Game Preview: Banged Up Pistons Face Tough 76ers
The Detroit Pistons(20-16) are in Philadelphia tonight to take on the 76ers(18-19) at the Wells Fargo Center. The game begins at 7:00p.m. Detroit is 0-2 against Philadelphia this year.
Detroit comes into this game shorthanded and on the losing side of their last game. They were downed by the Miami Heat on Wednesday, 111-104. Detroit was without Andre Drummond, who was a late-game scratch with a right rib contusion. Avery Bradley returned after missing seven games with a groin injury. He scored 15 points, grabbed four rebounds, and had four assists in the loss. Tobias Harris finished with 19 points and Reggie Bullock was impressive again, finishing with 17 points on 5-8 shooting from deep. Boban Marjanovic started and finished the game with 15 points and nine rebounds. Luke Kennard scored 13 points off the bench and two-way player Dwight Buycks was extremely impressive adding 14 points of his own in just 17 minutes.
Detroit was outscored 30-23 in the fourth quarter. Miami had 29 assists in the win and shot 50 percent from the 3-point line.
The Sixers took down a shorthanded Spurs squad, 112-106, on Wednesday. Joel Embiid, who was once ruled out to play with a hand injury, ended up playing and having a strong performance. He scored 21 points and corralledĀ 11 rebounds in the win. Ben Simmons was great, scoring 26 points as well as dishing out four assists. J.J. Redick added 20 points, nine of which came from the 3-point line.
The last time these two teams met, December 2nd, the Pistons lost 108-103.
Injuries
As mentioned, the Pistons are pretty banged up and it will remain that way for today's game. Reggie Jackson(ankle) and Jon Leuer(ankle) are out. Stanley Johnson(hip) is questionable to play, and Andre Drummond(rib) should be considered a game-timeĀ decision.
Justin Anderson(shin splints) is considered questionable to play. Markelle Fultz(shoulder) and Forkan Korkmaz(foot) are both out. Joel Embiid is not on Philadelphia's injury report.
Probable Starting Lineups
Detroit Pistons
PG: Ish Smith
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Reggie Bullock
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Boban Marjanovic
Philadelphia 76ers
PG: Ben Simmons
SG: J.J. Redick
SF: Robert Covington
PF: Dario Saric
C: Joel Embiid
Featured Image: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports