Hornets Close Gap on Bucks in Central

The scouting report may be out on Eddie Robinson of the Charlotte Hornets, but teammate David Wesley says that doesn’t mean you can stop him.

“He’s an athlete,” Wesley said after Robinson scored 20 points, 12 on dunks in the second half, helping the Hornets defeat the Milwaukee Bucks, 100-90, Saturday night at Charlotte, N.C.

“When you throw it up there, no one is going up there to get him. If he just realized how good he is, wow. He just doesn’t know,” added Wesley, whose three-point basket with 1:58 left gave Charlotte an 11-point lead.

Milwaukee Coach George Karl knows.

“The name of the game tonight was rebounding and Eddie Robinson,” Karl said. “Robinson killed us with his alley-oop dunks.”

Robinson missed his career high by one point as the Hornets outrebounded Milwaukee, 59-36, and moved within three games of the Central Division-leading Bucks.

Jamal Mashburn returned after missing a game because of a bruised sternum to score 15 points and get 12 rebounds for Charlotte.

The Hornets won for the 11th time in 13 games, taking the season series with Milwaukee, 3-1.

“I think it’s too early to start looking at the Central Division,” Karl said. “But I think if we put up 50 wins it will be tough for them to catch us.”

Mashburn said the Hornets are only concerned with themselves.

“I don’t think anybody is in front of the TV hoping Milwaukee loses,” Mashburn said. “It doesn’t matter if we don’t take care of our business.”

Elden Campbell had 15 points and 10 rebounds of Charlotte, and P.J. Brown added 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Ray Allen led Milwaukee with 32 points but scored only eight points in the second half as the Bucks’ winning streak ended at three games.

Glenn Robinson added 21 points, but the Bucks shot 40% and got just seven points from Sam Cassell.

“I can’t go two for 14 and expect this team to be successful,” Cassell said.

Orlando 105, Minnesota 93--Tracy McGrady scored 33 points and Don Reid had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic at Orlando, Fla. Kevin Garnett had 21 points for the Timberwolves--but none in the fourth quarter--and 15 rebounds.

Atlanta 93, Chicago 90--Jason Terry scored 19 points and Toni Kukoc added 16 at Atlanta to help the Hawks end a losing streak at 10 games. Ron Artest, who made a three-point shot in the final two seconds, joined Elton Brand in leading the Bulls with 20 points.

The Hawks, owners of the league’s fourth-worst record, avoided setting the second-longest losing streak in team history.

Washington 107, New Jersey 101--Richard Hamilton’s breakaway dunk broke a tie in the final minute as the Wizards ended a six-game home losing streak at Washington.

Hamilton scored 25 points, Christian Laettner had a season-high 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Mitch Richmond added 21 points for the Wizards.

Kenyon Martin scored 21 points and Stephon Marbury had 20 points and 12 assists for the Nets, who made just one field goal and one free throw over the final 4:17.

Houston 86, Golden State 81--Steve Francis scored 24 points, including four free throws in the final nine seconds, and reserve Moochie Norris scored nine fourth-quarter points to lead the Rockets at Houston.

Antawn Jamison led Golden State with 33 points but it was not enough as the Warriors lost their sixth consecutive game and 10th in 11.

Around the League

The Atlanta Hawks put starting center Lorenzen Wright on injured reserve because of a sprained thumb. Wright was hurt after slamming his thumb against the rim in the second quarter of a loss at Philadelphia on Friday. . . . The Houston Rockets signed point guard Sean Colson to a second 10-day contract. . . . Mookie Blaylock (stomach virus) and Marc Jackson (strained right groin) both missed Golden State’s game with Houston. . . . Charlotte Hornet reserve guard Eldridge Recasner sat out his second consecutive game with back spasms. . . . New Jersey Net Lucious Harris sat out a second consecutive game because of a strained right calf. . . . Washington Wizard forward Loy Vaught missed the game with New Jersey because of flu.