Knicks at 76ers Preview: How, Who to Watch In Return From All-Star Break

The New York Knicks tip off their post-All-Star slate on Thursday night went they face the equally reeling Philadelphia 76ers.

They're not so different, after all. 

Each reeling from major injuries, the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers were perhaps destined to do depleted battle. That lacking showdown will be staged on Thursday night when each side tips off its post-All-Star break slate at Wells Fargo Center. It'll be the first of three meetings between the Knicks and Sixers over the next three weeks as each side vies for homecourt advantage in the upcoming NBA postseason.

The Knicks should get at least some reinforcements on Thursday as Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring) is off the injury report after missing the team's pre-break finale in Orlando. With DiVincenzo out, the Knicks dropped a 118-100 decision to the hosting Magic on a night where they were limited to eight men. Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) also sat out while Isaiah Hartenstenin (Achilles) missed his fourth in a row. New York, having dropped five of its last six before the festivities in Indianapolis, will still be missing both OG Anunoby (elbow) and Julius Randle (shoulder) to long-term ailments.

Philadelphia has been in a tailspin since losing Joel Embiid indefinitely to a meniscus injury, going 3-5 with an average margin of defeat at 13 points. The Sixers limped into the break with a 109-104 loss to the Miami Heat, one that dropped into the fifth spot on the Eastern Conference playoff bracket.

If the postseason started today, the Knicks would host the 76ers in opening round play. The two sides previously met on Jan. 5 at Wells Fargo Center, where the Knicks bestowed a 128-92 shellacking. New York has not won each of its yearly pair in Philadelphia since the 2015-16 season. Two get-togethers are scheduled for next month, as the Sixers will endure a back-to-back at Madison Square Garden on March 10-12.

What: New York Knicks (33-22) @ Philadelphia 76ers (32-22)

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 

When/Watch: Thursday, 7 p.m. ET, MSG

Who's Favored: PHI -1.5

Keep An Eye On: Jalen Brunson

Once again, these are the games that Brunson, the newly-minted All-Star was brought in for, the games that will make or break his MVP case. Even though he should get some help back on Thursday, another dominant performance should really put the Knicks at ease and start to propel them forward. One can't blame Brunson for the Knicks' seemingly active nosedive: in the nine-man game, Brunson put 20 first quarter points against the Magic before reality set in, as Orlando made up most of the lead while he was on the bench.

Sixer to Watch: Tobias Harris

Whereas the Knicks have been able to survive in the interior game without some high volume regulars (thanks Precious Achuiwa for that), the 76ers have faltered: pulling in over 11 boards a game, Embiid was more or less keeping the team's second chance prospects afloat. but they've faltered without his services, notably pulling in only six offensive rebounds during last Wednesday's loss to Miami. With Hartenstein potentially on his way back, it'll be up to Harris, who's averaging just over half what Embiid has been pulling in, to help keep the paint safe.

They Said It

"I think we can get better than what we were. We had a great (record) January, and the middle of February we obviously ended terribly. But we have a lot of things that we can still improve on. We’re in a good spot, but still room to get better. So a lot to do.”-Jalen Brunson (h/t Peter Botte, New York Post)

Thrillanova! Knicks' Wildcats and Reserves Scratch 76ers

Prediction

While the injuries have mounted and made things harder for the Knicks, they've admittedly done a solid job of dealing with issues over the past two years, responding to adversity, and pushing things in the right direction before things get out of hand. A four-game losing streak, understandable as it may be due to various ailments, is close to a dangerous breaking point but they've more or less found the perfect opponent to deal with as they seek to right the ship.

Knicks 117, 76ers 110