NBA ROUNDUP : Atlanta Gets Satisfaction From Getting There First

For Lenny Wilkens, the Atlanta Hawks being the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff berth is the culmination of a season of upsets.

“It’s a great accomplishment by this team, considering we were picked anywhere from last to the middle of the pack by most people,” Wilkens, the Hawk coach, said Wednesday night after they secured a spot with a 100-92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta. “No one, including myself, anticipated that we’d do this well.”

For Kevin Willis, whose 32 points and 16 rebounds were keys, it brought the satisfaction of offering skeptics a ride.

“It shows all the disbelievers that if they want to, they can jump on the bandwagon,” Willis said. “We have worked hard and listened and we’ve come a long way as a team. If feels great for us.”

Chicago 99, Philadelphia 87--Scottie Pippen scored 31 points on 14-for-19 shooting as the Bulls handed the 76ers their eighth consecutive home loss.

It was the 20th loss in the 76ers’ last 21 games.

Indiana 78, Cleveland 77--Dale Davis put back an offensive rebound with 0.8 seconds remaining, lifting the Pacers over the Cavaliers in Indianapolis.

Indiana’s victory came one night after Cleveland embarrassed the Pacers, 93-61, a franchise low for Indiana.

Orlando 98, Utah 93--Scott Skiles scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a 17-foot jump shot with 11 seconds to play to help the Magic beat the Jazz at Salt Lake City.