NBA ROUNDUP : Trail Blazers, Drexler Have Suns on Run

The Portland Trail Blazers had convinced just about everyone that they are the best team in the West.

About the only doubters were the Phoenix Suns, who had beaten the Trail Blazers in both meetings this season.

The Trail Blazers went a long way toward making believers of the Suns Wednesday night at Phoenix. With Clyde Drexler running the show, the Trail Blazers scored the first eight points and never let up. They won, 107-97, to increase their lead over the Suns in the Pacific Division to 2 1/2 games and end the Suns’ 19-game home winning streak.

Both teams came into the game on a roll. The Trail Blazers stretched their streak to three in a row and nine of 10. The Suns had won three in a row and six of seven, including a victory over Chicago.

Drexler had 24 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Terry Porter had 22 points.

The Trail Blazers led, 25-10, after 7 1/2 minutes and improved their record to to 33-14.

“We had a little trouble shaking off the disappointment last spring,” Drexler said. “But we have been coming on strong. We want to build right up to the playoffs. This time maybe we can change the ending.”

Twice the Suns, led by Kevin Johnson’s 21 points and 11 assists, cut the Portland lead to two points. But each time Drexler made a big play and the Trail Blazers spurted ahead.

New York 111, Indiana 104--Since their big man started asserting himself, the Knicks have started to take control of the Atlantic Division.

Patrick Ewing had 35 points and 13 rebounds at Indianapolis and the Knicks won their fifth road game in a row. With Boston losing again, the Knicks lead the division by 3 1/2 games.

The Knicks trailed by 11 points in the third quarter, but Ewing scored seven points in an 11-2 run that brought them close.

“We were worried about sustaining our rally in the fourth quarter,” said Ewing, who made 17 of 22 free throws. “Our defense did the job. When we play great defense, it makes it easy to play great offense.”

New Jersey 102, Philadelphia 87--The 76ers’ big man, Charles Barkley, didn’t take charge at Philadelphia, and the Nets easily ended their eight-game losing streak.

Barkley had his second consecutive off night. He was only two for seven from the field and had six points, seven assists and nine rebounds.

Sam Bowie, who had 22 points and 13 rebounds, and Derrick Coleman each scored six points in a 22-4 run that broke it open in the fourth quarter.

Dallas 108, Boston 100--It was a good night for ending eight-game losing streaks. Herb Williams sank five consecutive baskets in the decisive third-quarter run at Dallas that ended the Mavericks’ eight-game losing streak.

The Celtics, losers at San Antonio Tuesday night in the opener of a six-game western swing, apparently, haven’t recovered from the All-Star break.

Denver 108, Cleveland 102--Reggie Williams scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half at Denver, and the Nuggets ended a six-game losing streak.

Williams’ shooting enabled the Nuggets to build a 17-point lead in the third quarter. A desperate rally brought the Cavaliers within three points with 20 seconds left, but two free throws by Dikembe Mutombo, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and a jumper by Williams ended the rally.

Sacramento 98, Washington 97--The teams entered the game at Sacramento with identical (16-31) records and played a close game.

The Kings, with Mitch Richmond scoring 25 points, rallied from an eight-point deficit.