NBA ROUNDUP : Tarpley Returns, Scores 16 as Mavericks Win

Roy Tarpley, playing in his first NBA game in four years, came off the bench to an ovation at Reunion Arena and had 16 points and nine rebounds in the Mavericks’ 96-94 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night at Dallas.

Lucious Harris made an eight-foot bank shot with 59 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

“I know people were wondering if Roy Tarpley could still play,” said Tarpley, who was banned by the league for violating its anti-drug regulations in October of 1991 and hadn’t played in an NBA game since Nov. 9, 1990.

It was also Maverick Coach Dick Motta’s first appearance against the Kings since he was fired by them in 1991.

Houston 106, Chicago 83--The Rockets extended their opening-season winning streak to eight games as Hakeem Olajuwon’s 29 points and Kenny Smith’s four-of-six shooting on three-pointers led the Rockets over the Bulls at Houston. The Rockets are 8-0.

The Bulls, who haven’t won in the Summit in seven years, were led by Scottie Pippen’s 15 points.

Cleveland 81, Portland 80--Mark Price scored 30 points, including five three-pointers, as the Cavaliers handed the Trail Blazers their second consecutive home loss.

Clyde Drexler, fouled while scoring on a layup with 36 seconds to play, failed to make the free throw, only his second miss in 24 attempts this season.

Detroit 94, Denver 92--The Pistons, who lost an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, made all four of their free throws in the last three minutes for the victory over the Nuggets at Denver.

Joe Dumars of Detroit scored 21 points to become the 124th player in NBA history to score 12,000 points.

Golden State 109, New York 100--Latrell Sprewell had 27 points and Tim Hardaway had 20 to lead the Warriors over the Knicks at Oakland. Derek Harper had 21 points for the Knicks, who lost three of four games on this western road trip.

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New Jersey 111, Washington 103--A trade that sent team leader Tom Gugliotta to the Golden State Warriors for Chris Webber left the Bullets shorthanded. The Nets took advantage as Kenny Anderson had 24 points and 13 assists to beat the Bullets in New Jersey. Derrick Coleman had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Nets.