CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Shaking off the distraction of a somber homecoming, Michael Jordan scored 27 points and helped lead the decisive run in the Chicago Bulls' 117-93 victory over Charlotte.


Jordan, playing Thursday about 200 kilometers from where a man is on trial for the July 1993 slaying of his father, added five assists and five rebounds before sitting out the entire fourth quarter.


Jordan's 34-minute performance helped Chicago improve its league-leading record to 27-3, a mark that also represents the best 30-game start in the Bulls' history.


There were 16 lead changes and four ties before Chicago took control with a 19-6 run bridging the end of the first half and the start of the second. Jordan had seven points in the surge, and Dennis Rodman added six points and six rebounds as the Bulls built a 61-51 edge.


Timberwolves 98, Suns 93. In Phoenix, Tom Gugliotta hit a 19-footer from the corner late in the game, bringing Minnesota from behind for the final time, and the Timberwolves beat the Phoenix Suns for the first time in their seven-year existence.


Gugliotta, who scored 19 points, got his final basket with 2:39 to play, a jumper that gave the Wolves a 91-90 lead. Doug West made two free throws with 1:48 remaining, and Gugliotta assisted on a dunk by West with 32 seconds to go as Minnesota went ahead 95-91.


Gugliotta also got the game's last rebound, pulling down a 3-point miss by Michael Finley and hitting a free throw for the final score.


SuperSonics 84, Heat 81. In Miami, Gary Payton came up with a crucial jump ball and then made three late free throws as Seattle won its seventh straight game.


With 25 seconds left and the Sonics leading 81-78, Payton forced Keith Askins into a jump ball. Kevin Willis of Miami appeared to have control, but the ball skirted loose and Payton came up with it and drew a foul. He hit both shots to put the Sonics up to stay at 83-78.


Knicks 105, Nets 93. In New York, seven Knicks scored in double figures and Charles Smith came off the bench to lead a fourth-quarter rally as New York broke a three-game losing streak.


New York, which had lost four of its previous five games, won for the first time since Patrick Ewing went down with an ankle injury.


Bullets 112, Mavericks 100. In Landover, Maryland, Juwan Howard scored 18 of his 27 points in the second half as Washington dealt Dallas its eighth straight road loss.


Howard had eight rebounds to go along with his 27 points, which matched his season high.


Hawks 104, Raptors 101, OT. In Atlanta, Mookie Blaylock scored 8 of his 26 points in overtime after Steve Smith forced the extra period with a 3-pointer as Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak.


Smith gave the Hawks a 92-92 tie with 7.7 seconds left in regulation. Blaylock put Atlanta in front to stay in overtime when he hit a 14-footer in the lane for a 94-92 lead with 2:49 to play.


Alvin Roberton led the Raptors with 21 points and Damon Stoudamire added 19.


Kings 126, Nuggets 96. In Sacramento, Mitch Richmond poured in 41 points and Walt Williams added 19 as the Kings raced to a 24-point halftime lead and breezed to a 126-96 win over the Denver Nuggets.


Tyus Edney had 16 points and 10 assists and Olden Polynice grabbed 12 rebounds for Sacramento, which improved to 12-4 at home.