The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • 15

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER TUESDAY APRIL 27 1W 5B NBA AT A GLANCE NBA ratings steady despite lockout EASTERN CONFERENCE of the picture more teams have a chance creating hope in places other than Chicago Last year the Bulls were highest-rated team at 28 This year it is the Lakers at 20 Yet Turner is ahead because the ratings for other teams went up Suddenly Utah San Antonio Houston and Portland have become draws There is bad news Unless Jordan returns no way the networks will be able to keep pace during the playoffs especially NBC Last NBA Finals on NBC were the highest-rated ever at 187 with the Jordan finale in Game 6 pulling in an all-time high of 223 president for programming at Turner Sports were anticipating a negative reaction We hoped over a period of time the audience would return What seeing is that the fans are sticking around for the 85-82 games instead of the 105-102 NBC also is pleased with the ratings But not surprised really not surprised about said Ken Schanzer president of NBC Sports with Michael Jordan gone this sport has residual strength buoyed by the ratings but not So who needs Michael? happened is that without Jordan instead of turning off the NBA fans have turned onto other stories Now that the Bulls are out regular season of 26 games one network ratings point is about 1 million homes and share is the percentage of televisions tuned to the broadcast But for games played from Feb 14 though April 18 the national average is 4310 virtually identical to the same stretch a year ago not the same is the network is doing it without Jordan and the Bulls Meanwhile the folks at Turner Sports are ecstatic The ratings for their broadcasts on TNT and TBS are up 6 percent from 17 to 18 Who would have thought so many fans wanted to see 72-67 games? surprised done as well as we have right out of the said Kevin vice By ED SHERMAN Chicago Tribune Chicago Strike 1 should have been the lockout Strike 2 should have been Michael retirement Strike 3 should have been some of the worst basketball played this side of your neighborhood But guess what? The NBA strike out For all the talk of doom and gloom the ratings have held up quite nicely Unlike the 1994 baseball strike from which the sport still recovered on television fans are tuning in to watch basketball games even if many games very good NBC attracted a 44 rating and a 10 share through 23 games down slightly from a 4612 for last EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF RACE Knicks knock Hornets down a notch HORNETS from IB x-clinched berth y-division leader (automatic top two seeds) late game not included TIEBREAKER RULES Turbulence takes a toll on Lakers By KEVIN DING Orange County Register Houston The Los Angeles Lakers showed no visible anger in their locker room late Saturday after being whipped by 27 points Shaquille repeatedly cited San superior intensity but then said never one to worry We just have to try to get After a sleep and a prolonged afternoon of film work and practice for the rout to sink in Kobe Bryant was asked Sunday about the state of the Lakers Spurs) just played better basketball than we he said nothing to be frustrated about fine fine been through so much this the mind-set the Lakers carried into Monday showdown at Houston the likely first-round playoff foe On the surface this was a big opportunity The Lakers could set the tone for the upcoming playoff series by winning on the road and position themselves for home-court advantage in the series The Rockets lost their third in a row Sunday and sat a half-game ahead of Los Angeles for the No 4 seed in the West But the Lakers were more blase than out for blood If they wanted to salvage something of this difficult season have expected exasperation followed by a sincere intent to impose their