NBA ROUNDUP : Cavaliers Edge Magic

After scoring a career-high 31 points and winning the game in overtime, Cleveland point guard Terrell Brandon could only talk about the Cavaliers’ defense.

“That was a great defensive play by Bobby (Phills),” Brandon said Wednesday night after the Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic, 100-99, at Cleveland with Phills forcing an errant shot by the Magic’s Anfernee Hardaway at the end. “That’s why he had been on Hardaway the whole game. Hardaway’s a great player, and Bobby played great defense on him.”

Brandon scored seven of the Cavaliers’ nine points in overtime, including the two winning foul shots with 21.8 seconds to play.

The Cavaliers are 5-1 in overtime games and made Mike Fratello the 24th NBA coach to reach 400 victories. Orlando, which had a three-game winning streak ended, has lost its last three road games.

Shaquille O’Neal led the Magic with 26 points. Hardaway was limited to nine points, nearly 12 under his average, on four-for-13 shooting.

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Phoenix 120, Portland 113--A.C. Green made a layup in overtime to give the Suns their first lead since the opening quarter, then put the game away with two free throws with 29 seconds left at Phoenix.

Charles Barkley had 35 points and 14 rebounds and made two crucial baskets early in overtime before being ejected for his second technical with 2:17 left.

The Suns led, 111-107, but Portland’s Rod Strickland (26 points, 18 assists and 11 rebounds) missed the technical free throw and Phoenix was never threatened again.

Phoenix guard Danny Ainge strained a ligament in his right knee during a scramble with Portland’s Chris Dudley and was ejected after slapping Dudley in retaliation. Ainge will be evaluated further today.

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Boston 116, Golden State 115--Dino Radja’s layup with 1.9 seconds remaining gave the Celtics a victory at Oakland, keeping interim Coach Bob Lanier winless in two games.

Latrell Sprewell, whose 28 points led the Warriors, shot a running jumper from the lane at the buzzer, but the ball bounced away and Golden State lost for the 31st time in 38 games.

Dominique Wilkins’ 30 points led the Celtics.

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Minnesota 101, Philadelphia 97--Doug West scored a season-high 33 points and the Timberwolves overcame the early ejection of leading scorer Isaiah Rider to defeat the 76ers at Philadelphia.

Rider drew two early technicals and was ejected only 6:16 into the first period.

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Indiana 114, Detroit 88--Reggie Miller scored 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting and the Pacers used to a 10-2 fourth-quarter run to blow past the Pistons at Indianapolis.

The Pacers also connected on 31 of 35 free throws.

Joe Dumars led Detroit with 25 points.

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Chicago 107, Washington 92--Scottie Pippen had 24 points, eight rebounds and six steals as the Bulls defeated the Bullets at Chicago.

Chris Webber and Juwan Howard had 22 points apiece as the Bullets committed 25 turnovers.

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NBA Notes

Chris Mullin, who has missed virtually all of this season with assorted injuries, sustained a mild concussion when he fainted and fell at his home in Oakland. He was hospitalized overnight for observation, but is expected to be released today. Early tests were all normal. The Warriors waived 7-7 center Manute Bol, who has been on the club’s injured list since Dec. 1 because of torn knee ligaments.