In an unbelievable turn of events, the rebuilding, fourteenth-seeded Detroit Pistons pulled off a Thursday upset win over the Philadelphia 76ers, 102-94, behind the late-game heroics of Saddiq Bey who dropped 10 out of his 20 markers entering the 4:23 mark of the fourth frame.
MVP Candidate Joel Embiid’s 37 points and 15 boards were wasted upon the disappointing defeat, as the bench mob of the Sixers wasn’t able to place an added firepower against the Pistons after carving a 3-for-12 shooting in a lowly eight points.
As such, his fellow star James Harden tried to cover the underperformance of their team’s supporting unit upon playing the majority of his minutes with them and taking the major offensive assignment. Yet, Doc Rivers believes that the second unit could have been active possibly if he placed Harden more as a facilitator.
“They didn’t struggle, they didn’t get a lot of shots in their defense,” said Rivers. “I think during that stretch, it was more James than them. It was just a tough night.”
Unfortunately, Harden went for an uncharacteristically 4-for-15 field goal shooting in the loss. This performance has to become a basis of adjustment for Rivers to let the bench contribute more and be involved in spite of a tough showing.
The Sixers dropped to 46-30 and will aim for a bounce-back in facing the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday to heighten their standings in the East.
