3 observations after Sixers earn blowout, wire-to-wire win over Pistons

3 observations after Sixers earn blowout, wire-to-wire win over Pistons originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers earned a shorthanded, blowout, wire-to-wire win Saturday night in Detroit.

They notched a 111-96 victory over the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena, moving to 4-14 this season. Detroit fell to 9-13.

Tyrese Maxey posted 28 points and six assists.

Both KJ Martin and Ricky Council IV were outstanding off the Sixers’ bench. Martin tallied 19 points, his most yet as a Sixer, on 7-for-8 shooting. He also had six rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Council recorded 17 points and five rebounds.

Paul George returned from a three-game absence with a left knee bone bruise and had 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting, eight rebounds and five assists over 26 minutes.

The Sixers were missing Joel Embiid (left knee injury management/personal reasons), Caleb Martin (upper back soreness), Kyle Lowry (right hip strain) and Reggie Jackson (right knee soreness). Andre Drummond suffered a right ankle sprain in the first quarter and did not return.

Cade Cunningham (left sacroiliac joint sprain) was a late scratch for a Pistons team playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Sixers will next face the Hornets on Tuesday night in Charlotte. Here are observations on their decisive win Saturday:

Sixers work through yet another injury 

The Sixers opened their second consecutive game with Guerschon Yabusele and Drummond in the frontcourt. Jared McCain, who’d started the team’s last seven games, served as the backup point guard.

George’s decision-making was strong in the early going. He drove and kicked the ball to Kelly Oubre Jr. for the night’s first basket, then tossed a successful alley-oop to Drummond.

After a Drummond tip-in, he appeared to step on Tobias Harris’ foot and went down to the floor in pain, grabbing his right ankle. Teammates Justin Edwards and Council assisted him back to the locker room with 8:27 left in the first quarter. Unsurprisingly, the Sixers officially ruled Drummond out for the game early in the second quarter.

Drummond’s exit led to rookie Adem Bona’s first NBA action…

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