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What should you expect when two of the league's worst defensive teams get together? An affair in which both teams light up the scoreboard, and that's exactly what the Sixers and Knicks did tonight. New York would go on to win rather handily by a final of 123-110, but large point totals from an opponent are to be expected when a coach has yet to really instill a defensive system yet.
It's hard to find some good in a team like this, but there were a few positives to take from the team's 17th straight loss.
- Madison Square Garden seems to usually bring out the best in Michael Carter-Williams game. He had everything going Monday; his mid-range shots were falling and he even showed off a bit of a floater around the rim. For MCW to excel in the NBA, it's pretty crucial for him to develop that soft floater around the rim, because despite having a 6'7" wingspan, you can't just jump right into big men around the rim. Carter-Williams finished with his second career triple-double (23 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists).
- The Sixers won the Spencer Hawes trade just from Henry Sims' incredible performance. The center finished with 10 points on 4-4 shooting, most notably hitting a face up, baseline jumper over Carmelo Anthony. I almost passed out. It doesn't always looks pretty, but he exerts some serious effort on both ends of the floor, which Brett Brown must absolutely love. Keep playing like this, and he might earn himself a roster spot for next season.
- Arnett Moultrie sort of did positive things tonight. He posted a season high eight points on 4-5 shooting. He also learned tonight that when you're willing to run the floor good things can happen, as he cashed in on a couple of missed shots around the rims.
- Byron Mullens was +3 in 3 minutes of action. Fancy numbers don't lie.
Knicks Notes
- Amare Stoudemire looked like the Amare of old in the low post this evening. He was way too much man for Jarvis Varnado and Henry Sims to handle, repeatedly drawing contact and still finishing around the bucket. He was 9-10 from the floor with 30 points. With performances like these, New York may be able to live with the absence of Tyson Chandler.
- Tim Hardaway Jr. continues to be a bright spot in a dull season for the Knicks. The Michigan product did it all, knocking down five shots from beyond the arc and attacking the basket with relative ease. He finished the night with 28 points
Philadelphia is back in action on Wednesday, as they face Sacramento at home.
