NBA ROUNDUP : Suns Hand Trail Blazers Their First Loss

The Phoenix Suns had brooded for four days after being the team to end New Jersey’s record 34-game losing streak on the road.

They took it out on the hot Trail Blazers Tuesday night at Portland, ending the Blazers’ 11-game winning streak with a 123-109 victory.

Although the Trail Blazers fell behind by 18 points and lost their leading scorer, Clyde Drexler, on an ejection in the second quarter, they didn’t go quietly.

After trailing, 73-55, at halftime, the Blazers rallied. On a three-pointer by Danny Ainge, they took an 89-88 lead with almost two minutes left in the third quarter.

Kevin Johnson and rookie Negele Knight led a 14-6 run at the start of the fourth quarter that put the Suns in charge again. The Blazers were only four for 17 in the first nine minutes of the last quarter.

Drexler, averaging 25.3 points per game, committed a flagrant foul, then a technical and departed with 3:11 to play in the half. He had 12 points in 16 minutes.

Phoenix had a measure of satisfaction in that the Blazers knocked the Suns out of the playoffs last spring after the Suns eliminated the Lakers.

And the loss to the Nets provided more motivation. “Cotton (Coach Fitzsimmons) wouldn’t let us forget what happened against New Jersey,” said Eddie Johnson, who had 21 points in the second quarter. “He had us ready to roar.”

Detroit 120, Atlanta 97--On the road, as well as at home, the two-time champion Pistons are piling up impressive victories.

At Atlanta, the Pistons (11-2) stretched their winning streak to eight games and improved their road record to 5-2.

Bill Laimbeer led the Pistons, who are off to their best start, with 25 points.

The Pistons trailed by four in the second quarter when Laimbeer and Dominique Wilkins got into a shoving match. The altercation worked in favor of Laimbeer and the Pistons, who took charge shortly thereafter.

New Jersey 98, Philadelphia 92--No. 1 draft pick Derrick Coleman put on a show at East Rutherford, N.J., and the improving Nets won their third in a row.

The 6-10 center had 28 points and 23 rebounds, the most rebounds in the league this season, outplaying Charles Barkley.

Cleveland 107, New York 102--The Knicks can’t seem to find a home-court advantage. Craig Ehlo scored five of his 21 points in a 9-0 fourth-quarter run that enabled the Cavaliers to hand the Knicks their fifth home loss in seven games. Last season the Knicks did not lose their fifth home game until March 6.

Washington 115, Golden State 113--Shortly after signing a new multiyear contract, Bernard King had 39 points at Landover, Md.

Mitch Richmond returned after missing four games with an ankle injury and scored 28 points for the Warriors .

Denver 124, Orlando 113--Paul Westhead’s running game works when the Nuggets play teams with comparable ability.

In this game at Denver, Orlando Woolridge has 28 points and the Nuggets ended a four-game losing streak with their second victory in 13 games. Denver had to overcome a 101-95 deficit. San Antonio 124, Seattle 111--Sean Elliott scored 28 points at Seattle and the Spurs went on a 13-2 spurt to open the fourth quarter after falling behind by two points after three quarters.

David Robinson of the Spurs, No. 2 scorer in the league, had 25 points.

Minnesota 89, Sacramento 80--Ty Corbin scored 11 of his 17 points in the third quarter to help the Timberwolves take charge and hand the Kings their 12th home loss in a row going back to last season.

Milwaukee 112, Indiana 98--Ricky Pierce scored 29 of his 37 points in the second half at Milwaukee to lead the Bucks to their fifth victory in a row.