Knicks open NBA Cup title defense in Philadelphia, looking to avenge opening-night loss

The New York Knicks begin defending their NBA Cup title Friday night in Philadelphia. It is a rematch of the game that spoiled their season opener: the 76ers won 106-100 at the Garden on Oct. 20, with Tyrese Maxey pushing the pace and LeBron James closing it out, the New York Post reported.

The Knicks are in better form this time. After a 0-3 start they have won two straight, beating Detroit 111-97 at home and then Chicago 133-127 on the road. Jalen Brunson ended his shooting slump in Chicago with 38 points and six 3-pointers. Philadelphia is 4-1, and Maxey is the reigning Eastern Conference player of the week. Brunson didn't overcomplicate the plan, telling the Post the Knicks need to "not do what we did" the last time the teams met.

The group won't be easy. Along with Philadelphia, the Knicks will play Indiana on Nov. 13, Cleveland on Nov. 25 and Miami on Nov. 27. Each of the six group winners moves on to the quarterfinals, along with two wild cards. The knockout rounds also look different this year. The semifinals will be played in the higher seed's arena instead of Las Vegas, and the final moves to Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Knicks won the Cup last December, but James Dolan has held off on raising a banner for it until the team wins an NBA Finals.

The Sixers could be short-handed. Jaylen Brown is questionable with knee soreness, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin as cited by RotoBaller. Brown hasn't missed a game yet and is averaging 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Philadelphia also plays in Charlotte on Saturday. Neither Joel Embiid nor James is on the injury report.

The Knicks also made a roster decision this week. They are declining Pacôme Dadiet's $5.4 million fourth-year option, which makes the 2024 first-round pick an unrestricted free agent next summer, as both the Post and SNY reported. ESPN was first with the news. Dadiet has played one minute this season. His expiring contract could be more useful as a trade piece.

What it means for Friday

The Knicks are still 2-3, and all three losses came by single digits: Philadelphia by six, Boston by four and Orlando by nine. The two wins since then came from an offense that topped 110 points in back-to-back games for the first time this season, after scoring between 100 and 103 in each of the three losses. Holding Maxey in check in transition is the main job. Whether Brown plays will shape how much attention James and Embiid draw.

The Knicks are road favorites anyway. On this site's board, which tracks 12 venues, Novig lists New York at -120 on the moneyline and Philadelphia at +115. On the spread, Novig has the Knicks at -2.5 for +104. The friendliest Knicks line anywhere is BetRivers at -0.5, priced at -137. Novig sets the total at 227.5. BetMGM has the best price on the under at 228.5 for -110. The venues are about two points apart on the spread and one point apart on the total. Sportsbook hold runs from roughly 3 to 5 percent across the markets.

Tipoff is Friday on Prime Video.