NBA ROUNDUP : Pistons Guard Against a Letdown, 121-81

The Detroit Pistons didn’t waste any time. When they found out they would be without one of their stars, Isiah Thomas, probably for the rest of the season, they merely tightened up the toughest defense in the NBA.

In their first game without their playmaker, the two-time champions struggled at home Friday night and barely beat the Dallas Mavericks.

But Saturday night at Orlando, they routed the Magic, 121-81, for their easiest victory of the season.

Detroit’s 14th victory in 16 games put created a virtual tie with the Chicago Bulls atop the Central Division.

With Joe Dumars taking over as playmaker and Vinnie Johnson as the shooting guard, the Pistons seem better able to absorb the loss of a top guard than most teams.

The Pistons, the best defensive team in the league, stopped the Magic cold. They shot only 29.3% from the field (29-99). Meanwhile, the Pistons, getting many easy shots, made 56.6% of their shots.

James Edwards led the hot shooting (10 for 14) and had 23 points in 24 minutes.

The Pistons were so dominating on defense in the first three quarters that the Magic scored 51 points in 36 minutes.

Johnson, who had been in a slump all season, moved into the starting lineup Jan. 18. At the time he was averaging 38.5% from the field and eight points per game.

Right away, his accurate jump shot returned. Although he was only six for 14 in this one, in the last five games he is shooting 61.4%, averaging 19 points and seven assists.

Dumars has already adjusted to the playmaking role. He had 21 points and nine assists.

“I can assure you, it won’t be this easy every night without Isiah,” Daly said. “All the way down here I kept thinking how difficult it would be to replace a guy averaging 18 points and eight or 10 assists.

“I knew we would have to search around and try some new rotations. We shot well, moved the ball, executed and played great defense. If you do that against an expansion team, you’re going to have a night like this.”

Charlotte 79, Philadelphia 75--The 76ers played without their leader, Charles Barkley, for the seventh game in a row and lost to the Hornets at Charlotte after coming off an impressive victory over Boston Friday night.

Hersey Hawkins, who has taken over the offense since Barkley suffered a broken foot, was obviously tired. After averaging 33 points in his previous five games, the 6-foot-3 guard had only nine points, making four of 16 shots.

Mike Gminski, still upset because the 76ers traded him to the Hornets a couple of weeks ago, had 10 rebounds and 14 points in his first game against his former teammates.

Denver 120, Utah 115--With Michael Adams scoring 13 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets won their third in a row for the first time this season.

The Jazz dropped 3 1/2 games behind San Antonio in the Midwest Division despite 36 points and 16 rebounds from Karl Malone.

Seattle 103, Atlanta 102--Dominique Wilkins had 43 points at Seattle, but the Hawks’ belated rally from 15 points behind in the fourth quarter fell short.

The Hawks cut the lead to a point with 23 seconds left but didn’t get the ball back until the final second.

Phoenix 112, New York 94--Kevin Johnson had 23 points and nine assists to lead the Suns to their ninth consecutive victory at Phoenix.

The Suns improved their home record to 17-4.

San Antonio 112, Minnesota 105--Terry Cummings sank two three-pointers in the last two minutes at San Antonio to win it.

The Suns have won four consecutive games and 19 of 24.

New Jersey 127, Miami 105--After a tough overtime loss at home to the Lakers Friday night, the Nets went into Miami and routed the Heat for their third victory in four games.

Reggie Theus scored 15 of his 35 points in the third quarter and the Nets rallied to outscore the Heat, 70-40, in the second half.

Portland 121, Sacramento 96--Walter Davis scored six points in 13 minutes at Portland in his debut for the Trail Blazers.

The Blazers’ bench outscored the Kings’ reserves, 26-2, in the first half to build a big lead and the Kings could never catch up.

The Portland reserves scored 61 points.

Dallas 99, Washington 96--Alex English came off the bench to score 22 points and pace the Mavericks at Landover, Md.

English scored four points in a 13-2 run that broke it open in the fourth quarter.