NBA ROUNDUP : Jordan Too Much for Magic

A sprained ankle did not stop Michael Jordan, and neither did Shaquille O’Neal and the Magic on Thursday night at Orlando.

The NBA’s scoring leader finished a 36-point performance with three free throws in the final 1:17 as the Chicago Bulls held off Orlando, 108-106, after blowing a 24-point second-half lead.

Jordan made 13 of 29 shots, despite a sore ankle, and came to the rescue after Scottie Pippen, who scored 24 points, was ejected for fighting with 3:49 to play.

“I didn’t really want to sit out because we’ve been playing well and we’ve got a great rhythm going,” Jordan said. “I hate to sit out whenever I feel like I can play.”

Chicago, which played without injured starters John Paxson and Bill Cartwright, led, 64-44, at halftime behind Jordan’s 20 points. Orlando rallied in the second half from a 72-48 deficit to tie the game, 104-104, on a three-point play by O’Neal.

“This says a lot about our team,” O’Neal said. “A lot of young teams would get down by 20 and they would just quit. We never did. We never gave up, we didn’t point fingers and we had a chance to win it at the end.”

However, Jordan gave Chicago the lead for good with a two free throws with 45.8 seconds to play. The Bulls have won four consecutive games and nine of their last 11.

O’Neal led Orlando with 30 points and 19 rebounds. Nick Anderson added 23.

Houston 131, Phoenix 104--Hakeem Olajuwon made seven of his first eight shots and finished with 32 points as the Rockets beat the Suns at Houston.

Houston had a 13-0 run while shooting 81% in the first quarter. The Rockets, winning their fifth consecutive game, led, 37-17, after one quarter.

“The last two games are the best we’ve played all season,” said Olajuwon, who added nine rebounds, nine blocked shots and six assists. “During the second half (of the season) I’ve sensed an attitude change. The communication is much better.”

Richard Dumas scored 21 points and Charles Barkley added 17 for Phoenix, which had had won three in a row. The loss was the Suns’ worst this season.

“Tonight, they were the best team in the world. They played great,” Barkley said. “When they shoot the ball that well, they’re going to be tough to beat. They’re a very good team and we’re a great team, but we know we’re not going to go undefeated.”

Otis Thorpe had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets.

Charlotte 111, San Antonio 104--An injured thumb prevented the Spurs’ David Robinson from playing most of the second half, and Larry Johnson scored 28 points to lead the Hornets to a victory at Charlotte, N.C.

Robinson, who scored 16 points, left the game with 8:20 to play in the third quarter. However, X-rays of his thumb proved negative.

“This was a winnable game for us,” said Coach John Lucas, whose Spurs played without Sean Elliott. “We waited too late in the game to start playing. Losing David is tough. He hurt his hand very badly.”

Alonzo Mourning had 18 points and Dell Curry 15 for the Hornets, who won for the eighth time in 11 games.