NBA ROUNDUP : Rockets Too Much for Mavericks

The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are moving toward the NBA record book in opposite directions.

Houston pulled within two victories of the best record in NBA history by a team with one defeat and pushed Dallas closer to a record for consecutive losses as Hakeem Olajuwon scored 28 points in a 104-93 Rocket victory Saturday night at Houston.

The Mavericks (1-21) lost their 18th game in a row, two short of the NBA record. Philadelphia set the record for the longest losing streak in 1973.

The Rockets (21-1) can tie the 1969-70 New York Knicks for the most victories with one defeat at 23-1 with victories this week against San Antonio and Denver.

“They are looking like the team to beat in the NBA,” the Mavericks’ Derek Harper said. “They’re playing extremely good right now.

“They’re relying on the team concept, not just Olajuwon. In the past, they’ve relied on him. He’s now playing as good basketball as I’ve ever seen him, particularly moving the ball.”

Said Olajuwon, who scored eight consecutive points after Dallas cut Houston’s lead to 97-90: “It’s amazing, it’s a wonderful feeling. But we have a lot to do. I’m not relaxing. I’m looking at the work ahead. I feel strong physically and mentally. I’m on top of my game and I can get better. Today I’m as good as I’ve ever been.”

Rookie Jamal Mashburn scored 30 points and Jim Jackson 27 for the Mavericks.

Otis Thorpe had 19 points and 15 rebounds for Houston.

The Rockets used an 8-0 spurt near the end of the first quarter to get the edge and opened a 56-44 halftime lead. Houston outscored the Mavericks, 20-9, over the first eight minutes of the second quarter.

Chicago 102, San Antonio 90--Horace Grant had 16 points and 18 rebounds at Chicago as the Bulls won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Toni Kukoc, who scored 12 points, scored nine in a row in the fourth quarter for the Bulls, who have won their last five games.

Atlanta 102, Denver 96--Kevin Willis scored a season-high 31 points at Atlanta to help the Hawks win for the 15th time in 16 games, handing the Nuggets their ninth consecutive road loss.

The victory improved the Hawks’ record to 16-5 overall and 10-1 at home. It was Atlanta’s first game since Thursday night’s loss to Indiana ended the team’s franchise-record winning streak at 14.

Indiana 108, New Jersey 98--Haywoode Workman scored 10 of his season-high 21 points in the final 3:46 and Reggie Miller scored 28 points, lifting the Pacers at Indianapolis.

Miller made all four of his three-point shots and Rik Smits had 22 points and a season-high 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won three in a row.

Miami 113, Philadelphia 90--Glen Rice scored 30 points and Steve Smith 29 for the Heat at Miami.

Clarence Weatherspoon scored 18 points for the 76ers, who played their sixth game in eight days.

Utah 102, Washington 96--Karl Malone scored nine points in the fourth quarter after picking up his fifth foul at Landover, Md., helping the Jazz rally from a 15-point deficit to hand the Bullets their 10th consecutive loss.

Malone, called for his fifth foul with 10:46 to play, fouled out with 16 seconds to play after getting 26 points and 14 rebounds.

Detroit 98, Cleveland 92--Rookie Lindsey Hunter, scoreless through three quarters, scored eight points in the fourth quarter and five in overtime to lead the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Cavaliers, who led by as many as 17 in the second quarter, made only three of 23 shots in the final 17 minutes in losing their seventh in a row on the road and eighth in nine games overall.

Seattle 126, Golden State 111--Ricky Pierce scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter at Seattle as the SuperSonics improved their home record to 11-0.

Gary Payton scored 23 points for the SuperSonics, who are 19-2 overall and, along with Houston, one of only two NBA teams unbeaten at home this season.

Portland 105, Minnesota 95--Clifford Robinson scored 25 points and Buck Williams had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Trail Blazers at Portland.