NBA ROUNDUP : Robinson Wins Rematch Against Pistons

In his first encounter with the rugged Detroit Pistons, rookie center David Robinson was left bruised, battered and bewildered.

The young star of the San Antonio Spurs learns quickly, however. After the 110-98 loss March 15 at Detroit, Robinson prepared himself for the rematch.

Terry Cummings scored 40 points and Robinson had 24 points and nine rebounds Saturday night at San Antonio and the Spurs rallied to hand the NBA champions their second loss in a row, 105-98. Before losing at Houston Thursday night, the Pistons had won 12 in a row and 25 out of 26.

Robinson made two clutch free throws in the last minute, then blocked Bill Laimbeer’s three-point shot to clinch the Spurs’ fifth consecutive victory.

The Pistons (51-17) fell below the Lakers (50-16) in the battle for the NBA’s best overall record.

It is largely because Robinson has played so well in his first season that the Spurs are on the verge of breaking the league record for the biggest reversal.

The year Larry Bird joined the Celtics, they improved by 32 victories over the 1978-79 season.

Last season, the Spurs were 21-61. Now, battling to overtake Utah in the Midwest Division, the Spurs are 46-21. If they win eight of their last 15 games, they will break the Celtics’ mark.

Although he didn’t shoot well (seven for 16) and turned the ball over eight times, Robinson is learning how the Pistons play.

“They’re real physical,” he said. “They’re one of the best defensive teams in the league. I think the more I play against them, the better I will do.”

Boston 115, New York 110--Patrick Ewing has never been better. His teammates have seldom been worse.

Ewing had a career-high 51 points and 20 rebounds at New York, but the Knicks lost their sixth in a row. After winning 22 of their first 24 games at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks have won just two of their last nine.

Reggie Lewis scored 31 for the Celtics, who have won five in a row.

Sacramento 116, Chicago 113--Within 10 days after he took over as coach, Dick Motta had most of the Kings upset because of his sharp tongue and coaching methods. Now all is forgotten. The Kings are playing well.

With Wayman Tisdale making a jump shot with seven seconds left at Chicago, the Kings beat the Bulls.

Michael Jordan led the Bulls with 43 points. The Kings won for the sixth time in 34 road games.

Golden State 102, Houston 97--It’s tough to figure the Rockets. Thursday night they stopped the Pistons’ winning streak.

In this game, also at Houston, they couldn’t handle the smaller Warriors, who were missing Chris Mullin, their best player.

Portland 140, Denver 126--Four Trail Blazer starters had at least 22 points at Denver and Portland moved to within two games of the Lakers in the Pacific Division.

Only Buck Williams, with 11 points, failed to get into the 20s. Forward Jerome Kersey had 26 points and 12 rebounds.

Philadelphia 114, Washington 112--Charles Barkley is obviously the key to the 76ers’ success. But on occasion, the 76ers can get along without the talkative power forward.

After getting 29 points and 20 rebounds, Barkley fouled out with the score tied in overtime and 2:14 left. With less than a minute remaining, Ron Anderson sank a jumper to win the game.

Cleveland 115, New Jersey 108--Steve Kerr, the league percentage leader in three-point shots, made four in a row in a 39-point second quarter at Richfield, Ohio, that carried the Cavaliers to victory.

Kerr also made a three-point basket later, going five for five from long range and raising his percentage to .511.

Atlanta 122, Charlotte 109--Dominique Wilkins snapped out of his shooting slump just in time to keep the Hawks from falling into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

Wilkins scored seven of his 38 points in a 14-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter at Atlanta and the Hawks ended a three-game losing streak.

Milwaukee 109, Orlando 101--In the absence of Jack Sikma, the Bucks turned to defense at Orlando to end their two-game losing streak.

The Bucks, trailing the Magic by 12 points, held them to 19 points in the last 14 minutes to pull it out.

Ricky Pierce came off the bench firing, scoring 34 points, 11 in the last quarter.