NBA ROUNDUP : Pistons Stop Bullets to Go 5-0 Without Thomas

After losing Isiah Thomas, at least for the regular season, the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons made some changes.

First, they put their fast break on the shelf with Thomas, who underwent wrist surgery. Next, they turned the offense over to Joe Dumars.

The two moves once more made Coach Chuck Daly look brilliant. The Pistons are 5-0 since Thomas went on the injured list.

The slowdown tactics make the Pistons’ defense more effective and Dumars gives them all the offense they need.

The Pistons held the Washington Bullets to 25 points in the first half Friday night at Landover, Md., and built a 51-34 lead halfway through the third quarter. Still, they needed the clutch shooting of Dumars to beat the Bullets, 80-75.

Dumars scored eight of his 22 points in the last seven minutes after the Bullets cut the lead to 65-63.

The Bullets, who defeated New York Thursday night when Bernard King scored 49 points, made only seven of 49 shots in the first half. The 25 points were the Bullets’ lowest, but the NBA record is 20 by New Orleans at Seattle Jan. 4, 1975. For the game the Bullets were 26-89 (29.2%). King had 24 points and was only seven for 25. He failed to score after the Bullets pulled to within two.

Dennis Rodman was so busy guarding King that he neglected his offense. He missed all eight of his shots and had only three points.

Charlotte 92, Boston 91--Rex Chapman, just off the injured list, made two free throws with five seconds left at Charlotte, N.C., to give the Hornets their first victory over the Celtics, after 10 defeats.

The Celtics, playing their 13th game without ailing Larry Bird, are 26-2 against the four expansion teams. They are 6-7 since Bird reinjured his back.

Chapman missed five games because of a sprained ankle. He was six for 16 from the field and finished with 14 points.

Philadelphia 96, Phoenix 89--The Suns wish Charles Barkley sat out one more game. The star of the 76ers returned at Philadelphia after missing seven games with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Barkley’s appearance surprised everyone, including the Suns. Barkley was 11 for 17, including two field goals in the last 92 seconds to clinch the victory. Barkley played 32 minutes, had 24 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Xavier McDaniel had 34 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who were playing their third game in four nights on the trip.

Portland 119, Golden State 99--The Trail Blazers are still almost invincible at home. Although they were without Terry Porter, who has a sprained ankle, the Blazers improved their home record to 23-2, behind 32 points from Clyde Drexler. They lead the Lakers by four games in the Pacific Division.

Chicago 101, Dallas 90--When the Bulls faltered in the fourth quarter at Dallas, they brought back Michael Jordan and he took charge.

Jordan scored 14 of his 31 points in the last eight minutes to give the Bulls their fifth victory in a row over the Mavericks.

The Bulls had hoped to give Jordan more rest for Sunday’s game with the Lakers.

Milwaukee 117, Sacramento 112--Ricky Pierce wants to leave Milwaukee because the Bucks won’t renegotiate his contract.

Unhappy or not, Pierce scored 33 points to help the Bucks end their six-game losing streak.

Buck Coach Del Harris, fined $1,000 for walking onto the court Tuesday night, quietly watched Pierce take charge at Milwaukee.

Pierce, coming off the bench, was nine for 14 from the field.

Miami 116, Indiana 113--Sherman Douglas scored 35 points and Grant Long sank a five-footer with 16 seconds left at Miami to end the Heat’s six-game losing streak.

Just before Long’s basket, Reggie Miller missed a hurried jumper that would have put Indiana ahead.