NBA Playoffs : Bucks Block Barkley and Even Series, 119-107

Milwaukee forward Terry Cummings had a message for the Philadelphia 76ers: The Bucks can handle Charles Barkley.

“We are tired of hearing all that Barkley-mania stuff,” Cummings said Thursday night after the Bucks defeated the 76ers, 119-107, to even their best-of-seven NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series at a win apiece.

“We have 12 very good players,” added Cummings, who scored 10 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. “When we go on the court, we play to win. We don’t give many away, like the first game.”

Philadelphia beat Milwaukee Tuesday night on the inside play of Barkley, a dominating power forward throughout the season.

But Thursday night, the Bucks teamed up to neutralize Barkley on the boards and outrebounded Philadelphia, 50-29. Cummings had 15 rebounds to lead the Bucks.

Barkley had 26 points and 15 rebounds.

“They did a good job of keeping Charles off the boards,” Philadelphia Coach Matt Guokas said. “They just played the game like it was a must-win situation. It was an uphill struggle all night long.”

The Bucks also were boosted by the return of guard Sidney Moncrief, who scored 16 points in 37 minutes. Moncrief missed Game 1 with an injured left heel.