Sixers to face a different Knicks team

The New York Knicks have experienced a minor resurgence since the 76ers handed them loss No. 5 in a six-game losing stretch on March 11.

After the Sixers beat them by 12 at Madison Square Garden, Chicago beat them the next day and Mike D'Antoni, who couldn't coax the Knicks into playing any defense, resigned.

D'Antoni was replaced in an interim role by assistant coach Mike Woodson, and he has led the Knicks to four consecutive wins. The Sixers host the Knicks on Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

"I think it's been a change for the better," Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire has said of Woodson. "He's been a pleasant surprise."

At their lowest point, the Knicks were eight games behind the 76ers on Feb. 7, when the Sixers were 18-7 and the Knicks were 10-15. The Sixers have slumped to 26-20 and the Knicks are 22-24 after Tuesday night's win over Toronto.

Rookie guard Jeremy Lin, who makes his first visit to Philadelphia as a pro on Wednesday, has returned to Earth from his scintillating stretch of play in February that carried the Knicks to seven straight wins at one point. Lin is still playing decently, now in a lineup that includes Carmelo Anthony, who was out of action for the Lin miracle run.

Sixers management hopes to sell out its 20,323-seat arena for the game against Lin and the Knicks but a limited number of seats were still available Tuesday.

The Knicks' last 10 visits to Philadelphia have resulted in an average attendance of 14,650 fans.

In recent games, the Knicks have drawn attention not for Lin's dramatics but because of Woodson's coaching style. In Woodson's first three games the Knicks averaged more points (112.7 to 96.7), more fast-break points (22.3 to 12.6) and fewer turnovers (14.7 to 16.6) than they did with D'Antoni calling the shots.

The Sixers, who held an optional practice on Tuesday, hope to earn their second win against the Knicks this month and then follow that up with another victory over division rival Boston here on Friday.

They will have to do so without the services of reserve forward Andres Nocioni, waived by the team on Tuesday.

"We want to sincerely thank Andres for his contributions to our team and maintaining a true level of professionalism throughout his time here," Rod Thorn, president of basketball operations, said in a statement. "We wish him the best of luck as he pursues future opportunities."

Nocioni (6-foot-7, 225 pounds) is in his eighth NBA season and his second with the Sixers. He was acquired via trade from Sacramento, along with Spencer Hawes, in exchange for Samuel Dalembert on June 17, 2010.

In 11 games with one start this season, Nocioni averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game.