NBA ROUNDUP : Spurs Take Advantage of Trail Blazers’ Slow Start With 119-93 Victory

The Portland Trail Blazers opened last season by winning their first 11 games and 19 of their first 20.

They finished the regular season by winning 16 of 17.

It didn’t help in the playoffs, when they were eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

But this season they have put it in reverse.

They lost their third in a row Wednesday night, when the Spurs beat them at San Antonio, 119-93.

Last year, Portland (1-3) did not suffer its third loss until its 25th game.

Wednesday, Sean Elliott made two three-point baskets and led a 14-5 run at the start of the fourth quarter to lead San Antonio. Elliott led all scorers with 28. David Robinson added 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs (3-1).

“I took last night’s loss at Denver personally,” Elliott said. “I made two or three mistakes late that cost us.”

The Trail Blazers shot only 38%. Center Kevin Duckworth led them with 20 points.

Chicago 132, Boston 113--Michael Jordan scored 44 points at Boston in only 38 minutes as the Bulls, after a slow start, prevailed.

The Bulls are 2-2, but that is an improvement over a year ago, when they lost their first three.

“I like playing here and I’ve always played well here,” said Jordan, who is averaging 39 points. “I’ve started out scoring more than usual, but it will level off when everyone gets into their rhythm.”

Rickey Green, signed by the Celtics before the game, played the last two minutes. Boston is missing guards Brian Shaw and Dee Brown.

Golden State 120, Milwaukee 114--The Warriors, who had trouble winning on the road last season (14-27) are making themselves at home this season.

Chris Mullin scored 10 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter at Milwaukee to lead the Warriors to their first 4-0 record since moving West 30 years ago. It was the Warriors’ third road victory.

Orlando 105, Washington 88--Terry Catledge had 24 points and 14 rebounds at Orlando, Fla., to lead the Magic to its third victory in a row. The Magic is the only unbeaten team in the Atlantic Division and leads by 1 1/2 games.

Philadelphia 107, New Jersey 105--Charles Barkley had 25 points and 22 rebounds. He scored the last four points at Philadelphia to clinch the victory.

Before the game Barkley said the 76ers would be 82-0 if they played the Nets in every game.

Charlotte 114, Atlanta 104--Second-year guard Kendall Gill had 30 points, seven rebounds and eight assists at Charlotte, N.C., to lead the Hornets to their fifth victory in their last six games against the Hawks.

It was Charlotte’s first victory this season.

Larry Johnson, the top pick in the NBA draft, played 25 minutes, had two points and nine rebounds.

Dallas 97, Minnesota 94--Rolando Blackman ignored a sore shooting hand to score 22 points at Minneapolis and lead the Mavericks to their first victory after three defeats.

Sacramento 112, Indiana 102--Newcomer Mitch Richmond scored 35 points, and the Kings, who have lost 39 in a row on the road, won their fourth in a row at home, dating to last season.