The 14-22 #Pistons are in Philadelphia to take on the 12-23 Sixers Friday night. The Pistons need to stop the bleeding when they take the court against the Sixers having lost six in a row and eight of their last nine games, and they have a good chance of doing so against a Sixers team that has the worst defense in the league.
The good: Detroit is 1-0 against the Sixers this season. The fact the Sixers are in “tank” mode and they give up a 111.1 points per game. The last time these two teams played Andre Drummond did this:
Photo Getty Images
The bad: All that is Detroit basketball right now from free throw shooting, shot selection, the rotation and selfishness. Detroit has got to figure something out before their slide puts them out of contention in the beyond lowly Eastern Conference.
The unknown: Can Maurice Cheeks work some kind of magic and get the Pistons back on track in the Philadelphia, the place where it all happened for him? Will he actually make the changes he’s pondering?
“He finally relented when asked if he would consider lineup changes if this slide continues.
“Yeah, uh-huh. It only makes sense, you can’t keep doing things the same way and expect different results,” Cheeks said. “At some point, yeah. I’m close.”
So, he has time to tinker, whether it’s moving Rodney Stuckey to the starting lineup or Kyle Singler or even moving one of his three big men to the second unit.
He wouldn’t hedge on one move or another but he admits the current way of doing things hasn’t been working.
The Pistons are the worst-shooting team in the league.
They’re a league-worst 30th in three-point shooting and from the free-throw line.
“But it’s still just a thought. It’s not right there,” Cheeks said. “With Stuckey back, so that helps to get back to where we were, coming off the bench and getting some production.” Via The Detroit News
Injuries: None
Sixers (if you know any of them besides Noel): Lavoy Allen – is questionable.
Arnett Moultrie and Nerlens Noel – are out.
Fact: Detroit has won nine of the last 15 games against the 76ers.
Stat: Andre Drummond ranks first in the NBA in offensive rebounding with 5.3 and tied for third in double-doubles with 25.
Tip off is at 7:00 pm and will be broadcast on Fox Sports Detroit . If you can’t catch the game on TV, catch it on the radio over at 97.1 The Ticket.
So just saw the last game.
With no changes to the system and the starting 5 lineup I can’t see the pistons winning this.
I still look forward to it, as I absolutely love watching Drummond and keep seeing what KCP can grow into.
Go.
Big road win for the Pistons. All Detroit starters in double figures and Bynum/Singler in double figures off the bench.
JSmoove not only led the Pistons in scoring but had a great all around game.
His STATS are 22 PT, 13 RB, 7 A, 5 B, 4 ST. Only the 3rd player in NBA history to do so.
He needs play like this more often for Detroit to get into the playoffs.