NBA Roundup : Bulls Need 50 From Jordan to Hold Off Celtics

After a fine start this season, the Chicago Bulls have dropped out of the battle for first place in the National Basketball Assn.’s Central Division. Their problem has been an inability to hold leads late in the game.

Michael Jordan made certain that didn’t happen Friday night at Chicago against the Boston Celtics.

Jordan scored 17 of his 50 points in the fourth quarter, and the Bulls held off a furious comeback, ending the Celtics’ six-game winning streak with a 113-103 victory.

The Celtics, who had won eight in a row at Chicago Stadium, trailed, 84-72, after three quarters. The second unit, which has developed into a force for the Celtics, cut the lead to 86-79.

But, when the Celtics brought back their regulars, the Bulls brought back Jordan. He scored eight points in a 14-4 spurt that settled the issue.

It was the third time this season that Jordan, who should win his second consecutive scoring title, scored 50 or more points. He also had 9 assists and 5 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Larry Bird made only 8 of 19 field goal attempts and had only 19 points for the Celtics. He also had 10 rebounds and a technical. The technical came out of frustration in the fourth quarter. Bird was knocked down by the Bulls’ Charles Oakley, and when no foul was called, Bird yelled at referee Dan Crawford and drew the technical.

“I really felt like hitting the referee,” Bird admitted. “They (the Bulls) were taking cheap shots at me all night. When I got hammered in the fourth quarter, I wanted to hit Crawford.

“I rarely get angry. I get frustrated, but there was no excuse for letting them get away with murder.”

Kevin McHale tried to rally the Celtics, who are 18-16 on the road, with 33 points, sinking 13 of 19 shots.

Jordan, who is trying to gain recognition for his defensive play, had five steals. He also doubled the scoring output of the Celtic starting guards, Danny Ainge (13) and Dennis Johnson (12).

The 6-foot 7-inch guard is still miffed because four guards--Johnson, Alvin Robertson, Maurice Cheeks and Derek Harper--were all voted ahead of him last year on the all-defensive team.

He leads the league in steals and has averaged six rebounds per game.

Until last season there was some question about Jordan’s shooting range. There no longer is. He reached the 50-point mark in the with a three-point basket.

Philadelphia 129, Indiana 109--Charles Barkley is making a determined effort to lead the 76ers into the playoffs.

Barkley scored 23 of his 30 points in the first half to help the 76ers build a 64-47 lead at Philadelphia and coast to their fourth victory in the last five games. Barkley has been the spark in the recent surge.

The victory put the 76ers a half-game behind Washington in the battle for the last playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta 106, New Jersey 104--On a night in East Rutherford, N.J., when Dominique Wilkins’ shooting range was about two feet, it was Doc Rivers and Antoine Carr, who provided the key points.

Rivers scored his team’s last nine points and Carr came off the bench to sink seven consecutive shots as the Hawks won their third in a row despite making only three field goals in the fourth quarter.

Seattle 118, San Antonio 110--The SuperSonics missed a chance to win in regulation at San Antonio, when Dale Ellis made one of two free throws with six seconds left.

But, in overtime, the SuperSonics’ defense forced three turnovers in the first two minutes, and they outscored the Spurs, 12-4, to win.

Xavier McDaniel paced Seattle with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Tom Chambers had 29 points.

Utah 118, Denver 111--The Jazz scored the last seven points at Salt Lake City after Blair Rasmussen’s basket brought the Nuggets even, 111-111, with 1:33 remaining.

A 16-foot jumper by Bobby Hansen broke the tie, and Utah closed it out with five free throws.

Portland 121, Golden State 116--Terry Porter scored 16 of his career-high 40 points in the fourth quarter at Oakland to help the Trail Blazers hold off the Warriors. Chris Mullin scored 34 points for the Warriors.