Hornets Lose; Anderson Trade Is Placed on Hold

Kenny Anderson’s debut with the Charlotte Hornets was delayed Saturday night because the New Jersey Nets failed to complete medical tests on Khalid Reeves.

The Golden State Warriors showed no mercy as they ended a three-game losing streak by defeating the short-handed Hornets, 110-102. The Nets traded Anderson and Gerald Glass to the Hornets on Friday in exchange for Reeves and Kendall Gill.

Rookie Joe Smith, the NBA’s top draft pick, had 21 points and 20 rebounds--seven better than his previous season high--as the Warriors won in Charlotte for only the second time in eight games.

Anderson was targeted to be Charlotte’s starting point guard, but about 45 minutes before tip-off, word came that New Jersey had asked for an extension until noon Tuesday to complete Reeves’ physical.

Reeves was examined Saturday afternoon and Nets doctors were concerned because of swelling in his left ankle. Reeves sat out the last 14 games because of a sprained ankle. Nets’ president Michael Rowe said Reeves would undergo an MRI on the ankle Monday.

Atlanta 98, Miami 78--The Hawks remained the second-hottest team in the league, getting 20 points from Grant Long and holding the Heat to only 32 points in the second half at Atlanta to win their seventh consecutive game.

The Hawks’ winning streak is their longest in more than two years and currently trails only the 10 in a row won by the Chicago Bulls.

After leading, 46-44, at halftime, Miami was pathetic in the second half. The Heat, who set a record for fewest points in a half (24) only a week earlier, made only 12 of 40 shots in the second half. Alonzo Mourning managed only 10 points--16 below his team-leading average.

New Jersey 103, Minnesota 97--Chris Childs scored a career-high 30 points and made four free throws in the final 44 seconds of overtime as the Nets ended the Timberwolves’ three-game winning streak.

Childs, taking over at point guard after Kenny Anderson’s trade to Charlotte, also had 10 assists. Ed O’Bannon had a season-high 19 points.

Sacramento 115, Denver 110--Mitch Richmond scored 22 points, leading seven Sacramento players in double figures as the Kings won in Denver. The loss was the fourth consecutive and third in a row at home for the Nuggets.

Sarunas Marciulionis had 20 points and Tyrone Corbin and Olden Polynice 16 each. Polynice also had 13 rebounds. Rookie Tyus Edney had 15 points, 10 of them in the third quarter, and 10 assists.

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf led Denver with 36 points.

Vancouver 84, New York 80--Byron Scott’s 15-footer with less than 16 seconds left gave the Grizzlies a win over the Knicks in Vancouver.

With the 24-second clock winding down, Scott made the jumper to make the score 83-80. On the Knicks’ next possession, Patrick Ewing missed a 19-footer from the baseline.

Anthony Avent made the second of two fouls shots for the final margin and Vancouver’s eighth victory of the season.