The Republic from Columbus, Indiana • Page 13

The Republic, Columbus, Monday, AprB 4, 1 994 BS Magic Johnson drives Lakers toward final playoff slot From Wire Dispatches There," Johnson said brthe playoTT" race. They are starting to believe that if they play defense, they can get easy transition points. It's nice makess world of differenceT The Sunsrwfio ha beaten the no The Lbs Anip T.ain rebotrads-a nd-six- NBA Roundup not worried about the Lakers. I am worried about the Denver Nuggets. Period," Issel said after a 108-98 loss at Phoenix Sunday night "If we play the way we are capable of, we will be very tough the rest of the way." At the same time the Suns were beating Denver, Johnson was leading the Lakers to their season-high sixth straight victory at home, 102-89 over Atlanta.

Los Angeles is now 4-1 under Johnson, while Denver is 0-3 since his debut "I told them we're gonna be 6 games behind Denver before Magic Johnson iiincm 9dm. muggeis 11 consecutive umes in Diocxed shots as shots as Houston dvllo riMUM 93 Phoenix, extended their winning completed its second consecutive Scottie Pippen had 26points, nine streak to five games despite the season sweep of Los Angeles. coached his first game on March 27. Just eight-days later, the Lakers are 3' behind in the race for the last Western Conference playoff -spot, although to seethat they are believing now. icuuuiiuj duu miie assists as vi- inira-quaner uroueni inai wiDea "From Day One, we started off-siting Chicago completed a five out a 12-point halftime lead.

The Clippers' loss was their fifth in a row and 20th at home this season, the sixth time they've reached that figure in 10 seasons in Los Angeles, but the first time since 1989-90. CELTICS 135, SIXERS 112 Boston handed Philadelphia its 10th straight defeat a franchise-record 11th consecutive loss at home and its 25th loss in 2G games overall as Sherman Douglas scored a season-high 27 points and passed for a career-high 22 assists. with two problems playing in our halfcourt and our transition defense," Johnson said. "I think we have corrected both of them. Teams are averaging about 91, 92 points on us, and that's where we want to be." The Hawks defeated Los Angeles 103-94 on Nov.

23, and coach Lenny Wilkens said he saw a different Lakers team this time. "They're playing with a whole lot more energy and a lot more intensity on defense, and that game season series sweep of De "I play well on religious holi troit Isiah Thomas scored 17 points and Cadillac Anderson grabbed 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who were outscored 25-6 from the free-throw line. The victory was the Bulls' seventh straight against Detroit over the last two seasons. SUNS 108, NUGGETS 88 -Kevin Johnson scored a season-high 42 points and had 17 assists as Phoenix beat Denver despite a nine-point third quarter. day games," said Johnson, who scored 36 points in Phoenix's Christmas Day victory over Houston.

BLAZERS 109, NETS 105 -Portland clinched its 11th straight playoffberth, winning at New Jersey as Clyde Drexler hit five free throws in the final 26 seconds and scored 25 of his 34 points in the second half. ROCKETS 106, CLIPPERS 98 Hakeem Olajuwon had 39 5v Nuggets coach MACIC JOHNSON Dan Issel insists he isn't feeling the heat "I have said this before. I am Purdue's Ready honored by NABC Strawberry's excuse Svas not a good one' A. Team -weighs options after star shows Named NCAA co-coach of year Associated Press LOS ANGELES Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have found Associated Press WEST LAFAYETTE -Purdue's Gene Keady was named co-coach of the Darryl Strawberry, they must decide what to do with him. Strawberry failed to show up for an exhibition game Sunday and was AWOL until the Dodgers made an a 1 1 -d a year Sunday by the National Associ-a i of Basketball Coaches.

Nolan Richardson of Arkansas was the other coach 0 v1, V' I Strawberry today and determine "appropriate disciplinary action." "This type of behavior is extremely detrimental to the ballclub and will not be tolerated," he said. The team planned to work out at 11 a.m. PDT today at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles opens the season at home Tuesday against Florida. "I'm relieved to know he's OK," Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda said from his home.

"I don't know any of the particulars. I don't know any of the details. Until I do, I can't say any more." Strawberry, shadowed by personal problems throughout his career, was placed on waivers during the winter, but no clubs took him, mostly because he has two seasons left on a five-year, $20.25 million contract Claire also tried to trade Strawberry and found no takers. Strawberry, who homered Saturday night in an exhibition loss to California at Anaheim Stadium, was scheduled to start Sunday's game at the same ballpark. DARRYL STRAWBERRY OENC KEADY been in the NCAA tournament Purdue was led this season by forward Glenn Robinson, the only unanimous All-American and the NABC and The Associated Press player of the yiar.

He also received the Naismith college player of the year award. Robinson, a junior, led the nation in scoring with 30.3 points per game. He also became the 15th NCAA Division I player to score more than 1,000 points in a single season. Keady has 297-135 record in his 14 years at Purdue, making him the second winningnest coach in school history. Purdue is 161-91 in the Big Ten during Keady's tenure, second only to Indiana (180-72).

