NBA ROUNDUP : Daugherty Lifts Cavaliers

When 7-1 Brad Daugherty came out of North Carolina as the No. 1 selection, he was expected to become one of the top centers in the NBA.

He has been a solid shooter and a good rebounder but has never been an intimidating factor in the middle on defense. He blocked fewer shots than 22 other defenders last season.

A trimmer, more mobile Daugherty may finally, in his sixth season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, be ready to live up to expectations.

Daugherty had 23 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high six blocks Thursday night at Richfield, Ohio, to lead the Cavaliers to a 115-109 overtime victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

After missing a free throw with five seconds left in regulation that would have won it, Daugherty made two crucial blocks in the extra session. Rookie guard Terrell Brandon made two key baskets to win it.

The Cavaliers have won two in a row since Mark Price, who missed almost a year because of a knee injury, rejoined them. In 23 minutes, the veteran guard had 14 points and 10 assists.

“I’ve heard all my life about not blocking shots,” Daugherty said. “I’ll never be as good as Larry Nance at it, but I play good position defense.”

Last season Daugherty had 46 blocks in 76 games. This season he has 15 in seven games.

Sacramento 98, Atlanta 96--Mitch Richmond scored 25 points at Sacramento to lead his new team to another victory.