NBA Roundup : Price Helps Turn Cavaliers Around

Mark Price believes the Cleveland Cavaliers have something to prove, and he is doing his part to help them do it.

The second-year guard from Georgia Tech scored a career-high 32 points and had 10 assists Saturday at Richfield, Ohio, to lead the Cavaliers to a 108-94 victory over Indiana.

It was the third win in a row for the Cavaliers after a slump that threatened to end the team’s playoff hopes. Before the turnaround began with a win over the Knicks Tuesday night, the Cavaliers had lost 13 of their previous 16.

But the three victories, all against teams contending with them for the final three playoff positions in the East, have rejuvenated a floundering team.

The Cavaliers are percentage points ahead of the Pacers in the battle for sixth place. Others in contention for the last three berths in the East are Philadelphia, Washington and New York.

“This shows a lot of character in our team,” Price said after his big performance. “We’re just digging our heels in and saying we want to win.

“People were saying we were folding. But, we didn’t hang our heads. We just worked to get back to playing good basketball.”

Price made 11 of 14 shots. He was on the bench when the Pacers cut a 16-point deficit to 7 in the fourth quarter. Price returned and the Cavaliers pulled away again.

He drew the praise of Indiana Coach Jack Ramsay.

“His improvement over his rookie season has been dramatic,” Ramsay said. “He’s been playing well, and it’s been evident from the beginning of the season. Judging from the way he played last year, I wasn’t sure he could do the job. But he sure has been something.”

It was the third loss in a row for the Pacers, who seemed a cinch to make the playoffs until they went into a skid a little over a month ago. They have lost 12 of their last 16 to drop back into the pack.

“We just have to find a way to win a few games,” Ramsay said. “Whatever teams get the offensive rebounds and loose balls will probably get in (the playoffs).”

New York 104, Houston 98--Patrick Ewing scored 27 of his season-high 36 points in the first half at New York to help the Knicks build a big lead on their way to an easy victory.

The win tightened the five-team fight for the last three playoff positions in the East. From leading Cleveland to Washington, which is last among the contenders, only two games separate the teams.

The Knicks, who are half a game behind Philadelphia, currently occupying the last playoff berth, improved their home record to 27-10. But down the stretch the Knicks will play six of their last 10 games on the road where they are 5-30.

Akeem Olajuwon, who missed three games with a bruised knee, scored 23 points and had 16 rebounds for the Rockets.

Denver 123, Golden State 107--Alex English scored 29 points and Michael Adams made two more three-pointers to lead the sizzling Nuggets to their eighth consecutive victory in this game at Denver.

Adams extended his streak of games in which he has made a three-point basket to 33 in a row and helped the Nuggets move to within one game of Dallas in the suddenly close race in the Midwest Division.

Seattle 151, Phoenix 107--The SuperSonics, bouncing back from Thursday night’s loss to San Antonio, dealt a severe blow to the Suns’ playoff hopes by scoring a club-record 151 points at Seattle. The Suns trail the Spurs by four games with 12 left.

Milwaukee 125, New Jersey 111--The Nets made 16 of their first 19 shots at Milwaukee to build a 42-24 lead, then fell apart.

Terry Cummings, who scored 34 points, led the Milwaukee comeback. Teammate Larry Krystkowiak had a career-high 22 points.