NBA ROUNDUP : SuperSonics Get Past Pistons, 91-86

The Seattle SuperSonics lost their star, 6-foot-10 Shawn Kemp, before the season opened because of a severely sprained ankle. When they lost two of their first three games, all at home, it looked as though they were in for a bleak season.

On the other hand, the Detroit Pistons, determined to return to the top of the NBA, won four of their first five games and seemed back in control.

But three weeks into the season, the SuperSonics are soaring and the Pistons are sinking.

With a patched-up starting lineup that includes three former Clippers, Seattle defeated the Pistons, 91-86, Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Gary Payton and Ricky Pierce made key jumpers in the last 90 seconds to protect the lead, give the SuperSonics their fourth consecutive victory and complete a five-game trip in seven nights with a 4-1 record.

“We’ve just been focused,” Payton said. “We’ve made ourselves into one together group. At crunch time we were all thinking as one. That’s togetherness. That’s the difference right now.”

The Pistons, who cut a 13-point deficit to one before the two Seattle guards stopped them, are 5-6, their worst start in five years. They have lost three in a row. Last season they won 13 games before they lost their sixth.

“Right now, it’s as bad as it gets,” Piston Coach Chuck Daly said. “We outrebounded them by 12 and we had 15 turnovers to their six and that’s the ballgame.”

The SuperSonics, battling Golden State and the Lakers for the lead in the Pacific Division, have won seven of their last eight games. Their only loss was in overtime at Cleveland last Thursday night.

Pierce, who played one season for the Clippers before going to Milwaukee in the deal for Marques Johnson, led the SuperSonics with 18 points. He was the sixth man for the Bucks. With Seattle, he is a starter and top scorer.

Two other former Clippers, Michael Cage and Benoit Benjamin, provide the rebounding power for the SuperSonics.

“We were really tired,” Seattle Coach K.C. Jones said. “I was surprised we stayed close. I’m delighted with our play.”

Philadelphia 114, Miami 107--The two surprise teams of the Atlantic Division met at Philadelphia and Charles Barkley took charge in the closing minutes to put the 76ers in first place.

Barkley scored nine of his 29 points in the last six minutes as the 76ers ended the Heat’s four-game winning streak. The 76ers (7-3) lead the Heat (6-3) by one-half game.

Chicago 112, Golden State 108--The Bulls built a 14-point lead in the first half at Oakland, then ended up falling behind, 95-94, on Sarunas Marciulionis’ layup with 5:20 to play.

Michael Jordan, who finished with 35 points, had two baskets and set up another in an 8-0 run that carried Chicago to victory.

Marciulionis and Chris Mullin each had 32 for the Warriors.

Atlanta 116, Sacramento 104--If the Kings couldn’t win at New Jersey, it didn’t figure they would end their road losing streak at Atlanta.

Dominique Wilkins made sure the string was extended to 42 games. He scored 32 points, and had considerable help from Kevin Willis, who had 21 points and 20 rebounds.

Boston 116, Indiana 101--The Pacers battled the Celtics to the wire in their five-game playoff last spring, but they were no match for them in their first meeting this season at Boston.

Larry Bird had 26 points and 19 rebounds and broke open the game with a 22-12 surge in the third quarter. The Celtics are 26-5 against the Pacers at Boston Garden.

San Antonio 113, Minnesota 106--David Robinson scored 22 points at San Antonio and the Spurs coasted to their fifth consecutive victory.

New York 92, Dallas 89--Patrick Ewing scored six of his 27 points in the closing minute to give the Knicks their first road victory after five defeats. Ewing scored the last six points of the game.

Charlotte 109, Cleveland 108--Kenny Gattison made three free throws in the final 24 seconds at Charlotte, N.C., to give the Hornets their third victory in 12 games.

Utah 107, Orlando 102--The Malones did in the Magic at Orlando, Fla. Karl and Jeff each scored 26 points as the Jazz barely hung on after leading by 15 at halftime.

Phoenix 113, Denver 97--Guards Jeff Hornacek and Kevin Johnson, who were cold against the Lakers, were sharp in Phoenix and helped the Suns put an end to their six-game losing streak. Hornacek had 25 points, Johnson 17.