NBA Roundup : Erving’s Basket at Buzzer Punches Out Celtics

The game meant little, but after all, it was the Boston Celtics against the Philadelphia 76ers, the most bitter rivalry in the NBA, Sunday at Philadelphia, and it had all the ingredients of a playoff game.

The 76ers won it, 95-94, on an improbable, desperation three-

point shot at the buzzer by Julius Erving, ending the Celtics’ 14-game winning streak and their hopes of tying the Lakers’ record for the best record in a season.

Dr. J’s final fling was a fitting climax to a wild afternoon at the Spectrum. There was a one-punch fight, involving, not surprisingly, the Celtics’ Danny Ainge; a spirited performance by the undermanned 76ers and the Celtics’ Larry Bird, the league’s top free-throw shooter, missed two from the line in the clutch.

The fight occurred late in the third period after Maurice Cheeks’ driving layup cut Boston’s lead to 71-68. It appeared that Ainge fouled Cheeks on the play, then was knocked down by Sedale Threatt. Ainge said something to the 76er sub, then shoved him twice in the chest.

After the second shove, Threatt tossed a right that would do justice to a professional boxer. It landed flush on Ainge’s chin, and as he staggered around on the court, the benches emptied.

When tempers calmed down, Threatt was ejected and Ainge sank three free throws to increase the lead to 74-68.

The 76ers fought back, but when Bird, who had an off-day shooting, except for three-point bombs (2 for 4), made six points in an 8-2 surge in the middle of the final quarter, they trailed by 10.

The 76ers were missing Moses Malone and Bob McAdoo because of injuries, but Erving wouldn’t let them quit. He had a 7-0 spurt of his own and the Celtics’ lead was down to 94-92 with 30 seconds left. Bird was fouled with seven remaining. Although he is shooting 89.8%, Bird missed both free throws.

The 76ers set up a drive by Charles Barkley, but, with three seconds left, Kevin McHale tied him up. Barkley, four inches shorter than McHale, tipped the jump ball to Erving, who quickly fired up a 25-footer that swished through.

“The victory gave ourselves something to think about and it gave Boston something to think about in case we meet in the playoffs,” Erving said. “It had to be our most satisfying win of the season.”

Washington 106, Cleveland 95--When the Cavaliers fired Coach George Karl March 16, they appeared to be a cinch to make the playoffs in the East.

But, after losing their fourth game in a row and eighth in the 11 games since Karl departed, the Cavaliers are tied with Chicago (28-50) for the final berth. Both have four games to play. Don’t be surprised if they are both 28-53 when they face each other in the final game of the regular season at Richfield, Ohio next Sunday.

Cliff Robinson scored 33 points and had nine rebounds to lead the Bullets.

Denver 124, San Antonio 106--In a monumental collapse, the Spurs appear as if they are trying to blow their spot in the playoffs. Before they do, though, they may run out of games.

Alex English scored 29 points and the Nuggets handed the Spurs their sixth consecutive loss at home. The Spurs, who have won only three of their last 24 games, lead Phoenix by 1 1/2 games and the Clippers by two in the fight for the final playoff berth in the West.

The Spurs have only two games remaining. The big one is at Phoenix this Wednesday. A loss would give the Suns, who have five games left, a solid shot at the playoffs.