A Big Night from Joel Embiid Sends Pistons to Franchise-Tying 21 Straight Losses

DETROIT – Exactly 40 years ago, on Dec. 13, 1983, the Detroit Pistons set a franchise record by scoring 186 points in a single game. On Dec. 13, 2023, the team tied another franchise record by losing its 21st consecutive game. This time, the Philadelphia 76ers came into town and rolled over the listless Pistons, 129-111, as the 76ers’ All-NBA center Joel Embiid posted a game-high 41 points and 11 rebounds, while dishing out five assists in just 31 minutes of action. The Pistons fell to a league-worst 2-22, while the 76ers and their high-scoring offense are now 16-7 on the season. The Pistons couldn’t stop Embiid from the beginning, with undersized starting center Isaiah Stewart taking on the assignment of trying to slow down the 7’1” big man. Embiid was fouled 10 times in the first quarter alone and finished the opening period with 19 points and eight rebounds. After a hot start from ex-Pistons forward Tobias Harris put Philadelphia ahead 14-6 just three minutes into the game, Detroit rallied back with a 9-2 run behind two James Wiseman dunks assisted by Cade Cunningham, and five quick points from starting forward Bojan Bogdanovic. Embiid began his squad’s response to...