It Only Gets Worse for Jordan, Wizards

Michael Jordan is mired in the longest losing streak of his career, and his coach has no answers.

More than ever, Jordan looked like a one-man show Tuesday night as the Washington Wizards lost, 95-88, to the undermanned Charlotte Hornets at Washington. Jordan scored 30 points, but the other four starters made only one field goal as the Wizards lost their seventh in a row.

“I’ve tried everything,” Washington Coach Doug Collins said. “I can’t find anything right now that’s working. We’re going through a horrible period, and we’ve got to find a way to fight through it.”

Even a team meeting, led by Christian Laettner, failed to fire up the non-Jordan Wizards, who were 20 for 54 from the field to offset Jordan’s 13 for 23. Washington lost all five games of its homestand, and the record is 2-8--the same as it was after 10 games last year, and the year before.

Charlotte’s Baron Davis struggled early before scoring 24 of his 32 points in the second half.

“I’ve never experienced seven losses [in a row],” Jordan said. “It’s something we have to continue to work on until we get it.”

New York 94, Golden State 70--Latrell Sprewell scored 29 points as the Knicks gained their first road victory of the season at Oakland.

Houston 94, Portland 87--Walt Williams scored 31 points and made six three-pointers at Portland as the Rockets rebounded from an humiliating loss.

The Rockets had lost four of five, including Monday night’s 36-point defeat at Sacramento.

Bonzi Wells had 28 points for Portland.

Detroit 88, Toronto 84--Clifford Robinson scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half at Toronto as the Pistons won their third in a row.

Detroit (7-2) is off to its best start since opening the 1996-97 season 11-2.

Indiana 106, Atlanta 102--Rookie Jamaal Tinsley scored a season-high 29 points and had 11 assists at Indianapolis as the Pacers overcame a 21-point second-half deficit.

It was the 21st consecutive road loss for Atlanta.

Jason Terry scored a season-high 36 points, including a career-high six three-pointers.

Minnesota 80, Miami 73--Wally Szczerbiak scored 22 points at Miami as the Timberwolves handed the Heat its sixth consecutive defeat.

The Heat’s 2-9 record represents the second-worst start in franchise history.

Seattle 105, Dallas 97--Calvin Booth scored a career-high 24 points against his former team, and Gary Payton had 10 unanswered points during a 14-0 run at the end of the third quarter in the SuperSonics’ victory at Dallas.

Payton finished with 25 points.