Wallace, Trail Blazers Cool Off Mavericks

Without two key players, the Portland Trail Blazers won with strong defense and contributions from role players--along with another terrific game from Rasheed Wallace.

Wallace scored 28 points and Steve Smith added 19 as Portland slowed the Dallas Mavericks’ fast start with a 95-84 victory Thursday night at Portland, Ore.

The Blazers were without center Arvydas Sabonis, who sprained his left knee in Tuesday night’s 105-93 loss to Seattle, and reserve guard Bonzi Wells, who served a one-game suspension for bumping and verbally abusing an official against the Sonics.

“We were a little short-handed, but we stepped it up a notch,” said Dale Davis, who had six rebounds.

Wallace came off the bench for the first time this season after skipping the shootaround to attend to personal matters. The absence was excused, Coach Mike Dunleavy said, and Wallace entered the game 2:05 into the first quarter.

Rookie Courtney Alexander scored 20 points, six more than his previous season high, to lead the Mavericks, who had won two in a row. Their 10-5 start tied for the second-best in franchise history.

Golden State 99, Indiana 95--Chris Mills hit a jumper with 22.3 seconds left as the Warriors, after blowing an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter, held on to defeat the Pacers at Oakland.

Larry Hughes made two free throws to clinch the win and led the Warriors with a season-high 29 points, while Bob Sura had a season-high 18 points and nine rebounds.

Houston 109, Denver 105--Kenny Thomas scored five of his season-high 18 points in overtime and Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley had 22 points each as the Rockets ended the Nuggets’ five-game home winning streak and spoiled a 40-point, 20-rebound effort by Antonio McDyess.

Chicago 91, Atlanta 82--Ron Mercer scored a season-high 30 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter at Atlanta, and the Bulls gained their second win of the season to end a nine-game losing streak.

Milwaukee 108, Boston 97--Glenn Robinson scored 25 points and Sam Cassell added 19 points and 14 assists as the Bucks defeated the Celtics at Milwaukee. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 34 points.

Around the League

Bonzi Wells of the Portland Trail Blazers was suspended for one game and fined $10,000 by the for intentionally striking and verbally abusing an official. Wells went after referee Tim Donaghy late in the fourth quarter of Portland’s 105-93 loss to Seattle on Tuesday night. NBA vice president Stu Jackson also fined Orlando Coach Doc Rivers $7,500 for confronting and verbally abusing an official after the Magic’s 88-86 loss to Utah on Wednesday night. . . . The Magic waived reserve point guard Elliot Perry, who had played in only six games since being signed Nov. 2. . . . Dallas Maverick Coach and General Manager Don Nelson was in good spirits after doctors failed to find any “negative things” following a biopsy of his swollen prostate, assistant coach Del Harris said. . . . NBA referee Ken Mauer was convicted of tax evasion in an airline ticket scheme that involved other referees. Mauer, 45, was convicted of three charges of tax evasion and one of obstructing the administration of federal tax laws, the U.S. attorney’s office said. He was acquitted on one tax evasion charge.