The New York Knicks visit the city of Philadelphia to face the Sixers in the NBA Cup in low hours (2-7) who recover the injured Joel Embiid.
The Cameroonian center will make his debut this season after following a strict plan devised by the Sixers that will allow him to reach one hundred percent when it matters most, in the playoffs.
This is a breath of fresh air for the Sixers who are mired in the East along with Milwaukee and who recently lost Tyrese Maxey to injury due to hamstring problems.
As soon as Joel Embiid is at 70% of his level, let the Knicks prepare, and especially Karl Anthony-Towns who has little or nothing to do against him.
Date and time of the Knicks vs Sixers
Date: early morning of November 12.
Time: These are the start times of the Knicks vs Sixers depending on the time zone.
Site: Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
Knicks vs Sixers quintets
The Knicks will repeat their gala quintet with the only question being who will be their main replacements in addition to Miles McBride, since both Jericho Sims and Tyler Kolek are barely adding quality minutes.
The Sixers started with Lowry as the starter in the absence of Maxey, and it is expected that tonight they will repeat their quintet with the only difference being Embiid for Andre Drummond.
Breaking news for the Knicks: injuries and form
Neither the Knicks nor the Sixers are having too much luck with injuries at the start of the 2024-25 season.
The confirmed casualties of Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa have recently been joined by Cameron Payne. This morning it will once again be a last-minute doubt, although from here we rule out its possible return to the parquet floors.
And the same goes for McBride. He was suffering from an illness that ultimately did not prevent him from playing against the Pacers. We will see what happens with him tonight and if he is truly fully recovered.
Given this scenario, Thibodeau, not very given to long rotations, has shortened it even more, and is practically playing with eight players. And we say practically because neither Jericho Sims nor Tyler Kolek are adding quality minutes.
His entire starting quintet plays close to 40 minutes a night. And this is a real suicide, since if they continue like this, they will not make it to the All-Star break alive. Reinforcements, signings, and seniority are urgently needed for the Knicks with a rotation that is too short, and it is not understood with free agents like Biyombo, Marcus Morris or Reggie Bullock, to name a few examples.
- Jalen Brunson: leading scorer (25 points) and best assistant (6.6)
- Towns: leading rebounder (12.3) and is closely followed by Josh Hart with 9 rejections per game.
In their last loss to the Pacers, they shot 52% and 44% on three-pointers, although it was insufficient, since their defense broke down in the final period, as had already happened against the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. And Thibodeau already said it. The last quarters are different, and you can’t allow them to score 8/13 on triples. Big mistake.
Players to watch: Karl Anthony-Towns
Towns is going to sweat a lot tonight in his particular duel against Embiid. The Cameroonian is physically superior, although Towns should take advantage of his speed and his connection with Brunson to take advantage, and in the process take him out of his comfort zone.
Anunoby, Hart and also Mikal Bridges are going to have to support him a lot if they really want to have a chance to stop the center. Because let’s remember that Paul George, unknown in his first 4 games with just 16% in triples, still needs to wake up.
Last minute for the Sixers: injuries and form
They have lost Maxey, but Joel Embiid will be available to solve this whole mess because the statistics are in favor of the Cameroonian, and the difference is overwhelming:
- Last year they added a record of 31-8.
- In his absence they obtained a 16-27. Is there anything else I need to comment on?
Physicality, presence, intimidation, points inside and out, and also defense. Joel Embiid is a true MVP and one that Philadelphia desperately needs.
At half-speed in the 2024 playoffs, he averaged 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks in 41 minutes per day.
Players to watch: Joel Embiid
I had put Paul George on the list, since he is having a terrible start and they need him now. But once Embiid’s return is confirmed, there is undoubtedly the true key to the duel.
In New York they do not have sufficient means to stop him. It’s that simple. Towns is not the one. Jericho Sims, neither. And let’s not even talk about rookie Ariel Hukporti of whom Thibodeau does not have much confidence. This is where they will miss Mitchell Robinson and, above all, Isaiah Hartenstein who performed phenomenally last year.
Knicks vs Sixers: matchup history
Game with the aroma of revenge after the Knicks’ 4-2 victory in the playoffs. Although both teams arrive in very different circumstances, the Sixers are playing at home and have recovered Embiid. White and in a bottle?
- Their last ten meetings have resulted in a positive record for the Knicks of 7-3.
- The last game closed with a tight 115-117 for the Knicks with 41 points and 12 assists from Jalen Brunson. Embiid had 39 points and 13 rebounds, playing practically lame and with a swollen face.
Predictions for the Knicks vs Sixers
Embiid vs Towns. The Knicks are going to suffer and Karl Anthony-Towns is going to suffer in his duel against Joel Embiid. Sparks are going to fly and all of their outside players are going to have to make an extra effort, especially when trying to close the offensive rebound that is giving them such good results.
Paul George’s Awakening. George’s performance in these first steps with the Sixers was very poor. If Philly really wants to have any chance of going far this season, the former Clippers player has to wake up now.
To date he is only averaging 14.3 points on 38% field goals and 16% three-pointers.
Where to watch the Knicks vs Sixers.
The match between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers can be seen in Spain through the NBA League Pass subscriptionalso through Movistar Plus starting at 01:30 am.
