NBA ROUNDUP : This Time, Shot Misses and Suns Beat Bulls

The Chicago Bulls’ last trip to the America West Arena in Phoenix resulted in a 99-98 victory and an NBA championship on a last-gasp, game-winning three-pointer by John Paxson.

Scottie Pippen had a chance for heroics on Sunday, but his shot from the corner missed badly as time expired, and the Phoenix Suns held on to defeat the Bulls, 89-88.

“The Bulls are for real, there’s no doubt about that,” Phoenix Coach Paul Westphal said.

Kevin Johnson, who sat out 15 of the last 16 games because of a lower-leg injury, led the Suns with 22 points and made sure Steve Kerr didn’t make a three-point shot to tie the score. With three seconds to play and the Suns leading, 89-86, Johnson tackled Kerr around the neck, knocking him to the floor. After a timeout, Kerr made both free throws, and the Bulls got the ball back because of Johnson’s flagrant foul, leading to Pippen’s desperation shot.

Johnson, who told Paxson before the Bulls inbounded the ball, “I’m not leaving you for anything,” said Kerr should have won an Academy Award for writhing in pain after the takedown.

“He grabbed my face and pulled my neck back,” Kerr responded. “If I get an Academy Award for that, fine.”

Pippen claimed Dan Majerle fouled him at the end, although nothing was called.

“You saw the shot. What do you think?” Pippen asked. “We were playing hard, competitive basketball and playing to win, but a foul is a foul.”

Pippen had 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls.

Golden State 106, Washington 84--The Warriors held the Bullets to seven points in the fourth quarter at Landover, Md., and got 26 points and 12 rebounds from Chris Webber.

Trailing in the third quarter, 73-61, the Warriors outscored the Bullets, 45-11, the rest of way, winning for the ninth time this season after overcoming a double-digit deficit.

New York 95, Orlando 77--Patrick Ewing scored 32 points against fellow All-Star Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Oakley grabbed 21 rebounds to lead the Knicks at New York.

San Antonio 104, New Jersey 102--David Robinson, who had 36 points and 12 rebounds, made two free throws and knocked away an inbounds pass in the closing seconds of overtime at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Spurs extended their winning streak to seven games.

Houston 101, Minnesota 90--Mario Elie scored 17 points in only his fifth start of the season and Hakeem Olajuwon added 25 points and 17 rebounds as the Rockets overcame six technical fouls at Houston.

Denver 99, Dallas 89--LaPhonso Ellis scored 21 points and Rodney Rogers came off the bench for 20 to lead the Nuggets over the Mavericks at Denver. Dallas shot only 34% from the field.