Sixers-Knicks preview: This one could get ugly

Thursday at 7:30 p.m., at Madison Square Garden

On paper, the Sixers shouldn't have a problem with the Knicks, who have lost eight straight and 16 of 17 games. New York's latest defeat was a 110-97 decision at home to the Dallas Mavericks. It was Dallas' first road win since Feb. 3 at Sacramento.

Sixers (36-30)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  12.5 ppg. 5.5 rpg

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  15.0 ppg. 6.9 rpg.

21 Joel Embiid C 7-2 23.5 ppg. 11.0 rpg.

17 JJ Redick SG 6-4  16.6 ppg. 3.1 apg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 16.2 ppg. 7.6 apg.

Coach: Brett Brown (fifth season, 111-283)

Injury report: Markelle Fultz (shoulder rehabilitation and working on his shot, out); Furkan Korkmaz (Lisfranc injury, left foot rehabilitation, out).

Knicks (24-44)

3 Tim Hardaway Jr. SF 6-6  17.5 ppg. 2.7 apg

8 Michael Beasley PF 6-9  12.4 ppg. 5.4 rpg.

00 Enes Kanter C 6-11 14.1 ppg. 10.8 rpg.

5 Courtney Lee SG 6-5  12.4 ppg. 2.5 apg.

1  Emmanuel Mudiay PG 6-5 10.3 ppg. 4.8 rpg.

Coach: Jeff Hornacek (fifth season, 156-207)

Injury report: Tim Hardaway Jr (sprained right ankle, questionable); Ron Baker (right shoulder surgery, out); Joakim Noah (personal reasons, out); Kristaps Porzingis (torn left ACL, out); Lance Thomas (personal reasons, out).

The Sixers hold a 246-201 series advantage.

Friday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Brooklyn Nets vs. Sixers

Monday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Charlotte Hornets vs. Sixers

Wednesday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sixers

March 22: 7 p.m. at Amway Center, Sixers at Orlando Magic

March 24: 6 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sixers