Richmond’s Shot Sinks Bulls Again, 93-91

The last time the Chicago Bulls started a season this poorly, Michael Jordan was honing his game in high school.

Mitch Richmond scored in the lane with 17 seconds left to lead the Washington Wizards past the Bulls, 93-91, Friday night at Washington, the seventh loss in eight games this season for the defending NBA champions.

Chicago is 1-7 and has lost six consecutive games, its longest skid this decade. The Bulls last dropped six in a row while coasting into the 1989 playoffs during Jordan’s fifth NBA season.

Chicago has held the opposition under 100 points in seven straight games but has yet to break the 100-point barrier. The Bulls last opened a season 1-7 when the 1978-79 team went 1-10.

Detroit 101, Phoenix 93--Jerry Stackhouse had 23 points and 10 assists at Phoenix as the Pistons ended a five-game losing streak.

Grant Hill scored 21 points, Jud Buechler and Bison Dele had 16 each, and Lindsey Hunter had 15 for the Pistons. Dele also had 11 rebounds.

Atlanta 99, Orlando 94--Anfernee Hardaway made a key defensive play on Steve Smith to force overtime, then hit a clinching jumper over Smith with 41 seconds left in the extra period at Atlanta.

Smith scored 28 points for the Hawks. Nick Anderson scored 22 for Orlando, including four three-point baskets. Hardaway and Darnell Armstrong each added 15 for the Magic.

Minnesota 115, Vancouver 96--Stephon Marbury scored 23 points and Joe Smith added 21 for the Timberwolves at Minneapolis.

Marbury added 10 assists and outplayed Mike Bibby in a matchup of two of the NBA’s best young point guards.

Bibby was limited to only four points and six assists in 29 minutes.

New York 78, Philadelphia 67--Allan Houston scored 25 points, including five of the Knicks’ nine three-point baskets, at Philadelphia.

Allen Iverson scored 29 points for the 76ers, but had only two in the fourth quarter.

Portland 106, Boston 86--Brian Grant had 21 points and 18 rebounds for the Trail Blazers at Portland.

Rookie Paul Pierce had 22 points and reserve center Tony Battie added 16 for the Celtics.

Toronto 90, Milwaukee 82--The Raptors put on a quality performance in their final game at the SkyDome in Toronto.

Tracy McGrady had an assortment of dunks, Dee Brown made three key three-point shots and Doug Christie led all scorers with 20 points for the Raptors, who will move into the new Air Canada Center on Sunday.

Sacramento 106, Charlotte 95--Rookie point guard Jason Williams made five three-point shots and scored a season-high 25 points at Sacramento as the Kings won their third consecutive game.

The Hornets lost their fifth in a row.

Golden State 84, Dallas 79--John Starks scored 16 points for the Warriors at Oakland.

Antawn Jamison added 12 points and Felton Spencer had 11 for Golden State.

Around the League

The Atlanta Hawks released center Scot Pollard and guard Shammond Williams to reach the 12-man roster limit. . . . The Boston Celtics placed forward Walter McCarty and guard Marlon Garnett on the injured list. . . . The Golden State Warriors placed guard Muggsy Bogues on the injured list because he has chicken pox, the team’s general manager said. . . . The New Jersey Nets waived rookie guard Earl Boykins and placed guard Lucious Harris on the injured list, reducing their active roster to 12.