Game Preview: Sixers vs Knicks
The Sixers are 34-19 after dropping their last two games on the road and are currently in the third seed in the Eastern Conference standings – 20-8 at home. Tonight, they host the 30-26 New York Knicks in the final game of the four-game regular season series – the Knicks have won two of the three games they’ve faced off in. New York is 16-11 on the road, a better record than their 14-15 home record. They’re a half-game behind the Miami Heat in the East standings, good for sixth place.
In the last matchup, the 76ers gave up a 21-point lead in the first half as the Knicks stormed back to win the game, 108-97. A tough loss for sure as Philadelphia looked like they were well on their way to a route against a division opponent. New York chipped away at the deficit by winning the second quarter by nine which allowed them to close the gap to two at the half. With the Sixers winning the third quarter by one, the Knicks closed the game strong with a plus-14 final frame to help them pull out the win.
On Thursday ahead of the trade deadline, the 76ers acquired forward Jalen McDaniels from the Charlotte Hornets as part of a four-team trade. To complete the deal, Matisse Thybulle was sent to Portland to join the Trailblazers. McDaniels is having a career-year in points, rebounds, assists and steals in his fourth NBA season. The versatile wing can do a lot on the floor and will look to provide yet another helpful piece in head coach Doc Rivers’s rotation through the final 29 games and into the postseason.
The Knicks have had a few days off, last playing on Tuesday in Orlando, defeating the Magic, 102-98. Much like the game against the Sixers last Sunday, New York used a strong fourth quarter to complete the comeback win by erasing a 12-point Orlando lead. Another solid three-point shooting night made a big difference as the Knicks were a plus-nine over the Magic making 15 to their six. Brunson led all with 25 points, Randle scored 22 and corralled a game-high 14 rebounds with six dimes. Third year guard Immanuel Quickley poured in 18 off the bench.
Before the NBA’s trade deadline came to a close, New York traded three players including Cam Reddish to Portland in exchange for former Villanova standout Josh Hart. Hart reunites with his former college teammate Brunson in the Big Apple. The six-year veteran will surely fit into head coach Tom Thibodeau’s defensive scheme. Hart arrives to New York as part of the four-team deal with Philadelphia mentioned earlier.
Probable Starters:
PHI: Embiid, Harris, Tucker, Melton and Harden
NYK: Jericho Sims, Randle, RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes and Brunson
NBA Trade Deadline Recap- Shams vs Woj
