Robinson, Rodman Rip Sonics Spurs Break Hex Against Seattle With 106-103 Victory At Tacoma
Dennis Rodman’s flashy red hair and tatoos made some kind of a statement that may never be fully understood.
His rebounding was easier for the Seattle SuperSonics to comprehend Tuesday night.
Rodman pulled down a season-high 27 rebounds and David Robinson scored 31 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Sonics 106-103 for their eighth straight win.
“He gets 11 offensive rebounds, they get five as a team,” Spurs coach Bob Hill said. “That tells you what kind of a rebounder Rodman is.”
Rodman’s best rebounding effort of his suspension-shortened, 26-game season helped the Spurs overcome a woeful shooting night when they shot only 39 percent (37 for 94).
“Dennis allows us to get more shots,” Avery Johnson said. “You need it when you shoot like we did tonight.”
Robinson finds it difficult to figure Rodman sometimes himself.
“When his mind is in the game like tonight, he’s an awesome player who provides us a great spark,” he said.
And what did Rodman, whose career best is 32 rebounds in a game last year against Dallas, have to say?
Nothing. He wasn’t talking.
Sonics coach George Karl was.
“There isn’t any question in my mind that Rodman wins that game because of his 11 offensive rebounds,” Karl said. “It gives them a great deal of confidence.”
Seattle, back from a 4-0 Eastern road trip, suffered its third loss in a row at home. The Spurs held the Sonics to four baskets (in 13 attempts) in the final quarter and outrebounded Seattle 52-37.
Sean Elliott scored 26 points, 23 in the second half, as San Antonio won its fifth straight road game.
Kendall Gill scored 24 points and Detlef Schrempf had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Sonics.
The Sonics grabbed a 95-88 lead in the first 1:48 of the final quarter before the Spurs went on a 12-0 run for a 100-95 lead with 2:51 to go.
Elliott sank a 3-pointer, an 18-footer and made a free throw for six of the Spurs’ dozen points. He finished with seven points in the fourth quarter.