SAN ANTONIO -- It was supposed to be better than this.
With their blockbuster moves, the Washington Bullets were supposed to go on road trips and be competitive. Maybe win a few games.
Instead, the Bullets came into the Alamodome last night and gave their best impersonation of the Los Angeles Clippers, losing to the San Antonio Spurs, 122-101, their most embarrassing effort of the season.
The Bullets (6-10) could neither score effectively nor stop anyone. They were blown out in the third quarter when the Spurs (9-9), hitting 15 of 18 shots (83.3 percent) outscored Washington 42-23.
During that third period, Spurs reserve forward Chuck Person hit four of four three-pointers, tying a franchise record for most three-pointers in a quarter. The Spurs' six three-pointers in the period set a team record.
David Robinson had 21 points, Sean Elliott 18 and Vinny Del Negro 17, and they were spectators for most of the second half. It turned out to be a good situation for Dennis Rodman, who, playing his first game of the season, was able to work out some kinks while participating in an extended session of garbage time.
There were few highlights for the Bullets, who were still without Rex Chapman and Don MacLean. Chapman, who injured his right groin muscle and missed Saturday's game in Denver, dressed but did not play. MacLean, who yesterday was found to have tendinitis in both knees, was put on the injured list and replaced on the roster by Gheorghe Muresan.
Mitchell Butler led the Bullets with 24, and Chris Webber had 21.
The Bullets once again had Calbert Cheaney and Anthony Tucker in the starting lineup.
They combined for three of Washington's first five field goals. And Cheaney's dunk off the fast break nearly three minutes in the game gave the Bullets an 11-4 lead.
Del Negro's 14-foot jumper from started the Spurs on an 18-7 run. Robinson tied the game at 16 with two free throws, and Elliott was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit three free throws that with 4:22 left gave the Spurs a 22-18 lead.