By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia 76ers traveled to Detroit for their first of a two-game series against the young Pistons. Who were looking to turn their fortunes around as they were currently riding a 20-game losing streak. Unfortunately for them Joel Embiid and the Sixers had other ideas as they beat them up throughout this game and showed no mercy. Beating them 129-111 and pushing their win streak to four-games and extend Detroit’s losing streak to 21-games.

For the second straight game the Sixers dominated from start to finish. They gave Detroit no hope tonight and Joel Embiid was a big reason why he scored 30 of his 41-points by half-time, grabbed 11-rebounds, and had five-assists (his 38^th career 40-point and 10-rebound performance a new franchise record). Embiid has really started hitting his stride throughout the month of November and is continuing it in December. The last few weeks his scoring has kept the Sixers afloat on multiple occasions when they have had it working on the offensive end and when they haven’t. His ability to get whatever he wants on the offensive end really opens the floor up for his teammates and it paid dividends tonight.

Tobias Harris took full advantage of the open shots, Embiid created scoring 21-points, grabbed seven-rebounds, and hit three/five three-pointers. Harris has been in a semi-scoring slump lately and he broke out of it in this contest scoring with relative ease throughout the game. He should be able to use his performance tonight to rediscover his scoring touch from the floor, that he had earlier in the season.  Harris was at least consistent with hitting wide open shots and playing more aggressively. He has been playing very passively lately but he did not in this contest. If he can find his more aggressive self again that opens up another dimension of the Sixers offensive capabilities.

Philly will now prepare for the final game of this two-game series with Detroit on Friday night. They will need to keep the ball moving like they did tonight. When the ball moves, they are able to find high percentage shot opportunities which makes it harder for opposing defenses to key in on Maxey and Embiid.  Additionally, the Sixers will need to stay attached to their man and force Detroit into well contested shots like they did in this contest. They were able to use their length to frustrate Detroit and force them into nine turnovers which led to easy baskets for the Sixers. When the Sixers decide to play aggressively no team in the association can keep up with them. If they can implement these things and continue to work on their team chemistry, they can get their 17^th win of the season on Friday.