NBA ROUNDUP : Slumping Bucks Fall on Last-Second Shot

The Milwaukee Bucks lost their league-high ninth consecutive game Thursday, but at least they are getting closer.

This time, they came within one second.

Drazen Petrovic converted a three-point play with one second remaining to give the New Jersey Nets a 102-101 victory the Bucks at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee took a 101-99 lead on Frank Brickowski’s basket with 8.6 seconds left. After a timeout, New Jersey’s Sam Bowie put up a wild shot from the left baseline, but Petrovic grabbed the offensive rebound, made the basket and was fouled by Alvin Robertson.

Fred Roberts’ inbounds pass hit the basket and Todd Day missed a jumper at the buzzer.

“Sam shot short and I was watching the ball on the rim and the rebound was right there,” said Petrovic, who led New Jersey with 22 points. “Fortunately the shot went down and I got the free throw. It was a great play, but I was fortunate.”

For Milwaukee, returning home from an 0-5 trip, it was the same old story.

“When you’re on a bad streak, those types of things happen,” Buck Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “We did a good job defensively and got them to take a bad shot. Petrovic just picked it up and got fouled.”

Orlando 112, Sacramento 91--Shaquille O’Neal had 22 points, 20 rebounds and blocked seven shots at Orlando as the Magic worsened the Kings’ slide. Sacramento won its first three games but has since lost 14 of 17.

O’Neal outrebounded Sacramento’s starting lineup, 20-19. He helped the Magic dominate the boards, 59-39, and sent the Kings to their sixth consecutive loss.

Afterward, O’Neal maintained that the best is yet to come.

“Someday, I am going to be the man,” O’Neal said. “I got a lot of tricks in my bag, but I’m still learning the NBA. I learn a little more each day. Right now, I’m just having fun. Wait until I’m a veteran and I start getting veteran calls (from referees). That might be interesting.”

Nick Anderson added 25 points for the Magic. Mitch Richmond led the Kings with 19 points.

Chicago 107, Washington 99--Michael Jordan missed 17 shots but still managed to score 28 points as the Bulls ended their three-game road losing streak at Landover, Md.

Scottie Pippen had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulls, whose three-game skid on the road was their longest since 1990. Jordan, who was shooting 51% before the game, made only 12 of 29 shots.

Still, Jordan scored when it counted. After Washington closed to 94-90 midway through the final quarter, Jordan had a dunk and a layup to give the Bulls an eight-point cushion. The Bullets never trailed by less than five points again.

Tom Gugliotta had 25 points and 13 rebounds and Michael Adams scored 20 for the Bullets, who have lost five in a row. Washington played without leading scorer Harvey Grant, who has a severe case of shin splints.

Houston 121, San Antonio 109--Hakeem Olajuwon had 31 points and 12 rebounds as the Rockets used a 21-8 run during the third quarter for a comeback victory at Houston.

Olajuwon and Kenny Smith each scored seven points during the third-quarter rally, helping Houston overcome a 65-62 deficit. The Rockets won for the fifth time in six games.

Dale Ellis led San Antonio with 24 points. Sean Elliott had 21 and David Robinson had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The turning point came when Robinson picked up his fourth foul with 6:56 left in the third quarter and San Antonio leading, 65-62.

“We played really nice until David got his fourth foul,” Spur Coach Jerry Tarkanian said. “The last time we were here I had chest pains, and this time David gets in foul trouble. I’d rather have chest pains.”