NBA Roundup : Willis and Wilkins Lift High-Flying Hawks to Their 10th Win in a Row

When people talk about a great basketball player named Kevin, they usually are talking about Kevin McHale of the Boston Celtics, who is having the finest season in his already brilliant career.

But in Atlanta there is another Kevin, also a big forward, who is beginning to get recognition. His surname is Willis.

There are numerous similarities in the two Kevins. Both are excellent percentage-shooters and usually have to guard the opposition’s best-scoring forward. Both are teamed at forward with superstars who get much more recognition.

Only lately has McHale been getting raves before Larry Bird. It may be that Willis in the future steals some of teammate Dominique Wilkins’ headlines.

Willis has been simply outstanding in the recent streak that has carried the Hawks back into contention in the hot race for the title in the Central Division.

Willis had 24 points, including a key rebound basket in the final minute Sunday at Denver that helped the Hawks hold off the Nuggets, 104-100, to win their 10th in a row, longest unbeaten string in the NBA this season.

The Nuggets had scored six points in a row to tie the game, 99-99, when Willis broke the string by tipping in a miss by Wilkins. Wilkins, who scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, sank 3 of 4 free throws to assure the Hawks the victory.

Willis, a 7-footer from Michigan State who has blossomed into a star in his third season with the Hawks, has been the Hawks’ best shooter and best rebounder during the streak. His 24-point average is second only to Wilkins’ 28.7. In the 10 games, Willis averaged 11.8 rebounds and was 97 for 152 from the field (63.8%).

Wilkins gets the publicity with his free-wheeling style, but Willis has been a solid performer. He is a big reason why the Hawks have the best defense in the league, yielding only 103 points per game.

“Whatever we need from Kevin he gives us,” Coach Mike Fratello said. “If they double up on Dominique, he will score the points. When Tree (7-foot center Rollins) was out, he took over the rebounding chores.”

Despite the winning streak, the Hawks are half a game behind Detroit. However, the Hawks have only eight road games left, the Pistons play 13 of their last 19 away from home.

Indiana 123, New Jersey 99--The Pacers, beaten in their previous encounter with the improving Nets, knew it was important to get off to a fast start at Indianapolis.

So, backcourt starters John Long and Vern Fleming scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the first 12 minutes to get the Pacers off and running. They led by 7 at the quarter and by 16 at halftime and breezed to their 31st victory.

Former UCLA center Stuart Gray made a rare contribution to the Pacer victory. He made 5 of 6 field goal attempts for a career-high 13 points in 19 minutes. It was the 40th game in which he has played. He had been averaging 1.9 points and 8 1/2 minutes.

Boston 113, New York 104--The Knicks’ big men were out with injuries at Boston, so there was not much to bother Larry Bird.

The brilliant forward broke the game open in the last 3:24 of the first half, scoring 15 of his 35 points in that brief span to easily wipe out a 46-43 Boston deficit.

During his spurt, Bird sank back-to-back 3-pointers and also had two three-point plays. When the half ended, Boston led, 60-51, and the Knicks were never again closer than seven points.

Patrick Ewing, Bill Cartwright and Jawann Oldham, all 7-footers, were out with injuries, but it’s doubtful that their playing would have made much difference. The Celtics have won 19 in a row and 66 out of their last 67 at Boston Garden.

In his third game of the season, Bill Walton, played 16 minutes, scored 9 points and had 4 rebounds.

Kevin McHale, shooting 74% from the field this month, was only 7 for 16. He had shot 50% or better in 11 consecutive games.

Washington 97, Cleveland 89--The Bullets are learning to win without Moses Malone. The big center missed his third consecutive game because of an inflamed nerve in his neck, but the Bullets won their second in a row at Landover, Md.

With the Cavaliers, losers of 21 of their last 22 road games, leading, 82-81, reserve guard Michael Adams scored two baskets and assisted on two others in a 10-2 spurt that gave the Bullets the victory. Adams had 9 points and 3 assists in the last quarter.

Portland 119, Golden State 108--A three-point goal by Terry Porter put the Trail Blazers the lead for good, 83-81, late in the third quarter at Portland, and the Blazers went on to beat the Warriors for only the second time in five games this season.

Despite poor shooting by their two top scorers, Joe Barry Carroll (8 for 25 from the field) and Sleepy Floyd (6 for 17), the Warriors stayed in the battle all the way before their four-game winning streak ended.

Sacramento 107, Seattle 106--Eddie Johnson sank a 15-foot jumper with four seconds left at Sacramento as the Kings overcame a 40-point performance by Dale Ellis and ended a six-game losing streak.

The Kings built a 75-55 lead early in the second half, but Ellis led the SuperSonics’ rally. A basket by Xavier McDaniel with 10 seconds left gave Seattle a 106-105 lead.