NBA Roundup : Thomas, Rodman Lead the Pistons Past Celtics

It was obvious early Sunday at Pontiac, Mich., that the Detroit Pistons, who fell behind and struggled to keep up, were without a playmaker, a leader.

While Larry Bird and Kevin McHale teamed up to get the Boston Celtics off to a fine start, it seemed to be every man for himself for the Pistons.

But, in the second half, Isiah Thomas realized he was the playmaker and leader. He took charge long enough to bring the Pistons from behind for a 106-101 victory before 37,462 fans at the Silverdome.

Thomas and Dennis Rodman made the key baskets in the stretch and, when Bird missed his last four shots, the home team won for the 15 consecutive time in games between the two suddenly bitter rivals.

Adrian Dantley, limping on a sore ankle, also made a big contribution off the bench, getting 19 points in 26 minutes for the Pistons.

While the Pistons were acting as though they didn’t know it was a team game, the Celtics’ front line--in particular, McHale--dominated the first half. McHale had 26 of his 33 points before intermission. The first 42 Boston points were scored by forwards and centers.

Thomas is one of the most talented players in the game. But, maybe, he should study his buddy, Magic Johnson, a little more closely. The first thing the Laker star does in a game is size up the situation. He finds out who he can free for the easy shot. As a last resort, he becomes the scorer.

In this game, Thomas seemed intent on creating shots only for himself. As a result the Pistons were without teamwork in the first half. They were lucky to be within five points.

Once Thomas began directing the running game, the Pistons started getting open for good shots. With Rodman obviously bothering Bird on defense, the Pistons appeared to have the game under control when they took an 88-83 lead early in the fourth quarter.

But Bird is not considered the best in the game for no reason. He made four consecutive shots, including a three-pointer to help the Celtics grab a 97-94 lead.

Rodman returned, Bird turned cold, and Rodman made three baskets in an 8-2 spurt. When Thomas made two clutch jumpers as the clock ran down in the last two minutes, the Pistons had their eighth home win in a row over Boston.

Although he had 26 points, Bird didn’t have much success after the first few minutes with the 6-8 Rodman guarding him.

Rodman, making 7 of 10 shots to 10 for 22 for Bird, also had 8 rebounds and 17 points in 28 minutes.

It also helped that the Celtics forgot about McHale after he demonstrated that he could get free for all sorts of easy baskets. He did say after the game that he tired in the late going.

There was only one minor flare-up between the teams. In the first quarter, McHale and everybody’s villain, Bill Laimbeer, got into a shoving match and both were assessed technicals.

Denver 109, New York 100--Blair Rasmussen, one of the big surprises this season, had nine points in the first nine minutes at Denver to get the Nuggets off to a fast start on their way to their fourth win in a row.

Rasmussen, who has averaged 25.3 points in the last three games, had 16 of his 20 points and 9 of his 13 rebounds in the first half, which Denver led, 57-43, on its way to ending the Knicks’ three-game winning streak.

The 7-foot Rasmussen averaged 7.0 in his first two seasons with the Nuggets. With regular Nugget center Wayne Cooper injured, Rasmussen is responding with outstanding play.

Fat Lever of the Nuggets, making 10 of 15 shots, led all scorers with 24 points.

Houston 108, San Antonio 95--Akeem Olajuwon scored 26 points and had 15 rebounds at Houston and a tough Rocket defense held the Spurs to 40% shooting from the field.

The Rockets reversed Friday night’s loss at San Antonio, and did it without guard Sleepy Floyd, who went to North Carolina where his mother is ill. The Spurs were without injured Frank Brickowski.