Porzingis, Knicks beat 76ers as Okafor sits with suspension

The run gave NY a 81-58 advantage entering the final period.

As prized rookies Jahlil Okafor and Kristaps Porzingis meet for the first time, the visiting 76ers go after their first consecutive wins in 8 1/2 months Wednesday night against the New York Knicks.

Porzingis had his ninth double-double of the season, tops among rookies and sixth in the National Basketball Association.

Klay Thompson had 15 of his 21 points in the first quarter as the Warriors bolted to an early 15-point lead.

Sixers coach Brett Brown said Noel “had a down game”.

“We just have to be better at what we do”, he said. “He is a prideful young man. And so, you add it all up-not to make excuses-but I think out of just fairness and reality, I believe a portion of it has impacted that mindset”. Based on the Latvian’s impressive play on the court and Okafor’s troubles off it, the Knicks must have no regrets.

After finally ending their nightmare with an elusive first victory, the rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers are hoping they won’t have to wait almost as long for the next one. He was suspended hours after a second video surfaced of him fighting with a heckler early Thursday on a Boston street. He said it was a case of bad judgment and it would not happen again.

Before we get to that game though, let’s take a look at some of the takeaways from the Knicks victory over the 76ers on Wednesday night. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for NY. Try 13.2 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting, and the ability to outright carry the offense when called upon.

That would be Saturday against the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center. They’ve lost three straight at Madison Square Garden. Kristaps looks to be the future of the franchise, RoLo has helped bring a steady presence to last year’s terrible defense, and the Knicks’ bench has been among the deepest in the league.

Porzingis, however, has become a fan favorite after he was booed by hundreds of frustrated Knicks fans on draft night when he was announced as the team’s fourth selection.

“I know our fans are better than Brooklyn’s fans”, he said.

“He’s got the right temperament, right attitude, carries himself well”.

With Okafor back at the team hotel serving the first game of his team-imposed suspension, the Knicks manhandled the Sixers. Rookie Jerian Grant is the older brother of the 76ers’ Jerami Grant, while Robin Lopez’s twin brother, Brook, is the leading scorer for a Nets team that visits Friday.