Embiid powers Sixers past slumping Pistons

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid scored 24 points in his return to the lineup after a one-game absence, Ben Simmons and Furkan Korkmaz added 18 points apiece, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons for the second time in four days, winning 116-102 on Monday night (Tuesday Manila time).

Jimmy Butler who had 38 points to lead Philadelphia to a 117-111 victory in Detroit on Friday, exited in the first half with a strained groin and did not return.

Luke Kennard finished with a career-high 28 points and Andre Drummond had 21 for the slumping Pistons (13-12), who have dropped five straight after five consecutive wins.

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Detroit was missing Blake Griffin, 10th in the NBA in scoring. Griffin, who had 50, 38 and 31 points against the Sixers this season, was rested after Detroit hosted New Orleans the previous night.

Embiid was given his own night off to rest at Detroit on Friday after the 7-foot-2 star grew frustrated with his role following three straight sub-20-point performances. Embiid, though, has had little trouble against Detroit, averaging 32 points in three contests this season.

Highlighted by a couple of Simmons' dunks, the Sixers scored 38 points in opening quarter and led by as many as 15 in the first half. The Pistons pulled within five early in the fourth quarter before an emphatic dunk by Embiid and Simmons' three-point play helped Philly pull away for its 10th win in the last 12 games.

Korkmaz and T.J. McConnell both delivered big buckets off the bench in the second half. McConnell finished with 14 points and six assists.

Tip-ins

Pistons: Besides Griffin, Stanley Johnson (knee), Reggie Bullock (ankle) and Ish Smith (groin) were also out. . Unless they meet in the playoffs, Detroit is done with Philadelphia this season. They've already met four times over the first two months of the season, with the Sixers winning three.

76ers: Simmons scored his 400th point of the season during an 11-point first quarter, becoming the first player in the NBA with at least 400 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists. . The Sixers have scored at least 100 points in 17 straight games, their longest streak since 1990.

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