By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers (15-18) managed to snap a five-game win streak on Christmas Day, defeating the New York Knicks (17-16) at Madison Square Garden, 105-98. The two Atlantic division foes traded leads all game, but the Sixers got clutch shots from J.J. Redick and Joel Embiid down the stretch, leading them to victory. This was Philadelphia's first win on Christmas in 29 years.
Redick and Embiid were both game-time decisions, and it's a good thing they suited up, because they provided the majority of the Sixers offense, combining for 49 points on 14-for-27 shooting from the floor and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc. Leading by four with less than four minutes to play, Redick drained a three to make it a seven-point game. Shortly afterwards, Embiid hit a triple out of a timeout to give the Sixers a 101-93 lead. The coughed the ball up on five of the next six possessions, but were able to hold on for the win.
"Especially after what we've been through over the past four years, I was so excited to play tonight because we've been through so much losing," Embiid said post-game. "To be able to be one of the few teams in the league to play on this day, it shows you how much we've improved, so I'm just blessed to be in this position."
This was Embiid's first Chrismas Day game and first game inside the historic basketball cathedral of Madison Square Garden. The big man didn't disappoint, scoring 25 points while also grabbing 16 rebounds and blocking three shots. At points during the game, Embiid could hear chants of "Trust the Process" at the Garden. Philadelphia outscored the Knicks 90-65 with Embiid on the court.
"I love playing in this arena, it was fun," said Embiid. "At one point [the chants] were getting louder, and then I think the Knicks fans were booing. I wish it was louder."
Some would say Embiid was out-played by the Knicks big man, and no we aren't talking about Kristaps Porzingis. That's right, Enes Kanter was the star of this one for New York, tallying 31 points and absolutely dominating on the glass with 22 rebounds (11 off, 11 def). Porzingis finished with 22 points, but missed 13 of his 19 shots. After the game, Kanter commented on playing against Embiid.
''I respect the guy a lot because that guy didn't play three, four years and coming back (at the) level he's playing right now,'' Kanter told reporters post-game. ''So it's cool to play against, go against a guy like that.''
Another star of the game for the Sixers was back-up point guard T.J. McConnell. The former undrafted free agent, who hit a game-winning shot against the Knicks last year, scored the last eight Sixers' points in the third quarter, allowing them to lead by four heading into the final 12 minutes. He finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in another gritty effort.
"I think he was the MVP of the game."
Coach talks about @TJMcConnell's Christmas performance in NYC. #NBAXMAS pic.twitter.com/xZWXVvUSsN
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 25, 2017
J.J. Redick scored 24 points, hitting 4-for-8 from downtown. Ben Simmons was quiet in his first game at the Garden, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Up Next:
The Sixers have two days off before heading to Portland for a matchup with the Trailblazers at 10:30 p.m. on TNT.
