Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Box Score on Dec 25, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 25, 2017

NEW YORK -- Joel Embiid had 25 points and 16 rebounds, and J.J. Redick added 24 points with four 3-pointers as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 105-98 on Monday in their Christmas Day matchup at Madison Square Garden.

Enes Kanter had 31 points -- including 14 in the third quarter -- and 22 rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points for the Knicks, who've lost three of four after winning four straight.

Ben Simmons, who struggled offensively and finished with eight points, had a crucial steal and breakaway dunk with 1 minute, 6 seconds left, jumping in front of a Porzingis pass and taking it the other way to give the 76ers an eight-point cushion. He then forced a turnover on the Knicks' next possession, and Philadelphia was able to juice the clock late to snap its season-high five-game slide.

After a close game for the first three quarters -- neither team led by more than seven points -- the 76ers broke loose with a big run midway through the fourth quarter.

With the score tied at 89 and 5:07 remaining, Porzingis was called for a defensive three-second violation, giving the 76ers a technical free throw which Redick converted. Philadelphia then went on an 11-4 run to take control.

Though Embiid and Redick led the way offensively, reserve guard T.J. McConnell may have been the most important player for the 76ers. McConnell had 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals off the bench as he outdueled New York's Doug McDermott, who had five points and a negative-17 plus/minus ratio.

The Knicks started 1 for 7 from 3-point range and finished 4 for 15 from beyond the arc.

NOTES: New York fell to 22-30 after playing its league-high 52nd Christmas Day game, including 21-23 at home. ... The Knicks entered the game with a seven-game home winning streak over Philadelphia despite trailing the all-time series 201-244. ... The 76ers stay on the road with a Dec. 28 matchup at Portland. ... New York entered the game averaging 22.7 assists per game (12th in the NBA), which would be their highest season average since 1994-95. ... New York heads on the road for a three-game trip, starting with Chicago on Dec. 27.