Rebounding Rodman Adds Energy to Bulls in Victory Over Nets

Dennis Rodman, in the starting lineup for the first time this season, played with enthusiasm and reserves Steve Kerr and Toni Kukoc excelled as the Chicago Bulls dealt the New Jersey Nets their first loss, 99-86, Saturday night at Chicago.

Rodman, who said he was bored with basketball and talked about retirement after Friday’s loss at Atlanta, had 12 rebounds and seven points. Following a third-quarter tip-in, he raised both arms and the crowd cheered.

“Dennis is an emotional bloke. I thought he’d play well tonight,” teammate Luc Longley said. “When Dennis has something to play for, he always plays better. He drummed up excitement for himself, that’s all. If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. I just hope he doesn’t retire.”

Kerr scored 21 points to lead the team in scoring for only the seventh time in his five Chicago seasons. Kukoc had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his best game this year. Michael Jordan scored a season-low 15 points, but the Bulls still improved to 4-0 at home.

While Rodman fell short of the stats that made him the NBA’s rebounding leader the last six seasons, he was much more effective than the Nets’ Jayson Williams, who entered with an NBA-high 14.5-board average but was credited with only one Saturday. Chicago outrebounded New Jersey, 48-27.

Atlanta 99, Cleveland 97--Steve Smith scored all nine of the Hawks’ points in overtime, then collapsed in the locker room with back spasms after the victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Smith’s back tightened up after the game, and he collapsed on hands and knees in front of his locker. A trainer rubbed him down, and Smith said he was OK.

The Hawks, who beat the Bulls on Friday, became the league’s first 6-0 team and began a season with six consecutive victories for the first time since moving to Atlanta in 1968.

Portland 101, Dallas 94--Isaiah Rider scored 14 of his 24 points during a third-quarter surge at Dallas that helped the Trail Blazers win their fourth game in a row.

Kenny Anderson had 28 points to pace the Trail Blazers, whose 4-1 start is their best since winning six in a row to start the 1992-93 season. Arvydas Sabonis scored 20 points for Portland.

Shawn Bradley’s 26 points led the Mavericks.

Minnesota 97, Golden State 90--Tom Gugliotta led the Timberwolves with 29 points and 12 rebounds and Kevin Garnett added 15 points as the winless Warriors dropped their first game in the newly refurbished Oakland Arena.

Golden State is the league’s only 0-5 team.

Orlando 96, Toronto 87--Rony Seikaly scored 26 points and Bo Outlaw had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Magic at Orlando.

Penny Hardaway added 17 points and Outlaw, replacing injured starter Nick Anderson at forward, matched a career high with seven assists to help the Magic even its record at 3-3.

Marcus Camby led Toronto, which lost for the fourth time in five games, with 17 points. Carlos Rogers had 14 points, Zan Tabak 13 and Damon Stoudamire 12 points and nine assists for the Raptors.

Milwaukee 105, Boston 96--Glenn Robinson scored 31 points for the Bucks, including 14 during the third quarter at Milwaukee.

It was Boston’s fifth consecutive loss since opening the season with a victory over the Bulls.

Robinson was 13 of 19 from the field and led a balanced Milwaukee offense that solved Boston’s pressing defense in the second half. Ray Allen had 20 points and Terrell Brandon added 18 for the Bucks.

Trailing, 71-70, the Bucks opened the fourth quarter with a 16-2 run keyed by Allen and Robinson. Allen scored seven points during the surge and Robinson had a jumper and three-point play that gave Milwaukee a 86-73 lead with 8:42 left to play.

Miami 114, Washington 106--Tim Hardaway scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half and sparked a decisive run in the fourth quarter as the Heat won at Miami.

Jamal Mashburn added 22 points for the Heat. Terry Mills scored 20 points on nine-of-11 shooting.

Chris Webber scored 34 points for Washington, and Juwan Howard added 26. Rod Strickland had 19 assists for the Wizards, one shy of his career high.

Charlotte 89, Indiana 82--Charlotte won its fourth game in a row as Vlade Divac scored seven of his 18 points in the final 2:56 at Charlotte, N.C.

Divac also had 13 rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocks, and Glen Rice scored 30 points for the Hornets, who were outshot for the first time in their winning streak.

Indiana had just one field goal in the final four minutes.

Reggie Miller scored 20 points, but it was a relatively poor outing for him considering his history against the Hornets. He averaged nearly 30 points in four games against the Hornets last season, and once scored 57 against Charlotte.

San Antonio 87, Utah 80--Malik Rose and Jaren Jackson, two players who came into the season fighting for the final spots on the roster, rescued the Spurs at San Antonio.

Rose and Jackson combined to score the team’s final seven points, five on free throws, to stave off the Jazz.

The game was marred by 81 fouls, 45 by San Antonio. Three San Antonio starters, including David Robinson and Tim Duncan, fouled out.

Robinson led all scorers with 28 points after sitting down with 2:59 left. Duncan fouled out with 1:51 left after scoring eight points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Utah was led by Karl Malone’s 26 points.

NBA Note

Bill Wennington was put on the injured list by the Bulls, who activated No. 1 draft choice Keith Booth. Wennington, the backup center for Chicago’s championship teams the last two seasons, played only the first two games before getting tendinitis in his elbow.