NBA ROUNDUP : Mavericks Going From Famine to Feast

From 13 victories to the playoffs?

Suddenly that seems realistic to the Dallas Mavericks, who got 10 of Roy Tarpley’s 22 points in the fourth quarter of a 125-107 victory over the Hornets in Charlotte on Thursday night.

It was the sixth victory in a row for Dallas and its ninth in 10 games. More important, it moved the Mavericks (31-37) within two games of the Sacramento Kings (34-36) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“As a team we’re starting to discuss it a lot more now,” said Dallas reserve George McCloud, who contributed 14 points. “We’re confident. We’re going out thinking we can win every game now.”

Dallas is winning with strong reserve play and solid rebounding. The Mavericks’ reserves outscored Charlotte’s, 53-23, and Dallas had a 50-34 rebounding edge.

“We’ve got Tarpley back, and the guys are responding off the bench,” McCloud said. “It’s our job. When the starters are struggling, we come in to give them a lift. Our bench has been our strong point the second half of the season. If you get some experience, guys get the feeling they can play.”

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Atlanta 108, Golden State 80--Grant Long scored 21 points and Steve Smith had 17, leading the Hawks to a victory at Oakland and sending the Warriors to their fifth loss in six games.

Chicago 100, Boston 82--Michael Jordan followed his 55-point masterpiece in New York with a low-key, 23-point performance in Chicago, adding 11 rebounds and six assists in leading the Bulls to their 12th victory in 16 games. Toni Kukoc had a triple-double (14 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds).

Portland 106, New Jersey 103--Rod Strickland set up Otis Thorpe for a go-ahead dunk with a 1:15 to play and the Trail Blazers used an 18-5 run in the final 7:12 to beat the Nets at East Rutherford, N.J.

Phoenix 113, Sacramento 96--Charles Barkley scored 27 points and the Suns ended their longest losing streak of the season at three with a victory at Sacramento.

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NBA Notes

Former Detroit and New Jersey coach Chuck Daly said he plans to speak with the Golden State Warriors about their general manager’s job.