By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
The Sixers bounced back from a blowout loss to Miami and broke a three-game losing streak last night in a thrilling down-to-the-wire 105-102 victory over the New York Knicks.
Now they will have less than 24 hours to prepare for the Detroit Pistons who come into the Wells Fargo Center for a 6 p.m. tip-off.
The Pistons enter the game with a record of 29-32 and they are well rested, not playing since a 109-86 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
The victory saw the emergence of newly acquired swingman Justin Anderson, who tied his career-high scoring 19 points in 24 minutes. Anderson was also an important player on the defensive end of the floor, having a hand in limiting Carmelo Anthony to five made field goals in 18 attempts.
"I thought tonight he really helped us defensively with another 'Melo defender, and I thought that his physicality bothered Carmelo from time to time. He sure helped us get a win tonight," Said Brett Brown following the win over New York.
Anderson's increased minutes may carry over to Saturday's matchup with Detroit as Gerald Henderson, who sat on Friday night due to a sore left hip, is expected to remain out.
"These guys, they play so hard, it's something admirable, and you feel like you're letting them down if you don't play just as hard if not harder," Anderson said of the culture of this young Sixers team.
Jahlil Okafor will draw another tough matchup following matchups with Hassan Whiteside and Kristaps Porzingis when Andre Drummond leads the Pistons on to the floor Saturday night. Okafor had a rough outing against Whiteside and the heat on Wednesday night, but he rebounded nicely against the Knicks with 12 points on 5-10 shooting, and 8 rebounds in just under 20 minutes.
Okafor will have his hands full with Drummond. who is averaging 14.7 points and 13.9 rebounds per game this season, which are both above his career averages. Drummond has exceeded these averages in two games against the Sixers this season, averaging 15 points and 15.5 rebounds to go with 4.5 steals.
The most important player for the Sixers continues to be Dario Saric, who posted another double-double against the Knicks on Friday when he led the team in points, rebounds, and assists. It was Dario's ninth double-double, tying teammate Joel Embiid for the rookie lead.
Saric's emergence could not come at a better time for the Sixers, with Embiid recently ruled out for the remainder of the season. Saric has filled in well as the new offensive catalyst, and has solidified himself as a key piece to what the team is building towards.
Although Saric is leading the charge offensively, the Sixers had seven players in double figures on Friday night, and will look to continue that scoring balance in tonight's tilt against the Pistons.
Game Notes:
- The Sixers' and Pistons' season series is tied at one apiece, with the final game of the series to be played tonight.
- The Pistons are 3-2 in their last five games, while the Sixers are 2-3.
- Philadelphia native Marcus Morris will make his return to his hometown with the Pistons. Morris is averaging 23.5 points versus the Sixers this year and 14.6 on the season as a whole.
- The Sixers will be wearing their hardwood classic throwback jerseys as they pay tribute to legend Billy Cunningham on another "Spirit of the Champion" night.
Injuries:
- Gerald Henderson is expected to miss his second consecutive game with a sore left hip.
Broadcast Information:
- TV: The Comcast Network (Comcast/Xfinity channel 33 SD; 846 HD, Verizon Fios channel 99 SD; 580 HD)
- Radio: 97.5 FM The Fanatic
Projected Lineups:
Detroit
PG – Reggie Jackson
SF – Marcus Morris
PF - Jon Leuer
C – Andre Drummond
Philadelphia
PG – T.J. McConnell
SG – Nik Stauskas
SF – Robert Covington
PF – Dario Saric
C – Jahlil Okafor
Predicton:
A rested Detroit team is able to hang in the game longer than a tired Sixers squad playing in their third game in four days.
