NBA ROUNDUP : The Bulls Lead by 22, Then Lose to Pacers

The Bulls started out to run the Indiana Pacers out of Chicago Stadium Tuesday night. They took a 35-13 lead in 12 minutes, then lost.

With a chance to at least force an overtime, Scottie Pippen missed two free throws and the Bulls suffered their fourth loss in 30 home games, 103-101.

The Pacers had won only eight of 30 road games. In their most recent effort on the road, they lost to Charlotte.

But Reggie Miller and Chuck Person rallied the Pacers, and by halftime they were close enough to make it interesting.

The score was tied, 95-95, when Person sank a three-pointer with 2:35 left. The Pacers stayed in front the rest of the way, but a layup by Michael Jordan cut the lead to a point, and when Detlef Schrempf made only one of two free throws, the Bulls had a chance to tie.

After missing his first free throw, Pippen missed the second on purpose--but the game ended during a scramble for the rebound.

Said Bull Coach Phil Jackson: “I just don’t know where to calculate the change in momentum. The wind went out of our sails. Their press bothered us and they went smaller. Our bench was outplayed.”

Miller, who had 23 points, was ecstatic.

“This is just a dream come true winning here,” he said. “It’s a sweet victory, especially for the young guys. It helps them.”

San Antonio 103, Minnesota 102--The Spurs, trying to stay close to Utah in the Midwest Division, almost blew one at Minneapolis.

But David Robinson drove to the basket for a layup with about a second to play to bring the Spurs from behind for their fourth consecutive victory.

“Give the credit to (Paul) Pressey,” Robinson said. “He got the ball to me.”

The Spurs had a 92-78 lead with less than eight minutes to play, but blew the lead.

Robinson had 25 points and Rod Strickland had 19 assists for the Spurs.

Gerald Glass’s three-point shot with 5.6 seconds to play gave the Timberwolves their 102-101 lead.

The Timberwolves led in almost every category, except free throws. The Spurs outscored them from the line, 30-8.

Phoenix 112, Houston 107--Tom Chambers scored seven of his 17 points during the first 3 1/2 minutes of overtime at Phoenix and the Suns ended the Rockets’ four-game winning streak.

The Rockets, with Hakeem Olajuwon getting 34 points and 15 rebounds, led most of the game, but fell behind, 94-90, late in regulation. The Suns led, 98-95, when Matt Bullard sank a three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining to force overtime.

Although they have won six in a row at home, the Suns are only 6-6 since the All-Star break.

Seattle 111, Denver 92--Shawn Kemp came off the bench to score 21 points and grab 13 rebounds and lead the SuperSonics to victory at Seattle.

The SuperSonics have won 11 of their last 13 and moved seven games over .500.

The Nuggets lost their sixth consecutive game and are winless in games against the Pacific Division.

Utah 123, Golden State 101--Karl Malone had 44 points as the Jazz ended knocked the Warriors out of first place in the Pacific Division at Oakland.

Utah had won only three of its previous 13 road games.

The victory kept Utah three games ahead atop the Midwest Division.

The Warriors trail Portland by half a game and are 21-8 at home.

New York 102, Dallas 83--Patrick Ewing has been carrying the Knicks lately, so it was time for him to have an off night at New York.

Charles Oakley made it easy for Ewing to take a rest by scoring 14 points during the first half.

The Knicks took a 55-34 lead and coasted to the victory that extended their lead atop the Atlantic Division to 3 1/2 games over Boston.

Washington 106, Orlando 93--The full-court press was something the Magic couldn’t handle at Orlando.

The Bullets forced 12 turnovers during the second quarter to come from behind and take a 60-54 halftime lead. Five times in a row the Magic failed to get off a shot.