By Kyle Soppe
After a disappointing All Star Break, we are back in business with daily box score breakdowns. As always, any requests are welcome, as I will schedule the breakdowns based on your input, so don’t be shy!
Last night, we saw the 76ers dismantle the Pistons at Detroit, symbolic of how Philadelphia started the first half of the season. The visitors won six games in an early 16 day stretch by at least 20 points, including a 96-73 thrashing of these very same Pistons. With last nights win, the 76ers are 3-0 vs Detroit, with a combined score of (288-215)
Thad Young scored only 23 points in the first two blowouts, but managed 20 last night. He has tallied at least 20 points in four games this season, with Philly winning three of them. Young comes off the bench, but plays starters minutes and has a starters role in the offense. The athletic forward has attempted at least nine shots in each of his last 16 games. His eight rebounds and two blocked shots matched season highs.
The 76ers had five players record at least three assists, while only Greg Monroe recorded three assists for the home team. In fact, the 76ers had more assists (26) than Detroit had baskets (25).
Philly was the only team to win all four quarters on Tuesday night. They managed at least 22 points in every quarter, while the Pistons highest output was 20 points in the first quarter. They also had three times as many players score in double figures as Detroit.
All Star Andre Iguodala scored 12 points, the 22nd straight game he has been held under 20. He made his presence felt in other ways, as he recorded at least five rebound and five assists for the 15th time in 35 games. He did connect on two triples, the same number as the Pistons. It was only the fifth time in 2012 in which Iggy has canned multiple treys in a single game.
The Pistons were paced by Monroe and Rodney Stuckey, who scored 54.4% of the teams points last night. The other 10 active Pistons scored 31 points, seven fewer than Brook Lopez poured in against the Mavs. Monroe led the team in points (20), rebounds (8), and assists (3). Since a dreadful 1/7 day from the free throw line against the Celtics on February 19th, the Pistons big man has missed the same number of free throws (6) in his last 27 attempts. Monroe averages 16.8 points per game on the season, a number that is on the rise as he has eclipsed that number in 84.6% of the games this month.
Detroit made more free throws than the 76ers attempted.
A couple of statistical nuggets from other games last night …
Brook Lopez made 17 field goals, while the rest of his team combined for 20.
The Bucks and Wizards shootout resulted in nearly five points per minute.
The Timberwolves bench scored 66.1% of their points in an upset victory over the Clippers.
The Bulls won despite missing more three pointers (15) than six teams attempted last night.
The Warriors lost by 24 to the Pacers, only managing 78 points, a season low. They have lost all nine games when the score 91 or fewer points.
The Celtics beat the Cavs despite being outscored by 15 in the middle 24 minutes of the game.
Igoudala hasn’t scored more than 20 in the last 22 games and the 76ers are in first? That says a lot about how Doug Collins is changing the culture. I have always enjoyed Igoudala’s game. Collins is teaching his star and everyone else about the the importance of the team. I will cheer for the 6ers just because Collins deserves his due as the great basketball guy that he is.