NBA Roundup : Malone and Williams Spark Hot-Shooting Bullets Past Knicks, 115-109

Jeff Malone scored 37 points, and the Washington Bullets’ other guard, Gus Williams, scored 32 Thursday night at New York as the Bullets beat the Knicks, 115-109.

With the backcourt starters leading the way, the Bullets shot 61.3%. It was in direct contrast to a game Dec. 22, when the Bullets scored only 25 points in the second half, tying a league record for futility, and lost to the Knicks at Landover, Md., 100-93.

In that game, the Bullets made only 11 of 45 shots in the second half after building a 68-53 lead. In this one, the Bullets led, 59-51, at halftime. They made 15 of 20 field-goal attempts in the third quarter to pull out to a commanding 16-point lead.

By then, the Bullets were shooting almost 70%. They cooled down in the fourth quarter, but when the Knicks pulled within six points, Cliff Robinson, who scored 28 points, answered with a six-point flurry, and the Knicks were losers for the 22nd time in 33 games.

The game marked the return to action of Patrick Ewing, the Knicks’ talented rookie center. Ewing missed three games because of a strained knee. He was far below top form, making only 2 of 13 shots and grabbing 9 rebounds in 38 minutes.

Malone and Williams ruined the Knicks’ hopes. While starting guards Trent Tucker and Rory Sparrow combined for only 19 points, Malone and Williams were drilling shots from all angles.

“We remembered what happened last week,” Malone said. “So, when our shots started dropping in the third quarter, we felt pretty good.”

Malone, who also had 9 rebounds, was 16 for 21 from the field, while Williams was 15 for 21. Williams had 12 assists.

Boston 122, Indiana 104--Even during a season in which he is having his problems, Larry Bird can always be counted on for a big performance at Indianapolis.

The former Indiana State star combined with Dennis Johnson to lead the Celtics to an easy victory. Bird had 27 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists. Johnson, 14 for 20 from the field, had 4 assists and 5 steals to go with his 29 points.

It may have been a costly win for the Celtics. Guard Danny Ainge injured his ankle in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the game. He will probably miss tonight’s game with New Jersey.

Chicago 131, Detroit 122--The Pistons continued their skid at Chicago. Quintin Dailey scored 14 of his 26 points in the last seven minutes to pace the Bulls’ rally that handed the Pistons their ninth loss in the last 10 games.

The Bulls, who had a 40-point fourth quarter, trail the Pistons by only two games in the Central Division. The Bulls have been without Michael Jordan almost the entire season.

Houston 120, Golden State 115--Former Warrior John Lucas scored 27 points at Oakland to enable the Rockets to overcome a 13-point deficit and win only their fifth game in 17 on the road.

Lucas scored six points in the final minute. The victory increased the Rockets’ lead over Denver in the Midwest Division to a full game.

Purvis Short of the Warriors scored 38 points.

Sacramento 114, San Antonio 106--Mike Woodson, starting at guard in place of injured Larry Drew, scored 25 points at Sacramento, and the Kings ended a five-game losing streak. Drew has a foot injury.

The loss dropped the Spurs two games back in the Midwest Division.