Based the back-and-forth between Andre Drummond and Joel Embiid this season, this matchup was centered around them. The game ended up giving Philadelphia 76ers fans way more than that, though.
A blistering hot start, ignited by Ben Simmons‘ aggressiveness and players like Dario Saric actually making three-point shots (!!!), was just the tip of the iceberg Friday night.
In the first half, the Philadelphia 76ers made approximately 1,057 shots to go out to a crushing 62-32 lead through 24 minutes. Their lead, for once, was insurmountable.
Pistons dual coach/GM Stan Van Gundy, the human form of the “win now, rebuild never” plan for perpetual mediocrity that Sam Hinkie deliberately circumnavigated with The Process, probably had an in-game existential crisis.
In the third, the 76ers went an entire four-minute stretch without giving up a single point. The result was some trash talk from Drummond, resulting in a technical foul for his overrated self.
After four years of continually being on the receiving end of blowouts, most fans will have to double-take at this score before they truly understand it.
If you could imagine a dream game for this unicorn-centric team, it would involve a lot of what the Sixers did tonight. Make shots, let Simmons and Embiid go to work, and win. For the first time in what seems like an eternity, a simple game plan like that can actually succeed.
Next: Will the Sixers target any 10-day contracts?
This makes four straight wins for the young Sixers, who have finally climbed back to .500 after a cold stretch that had everyone wanting Brett Brown fired. Rubbish.