NBA Roundup : Jordan Gets 31 Points to Lead Bulls to 107-102 Win Over Celtics

Michael Jordan scored a total of 31 points, and rookie Scott Pippen scored 7 of his 20 points in the final minutes Monday night as the Chicago Bulls rallied to beat the Boston Celtics, 107-102, at Hartford, Conn.

John Paxson added 19 for the Bulls (8-2), who outscored Boston, 32-15, in the fourth quarter to stay unbeaten in four road games and take a one-game lead over Milwaukee in the NBA’s Central Division.

Dennis Johnson scored 23 points, Danny Ainge had 20 and Robert Parish and Fred Roberts each added 14 for Boston (8-3), which played its fourth straight game without Larry Bird, sidelined because of tendinitis.

The Bulls took the lead for the first time since the first quarter, 96-95, on a layup by Pippen with 3:58 remaining and outscored the Celtics down the stretch.

The Celtics are 2-2 without Bird.

San Antonio 117, New York 112--Johnny Dawkins scored 8 of his 26 points in the final three minutes, and the Spurs held off the Knicks at New York.

It was the Spurs’ first road victory in 14 games, dating to last March 22 against the Clippers at the Sports Arena.

New York narrowed the gap to 106-105 on Kenny Walker’s basket with 3:41 left, but Dawkins hit two straight baskets and added four points in the final minute.

The Knicks got a chance to tie by stealing an inbounds pass with seven seconds left, but Trent Tucker missed a three-point shot. San Antonio’s Frank Brickowski hit two free throws with :02 left.

Walter Berry had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Greg Anderson scored 15 for the Spurs. Patrick Ewing had 21 points, and rookie Mark Jackson added 20 points and 15 assists for the Knicks.