Rockets’ Experiment Grounds SuperSonics

Charles Barkley had plenty in reserve.

Barkley, coming off the bench in an experiment to try to revive Houston, scored 12 points and grabbed 21 rebounds as the Rockets beat the visiting Seattle SuperSonics, 97-83, on Tuesday night.

“I take my hat off to him,” said Kevin Willis, who started in Barkley’s spot. “That’s the sign of a professional. He’s willing to sacrifice for the team.

“It doesn’t bother me [not starting]. I just want to play well,” Barkley said.

Clyde Drexler scored 19 points for the Rockets and Hakeem Olajuwon had 12 points and 10 rebounds in his first start since November as Houston used a 25-9 third-quarter advantage to roll past the SuperSonics.

Gary Payton led the SuperSonics with 20 points, but scored only three points in the second half on one-for-nine shooting.

Indiana 85, Orlando 66--Penny Hardaway’s first start in two months ended with a new injury and the Pacers allowed their fewest points ever in the NBA in beating the visiting Magic.

Hardaway, coming off surgery on his left knee, left with 1:06 remaining in the first quarter because of a deep muscle bruised in his left foot.

The 66 points were the fewest allowed by Indiana since it joined the NBA in 1976.

Reggie Miller and Rik Smits scored 16 points apiece for Indiana.

New York 99, Charlotte 91--Anthony Mason received a mixed greeting in his first game since being arrested on statutory rape charges as his Hornets lost to the Knicks at New York.

John Starks scored 26 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as New York beat Charlotte for the third time this season. Mason finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Washington 99, Golden State 87--Tracy Murray scored a career and NBA season-high 50 points and Rod Strickland added 21 points, a career-high tying 20 assists and 12 rebounds as the Wizards overcame the absence of Chris Webber and Juwan Howard at Oakland.

Chicago 93, Toronto 86--Toni Kukoc rescued the listless Bulls, scoring 19 of his 21 points in the second half in a victory over the Raptors at Chicago.

Michael Jordan sat out the fourth quarter after scoring 18 points on eight-for-21 shooting.

Phoenix 88, Sacramento 86--Rex Chapman’s one-handed running jumper with 1.8 seconds lifted the Suns over the Kings at Phoenix. Jason Kidd led the Suns with 21 points.

New Jersey 90, Dallas 81--Sam Cassell scored 18 of his 26 points in the second half at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Nets handed the Mavericks their 21st consecutive road loss.

Miami 91, Cleveland 81--Jamal Mashburn scored 21 points at Cleveland and the Heat held rookie center Zydrunus Ilgauskas to eight points on three-for-12 shooting.

Heat guard Tim Hardaway and Cavalier forward Vitaly Potapenko were ejected in the third quarter after exchanging shoves.

Atlanta 108, Milwaukee 100--Steve Smith scored 27 points and Alan Henderson had 19 points and 15 rebounds in his first start of the season as the shorthanded Hawks won at Milwaukee.

The Hawks played without Christian Laettner (flu) and Eldridge Recasner (ankle injury).

Denver 112, Boston 99--Johnny Newman scored 20 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets shot a season-high 60% at Denver in recording only their fifth victory of the season.