NBA ROUNDUP : Pippen, Jordan Back on Target for Bulls

When the Chicago Bulls went on their recent 11-game winning streak that put them into command in the Central Division, they did it with a one-two punch.

Instead of Michael Jordan having to take over in every tight spot, shooting forward Scottie Pippen, long a potential star, stepped up.

In successive victories on the streak, Pippen had 76 points, taking pressure off Jordan. In the three previous games before the streak ended Saturday at Indiana, the two averaged 64 points. They totaled only 37 in the loss.

With Jordan scoring 30 and Pippen 17 plus 10 rebounds, the Bulls resumed their winning ways Tuesday night at Chicago, trouncing Milwaukee, 104-86.

The Bulls’ 21st consecutive home-court victory improved the best record in the Eastern Conference to 42-15. They also increased their lead in the division to 5 1/2 games over Detroit.

The Bulls fell behind early, but Pippen and Jordan took charge in the second quarter. The Bulls forged ahead by six at halftime and won going away. They have won 12 of their last 13.

Jordan was three for 10 in the first quarter, but was six for 13 the rest of the way.

“We have to keep the pressure on every night,” Jordan said. “The best way to start the playoffs right is to go into it with the best record. For the moment, only Portland’s ahead of us.”

The Bulls have beaten Milwaukee eight consecutive times at home.

“I wasn’t surprised we came back after falling behind,” Jordan said. “We have confidence against them.”

Phoenix 107, New York 102--Tom Chambers had 32 points and Kevin Johnson had 29 and 12 assists at New York, and the Suns ended the Knicks’ longest winning streak of the season at five games.

Earlier the Suns stopped streaks of 16 by the Lakers and 11 each by Detroit and Boston. They had to overcome 36 points and 11 rebounds by Patrick Ewing.

“All we care about is a win on the road,” Sun Coach Cotton Fitszimmons said. The Suns moved to within 2 1/2 games of the Lakers in the Pacific Division.

Phoenix is 17-14 on the road and has won three in a row.

San Antonio 104, Philadelphia 99--David Robinson and the Spurs didn’t answer the wake-up call at San Antonio until they had fallen 17 points behind in the first quarter.

But once Robinson started playing, he was in charge. He had 33 points and 16 rebounds and the Spurs caught up before halftime.

Robinson made two free throws, blocked a shot and put in a rebound in the last 80 seconds to put the Spurs 1 1/2 games out of first in the Midwest Division.

“I don’t have to tell you how much of a factor in the game he (Robinson) was,” Coach Jim Lynam of the 76ers said. “He’s one reason why they are good enough to wipe out a 17-point deficit.”

Houston 112, New Jersey 100--Akeem Olajuwon, slowly returning to form, came off the bench to get 18 points and 12 rebounds at Houston.

Sleepy Floyd came in after the Nets jumped ahead, 36-25, and scored 27 points to lead the Rockets.

Larry Smith, whose tremendous rebounding sparked the Rockets when Olajuwon was out, missed the game with a sprained ankle.

“I really liked the way the fans welcomed me back,” Olajuwon said. “I’m playing as much in a half as I’m supposed to play in a game.”

Indiana 112, Charlotte 101--Reggie Miller, who had 40 points Saturday night to help end the Bulls’ streak, had his first triple-double at Indianapolis.

Miller had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Pacers.

The Pacers were trailing in the third quarter when Miller scored seven points in a row to get the Pacers on the run.

Atlanta 139, Denver 127--Spud Webb had a career-high 32 points to lead the Hawks to their 22nd consecutive victory at home.

Dominique Wilkins had 24 points and 18 rebounds, including nine in the third quarter when the Hawks broke it open. Wilkins opened the game with a three-point basket and the Hawks were never headed.

Moses Malone had 18 points and 14 rebounds and the Hawks reserves outscored Denver, 54-30.

Cleveland 113, Seattle 111--The SuperSonics’ five-game winning streak ended at Seattle.

John Morton’s off-balance 15-foot bank shot at the buzzer ending overtime won it for the Cavaliers. Morton missed a driving layup as time ran out in regulation.

Sacramento 100, Golden State 92--Rory Sparrow had 32 points at Sacramento and the Kings ended their nine-game losing streak. It was only their 16th victory in 57 games.