24 EST) -- Just as Detlef Schrempf started
to get over the flu, Craig Ehlo caught it.
Schrempf, who missed the Seattle SuperSonics' victory Sunday over
Vancouver with the stomach flu, returned to the starting lineup
Tuesday at Toronto and scored 17 points and had four rebounds in 34
minutes.
But he said he still doesn't feel 100 percent.
"I still feel weak," Schrempf said. "(Monday) night was the first meal
I'd had in two days. I didn't feel real good today, but I thought I'd
give it a try and see how it feels and it felt good enough."
But Ehlo missed the game after apparently contracting something
similar Tuesday morning. He missed the team's morning shootaround,
then stayed at the hotel for the game.
His status for the game Wednesday night at Washington is uncertain.
Schrempf, however, said Ehlo didn't appear to be as sick.
"At least he's not throwing up," Schrempf said.
Sonics coach George Karl said such sicknesses are why it's important
to have not only a talented bench, but a bench that understands the
nature of the 82-game NBA season.
"Injuries and sickness are going to happen," Karl said. "Our bench is
very ego-cooperative, if that's the correct term. They practice hard,
they want to play, they understand when they don't play why they don't
play.
"There is a good bond on the bench in that they have a lot of respect
for the players ahead of them, but they also enjoy the challenge to
play minutes."
SONICS FIGURED OUT?: Karl took a bit of umbrage to remarks attributed
to Vancouver guard Greg Anthony after the game Sunday in Seattle that
the Grizzlies and other NBA teams had figured out the Sonics' defense.
"Figure us out?" Karl asked with a smirk. "How many turnovers did they
have? How many points did they score?"
For the record, the Grizzlies lost the game, 91-81, and committed 26
turnovers as Seattle had a season-high 17 steals.
"(Teams) have said that before," Karl said. "Two years ago people said
if you have the time to prepare, you can figure it out. But I think
what you are seeing is our defense with a few more teams, so instead
of us being the exception playing pressure defense and rotating
defense and changing defenses, you are seeing six or seven teams in
the league doing what we do, which makes it easier to teach and
coach."
BIG MAC RETURNS: The game Wednesday night at Washington will be the
first for Sonics center Jim McIlvaine against his former Bullets
teammates. McIlvaine played in Washington his first two years before
signing with the Sonics as a free agent over the summer.
He remains close to several Bullets players and to coach Jim Lynam.
"It'll be nice to get back and see some of the guys and coaches,"
McIlvaine said. "I'm looking forward to playing them and seeing if we
can keep our winning streak rolling."
NOTES: Shawn Kemp fell two rebounds shy of having the fourth 20-point,
20-rebound game of his career. ... Doug Christie fell three points shy
of his career high, but somehow had only one assist despite playing
point guard for the majority of the 41 minutes he was in the game. ...
Newly signed Antonio Harvey saw his first action with the Sonics in
the first half, scoring four points in four minutes. ... The 12 points
Toronto scored in the second quarter was the fewest allowed by Seattle
in a quarter this season. ... The Sonics are 4-0 when playing the
second game in two nights, and were 17-5 in such situations last year.
nba.1638nba.news,
Raptors try to lose 'second-half' reputation
TORONTO (Nov 20, 1996 - 17:24 EST) -- Coach Darrell Walker heads to
the Toronto Raptors' bench each game never knowing what he's about to
see.
Will it be the team that beat the Los Angeles Lakers? Or the one that
shot 23 percent in a half against the Seattle SuperSonics? How about a
running, pressing, trapping, emotional bunch? Or a listless, lifeless,
unenthusiastic group just going through the motions?
"You never know who's going to show up," an agitated Walker said after
the latest look at the team's dual personalities in a 106-98 loss to
the SuperSonics Tuesday night.
The Raptors made only 3 of 23 shots in the second quarter of the
Seattle game and that wasn't the worst of it. From the opening tip,
the team looked as if it didn't care -- mystified on offense,
disinterested on defense and playing about as well as an average CBA
team.
The third-quarter -- after some well-chosen halftime words from Walker
-- was different. Doug Christie set a franchise record with 20 points
that quarter and the Raptors whittled a 25-point deficit to 10 while
playing with some spark.
Toronto's biggest problem has been terrible starts. Despite some
inspired play from Damon Stoudamire, rookie Marcus Camby and, at
times, Christie and Walt Williams, the Raptors are just not good
enough to come from behind every game.
While every game includes a Toronto run that makes things interesting,
it usually sets them up for another of the tough losses that have been
the team's trademark. They're known for playing tough against good
teams, which keeps fans interested, and they're good enough to beat
marginal teams.
"The majority of our games this year we've come out flat and I don't
know why," forward Carlos Rogers said. "(General manager) Isiah
(Thomas) said we're afraid to win. When we get way down, we come back,
but that's because we've got nothing to lose except losing by more.
"Until we get to the point where we can come out strong, they'll be
calling us the Second-half Raptors."
The inconsistency wears on Walker, whose sideline gyrations often are
an attempt to provide energy by osmosis. Watching players loaf rankles
him terribly.
"I was not going to be a cheerleader for a group like that," he said
after a subdued first-half Tuesday. "If you don't have enough pride to
get out there and go after it ... I just don't know."
nba.1639nba.news,
Commission approves proposed new Hawks arena
ATLANTA (Nov 20, 1996 - 19:24 EST) -- A new downtown sports arena for
the Atlanta Hawks and a possible NHL expansion team was approved by a
6-1 vote Wednesday of Fulton County commissioners.
"There's no question that this major economic development will be a
benefit to downtown Atlanta," said Commissioner Gordon Joyner.
The arena will be built at a cost estimated at $210 million by Turner
Broadcasting System Inc., which owns the Hawks and is applying for a
hockey franchise.
The Atlanta City Council and Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation
Authority also have approved the plan.
Commission chairman Mitch Skandalakis, while going along with the
plan, criticized a key financial provision.
Skandalakis said all of the proceeds from a 3 percent car-rental tax
approved by the Legislature should go toward paying for more than $60
million in improvements around the arena.
As written, the deal allows the city of Atlanta to use excess revenue
for other purposes, such as to promote industry, trade, commerce and
tourism. That could amount to more than $500,000 a year.
"I think it's dishonest," Skandalakis said at a news conference
Tuesday, adding that the money could go into a "city sinkhole."
Steven Labovitz, Atlanta's chief negotiator on the arena deal,
defended the car-rental agreement, saying it conforms with the law
authorizing the tax. Labovitz said there should be plenty of money to
pay for the repair of the public improvements around the arena.
TBS will pay $300,000 annually into a capital repair fund for
improvements such as parking, walkways and plazas.
nba.1640nba.news,
Olajuwon's heartbeat returns to normal
HOUSTON (Nov 20, 1996 - 19:24 EST) -- Although Hakeem Olajuwon's
heartbeat was back to normal Wednesday, the Houston Rockets' center
remained hospitalized as doctors performed further tests.
Olajuwon developed an irregular heartbeat after drinking a glass of
cold water at halftime Tuesday night.
He was given medication to try to stabilize his heart, but when that
was not successful, doctors used a defibrillator Wednesday to shock
his heart back to normal, said Dr. Bruce Moseley, a team physician.
Moseley said Olajuwon, 33, could be released from The Methodist
Hospital within the next day or so, depending on test results.
Team officials expected Olajuwon to be sidelined for five to seven
days.
The abnormal rhythm, or arrhythmia, appears similar to the irregular
heartbeat he had in 1991, Moseley said.
"It resolved and he did well, and we hope it's going to do the same
thing this time," Moseley said.
Doctors were optimistic further tests would show no problems. They do
not believe the reoccurrence stems from any degeneration or
abnormality of the heart.
"Barring unusual findings in further tests, we hope and expect that
this will resolve and that he will go on and do very well," Moseley
said.
Moseley described the superstar center in "reasonably good" spirits
Wednesday.
"He was feeling a whole lot better now that his rhythm was back to
normal," said Moseley, describing the irregularity as a "disconcerting
feeling."
Moseley said it was not known when Olajuwon would return to the court,
but that doctors would have a better idea Thursday.
"We don't want him to feel like we're rushing him back," Moseley said.
"We're going to take all the usual precautions, if anything, err on
the side of being conservative because this isn't anything to fool
around with."
He also said that doctors could not rule out that it might not occur
again. He said it's not really known why such arrhythmia occurs, and
that there is no medicine to control the heartbeat.
"Generally once it goes back to normal rhythm, it's back," said
Moseley, who at times reminded reporters that he is an orthopedic
surgeon and that heart specialists were treating Olajuwon. "Generally,
you can just get back and going again. But the main thing is you do it
gradually."
At one point as Moseley discussed Olajuwon's condition after the
Rockets' practice, Charles Barkley played at reporter, taking a
microphone to question the doctor.
Barkley jokingly wondered if Olajuwon's problem had anything to do
with "Shaqitis," because the Rockets would soon face the Los Angeles
Lakers and Shaquille O'Neal.
"Is there something you could give him for that?" Barkley asked.
"Ain't there some type of pill for Shaqitis?"
Olajuwon had scored 10 points and five rebounds before halftime in the
Rockets' 122-93 victory Tuesday over the Timberwolves.
His past medical conditions have included anemia at the end of the
1994-95 championship season, as well as hospitalization for a blood
clot in his left leg before the 1990-91 season. The clot was dissolved
by blood thinners.
nba.1641nba.news,
To Fitch, losses are relative
LOS ANGELES -- He has coached more games than anyone in NBA history.
He's fourth on the all-time victory list and a two-time coach of the
year. He currently coaches one of the most unsuccessful franchises in
NBA history in the Los Angeles Clippers.
But Bill Fitch's legacy is his ability to resuscitate, rehabilitate
and rejuvenate teams in critical condition.
Last season, he became the league's all-time losingest coach, passing
Dick Motta (965). With one more loss, he'll achieve another dubious
distinction -- 1,000 career losses.
"He gets a kick out of looking at something when everybody else is
throwing their hands up and discarding it," said Clippers forward Loy
Vaught. "And he likes to come in and say 'Well, I'm the one guy that
can do it.'"
There are other theories behind Fitch's reasoning.
"I think he likes being the underdog," said Suns coach Danny Ainge,
who played under Fitch with the Celtics.
"I think people see him as a survivor," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson.
"He's a guy that comes in and puts vitality into an organization."
Despite the high praise from his peers, Fitch isn't too proud of being
the NBA's all-time losingest coach.
"I try to keep that a secret," Fitch said.
With a record like his, though, the secret is out. But even the NBA's
winningest coach respects Fitch more for his victories than the
defeats.
"People say that he's lost a lot of games, but he's coached a lot of
games," said Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens. "He's won with talent that a
lot of other guys wouldn't take."
Sure, Fitch has coached Larry Bird, but he's also had Matt Fish. He
helped shape Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon, but more often he has s
lived the nightmare.
The long and losing road
His NBA career began in Cleveland with perhaps the worst expansion
team in history. The Cavaliers won just 15 games in 1970, for a .183
winning percentage.
"That was dark," Fitch recalled. "When you lose 15 out of 16 and then
go into a slump, that's dark."
However, five seasons later, Fitch led the Cavs to a division title.
In 1979, he inherited a Celtics team that had won a total of 61 games
the previous two years. The Celts won that many in Fitch's first
season. One year later they won the NBA title. Granted, Fitch's
arrival in Boston also coincided with Bird's rookie season.
Houston won only 14 games the year before hiring Fitch. In his third
season (and Olajuwon's second) the Rockets were in the NBA Finals.
The Davenport, Iowa, native's next stop landed him in New Jersey. In
his third season there, he led the Nets to their first playoff
appearance in five years.
Then, after a two-year absence from the league, he retired his fishing
line for the Clippers job -- one that many of his peers would have
likely thrown back.
Fitch explained why he keeps coming back: "Someone has to do it."
As easy as Fitch makes it sound, that's not something everybody else
could handle or even understand.
"He understood that he's going to be on the losing end of things for a
few years," said Jackson, who played for Fitch at the University of
North Dakota. "He understood what it was like to lose. He can live
with it. That's the tough thing about this game. I don't think I could
live with losing."
"I can't comprehend the 1,000 losses," Ainge said. "I can't comprehend
that at all. First of all, I think in today's age you'd be fired eight
times before you got 1,000 losses."
Dealing with losing
There were times in Cleveland when Fitch thought his team would never
get in the win column.
"There was a time in Cleveland when we were zip and 15, I was
beginning to think, 'Has anybody ever gone through this league 0-82?'"
he said.
Fitch is the only coach in league history to lose 15 or more
consecutive games with two different teams. He lost 15 straight with
the Cavaliers in 1970 and his first 16 with the Clippers in 1994.
Fortunately or unfortunately for Fitch, there were nearly 900 losses
in-between. That could explain why he doesn't agonize about even the
toughest defeats now, the way he did as a young coach.
"Coming in, I can remember that first year in Cleveland," Fitch
recalled. "You could find a room to go and cry or go lay down in the
closet. You had to stay away from all sharp objects and ropes and the
curb because you could hang yourself. It really gets frustrating."
"He doesn't really get out of control, but you can see a lot of fury
in his eyes and sometimes he'll grab his hair," Vaught said. "You can
tell he's upset, but he doesn't just flat-out lose it."
Just because he can handle losing better now, that doesn't mean he
likes it. It also doesn't mean the losses don't still upset him.
"I played for Bill for two years and I saw how tough losses were for
him," Wilkens said.
"The guy has lost 1,000 games in the NBA," said Jackson. "He must know
somewhat of how to take it, absorb it, relate to it and then direct a
team from that position."
Fitch takes no pride in being the first to lose 1,000 games. But he
still seems to get a kick out of taking his Davids and whipping your
Goliaths. That's a marketable skill in just about any era.
"My definition of a special coach is one who's still employed," said
Fitch. "It's tough to do when you're losing all the time.
"I'm still doing what I like to do," Fitch said.
But this year he's doing something new -- he's winning. Through the
first two weeks of this season, Fitch has the woeful Clippers in the
thick of a potential playoff run. If he can somehow get this team to
the postseason, his reputation as a resuscitator might overshadow his
record for losing.
nba.1642nba.news,
Maloney: Unlikely hero for Rockets
When Brent Price broke his arm during the preseason, he also broke the
Houston Rockets' hearts. He certainly isn't the Rockets' best or most
valuable player, but his performance was arguably the most critical
toward their success this season.
After obtaining Charles Barkley to join Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde
Drexler, the Rockets felt they had the stars necessary to make a
potential run at an NBA title, if Price could handle the point. With
Price out for at least the season's first three months, Houston seemed
doomed for a poor start. However, they jumped out to the West
Conference's best record at 9-1, thanks largely to the most unlikely
of sources -- Matt Maloney.
The 6-foot-3 guard's game might not receive much recognition,
especially on a team with three superstars. But he's started every
game, leads the team in three-pointers made and ranks second in
assists.
"There's a toughness," said Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "He won't
back down from anybody and he's solid."
From Ivy League to CBA to NBA, Maloney has shown he has the stuff hoop
dreams are made of. Last season, after averaging 12.1 ppg and 5.5 apg,
and hitting over 40 percent of his three-point attempts, he was named
to the CBA's All-Rookie second team. Maloney has gone from obscurity
in Grand Rapids to starting guard in Houston.
And for a 24-year-old, the former Ivy League player of the year has
shown enough poise in the early going to earn the respect of his
veteran teammates.
"He may be a quiet and unassuming kid off the court, but you can tell
that if you get a basketball in his hand, he shows confidence," said
Rockets forward Charles Barkley.
Swingman Mario Elie added: "He's so calm for a kid. I mean for
starting on one of the best teams, he's so calm and casual like it's
not really phasing him."
For any former CBA player, getting a shot in the NBA is an
opportunity. For Matt Maloney, starting next to three future Hall of
Famers, especially Barkley -- whom he knew as a youngster when Barkley
was with the Sixers -- is a dream.
"It's something that I never thought I'd do when I was little,"
Maloney said. "But as I grew up, and he stayed in the league and
didn't retire, I think my chances grew. And I'm fortunate to be on
this team now. Hopefully I can be a part of a team that won a
championship with him."
No preparation for tragedy
Preparation has always served Maloney well. From his collegiate days
marshaling the Penn Quaker offense, to his CBA perseverance, to his
NBA experience, Matt Maloney has always been prepared for what's
challenged him on the basketball floor.
But nothing could have prepared him for what happened off of it on May
3, 1996.
"It was something that I would never want to go through again," he
said. "It came up so sudden that I had no time to prepare for it."
That was the day his father Jim, an assistant coach for John Chaney at
Temple University, died. He was driving his car just outside of
Philadelphia when he suffered a fatal heart attack -- exactly one week
before Matt was to try out with the Rockets.
"Once I heard the news, I broke down," Maloney said. "I pretty much
had no control over myself for awhile and pretty much denied it and
wished that it had not happened."
But it did happen. And Maloney did attend his tryout. And despite the
tragedy, he performed well enough to make the team.
"That was a very, very tough deal for him to be even thinking of
basketball," Tomjanovich said.
"This was something he'd want me to do and do wholeheartedly," Maloney
said. "I pretty much went out and just said I want to make him proud."
Jim Maloney's dream was to be there when his son finally fulfilled a
dream of an NBA career. Spiritually, he is.
"It was something we wanted to accomplish," Maloney said. "And the
fact that he's not here to see it is kind of discouraging. But I
believe he's up there watching.
"I just want to carry on really his legacy, and if I can do it on and
off the court the way he's done it throughout his life, then I'll be
very pleased."
nba.1643seki,
Ako niste gledali sinoc Nikse protiv Hornetsa, veceras obavezno
pogledajte i obratite paznju na bradatog momka u belom dresu sa brojem
12. Taj momak je od cuvenog centra Patrika Juinga pravio majmuna (koji
uzgred, budi receno, i lici na majmuna). Radio je sta je hteo,
poentirao kad je bilo najpotrebnije i bio zasluzeno proglasen za
igraca utakmice.
Bravo, care, samo tako nastavi.
Ognjen
nba.1645superhik,
NBA.com SPECIAL DELIVERY - SPECIAL EDITION
~ November 20, 1996 ~
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings from NBA.com! This mid-week edition of Special Delivery is
to alert you that the Doctor is in - Dr. J., that is - and ready to
answer your questions in a live chat tomorrow.
In both the ABA and the NBA, Julius "Dr. J." Erving set a high
standard with his mid-air spins, high-flying acrobatics and powerful
slam dunks. After winning two ABA championships and three ABA Most
Valuable Player awards as a member of the New York Nets, Erving
played for NBA's Philadelphia 76ers for 11 seasons, during which he
earned 11 All-Star appearances and was twice named the game's MVP.
In addition, Erving was a five-time All-NBA First Team selection,
two-time All-Second Team selection and finished his professional
career with over 30,000 combined ABA/NBA points. In 1983, Erving
brought Philadelphia its first NBA championship in 16 seasons, as the
Sixers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a four game sweep.
Dalje (Da/Ne/Bez pauze/Sledeća)?
One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and the spokesman for
the NBA at 50 campaign, Erving will answer fan questions in a live
chat on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Find the chat from the home page: http://www.nba.com
Also on Thursday, test your knowledge of NBA players past and present
as the NBA at 50 "Guess the Greats" trivia game begins. The better
you do, the better your chances are of winning cool NBA at 50 prizes.
Brush up on your NBA history and get ready to play!
nba.1646vitez.koja,
#=> Ako niste gledali sinoc Nikse protiv Hornetsa, veceras obavezno
#=> pogledajte i obratite paznju na bradatog momka u belom dresu sa
#=> brojem 12.
Ako možete pogledajte samo 3. i 4. četvrtinu :)
sk
nba.1647vpoznanovic,
Thursday, November 21
Atlanta at Milwaukee 73:65
Charlotte at Indiana 90:87
Chicago at Denver 110:92
Cleveland at Toronto 89:81
Golden State at Utah 104:109
L.A. Clippers at Dallas 94:105
Minnesota at Orlando 86:90
New Jersey at Detroit 88:96
Phoenix at Houston 105:115
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 21 15 24 13 73
MILWAUKEE 15 14 21 15 65 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 21, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 17, ELDRIDGE
RECASNER 13
MIL - ARMON GILLIAM 13, RAY ALLEN 13, SHERMAN DOUGLAS 13
HIGH REBOUND: ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 12, DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 11
MIL - ARMON GILLIAM 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: ATL - ELDRIDGE RECASNER 4, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 3
MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 4, SHERMAN DOUGLAS 4
ATT: 14,698
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHARLOTTE 29 24 21 16 90
INDIANA 15 25 28 19 87 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHA - DELL CURRY 25, ANTHONY MASON 20, GLEN RICE 20
IND - DUANE FERRELL 16, TRAVIS BEST 15, REGGIE MILLER 12
HIGH REBOUND: CHA - VLADE DIVAC 15, ANTHONY MASON 9
IND - ANTONIO DAVIS 9, DALE DAVIS 9
HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 6, VLADE DIVAC 4
IND - REGGIE MILLER 7, TRAVIS BEST 5
ATT: 13,853
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHICAGO 27 25 29 29 110
DENVER 24 21 19 28 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 31, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 16, TONI KUKOC 12
DEN - BRYANT STITH 20, ANTONIO MCDYESS 16, DALE ELLIS 12
HIGH REBOUND: CHI - THREE PLAYERS WITH 7
DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 11, TOM HAMMONDS 10
HIGH ASSISTS: CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 5, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 5
DEN - MARK JACKSON 8, ERIC MURDOCK 6
ATT: 17,171
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CLEVELAND 29 19 16 25 89
TORONTO 15 20 23 23 81 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CLE - CHRIS MILLS 21, BOBBY PHILLS 19, DANNY FERRY 12
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 24, MARCUS CAMBY 19, DOUG CHRISTIE
17
HIGH REBOUND: CLE - DANNY FERRY 7, TYRONE HILL 7
TOR - ACIE EARL 8, POPEYE JONES 6
HIGH ASSISTS: CLE - CHRIS MILLS 5, BOBBY PHILLS 5
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 6, WALT WILLIAMS 5
ATT: 16,835
NBA FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
GOLDEN STATE 22 27 29 18 8 104
UTAH 24 34 22 16 13 109 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 32, JOE SMITH 18, MARK PRICE 17
UTH - KARL MALONE 33, JEFF HORNACEK 30, JOHN STOCKTON 12
HIGH REBOUND: GSW - JOE SMITH 14, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
UTH - KARL MALONE 13, GREG OSTERTAG 9
HIGH ASSISTS: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 15, KARL MALONE 5
ATT: 18,889
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA CLIPPERS 25 25 17 27 94
DALLAS 23 34 26 22 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAC - MALIK SEALY 15, RODNEY ROGERS 14, LAMOND MURRAY 14
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 27, JIM JACKSON 23, TWO PLAYERS WITH 12
HIGH REBOUND: LAC - LOY VAUGHT 11, RODNEY ROGERS 7
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 9, OLIVER MILLER 8
HIGH ASSISTS: LAC - POOH RICHARDSON 8, KEVIN DUCKWORTH 6
DAL - JASON KIDD 9, JIM JACKSON 4
ATT: 13,510
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 36 19 15 16 86
ORLANDO 17 28 21 24 90 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 19, KEVIN GARNETT 17, STEPHON MARBURY
14
ORL - NICK ANDERSON 22, HORACE GRANT 14, BRIAN SHAW 11
HIGH REBOUND: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 6, KEVIN GARNETT 6
ORL - HORACE GRANT 14, DEREK STRONG 8
HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - TERRY PORTER 6, TOM GUGLIOTTA 5
ORL - BRIAN SHAW 5, DARRELL ARMSTRONG 4
ATT: 17,248
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW JERSEY 26 24 19 19 88
DETROIT 31 25 18 22 96 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 24, KENDALL GILL 18, KERRY KITTLES 15
DET - JOE DUMARS 23, GRANT HILL 17, LINDSEY HUNTER 15
HIGH REBOUND: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 18, KENDALL GILL 8
DET - GRANT HILL 8, OTIS THORPE 8
HIGH ASSISTS: NJN - ROBERT PACK 9, KERRY KITTLES 6
DET - GRANT HILL 9, STACEY AUGMON 3
ATT: 14,753
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 22 21 24 38 105
HOUSTON 23 26 31 35 115 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHO - SAM CASSELL 25, REX CHAPMAN 16, STEVE NASH 14
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 20, KEVIN WILLIS 19, MARIO ELIE 18
HIGH REBOUND: PHO - AC GREEN 8, JOE KLEINE 7
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 16, KEVIN WILLIS 12
HIGH ASSISTS: PHO - STEVE NASH 7, REX CHAPMAN 5
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 7, MARIO ELIE 6
ATT: 16,285
nba.1648nba.news,
ATLANTA (73) AT MILWAUKEE (65)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 36 2-6 0-1 0 4 4 0 3 3 3 4
LAETTNER F 42 7-18 7-9 2 10 12 3 4 0 3 21
MUTOMBO C 45 7-14 3-8 5 6 11 1 5 0 2 17
BARRY G 32 4-8 3-4 1 5 6 1 4 1 2 11
RECASNER G 46 5-10 2-2 1 5 6 4 2 1 2 13
BOYCE 18 3-7 1-2 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 7
NEWBILL 6 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0
NORMAN 15 0-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 0
ALSTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BURTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BLAYLOCK DNP - SORE RIGHT ANKLE
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 28-69 16-26 10 33 43 9 24 6 14 73
(.406) (.615) TEAM REBS: 16 TOTAL TO: 14(14 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILLIAM F 43 4-17 5-5 3 8 11 0 4 1 1 13
ROBINSON F 44 4-20 1-3 4 3 7 4 2 1 2 9
WOLF C 11 0-0 1-2 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 1
ALLEN G 38 6-13 0-0 2 5 7 3 2 0 2 13
DOUGLAS G 34 5-10 2-3 3 3 6 4 2 3 1 13
TOWER 19 1-3 1-4 0 3 3 0 5 1 0 3
PERRY 7 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 2
NEWMAN 28 2-7 0-0 2 0 2 0 3 2 1 4
WOOD 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
RESPERT 7 2-4 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5
BAKER DNP - SORE RIGHT HIP
HANCOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 26-78 11-18 14 27 41 13 23 8 10 65
(.333) (.611) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 10(9 PTS)
ATLANTA 21 15 24 13 - 73
MILWAUKEE 15 14 21 15 - 65
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 8. MILWAUKEE - GILLIAM, ROBINSON, WOLF,
NEWMAN, WOOD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 1-11 (.091), CORBIN 0-2, LAETTNER 0-2, BARRY
0-3, RECASNER 1-2, NORMAN 0-2. MILWAUKEE 2-17 (.118), ROBINSON 0-4, ALLEN
1-5, DOUGLAS 1-2, NEWMAN 0-2, WOOD 0-2, RESPERT 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED F RUSH, JOE CRAWFORD, JIM CAPERS.
A - 14,698. T - 2:00.
ATLANTA (73) AT MILWAUKEE (65)
Christian Laettner scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and
Dikembe Mutombo came within two blocks of a triple-double as the
Atlanta Hawks held the Milwaukee Bucks to the worst offensive
performance in franchise history in handing them their first
home loss, 73-65.
Mutombo had 17 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocked shots for
the Hawks, who snapped a four-game road losing streak. Eldridge
Recasner scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half for
Atlanta, which won despite going without a field goal over the
final six minutes.
"Dikembe Mutombo was a great force for us," said Atlanta coach
Lenny Wilkens. "The other guys worked their rear ends off.
Dikembe gives us a legitimate big guy in the middle. He is a
defensive force and anything he gets offensively is a plus."
Armon Gilliam, Ray Allen and Sherman Douglas each scored 11
points for Milwaukee. The Bucks shot a woeful 33.3 percent
(26-of-78) from the field. Glenn Robinson was only 4-for-20 for
nine points and Gilliam was nearly as inaccurate, hitting
4-of-17 shots.
"We were ice cold out there," said Gilliam. "In the second half,
I was the coldest one on the court. We had good shots we
normally make. We beat ourselves tonight, but we have to let it
go."
Milwaukee again played without forward Vin Baker, who has missed
the last three games with a strained right hip. The Bucks'
previous scoring low was 69 in a November 28th, 1975 loss to
Chicago.
"It's an adjustment for us when Vin Baker is out of the lineup,"
said Robinson. "I'll be happy when he gets back into the lineup
so we can get things rolling again."
The Hawks led by as many as 12 points several times, but Allen
had five points in a 6-0 run that cut the margin to 69-65 with
1:18 remaining. That's as close as the Bucks would get, however.
Recasner and Laettner each hit a pair of free throws in the
final 17 seconds to close out the scoring.
"It may not have been pretty, but we won the game," said
Recasner. "We've got three guys out and we have to play tough."
Atlanta was without its starting backcourt of Mookie Blaylock
and Steve Smith. Blaylock has been troubled by a sore right
ankle and Smith has missed six straight games with a sprained
right ankle.
nba.1649nba.news,
CHARLOTTE (90) AT INDIANA (87)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RICE F 46 7-16 1-2 1 3 4 1 3 1 0 20
MASON F 45 7-16 6-7 3 6 9 6 3 4 2 20
DIVAC C 37 3-8 3-9 4 11 15 4 5 1 3 9
BOGUES G 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0
CURRY G 45 8-20 5-6 0 4 4 3 3 3 3 25
GOLDWIRE 34 3-7 5-6 1 6 7 2 0 0 4 12
GEIGER 8 0-0 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1
DELK 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
ROSE 8 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
SMITH 8 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 3
BURRELL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ZIDEK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-71 21-32 12 30 42 20 17 11 13 90
(.408) (.656) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(13 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 36 2-5 0-0 1 8 9 0 3 1 2 4
MCKEY F 29 2-7 1-2 1 2 3 4 1 1 0 5
DAMPIER C 14 3-8 2-2 3 0 3 0 4 0 1 8
MILLER G 32 5-17 0-0 2 4 6 7 2 0 2 12
BEST G 38 5-12 4-4 1 6 7 5 3 2 4 15
A DAVIS 30 5-8 0-2 1 8 9 1 4 0 2 10
ASKEW 18 4-5 1-2 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 9
ROSE 16 2-5 4-6 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 8
FERRELL 17 7-8 1-2 1 1 2 0 3 0 2 16
ALLEN 10 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 0
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-77 13-20 10 32 42 25 24 5 14 87
(.455) (.650) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 14(14 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 29 24 21 16 - 90
INDIANA 15 25 28 19 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - DIVAC 3, RICE. INDIANA - A DAVIS 3, D DAVIS 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 11-17 (.647), RICE 5-6, CURRY 4-8, GOLDWIRE
1-1, SMITH 1-2. INDIANA 4-11 (.364), MILLER 2-7, BEST 1-2, ROSE 0-1,
FERRELL 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE CALLAHAN, DICK BAVETTA, WOODY MAYFIELD.
A - 13,853. T - 2:17.
CHARLOTTE (90) AT INDIANA (87)
Dell Curry scored 25 points and Anthony Goldwire made four free
throws in the final 10 seconds as the Charlotte Hornets defeated
the Indiana Pacers, 90-87, for their second straight win.
Glen Rice and Anthony Mason each added 20 points and Goldwire
finished with 12 points for Charlotte, which improved to 2-3 on
the road and posted its first win at Indiana in six trips. Vlade
Divac grabbed 15 rebounds, while Mason contributed nine rebounds
and six assists.
"I'm just trying to find different things to do," Hornets coach
Dave Cowens said. "They couldn't tie the game up and we hung
tough and won a real tough game on the road."
"I wanted to prove a point that when I'm on the floor, good
things can happen," said Rice, who was starting after being
forced to come off the bench for missing a meeting. "We were
very patient on offense, but when they picked up their defensive
pressure they got kind of sloppy. The biggest difference was the
type of aggressivenes on the defensive end."
Duane Ferrell scored 16 points, Travis Best added 15 and Reggie
Miller was held to 12 on 5-for-17 shooting for Indiana (3-7),
which fell to 1-3 at home. Antonio Davis and Dale Davis each
grabbed nine rebounds and Miller handed out seven assists for
the Pacers, who squandered seven chances to tie or grab the lead
in the fourth quarter.
"I think the problem that we have aside from Ferrell, Jalen
(Rose) or Vincent (Askew) is that when we post up we can't get a
shot," Pacers coach Larry Brown said. "I like our team and the
potential, but I don't like a lack of leadership effort or
mental toughness."
The Pacers once again played without center Rik Smits, who will
not play his first game of the season for at least two to three
more weeks after recovering from surgery on both feet.
"I felt really good out there tonight, but we need Rik Smits
back really bad," Ferrell added. "Our defense was good tonight.
Any time you keep a team under 100 points, you should win. Our
big challenge is to be real consistent and stop digging holes
that are tough to get out of. Good teams will not let you do
that."
The Pacers lost at home to the Hornets for the first time since
November 16th, 1993.
Antonio Davis' 13-footer with 37 seconds left lifted Indiana
within 86-84. But Goldwire made two free throws with 10 seconds
to go as Charlotte regained its four-point lead.
Ferrell drilled a three-pointer with 3.1 seconds remaining to
pull the Pacers within 88-87, but Goldwire followed with two
more from the line for a 90-87 advantage with 1.3 seconds to go.
The Pacers were unable to get a shot off in time as the inbounds
pass intended for Miller deflected off a defender's back.
The Hornets almost blew a 16-point lead. After Tony Smith
drilled a three-pointer to give Charlotte a 56-40 bulge one
minute into the third quarter, rookie Erick Dampier made a layup
to ignite a 13-5 Pacers' run. Miller had five points in the
spurt, including a running jumper to close the deficit to 61-53
midway through the third quarter.
Rice and Mason scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the
first quarter as the Hornets took a 29-15 lead. Charlotte
settled for a 53-40 halftime edge behind Rice's 17 points.
Divac was held to nine points -- he missed six of nine free
throws -- but blocked three shots for the Hornets, who hit just
41 percent from the field (29-of-71), despite hitting 11-of-17
from three-point range.
"Divac has good hands, but I wish he would make more free
throws," Cowens suggested.
Antonio Davis scored 10 points for the Pacers, who were
13-for-20 from the free-throw line.
nba.1650nba.news,
CHICAGO (110) AT DENVER (92)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 36 6-14 3-6 1 3 4 5 2 2 2 16
RODMAN F 27 2-2 0-0 4 3 7 5 3 0 3 4
LONGLEY C 14 3-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 6
JORDAN G 34 12-23 7-7 4 3 7 3 2 2 2 31
HARPER G 21 4-8 3-6 0 4 4 1 2 2 0 11
CAFFEY 15 2-2 7-14 3 2 5 0 2 0 1 11
KERR 22 3-6 2-2 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 9
KUKOC 27 3-8 6-10 0 7 7 3 3 1 4 12
BUECHLER 13 0-3 0-2 1 2 3 1 2 1 0 0
WENNINGTON 19 3-7 0-0 0 4 4 1 4 0 1 6
BROWN 12 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 0 1 4
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-81 28-47 15 31 46 21 25 8 14 110
(.494) (.596) TEAM REBS: 18 TOTAL TO: 15(13 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 40 5-18 1-2 0 0 0 1 2 3 2 12
MCDYESS F 31 5-19 6-8 5 6 11 2 6 1 2 16
JOHNSON C 16 2-4 0-0 1 3 4 0 3 0 2 4
JACKSON G 28 1-4 0-0 2 2 4 8 2 1 3 3
STITH G 37 4-11 11-12 3 5 8 2 3 2 0 20
HAMMONDS 26 4-5 0-0 3 7 10 0 5 0 1 8
L THOMPSON 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
HAM 10 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 6 1 0 2
MARCIULIONIS 26 3-13 3-4 1 4 5 1 4 1 2 10
MURDOCK 13 2-5 3-4 0 2 2 6 1 2 2 7
MCINNIS 5 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
B THOMPSON 5 2-4 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 7
TOTALS 240 30-87 26-32 16 32 48 20 34 11 16 92
(.345) (.813) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
CHICAGO 27 25 29 29 - 110
DENVER 24 21 19 28 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - PIPPEN, LONGLEY, JORDAN, KUKOC, WENNINGTON,
BROWN. DENVER - MCDYESS 3, STITH, MURDOCK.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 2-11 (.182), PIPPEN 1-3, JORDAN 0-2, HARPER
0-1, KERR 1-3, KUKOC 0-1, BUECHLER 0-1. DENVER 6-20 (.300), D ELLIS 1-7,
JACKSON 1-1, STITH 1-2, MARCIULIONIS 1-4, MURDOCK 0-2, MCINNIS 1-1, B
THOMPSON 1-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, NOLAN FINE, ADA.
A - 17,171. T - 2:16.
CHICAGO (110) AT DENVER (92)
Michael Jordan scored 21 of his 31 points in the first half and
Scottie Pippen added 16 as the undefeated Chicago Bulls moved a
step closer to NBA history with a 110-92 victory over the Denver
Nuggets.
Chicago (12-0), in the midst of a seven-game road trip, is only
three wins away from the best start in NBA history. The record
for most wins to start the season is 15, held by the 1948-49
Washington Capitols and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets.
"I don't think we will go 82-0, we may go 81-1," said Steve
Kerr. "We haven't had a tough schedule yet. We see Michael
Jordan every day, so what he does doesn't amaze us anymore."
Jason Caffey's layup with 4:36 left in the game gave the Bulls
their biggest lead, 104-81. Denver never got closer than 14
down the stretch.
"That was a long game with 70-something foul shots," said
Chicago coach Phil Jackson. "I thought it was never going to be
over. We were tired, but we played OK in the second half and
our energy picked up."
Bryant Stith led the Nuggets with 20 points and Antonio McDyess
added 16 and 11 rebounds.
"Even with their second unit on the floor in the fourth, they
play together," said Stith. "(Jordan) sets a precedent. If we
just settle down and relax more, we'll be OK. It's only 12
games into the season."
The Bulls, who suffered one of their 10 losses at Denver last
year, actually trailed 7-6 in the early going, but the Nuggets
would never gain the lead again.
Jordan's 13 points keyed a 19-8 run to open the second quarter
and make it 41-30 at 7:51. Denver countered with a 13-4 run of
its own before Chicago established a 52-45 halftime lead.
"I'll talk about Michael," said Denver coach Bernie Bickerstaff.
"He's probably the greatest player ever and he stretches out and
dives for loose balls. That's why he's so great. He still has
the hunger to be a champion. You've got to enjoy the way they
play as a coach or a fan. They give you you're money's worth."
The Bulls then went on an 18-6 spurt to early in the second half
to take a 70-53 advantage with 5:15 to go in the period.
nba.1651nba.news,
CLEVELAND (89) AT TORONTO (81)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 43 6-15 9-10 1 4 5 5 2 2 0 21
HILL F 27 2-4 2-5 1 6 7 3 4 0 3 6
WEST C 23 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 1 4
PHILLS G 45 8-13 1-2 1 1 2 5 2 1 3 19
BRANDON G 25 3-9 0-1 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 7
FERRY 33 4-8 1-1 1 6 7 2 1 0 4 12
POTAPENKO 13 4-7 2-3 2 2 4 0 2 1 0 10
SURA 26 3-5 3-4 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 10
LANG 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
GEARY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-65 18-26 8 25 33 20 21 9 16 89
(.492) (.692) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(13 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 44 2-8 0-0 0 4 4 5 5 0 3 5
JONES F 34 2-3 0-0 3 3 6 1 3 1 4 4
CAMBY C 36 9-14 1-2 2 2 4 1 2 4 3 19
CHRISTIE G 40 6-13 1-1 0 5 5 1 2 1 2 17
STOUDAMIRE G 46 6-18 10-12 0 5 5 6 5 3 3 24
EARL 22 2-8 4-4 5 3 8 1 2 0 1 8
ROGERS 10 0-1 2-2 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 2
DAVIS 8 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2
LOHAUS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WHITESIDE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WRIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 28-67 18-21 10 24 34 16 20 9 18 81
(.418) (.857) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 18(17 PTS)
CLEVELAND 29 19 16 25 - 89
TORONTO 15 20 23 23 - 81
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - PHILLS. TORONTO - JONES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 7-18 (.389), MILLS 0-3, PHILLS 2-4, BRANDON
1-4, FERRY 3-5, SURA 1-2. TORONTO 7-16 (.438), WILLIAMS 1-2, CHRISTIE 4-6,
STOUDAMIRE 2-6, ROGERS 0-1, DAVIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - HILL, TORONTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, HEAD COACH
WALKER.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 16,835. T - 2:10.
CLEVELAND (89) AT TORONTO (81)
Chris Mills scored 21 points and Bobby Phills had 14 of his 19
in the first half as the Cleveland Cavaliers led almost from the
opening tip en route to an 89-81 victory over the Toronto
Raptors.
Danny Ferry had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Cavs, who
are limiting opponents to 81.6 points per game.
"It was a good win for us," said Cleveland coach Mike Fratello.
"We are going to be a team to be reckoned with before the season
is over.
"We would like to think that we have enough depth that our bench
can hold their own."
Damon Stoudamire, who sat out Tuesday's loss to Seattle with a
callus on his foot, led the Raptors with 24 points and six
assists. Rookie Marcus Camby added 19 points.
Camby recognizes that he and second-year man Stoudamire could
form a winning tandem for years to come.
"We are starting to get things going right now," Camby said.
"Things are starting to click. It could happen this year or over
the next few years. If we both stay consistent and healthy I
think we'll be alright."
Toronto took a 6-5 lead in early in the first quarter, but never
regained it. Cleveland built a 15-point advantage in the period
when Tyrone Hill's jumper capped a 16-0 run at 9:58.
"We were missing shots and they were getting good shots," said
Toronto coach Darrell Walker. "We can't come out and get down.
We were down 29-15 in the first quarter, that's a big hole."
Phills hit a jumper with just under 11 minutes to go in the
second quarter to give the Cavs their largest lead, 31-15.
Cleveland went into halftime with a 48-35 cushion.
The Raptors came on in the fourth and Stoudamire brought them
within 84-81 when he hit a three-pointer with 43 seconds
remaining.
But Walt Williams was whistled for fouling Mills and Walker drew
a technical protesting the call. Mills hit all three free throws
to put it out of reach.
"Toronto is a team that can put a lot of points on the board and
can press you on defense," said Mills. "We were able to maintain
our composure and hold the lead, but you've got to give them
credit for coming back."
nba.1652nba.news,
GOLDEN STATE (104) AT UTAH (109) - FINAL IN OT
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 40 5-11 4-5 1 1 2 3 2 2 3 15
SMITH F 48 8-19 2-2 5 9 14 0 5 1 5 18
SPENCER C 20 1-2 2-4 1 6 7 1 6 1 0 4
SPREWELL G 48 9-25 11-13 3 4 7 5 2 1 3 32
PRICE G 34 5-13 5-5 2 3 5 1 4 1 2 17
DECLERCQ 16 0-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 2
ARMSTRONG 23 2-6 3-5 0 0 0 3 2 0 1 7
FULLER 10 0-1 0-2 2 2 4 0 3 0 1 0
ROYAL 21 2-3 5-5 1 4 5 1 2 1 2 9
MARSHALL 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
OWES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 32-82 34-43 15 29 44 14 32 7 17 104
(.390) (.791) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 44 12-23 9-13 5 8 13 5 3 0 7 33
RUSSELL F 27 1-6 3-4 1 5 6 1 6 2 2 5
OSTERTAG C 28 3-5 2-2 3 6 9 1 4 0 3 8
STOCKTON G 42 4-10 3-4 0 1 1 15 2 4 1 12
HORNACEK G 39 11-17 8-9 4 4 8 1 3 1 1 30
EISLEY 11 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0
ANDERSON 23 4-6 0-2 2 1 3 1 5 1 3 10
CARR 25 4-10 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 8
KEEFE 14 0-1 1-2 1 1 2 0 4 0 3 1
WATSON 12 1-3 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 0 2 2
FOSTER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MORRIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 40-83 26-36 16 33 49 28 33 9 22 109
(.482) (.722) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 22(21 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 22 27 29 18 8 - 104
UTAH 24 34 22 16 13 - 109
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - SMITH 3, SPREWELL, FULLER, ROYAL. UTAH -
MALONE 2, RUSSELL, OSTERTAG, STOCKTON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 6-21 (.286), MULLIN 1-4, SMITH 0-1,
SPREWELL 3-7, PRICE 2-6, ARMSTRONG 0-3. UTAH 3-14 (.214), MALONE 0-2,
RUSSELL 0-3, OSTERTAG 0-1, STOCKTON 1-3, HORNACEK 0-1, EISLEY 0-2,
ANDERSON 2-2.
TECHNICALS: GOLDEN STATE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, UTAH - CARR, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, MONTY MCCUTCHEN, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 18,889. T - 2:30.
GOLDEN STATE (104) AT UTAH (109) - FINAL IN OT
Karl Malone sent the game into overtime and scored four of his
33 points during the extra session as the Utah Jazz posted their
fifth straight victory, 109-104 over the Golden State Warriors.
Jeff Hornacek scored 30 points, including four in overtime, as
the Jazz scored nine of the first 10 points in the extra
session.
John Stockton added 12 points and handed out 15 assists, and
Malone grabbed 13 rebounds for Utah, which defeated Golden State
for the sixth time in their last seven meetings.
"I don't really care how we win them no more," Malone said. "I
just want to win them. It could be overtime, it could be
whatever. I want to win and that's what important to me and I
don't care how we do it from now on. I don't care how I look. I
just want to win games 'cause' at the end of the season that's
what it means."
Latrell Sprewell scored 32 points, Joe Smith added 18 points and
14 rebounds and Mark Price had 17 points for Golden State, which
has lost seven of its last nine games.
Hornacek opened the overtime with a 15-foot jumper. After Price
made a technical free throw to close the Warriors within 98-97,
the Jazz reeled off seven straight points. Stockton nailed a
three-pointer, Malone hit a 20-footer and Greg Ostertag tipped
in a Malone miss for a 105-97 lead midway through the extra
period.
Malone added a layup and Hornacek sank a pair from the line to
cap an opening 13-3 run and give the Jazz a 109-99 advantage
with 41 seconds to go.
Utah forced overtime in dramatic fashion. Trailing 96-94 with
four seconds left in regulation, Adam Keefe inbounded the ball
to Stockton, who penetrated the lane before kicking the ball out
to Malone. Malone calmly drilled a jumper from the free-throw
line as time expired.
"When I went for the ball, I was wondering how much time I had
and wondered what other opportunities I had," Stockton said. "I
knew I had drawn a crowd because I stumbled with the ball and I
knew there would be a lot of people around so I guess I was just
trying to find someone open. I was prepared to shoot it, I
guess, if Karl wasn't open or somebody didn't get available. He
was open."
"We couldn't have defended that last shot any better," Price
admitted. "We stopped the penetration and Stockton had to throw
it out. We made Karl...you know he couldn't shoot it right
away, he had to double pump it and shoot again so I don't really
know what you can do better. He just hit a tough shot and it's
a tough one to lose."
The Jazz led 58-49 at halftime behind 16 points by Malone, but
the Warriors crawled within 80-79 entering the fourth quarter
behind 19 points by Sprewell and Smith.
"I thought we had the ball game pretty much under control and
then the turnovers we had in the fourth quarter kind of killed
us," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.
Shandon Anderson scored 10 points and Ostertag finished with
eight points and nine rebounds for Utah, which overcame 22
turnovers. The Jazz outscored the Warriors in the paint, 48-32.
Chris Mullin scored 15 points for Golden State, which shot 39
percent (32-of-82) from the field and turned the ball over 18
times leading to 23 points for the Jazz.
nba.1653nba.news,
LA CLIPPERS (94) AT DALLAS (105)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 35 4-10 2-2 3 8 11 2 2 1 1 10
ROGERS F 24 4-10 4-4 4 3 7 1 2 1 2 14
DUCKWORTH C 27 3-5 3-4 4 2 6 6 3 1 1 9
RICHARDSON G 32 4-12 0-0 0 1 1 8 3 1 1 8
SEALY G 27 6-12 1-1 0 1 1 3 0 2 2 15
MURRAY 24 7-12 0-1 3 3 6 0 0 1 2 14
ROBERTS 18 2-7 0-0 1 4 5 0 6 0 2 4
OUTLAW 16 3-7 1-2 2 2 4 0 3 0 0 7
PIATKOWSKI 11 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 2
DEHERE 18 0-4 2-2 0 2 2 0 4 0 2 2
D MARTIN 7 1-1 4-4 0 1 1 3 1 0 0 7
WRIGHT 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 36-85 17-20 18 27 45 25 26 7 13 94
(.424) (.850) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 14(22 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASHBURN F 4 1-4 1-2 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 3
MEYER F 17 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 1 4
MONTROSS C 24 1-2 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 0 1 2
KIDD G 37 3-13 5-6 1 2 3 9 4 6 1 11
JACKSON G 43 5-10 10-14 2 1 3 4 2 0 1 23
MCCLOUD 36 5-11 0-0 0 5 5 3 1 0 4 12
GATLING 30 8-11 11-15 2 7 9 0 1 1 2 27
HARPER 24 5-10 2-2 0 2 2 3 1 0 2 12
MILLER 21 2-3 0-0 3 5 8 3 5 1 0 4
WALKER 3 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
ROBERTS 1 3-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
DUMAS DNP - SUSPENDED BY TEAM
TOTALS 240 35-70 30-41 14 28 42 23 20 8 12 105
(.500) (.732) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(17 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 25 25 17 27 - 94
DALLAS 23 34 26 22 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - NONE. DALLAS - MEYER, MCCLOUD, MILLER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 5-20 (.250), ROGERS 2-3, RICHARDSON 0-6,
SEALY 2-4, MURRAY 0-2, OUTLAW 0-1, PIATKOWSKI 0-1, DEHERE 0-2, D MARTIN
1-1. DALLAS 5-11 (.455), KIDD 0-3, JACKSON 3-4, MCCLOUD 2-4.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, TOM WASHINGTON, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 13,510. T - 2:12.
LA CLIPPERS (94) AT DALLAS (105)
Chris Gatling had 27 points and nine rebounds to lead the Dallas
Mavericks to a 104-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers,
making Bill Fitch the first coach in NBA history to lose 1,000
games.
"A lot of losses, I didn't enjoy any one of them," said Fitch.
"I guess they can say you're lucky to be around the game that
long."
Jim Jackson added 23 points for the Mavericks, who stopped a
four-game losing streak and have won the last three meetings
with the Clippers. Jason Kidd had 11 points, nine assists, six
steals and only one turnover.
"Chris gives us a lot of energy, he plays with emotion sometimes
with reckless abandon," said Dallas coach Jim Cleamons about
Gatling. "He is going to wear it on his sleeve and do the best
he can. A team that is struggling like we are right now is
going to need that infusion of energy to get us over the hump."
"I've been given the chance to grow and mature into a good
player," Gatling said. "I didn't do anything different than I
always do. I just try to come in there and keep those guys
going and just play off of them. It's good to get a victory and
get that monkey off our back."
Dallas forward Jamal Mashburn suffered a broken right cheekbone
after he was elbowed by Malik Sealy in the first quarter. He
left the game and will have a CAT scan on Friday.
Sealy had 15 points and Rodney Rogers and Lamond Murray added 14
apiece as the Clippers lost for just the second time in six road
games.
"We have no excusees, we just didn't do the things we need to
do," Fitch said. "Defensively that's as sporadic as we've been
and when you come to Texas you've got to be able to play every
night."
Sealy and Rogers each scored six points, helping Los Angeles
take a 25-23 lead after the first quarter.
Kidd made a 10-footer to give Dallas the lead for good, 26-25,
with 10:41 to go in the second. Gatling had 22 points as the
Mavericks held a 57-50 halftime lead.
"I was looking at halftime in the locker room for a picture of
him (Gatling) so I could introduce him to any of our players,"
Fitch said. "I can see how they missed him in Milwaukee. With
Gatling out it would make a great difference on this team, that
was a great pick up."
Kidd made a driving layup to give Dallas a 59-53 lead with 10:52
to go in the third. The basket ignited a 19-4 spurt that was
capped by Jackson's three-pointer with 6:28 to go in the quarter
as the Mavs extended their lead to 76-57. Jackson had 12 points
during the run, including all three of his three-point attempts.
Jackson had a dunk to give the Mavericks an 85-64 lead with
10:47 left in the fourth. Dallas was held without a field goal
for nearly seven minutes before Derek Harper's lay-in put the
Mavs ahead, 93-85, with 3:49 left.
Dallas shot 50 percent from the field for just the second time
this season, making 35-of-70 shots.
nba.1654nba.news,
MINNESOTA (86) AT ORLANDO (90)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GUGLIOTTA F 43 6-14 7-8 1 5 6 5 3 2 4 19
K GARNETT F 40 8-13 1-4 1 5 6 4 3 1 1 17
VRANKOVIC C 22 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 0 0 4
WEST G 32 4-10 0-0 1 1 2 3 5 3 1 8
PORTER G 22 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 6 2 1 1 8
CARR 10 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 6
MARBURY 26 5-14 2-4 0 5 5 1 4 0 3 14
MITCHELL 29 3-5 2-3 1 0 1 1 5 0 1 8
D GARRETT 10 0-3 2-2 3 2 5 0 2 1 0 2
ROBINSON 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
HEAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PARKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-74 14-21 7 25 32 20 30 8 11 86
(.459) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 11(16 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 39 8-22 4-7 1 6 7 2 1 1 1 22
GRANT F 42 6-12 2-3 7 7 14 0 3 1 2 14
VAUGHN C 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 2
WILKINS G 35 4-7 1-4 2 2 4 1 0 1 0 9
SHAW G 29 5-7 1-2 3 3 6 5 1 1 4 11
SEIKALY 30 2-7 4-6 1 2 3 1 5 0 1 8
ARMSTRONG 19 2-6 5-8 0 1 1 4 2 1 3 10
STRONG 25 3-8 0-0 3 5 8 1 0 0 1 6
SCOTT 15 3-9 2-3 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 8
MCCASKILL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-81 19-33 18 28 46 16 14 5 14 90
(.420) (.576) TEAM REBS: 21 TOTAL TO: 16(25 PTS)
MINNESOTA 36 19 15 16 - 86
ORLANDO 17 28 21 24 - 90
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - K GARNETT 4, GUGLIOTTA, VRANKOVIC, MARBURY.
ORLANDO - ANDERSON 2, VAUGHN, WILKINS, SEIKALY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 4-12 (.333), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, WEST 0-1, PORTER
2-3, CARR 0-1, MARBURY 2-6. ORLANDO 3-19 (.158), ANDERSON 2-9, GRANT 0-1,
WILKINS 0-2, ARMSTRONG 1-3, SCOTT 0-4.
TECHNICALS: MINNESOTA - GUGLIOTTA, ORLANDO - GRANT.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, BILL SPOONER, JOE BORGIA.
A - 17,248. T - 2:18.
MINNESOTA (86) AT ORLANDO (90)
Horace Grant made a reverse lay-in with 24.2 seconds remaining
to cap a fourth-quarter comeback as the Orlando Magic erased a
10-point halftime deficit and defeated the Minnesota
Timberwolves, 90-86.
Grant's basket put Orlando ahead 87-86. Darrell Armstrong
stepped up and drew an offensive foul from rookie Stephon
Marbury with 9.2 to go and made one of two free throws to put
the Magic ahead by two. Minnesota had trouble inbounding the
ball and ended up turning it over on a backcourt violation.
Nick Anderson scored 22 points and Grant had 14 points and 14
rebounds for the Magic (5-2), who overcame dreadful free-throw
shooting to win for the fifth time in six games. Orlando shot
just 57 percent (19-for-33) from the foul line, converting
8-of-15 chances in the fourth quarter.
Tom Gugliotta scored 14 of his 19 points in the first quarter
and grabbed six rebounds for Minnesota (4-6), which opened a
36-17 lead after the first quarter.
"We started one of those bad nights," Gerald Wilkins said. "I
don't know what's going on, we just started off kind of slow.
But then we came back and got the job done. We can't have it
like this or we will be in trouble." Wilkins finished with nine
points.
The Timberwolves still had a 15-point cushion early in the
second quarter before the Magic began to chip away, shaving the
margin to 70-66 after three quarters.
The Magic trailed throughout after holding an early 6-4 lead
until two free throws by Anderson put Orlando ahead, 78-77,
midway through the third quarter.
"I thought we made it a little bit harder than we had to tonight
with our free throw shooting, but we'll take the win," Orlando
coach Brian Hill said. "I was very upset again after we gave up
another big first quarter. We gave them 36 points in the first
quarter and then turned right around and only gave them 31 for
the entire second half."
The Magic outrebounded Minnesota, 46-32, including an 18-7 edge
on the offensive glass.
Marbury had his best game as a pro, scoring 14 points and
pulling down five rebounds in 26 minutes.
"They just started outrebounding us," Marbury said. "They were
just a better team. We started getting a little lax, a little
bit comfortable, then they jumped on us. Nick Anderson
penetrated and hit open shots. He played very well. Horace
Grant's banging, getting rebounds and loose balls. It's a tough
loss."
Orlando beat the Timberwolves for the eighth time in 10 all-time
meetings, despite playing without injured point guard Penny
Hardaway.
"We've had some really good games," Gugliotta said. "We've a
good team when we do the right things. Games like tonight
really frustrate you. We got out of out game and let them come
back and beat us."
nba.1655nba.news,
NEW JERSEY (88) AT DETROIT (96)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 43 8-17 0-0 1 7 8 4 3 2 3 18
J WILLIAMS F 44 10-14 4-6 4 14 18 3 1 0 1 24
BRADLEY C 33 5-11 3-4 2 3 5 1 3 0 1 13
KITTLES G 37 6-15 0-0 1 1 2 6 5 2 1 15
PACK G 46 6-14 0-0 0 0 0 9 5 3 5 13
MASSENBURG 18 1-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 0 2 2
REEVES 13 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 3
R WILLIAMS 6 0-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0
CALDWELL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCDANIEL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OBANNON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-83 7-10 10 27 37 26 19 7 15 88
(.446) (.700) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(23 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 38 7-13 3-4 1 7 8 9 0 2 3 17
LONG F 27 4-6 0-0 2 3 5 1 2 0 1 10
THORPE C 30 7-15 0-0 3 5 8 1 4 0 2 14
HUNTER G 36 5-11 3-4 0 4 4 2 3 3 0 15
DUMARS G 36 5-12 10-11 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 23
MILLS 12 1-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 2 2
RATLIFF 13 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 1 0
REID 14 3-5 1-2 2 1 3 0 1 1 0 7
CURRY 15 0-1 4-4 0 4 4 0 1 1 1 4
SMITH 7 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
AUGMON 12 1-3 2-2 2 0 2 3 1 0 4 4
MAHORN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-74 23-27 11 32 43 19 16 7 14 96
(.446) (.852) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 16(18 PTS)
NEW JERSEY 26 24 19 19 - 88
DETROIT 31 25 18 22 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 2, J WILLIAMS. DETROIT - HUNTER,
RATLIFF, REID, AUGMON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 7-19 (.368), GILL 2-3, KITTLES 3-6, PACK
1-4, REEVES 1-3, R WILLIAMS 0-3. DETROIT 7-16 (.438), HILL 0-1, LONG 2-2,
HUNTER 2-5, DUMARS 3-5, MILLS 0-2, CURRY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, TOMMY NUNEZ, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 14,753. T - 2:06.
NEW JERSEY (88) AT DETROIT (96)
Joe Dumars scored 23 points and Grant Hill added 17 points, nine
assists and eight rebounds as the Detroit Pistons defeated the
New Jersey Nets, 96-88, for their sixth straight win and best
start in 26 years.
Detroit (10-1) is off to its quickest start since beginning the
1970-71 season 12-1. The Pistons also have won six straight
against New Jersey.
"No one in this locker room is jumping up and down because we're
10-1," Hill said. "We know that we could very easily hit a
stretch where we lose 10-of-11 or something. We're happy
because it was an ugly game where we were all a little fatigued.
But we stepped up and shut a team down to win the game. The
last two nights we've played teams with a combined three wins.
The good thing is, we didn't come out complacent. We came out
and beat both of them."
Jayson Williams posted season highs with 24 points and 18
rebounds as the Nets lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Williams, who was 4-for-22 from the field in his previous two
games, hit 10 of 14 shots.
"I thought we came out with our best effort as a team," Williams
said. "People worked the ball and we played very unselfishly.
We lost but this is a good start. They've been together for a
long time in New Jersey, we never stay together for a year."
This was the first road game for new Nets coach John Calipari,
who skipped the team's trip to Japan to be with his wife, who
gave birth to the couple's third child.
Williams had a dunk and free throw after he was fouled as the
Nets tied the score for the first time since the first quarter,
76-76, with 9:08 left in the fourth. The teams traded baskets
twice and the Nets tied the score for the final time, 80-80, on
Tony Massenburg's layup with 5:41 remaining.
Dumars had the last eight points of a 13-0 burst that gave the
Pistons 93-80 advantage. New Jersey was then held scoreless
until Kerry Kittles made a three-pointer with 20.1 seconds to
go.
"That was a real gutty win for us," said Detroit coach Doug
Collins. "I knew we were running out of gas and they were full
of energy, but our defense stepped up and played great the last
five minutes. We wouldn't have won this game without our bench.
Because of them, no one had to play 40 minutes tonight. They
played well enough to keep us in the game and that was the key."
"They got the plays from the big-time players," said Calipari.
"Joe Dumars made a three that cut our hearts out. Grant Hill
just takes over and does it. That's why they're one of the top 7
or 8 teams in the league. They've been together for two years,
we've been together two months and it shows."
The Nets made 12 of our first 13 shots from the floor and took a
24-18 lead with 4:11 left in the first. Hill and Don Reid each
scored four points as Detroit closed the first with a 13-2 ruun
to take a 31-26 lead.
Kittles hit a jumper as the Nets cut the deficit to 43-42 with
6:42 to go in the second. Dumars had seven points as the
Pistons responded with a 13-5 burst to take a 56-48 lead. Shawn
Bradley was called for a technical after throwing the ball at
the scorer's table. Dumars made the free throw and a
three-pointer on the following possession.
Otis Thorpe had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Pistons,
who had all five starters in double figures.
nba.1656nba.news,
PHOENIX (105) AT HOUSTON (115)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GREEN F 33 4-6 1-2 2 6 8 1 3 2 0 9
MANNING F 30 3-8 0-0 0 3 3 4 4 2 3 6
KLEINE C 33 4-5 1-2 5 2 7 1 3 1 3 9
FINLEY G 34 5-13 0-0 0 4 4 4 4 1 0 11
CASSELL G 26 9-21 7-8 0 2 2 4 2 3 1 25
BROWN 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
HORRY 16 3-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 7
NASH 26 6-11 0-0 1 1 2 7 3 1 1 14
CHAPMAN 19 7-13 0-0 1 0 1 5 5 0 2 16
PERSON 18 3-7 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 1 2 8
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TISDALE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 44-89 9-12 10 22 32 26 25 11 14 105
(.494) (.750) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(17 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 41 7-13 6-6 4 12 16 7 3 1 1 20
ELIE F 35 6-12 5-6 1 1 2 6 2 2 1 18
WILLIS C 34 8-12 3-4 4 8 12 3 1 0 3 19
DREXLER G 35 6-11 4-6 0 5 5 1 4 2 3 17
MALONEY G 30 4-9 3-5 0 2 2 2 2 1 4 14
HARRINGTON 20 6-8 0-0 3 2 5 0 0 3 3 12
DAVIS 18 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 2 0
BULLARD 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MACK 14 2-5 5-7 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 10
MOORE 6 1-2 2-3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5
JONES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OLAJUWON DNP - IREGULAR HEART BEAT
TOTALS 240 40-77 28-37 13 32 45 21 16 9 18 115
(.519) (.757) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 18(25 PTS)
PHOENIX 22 21 24 38 - 105
HOUSTON 23 26 31 35 - 115
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - MANNING, KLEINE, BROWN. HOUSTON - DREXLER 2,
WILLIS, DAVIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 8-19 (.421), FINLEY 1-3, CASSELL 0-5, HORRY
1-1, NASH 2-3, CHAPMAN 2-4, PERSON 2-3. HOUSTON 7-26 (.269), BARKLEY 0-2,
ELIE 1-3, WILLIS 0-1, DREXLER 1-3, MALONEY 3-8, DAVIS 0-2, BULLARD 0-1,
MACK 1-4, MOORE 1-2.
TECHNICALS: PHOENIX - KLEINE, HOUSTON - BARKLEY.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, RON OLESIAK, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 16,285. T - 2:11.
PHOENIX (105) AT HOUSTON (115)
Former Sun Charles Barkley had 20 points to lead seven players
in double figures and pulled down 16 rebounds as the Houston
Rockets overcame the absence of Hakeem Olajuwon and beat the
winless Phoenix Suns, 115-105.
Kevin Willis, starting in place of Olajuwon, had season highs of
19 points and 12 rebounds and Mario Elie added 18 points for
Houston (10-1), which posted its fourth straight win and
improved to 6-1 at home. Starting guards Clyde Drexler and Matt
Maloney added 17 and 14 points, respectively, for the Rockets.
"That was an easy ganme for us," Barkley said. "We didn't even
play well. We just coasted and we needed that with 'Dream' out.
We needed a good game like this to get every one playing with
some confidence. We were never in trouble and we coasted from
start to end."
"We wanted to go out and play extra hard tonight and get the
win," Willis said. "We didn't underestimate Phoenix, because
they are very explosive. We were able to maintain our composure
and get the job done, which is important because we don't have
Hakeem right now. I know I can do it (play center)."
The Rockets were playing their first game without Olajuwon, who
was taken to a hospital with an irregular heartbeat during
halftime of Tuesday's game. Olajuwon is expected to miss four to
six more days.
Ex-Rocket Sam Cassell scored 25 points, Rex Chapman added 16 and
rookie Steve Nash had 14 for Phoenix, which extended the worst
start in franchise history to 0-11. The Suns fell to 0-3 since
Danny Ainge replaced coach Cotton Fitzsimmons.
"Things didn't turn out like I wanted," Cassell said. "But
we're going to keep fighting. We are not that far away. We
have to get some guys healthy and the light is at the end of the
tunnel. It's difficult right now, but I have to play and have
fun."
"Houston is a better team than we are," Suns coach Danny Ainge
said. "They got a little bit of a lead and then we tried to go
small. It just didn't work. When we went small, they
outrebounded us and that made the difference."
After Danny Manning made a hook shot to close Houston within
61-53 midway through the third quarter, Elie dunked following a
steal to ignite a 13-5 run. Elie added another basket during the
burst and Clyde Drexler capped it with one free throw for a
▀74-58 lead with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter.
Phoenix pulled within 100-94 after Chapman drilled a
three-pointer with one minute left in the fourth quarter. But
Drexler answered right back with a three-pointer of his own to
ignite a 9-3 run, putting the game away.
The Rockets led 49-43 at halftime behind 14 points from Barkley
and took an 80-67 lead into the fourth quarter Barkley, Willis
and Elie had a combined 43 points. The Rockets outscored the
Suns, 58-46, in the paint.
Willis made 8-of-12 shots from the field and rookie Othella
Harrington made 6-of-8 for a season-high 12 points for Houston,
which has won five of the last six meetings against the Suns.
Michael Finley was held to 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting for
Phoenix, which was outrebounded 45-32 and attempted just 12 free
throws.
nba.1657nba.news,
Henderson's health improves
ATLANTA (Nov 21, 1996 - 19:48 EST) -- Forward Alan Henderson of the
Atlanta Hawks, who has not played this season because of a mysterious
flu-like ailment, is getting better after being diagnosed with a
condition that affects his pancreas.
Henderson was transferred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., last
week when doctors in Atlanta were unable to diagnose his illness. The
team said Thursday it has been determined he has acute viral
pancreatitis.
"His spirits are improving physically and mentally, but he still has a
ways to go in getting a clean bill of health," Hawks general manager
Pete Babcock said. "I spoke with Alan at length this morning and he's
anxious to know what's going on with the team and the NBA."
Henderson initially was sidelined by severe viral gastroenteritis.
Pancreatitis is a secondary condition that affects the digestive
process.
In recent days, he has been able to get up and walk and is slowly
beginning to digest solid food.
"He is anxious to get back on the court," Babcock said. "However, he's
lost some weight and he has to recover that before he can prepare
himself to get back into basketball shape. He understands that."
Henderson averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 79 games as a rookie
last season.
nba.1658nba.news,
Olajuwon released from hospital
HOUSTON (Nov 21, 1996 - 14:54 EST) -- Hakeem Olajuwon was released
Thursday from the hospital where he had been treated for an irregular
heartbeat.
Doctors performed further tests, including an exercise stress test,
before releasing the Houston Rockets center from The Methodist
Hospital. The tests showed no problems, and Olajuwon was to begin a
supervised workout Friday. It could be a week, though, before he plays
again.
"I'm feeling fine," Olajuwon, 33, said in a statement. "This happened
before, and it was just the same thing. I will be back on the court as
soon as possible."
His heartbeat had returned to normal Wednesday after doctors used a
defibrillator to restore the proper rhythm. He will not be under
medication.
Team physician Bruce Moseley had said Wednesday that doctors were
optimistic about the test results. They do not believe the
irregularity, similar to one Olajuwon suffered in 1991, stems from any
degenerative condition.
"Barring unusual findings in further tests, we hope and expect that
this will resolve and that he will go on and do very well," Moseley
said.
Olajuwon developed an irregular heartbeat after drinking a glass of
cold water at halftime Tuesday night.
The abnormal rhythm, or arrhythmia, appears similar to the 1991
episode that led to Olajuwon missing seven games, Moseley said.
"It resolved and he did well, and we hope it's going to do the same
thing this time," Moseley said.
Moseley said it was not known when Olajuwon would return to the court.
"We don't want him to feel like we're rushing him back," Moseley said.
"We're going to take all the usual precautions, if anything, err on
the side of being conservative because this isn't anything to fool
around with."
Charles Barkley said the Rockets could not let the temporary loss of
their star center discourage them.
"If we're going to go into the next three games thinking we can't win
them without him, we might as well not go and let's take the rest of
the week off," he said.
Olajuwon had scored 10 points and five rebounds before halftime in the
Rockets' 122-93 victory Tuesday over the Timberwolves.
His past medical conditions have included anemia at the end of the
1994-95 championship season, as well as hospitalization for a blood
clot in his left leg before the 1990-91 season. The clot was dissolved
by blood thinners.
nba.1659nba.news,
Mashburn breaks cheekbone in first quarter against Clippers
DALLAS (Nov 21, 1996 - 22:24 EST) -- Dallas Mavericks forward Jamal
Mashburn suffered a broken right cheekbone in Thursday night's game
against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Mashburn was knocked to the floor on a drive to the basket in the
first quarter. He stayed on the ground for several minutes, then went
to the locker room and did not return.
Mavericks medical personnel said they did not know how much time
Mashburn would miss. He will have a CAT scan Friday morning to
determine the extent of the injury.
Mashburn is averaging 10.0 points and 2.9 rebounds, mostly coming off
the bench. He missed the final 64 games last season after having
arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
nba.1660nba.news,
Former Celtics player Hankinson found dead along interstate
SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (Nov 21, 1996 - 17:42 EST) -- A reserve player on the
Boston Celtics' 1973-74 NBA championship team was found shot to death
in his car along Interstate 64 in north-central Kentucky, authorities
said.
Phil Hankinson, 45, apparently shot himself while sitting in his car,
Shelby County coroner Tommy Sampson said. Hankinson was found Tuesday.
Hankinson, a 6-foot-8 reserve forward on the championship team, was
the Celtics' No. 2 draft pick out of the University of Pennsylvania in
1973.
Investigators are puzzled as to why Hankinson -- who lived in South
Carolina -- was in Shelby County when he died.
"We really don't know what he was doing in Kentucky," Sampson said.
"It doesn't fit any of his history."
Kentucky State Police Trooper Glenn Walton said no suicide note was
found in the car.
Hankinson's father, Rube Hankinson, said his son had difficulty
dealing with a knee injury while with the Celtics that ruined his
basketball career.
"From the time he was in high school, he dreamed of being in the NBA,"
Rube Hankinson told The State Journal of Frankfort.
"He was an excellent player. When he hurt that knee, it never did pan
out. By the time he recovered, the ABA (American Basketball
Association) and the NBA had merged. There was no place left for him."
Hankinson suffered from bouts of depression after his knee injury and
never recovered, his father said.
Hankinson played 28 games in his first year as a pro, averaging 3.9
points, according to statistics provided by the Boston Celtics. He
played five minutes in two playoffs games during the 1973-74
championship season, scoring six points and collecting one rebound.
He played in three games the following year, averaging four points. He
played a total of three minutes in two playoff games.
When his basketball career ended, Hankinson split time between New
York, where his mother lived, and the Augusta, Ga., area, where his
father lived.
"After basketball, he started staying to himself," Rube Hankinson
said. "He didn't do anything for a long time."
Hankinson said his son had worked as an assistant coach in New York,
worked in Florida and had been employed as a security officer in Las
Vegas.
Sampson said investigators found a semi-automatic handgun in the car
with Hankinson. No alcohol or drugs were found in the car, he said.
Walton said the gun was a .22-caliber pistol.
Preliminary autopsy results show Hankinson died of a single shot to
the right temple, Sampson said.
David Zuccaro, spokesman for the Celtics, said he was contacted by
state police Tuesday.
nba.1661nba.news,
Scott activated by Magic
ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov 21, 1996 - 19:48 EST) -- Dennis Scott, who missed
Orlando's first six games because of a strained left hamstring, was
activated from the injured list before Thursday night's game against
the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Scott averaged 17.5 points while making an NBA-record 267 3-point
shots last season.
nba.1662nba.news,
Richmond can't find his shot
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 21, 1996 - 08:18 EST) -- Mitch Richmond sat in
the visiting locker room of the Rose Garden and stared at the
statistics sheet.
He was disappointed because he hadn't come through for himself and his
teammates on shots near the end of regulation and overtime in Tuesday
night's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. It was the second
consecutive night he'd stunk it up offensively.
That "5 of 18" underneath the field-goals made and attempted columns
stood out as if underlined, highlighted and emblazoned.
"Hell, yeah, I feel like I lost the game," he said. "If I could have
made a couple of shots I should have made, we would have won. Or if I
had gotten a couple of the foul calls I should have gotten. I got
fouled four or five times and didn't get any calls. But no, definitely
not on the last shot. I had a good look."
It was the second straight night Richmond could not get his
"bread-and-butter" jump shot to fall. He now is just 10 of 33 (30.3
percent) from the field in his past two games after making 48 percent
of his field-goal attempts during the team's first nine.
Moreover, Richmond has made just five of his last 21 three-pointers
attempted (23.8 percent) after making 13 of his first 33 (39.4
percent).
"I haven't been in an offensive flow the past couple of games," he
said. "I've been sort of laying back and letting the game go, instead
of being aggressive like I was earlier. But it's a long haul and I've
got to suck it up."
Portland's Kenny Anderson said opposing teams should beware when the
Kings get both Richmond and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf at the top of their
games.
"When both of them are hot," said Anderson, who bore some of the brunt
of Abdul-Rauf's season-high 31-point burst Tuesday night, "that is
going to be a dangerous team. They look like they are going to work
well together."
Abdul-Rauf certainly is showing signs of getting his game working.
After spending much of the first two weeks playing Lionel Simmons in a
'96 remake of "The Reluctant Shooter", Abdul-Rauf has begun to look
for his shot.
During his past four games, he's shot 50.8 percent (31 of 61) from the
field and 8 of 15 (53.3 percent) from three-point range. He made 5 of
6 long-distance attempts against Portland, including all three in the
fourth quarter.
Abdul-Rauf said Tuesday night's performance had positives, even in a
loss.
"I think it was indicative of how good this team can become," he said.
"We just have to take care of the little things, like the turnovers."
The Kings committed 18 against Portland, which turned them into 20
points. Conversely, the Kings, who had averaged 17 forced turnovers
per game through their first 10 games, harassed the Trail Blazers into
just nine.
ET CETERA: Kings coach Garry St. Jean is waiting for his reserves,
especially guards, to show offensive consistency. Guards Lionel
Simmons and Tyus Edney were not particularly productive on the road.
Simmons averaged 2.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and less than an assist in
15.3 minutes per game, while Edney made just 33 percent of his shots
and averaged 5 points, 2.7 assists and 1.6 turnovers in 16.7 minutes
per game.
-- At the Sacramento International Airport, a pictorial advertisement
highlights the merits of living in the city. It's titled, "A great
place ... to live and play." There are pictures of the Delta Queen
riverboat, the Capitol at night, and fireworks on the river. Pumping
up the Kings are pictures of Walt Williams dunking and Brian Grant
dribbling. Wonder what St. Jean would give to have those two playing
for him now?
nba.1663nba.news,
McIlvaine enjoys the trip back
LANDOVER, Md. (Nov 21, 1996 - 06:06 EST) -- A subplot to the 115-110
double-overtime win Wednesday by the Sonics over the host Washington
Bullets was the return of center Jim McIlvaine to the arena where he
spent his first two years.
"It was weird sitting on the bench on the other side," said McIlvaine,
who signed with the Sonics as a free agent during the summer.
McIlvaine appeared tight early on, and had no points and no rebounds
in 10 minutes in the first half.
But McIlvaine played well in the third quarter, grabbing eight
rebounds in 11 minutes as the Sonics started to slowly pull away
before Washington's fourth-quarter rally sent the game into overtime.
McIlvaine hardly played at all at the end, however, as Washington had
a quicker, smaller front line in the game in the absence of 7-foot-7
center Gheorghe Muresan, who had the flu. McIlvaine started the first
overtime, but played only 1:18 after Chris Webber scored two quick
baskets inside.
"It was fun," McIlvaine said of his return. "It's always fun when you
win."
And he said none of his former teammates said much to try and distract
him on the court.
"No one really said anything," he said. "I don't know what it is but
guys who play against me usually don't say much."
KEMP'S EYE FINE: Forward Shawn Kemp played Wednesday night with a
bandage over his right eye, courtesy of an unknown elbow in a Tuesday
night game at Toronto.
"I caught an elbow on each side of the head at the same time," said
Kemp, who didn't know who hit him.
Kemp was forced to leave the game Tuesday with 10:08 left, having
already scored 26 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, and never could get
back in after it was decided three stitches were needed immediately, a
decision that Kemp and head coach George Karl questioned.
"I was upset that it took so long," said Kemp. Part of the problem was
that the Toronto team doctor had to be summoned from the Raptors'
locker room, which is located on the other side of SkyDome from the
Seattle locker room.
"It would seem like they would be better prepared for something like
that," Kemp said.
Seattle trainer Frank Furtado couldn't help out because he had to stay
on the bench.
EHLO BETTER: Reserve guard Craig Ehlo returned to action after missing
the game against Toronto with a stomach flu similar to that which
felled Detlef Schrempf for the win over Vancouver on Sunday.
"I expect (Hersey Hawkins) to be next," Ehlo said with a laugh. "All
the guys on the team that have kids. It's a simple deduction."
However, it was forward Sam Perkins who felt a little ill during
Wednesday's shoot-around.
"I felt kind of weak going into the game, but I just sucked it up and
tried to do what I could," Perkins said. "Hopefully it will go away
quickly."
Seattle has played four games in five nights, but has Thursday off
before playing at Boston on Friday night.
LAST GAME AT USAIR: The Bullets are scheduled to move into the new MCI
Center in downtown Washington D.C. next season, which means the game
Wednesday night could have been the Sonics' final game at USAir Arena,
which in 1979 was the site of the franchise's greatest moment ever.
On June 1, 1979, the Sonics beat the Bullets 97-93 in Game Five of the
NBA Final to win the city's only major professional sports
championship.
LOOSE BALLS: The Sonics have won their last five double overtime games
dating to the 1987-88 season. ... The Sonics were 7-5 after 12 games
last year.
nba.1664nba.news,
CLIPPERS' FITCH LOSES 1,000TH CAREER GAME AT DALLAS
Los Angeles Clippers coach Bill Fitch has been good enough long enough
and that's why he's been around so long. Tonight, he became the first
coach in NBA history to lose 1,000 games as the Clippers were beaten
by the Dallas Mavericks, 105-94.
"A lot of losses, I didn't enjoy any one of them," Fitch said. "I
guess they can say you're lucky to be around the game that long."
Fitch ranks fourth on the league's all-time win list and has coached
more games than anyone in NBA history. But nobody else has reached
four digits in losses. After the game, Fitch maintained his sarcastic
sense of humor.
"I was looking at halftime in the locker room for a picture of him so
I could introduce him to any of our players," he said, referring to
Dallas' Chris Gatling, who scored 22 of his 27 points in the first
half.
Former Mavericks coach Dick Motta is second in all-time losses at 965.
But Jim Cleamons took over for him this season, assuring that Fitch
would be safely alone in the 1,000-loss club.
Fitch has been NBA Coach of the Year twice, but not since 1980, when a
kid named Larry Bird came in and helped turn around the Celtics in the
pair's first year in Boston.
His lifetime record stands at 897-1,000 and his Clippers are a
surprising 6-4 this season. Loss 1,000 could have come Wednesday
night, but Los Angeles managed a 93-81 victory at San Antonio.
Fitch has always been best suited to young teams that put him in his
best arena: teaching. His career record is tainted by numbers of bad
seasons incurred when rebuilding strayed franchises.
He started his career with the expansion Cleveland Cavaliers in
1970-71 and guided them to a 15-67 record. But the Cavs won 23 games
the following season and 32 in 1972-73.
They regressed to 29 wins in 1973-74, but added 11 victories to that
total the next season and nine more the following year to win the
Central Division and make the playoffs for the first time.
Fitch guided the Cavs to consecutive playoff appearances with 43-win
seasons after the division title campaign, but when the team slipped
to 30-52 in 1978-79, he was let go and went to Boston.
The Celtics had 29 wins in 1978-79, but were 61-21 with Bird and Fitch
in the fold in 1979-80. They added one more win and the NBA
Championship the next year. The Celtics finished 63-19 in 1981-82 for
Fitch's best season, winning their third straight Atlantic Division
crown, but when they won 56 games in 1982-83, Fitch was shown the
door. He also had a struggle with Bird, who later complemented Fitch's
teaching.
He took over the Houston Rockets and won 29 games in 1983-84. The
Rockets rapidly improved under Fitch, this time with Ralph Sampson and
Hakeem Olajuwon, garnering 48 wins in 1984-85 and 51 victories in
1985-86, losing to the Celtics in the Finals that season.
He kept the Rockets above .500 and in the playoffs the next two
seasons and took a year off before taking over the New Jersey Nets.
The Nets went 17-65 in 1989-90, Fitch's first season in New Jersey.
They improved by nine wins and then made the playoffs with a 40-42
mark in 1991-92, but problems with the enigmatic but talented Kenny
Anderson and Derrick Coleman became his demise and made New Jersey his
first relatively unsuccessful stop.
He guided the Clippers, a historically horrible franchise, to a 17-win
season last year.
nba.1665lexus,
=> Bravo, care, samo tako nastavi.
Zanimljivo je da je Divac znao da se utakmica prenosi kod nas.
Taj čovek je stvarno Car. Verujem da bi bio najbolji igrač sveta,
samo kada bi mu pred svaku utakmicu govorili da se njom dokazuje
pred svojim narodom ;)
nba.1666lexus,
=> to alert you that the Doctor is in - Dr. J., that is - and ready to
Jel chatovao neko sa Doktorom?
nba.1667rkovacevic,
Priča se da Đorđević debituje u NBA sutra (subota) protiv Denvera...
Vlade, trač ili istina?
nba.1668dizel,
** Vlade Divac scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter
Bravo Vlade majstore! Svaka mu čast. Čovek skoro i nije igrao
u prvom poluvremenu, ali ih je u drugom ugackao u zemlju :)
Upravo sam danas na NBA.com-u glasao za njega na onom spisku kandidata
za All-star game. Svi koji imaju pristup NBA.com-u neka učine isto,
svaka pomoć je dobrodošla :))
nba.1669vpoznanovic,
Friday, November 22
Miami at Sacramento 111:108
Philadelphia at Washington 76:88
San Antonio at L.A. Lakers 86:96
Seattle at Boston 118:91
NBA FINAL IN 2ND OT
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT 2OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 18 32 18 22 10 11 111
SACRAMENTO 24 16 24 26 10 8 108 FINAL IN 2ND OT
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 22, ALONZO MOURNING 20, DAN MAJERLE 19
SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 32, MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF 23, OLDEN
POLYNICE 17
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 14, PJ BROWN 13
SAC - MICHAEL SMITH 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 8, DAN MAJERLE 7
SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 17,317
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 18 17 14 27 76
WASHINGTON 25 23 20 20 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHI - JERRY STACKHOUSE 19, DERRICK COLEMAN 12, REX WALTERS
12
WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 18, CHRIS WEBBER 13, ROD STRICKLAND 13
HIGH REBOUND: PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 8, REX WALTERS 8
WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 10, JAREN JACKSON 6
HIGH ASSISTS: PHI - JERRY STACKHOUSE 4, LUCIOUS HARRIS 4
WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 6, ROD STRICKLAND 5
ATT: 18,756
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SAN ANTONIO 26 15 22 23 86
LA LAKERS 22 22 28 24 96 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 19, WILL PERDUE 17, AVERY JOHNSON
15
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 29, EDDIE JONES 24, NICK VAN EXEL 14
HIGH REBOUND: SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 13, WILL PERDUE 7
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 21, JEROME KERSEY 4
HIGH ASSISTS: SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 14, DOMINIQUE WILKINS 2
LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 9, EDDIE JONES 4
ATT: 17,505
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 26 36 25 31 118
BOSTON 28 17 26 20 91 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 22, GARY PAYTON 22, DETLEF SCHREMPF 15
BOS - RICK FOX 21, TODD DAY 17, ANTOINE WALKER 15
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 10, TODD DAY 8
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 9, ERIC SNOW 9
BOS - DANA BARROS 5, RICK FOX 4
ATT: 17,220
nba.1670nba.news,
MIAMI (111) AT SACRAMENTO (108) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 52 7-14 2-4 2 4 6 7 2 1 0 19
BROWN F 47 4-8 3-4 8 5 13 0 4 1 3 11
MOURNING C 35 7-17 6-7 4 10 14 1 6 0 7 20
DANILOVIC G 39 5-10 4-4 0 5 5 2 5 3 5 16
HARDAWAY G 46 6-20 8-8 0 3 3 8 0 2 1 22
AUSTIN 33 5-9 2-5 2 8 10 0 5 2 3 12
GRANT 12 1-3 1-2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 3
ASKINS 25 1-2 5-5 1 3 4 1 6 0 1 8
PINCKNEY 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 290 36-84 31-39 17 38 55 21 29 9 20 111
(.429) (.795) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 20(22 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 48 4-8 7-8 1 6 7 4 1 1 2 16
POLYNICE F 42 8-13 1-1 2 5 7 0 6 1 0 17
CAUSWELL C 14 1-1 0-2 1 3 4 1 3 0 0 2
RICHMOND G 53 12-24 6-6 0 3 3 6 4 2 5 32
ABDUL-RAUF G 48 9-16 2-3 0 2 2 4 6 2 3 23
C WILLIAMSON 30 4-13 4-4 2 3 5 2 5 1 0 12
EDNEY 10 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2
SIMMONS 10 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0
SMITH 29 1-5 2-5 1 8 9 3 3 0 0 4
DANIELS 5 0-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0
GAMBLE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
HURLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 290 40-90 22-29 10 32 42 23 32 8 13 108
(.444) (.759) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(12 PTS)
MIAMI 18 32 18 22 10 11 - 111
SACRAMENTO 24 16 24 26 10 8 - 108
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - BROWN 2, MOURNING 2, MAJERLE, AUSTIN. SACRAMENTO -
POLYNICE, C WILLIAMSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 8-22 (.364), MAJERLE 3-7, DANILOVIC 2-6, HARDAWAY
2-7, GRANT 0-1, ASKINS 1-1. SACRAMENTO 6-13 (.462), OWENS 1-2, RICHMOND
2-6, ABDUL-RAUF 3-4, DANIELS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, SACRAMENTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, HEAD
COACH ST JEAN.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, JIM CLARK, GARY BENSON.
A - 17,317. T - 2:56.
MIAMI (111) AT SACRAMENTO (108) - FINAL IN 2ND OT
Ike Austin's free throw with 24.8 seconds remaining broke a
double-overtime tie and propelled the Miami Heat to their third
straight win, a 111-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Corliss Williamson fouled Austin with the score tied, 106-106,
and Tim Hardaway sandwiched four free throws around a Williamson
layup to ice the victory. Hardaway scored all 22 of his points
after halftime and had eight in the overtime periods.
Mitch Richmond had nine of his game-high 32 points in overtime,
but missed a three-pointer in the final seconds. Sacramento has
lost five of its last seven games.
"I think we worked very hard and did a good job sharing mental
mistakes on both ends of the floor, numberous people," said
Sacramento head coach Garry St. Jean. "When that is happening
that often, then I'm not pleased the way I'm coaching because we
did too manny things wrong, little things. If you are going to
win basketball games like that, like we have in the past, you
don't make those kind of mistakes."
Miami appeared to have the game won in the first overtime period
when Hardaway hit two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining to
make it 100-97. But Richmond forced double overtime when he
nailed a three-pointer with one second on the clock.
The score had not been tied since it was 24-24 early in the
second quarter. But Sacramento tied it, 90-90, with 14.3 to go
in regulation. Richmond drove to the basket and dished off to
Olden Polynice underneath for the slam.
The Heat's Alonzo Mourning had 20 points and 14 rebounds, but
fouled out with 3:49 left in regulation.
"Being smart and making big plays down the stretch is what it is
all about," said Mourning. "It was extremely tough to sit there
and watch from the bench, knowing that you can't help. It makes
me feel like I let the team down by putting myself in that
situation."
nba.1671nba.news,
PHILADELPHIA (76) AT WASHINGTON (88)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 33 1-6 0-0 4 2 6 0 0 2 2 2
COLEMAN F 29 4-15 4-4 1 7 8 1 2 2 8 12
WILLIAMS C 17 3-4 0-0 4 1 5 0 2 0 0 6
STACKHOUSE G 33 7-17 5-5 1 2 3 4 4 1 4 19
WALTERS G 27 5-12 0-2 1 7 8 2 4 2 1 12
CAGE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
HENDRICKSON 16 3-5 0-0 3 3 6 0 1 0 0 6
DAVIS 26 2-8 3-6 0 1 1 0 2 2 3 7
BRADTKE 32 2-6 0-0 2 5 7 1 2 0 4 4
HARRIS 26 4-9 0-0 0 4 4 4 1 3 3 8
MACLEAN DNP - TENDINITIS RIGHT KNEE
IVERSON DNP - SEPARATED LEFT SHOULDER
TOTALS 240 31-82 12-17 16 32 48 12 19 12 26 76
(.378) (.706) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 26(24 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GRANT F 30 2-4 0-0 1 4 5 1 3 0 1 4
HOWARD F 35 8-16 2-4 6 4 10 6 3 3 4 18
WEBBER C 30 6-15 1-3 4 1 5 2 3 2 4 13
CHEANEY G 25 4-7 4-4 0 5 5 0 4 2 1 12
STRICKLAND G 27 4-6 5-8 1 4 5 5 0 4 6 13
MURESAN 26 4-7 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 2 8
MURRAY 17 2-8 0-0 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 5
JACKSON 24 2-7 1-2 0 6 6 1 3 2 2 5
WHITNEY 21 3-7 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 8
WALLACE 2 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
FISH 2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AMAYA 1 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 36-81 13-21 14 31 45 17 21 13 23 88
(.444) (.619) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 23(22 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 18 17 14 27 - 76
WASHINGTON 25 23 20 20 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - STACKHOUSE 4. WASHINGTON - MURESAN 4,
WEBBER 3, GRANT 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 2-17 (.118), COLEMAN 0-3, STACKHOUSE 0-4,
WALTERS 2-7, DAVIS 0-3. WASHINGTON 3-15 (.200), GRANT 0-1, WEBBER 0-2,
STRICKLAND 0-1, MURRAY 1-5, JACKSON 0-2, WHITNEY 2-4.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - STACKHOUSE, WASHINGTON - GRANT.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, KEVIN FEHR, RON GARRETSON.
A - 18,756. T - 2:00.
PHILADELPHIA (76) AT WASHINGTON (88)
Juwan Howard had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the
Washington Bullets raced to a 7-0 lead and never trailed in an
88-76 defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Chris Webber and Rod Strickland added 13 points apiece for the
Bullets, who have won four straight games against Atlantic
Division foes by an average of 11 points. Washington also has
won four straight against Philadelphia.
"Anytime you get a win, it feels good and we'll take it," Webber
said. "The defense was the game. We were determined on
defense."
"Our defense stayed solid the whole game," added Bullets coach
Jim Lynam. "Cheaney was the topic tonight, I was very pleased
the way he played against Stack (Jerry Stackhouse). It was nice
to play a thorough game. Philly just missed some shots tonight
and we were never really threatened."
Calbert Cheaney added 12 points and five rebounds for
Washington, which has alternated wins and losses in its last six
games.
"This was a very important win tonight," Cheaney said. "We are
starting to find each other now and things are clicking.
Tonight, I got the chance to play relaxed and, at the same time,
aggressive."
After the Sixers drew within 38-35 with 2:52 left in the first
half, the Bullets closed the quarter with a 10-0 run. Cheaney
had four points during that stretch as Washington grabbed a
48-35 halftime advantage.
Stackhouse led Philadelphia with 19 points and Derrick Coleman
and Rex Walters added 12 apiece.
"They took us out early and we never got the chance to bounce
back," Stackhouse said. "Our shots just did not fall. We are
not clicking now. This was a very tough loss tonight,
especially when you don't have opportunities to score."
After the second-quarter run, the Bullets kept up the pressure
in the third, outscoring the 76ers 18-10 over the first eight
minutes. Webber's free throw with 3:40 to play gave Washington
its biggest lead, 66-45.
nba.1672nba.news,
SAN ANTONIO (86) AT LA LAKERS (96)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAXWELL F 43 5-14 2-7 0 1 1 1 0 3 2 13
D WILKINS F 34 7-16 3-3 6 7 13 2 3 1 4 19
W PERDUE C 30 8-10 1-2 3 4 7 0 6 0 1 17
DEL NEGRO G 42 5-10 0-0 2 2 4 1 3 3 1 10
JOHNSON G 43 7-13 1-2 0 2 2 14 1 1 3 15
ANDERSON 12 0-0 1-2 0 3 3 0 3 0 3 1
M WILLIAMS 12 1-2 3-4 1 0 1 1 3 1 2 5
HERRERA 17 2-4 0-0 1 5 6 0 3 0 2 4
ALEXANDER 5 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2
KEMPTON 2 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
ELLIOTT DNP - TENDINITIS RIGHT QUADRICEP
SMITH DNP - CHRONIC KNEE SYNOVITIS
TOTALS 240 36-72 11-20 13 25 38 19 24 9 21 86
(.500) (.550) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 22(27 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 19 1-4 0-0 1 2 3 2 4 0 1 2
JONES F 46 8-16 5-5 2 1 3 4 3 4 5 24
ONEAL C 38 13-19 3-10 7 14 21 1 1 0 4 29
VAN EXEL G 37 5-11 2-2 0 0 0 9 0 1 1 14
SCOTT G 26 1-3 1-1 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 4
KERSEY 32 3-5 7-8 3 1 4 0 5 6 1 13
ROBINSON 22 3-8 2-2 0 3 3 2 1 2 3 8
FISHER 12 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0
BLOUNT 8 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 1 2
BRYANT DNP - FLU
KNIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-70 20-28 13 24 37 23 18 13 18 96
(.500) (.714) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 18(22 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 26 15 22 23 - 86
LA LAKERS 22 22 28 24 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - MAXWELL, D WILKINS, M WILLIAMS. LA LAKERS -
ONEAL 2, ROBINSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 3-12 (.250), MAXWELL 1-5, D WILKINS 2-5,
DEL NEGRO 0-2. LA LAKERS 6-18 (.333), JONES 3-7, VAN EXEL 2-4, SCOTT 1-2,
ROBINSON 0-4, FISHER 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SAN ANTONIO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DERRICK STAFFORD, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 17,505. T - 2:11.
SAN ANTONIO (86) AT LA LAKERS (96)
Shaquille O'Neal scored 29 points and grabbed a season-high 21
rebounds and Eddie Jones keyed a decisive third-quarter run to
lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 96-86 victory over the
injury-riddled San Antonio Spurs.
Jones scored 24 points and Nick Van Exel added 14 points and
nine assists for Los Angeles, which won for the fourth time in
five games and is off to its best start since opening the
1991-92 season 9-3. O'Neal was 13-for-19 from the field.
Asked about not being able to put the unhealthy team away,
O'Neal made no excuses.
"I don't make excuses. We don't have the killer instinct we're
supposed to have. We just have to learn how to put lesser teams
away. We have to take care of the ball and put those kind of
guys away."
Dominique Wilkins had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Will Perdue
scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter for the Spurs,
who have lost four straight and seven of their last eight games.
They had won 11 of the last 13 meetings entering the game.
Avery Johnson contributed 15 points and 14 asssists for San
Antonio, which played without injured starters David Robinson,
Sean Elliott and Charles Smith, and bench specialist Chuck
Person. The Spurs, the lowest-scoring team in the league, were
held under 90 points for the ninth time in 11 games this season.
"We'll be alright when we get Robinson back," Spurs coach Bob
Hill said. "This has been a joke. It's been a frustrating month
to say the least. I was thrilled with the way we played. I think
that with the four guys that are out, under the circumstances,
we had a chance to win the game. We got to stop the losing and
get a few wins before (Robinson) gets back or we're going to
find ourselves in a deep, deep hole."
After Vinny Del Negro hit an 11-footer jumper to boost the Spurs
within 48-47 early in the third quarter, Jones nailed a
three-pointer to ignite a 20-6 run. Jones added another
three-pointer and a layup during the stretch and Van Exel hit a
three-pointer to cap the burst, giving the Lakers a 68-53 lead
with 4:34 left in the third quarter.
"Basically, I didn't think we played the type of ball we
normally can play," Jones admitted. "It was an ugly game and
I'm happy about the ugly win. We didn't execute everything
correctly, we made some turnovers we shouldn't have made and if
it has to be ugly then we'll take a few that way."
"They were without two goods players, but we'll take the win,"
Van Exel said. "We could have played better. We just can't get
motivated for them. We don't have the killer instinct and we
need it...Eddie has been playing well all season long. When we
needed sparks, he's been there."
San Antonio pulled within 87-81 with 2:50 to go in the game on
Vernon Maxwell's three-pointer. But O'Neal made one free throw
and hit a turnaround jumper to help Los Angeles regain a
nine-point lead 40 seconds later. O'Neal was just 3-of-10 from
the line.
The Lakers led 44-41 at halftime behind 16 points from O'Neal.
The Spurs took a 26-22 advantage into the second quarter behind
nine points from Wilkins.
Jerome Kersey scored 13 points and tied a career high with six
steals, and Jones added four steals for Los Angeles, which shot
50 percent (35-of-70) from the field.
"I gave Kersey the game ball," Lakers coach Del Harris stated.
"He worked hard, was a big reason why we won and deserved it.'
San Antonio also shot 50 percent (36-of-72), but committed 22
turnovers leading to 27 points for the Lakers. Maxwell finished
with 13 points and Del Negro contributed 10 for the Spurs.
"It's a long season," Del Negro said. "Shaq got a lot of of easy
baskets because a lot of our big guys are out. Our effort was
there, but right now it's tough. Once we get everybody back,
we'll do a lot of damage."
nba.1673nba.news,
SEATTLE (118) AT BOSTON (91)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D SCHREMPF F 31 5-9 5-5 0 3 3 2 2 0 1 15
KEMP F 32 10-18 2-4 4 9 13 0 2 4 2 22
MCILVAINE C 5 0-1 1-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1
PAYTON G 33 8-17 3-4 0 7 7 9 3 2 1 22
HAWKINS G 22 4-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 10
PERKINS 22 3-6 3-4 0 2 2 3 1 2 1 10
STEWART 24 5-9 2-2 4 3 7 4 4 1 2 12
EHLO 20 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 5 0 0 2 3
SNOW 24 3-5 1-2 1 2 3 9 3 1 2 8
WINGATE 9 2-2 1-1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 5
GRAHAM 11 2-7 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 5
HARVEY 7 2-4 1-2 0 3 3 0 4 0 0 5
TOTALS 240 45-86 19-26 11 34 45 33 22 10 13 118
(.523) (.731) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 13(18 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
DAY F 36 5-16 4-7 2 6 8 2 2 1 4 17
WILLIAMS F 33 3-7 2-2 1 2 3 2 4 1 2 8
BRICKOWSKI C 23 3-5 3-4 1 4 5 2 4 1 2 11
BARROS G 46 4-16 3-4 0 1 1 5 2 2 3 13
FOX G 34 5-9 9-13 1 6 7 4 5 0 3 21
CONLON 18 1-7 2-2 2 3 5 3 0 0 2 4
SZABO 12 1-4 0-0 2 3 5 0 4 0 0 2
WALKER 27 5-15 4-5 6 4 10 1 2 1 4 15
DRIGGERS 11 0-4 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
ELLISON DNP - BROKEN BIG TOE
RADJA DNP - BROKEN MIDDLE FINGER
WESLEY DNP - SORE RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 27-83 27-37 17 29 46 19 23 6 20 91
(.325) (.730) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 21(26 PTS)
SEATTLE 26 36 25 31 - 118
BOSTON 28 17 26 20 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 2, KEMP, STEWART, WINGATE, HARVEY.
BOSTON - BARROS, CONLON, SZABO, WALKER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 9-18 (.500), D SCHREMPF 0-2, PAYTON 3-6,
HAWKINS 2-2, PERKINS 1-3, STEWART 0-1, EHLO 1-1, SNOW 1-1, GRAHAM 1-2.
BOSTON 10-26 (.385), DAY 3-7, BRICKOWSKI 2-4, BARROS 2-7, FOX 2-2, WALKER
1-3, DRIGGERS 0-3.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, HANK ARMSTRONG, BILL SPOONER.
A - 17,220. T - 2:02.
SEATTLE (118) AT BOSTON (91)
Shawn Kemp scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Gary
Payton added 22 points and nine assists as the Seattle
SuperSonics won their 10th straight game, routing the Boston
Celtics, 118-91.
Kemp and Sam Perkins keyed a 25-7 run that bridged the first and
second quarters. It gave Seattle a 13-point advantage with just
under 11 minutes remaining in the first half.
"In the first quarter, the game was even," Kemp said. "In the
second quarter, we got our hands on the ball and blocked shots.
We took advantage of our size, played with our heads and made
them turn the ball over."
Rick Fox tied a season-high with 21 points for Boston, which has
lost four straight, overall, and four straight to Seattle.
Antoine Walker added 15 points and a season-high 10 rebounds for
the Celtics, who shot just 32 percent (27-of-83) from the floor.
After Boston took its biggest lead of the game, 25-20, in the
first quarter, Perkins hit a three-pointer to spark the decisive
burst. Kemp scored seven points during the run and Perkins
added eight, including a layup with 10:58 that capped the spurt.
"In the first quarter, we were slow and we were putting them on
the free throw line," Sonics coach George Karl said. "Our bench
did a great job. When we put in our second unit we played the
way we wanted to. We played well defensively."
"It was absolutely ridiculous that they got so many second shots
in the second quarter," Boston coach M.L. Carr said. "Seattle
puts a lot of pressure on you to rush shots and we were forced
to take a lot of three-pointers."
The Sonics held Boston in check throughout the second half,
allowing only a third-quarter run that brought Boston within
80-71. Seattle answered again, establishing a 16-point cushion
by the end of the period.
Detlef Schrempf added 15 points for the Sonics, who had six
players in double figures.
"Obviously, we put them away early and kept up the consistency,"
he said. "We kept up our intensity as we head deeper into our
schedule."
Seattle shot 52 percent (45-of-86) from the field and led by as
many as 29 points in the final seconds.
The Sonics, who opened the season with losses in two of their
first three games, have won 10 straight since, including seven
in a row on the road.
"It's a little too early to be talking about winning streaks,
but the nice thing about this is most of it has come on the
road," Karl noted.
nba.1674nba.news,
Mavericks F Jamal Mashburn has CAT scan, to see specialist
Dallas Mavericks forward Jamal Mashburn has a displaced fracture of
the right cheekbone and will see a specialist later today to determine
how long he will be sidelined.
The displaced fracture was diagnosed following a CAT scan this
morning. Mashburn was placed on the injured list and the Mavericks
activated center Greg Dreiling, who had hip and back injuries, to take
his place on the roster.
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Mashburn missed 64 games last season after
knee surgery. He was injured again Thursday night when he was hit by
an elbow from Malik Sealy and fell hard to the floor with 7:36 left in
the first quarter.
Mashburn is averaging 9.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10 games this
season.
Dreiling, a nine-year veteran out of Kansas, gives the Mavericks a big
body in the middle with his 7-foot-1, 265-pound frame. He has not
played this season.
nba.1675nba.news,
Celtics C Ellison out two-to-three months with broken toe
Boston Celtics center Pervis Ellison, whose once-promising career has
been hampered by injuries, will miss two to three months after
breaking the big toe on his right foot today.
Ellison, the top overall pick in the 1989 draft, reportedly dropped a
table on his toe in his home this afternoon. The injury will keep him
out of the lineup for eight to 12 weeks.
Ellison, who won a national championship at Louisville in 1986, has
seen limited action this season and didn't play in Boston's 108-83
loss to Detroit on Wednesday. He has scored just 15 points in six
games and has fallen out of coach M.L. Carr's frontcourt rotation.
During his seven years in the league, which included stints with
Sacramento and Washington, Ellison has suffered several injuries,
including foot, ankle and knee surgeries. He has managed to play more
than 70 games in a season just once and had his best season in 1990-91
for Washington, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
The Celtics already are one player over the league limit for injured
reserve and will have to find a way to make room for Ellison.
nba.1676nba.news,
Spurs eyeing December return for David Robinson
The San Antonio Spurs are hoping All-Star center David Robinson will
be able to return to the lineup next month.
Robinson, who started the season on the injured list with a lower back
strain, met today with Dr. Robert Watkins at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in
Los Angeles. Watkins confirmed that Robinson's rehabilitation program
is progressing and that Robinson's strength and flexibility are
improving, said general manager Gregg Popovich.
"We're optimistic that continued adherence to the regimen prescribed
will get David back on the court as safely and as soon as possible,"
Popovich added. "At this point, it is possible to say that serious
consideration for game participation will begin in early December."
Robinson, the 1995 NBA Most Valuable Player, played just one of eight
exhibition games. He experienced back pain for the last couple of
years and arrived at training camp last month with lingering pain.
The 31-year-old Robinson is among the best players in the NBA and was
voted among the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He averaged 25
points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game last season, his seventh
in the league. Outside of a torn ligament in his left hand that forced
him to miss the final 14 games of the 1991-92 season, Robinson had
missed just three games in his career.
However, the Spurs have advanced to the Western Conference finals just
once since making Robinson the top overall pick out of Navy in the
1987 draft. He served a two-year armed service commitment before
joining the Spurs in 1989.
With Robinson out of the lineup, San Antonio has opened the season 2-8
and has failed to score as many as 96 points in any game. Greg
Anderson has seen most of the action at center and is averaging 2.8
points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
nba.1677nba.news,
Parish placed on IL
CHICAGO (Nov 22, 1996 - 20:01 EST) -- Chicago Bulls backup center
Robert Parish was placed on the injured list with a back strain
Friday.
The 43-year-old Parish, who has averaged 4.6 points and two rebounds
in nine minutes a game, was replaced by forward Dickey Simpkins.
Simpkins was placed on the injured list Nov. 11 with an ankle injury
after averaging 1.8 points and 8.8 minutes in six games.
nba.1678nba.news,
Pacers struggling without Smits
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 22, 1996 - 15:30 EST) -- The absence of injured Rik
Smits is hurting the Indiana Pacers.
Smits hasn't practiced since having surgery on both feet Sept. 3 and
no date has been set for his return.
With the 7-foot-4 center out, the Pacers are off to their worst start
in three seasons at 3-7.
"When we post up, we can't get a shot, we can't even get fouled,"
coach Larry Brown said after a 90-87 loss to Charlotte Thursday night.
"We don't get doubled up in the post, and that puts more pressure on
our outside game. It's the way people are playing us."
The added pressure is showing in the shooting of Reggie Miller, who
leads the team with a 20.3 scoring average but has made only 38
percent of his shots after taking a 49 percent career mark into the
season.
"We don't have a post-up guy," Brown said.
That's not the only problem for Brown, who anticipated the team would
struggle early.
"We don't have Haywoode Workman. We don't have Rik. We don't have
Eddie Johnson. Erick Dampier had hernia surgery. Travis Best has
started 10 games in the NBA," Brown said. "Vincent Askew is new.
Jerome Allen is new.
"I didn't figure it would be easy, even with Rik here. Then when Erick
and Derrick (McKey) went down in training camp, I knew it would be
difficult. But, that's no excuse. I like the potential of this team,
but I don't like a lack of leadership, effort and mental toughness."
Workman had surgery Friday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament
in his left knee and might miss the rest of the season. Johnson isn't
expected to be back from off-season knee surgery until next month.
"I believe this team will come back," Brown said. "There are a lot of
people that are trying, but the energy is going in the wrong
direction."
Best, who lost the starting job at point guard after two games this
season and reclaimed it when Workman was injured, is the team's
second-leading scorer at 13.2. But he's averaging only 3.8 assists per
game and leads the team with 30 turnovers.
"It's hard for him. He's only started 10 games and didn't play much
last year," teammate Duane Ferrell said of Best, who was the team's
first round draft pick last year. "You can't put that much pressure on
him to lead this club. It's on the veteran players. ... We have to
keep ... pushing, and get out of this rut."
Ferrell, who began the season on the injured list with a torn calf
muscle, has provided some spark the past two games. His 16 points
Thursday were his high in three seasons with the Pacers. It followed a
12-point performance off the bench Wednesday night.
"It's tough losing like this. ... " Ferrell said. "It's a difficult
time. If we keep working hard in practice, things will turn around.
Watching on the bench, when I was on the injured list, I saw that one
of the things we needed was scoring. That's what I'm trying to do, be
a little more aggressive offensively and create some shots."
The Pacers are averaging only 90.7 points per game, compared to 99.3
last season when Smits had a career-high 18.5 average.
"We need Rik bad," Ferrell said. "With the injury of Rik, it's been
difficult. I didn't think it would be as hard as it is."
nba.1679nba.news,
Clippers' coach not discouraged by losses
DALLAS (Nov 22, 1996 - 13:01 EST) -- Bill Fitch, the all-time NBA
leader in losses, says losing now doesn't feel any better than it did
in 1970 when he made his professional coaching debut with the
Cleveland Cavaliers.
"That's a lot of losses and I didn't enjoy a single one of them," the
Los Angeles Clippers' 62-year-old coach said after his 1,000th defeat,
105-94 to the Dallas Mavericks Thursday night. "They say you're lucky
to be around the game for that long. More than anything else, that
(1,000 defeats) is a sign of longevity."
Despite all the losses, Fitch has accomplished some good things. He's
coached a few champions, but has mostly worked with under-manned teams
over his 23 seasons in the NBA. He's also managed to win 897 games.
"I've had some good teams, but in a lot of cases, I've had to start at
the bottom and build a team," said Fitch, who has coached more games
than anyone in NBA history. "That's a challenge I still enjoy."
Fitch is in the midst of another of those challenges with the Clippers
(6-5), who are showing signs of finally turning things around. The
Clippers were 46-118 in Fitch's first two seasons in Los Angeles.
Fitch also coached the expansion Cavaliers for nine struggling seasons
from 1970-79, and guided a bad New Jersey Nets team for three seasons
during the early '90s. In between Cleveland and New Jersey, Fitch
coached Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics to the NBA title in the
1980-81 season, and coached the Houston Rockets into the NBA Finals in
the 1985-86 season.
"I've always liked working with young teams and that hasn't changed,"
Fitch said. "That keeps me going. If I was in this for the money, I
would have quit a long time ago."
Fitch has seen the good, the bad and the ugly. He's endured 50-loss
seasons 10 times. He's had 12 sub-.500 seasons. And he's had five
50-win seasons, won five division titles and coached his teams to five
berths in the conference finals.
In August, Fitch had a heart attack, then underwent emergency
triple-bypass heart surgery. Fitch claims the heart attack wasn't the
fault of the Clippers, but he said this is the last time he'll take on
a rebuilding project.
"You don't ever plan a heart attack," Fitch said. "You don't know how
you're going to react to something like that, but I made up my mind
that I was going to be at (training) camp. But once I get this team
into the playoffs, it's the last time I'll do something like this.
That's not to say that I'd get out of basketball, though."
Mavericks coach Jim Cleamons played under Fitch at Cleveland in the
mid-'70s, and admires his patience. Cleamons is 3-7 in his rookie
season.
"Coach (Fitch) has been able to persevere," Cleamons said. "I hope I'm
able to be around near as long, although I don't think I'd want 1,000
losses. It's a credit to him that he's been in the game long enough to
do that (lose 1,000 games)."
nba.1680nba.news,
Most consecutive NBA games won, start of season
A list of the best unbeaten starts in NBA history:
15-0 -- Washington Capitols, Nov. 3-Dec. 4, 1948.
15-0 -- Houston Rockets, Nov. 5-Dec. 2, 1993.
14-0 -- Boston Celtics, Oct. 22-Nov. 27, 1957.
12-0 -- Seattle SuperSonics, Oct. 29-Nov. 19, 1982.
12-0 -- Chicago Bulls, Nov. 1-present.
nba.1681nba.news,
Raptors name Peddie president
The Toronto Raptors have named Richard Peddie team president, just
one week after Allan Slaight bought the team. He replaces John
Bitove, who agreed on a contract buyout with Slaight.
The 49-year-old Peddie was employed at NetStar Communications,
where hed as president and chief operating officer. NetStar
includes the Sports Network and Discovery Channel.
The team changed ownership after John Bitove Jr., a co- owner, was
unable to counter a buyout from Slaight. Each owned 39.5-percent of
the franchise.
Peddie is scheduled to begin his duties December 2nd.
nba.1682nba.news,
Owens holds no grudges against the Heat
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 22, 1996 - 06:54 EST) -- Used to be, Billy
Owens could work up a good froth toward the team that traded him. He
still resents the Golden State Warriors for shipping him to the Miami
Heat.
Maybe it comes from being traded three times in five seasons, but
Owens looked anything but rabid when asked about Friday night's game
against the Heat, his first against his former team since being traded
to the Kings on Feb. 22.
"There really isn't a grudge against Miami," he said. "I've still got
a grudge against Golden State but not Miami. I wasn't there long
enough to feel comfortable."
Owens is more concerned about feeling comfortable in Sacramento, where
injuries have kept him from showing the all-around skills that twice
led the Kings to claim him -- first with the third overall pick in the
1991 draft, then in last winter's trade.
After missing most of training camp and the first two games of the
regular season with a groin injury, Owens had his best outing of the
year Monday, contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds against Vancouver.
But he suffered a dislocated right pinky the next night in Portland, a
setback that won't keep him out of the lineup.
"He's had a rough start," coach Garry St. Jean said. "He hasn't really
found his groove yet, but I think Billy's going to have a nice year
and be a key part of our nucleus. The season is still young."
Owens is averaging 10.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists, all well
below his career averages. But the 6-foot-9 forward said his groin
injury is fully mended.
"My legs are feeling better, and that's all I need," Owens said. "My
game is the open court, getting the rebound and making things happen."
While he wouldn't attach any special significance to playing the Heat,
Owens did say that any trade leaves at least a temporary scar.
"It makes you feel like you can't play the game of basketball," Owens
said. "Somebody's getting rid of you. It hurts at first, because
you've never even been cut. You're not used to having someone not want
you."
The Warriors dealt Owens to the Heat on the eve of the 1994-95 season
opener, getting Rony Seikaly in return. That trade separated Owens
from his close friend, Chris Webber, but Owens lasted just a season
and a half in Miami before Heat coach (and president) Pat Riley traded
him to the Kings with Kevin Gamble for Walt Williams and Tyrone
Corbin.
Before all that -- before he had played an NBA game, in fact -- Owens
was traded by the Kings to the Warriors for Mitch Richmond and Les
Jepsen.
He welcomed the first trade, but the point is, Owens has been around
the block enough times to know better than to buy the first house that
catches his eye.
"I don't look at any place like it's home, unless the owner comes up
to me and says he's going to build the team around me," Owens said.
"Michael Jordan is the only guy in this league who has stability.
Nobody else."
Owens might be downplaying Friday night's game because he remembers
what happened the last time he carried a serious grudge onto the
court. Shortly after being traded by Golden State to Miami, Owens
returned to Oakland and played a poor game, scoring six points before
fouling out.
nba.1683nba.news,
Nine-game win streak no big deal to these Sonics
LANDOVER, Md.(Nov 22, 1996 - 07:54 EST) -- Some NBA teams would be
ecstatic about a nine-game winning streak.
Toronto? No doubt.
Sacramento? Without question.
Seattle?
Harrumph.
Don't. Even. Think. About. It.
"We're not going to get excited just because we've won nine games in a
row," said Shawn Kemp after the SuperSonics' 115-110 double-overtime
victory over the Washington Bullets Wednesday night. "The streak to us
is no big thing."
That's not to say they aren't happy to be atop the Pacific Division at
10-2 entering Friday's game at Boston. After blowing a 16-point lead
in the fourth quarter against the Bullets, they know they dodged a
...landmine. But with 70 games still to go, last year's Western
Conference champions aren't about to set the cruise control for the
Finals.
Remember, this is a team that started out 26-3 in 1993-94, then lost
in the first round of the playoffs.
"We're definitely not playing yet where we want to play," Kemp said.
"This is November. A team that gets excited in November will probably
lose nine games in a row in December or January."
Don't look for Seattle to disintegrate anytime soon. The Sonics are
loaded with the same hypertalented core that led them to the 1996 NBA
Finals. Power forward extraordinaire Kemp (24 pts, 11.3 boards) still
bombards defenses with his aerial power game, while Dream Team III
guard Gary Payton (21.8 pts, 7.6 assists, 2.8 steals) bedevils
opponents with his penetration and relentless defensive pressure.
Throw in versatile Detlef Schrempf, outside gunner Hersey Hawkins ,
sixth man Sam Perkins and free agent shot blocking center Jim
McIlvaine (31 swats in only 243 minutes) and the Sonics have the
ingredients for another sizzling run to celebrate their 30th
anniversary.
McIlvaine's signing for $35 million over seven years raised eyebrows
around the league, and prompted a brief holdout in the preseason by $3
million-dollar man Kemp. Although McIlvaine isn't putting up big
numbers (4.1 pts, 4.1 boards), he is filling the role coach George
Karl expected.
"We don't need a scorer; we need his defense and rebounding," Karl
said. "He's going to be very good for us.
"When the Lakers got Shaq, I didn't think we wanted to play the Lakers
one way. Now we can run traps, double teams or play him straight up."
Kemp is keeping a wary eye on Shaquille O'Neal and the Lakers, who
trail the Sonics by two games, but not exclusively.
"With Shaq down there, I have to pay more attention than last year.
But I probably look more at Houston. With the three old guys you know
they are going to play every night."
Karl isn't overly concerned about the Lakers either, though they have
received an inordinate amount of press in the early going.
"I hope they get all the attention in the world, but I still say the
championship comes through Seattle," Karl said.
At least the Western Conference Championship. Kemp is already itching
for a rematch with the red-hot Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.
"The only thing that amazes me about the Bulls is that teams don't get
up for them," Kemp said. "When I look at the Bulls, it's the biggest
challenge of the year. I want to play my best ever.
"I don't understand why all teams don't feel that way."
Perhaps because those teams don't know what's it like to have a
nine-game winning streak.
nba.1684nba.news,
Rookie Abdur-Rahim struggling in Vancouver
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Nov 22, 1996 - 18:54 EST) -- Shareef
Abdur-Rahim has discovered the NBA is a much tougher mountain to
conquer than the hardwoods of college basketball.
The 19-year-old forward struggled in just about every phase of the pro
game during his first month with the Vancouver Grizzlies.
After 12 games in 20 days -- winning only once -- Abdur-Rahim finds
himself coming off the bench as a reserve rather than having a
high-profile position in the starting lineup.
Abdur-Rahim is used to being in the spotlight. He was one of the best
college players last season as a high-scoring freshman at California.
NBA scouts drooled over his potential and the Grizzlies made him the
third selection overall in the draft when the underclassman declared
himself eligible despite his inexperience.
"I got off to a bad start," Abdur-Rahim said. "It took me by surprise,
some of the things I was doing."
Those things included making only 38.1 percent of his shots, while
averaging 10.3 points and 26.3 minutes per game early in the season.
Abdur-Rahim's defense and rebounding were so inconsistent that he was
replaced in the starting lineup at small forward by 6-foot-4 Blue
Edwards, five inches shorter than the athletic Abdur-Rahim.
"The toughest part so far is the travel and playing so much,"
Abdur-Rahim said. "We've had some rough times, but there's nothing I'd
rather be doing."
The Grizzlies have started rookie Roy Rogers at power forward to
improve their rebounding. Rogers was drafted 22nd overall, 19
selections after Vancouver took Abdur-Rahim.
Rogers played four years at Alabama and is sounder in the fundamentals
of the game than Abdur-Rahim. But Abdur-Rahim has some offensive
skills that the Grizzlies believe will eventually make him a star.
"He has to get a lot stronger to withstand the pounding of an NBA
season," Vancouver coach Brian Winters said. "Shareef needs work on
his team defense and perimeter shot."
Abdur-Rahim can run the floor on the break and sky for offensive
rebounds when he's properly positioned. But for now, he battles with
himself to remain positive about his game.
"I've never lost this much in my life," Abdur-Rahim said about
Vancouver's 1-11 record. "It's hard to grasp, but I'm a very
competitive person."
The Grizzlies are the worst rebounding team in the league and need
consistent efforts on the boards from Rogers, Abdur-Rahim and
second-year center Bryant Reeves.
"Shareef is getting better, and he has to make sure his confidence
doesn't get down when we're losing," Reeves said. "I've got to talk to
him along the way because I experienced those growing pains last
year."
nba.1685nba.news,
Walker has Celts' hopes on the move
BOSTON -- They still play on the parquet floor, the 16 NBA
championship banners still hang from the rafters, but the only thing
the Boston Celtics can brag about these days is their fan-friendly new
building.
How did this once proud franchise stumble to the depths of the
Clippers and Nets? Look no further than the draft, where a combination
of bad luck and bad choices has left the team void of a franchise
player and little hope for immediate success.
"It's a total crapshoot," said Celtics assistant coach K.C. Jones, who
was the head coach in 1986 when the team won its last NBA
championship. "It's so tough to tell how well a kid is going to do at
the next level."
This year the Celtics are hoping Antoine Walker, the draft's sixth
overall pick, will reverse years of second-guessing and misfortune.
The Celtics passed on Shawn Kemp in the 1989 draft for the other
Michael Smith, the one not playing in Sacramento. In 1992 Georgia
Tech's Jon Barry looked more appealing than Latrell Sprewell. Both
were forgivable mistakes by Boston.
Over the past decade the Celtics have witnessed the deaths of Reggie
Lewis and Len Bias, both first-round picks. Both tragedies have taken
their toll on the franchise. Nonetheless, there are only four
first-rounders since 1986 on the current roster. One of them is Eric
Williams, who was drafted just last season. Rick Fox and Dee Brown
remain from the 1990 and 1991 drafts.
Now the Celtics are counting on Walker, just eight months removed from
winning a national title at Kentucky, to help rebuild the franchise.
He's the most highly touted Celtic rookie since a farmboy named Larry
Bird took over the Hub. Already tabbed as the next Karl Malone, Walker
is learning the NBA on the fly, something he thinks will make him
better.
"I've always been uncomfortable sitting on the bench," Walker said.
"Getting playing time will do nothing but help me."
Boston head coach M.L. Carr has had to start Walker, and his lack of
pro experience has been evident at times.
"He has definitely looked like a rookie at times," Jones said. "But he
has all the tools and has shown signs that he's going to be a great
player in this league."
What has the Celtics so high on their latest first-round experiment?
Walker's 6-foot-9, 225-pound frame allows him to play almost anywhere
on the floor. He's even seen time at point this year for Boston,
although his main contributions will come at small forward.
"He's a tweener at every position," Jones said. "He's a big small
forward, an even bigger guard, and a little undersized for the power
forward spot.
"In time though we feel like he will excel at four positions for us."
Walker was arguably the most athletic player on the most athletic team
in college basketball last year, which led some NBA teams to declare
him the best overall player in the draft.
"There were teams that wanted to trade up to get him," Carr said. "A
lot of teams had him as the highest player on their board."
M.L. is known as one of the best salesmen in the league, but Walker
doesn't need a sell job. People have him tabbed as the "real deal"
less than a month into his NBA career.
"If he can consistently knock down his mid-range jumper, he'll be a
force in the league," said Minnesota head coach Flip Saunders. "He
showed what he is capable of doing while he was at Kentucky."
Walker's numbers as a sophomore at UK weren't staggering (15.2 ppg,
8.4 rpg), but he was one of three first-round picks from last year's
Wildcats squad. Guard Tony Delk went to Charlotte and forward Walter
McCarty was taken by the Knicks.
"He wasn't asked to do everything at Kentucky," Jones said. "Now he's
beginning to use all of his talents and he's realizing how good he can
be."
Like all of the Celtics, Walker has had his ups and downs through the
first month of the season. The 20-year-old has started seven of nine
games and is averaging 12.4 ppg. However, like most rookies, Walker is
struggling from the floor, shooting just 40 percent.
"Shot selection is the key," Carr said. "If he takes good shots and
doesn't force his game, he'll be a consistent scorer for us."
Walker scored a career-high 23 points against the Bucks in just his
second NBA game. However, a week later in front of 35 family members
and friends, Walker stunk up the United Center, going 2-of-10 from the
field for just five points against the Bulls.
"There will be some tough times," Walker said. "I realize that. The
thing I need to do is keep working hard and continuing to improve."
Not only is he a talent and a future star, but he's been enthusiastic,
something the rest of the Celtics say they might have lacked before
his arrival.
"He plays with a lot of spirit," said forward Dino Radja. "It rubs off
on the rest of us. His emotion on the court will make us a better
team."
Emotion is something that has been lacking in the Boston lockerroom
since the departures of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.
Moving out of the charismatic Boston Garden and into the FleetCenter
has also robbed the franchise of any character and identity built in
the '80s.
"We need to build an identity," Carr said. "Antoine will be a big part
of the building process."
In Walker, Celtics fans think they have a player worth watching.
"The fans are excited about his talents," said former Celtic Tommy
Heinsohn, now a broadcaster with the team. "He's shown that he will be
a star. When was the last time you could say that about a Celtic draft
pick?"
Well, Tommy, when Red Auerbach landed Bias in the 1986 draft, the
Celtics thought they'd found a difference-maker. Bias never played a
game for the Celtics. Now, 10 years later, Walker is the man in
Boston, and the same pressures are being placed on him.
"I can't turn things around here by myself," he admitted. "It takes a
total team effort. I think we have that kind of dedication here."
With the Celtics struggling early this season, the lottery seems to be
the prize at the end of the 1996-97 season rather than the playoffs.
The trade that sent Eric Montross to Dallas in the offseason landed
Boston with the Mavs' first-round pick as well. With two potential top
10 picks in next year's draft, the future may begin to look a little
brighter on Causway Street.
"Antoine is a big part of our future," Jones said. "We won't rush him
or ask him to do too much, but in time we think he will be able to
handle anything we ask of him."
Don't ask him to carry the Celtics this season. He'll wish he never
left Lexington.
nba.1686dizel,
** Jel chatovao neko sa Doktorom?
Ja sam pokušao nešto, ali nikako nije uspevalo... Mislim da ga nije
ni bilo...
nba.1687vpoznanovic,
>> Zanimljivo je da je Divac znao da se utakmica prenosi kod nas.
>> Taj čovek je stvarno Car. Verujem da bi bio najbolji igrač sveta,
>> samo kada bi mu pred svaku utakmicu govorili da se njom dokazuje
>> pred svojim narodom ;)
Vjerujte mi, nisam nigdje pročitao da je Divac znao da će se utakmica
prenositi kod nas, ali prateći njen tok, na kraju sam se mogao zakleti u
to. :) U osam mečeva odigranih do tada kao startni centar samo je u dva
prešao cifru od deset poena, a te noći double-double uz izbor za igrača
utakmice i pored Ewinga i kompanije. :) Šta ti je balkanski mentalitet. ;)
Ako mu i gazde dođu do istog zaključka, eto nama prenosa svaku drugu noć.
;)) Ili eto njega nazad u Partizan... :>
nba.1688vpoznanovic,
>> Jel chatovao neko sa Doktorom?
Kad to spomenu... Ono jutro sam se uništio tražeći transkript razgovora
s Magicom, pregledao čitav Web i sve moguće newsgrupe koje se bave tom
tematikom, ali baš ništa nisam uspio da nađem. :(
nba.1689vpoznanovic,
>> Priča se da Đorđević debituje u NBA sutra (subota) protiv Denvera...
>> Vlade, trač ili istina?
Trač, vjerovatnije. Zvanično još nijedan od trojice igrača Portlanda
stavljenih na listu povrijeđenih na početku sezone nije aktiviran.
Postoji izvjesna šansa da se to desi uoči utakmice, ali sudeći prema
zdravstvenom stanju najbliži tome je svakako Jermaine O'Neal. Mislim
da ćemo još morati sačekati na Đorđevićev debi.
nba.1690vpoznanovic,
Saturday, November 23
Atlanta at Toronto 91:88
Chicago at Utah 100:105
Dallas at New Jersey 91:114
Denver at Portland 65:105
Detroit at Charlotte 85:93
Houston at Golden State 120:115
L.A. Clippers at Minnesota 96:98
New York at Philadelphia 92:109
Orlando at Indiana 76:73
Washington at Milwaukee 95:90
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 26 19 24 22 91
TORONTO 26 21 23 18 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 29, ELDRIDGE RECASNER 23, DIKEMBE
MUTOMBO 18
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 22, WALT WILLIAMS 19, MARCUS CAMBY
13
HIGH REBOUND: ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 9, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 7
TOR - POPEYE JONES 9, MARCUS CAMBY 8
HIGH ASSISTS: ATL - ELDRIDGE RECASNER 5, THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 8, WALT WILLIAMS 7
ATT: 16,838
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHICAGO 30 29 26 15 100
UTAH 35 24 23 23 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 44, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 16, STEVE KERR 11
UTH - KARL MALONE 36, BRYON RUSSELL 17, JEFF HORNACEK 17
HIGH REBOUND: CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 10, LUC LONGLEY 8
UTH - KARL MALONE 15, GREG OSTERTAG 5
HIGH ASSISTS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 4, THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
ATT: 19,911
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 26 18 24 23 91
NEW JERSEY 32 30 31 21 114 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DAL - GEORGE MCCLOUD 13, JIM JACKSON 11, CHRIS GATLING 11
NJN - KENDALL GILL 26, ROBERT PACK 17, KERRY KITTLES 15
HIGH REBOUND: DAL - LOREN MEYER 9, JASON KIDD 7
NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 15, SHAWN BRADLEY 12
HIGH ASSISTS: DAL - JASON KIDD 12, DEREK HARPER 6
NJN - ROBERT PACK 22, KENDALL GILL 4
ATT: 15,701
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DENVER 13 12 26 14 65
PORTLAND 32 20 25 28 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 16, TOM HAMMONDS 8, SARUNAS
MARCIULIONIS 7
POR - GARY TRENT 22, KENNY ANDERSON 14, CLIFFORD ROBINSON
11
HIGH REBOUND: DEN - ERVIN JOHNSON 5, BROOKS THOMPSON 5
POR - GARY TRENT 13, CHRIS DUDLEY 10
HIGH ASSISTS: DEN - BROOKS THOMPSON 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2
POR - KENNY ANDERSON 8, RANDOLPH CHILDRESS 6
ATT: 20,116
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DETROIT 18 17 26 24 85
CHARLOTTE 17 24 29 23 93 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DET - JOE DUMARS 21, LINDSEY HUNTER 18, OTIS THORPE 17
CHA - DELL CURRY 19, ANTHONY MASON 18, VLADE DIVAC 15
HIGH REBOUND: DET - OTIS THORPE 13, GRANT HILL 7
CHA - ANTHONY MASON 11, DELL CURRY 6
HIGH ASSISTS: DET - JOE DUMARS 6, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2
CHA - TYRONE BOGUES 9, ANTHONY GOLDWIRE 6
ATT: 24,042
NBA FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 21 25 40 22 12 120
GOLDEN STATE 24 35 23 26 7 115 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: HOU - CLYDE DREXLER 32, CHARLES BARKLEY 27, MARIO ELIE 21
GSW - MARK PRICE 32, LATRELL SPREWELL 28, CHRIS MULLIN 27
HIGH REBOUND: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 17, CLYDE DREXLER 11
GSW - JOE SMITH 7, FELTON SPENCER 6
HIGH ASSISTS: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 11, JOE SMITH 6
ATT: 16,896
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA CLIPPERS 21 31 20 24 96
MINNESOTA 33 22 19 24 98 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAC - STANLEY ROBERTS 17, ERIC PIATKOWSKI 15, MALIK SEALY
15
MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 24, TOM GUGLIOTTA 17, STEPHON MARBURY
15
HIGH REBOUND: LAC - MALIK SEALY 5, STANLEY ROBERTS 5
MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 12, KEVIN GARNETT 10
HIGH ASSISTS: LAC - RODNEY ROGERS 4, POOH RICHARDSON 3
MIN - STEPHON MARBURY 9, TOM GUGLIOTTA 4
ATT: 16,877
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 26 15 31 20 92
PHILADELPHIA 21 22 33 33 109 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NYK - JOHN STARKS 20, PATRICK EWING 19, CHRIS CHILDS 17
PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 26, DERRICK COLEMAN 25, JERRY
STACKHOUSE 23
HIGH REBOUND: NYK - PATRICK EWING 9, CHARLES OAKLEY 6
PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 9, CLARENCE WEATHERSPOON 8
HIGH ASSISTS: NYK - ALLAN HOUSTON 5, CHRIS CHILDS 4
PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 9, DERRICK COLEMAN 9
ATT: 19,209
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ORLANDO 16 16 23 21 76
INDIANA 21 19 23 10 73 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ORL - HORACE GRANT 12, DARRELL ARMSTRONG 12, DEREK STRONG
12
IND - REGGIE MILLER 24, VINCENT ASKEW 10
HIGH REBOUND: ORL - HORACE GRANT 11, RONY SEIKALY 11
IND - DERRICK MCKEY 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
HIGH ASSISTS: ORL - DARRELL ARMSTRONG 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
IND - TRAVIS BEST 5, DERRICK MCKEY 4
ATT: 16,158
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 26 22 18 29 95
MILWAUKEE 28 27 21 14 90 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 21, CHRIS WEBBER 20, ROD STRICKLAND 15
MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 33, VIN BAKER 17, ARMON GILLIAM 15
HIGH REBOUND: WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 15, JUWAN HOWARD 8
MIL - VIN BAKER 16, GLENN ROBINSON 12
HIGH ASSISTS: WAS - ROD STRICKLAND 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
MIL - SHERMAN DOUGLAS 9, GLENN ROBINSON 2
ATT: 16,508
nba.1691nba.news,
ATLANTA (91) AT TORONTO (88)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 31 3-6 4-4 2 2 4 3 4 0 4 10
LAETTNER F 45 9-16 9-13 2 5 7 3 3 1 7 29
MUTOMBO C 40 7-8 4-5 2 7 9 0 3 0 2 18
BARRY G 26 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 1 1 0
RECASNER G 44 8-13 4-4 1 4 5 5 2 1 2 23
NORMAN 21 3-10 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 6
BOYCE 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 3 0
NEWBILL 7 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
BURTON 19 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 1 4 1 1 3
ALSTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BLAYLOCK DNP - SORE RIGHT ANKLE
SMITH DNP - SORE RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 32-62 21-26 8 22 30 16 20 5 22 91
(.516) (.808) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 22(22 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 35 7-18 4-5 3 2 5 7 5 4 2 19
JONES F 38 6-8 0-0 4 5 9 1 4 2 2 12
CAMBY C 24 5-9 3-4 3 5 8 0 5 1 2 13
CHRISTIE G 35 3-10 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 1 5 8
STOUDAMIRE G 41 7-18 5-5 3 2 5 8 1 1 4 22
LOHAUS 17 1-4 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 2
WHITESIDE 7 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 1 0 0
WRIGHT 15 4-9 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 8
DAVIS 26 2-6 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4
EARL 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROGERS DNP - ASTHMA
TOTALS 240 35-82 12-14 16 20 36 20 24 10 16 88
(.427) (.857) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 16(16 PTS)
ATLANTA 26 19 24 22 - 91
TORONTO 26 21 23 18 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - LAETTNER 2, MUTOMBO, NORMAN. TORONTO -
WILLIAMS, CHRISTIE, WRIGHT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 6-15 (.400), LAETTNER 2-3, BARRY 0-1, RECASNER
3-6, NORMAN 0-2, BURTON 1-3. TORONTO 6-22 (.273), WILLIAMS 1-5, CAMBY 0-1,
CHRISTIE 2-5, STOUDAMIRE 3-9, LOHAUS 0-1, DAVIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - BARRY, TORONTO - CAMBY, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, KEN MAUER, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 16,838. T - 2:13.
ATLANTA (91) AT TORONTO (88)
Eldridge Recasner scored five of his career-high 23 points in
the final 76 seconds, lifting the Atlanta Hawks to a 91-88
victory over the slumping Toronto Raptors.
Recasner, signed as a free agent to the NBA minimum during the
off-season, started for injured backcourt stars Mookie Blaylock
and Steve Smith. He had eight points in a tight fourth period
that saw three ties and eight lead changes.
Recasner's jumper created the last tie at 86-86 with 1:16 to go.
Raptors rookie Marcus Camby made a layup with 52 seconds left.
but Recasner responded with a three-pointer, giving Atlanta the
lead for good with 36 seconds remaining.
"Those guys really don't know who I am," Recasner said of the
Raptors. " don't know what kind of scouting report they had on
me, but I had a lot of room on that trey."
Toronto's Damon Stoudamire, who had 22 points and eight assists,
missed a fadeaway jumper. Atlanta's Tyrone Corbin grabbed the
rebound and was fouled, sinking two free throws with 15 seconds
left.
Camby and Stoudamire missed 3-pointers on Toronto's final
possession as the Raptors lost their fifth game in a row, all by
eight points or less.
"I didn't hit the big shot," Stoudamire said. "Hopefully, if I
get that look next time I won't miss."
"I was wide open near the end and it just didn't fall," Camby
said. "Sooner or later, it's going to be there."
Christian Laettner scored 29 points and Dikembe Mutombo added
18 and nine rebounds for the Hawks, which finished a 2-2 road
trip. Recasner played 44 minutes at point guard with five
assists and two turnovers, and he shot eight for 13 from the
field.
Walt Williams had 19 points and seven assists, Camby scored 13
points and Popeye Jones had 12 points and nine rebounds for the
Raptors, who were outshot 52 percent to 43 percent.
Laettner scored 15 points in the first half, but Toronto opened
a 47-45 lead. He added nine more points in the third quarter,
which ended with the Raptors holding a 70-69 edge.
nba.1692nba.news,
CHICAGO (100) AT UTAH (105)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 43 6-13 2-2 1 5 6 3 1 1 3 16
RODMAN F 36 1-2 0-0 2 8 10 1 5 0 0 2
LONGLEY C 30 2-10 4-4 3 5 8 3 4 0 3 8
HARPER G 29 3-7 0-0 0 4 4 3 5 0 0 9
JORDAN G 39 17-32 10-12 1 5 6 4 3 2 2 44
KUKOC 19 3-7 2-3 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 8
KERR 27 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 11
BUECHLER 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WENNINGTON 9 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 0
CAFFEY 5 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2
SIMPKINS 2 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-82 18-21 11 30 41 17 23 4 11 100
(.451) (.857) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 11(10 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 42 14-28 8-10 5 10 15 5 2 3 1 36
RUSSELL F 33 7-9 1-2 1 3 4 0 4 0 2 17
OSTERTAG C 31 3-3 0-2 0 5 5 0 4 0 2 6
STOCKTON G 40 5-10 0-0 0 3 3 13 2 0 2 12
HORNACEK G 27 4-9 8-8 0 4 4 5 4 1 0 18
EISLEY 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ANDERSON 22 2-7 1-2 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 5
KEEFE 17 1-2 3-4 1 2 3 0 3 1 0 5
CARR 6 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
MORRIS 17 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 1 4
FOSTER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-74 21-28 7 31 38 25 24 7 9 105
(.527) (.750) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 9(16 PTS)
CHICAGO 30 29 26 15 - 100
UTAH 35 24 23 23 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - LONGLEY, JORDAN, HARPER. UTAH - OSTERTAG 3,
MORRIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 8-24 (.333), PIPPEN 2-4, HARPER 3-5, JORDAN
0-6, KUKOC 0-2, KERR 3-7. UTAH 6-11 (.545), RUSSELL 2-3, STOCKTON 2-3,
HORNACEK 2-4, MORRIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, RODMAN 2 (EJECTED), UTAH - ILLEGAL
DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, BRUCE ALEXANDER, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 19,911. T - 2:17.
CHICAGO (100) AT UTAH (105)
The Chicago Bulls lost for the first time in 13 games this
season, falling 105-100 to the Utah Jazz despite 44 points by
Michael Jordan.
Karl Malone scored 11 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and
the Jazz took advantage of Dennis Rodman's poorly timed temper
tantrum to win its fifth straight game.
"It was a big win for us," Malone said. "But it was just one
game and those guys (Bulls) are still the defending champs. It
was still just one game and everybody wants to pat you on the
back and tell you how good you are right now...but you know half
them people showed up tonight with Chicago Bulls stuff on."
Bryon Russell and Jeff Hornacek each scored 17 points and John
Stockton added 12 and 13 assists for Utah (8-2). Malone added
15 rebounds for the Jazz, who have won six games by a combined
66 points since losing back-to-back games to Houston.
"Well it was a fun game, obviously, playing (against) these
guys," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I think everyone was
entertained by what Jordan did and it was very difficult to try
and play against them. But, our guys I think played extremely
hard and fortunately we had the ball bounce our way a couple of
times."
Scottie Pippen scored 16 points and Steve Kerr added 11 for
Chicago (12-1), which fell three games shy of the best unbeaten
start in league history. That mark was set by the 1948-49
Washington Capitols and equaled by the 1993-94 Houston Rockets.
Bulls coach Phil Jackson thought the Bulls lacked their usual
fourth-quarter success.
"It was an offensive battle as I expected, but shooting 60
percent at halftime? We knew it wouldn't continue at that rate.
We had a miserable fourth quarter, missed our shots and they
took advantage of it. They played a real good last six minutes
of the game."
The Bulls, who were playing the third game of a seven-game road
trip, fell to 6-1 on the road. They are 94-13 in their last 107
regular-season games.
After Jordan made two free throws to tie the game at 98-98,
Malone hit a jumper with 29 seconds left to ignite a game-ending
7-2 burst.
Rodman, who grabbed 10 rebounds, drew his second technical of
the game with 14 seconds left and Chicago trailing 100-98.
Rodman more than hinted that the officiating didn't go the
Bulls' way.
"What the hell, they played well and that's the only way you can
beat us. We just beat ourselves. We were never in control out
there because it was eight guys (including referees) against
five. That's the way I look at it. You know you're in Utah,
we're not in some...place where it is sunny and warm in the
mormon city. I don't give a (darn) what the referees think
about Dennis Rodman."
Hornacek hit a technical free throw for a 101-98 lead before
Russell hit one of two from the line for a 102-98 advantage with
12 seconds remaining.
After Pippen missed a three-pointer with six seconds left,
Malone was fouled and made one free throw for a 103-98 lead one
second later.
Jordan scored 27 points in the first half, allowing the Bulls to
forge a 59-59 tie. Jordan, who scored 40 or more points for the
146th time in the regular season, added eight more in the third
quarter to help Chicago take an 85-82 advantage into the final
12 minutes.
"It was a hard fought game," Jordan said. "I mean everyone
talked about defense and (in) the first half each team shot 60
percent (the Bulls shot 60 percent and the Jazz shot 60.5
percent). We couldn't figure out each other and in some ways
down the stretch, it was just a gut match.
"You know who got the breaks. You know we missed some easy
shots...they missed some easy shots and they got the last little
break (Rodman's ejection) and that was the deciding point of the
game."
Malone has 106 points in his last three games and Stockton has
41 assists during the same span for Utah, which is 5-1 at home
and played its first Eastern Conference opponent of the season.
