NBA Roundup : Barkley, 76ers Take Big Step Toward Playoffs

For the five NBA teams seeking the last three playoff spots in the East, a win on the road is important. A win on the road against one of the other contenders is almost a bonus.

The Philadelphia 76ers, behind Charles Barkley, took a giant step toward a playoff spot with a 94-89 victory over the Washington Bullets Saturday night at Landover, Md.

Barkley scored 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter as the 76ers came from behind to win their third in a row and pull into the eighth position in the playoff battle, ahead of the Bullets. It was the 76ers’ seventh win in 35 road games.

With a 29-36 record, the 76ers are a half-game ahead of Washington and the New York Knicks. Also in range are the sixth-place team, Indiana (31-33), and the seventh-place team, Cleveland (30-36).

The excellent play of the burly Barkley has been the main ingredient in the 76ers’ surge into contention. In the last three games he has scored 93 points, a 31-point average, and has 31 rebounds and 14 assists. He has hit 27 of 36 shots, or 75%.

Perhaps more important, Barkley appears to be calming down. Until the last few games, the powerful 6-6 forward seemed to be carrying on a running feud with the referees. He was angry all the time and his 24 technical fouls still lead the league.

“I am trying to stay cool out there,” Barkley said. “I want to do everything I can to help us get into the playoffs.”

Another factor in the 76ers’ drive is the return to form of Cliff Robinson. In the back-to-back wins over Indiana and Washington, Robinson, who has missed 17 games with injuries, had 24 points in each of them.

The 76ers were still without playmaker Maurice Cheeks. Cheeks suffered a concussion in the opening minutes of the victory over New York Wednesday and felt dizzy when he warmed up before the game.

New York 116, Atlanta 110-- If the Knicks could just play the rest of their games at home, they would be a cinch to be in the playoffs. They won for the 16th time in their last 17 games in New York.

Unfortunately, the Knicks, who are 3-27 on the road this season, play 11 of their remaining 18 games away from friendly Madison Square Garden.

Johnny Newman came off the bench to score 10 of his career-high 27 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks pulled out an important victory.

The shooting slump of Dominique Wilkins is making it tough on the Hawks. The second leading scorer was only 13 for 38 from the field while scoring 39 points. In the last two games he is 20 for 63.

San Antonio 113, Utah 110--The Spurs moved closer to clinching the final playoff spot in the West. Walter Berry sank two free throws with nine seconds left at San Antonio to give the Spurs the lead, and Alvin Robertson added two more before the final buzzer.

With 19 games remaining, the Spurs lead Phoenix in the battle for the eighth position by 4 1/2 games.

Karl Malone had another big game for the Jazz, getting 34 points and 20 rebounds.

Milwaukee 101, Cleveland 100--A few weeks ago, the Cavaliers seemed a cinch to be one of the playoff teams. Now they are a part of a five-team battle for the last three spots.

Even though John Lucas, deliberately fouled with two seconds left, missed both free throws, the Bucks won their 10th consecutive home game.

The Cavaliers, trailing, 101-100, grabbed the rebound after Lucas’ second miss. But a desperation pass aimed at Brad Daugherty under the basket, hit the backboard and the Cavaliers lost their fifth in a row. They now are only half a game ahead of eighth-place Philadelphia in the playoff race.

Sacramento 121, Houston 104--Derek Smith had 26 points and Reggie Theus 24 at Sacramento as the Kings jumped in front early and breezed. Akeem Olajuwon had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets.