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Philadelphia 76ers: 3 matchups to watch on Christmas Day game against the Knicks

By Jerran Anderson

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Robert Covington vs. Courtney Lee

The 3-point shooting should be on full display when Robert Covington and Courtney Lee face off against each other. Covington is averaging 15.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.8 assists per game. He is shooting a career-high 38.9 percent from 3-point range this season, ranking fourth in the NBA in 3-point field goals made (94).

While his points per game are up in December (16.6 points per game), his 3-point shooting percentage is down a bit at 36.3 percent.

Lee is averaging 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game through 32 starts this season. He is having quite the renaissance season since returning from a season-ending injury suffered in the 2016-17 season. He is shooting 43.2 percent from the 3-point arc, his second-best 3-point field goal percentage in his ninth year in the league.

The battle of the 3-point line will start for both sides with Covington and Lee. Whoever can get off to a hot start is bound to lead their team to victory. Covington was 5-of-12 from the 3-point arc in the Sixers’ loss to the Raptors on Saturday night. He went 2-for-13 from the arc against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, as Philadelphia fell 101-95.