clarinews@clarinet.com (01/16/90)
PHOENIX (UPI) -- Kevin Johnson scored 6 points and had a key assist in overtime Monday night to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 118-108 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Johnson, who finished with 23 points and 11 assists, hit a driving layup to open the overtime, then added two free throws to put Phoenix ahead, 110-106. He hit Tom Chambers going for an easy layup as the Suns took a 112-106 lead two minutes into the overtime period. Johnson added a jump shot in the final minute before Jeff Hornacek closed the Phoenix scoring with four free throws in the last 25 seconds. Johnson and Mark West both had blocked shots in the overtime, when Charlotte's only scoring was a long jump shot by Rex Chapman. The Suns, hitting only 44 percent from the floor, had six fewer field goals than Charlotte, but made 31 of 35 free throws. The Hornets converted all seven of their free throw attempts. Chambers led the Suns with 40 points, but was only 14 of 32 from the floor. Hornacek scored 20 for Phoenix, followed by West with 14. Dell Curry came off the bench to lead Charlotte with 30 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter. Curry hit three straight jump shots during a 57-second span early in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 85. With Phoenix leading 106-103 and 31 seconds left in regulation, Curry missed a three-pointer. The ball bounced off to Chapman, who sank a long jumper with 23 seconds left to force the game into overtime. Chapman had 23 points for Charlotte, which remained winless in 15 games on the road. Armon Gilliam, traded to the Hornets by Phoenix a month ago, had 20 points and 16 rebounds. Phoenix led 25-20 at the end of the first quarter and 53-48 at halftime. The Suns outscored the Hornets 16-4 in the opening six minutes of the third quarter to pull ahead 69-52. Robert Reid had 8 of his 10 points and Curry had six points in the final six minutes of the third as Charlotte closed the gap. A three-pointer by Tyrone Bogues as the third-quarter buzzer sounded pulled the Hornets within 81-77. Charlotte led by four midway in the fourth quarter. The Hornets' last lead was 99-98 with 2:35 remaining in the fourth. Dan Majerle scored only 8 points for Phoenix, but three of his baskets came off offensive rebounds in the final 2:19 of regulation.