Knicks Dominate 76ers Before All-Star Break
In Philadelphia, the Knicks played like they had everything on the line. Meanwhile, the 76ers seemed almost on vacation. The outcome? The Knicks clinched an early All-Star break after their decisive win over the 76ers, finishing 138-89, marking the largest margin of victory ever against a divisional rival.
Coach Mike Brown opted to rest all his starters for the final 10 minutes, with the reserves taking over for the last seven.
Jose Alvarado, in his third outing with the Knicks, led his team with a season-high 26 points in just 19 minutes. An early confrontation with Philadelphia’s Trendon Watford ignited Alvarado, following a hard foul on Mitchell Robinson, prompting a game-changing 27-9 run.
He received his first technical foul for pushing Watford but went on to sink eight 3-pointers, tying his career best. Alvarado also recorded a season-high five steals, contributing to the Knicks outscoring the 76ers by 35 points during his time on the court.
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns bolstered the Knicks’ effort with a combined 43 points on 17-of-28 shooting. With a record of 33-20, the team is well on track for 51 wins, similar to last season.
The 76ers, missing their star Joel Embiid due to a knee issue, struggled against the Knicks’ energetic defense and efficient ball movement. The Knicks shot 53% and delivered a season-high 41 assists.
This could be described as both a significant victory and a bounce-back. Just the day before, the Knicks faced a disappointing overtime loss against the Pacers. Despite the Pacers having a stronger record, they currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks quickly established a lead, going up by double digits within three minutes, and they maintained that advantage effortlessly. Star Jalen Brunson had a quiet game, playing only 30 minutes and scoring eight points on six attempts, as the Sixers’ defensive strategy failed to contain him. He consistently found his teammates ready to score.
Looking ahead, both Brunson and Towns will participate in the All-Star Weekend in LA. Meanwhile, the rest of the roster will enjoy a well-deserved week off.
