NBA ROUNDUP : Bulls Win on Cruise Control, 131-99

These are the best of times for Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls.

Most seasons about this time, the Bulls are battling to earn the home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

In a switch, they are breezing to the Central Division title and are shooting for the best record in the NBA and the resulting home-court edge throughout the playoffs.

Moreover, they are so outclassing their opponents, that Jordan, often worn out by postseason play, often gets considerable time off.

As he zeroes in on his fifth consecutive scoring title, the 6-foot-6 guard is making big contributions in less playing time.

Jordan played only 29 minutes Tuesday night at Chicago and had 20 points and 10 assists in a 131-99 victory over Minnesota. It was the Bulls’ 23rd consecutive victory at home.

They have a 45-15 record, lead the division by 7 1/2 games over Detroit and have the best record in the East. Only Portland (46-15) has a better record.

One of the reasons Jordan gets so much rest, is the play of the Bulls’ bench. B.J. Armstrong, developing into a dependable third guard, had 19 points and five other reserves had at least five points.

“We are playing good basketball right now,” Jordan said. “It was a nice game in which we could rest the starting five. We have a tough game tomorrow in Milwaukee.”

The victory was Phil Jackson’s 100th in 142 games as coach of the Bulls.

Philadelphia 133, Atlanta 129--Ron Anderson, whose three-point basket tied the score at the end of regulation, scored seven points in the last 22 seconds of the second overtime at Atlanta to give the 76ers the victory.

Anderson’s three-point shot with 22 seconds left in the second extra session gave the 76ers a 129-128 lead, their first since early in the second quarter.

Until then, the 76ers, battling the Hawks for the fifth playoff spot in the East, were just hanging on.

Anderson’s bomb in regulation came with one second left.

“It was just that I wanted the ball with the game on the line,” Anderson said.

Charles Barkley scored 34 points for the 76ers, but with a chance to win the game in the first overtime, he missed the first of two free throws and could only tie it with two seconds left.

Dominique Wilkins, who played 52 of the 58 minutes, had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks.

Houston 93, Seattle 91--Hakeem Olajuwon keeps getting closer to top form and the Rockets are staying in the fight for the Midwest Division title.

Olajuwon, still coming off the bench, played 34 minutes and had 32 points and nine rebounds. He scored four points in a 7-3 rally late in the game that put the Rockets ahead for good with 1:54 remaining.

The Rockets didn’t clinch the hard-earned fifth victory in a row until Kenny Smith sank four free throws in the last 17 seconds.

The Rockets are only four games behind division-leading San Antonio and have 21 games remaining.

The surging Rockets have won 17 of their last 21 games. What makes it even more impressive is that they began the surge when Olajuwon was still out with an eye injury.

Boston 110, Sacramento 95--Reggie Lewis scored 27 points to lead the Celtics’ comeback at Sacramento after they spotted the Kings a 10-point lead in the first quarter.

The Celtics appeared to be a bit weary after playing a tough overtime game at Portland Sunday, but they had enough left in the final period to get past the hapless Kings.

A tough defense held the Kings to 36 points in the second half to turn it into a rout.

Washington 103, Charlotte 100--Coach Wes Unseld of the Bullets is becoming a big fan of Pervis Ellison.

Ellison, a 6-9 center from Louisville, was the No. 1 pick in the 1989 draft. He was injured most of his rookie season and Sacramento sent him to the Bullets in a three-way deal that sent Jeff Malone to Utah.

With the Bullets’ two top scorers, Bernard King and Harvey Grant, out with injuries, Ellison turned in a brilliant performance at Charlotte.

Ellison scored a career-high 28 points and had nine rebounds to lead the Bullets to only their third victory in the last 17 games.

“Pervis has been playing big for a while,” Unseld said. “Every game he shows more maturity. He’s making the adjustments it takes to be effective.”

Golden State 129, Indiana 117--Mitch Richmond had 28 points and Chris Mullin had 10 assists at Oakland to lead the Warriors.

The Warriors didn’t shoot a free throw in the first half, but made 25 of 31 in the second half to overcome the Pacers.