NBA Roundup : Hawks Near Title; McGee Spurs Victory Over 76ers

In 1984, the Atlanta Hawks embarked on a three-year plan designed to make them a legitimate contender for the National Basketball Assn. championship.

The plan draws ever closer to fulfillment. With former Laker Mike McGee coming off the bench to provide instant scoring Wednesday night at Atlanta, the Hawks drubbed Philadelphia, 110-92, to move closer to clinching their first division title.

McGee, playing just 23 minutes, scored a point per minute as he ignited rallies in the first and fourth quarters. McGee was 9 for 13 from the field, including 3 for 3 on three-pointers. Dominique Wilkins led all scorers with 26.

The Hawks moved three games ahead of Detroit in the Central Division. If the Hawks beat the Pistons Friday night at Atlanta, the title will be all but clinched.

The first season of the plan, the Hawks went with youngsters and finished with a 34-48 record. Last season, the young Hawks became a force. They had a 50-32 record to finish second to Milwaukee.

“We had been a slowdown team for years,� Hawk president and general manager Stan Kasten said. “We had a plan and we stuck to it. Mike (Coach Fratello) knew the right guys to get. We wanted very athletic people. It has paid off.

“It was a three-year plan, but we have come together quicker than we dreamed we would. It’s a tribute to Mike and his coaching ability.�

The game marked the farewell regular-season game for Julius Erving at The Omni. It was the Hawks who first signed Erving, in 1972. He played two exhibition games with the Hawks, but to avoid a court battle, Tom Cousins, then owner, traded Erving for $600,000 and a hockey player, to the New York Nets of the American Basketball Assn. The owner of the Nets also owned the New York Islanders.

Washington 118, New Jersey 109--Moses Malone just wanted to let East Rutherford, N.J., fans know he can still play the game.

In the previous game the Bullets played there, Malone, bothered by a sore neck, scored four points.

Wednesday night, he wound up with 50 points, three short of his career best.

Malone, playing just 38 minutes, was 18 for 31 from the field, made all 14 free-throw attempts and had 12 rebounds.

“Remember, this is not a one-man game,� Malone said. “I just feel that if I do more in road games, we will play better. My teammates kept the boards free and let me go one-on-one.�

Sacramento 111, San Antonio 110--Eddie Johnson sank a 21-foot jumper with just six seconds remaining at San Antonio to lift the Kings to their fourth victory in a row.

Johnny Moore of the Spurs made a desperate heave from midcourt at the final buzzer, and it bounced off the rim.

Utah 103, Dallas 90--Karl Malone had 26 points and 12 rebounds at Salt Lake City to help the Jazz win their 42nd game and assure them of a winning season.