Game Preview: Pistons aim to hand 76ers first home loss of the year

On Saturday afternoon the Detroit Pistons (4-3) will take on their developing rival in the Philadelphia 76ers (4-4) at the Wells Fargo Center and so far this year Philly is undefeated at home.

The Pistons have now lost three straight games coming into Saturday, losing on Thursday night in overtime 120-119 to the Brooklyn Nets. In that game, Detroit was led by Andre Drummond, who posted his third 20-20 game of the season with 24 points and 23 rebounds. Blake Griffin hit a few clutch three-pointers on his way to a team-lead 25 points while the Pistons’ bench was excellent. Brown, Robinson, and Pachulia all contributed with nine points.

Last time out against Philly the Pistons battled their way to an overtime win,133-132 and this game was as memorable as it gets as Blake Griffin dropped 50 points and 76ers star big-man Joel Embiid flopped his way to an Andre Drummond ejection. Simply put, this matchup has turned into one of the funnest in the NBA and this game should very competitive with a little bit of drama.

The Philadelphia 76ers will be led by their young all-star duo in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Last game against the Pistons Embiid had his way scoring 33 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Embiid also got Andre Drummond ejected after flopping on a foul and Dre did not take to kindly to it.

After the game, Embiid commented that it was a foul and that he a psychological edge over Drummond.

“His hand touched my face, and you know, going back, what the referees were saying the whole game, there were a lot of cheap shots taken,” Embiid told reporters. “At one point, I think [referee] Tyler [Ford] said that the next cheap shot, the next one is going to get a technical foul, and that’s why he got the other technical foul.

“All I was doing was just talking and playing basketball and trying to win the game, and obviously on the second one, you can see that he hit me, and his hand actually touched his face. … But like I said, I feel like I own a lot of real estate in his head.”

Ben Simmons comes into the game averaging 13.8 points with 9.5 assists. Pistons also must keep an eye on sharpshooter J.J. Redick. Redick is averaging 18.4 points per game and last time out against the Pistons he scored 30 points including 6 three-pointers.

For injuries, the Pistons Luke Kennard is out (shoulder) and Reggie Bullock is officially questionable.

For the 76ers, Wilson Chandler is questionable (hamstring) to play after missing all nine games this season. Jared Bayless and Zhaire Smith will also be out for the 76ers.

Probable Starting Lineups

Detroit Pistons

PG: Reggie Jackson

SG: Reggie Bullock

SF: Stanley Johnson

PF: Blake Griffin

C: Andre Drummond

Philadelphia 76ers

PG: Ben Simmons

SG: Markelle Fultz

SF: Robert Covington

PF: Dario Saric

C: Joel Embiid

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