NBA ROUNDUP : Warriors Hand Trail Blazers Third Defeat

The Portland Trail Blazers lost for only the third time in 25 games as Tim Hardaway scored a career-high 36 points Thursday night to lead Golden State to a 125-118 victory at Oakland.

Portland, which beat the Warriors at home two nights earlier, 112-94, had lost previously to Phoenix (123-109) on Nov. 20 and to Sacramento (100-88) on Dec. 13.

Golden State led, 115-112, with 1:49 remaining when Portland’s Kevin Duckworth fouled out when he was called for a flagrant foul on Alton Lister. After Lister made both free throws, Tom Tolbert’s drive put the Warriors ahead, 119-112.

Portland’s Buck Williams, who led all rebounders with 16, scored a quick basket and, after a Warrior miss, Portland had a chance to make a run. But Clyde Drexler lost the ball just past midcourt, and Hardaway’s breakaway lay-up put the game out of reach with 27 seconds left.

Chris Mullin scored 25 points and Mitch Richmond 24 for the Warriors. Terry Porter scored 22 and Duckworth 17 for the Trail Blazers.

Atlanta 105, Utah 87--”We were flipping the ball around. That’s pretty basketball,” Dominique Wilkins said after Atlanta won at home for its sixth consecutive victory.

“We’ve been passing the ball well that last couple of weeks,” said Wilkins, who scored 20 points, including five in a first-quarter run that gave the Hawks control. “We’re on top of our game.”

Atlanta went on an 11-2 run to lead by 10 points with 5:33 left in the first quarter.

“We came out so strong so quick it had to be frustrating to them,” said Glenn Rivers, who scored 15 points. “Finally we all know our roles. It’s unfortunate it took that nine-game losing streak to do it.”

Boston 115, Charlotte 96--The Celtics rolled to their sixth consecutive victory as Reggie Lewis scored 12 points during a decisive third quarter at Charlotte.

It was the eighth loss in a row for the Hornets.

Lewis finished with 24 points for the Celtics (21-4). Larry Bird scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had 10 assists, and Kevin McHale added 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Armon Gilliam scored 26 points for Charlotte.

Houston 128, Orlando 126--Sleepy Floyd scored a tying layup with three seconds remaining in regulation and added the final basket in overtime at Houston as the Rockets beat the Magic.

Akeem Olajuwon scored 24 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked 11 shots as Houston sent Orlando to its seventh consecutive loss.

Backup forward David Wood scored a career-high 27 points for the Rockets.

Orlando rookie Dennis Scott scored a season-high 35 points and Scott Skiles added a career-high 31 for the Magic. But Scott missed a three-point attempt at the final buzzer.

Seattle 110, Sacramento 75--Dale Ellis scored 11 of his season-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, but the game was already decided as the SuperSonics ended a three-game road losing streak.

Seattle opened a 21-9 lead in the first quarter as Sacramento made only three of its first 17 shots.