NBA Roundup : Despite Wilkins’ 47 Points, Trail Blazers Win

In two games against the most prolific scorers in professional basketball, the Portland Trail Blazers gave up 52 points to Michael Jordan one night and 47 to Dominique Wilkins the next.

Probably the big surprise is that the Trail Blazers won both games and on the road, at that.

Friday, Jordan was throwing the ball into the basket from all over, but he wasn’t getting much help, and the Trail Blazers prevailed, 104-96.

It appeared that Wilkins’ big output was just enough Saturday night at Atlanta to give the Hawks the victory. But, the Trail Blazers scored eight points in the last 50 seconds to wipe out a five-point deficit and beat the Hawks, 123-120.

Jerome Kersey, who finished with 25 points, intercepted Scott Hastings’ inbounds pass with three seconds left and sank a three-point basket at the buzzer to give the Trail Blazers an improbable victory.

The Hawks argued that Kersey’s shot was after the buzzer, but the officials ruled otherwise.

“I didn’t see any light come on,” Kersey said. “It was close, but I think it was good. The referees make the final decision. They said it counted and that’s good enough for me.”

The Hawks led by 17 twice and were ahead, 104-88, with 10:26 left in the game. They still had a 120-115 edge with 50 seconds remaining.

Wilkins’ last jumper had given the Hawks the five-point lead. Kersey was fouled but made only one of two free throws. After an Atlanta miss, Terry Porter was fouled and made two free throws to cut the deficit to 120-118, with 35 seconds left.

Glenn Rivers missed a jumper with 12 seconds left to give the Blazers another life. There were only three seconds left when Clyde Drexler tied it with a jumper.

After a timeout, the Hawks brought in Hastings, who has been their designated inbounds passer in tight situations. This time, great anticipation by Kersey foiled the Hawks and gave Portland another road victory.

The Trail Blazers received another strong game from Kevin Duckworth, who scored 30 points.

Although he missed a shot in the clutch, Rivers had an outstanding game for the Hawks, a triple-double. He had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists.

Milwaukee 94, Chicago 91--After playing probably their worst game of the season in a humiliating 36-point loss at Boston on Friday night, the Bucks bounced back for a dramatic victory at Chicago.

Michael Jordan converted a three-point play with one minute left to give him 38 points and give the Bulls a 91-89 lead.

But Sidney Moncrief, slowly regaining his form after two injury-plagued seasons, scored the last five points to win the game.

His 18-footer from the corner tied the score with 10 seconds left, he was fouled by Jordan and converted the free throw. Terry Cummings then intercepted Brad Sellers’ inbounds pass but missed a shot only to have Moncrief tip it in for five points in four seconds.

Jordan has scored 90 points in the last two games, and the Bulls have lost both.

Dallas 100, Philadelphia 91--The streaks continue. Mark Aguirre and Sam Perkins each had 17 points at Dallas as the Mavericks won their eighth in a row, tying the franchise record.

The 76ers extended their team-record string of defeats to 18 games. They made a good game of it, although they didn’t get much help from their star, Charles Barkley. Barkley, averaging 29 points, had 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Indiana 106, New Jersey 98--Amid rumors that Willis Reed will soon be named coach, the slumping Nets lost their sixth in a row in a game at East Rutherford, N.J.

John Long led the Pacers with 26 points, sinking three clutch jumpers that cut short a desperate last-quarter rally by the Nets.

Washington 116, Phoenix 106--Jeff Malone scored a career-high 47 points at Phoenix to lead the Bullets to their second victory in a row. Malone was 18 for 29 from the field and also had 6 rebounds.

Seattle 114, Golden State 111--The SuperSonics barely overcame a 41-point performance at Seattle by the Warriors’ Rod Higgins. The Warriors made it close without Ralph Sampson, who has a knee injury.