NBA ROUNDUP : Maxwell Gets Vote at Houston

A sellout crowd in Houston came to watch Hakeem Olajuwon against David Robinson.

They let it be known early that Olajuwon was the people’s choice with shouts of “MVP, MVP,” Saturday, but at the end of Houston’s 100-89 victory over San Antonio, they were talking about Vernon Maxwell.

His 27 points led the Rockets into a two-game lead in the Midwest Division.

Maxwell’s role and the victory seemed to go hand in hand.

“The key to the Rockets is, if their guards are making their shots, they are a different team,” Spur Coach John Lucas said. “Their guards are a little like ours. If they hit the first couple of shots, their confidence goes way up.”

Kenny Smith added 22 points and seven assists as Houston’s guards outscored the Spurs’ backcourt starters, 49-26.

Olajuwon and the Spurs’ Robinson were saddled with foul trouble, each having five over the final eight minutes.

Olajuwon finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Robinson, after scoring only one point in the first quarter, led the Spurs with 30.

Charlotte 127, Philadelphia 122--Larry Johnson scored 20 points and Muggsy Bogues had 19 points and 13 assists as the Hornets won in overtime at Philadelphia.

Atlanta 117, Washington 103--Stacey Augmon made 12 consecutive shots and scored 26 points for the Hawks at Atlanta.

Orlando 125, Miami 105--Shaquille O’Neal scored the Magic’s first five points in a 14-4 fourth-quarter spurt after the Heat had tied the score, 88-88, at Miami.

Golden State 117, Minnesota 105--Chris Mullin scored a season-high 29 points and Latrell Sprewell added 17 as the Warriors won at Minneapolis.

Chicago 125, Milwaukee 99--B.J. Armstrong scored the first five points and the Bulls scored the first 15 in blowing out the Bucks at Chicago.