Knicks catch slumping Sixers at good time for 2-some
The Knicks are catching Philadelphia at a good time for their NBA equivalent of a doubleheader.
The reeling 76ers have dropped three straight and 15 of their past 21 heading into consecutive games at MSG, including Sunday’s 7 p.m. tipoff on ESPN. Following Friday’s defeat against the Pelicans — which included a 35-point deficit in the first half — Sixers coach Nick Nurse went off on his team’s “soft approach.”
“You’ve got to play tougher than that. You’ve got to put your nose in there, drive it in the paint, try to get to the foul line, or draw some defense and kick it out to somebody that’s open. So I thought we had a soft mentality on offense,” Nurse said. “We tried to jump shoot our way to a lead early, and you can’t count on that. And then we didn’t execute the defensive schemes. Not a very good combination.”
Their struggles lately coincided with the knee injury to Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP who has no set return date from meniscus surgery and will miss these Garden games.
The status of Tyrese Maxey, who missed the past three games after suffering a concussion, is up in the air for Sunday, but Nurse seemed optimistic about his All-Star’s availability, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Either way, this set is important for the Knicks (37-26) before their schedule turns road heavy. They’re fourth in the East but just two games ahead of the No. 7 Sixers (35-28), who are an X-factor in the playoffs because of Embiid’s possible return, but are trying to avoid the play-in tournament.
The Knicks, who already won twice in Philadelphia, are trying to sweep their regular-season series for the first time since 2015-16. ➤ Miles McBride took the minutes and Alec Burks lost them.
In Friday’s dominating win over the Magic, McBride, who is playing some of the best ball of his career, was the clear backup guard while scoring 14 efficient points in 19 minutes.
“He’s done terrific,” Thibodeau said. “He continues to get better.”
Shake Milton, another newly acquired guard in the buyout market, made his Knicks debut Friday in garbage time.
➤ Thibodeau lauded the effort of Isaiah Hartenstein after the Orlando victory, saying the center played his best since his latest Achilles flare-up.
Hartenstein, who is dealing with pain he likened to tendinitis, has been under a minutes restriction while ramping up to be 100 percent by the playoffs. Friday, he logged 20 minutes with five points and three blocks.
“[The Achilles pain] is something he’s managed for two years,” Thibodeau said. “So hopefully it moves forward.”
Jericho Sims logged 28 minutes at center, including 17 straight in the second half of the blowout. He’s also been playing better lately.