NBA Roundup : Barkley Scores 40 to Jordan’s 49 in 76ers’ Win

A growing number of basketball people believe Matt Guokas is doing a job with the Philadelphia 76ers that merits top consideration for Coach of the Year honors.

Despite problems such as a major change in personnel and a multitude of injuries, the 76ers are having a winning season.

Charles Barkley had 40 points and 21 rebounds to offset another remarkable performance by Michael Jordan Friday night at Philadelphia and lead the 76ers to a 121-112 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Jordan, obviously fully recovered from the flu that hampered him earlier in the week, had 49 points (19 of 35 from the field), 5 assists, 3 steals, 2 rebounds and 2 blocked shots to make it a game, until the bulky Barkley took charge in the fourth quarter.

Barkley scored 17 points in the last quarter, including a tremendous dunk with 4:27 left that gave Philadelphia a 106-97 lead.

Although they trail sizzling Boston by seven games in the Atlantic Division, the revamped 76ers have a 26-18 record. It is rather amazing in view of all the problems.

The difficulties began when management decided to break up a team that finished 13 games behind the Celtics last season and was eliminated from the playoffs in the second round.

First, Moses Malone, the key man when the 76ers won the championship in 1983, was traded away. By the time the season opened, only three players, Julius Erving, Maurice Cheeks and Barkley, were left from the 1985-86 roster.

Not only was there a problem in learning to play together, the big man obtained in the Malone deal, Jeff Ruland, was hurt in the first game of the season. He has played in just five games and may not play again this season.

Barkley has missed nine games and has feuded with Guokas. But on the court, he has been phenomenal. He leads the NBA in shooting efficiency and rebounding. Also in words.

His most recent words: “Every team in the league fears us.”

Except for the runaway Celtics, it may be true.

They have won 11 of their last 15 and, with sharpshooting guard Andrew Toney apparently recovered from foot problems that permitted him to play in only six games last season, the 76ers figure to get better.

If they can overcome injuries, that is. Erving missed the game with a sprained ankle and Cliff Robinson, the starting forward opposite Barkley, went out with a sprained ankle in the second quarter.

Boston 100, Indiana 94--It isn’t true that every time Larry Bird returns to his home in Indianapolis, he has a great game. In this one, it was steady Kevin McHale who led the Celtics to their sixth consecutive victory.

While Bird was going 4 for 13 and scoring only 14 points, McHale scored 31. He led the charge after Indiana went ahead, 66-52, early in the third period. McHale scored 13 in a 30-16 rally that brought the Celtics even.

Bird wasn’t totally off his game. With the score tied, 94-94, he blocked a John Long shot, grabbed the rebound and passed to Dennis Johnson for a layup that put the Celtics in front to stay.

Dallas 133, Milwaukee 117--It was bombs away at Dallas, and the Mavericks were better bombers.

The clubs made an NBA-record 16 three-point baskets, 9 by the Mavericks. Derek Harper, who had 5 of them for the Mavericks, scored 28 points and help end the Bucks’ three-game winning streak.

The Mavericks played without star guard Rolando Blackman. Blackman bruised his thigh Thursday night at Denver and his string of consecutive games ended at 177.

Atlanta 106, New York 98--Dominique Wilkins returned to forward for this game at Atlanta and scored 31 points. The Hawks dominated the boards, 60 rebounds to 45, to hand the Knicks their fifth road loss in a row.

Jon Koncak had 17 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Golden State 127, Seattle 119--Joe Barry Carroll made his last seven shots at Oakland and his sharpshooting enabled the Warriors to end a five-game losing streak.

Carroll had 32 points, and Sleepy Floyd and Purvis Short each had 31. Short was playing in only his third game since returning after missing 33 games.

Portland 125, New Jersey 107--Kiki Vandeweghe scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half at Portland to help the Trail Blazers build a 60-47 lead.

The Blazers sank 15 of 18 shots from the field in the third quarter to turn the game into a rout.

The Nets have lost four in a row and their last eight on the road.