Jordan Says Rodman Should ‘Go Home’

With Dennis Rodman questioning his own desire to play for the Bulls, Michael Jordan said maybe it’s time for Rodman to “go home.”

Rodman had two points and three rebounds in Chicago’s 80-78 loss to the Hawks on Friday at Atlanta, making two critical mistakes in the final 1:18.

The game, at the Georgia Dome, was played before the fifth-largest crowd in league history, 45,790.

“I just haven’t been playing,” Rodman said. “The interest level just isn’t there. It’s a mental thing, not a physical thing.”

Said Jordan: “If that’s the case, go home. If you’re not into it, you don’t need to be out there. Step aside and let someone else get in there and get the rhythm.”

The Hawks’ Dikembe Mutombo, who had 16 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots, hit two free throws with 1:58 remaining for the final points.

Jordan scored 27 points for the Bulls but was short on a three-point basket with 6.1 seconds remaining. He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter but finished only 11 of 25 from the field. Toni Kukoc (12 points) and Luc Longley (10) were the only other Bulls to score in double figures.

Orlando 89, Detroit 84--Penny Hardaway did enough to push the Magic past the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Hardaway, who had three points in the first half, scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t play a great game, and I especially didn’t play one,” Hardaway said. “I made a couple big mistakes at the end of the game, and it almost cost us.”

The Magic overcame 15 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds from Grant Hill to hand the Pistons their third consecutive loss.

Portland 86, Houston 85--Isaiah Rider’s 14-foot baseline jumper with 6.6 seconds left ended a roughly played game at Houston.

Charles Barkley missed twice for the Rockets after Rider’s basket. Arvydas Sabonis rebounded the second shot and held the ball as time expired.

The Rockets led 77-69 with 9:22 to go, but didn’t get another field goal until Barkley’s tip-in with 52 seconds left. Kenny Anderson led the Trail Blazers with 24 points and Rider added 23 points.

Utah 91, Denver 89--Bryon Russell scored the last five points for the Jazz, including a three-point shot with 1:11 left at Denver.

The Nuggets (0-4) erased an 82-68 deficit with a 16-2 run, finished off by Eric Williams’ two free throws that tied it at 84 with 2:14 left.

Karl Malone, who finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds for Utah, made two free throws, but Dean Garrett countered with a short jumper with 1:44 left.

New Jersey 99, Miami 87--Chris Gatling had 24 points and 12 rebounds as the undefeated Nets made their biggest statement so far this season.

The victory was fourth consecutive for the Nets, off to their best start in their NBA franchise history.

Jayson Williams added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Sam Cassell had 18 points and 13 assists at East Rutherford, N.J. Kendall Gill added 19 for New Jersey.

Cleveland 96, Boston 92--Shawn Kemp has seen Wesley Person hit big shots, but this time he enjoyed it.

The former Pacific Division rivals combined to lead the Cavaliers at Boston. Person hit two 3-pointers in the last 2:03 as the Cavaliers rallied.

“I don’t hold my breath when that man shoots,” said Kemp, who had 28 points and 15 rebounds.

Seattle 99, Indiana 93--Gary Payton and Hersey Hawkins stole the game from the Pacers at Indianapolis.

Payton stole an inbounds pass and made a tie-breaking layup with 23.4 seconds remaining. After Payton stole Mark Jackson’s pass and scored for a 95-93 lead, Hawkins picked off Reggie Miller’s pass on a pick-and-roll and was fouled with 7.9 seconds remaining. Hawkins made both free throws.

Charlotte 107, Washington 92--The Hornet big men led the way to their third consecutive victory.

Glen Rice scored 24 points, Anthony Mason had 21, and a pairing of centers Vlade Divac and Matt Geiger helped start a 12-2 run at the end of the first half at Landover, Md.

Minnesota 108, Vancouver 97--Stephon Marbury scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter at Vancouver to lead the Timberwolves.

After squandering a 15-point lead and allowing the Grizzlies to tie the game twice early in the fourth quarter, Minnesota blew the game open with a 21-4 run. Tom Gugliotta had 21 points and Kevin Garnett scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds.