Knicks-76ers Preview

By TOM CASTRO

(AP) -- Kristaps Porzingis fared well against a fellow top rookie in the New York Knicks' last game and his team came away with a victory.

He'll face another high 2015 draft pick Friday night in the Philadelphia 76ers' Jahlil Okafor, who missed what would have been their first regular-season meeting due to a suspension - the result of off-court behavior that has Porzingis looking like the better pick at the moment.

The Knicks go for their third straight victory when they visit a woeful 76ers club that's dropped eight in a row overall and 10 of 11 at home on the season.

Porzingis matched up with No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota on Wednesday. Though Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Porzingis' 11 points, six boards and seven blocked shots helped New York (12-14) to a 107-102 victory.

"For Kristaps to block seven shots, he took away seven opportunities for the other team to score," coach Derek Fisher said. "That's more important than him making one more basket. Our guys are continuing to embrace the fact that your stat line won't make the difference every night. It's really about the Knicks winning the game."

Arron Afflalo scored a game-high 29 and Carmelo Anthony had 20 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists for the Knicks, who built a 60-40 halftime lead by outscoring the Timberwolves 33-14 in the second quarter. Six of Porzingis' blocks came in the first half.

Anthony's assist total was his highest since recording 10 against Boston on April 17, 2012.

"(Anthony) always makes things easier for us," Porzingis said. "He was rebounding the ball good, helping us bigs get the rebound. He was passing the ball well. He had nine assists. He was really doing it all on the floor and that's what we need from him."

Porzingis, who drew scorn and some ridicule from many fans and pundits when he was the Knicks' choice at fourth overall, has joined Towns as the top players out of the draft in the early going. Along with Towns, Okafor was seen as one of New York's top targets in June, but the Knicks are likely feeling fortunate that the draft broke the way it did, with Okafor being taken third by Philadelphia (1-26).

The center is averaging 17.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, but his troubles away from the court have overshadowed that production. He was involved in a street fight in Boston on Nov. 25, which resulted in the 76ers suspending him for two games. He was also cited for speeding on a bridge in New Jersey, and other reports of troublesome behavior have surfaced.

The first game Okafor was suspended for came Dec. 2 at New York. Porzingis had team highs of 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to lift the Knicks to a 99-87 victory - their sixth in the past seven meetings.

The Sixers allowed a season-high point total in a 127-106 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. Philadelphia shot 52.0 percent from the field but allowed the Hawks to make 61.5 percent.

Isaiah Canaan scored a season-high 24 points and Okafor had 19.

"We just gave up a lot of easy looks, which has kind of been the story throughout the season," point guard Kendall Marshall said, "but it's something we can get better at."

Porzingis and Okafor have met on the court once, during a Las Vegas Summer League game July 14. Porzingis blocked Okafor's potential tying dunk with 42 seconds remaining in overtime, though Okafor scored 18 points.

The 76ers won the most recent home matchup with the Knicks 97-81 on March 20.