Olajuwon Ejected in Rockets’ Victory

The Houston Rockets beat the Phoenix Suns but probably lost Hakeem Olajuwon for their next game.

Olajuwon had 20 points and 13 rebounds before getting ejected for exchanging punches with Antonio McDyess as the Rockets defeated the Suns, 108-89, Saturday night at Phoenix.

Olajuwon probably will be suspended for Monday night’s game at Utah.

“It was unfortunate, but that’s part of the game,” Olajuwon said. “The rule is automatic suspension for fighting, but we will see what the league says.”

The Rockets already seem resigned to playing without Olajuwon.

“Without the big guy in Utah, it will hurt. It’s a shame too, because the game was already decided when it happened,” said Matt Bullard, who matched his season high with 20 points.

Houston was leading, 105-87, with 2:08 remaining, when Olajuwon and McDyess got tangled up under the Phoenix basket. After some jawing back and forth, McDyess threw a punch, Olajuwon retaliated and both were ejected.

A small melee ensued, but it ended with Rocket forward Charles Barkley playfully putting Sun Coach Danny Ainge in a headlock at midcourt.

“If it was me, I’d rather save that money,” Barkley said. “I grabbed Ainge because he was the only guy out on the court that I knew couldn’t hurt anybody.”

Miami 94, Dallas 88--Tim Hardaway scored 27 points and Alonzo Mourning had 21 points and 16 rebounds as the Heat extended its road winning streak to 11 games.

Utah 110, Milwaukee 92--Karl Malone scored 40 points and the Jazz took advantage of the undermanned Bucks, stretching its winning streak to six games.

Glenn Robinson, Milwaukee’s leading scorer, was out because of a hyperextended left knee and top rebounder Tyrone Hill sat out because of an upper respiratory condition.

The Bucks were called for seven technical fouls, six on illegal defense violations.