Carlesimo Finds a Bright Spot

Everywhere Golden State Warrior Coach P.J. Carlesimo looked Tuesday in Portland, there were unpleasant reminders of his stormy professional career.

In downtown Portland, an arbitration hearing began on the suspension given to Latrell Sprewell for his attack on Carlesimo. The Warrior coach and several of his players are expected to testify today.

Across the court from Carlesimo Tuesday night at the Rose Garden were the Trail Blazers, the team that fired him at the end of last season. This was Carlesimo’s first trip back to Portland since then.

And on the court were Carlesimo’s own Warriors, losers of 14 consecutive games since beating the Nuggets at Denver the day after Christmas.

But Carlesimo was able to ride out one storm as Golden State beat Portland, 82-78, by outscoring the Trail Blazers, 23-12, in the fourth quarter and 14-4 over the final five minutes. Golden State finished by scoring the last eight points of the game.

Charlotte 120, Phoenix 113--Playing the Charlotte Hornets for an extra 10 minutes is proving to be a waste of time for their opponents.

Charlotte ran its all-time record in double-overtime games to 5-0 as Glen Rice scored 13 of the Hornets’ final 26 points and wound up with 42 at Charlotte.

The Suns were outscored by the Hornets, 14-7, in the second extra period.

Phoenix forward Antonio McDyess scored a season-high 30 points before fouling out with 1:44 left in regulation.

Minnesota 113, Atlanta 96--The All-Star game’s loss is the Timberwolves’ gain.

Tom Gugliotta and Stephon Marbury, both left off the Western Conference reserve list earlier in the day, put up big numbers at Minneapolis. Gugliotta had 26 points and nine assists and Marbury added 21 points and eight assists for the Timberwolves, who have won nine of their last 10 home games and eight of nine overall.

Alan Henderson scored a career-high 27 points off the bench for the Hawks, who have lost five in a row.

New Jersey 120, Denver 87--Kerry Kittles and Sam Cassell scored 18 points each at Denver as the Nets handed the Nuggets a franchise record 10th consecutive home loss.

New Jersey had lost 13 of its previous 14 games in Denver.

The Nuggets, who ended a 23-game losing streak Saturday night with a victory over the Clippers, are 0-15 against Eastern Conference teams.

Dallas 84, Cleveland 77--Michael Finley scored a career-high 39 points in an overtime victory at Dallas, including seven in the extra period, as the Mavericks ended the Cavaliers’ three-game winning streak.

Shawn Kemp had 22 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland before fouling out with 3:48 left in overtime.

Chicago 103, Vancouver 85--Scottie Pippen, playing his ninth game after returning from foot surgery, scored a season-high 29 points at Vancouver.

Pippen, who sat out the first 35 games this season, went 13 for 24 from the field in 35 minutes to eclipse his previous high of 23 points in an overtime game at New Jersey last week.

Michael Jordan, who has never scored 30 points or more in five games against the Grizzlies, finished with 20. Dennis Rodman, making his first appearance in Vancouver, had 22 rebounds.

Indiana 85, Washington 84--Reggie Miller, selected earlier in the day for his fourth All-Star appearance, scored 20 points at Indianapolis, including a three-point basket with 36 seconds left.

Juwan Howard led the Wizards with 25 points, and Chris Webber added 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Milwaukee 83, Detroit 81--Armon Gilliam came off the bench to score 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter for the Bucks at Milwaukee.

He had some help from teammate Glenn Robinson, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half for the Bucks, winners of three in a row for the first time this season.

Joe Dumars led the Pistons with 20 points.