Jose Alvarado erupted for a season-high 26 points and Mikal Bridges added 22 as the New York Knicks routed the Philadelphia 76ers 138-89 on Wednesday night.
The Knicks responded emphatically after an overtime loss to Indiana on Tuesday, earning their 10th win in the last 12 games. Two of those victories have come against Philadelphia, as the teams split their four-game season series.
Alvarado, acquired from New Orleans last week, knocked down 8 of 13 shots from 3-point range and added five steals in a standout performance. Bridges set the tone early with nine points during a 16-4 opening burst as New York built a commanding lead. The Knicks were up 30 at halftime after shooting 58% from the field in the first half, led by 19 points from Bridges and 16 from Karl-Anthony Towns.
Towns finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Mohamed Diawara contributed 14 points. Jalen Brunson, coming off a 40-point effort the night before, scored eight. New York totaled a season-high 41 assists in the blowout.
Tyrese Maxey paced the 76ers with 32 points in three quarters. VJ Edgecombe scored 14 and Dominick Barlow added 13 for Philadelphia, which was without Joel Embiid due to right knee soreness. Embiid missed his second straight game, while Quentin Grimes also sat out with an illness.
The 76ers have dropped two in a row and three of their last four, finishing with a season-low point total and just their third game under 100 points this season.
Up next:
The Knicks host Detroit on Feb. 19, and the 76ers host Atlanta on Feb. 19.
