The Philadelphia 76ers’ first setback has arrived. After three comfortable wins that raised hopes even further, if that were possible, LeBron James and company watched the Detroit Pistons take their home with an intense display of basketball, falling 93-106.
The Sixers are a very good side and will be among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but the Michigan side made it clear they cannot take anything for granted, least of all when there are other teams like them who are fully developed and know exactly what to do on the court.
With that conviction, and taking advantage of Joel Embiid’s absence, the reality is that the Pistons dominated from start to finish; so much so that by the middle of the second quarter they were 20 points up and, going into the final period, despite a timid response from the hosts, they never really saw the victory at risk, moving to a 3-0 record and becoming one of the teams still unbeaten.
LeBron James, running on empty?
That is what we have been seeing since pre-season, and it looks like it will stay with us for much of the regular season. LeBron already rested in the previous game with lower back pain, and in this one he finished with 18 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists.
The truth is that, given the company he has, it is even logical. Four all-stars together means the load has to be shared. However, last night Jaylen Brown was really poor, shooting 5 of 20 from the field, while Tyrese Maxey’s 29 points were not enough.
The Pistons and the right to be favourites
The Knicks are the best, look how Philadelphia has strengthened, watch out for the Heat with Giannis Antetokounmpo… Despite all the hype, Detroit have been largely underrated despite coming off a season of as many as 62 wins. Well, they are setting about convincing even the most skeptical.
Winning on the road against these Sixers, and doing so with such authority, puts them in the spotlight. Cade Cunningham led the way with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, setting the pace for a supporting cast that, despite the absence of Jalen Duren, also shone: 21 points for Duncan Robinson and 18 for Daniss Jenkins. In our preview we spoke of ‘making their name in the jungle’ and they are certainly doing just that.
(Photograph by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)