NBA Roundup : Vern Fleming Is Hot, and Pacers Top Pistons, 103-98

Vern Fleming took charge down the stretch at Pontiac, Mich., to lead Indiana to a key 103-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons, leaving the Pacers’ playoff fate in their own hands.

If the Pacers beat the New York Knicks tonight at Indianapolis, they are assured of a playoff position.

Fleming scored 5 of his 16 points in the closing minutes and set up Steve Stipanovich with a three-point play that proved decisive.

The Pistons, who long ago clinched the Central Division title, built an 82-69 lead in the third quarter but made only 4 of 26 field-goal attempts in the last quarter.

“They came out and pushed the ball the way they always do, but they missed a lot of inside shots in the fourth quarter,” Fleming said. “When they left the door open, we decided to take advantage.

“When I got back on the floor in the fourth quarter I knew it was up to me to make some points and get things going.”

Milwaukee 118, New York 109--Larry Krystkowiak scored 23 points at Milwaukee as the Bucks dealt a blow to the Knicks’ playoff hopes.

The Knicks (37-44) are tied with Washington for the eighth and last playoff spot in the East.

Cleveland 107, Chicago 103--Charles Oakley grabbed 35 rebounds at Chicago, the most in the NBA in the 1980s, but Michael Jordan scored only 26 points, and the Bulls lost.

The victory assured the Cavaliers of the sixth playoff spot in the East.

Atlanta 133, Boston 106--Larry Bird stayed home with a sprained ankle and Robert Parish and Dennis Johnson arrived in Atlanta late, so Dominique Wilkins led the Hawks to victory.

Wilkins scored 35 points as the Hawks moved a game ahead of Chicago in the battle for the third-best record in the East.

Portland 141, Denver 135--The Trail Blazers kept their hopes alive for the third-best record in the West with an overtime victory. The Nuggets can clinch the second-best record by beating the Clippers tonight at Denver.