Brotherly Dud: Knicks Fall to 76ers in Defensive Struggle

Another solid defensive effort helped the New York Knicks keep pace with the Philadelphia 76ers but they were unable to replicate their accompanying offensive mastery.

For the second game in a row, the stingiest defensive effort in the NBA this season occurred on Madison Square Garden hardwood. Alas for the hosting New York Knicks, they were on the wrong end of it this time around.

After picking up an emotional victory over the Orlando Magic that allowed a season-low in points against in any NBA game this season, the Knicks struggled to keep pace on the scoreboard in a 79-73 offensively-challenged loss to the Philadelphia 76ers The Knicks' brutal output set the Association's new seasonal mark of scoring futility after they took a 98-74 triumph from Orlando two nights prior. 

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Though the Knicks were able to salvage a Friday win, a disturbing trend continued as the team keeps biding its time until OG Anunoby and Julius Randle get back from their injury absences: New York has not won consecutive games since a nine-victory tally between Jan. 17 and Feb. 1.

A lazy Sunday defined a dreary end to the Knicks' weekend, as New York (37-27) lost 19 turnovers, six alone in a first quarter that ended in a tepid 15-all tie. The Knicks' hopes appropriately evaporated with one last lost ball: down by five with under 20 seconds remaining, a Precious Achuiwa steal offered the Knicks a quantum of hope, but Donte DiVincenzo's errant pass sailed through the hands of Jalen Brunson and into the MSG stands. 

Despite the offensive issues, Philadelphia reserves provided just enough to escape with a victory: Buddy Hield had 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting (including 4-of-6 from three-point range) while Paul Reed put up 13 more. Both also pulled in seven rebounds each while Reed also swatted four Knicks attempts. Among the starters, Kelly Oubre (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Tobias Harris (12 rebounds, 11 points) each put up double-doubles, allowing the 76ers (36-28) to pick up a big win without the services of both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Combined with Miami's shocking loss to Washington, the Sixers' win thrust Philadelphia back into sixth place on the Eastern Conference leaderboard and they currently stand as the last team with an automatic playoff spot. One game ahead, the Knicks held onto fourth thanks to Orlando's loss to Indiana. The fourth-through-eighth spots in the East remain separated by two games entering the new week.

The Knicks had handily handled the Sixers in two prior meetings at Wells Fargo Center this season but failed to generate any offensive momentum necessary to take down the shorthanded Sixers. Former Villanova Wildcats sharpshooter Brunson led the way with 19 points but needed 22 tries from the field to get there. Eight of the misfires came on nine three-point attempts, as shot 9-of-40 (22.5 percent) from deep, with Brunson combining to hit only 5-of-28 with fellow Villanovans DiVincenzo and Josh Hart.

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Embiid's absence at least allowed several Knicks to pad their rebounding totals: four New Yorkers had at least nine as Hart led the way with 11 while DiVincenzo, two behind him, put up a season-best in boards.

New York won't have to wait long to seek revenge against the Sixers, as the two teams are due for a rematch on Tuesday night at MSG (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT).