Philadelphia (USA), Nov 8 (EFE) .- Power forward Julius Randle contributed a 31-point double-double, including eight consecutive in a key fourth-quarter streak, and 12 rebounds that allowed the New York Knicks beat the decimated Philadelphia Sixers 96-103 away on Monday.
Philadelphia found itself without the quadruple All-Star, Cameroon center Joel Embiid and three other players due to the NBA’s Covid-19 health and safety protocols they were subjected to after testing positive for the coronavirus or be close to someone who is infected.
Canadian guard RJ Barrett added 15 points for the Knicks, who have won their second game in the last five.
Center Andre Drummond started in place of Embiid and posted a double-double of 14 points and 25 rebounds. Turkish forward Furkan Korkmaz added 19 points to the Sixers, who ended a six-game winning streak.
The Knicks had a 19-point lead in the first half and looked set for a blast, but Philadelphia emerged in the third quarter with a 14-25 record and a 69-72 run early in the fourth quarter.
The 76ers came close to one on several occasions in the fourth quarter, including a 3-point from forward Georges Niang with 5:01 left to bring the score to 88-89.
But that would be Randle, who responded with a layup and then a pair of 3s, the second giving the Knicks a partial 91-97 lead with 2:54 to go.
New York took a comfortable 91-100 lead on three-point play from point guard Kemba Walker and 2:19 minutes left the game was doomed in favor of the Knicks (7-4).
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