Cavaliers Get Defensive and Beat Hornets

With one of the least-productive offenses in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers stepped up their defense for their first victory of the season.

“So much of our offense came off of our defense, and I think that’s when we’re at our best,” Coach Mike Fratello said after the Cavaliers forced 21 turnovers and converted them into 30 points in an 87-77 victory over the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night at Charlotte.

Breven Knight scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, including six in the decisive third-quarter surge, and added five assists and three steals as the Cavaliers avoided an 0-4 start.

Shawn Kemp had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead Cleveland, which came in averaging 81.7 points, the second-lowest figure in the NBA. Bob Sura, in his best game since undergoing left ankle surgery in August, had 15 points, three steals and two assists.

New York 101, Washington 88--Latrell Sprewell was missing, but the Knicks hardly missed him.

The Knicks played the kind of unselfish team ball that had been missing in their first two games, getting double-figure scoring from five players to beat the Wizards at Madison Square Garden and gain their first victory of the season.

It came without the assistance of Sprewell, who will be out three to six weeks because of a stress fracture of his right heel.

Houston 92, Sacramento 82--Hakeem Olajuwon had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Charles Barkley had 16 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Rockets at Houston.

The Rockets trailed, 69-66, going into the fourth quarter, but they took the lead for good at 77-76 with 6:39 left when Scottie Pippen made two free throws.

Portland 100, Indiana 92--The victory at Portland helped soften the sting of one of the lowest moments in the Trail Blazers’ 29-year history.

The last time the teams met, on Feb. 27, 1998, in Indianapolis, the Pacers routed the Blazers, 124-59. It was Portland’s worst loss ever and the first time in NBA history a team has doubled the score of an opponent.

Orlando 89, New Jersey 81--Penny Hardaway and Nick Anderson each scored 21 points at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Magic improved to 3-1. The Nets, playing without injured guards Sam Cassell, Kerry Kittles and Eric Murdock, fell to 1-2.

After falling behind, 71-51, at the start of the fourth quarter, the Nets staged a late rally but were never able to get the deficit under eight.

Seattle 89, Golden State 82--Gary Payton scored 24 points, including eight in the fourth quarter at Oakland, as the SuperSonics remained unbeaten and handed the Warriors their fourth loss in a row.