NBA Roundup : Backups Play a Big Role as 76ers Beat Bullets

The Philadelphia 76ers, playing with three starters out with injuries, got career-high performances from two backups to beat the Washington Bullets, 114-110, in overtime at Philadelphia Wednesday night.

Shelton Jones, brought up recently from the Continental Basketball Assn., scored 20 points and Scott Brooks added 18 for Philadelphia.

Jones, who played 46 minutes, scored his previous National Basketball Assn. high, 14 points, Saturday night against the New Jersey Nets.

“Coach (Jim Lynam) said they send a lot of guys to the hoops and to be ready,” Jones said. “Everybody has a game where they come out of their shell. Tonight was my game. It feels good to be in there in tough situations.”

Brooks played point guard for Maurice Cheeks, who is out with a separated shoulder. Jones is the replacement for Cliff Robinson, who splintered a kneecap.

The 76ers also played without All-Star Charles Barkley, sidelined with a severe ankle sprain. Ben Coleman, Barkley’s replacement, scored 8 points. Rookie guard Hersey Hawkins finished with 19 points.

Mike Gminski led the 76ers in overtime with 6 of his 26 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:26 remaining.

Philadelphia snapped Washington’s 2-game winning streak despite 35 points from Bernard King, who had his third consecutive 30-plus game with 13-for-21 shooting from the field.

“In the overtime, we got the shots we normally make, but didn’t make them,” King said.

Boston 107, Charlotte 94--Robert Parish scored 24 points and had 13 of his season-high 24 rebounds in the first quarter, leading the Celtics to victory at Charlotte.

Parish’s inside dominance helped the Celtics take a 31-18 first-quarter lead, but the Hornets rallied to within 3 points in the second period. That rally faltered, however, and Boston pulled away with a third-quarter run and coasted to the victory.

Boston outrebounded the Hornets, 61-47, and scored 22 points off second-chance baskets. Of Boston’s 19 offensive rebounds, Parish had 10.

Parish said the key to keeping the Hornets out of the middle was double-teaming the big men and making the perimeter players change their rhythm.

Boston has won 3 games against the Hornets, but Parish said he and his teammates still can’t take the expansion team lightly.

“If you take this team lightly, you can be embarrassed,” he said. “I thought we came out and played very well tonight.”

Charlotte Coach Dick Harter said the Hornets might have been suffering from the after-effects of a 5-game road trip to the West.

“We were running in cement. We had good shots, they just weren’t going in,” Harter said. “Our legs were gone from travel and road games. We were tired.”

Kevin McHale had 21 points and Jim Paxson 17 for Boston. Michael Holton scored 21 points and Kelly Tripucka had 16 for Charlotte.

Atlanta 94, Utah 93--Reggie Theus made 2 free throws with 6 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a victory at Utah.

Eric Leckner gave Utah a 1-point lead with 8 seconds left by making a layup. After a timeout, Karl Malone fouled Theus, who was driving to the basket, and he made both for a 94-93 lead.

After another timeout, Jim Les had his path to the basket blocked as time expired, and his shot didn’t reach the basket.

Cliff Levingston led Atlanta with 21 points and Moses Malone had 13. Dominique Wilkins was held to 12 points on 6-for-19 shooting.