NBA ROUNDUP : Hawks End Pistons’ Streak at 13

The Detroit Pistons’ winning streak couldn’t last forever, but the way it ended was somewhat of a shock.

The Pistons, having won 13 consecutive games, went into Atlanta Friday night to play a team that had lost 11 of its previous 13 games.

But the Hawks, who were about to fall out of playoff contention, pulled themselves together to score a 112-103 victory and perhaps save Coach Mike Fratello’s job.

Moses Malone had 20 points and 10 rebounds, but it was the second-quarter defense that put the Hawks in command.

The Pistons led, 33-28, after one quarter, but scored only 10 points in the second quarter to fall behind, 53-43. Despite a 60-point second half, they couldn’t catch up.

The Hawks had not beaten a team with a winning percentage better than .500 since Jan. 2, and the Pistons hadn’t lost since the Lakers beat them Jan. 21.

Miami 128, New York 121--The Heat scored their most points ever in regulation and ended an eight-game losing streak at Miami.

Guards Sherman Douglas (28 points) and Kevin Edwards (26) led the Heat, which built a 26-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Heat shot 62.4% from the field.

Patrick Ewing had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who had beaten the Heat in all three previous meetings this season.

Chicago 113, Portland 102--The absence of Clyde Drexler made it easy for the Bulls and Michael Jordan at Chicago.

Drexler missed his third game because of a sprained ankle and Jordan had the air around the basket to himself. He had 35 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and the Bulls won their fourth in a row.

Boston 123, Golden State 111--Kevin McHale came off the bench to score 34 points and the Celtics ended a four-game road losing streak at Oakland.

It was the seventh game of a trip that began Feb. 13. McHale has scored 34 points in three of them. The trip ends Sunday at Denver.

San Antonio 105, Minnesota 95--David Robinson had the kind of triple-double only an outstanding center can have in this game at San Antonio.

Robinson had 24 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 12 blocked shots. It was the second game in a row in which the rookie had such a triple-double.

Rod Strickland made his debut with the Spurs and triggered an 11-0 spurt in the second quarter that put the Spurs in command.

Seattle 97, Sacramento 85--Quintin Dailey, given his first start at Seattle, responded with 20 points and Michael Cage, another former Clipper, had 15 points and 20 rebounds for the SuperSonics.

Pervis Ellison, top pick in the draft, played his first game since Nov. 30 for the Kings. Ellison made one of six shots, but blocked five.

Dailey, who has been signed for the rest of the season, was 10 of 17.

Milwaukee 104, Charlotte 100--Ricky Pierce scored 31 points and the Bucks made seven free throws in the final minute at Charlotte to hand the Hornets their 15th loss in 16 games.

Dallas 102, Indiana 91--Sam Perkins scored 13 of his 21 points in the third quarter at Indianapolis to help the Mavericks break open a tight game.

Cleveland 123, Orlando 96--Two spurts, a 12-0 burst in the second quarter and 14-0 run to start the third quarter at Richfield, Ohio, powered the Cavaliers.

Cleveland’s Brad Daugherty had 21 points and nine rebounds.

Houston 125, New Jersey 115--Otis Thorpe scored 20 of his 24 points in the first half as the Rockets built a 22-point lead and ended their seven-game road losing streak. The Rockets are 5-22 on the road; the Nets have won only two of their last 19.