Pistons clinch top seed in Eastern Conference after routing 76ers in Philly
Goforitradio Staff
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The Detroit Pistons (57-21) will be the number one seed in the Eastern Conference in the NBA playoffs after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers (43-35) 116-93 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
The Pistons, who had seven players in double figures, were led by former 76er Tobias Harris, who had 19 points. Daniss Jenkins added 16 points and dished out a career-high 14 assists, and Jalen Duren also chipped in with 16.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 23 points, and Paul George added 20.
The Pistons, who have won three straight and five of their last six games, led 71-60 at halftime and had their largest lead of the game at 26 points in the fourth quarter. They were relentless on defense, forcing 15 turnovers that led to 18 points.
Detroit’s defense really suffocated the 76ers in the fourth quarter, who were without Joel Embiid (Right Oblique; Injury Management), holding Philadelphia to only 12 points on 25% shooting.
What a turnaround for the Pistons. After five straight seasons of missing the playoffs, including winning only 14 games in the 2023-24 season, Detroit made the playoffs last season. Now they have ascended to the best team in the Eastern Conference, winning the Central Division for the first time in 18 years and being the top seed in the conference for the first time in 19 years.
Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has to be given credit for how he’s turned things around in the “Motor City.” Additionally, their best player, All-Star Cade Cunningham, has been out for the last nine games with a lung injury, and the Pistons, who have gone 7-2 in those nine games, have not missed a beat.
Obviously, they’re going to need to get Cunningham back, who the team announced will be reevaluated in one week, if they want to make a run to the NBA Finals. For now, they enjoy a successful regular season as the turnaround continues in Detroit.
