Walker, Wizards Enjoy Success in Home Debut

With their new coach bouncing off the bench like a ball of energy, the Washington Wizards looked, played and felt like a liberated team.

In Darrell Walker’s home debut, the Wizards beat the NBA’s hottest team as Juwan Howard had 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists and held his own against Kevin Garnett in Wednesday’s 103-93 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Garnett had 22 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which lost for only the fifth time in 23 games.

“Y’all don’t understand how negative it was around here,” said Rod Strickland of the atmosphere under fired coach Gar Heard. “Now it’s just more positive. People feel good about coming in and playing and practicing and everything.”

With part-owner Michael Jordan watching from the owners’ box, the Wizards played with renewed enthusiasm and a new commitment to defense.

“I told these guys: ‘If you want to get your respect back and you want to get some wins, don’t fold.’ They accepted that and kept playing,” Walker said.

Chicago 88, Seattle 81--Toni Kukoc scored 31 points and Ron Artest added 24 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, as the Bulls stunned the SuperSonics at Seattle.

SuperSonic guard Gary Payton finished with 12 points, only two in the second half.

Sacramento 113, Detroit 110--Chris Webber scored a season-high 39 points in his homecoming as the Kings beat the slumping Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Jerry Stackhouse had 35 points for Detroit, which has lost eight of nine games and was without Grant Hill for the fourth time in six games because of a bruised lower back.

Miami 105, Boston 103--Alonzo Mourning scored 23 points and made a hook shot with 15.7 seconds left at Boston to help the Heat end a three-game road losing streak.

Denver 135, Milwaukee 112--Nick Van Exel scored 28 points as the Nuggets scored the first nine points and shot 63% overall--including 70% in the first quarter--at Denver.

The Nuggets finished with season highs in field-goal percentage, points and assists (41).

Atlanta 97, New Jersey 89--Isaiah Rider scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half at East Rutherford, N.J., to help the Hawks rally from a 14-point deficit and hand the Nets their fifth consecutive loss.

Golden State 101, Vancouver 95--Mookie Blaylock scored 25 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, as the Warriors rallied to beat the Grizzlies at Oakland.

Around the League

Charlotte Hornet guard David Wesley will be charged with reckless driving and drag racing in the Jan. 12 crash that killed friend and teammate Bobby Phills. Anne Tompkins, an assistant district attorney, said she was unsure when the two misdemeanor charges will be filed since Wesley was on the road and won’t return to Charlotte until Sunday. . . . Houston Rocket forward Charles Barkley is so far ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from a ruptured quadriceps tendon that he hasn’t ruled out playing a few final games near the end of the season. “Everything would have to be perfect,” said Barkley, who had already announced this would be his final season. . . . Forward Sean Elliott was exhausted after participating in most of a one-hour practice, his first with the San Antonio Spurs since his kidney transplant. “I wanted to push through it, but right now they want to take baby steps,” Elliott said. . . . Rookie forward Leon Smith’s stormy relationship with the Dallas Mavericks ended with a deal that ensures he’ll get the $1.45 million he was guaranteed for being a first-round pick. If another team picks up the 19-year-old who entered the league from high school, they must fulfill the contract. If not, the Mavericks will pay it over 10 years. Smith faces misdemeanor charges of violating an order of protection, criminal damage to property and aggravated assault. Meanwhile, the Mavericks now expect Dennis Rodman to make a decision by tonight on signing with the team. Rodman was staying with new owner Mark Cuban during negotiations after Cuban personally flew to Los Angeles on Tuesday to get him.