NBA Roundup : Hawks Finally Defeat Pistons, 114-100

Glenn Rivers scored nine of his 22 points in the third quarter as the Atlanta Hawks downed the Detroit Pistons, 114-100, Monday night at Detroit.

The victory was Atlanta’s first in six tries against Detroit this season.

With the Hawks trailing, 59-51, in the third quarter, Rivers hit a jumper with 11:34 remaining to spark a 20-6 Atlanta rally.

Dominique Wilkins, who led all scorers with 27 points, capped the rally with three straight baskets that broke a 65-65 tie and gave Atlanta a 71-65 lead with 6:59 left in the quarter. They led 86-78 entering the fourth period.

The Pistons, led by forward Kelly Tripucka’s 20 points, could not come back, as Atlanta increased its lead to as many as 18 points in the final period.

Guard Eddie Johnson added 18 for the Hawks, 30-45 in the Central Division. Isiah Thomas scored 17 points for the Pistons, 40-34, whose three-game winning streak was snapped.

Houston 127, Seattle 116--Ralph Sampson scored 6 of his game-high 28 points in the final two minutes to pace Houston’s victory at Seattle.

The win, Houston’s third straight, improved the Rockets’ record to 44-30, four games behind Midwest Division leader Denver. Seattle dropped its sixth straight and fourth in a row at home to fall to 30-45, tied with Kansas City and two games behind Phoenix in the battle for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Houston led most of the way. The Rockets took the lead for good, 23-16, after reeling off seven straight points midway in the first quarter.