NBA ROUNDUP : Celtics Turn the Tables on Pistons

Only a couple of weeks ago when it became apparent that the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics would meet in the first round of the playoffs, everything seemed to favor the Pistons.

They had no major injuries and had won seven in a row. The Celtics had lost three in a row and their key players, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, were hobbled.

There has been a turnaround. The Pistons are slumping, the Celtic veterans have regained their form and the Celtics are on a roll.

Friday night at Boston, it was a mismatch. The Celtics won handily, 106-87, for their fifth victory in a row. The Pistons have lost four in a row. The teams have 41-30 records.

The fight now is to see which team gets the home-court advantage in the best-of-five opening series.

The Celtics led most of the way despite poor shooting by Bird. Bird was three for 14, and the Pistons rallied to cut a 14-point deficit to 82-75 with almost nine minutes to play.

But Bird made his next three shots, the first a three-pointer, to lead a 16-6 run that made it a romp. Bird finished with 21 points.

“I don’t know what the answer is,” Coach Chuck Daly said. “We had only 18 points in the last quarter, and that’s the way it has been lately.”

Although Dennis Rodman had 17 rebounds, the Celtics beat Detroit on the boards, 51-44.

Miami 118, San Antonio 101--The absence of David Robinson and the long-range shooting of Glen Rice moved the Heat closer to a playoff spot.

Rice made a team-record seven three-point baskets and scored 35 points at Miami.

Robinson, the 7-foot-1 center of the Spurs, has torn ligaments in his left thumb. He might need surgery and could sit out the rest of the regular season. In his absence, the Spurs aren’t much of a threat.

The Heat (33-38) is in eighth place in the East. That is the final playoff spot. It must beat out Philadelphia, New Jersey and Milwaukee to finish there.

Golden State 125, Indiana 117--Sarunas Marciulionis came off the bench to light a fire under the Warriors at Indianapolis.

The Warriors, who trailed by six points when Marciulionis entered the game late in the first quarter, ended the Pacers’ 10-game home winning streak.

Marciulionis had 23 points, and Tim Hardawy and Chris Mullin each had 22. For the Pacers, Michael Williams had 27 points and 11 assists, Detlef Schrempf had 25 points and 17 rebounds and Chuck Person had 24 points.

Atlanta 105, Minnesota 103--Veteran Maurice Cheeks made a 19-foot jump shot at the buzzer at Minneapolis to keep the Hawks in the playoff running.

Although they have been without their star, Dominique Wilkins, for the last 27 games, the Hawks are 35-36, sixth in the East.

Dennis Willis led the Hawks with 23 points and had nine rebounds.

Cleveland 121, Charlotte 115--Mark Price made a three-point basket and two free throws in the final 44 seconds at Charlotte, N.C., and the Cavaliers won their fifth in a row.

The Hornets, who had won 11 of 15, tied the score, 115-115, on a steal and dunk by rookie Larry Johnson, who had 26 points.

Phoenix 117, Philadelphia 113--Kevin Johnson made 14 of 19 shots and scored 31 points at Phoenix to lead the Suns.

The 76ers, fighting to remain in the battle for a playoff spot, lost for the seventh time in the last eight games.

Seattle 96, Milwaukee 95--The Bucks blew a four-point lead in the final four minutes at Seattle and lost their 19th consecutive road game.