NBA ROUNDUP : After an Off-Night, Jordan Proves He Still Rules

Pumped full of emotion after a lackluster effort against Washington one night earlier, Michael Jordan made sure there would be no repeat performance against the Bullets on Saturday night.

Jordan scored 47 points in only three quarters at Landover, Md., carrying the Chicago Bulls past the Bullets, 126-101.

On Friday night at Chicago, Bullet guard LaBradford Smith scored a career-high 37 points against Jordan. Although the Bulls won, Jordan was eager to even the score against Smith.

“It was a very embarrassing game for me last night,” Jordan said. “I wanted to come back and erase the memories. It wasn’t anything personal toward LaBradford. I just wanted to come back and redeem myself.”

Jordan had 36 points in the first half, the most ever by a Bullets’ opponent in one half. He added 11 in the third quarter as the Bulls built a 22-point lead, then sat out the final quarter.

“He was ready to play tonight, and had a bit of vengeance,” Chicago Coach Phil Jackson said. “I think Michael was a little bit upset last night . . . feeling like he kind of let a young player upstage him.”

Miami 96, Cleveland 91--Reserve center Matt Geiger scored nine of his 10 points in the fourth quarter and the Heat came from behind to extend its home winning streak to 11 games.

Trailing 91-88 with 2:47 remaining, Miami scored the game’s final eight points to gain its 11th victory in its last 13 games. Glen Rice led the Heat with 27 points.

Orlando 114, Denver 108--Nick Anderson scored 32 points and Donald Royal added 25 at Denver as the Magic ended a five-game losing streak. It was Denver’s fifth consecutive loss.

Shaquille O’Neal, hampered by foul problems, had 22 points and nine rebounds in 29 minutes. Denver was led by Reggie Williams with 24 points and Robert Pack with 22.

Milwaukee 112, Philadelphia 86--Blue Edwards scored 12 of his 27 points in the third quarter to lead the Bucks at Philadelphia.

The 76ers lost their sixth consecutive game under interim coach Fred Carter, who took over two weeks ago after Doug Moe was fired.