NBA Roundup : Bullets Can’t Stop Former Teammate Vincent, 124-109

A trade can’t be judged on one game, but after Friday night’s meeting between the Washington Bullets and the Denver Nuggets at Landover, Md., it looks like “advantage, Denver”.

Jay Vincent scored 33 points, matching his season high, and Michael Adams had 12 points and 10 assists as the Nuggets handed Washington a 124-109 defeat. Vincent and Adams were traded by the Bullets to Denver on Nov. 2, in exchange for Mark Alarie and Darrell Walker, now on the injured list.

Vincent made 15 of 20 shots for the Nuggets, who shot 56.3%. Alex English scored 27 points, and Fat Lever had 20 for Denver.

English scored 11 points in the third period, including three straight field goals, after the Bullets had pulled even for the first time since the first period. After a basket by Terry Catledge, Lever scored five consecutive points to complete an 11-2 run that put Denver ahead, 72-63.

The Bullets were able to close within four points, but Denver went on to lead, 93-80, after three periods.

Catledge scored a season-high 27 points for Washington, which has lost four straight games. Jeff Malone added 20, and Moses Malone had 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Portland 127, Philadelphia 125--Clyde Drexler stole an inbounds pass and drove for a layup at the buzzer to give the Trail Blazers the victory at Portland.

Drexler, who finished with 37 points, hit two free throws with three seconds left to tie the score, then stole a 76er pass from Cliff Robinson intended for Andrew Toney near midcourt and drove for the winning basket as time expired.

Jerome Kersey scored 36 points, and Richard Anderson added 22 for the Blazers. Charles Barkley led Philadelphia with 37 points, and Robinson contributed 31.