NBA ROUNDUP : Blaylock Steps Up for Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks obtained Mookie Blaylock to run their offense. Against Boston on Monday night, Blaylock proved he can score as well as pass.

Blaylock scored 23 points, including two baskets in overtime, as the Hawks handed the Celtics their sixth consecutive defeat, 101-97, at Hartford, Conn.

Atlanta Coach Bob Weiss said Blaylock, who has registered season-highs in points the past two games, is developing into a strong outside threat.

“A lot of guys who come into the league are not known as shooters, but they turn into shooters,” he said. “Mookie can take that 18- or 20-footer and hit it. He’s gaining confidence.”

Blaylock, obtained Nov. 3 from New Jersey for Rumeal Robinson, put the Hawks ahead, 97-94, with 1:32 to play, then gave the Hawks the lead again at 99-97 by making a 20-foot jump shot with 20 seconds left.

Blair Rasmussen knocked away Dee Brown’s inside pass to Kevin McHale with five seconds left and Dominique Wilkins grabbed the loose ball. Wilkins, who had two rebounds and two assists in overtime, was fouled by Brown and made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left.

“When Stacey (Augmon), Mookie and (Paul) Graham start hitting shots, it makes it easier for me,” Wilkins said.

The Celtics, who shuffled their lineup to try to break out of their worst start since 1978, missed seven of eight shots in overtime.

Wilkins had 19 points and eight assists, and Blaylock also had eight assists. Stacey Augmon scored 18 points and Jon Koncak had 13 rebounds as the Hawks had a 48-38 rebounding advantage.

Robert Parish had 18 points, Reggie Lewis added 17 and Rick Fox scored 16 for the Celtics, who are in the midst of their longest losing streak since an eight-game slide in March and April 1979.

“We have to find ways to win and we’re not doing that,” Celtic Coach Chris Ford said. “We have to take advantage of opportunities. The mistakes are correctable but we keep making the same ones over and over. Many of the mistakes are no-brainers.”

The Hawks have won eight of their past nine games against Celtics, including a 116-107 victory Saturday night in Atlanta. This was their 1,700th franchise victory and their first victory in four tries in Hartford.

Sacramento 103, Seattle 99--Mitch Richmond scored 29 points and the Kings survived a 13-point third quarter for the victory at Sacramento.

Wayman Tisdale had 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Kings, who led, 63-46, at halftime, but were outscored, 31-13, in the third quarter and trailed, 77-76, entering the fourth.

Benoit Benjamin scored 18 points for the SuperSonics. Michael Cage had 13 points and 19 rebounds for Seattle.

The Kings, who ended a three-game losing streak, used a 19-4 run during a 6:14 stretch in the second quarter en route to outscoring the SuperSonics, 33-20.