Bulls (12-0) Win Again, Close to Record Start

The Utah Jazz, the Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks are the only roadblocks remaining to prevent the Chicago Bulls from equaling the NBA record for victories to open a season.

The Bulls extended their winning streak to 12 games and remained the NBA’s only undefeated team with a 110-92 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday at Denver.

Michael Jordan scored 31 points, including 13 in a take-charge second quarter.

The Bulls shot 49% compared to Denver’s 35% and never were threatened after a 21-6 run gave them a 20-point lead late in the third quarter.

Chicago managed to overcome 28-for-47 shooting from the free throw line.

Charlotte 90, Indiana 87--Former CBA star Anthony Goldwire is making a pitch to stay the entire season in the NBA, while Pacer Coach Larry Brown may be ready to go.

Goldwire made four free throws in the final 15 seconds and the Hornets made 11 three-point baskets to win at Indianapolis.

The Hornets won at Market Square Arena for the first time in six trips. Charlotte’s last victory here was Nov. 16, 1993.

Indiana never led and trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half.

“I wanted to pull out the first five guys in the first three minutes, but I didn’t want to embarrass the team,” Brown said.

Houston 115, Phoenix 105--Charles Barkley had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Kevin Willis had a strong game filling in for Hakeem Olajuwon as the Rockets defeated the winless Suns at home.

The Suns dropped to 0-11, while the Rockets improved to 10-1.

Willis had 19 points and 12 rebounds, replacing Olajuwon, who is recovering from an irregular heartbeat.

Sam Cassell had 25 points, making his first appearance in Houston since being traded to the Suns in the Barkley deal.

Orlando 90, Minnesota 86--The Magic no longer have Shaquille O’Neal to blame for their poor free-throw shooting.

The Magic shot 58% from the free-throw line and trailed by as many as 20 points, but still managed to beat the Timberwolves at Orlando.

Orlando went 19 for 33 from the foul line, including six for 12 in the final four minutes.

Atlanta 73, Milwaukee 65--The Hawks, who failed to reach 70 points in their previous two games, held the Bucks to the lowest point total in franchise history at Milwaukee.

The Bucks played without top scorer Vin Baker, who has a hip injury, and starting center Andrew Lang, who has tendinitis in his right foot.

Christian Laettner scored 21 points to lead the Hawks.

Detroit 96, New Jersey 88--Grant Hill had 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and Joe Dumars added 23 points to lead the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Pistons improved to 10-1, tying the 1970-71 team for the best start in franchise history.

Cleveland 89, Toronto 81--Chris Mills scored 21 points and made three key free throws with 20 seconds left at Toronto to lead the Cavaliers to their sixth victory in eight games.

Utah 109, Golden State 104--Karl Malone scored 33 points, including a basket at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, and John Stockton had 12 points and 15 assists as the Jazz won at Salt Lake City.