Rockets Fizzle Without Hakeem -- Olajuwon Refuses To Play Vs. Kings

HOUSTON - Hakeem Olajuwon, given medical clearance earlier in the day, refused to play last night as Houston lost to Sacramento 100-97.

Olajuwon, who has an injured hamstring, was listed in the halftime boxscore as "refused to suit up." Rockets General Manager Steve Patterson said Olajuwon issued a demand Monday that his contract be renegotiated or that he be traded to a team that would honor his demand for a $15 million salary in the 1994-1995 season.

Olajuwon, whose contract expires after 1992-93, will earn $3.8 million this season.

"It doesn't take a brain surgeon to put two and two together and see what's going on here," Patterson said. "If we met his demands we'd have to triple our ticket prices. What he's asking for is more than our entire team payroll."

Olajuwon injured a hamstring Tuesday and didn't play in Thursday's loss to Seattle. Doctors said that Olajuwon could suit up last night but Olajuwon, dressed in street clothes, watched from the Rockets' bench.

JAZZ 95, BLAZERS 77

-- SALT LAKE CITY - Karl Malone scored 22 points and pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds for Utah.

KNICKS 105, HEAT 88

-- NEW YORK - Xavier McDaniel led a balanced New York offense with 18 points as New York won its third straight sent Miami to its fourth consecutive loss.

Miami played most of the game without leading scorer Glen Rice, who injured his right shoulder during the first quarter and sat out most of the game.

MAGIC 111, BULLS 108

-- CHICAGO - Chris Corchiani made a pair of free throws with three seconds left, capping Orlando's comeback from a 20-point, fourth-quarter deficit.

CLIPPERS 114, NUGGETS 87

-- DENVER - Danny Manning scored eight of his 18 points in a decisive third quarter as Los Angeles won its third straight, all on the road.

SUNS 121, WOLVES 105

-- PHOENIX - The Suns' Tim Perry scored three straight baskets late in the fourth quarter to cut off a Minnesota rally.

The game was interrupted by seven technicals, two of which led to the ejection of Minnesota Coach Jimmy Rodgers in the second quarter.