NBA ROUNDUP : Riley Gives Knicks a Winning Formula

Pat Riley said from the start of his new job as coach of the New York Knicks that the talent was there. But winning required more than mere ability, Riley reasoned.

His first priority was to instill a winning attitude.

As the NBA moves into the second half of the regular season, the Knicks seem to be getting the idea.

Another aggressive defensive performance Wednesday led the Knicks to a 101-89 victory over the Washington Bullets.

It was the fourth victory in a row for the Knicks, fresh from a three-game sweep of a Western trip, gave them a 16-4 record at home and a half-game lead over Boston in the Atlantic Division.

Gerald Wilkins had 22 points and Patrick Ewing, who took charge in all three games on the trip, had 17 points and 13 rebounds. The Bullets, who have lost seven in a row, fell behind in the second minute and never caught up.

The Knicks are 27-15. Last season they were 18-24 after 42 games.

“We knew we had more talent,” Riley recently told Curtis G. Bunn of Newsday, “with Xavier McDaniel, and the emergence of Greg Anthony, John Starks and Anthony Mason. But what we had to do was get rid of the stigma of being losers.

“I think the players were fearful of losing. It especially showed in the fourth quarter, and we lost games we seemingly had won.

“When teams heat it up and pressure you and back you up against the wall, you’ve got to respond with strength and force. Then you find out if you have the talent. And then the emotional stability to handle that.”

Tom Hammonds of the Bullets led all scorers with a career-best 31 points.

Cleveland 95, Detroit 90--The Cavaliers have stayed ahead of the Pistons in the battle for second place in the Central Division for one reason--the ability to beat the Pistons.

Craig Ehlo sank a short jumper with 10 seconds left at Auburn Hills, Mich., to break a 90-90 tie and lead the Cavaliers to their third win in a row over Detroit.

Seconds after Ehlo’s basket, Isiah Thomas was called for a charge and was ejected for arguing the call. Mark Price sank three free throws to clinch the victory.

The Cavaliers were still without injured center Brad Daugherty, but they overcame 22 rebounds by the amazing Dennis Rodman to increase their lead over the Pistons to 5 1/2 games.

The Cavaliers relied on Larry Nance and John Williams inside. Nance had 18 points, 14 rebounds and blocked five shots. Williams had 22 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Before being ejected, Thomas had 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Orlando Woolridge led the Pistons with 26 points.

Indiana 115, Philadelphia 90--The reeling Pacers caught the 76ers on an off night at Philadelphia and ended their four-game losing streak.

Reggie Miller scored 24 points and the Pacers, in winning for only the second time in the last nine games, went in front early, 13-2, and led by 17 at halftime.

Charles Barkley scored 28 points but had only five rebounds as the 76ers lost their second in a row after winning five in a row.

Miami 119, Seattle 114--The Heat continues to prove it is the best of the expansion teams.

With Glen Rice scoring five of his 30 points in the final 82 seconds at Miami, the Heat scored its first victory over the SuperSonics.

With a 21-23 record, the Heat has tied the 76ers for the eighth-best record in the East. Eight teams qualify for the playoffs.

Atlanta 110, Milwaukee 100--The Hawks began their new season--the one without their best player, injured Dominique Wilkins--on an auspicious note at Milwaukee.

Rookie Stacey Augmon scored a career-high 25 points and Duane Ferrell, the replacement for Wilkins, had 17.

It was the fifth loss in a row for the Bucks, who lost all four on a recent trip.

San Antonio 108, Dallas 93--The Spurs were without Terry Cummings, who sprained his ankle while scoring 30 points in Tuesday night’s upset of Chicago, but they didn’t need him at Dallas.

The Spurs broke it open in the third quarter when they made 16 of 22 shots to extend a seven-point lead to 86-58. Willie Anderson had 13 of the Spurs’ 37 points in the quarter, making all five of his shots.

The Mavericks, who have lost 14 of 15, played without backup center James Donaldson, suspended for a game because he started a fight in practice.

Phoenix 128, New Jersey 95--The Suns’ 16th victory in a row at home was an easy one. They made their first 14 shots, led at halftime, 72-49, and stretched it to 111-68 after three quarters.

Tom Chambers, who had 25 points at halftime, finished with 31.

Utah 124, Sacramento 105--The Jazz, with Karl and Jeff Malone each scoring 26 points, regained its winning touch at home.

Utah, which had won 19 in a row at Salt Lake City before being routed by New York Monday night, is 20-2 at home.