LOS ANGELES, California — LeBron James scored 20 points including a late tip-in to help seal the Philadelphia 76ers’ 98-93 victory over the NBA champion New York Knicks on Friday (Saturday in Manila). The 76ers notched their second win of the young season over the Knicks after spoiling their championship banner-raising with a victory at Madison Square Garden on opening night. The win had a double edge as Friday’s games marked the start of the fourth edition of the NBA Cup, the NBA in-season tournament won by the Knicks before they went on to beat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals for their first championship since 1973. Group-stage Cup games will be played throughout November, all counting in the regular-season standings. Quarterfinals will be played Dec. 4–5 and semifinals Dec. 8–9 before the final on Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points to lead the Sixers, who took control early against the sloppy Knicks. They led by 14 in the third quarter and weathered a late Knicks surge. Jalen Brunson’s step-back three-pointer put New York up, 90-89, with 1:32 remaining. James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, answered with a basket that put Philadelphia back in front and pushed the lead...
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