will and talent on remaining opponents Perhaps the spirit is broken by all it has gone through The Lakers were 12-12 since Glen Rice and JR Reid joined the team in a trade with the Hornets At the very FOR TWO TEAMS: 1 Better record in head-to-head games 2 Higher winning percentage in conference 3 Higher winning percentage in division (if in same division) 4 Higher winning percentage vs playoff teams in own conference 5 Higher winning percentage vs playoff teams in opposite conference 6 Higher point differential between points scored and points allowed FOR THREE TEAMS: 1 Best head-to-head winning percentage among teams tied 2 Highest winning percentage in conference games 3 Highest winning percentage within division (if same division) 4 Highest winning percentage against playoff teams in own conference 5 Highest point differential between points scored and points allowed Source: NBAcom least it was clear the Lakers lacked confidence that are all solid and grounded can make up for their mistakes and make up for off nights but not Lakers coach Kurt Rambis said Sunday we make mistakes we have a hard time regrouping to give ourselves a good solid push to try and turn a game The Lakers have managed to do it at times most noticeably those fantastic rallies at Orlando and Golden State Asked why they ride those confidence boosts into long winning streaks Rambis pointed to his fundamental inconsistencies always popping up turnovers and poor defensive rotation specifically teams eliminate their mistakes or cover them up with good teamwork and they gain confidence by winning basketball games to push them further to play harder and more he said have to have talent to win but just because you have talent mean going to why Rambis was resigned to a less-than-rousing conclusion Pacific Division teams In bold Midwest Division teams in light NOTE: Top eight teams in each conference qualify for playoffs: division champions clinch top two playoff seeds in each conference Late game not Clinched playoff spot RESULTS Riley climbs victoiy ladder with Heat romp Miami 90 Cleveland 65: Pat Riley moved into a second-place tie with Bill Fitch for career NBA coaching victones as the Heat rolled at Cleveland Riley who recently moved past Red Auerbach on the list earned victory No 944 in his 1345th game without getting another gray hair or sweating through one of his natty suits No 1 in coaching victones is Lenny Wilkens with 1148 Alonzo Mourning had 23 points 12 rebounds and four blocks and Tim Hardaway scored 12 points all in the second quarter as Miami beat the Cavs for the third time in eight days Cleveland's already slim hopes of making the playoffs got slimmer with the news that leading scorer Shawn Kemp will not travel with the team to Philadelphia and Washington this week Kemp sprained his left foot at Milwaukee on Fnday night The Cavs began the night lVi games out of the eighth playoff spot but without Kemp and point guard Brevin Knight out for the year with a broken hand coach Mike Fratello had to start Bob Sura and Danny Ferry Derek Anderson activated before the game had 14 points to lead the Cavs rag-tag lineup would have been in trouble on any night against Miami but the Heat was coming off a home loss to New York in which it blew a 20-point lead the third quarter and had little sympathy for the Cavs Miami has a 1 Vi-game lead over Indiana for the best record in the East and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs Hardaway who didn't score in the first quarter made two straight three-pointers and scored 10 straight Miami points in a 4Vi-minute stretch of the second quarter as the Heat opened an 11-point lead The Cavs got within seven on Anderson's jumper but the Heat closed the half with a 7-0 run capped by Jamal 21-footer at the buzzer as Miami opened a 47-33 lead at halftime New York 91 Charlotte 84 Houston 102 Los