Restless Pippen Answers Call

Scottie Pippen, hoping to get an early rest in preparation for today’s game against the Lakers at the Great Western Forum, took matters into his own hands.

Pippen scored 12 of his 18 points in the third quarter and led the Houston Rockets to an 86-74 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies Saturday at Vancouver.

“I’m always looking to put it away,” Pippen said. “The minutes are starting to pile up on me. We need to be able to put teams away, especially with the short season.”

Pippen also had seven steals and eight rebounds.

The Rockets led by 13 in the second quarter but only 38-34 at halftime.

Hakeem Olajuwon finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocks for Houston. The NBA leader in blocked shots is only 13 short of 3,500.

Vancouver’s Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 20 points. It was the 10th consecutive game in which he has scored 20 or more.

Charles Barkley, who has sat out eight consecutive games recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, is expected to join the Rockets for today’s game but is listed as questionable to play.

Portland 82, Washington 81--With Isaiah Rider back at the team hotel serving a one-game suspension for probably the most minor punishable offense of his checkered career, Jim Jackson got his first start of the season and made a 21-foot jump shot with 39.4 seconds remaining to give the Trail Blazers a victory at Washington.

Rider was suspended and fined $2,500 by the NBA for leaving the bench during an altercation in Charlotte Friday night. Actually, all he did was take a couple of steps onto the floor and retreat quickly to the bench.

“The rule’s the rule,” Portland Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “I understand the rule, so therefore he’s out. I’ve got no problem with it.”

Chicago 94, Charlotte 77--The Bulls got their first win at home since last year’s NBA finals as they held the Hornets scoreless for 5:48 in the second quarter.

Boston 101, New Jersey 92--Antoine Walker scored 11 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Celtics handed the Nets their sixth straight loss.

Dallas 97, Sacramento 90--Gary Trent scored a career-high 29 points and hauled down 16 rebounds at Dallas as the Mavericks earned their fourth victory in the last six games.

Around the League

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway did not practice because of a hyperextended right knee and wasn’t sure whether he’d be available for today’s game against Orlando. “As of right now, I think I’m going to play,” said Hardaway, who was injured Friday in a collision with Detroit’s Grant Hill.