The Philadelphia 76ers don’t have long to enjoy their Saturday evening victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Less than 24 hours after breaking their two-game skid, the Sixers are set to be back out on the court
in South Philadelphia to host the Detroit Pistons, who currently lead the Eastern Conference at 7-2.
It was Trendon Watford night at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday with the 25-year-old notching his first career triple-double with 20 points, 17 rebounds. Watford looked fantastic on both ends of the floor throughout the evening and absolutely made the most of his first start as a Sixer. If you missed it, it’s worth checking out the highlights below — Watford is looking like an absolute steal on a two-year, $5.3 million deal.
This being the second game of a back-to-back means the Sixers’ injury report won’t be available until this afternoon. We will give you official updates as they become available, of course, but do not expect to see Joel Embiid, who played last night. In fact, it was his best game of the season so far, looking agile and putting up 29 points in 26 minutes on 10-for-16 field goal shooting. Jared McCain, though he was available for Saturday night, did not play (coach’s decision). Sixers coach Nick Nurse told reporters postgame that McCain will be available for Sunday.
In addition, the team has already said at practice Friday that Dominick Barlow (elbow) and Paul George (knee) would both continue to be out for at least the weekend.
An especially tough part of this one is going to be just how long the Sixers’ leaders played last night. Tyrese Maxey played nearly 43 minutes, Watford and Kelly Oubre Jr. were over 36 and VJ Edgecombe played over 35. Think it’s fair to expect the guys to be a bit exhausted tonight.
The Sixers are going to have their work cut out for them without a doubt. The Pistons are coming in on a day’s rest, having Saturday off after last defeating the Brooklyn Nets 125-107 on Friday night. They are on a five-game win streak and looking dangerous right now, courtesy of some superstar play from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren to start the campaign.
Cunningham is looking a lot like the All-Star he was last season, currently averaging 25.6 points (46.6% field goal shooting and 31.0% long range shooting) with 9.7 assists and 1.0 steals per contest through the first nine games. There’s no surprise here, as it’s been obvious for some time now what sort of dominance Cunningham is capable of on the floor.
Duren, however, might be a name some aren’t very familiar with yet — they’re about to be, if he continues playing the way he has to start this season. After being an 11.8 points, 10.3 rebounds per game player last season (averaging 26.1 minutes per outing), Duren seems to be taking one hell of a leap.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound center is playing roughly the same amount of minutes but is now putting up an average of 19.2 points on 64.3% field goal shooting (10.9 attempts per game) and 85.5% free throw shooting (6.1 attempts). That’s a true shooting percentage of 70.8. He already has two +30-point games this campaign, something he had only done once previously in his career back in his rookie season in 2022-23 — and that game went to double overtime with Duren playing 42 minutes. He doesn’t need 42 minutes to make that happen anymore.
Duren’s also pulling in 11.3 rebounds per contest with 4.3 coming on the offensive end, including individual games of 18 boards and even 22. Speaking of 22, did I mention he’s not even 22 years old yet?
This matchup on the second leg of a back-to-back is going to be particularly challenging for a tired Sixers squad without Embiid available. It’s very likely going to take someone — or multiple someones, even — to step up in a massive way for Philadelphia to stand a chance countering this hot Pistons squad under the circumstances.
Former 76er Tobias Harris will not be taking the floor at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Sunday as he’s been ruled out for Detroit with a right ankle sprain. The Pistons will also be without Jaden Ivey (knee surgery) and Marcus Sasser (hip). Isaiah Stewart (ankle) is doubtful and Caris LeVert (knee soreness) is probable as of Sunday morning.
The Sixers and Pistons tip off in South Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Game Details
When: Sunday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
