NBA ROUNDUP : Bulls Already Feeling Jordan’s Influence

Michael Jordan might already be helping the Chicago Bulls.

“The last two days the intensity level in practice has picked up because of his presence, and we were very prepared tonight,” said Will Perdue after the Bulls’ 99-76 victory over Cleveland on Friday night at Chicago.

Earlier Friday, Jordan announced that he has quit baseball. It’s been reported he will join the Bulls within two weeks.

“We were joking that if we won it was because Michael’s been around and helped us, and if we lost it was because Michael’s been around and distracted us,” said Luc Longley, who matched his season high with 14 points. “But it is possible that the intensity he brought to practice pushed us a little bit.”

The Bulls certainly didn’t need him to win their seventh successive home game--the victories have come by an average of 20.4 points--and pull within 3 1/2 games of Cleveland in the Central Division.

OTHER GAMES

Phoenix lost to Indiana, 112-97, at Phoenix and also lost Kevin Johnson because of a strained left groin. Johnson, who has missed 33 games because of injuries, limped out of the game with 6:51 left in the first quarter after he aggravated an injury he first suffered in practice on Thursday. Rik Smits scored 22 points to lead the Pacers. . . . Utah defeated Sacramento, 110-93, at Salt Lake City for its seventh consecutive victory and the Kings’ 10th loss in 11 games. . . . Orlando clinched a playoff berth with a 97-85 victory over Portland at Orlando as Shaquille O’Neal had 26 points and 15 rebounds. . . . Mookie Blaylock scored 27 points and made seven three-pointers as Atlanta ended the New York’s four-game winning streak with a 108-81 victory at Atlanta. The Hawks set a club record with 14 three-point baskets. Patrick Ewing was held to nine points on four-for-18 shooting. . . . David Robinson had 33 points and 12 rebounds at San Antonio as the Spurs won for the 10th time in 11 games and 19th time in 21, beating Philadelphia, 100-94. . . . Todd Day scored 26 points and Marty Conlon, starting in place of injured Glenn Robinson, made seven of nine shots for 20 points as Milwaukee broke a three-game losing streak by beating Washington, 114-111, at Baltimore. . . . Kenny Anderson triggered a 10-0 run in the third quarter and finished with 21 points as New Jersey won at Boston, 111-81, to move into a tie with the Celtics for the last Eastern Conference playoff spot. . . . Rodney Rogers had a career-high 21 rebounds to help Denver outrebound Detroit, 62-24, in a 99-88 victory at Auburn Hills, Mich.