76ers 96, Pistons 73
Spencer Hawes finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds to help the Philadelphia 76ers win their home opener with a 96-73 triumph over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
Jodie Meeks scored 16 of his season-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, Lou Williams had 16 points and Thaddeus Young added 15 for the 76ers, who were the last NBA team to play at home following a five-game road trip to open the campaign.
Greg Monroe led shorthanded Detroit with 22 points, while rookie Brandon Knight had 10 points and nine rebounds in his first career start. The Pistons were missing their starting backcourt of Rodney Stuckey (groin) and Ben Gordon (personal).
Philadelphia held Detroit to 15 second-quarter points on the way to a 43-34 halftime lead.
Austin Daye pulled the Pistons within five points early in the third, but the 76ers countered with seven straight, with Young’s free throw pushing the advantage back to 54-44.
Meeks nailed four 3-pointers in the final stanza to give Philadelphia a sizable cushion.
Detroit missed all 10 of its 3-point attempts.