Jordan Leads Decisive Run as Bulls Win

Shaking off the distraction of a somber homecoming in Charlotte, N.C., Michael Jordan scored 27 points Thursday night and helped lead the decisive run in the Chicago Bulls’ 117-93 victory over the Hornets.

Jordan, playing about 120 miles from where a man is on trial for the July 1993 slaying of his father, had five assists and five rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter.

“He’s disappointed, obviously, that this has to occur and it has to be a public issue,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “But it is depressing. You could see he was in a bit of a down mood about it, and rightly so.”

Jordan’s 34-minute performance helped Chicago improve its league-leading record to 27-3, a mark that also represents the best 30-game start in team history.

Minnesota 98, Phoenix 93--Tom Gugliotta hit a 19-footer from the corner late in the game, bringing the Timberwolves from behind for the final time to beat the Suns at Phoenix for the first time in their seven-year existence.

The Timberwolves waived Charles Smith before the game.

Sacramento 126, Denver 96--Mitch Richmond scored 41 points and the Kings had season highs in points and margin of victory over the Nuggets at Sacramento.

Seattle 84, Miami 81--Gary Payton came up with a crucial jump ball and then made three key free throws in the fourth quarter at Miami as the SuperSonics won their seventh consecutive game.

With 25 seconds left and the SuperSonics leading, 81-78, Payton forced Keith Askins into a jump ball. Kevin Willis of Miami appeared to have control, but the ball squirted loose and Payton came up with it and drew a foul. He hit both shots to put the SuperSonics up, 83-78.

Atlanta 104, Toronto 101--Mookie Blaylock scored eight of his 26 points in overtime after Steve Smith forced the extra period with a three-point basket as the Hawks ended a three-game losing streak at Atlanta.

New York 105, New Jersey 93--Seven Knicks scored in double figures and Charles Smith came off the bench to lead a fourth-quarter rally as the Knicks ended a three-game losing streak at home.

New York, which had lost four of its previous five games, won for the first time since Patrick Ewing went down with an ankle injury.

Washington 112, Dallas 100--Juwan Howard scored 18 of his 27 points in the second half as the Bullets dealt the struggling Mavericks their eighth consecutive road loss.

Howard had eight rebounds to go along with his 27 points, which matched his season high. Robert Pack scored 23 and Gheorghe Muresan had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Bullets.

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NBA Notes

Saying the Celtics’ situation is worse than anything he’s been through, including the death of teammate Reggie Lewis, captain Dee Brown has asked for a trade. Brown’s playing time in the Celtics’ overloaded guard slot has diminished. He is averaging 11 points and 27 minutes. . . . Veteran guard Jeff Malone, his production sharply down since returning from a severe injury to his right heel, was released by the Philadelphia 76ers. Center Mike Brown also was released and swingman Sean Higgins was activated from the injured list.