The Philadelphia 76ers (8-33) will welcome one of their division foes, the New York Knicks (6-36), Wednesday evening to the Wells Fargo Center for their second of four overall matchups this season.
The first meeting between the two Atlantic rivals came back on November 22nd at Madison Square Garden, when Philadelphia was bested 91-83 for their 13th consecutive defeat to start the 2014-2015 campaign. Knicks' star Carmelo Anthony dropped 25 points and grabbed seven boards, all defensive. Sixers big-man Nerlens Noel had one of the best games in his young career that night, scoring 17 points and securing 12 rebounds (3 offensive).
New York, who currently own the worst record in the NBA, ended their season-long, 16-game losing streak Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans on Martin Luther King Day. The Sixers' worst stretch is comparable, as they lost their first 17 games before finally getting into the win-column on December 3, 2014.
The rivarly between both clubs has seen better days. Both clubs, this season, are amongst the very worst in the entire league. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves separate the two at the bottom of the standings.
What to Watch For:
- Carmelo Anthony is averaging 23.9 points per game (tied for fourth in the NBA) in 35.9 minutes per game this season.
- The Knicks have had recent success against the Sixers, winning 14 of their past 19 matchups. Tonight, they will look for their fourth straight victory against Philadelphia for the first time since January of 2003 to March of 2004.
- Philadelphia is 3-16 at home this season, whereas the Knicks are 2-19 away.
- Former Sixer, center Jason Smith, is now a member of the Knicks. Smith and current Sixer center Henry Sims were teammates in 2012-2013 with the New Orleans Hornets.
Game Information:
- Tip-off: 7:00 pm EST
- TV: CSN Philly | Radio: 97.5 FM
Injury Report:
Questionable
- Luc Mbah a Moute, PHI (Left Knee Contusion)
Out
- Joel Embiid, PHI (Right Foot Injury)
- Jason Richardson, PHI (Left Knee Injury)
- Tony Wroten, PHI (Right Knee Sprain)
- Andrei Kirilenko, PHI (Suspended Indefinitely)
- Andrea Bargnani, NYK (Sore Right Calf)
- Cleanthony Early, NYK (Sprained Right Ankle)
Atlantic Division Standings:
- Toronto Raptors (27-14)
- Brooklyn Nets (17-24, 10 GB)
- Boston Celtics (13-26, 13 GB)
- Philadelphia 76ers (8-33, 19 GB)
- New York Knicks (6-36, 21.5 GB)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is a contributor to Sixerdelphia.com.
