Still No Nuggets Mined in Denver

Twenty-two down and one to go for the Denver Nuggets, who can tie a record for futility on Friday night and set it Saturday against the Clippers.

Loss No. 22 in a row came Wednesday night at Denver, where the Nuggets--who last won on Dec. 7, against the Clippers--set a season-low point total in an 87-67 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

“It’s all in our minds,” rookie forward Danny Fortson said. “We can’t worry about it. We just have to come up with a win some way.”

The NBA record for consecutive losses in a season is held by the expansion 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies. The Cleveland Cavaliers hold the record for the most consecutive losses overall, 24, set over two seasons in 1982.

Chicago 110, Charlotte 79--Michael Jordan scored 33 points in 31 minutes for the Bulls, who also won the rebounding battle at Chicago, 45-43, without flu-stricken Dennis Rodman.

San Antonio 90, Atlanta 76--Will Perdue, replacing injured Sean Elliott, had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, who won at San Antonio with three seven-foot starters: Perdue, Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

New Jersey 117, Houston 112--Jayson Williams had 25 points and 19 rebounds for the Nets, who won in overtime at East Rutherford, N.J.

Utah 98, Golden State 85--Karl Malone had 27 points for the Jazz, which won at Salt Lake City and handed the Warriors their 12th defeat in a row.

Milwaukee 91, Orlando 84--Glenn Robinson scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter for the Bucks, who held the Magic scoreless from the field in the final five minutes at Orlando.

Minnesota 104, Boston 95--The Timberwolves extended their longest winning streak to seven games behind Kevin Garnett’s 20 points at Minneapolis.

Toronto 99, Sacramento 98--Damon Stoudamire, the center of swirling trade rumors, scored 36 points and made the winning basket with 3.8 seconds to play to lift the Raptors at Toronto.

Portland 100, Washington 87--One day after his arrest on a marijuana charge, Chris Webber had a solid first half, but then the Trail Blazers shut him down and got Isaiah Rider’s 29 points in a victory at Washington.

New York 97, Indiana 89--John Starks scored 17 points to lead a balanced attack for the Knicks, who won at New York to end Indiana’s winning streak at five games.

Miami 92, Philadelphia 87--Tim Hardaway scored 24 points and had two baskets in the final 94 seconds for the Heat, which won at home to end its three-game losing streak and the first five-game winning streak Philadelphia had enjoyed in five seasons.