NBA ROUNDUP : Finally, Cavaliers Make the Plays

The Cleveland Cavaliers, winless in their first seven games, took out their frustrations on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dan Majerle broke out of his shooting slump with 21 points and Terrell Brandon added 19 and eight rebounds Friday night as the Cavaliers routed the 76ers, 114-82, at Philadelphia.

“It’s been totally frustrating for all of us,” said Majerle, who made eight of 12 shots, including five of eight from three-point range.

The Cavaliers jumped out to a 24-10 lead and never looked back.

Philadelphia was outrebounded, 59-36, and turned the ball over 25 times. Vernon Maxwell, who has been playing with injured ankles, left afterward with a cast on his severely sprained right ankle.

Sacramento 105, Phoenix 96--Brian Grant had 24 points and 13 rebounds at Sacramento as the Kings equaled the the franchise’s best start (7-2) as the Kansas City Kings during the 1968-69 season.

Charles Barkley led the Suns with 31 points but had only one in the fourth quarter, when Phoenix was outscored, 31-19.

New York 103, Denver 94--Patrick Ewing scored 20 points and John Starks had 18 as the Knicks won for the seventh time in nine games despite blowing most of a 21-point lead at Denver.

Chicago 109, New Jersey 94--Toni Kukoc had a season-high 19 points and sparked a second-half run as the Bulls moved to 6-0 at home.

Utah 86, Detroit 81--John Stockton had 21 points and 10 assists to lead the Jazz at Auburn Hills, Mich. The Jazz held Grant Hill to only seven points on three-of-13 shooting to win their eighth in a row against Detroit.

Seattle 98, Charlotte 96--Gary Payton had 19 points and slapped the ball away from former teammate Kendall Gill on a three-point attempt with three seconds left in the SuperSonics’ victory at Charlotte, N.C.

Miami 91, Atlanta 88--Billy Owens had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Alonzo Mourning added 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots as the Heat ended the Hawks’ four-game winning streak at Atlanta while ending a two-game losing streak.

Toronto 114, Minnesota 96--Damon Stoudamire had 20 points and 13 assists as the Raptors ended a seven-game losing streak with a romp at Toronto.

Boston 110, Washington 100--Greg Minor scored six of his 18 points in the last 2:20 as the Celtics held off the Bullets at Boston.

The Bullets played without rookie Rasheed Wallace, who returned to North Carolina to be with his mother, who was reported in stable condition after suffering a stroke.