NBA ROUNDUP : Bulls Fight Off Pistons, 110-93

The Chicago Bulls have not forgotten that last spring when they wiped out Detroit in four games in the playoffs, the Pistons walked off the floor, not even bothering to congratulate the winners.

It only served to make the rivalry more bitter.

While the Bulls were in the process of blowing the Pistons away in the third period of a 110-93 victory Tuesday at Chicago, a brawl was barely averted.

The Bulls, who led only 44-41 at halftime, had scored the first eight points of the third quarter and Horace Grant made it 10 after colliding with Detroit’s Bill Laimbeer.

As Grant fell over him, Laimbeer leg-whipped the Bulls’ forward. Grant charged Laimbeer, but officials broke it up. Grant and Laimbeer were given technicals. So was Isiah Thomas for shoving Scottie Pippen.

Grant and Michael Jordan made free throws to complete the 12-0 run. It was all over for the Pistons, who fell behind, 72-51, in the first eight minutes of the period. “He fouled me, he tripped me and he kicked me,” Grant said. “A leopard doesn’t change his spots. I was surprised at me for reacting.”

Pippen was incensed. “I got shoved from behind,” he said. “Isiah’s a cheap-shot artist. If he plays on the Olympic team, I won’t.”

Portland 120, Denver 26--The Trail Blazers limited the Nuggets to a team-record 26 points in the first half at Portland. All all 12 Trail Blazers scored for the third consecutive game.

Portland’s record for fewest points allowed in a half was 30, which it has accomplished five times, most recently Nov. 2, 1990 against Houston.

The start of the game was delayed for 70 minutes because of a problem with moisture on the floor.

Golden State 119, Phoenix 116--After building a 19-point halftime lead behind the sharpshooting Tim Hardaway, the Warriors barely lasted at Oakland. Hardaway had 33 points to take up the slack of an off night for Chris Mullin, who had only 14.

Orlando 95, Washington 82--The Magic, which shot 33% in a 31-point loss at Chicago Saturday night, improved only to 38% at Landover, Md., but handed the Bullets their fifth consecutive defeat.

Cleveland 119, Milwaukee 113--The Cavaliers celebrated their first home game and the return of star guard Mark Price, by running up a 22-point lead over the Bucks after three quarters. Price, out nearly a year with a torn ligament, made his first three shots. He had 11 points and four assists in 15 minutes.

New York 98, New Jersey 96--The Knicks scored only three points in the last 6:20 at New York but hung on to win when Patrick Ewing and John Starks blocked shots in the closing minutes.

Boston 126, Sacramento 103--The Celtics, who shot only 38.7% in a loss to Portland Sunday, shot 59.1% against at Sacramento. They broke it open in the second quarter when they shot 71.4%. Larry Bird, who was five for 18 at Portland, was 10 for 16.

Atlanta 118, Charlotte 100--Dominique Wilkins scored 25 points and rookie Stacey Augmon 17 at Atlanta.

Houston 98, Dallas 92--Vernon Maxwell scored 28 points to lead the Rockets to a victory at Dallas that gave them a 5-1 record.