News from April 19. Houston retired Moses Malone's #24. With the return of David Robinson, who was injured most of last season, and the addition of rookie Tim Duncan, San Antonio posted a league record 36 games win increase over last season. The previous record was 35 games. NJ 114, Det 101 - at NJ Kendall Gill (NJ) had 27 points on 9-12 FG and 9-9 FT, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals. Keith Van Horn (NJ) had 25 points. Chris Gatling (NJ) had 18 points including 8-10 FT and 10 rebounds. Kerry Kittles (NJ) had 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists. Sherman Douglas (NJ) had 18 points, 11 assists, 5 steals, and 6 turnovers. Grant Hill (Det) had 21 points including 7-10 FT, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 10 turnovers. Lindsey Hunter (Det) had 14 points including 4-7 3-pointers and 5 turnovers. Jerry Stackhouse (Det) had 20 points including 10-13 FT and 7 assists. Sam Cassell (NJ, strained back) did not play. Sea 90, Por 82 - at Por Detlef Schrempf (Sea) had 14 points and 6 rebounds. Vin Baker (Sea) had 20 points including 4-10 FT and 10 rebounds. Gary Payton (Sea) had 27 points including 12-19 FG. Brian Grant (Por) had 14 points including 6-8 FG and 17 rebounds. Isaiah Rider (Por) had 24 points and 7 rebounds. Pho 123, Hou 93 - at Hou Clifford Robinson (Pho) had 32 points including 14-21 FG, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals. Steve Nash (Pho) had 10 points and 12 assists. Jason Kidd (Pho) had 27 points on 13-17 FG, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals. Kevin Willis (Hou) had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Clyde Drexler (Hou) had 11 points including 5-14 FG and 9 rebounds. Pho shot 58.2% (53-91) FG and Hou shot 41.7% (35-84) FG. Hakeem Olajuwon (Hou, sore left knee) did not play. SA 96, Den 82 - at SA Tim Duncan (SA) had 25 points including 12-16 FG and 7 rebounds. Will Perdue (SA) had 12 points including 5-7 FG and 17 rebounds. Jaren Jackson (SA) had 13 points. Danny Fortson (Den) had 16 points and 8 rebounds. LaPhonso Ellis (Den) had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Cha 89, Orl 76 - at Cha Anthony Mason (Cha) had 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Glen Rice (Cha) had 26 points. Vlade Divac (Cha) had 10 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 turnovers. Horace Grant (Orl) had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Derek Strong (Orl) had 21 points and 12 rebounds. Cha shot 47.6% (40-84) FG and 6-6 FT and Orl shot 37.1% (26-70) FG and 21-32 FT. Matt Geiger (Cha, pulled right hamstring) did not play. Atl 101, Mia 89 - at Atl Dikembe Mutombo (Atl) had 10 points including 4-6 FG and 10 rebounds. Steve Smith (Atl) had 30 points on 9-15 FG and 10-11 FT and 3 steals. Christian Laettner (Atl) had 17 points including 7-10 FG and 4 steals. Voshon Lenard (Mia) had 18 points including 4-8 3-pointers. Duane Causwell (Mia) had 15 points and 5 rebounds. Atl shot 31-43 FT and Mia shot 4-8 FT. LAL 102, Uta 98 - at LAL Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) had 33 points including 13-20 FT, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 25 points. Nick Van Exel (LAL) had 20 points including 7-10 FG and 7 assists. Karl Malone (Uta) had 27 points including 9-12 FT and 9 rebounds. Howard Eisley (Uta) had 18 points on 8-11 FG and 5 turnovers. Phi 107, Tor 78 - at Tor Derrick Coleman (Phi) had 20 points including 8-21 FG, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. Theo Ratliff (Phi) had 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Allen Iverson (Phi) had 26 points on 13-21 FG, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Marcus Camby (Tor) had 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks. Doug Christie (Tor) had 16 points including 5-14 FG, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Phi shot 45.5% (45-99) FG and Tor shot 35.9% (28-78) FG. Van 112, Sac 108 OT - at Sac Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Van) had 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Tony Massenburg (Van) had 34 points and 12 rebounds including 7 offensive. Anthony Daniels (Van) had 13 points and 5 assists. Corliss Williamson (Sac) had 17 points on 7-20 FG and 3-10 FT and 6 assists. Tariq Abdul-Wahad (Sac) had 31 points including 12-17 FG. Bryant Reeves (Van, bruised knee), Billy Owens (Sac, strained right hamstring), Mitch Richmond (Sac, sore right knee), and Otis Thorpe (Sac, sore left knee) did not play. Thus ends the 1997-98 regular season. Playoff rosters must be set by 2:00 pm CT today (Monday). The playoffs start Thursday! The draft lottery for non-playoff teams is May 17. NBA Stat leaders for 1997-98 Scoring: Michael Jordan (Chi) 28.7 points Assists: Rod Strickland (Was) 10.5 assists Rebounds: Dennis Rodman (Chi) 15.0 rebounds Steals: Mookie Blaylock (Atl) 2.61 steals Blocks: Marcus Camby (Tor) 3.65 blocks FG%: Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) 58.4% FG FT%: Chris Mullin (Ind) 93.9% (154-164) FG 3pt%: Dale Ellis (Sea) 47.6% (127-267) Playoff Standings 1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round Finals (Best of 5) (Best of 7) (Best of 7) (Best of 7) 1 Utah (0) _____ 8 Houston (0) |_ _____________ _____ _ _____________ | 4 Phoenix (0) _| |_ _____________ _ 5 San Antonio (0) _ _____________ | | | 2 Seattle (0) ___ | | 7 Minnesota (0) |_ _____________ _____| | _ _____________ | 3 LA Lakers (0) ___| | 6 Portland (0) |_ ___________ _ ___________ | 1 Chicago (0) __ | 8 New Jersey (0) |_ _____________ ____ | _ _____________ | | 4 Charlotte (0) ___| | | 5 Atlanta (0) |_ _____________ _| _ _____________ 2 Miami (0) ____ | 7 New York (0) |_ _____________ _____| _ _____________ 3 Indiana (0) ___| 6 Cleveland (0)