NBA ROUNDUP : Thomas Sparkles in Early Return

Isiah Thomas, returning six weeks before his doctor predicted, gave the Detroit Pistons more than an emotional lift Friday night.

Thomas, wearing a splint to protect his right wrist, scored 15 points and had 11 assists at Auburn Hills, Mich., to lead the Pistons to a 101-82 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kirk Watson, the surgeon who fused three bones in Thomas’ wrist Jan. 29 and said it would be 15 weeks before he could play, gave the OK Friday afternoon.

Thomas, warned that a jolt could require new surgery, was in the starting lineup. He went out after seven uneventful minutes, returned to start the second quarter and became a factor in the Pistons’ fifth victory in a row.

“His hand and arm remain weak,” Watson said, “and he has only 30% of normal range of motion. But he can’t do any permanent damage, so I’m letting him play.

“Thomas understands the risks and the problem, but because of his importance to his team, he’s a special case.”

The Pistons were 18-14 without him.

He played 33 minutes, was four for seven from the field and seven for eight from the free-throw line. He also had two rebounds, two steals and only two turnovers.

“Every play I wanted to make, I made,” Thomas said. “I didn’t have any problems.”

Detroit Coach Chuck Daly was ecstatic.

“Isiah looked like he never lost a beat,” Daly said. “I was especially surprised that he was in such excellent shape.”

Portland 115, Orlando 98--After sweeping three games in the East, the Trail Blazers take the best record in the league into Texas.

If Portland wins all three games in Texas, beginning Sunday at Dallas, it will virtually wrap up the Pacific Division.

The improved Magic made a valiant effort to prevent the Trail Blazers from winning their ninth in a row. With Clyde Drexler ejected late in the first quarter on two technical fouls, the Magic built a 61-49 lead in the third quarter.

But Terry Porter led a 29-9 burst that put Portland in charge. During the spurt, Porter, who had 18 of his 29 points in the third quarter, was seven for seven.

The Trail Blazers are 56-18, a game better than Chicago.

San Antonio 110, Chicago 107--At Chicago, the Spurs built a 21-point and barely lasted for their eighth victory in the past 11 games. They remained a game in front in the Midwest Division race.

The Spurs led, 87-66, in the first minute of the last quarter, but Michael Jordan scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter.

Four times Jordan brought the Bulls within a point, but each time San Antonio scored on its next possession.

Although he took only nine shots, the Spurs’ David Robinson had 24 points and 13 rebounds.

Houston 126, Denver 120--The Rockets needed some bombs from Vernon Maxwell to win their third in a row and 16th in the last 17 games.

At Denver, Maxwell scored 45 points, more than half of them on eight three-pointers.

The Nuggets lost their fourth in a row despite a 41-point performance by Michael Adams, which included six three-pointers.

With their 12th victory in the past 13 road games the Rockets remained tied with Utah for second place, one game behind the Spurs.

Utah 93, Dallas 87--Karl Malone had 31 points and 19 rebounds at Dallas as the Jazz kept pace with San Antonio.

The Mavericks, before losing for the sixth time in seven games, made a run early in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 75-69. But Jeff Malone scored seven points in a row and the Jazz was out of danger.

Indiana 117, Washington 103--Reggie Miller scored 17 of his 22 points in the decisive third quarter at Indianapolis and the Pacers clinched a playoff spot.

Miller scored nine points in a 15-8 spurt that put the Pacers ahead to stay.

Cleveland 104, Charlotte 101--Craig Ehlo made the tiebreaking free throw with 23 seconds left at Richfield, Ohio, then took a charge to save the victory.

Golden State 118, Phoenix 101--With Kevin Johnson and Dan Majerle out because of injuries, the Suns were a match for the Warriors for only one half at Oakland.

All three players suffered minor injuries in Thursday’s loss to the Lakers. They are expected to play against the Lakers Sunday night.

Chris Mullin scored 27 points to lead the Warriors, who broke it open late in the third quarter.

The loss dropped the Suns six games behind Portland and 3 1/2 behind the Lakers in the Pacific Division.