NBA ROUNDUP : Bulls Going Like 60, Nine Short of Record

Early in the season, the Chicago Bulls were on a pace to break the Lakers’ NBA record of 69 victories, set during the 1971-72 season.

Michael Jordan scored 31 points Wednesday night as the Bulls beat the Charlotte Hornets, 100-94, for their 60th victory--but they must win their last nine games to tie the record.

However, Chicago did secure the home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Baskets by Mike Gminski and Tyrone Bogues and a three-point shot by Dell Curry at the start of the fourth quarter put the Hornets ahead, 82-78.

But Scottie Pippen, who finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, scored 10 of the Bulls’ next 12 points to lift them into a 90-84 lead they did not relinquish.

Jordan and Pippen scored 20 of Chicago’s 22 points in the fourth quarter as the Bulls won for the 12th time in 13 games.

Pippen also helped hold Charlotte rookie standout Larry Johnson to four points, 15 below his average, in 39 minutes on two-for-14 shooting.

Charlotte is 1-15 against Chicago and has yet to win at Chicago Stadium.

Kendall Gill scored a career-high 32 points for Charlotte.

Boston 120, Washington 106--The Celtics used a 20-2 run in the fourth quarter at Boston to beat the Bullets and win their seventh consecutive game.

Washington scored 44 points in the third quarter, 23 by Michael Adams, as the Bullets rallied from a 57-42 halftime deficit to an 86-84 lead.

The lead changed hands seven times before Boston overcame a 92-88 deficit with its run.

Reggie Lewis scored 28 points, Kevin McHale added 18, Robert Parish had 17 and Larry Bird contributed 13 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists for the Celtics, who handed the Bullets their eighth defeat in nine games.

Adams finished with 37 points and Harvey Grant added 21 for the Bullets. Washington played without center Pervis Ellison, who has a pulled left groin.

Philadelphia 108, Miami 91--Charles Barkley had 24 points and 10 rebounds as the 76ers broke a four-game losing streak by beating the Heat at Philadelphia.

The victory moved the 76ers to within two games of the Heat in the race for the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia gained control in the second quarter by outscoring Miami, 30-14, to take a 62-41 halftime lead.

Hersey Hawkins added 19 points and eight assists for Philadelphia, and Armon Gilliam added 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Rony Seikaly had 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Heat, which played without rookie guard Steve Smith, who was sidelined because of a swollen right knee.

Indiana 137, Atlanta 117--The Pacers moved into the sixth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, half a game ahead of the Hawks, by winning at Indianapolis.

Reggie Miller scored 26 points for Indiana, which won for the sixth time in eight games. Chuck Person added 25 points, six rebounds and five assists as the Pacers won for the 11th time in their last 12 games at home.

Detlef Schrempf came off the bench for 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to rally the Pacers, who fell behind, 28-20, after the first quarter. Indiana took command by outscoring the Hawks, 81-61, over the next two quarters.

Kevin Willis had 28 points and 19 rebounds for the Hawks.

New Jersey 121, Milwaukee 117--At Milwaukee, the Nets overcame a 23-point deficit to hand the Bucks their sixth consecutive defeat.

Derrick Coleman scored 24 of his 33 points in the second half for New Jersey, which trailed, 49-26, in the second quarter.

Drazen Petrovic, who had 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, scored seven consecutive points, capped by a three-pointer that gave the Nets a 110-104 lead with 3:18 to play.

Alvin Robertson scored 30 points for Milwaukee.

Dallas 102, Orlando 89--The Mavericks beat the Magic at Dallas and have their first winning streak since December.

Mike Iuzzolino scored nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for Dallas, which has won two in a row after losing 15 consecutive games.

Nick Anderson had 25 points for Orlando.