Hardaway, Magic Do All the Talking, 93-84

During a subpar game against Detroit earlier this month, Penny Hardaway felt he was the target of excessive trash talking by the Pistons.

On Monday night, Orlando’s all-star guard got even.

Hardaway scored 29 points as the Magic snapped Detroit’s six-game winning streak, 93-84, at Orlando.

He went 11 for 16 from the field, including four of six from behind the three-point arc, and the Magic improved to 4-0 under interim Coach Richie Adubato.

Hardaway, only three for 15 from the field during a road loss to the Pistons on Feb. 12, had 18 points and the Magic shot 57% in building a 56-39 halftime lead.

“I took it upon myself to be very aggressive,” he said. “In Detroit, I missed a lot of shots and a couple of their players, who I don’t want to name, were talking a lot of trash and really being a little cocky.”

Rony Seikaly was the only other player in double figures for Orlando, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds. The Magic averaged 86 points in two previous meetings against Detroit.

Chicago 116, Portland 89--Michael Jordan scored 30 of his 37 points in the first half as the Bulls extended their winning streak to seven games at Chicago.

The last time the teams met, Feb. 4 in Portland, Jordan scored 22 fourth-quarter points as the Bulls rallied for an 88-84 victory. This time, Jordan took care of things early.

After reserves Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc and Jason Caffey helped Chicago take a 53-39 lead, Jordan scored the Bulls’ final 14 points of the first half to make it, 67-49.

Atlanta 106, Golden State 100--Christian Laettner scored 25 points and Mookie Blaylock just missed a triple-double as the Hawks defeated the Warriors at Atlanta.

Blaylock finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Hawks won for the 23rd time in 25 home games.

Laettner made a jump shot to give the Hawks a 98-96 lead with 2:30 left. Then Blaylock took over, scoring four points and making two steals for the Hawks down the stretch.

After Blaylock intercepted a pass, Dikembe Mutombo made a free throw for Atlanta. Blaylock then scored on a tip-in for a 101-96 lead with 46 seconds left.

Charlotte 96, San Antonio 84--Glen Rice scored 33 points as the Hornets extended their winning streak to a season-best five games at San Antonio.

Rice scored 10 points in the fourth quarter as Charlotte held off a slight Spurs threat. San Antonio moved within 89-82 with 2:37 remaining on a field goal by Dominique Wilkins, but the Spurs could get no closer thereafter.

Anthony Mason had 24 points and 16 rebounds for Charlotte, and Vlade Divac had 13 rebounds and nine blocks. Vinny Del Negro led the Spurs with 24 points and Wilkins added 20.