The Jazz shot 53 percent (39-of-74) from the field and held the
Bulls to 45 percent (37-of-82) accuracy. The teams combined for
just 20 turnovers.
nba.1693nba.news,
DALLAS (91) AT NEW JERSEY (114)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 25 4-10 4-4 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 13
MEYER F 22 4-11 3-4 4 5 9 0 1 1 1 11
MONTROSS C 23 3-6 0-1 1 2 3 0 4 1 1 6
JACKSON G 38 5-8 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 2 2 11
KIDD G 32 5-9 0-0 2 5 7 12 1 3 6 10
GATLING 22 4-10 3-7 1 2 3 0 4 2 2 11
DUMAS 19 2-5 3-6 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 7
MILLER 12 1-2 2-2 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 4
HARPER 31 3-8 2-2 0 1 1 6 2 0 1 8
WALKER 12 3-7 1-2 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 7
ROBERTS 4 0-0 3-4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
DREILING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-76 21-32 11 25 36 23 17 11 17 91
(.447) (.656) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 33 10-17 2-2 1 2 3 4 2 4 2 26
J WILLIAMS F 35 3-9 0-0 8 7 15 3 4 0 4 6
BRADLEY C 25 4-10 0-0 3 9 12 0 3 1 0 8
KITTLES G 33 6-16 0-1 3 0 3 2 1 3 0 15
PACK G 39 5-8 5-6 2 0 2 22 1 5 4 17
MASSENBURG 15 4-6 1-1 4 2 6 1 5 0 3 9
R WILLIAMS 14 5-7 0-0 0 2 2 0 4 0 0 12
CALDWELL 17 1-5 1-2 2 4 6 0 3 0 1 3
REEVES 21 5-12 2-2 0 0 0 1 3 0 2 14
DARE 4 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
OBANNON 4 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 44-94 13-16 23 27 50 33 29 13 16 114
(.468) (.813) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
DALLAS 26 18 24 23 - 91
NEW JERSEY 32 30 31 21 - 114
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - GATLING, WALKER. NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 10, J
WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 2-13 (.154), MCCLOUD 1-4, JACKSON 1-3, KIDD 0-1,
DUMAS 0-2, HARPER 0-3. NEW JERSEY 13-25 (.520), GILL 4-6, KITTLES 3-8,
PACK 2-2, R WILLIAMS 2-2, REEVES 2-5, OBANNON 0-2.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - MONTROSS.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, JOE DEROSA, SCOTT WALL.
A - 15,701. T - 2:00.
DALLAS (91) AT NEW JERSEY (114)
Kendall Gill scored 26 points and Robert Pack added 17 and a
career-high 22 assists to power the New Jersey Nets to a 114-91
romp over the Dallas Mavericks.
Gill shot 10-of-17 from the field, including 4-for-6 from
three-point range, as New Jersey set team records with 13
three-pointers in 25 attempts.
"Tonight Robert Pack ran the club," Nets coach John Calipari
said. "Everyone was moving and creating shots for themselves as
well as for each other. We only ran eight to 10 plays the whole
night."
Kerry Kittles added 15 points and Shawn Bradley had eight
points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocked shots as the Nets won for the
second time in three games.
George McCloud scored 13 points and Jason Kidd had 10 points, 12
assists and seven rebounds as the Mavericks lost for the fourth
time in five games. Loren Meyer had 11 points and nine rebounds
for Dallas, which shot just 2-for-13 from three-point range and
fell to 1-5 on the road.
"I'm at a loss for words," said Dallas coach Jim Cleamons. "I'm
embarrassed to say the least, I don't think our effort was there
tonight. We just didn't play very well, turnovers killed us, as
well as rebounding and uncontested shots."
Gill took a pass from Pack and completed a fast break with a
layup to give the Nets the lead for good, 20-18, with 3:30 left
in the first quarter.
"That's the way we want to play, up-tempo and in control," Pack
said. "I was looking for guys all night. I want to be the one
running the show. It was very important for us to get the win,
especially before we go on that long road trip."
Pack made a 19-footer with 6:46 left in the second quarter to
cap a 16-2 burst and give New Jersey a 48-28 advantage. Khalid
Reeves had six of his 14 points during the run and the Nets took
a 62-44 lead at halftime.
Jim Jackson, who had 11 points, made a layup to cap an 11-2
spurt and pull Dallas within 66-55 with 7:59 to go in the third
quarter. But the Nets responded with a 10-0 burst, capped by
Pack's two free throws with 5:42 left.
Adrian Caldwell made one free throw to give the Nets their
biggest lead of the game, 93-64, with 32.5 seconds left in the
period.
Chris Gatling also had 11 points for Dallas, which did not come
closer than 20 points in the fourth quarter.
nba.1694nba.news,
DENVER (65) AT PORTLAND (105)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 36 1-8 4-6 0 2 2 0 0 1 2 6
MCDYESS F 33 6-18 4-6 1 3 4 0 5 0 2 16
JOHNSON C 20 0-2 0-0 1 4 5 0 4 0 0 0
JACKSON G 12 0-0 4-4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
STITH G 24 2-7 2-2 2 1 3 2 1 4 1 6
MARCIULIONIS 26 1-8 5-6 0 1 1 1 3 1 5 7
HAMMONDS 22 4-7 0-0 0 2 2 0 5 0 1 8
L THOMPSON 8 0-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1
MURDOCK 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
B THOMPSON 26 3-11 1-2 1 4 5 4 2 4 2 7
HAM 16 1-3 1-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 3
MCINNIS 14 2-7 2-2 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 7
TOTALS 240 20-73 24-32 6 20 26 10 22 11 17 65
(.274) (.750) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 17(16 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 36 5-11 0-2 1 1 2 5 3 0 1 11
WALLACE F 19 2-6 3-4 1 3 4 0 3 0 5 7
SABONIS C 25 5-9 0-0 1 5 6 4 1 1 3 11
ANDERSON G 30 5-7 0-0 1 5 6 8 3 0 0 14
RIDER G 28 4-9 1-2 1 3 4 1 2 0 2 10
TRENT 25 9-12 4-4 3 10 13 1 4 0 2 22
MCKIE 13 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 6
DUDLEY 23 3-6 1-3 3 7 10 1 2 1 3 7
CHILDRESS 18 2-5 1-2 0 0 0 6 1 3 2 5
WINGFIELD 9 1-4 2-2 1 4 5 0 3 0 2 5
JORDAN 7 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 0 1 2
BUTLER 7 1-3 3-4 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 5
TOTALS 240 40-76 15-23 13 40 53 27 25 6 21 105
(.526) (.652) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 23(12 PTS)
DENVER 13 12 26 14 - 65
PORTLAND 32 20 25 28 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - MCDYESS, HAMMONDS. PORTLAND - DUDLEY 3, WALLACE,
SABONIS, MCKIE, C ROBINSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 1-20 (.050), D ELLIS 0-5, MCDYESS 0-1, STITH
0-2, MARCIULIONIS 0-2, B THOMPSON 0-7, MCINNIS 1-3. PORTLAND 10-23 (.435),
C ROBINSON 1-3, SABONIS 1-2, ANDERSON 4-5, RIDER 1-5, MCKIE 2-3, CHILDRESS
0-2, WINGFIELD 1-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, GARY BENSON, JIM CLARK.
A - 20,116. T - 2:04.
DENVER (65) AT PORTLAND (105)
Gary Trent scored 12 of his career-high 22 points in the first
quarter as the Portland Trail Blazers held the Denver Nuggets to
their lowest total in NBA history, 105-65.
Kenny Anderson added 14 points and eight assists for the Trail
Blazers, who had five players in double figures and won their
fourth straight game. Portland set a club record for fewest
points allowed.
"I just went out and tried to lead the team," Anderson said. "I
was getting some good looks at the basket and knocking down my
threes. I think that opened up everything."
Antonio McDyess scored 16 points for the Nuggets, who were held
to team-record lows for a half (25 points) and game. Denver's
previous low came in an 87-69 loss to Portland on January 16th,
1996. Its previous low half was 26 at New Jersey on December
12th, 1991.
Trent, who also had a career-high 13 rebounds, fueled Portland's
quik start. He had nearly as many points in the first quarter as
Denver, which shot just 2-of-18 from the field and trailed 32-13
after 12 minutes. The Blazers shot 64 percent (14-of-23).
"It's difficult to come back when a team shoots like that," said
Nuggets coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "It wasn't the shooting
so much as it was the garbage shots. I can't come up with an
excuse it was a lousy performance and it spread through the
team. There's no excuse for not being ready."
The Nuggets were even worse in the second quarter, managing just
12 points and trailing 52-25 at halftime. Portland led by as
many as 29 points in the period.
"Our ball movement was good all night and our defensive pressure
was as good as it has been all year," Portland coach P.J.
Carlesimo said. "The way we played in the first quarter I
thought set the tone of the game. I don't think we can play any
better than we did in the first eight minutes."
McDyess scored 10 points in the third quarter, when the Nuggets
shaved one point off the deficit. But Trent scored 10 points in
the fourth quarter, when the Blazers held Denver to 14 points.
Clifford Robinson and Arvydas Sabonis scored 11 points apiece
for Portland, which shot 53 percent (40-of-76) from the field
and held a 53-26 rebounding advantage. Denver shot 27 percent
(20-of-73).
"We did a good job at the defnsive end, which created a lot of
transitions for us," Robinson said. "We did a good job moving
the ball and taking advantage of open shots."
nba.1695nba.news,
DETROIT (85) AT CHARLOTTE (93)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 12 2-3 0-2 2 5 7 2 0 0 1 4
LONG F 28 2-5 0-0 0 4 4 2 5 1 1 5
THORPE C 36 7-13 4-5 4 9 13 1 2 0 4 18
DUMARS G 43 7-16 4-5 0 3 3 6 0 0 0 20
HUNTER G 43 7-16 1-2 1 3 4 2 6 0 2 18
CURRY 28 2-6 1-1 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 5
MILLS 25 3-8 0-0 0 3 3 1 6 1 2 9
REID 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
WILLIAMS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
RATLIFF 9 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
AUGMON 12 1-4 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 4
MAHORN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-73 12-17 8 28 36 15 27 2 11 85
(.438) (.706) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 13(12 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RICE F 33 5-11 2-2 0 2 2 1 3 0 2 14
MASON F 42 6-11 6-9 3 8 11 4 5 0 3 18
DIVAC C 32 5-8 3-3 0 2 2 4 3 2 3 15
CURRY G 39 7-13 3-4 0 6 6 3 2 0 1 19
BOGUES G 35 4-9 3-4 0 1 1 9 1 0 1 11
BURRELL 20 2-4 2-2 0 2 2 1 3 1 0 8
GEIGER 16 4-7 0-0 1 4 5 0 4 0 1 8
GOLDWIRE 13 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 0
ROSE 7 0-0 0-2 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 0
DELK 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ZIDEK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-66 19-26 5 27 32 28 22 4 11 93
(.500) (.731) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 11(12 PTS)
DETROIT 18 17 26 24 - 85
CHARLOTTE 17 24 29 23 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - AUGMON. CHARLOTTE - DIVAC 2, BURRELL 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 9-21 (.429), LONG 1-2, DUMARS 2-4, HUNTER 3-8,
CURRY 0-2, MILLS 3-5. CHARLOTTE 8-13 (.615), RICE 2-3, DIVAC 2-2, CURRY
2-2, BURRELL 2-3, GOLDWIRE 0-2, DELK 0-1.
TECHNICALS: DETROIT - AUGMON, HEAD COACH COLLINS 2 (EJECTED), CHARLOTTE -
ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DAVID JONES, SEAN CORBIN, ED T RUSH.
A - 24,042. T - 2:11.
DETROIT (85) AT CHARLOTTE (93)
Dell Curry scored five of his 19 points in a key second-quarter
run and Anthony Mason added 18 points and 11 rebounds as the
Charlotte Hornets snapped the Detroit Pistons' six-game winning
streak with a 93-85 victory.
Vlade Divac scored 15 points, Glen Rice added 14 and Muggsy
Bogues had 11 points and nine assists for Charlotte (6-5), which
has won three straight and broke a three-game skid against the
Pistons.
"We played tough defense," said Divac, who made both of his
three-point attempts. "I have a lot of confidence and am having
a lot of fun. You can't win games without tough defense. We
have to not let them score easy baskets. I'm really happy here.
I'm not the greatest (three-point) shooter. If I can take those
shots, I'll take them."
Joe Dumars scored 21 points, Lindsey Hunter added 18 and Otis
Thorpe had 17 points and 13 rebounds for Detroit (10-2), which
suffered its first loss in six road games.
Detroit's Grant Hill was forced to leave with 38 seconds left in
the first quarter after spraining his right wrist. X-rays were
negative, but Hill did not return. Hill, who leads the team in
scoring, rebounding and assists, had four points and seven
rebounds.
"This is a team," Thorpe said. "Grant is just one part of the
team. He is a very important part of this team. Naturally,
there was great concern when he went down 'cause' of the way he
went down. I just hope he is okay."
"Our guys played real hard tonight, but we just did not come up
with the stop that we needed at the end of the game," Pistons
assistant coach Alvin Gentry said. "We battle through
adversity, and that's just the personality of this team.
Obviously, we would rather have Grant Hill out there, but we
still battled. When Grant went down, we just went a little out
of sync."
After Hunter hit a three-pointer to give Detroit a 32-25 lead
midway through the second quarter, Bogues made one free throw to
ignite a half-closing 16-3 run. Curry hit a three-pointer and a
jumper during that stretch and Mason sank one free throw.
The Hornets extended the lead to 70-61 after three quarters
behind 17 points by Curry. The Pistons made one final charge as
Dumars nailed a three-pointer, closing them within 82-79 with
2:55 left in the fourth quarter.
"We distribute very well, we are a very unselfish team," Curry
said. "Everybody can get into the flow. We finally have seen
what we can do defensively...being aggressive, relying and
trusting each other. Vlade can work inside and out and is a
very good passer. That's what it's all about is having fun."
But Charlotte put the game away by scoring the next six points.
Rice hit a jumper, Mason made a free throw and then converted a
three-point play for an 88-79 advantage with 1:32 to go.
nba.1696nba.news,
HOUSTON (120) AT GOLDEN STATE (115) - FINAL IN OT
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 50 5-16 16-20 6 11 17 12 4 3 2 27
ELIE F 38 7-9 6-7 1 3 4 4 3 2 2 21
WILLIS C 37 6-13 2-4 2 4 6 1 3 1 3 14
DREXLER G 41 11-23 6-8 5 6 11 4 5 3 2 32
MALONEY G 28 2-7 1-2 0 2 2 3 3 1 0 6
MACK 11 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0
HARRINGTON 18 3-6 0-2 2 0 2 1 3 2 1 6
DAVIS 25 3-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 2 1 7
BULLARD 12 1-5 2-2 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 5
MOORE 5 0-4 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
JONES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OLAJUWON DNP - IREGULAR HEART BEAT
TOTALS 265 38-89 35-47 18 28 46 27 25 14 13 120
(.427) (.745) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 15(16 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 47 11-14 2-3 0 5 5 5 5 0 1 27
SMITH F 50 4-14 1-2 0 7 7 6 5 0 3 9
SPENCER C 23 2-4 1-1 0 6 6 1 5 0 1 5
PRICE G 36 11-14 5-6 1 0 1 5 4 2 5 32
SPREWELL G 53 10-19 6-6 0 4 4 11 1 2 6 28
FULLER 9 1-1 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 3
ARMSTRONG 17 2-2 0-0 0 3 3 3 2 2 1 5
DECLERCQ 13 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 2 2
ROYAL 14 1-3 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 0 2
MARSHALL 3 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
OWES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 44-75 16-20 2 32 34 32 31 6 20 115
(.587) (.800) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 21(28 PTS)
HOUSTON 21 25 40 22 12 - 120
GOLDEN STATE 24 35 23 26 7 - 115
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY, DAVIS. GOLDEN STATE - SMITH, SPENCER,
SPREWELL, DECLERCQ, ROYAL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 9-30 (.300), BARKLEY 1-4, ELIE 1-3, WILLIS 0-1,
DREXLER 4-8, MALONEY 1-4, MACK 0-2, DAVIS 1-2, BULLARD 1-3, MOORE 0-3.
GOLDEN STATE 11-17 (.647), MULLIN 3-4, PRICE 5-6, SPREWELL 2-5, ARMSTRONG
1-1, MARSHALL 0-1.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY, ELIE, GOLDEN STATE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3,
HEAD COACH ADELMAN.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, TOM WASHINGTON, MIKE SMITH.
A - 16,896. T - 2:41.
HOUSTON (120) AT GOLDEN STATE (115) - FINAL IN OT
Kevin Willis, subbing for the ailing Hakeem Olajuwon, scored
five of Houston's final seven points and Charles Barkley had a
triple-double to lift the Rockets to a 120-115 overtime victory
over the Golden State Warriors.
Willis started at center for the second straight game as
Olajuwon remains sidelined after being treated for an irregular
heartbeat. With the score tied at 113-113, the former Warrior
hit a turnaround jumper with 51 seconds remaining. Willis then
converted a layup and a free throw 30 seconds later to make it
118-113.
Barkley, who finished with 27 points, 14 assists and 17
rebounds, gave Houston a seven-point advantage on a pair of free
throws to seal the victory.
Houston trailed by four with just over a minute to play in
regulation. But the Rockets were able to tie it at 106-106 with
30 seconds remaining. Barkley hit a free throw and Mario Elie
stole an errant pass from Mark Price and converted it into a
three-point play after Chris Mullin fouled him on a layup.
"We played two of the best teams in the league the last two
nights and gave them everything they could handle," said Price.
"I'm not into moral victories, but you have to find the
positives in the situation. If we can improve in a couple of
areas, maybe we're not too far away."
Price, who scored a season-high 32 points, hit a couple of free
throws to put the Warriors up by two with 27 seconds remaining.
Elie tied it with a pair of foul shots 13 seconds later and
Golden State's Joe Smith missed a jumper right before the
buzzer.
"You have to take care of the ball and get good shots down the
stretch and we didn't do it," said Warriors coach Rick Adelman.
"You lose a game in overtime, but sooner or later you just have
to play better than the other team."
Clyde Drexler had 32 points and 11 rebounds for Houston (10-1),
which has won five straight. Drexler needs seven points to
become the 24th player in history to reach 20,000. If he does,
Houston will become the second franchise in NBA history to be
associated with five 20,000-point scorers, joining the Los
Angeles Lakers.
It was the 19th career triple-double for Barkley, who had 18
points but just one field goal after halftime. He has 69 points
in the last three games and 65 rebounds over the last four for
Houston, which is 5-0 on the road.
The Rockets were playing their second game without Olajuwon, who
was taken to a hospital during halftime of Tuesday night's game.
Olajuwon is expected to miss three to five more days.
"We'd love to have the big fella (Olajuwon) in there, he's
definitely the center of attention, no doubt about that," said
Drexler. "But the three veteran starters did what we had to do
to take control of the game and pull it out."
Latrell Sprewell had 28 points and 11 assists and Mullin scored
a season-high 27 for the Warriors, who led 59-46 at halftime.
Golden State which fell to 1-5 at home.
nba.1697nba.news,
LA CLIPPERS (96) AT MINNESOTA (98)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROGERS F 28 4-9 0-0 3 1 4 4 5 2 5 8
VAUGHT F 32 6-7 0-2 2 1 3 0 2 1 2 12
DUCKWORTH C 18 1-1 0-2 0 1 1 1 4 0 1 3
SEALY G 34 4-10 7-9 2 3 5 1 0 3 3 15
RICHARDSON G 22 1-5 2-4 0 2 2 3 2 2 0 4
OUTLAW 17 1-1 0-2 2 0 2 0 3 0 1 2
DEHERE 19 1-7 6-7 0 2 2 2 3 0 1 9
ROBERTS 28 5-11 8-11 1 4 5 0 2 1 0 18
MURRAY 19 1-8 2-2 2 0 2 1 2 1 1 4
PIATKOWSKI 12 4-5 5-6 1 1 2 1 3 0 0 15
D MARTIN 9 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 4
WRIGHT 2 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 31-70 30-45 13 16 29 15 28 10 14 96
(.443) (.667) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 14(19 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 43 9-10 6-8 4 6 10 2 3 2 2 24
GUGLIOTTA F 41 4-16 8-10 4 8 12 4 2 1 5 17
VRANKOVIC C 18 1-2 2-2 3 2 5 0 6 0 2 4
WEST G 28 5-7 0-1 0 2 2 3 5 0 2 10
MARBURY G 38 4-10 6-8 2 1 3 9 2 0 5 15
PORTER 22 0-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 1 4 0
D GARRETT 11 4-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 8
MITCHELL 19 5-8 4-5 1 3 4 0 3 2 1 14
PARKS 13 2-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 4
CARR 7 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2
HEAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-66 26-34 14 26 40 22 32 7 21 98
(.530) (.765) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 22(28 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 21 31 20 24 - 96
MINNESOTA 33 22 19 24 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - MURRAY 2, ROBERTS, SEALY, OUTLAW. MINNESOTA
- K GARNETT 7, GUGLIOTTA.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 4-9 (.444), ROGERS 0-2, DUCKWORTH 1-1,
RICHARDSON 0-1, DEHERE 1-3, PIATKOWSKI 2-2. MINNESOTA 2-9 (.222),
GUGLIOTTA 1-1, WEST 0-1, MARBURY 1-4, PORTER 0-2, MITCHELL 0-1.
TECHNICALS: MINNESOTA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3.
OFFICIALS: NOLAN FINE, JOE FORTE, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 16,877. T - 2:26.
LA CLIPPERS (96) AT MINNESOTA (98)
Kevin Garnett scored seven of his season-high 24 points in a
decisive late fourth-quarter rally and blocked a shot as time
ran out as the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a three-game
losing streak with a 98-96 victory over the the Los Angeles
Clippers.
Garnett added 10 rebounds and a season-high seven blocked shots
and Tom Gugliotta added 17 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota,
which remained unbeaten in four home games. Rookie Stephon
Marbury had a season-high 15 points and a season-high nine
assists for the Timberwolves, who lost 81-70 to the Clippers on
November 10th.
"You have to give credit to the Clippers," Timberwolves coach
Flip Saunders said. "The one thing they do is continue to play
hard. It took us a while to react and to actually get in
defensively where we dug in a litlle bit. We dug in and made a
few stops. I thought that down the stretch, Garnett was
phenomenal to say the least. He dominated the game in the last
two minutes from the standpoint of blocking shots, rebounding
and pretty much keying everything. Sam Mitchell was also big."
Stanley Roberts scored 17 points and Malik Sealy and Eric
Piatkowski each added 15 for Los Angeles, which fell to 4-3 on
the road. The Clippers had won four of the last five contests
between the teams.
Clippers coach Bill Fitch didn't take his 1,001st NBA loss too
lightly.
"Number one, we had a cold spell. When we did get fouled, we
could not make more than one shot. We had our chances at the
end, but Garnett pulled down a rebound he should never have got
to. That gave them a chance to get back in the game. Then, he
went down to the other end and did the same damn thing. (They)
were game-winners. We should have been able to handle him with
the guys out there."
The Clippers are 6-6, but the six wins have come against teams
that entered tonight a combined 19-46.
After Terry Dehere made two free throws to give the Clippers a
90-82 lead with 4:20 remaining, Garnett made one free throw to
ignite a 14-3 run. Garnett also added a layup, two free throws
and a tip-in during that span.
Gugliotta capped the spurt with one free throw to give the
Timberwolves a 97-93 lead with 16 seconds left. Piatkowski
drilled a three-pointer to draw the Clippers within one point
before Marbury made one free throw to give Minnesota a 98-96
advantage with six seconds left.
But Garnett came up big, blocking Darrick Martin's 14-foot
off-balance jumper from the left baseline, ending the game.
The Clippers had used a run of their own early in the fourth
quarter before squandering it.
After Sam Mitchell hit a 16-footer to give Minnesota a 76-74
lead 40 seconds into the quarter, Charles Outlaw dunked to
ignite a 10-2 run. Roberts had four points in the spurt,
including a basket that gave Los Angeles an 84-78 advantage with
7:08 to go.
The Timberwolves raced to a 33-21 lead after one quarter behind
10 points by Marbury and nine by Gugliotta. But the Clippers
narrowed the deficit to 55-52 at the half behind 12 points from
Piatkowski. Minnesota settled for a 74-72 edge after three
quarters.
Mitchell finished with 14 points for Minnesota, which shot 53
percent (35-of-66) from the field and outrebounded the Clippers
40-29.
nba.1698nba.news,
NEW YORK (92) AT PHILADELPHIA (109)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OAKLEY F 32 4-8 0-0 3 3 6 3 3 0 1 8
JOHNSON F 32 4-8 6-6 2 1 3 3 5 0 1 14
EWING C 33 7-12 5-8 2 7 9 1 3 0 7 19
HOUSTON G 40 4-13 3-3 1 4 5 5 1 1 2 12
CHILDS G 25 5-11 6-8 0 1 1 4 6 5 1 17
B WILLIAMS 20 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 4 1 2 2
STARKS 25 8-13 3-4 0 5 5 3 5 2 5 20
BROOKS 10 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 2 1 0
H WILLIAMS 11 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0
WALLACE 12 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WARD DNP - BRUISED LEFT BUTTOCK
TOTALS 240 33-71 23-29 9 25 34 21 30 11 21 92
(.465) (.793) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 21(20 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 34 3-6 0-0 1 7 8 1 1 2 2 6
COLEMAN F 38 7-10 9-11 1 5 6 9 3 1 1 25
WILLIAMS C 22 3-5 0-0 0 4 4 0 4 0 1 6
STACKHOUSE G 36 7-16 6-8 3 3 6 1 1 1 3 23
IVERSON G 42 7-20 9-16 2 7 9 9 2 4 7 26
CAGE 26 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 2 4 2 0 2
HARRIS 6 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
DAVIS 23 4-6 1-3 2 1 3 1 2 1 2 10
WALTERS 11 3-4 1-2 0 0 0 2 0 2 1 8
HENDRICKSON 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
BRADTKE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MACLEAN DNP - INJURED RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 36-72 26-40 9 29 38 25 17 14 17 109
(.500) (.650) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 18(27 PTS)
NEW YORK 26 15 31 20 - 92
PHILADELPHIA 21 22 33 33 - 109
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - OAKLEY, EWING, H WILLIAMS. PHILADELPHIA -
STACKHOUSE, IVERSON, CAGE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 3-13 (.231), OAKLEY 0-1, JOHNSON 0-1, HOUSTON
1-5, CHILDS 1-2, STARKS 1-4. PHILADELPHIA 11-21 (.524), COLEMAN 2-3,
STACKHOUSE 3-6, IVERSON 3-8, DAVIS 1-2, WALTERS 1-1, HENDRICKSON 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - CHILDS, PHILADELPHIA - WEATHERSPOON.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, TERRY DURHAM, JIM CAPERS.
A - 19,209. T - 2:13.
NEW YORK (92) AT PHILADELPHIA (109)
Allen Iverson had 26 points and career highs with nine assists
and nine rebounds in his return to the lineup as the
Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks for the second
time this season, 109-92.
Derrick Coleman scored 25 points and Jerry Stackhouse added 23
for the 76ers, who had lost their last two games -- both without
Iverson -- and four of five.
"It was a well played game from start to finish," said
Philadelphia coach Johnny Davis. "Allen came back and gave us a
tremendous lift. The defense was good, the execution was good.
It was an overall team effort, that hopefully we will build on
from here."
Iverson had missed the last three games with a slightly
separated shoulder for Philadelphia, which improved to 2-4 at
home and a surprising 4-1 against Atlantic Division opponents.
"Well I felt well enough, I just tried to protect myself out
there," said Iverson. "In the second half I stiffened up, and
everytime I went to the basket, I didn't let myself think about
it.
"We were losing games and I felt like I could come in here and
give the guys a lift."
John Starks had 20 points and Patrick Ewing added 19 and nine
rebounds for the Knicks, who fell to 5-2 on the road. Last
season, New York was one of just nine teams with a winning road
record.
"We've at times been playing with low energy," said Knicks coach
Jeff Van Gundy. "I wish I had the answer to why, it's just at
times we're low and at times we're real high."
The Knicks' final lead came at 70-69 when Starks hit a 23-footer
with 1:10 remaining in the third quarter.
Iverson's seven points keyed a 14-2 run that bridged the final
two periods. Stackhouse capped the spurt with a three-pointer
that made it 83-74 with 10:46 remaining. The Knicks never got
closer than six points thereafter.
New York's Chris Childs had 10 of his 17 points in the first
half, which ended with Philadelphia leading 43-41.
"We got ourselves in foul trouble, we didn't stick to what we
were doing," said Childs. "With a team like that, every
possession that you have, you've got to make it work and we
didn't down the stretch."
Iverson, averaging a rookie-best 22.8 points per game, was
electric the last time the two teams met on November 12th in New
York. He scored 35 points and Stackhouse added 28 in a 101-97
win.
Knicks guard Charlie Ward did not play because of a bruised left
buttock.
nba.1699nba.news,
ORLANDO (76) AT INDIANA (73)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 33 4-8 1-2 2 2 4 2 5 0 4 11
GRANT F 38 5-11 2-4 4 7 11 3 1 2 3 12
SEIKALY C 38 5-12 0-0 1 10 11 0 3 2 5 10
SHAW G 30 2-6 3-4 0 2 2 3 4 1 6 8
WILKINS G 27 4-6 1-1 0 1 1 1 5 0 3 11
VAUGHN 14 0-2 0-0 1 3 4 1 1 1 1 0
SCOTT 13 0-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ARMSTRONG 23 4-6 2-2 0 0 0 4 3 1 5 12
STRONG 24 3-5 6-6 2 4 6 1 2 1 0 12
MCCASKILL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - BRONCHITIS
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 27-61 15-19 10 29 39 15 24 8 27 76
(.443) (.789) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 27(24 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 25 2-4 2-2 1 1 2 0 2 3 3 6
MCKEY F 39 4-10 1-2 3 5 8 4 2 2 3 9
DAMPIER C 16 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 2
BEST G 29 1-7 2-2 0 3 3 5 2 1 2 4
MILLER G 35 9-15 4-5 0 4 4 2 1 3 2 24
A DAVIS 26 3-7 1-2 2 2 4 0 5 1 2 7
ASKEW 25 2-5 6-6 0 2 2 2 6 0 0 10
ROSE 20 2-7 0-0 0 2 2 3 2 0 1 4
FERRELL 14 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 3 5
ALLEN 11 1-1 0-2 0 3 3 2 1 1 0 2
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 27-65 16-21 6 24 30 18 25 12 18 73
(.415) (.762) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 18(15 PTS)
ORLANDO 16 16 23 21 - 76
INDIANA 21 19 23 10 - 73
BLOCKED SHOTS: ORLANDO - SEIKALY, VAUGHN. INDIANA - DAMPIER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ORLANDO 7-14 (.500), ANDERSON 2-6, SHAW 1-1, WILKINS
2-3, SCOTT 0-1, ARMSTRONG 2-3. INDIANA 3-12 (.250), BEST 0-4, MILLER 2-5,
ROSE 0-2, FERRELL 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, BOB DELANEY, JIM KINSEY.
A - 16,158. T - 2:17.
ORLANDO (76) AT INDIANA (73)
Brian Shaw had a clutch three-pointer and two free throws in the
final four minutes and the Orlando Magic held the Indiana Pacers
to 10 points in the fourth quarter of a 76-73 victory.
The Pacers held a 63-55 lead entering the fourth quarter, but
Shaw capped a 17-4 run with his three-pointer with 3:55 left to
give the Magic the lead at 72-69 for the first time since the
first quarter. Reserves Darrell Armstrong and Derek Strong
keyed the spurt with seven and six points, respectively.
Reggie Miller made four free throws in the next 39 seconds to
give the Pacers a one-point lead, but Rony Seikaly's jumper with
1:57 to go gave the Magic the lead for good.
Indiana missed two shots but got the ball back when a jump ball
bounced off Armstrong into the backcourt with 27 seconds left.
Indiana's Derrick McKey missed a jumper, Shaw grabbed the
rebound and was fouled with 3.9 seconds left. He made both free
throws and Jalen Rose's three-pointer at the buzzer was no good.
The Pacers were 2-of-16 from the field in the final period.
"We were able to come in and steal this victory," Shaw said. "It
was an ugly win but we'll take it."
"I thought most of the shots were makeable," Pacers coach Larry
Brown said. "We defended great. When Travis went out, we tried
to find some combinations to score. It's tough for Reggie when
we don't have any other threats out there."
Armstrong, Strong and Horace Grant scored 12 points apiece and
Seikaly and Grant grabbed 11 rebounds each for Orlando, which
shot 44 percent (27-of-61) and held a 39-30 edge in rebounds.
"We've had a tough time scoring every night out there," said
Orlando coach Brian Hill, whose team matched a franchise low for
points. "I think we're holding everything together and playing
well. To hold Indiana to 10 points in the fourth quarter, it
was great.
Miller scored 24 points but was held without a basket for the
final 14:52 for the Pacers, who shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65).
Vincent Askew was the only other Pacer in double figures with 10
points.
"When we get to crunch time, we are struggling big-time, and
quite honestly, I don't have the answer," Miller said. "Teams
are doubling and triple-teaming me. Our team confidence is at
an all-time low."
The 1995 Eastern Conference finalists both were without injured
pivotal players -- guard Penny Hardaway for Orlando and center
Rik Smits for Indiana.
"We just took it at them," said Anderson, who had 11 points. "We
didn't stand back on our heels. I think everyone is playing a
big part. There is no question we miss Penny."
Miller scored 11 points in the first quarter, helping Indiana
open a 21-16 lead. The Pacers opened the advantage to 29-20 on
a driving layup by Askew with 7:10 left in the second quarter
and held a 40-32 lead at halftime.
The lead ballooned to 46-34 early in the third quarter on two
free throws by Dale Davis. Anderson capped a 13-4 run with a
three-pointer, cutting the deficit to 50-47, but the Pacers
rebuilt the lead to eight points entering the final period.
nba.1700nba.news,
WASHINGTON (95) AT MILWAUKEE (90)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GRANT F 23 3-6 1-2 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 7
HOWARD F 41 10-23 3-4 4 4 8 2 3 0 1 23
WEBBER C 41 9-16 2-8 5 10 15 4 4 0 3 20
CHEANEY G 31 2-3 4-4 1 1 2 1 3 4 0 8
STRICKLAND G 36 5-14 5-6 0 4 4 8 3 2 3 15
MURESAN 24 2-5 5-6 0 3 3 0 4 0 1 9
JACKSON 17 1-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2
WHITNEY 12 3-5 0-0 1 0 1 4 0 4 0 7
MURRAY 15 2-6 0-0 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 4
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-83 20-30 12 29 41 20 19 12 8 95
(.446) (.667) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 8(7 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 38 6-20 5-8 7 9 16 0 4 0 4 17
ROBINSON F 43 13-21 5-6 3 9 12 2 3 0 4 33
GILLIAM C 40 6-12 3-5 1 6 7 0 4 0 0 15
NEWMAN G 37 5-6 0-0 0 3 3 1 5 1 3 10
DOUGLAS G 34 3-11 0-0 0 1 1 9 4 0 3 7
PERRY 14 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 2
TOWER 14 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 2
ALLEN 16 2-7 0-0 1 3 4 1 0 0 1 4
WOLF 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HANCOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOOD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-82 13-19 13 32 45 13 24 1 17 90
(.451) (.684) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 17(21 PTS)
WASHINGTON 26 22 18 29 - 95
MILWAUKEE 28 27 21 14 - 90
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - WEBBER 3, MURESAN 2. MILWAUKEE - BAKER 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 1-9 (.111), GRANT 0-2, WEBBER 0-2,
STRICKLAND 0-1, WHITNEY 1-2, MURRAY 0-2. MILWAUKEE 3-8 (.375), BAKER 0-1,
ROBINSON 2-3, DOUGLAS 1-3, WOLF 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, JESS KERSEY, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 16,508. T - 2:02.
WASHINGTON (95) AT MILWAUKEE (90)
Juwan Howard scored 23 points and Chris Webber added 20 and 15
rebounds as the Washington Bullets staged a fourth-quarter
comeback with a 91-87 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Rod Strickland had 15 points and eight assists for the Bullets,
who have won five of the last six meetings with Milwaukee.
Washington improved to 2-6 against non-Atlantic Division teams.
"There was a lot of heart, effort and mental toughness out there,"
said Howard. "That is what pulled out the win for us. This is
a good turning point going into our next game. Our time is coming;
we just have to be patient."
Forward Vin Baker, who missed the last three games with a
strained right hip, came back to score 17 points and grab 16
rebounds.
Glenn Robinson had 33 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who
started the season 5-1 but have lost five of their last six.
"This is a tough one to shallow," said Baker. "We had the game
in our hands. We really don't want to lose games like this at
home."
Washington trailed by 12 with 11:14 remaining, but Chris Whitney
had five points in a 15-0 run that gave the Bullets an 83-80
lead with 6:24 to go.
"It was a terrific stretch at the end of the game," said Bullets
coach Jim Lynam. "We had trouble defensively up until the fourth
quarter. We have good one-on-one players. Gheorghe Muresan
stepped it up big time in the second half."
The Bucks took the lead back at 87-84, but Muresan keyed a
9-0 spurt to give the Bullets a 93-87 advantage with 22
seconds remaining.
"We played very well until the fourth-period stretch," said
Bucks coach Chris Ford. "But when you have a team in the penalty
situation, you have to take the ball to the basket. We had at
least three straight occasions where it was a one-point game and
we took jump shots. It was a total collapse in the final period."
nba.1701nba.news,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1996/97
(Saturday, November 23 - 23 days, 167 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 13 11 2 4 1 7 1 103.3 94.8 84.6 - W10
Los Angeles Lakers 13 9 4 5 1 4 3 97.7 94.7 69.2 2.0 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 13 8 5 4 1 4 4 94.6 89.1 61.5 3.0 W 4
Los Angeles Clippers 12 6 6 2 3 4 3 91.1 90.6 50.0 4.5 L 2
Sacramento Kings 12 4 8 2 4 2 4 92.6 99.4 33.3 6.5 L 2
Golden State Warriors 12 3 9 1 5 2 4 100.3 104.8 25.0 7.5 L 3
Phoenix Suns 11 0 11 0 5 0 6 92.2 103.4 0.0 10.0 L11
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Houston Rockets 12 11 1 6 1 5 0 105.1 96.3 91.7 - W 5
Utah Jazz 10 8 2 5 1 3 1 97.5 90.5 80.0 2.0 W 6
Minnesota Timberwolves 11 5 6 4 0 1 6 89.5 92.5 45.5 5.5 W 1
Denver Nuggets 13 4 9 1 5 3 4 89.8 96.0 30.8 7.5 L 4
Dallas Mavericks 11 3 8 2 3 1 5 93.0 97.3 27.3 7.5 L 1
San Antonio Spurs 11 2 9 1 5 1 4 82.3 89.3 18.2 8.5 L 4
Vancouver Grizzlies 12 1 11 1 6 0 5 84.6 97.5 8.3 10.0 L 4
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Orlando Magic 8 6 2 4 2 2 0 91.0 87.5 75.0 - W 2
New York Knicks 12 8 4 3 2 5 2 96.2 92.7 66.7 - L 2
Miami Heat 12 8 4 3 2 5 2 94.5 91.7 66.7 - W 3
Washington Bullets 12 6 6 3 4 3 2 95.2 94.3 50.0 2.0 W 2
Philadelphia 76ers 12 5 7 2 4 3 3 96.1 99.4 41.7 3.0 W 1
New Jersey Nets 8 2 6 2 4 0 2 92.3 96.1 25.0 4.0 W 1
Boston Celtics 10 2 8 2 5 0 3 94.0 103.3 20.0 5.0 L 4
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 13 12 1 6 0 6 1 104.3 87.0 92.3 - L 1
Detroit Pistons 12 10 2 5 1 5 1 93.7 87.4 83.3 1.5 L 1
Cleveland Cavaliers 11 8 3 4 2 4 1 88.5 81.5 72.7 3.0 W 2
Charlotte Hornets 11 6 5 4 2 2 3 93.8 95.0 54.5 5.0 W 3
Atlanta Hawks 13 7 6 2 1 5 5 84.5 86.2 53.8 5.0 W 2
Milwaukee Bucks 12 6 6 4 2 2 4 96.8 95.6 50.0 5.5 L 2
Indiana Pacers 11 3 8 1 4 2 4 89.1 91.2 27.3 8.0 L 2
Toronto Raptors 11 3 8 3 5 0 3 94.8 98.5 27.3 8.0 L 5
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Houston Rockets 12 11 1 6 1 5 0 105.1 96.3 91.7 - W 5
2. Seattle Supersonics 13 11 2 4 1 7 1 103.3 94.8 84.6 0.5 W10
3. Utah Jazz 10 8 2 5 1 3 1 97.5 90.5 80.0 2.0 W 6
4. Los Angeles Lakers 13 9 4 5 1 4 3 97.7 94.7 69.2 2.5 W 1
5. Portland Trail Blazers 13 8 5 4 1 4 4 94.6 89.1 61.5 3.5 W 4
6. Los Angeles Clippers 12 6 6 2 3 4 3 91.1 90.6 50.0 5.0 L 2
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 11 5 6 4 0 1 6 89.5 92.5 45.5 5.5 W 1
8. Sacramento Kings 12 4 8 2 4 2 4 92.6 99.4 33.3 7.0 L 2
9. Denver Nuggets 13 4 9 1 5 3 4 89.8 96.0 30.8 7.5 L 4
10. Dallas Mavericks 11 3 8 2 3 1 5 93.0 97.3 27.3 7.5 L 1
11. Golden State Warriors 12 3 9 1 5 2 4 100.3 104.8 25.0 8.0 L 3
12. San Antonio Spurs 11 2 9 1 5 1 4 82.3 89.3 18.2 8.5 L 4
13. Vancouver Grizzlies 12 1 11 1 6 0 5 84.6 97.5 8.3 10.0 L 4
14. Phoenix Suns 11 0 11 0 5 0 6 92.2 103.4 0.0 10.5 L11
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 13 12 1 6 0 6 1 104.3 87.0 92.3 - L 1
2. Detroit Pistons 12 10 2 5 1 5 1 93.7 87.4 83.3 1.5 L 1
3. Cleveland Cavaliers 11 8 3 4 2 4 1 88.5 81.5 72.7 3.0 W 2
4. Orlando Magic 8 6 2 4 2 2 0 91.0 87.5 75.0 3.5 W 2
5. New York Knicks 12 8 4 3 2 5 2 96.2 92.7 66.7 3.5 L 2
6. Miami Heat 12 8 4 3 2 5 2 94.5 91.7 66.7 3.5 W 3
7. Charlotte Hornets 11 6 5 4 2 2 3 93.8 95.0 54.5 5.0 W 3
8. Atlanta Hawks 13 7 6 2 1 5 5 84.5 86.2 53.8 5.0 W 2
9. Milwaukee Bucks 12 6 6 4 2 2 4 96.8 95.6 50.0 5.5 L 2
10. Washington Bullets 12 6 6 3 4 3 2 95.2 94.3 50.0 5.5 W 2
11. Philadelphia 76ers 12 5 7 2 4 3 3 96.1 99.4 41.7 6.5 W 1
12. New Jersey Nets 8 2 6 2 4 0 2 92.3 96.1 25.0 7.5 W 1
13. Indiana Pacers 11 3 8 1 4 2 4 89.1 91.2 27.3 8.0 L 2
14. Toronto Raptors 11 3 8 3 5 0 3 94.8 98.5 27.3 8.0 L 5
15. Boston Celtics 10 2 8 2 5 0 3 94.0 103.3 20.0 8.5 L 4
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 13 12 1 6 0 6 1 104.3 87.0 92.3 - L 1
2. Houston Rockets 12 11 1 6 1 5 0 105.1 96.3 91.7 0.5 W 5
3. Seattle Supersonics 13 11 2 4 1 7 1 103.3 94.8 84.6 1.0 W10
4. Detroit Pistons 12 10 2 5 1 5 1 93.7 87.4 83.3 1.5 L 1
5. Utah Jazz 10 8 2 5 1 3 1 97.5 90.5 80.0 2.5 W 6
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 11 8 3 4 2 4 1 88.5 81.5 72.7 3.0 W 2
7. Los Angeles Lakers 13 9 4 5 1 4 3 97.7 94.7 69.2 3.0 W 1
8. Orlando Magic 8 6 2 4 2 2 0 91.0 87.5 75.0 3.5 W 2
9. New York Knicks 12 8 4 3 2 5 2 96.2 92.7 66.7 3.5 L 2
10. Miami Heat 12 8 4 3 2 5 2 94.5 91.7 66.7 3.5 W 3
11. Portland Trail Blazers 13 8 5 4 1 4 4 94.6 89.1 61.5 4.0 W 4
12. Charlotte Hornets 11 6 5 4 2 2 3 93.8 95.0 54.5 5.0 W 3
13. Atlanta Hawks 13 7 6 2 1 5 5 84.5 86.2 53.8 5.0 W 2
14. Milwaukee Bucks 12 6 6 4 2 2 4 96.8 95.6 50.0 5.5 L 2
15. Washington Bullets 12 6 6 3 4 3 2 95.2 94.3 50.0 5.5 W 2
16. Los Angeles Clippers 12 6 6 2 3 4 3 91.1 90.6 50.0 5.5 L 2
17. Minnesota Timberwolves 11 5 6 4 0 1 6 89.5 92.5 45.5 6.0 W 1
18. Philadelphia 76ers 12 5 7 2 4 3 3 96.1 99.4 41.7 6.5 W 1
19. Sacramento Kings 12 4 8 2 4 2 4 92.6 99.4 33.3 7.5 L 2
20. New Jersey Nets 8 2 6 2 4 0 2 92.3 96.1 25.0 7.5 W 1
21. Denver Nuggets 13 4 9 1 5 3 4 89.8 96.0 30.8 8.0 L 4
22. Indiana Pacers 11 3 8 1 4 2 4 89.1 91.2 27.3 8.0 L 2
23. Toronto Raptors 11 3 8 3 5 0 3 94.8 98.5 27.3 8.0 L 5
24. Dallas Mavericks 11 3 8 2 3 1 5 93.0 97.3 27.3 8.0 L 1
25. Golden State Warriors 12 3 9 1 5 2 4 100.3 104.8 25.0 8.5 L 3
26. Boston Celtics 10 2 8 2 5 0 3 94.0 103.3 20.0 8.5 L 4
27. San Antonio Spurs 11 2 9 1 5 1 4 82.3 89.3 18.2 9.0 L 4
28. Vancouver Grizzlies 12 1 11 1 6 0 5 84.6 97.5 8.3 10.5 L 4
29. Phoenix Suns 11 0 11 0 5 0 6 92.2 103.4 0.0 11.0 L11
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.1702nba.news,
Jordan dazzles, delights on silver screen and hardwood
(Nov 23, 1996 - 12:18 EST) -- I wanted to see Michael Jordan do
something sensational, something brushing up against genius, something
other-worldly.
I want to see jams and slams, soaring and roaring, guaranteed thrills
and a game-winning rally.
Which is why I am sitting one row behind a 5-year-old who is a Milk
Dud-eating machine at the 2:10 p.m. showing of Space Jam.
Genius you want? Genius you got.
I saw Michael play the game of his life against a team of aliens who
have stolen the talent from NBA stars and kidnapped America's cartoon
heroes. Michael, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and assorted other animated
superstars must win the game or become the star attractions at an
intergalactic theme park run by the aliens. The plot, by the way, was
based on an unfinished novella by Ernest Hemingway.
The greatest player on the planet was called a "Wussie-man" by the
aliens, and he responded by imploring his team to "go out there an
kick some alien butt."
The team of aliens he faced was far more exotic and weird than even
Dennis Rodman. Well, every bit as exotic and weird. Well, so maybe
they could've been his cousins.
Who is stranger, his cartoon team or the real-life cast of characters
that is the traveling road show of the Bulls?
"Space Jam," he said. "I kind of know what to expect from these guys."
You go to the movies to see Michael Jordan extend himself these days
because he has so icon-ized himself, so raised the bar of brilliance
on the basketball court that a mere 31 points and seven rebounds in 34
minutes -- his output against the Nuggets on Thursday night -- seems
somehow mundane.
It is like Pavarotti singing the greatest hits of Tommy James and the
Shondells, like Pacino doing a Drano commercial.
If Michael doesn't come soaring down from the balcony in a cape, make
at least three dunks with a 4.5 degree of difficulty and float in a
half-dozen three-pointers, it's like we've seen it before.
"Not much physically he does amazes me anymore," Bulls guard Steve
Kerr said. "We see it every day, so it's like nothing surprises us
anymore.
"What amazes me is his incredible self-assurance, the self-confidence
that he can make any shot, take over any game. And he can."
Jordan didn't need so much to take over the Bulls' 110-92 victory over
the Nuggets as show up.
If it's possible to score a "quiet" 31 points, that's what he did;
only one dunk and that one garden-variety Michael.
Jordan has a new cologne on the market, but by midway through the
third quarter, the sold-out McNichols Arena crowd was smelling only
Eau de Blowout.
He plucked an offensive rebound out of the air and feathered in a
little 15-footer for his 31st point and you were somehow surprised he
had scored that many.
After four NBA titles and all those scoring championships and MVP
awards, Jordan no longer feels compelled to awe his subjects every
night, only to win.
"I seem to find challenges in all different forms and fashions from
who I'm playing against to a conversation with some of the young
guys," he said. "I never have trouble finding competition."
Is it, ever, in any way, boring?
"If you get bored, you have to find a way to alleviate that boredom
some way," he said. "In games we seem to be the favorites, we always
find a way to motivate ourselves, individually or as a team."
The far greater challenge Michael Jordan faced Thursday was in the
dozen multi-plex theaters that show Space Jam to crowds of adoring
children and tagalong parents.
Bugs and Daffy and the rest of the guys are the Jordanaires that count
at this point in the season while the Bulls run away from the rest of
the NBA.
They have won 12 in a row and Michael has saved the planet.
And th-th-th-th-that's all, folks.
nba.1703nba.news,
Hill reinjures right wrist
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov 23, 1996 - 21:48 EST) -- Grant Hill reinjured his
right wrist Saturday night when he landed on it after a drive to the
basket in the first quarter of the Detroit Pistons' game against
Charlotte.
X-rays were negative, and Hill returned to the Pistons' bench in the
third quarter with the wrist covered with several bags of ice.
Hill came down the lane with 38 seconds left in the opening quarter,
was fouled by Matt Geiger and crashed to the floor under the basket,
landing on his right wrist. He began writhing in pain and lay on the
floor for about two minutes.
The Pistons called a timeout, allowing Hill to stay in the game to
shoot both free throws. He winced as he released each shot -- both
misses.
Hill went to the bench with 11 seconds remaining in the quarter and
stayed there before leaving midway through the second period to have
the wrist examined.
Hill sprained the wrist earlier this month and missed one game.
Hill went into the Saturday night's game as the league's
seventh-leading scorer, averaging 23.5 points.
He had four points and seven rebounds at the time of his injury.
nba.1704nba.news,
Pistons waive Smith, activate Williams
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov 23, 1996 - 19:12 EST) -- The Detroit Pistons
waived nine-year NBA veteran Kenny Smith on Saturday so they could
clear a roster spot to activate 1996 first-round draft pick Jerome
Williams from the injured list.
The 6-foot-3 Smith was unable to supplant either Lindsey Hunter or Joe
Dumars in Detroit's guard rotation. Smith averaged just 7.1 minutes
and 2.6 points while playing in nine of the Pistons' 11 games. His
last appearance with Detroit came Thursday night, when he went
scoreless in seven minutes against New Jersey.
Smith, 31, joined the Pistons as a free agent in September after
playing six seasons with the Houston Rockets. He needs 33 assists to
reach 4,000 for his career.
Williams, a 6-9 rookie from Georgetown who was taken with the 26th
overall selection in the draft, played a total of six minutes in two
games before being placed on the injured list Nov. 12 with a sprained
left wrist.
The Pistons announced the moves prior to Saturday night's game against
the Charlotte Hornets.
Several teams in the league, including the Hornets, have expressed an
interest in adding veteran guards to their roster.
nba.1705nba.news,
Bucks putting on a good show for a change
(Nov 23, 1996 - 09:54 EST) -- Going into this season, the idea of the
Milwaukee Bucks appearing in the playoffs had become largely
historical.
Oh, yeah. Don Nelson was coach and then Del Harris, for a bit. Sidney
Moncrief. Terry Cummings. Bob Lanier. Jack Sikma. Somewhere back then,
they went all the time. Never got to the NBA Finals, but they would go
to the playoffs, right after they won the division.
It was good. It wasn't great, but it was definitely good. Twelve years
in a row. Not quite a Swiss watch, but still very dependable.
Recently, we've been at the other end of the spectrum. Actually, we've
been falling off the other end of the spectrum. The Bucks have missed
the playoffs for five straight seasons, and for the most part "missed"
doesn't quite say it. The Bucks have mostly avoided being in the same
hemisphere as the playoffs.
So you approach the topic of the Bucks and the playoffs with more than
a small dose of skepticism. You approach it with 57 defeats in hand
from last season.
Surprise, surprise: In the first month of the season, there's
progress, effort, positive developments. It's very early, but the
Bucks have been doing some of the things that a playoff team must do.
They have a 6-5 record going into Saturday's game against the
Washington Bullets. That sort of thing, kept up over the course of a
season, puts you in the 49-victory neighborhood.
You could, of course, easily note that of those first 11 games, the
Bucks played only two against teams with winning records. On the other
side of it, though, is the notion that the Bucks, under new coach
Chris Ford, are showing some commitment to the less glamorous yet
absolutely essential parts of the game, such as defense and
rebounding.
The 1996-'97 Bucks send out a different feeling than their immediate
predecessors. For instance, they will routinely dive on the floor for
loose balls. In recent seasons, the Bucks seemed to regard loose balls
with a kind of objective detachment: "Hmmm, that's interesting. I
wonder what the other team will do with it after one of their players
picks it up?"
There are signs, too, that individual growth is occurring. Glenn
Robinson seems to have grown an interest in aspects of the game that
have nothing to do with shooting. On offense, Robinson has become a
better passer. And on defense, he appears to be taking a significant
interest in the task at hand.
Vin Baker just keeps getting better, or at least he did until he
suffered a strained and bruised hip. His injury status has been
day-to-day, but even that is too long a wait for the Bucks.
Center Andrew Lang also has been out, with tendinitis in his right
Achilles'. But when he was in, he was a presence in the middle. He is
not expected to score here, but he is expected to do the dirty work.
He represents a world of improvement over Benoit Benjamin, who had a
tendency to turn into the world's largest invisible man.
The acquisition of power forward Armon Gilliam looks like a stroke of
genius from former coach and still general manager Mike Dunleavy.
Gilliam is averaging more than 11 rebounds per game, and against
Phoenix he pulled in a career-high 22.
Rookie Ray Allen will be a solid player at shooting guard and Johnny
Newman will be better coming off the bench than he was as a starter.
The point guards -- Sherman Douglas and Elliot Perry -- are smallish,
but hardly inadequate.
These are not the Chicago Bulls, but this also is not the defenseless
crew that muddled its way through the last campaign. The playoffs are
a Wisconsin winter away, but a playoff appearance by this group can be
publicly considered with a straight face. It's no lock and they can't
afford injuries, but at least you can regard this team with something
other than scorn.
nba.1706nba.news,
Owens forgot about dislocation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Nov 23, 1996 - 05:24 EST) -- Forward Billy Owens
couldn't remember if he'd ever dislocated a finger before Tuesday's
game in Portland.
He dislodged his right pinky finger against the Trail Blazers and then
found out from his father that he had dislocated the left pinky finger
while a schoolboy at Carlisle (Pa.) High School.
"I know I used to tape both pinky fingers before games."
How could Owens have a dislocation and not remember?
"When you're young," he said, "that type of stuff doesn't bother you."
ROCK SERVES THANKSGIVING DINNER: Mitch Richmond and his Solid As A
Rock Foundation sponsored and served a pre-Thanksgiving dinner to the
residents of the St. John's Shelter for Women and Children on Thursday
evening.
Dinner was provided for approximately 40 homeless women and their
children at the emergency shelter in downtown Sacramento. Kings
players Tyus Edney and Michael Smith and assistant coach Eddie Jordan
assisted Richmond.
GRANT'S TURN SATURDAY: Brian Grant and the Kings Community Foundation
will combine Saturday to serve more than 2,000 dinners at the Margaret
"Mama" Marks T.L.C. Soup Kitchen, at Robertson Community Center.
CARRIL'S FAVORITE PLAYER: A fan stopped Kings assistant coach Pete
Carril before the game against the Heat and told him that his favorite
player was U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley, who was an All-American under the
legendary Princeton coach before moving on to study at Oxford and then
join the New York Knicks.
"Well, thanks," Carril said, while shaking the gentleman's hand. "My
favorite player was Geoff Petrie."
Yes, the Kings vice president was standing right behind the coach.
nba.1707acafaca,
Kako si glasao na NBA.COM
nba.1708mileusna,
>> CHICAGO (100) AT UTAH (105)
Znači ništa od rekorda... :( BTW, pogledajte koliko je ko
dao koševa u Čikagu. :)
nba.1709superhik,
=:> U čemu je razlika između sasha.htm i sashacp.htm ili kako se
=:> već zovu ta dva fajla u arhivi? Meni su oba ista...
Kako bre ista!????
Potpuno različiti podaci...
nba.1710lexus,
=> Chicago at Utah 100:105
Ko je svetski šampion?
Juta! Juta! ;)
nba.1711vpoznanovic,
Sunday, November 24
Dallas at Boston 91:105
Houston at L.A. Lakers 90:85
Miami at Phoenix 87:84
Sacramento at Cleveland 74:103
San Antonio at Vancouver 91:96
Seattle at New York 102:92
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 20 20 23 28 91
BOSTON 29 27 28 21 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DAL - JIM JACKSON 23, CHRIS GATLING 23, DEREK HARPER 10
BOS - DANA BARROS 21, DINO RADJA 19, ANTOINE WALKER 16
HIGH REBOUND: DAL - CHRIS GATLING 11, OLIVER MILLER 8
BOS - DINO RADJA 11, ANTOINE WALKER 8
HIGH ASSISTS: DAL - JASON KIDD 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
BOS - DANA BARROS 6, RICK FOX 5
ATT: 15,244
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 22 14 26 28 90
LA LAKERS 16 25 22 22 85 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 23, KEVIN WILLIS 17, CLYDE DREXLER 17
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 23, NICK VAN EXEL 21, EDDIE JONES 14
HIGH REBOUND: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 15, KEVIN WILLIS 8
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 11, JEROME KERSEY 7
HIGH ASSISTS: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 8, MARIO ELIE 5
LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 12, EDDIE JONES 3
ATT: 17,505
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 23 24 16 24 87
PHOENIX 21 18 23 22 84 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 20, PJ BROWN 14, DAN MAJERLE 14
PHO - KEVIN JOHNSON 15, DANNY MANNING 14, AC GREEN 12
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 11, PJ BROWN 9
PHO - DANNY MANNING 11, JOE KLEINE 7
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 8, DAN MAJERLE 6
PHO - KEVIN JOHNSON 9, REX CHAPMAN 2
ATT: 19,023
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 18 22 17 17 74
CLEVELAND 17 30 31 25 103 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 23, OLDEN POLYNICE 9, FOUR PLAYERS
WITH 7
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 21, TYRONE HILL 17, TWO PLAYERS WITH
14
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - LIONEL SIMMONS 9, CORLISS WILLIAMSON 5
CLE - CHRIS MILLS 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - LIONEL SIMMONS 4, FIVE PLAYERS WITH 3
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 7, BOB SURA 4
ATT: 13,786
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SAN ANTONIO 25 19 24 23 91
VANCOUVER 21 32 22 21 96 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 26, SEAN ELLIOTT 17, WILL PERDUE 14
VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 18, ANTHONY PEELER 17, BRYANT
REEVES 15
HIGH REBOUND: SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 11, GREG ANDERSON 10
VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 9, BRYANT REEVES 8
HIGH ASSISTS: SAS - SEAN ELLIOTT 8, VINNY DEL NEGRO 5
VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
ATT: 15,874
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 24 25 36 17 102
NEW YORK 23 24 23 22 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 22, DETLEF SCHREMPF 17, GARY PAYTON 16
NYK - ALLAN HOUSTON 13, CHRIS CHILDS 13, JOHN STARKS 13
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
NYK - PATRICK EWING 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 11, DETLEF SCHREMPF 5
NYK - CHARLES OAKLEY 4, CHRIS CHILDS 4
ATT: 19,763
nba.1712nba.news,
DALLAS (91) AT BOSTON (105)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 30 2-10 2-2 0 1 1 2 2 2 0 7
MEYER F 11 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 2
MONTROSS C 20 4-7 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 8
KIDD G 32 1-6 1-2 1 2 3 8 3 1 4 3
JACKSON G 43 8-16 7-13 1 6 7 3 3 2 4 23
HARPER 22 5-7 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 10
GATLING 33 7-15 9-10 4 7 11 0 6 0 3 23
DUMAS 19 3-7 1-1 0 1 1 3 5 3 1 7
MILLER 23 3-6 0-2 3 5 8 0 4 2 3 6
WALKER 7 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
DREILING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-78 20-30 11 24 35 18 29 10 18 91
(.449) (.667) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 19(18 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 27 7-13 2-6 5 3 8 3 3 1 3 16
WILLIAMS F 32 3-8 8-10 0 1 1 0 3 0 4 14
RADJA C 42 6-11 7-8 0 11 11 4 6 0 3 19
FOX G 32 3-5 0-0 1 4 5 5 4 1 5 7
BARROS G 47 8-11 1-2 0 4 4 6 1 1 2 21
DAY 26 4-10 2-2 0 1 1 4 3 3 4 10
BRICKOWSKI 13 5-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 11
MINOR 11 1-3 3-4 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 5
CONLON 8 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
SZABO 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
ELLISON DNP - BROKEN BIG TOE
WESLEY DNP - SORE RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 38-70 23-32 7 27 34 24 25 7 21 105
(.543) (.719) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 21(20 PTS)
DALLAS 20 20 23 28 - 91
BOSTON 29 27 28 21 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - JACKSON, GATLING, MILLER. BOSTON - RADJA 4, DAY,
SZABO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 1-10 (.100), MCCLOUD 1-3, KIDD 0-2, JACKSON 0-2,
HARPER 0-1, DUMAS 0-2. BOSTON 6-12 (.500), WALKER 0-1, FOX 1-2, BARROS
4-5, DAY 0-2, BRICKOWSKI 1-2.
TECHNICALS: BOSTON - CONLON.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, JOE BORGIA, RONNIE NUNN.
A - 15,244. T - 2:15.
DALLAS (91) AT BOSTON (105)
Dana Barros scored 21 points and Dino Radja added 19 and 11
rebounds as the Boston Celtics cruised to a 105-91 victory over
the Dallas Mavericks, ending a four-game losing streak.
The Celtics, who never trailed, were swept by the Mavericks last
season but have won 15 of 16 all-time home games against Dallas.
"I just need to get my rhythm," said Barros, who was 4-of-5 from
three-point range despite playing both guard spots. "I just
stayed more aggressive tonight and it paid off. It's hard
playing two different positions. You just need to go out and do
your job."
Chris Gatling had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Jim Jackson
added 23 and seven for the Mavericks, who are 1-6 on the road
this season. Dallas has lost five of its last six overall.
"We have the talent here," Jackson said. "We just need to keep
ourselves out of the deep holes early. As you saw tonight, once
we start to get going, we are all right. But as I said, when we
get down early, sometimes it's too late."
Jackson made a 19-footer as Dallas tied the score, 10-10, with
6:01 left in the first quarter. But Radja had a dunk to cap a
10-0 burst, giving the Celtics a 20-10 advantage with 6:01 to go
in the period.
Radja, who missed the last two games with a broken finger, shot
6-of-11 from the field.
"We built a big lead and when you play that kind of a game, it's
easy," Radja said. "You've got to play six months. You really
don't have time to think about who you're playing. You just
play the game and then look up and see who you play."
Boston scored the last six points of the second quarter and
built a 56-40 lead at halftime as Barros and Frank Brickowski
each scored 11 points.
Rookie Antoine Walker had 16 points and eight rebounds and Eric
Williams added 14 points for the Celtics, who shot 54 percent
(38-for-70) from the field.
Dallas center Eric Montross, who was acquired from Boston in
exchange for the Mavericks' 1997 first-round pick, was limited
to eight points and three rebounds in 20 minutes. Dallas shot
just 1-for-10 from three-point range.
"We need to live through the hard times, but if we put in an
honest effort every night, we're gonna see good results at the
end," said Dallas coach Jim Cleamons. "I don't think we should
be 3-9, but the reality is we are."
nba.1713nba.news,
HOUSTON (90) AT LA LAKERS (85)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 44 6-10 7-13 7 8 15 8 5 0 3 23
ELIE F 44 5-10 4-4 0 2 2 5 3 1 2 15
WILLIS C 32 7-16 3-3 4 4 8 1 5 0 1 17
DREXLER G 43 4-12 8-9 1 5 6 2 3 2 5 17
MALONEY G 36 3-11 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 0 2 8
HARRINGTON 8 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 2
DAVIS 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
JONES 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
BULLARD 15 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 1 1 6
MACK 8 0-2 2-2 2 0 2 0 1 0 2 2
MOORE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OLAJUWON DNP - IREGULAR HEART BEAT
TOTALS 240 28-67 24-31 14 25 39 19 23 4 17 90
(.418) (.774) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 18(14 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 24 2-5 2-2 2 4 6 1 5 1 1 6
JONES F 48 5-14 2-4 1 2 3 3 2 6 3 14
ONEAL C 37 10-16 3-11 4 7 11 0 5 0 4 23
SCOTT G 14 1-3 1-1 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 4
VAN EXEL G 38 8-18 0-0 1 1 2 12 1 0 2 21
BLOUNT 30 1-2 2-2 1 1 2 1 5 0 0 4
KERSEY 33 2-9 0-0 2 5 7 0 3 1 1 4
FISHER 10 1-4 4-5 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 6
ROBINSON 5 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 3
KNIGHT 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BRYANT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-74 14-25 11 25 36 20 23 8 13 85
(.419) (.560) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 13(19 PTS)
HOUSTON 22 14 26 28 - 90
LA LAKERS 16 25 22 22 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - BULLARD. LA LAKERS - ONEAL 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 10-27 (.370), BARKLEY 4-5, ELIE 1-4, DREXLER
1-5, MALONEY 2-8, BULLARD 2-3, MACK 0-2. LA LAKERS 9-21 (.429), JONES 2-4,
SCOTT 1-3, VAN EXEL 5-9, KERSEY 0-1, FISHER 0-1, ROBINSON 1-3.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY, LA LAKERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, GREG WILLARD, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 17,505. T - 2:29.
HOUSTON (90) AT LA LAKERS (85)
Charles Barkley had 23 points and 15 rebounds and sank a key
three-pointer with 53 seconds left as the Houston Rockets
avenged their only loss of the season with a 90-85 victory over
the Los Angeles Lakers, their sixth straight win.
Clyde Drexler scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter
and Kevin Willis added 17 for the Rockets, who overcame the
absence of Hakeem Olajuwon and improved to a league-best 6-0 on
the road. Olajuwon is sidelined with an irregular heartbeat.
Drexler sank two free throws with 4:25 left in the third quarter
to become the 24th player in NBA history to score 20,000 points.
He is the second player this season to surpass the milestone,
joining New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing.
"I just think it's great company, the 20,000 point club,"
Drexler said. "It means you've been consistant for a very long
time and people appreciate what you've accomplished. In a team
sport you don't really put much emphasis on individual
achievment. But it's a pretty great milestone."
Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 12 rebounds and Nick Van Exel
added 21 points and 12 assists for the Lakers, who won at
Houston in double overtime on November 12th. O'Neal was 3-of-11
from the line, including two critical misses with 25 seconds to
go.
"It hurts big time," said Van Exel of the loss. "But we have to
turn the other check and get ready to play on this road trip.
They (the Lakers) came in and just outplayed us. We had that
nine point lead at 90-81 and I don't know what happened after
that."
Two free throws by rookie Derek Fisher gave the Lakers an 80-71
lead midway through the final period. But Drexler scored seven
points as the Rockets closed to 85-83 with 1:33 to go.
Barkley's three-pointer from the left wing gave Houston the lead
for good. O'Neal was fouled but missed both free throws. Lakers
forward Elden Campbell grabbed the second miss but had his shot
blocked.
Barkley got the rebound and was fouled, sinking one of two for
an 87-85 lead with 18 seconds left. After a wild miss by Jerome
Kersey, Willis made a layup to put the game away.
"Everybody chipped in," said Barkley. "It was a good team
effort. We played well down the stretch and made the big plays
when we had to. I got some wide open threes, guys made some
shots, we got some steals, and then I made the big three. I had
a good look at it. I got the shot I wanted. I did my job. I
have to be involved. I'm the leader of the team right now."
Mario Elie scored 15 points and Barkley added eight assists for
the Rockets, who shot 42 percent (28-of-67) from the field.
Eddie Jones scored 14 points for the Lakers, who also shot 42
percent (31-of-74) but missed 11 of 25 foul shots.
Matched up against O'Neal, Willis scored 12 points in the first
quarter as Houston grabbed a 22-16 lead. But Los Angeles gave
up just 14 points in the second quarter and opened a 41-36 lead
at halftime. O'Neal had 12 points and Barkley 10 in the third
period, when Houston cut the deficit to 63-62.
nba.1714nba.news,
MIAMI (87) AT PHOENIX (84)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 48 5-15 1-2 1 2 3 6 3 3 4 14
BROWN F 26 7-8 0-0 4 5 9 1 5 0 1 14
MOURNING C 34 8-15 4-7 2 9 11 1 6 1 7 20
DANILOVIC G 26 4-9 4-5 0 4 4 0 5 0 1 13
HARDAWAY G 37 4-17 4-4 1 6 7 8 4 0 5 12
AUSTIN 8 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0
ASKINS 22 2-7 1-1 3 4 7 1 4 0 0 6
GRANT 14 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 2 2 3
PINCKNEY 20 1-2 0-0 2 3 5 2 1 0 0 2
LENARD 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-80 14-19 14 34 48 22 33 6 20 87
(.413) (.737) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 21(21 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 29 2-10 1-2 0 4 4 0 1 0 1 5
MANNING F 33 3-8 8-10 3 8 11 0 4 1 2 14
KLEINE C 23 2-2 1-2 0 7 7 0 5 1 0 5
CHAPMAN G 37 4-16 2-2 0 1 1 2 4 1 1 10
JOHNSON G 39 3-12 9-9 0 3 3 9 3 2 3 15
GREEN 20 4-6 4-4 3 2 5 0 1 1 1 12
HORRY 25 3-5 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 8
CASSELL 20 1-4 8-8 0 1 1 0 4 0 5 10
NASH 10 2-5 1-1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 5
PERSON 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DAVIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 24-68 34-38 6 28 34 12 25 8 14 84
(.353) (.895) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(16 PTS)
MIAMI 23 24 16 24 - 87
PHOENIX 21 18 23 22 - 84
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - MOURNING 3. PHOENIX - MANNING 3, FINLEY 2, KLEINE
2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 7-24 (.292), MAJERLE 3-6, DANILOVIC 1-3, HARDAWAY
0-6, ASKINS 1-4, GRANT 1-3, LENARD 1-2. PHOENIX 2-12 (.167), FINLEY 0-3,
CHAPMAN 0-4, JOHNSON 0-2, HORRY 2-2, NASH 0-1.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - DANILOVIC, ILLEGAL DEFENSE, PHOENIX - HEAD COACH
AINGE, GREEN.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, BENNETT SALVATORE, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 19,023. T - 2:27.
MIAMI (87) AT PHOENIX (84)
The Phoenix Suns remained winless, losing their 12th straight
game as former Sun Dan Majerle made a clutch three-pointer with
seven seconds to go, lifting the Miami Heat to an 87-84 victory.
The slide matches the worst in franchise history for the Suns,
who didn't receive a big enough boost from the return of point
guard Kevin Johnson. Johnson had 15 points and nine assists in
his first game of the season after undergoing surgery to remove
an abdominal hernia.
"Our record being what it is, this team wants no moral
victories," Johnson said. "We come to win ballgames and that
hasn't been the case. We need to keep pounding away and pretty
soon we will break through. If a team is winning 12 or 13
straight games that brings a team real close together, when a
team has lost 12 games in a row, that also brings you together.
So it is us against the world."
The Suns also lost 12 straight games from February 19th-March
13th, 1977. Phoenix is five losses away from Miami's NBA record
of 17 losses to start a season, set in the Heat's inaugural
1988-89 campaign. The Suns visit Denver (4-9) on Tuesday.
Miami beat Phoenix for the seocnd time in three meetings and
improved to 2-17 all-time against the Suns, who set a record for
fewest field goals with 24. The old record was 28 against Utah
on April 9th, 1990.
Phoenix went nearly seven minutes without a field goal and fell
behind 81-73 on P.J. Brown's tip-in with 2:24 to go. Johnson
made two free throws and Rex Chapman's jumper ended the drought,
cutting the deficit to 81-77 with 1:12 remaining.
Johnson's steal and layup pulled the Suns within a basket. He
made another steal, but Michael Finley missed a layup, starting
a string of three straight empty possessions.
Miami's Tim Hardaway made two free throws with 36 seconds left
before Robert Horry's three-pointer pulled Phoenix within 83-82
with 29 seconds to play. But Majerle, who spent his first seven
seasons with the Suns, sank a three-pointer with the shot clock
winding down, giving Miami a four-point lead.
"It felt good," Majerle said. "It's a big shot because the
clock is running down and it stuck a dagger in them."
"He played the whole game, made a few turnovers in the last
couple of minutes which was totally unlike him, then he buried
the shot that got us the win," Heat coach Pat Riley said.
Johnson made a quick layup and fouled Sasha Danilovic, who made
one free throw with 3.4 seconds left. But Johnson's desperation
three-pointer was no good.
"We were right in it except for a couple of missed lay-ins and a
big three-point shot by Majerle," Suns coach Danny Ainge said.
"That was a dagger. I saw a lot of good things tonight but we
just cannot find consistent shooting and that is the bottom
line."
Alonzo Mourning had 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead a balanced
attack for the Heat, who improved to 4-0 on their six-game road
trip. Miami, which had never won more than twice on a six-game
trip, got 14 points apiece from Majerle and Brown, another 13
from Danilovic and 12 and eight assists from Hardaway.
"We had to beat the odds, them having to win sometime and the
officials," Riley said. "They shot 25 more free throws than us.
It's a joke. I am very confused with what is going on with the
fouls and stuff."
"You just got to grin and bear it," Mourning said. "The
officials are going to call calls, you just got to play through
the obstacles. We made things difficult for ourselves with
turnovers and not finishing shots, but Dan's shot was a gift
from God. Its his old house and he used to throw them up from
all over. He should know it better than anyone else."
Danny Manning had 14 points and 11 rebounds and A.C. Green added
12 points for the Suns, who shot 35 percent (24-of-68) from the
field and were outrebounded 48-34. The starting backcourt of
Johnson and Chapman were a combined 7-of-28.
Mourning scored 15 points and Brown 10 in the first half as the
Heat opened a 47-39 lead. The Suns cut the deficit to 63-62
after three quarters and were still within 73-70 after a jumper
by rookie Steve Nash with 8:07 remaining. But that was the last
field goal for Phoenix for the next 6:55.
nba.1715nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (74) AT CLEVELAND (103)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 28 3-7 0-0 2 0 2 3 2 0 0 7
POLYNICE F 31 4-9 1-2 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 9
CAUSWELL C 15 0-1 1-2 0 3 3 0 2 0 0 1
ABDUL-RAUF G 22 2-9 1-1 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 5
RICHMOND G 35 5-10 11-11 0 3 3 3 2 1 4 23
C WILLIAMSON 24 3-9 1-2 0 5 5 1 2 0 0 7
SMITH 23 2-4 0-2 0 4 4 3 3 1 4 4
EDNEY 21 1-4 1-2 0 2 2 3 2 1 1 3
DANIELS 7 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
SIMMONS 20 1-8 5-5 4 5 9 4 3 0 0 7
GAMBLE 10 3-3 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 1 7
HURLEY 4 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 240 24-68 22-29 8 27 35 22 20 4 14 74
(.353) (.759) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(17 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 35 4-9 0-0 1 8 9 3 1 1 2 9
HILL F 35 7-12 3-3 3 5 8 3 3 1 4 17
WEST C 18 3-5 2-3 3 5 8 2 0 0 1 8
BRANDON G 38 8-16 4-4 1 4 5 7 2 1 1 21
PHILLS G 26 6-11 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 0 0 14
FERRY 25 3-6 0-0 0 5 5 2 3 1 1 8
SURA 22 6-7 2-5 1 1 2 4 3 0 1 14
POTAPENKO 14 2-8 3-3 2 2 4 1 1 0 0 7
LANG 13 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
GEARY 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 0
MARSHALL 4 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
THOMAS 3 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5
TOTALS 240 41-81 14-18 12 35 47 25 21 6 11 103
(.506) (.778) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 11(10 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 18 22 17 17 - 74
CLEVELAND 17 30 31 25 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - CAUSWELL, RICHMOND, SIMMONS. CLEVELAND -
FERRY 2, MILLS, HILL, PHILLS, POTAPENKO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 4-11 (.364), OWENS 1-1, ABDUL-RAUF 0-2,
RICHMOND 2-4, DANIELS 0-3, GAMBLE 1-1. CLEVELAND 7-14 (.500), MILLS 1-2,
BRANDON 1-3, PHILLS 2-3, FERRY 2-3, MARSHALL 0-2, THOMAS 1-1.
TECHNICALS: SACRAMENTO - RICHMOND, CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DON VADEN, JACK NIES, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 13,786. T - 2:03.
SACRAMENTO (74) AT CLEVELAND (103)
Tyrone Hill scored seven of his 17 points in an 18-5 run that
opened the second half and gave the Cleveland Cavaliers their
third straight victory, 103-74 over the Sacramento Kings.
Terrell Brandon scored 21 points for Cleveland, which has led
the league in scoring defense in each of the last two seasons
and has permitted less than 80 points in half of its 12 games.
Mitch Richmond scored 23 points for the Kings, who fell to 2-5
on the road as they opened a six-game trip. Sacramento has lost
13 straight games in Cleveland dating to 1984, when the Kings
were based in Kansas City.
"I thought we put together three really solid quarters of
basketball," Cleveland coach Mike Fratello said. "We started
out well in the beginning and then we kind of let them get back
in. But we got a nice run."
The Cavaliers scored 11 of the first 13 points, but the Kings
rallied behind Richmond and held an 18-17 lead after the first
quarter.
Cleveland's bench turned it on in the second quarter. Bob Sura
scored 12 of his 14 points and Danny Ferry had three rebounds
and two blocks in the period to help the Cavs open a 47-40 lead
at halftime.
"They started the game 7-0 and we came back and had a nice first
period," Kings coach Garry St. Jean said. "When we each subbed,
their subs did a very, very nice job against ours."
"Our defense and our unselfishness is what is best for us," Sura
said. "That is how we win, by passing the ball and getting the
other guys open shots."
The Cavaliers opened a 20-point lead with their run to start the
second half. Hill scored seven points and Bobby Phills and Chris
Mills added five apiece. A three-pointer by Phills boosted the
advantage to 65-45 with 6:07 left in the third quarter.
"We forced a few turnovers, we got out in the open floor," said
Fratello. "Defensively, for the most part, we did a pretty good
job."
Sacramento trailed 78-57 entering the final period and cut the
deficit to 80-63 with 9:47 to go on a short jumper by Corliss
Williamson, one of four Kings with seven points. But Brandon
scored six points in a 10-2 burst that gave Cleveland a 90-65
bulge with 5:32 remaining. A three-pointer by Carl Thomas with
15 seconds left gave the Cavs their largest lead.
Mills scored nine points and Ferry eight for Cleveland, which
shot 51 percent (41-of-81) from the field and held a 47-35 edge
in rebounds. The Cavs were 7-of-14 from three-point range and
obviously not bothered by the 2 p.m. EST start.
"I'm not a person who enjoys an early game," Brandon said. "In
the warmups, I took my time shooting and early in the game. I
hit some shots and let everyone else feed off my enthusiasm."
Olden Polynice scored nine points for Sacramento, which shot 35
percent (24-of-68) and has not won at Cleveland since March
18th, 1984.
"Give them credit," St. Jean said. "They're playing awful nice
basketball. If you're not sharp, they're going to make you pay."
nba.1716nba.news,
SAN ANTONIO (91) AT VANCOUVER (96)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 46 4-15 7-10 3 4 7 8 3 0 5 17
D WILKINS F 35 8-17 8-9 6 5 11 1 3 1 1 26
W PERDUE C 23 5-7 4-4 2 4 6 1 1 0 2 14
DEL NEGRO G 32 4-10 4-5 0 3 3 5 2 2 0 13
JOHNSON G 28 3-9 2-3 1 1 2 4 2 0 2 8
MAXWELL 31 1-8 0-0 1 4 5 2 2 1 0 2
HERRERA 15 1-2 1-2 2 1 3 0 1 0 5 3
ANDERSON 25 4-6 0-0 4 6 10 0 5 1 1 8
ALEXANDER 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - SYNOVITIS RIGHT KNEE
M WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-76 26-33 19 28 47 21 19 5 18 91
(.395) (.788) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 18(28 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 35 5-9 0-0 0 2 2 3 4 2 2 13
ROGERS F 11 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4
REEVES C 40 6-10 3-5 1 7 8 2 4 1 0 15
MOTEN G 22 4-8 1-1 0 2 2 4 1 0 2 10
ANTHONY G 26 2-5 3-5 0 0 0 5 2 3 3 8
ABDUR-RAHIM 38 6-9 6-10 1 8 9 9 4 1 1 18
MAYBERRY 22 2-6 0-0 0 0 0 3 4 0 2 4
PEELER 26 8-14 0-0 1 3 4 5 1 1 0 17
LYNCH 20 3-5 1-3 1 3 4 0 4 1 1 7
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MOBLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-70 14-24 4 26 30 31 24 9 11 96
(.543) (.583) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 11(12 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 25 19 24 23 - 91
VANCOUVER 21 32 22 21 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - D WILKINS, HERRERA. VANCOUVER - MOTEN,
ANTHONY, PEELER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 5-24 (.208), ELLIOTT 2-6, D WILKINS 2-6,
DEL NEGRO 1-5, MAXWELL 0-6, ALEXANDER 0-1. VANCOUVER 6-17 (.353), B
EDWARDS 3-5, MOTEN 1-4, ANTHONY 1-2, MAYBERRY 0-3, PEELER 1-3.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 5.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, TOM WASHINGTON, MONTY MCCUTCHEN.
A - 15,874. T - 2:19.
SAN ANTONIO (91) AT VANCOUVER (96)
Rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 18 points, nine rebounds and nine
assists and made two key free throws as the Vancouver Grizzlies
defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 96-91, in a matchup of the worst
teams in the Midwest Division.
Abdur-Rahim hit a pair of free throws with 50.3 seconds left to
put the Grizzlies ahead for good, 92-90. Vancouver, which
missed 10 of 24 free throws, snapped a four-game losing streak.
"I feel I was really able to contribute," Abdur-Rahim said. "We
had really been doing bad on the boards. A lot of times when
things go wrong you start to point to other people. Maybe guys
saw me rebounding or making the extra pass and they step it up
too."
Dominique Wilkins had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Sean Elliott
added 17 points for the Spurs, who lost their fifth straight
game. San Antonio had won its four previous meetings with
Vancouver.
"He was my fovorite player in the world," Abdur-Rahim said of
Wilkins. "I had the jersey, the haircut, the autograph and
everything."
The Spurs committed 18 turnovers leading to 28 points for the
Grizzlies and shot just 40 percent (30-for-76) from the field.
"There were flurries where we just didn't manage the ball well,"
said Spurs coach Bob Hill. "I mean, we had 18 turnovers and the
game wasn't played at that high of a pace that we needed to turn
it over that much. We just can't make the shots. If anybody
has any suggestions about what coaches can do to make the
players make shots, I'm listening. I think we're trying too
hard, quite frankly."
Vernon Maxwell, who missed his first seven shots from the field,
made a short jumper to cap a 7-2 burst as the Spurs tied it,
90-90, with 1:08 to play. Abdur-Rahim sank two free throws to
give the Grizzlies a 92-90 edge with 50 seconds left.
Wilkins then missed a short jumper and George Lynch grabbed the
rebound. After a timeout, Blue Edwards made a 19-footer to give
the Grizzlies a 94-90 advantage with 14 seconds to go.
Sean Elliott made one free throw to cut the deficit to 94-91 and
Abdur-Rahim hit two more free throws to close the scoring with
9.7 seconds left.
Vancouver shot 54 percent but was outrebounded 47-30.
"That's good to see, but the rebounding disparity is still
there," Grizzlies coach Brian Winters said. "In order to win
with that big of a disparity you have to shoot the ball well.
Hopefully, we can get better at rebounding and shoot the ball a
little better."
Anthony Peeler's dunk closed an 11-4 burst that gave Vancouver a
53-41 lead with 35 seconds left in the second quarter. The
Grizzlies held a 53-44 halftime lead after Wilkins hit a
three-pointer at the buzzer and never trailed thereafter.
nba.1717nba.news,
SEATTLE (102) AT NEW YORK (92)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 34 7-13 8-11 0 8 8 2 4 2 5 22
D SCHREMPF F 32 5-12 7-7 1 4 5 5 1 1 0 17
MCILVAINE C 26 2-3 0-0 3 1 4 0 2 1 0 4
HAWKINS G 31 4-8 6-7 1 3 4 2 3 1 2 15
PAYTON G 36 6-13 3-4 1 4 5 11 2 1 4 16
STEWART 17 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 4
PERKINS 23 6-8 0-0 0 3 3 2 1 0 1 15
EHLO 18 2-4 1-2 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 7
SNOW 12 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 2
WINGATE 4 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GRAHAM 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
HARVEY 3 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 35-73 25-31 8 26 34 24 22 7 15 102
(.479) (.806) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(15 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 27 4-10 2-2 4 2 6 0 3 0 0 10
OAKLEY F 26 4-5 3-3 3 4 7 4 5 1 0 11
EWING C 32 2-15 4-4 2 6 8 3 3 1 3 8
HOUSTON G 35 4-10 3-3 1 4 5 3 3 0 2 13
CHILDS G 26 4-7 4-4 0 1 1 4 3 0 4 13
STARKS 28 4-9 1-2 1 1 2 3 2 0 4 13
B WILLIAMS 24 4-6 2-2 3 4 7 0 4 1 2 10
BROOKS 7 1-1 2-2 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 5
WALLACE 25 3-9 3-4 0 5 5 0 0 0 4 9
MCCARTY 10 0-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 1 1 0
WARD DNP - BRUISED LEFT BUTTOCK
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-74 24-26 14 31 45 19 26 5 21 92
(.405) (.923) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 21(22 PTS)
SEATTLE 24 25 36 17 - 102
NEW YORK 23 24 23 22 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE 4, D SCHREMPF, HARVEY. NEW YORK -
EWING 2, WALLACE 2, MCCARTY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 7-19 (.368), D SCHREMPF 0-2, HAWKINS 1-4,
PAYTON 1-5, STEWART 0-2, PERKINS 3-4, EHLO 2-2. NEW YORK 8-17 (.471),
OAKLEY 0-1, HOUSTON 2-5, CHILDS 1-4, STARKS 4-6, BROOKS 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, JOE DEROSA, SCOTT WALL.
A - 19,763. T - 2:10.
SEATTLE (102) AT NEW YORK (92)
Shawn Kemp scored 22 points to lead a balanced attack and the
Seattle SuperSonics shut down the New York Knicks for much of
the second half in a 102-92 victory, their 11th straight win.
Detlef Schrempf scored 17 points, Gary Payton added 16 and
Hersey Hawkins had nine of his 15 in the pivotal third quarter
for the SuperSonics, who are 4-0 on their current road trip and
have won eight straight road games.
"We're on a good roll right now," said Seattle's Sam Perkins,
who had 15 points. "We're playing good defense and that doesn't
matter where you play. This might be a good thing for the
Knicks. They've got a bunch of new guys and this could help
them see where they stand."
Seattle has the longest current winning streak in the NBA. It
has not lost since November 5th against Atlanta and needs three
more wins to match last season's team-record 14-game winning
streak.
"At halftime, I wanted the tempo fast," Seattle coach George
Karl said. "They played last night and I wanted to keep it up.
They wanted to try to run with us and I thought this would wear
them down."
Guards Chris Childs, Allan Houston and John Starks scored 13
points apiece for the Knicks, who have not won at home against
Seattle since December 8th, 1992, a span of four games. Center
Patrick Ewing was held to a season-low eight points on 2-of-15
shooting.
"I think they (Seattle) are truly a good team," Knicks coach
Jeff Van Gundy said. "They believe in themselves. We haven't
earned that belief. It's just like confidence. You aren't
given that. You earn it."
"I don't think they're any better a team than we are," said
Ewing, whose team has lost three in a row overall and dropped to
3-3 at home. "We just fell apart."
The Knicks held a 55-52 lead before a tip-in and three foul
shots by Schrempf gave the SuperSonics the lead for good with
8:52 left in the third quarter. Over the next 17 minutes,
Seattle held New York to eight field goals and just 23 points.
"We played good defense in the second half," Schrempf said.
"That was the difference in the game. They struggled last year
with the double-teams. We wanted to do the same thing this
year. We have quick enough guys to double and recover."
The Sonics closed the third quarter with a 30-15 surge, with
Hawkins scoring nine points and Kemp six. A layup by Hawkins
ended the period and gave Seattle an 85-70 lead.
Seattle began the fourth quarter by outscoring New York 15-8
over the first eight-plus minutes, opening its largest lead at
100-78 on Kemp's free throws with 3:50 to go. The Knicks ended
the game with a meaningless 14-2 run.
Payton fell on his left elbow and left with 6:28 remaining, but
the injury is not serious. He added 11 assists for the Sonics,
who shot 48 percent from the field (25-of-73).
Charles Oakley added 11 points for the Knicks, who shot 40.5
percent (30-of-74). Ewing was defended most of the night by
center Jim McIlvaine, who had four points, four rebounds and
four blocks.
"We had pretty good matchups out there tonight," Karl said. "We
tried to keep Ewing in check. McIlvaine did a good job for us.
That was his best game out there for us tonight."
"McIlvaine had nothing to do with it," Ewing said. "It isn't
just one guy. Sometimes, you just have nights like that."
Payton and Perkins scored 12 points apiece in the first half as
Seattle opened a 49-47 lead.
nba.1718nba.news,
Suns get K.J. back, lose Tisdale
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns, the only winless team in the NBA at 0-11,
activated three-time All-Star point guard Kevin Johnson from the
injured list for Sunday night's game against the Miami Heat.
But just as Johnson returns, the Suns lose forward Wayman Tisdale to
the injured list.
Tisdale was shelved because of a biceps muscle strain and right
shoulder tendinitis. According to team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard
Emerson, Tisdale's current ailments are "unrelated to his previous
arcromial-clavicular joint surgery earlier this summer."
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Johnson, who played only 56 games last season
because of an assortment of injuries, required surgery to remove an
abdominal hernia Sept. 26 and has not played all season. Recently, he
has been taking part pain-free in full-speed workouts.
Johnson, 30, who was healthy for the final 30 games last season,
averaged 18.7 points and 9.2 assists in 1995-96. He has not come close
to playing a whole season since appearing in 78 games in 1991-92.
Tisdale, a 6-foot-9, 260-pounder, joins fellow front-liners Mark
Bryant and John "Hot Rod" Williams on the Suns' injured list. Tisdale
missed Thursday's game at Houston after playing a total of five
minutes in the previous two games.
In 10 contests for the Suns this season, Tisdale has averaged 4.2
points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Tisdale, who will undergo further
tests, will continue nonsurgical treatment and will be reevaluated on
a weekly basis.
nba.1719nba.news,
Harper guarantees another Bulls' streak
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov 24, 1996 - 14:24 EST) -- It took 36 points from
Karl Malone, poor clutch shooting by Michael Jordan and the petulance
of Dennis Rodman for the Chicago Bulls to finally lose a game.
The question may now be not whether the Bulls can be beaten, but
whether such a powerful combination of circumstances might ever
surface again.
Just how tough is it to beat the Bulls may have been more evident on
the night they finally lost than in the dozen wins they reeled off to
open the season.
"It was a good run. Now we start another one," Jordan said.
Chicago's attempt to set an NBA record for wins to begin the season
fell four games short Saturday night when the Utah Jazz won 105-100
before a frenzied crowd of 19,911 at the Delta Center.
But with a schedule that doesn't look too tough until the Bulls meet
the Los Angeles Lakers 10 games from now on Dec. 17, another streak
may be only one more game from beginning.
"The next game we lose will be about three or four weeks from now,"
Ron Harper said. "I guarantee it."
Though Jordan missed all six of his 3-point attempts and all the Bulls
went cold after taking an 88-82 lead early in the fourth quarter, a
good portion of the blame for the loss can be traced to Rodman.
Rodman grabbed only one rebound the entire first half, allowed Malone
to score almost at will, then picked up a second technical with 13.9
seconds left that helped Utah clinch the victory.
"I wasn't interested in the game," said Rodman, unrepentant as ever.
"I didn't have my game face on. Karl Malone had 36 points. That shows
you how into the game I was."
Rodman's technical came with the Bulls trailing by two points, when he
shoved Jeff Hornacek after fouling him, sending him into the courtside
seats. The second technical meant an automatic ejection, and gave Utah
another free throw to help seal the final outcome.
"I don't think we're taking this loss too hard," Rodman said. "It's
one loss. That's all."
Coach Phil Jackson said the loss was due more to the poor shooting of
the Bulls, who made only two of their next 16 shots after taking the
fourth quarter lead, than to Rodman's antics.
But Jackson admitted Rodman's ejection may have prevented the Bulls
from pulling the game out.
"The foul at the end of the game was flagrant and it upset the finish
of the game," Jackson said. "Rodman didn't get into the game
emotionally in the first half. I thought he might give us a good run
in the second half and he did."
While Rodman was trying to find his emotions, the Jazz were treating
the game like it was a playoff contest.
Malone was the workhorse, matching Jordan almost point for point, but
Hornacek also had a good game with 18 points and was pivotal coming
down the stretch.
"We came into this knowing they are the defending world champions, but
you don't want to be intimidated by them," Malone said. "You can't be
intimidated. You have to go out and play them."
The Jazz have won six straight after a 2-2 start and are playing like
the team that went to the Western Conference finals a year ago. Still,
it's early in the season to put too much emphasis on one win.
"Everyone pats you on the back because you beat Chicago, but you have
to keep playing," Malone said.
Jordan, meanwhile, wanted to look at the loss in a positive way.
"It tells us how important execution is down the stretch," said
Jordan, who finished with 44 points. "You love to experience these
games and win. Tonight we experienced it and lost. Hopefully it will
make us a better team."
The rest of the NBA can only hope it doesn't make the Bulls that much
better.
nba.1720nba.news,
82-0? No. But 72-9? Maybe
(Nov 24, 1996 - 12:06 EST) - Perfection is out of the question. You
won't see the Chicago Bulls go 82-0 this season.
But what about 73-9? Can they have a better record than the 72-10 mark
that set an NBA record in 1995-96?
That's the question that's going to be asked if the Bulls keep rolling
over teams the way they have been. It's certainly a legitimate one.
They were winning by an average of 19 points and hadn't even had a
tough game as they entered the weekend with a 12-0 record.
Once again, no one can touch them. But this season, the difference is
even more pronounced -- especially in the Eastern Conference.
Who's going to beat these guys?
The Knicks? They won't get a chance until Jan. 21, and they they won't
have the Bulls in Madison Square Garden until March 9. After 11 games,
none of New York's big-money acquisitions has distinguished himself.
And the Knicks have stumbled to their 8-3 record.
Larry Johnson is averaging only 12.2 points and has spent several
recent fourth quarters on the bench, Chris Childs has played only two
games after injuring his leg in training camp, and Allan Houston has
been streaky and turnover-prone.
The Pistons? They've already had one shot at the Bulls and lost by 18
points. Detroit's 10-1 start has been impressive otherwise, but they
looked awestruck playing the Bulls.
"No one in this locker room is jumping up and down because we are
10-1," Grant Hill said Thursday night. "We know that we could very
easily hit a stretch where we lose 10 of 11 or something."
Detroit's next chance will come Christmas Day at the United Center,
part of NBC's holiday doubleheader. Think Michael Jordan will let the
Bulls lose that one?
Chicago has already beaten Miami twice, and Orlando poses no serious
threat unless Penny Hardaway is fully recovered from knee surgery by
the time the first Bulls-Magic game rolls around on Jan. 3.
Orlando used to be nearly invincible at home (37-4 last season), but
the Magic have already lost two games at the O-rena this season.
After playing at Utah on Friday night, Chicago will have only 12
Western Conference road games remaining. The Bulls have 21 sets of
back-to-back games, but they've already put four of them behind them
with ease.
Coach Phil Jackson is breaking the current seven-game trip into two
parts, bringing the team back to Chicago for a three-day Thanksgiving
break in the middle of next week.
The Bulls won't go on another long road trip until the last week of
January, at which time they will have played 42 games -- including two
against Houston, two against Utah, and one against New York.
After 42 games last season, the Bulls were 39-3. A repeat seems
entirely possible in the first 42 games this season.
If it happens, the chase for 73-9 will be on.
LOW SCORES: Scoring is off dramatically this season.
It's a continuation of a five-year trend toward lower-scoring games
that has many observers alarmed. But at the NBA offices, it is not a
cause for concern.
"More than anything else, it's a product of regular-season games being
played like playoff games," NBA vice president Rod Thorn said. "Teams
are playing more in the halfcourt offense, they're utilizing the shot
clock more and teams are better-prepared from a coaching standpoint to
find ways to shut the other team down."
Ten years ago, every team averaged at least 103.8 points. Five years
ago, only three teams averaged fewer than 100 points. Last season,
league average was 99.5 points, with 13 teams averaging more than 100.
This season, the dropoff is off the charts.
The NBA average is down to 93.6, and only three teams are averaging
over 100.
Last season, the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies were only the second
team in NBA history to average under 90 points per game. This season,
six teams are averaging fewer than 90 and 12 are averaging fewer than
95.
The reasons?
-- Expansion. The league is diluted with so many teams. Not too long
ago, every team had one or two players who could come off the bench
and provide instant offense. Now, teams are lucky to have one such
player.
-- Closer 3-point line. By moving the line from 23 feet, 9 inches to
22 feet three summers ago, the NBA encouraged outside shooting. The
trouble is, outside shots are low-percentage shots. That's why the
average shooting percentage (43.7) is down substantially from five
years ago and 3-point shots are up 763 percent since 1979-80 -- the
first season such shots were allowed.
-- Defense. Coaches emphasize it much more than they did in the past.
Teams would rather foul than give up a layup, breakaways are broken up
with intentional fouls and illegal-defense rules encourage other types
of zone defenses that technically skirt the law.
Thorn doesn't feel pressured to find a solution.
"You're always looking to tweak a little bit here or there, but people
like our product," he said. "Our ratings are higher than ever and
people are coming to our games."
Still, there could be support for moving the 3-point line back to its
original distance. Even commissioner David Stern, in a recent
interview, admitted the league might have erred by moving the line in
so much.
"I thought they should have moved it in a skosh," Stern said.
BALLOT BOX: All-Star balloting began Tuesday, and some of the outsider
choices so far are Toni Kukoc, Dale Ellis, Latrell Sprewell, Kendall
Gill and Tom Gugliotta.
Bench players almost never get chosen for the All-Star team. Kevin
McHale did it in 1984, but it hasn't happened since. But Kukoc may be
deserving purely because he gives the Bulls a weapon no other team has
-- a dominant player off the bench who does more with his 25 minutes
than some players do with 42.
Ellis, the NBA leader in career 3-pointers made and attempted, has
been an All-Star only once in his 13-year career (1989). This season,
he is averaging 21.7 points -- currently 14th in the league and Ellis'
best effort since 1989-90 when he averaged 23.5 for Seattle.
Sprewell, a two-time All-Star from Golden State who was left off the
Western Conference team last season, is among the league leaders in
scoring (fifth), assists (16th), steals (15th) and free throw
percentage (7th).
Gill, like Sprewell, is a good player on a bad team. And like
Sprewell, Gill is having a strong season despite what's assembled
around him. He has played both guard positions and small forward for
the New Jersey Nets while averaging 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3
assists.
Gugliotta, who represents the only decent trade the Timberwolves ever
made (from Golden State for Donyell Marshall), is having an even
better year (22.7 points, 9.4 rebounds) than his better-known
teammate, 20-year-old Kevin Garnett, who is proving to be a bona fide
NBA talent.
THEY CALL THIS SHOWTIME?: Unsold ticket totals from the last four
Lakers' home games at the 17,505-seat Forum.:
Wednesday night vs. Utah: 1,383.
Nov. 16 vs. the Clippers. 1,298.
Nov. 11 vs. Atlanta: 1,408.
Nov. 4 vs. Minnesota: 2,098.
Lakers owner Jerry Buss was undoubtedly counting on a big rush for
tickets when he signed Shaquille O'Neal for $120 million over the
summer, and he even admitted that he'll need a stream of sellouts --
plus a few more in the playoffs -- to make a profit.
The Lakers have sold out the Forum only once -- their season opener.
nba.1721nba.news,
Pack signing starting to pay off Nets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Nov 24, 1996 - 19:18 EST) -- John Calipari is
the first to admit the New Jersey Nets paid too much money to sign
Robert Pack as a free agent.
Three million dollars a year for someone who missed major chunks of
the past two seasons was a gamble.
However, the Nets needed a point guard after Chris Childs signed with
the Knicks as a free agent and Pack has shown to ability to produce
and play an uptempo game when healthy.
On Saturday he showed signs the Nets may have spent their money well
as he an NBA season-high 22 assists in leading the Nets and their new
three-guard offense to a 114-91 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
"I'm not totally satisfied," said Pack, who also had 17 points and
five steals in 39 minutes "I feel I can still do better, but this is
something to build on."
The big change for Pack and the Nets was Calipari's decision last
weekend to play small. He moved Kendall Gill from shooting guard to
small forward, switched rookie Kerry Kittles to the No. 2 guard and
reinserted Pack in the lineup at the point. Kittles had replaced him
after the team returned from Japan with a 0-3 record.
The result has been a quicker team with Pack running the show. So far,
New Jersey is 2-1 with the new lineup.
"We played the way I like tonight," Pack said after beating his
previous assist high of 19 with Denver in 1994. "We pushed the ball up
the court and ran very few plays. I just told them (my teammates) to
get open and I'll find you."
Pack did and everyone benefited. Gill had 26 points, Kittles 15 and
forward Jayson Williams and Shawn Bradley dominated with boards with
the team on the run.
"I think we are finally starting to click with one another," said
Williams, who had 15 rebounds. "Robert Pack is getting into his game
and it helps all of us. It's a lot easier for me to take a pass and
dunk the ball, rather than it is for me to hit a jumper."
Actually, the Nets guards had a field day with Pack finding them for
spot-up jumpers. New Jersey hit 13 of 25 from long range, team highs.
"Tonight, what you saw is the way I enjoy coaching," Calipari said.
"Everyone was moving and creating shots. We only ran eight to 10 plays
the whole night. The rest was just playing basketball. What you saw
out of Robert Pack is what we invested in."
Pack's assist total was the second-highest in team history, topped
only by Kevin Porter's 29 against Houston in 1978. It also came when
many wondered about his career.
The six-year veteran started the first 31 games for Washington last
season and was having a career year, averaging 18.1 points, 7.8
assists and 4.3 rebounds. However, he damaged the peroneal nerve in
his right leg in a freak accident in practice and missed the final 51
games. It marked the second straight year an injury shortened his
season. A knee problem limited him to 42 games with Denver two years
ago.
The Nets are hoping he continues to earn his money -- all season.
nba.1722vpoznanovic,
Monday, November 25
Chicago at L.A. Clippers 88:84
Milwaukee at Orlando 100:88
Minnesota at Washington 98:105
New Jersey at Utah 92:108
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHICAGO 18 27 19 24 88
LA CLIPPERS 25 26 15 18 84 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 40, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 15, TONI KUKOC 13
LAC - STANLEY ROBERTS 15, LOY VAUGHT 14, MALIK SEALY 13
HIGH REBOUND: CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 14, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 11
LAC - LOY VAUGHT 13, MALIK SEALY 8
HIGH ASSISTS: CHI - SCOTTIE PIPPEN 4, TONI KUKOC 4
LAC - POOH RICHARDSON 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 16,144
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MILWAUKEE 25 20 23 32 100
ORLANDO 24 21 20 23 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIL - ARMON GILLIAM 24, GLENN ROBINSON 23, VIN BAKER 13
ORL - NICK ANDERSON 25, HORACE GRANT 16, DARRELL ARMSTRONG
13
HIGH REBOUND: MIL - VIN BAKER 15, ARMON GILLIAM 14
ORL - RONY SEIKALY 11, HORACE GRANT 10
HIGH ASSISTS: MIL - SHERMAN DOUGLAS 7, VIN BAKER 4
ORL - GERALD WILKINS 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 17,248
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 12 28 24 34 98
WASHINGTON 24 34 20 27 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 25, STEPHON MARBURY 13, SAM MITCHELL 13
WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 24, CHRIS WEBBER 16, TWO PLAYERS WITH 13
HIGH REBOUND: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 12, KEVIN GARNETT 11
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 15, CALBERT CHEANEY 7
HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 5, TERRY PORTER 3
WAS - ROD STRICKLAND 10, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 12,224
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW JERSEY 22 24 16 30 92
UTAH 30 35 27 16 108 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NJN - KERRY KITTLES 12, TONY MASSENBURG 12, ED OBANNON 12
UTH - KARL MALONE 27, JEFF HORNACEK 19, ANTOINE CARR 14
HIGH REBOUND: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 11, THREE PLAYERS WITH 5
UTH - KARL MALONE 16, ADAM KEEFE 12
HIGH ASSISTS: NJN - ROBERT PACK 7, KHALID REEVES 5
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 13, JEFF HORNACEK 5
ATT: 19,132
nba.1723nba.news,
CHICAGO (88) AT LA CLIPPERS (84)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 38 5-17 4-7 2 9 11 4 2 2 5 15
RODMAN F 41 1-2 0-0 5 9 14 2 2 0 3 2
WENNINGTON C 17 3-8 0-0 3 1 4 2 4 0 0 6
HARPER G 18 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
JORDAN G 43 14-26 11-12 1 6 7 2 3 2 2 40
KUKOC 33 3-10 7-7 1 1 2 4 1 0 2 13
SIMPKINS 10 0-3 0-2 1 2 3 0 0 0 1 0
KERR 24 1-1 3-3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 6
BROWN 9 0-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
CAFFEY 7 1-3 1-2 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 3
BUECHLER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
LONGLEY DNP - SEPARATED LEFT SHOULDER
TOTALS 240 29-76 27-35 14 31 45 14 16 6 13 88
(.382) (.771) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(12 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 39 7-13 0-0 5 8 13 0 1 1 0 14
ROGERS F 31 3-8 2-2 2 1 3 3 3 0 0 9
DUCKWORTH C 17 3-4 0-0 0 3 3 1 4 0 2 6
RICHARDSON G 36 4-11 0-0 2 3 5 5 3 0 3 10
SEALY G 38 5-14 2-3 1 7 8 1 3 4 2 13
OUTLAW 8 1-2 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3
ROBERTS 31 5-13 5-8 0 3 3 2 4 1 1 15
PIATKOWSKI 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MURRAY 18 1-6 4-6 1 4 5 1 3 1 1 6
DEHERE 16 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 3 4 1 2 3
D MARTIN 4 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5
WRIGHT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-76 14-20 11 30 41 16 26 8 14 84
(.421) (.700) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 16(16 PTS)
CHICAGO 18 27 19 24 - 88
LA CLIPPERS 25 26 15 18 - 84
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - JORDAN 4, RODMAN, KUKOC. LA CLIPPERS - ROBERTS
3, DUCKWORTH 2, SEALY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 3-12 (.250), PIPPEN 1-4, HARPER 0-1, JORDAN
1-3, KUKOC 0-2, KERR 1-1, BROWN 0-1. LA CLIPPERS 6-13 (.462), ROGERS 1-3,
RICHARDSON 2-5, SEALY 1-3, DEHERE 1-1, D MARTIN 1-1.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - HEAD COACH JACKSON.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, BILL SPOONER, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 16,144. T - 2:20.
CHICAGO (88) AT LA CLIPPERS (84)
Michael Jordan scored 40 points and Scottie Pippen added 10 of
his 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Chicago Bulls
rebounded from their first loss of the season with an 88-84
victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jordan, who scored nine points in the fourth quarter, recorded
his 147th career 40-point regular-season effort. Pippen grabbed
11 rebounds and Toni Kukoc contributed 13 points for Chicago,
which bounced back from a loss in Utah on Saturday and improved
to a league-best 13-1.
"We weren't making any jump shots early (the Bulls missed 12 of
the first 13 shots and 18 of the first 21)," Jordan admitted.
"But our defense stepped a little. It was one of those games. We
had to step it up."
Dennis Rodman grabbed 14 rebounds for the Bulls, who were
playing the fourth game of a seven-game road trip and improved
to 7-1 on the road. They are 95-13 in their last 108
regular-season games, and 96-15 since Michael Jordan returned.
Chicago was playing without starting center Luc Longley, who
separated his left shoulder in a bizarre swimming accident on
Sunday. He will undergo an examination on Tuesday to reveal the
severity of the injury.
Stanley Roberts had 15 points and eight rebounds and Loy Vaught
added 14 and 13 for the Clippers, who lost to Chicago at home
for the seventh straight time and fell to 3-19 in their last 22
meetings against the Bulls.
"Michael is on fire and the Bulls are the Bulls," Roberts said.
"They're the world champs. We came out and we just have to go
after them. (Michael will) catch your eye. Somethings he does,
you're just in awe of. We showed tonight that we don't back
down."
The crowd of 16,144 represented the Clippers' first sellout of
the season, establishing a Clipper Arena record for basketball.
The Bulls, who trailed by as many as 11 points in the second
quarter, pulled within 51-45 at the half before tying the game
at 64 late in the third quarter.
After Vaught dunked to give the Clippers a 66-64 lead to end the
third quarter, Jordan made a basket that ignited a 17-4 run to
start the fourth quarter. Jordan scored eight points during the
stretch and Pippen added six during the burst. Jordan hit a
12-footer to cap the spurt and give the Bulls an 81-70 cushion.
"They weren't that close," Pippen said. "They came out and
played us hard. We realized they were going to come out with a
lot of energy and give us a big run. We made some big plays in
the fourth quarter from the defensive standpoint. I don't think
it was ever in doubt that we were going to win the game, but you
have to play with confidence. There's a certain type of
arrogance that we have. You know the game is almost over and
you're going to win. I won't say we have a turn-on switch, but
we know when it's time to execute and make something happen."
Dennis Rodman's only basket of the game, a dunk 50 seconds into
the fourth quarter, gave the Bulls their first lead of the game
at 70-68.
There was no doubt in Rodman's mind the Bulls were going to win.
"There was never any doubt about any game," Rodman said. "We
could be down by 30 (points) and we still think we could win the
game. We could be in a hell-hole full of water and we'd still
try to win the game. This is a very experienced team. We know
when we need to hit a shot, make a pass, get a rebound, and
play defense and buckle down. Most clubs we play are fragile."
The Clippers pulled within 85-81 on Lamond Murray's free throw
with 1:40 left, but could not draw closer after committing a
10-second violation. Pippen sank two free throws and Jordan,
who made 11-of-12 from the line, made one to seal the game.
Malik Sealy nailed a three at the buzzer for the Clippers.
Jordan added seven rebounds and four blocked shots for Chicago,
which won despite shooting 38 percent (29-of-76) from the field
and getting outscored 30-22 in the paint.
Sealy finished with 13 points and eight rebounds and Pooh
Richardson added 10 and five assists for Los Angeles, which shot
42 percent (32-of-76) and committed 16 turnovers.
Sealy had the unenviable task of covering Jordan.
"All you can do is keep a hand in his face. He didn't get around
with his tongue waggling. But what can you say -- he is
phenomenal. We all know who number 23 is."
nba.1724nba.news,
MILWAUKEE (100) AT ORLANDO (88)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROBINSON F 45 9-18 5-6 4 5 9 2 2 3 4 23
BAKER F 43 6-18 1-1 3 12 15 4 2 0 2 13
TOWER C 5 0-0 0-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
ALLEN G 24 5-11 1-2 3 3 6 3 2 0 1 12
DOUGLAS G 40 5-7 2-5 1 2 3 7 2 2 3 12
GILLIAM 35 7-12 10-11 3 11 14 0 4 1 2 24
NEWMAN 24 3-6 3-4 1 1 2 1 4 0 0 9
HANCOCK 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
PERRY 8 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 2
WOLF 12 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4
WOOD 1 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-77 23-33 15 35 50 19 23 7 13 100
(.494) (.697) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(14 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 37 11-23 0-2 2 1 3 2 1 0 1 25
GRANT F 41 6-13 4-5 5 5 10 2 4 2 1 16
SEIKALY C 36 3-7 5-6 1 10 11 1 6 1 0 11
WILKINS G 42 4-12 4-8 0 3 3 4 3 0 3 12
SHAW G 23 1-6 4-5 2 1 3 3 4 0 2 7
ARMSTRONG 31 5-13 1-1 2 1 3 3 4 0 3 13
STRONG 19 2-3 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 0 2 4
VAUGHN 6 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
SCHAYES 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MCCASKILL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-79 18-27 12 26 38 16 25 3 12 88
(.405) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 25 20 23 32 - 100
ORLANDO 24 21 20 23 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - ROBINSON 2, BAKER, GILLIAM. ORLANDO - GRANT
2, SEIKALY 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 1-1 (1.000), ALLEN 1-1. ORLANDO 6-19 (.316),
ANDERSON 3-8, WILKINS 0-2, SHAW 1-2, ARMSTRONG 2-7.
TECHNICALS: MILWAUKEE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, ORLANDO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: RON OLESIAK, MIKE SMITH, JACK NIES.
A - 17,248. T - 2:16.
MILWAUKEE (100) AT ORLANDO (88)
Armon Gilliam, who had 24 points and 14 rebounds, keyed a
pivotal fourth-quarter run as the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a
three-game road losing streak with a 100-88 victory over the
Orlando Magic.
Glenn Robinson added 23 points and Vin Baker had 13 and 15
rebounds for Milwaukee, which won on the road for the first time
since November 9th. Sherman Douglas and rookie Ray Allen each
added 12 points for the Bucks, who won for just the second time
in seven games overall after a 5-1 start.
"I think everyone is playing hard," Bucks coach Chris Ford said.
"Glenn and Vin are our two leaders. They are our co-captains and
have been our foundation for the future of this franchise."
"I see nothing but positives for this team," Robinson said.
"We're playing well together and playing better basketball. Our
goal is to try and stay above .500, and we got off to a good
start and want to continue that."
Milwaukee, which beat Orlando for just the second time in 11
meetings, became the first team to score more than 96 points
against Orlando this season.
Nick Anderson scored 25 points and Horace Grant added 16 and
nine rebounds for Orlando, which lost for the second time in
eight games. Rony Seikaly had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the
Magic, who fell to 4-3 at home, after losing only four home
games all of last season.
"This was a very disappointing game for us to come out and lose
tonight," Magic coach Brian Hill said. "I thought it was
probably the first time all year that we just weren't into the
game mentally."
After Darrell Armstrong hit a three-pointer to draw Orlando
within 76-73 four minutes into the fourth quarter, Milwaukee's
Johnny Newman hit a jumper to ignite a 9-2 run. Robinson hit a
turnaround jumper and Gilliam made a basket and converted a
three-point play to give the Bucks an 85-75 advantage with 5:43
to go.
Gilliam was pleased with his performance.
"I had been struggling with my shot the last couple of games. I
just thank God I was on track in the fourth when we really needed
it."
Orlando never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.
Milwaukee took a 25-24 lead into the second quarter behind nine
points from Baker but Orlando pulled into a 45-45 tie at the
half behind 12 points from Gerald Wilkins. Robinson had 19
points as Milwaukee took a 68-65 advantage into the final 12
minutes.
The Bucks' bench outscored the Magic's by a 40-17 margin, also
outrebounding them by a 27-8 gap.
nba.1725nba.news,
MINNESOTA (98) AT WASHINGTON (105)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 31 2-11 4-4 1 10 11 1 4 1 1 8
GUGLIOTTA F 38 8-17 8-10 6 6 12 5 4 1 7 25
VRANKOVIC C 15 2-3 0-0 1 4 5 0 2 0 2 4
WEST G 24 2-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 4
PORTER G 15 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 0 4 2
MARBURY 21 4-10 2-2 1 2 3 2 1 0 2 13
MITCHELL 37 6-14 1-2 3 5 8 0 4 0 3 13
PARKS 12 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0
ROBINSON 21 3-8 2-3 0 1 1 2 6 0 1 9
D GARRETT 4 2-2 1-2 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 5
HEAL 12 4-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 11
CARR 10 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 4
TOTALS 240 36-86 18-23 16 33 49 15 29 3 21 98
(.419) (.783) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 22(22 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEBBER F 43 4-12 8-12 4 11 15 3 4 1 2 16
HOWARD F 39 11-16 2-4 1 2 3 4 3 1 4 24
MURESAN C 15 2-5 2-2 1 3 4 0 4 0 0 6
CHEANEY G 36 4-8 2-2 0 7 7 3 3 2 1 10
STRICKLAND G 34 3-15 6-8 1 2 3 10 3 1 3 13
GRANT 23 2-4 1-2 0 6 6 4 2 0 1 5
MURRAY 15 4-5 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 10
WHITNEY 23 5-12 2-2 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 13
JACKSON 12 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 8
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-81 24-33 7 33 40 27 22 7 13 105
(.469) (.727) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 14(13 PTS)
MINNESOTA 12 28 24 34 - 98
WASHINGTON 24 34 20 27 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - K GARNETT 2, VRANKOVIC 2, GUGLIOTTA, D
GARRETT, PARKS. WASHINGTON - WEBBER 3, HOWARD 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 8-19 (.421), GUGLIOTTA 1-1, MARBURY 3-7,
ROBINSON 1-5, HEAL 3-5, CARR 0-1. WASHINGTON 5-11 (.455), STRICKLAND 1-3,
MURRAY 1-1, WHITNEY 1-4, JACKSON 2-3.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, JIM CAPERS, ED T RUSH.
A - 12,224. T - 2:08.
MINNESOTA (98) AT WASHINGTON (105)
Juwan Howard scored 10 of his 24 points in the third quarter as
the Washington Bullets handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their
sixth straight road loss, 105-98.
Chris Webber had 16 points and 15 rebounds for Washington, which
has won four of its last five games. The Bullets, who have won
three straight over the Timberwolves, had six players in double
figures.
"In the first half we were really good," said Bullets coach Jim
Lynam. "We were on target and maybe we got a little casual in
the second. They forced us to slow it down and make some plays
at the end. Our defense was terrific tonight."
Tom Gugliotta had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead Minnesota,
which is just 1-7 away from the Target Center.
Howard had seven points as Washington opened the game with a
23-5 run. The Bullets led 24-12 after the first quarter.
"We got knocked out in the first round tonight," said Gugliotta,
a former Bullet. "That big lead kind of killed us. We didn't
play the way we wanted to."
Webber's two free throws capped a 24-12 second-period spurt
which gave Washington a 24-point cushion, its largest lead of
the game, with 2:03 remaining in the half. The Bullets, at
58-40, had their highest halftime point total of the season.
"The defense was on," said Howard. "We turned it up early and
didn't let up until late. When you're winning, you feel good and
play good, that's the zone we're in right now."
The Timberwolves capitalized on Washington's sloppy play in the
fourth quarter to climb back into it. The Bullets had only 14
turnovers in the game, but six of them came in the final period.
Shane Heal's three-pointer with 86 seconds to go brought
Minnesota within five, but it would get no closer.
"Realistically, we really never gave ourselves a chance to be in
this game," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders. "We just weren't
mentally ready to play. This was no moral victory today. We were
not sharp."
Rod Strickland scored 13 points and handed out 10 assists for
Washington. The Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett grabbed 11 rebounds,
but scored only eight points, shooting 2-of-11 from the field.
nba.1726nba.news,
NEW JERSEY (92) AT UTAH (108)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 27 4-14 2-6 3 2 5 3 0 2 2 10
J WILLIAMS F 30 4-8 1-1 5 6 11 2 4 0 2 9
BRADLEY C 21 3-9 0-0 2 3 5 0 1 1 1 6
PACK G 34 2-11 3-4 0 2 2 7 1 2 2 8
KITTLES G 27 5-10 0-0 1 1 2 2 0 0 1 12
R WILLIAMS 21 3-7 3-4 0 2 2 2 2 2 0 10
REEVES 25 4-13 0-0 1 0 1 5 4 1 1 11
MASSENBURG 22 2-7 8-11 4 0 4 0 4 0 1 12
CALDWELL 13 0-2 1-2 1 2 3 0 2 1 3 1
OBANNON 11 4-9 0-0 3 2 5 2 0 0 0 12
DARE 9 0-1 1-2 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 1
MCDANIEL DNP - INJURED HAMSTRING
TOTALS 240 31-91 19-30 22 21 43 23 18 9 13 92
(.341) (.633) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 13(15 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 25 10-17 7-10 5 11 16 2 3 2 4 27
RUSSELL F 20 5-6 0-0 1 2 3 2 4 1 1 10
OSTERTAG C 21 1-6 1-1 2 7 9 0 2 1 2 3
STOCKTON G 26 1-6 0-0 1 1 2 13 0 1 4 2
HORNACEK G 29 9-12 0-0 2 0 2 5 2 0 0 19
EISLEY 22 2-6 2-2 0 1 1 4 1 1 3 6
CARR 26 5-10 4-4 1 4 5 1 1 0 1 14
ANDERSON 18 3-9 1-2 2 5 7 0 4 0 1 7
KEEFE 22 5-8 1-2 5 7 12 0 4 0 1 11
MORRIS 14 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 4
WATSON 5 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 3
FOSTER 12 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 45-88 16-21 19 39 58 29 25 6 20 108
(.511) (.762) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 20(24 PTS)
NEW JERSEY 22 24 16 30 - 92
UTAH 30 35 27 16 - 108
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - GILL, BRADLEY, R WILLIAMS, CALDWELL. UTAH -
OSTERTAG 4, FOSTER 3, EISLEY 2, HORNACEK, STOCKTON, CARR, MORRIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 11-30 (.367), GILL 0-3, PACK 1-4, KITTLES
2-4, R WILLIAMS 1-4, REEVES 3-8, OBANNON 4-7. UTAH 2-4 (.500), HORNACEK
1-2, EISLEY 0-1, WATSON 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, JIM CLARK, GARY BENSON.
A - 19,132. T - 2:04.
NEW JERSEY (92) AT UTAH (108)
Karl Malone had 27 points and 16 rebounds and Jeff Hornacek
added 19 points as the Utah Jazz routed the New Jersey Nets,
108-92, for their seventh straight victory.
Antoine Carr added 14 points, Adam Keefe grabbed 12 rebounds and
John Stockton handed out 13 assists as Utah defeated New Jersey
for the fifth consecutive time.
"Coach (Jerry Sloan) wasn't pleased at all with our
performance," Keefe said. "He was upset at the half and again at
the end. But I also think that one of the things that separates
this program from others is that we don't look at wins and
losses, but at our total performance. We made a lot of mental
mistakes out here and coach wasn't pleased with that."
Kerry Kittles, Ed O'Bannon and Tony Massenburg had 12 points
apiece for New Jersey, which opened a four-game trip against
teams from the Western Conference and is winless in four road
contests.
"I don't know if its altitude or what but I'll take you what for
a team that just came off a high game with Chicago, the ultimate
high, to just come out and run, run us into the ground like they
did, I was kind of amazed," New Jersey coach John Calipari said.
But you know they are a great team."
Malone scored 10 points as the Jazz outscored the Nets, 16-6, to
start the game and never trailed. He had two more points the
rest of the quarter as Utah took a 30-22 lead at the end of the
first.
"I've seen a lot of things," Malone said. "I've seen big guys
thrown double teams or whatever. The most important thing I try
to do is not get in a big hurry no matter who is on me. I just
kind of take my time or whatever because they have a lot of
plays for me."
Keefe scored six points during a 12-3 spurt that gave the Jazz a
50-35 advantage with five minutes left in the first half. Utah
ended the second quarter with an 11-2 run for a 65-46 lead at
halftime.
Malone scored his final 10 points in the third quarter as the
Jazz increased their advantage to 92-62.
With all five starters on the bench, Carr had a dunk to give
Utah its biggest lead, 96-62, with 11 minutes left.
"We won the game, so that's the big thing, but we didn't really
play well and coach let us know," Carr said. "I did okay
tonight. I need to get a roll going since I have haven't been
shooting well all year."
Shawn Bradley had a layup to cap a 12-2 burst as New Jersey cut
the deficit to 96-75 with 6:49 left in the fourth.
The Jazz shot 51 percent (48-for-88) from the field and received
points from all 12 players.
nba.1727nba.news,
Charles Barkley and Karl Malone named NBA Player of the Week
Houston Rockets power forward Charles Barkley and Utah Jazz power
forward Karl Malone today were named co-recipients of the National
Basketball Association Player of the Week award.
Barkley stepped it up for Houston while Hakeem Olajuwon was sidelined
with an irregular heartbeat, averaging 23 points, 16.3 rebounds, 8.5
assists and 1.3 steals in four victories.
Malone averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in three
wins for Utah, one of which came against the previously unbeaten
Chicago Bulls. It marks the first time the award has been shared since
Olajuwon and then-Orlando Magic center Shaquille O'Neal shared the
award for the week ending March 3rd, 1996.
Barkley had 22 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists in Houston's
122-93 rout of Minnesota last Tuesday. He added 20, 16 and seven
against his former team at Phoenix two nights later before recording a
triple-double with 27 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists in a 120-115
triumph at Golden State. Barkley capped his week with 23 points, 15
rebounds and eight assists in a 90-85 victory over the Lakers at Los
Angeles.
Malone had 37 points, six rebounds and six assists as Utah decked the
Lakers on Wednesday, 113-97. He had 33 points, 13 rebounds and five
assists in a 109-104 overtime victory over Golden State before turning
in a 36-point, 15-rebound effort in a 105-100 triumph over Chicago.
Other players considered for the award were Atlanta Hawks forward
Christian Laettner, Charlotte Hornets forward Anthony Mason and Miami
Heat forward P.J. Brown.
nba.1728nba.news,
Orlando's Scott lands back on injured list
Dennis Scott, who has managed to play just 28 minutes this season, is
back on the injured list after aggravating his left hamstring strain
against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Scott, who's sharp-shooting ability was supposed to help offset the
loss of center Shaquille O'Neal for the Orlando Magic, has played in
just two games thus far. He opened the season on the injured list and
sat out the first six games.
He returned Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves and scored
just eight points in 15 minutes off the bench. He was held scoreless
against the Pacers on Saturday and was placed on the injured list list
prior to tonight's game with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Scott, who averaged 17.5 points per game last season, knocked down an
NBA-record 267 three-pointers in 1995-96.
nba.1729nba.news,
Chicago center Longley injured in Pacific Ocean mishap
CHICAGO (Nov 25, 1996 - 23:12 EST) -- Chicago Bulls starting center
Luc Longley suffered a separated left shoulder in a swimming accident
and will be lost to the team for a minimum of eight weeks.
Longley, a five-year NBA player and experienced swimmer and body
surfer who grew up in Australia, was swimming in the Pacific Ocean at
Hermosa Beach, Calif., on Sunday when a wave sent him crashing into
the sand.
"I always try and get wet when I'm on the West Coast and I like to get
in the salt water; I don't get many chances in Chicago," Longley, a
native of Melbourne, said Monday night before the Bulls' game against
the Los Angeles Clippers.
"I decided to jump on a wave to come in and it was kind of a mongrel
wave. I thought I'd just come in real easy. I think I went over a
sandbar and it just sort of spat me into the sand."
Longley said he has been in much larger waves thousands of times
before and he had never been hurt.
"I still don't consider it to be an irresponsible act, but more of an
incredibly unlucky accident. I turned a little and took it on my
shoulder and felt it go crunch. To be quite frank, I'm lucky I didn't
break my neck. If I hadn't turned, I would have landed on my head."
Longley dreaded telling Bulls officials, and he said coach Phil
Jackson's first five or six words were "pretty ugly," adding, "None of
you can ever print them. ...
"The hardest part is that I feel I'm letting the team down," Longley
added.
Teammate Steve Kerr said, "I don't think you should fault Luc for
putting himself at risk or anything. It's not like he was snow skiing
or scuba diving. He was just out for a swim."
Longley has averaged 7.3 points and five rebounds a game this season.
He will return to Chicago on Tuesday with the Bulls and see his team's
orthopedic doctor.
The Bulls said no roster move was planned at this time to make up for
Longley's loss.
Backup center Robert Parish was placed on the injured list Friday with
a back strain, leaving Bill Wennington the team's only true center.
nba.1730nba.news,
The defense doesn't stop in Cleveland
CLEVELAND (Nov 25, 1996 - 15:01 EST) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers
leading the NBA in defense is nothing new. What's a surprise is by how
much.
Through 12 games, opponents are shooting 39.8 percent. The Cavaliers
also are allowing a league-low 80.9 points a game, with the Atlanta
Hawks second at 86.2.
The Cavaliers beat the Sacramento Kings 103-74 Sunday to send their
opponents' field goal percentage below .400. If they force another
YMCA-like total against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, their
points-against average could dip into the 70s.
And how about this for a scary thought: They don't think their defense
is in sync yet.
"We know we've been pretty sharp at the defensive end," forward Chris
Mills said. "But we've talked about it, and we know we can play
better. If we do, there's no telling how low we could hold opponents
down."
Last season, the Cavaliers held opponents to an NBA record-low 88.5
points a game, while earning a reputation as one of the most boring
teams in years. This year, scoring is down across the league, which
has looked like the "No Baskets Association" at times.
Heading into Tuesday night's games, the Utah Jazz were second in
opponents' field goal percentage at .404, and the Chicago Bulls third
at .406.
But Gund Arena is "Clank Central" when the Cavs are in town. A swish
seems as out of style there as old Naismith and his peach basket.
The Kings missed everything from long 3-pointers to dunks against
Cleveland on Sunday. Coach Garry St. Jean would call the play, then
stand with arms crossed as another ball clanged off the rim.
"If you're not sharp," an exasperated St. Jean said, "they're going to
make you play."
Cleveland, which held the Atlanta Hawks to 63 points in a game last
week, has allowed 100 points only once in the last 18 games. Of
course, the Cavs have reached 100 just three times themselves this
season, and only four teams are averaging in triple digits.
So here's the question: Is Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello 1) a
defensive genius. 2) a beneficiary of a low-scoring trend. 3) lucky.
"Do you think they're missing shots because they want to?" Fratello
asked. "If they're missing them on a consistent basis, then something
must be working on them. I don't know any shooters who try to miss on
purpose."
It's unlikely Cleveland's points-against average will hover around 80
all season. The Cavaliers have yet to play any of the top scoring
teams -- Houston, Chicago, Seattle and Golden State.
Plus, Cleveland can play all the defense in the world and still feel
like it's playing for second place in the Central Division behind
Chicago. The Cavaliers are off to a fine start at 9-3, but the Bulls
started 12-1.
"Every day at practice, we take a look at the standings and see that
we are up there, and that is a good feeling," Mills said. "We're not
paying attention to the Bulls. They're going to do their thing
regardless."
nba.1731nba.news,
Hack-a-Shaq strategy works for Rockets
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Nov 25, 1996 - 13:42 EST) -- The strategy is
Hack-a-Shaq, and it worked just right for the Houston Rockets.
Other teams can be expected to follow Houston's lead. Of course, it's
nothing new. Opponents of the Orlando Magic sometimes did the same
thing during O'Neal's four years there.
"I've been playing against Shaq for a while," said Kevin Willis, who
has filled in at center for the Rockets since Hakeem Olajuwon
experienced an irregular heartbeat last week. "I know what he does,
it's no surprise. You've got to prevent him from doing what he does
best.
"If he gets it, foul him, that was our plan. Make him make the free
throws. We know what the weakness is. We wanted to exploit it."
Exploit it, the Rockets did. O'Neal missed four straight free throws
in the final 73 seconds of a 90-85 Houston victory over the Lakers on
Sunday night.
The win avenged the only loss of the season by the Rockets (12-1), who
were beaten by the Lakers 126-115 in double overtime at Houston on
Nov. 12. O'Neal fouled out late in the fourth quarter of that game.
As usual, O'Neal led the Lakers with 23 points and 11 rebounds Sunday
night, but he was 1-of-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter and
3-of-11 in the game, dropping him to 46 percent (54-of-118) for the
year.
In his four previous NBA seasons, O'Neal made 55 percent of his free
throws. He signed a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Lakers
in July.
When asked about Willis' remarks, Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich was
evasive.
"If he got it in a good position, yeah," Tomjanovich said when asked
about intentionally fouling O'Neal. "Shaq did his job. If we wouldn't
have fouled him (following an offensive rebound), he would have torn
the basket down.
"It's out of great respect for him. I respect the great players in
this league and he's a great player."
But not a great foul shooter, or even a good one. And he knows it.
The Lakers led 85-83 when O'Neal misfired twice from the line with
1:13 remaining. Charles Barkley made a 3-point shot with 56 seconds
left to put the Rockets on top 86-85 -- their first lead of the second
half.
O'Neal missed another pair of free throws with 43 seconds to play.
Barkley made 1-of-2 free throws with 18.9 seconds to go, giving
Houston a two-point lead.
Los Angeles reserve Jerome Kersey missed a forced 10-foot running shot
with about six seconds left, and Willis, who had 17 points and eight
rebounds, made a three-point play with 1.1 seconds remaining to
complete the scoring.
"I have to take the blame," O'Neal said. "Usually, though I'm a bad
free throw shooter, I can make one. I'll just have to come out and try
harder. I had a chance to personally pick up this team. I didn't do
it.
"The last two I shot felt good, but they didn't go in. He (Barkley)
hit the big shots. But, as I said, I had four chances and didn't do
it. It's a very tough loss, but we have to move on."
Barkley had 23 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists one night after
his 27 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists helped the Rockets beat
Golden State 120-115 in overtime.
"We're playing for the championship," Barkley said. "Only three or
four teams are playing for the championship."
When asked if the Lakers (9-5) are one of those three or four, Barkley
smiled and said, "I don't want to voice my opinion."
The Lakers led 80-71 before being outscored 19-5 in the final six
minutes.
"The game should never have been that close," Barkley said. "They let
us hang around. You have a nine-point lead at home, you should win the
game."
nba.1732nba.news,
Rockets' Davis will miss rest of season with knee injury
HOUSTON (Nov 25, 1996 - 21:01 EST) -- Houston rookie Emanual Davis
will miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee in Sunday's
victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis, a point guard who has been averaging five points a game, has a
torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Surgery was set for
late next week.
The Rockets, tied with the Chicago Bulls for the NBA's best record at
12-1, already were thin at point guard, with Davis and fellow rookie
Matt Maloney sharing the duties.
Brent Price, a free-agent offseason acquisition, was signed to be a
starter and give the Rockets an outside shooting threat. But he broke
his arm in the preseason and isn't expected back until January.
nba.1733nba.news,
Suns set on moving Manning?
The Phoenix Suns shot me down last week. Danny Manning is, indeed, a
base-year compensation player, meaning he counts for just $1 million
on the Suns' cap instead of the $6.8 million he's being paid.
But that doesn't mean Phoenix isn't shopping the veteran forward, and
it doesn't mean they aren't interested in acquiring Shawn Bradley from
the Nets. It just means they'd have to do the deal in a different
manner. Both teams want to clear cap room for next year and beyond.
Remember, the Suns protested long and loud all summer that they
weren't shopping Charles Barkley, really they weren't. And while
Bradley hasn't played that badly for the Nets, there's no way he fits
into what John Calipari wants to do -- trap, press and run. Meanwhile,
the Pacers shot down another rumor last week -- Manning to Indiana,
where he'd have a reunion with Larry Brown. "Don't think you'll see
that again," an Indiana source says.
Around the East
One reason the Bucks are doing better this year: Chris Ford came in
and simplified Mike Dunleavy's complex playbook. But a bigger reason
is the addition of high character guys like Armon Gilliam and Elliot
Perry, and the subtraction of dead weight like Kevin Duckworth and
Benoit Benjamin.
One veteran advance scout says the Bucks are the most improved team in
the league. Milwaukee's bench is deeper, and that's taken some
pressure off Glenn Robinson. "I feel like he knows we have a much
better team, and he doesn't have to carry the full weight," Dunleavy
said. "Before, he felt like he was the guy and he had to carry the
load ... I never felt it was out of selfishness, but that he felt he
had to do it."
Pat Riley is still looking to tweak his roster, and his offer to
Brian Williams is still on the table. Ditto the Pacers, who offered
Williams their $1 million cap exemption. Williams' agent, Fred
Slaughter, is putting his hopes on the cap going up by as much as $1
million, but don't count on it, the way the league and the union are
haggling.
More on the Pacers: Travis Best is in at the point after suffering
what GM Donnie Walsh called a "lobotomy" at the hands of Larry Brown
during the preseason. "Woody (Haywoode Workman) has been through it
before," Walsh said. "Travis ... is trying too hard to please Larry.
What Travis needs is to be more of a scoring threat than Mark
(Jackson) was."
Best has done that since taking over for the injured Workman at the
point a week ago. But the Pacers still desperately need Rik Smits back
on the low post. Reggie Miller's getting crowded on the perimeter;
defenses aren't doubling Dale Davis when he posts up.
The Pistons have gotten surprisingly good play from Lindsey Hunter,
whom they were shopping all summer. They're playing him at the "two"
on offense (letting Grant Hill handle the ball) and point guard on
defense.
"Grant can get anybody shots," a Detroit insider says. "Lindsey is
playing his true position. What Lindsey is, is a scorer. He's really
filled in for where Allan (Houston) was." And Doug Collins has
lightened up a little after cracking the whip last season. "He had to
be an (expletive) last year to get everybody's attention," the Detroit
man says.
The Cavaliers are 7-3 but Mike Fratello's snoozefest isn't packing
them in at Gund Arena, where attendance is off 14 percent from last
season, which was off from the year before.
It's been a tough year so far for Juwan Howard, who has been
arrested for driving under the influence in Washington, been sued for
paternity by a Detroit woman and played poorly, in part because of
painful shin-splints. Not to mention the fact that since he signed his
$105 million deal, he's become the favorite relative of a lot of
people.
"I have to know how to say no," Howard says. "It's a two-letter word
in some sense, but it's a big word, too. You have to learn that. And
I'm starting to learn that. I can't be Mr. Nice Guy all the time. It's
like if I never had this, you wouldn't come my way. If I didn't have a
million dollars, you wouldn't notice me at all. And sometimes you have
to turn down family members. They want to pay a few bills and stuff
like that."
Dennis Rodman's first salvo in the rebounding war he'll have this
season with Charles Barkley: "If I had a million dollars for every
rebounding title I had ... if he's just worried about the rebounding
title, he's losing sight of the big goal. (Bleep) the rebounding
title. The big goal is the ring."
Way out West
Jim McIlvaine hasn't played great so far in Seattle. He's had a couple
of good defensive games, but he's having trouble picking up all the
things coach George Karl wants his centers to be able to do, like
switching out front. But McIlvaine insists there's no bad blood
between him and Shawn Kemp, who held out of camp when he couldn't get
his contract redone. "(Shawn) knows and I know that he's going to make
a lot more money than me," McIlvaine said. "It's just a matter of
time."
The Sonics have gotten a solid lift from free-agent pickup Craig Ehlo,
who was this close to retiring when Seattle offered him $360,000 for
this season. "I heard all the stories about them, that Gary (Payton)
wouldn't shut up ... where he was like all about him and all the talk
was about himself," Ehlo said. "The bottom line is that the guy wants
to win, and he's very competitive and that is what he talks about, and
he says it in sometimes a selfish way, but it's moreover to let the
team know that he's trying his best."
Olden speaks out
Okay, Olden Polynice is hardly an angel, and his two-day hunger strike
to protest atrocities in his native Haiti a few years ago engendered
snickers from teammates. But his heart is in the right place, like
when he refused to sit in a chair at ARCO Arena last week that had the
Texaco logo on it.
Texaco recently settled a massive lawsuit by employees that alleged
racial discrimination, and there's at least some debate about a
recorded tape in which company executives may or may not have uttered
racial slurs.
"I would have been very hypocritical as far as my beliefs if I had sat
in the chair," Polynice said. "I don't have to worry about big
endorsements or anything like that, and even if I did I would still be
doing the same thing. I think a lot of guys worry about their shoe
deals, their commercials. They're afraid (to speak out). And that's
unfortunate."
Stupidity in Texas: Oliver Miller getting into a screaming match
with Kevin Sullivan, vice president of the Mavericks communications
staff. In front of startled television photographers, Miller shouted
obscenities at Sullivan and said, according to the Dallas Morning
News, "I don't even know your (bleeping) name." Maybe he should.
Sullivan was perhaps the best PR man in the league for a decade with
the Mavericks, and more important, one of the nicest and most
respected as well.
The Suns figured Cotton Fitzsimmons had run out of steam before he
quit 10 days ago. Jerry Colangelo and son Bryan, the team's GM, had
had to talk Fitzsimmons into returning in the first place. They'd
taken him out to dinner after Phoenix got smoked in the first round
last year to see if he had the energy to return for one more campaign,
after which they'd hand the reins to Danny Ainge. Fitzsimmons said
then that he did, but obviously changed his mind.
Could Garry St. Jean be in trouble in Sacramento? Teams that have
played the Kings say they're just going through the motions right now,
and Mitch Richmond hasn't been as good this season.
Utah's Jeff Hornacek finally broke out for 30 last week after
hitting just 35 percent from the floor the first two weeks of the
season.
Rookie point guard Derek Fisher's play for the Lakers has made
Rumeal Robinson an afterthought off the Los Angeles bench. "Jerry West
has been doing a great job of kind of helping me out and pushing me
along, staying in my ear," Fisher said.
"For the most part, my job coming in is to play good defense, be under
control, not turn the ball over, and just let things come to me. I'm
not in a position on this team where I have to score any points at
all."
Says coach Del Harris: "He's tough. I think people appreciate
toughness...they respond to point guard play in general...it's not
like a prima donna pitcher shaking the catcher off all the time."
nba.1734nba.news,
Sonics booming as winning-streak rises to 11
NEW YORK (Nov 25, 1996 - 15:54 EST) -- George Karl has two
distinguishing quirks these days. He laughs a lot and he talks like
Phil Jackson.
His team is a lot like the Chicago Bulls, too.
The Seattle SuperSonics have won 11 straight games, and Karl is
confident his team is every bit as good as the one that defeated the
Sonics 4-2 in the NBA Finals last June.
"I like the idea that we don't play them until February," Karl said
Sunday after the Sonics beat the Knicks 102-92 for their fourth
straight victory on a six-game road trip and their eighth straight
road win overall. "We want to play them. It would be fine to play them
four times. And we don't care if we lose to them.
"I think the Bulls are a fantastic basketball team. They're special in
many, many ways. But the whole thing is that when we've played them, I
think it's been pretty equal."
The Sonics won't play Chicago until Feb. 2. In the meantime, the
11-game streak, combined with a familiarity among the players that the
Rockets and Lakers lack, has left Seattle again looking like the team
to beat in the West.
"I think our team is over the need for an ego boost or attention. This
team got a taste of playing in a championship series. It wants to
prove itself," Karl said.
Next up for the Sonics are games at Charlotte on Tuesday and Minnesota
on Wednesday. With two more wins, they would have a chance to play
Phoenix at home Friday night with a chance to tie the team record of
14 straight wins set last season.
After winning 64 games and shedding their penchant for first-round
playoff disasters last season, the Sonics made it to the finals and
promptly lost the first three games to the Bulls.
"We have a mentality that it was our first time in the championship
series, and we fell in a hole or tripped over a rock before we got
started," Karl said. "Once we got started, it was pretty cool. We know
that."
And Karl thinks that given the chance, things will turn out
differently next time. In the meantime, he's trying to get his team to
pay attention to Chicago's personality.
"I have a love relationship with the Bulls," he said. "I think they're
fantastic. I love their mentality, I love their attitude ... they're
just assassins.
"Sometimes I don't like my team because we try to be entertainers. I
don't ever see the Bulls being entertainers. They just go boom, boom,
boom," Karl said, pretending to fire a gun.
The Sonics' 12-2 record is a half-game below Houston's 12-1 mark, but
Seattle is already past the midpoint of its longest road trip of the
season.
After the current trip, the Sonics will play nine of their next 14 and
20 of their next 31 games at home.
If the winning pattern holds, they could go into the All-Star break
with a record to rival Chicago's.
The Sonics' formula for success is much like it has been the past few
seasons. Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp are arguably the best point
guard-power forward combination in the conference, Hersey Hawkins and
Sam Perkins are the outside threats, Detlef Schrempf does a little of
everything and the defense uses pressure and traps to force an
up-tempo style that suits the Sonics best.
Nate McMillan, Karl's favorite player, is expected back next week.
"We have such an unselfish bunch of guys, a lot of veterans who
understand the sacrifices it takes to win games and be a championship
caliber team," Hawkins said.
