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NBA roundup

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 25, 2001

Medical news means Olajuwon can return

HOUSTON -- Hakeem Olajuwon, sidelined by a blood clot in his lower left leg, has been cleared to work out this week with the Rockets and possibly play Tuesday.

Just more than a week ago, the center's season and possibly his career seemed to be over, with the condition requiring medication that would keep him off the court for 3-6 months.

But additional tests and a re-evaluation by team physician James Muntz showed dramatic improvement in Olajuwon's condition.

"I'm very happy. I thank God for the opportunity," Olajuwon said. "I'm looking forward to joining the team."

When Olajuwon's condition was diagnosed, doctors treated it with coumadin, a blood thinner. The medication was going to effectively end his season because it would have left his body at risk for serious internal injury if he had hard contact on the court.

But Olajuwon said he took coumadin for a short time and instead began receiving daily injections of heparin, a low molecular weight blood thinner.

Additional blood tests and imaging studies, and a second opinion by Dr. Denton Cooley, a cardiologist, showed that Olajuwon's blood vessels in his left leg are open.

PISTONS: Swingman Michael Curry will miss the rest of the season with a dislocated right thumb.

Saturday's games

CAVALIERS 117, NUGGETS 105: Andre Miller had 24 points and 13 assists for host Cleveland, which won consecutive games for the first time in two months. The Cavaliers went 4-23 since winning back-to-back against Portland and Chicago in January.

Denver closed within 109-101 on a short jumper in the lane by Antonio McDyess with 1:47 left but Wesley Person then made two free throws, rebounded a missed shot and hit a 19-foot jumper to restore Cleveland's lead to 12 points with 1:02 left.

Late Friday

BUCKS 115, MAGIC 103: Darvin Ham hit 7 of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter for host Milwaukee. Glenn Robinson scored 26 points and Tim Thomas added 20, and the Bucks moved 18 games above .500 for the first time in nearly 12 years. Ham was 13-of-26 from the line going in.

LAKERS 104, WIZARDS 91: Shaquille O'Neal, who had 40 points (including 10-of-13 free throws), had some advice for injured teammate Kobe Bryant: Rest that sore ankle fully. "As long as one of the superheroes is out there, we'll have a chance," O'Neal said. "Superman is still here, and he's hitting his free throws."

SUNS 84, SIXERS 71: Philadelphia coach Larry Brown lost in his return after missing two games recovering from medical tests.

BULLS 93, HORNETS 90 (OT): Rookie Jamal Crawford scored 11 points and hit the winning free throw for host Chicago.

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