NEW YORK _ The 76ers needed this.
Monday's 105-98 victory over the New York Knicks snapped a five-game losing streak. It was marked just their second win in 11 games. But the Sixers (15-18) were far from surprised. They actually identified the Christmas Day game at Madison Square Garden as the one that would get them back on track.
They even had a boost from having their normal starting lineup for the first time in five games.
JJ Redick returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with right hamstring tightness. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid played in his second consecutive matchup after missing the previous three with back tightness.
Both of them had solid performances.
Embiid finished with 25 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and six turnovers for his 15th double-double of the season. Redick added 24 points while making 4 of 8 three-pointers. Backup point guard T.J. McConnell also had a big game, finishing with 15 points.
Those three helped the Sixers do something they normally struggle to accomplish: Closeout a game.
McConnell hit a pull-up jumper which gave the Sixers a nine-point lead (86-77) with 8 minutes, 59 seconds remaining.
However, the Knicks went on a 12-3 run to knot the score on Kristaps Porzingis' three-point play with 5:20 left.
The Sixers, however, responded with a 7-0 run to take a 96-89 after a Redick three-pointer at the 3:30 mark.
The Knicks kept attempting runs. However, the Sixers kept answering. Ben Simmons' breakaway dunk with 1:06 left gave his team a 103-95 cushion.
The point guard finished with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and two turnovers. Early on, Simmons was quiet. He only had two points and one assist at intermission. His biggest accomplishment during that time was switching from his green Christmas Day edition sneakers to a red pair late in the second quarter.
Knicks center Enes Kanter finished with game highs of 31 points and 22 rebounds. Porzingis added 22 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks.
