NBA ROUNDUP : Jordan, Bulls Are Penny Pinchers

Michael Jordan avenged a poor performance against Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway in their last meeting Wednesday as the Chicago Bulls beat the Orlando Magic, 112-103, at the United Center.

Orlando probably played its last game without Shaquille O’Neal, who is expected back when the Magic meets Utah on Friday. Even though O’Neal has been sidelined all season because of a broken thumb, Orlando is 17-5.

The only NBA team with a better record is Chicago (17-2), which has a seven-game winning streak and is 9-0 at home.

The Magic had won four consecutive regular-season games against Chicago and eliminated the Bulls in the playoffs last May as Jordan made several bad plays in clutch situations. Then, Orlando won the first meeting this season, 94-88, as Hardaway outscored Jordan 36-23. Wednesday night Jordan outscored Hardaway, 36-26.

Houston 100, Vancouver 89--Robert Horry had 20 points at Vancouver as the Grizzlies lost their 19th consecutive game. Vancouver already holds the NBA record for most consecutive losses by an expansion team and can tie the record for the longest losing streak Friday night at Portland.

Boston 111, Philadelphia 100--Dino Radja scored 21 points at Boston to lead the Celtics as the 76ers suffered another rout. They are 1-15 in their last 16 games.

Seattle 88, San Antonio 83--Shawn Kemp had 30 points and 16 rebounds at San Antonio. Seattle, which rallied from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter, got 20 points from Sam Perkins.

NBA Notes

Sacramento forward Walt Williams broke his nose in practice and will have surgery Monday. . . . A charge of resisting arrest in Cincinnati in July against Sacramento’s Brian Grant has been dismissed.