NBA ROUNDUP : Technically, Trail Blazers Earn 105-96 Win

The Portland Trail Blazers got some help from the Washington Bullets Thursday night in their quest to finish the season with the best record in the NBA.

Washington Coach Wes Unseld, players Darrell Walker and Pervis Ellison and even the Bullets’ mascot were ejected in the fourth quarter, and the subsequent technical foul shots helped fuel a 19-5 surge that gave the Trail Blazers a 105-96 victory at Landover, Md.

The Trail Blazers, who are tied with Chicago for the league’s best record at 55-18, took 40 free throws to the Bullets’ 11. Clyde Drexler led the parade to the free-throw line by scoring 10 of his 25 points there.

The Trail Blazers trailed, 81-80, when Drexler made two free throws to ignite the key surge. After Walker was ejected, Terry Porter make the technical to make it 91-83.

It was 95-86 when Ellison was ejected after fouling Kevin Duckworth. Unseld charged onto the court to protest the call and was hit with his first ejection as an NBA coach.

The Bullets’ mascot was ordered into the stands after he went courtside to lead the jeers.

By the time Drexler made his two technical free throws and Porter added another, it was 98-86 with 5:37 left and the Trail Blazers were on their way to their eighth consecutive victory.

John Williams scored 24 points for the Bullets.

Chicago 101, New York 91--Michael Jordan scored 25 of his 34 points in the second half at New York as the Bulls overcame a 24-point second-quarter deficit.

The Bulls trailed, 62-44, at halftime, but tied the score, 74-74, by outscoring the Knicks , 30-12, in the third quarter--equaling the Knicks’ lowest-scoring quarter of the season. Jordan scored 12 points in the quarter, matching the Knicks’ output.

Scottie Pippen scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds and 12 assists for the Bulls.

San Antonio 105, Milwaukee 101--David Robinson scored 35 points at Milwaukee and made a free throw in the final 10 seconds to help seal the Spurs’ victory.

The Spurs took their first lead, 99-98, when Robinson made a three-point play and Willie Anderson followed with a basket with 48 seconds left.

Jay Humphries scored 20 points for the Bucks.

Boston 123, New Jersey 104--The Celtics won at Boston Garden, handing the Nets their 17th consecutive road loss.

The Celtics led, 62-48, at halftime, but the Nets used an 18-8 surge to cut the deficit to 70-66. The Celtics responded with their own 18-8 rally, paced by Kevin McHale’s eight points, and led, 88-74, after three quarters.

Kevin Gamble scored 20 points for the Celtics and McHale added 19.

Charlotte 98, Atlanta 91--Johnny Newman scored 17 of his 20 points in the third quarter and keyed an 11-1 surge as the Hornets beat the cold-shooting Hawks at Charlotte, N.C.

The Hornets, winners in four of their last six games, broke from a 78-74 lead after three quarters with a 9-2 spurt to open the fourth quarter. The Hawks scored only 17 points in the final quarter.

The Hawks closed to within four when Dominique Wilkins, who scored 26 points, made a layup with 57 seconds left. But the Hawks missed five three-point shots on their next three possessions.

Minnesota 134, Denver 122--The Timberwolves set several team records, including most points in a game, with the victory over the Nuggets at Minneapolis.

Tyrone Corbin scored 26 points for the Timberwolves, who--with 10 games left--already have one more victory than they had in their first season last year.

Tony Campbell scored 24 points and Sam Mitchell added 20 for the Timberwolves.

Michael Adams scored 34 points for the Nuggets, who have won once in 11 games since March 15.