NBA Roundup : Dominique Is Magnifique With 37 in Victory

One of the most exciting races to be decided in the final week of the regular NBA season is the three-man battle for the scoring championship.

Unfortunately for the Chicago Bulls’ playoff hopes, they ran into one of the contestants Tuesday night at Atlanta, and Dominique Wilkins wiped them out.

Wilkins scored 37 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to offset another fine Michael Jordan performance and lead the Hawks to a 131-118 victory.

Wilkins not only moved into the lead in the scoring race, but he also cut the Bulls’ lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the battle for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot to half a game. The Bulls and Cavaliers meet in the final game of the season Sunday at Richfield, Ohio.

The big night improved Wilkins’ average to 29.93. Adrian Dantley of Utah is second with 29.78. Alex English of Denver is third with 29.7.

“Now that we have clinched the home-court advantage in the first round,” Wilkins said, “I would enjoy winning the scoring title. But if it means playing extra minutes, I would rather do what’s best for the team. We want to be sharp for the playoffs.”

Jordan scored 30 points in 33 minutes, the most he has played since returning from a broken foot that kept him out of 64 games.

Before the showdown game with the Cavaliers, the Bulls will play at home against the Washington Bullets Friday night. Cleveland plays at home Thursday against Milwaukee, then plays at Boston Friday night. The Celtics have lost only twice at home all season.

Boston 126, Milwaukee 114--The Bucks keep talking about having a chance to knock off the Celtics in the playoffs, but in this game at Milwaukee, K.C. Jones showed his disdain for Don Nelson’s team.

Jones started his second unit, led by Bill Walton. Walton finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes. Larry Bird came off the bench to score 26 points and grab 14 rebounds in 31 minutes.

Danny Ainge, who learned shortly before the game that he had been fined $1,000 for his altercation Sunday with Sedale Threatt of the Philadelphia 76ers, played only eight minutes. Threatt, who threw the only punch Sunday, was fined $2,000. Six others, including Bird and 76er Coach Matt Guokas, were fined $500.

Philadelphia 116, Detroit 112--Julius Erving, getting ready for the playoffs, followed up Sunday’s sensational three-point basket that ended the Boston Celtics’ winning streak with another superlative performance at Philadelphia.

Erving had season highs in points (31) and assists (9) to lead the 76ers to their fifth win in a row and 10th victory in the last 12 games.

The winning streak has been compiled with rookie Terry Catledge playing center in place of injured Moses Malone, who may return in time for the playoffs. Catledge had 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Indiana 111, Washington 104--Vern Fleming had 18 points and 8 rebounds at Landover, Md., to help the Pacers end a nine-game losing streak.

The loss ended the Bullets’ three-game winning streak and dropped them half a game behind New Jersey in the race for sixth place in the East. The winner will play Philadelphia in the playoffs; the loser will play Milwaukee.

Houston 109, Seattle 95--Mitchell Wiggins came off the bench to score a season-high 22 points and lead the Rockets to their 36th win in 40 home games.

Golden State 129, Dallas 115--Sleepy Floyd scored 29 points to lead the Warriors to an easy victory at Oakland.