THE SIXERS ARE POISED FOR GLORY IN THE EAST
We should witness a confident Philadelphia 76ers squad marching unto the floor. The team is loaded on talent on both sides of the floor and they have won eight of their last nine meetings with the Detroit Pistons.
As always, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will be leading the pack, with the latter probably gaining more respect from defenses than ever thanks to swishing an in-game three last week.
Against the Pistons all-time, Embiid’s averages are 29 points and 10.7 rebounds per game (six games), while Simmons is at 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists (seven games) – the career shooting clip of 66.7% is also his second highest against any team.
Two of the handful of key off-season additions, Josh Richardson and Matisse Thybulle, can also be expected to produce.
Richardson will be chipping in points and quality defense – he had a pair of 20+ point games against the Pistons last season. Thybulle, meanwhile, a rookie guard known for his defense and blue-collar play from his days at the University of Washington, could provide great energy off-the-bench. Against the Guangzhou Loong Lions last week, the rookie tallied 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks.
GOOD DEFENSE, BAD OFFENSE
The arrival of head coach Dwane Casey for the 2018-2019 season was a nice addition, but that Detroit Pistons squad proved to be a classic case of a team that cancels out good defense with terrible offense – while ranking seventh in points allowed (107.3 PPG), the offense could only muster a 107 PPG, good for 25th in the league.
Hopefully, though, things get better now that the core has one full season under its belt.
The Pistons showed quality offense in last week’s 124-117 win over the visiting Dallas Mavericks, with seven guys scoring in double figures and the team collectively dishing out 31 assists, which would’ve been the third-highest assist total when compared to last season’s stats.
Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond will continue being the Pistons’ key tandem and main source of points, rebounds, assists, and a whole lot more. Griffin deserves an extra look whenever he’s in a battle with the Sixers. In three meetings this past season, he powered through the Philly defense for 39.7 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists per game, which includes a 50-point performance.
Three more names will likely hover around the Pistons throughout the season – former NBA MVP, Derrick Rose, smooth-shooting veteran, Joe Johnson, and emerging third-year swingman, Luke Kennard.
PREDICTION:
The Pistons will showcase great effort on both ends, but expect the Sixers to get the win in the end. As said, though, count on Griffin getting his good share of stats.
Mattis Thybulle is a scrappy guard that can have find success against the Pistons’ guards.
