The Philadelphia 76ers are welcoming the Detroit Pistons to The Center on Saturday evening for their second to last preseason contest. Brett Brown's gang will have five days off after tonight before their final exhibition game against the Miami Heat.
Philadelphia is coming off a 100-79 pummeling at the hands of the Washington Wizards, and despite the lopsided score, there was one giant reason to be optimistic. Joel Embiid dominated the Wizards front line of Marcin Gortat and Andrew Nicholson, dropping 11 points, 12 rebounds, and a block in just 14 minutes of action.
For your viewing pleasure:
.@JoelEmbiid Highlights vs Wizards ⤵️
— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) October 14, 2016
11 PTS / 12 REB / 1 BLK / 13 MIN pic.twitter.com/QWSQp3RrCm
Thursday’s game agains the Wizards was the first time Brown decided to increase Embiid’s minutes restriction, and he plans to do it again against the Pistons. Philadelphia’s current plan is to allow Embiid to play 18 minutes, with the potential to see some action in the second half.
Brett Brown says Joel Embiid could get up to 18 minutes tomorrow, maybe 2nd half a bit. pic.twitter.com/rl8h2WD4iK
— Brian Seltzer (@brianseltzer) October 14, 2016
The eventual goal is for Embiid to play around 24 minutes on opening night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Brown is also planning on tinkering with the starting point guard, giving veteran Sergio Rodriguez the nod over TJ McConnell. Rodriguez was held scoreless against Washington, but did add seven assists in 18 minutes of action.
The Pistons currently sit at 1-2 in the preseason, and are coming off a 99-94 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Former Sixer Ish Smith led the way for Detroit, finishing with 18 points (6-10 FG, 2-2 3PT) and eight assists.
Start time: 7:00 p.m.
TV: TCN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic