NBA ROUNDUP : 76ers Make Carter’s Debut as Coach Successful

It’s easy. Simply change coaches and you win. Of course, playing the Minnesota Timberwolves helps, too.

The Philadelphia 76ers went into Monday night’s game against the Timberwolves at Minneapolis having lost 14 of 16 games and seven in a row on the road, including a 56-point loss at Seattle Friday night. But they made Fred Carter’s NBA head coaching debut a success with a 92-83 victory.

Carter, a 76er assistant the last six seasons, replaced Doug Moe, who was fired Sunday. Carter’s only previous head coaching job came as women’s coach at his alma mater, Mount St. Mary’s College in Maryland.

Carter, known as “Mad Dog” during his playing days in the NBA, said: “I went from being the mad dog to an old dog, so I don’t think I can learn any new tricks. We went out there tonight and played old-fashioned defense. We can’t get into a game of ‘we score, they score.’

“I asked the players for a commitment and to dedicate themselves. If they give that commitment, we have a chance to win some games.”

Jeff Hornacek had 23 points and 10 assists to lead the 76ers, who made 18 of 20 free throws. Hersey Hawkins added 18 points.

New York 109, Orlando 107--Patrick Ewing turned the tables on Shaquille O’Neal, scoring five of his 37 points in overtime after O’Neal fouled out at New York.

O’Neal took advantage of Ewing’s fouling out in a 102-100 Magic victory in triple-overtime on Feb. 14, but this time it was O’Neal who left the game with six fouls. He scored 23 points before departing with 15 seconds remaining in regulation.

“It was good to see him foul out instead of me,” said Ewing, who made 17 of 35 shots and grabbed 17 rebounds, eight more than O’Neal.

The teams finished the season series tied 2-2, but if the Eastern Conference standings stay as they are now, the two teams will meet in the first round of the playoffs.

Cleveland 122, Denver 107--The Cavaliers set a franchise record with 45 assists, the most by any team in the league this season, and shot 60% in beating the Nuggets at Richfield, Ohio.

Terrell Brandon, filling in for injured Mark Price (sprained thumb) for the third consecutive game, missed seven of his first eight shots but compensated with 11 assists.

Gerald Wilkins scored 23 points, Brad Daugherty had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Danny Ferry scored 16 points on five-of-six shooting, including four three-pointers. It was the first time in nine games Cleveland shot more than 50%.

Cleveland, winner of 10 in a row at home and nine its the last 11 overall, leads the league with an average of 28.5 assists a game.

Indiana 105, Seattle 99--The Pacers ended the SuperSonics’ 10-game winning streak as Detlef Schrempf scored 22 of his 29 points in the first half and added a season-high 19 rebounds at Indianapolis.

The SuperSonics had won six in a row on the road and compiled their longest victory streak in 10 years.