NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS : Barkley and 76ers Win Mind Game, 99-97

Charles Barkley said he read Michael Jordan’s mind before Hersey Hawkins’ game-winning three-point shot.

Hawkins, after being left alone by Jordan, swished the three-pointer with 10 seconds left Friday night, giving the Philadelphia 76ers a 99-97 playoff victory over the Chicago Bulls, who lead the best-of-seven, second-round series, 2-1.

“I told Hawk that Jordan would leave him and go for me and go for the steal,” Barkley said. “I said ‘Spot up for the three because Michael will go after me and you’ll be open.’ ”

On the game-winning play, Barkley was supposed to drive for the basket. Hawkins, who was guarded by Jordan, was a safety valve.

That’s exactly the way the play developed. Barkley drove, Jordan left Hawkins and Barkley whipped the ball to the 76ers’ best perimeter shooter.

“I told Hawk that I knew Michael Jordan like the back of my hand,” Barkley said.

Hawkins, who scored 29 points, said: “The play was designed for Barkley. I was supposed to go to the corner. Charles said I might be open.”

The victory gives the 76ers a chance to pull even in the series Sunday in Philadelphia. The Bulls won the first two games in Chicago.

Chicago Coach Phil Jackson said the Bulls didn’t expect the 76ers to take a three-point shot.

“The general rule of thumb is that you go for two at home and three on the road,” Jackson said. “To base a season on a three-point shot is interesting.”

Jordan, who scored 46 points, said: “The three-point shot was a good shot. I had to help out on Barkley, but he kicked it to the corner. I tried to get over there.”

The score was tied, 93-93, after a drive by Jordan with two minutes left, and he then boosted the Bulls to a 96-93 lead on a three-point play with 1:24 remaining.

Andre Turner’s jumper got Philadelphia within one before Jordan converted one of two free throws with 14 seconds left for a 97-95 lead.

Hawkins’ three-pointer made it 98-97 and, after a timeout, the Bulls’ Scottie Pippen attempted an off-balance shot in heavy traffic from the top of the key. It bounced off the backboard without hitting the rim.

The 76ers’ Armon Gilliam grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 1.8 seconds left. He made one of two free throws to complete the scoring.

Gilliam had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Barkley scored 19 points for the 76ers.

Pippen had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago.

The 76ers made 31 of 40 free throws and Chicago made 12 for 19, which prompted Jackson to say: “I didn’t like the crew and I didn’t like the result.”

After the game, Jordan complained that he was bothered by “chronic tendinitis.”

“When I started playing tonight, it was really bothering me,” he said. “I really couldn’t push off my leg like I wanted to. I was basically in pain during my free throws. I couldn’t bend my leg to shoot free throws or my perimeter shots. But I could post up and get my inside shots.”

Jordan was six for nine from the line, missing three of four down the stretch.

With 8:06 left in the third quarter, Chicago boosted its lead to 61-51, but Philadelphia cut its deficit to 76-75 after three quarters.

In the final quarter, Hawkins scored the 76ers’ first 11 points. He tied the score, 81-81 and then 83-83, before giving Philadelphia its first lead since the second quarter, 86-85, on a three-point shot with 7:18 left.

But jumpers by Pippen and Jordan put the Bulls ahead, 89-86, with 4:40 remaining. Barkley then scored his first points of the quarter on two free throws and Gilliam’s jump shot gave Philadelphia a 90-89 advantage with 3:30 to go.

After the 76ers went ahead, 93-91, Jordan tied the score with a drive and gave the Bulls a 96-93 lead with a three-point play, on which the 76ers’ Manute Bol was ejected for protesting the personal foul.