Game Preview: Sixers vs Pistons
The home stand for the 76ers continues. They have thrived at The Centre, winning their last 5 games. Two more to go, beginning tonight as they host the Pistons from Motown.
The Sixers take the floor tonight with a 17-12 record. They are facing the 8-25 Detroit Pistons for the first of three meetings this season. The next will take place on January 8th in Detroit. With the final matchup two days later on the 10th here in Philadelphia as part of a home-and-home series. Last season the 76ers took the four-game series 3-1 and lead the all-time series 226-158.
On Monday night, the Sixers extended their winning streak to five after defeating the Toronto Raptors in overtime, 104-101. Tobias Harris hit the go-ahead three in the extra session to give the 76ers the three-point advantage 104-101. And after a few missed shots, plus good defensive stands — Philadelphia walked away with their 12th home win of the season.
Harris finished the night 7 for 9 from the field and 5 for 7 from behind the three-point line. Finishing with 21 points for the home team. He has been on a really good tear from deep, shooting the 3-ball at a 59 percent clip through the month of December (56.4 from the floor). He is averaging 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 39 minutes of play. In the past, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers has talked a lot about Harris thinking less on the floor. Simply reading and reacting when the ball finds him. It seems like that has been the approach for the veteran forward so far this season and through the seven games this month.
Joel Embiid led the team in scoring against the Raptors. Finishing with 28 points, 11 boards, four assists, and two steals in 42-plus minutes of play. He’s carrying averages of 37 points and 10 rebounds over the seven-game span in the month of December. Being his usual dominant self for Philadelphia. Fighting through a tough 5-for-14 shooting performance, James Harden was still able to contribute to the win after posting 14 points, seven boards, and handing out eight assists. Since Harden has come back to the lineup, he’s shot the ball pretty well from the floor and from beyond while piling up the assists numbers by finding his teammates for baskets. We’ll see how he bounces back tonight versus the Pistons’ defense and young guards.
After having Tuesday off, Philadelphia still sits in fifth place in the East standings, one full game behind the 19-12 Brooklyn Nets and right in front of the New York Knicks who have two more games under their belt than the Sixers. These three Atlantic Division teams have been pretty hot with the 76ers winning five in a row, the Nets six straight, and the Knicks eight consecutive wins. The Sixers and Knicks will tip off the Christmas Day schedule at noon.
