Same Old Bulls Make the Knicks Look Old

The Chicago Bulls blew past the New York Knicks with a 19-2 third-quarter run on the way to their 12th consecutive victory, 99-79, Tuesday night at New York.

Michael Jordan had 33 points in 36 minutes, the eighth consecutive game in which he has scored 30 or more. He’s averaging 38.5 during his current streak.

Jordan’s last visit to Madison Square Garden was just his fifth game back from retirement and he burned the Knicks for 55 points, the most he has scored in any game since resuming his career last March.

The Bulls opened a 20-point lead in the third quarter with their big run, and the score was 76-56 at the end of three quarters.

After being down by nine at halftime, the Knicks made their best defensive stand of the game early in the third quarter, holding the Bulls scoreless for almost three minutes and cutting the lead to 57-50 with 7:44 left in the period. That was the last time New York was be in the game.

Scottie Pippen had nine of his 19 points during the Bulls’ big run, and Jordan made his mark with a pretty reverse layup in traffic. The spurt, which included a 4:49 scoreless stretch for the Knicks, put Chicago ahead, 76-52, with 1:26 left in the period.

Chicago Coach Phil Jackson pulled his starters early in the fourth quarter as the Bulls cruised to their 35th victory in 38 games.

Luc Longley had 14 points and 10 rebounds and held Patrick Ewing to 10 points on five-for-17 shooting and nine rebounds.

Dallas 111, Sacramento 109--Jason Kidd made two key free throws with 29 seconds left and finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as the Mavericks won at Sacramento.

Kidd broke a 109-109 tie with his two free throws, capping his fourth triple-double of the season. Jim Jackson scored 30 points for the Mavericks.

Mitch Richmond’s two free throws with 40 seconds remaining tied the score at 109-109. Richmond scored 22 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Kings rally from an 11-point deficit in the final four minutes.

Indiana 117, Phoenix 102--A taunting Reggie Miller scored a season-high 40 points at home as the Pacers handed new Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons his third defeat in four games.

Charles Barkley, who returned to the Suns’ lineup Sunday after sitting out six games because of a toenail injury, scored 20 points, and Kevin Johnson had 17 for Phoenix.

Antonio Davis started in place of Rik Smits, who sat out because of a sore right foot after leading the Pacers in scoring for four consecutive games. Davis finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Orlando 105, Philadelphia 90--Shaquille O’Neal scored 20 points and Dennis Scott had five three-point baskets as the Magic stayed unbeaten at home.

Trevor Ruffin scored 21 points for the 76ers, who lost for the sixth consecutive time, amid reports that Coach John Lucas would be replaced.

Atlanta 84, Cleveland 72--Craig Ehlo scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter and the Hawks held the Cavaliers to 13 in the final period at Cleveland to win their ninth consecutive game.

The Cavaliers led, 61-59, entering the final 12 minutes, but missed 10 of their first 11 shots from the field as the Hawks took a 70-63 lead.

Toronto 86, New Jersey 79--Tracy Murray scored 16 points, including two fourth-quarter three-point baskets, and the Raptors matched their best defensive effort of the season to win at home.

Murray, a reserve forward, gave Toronto a 73-69 lead with his first three-point basket, with 10:35 left, and the second made it 76-71 with 9:13 remaining.

Utah 96, Portland 72--Karl Malone had 29 points and 11 rebounds as the Jazz outscored the Trail Blazers, 30-8, in the second quarter to win at Salt Lake City. It was the lowest score in Portland franchise history.

NBA Notes

Khalid Reeves, whose sprained left ankle held up the trade that sent Kenny Anderson and Gerald Glass from New Jersey to the Charlotte Hornets, was placed on the injured list by the Nets. An MRI on Reeves’ troublesome ankle on Monday found no reasons to nullify the trade that also brought Kendall Gill to New Jersey.