

Photo: Getty Images1
The Detroit Pistons kept their surge rolling in the NBA In-Season Tournament on Friday night, outlasting the injury-ravaged Philadelphia 76ers 114–105 in an East Group B matchup that swung wildly in both directions.
Detroit, already without Cade Cunningham (hip), Jalen Duren (ankle), Tobias Harris, and Ausar Thompson, entered the night severely shorthanded. Philadelphia wasn’t any healthier, missing MVP center Joel Embiid once again due to lingering knee issues. But despite the absences, both teams delivered a high-tempo, back-and-forth battle.
The Pistons seized early control with a 23–9 run in the second quarter, fueled by a breakout stretch from Javonte Green. The veteran wing scored 13 in the period and ignited Detroit’s bench, helping flip an early deficit into a nine-point halftime lead.
The momentum didn’t last long. Philadelphia stormed out of the locker room with a 14–0 burst to open the third, turning turnovers into transition buckets and pushing the pace behind Tyrese Maxey’s relentless attack. The Sixers eventually built a double-digit cushion as Detroit struggled to settle in.
But the league’s hottest team refused to crack. Detroit answered with a 13–4 run to close the third, regaining rhythm and setting up a tight finish.
In the fourth, the Pistons executed like a team that’s forgotten how to lose. Green knocked down clutch free throws in the final minutes, and Caris LeVert delivered the dagger with a breakaway dunk to put the game out of reach and extend Detroit’s winning streak to nine.
Green paced six Pistons in double figures with 21 points and eight boards, while rising guard Jaden Jenkins stayed hot with 19 points and eight assists. Maxey poured in 31 for the Sixers, and rookie VJ Edgecombe added 18, but Philadelphia couldn’t recapture its third-quarter spark.
Detroit will try to push the streak to 10 when it meets the Indiana Pacers on November 18. Philadelphia looks to regroup the same night against the struggling Los Angeles Clippers.



