NBA Roundup : Jordan’s Play Helps Bulls Beat Pacers, 122-90

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls, normally a shooting guard, is flourishing at point guard.

Jordan had the ninth triple-double of his career, with 21 points, 14 assists and 14 rebounds, as the Bulls defeated the Indiana Pacers, 122-90, at Chicago.

Jordan has had 29 assists in two games at point guard.

“It’s not something I want to do all season because I am a natural (shooting) guard, but I’ve been able to have some success with passing in the two games,” Jordan said.

Jordan also had three three-pointers as the Bulls’ nine three-point baskets bettered the record of eight set Dec. 20 against the Lakers. The 32-point margin was the biggest of the season for the Bulls, eclipsing a 130-102 victory over Charlotte Feb. 22.

Craig Hodges had five of Chicago’s team-record nine three-point shots. Hodges finished with 19 points.

The Pacers were led by Rik Smits with 25 points and Scott Skiles with 18.

Washington 106, Seattle 101-- Jeff Malone scored 25 points as the Bullets won at Landover, Md.

“Three months ago, we couldn’t have won a game like this against a team like Seattle,” Washington guard Darrell Walker said after the Bullets posted their ninth consecutive home victory.

The loss was the fourth straight for Seattle, which is 0-3 since Coach Bernie Bickerstaff was hospitalized last week with an ulcer.

Bernard King’s jump hook with 3:23 remaining gave the Bullets a 98-97 lead, and Washington stretched its advantage to four points on free throws before Xavier McDaniel’s jumper at 1:27. King followed with a shot from the corner at 1:06, putting the Bullets ahead, 103-99.

John Williams added three more free throws in the final seconds to give the Bullets their first victory over Seattle in two seasons. Washington has won only four of the last 13 meetings against the SuperSonics.

Dale Ellis had 28 for Seattle.

Milwaukee 111, Dallas 95--Terry Cummings scored 25 points as the Bucks got their fifth consecutive victory in the game at Dallas.

Dallas lost its 30th game this season, its most since 1985-86.

The Mavericks, who learned starting center James Donaldson would be lost for the season after undergoing knee surgery Monday, dropped their sixth game in their last nine starts.

Adrian Dantley led Dallas with 18 points.

Jack Sikma added 17 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee.

Utah 98, Cleveland 83--Karl Malone scored 25 points and the Jazz got its fifth consecutive victory by beat the Cavaliers at Salt Lake City.

The loss dropped Cleveland .003 behind Detroit for the best record in the NBA.

Ron Harper led Cleveland with 20 points, and Larry Nance added 19.

John Stockton finished with 19 points and 14 assists.

Boston 114, New Jersey 91-- Reggie Lewis scored 23 points and the Celtics went over the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 18 by winning at Hartford, Conn.

Dennis Johnson added 14 points for the Celtics (31-30). Mike McGee led New Jersey with 23.

Phoenix 112, Miami 104--Kevin Johnson scored 22 points and Tom Chambers added 20 as the Suns ended a three-game losing streak with the victory at Miami.

Billy Thompson led Miami with 16 points.