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Sixers-Pistons preview: Joel Embiid to return

Sixers have lost six of their last seven meeting against the Pistons.

Sixers center Joel Embiid is expected to play after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the raptors for rest.
Sixers center Joel Embiid is expected to play after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the raptors for rest.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

76ers (0-3) at Detroit Pistons (2-1)

Monday at 7 p.m., at Little Caesars Arena

Talking Points

Sixers center Joel Embiid will return after sitting out Saturday's loss to the Toronto Raptors to rest. Monday's game will showcase two of the league's elite centers in Embiid and the Pistons' Andre Drummond. The Sixers must also try to find a way to contain point guard Reggie Jackson, who averaged 15 points against them last season.  For Amir Johnson, this will be his third straight game against one of his former teams. The Sixers reserve center was the 56th overall pick by the Pistons during the 2005 draft. He played in Detroit from 2005 to 2009.

How to watch and follow the game

  1. TV and streaming: NBC Philadelphia

  2. Radio – 97.5 FM

  3. Twitter: @PompeyonSixers

Starting Lineups

Sixers (0-3)

17 J.J. Redick G 6-4  12.3 ppg. 3.7 apg.

33 Robert Covington PF 6-9  15.3 ppg. 1.3 bpg.

21 Joel Embiid C 7-2 14.5 ppg. 13.5 rpg.

0 Jerryd Bayless SG 6-3  15.7 ppg. 1.0 spg.

25 Ben Simmons PG 6-10 15.7 ppg. 10.3 rpg.

Coach: Brett Brown (Fifth season, 75-256)

Injury report: Richaun Holmes (left wrist fracture, out)

Pistons (2-1)

7 Stanley Johnson SF 6-7 7.0 ppg 5.0 rpg.

34 Tobias Harris PF 6-10 24.3ppg. 6.3 rpg.

0 Andre Drummond C 6-11 12.7 ppg. 12.3 rpg.

22 Avery Bradley SG 6-2 12.7 ppg. 3.0 rpg.

1 Reggie Jackson PG 6-3 16.7 ppg. 6.7 apg.

Coach: Stan Van Gundy (12th season, 486-342)

Injury report:  Dwight Buycks (left hip flexor strain, doubtful), Reggie Bullock (NBA suspension).

Last series meeting

The Pistons pounded the shorthanded Sixers, 136-106, on March 4 at the Wells Fargo Center. It was the second-most points scored against Sixers last season. They had only nine available players as Jahlil Okafor, Embiid, Simmons, Gerald Henderson, Bayless, and Tiago Splitter were sidelined. Nik Stauskas paced the Sixers with 24 points. … The Sixers own a 173-138 series advantage, but have lost two straight and six of the last seven matchups.

Upcoming games

Wednesday: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Houston Rockets at Sixers

Friday: 8:30 p.m., at American Airlines Center, Sixers vs. Dallas Mavericks

Oct. 30: 8 p.m., at Toyota Center, Sixers vs. Rockets

Nov. 1: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Atlanta Hawks vs. Sixers

Nov. 3: 7 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center, Indiana Pacers vs. Sixers