Suns Find New Way to Lose Against Bucks

At last, the Phoenix Suns have shown they can play four quarters without losing.

What’s left?

A victory would be nice.

The Suns fell to 0-7 on the season Tuesday night when they took the Bucks into overtime at Milwaukee, only to lose, 99-89.

Vin Baker had five of his season-high 32 points in the overtime for the Bucks, who have begun this season far differently than Phoenix. The Bucks’ 5-1 start is their best since 1990-91, the last time they made the playoffs.

The Suns had beaten the Bucks 11 consecutive times, including five in a row at Milwaukee. But their chance for a victory Tuesday was severely hurt when Sam Cassell, who had 30 points for the Suns, fouled out with 2:06 left in regulation.

Minnesota 100, Portland 97--It was the 15th time the Timberwolves have enjoyed the home-court advantage against the Trail Blazers. But it was the first time that Minnesota took advantage of that fact, breaking a 14-game Trail Blazer winning streak at Minneapolis.

Minnesota was led by Tom Gugliotta, who matched his season high with 26 points, and Kevin Garnett, who had a season-high 20.

In ending an overall 15-game losing streak against Portland, the Timberwolves improved to 3-3, equaled the latest point in a season that Minnesota has been at .500.

Portland guard Isaiah Rider, traded from Minnesota in the off-season, led the Blazers with 22 points in his return to Target Center.

Rider was booed virtually every time he touched the ball during the game.

Seattle 121, Golden State 102--Shawn Kemp scored a season-high 33 points and Detlef Schrempf 27 at Seattle, giving the Sonics their fourth victory in a row. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Warriors, who have won only once this season.

Latrell Sprewell led the Warriors with 27 points, but had only one basket in the final quarter.

Dallas 103, Indiana 82--At Dallas, the Mavericks scored in triple figures for the first time this season to end a four-game losing streak and hand new coach Jim Cleamons his first home victory.

Jamal Mashburn scored 10 points in his first start since last Dec. 6. Mashburn sat out 64 games last season after undergoing surgery on his left knee, then began this season coming off the bench.

Indiana had its lowest point total of the season in losing for the fourth time in five games.

Reggie Miller led the Pacers with 19 points, but was ejected with 9:08 left in the third quarter after collecting his second technical foul.

Philadelphia 101, New York 97--Allen Iverson scored 35 points, caused both opposing point guards to foul out and iced the game from the foul line at New York.

Iverson, the No. 1 overall pick in last June’s draft, made five three-point shots and had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Jerry Stackhouse added 28 points for the Sixers, who had lost eight of their previous nine games against New York.

Larry Johnson scored 28 points and Patrick Ewing had 26 points and 15 rebounds for New York.

Atlanta 87, Cleveland 83--With Steve Smith sidelined because of an injury, Mookie Blaylock scored a career-high 39 points at Atlanta, including six three-point baskets and the game-winner with 4.9 seconds remaining. Blaylock also had eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

Smith, the Hawks’ leading scorer, is expected to sit out several games because of a severely sprained right ankle.

Atlanta won for the fourth time in five games, despite having only nine players in uniform. Terrell Brandon led the Cavaliers with 25 points.

Detroit 92, Washington 79--The Pistons limited Washington to 30 points in the decisive first half at Landover, Md., in improving to 5-1 overall and 3-0 on the road. The Pistons lost their first six away games last season and didn’t win their third road game until Dec. 19.

Grant Hill had 24 points for Detroit.

The Bullets, who have lost three straight and are 1-3 at home, shot 38 percent from the field and needed a late run to surpass the franchise-low for points in a game, 69.

Miami 105, Charlotte 97--Tim Hardaway scored 22 points and handed out 12 assists at Miami to extend the Heat’s best start ever to 5-1.

Former Heat guard Glen Rice led the Hornets with 26 points. Charlotte center Vlade Divac had 22 points and 13 rebounds.