Simmons struggles, Sixers lose to Pistons to split series

For the first time in four tries, the Sixers have failed to win a miniseries.

With the NBA’s condensed 72-game season, to reduce travel time, teams are playing several miniseries throughout the season. Each series lasts two games with one team hosting both. Previously, the Sixers swept 2-game sets at home against the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat.

Their first road series did not follow the same script. After winning a tight affair against a scrappy Pistons team on Saturday night, the Sixers came up short on Monday, falling to Detroit 119-104, dropping their record to 12-6 at the season’s quarter mark.

There weren’t many positives to take away from this one., The Sixers struggled to score efficiently without Joel Embiid, who sat with back tightness. They shot just 42.6% as a team including 32.1% from three. Embiid’s presence was also missed on the glass, as the Sixers were outrebounded 47-36. Defensively, while they forced 18 turnovers, their rotations generally seemed a tick slow and unorganized without the 2-time All-Defensive center patrolling the paint—the Pistons shot 50.0% from the field and 44.7% from deep, and they attempted 38 free throws.

Dwight Howard got the start in the middle and struggled mightily against the lively Pistons frontcourt. The 35-year-old scored a mere 5 points and corralled just 4 rebounds in 24 minutes, and the team was outscored by 23 in his time on the floor. Tony Bradley fared much better off the bench. The 6’10” big has played sparingly this season but was ready to go tonight, recording 12 and 9 in roughly the same playing time as Howard.

Tobias Harris paced the Sixers with 25 points, but he also turned the ball over four times. Tyrese Maxey had his best game since the Miami series—after totaling 4 points in his last three games, the rookie scored 17 on 12 shots, including a 2-of-3 showing from beyond the arc. It was Maxey’s first game with multiple 3-pointers since January 9, and he had gone his last four games without a single 3-point make.

Perhaps the most disappointing individual performance on the Sixers belonged to Ben Simmons. In what was a perfect opportunity to put the team on his back with Embiid sitting, the jumbo point guard instead struggled across the board. In foul trouble all night, Simmons was limited to just 21 minutes and produced an uninspiring 11 points. He also had just four rebounds and an equal number of assists.

Meanwhile, Detroit played with great energy and pace. After a poor showing on Saturday, Jerami Grant bounced back with 25 points on just 13 shots. He also snagged 8 rebounds and dished five assists without a single turnover, showcasing an immensely improved and diversified skillset since his time as a Sixer during the Process years. Plumlee was an interior force all night, recording a double-double with 10 points and rebounds apiece.

The Pistons also received a stellar performance from their starting backcourt. Wayne Ellington and Delon Wright combined for 48 points on just 22 shots, including a scorching 10-of-17 showing from deep. Wright added 7 rebounds and 9 assists in a career night.

Detroit led from the opening bucket to the final buzzer. 15 first quarter points from Ellington and Wright fueled a 34-23 first quarter advantage. Every time the Sixers chipped away and started to make a run, the Pistons responded. By halftime they had actually expanded their lead, heading into the break on top 64-50.

The Sixers played the Pistons to a push in the 3rd quarter, and in the final frame things finally slipped out of their grasp completely. At one point, Philadelphia found itself down by 21 points.

The Sixers can’t dwell on this loss for long. They return home Wednesday to host the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30 p.m. The Lakers are currently a league best 14-4. Something will have to give—Philadelphia boasts the best home record in the league at 9-1, while Los Angeles is undefeated in ten road games on the year, a franchise record to begin a season.