NBA Roundup : Pacers Rout Celtics for First Victory in Boston in the ‘80s

It has been a decade since the Boston Celtics lost more than 8 home games in a season. It happened during the 1978-79 season, when the Celtics lost 20 home games.

That was before Larry Bird. Ever since Bird moved in, the Celtics have strung together long winning streaks at Boston Garden. It is no coincidence that the injury to Bird this season has enabled a number of teams to win in Boston for the first time in the ‘80s.

The latest was the Indiana Pacers, suddenly a team on a winning streak under new Coach Dick Versace.

With 7-foot 4-inch rookie Rik Smits scoring 21 points, while making 9 of 10 shots, in 20 minutes, and Chuck Person getting 29 points and 10 rebounds, the Pacers trounced the Celtics, 127-108, Wednesday night at Boston.

The Pacers, who have won all 3 games under Versace and 4 in a row, had lost 18 straight at Boston. They hadn’t won there since April 2, 1978.

From the start of the 1985 season until the end of the 1987 season, the Celtics were 79-3 at home. The worst season they have had at home during the Bird decade was 33-8 in 1983-84.

Without Bird, who has missed the last 26 games because of foot surgery, the Celtics are just another team. They are only 12-7 at home and 15-17 overall.

In his first visit to Boston Garden, Smits dunked his first 2 attempts. He hit a career high, and the Pacers led from start to finish.

“Teams are coming in here with the feeling they can beat us,” said Danny Ainge, who made only 6 of 16 shots. “They can smell it. They feel we’re vulnerable.”

Versace said he couldn’t really take credit for the Pacers’ sudden success. “I haven’t put in anything new yet,” said Versace, who took over a club that opened the season 5-23.

New York 100, Detroit 93--The Pistons came oh so close to beating the Lakers and winning the National Basketball Assn. championship last season. But unless they learn how to handle the Knicks, they may not even reach the final round of the playoffs this time.

Mark Jackson scored 4 points and made a big steal in the final 65 seconds at Auburn Hills, Mich., to lead a 7-0 run that gave the Knicks their third victory in a row over the Pistons. It was the Pistons’ third loss in 14 home games.

“I suppose 3 wins in a row means they have our number,” Detroit Coach Chuck Daly said. “But it’s hard to win when you score only 16 points in the last quarter.”

Golden State 107, Dallas 106--Winston Garland drove the middle to score on a 5-foot one-hander with 1 second remaining at Oakland as the Warriors handed the Mavericks their fifth loss in a row.

Garland’s successful shot, only his fourth in 10 tries, spoiled a 41-point night for Mark Aguirre.

Cleveland 124, Phoenix 121--Larry Nance scored 22 of his 28 points in the second half, and the Cavaliers ended the Suns’ 11-game home winning streak.

The lead changed hands 30 times before the Cavaliers pulled out their 12th win in the last 13 games and improved the best record in the league to 25-6.

Milwaukee 123, Denver 106--Larry Krystkowiak scored a career-high 27 points at Milwaukee and led a fourth-quarter surge that gave the Bucks their fourth win in a row.

After 3 quarters, the Bucks, winners of 8 of 9, led by only 89-86. But Paul Pressey had 6 points, and Krystkowiak had 4 in a 15-2 rally that put the game out of reach.

Chicago 106, Charlotte 101--The Hornets held Michael Jordan to 2 points in the first half at Charlotte, N.C., but the NBA’s leading scorer had 22 in the second half and led the Bulls to another victory.

Philadelphia 103, New Jersey 94--Charles Barkley scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter at Philadelphia to carry the 76ers to victory.

Houston 122, San Antonio 117--Purvis Short scored 6 of his 26 points in overtime at San Antonio. The Rockets had a 27-point lead, but Spur rookie Vernon Maxwell hit a 3-point basket with 15 seconds left to send it into overtime. Maxwell scored a career-high 29 points.