Smith Arrives Right on Time for 76ers’ Loss

Joe Smith could not wait to join the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

But Smith, who traveled all day to join the team in Indianapolis after being traded by Golden State the day before, should have taken his time.

Smith missed his first six shots and finished with seven points in an 82-77 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The defeat was the eighth consecutive road loss for the 76ers, who traded Terry Cummings to the New York Knicks just before the NBA deadline and had only nine players because the two players they obtained in the deal--Herb Williams and Ronnie Grandison--were not available.

Reggie Miller scored seven consecutive points in a 13-2 third-quarter run for the Pacers.

Derrick Coleman matched his season high with 18 rebounds and had 16 points for the 76ers.

Chicago 123, Toronto 86--Scottie Pippen scored 22 points and Dennis Rodman had 19 rebounds for the Bulls at Toronto.

The Raptors played the game with only nine players, including only two of the six acquired in trades in the past week.

Chicago took advantage of Toronto’s depleted lineup to build a 27-point lead after three quarters.

San Antonio 87, Dallas 81--Tim Duncan had 26 points and 16 rebounds at Dallas as the Spurs beat the Mavericks for the seventh time in a row.

The Spurs, who took control with an 18-1 run in the third quarter, are still without center David Robinson, sidelined because of an inflamed right knee.

Rookie Bubba Wells had 21 points for the Mavericks.

Houston 100, Detroit 90--Clyde Drexler scored 29 points and led an early fourth-quarter run that keyed the victory at Houston.

Detroit closed to within 72-69 going into the fourth quarter, then Drexler took charge in a 10-2 run.