A Roundup of the Week Nov. 9-15

Compiled by Merrell Noden

November 23, 1987

PRO BASKETBALL—Boston was off to its best start since 1972, when it went 10-0. Larry Bird averaged 29 points as the 6-0 Celtics beat New York 96-87, Indiana 120-106, Cleveland 128-114 and the Pacers again, 103-98. Boston was the only Atlantic Division team whose record was over .500. The night after giving Washington an NBA-record 60 points on free throws, the Knicks gave rookie coach Rick Pitino his first win by beating Milwaukee 93-89. New York was a sorry 1-5, but New Jersey was an even sorrier 0-4, making it the only team in the league without a win. After Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins outscored Central Division leader Chicago's Michael Jordan 35 to 29 in the Bulls' 105-95 win over the Hawks, Jordan came back with a total of 104 points in two wins over the Nets (105-96 and 103-85) and a 111-110 loss to Indiana. Houston jumped into the Midwest Division lead with a 4-0 week, during which it defeated Portland 118-111, Sacramento 116-114, Utah 101-93 and Seattle 108-106. Like Boston, the Los Angeles Lakers surged to a big lead in their division, the Pacific. The Lakers' 4-0 week included wins over San Antonio 133-124, the LA. Clippers 111-82, Golden State 118-110 and San Antonio 147-130. In L.A.'s second victory over San Antonio, Magic Johnson became the Lakers' alltime assists leader. His 10 assists gave him 6,245, seven more than Jerry West.