Mercifully, it’s over. The Philadelphia 76ers crushed the Detroit Pistons 123-98 in a game that was never close, to stop their losing streak at 26 games. With that, the Sixers remain tied with the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the worst losing streak in U.S. major professional sports history.
The Sixers came out hot, setting their season high with 70 points in the first half. This was after Brandon Jennings decided he needed the night off, as he was ejected arguing a call (against someone else), which netted him two technical fouls. It was that kind of night (and it’s been that kind of season) for the Pistons.
Philadelphia hasn’t had much to cheer for, but they have been fortunate enough to watch Michael Carter-Williams work. He leads all rookies in points per game (16.3), rebounds per game (6.0) and assists per game (6.3). Against Detroit, he finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block.
Thaddeus Young also scored 21 points, with six rebounds and three assists. The Sixers shot 52.2 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from the 3-point line (12-for-21) and managed to outrebound (46-44) one of the strongest frontlines in all of the NBA.
That strong trio of Josh Smith, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe probably could have stayed at home. They combined to shoot 12-for-29, with 22 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. For the game, they combined to finish with a rating of minus-46. The Pistons shot just 38.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from the 3-point line. Curiously, they actually shot well from the free-throw line (26-for-32). They entered the game as the worst foul shooting team in the NBA, at 66.6 percent.
How bad have the Pistons been? After firing Maurice Cheeks with a record of 21-29, they’ve gotten a whole lot of nothing from John Loyer, who is just 5-18.
How much of a party was it for the Sixers? Even Jarvis Varnado got in on the fun, setting a season-high with nine points, three rebounds and six blocks. Philadelphia knew they weren’t very good and had to watch Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes get traded away for 25 cents on the dollar, so it was good to see the fans have reason to cheer for once.