Nuggets Go Three for Four Against Jazz

For the first time in 11 years, the Denver Nuggets have won a season series from the Utah Jazz.

But it took a hot Saturday night by Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf to nail down the clincher. Abdul-Rauf scored 31 points at Denver, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to give the Nuggets a 99-90 victory, their third victory in four games against Utah this season.

Seattle 104, Sacramento 91--Shawn Kemp had 30 points and 18 rebounds and Gary Payton scored 23 at Seattle to enable the SuperSonics to extend their season-high win streak to nine games.

The plummeting Kings lost their season-high 10th in a row.

Cleveland 103, New Jersey 74--Danny Ferry scored 23 points at Cleveland in a game in which the Nets fell behind by 19 points at the half and never recovered.

In winning for the ninth time in 11 games, the Cavaliers shut down the Nets, ending their season-high five-game winning streak by holding them to their lowest point total of the season.

Cleveland lost all-star point guard Terrell Brandon to a bruised quadricep in the first quarter. He was listed day-to-day.

Indiana 104, Charlotte 90--Reggie Miller powered a third-quarter surge at Charlotte, N.C., that ended the Hornets’ longest winning streak of the season at five games.

Miller scored 10 of his 21 points as the Pacers opened the quarter with a 22-5 run on the way to their 15th victory in 18 games against Charlotte.

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NBA Notes

Rod Strickland, feuding with Coach P.J. Carlesimo, missed the Portland Trail Blazers’ practice Saturday, leading a team executive to say Strickland’s suspension would be extended indefinitely. Strickland was originally suspended Thursday after he walked out of a shoot-around.