NBA ROUNDUP : Mavericks Edge Spurs, 96-94

This was going to be the season for the Dallas Mavericks. Roy Tarpley, their talented center, seemed to have overcome his drug problems and was ready to achieve stardom.

In addition, they had added a standout guard, Fat Lever.

Tarpley’s season ended in the fifth game, Lever’s the game before. The Mavericks didn’t exactly give up----they simply became candidates for the draft lottery.

Despite the depleted team, the Mavericks have developed into giant-killers. Among others, they have upset the Lakers twice, Portland, Milwaukee and Golden State.

Add the San Antonio Spurs, leaders of the Midwest Division, to the list of victims.

The sharpshooting of Rolando Blackman overcame an outstanding game by David Robinson and the Mavericks beat the Spurs, 96-94, Saturday night at Dallas.

Blackman scored 14 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks held on for only their 19th victory in 48 games. His free throw with 20 seconds to play gave the Mavericks the lead for good.

Rodney McCray made one of two free throws with five seconds left and the Spurs had one more chance to get even. But Sean Elliott’s 12-foot baseline jumper was an air ball.

With Utah winning, the Spurs’ lead in the division was cut to one game.

Robinson scored 16 points in the first quarter, finished with 34 and had 19 rebounds. He was 15 for 22 from the field.

The Mavericks were playing their fourth game in five nights. The Spurs have played 10 games at home and a game in Houston since Jan. 19. However, they must play at Utah Monday night.

It was the second loss in a row for the Spurs, who lost at home to Phoenix Thursday night.

The Spurs are 2-2 since Coach Larry Brown changed his lineup to get his two centers in the starting lineup. Robinson moved to forward so 7-foot-2 rookie Dwayne Schintzius could start at center.

The Mavericks’ 6-11 Herb Williams and James Donaldson were outscored, 48-12, and outrebounded, 24-16.

But the Spurs didn’t have an answer for Blackman. He was 11 for 22 from the field, including two for two on three-pointers.

“He had the look,” backcourt mate Derek Harper said of Blackman. “He was in one of those unconscious modes. When he is in one of those, everything goes in. He can’t be beat.”

Golden State 133, Philadelphia 124--The Warriors overcame a superb performance by Charles Barkley at Oakland to sweep the 76ers in their two-game season series for the first time in 18 years.

Chris Mullin had 37 points and Tim Hardaway added 26 as the Warriors led most of the way.

Barkley, who was hurt and didn’t play when the Warriors won in Philadelphia a month ago, had 40 points.

Utah 115, Minnesota 107--John Stockton gave the Jazz the extra lift they needed at Salt Lake City to bounce back from a tough loss Friday night at Portland.

Stockton, who was only three for 13 in defeat, was eight for 12, had 15 rebounds and 25 points to lead the Jazz.

Stockton helped the Jazz build an 11-point lead in the third quarter, but Tony Campbell and Tyrone Corbin sparked a rally that put Minnesota ahead, 90-88, with 10 minutes to play.

Stockton and Karl Malone each led a rally that put the game away. Malone finished with 28 points.

“We wanted Malone to shoot from outside,” said Campbell, who had 25 points. “And we did, but he buried us.”

Houston 100, Phoenix 91--Only the Rockets have done a good job of learning to survive without a superstar, in this case Akeem Olajuwon.

Led by Otis Thorpe, they have virtually ensured themselves of a playoff berth.

Thorpe had 27 points and 20 rebounds at Houston as the Rockets beat the Suns for their ninth victory in their last 11 games.

Sun Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons was most impressed by the 25 rebounds grabbed by Larry Smith, the 6-8 center replacement for Olajuwon.

“Larry Smith is a monster,” he said. “I have always respected him. They whipped us in every category and Smith just beat up on us.”

Chicago 99, New Jersey 87--The Nets aren’t ready to beat a good team on the road, but they are no longer pushovers.

They battled the Bulls on even terms for almost three quarters at Chicago before Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen proved too much.

Jordan, who had 26 points, and Pippen (21) led an 18-8 surge that broke it open after the score was 61-61.

Craig Hodges came off the bench to go seven for 10 for the Bulls, who lead Detroit by a game in the Central Division.

Atlanta 122, Seattle 113--With Dale Ellis gone and Ricky Pierce not yet on hand, the SuperSonics had nobody to handle Spud Webb at Atlanta.

Webb had 21 points and 14 assists to lead the Hawks to their 16th consecutive home victory.

Dominique Wilkins led the Hawks with 36 points and 10 rebounds.

Derrick McKey, making 10 of 12 shots, led Seattle with 30 points.

Miami 94, Charlotte 82--Ron Seikaly scored 12 of his 22 points during the fourth quarter at Miami, enabling the Heat to pull away and get consecutive victories for the first time this season.

The Heat, which routed Denver Thursday night, fell behind, 36-19, in the second quarter before Rex Chapman and Sherman Douglas rallied them.