NBA ROUNDUP : Thomas Leads Pistons Past Bulls

It may be too early to dismiss the Detroit Pistons as a threat to win their third consecutive NBA championship.

Ever since he came off the injured list, Isiah Thomas has been trying to shake up his teammates.

Although he still has a problem shooting with his ailing right hand, Thomas decided that deeds spoke louder than words.

Thomas scored 26 points and had 16 assists Friday night at Auburn Hills, Mich., to lead the Pistons to a 95-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The Pistons survived a late brawl and a 40-point effort by Michael Jordan to beat the team that figures to finish with the best record in the East.

On their way to the two previous titles, the Pistons swept aside Jordan and the Bulls.

The Pistons led, 88-85, with 2:07 remaining when Bill Cartwright of the Bulls hit Dennis Rodman with an elbow. The two players grabbed each other and coaches and players streamed onto the floor.

When order was restored, the Bulls got the ball, but couldn’t score. Thomas raced in for a layup, was fouled and made both free throws for the key points that helped the Pistons end a three-game losing streak.

Thomas had said that he felt some of the Pistons weren’t really playing as hard as they could. The poor rotation in the right wrist that was operated on has made it difficult for him to regain his shooting touch. But he made up for it in other ways in this victory.

“We’re starting to get that old magic back,” said Thomas, his right eye bloodshot and his right hand swollen after the game. “Joe (Dumars) has always had it. I’m still getting it back.

“This is a bit different. This time we won’t have the home-court advantage.”

Seattle 100, San Antonio 99--The race for the title in the Midwest Division tightened again.

Sedale Threatt stole the ball from David Robinson, was fouled by the Spur center, and made the first of two free throws to give the SuperSonics the win at Seattle.

Threatt missed his second try, but teammate Shawn Kemp grabbed the rebound and time ran out.

The Spurs, with the score tied, 99-99, had the ball with seven seconds left and Robinson was trying to get in position for a winning shot before Threatt’s steal.

Phoenix 103, Dallas 91--The Suns played a team in worse physical condition than themselves.

The Mavericks, whose players have missed 184 games because of injuries, were without Rodney McCray and Rolando Blackman.

With Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle and Tom Chambers still ailing, Jeff Hornacek had 10 of his 28 points in the last quarter to drive the Suns to victory at Phoenix.

New York 112, Indiana 108--Mark Jackson, who has emerged from Coach John MacLeod’s doghouse with a flair, rallied the Knicks at New York.

Jackson scored 20 of his 26 points during the second half and helped the Knicks wipe out a 20-point deficit.

Jackson, suspended for four days because of insubordination in February, made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to seal the victory.

The Knicks are one game behind the Pacers in the race for seventh place in the East. The two play next Friday at Indianapolis.

Washington 95, Philadelphia 85--With two of the league’s top scorers, Bernard King of the Bullets and Charles Barkley of the 76ers, sidelined because of injuries, it was a low-scoring game at Philadelphia.

The 76ers shot only 25.6% in the first half, trailed, 45-32, and never caught up.

Boston 119, Miami 109--The Celtics didn’t miss their ailing star, Larry Bird, mainly because Reggie Lewis scored a career-high 42 points at Boston.

The Heat, which lost its 11th road game in a row, rallied from a 17-point deficit to cut the Celtics’ lead to 91-88 with 10 minutes left.

But Lewis made consecutive baskets to start a 20-7 spurt that put the Celtics back in command.

Charlotte 111, Minnesota 110--The Hornets and Timberwolves battled at Charlotte as if a playoff berth was at stake.

Kenny Gattison sank two free throws with 34 seconds left in the second overtime and, when the Timberwolves missed two shots in the closing seconds, the Hornets won.

The Timberwolves got 34 points from Tony Campbell.

New Jersey 104, Cleveland 103--Derrick Coleman made one of two free throws with one second left at East Rutherford, N.J., to end the Nets’ six-game losing streak. Coleman had 26 points and 13 rebounds to spark the Nets.