The Sixers showed a lot of fight in their last contest. They improved on their recent third-quarter woes and competed until the end in a 122-115 overtime loss, but still fell to a strong Rockets team despite Tyrese Maxey’s 39-point outburst. It leaves Philadelphia at 3-14 and still stuck at 14th place in the Eastern Conference.
Next, as they look to turn things around after two straight losses and two days of rest, they’re on the road against the 9-12 Pistons.
The Pistons come into this game having gone 5-5 over their last 10 games. They have the energy disadvantage of being on the second night of a back-to-back, although they dominated with a 130-106 win against the Pacers on Friday. Even as they come off a high-scoring night, though, the Pistons’ offense has struggled overall this year, sitting at 23rd in offensive rating.
As expected, the Sixers will remain shorthanded on Saturday. Joel Embiid (left knee injury management/personal reasons) is still out, as is Kyle Lowry with his right hip strain. Meanwhile, Paul George (left knee bone bruise) fully participated in practice on Friday and has been upgraded to questionable. Caleb Martin (upper back soreness) is questionable to return, too.
The Pistons’ backcourt is the top assignment for the Sixers to handle in this one. Cade Cunningham has put together a quality season overall so far. While his efficiency has been subpar leading a limited offense, he’s still displayed impressive three-level scoring talent and his playmaking prowess. At averages of 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and nine assists, he’s having a career year across the board.
After missing a few games with a right hip injury, Cunningham returned against the Pacers and looked like his usual self. He tallied 24 points, 11 dimes and six rebounds on 10-of-19 shooting. Fortunately, the Sixers have good wings to match his size with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Martin — not to mention George, if he’s back. It’ll be interesting to see how they switch and manage the Cade assignment.
Jaden Ivey has also upped his game this season. The third-year guard has improved his three-point stroke, continues to be an explosive finisher and driver, and is putting up career-high scoring (18.6 points per game) and efficiency (56.3 true shooting).
The battle of the backcourts between Cunningham and Ivey (and even Malik Beasley’s shooting) and Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain should be the most entertaining part of Saturday’s matchup.
Former Sixer Tobias Harris has hardly been lighting up the box score in his return to Detroit. While he certainly shouldn’t be carrying the offense when Cade is around anyway, Harris has still only put up 13.9 points per game this season (his lowest since his second NBA year in 2012-13) and has stayed quiet in games when Cade has been sidelined, too. In the two games of Cunningham’s recent three-game absence that Harris played in, Harris scored 8 points then 12 — attempting no more than 10 shots in either outing. If vets like Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. stay fairly quiet, that bodes well for Philly.
Jalen Duren is another one to watch, and could be a tricky matchup for the 6-foot-8 (albeit strong) Guerschon Yabusele — as well as the Frenchman continues to play at starting center. At a bigger 6-foot-10 with a host of athleticism, strong rebounding (a lofty 14.7 boards per 36 minutes this year) and rim protection, Duren isn’t easy to contain.
The Pistons could get a boost from Ausar Thompson as well. The second-year wing is a terrific defender and rebounder, and after being unable to play since March due to a blood clot, he’s returned to play over the last three games.
As brutal as the start of this season has been for the Sixers, thankfully the duo of Maxey and McCain is giving the Sixers and fans something to enjoy right now. Despite his shooting cooling off over the last two games, McCain has still been showing impressive creation in a variety of ways — from his passing, to his three-point shot-making, to his crafty footwork and finishing as a driver.
Let’s see if they can keep firing to help the Sixers bounce back, and hopefully get some production from George on the way. They should have a decent chance to beat this Pistons team.
Game details
When: 7:00 pm ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
