NBA ROUNDUP : Cavaliers’ Winning Streak Ends

The Cleveland Cavaliers have dominated their opponents at home this season, but they still haven’t figured out how to handle the Portland Trail Blazers.

Clyde Drexler had 34 points and a critical steal Tuesday night at Richfield, Ohio, and the Trail Blazers ended the Cavaliers’ 11-game winning streak, 121-114.

It was only the second home loss in 17 games for the Cavaliers, but their fifth loss in a row to the Trail Blazers.

While the Cavaliers, after three seasons ruined by injuries, have shown vast improvement this season, the Trail Blazers have struggled.

The Cavaliers, who were 33-49 last season, went into the game with a 24-9 record, second only to the defending champion Chicago Bulls. The Trail Blazers, who had the league’s best record last season, were 22-12, only 7-7 on the road.

“We knew Cleveland was second-best to Chicago,” Drexler said. “We came out strong and with a purpose. It’s a win that builds your confidence.”

The Cavaliers, with Danny Ferry leading the comeback, had cut a 13-point deficit to one with 15 seconds to play. But Drexler was fouled and made two free throws. Drexler stole the inbounds pass by Ferry, was fouled by Ferry and put the game out of reach.

Ferry had put the Cavaliers back in the game by making four consecutive jumpers.

Golden State 124, San Antonio 123--It was a strange game at San Antonio. The Warriors kept opening big leads, and the Spurs kept wiping them out.

Chris Mullin had 37 points and it was his jumper with 10 seconds left that finally put away the Spurs.

The Warriors started each half with a surge. They led, 39-25, after a quarter, but had only a 62-61 lead at halftime.

The Warriors scored the first 16 points of the second half to open a 17-point lead.

But David Robinson, who finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, kept bringing the Spurs back.

“We made a great run,” Coach Larry Brown said, “but the Warriors made the shots down the stretch.”

The Warriors, who are 11-5 on the road, best in the West, remained half a game ahead of Portland in the Pacific Division.

Chicago 103, Philadelphia 80--When Charles Barkley has an off night, the 76ers are no match for a good team.

In 38 minutes at Chicago, Barkley made only seven of 22 shots and the 76ers never had a chance.

Michael Jordan scored 26 points in only 33 minutes and the Bulls won for the 11th time in 12 games.

Washington 127, Indiana 118--Once the Bullets get to overtime, they are unbeatable. It took a second extra period to do it at Landover, Md., but the Bullets improved to 14-21 overall, 4-0 in overtime.

Pervis Ellison had 27 points and 22 rebounds for the Bullets. Rik Smits had 26 points and 16 rebounds for the Pacers, who are 3-15 on the road.

New York 115, Orlando 111--Patrick Ewing had 29 points and 11 rebounds at Orlando and the Knicks held off a late rally by the Magic.

John Starks came off the bench to score nine of his 22 points during the third quarter and the Knicks opened a nine-point lead. But Terry Catledge led a surge that brought the Magic close.

It was the 18th victory in 24 games for the Knicks and increased their lead in the Atlantic to two games. Orlando has lost 20 of 21.

Charlotte 117, Seattle 116--The Hornets blew a 15-point halftime lead at Seattle, then won on Larry Johnson’s jumper at the buzzer ending overtime.

New Jersey 97, Dallas 88--Derrick Coleman returned after sitting out two games because of a concussion and was the main reason the Mavericks lost their ninth in a row.

Coleman scored 12 of his 20 points during the fourth quarter at East Rutherford, N.J.

Atlanta 93, Milwaukee 88--Kevin Willis made a tip-in at Atlanta that gave the Hawks a 10-8 lead and they stayed ahead for the rest of the game.

Dominique Wilkins had 27 points for the Hawks and Willis had 26 points and 12 rebounds. It was the Hawks’ seventh victory in eight games.

Houston 111, Denver 94--Otis Thorpe had the second triple-double of his career to lead the Rockets at Houston.

Thorpe had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists as the Nuggets suffered their 14th loss on the road in 16 games.

Hakeem Olajuwon had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets.

Utah 116, Minnesota 110--Karl Malone had 28 points for the Jazz at Salt Lake City.

The Timberwolves had upset the Jazz at Minneapolis Saturday.