By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers (1-3) earned their first victory of the young season on Monday night, defeating the Detroit Pistons (2-2), 97-86. Despite letting the Pistons get close late in this one, the Sixers looked like a much more confident team from start to finish, especially their starting lineup.
Philadelphia was led by Ben Simmons, who notched his first triple-double of his career, finishing the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 33 minutes. He went 8-for-11 from the floor and the offense was significantly more efficient with him on the court. The historical start to the season continues…
.@sixers @BenSimmons25 3rd plyr ever to record triple-dbl w/in 1st 4 career games. Joins O. Robertson (10/19/60) and H. Williams (10/21/67).
— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) October 24, 2017
Meanwhile, let's not forget about Joel Embiid. After sitting out Saturday's game, Embiid came out in attack mode and he his best game, scoring 30 points to go along with nine rebounds and two steals. Joel had a good night, but turned the ball over seven times and had five fouls. Impressive performance, but I'm sure he'll work on the areas that need improvement. Also, Jojo got rid of the cornrow look so the Sixers are 1-0 since he scrapped the rows. That's a good record, folks.
The Sixers' reserves were not great tonight as the five players off the bench combined to score just 20 points on 7-for-26 shooting. That's without Justin Anderson and Nik Stauksas getting minutes too. Markelle Fultz had another rough showing, scoring just two points on 1-for-4 shooting.
The Sixers were just more energetic and active on both ends of the floor tonight, coming out of the gates with confidence. Powered by a 10-point quarter from Ben Simmons and nine from Joel Embiid, the Sixers got out to a 31-22 lead after the first 12 minutes.
Philadelphia kept the foot on the pedal in quarter number two, extending their lead to 21 after two consecutive Jerryd Bayless triples with 3:55 to play in the half. Detroit staged a small surge at the end of the second though, cutting the lead to 13 at halftime, 56-43.
At half, the Sixers were led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Simmons scored 13 points, six rebounds and five assists while Embiid tallied 15 points, four rebounds and two steals. Dario Saric had a strong showing in the first half, contributing seven points.
The Pistons kept chipping away in the third, cutting the Sixer lead to eight at the end of the quarter, 75-67. Detroit climbed to within three, but Philadelphia answered with an 8-2 run to make is a nine points game, 87-78, with six minutes to go in the game. A Robert Covington triple put the Sixers up 10 with 4:45 left in the fourth.
Detroit wouldn't go away though. Sloppy turnovers allowed the Pistons to bring the game back to within four, 90-86, but Ben Simmons answered with a drive into the lane, resulting in a foul. After he hit both from the line, Embiid drew a foul a possession later and hit two more free throws to put the Sixers back up by eight with 1:32 to play. Shortly after that, Simmons found Embiid in the post for two, his 10th assist of the game, putting the game out of reach for the Pistons.
Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 16 points while Andre Drummond finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Well folks, that's all for tonight. Lots of positives from this win.
Clap those hands.
Up Next:
The Sixers return home to host the Rockets on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.
