NBA Roundup : Olajuwon-Led Rockets Hand Pistons First Loss

Akeem Olajuwon had 34 points and 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets handed the Detroit Pistons their first loss after 8 victories, 109-98, Saturday night at Houston.

Detroit led, 89-86, but Houston scored 8 straight points to take the lead for good. Olajuwon had 2 points, a steal and 2 rebounds in the streak and added a 3-point play with 41 seconds left to give the Rockets a 101-93 lead.

Isiah Thomas had 26 points for Detroit.

Charlotte 107, San Antonio 105--Kelly Tripucka hit 2 free throws with 3 seconds left as the Hornets got their first road victory at San Antonio.

Charlotte led, 105-99, with 1:44 left, but San Antonio scored the next 6 points on field goals by Greg Anderson, Alvin Robertson and Johnny Dawkins to tie the score with 45 seconds remaining.

Tripucka, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, finished with 31. Robertson and Willie Anderson had 24 points each for the Spurs.

Utah 134, Phoenix 121--Karl Malone scored a career-high 42 points, and John Stockton had 21 assists and set a club record for steals as the Jazz turned back the Suns at Salt Lake City.

Malone hit 14 of 19 shots and all 14 of his free throws in addition to grabbing 10 rebounds. Stockton added 19 points and broke by 1 his club steals record for a quarter with 6 in the second period.

Tom Chambers had 32 points and 12 rebounds for Phoenix.

Cleveland 106, Milwaukee 99--Brad Daugherty scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half and had 15 rebounds as the Cavaliers overcame a 9-point halftime deficit and downed the Bucks at Cleveland.

Daugherty and Ron Harper scored 4 points each during a 10-2 run that put Cleveland ahead, 61-60, and Daugherty made 4 of the Cavaliers’ 6 straight points for a 77-72 lead after 3 quarters.

Terry Cummings had 30 points for the Bucks.

Washington 108, Boston 104--Jeff Malone scored 9 of his 36 points in the final quarter, and the Bullets reversed a Friday night loss to the Celtics with a win at Landover, Md.

The Bullets scored 12 straight points to build an 88-74 lead early in the final period, and Malone hit 3 baskets in the final 3 minutes when the Celtics rallied.

Kevin McHale had 26 points for Boston, and Danny Ainge added 25.

Atlanta 111, Golden State 92--Dominique Wilkins had 32 points and 13 rebounds, and Reggie Theus scored 28 points as the Hawks beat the Warriors at Atlanta.

The Hawks took control with a 17-2 run for a 42-26 lead midway through the second quarter.

Mitch Richmond scored 24 points for the Warriors.

New York 141, Philadelphia 122--Patrick Ewing scored 27 points, and Johnny Newman added 25 as the Knicks overpowered the 76ers at New York.

The Knicks broke a tie with the 76ers for the Atlantic Division lead and got even for Friday night’s loss in Philadelphia. Ron Anderson scored 28 points for the 76ers.

Dallas 112, Seattle 106--Derek Harper and Sam Perkins scored 6 points each during a 15-6 spurt in the fourth quarter, and the Mavericks beat the SuperSonics at Seattle.

Perkins’ basket broke an 80-80 tie and put Dallas head to stay.

Mark Aguirre had 29 points for Dallas, and Perkins added 27. Xavier McDaniel had 31 points and 11 rebounds for Seattle.

Sacramento 107, Indiana 96--Ed Pinckney scored 26 points as the Kings defeated the Pacers at Sacramento in a battle of two of the NBA’s last three winless teams.

The Pacers (0-9) and the Miami Heat (0-7) have yet to win.

Chuck Person scored 22 points for Indiana.