Angeles lakers 80 Washington at Milwaukee late Chicago at Dallas late Phoenix at Utah late Denver at Portland late Sacramento at Golden State late San Antonio at Los Angeles Clippers late RESULTS Detroit 91 Boston 113 Phoenix 95 Utah 98 Portland 100 SCHEDULE GAMES Charlotte at Toronto 7 Detroit at Boston 7 Cleveland at Philadelphia 7 Miami at New Jersey 8 Orlando at Indiana 8 Vancouver at Dallas 8:30 San Antonio at Sacramento 10:30 Utah at Seattle 10:30 WEDNESDAY1 GAMES GAMES Washington at Orlando 7:30 Cleveland at Washington 7 New Jersey at Detroit 7:30 Philadelphia at New York 7:30 New York at Atlanta 7:30 Boston at Miami 7:30 Phoenix at Minnesota 8 Charlotte at Indiana 8 Toronto at Milwaukee 8:30 Dallas at Houston 8:30 Seattle at Portland 10 Golden State at Utah 9 Phoenix at Denver 9 San Antonio at Vancouver 10 Portland at LA Lakers 10:30 LA Clippers at Sacramento 10:30 Late Sunday HEAT 90 CAVALIERS 65 TRAIL BLAZERS 100 T1MBERW0LVES B4 NETS 120 PACERS 98 The 8-0 strike came in just over a minute and got the deficit to 82-76 with 3:11 left The margin dropped to five at 2:12 on a Phills three-pointer from the comer Then with the Knicks turning the ball over on two straight possessions (steals by Eddie Jones and Person) Wesley was fouled by Allan Houston and hit two free throws The Hornets were within 84-81 with 1:05 remaining But the surge ended abruptly The Knicks came out of a timeout and got a short Latrell Sprewell jumper for an 86-81 lead at 0:47 Phills missed a hurried three-pointer on the other end and New York came back with two Chris Childs free throws for an 88-81 cushion with 20 seconds left The Hornets came in with 10 wins in their past 1 1 games The lone loss in that stretch was at New York Friday 1 10-105 Charlotte fell behind by 18 in that one then closed to within a point before the Knicks got away at the finish That victory broke the four-game losing streak and they followed it with a comeback from a 20-point deficit and a close win Sunday in Miami That put New York a half-game up on the Hornets in the struggle for the eighth and final Eastern Conference play-off position Charlotte had wing guard Ed die Jones in the starting lineup for the first time in eight days He missed three games with a cut hand New York played without starting center Patrick Ewing (sore Achilles tendon) for a second straight game As they had done in Madison Square Garden last weekend the Knicks came out strong playing aggressive defense that had Charlotte off stride in the first period and scoring with relative ease on the other end The Hornets got the first basket but Charlie Ward came right back with a three-pointer triggering a 9-0 New York run The Knicks doubled the score on the Hornets taking a 16-8 lead on another Ward bonus shot with 6 minutes 6 seconds to play in the period before Charlotte made a run David Wesley and Bobby Phills hit back-to-back three-pointers and the Hornets got within 16-14 at 4:58 Before the Hornets could score again New York ran off 14 straight points taking a 30-14 advantage with 12 seconds left in the quarter Elden rebound shot at the buzzer left Charlotte down 30-16 entering the second period The Knicks shot 550 percent in the first period the Hornets 333 Derrick Coleman came off the bench for Chucky Brown at power forward and helped the Hornets rally early in the second quarter He hit three straight field goals as Charlotte closed within eight then added two free throws a few moments later But third field goal with 9:20 to play in the second was the only one Charlotte would get for about 6 'h minutes The Knicks were also struggling for points but still outscored the Hornets 9-4 to take their lead back to 1 1 39-28 They led 43-30 at halftime The second quarter was basically even Charlotte it by a point and it pretty for either team The Hornets shot 333 percent the Knicks 278 Latrell Sprewell had 