NBA ROUNDUP : Bulls Start Fast, Finish Hawks, 121-111

The Bulls built a 20-point lead after one period in Chicago, then cruised behind 20 points by Scottie Pippen--and only 16 by Michael Jordan--to a 121-111 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Monday night.

It was the fifth victory in seven games for the Bulls, who got 16 points apiece from John Paxson and Horace Grant--and 15 from rookie Stacey King. Eight Chicago players finished in double figures, largely because Coach Phil Jackson used his bench for most of the fourth quarter.

The loss ended a three-game winning streak by Atlanta, which got 19 points from Cliff Levingston.

Minnesota 109, Sacramento 91--Randy Breuer scored all 15 of his points in the second half at Minneapolis as the Timberwolves broke a nine-game losing streak.

Breuer, acquired Jan. 4 from the Milwaukee Bucks for center Brad Lohaus, was scoreless in nine first-half minutes and fouled out with 7:19 remaining in the game.

Tony Campbell scored 25 points for Minnesota and former UCLA star Pooh Richardson had 20 points and 10 assists. Wayman Tisdale had 26 for Sacramento.

Sacramento guard Danny Ainge, did not play after straining his lower back earlier in the day.

Dallas 108, New Jersey 88--Roy Tarpley, playing in his third game after serving a 33-game suspension, scored 23 points at Dallas to lead the Mavericks to their sixth consecutive victory.

Sam Bowie scored 13 points for the Nets, who have lost five in a row and seven of their last eight.