Pistons vs. Sixers GameThread: Game time, TV, odds, and more

The season is, for the first time, starting to feel like a slog. And the schedule isn’t going to make things any easier. There are two winnable games (in the academic sense only) between now and Feb. 21. After this two-game stint against the Sixers, the Pistons go to Cleveland to face the Cavs, and there will be a winnable matchup against the Warriors on Jan. 30. Otherwise, it is the Lakers (twice), Nuggets, Jazz, Nets, Pacers, Celtics, Spurs, Mavs, Grizzlies. Yikes. Any win will be a steal, so why not steal a win tonight?

The big difference tonight, and the only thing giving Pistons fans some semblance of hope, is that Philly star Joel Embiid is out with back soreness. Embiid gave the Pistons fits, particularly Mason Plumlee, and torched them for 33 points and 14 rebounds. Derrick Rose remains out for the Pistons.

Game Vitals

When: 7 p.m. EST
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Fox Sports Detroit
Odds: Pistons +7

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (3-13)

Delon Wright, Wayne Ellington, Jerami Grant, Blake Griffin, Mason Plumlee

Philadelphia 76ers (12-5)

Seth Curry, Danny Green, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Dwight Howard

Pregame Reading

Much of Pistons’ young core showing promise when given opportunity — Detroit Free Press

Beard: Pistons are better served with Blake Griffin in the starting lineup — Detroit News (subscribers only)