12 points to lead New York at that stage He hit 6 of 11 shots and grabbed four rebounds and two steals in a 17-minute reserve role Charlotte had no double-figure scorers with eight points leading the team The downside of New aggressive defensive play a high number of fouls put the Hornets in the bonus and on the line often in the final minutes of the quarter Jones and Phills sandwiched two free throws apiece around a Brown baseline jumper to enable Charlotte to pull within eight 64-56 with 35 seconds to play New York led 66-56 going into the final quarter Totals 240 32-70 16-20 4-22 24 31 84 Percentages: FG 457 FT 800 Three-Point Goals: 4-11 364 (Scott 2-4 Garnett 1-1 Peeler 1-3 Mitchell 0-1 Patterson 0-1 Brandon 0-1) Team Rebounds: 7 Blocked Shota: 5 (Garnett 2 Garrett 2 Smith) Turnovers: 15 (Garnett 4 Peeler 3 Patterson 2 Brandon 2 Scott 2 Smith Robinson) Steals: 11 (Garnett 2 Garrett 2 Hammonds 2 Peeler 2 Smith Brandon Robinson) Technical Fouls: None Totals 240 33-63 19-30 7-45 25 22 90 Percentages: FG 524 FT 633 Three-Point Goals: 5-12 417 (Majerte 2-3 Hardaway 2-4 Porter 1-3 Mashbum 01 Askms 0-1) Team Rebounds: 9 Blocked Shots: 9 (Mourning 4 Causwell 3 Weatherspoon Conlon) Turnovers: 18 (Mourning 4 Mashbum 3 Hardaway 2 Brown 2 Porter 2 Weatherspoon 2 Lenard Askms Conlon) Steals: 6 (Porter 3 Weatherspoon 2 Askms) Technical Fouls: None IHegai Defense: None Percentages: FG 486 FT 767 Three-Point Goats: 7-20 350 (Miller 6-13 Rose 1-4 Jackson 0-3) Team Rebounds: 4 Blocked Shota: 2 (McKey Smits) Turnovers: 16 (Rose 4 Jackson 4 McKey 2 0Oavis 2 Smits 2 Mullin Best) Steals: 3 (Rose Mullm Croshere) Technical Fouls: Best 729 fourth Assistant coach Harter 417 fourth Flagrant fouls: Best 4 17 fourth Ejected: Assistant coach Harter 417 fourth Best 4:17 fourth Illegal Defense: 1 Associated Press Totals 240 2568 11-20 7-29 16 25 65 Percentages: FG 368 FT 550 Three-Point Goals: 4-11 364 (Anderson 2-2 Boykins 1-1 Feny 1-3 Person 0-1 Henderson 0-1 Newman 0-1 Butler 0-2) Team Rebounds: 10 Blocked Shots: 4 (Ferry Anderson Newman Stack) Turnovers: 16 (Ferry 3 Boykrts 3 Sura 2 Anderson 2 DeCiercq 2 Buber Newman Stack Blount) Steals: 10 (Henderson 4 Butler 2 Anderson Newman DeCiercq Blount) Technical Fouls: Illegal Defense 2:02 first Illegal Percentages: FG 457 FT 816 Three-Point Goats: 5-7 714 (Rider 2-2 Wallace 1-1 JJackson 1-1 Anlhony 1-2 Stoudamire 0-1) Team Rebounds: 8 Blocked Shota: 1 (Cato) Turnovers: 20 (Sabonis 5 Rider 3 BGrant 3 Anthony 3 Stoudamire 3 O'Neal Wallace JJackson) Steals: 7 (Wallace 2 Sabonis 2 Rider Augnon JJackson) Technical Fouls: Sabonis 3 39 thud Wagal Defense: None Totals 240 47-78 22-26 14-37 27 22 120 Percentages: FG 603 FT 846 Three-Point Goals: 4-8 500 (Van Horn 2-2 Kittles 1-3 Marbuty 1 3) Team Rebounds: 7 Blocked Shots: 3 (Van Horn Gd Feick) Turnovers: 10 (Martxiiy 3 Van Horn 2 Feick 2 Can Perry Vaugtn) Steals: 10 (Hams 2 Gi 2 Feick 2 Kittles Van Horn Mammy Peny) Technical Fouls: None Illegal Defense: None Miami 18 29 24 Cleveland 11 22 21 11-65 13857 (20562) (at Cleveland) 2 11 Terry Durham Sean Corbin Derek Richardson Minnesota 29 16 22 17- 84 Portland 30 19 31 20-100 20 437 (18538) (at Portland Ore) 2:16 Indiana 36 IB 27 17- 96 New Jersey 36 31 30 23-120 15050 (20029) (at East Rutherford NJ) 2:03 HORNETS (22-21) AT TORONTO (22-22) 7 pm Air Canada Centre Toronto WAXN-TV (Channel 64) WBT-AM (1110): The skinny The Raptors battling New York and Charlotte for the final Eastern playoff spot have lost their past two at home By the numbers 7: The Raptors' winning margin in their previous home game against the Hornets (89-82) March 15 18: Minutes played by star Toronto rookie Vince Carter in that game Limited by injury he had eight points 3: The edge over the Raptors at home March 1 HE GAN DIG IT Carter Leonard Laye The rosters The leaders Garden Pages Every Thursday She (Charlotte ODbsemr 1 Through Sunday.