Wang Gets a Giddy Welcome in Dallas

Wang Zhizhi has a lot to learn about playing in the NBA.

But he has already learned one key ingredient about playing in Dallas: The Chalupa Shot.

The first NBA player born in China overcame some early communication problems to score six points and grab three rebounds as the Mavericks beat the Atlanta Hawks, 108-94, Thursday night.

Juwan Howard led Dallas with 20 points and reserve Shawn Bradley had 16 points and 15 rebounds as the Mavericks moved into a tie with Utah for the fourth spot in the Western Conference. The Jazz plays in Dallas on Saturday night.

Wang’s eight-minute debut was highlighted by a top-of-the-key jumper for his first basket and two free throws.

However, it was a short shot by the 7-foot-1, 255-pound forward that put the Mavericks over 100 points that meant to the most to the fans because it earned them a free chalupa from Taco Bell. The basket drew the loudest roar in a night filled with cheers for Wang.

“He went from the new guy from China to the Chalupa Boy, and that’s pretty special around here,” said Maverick owner Mark Cuban, who earlier this season ran on the court to break up a chalupa-related brawl.

Wang, who said he’d been told about the Mexican food promotion, made two of five shots.

“I felt so happy I could score,” said Wang, serenaded during one timeout with the song “Everybody Wang Chung Tonight.” “It made me feel I can score more in the future.”

His first shot was ruled a block, although it was as much a strip as the ball never came above his waist.

“I was a little nervous,” said Wang, whose parents, along with millions of Chinese, were watching on television.

There were some other rocky moments. Such as with 5:55 left in the second quarter when Wang took off his warmup clothes because he thought he was being called into the game. Instead, Coach Don Nelson was asking for “Juwan” Howard, not Wang (pronounced “Wong”).

Then, with 26.8 seconds left in the first half, Wang really did get the call. He went in to a standing ovation.

San Antonio 101, Denver 80--Tim Duncan scored 15 of his 36 points in the third quarter and had 13 rebounds at Denver to help the Spurs maintain their 2 1/2-game lead over the Sacramento Kings for the top spot in the Western Conference.

San Antonio (53-22) also is one game ahead of Philadelphia (52-23) in the race for the NBA’s best record.

Nick Van Exel, suspended for the previous game after missing two team workouts without permission, had four points in 27 minutes.

New York 93, Washington 80--Marcus Camby converted an alley-oop dunk with 3:07 left to complete a late 9-0 run that led the Knicks to a tougher-than-expected victory at New York.

After falling behind, 78-74, with 7:48 left, the Knicks scored 19 of the game’s final 21 points to win their third in a row and move a half-game ahead of fourth-place Miami in the Eastern Conference.

Allan Houston led New York with 23 points.

Houston 91, Seattle 88--Kenny Thomas blocked a Ruben Patterson shot with 10 seconds to play and then dunked on the other end to seal the Rockets’ victory at Houston.

Cuttino Mobley led the Rockets with 21 points.

Around the League

Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning will probably play without restrictions when the NBA playoffs begin in two weeks, his doctor said. “As long as we can do it safely, as long as there’s no risk--which I feel better and better about--by the time the playoffs come, Coach [Pat] Riley can do whatever he wants with him,” Dr. Gerald Appeal said of Mourning, who has a rare kidney disease. Mourning, who returned to action on March 27, has averaged 20 minutes per game, about 15 below his career average. . . . Seattle SuperSonic forward Vin Baker apologized after being dismissed from practice Wednesday by Coach Nate McMillan after Baker argued with him over fouls called during a scrimmage. . . . Boston Celtic forward Paul Pierce, averaging a team-leading 25.3 points, said he wants to know the team’s direction before deciding whether to sign a contract extension this summer. If Pierce declines an extension, the Celtics can keep him through next season, after which they have the right to match any offer that he receives. . . . The Sacramento Kings activated swingman Nick Anderson (back spasms) and placed rookie forward Art Long (knee tendinitis) on the injured list. . . . The Houston Rockets placed forward Maurice Taylor (sore left and right Achilles’ tendons) on the injured list for the rest of the season and activated guard Sean Colson. . . . Remembering his former high school for helping shape him as a person, Washington Wizard forward-center Christian Laettner donated $1 million to Nichols High in Buffalo, N.Y. It will go toward construction of a new gymnasium, which will bear Laettner’s name, as well as establishing a scholarship for needy students.