So who needs Michael Jordan? The Chicago Bulls are playing like winners without their retired superstar.
"They're getting the most out of their talent," Charlotte coach Allan Bristow said Monday night after the Hornets' 109-97 loss to the Bulls. "I won't say they're going to win another championship, but they are playing as the best unit right now."It was the sixth straight victory and 10th in the last 11 games for the Bulls, who won their third straight NBA championship last season in Jordan's final year.
"We're playing good basketball right now and we've got good rotation (off the bench)," said Scottie Pippen, who had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. "We are not backing down from anybody. We approach every game positive and good things are happening. Everybody is making a positive effort."
With their burst, the Bulls have moved into second place in the Atlantic Division, 2 1/2 games behind Atlanta.
Pippen was among seven Chicago players in double figures as the Bulls handed the Hornets their eighth straight road loss.
Knicks 101, Mavericks 92
The Mavericks lost their 19th consecutive game, one short of the NBA record in one season, and Greg Anthony scored a season-high 18 points for New York.
The Mavericks (1-22) need a victory at Milwaukee on Wednesday night to avoid matching Philadelphia's 1973 record of 20 consecutive defeats within the same season. Cleveland lost 24 straight games in 1982 over a two-season span.
76ers 121, Pistons 92
Tim Perry scored a career-high 29 points and the 76ers hit 11 3-point shots.
Perry sank all nine of his shots, including five 3-pointers. Coming into the game he was 6-for-19 on 3-pointers. The 76ers went 11-for-22 from long range, the most they have ever made at the Spectrum. Rookie Shawn Bradley added 15 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
Bullets 99, Timberwolves 84
Kevin Duckworth had season highs with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Don MacLean scored 24 points as the Bullets snapped a 10-game losing streak.
Christian Laettner had 25 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota.
Suns 102, Pacers 94
Dan Majerle picked off Rik Smits' attempt to save a ball under the Indiana basket and drove the length of the court for a layup and three-point play that sealed the victory.
Neither team had a double-figure lead until Majerle made it 102-92 with 43 seconds remaining.
Bucks 105, Clippers 92
Blue Edwards scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and Ken Norman had 20 points and 10 rebounds as Milwaukee beat Los Angeles for the first time in seven meetings.
Ron Harper scored 20 points and Danny Manning 19 for the Clippers.