NBA ROUNDUP : Torrid Suns Force Trail Blazers to Wilt, 116-108

When the Lakers knocked off the Portland Trail Blazers Feb. 17 to tighten the race in the Pacific Division, Rick Adelman sounded a warning.

“I don’t know why the Phoenix Suns are so far back (eight games),” the Portland coach said, “but I still fear them.”

In case he looks over his shoulder, Adelman will see the Suns closing in.

Kevin Johnson sent the Suns off to a fast start Wednesday night at Phoenix and Dan Majerle came off the bench to score 26 points in the Suns’ 116-108 victory.

In winning for the seventh time in the last eight games, the third-place Suns are only three games out of first place. The Lakers moved to within 1 1/2 games of the Trail Blazers.

The game wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate. With Johnson getting 13 of his 22 points in the first half, Phoenix led most of the game. The lead was eight by halftime, 11 after three quarters and when Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons cleared his bench, the lead was 104-87.

The Trail Blazers, who have not been so great after winning their first 11 games, have lost six of the past eight.

Chicago 102, Milwaukee 101--After some one-sided victories, the Bulls almost forgot how to win the close ones.

They needed a referee’s decision and clutch shots by John Paxson and Michael Jordan to pull out this victory at Milwaukee.

Jordan’s two free throws with five seconds left put Chicago ahead, 102-99. Frank Brickowski, attempting to tie it, tossed in a long one at the buzzer.

First, referee Ted Bernhardt ruled it was a three-pointer. But after all three officials huddled, it was ruled Brickowski had a toe on the line and the Bulls won their fifth in a row and their 16th in the past 17 games.

Paxson’s three-pointer wiped out a two-point deficit with 16 seconds left.

Jordan, playing 41 minutes, had 39 points, and it was his steal that set up the foul for his game-winning free throws.

Utah 112, Boston 109--Even the Celtics can’t always win overtime games on the road. They rallied on two free throws with just over a second left in regulation to tie at Salt Lake City.

And Larry Bird, who had 25 points, opened the overtime with a three-pointer. Then John Stockton took over, scoring nine of his 23 points in overtime, and the Jazz ended a three-game losing streak.

This was the climax of a four-game swing west for the Celtics. They won the other three, including an overtime game Sunday at Portland.

But not this time. They did fight back from a 62-50 deficit in the third quarter, but had no energy left at the finish.

New York 102, Philadelphia 94--The Knicks’ frontline is becoming a sharp trio. Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Kiki Vandeweghe enabled the Knicks to overcome another top effort by Charles Barkley and win at Philadelphia for their ninth victory in 10 games.

Barkley had 32 points and 11 rebounds, Ewing had 26 points and 14 rebounds and Vandeweghe scored 23 points. But Oakley was tremendous. He was 10 for 14 from the field and had 21 points and 16 rebounds.

A month ago the Knicks were wondering if they would make the playoffs. Now, they are a game below .500 and closing in on the 76ers. They are 3 1/2 behind.

Detroit 94, Charlotte 83--With the loss of Isiah Thomas, the Pistons wanted just a few minutes here and there from much-traveled Gerald Henderson.

Henderson, who sat out the first half of the season, has become the Pistons’ third guard.

He was a perfect shooter to pace the Pistons to a victory at Auburn Hills, Mich. He made all eight of his shots and both of his free throws for 19 points in 25 minutes. His three baskets in a row in the middle of the last quarter put Detroit in command.

Dallas 98, Seattle 96--Brad Davis hit a driving layup as time expired at Dallas and the Mavericks won for only the third time in the last 12 games.

The Mavericks trail the SuperSonics by 6 1/2 games in the battle for the West’s final playoff spot.