NBA Roundup : Bird Soars to Old Heights as the Celtics Win in Two Overtimes

It was an incredible performance even for Larry Bird, who has had a multitude of them.

The fabulous forward of the Boston Celtics capped a 47-point game with a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer ending the second overtime to give the Celtics a 140-139 victory over the Washington Bullets Saturday night at Landover, Md.

It was a game the Bullets thought they had won several times, only to have the Celtics’ star take it away from them.

The Bullets, with Bernard King and the two Malones, Moses and Jeff, leading the way, played the Celtics to a standstill. With four seconds left in regulation, the Bullets led, 119-117. But Bird swished a 24-foot running one-hander to send the game into the first overtime.

In the second overtime Bird scored four points and the Bullets needed a jumper from Darrell Walker to force the second extra session.

The lead seesawed several times in the second overtime. Moses Malone sank a jumper from 12 feet with two seconds remaining to put Washington ahead, 139-138.

The Celtics threw the ball into Bird, who sank the jumper and the Celtics had their second victory of the young season.

Bird played 53 of 58 minutes, was 19 for 29 from the field, had 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 8 turnovers. Also the two clutch baskets.

King, a miserable 3 for 12 in his debut in a 114-97 loss to Atlanta Friday night, was 10 for 19 and had 25 points before fouling out in the second overtime. Moses had 32 points, 7 turnovers and 13 rebounds, while Jeff Malone had 27 points.

Bird scored 19 of his points in the fourth quarter.

Chicago 104, Philadelphia 94--Michael Jordan scored 36 points and had seven points and two steals in a 15-4 spurt that gave the Bulls command late in the second quarter at Chicago.

Charles Barkley, scoreless in the first quarter, led the 76ers with 34 points and 10 rebounds.

San Antonio 130, Dallas 106--With their star of the future cheering them on, the Spurs, led by Alvin Robertson, opened their home season with a surprisingly easy victory.

David Robinson, the 7-1 center who signed with the Spurs Friday but must spend two more years in the Navy, was on hand for the victory.

Robertson scored 30 points, 14 in a third period spurt that enabled the Spurs to outscore the Mavericks, 39-24, and build a 106-78 lead.

Indiana 108, New York 95--Chuck Person scored 29 points and Vern Fleming had 9 during an 18-2 first-period spurt to lead the Pacers at Indianapolis.

Person, who scored 19 points in the first half, made 11 of 16 shots from the field.

Atlanta 113, Cleveland 105--Doc Rivers scored 23 points and had 9 assists at Atlanta as the Hawks overcame a sluggish start to win their second in a row.

The Cavaliers were led by Ron Harper, who had 20 points before injuring his ankle late in the game. He was carried off on a stretcher, but a preliminary examination indicated it was not a serious injury.

Milwaukee 119, Detroit 105--Jack Sikma had 26 points and Paul Pressey scored 25 at Milwaukee as the Bucks stormed back from their poor performance Friday night at Boston.

Utah 121, Sacramento 100--After playing so well in their home opener under new Coach Bill Russell, the Kings flopped on the road.

Before the game the Jazz announced Darryl Dawkins has been suspended. Dawkins reportedly is upset over the death of his estranged wife. The move was not disciplinary, the Jazz said.

Denver 103, Golden State 99--A crowd of 13,233, largest home opener ever for the Warriors at Oakland, nearly rioted when a tying basket was disallowed in the closing seconds.

Referee Paul Mahalik ruled that Rod Higgins, instead of scoring the tying basket on a rebound, had fouled T. R. Dunn. Fans threw debris on the floor as Dunn sank both free throws with six seconds left.

Seattle 112, Phoenix 96--Dale Ellis scored 27 points to lead the SuperSonics to victory in their home opener.