Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

"Best" & "Worst" awards: Sixers vs. Knicks

    by Keith Pompey, The Philadelphia Inquirer
    Published 

My look at some of the best and worst performances and happenings from the New York Knicks' 102-92 victory over the 76ers Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center:

Best performance:  Amar'e Stoudemire gets this award.  The 6-foot-11, 245-pounder looked nothing like a guy who has been battling injuries. Dominating the overmatched Sixers, the Knicks reserve power forward/center resembled a guy who a beast during his time with the Phoenix Suns.  Stoudemire shot 8-for-10 from the field and made all five of his foul shots in route to finishing with a game-high 21 points. Things were too easy for the 12th-year veteran, who killed the Sixers on powerful dunks and hook shots.

Worst performance: I have to give this to Evan Turner, who was nothing more than a bystander.  Turner had just six shot attempts and eight points through three quarters. He finished with 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting in addition to a game-worst six turnovers.  The Sixers are at their best when the swingman is aggressive. He was anything but Saturday night.

Best defensive performance: Kenyon Martin gets this award. The Knicks power forward finished with two blocked shots. He also had eight rebounds – five defensive – in 26 minutes.

Best performance in a losing effort: This goes to James Anderson, who made his second consecutive start at shooting guard.  He made 8 of 13 field goals to finish with 17 points, sharing team-high scoring honors with Spencer Hawes. Anderson also finished with seven rebounds in 34 minutes of action.

Worst statistic: This goes to the Sixers scoring just 12 points in the second quarter. They missed nine straight shot attempts from the 7:16 mark to 1:26 of the quarter.

 Best statistic:  I have to give this to the Knicks shooting 65 percent (13-for-20) in the third quarter.

Worst of the Worst: This has to go the Wells Fargo Center being a home away from home for the Knicks.  An overwhelming majority of the 16,278 in attendance were vocal New York fans, who drowned out Philly supporters.  They gave the Knicks a huge advantage.  Former Sixers president Pat Croce is somewhere shaking his head in disgust.

- Keith Pompey

Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers.