NBA ROUNDUP : Jordan-Less Bulls Lose to Knicks

Patrick Ewing scored 36 points and the New York Knicks took advantage of Michael Jordan’s suspension to defeat the Chicago Bulls, 104-98, Friday night at New York.

Jordan was suspended by the NBA earlier in the day for throwing a punch at Indiana’s Reggie Miller during an altercation at Indianapolis on Wednesday night.

“We knew we’d have to fight off a determined team,” said New York Coach Pat Riley, whose Knicks have won seven consecutive games. “It’s a distraction with Michael out like that. He’s simply the best player on the planet, and with him out, we knew we’d play a committed team.”

The loss ended the Bulls’ five-game winning streak and was their fifth defeat in five games since 1986 with Jordan out of the lineup. Jordan was fined $10,000 and lost another $48,480 because of the suspension. Miller, who was ejected from the game, was fined $6,000.

Scottie Pippen led the Bulls with 35 points, but it wasn’t enough as a 15-8 run led by Ewing early in the fourth quarter gave the Knicks an 89-83 lead. The closest the Bulls came after that was three points.

“It was a positive effort, but there’s nothing to celebrate,” Pippen said. “We didn’t win the game. But we sent a message that we can play 48 minutes without our superstar.”

Boston 109, Dallas 100--Reggie Lewis scored 22 points, including seven in a span of 1:11 late in the game, to lead the Celtics at Dallas.

Alaa Abdelnaby scored 24 points and Kevin Gamble 17 for the Celtics, who won their fourth consecutive game. Robert Parish, charged with possession of marijuana Friday in Boston, started at center for Boston and had eight points and 15 rebounds.

“This team has a sense of humor,” Parish said. “I was the center of jokes all day. This is a relaxed team. You don’t want a tense atmosphere. Nothing’s sacred with these guys. You’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself.”

Asked to repeat some of his teammates’ barbs, Parish said, “Can’t. It’s personal.”

Terry Davis, who left the game in the fourth quarter with back spasms, led Dallas with 21 points. Sean Rooks added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have the worst record in the NBA, 4-42.

Detroit 106, New Jersey 97--Melvin Newbern, playing the last game of his 10-day contract, started for Detroit in place of All-Star guard Joe Dumars and scored 20 points to lead the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Dumars was sent home with flu before the game.

Newbern played earlier this season in the now-defunct Global Basketball League after spending the past two seasons in the Continental Basketball Assn. Newbern, whose previous NBA best was 14 points, topped that with 16 points during the first half against the Nets.

Isiah Thomas scored 10 of his 21 points during the fourth quarter for Detroit, which ended a five-game losing streak. He also had 14 assists.

Kenny Anderson led the Nets with 24 points and 10 assists. Terry Mills had 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Charlotte 116, Miami 107--Larry Johnson scored 30 points and Muggsy Bogues made six free throws in the final 26 seconds to help the Hornets at Miami.

The Hornets, who held the Heat to six-of-26 shooting during the fourth quarter, also received 22 points from Alonzo Mourning and 20 from Kendall Gill.

The Hornets have won six of seven games and four in a row on the road, to improve their record to 25-21, the first first time the fifth-year franchise has ever been four games over .500.

Glen Rice scored 21 points and Grant Long had 20 for Miami, which played its third consecutive game without starting center Rony Seikaly, who has flu.

Minnesota 102, Indiana 100--Christian Laettner scored 22 points and Chuck Person returned to Indiana to score 18 against his former teammates as the Timberwolves handed the Pacers their fifth consecutive loss.

It was only the sixth victory in 22 road games for the Timberwolves and their first victory ever at Indiana. It also was the first meeting between the two teams since an off-season trade sent Person and Micheal Williams to the Timberwolves for Sam Mitchell and Pooh Richardson.

Person was welcomed back with a standing ovation.

Cleveland 120, Milwaukee 98--Lenny Wilkens won his 846th game as an NBA coach, moving past Bill Fitch into fourth place on the all-time list as the Cavaliers won at Cleveland.

Gerald Wilkins and John Williams scored 18 points each to lead Cleveland.

Denver 126, Philadelphia 122--Chris Jackson scored 23 of his 31 points during the second half to lead the Nuggets to their ninth consecutive home victory.

The Nuggets, only 3-21 on the road but 16-7 at home, have not lost at home since Jan. 9 against Seattle.

Dikembe Mutombo had with 22 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots for Denver. Jeff Hornacek had a game-high 37 points for the 76ers, who have lost six in a row and eight of nine overall.