NBA ROUNDUP : Jordan Tunes Up for Lakers as Bulls Win

Michael Jordan warmed up for his showdown with Magic Johnson by rallying the Bulls to a 115-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets Saturday night at Chicago.

The Hornets, who have lost 10 in a row, led 96-92 with six minutes to play.

But Jordan led the Bulls on an 8-0 run. Then, after the Hornets went ahead 103-102, Jordan scored three points during a 10-0 run that ended the Hornets’ hopes.

Jordan scored 33 points, had nine rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and two steals to lead the Bulls to their fourth consecutive victory.

The Bulls and Lakers will play Tuesday night at Chicago in the first of their two regular-season games.

It seems certain that Jordan will be ready for this one. When Johnson was voted the NBA’s most valuable player last season, Jordan wasn’t happy.

“I am certain,” Jordan said, “that I had an MVP season.”

While leading the Bulls to their four victories in a row, Jordan has averaged 35.3 points, increasing his scoring lead over the New York Knicks’ Patrick Ewing.

During the four games, Jordan has averaged nearly 59% accuracy from the field and eight rebounds and seven assists.

Jordan likes to play down the individual battle between himself and Johnson.

“We are progressing as a team,” Jordan said. “We are developing a killer instinct. It won’t be an individual battle between Magic and myself.”

The Bulls’ Craig Hodges made five of six three-point shots to keep the Hornets from taking a solid lead.

Miami 99, Milwaukee 96--The Heat sneaked up on the Bucks while they were still celebrating Friday night’s surprise road victory over the Pacers.

With Rony Seikaly scoring 22 points, including a three-point play with 1:24 remaining at Milwaukee, the Heat, winners of only five of their first 22, won their second in a row. They beat the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night at Minneapolis.

The Bucks are the first non-expansion team the Heat has beaten in more than a month.

Sherman Douglas made four consecutive free throws in the last 35 seconds to preserve the victory.

Golden State 104, Detroit 92--The Warriors are back.

They followed up Friday night’s victory at Portland by beating the NBA champion Pistons at Oakland. The Warriors have won four in a row after winning only four of their first 18.

The Pistons, playing without Isiah Thomas, lost their third in a row. Thomas returned to Detroit after suffering a concussion during Friday’s loss at Utah.

The Pistons also lost Bill Laimbeer three minutes into the second half when he threw the ball at referee Hue Hollins. He missed, but still was ejected.

New York 118, Seattle 97--Every two or three days Patrick Ewing converts another team to the idea he is the dominant center in the NBA.

As Ewing led the Knicks, the only NBA team still unbeaten at home, to their ninth consecutive victory at Madison Square Garden, it was the SuperSonics’ turn to be convinced.

Ewing, although he missed most of the second quarter because of foul trouble, had 30 points and 14 rebounds.

While Ewing was on the bench, the Knicks’ second unit outscored Seattle 19-6, and it was another romp for the Atlantic Division leaders.

“He (Ewing) has improved considerably over last season,” Coach Bernie Bickerstaff of the SuperSonics said. “We couldn’t do anything with him.”

San Antonio 125, Orlando 116--The Magic gave the Spurs trouble for only a half at San Antonio.

David Robinson, the favorite to be voted rookie of the year, had 21 points and 16 rebounds, and Terry Cummings added 29 points and 10 rebounds.

“We played just good enough to win,” Cummings said. “But in this league you take what you can get. We fumbled a lot early and they rebounded well. My own game is just coming around.”

Washington 112, Dallas 108--Bernard King had his best night of the season, and the Bullets needed it.

King scored 31 points and his two jump shots and two free throws in the last 96 seconds thwarted the Mavericks.

The Mavericks, with Adrian Dantley leading the way, built a 65-57 halftime lead, but Dantley went sour in the fourth quarter. Rolando Blackman scored the Mavericks’ last 13 points.