Kukoc Is There for the Bulls

With Dennis Rodman being punished for missing practice, Toni Kukoc returned to the role he relishes for the Chicago Bulls.

Kukoc, forced back into the sixth man role last month when Scottie Pippen returned from a foot injury, got to start Sunday and scored 22 points as the Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons, 99-90, at Chicago.

“I guess when I’m starting, it is just easier, good things happen early and I have a better game,” Kukoc said.

Michael Jordan scored 21 points and picked up the rebounding slack with 12. Pippen added 20 points as Chicago beat Detroit for the 18th time in their last 19 meetings by overcoming the three-point shooting of Lindsey Hunter.

Hunter had five three-point baskets and 19 points in the fourth quarter. He finished with 31 points.

Rodman, who entered the game late in the first quarter and finished with no points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes, said he missed the shootaround because he lost the keys to his pickup truck.

“I have one set now. I lost the other last night,” he said.

Bull Coach Phil Jackson said Rodman’s excuse “was not valid enough.”

Miami 116, Toronto 95--Alonzo Mourning scored 31 points at Toronto and the Heat rolled over the Raptors, who dressed an NBA-minimum eight players for the game.

The Raptors were without Gary Trent, Alvin Williams and Kenny Anderson, all acquired last Friday in a trade with Portland. Anderson has not yet reported to his new team while Trent and Williams didn’t complete their physical exams by game time.

Portland 117, Denver 82--Isaiah Rider scored 31 points to lead the short-handed Trail Blazers at Portland, Ore.

The Trail Blazers played without new additions Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers because of the Toronto’s aforementioned wait for the physical exam results.

Portland’s Jermaine O’Neal had a career-high 21 points and nine rebounds in his first NBA start. The Nuggets were led by Johnny Newman’s 21 points.

Minnesota 105, Dallas 99, OT--Stephon Marbury scored nine of his 23 points in overtime at Minneapolis.

Reserves Sam Mitchell and Terry Porter led a charge that saw Minnesota’s bench players outscore Dallas’, 48-23. Mitchell had a season-high 25 points, while Porter had 17 points.

Michael Finley scored 31 points to lead the Mavericks.

New York 102, Cleveland 91--Allan Houston scored a season-high 34 points, including 22 in the third quarter, for the Knicks at New York.

Houston came within two points of the Knicks’ team record for points in a single quarter--24 by Willis Reed in 1967 against the Lakers.

Larry Johnson added 23 points for the Knicks.

Shawn Kemp had 30 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers.

Golden State 101, Boston 87--Donyell Marshall scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Warriors ended their home losing streak at 11 games.

Antoine Walker’s 26 points and 12 rebounds led Boston, held to 37% shooting from the field.

Sacramento 88, Washington 86--Mitch Richmond’s tie-breaking jumper with 91 seconds left was the last basket of the game at Sacramento.

Richmond broke an 86-86 tie when he scored over Rod Strickland. The Wizards, playing without injured forwards Chris Webber and Juwan Howard, missed several opportunities to tie it or win it in the closing minute.

Richmond finished with 29 points. Tracy Murray also scored 29 for the Wizards.