Suns Beat SuperSonics, Again

Wesley Person scored a playoff career-high 29 points and the Suns overcame eight three-point baskets by Gary Payton to stun the Seattle SuperSonics, 110-103, Tuesday night at Phoenix.

Rex Chapman had 23 points and Kevin Johnson had 22 points and eight assists for Phoenix, which got crucial baskets off offensive rebounds late in the game by Cedric Ceballos and Hot Rod Williams.

Person, who had a career-high 10 rebounds for the second consecutive game, made two free throws with 1:06 left to give Phoenix a 107-99 lead, then made two more with 12 seconds to go as the Suns took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.

Ceballos passed out from dehydration in the final minute and was carried off the court but is expected to play Thursday. Johnson sprained his ankle when he was fouled by Shaw Kemp with 8:33 left and is doubtful for Game 4.

Detroit 99, Atlanta 91--Lindsey Hunter scored 26 points and again kept Mookie Blaylock out of the flow as the Pistons defeated the Hawks at Atlanta to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series.

This game came down to Atlanta’s towering frontcourt against Detroit’s perimeter shooting. And while the Hawks had a 41-21 edge in rebounding, the Pistons shot 53% from the field and eight of 14 from three-point range. Atlanta, by comparison, was five of 23 on three-point shots.

Grant Hill scored 24 for Detroit with eight assists. Hunter shot 11 of 17, including four for five on three-point shots

Orlando 88, Miami 75--Penny Hardaway scored 42 points and the Magic overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to stave off elimination from the playoffs with the victory at Orlando.

The injury-riddled Magic played without forward Horace Grant and lost center Rony Seikaly to a foot sprain in the second quarter.

Houston 125, Minnesota 120--The Rockets swept the Timberwolves out of their first playoff appearance as rookie Matt Maloney made six three-point shots and scored a career-high 26 points to give the Rockets a sweep of the best-of-five series.

Maloney was nine for 11 from the field, including six of eight from three-point range, Charles Barkley scored 20 and Hakeem Olajuwon had 19 points.