Philadelphia 76ers come from behind to beat the New York Knicks on Christmas Day and extend win streak to EIGHT games… as Joel Embiid and James Harden shine at MSG
Joel Embiid scored 35 points, James Harden had 29 points and 13 assists and the Philadelphia 76ers blew by the New York Knicks in the final quarter, extending their winning streak to eight games with a 119-112 victory Sunday.
Georges Niang hit four 3-pointers in Philadelphia’s fourth-quarter surge and finished with 16 points, while De’Anthony Melton added 15 as the 76ers got off to a good start on a four-game road trip after sweeping a seven-game homestand.
The Sixers never led through three quarters, then outscored the Knicks 24-9 to open the fourth, turning a one-point deficit into a 116-102 lead.
Joel Embiid – the NBA’s leading scorer – was in fine form again as the 76ers beat the Knicks
All the talk was of a potential James Harden trade, but his mind was fully on the 76ers today
Jalen Brunson could not help the Knicks to a victory, and their losing streak extended to three
Julius Randle scored 35 points and Jalen Brunson had 23 points and 11 assists for the Knicks, who have lost three straight following an eight-game winning streak.
Embiid scored 15 points in the third quarter and Harden took over the game when Embiid went to the bench, with a four-point play and another 3-pointer that trimmed it to 96-95. He made another 3 in the opening minute of the fourth to tie it at 98, then found Niang for a 3 that gave the 76ers their first lead with 10:37 to play.
Niang hit consecutive 3s midway through the period before Embiid had two baskets and Harden made one and set up the other in a 8-0 flurry that put it away at 116-102.
Georges Niang hit four 3-pointers in the fourth to help Philly to a big win in the Big Apple
Carmelo Anthony was courtside for the game and acknowledged the crowd in New York
Embiid, the NBA’s scoring leader, started slowly and the Knicks led 37-25 after one. They were still up eight when Embiid scored with 6.2 seconds remaining, and when Brunson lost the ball as New York tried to get a final shot, Shake Milton scooped it up and banked in a 50-footer at the buzzer that made it 63-60.
Meanwhile, 76ers coach Doc Rivers said PJ Tucker had some kind of pain or injury that was affecting his hand, but he wasn’t worried about it yet, while also revealing that the team brought two busloads of families to the game.
The Knicks fell to 23-32 in their league-high 55 Christmas appearance.
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