The Sixers (7-39) close out a back-to-back set against the Detroit Pistons (24-21) at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m./CSN).
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup:
1. That’s more like it
The Sixers heard Brett Brown’s message loud and clear.
After the team put forth a lackadaisical effort in a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the Sixers’ head coach didn’t hold back the criticism of his team.
The young Sixers might not have responded well to that harsh critique earlier in the season, but they came out firing on Tuesday against Phoenix. Six players scored in double figures as the Sixers notched a 113-103 win over the Suns for the season sweep.
"We reminded ourselves of what's most important, tried to give a performance that's energy- and effort-based to the fans and the city of Philadelphia," Brown said. "We didn't play like that the last time that we played. ... All over the place, I thought our defense was good and our toughness was good."
2. Andre the giant
The Sixers will need to show that same level of toughness against the Pistons, particularly center Andre Drummond.
NBA
Drummond is an absolute beast. He is averaging 17.1 points and a league-leading 15.2 rebounds to go along with 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. He had 18 points, 16 boards, four blocks and two steals in the season’s first meeting with the Sixers, a 107-95 Pistons victory on Dec. 11.
With Jahlil Okafor sidelined because of an illness, Nerlens Noel will draw the Drummond matchup. While Noel has played better at his natural center position this season, he knows it will take a strong effort to contain Drummond, who will be looking to rebound after consecutive subpar showings (just 11 points and 14 rebounds combined in the Pistons’ last two games).
"I’ve played against him a few times, so I know what his game’s like," Noel said. "I’m going to have to body up, make sure to keep him out of the paint, limit his rebounds around the basket."
If all else fails, the Sixers could just opt to foul Drummond. The notoriously poor free throw shooter is connecting on an unthinkable 34.7 percent from the charity stripe this season. That number has even managed to dip to just 30.8 percent over his last five games thanks to a record-setting 13-for-36 night against the Houston Rockets last week.
Drummond is 1 for 14 from the line in his last two games.
3. Deep impact
With Drummond patrolling the paint, the Sixers may look to operate from outside where they continue to improve as the season goes along.
Despite still being near the bottom of the rankings in three-point percentage (33.1), the Sixers have found the mark from long range lately. They have reached double digit three-pointers in four of the last six games, including 11 in Tuesday’s win over the Suns.
The Sixers’ biggest threat from deep of late has been Robert Covington. The marksman has drained 26 threes during that six-game stretch.
Detroit is stingy defending the three-point arc. The Pistons are third in the league in threes allowed at 7.1 a game. They held the Sixers to 6 of 18 from long distance in the season’s first matchup.
The Sixers are tied for 11th in the NBA in attempted threes per game with 25.3 a night, so they won’t be deterred from letting it fly.
4. Injuries
Jodie Meeks (foot) is out for the Pistons.
Isaiah Canaan was doubtful to play on Tuesday with soreness in both wrists. However, he logged 10 minutes before leaving with a left ankle sprain. He is a game-time decision for Wednesday’s matchup against the Pistons.
Okafor and JaKarr Sampson (illnesses) are out for the Sixers.
5. This and that
• The Sixers have alternated wins and losses over the last five games.
• Detroit returns home after a four-game road swing.
• The Sixers still haven’t won consecutive games since beating the Pistons and New York Knicks on March 18-20 of last season.
• Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris each scored 21 points for the Pistons in the first meeting.