NBA ROUNDUP : Without Robinson, Spurs Fall to the Hornets

David Robinson sat out his first NBA game Wednesday night at Charlotte, N.C., and his absence gave a lift to the Hornets’ playoff hopes.

Robinson, who had played in 232 consecutive games since joining the San Antonio Spurs, could not play because of sprained ligaments in his left thumb. He had played three games since suffering the injury, but doctors decided rest was in order.

Despite Terry Cummings’ 34 points and 15 rebounds, the Hornets pulled away in the third quarter and won, 113-108. Dell Curry’s eight points in a 12-2 run gave the Hornets an 85-74 lead.

The Hornets, who beat the Spurs with Robinson March 16 at San Antonio, have won eight of 11 games to get into the playoff battle in the East.

The last three berths are still open, though Indiana (35-36) seems likely to finish sixth. Atlanta is 33-36, but the Hornets, with 14 games remaining, can challenge the others.

The Hornets are 28-40, three games behind Miami, currently in the eighth spot.

The Hornets won without their coach and with their star, Larry Johnson, playing a sub-par game. Coach Allan Bristow was ejected in the second quarter when he argued a technical foul call on Johnson after a dunk on which he thought he was fouled. Johnson had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Spurs did not say how long Robinson will be sidelined. Although he had 30 points and 15 rebounds in a loss at Philadelphia Monday, he had trouble shooting, going 10 for 29 from the field.

Golden State 103, Detroit 99--The Pistons’ hopes of finishing ahead of Cleveland in the Central Division were dealt another blow at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Chris Mullin had 33 points and Tim Hardaway 30 as the Warriors came from behind in the fourth quarter to end their three-game losing streak, all on the road.

The Pistons, with 12 games to play, trail the Cavaliers by seven games. The team that finishes second will not have to face the defending champion Chicago Bulls until the conference final.

Mullin, who has been averaging 20.7 in the last five games, had 20 points in the second half.

Indiana 131, Washington 109--Reggie Miller had 27 of his 36 points in the first half at Landover, Md., to help the Pacers build a 70-53 lead.

Miller sat out the last quarter as the Pacers had one of their few easy victories on the road.

Boston 118, New Jersey 110--Kevin McHale and Larry Bird led the Celtics at East Rutherford, N.J.

McHale made 10 of 11 shots from the field and had a season-high 24 points, and Bird made nine of 12 shots and had 25 points. Bird also had nine assists and nine rebounds.

It was only the fourth home loss in the last 21 games for New Jersey.

It was the fourth victory in a row for the Celtics.

Cleveland 106, Orlando 96--The Cavaliers, with the third best record in the league, held off the Magic at Orlando. They have won four in a row and nine of 10.

Miami 105, Minnesota 97--Grant Long had 27 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Heat to the victory at Minneapolis.

Utah 100, Philadelphia 94--Karl Malone had 28 points and 10 rebounds at Salt Lake City to help the Jazz deal a blow to the 76ers’ playoff bid. The 76ers are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

The Jazz lead the Midwest Division by four games with 13 games to play.

Phoenix 132, Milwaukee 104--Tom Chambers scored 33 points at Phoenix, and the Bucks lost their 18th consecutive road game.

With three more games on this trip, the Bucks’ playoff hopes could be very dim by the time they get home.