Chris Ford, Larry Bird Lead League from Deep

February 1, 1980

BIRD NOW NO. 2 FROM DOWNTOWN

Entering last night's game with the Bullets Larry Bird was leading all forwards in three-point percentage, and was ranked second in the league to teammate Chris Ford. Bird went 0-for-1 from downtown in Wednesday's Cleveland game, and thus was 19-for-35 over his past 21 games.

The Celtics only had 12 turnovers against the Cavs. In Washington's 120-119 victory over Indiana on Wednesday, both Elvin Hayes (38) and Westley Unseld (24) each had season highs.

Kevin Porter has picked up DNPs in three of the last four games, and the trade rumors to San Antonio have ceased. Mitch Kupchak's comeback bid has thus far been unsuccessful. He, too, did not play in the Indiana victory . . . Johnny Most had to be relieved at halftime on Wednesday night due to throat trouble, and Gil Santos was brought down for this game, just in case . . . The Bullets have not been at .500 since Nov. 24, when they were 9-9 . . . Cedric Maxwell continues his clever inside play. Max has yet to shoot under 50 percent from the floor in a home game, and he has only failed to do so in four road games. His 21 points against Cleveland (9-for-9 from the line) represented the first time has had cracked the 20-point barrier in 11 games. Maxwell is leading the league in field-goal percentage, and his .611 mark right now would establish a new club record.