NBA ROUNDUP : Suns Rising in the West, Beat Denver

Since the middle of December, no team in the West has as good a record as the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns, following their amazing 1988-89 season, started slowly, winning only seven of their first 17 games. Some people were beginning to think their 55-27 record last season was a fluke.

Two things straightened out Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons’ team. First, playmaker Kevin Johnson recovered from a leg injury. About the same time, the Suns acquired former Laker Kurt Rambis from Charlotte. Rambis gave them toughness and strong defense and the Suns have flourished.

Johnson scored four points on an 8-0 spurt midway in the third quarter Wednesday night at Phoenix that broke open a close game, and the Suns went on to rout Denver, 138-108, for their seventh victory in a row.

Johnson had 29 points and 12 assists as the Suns improved their record since the Rambis deal to 36-9, an .800 pace. During that time the Lakers are 31-10.

Dallas 113, Boston 102--When Larry Bird and Kevin McHale are outscored, the Celtics usually lose.

Sam Perkins had 30 points, including a three-point play with seven minutes left that blunted a Celtic rally at Dallas.

Roy Tarpley added 25 points. McHale scored 30 and Bird had 21.

Seattle 103, Charlotte 100--The SuperSonics strengthened their hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the West, but they had to struggle at Seattle.

Jim Farmer had 26 points for Seattle.