Bucks and Mokeski Defeat Celtics in Overtime, 115-113

Paul Mokeski had no question in his mind about what he would do with the game in his hands.

“I just tried to get to the line as fast as I could,” Milwaukee’s backup center said after sinking two pressure-packed free throws with no time left to give the Bucks a 115-113 overtime victory over the Celtics Friday night at Boston.

“The referee was there with the ball, and I prayed to God I would make the first and I wouldn’t have to make the second,” Mokeski said.

There was no question in the Celtics’ minds that Robert Parish had fouled Mokeski. But there were questions about whether it should have been called.

“Calls like that are never made” with the score tied in the final seconds, said Boston’s Larry Bird, who led all scorers with 47 points. “It’s controversial, but it definitely was the right call.”

“I should have never left my feet,” Parish said. “I jumped in the air, and he went around me. I reached over and got a piece of his arm. It was a good call.”

It was a big victory for Milwaukee, which is battling Philadelphia for the second best record in the Eastern Conference and the home-court advantage if the teams meet in the playoffs. Each is 58-23 with one regular-season game left.

Cleveland 109, New York 108--Ron Anderson hit a three-point goal with two seconds left in overtime at New York as the playoff-bound Cavaliers handed the Knicks their 11th straight defeat. Anderson led the Cavaliers with 25 points.

San Antonio 117, Kansas City 112--Artis Gilmore scored 27 points in the second half and finished with 31 as the Spurs defeated the Kings at San Antonio. Detroit 102, Washington 96--Guard Isiah Thomas handed out 21 assists, setting an NBA season record, to highlight the Pistons’ victory over the Bullets at Detroit. Thomas’ 21 assists gave him 1,110 for the season, breaking the mark of 1,099 set by former Piston Kevin Porter in 1978-1979.

Philadelphia 111, Indiana 105--Julius Erving scored 28 points as the 76ers held off a furious comeback and defeated the Pacers at Philadelphia.

Phoenix 96, Utah 92--Rod Foster scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, including a pivotal three-point basket with 1:26 remaining, as the Suns beat the Jazz at Phoenix.

Atlanta 119, Chicago 108--Dominique Wilkins scored 11 of his game-high 31 points in a torrid fourth quarter to lead the Hawks to the victory at Chicago.

Portland 131, Dallas 111--Kiki Vandeweghe scored 38 points--28 in the first half--at Portland as the Blazers raced to the 20-point win over the Mavericks, who the previous night at Seattle had won by 44 points.