NBA ROUNDUP : Pacers Put Clamps on Chilly Pistons,95-74

They’ve only played three games, but one observer is convinced it’s no fluke that the Indiana Pacers are leading the NBA’s Central Division.

The Pacers, who beat the defending champion Detroit Pistons, 95-74, Wednesday night at Indianapolis, are 3-0 for the first time since joining the NBA in 1976.

“They’re improved,” Detroit Coach Chuck Daly said. “I think they’re for real. They’re a team that’s going to be well in the hunt. I think they’re going to be a strong playoff team.

“They’re extremely well coached (by Dick Versace). They play with a lot of enthusiasm.”

Detlef Schrempf scored 10 of his 21 points in the first quarter, and the Pacers never trailed.

Schrempf started in place of Chuck Person, who bruised his left knee in practice this week. Vern Fleming had 22 points for Indiana, and Isiah Thomas had 17 for Detroit (2-2).

Indiana outscored the Pistons, 10-2, in the final four minutes of the second quarter for a 48-25 halftime lead, setting a club record for fewest points allowed in a half. The former mark was 26 by the New York Knicks on Dec. 6, 1985.

Orlando 117, Cleveland 110--Sam Vincent and Reggie Theus each scored six points in overtime and the Magic overcame an early 25-point deficit to spoil the Cavaliers’ home opener at Richfield, Ohio.

It was the second consecutive victory for the expansion Magic (2-1), who also beat the New York Knicks, despite playing most of the game without starting center Dave Corzine, who sustained a knee injury in the first quarter.

The Cavaliers, playing without injured starters Mark Price, Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance, are 0-3, including two overtime losses.

Vincent and Terry Catledge each scored 23 points for Orlando. Ron Harper had 26 for Cleveland.

Chicago 96, Minnesota 84--Michael Jordan scored 45 points and the Bulls spoiled the Timberwolves’ home opener at Minneapolis.

A league-record opening crowd of 35,427--breaking Seattle’s mark of 35,223 set in 1980--was at the Metrodome for the first regular-season NBA game with a Minnesota team as host since 1960, when the Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles.

Former Laker Tony Campbell scored 31 points for Minnesota.

Portland 108, San Antonio 104--Terry Porter scored 11 of his 22 points in the final quarter at San Antonio and the Trail Blazers defeated the Spurs for the 11th consecutive time.

David Robinson’s three-point play with 2:59 left got San Antonio even, but Portland scored six of the next eight points and added five free throws in the final minute.

Clyde Drexler added 19 for the Trail Blazers and rookie Cliff Robinson had 17. Terry Cummings had 21 points and Robinson added 19 points, 18 rebounds and eight blocked shots for the Spurs.

Philadelphia 115, Miami 91--Charles Barkley scored 27 points and Mike Gminski added 19 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots as the 76ers defeated the Heat at Philadelphia.

Ron Anderson made eight of 10 shots and scored all 18 of his points in the first half, helping the 76ers take a 61-44 halftime lead. Barkley added 12 points in the third period as Philadelphia built its lead to 25 points.

Philadelphia’s Rick Mahorn was ejected at 9:42 of the second quarter for flagrantly throwing an elbow at Miami’s Terry Davis.

Washington 112, Boston 103--Bernard King scored 31 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, in the Bullets’ win over the Celtics at Landover, Md.

The game was tied, 83-83, after three quarters, but King scored five points in the first two minutes of the final quarter, keying a 9-2 burst.

Jeff Malone scored 22 points and John L. Williams had 20 for the Bullets. Kevin McHale had 22 points and Larry Bird added 20 for the Celtics.

Utah 102, Charlotte 86--Mark Eaton tipped in three baskets during a 14-0 run early in the third quarter and the Jazz got past the Hornets at Salt Lake City.

Karl Malone had 26 points for Utah, and Kelly Tripucka scored 24 points for Charlotte.

Denver 102, Sacramento 84--Fat Lever had 20 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the Nuggets past the Kings at Denver.

Sacramento had 32 turnovers.