With the NBA in an indefinite hiatus due to COVID-19, we continue our day-by-day look back at the history of the Philadelphia 76ers. We continue down our path into Sixers history every day as we look to fill the void left by the absence of basketball.
This Saturday edition dives a little deeper into the history of the franchise so for the younger readers out there, listen up. The 1986-87 version of the Sixers needed a statement win. Some type of win to really put their stamp on things. A road matchup with a tough Milwaukee Bucks team offered the perfect opportunity for them.
March 21, 1987
The Sixers entered MECCA Arena and hostile territory needing a win. They were having a solid season entering the game with a 37-29 record, but they were not taken seriously in the Eastern Conference race. They also needed to try and move up in the standings.
So, they turned to their leader.
Charles Barkley had a terrific game going for 32 points on 10-for-16 shooting and a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line while also pulling down 14 rebounds and he had four steals. Any defender the Bucks threw at him were completely helpless in trying to stop him and then that opened the floor for his teammates to step up.
Roy Hinson had 27 points and nine rebounds in support of Barkley while David Wingate also poured in 13 points and six rebounds. Those performances were able to overcome big games from Terry Cummings who had 28 points and John Lucas had 20 for the Bucks.
This would set up a matchup for both teams in the playoffs. The Bucks would enter as the 4 seed with Philadelphia as the 5 seed in a Round 1 matchup. The two teams alternated wins in the first four games with the combined margin of victory being just 13 points before the Bucks eliminated Philadelphia with a 13 point win in Game 5.
Barkley averaged 24.6 points and 12.6 rebounds with 2.4 assists in the series, but it was not enough. Philadelphia finished with a 45-37 record under coach Matt Guokas. [lawrence-related id=27882,27876,27868]