About a month ago, tonight’s match up at the Palace of Auburn Hills looked rather unappealing. It appeared to be a snoozefest of two teams whose season could not end quickly enough.
The match up between the two teams on Dec. 6 seemed to confirm all these notions, as they were each bad teams. After the game went to overtime (not exactly because two teams played great), the bottom of the Eastern Conference listed the Sixers—whom had just pulled a game within the Pistons after the overtime victory—as the last-place team with a 2-18 record. Just ahead of them were the Pistons with a 3-17 record.
Fast forward to about six weeks later and one of those teams, the one dedicated to rebuilding, holds a four-game lead over someone else in their division, while the other is two games out of playoff spot.
Suddenly, tonight’s game doesn’t seem as unattractive—or irrelevant—as it did at first glance.
Each team has went about their improvement (turnaround is too strong of a word as each are still deeply under .500) a different way. The Pistons simply cut a weak link, small forward Josh Smith and took off, winning their first seven without him, going 10-2 since the move. Philadelphia has used a change in approach, attitude and culture. A meeting amongst the players emphasized protecting the ball and looking for assists has since led to winning three of five, which is a huge accomplishment for a team expected to struggle chasing ten wins.
Philadelphia also accomplished another first last night. By beating New Orleans, it marked the first time they defeated a team that benched regular starters in anticipation for an easy victory. Without Anthony Davis and Jrue Holliday, the Sixers not just beat, but by double digits, topped the Pelicans.
If the start to the season and the match ups itself on paper tell you something is easy, things can easily change a month later. Just like this game.
Game Notes:
- After Nerlens Noel recorded five blocks in the low post against the Pelicans, the Sixers are now in the top-5 for the entire NBA in blocked shots. They are averaging over 10 per game.
- The 15-point margin of victory was easily the Sixers’ easiest victory of the season.
- Brandon Jennings has gone off since the Pistons moved on from Smith. The point guard is averaging 21.5 points per game since the transaction. He is coming off a 37-point performance from last night.
- Detroit has seen their points per game go up from 94 to 105 in games without Smith, further justifying the move.
Injuries:
Detroit will enter this game healthy. Tony Wroten, who has missed each of the last two games, will miss the game with a knee strain. As usual, Joel Embiid (foot) and Jason Richardson (knee/foot) will miss the game.
Projected Lineups:
Philadelphia:
PG- Michael Carter-Williams
SG- K.J. McDaniels
SF- Robert Covington
PF- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
C- Nerlens Noel
Detroit:
PG- Brandon Jennings
SG- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF- Kyle Singler
PF- Greg Monroe
C- Andre Drummond
Prediction: In a slow-paced game, the Pistons take control on the glass and handle the fourth quarter for a 105-94 victory.
