Hardaway Lost in Nugget Win

The Denver Nuggets finally found some focus at the end of a game and ended their longest losing streak of the season.

Juwan Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and hit a jump hook with 35 seconds left as the Nuggets ended their losing streak at seven with an 88-85 victory Saturday night over the Seattle SuperSonics at Denver.

“We are playing against teams now that are playoff teams, and we can beat them,” Denver’s George McCloud said. “Lately we have lost focus near the ends of games, but tonight we got back on the right track.”

But Denver, already struggling with injuries, lost point guard Tim Hardaway for the remainder of the season after he broke his left foot in the first quarter.

Hardaway had seven points in the first three minutes but hopped off the court and to the locker room after Randy Livingston stepped on his foot with 3:24 left in the first quarter.

Hardaway came to Denver in a seven-player trade with Dallas on Feb. 21.

“We were really concerned about Tim because he had worked real hard to get himself into shape to play,” Denver Coach Mike Evans said. “That was the first thing he said when he came here, that he wasn’t in the condition he needed to be in to be a starter. It’s sad to see him go out like that.”

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Portland 108, Minnesota 99--Damon Stoudamire scored 21 points and Scottie Pippen had 18--13 in the fourth quarter--as the Trail Blazers defeated the Timberwolves at Minneapolis to move ahead of Minnesota in the Western Conference standings.

Kevin Garnett had 23 points to lead the Timberwolves, who have lost eight of 10.

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Dallas 111, Memphis 100--Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points and Michael Finley had 13 at Dallas to surpass 10,000 for his career as the Mavericks completed a four-game season series sweep of the Grizzlies.

Finley became the 238th NBA player to reach 10,000 points with an 18-foot jumper in the final minute of the first quarter.

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Utah 112, Golden State 103--Donyell Marshall scored 25 points at Salt Lake City as the Jazz earned their 22nd victory in 23 games against the Warriors.

Karl Malone added 24 points, 12 rebounds and six steals for Utah, which has won four of five to strengthen its hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

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San Antonio 89, Miami 79--Tim Duncan had 23 points and 11 rebounds at San Antonio to lead the Spurs to their 12th consecutive victory.

Five Spurs scored in double figures to extend the NBA’s longest current winning streak. San Antonio went on a 16-6 run to end the third quarter and take command.

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Atlanta 112, Chicago 96--Jason Terry scored 23 points and matched a career-high with 13 assists as the Hawks won at Atlanta.