Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson seemed to be playing "Can You Top This."
Jordan scored 53 points, the most in the NBA this season, as Chicago stayed unbeaten at home Thursday night with a 102-81 victory over Detroit.Johnson got his 10,000th assist, becoming just the second NBA player to reach that plateau, as the Lakers beat Sacramento 102-89.
It's no coincidence that the Bulls and Lakers are two of the hottest teams in the league right now. Chicago won its sixth in a row to improve to 54-6, staying on pace for the best record in NBA history, and the Lakers won for the 13th time in 16 games since Johnson rejoined the club.
Jordan scored 19 points in the third quarter and 15 in the fourth for his 34th career game with at least 50 points. It was his highest-scoring game since he had 55 against the Knicks last season shortly after his comeback began.
"I played great, but some of the other guys, Pip (Scottie Pippen) couldn't make a layup or dunk, and Harp (Ron Harper) and Toni (Kukoc). We survived a subpar night by a lot of great players on this team. We were able to do that again. The effort I put on the basketball court made the difference in the game," Jordan said.
Johnson's 10,000th assist came on the go-ahead basket in the fourth quarter. With 4:48 left and the score tied at 85, Johnson backed toward the basket against Michael Smith before dishing off to Elden Campbell, who converted a 13-foot jumper.
John Stockton, with 11,045, is the only other player with more than 10,000 assists.
Bulls 102, Pistons 81
Chicago led by just six points early in the final quarter before Jordan took over by scoring nine straight points for a 85-71 lead. His baseline jumper with 4:25 left put him over 50, and he left the game a minute later with the Bulls ahead 95-73.
Lakers 102, Kings 89
At Sacramento, Johnson finished with 15 points and seven assists, including a pair to Campbell during a 17-4 run that put the Lakers in front 92-85 with 3:10 remaining.
"It was a great moment. Joining John Stockton with 10,000 is a special moment in my career," Johnson said. "I hadn't even thought about it until the media brought it up. I'm just happy to be back playing."
Warriors 95, Rockets 86
At Oakland, the game turned on a jump ball between a 7-footer and a point guard.
Hakeem Olajuwon outjumped Bimbo Coles, but failed to tip the ball to a teammate, and Latrell Sprewell converted it into a fast-break dunk that put Golden State up by six points. B.J. Armstrong's 3-pointer with 54 seconds to play gave the Warriors a 93-86 lead and sealed the victory.
Nuggets 103, Suns 92
At Denver, Dale Ellis had a season-high 33 points, the Nuggets' bench players outscored Phoenix's 61-30 and Denver outrebounded the Suns 54-27.
Hawks 83, Cavaliers 72
At Cleveland, the Hawks won despite going scoreless for more than five minutes late in the fourth quarter.
The Cavs, however, couldn't capitalize, scoring only four points in those same five minutes. Cleveland hasn't won in four games since losing starting guards Terrell Brandon and Bobby Phills to injuries.
Hornets 119, Mavericks 105
At Charlotte, Anthony Goldwire filled in for the injured Kenny Anderson and had 20 points and 15 assists as Charlotte snapped its four-game losing streak.