VERNON MAXWELL REINSTATED

BASKETBALL: SPORTING DIGEST

Vernon Maxwell, a starter for the NBA champions, Houston, was reinstated yesterday, ending a 10-game suspension for punching a heckler in the stands. "Mad Max" was suspended without pay and fined $20,000 (£12,500) for running 12 rows into the stands and punching a fan during a 120-82 defeat in Portland, Oregon, on 6 February.

NBA: Atlanta 118 Sacramento 99; Indiana 108 Boston 97; Detroit 97 Milwaukee 89; Chicago 108 New Jersey 86; Houston 86 Cleveland 78; Portland 96 La Clippers 83; Charlotte 116 Seattle 114; Utah 101 La Lakers 95.