Nuggets Snuff Out SuperSonic Rally

A 29-point lead is too much for even the Denver Nuggets to blow. But they came as close as a team could.

Antonio McDyess had 23 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Nuggets squandered all but one point of an 62-33 lead before holding on for a 102-98 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday night at Denver.

“I was surprised,” said McDyess of the Seattle’s big comeback, which got the SuperSonics as close as 81-80 with 8:23 left in the game. “It was still in my head that we were up by almost 30. The lead was almost done when it was a one-point game. It was frustrating.”

Nick Van Exel added 20 points for the Nuggets, who won for only the second time in 11 games and ended a nine-game losing streak to the SuperSonics. Denver’s last victory over Seattle was April 21, 1996.

“I should have chosen my parents a little bit better. I wouldn’t have to work this hard,” Denver Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “This was a big win for us--winning one anywhere.”

Detlef Schrempf came off the bench to score 22 points for the SuperSonics. Gary Payton, averaging 22 points per game, was held to seven on three-of-15 shooting and Vin Baker was one for six and finished with three points.

Baker, trying to play through a strained right thumb, did not return after leaving the game with 9:02 left in the second quarter. He is doubtful for Seattle’s game tonight against Philadelphia.

Detroit 104, Utah 101--Jerry Stackhouse made a three-point basket at the buzzer in overtime to give the Pistons a victory over the Jazz at Auburn Hills, Mich. Stackhouse scored 32 points and Grant Hill added his first triple-double of the season for Detroit with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.

Portland 91, Philadelphia 75--Rasheed Wallace scored 14 of his season-high 26 points in the fourth quarter and Greg Anthony added 12 points in the period as the Trail Blazers pulled away to defeat the 76ers at Portland, Ore.

Charlotte 94, Milwaukee 87--Eddie Jones scored 23 points and David Wesley added 16 to pace the Hornets to a victory at Milwaukee over the Bucks, who lost point guard Sam Cassell to a re-sprained right ankle in his first game back after missing six since being acquired from New Jersey.

Cleveland 88, New Jersey 85--Wesley Person scored 22 points and Shawn Kemp made a key steal in the final seconds to help the Cavaliers defeat the Nets at Cleveland.

Chicago 95, Boston 92--Mark Bryant scored a season-high 18 points, including consecutive jumpers in overtime, and Brent Barry scored the Bulls’ final six points at Boston as the Bulls sent the struggling Celtics to their 10th loss in 12 games.

Toronto 85, New York 81--Vince Carter had 23 points and grabbed a key offensive rebound in overtime as the Raptors won a franchise-record fifth consecutive game with a victory over the Knicks at Toronto.