DETROIT, Mich. — The two best teams in the Eastern Conference so far meet Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena, where the 6-1 Detroit Pistons host the 7-1 Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m.
Detroit already owns the only blemish on Philadelphia’s record, a 106-93 win on the road Oct. 25 in which Cade Cunningham posted 26 points to go with eight assists and eight rebounds. The 76ers played that night without Joel Embiid and guard VJ Edgecombe. Detroit has won six straight against Philadelphia, and early lines list the Pistons as 2.5-point favorites.
Embiid is back, though he is playing through plantar fasciitis in his right foot and is on a minutes limit. Philadelphia has won four in a row, most recently 126-107 over Chicago on Monday, when Tyrese Maxey scored 26 and Jaylen Brown 25.
The Pistons have won three straight and have held each of their last four opponents under 95 points. On Monday they pulled away from Charlotte for a 124-91 win as Cunningham poured in 33 points on 13-of-20 shooting and added five steals, five boards and seven assists while playing only 27 minutes. He has topped 30 points in two of his last three games.
Detroit remains without center Jalen Duren, who is out with a hamstring strain. Depth has carried the load: Duncan Robinson is averaging 18 points and hitting 45% from three, Ron Holland has 29 points over the last two games off the bench, and Ausar Thompson is available after missing the first meeting.
The Pistons won an East-best 60 games last season and reached the second round of the playoffs.
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