Keady also was named the Big Ten coach of the year, the fourth time he has been honored. Richard-son's Arkansas Razorbacks will play Duke for the NCAA championship today. Keady was at the NCAA tournament in Charlotte, N.C., and could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press. The Boil- Associated Press Easter surprise search and located him late at night. General manager Fred Claire did not say what reason Strawberry gave for his disappearance, but said it was not a good one.

"I have spoken to Darryl and he is with his family," Claire said in a statement "I am not satisfied with the explanation he has given me for his failure to report for the game today." Claire said he would speak to ermakers (29-5) captured the Big Ten title and made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament before being defeated 69-60 by Duke in the Southeast Regional. Preseason polls had Purdue finishing no higher than fourth in the Big Ten, but the Boilermakers won nine of their last 10 games to capture their fourth conference championship under Keady. The Boilermakers also made their 13th postseason appearance in Keady's 14 years as head coach! Ten of those appearances have Orlando Magic's Shaquille O'Neal, left, and model Cindy Crawford visit with Carol Buck, 10, of Sebring, during a visit to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando, Sunday afternoon. The two celebrities handed out Easter baskets during their visit. Crawford is following O'Neil for MTV.

On opening day, Ryan home on the range Chris Mullin targeted in woman's assault report By Jaime Aron Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas These days, Nolan Ryan's time zips by almost as hotel room," the police report read. "The suspect then attempted to kiss the victim without her permission. "The suspect then grabbed the victim and pulled her towards him in a hugging manner. During the encounter, the suspect pulled the victim on the bed, causing injury. The victim refused any fast as his 100 mph heater did.

So it's no wonder that the all-time major league strikeout king has few regrets about the- major league season begin time goes to his businesses, in-' eluding four ranches, two banks and nearly as many endorsements as that other baseball player, Michael Jordan. He's also been spending' quality time with wife Ruth and his three children. He often can belound on the mound at Alvin High, his alma mater, throwing batting practice to son Reese's varsity team. "I throw them good curveballs and give them some with good velocity," said Ryan, adding that the torn right elbow that ended his career two starts early is held together by scar tissue. 1 "My theory is don't just go out there and lob them in, let them work on something.

That way, when they get in a game and see a curveball, they'll have more confidence because they've seen it before," he said. Ryan also has had more time to be with daughter Wendy, a junior volleyball player at Alvin High, and eldest son Reid, a senior pitcher at Texas Christian. "I work my schedule around their games," he said. With so much on Ryan's agenda, he hardly has time to think about his amazing career or the Hall of Fame induction likely awaiting him in 1999. Not that he would anyway.

"I don't even think about it," he said, laughing because it's the answer he's given for years, yet people keep asking. "I just basically started a new era of life. I've never really been the kind to look back and reflect" Ryan, 47, broke into the majors briefly in 1966 with the New York Mets. He returned to the majors in 1968 and stuck around for 27 seasons, one of the more than 50 records he holds. He's now under a 10-year personal services contract with Texas, requiring him to work between 30 and 60 days a year at $210,000 annually.

It's basically meant to make sure he wears a Rangers hat into the Hall of Fame. "I really don't know what role I'll play with the ballclub," he said after Friday's first appearance in his new role. 'They've been so busy it's not a big priority." With team owner George W. Bush running for governor against popular incumbent Gov. Ann Richards, Ryan said he'd be happy to help his friend and fellow Republican.

"I told George I'd be available if I could," Ryan said. Could politics be in the future for Ryan, who once considered running for agriculture commissioner? "No," he said quickly. "I'm just trying to get my life to slow dowi." more advances and left the t- NOLAN RYAN By John Hlllyer San Francisco Examiner An unidentified woman filed a report Sunday with Seattle police, claiming Chris Mullin made sexual advances and assaulted her after inviting her to his hotel room Saturday prior to the Warriors', game that evening against the Seattle SuperSonics. No member of the Warriors organization contacted by the San Francisco Examiner had any comment on the matter Sunday. "I don't know enough about the situation to talk about it" said team president Dan Finnane.

"When we have all the facts, we'll have something to say." The Warriors, who returned to the Bay Area Saturday night after their 119-109 loss to the SuperSonics, were to fly to San Antonio today for a game there Tuesday night, continuing a succession of four road games that also includes stops in Houston and Minneapolis. The alleged victim, identified as a 26-year-old Seattle woman, reported that she and nlullin "were in the process of getting to know one another in the suspect's ning today without him for the first time since 1965. "I wonder how I had time to play baseball because my days are so ull," Ryan said after throwing out the first pitch in The Ballpark, the Texas Rangers' new home. The biggest chunk of Ryan's The injury was called a "small scratch on (the) left chest area, possibly sustained from gold, chains," that required "no medical attention." Mullin reportedly met the woman in the coffee shop of the team hotel, the Stouffer Madison in downtown Seattle. Mullin, 30, a nine-year veteran, five-time All-Star and two-time Olympian, scored a team-leading 21 points in Saturday's game.

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