76ers vs. Pistons: 3 Things That Stood Out on Tuesday

The Philadelphia 76ers took care of enterprise in opposition to the Detroit Pistons for the third time this season on Tuesday evening. After paying a go to to the Pistons in Detroit on Sunday afternoon and scooping up a dominant victory, the Sixers shaped their first win after a tricky loss to the Chicago Bulls.

On Tuesday, the Sixers returned to South Philly and welcomed the Pistons again to city. The guests missed a handful of gamers, together with key names reminiscent of Marvin Bagley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart, and Cade Cunningham. 

In the meantime, the Sixers acquired a few key gamers again within the combine as Joel Embiid and PJ Tucker have been cleared for motion after lacking Sunday’s matchup in Detroit. 

As soon as once more, one other blowout ensued. With the roster absolutely wholesome, the Sixers dominated from begin to end and picked up a 147-116 win over the Pistons on Tuesday evening.

Right here’s what stood out within the matchup:

Embiid is Again

After a three-game absence as a consequence of foot soreness, Joel Embiid was again within the combine on Tuesday evening. Because the Sixers took care of enterprise with out Embiid in opposition to a more healthy Pistons group on Sunday, the large man most likely might’ve taken an additional sport off.

Nevertheless, Embiid talked about after the matchup that so long as he’s wholesome and capable of stroll, he’s going to play. He did simply that on Tuesday evening. Checking in for twenty-four minutes, Embiid went 12-20 from the sphere and 11-11 from the free throw line, scoring 36 factors.

The large man snagged the double-double by coming down with 11 rebounds. Embiid did precisely what was anticipated of him in opposition to an undermanned rebuilding squad such because the Pistons by dominating. Now, it’ll be fascinating to see how the Sixers deal with his minutes transferring ahead after he acquired an early evening off on Tuesday.

A Passing Masterclass

James Harden’s playmaking has shined vivid ever since he joined the Sixers final season. This 12 months, his passing has been on one other degree.

On Sunday, Harden did just a little little bit of all the things and notched his second triple-double of the season with 20 factors, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. On Tuesday, he adopted up with a second-straight double-double by producing 16 factors, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists. Tuesday’s sport marked the fourth time Harden exceeded 15 assists in a single sport.

Harden achieved that quantity with simply 26 minutes of taking part in time. Contemplating how effectively he handed the ball in his three quarters of motion, there might’ve been an actual probability Harden approached his career-high of 21 assists, which he achieved on December 23. 

Jaden Springer’s Breakout Recreation

Rubbish time would possibly bore the typical basketball fan, but it surely’s a terrific alternative for gamers which might be outdoors of a group’s rotation to get in and get some minutes. Former first-round decide Jaden Springer had simply seven NBA video games beneath his belt going into Tuesday’s sport.

Because the younger guard has break up time between the NBA G League and the principle roster, Springer has largely been a physique at observe and on the bench for the Sixers over the past two seasons. Earlier than Tuesday, Springer’s season-high of minutes performed was 5 minutes again on December 13. 

Towards Detroit, Springer clocked in for eight minutes. Offensively, Springer was good from the sphere by going 4-4 and hitting on each of his free throw makes an attempt. The second-year guard completed the sport with ten factors. Defensively, Springer confirmed precisely what the Sixers have been raving about since he began practising with the group. He was aggressive and made life powerful on the Pistons’ offense.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports activities Illustrated channel. You may observe him for reside updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.