NBA ROUNDUP : With Only 3 Turnovers, Blazers Roll

There had been some signs that the Portland Trail Blazers, who have had the best record in the NBA all season, might be slipping.

But if they were, they stopped abruptly Friday night at Portland.

With Kevin Duckworth and Jerome Kersey setting the pace, the Trail Blazers built a big early lead and coasted to a 127-106 victory over the Phoenix Suns. On their way to the victory, the Trail Blazers set a league record by making only three turnovers. The previous record of four was held by several clubs.

The Trail Blazers (44-10) pulled 4 1/2 games in front of the Lakers in the Pacific Division. And they further hurt hopes the Suns might have of finishing first. The Suns, in third place, are nine behind with 30 games left.

Early in the season, the Suns ended the Trail Blazers’ season-opening winning streak at 11 games with a one-sided victory at Portland. But they were never in this one.

Duckworth and Kersey both had 13 points as the Trail Blazers built a 63-48 halftime lead. They stretched it to 21 points early in the third quarter and maintained the lead the rest of the way.

It was the third victory in a row for the Trail Blazers, who have a 28-2 record at home.

Boston 111, New Jersey 99--Kevin McHale and Reggie Lewis were missing at Hartford, Conn., and so was Larry Bird’s shooting touch. So, ageless Robert Parish took charge at the Celtics’ home away from home.

Parish, 37, was 11 for 13 and had 26 points and 17 rebounds to offset a 29-point, 14-rebound performance by Derrick Coleman.

McHale has a sprained ankle and Lewis a groin injury. Bird made only seven of 18 shots and had seven turnovers.

The Nets stayed in the game largely because they had 28 offensive rebounds.

Charlotte 122, Detroit 114--In a desperate effort not to lose more ground to Chicago in the Central Division, Coach Chuck Daly played guard Joe Dumars the entire 48 minutes at Charlotte, N.C.

But Mike Gminski made five of his 25 points in the final minute and the Hornets, with a 39-point fourth quarter, beat the Pistons for the first time after eight defeats.

Dumars had 35 points and nine assists, but the Pistons, who have won two NBA titles and three division titles in a row, fell 2 1/2 games behind Chicago.

“Our defense forgot to show up,” Daly said. “Gminski ate us alive because our defense was horrendous.”

Chicago 129, Sacramento 82--The Bulls’ eighth consecutive victory was a breeze in the Windy City.

The Kings stayed close until the Bulls went on an 18-2 run early in the second quarter. Michael Jordan, on his way to another scoring title, scored 22 of his 34 points in the first half. He played only 28 minutes.

Indiana 106, Cleveland 98--The Pacers are riding high on the exploits of Michael Williams, and they won their fifth in a row.

They trailed, 79-71, after three quarters, but Williams scored 13 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Pacers won for the second time in their last 16 games at the Richfield Coliseum. Williams was five for six from the field and made all nine from the free throw line.

Philadelphia 103, Miami 96--Hersey Hawkins had 26 points and Charles Barkley 24 at Miami to help the 76ers win their third in a row. They also extended their record to 10-0 against the Heat.

Orlando 103, Minnesota 101--Scott Skiles had 25 points and 14 assists at Minneapolis and the Magic held off a late rally to win on the road for the third time in 25 games.

Utah 109, Golden State 104--The Jazz, with Karl Malone scoring 32 points, came from behind at Oakland to take over first place in the Midwest Division.

With the Clippers upsetting slumping San Antonio, the third victory in a row gave the Jazz a one-game lead over the Spurs. The Jazz are 35-17, but only 11-13 on the road.