Smith Smothers Sixers: Snap Skid 114-104

Dec 18, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Pistons small forward Josh Smith (6) is congratulated by power forward Greg Monroe (10) and shooting guard Chauncey Billups (1) after hitting a shot during the fourth quarter of Detroit

– Josh Smith (22 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks, and 4 steals) wills Detroit to a comeback road victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, 114-104 to snap six-game losing skid.

We have finally reached the end of this treacherous six-game losing skid. The streak started back in 2013, Detroit at the time was (14-16), good for fifth in the East. During the streak, the Pistons saw the Raptors, Nets, Knicks, and Wizards catch fire and climb up the standings. Now, with the Brooklyn Double OT win against the Heat Friday night, Detroit still sits at number nine in the East, a half game out of the final playoff spot.

Now let us get to the highlights brought to you by “J-Smoove” himself.

The man lit up the stat sheet Friday night, with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks, and 4 steals. In a game that seemed destined as yet another blowout lose to the hands of a lesser opponent, Smith led the resurrection of the Pistons in the tail end of the first quarter on.

Along with Josh Smith, some key Pistons off the bench helped put this losing streak in the back burner. Kyle Singler (35 minutes) and Will Bynum (33 minutes) both contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds for Cheeks’ crew.

The Sixers jumped on Detroit from the get-go, opening up a 19-4 lead four minutes into the contest. The Sixers kept it going throughout the first before Josh Smith put his foot down at the defensive end of the ball, registering three of his five blocks in the final five minutes of the first quarter.

Philly led Detroit 36-28 after one, and held on to an eight point advantage after the second as the Pistons battled the Sixers to a 27-27 stand still in the second quarter. Josh Smith finished the second quarter with 16 points, 9 boards, and 3 blocks heading to the locker room at the break as Detroit trailed 63-55.

The Sixers gave the Pistons a bit of a scare to start the third quarter as the scored the first two buckets of the second half in a rather easy fashion, but Detroit charged yet again.

Behind the 18 point second half courtesy of Brandon Jennings (19 points, 6 assists), The Pistons took their first lead after back-to-back triples by Jennings, giving them a 70-69 lead with 8:51 to go in the third.

Detroit extended their third quarter lead to as many as three, leading Philly 84-81 at the end of the third. Detroit outscored the 76ers 29-18 in the third quarter.

The Pistons would finish off the Sixers in the fourth and final quarter without relinquishing the lead once in the final quarter of play. Detroit’s biggest lead of the night was the advantage at the end of the game, 10 points. Detroit outscored their opponent in the second half 59-41. First time Detroit has outscored an opponent in the second half in their last nine games.

Detroit gets back at it right away, they travel home Saturday to face off against the surprising Phoenix Suns (21-14) behind the fantastic coaching performance being put on by rookie head coach Jeff Hornaceck.