Olajuwon’s Big Fourth Quarter Leads Rockets to Win Over Jazz

Hakeem Olajuwon says his job is to do whatever is necessary for the Houston Rockets. On a night when they were shooting only 37%, they needed a fourth-quarter spark.

Olajuwon delivered it Saturday, scoring 17 of his 38 points in the final period to carry the Rockets past the Utah Jazz, 91-85, at Houston and keep the Rockets unbeaten after six games.

“The big fella was there when we needed him,” Houston’s Clyde Drexler said. “He was just invincible.”

With the Jazz ahead, 73-72, early in the fourth quarter, Houston went on a 12-2 run with Olajuwon accounting for nine points and the Jazz never recovered.

Charles Barkley, making a delayed home debut after sitting out the opener Nov. 1 because of a suspension, had only eight points but grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds.

Karl Malone led Utah with 32 points.

Chicago 104, Boston 92--Michael Jordan scored 27 points and Toni Kukoc added 21 as the Bulls improved to 6-0 for the first time in team history with a win at Chicago.

The Bulls’ previous best start was 5-0 last season, when they went on to win an NBA-record 72 games and their fourth championship of the 1990s.

Scottie Pippen had 12 rebounds and 11 assists but missed the triple-double by scoring only nine points.

Milwaukee 100, Charlotte 98--Vin Baker had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Glenn Robinson added 20 points for the Bucks, who won for the third time in 11 games at Charlotte.

Dell Curry had 23 points for the Hornets, who came in with a 3-1 record, the best start in the franchise’s nine-year history.

Philadelphia 112, Phoenix 95--Jerry Stackhouse scored a career-high 36 points and Derrick Coleman added 14 as the 76ers handed the winless Suns their fifth consecutive loss with a win at Philadelphia.

Michael Finley had 25 points for the Suns, who are off to their worse start since 1985.

Indiana 103, Washington 100--Travis Best came off the bench to score a career-high 23 points and lead the Pacers to an overtime win at Indianapolis for their first victory of the season.

Best, who lost his starting point guard job to Haywoode Workman earlier in the week, scored six points in the final two minutes of regulation and two more in overtime.

Best, who lost his starting job to Haywoode Workman earlier in the week, will likely return to the role Tuesday at Dallas as Workman may be lost for the season. Team officials said Workman tore his anterior cruciate ligament late in the fourth quarter.

Chris Webber had 25 for Washington, but he missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have sent the game into double overtime.

Miami 91, Dallas 84--Alonzo Mourning made two key baskets down the stretch and Dan Majerle sealed the victory with a three-pointer at Dallas.

Majerle and Tim Hardaway led Miami (4-1) with 19 points each and Hardaway added seven assists and six steals.

Sacramento 103, Portland 102-- Lionel Simmons made two free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining to complete a closing, 14-4, run and lift the Kings at Sacramento.

Mitch Richmond scored 12 of his 29 points during the final four minutes and Olden Polynice added 15 points for Sacramento. Sabonis led Portland with 22 points.