There’s Nothing Cavalier About Struggling Bulls

Michael Jordan with rookie Derek Anderson guarding him at Cleveland? Take cover, right?

Nope.

Jordan was held under 20 points for the second consecutive game, and the Cavaliers blew out the struggling Bulls, 101-80, Tuesday night in one of Cleveland’s most convincing victories over Chicago in the Jordan era.

“They came out and took us out of what we wanted to do, and basically we accepted it and didn’t put up too much of a fight,” said Jordan, who scored 19 points.

Shawn Kemp led the Cavaliers with 21 points.

The Bulls, without the injured Scottie Pippen and with Dennis Rodman getting no points and five rebounds in only 12 minutes, dropped to 4-3 and remained winless on the road as they seek a sixth NBA title this decade.

Rodman had two minor incidents with female referee Violet Palmer and offered this assessment of her performance.

“Oh, Lord,” Rodman began. “Well, if you take that hair off her, I think she’s a man.”

Rodman continued, “I’ll probably get fined for that statement, but I don’t give a damn. Really.”

Rodman also criticized Coach Phil Jackson for playing him only 12 minutes.

“If you’re going to play me like that, then don’t even put me on the floor,” Rodman said. “I don’t want to be there.”

Atlanta 89, Seattle 87--The Hawks improved to 7-0 when Steve Smith scored the last of his 21 points on a 16-foot turnaround jumper with 4.9 seconds left at Atlanta.

Gary Payton had a chance to tie for the SuperSonics, driving into the lane as time was running down. But his left-handed layup hit the rim three times before bouncing out as the horn sounded.

The SuperSonics, held scoreless for the final 4:07 after taking a 87-80 lead, were led by Vin Baker with 17 points.

San Antonio 93, Minnesota 92--David Robinson had a season-high 36 points and 16 rebounds and tipped in his own missed layup at the buzzer in the Spurs’ victory at Minneapolis.

Stephon Marbury (15 points) had put the Timberwolves ahead, 92-91, on a driving jumper with 2.8 seconds left.

New York 93, Denver 90--Patrick Ewing scored 28 points at New York, helping the Knicks avoid another fourth-quarter collapse.

The Knicks led, 77-67, entering the final quarter.

Miami 101, Sacramento 82--Isaac Austin scored 24 points, including eight in a decisive 22-6 second-quarter spurt, and P.J. Brown grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds in the Heat’s victory at Miami.