Sixers-Pistons Summer League Preview and Game Thread

The Summer Sixers close out the “regular season” portion of Vegas Summer League this afternoon, going up against the 3-0 Summer Pistons. Philadelphia has dropped two straight games after the opening one-point win against the Bucks, including Monday’s wild overtime loss where they charged back from a 31-point deficit. If the Sixers had pulled out that victory, it would have etched their names in Summer League lore alongside Furkan Korkmaz for his epic barbecue of the Celtics, and the 2014 title squad.

While fortunately nothing serious has occurred (finds an old-growth forest and knocks on every single tree within a three-mile radius), the Summer Sixers are getting a little banged up. Shake Milton has a left ankle sprain and is out for today’s game. Norvel Pelle also sprained his left ankle, but practiced yesterday and was considered questionable coming into the day. After sitting out Monday’s loss to the Thunder, Marial Shayok also practiced yesterday and is listed as day-to-day with left knee soreness.

More than likely, Zhaire Smith and Matisse Thybulle will once again serve as the main attractions for Philadelphia, as the wing duo has performed admirably in Sin City. Thybulle’s defensive instincts have translated seamlessly to a man defense against professional competition, averaging 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks across the first three games. He has also shot 7-of-19 (36.8 percent) from 3. Smith has had some slight hiccups in an expanded offensive role, but is averaging 14.0 points per game on 47.2 percent shooting, including 3-of-9 from 3.

As for today’s opponent, second-year marksman Svi Mykhailuk leads the Pistons in scoring at 15.0 points per game, shooting 8-of-22 from downtown. Technically-former-Sixer Khyri Thomas is right there with a 15-point-per game average as well, albeit only shooting 37 percent from the field. 2019 first-round-pick Sekou Doumbouya has not yet taken the floor due to a right hamstring strain.

Can the Summer Sixers even up their record before entering bracket play? Tune in, follow along, and find out!

Game Info

Who: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons (Summer League rosters)
When: 3:00 pm EST
Where: Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, NV
Watch: NBA TV
Follow: @Liberty_Ballers