NBA ROUNDUP : Spurs’ Streak Gives Them Air of Winner

Michael Jordan decided another game Sunday for the Chicago Bulls, but it wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.

The Bulls were trailing the San Antonio Spurs by two points when Jordan missed a 12-foot shot with three seconds to play. The Spurs hung on for a franchise-record ninth consecutive victory, 103-99, at San Antonio.

The Spurs have not lost since Jan. 5 and have won by 10 points or more seven times during the streak.

“I had a good shot and had the defense off balance,” said Jordan, who scored 42 points. “I thought I made it. I had David Robinson faked out.”

Robinson, who led San Antonio with 24 points, said: “You almost have to let him have that. We were fortunate he missed.”

The Bulls had taken the lead, 96-95, with 1:49 to play after scoring six consecutive points, including a dunk by Jordan.

But Dale Ellis, who scored 20 points, made a three-point basket to put the Spurs ahead, 98-96, with 1:06 to play. Jordan, who made 16 of 35 field-goal attempts, then made one of two free throws. Avery Johnson, who finished with 15 assists, made two free throws, putting the Bulls behind, 100-97, with 54 seconds to play.

Antoine Carr blocked a shot by Jordan, and Ellis added another free throw to put San Antonio ahead by four points.

Jordan drew a foul and made both free throws to pull the Bulls to within 101-99 with 17 seconds to play. Scottie Pippen then stole the Spurs’ inbounds pass, setting the stage for Jordan’s last shot.

Elliott rebounded the miss and added two free throws to give the Spurs their record-breaking win.

Elliott said the Spurs think they can finish with the NBA’s best record.

“We really feel we’re that good,” he said. “We’re not going to play second fiddle to anybody.”

Chicago is now 0-4 against the Spurs in San Antonio since Robinson joined the team, and has lost 16 of the last 19 games it has played in HemisFair Arena.

Portland 124, Utah 113--The Trail Blazers ended the Jazz’s 13-game home winning streak behind the performances of Clyde Drexler, Kevin Duckworth and Rod Strickland.

Drexler scored 28 points and Duckworth added 22 as the Trail Blazers earned their fifth consecutive victory, their 10th in 12 games.

Strickland, who did not commit a turnover, scored 12 of his 17 points and had four rebounds and two assists during the fourth quarter. Karl Malone scored 42 points for the Jazz, which led, 101-99, with 5:37 to play.

Cliff Robinson added 21 points for the Trail Blazers and Terry Porter had 20.

New Jersey 100, Houston 83--Drazen Petrovic made 17 of 23 shots and scored 32 of his career-high 44 points during the second half at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Nets ended the Rockets’ eight-game winning streak.

The Rockets, playing their fifth game in seven nights, scored only 31 first-half points. Their 83 points was a season-low.

Derrick Coleman added 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Nets broke their own two-game losing streak and ended the Rockets’ four-game road winning streak, which was the longest in the NBA.

Center Hakeem Olajuwon scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds for the Rockets.

Indiana 112, Charlotte 105--The Pacers outscored the Hornets, 32-15, during the fourth quarter for the victory at Charlotte, N.C.

Rik Smits scored 11 of his 21 points during the final quarter to help the Pacers overcome a 14-point deficit.

The Hornets, who broke a four-game losing streak by beating defending NBA champion Chicago Friday night, led 98-84 with 8:06 to play. But the Pacers scored 28 of the last 35 points.

Detlef Schrempf scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds for the Pacers. Reggie Miller added 22 points.

Alonzo Mourning scored 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets, though he was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Dell Curry added 22 points for Charlotte.

Miami 122, Dallas 106--Glen Rice had his second consecutive 31-point performance as the Heat extended the Mavericks’ road losing streak to a season-long 17 games.

Rony Seikaly added 22 points and had 12 rebounds for the Heat, which has won two in a row.