NBA Roundup : Vandeweghe Scores 48, but Blazers Beaten by Sonics

Kiki Vandeweghe scored 48 points, but they weren’t enough to keep the Portland Trail Blazers from going down to a 127-122 defeat by the Seattle SuperSonics Thursday night at Seattle.

Dale Ellis collected 38 points for Seattle and made a key steal in the final minute.

With Seattle leading, 123-122, Ellis picked off a pass and drove the length of the court for a layup with 59 seconds left.

Seattle’s Alton Lister blocked eight shots, three in the final minute.

Vandeweghe made 19 of 31 shots and 10 of 13 free throws.

Denver 121, San Antonio 104--Alex English scored 43 points, making 18 of 22 shots, to lead the Nuggets past the Spurs at Denver.

Denver broke a four-game losing streak and took a three-game lead over San Antonio in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

English connected on 12 of 13 shots and scored 26 points as the Nuggets built a 64-58 halftime lead. Denver broke away to a 16-point lead early in the final period.

Denver’s Lafayette Lever had 20 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. David Greenwood and Alvin Robertson each scored 15 for the Spurs.

Phoenix 126, Cleveland 102--Alvan Adams scored 23 points, and the Suns broke a seven-game losing streak by turning back the Cavaliers at Phoenix.

Interim Coach Dick Van Arsdale posted his first victory as the Suns sent Cleveland to its sixth straight loss.

Adams, who made 10 for 13 shots, was backed by Larry Nance, who had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocked shots.

Rookie Ron Harper had 27 points for the Cavaliers.

Golden State 105, Houston 96--Joe Barry Carroll scored 31 points, and Sleepy Floyd added 20 as the Warriors beat the Rockets at Oakland.

Akeem Olajuwon scored 24 points for Houston.