NBA Roundup : Wood Has 30 (16 in Final Period); Bullets Win

Leon Wood hasn’t had time to practice with the Washington Bullets, but already he has played a prominent role in two of their victories.

Wood, the former St. Monica High and Cal State Fullerton star, scored 16 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter Friday night at Landover, Md., to lead the Bullets to a 116-96 rout of the New Jersey Nets. He also had a career-high eight assists.

It was his fifth game since the Bullets traded Kenny Green to the Philadelphia 76ers for the 6-3 second-year guard. In four of those games, Wood has established a career high.

Wood joined the Bullets just in time for a game at Houston last Saturday, and the club has been playing or traveling every day.

The 76ers found playing time for Wood in only 38 games last season. He had played in 29 games for Philadelphia this season, averaging 18 minutes, 5.4 points and 38.5% shooting. When the move of Julius Erving from forward to guard became more or less permanent, there was no place for Wood.

The Bullets planned on Wood as a fourth guard behind Dudley Bradley, Jeff Malone and Gus Williams. Already, Coach Gene Shue is having second thoughts.

In his third game with the Bullets Tuesday night at Chicago, Wood came off the bench to score 16 straight points and help them overcome an 11-point deficit to win, 117-113.

“I can’t say I know what I’m doing,” Wood told the UPI. “I haven’t practiced yet. I am surprised I am playing so much.

“With Philadelphia, I would come off screens and shoot jumpers. I wasn’t allowed to go one-on-one. Turnovers would get me out in a hurry.

“Coach (Shue) tells me to create something and beat the pressure. Penetration is my game.

“I still don’t know the plays. When one is called, I have to ask the other players what I’m supposed to do.”

While averaging 24 minutes for the Bullets, he is averaging 20.6 points a game and shooting 51.6%.

“He has been nothing short of sensational since he got here,” Shue said.

Manute Bol, although he didn’t score a point, blocked nine shots and helped hold the Nets to a 43.8% shooting night.

Boston 123, Indiana 105--K.C. Jones sounded a four-word warning to the rest of the NBA: Larry Bird is back.

The 6-9 star of the Celtics, bothered by back and elbow problems, struggled for more than 30 games before regaining his best form.

In this game at Indianapolis, he had 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. After shooting only 46% earlier, he is 31 for 54 in the last three games (57%). In this easy victory, he was 3 for 4 from three-point range, a sure sign he has regained his touch.

It was the seventh loss in a row for the Pacers, who have the worst record in the league (10-29).

Detroit 129, Denver 113--Earl Cureton came off the bench to score 25 points in 32 minutes at Pontiac, Mich., and lead the Pistons to their second win in a row. Before the short winning streak, the Pistons had lost eight of nine.

With Alex English scoring 22 of his 26 points in the first half, the Nuggets, playing their third road game in five nights, stayed close until early in the third period, when the Pistons went on a 21-4 blitz.

Philadelphia 120, Chicago 118--Maurice Cheeks sank a jumper with six seconds left in overtime at Chicago to give the 76ers the victory.

At the final buzzer, the Bulls’ John Paxson’s three-point attempt bounced off the rim. Sidney Green missed a chance to win for the Bulls in regulation when he made only one of two free throw attempts with 23 seconds left.

San Antonio 113, New York 100--The Spurs’ Steve Johnson had a stiff neck and wasn’t expected to play at San Antonio. He played, and although he didn’t last long, he was prominent.

When Johnson was ejected for throwing a punch at the Knicks’ Bob Thornton, after 16 1/2 minutes, he (Johnson) had 17 points, and the Spurs led, 52-31.

Utah 139, Dallas 112--Rickey Green scored 18 of his 22 points in the first quarter at Salt Lake City as the Jazz came out firing and rolled to an easy victory. Adrian Dantley scored 31 points for Utah.

Phoenix 103, Seattle 100--Larry Nance had 25 points and 12 rebounds at Phoenix, and the Suns came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the SuperSonics.

Sacramento 125, Golden State 111--Mike Woodson scored a season-high 31 points, and Otis Thorpe scored 16 in the fourth quarter at Oakland to help the Kings end a four-game losing streak.

The Warriors, down, 71-54, in the third quarter, went on a 15-0 spree but could never get even. Thorpe’s scoring broke it open in the last quarter.