NBA ROUNDUP : Hardaway Can’t Pass Up a Victory Over Bulls

The only assist Anfernee Hardaway gave the Orlando Magic was 36 points.

The all-star point guard upstaged Michael Jordan on Tuesday night, completely abandoning his usual role of making sure his teammates are involved in the offense. Hardaway made 12 of 18 shots in a 94-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls at Orlando.

Hardaway scored 32 or more points for the third time in four games, flourishing as the Magic’s main weapon in the absence of injured center Shaquille O’Neal.

“This is a huge win,” Hardaway said. “You figured the Bulls would be coming in here, looking for a little redemption from last year’s playoffs, and get a victory since we were without Shaq. It says a lot for this team that we can play without him.”

Hardaway made a clutch three-point shot with about a minute to go and Nick Anderson made four free throws down the stretch to help the Magic hold off the NBA’s last unbeaten team.

Jordan sparked Chicago’s comeback from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit, but missed his last two shots to finish with 23 points--nine below his league-leading average.

Jordan played with the index finger on his shooting hand bandaged, but said it was not a factor in his performance, which included a five-point second half.

Scottie Pippen had 17 points and Toni Kukoc added 16 for the Bulls.

Portland 105, New York 99--Clifford Robinson scored 36 points, including a 35-footer at the third-quarter buzzer to put the Trail Blazers ahead at Portland.

Robinson sealed the victory with four consecutive points on a 17-footer and two free throws that gave Portland a 102-95 lead with 1:06 remaining. He also had a steal with 34 seconds left.

Rod Strickland added 25 points and 12 assists for the Trail Blazers after going scoreless in the first quarter. Patrick Ewing had 29 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks.

Seattle 115, Philadelphia 107--Shawn Kemp made his first 10 shots, scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the SuperSonics held off the 76ers’ late rally at Philadelphia.

Hersey Hawkins had 21 points and Gary Payton added 19 points and 11 assists for the SuperSonics, who have won six in a row against Philadelphia.

Rookie Jerry Stackhouse scored 27 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, for the 76ers, and Vernon Maxwell added 24 points.

Atlanta 111, Charlotte 104--Stacey Augmon scored five points in the final 1:25 and the Hawks won by scoring the final nine points at Atlanta.

Augmon, who had 20 points, put Atlanta ahead to stay with a three-point play at 105-104 with 1:25 remaining.

Larry Johnson led the Hornets with 34 points and Glen Rice added 25.

Milwaukee 98, San Antonio 84--Glenn Robinson scored 36 points and keyed a 13-0 fourth-quarter run at Milwaukee.

Despite shooting only 42%, the Bucks beat San Antonio for the first time since Dec. 8, 1991, sealing the victory by making 12 of 14 free throws in the final 3:09.

The Bucks also halted their four-game losing streak, snapped San Antonio’s four-game winning streak and denied Spur Coach Bob Hill his 200th NBA victory.

Sean Elliott had 31 points and nine rebounds for San Antonio and David Robinson added 26 points and 15 rebounds.

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NBA Notes

Commissioner David Stern accused locked-out referees of “trying to hold the league hostage” with their salary demands but stressed he was committed to getting the contract dispute resolved. League officials, who were to meet with leaders of the referees’ union today, made another salary proposal. “We’re very serious about getting things settled,” Stern said. But veteran referee Mike Mathis, the union’s lead negotiator, said the new offer was still inadequate. He said the new proposal contained increases of 8.35% a year over a five-year term. . . . Brian Hill, who coached Orlando into the NBA finals last season, has signed a contract extension through the 1998-99 season. . . . Chicago’s Dennis Rodman, sidelined because of a strained left calf, was put on the injured list. The Bulls activated center James Edwards. . . . The Minnesota Timberwolves put Christian Laettner on the injured list because of a sprained left ankle. . . . Portland point guard Rod Strickland has been granted a continuance in New York, where he faces assault charges for allegedly striking the mother of his 5-year-old son.