OG Anunoby propels shorthanded Knicks to easy win over woeful 76ers

This was an NBA playoffs rematch in name only.Just shy of one year after the Knicks and 76ers met in the first of six hotly contested games during a first-round series, the opposite directions the two franchises are heading was on full display Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.Even without injured All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks easily disposed of the spiraling 76ers, winning 105-91 behind OG Anunoby’s team-high 27 points.Anunoby, who scored 11 at the free-throw line, put the exclamation point on the victory with nine minutes remaining, when he drove the lane and threw down a thunderous one-handed dunk over Lonnie Walker IV.The forcefulness of Anunoby’s drive plus Walker’s foul meant that he needed to swing on the rim before completing the three-point play at the line, pushing the Knicks’ lead to 90-74.Anunoby was treated to a nice ovation when he subbed out with five minutes left.Anunoby’s explosion was no surprise to 76ers coach Nick Nurse, who was on the bench for Anunoby’s first six seasons in the NBA with the Raptors.“I think he’s always felt he could score more and get more chances on offense and things like that,” Nurse said beforehand.

“It just has to be at the right time, right place, right situation.He finds himself in a situation where they need him to score more.

I’ve seen some of the game film and he’s played great.I think with Jalen out, some more of the focus shifts to KAT, and then [Anunoby has made] people really pay for that.”Tuesday’s version of the 76ers was a poor imitation of the supposed title contender that the Knicks out-toughed last spring.

Only one of the 10 players who suited up during that series (veteran guard Kyle Lowry) played, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr.and headline offseason acquisition Paul George sidelined by injuries for a team that already is eliminated from the playoff race.Still, the 76ers twice cut their 17-point halftime deficit to five late ...