Rumor, Rockets Fizzle

Thu., Jan. 22, 1998

Associated Press

Just when the Houston Rockets thought they were on the rebound, they weren’t.

And the New Jersey Nets made matters worse Wednesday night as Jayson Williams had 25 points and 19 rebounds in a 117-112 overtime victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

For the Rockets, who have lost eight of their last 10, it was a disappointing ending to a day they’d rather forget.

Rumors ran rampant that the Rockets were ready to pull the trigger on a trade that would have sent Kevin Willis, Mario Elie and another player - Matt Maloney, Brent Price or Emanuel Davis - to the Toronto Raptors for Stoudamire, Walt Williams and Zan Tabak.

The players sat in their hotel rooms during the afternoon frantically calling their agents and awaiting word of a deal, but none came.

Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald stepped back when he started receiving improved offers from other teams.

The Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Vancouver Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic are in contention to acquire Stoudamire.

Two members of the Rockets described the team as miserable, but it didn’t show on the court as Houston gave a strong effort.

Clyde Drexler, who was activated from the injured list early in the day, led Houston with 26 points but missed the potential winning basket late in regulation when he forced an off-balance 3-pointer with about 2 seconds left.

Stoudamire matched his career high with 36 points and hit the winning basket with 3.8 seconds left to lift Toronto over Sacramento 99-98 in Toronto.

Michael Jordan scored 33 points in 31 minutes as the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 110-79 even without flu-stricken Dennis Rodman.

One day after his arrest on a marijuana charge, Chris Webber ignored the boos and had a solid first half. But the Portland Trail Blazers then shut him down, with Isaiah Rider’s 29 points leading the way to a 100-87 victory over the Wizards at Washington.

Injury report

The Golden State Warriors activated guard Muggsy Bogues from the injured list. … The San Antonio Spurs placed forward Sean Elliott on the injured list with knee problems.

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Rumor, Rockets Fizzle

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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