The Detroit Pistons, missing four starters, overcame a double-digit deficit Friday night to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-105 at Little Caesars Arena, extending their winning streak to nine — the franchise’s longest run since the 2007-08 season.
Detroit (11-2) played without All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham for a second straight game because of a bruised hip. Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson were also sidelined with ankle injuries, while second-year guard Jaden Ivey has yet to appear this season after knee surgery. Center Isaiah Stewart returned after a three-game absence and contributed 14 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes.
The 76ers (8-5) were without Joel Embiid (right knee soreness) and Paul George (left knee surgery). Tyrese Maxey carried Philadelphia with 31 points and seven rebounds.
Detroit trailed by 12 late in the third quarter before two-way guard Daniss Jenkins drained a heave from beyond half-court at the buzzer, trimming the gap to two. Jenkins finished with 19 points and eight assists in 35 minutes, helping the Pistons hold Philadelphia to 15 fourth-quarter points. Detroit shot 17-for-41 from three-point range, its best total of the season.
“I’m not surprised. They’ve got a nastiness to them,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “That’s the fun part about our group. They like it when it gets thick, messy and ugly.”
Jenkins, a Dallas native who has logged two consecutive 20-point outings earlier in the week, continued his clutch shooting. “I can’t tell you my sauce,” he said, “but we are all nasty dogs, nasty boys.”
Detroit faces the Indiana Pacers on Monday, looking for its first 10-game winning streak in 17 years. The Pacers enter tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Source: ESPN
