NBA Roundup : Little Spud Has Another Big Night to Lead Hawk Win

In case someone might have thought Spud Webb’s performance against the Lakers Monday night was a fluke, the smallest player in the NBA put on another show Wednesday night.

The 5-7 guard played just 21 minutes at Atlanta, but he led the Hawks to a 129-109 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Webb scored 22 points, one less than the career high he scored against the Lakers, and had a personal record 15 assists. He also, amazingly, blocked a shot and grabbed 3 rebounds.

The Hawks built a 65-52 halftime lead and coasted to their 34th victory, tying last season’s entire output. They have won 19 of their last 21 home games.

Dominique Wilkins, No. 3 scorer in the league, maintained his 28-point average. He was 10 for 10 from the free-throw line and has made 43 of his last 44.

It was the fourth win in a row for the Hawks and the second in which Webb electrified the fans. He also electrified Coach George Karl of the Cavaliers.

“He’s short in stature, but five feet of him must be all heart,” Karl said. “The little guy has burned us twice this month.”

Not since Calvin Murphy, a 5-9 jumping jack who had an outstanding career at Houston, has a player under 6-0 done well in the league of the giants.

Every time the Hawks have called on the little man, usually because of injury to Glenn Rivers, he has played well. He is making believers out of his opponents.

Boston 120, San Antonio 100--Most of the time, Larry Bird is the dominating force in Celtic victories. On the rare occasion he isn’t, there is always ample talent to take over.

In this game at Boston, Bird, on an ‘off’ night, had 22 points (9 for 22 from the field), 9 assists and 9 rebounds.

Robert Parish and Kevin McHale took up the slack. Parish had 27 points and 10 rebounds. McHale, who returned to action Tuesday night, playing only seven minutes, was a factor in the Celtics’ 15th consecutive win at home. Showing no ill effects from his Achilles’ tendon injury, he had 14 points and 8 rebounds in 17 minutes.

Phoenix 113, Portland 112--Walter Davis sank a jumper with eight seconds left at Phoenix to put an end to the Suns’ four-game losing streak and extend the Trail Blazers’ losing streak to 11.

A 14-point third quarter by Clyde Drexler brought the Trail Blazers from nine points behind to a 90-89 lead. They extended it to 109-103 with 3:44 left.

But Davis, who scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, got the Suns close and won it with an 18-footer.