Recap: Knicks 110, 76ers 88

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Through three games, the Knicks have yet to struggle, and yet to meet an opponent to give them a real challenge. Yes, it’s only been three games – a sample size so small that it hardly has any real bearing on the season, or how good or bad a team will be. Yet, through 12 quarters this season, the Knicks look like a well-oiled machine, finely tuned on both sides of the floor to just slowly, efficiently unhinge their opponents.

Tonight was no different, as the Knicks recovered from a slow start to gradually sink their teeth into a short-handed Philadelphia 76ers club that just couldn’t generate enough momentum to halt these surprisingly machine-like Knicks.

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          Notes

          - Ronnie Brewer is playing at an astoundingly high-level on offense by his standards.He has made a three-pointer in each of the two games prior, and knocked down three more tonight, on his way to a 13-point, 10-rebound performance. The Knicks’ spacing was a concern going into the season, but if Brewer becomes a consistent, reliable option from the corners, it will grant the Knicks that much more room around the basket.

          - Tyson Chandler does not have the flu, apparently, but is still a little sick, and it has shown. On a number of plays, Tyson allowed some basket-bent Sixers open lanes to the hoop without nary an attempted close-out, swat, or foul. He did finish some nice plays around the basket (three in particular off lovely Felton feeds), but his low rebounding numbers indicate that he’s just not quite feeling right. Vitamin C, Tyson!

          - Speaking of Tyson, he, along with Felton and Kidd, were the three starters who played under 30 minutes. Kurt Thomas, Chandler’s backup thus far, only played six minutes, as Rasheed Wallace contributed 13 fairly productive minutes at the center position.

          - Carmelo Anthony had the quietest night of his season with 21 points on 7-16 shooting and 10 rebounds. He forced his offense a bit in the first quarter, but slowly found his way and returned to the Good ‘Melo we’ve been seeing this year. He snaggled six of his rebounds in the first quarter.

          - According to Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm, the Knicks are +21 per 100 possessions through their first three games. That’s a very good number.

           

          The Knicks are now on what is called a “winning streak”. 3-0 and the Knicks have the largest margin of victory of any team in the league through their first three games. They go to Dallas to play on Friday night, so in between, they have three days to rest, recover, practice, and watch film. This is fun!