NBA ROUNDUP : Pacers Top Bulls, Extend Streak

It takes more than the typical Michael Jordan performance to beat the Indiana Pacers these days.

Chuck Person, who was having a poor shooting night, grabbed his own rebound and made a 20-footer as time expired Friday night at Indianapolis to give the Pacers a 106-104 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The shot enabled the Pacers to overcome Jordan’s 36 points and 10 assists and give them their fifth consecutive victory.

The Pacers (11-4) lead the Central Division by 1 1/2 games over the NBA champion Detroit Pistons.

After 15 games last season, the Pacers were 2-13. They did not win their 11th last season until their 39th game.

The Pacers led, 104-101, before Jordan missed a three-point shot. He grabbed the rebound, fed Scottie Pippen, who made a three-pointer that tied the score with eight seconds left.

Before his final shot, Person was only four for 13 from the field. After getting the rebound of his missed shot, he swished his game-winner.

“When I got the ball, I knew I had to let it go,” Person said. “When it came back to me, I just let it go again.”

Person’s shot was only the Pacers’ fourth field goal in the last nine minutes.

Philadelphia 107, Detroit 101--Rick Mahorn is most well-known for being a rough player under the basket.

Less often, the 6-foot-10 power forward is a key to victory. Mahorn, carrying a grudge because the Pistons declined to protect him in the expansion draft, was ready for his former mates.

Mahorn, selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, wound up with the 76ers and faced the Pistons for the first time.

With teammate Charles Barkley weakened by a virus, Mahorn took charge. He had 22 points and 14 rebounds to lead the 76ers to their sixth victory in seven games at home.

“I had butterflies in the beginning,” Mahorn said. “It was very emotional for me. I enjoyed the victory.”

The Pistons had beaten the 76ers eight consecutive times and had won the last eight at the Spectrum. But Mahorn and Mike Gminski gave the 76ers control of the boards and they built a 92-79 lead midway through the final period.

Barkley, who missed the two previous games, played 37 minutes but took only six shots. The 76ers’ Johnny Dawkins was 12 for 18 from the field and had 26 points.

Denver 103, Boston 102--When Kevin McHale’s 12-foot jumper with five seconds to play at Boston hit the rim and bounced to midcourt, the surprising Nuggets had another victory.

Michael Adams scored 15 of his 20 points in a 4:42 span of the third quarter as the Nuggets, trailing by 16 points in the second quarter, charged from behind.

The Celtics, led by Robert Parish’s 38 points, were 16 for 53 from the field in the second half--including six for 24 in the last 12 minutes.

After Parish’s dunk cut the Nuggets lead to 103-100 with 2:27 to play, the only points came on two free throws by Dennis Johnson with 1:01 left.

The Celtics’ plan for their final shot was to get the ball down low to Larry Bird, who had a triple-double despite going only nine for 23 from the field. The moment Bird got the ball he was surrounded by three Nuggets, but his pass set up McHale for a shot he usually makes. Not this time. The miss ended the Celtics’ four-game winning streak.

Atlanta 127, Portland 120--Moses Malone was well-rested, while the Trail Blazers were playing their fourth road game in five nights.

Malone knew he was going up against the best rebounding team in the NBA and he was ready.

Malone had 31 points, 19 on free throws, and 14 rebounds as the Hawks took a big early lead that enabled them to withstand a 42-point final quarter by Portland.

The Hawks failed to impress their coach, Mike Fratello. “We were the team that looked like it was playing for the fourth time in five games,” he said. “We had no zip. We were fortunate to win.”

San Antonio 99, Dallas 93--David Robinson scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half at Dallas and the Spurs (11-5) came from behind to move into a tie for first place in the Midwest Division.

“Dallas killed us on the boards in the first half and James Donaldson gave me a lot of problems,” said Robinson, who had 14 rebounds.

“I adjusted in the second half and we played great defense in the fourth period to win it.”

New Jersey 99, Houston 94--Ten nights ago, the Rockets were impressive winners over the Lakers. Then there was this performance against the hapless Nets at Houston.

Chris Morris had eight of his 20 points in the first four minutes of the second quarter as the Nets took a 42-27 lead. They hung on for only their fifth victory in 17 games and ended an eight-game losing streak on the road.

Phoenix 123, Milwaukee 98--The Suns, despite the absence of playmaker Kevin Johnson, are playing as well as they did last season.

Tom Chambers had 41 points, and Mark West had 24 rebounds and 16 points for the Suns at Phoenix.

The Bucks’ Jack Sikma had four rebounds to pass the 10,000 mark.

Sacramento 126, Golden State 121--Wayman Tisdale scored eight of his 40 points in the last four minutes at Oakland to help the Kings come from behind to beat the Warriors.

The Warriors, who led by 13 points in the third quarter, blew chances to win in the last minute as Chris Mullin was called for an offensive foul and Mitch Richmond dribbled the ball off his foot.

Miami 122, Orlando 114--Rookie Sherman Douglas scored 31 points, including two free throws that sent the game into overtime, for the Heat at Miami.

Grant Long scored the Heat’s first six points in overtime as it ended a nine-game losing streak.