The difference this year comes from the experience of coming so close
to a championship last season. And when Karl talks about it, he comes
close to sounding like his counterpart in Chicago, the introspective
Jackson.
"There's an innerness to our thoughts this year," Karl said. "Last
year, it was like an armor -- we wore it on the outside. I think this
team has a trust and an innerness to it. I don't know if that makes
any sense, but ...
"They know me, we know each other. We know what we want to do and we
usually we get it done."
nba.1735basrak,
> Kako bre ista!????
> Potpuno različiti podaci...
Izgleda da se kod mene desio neki zbrlj pa su fajlovi bili potpuno isti sem u
imenu... Sad sam ponovo skinuo i sve je ok. Sorry na šumu.
nba.1736superhik,
Vlade Divac HTML format...
Ako nekog zanimaju strani igrači neka viče, ja ću baciti sve naše...
vlade.zipnba.1737dizel,
Houston - Portland 103:102, posle produžetaka. Igrač utakmice
Čarls Barkli.
nba.1738vpoznanovic,
Tuesday, November 26
L.A. Lakers at Philadelphia 100:88
Miami at Golden State 107:88
Phoenix at Denver 108:117
Portland at Houston 101:102
Sacramento at Toronto 98:87
San Antonio at Dallas 101:105
Seattle at Charlotte 89:97
Vancouver at Atlanta 80:101
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA LAKERS 25 19 27 29 100
PHILADELPHIA 29 25 16 18 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAL - EDDIE JONES 23, SHAQUILLE ONEAL 23, TWO PLAYERS WITH
12
PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 17, JERRY STACKHOUSE 17, ALLEN
IVERSON 16
HIGH REBOUND: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 20, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 10
HIGH ASSISTS: LAL - EDDIE JONES 6, NICK VAN EXEL 6
PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 10, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2
ATT: 20,652
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 27 25 23 32 107
GOLDEN STATE 25 11 27 25 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - DAN MAJERLE 23, ALONZO MOURNING 22, TIM HARDAWAY 17
GSW - JOE SMITH 24, CHRIS MULLIN 17, LATRELL SPREWELL 14
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - PJ BROWN 8, ALONZO MOURNING 7
GSW - JOE SMITH 15, FELTON SPENCER 7
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 14, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
ATT: 15,026
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 21 27 26 34 108
DENVER 23 25 33 36 117 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHO - KEVIN JOHNSON 34, REX CHAPMAN 20, WESLEY PERSON 19
DEN - DALE ELLIS 28, BROOKS THOMPSON 26, TOM HAMMONDS 19
HIGH REBOUND: PHO - THREE PLAYERS WITH 5
DEN - TOM HAMMONDS 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 10
HIGH ASSISTS: PHO - MICHAEL FINLEY 4, KEVIN JOHNSON 3
DEN - MARK JACKSON 8, BRYANT STITH 6
ATT: 9,226
NBA FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 36 16 18 23 8 101
HOUSTON 19 29 22 23 9 102 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: POR - KENNY ANDERSON 32, CLIFFORD ROBINSON 22, RASHEED
WALLACE 16
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 30, HAKEEM OLAJUWON 27, CLYDE
DREXLER 12
HIGH REBOUND: POR - RASHEED WALLACE 12, CHRIS DUDLEY 8
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 14, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
HIGH ASSISTS: POR - ISAIAH RIDER 11, KENNY ANDERSON 5
HOU - MARIO ELIE 8, MATT MALONEY 5
ATT: 16,285
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 31 28 11 28 98
TORONTO 20 23 23 21 87 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF 18, OLDEN POLYNICE 16, MITCH
RICHMOND 15
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 27, POPEYE JONES 15, WALT WILLIAMS
15
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - BILLY OWENS 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
TOR - POPEYE JONES 16, WALT WILLIAMS 7
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 7, LIONEL SIMMONS 4
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 6, WALT WILLIAMS 3
ATT: 15,037
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SAN ANTONIO 24 26 24 27 101
DALLAS 30 19 31 25 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 32, VERNON MAXWELL 21, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 12
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 26, GEORGE MCCLOUD 22, JIM JACKSON 21
HIGH REBOUND: SAS - MONTY WILLIAMS 8, WILL PERDUE 8
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
HIGH ASSISTS: SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 8, SEAN ELLIOTT 5
DAL - JASON KIDD 10, JIM JACKSON 8
ATT: 14,567
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 28 26 13 22 89
CHARLOTTE 23 25 24 25 97 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 23, GARY PAYTON 17, DETLEF SCHREMPF 15
CHA - GLEN RICE 24, ANTHONY MASON 14, DELL CURRY 14
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 14, HERSEY HAWKINS 7
CHA - VLADE DIVAC 13, ANTHONY MASON 10
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
CHA - TYRONE BOGUES 12, ANTHONY MASON 10
ATT: 24,042
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
VANCOUVER 19 20 23 18 80
ATLANTA 37 16 25 23 101 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 19, ROY ROGERS 16, BRYANT REEVES
9
ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 18, TYRONE CORBIN 17, MOOKIE
BLAYLOCK 15
HIGH REBOUND: VAN - ANTHONY PEELER 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 21, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 13
HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - GREG ANTHONY 4, FOUR PLAYERS WITH 2
ATL - MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 8, TYRONE CORBIN 4
ATT: 6,957
nba.1739nba.news,
LA LAKERS (100) AT PHILADELPHIA (88)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JONES F 42 7-18 6-6 5 1 6 6 2 8 1 23
CAMPBELL F 28 2-6 5-7 2 5 7 2 4 0 0 9
ONEAL C 38 9-15 5-12 4 16 20 1 4 1 1 23
SCOTT G 22 4-7 3-4 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 12
VAN EXEL G 21 1-7 0-0 0 0 0 6 2 0 5 2
ROOKS 8 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 2 0 0 1 0
KNIGHT 20 3-4 0-0 2 5 7 2 3 0 3 6
BLOUNT 10 1-1 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 3
FISHER 27 3-7 3-6 0 2 2 2 3 3 1 10
BRYANT 21 4-10 2-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 3 12
ROBINSON 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
KERSEY DNP - STRAINED ACHILLES TENDON
TOTALS 240 34-78 25-39 15 34 49 23 20 12 18 100
(.436) (.641) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 20(18 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 34 5-12 2-2 4 6 10 1 2 1 4 12
COLEMAN F 40 7-15 2-2 5 8 13 2 6 1 4 17
WILLIAMS C 31 2-4 2-2 2 8 10 0 6 1 3 6
STACKHOUSE G 31 6-12 5-6 1 3 4 1 6 2 6 17
IVERSON G 43 6-27 2-2 4 3 7 10 3 3 2 16
DAVIS 21 3-8 0-0 3 1 4 1 1 0 1 6
CAGE 16 2-2 2-4 1 2 3 0 2 1 0 6
HARRIS 7 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2
WALTERS 16 2-9 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 6
OVERTON 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BRADTKE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MACLEAN DNP - INJURED RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 34-93 15-18 20 33 53 18 27 10 21 88
(.366) (.833) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 23(34 PTS)
LA LAKERS 25 19 27 29 - 100
PHILADELPHIA 29 25 16 18 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - CAMPBELL 2, ONEAL 2, KNIGHT. PHILADELPHIA -
COLEMAN, WILLIAMS, CAGE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 7-23 (.304), JONES 3-10, ONEAL 0-1, SCOTT
1-2, VAN EXEL 0-3, FISHER 1-2, BRYANT 2-5. PHILADELPHIA 5-18 (.278),
COLEMAN 1-3, STACKHOUSE 0-3, IVERSON 2-6, DAVIS 0-1, HARRIS 0-1, WALTERS
2-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: TIM DONAGHY, TED BERNHARDT, ED F RUSH.
A - 20,652. T - 2:15.
LA LAKERS (100) AT PHILADELPHIA (88)
Shaquille O'Neal had 23 points and 20 rebounds and led a
decisive fourth-quarter surge as the Los Angeles Lakers opened a
three-game road trip with a 100-88 victory over the Philadelphia
76ers.
Eddie Jones added 23 points for the Lakers, who overcame a
10-point halftime deficit and improved to 5-3 on the road. Los
Angeles has won 16 of its last 20 games against Philadelphia.
"I thought we played an outstanding second half," Lakers coach
Del Harris said. "I was worried at halftime. Philadelphia took
a lot of momentum into their locker room."
"We didn't want to lose to this team," O'Neal said. "We came
back in the fourth quarter and made the shots when we needed
them, when it counted."
Derrick Coleman and Jerry Stackhouse scored 17 points apiece and
rookie Allen Iverson added 16 and a season-high 10 assists for
the 76ers, who have lost five of seven.
"We cost ourselves the game," Stackhouse said. "It is a
scenario that's been happening at home. We got in foul trouble,
then things started to break down. They got a lot of forced
turnovers, but we have to focus more on not turning it over in
the trap."
Philadelphia still led by eight points early in the third period
before Jones scored seven points in a 13-3 burst. Two foul
shots by rookie Kobe Bryant capped the run and gave the Lakers a
68-66 lead with 2:52 left in the quarter.
The Sixers trailed 71-70 entering the final period and took
their last lead at 80-79 on a three-pointer by Iverson with 6:58
remaining. But Los Angeles scored 16 of the next 20 points over
the next six minutes, with O'Neal accounting for seven. Rookie
Derek Fisher's two free throws gave the Lakers a 95-84 lead with
a minute to go.
Bryant and Byron Scott scored 12 points apiece for the Lakers,
who shot 44 percent (34-of-78) from the field and were beaten on
the boards, 53-49.
"We are going to have days when we are not going to shoot the
ball well so we are going to have the guys come off the bench
and tonight those young fellas did the job for us," Jones said.
"Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, those guys did a great job for us.
As soon as I get on the bus I'm going to smack them in the head
and say 'Great job.'"
Usually guarded by 6-10 Scott Williams, the 7-2 O'Neal made just
5-of-12 free throws, but Los Angeles attempted 21 more foul
shots than Philadelphia.
"We stepped up our defense, we held them to one shot, we even
hit some free throws," said O'Neal, who was 3-for-11 from the
line in a loss to Houston on Sunday. "Usually I hit my free
throws in clutch situations with the exception of the other
night. I said to myself 'Nah, I don't want to have two bad free
throw shooting nights.' I came out 0-for-6 so I said to myself,
'I'm going to hit my other ones.'
Coleman had 13 rebounds and Williams and Clarence Weatherspoon
had 10 apiece for the Sixers, who shot 37 percent (34-of-93) and
committed 23 turnovers.
Stackhouse scored 14 points, Coleman 12 and Weatherspoon 10 in
the first half as Philadelphia raced to a 54-44 lead.
"We had a real solid first half," Sixers coach Johnny Davis
said. "In the second half, we didn't handle the press well. In
order for us to reach where we want to be, we need to play 48
minutes. Tonight we only played 24."
nba.1740nba.news,
MIAMI (107) AT GOLDEN STATE (88)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BROWN F 33 4-7 4-4 1 7 8 1 4 0 0 12
MAJERLE F 39 8-14 1-2 2 3 5 3 3 3 2 23
MOURNING C 39 9-20 4-6 2 5 7 2 3 2 4 22
DANILOVIC G 33 4-9 2-2 1 2 3 3 2 2 3 11
HARDAWAY G 37 6-7 4-5 2 4 6 14 0 0 4 17
AUSTIN 19 2-7 2-2 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 6
ASKINS 19 3-6 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 9
GRANT 11 0-2 2-2 0 2 2 1 1 0 2 2
PINCKNEY 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
LENARD 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 3
STRICKLAND 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-75 19-23 10 27 37 26 15 7 16 107
(.507) (.826) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 40 6-12 4-4 1 1 2 6 3 5 2 17
SMITH F 37 11-25 2-2 8 7 15 0 2 0 2 24
SPENCER C 32 1-2 2-2 1 6 7 0 4 0 1 4
PRICE G 26 5-11 2-2 0 2 2 6 2 1 0 12
SPREWELL G 42 6-20 1-2 1 2 3 8 1 3 4 14
DECLERCQ 15 3-6 0-0 5 1 6 0 4 3 1 6
ARMSTRONG 22 2-6 2-2 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 6
ROYAL 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
FULLER 9 0-3 0-0 2 0 2 1 2 0 1 0
ROE 6 0-1 2-2 2 0 2 1 2 0 1 2
MARSHALL 3 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 3
OWES 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 35-91 15-16 21 23 44 24 22 12 14 88
(.385) (.938) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(14 PTS)
MIAMI 27 25 23 32 - 107
GOLDEN STATE 25 11 27 25 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - MOURNING 8, STRICKLAND 2, BROWN 2. GOLDEN STATE -
SMITH 2, SPENCER 2, DECLERCQ, MULLIN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 12-22 (.545), MAJERLE 6-11, DANILOVIC 1-2,
HARDAWAY 1-2, ASKINS 3-4, GRANT 0-1, LENARD 1-2. GOLDEN STATE 3-15 (.200),
MULLIN 1-3, PRICE 0-4, SPREWELL 1-4, ARMSTRONG 0-2, MARSHALL 1-2.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TOMMY NUNEZ, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 15,026. T - 2:00.
MIAMI (107) AT GOLDEN STATE (88)
Dan Majerle scored 23 points and keyed a decisive first-half run
as the Miami Heat won their fifth straight game, defeating the
Golden State Warriors, 107-88.
Alonzo Mourning scored 22 points and former Warrior Tim Hardaway
added 17 and 14 assists for Miami, which improved to 5-0 on its
current six-game road trip. Mourning blocked eight shots and
grabbed seven rebounds for the Heat, who conclude their road
trip Wednesday against the Clippers.
"We played very well on the road tonight," said Hardaway, who
had a tumultuous stay with the Warriors. "Our inside game was
very outstanding. It was nice to come back to the bay area
tonight. No ill feelings toward (coach) Rick Adelman or the
Warriors. "
Joe Smith scored 24 points, Chris Mullin added 17 and Mark Price
contributed 12 for Golden State, which was held to 11 points in
the second quarter and fell to 1-6 at home. The Warriors shot
19 percent (4-of-21) from the field in the second quarter.
"The (Heat) played a very solid game tonight," Adelman said. "We
were never in this thing even as early as the first quarter. We
keep playing all these quality teams and we can't put a run
together."
Trailing 15-9 early in the first quarter, the Heat scored the
next seven points to grab a 16-15 lead as Hardaway scored four
points and Sasha Danilovic hit a three-pointer to cap the spurt.
The Heat overtook the Warriors 27-25 on Majerle's three-pointer
with four seconds left in the first quarter and never looked
back.
Majerle also began the second quarter with a three-pointer to
continue a 22-4 burst. He added a 20-foot jumper, and later, a
free throw during the run.
Isaac Austin scored six points in the run. Keith Askins's
three-pointer gave Miami a 46-29 advantage with 5:02 remaining.
The Heat shot 51 percent (38-of-75) from the field and held the
Warriors to 39 percent (35-of-91).
nba.1741nba.news,
PHOENIX (108) AT DENVER (117)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 29 5-11 2-2 3 2 5 4 1 0 2 12
MANNING F 20 2-7 1-2 0 2 2 0 3 1 2 5
KLEINE C 20 0-3 0-0 0 4 4 1 1 2 0 0
CHAPMAN G 31 9-16 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 2 1 20
JOHNSON G 36 12-17 9-11 1 2 3 3 3 0 4 34
HORRY 22 1-3 1-2 2 3 5 1 2 0 2 3
PERSON 35 8-15 0-0 1 4 5 1 2 5 0 19
WILLIAMS 22 1-5 6-10 2 1 3 2 3 3 1 8
NASH 14 1-5 1-2 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 4
GREEN 11 1-4 1-2 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 3
BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
CASSELL DNP - ILLNESS IN FAMILY
TOTALS 240 40-86 21-31 11 25 36 15 19 14 12 108
(.465) (.677) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 47 9-21 8-8 1 4 5 2 3 0 3 28
MCDYESS F 31 6-14 0-0 3 7 10 3 5 2 5 12
JOHNSON C 31 3-5 0-2 1 9 10 1 3 0 2 6
STITH G 29 3-5 7-8 1 3 4 6 3 1 0 13
JACKSON G 23 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 8 1 2 1 7
MARCIULIONIS 11 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 0
HAMMONDS 34 8-10 3-4 5 8 13 1 3 0 1 19
B THOMPSON 25 10-17 0-0 0 2 2 4 4 0 4 26
HAM 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0
MCINNIS 4 2-3 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6
L THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 44-83 20-24 11 35 46 28 25 5 19 117
(.530) (.833) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 19(20 PTS)
PHOENIX 21 27 26 34 - 108
DENVER 23 25 33 36 - 117
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - MANNING 2, HORRY 2. DENVER - JOHNSON 4,
HAMMONDS 2, MCDYESS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 7-16 (.438), CHAPMAN 2-5, JOHNSON 1-1, HORRY
0-2, PERSON 3-5, NASH 1-3. DENVER 9-18 (.500), D ELLIS 2-6, STITH 0-1,
JACKSON 1-1, MARCIULIONIS 0-1, B THOMPSON 6-9.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, HUGH EVANS, TOM WASHINGTON.
A - 9,226. T - 2:05.
PHOENIX (108) AT DENVER (117)
Dick Motta's return to coaching was a victorious one as Dale
Ellis scored 28 points and Brooks Thompson added a career-high
26 for the Denver Nuggets, who knocked off the winless Phoenix
Suns, 117-108.
Motta, hired as an asssistant to Bernie Bickerstaff during the
off-season, replaced him earlier in the day. Bickerstaff
resigned as coach but will remain general manager.
"We get to celebrate this one for about 30 seconds," said Motta,
who recorded his 919th win. "We had a tough time with 'KJ'
(Kevin Johnson) in the second half, but I thought we did a much
better job in the second half in adjusting. Obviously, Brooks
Thompson shot the ball very well."
The Suns set a franchise record with their 13th straight loss.
They are four shy of the NBA record for most losses to start a
season, set by the 1988 Miami Heat.
Thompson, a second-year guard who was released by the Utah Jazz
11 days ago and signed by Denver less than a week later, nailed
six three-pointers. Tom Hammonds had 19 points and 13 rebounds
off the bench for Denver, which was coming off a franchise-low
65 points in a loss at Portland on Saturday. Denver improved to
2-5 at home.
"It feels great with a career-high game in my second home game
where I grew up," Thompson said. "I can't say how happy I am
playing here in Denver. I won a state championship here in high
school and this feels good."
Kevin Johnson, playing his second game of the season, scored 34
points, Rex Chapman added 20 and Wesley Person contributed 19
for Phoenix, the only other team to have changed coaches thus
far. Danny Ainge fell to 0-5 since replacing Cotton
Fitzsimmons.
"Dick must have got after their guys more than I did because
they came out with a good effort in the third quarter," Ainge
admitted. "Brooks Thompson was great."
"We hung our heads on the defensive end," Johnson said. "What
bothers me is that we just didn't compete as hard as we should.
Brooks gave them a huge lift. He stepped up and gave them what
they needed."
Thompson nailed consecutive three-pointers to ignite a 14-6 run
at the outset of the fourth quarter. Ellis' jumper capped the
burst and gave the Nuggets a 95-80 lead a little less than four
minutes into the fourth quarter.
Phoenix cut into a 100-85 deficit midway through the fourth
quarter with an 18-8 run. Chapman scored seven points in the
spurt and John "Hot Rod" Wiliams made one free throw to draw the
Suns within 108-103 with 2:01 remaining in the game. Williams
was playing his first game of the season after having surgery on
his foot.
But Thompson followed with a three-pointer to seal the game.
The Nuggets took a 23-21 lead into the second quarter desoite 13
first-quarter points by Johnson. Denver outscored Phoenix 33-26
in the third quarter to take an 81-74 advantage into the final
12 minutes behind Ellis' 18 points.
Antonio McDyess and Ervin Johnson each grabbed 10 rebounds for
Denver, which shot 53 percent (44-of-83) from the field to
defeat Phoenix for the fourth time in five games.
Johnson made 12-of-17 shots and Michael Finley scored 12 points
for Phoenix, which shot 47 percent (40-of-86) and was
outrebounded 46-36.
nba.1742nba.news,
PORTLAND (101) AT HOUSTON (102) - FINAL IN OT
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 49 9-18 1-2 2 2 4 4 4 2 2 22
WALLACE F 37 8-12 0-0 1 11 12 0 5 2 5 16
SABONIS C 31 2-5 2-2 1 6 7 3 6 1 5 6
RIDER G 43 3-12 0-0 3 1 4 11 2 2 0 8
ANDERSON G 45 10-19 8-8 0 4 4 5 3 3 3 32
CHILDRESS 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0
DUDLEY 28 2-3 1-2 3 5 8 1 5 0 3 5
TRENT 14 5-9 0-0 2 2 4 0 1 0 1 10
MCKIE 13 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 4 1 0 1 2
BUTLER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DJORDJEVIC DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGFIELD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 40-81 12-14 12 32 44 28 28 11 22 101
(.494) (.857) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 22(32 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 42 2-8 3-3 1 2 3 8 1 0 5 8
BARKLEY F 50 10-20 9-12 5 9 14 4 1 5 3 30
OLAJUWON C 41 9-21 9-11 0 6 6 0 2 2 3 27
DREXLER G 47 4-10 4-6 2 4 6 1 1 2 3 12
MALONEY G 35 3-5 2-2 0 1 1 5 3 2 0 9
WILLIS 15 3-7 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 6
LIVINGSTON 18 1-5 0-1 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 2
MACK 7 1-1 1-1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3
BULLARD 10 2-2 0-2 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 5
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JONES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MOORE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 35-79 28-38 10 26 36 19 14 12 17 102
(.443) (.737) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 17(23 PTS)
PORTLAND 36 16 18 23 8 - 101
HOUSTON 19 29 22 23 9 - 102
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - WALLACE 3, C ROBINSON 2, DUDLEY 2, SABONIS.
HOUSTON - OLAJUWON 3, DREXLER 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 9-24 (.375), C ROBINSON 3-6, WALLACE 0-2,
SABONIS 0-2, RIDER 2-5, ANDERSON 4-8, CHILDRESS 0-1. HOUSTON 4-14 (.286),
ELIE 1-4, BARKLEY 1-2, DREXLER 0-4, MALONEY 1-3, BULLARD 1-1.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - ANDERSON, HOUSTON - BARKLEY, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DAVID JONES, BOB DELANEY, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 16,285. T - 2:36.
PORTLAND (101) AT HOUSTON (102) - FINAL IN OT
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 27 points after a three-game absence due
to an irregular heartbeat and Clyde Drexler's three-point play
with 39 seconds left in overtime snapped a tie as the Houston
Rockets shook off a slow start to defeat the Portland Trail
Blazers, 102-101.
Houston has won seven straight games and improved to 7-1 at
home. The Rockets are 13-1 and are tied with the Chicago Bulls
for the NBA's best record.
"This was a gut win for us," said Rockets coach Rudy
Tomjanovich. "Portland has some very fine players and a
19-point lead is hard to come by with the talent they have.
Give our guys credit, they stayed with the offense and played
great defense when they had to."
Isaiah Rider had given Portland a 99-97 lead when he hit a
turnaround jumper with 2:02 left in overtime. But Portland
center Arvydas Sabonis picked up his sixth foul with 1:12 left
trying to cover Olajuwon.
Ten seconds later, Olajuwon hit a pair of free throws to tie the
game before Drexler was fouled by Rider on a fast break basket.
His free throw gave Houston a 102-99 lead. Kenny Anderson drew
Portland within 102-101 with 34 seconds remaining on a pair of
foul shots.
After the Rockets did not score, the Trail Blazers got the ball
back with nine seconds to play. But Anderson missed a 15-footer
and Rider shot an airball on a 19-footer in the closing seconds.
"The last play of the game, I almost broke Rider's arm," said
Barkley. "I hit him so hard, but the referees just didn't make
the call. They wanted the players to decide the game."
Anderson finished with a season-high 32 points and Clifford
Robinson added 22 for Portland, which had a four-game winning
streak snapped despite owning a 32-13 first-quarter lead.
"We started out like gang-busters," said Anderson. "We were
hitting threes from everywhere, but we just didn't do some of
the little things we should have and that allowed them to get
back in the game."
Houston forced overtime when Matt Maloney hit a bank shot with
13 seconds remaining in regulation for a 93-93 tie. Olajuwon
rejected Sabonis in the closing seconds.
Olajuwon opened overtime with a jumper, but Anderson and
Robinson hit jumpers to give Portland a 97-95 lead at the 3:05
mark. Barkley answered with a turnaround jumper to tie
the game before Rider gave the Blazers their final lead.
Olajuwon made 9-of-21 shots from the field and played 41
minutes. He helped Houston outscored the Blazers, 46-28, in the
paint.
"Everything is fine, I was not fatigued, just a little sluggish
to start," said Olajuwon. "Sabonis is like a giant out there,
he's not very mobile, but he positions himself well. I just
had to beat him to the punch. We know the type of team we are
and we do not panic when the other team jumps out to a big lead."
"I thought Dream (Olajuwon) was a little flat to open the game,"
added Tomjanovich. "But you won't be able to tell that if you
look at the stat sheet."
Portland shot 49 percent (40-of-81) from the field and
outrebounded the Rockets, 44-36. But the Blazers also committed
22 turnovers, leading to 32 points for Houston. Rider also had
a career-high 11 assists.
"We had opportunities and we played very hard," said Portland
coach P.J. Carlesimo. "But you can't let the other team shoot
24 more free throws than you do. What we used to get the big
lead they used to get back in the game. It's not an accident
they won the game, they have great players and are extremely
well-coached."
Houston made 28-of-38 free throws compared to 12-of-14 by
Portland.
nba.1743nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (98) AT TORONTO (87)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 29 4-9 0-0 3 5 8 2 2 0 1 8
C WILLIAMSON F 24 5-11 2-2 1 1 2 3 5 2 1 12
POLYNICE C 39 6-12 4-6 2 5 7 3 4 0 1 16
RICHMOND G 45 5-18 4-4 0 3 3 7 1 0 3 15
ABDUL-RAUF G 30 5-10 7-8 0 1 1 2 4 3 0 18
SIMMONS 30 4-6 4-4 0 4 4 4 2 3 1 13
SMITH 24 2-3 3-4 0 7 7 1 0 1 0 7
EDNEY 19 3-9 3-3 1 1 2 3 1 0 0 9
CAUSWELL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DANIELS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HURLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-78 27-31 7 27 34 25 19 9 7 98
(.436) (.871) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 7(4 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 41 6-13 2-3 3 4 7 3 3 1 5 15
JONES F 45 6-10 2-2 5 11 16 1 3 1 0 15
WRIGHT C 14 5-12 3-6 2 2 4 0 6 0 2 13
CHRISTIE G 38 1-9 5-6 0 6 6 2 6 1 2 7
STOUDAMIRE G 36 9-17 4-6 0 6 6 6 2 0 6 27
EARL 28 3-9 2-2 2 1 3 0 4 0 3 8
WHITESIDE 12 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 2
DAVIS 17 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
LOHAUS 9 0-2 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 0
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROGERS DNP - ASTHMA
CAMBY DNP - BACK INJURY
TOTALS 240 31-75 18-25 12 35 47 15 28 3 18 87
(.413) (.720) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 18(22 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 31 28 11 28 - 98
TORONTO 20 23 23 21 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - SMITH, RICHMOND. TORONTO - WILLIAMS 2, EARL
2, JONES.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 3-11 (.273), OWENS 0-1, RICHMOND 1-5,
ABDUL-RAUF 1-2, SIMMONS 1-2, EDNEY 0-1. TORONTO 7-22 (.318), WILLIAMS 1-7,
JONES 1-1, CHRISTIE 0-2, STOUDAMIRE 5-9, WHITESIDE 0-1, LOHAUS 0-2.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, STOUDAMIRE.
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DERRICK STAFFORD, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 15,037. T - 2:12.
SACRAMENTO (98) AT TORONTO (87)
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and Corliss Williamson combined for 21 points
in the first quarter as the Sacramento Kings opened an 11-point
lead and held on for a 98-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors,
who lost their sixth straight game.
Abdul-Rauf scored 11 of his 18 points and Williamson added 10 of
his 12 in the opening period, when Sacramento opened a 31-20
lead. The Kings, who led by as many as 16 points, snapped a
three-game losing streak.
The slumping Raptors were without starting rookie forward Marcus
Camby, who collapsed during pre-game warmups and was taken to a
hospital with limited feeling below his waist. He is expected
to make a full recovery.
"I had back spasms and I'll be out at least a week," Camby said.
"You play an NBA game on the road and it's a nice win," Kings
coach Garry St. Jean said. "But you put your life into
perspective when you see Marcus Camby on the floor in pain. ...
That was obviously a major loss for them tonight."
Toronto grabbed an early 5-2 lead, but Williamson had a pair of
baskets in an 8-0 run that gave Sacramento the lead for good.
The Raptors got within a point before Abdul-Rauf scored eight
points in a 12-3 burst that widened the lead to 22-12 with 4:08
left in the period.
"I feel much better this year," said Williamson, who last year
began his rookie season on the injured list. "The fact that my
teammates support me is a big factor."
Abdul-Rauf and Williamson combined for just two points in the
second quarter, but the Kings widened the lead to 59-43 at
halftime behind Tyus Edney, who had seven of his nine points in
the period.
Sacramento went cold in the third quarter, making just 3-of-17
from the field (17 percent). Damon Stoudamire scored nine of
his 27 points as Toronto cut the deficit to 70-66 entering the
final period.
The Raptors closed to 72-70 with 9:59 to play on a jumper by
Sharone Wright, who scored 13 points. But Lionel Simmons made a
three-pointer and two free throws and Mitch Richmond added two
baskets, capping a 9-0 spurt that gave the Kings an 81-70 bulge
with 7:40 to go.
"We had a tendency to rush the shots too much in the second
half, so we came down and worked on our execution," Abdul-Rauf
said.
"We were active at first, and then went into a lull," Stoudamire
said. "We cut it down and evened it out at the end. But Mitch
hit some big ones down the stretch."
Olden Polynice scored 16 points, Richmond added 15 and Simmons
13 for Sacramento, which shot 44 percent (34-of-78) from the
field and committed just seven turnovers.
"Some good things for us was our assist to turnover ratio," said
St. Jean. "I really liked our defense, we kept them down. ... I
thought we played well in the fourth quarter."
Popeye Jones had 15 points and 16 rebounds and Walt Williams
added 15 points for Toronto, who fell to 0-3 all-time against
Sacramento. The Raptors held a 47-34 rebounding edge but had 18
turnovers.
"We could've come out with a little more energy," Raptors coach
Darrell Walker said. "We just didn't get it done tonight. We've
got to keep plugging, we've got a game tomorrow. I'm positive
and I know the guys are still positive."
nba.1744nba.news,
SAN ANTONIO (101) AT DALLAS (105)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D WILKINS F 37 8-17 15-16 3 4 7 1 2 0 3 32
ELLIOTT F 43 4-10 2-2 2 3 5 5 2 2 0 12
W PERDUE C 24 3-6 1-3 3 5 8 0 2 0 2 7
JOHNSON G 45 5-10 1-2 1 0 1 8 2 1 1 12
DEL NEGRO G 18 3-4 0-0 1 1 2 2 0 1 5 7
HERRERA 10 1-5 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 2
MAXWELL 33 7-18 2-3 1 0 1 3 5 1 0 21
M WILLIAMS 25 4-9 0-2 5 3 8 1 4 0 0 8
ANDERSON 5 0-0 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
ALEXANDER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - CHRONIC KNEE SYNOVITIS
TOTALS 240 35-79 21-28 18 18 36 21 18 5 11 101
(.443) (.750) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 14(10 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 40 7-13 3-4 0 3 3 3 5 0 2 22
MEYER F 7 3-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 1 6
MONTROSS C 21 4-6 0-0 1 4 5 1 3 0 1 8
KIDD G 44 4-8 4-4 2 1 3 10 1 3 1 12
JACKSON G 44 7-14 4-4 1 4 5 8 3 0 2 21
HARPER 36 4-9 2-2 1 1 2 6 1 1 1 10
GATLING 35 9-13 8-11 0 6 6 1 2 2 1 26
MILLER 13 0-1 0-0 3 1 4 0 2 1 2 0
DREILING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DUMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALKER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-67 21-25 8 21 29 29 20 7 11 105
(.567) (.840) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 11(11 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO 24 26 24 27 - 101
DALLAS 30 19 31 25 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: SAN ANTONIO - M WILLIAMS, MAXWELL. DALLAS - GATLING 4,
MONTROSS 2, KIDD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SAN ANTONIO 10-24 (.417), D WILKINS 1-5, ELLIOTT 2-4,
JOHNSON 1-2, DEL NEGRO 1-2, MAXWELL 5-11. DALLAS 8-17 (.471), MCCLOUD 5-9,
KIDD 0-1, JACKSON 3-5, HARPER 0-2.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, GATLING.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, BRUCE ALEXANDER, JIM CLARK.
A - 14,567. T - 2:13.
SAN ANTONIO (101) AT DALLAS (105)
Chris Gatling scored 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter
as the Dallas Mavericks dealt the San Antonio Spurs their sixth
straight loss, 105-101.
George McCloud scored 22 points and Jim Jackson added 21 for the
Mavericks, who led by as many as nine points in the final period
and snapped a two-game losing streak. Dallas matched its
highest point total of the season.
"There are several times in the first half where I thought we
had them on the ropes, but in our anxiety to score we turned the
ball over," Dallas coach Jim Cleamons said. "We have to have
better decisions when we have possession of the basketball, that
is a mindset."
Dominique Wilkins scored a season-high 32 points for the Spurs,
who broke 100 points for the first time this season.
"We played better, but you have to give their team some credit,"
Wilkins said. "They hit some huge shots, jump shot after jump
shot. We had a couple of missed opportunities down the stretch
that kind of hurt us. I felt we should have won the game."
San Antonio has lost six straight games for the first time since
dropping the last nine of the 1988-89 campaign. All-Star center
David Robinson joined the team the following season and the
Spurs have won no less than 47 games since his arrival. But he
has missed every game this season with back woes.
"We hung in all night long," Spurs coach Bob Hill said. "Our
togetherness was a lot better and we moved the ball. Gatling
was a little bit too much for us to deal with inside. You have
to give them credit, their spacing was good and they streched us
out."
San Antonio led 50-49 at halftime but Dallas never trailed after
Jackson opened the second half with a three-pointer. The Mavs
took the lead for good at 69-67 on a basket by Eric Montross
with 4:43 remaining in the third quarter.
Dallas led 80-74 entering the fourth quarter and opened its
largest lead at 92-83 on a jumper by Gatling with 4:23 to play.
Wilkins had a basket and two free throws and Vernon Maxwell made
a three-pointer to help San Antonio pull within 94-91 with 2:11
to go.
Derek Harper made two free throws but a three-pointer by Wilkins
cut the deficit to 96-94 with 1:37 left. But Gatling scored
with 48 seconds left and Jason Kidd added a pair of free throws
22 seconds later to give the Mavs a 100-94 lead.
Kidd had 12 points and 10 assists and Harper 10 and six for the
Mavericks, who shot 57 percent (38-of-67) from the field and
committed just 11 turnovers.
"Everybody felt good shooting the ball," Kidd said. "You have
to give San Antonio credit, they never gave up. That is what
kept them in the game. We made our free throws and that is the
most important thing when you are in a close game."
Sean Elliott and Avery Johnson scored 12 points apiece for the
Spurs, who shot 44 percent (35-of-79) and held a 36-29 edge in
rebounds. Wilkins was 15-of-16 from the line and Maxwell was
5-of-11 from three-point range.
"It was a tough game," Maxwell said. "I felt we made a great
effort. We are just coming up short."
Wilkins scored 16 points and Gatling 14 in the first half.
nba.1745nba.news,
SEATTLE (89) AT CHARLOTTE (97)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D SCHREMPF F 39 6-13 3-3 2 4 6 4 3 0 3 15
KEMP F 41 7-16 9-9 4 10 14 1 4 0 6 23
MCILVAINE C 17 1-3 0-2 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 2
HAWKINS G 35 5-8 1-4 2 5 7 4 2 1 0 12
PAYTON G 36 8-17 1-3 2 3 5 5 1 2 4 17
PERKINS 29 6-10 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 14
EHLO 20 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 2 0 0 1 5
SNOW 14 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0
STEWART 9 0-0 1-4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGATE DNP - FLU
TOTALS 240 35-73 15-25 12 28 40 19 13 4 16 89
(.479) (.600) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(22 PTS)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RICE F 42 9-20 2-2 1 4 5 4 3 2 1 24
MASON F 41 5-9 4-5 3 7 10 10 6 0 2 14
DIVAC C 35 5-13 2-2 5 8 13 2 2 2 3 13
CURRY G 38 6-15 1-1 0 2 2 1 2 2 1 14
BOGUES G 36 4-7 2-2 1 1 2 12 3 4 3 10
GEIGER 19 5-8 2-2 0 5 5 1 3 0 1 12
BURRELL 15 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 2 1 4
GOLDWIRE 12 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6
SMITH 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ZIDEK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-81 13-14 10 29 39 33 22 12 12 97
(.469) (.929) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 13(2 PTS)
SEATTLE 28 26 13 22 - 89
CHARLOTTE 23 25 24 25 - 97
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - KEMP 2, MCILVAINE. CHARLOTTE - DIVAC 4, CURRY,
GEIGER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 4-14 (.286), D SCHREMPF 0-2, KEMP 0-1, HAWKINS
1-4, PAYTON 0-2, PERKINS 2-3, EHLO 1-2. CHARLOTTE 8-21 (.381), RICE 4-9,
DIVAC 1-2, CURRY 1-4, GEIGER 0-1, BURRELL 0-2, GOLDWIRE 2-3.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, LUIS GRILLO, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 24,042. T - 1:57.
SEATTLE (89) AT CHARLOTTE (97)
Anthony Mason recorded his first career triple-double and Muggsy
Bogues scored six of his 10 points in a third-quarter run as the
Charlotte Hornets snapped the 11-game winning streak of the
Seattle SuperSonics, 97-89.
Mason finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for
Charlotte, which has won four straight games overall and three
of its last five against the SuperSonics.
Vlade Divac added 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets, who
used a 17-4 run to start the second half and erased a six-point
halftime deficit.
"We had six guys in double figures and that feels great," said
Charlotte coach Dave Cowens. "We are beating some great teams.
We have a few hard weeks ahead of us and need to beat some teams
on the road."
Shawn Kemp had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Gary Payton added
17 points for Seattle, which lost for the first time since
November 5th and had an eight-game road winning streak snapped.
The Sonics' other road loss came to Utah on opening night.
"We played a team that wanted to beat us more than we wanted to
figure out our problems for the win," said Seattle coach George
Karl. "We didn't get the ball in position and at times, we
tried to force our matchup instead of finding our matchup."
Bogues scored the first points of the second half on a jumper,
cutting Seattle's lead to 54-50. Glen Rice added a
three-pointer before Payton made a jumper to give the Sonics a
56-53 lead with 10:10 to play in the third period.
Bogues and Curry hit jumpers before Payton answered with another
jumper to give Seattle its last lead at 58-57 with 8:35
remaining. Mason responded with a three-point play and Bogues
hit a jumper before Rice capped the run with a three-pointer to
give Charlotte a 65-58 lead with 6:54 left in the quarter.
Seattle pulled within 68-65 on a jumper by Payton with 2:34
remaining, but Divac and Bogues hit jumpers to push the lead
back to seven with 1:51 remaining. The Sonics came no closer
than five points thereafter.
Bogues also dished out 12 assists for Charlotte, which shot 47
percent (36-of-81) from the field and scored 22 points off 16
Seattle turnovers. Matt Geiger added 12 points and five
rebounds off the bench.
"We're playing good basketball right now, we're playing
together," said Curry. "The guys that have been around here
awhile have known what it would take to get better, and that's
defense."
Detlef Schrempf scored 15 points, Sam Perkins added 14 off the
bench and Hersey Hawkins 12 for the Sonics, who forced 13
turnovers but only scored two points off them. Seattle was
outscored, 49-35, in the second half.
"We couldn't find a rhythm," said Perkins. "Turnovers hurt. We
just didn't find a sync. We were a step slow here and there.
We tried so hard, but we couldn't get in sync."
nba.1746nba.news,
VANCOUVER (80) AT ATLANTA (101)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
B EDWARDS F 24 1-7 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 2 2
ROGERS F 22 8-10 0-0 2 3 5 0 0 0 0 16
REEVES C 32 4-14 1-1 1 5 6 2 3 1 0 9
MOTEN G 22 3-11 0-0 0 3 3 2 2 0 1 7
ANTHONY G 24 3-8 1-1 0 2 2 4 0 1 1 8
ABDUR-RAHIM 29 5-12 9-9 2 4 6 2 3 2 3 19
MAYBERRY 24 3-4 0-2 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 7
PEELER 26 3-14 0-0 2 6 8 0 0 2 2 6
LYNCH 20 2-5 0-0 2 2 4 2 1 1 1 4
MOBLEY 9 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 2
CHILCUTT 5 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
MANNING 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 33-88 11-13 10 32 42 14 15 7 11 80
(.375) (.846) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 13(10 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 34 7-11 1-1 3 3 6 4 2 0 2 17
LAETTNER F 38 7-18 3-4 3 10 13 3 2 1 2 18
MUTOMBO C 34 6-10 2-4 4 17 21 2 1 0 2 14
BARRY G 36 3-7 1-1 1 3 4 3 1 2 3 7
BLAYLOCK G 28 5-12 1-2 0 0 0 8 0 2 2 15
RECASNER 25 4-12 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 1 1 8
NORMAN 14 3-7 1-2 0 2 2 1 2 0 3 7
NEWBILL 12 2-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 4
BOYCE 8 3-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7
BURTON 6 1-3 2-2 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 4
ALSTON 5 0-0 0-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 41-85 11-18 12 40 52 26 13 6 15 101
(.482) (.611) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(12 PTS)
VANCOUVER 19 20 23 18 - 80
ATLANTA 37 16 25 23 - 101
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS, ABDUR-RAHIM. ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 3,
NEWBILL 2, CORBIN, LAETTNER, BOYCE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 3-16 (.188), B EDWARDS 0-2, MOTEN 1-5,
ANTHONY 1-4, MAYBERRY 1-2, PEELER 0-3. ATLANTA 8-19 (.421), CORBIN 2-2,
LAETTNER 1-1, BARRY 0-1, BLAYLOCK 4-7, RECASNER 0-4, NORMAN 0-3, BOYCE 1-1.
TECHNICALS: ATLANTA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 6,957. T - 1:53.
VANCOUVER (80) AT ATLANTA (101)
Christian Laettner scored 18 points to lead five players in
double figures and Dikembe Mutombo added 14 and a season-high 21
rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks coasted to their third straight
victory, 101-80 over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Tyrone Corbin scored 17 points, Mookie Blaylock 15 and Eldridge
Recasner 10 for Atlanta, which outscored Vancouver 37-19 in the
first quarter and never looked back. The Hawks have won all
three meetings between the teams.
"We just came out and tried to take the game away from them from
the beginning and that's why we jumped on them offensively from
the start," Mutombo said. "I tried to be very physical from
beginning to end."
Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 19 points, including 9-of-9 from the
foul line, and fellow rookie Roy Rogers added 16 for Vancouver,
which has lost five of its last six and has yet to reach 100
points in a game this season.
"This is what you'd call a mental letdown," Grizzlies forward
Blue Edwards said. "We had a huge win at San Antonio and then
got today off as far as practice. I think we kind of came in
here and felt like we could just push buttons and things were
going to happen. We should've known that we can't start the
game off like that. We played really passive, they got the
shots that they wanted and on the offensive end, we didn't play
well together."
Atlanta shot 61 percent (14-of-23) in the first quarter and
limited the Grizzlies to 43 percent (9-of-21).
"I think as a team we really came out and played well," said
Blaylock, who had missed the last two games with an ankle
injury. "Vancouver is really struggling. I think we came in
and took them out of the game early and that was the most
important thing."
Vancouver used an 11-2 run to pull within 45-36 with 5:46 left
in the first half, but Atlanta closed the second quarter with an
8-3 run for a 53-39 advantage at intermission.
The Grizzlies got as close as 69-56 with 3:53 remaining in the
third before the Hawks built their lead to 78-62 after three
quarters.
Laettner led the Hawks in scoring for the fifth straight game.
"It's good to play a team like this when you've got some injured
people coming back," Laettner said. "It's Mookie's first game
back and we're trying to work other people injured into our
lineup. We've also had a tough schedule, so it's nice to get a
home game."
Atlanta had a 52-42 rebounding edge and shot 42 percent
(8-of-19) from three-point range.
Vancouver's Bryant Reeves left the game in the third quarter
with a left knee sprain.
nba.1747nba.news,
Winless Suns get C Hot Rod Williams back from injured list
The Phoenix Suns, the league's only winless team, got some good news
today when center-forward John "Hot Rod" Williams was activated off
the injured list in time for tonight's road game against the Denver
Nuggets.
Williams becomes the second key player the Suns (0-12) have gotten
back from injury in three days. Point guard Kevin Johnson was
activated Sunday, though forward Wayman Tisdale was shelved at the
same time.
The 6-foot-11, 245-pound Williams had plantar fasciatis in his right
foot and has not played this season. He had surgery October 29th to
remove a piece of metal from the soft tissue on the bottom of his
right foot under the big toe.
He missed 18 games last year with knee, hand and leg ailments, and
averaged 7.3 points, six rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Williams is
10th among active players in blocks at 1,290.
To make room for Williams, the Suns placed rookie forward Ben Davis on
the IL with ligament damage to his right little finger. Davis injured
the finger November 23rd in practice and will wear a splint to protect
the injury. His status will be determined from week to week.
The Suns already have gone through a coaching change from Cotton
Fitzsimmons to Danny Ainge and still have forward Mark Bryant and
Tisdale on the injured list. They are off to the worst start in
franchise history and the losing streak matches the longest in club
annals.
nba.1748nba.news,
Magic sign G Dell Demps
The injury-riddled Orlando Magic today signed guard Dell Demps to an
undisclosed contract.
The 26-year-old Demps averaged 16.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in five
games for Orlando's summer professional league team in New York this
year. He appeared in 16 games with the San Antonio Spurs last season
(3.3 ppg) and in two for Golden State during the 1993-94 campaign (2.0
ppg).
"Dell was a player we got very comfortable with during this past
summer's free agent camp," said Magic general manager John Gabriel.
"We feel he can help us at a time when we have a depleted backcourt."
Orlando currently has starting point guard Penny Hardaway,
guard/forward Dennis Scott and first-round draft pick Brian Evans, a
forward, on the injured list.
nba.1749nba.news,
Camby collapses, but diagnosed with back spasms
Toronto Raptors rookie forward Marcus Camby could return to the court
as soon as Wednesday despite a pre-game collapse tonight that saw him
rushed to the hospital with limited feeling below his waist.
Doctors at Toronto Western Hospital expect Camby to make a full
recovery, citing no neurological disorders. The incident is unrelated
to Camby's collapse as a college player in January and doctors
anticipate a full recovery.
"His back went out and I guess he had loss of nerves for a period of
time," Raptors general manager Isiah Thomas said. "We expect to,
hopefully, get him moving around (Wednesday) and he'll be ready to
play (Wednesday) night."
Camby, who left SkyDome on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace, was
slightly less optimistic about his return.
"I had back spasms and I'll be out at least a week," he said.
Camby was working under the basket by himself when he fell to the
floor after attempting a spin move. He was fitted for a brace and
removed on a gurney. He was taken via ambulance to Toronto Western.
"All of Marcus' motor and sensory reflexes are intact," said a release
from the Raptors issued during tonight's 98-87 loss to the Sacramento
Kings. "He has been assessed by a neurosurgeon and neurologically
appears normal. ... All signs are positive and the doctors expect a
full recovery."
Camby was the second overall pick in the 1996 draft and received a
three-year deal worth $8.4 million. He is averaging 14.3 points and
4.2 rebounds with 21 blocks in 11 games this season.
According to an earlier statement, Camby fell after experiencing back
pain. He had limited feeling in his right and left legs and was taken
to Toronto Western for examinations.
Tonight's collapse is believed to be unrelated to an incident on
January 14th, when Camby, playing for the University of Massachusetts,
collapsed prior to a game at St. Bonaventure.
He was hospitalized and underwent a battery of tests before doctors
ruled out possible cardiac and neurological causes. Camby said he
passed out because he had taken cough syrup on an empty stomach.
Camby declared himself eligible for the NBA draft following his junior
year at Massachusetts. The 6-11 forward averaged 20.5 points, 8.2
rebounds and 3.9 blocked shots for the Minutemen last season, helping
them advance to the Final Four.
Camby missed some of the pre-season with a sprained right foot
suffered in training camp.
nba.1750nba.news,
Denver Nuggets waive G Eric Murdock
The Denver Nuggets, who have lost four straight games, continued their
shakeup today when they waived backup point guard Eric Murdock.
Murdock, who signed a one-year contract at the NBA minimum of $247,500
on October 1st, averaged 3.8 points and two assists per game in 12
appearances this season.
Earlier in the day, Bernie Bickerstaff stepped down as coach and
handed over the reins to assistant and long-time NBA coach Dick Motta.
Bickerstaff will remain team president and also assume the title of
general manager.
With Murdock gone, journeyman Brooks Thompson and rookie Jeff McInnis
will back up Mark Jackson, who leads the NBA in assists.
Murdock played collegiately at Providence and was selected 21st
overall by Utah in 1991. He also has played with the Milwaukee Bucks
and the Vancouver Grizzlies.
nba.1751nba.news,
Hakeem probable for Tuesday night game
HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon is listed
as probable for Tuesday night's home game against Portland after
missing three games because of an irregular heartbeat.
"I'm feeling fine," Olajuwon said in a statement. "Everything is back
to normal. This happened before and it was just the same thing."
Early in the 1991-92 season, he missed seven games because of a
similar condition. This time he missed three games, and Houston won
all three to improve to 12-1 this season.
Olajuwon scored 10 points in the first half last Tuesday, helping the
Rockets to a 71-48 lead during their 122-93 victory over Minnesota.
He reportedly entered the locker room at halftime and had a glass of
water. As soon as he drank it, his heart started feeling strange. He
was examined by team doctors and said he felt better, although his
heart rate still had not returned to normal.
Doctors suggested Olajuwon undergo tests and he was taken to the
hospital. His heartbeat had returned to normal Wednesday after doctors
used a defibrillator to restore the proper rhythm, and he was released
from the hospital Thursday.
Olajuwon, 33, is an 11-time All-Star who won the Most Valuable Player
Award in 1994 and led the Rockets to consecutive NBA championships in
1994 and 1995.
nba.1752nba.news,
Hendrickson out, Overton in for Sixers
Philadelphia 76ers forward Mark Hendrickson will miss at least the
next five games, as the team placed him on the injured list with a
lumbar spine strain and sprain. He was replaced on the roster by
guard Doug Overton, who was activated from the list.
Hendrickson averaged three points and two rebounds in three games
this season. Before Overton was placed on the list November 15th
with a sprained ankle, he contributed 1.4 points and 2.4 assists
per game.
Hendrickson will miss tonight's home contest against the Los
Angeles Lakers, plus games against Orlando, Vancouver, San Antonio
and Dallas.
nba.1753nba.news,
Blazers activate Djordjevic
The Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday activated Yugoslavian rookie
guard Aleksandar Djordjevic from the injured list and placed guard
Reggie Jordan on it with an injured left thumb.
Djordjevic (GEORGE-uh-vich) sprained his right ankle during the first
quarter of Portland's final pre-season game against the Vancouver
Grizzlies. He averaged 11.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in the
Olympics as Yugoslavia claimed the silver medal, losing to the United
States in the final. The Trail Blazers signed him on Sept. 24.
Jordan injured a joint in his thumb during the Blazers' win over the
Denver Nuggets on Saturday. In five games, the defensive specialist
averaged 1.6 points and shot 50 percent from the field.
nba.1754nba.news,
Atlanta's Henderson leaves hospital
ATLANTA (Nov 26, 1996 - 22:12 EST) -- Forward Alan Henderson of the
Atlanta Hawks left a Minnesota hospital Tuesday facing a lengthy
recovery from a virus that affects his pancreas.
Henderson, who was diagnosed last week with acute viral pancreatitis
by doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., was flown to
Indianapolis, where his parents live. His father, Ray, is a
cardiologist and will help monitor his recovery.
Hawks general manager Pete Babcock said the second-year player has
started eating solid foods again and is able to walk for short
periods. But Henderson has lost more than 20 pounds and won't be
returning to the NBA soon.
"It's going to be a long haul in terms of the rehabilitation," Babcock
said. "The muscle strength, the muscle weight, the endurance, all that
suffers. And he can't start addressing that until he gets a clean bill
of health."
Babcock doesn't know when Henderson will return to Atlanta, though
doctors are confident he will be able to play this season. Henderson
was stricken in the last days of training camp and has not played a
regular-season game.
"He's making slow, steady progress," Babcock said. "There's no real
timetable on this. When he get's healthy, he's healthy."
Henderson initially was sidelined by severe viral gastroenteritis.
Pancreatitis is a secondary condition that affects the digestive
process.
The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 79 games
as a rookie last season.
"He had a great summer, a great training camp," Babcock said. "He had
taken two or three giant steps forward as a player and was poised to
have a terrific second year. This was a big setback for him."
The Hawks are over the salary cap, so they don't have the flexibility
to address their lack of frontcourt depth.
nba.1755nba.news,
Denver Nuggets switch coaches: From Bickerstaff to Motta
DENVER (Nov 26, 1996 - 18:54 EST) -- His team slumping and attendance
declining, Bernie Bickerstaff resigned as coach of the Denver Nuggets
on Tuesday, turning over the club to assistant Dick Motta.
Bickerstaff will remain president of the team and reclaimed the title
of general manager, which he had held until last season.
Motta, 65, the longtime NBA coach who last season was with the Dallas
Mavericks, was to coach the Nuggets (4-9) for the first time Tuesday
night against Phoenix.
Bickerstaff's resignation came three days after his team scored a
franchise-low 65 points in a 40-point loss to Portland. He had a 59-68
record in parts of three seasons, and the Nuggets never regained the
promise they showed in the playoffs of 1994 under Dan Issel.
"In evaluating the situation, hey, it wasn't working," Bickerstaff
said. "I always said I would do what's best for the organization, and
this is the best thing.
"This gives me an opportunity to step back and try to solidify the
talent level and the contract situations of this basketball team -- to
do the job I was originally hired to do."
Charlie Lyons, chief executive officer for Ascent Entertainment, which
owns the Nuggets, said he and Bickerstaff were "in complete agreement
that the right thing was for him to go to his original job. At the
same time, we're lucky we have Dick Motta here."
The move marks the second NBA coaching change this season, following
Cotton Fitzsimmons' resignation in Phoenix.
The Nuggets are hurting not only in the standings but at the gate as
well. In six home games -- five of them losses -- the Nuggets have
averaged 13,004 fans, down from 16,474 a year ago.
Motta, known for building down-and-out teams into contenders, has
spent 24 years as an NBA head coach. He has 918 career wins, third on
the NBA list behind Lenny Wilkens and Red Auerbach. Motta also has
coached Washington and Chicago.
"I have totally mixed emotions today," Motta said. "I feel bad that it
didn't work out quite the way we all envisioned it would. I also know
Bernie well enough to know this is where he wants to be in his heart.
"I'm sad for my friend, but I can't help feel enthusiasm and
excitement with this ball club. We have a tough schedule facing us,
but we're going to get through it."
Motta was NBA coach of the year in 1971 and led Washington to the NBA
title in 1978. Bickerstaff was an assistant coach under Motta for five
seasons in Washington, including the championship year.
"I retired twice before and it didn't work out," Motta said. "I've
been doing this for 43 or 44 years, and it's my life. I still have
energy."
With Bickerstaff back as general manager, Todd Eley was demoted to
vice president of basketball operations.
Motta, who signed a multi-year contract, becomes the sixth Denver
coach in this decade and the fourth in three years.
Issel resigned midway through the 1994-95 season and was replaced for
16 games by Gene Littles before Bickerstaff elevated himself to coach.
Bickerstaff went 20-12 the rest of that season, getting the Nuggets
into the playoffs, where they were swept in three games by San
Antonio. He was 35-47 last season.
Motta said he planned no immediate changes in the Nuggets' style of
play.
"I've learned to go slow, to try to be as mature and calculating and
responsible as possible," he said. "I really am a plodder. I'm not a
miracle man. We're not going to stand in front of you and say that Dr.
Wilkerson's Mud Bath will cure this whole deal.
"In the brief meeting I had with the players, I said all I wanted out
of them was a full effort. I'm going to give a full effort in return."
Nuggets forward LaPhonso Ellis, recuperating from knee surgery, said
players were quiet when they heard the news.
"I'm not surprised," Ellis said. "I felt it would happen down the
road, I just didn't know when. I'm always leery of change. We need
stability more than anything. But I think Dick can get the job done.
The guys have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I feel this is a
step in the right direction."
Before joining the Nuggets as general manager and executive vice
president in 1990, Bickerstaff was Seattle's head coach, leading the
SuperSonics to the playoffs three times in five seasons.
He dropped his general manager duties last year as he tried to relieve
some of the pressures that came from three job titles.
nba.1756nba.news,
Bernie Bickerstaff coaching record
DENVER (Nov 26, 1996 - 21:42 EST) -- The career coaching record of
Bernie Bickerstaff, who resigned as head coach of the Denver Nuggets
on Tuesday:
Regular Season
W L Pct. Fin
1985-86 Seattle 31 51 .378 5
1986-87 Seattle 39 43 .476 4
1987-88 Seattle 44 38 .537 3
1988-89 Seattle 47 35 .573 3
1989-90 Seattle 41 41 .500 4
1994-95 Denver 20 12 .625 4
1995-96 Denver 35 47 .427 4
1996-97 Denver 4 9 .308 --
Totals 261 276 .486
Playoffs
W L Pct.
1986-87 Seattle 7 7 .500
1987-88 Seattle 2 3 .400
1988-89 Seattle 3 5 .375
1994-95 Denver 0 3 .000
Totals 12 18 .400
Overall Totals 273 294 .481
nba.1757nba.news,
Heal adapting to NBA
WASHINGTON (Nov 26, 1996 - 02:42 EST) - Six weeks in the National
Basketball Association have given Australia's Shane Heal improved
defensive skills, a better passing touch and the chance to live a
dream.
"It's a whole new world for me," Heal said. "At times I'm still like a
bit of a kid. It's a really wonderful experience."
The nine-year Australian league veteran and Olympic starting guard had
his best night so far in the NBA here Monday, scoring 11 points and
sparking a rally that fell short for Minnesota in a 105-98 loss to
Washington.
"We hadn't given him a lot of time," Minnesota coach Phil "Flip"
Saunders said. "We decided to give him an opportunity. We know what he
can do with the ball. We put him in to try and spread their defense
out a little bit."
After sitting on the bench the first three quarters, Heal played the
entire final period. He set up baskets with a steal, a no-look
fast-break pass and his first NBA defensive rebound. He also played
aggressive defense.
"I was actually feeling it halfway through the quarter," Heal said. "I
had to get on it. I have to concentrate on defense, to make sure I
don't get penetrated upon or else I will be right out of there. I have
to make the most of every opportunity."
Heal's third and final three-point basket put the Timberwolves, who
once trailed by 24 points, within 92-87 with 86 seconds to play. But
Washington made 11 of 14 free throws to win.
"We didn't give ourselves much of a chance until Shane cut it to
five," Saunders said. "We made it interesting. I'm glad we played
hard. But we shouldn't have any satisfaction."
Still, the Timberwolves (5-7) are on pace to break the club record of
29 victories in a season. Heal does his part, using his experience in
practice to test rookie star Stephon Marbury, improving both.
"I'm playing better defensively," Heal said. "I am guarding Stephon in
practice and he is so quick. I'm passing into the post better. At the
end of this year, I will have a lot better idea where I stand."
Heal makes a 320,000-dollar salary plus bonus money of nearly 200,000
dollars. But instead of the shooting star slot he had at home and at
the Atlanta Olympics, Heal has had to handle a reserve role.
"It's different. But I have sort of prepared myself," he said. "It's a
lot like when I was on the Olympic team at Barcelona. I'm relaxed
about things. If I play the role well and be happy on the bench,
things will come.
"I have got to stay positive even if I don't get to play. If you get
negative you don't make the most of your opportunities. For a time I
didn't think I would get the opportunity. I'm working hard. I want to
be in this league for a long time."
Heal has averaged 20.7 points and 6.2 assists a game in his Australian
career, including 24.9 points a game and a league-high 101
three-pointers last year for the Sydney Kings.
Heal averaged 17.8 points at the Olympics and played tough against
Charles Barkley in an tuneup game. Heal's 28-point effort in the
tuneup was the best showing by any player against the US gold medal
"Dream Team."
Now Heal, who wears number 10 in honor of Aussie star Andrew Gaze,
finds himself in the hectic 82-game NBA season.
"It has been crazy with all the players and travel and hotels on the
road, " Heal said. "It's very different."
He has not talked to Olympic teammate Mark Bradtke, now at
Philadelphia, or Luc Longley, the center for reigning NBA champion
Chicago. He and Longley missed messages at hotel rooms last week.
"It's tough getting a call into the Chicago Bulls' hotel," Heal said.
Heal's wife Jenny and daughters Ashleigh and Jamie Lee moved two weeks
ago to Minnesota. Aussie basketball pal Andrew Parkinson will visit
and stay with him next week.
The Heals' new home is in a land where heavy snowfalls are legendary.
Should Heal play in the NBA and Australia the next three years as
planned, they would endure six winters, chasing the cold weather
around the globe.
Heal and Bradtke join a growing set of prominent Aussies in US
leagues, including Longley, American football kicker Darren Bennett,
pitcher Graeme Lloyd of the World Series champion New York Yankees and
his baseball rival David Nilsson, golfer Greg Norman and LPGA star
rookie Karrie Webb, the first golfer to win one million dollars in a
rookie year on a US golf tour.
nba.1758nba.news,
AROUND THE NBA: Barkley knows time is running out for aging Rockets
(Nov 26, 1996 - 09:18 EST) -- Charles Barkley didn't mince his words.
If Houston is going to make a run at the championship, it will be this
season.
"Clyde (Drexler) is not going to get any better physically, and me and
Dream aren't going to get any better physically," he said, referring
to Hakeem Olajuwon. "So if we don't win it this year, we're not going
to win. That's realistic. It's a young game.
"Seattle is going to be around for a few more years. L.A. (the Lakers)
is going to be good. They're not good now, but they will be as soon as
they get some time together. And then you'll have a lot of young teams
coming up.
"You lose a little bit every year. You don't get better. This ain't
golf, where you go to the Senior Tour and get better."
* * *
THEY SAID IT: This week's hyperbole award goes to Minnesota coach Flip
Saunders, who said of his 20-year-old wunderkind Kevin Garnett, "Right
now, if there's a better defensive forward in the league ... I want to
see him." The schedule will oblige him Dec. 11, when his team visits
Chicago and Scottie Pippen ...
Brad Cesmat, talk show host for the Suns' flagship radio station who
promised to stay in the station's van outside America West Arena until
the Suns win a game, on how long he's prepared to wait: "I've got all
my Christmas shopping done."
* * *
NUMBERS ...: 6 metal screws in Miami forward Kurt Thomas' body --
three in his right ankle, two in his left and one in his left wrist.
The three in his right ankle, intended to stabilize a stress fracture,
are new, and likely to keep him on the shelf until mid-December. The
injury is similar to the one that kept the Dolphins' Dan Marino out a
month.
-- 2 1/2 minutes, the amount of game time it takes Indiana's Reggie
Miller to earn the $10,000 he was fined for criticizing referees,
based on his $11.25 million salary and average of 36 minutes a game.
-- 15 turnovers and five assists in 18-year-old Kobe Bryant's first 11
games.
-- 254 consecutive games played by Milwaukee's Vin Baker before he sat
out two games after bruising his right hip crashing to the floor at
Sacramento on Nov. 15.
* * *
NEWS:
-- The Bulls' Toni Kukoc hopes his sixth man award last season will
lead to an All-Star berth this season. There is precedent: Detlef
Schrempf and Kevin McHale each made the All-Star team the year after
winning the supersub award. On the other hand, with Michael Jordan,
Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman also likely selections, Chicago would
have to get four spots for Kukoc to make it.
-- The Bullets played Wednesday in the striped uniforms worn by their
1978 championship team, coached by Dick Motta and Bernie Bickerstaff.
Chris Webber wasn't concerned about the style so much as the cut.
"I'll wear them as long as they're big," he said. "I can't wear those
tiny shorts."
* * *
AND QUOTES:
-- Miami's Dan Majerle on former Phoenix teammate Danny Ainge taking
over as Suns coach: "He's been trying to coach for years, but nobody's
listened to him."
-- Golden State coach Rick Adelman on nine slam dunks by Shaquille
O'Neal against the Warriors: "It's like we were trying to be
supporting actors on Sports-Center."
-- Utah's Karl Malone on a brief visit to his Arkansas ranch last
summer for workouts by overweight Jazz center Greg Ostertag: "You
can't work miracles in 2 1/2 days."
-- Portland's Kenny Anderson, upon returning to Continental Airlines
Arena, confirming he advocated eradicating the turnpike facility: "I
said they should blow up this place, and I was basically serious. If
they're going to build an arena, build it where someone in Jersey can
get to it. This place would make a great amusement park."
nba.1759nba.news,
Knicks fans have no reason to panic
NEW YORK (Nov 26, 1996 - 12:30 EST) -- The panic makes you laugh
sometimes. The Knicks have played only 13 games this season, have had
the audacity to lose four of them, and have barely played well enough
to win most of the others. This is not acceptable in Madison Square
Garden, where some of the patrons drop a cool thousand for the
privilege of inhabiting a courtside seat, where everyone else is
unfailingly finicky.
The Seattle Supersonics paid the Garden a visit Sunday night and there
could not have been more dread residing within these walls had Riddick
Bowe's entourage been providing security. Already, the Knicks are a
disappointment. Already, the locals are feeling the queasiness rise in
their throats. Already, there is talk that the coach must go, that the
center is too old and is taking too many shots, that the newcomers are
lacking in basic fundamentals.
All of this before the first of December, in an NBA season that won't
start for real until around the first of May. The Knicks were losing
by 15 points by the end of the third quarter. They ended up behind by
10, 102-92. They should have been booed. They were awful, they seemed
only partly upset by the way the Sonics were scooting past them on
both ends of the floor. Worse, they still look old, even after an
offseason spent chopping years off the roster, adding youth, adding
legs, adding (we thought) a lot more scoring punch.
How bad did it get? This bad: Tony Bennett sang the "America the
Beautiful" before the opening tap and received a warmer response than
Patrick Ewing did. And deserved it, because it isn't difficult to
imagine that Bennett could easily have matched the 1-for-14 start
Ewing got himself off to last night. It was so bad that Gary Payton
sneered at Spike Lee after one of his more dazzling tours to the
basket, and Lee didn't talk back.
That's bad.
And you know what?
It doesn't mean a thing.
Really. The Sonics went to the NBA Finals a year ago, have essentially
the same team back this year, and came to New York as a very good team
on a superb roll, having now won 11 in a row. Gary Payton is better
than any Knick. So is Shawn Kemp. In November, with the Knicks still
working on getting to know each other on a first-name basis, this is
the only thing you could expect to happen.
More worrisome is the fact that the Knicks are now 3-3 in Madison
Square Garden, continuing a troubling trend of mediocrity in their
home whites that is now three years old. The Philadelphia 76ers, of
all teams, have owned them this year. They turn the basketball over
with the expert ease of an expansion team.
Still, the truth remains that the Knicks are a team designed for the
springtime, and as such can not be expected to jell in the fall.
People were spoiled by the Knicks' home opener, when they lapped a
sluggish Charlotte Hornets team, smacked them around good in a 113-86
drubbing. Suddenly, this is what people wanted every night.
Sometime this season, that may be precisely what they will get. But
not now. Allan Houston has been too reluctant to assert himself yet,
plagued by bad shooting nights and dogged by foul trouble. Larry
Johnson seems slow to claim a part of the paint for himself, not
wanting to get in Ewing's way. Ewing still shoots way too much from 20
feet, and way too little from five. Chris Childs, the new point guard,
was set way back by a fractured leg in training camp. And his backup,
Charlie Ward, seems to accumulate fresh sets of floor burns and muscle
strains every night.
It should also be noted that John Starks is the Knicks' second leading
scorer, in a season when he was expected to have a reduced role in the
offense. If Starks is still averaging 14 1/2 points a game in April,
the city will already have shifted its attention to the Yankees.
In the end, what worries New York -- if not necessarily the Knicks, at
least not yet -- is what always worries New York: The Bulls have raced
off to a 12-1 start and made it look easier than breathing. Michael
Jordan is looking thoroughly underpaid at $30 million. The Bulls make
the Knicks look like a JV team, the way they make everyone in the NBA
look that way.
And so panic reigns. Now. In November. It's silly. The Knicks were
dreadful Sunday night. They've been an eyesore for much of the season
so far. And will be better, much better than this, when they need to
be, come March and April and beyond. They will have to be.
nba.1760nba.news,
Judge under investigation for taking money from Spurs player
TUCSON, Ariz. (Nov 26, 1996 - 14:30 EST) -- A judge who approved
another judge's deal to help negotiate a contract for a tennis star
faces an ethics review himself for receiving money from San Antonio
Spurs player Sean Elliott.
The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct is investigating Pima
County presiding judge Michael Brown, who said he received more than
$1,000 from Elliott for "personal advice."
Keith Stott, the executive director of the commission, confirmed the
investigation.
On his financial disclosure statement filed in January, Brown listed
"S. Michael Elliott" as "an employer or other source of compensation
over $1,000."
Brown received $13,000 in all over the past two years for giving
advice to Elliott, a former star at the University of Arizona.
Brown has driven a BMW registered to Elliott, and also received an
unspecified gift from the athlete this year.
In 1994, Superior Court Judge Lawrence Fleischman consulted with
Brown, who said he saw nothing wrong with Fleischman's helping
negotiate a multimillion-dollar contract for tennis star Andre Agassi.
The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct investigated Fleischman
earlier this year in response to a complaint filed against him. It
found that Fleischman had violated the Arizona Constitution and
several canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct in his dealings with
Las Vegas-based Agassi Enterprises.
Fleischman's financial disclosure statement for 1995 listed his work
for Agassi's organization as a tennis marketing consultant.
Fleischman said he was surprised to learn that Brown had received
money from Elliott. He said he knew nothing about it.
Brown said Monday that he did not act as Elliott's agent or lawyer and
did not draft papers or negotiate on Elliott's behalf. He said Elliott
grew up with his sons and that he considers Elliott as family and did
not engage in any business actions on his behalf.
nba.1761nba.news,
Journeymen don't begrudge NBA millionaires
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Nov 26, 1996 - 07:12 EST) -- The superstars of the
NBA pay for their wives to meet them on road trips, spend their
summers shooting commercials and lining up endorsements, and are known
throughout the country on a first-name basis.
Then there are guys like Seattle SuperSonics Larry Stewart and Antonio
Harvey, who entered the league as free agents and are destined to
always be fighting for jobs, unencumbered by the riches of seven-year,
$85 million-deals like the one Gary Payton signed over the summer.
Stewart and Harvey, by contrast, will make the NBA minimum of $247,500
if they last the season. They can walk through shopping malls and
hotel lobbies unrecognized, and don't dare do anything more than rent
an apartment in Seattle.
"The minimum is still more money than most people will ever make,"
said Stewart, who knows he won't win any sympathy contests.
Still, some NBA observers wonder if the wide gap in salaries won't
eventually result in jealousy of those players at the top of the
ladder by those at the bottom. With only 12 players on an active
roster and seasons lasting six months or longer -- with half of that
time spent on the road -- the potential for a fractious locker room is
always there.
"It is a concern," NBA commissioner David Stern said last month when
asked about the widening gap in salaries, due in large part to last
summer's unprecedented array of free-agent signings. "I don't think we
quite anticipated it being as intense as it is."
Stern hinted it was an issue that would be discussed by the league
office and the NBA Players Association sometime soon.
Stewart, for one, doesn't see it as a problem.
"You could say we have the same job, but we really don't," said
Stewart, a 6-foot-8 forward. "The superstars are carrying the league.
I don't think there's any jealousy."
And Stewart and Harvey each say they are too busy worrying about their
own careers to worry about what anyone else is making.
"The guys who can make the millions deserve it," said Harvey, a 6-11
center. "Rather than be jealous of someone making $100 million, guys
should see that we are all capable of that if you go out there and
perform every day. My goal is to be a $100 million player, and if I
fall $50 million short, I won't be mad."
Stewart and Harvey have already beaten the odds, having forged NBA
careers despite having never been drafted; fewer than 10 percent of
players on NBA rosters this season were never drafted.
Drafted players tend to have an easier time making rosters than free
agents, even if they don't perform as well, because teams usually have
invested more in their draft picks.
"Whoever gets the money is going to play," Stewart said.
Still, Stewart made the Washington Bullets roster as a free agent from
Coppin State in 1991, and was named to the All-Rookie second team when
he was among the top five rookies in scoring, rebounding and field
goal percentage.
But an injury and a coaching change made Stewart expendable after four
years there, and he was claimed by Vancouver in the 1995 expansion
draft. The Grizzlies then traded Stewart to Orlando, where he was cut
before ever playing a game. That forced Stewart to head to Spain to
keep his career going. He played for Baloncesto Zarongoza, taking
along his wife and 3-year-old daughter.
"It's still money," Stewart said. Teams in Spain played only one game
a week. "It was gorgeous weather, and great beaches. If I had the
choice, of course, it would be the NBA. But that's not a bad second
choice."
Playing well in Spain, where Sonics coach George Karl coached for two
years before coming to Seattle in 1992, helped Stewart land a job with
the Sonics summer league team in Los Angeles, and a subsequent
invitation to training camp.
A good pre-season by Stewart forced the Sonics to eat the contract of
former first-round pick Sherell Ford to keep Stewart, who now has
earned a spot in the team's regular rotation due in part to persistent
injuries to Nate McMillan.
Stewart has played in all but one game for Seattle, averaging four
points and almost two rebounds a game.
"Mentally, he is a Sonic player," Karl said. "He's very
defensive-minded, very serious and tough-minded. He should have a good
year for us."
But while Stewart said he feels secure with the team this season, he
isn't looking past it. His wife, Toi, who is six months pregnant, is
living in Washington, D.C., with the couple's daughter, Lexis. Stewart
said he saw his daughter last week for the first time since September
when the team played the Bullets.
Stewart said his wife is surrounded by family in Washington, D.C.,
which makes it better for her to stay there for now.
"It's tough, but we are two strong people," Stewart said. "We have an
understanding about all this. She knew and I knew" what would happen.
The unmarried Harvey doesn't have such emotional pulls, making his
vagabond life easier to deal with. Harvey made the Lakers as a free
agent out of Division II Pfeiffer College of North Carolina three
years ago, and spent two seasons in Los Angeles. Like Stewart, Harvey
was picked up by Vancouver in the expansion draft last year, and
played briefly for the Grizzlies, then was cut and played briefly with
the Clippers before being cut again.
He played with the Clippers summer league team, but didn't attend any
training camp and was living back home in Pascagoula, Miss., when the
Sonics called two weeks ago after Elmore Spencer was cut.
But Harvey's hold on a roster spot is much more tenous than Stewart's.
Harvey could be gone when the Sonics decide either Steve Scheffler or
McMillan is healthy enough to rejoin the active roster.
Harvey said having no real idea if he will have an NBA job a month
from now only helps him play harder.
"As soon as you start thinking (your place in the league is secure)
you start getting complacent," Harvey said. "I know that any day it
can all end. You have to realize that."
nba.1762nba.news,
Williams sees fortunes go round like a wheel
TORONTO (Nov 26, 1996 - 06:24 EST) -- If things had gone the way
Toronto Raptors forward Walt Williams had hoped, he would be signed to
a new, long-term contract with the Kings and helping them become one
of the Western Conference's best teams.
However, Williams and his crossover move became far more acquainted
with change last season than he ever could have imagined, and now "the
Wizard" will be reunited with his former Kings teammates in an
adversarial role Tuesday at the SkyDome.
"I'm going to try to make this like just any other game," said
Williams, who starts at small forward for Toronto, "but of course, I'd
be lying to say there won't be a difference playing against these
guys, because I played with them for most of my career."
Monday afternoon, Williams sat on a basket support in the stadium
while his former teammates and Kings coach Garry St. Jean saluted him
with hugs, encouragement and playful verbal harassment.
It was respect and mutual admiration.
"When I step out on the court, it's going to be just playing
basketball. I'm just going to be out there playing, trying to bust
Mitch's (butt)," Williams said while laughing, because he knew
Richmond had walked up behind him.
Said Richmond, "I already told Walt, 'I know you're going to be trying
to get off, but I hope we don't have to switch, because I'm going to
have to lock your (butt) up."'
Last season at this time, Williams, selected by the Kings with the
seventh pick of the 1992 draft, was early in the fourth year of a
six-year contract. Williams held an option that allowed him to become
a free agent once the season ended.
Williams had two more years guaranteed on that contract that would
have paid him about $6 million.
He wanted to re-sign with the Kings, he said, but he and forward
Tyrone Corbin were dealt just before the trading deadline Feb. 22 to
the Miami Heat for forward Billy Owens and swingman Kevin Gamble.
Williams exercised his option at the end of the season with the Heat,
then found no takers at money he liked and ended up signing a one-year
deal with the Raptors for the league minimum, $247,500.
"Sacramento is where I thought I was going to be," Williams said. "I
thought I was laying down a foundation of being in Sacramento for a
long period of time.
"But things definitely can change, and this was more evident this
offseason than in any other. (Last season) was just a bad season for
me all around as far as being traded and losing a lot of money."
Yet Williams appears to be none the worse for the wear mentally.
"It doesn't matter now, because I'm here and I'm happy and I'm playing
basketball."
Williams said he has no idea where he will play next season.
"I like it here. I think we have the potential of having a very good,
young team. I enjoy playing here, but I'm not even thinking about it.
I'm thinking about playing for right now. And that's all I can worry
about, because anything can happen."
Williams is averaging 16.9 points and shooting 49 percent from
three-point range in 37.4 minutes per game.
While he harbors nothing but love for his teammates, it would take
more than a mouthful of bubble gum to erase the bad taste he has for
the end of his Kings stint.
"I love the guys and playing with the guys," he said. "I think things
didn't work out the way they should have. I wanted to stay there.
"I mean, I heard about being traded on ESPN. It just wasn't handled
properly. Then when I left, I heard things like I was asking for too
much. But in actuality there never were any real discussions, so I
don't know where that came from."
nba.1763vpoznanovic,
Wednesday, November 27
Atlanta at Orlando 75:79
Charlotte at Toronto 88:92
Cleveland at Milwaukee 75:92
Denver at Utah 103:107
L.A. Lakers at Boston 94:110
Miami at L.A. Clippers 98:82
New Jersey at Phoenix 77:99
Portland at San Antonio 120:109
Seattle at Minnesota 106:98
Vancouver at Detroit 78:87
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 24 18 21 12 75
ORLANDO 19 18 24 18 79 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 20, TYRONE CORBIN 19, MOOKIE
BLAYLOCK 16
ORL - RONY SEIKALY 16, NICK ANDERSON 14, DARRELL ARMSTRONG
14
HIGH REBOUND: ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 14, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 9
ORL - RONY SEIKALY 19, DEREK STRONG 10
HIGH ASSISTS: ATL - MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 5, ELDRIDGE RECASNER 2
ORL - THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 17,248
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHARLOTTE 25 28 13 22 88
TORONTO 29 24 20 19 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHA - GLEN RICE 29, VLADE DIVAC 15, SCOTT BURRELL 9
TOR - WALT WILLIAMS 23, SHARONE WRIGHT 16, DOUG CHRISTIE 16
HIGH REBOUND: CHA - VLADE DIVAC 12, ANTHONY MASON 9
TOR - POPEYE JONES 18, SHARONE WRIGHT 8
HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 5, ANTHONY GOLDWIRE 5
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 6, DONALD WHITESIDE 3
ATT: 15,710
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CLEVELAND 17 25 21 12 75
MILWAUKEE 33 18 23 18 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CLE - TYRONE HILL 16, TERRELL BRANDON 13, BOB SURA 10
MIL - VIN BAKER 22, GLENN ROBINSON 22, SHERMAN DOUGLAS 14
HIGH REBOUND: CLE - DANNY FERRY 9, TYRONE HILL 6
MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 12, ARMON GILLIAM 9
HIGH ASSISTS: CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 6, BOB SURA 5
MIL - THREE PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 13,189
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DENVER 37 33 15 18 103
UTAH 19 17 36 35 107 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DEN - BRYANT STITH 31, DALE ELLIS 25, ANTONIO MCDYESS 15
UTH - KARL MALONE 31, JEFF HORNACEK 29, CHRIS MORRIS 11
HIGH REBOUND: DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 11, BRYANT STITH 9
UTH - KARL MALONE 17, BRYON RUSSELL 7
HIGH ASSISTS: DEN - MARK JACKSON 13, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 10, JEFF HORNACEK 7
ATT: 19,324
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA LAKERS 30 22 21 21 94
BOSTON 29 22 31 28 110 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 22, EDDIE JONES 19, ELDEN CAMPBELL 16
BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 19, DINO RADJA 19, ERIC WILLIAMS 18
HIGH REBOUND: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 10, ELDEN CAMPBELL 9
BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 12, DINO RADJA 9
HIGH ASSISTS: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
BOS - RICK FOX 6, DANA BARROS 5
ATT: 18,624
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 40 19 18 21 98
LA CLIPPERS 14 26 17 25 82 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - DAN MAJERLE 26, ALONZO MOURNING 19, TIM HARDAWAY 18
LAC - DARRICK MARTIN 18, TERRY DEHERE 14, TWO PLAYERS WITH
11
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - DAN MAJERLE 10, PJ BROWN 10
LAC - LOY VAUGHT 10, CHARLES OUTLAW 6
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 6, PJ BROWN 3
LAC - RODNEY ROGERS 3, DARRICK MARTIN 3
ATT: 7,006
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW JERSEY 24 20 18 15 77
PHOENIX 28 22 30 19 99 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NJN - KENDALL GILL 18, JAYSON WILLIAMS 12, REGGIE WILLIAMS
12
PHO - WESLEY PERSON 22, MICHAEL FINLEY 18, KEVIN JOHNSON 17
HIGH REBOUND: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 13, KENDALL GILL 6
PHO - AC GREEN 13, JOHN WILLIAMS 9
HIGH ASSISTS: NJN - KHALID REEVES 6, ROBERT PACK 5
PHO - KEVIN JOHNSON 8, WESLEY PERSON 6
ATT: 19,023
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 30 21 29 40 120
SAN ANTONIO 31 14 30 34 109 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: POR - KENNY ANDERSON 25, ARVYDAS SABONIS 23, CLIFFORD
ROBINSON 20
SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 33, SEAN ELLIOTT 27, AVERY JOHNSON
18
HIGH REBOUND: POR - CHRIS DUDLEY 8, GARY TRENT 7
SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
HIGH ASSISTS: POR - KENNY ANDERSON 8, ARVYDAS SABONIS 4
SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 12, VINNY DEL NEGRO 9
ATT: 13,797
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 33 28 18 27 106
MINNESOTA 24 22 23 29 98 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - DETLEF SCHREMPF 27, HERSEY HAWKINS 24, GARY PAYTON 22
MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 22, KEVIN GARNETT 21, SHANE HEAL 15
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 14, DETLEF SCHREMPF 11
MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 17, SAM MITCHELL 6
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 12, DETLEF SCHREMPF 5
MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 7, STEPHON MARBURY 5
ATT: 16,173
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
VANCOUVER 21 24 11 22 78
DETROIT 23 19 25 20 87 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: VAN - GREG ANTHONY 24, ANTHONY PEELER 14, LAWRENCE MOTEN 10
DET - LINDSEY HUNTER 24, OTIS THORPE 17, GRANT HILL 15
HIGH REBOUND: VAN - ERIC MOBLEY 7, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
DET - OTIS THORPE 14, LINDSEY HUNTER 7
HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - GREG ANTHONY 5, THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
DET - GRANT HILL 8, JOE DUMARS 4
ATT: 15,195
nba.1764nba.news,
ATLANTA (75) AT ORLANDO (79)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 43 8-15 3-4 2 3 5 0 3 2 2 19
LAETTNER F 38 3-12 2-2 1 8 9 1 4 1 1 9
MUTOMBO C 40 8-11 4-4 6 8 14 1 2 0 1 20
BARRY G 22 0-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 1 0
BLAYLOCK G 38 6-18 1-3 1 3 4 5 3 3 3 16
RECASNER 20 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0
NORMAN 15 1-7 0-0 0 3 3 1 0 1 2 2
NEWBILL 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0
BURTON 16 3-8 3-3 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 9
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 29-77 13-16 12 29 41 12 21 9 11 75
(.377) (.813) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 12(14 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
STRONG F 35 6-11 0-0 4 6 10 0 4 2 1 12
GRANT F 37 2-8 3-6 3 3 6 1 4 1 1 7
SEIKALY C 41 5-15 6-8 5 14 19 3 4 0 1 16
ANDERSON G 38 5-14 1-2 1 3 4 1 2 0 1 14
SHAW G 33 2-7 2-2 0 2 2 3 1 1 3 7
ARMSTRONG 25 5-11 2-2 0 1 1 3 3 2 2 14
MCCASKILL 20 4-7 1-2 3 2 5 2 0 1 0 9
VAUGHN 11 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0
DEMPS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - BRONCHITIS
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILKINS DNP - STRAINED LOWER BACK
TOTALS 240 29-73 15-22 16 32 48 13 19 7 11 79
(.397) (.682) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(17 PTS)
ATLANTA 24 18 21 12 - 75
ORLANDO 19 18 24 18 - 79
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 4. ORLANDO - VAUGHN 2, STRONG, SEIKALY,
ANDERSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 4-20 (.200), CORBIN 0-3, LAETTNER 1-2, BARRY
0-1, BLAYLOCK 3-10, NORMAN 0-3, BURTON 0-1. ORLANDO 6-16 (.375), ANDERSON
3-8, SHAW 1-2, ARMSTRONG 2-6.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, BLANE REICHELT, LUIS GRILLO.
A - 17,248. T - 2:07.
ATLANTA (75) AT ORLANDO (79)
Nick Anderson hit three three-pointers in a 2:07 span of the
fourth quarter and Rony Seikaly scored 16 points as the
undermanned Orlando Magic squeaked past the Atlanta Hawks,
79-75, snapping their three-game winning streak.
Orlando, which improved to just 5-3 at home this season, won
despite playing without starting point guard Penny Hardaway,
starting forward Dennis Scott and reserve guard Gerald Wilkins,
who are all out with injuries. The Magic lost only four games
at home last season.
"Right now, we're the Red Cross team," joked Anderson. "We've
got a lot of guys out, but nobody's going to feel sorry for us.
The guys are showing a lot of character to just keep playing."
Dikembe Mutombo scored 20 points and Tyrone Corbin added 19 for
Atlanta, which had just 33 points in the second half and 12 in
the fourth quarter.
Anderson's third three-pointer, with 35 seconds to play, put
Orlando ahead for good, 76-74. Mookie Blaylock hit one free
throw with 21 seconds remaining to pull the Hawks within one,
but Seikaly countered with a foul shot to give the Magic a 77-75
edge with 18 seconds to play.
"I got three good passes from Darrell (Armstrong) down the
stretch," Anderson said. "He gave me three big assists and I
gave him three big shots. I was calling for it and he gave it
to me."
Christian Laettner missed a hook shot with four seconds to go
and Seikaly, who grabbed 19 rebounds, hit two foul shots with
2.8 seconds remaining to cap the scoring.
"Some big shots by Nick down the stretch, but Rony Seikaly's 19
rebounds tonight against one of the best rebounders in the NBA,
to go with 16 points," observed Orlando coach Brian Hill. "I
thought Darrell and Amal (McCaskill) off the bench gave us a big
lift."
McCaskill lifted Orlando into a 67-67 tie with 4:15 to play when
he made the second of two free throws. Neither team scored
until Anderson drilled a pair of three-pointers around a
three-pointer by Mookie Blaylock to give Orlando a 73-70 bulge
with 1:50 remaining.
Mutombo drew Atlanta within one with a pair of free throws at
the 1:28 mark and Laettner made a layup with 56 seconds to play
to give the Hawks their final lead, 74-73. But Anderson nailed
a three-point shot from the top of the key and the Magic were
never headed.
"We did not make big shots down the stretch and they made some
big ones," said Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens. "They hit some big
shots and we missed and that hurt us. We hate to lose any game.
We had some opportunities. I thought we did not capitalize on
them down the stretch here."
Atlanta enjoyed a 59-49 lead with 3:16 to play in the third
quarter after Mutombo hit a short hook shot, but the Magic
closed the third quarter with a 12-4 run, keyed by Armstrong's
10 points. Armstrong hit a pair of three-pointers and added a
layup and two free throws to pull Orlando within 63-61 at the
end of three.
nba.1765nba.news,
CHARLOTTE (88) AT TORONTO (92)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RICE F 42 9-19 10-12 1 3 4 0 1 0 3 29
MASON F 42 1-5 3-6 1 8 9 5 2 1 2 5
DIVAC C 37 6-12 3-4 5 7 12 3 5 1 3 15
CURRY G 25 2-7 2-4 1 2 3 1 4 0 3 7
BOGUES G 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2
GEIGER 11 2-3 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 5
GOLDWIRE 31 2-7 1-2 0 6 6 5 4 0 2 7
BURRELL 23 3-7 3-3 1 4 5 1 5 0 1 9
ROSE 6 2-3 2-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 6
DELK 6 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2
SMITH 8 0-1 1-2 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1
ZIDEK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-68 26-37 11 32 43 18 23 5 17 88
(.426) (.703) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 17(20 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 37 8-18 3-4 2 2 4 2 3 2 2 23
JONES F 42 2-4 6-7 6 12 18 2 5 3 2 10
WRIGHT C 38 8-18 0-0 4 4 8 0 3 1 1 16
CHRISTIE G 40 6-17 1-3 2 4 6 1 4 0 1 16
STOUDAMIRE G 35 4-13 2-4 1 2 3 6 1 2 3 10
DAVIS 18 3-8 1-1 2 0 2 1 2 0 0 7
WHITESIDE 14 0-4 3-3 0 1 1 3 0 1 2 3
EARL 10 0-3 2-2 1 3 4 2 3 1 0 2
LOHAUS 6 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 5
CAMBY DNP - STRAINED BACK
ROGERS DNP - ASTHMA
TOTALS 240 33-87 18-24 18 28 46 17 22 10 12 92
(.379) (.750) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(12 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 25 28 13 22 - 88
TORONTO 29 24 20 19 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - GEIGER 2, DIVAC, CURRY, BURRELL, ROSE. TORONTO
- WRIGHT, CHRISTIE, EARL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 4-17 (.235), RICE 1-6, DIVAC 0-2, CURRY 1-2,
GOLDWIRE 2-6, BURRELL 0-1. TORONTO 8-20 (.400), WILLIAMS 4-6, CHRISTIE
3-5, STOUDAMIRE 0-5, DAVIS 0-1, WHITESIDE 0-2, LOHAUS 1-1.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - JONES.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, JOE DEROSA, JIM KINSEY.
A - 15,710. T - 2:16.
CHARLOTTE (88) AT TORONTO (92)
Walt Williams scored 23 points and Sharone Wright added 16
points and eight rebounds to help the Toronto Raptors snap a
six-game losing streak with a a 92-88 victory over the Charlotte
Hornets.
The Raptors, who were without rookie center-forward Marcus
Camby, trailed 61-55 early in the third quarter before embarking
on a 15-3 run to take a 70-64 lead with 1:37 left in the period.
Doug Christie hit two three-pointers in the run.
Christie, who had 16 points and six rebounds, sank a
three-pointer with 11:36 left in the fourth to give Toronto its
largest lead of the game, 76-66.
Charlotte made the game close in the final five minutes. Anthony
Mason scored five points and Dell Curry had a jumper as the
Hornets went on a 20-11 run to close within 87-86.
Popeye Jones hit two free throws to push Toronto's advantage to
89-86 with 23.7 seconds left. With 10 seconds remaining, Rice
missed a three-pointer and Christie hit one of two from the
line. Rice tipped in a missed shot as the Hornets inched to
90-88 with 2.7 seconds left. But Williams converted two free
throws with 1.8 on the clock to close out the scoring.
"It's a good win for us, but hopefully we can build upon this,"
said Toronto point guard Damon Stoudamire. "It feels good to
finally get a victory after coming close in the last couple of
ballgames. Hopefully we've got the monkey off of our backs and
we can come back on a winning streak."
"We had a chance to win that game, we just didn't make our free
throws, " said Charlotte head Dave Cowens, whose team was
26-for-37 from the line. "We gave them too many shots, too many
offensive rebounds but when you don't make your free throws,
that's just how it goes. We should have won this game."
Rice scored 29 points and Divac had 15 points and 12 rebounds
for Charlotte, which had its four-game winning streak stopped.
"It was a just a slow start," said Curry. "I didn't get many
opportunities tonight. We didn't execute. It shouldn't be hard
to get up for a game. It was a big win last night, we should
have kept it going. We weren't as assertive as we were last
night."
Jones grabbed 18 rebounds for the second game in a row and
Stoudamire contributed 10 points and six assists for the
Raptors, who shot 37.9 percent (33-for-87) from the field.
"It was very important to get this win," Jones said. "We did a
great job down the stretch. I love to rebound and I hope to set
another record. The first time we played them down in
Charlotte, they killed us on the boards. I told Sharone
(Wright) 'They're not going to beat us on the boards tonight.'"
All five starters finished in double figures for the first time
this season.
"Everyone stepped up," Toronto head coach Darrell Walker said.
"We got contributions fromn everybody. It was a team win. It
feels great to get off the skid and get the win. This team
(Charlotte) beat Seattle, I was glad to see that the guys didn't
quit. We if get this same effort, we'll win in Minnesota."
Scott Burrell chipped in nine points and five rebounds and
Anthony Goldwire added seven points and six rebounds for the
Hornets, whose reserves outscored Toronto's, 30-17.
Charlotte, which used an 8-0 run early in the third to snap a
55-55 halftime tie and take a six-point lead, shot 42.6 percent
(29-for-68) from the field, including 4-for-17 from three-point
range.
Camby collapsed during pre-game warmups Tuesday and was taken to
a hospital with limited feeling below his waist. He is expected
to miss up to a week.
nba.1766nba.news,
CLEVELAND (75) AT MILWAUKEE (92)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 34 8-11 0-0 3 3 6 0 2 0 5 16
MILLS F 26 3-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 5 1 0 7
WEST C 13 1-3 1-1 1 2 3 0 3 0 0 3
BRANDON G 33 5-17 2-2 0 2 2 6 2 2 4 13
PHILLS G 32 1-5 1-4 1 3 4 3 1 0 1 4
FERRY 36 3-7 1-3 1 8 9 1 4 0 1 7
SURA 24 4-7 2-7 1 2 3 5 2 0 1 10
GEARY 2 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
POTAPENKO 16 4-5 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 8
LANG 19 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 4
THOMAS 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 3
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-71 7-17 8 26 34 19 24 6 15 75
(.451) (.412) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(13 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 38 7-13 8-9 0 6 6 1 4 0 5 22
ROBINSON F 44 8-17 4-6 2 10 12 4 0 0 3 22
LANG C 19 2-3 0-0 3 1 4 0 2 0 2 4
ALLEN G 19 4-7 2-3 1 1 2 0 4 1 0 11
DOUGLAS G 31 4-6 5-7 0 3 3 4 1 2 0 14
NEWMAN 33 1-5 3-6 1 2 3 4 1 1 0 5
GILLIAM 25 1-3 3-4 2 7 9 2 3 1 2 5
WOOD 14 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 1 2
PERRY 17 3-8 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 7
HANCOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOLF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-63 25-35 9 31 40 17 18 7 13 92
(.492) (.714) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 14(14 PTS)
CLEVELAND 17 25 21 12 - 75
MILWAUKEE 33 18 23 18 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - POTAPENKO 2, HILL, LANG. MILWAUKEE - LANG,
NEWMAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 4-9 (.444), MILLS 1-2, BRANDON 1-2, PHILLS
1-2, GEARY 0-1, THOMAS 1-2. MILWAUKEE 5-8 (.625), ROBINSON 2-3, ALLEN 1-3,
DOUGLAS 1-1, PERRY 1-1.
TECHNICALS: MILWAUKEE - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, TED BERNHARDT, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 13,189. T - 2:01.
CLEVELAND (75) AT MILWAUKEE (92)
Glenn Robinson and Vin Baker scored 22 points apiece as the
Milwaukee Bucks snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Cleveland
Cavaliers with a 92-75 victory.
Milwaukee defeated the Cavaliers for the first time since
December 30th, 1993. The Bucks snapped a two-game home losing
streak and improved to 5-2 at home.
The Bucks raced to a 26-8 lead in the first 8:40 of the game on
the strength of a 24-5 run. Ray Allen keyed the run with five
points and Robinson and Baker finished with eight points apiece
in the first quarter.
"We played a very smart game tonight at both ends of the floor,"
Milwaukee coach Chris Ford said. "I can't say enough about our
team; they played well. The Cavaliers are a good team. I
thought that we did some great things out there as far as moving
the ball. It certainly was one of our better games of the
season."
Tyrone Hill scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds and
Terrell Brandon added 13 points and six assists for Cleveland,
which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Cavaliers
could get no closer than seven points after a 16-foot jumper by
Danny Ferry late in the first half made it 49-42.
The Bucks sank 71 percent of their free throws (25-of-35) while
Cleveland made just 41 percent (7-of-17). Robinson grabbed 12
rebounds and Arnom Gilliam pulled down nine as Milwaukee
outrebounded the Cavaliers 40-34.
"Teams used to know that they could come into Milwaukee and get
a win; now, it's a different story," Robinson said. "If I am
not scoring, I can play defense and get some rebounds. I'm very
comfortable with or without Vin Baker on the floor. I'm not
concerned about scoring. I'm pleased with my rebounding and I
just want to keep it up."
"Missed shots and missed free throws just killed us," Brandon
said. "We contested their shots but they still hit them,
especially in the first quarter. We're having sucess with a 9-4
record. This was just a tough night and a small setback. After
tonight, we're going to forget about this game and go into the
holiday and come back strong."
Cleveland's defense entered with a league-best average of giving
up 80.9 points a game, but surrendered 33 points to the Bucks in
the first quarter alone.
Bucks center Andrew Lang returned to the starting lineup after
missing five games with an injury to his right Achilles tendon.
Lang finished with four points and four boards in 19 minutes.
"I don't think that we were slacking on defense," said guard
Bobby Phills, who totaled just four points. "They just made
some tough shots. Sometimes guys make shots like that. Tonight
was one of those nights for Milwaukee."
nba.1767nba.news,
DENVER (103) AT UTAH (107)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 46 7-15 9-12 1 2 3 1 2 0 4 25
MCDYESS F 37 7-13 1-2 2 9 11 1 5 1 5 15
JOHNSON C 21 2-6 0-0 1 4 5 0 4 0 1 4
JACKSON G 33 2-3 2-3 0 4 4 13 5 1 6 6
STITH G 42 9-14 6-6 0 9 9 4 4 2 2 31
HAMMONDS 35 4-8 0-0 2 2 4 1 5 0 1 8
B THOMPSON 8 1-4 2-2 0 0 0 4 3 0 0 5
MCINNIS 14 3-4 1-2 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 9
HAM 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MARCIULIONIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
L THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-67 21-27 6 30 36 25 31 4 19 103
(.522) (.778) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 20(30 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 44 13-25 5-7 6 11 17 6 3 2 1 31
RUSSELL F 33 4-7 2-3 4 3 7 3 4 0 4 10
OSTERTAG C 30 2-2 1-2 2 2 4 0 4 1 0 5
STOCKTON G 39 2-12 4-4 0 2 2 10 2 4 2 9
HORNACEK G 35 10-20 7-7 3 2 5 7 2 2 2 29
ANDERSON 18 2-5 1-1 1 2 3 2 1 0 1 5
KEEFE 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
MORRIS 15 4-5 1-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 11
FOSTER 5 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2
CARR 12 1-6 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 3
EISLEY 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-84 24-30 16 26 42 29 22 11 11 107
(.464) (.800) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 11(13 PTS)
DENVER 37 33 15 18 - 103
UTAH 19 17 36 35 - 107
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - MCDYESS, JOHNSON, STITH. UTAH - OSTERTAG 2,
RUSSELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 12-25 (.480), D ELLIS 2-8, MCDYESS 0-1, JACKSON
0-1, STITH 7-9, B THOMPSON 1-3, MCINNIS 2-3. UTAH 5-14 (.357), RUSSELL
0-1, STOCKTON 1-5, HORNACEK 2-5, MORRIS 2-3.
TECHNICALS: DENVER - MCDYESS, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, UTAH - HEAD COACH SLOAN,
OSTERTAG.
OFFICIALS: TOMMY NUNEZ, WOODY MAYFIELD, RONNIE NUNN.
A - 19,324. T - 2:14.
DENVER (103) AT UTAH (107)
Jeff Hornacek's three-pointer with 41 seconds to play gave Utah
the lead for good as the Jazz rallied from a 36-point first half
deficit to record an improbable 107-103 victory over the Denver
Nuggets, extending their winning streak to eight games.
Utah, which trailed 70-34 in the final minute of the first half,
trailed by 34 points at halftime before outscoring the Nuggets
71-33 in the second half. It is believed to be the largest
rally in NBA history. The previous best rally from a halftime
deficit is believed to belong to Philadelphia, which came from
27 points down to defeat Boston in March 1988.
"We certainly got embarrassed in the first half, but the second
half was a different story," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "When
you play with enthusiasm, you have a chance to win."
"I've seen a lot of things in my career, but I think that's the
biggest comeback in NBA history," said Nuggets coach Dick Motta.
"I've seen a lot of stuff, but I don't know we looked like a
deer in the headlights."
Bryant Stith's seventh three-pointer gave Denver its last lead,
101-100, with 59 seconds left. But Hornacek drilled a jumper
from the top of the key to put the Jazz ahead for good and
prevent Motta from earning his second win in as many games
since taking over for Bernie Bickerstaff on Tuesday.
"I would think that's the greatest comeback in NBA history,"
said Hornacek. "It's especially amazing is that we were down
that much at half, it wasn't like the middle of the second
quarter. I think there was still seven minutes to go and we
were still down 29, so it was a rapid comeback after that."
Karl Malone scored 31 points and Hornacek added 29 for Utah,
which improved to 10-2 and has won six straight home games.
Stith finished with 31 points and Dale Ellis added 25 for the
Nuggets, who have lost five of their last six.
"In my wildest imagination, I never thought we would lose that
game," said Stith. "We were supposed to win that game. There's
no reason, no excuse for us to lose here to Utah tonight. They
are a very good basketball team, we expected them to make a run
and have a spurt in the second half, but not a 36-point run."
The Jazz opened the third quarter with a 23-4 run, keyed by
Malone's 10 points as Utah closed within 74-57. Utah trailed
85-72 after three quarters, but opened the fourth with a 14-3
spurt to close within two.
Malone made a layup before Stith nailed a three-pointer to give
Denver an 88-74 advantage. John Stockton hit a foul shot and
Chris Morris had a three-pointer before Shandon Anderson threw
down a dunk to make it 88-80.
Morris followed with a jumper and reverse dunk before Malone
capped the run with a put-back to pull the Jazz within 88-86 at
the 6:20 mark.
"I've never heard of anything this unbelievable in my life,"
said Morris. "I've heard of being down 20, maybe 25 and then
try to fight hard and let it slip away, but I think the way we
did it was we played with straight heart and we just kept
battling and battling."
After Jeff McInnis hit a free throw to give Denver a 91-88 lead
with 5:03 to go, Morris tied it with a three-pointer. Stith
answered with a three-pointer before Malone had a dunk and
Hornacek two free throws to give Utah a 95-94 lead with 3:02 to
play. It was the Jazz's first lead since 2-0.
Stith and Stockton traded three-pointers before Mark Jackson hit
a free throw to forge a 98-98 tie with 1:31 to play. But
Hornacek's jumper gave Utah a two-point lead 18 seconds later.
Denver shot 73 percent from the field in the first half as Ellis
scored 21 points and Stith added 15. The Nuggets made 15-of-18
shots in the first quarter and took a 37-19 lead. They tailed
off slightly in the second, hitting on only 12-of-19 shots.
nba.1768nba.news,
LA LAKERS (94) AT BOSTON (110)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JONES F 44 6-19 5-6 1 2 3 3 4 3 1 19
CAMPBELL F 36 7-13 2-7 2 7 9 4 5 1 0 16
ONEAL C 38 10-15 2-7 4 6 10 5 3 0 0 22
SCOTT G 26 2-7 1-2 0 2 2 0 2 1 2 5
VAN EXEL G 35 6-11 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 1 3 15
FISHER 20 3-6 3-4 0 2 2 1 1 2 3 10
KNIGHT 13 1-2 1-2 2 3 5 1 1 0 0 3
BRYANT 20 1-7 0-0 1 3 4 1 3 0 2 2
BLOUNT 8 1-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 2
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
KERSEY DNP - STRAINED ACHILLES TENDON
TOTALS 240 37-84 14-28 10 30 40 19 21 8 11 94
(.440) (.500) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 34 8-14 2-4 3 9 12 4 3 2 3 19
WILLIAMS F 31 7-12 4-5 1 3 4 1 3 0 1 18
RADJA C 40 9-18 1-4 1 8 9 3 3 0 3 19
BARROS G 37 6-9 0-0 1 4 5 5 1 1 2 15
FOX G 30 3-5 6-7 0 5 5 6 6 2 2 13
BROWN 25 1-4 2-4 0 2 2 4 1 2 1 4
CONLON 8 1-3 0-0 2 3 5 0 2 0 1 2
DAY 6 1-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2
BRICKOWSKI 14 1-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 3 0 0 2
MINOR 14 4-7 6-6 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 14
SZABO 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
WESLEY DNP - SORE RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 42-82 21-30 10 38 48 25 23 8 14 110
(.512) (.700) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 14(11 PTS)
LA LAKERS 30 22 21 21 - 94
BOSTON 29 22 31 28 - 110
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL 4, JONES 3, KNIGHT 2, CAMPBELL, BRYANT,
BLOUNT. BOSTON - RADJA 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 6-21 (.286), JONES 2-6, SCOTT 0-4, VAN EXEL
3-6, FISHER 1-2, BRYANT 0-3. BOSTON 5-9 (.556), WALKER 1-2, BARROS 3-3,
FOX 1-1, BROWN 0-1, DAY 0-1, MINOR 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, DON VADEN, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 18,624. T - 2:12.
LA LAKERS (94) AT BOSTON (110)
Dana Barros and Antoine Walker hit consecutive three-pointers to
ignite a key fourth-quarter run as the Boston Celtics won
consecutive games for the first time this season, defeating the
Los Angeles Lakers, 110-94.
After the Lakers scored eight straight points to draw within
96-93 with 2:49 to play, Barros and Walker hit three-pointers to
spark a 14-1 spurt. Walker finished with 19 points and a
career-high 12 rebounds.
"After all the games we have blown, we learned a lesson," Walker
said. "My shot was a backbreaker. It felt good. They were
trying to come back and it broke them."
"A win against the Lakers means a lot to all of us," Celtics
coach M.L. Carr said. "This is a great win to boost our
confidence. We showed a total team effort."
Shaquille O'Neal had 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to
lead Los Angeles, which had its three-game road winning streak
snapped. The game marked the fourth time this season the Lakers
have played road games on consecutive nights. In each case, Los
Angeles has won the first game and dropped the second.
The Lakers made just 14-of-28 free-throw attempts, with O'Neal
and Elden Campbell each going 2-for-7. O'Neal has missed 12 of
his last 19 from the line.
"The Celtics hit a lot of shots and played good defense and,
most importantly, they were very energetic," O'Neal said.
"Times have changed, it (the Celtic-Laker rivalry) means nothing
to me. Many teams have come and gone and Magic and Bird are no
longer around."
Boston snapped a tie late in the third quarter by closing the
period with a 13-4 run. Dana Barros had five points during the
spurt, which was capped when Rick Fox made two of three free
throws.
The Celtics also regained the services of guard Dee Brown, who
had four points and four assists in 25 minutes off the bench.
"It's good to have Dee back. Now we have the opportunity to do
many different things and hopefully we can get the rest of the
team back in the next few weeks," said Barros.
nba.1769nba.news,
MIAMI (98) AT LA CLIPPERS (82)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 44 11-20 0-1 4 6 10 1 3 2 2 26
BROWN F 34 1-4 3-4 3 7 10 3 1 4 0 5
MOURNING C 18 9-10 1-2 1 2 3 1 4 0 1 19
DANILOVIC G 23 2-6 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 5
HARDAWAY G 27 8-11 0-0 0 2 2 6 1 1 3 18
AUSTIN 28 6-9 1-2 1 5 6 0 3 2 3 13
GRANT 21 1-5 1-2 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 4
PINCKNEY 13 1-1 0-0 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 2
LENARD 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
STRICKLAND 3 1-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 4
SCOTT 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
ASKINS 23 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 1 2 2
TOTALS 240 41-74 8-13 11 32 43 16 20 13 16 98
(.554) (.615) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 17(22 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 32 4-10 1-1 1 9 10 1 0 2 0 9
ROGERS F 34 4-11 3-3 3 2 5 3 3 0 4 11
DUCKWORTH C 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RICHARDSON G 22 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 5
SEALY G 22 0-4 3-3 0 2 2 1 2 0 3 3
ROBERTS 15 2-4 0-0 0 3 3 0 5 0 2 4
WRIGHT 11 1-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
DEHERE 27 5-15 3-3 1 0 1 2 4 2 4 14
MURRAY 27 2-9 0-0 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 5
D MARTIN 24 6-10 4-5 1 1 2 3 2 0 0 18
OUTLAW 23 4-5 3-4 4 2 6 0 2 5 1 11
PIATKOWSKI DNP - FLU
TOTALS 240 30-77 17-19 12 23 35 11 19 10 17 82
(.390) (.895) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 18(22 PTS)
MIAMI 40 19 18 21 - 98
LA CLIPPERS 14 26 17 25 - 82
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - PINCKNEY 2, MAJERLE, BROWN, MOURNING. LA CLIPPERS
- VAUGHT, SEALY, ROBERTS, OUTLAW.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 8-23 (.348), MAJERLE 4-11, DANILOVIC 1-4,
HARDAWAY 2-3, GRANT 1-3, LENARD 0-1, ASKINS 0-1. LA CLIPPERS 5-10 (.500),
ROGERS 0-1, RICHARDSON 1-2, DEHERE 1-3, MURRAY 1-2, D MARTIN 2-2.
TECHNICALS: MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, HUGH EVANS, TOM WASHINGTON.
A - 7,006. T - 2:06.
MIAMI (98) AT LA CLIPPERS (82)
Dan Majerle scored 26 points and keyed two first-quarter runs as
the Miami Heat completed a 6-0 West Coast trip with a 98-82
triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Majerle scored 12 points in the opening quarter for Miami, which
used spurts of 14-0 and 21-2 to build a 40-14 lead after the
first quarter. Alonzo Mourning scored 19 points and Tim
Hardaway added 18 for the Heat, who shot a torrid 77 percent in
the opening period (17-of-22) and 55 percent for the game
(41-of-74).
"He's a 40 minute guy, he works hard, he's in great, great
condition," said Miami coach Pat Riley. "I think back-to-back
it's a little bit harder. But he thrives on it. He's in a
better rhythm, he is playing better than the first five or six
game of the season."
"We came with the purpose of getting six in a row on the road,"
Majerle said. "We moved the ball, we ran and we made our shots.
I am happy with the way I am playing, I am getting a good mix of
threes, getting layups and creating for others."
Majerle and P.J. Brown each grabbed 10 rebounds as Miami
outrebounded the Clippers 43-35.
"We need to enjoy these wins right now, but we've got to stick
with it," said Mourning. "We are at the top of our division and
we want people to be chasing us."
The Heat led by as many as 27 points after a Majerle layup with
9:38 remaining in the second quarter.
Darrick Martin had a season-high 18 points and Terry Dehere
added 14 for the Clippers, whose bench outscored the starters
54-28.
"On a scale of 1-to-10, I rate the first quarter a 26 because
they had 26 more points than us," Los Angeles coach Bill Fitch
said. "I don't know who will starting against Utah but I
guarantee it will be a different lineup. I didn't like their
energy. We just had some guys that didn't come to the ballpark
tonight. It wasn't a group that I recognized."
Charles Outlaw scored 11 points and Loy Vaught pulled down 10
boards for Los Angeles, which trailed 59-40 at the half.
Los Angeles cut the deficit to 62-50 midway through the third
quarter after a Vaught layup. Hardaway then scored Miami's next
nine points to run the lead to 71-53 with 4:27 remaining in the
quarter to end the threat.
nba.1770nba.news,
NEW JERSEY (77) AT PHOENIX (99)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 36 7-17 3-4 3 3 6 0 1 1 1 18
J WILLIAMS F 34 5-19 2-4 6 7 13 0 2 1 1 12
BRADLEY C 23 3-5 1-4 1 3 4 0 3 0 2 7
KITTLES G 36 2-10 0-1 0 5 5 3 2 2 0 4
PACK G 25 1-10 5-6 1 1 2 5 5 0 3 7
MASSENBURG 29 3-5 3-4 2 3 5 0 0 0 1 9
R WILLIAMS 20 5-11 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 3 2 12
REEVES 22 1-7 3-4 2 2 4 6 0 1 1 6
OBANNON 6 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
CALDWELL 6 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 0
DARE 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
TOTALS 240 28-88 17-27 15 29 44 15 16 10 12 77
(.318) (.630) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 12(9 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 28 7-12 4-4 0 1 1 3 4 1 3 18
GREEN F 40 3-5 0-0 1 12 13 1 4 0 3 6
WILLIAMS C 21 3-6 0-0 1 8 9 1 2 0 0 6
PERSON G 32 7-15 6-7 0 3 3 6 2 0 1 22
JOHNSON G 32 6-14 5-7 0 4 4 8 1 0 2 17
HORRY 20 3-6 0-0 2 2 4 3 1 1 2 6
MANNING 10 1-5 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 2
CHAPMAN 16 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 4
KLEINE 22 5-7 1-1 3 5 8 1 2 0 1 11
NASH 16 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 4 2 1 3 3
BROWN 3 2-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4
CASSELL DNP - PERSONAL PROBLEMS
TOTALS 240 40-83 16-19 10 37 47 28 21 4 17 99
(.482) (.842) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 17(19 PTS)
NEW JERSEY 24 20 18 15 - 77
PHOENIX 28 22 30 19 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 2, R WILLIAMS 2, GILL, DARE. PHOENIX
- WILLIAMS 2, PERSON, HORRY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 4-16 (.250), GILL 1-2, J WILLIAMS 0-1,
KITTLES 0-3, R WILLIAMS 2-5, REEVES 1-3, OBANNON 0-2. PHOENIX 3-8 (.375),
PERSON 2-5, CHAPMAN 0-1, NASH 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NEW JERSEY - DELAY.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, BILL SPOONER, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 19,023. T - 2:04.
NEW JERSEY (77) AT PHOENIX (99)
Wesley Person scored a season-high 22 points and sparked a key
third-quarter run as the Phoenix Suns became the last NBA team
to win a game, defeating the hapless New Jersey Nets, 99-77.
In a matchup of the worst teams in each conference, Phoenix
snapped its franchise-record 13-game slide to open the season.
Michael Finley had 18 points and Kevin Johnson added 17 as the
Suns also gave Danny Ainge his first career coaching victory.
"It's been ugly losing, but I don't feel overly excited," Ainge
said. "Let's keep this thing in perspective. This is a team
we're supposed to beat. It's just one win but I'm glad the huge
gorilla is off the players' backs."
"It's embarrassing but this is the first step," Johnson said.
"We can enjoy it tonight but tomorrow we will still be
1-and-whatever. For our team to be effective, Wesley (Person)
is going to have to score 16 points a night. Tonight he really
lit it up but he going to have to do that night in and night
out."
Kendall Gill had 18 points and Jayson Williams added 12 points
and 13 rebounds for the Nets, who are 0-5 on the road and 2-8,
overall.
The Suns have won the last seven games with New Jersey,
including four straight in Phoenix. The Suns' last home loss to
New Jersey was on March 13th, 1993.
When the Suns seized a 54-44 lead just under two minutes into
the third quarter it marked the first time this season that they
have had a double-digit lead. Their halftime lead was just the
second time this season that they have led at intermission.
Phoenix blew the game open late in the third quarter with a 12-3
run that turned a 68-59 lead into an 18-point advantage heading
into the final quarter. Person hit a three-pointer to start the
burst and A.C. Green capped it with a layup. In between Johnson
had five points.
"It feels great to get the first win," Person said. "We got
close in a couple of earlier games, but we couldn't pull it off.
We had a chance to cruise in the fourth quarter tonight and not
worry about it. The team hasn't been scoring and it comes down
to me. I have to put up points and make it happen."
The Nets starting backcourt of Kerry Kittles and Robert Pack
made just 3-of-20 shots from the floor, contributing to the Nets
overall shooting woes. New Jersey made just 31 percent of its
shots (28-of-88) and was 4-of-16 from three-point range.
"When you shoot 29 percent, you lose," Nets coach John Calipari
said. "I couldn't believe we were in it at halftime when we shot
28 percent. What it looked like was that they wanted it more
than we did and I am disappointed in that. They have guys that
started that were key parts in championship teams, it's not like
they are a slouch team. This was a game that they had to have."
"I thought going into the second half that we couldn't get that
bad, but we did it again in the second," pack said. "We had good
looks, I mean wide open shots in the lane, and we just didn't
make any."
nba.1771nba.news,
PORTLAND (120) AT SAN ANTONIO (109)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALLACE F 29 3-5 4-8 4 1 5 1 2 0 3 10
C ROBINSON F 34 6-15 7-8 1 4 5 2 3 4 2 20
SABONIS C 24 8-13 7-10 2 3 5 4 0 1 2 23
RIDER G 34 6-9 1-2 2 3 5 3 5 0 1 17
ANDERSON G 38 8-15 8-10 3 3 6 8 3 1 2 25
TRENT 19 3-7 3-4 3 4 7 1 0 0 2 9
MCKIE 16 2-5 0-0 2 1 3 2 3 0 1 5
BUTLER 14 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 5
CHILDRESS 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
DUDLEY 23 1-2 1-2 4 4 8 1 1 1 0 3
DJORDJEVIC DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGFIELD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-76 31-44 21 24 45 23 17 7 13 120
(.526) (.705) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(14 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 37 10-18 7-8 3 1 4 1 6 2 3 27
D WILKINS F 43 11-21 7-9 3 8 11 0 5 2 2 33
W PERDUE C 21 1-7 0-0 3 2 5 1 4 0 1 2
DEL NEGRO G 30 5-7 1-1 1 0 1 9 1 0 0 11
JOHNSON G 33 8-10 2-2 0 1 1 12 5 2 4 18
ALEXANDER 9 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
HERRERA 10 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
MAXWELL 25 4-10 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 1 0 10
M WILLIAMS 17 4-7 0-0 2 3 5 1 4 0 1 8
ANDERSON 12 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 4 0 0 0
KEMPTON 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 43-86 17-20 13 19 32 25 32 7 11 109
(.500) (.850) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 11(16 PTS)
PORTLAND 30 21 29 40 - 120
SAN ANTONIO 31 14 30 34 - 109
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - DUDLEY 3, WALLACE, SABONIS. SAN ANTONIO -
ELLIOTT, ANDERSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 9-22 (.409), C ROBINSON 1-4, SABONIS 0-2,
RIDER 4-6, ANDERSON 1-5, MCKIE 1-1, BUTLER 1-1, CHILDRESS 1-3. SAN ANTONIO
6-15 (.400), ELLIOTT 0-1, D WILKINS 4-8, DEL NEGRO 0-1, MAXWELL 2-5.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, NOLAN FINE, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 13,797. T - 2:10.
PORTLAND (120) AT SAN ANTONIO (109)
Kenny Anderson scored 25 points and Arvydas Sabonis added 23 as
the Portland Trail Blazers used clutch free-throw shooting to
hand the San Antonio Spurs their seventh straight loss, 120-109.
Clifford Robinson had 20 points for the Blazers, who shot nearly
53 percent from the field and won for the fifth time in six
games.
Dominique Wilkins scored a season-high 33 points and pulled down
11 rebounds for the Spurs, who have lost 10 of their last 11
games. San Antonio topped the 100-point mark for the second
straight contest after failing to score as many as 96 points in
its first 12 games.
The Spurs, who have played all season without injured All-Star
center David Robinson, climbed within 105-100 on a pair of free
throws by Sean Elliott with 1:30 remaining.
But Portland hit 13-of-14 free throws down the stretch,
including seven by Robinson over the final 51 seconds.
All five starters scored in double figures for the Blazers.
Isaiah Rider contributed 17 points, while Rasheed Wallace had
10. No Portland player had more than seven rebounds, but the
Blazers had a 45-32 edge on the boards.
Avery Johnson had 18 points and 12 assists, while Vinny Del
Negro added 11 points and nine assists for San Antonio. The
Spurs shot 50 percent from the field, but were outscored from
the foul line, 31-17.
nba.1772nba.news,
SEATTLE (106) AT MINNESOTA (98)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 38 2-8 15-18 2 12 14 1 4 0 1 19
D SCHREMPF F 40 10-16 4-4 3 8 11 5 3 0 7 27
MCILVAINE C 14 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0
HAWKINS G 34 10-14 1-4 0 3 3 4 0 5 2 24
PAYTON G 44 9-20 3-4 2 1 3 12 4 3 5 22
PERKINS 27 1-3 2-4 0 3 3 3 1 0 0 5
STEWART 18 2-6 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 1 3 5
EHLO 18 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
SNOW 5 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
WINGATE 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-72 25-34 10 29 39 27 18 9 18 106
(.500) (.735) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 18(24 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GUGLIOTTA F 30 10-14 2-3 0 2 2 4 4 2 4 22
K GARNETT F 42 7-11 7-9 5 12 17 7 2 3 2 21
VRANKOVIC C 19 3-6 0-1 2 2 4 2 3 0 3 6
WEST G 28 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 4 4 2 1 6
MARBURY G 36 5-16 4-4 1 2 3 5 2 3 2 14
MITCHELL 36 3-13 3-5 3 3 6 4 4 0 1 9
PORTER 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
ROBINSON 14 0-4 1-2 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1
PARKS 16 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 4
HEAL 13 5-9 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 15
CARR DNP - COACH'S DECISION
D GARRETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-85 17-24 11 25 36 27 26 11 16 98
(.447) (.708) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 18(17 PTS)
SEATTLE 33 28 18 27 - 106
MINNESOTA 24 22 23 29 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - KEMP 3, MCILVAINE 2, D SCHREMPF, HAWKINS,
PAYTON, PERKINS. MINNESOTA - VRANKOVIC 3, K GARNETT 2, PARKS, HEAL,
ROBINSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 9-17 (.529), D SCHREMPF 3-5, HAWKINS 3-5,
PAYTON 1-2, PERKINS 1-3, STEWART 1-2. MINNESOTA 5-18 (.278), WEST 0-2,
MARBURY 0-5, MITCHELL 0-1, ROBINSON 0-1, HEAL 5-9.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - D SCHREMPF.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, PAUL MIHALAK, JOE BORGIA.
A - 16,173. T - 2:13.
SEATTLE (106) AT MINNESOTA (98)
Detlef Schrempf scored 27 points and Hersey Hawkins hit a key
three-pointer at the end of the third quarter as the Seattle
SuperSonics maintained their mastery of the Minnesota
Timberwolves with a 106-98 victory.
Hawkins finished with 24 points and Gary Payton added 22 for the
SuperSonics, who have won 22 straight games over the
Timberwolves since a 100-96 loss at Seattle on March 15th, 1991.
The Sonics lead the all-time series, 26-3.
Kevin Garnett scored 21 points and Tom Gugliotta added 20 for
Minnesota, which lost for the first time in five home games.
Seattle has won 12 of its last 13 games, overall.
"Everybody in a locker room knew we were running low on gas,"
said Seattle coach George Karl. "Minnesota made a lot of plays,
but so did we. We never gave up the lead. I just wanted to win
two out of three and 'get out of Dodge.' This makes for an easy
flight at home."
Stephon Marbury capped a 16-4 Timberwolves run with a pair of
free throws, drawing Minnesota within 69-68 with 2:51 to play in
the third quarter. But Seattle answered with a 10-1 run to end
the quarter.
Shawn Kemp hit 5-of-6 free throws to extend the lead to 74-68
with 29 seconds to play. James Robinson made a foul shot, but
Payton canned a jumper with 3.9 seconds left to make it 76-69.
Hawkins stole the inbounds pass on the left wing and nailed a
24-footer with four-tenths of a second left to extend the lead
to 10 points.
"It's good to have the jump shot go in," said Hawkins. "Now I
have to work on my free throws. One comes and the other goes.
When Minnesota made their run, it's not the team of the past.
In the old days, when they were down 20, they would give up.
Now they feel they can win."
Minnesota countered with an 11-4 run over the first 3:20 of the
fourth quarter, pulling within 83-80 after a three-pointer by
Shane Heal. But Payton made two free throws and a layup and
Hawkins capped the run with a jumper, giving Seattle an 89-80
lead with 6:27 remaining. The Wolves came no closer than four
points down the stretch.
Kemp finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds for Seattle, which
shot 50 percent (36-of-72) from the field. Kemp was just 2-of-8
from the floor, but made 15-of-18 free throws. Payton had 12
assists and every Seattle starter blocked a shot.
Garnett had a season-high 17 rebounds and a career-high seven
assists for Minnesota, which shot 45 percent (38-of-85) from the
floor. Heal set a franchise record by making five
three-pointers in the fourth quarters and finished with 15
points.
"We came out with no energy in the first half," said Garnett.
"We have to have effort and energy to play a team like Seattle.
We need to solve the problem of our slow starts. We need to
have fun, let loose and go out and play. We haven't been doing
that like we should."
nba.1773nba.news,
VANCOUVER (78) AT DETROIT (87)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 38 1-13 2-2 1 2 3 3 3 1 3 4
LYNCH F 34 3-4 1-2 3 3 6 3 6 2 0 9
MOBLEY C 16 1-6 0-0 4 3 7 1 2 0 2 2
MOTEN G 23 4-10 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 1 0 10
ANTHONY G 38 10-19 0-0 0 3 3 5 2 2 1 24
PEELER 34 6-15 0-0 1 5 6 3 2 1 1 14
MANNING 20 3-8 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 8
ROGERS 15 3-6 0-2 2 3 5 0 1 0 0 6
MAYBERRY 10 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
CHILCUTT 12 0-2 1-2 0 3 3 2 2 2 0 1
B EDWARDS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
REEVES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-85 4-8 13 24 37 18 23 10 7 78
(.365) (.500) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 10(13 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 42 4-12 7-10 0 6 6 8 3 1 3 15
LONG F 24 3-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 2 1 1 7
THORPE C 35 6-11 5-8 6 8 14 2 3 0 2 17
HUNTER G 39 7-17 6-7 2 5 7 0 2 1 1 24
DUMARS G 41 2-5 2-2 0 2 2 4 1 0 6 7
MILLS 16 5-10 0-0 0 3 3 1 0 0 2 13
AUGMON 9 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
RATLIFF 9 1-3 0-0 3 1 4 0 0 0 2 2
CURRY 13 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
REID 4 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0
MAHORN 8 0-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-68 20-27 14 33 47 18 13 3 17 87
(.426) (.741) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(18 PTS)
VANCOUVER 21 24 11 22 - 78
DETROIT 23 19 25 20 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ABDUR-RAHIM 2, MANNING. DETROIT - HUNTER 2,
MILLS, MAHORN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 12-25 (.480), LYNCH 2-3, MOTEN 2-4, ANTHONY
4-7, PEELER 2-6, MANNING 2-2, MAYBERRY 0-1, CHILCUTT 0-2. DETROIT 9-21
(.429), LONG 1-1, HUNTER 4-8, DUMARS 1-3, MILLS 3-7, CURRY 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, RON OLESIAK, BENNIE ADAMS.
A - 15,195. T - 2:01.
VANCOUVER (78) AT DETROIT (87)
Lindsey Hunter had 24 points and Otis Thorpe added 17 and 14
rebounds, including the 15,000th point of his career, as the
Detroit Pistons continued their early-season success with an
87-78 defeat of the reeling Vancouver Grizzlies.
The Pistons, whose six-game winning streak was stopped Saturday
in Charlotte, used a 30-7 run that bridged the third and fourth
quarters to break open a tight game.
Grant Hill, who was forced to leave Saturday's game, had 15
points for Detroit, which has won 11 of its first 13 games. He
also set up Thorpe's milestone basket -- a dunk with 9:21 to go
in regulation.
"It was nice to come out and score 15,000 points in a Pistons'
uniform," Thorpe said. "I'm pleased with our record so far, but
those games are behind us. We need to take each game one at a
time."
"I really didn't want to shoot the ball, everything was sort of
to the hole," Hill said. "I just wanted to go out there and try
to penetrate and pass it."
Greg Anthony scored 24 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost
six of their last seven games and are winless in seven road
contests this season. Vancouver played without starting center
Bryant Reeves, who is nursing a sprained right knee.
Grizzlies rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim made just 1-of-13 shots,
grabbed three rebounds and committed three of Vancouver's seven
turnovers. The Grizzlies attempted only eight free throws in
the contest, but hit 12-of-25 three-point attempts.
The Grizzlies were leading 49-42 just under two minutes into the
second half, but the Pistons went on the decisive run that
extended into the fourth quarter. Thorpe hit a free throw to
begin the spurt and Chris Mills capped it with a three-pointer
61 seconds into the final period.
"It wasn't pretty, but I thought the third quarter and a little
bit of the fourth quarter our defense was sensational," Pistons
coach Doug Collins said.
"Detroit stepped up the defensive intensity in the second half,"
Anthony said. "In the first half, we got a lot of open looks,
but that changed in the second half. We competed well without
our go-to guy. The third quarter killed us. That's been our
Achilles heel all season. We didn't get a lot of shots or good
looks. When that happens, you end up taking bad shots."
The Pistons, who have yet to allow an opponent more than 100
points this season, held a 47-37 advantage on the boards and
made 9-of-21 three-point attempts.
Detroit has won all three all-time meetings with Vancouver.
nba.1774nba.news,
Rockets sign G Elmer Bennett; place C Charles Jones on IL
The Houston Rockets today signed point guard Elmer Bennett to take the
roster spot of injured center Charles Jones.
Bennett, a 6-foot guard out of Notre Dame, has played six games this
season with the Oklahoma City Cavalry of the Continental Basketball
Association. He was second in the league in assists (9.5 per game) and
fourth in scoring (23.7).
The 26-year-old Bennett was the 38th pick of the 1992 NBA Draft by the
Atlanta Hawks and also made brief appearances with the Philadelphia
76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers during his 12-game NBA career. He
was in training camp with the San Antonio Spurs this fall.
The 39-year-old Jones was placed on the injured list with a lower back
strain. He has seen action in two games this season, averaging seven
minutes a game. The 6-9 pivotman has averaged 2.6 points and 4.7
rebounds a game over a 12-year NBA career that has also included stops
at Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington and Detroit.
nba.1775nba.news,
Bucks activate C Andrew Lang from injured list
The Milwaukee Bucks activated center Andrew Lang from the injured list
in time for tonight's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 6-11 Lang suffered a right Achilles tendon injury in a 95-86 loss
at Golden State November 14th and did not play in a 103-99 loss at
Sacramento the following night. He is averaging 4.6 points and 6.4
rebounds in seven games this season.
The Bucks went 2-3 in Lang's absence. With Lang in the middle,
All-Star Vin Baker can return to his natural position of power
forward. Milwaukee was 5-3 before Lang went down with the injury, its
best start since winning 11 of 14 in 1992.
Lang was acquired from Minnesota in some shrewd dealing by the Bucks.
Milwaukee chose guard Stephon Marbury with the fourth overall pick,
then sent him to the Timberwolves for guard Ray Allen and a 1997
first-round pick. The Bucks traded the first-round pick back to the
Timberwolves for Lang.
The 30-year-old Lang is playing for his fifth team in his eight NBA
seasons. He entered the season with averages of 6.6 points, five
rebounds and nearly two blocks per game.
To make room on the roster, the Bucks waived center Keith Tower, who
was signed when Lang went on the injured list. Tower averaged 1.4
points, 1.8 rebounds in five games, playing just 72 minutes and
committing 12 fouls. The 26-year-old Tower has been waived four times
in his three-year career.
He has scored just 98 points in 53 games and began the season on the
injured list with a broken right hand.
nba.1776nba.news,
Camby may return by Saturday
TORONTO (Nov 27, 1996 - 22:30 EST) -- Marcus Camby, who was carried
off the court on a stretcher during warmups Tuesday night, has a
strained lower back.
The Toronto Raptors rookie was expected to be sidelined a week, but he
said Wednesday he might return as early as this weekend.
"I feel a whole lot better today," Camby said prior to Toronto's 92-88
victory Wednesday night over the Charlotte Hornets. "The way this
thing is going, I'm getting good treatment and I might play Saturday."
Just 24 hours earlier, such a statement seemed farfetched. Camby had
been laying motionless on the floor of the SkyDome for 25 minutes
unable to move his legs.
"I got twisted and felt a sharp pain in my back," Camby said after
spending a few hours at the hospital. "I couldn't feel anything.
Everything went numb.
"When I got to the ambulance, everything started to come back. My
back's just sore right now."
Doctors found no neurological damage.
"All of Marcus's motor and sensory reflexes are intact," the team said
Wednesday.
Camby missed two games last season at Massachusetts after collapsing
before a game against St. Bonaventure. Extensive examinations revealed
no heart defect, and the incident was attributed to the flu and poor
diet.
In this latest incident, Camby was working on a simple drop-step move
during a pregame warmups when he fell. After spending nearly a half
hour on the court, he was taken to a Toronto hospital by ambulance.
His neck was stabilized with a cervical collar and he was strapped to
a stretcher.
"When (assistant coach John) Schumate came to my office and said he
was down, I thought it was his heart," Walker said. "He couldn't feel
anything in his legs.
"They pinched him and he couldn't feel anything. It was a scary moment
for this franchise."
Camby has been beset by physical problems. At the Raptors' training
camp in October, he sprained his left ankle and missed about a week of
workouts. Then, in the final exhibition game, he sprained his other
ankle.
That slowed his development, but he had been showing flashes of
excellence before Tuesday's fall. He is averaging 14.3 points, third
best on the team, and 4.2 rebounds a game.
His long reach and quickness make the 6-foot-11 rookie a perfect fit
for Toronto's pressing and trapping defense. He is also looking more
comfortable on offense, willing to take baseline jumpers and drive to
the basket.
Camby's injury adds to a long list of the team's ills. Forward Carlos
Rogers hasn't played in a week after an asthma attack and he's not
expected back until Saturday at least.
Sharone Wright has an ailing back and his effectiveness has been
limited. Zan Tabak, with a bad back and heel, isn't eligible to come
off the injured list until Saturday.
Toronto, last in the Central Division with a 3-9 record, took a
six-game losing streak into Wednesday night's home game with the
Charlotte Hornets.
nba.1777nba.news,
Celtics activates Brown, puts Ellison on injured list
BOSTON (Nov 27, 1996 - 20:30 EST) -- Dee Brown, who lost his Boston
Celtics captaincy after asking to be traded last season, was activated
from the injured list Wednesday. Pervis Ellison replaced him on the
list.
Brown missed Boston's first 11 regular-season games and all but one
preseason game with back pain. His ability to play shooting guard or
point guard was needed Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers
because starting point guard David Wesley missed his third straight
game with a sore right foot.
Brown, Boston's captain the last two seasons, was replaced in that job
this season by Rick Fox. In six previous seasons with the Celtics,
Brown averaged 12.3 points and 4.3 assists per game.
Ellison was expected to be sidelined 8-to-12 weeks after breaking his
right big toe when he dropped a table on it last Friday. He had played
in six of Boston's 11 games before Wednesday, starting four at center.
nba.1778nba.news,
Chicago looks to compensate for loss of surfing center
DEERFIELD, Ill. (Nov 27, 1996 - 19:36 EST) -- If he'd crashed into
another 300-pound center while playing defense or hurdled his own
sizable body into the stands for a loose ball, Luc Longley's separated
shoulder wouldn't be so unusual.
But body surfing in the Pacific?
"I think all the surfing expeditions are over. Luc is an example for
us," Michael Jordan observed Wednesday as the Bulls adjusted to the
loss of their center for what could be two months.
Longley, an experienced swimmer who grew up in Australia, dreaded
telling Bulls officials after the mishap Sunday. He was injured when a
wave hurled him into the sand. He said coach Phil Jackson's first five
or six words were "pretty ugly."
"None of you can ever print them," he said.
But for public consumption, Jackson took a more tolerant approach.
"We encourage our guys to lead a fun life," he said. "They are not
monks and they are not sequestered to their rooms.
"It was 75 or 80 degrees and looking forward to winter, what's wrong
with that? ... It's not like Luc was out riding a dirt bike or
motorcycle. He was doing something like swimming, although it was in
the surf and it was a little higher than normal that day.
"He's a guy who is pretty comfortable in the ocean and he's just
living his life."
Now the Bulls face life without Luc. They'll mostly miss his size
(7-2, 292 pounds) in the middle and his ability to guard other big
centers one-on-one so the Bulls don't have to double team and leave a
shooter open. He's averaging seven points and five rebounds.
Bill Wennington, Dickey Simpkins and Robert Parish, who will come off
the injured list in three games when the Bulls finish a seven-game
road trip, will fill in at center. Jason Caffey also could see
increased playing time.
"It's just one of those things. We'll give Luc support. But we're not
going to let him forget what happened to him, either," Parish said
with Wednesday a laugh.
Jackson said Longley's absence will make it "tougher to win games."
The Bulls are off to a 13-1 start.
But Jackson also recited positive aspects of the injury, including a
chance for Longley to rest sore knees and be ready for the final
months of the season. By Wednesday, Longley had already regained some
range of motion in his left shoulder and might only be out six weeks,
instead of eight.
"My wife tells me I smell roses sitting on a manure pile," Jackson
said. "I seem to think it will be good for the team because it will
develop us in another area, strengthen us somewhere else where we need
other players to have some minutes."
Longley missed 19 games last season. The Bulls were 15-4 in his
absence.
"We found ways to compensate," said Jordan. "That's the makeup of this
team. We learn to survive."
nba.1779nba.news,
Mota makes successful debut as Nuggets coach
Veteran NBA coach Dick Motta got his Nuggets tenure off to a positive
start when Denver defeated the winless Phoenix Suns, 117-108.
Motta replaced Bernie Bickerstaff, who stepped down as head coach
earlier in the day and handed over the reigns to the long-time
Mavericks coach.
Bickerstaff, who is in his seventh year with the Nuggets'
organization, will remain as team president and also assume the title
of general manager. He had served as head coach since February 20,
1995.
Todd Eley, who was named as general manager by Bickerstaff last
February, is now the team's vice president of basketball operations.
Bickerstaff's decision to step down as coach is not surprising since
he has long expressed a desire to concentrate solely on his front
office responsibilities. The first sign that Bickerstaff would
eventually relinquish his head coaching duties came when he named
Motta as an assistant in the off-season.
"I am relinquishing my coaching duties in order to focus on
solidifying the talent base of this club and continue to build on its
nucleus," said Bickerstaff earlier in the day. "It is the best way I
can serve this organization and I have said all along that you must do
what is best for the organization."
The 65-year-old Motta is third on the all-time NBA wins list with 919
in his 24-year coaching career. He trails only Lenny Wilkens (1,021)
and Red Auerbach (938) in wins, but is second only to Bill Fitch
(1,002) in career losses with 965.
Motta voluntarily stepped down as coach of the Dallas Mavericks after
the 1995-96 season when new ownership took over the team.
Motta had a disappointing 26-56 record with the Mavericks last season
after a 36-46 mark in 1994-95, a 23-game improvement from the previous
year. He posted 329 wins in his nine seasons with Dallas and is the
franchise's all-time winningest coach.
The 52-year-old Bickerstaff served as an assistant coach under Motta
in Washington from 1976 to 1980. During their tenure, Washington
compiled a 185-143 record and made two NBA Finals appearances, winning
the title in 1978.
The Nuggets are off to a disappointing start in 1996-97 after
Bickerstaff made numerous off-season deals. Bickerstaff acquired
guards Mark Jackson, Ricky Pierce and Sarunas Marciulionis in trades,
signed free agent center Ervin Johnson after losing Dikembe Mutombo
via free agency and re-signed guard Bryant Stith and forward Dale
Ellis.
In his first full season as Nuggets coach last year, Bickerstaff
posted a 35-47 record. He had a coaching record of 59-68 in parts of
three seasons with Denver.
When Bickerstaff took over as head coach in February of 1995, the
Nuggets were 21-29. He led them to a 20-12 record the rest of the way
and a playoff berth.
Bickerstaff joined the Nuggets in 1990 as the team's executive vice
president.
Bickerstaff was the head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics for five
years from 1985-86 to 1989-90 and compiled a 202-208 record.
nba.1780nba.news,
Dick Motta coaching record
(Nov 27, 1996 - 19:42 EST) -- The career coaching record of Dick
Motta, who was named head coach of the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday:
Regular Season
W L Pct. Fin
1968-69 Chicago 33 49 .402 5
1969-70 Chicago 39 43 .476 3
1970-71 Chicago-y 51 31 .622 2
1971-72 Chicago 57 25 .695 2
1972-73 Chicago 51 31 .622 2
1973-74 Chicago 54 28 .659 2
1974-75 Chicago 47 35 .573 1
1975-76 Chicago 24 58 .293 4
1976-77 Washington 48 34 .585 2
1977-78 Washington 44 38 .537 2
1978-79 Washington 54 28 .659 1
1979-80 Washington 39 43 .476 3
1980-81 Dallas 15 67 .183 6
1981-82 Dallas 28 54 .341 5
1982-83 Dallas 38 44 .463 4
1983-84 Dallas 43 39 .524 2
1984-85 Dallas 44 38 .537 3
1985-86 Dallas 44 38 .537 3
1986-87 Dallas 55 27 .671 1
1989-90 Sacramento 16 38 .296 7
1990-91 Sacramento 25 57 .439 7
1991-92 Sacramento 7 18 .280 7
1994-95 Dallas 36 46 .439 5
1995-96 Dallas 26 56 .317 t5
1996-97 Denver 1 0 1.000 --
Totals 919 965 .488
y-selected NBA Coach of the Year
Playoffs
W L Pct.
1970 Chicago 1 4 .200
1971 Chicago 3 4 .429
1972 Chicago 0 4 .000
1973 Chicago 3 4 .429
1974 Chicago 4 7 .364
1975 Chicago 7 6 .538
1977 Washington 4 5 .444
1978 Washington-x 14 7 .667
1979 Washington 9 10 .474
1980 Washington 0 2 .000
1984 Dallas 4 6 .400
1985 Dallas 1 3 .250
1986 Dallas 5 5 .500
1987 Dallas 1 3 .250
Totals 56 70 .444
Overall Total 974 1035 .485
x-won NBA championship
nba.1781nba.news,
Denver coach returns to front-office job
DENVER (Nov 27, 1996 - 05:24 EST) -- As the Denver Nuggets were doing
their fast fade last week, Bernie Bickerstaff found himself thinking
about his old life, remembering the simplicity of traveling the
country on his own in search of talent.
As he watched his team on the floor, he realized it was a job that
needed doing. Tuesday, he made it happen.
Twenty-one months after taking over as Nuggets coach, Bickerstaff
relinquished the reins, returning to his job in the front office and
naming his assistant and old friend Dick Motta the team's 13th head
coach.
Tuesday night, the team improved to 5-9 thanks to a 117-108 victory
over winless Phoenix.
"When you evaluate it, hey, it wasn't working," Bickerstaff said
earlier in the day.
Bickerstaff finished his Denver coaching run with a record of 59-68 in
one full season and parts of two others.
"The ox is in the mire," said Motta, who got a three-year contract to
take over through the 1998-99 season. "We've got work to do. We'll
make changes as we deem necessary."
Motta, 65, brought a pro record of 918-965 to the job. He is the
third-winningest coach in NBA history, behind Lenny Wilkens and Red
Auerbach, and the second-losingest, behind Bill Fitch.
"We were disappointed," said Charlie Lyons, president of Ascent
Entertainment Group, which owns the team. "Everybody was
disappointed."
Lyons said before the season he expected the Nuggets to finish with a
winning record and make the playoffs.
Asked whether he would hold Motta to that commitment, Lyons said, "I
don't think it would be well for us to start predicting or laying out
expectations on a guy who's been here 10 minutes. But we're looking
for improvement ..."
