NBA ROUNDUP : Barkley Ejected in Loss to Pistons

When the Philadelphia 76ers needed Charles Barkley, he wasn’t there.

Barkley was ejected late in the game, and the Detroit Pistons made the most of it, winning, 91-85, Wednesday night at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Dennis Rodman had 16 points and 25 rebounds to lead the Pistons. Rodman has had 20 or more rebounds 33 times in 49 games.

Barkley was ejected by referee Bill Saar when he argued there should have been a foul called on his drive to the basket.

“I didn’t stop by hitting thin air,” Barkley said. “When I go to the hole and get knocked down, I expect to hear a whistle. The Pistons played really well, but they didn’t need the help they got from the refs. I didn’t say anything to get ejected from the game. I just told him that we hadn’t gotten any calls all night. He just tossed me because he was having a bad night.”

The Pistons’ Darrell Walker, who like Rodman is a defensive specialist, scored eight of his 14 points in the fourth quarter. He had eight of the Pistons’ first nine points in the fourth quarter.

Isiah Thomas was Detroit’s top scorer with 18 points.

Barkley scored 21 before being ejected.

Boston 96, Cleveland 94--Dee Brown made the decisive three-point play with 32 seconds left at Boston, and the Cavaliers missed two three-point shots in the last five seconds.

The loss ended a five-game win streak for the Cavaliers, who played without Brad Daugherty because of a stomach virus.

San Antonio 118, Sacramento 89--Sean Elliott scored 26 points, including eight during a 20-2 run midway through the game, as the Spurs routed the Kings at San Antonio.

It was the Kings’ 10th consecutive loss.

Golden State 123, Minnesota 120--Sarunas Marciulionis scored 23 points and Chris Mullin 20 as the Warriors won at Oakland.

The Timberwolves have lost 10 in a row, one shy of a club record.

Tony Campbell led Minnesota with 30 points and Pooh Richardson and Gerald Glass each had 27.

Indiana 116, Miami 111--The Pacers scored their final 12 points on free throws to beat the Heat in overtime at Miami.

Michael Williams, who had 26 points, made seven free throws in overtime.

Chuck Person and Dale Davis hit the first two baskets of the overtime to give the Pacers a 104-100 lead before their run of foul shots.

Person scored 27 points and Reggie Miller 23 for the Pacers, who pulled 1 1/2 games in front of the Heat in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Orlando 99, Atlanta 96--Scott Skiles hit four free throws in the final 13 seconds as the Magic ended its road losing streak at six games at Atlanta.

Skiles’ two free throws with 12.8 seconds left gave the Magic a 97-96 lead, its first since midway in the second quarter.

On Atlanta’s next possession, Rumeal Robinson’s pass was stolen by Anthony Bowie.