NBA: Embiid, Redick lead 76ers over Knicks

Kyle O’Quinn (#9) of the New York Knicks defends against Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2017 in New York City. Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Joel Embiid scored 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while J.J. Redick added 24 points to power the Philadelphia 76ers over host New York 105-98 on Monday.

Redick sank four 3-pointers while Australian Ben Simmons, who finished with only eight points, made a steal and breakaway slam dunk with 66 seconds remaining to give the 76ers an eight-point cushion.

The Sixers’ victory at Madison Square Garden was the opener of five holiday NBA contests.

Later games feature an NBA Finals rematch between champion Golden State and visiting Cleveland, Washington at Boston, Houston at Oklahoma City and Minnesota at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Enes Kanter had 31 points, 14 in the third quarter — and 22 rebounds to lead the Knicks while Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points in a losing cause.