76ers escape with win over Knicks

NEW YORK >> Ben Simmons backed up his tough talk with a big day.

Simmons had 20 points, 22 rebounds and nine assists, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 108-105 on Sunday.

Joel Embiid scored 26 points for the Sixers, who were coming off a 123-121 home loss against Atlanta on Friday night. JJ Redick added 22 points, and Jimmy Butler finished with 16.

Simmons called his team “too soft” after the loss to the lowly Hawks. He answered his own challenge with a pair of big plays late in the fourth quarter against New York.

The Knicks pulled within two on rookie Kevin Knox’s 3-pointer with 3:02 left, but Simmons pulled down an offensive rebound and fed Redick for a key jumper.

A defensive rebound for Simmons set up Redick’s two foul shots with 20 seconds left, lifting Philadelphia to a 106-98 lead.

“I thought especially the offensive rebound at the end of the game that led to JJ’s 3, I thought

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