European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 14, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday june 14, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 17 pistons throttle blazers to take 3-1 advantage by Bill Barnard Portland Ore. Apr Isiah Thomas and the Detroit pistons won a hairs breadth finish tuesday night for a 3-1 Lead in the championship Senes. A a we be been through a lot of Tough situations in the last couple of years a Thomas said after scoring 32 Points including 22 in the third period of a 112-109 Victory Over the Portland Trail blazers. Thomas and the pistons Are making their third consecutive trip to the Aba finals. Thomas big third Quarter which included four three pointers gave the pistons an 81-65 Lead late in the period. But the Trail blazers responded quickly. There were eight Lead changes in the fourth Quarter before Thomas gave the defending champions the Lead for Good at 108-107 with a Bank shot with 26 seconds to play. He then added two free throws with 8.4 seconds left. After Terry Porter made it 110-109 two seconds later Gerald Henderson scored on a breakaway with 1.3 seconds left. Portland hurried the Ball up court and Danny Youngs three Point attempt went in just after the Buzzer sounded. It did take officials a few seconds to Rule that the Ball was released too late and replays confirmed the decision. A they say we have to be Here again Aba finals thursday night a Thomas said of Detroit a commanding position in the series a so Well be Here and try to wrap it  Thomas third Quarter outburst seemingly put the pistons in control of game 4 As they extended a five Point halftime Lead to 81-65 with 2 16 left. Portland which got 34 Points from Clyde Drexler and 33 from Jerome Kersey responded with an 8-0 run to close the Gap to eight. Detroit then rallied further in the fourth Quarter taking the Lead on a Baseline jumper by Porter with 5 21 to play. The Lead changed hands five times before Detroit a Joe Dumars hit two free throws to make it 98-97 with 3 47 to go. The pistons stayed in front until Drexler who was 14-for-19 from the Field made two free throws with 31 seconds for a 107-106 Lead. Porter then lost control driving to the Basket and Thomas was fouled and made the decisive free throws. Dumars whose father died in Louisiana on sunday missed five of his first six shots but finished with 26 Points including six of six free throws Down the stretch. He plans to Fly to Natchitoches la., after thursdays game attend the funeral on saturday and return in time see Aba on Page 26 pistons Bill Laimbeer pulls a rebound away from Trail blazers Clyde Drexler. Ford wants to bring Back a Pride passion to celtics new celtics head coach Chris Ford. At tuesdays press conference by de Golden Boston apr Chris Ford wants to bring Back some of the fire that has been missing from the Boston celtics the past few seasons. A i think we Arentt the team that we were when you talk about the Pride and passion a Ford said tuesday after being named to succeed Jimmy Rodgers As the Boston coach. A if you go Back and look at those championship tapes and the Pride and the passion that they talk about in those tapes i think that it could be we were missing it. But those Are the types of things that i want to see  the 41-year-old Ford who becomes the 11th coach in the celtics distinguished history said the the team needs quickness at almost every position to improve the transition from offence to defense. A last year our turnover ratio was quite High and it resulted in almost two Points on every turnover. Its very very difficult to win ballgames when you re doing that a Ford said. Boston went 52-30 before losing to the new York kicks in the first round of the Aba playoffs after winning the first two games of a Best of five series. Two Days later they fired Rodgers. Ford an assistant under Rodgers said he will look at every facet of the team an aging unit led by a front line he played with on the celtics 1981 championship team a Larry Bird Kevin Mchale and Robert Parish All Well into their 30s. A during this summer we Are going to be dissecting this team and then putting it Back together As far As analysing it inspecting it and seeing what parts have to be improved a Ford said. A i think we have some key spots that have to be filled. I also think we have some parts that Are very  Dave Gavitt who considered Ford and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski for the Job after being named chief operating officer on May 30, predicted Ford would have no trouble dealing with a team that includes five players he played with or against a Bird Mchale Parish Dennis Johnson and Jim Paxson. Ford agreed. A they know that there a a distance Between us now. And there was when i went from a player to an assistant coach. And now ill have to take one More step Back. In a a Tough disciplinarian you can ask my children about  Ford who played 10 seasons with Detroit and Boston is credited with making the a bad a first three Point shot in 1979. He retired in 1982, became a celtics assistant in 1983-84 season and is one of four former players who also coached on Aba championship teams in Boston. Bill Russell Tommy hem Sohn and . Jones were the others. Gavitt said he has no problem with Ford coaching his former teammates. A the Bottom line is that they want to work a he said. A they Are willing to pay the Price to  Ford said he would bring the same aggressive approach he had during his career to the Bench and that he would not hesitate to let anyone know when he was unhappy if he needed to Send that message. A i just know that in a Tough i do things with a lot of emotion and passion out there a he  sports television Aba finals a game 5, Detroit at Portland 3 . Friday. Radio Aba finals a Detroit at Portland 3 . Friday