NBA Roundup : Sampson Puts In an Appearance

Ralph Sampson, after missing the first six games with a sprained ankle, picked a soft spot Sunday at Houston for his first appearance of the season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers provided what opposition there was and, thanks to a quirk in the schedule, it was little more than a workout for the Rockets.

The Cavaliers were playing their seventh game on a trip that began at Salt Lake City Nov. 5. By the time they got to Houston, the Cavaliers were dead tired.

While Sampson played just 27 minutes, it was fourth-year pro Mitchell Wiggins who led the Rockets (5-2) to a 134-106 romp over the weary Cavaliers.

Wiggins scored a career-high 30 points, breaking the game open with a sharpshooting outburst at the start of the second half. At halftime the Rockets led, 62-47. Wiggins opened the third quarter by scoring 15 of the Rockets’ first 20 points, sinking 7 of 8 shots from the field.

Wiggins, who scored only 11 points in the two previous games, was 13 for 18 from the field and also had 9 rebounds.

Sampson, out since hurting the ankle in an exhibition game Oct. 21, entered the game halfway through the first period. His first shot was a layup he turned into a three-point play. He finished with 11 points, making 4 of 5 shots.

To make room for Sampson on the roster, the Rockets released eight-year veteran guard Allen Leavell.

The Cavaliers won two of the first three games on the road, then slowly disintegrated and lost the last four.

Washington 124, Indiana 111--Four years ago when he was in the process of leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA championship, Moses Malone was a dominating force in almost every game.

Although he is only 31, Malone is now a dominating force only occasionally. On certain nights he is devastating.

This game at Landover, Md., was vintage Malone. He scored 38 points and had 21 rebounds to make the Bullets’ third win in nine games a romp.

In the three wins, Malone had 32, 33 and 38 points and had 11, 13 and 21 rebounds. If Malone doesn’t score at least 30, the Bullets don’t win.

He has been considerably less than dominating in the six defeats, averaging just 17.7 points and 9.7 rebounds.

Portland 124, Utah 103--Inability to win on the road is keeping the Jazz from leading the Midwest Division.

Kiki Vandeweghe scored 32 points at Portland as the Trail Blazers went to the front early and won easily. The Jazz, who are 5-0 at home, are 0-3 on the road.

After a slow start, the Trail Blazers have won four of their last five games to climb out of the cellar in the Pacific Division.

Clyde Drexler had 21 for the Blazers and Steve Johnson 18.