Lakers Conclude Trip in Philadelphia With Tough Assignment Against 76ers

PHILADELPHIA —  The Lakers, who have been home for only three games this month, close out a four-game trip tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers, whose status in the East has dramatically improved since Larry Bird’s surgery.

It isn’t just the loss of Bird, however, that have people taking Philadelphia seriously in the East. The 76ers (9-4) have won four straight and are unbeaten at home in their last six games. Charles Barkley has been his usual imposing self--he’s averaging more than 27 points and 11 rebounds a game--but Philadelphia apparently has found a sixth man in 6 foot 7 inch Ron Anderson, the former Santa Barbara City College, Fresno State and Indiana Pacer player who appears to have blossomed here.

The 76ers also have received a positive jolt from No. 1 draft choice Hersey Hawkins, which was expected, and 5-11 free agent Scott Brooks, which wasn’t. Brooks, who played at UC Irvine and also was a teammate of Tony Campbell in the Continental Basketball Assn., is averaging nearly 15 minutes a game off the bench.

The Lakers are 2-1 on this trip, 8-3 overall, after losing to Detroit Saturday. Magic Johnson, who suffered a bruised left knee against the Pistons, received treatment Sunday here but is expected to play.