Joel Embiid, 76ers roll as Pistons drop 22nd straight

Field Level Media|published: Fri 15th December, 21:45 2023

Dec 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots past Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid had 35 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots in less than three quarters and the host Philadelphia 76ers crushed the reeling Detroit Pistons 124-92 on Friday.

The Pistons careened to their 22nd straight loss after opening the season 2-1, an ongoing franchise record.

Embiid compiled at least 30 points and 10 rebounds for the ninth consecutive game, extending his franchise mark.

Tyrese Maxey added 19 points and Marcus Morris Sr. contributed 15 along on 5-for-5 shooting from 3-point range. Tobias Harris had 13 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. put up 11 for the Sixers, who won their fifth in a row.

James Wiseman led the Pistons with 20 points and 13 rebounds while Bojan Bogdanovic added 17 points and Jaden Ivey had 13. Marcus Sasser chipped in with 11.

The short-handed Pistons played without Jalen Duren (ankle), Monte Morris (quad) and Marvin Bagley III (back).

De'Anthony Melton drove to the basket and scored to give Philadelphia a 52-38 lead with 2:50 left in the second quarter.

Harris dropped in a 3-pointer from the corner with 1:12 remaining for a 57-39 advantage.

With 39 seconds left in the half, Embiid and Detroit's Isaiah Stewart each received a technical foul. Stewart was ejected from the Pistons' 129-111 loss to the Sixers on Wednesday, and the frustration appeared to carry over.

The 76ers surged to a 61-39 lead entering halftime thanks in large part to 20 points from Embiid. Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 12 points before the break.

Detroit shot only 34.9 percent from the field in the first two quarters, including 1-for-11 from 3-point territory. Philadelphia hit just 40.9 percent in the half while making 6 of 19 from long distance.

Embiid drained a trey from the top of the key with 8:43 left in the third for a 72-43 lead.

Bogdanovic hit a deep 3-pointer on Detroit's next possession.

The Sixers held a commanding 94-62 lead at the end of the third.

Philadelphia kept all five starters on the bench for the final 12 minutes. Danuel House Jr. hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 6:55 remaining and the Sixers led 107-69.

—Field Level Media

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