NBA ROUNDUP : 76ers’ Heat Wave Overshadows Suns, 141-112

Fast-paced or rough, the Philadelphia 76ers say they can adapt to any style.

On Sunday at Philadelphia, the quick Phoenix Suns couldn’t handle the 76ers’ versatility, losing, 141-112, to give Philadelphia its seventh consecutive victory.

The 76ers, 31-5 at home, shot their highest percentage of the season--62.2%. Their previous high, 58%, came in a 120-101 victory over Washington Jan. 13.

“I think we’re probably better suited to a half-court game defensively, but I also think we’re very versatile,” said Mike Gminski, who had 19 points and 13 rebounds. “We can play any style.

“It really boils down to how the other team is playing. You have to adapt to their style, and we’ve been doing that very well. It’s crucial to be a able to play either style of game.”

Coach Jim Lynam said the team liked the pace.

“They (the Suns) were looking to go up and down and that let us get a lot of fast-break baskets,” Lynam said.

Philadelphia maintained its three-game lead over Boston in the Atlantic Division.

The 76ers’ Charles Barkley, second in the NBA in shooting percentage, made 13 of 16 shots and scored 31 points.

Chicago 111, Miami 103--Michael Jordan scored 28 of his 47 points in the second half at Chicago, leading the Bulls to their 10th victory in 12 games.

Jordan, who totaled 118 points in the two games prior to this one--69 Wednesday against Cleveland and 49 Friday against New York--had 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Sherman Douglas kept the Heat in contention with 17 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, but the Bulls held Miami to four free throws in the final 3 1/2 minutes.

Chicago took the lead for good, 101-99, with 2:24 left when Horace Grant put in a layup after an offensive rebound.

Boston 133, Orlando 125--Larry Bird scored 36 points and Reggie Lewis added 29 as the Celtics pulled away late in the third quarter to win for the seventh time in nine games.

In its first game at Boston Garden, the first-year expansion team played the Celtics even for 2 1/2 quarters. Boston closed the third quarter with an 18-6 run that made the score 101-90. The Magic cut the deficit to 103-97 before Boston ended their comeback hopes, scoring the next 10 points for a 113-97 lead with 8:22 left.

Orlando, 1-10 in its past 11 games, was led by Sidney Green with 26 points.

Cleveland 121, Indiana 91--The Cavaliers used a tough defense to rout the Pacers at Richfield, Ohio.

Craig Ehlo, responsible for guarding high-scoring Reggie Miller most of the game, held him to 16 points, nine points under his average (24.7).

Cleveland has won nine of its 12 games and nine of 10 at home.

Steve Kerr made two three-point shots for Cleveland, giving him eight consecutive successful three-point attempts. His streak is three away from the NBA record of 11 set by Boston’s Scott Wedman in 1984-85.

Atlanta 142, Golden State 116--Dominique Wilkins scored 37 points and combined with Moses Malone to score 41 of the Hawks’ 78 first-half points to lead the Warriors at Oakland.

Atlanta won for the fourth time in five games and stayed a half-game ahead of Cleveland for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Chris Mullin had 35 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors, who have lost consecutive games by a combined 57 points. Seattle beat them, 139-108, Thursday night.

Golden State’s Manute Bol blocked five shots to give him 203 for the season. He’s the fourth player in NBA history to get 200 or more blocks in five consecutive seasons.

Washington 105, New Jersey 97--Darrell Walker had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists for his second consecutive triple-double and third in four games, and the Bullets took control early at East Rutherford, N.J.

Washington won its third consecutive game and dealt New Jersey its 13th loss in 14 games and 31st in 35 games.

Dallas 86, Milwaukee 72--Roy Tarpley had 24 points and 25 rebounds and led a second-quarter run at Dallas that carried the Mavericks to their ninth victory in 11 games.

Tarpley had seven baskets--three on tip-ins--and eight rebounds in the second quarter as the Mavericks turned a 22-18 deficit into a 48-35 halftime lead, the fewest points they have allowed in a first half this season.