Ascent's concern is not merely the team's performance on the floor. At
the box office, the Nuggets have slipped even more dramatically,
returning to the bad old days in the early 1990s when McNichols Sports
Arena was routinely half empty for their games.
Through Monday, the Nuggets ranked 28th in the league in attendance,
averaging 13,004 tickets distributed per game. Only the Los Angeles
Clippers were doing worse.
Bickerstaff asked Motta on Sunday if he'd be willing to coach the
team. "I tried to talk him out of it all day," Motta said. But
Bickerstaff also had broached the subject with Lyons, who agreed it
was time. Bickerstaff went back to Motta on Monday and told him if he
didn't take the job, the team would find somebody else. The deal was
struck.
"I have totally mixed emotions," Motta said. "Bernie and I are close
friends, and I feel bad it didn't work out quite the way we all
envisioned it would. And yet I can't help but sell enthusiasm and
excitement to myself and to this ballclub."
Bickerstaff had emotional meetings with his players Tuesday morning to
give them the news. Some thought it was their fault. They were
probably right.
The news conference at McNichols, where the change was announced, was
reminiscent of a similar affair 22 months ago, when Dan Issel stepped
down as head coach and handed the reins to assistant Gene Littles.
Like Motta, Littles took over heading into a difficult stretch of the
schedule. When the team went into the tank, losing 13 of 16,
Bickerstaff came down from the front office to take over Feb. 20,
1995.
The Nuggets went 20-12 the rest of the way, making the playoffs. But
they were 35-47 last season and fell back in the lottery. They made
several personnel changes over the summer.
"We're not very familiar with each other," said Motta, who agreed to
join Bickerstaff as an assistant after the new Mavericks owners let
him go last spring. "I would say that has probably been the biggest
stumbling block for us."
Motta became the team's sixth coach of the 1990s, joining Doug Moe,
Paul Westhead, Issel, Littles and Bickerstaff.
"I think he's excited about it, as excited as you can be when you go
into a difficult situation," Bickerstaff said. The two men have known
one another 20 years. Motta was head coach and Bickerstaff his lone
assistant 18 years ago when the Washington Bullets won the NBA
championship.
Bickerstaff was Seattle's coach before joining the Nuggets as general
manager and executive vice president in 1990. He will return to his
former titles of president and GM.
Todd Eley, who was named general manager last season, takes the title
of vice president of basketball operations.
Bickerstaff will soon hit the road for a 10-day scouting trip.
He has been evaluating talent for a long time. While in Seattle, he
drafted Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, now the cornerstones of a title
contender. But he was gone by the time the team began to win.
In Denver, he has drafted LaPhonso Ellis and Antonio McDyess, players
he believes might one day be as good. But he won't be coaching them.
nba.1782nba.news,
All-Time Fastest To 25,000 Points
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls is on pace to become the
second-fastest player to reach 25,000 career points, having
24,929 points in 780 career games. The following is a list of
the fastest nine:
Player Games Date
------ ----- --------
Wilt Chamberlain 691 2/22/68
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 889 12/21/80
Oscar Robertson 917 12/01/72
Jerry West 920 12/04/73
Dominique Wilkins 960 3/08/95
Elvin Hayes 1093 1/10/82
Moses Malone 1093 11/21/90
Alex English 1133 12/14/90
John Havlicek 1185 4/06/77
nba.1783nba.news,
7,000,000th Point To Be Scored In NBA This Weekend
According to the NBA, the 7,000,000th point in league history
likely will be scored on Sunday as four games take place. Based
on the current scoring average of 94.0 points per game per
team, the 7,000,000th point is expected to be scored in either
the Utah-Seattle game at 8:00 pm EST or the Denver-Los Angeles
Lakers game at 9:30 pm EST. The following are the date, person
and game in which each of the first six millionth points were
scored:
POINT DATE GAME/PLAY
----- ---- ---------
1,000,000 12/22/62 Occurred in the Detroit-Chicago,
New York-Boston or
Syracuse-San Francisco game
2,000,000 1/9/72 Occurred in Baltimore-Phoenix or
Detroit-Buffalo game
3,000,000 2/17/78 Occurred in Indiana-Washington,
Buffalo-Kansas City,
Detroit-New York,
New Jersey-Cleveland or
Philadelphia-San Antonio game
4,000,000 2/18/83 Scored by Philadelphia's Moses
Malone on a tip-in of his own
miss at 11:59 of the first
quarter against Houston.
5,000,000 1/25/88 Scored by Utah's Rickey Green
on a 24-foot three-pointer as
the buzzer sounded at the end of
the third quarter against
Cleveland
6,000,000 3/23/92 Scored by Atlanta's Stacey
Augmon on driving layup at 7:41
of the second quarter against
Golden State.
nba.1784nba.news,
Timberwolves trying to end Supersonics' 21-game series win-streak
LANDOVER, Md. (Nov 27, 1996 - 06:48 EST) -- If any NBA game were a
lock, the Seattle Supersonics versus Minnesota Timberwolves was a
cast-iron, triple-plated, tungsten steel dead bolt.
From March 29, 1991 through last season, Seattle thrashed the
Timberwolves 21 consecutive times.
But this year, it's a different set of Wolves knocking on the door.
And Wednesday night in Minneapolis, they may have the key to ending
their futility: by catching the streaking Sonics on the tail end of
back-to-back games that conclude a 10-day road trip.
"It's a good opportunity," said forward Tom Gugliotta. "They've proved
that they're potential world champs. If we come out and play right,
maybe we can catch them."
At 5-7, the Wolves have played themselves right into third place in
the Midwest Division, matching the most victories in November in club
history. Gugliotta is having a breakout year, averaging 22.1 points
and 9.6 rebounds. But the spotlight is on Kevin Garnett and Stephon
Marbury.
In his second NBA season after leaping from the Chicago Public League,
power forward Garnett is developing into a genuine force, averaging
15.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks. Point guard Marbury, who
was acquired in a draft day deal with Milwaukee for Ray Allen, has
missed seven games with an ankle sprain, but has shown flashes that
made him the No. 5 pick in the lottery (10.8 points in 22.8 minutes).
These two youngsters (Garnett is 20, Marbury turns 20 next February)
have sparked comparisons to Seattle's dynamic forward/guard duo of
Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. Is Minnesota becoming a "junior" Seattle?
"A lot of people probably think that," first-year Wolves coach Phil
"Flip" Saunders said after Monday night's loss to the Washington
Bullets. "They were the team of the future; we think of ourselves as a
team of the future. But we've got some maturing (to do) to grow into
that."
Doug West, the only remaining player from Minnesota's inaugural season
in 1989-90, agreed it may be premature to compare the two teams.
"They're young guys and the same positions, " West said. "But they've
got a few years on us."
And a few hundred more victories. Since the Timberwolves entered the
league, they are a frigid 157-429. Seattle is 380-208, before Tuesday
night's game at Charlotte. But West isn't interested in the past.
"I don't look back," he said. "I don't remind myself of that. I was
there, but I forgot about it."
Instead he prefers to look ahead to what could be the first warm
winter ever at the Target Center. The Wolves are 4-0 at home so far,
which didn't escape Saunders.
"We haven't lost at home yet," he said. "It will be a good challenge
for us to go against a good basketball team."
And a good chance to end a 21-game hex.
nba.1785nba.news,
20,000-point scorers
(Nov 27, 1996 - 19:42 EST) -- National Basketball Association players
who have scored 20,000 or more points through Nov. 27: (x-active):
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
2. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
3. Moses Malone 27,409
4. Elvin Hayes 27,313
5. Oscar Robertson 26,710
6. John Havlicek 26,395
7. x-Dominique Wilkins 25,627
8. Alex English 25,613
9. Jerry West 25,192
10. x-Michael Jordan 24,929
11. x-Karl Malone 23,634
12. x-Robert Parish 23,196
13. Adrian Dantley 23,177
14. Elgin Baylor 23,149
15. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 22,124
16. Larry Bird 21,791
17. Hal Greer 21,586
18. x-Charles Barkley 20,999
19. Walt Bellamy 20,941
20. Bob Pettit 20,880
21. George Gervin 20,708
22. x-Patrick Ewing 20,063
23. Tom Chambers 20,024
24. x-Clyde Drexler 20,022
nba.1786nba.news,
Stackhouse diagnosed with cornea disease
PHILADELPHIA (Nov 27, 1996 - 10:48 EST) -- Philadelphia 76ers guard
Jerry Stackhouse has been diagnosed with keratoconus, a degenerative
disease of the cornea that has reduced vision in his left eye but does
not threaten his career.
Team ophthalmologist Jack Jeffers said Tuesday that Stackhouse will be
fitted with one of four sets of specialized contact lenses designed to
put pressure on the cornea and stem the disease.
Stackhouse, 22, probably has had the condition for some time, so it
has not impaired his vision enough to hinder his play, Jeffers said.
He said Stackhouse's vision is 20/30 in his left eye and roughly 20/20
in his right.
"If Jerry was a baseball player, he would probably have some
problems," Jeffers said. "We are talking there about a missile moving
90 mph."
The disease produces a cone-shaped cornea and is probably hereditary.
It can lead to fluid collecting on and fogging the cornea. Unclouded
vision then can only be returned through a transplant.
"We haven't even talked to Jerry about that," Jeffers said. "That, in
all probability, would be years in the future."
Even in the case of a transplant, Stackhouse would be able to play
basketball, Jeffers said.
nba.1787nba.news,
Not inclined to fix declining scores ... yet
NEW YORK -- And you think Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy has problems
with his offense? David Stern and other NBA types are privately
fretting about the current state of scoring around the entire league.
As you've probably noticed from final scores that look more like
third-quarter partials, points and shots are way down, continuing a
dangerous, decade-long trend. Dangerous because no one wants games in
the 70s or 80s, with neither team getting off 70 shots in some cases.
So what is the NBA prepared to do about it? Nothing yet. As long as
Michael Jordan is around to keep TV ratings pumped to the max, look
for the NBA to maintain status quo.
Once Jordan retires, and if scores keep plummeting and the ratings
start slipping, you can bet the rules and competition committee will
start seriously looking for ways to jump-start the offenses.
Like widening the court from 50 feet to 52 feet. Or shortening the
shot clock from 24 seconds to 18. Or ditching the illegal-defense
rules and coming up with other guidelines that don't make offenses so
predictable. Or moving the 3-point line back out.
"But I think it's great that so many teams of ours are playing
defense," Stern said in a recent interview.
Yeesh, if that isn't a spin-job worthy of an old Dominique Wilkins
360-degree jam, nothing is.
Sure, even the toughest critic now has to admit that defense is being
played. Through Tuesday's games, the average output per team was a
measly 93.5 points per game -- nearly 26 less than when scoring peaked
at 119 ppg in 1961-62. (This is why Robert Pack's 22 assists for the
Nets against Dallas is the greatest feat this season.)
Is the game evolving and becoming defensive-minded, or is it less
exciting? Both.
But before the season even began, the league was petrified about the
trend that has seen scoring dip every year in this decade, from 107
points per game in 1990 to 99.5 ppg last season. Now, in only four
weeks, the average has taken its greatest plunge of the decade, a full
six points.
Yet the NBA is busy celebrating its 50th birthday and acting as if
nothing is wrong.
"Don't kid yourself," said one GM. "Everyone knows people pay to see
action. Games in the 90s, that's OK. But games in the 80s and 70s? I
don't think so."
When the rules and competition committee first met in September,
players bumping officials hardly got a mention. The big talk was the
lack of scoring. Since then, there have been some amazingly low
scores, and you can't blame it on Cavs coach Mike Fratello.
"We're very aware of it," said Rod Thorn, the NBA's vice president of
operations. "I've been in the league office 11 years and scoring has
dropped every year except one. The question is, is the game evolving
and becoming defensive-minded, or is it less exciting?"
Both. There's a lot of talk about why scores and shots have fallen
consistently. When it comes to identifying the problem, take your
pick:
Expansion
The current whipping-boy is getting blamed for this one, too. Too many
teams, not enough talent.
"Get rid of nine teams," said Seattle coach George Karl. "Then you
take their best players, give them to the other teams and you'd see
scoring go up." Chances of this happening: Zero.
Bad players
It's not that you don't need a college degree to get into the league.
You don't even need fundamentals anymore. All coaches and GM's agree:
Players entering the pros are woefully lacking shooting skills.
Passing isn't much better.
Control-freaks are out of control
Coaches are running the games as if the ball is made of gold. So this
is how you get ridiculously-low shot totals.
The Lakers, known forever as a running team, got off only 63 shots
against the Knicks -- the same total Wilt Chamberlain took in his
100-point game. Teams are averaging only 78 shots per game -- down
almost 30 from the peak year of 1961-62.
But with the ranks filled with defensive-oriented coaches, it's no
wonder. Where are we when we need you, Doug Moe?
Moving the 3-point line has backfired
Designed to open up the floor, it instead has allowed has defenses to
rotate out more quickly to the shooter since so many players are
firing up threes.
Free-agent movement
With unprecedented team-jumping this past off-season, many teams are
trying to find themselves offensively. It could take months before
they begin to jell.
The Knicks, with a new playmaker and new starters at two other spots,
are Exhibit A. All in all, 39 starters switched teams from a year ago.
Because of illegal-defense rules ...
... everybody is playing the same way.
How many times have you seen this: Team A comes down the court, works
the ball into the post, the defense doubles down, the offense kicks it
out, rotates the ball around the perimeter, then settles for a
20-footer with five seconds on the shot clock. The answer: Too many
times.
But the league is 50 years old, Michael is still Michael and the TV
ratings are as good as ever. So why worry?
nba.1788junior,
> Znači ništa od rekorda... :( BTW, pogledajte koliko je ko
> dao koševa u Čikagu. :)
Zašto ništa? Imaju 12 pobeda i 1 poraz, ako nastave ovim tempom,
do kraja sezone trebali bi da imaju 6 poraza i 76 pobeda. A to je
BOGOVSKI rezultat :))
nba.1789junior,
> The Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday activated Yugoslavian
> rookie guard Aleksandar Djordjevic from the injured list and
Hvala Bogu ;) Sad ćemo i njega gledati na utakmicama ...
> Djordjevic (GEORGE-uh-vich)
:)
nba.1790junior,
> 7,000,000th Point To Be Scored In NBA This Weekend
Divac daje sedammilioniti poen .. garant ;)
nba.1791junior,
> Is the game evolving and becoming defensive-minded, or is it
> less exciting? Both.
Kakva glupost.
Brinu se, zato što su i timovi sa zapada, kao Sietl, Hjuston, Denver,
shvatili da je deo igre i odbrana, a ne samo napad, te je odjednom
drastično opao procenat datih poena po utakmici. Kada će shvatiti da je
mnogo lepše gledati kako neko dobro odigra odbranu 1-1 (lupi bananu ili
ukrade loptu), nego kako neko puni trojke sa 7-8 metara? Uostalom, kad
dobra odbrana postane standard, a ne samo odlika nekih timova NBA lige,
onda će i svi ti poeni, "velikih" strelaca, dobiti mnogo drugačiji izgled,
jer ako oni i pored jake odbrane svih timova, postižu 20 i kusur poena
svake večeri, onda su stvarno dobri igrači.
PS. Ja tek kad sam video Radoševića kako uspešno izlazi na kraj sa jednom
jakom (da ne kažem, najjačom) odbranom, kao što je Beobankina, poverovao
sam da je mali potencijal za reprezentaciju. Istina, to su uradili i
Ivković i Obradović, kad su se kladili da li će on postići više ili manje
od 35 poena :))
nba.1792vpoznanovic,
Thursday, November 28
New Jersey at Golden State 118:124
Sacramento at Indiana 83:101
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW JERSEY 36 28 33 21 118
GOLDEN STATE 39 33 20 32 124 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NJN - ROBERT PACK 25, KERRY KITTLES 25, TWO PLAYERS WITH 19
GSW - JOE SMITH 30, LATRELL SPREWELL 26, MARK PRICE 21
HIGH REBOUND: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 15, SHAWN BRADLEY 12
GSW - RAY OWES 11, DONYELL MARSHALL 10
HIGH ASSISTS: NJN - ROBERT PACK 9, KENDALL GILL 5
GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 7, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
ATT: 15,209
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 21 17 20 25 83
INDIANA 24 19 25 33 101 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 18, MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF 12, BILLY
OWENS 11
IND - REGGIE MILLER 19, DUANE FERRELL 15, TRAVIS BEST 12
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - BILLY OWENS 7, OLDEN POLYNICE 6
IND - DALE DAVIS 12, ERICK DAMPIER 10
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - BILLY OWENS 4, OLDEN POLYNICE 4
IND - THREE PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 14,732
nba.1793nba.news,
NEW JERSEY (118) AT GOLDEN STATE (124)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 42 6-21 4-4 5 5 10 5 6 1 0 16
J WILLIAMS F 37 6-11 7-9 7 8 15 0 5 0 2 19
BRADLEY C 30 7-13 5-5 5 7 12 1 6 2 0 19
PACK G 40 7-16 10-11 0 2 2 9 3 4 2 25
KITTLES G 44 7-15 8-11 0 1 1 3 6 1 2 25
MASSENBURG 22 4-7 3-5 3 0 3 1 4 0 1 11
R WILLIAMS 13 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3
REEVES 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0
CALDWELL 6 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
OBANNON 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-91 37-45 20 25 45 22 31 8 8 118
(.418) (.822) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 9(11 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 36 6-9 1-1 0 3 3 5 2 1 2 14
SMITH F 42 10-26 9-13 5 3 8 1 5 0 1 30
SPENCER C 7 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 4 0 1 0
PRICE G 32 7-10 5-6 0 3 3 6 4 1 2 21
SPREWELL G 45 4-16 17-19 1 6 7 7 2 0 1 26
FULLER 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 2
DECLERCQ 16 1-3 2-4 3 2 5 0 3 0 0 4
ARMSTRONG 17 3-5 0-0 0 1 1 6 2 0 0 7
MARSHALL 17 1-5 0-0 3 7 10 2 4 0 0 2
OWES 25 8-11 2-4 5 6 11 0 3 0 1 18
ROE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROYAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 41-86 36-47 17 32 49 28 31 2 9 124
(.477) (.766) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 9(12 PTS)
NEW JERSEY 36 28 33 21 - 118
GOLDEN STATE 39 33 20 32 - 124
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 4, PACK, MASSENBURG. GOLDEN STATE -
SMITH, SPREWELL, MARSHALL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 5-19 (.263), GILL 0-2, PACK 1-2, KITTLES
3-7, R WILLIAMS 1-5, REEVES 0-1, CALDWELL 0-1, OBANNON 0-1. GOLDEN STATE
6-12 (.500), MULLIN 1-2, SMITH 1-1, PRICE 2-3, SPREWELL 1-3, ARMSTRONG
1-1, MARSHALL 0-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, WOODY MAYFIELD, GREG WILLARD.
A - 15,209. T - 2:33.
NEW JERSEY (118) AT GOLDEN STATE (124)
Joe Smith scored 30 points, including an 11-foot jumper with
2:57 remaining to put Golden State ahead, as the Warriors
rallied for a 124-118 victory over the struggling New Jersey
Nets to snap a four-game losing streak.
Latrell Sprewell had 26 points and seven assists and Mark Price
added 21 and six assists for the Warriors, who improved to 2-6
at home. They also beat an Atlantic Division team for the first
time this season.
"This was a big win for us tonight," said Smith. "We really came
back strong there in the fourth quarter. I tried to get Shawn
Bradley in foul trouble as soon as I could."
Robert Pack and Kerry Kittles led the Nets with 25 points
apiece. New Jersey fell to 0-5 on the road and has dropped 10
straight away from home dating back to last season.
"With four minutes to go we made bad decisions," said Nets'
coach John Calipari. "It is something we are going to work on.
Every play is a big one with three minutes to go in a close
game."
Jayson Williams had 19 points and 15 rebounds and Shawn Bradley
added 19 points and 12 boards for the Nets, who had their best
offensive output of the season. Their previous high came in a
114-91 victory over Dallas on November 23rd. Bradley, Kittles
and Kendall Gill all fouled out in the fourth quarter.
"Everyone came out and distributed the ball better," said
Williams. "We executed better on plays. We could've made better
choices down the stretch. It's going to take a while."
Golden State, which also posted a new season high, had the lead
most of the way. Price capped a 12-6 run with 3:02 remaining in
the half to give the Warriors a 64-58 advantage. Golden State
led 72-64 at halftime.
The Nets came back to take their first lead, 78-76, on a Kittles
three-pointer with 7:35 to go in the third quarter. New Jersey
led by as many as nine on a free throw by Kittles early in the
fourth.
The Warriors were able to tie it at 101-101 on a B.J. Armstrong
layup with 8:44 remaining. But the Nets regained the lead on a
Bradley slam and another free throw from Kittles.
Golden State tied it at 104-104 on Smith's three-pointer before
a Pack slam. New Jersey managed to keep the Warriors at bay
until Smith put his jumper off the glass 5:47 later.
The Nets stayed within a point until Golden State turned three
straight turnovers into a five-point advantage.
The Warriors have won four straight from New Jersey.
nba.1794nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (83) AT INDIANA (101)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 38 5-10 1-2 3 4 7 4 3 3 2 11
C WILLIAMSON F 22 4-6 2-2 2 2 4 1 3 1 1 10
POLYNICE C 35 3-9 3-6 1 5 6 4 4 0 2 9
ABDUL-RAUF G 30 4-13 2-2 0 3 3 3 1 0 3 12
RICHMOND G 39 7-20 2-2 2 1 3 3 2 2 2 18
SMITH 25 2-5 5-8 2 2 4 0 3 0 1 9
SIMMONS 16 3-9 1-2 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 7
CAUSWELL 12 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 1 6 0 1 0
EDNEY 14 1-7 0-0 2 2 4 3 0 0 1 2
DANIELS 3 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
GAMBLE 3 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
HURLEY 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 31-85 16-24 13 25 38 20 23 6 13 83
(.365) (.667) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 15(19 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 31 4-9 2-4 8 4 12 2 3 2 3 10
MCKEY F 27 2-9 2-2 2 4 6 2 2 0 3 6
DAMPIER C 18 3-6 3-4 1 9 10 1 3 0 1 9
BEST G 26 6-11 0-0 1 1 2 4 3 3 3 12
MILLER G 35 8-13 1-2 0 4 4 4 0 0 1 19
A DAVIS 29 2-6 3-6 2 6 8 1 3 1 0 7
ALLEN 8 3-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 6
ASKEW 23 1-6 4-8 1 2 3 4 5 1 1 7
FERRELL 23 6-11 3-4 1 4 5 2 2 2 0 15
ROSE 17 3-6 4-4 0 1 1 3 1 0 2 10
HOIBERG 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
JOHNSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-81 22-34 17 36 53 23 23 9 14 101
(.469) (.647) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 15(22 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 21 17 20 25 - 83
INDIANA 24 19 25 33 - 101
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - POLYNICE 2, SMITH 2, OWENS, CAUSWELL, GAMBLE.
INDIANA - D DAVIS 2, DAMPIER 2, ROSE 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 5-17 (.294), OWENS 0-2, ABDUL-RAUF 2-4,
RICHMOND 2-5, SIMMONS 0-2, EDNEY 0-2, DANIELS 1-2. INDIANA 3-9 (.333),
MILLER 2-6, ASKEW 1-2, FERRELL 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SACRAMENTO - OWENS.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM, GARY BENSON.
A - 14,732. T - 2:11.
SACRAMENTO (83) AT INDIANA (101)
Reggie Miller scored 10 of his 19 points in the first quarter to
lead the Indiana Pacers to their second home win of the season,
101-83 over the Sacramento Kings.
Indiana had dropped its last three home games. Duane Ferrell
added 15 points and Dale Davis had 10 points and 12 rebounds for
the Pacers, who improved to 2-4 at home.
"We had a lot of good periods and a lot of people played well,"
said Indiana coach Larry Brown. "Reggie (Miller) continues to
play well all around. Our bench was terrific. (Ferrell's) been
great at both ends of the floor. He gets loose balls, gets out
on the break and makes open shots."
Mitch Richmond scored 18 points to lead the Kings, who have
played six of their last seven on the road. Richmond, who was
held to 15 points in Tuesday's 98-87 triumph over Toronto, again
struggled with his shooting. He was only 7-of-20 from the
field.
Richmond and point guard Mahamoud Abdul-Rauf, normally one of
the league's more dangerous backcourt combinations, were a
combined 11-for-33 from the field against the Pacers.
"We are just rushing it a little too much," said Rauf. "We are
not recognizing mismatches. They kept going to their strengths,
that's what we need to do more of."
Indiana, playing its first game since Saturday, opened things up
in the second half. The Pacers led by as many as 15 in the
third quarter, taking a 62-47 advantage on Miller's layup with
4:38 to go. They closed the period up by 10.
"We played aggressively and made some mistakes, but we were able
to correct them," said Davis. "In the previous games we have let
them get away. This one we were able to put them away."
Indiana put it away in the fourth. A pair of Davis free throws
brought the lead back up to 20 with 2:49 remaining and
Sacramento got no closer than 14.
"Well, (if) you don't shoot, you don't win," said Kings coach
Gary St. Jean. "We had a lot of good shots in the first half. We
had shots to put us in the position to win this game.
Eventually, they just widened the margin and kept it there."
The Kings' defense, which was allowing 98.8 points per contest
entering the game, continued to be porous. Sacramento has
allowed 100 or more points in eight of its 15 games this season.
Derrick McKey's free throw with just over four minutes remaining
in the first quarter capped a 15-2 Pacers' run and made it 19-9.
But the Kings' came back with a 10-2 spurt to tie it, 21-21,
with 36 seconds to go in the period.
The second quarter also saw a couple of major shifts in
momentum. Indiana opened the period with a 13-4 spurt which
concluded with Ferrell's fast-break layup at 6:23. It gave the
Pacers a 37-25 lead.
Sacramento rallied again with an 11-2 spurt and pulled within
three on an Olden Polynice free throw with 67 seconds remaining.
The Pacers closed the half with a 43-38 advantage.
The Kings had won the previous two contests between the teams,
but the Pacers have won 10 of the last 11 at Indiana.
nba.1795nba.news,
Bulls ready to go home
CHICAGO (Nov 28, 1996 - 14:01 EST) -- Dennis Rodman says he wasn't
interested in playing that night, and it just happened to be the only
game the Chicago Bulls have lost this season.
Australian center Luc Longley was body surfing in the Pacific Ocean
when a wave smashed his shoulder into a sandbar, knocking him off the
court for up to two months.
In one game, a fan waved a Bugs Bunny poster at Michael Jordan as he
tried to shoot free throws, hoping the sight of his co-star from the
"Space Jam" movie would distract him. It didn't.
It's all part of the Chicago Bulls' first extended road swing this
season. After a three-day interruption, there are three games left,
starting Friday in Dallas, moving on to San Antonio and then finishing
next week in Milwaukee.
"I wouldn't say (I'm) a movie star. It was a successful adventure the
way I look at it," Jordan said of the recently released "Space Jam."
The Bulls' road trip has been as big a success as the movie, despite
last Saturday's loss at Utah that sunk the team's hope of setting the
NBA record for consecutive victories (16) to start the season. They
settled for 13-1.
Coach Phil Jackson said his team needs to get off to a quicker start
in games without having to rely on Jordan, saving his star for those
so-far rare occasions when the Bulls are challenged in the final
period.
Jordan scored 22 of his 40 points Monday night in the first half of a
win against the Clippers and had 27 of his 44 against the Jazz in the
first two quarters.
"It's been Michael having to do a lot of scoring in the first half and
third quarter to keep us in games," Jackson said. "Or at least the
first half and then we find that little burst that breaks the game
open."
One problem has been poor shooting by Scottie Pippen, who's making
only 43 percent of his shots.
"I've been getting out quickly because of the lack of rhythm
offensively for some of the other players," said Jordan, who is
averaging 31.4 points and shooting 51 percent.
"I try to carry the load whenever the teams needs it, that's part of
my leadership role.
"I'd like to see Scottie playing better and shooting better. That
makes us a more potent team. But a lot of teams would love to have a
situation where they can have a bad night and one guy comes in and
more or less carries the load and they still get a win out of it."
After the loss at Utah, Rodman said he had little interest in the
game. He'd been ejected late in the game for shoving Utah's Jeff
Hornacek into the seats, an act that led to his second technical foul
and damaged the Bulls' chances for victory.
Most players would never admit boredom, especially when they are paid
millions.
But the season can drag, even for a team that wins most of its games,
stays in the best hotels and has its own jet.
"That's the tough part with a veteran team," Jackson said. "You look
down and you play 12 games and you still got 70 left and you think
about, 'What's this going to be when March and April comes?'
"The important thing as a coach is to keep them focused and energized.
I told our guys not to let their resolve down. We've had a good road
trip up to this point. We have three left."
nba.1796nba.news,
Motta won't be savior of Nuggets franchise
DENVER (Nov 28, 1996 - 12:18 EST) -- If you're of the medical opinion
that a sucking chest wound can be properly treated with a Band-Aid,
then you're probably pretty enthused about the Nuggets' latest round
of front-office moves.
On the other hand, if you happen to own a fully functional cerebral
cortex, you understand that this is nothing more than an empty,
cosmetic tactic that will not alter the fundamental truth about this
year's Denver Nuggets; notably, that they stink and are going
absolutely nowhere fast.
The bottom line on all of this? Dick Motta's job is to save Bernie
Bickerstaff's job. Period.
Take this to the bank: Unless Motta pulls off a small miracle and
reaches Charlie Lyons' stated preseason goals of finishing above .500
and making the playoffs, Bickerstaff is gone, history, done. Forget
that he has three years left on his contract after this season or that
Motta has a multiyear deal. Lyons is smart enough to know he cannot go
back to the fans after another disappointing season with Bickerstaff
still in charge and Motta on the bench.
"We're hoping this move will get us jump-started," Lyons said at the
Nuggets' semiannual coaching-change ceremony Tuesday.
Jump-started? Cattle prods couldn't jump-start this franchise.
And Lyons, who is just saying these things because there's nothing
much else to say, knows it.
Dick Motta? Jump-start? Who do the Nuggets think they're kidding?
"Hey, Joe, whaddya say we get the wives and kids and take in a Nuggets
game? I hear Dick Motta is coaching them now ..."
The problem isn't coaching.
The problem isn't that Bickerstaff was wearing too many hats and
couldn't devote enough time to personnel matters.
The problem is that Bickerstaff blew the Dikembe Mutombo deal and he
blew draft choices such as Rodney Rogers, Mark Macon and Jalen Rose,
and now he has a team that is bad, boring and old and won't get any
better for at least another two years, when the Nuggets have lots of
money available under the salary cap.
The problem, friends, is Bickerstaff.
When he came here in 1990, he promised he would bring stability to
this franchise and would build a young, exciting team. Now, it's 1996,
and the Nuggets are employing their fifth head coach in seven years
and have seen almost all their top executives leave the franchise.
Now, it's 1996, the Nuggets have just two promising young players --
one of whom is injury prone -- and the best this team can hope for is
a seventh or eighth playoff spot.
Conclusion: The Bickerstaff Era has been an abject failure.
"It wasn't working," Bickerstaff said by way of explaining his return
of the front office.
No, it wasn't working. And it won't work. Not until Lyons, who has
been loyal to a fault with Bickerstaff, decides at season's end to
clean house and bring in somebody new to rebuild this shattered
franchise. (Since we're on the subject, how about making a run at Rick
Pitino? How about Bill Hanzlik? Wouldn't it be intriguing to inquire
about Phil Jackson, who has a one-year deal with the Bulls?)
Bickerstaff has had his chance. He has had seven years. He has had
five top 10 draft choices. He has had a chance to dip into the free
agency market. And for all that, the Nuggets have made the playoffs
twice.
This is not opinion. These are facts.
Now, of course, we're going to hear how these are all new players and
it takes time to jell. Now, of course, we're going to hear about the
injuries, about Dale Ellis' knee and Mark Jackson's ankle, as if the
Nuggets are the only team in the league with injuries. And, of course,
we're going to hear how it's going to take more time for the players
to get used to Motta.
"I'm a plodder," said Motta, who might have been describing his team
as well. "I'm not a miracle man. We're not going to stand in front of
you and say that Dr. Wilkerson's Mud Bath will cure this whole thing."
Which is refreshing and true. But it doesn't put fannies in the seats.
This is not meant to diminish Motta in any way. His hoops acumen is
unquestioned, he is third all-time in victories (918) and he owns a
championship ring. He is also 65 years old, recently had bypass
surgery, is coming off a terrible experience in Dallas where his young
stars staged a mutiny and is 35 losses away from joining Bill Fitch in
the 1,000-loss club.
It's the craziest thing with Nuggets coaches, isn't it? First, Dan
Issel had to be talked into taking the job. Then, Gene Littles was
dragged kicking and screaming to the job. Then, Bickerstaff had to be
talked into taking over. Now, Motta says he begged Bickerstaff not to
leave the bench.
Look, give me $350,000 and I'll coach the team.
Ultimately, this is a desperate, last-ditch effort by Bickerstaff to
save himself and his program. Lyons gave him a second chance. That
patience will not last past another losing season.
The Band-Aids aren't working. The patient is listed as critical.
nba.1797nba.news,
Suns shine again, at least for this night
PHOENIX (Nov 28, 1996 - 19:30 EST) -- The Phoenix Suns went back to
their roots to stop their longest losing streak.
For the first time this season, they started five players who were on
the team a year ago. It paid off with a 99-77 victory Wednesday night
over the New Jersey Nets, ending a franchise-record, 13-game skid only
four defeats shy of the NBA mark for the worst start to a season.
There was elation for a night, and then they began to prepare for a
daunting challenge: keep it going Friday night against the SuperSonics
in Seattle.
"It doesn't look that much better in the standings when a team is 1-13
instead of 0-13," Kevin Johnson said. "It's still pretty bad out
there. We've got a long way to go, and we dug ourselves a hole, but
this is a good start because so many guys contributed."
Johnson missed 11 games after abdominal surgery, and Hot Rod Williams
missed the first 12 because of a foot injury.
Johnson had led the team in scoring his first two games back, but
there was something missing until coach Danny Ainge, who was 0-5 after
replacing Cotton Fitzsimmons, decided to start A.C. Green ahead of
Danny Manning at power forward and Wesley Person instead of Rex
Chapman at shooting guard.
Green matched the Nets' Jayson Williams with 13 rebounds, and Person
had a season-high 22 points.
Hot Rod Williams actually spent less time on the floor (21 minutes)
than he did his first game back against the Nuggets, but he was
obviously more comfortable, hitting 3-of-6 shots this time against
1-for-5 and getting his first two blocks.
By the second half, the chemistry was evident. Michael Finley made a
layup and a jumper early in the third quarter to give Phoenix its
first 10-point lead of the season, and Finley, Johnson and Person each
scored eight points to help the Suns to a 30-18 run in the period.
By then, it was 80-62, and even the self-doubters realized they were
almost there.
"We're up 21, and then Khalid Reeves hits a '3,' and we're like, 'Oh
no,"' said Joe Kleine, who had seven of his 11 points in the final
period. "Then it was like, 'Wait a minute. We're still up by 18.'
Through this whole thing, whatever can go wrong did go wrong, so it's
hard to stay positive when you expect something bad to happen."
Finley had 18 points and Johnson had 17 points and eight assists.
"I just feel good about this lineup," Johnson said. "Hot Rod is such a
great defensive player, and A.C. can match Jayson Williams' intensity
on both ends of the court, and Michael Finley is Michael Finley, a
great player."
For the time being, the victory took some of the sting out of trading
Charles Barkley to Houston for Robert Horry, Sam Cassell, Chucky Brown
and Mark Bryant.
But it left some the same questions after Cassell skipped the game to
be with his mother for surgery in Baltimore, Brown played three
minutes and Horry came off the bench for the fourth straight game.
Bryant is still injured, but the other former Rockets, Manning, who
played 10 minutes, and almost everyone else remain trade bait.
The Suns decided early on that a trade for New Jersey's Shawn Bradley
was unworkable, but are interested in Clifford Robinson of Portland.
Green's intense effort may have reduced the urgency, though.
"I think the one major difference was A.C.," Ainge said. "You know,
he's been in and out of the lineup. It's going to be tough to take him
out right now."
nba.1798nba.news,
Brawl was a hit for the Sacremento
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 28, 1996 - 05:36 EST) -- Last season's visit to
Market Square Arena proved costly but valuable to the Kings.
The Kings dominated the favored Indiana Pacers on the floor during a
119-95 victory and also held their own during a full-scale brawl that
resulted in 18 games of suspensions and more than $200,000 in fines.
Although the Kings' performance may have been the team's most complete
of the regular season, it was the brawl that caused the players to
bond together and trust in each other.
It was the defining moment of the season in just Game 5 and a moment
the current team has yet to experience.
The Kings hope there will not be a repeat fight Thursday night when
they face the Pacers, but it will be impossible to ignore the events
of one year past.
Since he hasn't received a lot of playing time, Kings guard Bobby
Hurley may not get into the game. However, he likely will recall the
brawl if he gets the call from coach Garry St. Jean.
It was a brief shoving match between Hurley and Indiana forward Dale
Davis that got the fracas going. It was fueled further when Kings
forward Michael Smith interceded.
"I'll never live that one down around the guys," said Hurley, who was
starting at the time and, like most of the Kings, played exceptionally
well against Indiana.
"You certainly won't," Kings forward Lionel Simmons interjected. "You
set us all up. You cost a lot of people money and then you didn't even
get fined."
Hurley was one of four players on the floor, along with Brian Grant,
Mitch Richmond and Sarunas Marciulionis, who did not get fined for the
fight or for leaving the bench to participate at the other end of the
floor.
During Tuesday night's game in Toronto, St. Jean was reminded of the
fight.
"Referee Billy Oakes and I were just chatting, and I asked him if he
was going to get a chance to go home for Thanksgiving," St. Jean said.
"(Oakes) said he was going home, and I said we were going to Indiana
to play.
"He reminded me that he had worked that game, and we didn't need to
say anymore."
Asked what he remembered, St. Jean said: "Holy Moley. Besides the
altercation, it was arguably our best game of the whole year."
St. Jean said he agreed that the game was a defining moment of last
season.
"It's a distant memory, right now," he said, as his team heads into
tonight's game with a 5-9 record.
"We're still looking for it. I keep reading in our (daily) game notes
that we have 10 of 12 games at home once we finish with this
(six-game) road trip. We've got one road win on this trip, and if we
can get a couple more, we would be all right. I think the ball
movement we had and the assists to turnover ratio (25-7) we had
(Tuesday night in the win over Toronto) was very good news. We let the
ball do the work, and the game came easily to us."
Smith said he remembered losing $55,000 because of the fine and
suspension.
"I also remember that everybody came together as a team," he said.
"No, I don't think we need another one to come together. Plus, the
money that the league made off of that fight. Oh, no. But if it came
down to it, I think everybody would be willing. But we don't want that
to happen."
Richmond also is waiting for this team to become defined.
"I guess you can say that was that team's defining moment," he said.
"I remember that we lost the next game because we didn't really have
enough players to play against New Jersey because of the suspensions.
But I think that game taught us what kind of intensity we had to bring
to the table.
"We played great defense and we played together. It was a physical
game and we stepped up to the challenge. We knew that (Antonio) Davis
and (Dale) Davis were going to be intense, and I remember that Brian
and Mike met every challenge."
It remains to be seen if these Kings can pull off a similar feat.
nba.1799vpoznanovic,
Friday, November 29
Chicago at Dallas 116:97
Golden State at Portland 93:119
Houston at Boston 120:94
L.A. Clippers at Utah 94:111
L.A. Lakers at Detroit 84:76
Minnesota at Denver 108:103
Orlando at Philadelphia 91:100
Phoenix at Seattle 92:105
Vancouver at Indiana 94:104
Washington at Atlanta 81:110
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHICAGO 26 35 22 33 116
DALLAS 15 27 25 30 97 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 36, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 32, STEVE KERR 17
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 35, JIM JACKSON 21, GEORGE MCCLOUD 17
HIGH REBOUND: CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 19, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 10
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 11, JIM JACKSON 9
HIGH ASSISTS: CHI - TONI KUKOC 6, STEVE KERR 5
DAL - JASON KIDD 17, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 18,042
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
GOLDEN STATE 26 30 22 15 93
PORTLAND 30 29 30 30 119 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 32, MARK PRICE 15, CHRIS MULLIN 14
POR - RASHEED WALLACE 20, GARY TRENT 18, AARON MCKIE 17
HIGH REBOUND: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 5, TODD FULLER 5
POR - RASHEED WALLACE 12, GARY TRENT 10
HIGH ASSISTS: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 8, MARK PRICE 4
POR - AARON MCKIE 6, CLIFFORD ROBINSON 6
ATT: 21,068
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 35 28 30 27 120
BOSTON 17 23 24 30 94 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 18, MATT MALONEY 18, HAKEEM OLAJUWON
17
BOS - DINO RADJA 18, DANA BARROS 14, ANTOINE WALKER 12
HIGH REBOUND: HOU - HAKEEM OLAJUWON 13, KEVIN WILLIS 10
BOS - ANTOINE WALKER 7, FOUR PLAYERS WITH 4
HIGH ASSISTS: HOU - MARIO ELIE 8, CLYDE DREXLER 5
BOS - DEE BROWN 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 18,624
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA CLIPPERS 24 25 20 25 94
UTAH 29 23 34 25 111 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAC - DARRICK MARTIN 18, MALIK SEALY 13, POOH RICHARDSON 12
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 28, JEFF HORNACEK 19, KARL MALONE 19
HIGH REBOUND: LAC - STANLEY ROBERTS 9, THREE PLAYERS WITH 6
UTH - GREG OSTERTAG 14, ANTOINE CARR 7
HIGH ASSISTS: LAC - POOH RICHARDSON 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 10, JEFF HORNACEK 6
ATT: 19,381
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA LAKERS 19 24 20 21 84
DETROIT 13 22 18 23 76 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 27, EDDIE JONES 20, ELDEN CAMPBELL 14
DET - GRANT HILL 20, JOE DUMARS 16, OTIS THORPE 14
HIGH REBOUND: LAL - ELDEN CAMPBELL 12, SHAQUILLE ONEAL 11
DET - OTIS THORPE 12, GRANT HILL 7
HIGH ASSISTS: LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 10, SHAQUILLE ONEAL 3
DET - GRANT HILL 7, OTIS THORPE 3
ATT: 21,454
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 24 32 21 31 108
DENVER 22 27 24 30 103 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIN - STEPHON MARBURY 30, TOM GUGLIOTTA 24, SAM MITCHELL 12
DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 34, TOM HAMMONDS 16, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 14
HIGH REBOUND: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 8, KEVIN GARNETT 8
DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 9, ERVIN JOHNSON 9
HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - STEPHON MARBURY 11, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2
DEN - BROOKS THOMPSON 13, JEFF MCINNIS 5
ATT: 12,129
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ORLANDO 26 24 18 23 91
PHILADELPHIA 33 25 16 26 100 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ORL - NICK ANDERSON 18, GERALD WILKINS 18, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 12
PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 19, JERRY STACKHOUSE 16, CLARENCE
WEATHERSPOON 15
HIGH REBOUND: ORL - RONY SEIKALY 13, HORACE GRANT 12
PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 9, SCOTT WILLIAMS 9
HIGH ASSISTS: ORL - BRIAN SHAW 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 10, DERRICK COLEMAN 5
ATT: 15,489
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 19 28 19 26 92
SEATTLE 25 24 21 35 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHO - DANNY MANNING 18, KEVIN JOHNSON 13, STEVE NASH 12
SEA - GARY PAYTON 26, SHAWN KEMP 25, DETLEF SCHREMPF 14
HIGH REBOUND: PHO - DANNY MANNING 15, AC GREEN 8
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 13, DETLEF SCHREMPF 9
HIGH ASSISTS: PHO - KEVIN JOHNSON 10, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
SEA - GARY PAYTON 7, THREE PLAYERS WITH 5
ATT: 17,072
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
VANCOUVER 24 18 30 22 94
INDIANA 26 24 28 26 104 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 20, GREG ANTHONY 18, LAWRENCE
MOTEN 16
IND - REGGIE MILLER 25, JALEN ROSE 17, DUANE FERRELL 14
HIGH REBOUND: VAN - GEORGE LYNCH 11, SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 5
IND - ANTONIO DAVIS 11, THREE PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - GREG ANTHONY 7, LEE MAYBERRY 5
IND - JALEN ROSE 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 15,488
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 18 27 15 21 81
ATLANTA 30 32 28 20 110 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 14, GHEORGHE MURESAN 13, JAREN JACKSON
13
ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 25, MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 25, TYRONE
CORBIN 17
HIGH REBOUND: WAS - GHEORGHE MURESAN 9, CHRIS WEBBER 8
ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 15, JON BARRY 5
HIGH ASSISTS: WAS - ROD STRICKLAND 6, JAREN JACKSON 3
ATL - MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 7, JON BARRY 5
ATT: 12,457
nba.1800nba.news,
CHICAGO (116) AT DALLAS (97)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RODMAN F 31 2-7 1-2 9 10 19 3 3 0 6 5
PIPPEN F 40 14-22 2-2 1 9 10 3 5 1 2 32
WENNINGTON C 19 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 2
JORDAN G 40 13-23 6-6 0 7 7 4 1 2 2 36
HARPER G 14 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 2
KUKOC 30 3-11 3-4 4 3 7 6 2 0 1 9
KERR 29 7-10 1-1 0 3 3 5 0 0 1 17
BUECHLER 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CAFFEY 13 2-6 4-6 3 2 5 1 4 0 0 8
BROWN 11 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 1 0 0
SIMPKINS 8 2-2 1-2 2 1 3 2 0 0 1 5
LONGLEY DNP - STRAINED LEFT SHOULDER
TOTALS 240 45-90 18-23 19 36 55 28 20 5 16 116
(.500) (.783) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(15 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 35 7-18 2-2 2 2 4 3 3 1 1 17
MEYER F 15 3-7 1-2 1 1 2 0 3 1 1 7
MONTROSS C 19 1-4 1-1 3 3 6 0 1 0 1 3
KIDD G 43 2-9 2-4 3 4 7 17 1 3 0 6
JACKSON G 42 8-17 5-6 2 7 9 2 5 2 3 21
HARPER 30 2-8 2-2 1 0 1 3 0 3 3 6
GATLING 30 14-22 7-11 4 7 11 2 3 0 2 35
MILLER 20 0-1 2-2 1 1 2 2 4 0 0 2
DUMAS 6 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
DREILING DNP - DID NOT DRESS
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALKER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-88 22-30 17 25 42 29 22 10 12 97
(.420) (.733) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 12(16 PTS)
CHICAGO 26 35 22 33 - 116
DALLAS 15 27 25 30 - 97
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - RODMAN, KUKOC. DALLAS - MCCLOUD, JACKSON,
MILLER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 8-14 (.571), PIPPEN 2-3, JORDAN 4-5, HARPER
0-1, KERR 2-4, BROWN 0-1. DALLAS 1-13 (.077), MCCLOUD 1-5, KIDD 0-1,
JACKSON 0-3, HARPER 0-3, DUMAS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, TED BERNHARDT, SCOTT WALL.
A - 18,042. T - 2:04.
CHICAGO (116) AT DALLAS (97)
Michael Jordan scored 36 points and Scottie Pippen added 32 and
both keyed a pair of first-half runs as the Chicago Bulls
continued their domination of the Dallas Mavericks with a 116-97
victory.
The Bulls improved to 14-1 with their fourth straight win over
the Mavericks. Chicago has taken 16 of the last 17 meetings
between the clubs.
Jordan had eight of his 13 first-quarter points during a 12-0
spurt that saw Chicago open a 26-14 advantage. Dennis Rodman
grabbed 12 of his 19 rebounds in the opening quarter for the
Bulls, who improved to 8-1 on the road this season.
"I'm happy about our winning," Jordan said. "I'm shooting the
ball well, I'm getting good looks. I've been able to get into a
good rhythm, but tonight was one of those nights when I wanted
to get everyone involved, especially Scottie."
Pippen had the final eight points during a 15-4 Bulls' burst
that extended the advantage to 44-28 with just under five
minutes remaining in the first half. He was 14-of-22 from the
floor and added 10 rebounds and three assists.
"Tonight, the rhythm was there," Pippen said. "The shots were
there and I took advantage of it. Everyone knows that Michael
is the type of guy that wants to go out and score and put up big
numbers. I don't think it's fair to say he needs help scoring.
I think our club likes having more versatile guys that can
handle the ball and open up the court."
"Michael and Scottie seemed to be in a flow tonight," said Bulls
coach Phil Jackson. "What they were doing was very special. The
rebounding by Rodman in the first half is what kept us out of
any trouble."
Chris Gatling came off the bench to score a career-high 35
points and added 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, who fell to 3-4
at home. Gatling's previous high was 29 points against Detroit
while with Golden State on March 19th, 1995.
Jimmy Jackson had 21 points and nine rebounds and Jason Kidd
added a season-high 17 assists. But the duo, who comprise
Dallas' starting backcourt, combined to shoot 10-of-26 from the
field.
Eric Montross and Oliver Miller provided only five points from
the center position.
Overall, the Bulls were 45-of-90 from the field and made 8-of-14
three-point attempts. They also outrebounded Dallas, 55-42, and
recorded the highest point total by a Mavericks' opponent this
season.
"I thought the first half we were a little shellshocked," said
Dallas coach Jim Cleamons. "The thing we have to understand as
a basketball team is that you have have to be able to sustain an
effort over a period of time."
Dallas trailed by as many as 21 and was unable to draw any
closer than 13 in the second half.
nba.1801nba.news,
GOLDEN STATE (93) AT PORTLAND (119)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 35 6-8 2-2 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 14
SMITH F 33 4-11 5-6 2 2 4 0 4 4 5 13
SPENCER C 15 1-1 1-2 1 1 2 0 5 0 1 3
SPREWELL G 38 9-21 12-14 0 5 5 8 0 3 3 32
PRICE G 30 5-10 2-2 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 15
FULLER 21 2-3 2-2 2 3 5 0 4 0 0 6
OWES 12 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
MARSHALL 5 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ARMSTRONG 18 0-3 0-0 0 4 4 1 3 0 1 0
DECLERCQ 9 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 2
ROYAL 19 1-6 6-7 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 8
ROE 5 0-1 0-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 240 29-70 30-37 10 17 27 17 21 9 13 93
(.414) (.811) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(20 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 37 4-10 5-10 4 0 4 6 2 0 2 14
WALLACE F 34 9-13 2-2 5 7 12 4 3 0 3 20
SABONIS C 13 2-5 0-0 2 1 3 1 4 2 2 5
MCKIE G 32 7-12 1-2 1 5 6 6 2 2 2 17
RIDER G 32 7-16 0-0 3 2 5 1 4 0 2 16
TRENT 22 7-11 4-5 2 8 10 0 3 0 1 18
DUDLEY 22 1-1 3-4 2 2 4 0 4 1 2 5
BUTLER 15 2-5 2-2 0 1 1 0 4 1 0 7
ANDERSON 19 4-8 2-2 1 1 2 2 2 0 1 12
DJORDJEVIC 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
WINGFIELD 5 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 3
CHILDRESS 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
TOTALS 240 45-86 19-27 20 30 50 22 32 7 16 119
(.523) (.704) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 26 30 22 15 - 93
PORTLAND 30 29 30 30 - 119
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - MULLIN, SPENCER, SPREWELL, OWES. PORTLAND -
C ROBINSON, MCKIE, BUTLER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 5-14 (.357), MULLIN 0-2, SPREWELL 2-5,
PRICE 3-5, MARSHALL 0-1, ROYAL 0-1. PORTLAND 10-23 (.435), C ROBINSON 1-4,
SABONIS 1-1, MCKIE 2-5, RIDER 2-4, BUTLER 1-3, ANDERSON 2-4, WINGFIELD 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, TOM WASHINGTON, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 21,068. T - 2:14.
GOLDEN STATE (93) AT PORTLAND (119)
Rasheed Wallace scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and
Gary Trent added 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench as the
Portland Trail Blazers dominated on the boards en route to their
sixth win in seven games, a 119-93 victory over the Golden State
Warriors.
Aaron McKie had 17 points, six assists and six rebounds as
Portland outrebounded Golden State, 50-27. Isaiah Rider
contributed 16 points for the Trail Blazers, who have won the
last four meetings with the Warriors.
"I just play hard, try to give the team some energy off the
bench," Trent said. "That's why coach puts me in. I'm not used
to playing in the fourth quarter. I didn't last year because of
my poor free-throw shooting."
Latrell Sprewell had 32 points and eight assists for the
Warriors, who have lost five of their last six games. Mark
Price tossed in 15 points for Golden State, which was trying to
win consecutive games for the first time this season.
Joe Smith, who had 13 points, made a free throw to give the
Warriors a 15-9 lead with 6:34 left in the first quarter.
Arvydas Sabonis made a three-pointer and Wallace had a layup as
Portland cut the lead to 15-14 with 5:47 left. Rider made a
driving layup to give the Blazers their first lead, 22-21, with
3:02 left.
"This team is a lot faster than I played with in the past," said
Wallace, who spent his rookie season with Washington. "We have
our ups and downs but we bounce back and gel pretty quickly."
Sprewell made three free throws to give the Warriors a two-point
lead late in the first quarter, but Mitchell Butler made a pair
of foul shots with 37.4 seconds left as Portland ended the first
quarter with an 8-2 run and a 30-26 advantage.
McKie completed a three-point play as the Blazers scored the
first eight points of the second quarter to build a 38-26 lead.
Two free throws by Trent made it 49-33 midway through the
period.
The Warriors used a 23-8 run to close within 57-56, but Portland
scored the first seven points of the third quarter to restore
its 10-point cushion. Golden State climbed within four as Price
made consecutive three-pointers and the Warriors got within
79-76 late in the period.
But the Blazers ended the quarter with a 10-2 burst, extending
its lead to 89-78. Golden State got no closer in the fourth.
"They just outrebounded us, but they are a good team and we just
struggled," Sprewell said. "We got it to three, but they got
momentum to begin the fourth quarter."
nba.1802nba.news,
HOUSTON (120) AT BOSTON (94)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BARKLEY F 30 7-9 1-2 2 7 9 2 1 1 2 18
ELIE F 24 3-4 2-2 0 1 1 8 0 1 4 10
OLAJUWON C 28 8-16 1-2 3 10 13 3 3 0 3 17
MALONEY G 27 6-8 3-3 0 3 3 2 1 2 1 18
DREXLER G 24 6-9 2-2 1 3 4 5 0 0 1 15
WILLIS 27 5-10 1-2 3 7 10 2 4 0 3 12
LIVINGSTON 21 2-4 6-6 2 2 4 4 2 1 2 10
BULLARD 18 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 8
MOORE 24 4-7 1-2 2 2 4 1 2 0 2 9
HARRINGTON 11 1-4 1-4 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 3
BENNETT 6 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
MACK DNP - SORE LEFT FOOT
TOTALS 240 45-80 18-25 14 37 51 30 16 5 19 120
(.563) (.720) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 26 5-15 2-3 3 4 7 3 1 2 1 12
WILLIAMS F 23 2-7 0-0 1 3 4 1 2 0 1 4
RADJA C 27 8-13 2-2 1 2 3 1 3 0 2 18
BARROS G 32 5-13 3-4 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 14
FOX G 27 4-11 0-0 2 2 4 3 2 4 1 9
BROWN 29 5-10 0-0 0 2 2 5 3 1 0 11
BRICKOWSKI 8 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
DAY 22 2-5 3-4 0 4 4 0 4 0 2 8
MINOR 22 4-8 0-0 2 2 4 2 1 1 0 8
CONLON 16 2-5 1-2 1 0 1 1 3 0 0 5
SZABO 8 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3
WESLEY DNP - SORE RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 39-91 12-17 12 21 33 18 21 9 9 94
(.429) (.706) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 9(11 PTS)
HOUSTON 35 28 30 27 - 120
BOSTON 17 23 24 30 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY, ELIE, HARRINGTON. BOSTON - FOX, SZABO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 12-22 (.545), BARKLEY 3-4, ELIE 2-3, MALONEY
3-4, DREXLER 1-3, WILLIS 1-1, LIVINGSTON 0-1, BULLARD 2-4, MOORE 0-1,
BENNETT 0-1. BOSTON 4-13 (.308), WALKER 0-2, BARROS 1-4, FOX 1-4, BROWN
1-2, DAY 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, TOMMIE WOOD, KEN MAUER.
A - 18,624. T - 1:55.
HOUSTON (120) AT BOSTON (94)
Matt Maloney scored a career-high 18 points and Charles Barkley
added 18 to lead the Houston Rockets to their eighth straight
victory, a 120-94 blowout of the Boston Celtics.
Hakeem Olajuwon -- in his second game back after a three-game
absence due to an irregular heartbeat -- had 17 points and 13
rebounds for the 14-1 Rockets, who own the best record in the
Western Conference. They entered the game tied with Chicago for
the NBA's best record.
"Our spot shooting tonight was just outstanding," said Rockets
coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "Defensively, we just wanted to take
away their high-percentage plays. Offensively, our spacing and
ball movement was excellent."
Houston improved to a perfect 7-0 on the road. Their only loss
season came in double overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers,
126-115, on November 12th.
"What was good about tonight is we put away the game early,"
said Barkley. "Back-to-back games like tonight and tomorrow
are hard because we have an older team."
Dino Radja scored 18 points and Dana Barros added 14 for the
Celtics, who were trying to extend their winning streak to a
season-high three games.
"One stretch we battle hard and play well and another stretch,
like tonight, its baffling," said Boston's Rick Fox. "We need
to show commitment on the floor and it seems like I need to
address a different situation every night (as captain). Either
it's approach one night or commitment on another."
The Rockets took the lead, 12-10, on a Clyde Drexler dunk with
6:38 to go in the first quarter and never surrendered it.
Houston closed the period with a 21-5 run, capped by a Barkley
three-pointer.
The Rockets built a 25-point advantage on Maloney's free throw
with a 1 1/2 minutes to go in the second quarter and had a 63-40
cushion at halftime.
"In the first part of the game I wouldn't call it light effort,
but we didn't do what we had to do," said Celtics coach M.L.
Carr. "It's not so much a lack of effort, but the lack of
executing the game plan."
Boston got no closer than 21 in the second half on a
three-pointer by Barros with 5:05 to go in the third.
Houston twice built the lead to 31 in the fourth quarter, the
last time when Randy Livingston hit four straight free throws
with 5:01 to go.
The Rockets have won their last four games in Boston.
nba.1803nba.news,
LA CLIPPERS (94) AT UTAH (111)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ROGERS F 36 5-8 1-2 1 5 6 3 1 0 2 11
VAUGHT F 22 1-7 1-2 2 4 6 0 3 2 0 3
ROBERTS C 33 3-11 2-5 4 5 9 1 4 2 2 8
SEALY G 26 6-10 1-1 1 0 1 2 0 2 0 13
D MARTIN G 25 4-10 7-8 0 0 0 3 3 0 5 18
OUTLAW 20 3-4 2-2 1 3 4 0 2 1 3 8
DUCKWORTH 11 0-1 2-2 2 4 6 0 4 0 3 2
RICHARDSON 23 4-5 0-0 0 0 0 5 2 1 1 12
MURRAY 18 3-6 0-0 1 3 4 0 1 0 0 6
DEHERE 18 2-7 4-5 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 8
WRIGHT 4 0-1 2-4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2
BARRY 4 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 3
TOTALS 240 32-74 22-31 12 24 36 17 26 10 17 94
(.432) (.710) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 18(23 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 32 4-8 2-3 0 1 1 3 4 2 0 12
MALONE F 32 6-9 7-8 1 3 4 5 1 2 3 19
OSTERTAG C 31 4-7 2-3 4 10 14 1 4 1 0 10
HORNACEK G 33 7-12 5-5 1 2 3 6 1 2 3 19
STOCKTON G 36 12-13 2-2 0 2 2 10 1 1 4 28
EISLEY 12 3-6 0-2 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 7
ANDERSON 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
CARR 18 2-5 2-2 3 4 7 1 4 0 3 6
MORRIS 22 1-9 2-2 1 3 4 0 3 0 0 4
KEEFE 12 0-1 4-4 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 4
FOSTER 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WATSON 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
TOTALS 240 40-73 26-31 10 29 39 27 22 9 16 111
(.548) (.839) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(23 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 24 25 20 25 - 94
UTAH 29 23 34 25 - 111
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - ROBERTS 2, SEALY 2, MURRAY. UTAH - OSTERTAG
5, CARR, KEEFE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 8-17 (.471), ROGERS 0-1, D MARTIN 3-6,
RICHARDSON 4-4, DEHERE 0-2, BARRY 1-4. UTAH 5-10 (.500), RUSSELL 2-2,
MALONE 0-1, HORNACEK 0-1, STOCKTON 2-2, EISLEY 1-1, MORRIS 0-3.
TECHNICALS: LA CLIPPERS - SEALY, UTAH - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, JOE BORGIA, GREG WILLARD.
A - 19,381. T - 2:08.
LA CLIPPERS (94) AT UTAH (111)
John Stockton had 28 points and 10 assists to propel the Utah
Jazz to their ninth straight victory, a 111-94 romp over the Los
Angeles Clippers.
Karl Malone and Jeff Hornacek added 19 points apiece as Utah
placed all five starters in double figures. Greg Ostertag
contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz, who have won
seven straight home games.
"I thought we were executing pretty well and obviously we were
making the open shots," said Utah said Jerry Sloan. "You know
you can execute all you want but if you don't make the open
shots, it doesn't look very good. We were able to make some
shots and that was the thing that was important to us."
Darrick Martin tied a season high with 18 points and Stanley
Roberts had eight points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles,
which suffered its fifth straight loss. The Clippers have been
held under 100 points in all but two of their 15 games this
season.
"Its the most points we've allowed all season, but I consider
them one of the better teams," said Clippers coach. "If you're
going to allow points, they're probably going to be one of the
ones to get them from you. Especially if you get into a running
game or into a faster-paced game."
Los Angeles kept it close throughout the first half and trailed
by only 52-49 at halftime.
"We were in good shape at half only down by three, but we knew
what they did to Denver the other night and knew we had to keep
our heads in the game," Clippers forward Loy Vaught said in
reference to Utah rallying from a 36-point first-half deficit to
record a 107-103 victory over the Nuggets on Wednesday.
But Stockton had seven points as Utah opened the third quarter
with a 15-2 run to make it 67-51 with 7:50 remaining in the
period.
The Jazz built their lead as high as 20 on a Chris Morris jumper
at 11:01 of the fourth. The Clippers answered with six straight
points on Pooh Richardson's three-pointer and Terry Dehere's
three-point play, but could get no closer than 14 the rest of
the way.
"We just came out a the beginning of the third and executed and
got on the boards because (Sloan) kind of got on us about the
offensive boards," said Ostertag. "He wanted us to crash the
boards a little harder in the second half."
Utah has beaten Los Angeles in 11 of their last 14 meetings.
nba.1804nba.news,
LA LAKERS (84) AT DETROIT (76)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JONES F 32 7-13 3-4 1 3 4 1 4 1 2 20
CAMPBELL F 40 6-10 2-2 3 9 12 1 6 1 2 14
ONEAL C 42 11-19 5-12 2 9 11 3 2 0 7 27
VAN EXEL G 37 3-11 0-1 0 3 3 10 0 1 0 8
ROBINSON G 14 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 0 2 0
KERSEY 34 4-6 0-0 1 6 7 2 5 2 2 9
FISHER 11 1-1 0-1 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 2
SCOTT 10 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
KNIGHT 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0
BLOUNT 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
BRYANT 7 0-1 1-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1
ROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-65 11-22 8 32 40 21 24 6 18 84
(.508) (.500) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 18(17 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 45 6-15 8-8 2 5 7 7 3 3 5 20
THORPE F 38 4-9 6-10 4 8 12 3 5 2 2 14
MAHORN C 17 1-3 0-0 1 4 5 1 4 0 1 2
DUMARS G 40 5-16 2-2 1 2 3 1 1 3 1 16
HUNTER G 44 5-18 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 1 0 12
MILLS 19 1-6 0-0 4 0 4 2 2 0 3 3
CURRY 11 0-0 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 2
LONG 16 2-4 1-2 1 2 3 0 2 1 1 5
RATLIFF 8 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
REID 1 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
WILLIAMS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AUGMON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 25-73 19-24 15 23 38 15 23 10 14 76
(.342) (.792) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(13 PTS)
LA LAKERS 19 24 20 21 - 84
DETROIT 13 22 18 23 - 76
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - BRYANT. DETROIT - HILL, RATLIFF.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 7-17 (.412), JONES 3-5, ONEAL 0-1, VAN EXEL
2-6, ROBINSON 0-1, KERSEY 1-2, SCOTT 1-2. DETROIT 7-26 (.269), HILL 0-1,
DUMARS 4-8, HUNTER 2-12, MILLS 1-4, LONG 0-1.
TECHNICALS: DETROIT - MAHORN.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, JOE DEROSA, JIM KINSEY.
A - 21,454. T - 2:08.
LA LAKERS (84) AT DETROIT (76)
Shaquille O'Neal had 27 points and 11 rebounds and combined with
Eddie Jones to score all of the Lakers' points in the fourth
quarter as Los Angeles defeated the Detroit Pistons, 84-76.
Nick Van Exel and Jones nailed consecutive three-pointers as the
Lakers took the lead for good, 8-2, with 9:28 left in the first
quarter. Jones made 3-of-5 three-pointers, tying an NBA record
with at least two three-pointers in 22 straight games. He
finished with 20 points.
"I don't think about it at all, my teammates think about it,"
said Jones, who tied the mark held by Mitch Richmond and Cliff
Robinson. "Guys like Byron Scott, they're thinking if I'm going
to hit two threes the next game and they tease me during the
game, but I don't think about it. I just go out and play. If I
get an open three, I take it. It's not a big thing to me,
getting a win is a big thing to me."
The Lakers have split their last six games following a
three-game winning streak.
"We just wanted to come in and play well," O'Neal said. "We
read the paper this morning. I kind of like a challenge. They
said we're going to foul him, make him shoot jumpers, make him
go to his finesse hand, like I can't hit those shots. I just
wanted to play my game and I did that."
"This is the best defensive game we've had," Los Angeles coch
Del Harris said. I thought our point-guard play was good. We
sputtered a little down the wire. We weren't expecting a
fast-paced game, we know that they're a half-court team who
doesn't force the run. They play a lot of one-on-ones and pick
and rolls."
Grant Hill had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for
the Pistons, who lost for just the second time in their last
nine games. Joe Dumars added 16 points and Otis Thorpe had 14
points and 12 rebounds as Detroit dropped its fifth straight to
the Lakers. The Pistons shot 34 percent (25-for-73) from the
floor.
"We couldn't shoot well, couldn't make the shots tonight," said
Hill, who is bothered by a sprained right wrist. "They were
there, we just couldn't put them in the basket. Our defense was
excellent. We did a good job but we just couldn't match it up
on the offensive end.
"I don't want to make excuses. It's bothersome a little bit,"
he said of the wrist. "It feels better, it will just continue
to get better."
Grant Long made a free throw to pull Detroit within 79-74 with
1:03 left in the fourth quarter. But O'Neal made two of four
free throws and Jones shot 3-of-4 from the line in the final
minute.
The Pistons shot just 5-for-22 (23 percent) from the field in
the first quarter and fell behind, 19-13.
Teenage rookie Kobe Bryant made a free throw to cap a 7-0 burst
and give the Lakers a 33-22 lead with 3:22 left in the fourth.
Lindsey Hunter's 16-footer pulled the Pistons within 33-30 with
3:06 left in the second. But Van Exel made a driving layup with
3.9 seconds left, giving the Lakers a 43-35 halftime lead.
O'Neal scored four points as Los Angeles closed the third
quarter with a 10-4 burst for a 63-53 lead.
nba.1805nba.news,
MINNESOTA (108) AT DENVER (103)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 36 2-11 2-2 4 4 8 2 3 3 2 6
GUGLIOTTA F 37 9-15 6-8 2 6 8 1 3 2 7 24
VRANKOVIC C 21 2-2 1-2 0 4 4 0 2 0 1 5
MARBURY G 32 10-18 8-13 2 2 4 11 3 0 0 30
WEST G 35 4-9 2-3 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 10
PORTER 15 4-6 0-1 0 2 2 2 0 0 3 8
PARKS 22 4-7 0-1 3 4 7 0 3 0 0 8
MITCHELL 26 2-4 8-9 2 1 3 0 3 0 2 12
CARR 14 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 3 0 1 5
HEAL 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROBINSON 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D GARRETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-77 27-39 13 25 38 18 23 6 16 108
(.506) (.692) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 16(14 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 40 3-9 0-0 0 3 3 1 5 1 4 7
MCDYESS F 42 11-24 12-14 1 8 9 1 5 1 3 34
JOHNSON C 19 3-4 0-0 3 6 9 2 4 1 0 6
B THOMPSON G 31 4-10 4-6 1 0 1 13 4 2 4 14
STITH G 40 4-9 5-6 0 3 3 1 2 1 1 14
HAMMONDS 38 5-8 6-7 4 4 8 1 2 0 1 16
MCINNIS 18 4-7 0-0 1 0 1 5 4 0 4 10
MARCIULIONIS 8 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
HAM 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0
JACKSON DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
L THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-75 27-33 10 24 34 24 29 7 19 103
(.467) (.818) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 20(29 PTS)
MINNESOTA 24 32 21 31 - 108
DENVER 22 27 24 30 - 103
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - GUGLIOTTA 3, K GARNETT, MITCHELL, CARR. DENVER
- JOHNSON 2, HAMMONDS 2, MCDYESS, MCINNIS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 3-9 (.333), GUGLIOTTA 0-1, MARBURY 2-4, WEST
0-1, PORTER 0-1, CARR 1-2. DENVER 6-20 (.300), D ELLIS 1-5, MCDYESS 0-2, B
THOMPSON 2-6, STITH 1-3, MCINNIS 2-4.
TECHNICALS: DENVER - JOHNSON.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, ED MIDDLETON, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 12,129. T - 2:18.
MINNESOTA (108) AT DENVER (103)
Sam Mitchell scored six of his 12 points in the final 90 seconds
and rookie Stephon Marbury had a career-high 30 points as the
Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a six-game road losing streak
with a 108-103 triumph over the Denver Nuggets.
The win was Minnesota's first in Denver since March 31st, 1992,
snapping a 12-game losing streak against the Nuggets.
The game was tied, 97-97, when Brooks Thompson was fouled by
Marbury while shooting a three-pointer. Thompson sank just one
of three free throws to give the Nuggets a 98-97 lead with 1:43
to play.
But Mitchell keyed an 11-5 run to end the game when he hit a
16-foot jumper and was 4-for-5 from the free-throw line.
Antonio McDyess scored a career-high 34 points for Denver, which
fell to 1-2 under new coach Dick Motta.
"The turnovers killed us. They had 29 points off of our
turnovers," Motta said. "It is a shame to waste such a good
game from Antonio."
Minnesota went on a 5-0 run to build an 89-80 lead with 7:53
remaining. Kevin Garnett, who shot just 2-for-11 from the
field, sank a jumper, Marbury hit one of two free throws and
Mitchell also scored a basket during the spurt.
Bryant Stith hit a pair of jumpers to cut the deficit to five
before Thompson was fouled by Marbury while shooting a
three-pointer. Thompson sank all three free-throws and followed
with a three-pointer to put Denver ahead, 90-89, with 5:45 to
go.
Marbury played 32 minutes, hit 10-of-18 from the field, 8-of-13
from the line, led the Timberwolves with 11 assists and did not
turn the ball over.
"Stephon Marbury was very good tonight," said Timberwolves coach
Flip Saunders. "What impressed me about him was that he had 11
assists and no turnovers. He has nerves of steel and is not
afraid to take some big shots."
Marbury also impressed Motta.
"Marbury is a lottery player and he is terrific," Motta said. "I
did not think he would have much trouble making the transition."
Tom Hammonds had 16 points while Thompson and Stith had 14
points apiece for the Nuggets.
nba.1806nba.news,
ORLANDO (91) AT PHILADELPHIA (100)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
STRONG F 20 3-8 0-0 1 4 5 0 2 0 2 6
GRANT F 41 5-12 0-0 4 8 12 3 0 4 1 10
SEIKALY C 34 4-12 4-4 8 5 13 2 4 1 5 12
ANDERSON G 35 7-18 0-0 0 1 1 4 5 1 2 18
SHAW G 29 4-11 0-0 1 3 4 9 2 2 3 9
ARMSTRONG 27 4-14 1-1 0 1 1 4 1 2 3 12
VAUGHN 16 2-3 2-2 3 4 7 1 1 1 0 6
WILKINS 29 8-17 2-2 1 1 2 1 3 0 0 18
MCCASKILL 9 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
DEMPS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - BRONCHITIS
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-96 9-9 18 28 46 25 19 11 16 91
(.385) (1.000) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(24 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 34 6-11 3-4 3 5 8 1 2 1 1 15
COLEMAN F 37 8-14 1-2 2 7 9 5 0 0 2 19
WILLIAMS C 24 4-10 0-0 4 5 9 0 2 3 0 8
STACKHOUSE G 44 6-20 4-6 2 2 4 1 2 1 5 16
IVERSON G 31 6-15 0-0 4 3 7 10 2 5 7 14
CAGE 16 0-0 1-2 0 5 5 2 2 0 0 1
WALTERS 4 1-1 1-1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
DAVIS 8 1-1 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4
OVERTON 17 3-4 2-2 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 9
BRADTKE 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
MACLEAN 17 3-4 4-6 0 3 3 1 0 1 1 10
HARRIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-80 18-25 15 32 47 25 12 11 16 100
(.475) (.720) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 17(21 PTS)
ORLANDO 26 24 18 23 - 91
PHILADELPHIA 33 25 16 26 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: ORLANDO - VAUGHN, WILKINS. PHILADELPHIA - STACKHOUSE 3,
WILLIAMS 2, WEATHERSPOON, DAVIS, MACLEAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ORLANDO 8-27 (.296), ANDERSON 4-13, SHAW 1-1, ARMSTRONG
3-10, WILKINS 0-3. PHILADELPHIA 6-15 (.400), COLEMAN 2-3, STACKHOUSE 0-5,
IVERSON 2-5, WALTERS 1-1, OVERTON 1-1.
TECHNICALS: ORLANDO - HEAD COACH B HILL, PHILADELPHIA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, GEORGE TOLIVER, JIM CLARK.
A - 15,489. T - 2:00.
ORLANDO (91) AT PHILADELPHIA (100)
Derrick Coleman scored 19 points and Jerry Stackhouse added 16
as the Philadelphia 76ers scored the first eight points of the
game and never trailed en route to a 100-91 triumph over the
Orlando Magic.
Clarence Weatherspoon had 15 points and rookie Allen Iverson
added 14 and a season-high 10 assists as the 76ers defeated the
Magic for just the second time in their last 14 meetings.
"This was a hard fought, well earned victory for us," said
Philadelphia coach Johnny Davis. "We did a lot of things right.
We did a few things that we still need to sure up on, but
overall it was a game that we pretty much played aggressively
the whole night with some good performances from a lot of
people. It was a total team effort in terms of securing the
win."
Nick Anderson and Gerald Wilkins each scored 18 points for the
Magic, who won all four meetings with the 76ers last season.
Orlando lost for the first time in three road games.
"This was our poorest performance so far this year," said
Orlando coach Brian Hill. "We gave up 31 fast-break points in
the first half. We weren't doing anything defensively. We were
standing around shooting shots from the perimeter in the first
half. If it wasn't for our second unit coming in to give us a
big lift, we wouldn't have been in the game. We have to put
this behind us and move on."
Rony Seikaly, who had 12 points and 13 rebounds, made a layup to
cap a 10-1 run and pull the Magic within 63-62 with 5:41 left in
the third quarter.
Philadelphia answered with an 11-0 spurt, capped by Coleman's
three-pointer that made it 74-62 with 3:05 to go in the period.
Iverson had five of his seven turnovers in the third quarter and
was benched in the fourth.
"It's all about team," he said. "I got benched, but we won, so
it was the right decision. He's the coach and I'm a player. If
we won every game I get benched in, I can't complain. I would
love to be in there. I felt I was playing well, but I made a
couple of mistakes, which I'm going to do until I find out how
this game goes. He just wanted to come in with a veteran point
guard and let him do his thing."
Darrell Armstrong made a three-pointer with 1:36 left in the
fourth to pull Orlando within 91-86. But Doug Overton sank a
pair of free throws to cap a 6-0 burst and give Philadelphia a
97-86 edge with 23.4 seconds left.
Horace Grant had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who
were held to 39 percent shoting (37-for-96) from the field.
"We couldn't get over the hump," Wilkins said. "We got close,
we had some wide-open looks. I haven't seen that much daylight
since the start of the season. We missed a lot of open shots."
nba.1807nba.news,
PHOENIX (92) AT SEATTLE (105)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 22 3-12 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 7
GREEN F 25 5-6 0-0 3 5 8 1 2 0 0 10
WILLIAMS C 34 4-10 2-2 3 4 7 1 4 0 3 10
JOHNSON G 35 3-12 7-8 1 4 5 10 2 0 2 13
PERSON G 32 4-13 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 1 3 9
MANNING 27 8-13 2-2 5 10 15 3 6 1 2 18
HORRY 20 1-3 0-0 0 4 4 3 4 1 1 2
CHAPMAN 24 3-6 4-4 1 2 3 2 3 2 2 11
NASH 21 5-7 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 4 12
BROWN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
CASSELL DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
KLEINE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-82 15-16 13 33 46 24 25 5 18 92
(.439) (.938) TEAM REBS: 2 TOTAL TO: 19(25 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 39 11-18 3-4 3 10 13 5 1 0 4 25
D SCHREMPF F 38 6-14 2-7 1 8 9 5 2 1 4 14
MCILVAINE C 12 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
HAWKINS G 36 3-6 0-0 0 3 3 5 5 2 2 8
PAYTON G 39 9-18 7-9 0 3 3 7 3 2 0 26
PERKINS 22 3-7 2-4 1 2 3 1 0 3 0 10
EHLO 20 5-11 0-0 2 1 3 2 1 0 3 12
STEWART 14 0-1 1-2 2 2 4 0 2 3 0 1
SNOW 18 1-3 1-2 0 2 2 4 2 2 0 3
WINGATE 1 0-0 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
GRAHAM 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-80 18-30 9 31 40 29 16 13 13 105
(.500) (.600) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(21 PTS)
PHOENIX 19 28 19 26 - 92
SEATTLE 25 24 21 35 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - WILLIAMS. SEATTLE - KEMP 2, MCILVAINE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 5-16 (.313), FINLEY 1-4, JOHNSON 0-1, PERSON
1-5, HORRY 0-1, CHAPMAN 1-2, NASH 2-3. SEATTLE 7-22 (.318), D SCHREMPF
0-3, HAWKINS 2-5, PAYTON 1-6, PERKINS 2-4, EHLO 2-3, SNOW 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, BOB DELANEY, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 17,072. T - 2:10.
PHOENIX (92) AT SEATTLE (105)
Gary Payton scored 26 points and Shawn Kemp added 25 as the
Seattle SuperSonics defeated the lowly Phoenix Suns, 105-92, for
their 13th win in 14 games.
Payton added seven assists, while Kemp grabbed 13 rebounds.
Detlef Schrempf had 14 points and nine rebounds and Craig Ehlo
scored nine of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for Seattle,
which defeated Phoenix for the seventh straight time.
"I thought my team played hard," Sonics coach George Karl said.
"(Phoenix) challenged us to make shots and we didn't do it very
well. We missed free throws, which saturated our confidence.
But defensively, we were alert and were always active. It was a
very workman-like type of win."
The SuperSonics have won two in a row since their 11-game
winning streak was snapped.
Danny Manning had 18 points and 15 rebounds in 27 minutes off
the bench before fouling out for Phoenix, which is 0-8 on the
road and 1-14 overall. Kevin Johnson added 13 points and Steve
Nash had 12.
"I don't think we played real well at all," Suns coach Danny
Ainge said. "I don't think we took care of the ball and I don't
think we played with a lot of confidence. They did a good job
of taking us out of what we wanted to do. And we did not
improvise well at all."
The SuperSonics took a 70-66 lead into the fourth quarter and
expanded on their advantage as Ehlo and Payton hit consecutive
three-pointers.
"We played well for 36 minutes (but) when you play a good team,
you have to play 48 minutes," Johnson admitted. "In the third
quarter, we broke down offensively and defensively. We got it
down to one quarter, but we were not able to finish it off."
The Suns didn't fade easily, however, as Manning made a layup to
pull them within 83-76 with 7:26 remaining. But they went
scoreless for the next 4:45 and Ehlo made a short jumper to
spark an 8-0 run that sealed the victory. Kemp followed with a
layup, Hersey Hawkins nailed a three-pointer and Schrempf made
one free throw to give Seattle a 91-76 bulge with 2:50
remaining.
"The first home game after a long road trip is very dangerous
for the home team, trying to guard against relaxing," Hawkins
observed. "It may not have been as decisive as we wanted, but
it was a win."
The Sonics took a 25-19 lead into the second quarter behind 10
points by Kemp, but the Suns pulled within 49-47 at the half.
"The guys you see out there are not the guys that lost all those
games for (the Suns)," Kemp said. "The guys out there now are
coming off of injuries."
Sam Perkins had 10 points and three steals for Seattle, which
shot 50 percent (40-for-80) from the field and outscored Phoenix
in the paint, 50-38.
Rex Chapman scored 11 points and A.C Green and John Williams
each added 10 for Phoenix, which shot 44 percent (36-of-82) from
the field and committed 19 turnovers that led to 25 Sonics'
points.
nba.1808nba.news,
VANCOUVER (94) AT INDIANA (104)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 38 8-18 4-6 2 3 5 0 2 0 1 20
LYNCH F 33 5-10 3-4 3 8 11 3 2 2 1 14
MOBLEY C 13 0-2 0-0 2 0 2 2 3 0 1 0
ANTHONY G 32 5-9 5-7 0 4 4 7 3 2 3 18
MOTEN G 32 5-9 4-6 2 0 2 2 2 1 1 16
MAYBERRY 16 1-4 0-0 2 2 4 5 2 1 0 3
ROGERS 24 2-6 0-2 0 4 4 0 1 0 1 4
PEELER 26 4-13 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 9
B EDWARDS 8 0-3 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 1 0
MANNING 18 4-7 2-2 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 10
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
REEVES DNP - LEFT KNEE TENDINITIS
TOTALS 240 34-81 18-27 12 24 36 22 22 6 10 94
(.420) (.667) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 10(7 PTS)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 31 3-7 2-3 2 5 7 1 3 0 0 8
MCKEY F 24 2-5 0-0 2 2 4 1 5 0 3 5
DAMPIER C 18 3-7 2-4 2 5 7 1 2 1 5 8
BEST G 28 4-10 0-0 0 1 1 1 6 0 3 9
MILLER G 31 9-15 5-5 1 1 2 3 2 0 0 25
A DAVIS 26 4-6 2-2 2 9 11 1 2 0 0 10
ASKEW 20 2-5 2-2 0 3 3 2 0 0 1 6
FERRELL 32 7-11 0-0 2 5 7 3 2 0 3 14
ROSE 21 5-7 7-8 0 2 2 6 4 1 3 17
ALLEN 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JOHNSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-75 20-24 11 33 44 20 26 4 18 104
(.533) (.833) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 19(15 PTS)
VANCOUVER 24 18 30 22 - 94
INDIANA 26 24 28 26 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS 3, MOBLEY, ABDUR-RAHIM. INDIANA -
DAMPIER 6, A DAVIS 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 8-19 (.421), LYNCH 1-2, ANTHONY 3-7, MOTEN
2-3, MAYBERRY 1-2, PEELER 1-4, B EDWARDS 0-1. INDIANA 4-9 (.444), MCKEY
1-1, BEST 1-2, MILLER 2-5, ASKEW 0-1.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - B EDWARDS, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, NOLAN FINE, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 15,488. T - 2:11.
VANCOUVER (94) AT INDIANA (104)
Reggie Miller scored 25 points and Jalen Rose added 17 as the
Indiana Pacers kept the Vancouver Grizzlies winless on the road
with a 104-94 victory.
Miller's driving layup with 2:28 left in the third quarter broke
a 66-66 tie and sparked a 10-6 run to end the period. Indiana
went on to its second straight home triumph and third win in as
many games with Vancouver.
"We got a streak going now and we have to build on it," said
Miller. "The guys have been looking for some continuity and
hopefully now, we are starting to get it."
Miller's coach would also like to see some consistency for his
team.
"I just hope we get better," said Pacers coach Larry Brown.
"We're 5-8, but we have only been out of one game. When you
consider who we don't have and with all of the new faces, we can
not panic. We just have to keep working harder."
Rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 20 points to lead the Grizzlies,
who have dropped eight straight on the road to start their
second season.
Neither team could establish a significant lead until the Pacers
went on a 12-0 run in the second quarter to build a 42-28
cushion. Rose started the run with layup and Miller followed
with a layup and a pair of free throws to give Indiana a 36-28
edge.
"It was just one of those things. The ball did not bounce our
way," said Vancouver point guard Greg Anthony.
The Pacers continued to roll as Vincent Askew hit a layup and
Duane Ferrell and Travis Best added jumpers to open a 14-point
advantage with 4:38 to go before halftime.
The Pacers still led by 10 with 10:46 to play when Vancouver,
the lowest scoring team in the league (84.6 points per game),
went on their own 10-0 run.
Anthony nailed a three-pointer and a pair of free throws. George
Lynch, who finished with 14 points, had a dunk off a steal and
Abdur-Rahim capped the burst with a three-point play to tie the
game.
"I thought we played a good basketball game except in the third
quarter," said Vancouver coach Brian Winters. "If we made some
free throws or three in the end, then we are right in it."
Rookie Erick Dampier, playing in place of the injured Rik Smits,
had six blocks in 18 minutes for Indiana, which shot 55 percent
from the field (40-for-75).
nba.1809nba.news,
WASHINGTON (81) AT ATLANTA (110)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 31 3-12 2-2 1 4 5 1 4 0 3 8
WEBBER F 31 7-15 0-0 4 4 8 2 4 2 5 14
MURESAN C 26 4-9 5-6 3 6 9 0 2 1 3 13
CHEANEY G 15 1-4 0-2 1 2 3 1 0 0 3 2
STRICKLAND G 27 3-10 1-1 0 0 0 6 0 2 1 7
GRANT 21 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 3
WHITNEY 29 4-8 2-2 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 11
JACKSON 25 5-11 0-0 1 2 3 3 0 1 2 13
MURRAY 24 2-3 2-2 1 1 2 0 1 1 1 7
AMAYA 6 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 3
WALLACE 5 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-79 13-17 13 23 36 15 17 9 24 81
(.392) (.765) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 24(26 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 29 7-11 1-1 0 3 3 2 4 1 3 17
LAETTNER F 34 6-13 0-0 0 4 4 1 5 2 2 12
MUTOMBO C 34 10-17 5-6 6 9 15 0 0 2 1 25
BARRY G 39 4-8 0-1 2 3 5 5 0 3 1 10
BLAYLOCK G 30 8-14 2-2 0 3 3 7 3 2 3 25
NORMAN 23 1-6 0-0 1 3 4 2 0 1 2 2
RECASNER 19 2-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 5
NEWBILL 14 2-3 3-4 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 7
BURTON 10 1-3 1-2 1 3 4 1 4 1 2 3
BOYCE 8 1-2 2-2 1 0 1 1 0 2 2 4
SMITH DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 42-82 14-18 13 31 44 20 20 14 17 110
(.512) (.778) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 17(17 PTS)
WASHINGTON 18 27 15 21 - 81
ATLANTA 30 32 28 20 - 110
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - WEBBER 2, HOWARD, MURESAN, GRANT, WALLACE.
ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 5, LAETTNER 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 6-16 (.375), HOWARD 0-1, WEBBER 0-1,
STRICKLAND 0-1, GRANT 1-1, WHITNEY 1-4, JACKSON 3-7, MURRAY 1-1. ATLANTA
12-22 (.545), CORBIN 2-3, LAETTNER 0-1, BARRY 2-3, BLAYLOCK 7-11, NORMAN
0-1, RECASNER 1-2, BURTON 0-1.
TECHNICALS: WASHINGTON - HOWARD.
OFFICIALS: MARK WUNDERLICH, BILL OAKES, DAVID JONES.
A - 12,457. T - 1:57.
WASHINGTON (81) AT ATLANTA (110)
Mookie Blaylock had 25 points and seven assists and Dikembe
Mutombo added a season-high 25 points and 15 rebounds as the
Atlanta Hawks snapped the Washington Bullets' three-game winning
streak with a 110-81 victory.
Tyrone Corbin had 17 points for Atlanta, which has won four of
its last five home games. The Hawks led virtually from the
opening tip after the game was tied, 2-2.
"I would say that this was one of our better games, considering
that Washington is playing very well right now," Mutombo said.
"I'm just glad we came out from the beginning and took them out
of the game."
Chris Webber scored 14 points and Gheorghe Muresan had 13 points
and nine rebounds for Washington, which had won four of its
previous five games.
"We pretty much got our butts kicked," said Bullets guard Rod
Strickland. "Mookie came out hot and he hit (his shots). We
probably should have trapped them, but we made a decision to go
up under the picks."
The Hawks led by as many as 34 on a Mutombo layup with 11:03
remaining. Atlanta pulled away in the third quarter when
Washington struggled from the field, hitting only 6-of-24 shots
(25 percent).
"I thought we had good execution," said Hawks coach Lenny
Wilkens. "We played very well. This isn't as good as we've
played. We had some good games, but tonight was really good."
The Bullets made their only major run in the second quarter.
Webber's layup with 4:34 to go in the half capped a 10-2 spurt
and lifted Washington within 47-39. But the Hawks answered as
Mutombo had eight points during a 15-6 run to close out the
half.
"I felt like every one was going in," said Blaylock. "When you
get that feeling, you go shoot."
The 29-point victory was Atlanta's most lopsided since a 124-91
rout of Orlando on November 4th, 1995.
nba.1810nba.news,
Raptors sign Magic Johnson all-star team player Long
TORONTO (Nov 29, 1996 - 17:12 EST) -- John Long, who has spent four
years playing exhibition basketball games with Magic Johnson's
all-star team, has joined the Toronto Raptors.
The 40-year-old, who spent 13 seasons in the NBA, signed a free-agent
contract Friday. Terms were not disclosed.
"I believe that experience was a missing ingredient on our team,"
general manager Isiah Thomas said. "John has the ability to help give
our team the perspective it needs to successfully make it through the
long NBA season."
Long, a graduate of the University of Detroit, played nine seasons
with the Detroit Pistons, three with the Indiana Pacers and one with
the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 13.9 points and was an 86 per cent
free-throw shooter.
"I want to bring in a veteran, not necessarily somebody to play, but
someone to be where the coach and the GM can't be in -- like the
locker room or on an airplane," Thomas told the Toronto Sun on
Thursday. "I want someone who, when you have a six-game losing streak
early in the season or late in the season, can tell players it's still
OK. I want someone who has been around."
Long was expected to be in uniform for Friday night's game at
Minnesota.
nba.1811nba.news,
Clippers G Brent Barry activated from injured list
Brent Barry, who enjoyed a solid rookie campaign and captured the NBA
Slam Dunk contest in February, returned to the Los Angeles Clippers
tonight after missing the first 14 games of the season with a sprained
left thumb.
Barry, who was placed on the injured list October 31st, played in just
three pre-season games. He averaged 10.1 points and nearly three
assists in 79 games last season, including 44 starts.
To make room for Barry, Los Angeles placed swingman Eric Piatkowski on
the injured list with the flu. Piatkowski, who has been ill over the
past week, is averaging 5.3 points per game in 12 contests.
nba.1812nba.news,
New Knicks still trying to fit in
After spending a ton of money to rebuild their roster, the New York
Knicks got off to an unimpressive 8-5 start.
Take a look at their production through the Knicks' first 13 games, in
comparison to their stats for all of last season.
(Note: Chris Childs missed the first 11 games because of a
nondisplaced fracture in his right leg).
Chris Childs
Min. Pts. Reb. Asst.
1995-96 30.8 12.8 3.1 7.0
1996-97 17.0 4.0 1.0 1.0
Allan Houston
Min. Pts. Reb. Asst.
1995-96 37.5 19.7 3.7 3.0
1996-97 29.8 12.4 2.4 2.5
Larry Johnson
Min. Pts. Reb. Asst.
1995-96 40.4 20.5 8.4 4.4
1996-97 32.1 12.2 4.5 2.7
Buck Williams
Min. Pts. Reb. Asst.
1995-96 23.8 7.3 5.8 0.6
1996-97 20.6 4.8 4.6 0.5
nba.1813nba.news,
Askew travels the league
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov 29, 1996 - 05:18 EST) -- Indiana Pacers swingman
Vincent Askew obviously is talented.
Few players have played for as many teams and still been able to move
into the playing rotation.
Askew has played with Philadelphia, Golden State, Sacramento, Seattle,
New Jersey and now Indiana in just six seasons. Throw in a CBA stint
with Atlanta and Askew puts the "J" in journeyman.
Askew played solid minutes last season for the Western Conference
champion Sonics, but fell into disfavor by complaining about playing
time and was quickly shipped to the Nets following Seattle's loss in
the NBA Finals to the Chicago Bulls.
Sonics coach George Karl had coached Askew in the CBA and that was a
major factor in the trade with the Kings that brought him to Seattle.
Said Karl earlier this season: "I think I didn't need to coach Vinny
anymore and Vinny didn't need to play for me anymore."
Askew said the day he was traded to New Jersey, "was the saddest day
of my life. Then when I got traded from New Jersey, that was great."
Askew got a chance to see former CBA teammate Lloyd Daniels before the
game. They played together briefly in Albany, N.Y., under Karl.
"Sweet Pea" had a lot of game," Askew said. "Big game and I'm sure he
hasn't lost too much of it. We had a sweet team. Mario (Elie of
Houston) and Anthony Mason also were on that team, but he got into
something with George and was traded."
SAINT'S SCOUTS: Kings coach Garry St. Jean grew up in Chicapee, Mass.,
a town that borders Springfield, Mass,, home of the Basketball Hall of
Fame and Indiana point guard Travis Best.
"I've been hearing about him since he was in the fourth grade," St.
Jean said. "The boys back home go down real far when it comes to
scouting. CYO and Boys' Club."
ET CETERA: There was nothing close to a brawl in this one following
last season's trip here, but Askew did take down Polynice on a
flagrant foul in the second quarter. ... Tyus Edney has made just
seven of his last 31 field-goal attempts over the past six games. ...
The Kings now have scored 90 points or fewer in eight of their 15
games. ... The Kings were 11-4 last season after 15 games.
nba.1814junior,
> DJORDJEVIC 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
Fala Bogu :)
Čak je i 2 poena dao .. :))
nba.1815schef,
][ PORTLAND
][ DJORDJEVIC 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0
][ 0 0 0 2
ŽIVELI! ;) Prva dva poena u NBA ligi. :)
nba.1816vpoznanovic,
Saturday, November 30
Boston at Miami 77:78
Charlotte at Milwaukee 94:87
Chicago at San Antonio 97:88
Houston at Washington 103:99
New Jersey at L.A. Clippers 106:95
Orlando at Cleveland 86:82
Sacramento at New York 101:115
Toronto at Minnesota 70:79
Vancouver at Philadelphia 90:96
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
BOSTON 22 14 19 22 77
MIAMI 22 15 20 21 78 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: BOS - ERIC WILLIAMS 14, DINO RADJA 14, TWO PLAYERS WITH 12
MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 19, ALONZO MOURNING 17, SASHA DANILOVIC
16
HIGH REBOUND: BOS - DEE BROWN 9, DINO RADJA 8
MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 16, PJ BROWN 9
HIGH ASSISTS: BOS - DEE BROWN 4, DANA BARROS 4
MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 8, DAN MAJERLE 4
ATT: 15,112
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHARLOTTE 16 32 26 20 94
MILWAUKEE 28 17 21 21 87 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHA - GLEN RICE 23, DELL CURRY 22, ANTHONY MASON 18
MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 27, RAY ALLEN 15, JOHNNY NEWMAN 12
HIGH REBOUND: CHA - VLADE DIVAC 14, ANTHONY MASON 9
MIL - VIN BAKER 13, GLENN ROBINSON 5
HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 9, TYRONE BOGUES 9
MIL - SHERMAN DOUGLAS 7, RAY ALLEN 3
ATT: 16,327
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHICAGO 23 21 27 26 97
SAN ANTONIO 26 19 19 24 88 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 35, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 20, BILL
WENNINGTON 18
SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 25, AVERY JOHNSON 23, SEAN ELLIOTT
17
HIGH REBOUND: CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 14, MICHAEL JORDAN 9
SAS - WILL PERDUE 23, DOMINIQUE WILKINS 10
HIGH ASSISTS: CHI - SCOTTIE PIPPEN 8, TONI KUKOC 5
SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 6, THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 37,058
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 25 25 27 26 103
WASHINGTON 26 28 25 20 99 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: HOU - HAKEEM OLAJUWON 34, CHARLES BARKLEY 27, CLYDE
DREXLER 13
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 24, JUWAN HOWARD 17, GHEORGHE MURESAN 16
HIGH REBOUND: HOU - HAKEEM OLAJUWON 17, CHARLES BARKLEY 10
WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 9, GHEORGHE MURESAN 9
HIGH ASSISTS: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 6, MATT MALONEY 4
WAS - ROD STRICKLAND 11, CHRIS WEBBER 5
ATT: 18,756
NBA AT ANAHEIM CA
FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
NEW JERSEY 13 19 25 24 25 106
LA CLIPPERS 17 20 19 25 14 95 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: NJN - KENDALL GILL 29, JAYSON WILLIAMS 28, ROBERT PACK 24
LAC - MALIK SEALY 16, DARRICK MARTIN 12, RODNEY ROGERS 12
HIGH REBOUND: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 24, TONY MASSENBURG 11
LAC - LOY VAUGHT 12, RODNEY ROGERS 8
HIGH ASSISTS: NJN - KENDALL GILL 4, ROBERT PACK 3
LAC - DARRICK MARTIN 5, POOH RICHARDSON 4
ATT: 11,519
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ORLANDO 29 21 15 21 86
CLEVELAND 20 17 25 20 82 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ORL - HORACE GRANT 21, GERALD WILKINS 18, DEREK STRONG 15
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 20, BOBBY PHILLS 19, CHRIS MILLS 17
HIGH REBOUND: ORL - HORACE GRANT 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
CLE - TYRONE HILL 11, CHRIS MILLS 8
HIGH ASSISTS: ORL - DARRELL ARMSTRONG 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 11, BOBBY PHILLS 4
ATT: 19,351
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 22 26 29 24 101
NEW YORK 26 27 21 41 115 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 25, OLDEN POLYNICE 21, MAHMOUD
ABDUL-RAUF 17
NYK - PATRICK EWING 29, BUCK WILLIAMS 16, TWO PLAYERS WITH
13
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - OLDEN POLYNICE 8, MICHAEL SMITH 6
NYK - PATRICK EWING 14, CHARLES OAKLEY 10
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF 5, MITCH RICHMOND 5
NYK - CHRIS CHILDS 9, CHARLES OAKLEY 7
ATT: 19,763
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TORONTO 17 16 24 13 70
MINNESOTA 23 17 22 17 79 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 20, DOUG CHRISTIE 16, WALT WILLIAMS
11
MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 25, KEVIN GARNETT 15, DOUG WEST 12
HIGH REBOUND: TOR - POPEYE JONES 15, ACIE EARL 10
MIN - KEVIN GARNETT 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 4, DOUG CHRISTIE 4
MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 4, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 18,679
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
VANCOUVER 18 18 30 24 90
PHILADELPHIA 27 27 21 21 96 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: VAN - ROY ROGERS 16, GREG ANTHONY 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 11
PHI - JERRY STACKHOUSE 31, ALLEN IVERSON 23, DERRICK
COLEMAN 11
HIGH REBOUND: VAN - GEORGE LYNCH 7, GREG ANTHONY 6
PHI - CLARENCE WEATHERSPOON 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - ANTHONY PEELER 6, GEORGE LYNCH 5
PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 9, JERRY STACKHOUSE 4
ATT: 13,038
nba.1817nba.news,
BOSTON (77) AT MIAMI (78)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 23 5-11 2-2 5 1 6 0 3 0 2 12
WILLIAMS F 30 4-8 6-7 2 5 7 2 3 2 1 14
RADJA C 34 6-16 2-4 2 6 8 1 4 0 1 14
FOX G 37 6-14 0-0 1 2 3 3 3 4 3 12
BARROS G 25 1-8 0-0 1 1 2 4 3 1 0 2
BROWN 29 4-13 1-1 1 8 9 4 0 1 0 11
CONLON 14 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
MINOR 23 3-7 0-0 3 0 3 0 1 0 0 6
DAY 25 3-9 0-0 1 3 4 1 1 1 1 6
BRICKOWSKI DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SZABO DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WESLEY DNP - SORE RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 32-87 11-14 16 27 43 15 20 9 8 77
(.368) (.786) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 9(10 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 44 2-7 2-2 0 8 8 4 0 1 3 8
BROWN F 28 2-4 0-0 3 6 9 1 3 0 1 4
MOURNING C 46 6-11 5-6 3 13 16 1 5 1 3 17
DANILOVIC G 38 6-13 3-4 1 2 3 2 3 0 5 16
HARDAWAY G 37 8-19 2-4 1 3 4 8 2 1 4 19
AUSTIN 21 3-7 2-2 1 6 7 1 3 1 3 8
ASKINS 15 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
GRANT 11 2-6 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-69 14-18 9 39 48 18 16 4 19 78
(.420) (.778) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 19(18 PTS)
BOSTON 22 14 19 22 - 77
MIAMI 22 15 20 21 - 78
BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - RADJA, FOX, BROWN. MIAMI - MOURNING 4, BROWN 3,
DANILOVIC.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 2-9 (.222), BARROS 0-2, BROWN 2-6, MINOR 0-1.
MIAMI 6-21 (.286), MAJERLE 2-5, DANILOVIC 1-4, HARDAWAY 1-6, ASKINS 0-2,
GRANT 2-4.
TECHNICALS: BOSTON - FOX, ILLEGAL DEFENSE, MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DAVID JONES, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 15,112. T - 2:04.
BOSTON (77) AT MIAMI (78)
Alonzo Mourning's dunk with 1:41 remaining capped a 9-0 run as
the Miami Heat held on to defeat the Boston Celtics, 78-77, for
their seventh straight victory.
The seven consecutive wins tie a franchise record set from
February 21th-March 5th, 1994.
Tim Hardaway scored 19 points and Mourning had 17 points, 16
rebounds and four blocks for Miami, which improved to 4-2 at
home. The Heat led by one at halftime and were up 57-55 after
three quarters.
"I don't like to look past teams because every dog has its day,"
said Mourning. "The big picture is, you establish a great
foundation so you're in a good position late in the year for a
high playoff spot."
Miami commited 19 turnovers, with five coming in the final
quarter. In contrast, the Celtics turned the ball over just
eight times in the entire game. Boston has yet to win on the
road or against a division foe, going 0-4 away fron home and 0-3
against Atlantic Division opponents.
Dino Radja and Eric Williams each scored 14 points to lead five
players in double figures for the Celtics, who outscored the
Heat 9-1 over the final 1:41. Dana Barros' 19-foot jumper with
47.9 seconds left cut the lead to 78-77, his only basket of the
game.
Dan Majerle missed a three-point shot with 18 seconds left and
was rebounded by Boston. After a timeout, Dee Brown's forced up
a possible game-winning shot with three seconds left over Sasha
Danilovic which bounced off the rim and was rebounded by Todd
Day. Day followed with a putback attempt which did not fall as
time ran out.
"I got a good look at the basket, the ball just didn't go in,"
said Brown. "The play worked the way we set it up in the huddle,
but Todd (Day) missed the rebound (shot). This is just my third
game back and I'm sure this is tough for everybody. We've got a
lot of guys hurt and we're playing a makeshift lineup and guys
are trying to fill the gaps. We haven't won on the road, but
we'll get one soon."
"It was simply a gut win," said Miami coach Pat Riley. "We were
playing heavy and you could see the lethargy with the team
throughout the game. You're ahead by nine with 1:12 to go and
you think you've got in your pocket -- before you know it, a
couple of threes and you could lose it. We made a decent stop
at the end, and fortunately we got it. Sometimes things go your
way."
Brown, who finished with 11 points and nine boards, had tied the
game at 68 on a three-pointer with 5:01 remaining.
"Obviously, we missed a couple of big shots and we had a couple
of turnovers too," said Celtics coach M.L. Carr. "We don't want
to be in a 70 or 80-point ballgames, that's not our style. It
was a defensive battle, Pat's (Riley) team is going to do that."
Rookie Antoine Walker scored half of his 12 points in the
opening quarter and Rick Fox also had 12 for Boston, which was
outrebounded 48-43.
David Wesley, who is averaging 13.9 points and 7.1 assists a
game for the Celtics, sat out the game with a sore right foot.
nba.1818nba.news,
CHARLOTTE (94) AT MILWAUKEE (87)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 43 6-12 6-6 1 8 9 9 2 3 4 18
RICE F 42 9-19 3-4 0 2 2 0 3 0 5 23
DIVAC C 38 3-8 0-0 5 9 14 2 2 1 2 6
BOGUES G 38 5-12 0-0 1 0 1 9 1 1 2 10
CURRY G 36 9-13 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 1 22
GEIGER 15 0-2 2-2 0 3 3 1 4 0 1 2
BURRELL 18 3-6 1-1 0 3 3 0 3 1 0 8
GOLDWIRE 10 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 5
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ZIDEK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-74 12-13 8 27 35 25 18 7 16 94
(.500) (.923) TEAM REBS: 3 TOTAL TO: 16(23 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 42 5-12 1-2 4 9 13 2 4 1 3 11
ROBINSON F 44 9-18 6-8 0 5 5 1 4 1 3 27
LANG C 31 3-7 2-2 2 1 3 1 1 2 3 8
ALLEN G 28 5-7 3-3 0 2 2 3 1 0 2 15
DOUGLAS G 35 4-8 0-2 0 4 4 7 2 2 3 8
GILLIAM 23 1-4 4-4 0 4 4 1 3 0 3 6
NEWMAN 26 5-8 1-1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 12
PERRY 11 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
HANCOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOLF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOOD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-66 17-22 6 25 31 17 18 7 18 87
(.485) (.773) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(27 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 16 32 26 20 - 94
MILWAUKEE 28 17 21 21 - 87
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - RICE, DIVAC, CURRY. MILWAUKEE - DOUGLAS 2,
ROBINSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 8-13 (.615), RICE 2-4, BOGUES 0-1, CURRY 4-4,
BURRELL 1-3, GOLDWIRE 1-1. MILWAUKEE 6-9 (.667), ROBINSON 3-4, ALLEN 2-2,
DOUGLAS 0-2, NEWMAN 1-1.
TECHNICALS: CHARLOTTE - MASON.
OFFICIALS: KEN MAUER, RONNIE NUNN, HANK ARMSTRONG.
A - 16,327. T - 2:00.
CHARLOTTE (94) AT MILWAUKEE (87)
Glen Rice scored 23 points, including seven during a key
fourth-quarter run, and Anthony Mason just missed another
triple-double as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Milwaukee
Bucks, 94-87.
Rice, who has scored 76 points in his last three games, sparked
a 9-0 run midway through the fourth quarter after Milwaukee drew
within 78-75.
Dell Curry also was hot from the outside for Charlotte, making
9-of-13 shots, including 4-for-4 from beyond the three-point
arc.
After the Bucks pulled within 78-75 with 8:04 to play in
regulation, the Hornets went on a 9-0 run with Rice scoring
seven.
"We had one directive -- don't leave Dell Curry or Glen Rice
alone at the perimeter," Bucks coach Chris Ford said. "That's
what killed us. We need to concentrate on doing things we have
to do in order to win."
Mason, who shut down All-Star forward Vin Baker, had 18 points,
nine rebounds and nine assists. He was 6-of-6 from the line and
added three steals for the Hornets, who have won five of their
last six.
"We just rode Anthony Mason's coattails," said Hornets coach
Dave Cowens. "I think the defense is really what did it for us
tonight. We contained them inside and gave them only one shot
while keeping them off the boards. Mason did a good job on
Baker."
"Just to get back on the winning track is the most important
thing for us right now," Mason said. "Not to take anything away
from Toronto, but that was a game we should we have won
(Wednesday)."
Glenn Robinson scored 27 points and rookie Ray Allen added 15
for the Bucks, who have lost six of their last nine games.
Mason held Baker to 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting.
"I think that I was out of sync," said Baker, who committed
three turnovers. "In fact, I definitely was. I never had the
rhythm. Touching the ball every other play is not enough."
The Bucks raced to a 21-8 lead and led 35-19 before Charlotte
went on a 17-1 run to knot the score. Robinson had 12 points in
the first quarter, but managed just two in the second.
After Milwaukee forged ahead, 59-52, with 7:13 left in the third
quarter, the Hornets went on a 17-2 run, highlighted by a pair
of Curry three-pointers.
Both teams shortened their benches, using just eight players.
nba.1819nba.news,
CHICAGO (97) AT SAN ANTONIO (88)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 42 8-18 2-4 1 3 4 8 3 4 3 20
RODMAN F 36 2-4 3-4 5 9 14 2 4 1 1 7
WENNINGTON C 32 8-11 2-2 2 0 2 4 2 1 1 18
JORDAN G 38 14-35 5-5 0 9 9 3 0 0 1 35
HARPER G 34 2-4 0-0 0 4 4 4 1 1 1 5
KERR 25 2-4 1-1 0 2 2 3 2 1 0 6
KUKOC 22 2-8 0-0 3 3 6 5 2 0 0 5
BUECHLER 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CAFFEY 8 0-0 1-4 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 1
BROWN 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
LONGLEY DNP - LEFT SHOULDER
SIMPKINS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-85 14-20 11 30 41 29 17 8 10 97
(.447) (.700) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 10(8 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 43 7-19 1-1 1 1 2 3 4 1 3 17
D WILKINS F 42 8-20 6-6 3 7 10 3 1 0 4 25
W PERDUE C 34 4-6 1-2 7 16 23 0 5 1 2 9
DEL NEGRO G 23 1-4 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 0 2 2
JOHNSON G 41 8-17 7-7 1 0 1 6 3 1 3 23
MAXWELL 32 3-13 0-1 0 2 2 0 2 1 2 6
HERRERA 9 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0
ANDERSON 11 0-0 2-2 0 2 2 0 3 1 0 2
M WILLIAMS 5 2-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 4
ALEXANDER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 33-82 17-19 14 31 45 15 20 6 16 88
(.402) (.895) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 17(20 PTS)
CHICAGO 23 21 27 26 - 97
SAN ANTONIO 26 19 19 24 - 88
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - PIPPEN, RODMAN, WENNINGTON, HARPER. SAN ANTONIO
- D WILKINS 2, MAXWELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 7-13 (.538), PIPPEN 2-5, JORDAN 2-5, HARPER
1-1, KERR 1-1, KUKOC 1-1. SAN ANTONIO 5-20 (.250), ELLIOTT 2-4, D WILKINS
3-9, DEL NEGRO 0-2, JOHNSON 0-1, MAXWELL 0-4.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - RODMAN, SAN ANTONIO - M WILLIAMS, JOHNSON.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, ED F RUSH, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 37,058. T - 1:59.
CHICAGO (97) AT SAN ANTONIO (88)
Michael Jordan scored 35 points to become the second-fastest
player in NBA history to reach 25,000 as the Chicago Bulls
defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 97-88.
Jordan, who needed 35 points to reach the 25,000 plateau, hit an
18-footer from the right baseline with 29.4 seconds left in the
fourth quarter to play to attain the milestone. He had missed
his three previous shots -- two jumpers from the right side and
a 19-footer from just to the left of the top of the key. Jordan
reached the mark in 782 games, 91 more than it took Wilt
Chamberlain to accomplish the feat.
"It feels pretty good," Jordan said. "I kind of hoped I would
do it in Milwaukee so my wife could see it. But I'll take it."
Other than that, it was business as usual for the Bulls, who
finished the West Coast portion of their seven-game road trip
with five wins. Chicago is at Milwaukee Wednesday before
hosting the Los Angeles Clippers on December 5th. At 15-1, the
Bulls are ahead of last season's 72-win pace by one game.
"It's a road game. The way you win matters less than just
winning," said forward Scottie Pippen.
Chicago improved to 9-1 on the road, putting it away with a 13-4
run bridging the third and fourth quarters.
Dominique Wilkins scored 25 points and Avery Johnson added 23
for the Spurs, who have lost eight straight games and fell to
1-7 at home, despite an Alamodome record crowd of 37,058.
Johnson pulled San Antonio within 64-62 with 3:30 left in the
third quarter before the Bulls pulled away. Steve Kerr started
the run with a three-pointer, but Johnson answered with a layup.
Bill Wennington hit a 12-foot jumper and Ron Harper added a
basket to make it 71-64 after three quarters.
Scottie Pippen finished an alley-oop pass from Jordan to make it
73-66 with 10:24 to play. Former Bull Will Perdue hit two free
throws, but Wennington and Jordan each made a pair of foul shots
to give Chicago a 77-66 lead with 8:53 to play.
"Phil wanted to give me six quick minutes and they (the bench)
got it going a little bit without me," Jordan added. "It's good
to see them settling into a little bit of a rhythm."
Pippen finished with 20 points and Wennington 18 for Chicago,
which shot 45 percent (38-of-85) from the floor, including
7-of-13 from three-point range.
"I knew I was going to play a lot more with Luc (Longley) gone,"
said Wennington, who was 8-of-11 from the field in 32 minutes.
"I don't think I've played this many minutes in three years.
Anyway, I've got to do what I have to do to help this team win."
"We wanted to get Bill involved because we knew what Will Perdue
can do," said Bulls coach Phil Jackson.
Sean Elliott had 17 points and Perdue grabbed a career-high 23
rebounds for San Antonio, which shot 40 percent (33-of-82) from
the field and committed 20 turnovers leading to 17 points.
"We've been right in nine of the last 12 losses," said Perdue.
"It's not like we're coming in there and stinking up the joint.
We need a win. It would've been a nice little kick-start to
December."
nba.1820nba.news,
HOUSTON (103) AT WASHINGTON (99)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 38 4-4 0-0 0 3 3 3 3 2 5 9
BARKLEY F 42 9-16 8-9 1 9 10 6 2 3 3 27
OLAJUWON C 39 15-25 4-5 4 13 17 2 4 1 4 34
DREXLER G 31 6-12 0-0 0 2 2 3 3 0 1 13
MALONEY G 37 1-7 0-0 0 3 3 4 1 2 1 2
MOORE 8 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4
BULLARD 20 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8
LIVINGSTON 11 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0
WILLIS 14 3-4 0-0 0 4 4 0 1 0 1 6
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BENNETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MACK DNP - SORE LEFT FOOT
TOTALS 240 43-75 12-14 5 34 39 22 16 8 17 103
(.573) (.857) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 19(24 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 39 7-13 3-4 1 8 9 4 3 4 3 17
WEBBER F 40 11-12 0-2 0 4 4 5 5 0 4 24
MURESAN C 34 7-12 2-3 3 6 9 1 2 1 1 16
STRICKLAND G 39 5-16 1-2 0 0 0 11 1 0 1 11
CHEANEY G 32 6-11 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 12
GRANT 17 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 4
JACKSON 15 1-4 1-1 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 4
WHITNEY 9 1-5 1-1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4
MURRAY 15 3-7 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 7
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 43-84 8-13 5 23 28 25 14 6 9 99
(.512) (.615) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 9(19 PTS)
HOUSTON 25 25 27 26 - 103
WASHINGTON 26 28 25 20 - 99
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - LIVINGSTON. WASHINGTON - GRANT, HOWARD, WEBBER,
MURESAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 5-16 (.313), ELIE 1-1, BARKLEY 1-5, DREXLER
1-3, MALONEY 0-4, BULLARD 2-3. WASHINGTON 5-18 (.278), WEBBER 2-3,
STRICKLAND 0-2, CHEANEY 0-2, GRANT 0-1, JACKSON 1-4, WHITNEY 1-3, MURRAY
1-3.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - DREXLER 3 (EJECTED).
OFFICIALS: LUIS GRILLO, GEORGE TOLIVER, JOE CRAWFORD.
A - 18,756. T - 2:00.
HOUSTON (103) AT WASHINGTON (99)
Hakeem Olajuwon scored 34 points and grabbed a season-high 17
rebounds as the Houston Rockets used a big fourth-quarter run to
post their ninth straight win, a 103-99 victory over the
Washington Bullets.
Charles Barkley added 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for
Houston (15-1), which matched the 1993-94 team for the best
start in franchise history. The Rockets are the only undefeated
road team in the NBA with an 8-0 record.
"I looked into their eyes and never saw that they were going to
give up," said Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich about his team.
"They playe extremely hard and it showed. The guys really dug
deep in the fourth to pull this out. I don't think it was one
guy in general, this win was a team effort today."
Chris Webber scored 24 points and Juwan Howard added 17 points
and nine rebounds for the Bullets, who have lost consecutive
games following a three-game winning streak.
Houston, which has won four of the last five meetings with
Washington, has used fourth-quarter rallies in nine of its 15
wins this season. Rockets guard Clyde Drexler, who had 13
points, was ejected after receiving his second technical foul
from referee Joe Crawford with 9:33 left in the fourth.
"I didn't say anything to him, either time," said Drexler. I
was more shocked than anything with the second one. I didn't
get to see a lot of it but Charles is our main guy and that's
who we went to. Him and Hakeem are our leaders."
Jaren Jackson made a three-pointer just 28 seconds later to cap
a 10-2 burst and give the Bullets an 89-79 lead.
Olajuwon hit a layup as the Rockets answered with a 15-4 run
that put them ahead, 94-93, with 3:37 remaining.
Rod Strickland, who had 11 points and a season-high 11 assists,
nailed a jumper to give the Bullets their final lead, 99-98,
with 1:43 to go. But Olajuwon made a layup to give the Rockets
a 100-99 edge with 1:22 left.
Howard missed a jumper with just over a minute remaining, but
the Bullets got the ball back after rookie Matt Maloney missed a
shot with 41.6 seconds remaining.
The Bullets had a chance to regain the lead, but Barkley swatted
the ball away from Webber after taking an inbounds pass from
Howard. Maloney made a diving save and passed to Barkley, who
called timeout before falling out of bounds.
"We knew they were going to be pumped because of last night,"
said Barkley referring to Washington's 29-point loss at Atlanta
Friday. "This was a big win tonight, we were playing well from
beginning to end. Mostly just the end tonight. They snuck up
on us in the first (half) but I do what I have to do to be one
of the leaders. I don't like to lose."
After the timeout, Barkley was fouled by Howard and hit a pair
of free throws to give the Rockets a 102-99 lead with 82 seconds
left.
Tracy Murray missed a three-pointer with 3.9 seconds to play and
Olajuwon made a free throw for the final margin after grabbing
the rebound.
"Turnovers in the second half was definiteley a factor," said
Bullets coach Jim Lynam. "They got too many points in
transition. Murray was our first look and he got a real good
one, it just didn't fall for us when we needed it."
nba.1821nba.news,
NEW JERSEY (106) AT LA CLIPPERS (95) - FINAL IN OT
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 44 5-19 18-22 2 4 6 4 0 2 2 29
J WILLIAMS F 44 9-12 10-14 7 17 24 2 4 1 3 28
BRADLEY C 22 2-7 1-1 0 7 7 0 2 0 4 5
PACK G 47 6-15 12-13 1 1 2 3 3 2 5 24
KITTLES G 37 2-12 3-4 1 1 2 0 2 2 4 8
OBANNON 7 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
CALDWELL 4 0-2 0-0 2 0 2 0 4 0 1 0
REEVES 6 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0
MASSENBURG 36 1-4 5-6 1 10 11 0 4 3 4 7
R WILLIAMS 18 2-3 0-0 1 0 1 0 5 1 4 5
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 27-77 49-60 15 41 56 10 24 12 28 106
(.351) (.817) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 30(29 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 33 3-14 0-0 4 8 12 0 6 1 3 6
ROGERS F 33 5-11 1-4 3 5 8 2 6 2 4 12
ROBERTS C 16 2-8 3-3 2 3 5 0 3 0 0 7
D MARTIN G 21 6-10 0-0 0 2 2 5 3 1 1 12
SEALY G 40 5-13 5-5 1 1 2 0 6 1 5 16
DUCKWORTH 8 0-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 0
RICHARDSON 27 4-11 1-2 1 3 4 4 3 1 4 10
WRIGHT 9 1-5 0-0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 2
DEHERE 14 3-7 2-3 1 1 2 3 3 1 0 8
MURRAY 22 2-7 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 3 3 4
OUTLAW 26 3-5 3-6 3 4 7 1 3 0 3 9
BARRY 16 4-9 1-2 0 2 2 2 3 3 0 9
TOTALS 265 38-101 16-25 18 32 50 17 43 13 25 95
(.376) (.640) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 25(18 PTS)
NEW JERSEY 13 19 25 24 25 - 106
LA CLIPPERS 17 20 19 25 14 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - GILL 3, MASSENBURG 2, BRADLEY. LA CLIPPERS -
ROBERTS 3, OUTLAW 3, WRIGHT 2, SEALY, DUCKWORTH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 3-15 (.200), GILL 1-1, BRADLEY 0-1, PACK
0-4, KITTLES 1-5, OBANNON 0-1, REEVES 0-1, R WILLIAMS 1-2. LA CLIPPERS
3-15 (.200), ROGERS 1-2, SEALY 1-2, RICHARDSON 1-6, DEHERE 0-1, MURRAY
0-1, BARRY 0-3.
TECHNICALS: NEW JERSEY - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, DERRICK STAFFORD, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 11,519. T - 3:04.
NEW JERSEY (106) AT LA CLIPPERS (95) - FINAL IN OT
Robert Pack scored 11 of his 24 points in overtime and Jayson
Williams had 28 points and 24 rebounds as the New Jersey Nets
held on for their first road win of the season, a 106-95 victory
over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Kendall Gill scored 29 points to lead New Jersey, which scored
an NBA record 25 points in overtime to snap a three-game losing
streak. The Nets won on the road for the first time since March
24th at Milwaukee, a span of 10 straight losses away from home.
"Kendall Gill's hustle on the ball got us into the overtime,"
Nets coach John Calipari said. "Diving for the ball takes no
skill, just hustle. How we got to 100 points, I'll never know.
But after the first half, I told them that we had a chance to
win this ball game. We were in it."
"It was a tough game," Gill said. "I'm glad we won it tonight.
We've been playing well. "We've been playing well and working
hard. We were running with a three-guard rotation, sort of like
Chicago. We don't have a small forward. I'm very comfortable in
this offense."
Malik Sealy scored 16 points and Rodney Rogers and Darrick
Martin added 12 apiece for Los Angeles, which suffered its sixth
straight loss and fell to 2-6 at home.
"I quit counting the losses," said Clippers' coach Bill Fitch,
who lost for the 1,005th time. "The next win will be the best
win of the season. Both teams tonight were struggling. Both
teams were slipping and sliding. We will find a way out of
this. Things have to get better."
The Nets, who set team records with 49 free throws made and 60
attempted, concluded a 1-3 road trip that included embarrassing
losses at Phoenix and Golden State.
"We needed this win," said Williams, who fell one rebound shy of
his single game-high. "It makes a trip home easier. We were a
little flat in the first half. We knew at the half that they
were flat. They were so flat that it gave us the lift that we
needed."
The Nets scored 14 of the first 16 points in overtime. After
Pack and the Clippers' Charles Outlaw exchanged a pair of points
at the outset of the extra session, Pack converted a three-point
play to ignite a 12-0 run. Kerry Kittles followed with a
three-pointer, and Pack, Gill and Tony Massenburg each sank a
pair from the line for a 95-83 lead with 1:20.
"We didn't give up tonight even with the poor start," Pack said.
"It's been difficult coming off an injury to adjust to a
coaches' offense. I took a step back and it took me a while to
get here, learn his system and to grow and be patient."
The Nets had a chance to put the game away in the fourth
quarter. After Williams dunked to put New Jersey ahead, 79-71,
with three minutes left, Sealy drilled a three-pointer to spark
a 10-0 run. Outlaw added one free throw, Brent Barry dunked
after a steal and Sealy hit two free throws before Pooh
Richardson and Barry each hit one for an 81-79 lead with 14
seconds left.
Williams made a layup six seconds later, tying the game at
81-81. The Clippers had a chance to win in regulation, but
Sealy's jumper with two seconds left rattled in and out.
Massenburg grabbed 11 rebounds and Gill blocked three shots for
New Jersey, which won despite committing 30 turnovers and
shooting 35 percent (27-of-77) from the field.
Richardson ended with 10 points and Loy Vaught, who grabbed 12
rebounds, was held to six points on 3-of-14 shooting for the
Clippers, who shot 38 percent (38-of-101).
nba.1822nba.news,
ORLANDO (86) AT CLEVELAND (82)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 38 5-11 0-0 0 2 2 4 1 2 5 12
GRANT F 44 10-13 1-1 2 7 9 2 1 1 1 21
SEIKALY C 19 0-3 0-0 0 4 4 2 5 0 5 0
SHAW G 31 2-8 4-5 1 1 2 2 2 0 3 8
WILKINS G 35 6-11 3-4 0 3 3 4 4 0 4 18
STRONG 27 4-6 7-8 1 7 8 1 1 2 2 15
ARMSTRONG 24 2-5 6-6 1 0 1 5 2 4 4 10
VAUGHN 20 1-3 0-0 3 5 8 1 4 0 1 2
MCCASKILL 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DEMPS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - BRONCHITIS
TOTALS 240 30-61 21-24 8 29 37 21 20 9 26 86
(.492) (.875) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 26(22 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 40 7-11 2-4 4 4 8 2 3 0 1 17
HILL F 41 4-8 3-9 5 6 11 0 4 4 2 11
WEST C 17 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0
BRANDON G 39 9-23 0-0 1 1 2 11 4 3 4 20
PHILLS G 40 8-15 1-2 0 2 2 4 3 3 3 19
FERRY 30 4-10 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 2 4 9
SURA 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
LANG 15 2-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 1 4
POTAPENKO 8 0-1 2-2 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 2
GEARY 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
MARSHALL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-75 8-17 11 19 30 19 21 14 16 82
(.453) (.471) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(18 PTS)
ORLANDO 29 21 15 21 - 86
CLEVELAND 20 17 25 20 - 82
BLOCKED SHOTS: ORLANDO - SEIKALY 3, GRANT 2, WILKINS, STRONG, VAUGHN.
CLEVELAND - HILL 3, LANG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ORLANDO 5-16 (.313), ANDERSON 2-7, SHAW 0-3, WILKINS
3-5, ARMSTRONG 0-1. CLEVELAND 6-17 (.353), MILLS 1-2, BRANDON 2-5, PHILLS
2-5, FERRY 1-5.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - HEAD COACH FRATELLO 2 (EJECTED), SURA 3 (EJECTED).
OFFICIALS: JIM CAPERS, STEVE JAVIE, TERRY DURHAM.
A - 19,351. T - 2:05.
ORLANDO (86) AT CLEVELAND (82)
Former Cavalier Gerald Wilkins scored 18 points, including a
crucial three-pointer with 3:25 left in regulation, as the
Orlando Magic held on for an 86-82 victory over Cleveland.
After the Cavs drew within 75-70 with 5:36 to play, Nick
Anderson and Wilkins hit bacvk-to-back three-pointers. The
baskets extended the Magic's lead to 11 and Orlando held off a
late Cleveland rally by hitting five of six free throws in the
final 90 seconds.
"I thought Gerald gave us a big lift early. Maybe coming back
to Cleveland he was a little bit pumped up," said Magic coach
Brian Hill.
"It's always a little extra when you come back and play in a
town that you felt that maybe you should have been here and
maybe not," said Wilkins, who was 6-for-11 from the field and
hit three three-pointers. "It's like playing against the
Knicks."
Derek Strong had nine of his 15 points in the final period,
including three of four in the final 19 seconds, as Orlando went
21-for-24 from the line in the game.
"Basically, I got my hands on the ball, deflections, a few
steals, the main thing I wanted to do was disrupt their offense
and rebound for the team," he said.
Terrell Brandon led Cleveland with 20 points and Bobby Phills
added 19. Cavs coach Mike Fratello and guard Bobby Sura were
ejected in the opening three minutes of the second period. The
four technical fouls picked up by Fratello and Sura were one
more than the entire team had been assessed this season for
infractions other than illegal defense.
"I apologize to my team for not fulfilling my responsibility,"
said Fratello, who was ejected for the first time since 1985-86
when he coached Atlanta. "I was not trying to get thrown out of
the game, I don't like to do that."
Fratello remained livid over referee Terry Durham's call.
"He was wrong and he knows that. There was nothing said that
was out of line to deserve the second technical foul. The
league should step in and do something about that."
The Magic won despite grabbing just eight offensive rebounds,
scoring 36 points in the second half and committing 26
turnovers. Starting center Rony Seikaly was held scoreless and
committed five fouls in 19 minutes as Orlando won for the third
time in four games against Cleveland.
Cleveland lost for just the second time in nine meetings against
non-Central Division opponents this season.
nba.1823nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (101) AT NEW YORK (115)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 34 2-8 2-2 0 5 5 4 1 0 4 6
C WILLIAMSON F 26 5-8 2-4 1 3 4 1 3 1 0 12
POLYNICE C 41 9-13 3-8 1 7 8 2 5 0 1 21
RICHMOND G 40 10-20 4-5 1 1 2 5 1 1 3 25
ABDUL-RAUF G 37 6-13 3-3 0 4 4 5 2 1 2 17
SMITH 19 1-1 0-0 3 3 6 4 3 0 1 2
EDNEY 18 4-4 1-2 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 10
CAUSWELL 9 2-3 2-3 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 6
SIMMONS 14 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 2
DANIELS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
HURLEY 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-73 17-27 6 26 32 25 20 3 13 101
(.548) (.630) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 13(21 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 30 5-7 2-5 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 12
OAKLEY F 40 4-10 5-5 2 8 10 7 3 0 2 13
EWING C 32 12-20 5-7 2 12 14 2 3 2 0 29
HOUSTON G 29 4-10 0-0 0 2 2 5 2 0 0 9
WARD G 21 2-6 0-1 1 0 1 5 2 2 0 4
B WILLIAMS 24 7-8 2-3 6 2 8 2 0 0 1 16
CHILDS 27 3-5 2-2 0 1 1 9 3 0 3 10
WALLACE 18 4-7 1-1 1 1 2 0 3 4 0 9
STARKS 19 5-13 0-0 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 13
BROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 46-86 17-24 13 26 39 32 21 8 9 115
(.535) (.708) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 10(11 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 22 26 29 24 - 101
NEW YORK 26 27 21 41 - 115
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - CAUSWELL. NEW YORK - OAKLEY 2, WARD, B
WILLIAMS, WALLACE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 4-12 (.333), OWENS 0-1, RICHMOND 1-5,
ABDUL-RAUF 2-5, EDNEY 1-1. NEW YORK 6-14 (.429), JOHNSON 0-1, OAKLEY 0-1,
HOUSTON 1-4, WARD 0-1, CHILDS 2-2, STARKS 3-5.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, BERNIE FRYER, BENNIE ADAMS.
A - 19,763. T - 2:10.
SACRAMENTO (101) AT NEW YORK (115)
Patrick Ewing recorded 29 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and
John Starks scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter as
the New York Knicks snapped a three-game skid with a 115-101
victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Buck Williams contributed a season-high 16 points and eight
rebounds off the bench, while Charles Oakley had 13, 10 and
seven assists for New York, which posted a season high in points
scored. Despite being swept by Sacramento last season, the
Knicks have won 12 of the last 15 meetings and 14 of 15 at home.
"We were a little more focused in this game and got back to
fundamentals," said Williams. "If we get a little bit of time,
a lot of good things could happen to this basketball team."
Mitch Richmond led the Kings with 25 points and has exactly
14,000 in his career. Olden Polynice added 21 points and eight
boards and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf had 17, as the Kings have dropped
five of their last six contests.
"They (Knicks) turned their defense up in the fourth quarter and
we didn't do what we wanted to run," said Kings coach Garry St.
Jean.
Ewing's 17 points led New York to a 53-48 halftime advantage,
and the margin remained at 71-66 before Sacramento rallied late
in the third quarter. Abdul-Rauf tallied five points and
Richmond had four in an 11-3 run to close the period and assume
a 77-74 lead.
The Knicks responded with a 7-1 spurt to open the fourth
quarter, including a jumper by Oakley that made it 81-78 with
9:57 to play. A hook shot by Billy Owens with 8:38 left gave
the Kings an 82-81 advantage before Starks poured in eight
points in a 14-2 burst, which was capped by Chris Childs' banker
with 5:38 remaining.
A jumper by Tyus Edney and Richmond's three-point play with 4:38
to go cut the deficit to 95-89, but rookie John Wallace had a
dunk, Starks hit a three and Wallace converted a three-point
play with 3:07 left to up the lead to 103-89.
"Buck Williams was terrific the whole game," said Knicks coach
Jeff Van Gundy. "He scores better than people give him credit
for. He's a very efficient scorer. I thought our guys did a
good job finding a way to win after being down after three
quarters."
Childs totaled 10 points and nine assists off the bench for New
York, which was playing for the first time since Sunday. The
team shot 54 percent (46-of-86) from the floor and committed
just nine turnovers, including none in the final 12 minutes.
Corliss Williamson netted 12 points and Edney had 10 for
Sacramento, which shot 55 percent (40-for-73) from the field,
but was outrebounded, 39-32, and recorded just three steals and
one blocked shot.
nba.1824nba.news,
TORONTO (70) AT MINNESOTA (79)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 39 4-10 1-2 0 3 3 1 6 1 4 11
JONES F 43 4-6 0-0 6 9 15 1 5 0 3 8
WRIGHT C 21 1-4 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 1 4 2
CHRISTIE G 46 5-12 6-10 2 1 3 4 1 2 1 16
STOUDAMIRE G 43 6-23 6-6 2 7 9 4 2 2 3 20
TABAK 10 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
WHITESIDE 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
DAVIS 11 2-4 0-1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4
LOHAUS 3 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
EARL 18 3-7 3-4 3 7 10 0 2 1 3 9
LONG 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CAMBY DNP - BACK INJURY
TOTALS 240 25-69 16-23 14 29 43 11 21 7 19 70
(.362) (.696) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(14 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 41 6-8 3-4 0 9 9 2 3 1 4 15
GUGLIOTTA F 41 7-17 10-10 1 4 5 4 3 0 3 25
VRANKOVIC C 19 1-2 1-2 2 3 5 0 0 0 1 3
WEST G 33 6-11 0-0 0 1 1 0 5 0 1 12
MARBURY G 30 3-11 1-2 4 3 7 3 5 0 4 8
PORTER 12 0-3 2-2 0 2 2 3 1 1 0 2
MITCHELL 23 2-8 4-5 1 3 4 1 2 1 3 8
PARKS 20 2-6 0-3 3 4 7 1 2 2 1 4
CARR 15 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 0 0
HEAL 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2
D GARRETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 28-70 21-28 11 31 42 17 24 5 18 79
(.400) (.750) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 19(16 PTS)
TORONTO 17 16 24 13 - 70
MINNESOTA 23 17 22 17 - 79
BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - WILLIAMS 2, EARL 2, STOUDAMIRE, WRIGHT.
MINNESOTA - K GARNETT, GUGLIOTTA, VRANKOVIC, WEST, MARBURY, PORTER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 4-12 (.333), WILLIAMS 2-3, CHRISTIE 0-2,
STOUDAMIRE 2-4, WHITESIDE 0-1, DAVIS 0-1, LONG 0-1. MINNESOTA 2-7 (.286),
GUGLIOTTA 1-2, WEST 0-2, MARBURY 1-2, PORTER 0-1.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 3, JONES.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, RON OLESIAK, MIKE SMITH.
A - 18,679. T - 2:10.
TORONTO (70) AT MINNESOTA (79)
Tom Gugliotta scored 25 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves set
a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a 79-70 victory
over the Toronto Raptors.
Kevin Garnett added 15 points for the Timberwolves, who bettered
their mark of 71, set against Dallas on January 22nd, 1993. At
7-8, this is the deepest point into the season at which
Minnesota is only one game under .500.
Damon Stoudamire scored 20 points and Doug Christie added 16 for
the Raptors, who were held to a franchise-low in scoring. The
previous low was 75 in a loss at Sacramento last January 3rd.
"The one thing that can be consistent is defense," said
Gugliotta. "It's something we focus on. Tonight is an example
of not being that good offensively but still being able to win."
Toronto pulled within 62-61 with 10:12 to play after Stoudamire
hit a jumper and a pair of free throws. But the Wolves scored
the next five points as Sam Mitchell made a free throw, Stephon
Marbury converted a layup and Gugliotta sank two foul shots to
give Minnesota a 67-61 bulge at the 5:36 mark.
Minnesota took control in the first half with an 11-2 burst.
Hubert Davis pulled the Raptors within 23-21 with 10:03 to play
in the first half, but Garnett nailed a 15-footer and Marbury
knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead to 28-21 with
just over eight minutes to go.
Shane Heal nailed a running 17-footer before Stoudamire made a
jumper for a 30-23 lead. Garnett and Cherokee Parks converted
layups to extend the Wolves' advantage to 34-23 with 5:26 to go
in the second quarter.
The Wolves shot 40 percent (28-of-70) from the floor and held
Toronto under 20 points in the first, second and fourth
quarters. Doug West was the only other Minnesota player in
double figures with 12.
"Those are the kind of games that you need to find a way to
win," said Wolves coach Flip Saunders. "It wasn't a pretty
game. In the past, we found a way to lose, but tonight, we
kept our poise and made the plays down the stretch. Gugliotta
was big for us."
Toronto shot only 36 percent (25-of-69) from the field.
Stoudamire and Doug Christie combined to go 11-for-35 from the
field. A.C. Earl added nine points and 10 rebounds off the
bench for the Raptors.
nba.1825nba.news,
VANCOUVER (90) AT PHILADELPHIA (96)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LYNCH F 34 4-9 2-4 4 3 7 5 4 4 3 11
ABDUR-RAHIM F 31 3-9 4-6 2 3 5 1 1 2 1 10
MOBLEY C 16 1-5 1-2 0 3 3 1 4 0 1 3
MOTEN G 25 5-12 0-2 1 0 1 3 2 1 2 11
ANTHONY G 34 4-14 1-2 2 4 6 3 1 3 4 12
MANNING 12 1-5 0-0 1 2 3 0 1 1 0 2
ROGERS 29 8-11 0-0 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 16
PEELER 27 5-10 0-0 1 3 4 6 3 0 2 10
ROBINSON 21 2-5 3-4 2 3 5 1 6 2 4 9
CHILCUTT 11 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 6
MAYBERRY DNP - NOT WITH TEAM - FEVER
REEVES DNP - STRAINED LEFT PATELLA
TOTALS 240 35-82 11-20 14 21 35 23 22 14 18 90
(.427) (.550) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 22(24 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 39 3-7 0-0 3 8 11 3 1 3 3 6
COLEMAN F 40 5-11 1-3 1 7 8 3 1 0 1 11
WILLIAMS C 34 2-4 1-2 1 7 8 0 4 2 3 5
STACKHOUSE G 39 10-18 9-10 1 3 4 4 5 1 3 31
IVERSON G 39 8-14 6-7 1 1 2 9 2 6 10 23
WALTERS 9 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3
CAGE 14 0-2 0-0 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 0
MACLEAN 10 4-10 1-2 2 1 3 1 2 0 3 9
OVERTON 9 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 4
DAVIS 7 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 4
BRADTKE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARRIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-76 18-24 13 31 44 23 20 13 24 96
(.487) (.750) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 25(29 PTS)
VANCOUVER 18 18 30 24 - 90
PHILADELPHIA 27 27 21 21 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS 3, MOBLEY, MOTEN. PHILADELPHIA -
STACKHOUSE 3, WILLIAMS, COLEMAN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 9-25 (.360), LYNCH 1-2, MOTEN 1-4, ANTHONY
3-11, MANNING 0-1, PEELER 0-2, ROBINSON 2-3, CHILCUTT 2-2. PHILADELPHIA
4-17 (.235), COLEMAN 0-3, STACKHOUSE 2-4, IVERSON 1-5, WALTERS 1-1,
OVERTON 0-1, DAVIS 0-3.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - HEAD COACH B WINTERS, PEELER.
OFFICIALS: MONTY MCCUTCHEN, DEREK RICHARDSON, JOE FORTE.
A - 13,038. T - 2:05.
VANCOUVER (90) AT PHILADELPHIA (96)
Allen Iverson scored five of his 23 points in a fourth-quarter
run and Jerry Stackhouse had 31 points as the Philadelphia 76ers
turned back the Vancouver Grizzlies, 96-90.
Iverson also had nine assists for Philadelphia, which has won
three of its last four games. The 76ers used a 21-4 run in the
second quarter to open a 23-point lead, but Vancouver was able
to close within one before Philadelphia regained control.
"This was a game in which we played well in the first half and
in the second half, we allowed them to make a ballgame out of
it," said Sixers coach Johnny Davis. "We had them on the ropes
and we let them off. Down the stretch, we have to be smarter
and execute with more purpose."
Roy Rogers scored 16 points and Greg Anthony added 12 for
Vancouver, which fell to 0-9 on the road. The Grizzlies are
5-45 all-time on the road.
"We were totally dead-legged in the first half," said Rogers.
"We had no intensity, no enthusiasm, we were just out there. We
came in at halftime, coach (Winters) was pretty upset. We were
upset at ourselves. We knew we could play bettwe in the second
half."
Vancouver pulled within 84-83 with 4:58 to play on Shareef
Abdur-Rahim's 15-footer, but the Sixers put the game out of
reach with a 7-0 burst. Iverson hit one of two free throws and
Stackhouse made a layup to push the lead to 87-83 with 4:01
remaining.
Iverson knocked down a pair of 17-footers to give Philadelphia a
91-83 bulge with 2:35 remaining. He fell one assist short of
recording his third consecutive double-double.
"We didn't do a lot of talking out there," Iverson said. "We
shouted at each other like, 'Let's get a good basket.' At that
point, that's all we were concentrating on."
"I felt we had this team from the beginning and it was our game
to win," Iverson said. "I feel real good about this team. A
lot of people didn't expect us to be doing this well, but I knew
it all along."
The Sixers, who used a 14-5 run to take a 27-18 lead after one
quarter, exploded behind Derrick Coleman in the second.
Stackhouse started the run with a three-pointer to give
Philadelphia a 34-25 lead.
Coleman threw down a dunk and Rogers hit a nine-foot hook shot
for Vancouver. The Sixers reeled off nine straight points as
Mark Davis and Doug Overton hit layups, Coleman made a free
throw, Iverson had a dunk and Stackhouse made two foul shots to
push the lead to 45-27 at the 3:56 mark.
"Teams are going to make runs," Stackhouse said. "I think we
established the tone of the game from the get-go, but we lost a
little focus in the second half, they made their run. I told
guys, 'We've been here before, and we know what to do.' When
the game goes down to five or 10 points, the game is anyone's
ballgame in this league."
When a team makes a run like that you regain your focus. We had
to play, we came to the call."
Abdur-Rahim made a 12-footer, but Coleman answered with a
transition layup and fast-break dunk before Stackhouse capped
the run with a three-point play to give Philadelphia a 52-29
lead with 2:08 in the first half.
Vancouver had six players in double figures. The Grizzlies
again played without starting center Bryant Reeves, who is
day-to-day with a sprained right knee.
"This is probably the best and the worst we've played all
season," noted Grizzlies coach Brian Winters. "The first half,
we came out lethargic. The fourth game in five nights -- we
were sluggish. I didn't like what I saw. I went with the guys
who finished the second quarter and started them in the third,
they picked us up a bit and that got the attention of the other
guys, so we played a much better second half."
nba.1826nba.news,
Grizzlies put Edwards on injured list
Vancouver Grizzlies guard Blue Edwards has gone on the injured
list. He has tendinitis in his right knee.
Edwards has started 10 of his 14 games this season, and is second
on the team with 12.5 points a game, as well as 3.8 rebounds and
two assists.
The Grizzlies filled the roster spot by activating rookie guard
Chris Robinson off the injured list. The second-round draft choice
out of Western Kentucky had not played this season because of
hamstring tendinitis.
nba.1827nba.news,
All-Time Fastest To 25,000 Points
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls scored 35 points tonight to
become the second-fastest player to reach 25,000 career points.
The following is a list of the fastest nine:
PLAYER GAMES DATE
------ ----- --------
Wilt Chamberlain 691 February 2nd, 1968
MICHAEL JORDAN 782 November 30th, 1996
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 889 December 21st, 1980
Oscar Robertson 917 December 1st, 1972
Jerry West 920 December 4th, 1973
Dominique Wilkins 960 March 8th, 1995
Elvin Hayes 1093 January 10th, 1982
Moses Malone 1093 November 21st, 1990
Alex English 1133 December 14th, 1990
John Havlicek 1185 April 6th, 1977
nba.1828nba.news,
Mr. Defense gives Hawks mountain of offense
ATLANTA (Nov 30, 1996 - 14:36 EST) -- Lenny Wilkens had promised a
major improvement in Dikembe Mutombo's offensive skills by midseason.
