PHILADELPHIA – Xfinity Mobile Arena is truly Madison Square Garden South.
Knicks fans have taken over the arena twice this season and were in full voice during the Knicks’ 138-89 rout of the 76ers on Wednesday night.
“It’s fun,” Josh Hart said. “It’s taking some getting used to now. Everywhere on the East Coast it’s really Knick fans coming out and showing their love. Boston is obviously tough. Everywhere else we feel like we always have the majority of fans on the East Coast. Shoutout to them.”
“They come and show love and we appreciate that.”
Jose Alvarado, who made his MSG debut Tuesday in his hometown of New York City, was serenaded like it was another homecoming.
Chants of “Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose” rang through the arena as he erupted in the fourth quarter.
“I see the fans, their energy is second to none,” Alvarado said. “They’re showing their support, they’re going to use their voice and that gets me going, so I’m going to give the same energy back to them.”
The Knicks entered the All-Star break with their best display of one of coach Mike Brown’s core principles.
They recorded a total of 41 assists on Wednesday, the most they have had in a game this season.
“I’ve been impressed with our guys’ ability to share the basketball with each other,” Brown said. “A lot of good playmakers, a lot of good passers, so that was really nice to see.”
Hart led the way in that department with nine. All five starters had four or more.
OG Anunoby’s injury is a bit more serious than initially thought.
He missed his fourth straight game, the last game before the All-Star break.
The Knicks initially referred to his condition as right toe pain, but changed it to right toenail avulsion earlier this week.
Brown said before Wednesday’s game that there isn’t expected to be a long-term problem after the All-Star break, taking him on a day-to-day basis.
The 76ers were without Joel Embiid (knee) and Quentin Grimes (illness).
And they still don’t have Paul George, who is suspended.
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