Sixers-Knicks: Stopping New York's Kristaps Porzingis, Michael Beasley vital on Christmas
The Knicks have won 12 of the last 15 series meetings.
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76ers (14-18) at New York Knicks (17-15)
Monday, 12 p.m. at Madison Square Garden
Talking points
In addition to cutting down turnovers, the Sixers must contain Kristaps Porzingis and Michael Beasley in order to win this Christmas Day matchup. Sixers fans will never forgive their front office for not selecting Porzingis with the third-pick of the 2015 draft. The power forward has blossomed into one of the league's elite players and would have paired well with Joel Embiid. This year the 22-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to score 30 or more points in five of the first six games of a season. Meanwhile, Beasley's career has undergone a rebirth. The reserve forward had season highs of 32 points and 12 rebounds in Thursday's victory over the Boston Celtics. That marked his third 30-point effort of the season.
How to watch and follow the game
— TV and streaming: NBC Sports Philadelphia; ESPN
— Radio: 97.5 FM
— Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers; @NBASarah
Starting lineups
Sixers (14-18)
33 Robert Covington SF 6-9 14.18ppg. 6.2 rpg.
9 Dario Saric PF 6-10 12.7 ppg. 7.1 rpg.
21 Joel Embiid C 7-2 23.7 ppg. 10.9 rpg.
17 JJ Redick G 6-3 15.5 ppg. 3.5 apg.
25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 17.1 ppg. 7.7 apg.
Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 89-271)
Injury report: Markelle Fultz (right shoulder rehabilitation, out); Justin Anderson (shin splints, out); Furkan Korkmaz (Lisfranc fracture, out); Joel Embiid (back soreness, tightness, questionable); JJ Redick (right hamstring tightness, questionable).
Knicks (17-15)
42 Lance Thomas SF 6-8 4.4 ppg. 2.8 rpg.
6 Kristaps Porzingis PF 7-3 24.7 ppg. 6.7 rpg.
00 Enes Kanter C 6-11 13.5 ppg. 10.0 rpg.
5 Courtney Lee SG 6-5 13.1 ppg. 3.6 rpg.
55 Jarrett Jack PG 6-3 6.8 ppg. 5.9 apg.
Coach: Jeff Hornacek (Fifth season, 149-178)
Injury report: Tim Hardaway Jr (left leg stress injury, out)
Head to head
The Sixers hold a 244-201 series advantage. However, the Knicks have won 12 of the last 15 meetings.
Sixers’ upcoming games
Thursday: 10:30 p.m., at Moda Center, Sixers at Portland Trail Blazers
Saturday: 9 p.m., at Pepsi Center, Sixers at Denver Nuggets
Sunday: 8 p.m., at Talking Stick Resort Arena, Sixers at Phoenix Suns
Jan. 3: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, San Antonio Spurs at Sixers
Jan. 5: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Detroit Pistons at Sixers
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