NBA ROUNDUP : Bradley Is Impressive as 76ers Beat Nets

Shawn Bradley scored 23 points, including a 10-foot jump shot with 23.9 seconds to play that capped a fourth-quarter rally and lifted the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98-97 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday at East Rutherford, N.J.

The 76ers overcame a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter and ended a four-game losing streak. Bradley, the No. 2 pick overall in this year’s draft, also had eight rebounds in his most productive game as a pro.

“I just took what was open,” said the 7-foot-6 Bradley. “I’m beginning to feel a bit more comfortable out there. But I’m still learning. I’m going to have good games and bad games.”

Trailing, 89-73, early in the fourth quarter, the 76ers got back into the game by scoring 15 of the next 16 points. Philadelphia, which trailed by as many as 23 points in the second quarter, didn’t take the lead until Bradley backed into the key and lofted his game-winning shot.

Kenny Anderson led the Nets with 24 points and 13 assists. Derrick Coleman added 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Houston 99, Phoenix 95--Hakeem Olajuwon had 24 points and 16 rebounds at Houston, as the unbeaten Rockets dealt the Suns’ their second loss of the season.

The Rockets’ 5-0 start is their best since 1984, when they opened 8-0. Vernon Maxwell also scored 24 for Houston, which has yet to give up more than 100 points this season. The Suns, who never led in the game and trailed by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, were led by Charles Barkley, who scored 29 points.

New York 99, Milwaukee 86--With Patrick Ewing sidelined because of a neck injury, John Starks took over his scoring role for the undefeated Knicks with 35 points at New York.

Starks was 15 of 26 shots as New York improved to 6-0 and dealt Milwaukee its fifth consecutive loss. Of Starks’ 15 baskets, 10 were on layups or dunks.

Boston 98, Chicago 97--Sherman Douglas made a short bank shot with 21 seconds remaining to give the Celtics their third consecutive road victory.

Douglas scored 19 points and Dino Radja scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics. Toni Kukoc missed a 17-foot shot in the final seconds for the Bulls, who were led by B.J. Armstrong with 22 points.

Seattle 97, Atlanta 89--Sam Perkins scored 22 points, including the go-ahead basket with 3:04 to play in overtime, as the SuperSonics remained unbeaten with a victory at Seattle.

The Hawks, who didn’t have a field goal in overtime, were led by Stacey Augmon with 24 points. Dominique Wilkins did not play because of a bruised right shoulder.

Utah 101, Dallas 100--Tyrone Corbin’s tip-in of a missed Karl Malone shot with 2.3 seconds to play lifted the Jazz at Dallas.

Rookies Lucious Harris and Jamal Mashburn scored 20 points each for the Mavericks. Jeff Malone led the Jazz with 25 points.

Golden State 106, Denver 98--For the fifth consecutive game, Latrell Sprewell led the Warriors in scoring as he finished with 19 points at Oakland.

Rookie Chris Webber had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors. The Nuggets were led by Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf with 28 points.