Steve Francis

Michael Jordan scored 10 of his 35 points in overtime as the Washington Wizards recovered after blowing a 24-point second-half lead to beat the Houston Rockets, 100-98, Thursday night. Jordan was five for six in overtime, his only miss coming in the final 10 seconds. Yao Ming got the rebound, giving the Rockets a chance to tie or win. But rather than calling timeout, Houston hurried downcourt.

A guest list of sports figures to be featured on TV and radio from today through Thursday: * Troy O'Leary, Rick Majerus, Steve Francis --"The Jim Rome Show," today, 9-noon, XTRA (690), KXTA (1150) * Gordie Howe --"SportsCentury" (athlete No. 21), tonight, 6:30, ESPN * Lou Holtz --"Up Close," 3 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., ESPN * Arizona State's J.R. Redmond --"Running With the Pac," Saturday, 3 p.m.

A man who allegedly fired shots at a neighbor's house before barricading himself in his home surrendered after a seven-hour standoff. Dalton Gunderson, 46, was arrested about 6:40 a.m. Monday in the 5800 block of Adele Avenue, said sheriff's spokesman Gabe Ramirez. Eighteen families were evacuated to a nearby park after the incident began about midnight. Gunderson allegedly fired at a house across the street, which prompted a call to police, said Whittier police Sgt. Steve Francis.

Police searched Tuesday for a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed an 83-year-old man with his van or truck in Santa Fe Springs. Benjamin Veran, 83, of Norwalk was walking in the 14000 block of Firestone Boulevard about 8 p.m. when he was struck, said Sgt. Steve Francis. The accident happened in an area between Valley View and Marquardt avenues, along the Santa Ana Freeway. Veran was taken to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

More than 200 children and adults attending a swimming competition in Simi Valley were evacuated Saturday when steam started billowing from a pump room next to the pool, authorities said. The USA Swimming Invitational, a meet for various swim clubs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, had started about 9 a.m. at the Rancho Simi Community Park Pool and was nearly done when the incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m.

The special election to find a successor to former Mayor Dick Murphy has taken a predictable and thoroughly San Diego turn: candidates scrambling to be seen as more opposed to taxes than their rivals. Polls suggest that Councilwoman Donna Frye remains the front-runner and that business owner Steve Francis is gaining on former police chief Jerry Sanders with a television blitz promising no new taxes and no bankruptcy despite the city's spiraling $2-billion pension deficit.

After defeating quality opponents -- Minnesota and Dallas -- in successive games, the Houston Rockets nearly stumbled against the Clippers. Steve Francis had 24 points, and Yao Ming scored eight of his 19 points in a fourth-quarter rally, and the Rockets beat the Clippers, 90-85, Tuesday night. "The important thing was, at the key moments we were able to pick it up," Yao said.

Maurice Taylor may not have signed for the money he hoped, but the power forward did get his wish of becoming an ex-Clipper on Friday when he signed a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets. Taylor, who led the Clippers in scoring the last two seasons, signed a salary cap exception contract worth $2.5 million after coming close to a similar deal with the Seattle SuperSonics earlier in the week. Taylor, who sought a six-year, $70.

Dwyane Wade, Manu Ginobili, Gilbert Arenas and Rashard Lewis are first-time NBA All-Stars. Jason Kidd and Steve Francis were not chosen at all -- nor were any Sacramento Kings. Six first-timers were among the selections Tuesday, when the NBA announced the reserves for the Feb. 20 game in Denver. Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix and Antawn Jamison of Washington were the other two. The league's coaches chose the reserves.