EVAN Fournier, pressed into duty with RJ Barrett scratched due to illness just before the opening tip, scored a season-high 17 points and drained three key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the New York Knicks completed a comeback from a 21-point first quarter deficit and beat the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 108-97 Sunday (Monday in Manila).
Julius Randle (24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists) flirted with a triple-double for the Knicks, who recorded their biggest comeback win of the season and won for the first time when trailing after three quarters. Jalen Brunson had 21 points and seven assists while Quentin Grimes added 13 points. Miles McBride came off the bench to score 14 points while fellow reserve Isaiah Hartenstein had 14 rebounds.
Joel Embiid (31 points, 14 rebounds), Tobias Harris (14 points, 10 rebounds) and James Harden (12 points, 12 assists) recorded double-doubles for the 76ers, who had their eight-game road winning streak snapped. De’Anthony Melton scored 14 points while Tyrese Maxey had 12 points and P.J. Tucker added 10.
In other games, it was the Magic 119, Hornets 113; Cavs 122, Pacers 103; Raptors 106, Grizzlies 103; Wolves 128, Nuggets 98; and Pelicans 136, Kings 104.
Magic 119, Hornets 113
Double doubles by Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. carried Orlando to a victory against host Charlotte.
Banchero had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Carter added 20 points and 12 boards.
Markelle Fultz (16 points) and Franz Wagner (14) also scored in double figures for the Magic, whose 18 offensive boards contributed to a decisive 52-39 rebounding advantage.
LaMelo Ball racked up 33 points and Terry Rozier had 24 points– but only three in the second half– for Charlotte, which shot 54.2 percent from the floor. Ball ended a three-minute scoring drought late in the fourth with a pair of baskets to make it 112-107.
Carter’s free throw and Wagner’s layup pretty much put the game out of reach, particularly after Washington failed to complete a three-point play at the 33-second mark. — Field Level Media
