Knicks 82 - 79 76ers
Final
  for this game

Sixers, Knicks set for key battle

Mar 21, 2012 - 2:49 PM

Video

(Sports Network) - A key Atlantic Division battle will take place in the City of Brotherly Love tonight as the first place Philadelphia 76ers hope to stem the momentum of the hard-charging New York Knicks.

The Knicks looked dead in the water 10 days ago when the Sixers invaded Madison Square Garden and routed New York, 106-94. But, after another loss in Chicago a day later the Knicks fired head coach Mike D'Antoni and elevated assistant Mike Woodson.

New York has won four straight since and has turned the Atlantic into a three- horse race with slumping Philadelphia trying to hold off Boston, which is 1 1/2 games off the pace, and the Knicks, who are four games back after Tuesday's 106-87 rout of the Raptors in Gotham.

Amar'e Stoudemire poured in 22 points and ripped down 12 rebounds in that one as New York remained perfect under Woodson.

Jeremy Lin added a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists, while Carmelo Anthony did a little bit of everything with 17 points, eight boards, five assists and three steals for the Knicks.

"We're sacrificing, we're buying in, and we're using each other," said Lin about the team's balanced offensive attack. "We moved the ball and tried to pick apart the defense. We really took whatever the defense gave us and I think we were patient as a team."

The Sixers, meanwhile, have gone a pedestrian 6-11 since a very good 20-9 start to the season, allowing both Boston and New York back into the race.

Philadelphia was able to halt a three-game skid on Monday against NBA-worst Charlotte, however.

Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young tallied 20 points apiece to lead the 76ers in a 105-80 romp at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Lou Williams added 19 points and five assists, Elton Brand scored 16 and Spencer Hawes recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia.

"Once we got the game where we could run a little bit, then we got much easier shots and we didn't have to grind it out," said Sixers head coach Doug Collins. "That's when we're good, when that happens with high percentage shots."

The Sixers and Knicks have split a pair of meetings this season, both at Madison Square Garden. New York is just 3-10 in the past 13 trips to south Philly.






Related News