NBA Roundup : Sampson Returns, but Nets Defeat Rockets to End Eight-Game Slump

The New Jersey Nets had sunk so low their coach was contemplating retirement at the age of 37.

They had lost eight in a row. They were missing two of their top players----Darryl Dawkins and Otis Birdsong----because of injuries. Their three previous games on the trip had been blowouts.

But when they arrived in Houston to find the better half of the Twin Towers (Akeem Olajuwon) was missing, they acquired a new lease on life.

Before the game, Coach Dave Wohl was given a vote of confidence by management, and the Nets went out to turn in their most spirited performance of the season.

Buck Williams scored 27 points and Pace Mannion, starting at guard in place of the disappointing rookie, Pearl Washington, had 25 and the Nets ended their losing streak with a 102-97 victory over the Rockets.

While Olajuwon, who has knee and ankle injuries, was missing, Ralph Sampson, the other Rocket giant, returned to play just his third game of the season.

Although he wore out after playing a hard 37 minutes, the 7-4 Sampson, who plays forward when Olajuwon is healthy, played well for a man who missed most of the exhibition season and all but two previous games during the regular season. He scored 23 points, had 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

There was no denying the Nets, expected to be one of the better teams in the East before getting off to a 2-12 start. They had lost 11 out of 12 after beating the New York Knicks in the opener.

Mannion, who also had four steals, seven rebounds and six assists, kept the attack moving and Williams did the rebounding (13) and led the offense.

It became so offensive to Rocket Coach Bill Fitch that he picked up two technical fouls in the second quarter and didn’t have to stay around for the dismal finish.

After the Nets’ lackluster performance at Dallas Friday night where they were overwhelmed, 119-94, Wohl was downcast.

“Maybe it’s time for me to make a decision whether they need another coach,” Wohl said. “I don’t seem to be reaching them. I could deal with the losing, but I don’t think the last seven, eight games we’ve been getting the effort.

“Physically, I don’t think we’ve been in the game. We don’t have the spirit. I think that’s a reflection on the coach.”

Principal owners Alan Aufzien, David Gerstein and Bernie Mann didn’t agree and, apparently, either did the players. They played spiritedly throughout and were tough defensively. In the second half the Rockets scored only 43 points.

Wohl benched Washington for the whole game and started Jeff Turner at forward in place of Orlando Woolridge. Woolridge came off the bench to play 38 minutes and contribute 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Cleveland 90, New York 88--Another coach having a rough time is Hubie Brown of the Knicks. The New York fans boo him early and often, then usually key in on a player later.

Patrick Ewing, despite playing a strong game, was a special target because he missed 11 of 15 free-throw attempts. The last one, with two seconds left was on purpose in the hopes the Knicks would get the rebound and tie the game. The others weren’t, including the first of the two just before the end.

A jumper by 6-10 rookie John Williams with 96 seconds left gave the Cavaliers the lead for good, 87-85.

Golden State 115, Chicago 106--Joe Barry Carroll scored eight of his 26 points in the last 2 1/2 minutes at Oakland to help the Warriors overcome a 40-point performance by Michael Jordan.

The Bulls forged in front early in the last quarter, only to go six minutes without a field goal and fall behind by six. In the closing seconds Chicago’s Brad Sellers made two backcourt violations that helped the Warriors clinch their fourth win in a row.

Jordan warmed up after scoring only four points in the first quarter.

Washington 116, San Antonio 103--For the first time this season, the Bullets won a game in which Moses Malone didn’t 30 points.

Jeff Malone, despite the flu, had 26, while Malone, nursing a finger injury, had only 16 in the win at Landover, Md.

Dallas 118, Utah 107--Derek Harper sank two three-point baskets a minute apart late in the game at Dallas to send the Mavericks to their fifth in a row and strengthen their grip on first place in the Midwest Division.

Milwaukee 131, Denver 99--Terry Cummings scored 12 of his 23 points in a blistering Bucks’ third quarter at Milwaukee. The Bucks outscored the Nuggets, 44-20, in the period to blow the game open.