Pistons vs 76ers NBA matchup
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The gist
The 2-0 Pistons face the 3-0 76ers in Philadelphia with Joel Embiid ruled out for injury management.
Both teams are unbeaten, but Detroit is also missing injured center Jalen Duren.
Background
The Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers are both undefeated in the Eastern Conference early this season. Detroit, which led the East last season, remade its roster in the offseason, losing Tobias Harris in free agency and trading Isaiah Stewart while adding John Collins and several wing shooters. Philadelphia has leaned on a five-man core of LeBron James, Brown, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe and Joel Embiid, with only three bench players logging serious minutes. Embiid, a 76ers star center, is being held out on the second night of a back-to-back after a triple-double against Milwaukee.
How it unfolded
- Oct 24, 2026The 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 127-116; Joel Embiid posted 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his 11th career triple-double while LeBron James sat out.
- Oct 24, 2026In Detroit's 128-111 road win at Miami, Jalen Duren left in the first half with a right hamstring injury and Ausar Thompson tweaked his right ankle; neither returned.
- Oct 25, 2026Embiid is ruled out for injury management (right plantar fasciitis) on the second night of a back-to-back; LeBron James is expected to return.
- Oct 25, 2026Duren is ruled out with the hamstring injury, Thompson is questionable with the ankle, and Paul Reed is expected to start at center for Detroit.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Action Network lists the 76ers as 1.5-point favorites with a 226.5 total.
- Analysts
- SI betting writer Peter Dewey lists Pistons -1.5 and picks the Sixers to win at home and move to 4-0.
- Analysts
- Covers.com backs the Pistons at 46%, citing Embiid's absence as a major boost for Detroit.
Still unverified
Embiid's status was uncertain based on coach Nick Nurse's comments; one outlet said bettors should assume he sits, another said he could rest after playing Saturday. Ausar Thompson is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain.