NBA ROUNDUP : Different Day, Different Bird for the Celtics

Most players and teams dislike playing on successive nights in different cities. In fact, Cleveland protested about playing back-to-back 26 times this season.

The Cavaliers were sent a revised schedule, and now they play 27 times on consecutive nights.

But Boston’s Larry Bird was grateful for the chance to play the night after one of the worst games of his career.

Bird, who scored only five points in 28 minutes when the Boston Celtics were overwhelmed in Milwaukee Tuesday night, made amends in spectacular fashion Wednesday night at Boston.

Bird scored 45 points in 44 minutes to lead the Celtics to a 135-126 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Bird, who was 18 for 28, also had eight assists, eight rebounds and blocked five shots.

Bird may have relished back-to-back games, but the Hornets didn’t. They didn’t really have time to enjoy Tuesday’s romp over Washington.

Bird didn’t seem to impress himself. “I took a lot of shots and that’s why I got a lot of points,” he explained. “I haven’t been taking many shots recently.”

He shot only seven times in his five-point effort against Milwaukee.

Coach Chris Ford was unhappy with the Celtic defense. “Fortunately,” he said, “Larry brought us through.”

New Jersey 112, Milwaukee 95--The Bucks didn’t think much of back-to-back games, either. They were flat in East Rutherford, N.J., after having trounced the Celtics.

Derrick Coleman, No. 1 pick in the draft last summer, sparked the Nets to an impressive victory.

Coleman scored four of his 20 points in a 6-0 run that gave the Nets the lead for good late in the third quarter.

Cleveland 113, Indiana 95--The Cavaliers, who will play 16 of their first 18 games in back-to-back sets, are adjusting to the difficulty.

With Danny Ferry scoring two quick baskets and setting up another to trigger a 24-5 run in the second quarter, the Cavaliers won their third in a row.

It has been mostly downhill for the Cavaliers after opening the season at Boston and playing at Detroit the next night.

Philadelphia 112, Atlanta 104--After getting 23 points and 13 rebounds in a victory at Indiana on Tuesday, Charles Barkley was even better at home.

Barkley scored 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the 76ers to their second victory in a row.

Miami 105, Dallas 93--Rony Seikaly carried the Heat to victory at Miami with 30 points and 21 rebounds. It was the Heat’s first victory over the Mavericks.