NBA ROUNDUP : Improved Play Speaks for Rider

Isaiah Rider has had a lot to say this week. What he said with his play Friday night was much more meaningful.

Rider, who held a news conference Monday to respond to criticism from Coach Bill Blair about his lack of leadership, capped a 27-point outing by completing a three-point play with two seconds remaining, giving the Minnesota Timberwolves a 94-93 victory over the New Jersey Nets at Minneapolis.

The victory ended the Timberwolves’ 14-game home losing streak, which dated to last season and matched the fourth-longest in NBA history.

“I know all eyes are on me, and everybody’s waiting to see what I’m going to do, so it’s up to me to respond,” Rider said. “It’s kind of motivating me to step up my numbers, step up my play and exert myself.”

With the Nets leading, 93-91, Rider took an inbound pass from Doug West and drove through the lane, making a twisting layup while being fouled by Derrick Coleman. The ensuing free throw ticked the front rim before settling into the basket.

Winston Garland stripped the ball from Coleman as time expired, clinching the Timberwolves’ first home victory since April 6. They had been 0-10 at Target Center this season.

In the three games since Blair’s criticism, Rider has averaged 24.3 points and led the Timberwolves in scoring each time.

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Phoenix 106, New York 85--Danny Manning scored 17 of his 24 points in a 37-point third quarter as the Suns shook off a cold-shooting first half and rolled over the turnover-prone Knicks at Phoenix.

Charles Barkley made all five of his second-half shots and had 26 points, 12 rebounds and three steals when he left the game with 8:19 to play and the Suns leading, 89-59.

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Indiana 93, Charlotte 91--Reggie Miller scored 22 points and made two free throws with six seconds to play, giving the Pacers the victory at Indianapolis.

Larry Johnson, who led the Hornets with 22 points, tied the score at 91-91 with a pair of free throws at the one-minute mark. An offensive foul by Dale Davis gave Charlotte the ball, but an attempted layup by Muggsy Bogues with nine seconds to play was blocked by Davis and Rik Smits.

Miller’s free throws put the Pacers in front, and a three-point shot at the buzzer by Dell Curry of the Hornets rattled off the rim.

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Cleveland 84, Philadelphia 80--Terrell Brandon scored 15 points, among them two crucial free throws with 16 seconds to play, as the Cavaliers held on at Philadelphia for their fifth consecutive victory.

Mark Price of the Cavaliers, who has had recent back spasms and did not play in Wednesday night’s victory over the Nets, was kicked in the back during a melee under the Cavaliers’ basket with 3:19 to play and left the game with 14 points.

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Chicago 85, Atlanta 80--Scottie Pippen scored 22 points and B.J. Armstrong made two key 15-foot shots for the Bulls in the final 3:46 at Atlanta.

The loss ended the Hawks’ three-game home winning streak.

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Orlando 131, Golden State 128--Shaquille O’Neal had 40 points and 18 rebounds and Anfernee Hardaway had a career-high 38 points and 13 assists for the Magic in an overtime victory at Oakland.

Golden State, which has lost its last nine games, outscored the Magic, 15-5, in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter to tie the score at 121-121.