NBA ROUNDUP : This Piston Doesn’t Get the Point

Detroit had a shot against Orlando and didn’t take it.

The Pistons were trailing by three points when Lindsey Hunter dribbled the length of the court for an uncontested layup at the buzzer Monday night at Orlando--a lapse that assured the Magic its fifth consecutive victory, 96-95.

Nick Anderson scored 31 points for the Magic, which squandered a 10-point second-half lead and nearly lost control again down the stretch because it was only able to convert six of 11 free throws in the final 2:18.

Joe Wolf made a free throw for a three-point lead with 5.3 seconds left. Hunter took an inbound pass and dribbled up the right side of the court before heading down the lane with Orlando’s defense backing off.

Chicago 107, Portland 104--Michael Jordan sank a 16-foot jumper to put his team ahead with 28 seconds to play, then stole the ball from Arvydas Sabonis and scored on a breakaway stuff to give the Bulls the victory at Portland.

The Bulls blew a 13-point lead in the final six minutes before Jordan pulled out the victory, scoring 14 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter.

Toronto 101, Golden State 98--Willie Anderson scored 26 points, and Chris Mullin missed his attempt for a game-tying three-point shot at the buzzer as the Raptors won at Toronto.

B.J. Armstrong missed a three-point try for Golden State with three seconds left, but Toronto’s Jan Tabak then missed two free throws, giving Mullin one last shot.

Utah 114, Phoenix 105--Karl Malone, who scored 25 points, pulled down two defensive rebounds and made three free throws in the final 25 seconds, preserving the Jazz’s victory at Phoenix.

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NBA Notes

Derrick Coleman, who has not played this season because of an irregular heartbeat, has been cleared to practice with the New Jersey Nets. . . . Washington forward Chris Webber, recovering from a dislocated shoulder, is expected to play in Thursday night’s home game against Cleveland. . . . Buck Williams, who hasn’t played this season because of a thumb injury, was activated by the Portland Trail Blazers. Harvey Grant, who has a sprained foot, was put on the injured list.