The NBA's first regular-season game in Mexico was a success for the league - and the Rockets.
Charles Barkley had 19 points and 17 rebounds as Houston beat the Dallas Mavericks 108-106 Saturday night before a sellout crowd of of 20,635 at the Sports Palace in Mexico City.The game was sold out two days in advance and scalpers were selling $11 tickets for $37.50 - 11 days' work at minimum wage.
The Mavericks officially were the home team, but the crowd rooted for the Rockets. Fans stood and cheered every time Houston scored. They whistled every time Dallas attempted a free throw.
"I'm here to see Barkley," said Fabiola Rivera, a 23-year-old elementary school teacher. "I've been a fan of his for the last 10 years. Seeing him here today is a dream come true."
Michael Finley scored a career-high 35 points for Dallas, which was playing its second game under coach Don Nelson, who took over Wednesday after Jim Cleamons was fired.
Finley's 3-pointer with 8.5 seconds left cut Houston's lead to 107-103. After Matt Maloney of the Rockets was called for traveling, Finley was fouled by Clyde Drexler while shooting a 3-pointer. Finley made all three free throws to make it 107-106 with five seconds remaining.
Finley then fouled Mario Elie, who made one of two foul shots with 3.1 seconds left to put Houston up 108-106.
Dallas had one final chance, but Elie stole a pass by Erick Strickland to clinch the victory.
KNICKS 90, HORNETS 79: At New York, John Starks scored 27 points and Charlie Ward sparked a third-quarter surge that gave the New York Knicks their sixth straight home victory.
Starks had 16 of his points in the second quarter and Ward scored all 10 of his in the third, including a pair of 3-pointers and a layup that allowed the Knicks to break open a close game.
WIZARDS 114, TIMBERWOLVES 103: At Washington, Chris Webber had 33 points and 12 rebounds as the Washington Wizards remained perfect in their new home.
Juan Howard added 26 points for the Wizards, who are 3-0 at the MCI Center after opening the season 0-5 in their old building, the USAir Arena.
MAGIC 83, CLIPPERS 79: At Los Angeles, Horace Grant, back off the injured list, scored 25 points and Gerald Wilkins added 21 as the Magic beat the Clippers.
The Magic used an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to defeat the Clippers.