NBA ROUNDUP : Celtics Swept Away by Rockets’ 16-1 Start

The Boston Celtics’ swing through Texas was a disaster.

After losing at San Antonio and Dallas earlier in the week, the Celtics outscored the Rockets by nine points in the last 44 minutes Friday night at Houston.

But, oh, those first four minutes. The Celtics were unprepared for the start and were outscored, 16-1. They never caught up, trailed by 20 after a quarter and lost, 105-99.

The fast start enabled the Rockets to end a four-game losing streak with their sixth win in a row at home. The Celtics had beaten them six times in a row.

Vernon Maxwell led the early assault, getting 19 of his 28 points in the first half, when the lead was 67-50.

Maxwell made four consecutive three-pointers and Hakeem Olajuwon, who finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks, made his first three shots.

A late run made the final score respectable, but in truth, the Celtics were never in it. They fell 3 1/2 games behind New York in the Atlantic Division.

“Maxwell played with a lot of energy and got some loose balls and shot like he’s capable of doing,” Boston Coach Chris Ford said. “We knew they’d come out and play hard because of their frustration on the road. We’ve had some bad road games, too.

“Our starters have to display more pride than tonight. That 16-1 start is ridiculous. Our guys off the bench showed more enthusiasm. I think our starters are still on vacation.”

Portland 107, Sacramento 106--The referees, delayed by rain, were 30 minutes late showing up at Sacramento. The real Trail Blazers almost didn’t show up at all.

Although the Kings played without one of their top players, Lionel Simmons, for the second half, they battled the Trail Blazers to the wire.

The Kings led, 102-95, with four minutes left. But the Trail Blazers outscored the Kings down the stretch, 12-4, to win it.

Terry Porter had 22 points for Portland. Clyde Drexler and Buck Williams had 21. Spud Webb led the Kings with 22 points.

New Jersey 107, Philadelphia 99--Tate George and Drazen Petrovic made big plays late at East Rutherford, N.J., but Derrick Coleman was the key in the Nets’ second victory in three nights over the 76ers.

Just as he did in the 102-87 romp at Philadelphia Wednesday night, the 6-foot-10 forward outplayed Charles Barkley. Coleman had 32 points and 12 rebounds; Barkley had 23 points and 12 rebounds.

With the score tied, 95-95, George made a steal and a layup to put the Nets ahead for good. Then Petrovic sank successive jumpers to put the game on ice.

Although he made only six of 15 shots, Barkley was upset about the 76ers’ late turnovers.

“We had the ball and the lead and we gave them two layups,” he said. “You can’t do that.”

Indiana 107, Milwaukee 100--In seven minutes early in the second half at Indianapolis, Reggie Miller and the Pacers sealed the victory.

It was a close game until Miller, who finished with 25 points, scored nine points in an 18-4 spurt that put the Pacers in charge.

“Reggie was in the game all the way tonight,” Indiana Coach Bob Hill said. “He was waiting for his opening and finally got it in the third period.”

Seattle 108, San Antonio 91--A tough SuperSonic defense shut down David Robinson and the Spurs in the second half at Seattle, and the SuperSonics won their fourth in a row.

After holding a 52-49 lead at halftime, the SuperSonics held the Spurs to 42 points in the second half and pulled away.

Denver 105, Dallas 85--Rookie Dikembe Mutombo thwarted the Mavericks’ hopes of winning their second in a row.

Mutombo had 18 points, 19 rebounds and blocked five shots at Denver and the Nuggets romped to their 19th victory. With 33 games left, the Nuggets are only one win behind last season’s total.

The Nuggets broke it open in the second quarter, when Reggie Williams scored 11 points and Mutombo 10 in a 35-point quarter.

“To say that we were sloppy and ice cold would be a major understatement,” Dallas Coach Richie Adubato said.

Atlanta 112, Orlando 107--Rumeal Robinson scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half at Orlando and made two assists in the last minute to help the Hawks end their slump.

The Hawks, who had lost five of six, are 3-5 since Dominique Wilkins was lost for the season because of an Achilles’ tendon injury.