NBA Roundup : Mavericks Hold a Meeting but Still Lose

Earlier this week, the Lakers, concerned about a slump, held a players-only meeting. They responded by trouncing Utah Tuesday night.

It didn’t work the same way for the Dallas Mavericks. Alarmed by a recent skid that has put their lead in the Midwest Division in jeopardy, the Mavericks held a players-only meeting Friday night before playing the lowly Washington Bullets at Landover, Md.

Despite a 38-point performance by Mark Aguirre, the Mavericks fell behind early and never caught up. The Bullets handed the Mavericks a 118-103 defeat, their third in a row.

While the Mavericks’ once-solid division lead shrank to 1 1/2 games over onrushing Denver, the Bullets, behind the Malones, Moses and Jeff, climbed back into the playoff battle.

In the five-team battle for the last three positions in the East, the Bullets are still last, but the gap is smaller. Indiana is the leader in the drive for sixth place, but the Pacers are only 2 1/2 games ahead of the Bullets.

The Mavericks decided on the meeting after Tuesday’s drubbing at Atlanta where, reportedly, there was some shouting at Aguirre, who scored only 14 points against the Hawks and asked out seven minutes into the second half.

For three quarters in this one, Aguirre was superb. He scored 34 points and pulled the Mavericks to within five points, 86-81, but scored only four more points. After they cut the lead to 92-90, Moses Malone and Bernard King combined for all the points in a 13-2 spurt that broke it open.

“I never know how we’re going to play,” Bullets’ Coach Wes Unseld said. “I’m not smart enough to read this team. But a couple of guys gave the best effort they have in a long time.”

Boston 121, Detroit 110--As if there was any doubt, the Celtics, in this game at Boston, let the Pistons know they are still the team to beat in the East.

Kevin McHale, the leading shooter in the league, bounced back from Tuesday night’s 2-for-14 shooting to go 10 for 16 to lead the Celtics, along with Larry Bird.

With a 51-21 record, the Celtics are far ahead of Detroit (46-24) for best record in the conference. With Atlanta winning, the Pistons’ lead in the Central Division is only two games.

Atlanta 105, Philadelphia 93--In continuing their run at the Pistons, the Hawks rode Dominique Wilkins’ 28 points to their fourth win in a row and dealt a blow to the 76ers’ playoff hopes at Atlanta.

The 76ers are in a five-team battle for three playoff berths. At the moment they are in the last playoff spot. But they are half a game ahead of Washington and a game ahead of New York.

Chicago 116, Portland 101--Michael Jordan scored 31 of his 38 points in the second half at Portland as the Bulls roared from behind to win going away.