Sixers vs. Pistons Preview: Philadelphia looks to avenge its only loss in Detroit

The Sixers are 7-1 and face the 6-1 Pistons tonight at Little Caesars Arena, with tip set for 7 p.m. ET. Detroit handed the 76ers their only loss of the season, and Joel Embiid missed that game. Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points and it was not enough.

This time the 76ers have their main pieces. The Pistons do not. Jalen Duren is out with a hamstring injury, and Isaiah Joe is out with a hip injury.

Sixers injury report and lineup outlook

Injury report for tomorrow against the Pistons:

OUT: Dominick Barlow (low back stress reaction)

Joel Embiid is not listed. He had been dealing with a right foot plantar fascia injury and was on a minutes restriction last night. #Sixers

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) November 3, 2026

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Embiid is not on the injury report, but he is playing through plantar fasciitis in his right foot and is on a minutes restriction. He played 25 minutes against Chicago on Monday and said the foot is painful. Nick Nurse has described the issue as one that comes and goes without warning.

The 76ers list only two players: Dominick Barlow (back) is out, and Ariel Hukporti is out for the season with an Achilles injury. Jaylen Brown and LeBron James are not listed.

Maxey is the engine. He averages 29.1 points, third in the NBA, and he scored a season-high 38 against Charlotte. Brown adds 20.6 points, Embiid gives the 76ers 18.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, and James averages 16.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists.

How the Pistons match up with the 76ers

Detroit allows 100.3 points per game, the best mark in the league. The Pistons also shoot 38.1% from three, and Duncan Robinson hits 4.0 threes per game, fourth in the NBA. Cade Cunningham leads the team at 23.7 points per game.

The Sixers defend well themselves, ranking second at 105.1 points allowed. Their problems are on the other end and on the glass. Philadelphia makes 11.8 threes per game at 34.2%, and Detroit out-rebounds the Sixers by three per game on average. Duren’s absence is the Sixers’ best chance to close that gap.

Sixers prediction

Embiid’s minutes limit means Maxey and Brown have to carry the scoring against the best defense in the league. That is a tough night for a team that shoots 34.2% from three.

The Sixers still win. Duren is out, Embiid is available, and Philadelphia has a loss to answer for. Sixers 109, Pistons 106.