NBA ROUNDUP : Big Warriors Come Up Short Against Celtics

The message is beginning to sink into the mind of Golden State Coach Don Nelson.

The Warriors can’t play like a big team.

They tried to play big against the Boston Celtics Sunday and came away on the short end of a 114-97 score at Boston.

“I’m perplexed,” Nelson said. “I’ve been trying to figure out why we’re struggling lately and I think I’ve now seen the light.

“We’ve been getting behind too much too early. We’ve been trying to be a team that we’re not. We’re a good small team and we’ve got to stop trying to play like a big team.”

After the Warriors’ second loss on the start of a six-game trip, Tim Hardaway said: “Everybody is worried. Losing by 20 on a road trip isn’t a great start. We’ve got to hold our heads up and stick together.”

In the lopsided loss, the Warriors failed to score 100 points for only the fifth time this season. Their 97 points was the team’s third lowest, one more than in two previous games.

Golden State was outrebounded, 47-39, for the 41st time this season. And its 41 points was the second-fewest in the first half.

Kevin Gamble scored 16 of his 25 points in the third period as the Celtics delayed Golden State’s bid for a 45th victory for the first time in 10 years.

Indiana 108, Philadelphia 100--Detlef Schrempf and Rik Smits each had 23 points and 10 rebounds at Indianapolis as the Pacers stretched their home winning streak to a franchise-record 10 games.

Charles Barkley led the 76ers with 37 points and 16 rebounds. Johnny Dawkins had 22 points for the 76ers.

Charlotte 113, Detroit 101--Larry Johnson scored 22 points at Charlotte as the Hornets set franchise records for wins and home wins by beating the Pistons for only the second time in 15 games.

The Hornets, 27-39 in their fourth season, topped their records set last year of 26 overall wins and 17 home wins.

They have won 10 of their last 13 games to move into the race for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Detroit was led by Joe Dumars, who scored 23 points, and Dennis Rodman, who had nine points and 17 rebounds.

Milwaukee 109, Washington 88--Alvin Robertson scored 29 points and Moses Malone added 19 points and 11 rebounds at Milwaukee as the Bucks won at home for the time time in a row.

In winning, Milwaukee snapped a two-game losing streak and handed the Bullets their fifth loss in a row.

Ledell Eackles paced Washington with 17 points. David Wingate added 15, and Michael Adams and Larry Stewart each scored 11.

Cleveland 123, Atlanta 80--Brad Daugherty and Mark Price led a first-half surge at Richfield, Ohio, as Cavaliers built a 23-point halftime lead and won for the seventh time in their last eight games. Daugherty powered inside for 16 points in the first half, and Price scored most of his 15 first-half points from long range. Daugherty finished with 22 points. Price had 18.

Seattle 113, Dallas 105--Eddie Johnson scored 31 points and the SuperSonics came back from a 26-point deficit at Dallas to hand the Mavericks their 13th loss in a row.

Rolando Blackman scored 30 points for the Mavericks, who tied a club-record with 46 first-quarter points, but couldn’t hold a 53-27 lead with 9:43 left in the second quarter. It was the biggest lead Dallas has ever blown, surpassing a 23-point advantage the Mavericks allowed Denver to overcome in 1985.

Miami 107, New Jersey 100--Grant Long scored eight of his season-high 29 points in the final 2:02 at Miami and the Heat moved past Milwaukee and the Nets in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Derrick Coleman led the Nets with 32 points.