Watch CBS News

Pistons Take Out 76ers 119-104

Delon Wright scored a career-high 28 points and Wayne Ellington had another impressive shooting night for Detroit, leading the Pistons to a 119-104 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

Philadelphia 76ers v Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 25: Delon Wright #55 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Tony Bradley #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 25, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 119-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jerami Grant scored 25 points for the Pistons (4-13), who still have the NBA's worst record but took advantage of Joel Embiid's absence. The Philadelphia star was out with back tightness.

Detroit acquitted itself well in this two-game mini-series with the 76ers. Philadelphia needed a big game from Embiid to prevail 114-110 on Saturday night.

The Pistons never trailed in the rematch. Ellington scored 20 points, shooting 6 of 9 from 3-point range. It was his fifth straight game with at least four 3s, tying a team record set by Joe Dumars in 1998-99.

"I had Ray Allen and Dirk Nowitzki and some guys like that," Detroit coach Dwane Casey said. "He's right in that class as far as a shooter's concerned."

Philadelphia 76ers v Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 25: Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons tries to get to the basket past Matisse Thybulle #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on January 25, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 119-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Ellington is 30 of 50 from beyond the arc in his last six games.

"We're going to keep giving him the ball," Wright said. "He's a great shooter. He helps our offense flow."

Tobias Harris led Philadelphia with 25 points, but the 76ers (12-6) never made much of a run after the Pistons controlled the early going. Detroit's Josh Jackson was ejected in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia couldn't take advantage.

Sixers coach Doc Rivers wasn't panicking about the loss.

"We didn't play well tonight. This was a very winnable game in my opinion, we just didn't win the game," Rivers said. "I'm not going to overdo it right now. Way too early. ... I like our team. I like how we're playing overall."

There were five technical fouls in the game.

Philadelphia 76ers v Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 25: Danny Green #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers tries to drive around Svi Mykhailiuk #19 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on January 25, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Detroit took an early 17-4 lead and was still ahead 64-50 at halftime. The third quarter came and went without the lead getting any tighter than seven, and it was never closer than nine in the fourth.

"We want to make this our normal thing," Wright said. "We don't want to celebrate a win. We want to continue to get wins and build on it."

TIP-INS

76ers: Rivers and C Dwight Howard received technical fouls in the second quarter.

Pistons: Derrick Rose (left knee) missed the game. ... Detroit came in averaging a league-high 44.1 bench points per game. The Pistons had only 29 on Monday.

MISSED CHANCE

Jackson and the Philadelphia bench were both called for technicals with 8:06 remaining in the fourth — the 76ers' technical was announced at the arena as being on Mike Scott, who wasn't even active for the game.

Philadelphia 76ers v Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 25: Dwight Howard #39 of the Philadelphia 76ers gets a shot off around Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on January 25, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Then, 33 seconds later, Jackson was called for an offensive foul and a second technical, meaning he was ejected. The foul was ruled a flagrant, so after all that, Philadelphia had three free throws and the ball.

Ben Simmons missed two of the free throws and Harris missed the other, leaving the 76ers still down 99-85.

UP NEXT

76ers: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in a matchup of two of the top teams in the league so far.

Pistons: Visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Detroit lost to Cleveland 128-119 in double overtime Dec. 26.

© 2021 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.