Jordan Doesn’t Act His Age in Bulls’ Victory

Michael Jordan celebrated his 35th birthday by scoring 27 points, and the Chicago Bulls moved ahead of Indiana for the Eastern Conference’s best record with a 105-97 victory over the Pacers at Chicago on Tuesday night.

“I just don’t want to play like I’m 35,” Jordan said after making 13 of 23 shots. “A lot of people who are 35 start to decrease in their skills. That’s part of my challenge, the one within myself--to maintain. I may be 35 in age but 25 or 28 or 30 actually playing.”

Dennis Rodman, who skipped practices Sunday and Monday, didn’t start for a second consecutive game. But after entering the game late in the first quarter, he finished with 13 rebounds in 33 minutes.

The Pacers’ Reggie Miller made seven of nine three-point shots en route to 34 points.

San Antonio 95, Detroit 94--Avery Johnson’s 15-foot jumper with 4.4 seconds left gave the David Robinson-less Spurs a victory over the Pistons at San Antonio.

The Pistons had a chance for the victory, but Grant Hill’s 21-footer missed at the buzzer. San Antonio opened the game in a three-guard set since it was without Robinson, who will sit out at least two games because of an inflammation of his right kneecap.

Philadelphia 98, Cleveland 97--Rookie Brevin Knight, the NBA leader in steals, missed a foul shot with 2.6 seconds left after swiping the ball from Allen Iverson and the 76ers escaped with a victory at Philadelphia.

Iverson had 27 points for the 76ers, who ended a 12-game losing streak to Cleveland. Derrick Coleman added 17 points and 15 rebounds, and Theo Ratliff had 17 points for the 76ers.

Miami 110, Minnesota 84--Voshon Lenard made 10 of 13 shots and finished with 26 points to lead the Heat to a victory over the short-handed Timberwolves at Miami.

Minnesota, already without injured starters Tom Gugliotta and Chris Carr because of ankle injuries, lost Doug West late in the second quarter when he injured his hip.

Portland 101, Golden State 83--Damon Stoudamire had 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his Trail Blazer debut in an easy victory over the Warriors at Portland.

Stoudamire was playing in his first game since he was traded to the Blazers from Toronto last Friday along with Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers. Williams, who made three three-pointers in the first half, added 15 points, five assists and five rebounds.

New York 91, Denver 77--Allan Houston scored 23 points and John Starks came off the bench to add 18 as the Knicks won their fourth consecutive game and improved to 13-10 without injured center Patrick Ewing.

Phoenix 95, Dallas 77--With guard Rex Chapman out because of a sprained left ankle, Cliff Robinson scored 14 of his 20 points during a third-quarter run and Jason Kidd added 17 points and 14 rebounds against his former team as the Suns won their 11th in a row at Dallas.

Sacramento 102, Boston 99--Mitch Richmond scored 23 points and rookie Anthony Johnson had a career-high 21 to lead the Kings at Sacramento.

Boston guards Chauncey Billups and Dee Brown were in the original starting lineup but did not play. It is possible that the two players, along with reserve forward Roy Rogers, may be traded.