Knicks at 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have a golden opportunity to finish off a perfect homestand when they host the stumbling New York Knicks on Monday. The Sixers have claimed the first three contests of their four-game stretch at Wells Fargo Center by an average of 15 points and the Knicks, who have lost six in a row and will be playing the second half of a back-to-back set, figure to offer little resistance against a unit that's clicking on all cylinders.
"This was a great win," JJ Redick told reporters after Saturday's 112-98 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. "This is one of our best wins of the season. I really believe that." Philadelphia and its fans breathed a sigh of relief when oft-injured All-Star Joel Embiid went down in a heap in the fourth quarter and seemed to hurt a knee, but the big man returned soon thereafter to cap a 29-point, 16-rebound performance. New York's slide continued with Sunday's 121-113 setback at Indiana, although there was some progress after the team averaged 87.2 points over the first five games of its losing streak. Michael Beasley registered 16 points and 13 boards and is averaging 18.5 and 10 in two games since the Knicks lost All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis to an ACL injury.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE KNICKS (23-34): Emmanuel Mudiay made his team debut on Sunday after being acquired from Denver at the trade deadline and provided 14 points and 10 assists to bolster his case for playing time in crowded backcourt. "I thought he had good court sense, made some good passes," coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters. Hornacek indicated that Mudiay's presence would alter the minutes for his guards, and Mudiay (29 minutes) and rookie Frank Ntilikina (31) got the lion's share against the Pacers while Jarrett Jack and Trey Burke saw just eight minutes of playing time apiece.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (28-25): Veteran guard Marco Belinelli is expected to sign with Philadelphia once he clears waivers on Monday and becomes an unrestricted free agent, giving the team a solid shooter off the bench. The 31-year-old shot 37.2 percent from 3-point range while making a career-high 1.8 shots per game from beyond the arc with Atlanta this season. Redick has been carrying the team in that department of late, converting 12-of-21 3-point attempts over his last three contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Ntilikina recorded 12 points on Sunday to snap a string of 12 straight games in which he scored in single digits.
2. Philadelphia PG T.J. McConnell made all three of his 3-point attempts against the Clippers and is 6-for-6 over his last nine contests.
3. Embiid notched 25 points and 16 rebounds while Redick chipped in 24 points in a 105-98 win at New York in the first meeting this season.