NBA PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Wilkins Lifts Hawks Past Pistons, 103-98

Even after Isiah Thomas went out because of wrist surgery, the Atlanta Hawks couldn’t beat the Detroit Pistons.

But with Thomas back, the Hawks and Dominique Wilkins dealt a blow to Piston hopes of winning their third consecutive NBA championship.

Wilkins eluded the defense of Dennis Rodman to score 32 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., and lead the Hawks to a 103-98 victory in the opening game of their best-of-five first-round series.

“It’s nice to beat Detroit any time, even in preseason,” Wilkins said. “But to beat them in the playoffs, it’s like beating Evander Holyfield.”

The Pistons’ Bill Laimbeer was ejected with 9:01 remaining in the fourth quarter for throwing a punch at Moses Malone. Malone was charged with a technical, but he remained in the game.

The Pistons also lost the home-court edge in the series. The second game will be played at Auburn Hills Sunday. But the following two, if both are necessary, will be played at Atlanta.

The Pistons didn’t give up without a battle. The Hawks led, 82-70, early in the final quarter. But Joe Dumars and Thomas brought the Pistons back. A jump shot by Vinnie Johnson tied the score, 93-93, with 2:27 left.

But John Battle scored four points in a 6-0 run that clinched the victory for the Hawks.

Portland 110, Seattle 102--Clyde Drexler kept the Trail Blazers in control at Portland and the Blazers took a 1-0 lead over the SuperSonics.

Drexler, making 14 of his 22 shots from the field, had 39 points and nine assists to pace Portland.

Drexler scored 19 of his playoff-high total in the fourth quarter, when the Trail Blazers finally put away the SuperSonics.

The Trail Blazers, who had the best record in the regular season, led throughout after the first three minutes.

With 2:06 to play, Michael Cage made two free throws to pull Seattle within 98-96.

But Drexler scored on a driving layup and ended the SuperSonics’ hopes.

Jerome Kersey had 31 points for the Trail Blazers, including an 18-foot jump shot with 53 seconds left that increased the lead to 108-102.