NBA Playoffs : Clemon Johnson Helps 76ers Steal a Victory

Clemon Johnson, who steals the ball about as often as the Boston Celtics lose, made the theft of his career Saturday.

The steal triggered the Philadelphia 76ers to a 107-103 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and a 2-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series.

The 6-10, 240-pound Johnson, who had only 23 steals during the season, stripped the usually sure-handed Terry Cummings of the ball and flipped it to teammate Julius Erving.

Erving, in turn, got the ball to Bobby Jones, whose off-balance shot with 22 seconds left went in as he was fouled. The free throw by Jones gave Philadelphia a 101-99 lead.

“Jones was supposed to be guarding Cummings,” Johnson said. “But on transition I ended up with him. He (Cummings) had a gleam in his eye when he saw me covering him.

“He had me at a disadvantage because of his quickness,” Johnson admitted. “I thought he would try and take me into the hole. I went for the steal. If I missed, I was going to foul him. But I batted it away.”

The Bucks played without all-star guard Sidney Moncrief, who has been troubled by an injured heel. Cummings led Milwaukee with 27 points and 9 rebounds.

Charles Barkley, who fouled out with 44 seconds to go, led the 76ers with 29 points and 13 rebounds.