NBA ROUNDUP : Rockets’ Home Team Shows Up, Routs Bulls

The Houston Rockets are two different teams.

When they go on the road, they are a team that finds almost every team too tough to handle.

But at home, it’s another story. The Rockets can beat just about anybody.

After scoring 41 points in the first quarter, the Rockets breezed to a 139-112 victory over the Chicago Bulls Thursday night, despite a 35-point night for Michael Jordan.

The Bulls, trying to overtake Detroit in the tough Central Division, were never in the game.

The Rockets, who blew a lead at Dallas Wednesday night and fell to 4-19 on the road, are 17-4 at home.

The Rockets were off to a flying start mainly because of Otis Thorpe and Akeem Olajuwon. Not only did they dominate the boards, but they were sharpshooters.

Thorpe had 30 points and 13 rebounds and made 12 of 15 shots. Olajuwon had 23 points and 10 rebounds and was 10 for 13.

Jordan made 16 of 31 shots, had six rebounds and five assists. He had almost no help. The other four Chicago starters made only 10 baskets in 37 attempts.

Olajuwon was one of the reasons the Bulls shot so poorly. Although Jordan drove around him for a couple of baskets, he blocked seven shots.

New York 96, Sacramento 89--The Knicks slipped back into first place in the Atlantic Division, but the way they’re playing, they don’t figure to be there long.

They actually trailed the lowly Kings in the fourth quarter at New York and only the superb play of Patrick Ewing prevented them from losing for the seventh time in the last eight games.

Ewing scored 12 of his 31 points in the first six minutes of the last quarter when the Knicks came from behind to take an 87-82 lead.

Phoenix 102, Atlanta 90--Amid reports that Hawk Coach Mike Fratello is about to be fired, the Hawks continue to skid.

Tom Chambers scored 32 points and Dan Majerle scored 14 of his 22 in the fourth quarter at Phoenix to lead the Suns’ romp.

It was the third loss in a row for the Hawks, dropping them to .500.

Denver 123, New Jersey 112--Alex English scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half at Denver and the Nuggets handed the Nets their seventh defeat in a row.

The Nuggets scored the first seven points and led most of the game. They led by eight at halftime and built the lead to 21 in the third quarter.

Milwaukee 129, Orlando 111--With a tough game coming up tonight at Philadelphia, the Bucks needed an easy one. The Magic obliged, falling behind early and never threatening.

Only guard Alvin Robertson of the regulars played more than 25 minutes, and all 12 Bucks played at least 11 minutes.

Robertson stayed in for 33 minutes, or until he had a triple-double--16 points, 10 assists and 14 rebounds.