Celtics, Minus Bird and Coach, Manage to Beat Bullets, 102-88

The Boston Celtics, missing Larry Bird and Coach Jimmy Rodgers, got 29 points and 13 rebounds from Robert Parish and beat the Washington Bullets, 102-88, Saturday night.

The Celtics lost their best player, their coach and the game against the Clippers on Friday night. Bird suffered a sprained left ankle, described by the team as “moderate to severe,” in the first quarter of the game in Boston, and Rodgers was suspended for one game and fined $1,000 by the league after bumping referee Joe Forte. Neither accompanied the team to Maryland.

Reggie Lewis, who started in place of Bird, had 21 points for the Celtics, who snapped a five-game losing streak at Capital Centre dating back to Dec. 15, 1987.

The Boston offense revolved around Parish, who repeatedly was able to establish position in the low post. Parish was 12 for 15 from the field despite frequent double-teaming by the Bullets.

Washington, which has lost seven of its last eight games, was led by Jeff Malone with 33 points, including 16 in the third quarter, and Bernard King with 17.

Boston has won five of its last six games on the road.

Assistant coach Chris Ford handled the team Saturday night, but Rodgers is expected to be back on the bench when the Celtics play at New Jersey Tuesday night.

NBA Vice President Rod Thorn said Rodgers was suspended because he bumped a referee and did not leave the court quickly enough after being ejected.