NBA ROUNDUP : Fast Start Propels Bulls Over the Suns, 128-111

Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns welcomed Michael Jordan and the two-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls to the new $89-million, 19,023-seat America West Arena on Sunday night.

The Bulls helped spoil the party by making 18 of their first 22 shots en route to a 128-111 victory.

B.J. Armstrong added 19 points and Scottie Pippen 18 for the Bulls, who were coming off a 120-118 overtime loss to the Lakers on Friday, their only defeat in six road games.

“They were really out of sync, and we put them on their heels from the very beginning of the game,” said Jordan, who scored 18 of his 40 points during the first quarter. “I don’t think they ever recovered.”

Barkley scored 22 points and Dan Majerle added 20 for the Suns, who lost for the first time in four games at the arena.

Phoenix point guard Kevin Johnson, who came off the injured list Saturday night and scored 10 points during a loss to the Clippers, had 15.

Jordan, who had the 23rd 50-point game of his career against the Lakers, had 28 points by halftime against the Suns. Phoenix tried to adjust by putting two defenders on Jordan during the second half.

“I was getting great post-up position in the first half, and they had to try something else,” said Jordan, who had 37 points by the end of the third quarter, but saw little action during the fourth.

Portland 115, Detroit 90--Cliff Robinson came off the bench to score 20 points and Rod Strickland had a triple-double to lead the Trail Blazers, who are 7-0 and the NBA’s only unbeaten team.

The victory was the 200th for Coach Rick Adelman in slightly more than three seasons.

Joe Dumars had 19 points to lead the Pistons, who have lost five in a row and are in last place in the Central Division.

Strickland, also a reserve, came off the bench to add 11 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

Clyde Drexler added 19 points and Terry Porter 17 for the Trail Blazers.

Golden State 114, New Jersey 101--Chris Mullin scored 34 points and Tim Hardaway added 27 and 15 assists to lead the Warriors at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Warriors, who had lost six of their last seven, led by 57-53 early in the third quarter before breaking the game open with a 12-4 run that included five points by Billy Owens and four by Mullin.

“We played well,” Golden State Coach Don Nelson after his team shot 52% and outrebounded New Jersey, 56-50. “It makes it a salvageable road trip.”

Drazen Petrovic led the Nets with 23 points. Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson each added 19 for New Jersey.