NBA Roundup : Russell’s Kings Surprise the Hawks

When Bill Russell took over as coach of the Sacramento Kings, he signed a seven-year contract. He was well aware he couldn’t turn the club into a winner overnight.

The man largely responsible for first making the Boston Celtics a successful National Basketball Assn. franchise, has heard mostly criticism in his first half season at the helm of the Kings.

They won only nine of their first 35 games and were an almost certain loser every time they hit the road. Slowly, though, Russell is beginning to see some progress.

Twice within a week, the Kings have brought an admission from Russell that he is proud of them. Last Thursday it happened after the Kings shocked the powerful Portland Trail Blazers.

It happened again Tuesday night at Atlanta when the Kings on a three-point shot by Reggie Theus at the buzzer, beat the Hawks, 118-115, and knocked them out of first place in the Central Division.

Despite a tremendous performance by Dominique Wilkins, the Hawks lost for the third time in 22 home games. Wilkins had a season-high 51 points, 28 in the third quarter.

It was only the Kings’ third road win in 21 games, but they are 7-5 in their last 12 games.

“I didn’t come into this situation blind,” Russell said. “That’s why it was a long-term commitment. But I have seen some things lately that make me feel much better about where we are headed.

“I really appreciated the way we came back after Wilkins had that big third quarter.”

Wilkins’ hot hand enabled the Hawks to outscore the Kings, 43-28, and go into the fourth quarter with a seven-point lead.

Just five seconds before Theus sank his bomb, the Hawks’ missed a chance to take the lead when Doc Rivers’ short jumper bounced off the rim.

Houston 121, Golden State 116--While Ralph Sampson was a flop in his return to Houston, one of the players involved in the trade that sent Sampson to the Warriors, Sleepy Floyd, had a big night.

Sampson scored only four points and fouled out, while Floyd scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half to help the Rockets hold off the determined Warriors.

The Rockets’ remaining Tower, Akeem Olajuwon, also had a big game. He had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the Rockets pulled to within 1 1/2 games of first in the Midwest Division.

Indiana 117, New York 104--The home success has not rubbed off on the Knicks on the road. The team that has won eight in a row at New York, is now 1-22 on the road.

Chuck Person came off the bench to score 23 points at Indianapolis and lead the Pacers to their fifth victory in a row.

The Knicks, who trailed, 32-19, after one quarter, forged ahead in the second quarter 51-43. But Person ignited the Pacers and they kept the pressure on the rest of the way.