NBA Roundup : Fighting Bulls Defeat Pistons; Both Coaches Thrown Out of Game

The Chicago Bulls, under new Coach Stan Albeck, have already developed a new fighting spirit.

In a game Saturday night at Chicago in which Albeck was ejected after getting into a shoving match with Detroit Coach Chuck Daly, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to a 121-118 victory over the Pistons, their second straight win in the new season.

Jordan, a central figure in the altercation that led to both coaches being tossed out late in the game, scored 16 points in the fourth quarter as the Bulls came from behind to win.

With 5:31 left, Piston center Bill Laimbeer grabbed Jordan around the shoulders and threw him to the floor. Following this, Laimbeer seemed to kick out at Jordan, who was sprawled on the court.

Albeck charged onto the court screaming at officials Mike Mathis and Paul Mihalik that Laimbeer should be ejected. Daly screamed at Albeck, who then shoved Daly with his right hand. Players, referees and police rushed out on the court to restrain the two coaches.

Both coaches were led off the court by police, and the Bulls were given a standing ovation by the 15,137 fans. Laimbeer was assessed a personal foul but remained in the game.

Apparently unshaken, Jordan made the key points down the stretch. He was fouled as the clock ran out and sank two free throws to make it a three-point win, finishing with 33 points.

The Bulls (2-0) were 0-8 in the exhibition season.

Boston 105, Cleveland 100--A sellout crowd of 20,900 at Richfield, Ohio saw Larry Bird spoil the home opener for the Cavaliers.

Despite his second poor shooting night in a row (5-of-16 from the field), Bird scored 11 points in the third quarter, seven on free throws, to give the Celtics a seven-point lead going into the final period.

Both teams lost their season openers Friday night in overtime. The Cavaliers, who became a winning team last season after opening with only two wins in the first 21 games, are 0-2.

World B. Free of the Cavaliers led all scorers with 22, but he scored only four in the second half.

Indiana 119, New Jersey 92--It was a different home opener for the Pacers. Just as they did the two previous years, they put on a special celebration at Indianapolis.

Unlike the two previous years, the Pacers continued the celebration on the court. The Pacers caught the Nets still celebrating Friday night’s overtime victory over Boston and smashed them.

Guards Vern Fleming and Terence Stansbury turned in outstanding performances to lead the Pacers to victory to the delight of 15,856 fans. Fleming was 7-for-9 from the field, had nine assists and scored 25 points. Stansbury was 6-for-9 and scored 21 points, sinking nine consecutive free throws. Third guard Clint Richardson, obtained earlier in the week from Philadelphia, played 12 minutes and made four of his five shots.

Wayman Tisdale of the Pacers played 19 minutes in his debut. He was 4-for-8 and had six rebounds.

Milwaukee 117, Atlanta 91--Sidney Moncrief scored 8 of his 20 points in a row early in the game at Milwaukee to get the Bucks on their way to an easy victory.

When Kenny Fields came off the bench to score six consecutive points in the second quarter the Bucks (1-1) held a 49-27 lead and had turned the game into a rout.

Dominique Wilkins scored 18 for the Hawks (0-2), but 5-7 rookie Spud Webb played only 13 minutes, was 1-for-3, had only one assist and committed four fouls.

Dallas 101, Seattle 95--Although they shot only 41% from the field, the Mavericks spoiled Bernie Bickerstaff’s debut as coach of the SuperSonics in this opener at Dallas.

Jay Vincent and rookie Detlef Schrempf led a 10-0 surge late in the third period that gave the Mavericks a nine-point lead, and the Sonics never caught up.

Denver 123, Sacramento 112--Although most people are picking Houston or Dallas to win the Midwest Division, Nugget Coach Doug Moe wants everyone to know his team won’t give up the title without a battle.

His one-two punch of Alex English and Calvin Natt led the Nuggets to an easy victory at Denver, their second in a row. English had 32 points and has 79 in two games. Natt had 28.