NBA Roundup : 76ers Wish Barkley Would Just Play, Not Talk

His teammates aren’t too fond of Charles Barkley, the non-stop talker. But Charles Barkley, the basketball player, is another story.

Barkley had 23 points and 18 rebounds Wednesday night at Philadelphia to lead the 76ers to a 114-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

In his latest tirade, the bulky forward called his teammates “wimps and complainers.” He told the Associated Press that the complaining was more of a problem than the many injuries.

“If the guys who are able just went out and played every night,” Barkley said, “we could beat anybody. I’m not saying who the complainers are. They know.

“At least some of the moaning has stopped with the return of (Andrew) Toney.”

With Julius Erving sidelined by a broken finger, Toney, who missed almost all of last season and 25 games this season because of a foot problem, got a chance to start.

He teamed at guard with Maurice Cheeks and they made a devastating combination. Toney scored 27 points and had seven assists, while Cheeks had 25 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds.

Thee 76ers led by 21 points in the third quarter, but Joe Barry Carroll led a Warrior rally that cut the lead to 104-101 with 3:31 to play. Cheeks and Toney sank consecutive baskets and the 76ers moved out of danger.

The Warriors, in losing for the 11th time in the last 14 games, were assessed six technicals, four for illegal defense.

With Jeff Ruland, Cliff Robinson and rookie David Wingate also injured, the 76ers dressed only nine players and played just seven of them.

Danny Vranes, who came off the bench to play 15 minutes without contributing much except three fouls, took exception to Barkley’s off-court remarks.

“I don’t feel I’m in the category Charles was talking about,” Vranes said. “I pride myself on being a total team player. He didn’t name names, but he left it open to speculation. He should name names. By grouping a lot of us, it can look to the public like he’s talking about all of us.”

Boston 113, Dallas 96--It was the misfortune of the Mavericks to run into the Celtics after the NBA champions had lost two in a row.

Even playing at home, the Mavericks, the only team able to handle the Lakers this season, were never in the game after the Celtics outscored them, 37-17, in the second quarter.

“We didn’t want to lose three in a row and then have to go into Houston tomorrow night,” Larry Bird said. “There was some pride involved.”

Kevin McHale set the offensive pace for the Celtics, scoring 28 points. He also was a factor on the boards with 11 as the Celtics outrebounded the Mavericks, 55-43.

The Celtics impressed Mavericks Coach Dick Motta. “I think we saw tonight what it takes to win a world championship,” he said. “They just kicked us all around.”

Milwaukee 113, Utah 109--Now that they are nearing good health again, the Bucks are taking aim at first place in the tight Central Division race.

With Terry Cummings scoring 35 points at Salt Lake City, the Bucks won their fifth in a row to climb within a game of first-place Detroit.

The Bucks are 4-0 since star guard Sidney Moncrief came off the injured list.

Cleveland 129, Sacramento 119--The struggle to make the playoffs may be a little more than the Cavaliers can handle, because the teams ahead of them keep winning.

But the club is building a solid foundation for the future. Three rookies, center Brad Daugherty, forward John Williams and guard Ron Harper have become a potent force.

After the Kings, who had won three in a row, rallied to take a 104-97 lead with 5 1/2 minutes left at Richfield, Ohio, the three youngsters took charge. Each scored six points in a 22-6 burst that put the Cavaliers in command. Daugherty finished with a career-high 33 points, Harper had 29 and Williams 25.

Cleveland, the worst foul shooting team in the league, made 14 in a row in the fourth quarter.

Indiana 105, Seattle 88--John Long led the offense for the Pacers with 29 points at Indianapolis, and a tough defense held All-Star MVP Tom Chambers to nine points as the Pacers won for the fifth time in seven games.

Chambers, hounded most of the night by Chuck Person, made only 3 of 12 shots. Although he wound up with 15 points, the SuperSonics’ other forward, Xavier McDaniel, was also 3 for 12.