NEW YORK–The Philadelphia 76ers got off to a slow start on Christmas Day as they took on the New York Knicks on the road. The noon game on the Christmas slate is always one to worry about due to the fact that it is so early and it throws everybody off.
Joel Embiid was not able to really get into any real rhythm until late in the second quarter and the Sixers needed somebody to keep up with the red-hot Knicks who were shooting the lights out in the first half.
That somebody was De’Anthony Melton who stepped up by knocking down his first five triples, four in the first half, and he had 15 points in a 119-114 win over New York. Philadelphia did not lead until early in the fourth quarter and the Sixers needed somebody to step up and provide some offense.
“He kept us in the game,” said Embiid. “We had a slow start once again. Obviously, they got hot. It was too easy for them as far as they just kept getting whatever they wanted and he kept us in the game and we started getting to the line more often and then from there, we just knew what to do to be able to get the lead and win the game.”
The Sixers shot 51.4% at halftime, but they trailed the Knicks by three because they weren’t able to get enough stops. That’s why Melton’s offense in the first half was essential. While New York was in a groove, and the Sixers had a slow start, they needed the two-way stud to make some needed 3s.
“That’s what he’s here for,” said Harden of Melton. “He’s extremely great defensively and then offensively, he just makes big-time shots. The last couple games, he had some wide-open shots that he just didn’t make, but one thing about him, he puts in the work. So he’s gonna continue to shoot his shot and today was big for us.”
Melton is a man of few words. He lets his game do the talking more often than not and when asked about his elite shooting after the win, he kept it simple.
“Just being confident,” said Melton. “Being confident at an all-time high, taking what I know I can take.”
[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=]
[listicle id=72777]
[lawrence-related id=72782,72773,72738]