The Philadelphia 76ers (14-18) will go on the road for a Christmas afternoon matchup when they visit the New York Knicks (17-15).

Philadelphia has now lost five in a row and nine out of their last 10 after losing to the Toronto Raptors by the score of 102-86 on Saturday (Dec. 23). That was the second time they lost to the Raptors in three days in what was a home-and-home with the most recent game played in Toronto. The 76ers turned the ball over 22 times on Saturday and connected on just 7-of-27 from three-point range. Dario Saric led the team with 17 points.

The Knicks allowed the Detroit Pistons to end the game on a 7-0 run Friday (Dec. 22), helping Detroit earn the 104-101 victory. New York trailed throughout much of the game but blew a four-point lead with 1:48 remaining. Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the team with 29 points while Enes Kanter finished with 22 along with 16 rebounds.

Projected starters

Philadelphia: PG - Ben Simmons, SG - Jerryd Bayless (J. J. Redick if available), SF - Robert Covington, PF - Dario Saric, C - Joel Embiid

New York: PG - Jarrett Jack, SG - Courtney Lee, SF - Lance Thomas, PF - Kristaps Porzingis, C - Enes Kanter

Team leaders

Philadelphia: Points - Joel Embiid 23.7, Rebounds - Joel Embiid 10.9, Assists - Ben Simmons 7.7

New York: Points - Kristaps Porzingis 24.7, Rebounds - Enes Kanter 10.0, Assists - Jarrett Jack 5.9

Who is not and may not be available

Philadelphia: Out - Justin Anderson (shin), Markelle Fultz (shoulder), Questionable - J.

J. Redick (hamstring)

New York: Out - Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg)

Notes heading into the Christmas game

While the 76ers have been in a rut, it’s not like their games haven’t been competitive. Prior to Saturday’s 16-point loss to Toronto, their previous seven losses were by seven points or less. That includes a triple-overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 15.

The Knicks will look to win their sixth consecutive home game this season on Christmas Day. They haven’t been able to do that since they won six straight at Madison Square Garden over a year ago from November 9-November 26, 2016.

This Christmas matchup is between two of the best shooting defenses in the league. Philadelphia ranks third allowing opponents to shoot just 44.2 percent while the Knicks are fourth allowing 44.3 percent shooting.

How the teams have fared all-time in regular season matchups

The 76ers and Knicks have met 445 times in the regular season with Philadelphia holding a 244-201 advantage in the win column. Since moving to Philadelphia (previously were the Syracuse Nationals), they have won 154 of 294 head-to-head matchups.

Entering last season, the Knicks had won five straight against the 76ers, but the two teams alternated wins and losses in the four meetings they had last season. New York won the most recent meeting on April 12 and have defeated Philadelphia seven straight times at Madison Square Garden.
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