NBA ROUNDUP : Motta Gets Record as a Losing Coach

Dick Motta is among the winningest coaches in NBA history but now he is the losingest coach in history after his Sacramento Kings were beaten, 109-85, by the Dallas Mavericks at Dallas Saturday night.

It was the 862nd NBA defeat in Motta’s career, moving him past Gene Shue.

Motta lost 307 games while coaching the Mavericks.

Motta reacted philosophically when asked about his dubious record: “When I took this job I knew I’d be below .500,” Motta said. “I’ve got 800-something losses but a lot of guys never get to coach 800-something games.”

Motta later signed the game ball, which will be sent to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Maverick Coach Richie Adubato, hired by Motta as a Dallas assistant in 1986, said he had nothing but admiration for Motta.

“I wish I had his wins,” Adubato said. “I’d like to get to 100. In this game, it depends on who you coach. He’s had expansion teams, rebuilding teams. You’re going to have a ton of losses.”

Motta has 856 career victories, eight behind Jack Ramsay, who is No. 2 on the all-time list.

New York 106, Utah 97--Mark Jackson and Xavier McDaniel keyed a 15-2 burst to start the second half and the Knicks extended their record at home to 11-0. They are the only NBA team without a loss on their home court.

Jackson scored seven points and McDaniel six during the run that turned a 52-51 halftime lead into a 67-53 advantage. The Knicks held the Jazz scoreless for the first three minutes of the second half and limited them to six points in the first 8:19.

Utah shot 32% and the Knicks 62% in the third quarter, with McDaniel scoring 14 of his game-high 29 points in the period. Patrick Ewing scored 21 points and Gerald Wilkins 18 for New York.

Miami 112, Boston 101--Rony Seikaly, playing with a finger that was fractured late in the first half, scored 13 fourth-quarter points at Miami as the Heat handed the Celtics only their second loss in nine games.

Seikaly missed most of the third quarter after hurting the ring finger on his left hand and then played with it in a splint. He still finished with 13 rebounds and 26 points, including nine consecutive points after returning to the game.

That gave Miami a 92-84 lead after trailing, 76-68, midway through the third quarter.

Cleveland 120, Charlotte 111--Brad Daugherty scored 24 points and Larry Nance had seven of Cleveland’s 14 blocked shots as the Cavaliers won at home for the 11th time in 12 games.

It was the fourth loss in a row for the Hornets and sixth of seven since losing Rex Chapman because of a bruised left heel.

Indiana 118, New Jersey 109--Reggie Miller scored nine of his 23 points in overtime, and Chuck Person and Rik Smits set season-high scoring marks in the Pacers victory at Indianapolis.

Person had 33 points and Smits 31 with 11 rebounds.

Sam Bowie had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets. Derrick Coleman added 22 points and 10 rebounds

Chicago 117, Atlanta 103--Dominique Wilkins scored 43 points in a losing effort at Chicago as the Bulls won for the 19th time in 23 games.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the Bulls with 37 points each.

It was a season high for Pippen, who scored the first three baskets in the fourth quarter to give the Bulls a five-point lead.

With 7:49 left, Duane Ferrell’s free throw closed Atlanta to 93-92, but the Hawks were unable to tie or regain the lead as Chicago rebuilt the margin to 13 points in the final minute.

Milwaukee 110, Philadelphia 97--Moses Malone made 12 of 16 shots and scored a season-high 28 points as the Bucks built a 20-point halftime lead and won easily at Milwaukee.

Malone, who also had 13 rebounds, made a series of layups, short jumpers, hooks and dunks against the 76ers’ weak inside defense and scored 20 first-half points on nine-for-10 shooting.

The Bucks went on separate runs of 14-2 and 7-0 to take a 62-42 lead at the half against the Sixers, who were a step slow after beating Miami by 28 points Friday.

Washington 117, Denver 102--The Bullets got 26 points from Pervis Ellison in winning their third game in a row and improving their road record to 7-9.

The Nuggets, with Reggie Williams absent because of a back sprain, was led by Walter Davis with 20 points. Greg Anderson and Dikembe Mutombo grabbed 14 rebounds each for Denver.

Harvey Grant, back after a one-game suspension for fighting with David Robinson, scored 20 points for the Bullets.

Seattle 120, Golden State 112--Ricky Pierce matched his season high with 34 points, including 24 in the second half, at Seattle as the SuperSonics ended the Warriors’ four-game winning streak.

Pierce scored 13 points in the final quarter when the SuperSonics overcame an 89-85 deficit lead after three periods.

Eddie Johnson scored 27 points and Benoit Benjamin 25 for the SuperSonics, who won their seventh consecutive game at home. Gary Payton added 17 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.

Tim Hardaway led the Warriors with 32 points and Chris Mullin scored 27.