NBA Roundup : Pistons Rout Pacers by 46 Points to Set Team Record

Vinnie Johnson, making his third straight start for the injured Joe Dumars, scored 25 points to help the Detroit Pistons stage a 119-73 rout of the Indiana Pacers Thursday night at Pontiac, Mich.

The 46 points constituted the largest margin of victory in the Pistons’ history.

Indiana, which clinched its first playoff berth since 1981 with a 99-94 victory over the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night, trailed by as many as 49 points in the fourth quarter.

The Pistons’ third victory in four games improved their record to 48-25 and moved them within a half-game of the Atlanta Hawks in their battle for the Central Division championship.

Rick Mahorn and John Salley each scored 17 points for Detroit, which took a 93-62 lead into the fourth quarter. The Pistons outscored Indiana, 22-4, in the first 8:31 of the fourth quarter to increase their lead to 115-66.

Detroit led at halftime, 62-38.

Denver 132, Golden State 96--Lafayette Lever had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Alex English scored 20 points at Denver as the Nuggets handed the Warriors their worst defeat of the season.

Denver’s seventh victory in 10 games moved the Nuggets five games ahead of Phoenix in a battle for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth. It also prevented Golden State from sealing a playoff spot for the first time in 10 years.