NBA ROUNDUP : Jordan Helps Bulls Rebound to Beat the 76ers

Michael Jordan scored 11 of his 34 points during the fourth quarter as the Chicago Bulls used a 16-1 spurt to erase a 12-point deficit and defeat Philadelphia, 103-99, Sunday at Philadelphia.

“I think it was our defense and their collapse offensively (that was the key to winning),” said Jordan, who had 11 rebounds and eight assists. “We got the ball inside and defense was the key.”

Chicago trailed, 92-80, with 7:32 to play when it went on its run--Jordan scoring eight of the 16 points--and took a 96-93 lead on two free throws by Horace Grant.

“I think we scored on 13 of our last 14 possessions in the fourth quarter,” Chicago Coach Phil Jackson said. “We were very proficient. We did a good job executing our offense and got the ball in Michael’s hands, and he went to the basket.”

The 76ers, who had won three in a row, made only four of 13 shots during the fourth quarter.

“They upped their defensive intensity and put the shot clock on our back time after time,” Philadelphia Coach Jim Lynam said.

Jackson said the 76ers “couldn’t get the offense they wanted. They had to settle for less desirable shots.”

The 76ers closed within one point three times, but Scott Williams scored on a layup to put Chicago ahead, 102-99, with 24 seconds to play. Charles Barkley then missed a three-point shot, and Jordan grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He made one of two free throws with 19 seconds to play.

Portland 109, Seattle 97--Clyde Drexler scored 23 points and dominated during a decisive Trail Blazer burst late in the first half at home.

The victory, coupled with Golden State’s one-point loss to the Clippers, pushed Portland’s lead over the Warriors to 1 1/2 games in the Pacific Division.

Cliff Robinson scored 21 points, including a personal-best 13 of 16 free throws.

Portland, winner of 18 of 19 home games, took the lead for good by outscoring Seattle, 19-7, in the final 4:12 of the first half for a 58-52 advantage.

During the run, Drexler had two three-pointers, a steal, a rebound basket, a behind-the-back fast-break pass to Jerome Kersey, an assist to Buck Williams and two passes to players who were fouled beneath the Blazers basket.

Houston 109, Sacramento 108--Hakeem Olajuwon dunked a halfcourt inbounds pass from Otis Thorpe with 3.3 seconds left to lift the Rockets over the Kings at Sacramento.

Mitch Richmond, who scored 30 points for the Kings, made a 16-foot jump shot with 3.7 seconds left to give the Kings a 108-107 lead.

After a timeout, Thorpe passed the ball deep to a jumping Olajuwon, who scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half.

Thorpe had 21 points and 17 rebounds and Vernon Maxwell added 19 points, including five three-pointers, for Houston.

Boston 111, Orlando 93--The Celtics won their fourth consecutive game since Larry Bird returned from the injured list with this victory at Orlando.

Bird had 15 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes, but he didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter when the Celtics, during the first eight minutes, outscored the Magic, 16-4, to build a 100-75 lead.

The Celtics completed a 5-0 sweep of the season series against the Magic and also snapped a five-game losing streak on the road.

San Antonio 93, Dallas 81--David Robinson had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Spurs at San Antonio.

Rookie Donald Hodge scored 19 points to lead the Mavericks, who lost their fifth consecutive game.

Utah 112, Denver 88--Karl Malone scored 23 points and Jeff Malone 20 as the Jazz won at Denver. It was the Nuggets’ ninth consecutive defeat.

Miami 112, Washington 98--Glen Rice had 30 points and 11 rebounds at Miami as the Heat ended its season-high five-game losing streak and the Bullets’ three-game winning streak.