AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - There were more laughs than highlight-film episodes during the Detroit Pistons' 110-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers last night at the Palace.

At one point, during a rebounding battle in the paint, the Clippers' Ken Norman jumped way above the rim and slammed home a sensational dunk. But referee Tom Washington waved it off. It seems teammate Loy Vaught had lifted Norman into the stratosphere.

Players dribbled off their feet, and threw passes that wound up in the stands.

Even Detroit veteran Jeff Ruland was embarrassed (forever, it seems, because CNN got it on tape) when he had difficulty getting his warm-up pants off when sent into the game late in the first half.

Bug makes Jordan cold -- RICHFIELD, Ohio - No, Michael Jordan hasn't lost his shooting touch, his stamina, or his drive. He's just caught a little bug.

"I think I'm coming down with a virus, so my energy level was not really high," Jordan said after he went cold for the second straight game as the Chicago Bulls lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-95.

Jordan missed his last seven shots before leaving with six minutes to go and the Bulls trailing by 19.

It's over for Payne -- PHILADELPHIA - Kenny Payne's career with the Philadelphia 76ers began in June 1989, when his selection as the team's No. 1 NBA draft pick was booed by a gathering of fans in the Spectrum.

It ended yesterday when Payne, after failing repeatedly to live up to expectations, was given his release.

"The main reason for his release is that we didn't see the prospect of his being involved in the top part of the rotation," general manager Jim Lynam said.

The fact that the Sixers would have owed Payne another $250,000 in salary had he remained on the roster past Sunday also had to be a factor.

Notes

-- Dallas waived guard Stephen Bardo to make room for Dexter Cambridge, who was activated from the injured list. Cambridge, a rookie forward, hasn't played this season because of a stress fracture in his right leg. Cambridge, who began working out with the team on Tuesday, was injured from an inadvertent kick in a Nov. 2 exhibition game against San Antonio.

-- Milwaukee placed rookie forward Anthony Pullard on waivers. Pullard was signed as a free agent in August.

Compiled from Detroit News, Camden Courier Post and Associated Press.