NBA ROUNDUP : Pistons Go to Edwards for Ninth in a Row

The Detroit Pistons are so talented and well-balanced that the same player rarely leads them in scoring two games in a row.

They have developed a knack for finding one or more hot shooters whenever they are needed.

What does stay constant, though, is the defense.

The two-time NBA champions ran their winning streak to nine games and improved their record to 12-2 Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich., with a 90-83 victory over the New York Knicks.

It was James Edwards’ turn to lead the scoring. The veteran power forward had 22 points and sank a couple of key baskets down the stretch.

As usual, the defense took control. The slumping Knicks, who have lost four in a row, played the Pistons to a 52-52 standstill at halftime. But in the second half the Knicks scored only 31 points and, despite a Detroit cold spell in the fourth quarter, never really had a chance.

The Pistons led, 77-66, going into the final 12 minutes but failed to get a point in seven consecutive trips down the court. Their tough defense, however, let the Knicks get no closer than six points despite the Pistons’ 13-point fourth quarter.

“It’s a good thing we played great defense in the second half,” Coach Chuck Daly said, “because we couldn’t get any shots. We had six 24-second violations, which shows you just how good their defense was.”

Edwards was expecting a good night. “Charles Oakley is a fine player, but at 6-9, he’s too short,” the seven-footer said. “I can go over the top of him.”

Miami 97, New Jersey 79--Maybe winning three games in a row made the Nets overconfident. Whatever, they didn’t come to Miami ready to play.

They shot a season-low 36% from the field but still trailed by only four points until late in the third period when Heat rookie Willie Burton triggered a 9-0 run that broke it open.

Golden State 110, Cleveland 108--The Warriors are a much better team with Mitch Richmond.

In his second game back from a sprained ankle, Richmond scored 24 points and made a key rebound in the closing seconds at Richfield, Ohio, to end the Warriors’ three-game losing streak.

Tim Hardaway had 23 points and 17 assists for the Warriors.

Chicago 118, Washington 94--Michael Jordan started out at Chicago as if he were on his way to one of his 50-point games. He had 15 points in the first quarter.

But high-scoring games are not that important to the Bulls’ star these days. With the Bulls building a 39-26 lead, Jordan spent most of the rest of the game on the bench.

Jordan, 11 of 15 from the field, finished with 24 points in just 27 minutes. All 12 Bulls scored as they romped to their third victory in a row.

Charlotte 118, Milwaukee 111--The Hornets never led during regulation at Charlotte, but behind J.R. Reid and Rex Chapman, went wild in overtime, scoring 16 points. It was their first victory over the Bucks.

Armon Gilliam, after missing four games because of tendinitis, scored 20 points and had 11 rebounds.

The Bucks led most of the night and had a four-point lead with 35 seconds left in regulation. But Muggsy Bogues hit an 18-foot jumper and followed with two free throws. Ricky Pierce, who scored 28 points, gave the Bucks the lead back with a short jumper, but Chapman sent it into overtime with a jumper with four seconds left.

Philadelphia 116, Indiana 106--Charles Barkley had 33 points, 12 rebounds and five assists at Philadelphia to lead the 76ers.

Utah 103, Houston 92--Karl Malone scored 31 points at Salt Lake City and the Jazz held Akeem Olajuwon to 19 and won their fourth in a row.