3 observations after Sixers slip to 1-3 with a loss to Pistons originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Pistons are no longer undefeated and the Sixers are still without a winning streak.
Detroit moved to 1-4 this season with a decisive win Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Center, notching a 105-95 win over the Sixers.
Tyrese Maxey posted 32 points and seven assists for the Sixers, who fell to 1-3.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored 22 points and Jaden Ivey had 23.
The Sixers were left without Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) and Paul George (left knee bone bruise).
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that he expected both players to do on-court work Thursday and Friday. Nurse again offered no firm return timelines but said he thought he would have a clearer idea on Friday. The Sixers next game is Saturday night against the Grizzlies.
Here are some observations about the team’s loss against Detroit:
Harrys’ winning trip back
To no one’s surprise, Tobias Harris was booed on every touch in his return to Philadelphia.
The Sixers played a short joint tribute video for Harris and Paul Reed at the first stop of the game. Reed received an unmistakably warmer reception than Harris.
The home crowd enjoyed when Harris missed two long jumpers in quick succession on Detroit’s final possession of the first quarter. Ditto for a Maxey back-to-back jumper over Harris in the second period.
Several of Harris’ skinny and floaters didn’t bounce back generously in the first half on Wednesday night. He scored some hoops inside during the third quarter and had a nice second half, finishing the evening with 18 points on 8-for-18 shooting and 14 rebounds.
Sixers are sliding into a serious hole
The Sixers’ first-quarter offense revolved mostly around Maxey-Drummond pick-and-rolls.
Maxey was efficient, subtly varying his timing and converting tough buckets, including an and-one on a leaner and sweeter shot. He followed his 45-point performance Sunday against the Pacers with a 10-point first quarter.
Nurse submitted Maxey a little earlier than usual, eliminating him with 3:12 left in the first period. While the Sixers were good to close the first quarter, they were terrible to start the second. Rookie Ron Holland II’s fast-break layup capped a 15-0 Pistons run that put Detroit up 37-28.
One of the Sixers’ biggest problems has been their lack of run-stopping options. Without Embiid and George, every opponent knows the Sixers are short on players who can create their own shots. The Sixers’ jumpers were all cold in the second quarter as well. The team started 4 for 16 from three-point range.
As the Sixers’ fouls piled up, Detroit also seemed to chase down the most balls that were ready. The Pistons grabbed three offensive rebounds on a single second-quarter possession and seemed to gain confidence that they could beat this version of the Sixers.
Pistons close the door without a problem
The Sixers sank into a 21-point deficit when Malik Beasley drilled a second-chance three.
Almost everything in the Sixers’ half-court offense was on Maxey’s shoulders. The Sixers had little in the way of a meaningful secondary offense. Nurse tried unconventional lineups and used a zone defense late in the third quarter, but the Pistons kept the scoring going.
However, Detroit’s early season struggles in the fourth quarter resurfaced early in the final period on Wednesday night.
Starting big man Jalen Duren fouled out early in the fourth and the Sixers found some juice. Jared McCain, Maxey and KJ Martin also scored inside during a 9-0 Sixers spurt that cut the Pistons’ lead to 87-77.
The Pistons avoided any real swagger, though. Soon enough, they had a 20-point advantage again and their first win firmly secured.
