NBA ROUNDUP : Down by 24, Trail Blazers Defeat SuperSonics

The Portland Trail Blazers completed a difficult assignment Wednesday night at Tacoma, Wash.

They overcame a 24-point deficit and beat the Seattle SuperSonics, 112-107, to win back-to-back games from the SuperSonics.

Seattle led, 68-44, early in the second half, but Clyde Drexler led the comeback.

The Trail Blazers, who play the Lakers Friday night at the Forum, beat Seattle Tuesday night, 126-113, at Portland.

But Wednesday’s victory over Seattle wasn’t quite the same. With Ricky Pierce coming off the bench to score 13 points, the SuperSonics outscored the Blazers, 34-17, in the second quarter and led, 61-42. Portland slowly chipped away at the lead and caught up with one minute remaining, 105-105. With Drexler and Terry Porter taking charge, the Trail Blazers outscored the SuperSonics, 28-15, in the last six minutes.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Blazers, who lead the Lakers by 1 1/2 games in the Pacific Division. Each victory has been against teams with records below .500.

Detroit 102, Indiana 93--Even without star guard Isiah Thomas, the Pistons are tough to beat at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Pacers battled the two-time champions on even terms until Dennis Rodman scored five points in 12 seconds near the middle of the fourth quarter.

The Pistons had a 76-74 lead when Rodman made a layup and was fouled. He missed the free throw, grabbed the rebound, scored again and was fouled. This time he converted. When Detroit ran off the next 10 points, it was over. Shortly before the Pistons knocked out the Pacers, a storm knocked out power for about 17 minutes.

Orlando 97, Dallas 85--Jerry Reynolds scored 11 consecutive points for the Magic in a fourth-quarter run at Dallas that enabled the Magic to win its fifth in a row.