Javonte Green Leads Short-Handed Pistons to Comeback Victory Over 76ers
In a thrilling NBA matchup, Javonte Green spearheaded the Detroit Pistons to a comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, finishing the game with 21 points and nine rebounds. With this win, the short-handed Pistons extended their winning streak to nine games, triumphing with a score of 114-105 on Friday.
Key Players and Performances
The game was a part of the NBA Cup, with Detroit improving to 2-0 in the Group Stage. Philadelphia, however, fell to 0-2. Several Pistons contributed significantly:
- Daniss Jenkins: 19 points, 8 assists
- Duncan Robinson: 15 points
- Caris LeVert: 14 points
- Isaiah Stewart: 14 points
On the other side, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 points. VJ Edgecombe added 18 points, while Justin Edwards and Andre Drummond made notable contributions with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Injuries Affecting Both Teams
The Pistons faced significant challenges with several key players out due to injuries. Star point guard Cade Cunningham missed his second consecutive game because of a hip injury. Other sidelined starters included:
- Tobias Harris (ankle injury)
- Jalen Duren (ankle injury)
- Ausar Thompson (ankle injury)
Additionally, 76ers center Joel Embiid sat out with a knee issue, impacting Philadelphia’s performance.
Game Highlights and Turning Points
Detroit concluded the first half strong, finishing with an 18-8 run to lead 63-54 at halftime. However, the third quarter proved challenging as the Pistons went scoreless for nearly 4.5 minutes. During this time, the 76ers capitalized and surged ahead by five points.
Key moments included:
- Tyrese Maxey’s layup extending Philadelphia’s lead to 77-68.
- Back-to-back 3-pointers by Drummond and Edwards, pushing the 76ers’ advantage to 83-71.
- A late Detroit 17-7 run ended the third quarter, with Jenkins sinking a remarkable 52-foot shot just before the buzzer.
Decisive Final Quarter
The fourth quarter saw tension build as Wendell Moore Jr. tied the game with a layup. Shortly after, the Pistons took the lead with a basket from Paul Reed. Green’s free throws extended Detroit’s lead to 103-97, as LeVert hit two crucial 3-pointers, increasing the margin to 109-101.
In the closing moments, Green made additional free throws, sealing the victory for the Pistons. LeVert capped off the game with a dunk, ensuring a comfortable 114-105 win.
Overall, this victory not only highlights the resilience of the Detroit Pistons in the face of adversity but also sets the tone for their continued pursuit of success in the NBA Cup.
