NBA ROUNDUP : Pacers Down Bulls, Finally Make It to Playoffs

Chuck Person scored 33 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and the Indiana Pacers earned only their third NBA playoff berth in 14 seasons Monday night by defeating the Chicago Bulls, 111-102.

Chicago’s setback at Indianapolis gave the idle Detroit Pistons their third Central Division title in a row and assured them of a second consecutive Eastern Conference championship.

The Pacers’ other playoff appearances came in 1980-81 and 1986-87.

The Pacers outscored the Bulls, 7-2, in the final 2:02 of the third quarter and opened an 85-78 lead going into the final period. Chicago could get no closer than five points the rest of the way.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for all year,” Person said, “a chance to make the playoffs, and we’re happy to make the playoffs in front of a sold-out crowd in Market Square Arena. This town really deserves it.”

Michael Jordan, who averaged 36.3 points in four previous games against the Pacers, scored only 23.

San Antonio 110, Charlotte 101--David Robinson bounced back from his worst game of the season with 25 points and 12 rebounds at Charlotte as the Spurs pulled to within 1 1/2 games of idle Utah in the race for the Midwest Division championship.

The Spurs have three games remaining, including a home date Wednesday against the Jazz, who have four games left.

Robinson scored five points Saturday against Sacramento while suffering from a stomach virus.

Phoenix 141, Golden State 129--Dan Majerle scored a career-high 32 points, including a crucial three-point basket with 2:30 remaining, as the Suns held off the Warriors to remain in a tie with San Antonio in the race for the Western Conference’s fourth playoff spot.

Both teams are bidding for a first-round home-court playoff advantage against the other, although San Antonio still has a chance to win the Midwest Division and earn the No. 2 seeded position.

New York 119, Miami 102--Kiki Vandeweghe and Patrick Ewing combined for 28 points of a season-high 46 points in the third quarter by the Knicks, who beat the Heat at New York.

Ewing scored 13 of his 25 points in the third period. Vandeweghe had 15 of his 22.