NBA ROUNDUP : Bird Misses and Bulls Prevail

Larry Bird couldn’t miss until he couldn’t afford to. Then he missed three times in the final 12 seconds.

Bird missed a three-pointer and a free throw with 11.6 seconds remaining and another three-pointer with three seconds left Sunday and the Chicago Bulls held on to beat the Boston Celtics, 118-114, at Boston for their eighth consecutive victory.

But Bird scored 20 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter to keep Boston in the game.

“He didn’t look like he was a step slow,” said Chicago’s Michael Jordan, who had 12 of his 36 points in the fourth period. “He looked like the old Bird to me.”

Trailing, 113-110, the Celtics had a chance to tie with 24.3 seconds left when Reggie Lewis made a layup and was fouled, but he missed the free throw.

Jordan made two free throws to give Chicago a 115-112 edge with 19.5 seconds left.

Bird missed a three-pointer with 11.6 seconds left, but he was fouled by Scottie Pippen, who protested and was called for a technical foul.

Bird made the technical foul shot but missed the next free throw before hitting the third to make it 115-114.

Pippen made one of two shots with 10.2 seconds left. Bird tried another three-pointer, but his shot was partially blocked by Pippen.

Craig Hodges sank two free throws for the Bulls with .5 seconds left.

Phoenix 108, Cleveland 96--Kevin Johnson celebrated his 24th birthday with 30 points and 12 assists as the Suns beat the Cavaliers at Phoenix for their club-record 17th consecutive home victory.

Tom Chambers added 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns.

Brad Daugherty scored 21 points for Cleveland, which lost its sixth consecutive road game.

Detroit 111, Indiana 105--Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas each scored 23 points and the Pistons held the Pacers scoreless for 3:26 down the stretch at Auburn Hills, Mich.

It was the Pistons’ fifth consecutive victory, 18th in 19 games and 10th in a row at home.