NBA ROUNDUP : Rodman Gets Offensive for Pistons

Dennis Rodman of the Detroit Pistons is best known for the tenacity that earned him the NBA’s defensive player of the year award last season.

Rodman, however, displayed his offensive skills during the Pistons 118-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Rodman scored 34 points and grabbed 23 rebounds--both career highs--as the Pistons outrebounded the Nuggets, 63-36, during their fourth consecutive victory.

It was only the third time this season that Rodman scored in double figures.

“Right now, I’m in great shape,” said Rodman, who was hobbled by an ankle injury during the early part of the season. “This is the type of game I like to play.

“I knew I could get a lot of rebounds, but I didn’t think I was going to get 34 points.”

Rodman’s previous career-highs also came in the same game when he scored 32 points and had 21 rebounds on Feb. 18, 1989 at Golden State.

William Bedford helped put the Nuggets away by scoring 13 of his career-high 20 points in the third quarter.

Walter Davis scored 23 points to lead the Nuggets, who lost for the ninth time in 10 games.

Boston 113, New York 86--The Celtics used a 27-7 run to gain a 65-36 halftime lead at Boston, and the Knicks never got closer than 25 points.

Kevin McHale scored 20 points for the Celtics, who won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Pat Ewing, who spent much of the first half on the bench with foul trouble, led the Knicks with 19 points.

Indiana 121, San Antonio 109--Reggie Miller scored 18 of his game-high 36 points during the Pacers’ 45-point first quarter at Indianapolis.

Miller made 13 of 19 shots and eight free throws for the Pacers, who had their biggest first quarter since joining the NBA in 1976.

David Robinson led the Spurs with 22 points.

Utah 112, Miami 104--The Jazz overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and held Miami scoreless for the final 2:52 at Salt Lake City for its 12th victory in 15 games.

Karl Malone scored 40 points and John Stockton had 25 points and 17 assists for the Jazz.

Minnesota 115, Dallas 95--Tyrone Corbin had 13 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 points--the first triple-double in team history--as the Timberwolves beat the Mavericks at Minneapolis.

Pooh Richardson scored a career-high 31 points and Tony Campbell had 32 for the Timberwolves, who defeated the Mavericks for the fourth consecutive time.

Seattle 127, Philadelphia 99--The SuperSonics outscored the 76ers, 64-47, in the second and third quarters and cruised to an easy victory at Seattle.

Derrick McKey scored 24 points and Shawn Kemp added 20 for the Supersonics.

Philadelphia center Mike Gminski scored 11 points and became the 162nd player in the NBA to score 10,000 career points.

Phoenix 105, Cleveland 83--The Suns did not allow a field goal for nearly nine minutes of the fourth quarter at Richfield, Ohio, and dealt the Cavaliers their fifth consecutive loss.

Kevin Johnson scored 29 points for the Suns, who were without the injured Tom Chambers.

Milwaukee 106, Charlotte 91--The Bucks were leading, 83-77, in the fourth quarter at Charlotte, N.C., when they went on a 17-3 six-minute run, sending the Hornets to their 12 loss in 13 games.

Jack Sikma scored 22 points for the Bucks and made two three-point shots during the decisive run.