Bulls Clinch Home Court With Rout

No team is going to take the NBA title away from the Bulls without doing what has been almost impossible the last two seasons--beat Chicago at the United Center.

Michael Jordan scored 30 points in three quarters Monday night as the Bulls clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with a 128-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Scottie Pippen added 28 points and Ron Harper a season-high 22 for the Bulls, who have won 31 consecutive home games. They are 38-1 at the United Center and can tie the NBA record for best home mark by beating Toronto and New York.

Jordan watched his choice for rookie of the year, Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson, score a career-high 44 points.

Miami 94, Detroit 88--The Heat and Pistons have already clinched playoff berths, but they’re still battling for postseason position.

So the Heat’s victory at Auburn Hills, Mich., had more significance than an average regular-season game. The loss dropped Detroit into a tie with Atlanta for the fourth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Miami, meanwhile, increased its Atlantic Division lead to four games over idle New York.

P.J. Brown led Miami with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Alonzo Mourning had 21 points and nine rebounds. Tim Hardaway narrowly missed a triple-double for the Heat, finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Charlotte 110, Cleveland 105--Glen Rice, most valuable player of this year’s All-Star game in Cleveland, had another great game at Gund Arena.

Rice scored 42 points for the visiting Hornets, who overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the Cavaliers in overtime.

Utah 116, San Antonio 93--The Jazz won its 13th consecutive game as Karl Malone scored 26 points at Salt Lake City.

John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek each had 19 points as the Jazz moved 6 1/2 games in front of Seattle for the top record in the Western Conference.

The 13-game streak is the franchise’s second longest, behind a 15-game string earlier this season.

Cory Alexander led the Spurs with 24 points.

Portland 110, Denver 104--Isaiah Rider scored 28 points for the visiting Trail Blazers.

The Nuggets pulled within two points late in the game, but Rider hit a 15-foot jumper with 20 seconds remaining to clinch the victory.