NBA ROUNDUP : Pistons Positioned for Run

The Detroit Pistons are making a strong run for a playoff berth and Isiah Thomas is leading the charge.

Thomas scored a season-high 43 points with 10 assists, eight rebounds and five steals as the Pistons beat the Boston Celtics, 105-90, Friday night at Boston to close to within one game of Indiana for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.

A month ago, the Pistons were 25-33. Since then, they are 11-4 and have won their last five games.

Thomas scored 24 points during the last 18 minutes. He took a career-high 35 shots and made 17, falling four points short of his career-best scoring total.

Orlando 95, Minnesota 92--Nick Anderson, who missed 12 of his first 15 shots, made a 15-foot jumper with 2.2 seconds to play, lifting the Magic to the victory at Minneapolis.

After Anderson’s jumper made it 94-92, the Timberwolves’ Chuck Person called time out when Minnesota had none remaining.

NBA rules call for one technical shot, which Scott Skiles made. The Timberwolves had one more chance, but Doug West’s three-pointer glanced off the rim.

Shaquille O’Neal had 29 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots for the Magic.

Chicago 88, Atlanta 87--Scottie Pippen’s three-point shot from the corner with 15 seconds to play capped a 28-10 fourth-quarter rally that gave the Bulls the victory at Atlanta.

The Bulls, who trailed, 77-60, after three quarters, outscored the Hawks, 11-1, in the final 3:32.

Michael Jordan outscored Dominique Wilkins, 30-26, in a matchup of the NBA’s top two scorers.

Charlotte 122, Philadelphia 113--Alonzo Mourning had 33 points and 14 rebounds as the Hornets moved into seventh place in the Eastern Conference with the victory at Philadelphia.

Larry Johnson added 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets.

Hersey Hawkins had 28 points and 11 assists and Clarence Weatherspoon scored 27 points for the 76ers, who lost for the 18th time in 22 games.

Cleveland 114, Washington 95--Brad Daugherty scored eight points in the first five minutes of the third quarter as the Cavaliers overcame a lethargic first half and beat the Bullets at Richfield, Ohio.

Daugherty had 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Larry Nance grabbed 16 rebounds for Cleveland.

Seattle 111, Sacramento 97--Sam Perkins scored 19 points and the SuperSonics won their 50th game, romping at Seattle.

Shawn Kemp scored 18 points for the SuperSonics, while Rod Higgins led the Kings with 22, making six three-pointers.

Phoenix 98, Denver 97--Danny Ainge made a 20-foot jumper with 2.9 seconds to play at Phoenix, giving the Suns their second consecutive one-point victory.

Charles Barkley had 26 points, 19 rebounds and 12 assists and helped Phoenix overcome a five-point deficit during the fourth quarter.