NBA ROUNDUP : Portland Gets Past Phoenix

Newcomers Mario Elie and Rod Strickland ignited a fourth-quarter surge Tuesday night that lifted the cold-shooting Portland Trail Blazers to a 100-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Portland, Ore.

Elie, who scored 13 of his 17 points during the final quarter, made a three-pointer with 2:19 left to put Portland ahead, 94-86. Phoenix never was closer than seven.

A three-point play by Charles Barkley, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds, cut Portland’s lead to 81-80 with 6:45 left. The Trail Blazers scored the next six to take an 87-80 lead as Elie took a pass from Strickland and scored inside with 5:19 remaining. Strickland scored eight of his 10 points during the final quarter.

Charlotte 112, Orlando 108--Shaquille O’Neal, the Magic’s 7-foot-1 rookie center, scored 35 points and had 13 rebounds, but the Hornets held the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick scoreless during the fourth quarter at Orlando.

O’Neal scored 13 of his points during the first 7:10. He had 20 points and seven rebounds at halftime.

Alonzo Mourning, the 6-11 rookie holdout and the No. 2 pick in the draft behind O’Neal, apparently has agreed to a $2.5-million first-year contract, but the Hornets must find room for him under the salary cap by trading a player.

Cleveland 131, Washington 92--The Cavaliers, making 14 of 15 shots during one stretch, tied a team record with 46 points during the third quarter at Richfield, Ohio.

Larry Nance blocked six shots during the quarter, setting up a series of easy baskets that helped the Cavaliers expand a 60-46 halftime lead to 106-74.

New York 99, New Jersey 96--Patrick Ewing had 23 points and 13 rebounds, and the unbeaten Knicks survived a late rally at New York.

San Antonio 104, Milwaukee 98--David Robinson scored 29 points, blocked 10 shots and had nine rebounds, giving Coach Jerry Tarkanian his first NBA victory. Dale Ellis added 23 points for the Spurs, who won their seventh consecutive home opener. Lloyd Daniels added 21 points and Sean Elliott had 18.

Miami 110, Boston 106--Glen Rice scored 27 points and made four free throws in the final 14.6 seconds as the Heat wiped out a 14-point third-quarter deficit to win at Miami.

Utah 118, Denver 109--The Jazz, trailing by 19 early in the second period, staged runs of 14 and 12 points in the middle of the quarter to take charge and win at Denver.

Minnesota 118, Dallas 104--Doug West scored 15 of his 23 points during the first half as the Timberwolves took a 21-point lead at home and earned their first victory. Rookie forward Christian Laettner had 14 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.