Knicks fall to 76ers 98-93 in NBA Cup play as LeBron James closes it out

The New York Knicks had a one-point lead in Philadelphia with a minute and a half left Friday night and still lost. The 76ers won the NBA Cup group game 98-93, which drops the defending champions to 2-4 and gives Philadelphia two wins over New York before November.

The Sixers did it without Jaylen Brown. ESPN's Kris Rhim reported that Philadelphia ruled Brown out shortly before tipoff with a left patella injury. He had been dealing with left knee soreness since Wednesday's win over Indiana and was moved from questionable to doubtful before the team ruled him out. Dean Wade started in his place. Brown has been one of Philadelphia's best perimeter defenders and was scoring 20.6 points per game. Asked whether the injury was a concern, Nick Nurse offered little: "He's out tonight, that's what I know," he told ESPN.

The Knicks could not make up for the gap in Philadelphia's lineup. According to The Associated Press recap on ESPN, Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer that put New York ahead 90-89 with 1:32 remaining. LeBron James answered with a fadeaway with 1:10 left, V.J. Edgecombe followed with a 3 that made it a four-point game, and James finished it with a tip-in. James had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, a game Nurse called his best as a Sixer. Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 27. Brunson finished with 24 and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22, but the AP noted that Brunson appeared to roll an ankle late. As of Saturday there had been no public update on his status. ESPN's highlight package shows the closing sequence.

New York lost the game in the first quarter. Philadelphia outscored the Knicks 29-21 in the opening 12 minutes, and the margin stayed close to that the rest of the night. The visitors won the fourth quarter 25-21 but never fully caught up. The Sixers also won the opener at Madison Square Garden 106-100, and the teams meet twice more this season.

What it means for Monday against Brooklyn

The Knicks lost their first three games, beat Detroit 111-97 and Chicago 133-127, and have now lost again. Their losses have been close: four defeats by a combined 26 points, none by more than nine. They have scored 100 or more in four of six games but managed only 93 in Philadelphia.

Monday's home game against the Nets looks like a good chance to get back on track. Brooklyn was 0-5 in ESPN's standings after Friday, last in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks are 3.5 games behind the 76ers in the division.

The prices reflect that. New York is a heavy favorite, -770 on Novig, with Brooklyn at +733. Novig lists the Knicks at -15.5 on the spread at +106, and the best Knicks spread price anywhere is FanDuel's -14.5 at -110, so the venues are about a point apart on the line. The total is 220.5 on Novig, with the over at -104 and the under at -102. BetRivers has the best under price, at 221.5 for -110. Across the 12 venues on the game page, sportsbook hold runs from 2.4% to 5.5% depending on the market.

Brunson's ankle could change that board. If he is limited after landing awkwardly late Friday, the spread and total are likely to move before Monday's tip.