European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 5, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday. April s. 1988 the stars and stripes Page 25 Jordan sends a 59-Point message by the Assoc lived Fra pont1ac. Mich. Michach Jordan a Onart to de liver a message the Detroit pistons heard him loud and Clear. They had a 4-1 record against us he Chicago bulls guard said of the  and we had to establish that if we play them in the playoffs. We can beat  Jordan scored a season High 59 Points including two free throws with four seconds fell in die game to snap a tie and give the bulls a 112-110 Victory Over Detroit sunday at the Pontiac Silver Rome. It was Chi Cago s third consecutive Victory and the bulls 12th in their last 16 games and pulled Chicago to within 3 it games of first place Detroit in Hie Central division race. The pistons have lost four straight and five of their last six. They Lead Atlanta 102-100 winners Over Indi Ana by just one game. This is a game that could do a lot for our Confidence Down the stretch Jordan said. Tonij game showed us that if we meet Detroit any Lime in the playoffs we can beat them. We re coming on Strong Isiah Thomas led Detroit with 24 Points. In other Aba games sunday no Roundup critics 110, i Verslu 101 Boston Larry Bird Sank seven 3-Point shots scoring 12 Points to Lead Boston Over Dallas. Bird Tell one Short of the league record of eight 3-Poinlers in a game set by Rick Barry on feb. 9, 1980, and tied by John Roche on Jan. 9, 1982. Bird j Range ii 94 feet Mavericks coach John Macleod said he d probably shoot Tram the fifth Row if you let  Bird Sank three 3-Poinlen in on 18-9 run thai built the celtics Lead to 83-68, their biggest of the game with 2 12 left in the third Quarter. The Mavericks closed to 108-101 As Rolando Blackman made two free throws with 57 seconds remaining but came no closers they lost their fourth in a Row. Dallas 1-is lifetime against Boston including 0-8 at Boston Garden was led by Roy tar play with 22points. Hiwkil02,p�r9loo Indianapolis Cliff Lvingston stole the Ball and fed Dominique Wilkins for a Layup with 49 seconds to go to Lead Atlanta Over Indiana Wilf cons finished Wilh 35 Point As the Hanks won their fifth Terai Uit same. Way Man live at led Indiana wild 2jun Ritt and nine rebound nun 11105, no 0.t East Rumi Orford . Mow Malone scored 15 of his 31 Points in the fourth Quarter As Washington handed new Jersey its Sih straight loss. The Victory was Washington s fourth in ill last five Hans and kept alive the bullets playoff Hurn i,.the nuts have lost eight of Luicir East nine. Roy i Tinson cd the nets with 25 Points. Troll Blum 1ib, spun 107 Portland Ore. Kevin Duckworth Uro Rcd 14 Points including two key baskets in the final minutes to Lead Portland to a it inc of Raffl la Hind ski Jay Over san Antonio. Duckworth also had 12 re hounds. Mike Mitch do paced san Antonio with 22 Points lakers 108, Kings 104 insole word. Calif. James Wonky scored 24pointy and Byron Scott added 2.1 As los Angeles pol led its 34ih consecutive Home Victor our in Kings. The defending Aba champions playing their fourth consecutive game without magic Johnson wiil Michael Cooper also got 19 Points from Harc crr Atid tis Jabbar. Ballesteros Norman top masters Field by Dob Green Augusta a apr it is a measure of their stature in Golf that seve Ballesttros and Greg nor Man arc considered to have failed in the last two masters. Did t they let it get away each of them in each of Ilie last two gatherings of the greats for Golf annual Spring rites does t Ballesteroz have a deeper longer history of frustration on the flowered Hills of the Augusta National Golf club course the answer to both questions is yes. Bui identical performances by almost any Olhow players would be construed at a Bright Promise of More positive things to come. Only their positions As golfs leading figures change the perception from what could have been o vital should have  they arc the two Best players in the world today said Jack Nicklaus. And regardless of their play in other championships Over the last 12 months Ballesttros of Spain and Norman of Australia Are almost certain to reinstalled As the men to beat in the 52nd masters. Which starts thursday. They la be opposed by an International invitational line up that is expected to include 76 profession als from 11 countries and 12 amateurs in a tournament hat holds a unique position in Golf an almost revered position. Wilh a shift in golfs balance of Power in recent years Many of the leading figures Are found among the 16 foreign pros Sandy Lyle of Scotland Ian Woosnam of Wales British open Champion Nick Aldo of England Berniard Langer of West Ger Many David Frost of South Africa Ballesttros and Norman. But the american presence is not to be Over looked. There s Paul Azinger Payne Stewart Ben Crenshaw Tom Kile pea Champion Larry Nelson Mark Mccumber Jay Haas Curtis strange and Lanny Wadkins. Then there s Tom Watson and As always there s Nicklaus. He s now 48, the Only six time Winner of this till. He Calls himself a ceremonial  plays a limited schedule and is slipping into the role of elder statesman. Thart arc Only two reasons he should be give serious consideration. This is the mailers and lie is Jack Nicklaus. The role of favorite however will fall to either Norman or Ballesttros or both. Norman was second and could have won in each of  two mailers. Baji Steros has won the greens be ital Emeros wants masters win very badly. Jacket twice in the last eight years and has been in position to win four other limes. They were in a playoff for the masters title Las year. But so was Larry Mize. The Hometown boy who leapt High into the air after his 40-Yard pitch in Hir die won it. Norman and balls Stvros went into a decline. The toughest loss i be had in Golf Norman said. 11 took him almost a full season to recover until the Start of the australian season in december where he won three consecutive tournaments in on stretch. I m very comfortable with my life i m very pleased with my game right now. I m excited about playing eager to get on with in Norman said. Ballesttros too has had indifferent Success in the1 2 months since his playoff loss. The Luck has not been with me like it used Tobe said Ballesttros who has missed the Cut in two of three american starts this year. The masters holds a special fascination however. I want to win lie masters very badly. The last three years 1 had a Chance to win Alt three. Nothing. Want to win this tournament very  he said. At least two other foreign entrants Lyle and Woosnam deserve More than casual attention. Lyja a former British open Champ won in Phoc Nii. Am., earlier this season and was among the More consistent challenger on the american tour until he was caught in the devastating wipe out of major stars at the Cut in the recent players championship. 87 failure was Greg Norman s toughest  Woosnam who collected eight talks and More than is. 8 million in worldwide winnings last year also was the victim of the Cut at the players. Lui he has demons rated that he possesses the length and determination to handle Augusta s Hills and could Bea Factor in his first masters Start. Mccumber has been among the Morg impressive performers on the american Lour this season. The hard Hilling fast talking Mccumber has had Only Oik round Over Par this season and scored unimpressive Bur shot Victory against the strongest Field of the year in the players. Mccumber How Ever favors a Ift to right shot while conventional wis Dom has it that Augusia demands it be played right to left Azinger s Victory at Bay Hill proved he remain on the same track that won him player of the Vear honors in 1987. Crenshaw a former masters Champion and Kite so often a contender both appear to be reaching  games. Crenshaw won earlier this season and Kite has been in Contention in his last three starts. Nelson and Haas have slowed slightly after Strong starts on the Wist coast where Sieve Pale won two , twice a masters Winner and three Tinin a runner up very Well could be a Factor  golfs leading player he ended a three year non winning string late Lam year. Armed with renewed Confidence to has been around inc Lead Sev eral times this season and often plays his Best in the masters