NBA Roundup : Hawks Follow Bird’s Advice--and Finally Defeat Celtics, 97-96

Obviously, the Atlanta Hawks heeded the words of Larry Bird.

After the Celtics whipped the Hawks Wednesday night at Boston, Bird said the Hawks would have to improve defensively to have a chance against the Celtics.

The Hawks held the world champions under 100 points Saturday at Atlanta, and when Dominique Wilkins sank two free throws with 24 seconds remaining, the Hawks finally beat the Celtics, 97-96.

The Celtics, who beat the Hawks, 4-1, in the playoffs last spring, had defeated the Hawks 13 times in a row in regular-season play.

The streak appeared to be in good shape when the Celtics, after trailing by four at halftime, held the Hawks to 14 points in the third quarter and moved in front by four.

Although Bird fouled out with just over a minute left, Dennis Johnson sank a jumper to give Boston a 96-93 lead with 54 seconds left.

Spud Webb, who came off the bench to spark the Hawks, made a layup with 39 seconds remaining. Webb, who had 17 points and nine assists in 29 minutes, was fouled on the play. He missed the free throw, but Kevin Willis rebounded and Kevin McHale fouled Wilkins. Wilkins, who finished with 38 points, put the Hawks in front to stay.

Without Bird, Johnson tried for the tying score, but his jumper fell short.

The Hawks are 9-2, the best record in the East. It was the seventh time this season the Hawks have held the opposition to 100 or fewer points in a game.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am,” Hawks Coach Mike Fratello told the Associated Press. “Anytime you play Boston, you play the best. It’s fun and it’s a challenge.”

Chicago 93, Washington 84--For this game at Chicago, Bullets’ Coach Kevin Loughrey devised a defense that held high-scoring Michael Jordan to just 22 points.

But, while the Bullets were double and triple-teaming Jordan, his teammates, for once, hit the open shots.

Earl Cureton (7 for 9) and Charles Oakley (8 for 13) took up the slack for Jordan ( 11 for 26). Jordan was averaging 38.6 points per game.

In the five Bullet victories, Moses Malone has scored 30 or more points. Although he had 14 rebounds, playing a second night in a row, Malone scored only 17 points. The Bullets are 0-6 on the road.

Golden State 97, New York Knicks 93--The Knicks built a 50-43 halftime lead at New York without Patrick Ewing, who was resting his aching knees.

But, Sleepy Floyd and Joe Barry Carroll triggered a 12-0 third quarter spurt that put the Warriors in front and on their way to ending a four-game road losing streak.

Detroit 93, Cleveland 84--It was a night for low scoring games in the East. This one at Pontiac, Mich. was the fourth in the area in which neither team reached 100.

Vinnie Johnson came off the bench to score 18 of his 24 points in the second half to rally the Pistons.

Denver 132, Phoenix 120--It wasn’t too surprising for playmaker Fat Lever to score 29 points at Denver, but when the 6-3 guard pulled down 17 rebounds, it was.

Lever is the top rebounding guard in the league, leading even Magic Johnson. In his last six games, he has averaged 22.3 points and 12.5 rebounds.

Bill Hanzlick, who missed a game with a neck sprain, returned to play 37 minutes and score 22 points for the Nuggets.

Utah 96, New Jersey 78--Low scoring “honors” for the night went to the Nets at Salt Lake City. After trailing only 51-46 at halftime, the Nets scored only 32 points in the last 24 minutes.

In the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter Utah outscored the Nets, 21-2.

Seattle 121, Indiana 111--Tom Chambers scored 35 points at Seattle, 11 of them in a 3 1/2 minute burst that put the SuperSonics in control late in the first quarter.

With the Pacers leading, 24-17, the Sonics, led by Chambers, outscored them, 17-3, and took the lead for good.

Milwaukee 107, Sacramento 99--Ricky Pierce scored 15 of his 22 points in the last quarter at Sacramento, eight of them in the last 2:15 to assure the Bucks of the victory.

Early in the final period the Bucks went on a 12-0 spurt and Pierce had six of the points.