Van Exel Helps Nuggets Do a Number on the Jazz

The Denver Nuggets tend to beat the Utah Jazz like clockwork. Or once every three years, to be precise.

Exactly three years since their last win over Utah on Feb. 24, 1996, the Nuggets defeated Utah, 97-87, Wednesday night at Denver as Nick Van Exel scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half.

It was the Nuggets’ second consecutive victory, both over quality opponents. Two nights after defeating the Lakers in overtime, the Nuggets upset the NBA’s best team this season.

Karl Malone had 22 points for the Jazz, which came into the game with a 9-1 mark.

Boston 111, Orlando 79--The Celtics held Penny Hardaway scoreless at Boston as they ended the Magic’s five-game winning streak.

Boston led from the start and took control in the third quarter by outscoring the Magic, 33-19.

Philadelphia 94, Sacramento 81--Allen Iverson controlled the game at Philadelphia in facing the league’s newest phenom, Jason Williams, for the first time.

Iverson scored 36 points and handed off 10 assists as the 76ers held the league’s highest scoring team 19 points below its average. Williams had 10 points and seven assists.

San Antonio 99, Seattle 81--David Robinson and Tim Duncan combined for 47 points and 30 rebounds as the Spurs routed the SuperSonics at San Antonio.

San Antonio’s twin towers were dominant as Robinson scored 29 points and added 17 rebounds. Duncan had 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Miami 91, Charlotte 83--Alonzo Mourning led a strong inside game with 20 points and 17 rebounds at Charlotte, N.C., as the Heat extended its winning streak to seven games.

Miami took control with a 17-6 run bridging the third and fourth quarters in sending the Hornets to their sixth consecutive loss.

Indiana 104, Toronto 84--The Pacers extended their winning streak against Canada’s two NBA teams to 19, including 13 against the Raptors, at Indianapolis.

Indiana built a 22-point lead in the first quarter, led by as many as 26 in the second and had a 52-31 lead at halftime.

Detroit 89, Cleveland 73--Joe Dumars scored 21 of his game-high 26 points in the second half at Auburn Hills, Mich., to lead the Pistons, who have won three of four after a five-game losing streak.

Portland 94, New Jersey 85--Walt Williams scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help the Trail Blazers extend their winning streak to five games.

NBA Notes

Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Gary Payton, Tim Hardaway, Steve Smith, Tom Gugliotta, Allan Houston and Vin Baker have been chosen as the first nine members of the 2000 U.S. Olympics team. Those nine plus three non-NBA players yet to be selected will represent the United States in the Americas Zone qualifying tournament, June 14-25, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. . . . The Philadelphia 76ers waived center Benoit Benjamin and signed 40-year-old free-agent Rick Mahorn, who played for the team nine years ago. Benjamin saw little playing time this season and averaged 0.7 points and 1.3 rebounds. . . . Scot Pollard, a 6-11 center from Kansas who was the 17th pick in the 1997 draft by Detroit, was signed by the Sacramento Kings.