NBA Roundup : Barkley Takes Charge, Scores 31 as 76ers Beat Blazers, 116-112

Charles Barkley, in just his third game since going against the advice of doctors, scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half Friday night at Philadelphia to lead the 76ers to their third win in a row, a hard-fought 116-112 decision over Portland.

Barkley, who missed nine games because of a spleen injury, also had 21 rebounds, taking control of the game at both ends of the court.

The burly 6-6 forward returned to action Sunday despite warnings that he could do permanent damage to his spleen. He was a little tentative in 23 minutes of action in a 114-104 win over Houston. He was a little more forceful Tuesday night when he came off the bench to lead the 76ers to a 102-100 victory over Boston.

While Barkley apparently is back in his best form, the 76ers continue to have problems putting a full team on the court. Guard Maurice Cheeks, who had started 120 consecutive games, joined center Jeff Ruland, Danny Vranes and Andrew Toney on the injured list. The playmaking guard injured his thigh in the win over the Celtics.

Boston 111, San Antonio 96--The Celtics’ 48th consecutive victory at home could have been a time for Coach K.C. Jones to give his overworked starters a good rest.

With Larry Bird scoring 18 points, Kevin McHale 16 and Dennis Johnson 13, the Celtics built a 64-44 halftime lead and were never in real danger of losing.

Yet, Jones kept his starting five on the court most of the night. Bird played 40 minutes and Johnson played 45.

The Celtics, who have not lost a home game since last Dec. 6, have won seven in a row this season at Boston Garden. They have beaten the Spurs 15 times in a row since losing April 1, 1979.

Alvin Robertson did his best to try to keep the Spurs in the game, contributing 30 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.

Detroit 120, Milwaukee 99--Isiah Thomas made only one of seven shots at Pontiac, Mich., but his unerring passing got the Pistons off to a flying start on the way to their third victory in a row.

Thomas had eight assists in the first quarter, the Pistons had a club-record 16 and a 34-27 lead. The Bucks fell steadily behind until they trailed, 94-71, after three quarters.

Because he was 10 for 10 from the line, Thomas had a triple-double, getting 11 rebounds and 15 assists.

The Bucks again were without Sidney Moncrief and, for once, hot-shooting Ricky Pierce failed to pick up the pace. Pierce was 3 for 12 from the field. He was 20 for 26 in his two previous games.

Indiana 126, Denver 102--Wayman Tisdale came off the bench to score 10 of his 23 points in a third-quarter surge at Indianapolis that enabled the Pacers to end a four-game losing streak.

The Nuggets led, 58-57, at halftime, but Tisdale and Chuck Person, who had nine points, led the Pacers to a 44-point quarter that put them 16 points in front.

Denver’s 6-3 guard Fat Lever, who averaged 16 rebounds in his five previous games, had only eight and 17 points.

Dallas 119, New Jersey 94--Mark Aguirre scored eight points during an opening 17-4 run at Dallas that started the hapless Nets on the way to their eighth consecutive defeat.

With Aguirre scoring 26 points in 30 minutes, the Mavericks, in winning their fourth in a row, built the lead to 31 in the fourth quarter.

Golden State 103, Sacramento 97--The Warriors, behind the shooting and rebounding of Joe Barry Carroll, gained their first victory at Sacramento after losing five in a row over two seasons.

Carroll had 23 points and, when the Kings put on a stirring rally in the last quarter, he made the key rebounds that enabled the Warriors to stay in front.

Atlanta 97, Utah 88--The Hawks, coming back strongly from their worst performance of the season, broke open a close game at Salt Lake City with an 18-1 spurt that began late in the third quarter.

Rickey Green ‘s free throw gave Utah its biggest lead, 64-59. But the only Jazz point in the next eight minutes was a free throw by Karl Malone.

Dominique Wilkins, who finished with 22 points, led the Hawks’ rally, but it was Atlanta’s sparkling defense that made the difference.

Seattle 117, Phoenix 104--The SuperSonics’ switch of 6-7 Dale Ellis to the back court is paying huge dividends.

In this game at Phoenix, the converted forward played 44 minutes, scored 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He made 15 of 24 shots from the field, including the only three-pointer he tried.

Some atrocious shooting by their starters put the Suns in early trouble and they never recovered. Walter Davis was 4 for 12 and Alvin Adams was 4 for 15. Although he was 3 for 5, Larry Nance got in early foul trouble and played only 28 minutes.

Rookie William Bedford made his debut for the Suns, playing 8 minutes and scoring 4 points.