NBA Roundup : Warriors End Slump--After Karl Resigns

Two hours after George Karl resigned as coach Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors broke a five-game losing streak by beating the Sacramento Kings, 126-118, at Oakland as Chris Mullin scored 29 points and Steve Harris added 21 off the bench.

Owner James Fitzgerald asked General Manager Don Nelson to return to the coaching ranks as Karl’s replacement. Nelson said: “At this point in time, I’m not ready to do that.” But he added that he expects to decide “in a week or two.” Ed Gregory, an assistant under Karl, was named acting head coach and will be in charge of the team for the rest of the season, unless Nelson takes over.

The Warriors reached the playoffs last season, Karl’s first with the team. But this year, they are 17-48, second-worst in the league even with Wednesday night’s victory.

“The pressure of losing combined with the personal frustration contributed to my decision,” Karl said in a statement released by the Warriors.

An announcement by the team also said Karl cited “organizational matters,” but no one specified what matters were involved. It was revealed that he asked for a contract extension but was turned down by Fitzgerald.

“Looking at the situation as a whole, it seems to me that this is an appropriate time for us to go our separate ways,” Karl concluded.

Against Sacramento, which changed coaches two weeks ago, backup center Dave Feitl had a career-high 20 points for the Warriors, including 10 in the final period.

Derek Smith led the Kings with a season-high 30 points, and Otis Thorpe added 22.

Chicago 118, Philadelphia 102--Michael Jordan, hitting 20 of 35 shots, scored 49 points at Philadelphia as the Bulls snapped a six-game losing streak on the road.

Charles Oakley added 13 points and 19 rebounds for Chicago, and teammate Sam Vincent had 22 points and 12 assists.

Philadelphia trailed, 108-102, on a layup by Charles Barkley with 3:01 remaining, but the 76ers didn’t score again. Oakley made a three-point play with 2:39 left to ignite a 10-0 run down the stretch for the Bulls.

Barkley and Cliff Robinson scored 23 each for the 76ers. Barkley, hampered by an ankle injury, played only 8:49 of the first half but most of the second half.

Boston 104, Washington 89--Larry Bird scored 14 of his 37 points in the third quarter to lead the Celtics, who overcame a three-point deficit at halftime to win at Boston.

In the fourth quarter, Bird, who also grabbed 14 rebounds, hit two three-pointers as the Celtics outscored the Bullets, 24-11, to take a 98-84 lead with 1:34 to play.

“They are truly great athletes, especially Bird,” said John Williams, who led the Bullets with 27 points. “He’s everything for them, a passer, a banger and a scorer. He’s been an MVP and probably will be again.”

Cleveland 105, New Jersey 96--The Cavaliers, winning for only the third time in 14 games, outscored the Nets, 21-2, during a fourth-quarter rally at Richfield, Ohio, with Dell Curry coming off the bench to score 10 of his game-high 22 points in the final eight minutes.

New Jersey, which led, 76-59, late in the third quarter, still had an 88-75 advantage with 10:02 remaining. Curry then hit three consecutive baskets to ignite the Cleveland charge.

A Curry jump shot put the Cavaliers ahead, 89-88, with 4:56 left. After Otis Birdsong’s basket gave the Nets their last lead, 90-89, Craig Ehlo made a three-point shot to put Cleveland in front for good with 4:03 remaining.

Curry followed with a layup, and Brad Daugherty’s dunk gave Cleveland a 96-90 lead with 2:20 to play. The Nets never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

Seattle 118, Portland 108--Dale Ellis scored 35 points and Xavier McDaniel added 31 for the SuperSonics at Seattle as the Trail Blazers lost for only the second time in 13 games.

Clyde Drexler led Portland with 26 points, while Jerome Kersey added 25 and Kevin Duckworth 24 for the Trail Blazers.