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 one takes us back 30 years to the days of Charles Barkley in Philadelphia. The Sixers entered the 1990 playoffs as the 2 seed and they were feeling good about themselves. The Cleveland Cavaliers were their opponents the 7 seed and it was assumed that Philadelphia would make quick work of them. That was not the case in Game 1 as Barkley had to reach into his bag to make sure they get the win.
April 26, 1990
The Spectrum was buzzing as the thrill and excitement of playoff basketball was in the air. The Cavs were led by Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, and Larry Nance and they even had Craig Ehlo who wasn’t a slouch. Still, they weren’t a lot of hope for Cleveland in this matchup with a more talented Sixers squad.
Barkley went to work as he had himself a monster game of 38 points on 15-for-25 shooting and he also pulled down 21 rebounds in a 111-106 win in Game 1. Barkley’s huge game was supported by Hersey Hawkins who scored 35 points to help Philadelphia overcome four Cavaliers who scored 20+ points.
The Sixers used their home-court advantage in this series as they knocked off Cleveland 3-2 to move on to Round 2. The Cavs won both games at home while the Sixers won their three home games. They then fell to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the semifinals. [lawrence-related id=30036,30029,30020]