Sixers-Pistons: What you need to know

Sixers vs. Pistons, 7 p.m. – CSN
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

Line

Sixers minus-7 



Last meeting

The Sixers closed out the 2011-12 season in Detroit with an 108-86 defeat. Though the Sixers were resting their regulars for the playoffs that were to begin in two days, the Pistons were led by Ben Gordon’s eight three-pointers. Gordon made seven of those three-pointers during the second quarter as the Pistons went 14 for 32 from beyond the arc.


Records
Sixers: 4-3 (third place in Atlantic Division)
Pistons: 0-8 (fifth place in Central Division)



Previous games

The Sixers were frustrated by Milwaukee’s slick point guard Brandon Jennings, who used his speed and outside shooting prowess to pour on 33 points in the Bucks’ 105-96 victory. The loss halted a three-game winning streak for the Sixers.

The Pistons are still seeking their first win of the season after blowing an 11-point fourth-quarter lead on Monday against Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined to score 25 of Oklahoma City’s 30 points to overtake the Pistons.

Who's hot

Jrue Holiday continues to fill the stat sheet and is a veritable double-double waiting to happen every night. Holiday is third in the NBA with nine assists per game and leads the Sixers with 19.1 points per game. The last time the Sixers had a player average 19 or more points per game was Andre Iguodala (19.9) in 2008-09.

Meanwhile, Dorell Wright has snapped out of an early-season shooting funk and is burying three-pointers. In the past two games, Wright has sunk eight three-pointers. He also has made 10 of his last 20 and has made at least one three-pointer in all seven games this season. Additionally, Wright is eighth in the NBA with 2.1 steals per game.

Who's not

Perhaps it’s only fair if Holiday finds himself under both headings. After all, with eight turnovers in the loss to the Bucks on Monday night, Holiday has committed 29 turnovers in the last four games and leads the NBA with 42 of them.

Since turnovers became an official NBA stat in 1978, only one team (1984 Los Angeles Lakers) has advanced to the finals with a player averaging more than 4.1 turnovers per game.

Meanwhile, Lavoy Allen’s uninspired play continued during the loss to the Bucks. In 13 minutes, Allen missed both of the shots he took and grabbed just two rebounds. He went 0 for 5 with zero rebounds in 23 minutes during the victory over Toronto last Saturday.

For the Pistons, at 0-8, we’ll say they all are not hot. Sure, they have had some close calls, but it still says 0-8 on the ledger.

Probable starters

Sixers
Jrue Holiday (19.1 ppg, 9 apg, 6 TOs )
Jason Richardson (10 ppg, 2 spg)
Lavoy Allen (4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
Thad Young (13.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
Evan Turner (11.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg)

Pistons
Rodney Stuckey (9.3 ppg, 4.3 apg)
Tayshaun Prince (11.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Greg Monroe (15.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg)
Brandon Knight (11 ppg, 6.5 apg)
Jason Maxiell (9.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg)

Injuries

Andrew Bynum (bone bruise) is out again. The Sixers are hopeful he returns to practice Dec. 10.

Additionally, Kwame Brown (calf strain) is unlikely to play Monday night.

For the Pistons, Corey Maggette (calf strain) is out indefinitely.


E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com