The Detroit Pistons didn’t need any of their starters to defeat Chicago on Wednesday and extend their winning streak. Regardless of which players suit up, the Pistons will look for their ninth straight victory when they host Philadelphia on Friday night.
The game is part of the NBA Cup. Detroit is 1-0 in the Group Stage thus far, courtesy of a 125-107 victory over Brooklyn last week. Philadelphia is 0-1 in the in-season tournament after losing to Boston 109-108 on Oct. 31.
Despite being severely depleted, the Pistons never trailed against the Bulls. Making his first start since the 2023-24 season with Philadelphia, center Paul Reed piled up 28 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals to lead the way.
“That win (Wednesday) was 100% a character, an identity, win,” said coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “It speaks to the guys’ willingness to do things and go places that other people aren’t willing to do and aren’t willing to go, and we’ve got a locker room full of guys that will do that. Man down, over and over again but everybody found a way to step up and contribute.
“Our energy from beginning to end was amazing, our effort was unreal. The connectedness of the group, the conversations, the communications was high level. But just the heart and spirit — it was overwhelming and you could feel it.”
Two-way player Daniss Jenkins had another big game with 18 points and 12 assists. Jenkins scored 24 points in an overtime win over Washington on Monday, including a game-tying 3-pointer in the final second of regulation.
Reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Cade Cunningham, who racked up a career-high 46 points against the Wizards, missed Wednesday’s game with a hip contusion. Usual starters Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris and Ausar Thompson were sidelined due to ankle injuries, and Jaden Ivey has yet to make his season debut as he rehabs from knee surgery. Key reserve Isaiah Stewart also sat out with an ankle ailment.
Philadelphia’s star center Joel Embiid missed Tuesday’s game against the Celtics due to a knee injury. It didn’t matter, as the Sixers pulled out a 102-100 victory. They trailed by eight points midway through the fourth quarter.
“It’s a good thing to have, knowing how resilient you are as a team,” said guard Quentin Grimes. “But we know, we don’t want to be in too many of those games, coming into that third quarter, a team makes a run. Then we have to fight and claw and scratch to get the lead back. But it’s a testament to how hard we’ve been working as a team, how collected we are as a group in that locker. So it shows on the court with those scrappy late fourth-quarter and overtime wins.”
Justin Edwards scored a season-high 22 points in 27 minutes off the bench.
“I love him,” coach Nick Nurse said of Edwards. “I don’t worry about him. Works extremely hard. He really worked on his shooting. He goes out there and tries extremely hard on defense every time.”
The Sixers will look to avenge Sunday’s 111-108 loss to the Pistons. Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points and 11 assists.
