Another Nugget of Success

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 110-98, Saturday night at Denver for only their fourth victory.

That qualifies as a milestone of sorts.

“We’re setting new records,” Denver Coach Bill Hanzlik said. “That is two wins in a month for us.”

Reserve Johnny Newman scored 21 points and Bobby Jackson had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who won for only the second time in 27 games and ended an 11-game home losing streak. The Nuggets had not won at home since Dec. 7 against the Clippers.

Michael Finley had 38 points for the Mavericks, who lost their 18th consecutive road game.

Cleveland 90, Detroit 88--Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the Cavaliers’ 7-foot-3 rookie center from Lithuania, made his first seven shots for the second consecutive night and finished with 32 points and 13 rebounds at Cleveland.

Shawn Kemp added 27 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who went to their inside game after learning that rookie guard Derek Anderson will miss six to eight weeks because of a knee injury.

Detroit’s Lindsey Hunter missed a 20-footer at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime.

Phoenix 96, Orlando 94--Rex Chapman scored eight of his 19 points in the final 37 seconds at Orlando as the Suns came from behind for the victory.

Chapman, the hero in a victory over Miami on Friday night, made a three-point shot and five free throws down the stretch.

New Jersey 116, Vancouver 106--Sam Cassell scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter at Vancouver as the Nets won their 26th game, equaling last season’s victory total.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim led the Grizzlies with 26 points.

Houston 102, Philadelphia 86--Charles Barkley had 14 points and 15 rebounds at Philadelphia as the Rockets ended a five-game road losing streak.

Atlanta 103, Charlotte 83--Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock each scored 20 points at Charlotte, N.C., for the Hawks, who ended the Hornets’ four-game winning streak.

NBA Notes

Charlotte guard Bobby Phills, in his second game back from the injured list, aggravated a groin injury in the second quarter. . . . Guard Robert Pack of the Dallas Mavericks is scheduled to have surgery Monday on his injured right thumb. . . . Mark Davis of the Philadelphia 76ers injured his right wrist and was taken to the hospital for X-rays.