Well, Atlanta's $56 million man apparently doesn't want to wait that
long.
The 7-foot-2 Mutombo, one of the NBA's top defensive centers but
always suspect at the offensive end, suddenly has become a scorer for
the surprising Hawks, who have survived a brutal schedule and a rash
of injuries.
Mutombo has averaged 18.8 points over the past five games, capped by a
season-high 25 in a 110-81 vctory over the Washington Bullets Friday
night. Not surprisingly, Atlanta won four of those games.
"I know on defense I can do a lot," said Mutombo, who also had 15
rebounds, five blocks and two steals against the Bullets. "But on
offense, I have just been absent for the past two years because of all
the coaching changes that happened in my life."
With the Denver Nuggets, Mutombo played for three coaches the past two
seasons and saw his scoring average dip each year -- from 16.6 as a
rookie in 1991-92 to 11.0 last season.
Still, the Hawks signed him to a $56 million contract -- richest in
team history -- because he would finally give them a legitimate
center. Mutombo is the first player in NBA history to lead the league
in blocked shots three years in a row.
But Wilkens, the Hawks coach, wasn't content to just get blocks and
rebounds from Mutombo. He spent extensive time working on the center's
low-post moves and said he would be a different player by the middle
of the season.
While Mutombo still moves a little stiffly on offense and doesn't have
the soft hands of a scorer, Wilkens' crash course in Offense 101 has
prompted the center to put up a few shots of his own, not just stand
around and watch his teammates.
"Lenny is a great guy," Mutombo said. "He believes in me and keeps
telling me I can score. All I have to do is take the ball to the
basket. He keeps telling me, 'Take the ball to the basket.' "
Maybe it helped when the Hawks' leading scorer, Steve Smith, went out
with a badly sprained ankle. The shooting guard has missed the last 10
games, forcing Mutombo to step up his offensive output.
His performance against the Bullets was the best yet: 10-of-17 from
the field and 5-of-6 at the foul line.
"I had an opportunity to get a couple of baskets early in the game,
and that helped me build my confidence," Mutombo said. "I just kept
going because my teammates started believing in me. They kept telling
me, 'You can do it, you can do it.' "
That the Hawks (9-7) have managed to get above .500 is no small feat.
In addition to Smith's injury, key frontcourt reserve Alan Henderson
has missed the entire season with viral pancreatitis, first-round pick
Priest Launderdale is sidelined with a sprained knee and Ken Norman
also spent time on the injured list.
Plus, the November schedule was nothing short of cruel and unusual
punishment. Eleven of 16 games were on the road, and Friday night was
the first time the Hawks didn't have to head to the airport
immediately after a home game.
The upcoming months look more promising. Smith has been working out
and may return for Tuesday's game against Boston. In addition, 15 of
the next 24 games are at the Omni, where the Hawks have a four-game
winning streak.
"We survived," Mutombo said. "This is a great chance for us to win a
lot of games."
nba.1829nba.news,
Former Nets guard "Super" Williamson dead at 45
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Nov 30, 1996 - 21:06 EST) -- John Williamson, a
flashy guard who was a member of two Nets teams that won ABA
championships, died Saturday at Yale-New Haven Hospital, a team
spokesman said.
The 44-year-old Williamson, known as "Super John," played with the New
York then New Jersey Nets from 1973-1980, with parts of two seasons
spent with Indianapolis.
Retired Nets' trainer Fritz Massman said Williamson had been sick for
about seven or eight years and was under dialysis for a severe kidney
problem.
"He was one hell of a player, a good player. He was tough. He never
backed down from anything and he always wanted to take the big shot,"
Massman said. "He thrived on that."
Williamson held several Nets records, including his 34 field goal
attempts against Philadelphia in the 1979 playoffs and his 40 attempts
against Buffalo in the regular season in 1978. He also has a Nets
record with 22 free throws made in a game against San Diego in 1978.
The Nets have retired his number 23.
Julius Erving averaged 34.6 points in the 1976-1977 ABA championship
win over the Denver Nuggets. But Massman said Williamson was the key
in the six-game series.
"John won us the championship," Massman said. "Everyone was keying on
Doc, and John was popping them right in. The paper said he had 16
points in the fourth quarter, but I thought it was 18."
Williamson won two championships with the Nets, including that in his
rookie season. He was traded to Indianapolis on Jan. 31, 1977 for a
first round draft pick. Almost one year later, Williamson was
reacquired by the Nets for Bob Karrington and two second-round draft
picks.
That year, Williamson scored 40 points against Atlanta and 50 points
against Indianapolis in consecutive games.
Williamson has the second-most points in any playoff game in Nets
history with his 38 against Philadelphia in 1979. Drazen Petrovic, who
was killed in an automobile accident in 1993, has the record with 40
against Cleveland in 1992.
The Wade Funeral Home in New Haven is in charge of arrangements. Owner
Michael Wade said Williamson's family planned to finalize the plans on
Monday.
nba.1830nba.news,
John Williamson's career statistics
A statistical recap of the career of John Williamson, who died
Saturday:
YEAR TEAM G FG PCT FT PCT REB AST STL BLK PTS PPG
73-74 NYN 77 .491 .789 213 243 86 27 1116 14.5
74-75 NYN 75 .482 .837 149 197 61 23 868 11.5
75-76 NYN 76 .450 .806 190 188 76 33 1233 16.2
76-77 NY-IND 72 .459 .787 193 201 107 13 1495 20.8
77-78 IND-NJ 75 .438 .847 227 214 94 10 1777 23.7
78-79 NJN 74 .465 .854 196 255 89 12 1643 22.2
79-80 NJ-WAS 58 .439 .841 99 126 36 19 845 14.6
80-81 WAS 9 .321 .833 7 17 4 1 42 4.7
ABA TOTALS 228 .472 .808 552 628 223 83 3215 14.1
NBA TOTALS 288 .449 .833 722 813 330 55 5802 20.1
ABA PLAYOFFS 29 .491 .721 80 76 21 12 448 15.4
NBA PLAYOFFS 4 .420 .842 8 9 4 0 86 21.5
nba.1831nba.news,
Owens wants Sacramento to move the ball better
NEW YORK (Nov 30, 1996 - 07:36 EST) -- Billy Owens was whistled for
the foul with 4:03 left in the first quarter of the Kings' loss
Thursday night in Indianapolis and was so angry that he slammed the
ball down to the floor.
It bounced 15 feet into the air, and when it came down, a technical
foul accompanied it.
On the surface, it appeared that Owens may have been troubled by the
foul call, but that was not the reason.
Almost eight minutes into the game, when Owens recovered the ball
after the foul, it was one of the few times he had touched it.
"That's why I threw the ball down," Owens said. "We have to move the
ball, make the extra pass. I don't want to touch the ball just to
shoot it, just to get into the flow."
When the Kings meet the New York Knicks Saturday at Madison Square
Garden, Owens hopes his teammates will remember that ball movement
makes the offense go.
"It's something we talk about before the game," he said. "It's
something the coaches put on the board before the game every night.
"But if you never were taught to pass the ball, maybe it's something
you'll never do."
Owens, one of top passers among small forwards in the game, said he is
perplexed by the team's inability to consistently make the extra pass.
"In Toronto, we moved the ball real good," he said. "Then (in
Indianapolis), we just held onto it. In my opinion, I feel there is
only one person who should hold the ball, and that's our All-Star
(Mitch Richmond).
"Everybody else has to look to move the ball to get higher-percentage
shots. It's something that we'd better learn, or it's going to be a
long season. We even do drills in practice where you're not supposed
to shoot until you pass the ball five times."
Even with the limited ball movement against the Pacers, the Kings had
good, makable shots, especially during the first half, when they hit
just 30 percent from the field.
With the absence of Brian Grant and sub-par performances from Olden
Polynice, it appears this team is destined to ride on the fortunes of
guards Richmond and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
If the starting backcourt shoots well, the Kings will have a chance.
If not, unless the ball moves well and helps Corliss Williamson,
Polynice and Owens get going, the Kings are in for long nights.
Reserves Lionel Simmons and Tyus Edney have been inconsistent, at
best, while free agent Lloyd Daniels has not received enough playing
time to be accurately evaluated.
Daniels appears to be capable of contributing offensively if given the
opportunity, but he is still waiting.
Kings coach Garry St. Jean said the offensive struggles mean the Kings
will need to be more adept at the other phases of the game. However,
they have been pounded on the boards on each end of the floor, and
their defense has been broken down by the weight of offensive
ineptitude and a lack of cohesion.
"When you're not shooting the ball well, then you have to find a way
to get to the free-throw line or knock down some threes or do
something positive on the glass, and we're not doing them," St. Jean
said. "Really, we're not getting any consistency."
Abdul-Rauf said the Kings need to settle down.
"We still commit our turnovers, as usual," he said, "but we rush
ourselves a little too much. We need to be more focused and take our
time. Whenever we rush, we give the ball up too quickly. We have to
have more patience, and when we use that, the offense seems to come
better.
"But we had a lot of good looks (against Indiana). A lot of them, I
think, were too easy. But they wouldn't go down. Lately, that's been
the story of my life: 'It wouldn't go down.' "
Said Richmond: "We've had some good looks and not been able to put
them down. It's been like that in a lot of games this season."
That's just one reason why the Kings are looking up at the Los Angeles
Clippers, among others, in the Pacific Division.
nba.1832nba.news,
Flu fading among SuperSonics
SEATTLE (Nov 30, 1996 - 06:24 EST) -- The illness that gripped almost
every member of the Seattle SuperSonics traveling party at some point
during the team's just completed six-game, nine-day trip east appears
to be fading.
Only Hersey Hawkins, Jim McIlvaine and Greg Graham were still
suffering from flu-like symptoms that caused Detlef Schrempf, Craig
Ehlo and David Wingate to miss games in the past two weeks.
"It's going in the right direction," said head coach George Karl, who
was among the afflicted.
Karl said the sickness was the worst he can remember.
"I've never witnessed it as much as in the last three games on the
road," Karl said. "You'd go in our locker room and there would be
three or four guys coughing. You could see guys pushing themselves
just to get ready to play."
Karl said things got bad enough that trainer Frank Furtado -- who
called the trip the must rugged he could remember in his 23 years with
the team, according to Karl -- at one point suggested the players wear
masks on the team plane to prevent the sickness spreading. Karl didn't
go for that one, but doesn't doubt that long flights in close
proximity don't help.
"We have a better chance to keep it away from each other when we don't
get on the plane and we're recycling our coughing for three hours,"
Karl said.
FAST START: The Sonics played 11 road games in November, more than in
any month since they also had 11 road games in December 1990. The
Sonics had a 4-7 record in those 1990 road games en route to a 41-41
record under K.C. Jones.
This season's team had a 9-2 record in its 11-road-game month -- more
than one-quarter of all the 41 road games the team will play this
season.
"To have had so many road games and come away from it 9-2 is a great
start," Hawkins said. "We have to just take advantage of the home
court now."
Still, the Sonics won't exactly be homebodies in December. Seattle has
seven road games next month, including a trip to Philadelphia, New
Jersey and Milwaukee from Dec. 9 to 12.
MCMILLAN UPDATE: Karl said guard Nate McMillan, on the injured reserve
list since Nov. 15 with a pulled groin, will likely practice Saturday
in the first step toward returning to the active roster.
"He's at that stage where he's said he needs a couple of practices
before he makes a decision," Karl said. "If everything progresses
positively, we are looking at next week."
One thing the team's fast start has done is take the pressure off for
McMillan to return immediately.
"We need Nate back, but because we are doing well, this way he can
wait until he is 100 percent to come back," said Hawkins.
LOOSE BALLS: It was 19 years ago Saturday that Lenny Wilkens replaced
Bob Hopkins as head coach and turned around the 1977-78 team, leading
it to the NBA Finals. ... Remember, Sunday's game starts at 5 p.m. ...
Karl entered Friday night's game with 398 NBA victories. Only 26 NBA
coaches have won 400 or more. ... Phoenix guard Sam Cassell missed the
game after leaving the team to be with his mother, who is having
surgery. ... Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, the
1996 National League Rookie of the Year from Bellevue's Newport High
School, threw up the ceremonial opening tip.
nba.1833nba.news,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1996/97
(Saturday, November 30 - 30 days, 216 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 17 14 3 5 1 9 2 102.6 94.8 82.4 - W 2
Los Angeles Lakers 17 11 6 5 2 6 4 96.1 93.8 64.7 3.0 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 16 10 6 5 1 5 5 98.1 91.4 62.5 3.5 W 2
Los Angeles Clippers 16 6 10 2 6 4 4 90.5 93.1 37.5 7.5 L 6
Sacramento Kings 16 5 11 2 4 3 7 91.7 99.9 31.3 8.5 L 2
Golden State Warriors 15 4 11 2 6 2 5 100.6 106.7 26.7 9.0 L 1
Phoenix Suns 15 1 14 1 6 0 8 93.1 101.5 6.7 12.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Houston Rockets 16 15 1 7 1 8 0 104.8 95.9 93.8 - W 9
Utah Jazz 13 11 2 8 1 3 1 100.1 91.8 84.6 2.5 W 9
Minnesota Timberwolves 15 7 8 5 1 2 7 91.2 93.4 46.7 7.5 W 2
Denver Nuggets 16 5 11 2 6 3 5 93.1 98.2 31.3 10.0 L 2
Dallas Mavericks 14 4 10 3 4 1 6 94.0 99.4 28.6 10.0 L 1
San Antonio Spurs 15 2 13 1 7 1 6 86.3 93.3 13.3 12.5 L 8
Vancouver Grizzlies 17 2 15 2 6 0 9 85.5 97.0 11.8 13.5 L 4
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Miami Heat 16 12 4 4 2 8 2 94.0 89.4 75.0 - W 7
Orlando Magic 12 8 4 5 3 3 1 89.3 88.1 66.7 2.0 W 1
New York Knicks 14 9 5 4 3 5 2 97.2 93.9 64.3 2.0 W 1
Washington Bullets 15 7 8 4 5 3 3 95.2 96.2 46.7 4.5 L 2
Philadelphia 76ers 15 7 8 4 5 3 3 95.8 98.3 46.7 4.5 W 2
Boston Celtics 14 4 10 4 6 0 4 94.7 101.1 28.6 7.0 L 2
New Jersey Nets 12 3 9 2 4 1 5 94.3 99.6 25.0 7.0 W 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 16 15 1 6 0 9 1 103.6 87.5 93.8 - W 3
Detroit Pistons 14 11 3 6 2 5 1 91.9 86.5 78.6 3.0 L 1
Cleveland Cavaliers 14 9 5 5 3 4 2 88.1 82.1 64.3 5.0 L 2
Charlotte Hornets 14 8 6 5 2 3 4 93.6 93.8 57.1 6.0 W 1
Atlanta Hawks 16 9 7 4 1 5 6 86.6 85.0 56.3 6.0 W 1
Milwaukee Bucks 15 8 7 5 3 3 4 96.1 93.6 53.3 6.5 L 1
Indiana Pacers 13 5 8 3 4 2 4 91.2 90.8 38.5 8.5 W 2
Toronto Raptors 14 4 10 4 6 0 4 92.3 96.3 28.6 10.0 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Houston Rockets 16 15 1 7 1 8 0 104.8 95.9 93.8 - W 9
2. Seattle Supersonics 17 14 3 5 1 9 2 102.6 94.8 82.4 1.5 W 2
3. Utah Jazz 13 11 2 8 1 3 1 100.1 91.8 84.6 2.5 W 9
4. Los Angeles Lakers 17 11 6 5 2 6 4 96.1 93.8 64.7 4.5 W 1
5. Portland Trail Blazers 16 10 6 5 1 5 5 98.1 91.4 62.5 5.0 W 2
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 15 7 8 5 1 2 7 91.2 93.4 46.7 7.5 W 2
7. Los Angeles Clippers 16 6 10 2 6 4 4 90.5 93.1 37.5 9.0 L 6
8. Denver Nuggets 16 5 11 2 6 3 5 93.1 98.2 31.3 10.0 L 2
9. Sacramento Kings 16 5 11 2 4 3 7 91.7 99.9 31.3 10.0 L 2
10. Dallas Mavericks 14 4 10 3 4 1 6 94.0 99.4 28.6 10.0 L 1
11. Golden State Warriors 15 4 11 2 6 2 5 100.6 106.7 26.7 10.5 L 1
12. San Antonio Spurs 15 2 13 1 7 1 6 86.3 93.3 13.3 12.5 L 8
13. Vancouver Grizzlies 17 2 15 2 6 0 9 85.5 97.0 11.8 13.5 L 4
14. Phoenix Suns 15 1 14 1 6 0 8 93.1 101.5 6.7 13.5 L 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 16 15 1 6 0 9 1 103.6 87.5 93.8 - W 3
2. Detroit Pistons 14 11 3 6 2 5 1 91.9 86.5 78.6 3.0 L 1
3. Miami Heat 16 12 4 4 2 8 2 94.0 89.4 75.0 3.0 W 7
4. Orlando Magic 12 8 4 5 3 3 1 89.3 88.1 66.7 5.0 W 1
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 14 9 5 5 3 4 2 88.1 82.1 64.3 5.0 L 2
6. New York Knicks 14 9 5 4 3 5 2 97.2 93.9 64.3 5.0 W 1
7. Charlotte Hornets 14 8 6 5 2 3 4 93.6 93.8 57.1 6.0 W 1
8. Atlanta Hawks 16 9 7 4 1 5 6 86.6 85.0 56.3 6.0 W 1
9. Milwaukee Bucks 15 8 7 5 3 3 4 96.1 93.6 53.3 6.5 L 1
10. Washington Bullets 15 7 8 4 5 3 3 95.2 96.2 46.7 7.5 L 2
11. Philadelphia 76ers 15 7 8 4 5 3 3 95.8 98.3 46.7 7.5 W 2
12. Indiana Pacers 13 5 8 3 4 2 4 91.2 90.8 38.5 8.5 W 2
13. Toronto Raptors 14 4 10 4 6 0 4 92.3 96.3 28.6 10.0 L 1
14. Boston Celtics 14 4 10 4 6 0 4 94.7 101.1 28.6 10.0 L 2
15. New Jersey Nets 12 3 9 2 4 1 5 94.3 99.6 25.0 10.0 W 1
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 16 15 1 6 0 9 1 103.6 87.5 93.8 - W 3
2. Houston Rockets 16 15 1 7 1 8 0 104.8 95.9 93.8 - W 9
3. Seattle Supersonics 17 14 3 5 1 9 2 102.6 94.8 82.4 1.5 W 2
4. Utah Jazz 13 11 2 8 1 3 1 100.1 91.8 84.6 2.5 W 9
5. Detroit Pistons 14 11 3 6 2 5 1 91.9 86.5 78.6 3.0 L 1
6. Miami Heat 16 12 4 4 2 8 2 94.0 89.4 75.0 3.0 W 7
7. Los Angeles Lakers 17 11 6 5 2 6 4 96.1 93.8 64.7 4.5 W 1
8. Orlando Magic 12 8 4 5 3 3 1 89.3 88.1 66.7 5.0 W 1
9. Cleveland Cavaliers 14 9 5 5 3 4 2 88.1 82.1 64.3 5.0 L 2
10. New York Knicks 14 9 5 4 3 5 2 97.2 93.9 64.3 5.0 W 1
11. Portland Trail Blazers 16 10 6 5 1 5 5 98.1 91.4 62.5 5.0 W 2
12. Charlotte Hornets 14 8 6 5 2 3 4 93.6 93.8 57.1 6.0 W 1
13. Atlanta Hawks 16 9 7 4 1 5 6 86.6 85.0 56.3 6.0 W 1
14. Milwaukee Bucks 15 8 7 5 3 3 4 96.1 93.6 53.3 6.5 L 1
15. Washington Bullets 15 7 8 4 5 3 3 95.2 96.2 46.7 7.5 L 2
16. Minnesota Timberwolves 15 7 8 5 1 2 7 91.2 93.4 46.7 7.5 W 2
17. Philadelphia 76ers 15 7 8 4 5 3 3 95.8 98.3 46.7 7.5 W 2
18. Indiana Pacers 13 5 8 3 4 2 4 91.2 90.8 38.5 8.5 W 2
19. Los Angeles Clippers 16 6 10 2 6 4 4 90.5 93.1 37.5 9.0 L 6
20. Denver Nuggets 16 5 11 2 6 3 5 93.1 98.2 31.3 10.0 L 2
21. Sacramento Kings 16 5 11 2 4 3 7 91.7 99.9 31.3 10.0 L 2
22. Toronto Raptors 14 4 10 4 6 0 4 92.3 96.3 28.6 10.0 L 1
23. Dallas Mavericks 14 4 10 3 4 1 6 94.0 99.4 28.6 10.0 L 1
24. Boston Celtics 14 4 10 4 6 0 4 94.7 101.1 28.6 10.0 L 2
25. New Jersey Nets 12 3 9 2 4 1 5 94.3 99.6 25.0 10.0 W 1
26. Golden State Warriors 15 4 11 2 6 2 5 100.6 106.7 26.7 10.5 L 1
27. San Antonio Spurs 15 2 13 1 7 1 6 86.3 93.3 13.3 12.5 L 8
28. Vancouver Grizzlies 17 2 15 2 6 0 9 85.5 97.0 11.8 13.5 L 4
29. Phoenix Suns 15 1 14 1 6 0 8 93.1 101.5 6.7 13.5 L 1
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.1834nba.news,
NBA Top Individual Performances
(THROUGH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH)
---------------------------------
POINTS
------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Michael Jordan, CHI at Miami 50 11-06-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at Utah 44 11-23-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at La Clippers 40 11-25-96
Mookie Blaylock, ATL vs. Cleveland 39 11-12-96
Dell Curry, CHA vs. Toronto 38 11-02-96
Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU vs. Utah 38 11-09-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at Charlotte 38 11-15-96
Dale Ellis, DEN at Toronto 37 11-11-96
Karl Malone, UTH at La Lakers 37 11-20-96
Scottie Pippen, CHI at Phoenix 37 11-20-96
Michael Jordan, CHI at Phoenix 37 11-20-96
REBOUNDS
--------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Charles Barkley, HOU at Phoenix 33 11-02-96
Jayson Williams, NJN at La Clippers 24 11-30-96
Will Perdue, SAS vs. Chicago 23 11-30-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI at Miami 22 11-06-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI vs. Phoenix 22 11-11-96
Armon Gilliam, MIL vs. Phoenix 22 11-12-96
Chris Webber, WAS vs. San Antonio 21 11-06-96
Shaquille Oneal, LAL vs. San Antonio 21 11-22-96
Dikembe Mutombo, ATL vs. Vancouver 21 11-26-96
Charles Barkley, HOU at Utah 20 11-04-96
Dikembe Mutombo, ATL at Sacramento 20 11-07-96
Dennis Rodman, CHI at Detroit 20 11-08-96
Greg Ostertag, UTH vs. Vancouver 20 11-15-96
Chris Gatling, DAL vs. Utah 20 11-16-96
Shaquille Oneal, LAL at Philadelphia 20 11-26-96
ASSISTS
-------
PLAYER OPPONENT TOTAL DATE
------ -------- ----- ----
Robert Pack, NJN vs. Dallas 22 11-23-96
John Stockton, UTH vs. Vancouver 18 11-15-96
Jason Kidd, DAL vs. Chicago 17 11-29-96
Mark Jackson, DEN vs. La Clippers 16 11-05-96
Mark Jackson, DEN vs. Houston 16 11-07-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at New Jersey 16 11-16-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at Toronto 15 11-11-96
Nick Van Exel, LAL vs. La Clippers 15 11-15-96
John Stockton, UTH vs. Golden State 15 11-21-96
Mark Jackson, DEN vs. Golden State 14 11-08-96
Mark Jackson, DEN at Cleveland 14 11-10-96
Nick Van Exel, LAL at Houston 14 11-12-96
Avery Johnson, SAS at La Lakers 14 11-22-96
Tim Hardaway, MIA at Golden State 14 11-26-96
nba.1835nba.news,
1996-97 Triple Doubles
REGULAR SEASON
==============
1. Clyde Drexler, HOU vs SAC, 11/01, 25 pts, 10 rbs, 10 steals, 21st career
2. Damon Stoudamire, TOR vs LAL, 11/08, 21 pts, 10 rbs, 10 assists, 2nd career
3. Charles Barkley, HOU at GSW, 11/23, 27 pts, 17 rbs, 12 assists, 19th career
4. Anthony Mason, CHA vs SEA, 11/26, 14 pts, 10 rbs, 10 assists, 1st career
nba.1836nba.news,
NBA Scoring
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp PTS AVG
Michael Jordan, Chi 16 511 31.9
Karl Malone, Uth 13 341 26.2
Hakeem Olajuwon, Hou 13 335 25.8
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 17 424 24.9
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 15 369 24.6
Shawn Kemp, Sea 17 399 23.5
Tom Gugliotta, Min 15 336 22.4
Allen Iverson, Phi 12 261 21.8
Patrick Ewing, Nyk 14 304 21.7
Mitch Richmond, Sac 16 347 21.7
Glenn Robinson, Mil 15 322 21.5
Gary Payton, Sea 17 364 21.4
Damon Stoudamire, Tor 13 276 21.2
Grant Hill, Det 13 274 21.1
Reggie Miller, Ind 13 271 20.9
Vin Baker, Mil 12 250 20.8
Charles Barkley, Hou 15 304 20.3
Dale Ellis, Den 16 318 19.9
Chris Gatling, Dal 13 258 19.9
Dominique Wilkins, Sas 15 296 19.7
Alonzo Mourning, Mia 16 315 19.7
Glen Rice, Cha 11 216 19.6
Kendall Gill, Njn 12 235 19.6
Jerry Stackhouse, Phi 15 293 19.5
Chris Webber, Was 15 289 19.3
Eddie Jones, Lal 17 321 18.9
Terrell Brandon, Cle 14 259 18.5
Sam Cassell, Pho 10 182 18.2
Tim Hardaway, Mia 16 289 18.1
Christian Laettner, Atl 16 289 18.1
Scottie Pippen, Chi 16 289 18.1
nba.1837nba.news,
NBA Rebounding
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp Reb AVG
Jayson Williams, Njn 12 194 16.2
Charles Barkley, Hou 15 239 15.9
Dennis Rodman, Chi 16 249 15.6
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 17 225 13.2
Dikembe Mutombo, Atl 16 186 11.6
Shawn Kemp, Sea 17 197 11.6
Karl Malone, Uth 13 147 11.3
Patrick Ewing, Nyk 14 155 11.1
Armon Gilliam, Mil 15 161 10.7
Dale Davis, Ind 13 138 10.6
Vin Baker, Mil 12 127 10.6
Horace Grant, Orl 12 126 10.5
Alonzo Mourning, Mia 16 159 9.9
Loy Vaught, Lac 16 159 9.9
Chris Webber, Was 15 146 9.7
Ervin Johnson, Den 16 153 9.6
Hakeem Olajuwon, Hou 13 123 9.5
Kevin Garnett, Min 15 141 9.4
Tyrone Hill, Cle 14 131 9.4
Chris Gatling, Dal 13 121 9.3
nba.1838nba.news,
NBA Assists
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp AST AVG
Mark Jackson, Den 15 174 11.6
John Stockton, Uth 13 135 10.4
Nick Van Exel, Lal 17 153 9.0
Tim Hardaway, Mia 16 135 8.4
Jason Kidd, Dal 14 115 8.2
Avery Johnson, Sas 15 120 8.0
Gary Payton, Sea 17 135 7.9
Damon Stoudamire, Tor 13 99 7.6
Rod Strickland, Was 15 113 7.5
Robert Pack, Njn 12 84 7.0
Terrell Brandon, Cle 14 95 6.8
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 15 101 6.7
Charlie Ward, Nyk 12 78 6.5
Allen Iverson, Phi 12 77 6.4
Scottie Pippen, Chi 16 98 6.1
Greg Anthony, Van 17 103 6.1
Sherman Douglas, Mil 15 89 5.9
Grant Hill, Det 13 77 5.9
Mookie Blaylock, Atl 12 71 5.9
Sam Cassell, Pho 10 57 5.7
nba.1839nba.news,
NBA Steals
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp Stl AVG
Greg Anthony, Van 17 47 2.8
Allen Iverson, Phi 12 32 2.7
Eddie Jones, Lal 17 44 2.6
Gary Payton, Sea 17 44 2.6
Mookie Blaylock, Atl 12 30 2.5
Clyde Drexler, Hou 16 35 2.2
John Stockton, Uth 13 28 2.2
Damon Stoudamire, Tor 13 27 2.1
Kenny Anderson, Por 16 32 2.0
Kevin Garnett, Min 15 30 2.0
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 15 30 2.0
Tim Hardaway, Mia 16 31 1.9
Avery Johnson, Sas 15 29 1.9
Terrell Brandon, Cle 14 27 1.9
Rick Fox, Bos 14 27 1.9
Jason Kidd, Dal 14 27 1.9
Walt Williams, Tor 14 26 1.9
Nick Anderson, Orl 12 22 1.8
Horace Grant, Orl 12 22 1.8
Robert Pack, Njn 12 22 1.8
nba.1840nba.news,
NBA Blocked shots
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp BLK AVG
Shawn Bradley, Njn 12 49 4.1
Dikembe Mutombo, Atl 16 52 3.3
Alonzo Mourning, Mia 16 42 2.6
Kevin Garnett, Min 15 39 2.6
Chris Webber, Was 15 39 2.6
Greg Ostertag, Uth 12 30 2.5
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 17 41 2.4
Jim Mcilvaine, Sea 17 40 2.4
Patrick Ewing, Nyk 14 29 2.1
Ervin Johnson, Den 16 32 2.0
Stoyko Vrankovic, Min 15 29 1.9
Marcus Camby, Tor 11 21 1.9
Dino Radja, Bos 11 21 1.9
Antonio Mcdyess, Den 16 30 1.9
Vin Baker, Mil 12 22 1.8
Hakeem Olajuwon, Hou 13 23 1.8
Erick Dampier, Ind 11 19 1.7
Roy Rogers, Van 17 28 1.7
Charles Outlaw, Lac 16 23 1.4
Gheorghe Muresan, Was 9 13 1.4
nba.1841nba.news,
NBA Field goal percentage
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp Fgm Fga PCT
Shaquille Oneal, Lal 17 179 296 .605
Rasheed Wallace, Por 15 92 152 .605
Chris Mullin, Gsw 15 98 165 .594
Gary Trent, Por 16 68 119 .571
Tyrone Hill, Cle 14 65 114 .570
Marcus Camby, Tor 11 58 104 .558
Larry Johnson, Nyk 14 65 117 .556
Alonzo Mourning, Mia 16 124 225 .551
Charles Oakley, Nyk 12 55 100 .550
Karl Malone, Uth 13 129 235 .549
Chris Gatling, Dal 13 97 177 .548
John Stockton, Uth 13 70 128 .547
Shawn Kemp, Sea 17 136 252 .540
Anthony Mason, Cha 14 75 141 .532
Roy Rogers, Van 17 65 126 .516
Sherman Douglas, Mil 15 63 122 .516
nba.1842nba.news,
NBA 3-point shooting percentage
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp 3fg 3fa PCT
Joe Dumars, Det 14 38 70 .543
Aaron Mckie, Por 16 15 29 .517
Rex Walters, Phi 11 19 37 .514
Anthony Goldwire, Cha 14 19 38 .500
Bobby Phills, Cle 11 22 45 .489
John Stockton, Uth 13 19 39 .487
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, Sac 15 18 37 .486
Mark Jackson, Den 15 14 29 .483
Kobe Bryant, Lal 14 13 27 .481
Walt Williams, Tor 14 35 73 .479
Danny Ferry, Cle 14 23 48 .479
Mark Price, Gsw 15 32 68 .471
Christian Laettner, Atl 16 13 28 .464
Dell Curry, Cha 14 28 61 .459
Matt Bullard, Hou 14 21 46 .457
nba.1843nba.news,
NBA Free throw percentage
Through Saturday, November 30
Player Gp Ftm Fta PCT
Popeye Jones, Tor 14 22 24 .917
Joe Dumars, Det 14 49 54 .907
Terrell Brandon, Cle 14 37 41 .902
Sam Cassell, Pho 10 57 64 .891
Latrell Sprewell, Gsw 15 107 121 .884
Darrell Armstrong, Orl 12 28 32 .875
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf, Sac 15 21 24 .875
Blue Edwards, Van 15 27 31 .871
Luc Longley, Chi 12 27 31 .871
Gary Trent, Por 16 27 31 .871
Lionel Simmons, Sac 16 20 23 .870
Jeff Hornacek, Uth 13 59 68 .868
Allan Houston, Nyk 14 33 38 .868
Bryant Stith, Den 16 65 75 .867
John Starks, Nyk 14 39 45 .867
nba.1844nba.news,
NBA Defense statistics
Through Saturday, November 30
Team G Fgm-Fga PCT 3pm-3pa PCT Ftm-Fta PCT AVG
Cleveland 14 400-975 .410 79-206 .383 270-365 .740 82.1
Atlanta 16 524-1240 .423 109-299 .365 203-271 .749 85.0
Detroit 14 461-1055 .437 106-267 .397 183-258 .709 86.5
Chicago 16 532-1306 .407 84-264 .318 252-364 .692 87.5
Orlando 12 406-928 .438 53-165 .321 192-260 .738 88.1
Miami 16 500-1196 .418 77-219 .352 354-448 .790 89.4
Indiana 13 430-986 .436 90-260 .346 230-338 .680 90.8
Portland 16 532-1268 .420 83-234 .355 315-424 .743 91.4
Utah 13 415-1016 .408 88-263 .335 276-389 .710 91.8
LA Clippers 16 523-1195 .438 70-221 .317 374-497 .753 93.1
San Antonio 15 512-1123 .456 93-258 .360 283-376 .753 93.3
Minnesota 15 504-1146 .440 75-219 .342 318-451 .705 93.4
Milwaukee 15 535-1167 .458 58-189 .307 276-395 .699 93.6
Charlotte 14 508-1110 .458 87-224 .388 210-295 .712 93.8
LA Lakers 17 604-1373 .440 114-328 .348 273-380 .718 93.8
New York 14 452-1032 .438 96-237 .405 315-437 .721 93.9
Seattle 17 584-1353 .432 125-334 .374 318-422 .754 94.8
Houston 16 602-1350 .446 94-269 .349 236-340 .694 95.9
Washington 15 556-1236 .450 81-245 .331 250-326 .767 96.2
Toronto 14 472-1028 .459 85-235 .362 319-448 .712 96.3
Vancouver 17 624-1360 .459 97-290 .334 304-408 .745 97.0
Denver 16 571-1295 .441 91-247 .368 338-475 .712 98.2
Philadelphia 15 556-1246 .446 102-284 .359 260-361 .720 98.3
Dallas 14 506-1138 .445 90-217 .415 290-385 .753 99.4
New Jersey 12 448-994 .451 51-161 .317 248-340 .729 99.6
Sacramento 16 581-1269 .458 94-260 .362 343-486 .706 99.9
Boston 14 533-1116 .478 83-236 .352 267-382 .699 101.1
Phoenix 15 556-1206 .461 109-323 .337 302-433 .697 101.5
Golden State 15 609-1244 .490 96-270 .356 287-386 .744 106.7
- Rebounds -
Off-Def TRB AST Stl To BLKS
Cleveland 154-384 538 272 84 248 72
Atlanta 201-463 664 325 119 270 74
Detroit 156-379 535 301 89 211 39
Chicago 208-455 663 283 112 263 59
Orlando 164-331 495 229 117 202 78
Miami 191-463 654 277 134 282 85
Indiana 148-366 514 270 108 229 72
Portland 186-394 580 305 124 242 90
Utah 166-376 542 240 93 203 59
LA Clippers 209-481 690 297 151 297 95
San Antonio 185-426 611 338 114 234 73
Minnesota 185-453 638 318 116 268 79
Milwaukee 173-418 591 309 103 228 66
Charlotte 178-388 566 279 85 198 60
LA Lakers 227-468 695 405 156 278 66
New York 136-339 475 295 139 266 56
Seattle 217-490 707 374 126 325 94
Houston 189-439 628 352 143 262 74
Washington 203-481 684 274 108 271 67
Toronto 172-397 569 296 114 262 63
Vancouver 269-558 827 399 135 315 101
Denver 213-461 674 321 141 270 93
Philadelphia 219-424 643 339 156 284 75
Dallas 217-403 620 298 114 238 80
New Jersey 169-364 533 258 113 208 71
Sacramento 222-473 695 358 150 253 77
Boston 169-435 604 335 120 245 85
Phoenix 201-494 695 366 124 266 82
Golden State 213-418 631 399 140 258 79
(Note: Defensive Statistics Reflect Cumulative Totals Of A
Team's Opponents)
nba.1845nba.news,
NBA Offense statistics
Through Saturday, November 30
Team G Fgm-Fga PCT 3pm-3pa PCT Ftm-Fta PCT AVG
Houston 16 589-1272 .463 131-371 .353 367-500 .734 104.8
Chicago 16 636-1344 .473 97-272 .357 288-395 .729 103.6
Seattle 17 628-1331 .472 116-338 .343 373-513 .727 102.7
Golden State 15 546-1186 .460 97-249 .390 320-402 .796 100.6
Utah 13 480-1009 .476 52-143 .364 289-391 .739 100.1
Portland 16 571-1246 .458 106-306 .346 322-442 .729 98.1
New York 14 495-1036 .478 77-197 .391 294-386 .762 97.2
LA Lakers 17 603-1296 .465 119-322 .370 308-471 .654 96.1
Milwaukee 15 537-1176 .457 56-154 .364 311-419 .742 96.1
Philadelphia 15 512-1188 .431 103-275 .375 310-443 .700 95.8
Washington 15 559-1258 .444 74-226 .327 236-351 .672 95.2
Boston 14 502-1147 .438 67-211 .318 255-345 .739 94.7
New Jersey 12 401-1026 .391 71-212 .335 258-350 .737 94.3
Dallas 14 488-1092 .447 78-242 .322 262-389 .674 94.0
Miami 16 562-1247 .451 119-336 .354 261-369 .707 94.0
Charlotte 14 481-1054 .456 105-241 .436 244-331 .737 93.6
Denver 16 533-1253 .425 102-282 .362 322-423 .761 93.1
Phoenix 15 534-1255 .425 66-235 .281 263-348 .756 93.1
Toronto 14 467-1116 .418 112-295 .380 246-323 .762 92.3
Detroit 14 460-1030 .447 110-257 .428 257-327 .786 91.9
Sacramento 16 556-1247 .446 62-173 .358 293-407 .720 91.7
Indiana 13 436-973 .448 61-175 .349 252-354 .712 91.2
Minnesota 15 510-1177 .433 53-164 .323 295-407 .725 91.2
LA Clippers 16 538-1290 .417 67-197 .340 305-426 .716 90.5
Orlando 12 398-956 .416 72-222 .324 204-287 .711 89.3
Cleveland 14 476-1053 .452 92-226 .407 190-273 .696 88.1
Atlanta 16 497-1188 .418 116-321 .361 275-375 .733 86.6
San Antonio 15 485-1148 .422 74-278 .266 250-349 .716 86.3
Vancouver 17 556-1357 .410 105-304 .345 236-344 .686 85.5
- Rebounds -
Off-Def TRB AST Stl To BLKS
Houston 213-505 718 389 155 305 66
Chicago 221-518 739 409 121 225 71
Seattle 192-495 687 411 184 272 89
Golden State 177-393 570 353 112 263 70
Utah 161-416 577 329 106 198 79
Portland 231-509 740 338 123 294 85
New York 172-414 586 309 120 292 74
LA Lakers 200-504 704 386 129 295 99
Milwaukee 194-445 639 270 111 224 64
Philadelphia 221-433 654 316 147 309 73
Washington 194-436 630 325 114 226 89
Boston 180-391 571 287 118 249 56
New Jersey 233-348 581 230 106 226 88
Dallas 187-393 580 313 123 249 57
Miami 203-472 675 329 130 280 89
Charlotte 151-387 538 334 91 211 56
Denver 193-483 676 355 115 322 93
Phoenix 180-417 597 328 123 237 57
Toronto 190-373 563 250 132 263 72
Detroit 163-386 549 236 90 209 45
Sacramento 184-453 637 329 99 269 69
Indiana 154-399 553 259 100 228 66
Minnesota 179-416 595 297 110 251 114
LA Clippers 221-446 667 288 156 281 84
Orlando 191-338 529 221 101 210 56
Cleveland 161-388 549 290 106 213 60
Atlanta 189-460 649 262 128 269 90
San Antonio 201-379 580 303 120 238 71
Vancouver 204-424 628 366 158 268 82
nba.1846nba.news,
NBA Team-by-team comparison
Through Saturday, November 30
Points Field Goal 3-Pt Fg
Per Game Percentage Percentage Turnovers Per Game
Team Own OPP Own OPP Own OPP Own OPP Margin
Atlanta 86.6 85.0 .418 .423 .361 .365 16.8 16.9 +0.1
Boston 94.7 101.1 .438 .478 .318 .352 17.8 17.5 -0.3
Charlotte 93.6 93.8 .456 .458 *.436 .388 15.1 14.1 -1.0
Chicago 103.6 87.5 .473 *.407 .357 .318 *14.1 16.4 +2.3
Cleveland 88.1 *82.1 .452 .410 .407 .383 15.2 17.7 +2.5
Dallas 94.0 99.4 .447 .445 .322 .415 17.8 17.0 -0.8
Denver 93.1 98.2 .425 .441 .362 .368 20.1 16.9 -3.2
Detroit 91.9 86.5 .447 .437 .428 .397 14.9 15.1 +0.2
Golden State 100.6 106.7 .460 .490 .390 .356 17.5 17.2 -0.3
Houston *104.8 95.9 .463 .446 .353 .349 19.1 16.4 -2.7
Indiana 91.2 90.8 .448 .436 .349 .346 17.5 17.6 +0.1
LA Clippers 90.5 93.1 .417 .438 .340 .317 17.6 18.6 +1.0
LA Lakers 96.1 93.8 .465 .440 .370 .348 17.4 16.4 -1.0
Miami 94.0 89.4 .451 .418 .354 .352 17.5 17.6 +0.1
Milwaukee 96.1 93.6 .457 .458 .364 *.307 14.9 15.2 +0.3
Minnesota 91.2 93.4 .433 .440 .323 .342 16.7 17.9 +1.2
New Jersey 94.3 99.6 .391 .451 .335 .317 18.8 17.3 -1.5
New York 97.2 93.9 *.478 .438 .391 .405 20.9 19.0 -1.9
Orlando 89.3 88.1 .416 .438 .324 .321 17.5 16.8 -0.7
Philadelphia 95.8 98.3 .431 .446 .375 .359 20.6 18.9 -1.7
Phoenix 93.1 101.5 .425 .461 .281 .337 15.8 17.7 +1.9
Portland 98.1 91.4 .458 .420 .346 .355 18.4 15.1 -3.3
Sacramento 91.7 99.9 .446 .458 .358 .362 16.8 15.8 -1.0
San Antonio 86.3 93.3 .422 .456 .266 .360 15.9 15.6 -0.3
Seattle 102.6 94.8 .472 .432 .343 .374 16.0 *19.1 *+3.1
Toronto 92.3 96.3 .418 .459 .380 .362 18.8 18.7 -0.1
Utah 100.1 91.8 .476 .408 .364 .335 15.2 15.6 +0.4
Vancouver 85.5 97.0 .410 .459 .345 .334 15.8 18.5 +2.7
Washington 95.2 96.2 .444 .450 .327 .331 15.1 18.1 +3.0
------------------ Records ------------------
Under 100 PTS Ot Decided By
Rebound PCT Own OPP Games 3-PTS(Less) 10-PTS(More)
Team Off Def Tot W-L W-L W-L W-L W-L
Atlanta .290 .696 .494 6-7 9-6 0-0 1-0 4-5
Boston .293 .698 .486 1-8 4-2 0-0 0-2 4-7
Charlotte .280 .685 .487 6-6 8-2 0-0 1-1 3-2
Chicago .327 .713 .527 6-0 14-0 0-0 0-0 11-0
Cleveland .295 .716 .505 6-5 9-4 1-0 1-0 7-1
Dallas .317 .644 .483 1-10 3-2 0-0 1-2 2-6
Denver .295 .694 .501 3-8 4-3 0-2 2-3 1-4
Detroit .301 .712 .506 8-3 11-3 1-0 2-0 5-1
Golden State .297 .649 .475 1-5 3-2 0-2 0-2 2-6
Houston .327 .728 .533 5-0 10-0 3-1 4-0 7-1
Indiana .296 .729 .518 1-8 4-7 1-0 1-4 4-2
LA Clippers .315 .681 .492 5-9 6-6 1-2 0-1 3-5
LA Lakers .299 .689 .503 6-6 8-4 1-0 1-1 5-4
Miami .305 .712 .508 7-3 11-2 1-0 4-1 6-1
Milwaukee .317 .720 .520 2-7 6-4 1-0 2-0 5-1
Minnesota .283 .692 .483 4-8 6-5 0-1 3-2 1-2
New Jersey *.390 .673 .522 0-8 3-5 1-0 0-0 2-5
New York .337 *.753 .552 4-5 7-2 1-0 2-0 3-2
Orlando .366 .673 .517 7-4 8-2 0-0 1-0 1-1
Philadelphia .343 .664 .504 2-7 6-2 0-0 1-1 3-6
Phoenix .267 .675 .462 1-12 1-6 0-1 0-3 1-9
Portland .370 .732 *.561 5-4 9-2 2-1 2-3 6-3
Sacramento .280 .671 .478 2-9 4-3 0-2 2-2 2-8
San Antonio .321 .672 .487 2-11 2-10 0-0 0-0 1-8
Seattle .282 .695 .493 3-3 12-2 1-0 0-0 10-1
Toronto .324 .684 .497 2-10 4-6 0-0 1-2 1-3
Utah .300 .715 .516 3-2 8-2 1-0 1-1 4-0
Vancouver .268 .612 .432 2-15 2-8 0-1 1-1 0-10
Washington .287 .682 .479 4-6 7-3 0-3 0-2 4-4
* = Indicates League Leader
Rebound Percentage:
Off - a team's offensive rebounds divided by offensive rebound
opportunities (that team's total number of missed shots)
Def - a team's defensive rebounds divided by defensive rebound
opportunities (the total number of missed shots by that
team's opponents)
Tot - a team's total rebounds divided by rebound opportunities
(the sum of missed shots by that team and its opponents)
nba.1847nba.news,
NBA All-Time Points Leaders
POINTS
------
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
2. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
3. Moses Malone 27,409
4. Elvin Hayes 27,313
5. Oscar Robertson 26,710
6. John Havlicek 26,395
7. X-Dominique Wilkins 25,685
8. Alex English 25,613
9. Jerry West 25,192
10. x-Michael Jordan 25,000
11. x-Karl Malone 23,684
12. x-Robert Parish 23,196
13. Adrian Dantley 23,177
14. Elgin Baylor 23,149
15. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 22,175
16. Larry Bird 21,791
17. Hal Greer 21,586
18. X-Charles Barkley 21,044
19. Walt Bellamy 20,941
20. Bob Pettit 20,880
x-active
LEADING ACTIVE PLAYERS CLOSING IN
---------------------------------
Patrick Ewing 20,092
Clyde Drexler 20,050
nba.1848nba.news,
NBA All-Time Rebound Leaders
REBOUNDS
--------
1. Wilt Chamberlain 23,924
2. Bill Russell 21,620
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 17,440
4. Elvin Hayes 16,279
5. Moses Malone 16,212
6. x-Robert Parish 14,636
7. Nate Thurmond 14,464
8. Walt Bellamy 14,241
9. Wes Unseld 13,769
10. Jerry Lucas 12,942
11. Bob Pettit 12,849
12. x-Buck Williams 12,504
13. Paul Silas 12,347
14. Elgin Baylor 11,463
15. Dolph Schayes 11,256
16. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 11,146
17. Bill Bridges 11,054
18. Jack Sikma 10,816
19. X-Charles Barkley 10,550
20. Dave Cowens 10,444
X-ACTIVE
LEADING ACTIVE PLAYERS CLOSING IN
---------------------------------
Karl Malone 9,880
nba.1849nba.news,
N-B-A All-Time Assist Leaders
ASSISTS
-------
1. x-John Stockton 11,434
2. Magic Johnson 10,141
3. Oscar Robertson 9,887
4. Isiah Thomas 9,061
5. Maurice Cheeks 7,392
6. Len Wilkens 7,211
7. Bob Cousy 6,955
8. Guy Rodgers 6,917
9. Nate Archibald 6,476
10. John Lucas 6,454
11. Reggie Theus 6,453
12. x-Mark Jackson 6,420
13. x-Derek Harper 5,889
14. x-Terry Porter 5,822
15. x-Kevin Johnson 5,819
16. x-Muggsy Bogues 5,543
17. x-Clyde Drexler 5,463
X-ACTIVE
nba.1850nba.news,
N-B-A All-Time Steals Leaders
STEALS
------
1. x-John Stockton 2,393
2. Maurice Cheeks 2,310
3. Alvin Robertson 2,112
4. x-Michael Jordan 2,045
5. x-Clyde Drexler 1,997
6. Isiah Thomas 1,861
7. x-Derek Harper 1,759
8. Magic Johnson 1,724
9. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 1,711
10. Fat Lever 1,666
x-active
LEADING ACTIVE PLAYERS CLOSING IN
---------------------------------
Scottie Pippen 1,624
nba.1851nba.news,
N-B-A All-Time Blocks Leaders
BLOCKS
------
1. x-Hakeem Olajuwon 3,213
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3,189
3. Mark Eaton 3,064
4. Tree Rollins 2,542
5. x-Patrick Ewing 2,356
6. x-Robert Parish 2,337
7. Manute Bol 2,086
8. George Johnson 2,082
9. Larry Nance 2,027
10. X-David Robinson 2,006
X-ACTIVE
nba.1852nba.news,
All-Time Winningest NBA Coaches
(THROUGH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH)
COACH W-L PCT.
===== === ====
x-Lenny Wilkens 1,023-857 .544
Red Auerbach 938-479 .662
X-Dick Motta 919-967 .488
x-Bill Fitch 897-1005 .473
Jack Ramsay 864-783 .525
Don Nelson 851-630 .575
Cotton Fitzsimmons 832-775 .517
x-Pat Riley 809-343 .701
Gene Shue 784-861 .477
John MacLeod 707-657 .518
x - active
nba.1853nba.news,
Ostale statistike stižu nešto kasnije.
nba.1854nba.news,
NBA Team Stats Through Saturday, November 30
PACIFIC DIVISION
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
---------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Latrell Sprewell 15 642 24.6 4.9 6.7 14- 60- 74 101 30 11 56 24
Joe Smith 14 559 17.6 8.4 1.6 37- 80- 117 23 14 20 47 41
Chris Mullin 15 550 16.5 3.4 4.0 15- 36- 51 60 25 8 34 35
Mark Price 15 419 14.3 2.5 4.8 9- 29- 38 72 17 0 34 30
B J Armstrong 15 285 6.2 1.5 3.1 2- 21- 23 46 6 0 12 22
Todd Fuller 15 284 5.5 3.9 0.7 23- 35- 58 10 3 7 20 35
Bimbo Coles 10 204 5.2 2.4 2.1 7- 17- 24 21 5 2 8 19
Ray Owes 10 127 5.0 3.6 0.4 16- 20- 36 4 2 3 5 23
Felton Spencer 14 241 3.8 4.7 0.4 22- 44- 66 5 1 8 12 51
Donald Royal 12 144 3.7 1.7 0.4 6- 14- 20 5 3 4 7 16
Donyell Marshall 10 93 3.6 2.8 0.5 8- 20- 28 5 2 4 7 15
Andrew Declercq 10 134 3.5 4.0 0.2 22- 18- 40 2 4 3 12 33
Lou Roe 2 11 1.0 1.0 0.5 2- 0- 2 1 0 0 2 2
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Sprewell 115-278 .414 32-82 .390 107-121 .884 369 33
Smith 97-232 .418 3-13 .231 50-60 .833 247 30
Mullin 98-165 .594 16-36 .444 36-42 .857 248 27
Price 75-146 .514 32-68 .471 32-38 .842 214 32
Armstrong 35-76 .461 3-17 .176 20-25 .800 93 24
Fuller 33-80 .413 0-0 .000 16-26 .615 82 14
Coles 20-51 .392 8-21 .381 4-4 1.000 52 12
Owes 22-36 .611 0-0 .000 6-12 .500 50 18
Spencer 19-33 .576 0-0 .000 15-29 .517 53 10
Royal 12-35 .343 0-1 .000 20-24 .833 44 12
Marshall 14-31 .452 3-11 .273 5-6 .833 36 10
Declercq 12-32 .375 0-0 .000 11-15 .733 35 9
Roe 0-2 .000 0-0 .000 2-4 .500 2 2
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
--------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Malik Sealy 16 524 13.6 3.6 1.8 16- 41- 57 29 25 13 33 32
Rodney Rogers 16 456 10.8 4.1 2.7 26- 40- 66 43 13 3 37 56
Stanley Roberts 16 364 10.6 5.5 0.6 23- 65- 88 9 7 21 22 57
Loy Vaught 16 513 9.6 9.9 0.9 55- 104- 159 15 22 5 24 39
Pooh Richardson 16 466 8.3 3.1 4.7 14- 36- 50 75 27 1 33 33
Lamond Murray 16 359 7.9 3.9 1.2 22- 40- 62 19 11 7 22 27
Darrick Martin 16 204 7.1 0.9 2.1 3- 11- 14 33 4 0 18 20
Charles Outlaw 16 356 6.8 5.4 0.7 35- 52- 87 11 22 23 20 37
Brent Barry 2 20 6.0 1.0 1.5 0- 2- 2 3 4 0 1 4
Terry Dehere 16 249 5.6 1.3 2.1 3- 18- 21 33 8 1 22 41
Eric Piatkowski 12 125 5.3 0.9 0.5 4- 7- 11 6 7 0 7 19
Kevin Duckworth 16 242 3.8 2.4 0.8 12- 26- 38 12 5 8 24 43
Lorenzen Wright 13 62 2.4 0.9 0.0 8- 4- 12 0 1 2 5 9
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Sealy 73-193 .378 6-17 .353 65-76 .855 217 22
Rogers 66-133 .496 9-27 .333 31-45 .689 172 22
Roberts 62-143 .434 0-0 .000 45-64 .703 169 21
Vaught 68-181 .376 0-2 .000 18-28 .643 154 20
Richardson 52-140 .371 20-58 .345 8-18 .444 132 16
Murray 48-114 .421 5-17 .294 25-35 .714 126 15
D Martin 36-80 .450 10-23 .435 31-36 .861 113 18
Outlaw 42-79 .532 0-2 .000 24-47 .511 108 13
Barry 5-13 .385 1-7 .143 1-2 .500 12 9
Dehere 26-82 .317 7-27 .259 30-36 .833 89 14
Piatkowski 21-38 .553 7-14 .500 15-17 .882 64 15
Duckworth 25-64 .391 2-3 .667 9-14 .643 61 12
Wright 14-30 .467 0-0 .000 3-8 .375 31 6
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Shaquille Oneal 17 661 24.9 13.2 2.4 70- 155- 225 40 13 41 60 66
Eddie Jones 17 686 18.9 4.6 3.4 20- 58- 78 57 44 9 48 54
Nick Van Exel 17 617 12.5 2.2 9.0 4- 34- 38 153 15 0 46 18
Cedric Ceballos 8 279 10.8 6.6 1.9 11- 42- 53 15 5 6 17 19
Elden Campbell 17 526 10.2 6.9 1.9 41- 76- 117 32 12 17 26 68
Jerome Kersey 6 155 8.5 5.5 1.2 11- 22- 33 7 13 0 4 23
Byron Scott 17 367 7.1 1.7 1.4 2- 27- 29 24 11 5 18 16
Kobe Bryant 14 150 5.4 1.4 0.5 5- 14- 19 7 1 5 20 20
Derek Fisher 17 213 3.9 1.2 1.4 4- 16- 20 23 5 0 17 21
Rumeal Robinson 9 77 3.6 0.7 1.0 2- 4- 6 9 4 2 8 9
Corie Blount 15 243 2.9 3.2 0.5 17- 31- 48 7 3 5 12 29
Travis Knight 10 55 1.2 1.7 0.6 5- 12- 17 6 1 3 4 8
Sean Rooks 13 101 1.2 1.6 0.5 8- 13- 21 6 2 6 9 20
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Oneal 179-296 .605 0-2 .000 66-149 .443 424 35
Jones 114-241 .473 47-105 .448 46-59 .780 321 32
Van Exel 76-206 .369 27-84 .321 34-41 .829 213 29
Ceballos 34-83 .410 5-21 .238 13-15 .867 86 22
Campbell 65-141 .461 0-1 .000 43-57 .754 173 20
Kersey 18-36 .500 1-4 .250 14-20 .700 51 13
Scott 33-84 .393 18-44 .409 37-43 .860 121 19
Bryant 23-57 .404 13-27 .481 16-22 .727 75 16
Fisher 20-56 .357 4-19 .211 23-34 .676 67 12
Robinson 12-33 .364 4-15 .267 4-6 .667 32 10
Blount 19-35 .543 0-0 .000 5-10 .500 43 12
Knight 5-8 .625 0-0 .000 2-4 .500 12 6
Rooks 5-20 .250 0-0 .000 5-11 .455 15 7
PHOENIX SUNS
------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Kevin Johnson 4 142 19.8 3.8 7.5 2- 13- 15 30 2 0 11 9
Sam Cassell 10 300 18.2 2.8 5.7 8- 20- 28 57 18 2 32 32
Michael Finley 15 449 12.9 4.3 2.3 20- 45- 65 34 11 4 20 26
Danny Manning 15 430 12.5 7.6 1.9 39- 75- 114 28 17 18 33 61
Wesley Person 15 442 10.8 3.9 1.8 15- 44- 59 27 22 2 21 20
Rex Chapman 15 342 9.3 2.1 2.5 8- 24- 32 37 9 4 19 35
John Williams 3 77 8.0 6.3 1.3 6- 13- 19 4 3 3 4 9
Robert Horry 15 388 7.4 4.1 2.3 23- 39- 62 34 13 12 29 41
Steve Nash 15 268 6.9 1.7 3.6 7- 18- 25 54 9 0 28 32
Ac Green 15 293 4.8 4.8 0.5 20- 52- 72 7 8 1 10 23
Wayman Tisdale 10 105 4.2 1.4 0.3 6- 8- 14 3 1 1 4 13
Joe Kleine 13 272 4.2 4.7 0.7 17- 44- 61 9 7 3 15 31
Chucky Brown 10 83 3.4 1.6 0.4 3- 13- 16 4 0 2 4 14
Ben Davis 4 34 3.0 3.8 0.0 6- 9- 15 0 3 0 1 10
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Johnson 24-55 .436 1-4 .250 30-35 .857 79 34
Cassell 58-142 .408 9-36 .250 57-64 .891 182 30
Finley 72-168 .429 11-37 .297 38-48 .792 193 25
Manning 77-162 .475 0-1 .000 34-49 .694 188 24
Person 66-159 .415 13-51 .255 17-20 .850 162 22
Chapman 58-147 .395 14-49 .286 10-12 .833 140 20
Williams 8-21 .381 0-0 .000 8-12 .667 24 10
Horry 46-110 .418 10-34 .294 9-17 .529 111 16
Nash 37-78 .474 8-21 .381 22-26 .846 104 17
Green 29-64 .453 0-2 .000 14-25 .560 72 12
Tisdale 19-61 .311 0-0 .000 4-7 .571 42 16
Kleine 23-51 .451 0-0 .000 8-12 .667 54 11
Brown 13-26 .500 0-0 .000 8-11 .727 34 12
Davis 4-11 .364 0-0 .000 4-10 .400 12 7
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
----------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Kenny Anderson 16 583 18.0 4.4 5.6 17- 53- 70 90 32 1 29 39
Clifford Robinson 16 613 15.4 3.9 3.3 19- 43- 62 52 13 14 43 45
Rasheed Wallace 15 455 14.5 6.8 1.1 36- 66- 102 17 9 17 37 49
Isaiah Rider 15 509 13.6 5.0 3.3 24- 51- 75 49 11 1 45 46
Arvydas Sabonis 16 372 10.4 7.6 2.2 27- 94- 121 35 17 21 36 41
Gary Trent 16 326 10.2 5.2 0.4 28- 55- 83 7 4 1 25 35
Aaron Mckie 16 340 6.9 2.6 2.5 9- 33- 42 40 12 8 23 22
Chris Dudley 16 374 4.6 8.0 0.6 51- 77- 128 9 7 21 19 47
Dontonio Wingfield 12 162 4.1 3.5 1.4 16- 26- 42 17 8 0 16 32
Mitchell Butler 12 92 2.6 0.4 0.7 1- 4- 5 8 3 1 3 10
Aleksander Djordjevic 1 5 2.0 1.0 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 0 0 0
Randolph Childress 7 46 1.7 0.1 1.3 0- 1- 1 9 5 0 5 3
Reggie Jordan 5 38 1.6 1.6 1.0 3- 5- 8 5 2 0 2 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Anderson 90-208 .433 28-68 .412 80-102 .784 288 32
C Robinson 85-212 .401 20-72 .278 56-82 .683 246 23
Wallace 92-152 .605 0-4 .000 33-48 .688 217 32
Rider 75-190 .395 26-67 .388 28-37 .757 204 23
Sabonis 58-118 .492 6-26 .231 44-60 .733 166 23
Trent 68-119 .571 0-2 .000 27-31 .871 163 22
Mckie 35-79 .443 15-29 .517 26-32 .813 111 17
Dudley 30-67 .448 0-0 .000 13-29 .448 73 8
Wingfield 18-54 .333 6-22 .273 7-9 .778 49 9
Butler 11-27 .407 4-10 .400 5-8 .625 31 10
Djordjevic 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
Childress 4-10 .400 1-6 .167 3-4 .750 12 5
Jordan 4-8 .500 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 8 6
SACRAMENTO KINGS
----------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Mitch Richmond 16 622 21.7 3.9 4.1 8- 54- 62 65 22 5 48 37
Mahmoud Abdul-rauf 15 476 13.4 2.1 3.4 2- 29- 31 51 11 2 29 37
Brian Grant 5 157 12.8 8.0 0.8 15- 25- 40 4 6 8 10 14
Olden Polynice 16 555 11.3 7.8 1.7 36- 89- 125 27 5 13 24 67
Corliss Williamson 16 396 10.3 3.6 1.6 20- 37- 57 25 12 7 31 59
Billy Owens 14 450 9.9 5.4 3.0 26- 50- 76 42 8 4 28 36
Tyus Edney 15 282 7.4 1.9 2.4 10- 18- 28 36 15 0 28 16
Michael Smith 16 373 7.3 7.1 1.9 38- 75- 113 30 8 8 25 41
Lionel Simmons 16 279 4.4 3.2 1.8 12- 39- 51 29 6 6 19 32
Duane Causwell 15 222 2.9 2.6 0.5 14- 25- 39 8 4 13 15 52
Kevin Gamble 6 33 2.2 1.3 0.2 2- 6- 8 1 1 3 1 3
Bobby Hurley 11 54 1.5 0.4 0.9 0- 4- 4 10 1 0 3 5
Lloyd Daniels 4 16 0.8 0.8 0.3 1- 2- 3 1 0 0 3 3
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Richmond 124-282 .440 23-67 .343 76-90 .844 347 32
Abdul-rauf 81-181 .448 18-37 .486 21-24 .875 201 31
Grant 25-61 .410 0-0 .000 14-17 .824 64 20
Polynice 77-167 .461 0-1 .000 26-54 .481 180 25
C Williamson 65-132 .492 0-0 .000 34-43 .791 164 22
Owens 55-128 .430 7-20 .350 21-27 .778 138 17
Edney 36-96 .375 5-17 .294 34-44 .773 111 23
Smith 45-70 .643 0-0 .000 26-50 .520 116 15
Simmons 22-67 .328 6-18 .333 20-23 .870 70 13
Causwell 17-34 .500 0-1 .000 10-21 .476 44 8
Gamble 6-11 .545 1-3 .333 0-0 .000 13 7
Hurley 2-8 .250 1-3 .333 11-14 .786 16 6
Daniels 1-10 .100 1-6 .167 0-0 .000 3 3
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Shawn Kemp 17 607 23.5 11.6 1.9 52- 145- 197 32 27 22 64 69
Gary Payton 17 645 21.4 4.1 7.9 23- 47- 70 135 44 4 48 45
Detlef Schrempf 16 597 17.8 6.8 4.3 26- 83- 109 68 11 5 37 44
Hersey Hawkins 17 557 11.8 4.2 3.1 23- 48- 71 52 29 2 28 31
Sam Perkins 17 429 10.8 3.4 1.4 12- 46- 58 23 24 9 17 25
Craig Ehlo 16 334 5.9 2.5 1.6 14- 26- 40 25 15 2 19 26
Nate Mcmillan 5 96 4.6 4.0 2.8 3- 17- 20 14 4 0 6 13
Larry Stewart 16 197 3.7 1.9 0.4 16- 15- 31 7 10 2 19 25
Jim Mcilvaine 17 317 3.5 3.5 0.4 16- 43- 59 6 7 40 9 46
Antonio Harvey 3 14 3.0 1.7 0.0 0- 5- 5 0 0 2 0 6
Eric Snow 15 192 2.5 1.1 2.7 4- 13- 17 40 8 0 14 30
David Wingate 14 123 1.8 0.6 0.6 2- 7- 9 9 4 1 3 13
Greg Graham 4 17 1.3 0.3 0.0 1- 0- 1 0 0 0 1 2
Elmore Spencer 1 5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 1 0 1 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Kemp 136-252 .540 1-5 .200 126-164 .768 399 34
Payton 140-300 .467 25-83 .301 59-86 .686 364 31
D Schrempf 99-196 .505 18-49 .367 69-90 .767 285 27
Hawkins 71-152 .467 24-70 .343 35-49 .714 201 24
Perkins 60-125 .480 30-67 .448 34-46 .739 184 16
Ehlo 37-99 .374 12-33 .364 8-14 .571 94 12
Mcmillan 8-19 .421 3-10 .300 4-4 1.000 23 8
Stewart 19-46 .413 1-8 .125 20-27 .741 59 12
Mcilvaine 28-55 .509 0-0 .000 4-15 .267 60 7
Harvey 3-8 .375 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 9 5
Snow 16-35 .457 1-3 .333 4-7 .571 37 8
Wingate 9-34 .265 0-8 .000 7-7 1.000 25 6
Graham 2-9 .222 1-2 .500 0-0 .000 5 5
Spencer 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
nba.1855nba.news,
NBA Team Stats Through Saturday, November 30
MIDWEST DIVISION
DALLAS MAVERICKS
----------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Chris Gatling 13 372 19.9 9.3 0.5 45- 76- 121 6 17 10 32 41
Jim Jackson 14 510 17.9 5.5 3.1 23- 54- 77 44 16 4 29 37
George Mccloud 14 405 13.8 3.4 2.4 7- 40- 47 33 21 4 20 36
Jason Kidd 14 497 9.5 4.9 8.2 28- 40- 68 115 27 5 38 25
Jamal Mashburn 10 235 9.3 2.9 2.1 10- 19- 29 21 5 3 18 19
Derek Harper 14 314 8.3 1.0 3.4 2- 12- 14 47 10 1 22 28
Tony Dumas 11 145 5.7 0.7 1.3 3- 5- 8 14 9 0 7 24
Eric Montross 14 300 4.6 4.6 0.6 16- 49- 65 8 1 11 16 45
Loren Meyer 14 207 4.5 2.8 0.4 11- 28- 39 5 5 2 22 44
Oliver Miller 14 295 3.8 6.6 1.3 36- 56- 92 18 11 15 24 46
Samaki Walker 5 36 2.4 2.2 0.0 3- 8- 11 0 0 2 2 5
Erick Strickland 2 15 2.0 0.5 1.0 1- 0- 1 2 1 0 3 5
Fred Roberts 8 29 1.6 1.0 0.0 2- 6- 8 0 0 0 4 2
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Gatling 97-177 .548 0-1 .000 64-99 .646 258 35
Jackson 83-189 .439 18-50 .360 66-87 .759 250 28
Mccloud 67-154 .435 30-68 .441 29-35 .829 193 22
Kidd 47-134 .351 11-41 .268 28-43 .651 133 25
Mashburn 32-91 .352 12-40 .300 17-30 .567 93 19
Harper 48-100 .480 4-24 .167 16-23 .696 116 17
Dumas 24-59 .407 3-17 .176 12-17 .706 63 15
Montross 32-62 .516 0-0 .000 1-7 .143 65 12
Meyer 28-58 .483 0-0 .000 7-10 .700 63 11
Miller 20-44 .455 0-0 .000 13-22 .591 53 8
Walker 5-11 .455 0-0 .000 2-6 .333 12 7
Strickland 1-3 .333 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 4 4
Roberts 4-10 .400 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 13 6
DENVER NUGGETS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Dale Ellis 16 648 19.9 4.4 1.3 22- 49- 71 21 12 1 40 38
Antonio Mcdyess 16 528 16.1 8.1 1.1 36- 93- 129 17 13 30 49 72
Bryant Stith 16 533 13.9 5.3 2.1 23- 61- 84 33 24 3 22 37
Laphonso Ellis 3 61 11.0 5.3 0.7 7- 9- 16 2 3 3 9 8
Brooks Thompson 7 103 8.4 1.3 3.7 3- 6- 9 26 6 0 12 15
Mark Jackson 15 520 7.9 4.3 11.6 13- 52- 65 174 12 4 58 32
Sarunas Marciulionis 15 234 7.2 1.8 1.5 11- 16- 27 23 11 1 37 35
Ervin Johnson 16 472 6.8 9.6 0.6 40- 113- 153 9 13 32 19 62
Tom Hammonds 15 332 6.6 4.9 0.5 28- 45- 73 7 5 8 17 48
Jeff Mcinnis 9 82 5.8 0.6 1.4 1- 4- 5 13 0 1 11 10
Ricky Pierce 8 90 5.3 0.6 0.5 2- 3- 5 4 2 0 8 9
Eric Murdock 12 114 3.8 0.9 2.0 1- 10- 11 24 9 2 11 9
Darvin Ham 13 113 1.5 0.9 0.2 5- 7- 12 3 3 2 8 30
Lasalle Thompson 9 68 0.8 1.8 0.0 1- 15- 16 0 2 6 6 16
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
D Ellis 117-274 .427 40-111 .360 44-56 .786 318 37
Mcdyess 103-236 .436 0-5 .000 51-75 .680 257 34
Stith 72-186 .387 13-43 .302 65-75 .867 222 31
L Ellis 11-34 .324 0-4 .000 11-16 .688 33 21
B Thompson 20-47 .426 10-28 .357 9-12 .750 59 26
Jackson 35-99 .354 14-29 .483 35-44 .795 119 15
Marciulionis 35-94 .372 9-26 .346 29-36 .806 108 14
Johnson 44-81 .543 0-0 .000 21-33 .636 109 16
Hammonds 40-70 .571 0-0 .000 19-23 .826 99 19
Mcinnis 18-36 .500 10-20 .500 6-8 .750 52 10
Pierce 13-35 .371 2-6 .333 14-15 .933 42 15
Murdock 15-33 .455 4-10 .400 11-12 .917 45 7
Ham 7-16 .438 0-0 .000 6-16 .375 20 5
L Thompson 3-13 .231 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 7 2
HOUSTON ROCKETS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Hakeem Olajuwon 13 448 25.8 9.5 2.7 34- 89- 123 35 17 23 44 35
Charles Barkley 15 628 20.3 15.9 4.9 68- 171- 239 73 27 15 50 47
Clyde Drexler 16 575 16.0 5.9 4.6 31- 64- 95 74 35 12 45 40
Mario Elie 16 543 12.4 2.7 4.3 11- 32- 43 68 22 1 36 40
Matt Maloney 16 468 9.1 1.6 3.5 2- 23- 25 56 19 0 26 29
Kevin Willis 16 382 8.9 5.9 0.9 35- 59- 94 14 6 4 26 42
Matt Bullard 14 232 6.4 1.7 0.6 6- 18- 24 9 3 4 9 13
Othella Harrington 8 97 5.1 2.4 0.3 10- 9- 19 2 6 2 11 13
Emanual Davis 13 230 5.0 1.7 2.0 2- 20- 22 26 9 2 17 20
Tracy Moore 12 119 3.5 0.9 1.0 6- 5- 11 12 2 0 6 6
Sam Mack 12 136 3.3 1.1 0.8 5- 8- 13 9 4 1 9 11
Randy Livingston 7 87 2.4 1.0 1.6 3- 4- 7 11 5 1 11 11
Elmer Bennett 1 6 0.0 1.0 0.0 0- 1- 1 0 0 0 0 0
Charles Jones 2 14 0.0 1.0 0.0 0- 2- 2 0 0 1 0 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Olajuwon 127-247 .514 0-0 .000 81-104 .779 335 38
Barkley 90-185 .486 17-47 .362 107-145 .738 304 33
Drexler 89-204 .436 23-69 .333 55-77 .714 256 33
Elie 66-129 .512 23-54 .426 44-52 .846 199 21
Maloney 52-126 .413 27-76 .355 14-21 .667 145 18
Willis 58-128 .453 1-4 .250 25-36 .694 142 19
Bullard 32-66 .485 21-46 .457 5-10 .500 90 12
Harrington 19-34 .559 0-0 .000 3-8 .375 41 12
Davis 24-54 .444 12-27 .444 5-8 .625 65 19
Moore 15-45 .333 3-23 .130 9-12 .750 42 12
Mack 12-36 .333 4-23 .174 12-15 .800 40 10
Livingston 5-14 .357 0-1 .000 7-12 .583 17 10
Bennett 0-3 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Jones 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
----------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Tom Gugliotta 15 589 22.4 8.7 3.5 35- 95- 130 52 25 18 62 53
Kevin Garnett 15 580 15.0 9.4 3.3 39- 102- 141 49 30 39 32 40
Stephon Marbury 8 212 13.3 3.5 5.0 10- 18- 28 40 5 2 21 17
Sam Mitchell 15 394 10.2 4.1 1.3 30- 32- 62 19 3 2 23 46
Doug West 15 465 9.3 2.1 1.6 8- 23- 31 24 14 5 21 54
James Robinson 13 255 7.5 1.6 2.5 2- 19- 21 33 2 1 20 29
Terry Porter 15 298 6.1 2.0 3.5 5- 25- 30 53 12 1 26 17
Stoyko Vrankovic 15 303 4.3 3.8 0.5 15- 42- 57 7 3 29 24 49
Dean Garrett 10 130 3.7 4.0 0.0 18- 22- 40 0 4 5 2 22
Shane Heal 11 63 3.5 0.3 0.6 1- 2- 3 6 2 1 3 5
Chris Carr 14 190 3.4 1.9 0.8 4- 22- 26 11 3 4 5 21
Cherokee Parks 13 146 2.5 2.0 0.2 12- 14- 26 3 7 7 3 21
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Gugliotta 115-260 .442 7-20 .350 99-127 .780 336 30
K Garnett 92-196 .469 0-1 .000 41-61 .672 225 24
Marbury 35-92 .380 13-36 .361 23-33 .697 106 30
Mitchell 53-127 .417 1-4 .250 46-58 .793 153 16
West 63-129 .488 1-12 .083 12-18 .667 139 16
Robinson 32-95 .337 9-30 .300 25-38 .658 98 15
Porter 30-77 .390 8-24 .333 24-30 .800 92 18
Vrankovic 29-58 .500 0-0 .000 6-11 .545 64 8
D Garrett 13-28 .464 0-0 .000 11-14 .786 37 8
Heal 13-30 .433 11-21 .524 1-2 .500 38 15
Carr 20-53 .377 3-16 .188 4-7 .571 47 11
Parks 15-32 .469 0-0 .000 3-8 .375 33 8
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
-----------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Dominique Wilkins 15 521 19.7 9.0 1.7 65- 70- 135 25 13 11 37 31
Sean Elliott 14 576 15.1 5.7 3.6 24- 56- 80 50 13 11 33 36
Avery Johnson 15 545 13.1 2.0 8.0 7- 23- 30 120 29 5 35 34
Vernon Maxwell 15 480 11.8 2.3 1.4 4- 31- 35 21 16 4 26 39
Will Perdue 7 196 9.9 10.0 0.7 30- 40- 70 5 1 4 12 26
Vinny Del Negro 13 339 9.2 2.2 3.0 8- 20- 28 39 10 1 14 22
Charles Smith 4 92 8.0 5.3 1.3 6- 15- 21 5 1 5 9 18
Monty Williams 13 147 4.4 2.7 0.3 18- 17- 35 4 3 9 8 28
Carl Herrera 15 220 3.3 2.9 0.3 15- 28- 43 4 8 5 14 30
Cory Alexander 13 128 3.3 0.9 1.7 2- 9- 11 22 11 0 17 11
Greg Anderson 15 304 2.6 5.7 0.4 19- 66- 85 6 14 15 15 42
Tim Kempton 8 52 0.5 0.9 0.3 3- 4- 7 2 1 1 6 3
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
D Wilkins 99-248 .399 23-79 .291 75-91 .824 296 33
Elliott 70-176 .398 15-49 .306 56-75 .747 211 27
Johnson 84-170 .494 4-10 .400 24-36 .667 196 23
Maxwell 68-196 .347 19-86 .221 22-39 .564 177 22
W Perdue 27-50 .540 0-0 .000 15-25 .600 69 17
Del Negro 48-101 .475 6-31 .194 18-19 .947 120 16
Smith 13-24 .542 0-0 .000 6-6 1.000 32 12
M Williams 24-44 .545 0-0 .000 9-20 .450 57 14
Herrera 22-64 .344 0-0 .000 6-12 .500 50 10
Alexander 14-39 .359 7-23 .304 8-10 .800 43 15
Anderson 15-32 .469 0-0 .000 9-14 .643 39 8
Kempton 1-4 .250 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 4 4
UTAH JAZZ
---------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Karl Malone 13 473 26.2 11.3 4.5 31- 116- 147 58 16 10 42 33
Jeff Hornacek 13 422 16.2 3.7 4.4 15- 33- 48 57 19 5 17 32
John Stockton 13 471 14.9 2.3 10.4 7- 23- 30 135 28 2 42 28
Bryon Russell 13 410 10.7 4.5 1.5 15- 43- 58 20 17 8 19 47
Greg Ostertag 12 318 7.1 8.7 0.3 29- 75- 104 4 3 30 14 46
Antoine Carr 13 254 6.9 3.2 0.7 15- 27- 42 9 4 10 12 30
Shandon Anderson 11 151 4.7 2.9 0.7 11- 21- 32 8 2 0 10 18
Howard Eisley 13 149 3.9 1.3 1.5 5- 12- 17 19 6 4 12 24
Adam Keefe 13 199 3.9 4.3 0.5 22- 34- 56 7 4 2 11 23
Greg Foster 11 126 3.6 1.2 0.4 5- 8- 13 4 1 5 1 20
Chris Morris 12 144 3.3 2.2 0.4 6- 20- 26 5 6 3 8 13
Jamie Watson 4 20 1.8 1.0 0.5 0- 4- 4 2 0 0 5 3
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Malone 129-235 .549 0-5 .000 83-114 .728 341 37
Hornacek 72-156 .462 8-32 .250 59-68 .868 211 30
Stockton 70-128 .547 19-39 .487 35-41 .854 194 28
Russell 48-97 .495 14-31 .452 29-42 .690 139 17
Ostertag 35-73 .479 0-1 .000 15-23 .652 85 16
Carr 34-93 .366 0-0 .000 22-32 .688 90 15
Anderson 20-50 .400 4-6 .667 8-15 .533 52 13
Eisley 19-42 .452 4-11 .364 9-12 .750 51 9
Keefe 18-38 .474 0-0 .000 15-27 .556 51 11
Foster 15-40 .375 0-0 .000 10-11 .909 40 7
Morris 17-51 .333 2-17 .118 4-6 .667 40 11
Watson 3-5 .600 1-1 1.000 0-0 .000 7 3
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Bryant Reeves 14 501 12.7 7.3 2.2 29- 73- 102 31 10 13 35 51
Greg Anthony 17 530 12.3 3.5 6.1 6- 54- 60 103 47 2 34 38
Blue Edwards 15 455 11.7 3.7 1.9 14- 42- 56 29 10 6 29 43
Shareef Abdur-rahim 16 463 11.5 4.7 1.8 27- 48- 75 29 18 10 34 36
Anthony Peeler 15 404 9.7 3.1 2.9 9- 38- 47 43 12 5 21 28
Chris Robinson 1 21 9.0 5.0 1.0 2- 3- 5 1 2 0 4 6
Lawrence Moten 17 377 8.8 1.7 2.1 12- 17- 29 36 17 6 29 29
Roy Rogers 17 377 8.1 4.7 0.4 31- 48- 79 6 2 28 17 35
George Lynch 17 327 5.7 4.2 1.7 32- 40- 72 29 24 4 15 34
Lee Mayberry 16 289 4.6 1.8 2.5 9- 20- 29 40 9 0 16 22
Eric Mobley 15 208 3.2 2.7 0.7 21- 19- 40 11 1 4 20 32
Pete Chilcutt 8 94 2.5 2.3 0.8 6- 12- 18 6 4 3 1 9
Rich Manning 11 84 2.5 1.5 0.2 6- 10- 16 2 2 1 0 9
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Reeves 70-165 .424 0-1 .000 38-49 .776 178 30
Anthony 68-167 .407 33-81 .407 40-56 .714 209 24
B Edwards 68-156 .436 12-37 .324 27-31 .871 175 34
Abdur-rahim 66-174 .379 0-3 .000 52-69 .754 184 20
Peeler 61-175 .349 16-59 .271 7-9 .778 145 21
Robinson 2-5 .400 2-3 .667 3-4 .750 9 9
Moten 57-145 .393 21-54 .389 15-25 .600 150 21
Rogers 65-126 .516 0-0 .000 7-17 .412 137 18
Lynch 37-87 .425 5-15 .333 18-35 .514 97 14
Mayberry 26-71 .366 11-41 .268 11-16 .688 74 12
Mobley 18-37 .486 0-0 .000 12-23 .522 48 11
Chilcutt 7-17 .412 3-7 .429 3-6 .500 20 8
Manning 11-32 .344 2-3 .667 3-4 .750 27 10
nba.1856nba.news,
NBA Team Stats Through Saturday, November 30
ATLANTIC DIVISION
BOSTON CELTICS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Dino Radja 11 380 16.4 9.3 1.6 22- 80- 102 17 6 21 33 39
David Wesley 8 315 13.9 3.0 7.1 7- 17- 24 57 15 2 24 20
Antoine Walker 14 393 13.3 6.9 2.1 38- 58- 96 30 15 2 40 42
Dana Barros 13 417 12.5 2.3 4.2 4- 26- 30 55 16 2 21 20
Rick Fox 14 436 11.9 5.6 3.6 27- 51- 78 51 27 5 37 51
Eric Williams 14 379 11.6 3.8 1.2 18- 35- 53 17 6 0 22 41
Todd Day 14 310 10.1 4.4 1.1 22- 40- 62 16 13 3 23 31
Dee Brown 3 83 8.7 4.3 4.3 1- 12- 13 13 4 1 1 4
Greg Minor 4 70 8.3 2.3 0.8 6- 3- 9 3 2 0 1 5
Frank Brickowski 12 183 5.9 2.1 0.8 5- 20- 25 10 5 3 15 31
Marty Conlon 13 178 4.0 2.7 0.8 16- 19- 35 10 2 3 13 22
Pervis Ellison 6 125 2.5 4.3 0.7 9- 17- 26 4 5 9 7 21
Brett Szabo 10 54 1.2 1.3 0.4 2- 11- 13 4 1 4 2 8
Nate Driggers 7 37 0.9 0.7 0.0 3- 2- 5 0 1 1 1 3
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Radja 79-155 .510 0-1 .000 22-31 .710 180 26
Wesley 43-95 .453 9-29 .310 16-24 .667 111 19
Walker 74-178 .416 9-30 .300 29-47 .617 186 23
Barros 62-150 .413 20-58 .345 19-23 .826 163 24
Fox 61-135 .452 10-29 .345 34-42 .810 166 21
Williams 57-120 .475 0-0 .000 49-66 .742 163 19
Day 46-122 .377 9-32 .281 41-54 .759 142 21
Brown 10-27 .370 3-9 .333 3-5 .600 26 11
Minor 12-25 .480 0-2 .000 9-10 .900 33 14
Brickowski 27-54 .500 7-16 .438 10-14 .714 71 12
Conlon 19-46 .413 0-0 .000 14-16 .875 52 11
Ellison 6-16 .375 0-0 .000 3-5 .600 15 7
Szabo 4-14 .286 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 12 4
Driggers 2-10 .200 0-5 .000 2-2 1.000 6 4
MIAMI HEAT
----------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Alonzo Mourning 16 542 19.7 9.9 1.6 45- 114- 159 25 11 42 66 68
Tim Hardaway 16 594 18.1 3.4 8.4 13- 42- 55 135 31 0 36 30
Dan Majerle 16 660 14.6 5.3 3.6 25- 59- 84 57 27 6 25 34
Sasha Danilovic 16 534 11.9 2.1 1.8 8- 26- 34 28 13 1 39 50
Kurt Thomas 9 212 8.0 7.3 0.7 18- 48- 66 6 7 6 17 36
Pj Brown 16 434 7.9 6.9 0.9 45- 66- 111 14 13 21 23 59
Isaac Austin 16 320 7.1 5.3 1.0 19- 66- 85 16 11 7 36 52
Keith Askins 16 273 4.3 2.3 0.6 15- 21- 36 9 3 2 6 37
Gary Grant 16 207 3.8 1.1 2.1 2- 15- 17 33 12 0 18 21
Voshon Lenard 8 42 2.4 0.9 0.5 4- 3- 7 4 0 0 2 2
Ed Pinckney 6 47 1.7 2.0 0.3 5- 7- 12 2 0 2 1 4
Mark Strickland 6 20 1.0 1.5 0.0 4- 5- 9 0 0 2 4 2
James Scott 2 5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 2 0 0 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Mourning 124-225 .551 1-2 .500 66-103 .641 315 33
Hardaway 103-240 .429 31-93 .333 52-69 .754 289 25
Majerle 90-201 .448 42-110 .382 11-22 .500 233 26
Danilovic 66-150 .440 23-60 .383 35-41 .854 190 18
Thomas 26-71 .366 0-1 .000 20-27 .741 72 18
Brown 49-99 .495 0-0 .000 29-38 .763 127 18
Austin 45-98 .459 0-0 .000 24-41 .585 114 17
Askins 23-57 .404 11-29 .379 11-11 1.000 68 10
Grant 22-65 .338 8-24 .333 9-13 .692 61 12
Lenard 8-23 .348 3-15 .200 0-0 .000 19 5
Pinckney 4-8 .500 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 10 2
Strickland 2-8 .250 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 6 4
Scott 0-2 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
NEW JERSEY NETS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Kendall Gill 12 448 19.6 7.0 3.3 30- 54- 84 40 21 9 39 34
Jayson Williams 12 441 13.4 16.2 1.3 89- 105- 194 16 7 9 37 48
Robert Pack 12 383 12.8 1.7 7.0 4- 16- 20 84 22 1 41 32
Kerry Kittles 12 396 11.7 2.8 3.3 14- 20- 34 39 21 5 17 25
Shawn Bradley 12 327 10.3 8.3 0.3 38- 62- 100 3 5 49 22 37
Khalid Reeves 12 201 8.1 1.1 2.4 5- 8- 13 29 8 2 17 25
Tony Massenburg 12 232 6.6 3.6 0.3 18- 25- 43 3 6 6 17 28
Reggie Williams 11 176 5.6 2.4 0.7 3- 23- 26 8 7 3 10 28
Xavier Mcdaniel 6 110 5.2 5.5 0.8 17- 16- 33 5 3 0 9 10
Ed Obannon 11 116 3.6 1.4 0.4 6- 9- 15 4 3 2 4 11
Yinka Dare 4 22 1.3 1.3 0.0 3- 2- 5 0 0 1 2 1
Adrian Caldwell 8 79 1.1 2.6 0.1 7- 14- 21 1 3 1 8 15
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Gill 82-197 .416 8-26 .308 63-75 .840 235 32
J Williams 57-146 .390 0-1 .000 47-65 .723 161 28
Pack 49-129 .380 6-21 .286 49-61 .803 153 25
Kittles 53-135 .393 18-50 .360 16-24 .667 140 25
Bradley 46-114 .404 0-2 .000 32-47 .681 124 19
Reeves 32-82 .390 21-49 .429 12-15 .800 97 17
Massenburg 28-61 .459 0-0 .000 23-35 .657 79 12
R Williams 24-66 .364 7-29 .241 7-10 .700 62 12
Mcdaniel 13-38 .342 3-5 .600 2-6 .333 31 9
Obannon 15-48 .313 8-29 .276 2-2 1.000 40 12
Dare 1-6 .167 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 5 2
Caldwell 3-13 .231 0-1 .000 3-8 .375 9 4
NEW YORK KNICKS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Patrick Ewing 14 501 21.7 11.1 1.6 27- 128- 155 22 19 29 56 47
John Starks 14 384 14.4 2.7 3.5 8- 30- 38 49 12 1 43 40
Larry Johnson 14 442 12.1 4.1 2.4 29- 29- 58 33 7 5 27 49
Allan Houston 14 432 12.1 2.7 2.9 7- 31- 38 40 11 5 39 44
Charles Oakley 12 406 11.0 8.9 2.9 37- 70- 107 35 13 3 32 48
Chris Childs 5 112 9.6 1.0 3.8 0- 5- 5 19 7 0 12 16
Charlie Ward 12 351 8.8 3.8 6.5 9- 36- 45 78 13 7 25 36
John Wallace 14 246 7.1 3.5 0.6 17- 32- 49 8 10 8 24 32
Buck Williams 14 295 5.8 4.8 0.6 31- 36- 67 8 12 13 16 39
Walter Mccarty 3 25 4.3 1.3 0.0 1- 3- 4 0 1 1 1 3
Scott Brooks 10 119 2.2 1.0 1.4 3- 7- 10 14 12 0 8 20
Chris Jent 3 10 2.0 0.3 0.3 1- 0- 1 1 0 0 0 2
Herb Williams 6 62 1.2 1.5 0.3 2- 7- 9 2 3 2 4 5
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Ewing 110-222 .495 1-2 .500 83-114 .728 304 33
Starks 69-155 .445 25-64 .391 39-45 .867 202 27
Johnson 65-117 .556 4-14 .286 36-57 .632 170 28
Houston 58-160 .363 21-56 .375 33-38 .868 170 28
Oakley 55-100 .550 2-5 .400 20-24 .833 132 17
Childs 14-28 .500 5-10 .500 15-19 .789 48 17
Ward 38-80 .475 14-37 .378 16-22 .727 106 14
Wallace 36-76 .474 0-0 .000 28-36 .778 100 16
B Williams 34-55 .618 0-0 .000 13-19 .684 81 16
Mccarty 5-11 .455 1-2 .500 2-2 1.000 13 8
Brooks 7-15 .467 2-4 .500 6-6 1.000 22 7
Jent 2-6 .333 2-3 .667 0-0 .000 6 3
H Williams 2-11 .182 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 7 4
ORLANDO MAGIC
-------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Penny Hardaway 4 154 21.3 6.3 5.3 8- 17- 25 21 6 2 7 10
Nick Anderson 12 453 16.8 4.8 2.1 15- 42- 57 25 22 8 21 30
Gerald Wilkins 11 336 13.5 2.6 2.0 11- 18- 29 22 7 4 23 26
Horace Grant 12 461 12.3 10.5 2.2 46- 80- 126 26 22 8 21 25
Darrell Armstrong 12 257 10.3 1.3 4.0 6- 9- 15 48 16 2 31 24
Rony Seikaly 11 329 10.0 9.1 0.9 37- 63- 100 10 6 15 24 48
Derek Strong 12 267 7.7 5.8 0.8 26- 44- 70 9 7 4 14 20
Brian Shaw 12 323 6.3 2.7 4.2 9- 23- 32 50 9 3 41 27
David Vaughn 12 186 4.3 4.9 0.3 23- 36- 59 4 5 10 15 20
Dennis Scott 2 28 4.0 1.5 0.5 1- 2- 3 1 0 0 1 1
Amal Mccaskill 3 31 3.0 2.0 1.0 3- 3- 6 3 1 0 1 1
Danny Schayes 2 7 1.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0 1
Clifford Rozier 1 5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Hardaway 29-80 .363 4-18 .222 23-33 .697 85 29
Anderson 81-192 .422 31-97 .320 9-27 .333 202 25
Wilkins 57-116 .491 10-32 .313 24-34 .706 148 24
Grant 61-136 .449 0-1 .000 26-34 .765 148 21
Armstrong 38-88 .432 20-49 .408 28-32 .875 124 19
Seikaly 38-104 .365 0-0 .000 34-52 .654 110 17
Strong 37-78 .474 0-2 .000 18-20 .900 92 15
Shaw 25-84 .298 7-18 .389 19-24 .792 76 11
Vaughn 19-43 .442 0-0 .000 14-20 .700 52 12
Scott 3-14 .214 0-5 .000 2-3 .667 8 8
Mccaskill 4-9 .444 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 9 9
Schayes 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 2 2
Rozier 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Allen Iverson 12 446 21.8 5.3 6.4 23- 40- 63 77 32 6 64 31
Jerry Stackhouse 15 526 19.5 3.1 3.0 18- 29- 47 45 19 17 59 48
Derrick Coleman 15 572 17.1 8.5 4.4 34- 94- 128 66 13 16 59 45
Clarence Weatherspoon15 537 10.6 9.2 1.5 54- 84- 138 22 15 9 26 27
Mark Davis 15 349 8.1 3.8 1.5 26- 31- 57 23 22 6 21 47
Rex Walters 11 190 7.6 1.5 2.5 3- 13- 16 27 9 0 12 19
Don Maclean 7 97 7.0 3.0 0.7 7- 14- 21 5 2 1 12 15
Lucious Harris 13 222 6.3 1.2 1.3 1- 15- 16 17 12 0 17 10
Scott Williams 14 320 5.1 6.8 0.4 31- 64- 95 5 13 15 14 46
Mark Hendrickson 3 18 3.0 2.0 0.0 3- 3- 6 0 0 0 0 1
Doug Overton 8 70 2.5 1.0 2.4 1- 7- 8 19 3 0 3 3
Michael Cage 15 206 1.7 3.5 0.6 18- 34- 52 9 7 3 3 19
Mark Bradtke 6 47 1.0 1.2 0.2 2- 5- 7 1 0 0 6 5
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Iverson 88-211 .417 26-66 .394 59-95 .621 261 35
Stackhouse 94-247 .381 24-71 .338 81-109 .743 293 36
Coleman 87-191 .455 12-39 .308 70-90 .778 256 25
Weatherspoon 63-126 .500 0-0 .000 33-44 .750 159 26
Davis 43-98 .439 8-25 .320 28-46 .609 122 22
Walters 28-61 .459 19-37 .514 9-13 .692 84 21
Maclean 21-52 .404 0-1 .000 7-13 .538 49 16
Harris 31-78 .397 12-32 .375 8-10 .800 82 13
Williams 32-71 .451 0-0 .000 7-10 .700 71 15
Hendrickson 4-6 .667 1-1 1.000 0-0 .000 9 6
Overton 7-20 .350 1-3 .333 5-5 1.000 20 9
Cage 11-20 .550 0-0 .000 3-8 .375 25 6
Bradtke 3-7 .429 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 6 4
WASHINGTON BULLETS
------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Chris Webber 15 597 19.3 9.7 4.0 50- 96- 146 60 16 39 48 56
Juwan Howard 15 593 17.5 8.5 4.1 50- 78- 128 62 16 6 49 49
Rod Strickland 15 526 13.9 3.7 7.5 13- 43- 56 113 26 3 43 23
Chris Whitney 15 257 8.9 1.5 1.9 6- 16- 22 29 12 0 14 16
Gheorghe Muresan 9 221 8.7 6.1 0.3 16- 39- 55 3 4 13 17 29
Jaren Jackson 15 296 8.6 2.1 1.0 9- 23- 32 15 7 1 12 30
Calbert Cheaney 15 415 8.4 3.1 1.1 9- 37- 46 16 13 2 14 38
Tracy Murray 15 308 6.9 2.6 0.5 8- 31- 39 7 13 5 10 26
Harvey Grant 15 371 5.4 4.5 1.1 14- 53- 67 17 4 16 9 31
Ben Wallace 10 100 1.0 3.1 0.2 17- 14- 31 2 3 4 7 12
Ashraf Amaya 5 12 1.0 1.0 0.2 1- 4- 5 1 0 0 0 4
Matt Fish 3 4 0.7 1.0 0.0 1- 2- 3 0 0 0 1 2
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Webber 121-244 .496 5-18 .278 42-79 .532 289 34
Howard 108-237 .456 0-1 .000 46-65 .708 262 24
Strickland 77-177 .435 1-19 .053 54-79 .684 209 20
Whitney 43-97 .443 20-48 .417 28-33 .848 134 18
Muresan 31-63 .492 0-0 .000 16-22 .727 78 16
Jackson 47-107 .439 20-53 .377 15-21 .714 129 16
Cheaney 56-123 .455 2-9 .222 12-17 .706 126 13
Murray 37-112 .330 19-59 .322 10-13 .769 103 16
Grant 32-74 .432 7-19 .368 10-14 .714 81 11
Wallace 4-14 .286 0-0 .000 2-6 .333 10 6
Amaya 2-7 .286 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 5 3
Fish 1-3 .333 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
nba.1857nba.news,
NBA Team Stats Through Saturday, November 30
CENTRAL DIVISION
ATLANTA HAWKS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Steve Smith 6 214 19.2 3.5 3.8 6- 15- 21 23 2 2 14 17
Christian Laettner 16 619 18.1 8.0 2.3 26- 102- 128 36 13 16 41 54
Mookie Blaylock 12 436 16.9 3.8 5.9 12- 33- 45 71 30 3 33 24
Dikembe Mutombo 16 590 12.7 11.6 1.1 62- 124- 186 18 6 52 39 43
Tyrone Corbin 16 543 11.9 5.2 1.4 26- 57- 83 23 24 2 34 46
Jon Barry 16 431 6.8 2.8 2.4 12- 32- 44 39 23 0 27 20
Eldridge Recasner 15 330 6.5 2.2 1.7 12- 21- 33 26 10 1 17 19
Willie Burton 14 201 6.1 1.8 0.6 5- 20- 25 8 4 2 17 32
Donnie Boyce 10 103 3.9 0.7 0.8 2- 5- 7 8 6 4 12 13
Ken Norman 8 133 2.9 2.6 0.9 2- 19- 21 7 5 1 15 10
Ivano Newbill 16 204 1.9 2.7 0.2 18- 25- 43 3 5 5 11 27
Priest Lauderdale 4 11 0.5 0.5 0.0 1- 1- 2 0 0 2 1 1
Anthony Miller 1 14 0.0 7.0 0.0 2- 5- 7 0 0 0 0 2
Derrick Alston 2 11 0.0 2.0 0.0 3- 1- 4 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Smith 39-93 .419 14-35 .400 23-32 .719 115 27
Laettner 106-240 .442 13-28 .464 64-82 .780 289 31
Blaylock 73-179 .408 43-99 .434 14-23 .609 203 39
Mutombo 77-150 .513 0-0 .000 49-78 .628 203 25
Corbin 72-154 .468 14-37 .378 32-37 .865 190 22
Barry 40-98 .408 15-40 .375 14-19 .737 109 17
Recasner 33-84 .393 8-27 .296 23-27 .852 97 23
Burton 20-61 .328 5-22 .227 40-47 .851 85 20
Boyce 15-38 .395 2-11 .182 7-12 .583 39 8
Norman 10-53 .189 2-22 .091 1-2 .500 23 7
Newbill 11-24 .458 0-0 .000 8-14 .571 30 7
Lauderdale 1-4 .250 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
Miller 0-5 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
Alston 0-5 .000 0-0 .000 0-2 .000 0 0
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
-----------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Glen Rice 11 418 19.6 2.6 2.0 8- 20- 28 22 4 4 25 28
Dell Curry 14 482 16.3 3.1 1.8 5- 39- 44 25 15 4 25 29
Anthony Mason 14 584 14.9 8.4 5.4 26- 91- 117 75 12 3 24 43
Vlade Divac 14 412 10.4 9.0 2.1 40- 86- 126 29 13 20 27 51
Matt Geiger 14 312 8.8 5.1 1.0 29- 42- 71 14 6 10 24 46
Anthony Goldwire 14 296 7.6 1.8 3.8 1- 24- 25 53 6 1 19 26
Tony Smith 11 170 6.8 1.2 2.4 6- 7- 13 26 6 4 12 11
Tyrone Bogues 8 202 5.9 1.0 6.9 3- 5- 8 55 11 0 14 8
Scott Burrell 13 230 5.5 2.7 1.5 8- 27- 35 20 7 7 11 26
George Zidek 9 111 4.2 3.1 0.3 7- 21- 28 3 1 1 9 15
Tony Delk 8 58 3.6 1.4 0.8 4- 7- 11 6 3 0 4 2
Malik Rose 10 85 2.3 3.2 0.6 14- 18- 32 6 7 2 6 18
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Rice 77-175 .440 25-56 .446 37-44 .841 216 29
Curry 86-177 .486 28-61 .459 28-36 .778 228 38
Mason 75-141 .532 0-0 .000 59-85 .694 209 21
Divac 60-133 .451 5-10 .500 21-34 .618 146 23
Geiger 47-104 .452 5-12 .417 24-33 .727 123 22
Goldwire 34-73 .466 19-38 .500 19-26 .731 106 18
Smith 28-63 .444 8-20 .400 11-14 .786 75 20
Bogues 20-43 .465 0-1 .000 7-8 .875 47 11
Burrell 21-73 .288 9-30 .300 20-25 .800 71 12
Zidek 16-32 .500 0-1 .000 6-9 .667 38 10
Delk 10-22 .455 6-12 .500 3-3 1.000 29 14
Rose 7-18 .389 0-0 .000 9-14 .643 23 7
CHICAGO BULLS
-------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Michael Jordan 16 574 31.9 4.9 3.4 17- 62- 79 55 24 10 24 32
Scottie Pippen 16 606 18.1 7.0 6.1 28- 84- 112 98 28 8 43 41
Toni Kukoc 16 408 13.4 4.0 3.8 19- 45- 64 60 12 12 26 30
Steve Kerr 16 397 8.3 1.6 2.3 4- 21- 25 37 12 0 7 20
Luc Longley 12 257 7.3 5.0 2.4 23- 37- 60 29 4 15 26 34
Ron Harper 16 368 7.1 2.6 2.1 10- 31- 41 33 19 11 10 31
Dennis Rodman 16 543 5.5 15.6 2.8 84- 165- 249 45 4 7 38 44
Jason Caffey 10 96 5.2 2.5 0.3 10- 15- 25 3 2 0 9 17
Robert Parish 5 45 4.6 2.0 0.4 4- 6- 10 2 0 1 4 5
Randy Brown 15 185 4.2 1.7 1.4 6- 19- 25 21 9 2 10 23
Bill Wennington 15 197 3.7 1.5 0.9 7- 15- 22 13 4 3 12 33
Dickey Simpkins 8 64 1.8 1.5 0.5 6- 6- 12 4 1 1 7 2
Jud Buechler 15 100 0.9 1.0 0.6 3- 12- 15 9 2 1 3 8
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Jordan 196-390 .503 20-53 .377 99-117 .846 511 50
Pippen 115-255 .451 25-69 .362 34-53 .642 289 37
Kukoc 76-165 .461 8-29 .276 54-70 .771 214 26
Kerr 47-96 .490 25-57 .439 14-15 .933 133 17
Longley 30-67 .448 0-1 .000 27-31 .871 87 16
Harper 44-94 .468 12-35 .343 14-21 .667 114 19
Rodman 36-72 .500 1-3 .333 15-23 .652 88 13
Caffey 16-28 .571 0-0 .000 20-38 .526 52 11
Parish 11-18 .611 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 23 6
Brown 29-71 .408 3-9 .333 2-6 .333 63 9
Wennington 25-50 .500 0-1 .000 6-8 .750 56 18
Simpkins 6-16 .375 0-0 .000 2-7 .286 14 6
Buechler 5-22 .227 3-15 .200 0-4 .000 13 5
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
-------------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Terrell Brandon 14 486 18.5 3.6 6.8 5- 45- 50 95 27 6 36 35
Bobby Phills 11 382 13.7 4.0 3.2 7- 37- 44 35 14 6 24 27
Chris Mills 14 498 12.4 5.9 2.1 20- 63- 83 29 13 7 18 32
Tyrone Hill 14 481 11.9 9.4 1.5 52- 79- 131 21 14 8 36 50
Danny Ferry 14 406 9.7 4.4 1.6 11- 51- 62 22 7 5 21 40
Bob Sura 14 352 9.6 4.0 3.6 14- 42- 56 51 10 4 20 38
Vitaly Potapenko 14 215 7.0 3.1 0.7 21- 22- 43 10 5 5 15 35
Mark West 14 220 4.3 3.1 0.4 21- 23- 44 6 2 8 15 28
Antonio Lang 13 174 2.2 1.4 0.4 7- 11- 18 5 6 9 9 21
Carl Thomas 7 44 1.9 1.1 0.3 1- 7- 8 2 0 1 3 6
Reggie Geary 10 80 1.0 0.5 0.9 0- 5- 5 9 6 1 5 11
Donny Marshall 8 47 0.5 0.6 0.6 2- 3- 5 5 2 0 4 4
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Brandon 101-240 .421 20-58 .345 37-41 .902 259 31
Phills 58-123 .472 22-45 .489 13-24 .542 151 26
Mills 68-152 .447 12-34 .353 26-33 .788 174 25
Hill 65-114 .570 0-1 .000 37-65 .569 167 19
Ferry 51-117 .436 23-48 .479 11-14 .786 136 20
Sura 52-107 .486 11-22 .500 19-38 .500 134 17
Potapenko 35-85 .412 0-0 .000 28-33 .848 98 22
West 26-51 .510 0-0 .000 8-10 .800 60 11
Lang 10-25 .400 0-1 .000 8-11 .727 28 6
Thomas 5-11 .455 2-8 .250 1-1 1.000 13 5
Geary 4-17 .235 1-4 .250 1-1 1.000 10 5
Marshall 1-11 .091 1-5 .200 1-2 .500 4 3
DETROIT PISTONS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Grant Hill 13 488 21.1 7.5 5.9 15- 83- 98 77 20 7 39 29
Joe Dumars 14 534 17.1 3.0 3.6 3- 39- 42 51 14 0 25 15
Lindsey Hunter 14 509 15.1 3.1 1.7 8- 36- 44 24 14 3 15 43
Otis Thorpe 14 460 13.0 8.4 1.4 44- 73- 117 20 8 5 35 48
Terry Mills 14 295 8.7 4.1 0.9 14- 44- 58 12 4 2 22 28
Grant Long 14 388 6.6 5.9 1.4 42- 41- 83 19 12 0 15 34
Stacey Augmon 13 228 4.3 2.4 1.1 9- 22- 31 14 9 7 19 19
Don Reid 8 71 2.6 1.8 0.1 7- 7- 14 1 3 3 7 16
Kenny Smith 9 64 2.6 0.6 1.1 0- 5- 5 10 1 0 3 2
Michael Curry 13 182 2.5 1.4 0.3 5- 13- 18 4 3 0 4 20
Rick Mahorn 8 71 2.3 2.1 0.4 4- 13- 17 3 1 1 2 12
Theo Ratliff 11 87 1.6 2.0 0.1 12- 10- 22 1 0 9 4 13
Jerome Williams 4 8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 1 0 1 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Hill 96-197 .487 4-10 .400 78-102 .765 274 27
Dumars 76-156 .487 38-70 .543 49-54 .907 239 27
Hunter 75-175 .429 31-85 .365 30-38 .789 211 24
Thorpe 75-153 .490 0-0 .000 32-47 .681 182 20
Mills 44-104 .423 25-57 .439 9-9 1.000 122 19
Long 35-86 .407 6-12 .500 16-22 .727 92 12
Augmon 20-52 .385 0-0 .000 16-22 .727 56 12
Reid 10-18 .556 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 21 7
Smith 8-20 .400 5-10 .500 2-2 1.000 23 7
Curry 8-27 .296 1-13 .077 15-17 .882 32 9
Mahorn 6-18 .333 0-0 .000 6-7 .857 18 6
Ratliff 7-23 .304 0-0 .000 3-5 .600 17 4
Williams 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
INDIANA PACERS
--------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Reggie Miller 13 456 20.9 4.2 4.2 10- 44- 54 54 10 5 32 20
Travis Best 13 372 12.1 2.1 3.7 4- 23- 27 48 20 0 38 42
Duane Ferrell 7 131 11.9 2.4 0.7 4- 13- 17 5 4 0 10 16
Dale Davis 13 442 9.5 10.6 0.8 42- 96- 138 10 13 14 22 37
Antonio Davis 13 374 9.2 6.9 0.9 31- 59- 90 11 10 15 26 46
Derrick Mckey 13 404 8.8 6.0 2.7 21- 57- 78 35 11 6 25 42
Jalen Rose 12 184 6.8 1.8 1.9 3- 19- 22 23 8 6 23 22
Erick Dampier 11 205 6.8 5.0 0.6 21- 34- 55 7 2 19 16 29
Vincent Askew 12 237 5.5 2.3 1.9 5- 23- 28 23 4 1 5 38
Haywoode Workman 4 81 5.5 1.8 2.8 4- 3- 7 11 3 0 5 10
Fred Hoiberg 7 71 4.1 2.4 0.6 3- 14- 17 4 4 0 4 4
Brent Scott 3 26 2.7 1.0 0.0 2- 1- 3 0 0 0 1 7
Jerome Allen 13 136 2.3 0.8 2.0 3- 7- 10 26 11 0 11 15
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Miller 90-210 .429 31-84 .369 60-71 .845 271 34
Best 61-127 .480 9-28 .321 26-38 .684 157 23
Ferrell 35-54 .648 3-4 .750 10-15 .667 83 16
D Davis 56-109 .514 0-0 .000 11-25 .440 123 15
A Davis 42-102 .412 0-1 .000 36-54 .667 120 20
Mckey 40-103 .388 6-17 .353 28-41 .683 114 15
Rose 29-62 .468 2-11 .182 22-28 .786 82 17
Dampier 25-67 .373 0-0 .000 25-34 .735 75 15
Askew 23-52 .442 2-6 .333 18-26 .692 66 10
Workman 11-20 .550 0-3 .000 0-1 .000 22 8
Hoiberg 7-22 .318 3-8 .375 12-13 .923 29 15
Scott 3-7 .429 0-0 .000 2-2 1.000 8 6
Allen 12-29 .414 5-12 .417 1-4 .250 30 8
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Glenn Robinson 15 586 21.5 6.6 2.7 27- 72- 99 40 19 15 47 43
Vin Baker 12 449 20.8 10.6 2.3 40- 87- 127 28 10 22 37 43
Armon Gilliam 15 495 13.2 10.7 0.7 48- 113- 161 11 16 9 26 43
Ray Allen 15 402 12.7 3.5 1.8 18- 35- 53 27 12 1 24 32
Sherman Douglas 15 472 10.7 3.3 5.9 16- 33- 49 89 21 4 28 35
Johnny Newman 15 405 9.7 1.8 1.5 10- 17- 27 22 10 2 14 42
Andrew Lang 9 214 4.9 5.8 0.4 20- 32- 52 4 5 6 9 22
Elliot Perry 15 244 4.6 1.1 2.5 6- 11- 17 37 12 0 18 15
Shawn Respert 3 24 4.0 1.0 0.3 1- 2- 3 1 0 0 2 2
Joe Wolf 12 131 1.8 2.2 0.4 4- 22- 26 5 1 1 2 25
David Wood 11 94 1.7 1.0 0.1 1- 10- 11 1 1 3 1 14
Keith Tower 5 72 1.4 1.8 0.2 2- 7- 9 1 2 1 2 12
Darren Hancock 8 37 0.3 0.6 0.5 1- 4- 5 4 2 0 4 7
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Robinson 124-265 .468 17-43 .395 57-74 .770 322 33
Baker 93-197 .472 4-8 .500 60-79 .759 250 32
Gilliam 65-159 .409 0-0 .000 68-83 .819 198 27
Allen 70-157 .446 16-45 .356 35-46 .761 191 23
Douglas 63-122 .516 9-20 .450 26-42 .619 161 22
Newman 52-107 .486 3-13 .231 38-51 .745 145 27
Lang 20-43 .465 0-0 .000 4-6 .667 44 12
Perry 28-68 .412 3-10 .300 10-12 .833 69 11
Respert 3-10 .300 1-6 .167 5-5 1.000 12 7
Wolf 9-24 .375 0-3 .000 3-4 .750 21 6
Wood 6-11 .545 3-6 .500 4-9 .444 19 7
Tower 3-8 .375 0-0 .000 1-8 .125 7 3
Hancock 1-5 .200 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 2 2
TORONTO RAPTORS
---------------
REBOUNDS
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF- DEF- TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
Damon Stoudamire 13 518 21.2 4.6 7.6 13- 47- 60 99 27 2 57 30
Walt Williams 14 528 16.8 4.9 2.6 20- 49- 69 36 26 11 40 67
Marcus Camby 11 291 14.3 4.2 0.8 14- 32- 46 9 16 21 22 42
Doug Christie 14 499 13.1 4.7 3.0 17- 49- 66 42 24 7 36 41
Carlos Rogers 10 251 9.0 7.2 0.8 29- 43- 72 8 8 11 15 33
Popeye Jones 14 418 6.6 9.2 0.9 51- 78- 129 13 12 4 23 50
Sharone Wright 12 169 5.7 2.3 0.1 15- 13- 28 1 2 7 17 28
Zan Tabak 5 92 5.4 4.4 1.0 8- 14- 22 5 2 3 9 15
Hubert Davis 14 281 5.1 1.2 0.6 5- 12- 17 9 5 0 12 19
Acie Earl 10 118 4.2 3.0 0.5 13- 17- 30 5 3 6 10 18
Benoit Benjamin 4 44 3.3 2.3 0.3 3- 6- 9 1 1 0 2 5
Donald Whiteside 13 105 2.1 0.6 1.6 1- 7- 8 21 5 0 5 10
Brad Lohaus 6 45 1.7 1.2 0.2 1- 6- 7 1 1 0 1 6
John Long 1 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0 0
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
Stoudamire 97-241 .402 34-88 .386 48-59 .814 276 28
Williams 82-187 .439 35-73 .479 36-45 .800 235 34
Camby 58-104 .558 1-4 .250 40-53 .755 157 29
Christie 62-159 .390 22-58 .379 37-47 .787 183 31
Rogers 35-74 .473 7-15 .467 13-19 .684 90 20
Jones 35-64 .547 1-1 1.000 22-24 .917 93 15
Wright 30-82 .366 0-0 .000 8-19 .421 68 16
Tabak 9-24 .375 0-0 .000 9-14 .643 27 14
Davis 28-84 .333 4-29 .138 11-16 .688 71 15
Earl 14-43 .326 0-1 .000 14-16 .875 42 10
Benjamin 5-12 .417 0-0 .000 3-4 .750 13 8
Whiteside 8-26 .308 6-18 .333 5-7 .714 27 9
Lohaus 4-15 .267 2-7 .286 0-0 .000 10 5
Long 0-1 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
nba.1858vpoznanovic,
Sunday, December 1
Denver at L.A. Lakers 96:104
Portland at Golden State 70:98
Sacramento at Detroit 66:95
Utah at Seattle 96:90
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DENVER 9 20 27 40 96
LA LAKERS 23 26 25 30 104 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DEN - ANTONIO MCDYESS 26, DALE ELLIS 20, BRYANT STITH 14
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 24, NICK VAN EXEL 24, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 14
HIGH REBOUND: DEN - ERVIN JOHNSON 12, DALE ELLIS 8
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 16, ELDEN CAMPBELL 8
HIGH ASSISTS: DEN - BROOKS THOMPSON 9, BRYANT STITH 6
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 8, NICK VAN EXEL 7
ATT: 15,684
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 14 18 20 18 70
GOLDEN STATE 25 26 23 24 98 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: POR - CLIFFORD ROBINSON 13, ISAIAH RIDER 13, ARVYDAS
SABONIS 9
GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 28, B J ARMSTRONG 18, CHRIS MULLIN
11
HIGH REBOUND: POR - RASHEED WALLACE 7, CHRIS DUDLEY 7
GSW - JOE SMITH 11, TODD FULLER 8
HIGH ASSISTS: POR - ISAIAH RIDER 3, AARON MCKIE 3
GSW - MARK PRICE 6, CHRIS MULLIN 5
ATT: 12,510
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 16 16 16 18 66
DETROIT 31 21 22 21 95 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - CORLISS WILLIAMSON 15, BILLY OWENS 11, OLDEN
POLYNICE 10
DET - GRANT HILL 23, GRANT LONG 15, LINDSEY HUNTER 13
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - MICHAEL SMITH 9, OLDEN POLYNICE 6
DET - GRANT HILL 14, STACEY AUGMON 9
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
DET - JOE DUMARS 7, LINDSEY HUNTER 3
ATT: 14,063
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
UTAH 18 31 19 28 96
SEATTLE 15 23 25 27 90 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: UTH - KARL MALONE 30, ANTOINE CARR 13, CHRIS MORRIS 12
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 29, GARY PAYTON 18, SAM PERKINS 17
HIGH REBOUND: UTH - KARL MALONE 13, ANTOINE CARR 6
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 12, DETLEF SCHREMPF 10
HIGH ASSISTS: UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 12, KARL MALONE 3
SEA - DETLEF SCHREMPF 8, GARY PAYTON 4
ATT: 17,072
nba.1859nba.news,
DENVER (96) AT LA LAKERS (104)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCDYESS F 35 11-25 4-5 3 1 4 1 4 1 2 26
D ELLIS F 48 7-21 4-4 2 6 8 3 3 0 4 20
JOHNSON C 28 0-2 0-0 2 10 12 2 5 4 3 0
STITH G 30 4-12 6-6 3 1 4 6 1 1 0 14
JACKSON G 33 2-7 4-6 1 3 4 4 1 0 4 8
HAMMONDS 24 4-5 3-4 0 4 4 0 4 0 2 11
MARCIULIONIS 14 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 2 0 0 1 5
B THOMPSON 20 4-8 0-0 0 0 0 9 4 0 2 12
L THOMPSON 7 0-0 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 0
HAM 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MCINNIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MURDOCK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-84 21-25 12 29 41 27 25 6 18 96
(.405) (.840) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 31 6-8 2-3 1 7 8 3 5 3 0 14
JONES F 36 6-15 2-2 1 0 1 5 1 3 2 14
ONEAL C 40 10-19 4-7 4 12 16 8 4 0 7 24
ROBINSON G 14 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 5
VAN EXEL G 36 7-13 6-6 2 4 6 7 1 1 3 24
KERSEY 28 2-5 2-2 2 3 5 2 2 0 1 6
KNIGHT 20 4-6 0-4 2 4 6 0 4 1 1 8
FISHER 12 1-4 2-6 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 5
SCOTT 15 1-4 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2
BRYANT 3 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 2
BLOUNT 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
ROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-81 18-30 12 31 43 28 21 8 18 104
(.494) (.600) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 18(19 PTS)
DENVER 9 20 27 40 - 96
LA LAKERS 23 26 25 30 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - MCDYESS. LA LAKERS - ONEAL 4, JONES, KNIGHT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 7-21 (.333), D ELLIS 2-8, STITH 0-3, JACKSON
0-2, MARCIULIONIS 1-2, B THOMPSON 4-6. LA LAKERS 6-17 (.353), JONES 0-5,
ROBINSON 1-3, VAN EXEL 4-7, FISHER 1-1, SCOTT 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, BILL SPOONER, JOE BORGIA.
A - 15,684. T - 2:21.
DENVER (96) AT LA LAKERS (104)
Shaquille O'Neal had 24 points and 16 rebounds and tied a
career-high with eight assists as the Los Angeles Lakers held
the Nuggets to a franchise-low nine points in the first quarter
before holding on for a 104-96 victory.
Nick Van Exel added 24 points for the Lakers, who closed the
first quarter on a 10-1 run for a 23-9 lead. Derek Fisher's
three-pointer capped a 20-1 run bridging the first and second
quarters as the Lakers assumed a commanding 33-9 advantage with
6:38 to go in the first half.
Antonio McDyess scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter
to help the Nuggets get within 99-90 with 62 seconds remaining.
But Van Exel sealed the victory with four free throws in the
final 33 seconds.
"I'm glad to see our guys come out with the same kind of
defensive intensity that we had in Detroit," Lakers coach Del
Harris said. "When you can hold a team with the kind of
firepower, with all their good shooters to nine points in a
qaurter that gets you off to a good start. We were able to ride
that out and win the game. The negative part was we didn't
exhibit any killer instinct, so the game got a little sloppy at
the end."
Dale Ellis scored 20 points for Denver, which dropped to 1-3
under new coach Dick Motta. The Nuggets have lost three
straight games and seven of their last eight.
The Nuggets, who have lost seven of their last eight games,
eclipsed the franchise-low of 10 points in a quarter, set
against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 1st, 1977.
"The way we started that game is inexcusable," Nuggets coach
Dick Motta said. "I was happy when we got to 10 points. It
feels like I'm taking over someone else's car with its own
idiosyncrasies, the emotion just isn't there. That won't last
long if I'm going to stay here."
Denver, which at one point was shooting a woeful 4-for-27 from
the field, was held scoreless for over 10 minuters before Tom
Hammonds' jumper ended the drought. The Nuggets trailed 49-29
at halftime after shooting just 25 percent (9-of-35) from the
floor in the first half.
Rumeal Robinson's basket with 6:39 left in the third quarter
gave Los Angeles its biggest lead of the game at 62-36. Denver
still trailed 74-56 after three quarters, but used an 18-10 run
to pull within 84-74 with 5:51 remaining.
"We came out with a lot of intensity in the first half, we
wanted to come out smoking like we did against Detroit," O'Neal
said. "I think in the second half we eased up a little, we were
trying to help Eddie break the record. In this league when you
have a 25-point lead, it's kind of hard to stay focused and we
lost it. When they whittled the lead down to 10 we knew we had
to get it together."
Hammonds made a shot and Ellis sank two foul shots to get the
Nuggets within 100-94 with 35 seconds to go, but Van Exel hit
four free throws down the stretch.
Lakers guard Eddie Jones did not hit a three-pointer, ending his
streak of 22 straight games with at least two three-pointers.
"I'm still part holder of the record so I'm not upset," said
Jones, who missed all five of his three-point attempts. "Maybe
I would've got it if I didn't know about it. Once you know about
these things you get it in your head."
Eldon Campbell and Jones each finished with 14 points for the
Lakers, who shot 49 percent (40-of-81) from the field.
Bryant Stith had 14 points and Brooks Thompson contributed 12
for the Nuggets, who shot 40 percent (34-of-84).
"I'm kind of upset, I don't know what's going on with this team
but I'm upset," Thompson said. "You don't have to win every
game, you just have to compete."
nba.1860nba.news,
PORTLAND (70) AT GOLDEN STATE (98)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 33 5-12 1-2 1 1 2 1 2 3 2 13
WALLACE F 27 3-11 2-4 3 4 7 0 3 0 2 8
SABONIS C 18 4-7 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 0 0 9
ANDERSON G 25 1-9 5-5 2 2 4 2 4 2 2 7
RIDER G 37 5-15 1-2 1 2 3 3 2 1 3 13
DUDLEY 23 0-3 1-4 2 5 7 0 2 1 3 1
TRENT 22 2-6 2-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 2 6
BUTLER 9 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 1 3 0 0 0
MCKIE 22 1-8 0-0 0 2 2 3 1 0 3 2
DJORDJEVIC 12 2-4 2-2 1 2 3 1 3 0 0 8
WINGFIELD 12 1-3 0-2 2 1 3 1 3 0 1 3
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 24-79 14-23 13 25 38 13 28 7 18 70
(.304) (.609) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 18(28 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 25 4-8 0-0 2 3 5 5 4 0 1 11
SMITH F 36 3-12 4-4 3 8 11 0 4 1 3 10
SPENCER C 13 3-4 3-4 2 4 6 0 4 0 2 9
PRICE G 22 1-4 3-3 0 2 2 6 1 3 2 6
SPREWELL G 44 10-22 6-8 1 6 7 4 3 4 3 28
ROYAL 23 1-6 6-7 3 3 6 0 3 0 2 8
DECLERCQ 14 0-3 2-2 2 3 5 0 5 0 3 2
FULLER 18 1-4 2-2 4 4 8 0 2 0 1 4
ARMSTRONG 26 5-8 7-8 0 3 3 2 1 2 0 18
OWES 15 0-2 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 0
ROE 4 0-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 2
MARSHALL DNP - STRAINED RIGHT HAMSTRING
TOTALS 240 28-75 35-40 19 38 57 17 28 10 18 98
(.373) (.875) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 20(16 PTS)
PORTLAND 14 18 20 18 - 70
GOLDEN STATE 25 26 23 24 - 98
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - DUDLEY 5, SABONIS 2, WALLACE 2, C ROBINSON,
RIDER. GOLDEN STATE - SMITH 4, SPENCER 2, MULLIN, SPREWELL, DECLERCQ,
OWES, ROE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 8-22 (.364), C ROBINSON 2-4, SABONIS 1-1,
ANDERSON 0-2, RIDER 2-7, BUTLER 0-1, MCKIE 0-2, DJORDJEVIC 2-2, WINGFIELD
1-3. GOLDEN STATE 7-15 (.467), MULLIN 3-4, PRICE 1-3, SPREWELL 2-6,
ARMSTRONG 1-2.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - ANDERSON, GOLDEN STATE - ASSISTANT COACH WETZEL.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, BENNETT SALVATORE, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 12,510. T - 2:13.
PORTLAND (70) AT GOLDEN STATE (98)
Latrell Sprewell scored 28 points and B.J. Armstrong added seven
of his 18 in a second-quarter run as the Golden State Warriors
pounded the Portland Trail Blazers, 98-70.
Chris Mullin added 11 for Golden State, which salvaged the back
end of a home-and-home series against Portland. The Warriors
put forth their best defensive effort of the season, bettering
their mark of 86 against Milwaukee on November 14th. Golden
State has held just six of 16 opponents under 100 points.
"We weren't pleased with our effort on Friday, and the guys
wanted to improve in the areas where we didn't execute, and we
did that," Sprewell said. "We competed out there. We did a
much better job today. Now we have to sustain it."
Clifford Robinson and Isaiah Rider scored 13 points apiece for
Portland, which lost for just the second time in its last eight
games. It was the second time this season the Trail Blazers
have been held to 70 points, two higher than their franchise
record for fewest points in a game.
The Warriors set a franchise record for fewest points and field
goals (24) allowed.
"It's just a great win," said Golden State coach Rick Adelman.
"It's like we had a definite attitude adjustment in the way we
played and the way we defended them. From wire to wire, this
was a great win."
Golden State blew the game open with a 22-4 run in the second
quarter. Joe Smith started the run with a basket and Mullin hit
a jumper to give the Warriors a 30-23 lead. Rasheed Wallace
answered with a basket for Portland, but Sprewell had a basket
after a goaltending call, Smith added a pair of free throws and
Armstrong hit a foul shot and a basket around a layup by Aaron
McKie for a 37-27 Warriors lead.
Andrew DeClerq and Armstrong each made two free throws before
Smith added a basket. Sprewell made a free throw and a basket
before Armstrong capped the run with a 14-foot jumper to give
Golden State a 48-27 lead.
The Warriors, who led 51-32 at halftime, then started the second
half with a 15-7 run to extend their lead to 66-39. Golden State
took its largest lead of the game at 90-56 with 6:03 to play
after a 16-4 run to start the fourth quarter. Sprewell scored
eight points in the run.
Golden State shot 37 percent (28-of-73) from the field but
outrebounded the Blazers 57-38, including 19-13 on the offensive
glass. The Warriors scored 28 points off 18 turnovers and had
17 second-chance points.
Portland was woeful from the field, making only 30 percent
(24-of-79). Center Arvydas Sabonis was the only Blazers starter
to make better than 50 percent of his shots, going 4-of-7 in 18
minutes.
"We came out real flat and they came out really strong," said
Portland center Chris Dudley. "They have a lot of good players.
When you beat a team that badly, they have a lot of pride and
came out and really played."
"We certainly didn't play with our accustomed energy," said
Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo. "The Warriors defended. They
played aggressively. They outrebounded us and when we get
hammered on the boards, we've got problems."
nba.1861nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (66) AT DETROIT (95)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 27 5-13 0-0 3 1 4 3 4 1 1 11
C WILLIAMSON F 31 6-13 3-4 3 1 4 0 3 1 2 15
POLYNICE C 27 4-13 2-3 4 2 6 1 2 0 1 10
ABDUL-RAUF G 25 0-2 0-0 0 4 4 3 2 0 2 0
RICHMOND G 31 2-12 3-4 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 7
SMITH 26 1-3 3-4 1 8 9 1 1 0 1 5
SIMMONS 11 1-4 1-1 0 3 3 1 3 0 0 3
EDNEY 19 2-11 4-4 2 0 2 3 1 1 2 8
CAUSWELL 17 1-4 0-2 5 0 5 0 6 1 3 2
DANIELS 12 1-6 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 3
GAMBLE 8 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0
HURLEY 6 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
TOTALS 240 24-85 16-22 18 21 39 13 28 7 13 66
(.282) (.727) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 14(19 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 31 9-18 5-6 2 12 14 2 3 2 2 23
LONG F 26 6-7 2-3 0 4 4 1 2 0 1 15
THORPE C 25 2-4 7-8 0 0 0 1 4 0 2 11
HUNTER G 36 6-11 0-0 0 3 3 3 2 1 1 13
DUMARS G 32 1-2 6-6 1 4 5 7 1 0 3 8
MAHORN 17 2-4 2-2 3 3 6 0 4 0 2 6
MILLS 9 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4
AUGMON 15 2-5 2-2 1 8 9 0 4 0 4 6
CURRY 22 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 2 0
RATLIFF 12 1-2 0-4 1 1 2 0 2 1 1 2
REID 8 2-3 1-2 2 1 3 2 1 0 0 5
WILLIAMS 7 1-4 0-0 1 3 4 2 0 1 2 2
TOTALS 240 34-67 25-33 11 40 51 18 27 5 20 95
(.507) (.758) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 20(13 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 16 16 16 18 - 66
DETROIT 31 21 22 21 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - CAUSWELL. DETROIT - AUGMON 2, HILL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 2-16 (.125), OWENS 1-1, ABDUL-RAUF 0-1,
RICHMOND 0-5, SIMMONS 0-1, EDNEY 0-2, DANIELS 1-5, GAMBLE 0-1. DETROIT 2-6
(.333), LONG 1-1, HUNTER 1-3, MILLS 0-1, CURRY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: DETROIT - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, GREG WILLARD, HANK ARMSTRONG.
A - 14,063. T - 2:05.
SACRAMENTO (66) AT DETROIT (95)
Grant Hill scored nine of his 23 points during a 21-2 run in the
first quarter and Grant Long added 15 points as the Detroit
Pistons whipped the Sacramento Kings, 95-66.
The 66 points was the second-lowest output in Sacramento
history. The Kings dropped a 101-59 decision to Charlotte on
January 10th, 1991. Sacramento fell to 1-4 on its six-game road
trip and has lost three straight by an average of 20 points per
game.
"It was a horrible performance," said Kings coach Garry St.
Jean. "It started early and stayed consistent. Say whatever
you want, we got spanked, kicked, pushed and shoved. It was a
long night sitting there on the bench and I am sure it was the
same for the players out on the floor."
Detroit, whose largest lead was 35, bounced back from its second
home loss of the season and won for the seventh time in nine
games.
"We knew they were tired, so we really wanted to push the ball
upcourt and wear them down," said Hill. "When you hold a team
to 66 points, you can pretty much shoot 20 percent and win the
game.
Sacramento led 12-10 on Corliss Williamson's layup with 6:20 to
play in the first before Detroit exploded. Long opened the run
with an 11-foot jumper. After Lindsey Hunter added a basket,
Hill scored Detroit's next five points on a pair of layups and a
foul shot.
Otis Thorpe added a layup and Hill added a two more free throws
and a basket to give the Pistons a 25-14 lead with 3:17 to go.
Rick Mahorn capped the outburst with a pair of free throws as
Detroit opened a 31-16 lead after the first quarter.
"Tonight, we used defense as a weapon," Mahorn said. "You do
not win every game by shooting, but you can win games by playing
good defense."
Detroit shot 63 percent (12-for-19) in the first quarter, while
Sacramento made just 8-of-23 from the field.
Overall, the Pistons made just over 50 percent of their shots
(34-for-67), while the Kings shot 28 percent from the floor
(24-for-85).
"All you can do is look on to the next game," said Sacramento's
Mitch Richmond, who finished with just seven points in 31
minutes. "It's just not going right for us. Wins are very hard
to come by. We are not playing together. People do not know
their roles and what they are supposed to do."
Corliss Williamson led Sacramento with 15 points.
nba.1862nba.news,
UTAH (96) AT SEATTLE (90)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 43 12-27 6-8 2 11 13 3 3 1 2 30
RUSSELL F 27 2-6 0-0 0 4 4 2 2 2 0 6
OSTERTAG C 19 3-6 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 0 1 6
HORNACEK G 21 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 4 2 0 4
STOCKTON G 37 2-7 1-2 0 3 3 12 2 3 2 6
EISLEY 11 1-2 0-0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 2
ANDERSON 24 4-7 3-3 3 1 4 2 3 0 1 11
MORRIS 19 4-6 2-2 0 3 3 1 1 0 1 12
CARR 29 4-10 5-6 2 4 6 1 5 1 3 13
FOSTER 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
KEEFE 8 3-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 6
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-79 17-21 11 29 40 24 23 10 12 96
(.468) (.810) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 12(11 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 41 11-19 7-12 4 8 12 3 3 2 6 29
D SCHREMPF F 39 1-8 3-4 1 9 10 8 5 0 3 5
MCILVAINE C 14 2-3 0-2 1 0 1 0 3 0 2 4
HAWKINS G 35 5-8 1-1 3 3 6 1 2 0 1 12
PAYTON G 47 8-19 2-2 2 5 7 4 3 1 1 18
PERKINS 31 5-10 4-6 1 2 3 1 3 0 0 17
EHLO 18 2-6 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 0 5
SNOW 8 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
STEWART 7 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGATE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 34-73 17-27 13 29 42 18 23 3 15 90
(.466) (.630) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(16 PTS)
UTAH 18 31 19 28 - 96
SEATTLE 15 23 25 27 - 90
BLOCKED SHOTS: UTAH - MALONE. SEATTLE - KEMP 2, MCILVAINE 2, D SCHREMPF.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: UTAH 5-8 (.625), RUSSELL 2-4, STOCKTON 1-1, EISLEY 0-1,
MORRIS 2-2. SEATTLE 5-18 (.278), D SCHREMPF 0-3, HAWKINS 1-1, PAYTON 0-4,
PERKINS 3-7, EHLO 1-3.
TECHNICALS: UTAH - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, TOM WASHINGTON, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 17,072. T - 2:06.
UTAH (96) AT SEATTLE (90)
Karl Malone scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Utah
Jazz extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 96-90
victory over the Seattle SuperSonics in a rematch of last year's
Western Conference finals.
John Stockton added 12 assists but only six points for Utah. The
Jazz have lost only twice this season, dropping a home-and-home
with the Houston Rockets. Malone has led the team in scoring in
all but two games and in rebounding in all but five.
"This is one game, we've had some big games with Chicago,
Dallas, Denver and the Sonics," said Utah coach Jerry Sloan.
"These are the kinds of teams we judge ourselves against. We
played hard and took advantage of some key situations, but it's
just another win."
Shawn Kemp had 29 points and 12 rebounds and Gary Payton added
19 points for the Sonics, who had won 13 of their previous 14
games.
"I don't think we played with an urgency or an energy that was
respectful of the matchup," said Seattle coach George Karl. "I
thought it was a stale game in a big-game situation."
Seattle held a 23-22 lead at 8:22 of the second quarter, but
Malone's 12-footer capped a 21-6 run to give Utah a 43-29
advantage with just over three minutes remaining in the half.
The Jazz held a 49-38 halftime lead.
The Sonics rallied in the fourth quarter and cut the lead to
four before Chris Morris had five points in a 9-1 spurt that put
Utah ahead, 84-72, with 5:17 to go.
Seattle got back within six on Kemp's 20-footer, but Shandon
Anderson and Malone had two free throws apiece to put the lead
back to 95-85 as Utah held on for the victory.
"Obviously we're not as good as we think we are," said Seattle
forward Detlef Schrempf. "We have beaten a lot of teams, but
teams we were supposed to beat. It took us a long time to get
any energy in the game and when we did, we fought back into the
game but they made the good plays and we didn't."
The Sonics' Hershey Hawkins scored the NBA's 7 millionth point
on a jumper at 7:58 of the fourth quarter.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's just one game in a season and we
came out and executed and did everything we needed to do," said
Malone. "We never let the crowd into it. Every time they did
something, we answered and kept them out of it."
Seattle's only other loss to a Western Conference team this
season came against the Jazz in a 99-91 decision on opening
night.
nba.1863nba.news,
Olajuwon hospitalized again with heart problem
HOUSTON -- Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon returned to Houston on
Sunday and checked into a hospital after he experienced an irregular
heartbeat for the second time in a little more than two weeks.
Rockets team physician Dr. James Muntz said Olajuwon, 33, was in very
good condition at Methodist Hospital, where he had been since about
10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Cardiologist Dr. Tony Pacifico, an arrhythmia specialist, said he
would wait until Monday to see if Olajuwon's heart corrects its own
rhythm. If not, doctors will shock it back into sync with a
defibrillator.
Olajuwon noticed the abnormal heart rhythm -- or arrhythmia -- during
halftime of the Rockets' 103-99 victory over the Washington Bullets on
Saturday night.
Trainers took his pulse and consulted with team doctors, who
determined it was safe for Olajuwon to play in the second half, Muntz
said. Olajuwon played 39 minutes in the game, scoring 34 points and
grabbing 17 rebounds.
Rockets spokesman Tim Frank said Olajuwon started to feel strange
after a postgame dinner.
"He went to lay down. We called our trainer, our trainer checked him
out and team officials decided it was in the best interest to fly him
back and get our own doctors to take a look at him," Frank said.
It's not known why such an abnormal heart rhythm occurs. Between 1 and
2 percent of all people are believed to have the condition at one time
or another, Pacifico said.
Muntz said the abnormal rhythm doesn't necessarily mean Olajuwon has a
heart problem.
"He has a perfectly normal heart," Muntz said. "We don't think that
arrhythmia is career-threatening. We don't think it's
life-threatening."
Doctors said they still can't tell if the arrhythmia is sporadic or
chronic and are considering putting Olajuwon on a drug to help keep
his heartbeat regular.
The arrhythmia appears similar to an episode Olajuwon suffered earlier
this month and once in 1991, Frank said.
Olajuwon was admitted to Methodist Hospital after a Nov. 19 game
against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He underwent an exercise stress
test and an echocardiogram. Both tests were normal and Olajuwon was
released from the hospital two days later.
He rested for a week and missed three games. Houston went 3-0 in
Olajuwon's absence, defeating Phoenix, Golden State and the Los
Angeles Lakers. Olajuwon returned last Tuesday and has played in
victories over Portland, Boston and Washington.
Olajuwon missed seven games early in the 1991-92 season because of
similar heart-rate problems. During the previous season, he had
clotting problems and was treated with blood thinners. He also wore an
elastic sleeve on his leg to improve circulation.
He also suffered from anemia late in the 1994-95 season.
Olajuwon is an 11-time All-Star who won the NBA Most Valuable Player
award in 1994 and led the Rockets to consecutive NBA championships in
1994 and 1995.
nba.1864nba.news,
Explaining Olajuwon's arrhythmia
The following is an explanation of the medical situation involving
Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon, who checked into a Houston hospital
because of an arrhythmia for the second time in the past two weeks:
What's an arrhythmia?
A cardiac arrhythmia can be described as an irregular heartbeat or
abnormal heart rhythm.
Between 1 and 2 percent of all people are believed to have the
condition at one time or another, said Dr. Tony Pacifico, a
cardiologist and arrhythmia specialist who examined Olajuwon on
Sunday.
However, it is not known why such arrhythmia occurs.
All of Olajuwon's tests to this date have shown normal cardiac status,
and Rockets team physician Dr. James Muntz emphasized that Hakeem's
arrhythmia doesn't necessarily mean he has a heart problem.
"He has a perfectly normal heart," Muntz said.
The treatment
Pacifico said he would wait until Monday to see if Olajuwon's heart
corrects its own rhythm. If not, doctors will shock it back into sync
with a defibrillator.
Regardless, Olajuwon will continue to take aspirin to prevent blood
clotting.
Doctors said they still can't tell if the arrhythmia is sporadic or
chronic and are considering putting Olajuwon on a drug to help keep
his heartbeat regular.
A defibrillator was used to correct the arrhythmia that struck
Olajuwon during halftime of a Nov. 19 home game against Minnesota. At
that time he missed three games.
What it means for Hakeem's career
"We don't think that arrhythmia is career-threatening," Dr. Muntz
said. "We don't think it's life-threatening."
While Olajuwon was checking into the hospital, the rest of the Rockets
were headed to Toronto for Monday night's game against the Raptors.
Muntz said Olajuwon was not likely to play Monday, but it was
uncertain if he would miss any other games.
nba.1865nba.news,
Olajuwon's recent medical history
Timeline of Hakeem Olajuwon's medical problems in the 1990s:
1990-91
Before the season he was hospitalized with a blood clot in his left
leg, and blood thinners dissolved the clot. He also wore an elastic
sleeve on his leg to improve circulation.
1991-92
Missed seven games early in the season because of an arrhythmia
(irregular heartbeat).
1994-95
Suffered from anemia late in the season and missed several games.
(Anemia exists when the hemoglobin content of the bloodstream is less
than that required to provide the oxygen demands of the body).
1996-97
Experienced an arrhythmia during halftime of a Nov. 19 game against
the Minnesota Timberwolves and immediately was taken to a Houston
hospital. He was released from the hospital Nov. 21 and missed three
games.
He experienced another arrhythmia during halftime of a Nov. 30 game
against the Washington Bullets. Trainers took his pulse and consulted
with team doctors, who determined it was safe for Olajuwon to play in
the second half.
However, Olajuwon felt strange after dinner that night and team
officials decided he should fly back to Houston for testing.
nba.1866nba.news,
NBA's heart-related problems in the '90s
Derrick Coleman He missed the first month of the 1995-96 season with
an irregular heartbeat discovered during his training-camp physical.
The problem has not resurfaced since then.
Reggie Lewis After the former Celtics All-Star collapsed during a 1993
playoff game, doctors at New England Baptist told him he had a
life-threatening heart ailment and should retire. Lewis sought a
second opinion from doctors who cleared him to play, and he had a
fatal heart attack while shooting baskets three months later.
Hakeem Olajuwon On three separate occasions during the 1990s, he
missed games after experiencing an irregular heartbeat.
Eric Williams An abnormal finding was revealed during a
cardiac-related physical examination the day before the Celtics
started training camp this October. Further tests revealed no problems
of concern with Williams' heart, and he has played in all of Boston's
games this season.
Monty Williams Spurs currently keep a defibrillator machine at
courtside for Williams, who has had an irregular heartbeat.
nba.1867nba.news,
7,000,000th Point Scored by Seattle G Hersey Hawkins
Seattle SuperSonics shooting guard Hersey Hawkins scored the
NBA's 7,000,000th point in league history today on a jumper with
a jumper at 7:58 of the fourth quarter. The following are the
date, person and game in which each of the seven millionth
points were scored:
POINT DATE GAME/PLAY
----- ---- ---------
1,000,000 12/22/62 Occurred in the Detroit-Chicago,
New York-Boston or
Syracuse-San Francisco game
2,000,000 1/9/72 Occurred in Baltimore-Phoenix or
Detroit-Buffalo game
3,000,000 2/17/78 Occurred in Indiana-Washington,
Buffalo-Kansas City,
Detroit-New York,
New Jersey-Cleveland or
Philadelphia-San Antonio game
4,000,000 2/18/83 Scored by Philadelphia's Moses
Malone on a tip-in of his own
miss at 11:59 of the first
quarter against Houston.
5,000,000 1/25/88 Scored by Utah's Rickey Green
on a 24-foot three-pointer as
the buzzer sounded at the end of
the third quarter against
Cleveland
6,000,000 3/23/92 Scored by Atlanta's Stacey
Augmon on driving layup at 7:41
of the second quarter against
Golden State.
7,000,000 12/1/96 Scored by Seattle's Hersey
Hawkins on a jump shot at 7:58
of the fourth quarter against
Utah.
nba.1868nba.news,
Lakers are limited by grab-bag lineups
SAN DIEGO (Dec 1, 1996 - 21:01 EST) -- The season still is young, but
already it's getting old watching the Lakers.
