NBA ROUNDUP : Armstrong Steps Up to Lead Bulls Over Knicks, 98-86

B.J. Armstrong has stepped into the role of Mr. Clutch for the Chicago Bulls.

Armstrong scored 11 of his 20 points in the final 6:06 Friday night as the Bulls defeated the New York Knicks, 98-86, at New York, ending the Knicks’ five-game winning streak.

Chicago Coach Phil Jackson doesn’t try to claim Armstrong is the go-to player Michael Jordan used to be, but Jackson wants Armstrong to take the important shots if he’s open.

“We don’t want to force him into anything,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of other guys we can go to, but he’s an opportunist.”

Armstrong’s three-point basket with 1:29 to play gave the Bulls a 90-83 lead. From there, the Bulls scored their final eight points from the foul line, coasting to their eighth victory in nine games.

“We’re making a concerted effort to hit the open man,” said Armstrong, adding that it’s reporters who keep saying he’s the go-to man. “I’m not going to say who I am. My responsibility is to my teammates.”

Orlando 104, Phoenix 101--Shaquille O’Neal had 36 points and 15 rebounds and made a key block on a shot by Kevin Johnson with eight seconds to play at Phoenix.

O’Neal gave Orlando a 102-101 lead on a layin with 57 seconds to play as the Magic handed the Suns their first home loss of the season.

Golden State 109, Sacramento 94--Chris Mullin, who sat out 20 games because of hand and leg injuries, scored 23 points in his season debut to lead the Warriors at Sacramento.

Seattle 127, Milwaukee 97--Rookie center Ervin Johnson, starting in place of the injured Shawn Kemp, had 12 points and nine rebounds as the SuperSonics improved their home record to 10-0. Kemp sat out after bruising his left knee in Tuesday’s victory over Orlando.

Utah 97, Boston 96--Karl Malone put the Jazz ahead by making a 19-foot jumper with 6.9 seconds to play, then stole the ball with 1.5 seconds remaining at Boston. Malone, who led the Jazz with 21 points, missed a jumper with 10 seconds left. But Jeff Malone grabbed his only rebound of the game and passed to Karl Malone.

Charlotte 99, Denver 96--Alonzo Mourning scored 26 points at Charlotte, N.C., as the Hornets handed the Nuggets their eighth consecutive road loss.