NBA ROUNDUP : With Laettner Out, Robinson Scores 50

Christian Laettner wasn’t there, but David Robinson definitely was.

Robinson scored 50 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday at Minneapolis. It was the Spurs’ 13th victory in a row.

Robinson’s 50 points was the best in the NBA this season. He scored 26 points in the second half, including 12 during a 24-8 run in the third quarter that blew open a tight game. He reached 50 with a three-pointer with just over a minute left.

Laettner was suspended without pay ($32,927) for the game by Minnesota Coach Sidney Lowe after an expletive-filled tirade against assistant coach Bob Weinhauer at practice Sunday.

Of Laettner’s suspension, Timberwolves General Manager Jack McCloskey said: “This is the first time in my 40 years (in basketball) I’ve ever seen anything like this. . . . I’ve seen players confront coaches, but I’ve never seen it go this far.”

Robinson, whose career high is 52 points, reached 50 for the second time in his career and topped 40 points for the third time this season.

Laettner’s absence helped Robinson take advantage of Minnesota’s weak front court. Robinson, who has averaged 36.1 points in four games against Minnesota this season, scored 18 of San Antonio’s 24 first-quarter points.

Dennis Rodman grabbed 20 rebounds and Dale Ellis scored 20 points for the Spurs, whose last loss was in Minnesota on Jan. 20.

Isaiah Rider led the Timberwolves with 25 points.

Chicago 118, Charlotte 93--Scottie Pippen’s analysis, like his shooting, was right on target.

Pippen scored 30 points on 14-of-22 shooting, and said: “It wasn’t that big of a challenge. Hopefully, we can keep this going. We pounded the ball inside and it was too much of an overmatch for them.”

The Bulls’ victory at Chicago came after two crushing defeats--109-84 to Denver in Chicago Stadium on Friday, and 86-68 to the Knicks at New York on Sunday.

The Bulls scored the first 10 points of the game, including six by Pippen, and led 30-14 after the first quarter on 65% field goal shooting.

“It was nice to get back into the win column,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “We played well and hit the open man. Many people contributed to the win. Horace Grant did a good job. He freed Scottie Pippen and let him score. Scottie moved well on then floor.”

Dallas 98, Detroit 88--In a battle between the NBA’s two worst teams, Jamal Mashburn scored six of his 23 points during a decisive 8-0 spurt that gave the Mavericks their first victory in Detroit since 1982.

Mashburn, the NBA’s leading rookie scorer, said he’s feeling more comfortable each game. “I like having the ball in my hand,” he said. “I don’t necessarily have to score to be effective. I think I am a pretty good passer, too. I have a lot of confidence in myself right now.”

Miami 128, Washington 98--Glen Rice scored 29 points and Rony Seikaly 24 as the Heat shot 74% in the first half at Miami en route to its highest point total of the season.

Seikaly, enjoying a two-inch height advantage over Pervis Ellison and a decided edge in quickness over 7-foot-7 Gheorge Muresan, scored 17 points on six-for-six shooting in the first half.

Seikaly, the subject of recent trade rumors, said: “I tried to drive like I used to earlier in my career. You have to have diversity with your game. Everybody in the building knows I’m going to go down and post up.”

Phoenix 112, Sacramento 86--After the Suns pulled away from a 55-55 tie to lead 90-67 at the start of the fourth quarter at Phoenix, Coach Paul Westphal sent in the reserves to mop up. Charles Barkley finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

Danny Ainge, in his best game since returning last week from an ankle injury, scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.

Utah 119, Philadelphia 92--Karl Malone scored 23 points and John Stockton had 15 of his 22 in the first 9:09 of the game at Salt Lake City as the Jazz handed the 76ers their sixth consecutive loss.