They were 11-6 entering Sunday night's game against visiting Denver
but appear to be playing no better than they did in the season opener.
Glimmers of promise have been overshadowed by embarrassing losses to
lowly Boston, Toronto, San Antonio and Charlotte.
Watch the Lakers for any length of time and you fail to detect any
cohesion. Coach Del Harris says they have yet to discover their
"identity," which in large part has to do with his rotation.
There isn't one -- or one that makes any sense.
Reserve forward Corie Blount plays well in a season-high 30 minutes on
Sunday and is rewarded with 10 minutes the next game and eight after
that. Reserve center Travis Knight averages one minute of action
through the first 14 games, then plays 20 against the 76ers and 13
against Boston.
"As a team, we don't know what to expect," said point guard Nick Van
Exel. "And we don't know who our sixth man is. A person could play the
whole first quarter, then he might get only a few minutes in the
second half ... "Nothing surprises me with the coach we've got.
Nothing. He expects me to be the leader on the court, the quarterback,
and then he takes me out of the game."
Harris' pat answer is that he goes with the hot player. Problem is,
there has yet to be a basketball player who doesn't struggle at some
point. Most times, he has to work his way through it.
But Harris sees the basketball world in black and white. You're either
on or you're off. There is no gray. No continuity. No rhythm. And no
excitement.
Man, is it really only December?
* * *
LONG ARM OF LAW: Bulls forward Dennis Rodman is finding that fame not
only can translate into fortune, but also lawsuits.
Rodman had to appear in a Dallas courtroom before Friday's game
against the Mavericks because he is being sued by a woman who holds
him accountable for an accident 18 months ago involving a boat Rodman
owns.
And last weekend in Salt Lake City, a Delta Center usher had papers
served on Rodman, claiming he groped her three years ago while diving
into the stands for a loose ball during the playoffs. Rodman was
playing for San Antonio at the time.
"This is getting ridiculous," Rodman said recently. "Everywhere I
turn, somebody wants something. It's gone beyond basketball."
The incidents may have contributed to Mavs forward Chris Gatling going
for a career-high 35 points against Rodman and the Bulls on Friday.
* * *
CHARLES THE GREAT: Rockets forward Charles Barkley has played like a
man possessed this season. His motives: the chance to win a
championship, end Rodman's streak of rebounding titles at five years,
and, perhaps most importantly, improve his contract for next season.
It has been reported that Barkley's deal is for $4.6 million this
season and $4.5 million next year. But, according to the Arizona
Republic, next year's figure includes $2 million in bonus money.
To receive the bonus, Barkley has to be named first- or second-team
All-NBA -- he was third team last year -- or he has to finish in the
top seven in the league in both scoring and rebounding. Failing to do
both would reduce his salary to $2.5 million for next season.
Barkley ranks first in the league in rebounding (16.4 per game) but is
not among the top 10 scorers.
* * *
DIKEMBE HEATING UP: When the Atlanta Hawks signed free-agent center
Dikembe Mutombo to a five-year, $50 million deal in the offseason,
coach Lenny Wilkens talked of increasing Mutombo's role as an
offensive player.
But through 11 games, he was averaging just 9.9 points, three under
his career average. Mutombo has since picked it up and is averaging
18.8 points in his last five games.
"I'm feeling very comfortable with my hook shot," Mutombo said. "I was
struggling, but I watch tape, and my assistant coaches work with me."
* * *
WHO'S KIDDING WHOM?: Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd averaged career
highs in points (16.6), assists (9.7) and rebounds (6.8) last season.
Through 14 games this year, he's averaging 9.5 points, 8.6 assists and
4.9 rebounds.
Basketball followers have offered a handful of explanations for the
dropoff, among them Kidd's cool relationship with shooting guard Jimmy
Jackson , and Kidd's sore knees. The latest one: Kidd is struggling to
live up to the expectations of Bulls star Michael Jordan , who told
Kidd over the summer that he would like to pass the torch to him when
he retires.
"People talk about that being a lot of pressure for me, about my stats
being down," said Kidd. "But last year was just one of those years. We
had people hurt, and I had to score more. I'm happy with my play this
year. I don't think I need to score a lot of points to be effective."
nba.1869nba.news,
Seattle benefits from more mature Kemp
(Dec 1, 1996 - 06:06 EST) - Any Shawn Kemp interview eventually gets
around to the topic of expectations.
It's a topic the Seattle SuperSonics star forward usually slam dunks
as easily as he does a basketball or three every game, saying he never
worries about what other people say about him, doesn't care about
meeting the expectations of anyone else.
Which, of course, is as misleading as some Ross Perot infomercials.
Kemp might not really care what the general public or the media thinks
of him, but he most certainly cares about what the other 11 players in
the SuperSonics locker room expect out of him.
Which is why, Kemp said, he couldn't have taken the contract
frustrations that caused him to sit out 22 days of training camp on
the court with him even if he had wanted to.
"These guys in here, they know you, they hang out with you, they know
if I'm cheating them," Kemp said. "You can fool some people, but these
guys, these guys would know. After playing with them seven, eight
years, to come back and cheat these guys, you couldn't do that."
And Kemp most certainly hasn't.
Heading into Sunday's game in KeyArena against Utah, Kemp is averaging
a career-high 23.5 points and 11.6 rebounds through 17 games, despite
consistently saying he's not yet in 100 percent physical shape after
his holdout.
If the numbers stay at or above those levels, it would mean Kemp has
improved his scoring and rebounding averages every year of his career.
And they are numbers that have appeared to have won back any Sonic fan
turned off by Kemp's claim that he held out because he needed a period
of "renewal."
But when the Sonics went on a six-game trip back east last week, in
every city Kemp was peppered with questions of whether he was somehow
playing frustrated or with an attitude because of the unhappiness with
his contract.
"When you play basketball, you never let money or decisions like that
bother you," Kemp said in a typical response. "If I go out there and
started worrying about what other guys are making, then I'd never play
well. That's too much to overcome. I refuse. That's why I did what I
did. When you step on the court, you just have to play."
Kemp's teammates said they never expected him to do otherwise.
Guard Nate McMillan said questions about Kemp's mental approach "are
just writers needing something to write about and trying to start
something with this team.
"Every team in the league goes through a problem where somebody is
having negotiation problems and you have to wait and see what will
happen with it. That's part of the business and we understood what was
going on and we worked through it and now he's back and it's finished
and gone."
Besides, Kemp knows the best statement he can make about his relative
poverty -- he stands to make $3.7 million this year, third-best on the
team and 59th in the NBA, according to a USA Today survey of league
salaries -- is his play on the floor. Among the players who will make
more than Kemp this year are Chris Dudley, Billy Owens, Kendall Gill,
Danny Ferry and Elden Campbell.
None of them are Kemp, who has been unstoppable one-on-one all season,
and whose play, along with that of point guard Gary Payton, has set
the tone for a team that is 14-3 and appears on its way to a second
60-plus victory season.
Sonics coach George Karl essentially turned the leadership of the team
over to Kemp and Payton last season, and it resulted in 64
regular-season victories and a trip to the NBA Finals. The offseason
distractions -- Payton re-signed with the Sonics and also played on
the Dream Team, while Kemp was left off the Dream Team -- have done
nothing to change the duo's approach to this season, Karl said.
"Shawn and Gary grew up a lot last year," Karl said. "The older guys
are trusting the younger guys (Kemp and Payton) more now and the
younger guys realize how important the older guys are to this team."
Karl said that growth is allowing him to alter his coaching style a
bit.
"We've become less of a dictatorship and more of a democracy," Karl
said. "They coach themselves more now."
Not the kind of thing that could have been done a few seasons ago,
Karl said, when the Sonics had a reputation for a mental capacity just
above that of some of the Peanuts gang. Karl said that while those
perceptions might linger in some corners, they couldn't be further
from the truth, citing Kemp's ability to handle his ever-growing fame.
"It's just being a professional and a lot of that has to do with
on-the-court stuff and a lot of it has to do with how you handle
off-the-court activities, how you handle the media, the marketing, the
national publicity," Karl said. "I think Shawn's gone from where
three, four years ago he was a difficult interview, he felt
uncomfortable doing them, to where now he is one of the best
interviews in the NBA. It takes a focus."
Kemp said he and Payton have always wanted that leadership role.
"We are the energy to this team," Kemp said. "We've always thought
that, there's just a little more focus on us now. But we've always
thought we were the ones who had to come out and put the energy on the
court."
So far this season, Kemp has often taken that to mean he must score
early to make other teams pay even more attention to the inside, which
then opens up the outside.
"It's my responsibility to give it back to my teammates," Kemp said.
Kemp also knows it's the only way to a championship, which Karl said
is the only thing holding Kemp back from being regarded as one of the
truly great forwards of all time.
Kemp faces another player in a similar situation today, Utah's Karl
Malone, whose Hall of Fame career also is without an NBA title.
"If they would put a championship on their standard, then I think they
would have to put those guys with Kevin McHale, who to me is the only
other guy I know of in their class," Karl said.
Malone is off to a similarly great start, averaging 26.2 points and
11.3 rebounds a game, shooting 54.9 percent from the field.
"I think because of Karl Malone's years in the league, he would get
most people's vote right now," Karl said. "But five years from now, I
think Shawn Kemp will get most people's vote."
It's unlikely, however, that Kemp will ever put up scoring numbers
like Malone's because of the better overall balance of the Sonics. But
his expanding repertoire leads one to believe Kemp could if needed.
What's most impressed those around the league this year is Kemp's
continuing improvement with the outside shot, his free-throw shooting
(he's at a career-best 76.8 so far, which leads the team) and his
decision-making.
"Now he's become a very disciplined player," said Charlotte coach Dave
Cowens. "His shot selection is excellent, he's making his free throws
and he's just really arrived."
"What I try to do now is mix it up a little bit where I don't do the
same move every time down the court," Kemp said. "Some teams still
play me like I'm going to dunk it every time and I'm really not trying
to do that."
If Kemp has a continuing statistical foible it is turnovers. Only
Jason Kidd had more turnovers (328) than Kemp's 315 last year, an
average of 3.98 a game and the most in his career. That number is down
slightly this year (64 in 17 games, 3.8 a game).
"What teams do when you are hot is try to set you up for the
turnover," Kemp said. "I'm trying to get smarter and better at it,
although I still struggle with it sometimes."
It's that, as much as anything, that he would like to improve on.
"It's not necessarily scoring points, but just being smarter and
making better decisions and making other guys on the team have easier
shots," Kemp said.
Kemp knows if he passes it back out when he's double-teamed, he'll get
it back when he's not. It's a payoff that comes with patience,
something Kemp is learning more about all the time.
nba.1870nba.news,
McMillan back at practice, but not games
(Dec 1, 1996 - 06:01 EST) - Nate McMillan fully participated in the
Seattle SuperSonics' practice Saturday, but said he still needs a
couple more workouts before he can come off the injured reserve list.
McMillan, who is one of the team's three captains, has been on the
injured reserve list since Nov.15 with a pulled groin and has played
in only five games this season.
"I was able to get up and down the floor, but I was having trouble
sliding on defense," McMillan said. "The thing today was just to get
out and run. I haven't run in a week and a half and I was able to get
a good run in today."
McMillan said he will practice again Monday.
"I feel good about where it's at and that it's improving," McMillan
said. "My thing is to try and let it heal as much as possible (before
he returns) and hopefully these guys will continue to win (allowing
him to be patient)."
Coach George Karl said McMillan "looked a little rusty" and still
needs a few more hard practices before returning.
RIVALS MEET AGAIN: Sunday's game with Utah is the first meeting in
KeyArena since Seattle beat the Jazz in Game 7 of the Western
Conference Finals on June 2.
Karl said that playoff series and others in recent years between the
two teams has made the Seattle-Utah matchup "the best unknown rivalry
in the NBA. For years these teams have been battling each other
competitively, the players respect each other, and the organizations
have mirrored each other's success."
The game will be the first at home for the Sonics this year against a
team expected to be a contender come playoff time.
"It's a good barometer," Karl said. "Everyone will kind of know a
little bit more about themselves tomorrow."
Utah beat Seattle, 99-91, in Salt Lake City in the first game of the
season Nov. 1.
MILESTONE POSSIBLE: The 7 millionth point in NBA history will likely
be scored today, and could come in KeyArena.
There had been 6,993,581 points scored before Wednesday, and the NBA
was calculating that based on the average of 192 points per game this
season, the milestone point would come in either the Sonics-Jazz game
or the Denver at Los Angeles Lakers game, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
nba.1871nba.news,
Good start still leaves Utah with many questions
SEATTLE (Dec 1, 1996 - 05:36 EST) -- Coach Jerry Sloan wouldn't change
many things about the Jazz's 11-2 start.
But there is one thing.
"Too many home games," Sloan says.
True enough.
En route to the best start in franchise history, the Jazz have played
only four of their first 13 games on the road.
While the schedule has undoubtedly helped them stay close to red-hot
Houston in the Midwest Division, it also makes Sloan wary about the
future.
What does he see?
First, Sunday night's game at Key Arena against the Sonics. After a
1-2 start, Seattle has won 13 of 14. Only two victories have come by
less than 10 points, and none was by less than eight.
After this stern test, the Jazz play six of seven in the Delta Center
before the scheduling gods pull the inevitable about-face.
Between Dec. 17 and Jan. 25, the Jazz play 16 of 21 games on the road.
Among the stops in this rugged stretch are New York, Miami, Cleveland,
Chicago, Detroit, Portland and Houston.
Certainly, the Jazz have claimed a spot among the NBA's elite at this
point. But whether they are still there at mid-season depends on how
successful they are on the road.
Of course, that brings up another of Sloan's concerns.
He knows the performance of a team's second unit is vital to its
chances in hostile territory. The Jazz's non-starters have been a bit
inconsistent.
"They've had their moments," Sloan said. "But we're still trying to
figure out exactly who fits in where. In defense of those guys, it's
hard to get into a rhythm in that type of situation."
Among the Jazz's non-starters, Antoine Carr is the top scorer (6.9).
But he's shooting only 36.6 percent.
Chris Morris, a starter much of last season, has given way to Bryon
Russell. But he hasn't found his off-the-bench comfort zone.
Though Morris made two huge three-pointers in the Jazz's 107-103
comeback win over Denver on Wednesday night, he has missed his other
17 attempts.
Overall, Morris is shooting just 33 percent while averaging 12 minutes
per game.
"He just needs to keep working at it," said Sloan. "He needs to get
into a rhythm so he starts shooting the ball better."
Adam Keefe has been one of Sloan's most dependable non-starters. In
the four games when he has played over 20 minutes, Keefe averages nine
points and 7.8 rebounds.
Still, the Jazz's surplus of small forwards and lack of power players
often leaves Keefe rotating between positions.
Sloan knows the difficulty of such a role.
"We've played him some at 'three' and some at 'four,' " he said.
"That's tough on a guy. But one thing about Adam: When he steps on the
floor, he competes."
Rookie Shandon Anderson has been a pleasant surprise, though his
emergence as a dependable NBA player has added to Sloan's problem of
finding his second unit players meaningful minutes.
Still, don't expect Anderson to miss many shifts, especially if
Morris' struggles continue.
"He's played pretty well," said Sloan. "He plays hard. He works hard.
He tries to do what we want offensively, and he goes after the
basketball."
Backup point guard Howard Eisley seems like the least of Sloan's
concerns. Playing behind John Stockton, he normally gets 10-15 minutes
per night.
Typically, Eisley is solid.
"He's in a tough situation, too," says Sloan. "But it's not going to
change as long as John's here."
nba.1872schef,
][ PORTLAND
][ DJORDJEVIC 12 2-4 2-2 1 2 3 1
][ 3 0 0 8
Sve je bolji i bolji. :) Ovaj put je dao 2 trojke. :)
nba.1873junior,
> Ostale statistike stižu nešto kasnije.
Imaš li one statistike, kako koji tim igra kojeg dana? :)
Čuo sam da su u "Atlantiku" otvorili kladionicu na NBA, pa mislim
da bi mi dobro došle te statistike .. >:)
nba.1874sani.,
nba.1875sani.,
> 7,000,000,000th Point Scored By Seatlle G Hersey Hawkins
Ma sve je to samo zavera protiv Divca :))
nba.1876vpoznanovic,
Monday, December 2
Charlotte at Utah 97:107
Dallas at Orlando 108:102
Houston at Toronto 89:100
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHARLOTTE 21 18 31 27 97
UTAH 27 24 24 32 107 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHA - DELL CURRY 25, GLEN RICE 19, ANTHONY MASON 17
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 22, KARL MALONE 20, BRYON RUSSELL 13
HIGH REBOUND: CHA - VLADE DIVAC 10, ANTHONY MASON 8
UTH - KARL MALONE 11, GREG OSTERTAG 5
HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 6, ANTHONY GOLDWIRE 6
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 16, KARL MALONE 5
ATT: 19,410
NBA FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 25 25 22 22 14 108
ORLANDO 25 28 25 16 8 102 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: DAL - CHRIS GATLING 25, GEORGE MCCLOUD 21, JIM JACKSON 17
ORL - RONY SEIKALY 26, GERALD WILKINS 25, DEREK STRONG 18
HIGH REBOUND: DAL - CHRIS GATLING 14, JASON KIDD 7
ORL - RONY SEIKALY 14, DEREK STRONG 12
HIGH ASSISTS: DAL - JASON KIDD 18, JIM JACKSON 4
ORL - BRIAN SHAW 7, DARRELL ARMSTRONG 6
ATT: 17,248
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 22 19 25 23 89
TORONTO 26 28 24 22 100 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 30, CLYDE DREXLER 21, MATT MALONEY 18
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 27, WALT WILLIAMS 23, POPEYE JONES
15
HIGH REBOUND: HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 12, CLYDE DREXLER 10
TOR - POPEYE JONES 13, DOUG CHRISTIE 10
HIGH ASSISTS: HOU - CLYDE DREXLER 5, MATT BULLARD 5
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 11, WALT WILLIAMS 6
ATT: 17,108
nba.1877nba.news,
CHARLOTTE (97) AT UTAH (107)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 45 6-10 5-8 3 5 8 6 3 1 6 17
RICE F 42 8-22 2-2 1 4 5 1 3 3 3 19
DIVAC C 38 3-8 4-6 6 4 10 4 2 0 2 10
BOGUES G 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
CURRY G 42 10-18 2-2 1 2 3 1 3 0 0 25
GOLDWIRE 31 4-8 0-0 0 0 0 6 6 1 1 10
ZIDEK 12 2-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 6
BURRELL 13 2-4 3-3 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 8
SMITH 12 1-3 0-0 2 1 3 4 2 1 1 2
DELK 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GEIGER DNP - BACK SPASMS
ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-76 18-23 13 19 32 22 23 6 16 97
(.474) (.783) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 16(22 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 34 9-17 2-4 2 9 11 5 5 1 3 20
RUSSELL F 30 5-7 1-4 0 3 3 3 2 0 1 13
OSTERTAG C 28 2-3 2-2 2 3 5 0 2 0 1 6
STOCKTON G 40 7-11 7-8 1 3 4 16 3 2 3 22
HORNACEK G 28 3-8 5-7 1 2 3 4 1 3 1 11
EISLEY 8 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 7
CARR 25 5-10 0-1 1 1 2 2 5 1 1 10
ANDERSON 20 4-6 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 8
MORRIS 18 3-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 6
FOSTER 9 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 4
KEEFE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 43-74 17-26 9 25 34 31 24 7 15 107
(.581) (.654) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 15(27 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 21 18 31 27 - 97
UTAH 27 24 24 32 - 107
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - DIVAC. UTAH - OSTERTAG 5, MALONE, CARR,
MORRIS, FOSTER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 7-20 (.350), RICE 1-6, DIVAC 0-1, CURRY 3-6,
GOLDWIRE 2-6, BURRELL 1-1. UTAH 4-8 (.500), RUSSELL 2-3, STOCKTON 1-2,
HORNACEK 0-1, EISLEY 1-1, MORRIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: CHARLOTTE - DIVAC, MASON.
OFFICIALS: BOB DELANEY, DERRICK STAFFORD, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 19,410. T - 2:06.
CHARLOTTE (97) AT UTAH (107)
John Stockton had 22 points and 16 assists and Bryon Russell
keyed a decisive fourth-quarter run with a pair of
three-pointers to lead the Utah Jazz to their 11th straight
victory, 107-97 over the Charlotte Hornets.
Karl Malone scored 20 points and Russell finished with 12 for
the Jazz, who have won eight in a row at home. They need three
more wins to match the franchise-record 14-game winning streak
set in the 1994-95 season. The 11-game streak is the
second-longest in franchise history.
The Hornets battled back from a 16-point deficit to tie it,
85-85 with 5:49 remaining on two free throws by Anthony Mason.
The Jazz then went on a 12-3 run, including Russell's two
three-pointers, for a 97-88 lead with 72 seconds left.
Utah sealed the victory by scoring its final 10 points all on
free throws.
"I think the confidence of our bench is really up right now,"
Utah's Jeff Hornacek said. "Jerry (Sloan) is using them a lot.
You know sometimes that's a tough thing coming off the bench if
you're only playing in scattered minutes, but he's playing them
a lot longer."
Dell Curry scored 25 points and Glen Rice added 19 for
Charlotte, which lost for the second time in seven games. Mason
had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Hornets, who shot 47
percent (36-of-76) from the field.
"Well all I can say is our guys, they didn't quit," Hornets
coach Dave Cowens said. "We played hard all the way down to the
end. It's really tough to beat this team and they shot really
well, but we got back into the game and got them to the point
where I thought we'd get over the top and then they hit a
couple of three-pointers."
Jeff Hornacek scored 11 points and Antonie Carr added 10 for
Utah, which shot 58 percent (43-of-74) from the field.
"We were right into it until the last three or four minutes,"
Charlotte's Anthony Goldwire said. "They hit some tough shots
and we let down offensively and didn't get anything and they
were coming out and scoring. We know we can compete with this
team, we just fell short at the end."
Utah Center Greg Ostertag had six points, five rebounds and five
blocks.
"I just come out and try to stay aggressive," Ostertag said.
"I've been aggressive the past couple of games and trying to
keep it consistent by staying aggressive right now."
The Jazz held their biggest lead at 62-46 with 7:20 to go in the
third period, but the Hornets closed the quarter on a 24-13 run
to get within 75-70 entering the final 12 minutes.
After the teams traded baskets to start the contest, the Jazz
reeled off 12 straight points for a 14-2 lead. Malone had eight
points to help Utah to a 27-21 lead after the first quarter.
A 12-2 run pushed the Jazz's advantage to 43-30 with 4:05 left
in the first half before they settled for a 51-39 halftime lead.
Charlotte played without backup center Matt Geiger, who was
suffering from back spasms.
nba.1878nba.news,
DALLAS (108) AT ORLANDO (102) - FINAL IN OT
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 45 9-23 0-0 1 4 5 1 5 3 1 21
MEYER F 14 3-6 0-0 1 4 5 0 2 0 1 6
MONTROSS C 30 2-4 2-2 0 4 4 0 5 0 1 6
JACKSON G 50 8-19 0-0 3 2 5 4 3 3 1 17
KIDD G 49 2-4 3-4 0 7 7 18 5 2 4 8
GATLING 35 7-16 11-13 3 11 14 2 4 0 4 25
HARPER 15 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 0 2 2
WALKER 9 4-5 2-2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 10
MILLER 18 6-6 1-3 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 13
DREILING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DUMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 42-88 19-24 10 33 43 30 30 11 15 108
(.477) (.792) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(16 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ANDERSON F 6 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 3
GRANT F 46 4-9 4-8 4 3 7 1 3 1 2 12
SEIKALY C 43 10-16 6-6 6 8 14 2 5 0 6 26
WILKINS G 45 9-24 4-5 1 4 5 4 1 2 2 25
SHAW G 33 3-9 0-0 0 3 3 7 6 1 0 8
MCCASKILL 10 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 1
ARMSTRONG 36 3-11 3-3 1 3 4 6 3 1 3 9
VAUGHN 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
STRONG 36 7-16 4-5 1 11 12 0 2 1 2 18
SCHAYES 7 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
DEMPS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 37-86 22-29 13 34 47 22 22 7 19 102
(.430) (.759) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 21(19 PTS)
DALLAS 25 25 22 22 14 - 108
ORLANDO 25 28 25 16 8 - 102
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MONTROSS 3, MILLER 3, MEYER, JACKSON. ORLANDO -
WILKINS 3, ANDERSON, SEIKALY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 5-16 (.313), MCCLOUD 3-10, JACKSON 1-4, KIDD
1-1, HARPER 0-1. ORLANDO 6-20 (.300), ANDERSON 1-1, GRANT 0-1, WILKINS
3-8, SHAW 2-5, ARMSTRONG 0-5.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, MARK WUNDERLICH, JIM KINSEY.
A - 17,248. T - 2:39.
DALLAS (108) AT ORLANDO (102) - FINAL IN OT
Oliver Miller dunked at the regulation buzzer, then scored seven
points in overtime as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a six-game
road losing streak with a 108-102 victory over the Orlando
Magic.
Miller had just four points before taking a pass from Jason Kidd
and dunking just before the buzzer, tying the game at 94-94. He
scored seven straight Dallas points as the Mavericks broke a tie
and opened a 103-98 lead with 30 seconds to go.
Chris Gatling had 25 points and 12 rebounds and Kidd handed out
a season-high 18 assists for Dallas, which won on the road for
the first time since opening night at Denver. Miller had a
season-high 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting as the Mavs won for
just the second time in nine visits to Orlando.
"Any win on the road is special for us," said Dallas guard Jim
Jackson, who scored 17 points. "We have been close so many
times, but unable to finish it off."
Rony Seikaly scored 26 points, Gerald Wilkins added 25 and Derek
Strong 18 and 12 rebounds -- all season highs -- for the Magic,
who dropped to 5-4 at home. Orlando was 37-4 at home last
season, but is just 10-8 in its last 17 games at Orlando Arena.
"This was a very bad loss for us tonight," Orlando coach Brian
Hill said. "I thought we had the game won, and unfortunately we
didn't play with any pise or composure down the stretch. We
just turned the ball over and let them right back into the
basketball game."
The Magic, who already are without All-Star guard Penny Hardaway
and outside threat Dennis Scott, lost guard Nick Anderson with a
sprained right wrist less than seven minutes into the game.
Although X-rays were negative, he had a soft cast placed on the
wrist.
The Magic led throughout the fourth quarter and still held a
94-90 advantage after Darrell Armstrong's lay-in with 35 seconds
left. But Gatling made two free throws and Armstrong's airball
created a 24-second violation, giving Dallas the ball with 3.4
seconds to go.
Kidd took the inbounds pass, dribbled to just inside the foul
line as Armstrong slipped and fired a pass to Miller alone under
the left side of the basket.
"When we had 3.4 seconds left, Jason got me the ball and I just
went up as quick as I could," the 280-pound Miller said. "When
I dunked it, then I heard the buzzer and I was really happy."
"I'm not going to run away from what I did, Armstrong said.
"I've just got to execute a little bit better down the stretch.
There's something I can't afford to do and that's give the ball
up at the end of the game, especially at the end of the game."
Gatling and Wilkins traded a pair of points before Miller took
over in the extra session. His block and basket gave Dallas the
lead for good at 98-96 with 2:39 left. He blocked a shot by
Seikaly and scored underneath with 50 seconds to play and, after
Strong made a jumper, converted a three-point play for a 103-98
advantage with 30 seconds remaining.
"I just think we ran out of gas down the stretch," Wilkins said.
"I think we allowed Miller to get off in OT. He used his big
body to get the handle underneath. ... It was just a hell of a
loss."
Wilkins made a jumper, but Kidd answered with a free throw and
Gatling added four free throws in the final 15 seconds to seal
the victory.
George McCloud scored 21 points and Gatling grabbed 14 rebounds
for the Mavericks, who shot 48 percent (42-of-88) from the field
and forced 21 turnovers while committing 15.
"I was happy the way the game turned out," said Mavs coach Jim
Cleamons. "I thought we played well. Turnovers were down,
which I was happy about."
Seikaly pulled down 14 rebounds and Horace Grant had 12 points
for the Magic, who shot 43 percent (37-of-86) and held a 47-43
edge in rebounds.
nba.1879nba.news,
HOUSTON (89) AT TORONTO (100)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 37 2-7 2-3 0 2 2 3 4 0 3 6
BARKLEY F 47 11-23 6-7 2 10 12 4 5 1 3 30
WILLIS C 25 2-10 1-1 2 3 5 0 4 1 3 5
DREXLER G 43 5-15 9-12 6 4 10 5 2 4 2 21
MALONEY G 39 6-11 5-6 1 4 5 3 2 1 0 18
HARRINGTON 22 2-4 1-2 0 2 2 0 4 0 2 5
LIVINGSTON 9 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 4
BULLARD 18 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 5 1 1 1 0
BENNETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MACK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MOORE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OLAJUWON DNP - IREGULAR HEART BEAT
TOTALS 240 30-76 24-31 11 26 37 20 24 8 15 89
(.395) (.774) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 16(21 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 37 8-14 5-6 2 4 6 6 4 0 5 23
JONES F 46 6-8 3-4 5 8 13 1 5 1 2 15
WRIGHT C 38 5-11 2-4 4 4 8 1 5 0 2 12
CHRISTIE G 44 5-13 2-2 0 10 10 3 5 3 3 14
STOUDAMIRE G 40 9-21 5-10 2 6 8 11 4 0 1 27
DAVIS 24 2-7 1-1 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 6
EARL 11 1-5 1-2 0 2 2 0 3 0 0 3
CAMBY DNP - SPRAINED BACK
CURETON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
LONG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TABAK DNP - SORE LEFT HEEL
WHITESIDE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-79 19-29 13 34 47 26 27 4 14 100
(.456) (.655) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(11 PTS)
HOUSTON 22 19 25 23 - 89
TORONTO 26 28 24 22 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: HOUSTON - HARRINGTON. TORONTO - CHRISTIE 2, WRIGHT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: HOUSTON 5-28 (.179), ELIE 0-2, BARKLEY 2-11, DREXLER
2-5, MALONEY 1-6, BULLARD 0-4. TORONTO 9-24 (.375), WILLIAMS 2-7, CHRISTIE
2-4, STOUDAMIRE 4-9, DAVIS 1-4.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - BARKLEY, ELIE, HARRINGTON, TORONTO - HEAD COACH
WALKER, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: BERNIE FRYER, MONTY MCCUTCHEN, DEREK RICHARDSON.
A - 17,108. T - 2:17.
HOUSTON (89) AT TORONTO (100)
Walt Williams scored six points in a 15-0 first-quarter run as
the Toronto Raptors cooled off the red-hot Houston Rockets,
100-89, handing them their first road loss of the season.
Damon Stoudamire fell just two rebounds shy of a triple-double,
scoring 27 points, grabbing eight rebounds and handing out 11
assists. Toronto placed all five starters in double figures.
"We played smart down the stretch," Stoudamire said. "We
utilized the clock and made smart shots. We came out from the
beginning and played well. We pressed them from the start, just
to give them a different look. They've got a really potent
offense, we just tried to slow them up and we held them off."
Charles Barkley scored 30 points and pulled down 12 boards and
Clyde Drexler scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds for Houston,
which played without all-star center Hakeem Olajuwon. Kevin
Willis scored just five points in 25 minutes in Olajuwon's
place.
Williams scored 23 points and Popeye Jones had 15 points and 13
boards for the Raptors, who improved to 5-6 at home.
The Rockets (15-2) fell to 8-1 on the road and were denied the
best start in franchise history. Houston won its first 15 games
in the 1993-94 season before splitting its next two.
Olajuwon was hospitalized for the second time in as many weeks
on Sunday with a recurrence of atrial fibrillation. He did not
make the trip to Toronto.
"It's always going to be a difficult game playing without him
(Olajuwon)," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "We've won
some big games without Hakeem, we beat the Lakers. The key was
we came out early and had some success agianst the press and
that lulled us into a false sense of security. We let a high
energy team get the momentum. We missed some opportunites that
could have turned this around."
Toronto shot 45 percent (36-of-79) from the field while Houston
shot just 39 percent (30-of-76). The Raptors outrebounded their
opponent for the sixth straight game, beating the Rockets on the
boards, 47-37.
Toronto also played shorthanded as rookie forward Marcus Camby
sat out the game with a back sprain and forward Zan Tabak did
not play due to a sore left heel. The Raptors had just 10
players available and used seven, the lowest total in the NBA
this season.
"We outrebounded them 47-37 and we passed the ball with 26
assists, it was a great team effort," Toronto coach Darrell
Walker said. "They made a run but we didn't crack. We used the
clock down the stretch, we moved the ball well and made good
decisions. We didn't make turnovers in crucial situations."
The Raptors led by as many as 18 points on Doug Christie's
bucket with 4:27 remaining in the third quarter, ballooning the
lead to 70-52. Christie totaled 14 points, 10 rebounds and
three steals.
"The thing about this league, you can't get too high on any one
win and you can't get too low on any one loss," Williams said.
"We've got a tough game tomorrow against Cleveland, they've
beaten us pretty good. We came out tonight and played hard to
get the win against a veteran team. That's a credit to this
team. The coaches called the right plays and we executed them
down the stretch."
Barkley had 11 points in the third quarter as Houston trailed
78-66 after three periods. He went cold in the game's final
period, scoring just four points.
"It's tough to get motivated against a bad team," Barkley said.
"Give them credit, they played well tonight. Obviously, they've
lost seven of eight so they haven't played well, but tonight
they were pumped for a team that's been as hot as we have. We'd
won nine in a row and kind of had a letdown."
Houston whittled the lead to 84-81 on Matt Maloney's
three-pointer with 6:13 left, but could get no closer.
nba.1880nba.news,
Hawks' Mutombo named NBA Player of the Week
Atlanta Hawks center Dikembe Mutombo today was named National
Basketball Association Player of the Week for the period ending
December 1st.
Mutombo averaged 19.7 points, 16.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocked shots in
three games last week.
The 7-2 center from Zaire began the week with 14 points, a game-high
21 rebounds and three blocked shots in Atlanta's 101-80 win over
Vancouver Tuesday. He followed that performance with 20 points, 14
rebounds and four blocked shots in a 79-75 loss at Orlando Wednesday
and finished the week with a season-high 25 points, 15 rebounds and
five blocked shots in a 110-81 victory over Washington on Friday.
Other players considered for the award were Michael Jordan of the
Chicago Bulls, Anthony Mason of the Charlotte Hornets, Dan Majerle of
the Miami Heat, Glenn Robinson of the Milwaukee Bucks, Horace Grant of
the Orlando Magic, Dominique Wilkins of the San Antonio Spurs and Karl
Malone of the Utah Jazz.
nba.1881nba.news,
Houston's Rudy Tomjanovich named NBA Coach of the Month
Rudy Tomjanovich, who guided the Houston Rockets to a 15-1 mark in
November, today was named NBA Coach of the Month.
Under Tomjanovich, the Rockets (15-1) got off to their customary quick
start. They won their first six games and set a franchise record for
wins in a month, despite a revamped backcourt and the three-game
absence of All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon.
Houston, which leads the NBA in scoring at 104.8 points per game, has
won nine straight games since November 14th. They are 8-0 on the road,
the league's only unbeaten team.
Tomjanovich is in his sixth season as coach of the Rockets and has
compiled a 239-135 mark. He guided the club to NBA titles in 1994 and
1995.
Eight other coaches were considered, including Chicago's Phil Jackson,
Miami's Pat Riley and Seattle's George Karl.
nba.1882nba.news,
Raptors sign Earl Cureton, waive Brad Lohaus
The Toronto Raptors, who have lost seven of their last eight games,
today signed journeyman center Earl Cureton, who has won a pair of NBA
championship rings.
The 39-year-old Cureton replaces Brad Lohaus, who was waived. His
signing comes on the heels of last week's signing of 40-year-old John
Long. Both Cureton and Long were former teammates of Raptors general
manager Isiah Thomas, who felt the leadership was needed.
"We wanted to continue to add experience to our roster," Thomas said.
"Earl Cureton and John Long will help us become a more confident team
down the stretch. We have been in a lot of close games and they will
help guide our younger players."
During their recent slide, the Raptors (4-10) have not lost by more
than nine points. There have been two three-point losses and one
five-point setback.
Cureton hasn't played in the league since the 1993-94 season, when he
was a member of the NBA champion Houston Rockets. He has a lifetime
scoring average of 5.4 points per game with six teams, including the
1983 Philadelphia 76ers, another team that won the NBA title.
Lohaus was averaging 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds per contest this
season.
nba.1883nba.news,
Olajuwon undergoes treatment for irregular heartbeat
HOUSTON (Dec 2, 1996 - 10:30 EST) -- Hakeem Olajuwon underwent
electrical treatment Monday in an attempt to correct his second
incidence of an irregular heartbeat in less than two weeks.
Cardiologist Tony Pacifico, an arrhythmia specialist, waited to see if
the heart corrected itself before trying to bring it into sync with a
defibrillator.
"He's just had the electrocardio version -- shocking his heart back
into a normal rhythm," Methodist Hospital spokeswoman Angela McPike
said. "It refused to go back on its own."
Doctors and the Rockets planned a statement later today on the
outcome.
The procedure also was used two weeks ago to correct Olajuwon's
arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat, after he left the Nov. 19 game
against Minnesota at halftime. At that time, he went immediately to
Methodist Hospital, where he remained for two days while undergoing
precautionary tests.
Olajuwon, 33, checked himself into the hospital Sunday after suffering
arrhythmia during halftime of the Rockets' Saturday night victory over
the Washington Bullets.
He had the same problem once in 1991.
The Rockets' physician, Dr. James Muntz, said the recurring
complication doesn't mean that Olajuwon has a problem with his health
or his heart.
"He has a perfectly normal heart," Muntz said. "We don't think that
arrhythmia is career-threatening. We don't think it's
life-threatening."
Olajuwon alerted trainers when he noticed the abnormal heartbeat
Saturday night.
The trainers took his pulse and consulted with team doctors, who
determined it was safe for Olajuwon to play in the second half, Muntz
said. Olajuwon played 39 minutes in the game, scoring 34 points and
grabbing 17 rebounds.
Rockets spokesman Tim Frank said the star center felt "a little funny"
while returning to the team hotel from a post-game dinner.
"He went to lay down," Frank said. "We called our trainer, our trainer
checked him out and team officials decided it was in the best interest
to fly him back and get our own doctors to take a look at him."
The doctors said they still can't tell if the arrhythmia is sporadic
or chronic and are considering putting Olajuwon on a drug to help keep
his heartbeat regular.
It's not known why such arrhythmia occurs. Between 1 percent and 2
percent of all people are believed to suffer the condition at one time
or another, Pacifico said.
Olajuwon is third in the NBA in scoring at 25.8 points per game, and
his 9.5 rebounds per game are second on the team to Charles Barkley.
Olajuwon, who helped the United States -- his naturalized country --
win the 1996 Olympic gold medal in basketball, also is averaging 2.7
assists with 17 steals and 23 blocks.
Olajuwon suffered anemia during the 1994-95 season. Before the 1990-91
season, he was hospitalized with a blood clot in his left leg, which
was dissolved by blood thinners.
nba.1884nba.news,
Olajuwon released from Houston hospital
HOUSTON (Dec 2, 1996 - 18:36 EST) -- Hakeem Olajuwon, saying he's in
good health and has a "very good heart," left the hospital Monday
after a visit from former President George Bush and plans to start
working out in hopes of rejoining the Houston Rockets.
For the second time in less than two weeks, the star center was
treated for an irregular heartbeat. The problem is not considered
career-threatening, but his return to play was not immediately set.
When asked when he would be in the lineup again, Olajuwon said,
"Hopefully, as soon as possible."
Olajuwon remained in Houston while his teammates played in Toronto on
Monday night. The Rockets said Olajuwon is to begin workouts Tuesday.
Olajuwon spent the night in Methodist Hospital. He spoke before
climbing into his white Mercedes and driving himself home.
"It wasn't painful," he said of his hospital stay. "I'm in good
health. I have a very good heart. There's no really major concern.
It's just something I need to learn to live with."
Olajuwon, 33, was given aspirin and the drug Lanoxin to deal with the
heartbeat irregularity.
The problem resurfaced Saturday night in Washington, where he scored
34 points, his high game this season. Houston beat the Bullets to
improve its record to 15-1, tied with Chicago for the NBA's best mark.
His 25.8 point average is third best in the NBA.
Doctors said aspirin would keep his blood from clotting and the
prescription medication would keep his heart from fluttering.
"What it basically does is keep it from getting fast," team physician
James Muntz said.
"It's uncomfortable for him because your heart is going fast but at no
point would the Rockets or any of the doctors let him play if this was
something dangerous."
Cardiologist Tony Pacifico, an arrhythmia specialist, had waited to
see if the heart corrected itself before bringing it into sync with a
defibrillator Monday morning. About three hours later, Olajuwon was
released.
Before departing, however, Olajuwon received a visit from the former
president. Bush, who has a similar medical problem, lives in Houston
and dropped by the hospital specifically to see the player.
"The big guy was laying there looking pretty good to me," Bush said.
Two weeks ago doctors used the electrical shock to correct Olajuwon's
arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat, after he left the Nov. 19 game
against Minnesota at halftime.
At that time, he went immediately to Methodist Hospital, where he
remained for two days while undergoing precautionary tests. He was
sidelined for a week, missing three games. He had the same heart
problem once in 1991.
It's not known why such arrhythmia occurs. Between 1 percent and 2
percent of all people are believed to suffer the condition at one
time, Pacifico said.
Olajuwon had anemia during the 1994-95 season. Before the 1990-91
season, he was hospitalized with a blood clot in his left leg, which
was dissolved by blood thinners.
"I really appreciate the concern, but really there is no need to be
concerned," Olajuwon said.
nba.1885nba.news,
Hardaway not far from coming back
Orlando Magic star point guard Anfernee Hardaway might be returning
sooner than expected from arthroscopic knee surgery performed on
November 17th. Initially expected to be sidelined as long as a
month, Hardaway instead will likely resume practicing with the team
this week, and the Magic hope he can play as early as Friday night
when they begin a road trip against the Lakers and ex-Orlando star
Shaquille O'Neal.
Hardaway had the surgery to repair a cartilage tear in the left
knee, but was able to begin rehabilitation immediately.
Despite being without Hardaway and the injured Dennis Scott, the
Magic came out of November with an 8-4 record. The team went 4-3
without Hardaway. He is averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 assists, 6.3
rebounds and 1.5 steals a game this season.
nba.1886nba.news,
AROUND THE NBA: Hardaway making Riley look good
(Dec 2, 1996 - 09:24 EST) -- For all intents and purposes, the Miami
Heat's designs on becoming one of the elite teams in the league ended
when commissioner David Stern invalidated their contract with Juwan
Howard.
Or so it seemed this past offseason, when Heat coach and president Pat
Riley had his master plan torn to pieces by Stern's verdict that the
deal with Howard put Miami over the salary cap. Howard returned to
Washington and the Heat returned to also-ran status, right?
Apparently not. Riley the deal-maker may have outsmarted himself, but
Riley the coach is still a pretty sharp fellow.
After concluding a perfect six-game western swing with a victory over
the Clippers on Wednesday, the Heat entered the weekend atop the
Atlantic Division with an 11-4 record. The 6-0 journey marked the
first time the Heat had won more than two games on a western trip.
"Who could have expected this?" forward P.J. Brown said. "I came out
here hoping to go .500."
Free-agent signees Dan Majerle and Brown have picked up some of the
load Howard was expected to carry, which has kept the Heat from
relying too much on center Alonzo Mourning. Majerle is showing flashes
of the All-Star form he displayed in Phoenix, as evidenced by his
consecutive games of 20-plus points at the end of the trip.
But the man making the biggest impact is veteran guard Tim Hardaway,
who played a nearly flawless game last Tuesday against his former
Golden State Warriors teammates.
Despite Mourning's presence, Hardaway is the undisputed floor leader,
a role he publicly tries to downplay.
"This is all our team," said Hardaway, considerably quicker after
trimming 15-20 pounds to his current 195. "We're going to set the
example. It's not just one person's team.
"When the ball swings to me I look to penetrate, get somebody an open
shot, make the right play at the right time."
The right time has often been at the end of games, when Hardaway has
converted in key situations, especially from the free throw line.
During the trip Riley paid him the ultimate compliment.
"He's the closest thing I've been around to Magic Johnson," Riley
said. "He's a 6-foot Magic Johnson, that's what he is. He's
tough-minded, he's competitive, he challenges you."
The same words could be said about Riley.
* * *
RUMOR CENTRAL: Word spread quickly last week about a possible trade
through which the Warriors would land 7-6 center Shawn Bradley from
the Nets in exchange for Donyell Marshall and rookie Todd Fuller.
The Warriors reportedly nixed the deal, though general manager Dave
Twardzik denied even talking to New Jersey.
New Nets coach John Calipari, who has considerable say in personnel
matters, said for now Bradley is rooted to the Meadowlands muck.
"Oh yeah, he's staying," Calipari said. "I'm not moving any of our
frontline guys unless we get an All-Star or an early first-round draft
pick. Even if that's in the deal, I'm not sure I'd do it. I like the
fact Shawn's 7-6 and would be a rookie this year if he'd gone to
college."
Bradley occasionally shows the skills that prompted the 76ers to take
him with the second pick in the 1993 draft.
On Thursday against the Warriors, he surpassed his season average of
10 points midway through the first quarter. He also blocked four
shots, grabbed 12 rebounds and make some very athletic plays,
especially for a player his size.
But his effort is still maddeningly inconsistent, prompting the trade
talk.
"You can get mad at him on the court because he's not aggressive at
times, maybe he gets winded at times," Calipari said. "But I've seen
great strides and he'll be fine."
At 245 pounds, Bradley is still painfully thin and gets pushed around
underneath the basket. After three years of getting called Beanpole
and assorted other names, it's not a topic he's happy to discuss.
"Look man, I'm 24 years old," he said testily. "I'm trying to be
strong. I know that's going to happen naturally. I'm not worried about
it. As far as putting on 40 pounds, that's not going to happen."
* * *
SEE, I TOLD YOU SO: Mavericks forward Jamal Mashburn, known for his
inclination to shoot 3-pointers, is not likely to venture into the
paint anytime soon. New coach Jim Cleamons had been encouraging him to
do so, but Mashburn's latest attempt left him pretty sore.
Mashburn broke his cheekbone on a drive to the basket when his face
collided with the knee of the Clippers' Rodney Rogers. Mashburn had
facial surgery and is expected to be out about a month.
When he returns he'll wear a hockey mask or some other such
contraption.
* * *
JOE THE THESPIAN: The Warriors' Joe Smith has a small speaking part in
the HBO movie "Rebound," the story of New York City playground legend
Earl Manigault. Smith plays a young Connie Hawkins.
"We did it in June," said Smith, who couldn't remember his lines. "It
was cool, but it was long. It would take 12, 13 hours a day. Sometimes
you'd be more tired than when you're coming off the court."
* * *
Pistons star Grant Hill is still bothered by the sprained right
wrist he reinjured when fouled by the Hornets' Matt Geiger. Geiger,
you'll recall, is the guy who sent Shaquille O'Neal to the sidelines
for the early part of last season with a foul that resulted in a
broken wrist. The move, of course, is now known as the Geiger counter
...
The Cavaliers, off to a surprising 9-4 start, are rooting for the
Suns to continue their losing ways. They have Phoenix's first-round
pick as part of the Hot Rod Williams deal ...
The Blazers are the youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of
25.63 years. The Warriors are third at 25.87. They meet for the second
game of a home-and-away set Sunday at noon in the San Jose Arena.
Bring your pacifiers ...
The Sonics have beaten the Timberwolves 22 straight times, a streak
that extends to 1991.
* * *
QUOTABLE: "Sex is canceled. When you have to cut (sex) out, you know
it's a problem."-- Raptors forward Carlos Rogers, on the recent asthma
attack that sent him to the hospital.
nba.1887nba.news,
AROUND THE NBA: Bulls coach can go shopping
(Dec 2, 1996 - 11:18 EST) -- Phil Jackson is free to look for another
job. Dennis Rodman can't afford to get hurt or suspended.
So sayeth their contracts, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Jackson and Rodman both signed one-year contracts with the Chicago
Bulls last summer, and some of the fine print is beginning to make its
way into newsprint.
When Jackson was negotiating his contract, he insisted that owner
Jerry Reinsdorf include a clause allowing him to contact other teams
about jobs before this season is over.
So when Denver Nuggets coach Bernie Bickerstaff was replaced by Dick
Motta on Tuesday, there was immediate speculation that the 65-year-old
Motta will be a stopgap until Jackson comes aboard next season.
Jackson may desire a job in the Western Conference closer to his home
in Montana. The Nuggets job would also allow him to be closer to his
daughter, a student at the University of Colorado. And the corporate
owners of the Nuggets and NHL Colorado Avalanche could afford to pay
Jackson enough to put him in the Pat Riley salary range.
Also, with the Nuggets set to have $20 million of salary cap room
available after the 1997-98 season, Jackson would be able to rebuild
the team as he sees fit.
Rodman, on the other hand, agreed to a clause that Reinsdorf wanted.
The Bulls filled Rodman's contract with penalties for missed games.
Should he play fewer than 80 games, he would lose several hundred
thousand dollars -- and the penalties escalate from there.
Due to injuries and suspensions, Rodman hasn't played a full 82-game
schedule since 1991-92.
* * *
MORE BULLS: Michael Jordan also signed a one-year contract last
summer, and he has been coy regarding his plans for the future.
"I don't know if I want to go through one of those farewell tours,"
Jordan said. "When it's time, I just want to be able to walk away."
Maybe he'll walk further into an acting career. "Space Jam", in which
Jordan co-stars with Bugs Bunny, grossed $48.3 million in its first
two weeks and ranked No. 2 at the box office.
If the Bulls win the championship this year, it would be their fifth
in seven years -- and it could push Jordan into retirement again.
"That would be a storybook ending," Jordan said. "Kind of like a fairy
tale. Hey, maybe that could be another movie."
As for Rodman, he issued a statement on his future while wearing pink
suede shoes and a blue suede jacket after the Bulls played the
Clippers in Los Angeles.
"If we win it again, I'll come back," Rodman said. "If we don't, I'm
getting out. I've already made my mark in this game. I've got other
things to do."
Rodman also took a shot at the NBA and a certain 7-foot center.
"The NBA is going to sell itself out like football and baseball,"
Rodman said. "I saw Shaquille O'Neal play the other night and they pay
him $100 million and he still can't hit a free throw. That should tell
you something."
* * *
ONLY A MOTTA OF TIME: Motta's promotion from assistant to head coach
of the Nuggets came as no surprise to the Dallas Mavericks, the team
Motta coached last season.
"Dick was a shoo-in to be the next head coach in Denver," Mavericks
guard Derek Harper said. "When the season started, everyone
contemplated that would happen. It was just a matter of when."
"Dick is the reason why I'm in the league, because he drafted me when
I came out of college," Harper said. "So this couldn't have happened
to a better person."
* * *
FALL FROM GRACE: On the same day the Nuggets promoted Motta, they made
another, less-noticeable personnel move by waiving backup point guard
Eric Murdock.
It was another in a line of setbacks for a player who just three years
ago was a notch below All-Star level.
After leaving Providence as the career steals leader in NCAA Division
I, Murdock improved over his first three NBA seasons. In 1993-94, he
played all 82 games for the Milwaukee Bucks and averaged 15.3 points
and 6.7 assists in 31 minutes.
His averages dipped the following season, and last year he had the
ignominious distinction of being traded -- along with another player,
no less -- for Benoit Benjamin.
The Vancouver Grizzlies renounced his rights over the summer and he
signed with Denver as a free agent, but Motta had more faith in Utah
reject Brooks Thompson as the backup to Mark Jackson.
The day Murdock was waived, Thompson had career-highs of 26 points and
six 3-pointers against Phoenix.
* * *
BACK FROM BRINK: Just two weeks ago, there was talk that Muggsy
Bogues, one of the original members of the Charlotte Hornets, was
finished.
Surgery on his chronically sore left knee -- "bone scraping bone" was
the way one team official put it -- didn't alleviate the pain and
Bogues, 31, missed six consecutive games after playing in the first
two of the season.
Bogues turned to acupuncture as a last resort, and it has helped
enough to get the 5-foot-3 guard back on the court.
He even played in back-to-back games this week and burned the Sonics
for 10 points, 12 assists and four steals Tuesday as Charlotte ended
Seattle's 11-game winning streak.
* * *
TAINTED T.D.?: Anthony Mason of the Hornets had 14 points, 10 rebounds
and nine assists when he fouled out against Seattle with 24.2 seconds
remaining, and the official play-by-play sheet listed only nine
assists.
But the final box score included a 10th assist that gave the former
Knick his first career triple-double.
The Hornets said the official scorer had credited Mason with 10
assists, but the play-by-play inputter had missed one in the third
quarter. The two officials conferred during a late timeout and gave
Mason the 10th assist.
* * *
MISCELLANEOUS LEADERS: A few categories you won't see on the usual
league leaders list:
Minutes per game: Latrell Sprewell, Golden State, 43.1.
Assists-turnover ratio: B.J. Armstrong, Golden State, 4.09.
Steals-turnover ratio: Ron Harper, Chicago, 2.13.
Fouls per 48 minutes: Andrew DeClercq, Golden State, 12.3.
Personal fouls: Shawn Kemp, SuperSonics, 68.
Technical fouls, Charles Barkley, Houston, 8.
nba.1888nba.news,
Kings play like paupers in Palace
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Dec 2, 1996 - 06:24 EST) -- This was regression
in its purest sense.
Forget last season's playoff victory over Seattle and erase the fast
starts the Kings have enjoyed the past two seasons.
Their feeble attempt to be competitive in Sunday night's embarrassing
95-66 whipping by the Detroit Pistons was akin to dressing for the
prom and then not going.
It was the no-show performance the Kings made famous during the early
'90s, when they set the modern-day record for fewest points in a game
with 59 at Charlotte on Jan. 10, 1991.
The Kings threatened that record again Sunday at the Palace of Auburn
Hills. They scored just 16 points in each of the first three quarters
and still had 54 points with less than four minutes remaining.
Forward Lionel Simmons and center Duane Causwell are the two remaining
players from the 1990-91 squad that set that single-game record for
scoring futility.
Simmons played 11 minutes in the first half but did not play in the
second. He sat on the bench during the Kings' season-low scoring
output, and his mind naturally drifted back.
"Don't ask me anything," he said. "I was sitting on the bench thinking
about how everyone would ask me and Caus what it was like when it
happened before."
It was abysmal then and worse now, because the talent level is much
improved over that team's. This was unrepresentative of a team that
entered the season with visions of improvement and a better
performance in the playoffs.
Offensively, the Kings shot a putrid 28.2 percent (24 of 85), the
lowest percentage in the Sacramento era. The previous stinker was
against Utah on Jan. 3, 1988, when they shot 28.6 percent.
However, it was not the lowest percentage in franchise history. The
Rochester Royals shot 25 percent against St. Louis on Nov. 23, 1955.
Should the Kings throw out a few more listless performances like this
one, even their former home, the lottery, should be deemed off-limits.
"It was a horrible performance," said a distraught coach Garry St.
Jean. "It started early and stayed consistent.
"Bring out all your adjectives. We were spanked, kicked, pushed and
shoved in every direction. I'll tell you something. It was a long time
sitting there on that bench, and I know it was just as long for the
players on the floor."
Yes, the Kings have been on the road for eight days, and yes, they
have played eight of their past nine games away from Arco Arena. But
they only had to look down the floor at the other bench for an example
of how to play together as a team.
The Pistons were solid, aggressive and focused defensively. Their
rotations were crisp and designed to take guards Mitch Richmond and
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf out of the game. Richmond made just 2 of 12 shots
and scored seven points, while Abdul-Rauf attempted just two shots and
went scoreless in 25 minutes.
The Pistons' team defense fought through what are supposed to be picks
set for the two shooters and then crowded the Kings' pick-and-roll
plays. They forced the shooters to give up the ball, and the ball
never was passed around to the open man, much less ever made its way
back to the shooters.
"We have to know our roles," Richmond said. "We need to know what we
have to do. We have to play defense and help each other out. If people
ain't playing, then get them out of the game."
The Kings were competitive for all of six minutes. They led 12-10
after Corliss Williamson, who had a team-high 15 points, scored on a
lay-in with 6:38 remaining. But the Kings then were outscored 21-2
until Causwell sank a 14-foot jumper just before the first-quarter
buzzer.
During an 11-possession span, the Kings missed 10 shots and committed
a turnover.
That was the best example of their futility. They trailed by as many
as 35 and were lucky the Pistons missed eight of their first 10 shots
in the second quarter -- or it could have been worse.
nba.1889nba.news,
Uneasy signs for Sonics in loss to Jazz
SEATTLE (Dec 2, 1996 - 05:18 EST) -- Hersey Hawkins made the plea, and
given this team's recent history of success, it's certainly worth
consideration.
"I hope nobody makes more of this than what it is," Hawkins said after
the Seattle SuperSonics were beaten by the Utah Jazz, 96-90, in front
of 17,072 at KeyArena on Sunday. "It's just one basketball game. We
have 60-something to go."
So considering the Sonics are still 14-4, still the favorites to win
the Pacific Division, still one of only four or five really good teams
in the NBA, and that December just began, they deserve a certain
benefit of the doubt.
But if you are the type to search for warning signs -- and Sonic head
coach George Karl is certainly one of those -- there are several as
noticeable as the smile on Karl Malone's face after Utah won its 10th
in a row and second in two tries against Seattle this year.
What four things are probably worrying Karl most today?
1. The Sonics, despite their glittery record, have played only six
games against teams that currently have winning records and have lost
four (Utah twice, Atlanta, Charlotte), beating only New York and
Portland.
"Obviously, we're not as good as we think we are," said forward Detlef
Schrempf. "We have beaten a lot of teams, but teams we are supposed to
beat."
Utah, meanwhile, is a team the Sonics will probably need to beat to
get another shot at Chicago.
"We've had holes in some of the games we've won," Karl said. "But
tonight we played a team that doesn't beat itself and makes you make
mistakes and slaps you with them."
2. The Sonics have been an erratic shooting team all season, and
were much more hit than miss again Sunday. Seattle has shot 36 percent
or better from the 3-point line -- what it averaged last year -- only
four times in the last nine games and was only 5 of 18 Sunday (27.8
percent).
That percentage mattered even more Sunday because Seattle often seemed
content to settle for the 3-pointer on a day when a clamp-like Utah
defense didn't allow the Sonics a single fast-break point.
"When you see that (no fast-break points), you know the team wasn't
ready to play," said forward Shawn Kemp, who led the Sonics with 29
points. "I thought they got back on transition defense a lot of times
today and when you stop a team's fast break from going, they lose
confidence."
When that happened, the Sonics started hoisting up the jumpers, few of
which fell.
"It seems like early in the games, we kind of start trying to make 3s
and jumpers and then we don't make them and then we go back to our
real personality," Karl said.
"The positive of that is that it hasn't hurt us until tonight. The
negative is that we might be developing a negative personality."
The Sonics reigned in the jumpers a bit in the second half, which led
to several runs at Utah's 11-point halftime lead. But Seattle never
got closer than two in the third quarter, and never closer than three
after Sam Perkins hit a 3-pointer with 10:52 left. Chris Morris
quickly responded with a trey for the Jazz, and the lead was never
fewer than four again.
3. The Sonics have gotten to the free throw line more than any other
team in the NBA, but lately haven't been making it count. Seattle hit
only 17 of 27 on Sunday (63 percent) after shooting only 60 percent in
two of the last three games, including a loss at Charlotte. The Sonics
are shooting 72 percent from the line compared to 76 percent last
year.
"We lacked a lot of things tonight -- offense, defense, fast breaks,"
Kemp said. "It was just a bad night."
4. Seattle's bench was outplayed big time by the Jazz. And the play
of the reserves -- like the outside shooting -- has been sporadic,
save for the steady Perkins, who scored 17 points Sunday compared to
only five for the rest of the bench.
Utah, meanwhile, got 13 points from Antoine Carr, 12 from Morris and
11 from Shandon Anderson to complement Malone's game-high 30 and
offset a bad night from Jeff Hornacek.
Karl, however, said that much of the depth problem will be solved once
Nate McMillan returns from a pulled groin. McMillan could potentially
be ready for Tuesday's game in Los Angeles against the Lakers if all
goes well at practice today.
And maybe the return of McMillan is all the Sonics need to get back to
playing like they did when they beat Utah in last year's Western
Conference Finals, and not like the team that has lost to Utah twice
this year.
"We're 18 games into the season and if anybody is worried about this
loss, they shouldn't be in this locker room," said Hawkins. "Of course
you want to win them all and play well in all of them, but it's just
not going to happen."
nba.1890nba.news,
Webber's takes a stand with his shoes
LANDOVER, Md. (Dec 2, 1996 - 11:06 EST) -- It isn't always easy being
in Chris Webber's shoes.
He was criticized when his feud with former coach Don Nelson forced
the Golden State Warriors to trade him to the Washington Bullets two
seasons ago. Then, when he signed a six-year, $57 million deal, he was
immediately given the responsibility of carrying the team past the
Chicago Bulls and everyone else.
"We are going to bring an NBA championship to Washington, and Chris
Webber is going to lead the way," owner Abe Pollin said last October.
Pressure? Sure. Especially for a 23-year-old who isn't interested in
dedicating every facet of his life to the game of basketball.
But Webber has other, self-imposed pressures on him, to be a good role
model for children growing up in Washington, to be a positive
influence in the community.
For that reason, Webber took the unusual step of refusing to renew his
shoe contract with Nike.
For one thing, it was virtually impossible for most inner-city kids to
afford the Chris Webber model, which sold for $140.
"Also, a lot of my friends own stores in the Detroit area, and Nike
doesn't sell to black vendors in the inner city," Webber said.
"You won't find Nikes being sold to small vendors -- which mostly
happen to be minorities, whether they be black or Arabic. A lot of
pressure was put on me by my friends and I took upon myself to step up
and show them that I mean what I say."
So Webber now wears black Converse sneakers with the logo obscured by
black ink.
Nike spokesman Keith Peters refused to comment directly on Webber's
assertions, but said, "There's been a fair amount of misinformation
that I've read in regards to Chris Webber's relationship with Nike.
"It appears as if Chris wants to head in another direction. I just
wish he would be more forthright in characterizing his negotiations
with Nike and the way this company operates."
Webber has talked with Converse and Reebok about a shoe deal, but he's
prepared to go the entire season in his generic black high-tops.
"I do a lot of things that aren't for money. I could have gotten more
money by staying at Golden State, and I could have got more money by
staying with Nike. Both times, I've been criticized," Webber said.
One thing his sizeable salary has allowed him to do is explore his
heritage and share it with others.
He owns a fine collection of documents signed by black leaders such as
Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X.
"When I got out of school, I had the money and I wanted to learn as
much about my people and myself as I could," Webber said.
"He's doing something he loves to do. It's great to see that he
appreciates stuff like that," said Juwan Howard, Webber's teammate and
one of his closest friends.
On off days, Webber often visits local elementary schools to try to
make a positive, lasting impression on young minds.
"I think sometimes we take for granted the effect we have on young
people. I never want to do that," he said. "One time I showed this
little kid Martin Luther King's signature, and it changed his world.
"I remember shaking hands with Isiah Thomas when I was 12 and my hand
tingling all day," he said. "I need to be a role model. It's part of
our job."
nba.1891nba.news,
NBA Power Ratings Through November 29th
The ratings are a statistical analysis of the strength of a
basketball team. Compare the ratings for the two teams after
adding 3.5 points to the home team's rating. The greater the
difference the more likely the higher rated team will win.
The Power Ratings take into account 45 different statistical
categories and rankings.
Power
Rank Team Rating
1 Chicago 112.0
2 Seattle 108.3
3 Utah 108.0
4 Cleveland 107.2
5 Washington 105.8
6 Miami 105.4
7 Milwaukee 104.7
8 LA Clippers 104.4
9 New York 103.3
10 Orlando 102.0
11 Detroit 101.9
12 Portland 101.7
13 Indiana 101.6
14 Minnesota 101.3
15 LA Lakers 100.1
16 Phoenix 98.7
17 Houston 98.1
18 Atlanta 97.1
19 Dallas 96.7
20 San Antonio 96.4
21 Toronto 96.1
22 Sacramento 95.9
23 Vancouver 94.8
24 Philadelphia 94.3
25 New Jersey 93.3
26 Denver 93.1
27 Charlotte 92.7
28 Boston 92.7
29 Golden State 92.4
nba.1892nba.news,
Evo i malo tračeva iz NBA lige... :)
Toni! Toni! Toni!
A few weeks ago we reported on the trouble pop singer Toni Braxton
started when she was supposedly dating Dallas Mavericks Jason Kidd and
Jimmy Jackson at the same time.
Jackson and Kidd got over it -- in fact, Kidd has recently been
spotted with Mike Tyson's ex, Robin Givens -- but Braxton did not give
up on finding a man in the NBA.
Word has it, the R&B songstress is now engaged to David Vaughn of the
Orlando Magic.
In more book news ...
Looks like Seattle SuperSonics coach George Karl is writing a book
that will be released this spring called "This Game's the Best!"
Included topics are: how the marketing of players has eroded team
play; how superstars "blackmail" coaches; how young athletes are
ruined by coddling coaches and greedy parents; and how players and
fans have lost perspective of the game and their lives.
The coach will also share his insights on Michael Jordan, Dennis
Rodman, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone
and, of course, his own team.
Jordan with a steal
Thieves were probably set to cash in recently after stealing Michael
Jordan's three Chicago Bulls championship rings and a watch from a
display case at his golf shop.
Or so they thought.
Seems Jordan made sure the display items were all replicas of the real
jewelry.
Watch your back in front of Jack
We all know Jack Nicholson takes his L.A. Lakers seriously. Just ask
Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
During a recent Rockets-Lakers game -- that Houston won -- Rudy T got
in Nicholson's way a little too often.
The actor reportedly slapped the coach around the waist and ordered
him to get out of his way.
Tomjanovich obeyed.
Cheeks in his ear
The Sixers are entrusting former player and current assistant coach
Maurice Cheeks with the maturing of their prized rookie Allen Iverson.
Sixers coach Johnny Davis told Cheeks to show the youngster the ropes
to being a successful NBA point guard.
Cheeks says Davis told him to "stay in Allen Iverson's ear," and he
does.
nba.1893dizel,
Posle prvog poluvremena utakmice Miami-New York najefikasniji igrač
je Saša Danilović sa ukupno 15 poena, uz šut za 3 poena 5/5!
nba.1894junior,
Za sad ima 7/7 sut, i ako ubaci jos jednu, izjednacice NBA rekord
Jeffa Hornaceka. :) Nek mu je sa srecom ...
nba.1895dizel,
The player of the game : Saša Danilović
21 poen, za 3 poena, 7/7, tj.100% :)
nba.1896vpoznanovic,
Tuesday, December 3
Boston at Atlanta 95:105
Charlotte at L.A. Clippers 89:96
Chicago at Milwaukee 107:104
Denver at Golden State 99:114
Indiana at Portland 98:93
Miami at New York 99:75
Sacramento at Minnesota 96:89
Seattle at L.A. Lakers 106:110
Toronto at Cleveland 74:93
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
BOSTON 23 22 17 33 95
ATLANTA 22 25 29 29 105 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: BOS - DANA BARROS 24, TODD DAY 15, RICK FOX 11
ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 21, STEVE SMITH 20, CHRISTIAN
LAETTNER 15
HIGH REBOUND: BOS - DINO RADJA 9, RICK FOX 8
ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 14, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
HIGH ASSISTS: BOS - RICK FOX 7, ANTOINE WALKER 3
ATL - CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 5, FOUR PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 7,364
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHARLOTTE 27 24 22 16 89
LA CLIPPERS 24 24 27 21 96 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHA - GLEN RICE 23, VLADE DIVAC 18, DELL CURRY 16
LAC - TERRY DEHERE 25, LOY VAUGHT 23, RODNEY ROGERS 13
HIGH REBOUND: CHA - VLADE DIVAC 12, MALIK ROSE 7
LAC - LOY VAUGHT 15, RODNEY ROGERS 8
HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - TYRONE BOGUES 7, VLADE DIVAC 6
LAC - RODNEY ROGERS 6, TERRY DEHERE 5
ATT: 5,755
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHICAGO 26 27 27 27 107
MILWAUKEE 23 26 31 24 104 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 40, TONI KUKOC 14, THREE PLAYERS WITH
12
MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 21, VIN BAKER 20, SHERMAN DOUGLAS 20
HIGH REBOUND: CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 12, MICHAEL JORDAN 6
MIL - VIN BAKER 16, GLENN ROBINSON 7
HIGH ASSISTS: CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 6, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 6
MIL - SHERMAN DOUGLAS 7, VIN BAKER 5
ATT: 18,633
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DENVER 25 20 26 28 99
GOLDEN STATE 31 26 32 25 114 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DEN - BROOKS THOMPSON 23, ANTONIO MCDYESS 21, DALE ELLIS 16
GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 28, MARK PRICE 19, JOE SMITH 18
HIGH REBOUND: DEN - ERVIN JOHNSON 9, TOM HAMMONDS 8
GSW - CHRIS MULLIN 8, JOE SMITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: DEN - MARK JACKSON 7, BROOKS THOMPSON 6
GSW - CHRIS MULLIN 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
ATT: 12,347
NBA FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
INDIANA 28 26 20 11 13 98
PORTLAND 17 25 28 15 8 93 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: IND - REGGIE MILLER 32, ANTONIO DAVIS 14, TRAVIS BEST 12
POR - KENNY ANDERSON 29, CLIFFORD ROBINSON 23, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 10
HIGH REBOUND: IND - ANTONIO DAVIS 11, DALE DAVIS 11
POR - CHRIS DUDLEY 11, ARVYDAS SABONIS 7
HIGH ASSISTS: IND - TRAVIS BEST 7, REGGIE MILLER 7
POR - CLIFFORD ROBINSON 4, KENNY ANDERSON 3
ATT: 20,083
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 27 20 28 24 99
NEW YORK 14 24 21 16 75 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - DAN MAJERLE 22, SASHA DANILOVIC 21, ALONZO MOURNING
17
NYK - ALLAN HOUSTON 14, PATRICK EWING 12, LARRY JOHNSON 12
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - PJ BROWN 10, DAN MAJERLE 8
NYK - PATRICK EWING 7, CHARLES OAKLEY 6
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - DAN MAJERLE 5, TIM HARDAWAY 5
NYK - CHRIS CHILDS 6, JOHN STARKS 5
ATT: 19,763
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 30 20 23 23 96
MINNESOTA 25 18 24 22 89 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 29, BILLY OWENS 13, MAHMOUD
ABDUL-RAUF 12
MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 22, STEPHON MARBURY 20, KEVIN GARNETT
10
HIGH REBOUND: SAC - BILLY OWENS 11, LIONEL SIMMONS 8
MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 13, STOYKO VRANKOVIC 7
HIGH ASSISTS: SAC - THREE PLAYERS WITH 4
MIN - THREE PLAYERS WITH 3
ATT: 11,191
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SEATTLE 28 30 26 22 106
LA LAKERS 26 29 35 20 110 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: SEA - DETLEF SCHREMPF 27, GARY PAYTON 24, SHAWN KEMP 22
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 32, NICK VAN EXEL 18, BYRON SCOTT 16
HIGH REBOUND: SEA - SHAWN KEMP 14, JIM MCILVAINE 8
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 14, EDDIE JONES 7
HIGH ASSISTS: SEA - GARY PAYTON 8, DETLEF SCHREMPF 6
LAL - EDDIE JONES 9, SHAQUILLE ONEAL 7
ATT: 17,505
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TORONTO 11 23 19 21 74
CLEVELAND 29 21 19 24 93 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: TOR - DOUG CHRISTIE 16, ACIE EARL 16, TWO PLAYERS WITH 11
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 18, BOB SURA 15, BOBBY PHILLS 13
HIGH REBOUND: TOR - POPEYE JONES 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
CLE - TYRONE HILL 11, BOB SURA 6
HIGH ASSISTS: TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 11, DOUG CHRISTIE 3
CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 6, BOBBY PHILLS 6
ATT: 13,494
nba.1897nba.news,
BOSTON (95) AT ATLANTA (105)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 33 4-9 1-2 1 6 7 3 1 2 5 9
WILLIAMS F 24 3-6 3-5 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 9
RADJA C 37 3-11 3-3 1 8 9 1 4 1 2 9
FOX G 37 4-14 2-2 1 7 8 7 3 3 3 11
BARROS G 39 9-11 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 4 24
MINOR 24 5-10 0-0 4 2 6 1 2 1 1 10
DAY 24 5-12 4-4 1 1 2 0 0 2 2 15
SZABO 6 1-1 2-2 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 4
BRICKOWSKI 16 2-5 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 4
BROWN DNP - SORE BACK
CONLON DNP - SORE LOWER BACK
WESLEY DNP - SORE RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 36-79 15-18 11 27 38 16 19 9 20 95
(.456) (.833) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 20(21 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 35 4-13 2-2 3 4 7 4 4 3 2 10
LAETTNER F 34 6-12 3-4 1 7 8 5 3 1 1 15
MUTOMBO C 29 7-15 7-7 6 8 14 1 4 0 3 21
SMITH G 33 8-15 1-1 0 5 5 4 2 1 0 20
BLAYLOCK G 34 5-14 2-2 5 3 8 4 1 5 2 14
NEWBILL 17 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 2 2
BARRY 15 2-4 2-2 1 0 1 4 0 1 0 6
RECASNER 14 3-4 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 7
BURTON 14 1-3 1-2 2 0 2 1 1 0 3 3
NORMAN 9 2-4 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5
LAUDERDALE 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 0
BOYCE 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
TOTALS 240 40-87 18-20 18 30 48 24 19 12 18 105
(.460) (.900) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 18(18 PTS)
BOSTON 23 22 17 33 - 95
ATLANTA 22 25 29 29 - 105
BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - RADJA 2, WALKER, DAY. ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 9,
LAETTNER, BURTON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 8-17 (.471), WALKER 0-1, FOX 1-6, BARROS 6-7,
DAY 1-2, BRICKOWSKI 0-1. ATLANTA 7-17 (.412), CORBIN 0-1, LAETTNER 0-1,
SMITH 3-5, BLAYLOCK 2-6, BARRY 0-1, RECASNER 1-1, NORMAN 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: MIKE MATHIS, MIKE CALLAHAN, GREG WILLARD.
A - 7,364. T - 1:59.
BOSTON (95) AT ATLANTA (105)
Dikembe Mutombo had 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks and
Steve Smith added 20 points in his return from a 10-game absence
to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 105-95 victory over the Boston
Celtics.
Christian Laettner had 15 points for the Hawks, who have won
five of six overall and five in a row at home. Atlanta has won
seven of its last eight meetings with Boston.
"We were totally out of rhythm in the first half and then we
tightened up the defense and all of a sudden started to score,"
Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens said. "Dikembe was incredible again.
When he made those blocked shots we were picking up those balls.
With him in the middle we can play good pressure defense. I
thought he was awesome."
The Hawks held a 65-60 lead with 2:09 left in the third quarter
before scoring the next nine points for a 74-60 advantage with
32 seconds to go in the period.
Mookie Blaylock began the run with a pair of foul shots. Smith,
who missed the last 10 games with a sprained right ankle, hit a
three-pointer, Mutombo added a hook shot and Tyrone Corbin
capped a fast break with a layup.
Smith made a layup with 5:58 remaining to give Atlanta its
biggest lead at 92-71.
"It felt real good, when you're winning it never hurts," Smith
said. "It's still not 100 percent yet, but it felts good. I'm
happy, I'm tired of being in the gym by myself. I think it was
a great night for us, it all starts with our defense. That will
really be the key to most of our victories."
Dana Barros scored 24 points and hit 6-of-7 from three-point
range for the Celtics, who have lost three straight and five of
seven.
"We played hard, we just didn't play smart," Barros said. "It
has been our problem most of the year, good half, good quarter,
bad quarter, we just play in spurts. The first five minutes of
the second was very important, we just didn't take care of
business. We got our butts kicked."
The Celtics couldn't contain the 7-foot-2 Mutombo with 6-foot-11
Dino Radja playing out of position at center. Mutombo hit
7-of-15 from the field, made all seven of his free-throw
attempts and had five blocks in the decisive third quarter.
"In the first half I didn't get a chance to play that much, but
I kept my composure," Mutombo said. "I think our rotation was
very well tonight, especially in the third quarter. By me
blocking those shots, it helps us get the fast break. I love
blocking shots, my tempo usually goes high and I get pumped up.
Now we know the month of December will be a great month and
maybe even finish on the top."
Barros hit three three-pointers to help the Celtics to a 23-22
lead after one quarter. Smith scored seven points and Laettner
had four in the second period to give Atlanta a 47-45 edge at
halftime.
The Hawks had a 48-38 rebounding advantage and shot 90 percent
(18-of-20) from the foul line.
Rick Fox had 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for
Boston, which shot 46 percent (36-of-79) from the field.
"They tightened up, they gained the lead and they held it," Fox
said. "They made it tough for us to get any good looks to come
back."
nba.1898nba.news,
CHARLOTTE (89) AT LA CLIPPERS (96)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 43 5-11 3-3 1 3 4 1 6 1 4 13
RICE F 42 8-18 4-5 0 3 3 0 1 1 1 23
DIVAC C 35 9-16 0-0 2 10 12 6 5 0 4 18
BOGUES G 39 2-6 2-2 1 2 3 7 2 0 2 6
CURRY G 36 7-18 1-2 2 1 3 2 3 1 1 16
ZIDEK 3 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
BURRELL 17 0-2 1-2 2 2 4 1 4 0 2 1
GOLDWIRE 9 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 6
DELK 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROSE 12 3-3 0-0 2 5 7 0 4 1 1 6
GEIGER DNP - BACK SPASMS
SMITH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-77 11-14 10 28 38 19 26 4 17 89
(.468) (.786) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 19(17 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 42 10-18 3-4 3 12 15 1 2 0 2 23
ROGERS F 42 4-12 4-8 2 6 8 6 3 1 3 13
WRIGHT C 6 1-2 1-2 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 3
D MARTIN G 23 1-3 3-5 1 2 3 4 2 0 0 5
DEHERE G 34 8-13 5-5 0 3 3 5 1 1 2 25
DUCKWORTH 10 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 4
MURRAY 20 4-8 2-4 3 0 3 0 2 1 1 11
BARRY 14 0-7 0-0 1 0 1 2 6 1 1 0
RICHARDSON 25 2-9 0-0 0 3 3 3 1 3 0 4
OUTLAW 24 4-4 0-1 1 2 3 1 4 0 0 8
ROBERTS DNP - RUPTURED DISK IN LOWER BACK
SEALY DNP - INJURED RIGHT ANKLE
TOTALS 240 36-79 18-29 12 29 41 23 24 7 12 96
(.456) (.621) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 14(17 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 27 24 22 16 - 89
LA CLIPPERS 24 24 27 21 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - BURRELL 3, ROSE 2, DIVAC 2. LA CLIPPERS -
VAUGHT, ROGERS, WRIGHT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 6-18 (.333), RICE 3-8, DIVAC 0-1, CURRY 1-5,
BURRELL 0-2, GOLDWIRE 2-2. LA CLIPPERS 6-13 (.462), ROGERS 1-2, DEHERE
4-5, MURRAY 1-2, BARRY 0-2, RICHARDSON 0-2.
TECHNICALS: CHARLOTTE - MASON 2 (EJECTED), LA CLIPPERS - DEHERE.
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, TONY BROTHERS, ED F RUSH.
A - 5,755. T - 2:11.
CHARLOTTE (89) AT LA CLIPPERS (96)
Loy Vaught scored a season-high 23 points, pulled down 15
rebounds and hit a key jumper with 22 seconds remaining, as the
Los Angeles Clippers snapped a six-game losing streak with a
96-89 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Anthony Mason's three-point play with 61 seconds left pulled the
Hornets within 91-89 before Rodney Rogers missed a pair of free
throws for the Clippers. With a chance to tie, Vlade Divac's
awkward shot as the shot clock expired was way off and Vaught
made a baseline jumper with 22 seconds to go to seal the
victory.
"I was just feeling involved," Vaught said. "We've got guys
hurt and we had to go back to how it used to be. They were
calling my number and I knew that if I missed a couple, I wasn't
gonna get benched because we only had ten guys."
Charlotte's Glen Rice missed a three-pointer and Terry Dehere
sank three foul shots to cap the scoring.
"They seemed to come out more aggressive than we did," Rice
said. "I think at this time it should wake us up. We didn't
play basketball the way the Charlotte Hornets are capable of
playing."
Dehere scored a season-high 25 points to lead the Clippers, who
snapped a three-game home losing streak with their first win
since November 20th.
"If you can shoot then you just have to take shots," Dehere
said. "The points that I scored came from plays that were
called in the huddle. It wasn't like I was taking it myself or
taking any load on my shoulders. I think we did really well on
the defensive end and that allowed us to stay in the game."
Rice scored 23 points and Divac added 18 for the Hornets, who
have lost three of four following a four-game winning streak.
Mason was ejected with 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter
after receiving his second technical foul.
The Hornets tied the game for the final time, 75-75 with 11:46
left on Mason's layup. The Clippers scored five straight
points, capped by Vaught's dunk with 7:15 to go, for an 87-80
lead.
Divac scored eight points during an 11-4 burst to give the
Hornets a 40-30 lead with 4:45 left in the first half before the
Clippers got within 51-48 at halftime.
"I thought we were ready to play tonight and with the way the
guys came out, I thought we were doing all right," Hornets coach
Dave Cowens said. "I thought we really needed this victory
here, it just makes it hard for us, it puts us in a hole."
Rogers scored 13 points and Lamond Murray added 11 for Los
Angeles, which shot 56 percent (36-of-79) from the field. The
Clippers attempted 15 more foul shots than the Hornets.
nba.1899nba.news,
CHICAGO (107) AT MILWAUKEE (104)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 44 5-14 2-4 2 0 2 6 3 3 5 12
RODMAN F 36 1-4 0-0 3 9 12 5 4 2 1 2
WENNINGTON C 24 6-9 0-0 1 3 4 1 1 1 1 12
HARPER G 18 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 1 0 3
JORDAN G 41 13-27 14-17 2 4 6 6 1 0 3 40
KUKOC 27 5-11 3-4 1 0 1 5 3 2 1 14
KERR 25 3-5 1-1 1 0 1 2 4 1 0 9
CAFFEY 14 6-6 0-1 0 1 1 0 4 0 2 12
BUECHLER 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
SIMPKINS 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 0
BROWN 5 1-3 1-2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3
LONGLEY DNP - SEPARATED LEFT SHOULDER
TOTALS 240 41-81 21-29 11 19 30 27 28 10 13 107
(.506) (.724) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 13(17 PTS)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 47 7-11 6-12 3 13 16 5 6 3 8 20
ROBINSON F 36 7-16 5-6 4 3 7 1 2 1 4 21
LANG C 25 3-4 0-0 2 3 5 1 1 0 2 6
ALLEN G 29 3-9 2-2 3 2 5 3 5 1 1 8
DOUGLAS G 33 6-12 6-7 0 1 1 7 2 2 1 20
NEWMAN 33 5-10 8-8 1 2 3 1 3 2 3 19
GILLIAM 17 2-4 0-0 2 1 3 1 2 0 2 4
HANCOCK 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
PERRY 15 0-3 2-2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2
WOOD 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOLF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-72 29-37 15 25 40 20 22 9 22 104
(.486) (.784) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 22(30 PTS)
CHICAGO 26 27 27 27 - 107
MILWAUKEE 23 26 31 24 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHICAGO - HARPER. MILWAUKEE - BAKER 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHICAGO 4-6 (.667), PIPPEN 0-1, HARPER 1-1, KUKOC 1-1,
KERR 2-3. MILWAUKEE 5-13 (.385), ROBINSON 2-3, ALLEN 0-2, DOUGLAS 2-2,
NEWMAN 1-3, PERRY 0-2, WOOD 0-1.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, HEAD COACH JACKSON, MILWAUKEE -
BAKER.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, NOLAN FINE, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 18,633. T - 2:17.
CHICAGO (107) AT MILWAUKEE (104)
Michael Jordan scored 40 points, including 10 in the final
quarter, and Jason Caffey keyed a pivotal fourth-quarter run
with six points as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Milwaukee
Bucks for the fifth consecutive time, 107-104.
Jordan recorded his 148th career game of 40-plus points and has
been the Bulls' leading scorer in 15 of 17 games this season. He
had a big fourth quarter as the Bulls used a 19-5 run to turn an
80-80 tie into a 14-point lead with four minutes to play.
Caffey sparked the run by opening the quarter with a dunk and
had the first six points of the period for Chicago. Scottie
Pippen and Toni Kukoc had layups and Jordan had a pair of free
throws for an 92-81 lead with 7:24 left. After a timeout, Jordan
and Kukoc hit jump shots and Steve Kerr capped the run with a
three-pointer.
"The Bucks came out and played hard," Jordan said. "Milwaukee
has shown that they are improved. I think that our bench came
in and executed our offense very well. We had some hard battles
on the road."
Toni Kukoc added 14 points and Caffey 12, both off the bench, as
the Bulls won for the 16th time in 17 games this season. Chicago
completed its seven-game road trip 6-1.
"I think that Milwaukee is a good team," Bulls coach Phil
Jackson said. "I belive that they are better than they played
tonight. We did what we wanted to do on our recent road trip.
This was the one of the more difficult games we had on the trip.
We're ahead of the game and ahead of the pack as opposed to
last season."
Glenn Robinson led Milwaukee with 21 points and Sherman Douglas
and Vin Baker had 20 apiece. The Bucks, who rallied late,
became just the third team to score more than 100 points against
the Bulls this season.
"We are very disappointed," Baker said. "We honestly feel that
we should have won this game. We played hard, but we didn't
rebound like what we need to. The turnovers really hurt us.
They're a great basketball team. In the fourth quarter they
came out at us very aggressively. We went into a drought, we
weren't as aggressive in the final quarter. We were flat and
had too many turnovers."
"We had our moments tonight, but we just couldn't sustain them,"
Bucks coach Chris Ford said. "Turnovers really hurt us
throughout the game and you only get so many chances with the
Bulls. We had a little run and got the fans excited at the end
of the third quarter."
Jordan had 11 in the opening quarter as the Bulls raced to an
early 12-8 lead and led 26-23 after one. An 8-2 run to start
the second quarter extended the lead to 34-25 and Chicago held a
53-49 halftime advantage.
Dennis Rodman had 12 rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals
but the Bucks held a 40-30 advantage on the boards. But
Milwaukee committed 22 turnovers and made just 5-of-13
three-point attempts.
nba.1900nba.news,
DENVER (99) AT GOLDEN STATE (114)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCDYESS F 39 9-15 2-3 2 3 5 2 2 1 3 21
D ELLIS F 44 6-16 1-2 1 0 1 3 3 1 0 16
JOHNSON C 24 2-3 1-2 1 8 9 2 3 1 3 5
JACKSON G 21 4-5 1-2 1 3 4 7 1 1 1 10
STITH G 19 1-7 0-0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 2
B THOMPSON 33 9-18 0-0 1 2 3 6 4 1 4 23
MARCIULIONIS 7 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 1 2 3
HAMMONDS 33 3-4 7-8 1 7 8 1 5 0 3 13
MCINNIS 16 2-5 1-2 1 0 1 4 3 1 1 6
HAM 4 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
L THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-78 13-19 10 23 33 26 25 8 18 99
(.474) (.684) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 19(25 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 40 4-9 4-5 3 5 8 11 2 1 3 12
SMITH F 37 7-13 4-4 2 5 7 1 4 0 1 18
SPENCER C 31 5-7 0-1 2 4 6 0 5 0 2 10
PRICE G 31 6-12 4-4 0 3 3 6 2 3 2 19
SPREWELL G 42 12-24 3-5 1 2 3 6 1 2 3 28
DECLERCQ 13 0-1 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 2 1 0
ARMSTRONG 19 4-9 4-4 0 1 1 3 0 1 2 14
OWES 7 1-1 0-0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
ROYAL 17 3-3 1-1 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 7
FULLER 1 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
MARSHALL 1 1-2 1-2 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 4
ROE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 43-81 21-26 12 26 38 28 18 10 14 114
(.531) (.808) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 14(18 PTS)
DENVER 25 20 26 28 - 99
GOLDEN STATE 31 26 32 25 - 114
BLOCKED SHOTS: DENVER - JOHNSON 3, MCDYESS 2. GOLDEN STATE - MULLIN 2,
SPENCER 2, SMITH, PRICE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DENVER 12-30 (.400), MCDYESS 1-2, D ELLIS 3-10, JACKSON
1-1, STITH 0-2, B THOMPSON 5-11, MARCIULIONIS 1-2, MCINNIS 1-2. GOLDEN
STATE 7-16 (.438), MULLIN 0-2, SMITH 0-1, PRICE 3-7, SPREWELL 1-2,
ARMSTRONG 2-3, MARSHALL 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, RON OLESIAK, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 12,347. T - 1:58.
DENVER (99) AT GOLDEN STATE (114)
Latrell Sprewell scored 10 of his 28 points over the final 5:22
of the first half as the Golden State Warriors raced to an early
lead and never trailed, handing the Denver Nuggets their fourth
straight loss, 114-99.
Sprewell, who has 88 points in his last three games, hit a jump
shot, three-pointer, had a pair of layups and a free throw as
the Warriors opened a 12-point halftime advantage and were never
headed.
"I think we've gotten better defensively, and we're rebounding
better too," Sprewell said. "We're not giving other teams as
many opportunities to score and our post guys are really
fighting hard and making it difficult for teams inside. We
studied the films and we've improved where we needed it."
Mark Price added 19 points and Joe Smith had 18 for the
Warriors, who shot 63 percent (14-of-22) from the field in the
first quarter to build a 31-25 lead.
"I thought it was a real solid win for us," said Warriors coach
Rick Adelman. "We played pretty good defense tonight. Sprewell
had a real solid game. Chris Mullin was terrific at both ends
of the court. He really defended and helped us on the boards.
Going to Phoenix tomorrow, I think we can get a win and
hopefully start on a (winning) streak."
Brooks Thompson had 23 points for Denver, which suffered its
fifth straight road loss and has allowed 100 or more points in
nine consecutive games. The Nuggets have dropped four of five
under new coach Dick Motta.
"Our guards can't get over the pick-and-roll," Motta said.
"Everytime we tried to trap, they just picked it apart. They
hit the cutters going down the middle. Our lack of speed in the
frontcourt is being exploited."
Price and Sprewell had eight points apiece in the opening
quarter as Golden State raced to a 24-14 lead and led by six at
the end of one. Thompson kept Denver in the game by scoring 10
of the Nuggets' final 11 points in the quarter.
"I just tried to light a spark and do what I could to get this
team going," Thompson said. "I don't think we are playing with
a lot of emotion now. We are just kind of going through the
motions and we just have to get over that."
The Warriors followed their hot shooting in the opening quarter
by hitting 10-of-19 shots in the second. Sprewell stayed hot
with 10 points, including a three-pointer and a pair of layups.
The Nuggets drew within eight points twice in the third quarter,
but trailed by 18 entering the fourth. Price and Sprewell had
eight as the Warriors hit 12-of-21 shots in the period.
A 7-2 run by Golden State to open the final quarter sealed the
victory as Denver was unable to get closer than 12.
Chris Mullin had 12 points and recorded season highs with 11
assists and 8 rebounds. B.J. Armstrong added 14 points off the
bench for Golden State, which had six players in double figures
for the second time this season.
nba.1901nba.news,
INDIANA (98) AT PORTLAND (93) - FINAL IN OT
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 31 3-10 2-2 0 2 2 2 5 1 3 8
D DAVIS F 44 2-3 3-6 2 9 11 1 6 3 3 7
DAMPIER C 21 3-8 2-2 1 2 3 0 4 1 2 8
BEST G 36 3-11 6-6 1 3 4 7 3 0 2 12
MILLER G 44 10-20 7-7 0 2 2 7 2 1 1 32
ALLEN 9 3-6 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 8
A DAVIS 32 5-8 4-9 3 8 11 0 4 0 3 14
ROSE 12 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 0
ASKEW 21 0-1 2-2 2 0 2 1 4 1 1 2
FERRELL 11 1-1 2-2 1 2 3 0 2 0 2 4
JOHNSON 4 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
HOIBERG DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 31-72 28-36 10 29 39 20 34 7 18 98
(.431) (.778) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 19(23 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 51 6-16 10-12 2 2 4 4 2 0 2 23
WALLACE F 31 2-8 0-0 0 4 4 0 2 1 1 4
SABONIS C 20 4-8 2-4 3 4 7 2 5 0 2 10
RIDER G 34 4-15 2-2 2 2 4 2 5 0 2 10
ANDERSON G 46 9-21 10-12 2 3 5 3 3 0 1 29
TRENT 22 4-9 0-0 2 4 6 0 3 1 3 8
DUDLEY 35 3-4 0-0 3 8 11 2 5 3 2 6
MCKIE 21 1-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 5 1 0 3
DJORDJEVIC 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ONEAL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGFIELD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 33-86 24-30 14 27 41 16 30 6 15 93
(.384) (.800) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 16(11 PTS)
INDIANA 28 26 20 11 13 - 98
PORTLAND 17 25 28 15 8 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - D DAVIS 3, A DAVIS 2, MCKEY. PORTLAND - SABONIS
2, DUDLEY 2, RIDER, MCKIE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 8-18 (.444), MCKEY 0-2, BEST 0-2, MILLER 5-9,
ALLEN 2-2, ROSE 0-1, JOHNSON 1-2. PORTLAND 3-21 (.143), C ROBINSON 1-5,
RIDER 0-6, ANDERSON 1-8, TRENT 0-1, MCKIE 1-1.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - D DAVIS, PORTLAND - ANDERSON.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, TOMMY NUNEZ, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 20,083. T - 2:45.
INDIANA (98) AT PORTLAND (93) - FINAL IN OT
Reggie Miller scored 32 points and put Indiana ahead for good as
the Pacers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 98-93, in
overtime for their first three-game winning streak of the
season.
Miller's three-pointer gave the Pacers a 90-87 advantage with
2:56 left in the extra period. Miller was 10-for-20 from the
field, including 5-of-9 from behind the arc as Indiana stopped a
three-game losing streak at Portland.
"Coming out here it was an objective of our's to try and win
this game," Miller said. "We wanted to win this one really bad,
and you have to give them credit because they made a comeback."
Kenny Anderson scored 29 points and Clifford Robinson added 23
for the Trail Blazers, who lost lost for just the third time in
nine games.
Derrick McKey, who had eight points, made a pair of free throws
to give the Pacers a 92-87 lead with 1:50 remaining. Anderson
made a driving layup and free throw to convert a three-point
play and cut the deficit to 92-90 just 11 seconds later.
As the shot clock ran down, McKey missed a desperation
three-pointer and Arvydas Sabonis grabbed the rebound. Sabonis
was fouled and had a chance to tie the game but made just one
free throw to make it 92-91 with 1:14 left.
Antonio Davis, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds, hit a short
hook shot to give the Pacers a 94-91 lead with just over a
minute left. After Miller missed a short one-handed jumper,
Anderson's layup cut the deficit to 94-93 with 13 seconds left.
"I really understood what it would take to win this game, and I
thought we had a real challenge here," Davis said. "We haven't
done a good job down low, but tonight I think we improved on
that."
Travis Best made two free throws with 12.6 seconds left to give
the Pacers a 96-93 lead. After Isaiah Rider missed a
three-pointer, Duane Ferrell made two free throws for the final
margin with six seconds left.
"I just caught it, squared up, took one dribble, tried to rise
and missed the shot," Rider said. "It was tough tonight, a
rough night. We have a chance to win a lot more games but these
games are going to haunt us at the end of the yaer."
McKey, Miller and rookie Erick Dampier each scored six points as
the Pacers took a 28-17 lead at the end of the first. Miller
made a layup to cap an 11-4 run and give Indiana its biggest
lead of the game, 46-28, with 4:39 left in the second.
"Once again we started out very poorly but those guys came in
here ready to play," Portland coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "It's
getting to be a real problem, not being ready to start the
game."
Robinson made a pair of free throws with 34 seconds left in the
third as the Blazers closed the third with a 12-2 burst to cut
the deficit to 74-70.
Anderson, who was 10-of-12 from the free throw line, made a pair
as the Blazers tied the score 78-78 with 6:28 left in the
fourth. The lead changed five times before Sabonis made a free
throw to make it 85-85 with 1:23 left.
nba.1902nba.news,
MIAMI (99) AT NEW YORK (75)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BROWN F 36 5-8 3-4 6 4 10 3 4 0 1 13
DANILOVIC F 38 7-8 0-1 0 2 2 1 3 2 6 21
MOURNING C 41 3-14 11-13 2 5 7 2 4 0 3 17
MAJERLE G 43 7-12 5-5 4 4 8 5 2 3 4 22
HARDAWAY G 40 1-12 5-5 0 6 6 5 2 3 5 8
AUSTIN 17 4-6 1-1 2 3 5 1 1 0 0 9
GRANT 11 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 4 0 2 0
ASKINS 10 2-2 1-1 0 5 5 0 2 0 0 6
STRICKLAND 2 1-1 1-2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3
SCOTT 2 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
LENARD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-65 27-32 15 31 46 20 22 8 21 99
(.462) (.844) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 23(25 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 32 4-9 4-6 2 1 3 0 4 0 0 12
OAKLEY F 32 4-9 2-3 2 4 6 0 4 0 1 10
EWING C 43 5-17 2-2 4 3 7 1 4 2 3 12
WARD G 21 0-5 1-2 1 2 3 3 1 3 3 1
HOUSTON G 34 6-12 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 14
CHILDS 27 2-6 2-2 2 1 3 6 3 3 3 6
STARKS 30 5-12 1-2 0 3 3 5 3 1 2 11
B WILLIAMS 21 4-9 1-1 2 2 4 1 4 2 0 9
BROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MCCARTY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-79 13-18 13 17 30 17 26 12 12 75
(.380) (.722) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(22 PTS)
MIAMI 27 20 28 24 - 99
NEW YORK 14 24 21 16 - 75
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - MOURNING 2, ASKINS, BROWN. NEW YORK - JOHNSON,
EWING.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 12-22 (.545), DANILOVIC 7-7, MAJERLE 3-7,
HARDAWAY 1-6, GRANT 0-1, ASKINS 1-1. NEW YORK 2-12 (.167), OAKLEY 0-1,
WARD 0-3, HOUSTON 2-4, CHILDS 0-1, STARKS 0-3.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - OAKLEY, ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TOM WASHINGTON, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 19,763. T - 2:16.
MIAMI (99) AT NEW YORK (75)
Sasha Danilovic scored all 21 of his points on three-pointers as
the Miami Heat won their franchise-record eighth straight game,
routing the stumbling New York Knicks, 99-75.
Dan Majerle scored 22 points for the Heat, who broke the club
record of seven straight wins set from February 21th-March 5th,
1994. Miami also has won seven consecutive road games.
"I'm real happy," danilovic said. "First, because we got the
win and second, because I shot well. I was just open tonight,
they gave me the ball at the right time and I just made. I am
just playing the same game I always play."
It was Heat coach Pat Riley's first win at Madison Square Garden
since resigning as Knicks coach in 1995. Riley was soundly booed
as he was last season, when Miami lost both of its visits to New
York.
"We're a solid defensive team," Riley said. "We got off to a
good start tonight and we didn't have to double Patrick. We
played him straight up."
Allan Houston had 14 points and Larry Johnson and Patrick Ewing
added 12 apiece for the Knicks, who were held to their lowest
total since a 78-69 loss to Charlotte on March 21st, 1995. New
York never led and fell to 4-4 at home.
"Quite frankly, I just felt that tonight's game, we just didn't
bring a competitive spirit," Knicks forward Buck Williams said.
"It wasn't just Xs and Os. We seemed to be preoccupied with
individual things and not as a team."
Miami opened the game with a 12-2 burst as Majerle scored five
points and Danilovic made a three-pointer. Houston scored five
points as New York responded with a 9-0 spurt, but Danilovic had
two more three-pointers in a 10-1 run as the Heat opened a 22-12
lead with 2:17 left in the first quarter.
The Knicks trailed 27-14 after the opening period but closed to
29-25 as Buck Williams scored six points in a 10-2 spurt. The
teams traded baskets before the Heat got two free throws from
Tim Hardaway and three-pointers from Danilovic and Keith Askins
to open a 39-27 advantage with 3:34 remaining before halftime.
New York cut the deficit to 49-42 on a pair of free throws by
Johnson one minute into the second half, but Miami scored the
next 12 points. Danilovic and Majerle made three-pointers,
Alonzo Mourning had two free throws and a dunk and P.J. Brown
added two foul shots to push the lead to 61-42 with 6:45 left in
the third quarter.
The Knicks closed to 75-62 on Houston's bakset with 10:56 left,
but Isaac Austin scored six points in an 11-0 spurt that sealed
the victory for Miami.
"This was not a statement game," Majerle said. "We were in
first place coming in here and played a team that wants to be to
where we are right now. We just wanted to play our game and we
did a great job defensively. We really shut them down
defensively and did a great job of making our shots."
Mourning scored 17 points and Brown added 13 and 10 rebounds for
the Heat, who shot 46 percent (30-of-65) from the field but 55
percent (12-of-22) from three-point range. Danilovic was 7-of-7
and Majerle 3-of-7 from behind the arc.
Miami breezed to just its second victory in 19 all-time visits
to the Garden despite poor shooting nights by leading scorers
Mourning and Hardaway. Mourning shot 3-of-14 and Hardaway was
1-of-12.
"This is not a one-man team," Mourning said. "The key to our
success is our hard work and determination. It was a big
divisional win for us. For Pat, it might have been more
personal. We are not selfish and we have great tenacity."
John Starks scored 11 points and Charles Oakley added 10 for the
Knicks, who shot 38 percent (30-of-79) and were outrebounded,
46-30. Ewing was 5-of-17 from the field.
"We're just not hungry," Oakley said. "We're just not clicking.
If we don't make it happen soon, we're going to make a fool out
of ourselves."
nba.1903nba.news,
SACRAMENTO (96) AT MINNESOTA (89)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 36 6-14 1-2 6 5 11 4 4 2 1 13
C WILLIAMSON F 21 4-7 3-3 1 2 3 1 2 0 1 11
POLYNICE C 32 4-14 1-2 4 0 4 3 4 0 0 9
RICHMOND G 40 10-27 5-6 1 4 5 0 2 3 1 29
ABDUL-RAUF G 28 6-17 0-0 1 1 2 4 6 0 0 12
SIMMONS 25 3-8 0-0 1 7 8 4 0 0 1 6
CAUSWELL 15 1-2 0-0 0 4 4 0 4 0 1 2
SMITH 21 2-4 3-8 4 1 5 1 4 2 2 7
EDNEY 21 1-2 5-6 1 4 5 0 0 4 1 7
GAMBLE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS 240 37-95 18-27 19 28 47 17 26 11 9 96
(.389) (.667) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 9(2 PTS)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
K GARNETT F 18 5-11 0-0 2 0 2 3 1 0 2 10
GUGLIOTTA F 42 7-21 8-8 4 9 13 3 3 1 4 22
VRANKOVIC C 19 3-5 0-0 2 5 7 0 2 0 2 6
WEST G 21 1-6 0-0 0 2 2 1 3 0 2 2
MARBURY G 38 7-18 6-8 1 2 3 2 2 0 2 20
PARKS 16 1-2 3-4 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 5
CARR 15 1-3 0-0 1 4 5 3 0 1 2 2
PORTER 14 3-7 0-0 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 7
MITCHELL 27 0-2 2-2 0 4 4 2 5 1 1 2
ROBINSON 13 4-6 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 1 8
D GARRETT 12 1-1 3-4 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 5
HEAL 5 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 33-82 22-26 13 33 46 17 21 4 17 89
(.402) (.846) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 17(15 PTS)
SACRAMENTO 30 20 23 23 - 96
MINNESOTA 25 18 24 22 - 89
BLOCKED SHOTS: SACRAMENTO - SIMMONS 2, CAUSWELL 2, POLYNICE. MINNESOTA -
VRANKOVIC 5, GUGLIOTTA 2, D GARRETT 2, MITCHELL, ROBINSON, PARKS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SACRAMENTO 4-7 (.571), RICHMOND 4-4, ABDUL-RAUF 0-1,
SIMMONS 0-2. MINNESOTA 1-8 (.125), GUGLIOTTA 0-2, MARBURY 0-1, CARR 0-1,
PORTER 1-4.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, JIM CLARK, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 11,191. T - 2:07.
SACRAMENTO (96) AT MINNESOTA (89)
Mitch Richmond scored 29 points and hit key three-pointers in
separate second-half runs to propel the Sacramento Kings to a
96-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Billy Owens added 13 points for the Kings, who wrapped up a 2-4
road trip. Sacramento never trailed after Richmond made two free
throws for an 11-10 lead with 6:55 left in the first quarter.
Tom Gugliotta scored 22 points and rookie Stephon Marbury added
20 for Minnesota, which was denied in its bid to reach the .500
mark. It would have been the deepest point into a season at
which the Timberwolves would have owned a break-even record.
"It was really a tough loss," Marbury said. "We just came up a
little short tonight. When one of your best players (forward
Kevin Garnett) goes down, you have to step it up. We tried to
step it up, but we just couldn't do it enough."
Kevin Garnett left the game at the 4:33 mark of the second
quarter after spraining his left ankle trying to grab a rebound.
He did not return to the game and was taken to the CDI Center
for Diagnostic Imagery for further evaluation.
Terry Porter had pulled Minnesota within 82-81 with a layup with
7:21 to play. But the Kings answered with an 8-2 run to put the
game out of reach as Richmond drilled a three-pointer and Owens
added a follow basket to make it 87-81 with 4:40 left.
Gugliotta answered with two free throws, but Owens made a foul
shot and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf made a basket to give Sacramento a
90-83 lead with less than three minutes remaining.
Stojko Vrankovic had drawn the Wolves within 52-48 with a basket
82 seconds into the second half. But Corliss Williamson and
Owens followed with baskets to push the lead to 56-48. Vrankovic
made another layup to pull Minnesota within 58-50, but
Abdul-Rauf hit a running jumper and Marbury sank two foul shots.
Tyus Edney hit two free throws and Richmond capped the run with
a three-pointer to give Sacramento a 65-54 lead with 6:40
remaining in the third quarter.
"I think we have heart," Richmond said. We haven't been playing
up to our potential. We just weren't getting it done on the
defensive end. Tonight, we did a much better job."
Abdul-Rauf finished with 12 points and Williamson 11 for
Sacramento, which shot 39 percent (37-of-95) from the floor, but
scored 16 second-chance points on 19 offensive rebounds. The
Kings committed just nine turnovers that led to only two points
for Minnesota.
"For us to get a win and come out and play hard, smart together
and defended tonight as well as we have on the whole trip and we
got a very good performance out of our bench," said Kings coach
Garry St. Jean. "Our guys defended and made some good, smart
basketball players."
Gugliotta pulled down 13 rebounds -- all in the first half -- to
tie a team record set by Luc Longley on December 30th, 1993,
against Houston. Garnett, who played just 18 minutes, was the
only other player in double figures for the Wolves, scoring just
10 points. Vrankovic blocked five shots and grabbed seven
rebounds in 19 minutes.
nba.1904nba.news,
SEATTLE (106) AT LA LAKERS (110)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 30 8-16 6-7 6 8 14 0 6 2 6 22
D SCHREMPF F 42 8-14 9-12 1 5 6 6 1 1 2 27
MCILVAINE C 22 1-4 0-0 5 3 8 0 6 1 1 2
HAWKINS G 33 7-12 0-0 1 2 3 3 1 0 0 17
PAYTON G 43 9-19 6-11 1 2 3 8 3 1 2 24
PERKINS 34 4-6 1-2 0 2 2 3 2 0 1 10
EHLO 22 1-6 0-0 1 4 5 1 1 1 1 2
STEWART 9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
SNOW 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 2
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGATE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-79 22-32 15 26 41 22 23 7 13 106
(.494) (.688) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 13(10 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 35 4-7 4-5 1 2 3 3 5 0 1 12
JONES F 43 6-14 1-2 3 4 7 9 3 2 1 15
ONEAL C 45 13-25 6-10 5 9 14 7 2 1 3 32
ROBINSON G 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
VAN EXEL G 37 6-13 4-5 0 2 2 6 2 0 3 18
KERSEY 33 5-9 1-2 1 2 3 2 4 3 1 12
KNIGHT 12 0-1 1-2 2 1 3 1 4 1 0 1
FISHER 11 2-5 0-0 1 3 4 3 4 1 1 4
SCOTT 20 6-9 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 16
BLOUNT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BRYANT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 42-84 17-26 13 24 37 32 26 8 12 110
(.500) (.654) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 13(19 PTS)
SEATTLE 28 30 26 22 - 106
LA LAKERS 26 29 35 20 - 110
BLOCKED SHOTS: SEATTLE - MCILVAINE, PERKINS. LA LAKERS - JONES 3, ONEAL
3, CAMPBELL 2, VAN EXEL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: SEATTLE 6-17 (.353), KEMP 0-1, D SCHREMPF 2-4, HAWKINS
3-4, PAYTON 0-2, PERKINS 1-3, EHLO 0-3. LA LAKERS 9-19 (.474), JONES 2-4,
ROBINSON 0-1, VAN EXEL 2-4, KERSEY 1-3, FISHER 0-1, SCOTT 4-6.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: ED T RUSH, TIM DONAGHY, LEE JONES.
A - 17,505. T - 2:16.
SEATTLE (106) AT LA LAKERS (110)
Shaquille O'Neal scored 32 points, including four in the final
63 seconds, and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles
Lakers to a 110-106 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics in a
matchup of the Pacific Division's top two teams.
Nick Van Exel scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half,
Byron Scott added 16 off the bench and Eddie Jones had 15
points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Los Angeles, which
pulled within one game of first-place Seattle. The Lakers have
matched their season high with three straight wins.
Detlef Schrempf matched his season high with 27 points and Gary
Payton added 24 points and six assists for Seattle, which lost
for the third time in five games following an 11-game winning
streak.
Shawn Kemp had 22 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out with
4:12 remaining for the Sonics, who fell to 9-3 on the road.
O'Neal, whose seven assists were one short of a career high,
broke a 105-105 tie with a short hook shot with 1:03 left.
Schrempf made one free throw to close Seattle to 107-106 with 43
seconds left before O'Neal helped the Lakers gain a three-point
lead by sinking a pair of free throws one second later.
O'Neal, who made only 28-of-82 free throws in his previous nine
games, was 6-for-10 from the foul line.
After gaining control of a jump ball, the Lakers failed to put
the game away as Scott missed a jumper. But the Sonics failed
to capitalize on the opportunity as Schrempf missed an open
three-point attempt from the top of the key with five seconds to
go.
Jones grabbed the rebound and sank one from the line for a
110-106 advantage with 2.6 seconds left.
The SuperSonics took a 58-55 lead into halftime behind 16 points
from Schrempf. But the Lakers outscored the Sonics in the third
quarter, 35-26, to take a 90-84 advantage into the fourth behind
O'Neal's 26.
Elden Campbell and Jerome Kersey each scored 12 points and
O'Neal and Jones had three blocks apiece for Los Angeles, which
shot 50 percent (42-of-84) from the field and made 9-of-19
three-pointers.
Hersey Hawkins scored 17 points for Seattle, which played
without coach George Karl. Assistant Terry Stotts replaced
Karl, who had dental surgery and came down with the flu.
nba.1905nba.news,
TORONTO (74) AT CLEVELAND (93)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 31 5-11 0-0 1 3 4 2 5 1 4 11
JONES F 33 1-4 0-0 2 7 9 0 2 0 2 2
WRIGHT C 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
STOUDAMIRE G 39 3-12 4-5 0 2 2 11 0 0 2 11
CHRISTIE G 36 5-14 6-6 2 4 6 3 1 1 5 16
CAMBY 4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 0
EARL 35 7-13 2-6 1 3 4 0 2 0 1 16
DAVIS 25 2-3 0-0 0 4 4 2 2 0 0 4
CURETON 12 0-2 1-2 2 4 6 1 5 0 0 1
LONG 13 1-4 3-4 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 6
WHITESIDE 6 2-4 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7
TABAK DNP - SORE LEFT HEEL
TOTALS 240 26-68 17-25 8 30 38 20 22 3 15 74
(.382) (.680) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 16(21 PTS)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 36 2-8 0-0 0 2 2 2 2 0 2 4
HILL F 32 4-9 3-4 4 7 11 1 1 2 1 11
WEST C 25 3-6 4-4 2 3 5 1 3 0 0 10
BRANDON G 36 7-16 4-5 0 5 5 6 1 0 0 18
PHILLS G 27 5-11 0-0 1 3 4 6 3 1 1 13
SURA 22 5-6 4-5 0 6 6 4 3 2 2 15
FERRY 25 2-5 2-2 2 2 4 3 2 0 1 6
LANG 13 2-5 2-2 1 1 2 0 4 1 2 6
POTAPENKO 11 4-9 0-2 2 2 4 0 2 0 0 8
GEARY 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0
THOMAS 3 1-3 0-0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 2
MARSHALL 4 0-3 0-0 2 1 3 0 1 0 0 0
TOTALS 240 35-82 19-24 16 32 48 26 25 6 10 93
(.427) (.792) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 10(7 PTS)
TORONTO 11 23 19 21 - 74
CLEVELAND 29 21 19 24 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - EARL 3, JONES 2, WILLIAMS. CLEVELAND - LANG 3,
HILL 2, WEST, BRANDON, PHILLS, FERRY, POTAPENKO.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 5-13 (.385), WILLIAMS 1-2, STOUDAMIRE 1-3,
CHRISTIE 0-2, DAVIS 0-1, LONG 1-2, WHITESIDE 2-3. CLEVELAND 4-14 (.286),
MILLS 0-1, BRANDON 0-2, PHILLS 3-6, SURA 1-1, FERRY 0-1, LANG 0-1, THOMAS
0-1, MARSHALL 0-1.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - HEAD COACH WALKER, CLEVELAND - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, JOE DEROSA, SCOTT WALL.
A - 13,494. T - 2:03.
TORONTO (74) AT CLEVELAND (93)
Terrell Brandon scored 18 points and Mark West had six in an
early 15-0 run as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 93-74
victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Bob Sura added 15 points for the Cavaliers, who allowed less
than 80 points for the seventh time in 15 games this season.
Cleveland, which snapped a two-game losing streak, is giving up
just 82.1 points per game, the lowest total in the league.
Doug Christie and Acie Earl scored 16 points apiece for the
Raptors, who were coming off a home win over the Houston Rockets
but lost for the second time in as many games to the Cavaliers
this season.
"It was a good game for us from beginning to end," Cleveland
coach Mike Fratello said. "There were a lot of good signs out
there tonight. I know we caught them after a very, very big win
for their franchise. They had to play and we had an off night.
That's what this league is about."
"I'm really disappointed in that effort and you know what, I
didn't holler or scream," Toronto coach Darrell Walker said.
"I'm not going to get frustrated. It's up to the players and
that was just a total, total, total disaster. Guys wouldn't
show up. How can you show up one night and not show up the next
night? Unbelievable. Some guys need to check their hearts."
Toronto rookie forward Marcus Camby played for the first time
since collapsing with back spasms prior to a game a week ago. He
played just four minutes and did not score.
"It was good to step back out there, but my back was real sore,"
Camby said. "It still hurts a little bit. I wasn't able to go
anymore."
After Damon Stoudamire opened the scoring with a pair of free
throws, Cleveland scored the next 15 points and never trailed
again. West, averaging just 4.3 points per game, scored six of
his 10 in the burst, which was capped by Sura's foul shot with
5:11 left in the period.
Brandon had six points in the first quarter, which ended with
the Cavs holding a 29-11 lead. Cleveland shot 50 percent
(9-of-18) in the period and held Toronto to under 18 percent
(3-of-17), the worst one-quarter percentage in Raptors history.
"We got out of the box early, tried to contain their players and
I think that is what we did tonight," Brandon said. "I think
that we played a complete 48 minutes and that is something we
definitely needed."
The Raptors closed to 34-21 on a layup by Hubert Davis with 8:49
to go in the second quarter and trailed 50-34 at halftime.
Walt Williams scored seven points in a 9-2 run that opened the
third quarter and pulled Toronto within 52-43 with 7:14 left in
the period. But Brandon scored six points in a 13-5 burst, and
Danny Ferry's two free throws gave Cleveland a 65-48 advantage
with 2:12 to go.
The Cavs led 69-53 after three quarters and opened their largest
lead at 89-64 on a layup by Antonio Lang with 2:46 to play.
Bobby Phills scored 13 points and Tyrone Hill added 11 and 11
rebounds for the Cavs, who shot 43 percent (35-of-82) from the
field and held a 48-38 rebounding advantage. Cleveland blocked
a season-high 10 shots and is 5-1 all-time against Toronto.
"The past couple of games teams have been jumping out early on
us and we had been playing catch-up," Phills said. "Tonight we
were not going to let that happen."
Stoudamire had 11 points and 11 assists for the Raptors, who
shot 38 percent (26-of-68). Williams added 11 points.
nba.1906nba.news,
Bulls' Michael Jordan named NBA Player of Month for November
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls today was named NBA Player of the
Month for November.
Jordan averaged a league-high 31.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.50
steals in leading the Bulls to a 15-1 record. The 10-time All-Star led
Chicago in scoring 15 times and became the 10th player in league
history to score 25,000 points when he collected 35 in a win over San
Antonio last weekend.
Jordan reached the 50-point plateau for the 35th time in his career
when he scored exactly 50 in a 106-100 win at Miami on November 6th.
Other candidates for Player of the Month honors were Anthony Mason of
Charlotte, Joe Dumars and Grant Hill of Detroit, Patrick Ewing of New
York, Horace Grant of Orlando, Rasheed Wallace of Portland, Damon
Stoudamire of Toronto, Shawn Kemp of Seattle and Karl Malone of Utah.
nba.1907nba.news,
Sixers' Allen Iverson named NBA Rookie of the Month
Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers today was named NBA Rookie of
the Month for November.
Iverson, the top pick in the June NBA draft, averaged 21.8 points, 6.4
assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.67 steals per game. He ranked first in
scoring, assists and steals among rookies and led the Sixers in those
categories.
The guard from Georgetown played 37.2 points to lead the Sixers to a
7-8 record last month, a five-game improvement from the Sixers' 2-13
record after 15 games last season.
Other candidates for the award included Vitaly Potapenko of Cleveland,
Kerry Kittles of New Jersey, John Wallace of New York, Steve Nash of
Phoenix and Marcus Camby of Toronto.
nba.1908nba.news,
Hawks G Steve Smith to make return to lineup tonight
The Atlanta Hawks, locked in the middle of the competitive Central
Division, can turn their attention to pulling away from the pack since
guard Steve Smith is ready to return to the lineup after missing 10
games with a sprained right ankle.
Smith has played in six games this season for the Hawks (9-7),
averaging a team-best 19.2 points. He has been practicing with the
starters all week and the team said he is expected to play tonight
against the Boston Celtics in Atlanta.
With the addition of Smith, the Hawks can boast a starting five that
each score in double digits per game in Christian Laettner (18.1),
Mookie Blaylock (16.9), current NBA Player of the Week Dikembe Mutombo
(12.7) and Tyrone Corbin (11.9).
Smith re-signed with the Hawks in the off-season for a reported $45-50
million. He is earning $4.5 million this season.
The 27-year-old Smith is in his third season with Atlanta after he was
acquired with Grant Long from the Miami Heat two games into the
1994-95 campaign.
Last season, Smith led the Hawks in scoring, averaging 18.1 points
while missing only two games. He also averaged 21.7 points in 10
playoff games.
In his sixth season out of Michigan State, Smith also was a member of
Dream Team II that won the World Championships of Basketball in
Toronto in 1994.
nba.1909nba.news,
Sixers F Don MacLean placed on injured list
Philadelphia 76ers forward Don MacLean, who has played just seven
games this season, was placed on the injured list today with a
strained left hip flexor, the team announced.
MacLean, signed as a free agent to a five-year, $15 million deal in
July, missed eight games earlier this season with a sore right knee.
He returned to action over the weekend and came off the bench to score
19 points in two games, both wins.
The 6-7 MacLean suffered the injury in Saturday night's 96-90 win over
the Vancouver Grizzlies. He is in his fifth season and has been the
property of five NBA teams.
As a second-year player with the Washington Bullets, MacLean averaged
a career-high 18.2 points per game in the 1993-94 season and was named
Most Improved Player. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets prior to the
1995-96 campaign and averaged 11.2 points per game last season.
The 76ers (7-8) begin a three-game road trip through Texas on
Wednesday at San Antonio. Their roster stands at 11 players as no
immediate replacement was named.
nba.1910nba.news,
Clippers C Roberts out one week with ruptured disk in back
Los Angeles Clippers center Stanley Roberts will miss at least one
week with a ruptured disk in his lower back, the team said today.
The 7-0 Roberts had played all 16 games this season, averaging 10.6
points and 5.5 rebounds per game. His absence would move journeyman
Kevin Duckworth into the starting lineup.
Roberts has had injury problems throughout his career. He had played
just 142 games in the last four seasons, rupturing his right and left
Achilles tendons in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
The 26-year-old Roberts will make a team-high $3.25 million this
season. He was suspended for 10 days during the pre-season for conduct
detrimental to the team, centering around an argument with coach Bill
Fitch.
nba.1911nba.news,
Trail Blazers activate O'Neal, could become youngest player
The Portland Trail Blazers today activated 18-year-old rookie Jermaine
O'Neal, who could become the youngest player in NBA history if he
plays before Christmas.
O'Neal, selected directly out of high school with the 17th overall
pick in the 1996 draft, has spent the entire season on the injured
list after suffering a bruised left knee in the team's final
exhibition game.
The Trail Blazers host the Indiana Pacers tonight and the 6-11 O'Neal
would become the youngest player in league history if he gets into the
game. Los Angeles Lakers rookie swingman Kobe Bryant -- who also
entered the NBA directly from high school -- currently holds the
distinction.
Bryant made his debut on November 3rd at the age of 18 years, two
months, 11 days. O'Neal was born October 13th, 1978 and can become the
youngest player in NBA annals if he plays December 24th or earlier.
O'Neal replaces swingman Mitchell Butler on Portland's roster. Butler,
acquired in the trade that sent Rod Strickland to the Washington
Bullets, was averaging 2.4 points in 13 games but has tendinitis in
both knees.
O'Neal received a three-year deal worth $2.852 million after he was
named 3A South Carolina Player of the Year as a junior and senior at
Eau Claire High School.
Butler joins guards Marcus Brown and Reggie Jordan on the team's
injured list.
nba.1912nba.news,
Bullets' Howard pleads not guilty to DUI charge
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Washington Bullets All-Star forward Juwan Howard
agreed to enter an alcohol rehabilitation and education program
Tuesday after pleading not guilty to driving while intoxicated last
month.
Howard, who became the NBA's first $100 million man this past summer,
entered the plea in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia,
the team said. A court date of Feb. 24 has been scheduled.
"The Bullets stand by their former statements regarding the
situation," said Bullets vice president Wes Unseld. "With the matter
in the hands of the court, the Bullets will have no further comment on
the proceedings."
According to police, Howard was stopped for speeding and then arrested
for driving while intoxicated at 3:40 a.m. ET on Nov. 11. He was
released on his recognizance.
Later that day, Howard addressed the media, apologizing and admitting
his actions embarrassed himself, his family and the Bullets. At the
same new conference, Unseld said the team accepted the apology and
expressed gratitude that no one was hurt.
Howard signed a seven-year, $100 million free agent contract with the
Miami Heat on July 17, but the league voided the deal because of
salary cap violations. Howard then signed a seven-year deal worth $105
million with the Bullets on Aug. 5.
Howard is averaging 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in 15 games this
season. He averaged 22.1 points and 8.2 rebounds and made the Eastern
Conference All-Star team last season, his second in the NBA.
nba.1913nba.news,
Minnesota's Garnett sprains ankle
MINNEAPOLIS (Dec 4, 1996 - 00:06 EST) -- Minnesota Timberwolves
forward Kevin Garnett severely sprained his left ankle in the second
quarter of Tuesday night's 96-89 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Garnett, the 20-year-old who last year became the first player in 20
years to jump from directly from high school to the NBA, was injured
after grabbing an offensive rebound with 4:33 left in the first half.
Garnett landed on the foot of another player and immediately crumbled
to the floor, screaming out in pain as play went to the other end of
the floor.
He remained on the floor briefly and was taken to the locker room. He
later went to a local clinic for an MRI to determine if there may be
further damage.
"Usually Kevin has a very good threshold for pain," Wolves coach Flip
Saunders said. "He was obviously in some pain. We wont know anything
until the morning."
Garnett had been a major part of the Timberwolves' best start in
franchise history at 8-9. He is averaging 15 points, 9.4 rebounds and
2.6 blocked shots per game.
In 18 minutes Tuesday, Garnett had 10 points, two rebounds and three
assists.
nba.1914nba.news,
Leventhal's top 75 NBA draft picks
Here is an early ranking of the top 75 prospects for the 1997 NBA
Draft (as of December 2, 1996):
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School
1 Tim Duncan C 6-10 238 Wake Forest
2 Keith Van Horn SF 6-9 235 Utah
3 Ron Mercer* F-G 6-7 215 Kentucky
4 Alexander Koul* C 7-1 296 George Washington
5 Jacque Vaughn G 6-1 195 Kansas
6 Danny Fortson* F 6-7 260 Cincinnati
7 Tim Thomas* PF 6-10 240 Villanova
8 Anthony Parker SG 6-5 190 Bradley
9 Jason Lawson C-F 6-11 230 Villanova
10 Johnny Taylor SF 6-8 215 Tennessee-Chat.
11 Brian Skinner* PF 6-10 240 Baylor
12 Brevin Knight PG 5-10 170 Stanford
13 J.R. Henderson* SF 6-9 215 UCLA
14 Shea Seals SG 6-5 210 Tulsa
15 Kelvin Cato C-F 6-11 245 Iowa State
16 Winfred Walton* PF 6-9 210 No College
17 James Cotton* SG 6-5 200 Long Beach St.
18 Toby Bailey* G 6-5 185 UCLA
19 Alvin Williams G 6-4 180 Villanova
20 Matt Harpring* SF 6-7 226 Georgia Tech
21 Michael Doleac* C 6-11 265 Utah
22 Tony Battie* F-C 6-11 220 Texas Tech
23 Jelani McCoy* PF 6-10 220 UCLA
24 Marc Jackson* PF 6-9 270 Temple
25 Derek Anderson SG 6-4 195 Kentucky
26 Zendon Hamilton* PF 6-11 220 St. John's
27 Chauncey Billups* PG 6-3 197 Colorado
28 Maurice Taylor* F 6-8 235 Michigan
29 Antawn Jamison* SF 6-8 216 North Carolina
30 Chris Anstey C 7-0 235 Australia Pro League
31 Eric Washington SG 6-4 185 Alabama
32 Andre Woolridge G 6-1 190 Iowa
33 Charles O'Bannon F 6-6 205 UCLA
34 Ronnie Fields* SG 6-3 185 No college
35 Peter Aluma F-C 6-10 240 Liberty
36 Isaac Fontaine SG 6-3 210 Washington State
37 Miles Simon* SG 6-5 199 Arizona
38 Kenny Thomas* PF 6-9 260 New Mexico
39 Maceo Baston* F 6-9 215 Michigan
40 Austin Croshere SF 6-9 225 Providence
41 Cory Carr SG 6-4 200 Texas Tech
42 Kiwane Garris PG 6-2 183 Illinois
43 Scot Pollard PF 6-10 250 Kansas
44 DeJuan Wheat PG 6-0 165 Louisville
45 Jerald Honeycutt SF 6-8 245 Tulane
46 Odell Hodge PF 6-9 265 Old Dominion
47 Reggie Freeman SG 6-6 200 Texas
48 Serge Zwikker C 7-2 265 North Carolina
49 Garth Joseph* C 7-2 291 St. Rose
50 Edgar Padilla PG 6-1 175 Massachusetts
51 Jeff Capel PG 6-4 195 Duke
52 Lorenzo Coleman C-F 7-1 295 Tennessee Tech
53 James Collins SG 6-4 190 Florida State
54 Damon Flint SG 6-5 201 Cincinnati
55 Tunji Awojobi SF 6-7 235 Boston U.
56 Mark Sanford* SF 6-8 200 Washington
57 Ed Gray SG 6-3 210 California
58 Harold Deane PG 6-1 177 Virginia
59 Ace Custis SF 6-7 217 Virginia Tech
60 Jared Pickett F 6-9 230 Kentucky
61 Eddie Elisma PF 6-9 210 Georgia Tech
62 Rodrick Rhodes SF 6-7 220 USC
63 Danya Abrams PF 6-7 265 Boston College
64 Terquin Mott F 6-8 230 Coppin State
65 Jess Settles SF 6-7 220 Iowa
66 Jeff Myers PG 6-2 185 Drexel
67 Stais Boseman SG 6-4 200 USC
68 Shaun Igo PF 6-11 225 Rice
69 Jason Cipolla SG 6-7 190 Syracuse
70 Devin Davis SF 6-7 215 Miami-Ohio
71 Lee Wilson C 6-11 260 Arkansas
72 Jerod Haase SG 6-3 185 Kansas
73 Mikki Moore PF 6-11 208 Nebraska
74 Kirk King SF 6-8 236 Connecticut
75 Carmelo Travieso SG 6-2 180 Massachusetts
*-Underclassman
nba.1915nba.news,
AROUND THE NBA: Nuggets learn no lead is safe
(Dec 3, 1996 - 08:36 EST) -- The sublime confidence of the veteran
Utah Jazz was back on display last week when it pulled off the
greatest comeback in NBA history, overcoming a 36-point, first-half
deficit and 34-point halftime debit to beat the Denver Nuggets by
four. It was hardly the first time Utah had dashed the hopes of its
Rocky Mountain rival. The Nuggets bounced back from a 3-0 deficit in
the second round of the 1994 playoffs, winning three in a row over the
Jazz and claiming destiny's mantle. Jerry Sloan & Co. blew them out in
Game 7. The Nuggets came into this season with a dreary .409 winning
percentage against the only other team in their time zone.
The reason: Way too much Karl Malone. At 33, he has missed three games
in his career and shows no signs of slowing down. Already this season,
he:
-- Broke open a close game against the Lakers by scoring 20 points in
the third quarter on 8-for-8 shooting. He finished with 37 points in a
113-97 victory.
-- Scored 33 against Golden State, including a buzzer-beater that sent
the game into overtime.
-- Put up 36 points and 15 rebounds in a 105-100 victory over the
previously unbeaten Chicago Bulls, the best defensive team in the
league. Dennis Rodman backed down from Malone early in the game and
couldn't be found the rest of the night.
-- Scored 10 points in the first 4 minutes of an easy victory over New
Jersey, finishing with 27 points and 16 rebounds in only 25 minutes of
play.
-- Led Wednesday's improbable comeback after a lackluster 10-point,
4-for-11 first half against Denver, finishing with 31 points and 17
rebounds.
"We were shellshocked," Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek said after the
Nuggets made 25 of their first 30 shots. "If they went through a
shooting drill with nobody on them, that's probably what they'd
shoot."
But Sloan calmly told his players at halftime that if they ever
started playing, they still had a chance to win.
"As long as you come to play," Sloan said, "you always have a chance.
I don't care what the score is."
This used to be an empty cliche. Thanks to the Nuggets, the Jazz now
has proof it's true.
* * *
YO, MIKEY: When Shaquille O'Neal arrived at the CoreStates Center for
the Lakers-Sixers game last Tuesday, he asked to buy 10 tickets.
Sixers vice president Dave Coskey apologized, saying he had no tickets
left.
But Coskey told O'Neal his 10-year-old son, Michael, wasn't feeling
well, and his family wouldn't be using its four seats. He gave the
tickets to O'Neal, asking him to sign a basketball for charitable
purposes in exchange. O'Neal thanked him, then asked for his home
phone number.
About 45 minutes after the game, the phone rang in the Coskey
household. The voice on the other end asked to speak with Mike.
"Mike, this is Shaq," it said. The two spoke for several minutes.
Said the elder Coskey: "The whole thing is kind of neat, except for
this: When Michael goes to school and tells his friends Shaq called,
who's going to believe him?"
* * *
EYE OF NEWT: Before breaking their season-opening losing streak at 13,
the Suns pondered a variety of good-luck charms. Coach Danny Ainge
revealed he wore a rubber band on his wrist as a player, a habit he
got from Maurice Cheeks, who got it from Wilt Chamberlain.
"I'm trying not to be superstitious," center Joe Kleine countered. "If
I was, I would end up hanging upside down at night, sleeping like a
bat. Or I'd be drinking goat's milk, or going into the desert looking
for wild berries."
Turns out, all they needed was for the Nets to come to town.
* * *
AROUND THE LEAGUE:
League vice president Rod Thorn says there's nothing wrong with low
scores because people still are coming to see the games. He endorsed
the increase in calls for traveling, moving screens and 3-second
violations, which have disrupted offenses. Knicks assistant Don Chaney
disagreed. "Game stoppages -- that's what is creating the lower
scores," he said. "It's obliterated the rhythm and momentum of the
game. You don't have two plays (in succession) anymore without a
whistle stopping the action. It's too much. Because I don't think the
defenses are any better, frankly." ... In Philly's first victory over
the Knicks, rookie Allen Iverson fouled out both New York point
guards, Charlie Ward and Scott Brooks. In the second, with Ward
injured, Iverson fouled out Chris Childs and left John Starks with
five personals ... The Celtics hope for a disastrous campaign in
Dallas because Boston holds the Mavs' first-round draft choice next
year from the Eric Montross trade. "I like to beat all the teams,"
Celtics coach M.L. Carr said after his team beat Dallas last week.
"But we definitely don't want to help them." ... Meanwhile, that
Phoenix trade for John "Hot Rod" Williams is looking even worse with
Cleveland holding an option on the Suns' draft pick next year and
Phoenix apparently heading for the lottery. Should the Suns win the
rights to the top pick in the draft, they will have traded Dan
Majerle, Antonio Lang and the rights to Tim Duncan for a Hot Rod with
a bad wheel ...
* * *
TO TELL THE TRUTH: Pacers coach Larry Brown on rumors linking him to
the UCLA head-coaching job: "I started this season 2-6. I might be a
better candidate for Taco Cabana."
nba.1916nba.news,
Kings' slide starts at top and goes to bottom
MINNEAPOLIS (Dec 3, 1996 - 05:18 EST) -- There is no denying the
statistical differences in the Kings from a year ago.
They are seven games behind last season's pace and are shooting worse,
defending worse and generally playing as if they are 12 individuals
instead of one team.
However, a look at their competition in the eventual Western
Conference playoff race suggests that the Kings actually are in decent
position if they can right the ship.
The Kings, who play the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday, have lost 12
games, more than all but three teams. They have played 11 road games.
No team has played more, and only three have played as many.
But they are the league's third-worst rebounding team, and only three
teams are allowing more points than their 99.6 average. They have kept
only five opponents under 100 points.
The Kings have lost nine games by 10 or more points; only Vancouver's
10 are more. The latter statistic usually indicates a lack of
competitiveness and often contributes to a coach's firing.
But Kings vice president Geoff Petrie is as responsible for the team's
poor play as anyone else. There is no doubt that Petrie mishandled the
situation regarding Mitch Richmond's contract status. Regardless of
what was said between Richmond and Petrie behind the scenes the past
two seasons, it was up to Petrie to somehow make sure that his captain
and unquestioned team leader was mentally ready to play when he
reported to training camp.
It's clear that Richmond deserves a tremendous amount of blame for not
being mentally ready to play when he joined the team. That's his
responsibility when he puts on the uniform.
However, it was clear to observers and especially to his teammates
that Richmond was distracted. They banded with him and took on an
anti-Petrie/anti-management attitude.
The Kings and Richmond would have been served best if he had have
stayed out of camp, as Seattle's Shawn Kemp did, until his head was
right.
On the player-acquisition front, consider the makeups of some of the
players the Kings have lost via trade or free agency the past two
seasons: Randy Brown, Walt Williams, Spud Webb, Sarunas Marciulionis
and Tyrone Corbin. Include the absence of Brian Grant and you have a
group that is linked most tightly in one area: heart.
Those players were and are among the toughest the Kings have had since
moving to Sacramento, and toughness is a quality they currently are
lacking. They also had strong personalities, and chemistry is an
underrated but important factor in a sport where a team spends
virtually every day together for seven months.
Petrie and Richmond still have not had any conversations a month into
the season, and the prospects for such appear to be dim.
That situation has filtered down to the coaching staff. Petrie
obviously wants coach Garry St. Jean on his side. The vice president
was responsible for St. Jean getting his new deal and stood by the
coach last season during the team's struggles when ownership would
have had no problem dismissing him.
Yet it was Richmond who was at least partially responsible for St.
Jean, a Golden State assistant when Richmond played with the Warriors,
getting the job in the first place and the man to whom the coach turns
in clutch situations. So how can he go against him?
Grant's absence has put St. Jean in a bind with what amounts now to a
small, light, non-physical front line. The Kings certainly have lacked
defensively starting Corliss Williamson and Billy Owens at forward.
Neither is strong at that end of the floor, and center Olden Polynice
can disappear like warm air on a cold day.
St. Jean has spoken of how minutes have to be earned and how the
players who have played the best would receive the playing time. But
Bobby Hurley has been the team's best pure point guard and has played
little.
Tyus Edney has struggled in virtually every phase of the game, but he
is a free agent at the end of the season and the Kings appear to be
playing him in the hopes that they can re-sign him.
But if St. Jean is not careful, his team will lose often this season,
Edney could walk and that strategy would be for naught.
Polynice spoke Sunday night of how the Kings' pride must kick in and
force the team to be more focused and responsible on the defensive
end. He spoke of how talk was cheap.
Those comments came after he had grabbed his first rebound against
Detroit with just 1:50 left in the first half.
Guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf has struggled to learn the offense. It may be
that he is best served coming off the bench to add punch to a
struggling second unit. But Abdul-Rauf's inconsistency puts him in a
group of many on this team. Richmond, Williamson, Polynice, Owens,
Edney, Michael Smith, Lionel Simmons and Duane Causwell have produced
only sporadically.
However, the season is not over, and the Kings certainly have enough
talent to be a representative outfit. Only four of their next 17 games
after Tuesday are away from Arco Arena, and that gives them a
legitimate chance to get their act straight.
However, St. Jean likely will need to make changes to do so. He would
be well-served to demand better defensive play from his players and do
so by sitting those who do not produce. He must implore his players to
learn the offense or take a seat. He should simplify his offense even
more than he already has. What good are an assortment of tricky plays
if the nuances are unknown and render the plays ineffective?
The opportunity is here for the Kings to turn around their season, but
only they know if they are ready to seize the time. One player will
not be able to do it. It will take a togetherness and the pride of
which Polynice spoke.
nba.1917nba.news,
Sonics try to get ready for Shaq's Lakers
SEATTLE -- The Seattle SuperSonics finally admitted it -- they have
been thinking almost constantly about the threat posed by the new and
Shaq-improved Los Angeles Lakers.
"We can't help but think about them because everybody keeps asking us
about them," said guard Hersey Hawkins.
Oh. Well, the questions are natural in as much as the Lakers now seem
to be the only team capable of beating the Sonics in the Pacific
Division.
And even the Sonics will concede that their first regular-season game
against the Lakers since Los Angeles signed Shaquille O'Neal last
summer holds a little more intrigue than, say, a game at Toronto. The
Sonics and Lakers meet at 7:30 Tuesday night at The Great Western
Forum.
It may even mean a little more, since the Sonics are coming off one of
their worst outings of the season in a 96-90 loss to the Utah Jazz
Sunday at KeyArena.
"It's a message-type game for both teams," said guard Nate McMillan,
who went through a second full practice on Monday but said he won't be
able to play Tuesday while trying to recover from a pulled groin.
"But we are mostly concerned about ourselves right now."
That concern rests largely in trying to fire up a suddenly anemic
offense that was held without a fast break point on Sunday.
"Right now we are not working well offensively," said center Jim
McIlvaine. "We aren't running the things we want to run and that's
hurting us."
For the Sonics to be able to do that against the Lakers, it figures to
take a big effort by McIlvaine on the defensive end against O'Neal.
McIlvaine doesn't like to dwell on it, but it is games against big
centers like the 7-foot-1, 300-pound O'Neal that enticed Seattle
management to sign him.
"This is what we brought Mac in here for is to be able to defend
against the big centers like (Hakeem) Olajuwon, Shaquille and Patrick
(Ewing)," McMillan said. "He's held his own against those guys so
far."
McIlvaine turned in one of his best games of the season Nov. 24 in New
York, helping hold Ewing to 2-of-15 shooting as the Sonics ran away to
a 102-92 victory.
McIlvaine also impressed teammates in Seattle's 99-94 exhibition win
over the Lakers in October in Boise, Idaho. O'Neal had 13 points on 6
of 9 shooting, and six rebounds in 30 minutes while McIlvaine had five
points, six rebounds and three blocks in 28 minutes.
McIlvaine doesn't put much stock in that preseason game. "Teams are
trying different things, different rotations, different offenses (in
preseason games)," McIlvaine said.
But he also said O'Neal's game doesn't change much, no matter what the
situation.
"He's a pretty straight-forward guy in his game," McIlvaine said.
"He's a big power guy, he'll get 30 looks a night, and he'll look to
try to dunk it or get as easy a shot as he can get."
McIlvaine's main goal is to turn 4-footers into 8-footers as often as
possible.
Still, no matter what McIlvaine does, O'Neal will likely get close to
his averages of 24.9 points and 13.4 rebounds.
What has made the difference in most Lakers games this year is how the
rest of the team does, players who mostly are still adjusting to
suddenly having such a huge and dominating force in the middle.
O'Neal, however, tied his career high with eight assists in the
Lakers' 104-96 win over Denver Sunday, signifying the team might be
learning how to play together.
Complicating matters early on was the loss of forward Cedric Ceballos
for at least another month with a knee injury suffered Nov. 13.
The loss of Ceballos forced Eddie Jones to move to small forward.
Jones has mostly played well, averaging 18.6 points, but point guard
Nick Van Exel has struggled with his shot all season (37.9 percent)
and forward Elden Campbell's numbers (10.4 points, 6.9 rebounds) are
down substantially from last season (13.9, 7.6).
Veteran Byron Scott had been starting at the other guard position, but
Rumeal Robinson has started the last two games.
The game will also be the Sonics' first look at Kobe Bryant, who
jumped from high school to the NBA this season. The 6-6 Bryant is
averaging 5.1 points in about 10 minutes a game.
nba.1918ppecanac,
(R) Za sad ima 7/7 sut, i ako ubaci jos jednu, izjednacice NBA
(R) rekord Jeffa Hornaceka. :) Nek mu je sa srecom ...
Nazalost nije to uradio :((
U intervju posle utakmice izjavio je da nije znao da je
rekord blizu, a i da je znao ne bi bacao vise trojke...
