The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 105-98 in the opening game of the NBA Christmas special, a game in which big-men took center stage. Joel Embiid led the way with 25 points and 16 rebounds to go along with three blocks. His partner in crime, Ben Simmons, was mostly quiet for the game dialing in 8 points and 8 rebounds. Embiid also made a big-time three-pointer during the end of the fourth to put the 76ers up eight.
Enes Kanter was a man amongst boys down in the paint area, as he finished with 31 points and 22 rebounds. With numbers like that, he joined Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bob Lanier as the only players to score 30 points and grab 20 rebounds on Christmas.
Kanter played remarkably well as he was getting after it both on the offensive and defensive end. There were moments in the game where Embiid and Kanter were both taking their respected matchups serious. Kristaps Porzingis chimed in with 22 points and made huge contributions on the defensive end.
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The Knicks will be taking on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday while the 76ers take on the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
