NBA Roundup : Bulls’ Jordan Scores 43 in Win Over Cavaliers

There are times when Michael Jordan scores 40 or more points and the Chicago Bulls lose. But hardly ever do the Bulls win unless the sensational guard gets into the 40 range.

Jordan scored 14 of his 43 points in the third quarter Tuesday night at Chicago to bring the Bulls from behind and lead them to a 108-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It was the 15th time in 25 games that Jordan, averaging 37.5 points per game, scored 40 or more, and it was the 13th victory for the Bulls.

The young, talented Cavaliers led, 53-48, when Phil Hubbard opened the third quarter with a jumper. Then, Jordan went to work. He scored almost half the points in a 30-16 burst that put Chicago in command.

Jordan was 18 for 33 from the field, made all 7 free throw attempts, had 5 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals.

“I was upset by my play against Utah (only 27 points) the other night,” Jordan said. “And I wanted to make up for it. I made a special effort.”

New Jersey 119, Utah 96--The Nets, with a big assist from the schedule, finally have back-to-back victories. They caught a worn out Jazz team and romped at East Rutherford, N.J.

It was the sixth game on the road in eight nights for the Jazz, who had played a double-overtime game and three or four others decided in the closing seconds.

With Orlando Woolridge returning to score 23 points after missing five games with a groin injury, the Nets simply ran the weary Jazz ragged.

It was only the second loss in the last 13 games for the Jazz. Utah was without sharpshooting guard Darrell Griffith, who has a bruised shoulder and lost forward Thurl Bailey in the second quarter when he was hit with a second technical.

Indiana 111, Detroit 98--The Pacers involved center Steve Stipanovich in the third quarter at Indianapolis and blew away the Pistons, who sank 20 of their first 30 shots before cooling off.

Stipanovich scored 15 of his 29 points in the third quarter as Indiana outscored Detroit, 35-15, to turn an eight-point halftime deficit into an overwhelming lead.

Milwaukee 110, San Antonio 108--It took a running one-hander by Ricky Pierce with just 18 seconds remaining at Milwaukee to give the Bucks the victory over the lowly Spurs. It was the fifth win in a row for the Bucks.

Phoenix 120, Dallas 119--Rookie forward Kenny Gattison made the most of his first starting assignment for the Suns at Phoenix.

Gattison, from Old Dominion, scored 17 of his 29 points in the third period to give the Suns a lead they never relinquished.

Golden State 112, Portland 111--Chris Mullin sank two clutch free throws in the closing seconds at Oakland, then forced an inbounds violation by the Trail Blazers to win the for the Warriors.

Seattle 127, Denver 116--Tom Chambers scored 23 of his 35 points in the second half at Seattle as the SuperSonics came from behind to gain the victory. Denver led, 74-70, at intermission.