NBA ROUNDUP : Rodman a Hairy Problem for Spurs

Dennis Rodman gave the San Antonio Spurs a close-up view of what they’re missing.

“He brings enthusiasm, and they lack that. And as much as they don’t want to face it, they didn’t have a major rebounder in there and we did,” Michael Jordan said Friday night after his 28 points and Rodman’s 21 rebounds helped the Bulls to a 106-87 victory at Chicago over the team that dumped Rodman.

“All I can say is I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Spur Coach Bob Hill appeared to disagree, saying, “Our chemistry is great.”

“You’ve got to put your pride aside,” Spur guard Avery Johnson said. “Your pride wants to say he didn’t do anything, but he was outstanding . . . and we’ve been having rebounding problems.”

The Bulls, who outrebounded the Spurs, 46-33, and used an 18-5 run to put the game away, have become one of the league’s best rebounding teams. Without Rodman, San Antonio has become one of the worst--despite the presence of David Robinson, who leads the league with 11.2 rebounds a game.

Rodman, who also helped hold Robinson (30 points) to two second-half baskets, declined comment.

Orlando 105, Charlotte 95--Dennis Scott scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as the Magic celebrated news that Shaquille O’Neal will return to the lineup on Tuesday with a victory at Orlando.

Anfernee Hardaway led Orlando with 28 points and 13 assists. Glen Rice scored 31 points for Charlotte.

O’Neal has been sidelined six weeks because of a broken right thumb. He was activated from the injured list earlier in the day, but was not in uniform.

Seattle 120, Sacramento 103--Hersey Hawkins led a three-point shot barrage with seven while scoring 34 points at Sacramento as the SuperSonics emphatically ended the Kings’ five-game winning streak.

Gary Payton added 24 points and a season-high 14 assists for the SuperSonics, who made 13 of 22 three-point baskets and won for the sixth time in seven games to cut the Kings’ lead to half a game in the Pacific Division.

Mitch Richmond had 26 points for the Kings.

Houston 113, Washington 107--Hakeem Olajuwon scored 34 points, including a three-point shot with 46.7 seconds left, as the Rockets won their fourth in a row by beating the Bullets at Houston.

Clyde Drexler added 30 points and 11 rebounds. Chris Webber had 24 points for Washington.

Detroit 121, Golden State 114--Allan Houston had eight points in overtime, including a pair of three-point baskets, as the Pistons got their second road victory in a row at Oakland.

Grant Hill had 26 points for the Pistons. Tim Hardaway had 28 points for the Warriors and sent the game into overtime by hitting a bank shot with five seconds left in regulation.

Denver 103, Phoenix 98--Dale Ellis scored a season-high 23 points and Don MacLean added 17 off the bench at Denver as the Nuggets won their fourth game in a row and pushed the Suns, playing without flu-ridden Charles Barkley, back below the .500 mark.

Phoenix (8-9), off to its worst start since the 1991-92 season, lost its fourth consecutive road game.

New Jersey 91, Indiana 89--Kevin Edwards scored 21 points, including two free throws with 15.8 seconds remaining, and Armon Gilliam added another free throw six seconds later as the Nets remained undefeated at home.

Cleveland 113, Philadelphia 85--Bobby Phills scored a career-high 32 points and had a season-high eight assists at Cleveland to trigger the Cavaliers, overshadowing a fine outing by new 76er Derrick Coleman, who had 27 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in his second game of the season.