NBA Roundup : Cummings Is Pivotal in Bucks’ Win at Atlanta

Terry Cummings was a little out of position most of the night, but it didn’t seem to matter as he and Sidney Moncrief each scored 26 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 121-115 victory over the slumping Hawks at Atlanta Monday night.

Milwaukee centers Paul Mokeski and Randy Breuer “were hurting and we had to move Terry into the post,” Bucks Coach Don Nelson said. “He responded well.”

With the game tied at 57 at halftime, Alton Lister opened the third period with a layup that put the Bucks ahead to stay. Milwaukee built its third period lead with an 8-2 streak and led, 92-84, at the end of the third quarter.

Atlanta, which lost its fifth in a row, closed to within four points late in the game when Dominique Wilkins made a three-point play with 1:04 left. Then Lister sank two straight baskets to sew it up for the Bucks.

Cleveland 122, Indianapolis 110--The Cavaliers took a one-game lead over Atlanta for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with this victory at Richfield, Ohio. World B. Free scored 28 points and the Cavaliers used a full-court trapping defense to overcome a 16-point deficit.

Cleveland won for the seventh time in its last eight games while sending the Pacers to their sixth straight loss.

The Cavaliers trailed by 16 points late in the first half but rallied behind the press and 10 points each from Free and John Bagley in the third quarter to tie the game, 90-90, entering the final period.

Steve Stipanovich gave the Pacers their last lead at 96-95 on a left-handed layup with 9:17 to play.

Dallas 103, Seattle 100--At Dallas, the Mavericks converted on 7 of 8 free throws in the final 72 seconds to insure their fourth straight victory this year over the SuperSonics. Mark Aguirre scored 29 points and rookie Sam Perkins added 20 for the winners.

Washington 119, Chicago 112--Jeff Malone scored 37 points and Gus Williams added 22 as the Bullets pulled away late in the third period at Landover, Md.

Quintin Dailey led Chicago with 24 points, and former Bullet Dave Corzine put in his first 10 shots and finished with 22 points. Rookie Michael Jordan had 21 points.