The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Detroit Pistons, 97 - 79, at Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday. The Sixers (6 - 18) came in to the contest short - handed, as Joel Embiid was given the night off to tend to elbow inflammation, while starting point guard Sergio Rodriguez sat out with an illness. That opened the door for Jahlil Okafor and T.J. McConnell to enter the starting five, and both parlayed their opportunities into highly productive performances. McConnell came within an assist of a triple - double, tallying 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while also adding three steals. Meanwhile, Okafor stepped up with 14 points, nine rebounds, an assist, two blocks and a steal. The two players combined to go 12 - of - 18 from the field, and the Sixers shot an outstanding 56 percent from the field overall, keying what was only their second road win of the season. Robert Covington actually led Philadelphia in scoring, posting 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Ersan Ilyasova was right behind with 15 points, eight boards and a pair of steals. Nik Stauskas received some extra run off the bench as a residual effect of Rodriguez's absence, and he turned in 10 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal to lead the second unit. Nerlens Noel, making his season debut after recovering from a knee injury, was only able to log 10 minutes off the bench before being forced from the game with a sprained ankle. He supplied eight points and a steal during his time on the court. Marcus Morris led the offensive effort for the Pistons (13 - 13), registering a game - high 28 points and supplementing them with two rebounds, an assist and a block. Andre Drummond posted a 14 - point, 14 - rebound double - double that also included an assist and an impressive six steals. Reggie Jackson totaled 10 points, three assists, a rebound and two steals. However, Tobias Harris and Darrun Hilliard, who received the start in place of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee), only mustered a combined 13 points. Stanley Johnson, just recalled from the D-League, contributed six points, four assists, two rebounds and five steals. The Sixers return home to face off with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, while the Pistons travel to Dallas to tangle with the Mavericks on Wednesday evening as well.
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