NBA ROUNDUP : Johnson Back in Form for Hornets

Larry Johnson is recovering from a herniated disk, but he showed no ill effects Monday night at Charlotte, N.C.

Johnson had 29 points, 20 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 109-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons. It was Johnson’s first triple-double of the season and the third in his NBA career. Johnson made 13 of 18 shots and the Hornets shot 56% to hand the Pistons their fourth consecutive loss.

Johnson did not come out of the Hornets’ training room after the game. Team officials said he had lower back pain and would not travel with the team to Cleveland tonight.

“Larry was phenomenal,” Hornet Coach Allan Bristow said. “He got a lot of big rebounds for us. In a slow-paced game like we had tonight, every rebound is critical.”

Alonzo Mourning scored 30 points for the Hornets, who are 11-2 at home.

Terry Mills led the Pistons with 26 points. Joe Dumars and Olden Polynice each scored 22.

The Pistons have lost 13 of their last 16 and eight of 10 road games.

Orlando 122, Sacramento 110--Dennis Scott scored 16 of his 20 points in the final nine minutes to lead the Magic at Orlando.

Shaquille O’Neal scored 32 points and had 17 rebounds, and Anfernee Hardaway had 23 points and nine assists for the Magic.

Mitch Richmond scored 40 points for the Kings, who lost for the 11th time in 12 road games.

O’Neal had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, helping the Magic to a 64-59 lead.

“They were killing me down there,” O’Neal said. “I should have scored 50 or 60 points, but I can’t get a call.

“What’s it going to take to get a call in my own building?”

Phoenix 118, Boston 102--Oliver Miller scored nine of his 17 points in a 1:36 span late in the fourth quarter to lead the Suns at Phoenix.

Dan Majerle scored 20 of his 27 points in the first half for the Suns. A.C. Green finished with 25 points, and Kevin Johnson had 23 points and 14 assists.

Dee Brown led the Celtics with 21 points.

Utah 97, Minnesota 93--The Jazz used a 17-4 fourth-quarter run at Salt Lake City to hand the Timberwolves their sixth consecutive loss.

Karl Malone scored 34 points and John Stockton had 24 for the Jazz.

The score was tied, 74-74, with 8:34 left, but the Jazz held the Timberwolves to one field goal in the next 6:27, taking a 91-78 lead with 2:07 left.

Washington 96, Milwaukee 87--Rex Chapman scored seven of his 23 points in the final 3:48 at Milwaukee to lead the Bullets.

Don MacLean scored 28 points for the Bullets and Tom Gugliotta added 21.

Lee Mayberry had 15 points and Jon Barry 12 for the Bucks.