NBA ROUNDUP : Kings’ Rally Falls Short in Houston

Sacramento threw a scare into the Houston Rockets, cutting a 16-point deficit to six with 1:50 remaining.

But Houston Coach Don Chaney brought his starters back and they preserved a 109-102 victory at Houston on Thursday night, handing the Kings their 48th loss in 49 road games.

Hakeem Olajuwon, who had 21 points and 17 rebounds, took charge in the third quarter with 10 points as the Rockets increased their 55-45 halftime lead to 90-69 going into the final quarter.

The Kings, who lost an NBA-record 43 consecutive road games before winning at Orlando on Nov. 23, outscored the Rockets, 11-2, to start the fourth quarter, closing to 92-80 with 8:42 to play. But the Rockets extended the margin to 104-87 with 4:03 left.

Otis Thorpe had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, and Kenny Smith scored 20 points.

Houston missed its first five shots and trailed, 7-2, before warming up enough to take the 10-point halftime lead.

Seattle 119, Denver 106--Ricky Pierce scored 29 points and the SuperSonics shot 50% from the field for the first time in 15 games and won their sixth consecutive home game.

Seattle led, 74-58, with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter and put the game out of reach with a 17-4 burst for a 91-62 lead with 22 seconds left in the quarter. Marty Conlon, a 6-10 rookie from Providence, scored seven points during the spurt.

Milwaukee 95, Orlando 87--Dale Ellis scored 27 points and the Bucks outscored the Magic, 14-4, in the final 2:31 at Orlando, extending the Magic’s losing streak to nine games.

The victory gave the Bucks an 8-0 record against the Magic in the three-year history of the expansion team. Milwaukee is one of three teams Orlando has never beaten.

Jerry Reynolds’ three-point play gave Orlando an 83-78 lead before Moses Malone keyed the Bucks’ late rally with five points and three rebounds. Malone finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.