NBA ROUNDUP : Owens, Hardaway Lead Warriors Past Knicks

There was much consternation and criticism in the Bay Area when Golden State Coach Don Nelson traded away popular Mitch Richmond on the eve of the season.

Even though the undersized Warriors received talented 6-foot-9 rookie Billy Owens for the 6-5 Richmond, Nelson was breaking up a sensational trio. Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Richmond combined for 72.5 points per game last season.

As usual, Nelson knew what he was doing. Owens has developed rapidly and the Warriors have been the surprise of the NBA.

Owens had his biggest game Sunday at New York and combined with Hardaway to lead the Warriors to an impressive 120-113 victory over the Knicks.

Owens scored 30 points, making 11 of 15 shots, and had 10 rebounds to helped the Warriors overcome a poor shooting game by Mullin (seven for 23, 20 points). Mullin missed 11 in a row during one stretch. The rest of the Warriors made 38 of 60 shots.

Hardaway, after a sloppy first half, took charge in the second half and finished with 28 points.

The Warriors came back from a 66-59 halftime deficit to improve their record to 28-13, third best in the league.

The Warriors had to overcome another outstanding game by Patrick Ewing, who had 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Owens, who had been a holdout at Sacramento, sat out the first two games, made four of five shots in his debut against the champion Chicago Bulls and has fit in nicely.

Owens, playing about 33 minutes per game, is averaging 13 points and 7.4 rebounds.

Portland 147, Sacramento 107--Their victory over the Clippers Friday night probably hastened the firing of Coach Mike Schuler, but the Kings couldn’t give the Trail Blazers a contest at Portland.

The Trial Blazers, whose 31-13 record is second only to Chicago’s, rushed to an 85-52 lead, then coasted. Only the liberal use of subs by Coach Rick Adelman kept the Blazers from eclipsing the 150 mark.

Kevin Porter led Portland with 21 points.

Cleveland 106, Minnesota 95--Brad Daugherty was more fortunate than Dominique Wilkins. Wilkins tore an Achilles’ tendon and is out for the season. Daugherty strained his and missed six games.

Daugherty returned with a bang at Richfield, Ohio, scoring 24 points and getting 11 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers’ romp.

It was the 11th consecutive road loss for the Timberwolves, who are 2-20 away from home.

Milwaukee 122, Seattle 106--Just make sure Moses Malone doesn’t play back-to-back games and he can still deliver.

The big center outplayed Robert Parish in the Bucks’ win over Boston Friday night and came back to lead this win at Milwaukee.

Malone, in his 18th pro season, had 22 points and 13 rebounds. Former SuperSonic Dale Ellis had 23 points.

Indiana 128, Denver 122--Chuck Person scored 27 points and the Pacers’ torrid shooting at Denver enabled them to win for only the fifth time in 23 road games.

The Pacers shot 61.4% from the field, made 37 of 42 free throws and barely held off the Nuggets. Reggie Williams had 27 points for the Nuggets.

Miami 118, Charlotte 100--The Heat is staying in the playoff picture in the East largely by winning the games it should at home.

Glen Rice and Bimbo Coles led a 19-1 run in the second half that enabled the Heat to improve its home record to 17-6. Rice, who scored 28 points, had eight point during the run and Coles’ six.

Rice has scored 20 or more points a team-record seven games in a row.

Washington 114, Orlando 104--Michael Adams, returning to early season form, scored 38 points, 14 of them in the fourth quarter at Landover, Md., to enable the Bullets to end an eight-game losing streak.

It was the first time since Dec. 18 that Adams, who also had seven assists and four rebounds, had more than 30 points.