The Phoenix Suns hope the return of Charles Barkley means the second half of their season will be like the second half of their game against Portland.
The Suns, who trailed by 13 points in the first quarter, blitzed the Trail Blazers with an 81-point second half Wednesday night, turning a slim halftime deficit into a 126-100 rout."We just want to get this team that we've got here right now together, focused and playing a lot better defense," Barkley said after a 20-point performance in 29 minutes. "We knew that from Day 1 - we've just got to keep everybody healthy."
Barkley, last year's NBA MVP, missed 17 games because of a torn tendon in his right leg, and the Suns struggled to an 8-9 record in his absence.
Cedric Ceballos, who started 15 times in Barkley's place, returned to the bench, but still scored 30 points. Barkley's return showed up most strongly on defense and rebounding, where Phoenix had a 60-39 edge.
"They were able to get to the boards and get into a transition game," said Cliff Robinson, who scored 19 points for the Trail Blazers.
Heat 109, Bulls 101
Miami trailed Chicago by 21 points in the second quarter and 61-43 at halftime, but Steve Smith capped the Heat's rally with 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, ending the Bulls' home winning streak at 17 games.
Chicago's last previous loss at home was Nov. 13 against Boston. The Heat handed Chicago its only other home loss on Nov. 6 and became the first Bulls opponent to win two regular-season games in Chicago since 1990-91.
Scott Williams scored a career-high 22 points for the Bulls, who scored just 40 points in the second half. Scottie Pippen and Armstrong each had 21 points for Chicago, but Pippen had just three after halftime.
Kings 94, 76ers 92, OT
Sacramento scored the final eight points of regulation, then beat visiting Philadelphia on Mitch Richmond's tiebreaking 3-pointer with 9.7 seconds left in overtime.
Richmond, whose 31 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists gave him the second triple-double of his career, gave the Kings a 93-90 lead with his decisive 3-pointer.
Walt Williams had 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for the Kings, who trailed 85-77 points with 4:12 left in regulation.
Clarence Weatherspoon, who scored 20 points for the Sixers, missed two free throws with 21 seconds left in regulation. Orlando Woolridge scored 18 points for Philadelphia, which went the final 3:41 of the fourth quarter without a field goal.
Nuggets 107, Bucks 95
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf scored 21 points and Dikembe Mutombo grabbed 16 rebounds as Denver snapped a three-game losing streak by winning at Milwaukee.
The Bucks trailed 57-45 at halftime, but they rallied to a 70-63 deficit with 2:59 left in the third quarter.
But the Nuggets responded with eight straight points and led 78-65 going into the final period. The Bucks got no closer than 10 after that as Abdul-Rauf scored eight points in the final quarter.
Hornets 102, Rockets 97
Charlotte snapped an eight-game losing streak behind Hersey Hawkins' 25 points and career-high 14 rebounds against Houston.
The Hornets beat the Rockets for just the second time in 14 meetings since Charlotte joined the NBA as Hawkins made 4-of-7 3-pointers.
Charlotte led 53-45 at the half after the Rockets overcame most of a 19-point second-quarter deficit. Houston continued to rally in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 31-21 for a 76-74 lead as Hakeem Olajuwon scored 12 of his 30 points in the period.