Pistons Surge Past Sixers in 4th Quarter

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Detroit 110, Philadelphia 97- Box Score

As far as 13-point losses go, Wednesday night was among one of the more fun games you’ll come across for the Philadelphia 76ers. Faced with traveling on the second night of a back-to-back, the Sixers led a Pistons team in the heart of the Eastern Conference playoff race for most of the way, before running out of gas in a fourth quarter where they were outscored by 18.

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positive signs, especially in the frontcourt. Andre Drummond did his usual damage, tallying 25 points, 18 rebounds (9 on the offensive glass), and going a respectable 7-12 from the foul line to stymie Brett Brown’s intention foul strategy. Still, it could be said that Nerlens Noel at least played him to a draw. Starting at center again for an under-the-weather Jahlil Okafor, Noel was outstanding, recording 20 points on 9-11 shooting (approximately a million of which were hellacious dunks), 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Did I mention the dunks?

Noel on Drummond poster. https://t.co/RGoGFVJlBO

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) January 28, 2016

Not only does Okafor being out of the lineup allow Noel to play his natural center position, but it also slots in Jerami Grant at power forward, where he’s much more effective as well. Grant finished with a career-high 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. He also joined in on what was apparently a Dunk Contest warm-up session in the Motor City.

OH MY WORD JERAMI (CSN) https://t.co/qgmJwQmKtO

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 28, 2016

Unfortunately for Sixers fans, where the game was lost was at the point guard position. While Reggie Jackson had himself a very efficient, productive night, with 27 points on 9-18 shooting (4-5 from three), Ish Smith looked like the guy who has played for just about every NBA team by age 27. Ish went an awful 6-18 from the field for his 13 points, and recorded as many turnovers as assists (6). All night, Smith was over-dribbling, taking bad shots, and making poor decisions. Given how helpful he’s been in late-game situations since re-joining the Sixers a few weeks ago, he was due for one of these crashing-down-to-Earth performances.

Elsewhere on the roster, Hollis Thompson went 2-3 from three for his 12 points, in the process moving into the top-10 in career three-pointers made for the Sixers. At right around 40% for the third season in a row, it’s crazy to think how Hollis has quietly been one of the most effective three-point shooters in team history.

With the loss, the Sixers are now 0-27 against teams currently at least .500 on the season. There next game comes Saturday night against the Warriors, who in case you haven’t heard, are slightly above .500. If nothing else, it should be a fun show.