Pistons Look to Build on Blowout Win Over Nets as Injury-Plagued Sixers Visit

Detroit aims to extend its lead atop the East against a Philadelphia squad missing key players

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:20pm

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The Detroit Pistons will host the injury-hit Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, looking to build on their dominant 138-100 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Detroit ended its longest skid of the season at four games with the blowout victory, which also served as payback for a narrow home loss to the Nets the previous week. The Pistons raced to a 73-40 halftime lead and never looked back, with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren combining for 47 points. Despite their recent struggles, Detroit still holds a 3.5-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers, meanwhile, are trying to climb out of the play-in tournament and secure a top-six playoff spot, but injuries to key players like Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are complicating that effort.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pistons are looking to maintain their lead atop the East, while the Sixers are fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. The outcome could have significant implications for the playoff picture in the East.

The details

The Pistons are coming off a dominant 138-100 win over the Brooklyn Nets, in which they raced to a 73-40 halftime lead and never looked back. Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren combined for 47 points in the victory. Meanwhile, the Sixers are dealing with injuries to key players like Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, which has made their push for a top-six playoff spot more challenging. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe will be tasked with filling Maxey's role as the primary ball-handler.

  • The Pistons and Sixers will face off on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Detroit ended its longest skid of the season at four games with the blowout win over the Nets.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' All-Star guard finished with 21 points and 15 assists in the win over the Nets, committing just two turnovers.

Jalen Duren

The Pistons' All-Star center dominated inside, making nine of his 10 shots and leading Detroit with 26 points.

Tyrese Maxey

The Sixers' All-Star guard will be sidelined for at least three weeks with a finger injury.

Joel Embiid

The Sixers' star center is dealing with an oblique strain.

VJ Edgecombe

The Sixers' rookie guard will be tasked with filling Maxey's role as the primary ball-handler.

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What they’re saying

“The pressure that they put on people and the decisions they have to make, what the other team is willing to live with, and try to take away. It put so much pressure on teams, and now, they have to send extra bodies, and then, everyone gets a chance to eat.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons Head Coach (si.com)

“You can't replace Tyrese Maxey. He's one of one. ... Obviously, all year. It hurts for him to go down, but now everyone else has to step up. He knows it's next man up.”

— VJ Edgecombe, Sixers Rookie Guard (si.com)

What’s next

The Pistons and Sixers will face off on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with Detroit looking to extend its lead atop the Eastern Conference and Philadelphia trying to climb out of the play-in tournament.

The takeaway

This game will be a crucial test for both teams as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pistons' dominant win over the Nets has them in a strong position, but the injury-plagued Sixers will be fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.