Hoops Rumors reported that the Knicks are declining Pacome Dadiet's fourth-year option, a day before a Cup trip to Philadelphia. New York is 2-3, has won two straight, and goes into the game with a starting five that has been outscored.
Dadiet Cut Loose
Hoops Rumors reported Thursday that the Knicks are declining the fourth-year option on Pacome Dadiet, and Posting and Toasting ran the same news. Dadiet is a 21-year-old forward in his second season. The payroll already sits at $220.4M, with the tax line at $200.4M.
Philly, Round Two
Tonight New York plays at Philadelphia on Prime Video in an Emirates NBA Cup group-stage game. The Sixers are 4-1, and they beat the Knicks 106-100 at the Garden on October 20. Tyrese Maxey is scoring 28.4 a night. Joel Embiid is at 21.5 points with 10.0 boards. Jaylen Brown, who scores 20.6, is on the injury report with a knee problem. Jose Alvarado sits again with his left ankle and is expected back November 4 against Chicago.
The Ugly Number
Towns, Anunoby, Hart, Bridges and Brunson have played 68 minutes together and are a net -7.6, scoring 96.6 points per 100 possessions. That's the expensive five, and it loses ground. In Chicago the bench scored 48. Jordan Clarkson finished +15, Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet +13 each. Brunson won it anyway with 38 on 13-of-25 shooting, 14 of them in the fourth.
The Bridges Problem
Mikal Bridges is averaging 5.0 points on 25.0 percent from three and was -5 in 13 minutes in Chicago. Shamet is shooting 46.2 percent from deep. Mike Brown has to decide who closes in Philadelphia: the $33.5M wing or the guy making shots.
Bottom Line
At 2-3 the Knicks are eighth, a game back of sixth-place Cleveland, with the Nets on November 2 and the Bulls on November 4 at the Garden. A win tonight makes the October hole look like a bad week.
When do the Knicks play the 76ers?
Tonight, October 30, in Philadelphia on Prime Video, in an Emirates NBA Cup group-stage game.
Is Jose Alvarado playing against the 76ers?
No. He is out with a left ankle injury and is expected back November 4 against the Bulls.
