Pistons-76ers Preview

By JEFF BARTL
Posted Dec 09 2012 8:43PM

The Philadelphia 76ers' offense mostly has sputtered since the beginning of the month, leading to their worst stretch of the season.

No single shooting performance has been worse than the last time they faced the Detroit Pistons, though.

Philadelphia looks to snap out of its funk when it hosts Detroit on Monday night.

The 76ers (11-9) entered this month on a three-game winning streak but have dropped three of their four December games after falling 92-79 at Boston on Saturday. They shot 39.2 percent after hitting only 37.4 percent from the floor the previous night in a 95-94 overtime win over the Celtics.

Philadelphia, which ranks among the worst in the league with a 42.5 field-goal percentage, is shooting 23.3 percent from 3-point range over its last four.

"I think all the shots that we took were all good shots," said Jrue Holiday, who finished 4 of 13 with 11 points Saturday and is shooting 36.4 percent over his last three games. "I know in the first quarter at least seven of them rattled in and out, where you thought they were good buckets. Times like that, what can you do?"

Thaddeus Young hit 9 of 15 shots and scored a game-high 22 points, but Evan Turner finished 6 of 16 and scored 13.

Coach Doug Collins said the 76ers need to do a better job of helping Holiday and Turner when opponents double-team their two biggest playmakers.

"We've got to do a better job of helping Jrue and Evan when they get trapped. Our guys did not react. I talked to them, I showed them the tape," Collins said. "They've gotta react before the trap, not after, and we were reacting after it. We've gotta get up and get the ball out, because when you do you're playing 4-on-3, and so we've gotta do a better job of that."

While Philadelphia has struggled to find its shooting touch, it hasn't been nearly as bad as when it suffered through a season-worst 29.8 percent from the floor in a 94-76 home loss Nov. 14 to Detroit - one of the Pistons' two road victories.

Detroit (7-15) picked up its other with a 104-97 win Saturday at Cleveland behind a career-high 30 points from Brandon Knight, who hit 10 of his 20 shots and scored 23 in the second half.

"It was just me taking more advantage of the shots I did have," Knight said. "I was more aggressive doing my job."

The Pistons improved to 2-10 on the road one night after blowing a 17-point first-half lead in a 108-104 home loss to Chicago.

Tayshaun Prince added 14 points for Detroit, which had dropped four of its previous five.

"It was good to get a road win, but it's also good that we played (Saturday) because we had a couple of heartbreakers that we needed to get over," Prince said.

Greg Monroe had 19 points and 18 rebounds while Knight added 15 points, seven boards and seven assists in Detroit's win at Philadelphia last month.

Holiday finished 4 of 13 with 12 points and Young went only 2 for 11 from the field for the 76ers, who have lost the last two meetings by a combined 40 points.

Holiday leads 76ers past Pistons 104-97

By DAN GELSTON
Posted Dec 10 2012 11:02PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Andrew Bynum has no idea if he will play for the Philadelphia 76ers this season.

Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday are playing the role of go-to scorers just fine in his absence.

Turner had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Holiday scored 25 points and the Sixers beat the Detroit Pistons 104-97 on Monday night.

Turner hit the winning shot in the final seconds of overtime on Friday against Boston. Holiday took his turn with a 12-point fourth quarter against the Pistons. Holiday thrived off the pick-and-roll all game and buried a pair of pull-up jumpers in the final 2 minutes that returned the lead to five.

Holiday and Turner combined for a 19-for-33 effort from the floor with 15 assists.

"I thought Jrue and myself would be successful," said Turner, who made eight of his 13 shots. "When we play like this, we have a great chance at winning games. Tonight, we did that."

They sure did. The Sixers needed the lift after Bynum said before the game his left knee is causing him too much pain to play. The Sixers have played without him all year. They're getting used to having Turner and Holiday carry them, and it could be a familiar show for the rest of the season.

"I think we saw it last year in the playoffs when Jrue and myself stepped up," Turner said. "When the play's run for you, you've got to make the shot."

Holiday and Turner have been Philadelphia's best players, with power forward Thaddeus Young in the mix, as well. Young had 20 points and five steals. He had a nice swipe in the fourth against Tayshaun Prince at the top of Detroit's key and turned it into a fast-break dunk and a 95-91 lead.

Each time the Sixers needed a clutch bucket or a big steal, Holiday, Turner and Young delivered.

"We're the guys that have to go out there and be key for us each and every night," Young said.

Spencer Hawes had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Sixers.

Greg Monroe missed a tip with less than a minute left that came back to haunt Detroit. Holiday sank a 19-footer for a 100-95 lead and the Sixers stretched the lead from the free-throw line.

Monroe and Brandon Knight had 22 points apiece. Rodney Stuckey scored 19 for Detroit, and Tayshaun Prince finished with 16.

"Holiday got away from us a couple of times," coach Lawrence Frank said. "We had some great looks at the rim that unfortunately didn't go our way. We just have to be cleaner."

The Sixers shook off a tough loss Saturday at Boston and sluggish first half against Detroit before pulling away in the second half for the win.

Jason Richardson scored 13 points for Philadelphia, including an unusual tiebreaking 3 that made it 83-80 in the fourth. Richardson's shot rattled around the rim, shot up off the top of the backboard and plopped through the net.

Holiday's pull-up jumper made it 98-93 and the Sixers seemed to have some breathing room with 1:53 left.

