NBA Roundup : Bird, Headed for Surgery, Watches Celtics Win

Kevin McHale scored 27 points, and Robert Parish added 26 as the Boston Celtics said goodby to hospital-bound Larry Bird with a 114-108 win over the Washington Bullets Friday night at Boston Garden.

Bird, who is expected to be sidelined for at least 3 months after surgery today for removal of bone spurs on both heels, watched from the end of the bench as the Celtics struggled to their 12th consecutive regular-season home victory over the Bullets since March 14, 1984.

“We don’t expect one guy to fill Larry’s shoes,” Boston Coach Jimmy Rodgers said. “We can’t dwell on Larry’s absence. The NBA doesn’t take injuries into consideration. Each team comes at you every night.”

During a timeout with 1:47 left, the crowd began chanting, “Larry, Larry” as Bird joined in a huddle at the Boston bench. Bird responded with a couple of waves and was given a standing ovation.

The Bullets were led by Darrell Walker with 21 points.

Philadelphia 137, New York 135--Charles Barkley had 38 points and 13 rebounds and made a key steal with 10 seconds left as the 76ers edged the Knicks at Philadelphia to break New York’s 5-game winning streak.

Two free throws by Hersey Hawkins with 10 seconds remaining gave the 76ers a 135-132 lead. Barkley, who made 14 of 15 shots, then stole New York’s inbounds pass at halfcourt.

The Knicks were charged with a breakaway foul, and Philadelphia retained possession after Barkley hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it 136-132.

Maurice Cheeks connected on a foul shot with 6 seconds left, and New York’s Johnny Newman hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final score.

The Knicks led, 84-80, at halftime. It was the second-highest total for a first half in NBA history. The record was set March 10, 1963, when Syracuse outscored San Francisco, 85-81.

Chicago 115, Atlanta 112--Michael Jordan scored 34 points, including 5 free throws and a basket in the final 1:51 of overtime as the Bulls edged the Hawks at Chicago.

Jordan rebounded a miss by Dominique Wilkins, then added 2 free throws to put Chicago ahead to stay at 110-109. John Battle had given Atlanta its last lead at 109-108 with a basket and a free throw.

Jordan’s soft jumper after driving the lane put the Bulls up by 3 with just 34 seconds left.

Wilkins, who had a season-high 39 points, converted 1 of 2 free throws before Jordan clinched it with 21 seconds left, making 2 more free throws. He later added the 115th point.

Detroit 121, Phoenix 105--Joe Dumars scored 11 of his regular-season, career-high 31 points in the fourth quarter as the Pistons beat the Suns at Phoenix to remain the NBA’s only unbeaten team. They tied a club record with their sixth consecutive road victory.

Detroit (8-0) matched the mark set by the 1970-71 team, which won 6 straight on the road en route to a club-record 9-0 start.

Isiah Thomas scored 30 points, including 24 in the second half, as the Pistons ended the Suns’ 4-game home winning streak.

Cleveland 95, New Jersey 94--Larry Nance’s slam dunk with 22 seconds left at East Rutherford, N.J., lifted the Cavaliers to their third straight road win.

Mark Price scored 27 points on 12-of-14 shooting to lead the surprising Cavaliers, who have won 5 of 6 games this season.

Golden State 123, Miami 117--Chris Mullin scored 29 points, and Winston Garland added 22 as the Warriors beat the Heat in overtime at Miami.