The Philadelphia 76ers move to 2-0 on the season after a 117-111 win over the Detroit Pistons, despite being without All-Star big man Joel Embiid, who was sidelined with a right ankle sprain.
In his absence, Tobias Harris led the way with 29 points and seven rebounds, while Al Horford added 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Point guard Ben Simmons was at his playmaking best, recording 10 assists to go with 13 points and a career-high seven steals, setting the tone for the 76ers on the defensive end.
🇦🇺 @BenSimmons25 records 13 points, 10 assists and a career-high 7 steals as the @sixers move to 2-0 with a 117-111 win over the @DetroitPistons #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/78aURzzh3v
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) October 27, 2019
Andre Drummond struggled to capitalise on Embiid's absence, getting into foul trouble early in the third quarter as he picked up his fourth. He managed 13 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes on court, converting just 3-of-10 from the free throw line.
Detroit led 57-54 at the half and continued to keep the pressure on the 76ers, opening the second half on a 13-3 run to stretch the lead to 70-57, before Harris single-handedly got the 76ers back into the game, going on a personal 10-0 run.
Philly stretched the lead to 10 points late in the game, before Derrick Rose cut the lead to four points down the stretch, but that's as close as they got.
Rose led the way for the Pistons, scoring 31 points off the bench, while Markieff Morris added 17 points and Luke Kennard 16.