NBA Roundup : Price Leads Cleveland to Win Over Atlanta

Some people were surprised last summer when Cleveland guard Mark Price was given a 5-year, $5-million contract. It was feared that his salary jump from last season’s $175,000 would disrupt the Cavaliers.

Perhaps the reason it hasn’t, however, is the way Price, a third-year guard from Georgia Tech, has played. Price, a second-round draft choice in 1986, failed to impress Dallas and was sent to Cleveland for a second-round draft choice.

It has turned out to be the deal that put the Cavaliers among the elite of the National Basketball Assn. After a mediocre first season, Price has developed into one of the league’s best guards.

In another brilliant performance Saturday night at Richfield, Ohio, Price led the Cavaliers to a surprisingly easy 120-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Price made 7 of 7 shots in the first half, and Cleveland, beaten at home by the Hawks early in the season, gained a 56-41 lead.

It was the second straight game against a supposedly strong team in which Price had scored 17 points in the first half and paced the Cavaliers (15-5) to a big victory. Thursday night, Cleveland led Detroit at halftime, 65-43, and won by 21.

The Hawks are finding that the wear and tear of many seasons has made it difficult for Moses Malone to play consecutive games. Malone, who sparked the Hawks to 3 straight victories, including a win over Milwaukee Friday night, played 27 minutes. He was 1 for 7 and had 7 rebounds.

New York 117, Washington 102--Mark Jackson scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half at New York and had 12 assists to lead the Knicks to their sixth straight victory. It was the Bullets’ seventh straight loss on the road.

The Knicks (16-6) lead the Atlantic Division by 3 games.

Detroit 100, Charlotte 91--Isiah Thomas ended a shooting slump by making 3 quick baskets in an early 14-3 run at Auburn Hills, Mich., that helped the Pistons break their first 2-game losing streak of the season.

Thomas, who had gone 10 for 31 in the 2 defeats, was 10 for 15 and had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Chicago 112, Milwaukee 93--Michael Jordan scored 29 of his 36 points in the second half at Milwaukee to spark the Bulls to an emotional victory.

Both coaches, Doug Collins of Chicago and Del Harris of Milwaukee, were ejected for disputing officials’ calls. The Bulls trailed by 9 at halftime.

Philadelphia 119, Utah 107--Mike Gminski had 24 points and 9 rebounds and Maurice Cheeks had 21 points and 9 assists at Philadelphia as the 76ers handed the road-weary Jazz their third straight loss.

Karl Malone was outstanding in defeat, scoring 44 points and getting 13 rebounds.

Dallas 104, Miami 87--The Mavericks made use of their deep bench at Miami to hand the Heat its 19th loss in 20 games. Brad Davis came off the bench to score 13 points.

New Jersey 100, Indiana 92--The Nets, with Lester Conner scoring 10 of his 20 points in the last quarter, held off a late rally by the Pacers at Indianapolis. The Pacers shot only 42% and had 23 turnovers.

Golden State 123, San Antonio 113--Chris Mullin scored 38 points at San Antonio, and the Warriors handed the Spurs their sixth consecutive defeat. Manute Bol played 29 minutes and blocked 10 shots.

Seattle 141, Sacramento 111--Dale Ellis scored 27 points to lead the SuperSonics to their third straight victory and sixth in a row at home.

Portland 115, Phoenix 97--Terry Porter scored 7 of his 23 points during a decisive 11-0 spurt in the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter at Portland to spark the Trail Blazers.