NBA ROUNDUP : Mavericks Catch 76ers With Ninth Victory

The Dallas Mavericks moved into position Friday night to overtake the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, defeating the Denver Nuggets, 99-86, at Dallas for their ninth victory of the season.

The Mavericks, who improved to 9-68, have five games remaining to get another victory and avoid sharing the worst record in NBA history with the 76ers, who were 9-73 20 years ago.

They play at Dallas tonight against the Sacramento Kings.

Jim Jackson scored 20 points and Derek Harper scored 17 as the Mavericks ended a four-game losing streak with their most decisive victory of the season.

The Nuggets, who got 21 points from center Dikembe Mutombo, had been 4-0 against the Mavericks this season.

*

Seattle 108, Phoenix 102--Eddie Johnson scored 10 of his 16 points during the fourth quarter, helping the SuperSonics pull away for the victory at Phoenix.

Cedric Ceballos scored 21 points, Dan Majerle 18 and Kevin Johnson 16 for the Suns, who played without Charles Barkley and Danny Ainge. Barkley has missed three games and will be sidelined at least two more with a shoulder injury, and Ainge has flu.

*

Indiana 100, New York 94--Detlef Schrempf scored 27 points as the Pacers took over sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference with the victory at Indianapolis.

It was the first victory for the Pacers over the Knicks in seven meetings, including four this season, and moved Indiana a game ahead of Detroit for the final playoff spot in the East.

The Knicks, meanwhile, dropped into a tie with Chicago for the best record in the conference.

Patrick Ewing and Anthony Mason led New York with 17 points apiece, but Ewing scored only four during the second half.

*

Chicago 119, Milwaukee 105--Michael Jordan scored 47 points at Chicago, helping the Bulls move into a first-place tie with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference.

Jordan has scored as many as 40 points 14 times this season and 135 times during his eight-year career.

He scored 22 points in the first quarter, making eight of 11 shots.

Todd Day and Eric Murdock each scored 24 points and Derek Strong 20 for the Bucks, who have lost four consecutive games and eight of 10.

*

Cleveland 113, Orlando 110--The Cavaliers hung on after nearly squandering a 21-point lead at Richfield, Ohio, giving Coach Lenny Wilkens his 865th victory, which moved him into second place on the all-time list.

Wilkens, 55, moved past Jack Ramsay. Red Auerbach, former coach of the Boston Celtics, ranks first with 938 victories.

Craig Ehlo led Cleveland with 24 points. Brad Daugherty, matched against Shaquille O’Neal, had 19 points and 10 rebounds, while O’Neal led the Magic with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Orlando’s Dennis Scott had 22 points.

Scott Skiles had 21 assists for Orlando, while his Cleveland counterpart, Mark Price, had 17.

*

Charlotte 127, Detroit 93--Alonzo Mourning scored 19 of his 36 points during the third quarter and matched a season-high with 22 rebounds at Charlotte, N.C., as the Hornets strengthened their hold on a playoff spot.

The Hornets traded baskets for the first three minutes before taking the lead for good with a 12-5 run. The victory gave Charlotte a 1 1/2-game lead over the Pistons, who started the night tied with Indiana in the race for the eighth Eastern Conference playoff berth.

*

Portland 117, Minnesota 109--Cliff Robinson and Terry Porter each scored 26 points to lead the Trail Blazers to the victory at Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves, losers of eight consecutive games and six of seven at home, were led by Christian Laettner with 28 points.

*

Sacramento 100, San Antonio 93--Lionel Simmons scored 12 of his 26 points during the fourth quarter at San Antonio, helping the Kings end a six-game losing streak.

The loss dropped the Spurs one game behind Portland in the race for fourth place in the Western Conference playoff race.