The Pistons were 0-8 when they came to Philadelphia last month and thumped the Sixers 94-76. They pulled within three in this one before Monroe's miss around the basket helped cost them a second straight upset win.

"They are one of the best defensive teams in the league," Monroe said.

The 76ers opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run, turning a three-point halftime deficit into a 60-49 lead. Holiday buried a 3 during the spurt and Hawes picked up his play after a poor first half.

The Pistons recovered and pulled within three after Jason Maxiell's thunderous dunk over Young. In one of the odder box scores to that point, Maxiell missed his first 10 shots to go along with 11 rebounds. He wouldn't score again or grab another rebound.

Taking a temporary break on press row, Sixers CEO Adam Aron fretted that the Pistons were making the game too close. Knight promptly hit a 3 that tied it at 71. Perhaps looking for better luck elsewhere, Aron left for better seats.

Hawes hit an 18-footer to end the third and give the Sixers a 76-75 lead. The Sixers are now 11-0 when leading after three quarters.

NOTES: Former 76ers great Darryl Dawkins was at the game. ... Bynum said his injured right knee is feeling better but even walking causes pain in his left. He'll have his knees examined again Dec. 20th. ... The Sixers are 6-1 when scoring 100-plus points. The Pistons are 1-10 when allowing 100. ... Turner had his sixth double-double.

Notebook: 76ers 104, Pistons 97

Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:34 PM - Updated Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:34 PM

THE FACTS: Jrue Holiday continues to play like an All-Star and led the Philadelphia 76ers with 25 points in their 104-97 victory over the Detroit Pistons Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Thaddeus Young scored 20 points, Evan Turner had 18 and Spencer Hawes 15 for the Sixers, who improved to 12-9. Jason Richardson also chipped in with 13 points.

Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight scored 22 points each for the Pistons, who fell to 7-16. Rodney Stuckey added 19 and Tayshaun Prince had 16 for Detroit, which shot just 39.5 percent from the field.

QUOTABLE: "I'm just trying to get myself going early. I'm trying to be active at both ends,"
-- Hawes, on picking up 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots in nearly 32 minutes off the bench.

THE STAT: The Sixers outrebounded the Pistons 45-40, giving them an advantage in this category for three straight games. Philadelphia was outrebounded in nine of the previous 12 games before this three-game streak.

TURNING POINT: Holiday missed two free throws, but the Pistons couldn't capitalize down 98-95. On the Sixers' next possession, thy worked the shot clock and Holiday knocked down a huge jumper for a 100-95 advantage with 39.6 seconds remaining. Philadelphia's ever-improving point guard clearly didn't let the free throws bother him.

HOT: Young was 9-for-13 and Turner was 8-for-13. Holiday knocked down 11 of his 20 shots and the Sixers shot 53.7 percent as a team.

NOT: Detroit forward Jason Maxiell misfired on his first nine shots and wound up 1-for-10.

QUOTABLE II: "At the end of the day, we have to be cleaner. We gave up 58 points in the second half."
-- Pistons coach Lawrence Frank.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Holiday had 25 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals while Turner nearly had a triple-double -- 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

INSIDE THE ARENA: It was a fairly quiet crowd for much of the game. When former Sixers center Darryl Dawkins was shown on the video board, the fans responded with a nice ovation. Dawkins took in the action from a front row seat. As the Sixers pulled away down the stretch, the crowd of 15,225 could be heard loud and clear.

QUOTABLE III: "I think it's huge. For guys like myself, Jrue and Evan, we can miss shots and know we're going to make them. The coaches have a lot of confidence in us and we as players believe in ourselves. I think for those of us who have been here for a while, it's very big to have confidence and belief in your ability."
-- Thaddeus Young.

GOOD MOVE: The Sixers ran their offense through Holiday down the stretch. He had complete control and did a great job of scoring when needed and passing when he deemed it appropriate.

BAD MOVE: Prince always plays well against the Sixers, and he has a distinct size advantage. The Pistons could have gone to him more, especially in the fourth quarter.

ROOKIE WATCH: Pistons forward Kyle Singler had five points, two rebounds and two assists in 29:07 while center Andre Drummond recorded two blocked shots in 13:30. Guard Kim English didn't play. For the Sixers, forward Arnett Moultrie was scoreless in a brief 1:34 stint while guard Maalik Wayns had three points and one assist.

NOTABLE: Before the game, injured Sixers center Andrew Bynum addressed reporters and said his right knee is better but his left knee still needs improvement. He has another MRI scheduled for Dec. 20. Bynum has bone bruises on both knees plus weakened cartilage in his knees. ... Sixers guard Nick Young returned after missing the past four games with a left toe injury. ... The Pistons had 18 assists and 13 turnovers. ... Stuckey was 9-for-9 from the free throw line. ... Holiday scored 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. It was his seventh 20-point game of the season. ... The Sixers improved to 6-0 when Hawes has reached double figures. ... Philadelphia is 11-0 when leading after three quarters.

UP NEXT: For the Pistons, Tuesday vs. Denver, Friday @ Brooklyn, Saturday vs. Indiana. For the Sixers, Wednesday vs. Chicago, Friday @ Indiana, Sunday vs. L.A. Lakers.

• Pistons: Kravtsov, Middleton
• 76ers: Bynum

• Pistons: --
• 76ers: --

• Lead Changes: 13
• Times Tied: 12

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #55 Bill Kennedy, #20 Leroy Richardson, #73 Tre Maddox
• Attendance: 15225
• Duration: 2:18