NBA ROUNDUP : Hawkins Has Big Second Half to Lift 76ers Past Knicks

In his second season in the NBA, Hersey Hawkins has helped turn the Philadelphia 76ers into an Atlantic Division contender.

“When Hersey plays well, we win,” 76er forward Charles Barkley said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Hawkins shook off a slow start Thursday night, scoring 20 of his 24 points in the second half as the 76ers defeated the New York Knicks, 105-100, at New York.

The victory pulled the 76ers to within a half-game of the division-leading Knicks, who suffered their fourth loss in 27 home games.

“We can’t rely on Charles to get every key basket and rebound,” said Hawkins, who is averaging 17.6 points a game. “Some other guys have to step forward every now and then.”

Barkley scored 32 points and had 15 rebounds.

Patrick Ewing had 30 points, 18 rebounds and six blocked shots for the Knicks.

Detroit 99, Washington 85--Isiah Thomas scored 24 points at Landover, Md., as the Pistons held the Bullets to their lowest point total this season.

The victory was the 42nd for the Pistons, the first team in the NBA to guarantee itself a winning record this season.

Jeff Malone scored 19 points for the Bullets, who were held below 90 points for the second consecutive game. Their previous low was 88, which came against the Celtics on Jan. 6 and Tuesday at Minnesota.

The Pistons have won 11 consecutive games against the Bullets.

Houston 112, Phoenix 104--Akeem Olajuwon matched his season-high by scoring 41 points at Houston as the Rockets ended the Suns’ nine-game winning streak.

The Rockets won the game with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter.

Otis Thorpe scored 24 points and had 15 rebounds for the Rockets.

Tom Chambers had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns.

Sacramento 114, Orlando 100--Wayman Tisdale scored 24 points at Orlando, Fla., as the Kings ended a four-game losing streak.

Antoine Carr had 21 points and Danny Ainge added 20 for the Kings, who outscored Orlando, 20-10, in the last seven minutes.

Terry Catledge scored 27 points and Reggie Theus added 24 for the Magic, which has lost eight of its last nine games.

Utah 119, Portland 102--John Stockton scored 26 points and had 21 assists to lead the Jazz at Salt Lake City.

Thurl Bailey scored 18 of his 24 points in the third quarter for the Jazz, which extended their home winning streak to 18 games.

Portland’s Jerome Kersey and Kevin Duckworth each scored 21.

Denver 131, Cleveland 125--Alex English scored 26 points and Joe Barry Carroll had 23 to lead the Nuggets at Denver.

Mark Price scored 31 points for the Cavaliers.