NBA Roundup : Detroit Finally Wins With Aguirre, 105-94

In their third try with new player Mark Augirre, the Detroit Pistons finally came through with a victory.

The Pistons acquired Aguirre in a trade with Dallas on the theory that the temperamental sharpshooter was the necessary ingredient for a National Basketball Assn. title

After losing two games on the road with Aguirre playing key minutes, the Pistons returned to Auburn Hills, Mich., Wednesday night and beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 105-94, to end their short skid.

The sellout crowd of 21,454 gave Aguirre a standing ovation, and he responded by getting five points in a 13-1 spurt in the second quarter that put Detroit in command.

Aguirre finished with 16 points in 24 minutes but was only one for five from the line and one for four on three-pointers.

“It was a great feeling to be cheered,” Aguirre said. “I was nervous. The ovation was a big relief.”

Although the Trail Blazers lost their fifth game in a row, there were some bright spots. Sam Bowie, who has spent most of his NBA career sidelined with injuries, played a strong 28 minutes. He led the Blazers in scoring with 19 points and has now played six games in a row.

Chicago 130, Charlotte 102--The Bulls were so hot at Charlotte, N.C., that Michael Jordan was able to take it easy.

The Bulls shot 81% in a 42-point first quarter and breezed to their fourth victory in a row.

Jordan scored only 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting. With a 21-point lead after a quarter, the scoring leader didn’t have to go all-out.

A slimmed down Dave Corzine, starting in place of injured Bill Cartwright, sank all six of his shots and all seven free throws to help make it a rout.

Cleveland 130, New Jersey 111--One sign of a good team is the way it goes out and puts away a weak opponent. The Cavaliers, of course, are a good team.

Ron Harper and Mark Price took the Nets apart in the first quarter at Cleveland. Harper had 13 points and Price 11 to pace a 42-point opening quarter.

Golden State 118, San Antonio 107--Chris Mullin came out of a mild slump to score 11 of his 27 points in the last 7 1/2 minutes at San Antonio to assure the Warriors of another victory.

The Warriors, with a 16-3 run in the second quarter, built a 53-36 lead, but the Spurs, getting the first eight points of the second half, pulled within two before Mullin took charge.

Philadelphia 139, Miami 108--The 76ers put up their big numbers in the first quarter. They built a 44-28 lead at Miami, and then Charles Barkley became a shooting guard.

The bulky forward made all six of his three-point attempts and wound up with 39 points, missing only three shots from short range during his 34 minutes.

Mike Gminski was almost as sharp, sinking 10 of his 13 shots.

Denver 109, Dallas 106--In addition to Adrian Dantley, who has never joined them, the Mavericks were without injured players Derek Harper and Bill Wennington at Denver.

Nevertheless, they played a tough game, losing only because Alex English made four free throws in the last 90 seconds.

Boston 99, Sacramento 91--The Celtics, in danger of going 0 for 6 on their Western swing, built a big early lead at Sacramento and made it stand up.

With Kevin McHale, who had 25 points, leading the way, the Celtics opened an 80-51 advantage in the third quarter.

Wayman Tisdale, in his debut with the Kings, scored 15 points in the last quarter, but it was too late.