NBA Roundup : Jordan Rallies Bulls Over Hawks

During the last 2 or 3 seasons there have been a few unhappy Chicago Bulls because, playing with Michael Jordan, they say they don’t get enough shots.

But no one has taken the responsibility in the clutch. The theory seems to be, let Michael do it.

As he has so many times before, Jordan did it Tuesday night, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter at Atlanta, where the Bulls wiped out a 14-point deficit and defeated the Hawks, 104-101.

Jordan had 48 points, including 2 free throws with 22 seconds left to complete the scoring. Before time ran out, Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone and Dudley Bradley missed 3-point attempts.

A Malone jumper gave the Hawks a 95-81 lead with 7:45 left, but Jordan outscored the Hawks, 14-6, the rest of the way. Craig Hodges and Scottie Pippen each contributed points, but it was 9 in a row by Jordan that did in the Hawks.

Until this loss, the Hawks were 15-2 at home. It was the Bulls’ 7th road victory in 17 games.

Last season, forward Charles Oakley complained he didn’t get shooting opportunities. He was traded to the New York Knicks. His replacement, Horace Grant, recently sang the same tune.

Jordan, who led his team in assists last season, is a close second to teammate Sam Vincent. Moreover, he is shooting 55% from the field. In this game, he was 17 for 29 from the field, had 10 rebounds and 9 assists.

Jordan impressed Atlanta Coach Mike Fratello.

“Michael Jordan is one of the greatest players ever to play the game, if not the best,” Fratello said. “I just wish he’d pass the ball more.”

Portland 125, Seattle 109--Steve Johnson came off the bench to score 27 points and trigger a second-half rally at Portland, ending the SuperSonics’ 5-game winning streak.

Johnson was 13 of 17 from the field and had 9 rebounds as the Trail Blazers won their 12th in a row at home. They are 14-1 at home this season.

Washington 120, Denver 117--John Williams won this one with style for the Bullets at Landover, Md. The big forward put in a double-pump, left-handed layup with 18 seconds left to give the Bullets a 118-117 lead.

Williams came off the bench to get 25 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes.

Utah 92, Miami 88--Jim Farmer and Mark Eaton each made 2 free throws in the last 25 seconds to spoil a comeback by the Heat at Miami.

The Heat, trailing, 55-32, in the second half, rallied to tie, 88-88, with 95 seconds left.