PLAYER GRADES: Detroit Pistons 133, Philadelphia 76ers 132
By Jack Duffy
Blake Griffin’s career high of 50 points and game-winning and-one layup in overtime lifts the Detroit Pistons over the Philadelphia 76ers 133-132.
In tonight’s game against Detroit, Markelle Fultz saw an opportunity to step in and run the point guard for the Ben Simmons-less Philadelphia 76ers. Instead of starting J.J Redick or T.J McConnell, Brett Brown went with Landry Shamet to start at shooting guard tonight.
The first half started off well with Markelle Fultz shooting 4-5 from the field with 9 points and a three from the left corner. Embiid found his way with 17 points against the man he has dominated in the past, Andre Drummond, who had no answer for him all night long. Blake Griffin started the half hot with 23 points and would not stop there.
The Sixers lead 64-61 at the half. I was excited to see if Markelle would play the majority of the second half due to an injured Ben Simmons but to my disappointment that was not the case.
MARKELLE FULTZ. B+. <strong>21 mins | 13 pts | 6 reb | 1 ast | 0 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 6-9 FG | 1-2 3PT| 0-0 FT | 3 PF | +2| </strong><p>Markelle Fultz played very well for the time he was on the court. I assumed with Simmons out, Markelle would take his minutes and play north of 30. Again we saw Brett Brown limit Fultz’s second-half minutes on an efficient night from the floor, especially shooting the ball on offense with several nice finishes and jump shots.</p><p>The only knock on Fultz tonight was his inability to switch on pick-and-rolls and fight through screens on defense that allowed <a href=. PG. Philadelphia 76ers
Center. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID. A. <strong>39 mins | 33 pts | 11 reb | 7 ast | 0 stl | 3 blk | 1 TO | 11-20 FG | 0-4 3PT| 11-14 FT | 5 PF | +3|</strong><p><a href=
PF. Philadelphia 76ers. DARIO SARIC. D+. <strong>38 mins | 14 pts | 8 reb | 5 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 1 TO | 5-16 FG | 2-11 3PT| 2-3 FT | 4 PF | +1|</strong><p>Dario Saric struggled tonight. He missed 9/11 three-pointers along with a few open ones down the stretch in the fourth quarter/OT that would have given the Sixers the lead. His shot selection was not the best, pulling up contested threes early in possessions throughout the game. Dario is at a physical mismatch to Blake Griffin, but Blake exposed Dario’s subpar defense, pouring 50 on the Sixers.</p>
A-. <strong>37 mins | 30 pts | 6 reb | 6 ast | 0 stl | 0 blk | 0 TO | 9-21 FG | 6-15 3PT| 6-7 FT | 1 PF | +7|</strong><p> </p><p><a href=. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. REDICK
Philadelphia 76ers. T.J. MCCONNELL. C+. <strong>32 mins | 10 pts | 3 reb | 8 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 4 TO | 5-8 FG | 0-1 3PT| 0-0 FT | 0 PF | -3|</strong><p><a href=. PG
The Sixers held the lead for the majority of the second half with Embiid anchoring the team on both sides along with help from J.J Redick. Ish Smith got on a roll and helped the Pistons off the bench in the second half to close the 10+ point gap the Sixers had.
With 10:12 left in the fourth quarter, T.J. McConnell came into the game for Markelle Fultz. Fultz would finish the game viewing from the bench . This was detrimental to the team because the Sixers missed Fultz’s athleticism, shot-making (better than McConnell’s), length and ability to finish at the rim.
The end of the fourth quarter is where the game went downhill for the Sixers. Static offensive possessions and rough shooting saw the Sixers’ lead close fast.
Joel Embiid flopped on a foul from Andre Drummond to give the Detroit big man his second technical foul to eject him. Embiid was seen yelling “GET HIM OUT OF HERE” at the crowd with a fat grin on his face.
The last two minutes of regulation included lots of missed chances for both sides to try to take the lead. Dario had a clean look from three at the top of the arc that would have put the Sixers up by three but regulation ended with the score being 120 all.
The Pistons started overtime with two straight threes from Ish Smith and Blake Griffin to put Detroit up 126-120.
This is where the roller coaster of emotions started for both Sixers and Pistons fans. With the score being tied at 128 with 20 seconds left, J.J. missed an open 21 footer. Thinking Philly had a foul to give, Redick fouled Reggie Jackson, who made both free throws to put the Pistons up 130-128.
I was very surprised J.J. Redick, an esteemed veteran, made a novice mistake, but he got his redemption by hitting an and-one three and making the free throw with 5.6 seconds left to put Philly up 132-130.
Dwayne Casey rolled with the hot hand, drawing up a great play for Blake Griffin, who converted an and-one layup to win the game.
The 76ers lost in a heartbreaking game in overtime to the Detroit Pistons tonight. Blake Griffin scored at will tonight with 50 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and some clutch three-pointers amid a game winner.
If I was Markelle I would be very upset after this game. He got the same amount of playing time he has gotten all year with Simmons being out. T.J. got his minutes instead which weren’t too impressing.
Next. Covington's return on investment has been huge. dark
I typically agree with everything Brett Brown does, but not this.