NBA Roundup : Jordan Scores 32 as Bulls Move Back Into First Place

The power in the National Basketall Assn. seems to be shifting to the Central Division, and the Chicago Bulls are leading the way.

Michael Jordan scored 32 points and he had enough help as the Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 111-105, Thursday night at Chicago.

While Jordan kept the Bulls in the game, Dave Corzine and rookie Scottie Pippen sank clutch baskets in the last 90 seconds to give the Bulls the lead for good.

The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 13-6 and enabled them to regain first place from the idle Detroit Pistons.

Jordan, who scored nine points in the last four minutes, closed out the scoring with four free throws after the Bucks cut the lead to 107-105.

Jack Sikma led the Bucks with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He had quite a battle with Bull power forward Charles Oakley, who had 10 points, 13 rebounds and a game-high 8 assists.

New York 113, Denver 97--The Knicks are showcasing center Bill Cartwright and hoping someone will take him and his high salary off their hands.

The team’s chances improved considerably in this game at New York as Cartwright came off the bench to score 23 points in 21 minutes to lead the Knicks to their second win in a row.

Cartwright started and finished a 16-4 spurt that began late in the first quarter and put the Knicks in command.

The Nuggets, coming off a rare victory at Boston, appeared to be flat, except for Alex English, who scored 32 points.

With Knick Coach Rick Pitino absent because of his father’s death, assistant Stu Jackson directed the club.

Indiana 108, New Jersey 91--The Pacers (11-7) are another vastly improved Central Division team. In this game at East Rutherford, N.J., a tough defense sent the Nets reeling to their 10th defeat in a row and their 14th in 16 games this season.

The loss spoiled the debut of Bob MacKinnon, who took over as interim coach after Dave Wohl was fired Wednesday.

The victory ended the Pacers’ three-game road losing streak.

Houston 98, Utah 93--Allen Leavell wasn’t sure until just before the opening tipoff whether his ailing hip would permit him to play in this game at Houston.

After shaking off the injury in warmups, Leavell scored 20 points and had 8 assists. He had 16 of his points in the second half as the Rockets roared from behind.

Akeem Olajuwon had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, but the other Twin Tower, Ralph Sampson, played 20 minutes and did not score. Sampson was 0 for 6 and picked up four quick fouls.

Purvis Short, who made 24 of 34 shots in the Rockets’ two previous games, was only 5 for 14 in this one.