NBA ROUNDUP : Warriors Survive Nuggets’ Pace, 162-158

The Denver Nuggets unveiled their new rapid-fire offense and the result was an NBA record for points by two teams in a regulation game Friday night at Denver, although the Golden State Warriors won, 162-158, behind Tim Hardaway’s 32 points and 18 assists.

The 320 points broke the mark of 318 set when Denver beat San Antonio, 163-155, on Jan. 11, 1984.

The game marked the debut of Denver Coach Paul Westhead, who guided Loyola Marymount to several collegiate scoring records. He gave a clear indication of what style of play he would use as the Nuggets’ exhibitions averaged more than 300 points.

Orlando Woolridge, obtained from the Lakers during the off-season, had 37 points and Walter Davis 33 for the Nuggets. Golden State’s Chris Mullin led all scorers with 38 points and Mitch Richmond added 29.

With Golden State leading, 87-83, the teams’ total of 170 points also was an NBA record for points in a first half. The previous mark was 166 by Syracuse and San Francisco on March 10, 1963.

Detroit 115, Milwaukee 104--The Pistons began their bid for a third consecutive championship with a victory at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Joe Dumars scored 19 points and Bill Laimbeer and James Edwards each had 18 for Detroit, hoping to become the first team since 1966 to win three consecutive titles.

Baskets by Edwards and Dennis Rodman gave the Pistons a 92-77 lead early in the fourth quarter and the Bucks never got closer than eight the rest of the way.

Boston 125, Cleveland 101--The Celtics, with a new fast-break offense and new head coach Chris Ford, easily defeated the Cavaliers at Boston.

With Boston leading, 105-92, with 6:11 left, Brian Shaw made two free throws to start a 16-1 Celtic run.

Reggie Lewis led the Celtics with 32 points. Robert Parish added 23 points and Larry Bird had 18 points and 15 assists. The Cavaliers were led by Mark Price’s 19 points.

The game featured the return of Shaw and Danny Ferry, teammates last year with Il Messaggero of Rome. Shaw scored 13 points and Cleveland’s Ferry had five.

Minnesota 98, Dallas 85--Tyrone Corbin, Randy Breuer and Pooh Richardson ignited a 31-12 run over the final 9:34 to help the Timberwolves open their new arena with a victory.

Dallas, a favorite to win the NBA’s Midwest Division, missed six consecutive shots as the Timberwolves broke a 77-77 tie with a 10-0 run.

New York 134, Charlotte 130--Maurice Cheeks made a key steal and made four free throws in the final seconds as the Knicks won in overtime at Charlotte.

The Knicks scored six consecutive points, capped by Mark Jackson’s two free throws with 49 seconds left for a 130-129 lead. Cheeks then stole the ball from Dell Curry and made two free throws to put them ahead, 132-129, with 39 seconds to play.

Philadelphia 124, Chicago 116--Charles Barkley scored 37 points and Johnny Dawkins added 25 to offset Michael Jordan’s 34 points at Chicago.

Jordan scored 28 points in the second half. The 76ers’ Rick Mahorn scored 13 of his 19 points in the final quarter.

Atlanta 115, Orlando 111--The Hawks trailed, 111-109, with 1:26 to play, but Dominique Wilkins made two free throws and Rumeal Robinson, Kevin Willis and Duane Ferrell each made one for Atlanta.

Miami 119, Washington 95--Willie Burton, a 6-foot-8 forward from Minnesota, scored 25 points for the Heat in his NBA debut at Miami.

Indiana 100, New Jersey 81--Rik Smits scored 24 points and LaSalle Thompson had 20 rebounds as the Pacers, taking control in the third quarter, won at Indianapolis.

Portland 90, Houston 89--Clyde Drexler scored 17 of his 29 points during a third-quarter rally as the defending Western Conference champion Trail Blazers struggled at Portland.

Houston’s Akeem Olajuwon, who finished with 21 points, scored the final six points of the game. Teammate David Wood missed a 20-footer as the game ended.