Drummond returns as Pistons visit 76ers

Andre Drummond returns to the floor as the Detroit Pistons (20-16) face the Philadelphia 76ers (18-19) for the third time this season. Here are the three biggest storylines heading into Friday’s contest.

The City of Brotherly Love wasn’t too kind to the Detroit Pistons during their last visit.

Joel Embiid and Robert Covington each scored 25 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers came away with a 108-103 victory over the Pistons on Dec. 2.

Detroit has dropped the first two meetings against Philadelphia this season. They’ll have a chance to get some revenge Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Pistons will face one of the more talented frontcourts in the NBA. Embiid, along with power forward Dario Saric, provide a solid one-two punch for Philadelphia.

Luckily for Detroit, they’re getting their franchise cornerstone back.

Rod Beard of The Detroit News recently tweeted that Andre Drummond is active for the game.

Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

Fox Sports Detroit Plus and 950 AM will handle the television and radio broadcasts, respectively.

Enter Embiid

Any conversation about the 76ers starts (and ends) with Embiid. He leads the team in points (23.8), rebounds (10.9), and blocks (2.0) per game.

In two meetings against the Pistons this season (both 76ers’ wins), Embiid has averaged 27.5 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the floor.

The seven-footer possesses a wide variety of post moves. Unlike many centers, he can operate outside of the low post. This forces opposing centers to guard him as a perimeter threat when he leaves the paint.

In the clip above, Embiid receives the ball in the high post. He immediately squares up in front of Steven Adams, which puts him in a triple threat position. With one jab step, Embiid gets Adams to hesitate. He then uses his dribble to create space and pulls up for a baseline jumper.

Here’s a play that should look familiar to Pistons’ fans. Like Drummond, Embiid has learned to make decisions off the dribble. He fakes the hand-off to Covington, then drives the lane for an uncontested finish. It’s a fine example of court awareness.

In this final clip, Embiid opts for a running hook shot. The 76ers run this set quite often. It involves isolating Embiid on the weak side. His teammates stand along the perimeter (minus Ben Simmons) which allows him to dribble to the middle of the floor. Once Embiid finds enough separation, he rises for sky hook.

2. Raging Bullock

It’s been 10 games since Stan Van Gundy inserted Reggie Bullock into the starting lineup. In that span, Bullock has shot 60 percent from the floor and 51 percent from beyond the arc. He is averaging 13.2 points per game since Dec 12.

It was easy to brush off his impressive numbers two weeks ago, due to a small sample size of action. But he’s continued to shoot the ball at a torrid pace.

What is equally encouraging is that Bullock has become an efficient scorer. In the 10-game stretch referenced above, the most field goals he’s attempted in a game was 14. That came during the 93-79 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 30. He went 9 for 14 from the floor and finished with a game-high 22 points.

This isn’t a case of a guy receiving limited floor time either. He’s played at least 34 minutes in each of the previous three contests. That should continue Friday night, thanks to his play and the injury to Stanley Johnson.

Look for Detroit to feed Bullock on the wing, especially if Tobias Harris is heavily guarded.

3. Showing their youth

Brett Brown and his young 76ers may have the NBA buzzing. But like any unexperienced team, they’re certainly showing their youth. Particularly when it comes to decision-making.

No team in the league averages more turnovers per game (17.9) than Philadelphia. Embiid and Simmons have a combined average of 8.2 a night. A high turnover rate is expected from a team who ranks second in terms of pace (100.7 possessions per 48 minutes). Just ask the Golden State Warriors.

The difference is, Golden State has depth and outside shooting. Philadelphia does not. That’s why the 76ers rank 19th in offensive rating, averaging just 106.4 points per 100 possessions.

This is where the Pistons need to take control. Ish Smith and Avery Bradley must play the passing lanes on the perimeter. Bradley has a knack for anticipating the opponent’s next move, while Smith hustles for every loose ball.

The Pistons will have to capitalize on Philadelphia’s mistakes in order to win.