Inace, Danilovic (Sasha :) je igrac utakmice.
nba.1919vpoznanovic,
Wednesday, December 4
Atlanta at Detroit 90:100
Boston at Houston 89:94
Cleveland at Orlando 84:57
Dallas at Miami 79:101
Golden State at Phoenix 87:118
Indiana at Vancouver 127:80
L.A. Lakers at Utah 75:101
New York at New Jersey 109:102
Philadelphia at San Antonio 103:113
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ATLANTA 25 22 24 19 90
DETROIT 29 23 21 27 100 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ATL - MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 21, STEVE SMITH 18, TYRONE CORBIN 17
DET - TERRY MILLS 25, JOE DUMARS 22, GRANT HILL 22
HIGH REBOUND: ATL - DIKEMBE MUTOMBO 7, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 5
DET - GRANT HILL 11, OTIS THORPE 7
HIGH ASSISTS: ATL - STEVE SMITH 5, MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 4
DET - GRANT HILL 8, JOE DUMARS 7
ATT: 14,574
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
BOSTON 25 25 22 17 89
HOUSTON 27 26 26 15 94 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: BOS - RICK FOX 18, DANA BARROS 17, ERIC WILLIAMS 15
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 19, MARIO ELIE 18, HAKEEM OLAJUWON 16
HIGH REBOUND: BOS - DINO RADJA 11, THREE PLAYERS WITH 7
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 27, KEVIN WILLIS 8
HIGH ASSISTS: BOS - DINO RADJA 5, RICK FOX 3
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 7, CLYDE DREXLER 4
ATT: 16,285
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CLEVELAND 22 21 19 22 84
ORLANDO 16 16 14 11 57 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 22, CHRIS MILLS 17, TYRONE HILL 14
ORL - GERALD WILKINS 10, RONY SEIKALY 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
HIGH REBOUND: CLE - TYRONE HILL 9, CHRIS MILLS 6
ORL - RONY SEIKALY 7, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
HIGH ASSISTS: CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ORL - BRIAN SHAW 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 2
ATT: 17,248
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DALLAS 21 22 22 14 79
MIAMI 29 19 28 25 101 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DAL - CHRIS GATLING 16, JIM JACKSON 14, GEORGE MCCLOUD 13
MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 33, DAN MAJERLE 11, GARY GRANT 11
HIGH REBOUND: DAL - OLIVER MILLER 9, JIM JACKSON 8
MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 8, ISAAC AUSTIN 6
HIGH ASSISTS: DAL - JASON KIDD 7, JIM JACKSON 6
MIA - THREE PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 14,658
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
GOLDEN STATE 17 22 37 11 87
PHOENIX 37 29 28 24 118 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: GSW - LATRELL SPREWELL 22, CHRIS MULLIN 16, JOE SMITH 15
PHO - MICHAEL FINLEY 21, AC GREEN 21, DANNY MANNING 20
HIGH REBOUND: GSW - FELTON SPENCER 6, RAY OWES 6
PHO - AC GREEN 12, MICHAEL FINLEY 9
HIGH ASSISTS: GSW - MARK PRICE 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
PHO - KEVIN JOHNSON 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
ATT: 19,023
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
INDIANA 36 32 30 29 127
VANCOUVER 21 19 21 19 80 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: IND - REGGIE MILLER 36, DALE DAVIS 15, ERICK DAMPIER 13
VAN - SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 24, ANTHONY PEELER 14, LEE
MAYBERRY 9
HIGH REBOUND: IND - ERICK DAMPIER 9, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
VAN - ROY ROGERS 5, SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 4
HIGH ASSISTS: IND - JALEN ROSE 10, TRAVIS BEST 8
VAN - LEE MAYBERRY 7, ANTHONY PEELER 6
ATT: 15,699
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA LAKERS 22 13 14 26 75
UTAH 24 23 31 23 101 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 21, ELDEN CAMPBELL 12, JEROME KERSEY
9
UTH - KARL MALONE 26, JOHN STOCKTON 18, JEFF HORNACEK 13
HIGH REBOUND: LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
UTH - KARL MALONE 8, TWO PLAYERS WITH 7
HIGH ASSISTS: LAL - DEREK FISHER 3, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 7, KARL MALONE 6
ATT: 19,911
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 21 27 24 37 109
NEW JERSEY 25 23 28 26 102 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NYK - PATRICK EWING 30, LARRY JOHNSON 18, CHARLES OAKLEY 14
NJN - KENDALL GILL 20, ROBERT PACK 20, JAYSON WILLIAMS 18
HIGH REBOUND: NYK - CHARLES OAKLEY 12, PATRICK EWING 9
NJN - KENDALL GILL 11, JAYSON WILLIAMS 11
HIGH ASSISTS: NYK - CHARLES OAKLEY 6, JOHN STARKS 6
NJN - ROBERT PACK 12, KENDALL GILL 4
ATT: 20,049
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 30 15 28 30 103
SAN ANTONIO 30 21 31 31 113 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 26, DERRICK COLEMAN 21, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 15
SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 24, DOMINIQUE WILKINS 24, SEAN ELLIOTT
19
HIGH REBOUND: PHI - DERRICK COLEMAN 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 11
SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 10, WILL PERDUE 7
HIGH ASSISTS: PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 11, DERRICK COLEMAN 3
SAS - AVERY JOHNSON 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 12,968
nba.1920nba.news,
ATLANTA (90) AT DETROIT (100)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 36 7-10 2-2 0 1 1 2 4 1 0 17
LAETTNER F 45 6-16 4-6 1 4 5 3 1 2 2 16
MUTOMBO C 32 4-6 0-0 3 4 7 2 4 0 5 8
BLAYLOCK G 41 8-15 1-2 0 2 2 4 0 0 2 21
SMITH G 39 7-15 2-2 1 3 4 5 1 1 1 18
RECASNER 16 2-6 2-2 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 8
BURTON 12 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 0
NEWBILL 19 1-1 0-0 1 1 2 1 3 0 0 2
BARRY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
BOYCE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
LAUDERDALE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
NORMAN DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-71 11-14 8 16 24 19 16 6 10 90
(.493) (.786) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 10(10 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 45 9-15 4-6 0 11 11 8 2 2 3 22
LONG F 30 1-2 2-2 0 4 4 3 1 0 1 4
THORPE C 35 7-14 0-0 4 3 7 2 3 3 2 14
DUMARS G 39 8-11 2-2 0 1 1 7 0 1 2 22
HUNTER G 44 5-13 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 0 0 11
AUGMON 9 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 0
MILLS 25 9-11 0-0 1 2 3 0 3 0 3 25
MAHORN 8 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
CURRY 5 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
RATLIFF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
REID DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-69 8-10 5 25 30 23 14 6 12 100
(.580) (.800) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 13(21 PTS)
ATLANTA 25 22 24 19 - 90
DETROIT 29 23 21 27 - 100
BLOCKED SHOTS: ATLANTA - MUTOMBO 2. DETROIT - HILL, DUMARS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ATLANTA 9-21 (.429), CORBIN 1-3, LAETTNER 0-2, BLAYLOCK
4-8, SMITH 2-5, RECASNER 2-3. DETROIT 12-20 (.600), LONG 0-1, DUMARS 4-5,
HUNTER 1-6, MILLS 7-8.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, BERNIE FRYER, MONTY MCCUTCHEN.
A - 14,574. T - 1:55.
ATLANTA (90) AT DETROIT (100)
Terry Mills scored 14 of his season-high 25 points in the fourth
quarter and Grant Hill came within two assists of a
triple-double as the Detroit Pistons posted a 100-90 victory
over the Atlanta Hawks.
Hill had 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Joe
Dumars chipped in 22 points and seven assists for Detroit, which
wrapped up a 3-1 homestand. The Pistons have won both games
against Atlanta this season and four straight at home against
the Hawks.
"That was the best basketball I've seen two teams play here this
season," said Detroit coach Doug Collins. "Both teams executed,
we just finally got them to miss some shots at the end. Shooting
covers a lot of ills. When you hit 12-of-20 threes you look
pretty good no matter what. It was a terrific win, it gives us
two against Atlanta. That becomes important at the end of the
season when you begin to think about the playoffs."
Mookie Blaylock scored 21 points and Steve Smith added 18 and
five assists for Atlanta, which had won five of its previous six
contests.
"He's (Mills) a shooter, if he gets off, he going to make big
shots," said Atlanta coach Lenny Wilkens. "You try not to let
him get off like that. We were a step slow tonight. We were
coming to help too often and not getting back."
Detroit led 73-71 after three quarters, but Christian Laettner
scored the first six points of an 8-0 Atlanta run to start the
fourth that made it 79-73 with 9:11 remaining. The Pistons
answered with a 9-0 spurt, including the final five from Mills,
to assume an 82-79 advantage with 6:28 to play.
A basket by Blaylock reduced the deficit to 89-87 with 3:06 left
before Mills nailed a three-pointer and Dumars hit two foul
shots. After Laettner's free throw, Hill hit a jumper to make
it 96-88 with 1:25 to go.
Mills, who played just 25 minutes off the bench, was 7-for-8
from three-point territory. Overall, the Pistons shot 58
percent (40-of-69) from the floor, including 12-of-20
three-pointers.
"I came out and hit a couple of shots and I knew I was in the
zone," said Mills. "My teammates know me well enough to know
when I get the hot hand, get me the ball. I think Lindsey
(Hunter), Joe (Dumars) and Grant (Hill) were passing up layups
to get me the ball. I saw Otis (Thorpe) at the scorer's table
and then I hit a three. I asked Otis who he was coming in for,
and he said nobody now."
Tyrone Corbin netted 17 points, Laettner had 16 and Dikembe
Mutombo contributed eight and seven boards for Atlanta, which
shot a respectable 49 percent (35-of-71) from the field and 79
percent (11-of-14) from the foul line.
"I was going back to help out on Grant (Hill) and you can't do
that and leave Terry alone," said Laettner. "We didn't play it
very smart. I didn't play very smart, so we lost. Maybe we were
a step slow. When that happens, you have to be more precise and
control the tempo. We had it (the lead) for a while, they just
came back."
nba.1921nba.news,
BOSTON (89) AT HOUSTON (94)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 27 5-12 0-1 4 3 7 2 3 0 2 10
WILLIAMS F 31 5-10 5-5 3 4 7 2 4 0 1 15
RADJA C 40 4-21 2-2 4 7 11 5 4 2 2 10
FOX G 28 7-16 2-2 4 3 7 3 5 2 2 18
BROWN G 34 2-9 0-0 0 3 3 2 3 2 2 5
BARROS 31 5-14 4-5 0 2 2 2 2 1 3 17
MINOR 15 2-4 1-1 1 0 1 2 1 3 1 5
BRICKOWSKI 16 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 0
DAY 18 4-8 1-1 1 4 5 1 2 4 1 9
CONLON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SZABO DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WESLEY DNP - SORE RIGHT FOOT
TOTALS 240 34-98 15-17 17 27 44 21 26 14 15 89
(.347) (.882) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 15(7 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 41 5-11 7-8 2 1 3 3 4 1 1 18
BARKLEY F 40 7-13 4-6 5 22 27 7 4 3 4 19
OLAJUWON C 40 6-13 4-6 2 5 7 3 0 1 7 16
DREXLER G 40 5-16 4-4 0 2 2 4 4 1 4 15
MALONEY G 39 4-12 1-2 0 2 2 2 2 0 3 11
WILLIS 16 4-5 2-2 2 6 8 1 1 0 1 10
BULLARD 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 2 0
LIVINGSTON 9 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 3 0 3 0
MOORE 7 2-4 1-1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 5
BENNETT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARRINGTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MACK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-75 23-29 11 40 51 22 21 6 25 94
(.440) (.793) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 25(28 PTS)
BOSTON 25 25 22 17 - 89
HOUSTON 27 26 26 15 - 94
BLOCKED SHOTS: BOSTON - RADJA 2, BARROS 2, FOX, BRICKOWSKI. HOUSTON -
OLAJUWON 5, BARKLEY, BULLARD, DREXLER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: BOSTON 6-15 (.400), WALKER 0-1, FOX 2-7, BROWN 1-1,
BARROS 3-6. HOUSTON 5-21 (.238), ELIE 1-3, BARKLEY 1-5, DREXLER 1-5,
MALONEY 2-6, MOORE 0-2.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - MALONEY.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, DERRICK STAFFORD, JIM KINSEY.
A - 16,285. T - 0:00.
BOSTON (89) AT HOUSTON (94)
Charles Barkley had 19 points and 27 rebounds and the Houston
Rockets held the Boston Celtics to two points in the final 6:56
en route to a 94-89 victory.
"Coming to this team, I realized that I was not the first option
on offense so I've had to find something to do to help this
team," Barkley said. "Rebounding is something I can do to
contribute."
Rockets All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon returned to the lineup
after he was hopsitalized for the second time this season with
an irregular heartbeat. Olajuwon has missed four games this
season with the ailment, which the team has called not serious.
"I feel normal. I was winded, but that's part of the game,"
said Olajuwon. "I'm healthy but I need to get more minutes to
get into better shape."
Boston's last lead came at 87-86 on a basket by Eric Williams
with 6:56 to play. The Celtics did not score again until Rick
Fox's layup with 1:25 to go and they were held scoreless the
rest of the way.
"We we get that many shots, we've got to capitalize," Boston
coach M.L. Carr said. "We've got to put the ball in the basket.
On the road, you want to be in the ballgame down the stretch,
we did that tonight but we just didn't get it done in the end."
Olajuwon had 16 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in 40
minutes. His layup opened the fourth quarter and gave Houston
an 81-72 lead, but Boston responded with a 10-0 run, including
five points by Todd Day, to grab an 82-81 edge with 9:14 left.
Two free throws by Olajuwon gave the Rockets the lead for good
at 88-87 with 6:36 remaining. Mario Elie had three foul shots
around a follow basket by Barkley to boost the lead to 93-87
with 2:17 to play.
Elie scored 18 points and Clyde Drexler added 15 for Houston,
which had five players in double figures. The Rockets shot 44
percent (33-of-75) from the field and held a 51-44 rebounding
advantage as they won their sixth straight road game.
"We were a little sluggish and we need to play with more
enthusiam and passion," barkley said. "They came out and played
a hard game, but we were able to pull it out down the stretch."
Fox scored 18 points, Dana Barros added 17 and Williams 15 for
the Celtics, who lost at home to Houston by 26 points last
Friday and were swept by the Rockets for the first time ever.
Boston shot 35 percent (34-of-98) from the field.
"We always seem to play well in Houston," Fox said. "The last
three years we have stolen a game, but fell a little short
tonight."
Elie scored 10 points in the first half, staking Houston to a
53-50 lead. The Rockets widened the advantage to seven points
after three quarters.
nba.1922nba.news,
CLEVELAND (84) AT ORLANDO (57)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 38 8-16 0-0 4 2 6 2 1 0 0 17
HILL F 36 5-9 4-4 3 6 9 0 4 0 2 14
WEST C 21 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 4 1 1 2
PHILLS G 10 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 5
BRANDON G 39 8-16 4-4 0 3 3 8 0 5 3 22
FERRY 28 3-12 0-0 1 3 4 3 2 1 1 7
SURA 30 2-5 1-2 3 2 5 4 3 0 1 6
LANG 21 0-1 2-2 2 2 4 4 4 1 2 2
POTAPENKO 8 1-3 0-0 1 2 3 2 2 1 2 2
GEARY 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
MARSHALL 3 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
THOMAS 3 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 4
TOTALS 240 33-73 11-12 14 26 40 25 22 10 14 84
(.452) (.917) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 16(8 PTS)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCASKILL F 21 1-7 2-2 0 3 3 1 2 0 4 4
GRANT F 39 4-6 0-0 4 2 6 1 3 1 3 8
SEIKALY C 32 3-8 3-4 3 4 7 2 2 0 2 9
WILKINS G 39 5-12 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 1 5 10
SHAW G 39 2-8 0-0 0 2 2 5 2 1 1 5
STRONG 17 3-6 2-2 2 2 4 1 1 0 0 8
ARMSTRONG 30 2-8 2-3 0 1 1 1 3 1 3 7
VAUGHN 14 1-4 2-4 0 6 6 0 3 0 4 4
DEMPS 9 0-3 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2
ANDERSON DNP - SPRAINED RIGHT WRIST
ROZIER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCHAYES DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 21-62 13-17 10 21 31 13 19 5 22 57
(.339) (.765) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 22(24 PTS)
CLEVELAND 22 21 19 22 - 84
ORLANDO 16 16 14 11 - 57
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - BRANDON, FERRY, LANG. ORLANDO - SEIKALY 3,
MCCASKILL 2, GRANT, SHAW, ARMSTRONG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 7-13 (.538), MILLS 1-3, PHILLS 1-2, BRANDON
2-3, FERRY 1-2, SURA 1-1, MARSHALL 1-2. ORLANDO 2-12 (.167), WILKINS 0-2,
SHAW 1-5, ARMSTRONG 1-4, DEMPS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: CLEVELAND - THOMAS.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, ED MIDDLETON, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 17,248. T - 2:05.
CLEVELAND (84) AT ORLANDO (57)
The Cleveland Cavaliers matched the best defensive effort in NBA
history, defeating the Orlando Magic, 84-57, behind 22 points by
Terrell Brandon.
The Cavaliers, who lead the league in fewest points allowed per
game, tied the mark set by the Boston Celtics in the first
season of the shot clock and matched last season by the Miami
Heat. Boston defeated the Milwaukee Hawks, 62-57, at Providence,
Rhode Island on February 27th, 1955. Miami beat the
Philadelphia 76ers, 66-57, last February 21st.
"We're a good defensive ballclub," said Cleveland guard Bobby
Phills, who suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter.
"We've been playing defense like this the last couple of years,
so it's not anything new."
The Magic's previous low was 76, most recently in a three-point
win at Indiana on November 23rd. It was Orlando's worst home
loss since a 121-81 setback against Detroit on January 26th,
1981.
"I just thought I saw too much indecisiveness and lack of
aggression out there early in the game," Orlando coach Brian
Hill said. "They really just took us out of our game completely
tonight. I think they deserve all the credit."
Brandon added eight assists and five steals for the Cavaliers,
who avenged Saturday's home loss to the Magic and snapped a
five-game losing streak at Orlando, winning there for the first
time since January 12th, 1994.
Gerald Wilkins scored 10 points and Rony Seikaly added nine for
the Magic, who are without injured starters Penny Hardaway, Nick
Anderson and Dennis Scott. They fell to 4-5 at home after going
37-4 at Orlando Arena last season.
"Fifty-seven points or whatever, we knew we were in the
vicinity," Wilkins said. "Man, it was wild out there tonight.
We played against a good defensive team. Thingss weren't just
clicking."
The Magic shot just 34 percent (21-of-62) from the field, while
the Cavaliers shot 45 percent (33-of-73). Cleveland has allowed
less than 75 points seven times in 16 games this season.
"We did a lot of things right," Cleveland coach Mike Fratello
said. "We were good defensively. We were sharp. Offensively,
we made things happen with the basketball, like passing it and
through execution. We played a very good game tonight overall."
Brandon scored 14 points in the first half as the Cavs opened a
43-32 lead. The Magic managed a game-high 16 points in each of
the first two quarters.
Brandon added six points and Chris Mills and Tyrone Hill had
four apiece in the third quarter as the Cavs widened their lead
to 62-46 entering the final period.
The Magic stumbled to 11 points in the fourth quarter and fell
behind by as many as 28 on a dunk by Carl Thomas with 33 seconds
to play. Orlando set a franchise-record low with 25 points in
the second half.
"We can play a lot better as a team," Brandon said. "We still
made some mistakes tonight in the fourth quarter that we need to
correct."
Mills scored 17 points and Hill added 14 and nine rebounds for
Cleveland, which is 16-12 all-time against Orlando.
nba.1923nba.news,
DALLAS (79) AT MIAMI (101)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 36 5-12 3-5 0 3 3 2 1 1 1 13
MEYER F 14 1-6 0-0 2 2 4 1 3 0 1 2
MONTROSS C 24 3-9 0-0 3 3 6 0 1 0 1 6
KIDD G 36 4-10 2-2 1 0 1 7 1 3 4 12
JACKSON G 39 7-15 0-1 5 3 8 6 1 0 5 14
GATLING 20 7-15 2-2 1 2 3 0 2 2 3 16
HARPER 24 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 3 1 1 1 2
MILLER 23 2-2 0-0 2 7 9 0 4 0 2 4
WALKER 14 2-4 2-4 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 6
DUMAS 5 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0
ROBERTS 4 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
DREILING 1 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 34-78 9-14 15 26 41 21 15 7 19 79
(.436) (.643) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 20(29 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 38 4-8 0-0 0 4 4 4 2 3 1 11
BROWN F 30 3-8 2-2 1 4 5 2 5 0 1 8
MOURNING C 35 4-7 2-6 2 6 8 4 4 2 4 10
DANILOVIC G 34 2-8 3-3 0 2 2 3 2 0 2 9
HARDAWAY G 31 11-13 5-5 0 1 1 4 0 0 7 33
GRANT 24 4-11 0-0 1 2 3 3 1 2 0 11
ASKINS 8 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 5
AUSTIN 22 4-5 2-2 1 5 6 2 1 1 1 10
LENARD 5 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
PINCKNEY 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
SCOTT 4 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0
STRICKLAND 4 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 36-72 14-18 7 26 33 25 16 9 17 101
(.500) (.778) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 18(15 PTS)
DALLAS 21 22 22 14 - 79
MIAMI 29 19 28 25 - 101
BLOCKED SHOTS: DALLAS - MONTROSS 2, JACKSON, MILLER, WALKER. MIAMI -
MOURNING 4, HARDAWAY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DALLAS 2-9 (.222), MCCLOUD 0-3, KIDD 2-4, JACKSON 0-2.
MIAMI 15-35 (.429), MAJERLE 3-7, DANILOVIC 2-6, HARDAWAY 6-6, GRANT 3-9,
ASKINS 1-3, LENARD 0-3, SCOTT 0-1.
TECHNICALS: DALLAS - GATLING 2 (EJECTED), MIAMI - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: RONNIE NUNN, BILL SPOONER, GREG WILLARD.
A - 14,658. T - 2:01.
DALLAS (79) AT MIAMI (101)
Tim Hardaway scored a season-high 33 points as the Miami Heat
extended their franchise-record winning streak to nine games
with a 101-79 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Gary Grant netted 11 points, while Alonzo Mourning and Isaac
Austin each added 10 for Miami, which also improved to 8-0
against Western Conference foes. The Heat have won their last
11 meetings with Dallas, dating back to the 1991-92 season.
"I just thought it was a great effort on our part, to come back
after an emotional win last night, guys playing big minutes and
being able to hang in and do the tough things we need to win,"
said Heat coach Pat Riley. "I think that's the mark of a team
that's growing and wanting to be good. I think we are on our
way here at the beginning of the season."
Chris Gatling scored 16 points and Jim Jackson had 14, eight
boards and six assists for Dallas, which has dropped seven of
its last eight road games. The Mavericks have alternated wins
and losses in their last five overall.
"We turned the ball over," said Dallas coach Jim Cleamons. "A
lot of our turnovers (19) are sophomoric, that's the only way to
put it. Sometimes, the basketball seems to be a foreign object
to us. Until we become a better ballhandling team and accept a
certain amount of pressure and then take care of the basketball,
you are going to have nights that look like this."
Hardaway, who tied Mourning for the team's season scoring high,
tallied 13 points in the opening quarter to help the Heat to a
29-21 lead. He added six more as Miami led 48-43 at halftime
and scored 12 in the third quarter for a 76-65 advantage.
"I was just on, they were finding me and I was making good
moves," said Hardaway, who was 11-of-13 from the field. "It was
just clicking tonight. We are going with whoever is hot right
now. Last night Sasha (Danilovic) and Dan (Majerle) were hot,
tonight it was me. Everybody'd not worried about their own
stats, it's just team oriented and the camaraderie here is
great."
The Heat, who never trailed, put the game out of reach when Dan
Majerle netted eight points in a 15-2 burst. Sasha Danilovic's
three-pointer capped the spurt and made it 94-69 with 5:12 to
play.
Majerle scored 11 points, while Mourning grabbed eight rebounds
and blocked four shots for Miami, which shot 50 percent
(36-of-72) from the floor and 43 percent (15-of-35) from
three-point range.
The 15 three-pointers tied a franchise record, set at Milwaukee
on April 8th, 1993. The 35 attempts broke the record of 30,
established at Portland on March 30th, 1995.
George McCloud contributed 13 points and Jason Kidd had 12 and
seven assists for Dallas, which outrebounded Miami, 41-33, but
shot 44 percent (34-of-78) from the floor, including 2-of-9 from
three-point range.
"We didn't play well at all," said Kidd. "They shot the ball
extremely well from three-point range. We are struggling as a
team both offensively and defensively and we have to find a way
to fix it."
nba.1924nba.news,
GOLDEN STATE (87) AT PHOENIX (118)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 32 6-14 4-4 1 1 2 3 1 2 2 16
SMITH F 30 5-14 4-5 2 3 5 0 4 0 0 15
SPENCER C 18 2-3 3-3 2 4 6 1 5 0 2 7
SPREWELL G 34 6-18 10-12 2 2 4 3 2 1 3 22
PRICE G 25 2-6 2-2 0 2 2 6 2 1 0 6
DECLERCQ 8 0-0 0-0 0 3 3 1 4 2 1 0
ARMSTRONG 20 3-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 6
ROYAL 16 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 1 1 0 1 2
OWES 17 2-5 0-0 2 4 6 0 2 0 1 4
ROE 14 2-6 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 4
MARSHALL 18 0-5 1-2 2 2 4 1 2 1 0 1
FULLER 8 2-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 4
TOTALS 240 31-87 24-28 13 26 39 17 27 9 13 87
(.356) (.857) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 13(18 PTS)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 27 7-12 6-8 1 8 9 1 2 1 4 21
GREEN F 40 5-9 11-13 2 10 12 3 1 3 1 21
WILLIAMS C 24 4-6 5-6 3 3 6 1 3 0 0 13
PERSON G 30 4-13 0-0 2 5 7 7 2 3 2 9
JOHNSON G 24 1-4 2-2 0 2 2 9 2 0 3 4
CASSELL 18 2-5 2-3 0 0 0 7 2 0 2 6
MANNING 28 9-13 2-5 2 6 8 4 5 1 2 20
HORRY 21 4-7 2-2 0 2 2 1 2 1 1 13
CHAPMAN 18 4-6 0-0 0 2 2 2 1 0 1 9
NASH 6 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
KLEINE 4 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 2 0 0 2
HANCOCK DNP - NOT WITH TEAM
TOTALS 240 41-79 30-39 11 39 50 36 22 9 16 118
(.519) (.769) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE 17 22 37 11 - 87
PHOENIX 37 29 28 24 - 118
BLOCKED SHOTS: GOLDEN STATE - SPENCER 3, MULLIN 2. PHOENIX - WILLIAMS 2,
PERSON, CASSELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: GOLDEN STATE 1-12 (.083), MULLIN 0-1, SMITH 1-1,
SPREWELL 0-1, PRICE 0-3, ARMSTRONG 0-2, ROE 0-1, MARSHALL 0-3. PHOENIX
6-12 (.500), FINLEY 1-2, PERSON 1-4, HORRY 3-4, CHAPMAN 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE BORGIA, HUE HOLLINS, PAUL MIHALAK.
A - 19,023. T - 2:07.
GOLDEN STATE (87) AT PHOENIX (118)
A.C. Green scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed 12
rebounds as the Phoenix Suns used their best opening quarter of
the season to rout the Golden State Warriors, 118-87, for their
second win of the season.
Green had 13 points in the first quarter as the Suns used a 31-7
run to open a 37-17 lead. The point totals were a season-high
for the Suns and a season-low by a Phoenix opponent in the
opening quarter.
"It definitely skyrockets the team because we know we have been
playing well as of late," said Green. "It wasn't that we just
built a lead and let a team come back. We sustained it for the
whole game. The most important thing was to get the team
kick-started. The enthusiasm, getting them fired up, hollering
at them and trying to let them follow the lead."
Michael Finley also had 21 points and Danny Manning added 20 as
the Suns posted their second straight home win.
"That was fun out there tonight," Suns coach Danny Ainge said.
"The NBA scheduling got us one there because they had a tough
one last night and we had a couple of days off and that is
always good."
"It taught us that if we play hard together we'll do pretty
good," said Finley, who was 7-of-12 from the floor and grabbed
nine rebounds. "We came out real confident and real loose. From
the first jumper, everything was flowing. We got the big lead
and coasted home."
Latrell Sprewell led the Warriors with 22 points. Joe Smith
added 15 and Chris Mullin had 14 for Golden State, which had its
two-game winning streak snapped.
"I did not expect to get blown out in the first quarter like
that, but they have good talent and will start playing better,"
Mullin said. "We got knocked out right away, so it was not much
of a game."
"It was just a poor, poor game on our part," added Warriors
coach Rick Adelman. "They did what they wanted to. I was
scared because I knew how Phoenix was going to come out and
play. They pretty much did what they wanted to."
The Suns, who recorded a season high in points, have won their
two games by a combined margin of 66 points. Phoenix also
eclipsed the 100-point plateau for just the third time this
season.
Trailing 10-6 with 9:25 to go in the first quarter, the Suns
went on a 9-0 run, keyed by four points from Finley and a
three-pointer by Wesley Person.
After a Warriors' basket, the Suns went on an 11-0 run as Person
and Finley combined for six. Phoenix pushed the advantage to
66-39 by halftime, setting a season-high for points in the half.
Danny Manning also had eight rebounds off the bench and Kevin
Johnson added nine of Phoenix's 36 assists. Hot Rod Williams
contributed a season-high 13 points as seven Suns scored at
least nine points.
nba.1925nba.news,
INDIANA (127) AT VANCOUVER (80)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCKEY F 26 3-3 3-4 1 3 4 3 1 2 1 10
D DAVIS F 26 6-9 3-4 1 5 6 2 0 0 0 15
DAMPIER C 26 5-7 3-4 0 9 9 1 3 0 3 13
MILLER G 27 12-16 7-7 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 36
BEST G 21 4-8 2-2 2 1 3 8 3 2 2 11
A DAVIS 23 3-3 1-2 2 4 6 0 1 0 1 7
ALLEN 16 1-3 1-2 1 1 2 3 1 2 1 4
ASKEW 9 0-2 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
ROSE 23 2-5 2-2 1 4 5 10 2 2 3 7
FERRELL 18 4-9 0-2 2 1 3 1 0 1 1 9
JOHNSON 17 2-6 0-0 0 5 5 2 2 1 1 4
HOIBERG 8 4-4 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 9
TOTALS 240 46-75 24-31 11 35 46 33 15 10 14 127
(.613) (.774) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 16(18 PTS)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LYNCH F 24 4-8 0-0 2 1 3 1 3 1 4 8
ABDUR-RAHIM F 39 10-16 4-6 2 2 4 5 3 0 1 24
MOBLEY C 18 1-3 0-0 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 2
MOTEN G 30 3-13 0-0 0 0 0 3 2 2 3 6
MAYBERRY G 34 4-7 1-2 0 2 2 7 0 2 3 9
PEELER 27 6-14 0-0 1 2 3 6 3 1 4 14
ROGERS 22 3-10 0-0 0 5 5 0 1 0 0 6
ROBINSON 25 2-4 0-0 0 2 2 2 4 2 1 5
MANNING 13 1-4 2-2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4
CHILCUTT 8 1-2 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 2
ANTHONY DNP - BACK INJURY
REEVES DNP - INJURED KNEE
TOTALS 240 35-81 7-10 8 16 24 25 22 8 17 80
(.432) (.700) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 17(29 PTS)
INDIANA 36 32 30 29 - 127
VANCOUVER 21 19 21 19 - 80
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - DAMPIER 4, MCKEY. VANCOUVER - ABDUR-RAHIM 2,
MOBLEY, ROGERS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 11-22 (.500), MCKEY 1-1, MILLER 5-9, BEST 1-2,
ALLEN 1-2, ASKEW 0-1, ROSE 1-2, FERRELL 1-2, JOHNSON 0-2, HOIBERG 1-1.
VANCOUVER 3-13 (.231), MOTEN 0-4, MAYBERRY 0-3, PEELER 2-5, ROBINSON 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: HANK ARMSTRONG, DICK BAVETTA, KEN MAUER.
A - 15,699. T - 2:01.
INDIANA (127) AT VANCOUVER (80)
Reggie Miller scored 31 of his season-high 36 points in the
first half to lead the Indiana Pacers to the biggest win in
franchise history, 127-80 over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
The 47-point margin eclipsed the Pacers' previous mark of 45,
set against New York in a 131-86 victory on February 20th, 1980,
and equaled in a 133-88 romp over Philadelphia on April 22nd,
1994. The Pacers extended their win streak to a season-best four
games.
Rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim netted a career-high 24 points and
Anthony Peeler had 14 for Vancouver, which has dropped five in a
row. Vancouver was trying to post consecutive home wins for the
first time this season.
"As a team, all the stuff people are writing about the coach,
our leadership, to me that's all garbage," said Abdur-Rahim.
"Because as a team we need to do some soul-searching. That is
the guys that are out there playing. I don't care, whatever
people think is wrong. It can't be that bad to where we lose by
47 points at home."
The Grizzlies, who were playing without injured starters Greg
Anthony, Blue Edwards and Bryant Reeves, suffered their worst
home loss, but fell two points shy of their worst-ever loss, a
111-62 setback at San Antonio last November 8th.
"I didn't like it, I thought the effort was poor," said
Vancouver coach Brian Winters. "I'm as much to blame as they
are, but they didn't play like a professional basketball team
tonight. That was a total domination and that shouldn't
happen."
Dale Davis totaled 15 points and six rebounds, while rookie
Erick Dampier had 13 points, nine boards and four blocks for
Indiana, which posted its highest point total since the 133-88
win over the 76ers in 1994.
"We knew we could rebound better than this team so we pounded
the boards hard and tried to go out there and block shots and
that's what we did," said Dampier. "By playing good defense, we
got a big lead in the game."
The Pacers shot 61 percent (46-of-75) from the floor, 50 percent
(11-of-22) from three-point range and outrebounded the
Grizzlies, 46-24. Travis Best chipped in with 11 points and
eight assists, while Jalen Rose dished out 10 assists off the
bench.
Miller scored 15 points in a 20-4 first quarter run that led to
a 36-21 advantage after 12 minutes. He had 19 in the period and
his 31 at the half is a record for a Grizzlies' opponent.
"The two Davis boys and Dampier did great jobs of getting me
wide open and Travis (Best) delivered like he has all year. It
was just a matter of me putting the ball in the hole," said
Miller.
Lee Mayberry registered nine points and seven assists as
Vancouver shot 43 percent (35-of-81) from the floor. The
Grizzlies have dropped four all-time meetings with Indiana,
including a 104-94 loss on Friday.
"The emphasis on this game was to try to get into it quickly,"
said Miller. "They played us very well in Indianapolis a week
ago. We wanted to make a statement tonight, not only to
ourselves, but also to the rest of the league. This team is
coming around."
nba.1926nba.news,
LA LAKERS (75) AT UTAH (101)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KERSEY F 24 4-7 0-0 1 3 4 0 3 0 2 9
CAMPBELL F 29 5-10 2-6 3 3 6 1 1 2 3 12
ONEAL C 33 8-18 5-9 3 5 8 2 4 0 4 21
VAN EXEL G 26 2-11 0-0 3 1 4 1 0 0 0 4
JONES G 33 1-10 1-2 2 2 4 2 3 4 1 4
KNIGHT 12 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 0
SCOTT 18 2-5 1-1 2 1 3 1 0 0 1 5
FISHER 22 1-4 2-4 1 0 1 3 1 2 1 4
ROOKS 11 0-2 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 2 0 0
BRYANT 13 2-6 4-6 1 2 3 2 1 0 1 8
BLOUNT 12 1-2 0-0 2 4 6 0 1 0 0 2
ROBINSON 7 2-5 1-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 6
TOTALS 240 28-82 16-30 20 24 44 14 20 10 14 75
(.341) (.533) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 14(16 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MALONE F 30 9-14 8-9 0 8 8 6 3 4 3 26
RUSSELL F 26 2-4 4-4 2 3 5 2 2 1 1 9
OSTERTAG C 28 2-5 2-2 1 6 7 1 4 1 1 6
STOCKTON G 31 7-11 0-0 0 3 3 7 0 0 4 18
HORNACEK G 26 4-8 4-5 0 1 1 3 2 1 1 13
FOSTER 15 1-2 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 2
CARR 16 0-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 0
MORRIS 22 4-7 2-2 3 4 7 2 2 0 1 10
ANDERSON 17 3-7 2-3 0 2 2 0 1 0 2 8
KEEFE 7 1-1 1-1 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 3
WATSON 5 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 4
EISLEY 17 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 3 0 0 2 2
TOTALS 240 36-69 23-26 6 36 42 26 22 8 16 101
(.522) (.885) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 16(15 PTS)
LA LAKERS 22 13 14 26 - 75
UTAH 24 23 31 23 - 101
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA LAKERS - CAMPBELL 3, ONEAL 3, JONES. UTAH - MALONE 2,
OSTERTAG 2, CARR, WATSON, KEEFE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA LAKERS 3-14 (.214), KERSEY 1-1, VAN EXEL 0-4, JONES
1-3, SCOTT 0-1, FISHER 0-2, ROBINSON 1-3. UTAH 6-13 (.462), RUSSELL 1-2,
STOCKTON 4-5, HORNACEK 1-3, MORRIS 0-2, EISLEY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: LA LAKERS - ONEAL.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, RON OLESIAK, SCOTT FOSTER.
A - 19,911. T - 2:04.
LA LAKERS (75) AT UTAH (101)
Karl Malone scored 17 of his 26 points in the third quarter and
the Utah Jazz allowed 27 points in the middle two periods for a
101-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, their 12th straight
win.
John Stockton scored 11 of his 18 points in a second-quarter run
for the Jazz, who beat the Lakers for the second time during the
streak. Utah is two wins shy of the franchise record of 14, set
in the 1994-95 season.
"We've just been battling," Stockton said. "We haven't been
doing everything right. We've had some awfully bad moments and
we've had some good ones, but the guys just keep playing and not
get too shook up about the bad things and not too excited about
the good."
Malone and Bryon Russell scored seven points apiece in the first
quarter as Utah grabbed a 24-22 lead. A jumper by Byron Scott
opened the second quarter and tied it, but Stockton scored 11 in
a 13-2 burst that gave the Jazz a 37-26 lead with 5:54
remaining.
"I don't think we really care if the NBA or what any one else
believes," Malone said. "We never have and we never will as
long as we believe in ourselves and don't get too high when
things are going great or get too low. We just need to keep an
even keel and continue to play hard. We always believe in
ourselves and are just going to continue to play hard and do the
things we do."
Malone was scoreless in the second quarter, which ended with the
Jazz holding a 47-35 lead. But he came out strong in the third,
outscoring the Lakers by himself. He scored 17 points while
helping to hold Los Angeles to 13 as Utah widened the gap to
78-49 after three periods.
A layup by Malone in the first minute of the final quarter gave
the Jazz their largest lead at 80-49. The Lakers managed 26
points in the fourth quarter, but still were held to their
lowest total of the season.
Jeff Hornacek scored 13 points and Chris Morris added 10 for the
Jazz, who shot 52 percent (36-of-69) from the field and 88.5
percent (23-of-26) from the foul line.
Shaquille O'Neal scored 21 points and Elden Campbell added all
12 of his in the first half for Los Angeles, which beat Seattle
on Tuesday night but had a three-game winning streak snapped.
"They played a good game," O'Neal said. "They shot the ball
well and we really didn't play that well. You can't take
anything away from the Jazz. They played well.
The Lakers shot just 34 percent (28-of-82) and missed 14 of 30
free throws, including four misses each by O'Neal and Campbell.
"It's important at least for the coach to maintain an even keel
at least emotionally," Lakers coach Del Harris said. "Naturally,
the players are down and certainly I'm down. You know, last
night I had a lot of good lines and tonight I don't have any. I
thought (Utah) played a wonderful defensive game."
nba.1927nba.news,
NEW YORK (109) AT NEW JERSEY (102)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OAKLEY F 36 4-14 6-8 6 6 12 6 3 1 1 14
JOHNSON F 31 5-9 8-13 2 2 4 2 2 0 1 18
EWING C 40 11-19 8-9 1 8 9 5 2 4 6 30
CHILDS G 19 2-5 0-0 0 2 2 2 6 1 4 5
HOUSTON G 35 4-8 0-0 0 4 4 1 5 0 0 11
WARD 22 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 4 1 1 5
STARKS 29 5-11 2-4 1 2 3 6 4 4 1 13
WALLACE 5 0-3 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
B WILLIAMS 19 4-8 5-6 2 1 3 0 3 0 2 13
MCCARTY 3 0-0 0-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BROOKS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-81 29-42 13 27 40 24 29 12 17 109
(.457) (.690) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 17(22 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 33 7-21 6-7 5 6 11 4 3 1 5 20
J WILLIAMS F 41 7-11 4-7 3 8 11 1 6 1 2 18
BRADLEY C 33 5-8 2-4 3 3 6 1 6 0 2 12
KITTLES G 39 5-14 2-2 0 4 4 2 1 2 1 12
REEVES G 15 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 0 2 0
PACK 38 7-16 6-8 2 2 4 12 2 3 4 20
MASSENBURG 21 2-4 2-2 2 6 8 0 6 0 2 6
R WILLIAMS 20 5-8 2-2 2 2 4 2 5 0 2 14
CALDWELL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
OBANNON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-85 24-32 17 33 50 23 30 7 20 102
(.447) (.750) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 21(21 PTS)
NEW YORK 21 27 24 37 - 109
NEW JERSEY 25 23 28 26 - 102
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - EWING 3, OAKLEY, HOUSTON, B WILLIAMS. NEW
JERSEY - BRADLEY 4, J WILLIAMS 2, GILL, MASSENBURG.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 6-10 (.600), CHILDS 1-1, HOUSTON 3-6, WARD
1-2, STARKS 1-1. NEW JERSEY 2-16 (.125), GILL 0-3, KITTLES 0-5, REEVES
0-2, PACK 0-2, R WILLIAMS 2-4.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - JOHNSON, EWING, NEW JERSEY - J WILLIAMS, BRADLEY.
OFFICIALS: JOE FORTE, TOMMIE WOOD, NOLAN FINE.
A - 20,049. T - 2:31.
NEW YORK (109) AT NEW JERSEY (102)
Patrick Ewing scored 11 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter,
when he scuffled with Shawn Bradley, and led the New York Knicks
to a 109-102 victory over the New Jersey Nets.
Ewing, coming off a poor game in a home loss to Miami on Tuesday
night, took charge in the final period as the Knicks improved to
6-2 on the road. He tangled with the 7-6 Bradley in the final
minute, after New York had rallied to take the lead.
"We struggled a little bit in the beginning of the game but we
were able to turn it around," Ewing admitted. "I would have to
say Buck is the only one who is playing well and consistent.
This was a must win."
Former Net Buck Williams also scored 11 points in the fourth
quarter, when the Knicks scored 37 points and erased a six-point
deficit.
"I was very proud of the guys and their effort," Knicks coach
Jeff Van Gundy said. "We had trouble all year with quick point
guards. Robert Pack is that type of player. I thought Patrick
played very well and Buck did also."
Robert Pack and Kendall Gill scored 20 points apiece for the
Nets, who dropped to 2-5 at home and have lost four of their
last five overall. Pack did not start due to the flu but still
handed out 12 assists. Gill, usually a guard but playing small
forward, grabbed 11 rebounds.
"We just didn't shoot the ball enough to win the game," Nets
coach John Calipari said. "I'm happy with the game. We
outrebounded them, had 23 assists and we made our free throws.
We are more confident, we are playing off each other more. I
can walk away happy because we are getting better as a team."
"We played hard, everybody did what they had to do," Pack said.
"We missed three of four shots in a row and that hurt us.
That's been happening to us a lot this season."
A basket by rookie Kerry Kittles early in the final period gave
the Nets a 78-72 lead. But Ewing had seven points and Williams
six over the next five-plus minutes. A pair of free throws by
Williams gave the Knicks their first lead since the opening
period at 92-90 with 6:02 to go.
A pair of foul shots by Reggie Williams gave New Jersey its last
lead at 94-93 at with 5:23 remaining. But New York took the
lead for good 29 seconds later on two free throws by Ewing.
A pair of foul shots by Larry Johnson and a basket and two free
throws by Williams extended the lead to seven points with 3:07
left. Gill made four foul shots, but Ewing sank a 20-footer and
Chris Childs made a three-pointer to give the Knicks a 106-99
lead with 1:11 to play.
Bradley had an exchange with Knicks guard John Starks and Ewing
intervened, shoving the New Jersey center. Both players were
given technical fouls.
Johnson scored 18 points, Charles Oakley had 14 and 12 rebounds
and Williams and Starks contributed 13 apiece off the bench for
the Knicks, who shot 46 percent (37-of-81) from the field and
posted their highest road point total of the season.
Jayson Williams had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Williams had
14 points for the Nets, who shot 45 percent (38-of-85) and held
a 50-40 rebounding edge. Bradley and Kittles added 12 points
apiece.
The Nets led 25-21 after one period and opened their largest
lead at 43-31 on a free throw by Bradley with 4:22 left in the
second period. The Knicks closed to 48-44 at halftime and still
trailed by four points after three quarters.
nba.1928nba.news,
PHILADELPHIA (103) AT SAN ANTONIO (113)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 35 4-9 2-2 5 6 11 2 1 0 1 10
COLEMAN F 37 8-18 4-4 4 8 12 3 5 0 5 21
WILLIAMS C 18 2-6 0-0 3 3 6 1 2 2 0 4
STACKHOUSE G 34 6-20 2-2 4 1 5 2 1 2 2 15
IVERSON G 42 7-21 12-15 1 2 3 11 5 1 5 26
DAVIS 23 6-8 0-0 0 2 2 1 6 4 3 15
CAGE 29 2-5 2-6 4 7 11 0 2 1 0 6
OVERTON 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
HARRIS 15 2-6 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
WALTERS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BRADTKE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-93 24-31 21 30 51 21 22 10 16 103
(.398) (.774) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 16(8 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 34 5-13 8-10 0 5 5 1 0 1 3 19
HERRERA F 15 1-2 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2
W PERDUE C 35 5-5 2-2 3 4 7 0 5 1 0 12
DEL NEGRO G 24 5-7 0-0 0 1 1 4 2 1 1 12
JOHNSON G 36 8-14 8-10 0 1 1 11 3 2 2 24
MAXWELL 25 5-11 2-2 1 3 4 3 2 2 4 13
D WILKINS 33 9-18 3-6 2 8 10 4 3 1 4 24
ALEXANDER 12 2-4 1-4 1 1 2 2 5 1 0 5
ANDERSON 12 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0
M WILLIAMS 14 1-2 0-0 1 3 4 2 1 0 0 2
KEMPTON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SMITH DNP - INJURED KNEE
TOTALS 240 41-78 24-34 10 27 37 27 23 10 14 113
(.526) (.706) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 15(20 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 30 15 28 30 - 103
SAN ANTONIO 30 21 31 31 - 113
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - WEATHERSPOON, COLEMAN, WILLIAMS,
STACKHOUSE, DAVIS, CAGE. SAN ANTONIO - W PERDUE 9, ELLIOTT 2, D WILKINS
2, HERRERA, JOHNSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 5-15 (.333), COLEMAN 1-1, STACKHOUSE 1-8,
IVERSON 0-1, DAVIS 3-4, HARRIS 0-1. SAN ANTONIO 7-15 (.467), ELLIOTT 1-3,
DEL NEGRO 2-2, MAXWELL 1-4, D WILKINS 3-6.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - DAVIS, COLEMAN, ILLEGAL DEFENSE, SAN ANTONIO -
W PERDUE.
OFFICIALS: LUIS GRILLO, JIM CAPERS, STEVE JAVIE.
A - 12,968. T - 2:10.
PHILADELPHIA (103) AT SAN ANTONIO (113)
Avery Johnson recorded 24 points and 11 assists and Dominique
Wilkins added 24 and 10 rebounds off the bench as the San
Antonio Spurs snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 113-103
victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Sean Elliott chipped in 19 points and five rebounds for San
Antonio, which prevented its first nine-game skid since the end
of the 1988-89 campaign. Will Perdue contributed 12 points,
seven rebounds and a career-best nine blocked shots.
"No one expected to be 3-13 at this point," said Perdue. "My
last two games have been real good to me. I feel very good.
Coach Hill and I discussed my role in the rotation when David
(Robinson) comes back and I feel comfortable about my role on
this club. Tonight A.J., Dominique and Sean had great games. It
feels good to get a win."
Rookie Allen Iverson had 26 points and 11 assists, while Derrick
Coleman added 21 and 12 rebounds for Philadelphia, which was
kicking off a three-game all-Texas road trip.
"We didn't underestimate San Antonio," said Coleman. "They are
struggling, but they made the runs when they needed them. We
missed some shots and they capitalized."
The Spurs have won nine straight games from Philadelphia and 11
in a row at home. San Antonio's last home loss to the Sixers
came nearly a decade ago on January 6th, 1986.
"A.J. did as good a job defensively on Iverson as you can do,"
Spurs coach Bob Hill said. "Will was great, a real quality
game. Blocked shots were a real help. He didn't get any points,
but he helped a lot. This was a win we needed and we got it.
Tonight and Friday are real important. This month is a key
stretch for us. Some time soon we expect to see David
(Robinson) back."
San Antonio led 51-45 at the intermission and was tied at 57-57
before embarking on a 22-6 run. Monty Williams tallied seven
points, including a lay-in with 1:45 left in the third period
that made it 79-63.
The gap was cut to 82-73 after three quarters and Jerry
Stackhouse's three-pointer reduced the difference to 99-94 with
3:41 to play, but Wilkins, playing in his 1,000th career game,
responded with a three of his own and the Sixers would get no
closer.
San Antonio registered season highs in points, blocks (15) and
field goal percentage (52.6, 41-of-78), while making 7-of-15
three-point attempts (47 percent). The Spurs have eclipsed the
century mark in scoring in three of their last four games after
failing to do so in their first 12 tries.
Jerry Stackhouse and Mark Davis each added 15 points, while
Clarence Weatherspoon had 10 and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who
shot 40 percent from the floor (37-for-93). Michael Cage snared
11 caroms, including the 8,000th of his career, as the team
outrebounded the Spurs, 51-37.
"We struggled tonight, no question," said Cage. "However, my
milestone is very special to me. Not too many players get 8,000
boards. We are learning. You have to beat a team that is not
on the elite level. They have been a great franchise over the
years, but we needed this one going into Dallas tomorrow."
nba.1929nba.news,
Admiral might return to active duty Friday
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson, who has not
played this season because of a lower back strain, could make his
return Friday against the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Robinson, 31, practiced Monday and Tuesday, his first practices of the
season. He didn't play Wednesday during a 113-103 victory over
Philadelphia.
Without Robinson -- the team's leading scorer, rebounder and
shot-blocker -- the Spurs (3-13) have been held to fewer than 100
points in all but two games and fewer than 80 points five times.
The Spurs also are mired in an eight-game losing streak, their longest
since dropping the last nine games of the 1988-89 season.
Last week, Robinson accompanied the team to Los Angeles and made his
second visit to the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic. He met with Dr. Robert
Watkins, who said Robinson's rehabilitation program is progressing and
that Robinson's strength and flexibility are improving.
Robinson has experienced back pain for the last couple of years and
arrived at training camp in October with lingering pain. He played
just one of eight exhibition games and met with Watkins prior to the
start of the regular season.
Robinson, the 1995 NBA Most Valuable Player and a seven-time All-Star,
led the Spurs to the Midwest Division title the past two seasons. He
averaged 25 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game last season,
and this year he was voted one of the 50 greatest players in NBA
history.
nba.1930nba.news,
Penny might play when Magic visits Shaq
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic could have injured starters
Anfernee Hardaway, Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott back in action for
Friday night's matchup against former teammate Shaquille O'Neal and
the Los Angeles Lakers.
O'Neal left the Magic to sign a seven-year, $120 million contract with
the Lakers in July. Friday's game at Inglewood, Calif., will be
O'Neal's first against his former team.
Hardaway, Anderson and Scott are listed as questionable for Friday.
They missed Wednesday night's game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, an
84-57 loss in which Orlando tied the NBA record for the fewest points
scored in a game.
Hardaway, Orlando's All-Star point guard, had arthroscopic surgery on
his left knee Nov. 17 and was placed on the injured list. He played in
Orlando's first four games this season and averaged 21.3 points.
Anderson, who has averaged 15.8 points per game, sprained his right
wrist less than seven minutes into Tuesday's 108-102 home overtime
loss to the Dallas Mavericks. His hand was placed in a soft cast.
Scott has been limited to 28 minutes this season while battling a left
hamstring strain. Scott -- O'Neal's best friend on the Magic roster --
averaged 17.5 points per game last season and knocked down an
NBA-record 267 3-pointers.
nba.1931nba.news,
Foot sprain leaves T-Wolves' Garnett at home
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is listed
as day-to-day because of a sprained left foot and will not accompany
the team for the start of a three-game road trip in Seattle on
Thursday.
Garnett suffered the injury when he landed on another player's foot
after grabbing an offensive rebound in the second quarter of Tuesday's
96-89 loss to Sacramento. He was taken to a hospital for X-rays and
also underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam. The X-rays were
negative and the MRI revealed no damage to the ankle or foot.
After playing at Seattle Thursday, the Timberwolves will be in Utah
Friday and at Los Angeles to play the Lakers on Sunday.
Garnett, 20, is averaging 14.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocked
shots in 16 games this season. He averaged 10.4 points and 6.3
rebounds in 80 games as a rookie last year.
Garnett opted to skip college and enter the NBA draft straight out of
Farragut Academy High School in Chicago. He was selected fifth overall
by Minnesota in the 1995 draft.
nba.1932nba.news,
Suns ship Chucky Brown to Bucks
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns, who have the NBA's worst record at 1-14,
sent veteran forward Chucky Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday
for swingman Darrin Hancock and a conditional second-round draft pick.
"They came to me today and asked if I'd go on the injured list," Brown
said of the Suns. "I said no, I wasn't going to do it because I wasn't
injured. If we were a 14-1 team, maybe, but not when we're 1-14."
Phoenix improved to 2-14 with a victory over Golden State on Wednesday
night.
Phoenix acquired Brown, Sam Cassell, Robert Horry and Mark Bryant in a
traded that sent Charles Barkley to Houston. Brown played just 83
minutes in 10 games for Phoenix, averaging 3.4 points and 1.6
rebounds.
Milwaukee will be Brown's seventh NBA team. He has also played for
Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey and Dallas. He was part
of Houston's championship team in 1995, averaging 6.1 points and 4.7
rebounds.
"Everything happened so fast, I don't know what to expect," Brown said
of Wednesday's trade. "Hopefully, I'll get a chance to prove myself,
which didn't really happen here. And hopefully I'll be able to
contribute. That was the most frustrating thing here is that we were
losing and I couldn't help."
Hancock has totaled 39 minutes and six points in nine games for
Milwaukee this season. Originally a second-round pick of Charlotte in
1994, Hancock averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 63 games for the
Hornets last season.
Hancock makes the league veteran minimum at $247,500 and Brown's
salary is $500,000. Both players will be free agents at the end of the
season.
nba.1933nba.news,
Same old Bull: Chicago activates Parish
CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls center Robert Parish, the oldest player in
the NBA, was activated from the injured list Wednesday.
To make room for Parish, Chicago (16-1) placed starting center Luc
Longley on the injured list, nine days after he suffered a separated
left shoulder while swimming off the California coast.
Parish, 43, came off the bench to average 4.6 points and two rebounds
in the first five games before going on the injured list with back
problems.
Bill Wennington is the starter in Longley's absence. He has averaged
9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 23 minutes per game in the three games
since Longley's injury.
Longley, 27, is expected to miss another six weeks of action. He
averaged 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game before the
injury.
nba.1934nba.news,
Olajuwon back in lineup
HOUSTON (Dec 4, 1996 - 21:24 EST) -- Hakeem Olajuwon returned to the
Houston Rockets' lineup Wednesday night after a recurrence of
irregular heartbeat forced him to miss Monday's game at Toronto.
Olajuwon, the NBA's third-leading scorer with a 25.8 points per game
average, was in the starting lineup as the Rockets played the Boston
Celtics.
The star center is taking medication to deal with the medical problem,
which has occurred twice this season and once in 1991.
He experienced the latest incident Saturday night after a game in
Washington and returned to Houston for hospitalization.
On Monday, after an overnight hospital stay, doctors repeated a
procedure they performed two weeks ago, using an electrical shock to
correct the arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat. Physicians say the
problem is not career- or life-threatening.
After the first episode Nov. 19, Olajuwon missed three games.
nba.1935nba.news,
In-season NBA coaching changes are nothing new
(Dec 4, 1996 - 06:36 EST) - Informed of the resignation of Bernie
Bickerstaff as Denver head coach last week, George Karl's face turned
to disgust.
"It's started already," Karl said. "You don't win, blame the coach."
Actually, it had already started, Danny Ainge having replaced Cotton
Fitzsimmons in Phoenix after only eight games.
Don't cry too much for Bickerstaff and Fitzsimmons, however, as each
retained jobs with the team and basically saved themselves the agony
of finishing up a season that's headed nowhere.
And, if the averages hold, it will happen again this season. Since the
1989-90 season, seven seasons ago, there have been 22 mid-season
coaching changes -- a high of six in '91-92, a low of one in '93-94.
And, in a curious way, Karl is as much to blame for many of these
coaching changes as is anyone else.
That's because in every instance, the team is hoping that a change in
coaches will spark a change in fortunes like happened in Seattle in
January of 1992 when K.C. Jones was fired and replaced by Karl.
The Sonics were 18-18 with Jones as coach, but went 27-15 under Karl
(they were 2-2 while Bob Kloppenburg was the interim coach) then beat
favored Golden State in the first round of the playoffs.
Maybe it's just Seattle, which had the most successful mid-season
coaching change ever during the 1977-78 season when Lenny Wilkens took
over for Bob Hopkins with the Sonics 5-17, led them to a 42-18 record
the rest of the way and into the NBA Finals.
But typically, in-season coaching changes don't make much of a
difference.
The combined record of those 22 teams before making coaching changes
was 291-455 (39 percent). After the change, the combined record was
431-537 (44) percent.
And only five of the changes could really be regarded as successes,
including the Jones-Karl move by the Sonics.
Others that worked at least momentarily were Richie Adubato for John
MacLeod in Dallas in the 1989-90 season (5-6 before, 42-29 after); Bob
Hill replacing Dick Versace in Indiana in '90-91 (9-16 before, 32-25
after); Larry Brown replacing Mike Schuler with the Clippers in '91-92
(21-24 before, 23-12 after); and John Lucas replacing the
fish-out-of-water Jerry Tarkanian with the Spurs in '92-93 (9-11
before, 39-22 after).
Again, only the Sonics' move to Karl could be classified as having
worked long-term as none of the rest of the "successes" are still with
that team.
And so far, neither of this year's moves have had much impact,
although it's obviously too early to judge.
Phoenix lost its first five games under 37-year-old Ainge, though the
change at least allows the team to start planning for the future --
the Suns will undoubtedly go under another major makeover this season,
when Kevin Johnson will likely retire and the team will have all sorts
of money to spend on free agents.
Harder to figure, however, Denver's turning things over to the
65-year-old Dick Motta, who despite claims to the contrary, seems like
little more than a transitionary coach until someone else can be
found.
In their second game under Motta on Wednesday, the Nuggets blew what
might be the biggest lead in NBA history (official records are
incomplete) losing a 36-point second-quarter lead in a defeat at Utah,
exactly the kind of scatter-shot play that marked the team under
Bickerstaff.
Denver and Phoenix don't figure to be alone in changing coaches this
season, however.
Here are some other situations worth watching:
San Antonio: The Spurs are 2-13, their worst start ever, due primarily
to the absence injured center David Robinson, who could be back in a
couple of weeks. Still, many in San Antonio are alarmed at how inept
the Spurs have been without the Admiral, and head coach Bob Hill was
on shaky ground even before the poor start, with this being the last
year on his contract -- an extension wasn't granted after the team
lost to Utah in the playoffs last year.
Sacramento: Garry St. Jean could be the undeserved victim of
Sacramento's injury-plagued poor start. The Kings run to the playoffs
and subsequent close call against the Sonics raised expectations and
shortened patience in Sacramento, which has also had one of the
tougher schedules so far. But the schedule eases a bit in December,
and most figure some wins had better follow.
Indiana: Again, there's a lot more reasons for the Pacers' bad start
than Larry Brown, chief among them an injury to center Rik Smits and
problems at point guard, where none of the replacements for the traded
Mark Jackson have panned out. But Brown has never been at any of his
professional jobs longer than three-and-a-half years and it's easy to
see him moving again soon.
Boston: The Celtics rarely look as if they have a clue, and fans are
staying away in droves from the FleetCenter as Boston was off to a
4-10 start before Tuesday despite 10 games at home. But head coach
M.L. Carr is also the team's executive vice president and director of
basketball operations, meaning he's basically his own boss. It could
take something drastic for Carr to give up on-the-floor control of the
team and hand it over to former Sonic and Celtic assistant Dennis
Johnson, as some have speculated.
nba.1936nba.news,
Fewest points game
(Dec 4, 1996 - 22:24 EST) -- The fewest points scored by one team in
an NBA game since the 24-second shot clock was introduced for the
1954-55 season:
57 -- Orlando vs. Cleveland, Dec. 4, 1996
57 -- Philadelphia vs. Miami, Feb. 21, 1996
57 -- Milwaukee vs. Boston, Providence, R.I., Feb. 27, 1955
59 -- Sacramento at Charlotte, Jan. 10, 1991
61 -- New York at Detroit, April 12, 1992
61 -- Indiana at Cleveland, March 22, 1994
62 -- Boston vs. Milwaukee, Providence, R.I., Feb. 27, 1955
63 -- Buffalo vs. Milwaukee, Oct. 21, 1972
63 -- Chicago vs. Cleveland, Dec. 19, 1994
64 -- Indiana at New York, Dec. 10, 1985
64 -- Golden State vs. Cleveland, March 30, 1996.
nba.1937nba.news,
Karl misses Lakers game
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec 4, 1996 - 05:30 EST) -- Seattle SuperSonics
coach George Karl missed the game Tuesday night against the Los
Angeles Lakers with the flu, with assistant Terry Stotts filling in as
acting head coach.
Karl apparently became ill Monday but made the trip to Los Angeles
with the team later that night hoping to be able to coach. He didn't
ride either of the team buses to the game -- which typically arrive
about two hours before game time -- hoping some extra time might help.
He arranged for a car to drive him from the team hotel, about 15
minutes away, at 6:15 for the 7:30 p.m. start, but didn't make it.
Karl had oral surgery on Monday morning, but his illness didn't appear
related, Stotts said.
Karl had first contracted a touch of the flu last week during the
team's Eastern trip, during which many players and coaches became ill.
But he had said Sunday he was fine.
It was believed to be the first game Karl has missed since becoming
head coach.
Karl needs one more win to get to 400 for his career, and Stotts said
he figured if the Sonics beat the Lakers, it would count as a win for
Karl.
"That's a tough way to get it," Stotts said.
Being a head coach was a first at any level for Stotts, who played at
Oklahoma and then in Europe and in the CBA under Karl with the Montana
Golden Nuggets.
Stotts began his coaching career as an assistant under Karl with the
Albany Patroons in the CBA in 1990, then joined the Sonics as a scout
before becoming an assistant four years ago.
SHAQ TO REUNITE: There were several Florida-area reporters at the game
to do stories on Friday's matchup between the Lakers and the Orlando
Magic, which will be Shaquille O'Neal's first against his former
teammates.
"It's just another game," O'Neal said predictably. "I'm not going to
get caught up in it."
Asked if he had talked to any of his former teammates lately, O'Neal
said he hadn't, and added that he doesn't keep up with Orlando's
progress.
"I'm only concerned about what this team does," O'Neal said. "I like
to see every team but this team do bad. It's nothing personal, just
business."
O'Neal has been criticized by several former teammates, most vocally
by Nick Anderson, but said he harbors no ill will toward any Orlando
players.
"Players, no," O'Neal said. "Other people there, I don't know."
Shaq on other topics:
-- On whether he'd sell his Orlando house to Rony Seikaly, recently
traded there by Golden State: "He doesn't have enough chips (money),"
O'Neal said.
-- On whether he'd sell it to Tiger Woods: "I'd sell it to him for $8
million," O'Neal said. "I bought it for $3 million. See," he said,
pointing to his head, "I'm a business man."
-- On Sonic center Jim McIlvaine: "Who is his agent, anyway," Shaq
said, referring to McIlvaine's much-discussed seven-year, $35 million
deal. "He's got a good agent."
-- On Houston center Hakeem Olajuwon's recent trouble with a rapid
heartbeat: "If that happened to me, I would probably have to find
something else to do. Health is more important to me than anything
else."
nba.1938stukelj,
Da zakljucimo iz dosadasnjih rezultata:
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ce sledece godine biti sampion!!!!
Znam da zvuci glupo, ali videcete...
The Evil awakens....
nba.1939acafaca,
-=> ĆŠ PORTLAND
-=>
-=> ĆŠ DJORDJEVIC 5 1-2 0-0 0 1 1
-=> 0 ĆŠ 0 0 0 2
Zar se Đorđević ni je vratio u Timsistem?
nba.1940dizel,
** CLEVELAND (84) AT ORLANDO (57)
Ili ovaj Cleveland ima fenomenalnu odbranu, ili je Orlando mnogo
zakazao. Izgleda da su se obe stvari dogodile...
nba.1941vpoznanovic,
Thursday, December 5
L.A. Clippers at Chicago 96:114
Minnesota at Seattle 86:117
Philadelphia at Dallas 102:106
Portland at Denver 115:104
Washington at Toronto 80:82
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA CLIPPERS 25 32 21 18 96
CHICAGO 35 27 19 33 114 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAC - POOH RICHARDSON 20, LOY VAUGHT 19, BRENT BARRY 17
CHI - SCOTTIE PIPPEN 25, JASON CAFFEY 23, MICHAEL JORDAN 20
HIGH REBOUND: LAC - LOY VAUGHT 14, LORENZEN WRIGHT 6
CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 14, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 8
HIGH ASSISTS: LAC - POOH RICHARDSON 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
CHI - TONI KUKOC 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 6
ATT: 23,687
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 19 17 18 32 86
SEATTLE 26 32 30 29 117 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 27, TERRY PORTER 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH
11
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 21, LARRY STEWART 19, GARY PAYTON 18
HIGH REBOUND: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 10, DEAN GARRETT 10
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 15, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - STEPHON MARBURY 6, TERRY PORTER 4
SEA - ERIC SNOW 9, GARY PAYTON 7
ATT: 17,072
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 29 18 26 29 102
DALLAS 24 26 20 36 106 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 36, DERRICK COLEMAN 21, JERRY
STACKHOUSE 16
DAL - CHRIS GATLING 24, JIM JACKSON 21, DEREK HARPER 20
HIGH REBOUND: PHI - SCOTT WILLIAMS 14, DERRICK COLEMAN 11
DAL - ERIC MONTROSS 8, THREE PLAYERS WITH 6
HIGH ASSISTS: PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 11, DERRICK COLEMAN 5
DAL - JASON KIDD 14, JIM JACKSON 6
ATT: 13,443
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 25 21 37 32 115
DENVER 26 25 22 31 104 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: POR - KENNY ANDERSON 26, ARVYDAS SABONIS 22, TWO PLAYERS
WITH 21
DEN - BRYANT STITH 37, DALE ELLIS 19, BROOKS THOMPSON 18
HIGH REBOUND: POR - ARVYDAS SABONIS 15, RASHEED WALLACE 9
DEN - BRYANT STITH 7, ERVIN JOHNSON 7
HIGH ASSISTS: POR - KENNY ANDERSON 9, CLIFFORD ROBINSON 4
DEN - DALE ELLIS 7, MARK JACKSON 6
ATT: 9,679
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 27 24 15 14 80
TORONTO 22 16 23 21 82 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: WAS - ROD STRICKLAND 17, CHRIS WEBBER 11, CALBERT CHEANEY
10
TOR - WALT WILLIAMS 29, DOUG CHRISTIE 19, DAMON STOUDAMIRE
12
HIGH REBOUND: WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 5
TOR - POPEYE JONES 13, DOUG CHRISTIE 11
HIGH ASSISTS: WAS - JUWAN HOWARD 6, CHRIS WEBBER 5
TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 9, DOUG CHRISTIE 7
ATT: 15,222
nba.1942nba.news,
LA CLIPPERS (96) AT CHICAGO (114)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 40 9-18 1-1 3 11 14 3 3 0 2 19
ROGERS F 36 7-15 0-0 3 2 5 1 3 2 3 15
WRIGHT C 27 5-8 4-5 3 3 6 2 0 1 1 14
DEHERE G 22 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 3 3 0 3 3
RICHARDSON G 35 7-10 2-2 0 3 3 6 1 1 3 20
MURRAY 23 2-8 2-2 2 2 4 1 0 2 1 6
BARRY 26 6-15 4-4 2 0 2 0 1 2 0 17
OUTLAW 12 1-1 0-0 3 2 5 0 2 0 1 2
D MARTIN 13 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 0
DUCKWORTH 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ROBERTS DNP - RUPTURED DISK
SEALY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-83 13-14 16 24 40 17 13 8 18 96
(.458) (.929) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 19(23 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RODMAN F 39 0-3 0-0 7 7 14 3 4 0 2 0
PIPPEN F 32 12-23 0-1 4 4 8 5 0 4 2 25
WENNINGTON C 21 0-4 0-0 1 4 5 2 4 0 0 0
JORDAN G 31 9-21 2-3 1 3 4 6 3 2 1 20
KUKOC G 38 7-14 3-3 2 3 5 12 1 0 1 18
BUECHLER 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
KERR 30 7-8 0-0 0 3 3 6 0 1 0 15
CAFFEY 24 11-13 1-1 0 3 3 1 2 1 3 23
BROWN 21 6-8 1-2 0 1 1 4 2 2 0 13
SIMPKINS 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
HARPER DNP - FLU
PARISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 52-95 7-10 15 28 43 40 16 10 10 114
(.547) (.700) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 10(8 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 25 32 21 18 - 96
CHICAGO 35 27 19 33 - 114
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - MURRAY 2, ROGERS, BARRY. CHICAGO - KUKOC.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 7-20 (.350), VAUGHT 0-1, ROGERS 1-2, DEHERE
1-3, RICHARDSON 4-5, MURRAY 0-2, BARRY 1-5, D MARTIN 0-2. CHICAGO 3-9
(.333), PIPPEN 1-3, JORDAN 0-3, KUKOC 1-1, KERR 1-2.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JIM CLARK, JOE CRAWFORD, GARY BENSON.
A - 23,687. T - 1:52.
LA CLIPPERS (96) AT CHICAGO (114)
Jason Caffey scored 13 of his career-high 23 points in a 21-4
fourth quarter run as the Chicago Bulls got past the Los Angeles
Clippers, 114-96, to stay unbeaten in seven games at home.
Scottie Pippen scored 25 points and Michael Jordan added 20 for
the Bulls, who have won five straight games overall and have the
best record in the league at 17-1. Chicago led by 10 points
after one period and enjoyed a slim 62-57 lead at halftime.
Caffey topped his previous high of 13 points by shooting
11-of-13 from the field in 24 minutes off the bench.
"I think everbody has been waiting for him to show his talent on
the basketball court," Jordan said. "He has the ability to play
with that type of intensity."
Pooh Richardson scored 20 points, Loy Vaught had 19 and Brent
Barry contributed 17 for Los Angeles, which led early in the
third quarter but could not keep the Bulls down.
"My biggest disappointment is that we didn't play harder than we
did those last 10 minutes," Los Angeles coach Bill Fitch said.
"We accomplished a lot the first three quarters, playing their
starters even. Then their bench took the game away."
Vaught scored back-to-back baskets to trim Chicago's lead to
88-86 with 7:45 remaining before Chicago scored 21 of the next
25 points to seal the victory.
Toni Kukoc's 20-foot jumper at 7:27 and Randy Brown's layup with
1:57 remaining sandwiched the 21-4 spurt in which Caffey took
over, scoring 13 points.
"It seemed like Caffey just got in a zone there at the end,"
Vaught said. "We had a very difficult time trying to control
him. It shows you how much talent they have there on that
team."
Kukoc finished with 18 points and a season-high 12 assists as
the Bulls shot 54 percent (52-of-95) from the field, compared to
45 percent (38-of-83) by the Clippers.
Both Jordan and Pippen sat out the entire final quarter while
Caffey, Brown and Steve Kerr ran the offense. The trio shot a
combined 24-of-29 as Chicago's bench outscored Los Angeles'
51-25.
"That was a great surge that we had there off the bench," Bulls
coach Phil Jackson said. "They gave us a terrific lift,
especally Kerr, Brown and Caffey. We were floundering and they
gave us momentum. The second team played so well that I was
able to sit Pippen and Jordan for the entire fourth quarter."
"It was a good game for the second team," Jordan said. "They
came out and outplayed the first team. Nobody could have
predicted that Scottie and I would sit out the fourth quarter,
but our first team didn't play very good defense the whole
night."
Pippen grabbed eight rebounds and had four steals for the Bulls,
which forced 19 turnovers and turned them into 23 points. Pippen
led the team in scoring for just the third time this season.
Chicago played without guard Ron Harper, who was sidelined with
a combination of the flu and a dislocated finger.
nba.1943nba.news,
MINNESOTA (86) AT SEATTLE (117)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GUGLIOTTA F 33 10-14 7-7 4 6 10 2 4 1 2 27
WEST F 19 0-3 2-2 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 2
D GARRETT C 23 2-5 0-2 4 6 10 1 3 0 1 4
MARBURY G 40 3-18 0-2 1 1 2 6 3 0 4 7
PORTER G 30 4-11 3-3 1 0 1 4 1 0 1 12
CARR 22 4-12 1-2 2 3 5 1 4 2 3 11
MITCHELL 29 0-6 5-7 3 2 5 2 2 0 3 5
HEAL 11 0-3 1-1 1 1 2 1 2 0 3 1
VRANKOVIC 18 4-5 3-6 2 3 5 1 3 0 1 11
PARKS 15 2-6 2-4 2 2 4 1 0 0 0 6
K GARNETT DNP - SPRAINED LEFT ANKLE
ROBINSON DNP - BRUISED LEFT KNEE
TOTALS 240 29-83 24-36 20 24 44 19 26 3 19 86
(.349) (.667) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 20(26 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 30 6-13 9-10 6 9 15 1 4 0 1 21
D SCHREMPF F 25 4-9 3-4 1 3 4 3 3 1 1 13
MCILVAINE C 27 3-5 3-4 1 4 5 1 5 0 1 9
HAWKINS G 25 2-7 1-2 0 1 1 2 2 2 0 6
PAYTON G 31 8-15 2-2 2 3 5 7 0 5 3 18
EHLO 10 1-1 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 2
PERKINS 11 1-3 4-4 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 6
STEWART 25 6-10 7-7 1 2 3 2 2 0 3 19
SNOW 22 3-3 2-2 0 2 2 9 3 2 0 8
WINGATE 15 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 1 1 2 1 4
GRAHAM 12 3-6 0-0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 7
HARVEY 7 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 4
TOTALS 240 41-80 31-35 11 31 42 30 22 13 12 117
(.513) (.886) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 12(9 PTS)
MINNESOTA 19 17 18 32 - 86
SEATTLE 26 32 30 29 - 117
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - GUGLIOTTA, PORTER, VRANKOVIC. SEATTLE -
MCILVAINE 6, STEWART 2, HARVEY 2, KEMP, HAWKINS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 4-21 (.190), MARBURY 1-8, PORTER 1-6, CARR
2-2, MITCHELL 0-2, HEAL 0-3. SEATTLE 4-16 (.250), D SCHREMPF 2-5, HAWKINS
1-3, PAYTON 0-2, PERKINS 0-2, STEWART 0-1, WINGATE 0-1, GRAHAM 1-2.
TECHNICALS: SEATTLE - PAYTON, ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, D SCHREMPF, STEWART, HEAD
COACH KARL 2 (EJECTED), KEMP 2 (EJECTED).
OFFICIALS: BENNETT SALVATORE, TERRY DURHAM, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 17,072. T - 2:12.
MINNESOTA (86) AT SEATTLE (117)
Shawn Kemp scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half as the
Seattle SuperSonics raced to a 22-point lead and gave coach
George Karl his 400th win with a 117-86 demolition of the
Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kemp grabbed 15 rebounds, Larry Stewart scored 19 points and
Gary Payton had 18 and seven assists for Seattle, which defeated
Minnesota for the 23rd consecutive time and 12th straight at
home. Detlef Schrempf scored 13 points and Eric Snow handed out
nine assists for the SuperSonics, who have not lost to the
Timberwolves since March 15th, 1991.
Tom Gugliotta scored 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting and grabbed
10 rebounds for Minnesota, which played without injured forward
Kevin Garnett and guard James Robinson. Rookie Stephon Marbury
was held to seven points on 3-of-18 shooting in 40 minutes for
the Timberwolves, who trail the all-time series with the Sonics
27-3.
"We didn't stick with our game plan," Gugliotta said. "We
followed it for the first quarter. Then after that, we decided
to go on our own. You can't do that and expect to win."
Kemp had eight points to lead the SuperSonics to a 26-19 lead
after one quarter before widening their lead to 18 as Snow made
a layup to ignite a 14-3 run at the outset of the second period.
Payton and Kemp each scored four points during that span and
Craig Ehlo capped the burst with a layup, giving Seattle a 40-22
advantage with 7:22 remaining in the first half.
Seattle led 58-36 at the half and Minnesota could not pull
closer the rest of the way.
Behind eight points by Payton in the period, the SuperSonics
outscored the Wolves 30-18 in the third quarter to carry an
88-54 lead into the fourth quarter.
Seattle led by as many as 41 points, the last time at 106-65
with five minutes to go.
Kemp, who was on the bench, and Karl were both ejected with five
minutes left in the fourth quarter for arguing a call. Seattle
was whistled for seven technical fouls.
The referees stated both Karl and Kemp were ejected for
unsportsmanlike conduct for verbal abuse. The referess added
they are going to send a tape to the league office in New York
to decide whether Karl bumped an official.
"I was wrong for losing control, but I didn't think they called
a very good basketball game," Karl said. "It's a long season
and I usually lose it a couple of times a year and this is the
first time (this season)."
"We went to the (NBA) Finals last season and we don't get any
respect," Schrempf protested. "In games like this, it's
frustating. Even if we're up by 40, they're not supposed to
referee the score. They're supposed to referee the game."
Hawkins hinted that Karl may have over-reacted in retaliation.
"I think it was a physical game," Hawkins said. "We thought
some calls didn't go our way. It was just one of those games.
We don't know what the referee said to George, but I'm quite
sure it wasn't nice."
Payton had five steals and Jim McIlvaine had nine points and six
blocked shots for Seattle, which shot 51 percent (41-of-80) from
the field and outscored Minnesota 62-34 in the paint.
Terry Porter scored 12 points and Chris Carr and Stojko
Vrankovic each added 11 for Minnesota, which was held to 35
percent (29-of-83) accuracy from the floor and committed 20
turnovers.
The Sonics, who outscored the Wolves 27-7 on the fastbreak,
never trailed.
nba.1944nba.news,
PHILADELPHIA (102) AT DALLAS (106)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
COLEMAN F 42 7-17 7-9 3 8 11 5 1 1 3 21
WEATHERSPOON F 35 6-12 0-1 3 7 10 0 1 0 2 12
WILLIAMS C 24 1-2 0-0 5 9 14 2 3 0 2 2
IVERSON G 45 12-25 8-9 2 2 4 11 5 1 7 36
STACKHOUSE G 34 6-17 3-3 3 2 5 3 4 2 1 16
CAGE 18 1-1 0-0 4 4 8 0 2 1 1 2
HARRIS 15 2-9 0-0 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 6
DAVIS 24 2-9 0-0 4 2 6 1 2 1 1 5
OVERTON 3 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2
TOTALS 240 38-94 18-22 24 34 58 24 23 7 18 102
(.404) (.818) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 18(18 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 33 1-13 0-0 3 2 5 2 2 2 1 3
WALKER F 19 5-12 3-5 2 4 6 0 3 0 0 13
MONTROSS C 23 3-7 0-0 4 4 8 1 3 0 2 6
JACKSON G 37 6-11 8-10 1 5 6 6 3 1 0 21
KIDD G 43 2-7 5-8 0 3 3 14 1 5 0 11
GATLING 29 10-18 4-5 2 4 6 0 2 2 3 24
HARPER 32 8-16 3-4 0 3 3 2 3 2 2 20
MILLER 24 4-6 0-0 2 3 5 4 5 1 1 8
DREILING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
DUMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MEYER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-90 23-32 14 28 42 29 22 13 9 106
(.433) (.719) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 9(6 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 29 18 26 29 - 102
DALLAS 24 26 20 36 - 106
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - COLEMAN 2, WILLIAMS 2, WEATHERSPOON,
IVERSON, CAGE. DALLAS - MILLER 3, KIDD 2, WALKER 2, HARPER, GATLING,
MONTROSS, MCCLOUD.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 8-25 (.320), COLEMAN 0-2, IVERSON 4-10,
STACKHOUSE 1-5, HARRIS 2-3, DAVIS 1-5. DALLAS 5-18 (.278), MCCLOUD 1-7,
JACKSON 1-3, KIDD 2-4, HARPER 1-4.
TECHNICALS: PHILADELPHIA - OVERTON, ILLEGAL DEFENSE, DALLAS - HARPER,
ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2.
OFFICIALS: DAN CRAWFORD, DERRICK STAFFORD, MIKE SMITH.
A - 13,443. T - 2:14.
PHILADELPHIA (102) AT DALLAS (106)
Chris Gatling scored four of his 24 points during a late
fourth-quarter run as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the
Philadelphia 76ers, 106-102.
Jimmy Jackson scored 21 points and Derek Harper added a
season-high 20 for Dallas, which has alternated losses and wins
for the last six games. Jason Kidd played a sound game with 11
points and 14 assists without a turnover for the Mavericks.
Rookie Allen Iverson hada season-high 36 points and 11 assists
but committed seven turnovers for Philadelphia, which has
dropped four of its last five road games. Derrick Coleman had
21 points and 11 rebounds and Jerry Stackhouse added 16 points.
Kidd has handed out 56 assists over the last four games for the
Mavericks, who turned the ball over a season-low nine times.
Dallas beat the 76ers for just the fourth time in their last 12
meetings.
After Iverson hit a jumper to give the 76ers a 92-90 lead with
just under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter,
Jackson made a reverse layup to tie the game and ignite a 9-0
run.
Oliver Miller followed with a dunk that put Dallas ahead for
good with 2:38 left before Gatling made consecutive baskets in
the paint. Kidd's free throw with 1:27 to go capped the burst
and gave the Mavericks a 99-92 lead.
Dallas opened a 103-94 lead, but Philadelphia refused to go
away, embarking on an 8-2 run. Lucious Harris hit a
three-pointer and Iverson sank a pair of free throws to draw the
76ers to 105-102 with 31 seconds left.
After George McCloud missed an open three-pointer, Mark Davis
missed a three-pointer with six seconds remaining. Harper made
one free throw to seal the game.
Samaki Walker scored 13 points and Eric Montross grabbed eight
rebounds for Dallas, which tied a team record with eight of its
11 blocks in the second quarter and matched the team standard
with 13 steals.
Clarence Weatherspoon had 12 points and 11 rebounds for
Philadelphia, which lost despite holding Dallas to 43 percent
shooting (39-of-90) from the field and outrebounding Dallas
58-42.
The game had 16 lead changes and as many ties.
nba.1945nba.news,
PORTLAND (115) AT DENVER (104)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 44 9-22 2-3 3 0 3 4 4 2 1 21
WALLACE F 29 6-9 0-1 3 6 9 1 4 0 1 14
SABONIS C 29 6-11 8-9 2 13 15 3 0 0 1 22
RIDER G 27 9-16 1-3 2 1 3 1 5 1 2 21
ANDERSON G 42 8-17 7-8 1 4 5 9 2 2 1 26
TRENT 19 1-4 0-2 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 2
MCKIE 23 2-4 2-2 0 0 0 3 6 0 1 6
DUDLEY 19 0-0 1-2 2 4 6 0 4 0 1 1
DJORDJEVIC 4 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
ONEAL 3 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2
CHILDRESS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
WINGFIELD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 42-85 21-30 14 30 44 23 27 5 11 115
(.494) (.700) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 44 5-17 7-9 0 1 1 7 4 0 2 19
MCDYESS F 34 5-9 5-8 0 5 5 2 5 0 1 15
JOHNSON C 20 0-0 0-2 1 6 7 0 3 0 0 0
STITH G 37 10-14 16-16 0 7 7 1 3 3 3 37
JACKSON G 26 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 6 1 1 4 2
L THOMPSON 6 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
HAMMONDS 32 3-7 0-0 0 3 3 0 2 0 0 6
MCINNIS 11 3-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 7
B THOMPSON 22 7-11 2-2 0 2 2 2 4 1 1 18
HAM 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 0
L ELLIS DNP - SURGERY-LEFT KNEE
TOTALS 240 34-66 30-37 1 26 27 19 27 5 12 104
(.515) (.811) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 12(15 PTS)
PORTLAND 25 21 37 32 - 115
DENVER 26 25 22 31 - 104
BLOCKED SHOTS: PORTLAND - SABONIS, DUDLEY. DENVER - MCDYESS 5, JOHNSON
2, STITH 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PORTLAND 10-25 (.400), C ROBINSON 1-6, WALLACE 2-2,
SABONIS 2-3, RIDER 2-6, ANDERSON 3-7, MCKIE 0-1. DENVER 6-21 (.286), D
ELLIS 2-9, STITH 1-3, JACKSON 0-1, MCINNIS 1-2, B THOMPSON 2-6.
TECHNICALS: PORTLAND - RIDER.
OFFICIALS: JACK NIES, DON VADEN, TIM DONAGHY.
A - 9,679. T - 2:10.
PORTLAND (115) AT DENVER (104)
Isaiah Rider scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter as
the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a career night by Bryant
Stith to down the Denver Nuggets, 115-104.
Portland rookie Jermaine O'Neal also became the youngest player
to appear in an NBA game when he checked in at 7:24 of the
second quarter. He made his only shot of the field, committed a
personal foul and committed two turnovers in three minutes.
Kenny Anderson scored 26 points, Arvydas Sabonis added 22 and
Clifford Robinson 21 for Portland, which has won seven of its
last 10 games.
Stith scored a career-high 37 points for Denver, which has lost
five straight games under new coach Dick Motta. The Nuggets
have lost nine of their last 10 games and have given up at least
104 points in their last 10 contests.
"This is a very tough loss," said Stith. "We made some mistakes
down the stretch that cost us the game. Things are not going
our way, but we have to be making our own breaks. It seems we
have players playing well but not a supporting cast each night."
Portland opened the second half with a 10-0 run to erase a 51-46
deficit take control of the game. Rasheed Wallace hit a
seven-footer before Anderson and Rider knocked down consecutive
three-pointers to make it 54-51 at the 10:25 mark. Sabonis
capped the run with a pair of foul shots to extend the lead to
56-51 with 9:12 remaining.
The Nuggets closed within 92-91 in the fourth quarter on two
free throws by Stith with 6:39 to play. But Wallace answered
with a three-pointer and Rider made consecutive baskets to push
the lead to 99-91 at the 5:27 mark.
"It's not easy to win when you don't defend," said Trail Blazers
coach P.J. Carlesimo. "They executed offensively. We executed
offensively ourselves and rebounded well. We took care of the
ball in the second half. We could do nothing with our guards."
Portland shot 49 percent (42-of-84) from the field and made
10-of-25 from three-point range. Sabonis pulled down 15
rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who outrebounded Denver 44-27
and held the Nuggets to one offensive rebound and got 19
second-chance points. Wallace finished with 14 points.
"We had only one offensive rebound and that hurt us," stated
Nuggets coach Dick Motta. "We just have to keep working. We
have a lot of sorting out to do."
Stith made 10-of-14 shots from the floor and all 16 of his free
throws. Denver shot 52 percent (34-of-66) from the field.
Brooks Thompson added 18 points off the bench and Antonio
McDyess scored 15 and blocked five shots.
nba.1946nba.news,
WASHINGTON (80) AT TORONTO (82)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 38 3-11 1-2 1 10 11 6 4 2 3 7
WEBBER F 38 5-13 0-0 2 3 5 5 4 0 5 11
MURESAN C 23 3-5 0-2 0 4 4 1 4 1 0 6
CHEANEY G 29 5-8 0-0 1 2 3 1 2 2 2 10
STRICKLAND G 37 6-13 4-5 2 3 5 3 2 1 2 17
GRANT 23 2-6 2-2 2 2 4 3 2 0 2 8
JACKSON 16 3-8 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 2 1 8
MURRAY 22 3-6 2-3 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 9
WHITNEY 14 2-6 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-76 9-14 9 26 35 24 21 9 17 80
(.421) (.643) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 17(15 PTS)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 42 10-23 3-3 1 3 4 4 3 0 3 29
JONES F 45 0-5 0-0 6 7 13 1 4 0 0 0
WRIGHT C 26 4-13 0-0 2 4 6 0 2 0 1 8
CHRISTIE G 42 5-13 8-10 4 7 11 7 3 6 4 19
STOUDAMIRE G 40 5-14 1-3 1 3 4 9 2 1 6 12
DAVIS 18 2-6 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 4
EARL 15 1-2 2-2 1 2 3 0 2 1 2 4
CAMBY 5 1-4 0-0 3 0 3 0 0 0 2 2
LONG 7 2-3 0-0 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 4
CURETON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WHITESIDE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 30-83 14-18 19 31 50 21 17 8 18 82
(.361) (.778) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 19(24 PTS)
WASHINGTON 27 24 15 14 - 80
TORONTO 22 16 23 21 - 82
BLOCKED SHOTS: WASHINGTON - WEBBER 3, MURESAN, CHEANEY, GRANT, MURRAY.
TORONTO - JONES 2, WRIGHT, CHRISTIE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: WASHINGTON 7-21 (.333), WEBBER 1-1, STRICKLAND 1-4,
GRANT 2-5, JACKSON 2-5, MURRAY 1-4, WHITNEY 0-2. TORONTO 8-30 (.267),
WILLIAMS 6-15, JONES 0-1, CHRISTIE 1-5, STOUDAMIRE 1-5, DAVIS 0-3, LONG
0-1.
TECHNICALS: WASHINGTON - HEAD COACH LYNAM, TORONTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TED BERNHARDT, SEAN CORBIN.
A - 15,222. T - 2:06.
WASHINGTON (80) AT TORONTO (82)
Forty-year-old John Long hit a jumper with nine seconds left to
complete a comeback from a 17-point third-quarter deficit as the
Toronto Raptors rallied for an 82-80 victory over the Washington
Bullets.
Walt Williams scored 29 points and Doug Christie added 19 with
11 rebounds, seven assists and a career-high six steals for
Toronto, which won its third consecutive home game. Damon
Stoudamire had 12 points and nine assists and Popeye Jones
grabbed 13 rebounds for the Raptors.
"The guys scrapped and hustled," Raptors coach Darrell Walker
said. "This was a good win for us. We'll take it. We'll take
any win we can with this franchise. He's (Long) been around for
a long time. He's good for this team. I have no hesitation,
putting John Long in the game."
Rod Strickland scored 17 points, but Chris Webber was limited to
11 points and Juwan Howard was held to seven for Washington,
which lost its third straight game. Webber and Howard shot a
combined 8-for-24 from the field.
"You score 51 in the first half and 29 in the second, you don't
have to be a math major to figure that one out," Sixers coach
Jim Lynam said. "We've been involved in a lot of close games
lately and we're 1-of-6 (in those games). That's our challenge:
to do better in close games. Give Toronto credit, they always
battled us hard and we've had some trouble with them."
After Webber dunked to give the Bullets an 80-77 lead with 1:12
remaining in the fourth quarter, Christie sank a pair of free
throws to draw the Raptors within one point with 48 seconds
remaining.
Long, who was signed last week, put the Raptors ahead 81-80 by
drilling a jumper from the right corner. He last played in the
NBA during the 1990-1991 season and was playing with Magic
Johnson's traveling all-star team this year before being
acquired.
"Fortunately, it came to me, I had it and I made it," Long said.
"You always have to be mentally ready so when you get put into
that situation, you feel capable of making the shot."
"My main goal has been to learn the plays as fast as I can,"
Long added. "In any situation, you don't know what the coach
will want you for. You always have to be ready to come in and
play."
The Bullets did not expect the ball to go to Long.
"He's (Long) been hitting those kinds of shots for a long time,"
Webber said. "I'm a little surprised he got the ball, but I'm
not surprised he made it. You have to give Toronto credit. Most
teams put their head down and give up. They didn't."
The Bullets didn't come through in their opportunity to forge
ahead as Webber missed an open jumper from the left wing with
three seconds to go. Stoudamire made one free throw with 1.2
seconds left before missing the second.
Washington took a 57-40 advantage on Calbert Cheaney's jumper
with 8:31 left in the third quarter. But Christie got the
Raptors headed in the right direction with a three-pointer that
ignited a 13-0 run. Stoudamire's jumper capped the burst,
pulling Toronto within 57-53 with 3:47 remaining in the third
period.
"We dug a hole for us early, but we battled and got back into
it," Christie said. "I just try and go out and play as hard as
I can. I just make a conscious effort to come out every night
and play hard."
The Bullets regained a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter
as Strickland made a layup to cap a 9-2 spurt and hand
Washington a 75-65 lead with 7:01 left.
But Christie came up big again, hitting a jumper to start a 12-2
burst. Christie's dunk following a steal capped the run and
knotted the game at 77-77 with 2:22 to go.
"Besides Michael Jordan, Doug Christie is the best defender in
the east period," Walker added.
Toronto won despite shooting 36 percent (30-of-83) from the
field and committing 19 turnovers. Rookie forward Marcus Camby
left in the second quarter after reaggravating his back for the
Raptors, who outrebounded the Bullets 50-35. Camby will miss one
to two weeks.
Howard grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out six assists for
Washington, which outscored Toronto in the paint 42-22 but shot
42 percent (32-of-76).
nba.1947nba.news,
Back spasms interrupt Camby comeback
LANDOVER, Md. -- Toronto Raptors rookie forward Marcus Camby was
forced to the sideline with back spasms for the second time in as many
games and will be out one to two weeks.
Camby, 22, left in the second quarter of Thursday night's 82-80
victory over the Washington Bullets. On Wednesday night against the
Cleveland Cavaliers, he played just four minutes and departed with
back pain.
He was hospitalized Nov. 26 after injuring his back during warmups
before a game with Sacramento. He spent a few hours at the hospital,
where doctors found no neurological damage.
"I got twisted and felt a sharp pain in my back," Camby said of the
first injury, which caused him to miss four games. "I couldn't feel
anything. Everything went numb. When I got to the ambulance,
everything started to come back. My back's just sore right now."
When Camby fell to the SkyDome court before the game against
Sacramento, coach Darrell Walker thought something had gone wrong with
the rookie's heart.
Camby missed two games last season at Massachusetts after collapsing
before a game against St. Bonaventure. Extensive examinations at that
time revealed no heart defect, and the incident was attributed to the
flu and poor diet.
"When (assistant coach) John Shumate came to my office and said he was
down, I thought it was his heart," Walker said of Camby.
Two ankle sprains have hampered Camby's rookie campaign, but he had
been showing flashes of excellence. He is averaging 14.3 points and
4.2 rebounds a game.
nba.1948nba.news,
Magic activate Hardaway, waive Rozier; Scott, Anderson out
Orlando Magic star guard Penny Hardaway was activated from the injured
list today and could play in Friday night's showdown against former
teammate Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hardaway, who missed 10 games after having arthroscopic surgery to
repair torn cartilage in his left knee on November 17th, is listed as
questionable for Friday night's game, which opens a five-game road
trip.
A roster spot for Hardaway was cleared when the Magic waived forward
Cliff Rozier, who was acquired along with Rony Seikaly from the Golden
State Warriors on the season's opening weekend. Forward Dennis Scott
and guard Nick Anderson, both injured, will accompany the team but are
not expected to play Friday.
During the off-season, the Magic lost a free-agent bidding war with
the Lakers for O'Neal, who signed a seven-year deal worth $120
million. Hardaway was expected to take over as Orlando's team leader
but the Magic have struggled in his absence, going 5-5.
The 6-7 All-Star averaged 21.3 points in Orlando's first four games.
He had been slowed by inflammation in his hamstring and continual
soreness behind the left knee.
Orlando tied an NBA record-low with just 57 points Wednesday in a
27-point home loss to Cleveland. Scott and Anderson combined to
average better than 32 points per game last season but have been
slowed by injuries this season.
Scott is on the injured list. He has been limited to 28 minutes this
season while battling a left hamstring strain. Last season, he knocked
down an NBA-record 267 three-pointers.
Anderson sprained his right wrist less than seven minutes into
Tuesday's 108-102 home overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. His hand
was placed in a soft cast but he is not on the injured list. Anderson
has averaged 15.8 points per game in 13 contests this season.
The 24-year-old Rozier just began his third NBA season. He was
acquired with pivotman Seikaly for centers Fleton Spencer and Jon
Koncak and forward Donald Royal.
Rozier played just one game for the Magic, going scoreless in five
minutes. His 1996-97 salary of $1.04 million is guaranteed and counts
against Orlando's salary cap.
nba.1949nba.news,
LaPhonso Ellis activated; Marciulionis to have surgery
Denver Nuggets forward LaPhonso Ellis was activated from the injured
list today, but may not play for another week as he continues
rehabilitation on his left knee.
Guard Sarunas Marciulionis, who tore a right knee ligament on Tuesday
at Golden State, was placed on the injured list and will undergo
arthroscopic surgery on Friday, the team said.
Ellis had successful arthroscopic surgery in the first week of the
season after experiencing pain in the knee during a game against the
Los Angeles Clippers on November 5th. An MRI the following day
revealed roughening of the articular cartilage and team physician Dr.
Steve Traina removed loose fragments from the knee.
The fifth-year veteran has undergone two previous surgeries in his
career. He missed 76 games in 1994-95 due to a stress fracture to the
patella of his right knee, and sat out the first 31 games last season
because of a stress fracture in his left knee. Both conditions were
caused by bone cysts, which are not a factor in the current injury.
The 26-year-old Ellis is averaging 11 points and 5.3 rebounds in three
games this season.
Marciulionis was hurt in the second quarter of Tuesday's 114-99 loss
at Golden State. He had played in all but one game this season and was
averaging 6.8 points per game.
The 6-5 Lithuanian was acquired from Sacramento in an off-season trade
that sent Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf to the Kings. While with the Warriors,
Marciulionis missed 52 games in the 1992-93 season due to a pair of
injuries and the entire following season with a torn anterior cruciate
ligament in his right knee.
nba.1950nba.news,
Trail Blazers F O'Neal becomes NBA's youngest player ever
Portland Trail Blazers 18-year-old rookie forward Jermaine O'Neal
became the youngest player in NBA history tonight when he saw his
first pro action against the Denver Nuggets.
The 6-11 O'Neal entered the game with 7:24 remaining in the second
quarter. He was born October 13th, 1978 and his debut came at the age
of 18 years, one month, 23 days. He made his only shot from the field
and committed two turnovers and a personal foul in three minutes.
Earlier this season, Los Angeles Lakers rookie swingman Kobe Bryant
became the youngest player in league history, making his debut at 18
years, two months, 11 days. Both Bryant and O'Neal were selected in
the first round of the 1996 draft directly out of high school.
O'Neal, the 17th overall pick, had spent the entire season on the
injured list after suffering a bruised left knee in the team's final
exhibition game. He was activated Tuesday but did not play in a 98-93
overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Bryant, the 13th overall pick, made his debut on November 3rd.
O'Neal received a three-year deal worth $2.852 million after he was
named 3A South Carolina Player of the Year as a junior and senior at
Eau Claire High School.
nba.1951nba.news,
Stress fracture sidelines Reggie Williams
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New Jersey Nets swingman Reggie Williams,
coming off his best game of the season on Wednesday, was placed on the
injured list with a stress fracture of the left tibia.
An MRI performed Thursday revealed the stress fracture. Williams will
miss two to three weeks.
He is averaging 7.1 points in 10 games with the Nets since being
acquired from the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 4 for swingman Vincent Askew.
In Wednesday's 109-102 home loss to the New York Knicks, Williams came
off the bench to score a season-high 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
Williams, 32, was selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers
in the 1987 draft and also has played for Cleveland and San Antonio
before spending the previous five-plus seasons with Denver. The Pacers
acquired him in a four-player deal over the summer.
He has averaged 12.6 points in 597 career games. His best season was
1991-92, when he averaged 18.2 points and 5.0 rebounds for Denver.
nba.1952nba.news,
Pistons, Dumar turning heads in the NBA
(Dec 5, 1996 - 07:18 EST) -- Joe Dumars and Detroit have been throwing
a little surprise party this season.
After the Pistons lost emerging star guard Allan Houston as a free
agent to the Knicks in the offseason, many NBA observers felt Detroit
would fall back from last year's 46-36 mark. And coming off his lowest
scoring average since 1987, Dumars, 33, was expected to make this his
last season.
Surprise. Detroit was 12-3 going into Wednesday night's game with
Atlanta, and Dumars isn't about to retire now, leading the league in
three-point shooting (.543) and free-throw shooting (.917). Equally
important, he's enjoying himself again. While the Pistons may not be
at their championship form of the late 80s, they are vastly improved
from the doldrums of 20-62 in 1993-94.
"Two or three years ago, I didn't like the environment here and the
way the team was going," Dumars said Wednesday in a teleconference.
"But things have changed."
Have they ever. The Pistons have charged out of the gate while Dumars
has increased his scoring average from 11.8 last season to 16.7. But
he is quick to share the credit for the Pistons success, pointing to
All-Star Grant Hill and offseason acquisitions Rick Mahorn, Stacey
Augmon and Grant Long.
"When we lost Allan Houston, it was a big blow for us this summer,"
Dumars said. "But we bounced back. We've got some very good attitudes
on this team ... very professional attitudes."
Unknowingly, he could have been describing himself. Dumars, a
five-time All-Star, has long been regarded as one of the league's
classiest players. He won the NBA's Walter J. Kennedy Citizenship
Award in 1994 and last month received the first-ever NBA Sportsmanship
Award, given to the NBA player who best represents the classic ideals
of sportsmanship on the court.
So what does 12-year veteran Dumars think about the kids coming
straight out of high school to the NBA?
"It's tough to say what's right for these kids," he said. "I hope in
the long term they're doing the best thing for the themselves.
"They're very talented physically. But mentally are they ready to go
through the grind of an 82-game season? Mentally are they ready to
handle a five- or six game slump? Mentally are they ready to get
pounded every night? That's a lot to ask of an 18-19-year-old kid."
The Pistons are asking a lot of 24-year-old Hill, who leads the team
in scoring, rebounding, steals and assists. Dumars says Hill deserves
all the praise he's been earning, including some early talk of MVP
honors.
"He's the major reason why we're off to such a good start," Dumars
said. "He has an impact on the game every time he steps out there. I'm
fortunate enough catching the kid in the early part of his career when
I can really see him take off.
"If we continue to do well as a team, you definitely have put him in
there (for MVP consideration.) It's a long season, with a lots of ups
and downs, hopefully we can sustain the pace we're on. A 12-3 start is
not going to guarantee you a 50-win season and the NBA Finals."
Ever the savvy veteran, Dumars is realistic about the team's chances
to catch the 16-1 Chicago Bulls in the Central Division.
"It's too early for us to consistently compete with them night in and
night out."
Unless the Pistons pull another surprise.
nba.1953nba.news,
Long joins short list of geezer guards
If you can answer the following trivia question, you're entitled to a
symbolic Ph.D. in basketball history:
Q: What do John Long, Bob Cousy, and Nat Hickey have in common?
A: They're the only 40-year-old guards in NBA history.
You're familiar with Long, a Detroit Pistons mainstay in the '80s who
resurfaced this week with the Toronto Raptors. And you know about
Cousy, a Hall of Fame point guard.
But who was Nat Hickey?
In 1925, the 23-year-old Hickey joined the Cleveland Rosenblums in the
inaugural season of the American Basketball League. The ABL attracted
much of the top basketball talent in the country, and Cleveland drew
10,000 fans per home playoff game on their way to a sweep of the
Brooklyn Arcadians in the championship series.
A marvelous athlete who also played minor-league baseball for many
years, Hickey scored 10.6 points per game for the ABL's Boston Trojans
in 1934-35. That 10.6 might not sound like much, but it's roughly
equivalent to 30 points in today's game.
Hickey played most of the Depression with the Original Celtics,
basketball's best-known barnstorming team before the Harlem
Globetrotters.
Though a forward for most of his career, by 1944 Hickey was 42 years
old and spending most of his time in the backcourt. He played two
games with the National Basketball League's Pittsburgh Raiders in
1944-45. The following season, he coached the Indianapolis Krautskys,
and also played on occasion.
After player-coaching the Tri-Cities Blackhawks to a 9-12 record to
open the 1947-48 campaign, Hickey was fired. Still one of the
best-known figures in the game, he signed with the Providence
Steamrollers of the Basketball Association of America. The woeful
Steamrollers finished the season 4-25 under Hickey, and he played in
just one game (but didn't score).
So ended Nat Hickey's professional career.
Two years later, the BAA became the NBA, and BAA stats are now
considered official NBA stats. Hence, Hickey played one "NBA" game at
the age of 45 or 46 (his birthday came in midseason, and we couldn't
determine the exact date of his appearance with Providence).
When asked to name a 40-year-old guard, most diehard NBA fans over the
age of 30 will come up with Bob Cousy.
Seven years after his last season (1962-63) with the Boston Celtics,
Cousy was coaching the Cincinnati Royals, who were mediocre at best.
Cousy apparently figured -- as Hickey had 22 years earlier -- that he
could show these kids a thing or two, and activated himself.
Then 41, Cousy de-activated himself after scoring five points in seven
games. Of course, that was good enough to give Cousy the NBA scoring
record for 40-year-old guards ...
Until last Tuesday night, that is, when Toronto's John Long scored six
points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Long, who turned 40 last
August, enjoyed a productive, 13-year NBA career, but has spent the
last four seasons touring the world with Magic Johnson's All-Stars.
Despite the game-winner Long hit against the Washington Bullets on
Thursday, he wasn't signed for his jump shot. Raptors executive Isiah
Thomas said last week, "I believe that experience was a missing
ingredient on our team. John has the ability to help give our team the
perspective it needs to successfully make it through the long NBA
season."
Thomas was a backcourt teammate of Long's for seven seasons in
Detroit. Too busy as the club's executive vice president of basketball
to activate himself -- a la Hickey and Cousy -- Thomas must figure
Long is the next-best thing.
Bob Cousy's a Hall of Famer, and Nat Hickey is reportedly a strong
contender. John Long? He has a chance. All he has to do is win a
starting job, then play for another six or seven seasons.
Hey, if George Foreman can keep going and going ...
nba.1954nba.news,
Knicks' big changes bring small results
NEW YORK -- It wasn't the loudest cheer of the night. Nor was it the
most inspirational. But when "Jeff must go!" echoed down from the
upper rafters of a nearly empty Madison Square Garden late in a recent
24-point loss to Miami, it signaled bad times for the New York Knicks.
Less than 20 games into the season, calling for coach Jeff Van Gundy's
dismissal is probably harsh, even by New York standards. However,
great things were expected from the Knicks after they obtained Larry
Johnson, Allan Houston and Chris Childs during the off-season -- and
great things haven't happened.
Those three newcomers -- along with the rest of the team -- have not
produced, especially at home, where New York is hovering around .500.
"That's unacceptable if you want to be a good team," Van Gundy said.
"They have to play better together. They have to take advantage of
each others' talents and work off each other better."
The Knicks were built to challenge the Bulls for supremacy in the
Eastern Conference. Instead, they find themselves in the middle of a
pack chasing not only the Bulls, but the Pistons and Heat, as well.
The acquisition of Johnson and Houston was supposed to give the Knicks
something they've been lacking since Patrick Ewing's arrival in 1985
-- additional scorers who can take the pressure off Ewing.
Just like in past seasons, though, when Ewing is taken out of the
offense, New York is unable to score. As a result, the Knicks -- among
the league leaders with more than 20 turnovers per game -- are
averaging nearly two points fewer than a year ago.
Although no single player can be blamed for New York's recent
struggles, a lack of production from the team's new stars provides an
easy target. All of the primary newcomers have fallen short of their
expected offensive goals: Johnson's scoring is down eight points from
last season, Houston's is also down eight and his 3-point field goal
percentage is less than 40 percent.
Childs, who missed the first nine games with a fractured right fibula,
is averaging three fewer assists per game than a year ago.
"I think people are kind of looking at this whole thing the wrong
way," Houston said. "L.J., me and Patrick, are not all going to
average 25-30 points. Each night, it's going to be something
different. That's why this team can have the potential to be a
dangerous team ... We all have to make adjustments.
"I think right now everybody's making that adjustment slowly but
surely."
"I don't think they're struggling offensively," said Heat coach Pat
Riley. "They've had a turnover problem. They've had more of a
transition than we've had -- adding two starters who averaged 20
points per game a year ago on different teams. I still think they're
very talented."
New faces mean new problems
Childs was supposed to be responsible for working the new stars into
the flow of the offense. His injury has slowed that progress, leading
many to believe it will just be a matter of time before New York gets
straightened out.
Van Gundy doesn't want to hear that excuse.
"I refuse to buy into the theory that it's time," he said. "We have to
believe wholeheartedly that we can get better. I believe that. But at
the same time, it's not going to happen as the calendar passes."
Houston is having trouble finding his groove in a new offense and with
new surroundings. Despite his scoring difficulties, the 25-year-old
shooting guard is out to prove there's more to his game than his
jumper.
"I'm in a situation where I'm just trying to be aggressive and
contribute in every way I can," Houston said. "I think a lot of people
say, 'Allan is just a shooter.' But I think, as you can see, I do more
than shoot the ball, because I try to contribute in other ways even
though I'm not shooting like I want to right now. When that comes,
I'll be that much more of a better player and be able to help this
team that much more."
Though Houston's assist, rebound and steal numbers are no better than
earlier in his career, his coach has noticed an improved all-around
game.
"I like the way Allan's played the last four or five games," Van Gundy
said. "He's been very aggressive -- making plays for other players."
No answers yet from L.J.
Johnson, the two-time All-Star, is willing to shoulder his part of the
blame. However, that doesn't mean he knows the answer to his problems.
The 6-foot-7 forward says it's not a result of sharing the low post
with Ewing or not being his team's No. 1 option.
"I just think I went through some periods where I've been kind of out
of it," Johnson said. "I can't go through those spells. I've got to be
able to persevere and overcome any type of adversity.
"Each player has to just take it upon himself to try to get better as
an individual. And as you start doing things better as an individual,
it's really going to help the team. So, Larry Johnson's really just
looking at Larry Johnson and trying to figure out what I can do to
help this ballclub and bring this ballclub up to where it's supposed
to be."
Van Gundy's taking as much heat as his players, but he's not ready to
point fingers at his stars.
"(With) Larry, there's going to be good nights and bad nights for him,
like anyone else," Van Gundy said. "We have to get better production
from our entire rotation. I don't just want to single out Allan and
Larry."
While the Knicks search for answers, the questions build. "If we think
we've reached our peak as far as effort, we're just fooling ourselves.
We've got a long ways to go," said forward Charles Oakley.
"We're at a point where we'll be a .500 team -- win 42 or 45 games,"
he said. "And I think that we have more talent and we can win more
games than that -- we can win 55 or 60 games. But we still have to do
it on the hardwood, because talk is cheap."
nba.1955nba.news,
Miami turning up the heat around the NBA
MIAMI (Dec 5, 1996 - 15:54 EST) -- With the clock stopped and the
Miami Heat on the verge of their latest victory, Alonzo Mourning
playfully sneaked up behind Dallas forward Chris Gatling and tugged on
the back of his shorts, as if to pull them down.
Lately the Heat have been undressing every team they play.
Miami (14-4) takes a franchise-record nine-game winning streak into
Friday night's home game with the New York Knicks. A 101-79 victory
Wednesday against Dallas increased the Heat's lead to three games over
second-place New York in the Atlantic Division.
"We've played well," said coach Pat Riley, who is beginning his second
season with Miami. "Guys have fit in and accepted roles. There's a lot
of confidence, and the team feels good about itself.
"It's a long season. Things can change quickly if the attitude changes
and you get full of yourself. Then you take one of the proverbial NBA
dives. But it's all good right now."
While this appears to be the best team in Miami's nine-year history,
that's not saying much. Last season's 42-40 record, by far the worst
of Riley's 15-year coaching career, matched the best ever for the
franchise.
If the Heat win Friday, they'll climb 11 games above .500 for the
first time in club history.
"We've made a statement," guard Tim Hardaway said, "but a lot of
people still think we're not for real."
The Heat's winning streak includes only one victory against a team
above .500 -- at New York on Tuesday. The other eight victims were a
combined 37-100 (.270) through Thursday.
"Hey, the league gave us this schedule," Hardaway said. "What do you
want us to do, lay down?"
It's better to beat bad teams than lose to them, and the Heat schedule
hasn't been entirely favorable. They've played on back-to-back nights
seven times, and the winning streak included six consecutive road
games.
The Heat have won mostly with the defense, long the key ingredient in
Riley's formula for success. Opponents are shooting less than 42
percent, and the past six foes have failed to score 90 points.
Miami has also shown a balanced offense, complementing Mourning's
inside threat by sinking 27 3-pointers in the past two games.
Newcomers Dan Majerle, P.J. Brown and Isaac Austin have been
effective, and Hardaway is averaging 18.3 points and 8.0 assists.
"What makes this whole thing so enjoyable is that everybody knows
their role and what their job is," said Mourning, who is in the first
year of a seven-year, $105 million contract. "There a lot of guys on
this team who are unselfish. Right now it is all about winning."
Two more wins this week would convince some skeptics. First, Miami
will try to beat the Knicks for the second time in four nights.
"It's going to be a hard-nosed game," Hardaway said. "We embarrassed
them Tuesday, and they're going to come in like a mad lion."
Then, Miami plays Saturday at Chicago. The Heat's all-time record
against the Bulls is 5-32.
The looming reality check serves as a reminder that success can be
fleeting.
"We're happy, but we can't get full of ourselves," Brown said. "As
easily as we made it to the top, we could just as easily fall back
down."
nba.1956nba.news,
Magic's offense vanishes with 57 points
ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec 5, 1996 - 17:18 EST) -- An injury list that seemed
to grow daily finally caught up to the Orlando Magic.
They equaled the NBA record for fewest points in a game during an
84-57 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
The result wasn't shocking, considering the Cavs have the league's
stingiest defense and the Magic played without leading scorers Penny
Hardaway, Nick Anderson and Dennis Scott.
However, coach Brian Hill spotted a change he hopes won't become
commonplace as the two-time defending Atlantic Division champions
continue to work through their problems.
"The thing that bothers me the most was I'm not sure we came out
really believing we could win," Hill said.
"If we make mistakes or get beaten by a better team, then we can
accept that. But we've got to believe that if we play hard and play
smart that we can always win, no matter who's out there."
Scoring has never been a problem for the Magic, who averaged a
league-leading 110.9 points a game two years ago and were second at
104.5 last season.
But when Shaquille O'Neal decided his future was in Los Angeles, not
Orlando, Hill was the first to recognize the team was going to have to
take on a new identity -- one based on defense rather offense.
Then came injuries to Hardaway, who was activated Thursday following
arthroscopic knee surgery; Scott, slowed since training camp by a
strained hamstring; and Anderson, who sprained his right wrist this
week.
That leaves Horace Grant as the only remaining starter from the the
team that won 117 regular-season games the past two years, went to the
NBA Finals in 1995 and reached the Eastern Conference finals last
spring.
Hill has used six different starting lineups in Orlando's 14 games,
none of them the regular unit of Hardaway, Anderson, Scott, Grant and
Rony Seikaly, who was acquired in a trade to fill the hole created by
O'Neal's departure.
"The bright spot is that we're 8-6 and not 2-12 right now," the coach
said after watching his team miss 10-of-11 shots and score just 11
points in the fourth quarter against Cleveland.
The schedule hasn't helped. Wednesday's game was Orlando's fifth in
eight nights, so there hasn't been much time for practice.
"Our unfamiliarity with one another was exposed," said Hill, who
started Grant, Seikaly, Gerald Wilkins, Brian Shaw and rookie Amal
McCaskill, a longshot to make the team when he was drafted in June,
against the Cavs.
"We didn't have enough shooters out there. They doubled everybody,
forcing us to throw it out to guys on the perimeter who don't even
look at shooting the ball," said Wilkins, who led Orlando with 10
points.
The Magic joined two other teams, the 1955 Milwaukee Hawks and last
year's Philadelphia 76ers, in being held to 57 points. Orlando's
previous franchise low was 76 in a victory at Indiana on Nov. 23.
"You have to take it personally, you have to take it professionally
and then you have to laugh it off," Wilkins said. "You can't beat a
dead horse. So why try?"
Even without Hardaway, Anderson and Scott, it's difficult to imagine
the Magic struggling more than they did Wednesday night. But that
doesn't mean things will get much easier.
Orlando faces O'Neal for the first time when the Magic begin a
five-game, nine-day West Coast trip Friday night in Los Angeles.
Hardaway has been sidelined for 10 games and is questionable for the
Lakers game. Other injured starters may return during the trip, but
it's unlikely any of them will play Friday.
Still, O'Neal's former teammates aren't conceding anything.
"I expect him to really come out at our big men because he wants to
show the organization and the fans that we should miss him. ... He
wants to show everybody he's the reason we won, which he's not,"
reserve guard Darrell Armstrong said.
"Penny, Nick, Horace, Dennis. All those guys had a lot to do with our
winning. We're tired of hearing Shaq this and Shaq that. Right now
it's Penny's team. When he gets back, we'll be all right."
nba.1957nba.news,
Polynice's statistics far below norm
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec 5, 1996 - 05:36 EST) -- Center Olden
Polynice's focus on statistics is well-known around the NBA, and that
is especially true at courtside.
Polynice's gesturing with stat crews in different arenas is partly
responsible for his reputation to some as a selfish ballplayer. He has
been known to argue with crews when he feels slighted after seeing a
halftime box score.
This season, Polynice may grow hoarse and fatigued attempting to get
his statistics up to par if his effort doesn't take a dramatic
upswing.
Consider his statistics on the recently completed road trip: He
averaged 34.1 minutes, 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 42.9
percent field-goal shooting and 51.9 percent free-throw shooting.
Through 18 games, he's averaged 34.1 minutes, 11.1 points, 7.5
rebounds and 1.7 assists, and he is shooting 43.8 percent from the
field and 49.2 percent from the line.
Compare those with last season's output in 30.1 minutes per game of
12.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 52.7 percent from the field
and 60.1 percent from the line.
Polynice rarely dunks and has shown the touch of Bluto around the
basket. He has missed layup after layup. He has not had a
double-figure rebound game in his past seven.
In Tuesday night's victory over Minnesota, he was outplayed by
Minnesota's Stojko Vrankovic, a player with limited skill. Polynice
could neither box out Vrankovic nor beat him to the ball.
Polynice's most valuable asset on the defensive end is as a rebounder.
So he has to either box out his man or get the rebound. He cannot fail
to do both.
HOW DID THEY WIN?: After assessing some statistics from the Kings road
trip, it's more amazing that they won two games than it is that they
lost four.
Mitch Richmond made just 35 percent of his shots over the past five
games. Billy Owens averaged 10.3 points on 40 percent shooting over
the past four. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf converted just 36 percent in the
past four. Lionel Simmons made 34 percent of his shots, 14.3 from
three-point range during the six-game trip.
The Kings averaged just 86.3 points on the trip and shot 39 percent
overall, 30 percent from beyond the three-point mark.
However, there were some positives. Corliss Williamson has scored in
double figures in eight of the past nine games and is shooting 51
percent from the field and 85 percent from the line in the past 11
games.
Abdul-Rauf is shooting 52 percent from three-point range and Richmond
has made 92 percent of his free-throw attempts over the past seven
games.
The Kings have corrected the turnover problem that plagued them early
in the season. Over the past five games, they are averaging just 11.6.
The Kings were among the league's worst through nine games with an
average of 19.3, but they now are among the top 12 with an average of
16.2.
Unquestionably, the Kings benefited in their victories from injuries
to Marcus Canby of Toronto and Kevin Garnett of Minnesota. Yet, it is
important for any team to take advantage of any opportunity.
NATIONAL TV HASN'T BEEN FUN: The Kings will make their lone
regular-season national television appearance Friday night at home
against the Phoenix Suns. However, the Kings have lost their past
three regular-season games on national television. Last season, they
lost by 33 points to the Lakers.
nba.1958nba.news,
Is the end near for Kings' coach?
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Dec 5, 1996 - 06:30 EST) --- For the first time in
five years, Kings coach Garry St. Jean is seriously vulnerable.
A couple of lopsided losses during the December homestands, a
breakdown on the road after Brian Grant returns from shoulder surgery,
more confusion in the backcourt -- those are the winter storms that
can sweep him out of a job and into the street.
The reason St. Jean is suddenly vulnerable is hard for outsiders to
understand. Many Kings fans wonder why the club has stuck with St.
Jean through four losing seasons.
The answer is Mitch Richmond. In many ways, St. Jean is a creation of
Richmond. When St. Jean was under consideration for the coaching job,
he received an unqualified endorsement from Richmond. The endorsement
still stands.
Richmond liked St. Jean because St. Jean knew how big stars expected
to be treated. Basically, big stars want deference and respect.
Richmond figured St. Jean could supply those qualities. Richmond was
right.
The relationship between Richmond and St. Jean hasn't been unique.
Many NBA coaches find it worthwhile to get along with their best
players. But it has been unique to the Kings.
The franchise has never had a player with so much authority, so much
responsibility, a player who makes his own decisions about when and
how to practice, who can get the ball into his hands simply by nodding
his head.
"The day I take the ball out of Mitch Richmond's hand will be a cold
day in hell," St. Jean said not long ago.
He wasn't joking.
When the Kings fell apart in past seasons, when they blew their
chances for the playoffs in 1995, when they threatened to collapse
last winter, people called radio talk shows to speculate about when
St. Jean would get fired.
In reality, the coach was never in danger. He had a full pardon signed
by Richmond. With Richmond riding high, winning most valuable player
honors at the All-Star Game, getting himself selected to the Olympic
team, the Kings couldn't risk upsetting him by firing his favorite
coach.
St. Jean was like a guy with diplomatic license plates. He could park
on the sidewalk in front of City Hall and not get a ticket.
Then a bad thing happened. Richmond lost his immunity. He got into a
nasty contract squabble with Kings vice president Geoff Petrie. The
squabble itself wasn't so bad -- those things happen all the time in
professional sports.
The bad part was Richmond went public with allegations that Petrie
flat-out lied about renegotiating the contract. The Kings could put up
with a lot from Richmond, but they couldn't have him going around
calling the team vice president a liar. The remarks made the dispute
bitter and personal. Two months later, Richmond and Petrie still
aren't speaking.
St. Jean did his best to stay out of the cross fire. He wanted to play
the middle, avoiding commitment, saying nothing, trying to ease
tensions on both sides.
The middle was a slippery slope. The players sided with Richmond. They
wanted to know where St. Jean stood. Management wondered the same
thing. There stood St. Jean, feet planted on both sides of the
argument, exposed and alone.
Now it doesn't matter. The players have pretty much stopped listening
to St. Jean. His threats about benching people are tiresome.
Management still worries about Richmond, but not like in past seasons.
The Kings are trying to promote Tyus Edney and Corliss Williamson.
Advertisements that 12 months ago would have featured Richmond now
feature actors.
One good excuse will be all the Kings need to fire St. Jean. It won't
be fair, because St. Jean isn't an incompetent coach. He's still the
same guy he was five years ago, only more experienced, more cynical
and a lot wealthier.
The Kings made St. Jean a millionaire, so when he goes, his anger and
frustration will quickly give way to relief.
Why fire St. Jean at all? The answer is as old as sports. The way the
club is going, the way defeats are piling up, the Kings will have to
rattle the squad and boost ticket sales.
Like so many easy victims before him, St. Jean will be sacrificed
because mediocrity demands something, anything.
nba.1959lexus,
=> GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ce sledece godine biti sampion!!!!
=> Znam da zvuci glupo, ali videcete...
Golden State je u prethodnih 5-6 godina imao sastav koji je
mogao da udje u finale konferencije. Nažalost, stalno su bili
povredjeni te im to nije uspelo. Sada definitivno nemaju
šanse...
nba.1960vpoznanovic,
Friday, December 6
Charlotte at Portland 93:97
Cleveland at Detroit 81:93
Indiana at Golden State 86:71
Minnesota at Utah 95:106
New Jersey at Boston 110:108
New York at Miami 103:85
Orlando at L.A. Lakers 81:92
Phoenix at Sacramento 101:95
Vancouver at San Antonio 105:89
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHARLOTTE 29 26 20 18 93
PORTLAND 24 25 25 23 97 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHA - VLADE DIVAC 29, ANTHONY MASON 23, GLEN RICE 14
POR - ARVYDAS SABONIS 22, ISAIAH RIDER 18, KENNY ANDERSON
16
HIGH REBOUND: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 17, VLADE DIVAC 7
POR - ARVYDAS SABONIS 10, GARY TRENT 8
HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - TYRONE BOGUES 5, ANTHONY GOLDWIRE 5
POR - KENNY ANDERSON 9, CLIFFORD ROBINSON 4
ATT: 20,034
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CLEVELAND 24 21 17 19 81
DETROIT 19 24 24 26 93 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 17, CHRIS MILLS 16, TWO PLAYERS WITH
14
DET - TERRY MILLS 23, OTIS THORPE 19, GRANT HILL 14
HIGH REBOUND: CLE - TYRONE HILL 13, CHRIS MILLS 9
DET - OTIS THORPE 6, THREE PLAYERS WITH 5
HIGH ASSISTS: CLE - TERRELL BRANDON 8, BOB SURA 6
DET - TERRY MILLS 9, GRANT HILL 8
ATT: 17,806
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
INDIANA 23 25 25 13 86
GOLDEN STATE 22 19 15 15 71 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: IND - REGGIE MILLER 16, DALE DAVIS 12, THREE PLAYERS WITH
11
GSW - JOE SMITH 15, LATRELL SPREWELL 12, TWO PLAYERS WITH 8
HIGH REBOUND: IND - ANTONIO DAVIS 12, DALE DAVIS 11
GSW - FELTON SPENCER 7, CHRIS MULLIN 6
HIGH ASSISTS: IND - TRAVIS BEST 7, DERRICK MCKEY 6
GSW - MARK PRICE 5, LATRELL SPREWELL 3
ATT: 14,164
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 36 20 12 27 95
UTAH 29 17 25 35 106 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 28, SAM MITCHELL 15, STEPHON MARBURY 15
UTH - KARL MALONE 34, JEFF HORNACEK 23, ANTOINE CARR 13
HIGH REBOUND: MIN - DEAN GARRETT 11, TOM GUGLIOTTA 6
UTH - GREG OSTERTAG 8, KARL MALONE 7
HIGH ASSISTS: MIN - TOM GUGLIOTTA 6, STEPHON MARBURY 6
UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 16, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 19,911
NBA FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- --- -----
NEW JERSEY 26 21 34 21 8 110
BOSTON 33 29 14 26 6 108 FINAL IN 1ST OT
HIGH SCORERS: NJN - KERRY KITTLES 30, JAYSON WILLIAMS 23, ROBERT PACK 18
BOS - DINO RADJA 22, ANTOINE WALKER 18, TWO PLAYERS WITH 13
HIGH REBOUND: NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 19, SHAWN BRADLEY 12
BOS - DINO RADJA 15, ANTOINE WALKER 12
HIGH ASSISTS: NJN - ROBERT PACK 12, KERRY KITTLES 5
BOS - DAVID WESLEY 10, DANA BARROS 7
ATT: 15,815
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW YORK 21 21 32 29 103
MIAMI 27 19 20 19 85 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: NYK - PATRICK EWING 26, JOHN STARKS 21, ALLAN HOUSTON 19
MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 28, DAN MAJERLE 15, SASHA DANILOVIC 13
HIGH REBOUND: NYK - THREE PLAYERS WITH 7
MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 16, ISAAC AUSTIN 7
HIGH ASSISTS: NYK - CHRIS CHILDS 5, JOHN STARKS 4
MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 9, PJ BROWN 2
ATT: 15,200
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
ORLANDO 25 17 12 27 81
LA LAKERS 21 21 23 27 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: ORL - GERALD WILKINS 21, BRIAN SHAW 17, RONY SEIKALY 16
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 25, NICK VAN EXEL 20, JEROME KERSEY
11
HIGH REBOUND: ORL - DEREK STRONG 10, RONY SEIKALY 10
LAL - SHAQUILLE ONEAL 18, ELDEN CAMPBELL 12
HIGH ASSISTS: ORL - BRIAN SHAW 5, HORACE GRANT 5
LAL - NICK VAN EXEL 11, EDDIE JONES 4
ATT: 17,505
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHOENIX 20 28 23 30 101
SACRAMENTO 24 19 25 27 95 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHO - DANNY MANNING 19, WESLEY PERSON 13, MICHAEL FINLEY 13
SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 22, CORLISS WILLIAMSON 14, MICHAEL
SMITH 14
HIGH REBOUND: PHO - JOHN WILLIAMS 10, DANNY MANNING 8
SAC - BILLY OWENS 16, OLDEN POLYNICE 7
HIGH ASSISTS: PHO - KEVIN JOHNSON 12, JOHN WILLIAMS 3
SAC - MITCH RICHMOND 7, BILLY OWENS 3
ATT: 17,317
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
VANCOUVER 22 29 23 31 105
SAN ANTONIO 22 18 25 24 89 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: VAN - BRYANT REEVES 29, ANTHONY PEELER 19, GEORGE LYNCH 15
SAS - DOMINIQUE WILKINS 24, SEAN ELLIOTT 22, WILL PERDUE 14
HIGH REBOUND: VAN - GEORGE LYNCH 8, SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 8
SAS - WILL PERDUE 11, DOMINIQUE WILKINS 9
HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - LEE MAYBERRY 10, ANTHONY PEELER 7
SAS - VINNY DEL NEGRO 7, SEAN ELLIOTT 6
ATT: 13,646
nba.1961nba.news,
CHARLOTTE (93) AT PORTLAND (97)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 42 7-18 9-13 6 11 17 3 3 0 3 23
RICE F 41 6-16 0-0 0 2 2 0 3 0 4 14
DIVAC C 42 13-24 3-4 5 2 7 2 5 2 3 29
BOGUES G 28 2-4 0-0 1 1 2 5 3 1 0 4
CURRY G 31 6-10 0-0 2 2 4 1 2 3 2 12
SMITH 11 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 2 0 2
GOLDWIRE 20 1-2 0-0 0 2 2 5 4 0 1 2
ROSE 19 1-3 5-8 2 2 4 2 2 3 1 7
BURRELL 6 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ZIDEK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GEIGER DNP - SORE LOWER BACK
TOTALS 240 37-80 17-25 16 24 40 20 23 11 14 93
(.463) (.680) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 14(14 PTS)
PORTLAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
C ROBINSON F 39 5-9 0-2 1 1 2 4 3 0 2 11
WALLACE F 33 5-9 5-5 1 4 5 3 5 1 2 15
SABONIS C 24 8-11 4-4 3 7 10 1 4 1 1 22
ANDERSON G 36 5-14 5-10 2 5 7 9 4 0 4 16
RIDER G 40 8-14 0-2 0 2 2 3 0 1 2 18
DUDLEY 20 1-6 1-4 4 3 7 0 3 1 2 3
TRENT 19 1-6 1-2 2 6 8 3 2 2 1 3
MCKIE 8 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
DJORDJEVIC 12 2-3 2-2 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 7
ONEAL 9 1-4 0-0 2 2 4 0 2 0 2 2
CHILDRESS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGFIELD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-77 18-31 15 30 45 25 23 7 17 97
(.468) (.581) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 17(19 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 29 26 20 18 - 93
PORTLAND 24 25 25 23 - 97
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - DIVAC 3. PORTLAND - DUDLEY 3, TRENT, WALLACE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 2-9 (.222), RICE 2-5, DIVAC 0-1, CURRY 0-1,
GOLDWIRE 0-1, BURRELL 0-1. PORTLAND 7-12 (.583), C ROBINSON 1-1, WALLACE
0-1, SABONIS 2-2, ANDERSON 1-4, RIDER 2-3, DJORDJEVIC 1-1.
TECHNICALS: CHARLOTTE - DIVAC, PORTLAND - DUDLEY.
OFFICIALS: RUSH, JOE DEROSA, SCOTT WALL.
A - 20,034. T - 2:06.
CHARLOTTE (93) AT PORTLAND (97)
Arvydas Sabonis totaled 22 points and 10 rebounds and Isaiah
Rider added 18 points as the Portland Trail Blazers posted a
97-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Kenny Anderson added 16 points and nine assists for Portland,
which has won four of its last six games and improved to 6-2 at
home. The Blazers have won eight of 10 home games against the
Hornets and lead the all-time series, 15-4.
Vlade Divac scored 29 points, while Anthony Mason had 23 points
and 17 rebounds for Charlotte, which fell to 1-4 on its
seven-game road trip.
"They hit shots in the second half, and that was the
difference," said Divac. "We came here and played hard, but they
are one of the best teams in the league. We stayed in the game
but we hurt ourselves scoring on second shots."
"Maybe we aren't ready to win on the road," said Hornets coach
Dave Cowens. "We've won games on our defense, but we just aren't
hitting on all cylinders right now. One stretch we lost four in
a row, and now we've lost three in a row."
Portland trailed 55-49 at the half, but used a 9-2 run to even
the score, 69-69, on a jumper by Clifford Robinson with 3:23
left in the third quarter. The Hornets managed a 75-74 advantage
after three.
Rider's three-pointer with 10:26 remaining gave the Blazers an
81-79 lead and, after a jumper by Glen Rice, Sabonis hit a hook
shot to put Portland ahead for good with 9:19 to play.
The margin remained between two and four points until Rasheed
Wallace's three-point play made it 94-87 with 3:16 to go. The
Hornets rallied with a jumper by Dell Curry and a layup by Mason
with 1:39 remaining, but Robinson nailed an open jumper to up
the gap back to five points with 35.9 seconds left.
Wallace had 15 points and Robinson added 11 for Portland, which
shot an impressive 58 percent from three-point range (7-for-12)
and a poor 58 percent from the foul line (18-of-31).
Rice scored 14 points and Curry had 12 for Charlotte, which
converted on just 2-of-9 (22 percent) three-point attempts.
"I feel good about the job Isaiah and Clifford did defensively
with Glen and Dell, but we didn't defend very well as a team in
the first half," said Blazers coach P.J. Carlesimo, who recorded
his 100th NBA win. "The second half we defended and our
rebounding kind of got us (back in the game)."
nba.1962nba.news,
CLEVELAND (81) AT DETROIT (93)
CLEVELAND
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MILLS F 43 7-14 0-0 1 8 9 2 2 1 2 16
HILL F 41 3-10 8-9 4 9 13 3 4 0 2 14
WEST C 21 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 5 0 2 4
SURA G 40 3-7 0-0 1 1 2 6 3 0 3 7
BRANDON G 40 6-17 5-5 0 7 7 8 2 0 1 17
FERRY 20 2-6 0-0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 5
LANG 25 7-10 0-0 2 1 3 1 1 0 1 14
POTAPENKO 9 1-2 2-2 1 1 2 0 4 0 1 4
MARSHALL 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GEARY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
THOMAS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
PHILLS DNP - SPRAINED LEFT FOOT
TOTALS 240 31-70 15-16 10 30 40 20 23 1 12 81
(.443) (.938) TEAM REBS: 2 TOTAL TO: 13(15 PTS)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 40 5-13 4-9 1 4 5 8 3 2 3 14
LONG F 18 1-2 1-4 1 2 3 0 1 0 0 4
THORPE C 37 9-16 1-1 2 4 6 2 5 0 1 19
DUMARS G 42 4-8 1-2 0 2 2 2 0 1 0 11
HUNTER G 40 2-7 2-4 0 2 2 0 4 1 0 6
MAHORN 10 1-1 2-2 0 5 5 1 3 0 0 4
CURRY 21 4-6 3-4 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 12
MILLS 28 7-9 3-3 0 5 5 9 3 1 1 23
GREEN 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
AUGMON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RATLIFF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
REID DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-62 17-29 4 27 31 22 21 5 6 93
(.532) (.586) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 6(5 PTS)
CLEVELAND 24 21 17 19 - 81
DETROIT 19 24 24 26 - 93
BLOCKED SHOTS: CLEVELAND - HILL 2. DETROIT - THORPE 4, HILL 2, HUNTER 2,
MILLS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CLEVELAND 4-11 (.364), MILLS 2-4, SURA 1-1, BRANDON
0-4, FERRY 1-2. DETROIT 10-14 (.714), LONG 1-1, DUMARS 2-3, HUNTER 0-2,
CURRY 1-2, MILLS 6-6.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JOE CRAWFORD, JIM CLARK, GARY BENSON.
A - 17,806. T - 2:07.
CLEVELAND (81) AT DETROIT (93)
Terry Mills sank all six of his three-point attempts and
finished with 23 points and Otis Thorpe added 19 as the Detroit
Pistons won their third straight game, 93-81, over the Cleveland
Cavaliers.
Mills, who also dished out a career-high nine assists, has
connected on his last 12 three-pointers, one away of the NBA
record set last January 15th-19th by Washington's Brent Price.
The Pistons were 10-for-14 (71 percent) from three-point range
as a team.
"I was aware I needed one more for the record, but I didn't
care," said Mills. "I won't even be thinking about tomorrow
night (at New Jersey). All I care about is that I am finally
assuming the kind of role I wanted on this team. My confidence
is at an all-time high."
"I was in Washington when Brent set the record and it was the
same type of thing," said Detroit forward Michael Curry. "For
both of them, it looked like everything they took was going to
go in."
Terrell Brandon had 17 points, eight assists and seven boards,
while Tyrone Hill contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds for
Cleveland, which had a two-game winning streak halted. The Cavs
have dropped both meetings with the Pistons this season and six
straight at Detroit.
"We played a terrific game for 40 to 43 minutes," said Cavs
coach Mike Fratello. "There were three key areas tonight -- one,
the three-point line; two, free throws, 29 is too many and that
means we're fouling and not playing good team defense; and
number three, the bench, Mills and Curry. We had real big
defensive breakdowns and they took advantage of those
breakdowns."
After Cleveland's Danny Ferry hit a three-pointer to tie the
game, 74-74, with 7:13 remaining, Mills answered with a three to
ignite a 12-3 run. He added a long jumper and capped the burst
with another three-pointer to make it 86-77 with 2:22 to play.
A driving basket by Brandon cut the difference to seven points,
but Joe Dumars nailed a three-pointer and Thorpe made a layup to
put the game away.
Grant Hill chipped in 14 points and eight assists, Curry had 12
points and Dumars 11 for Detroit, which wrapped up a 4-1
homestand. The Pistons' 14-3 start is the best in franchise
history.
"Anytime we play Cleveland, it's like we are playing ourselves,"
said Pistons coach Doug Collins. "We're so identical in so many
ways, every game is a game that goes right to the wire. The
last two times we have beaten them, the difference has been our
timely shooting. We're making the extra pass and against
Cleveland, you have to make the extra pass."
Chris Mills recorded 16 points and nine rebounds, while Antonio
Lang netted 14 for Cleveland, which lost despite making 15-of-16
free throws and outrebounding Detroit, 40-31.
"We depend so much on helping out," said Ferry. "When a guy is
shooting like that, I can't help as much as I'm used to and then
other people hurt us."
nba.1963nba.news,
INDIANA (86) AT GOLDEN STATE (71)
INDIANA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D DAVIS F 27 5-12 2-6 7 4 11 2 3 0 3 12
MCKEY F 28 1-7 0-0 3 5 8 6 3 0 1 2
DAMPIER C 17 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 5 1 5 2
BEST G 26 4-13 1-1 1 1 2 7 3 2 2 9
MILLER G 35 6-13 3-3 0 1 1 4 1 1 4 16
ALLEN 12 0-2 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 0
A DAVIS 26 4-9 3-5 4 8 12 0 2 2 0 11
ASKEW 24 3-6 4-4 0 2 2 1 2 1 0 11
ROSE 13 5-7 0-1 0 2 2 1 3 0 1 11
FERRELL 30 5-10 0-0 1 6 7 1 2 0 2 10
HOIBERG 2 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
JOHNSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-83 13-20 16 32 48 24 25 8 20 86
(.422) (.650) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 20(15 PTS)
GOLDEN STATE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MULLIN F 36 2-10 4-5 1 5 6 1 2 3 3 8
SMITH F 37 5-11 5-6 1 2 3 2 1 3 2 15
SPENCER C 25 2-2 2-6 3 4 7 0 4 0 2 6
PRICE G 21 1-8 1-2 0 2 2 5 0 0 1 3
SPREWELL G 40 5-13 2-4 1 4 5 3 4 1 3 12
ARMSTRONG 26 2-9 4-4 0 2 2 2 0 1 2 8
DECLERCQ 18 2-5 0-0 1 4 5 0 4 0 0 4
ROYAL 14 2-3 2-2 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 6
OWES 8 1-3 3-4 1 4 5 0 2 0 0 5
MARSHALL 8 1-4 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 2
FULLER 5 1-2 0-0 3 0 3 0 1 0 1 2
ROE 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 240 24-71 23-33 13 30 43 14 20 9 15 71
(.338) (.697) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 17(20 PTS)
INDIANA 23 25 25 13 - 86
GOLDEN STATE 22 19 15 15 - 71
BLOCKED SHOTS: INDIANA - MCKEY, DAMPIER, FERRELL. GOLDEN STATE - SMITH,
SPENCER, OWES, MARSHALL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: INDIANA 3-15 (.200), BEST 0-4, MILLER 1-4, ALLEN 0-2,
ASKEW 1-3, ROSE 1-1, FERRELL 0-1. GOLDEN STATE 0-15 (.000), MULLIN 0-3,
PRICE 0-4, SPREWELL 0-4, ARMSTRONG 0-3, MARSHALL 0-1.
TECHNICALS: INDIANA - MILLER.
OFFICIALS: BILL OAKES, DAVID JONES, MARK WUNDERLICH.
A - 14,164. T - 2:06.
INDIANA (86) AT GOLDEN STATE (71)
Reggie Miller scored 16 points and keyed a run that spanned the
second and third quarters as the Indiana Pacers won their fifth
straight game, 86-71 over the Golden State Warriors.
Dale Davis scored 12 points while Jalen Rose, Vincent Askew and
Antonio Davis each added 11 apiece for Indiana, which remained
perfect halfway through its six-game road trip. The win enabled
the Pacers to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season
following a 3-8 start.
The Pacers held the Warriors to 15 points each in the third and
fourth quarters.
"We defended great," Pacers coach Larry Brown said. "That's
probably as good as we can defend in the second half."
Joe Smith scored 15 points and Latrell Sprewell was held to 12
for Golden State, which fell to 4-7 at home. The Warriors have
dropped five of their last six meetings with the Pacers.
"I wish I had an answer," Warriors coach Rick Adelman said. "I
think a large part of what happened tonight was due to their
defense. They're probably the most physical team we've played.
They put good pressure on the ball. We just couldn't find
anybody to make a shot for us, and as the game wore on, it got
tougher and tougher."
"I think that they have a good team defensively," Sprewell said.
"On my post-ups, they double-teamed me and when you penetrate,
they have people to come over and help. They did a good job
closing down the lane."
After Mark Price made one free throw to draw the Warriors within
40-39 with 2:55 left in the second quarter, Antonio Davis tipped
in a miss to ignite a 14-3 run. Duane Ferrell followed with
consecutive jumpers and Miller nailed two of his own during the
stretch. Travis Best nailed an 18-footer to cap the burst,
giving the Pacers a 54-42 advantage with 9:28 left in the third
quarter.
Golden State drew within 54-48 on a 15-footer by Smith 1:11
later, but Indiana regained control with a 10-2 run. Antonio
Davis scored four points and Miller added three during the
spree. Best's dunk capped the burst and gave the Pacers a 64-50
lead with 4:44 remaining in the third.
Antonio Davis grabbed 12 rebounds and Dale Davis hauled down 11
for Indiana, which won despite committing 20 turnovers.
Sprewell, Mark Price, Chris Mullin and BJ Armstrong combined to
shoot 10-for-40 from the field for the Warriors, who were
0-for-15 from three-point range.
"We are playing pretty well right now, and this has probably
been the best this year," Miller said. "Tonight was a great
defensive effort teamwise. Understanding that Sprewell is a big
part of their offense as well as Mullin and Price, and we kind
of shut those three guys out."
nba.1964nba.news,
MINNESOTA (95) AT UTAH (106)
MINNESOTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEST F 32 2-9 2-2 1 2 3 1 2 0 0 6
GUGLIOTTA F 35 9-13 10-11 1 5 6 6 5 1 5 28
D GARRETT C 34 3-6 2-4 3 8 11 2 3 0 3 8
MITCHELL G 39 5-13 5-6 1 4 5 1 4 0 0 15
MARBURY G 40 6-13 3-4 0 1 1 6 3 1 3 15
PORTER 21 3-6 5-6 0 2 2 3 2 0 3 13
PARKS 15 1-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 2
CARR 7 2-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 4
VRANKOVIC 14 1-1 2-2 1 3 4 0 1 0 1 4
HEAL 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
K GARNETT DNP - SPRAINED ANKLE
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-65 29-35 7 27 34 21 22 3 16 95
(.492) (.829) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 16(22 PTS)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 35 2-6 7-8 3 3 6 1 4 1 2 12
MALONE F 43 15-24 4-4 1 6 7 4 5 1 4 34
OSTERTAG C 25 1-4 5-6 2 6 8 0 2 0 0 7
HORNACEK G 34 9-15 3-3 2 3 5 4 4 2 1 23
STOCKTON G 38 2-7 2-2 0 4 4 16 2 3 3 6
ANDERSON 7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
EISLEY 10 1-4 2-3 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 4
MORRIS 15 3-7 0-0 4 1 5 0 1 0 0 7
CARR 23 5-11 3-3 1 1 2 0 2 2 2 13
FOSTER 2 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
KEEFE 8 0-0 0-0 0 3 3 0 1 0 0 0
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-81 26-29 14 27 41 27 26 9 12 106
(.469) (.897) TEAM REBS: 4 TOTAL TO: 12(12 PTS)
MINNESOTA 36 20 12 27 - 95
UTAH 29 17 25 35 - 106
BLOCKED SHOTS: MINNESOTA - D GARRETT 2, MITCHELL, VRANKOVIC. UTAH - CARR.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MINNESOTA 2-7 (.286), WEST 0-1, MITCHELL 0-1, MARBURY
0-2, PORTER 2-3. UTAH 4-12 (.333), RUSSELL 1-4, OSTERTAG 0-1, HORNACEK
2-3, STOCKTON 0-2, MORRIS 1-2.
