NBA Roundup : Ewing, Knicks Stun Pistons in Michigan

Great things have been expected of Patrick Ewing ever since the New York Knicks made him the No. 1 pick in the 1985 National Basketball Assn. draft. Now that he’s got a solid supporting cast, Ewing is realizing his potential.

Ewing scored 37 points as the Knicks stunned the Detroit Pistons, 133-111, Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich., to end a 10-game road losing streak against Detroit.

The victory was New York’s first on the road against Detroit since a 120-96 victory Nov. 23, 1984 at the Pontiac Silverdome.

It was also the Knicks’ fourth road victory of the season, putting them well ahead of last year’s pace, when they didn’t win No. 4 until their 31st away game.

Ewing hit 12 of 18 field-goal attempts and grabbed 12 rebounds.

“I’ve got great talent around me this year,” Ewing said. “I’ve got a great point guard and a great power forward. This is the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here and I think we’re playing like it.”

“As long as we win, it doesn’t matter how many points I score. Things were just going our way tonight. Detroit is one of the best teams in the league--if not the best--but tonight we had it going and we were unstoppable.”

The Knicks used a full-court press and some timely 3-point shooting to hand the Pistons their first loss in 3 games at The Palace, their new arena.

New York made 9 3-pointers, including 6 by Trent Tucker, who broke his own team record. Tucker, who started in place of injured Gerald Wilkins, was 6 for 9 from 3-point range and finished with 25 points.

“Fortunately for my team, I was making the outside shot tonight,” Tucker said. “That’s a big part of our offense. That’s what our coach wants us to do, shoot 3-point shots. He only has to tell me once. That’s the best part of my game.”

The Pistons were led by Adrian Dantley with 25 points. Bill Laimbeer added 20 points, and John Salley and Vinnie Johnson had 16 apiece coming off the bench.

Boston, 114, Charlotte 109--Kevin McHale scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds before suffering a bruised knee as the Celtics used a late surge to hold off the Hornets at Boston.

The Celtics, already hurting from the loss of Larry Bird, sidelined for 4 months after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs from his heels, got a scare when McHale was hurt after a collision with teammate Danny Ainge.

Ainge appeared to brush McHale under the basket on a drive and McHale fell to the floor, grabbing his left knee.

McHale was helped to the dressing room with 5:46 left, and the Hornets rallied to within 106-104 with less than 3 minutes remaining.

McHale returned with 1:44 left but wasn’t needed as Brian Shaw moved Boston out of danger with a pair of free throws.

Reggie Lewis had a career-high 20 points off the bench for the Celtics. Lewis also had 4 steals and 2 blocked shots. Ainge had 16 points and 9 assists, and Robert Parish added 14 points.

Kelly Tripucka led Charlotte with 23 points. Rookie Rex Chapman had 21, and Robert Reid had 20 in the Hornets’ 8th loss in 10 games.

Philadelphia 104, Cleveland 91-- Charles Barkley scored 30 points and grabbed 18 rebounds at Philadelphia as the 76ers handed the Cavaliers their first road loss in 5 games.

In losing, Cleveland scored its fewest points this season and allowed its most. The Cavaliers shot 30% in the first quarter and fell behind, 33-16.

Hersey Hawkins scored 17 points and Cliff Robinson 14 for Philadelphia. John Williams had 21 and Mark Price 17 for Cleveland.

Dallas 125, Denver 106--Sam Perkins scored 30 points in the Mavericks’ victory at Dallas.

The Mavericks, who have won 7 of 10 games, are off to their best start ever. The 125 points were a season-high, while Denver was held to its lowest point total of the season.

Mark Aguirre added 22 points and a career-high 17 assists, 1 shy of the team record.

Alex English led the Nuggets with 30 points.

Milwaukee 124, Washington 102--Terry Cummings scored 31 points as the Bucks routed the Bullets at Milwaukee to end a 3-game losing streak.

Sidney Moncrief added 17 points, and Paul Pressey had 16 as the Bucks enjoyed their best offensive output of the season.

John Williams led the Bullets with 18 points, and Terry Catledge added 17.

San Antonio 119, Atlanta 109-- Willie Anderson, Greg Anderson and Alvin Robertson each scored 22 points as the Spurs ended a 5-game losing streak by beating the Hawks at San Antonio.

Dominique Wilkins scored 41 points as the Hawks dropped their second straight.

Utah 111, Houston 108--Karl Malone scored 33 points as the Jazz edged the Rockets at Salt Lake City.

Akeem Olajuwon led the Rockets with 31 points. Guard Mike Woodson added 21.

Darrell Griffith had 23 points, and Thurl Bailey had 22 for the Jazz (7-2). John Stockton added 18 points and 12 assists.

New Jersey 133, Phoenix 129-- Mike McGee scored 29 points, Walter Berry added 26 and Roy Hinson had 25 as the Nets ended a 3-game losing streak in beating the Suns at Phoenix.

Armon Gilliam and Tom Chambers each had 30 points as the Suns dropped their third straight game.

Seattle 93, Golden State 85--Dale Ellis scored 36 points and grabbed 8 rebounds at Oakland as the SuperSonics ended a 2-game losing streak.

Ellis made 16 of 27 shots from the field and had 7 offensive rebounds.

Rookie Mitch Richmond scored 17 points, and Larry Smith grabbed 13 rebounds for the Warriors.