Mutombo Is a Big Headache to 76ers in Hawks’ 93-88 Win

Dikembe Mutombo’s headache and cold were not apparent to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Mutombo had 20 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocked shots and the visiting Atlanta Hawks remained undefeated with a 93-88 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night in the NBA debut of woman official Dee Kantner.

“To go out and play with those [ailments] was a big accomplishment,” Mutombo said.

Mutombo also had a few words with Kantner after a call didn’t go his way in the third quarter, but they were not heated.

It was the closest thing to a controversy for Kantner, who became the second woman to referee an NBA game after Violet Palmer became the first on Friday.

Trailing by 17 points, Philadelphia got Atlanta’s attention by cutting it to 84-78 with 1:34 to play. But two free throws by Mutombo and then a 76er turnover that led to a layup by Tyrone Corbin sealed the victory for the Hawks (4-0).

Allen Iverson had 21 points for the 76ers.

Miami 90, Boston 74--Playing for the first time against his former college coach Rick Pitino, Jamal Mashburn scored 32 points, including 10 in a row in the fourth quarter, as the Heat won at Boston.

The Celtics have lost three consecutive games after their upset of the Chicago Bulls.

Tim Hardaway had 14 points and 10 assists for Miami. Antoine Walker had 20 points for Boston.

Indiana 99, Detroit 87--Rik Smits scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Pacers at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Grant Hill had 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds for the Pistons.

New Jersey 112, Golden State 96--The Nets improved to 3-0 for the first time in franchise history by routing the Warriors behind a balanced scoring attack led by Chris Gatling’s 21 points and Sam Cassell’s 21 at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Warriors, getting on four points from Latrell Sprewell, fell to 0-4 under new Coach P.J. Carlesimo, matching the team’s worst start.

Chicago 94, Orlando 81--Michael Jordan had 29 points and 17 rebounds at Chicago as the Bulls beat the Magic for the 11th consecutive time.

Rony Seikaly had 34 points for the Magic (1-3), off to their worst start since 1992-93.

Charlotte 110, Dallas 103--Glen Rice scored 28 points at Charlotte, N.C., as the Hornets spoiled the Mavericks’ bid for their best start.

Khalid Reeves scored 24 for Dallas, which was trying to match the 1995-96 Mavericks by winning the first four games.

San Antonio 87, Vancouver 79--David Robinson scored 22 points and Tim Duncan added 19 as the Spurs held off the Grizzlies at San Antonio.

The Spurs didn’t clinch it until Jaren Jackson, replacing Vinny Del Negro (ankle), stole an inbounds pass and scored to make it 85-78 with 21.5 seconds left. Del Negro was put on the injured list.

NBA Notes

The Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis reached agreement on a 20-year lease on a new $175 million arena. Under the deal, the Pacers would pay off the bonds--and up to $50 million in damages--if it leaves Indianapolis before the lease is up. It is scheduled to open in 1999.