NBA ROUNDUP : Rockets Win 10th in a Row as Suns’ Struggles Continue

Hakeem Olajuwon scored 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter at Phoenix on Monday night, helping the Houston Rockets hold off the Suns, 111-97, for their 10th consecutive victory.

Olajuwon, who finished with 14 rebounds, had five blocks in the first half, when Houston forced the Suns into their worst 24 minutes of the season.

Houston led, 33-13, after one quarter, 57-37 after two and 88-67 after three quarters in handing Phoenix its third loss in a row and fourth in five games since Charles Barkley was sidelined because of a shoulder injury.

Kevin Johnson scored 18 points for the Suns, who already have clinched home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.

Kenny Smith had 18 points and 12 assists for the Rockets, who also picked up their fifth consecutive road victory and 13th of 16 away from home.

Seattle 96, San Antonio 89--Ricky Pierce scored 27 points at Seattle as the SuperSonics defeated the Spurs for the first time this season.

The SuperSonics, still in a race with Houston for home-court advantage in the second round of the NBA playoffs, also clinched third place in the Western Conference.