NBA Roundup : Celtics Win as 76ers Shut the Door Too Late, 98-91

The Philadelphia 76ers are talking among themselves--again--and if things don’t straighten out, they’ll soon be talking to themselves.

Kevin McHale of the Boston Celtics scored 20 points, six in a 12-point fourth-period rally that carried the Celtics to a 98-91 victory Tuesday night over the 76ers at Philadelphia.

After the game, the 76ers locked the dressing room and held a 36-minute meeting, attended by the players and owner Harold Katz, who, in another team meeting last Wednesday, scolded his players for not hustling in a narrow win over Golden State. Coach Matt Guokas remained in the corridor this time.

The 76ers’ Bobby Jones said the players called the meeting and everyone had a chance to speak.

“It was just a constructive team meeting,” said Jones, refusing to disclose what was said.

The rest of the players also were mum about the meeting. Katz did not speak, according to Jones.

“We played good team ball, good team defense,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t carry it all the way through.”

In the winning locker room, Boston’s McHale said: “I like playing these guys anywhere. I’d probably enjoy playing these guys in a pickup game. I still think they’re our biggest rival.”

Boston had won only three times at the Spectrum in the regular season since the 1979-80 season.

Philadelphia led, 84-76, in the final period before the Celtics scored 12 straight points to take an 88-84 lead with 5:31 to play.

Robert Parish had 22 points and Dennis Johnson 20 for the Celtics, who won their fourth straight game and 12th of their last 13.

Charles Barkley, with 24 points, led the faltering 76ers, who lost their third straight game and fourth of the last five.

Dallas 112, Washington 99--Center James Donaldson, in his first appearance for Dallas since being obtained in a trade with the Clippers earlier in the week, scored 9 points and had 11 rebounds while playing more than half the contest as the Mavericks won at Dallas.

But it was three baskets down the stretch by Derek Harper that were the keys to victory. When Washington pulled to within seven with six minutes to play, Harper hit two jumpers and a three-point shot to provide the cushion.

The 7-foot, 2-inch Donaldson, biggest player in the six-year history of the Mavericks, played a key role in the Dallas offense despite not having yet gone through a full practice with his new team.

Houston 130, Golden State 108--Akeem Olajuwon scored 21 points and Lewis Lloyd hit 14 of his 21 points in the breakaway third quarter to lead the Rockets to their ninth straight victory at home. The Warriors lost for the fourth time in five games on their current trip.

Ralph Sampson, who scored a pro career low two points in his last game, bounced back with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Atlanta 104, New York 94--Dominique Wilkins scored a game-high 35 points, including 21 in a second-quarter outburst, to spark the Hawks at Atlanta.

Most of Wilkins’ second-quarter points came from the free-throw line as he was fouled several times on drives to the basket, and he hit on 11 of 12 free throws.

Trent Tucker led the Knicks with 20, followed by Patrick Ewing with 18. Dominique Wilkins led all players with nine rebounds as the Hawks dominated the boards, outrebounding the Knicks, 43-33. Ewing was effectively blocked out by three Hawk centers: Tree Rollins, Jon Koncak and Scott Hastings. They limited Ewing to five rebounds, all defensive.

Detroit 113, Cleveland 98--The Pistons raised their record to 11-5, their best start since the 1970-71 season, as John Long scored 21 points and five other Detroit players hit for double figures at Pontiac, Mich.

The Cavaliers, who lost for the fourth time in five games and dropped to 6-10, played without two starters, including leading scorer World B. Free, who was sidelined with a pulled hamstring muscle. Phil Hubbard also did not play, suffering from a sprained ankle.

Chicago 128, Denver 123--George Gervin scored 27 points and Quintin Dailey added 24 as the Bulls piled up the points and snapped a nine-game home winning streak for Denver. Orlando Woolridge added 20 and Gene Banks and Jawann Oldham 16 apiece for Chicago.

Alex English had 26 points to lead Denver, which led by eight points at the half but went cold in the third period as Chicago pulled ahead to stay.

Sacramento 111, Phoenix 107--Eddie Johnson hit two free throws with four seconds left to assure the Kings of the victory and keep the Suns winless on the road as they lost their ninth consecutive game away from home. The victory was Sacramento’s first at home in four games.