NBA ROUNDUP : Long Shots Help Pistons Stop Bullets

John Long, in his third tour of duty with the Detroit Pistons, made four free throws in the final 16 seconds, and the Pistons held off the Washington Bullets, 87-81, Monday night at Auburn Hills, Mich., to take sole possession of the Central Division lead.

Long, signed to a 10-day contract after Isiah Thomas was injured, hit two free throws with 16 seconds left to put the Pistons ahead, 85-81. He added two more with seven seconds left after being fouled while rebounding Bernard King’s missed three-point shot.

The Pistons moved one-half game ahead of idle Chicago.

Joe Dumars had 27 points for Detroit. King scored 30 for Washington.

San Antonio 119, Seattle 107--Willie Anderson scored 28 points, including three consecutive baskets to break a tie in the fourth quarter, as the Spurs beat the SuperSonics at San Antonio.

Eddie Johnson scored 21 points for Seattle.

Boston 108, Minnesota 87--Brian Shaw had 23 points as the Celtics turned back the Timberwolves at Minneapolis.

Pooh Richardson and Tyrone Corbin scored 18 points each for the Timberwolves.

Sacramento 101, New Jersey 83--Rookie Lionel Simmons scored 27 points and the Kings defeated the Nets at Sacramento.

Antoine Carr added 23 points as the Kings won for the fourth consecutive time at home. Reggie Theus had 18 points for the Nets.

Portland 116, Atlanta 111--Terry Porter scored 23 points, including a three-point shot with 35 seconds left, and the Trail Blazers beat the Hawks at Portland for their seventh consecutive victory.

Dominique Wilkins had 34 points for Atlanta.

Golden State 115, New York 106--Mitch Richmond scored 31 of his 34 points in the first three quarters and Warriors beat the Knicks at Oakland. Patrick Ewing scored 30 points for the Knicks, who lost their third in a row.