Hornets Rebound to Win

The Charlotte Hornets were really up for the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Hornets outrebounded the SuperSonics, 48-20, Friday night and hung on for a 104-98 victory at Charlotte, N.C.

Seattle’s rebound total was a franchise low for a game and an all-time low for a Charlotte opponent. The Hornets’ work on the offensive glass produced 19 rebounds, one short of the Seattle’s total at both ends.

“It just shows that when we’re clicking, we can beat any team in the league,” Glen Rice said. “I’ve never been part of a game where a team had that kind of rebounding advantage. But I guess if you get out and play hard, you can accomplish just about anything.”

Despite the rebounding disparity, the Hornets needed most of Rice’s 29 points, including three free throws in the final nine seconds, to clinch their seventh straight victory.

Vernon Maxwell scored 22 points off the bench for the Hornets--12 during a key stretch in the second quarter--and Anthony Mason contributed 13 points and a season-high 17 rebounds.

Vin Baker paced Seattle with 25 points, and Gary Payton added 22, as the SuperSonics lost two in a row for only the second time this season.

Utah 122, New Jersey 115--Karl Malone scored 32 points, Jeff Hornacek had 23 and the Jazz shot 60.8% (45 of 74) at East Rutherford, N.J.

Sam Cassell scored 29 points, Keith Van Horn had 23 and Kerry Kittles 22 for the Nets. Cassell scored 10 in a row and Kittles followed with 11 straight in the fourth as New Jersey made a late charge.

But the Jazz, who made 30 free throws, scored five of their final seven points from the line in the last 50 seconds. The other two points came on a jumper by Howard Eisley with 22.6 seconds left after the Nets had pulled to 116-113.

Atlanta 115, Denver 94--Christian Laettner scored 21 points and the Hawks had a season-high point total at Atlanta to hand the Nuggets their 14th loss in a row.

Denver (5-56) must win five of its remaining 21 games to avoid tying the 1972-73 76ers for fewest wins in a season.

Orlando 91, Cleveland 89--Derek Harper’s basket with 14 seconds left in overtime gave the Magic the win at Orlando.

Philadelphia 80, New York 71--Allen Iverson and Derrick Coleman each scored 22 points for the 76ers at Philadelphia.

Minnesota 113, Toronto 91--Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 10 rebounds as the Timberwolves broke out of a slump at Minneapolis.

Boston 108, Washington 98--Antoine Walker had 35 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Celtics at Boston.

Sacramento 98, Vancouver 96--Billy Owens finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds and made two key free throws with 13.2 seconds for the Kings at Vancouver.

Indiana 101, Golden State 87--Rik Smits scored 21 points and the Pacers opened the fourth quarter with a 12-0 run to make Chris Mullin’s homecoming a success at Oakland.