76ers at Pistons
Reggie Jackson helped the Detroit Pistons finish their four-game road trip in style, and the talented guard has been significantly better at home this season. Jackson hopes to keep alive that trend when he leads the Pistons into a Wednesday night matchup against visiting Philadelphia.
The fifth-year pro had 29 points to lead Detroit to a 95-92 win at Utah on Monday to finish off a 2-2 trek, but he still averages four points more at home (21.3 points compared to 17.3 on the road) and also has significant upticks in all shooting categories and assists. Jackson scored 21 points in a 12-point victory at Philadelphia on Dec. 11, which was near the tail end of the 76ers' 1-30 start. They've since gone 6-9 and coasted past Phoenix 113-103 on Tuesday, riding another outstanding performance by Ish Smith (20 points, nine assists, one turnover) to their third straight win against a Western Conference opponent. The effort helped Philadelphia survive the absence of star rookie Jahlil Okafor, who was out with the flu and has already been ruled out for Wednesday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Detroit
ABOUT THE 76ERS (7-39): Even without Okafor in the middle, Philadelphia was the aggressor against Phoenix and got to the line 36 times, one shy of its season high. Robert Covington was the lone starter without a free throw but he continued to carry the load from the perimeter by nailing 5-of-12 3-pointers. He has taken 59 of his 75 shots over the last six games from beyond the arc, all while sporting a solid 44.1 percent mark.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (24-21): Center Andre Drummond has gone two straight games without a double-double for the first time this season, due in large part to coach Stan Van Gundy's need to limit the big man's minutes in crunch time to avoid foul-shooting issues. Drummond is 1-of-14 from the line in the last two games - both of which were decided by three points - while averaging 23.5 minutes. Backup center Aron Baynes has been the beneficiary of Drummond's woes at the line, posting a total of 21 points and 15 rebounds (compared to 11 and 14 for Drummond) in those two contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Detroit has won four of the last five meetings at home.
2. Pistons F Anthony Tolliver has made 6-of-7 3-pointers in a two-game stretch.
3. Sixers SG JaKarr Sampson missed Tuesday's win due to an upper respiratory illness.