NBA Roundup : Celtics Beat Bucks for 12th Win in Row, 112-93

There can be little doubt that the Boston Celtics, at least for now, are the best team in the NBA.

Robert Parish scored 12 of his 20 points in the third quarter Tuesday night at Milwaukee when the Celtics broke open a close game on their way to a 112-93 victory over the Bucks.

It was the 12th victory in a row for the Celtics, who have the best record (37-8) and have hammered the teams who are supposed to be their top competitors.

The Celtics have a 3-0 record against the Bucks, leaders of the Central Division. They are 3-1 against Philadelphia and 1-0 against the Lakers. They haven’t faced Houston yet, but there is nothing to indicate they can’t handle the Twin Towers.

About the only bad news the Celtics have had in the last six weeks concerns Kevin McHale. He missed five games because of an injured Achilles tendon and returned in this game to make six consecutive shots in the second quarter. Shortly thereafter, though, the 6-11 forward reinjured the tendon and had to leave the game.

Sunday, after the Celtics rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat Seattle by 13, Coach Bernie Bickerstaff saw the light.

“You just have to give the Celtics credit,” he said. “They’re the best team in basketball.”

The Celtics aren’t just great at home, either. They are 16-7 on the road, the best in the league.

The major difference between the Celtics now and last season is the bench. Bill Walton and Scott Wedman have been invaluable.

The Celtics have had Wedman, a former All-Star at Kansas City, for three years. The Celtics hardly played him until recently when McHale was hurt. He started when Larry Bird was hurt (almost never) or came in after games were already decided.

In the six games he has started as a replacement for McHale, he has averaged 18.2 points, and the Celtics are 6-0. Always a good shooter, he has averaged 54% from the field in the six games.

Walton, who was instrumental in the win over the Lakers last month, came through in the third quarter in this one, scoring nine points.

The Celtics led by three at halftime, but after Parish and Walton double-teamed the Bucks, the Celtics led by 16 going into the last quarter and breezed to the win.

Denver 119, Portland 118--Bill Hanzlick, who missed a free throw in the clutch Monday night in a two-point loss at Houston, made amends at Denver. The reserve forward made two free throws with one second remaining to pull out the victory.

The Trail Blazers failed to score for 2 1/2 minutes late in the game and blew a six-point lead. After a three-point play by Alex English gave the Nuggets a 117-115 lead with 15 seconds left, Steve Colter ended the Blazer drought with a three-point play that put Portland ahead, 118-117, with nine seconds left.

Wayne Cooper missed a shot for the Nuggets, but Hanzlick rebounded and was fouled.

English had 42 points.

Indiana 117, New Jersey 101--The Pacers’ patience with Steve Stipanovich is paying off. The 6-11 center from Missouri has been a disappointment for 2 1/2 seasons, when he averaged fewer than 13 points per game in a reserve role.

As a starter, Stipanovich has been a big man in the sudden surge of the Pacers. In this game at Indianapolis, Stipanovich made 10 of 12 shots, scoring 22 points. In the last three games Stipanovich has scored 63 points, making 24 out of 34 shots. The Pacers have won four in a row.

Atlanta 105, Cleveland 104--With just 79 seconds remaining at Richfield, Ohio, the Cavaliers led, 104-97, and appeared to have the game won.

But, Randy Wittman tipped in a rebound with just one second left to conclude an 8-0 victory run for the Hawks.

After Dominique Wilkins, who scored 36 points, made two free throws to cut the Cleveland lead to a point, John Bagley of the Cavaliers missed a 15-foot jumper and with eight seconds left, the Hawks called time out.

The plan was for Wilkins to either drive to the basket or pass to Cliff Levingston for a short jumper. The pass went to Levingston, who missed. Teammate Antoine Carr tipped the rebound over the basket and Wittman tipped it into the basket.

Detroit 117, Chicago 115--Isiah Thomas scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half at Chicago, including three free throws in the last 82 seconds to enable the Pistons to hold onto their lead.

When Quintin Dailey failed to show for the game, the Bulls were without three top players. Orlando Woolridge and Michael Jordan are still injured.

San Antonio 124, Seattle 119--Artis Gilmore scored five of his 30 points in overtime at San Antonio to lead the Spurs. He scored the first four points in overtime.

Ricky Sobers scored on a layup with 17 seconds left in regulation to tie it, 111-111.

Phoenix 127, Golden State 118--James Edwards had 28 points, Walter Davis 25 and Jay Humphries had a career-high 15 assists at Phoenix to lead the Suns to victory.