Joel Embiid Drops 30 and 18 in 31 Minutes to Power 76ers Past Pistons
The Philadelphia 76ers bounced back from Tuesday's loss to the New York Knicks with a 110-102 win over the Detroit Pistons at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday.
Philadelphia, which improved to 3-2, led by as many as 22 in the second half before a late run by Detroit made the game close.
Sixers star big man Joel Embiid, who was questionable because of knee soreness, had 30 points and 18 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
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Saddiq Bey scored 19 points for the Pistons, who fell to 0-4. Rookie Cade Cunningham, who was selected No. 1 overall in this year's draft, has yet to make his debut for Detroit as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Notable Player Stats
C Joel Embiid, PHI: 30 points, 18 rebounds
F Tobias Harris, PHI: 17 points, 6 rebounds
F Saddiq Bey, DET: 19 points, 6 rebounds
F Jerami Grant, DET: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
Sixers Overcome Slow Start, Late Lapse
The Sixers looked sluggish to open the game. Both teams struggled with their outside shots, but Philadelphia fell into Detroit's trap of slowing down the game and didn't get out in transition.
The lack of transition buckets caused Philadelphia to rely heavily on Embiid in the first half. The Sixers fell behind by as many as five before Embiid took over. He had 19 points and 12 rebounds, while no other player had scored in double figures or recorded five boards before halftime.
Philadelphia came out with more energy in the second half. Point guard Tyrese Maxey did a great job of jumping passing lanes, and the Sixers got out on the fast break.
The Sixers entered the season considered to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but they let one of the worst teams in the league hang around.
A mental lapse by Philadelphia allowed Detroit to get back in the game in the fourth quarter. The Sixers bench struggled to find shots, and Embiid had to reenter the game after their 22-point lead almost disappeared.
Philadelphia has had a lot of off-court turmoil with three-time All-Star Ben Simmons' absence from the team.
Thursday's win should be a confidence-booster, but the Sixers need to put a full game together to prove their status as contenders in the East.
Pistons Show Fight, Lack Offensive Firepower
The Pistons kept the game close early and even led in the first half, controlling the tempo and making it an ugly game.
But as the second half wore on, Detroit just didn't have enough offense to keep up. It made just eight of its 25 field-goal attempts in the third quarter and shot only three free throws after getting to the line 12 times in the first half.
The Pistons put together a 19-3 run in the fourth quarter to cut their deficit to six. But it was largely because the Sixers had their bench players in the game and had taken their foot off the gas.
Jerami Grant was inefficient from the floor, shooting 4-of-14. Bey scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, but Detroit needed him to get going earlier.
The Pistons showed they have fight, but they need Cunningham to help ignite their offense. He is practicing with Detroit's G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, and could make his Pistons debut Saturday.
What's Next?
The Sixers will look to keep the momentum going in the second game of a four-game homestand Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. The Pistons will go for their first win Saturday at home against the Orlando Magic.
