Field Level Media
Feb 12, 2018
Dario Saric scored 24 points, JJ Redick added 18 and the Philadelphia 76ers led the entire way in a 108-92 victory over the visiting New York Knicks on Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Joel Embiid scored 17 points while Ben Simmons and Robert Covington added 13 apiece for Philadelphia.
T.J. McConnell provided a major spark off the bench with his first career triple-double of 10 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to go along with six steals.
The Sixers (29-25) have won eight straight at home to move four games above .500. They also eclipsed last season's win total.
Michael Beasley led the Knicks with 22 points while Courtney Lee added 18. Enes Kanter had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Jarrett Jack chipped in with 11 points.
The Knicks struggled with their shooting, most notably going 6 of 24 from beyond the 3-point arc. Tim Hardaway Jr. managed nine points but shot 4 of 16 from the floor and 0 of 8 from 3-point territory.
Philadelphia took a 86-79 lead into the fourth quarter. Redick fouled Lee with 0.7 seconds left in the third, and Lee hit both free throws to get the Knicks within seven.
The Sixers reeled off the first five points of the fourth to push ahead 91-79 with 9:52 remaining. They kept the pressure up, and Covington eventually followed with a layup for a 93-79 advantage. He missed the free throw on a potential three-point play.
On Philadelphia's next possession, McConnell drove to the basket and made a nifty behind-the-neck pass to Amir Johnson, who missed the layup but knocked down 1 of 2 free throws for a 94-79 edge.
Simmons attacked the basket and threw down a vicious dunk for a 99-84 lead with 6:36 left.
Saric sealed the victory with a 3-pointer and a 104-86 lead with 4:23 remaining.
The Sixers held a 12-point lead in the first half but saw it sliced to 57-55 by halftime thanks in large part to a sluggish second quarter.
Philadelphia guard/forward Justin Anderson sustained a sprained right ankle in the first half. X-rays were negative, though the Sixers announced he would not return to the game.
--Field Level Media