Slumping Pistons welcome 76ers to Palace

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Two slumping clubs will come together in Detroit on Sunday as the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Pistons. Detroit has dropped two straight and four of its last six after a home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, while Philadelphia is just 1-7 in its last eight. 76ers coach Brett Brown told CSNPhilly.com this is all part of the process, saying, "We have forecasted this from Day One. It's my job to make sure we keep everybody focused in relation to what we're trying to accomplish here."
The Pistons took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter on Friday but couldn't hold on, done in by the 3-point shooting of the Lakers and their own inability to score outside the paint. Detroit dominated down low, scoring 76 points in the paint but didn't make a field goal from outside until late in the third quarter. "Offensively, down the stretch, we could have had better execution," guard Rodney Stuckey told the Detroit Free Press, adding, "We've just got to keep working."
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Detroit
ABOUT THE 76ERS (6-11): Philadelphia was sloppy in a loss to New Orleans on Friday, shooting only 42.9 percent from the free-throw line and committing 20 turnovers. The Sixers are shooting a mere 69.3 percent from the line on the season, ranking 28th in the league. When asked about the team's troubles at the stripe, a frustrated Brown simply said, "I don't know. I really don't know."
ABOUT THE PISTONS (6-10): Josh Smith had an opportunity to tie Friday night's game late but was called for a charge after driving the lane. Smith, Detroit's prized free-agent acquisition this offseason, has struggled this season, averaging 13.8 points - his lowest output since 2005-06 - and is shooting a career-low 39.7 percent. Stuckey leads the Pistons as their top reserve, averaging 16.9 points and just over 28 minutes off the bench.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. F Evan Turner leads the 76ers, averaging 21.4 points, while adding 7.1 rebounds.
2. Detroit is shooting an NBA-worst 66.8 percent from the free-throw line and 28.8 percent from 3-point range.
3. Philadelphia PG Michael Carter-Williams averages 17.2 points and 7.2 assists to lead all NBA rookies.