Detroit Pistons vs. 76ers at a glance

Detroit Pistons vs. 76ers at a glance

TEAMS: Pistons (29-32) vs. Sixers (23-38)

WHEN:  6:05 p.m.  Saturday

WHERE:  Wells Fargo Center

BROADCASTS: TV – CSN RADIO – 97.5 FM

SOCIAL MEDIA COVERAGE:  TWITTER – @PompeyOnSixers, INSTAGRAM – PompeyOnSixers

411 ON PISTONS:  Detroit is 1 ½ games ahead of the Miami Heat for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 21 games remaining in the regular season.

However, the Pistons have lost two of their last three games. The result of their last game wasn't even close. The struggling New Orleans Pelicans rolled to a 109-86 victory on Wednesday.

So they've had three days to rest and think about getting back on track so to speak.

PISTONS (29-32)

13 Marcus Morris SF 6-9 14.6 ppg. 4.9 rpg.

30 Jon Leuer PF 6-10 11.1 ppg. 5.7 rpg.

0  Andre Drummond PF 6-11 14.7 ppg. 13.9 rpg.

5 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG 6-5 14.4 ppg. 2.8 apg.

1 Reggie Jackson PG 6-3  14.7 ppg. 5.5 apg.

Coach: Stan Van Gundy (11th season, 476-328)

Injury report:  None to report

PROBABLE STARTERS

SIXERS (23-38)

33 Robert Covington SF 6-9  12.4 ppg. 1.96 spg.

9 Dario Saric PF 6-10  11.4 ppg. 6.2 rpg.

8 Jahlil Okafor C 6-11  11.5 ppg. 4.9 rpg.

11 Nik Stauskas SG 6-6  9.1 ppg. 2.1 apg.

1 T.J. McConnell PG 6-2 6.5 ppg. 6.1 apg.

Coach: Brett Brown (Fourth season, 70-237)

Injury report: Ben Simmons (right foot fracture, out), Jerryd Bayless, (left wrist ligament tear, out), Joel Embiid (left knee meniscus tear, bone bruise, out), Tiago Splitter (right calf strain, out), Gerald Henderson (left-hip soreness, out)

THE SERIES

The Sixers own a 173-137 series advantage.

LAS VEGAS LINE

Detroit is a 4 ½-point favorite.

LAST SERIES MEETING

Okafor displayed his trademark offensive prowess in Feb. 6's 113-96 loss to the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

He finished with a team-high 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Okafor was also arguably the most active he has been during his time as a Sixer. He, however, finished with four rebounds and one steal in 25 minutes, 46 seconds. In addition to the small number of rebounds, foul shooting was a negative. He made just 2 of 7 attempts.

All this came on a day when the Sixers were involved with trade talks with the New Orleans Pelicans surrounding the second-year veteran.

Saric added 13 points for the Sixers. Covington finished with 11 points in his first game back after missing the previous three with a bruised right hand, and McConnell had 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.

North Philly native Morris paced the Pistons with 19 points. Drummond had 16 points, 17 rebounds, three steals, one assist, and one block.

UPCOMING GAMES

Monday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Milwaukee Bucks at Sixers

Thursday: 10 p.m., at Moda Center, Sixers at Portland Trail Blazers

March 11: 3:30 p.m., at Staples Center, Sixers at Los Angeles Clippers

March 12: 10:30 p.m., at Staples Center, Sixers at Los Angeles Lakers

March 14: 10:30 p.m., at Oracle Arena, Sixers at Golden State Warriors.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.