At Least Most of Them Got to See Jordan Play

The largest crowd in NBA history included 8,000 people who couldn’t even see the court. Too bad. They missed quite a show by Michael Jordan.

Making what might have been his final appearance in Atlanta, Jordan scored 34 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to their eighth straight victory, an 89-74 rout of the Hawks before 62,046 at the Georgia Dome.

The turnout broke the previous NBA record of 61,983, set Jan. 29, 1988, for a game between Boston and Detroit at the Pontiac Silverdome.

The Hawks drew the sixth-largest crowd in NBA history, 45,790, for a November game against the Bulls and managed to set a new record by putting 8,000 tickets on sale this week even though they offered no view of the court in the domed football stadium. Fans were forced to watch on two large video screens at each end of the arena.

“It was exciting playing in front of such a large crowd,” said Smith, who had only 11 points. “But it was unfortunate for us that we had to have one out all-time low games. It was a good crowd. We don’t get 60,000 every night.”

Indiana 133, Charlotte 96--Reggie Miller was ejected in the third quarter for a flagrant foul on Vlade Divac, but the Pacers didn’t really need him to complete the rout at Indianapolis.

Miller, who had scored 24 points, was ejected with 5:50 left in the quarter for a category 2 flagrant foul, which carries an automatic ejection, when he elbowed Divac under the basket.

Miami 102, Milwaukee 77--Alonzo Mourning scored 34 points at Miami to help the Heat gain their 50th victory of the season.

The Heat (50-21), winners of five straight and 23 of 27, have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind Chicago (54-17).

San Antonio 110, Philadelphia 85--Tim Duncan scored 32 points, Will Perdue had a career-high 21 and the Spurs shot 92% (12 of 13) in the third quarter at Philadelphia to win for the eighth time in 11 games.

San Antonio came out with three centers to start the second half and went on a 24-6 run. Duncan scored nine points during the run, which gave the Spurs a 78-52 lead.

Utah 99, Dallas 90--Karl Malone had 33 points and 14 rebounds at Dallas to help the Jazz increase their winning streak to four games and remain the league’s hottest team.

Utah (52-17) has won 22 of its last 24 games and is tied in the loss column with Chicago.

Boston 82, New Jersey 76--The Celtics rebounded from their lowest scoring half of the season--29 points--by holding the Nets to 11 second-half baskets at New Jersey.

The Nets also lost center Jayson Williams for the rest of the regular season because of a broken right thumb suffered with a little less than nine minutes left.

Cleveland 88, Detroit 87--Wesley Person made a three-point basket with 0.3 seconds left in overtime at Cleveland as the Cavaliers snapped the Pistons’ four-game winning streak.

Denver 97, Golden State 89--The Nuggets ensured themselves of at least tying the record for fewest victories in a single season as Johnny Newman scored 22 points and LaPhonso Ellis added 21 at Denver.

The Nuggets (9-63) need one more victory in their final 10 games to break the 9-73 record of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1972-73.

Phoenix 89, Washington 85--Cliff Robinson’s hook shot in the lane with 11.2 seconds left broke an 85-85 tie at Phoenix in a game that featured six lead changes in the final five minutes.

Orlando 100, Houston 75--The victory at Orlando gave the Magic a sweep of the two-game season series for the fourth straight season and it also gave Coach Chuck Daly his 600th career victory.

Portland 90, Sacramento 73--Isiah Rider scored 24 points at Sacramento to help the Trail Blazers hand the Kings their 10th straight defeat. In all, they have lost 17 of their last 18.

New York 97, Vancouver 89--Larry Johnson scored four of his 23 points in the final two minutes of overtime at Vancouver as the Knicks improved to 3-0 on their Western road trip.

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Crowded Conditions

The largest crowds for regular-season NBA games:

62,046--Georgia Dome, Atlanta, March 27, 1998: Chicago 89, Atlanta 74.

61,983--Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich., Jan. 29, 1988: Boston 125, Detroit 108.

52,745--Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich., Feb. 14, 1987: Philadelphia 125, Detroit 107.

49,551--Metrodome, Minneapolis, April 17, 1990: Denver 99, Minnesota 89.

47,692--Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich., March 30, 1988: Detroit 103, Atlanta 102.

45,790--Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Nov. 7, 1997: Atlanta 80, Chicago 78.

45,458--Metrodome, Minneapolis, April 13, 1990: Minnesota 117, Orlando 102.

44,970--Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich., Feb. 21, 1987: Detroit 102, Atlanta 97.

44,180--Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich., Feb. 15, 1986: Detroit 134, Philadelphia 133.

43,816--Silverdome, Pontiac, Mich., Feb. 16, 1985: Philadelphia 124, Detroit 114.