TECHNICALS: MINNESOTA - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 4.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, HANK ARMSTRONG, KEN MAUER.
A - 19,911. T - 2:11.
MINNESOTA (95) AT UTAH (106)
Jeff Hornacek scored 11 of his 23 points in the decisive third
quarter as the Utah Jazz used a 22-8 run to record their 13th
straight win, 106-95 over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Karl Malone had a game-high 34 points for Utah, which is one win
shy of tying the franchise record for consecutive victories.
The Jazz have won 16 of the 18 all-time meetings between the
teams in Utah.
"You don't even realize it when you're out there," Hornacek said
about the winning streak. "You just go out there and play. I
think the only time we think about it is when one of you guys
mention it. But it's a streak; you win games and there are 82
games."
Minnesota led 62-50 with 7:45 to play in the third quarter.
After Greg Ostertag and Malone scored the next five points,
Hornacek sank a free throw following an illegal defense
technical and added a jumper.
Malone capped the 11-0 burst that started the 22-8 run with a
basket to draw Utah within one.
Stephon Marbury's basket gave the Timberwolves a 64-61 lead, but
Hornacek drilled a pair of long jumpers. After a 4-0 Minnesota
run, Howard Eisley sank a basket and Hornacek stole the ball
from Terry Porter on consecutive possessions and scored both
times to give Utah a 71-68 lead after three.
The Jazz outscored the Timberwolves in the third quarter, 25-12.
"We tried, we tried," said Marbury. "You know they are a great
teams pull off wins when they're not supposed to win. I mean,
tonight we really should have had that game, but they showed a
little bit more composure on their part and they showed why they
are one of the best teams in our league."
Minnesota, which played its second straight game without injured
forward Kevin Garnett, was led by Tom Gugliotta's 28 points.
Marbury and Sam Mitchell added 15 apiece.
"I can live with an effort like that," said Minnesota head coach
Flip Saunders. "For the most part, we controlled tempo. In
the third quarter, we lost Gugliotta. They were smart and went
at him and got into foul trouble. Without Kevin and the way we
were playing in the third quarter, we didn't have a lot of
bullets left in our guns and so we had problems scoring in the
third quarter."
The Timberwolves were called for five illegal defenses.
nba.1965nba.news,
NEW JERSEY (110) AT BOSTON (108) - FINAL IN OT
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GILL F 41 7-19 2-4 2 3 5 3 2 3 3 16
J WILLIAMS F 45 10-15 3-7 3 16 19 0 4 0 3 23
BRADLEY C 33 4-9 2-2 4 8 12 1 1 1 1 10
PACK G 44 7-16 1-2 1 3 4 12 3 1 10 18
KITTLES G 48 9-18 8-9 3 4 7 5 3 5 0 30
OBANNON 12 1-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 3 1 0 3
MASSENBURG 26 2-6 4-6 3 2 5 1 3 0 1 8
REEVES 14 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 3 2 0 2 2
CALDWELL 2 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DARE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 265 41-91 20-30 17 39 56 26 21 11 20 110
(.451) (.667) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 20(26 PTS)
BOSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALKER F 37 8-15 2-7 6 6 12 3 5 1 5 18
WILLIAMS F 28 5-8 1-1 3 1 4 1 2 3 1 11
RADJA C 48 10-23 2-2 3 12 15 1 3 1 4 22
BARROS G 34 4-9 4-4 0 4 4 7 3 2 2 13
FOX G 37 4-13 5-6 2 1 3 3 4 2 0 13
BRICKOWSKI 16 2-4 0-0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 4
MINOR 19 5-9 2-2 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 12
DAY 8 1-3 1-2 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4
WESLEY 37 5-12 0-1 0 2 2 10 2 4 3 11
SZABO 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CONLON DNP - SORE LOWER BACK
TOTALS 265 44-96 17-25 14 30 44 27 24 14 16 108
(.458) (.680) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 16(18 PTS)
NEW JERSEY 26 21 34 21 8 - 110
BOSTON 33 29 14 26 6 - 108
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW JERSEY - BRADLEY 5, J WILLIAMS 2. BOSTON - RADJA 4,
WALKER, MINOR.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW JERSEY 8-20 (.400), GILL 0-2, PACK 3-5, KITTLES
4-8, OBANNON 1-3, REEVES 0-2. BOSTON 3-8 (.375), BARROS 1-3, FOX 0-2,
BRICKOWSKI 0-1, DAY 1-1, WESLEY 1-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: HUGH EVANS, MONTY MCCUTCHEN, BERNIE FRYER.
A - 15,815. T - 2:41.
NEW JERSEY (110) AT BOSTON (108) - FINAL IN OT
Rookie Kerry Kittles scored a career-high 30 points and Jayson
Williams added 23 points and 19 rebounds as the New Jersey Nets
posted consecutive road victories for the first to time this
season with a 110-108 overtime triumph over the Boston Celtics.
Robert Pack had 18 points and 12 assists as New Jersey won
back-to-back road games for the first time since defeating the
Washington Bullets and Milwaukee Bucks last February 19th and
21st. Kittles had seven rebounds, five assists, five steals and
did not have a turnover. New Jersey outrebounded Boston, 56-44.
"There was just some great ball movement on our team," Kittles
said. "We got out on transition and we made a few things
happen. Our play out there was just aggressive. We just tried
to play defense. We know we could go out and score before the
game started. As a team we try to get everybody involved in our
offense. We figure we can score some points, it's just a matter
of us trying to stop them, and limit them offensively. We're
still growing as a team. We're young and we're trying to get
ourselves together. Once we get everything rolling we're going
to ba a good team down the road."
The game was delayed for 21 minutes in the third period due to a
power outage.
"We didn't know if Red (Auerbach) was in the building and did
that or who did it but we figured it was a Celtic trick," joked
New Jerseu coach John Calipari. "One of those turn up the heat
or leave the windows of the locker room open. I told M.L. (Carr)
this was a Celtic trick. But remember they had to deal with it
too."
Dino Radja had 22 points and 15 rebounds and Antoine Walker
added 18 points for the Celtics, who suffered their fifth
straight loss. The Celtics and Nets split a pair of overtime
games in Boston last season.
"We've got to understand that we're on our home floor," said
Walker as teh Celtics fell to 4-7 in Boston. "Teams are going to
make their runs and it's going to take a whole team effort. I
can't speak for everyone but we execute down the strecthj anmd
that hury us.
Boston was trying to take the lead but Shawn Bradley blocked a
short jumper by Eric Williams with 35 seconds left in overtime.
Kendall Gill, who had 16 points, made a layup to give the Nets a
110-108 advantage with 19 seconds left.
"The people who run that organization are very good friends of
mine," said Calipari about Boston. "I know those guys. I like
M.L. this win had nothing to do with that. It was an
opportunity to come back to the city of Boston and enjoy myself.
I'm the same guy I was at U Mass, getting on guys, telling them
when they do good."
Dana Barros, who had 13 points and seven assists, made a layup
to cap a 6-0 burst and give the Celtics an 89-87 lead with 8:03
left in the fourth quarter. The lead changed hands six time
before Walker's jumper from the left wing tied it 102-102 with
34 seconds to go.
Radja started and ended a 19-2 burst that gave the Celtics a
58-40 advantage with 1:57 left in the second quarter. Radja had
14 points and Rick Fox added 11 of his 13 as the Celtcis took a
62-47 lead at halftime.
Jayson Williams made a layup to cap a 24-4 burst and give the
Nets a 71-66 advantage with 5:58 left in the third. The Nets
held an 81-76 lead at the end of the third as Boston shot just
6-for-23 from the field in the session.
"We were passive in the third quarter, we weren't aggressive the
way we were in the first half," walker said. "They wanted it
more than us in the third quarter. They came out and took
control of the game. We're playing well in stretches but in the
NBA you have to play the whole 48 minutes."
nba.1966nba.news,
NEW YORK (103) AT MIAMI (85)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
JOHNSON F 23 5-8 2-3 4 0 4 1 5 0 1 13
OAKLEY F 37 2-4 2-3 3 4 7 1 3 3 1 6
EWING C 36 10-20 6-7 2 5 7 2 4 1 3 26
HOUSTON G 39 8-17 1-4 0 5 5 2 3 0 1 19
CHILDS G 25 5-7 0-0 0 1 1 5 5 1 3 13
STARKS 33 5-13 7-9 1 4 5 4 2 1 2 21
B WILLIAMS 22 1-4 0-0 2 5 7 1 5 0 1 2
WARD 18 0-3 1-2 0 3 3 3 3 0 1 1
WALLACE 6 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
MCCARTY 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
BROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 37-78 19-28 12 28 40 19 32 6 14 103
(.474) (.679) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 14(16 PTS)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 45 4-13 6-9 2 4 6 1 1 1 0 15
BROWN F 33 2-3 0-1 1 3 4 2 6 1 0 4
MOURNING C 35 3-10 4-6 4 12 16 0 6 0 4 10
DANILOVIC G 38 4-8 3-6 1 1 2 1 4 0 2 13
HARDAWAY G 41 9-19 8-10 0 3 3 9 2 2 7 28
ASKINS 15 2-5 1-1 2 1 3 0 1 2 1 6
AUSTIN 23 1-4 3-4 1 6 7 1 5 0 2 5
GRANT 9 1-4 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 4
LENARD 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 26-67 27-39 11 31 42 14 26 6 16 85
(.388) (.692) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 16(15 PTS)
NEW YORK 21 21 32 29 - 103
MIAMI 27 19 20 19 - 85
BLOCKED SHOTS: NEW YORK - EWING 3, OAKLEY 2. MIAMI - MAJERLE 2, MOURNING
2, BROWN.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: NEW YORK 10-19 (.526), JOHNSON 1-2, HOUSTON 2-2, CHILDS
3-3, STARKS 4-11, WARD 0-1. MIAMI 6-24 (.250), MAJERLE 1-7, DANILOVIC 2-5,
HARDAWAY 2-7, ASKINS 1-2, GRANT 0-2, LENARD 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NEW YORK - ILLEGAL DEFENSE 2, JOHNSON 2 (EJECTED), MIAMI -
ILLEGAL DEFENSE 5, MOURNING.
OFFICIALS: BRUCE ALEXANDER, ED MIDDLETON, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 15,200. T - 2:27.
NEW YORK (103) AT MIAMI (85)
Patrick Ewing scored seven of his 26 points in a late
fourth-quarter run and John Starks added 21 as the New York
Knicks snapped the Miami Heat's nine-game winning streak with a
103-85 victory.
Allan Houston had 19 points and Chris Childs and Larry Johnson
added 13 apiece for New York, which exacted revenge for
Tuesday's 99-75 home loss to the Heat on Tuesday. The Knicks,
who improved to 7-2 on the road, lead the all-time series 29-9.
"Our team has taken, and unjustifiably so at times, a lot of
heat; no pun intended," Knicks Jeff Van Gundy said. "I thought
we showed a lot of character in New Jersey the other night when
we came back."
Tim Hardaway had 28 points and nine assists and Dan Majerle
added 15 for Miami, which lost for the first time since a 91-89
home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on November 16th. Alonzo
Mourning was held to 10 points before fouling out, but grabbed
16 rebounds for the first-place Heat, who lead New York by two
games in the Atlantic Division.
"We have had a good run, but we don't want to stop here," Heat
coach Pat Riley said. "We've got to put this behind us amd move
on."
"We pretty much had control of the game," Mourning said. "Then
we stopped executing and they stepped up a notch defensively and
we did not do anything to counter that."
After Majerle made two free throws to close Miami within 85-80
midway through the fourth quarter, Childs ignited an 18-3 run
with a three-pointer and a running jumper.
Ewing highlighted the burst by converting a three-point play,
making two free throws and dunking to draw Mourning's sixth
foul. Starks capped the spurt with a three-pointer, giving the
Knicks a 103-83 bulge with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter.
"Patrick's a true warrior," said Riley, who coached Ewing for
four years in New York. "He showed his mettle tonight."
The Heat went the last 7:57 without a field goal. Miami, which
outscored New York 52-37 in the second half on Tuesday, was
outpointed 61-39 over the final 24 minutes tonight.
Hardaway scored the first seven points of the game as Miami
raced to a 25-14 lead on a three-pointer by Sasha Danilovic with
2:53 left in the first quarter. Miami settled for a 27-21
advantage behind 16 points from Hardaway.
The Heat settled for a 46-42 advantage at the half behind
Hardaway's 20 points. Mourning sank a pair of free throws to
give Miami a 66-65 lead with 1:53 left in the third quarter. But
the Knicks responded with a 13-0 surge as Houston began the run
with a jumper that gave New York the lead for good at 67-66.
Starks followed with a four-point play before Houston nailed a
three-pointer at the buzzer for an eight-point lead entering the
fourth quarter. The Knicks also scored the first four points of
the fourth quarter as Charlie Ward made one free throw and
Starks drilled a three-pointer for a 78-66 advantage.
"They kicked our butts royally in New York and we came out and
kicked their butts tonight," Ewing said.
"They came down and gave us an old-fashioned whipping in New
York," Starks said. "We knew what we had to do."
New York's Johnson was ejected with 7:37 remaining in the fourth
quarter for punching Keith Askins.
Ewing grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots for New
York, which made 10-of-19 three-point attempts.
Hardaway, who entered the game with the third-best
assist-to-turnover ratio in the league, committed seven
turnovers for Miami, which was held to 39 percent shooting
(26-of-67) from the field. Danilovic, who had 21 points on seven
three-pointers in Tuesday's game, finished with 13 points.
nba.1967nba.news,
ORLANDO (81) AT LA LAKERS (92)
ORLANDO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
GRANT F 41 4-13 1-1 0 6 6 5 3 1 1 9
STRONG F 38 2-9 2-4 2 8 10 0 1 0 1 6
SEIKALY C 34 6-15 4-5 5 5 10 4 5 1 4 16
WILKINS G 36 8-18 3-8 1 2 3 1 4 0 0 21
SHAW G 36 7-16 1-2 1 3 4 5 4 1 2 17
ARMSTRONG 27 4-13 0-0 2 0 2 2 6 1 2 10
SCHAYES 14 0-3 0-0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0
VAUGHN 13 1-1 0-0 1 4 5 1 3 0 1 2
DEMPS 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
ANDERSON DNP - LIGAMENT INJURY RIGHT WRIST
HARDAWAY DNP - SURGERY-LEFT KNEE
MCCASKILL DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 32-88 11-20 13 28 41 19 29 4 11 81
(.364) (.550) TEAM REBS: 15 TOTAL TO: 11(10 PTS)
LA LAKERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CAMPBELL F 39 3-13 4-4 6 6 12 1 4 1 2 10
KERSEY F 36 4-10 3-4 2 4 6 3 4 2 2 11
ONEAL C 41 9-18 7-10 5 13 18 2 4 5 2 25
JONES G 35 2-5 2-4 0 3 3 4 2 0 3 6
VAN EXEL G 40 7-15 4-4 0 4 4 11 2 0 3 20
KNIGHT 15 1-3 0-0 3 3 6 1 2 1 0 2
FISHER 7 1-2 4-6 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 6
SCOTT 20 3-8 0-0 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 7
BLOUNT 7 1-1 3-4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
BRYANT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBINSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-75 27-36 16 35 51 24 22 9 13 92
(.413) (.750) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 16(16 PTS)
ORLANDO 25 17 12 27 - 81
LA LAKERS 21 21 23 27 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: ORLANDO - SCHAYES 2, GRANT, STRONG, VAUGHN. LA LAKERS -
ONEAL 7, CAMPBELL 3, KERSEY 3, JONES, KNIGHT, BLOUNT.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: ORLANDO 6-18 (.333), STRONG 0-1, WILKINS 2-7, SHAW 2-4,
ARMSTRONG 2-6. LA LAKERS 3-9 (.333), JONES 0-1, VAN EXEL 2-4, SCOTT 1-4.
TECHNICALS: LA LAKERS - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: ED F RUSH, BENNETT SALVATORE, TONY BROTHERS.
A - 17,505. T - 2:22.
ORLANDO (81) AT LA LAKERS (92)
Shaquille O'Neal had 25 points, 18 rebounds, six blocks and five
steals in his first game against his former team as the Los
Angeles Lakers handed the injury-plagued Orlando Magic their
third straight loss, 92-81.
O'Neal, who signed as a free agent with the Lakers after
spending his first four seasons in Orlando, scored eight points
as Los Angeles closed the third quarter with a 17-2 run to take
control.
"It wasn't really emotional at all," O'Neal said of facing his
former team. "We just wanted to come out and play. It was just
another game. This wasn't going to make or break either team.
Orlando got off to a quick start. They hit everything they threw
up and we shot 25 or 26 percent. We were able to tie it up at
halftime and do a better job in the second."
Nick Van Exel added 20 points and 11 assists for the Lakers, who
have won four of their last five games and lead the all-time
series with the Magic, 13-4.
"I think Shaq inspired everybody to play hard," Van Exel said.
"He wanted to win this game really badly because it was against
his old team. We just tried to follow suit. It took us a
little while to get going but once we got it going we looked
pretty good."
Gerald Wilkins scored 21 points and Brian Shaw had 17 for
Orlando, which played again without injured starters Nick
Anderson, Dennis Scott and Penny Hardaway.
"This game would have been so hyped if we were all healthy,"
said Hardaway. "It would have been a great game and a great
matchup. And had I played, I would have been determined not to
let us lose this game. But without me, Nick, and Dennis out it
was a totally different game."
The score was tied at halftime, 42-42, and the Magic went ahead,
52-48, on Horace Grant's layup with 7:30 to go in the third
quarter. But Orlando managed just one more field goal the rest
of the period.
O'Neal scored eight points and Jerome Kersey had five of his 11
during the 17-2 spurt that put the Lakers ahead entering the
fourth quarter, 65-54. The Magic shot 37.5 percent in the third
quarter, while Los Angeles was making 50 percent of its
field-goal attempts.
"I was trying too hard at the start," said O'Neal. "I got a
call from Sarg (his father, Phillip Harrison) at halftime. He
told to me to settle down, stop (horsing around) and go play. He
talked to me in army drill sergeant talk. Thank God for Sarg."
Rony Seikaly was hampered by foul trouble, but contributed 16
points and 10 rebounds for Orlando, which broke a team record by
holding its 15th straight opponent under 100 points.
"We came out early and played good defense on them," said
Orlando head coach. "They're a great team. They have all their
players and we don't have all of our players. I think it would
have been a lot better game had we had all of our players
healthy.
"I would much rather have Shaq in pinstripes than Laker purple
and gold," Hill said. "Shaq is a great player. He was a great
player with us and he's still a great player. I was proud of
the way my team played. We played as hard as we could but I
just don't know whether we played as smart as we could."
nba.1968nba.news,
PHOENIX (101) AT SACRAMENTO (95)
PHOENIX
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
FINLEY F 24 5-6 2-2 0 2 2 1 1 0 3 13
GREEN F 21 3-6 0-0 0 4 4 0 0 0 1 6
WILLIAMS C 31 3-6 2-3 2 8 10 3 2 0 0 8
PERSON G 29 4-10 1-2 0 5 5 0 1 1 2 13
JOHNSON G 37 3-9 4-6 1 0 1 12 2 1 6 10
CASSELL 14 2-8 5-5 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 9
CHAPMAN 21 2-3 2-4 0 4 4 2 3 2 2 6
MANNING 27 9-14 1-5 5 3 8 2 3 0 5 19
HORRY 20 3-4 3-3 1 1 2 2 4 3 1 10
BRYANT 16 1-2 5-6 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 7
KLEINE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
NASH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-68 25-36 9 28 37 25 18 8 23 101
(.515) (.694) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 23(22 PTS)
SACRAMENTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
OWENS F 43 6-12 0-2 7 9 16 3 3 2 7 13
C WILLIAMSON F 22 6-10 2-2 3 3 6 1 4 2 1 14
POLYNICE C 41 5-10 3-4 1 6 7 2 4 0 4 13
RICHMOND G 46 8-18 5-7 1 1 2 7 4 2 5 22
ABDUL-RAUF G 22 4-12 0-0 0 2 2 1 4 1 0 11
EDNEY 24 2-7 0-0 1 1 2 2 1 0 1 4
SMITH 28 6-10 2-2 2 4 6 1 1 2 0 14
CAUSWELL 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
SIMMONS 11 1-5 2-2 2 1 3 0 3 0 1 4
DANIELS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GAMBLE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HURLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 38-84 14-19 17 27 44 17 26 9 19 95
(.452) (.737) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 20(27 PTS)
PHOENIX 20 28 23 30 - 101
SACRAMENTO 24 19 25 27 - 95
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHOENIX - WILLIAMS, CASSELL, HORRY. SACRAMENTO - C
WILLIAMSON.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHOENIX 6-11 (.545), FINLEY 1-1, PERSON 4-6, CASSELL
0-1, CHAPMAN 0-1, HORRY 1-2. SACRAMENTO 5-13 (.385), OWENS 1-1, POLYNICE
0-1, RICHMOND 1-5, ABDUL-RAUF 3-5, EDNEY 0-1.
TECHNICALS: SACRAMENTO - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DICK BAVETTA, TOMMY NUNEZ, TOMMIE WOOD.
A - 17,317. T - 2:25.
PHOENIX (101) AT SACRAMENTO (95)
Danny Manning scored 19 points and Wesley Person and Michael
Finley added 13 apiece as the Phoenix Suns won consecutive games
for the first time this season, defeating the reeling Sacramento
Kings, 101-95.
Manning made 9-of-14 shots and keyed a 9-2 run that ended the
third quarter as Phoenix opened a 71-68 lead. The Suns have won
three of four after dropping the first 13 games of the season.
"My teammates made some great passes tonight," Manning said. "I
had to make a lot of hard cuts and my teammates found me on some
backdoors. It's nice to get a win on the road, but we can't be
satisfied with it."
"We're sacrificing stats and individual agendas for the sake of
the team right now in order for us to win," said Suns coach
Danny Ainge. "I think at the end of this month we'll see if
making the playoffs is a realistic goal or not."
Mitch Richmond led Sacramento with 22 points and seven assists
while Corliss Williamson and Michael Smith added 14 points
apiece. Billy Owens had a season-high 16 rebounds for the
Kings, who have dropped four of five and seven of nine.
"We just turned the ball over too many times late in the game,"
Owens said. "I think the big thing was turnovers, and not
really boxing out on the defensive end."
The Suns closed the second quarter with a 14-6 run, highlighted
by Robert Horry's five points. Manning had nine in the first
half as Phoenix built a 48-43 advantage.
The Kings opened the second half with a 21-13 spurt and took a
64-61 lead with just under five minutes left in the third
quarter.
But the Suns responded with their best basketball of the
contest, closing the period with eight straight points. John
"Hot Rod" Williams, who grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds, had a
pair of baskets during the burst.
Leading 71-68 to open the final period, the Suns put the game
away with a 9-0 burst. Kevin Johnson, who had a season-high 12
assists, keyed the surge with a pair of baskets.
The Suns' bench outscored the Kings' reserves, 51-22.
nba.1969nba.news,
VANCOUVER (105) AT SAN ANTONIO (89)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
LYNCH F 40 5-9 5-8 2 6 8 3 3 1 1 15
ABDUR-RAHIM F 32 4-9 1-4 2 6 8 1 3 1 1 9
REEVES C 31 12-16 5-6 1 6 7 1 4 1 5 29
PEELER G 39 8-19 1-3 0 5 5 7 2 2 1 19
MAYBERRY G 41 4-6 0-0 0 2 2 10 3 1 1 10
ROGERS 17 3-5 0-0 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 6
ROBINSON 24 4-11 0-0 4 3 7 2 1 1 1 10
MOTEN 16 2-3 2-2 2 1 3 1 2 0 0 7
ANTHONY DNP - SORE BACK
CHILCUTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MOBLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 42-78 14-23 12 30 42 26 20 9 12 105
(.538) (.609) TEAM REBS: 14 TOTAL TO: 12(11 PTS)
SAN ANTONIO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELLIOTT F 41 8-18 4-6 1 6 7 6 4 1 4 22
HERRERA F 24 4-8 0-1 3 0 3 0 4 0 1 8
W PERDUE C 32 5-8 4-7 6 5 11 0 0 1 1 14
DEL NEGRO G 30 1-6 1-2 0 1 1 7 1 0 0 3
JOHNSON G 34 1-8 1-2 0 2 2 4 1 1 1 3
D WILKINS 30 10-17 2-2 4 5 9 3 4 0 2 24
MAXWELL 27 6-11 0-1 1 1 2 5 1 1 2 13
ANDERSON 9 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
ALEXANDER 5 1-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2
M WILLIAMS 7 0-3 0-0 2 0 2 1 2 0 0 0
KEMPTON 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
SMITH DNP - RIGHT KNEE
TOTALS 240 36-83 12-21 17 20 37 26 20 5 12 89
(.434) (.571) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 13(15 PTS)
VANCOUVER 22 29 23 31 - 105
SAN ANTONIO 22 18 25 24 - 89
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ROGERS 2, REEVES, LYNCH, MOTEN. SAN ANTONIO -
W PERDUE 3, ELLIOTT, HERRERA, MAXWELL.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 7-13 (.538), PEELER 2-4, MAYBERRY 2-4,
ROBINSON 2-4, MOTEN 1-1. SAN ANTONIO 5-13 (.385), ELLIOTT 2-4, DEL NEGRO
0-3, D WILKINS 2-4, MAXWELL 1-2.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, HEAD COACH B WINTERS, SAN ANTONIO
- ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: DON VADEN, JACK NIES, MIKE SMITH.
A - 13,646. T - 2:05.
VANCOUVER (105) AT SAN ANTONIO (89)
Bryant Reeves scored 29 points, including a jumper in the second
quarter that put the Grizzlies ahead for good and iginted a 14-1
run that helped Vancouver to a 105-89 victory over the San
Antonio Spurs.
The Grizzlies broke a five-game losing streak with their first
road win of the season. Two of Vancouver's three wins have come
against San Antonio and the other against the equally hapless
Phoenix Suns.
"We have lost to them twice this season," Spurs forward Sean
Elliott said. "People say they are the worst team in the NBA,
but what does that say about us?"
Dominique Wilkins scored 24 points and Elliott added 22 for San
Antonio, which has been without injured center David Robinson
all season and fell to 3-14. The Spurs were trying to win
consecutive games, but lost for the eighth time in nine tries.
"This is hard for all of us ... very unacceptable ... we need to
show up and play," Elliott admitted. "The difference without
David is that we need every person to contribute, not just three
four or five guys. Without that, we continue to struggle."
Reeves, who missed the previous three games with a strained
patella tendon in his left knee, hit a jumper to give the
Grizzlies the lead for good at 37-36 with 5:05 left in the
second quarter. The bucket began a 10-0 burst that was the
start of the game-breaking 14-1 run.
"We played great as a team tonight," said Reeves, who had lofty
accolades for Vancouver. "This was the best game in the history
of the franchise. We outrebounded and outhustled them. When I
came back after my fourth foul, the team really stepped up. My
baseline jumper was key for me. Fortunately, it was going in."
Shareef Abdur-Rahim followed with a breakaway slam, Chris
Robinson hit a layup and Reeves hit a pair of free throws to
extend the lead to 43-36. Abdur-Rahim hit a jumper before Vinny
Del Negro stopped the 10-point run with a free throw. George
Lynch and Anthony Peeler hit jumpers to close the run and give
the Grizzlies a 49-37 edge with 59 seconds left in the first
half.
The win came just two days after the Grizzlies lost by 47 points
at Indiana.
"We needed to really produce to play a team like Indiana,"
Peeler said. "Tonight, we did a great job and matured as well as
gained a lot of confeidence with this win."
Peeler scored 19 points and Lynch added 15 points and eight
rebounds for Vancouver, which closed the game with a 10-0 run.
Wilkins got San Antonio's final points on a layup with 3:50
left, but Robinson hit a three-pointer, Reeves added a jumper,
Lee Mayberry hit a three-pointer and Peeler hade a pair of free
throws.
Robinson, a rookie from Western Kentucky, came off the bench and
scored 10 points with seven rebounds, including four on the
offensive side.
"I was a rebounder in college, so I can crash the boards, but I
guess I surprised some people tonight," Robinson said.
One of the surprised people was Spurs point guard Avery Johnson,
who said, "Who is Chris Robinson, anyway? I've never heard of
him.
"Tonight was disasterous. We made some stops, but they made big
threes. Everyone played great."
Mayberry had 10 assists, Abdur-Rahim added eight rebounds and
Reeves pulled down seven boards for the Grizzlies, who got 18
points, nine rebounds and nine assists from Abdur-Rahim in a
96-91 win over San Antonio November 24th.
"We have a lot of young guys on this team and that will allow us
to grow together," Abdur-Rahim said. "We can jell as a team,
but tonight was a big win for this organization."
Will Perdue had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Wilkins added
nine boards for the Spurs.
nba.1970nba.news,
Sixers get Hendrickson back
The Philadelphia 76ers have activated rookie forward Mark
Hendrickson off the injured list, where he had been since November
26th with a lumbar spine strain and sprain.
Hendrickson, who has averaged three points and two rebounds over
three games this season, was a second-round draft choice (31st
overall) in the NBA draft.
The 76ers have just one player remaining on the injured list, as
forward Don MacLean is sidelined with a strained hip flexor.
nba.1971nba.news,
Admiral slated for Monday back exam
SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Spurs All-Star center David Robinson, who
has not played this season because of a lower back strain, will fly to
Los Angeles on Monday for additional testing.
His status will be evaluated after Monday's examination at the
Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Inglewood, Calif., a team spokesman said Friday
night.
Robinson, 31, practiced for the first time this season Monday and
Tuesday, but sat out Wednesday night's game against Philadelphia.
There was speculation he would play Friday night against Vancouver,
but he missed that game, too. The Spurs (3-14) went on to lose 105-89
to the lowly Grizzlies, San Antonio's ninth loss in the past 10 games.
Without Robinson -- the team's leading scorer, rebounder and
shot-blocker -- the Spurs have been held to fewer than 100 points in
all but two games and fewer than 80 points five times.
"The difference without David is that we need every person to
contribute, not just three four or five guys," Spurs forward Sean
Elliott said after the loss to Vancouver. "Without that, we continue
to struggle."
Robinson has experienced back pain for the last couple of years and
arrived at training camp in October with lingering pain. He played
just one of eight exhibition games and met with Watkins prior to the
start of the regular season.
Robinson, the 1995 NBA Most Valuable Player and a seven-time All-Star,
led the Spurs to the Midwest Division title the past two seasons. He
averaged 25 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game last season,
and this year he was voted one of the 50 greatest players in NBA
history.
nba.1972nba.news,
Hardaway may return to action tonight for Orlando
Orlando Magic star guard Penny Hardaway, activated from the injured
list Thursday, could play in tonight's showdown against former
teammate Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hardaway, who missed 10 games after having arthroscopic surgery to
repair torn cartilage in his left knee on November 17th, is listed as
questionable for tonight's game, which opens a five-game road trip.
Forward Dennis Scott and guard Nick Anderson, both injured,
accompanied the team but are not expected to play tonight.
During the off-season, the Magic lost a free-agent bidding war with
the Lakers for O'Neal, who signed a seven-year deal worth $120
million. Hardaway was expected to take over as Orlando's team leader
but the Magic have struggled in his absence, going 5-5.
The 6-7 All-Star averaged 21.3 points in Orlando's first four games.
He had been slowed by inflammation in his hamstring and continual
soreness behind the left knee.
Orlando tied an NBA record-low with just 57 points Wednesday in a
27-point home loss to Cleveland. Scott and Anderson combined to
average better than 32 points per game last season but have been
slowed by injuries this season.
Scott is on the injured list. He has been limited to 28 minutes this
season while battling a left hamstring strain. Last season, he knocked
down an NBA-record 267 three-pointers.
Anderson sprained his right wrist less than seven minutes into
Tuesday's 108-102 home overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. His hand
was placed in a soft cast but he is not on the injured list. Anderson
has averaged 15.8 points per game in 13 contests this season.
nba.1973nba.news,
Suns activate FC Bryant, place G Hancock on injured list
The Phoenix Suns today activated forward-center Mark Bryant from the
injured list and placed newly acquired guard Darrin Hancock on the IL
with bilateral knee contusions from a Thursday night auto accident in
Milwaukee.
Bryant underwent arthroscopic surgery October 8th to repair torn
cartilage in his left knee and was expected to be sidelined from four
to six weeks. Bryant was one of four players acquired in the deal that
sent Charles Barkley to the Houston Rockets on August 19th.
The 31-year-old Bryant appeared in 71 games for Houston last season
and averaged 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds after signing as a free agent
in September 1995. He played his first seven seasons with the Portland
Trail Blazers after being chosen with the 21st pick in the 1988 draft.
Hancock was acquired Wednesday with a future second-round draft pick
from the Milwaukee Bucks for forward Chucky Brown. He will be treated
with rest and physical therapy and his return date is undetermined.
Hancock totaled 39 minutes and six points in nine games with the
Bucks. Originally a second-round pick of the Charlotte Hornets in
1994, he averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 63 games for the
Hornets last season.
nba.1974nba.news,
Pistons activate G Green; place F Williams on injured list
The Detroit Pistons activated guard Litterial Green from the injured
list tonight and placed rookie forward Jerome Williams on the IL after
he aggravated a sprained left wrist.
Green had been on the injured list since October 31st with a strained
right hamstring and right knee tendinitis. He suffered the injuries in
a collision with Orlando's Dennis Scott in a pre-season game on
October 25th.
The 26-year-old Green averaged 3.8 points in 81 games with the Magic
from 1992-94. He played for Quad City of the Continental Basketball
Association the past two years.
Williams was the Pistons' first-round pick, 26th overall, in the 1996
draft out of Georgetown. He had two points and four rebounds in five
games this season. The 6-9 Williams also on the IL from November
12th-21st with the same injury.
nba.1975nba.news,
NBA reviewing Karl's Sonic boom
SEATTLE -- The NBA will announce Monday if SuperSonics coach George
Karl will be punished for his tirade during Seattle's 117-86 rout of
the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
The officials who worked the game sent a tape to the league office in
New York to decide whether Karl bumped referee Bennett Salvatore.
Karl sought an explanation from Salvatore after Seattle's Antonio
Harvey was called for a flagrant foul on Stojko Vrankovic with five
minutes left in the game. Seattle led by 40 points at the time.
Then Karl, apparently not satisfied with Salvatore's explanation,
charged after the official. Sonics forward Shawn Kemp and assistant
coach Terry Stotts restrained Karl, eventually pinning him against the
scorer's table.
Before Kemp arrived to help, Karl repeatedly shoved Stotts as the
coach tried to get to Salvatore.
"I was wrong for losing control, but I didn't think they called a very
good basketball game," said Karl, who picked up his 400th career
coaching victory. "It's a long season and I usually lose it a couple
of times a year and this is the first time (this season)."
Karl and Kemp were ejected, although Kemp was trying to play the role
of peacemaker. Kemp wasn't in the game when the incident occurred, so
he was ejected for leaving the bench.
After the game, the Sonics did not hold back when asked about the
officiating.
"We went to the NBA Finals last season and we don't get any respect,"
Sonics forward Detlef Schrempf said. "In games like this, it's
frustrating. Even if we're up by 40, they're not supposed to referee
the score. They're supposed to referee the game."
"We're trying to get our team to play with a little spice, and the
referees change the way they're refereeing the game once we got up
20," Karl said.
"I think it was a physical game," Sonics guard Hersey Hawkins said.
"We thought some calls didn't go our way. It was just one of those
games. We don't know what the referee said to George, but I'm quite
sure it wasn't nice."
For the Sonics, Karl's explosion was nothing out of the ordinary.
"It was no big thing," Sam Perkins said. "It happens all the time in
practice."
nba.1976nba.news,
Miami Heat: Major Surprise Of Young NBA Season
There weren't many feeling sorry for Pat Riley after his Miami
Heat drew the Chicago Bulls in last season's first-round of the
playoffs. Even fewer were upset after the coach and part-owner
watched his Heat suffer a three-game sweep. Even less shed a
tear during a tumultuous off-season.
Nobody cried because Riley is the winningest coach in pro sports
and America roots for the underdog. But Riley and the Heat are
enjoying the last laugh.
After the NBA reversed the Heat's acquisition of free-agent
Juwan Howard for over $100 million due to salary cap violations,
the Heat looked like a .500 club at best.
Miami was left with nothing -- no Howard, no cap room and no
chance of contending for a title. Or so it seemed.
"It definitely changes our whole direction," Riley said. "That
was the team we planned to build. It was a distraction, because
after all of those things came down, the players that we wanted
to sign were no longer there."
On paper, Miami didn't look much better than it was last season
when it won 42 games. The Heat added free agent forwards P.J.
Brown and Dan Majerle and were looking to take full advantage of
a healthy Sasha Danilovic, who spent the majority of the 1995-96
campaign on the injured list.
Without a true high-scoring forward -- Kurt Thomas and Majerle
were the opening night's starting forwards -- the Heat appeared
to be lacking at the forward spot and seemed more intent on
appealing the Howard decision than on training camp.
Think again.
Riley hasn't compiled an 812-343 coaching record for a winning
percentage of .703 by quitting. He didn't direct the Los
Angeles Lakers to four NBA championships in the 1980s by
throwing in the towel.
The Heat are not just playing over .500. They are atop the
Atlantic Division by three games for the first time in the
team's nine-year history and are sporting a 14-4 record,
fifth-best in the league.
Miami is not slowing down either as it carries a franchise-best
nine-game winning streak into tonight's home game against the
New York Knicks.
And after winning just 16 road games all of last season, the
Heat is an impressive 9-2 away from South Florida, including a
club-record seven in succession -- also a club mark.
Majerle is working out well (14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds) although
he spends a lot more time behind the arc than in the paint.
Brown is picking up Majerle's rebounding with an average of 7.0,
but is scoring just 8.2 points.
Star center Alonzo Mourning has his own reasons for the success.
"It's because of hard work," said Mourning, who is averaging
19.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. "It started in
training camp when guys came in and came in in shape. People
worked hard all summer. We had a great training camp, maybe the
best I've ever been a part of, a great pre-season and started
the season off on the right foot."
Mourning is also looking to make amends for last season's
playoff exit.
"I was blamed by everyone for last season's performance against
Chicago (in the playoffs) and I accept it," admitted Mourning,
who was held to a combined 24 points over the first two games
playing against a center, Luc Longley, he should have dominated.
"I can't change the past, but I'm working real hard to see it
doesn't happen again."
The Heat raced out of the gate by winning five of their first
six games before losing three straight to fall to 5-4. But
Miami responded by winning all six games on a West Coast road
swing by an average of 13 points. The team had never won more
than two games on any previous six-game trip.
"We relaxed a little and then really looked at our West Coast
road trip as a challenge and did well out there," said Mourning.
After returning home and beating the Boston Celtics by one point
for its seventh straight win on November 30th, doubters
explained Miami's success with a lack of competition. A test
came Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden against another
winning team, the Knicks, and the intimidating New York crowd.
Riley, who directed the Knicks within one game of an NBA title
in 1994 and resigned via a fax following the 1994-95 season,
directed the Heat to a 99-75 demolition of New York to silence
the critics. The win marked just the second win in 19 all-time
meetings in New York for Miami.
The Heat has all the signs of a Riley-led team, boasting a
team-first mentality and an understanding of what it takes to
win.
"This is not a one-man team," repeated Mourning, who held
opposing center Patrick Ewing to 12 points. "The key to our
success is our hard work and determination. We are not selfish
and we have great tenacity. It was just a big divisional win
for us. For (Riley), it might have been more personal."
The Heat are doing it with defense and three-point shooting.
Miami is allowing just 88.1 points per game and holding
opponents to a field-goal percentage of 41.7 percent. Both
figures are fourth-best in the league.
"We're a solid defensive team," Riley pointed out. "We've got
defensive-minded players. Tim Hardaway has become one of the
best defensive players on the team."
Miami has responded to teams constantly double-teaming Mourning
by not forcing the issue. Instead, the Heat is content with the
outside shot, leading the NBA with 146 three-pointers made in
393 attempts.
Danilovic nailed all seven of his three-point attempts as the
team made 12-of-22 treys in New York. The trio of Danilovic,
Majerle and Hardaway are a combined 118-for-302 from three-point
range for the season.
The Heat used the same formula in a 101-79 against Dallas on
Wednesday.
Hardaway, acquired in a brilliant deal engineered by Riley last
February, took full advantage of the extra man on Mourning,
nailing all six three-pointers and scored a season-high 33
points. Hardaway helped the Heat tie a club record with 15
three-pointers and shattered the previous team mark with 35
attempts.
"We are going with whoever is hot right now," Hardaway said.
"(On Tuesday), Sasha and Dan were hot, (Wednesday) it was me.
(Nobody on this team) is worried about their own stats; it's
just team-oriented and the camaraderie here is great."
The Lakers of the 1980s had the same attitude.
nba.1977nba.news,
Savvy vets key Rockets blast off
(Dec 6, 1996 - 07:36 EST) - Take a guy with bad knees, another with a
bad heart, and a third who loves to be "bad," and what do you get? The
16-2 Houston Rockets.
The creaky three-headed monster of Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and
Charles Barkley has led Houston to the NBA's best record this side of
Chicago, and made the Rockets a favorite to reach the NBA Finals for
the third time in four years.
Provided they make it that far. Drexler missed 30 games with knee
problems last year; various ailments have sidelined Barkley for 42
games the past three seasons and Olajuwon was recently hospitalized
with a rapid heartbeat for the second time in two weeks.
"We could drop dead any day, as old as we are," Barkley said after a
recent win over Washington, but before Olajuwon's second heart
episode. "I never know what's going to happen around here. I get
excited just to see Clyde and Hakeem in practice."
Opponents don't share Sir Charles' enthusiasm. When the Rockets are
healthy, they have arguably the most formidable one-two-three punch in
the NBA. So far they've lost only to the Lakers in double overtime and
to Toronto Monday without Olajuwon. Their first showdown with the
Bulls is Jan. 11 in Chicago.
Hakeem, 33, returned Wednesday and played 40 minutes in the Rockets'
94-89 victory over Boston. He's now taking medication and his doctors
say the problem is not career- or life-threatening.
"I try to look at it on the bright side," Olajuwon told reporters
after the game. "The doctor says if you have to have a heart problem,
this is the one to have."
Averaging 25.1 points and 9.4 rebounds, the Dream's performance is
critical to the Rockets, whose three stars are an aggregate 100 years
old. But he's thankful that he's not flying solo.
"It's a blessing to have this much talent," he said. "Usually when you
get older, it means it more difficult. But in this case it's much
easier."
The Rockets are proving there are intangible advantages to having a
veteran-led team, especially when the game is on the line. The Rockets
have won five games with margins of four points or fewer.
"When you look in your team's eyes, and you see they aren't giving up,
that's a hell of a feeling," said coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
Barkley says this is only the second team in his 13-year career where
everyone has had the same goal -- winning the NBA title.
"My first year in Phoenix, everyone had the same motivation," he said.
"But everyone's agenda changed the next year.
"You can't have one guy trying to have a big year as a free agent. You
can't have one guy who wants to be an All-Star. You can't have one guy
who's trying to get his name in the paper."
Since being traded from Phoenix in the offseason, Barkley's scoring is
down (20.8 vs. his career average of 23.3), but his rebounding is up
-- way up. Barkley leads the league at 16.4, up nearly five boards
from his career average.
"When I came here, I could have scored 25 points a night, but they
didn't need that," Barkley said. "I had to do something to cooperate.
"It's going to come down to us, Seattle and Utah. They're the only
three teams in the West that have a shot at it. The rest of them are
just wasting their time."
nba.1978nba.news,
Scoring is way, way down in NBA
(Dec 6, 1996 - 13:12 EST) -- One NBA fan nudged another fan during the
Timberwolves' game at Target Center on Tuesday night and pointed to
one of the auxiliary scoreboards carrying updates and results of
out-of-town games. It read: "Chicago 26, Milwaukee 23 -- 3."
In any other season, that immediately would have registered as a
mistake. No way the Bulls and the Bucks could be scoring in the 20s in
the third quarter. (The board was, in fact, wrong. It was a
first-quarter score of what would become a 107-104 Bulls victory.)
Still, the point is: This season, fans could look at that kind of
score and, at least for a few seconds, actually believe it.
As point totals drop, experts and casual observers are monitoring and
analyzing a trend that has seen scoring decline in past years. And
then, this season, plummet.
Through Monday, the 29 NBA teams were averaging only 94.3 points per
game, compared to 99.5 last season. In 1995-96, 13 teams averaged 100
points or more, and the Vancouver Grizzlies became only the second
team in league history to average less than 90. This season, however,
four teams are averaging fewer than 90 points and 17 aren't cracking
95. Five years ago, only three teams averaged fewer than 100 points.
Ten years ago, every team averaged at least 103.8 points.
With the exception of one season, scoring has dropped every year since
the 1984-85 season, when teams averaged 110.8. Orlando scored only 57
points in its loss to Cleveland on Wednesday, tying the post-24 second
clock league record for fewest points in a game.
Milwaukee scored 65 one night, the Hawks 63. The Wolves twice have
scored 82 points or fewer, yet won.
Everyone has an opinion. No one has a cure.
"Not a lot of good players and not a lot of good teams," Houston's
Charle said.
There are a number of theories for the dropoff:
Expansion: The league is diluted with so many teams, which has reduced
the firepower.
Superior scouting: "Every game is televised, so the scouting you have
can tell you that a team is going to run 26 pick-and-rolls and when it
is going to run them," said Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders.
Dunk-o-mania: Players have grown up watching highlight reels, which
show a lot more dunks than 18-foot jumpers. So that is what they've
emulated.
"You don't have pure shooters in the league anymore or true point
guards," said Denver sharpshooter Dale Ellis. "You have guys who want
to get to the hole and dunk. Kids grow up watching Michael Jordan and
just want to be able to get to the hole."
Raw talent: Skipping college hoops entirely, or even a few seasons of
it, means that NBA newcomers bring less developed skills into the
league. That includes shooting and passing.
Sideline Napoleons: Coaches have become control freaks who more
comfortable coaching hard work (defense) than God-given skills
(offense). They truly play not to lose, rather than to win.
Shortened three-point line: Now that the arc is so close, the wrong
players are trying to score from there. Plus, that packs the defense
more tightly into the higher-percentage areas.
Free agency: So many teams are stocked with five or six new players,
they still need nametags to get acquainted. And to learn each other's
game.
The NBA, while denying any outright panic, has taken notice of its
grinding product.
"More than anything else, it's a product of regular-season games being
played like playoff games," said league vice president Rod Thorn.
"Teams are playing more in the halfcourt offense, they're utilizing
the shot clock more and teams are better-prepared from a coaching
standpoint to find ways to shut the other team down."
Then there is the officiating. The NBA can hammer any team or
individual who gripes about it, but the fact is, with three all trying
to justify themselves there are way too many whistles. Watch a game
closely and you can see traveling called almost every time an
offensive player starts with a quick first step.
"The biggest problem in our game right now are the referees," one team
official said. "People don't want to see them blowing whistles all
night."
There have been plenty of suggestions to unleash the offenses, ranging
from a faster shot clock (18 seconds) to ridding the game of illegal
defense rules.
Said Saunders, a member of the rules and competition committee: "We
are concerned. Fans like to see the dunks and the running, but they
like to see teams play hard and compete. There's a lot more trapping
and rotating going on defensively, so from a pure basketball
standpoint, it's still entertaining."
nba.1979nba.news,
Magic get first shot at Shaq as Laker
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec 6, 1996 - 10:48 EST) -- After the Orlando Magic
tied a modern-day NBA record for fewest points in a game on Wednesday,
guard Darrell Armstrong was asked what it meant not to have Penny
Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Dennis Scott and Shaquille O'Neal in the
line-up.
Armstrong didn't have a problem with the first three names; Hardaway,
Anderson and Scott all are out with injuries. But the fourth named
angered him as much as the 84-57 loss to Cleveland.
O'Neal? He's now in Los Angeles, where he plays for the Lakers. When
are people going to accept that?
"We're tired of hearing Shaq this and Shaq that," said Armstrong.
"Right now, it's Penny's team."
Armstrong might want to wear earplugs tonight (12/6) when he and the
Magic arrive at the Forum, because virtually every question will begin
and end with Shaq this and Shaq that.
After squaring off for nearly five months in the press, O'Neal and the
Magic are about to do battle on the hardwoods for the first time since
their messy divorce.
The matchup appeared to lose its luster early in the week, when
Hardaway, Scott and Anderson all were out. But Hardaway Thursday was
placed on the active list, fueling speculation that he would play
tonight. And Anderson was upgraded to questionable.
"If I get up (this morning) and go through the shootaround and feel
good," Hardaway said earlier in the week, "I might tell (coach Brian
Hill) I feel good and want to play."
Basketball fans have been pointing to this date since that humid
Atlanta morning in July, when O'Neal signed a seven-year, $120 million
free-agent deal with the Lakers. The fallout was predictable. The
Magic charged O'Neal and his agent with broken promises and alleged
that the Lakers tampered with O'Neal before the date teams could talk
with free agents. O'Neal countered that the Magic failed to step up in
a timely manner and showed him little respect during his final season.
Now the sides will step into the rectangular circle.
"I don't want to say anything to give anybody motivation," said
O'Neal. "It's just going to be another game to me. I just have to come
out and play well and not get caught up in whatever, whatever. I just
have to go out and play. Hopefully, I can have a dominant game."
O'Neal later admitted that the game has meaning to him. In his four
seasons in Orlando, he helped take the Magic from the lottery to the
NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Houston Rockets two seasons
ago. Orlando was to be the team of the decade, with O'Neal and
Hardaway, a '90s version of Magic and Kareem. He called his Magic
teammates his soul mates.
Then he met with Lakers vice president Jerry West in Atlanta. The rest
may have changed the fate of two franchises. The Lakers became instant
contenders despite their 13-7 record, and the Magic became a
second-tier club, deserving respect but not inspiring awe. In fact,
with Hardaway, Anderson and Scott out, they almost inspire pity. Their
57 points on Wednesday tied the league record for fewest in a game
since the 24-second clock was adopted in 1954.
No one was more hurt by Shaq's departure than Hardaway. He believed
the team had something special, that he and Shaq had something
special. They were young, talented and still blossoming.
Yet when O'Neal made his decision to go to L.A., Hardaway was not
among those he told. The two were in Atlanta together as teammates on
the Olympic team, but seemingly everyone else knew before Hardaway.
"Reggie Miller got on the bus when we were going to the
(pretournament) press conference and said, 'Shaq is a Laker now."'
said Hardaway. "I thought he was joking.
"When we got to the arena, the first question a guy asked me was, 'How
does it feel not having Shaquille as a teammate?' Instead of me
embarrassing myself, I just said, 'If that's the case, I wish him good
luck.' But I was shocked."
No more shocked than Anderson was to hear how O'Neal had singled him
out for criticism after leaving. O'Neal complained that Anderson was
not content with being a role player, to deferring to him and
Hardaway. He said Anderson wanted more touches of the ball and more
recognition.
Asked on Tuesday if he had talked to Anderson since, O'Neal said, no.
Asked if he would speak to him before the game, he said: "Probably
not. Hi, maybe. But that's it. I never had no hard feelings. I just
said what I had to say. I never have hard feelings toward another
man."
Unless that man is Anderson. Shaq's true feelings came out later
Tuesday, when asked if he's leading as much with his voice as his play
this season.
"I used to be a lead-by-example guy, but now I'm doing a little bit of
both," he said. "We agreed that if we got on each other, nobody would
take it personal. I've been on teams where you would yell at somebody
and they would take it personal. They would go crying to coach."
Despite saying he didn't want fan any flames of emotion, O'Neal
offered the following:
--Is he still friends with Magic players and management? "Some
players, yeah. The management, who cares? As long as Jerry West likes
me, fine."
--Does he follow the Magic from afar? "I'm just concerned about this
team, what this team does ... Being a player -- and being a selfish
player -- I want to see all other teams do bad except this team.
Nothing personal. Just business."
--Any regrets about his decision? "I think I did a professional job
while I was in Orlando. I realize that when I get older, I probably
won't get this opportunity again. So, in life, you have to take
advantage of the good opportunities. That's what I did. I took the
best deal."
--Will Forum fans boo the Magic? "I would like them to."
Though tonight's game offers a legitimate story line, the real story
will come March 23, when O'Neal plays in Orlando as a Laker for the
first time.
"I'll probably get booed, get ice thrown at me, tissue thrown at me,"
he said. "But I'm used to it."
For now, though, fans will have to settle for Act I. But with or
without Hardaway ... and Anderson?
"It would have been so hyped if I played," said Hardaway, on Monday.
"It would have been unbelievable. This would have been one of the
greatest games and greatest matchups ever.
"If I had played, I would have been determined not to let us lose that
game. I just would not let us lose. But with me, Dennis and Nick out,
it's not going to be the same type of game."
That was before the Magic scored 57 points. The next day, Hardaway was
placed on the active list. The next day? Perhaps the Magic finally
becomes Penny's team.
nba.1980nba.news,
Scheffler wishes he was on the court
SEATTLE (Dec 6, 1996 - 06:24 EST) -- Steve Scheffler watched the
Seattle SuperSonics lose to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, with
Jim McIlvaine and Shawn Kemp fouling out in the final five minutes,
and pondered his fate.
"You watch the Lakers game and (the Sonics) are definitely depleted
foul-wise and it's frustrating," said Scheffler, the 6-foot, 9-inch
reserve center who has been on the injured reserve list all season
with a damaged plantar faciaitis of his right foot, the tendon that
connects the heel to the rest of the foot.
Sonics coach George Karl has mentioned several times that the timing
couldn't be worse for Scheffler, who would probably be seeing some
regular, though limited, playing time for the first time in his career
due to the team's lack of depth up front.
But Scheffler said his religious faith has him realizing that he could
be a lot worse off.
"It's more peaceful when you step back and say 'I'm not in control of
it,' and give it over to do and say, 'here's what I'm supposed to do
as far as treatment,' and then let it go," Scheffler said.
So that's what Scheffler has done, showing up early for every game for
treatment and shooting practice, then putting on street clothes come
game time, unsure when he will come back.
"It's still a wait-and-see thing right now," said Scheffler, who last
summer signed a two-year contract with the Sonics, the first
multi-year deal of his seven-year NBA career.
KARL BETTER: Karl returned to the Sonics bench Thursday night after
missing the loss to the Lakers with the flu.
"I'm over the symptoms, although I'm still a little weak," he said. "I
don't have much energy. But all the drugs are out of me and I'm
focused and ready to go."
Karl was forced to listen to the Lakers game on radio because the team
hotel didn't get the cable station that carries all Lakers home games.
"I got up out of bed when we got that one-point lead right at the
end," Karl said. "I really wanted to see the next possession or two."
MCMILLAN UPDATE: Guard Nate McMillan missed his 15th game Thursday
with a pulled groin, but might be able to return for the Sonics'
three-game road trip that begins Monday in Philadelphia.
There has been some sports radio speculation that McMillan ought to
sit out the season and get ready for the playoffs, but Karl said
"that's not even a question in my mind."
KEEP THE KNIVES AWAY: Karl has shaken his head at many things he's
seen so far in this strange NBA season, most recently Orlando managing
only 57 points in a loss to Cleveland Tuesday night.
"If my team scored 57 points, I'd be suicidal," Karl said. "I don't
care how good a defense you are playing against. You've got to
penetrate the ball and rebound the ball and get some turnovers at some
point in the game."
nba.1981vpoznanovic,
Saturday, December 7
Charlotte at Seattle 94:92
Detroit at New Jersey 95:69
L.A. Clippers at New York 80:89
Miami at Chicago 83:80
Milwaukee at Washington 126:118
Philadelphia at Houston 108:123
Toronto at Atlanta 75:101
Utah at Denver 104:91
Vancouver at Dallas 85:96
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
CHARLOTTE 29 29 20 16 94
SEATTLE 27 31 24 10 92 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: CHA - GLEN RICE 22, DELL CURRY 21, ANTHONY MASON 17
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 28, GARY PAYTON 25, DETLEF SCHREMPF 11
HIGH REBOUND: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 10, VLADE DIVAC 9
SEA - SHAWN KEMP 10, DETLEF SCHREMPF 8
HIGH ASSISTS: CHA - ANTHONY MASON 7, ANTHONY GOLDWIRE 5
SEA - GARY PAYTON 9, HERSEY HAWKINS 5
ATT: 17,072
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
DETROIT 20 24 29 22 95
NEW JERSEY 21 15 17 16 69 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: DET - LINDSEY HUNTER 17, TERRY MILLS 16, JOE DUMARS 13
NJN - SHAWN BRADLEY 22, KENDALL GILL 14, KERRY KITTLES 11
HIGH REBOUND: DET - THEO RATLIFF 8, TERRY MILLS 6
NJN - JAYSON WILLIAMS 17, KERRY KITTLES 5
HIGH ASSISTS: DET - GRANT HILL 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 3
NJN - ROBERT PACK 11, THREE PLAYERS WITH 2
ATT: 12,018
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
LA CLIPPERS 8 33 27 12 80
NEW YORK 25 27 12 25 89 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: LAC - LAMOND MURRAY 18, MALIK SEALY 13, RODNEY ROGERS 12
NYK - PATRICK EWING 28, ALLAN HOUSTON 14, BUCK WILLIAMS 12
HIGH REBOUND: LAC - LOY VAUGHT 7, MALIK SEALY 6
NYK - CHARLES OAKLEY 14, PATRICK EWING 13
HIGH ASSISTS: LAC - FOUR PLAYERS WITH 3
NYK - CHRIS CHILDS 5, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
ATT: 19,763
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MIAMI 22 16 27 18 83
CHICAGO 19 17 25 19 80 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIA - ALONZO MOURNING 20, TIM HARDAWAY 16, PJ BROWN 14
CHI - MICHAEL JORDAN 37, SCOTTIE PIPPEN 14, TONI KUKOC 11
HIGH REBOUND: MIA - PJ BROWN 14, ALONZO MOURNING 9
CHI - DENNIS RODMAN 18, MICHAEL JORDAN 9
HIGH ASSISTS: MIA - TIM HARDAWAY 5, DAN MAJERLE 3
CHI - SCOTTIE PIPPEN 5, MICHAEL JORDAN 3
ATT: 23,861
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MILWAUKEE 33 26 33 34 126
WASHINGTON 30 24 23 41 118 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIL - GLENN ROBINSON 44, VIN BAKER 36, SHERMAN DOUGLAS 15
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 26, CALBERT CHEANEY 21, TRACY MURRAY 16
HIGH REBOUND: MIL - VIN BAKER 12, GLENN ROBINSON 7
WAS - CHRIS WEBBER 9, GHEORGHE MURESAN 7
HIGH ASSISTS: MIL - SHERMAN DOUGLAS 7, GLENN ROBINSON 6
WAS - ROD STRICKLAND 14, JUWAN HOWARD 5
ATT: 18,756
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PHILADELPHIA 32 21 18 37 108
HOUSTON 35 25 25 38 123 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: PHI - ALLEN IVERSON 35, JERRY STACKHOUSE 22, DERRICK
COLEMAN 15
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 21, MATT MALONEY 21, KEVIN WILLIS 16
HIGH REBOUND: PHI - SCOTT WILLIAMS 11, MARK DAVIS 10
HOU - KEVIN WILLIS 11, TWO PLAYERS WITH 9
HIGH ASSISTS: PHI - MARK DAVIS 6, TWO PLAYERS WITH 4
HOU - CHARLES BARKLEY 10, MATT MALONEY 9
ATT: 16,285
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TORONTO 19 19 18 19 75
ATLANTA 21 20 26 34 101 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: TOR - WALT WILLIAMS 17, DAMON STOUDAMIRE 14, POPEYE JONES
10
ATL - STEVE SMITH 22, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 21, MOOKIE BLAYLOCK
15
HIGH REBOUND: TOR - POPEYE JONES 10, WALT WILLIAMS 6
ATL - IVANO NEWBILL 15, CHRISTIAN LAETTNER 9
HIGH ASSISTS: TOR - DAMON STOUDAMIRE 3, DOUG CHRISTIE 3
ATL - STEVE SMITH 5, MOOKIE BLAYLOCK 5
ATT: 11,422
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
UTAH 30 25 31 18 104
DENVER 23 25 17 26 91 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: UTH - KARL MALONE 21, JOHN STOCKTON 18, JEFF HORNACEK 18
DEN - DALE ELLIS 19, ANTONIO MCDYESS 16, TWO PLAYERS WITH
14
HIGH REBOUND: UTH - KARL MALONE 9, BRYON RUSSELL 7
DEN - DALE ELLIS 8, TOM HAMMONDS 8
HIGH ASSISTS: UTH - JOHN STOCKTON 12, KARL MALONE 5
DEN - MARK JACKSON 13, BROOKS THOMPSON 5
ATT: 12,837
NBA FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
VANCOUVER 27 22 17 19 85
DALLAS 31 23 24 18 96 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: VAN - ANTHONY PEELER 16, GEORGE LYNCH 15, LEE MAYBERRY 11
DAL - DEREK HARPER 20, JIM JACKSON 16, CHRIS GATLING 15
HIGH REBOUND: VAN - GEORGE LYNCH 9, SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM 7
DAL - OLIVER MILLER 10, ERIC MONTROSS 8
HIGH ASSISTS: VAN - BRYANT REEVES 4, FIVE PLAYERS WITH 2
DAL - JASON KIDD 9, JIM JACKSON 6
ATT: 15,102
nba.1982nba.news,
CHARLOTTE (94) AT SEATTLE (92)
CHARLOTTE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MASON F 48 8-15 1-2 5 5 10 7 3 1 3 17
RICE F 40 8-16 2-2 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 22
DIVAC C 44 4-10 5-8 1 8 9 2 3 5 5 13
GOLDWIRE G 22 2-7 2-2 0 1 1 5 3 1 2 8
CURRY G 40 8-17 1-2 2 1 3 2 3 3 0 21
BURRELL 17 1-3 0-0 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 2
SMITH 26 4-6 1-1 0 0 0 2 3 1 3 11
ZIDEK 3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
BOGUES DNP - LEFT KNEE TENDINITIS
DELK DNP - COACH'S DECISION
GEIGER DNP - SORE RIGHT HEEL
ROSE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-74 12-17 9 19 28 21 20 13 14 94
(.473) (.706) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 15(10 PTS)
SEATTLE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
KEMP F 42 9-12 10-11 0 10 10 0 5 1 2 28
D SCHREMPF F 36 4-9 2-2 2 6 8 3 3 2 4 11
MCILVAINE C 23 4-5 0-0 1 6 7 0 4 0 0 8
PAYTON G 41 10-21 4-4 1 0 1 9 0 4 1 25
HAWKINS G 33 3-9 2-3 2 3 5 5 2 1 5 8
PERKINS 25 3-11 0-1 1 1 2 4 0 2 3 6
STEWART 8 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
EHLO 18 2-4 0-0 1 2 3 0 0 0 2 4
SNOW 14 1-2 0-0 2 1 3 4 1 1 1 2
GRAHAM DNP - COACH'S DECISION
HARVEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WINGATE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 36-73 18-21 10 30 40 25 16 11 18 92
(.493) (.857) TEAM REBS: 10 TOTAL TO: 20(22 PTS)
CHARLOTTE 29 29 20 16 - 94
SEATTLE 27 31 24 10 - 92
BLOCKED SHOTS: CHARLOTTE - MASON. SEATTLE - D SCHREMPF, MCILVAINE,
STEWART.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: CHARLOTTE 12-24 (.500), RICE 4-5, DIVAC 0-2, GOLDWIRE
2-5, CURRY 4-10, SMITH 2-2. SEATTLE 2-13 (.154), D SCHREMPF 1-2, PAYTON
1-3, HAWKINS 0-3, PERKINS 0-5.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: JESS KERSEY, SCOTT FOSTER, RON OLESIAK.
A - 17,072. T - 2:13.
CHARLOTTE (94) AT SEATTLE (92)
Tony Smith's steal and breakaway layup with 4.3 seconds left
lifted the Charlotte Hornets a 94-92 victory over the Seattle
SuperSonics and a sweep of the season series for second time in
three years.
With seven seconds left, Seattle forward Detlef Schrempf tried
to inbound from midcourt to Gary Payton, but Smith stole the
pass and cruised in for the go-ahead basket.
"When Detlef threw the ball in, I didn't even think he was going
to throw it because I was on him so tight," Smith said. "He
probably thought we were not going to gamble, it really wasn't a
gamble."
"I was just trying to get Gary the ball in the middle and have
him run a play down the middle," Schrempf said. "I thought he
was open, but apparently he wasn't. We just didn't come to the
ball, it's that simple. The last minute, we need to get the
ball inbounds and then worry about what play we are going to
run."
After a timeout, the SuperSonics again tried to inbound from
midcourt, but were twice forced to call timouts as the Hornets
denied the pass. Shawn Kemp finally took a pass and Charlotte's
Anthony Mason committed a non-shooting foul with 3.1 seconds to
go. Detlef Schrempf received a second inbound pass but his
corner jumper was long and time expired.
"I just think the passing decisions in the fourth quarter killed
us," Seattle coach George Karl said. "We gave them the lead back
with our bad decisions."
Smith scored 11 points for Charlotte, which held Seattle without
a point for the final 3:47 and ended a three-game losing streak.
The Hornets, who beat the Sonics on November 26th, also swept
the two-game series in the 1994-95 season.
Kemp had 28 points and 10 rebounds for Seattle, which has lost
three of its last four overall and dropped to 5-3 at home. Last
season, the Sonics were 38-3 at home.
A jumper by Kemp with 3:47 to go gave Seattle a 92-87 lead, but
Glen Rice dunked with three minutes left and Vlade Divac had a
three-point play that tied it with 2:34 remaining. Rice scored
22 points and Divac had seven of his 13 in the final period.
"You win with your defense and lose with your defense," Divac
said. "We knew that this game was critical and we decided at
halftime that we had to step it up a notch."
Gary Payton scored 14 of his 25 points in the third quarter as
Seattle opened an 82-78 lead. But Charlotte scored the first
five points of the fourth quarter, taking an 83-82 edge on two
free throws by Anthony Goldwire with 10:11 left. A jumper by
Craig Ehlo reclaimed the lead for Seattle, which didn't trail
again until Smith's basket.
Dell Curry scored 21 points and Anthony Mason added 17, 10
rebounds and seven assists for the Hornets, who shot 47 percent
(35-of-74) from the field and 12-of-24 from three-point range.
Detlef Schrempf scored 11 points and Payton handed out nine
assists for the Sonics, who shot 49 percent (36-of-73) and held
a 40-28 rebounding advantage. Seattle scored just 10 points in
the fourth quarter.
"Holding a team like Seattle to 10 points in the fourth quarter
is pretty amazing," Hornets coach Dave Cowens said.
Rice scored 17 points in the first half, which ended in a 58-58
tie.
nba.1983nba.news,
DETROIT (95) AT NEW JERSEY (69)
DETROIT
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HILL F 32 5-11 2-2 0 4 4 6 3 1 1 12
LONG F 18 2-8 0-0 2 3 5 0 1 2 1 4
THORPE C 26 3-8 0-0 4 1 5 0 2 0 3 6
DUMARS G 26 4-6 1-2 2 0 2 1 0 2 3 13
HUNTER G 30 7-15 2-2 2 3 5 3 1 0 0 17
RATLIFF 16 1-2 3-4 3 5 8 0 1 0 0 5
CURRY 24 4-7 0-0 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 9
MILLS 22 6-11 0-0 1 5 6 2 1 1 2 16
GREEN 19 2-4 0-4 0 0 0 3 1 2 0 4
REID 9 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
MAHORN 11 0-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 0
AUGMON 7 2-5 3-3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 7
TOTALS 240 37-82 11-17 14 26 40 15 14 9 11 95
(.451) (.647) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 11(9 PTS)
NEW JERSEY
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
J WILLIAMS F 36 2-11 1-2 7 10 17 1 3 1 1 5
GILL F 35 7-11 0-0 0 4 4 2 3 2 5 14
BRADLEY C 34 9-16 4-4 0 4 4 0 1 0 4 22
PACK G 35 1-5 0-0 0 1 1 11 4 3 5 3
KITTLES G 42 4-11 2-4 1 4 5 2 1 0 2 11
MASSENBURG 19 3-4 1-2 2 1 3 0 3 0 3 7
OBANNON 12 2-7 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5
REEVES 15 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 2
CALDWELL 7 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
DARE 5 0-2 0-0 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 0
R WILLIAMS DNP - LEFT ANKLE STRESS FRACTURE
TOTALS 240 29-72 8-12 11 29 40 19 19 6 20 69
(.403) (.667) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 20(15 PTS)
DETROIT 20 24 29 22 - 95
NEW JERSEY 21 15 17 16 - 69
BLOCKED SHOTS: DETROIT - RATLIFF 2, REID, HILL, HUNTER. NEW JERSEY -
BRADLEY 5, GILL, KITTLES, DARE.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: DETROIT 10-20 (.500), LONG 0-1, DUMARS 4-4, HUNTER 1-2,
CURRY 1-3, MILLS 4-8, GREEN 0-1, MAHORN 0-1. NEW JERSEY 3-13 (.231), GILL
0-1, BRADLEY 0-1, PACK 1-3, KITTLES 1-3, OBANNON 1-4, REEVES 0-1.
TECHNICALS: NONE.
OFFICIALS: RON GARRETSON, TED BERNHARDT, KEVIN FEHR.
A - 12,018. T - 1:52.
DETROIT (95) AT NEW JERSEY (69)
Terry Mills tied an NBA record for consecutive three-pointers
and keyed a first-half run as the Detroit Pistons shut down the
New Jersey Nets, 95-69, for their fourth straight win.
Mills made his first three-pointer to extend his streak to 13,
matching the record set last season by Brent Price, who played
for the Washington Bullets. Mills was 4-of-8 from beyond the
arc, including two during a 19-2 burst across the first two
quarters that gave the Pistons the lead for good.
"I just wanted to continue to play the way I was playing," Mills
said. "If I hit it, I hit it. I didn't feel any pressure."
Lindsey Hunter scored 17 points and Mills added 16 for Detroit
(15-3), which extended the best start in franchise history.
Shawn Bradley scored 22 points and Kendall Gill added 14 for the
Nets, who have lost seven straight games to Detroit. New Jersey
was limited to 33 points in the second half and their lowest
total since a franchise-low 68 points against Utah on November
27th, 1989.
"There are barriers we have to break," Nets coach John Calipari
said. "One of them are road games and close games. We played an
outstanding team. It's a process, how we are going to play
against the league's top teams."
Mills entered the game with 2:31 left in the first quarter and
tied the record 21 seconds later. He began the streak Wednesday
when he made his last six three-pointers against Atlanta and was
6-of-6 against Cleveland on Friday. Price made 13 consecutive
three-pointers from January 15th-19th, 1996.
"Coming off the bench, I'm one of the main guys to get things
going," Mills said. "I figured if I was going to make it, why
not shoot from the old line."
Mills missed his next attempt from behind the arc and a jumper
by Jayson Williams gave New Jersey a 21-17 lead. But Mills
triggered Detroit's decisive run with his second three-pointer.
Another three-pointer by Mills gave Detroit a 26-21 lead and
Grant Hill made three straight baskets, boosting the lead to
30-23. A layup by Litterial Green capped the burst at 36-23
with 5:29 left in the first half.
"We trust one another on defense," said Mills, a former Net. "If
a guy steps up, I'm going to take his man. We're playing help
defense. In the past, I played on teams where the attitude was,
'I'm not leaving my man, he might score.'"
The Nets closed to 44-36 at halftime and pulled within two
points on a jumper by Bradley with 8:05 left in the third
quarter. But New Jersey managed just seven points the rest of
the period while Dumars had 10, helping Detroit open a 73-53
lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Pistons opened their largest lead at 95-65 on a basket by
Stacey Augmon with 1:15 remaining. Tony Massenburg had a pair
of baskets in the final 48 seconds as the Nets avoided their
worst offensive game since joining the NBA in 1976.
Hill had 12 points and six assists for the Pistons, who were
10-of-20 from three-point range and a sizzling 32-of-54 (59
percent) from behind the arc in their last three games.
"What a great feeling it is to watch your players, regardless of
who you play, (play) with this energy," Pistons coach Doug
Collins said. "Congratulations to Terry Mills. Our guys had a
great week."
Rookie Kerry Kittles scored 11 points and Robert Pack handed out
11 assists for the Nets, who were 3-of-13 from three-point
range. Williams grabbed 17 rebounds and has 71 in his last four
games.
nba.1984nba.news,
LA CLIPPERS (80) AT NEW YORK (89)
LA CLIPPERS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
VAUGHT F 22 3-9 2-2 5 2 7 0 4 0 2 8
ROGERS F 44 4-16 4-6 1 4 5 3 3 0 2 12
WRIGHT C 14 2-5 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 4
RICHARDSON G 42 5-15 0-0 2 1 3 3 2 3 1 11
DEHERE G 8 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
SEALY 40 3-13 6-7 0 6 6 1 2 1 1 13
MURRAY 33 6-10 4-8 0 5 5 3 1 1 4 18
OUTLAW 30 4-6 3-4 2 2 4 0 6 2 1 11
D MARTIN 6 1-2 1-2 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 3
BARRY 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DUCKWORTH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBERTS DNP - RUPTURED DISK IN LOWER BACK
TOTALS 240 28-78 20-29 11 21 32 13 22 7 12 80
(.359) (.690) TEAM REBS: 17 TOTAL TO: 15(15 PTS)
NEW YORK
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WALLACE F 16 3-3 0-2 2 3 5 0 3 1 1 6
OAKLEY F 42 2-7 0-0 6 8 14 4 3 1 1 4
EWING C 40 12-19 4-6 3 10 13 0 3 0 7 28
HOUSTON G 33 4-16 6-6 2 3 5 4 5 0 0 14
CHILDS G 34 3-10 1-2 0 0 0 5 3 1 3 7
MCCARTY 19 3-6 1-1 2 3 5 2 0 0 2 7
STARKS 19 3-6 0-0 0 1 1 1 3 0 3 8
WARD 14 1-3 1-1 0 1 1 3 4 0 2 3
B WILLIAMS 23 5-9 2-4 4 6 10 2 1 1 2 12
BROOKS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
H WILLIAMS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
JOHNSON DNP - SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE
TOTALS 240 36-79 15-22 19 35 54 21 25 4 21 89
(.456) (.682) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 21(26 PTS)
LA CLIPPERS 8 33 27 12 - 80
NEW YORK 25 27 12 25 - 89
BLOCKED SHOTS: LA CLIPPERS - MURRAY 2, OUTLAW, ROGERS. NEW YORK - EWING,
HOUSTON, MCCARTY, B WILLIAMS.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: LA CLIPPERS 4-15 (.267), ROGERS 0-2, RICHARDSON 1-5,
DEHERE 0-2, SEALY 1-4, MURRAY 2-2. NEW YORK 2-17 (.118), OAKLEY 0-1,
HOUSTON 0-5, CHILDS 0-4, MCCARTY 0-1, STARKS 2-4, WARD 0-2.
TECHNICALS: LA CLIPPERS - OUTLAW, NEW YORK - ILLEGAL DEFENSE, STARKS.
OFFICIALS: BILL SPOONER, SEAN CORBIN, MIKE MATHIS.
A - 19,763. T - 2:19.
LA CLIPPERS (80) AT NEW YORK (89)
Patrick Ewing scored 28 points and converted a key three-point
play with just over two minutes left as the New York Knicks
squandered a huge first-half lead but rallied to defeat the Los
Angeles Clippers, 89-80.
Allan Houston, who had 14 points, snapped a 78-78 tie with a
jump shot with 2:46 to play. Ewing followed with a driving
basket and was fouled. He converted the free throw for an 83-78
lead with 2:01 to go.
Loy Vaught hit a pair of free throws with 98 seconds left, and
after a Knicks' miss, Malik Sealy missed a three-point attempt
that would have knotted the score. Chris Childs then hit a
basket with 50 seconds left to seal the win.
"They had a big stop and then Houston hit the jumper that took
the wind out of us," Sealy said. "We just needed to carry it
out and we weren't able to do it."
"We didn't have the killer instinct tonight and didn't challenge
their shots like we did earlier in the game," said Childs. "We
played the last five minutes real well."
The victory allowed New York, which has won three straight
games, to avoid the embarrassment of blowing a 23-point
second-quarter lead. Charles Oakley added 14 rebounds for the
Knicks, who have won five straight against the Clippers.
Lamond Murray scored 18 points and Sealy added 13 for Los
Angeles, which led 78-76 in the final four minutes but saw New
York close the game with a 13-2 run.
"It was a tough game for us because we were playing for the
fourth time in five days," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I
was proud of my team, the way we hung in there against a team
that played very hard. A lot of teams would have folded down
25-8. That is a credit to their team and coach (Bill) Fitch."
"They made five of their last six shots," Fitch said. "If
Sealy's three-pointer goes in, it's a tie game and everybody is
happy. So it misses and we still have 59 seconds to go. That
broke our backs."
New York held Los Angeles to eight points in the opening
quarter, the lowest point total in any quarter by any opponent
in the history of the current Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks led 34-11 with 9:09 to go in the first half, but the
Clippers rallied within 11 by halftime. Los Angeles turned up
the defense in the third quarter, limiting New York to just 12
points.
Leading 68-64 entering the fourth quarter, the Clippers actually
extended their lead to 75-68 with 9:13 left in regulation. But
the Knicks used a 10-3 run to knot the game, 78-78.
nba.1985nba.news,
MIAMI (83) AT CHICAGO (80)
MIAMI
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MAJERLE F 42 5-15 0-0 3 3 6 3 4 0 0 13
BROWN F 43 3-12 5-6 8 6 14 2 3 1 0 11
MOURNING C 33 5-15 10-14 3 6 9 0 4 1 4 20
ASKINS G 33 1-5 0-0 0 3 3 0 3 0 0 3
HARDAWAY G 38 7-18 0-0 0 5 5 5 0 0 2 16
AUSTIN 23 5-6 0-0 3 2 5 0 2 0 1 10
LENARD 18 2-6 2-2 0 1 1 1 2 3 0 7
GRANT 10 1-2 1-1 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 3
DANILOVIC DNP - STRAINED RIGHT CALF
PINCKNEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SCOTT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
STRICKLAND DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 29-79 18-23 17 28 45 12 19 5 8 83
(.367) (.783) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 8(10 PTS)
CHICAGO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
PIPPEN F 40 5-12 2-2 0 4 4 5 4 1 2 14
RODMAN F 38 2-7 0-0 7 11 18 2 5 1 1 4
WENNINGTON C 13 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4
HARPER G 20 2-5 0-0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 6
JORDAN G 42 16-30 5-6 1 8 9 3 1 0 0 37
KUKOC 27 4-13 2-2 3 1 4 1 0 0 1 11
CAFFEY 18 0-3 0-0 2 3 5 0 4 1 3 0
BROWN 12 1-3 0-1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2
KERR 19 1-3 0-0 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 2
PARISH 11 0-1 0-0 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0
BUECHLER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
SIMPKINS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 33-79 9-11 15 29 44 17 19 3 10 80
(.418) (.818) TEAM REBS: 5 TOTAL TO: 11(14 PTS)
MIAMI 22 16 27 18 - 83
CHICAGO 19 17 25 19 - 80
BLOCKED SHOTS: MIAMI - MOURNING, AUSTIN. CHICAGO - CAFFEY 3, PIPPEN 2,
RODMAN, KUKOC, KERR, PARISH, BUECHLER.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MIAMI 7-21 (.333), MAJERLE 3-10, ASKINS 1-2, HARDAWAY
2-6, LENARD 1-2, GRANT 0-1. CHICAGO 5-15 (.333), PIPPEN 2-4, HARPER 2-2,
JORDAN 0-3, KUKOC 1-5, KERR 0-1.
TECHNICALS: CHICAGO - RODMAN.
OFFICIALS: JIM KINSEY, DAN CRAWFORD, BOB DELANEY.
A - 23,861. T - 2:11.
MIAMI (83) AT CHICAGO (80)
Dan Majerle drilled a three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining
to lift the Miami Heat to their 10th win in 11 games, an 83-80
victory over the Chicago Bulls in a showdown of division
leaders.
Michael Jordan tied the game at 80-80 on a jumper with 2:02 to
go, preceding Majerle's heroics. Miami's Tim Hardaway received
the inbounds pass and penetrated the lane to draw defenders
before kicking the ball out to the left wing to Majerle, who hit
the jumper from 24 feet.
"It was a great call by coach (Pat) Riley (because) he thought
their defense would key on Alonzo and Hardaway and they did,"
Majerle stated. "Timmy started out with the ball...kicked it
back to me and I was wide open. That's how I've made my living
in the NBA. If I have an open shot, I'm going to take it."
Alonzo Mourning scored 20 points, Hardaway added 16 points and
P.J. Brown had 11 and 14 rebounds for Miami, which improved to
10-2 on the road and beat Chicago for the second time in the
last seven meetings.
"This was a huge game for us," Mourning said. "It proved if you
worked hard, good things are going to happen to you. We just
outworked the world champions tonight, that's why we won."
Majerle finished with 13 points for the Heat, who maintained
their two-game lead over the New York Knicks in the Atlantic
Division.
Jordan made 16-of-30 shots from the field and scored 37 points.
Scottie Pippen was held to 14 and Toni Kukoc had 11 for Chicago,
which had a five-game winning streak snapped and dropped to
17-2.
"We had our chances to win, but we never really got into the
flow of it tonight," Jordan said. "We haven't had a game like
this all year. What it shows is that we have a lot of room for
improvement. There are no excuses. We didn't play well and we
were the better rested team. They just had more intensity than
us and wanted it more than we did."
"We just can't stand around and watch Michael play," added Steve
Kerr of his mesmerizing teammate. "That's what we did tonight.
The bench didn't do anything and when we get into a game like
this, there is a chance we'll lose. There was no flow to our
game."
Dennis Rodman grabbed 18 rebounds for the Central
Division-leading Bulls, who lost just two home games all last
season.
The Bulls lost for just the sixth time in 33 regular-season
meetings with the Heat. Chicago also is 6-0 against Miami in a
pair of playoff series.
Mourning made one free throw to give Miami a 76-69 lead midway
through the fourth quarter before the Bulls began chipping away.
Jordan hit a 19-footer and sank a pair of free throws to ignite
a 9-1 run. Kukoc added a three-pointer and Jordan's 15-footer
allowed Chicago to overtake Miami at 78-77 with 3:27 to go.
But Majerle provided a preview of things to come with a
three-pointer for an 80-78 lead with 3:02 to go.
The Bulls, who entered the game averaging a league-best 104.3
points, were held to 42 percent shooting (33-of-79) from the
field and outscored 32-18 in the paint. Pippen and Kukoc were a
combined 9-of-25 from the field.
Isaac Austin scored 10 points for Miami, which won despite
shooting 37 percent (29-of-79). The game included just 19
turnovers.
nba.1986nba.news,
MILWAUKEE (126) AT WASHINGTON (118)
MILWAUKEE
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
BAKER F 43 12-17 12-12 5 7 12 3 3 1 7 36
ROBINSON F 40 16-23 10-11 1 6 7 6 3 1 5 44
LANG C 21 3-9 0-0 1 5 6 1 1 0 0 6
ALLEN G 29 4-11 4-4 3 3 6 3 3 0 1 12
DOUGLAS G 39 7-10 0-0 5 1 6 7 4 1 4 15
NEWMAN 24 1-3 3-5 0 1 1 0 2 2 1 5
BROWN 16 3-4 0-0 2 2 4 2 3 0 0 6
GILLIAM 19 1-4 0-1 0 4 4 1 3 1 0 2
PERRY 9 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
WOLF DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WOOD DNP - COACH'S DECISION
RESPERT DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 47-84 29-33 17 29 46 25 22 6 18 126
(.560) (.879) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 18(28 PTS)
WASHINGTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
HOWARD F 38 4-12 4-4 3 3 6 5 4 2 2 12
WEBBER F 40 13-22 0-5 3 6 9 1 5 0 2 26
MURESAN C 24 3-4 2-3 0 7 7 0 2 0 1 8
CHEANEY G 36 8-13 5-5 0 1 1 2 4 2 2 21
STRICKLAND G 37 6-17 3-4 2 0 2 14 1 2 0 15
GRANT 21 2-4 3-4 2 2 4 2 4 2 1 8
WHITNEY 15 3-4 0-0 0 0 0 3 1 2 1 8
MURRAY 21 6-8 1-1 1 0 1 1 4 0 1 16
JACKSON 8 1-1 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4
FISH DNP - COACH'S DECISION
WALLACE DNP - COACH'S DECISION
AMAYA DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 46-85 20-28 11 19 30 28 25 11 11 118
(.541) (.714) TEAM REBS: 6 TOTAL TO: 11(16 PTS)
MILWAUKEE 33 26 33 34 - 126
WASHINGTON 30 24 23 41 - 118
BLOCKED SHOTS: MILWAUKEE - LANG 2, BROWN, NEWMAN, ROBINSON. WASHINGTON -
WEBBER 2, MURESAN, CHEANEY, WHITNEY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: MILWAUKEE 3-12 (.250), BAKER 0-1, ROBINSON 2-4, ALLEN
0-3, DOUGLAS 1-2, PERRY 0-2. WASHINGTON 6-10 (.600), CHEANEY 0-1,
STRICKLAND 0-2, GRANT 1-1, WHITNEY 2-2, MURRAY 3-4.
TECHNICALS: WASHINGTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: ED MIDDLETON, BRUCE ALEXANDER, BLANE REICHELT.
A - 18,756. T - 2:09.
MILWAUKEE (126) AT WASHINGTON (118)
Glenn Robinson poured in a career-high 44 points and Vin Baker
added a season-best 36 to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 126-118
victory over the Washington Bullets.
Sherman Douglas chipped in 15 points and seven assists for
Milwaukee, which had dropped seven of its last 10 games after a
5-1 start. The Bucks won for just the second time in the last
six meetings with the Bullets and triumphed at Washington for
the first time in four trips.
"They (Bullets) didn't pressure them (Robinson and Baker) and
gave them shots," said Bucks coach Chris Ford. "They solidified
the win for us. They just didn't miss."
Chris Webber recorded 26 points and nine rebounds and Calbert
Cheaney added a season-high 21 points for Washington, which has
lost four straight games. Rod Strickland contributed 15 points
and a season-high 14 assists.
Baker and Robinson each scored 19 points as Milwaukee led 59-54
at the half. The margin was still five points with 6:10 left in
the third quarter before the Bucks closed the period with a 16-6
run. Douglas netted six points and Robinson had five in the
spurt that made 92-77 heading into the fourth.
"This is the first time we (he and Robinson) ever played like
this that I can remember," said Baker, who made all 12 free
throw attempts. "It was scary. Something was bound to happen
tonight, that's what I felt. We just stuck together in the
fourth. I think the bench played excellent, they backed us up
big time."
Washington responded with a 15-2 burst to start the quarter.
Tracy Murray had 11 in the run, including a three-pointer with
9:26 remaining that cut it to 94-92.
A three-pointer by Chris Whitney closed the gap to 105-104 with
6:07 to play, but Baker would have five points in a 9-1 surge
that boosted the score to 119-109 with 2:31 left.
"We played incredibly hard trying to get back into this game,"
said Washington coach Jim Lynam. "We have to focus on the
rebounds. We did not do that tonight. Those two guys (Robinson
and Baker) offensively are very, very good. We have experienced
the one-two punch before and they did a fantastic job."
Baker grabbed 12 rebounds and Robinson had seven as the Bucks
won the battle of the boards, 46-30. Milwaukee shot 56 percent
(47-of-84) from the floor and 88 percent (29-of-33) from the
foul line.
Robinson misplaced his jersey before the game and had to wear
one without his name on it.
"I was nervous, I never wore another jersey number since high
school. Our momentum was good, we never put numbers up like
that. It was nice. I just hope this isn't the first time this
is going to happen. Our defense slacked late, but give credit
to Sherman for getting this team going again."
nba.1987nba.news,
PHILADELPHIA (108) AT HOUSTON (123)
PHILADELPHIA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WEATHERSPOON F 36 2-8 7-7 1 4 5 1 1 1 0 11
COLEMAN F 31 4-9 6-9 2 3 5 4 3 2 2 15
WILLIAMS C 25 2-6 0-0 4 7 11 1 4 2 0 4
STACKHOUSE G 33 8-20 4-4 2 4 6 2 4 0 2 22
IVERSON G 39 11-25 7-12 2 5 7 4 4 0 5 35
CAGE 20 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
DAVIS 28 6-13 1-2 6 4 10 6 4 2 2 14
WALTERS 22 2-4 1-2 3 1 4 1 1 0 1 7
OVERTON 4 0-3 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0
HENDRICKSON 1 0-2 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
BRADTKE 1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
HARRIS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-92 26-36 21 29 50 19 22 9 14 108
(.380) (.722) TEAM REBS: 9 TOTAL TO: 15(14 PTS)
HOUSTON
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ELIE F 36 4-11 5-6 2 2 4 5 4 1 1 15
BARKLEY F 34 9-12 1-3 1 6 7 10 4 1 2 21
OLAJUWON C 29 4-11 5-9 1 8 9 0 1 1 6 13
DREXLER G 26 6-11 1-2 2 7 9 4 2 0 0 14
MALONEY G 37 8-15 0-0 0 4 4 9 1 3 1 21
WILLIS 25 6-8 4-5 2 9 11 1 4 0 1 16
BULLARD 22 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 6
MOORE 12 4-6 0-0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 12
LIVINGSTON 11 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 4 0 2 0
HARRINGTON 5 1-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2
BENNETT 3 0-0 3-4 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3
MACK DNP - SORE LEFT FOOT
TOTALS 240 44-82 19-29 8 37 45 33 23 8 14 123
(.537) (.655) TEAM REBS: 11 TOTAL TO: 15(18 PTS)
PHILADELPHIA 32 21 18 37 - 108
HOUSTON 35 25 25 38 - 123
BLOCKED SHOTS: PHILADELPHIA - WEATHERSPOON 4, COLEMAN, CAGE, WALTERS.
HOUSTON - OLAJUWON 2.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: PHILADELPHIA 12-28 (.429), COLEMAN 1-2, STACKHOUSE 2-5,
IVERSON 6-13, DAVIS 1-3, WALTERS 2-3, OVERTON 0-2. HOUSTON 16-26 (.615),
ELIE 2-5, BARKLEY 2-5, DREXLER 1-1, MALONEY 5-7, BULLARD 2-3, MOORE 4-5.
TECHNICALS: HOUSTON - ILLEGAL DEFENSE.
OFFICIALS: PAUL MIHALAK, JOE BORGIA, RONNIE NUNN.
A - 16,285. T - 2:10.
PHILADELPHIA (108) AT HOUSTON (123)
Matt Maloney had career highs of 21 points and nine assists and
Charles Barkley added 21 points to lift the Houston Rockets to
their seventh straight home win, 123-108 over the Philadelphia
76ers.
The Rockets defeated the 76ers for the 10th consecutive time and
tied Chicago for the best record in the league at 17-2. Houston
notched its fourth game of 120 or more points and has won seven
straight home games from Philadelphia.
Maloney, a rookie point guard from Pennsylvania, made 5-of-7
three-pointers despite a sprained ankle.
"I just wanted to block it out of my mind and not think about
it," said Maloney, who scored 11 points in the first quarter.
"It's not as bad today as it was yesterday. It's a lot better.
Getting off to a good start just gave me the confidence that it
wasn't going to bother me.
"I thought he was fantastic," Drexler said. "He was very solid,
as he has been all year long."
Rookie Allen Iverson scored 35 points for the Sixers, who went
0-3 on their "Texas Triangle" road trip. Iverson had 97 points
and 26 assists in the three losses. The points allowed were a
season high for Philadelphia.
"They are a very good basketball team," 76ers coach Johnny Davis
said. "They have three players you have to deal with and they
use them very effectively. We got beat by a good team tonight.
You can certainly see why they are 17-2 at this point."
The 76ers were clinging to a 51-49 lead, but the Rockets closed
the half with an 11-2 run, featuring five points apiece from
Barkley and Mario Elie.
Two three-pointers by Iverson pulled Philadelphia within 64-61
before Clyde Drexler scored nine of his 14 points in a 13-3
burst that gave Houston control for good at 77-64 with 3:43 to
play in the third quarter.
"They were executing their offense and we had some breakdowns on
defense," Iverson said. "They took advantage of those
breakdowns. They played a good game tonight and we didn't play
all that well."
"I got some opportunities and the pace of the game picked up,"
Drexler said. "I like it when the pace is quicker. The defense
was a lot better during that span and that let us spurt to a
comfortable lead."
Barkley and Drexler sat most of the fourth quarter, but Hakeem
Olajuwon scored seven of his 13 points in the period as Houston
allowed Philadelphia to get no closer than 10 points.
Kevin Willis had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Elie added 15
points for the Rockets, who shot 54 percent (44-of-82) from the
field. Barkley handed out 10 assists.
"We didn't come out any differently tonight, but I want to run
every night," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "That is one
of the goals we have not reached this year. If we can get a
running game going and keep everything else the same, I think
we're going to roll. It makes life so much easier when you can
get the easy baskets."
Jerry Stackhouse scored 22 points and Derrick Coleman added 15
for the Sixers, who shot 38 percent (35-of-92) and held a 50-45
edge in rebounds. Mark Davis had 14 points and 10 boards.
nba.1988nba.news,
TORONTO (75) AT ATLANTA (101)
TORONTO
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
WILLIAMS F 38 6-17 2-2 2 4 6 2 2 2 5 17
JONES F 35 5-6 0-0 4 6 10 1 5 0 0 10
WRIGHT C 25 2-10 2-3 1 2 3 1 3 0 3 6
STOUDAMIRE G 32 5-16 2-2 0 1 1 3 1 2 2 14
CHRISTIE G 35 3-9 1-4 0 5 5 3 4 1 3 7
DAVIS 16 1-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 2
EARL 19 1-4 2-6 1 1 2 2 3 0 3 4
WHITESIDE 8 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2
CURETON 13 3-5 0-1 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 6
LONG 19 2-6 2-2 1 3 4 2 2 1 3 7
CAMBY DNP - SPRAINED BACK
TOTALS 240 29-78 11-20 11 24 35 15 22 9 20 75
(.372) (.550) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 23(22 PTS)
ATLANTA
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
CORBIN F 38 4-12 4-4 1 6 7 2 4 2 0 13
LAETTNER F 35 8-13 5-7 3 6 9 3 4 2 3 21
NEWBILL C 44 3-4 0-4 5 10 15 2 4 0 5 6
SMITH G 37 7-13 5-6 1 1 2 5 2 2 4 22
BLAYLOCK G 39 6-18 1-3 0 4 4 5 2 3 1 15
NORMAN 13 4-7 0-2 2 1 3 0 0 0 1 9
RECASNER 12 2-3 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 4
LAUDERDALE 7 2-3 0-0 0 5 5 0 3 0 3 4
BARRY 6 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 4 0 1 1 0
BOYCE 5 1-1 1-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
BURTON 4 2-2 0-0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 4
MUTOMBO DNP - FLU
TOTALS 240 39-76 16-28 12 34 46 22 22 11 19 101
(.513) (.571) TEAM REBS: 13 TOTAL TO: 19(18 PTS)
TORONTO 19 19 18 19 - 75
ATLANTA 21 20 26 34 - 101
BLOCKED SHOTS: TORONTO - CHRISTIE, EARL. ATLANTA - LAETTNER, BLAYLOCK,
LAUDERDALE, BARRY.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: TORONTO 6-17 (.353), WILLIAMS 3-6, STOUDAMIRE 2-6,
CHRISTIE 0-2, DAVIS 0-1, LONG 1-2. ATLANTA 7-20 (.350), CORBIN 1-2, SMITH
3-6, BLAYLOCK 2-10, NORMAN 1-2.
TECHNICALS: TORONTO - HEAD COACH WALKER 2 (EJECTED).
OFFICIALS: TOMMIE WOOD, JOE FORTE, TOM WASHINGTON.
A - 11,422. T - 2:05.
TORONTO (75) AT ATLANTA (101)
Steve Smith scored 22 points and Christian Laettner added 21 as
the Atlanta Hawks remained unbeaten against the second-year
Toronto Raptors with a 101-75 victory.
Atlanta has won all six meetings against Toronto, including a
pair this season.
Mookie Blaylock scored 15 points and Tyrone Corbin added 13 for
the Hawks, who won for the sixth time in eight games overall and
improved to 6-1 at home.
"We feel we're going in the direction we wanted to go," Hawks
coach Lenny Wilkens said. "Toronto beat some pretty good teams
last year. You can never take them for granted. At halftime, I
say we can't let them hang around. In a way, I'm just anxious
to see if we can get everyone healthy."
Ivano Newbill, starting for flu-ridden center Dikembe Mutombo,
grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds for Atlanta, which won its
sixth straight at The Omni.
"This was a very good game," Newbill said. "I would say this is
the best game I have played, especially on the defensive end."
His teammates felt the same way.
"It's good to get a win like this," Blaylock said. "Without
Dikembe, Newbill came in and did a great job. It's a good win
at home. It improved our record here and it gives us a lot more
confidence at home."
"I think the key was Newbill," Smith said. "He came in and did
a Dikembe Mutombo job. He stepped up at the center spot."
Walt Williams scored 17 points, Damon Stoudamire added 14 and
Popeye Jones had 10 and 10 rebounds for Toronto, which was held
to a franchise low in points. The Raptors, who were held to 37
percent shooting (29-of-78) from the field, have yet to shoot 50
percent this season.
The Raptors remain one of two teams in the league without a road
win. The Boston Celtics are also 0-6 away from home.
"We just didn't execute," Stoudamire said. "It's the story of
our year...on both ends (of the court)."
After Acie Earl's layup closed Toronto within 55-50 midway
through the third quarter, Laettner made a layup to ignite a
12-3 run. Laettner added another basket and Smith dunked to cap
the spurt, giving the Hawks a 67-53 advantage with 34 seconds
remaining in the period.
Toronto never got closer than 11 points thereafter. The final
score represented Atlanta's largest lead.
Laettner grabbed nine rebounds and Blaylock made three steals
for Atlanta, which outrebounded Toronto 46-35 and scored 22
points off 23 forced turnovers.
Toronto coach Darrell Walker was ejected with 5:39 left in the
fourth quarter after receiving two technical fouls.
nba.1989nba.news,
UTAH (104) AT DENVER (91)
UTAH
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
RUSSELL F 27 3-4 3-5 2 5 7 0 3 0 0 10
MALONE F 40 8-20 5-6 1 8 9 5 1 1 2 21
OSTERTAG C 29 4-8 2-2 2 4 6 1 3 0 0 10
STOCKTON G 37 7-12 3-3 2 3 5 12 2 3 0 18
HORNACEK G 38 7-11 3-3 0 1 1 2 4 3 1 18
EISLEY 11 3-4 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 7
CARR 17 3-6 1-2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7
FOSTER 10 1-3 2-2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 4
ANDERSON 10 2-5 0-2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 4
MORRIS 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
KEEFE 18 1-2 3-6 1 1 2 0 2 0 1 5
WATSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 39-76 22-31 10 24 34 23 17 7 5 104
(.513) (.710) TEAM REBS: 7 TOTAL TO: 6(8 PTS)
DENVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
D ELLIS F 38 5-16 7-7 3 5 8 2 5 1 1 19
MCDYESS F 32 8-16 0-0 1 3 4 0 6 0 3 16
JOHNSON C 17 3-3 0-0 1 3 4 1 0 0 1 6
JACKSON G 43 6-11 0-0 1 3 4 13 2 0 2 14
STITH G 35 5-10 0-0 3 2 5 1 4 0 2 11
L ELLIS 28 5-15 4-6 3 2 5 0 3 0 3 14
HAMMONDS 28 2-4 4-4 2 6 8 0 4 0 0 8
B THOMPSON 15 1-3 0-0 0 2 2 5 2 0 3 3
MCINNIS 3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
HAM 1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L THOMPSON DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 35-80 15-17 14 26 40 22 27 1 16 91
(.438) (.882) TEAM REBS: 12 TOTAL TO: 16(19 PTS)
UTAH 30 25 31 18 - 104
DENVER 23 25 17 26 - 91
BLOCKED SHOTS: UTAH - MALONE 2, RUSSELL, OSTERTAG. DENVER - MCDYESS 2,
JOHNSON, HAMMONDS, STITH.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: UTAH 4-6 (.667), RUSSELL 1-1, STOCKTON 1-2, HORNACEK
1-2, EISLEY 1-1. DENVER 6-17 (.353), D ELLIS 2-8, JACKSON 2-3, STITH 1-3,
L ELLIS 0-1, B THOMPSON 1-1, MCINNIS 0-1.
TECHNICALS: UTAH - MALONE, OSTERTAG, DENVER - HAMMONDS, L ELLIS, D ELLIS.
OFFICIALS: STEVE JAVIE, ED F RUSH, GEORGE TOLIVER.
A - 12,837. T - 1:56.
UTAH (104) AT DENVER (91)
The red-hot Utah Jazz tied a franchise-record with their 14th
consecutive win, defeating the struggling Denver Nuggets,
104-91, as Karl Malone scored 21 points.
John Stockton had 18 points and 12 assists and Jeff Hornacek
also scored 18 for Utah, which tied the club mark set during the
1994-95 season. The Jazz improved to 12-1 at home and remained
one-half game behind the Houston Rockets for the Midwest
Division lead.
"I told our guys we have to be able to play on the road like we
do at home," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "Our young guys have
to have energy on the road. We did a good job executing and got
good shots."
"Nobody on this team is focused on the streak," Stockton said.
"We are not worried about it. We hope we get an edge somewhere
in a game and build up on it."
Dale Ellis scored 19 points, Antonio McDyess added 16 and Mark
Jackson contributed 14 and 13 assists for Denver, which lost its
sixth straight game. The Nuggets have dropped the last five
meetings with the Jazz, including a pair this season.
"They're (Utah) a tough team and they take advantage of a
mistake," Nuggets coach Dick Motta said. "They are kind of fun
to watch. They play the way it is supposed to be
played...Stockton always finds the open man."
After Dale Ellis hit a three-pointer to give the Nuggets a 43-40
lead midway through the second quarter, Adam Keefe made one free
throw to ignite an 8-0 run. Stockton followed with a jumper,
Malone hit a jumper and Keefe capped the spurt with another free
throw for a 48-43 advantage with 3:45 left in the first half.
Denver pulled within 61-54 five minutes into the third quarter
on a pair of free throws by Tom Hammonds before Bryon Russell
made a layup to ignite a 26-11 surge that helped strengthen
Utah's hold.
Russell had nine points, including a three-pointer, during the
stretch and Antoine Carr sank one from the line to cap the spree
that gave Utah an 87-65 bulge entering the fourth quarter.
Denver closed within 98-87 on Ellis' second three-pointer before
Utah sealed the game with a 6-0 run that included four points by
Hornacek.
LaPhonso Ellis, who was activated on Friday, scored 14 points in
his return from a 16-game stint on the injured list for the
Nuggets, who have lost 10 of their last 11 games and have given
up at least 104 points in their last 11 contests.
"It felt good and fun," said LaPhonso Ellis, who had
arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on November 8th and has
missed 128 games over the last three years. "I just tried to do
as much as I could to help the team. I was hustling at the
start because I knew my legs were going to go later."
Utah held Denver to 44 percent shooting (35-of-80) from the
field and scored 19 points off 16 turnovers.
nba.1990nba.news,
VANCOUVER (85) AT DALLAS (96)
VANCOUVER
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
ABDUR-RAHIM F 21 3-7 3-7 3 4 7 0 3 0 2 9
LYNCH F 31 7-11 1-4 3 6 9 2 2 5 1 15
REEVES C 37 2-15 4-4 4 2 6 4 3 0 2 8
PEELER G 36 6-17 1-1 0 3 3 2 2 1 4 16
MAYBERRY G 36 4-11 1-1 1 0 1 1 3 0 1 11
ROBINSON 27 2-5 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 5
ANTHONY 6 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
MOTEN 18 1-4 5-6 0 2 2 2 1 0 2 7
ROGERS 20 4-8 1-2 2 2 4 0 3 1 2 9
CHILCUTT 8 2-3 0-0 0 2 2 0 1 1 0 5
MANNING DNP - COACH'S DECISION
MOBLEY DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 31-82 16-25 13 21 34 15 18 9 14 85
(.378) (.640) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 14(9 PTS)
DALLAS
REBOUNDS
PLAYER POS MIN FGM-FGA FTM-FTA OFF-DEF-TOT AST PF ST TO PTS
====== === === ======= ======= =========== === == == == ===
MCCLOUD F 39 4-13 0-0 2 4 6 4 4 0 0 9
WALKER F 23 5-11 1-4 3 4 7 1 2 0 3 11
MONTROSS C 16 1-4 0-0 2 6 8 0 3 0 0 2
KIDD G 37 3-10 4-4 0 5 5 9 1 3 5 10
JACKSON G 35 7-10 1-1 1 6 7 6 2 3 3 16
MILLER 29 5-7 0-0 1 9 10 4 3 3 0 10
GATLING 24 6-9 3-6 2 5 7 1 2 0 5 15
HARPER 27 8-11 0-0 1 1 2 2 3 0 1 20
DUMAS 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
DREILING 5 1-1 1-2 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 3
MEYER DNP - COACH'S DECISION
ROBERTS DNP - COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS 240 40-77 10-17 12 42 54 27 22 9 19 96
(.519) (.588) TEAM REBS: 8 TOTAL TO: 20(22 PTS)
VANCOUVER 27 22 17 19 - 85
DALLAS 31 23 24 18 - 96
BLOCKED SHOTS: VANCOUVER - ABDUR-RAHIM, REEVES, ROBINSON, ROGERS. DALLAS
- WALKER 3, MONTROSS, JACKSON, GATLING.
3-PT. FIELD GOALS: VANCOUVER 7-22 (.318), LYNCH 0-1, PEELER 3-8, MAYBERRY
2-5, ROBINSON 1-4, ANTHONY 0-1, MOTEN 0-2, CHILCUTT 1-1. DALLAS 6-14
(.429), MCCLOUD 1-5, KIDD 0-2, JACKSON 1-2, HARPER 4-5.
TECHNICALS: VANCOUVER - , DALLAS - GATLING.
OFFICIALS: HUE HOLLINS, WOODY MAYFIELD, MIKE CALLAHAN.
A - 15,102. T - 2:01.
VANCOUVER (85) AT DALLAS (96)
Derek Harper came off the bench to tie his season high of 20
points and Jim Jackson added 16 as the Dallas Mavericks posted a
96-85 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Chris Gatling chipped in 15 points for Dallas, which has won
consecutive games for the first time this season. The Mavericks
allowed less than 100 points for the first time in eight games.
"We played well in spots and we need to put those spots closer
together for a longer period of time," said Dallas coach Jim
Cleamons.
Anthony Peeler netted 16 points and George Lynch had 15, nine
rebounds and five steals for Vancouver, which has dropped six of
its last seven games. The Grizzlies have lost all five meetings
with Dallas.
Lynch's layup with 2:09 left in the second quarter gave
Vancouver its last lead at 49-48, but the Mavericks scored the
last six points of the half, including a three-pointer by
Jackson at the buzzer to move ahead 54-49.
Dallas led 78-66 after three periods and took its largest lead
at 82-66 on Gatling's dunk with 10:59 to play.
The Grizzlies rallied with a 10-2 run, which was capped by Chris
Robinson's three-pointer with 6:43 remaining that cut it to
86-80. But Harper would sink a pair of three-pointers and George
McCloud hit a hook in an 8-0 spree that opened the gap to 94-80
with 3:43 to go.
"We made a run to come back in the fourth, but it wasn't quite
enough and our shot selection wasn't the greatest at that
point," said Vancouver coach Brian Winters.
Oliver Miller registered 10 points and 10 rebounds to spark a
bench effort that included 48 points and 21 rebounds. Jason Kidd
contributed 10 points and nine assists, while rookie Samaki
Walker had 11 points and a season-high seven boards.
"I feel good about where we are right now," said Harper. "It
means nothing if we rest on it. We cannot afford to become
complacent."
"We are trying to find the right pieces at the right time and
Samaki is giving us a lift," Cleamons said. "I'm not trying to
rely on just one or two players to win games for us, they are
learning they that can step up at appropriate times for us."
Vancouver was outrebounded, 54-34, and shot just 38 percent
(31-of-82) from the floor. Bryant Reeves made his first two
shots and then missed his next 13.
"This was a bad night for me all around," said Reeves, who had
scored 29 points in his last game. "It's something I'm going to
have to forget about and keep going."
The Mavericks' rebound total was a season high, as was their
rebound margin. They improved to 4-0 when shooting over 50
percent from the field and are off to their best home mark (5-4)
after nine games since the 1989-90 campaign.
nba.1991nba.news,
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - 1996/97
(Saturday, December 7 - 37 days, 264 games)
WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Seattle Supersonics 21 15 6 6 3 9 3 102.4 95.1 71.4 - L 1
Los Angeles Lakers 21 14 7 8 2 6 5 95.9 94.2 66.7 1.0 W 1
Portland Trail Blazers 20 12 8 6 2 6 6 97.3 92.7 60.0 2.5 W 2
Los Angeles Clippers 19 7 12 3 6 4 6 90.5 93.8 36.8 7.0 L 2
Golden State Warriors 19 6 13 4 7 2 6 98.9 103.9 31.6 8.0 L 2
Sacramento Kings 19 6 13 2 5 4 8 90.7 99.2 31.6 8.0 L 1
Phoenix Suns 17 3 14 2 6 1 8 95.1 100.3 17.6 10.0 W 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE - MIDWEST DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Houston Rockets 19 17 2 9 1 8 1 104.3 96.4 89.5 - W 2
Utah Jazz 18 16 2 11 1 5 1 100.8 91.2 88.9 0.5 W14
Dallas Mavericks 18 7 11 5 4 2 7 94.7 99.0 38.9 9.5 W 2
Minnesota Timberwolves 18 7 11 5 2 2 9 91.0 95.6 38.9 9.5 L 3
Denver Nuggets 20 5 15 2 8 3 7 94.0 100.4 25.0 12.5 L 6
San Antonio Spurs 17 3 14 2 8 1 6 88.0 94.6 17.6 13.0 L 1
Vancouver Grizzlies 20 3 17 2 7 1 10 86.2 98.1 15.0 14.5 L 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Miami Heat 20 15 5 5 3 10 2 93.6 88.4 75.0 - W 1
New York Knicks 18 12 6 5 4 7 2 96.5 93.4 66.7 2.0 W 3
Orlando Magic 15 8 7 5 5 3 2 87.5 89.4 53.3 4.5 L 3
Washington Bullets 17 7 10 4 6 3 4 95.6 97.1 41.2 6.5 L 4
Philadelphia 76ers 18 7 11 4 5 3 6 97.2 100.9 38.9 7.0 L 3
New Jersey Nets 15 4 11 2 6 2 5 94.1 100.5 26.7 8.5 L 1
Boston Celtics 17 4 13 4 7 0 6 95.2 101.5 23.5 9.5 L 5
EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION
TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
Chicago Bulls 19 17 2 7 1 10 1 103.1 88.6 89.5 - L 1
Detroit Pistons 18 15 3 9 2 6 1 92.8 84.3 83.3 1.5 W 4
Cleveland Cavaliers 17 11 6 6 3 5 3 87.8 80.8 64.7 5.0 L 1
Atlanta Hawks 19 11 8 6 1 5 7 88.5 85.8 57.9 6.0 W 1
Milwaukee Bucks 17 9 8 5 4 4 4 98.3 95.8 52.9 7.0 W 1
Charlotte Hornets 18 9 9 5 2 4 7 93.6 94.7 50.0 7.5 W 1
Indiana Pacers 16 8 8 3 4 5 4 93.5 89.0 50.0 7.5 W 5
Toronto Raptors 18 6 12 6 6 0 6 90.2 95.1 33.3 10.5 L 1
WESTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Houston Rockets 19 17 2 9 1 8 1 104.3 96.4 89.5 - W 2
2. Utah Jazz 18 16 2 11 1 5 1 100.8 91.2 88.9 0.5 W14
3. Seattle Supersonics 21 15 6 6 3 9 3 102.4 95.1 71.4 3.0 L 1
4. Los Angeles Lakers 21 14 7 8 2 6 5 95.9 94.2 66.7 4.0 W 1
5. Portland Trail Blazers 20 12 8 6 2 6 6 97.3 92.7 60.0 5.5 W 2
6. Dallas Mavericks 18 7 11 5 4 2 7 94.7 99.0 38.9 9.5 W 2
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 18 7 11 5 2 2 9 91.0 95.6 38.9 9.5 L 3
8. Los Angeles Clippers 19 7 12 3 6 4 6 90.5 93.8 36.8 10.0 L 2
9. Golden State Warriors 19 6 13 4 7 2 6 98.9 103.9 31.6 11.0 L 2
10. Sacramento Kings 19 6 13 2 5 4 8 90.7 99.2 31.6 11.0 L 1
11. Denver Nuggets 20 5 15 2 8 3 7 94.0 100.4 25.0 12.5 L 6
12. Phoenix Suns 17 3 14 2 6 1 8 95.1 100.3 17.6 13.0 W 2
13. San Antonio Spurs 17 3 14 2 8 1 6 88.0 94.6 17.6 13.0 L 1
14. Vancouver Grizzlies 20 3 17 2 7 1 10 86.2 98.1 15.0 14.5 L 1
EASTERN CONFERENCE
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 19 17 2 7 1 10 1 103.1 88.6 89.5 - L 1
2. Detroit Pistons 18 15 3 9 2 6 1 92.8 84.3 83.3 1.5 W 4
3. Miami Heat 20 15 5 5 3 10 2 93.6 88.4 75.0 2.5 W 1
4. New York Knicks 18 12 6 5 4 7 2 96.5 93.4 66.7 4.5 W 3
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 17 11 6 6 3 5 3 87.8 80.8 64.7 5.0 L 1
6. Atlanta Hawks 19 11 8 6 1 5 7 88.5 85.8 57.9 6.0 W 1
7. Orlando Magic 15 8 7 5 5 3 2 87.5 89.4 53.3 7.0 L 3
8. Milwaukee Bucks 17 9 8 5 4 4 4 98.3 95.8 52.9 7.0 W 1
9. Charlotte Hornets 18 9 9 5 2 4 7 93.6 94.7 50.0 7.5 W 1
10. Indiana Pacers 16 8 8 3 4 5 4 93.5 89.0 50.0 7.5 W 5
11. Washington Bullets 17 7 10 4 6 3 4 95.6 97.1 41.2 9.0 L 4
12. Philadelphia 76ers 18 7 11 4 5 3 6 97.2 100.9 38.9 9.5 L 3
13. Toronto Raptors 18 6 12 6 6 0 6 90.2 95.1 33.3 10.5 L 1
14. New Jersey Nets 15 4 11 2 6 2 5 94.1 100.5 26.7 11.0 L 1
15. Boston Celtics 17 4 13 4 7 0 6 95.2 101.5 23.5 12.0 L 5
TOTAL STANDINGS
# TEAM TG TW TL HW HL AW AL TPA OPA % GB Str
1. Chicago Bulls 19 17 2 7 1 10 1 103.1 88.6 89.5 - L 1
2. Houston Rockets 19 17 2 9 1 8 1 104.3 96.4 89.5 - W 2
3. Utah Jazz 18 16 2 11 1 5 1 100.8 91.2 88.9 0.5 W14
4. Detroit Pistons 18 15 3 9 2 6 1 92.8 84.3 83.3 1.5 W 4
5. Miami Heat 20 15 5 5 3 10 2 93.6 88.4 75.0 2.5 W 1
6. Seattle Supersonics 21 15 6 6 3 9 3 102.4 95.1 71.4 3.0 L 1
7. Los Angeles Lakers 21 14 7 8 2 6 5 95.9 94.2 66.7 4.0 W 1
8. New York Knicks 18 12 6 5 4 7 2 96.5 93.4 66.7 4.5 W 3
9. Cleveland Cavaliers 17 11 6 6 3 5 3 87.8 80.8 64.7 5.0 L 1
10. Portland Trail Blazers 20 12 8 6 2 6 6 97.3 92.7 60.0 5.5 W 2
11. Atlanta Hawks 19 11 8 6 1 5 7 88.5 85.8 57.9 6.0 W 1
12. Orlando Magic 15 8 7 5 5 3 2 87.5 89.4 53.3 7.0 L 3
13. Milwaukee Bucks 17 9 8 5 4 4 4 98.3 95.8 52.9 7.0 W 1
14. Charlotte Hornets 18 9 9 5 2 4 7 93.6 94.7 50.0 7.5 W 1
15. Indiana Pacers 16 8 8 3 4 5 4 93.5 89.0 50.0 7.5 W 5
16. Washington Bullets 17 7 10 4 6 3 4 95.6 97.1 41.2 9.0 L 4
17. Philadelphia 76ers 18 7 11 4 5 3 6 97.2 100.9 38.9 9.5 L 3
18. Dallas Mavericks 18 7 11 5 4 2 7 94.7 99.0 38.9 9.5 W 2
19. Minnesota Timberwolves 18 7 11 5 2 2 9 91.0 95.6 38.9 9.5 L 3
20. Los Angeles Clippers 19 7 12 3 6 4 6 90.5 93.8 36.8 10.0 L 2
21. Toronto Raptors 18 6 12 6 6 0 6 90.2 95.1 33.3 10.5 L 1
22. Golden State Warriors 19 6 13 4 7 2 6 98.9 103.9 31.6 11.0 L 2
23. Sacramento Kings 19 6 13 2 5 4 8 90.7 99.2 31.6 11.0 L 1
24. New Jersey Nets 15 4 11 2 6 2 5 94.1 100.5 26.7 11.0 L 1
25. Boston Celtics 17 4 13 4 7 0 6 95.2 101.5 23.5 12.0 L 5
26. Denver Nuggets 20 5 15 2 8 3 7 94.0 100.4 25.0 12.5 L 6
27. Phoenix Suns 17 3 14 2 6 1 8 95.1 100.3 17.6 13.0 W 2
28. San Antonio Spurs 17 3 14 2 8 1 6 88.0 94.6 17.6 13.0 L 1
29. Vancouver Grizzlies 20 3 17 2 7 1 10 86.2 98.1 15.0 14.5 L 1
--------
TG - ukupan broj odigranih utakmica
TW - ukupan broj pobeda
TL - ukupan broj poraza
HW - broj pobeda na domaćem terenu
HL - broj poraza na domaćem terenu
AW - broj pobeda na gostujućem terenu
AL - broj poraza na gostujućem terenu
TPA - prosek postignutih koševa
OPA - prosek primljenih koševa
% - procenat pobeda
GB - broj zaostalih utakmica
Str - poslednja serija pobeda (W) ili poraza (L)
* - ekipa je već osigurala učešće u playoff-u
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) 1996 Vladimir Poznanović <vpoznanovic@sezam.co.yu>
nba.1992nba.news,
Mills sets record for consecutive treys
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Detroit Pistons forward Terry Mills made his
first two 3-point attempts against New Jersey on Saturday night,
giving him an NBA record 14 in a row.
After setting the record, Mills missed his next 3-point attempt early
in the second quarter.
Mills broke the old record of 13, set last January by Brent Price when
he played for the Bullets.
"I was in Washington when Brent set the record and it was the same
type of thing," Detroit forward Michael Curry said Friday after a
victory over Cleveland. "For both of them, it looked like everything
they took was going to go in."
Mills started out 1 for 2 from beyond the arc before hitting six in a
row Wednesday night during a 100-90 victory over Atlanta.
He made all six of his attempts against Cleveland.
"I was aware I needed one more for the record, but I didn't care,"
Mills said Friday. "I won't even be thinking about it at New Jersey.
All I care about is that I am finally assuming the kind of role I
wanted on this team. My confidence is at an all-time high."
nba.1993nba.news,
Shaq: If I were Hakeem, I would retire
Shaquille O'Neal has some advice for Dream Team III teammate Hakeem
Olajuwon: retire.
O'Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star center, said he would retire
if he were Olajuwon, who has been hospitalized twice in the last month
for treatment of an irregular heartbeat.
"Health is the most important thing to me," O'Neal said Tuesday. "I
don't want to see nothing bad happen to him. If I was him in this
position -- 12 years in the league, he is a great player, a legend
already -- I would (retire)."
Olajuwon returned to the Houston Rockets' lineup Wednesday and had 16
points, seven rebounds, seven assists and five blocks in 40 minutes in
a 94-89 victory over Boston. He was released from Houston's Methodist
Hospital two days earlier after being treated for a recurrence of
atrial fibrillation. Olajuwon is taking Lanoxin, a drug that controls
heart rate.
The 33-year-old Olajuwon also was hospitalized after a November 19th
game against Minnesota. He underwent an exercise stress test and an
echocardiogram and was released two days later after both were normal.
The 11-time All-Star rested for a week and missed three games, all
Houston wins. Olajuwon returned November 26th and scored 21 points in
a 102-101 overtime victory over Portland.
"I know it's not life-threatening, that's a comfort," Olajuwon said in
an interview with Turner Network Television that aired after Friday
night's game between the Lakers and Orlando Magic. "It's like flying
on an airplane. The plane may crash, but you don't know."
O'Neal, who is nine years younger than Olajuwon, said he is not sure
whether doctors and team officials are being candid about Olajuwon's
condition. While reiterating he would leave the game in Olajuwon's
position, O'Neal also said he supports whatever course Olajuwon takes.
"Your health is important. If that happened to me, I would find
something else to do. Retire? Hell yeah," O'Neal said. "I don't want
to see nothing happen to him because he is my favorite player.
Whatever he decides to do, I'm with him."
nba.1994nba.news,
Veterans a key to Rockets blast off
(Dec 7, 1996 - 08:30 EST) -- Take a guy with bad knees, another with a
bad heart, and a third who loves to be "bad," and what do you get? The
16-2 Houston Rockets.
The creaky three-headed monster of Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and
Charles Barkley has led Houston to the NBA's best record this side of
Chicago, and made the Rockets a favorite to reach the NBA Finals for
the third time in four years.
Provided they make it that far. Drexler missed 30 games with knee
problems last year; various ailments have sidelined Barkley for 42
games the past three seasons and Olajuwon was recently hospitalized
with a rapid heartbeat for the second time in two weeks.
"We could drop dead any day, as old as we are," Barkley said after a
recent win over Washington, but before Olajuwon's second heart
episode. "I never know what's going to happen around here. I get
excited just to see Clyde and Hakeem in practice."
Opponents don't share Sir Charles' enthusiasm. When the Rockets are
healthy, they have arguably the most formidable one-two-three punch in
the NBA. So far they've lost only to the Lakers in double overtime and
to Toronto Monday without Olajuwon. Their first showdown with the
Bulls is Jan. 11 in Chicago.
Hakeem, 33, returned Wednesday and played 40 minutes in the Rockets'
94-89 victory over Boston. He's now taking medication and his doctors
say the problem is not career- or life-threatening.
"I try to look at it on the bright side," Olajuwon told reporters
after the game. "The doctor says if you have to have a heart problem,
this is the one to have."
Averaging 25.1 points and 9.4 rebounds, the Dream's performance is
critical to the Rockets, whose three stars are an aggregate 100 years
old. But he's thankful that he's not flying solo.
"It's a blessing to have this much talent," he said. "Usually when you
get older, it means it more difficult. But in this case it's much
easier."
The Rockets are proving there are intangible advantages to having a
veteran-led team, especially when the game is on the line. The Rockets
have won five games with margins of four points or fewer.
"When you look in your team's eyes, and you see they aren't giving up,
that's a hell of a feeling," said coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
Barkley says this is only the second team in his 13-year career where
everyone has had the same goal -- winning the NBA title.
"My first year in Phoenix, everyone had the same motivation," he said.
"But everyone's agenda changed the next year.
"You can't have one guy trying to have a big year as a free agent. You
can't have one guy who wants to be an All-Star. You can't have one guy
who's trying to get his name in the paper."
Since being traded from Phoenix in the offseason, Barkley's scoring is
down (20.8 vs. his career average of 23.3), but his rebounding is up
-- way up. Barkley leads the league at 16.4, up nearly five boards
from his career average.
"When I came here, I could have scored 25 points a night, but they
didn't need that," Barkley said. "I had to do something to cooperate.
"It's going to come down to us, Seattle and Utah. They're the only
three teams in the West that have a shot at it. The rest of them are
just wasting their time."
nba.1995nba.news,
Almost like old times for Shaq against Magic
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Dec 7, 1996 - 12:18 EST) -- It was like old times
when friends Shaquille O'Neal and Dennis Scott had lunch together and
hung out before the Orlando Magic game.
Then they arrived at the Forum and headed to separate locker rooms --
O'Neal to the Lakers and Scott to the Magic.
O'Neal faced his former team Friday night for the first time since
bolting last summer for a $120 million deal in Los Angeles. He started
0-for-4 before finishing with 25 points, 18 rebounds and a career
high-tying five steals in the Lakers' 92-81 victory.
"Maybe I was just trying to do too much," O'Neal said of his slow
start. "I wasn't looking to showcase, just come out with a win."
The reunion was missing Orlando stars Penny Hardaway and Nick
Anderson, who didn't dress because of injuries. Scott didn't play
because of a strained hamstring. Very little on the Magic is the same.
Half of its 14 players weren't around last season with O'Neal.
Brian Hill is still the caoch, however, and O'Neal doesn't appear to
like him any more now that he's a Laker. They did not speak.
"All of us weren't playing and that was one of the main reasons that
he was downplaying it," Scott said. "The big game he wants is in
March."
Magic fans are circling March 23 on their calendars, the date O'Neal
is sure to hear boos when he returns to Orlando for the first time as
a Laker.
O'Neal had downplayed Friday's game, claiming the Magic was just
another opponent. For a while, he even had Scott convinced.
"On a couple of plays, he didn't give any expression so I know he
wasn't as hyped as he normally is," Scott said. "But I think March is
when he's going to really come out and show all his emotions and be
the Shaq I know."
Scott's needling didn't faze O'Neal at the line, where the 7-foot-1
center is notoriously shaky. He made 7-of-10 free throws before
leaving with 42 seconds remaining.
"I kept teasing him when he shot free throws in the second half
saying, 'Gimme those, gimme those,"' Scott said. "One time he made the
first one, then looked up at me and I said, 'Gimme this one.' And he
said, 'All right, I'll give it to you.' And he made it again."
O'Neal's absence created a void at the center position that Orlando
has yet to fill. Rony Seikaly started strongly while O'Neal struggled,
but Seikalyl got in foul trouble and finished with 16 points and 10
rebounds.
"Shaq wanted to do extremely well against us, and you don't blame
him," Seikaly said. "Everybody that goes against his old team wants to
kill them, so we anticipated that."
The Magic led by 11 points in the second quarter, when scattered
booing erupted from the sellout crowd of 17,005.
O'Neal helped the Lakers get untracked with a three-point play that
sparked an 11-0 run over the final 3:59 of the second. O'Neal's hook
shot and fastbreak layup forged a 42-42 halftime tie.
"Shaq inspired everybody to play hard," Nick Van Exel said. "He wanted
to win this game real badly because it was against his old team. Guys
really took it to heart."
Orlando never got closer than 6 points in the fourth quarter.
O'Neal spent his first four NBA seasons in Orlando before the Lakers
lured him away as a free agent with a seven-year, $120 million
contract.
He has had hostile things to say about Magic management since then,
but he was all smiles before tipoff. He hugged and joked with Horace
Grant during warmups, then chatted with Brian Shaw in the center
circle.
O'Neal and Scott didn't waste time gossiping about the injury-riddled
Magic over lunch at O'Neal's house.
"Everything else was about things that we've talked about every day
over the phone since his departure," Scott said. "We're like family. I
miss him more like a brother off the court than throwing lobs to him
and him setting picks to me."
nba.1996nba.news,
Brown is Bucks versatile insurance policy
(Dec 7, 1996 - 12:42 EST) -- It was the spring of 1995 and the Houston
Rockets were in trouble in their National Basketball Association
playoff series against the Phoenix Suns.
The Rockets trailed the Suns, 3-1, in the Western Conference semifinal
series with Game 5 to be played in Phoenix. But the Rockets not only
won that game, but also took Game 6 in Houston and the deciding
seventh game in Phoenix.
The Rockets went on to defeat San Antonio for the Western Conference
title and swept Orlando for their second straight NBA championship.
On a team that included Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Robert
Horry, forward Chucky Brown -- the newest member of the Milwaukee
Bucks -- was not the star of that Houston team. But he certainly had
an integral role in the Rockets' success.
"He ended up guarding Charles Barkley down the stretch in that
(Phoenix) series," said Bucks assistant coach Bob Weinhauer, who was
then the Rockets' vice president of basketball operations. "He was
instrumental in holding Charles down.
"One game Clyde (Drexler) had a 101-degree fever and Chucky ended up
scoring 12 or 14 points."
A little scoring, some rebounding and plenty of defense. That's just
what the Bucks will be looking for out of Brown, a 6-8 forward
acquired Wednesday in a trade with the Phoenix Suns for Darrin
Hancock.
Plus there are the intangibles.
Brown is an eight-year NBA veteran who knows what making a
championship run is all about.
"Here's a guy who's been in a championship rotation, from an attitude
standpoint," Weinhauer said. "He recognizes this is a young
up-and-coming team and, like a lot of people, sees improvement for the
future."
Playing for Houston's 1995 championship team has been the highlight of
Brown's career. He was a second-round draft choice of the Cleveland
Cavaliers in 1989 out of North Carolina State. He played two-plus
seasons in Cleveland and, prior to joining the Rockets in 1994, he
also played with the Los Angeles Lakers, in Italy, with New Jersey and
Dallas of the NBA, and with Grand Rapids and Yakima of the Continental
Basketball Association.
After spending two seasons in Houston, he was dealt to Phoenix as part
of the blockbuster trade that sent Barkley from Phoenix to Houston
last August.
Now he brings his no-nonsense approach to the game to Milwaukee. "He's
like a blue-collar worker," Weinhauer said. "He's a hard-nosed,
physical, defensive player. He's big enough to play the fours (power
forwards) and agile enough to play the threes (small forwards).
"He comes to work every day. There are very little frills to his game.
He's a solid, hard-working, unselfish individual.
"He'll be able to help; he's another big body when we get in foul
trouble. He understands defensive rotations and has a nice 17- or
18-foot jump shot."
Bucks coach Chris Ford said, "He's able to defend the strong threes
that post and try to wear you down physically."
That would be players such as New York's Larry Johnson, Indiana's
Derrick McKey and Washington's Juwan Howard, who have given the Bucks
fits at times in the past.
Hancock had been kept on the Bucks' roster as a backup to small
forward Glenn Robinson. But Hancock became expendable as Ford decided
to go primarily with a three-man rotation of Robinson, Johnny Newman
and Ray Allen at the small forward and shooting guard positions.
With Robinson averaging 38.8 minutes per game, Newman 27.4 and Allen
26.9, that didn't leave much time for Hancock. He had played in only
nine games for a total of 39 minutes.
"As much as we liked Darrin and his skills -- he was perfect for what
we were looking for at the time -- with Johnny and Ray and Glenn at
two and three there wasn't any time for him," Weinhauer said.
Brown played in 10 games for the Suns, averaging 3.4 points, 1.6
rebounds and 8.3 minutes.
"Chucky will be a real nice insurance policy for us," Weinhauer said.
nba.1997nba.news,
Trade winds sweep through desert
(Dec 7, 1996 - 06:48 EST) - Look for the first big trade of the season
to come out of Phoenix.
That seems to be the assumption among general managers, players and
agents, who expect a brief flurry of deals to commence once the Suns
decide how quickly they'll begin their rebuilding process.
Phoenix has 10 players in the final year of their contracts, and the
Suns will have $10.6 million in cap room next summer if all 10 players
are renounced.
With next summer's free agent market expected to be slim, the Suns
would prefer to acquire younger players and a first-round draft choice
to replace the likely lottery pick they sent to the Cleveland
Cavaliers in the Hot Rod Williams deal.
Phoenix can get Milwaukee's pick next summer if the Bucks make the
playoffs. The Suns acquired that pick in the Elliot Perry trade.
The Suns made a minor deal this week, trading Chucky Brown to
Milwaukee for Derrick Hancock and a second-round pick in a move that
cleared roster room for Mark Bryant. Hancock will be waived.
Among the Suns players most likely to be traded next: Robert Horry,
A.C. Green and Sam Cassell.
"Teams are looking for point guards, but they're trying to steal
Cassell," one Suns source said. "We're not going to get rid of him
just for the sake of making a trade."
Phoenix has been talking with the Portland Trail Blazers about
acquiring Clifford Robinson, whose $2.9 million contract expires at
the end of this season. The Blazers turned down the Suns' offer of
A.C. Green.
The Suns would like to get one of Boston's two No. 1 picks, but the
Celtics want Michael Finley or Wesley Person in return.
The Indiana Pacers aren't fully sold yet on Travis Best as their
full-time point guard and are trying to land a veteran playmaker.
Indiana is rumored to have offered Derrick McKey and Jalen Rose to
Golden State for Mark Price and another player -- an offer the
Warriors turned down.
Other point guard options for the Pacers include Greg Anthony, still
being shopped by Vancouver, and free agents Kenny Smith, Eric Murdock
and Spud Webb.
Miami seems a perfect fit for Smith, who was waived by the Detroit
Pistons two weeks ago. The Heat have been vulnerable to traps and
presses when Tim Hardaway has been getting his 11 minutes of rest per
game.
Webb is mulling offers from teams in the Italian and Spanish leagues.
He also is waiting to hear whether the NBA grants the Pacers a
$540,000 injury exception for Haywoode Workman's contract.
Shawn Bradley's name has been mentioned all season in trade rumors out
of East Rutherford, even more so in the past 10 days. But his early
season lack of production has kept other teams' offers low.
Bradley is averaging 10.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.07 blocks and has
been publicly ridiculed by his Nets teammates for his lack of
offseason conditioning. Coach John Calipari on Thursday ordered
Bradley to stay an extra 15 minutes after each non-game day practice
to work on his stamina.
Meanwhile, the status of Brian Williams remains dumbfounding, as agent
Fred Slaughter has been incommunicado for 2 1/2 weeks.
The Pacers and Jazz are the only teams that still have the $1 million
salary cap exception, and Indiana would sign him in a heartbeat if
Slaughter could find the time to contact the Pacers.
Utah, apparently pleased with centers Greg Ostertag and Antoine Carr,
seems unlikely to take a chance on Williams.
DUNCAN DREAMS: The Suns are crossing their fingers that the pick they
sent to Cleveland in the Hot Rod Williams trade won't end up becoming
Tim Duncan.
The Wake Forest center is a sure thing to be chosen No. 1 in next
summer's draft, and the Cavs have another factor working on their side
-- Toronto and Vancouver are prohibited from picking first overall, so
if the Suns finish with one of the three worst records in the NBA, the
Cavs will basically have three times as good of a chance at ending up
with the No. 1 pick.
If Cleveland somehow ends up with Duncan, it won't be the first time a
team has landed a bonanza by acquiring a future No. 1 pick.
In 1976, the New Orleans Jazz gave the Lakers a No. 1 pick for Gail
Goodrich, and Los Angeles used the pick on Magic Johnson.
In 1982, the Cavs dealt the overall No. 1 pick to the Lakers, which
turned out to be James Worthy. Cleveland also acquired the No. 1
overall pick in 1986 from the 76ers and used it on Brad Daugherty.
APTLY NAMED: A Raptor is a dinosaur, so it was strangely appropriate
that Toronto general manager Isaiah Thomas dug up two fossils last
week.
The Raptors signed 40-year-old John Long and 39-year-old Earl Cureton,
a pair of former Pistons who had been playing for Magic Johnson's
travelling All-Star team.
Long, 13-year veteran who had been out of the NBA since 1990-91, hit
the game-winning jumper in Toronto's victory over Washington on
Thursday night.
Cureton, who last played in the NBA for the 1993-94 Houston Rockets,
was signed just before the travelling All-Stars left for South Africa.
"John and myself broke into the league with veteran teams," Cureton
said. "I came in with Philadelphia with Julius Erving and Caldwell
Jones and people like that. Things they taught me stayed with me to
this day."
The Raptors waived Brad Lohaus to make room for Cureton.
"We need some old guys the players can talk to," coach Darrell Walker
said. "Players have to be able to talk to players, sometimes the
coaches are too emotional after the games."
OLD ROOKIE: The league is flush with 18, 19 and 20-year-old rookies --
and a 65-year-old rookie assistant coach.
Pete Carril, whose 30-year career at Princeton ended last spring after
a first-round upset victory over defending champion UCLA, is a
first-year assistant to Garry St. Jean with the Sacramento Kings.
He is learning how to deal with players who don't listen quite as
closely as his Ivy Leaguers used to.
"I don't feel like anything, a rookie, an old guy," Carril said. "I
know basketball. I know I can help the guards, the centers, I know I
can help anybody who wants help. But I wish I could contribute a
little bit more. I wish that some of the things that I've been working
on would have a little bit more impact."
Carril shunned a trip back to campus when the Kings were on an East
coast road trip.
"I don't want to be one of these guys that goes back, 'the grand old
... here he is again, the old guy.'
"I think I had been at Princeton too long. I was looking for something
different and yet not have the headaches.
"I don't have to worry about that anymore. Being an assistant coach,
you don't have the grind, your stomach doesn't churn. You don't suffer
with every pass that is thrown away. You are a lot calmer. The head
guy, that's the infantry."
REMEMBER BOBBY HURLEY?: Down the bench from Carril is another
ex-Jersey guy whose heyday may have passed.
Bobby Hurley, 25, is the last man off the bench for Sacramento.
The former Duke playmaker and No. 1 draft choice is averaging only 5.0
minutes, 1.5 points and 0.3 assists for the Kings.
"I have to feel that my NBA career has really been unfulfilling.
That's not really pleasant for me to think about. But that's the
reality of it,,' Hurley said.
Hurley's demise can be traced to a near-fatal auto accident during his
rookie season with Sacramento.
"It really affected my timing as far as coming into the league, just
being on a certain pace to do certain things. It just threw that
timetable really out of whack. I definitely had to start over."
BOOK NOOK: Just out is Harvey Pollack's annual NBA statistical
yearbook, with 140 pages of fascinating minutiae.
For instance, Pollack charted every basket Shaquille O'Neal made last
season. Included are 168 layups, 167 dunks and just six baskets from
outside of 12 feet.
Among some of the odd statistical leaders from last season:
--Most Dunks: Shawn Kemp, 197.
--Most Times Having Shot Blocked: Cedric Ceballos, 121.
--Most Turnovers: Jason Kidd, 328.
--Most Traveling Violations: Kemp, 56.
--Most Double-Figure Scoring Nights: Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, 82.
--Most Fines: Dennis Rodman, $30,000.
--Most Technical Foul Fines: Seattle, $46,000.
--Most Technical Foul Ejections: Dick Motta, 4.
--Most Career Games Without a Technical: Duane Ferrell, 463.
--Most Common Injury: Knee, 98.
--Most Offensive Fouls: Alonzo Mourning, 44.
--Most Goaltending Calls: Dikembe Mutombo, 44.
--Most Common Surname: Williams, 12; Smith, 8; Johnson, 7.
--Most Opening Taps Won: Elden Campbell, 56.
--Worst 3-Point Shooter: Oliver Miller, 0-for-11.
--Worst FG Percentage (Minimum 100): Bobby Hurley, 28.3.
nba.1998nba.news,
Knicks avenge earlier loss to Heat
MIAMI (Dec 7, 1996 - 12:24 EST) -- Round 3 is just 50 days away.
The New York Knicks salvaged a split of their first two games against
Miami, snapping the Heat's franchise-record nine-game winning streak
with a 103-85 victory Friday night.
New York avenged an embarrassing 99-75 loss at home to Miami on
Tuesday.
"Our team was taking a lot of heat -- no pun intended," coach Jeff Van
Gundy said.
Miami still leads the second-place Knicks by two games in the Atlantic
Division, and the teams next meet Jan. 26 at Madison Square Garden.
"I think the intensity and sparks will fly just about every time we
play against them now," Heat coach Pat Riley said of his former team.
Patrick Ewing won the battle of premier centers in the rematch,
scoring 26 points to go with seven rebounds. Miami's Alonzo Mourning,
who played only two minutes in the fourth quarter because of foul
trouble and was disqualified with 4:05 left, had 10 points and 16
rebounds.
"They kicked our butts royally in New York, and we came out and kicked
their butts tonight," Ewing said. "The other night they did anything
they wanted. Tonight we did a good job stopping them."
The game had plenty of pushing and shoving, and the Knicks' Larry
Johnson was ejected for a punching foul with 7:37 remaining.
Johnson scored 13 points. John Starks had 21 and Allen Houston 19 for
the Knicks, who outscored Miami 13-0 midway through the second half.
"We wanted to come here and redeem ourselves," Houston said. "We made
a step forward as a team."
Tim Hardaway had 28 points and nine assists for the Heat, who play at
Chicago tonight.
Houston hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a 9-0 run by the Knicks
to end the third period, giving them a 74-66 lead. The spurt also
included a four-point play by Starks.
Starks then converted a three-point play as New York scored the first
four points of the final period.
Miami closed to 79-76, but Ewing scored 12 points down the stretch to
help hold off the Heat.
"This team has had a good run," Riley said. "We don't want it to stop
here. We've got to put this behind us and move on."
The Heat had made 27 3-pointers in the previous two games, but were
just 6-for-24 against New York.
"They had some good looks and missed," Van Gundy said. "The other
night they were making them, even the tested shots."
The Knicks hit 10 of 19 3-pointers. The trip to Miami was just what
they needed, forward Charles Oakley said.
"It was 85 degrees," he said. "We rejuvenated ourselves."
nba.1999nba.news,
One punch costs Johnson a one game suspension
NEW YORK (Dec 7, 1996 - 12:18 EST) -- One punch cost Larry Johnson of
the New York Knicks a game's pay plus a $5,000 fine on Saturday.
Johnson was suspended and fined by the NBA for throwing a punch at
Keith Askins of the Heat in the final quarter of the Knicks' 103-85
victory in Miami Friday night.
The punch to the face resulted in an immediate ejection, and the fine
was imposed by Rod Thorn, the league's disciplinarian.
Johnson sat out the Knicks' home game Saturday night against the
Clippers and will not be paid for the game.
Jeff Van Gundy, the Knicks' coach, said he didn't know what triggered
the punch, but said he saw Askins elbow Johnson as the two battled for
a rebound.
Right after the incident, and Johnson's ejection, the Knicks went on a
24-10 run.
"I'd do it every night if I we'd go 24-10," Johnson said Friday night.
nba.2000nba.news,
NBA reviewing Karl's outburst in Minnesota game
SEATTLE (Dec 7, 1996 - 06:24 EST) -- If Sonics head coach George Karl
is to be further disciplined for his outburst in the fourth quarter of
Thursday's win over Minnesota, it won't happen until Monday.
The NBA started its review of the incident Friday, but decided to hold
off until after the weekend to decide if Karl will be further fined or
suspended.
Karl was ejected with five minutes left in the 117-86 win over the
Timberwolves on Thursday night at KeyArena when he stormed after
official Bennett Salvatore and had to be restrained by assistant Terry
Stotts and Shawn Kemp. Kemp was also ejected, which carries an
automatic $1,000 fine.
Karl will be back on the bench Saturday night as the Sonics host the
Charlotte Hornets at 7 p.m. PST at KeyArena.
On Friday, Karl repeated his statements of Thursday night that he
didn't think he had done anything, such as bumping Salvatore, that
might bring about any additional penalty. However, he also said he is
uncertain as to the NBA's thinking on such incidents.
"The last five, six years, it seems every year they have different
guidelines and interpretations," Karl said. "The unfortunate thing is
this is kind of the first blowup of the year (in the NBA) -- no one's
kind of gone crazy except for me."
Karl also again refused to go into the specifics of what it was that
set him off.
Karl became enraged while arguing a flagrant foul call on Antonio
Harvey, the latest in a stream of calls that upset the Sonics -- Gary
Payton, Detlef Schrempf and Larry Stewart were also assessed
technicals on the night.
However, Karl did say that he thinks Salvatore didn't do his best to
defuse the situation.
"This year, it seems I've had more players come to me about the
referees getting after them a little bit," Karl said. "The league has
kind of spoken that they want the referees to talk more and relate a
little more than they have in the past.
"I thought (Salvatore) came to me a little bit. In the beginning, he
came after me and then I went crazy and as I was walking away, he came
back toward me and I lost it."
Karl also said the flare up might have been the unleashing of some
pent-up frustrations.
"I don't want to say you need it or that it is necessary," Karl said.
"But this game has a lot of pressures to it, and once you get it out,
it stabilizes it. I'm not sure it was something that was good or bad
or right or wrong. I'm pretty sure when it happens, you have built up
anger, frustration and animosity, and then it gets out and you feel
better."
Karl said he'd had five or six similar situations during his NBA
career. "I don't know if it was the worst, but maybe it was the
longest," Karl said.
The ejection overshadowed a win that was Karl's 400th of his career.
"It will be one I will remember," Karl said.