NBA ROUNDUP : Jordan’s 32 Help Bulls Extend Streak to 6 Games

Craig Ehlo once was victimized by Michael Jordan for 69 points, so he didn’t feel so bad.

Jordan managed only 32 points Monday, but they were enough to carry the Chicago Bulls to a 110-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Richfield, Ohio.

It was the sixth consecutive victory for the Bulls, who lead the Central Division by 1 1/2 games over the Detroit Pistons.

“I know in the past they used to use him a lot more,” Ehlo said. “Now they spread it around more. That’s probably why they’re winning the division right now.”

Two seasons ago, the Cavaliers swept the regular-season series from Chicago, but the Bulls have won the last nine games against Cleveland.

Jordan reversed the trend when he beat the Cavaliers on a last-second shot in the final game of a first-round playoff series in 1989.

“When they get all of their people back, they’ll give us as much trouble as they used to,” Jordan said. “They used to sweep us. They got one of their key players (John Williams) back. But they’re still missing Mark Price.

“And they got rid of a guy who was very tough on us, a very good player, Ron Harper. When he went (to the Clippers), that made things a lot easier for me.”

Jordan, bothered by a swarming defense that limited him to five-of-13 shooting in the first half, scored 13 points during a 28-9 run in the third quarter.

“I was trying to get myself one-on-one on Ehlo,” Jordan said. “I was able to break through their defense.”

The Cavaliers led, 50-46, at halftime and widened the margin to 56-48 on Brad Daugherty’s 15-foot jumper with slightly more than 10 minutes to play in the third quarter.

Jordan made two free throws to start Chicago’s comeback and eventually tied the score, 60-60, on a driving layup. Seven seconds later, he made two free throws to give the Bulls their first lead and they didn’t trail again.

Detroit 85, Seattle 83--Joe Dumars’ layup with two seconds to play gave the Pistons a victory over the SuperSonics at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Sonics had a chance to force overtime, but Derrick McKey missed an open eight-foot jumper as the game ended. McKey had made consecutive baskets to tie the score, 83-83.

Minnesota 128, Denver 114--Tony Campbell scored 25 points and Tyrone Corbin added 23 as the Timberwolves beat the Nuggets at Minneapolis.

The victory ended the Timberwolves’ five-game losing streak, while sending Denver to its sixth consecutive loss.

Orlando Woolridge and Chris Jackson each scored 30 for Denver.

Utah 104, San Antonio 81--Karl Malone scored 26 points and John Stockton had 18 points and 18 assists as the Jazz won at Salt Lake City to tie the Spurs for the Midwest Division lead.

The Jazz broke away late in the first quarter, building a 55-39 halftime lead. The Spurs never got close in the second half.

Dallas 107, Golden State 101--Derek Harper and Alex English scored 24 points each for the Mavericks at Oakland.

Harper, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, made consecutive three-point shots and a long two-pointer to give the Mavericks a 99-95 lead with 2:13 to play. English added two baskets to make the score 103-97 with 41 seconds remaining.

Chris Mullin scored 33 points for the Warriors.