With a rocky 2-2 start to the season filled with offensive ineptitude and Joel Embiid’s knee problems kicking off early, the 76ers have an opportunity to bounce back tonight against the Detroit Pistons. Considering two of the next three games at home come against the Atlanta Hawks and currently undefeated Chicago Bulls, getting a win is vital for the 76ers tonight.

This game is by far the easiest contest for the 76ers so far this season. Which not only means it should be a guaranteed win, but a chance to give some guys needed rest ahead of tougher matchups. After injuring his knee in the season opener, it has become glaringly obvious that whatever is going on with Joel Embiid’s knee is seriously effecting his game.

With ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reporting yesterday Joel couldn’t even walk for two days after the injury, it is time to rest the big man to preserve his health. What better time than a home game against the 0-3 Pistons to give his knee more time to heal.

To make a rest day for Joel Embiid even sweeter, it seems the Pistons are dealing with their own fair share of injuries as well. Number one overall pick Cade Cunningham is still not ready to play for the Pistons with an ankle injury and didn’t travel with the team to Philadelphia. Jermi Grant, by far the best player on the Pistons last season, is currently questionable to play with an elbow injury and could also miss the contest.

If Joel Embiid takes this game off, which I not only hope he does but expect him to, some other 76ers are going to have to step up in the scoring department. Hopefully that will be the 180 million dollar man Tobias Harris, who has quietly got back to his consistent scoring ways over the past couple games.

For me, I expect a bounce back Seth Curry game. Curry has shown through the first four games his multi-level scoring is here to stay on top of his natural sharpshooting ability from behind the arc. I expect him to look much more like the Curry against the Thunder than he did in the Garden on Tuesday night.

Game Odds:

Prediction:

Simply put, if the 76ers find a way to lose this game regardless of if Embiid suits up or not, I will lose my collective mind. Regardless how high or low you are on this team through four games, the sheer payroll of this unit cannot lose to a Pistons team full of nobodies, dealing with injuries to two of their best players.

I expect the 76ers to blow the brakes off this team to get the bitter taste that was the Knicks game out of their mouth. I’m so confident, I expect the 76ers to cover the 10.5 point spread handedly as well.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski.