Jordan’s 40 Helps Wizards Aim Higher

From a season’s perspective, Michael Jordan’s long-term memory included the “We stink” game at Cleveland, when Ricky Davis trash-talked as the Cavaliers routed the Washington Wizards.

His short-term memory recalled his struggles in the second half of the two previous games.

Both maladies were erased Thursday night, when Jordan scored 16 of his 40 points in the second half as the Wizards surpassed last season’s victory total with their 20th, beating the Cavaliers, 94-85, at Washington.

The Wizards (20-20) were 19-63 last season. It was the Cavaliers’ 11th consecutive loss.

“I have a long memory,” said Jordan, recalling Davis’ antics in the 94-75 victory Nov. 27, which dropped the Wizards to 3-10 and prompted Jordan to utter, “We stink.”

Davis had only seven points and four fouls in the rematch. Wesley Person scored 19 points--16 in the first quarter--to lead the Cavaliers, who have their longest losing streak in 11 years.

“I try to tell people he’s got a long memory, and they don’t believe me,” Cleveland Coach John Lucas said. “I think they believe me now.”

Jordan was 18 for 29, seven for 14 in the second half, and had eight rebounds in 40 minutes with no turnovers. He scored eight points in a 10-0 run, including a 16-foot jump shot over a triple-team while being fouled, as the Wizards took command midway through the third quarter.

New York 96, Phoenix 91--Allan Houston scored 29 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, and Kurt Thomas had a season-high 27 as the Knicks rallied from a 19-point deficit in the second half to win at New York.

The Knicks won their second game in a row for the first time since the first week of December.

Penny Hardaway had 28 points for the Suns.

Seattle 99, Milwaukee 88--Brent Barry scored 29 points and made six three-pointers and the SuperSonics used an 18-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to win at Milwaukee.

Sam Cassell scored 29 points for Milwaukee, which fell to 1-8 against the Pacific Division.

New Jersey 103, Houston 98--Kenyon Martin scored 28 points as the Nets overcame Cuttino Mobley’s career-high tying 41 points and ended a 10-game road losing streak to the Rockets.

The Nets, who hadn’t won in Houston since Dec. 8, 1989, needed a win or a Milwaukee loss Thursday to secure the Eastern Conference All-Star coaching berth for Byron Scott. They got both.

Houston’s Steve Francis had 23 points, 12 rebounds and a season-high 11 assists.

Orlando 92, Miami 87--Darrell Armstrong scored 18 points at Orlando, Fla., as the Magic snapped the Heat’s six-game winning streak.

Eddie Jones led Miami with 28 points.

Dallas 104, Denver 97--Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter, and the Mavericks won their sixth in a row with a victory at Denver.

Raef LaFrentz led Denver with 24 points, 18 in the first quarter.

Maverick Coach Don Nelson returned after missing the last two games to be with his wife, Joy, who underwent breast cancer surgery.

Sacramento 113, Utah 80--Chris Webber scored 24 points and Peja Stojakovic added 21 as the Kings won their 17th consecutive home game.

Karl Malone had 14 points for the Utah, which suffered its worst loss of the season.

Portland 120, Memphis 82--Rasheed Wallace scored 20 points as the Trail Blazers held the visiting Grizzlies to 27 first-half points.

Brevin Knight had 22 points to lead Memphis.

Indiana Pacer forward Al Harrington will miss the rest of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Wednesday’s loss at Boston.

Harrington, averaging 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds, is expected to be ready for next season.