NBA ROUNDUP : Garden Remains No Party for Jazz, 112-101

Beating the Boston Celtics in Boston Garden is difficult for any team.

But for the Utah Jazz, it has proved impossible.

The Jazz dropped to 0-21 at the Garden as the Celtics increased their home winning streak to 11 games with a 112-101 victory Friday night.

“I haven’t won in this building, but the Celtics have had some good teams,” said eight-year veteran John Stockton, who scored 13 points and had 19 assists. “We’ll keep trying, but sometimes it’s like knocking your head against the wall.”

The Celtics, who lead the Atlantic Division, have won 12 of their last 14. The Jazz, the Midwest Division leader, lost for the second time in 10 games.

“They’ve had a couple of chances of beating us since I’ve been here,” said Larry Bird, who had 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter. “The same thing happened in those games. We beat them at the end. Tonight, they had us playing their game. We got lucky at the end.”

The Celtics got a lift from reserve Ed Pinckney, who scored seven points and had 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.

The Celtics led, 103-98, before they scored five consecutive points on a technical foul shot by Bird after Utah was called for an illegal defense, a short jump shot by Reggie Lewis and two free throws by Kevin McHale.

Brian Shaw had 19 points and Kevin McHale 18 for the Celtics. Jeff Malone had 15 for the Jazz.

Golden State 123, Portland 118--Chris Mullin scored a season-high 40 points and the Warriors won their fourth consecutive game by holding off a late rally at Oakland.

Portland cut the lead to 112-109 with 2:56 left on a slam dunk by Buck Williams. But a tip-in by Billy Owens and a free throw by Sarunas Marciulionis gave the Warriors a 115-109 lead with 1:59 left.

Tim Hardaway had 28 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds for the Warriors.

Chicago 115, New Jersey 98--The Bulls, who have the best record in the NBA, improved their road record to 10-1 as Horace Grant scored 12 of his career-high 28 points in the decisive third quarter at East Rutherford, N.J.

The first half was close, with 12 lead changes, before the Bulls took control with a 17-6 run to start the third quarter.

Michael Jordan had 24 points and Scottie Pippen 21 for the Bulls, who shot 58% in the third quarter.

Mookie Blaylock scored 18 points for the Nets, 1-13 against winning teams this season.

Cleveland 122, Atlanta 99--Rookie Terrell Brandon came off the bench to score 19 points, and Cavalier reserves shot 67% at Atlanta for the team’s 10th victory in 14 games.

Cavalier reserves made 31 of 46 shots and outscored Atlanta’s reserves, 71-39.

Kevin Willis had 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Hawks.

Phoenix 116, San Antonio 91--Dan Majerle scored 10 of his 22 points during a 24-2 first-half run to lead the Suns at Phoenix.

David Robinson had 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Spurs. It was Robinson’s first game since being fined $5,000 for fighting with Washington’s Harvey Grant on Wednesday.

Jeff Hornacek scored 28 points for the Suns.

Houston 99, Charlotte 95--Kenny Smith made two free throws with 9.1 seconds left to clinch the victory at Charlotte, N.C.

Smith, who scored 23 points, upstaged the 28-point, 15-rebound performance of Charlotte rookie Larry Johnson.

Philadelphia 127, Miami 99--Armon Gilliam and Charles Barkley each scored 31 points for the 76ers in the rout at Philadelphia.

Gilliam made 12 of 15 shots. Barkley made 10 of 13 shots and also had eight assists for the 76ers, who made 57% of their shots.

Rony Seikaly had 21 points for the Heat, 0-8 at the Spectrum.

Washington 107, Dallas 99--Pervis Ellison made 13 of 19 shots and scored 31 points to lead the Bullets at Dallas.

Larry Stewart had 21 points and Michael Adams 18 for the Bullets.