NBA: Pistons ride strong fourth quarter to knock off 76ers
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) sets up a play in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Cade Cunningham had 27 points, six assists and four steals and the host Detroit Pistons held the Philadelphia 76ers to 15 points in the fourth quarter in a 102-94 victory on Thursday.
Saddiq Bey had 20 points for Detroit (21-56), which snapped a three-game losing streak, while Kelly Olynyk contributed 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Killian Hayes added 10 points and three steals and Isaiah Livers tossed in nine points for the Pistons, who never led until the fourth quarter.
Joel Embiid carried the Sixers (46-30) with 37 points and 15 rebounds, but he also committed seven turnovers. James Harden had 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists but shot 4-for-15 from the field. Tobias Harris had 14 points and Tyrese Maxey chipped in 13.
Detroit’s bench outscored Philadelphia’s reserves 39-8.
Cade Cunningham looked like a seasoned vet leading the @DetroitPistons to victory at home!@CadeCunningham_: 27 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL pic.twitter.com/zQtJSMBhz2
— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2022
The Pistons’ Marvin Bagley suffered a left hip flexor strain after getting fouled by Embiid in the third quarter; Bagley departed after shooting free throws.
The Sixers outscored the Pistons 18-4 at the free throw line in the first half and led 54-50 at the break. Embiid scored 10 of his 18 first-half points on foul shots and Harden made six free throws en route to 14 points. Philadelphia didn’t have a lead bigger than eight thanks to Cunningham, who scored 14 points before halftime.
Detroit’s Cory Joseph tied the game at 60 early in the third with a 3-pointer. Philadelphia soon had a 10-2 spurt, including four points from Embiid, to reestablish an eight-point advantage. Detroit clawed back within three points, but Embiid scored seven in the last 1:46 of the quarter to give Philadelphia a 79-73 lead heading into the fourth.
A 7-0 spurt put Detroit in front for the first time, 86-85. Cunningham capped that off with a layup. Livers and Bey knocked down 3-pointers to give the Pistons a 93-87 advantage with 4:23 left.
Bey’s layup after Cunningham’s steal increased the lead to eight points. After another Sixers turnover, Cunningham fed Olynyk for a layup to make it 99-89. Bey’s 3-pointer then ended all suspense.
