Detroit Pistons: Five regular season games to mark on the calendar
By Travis Gibbs
![DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 8: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Brooklyn Nets during a pre-season game on October 8, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 8: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Brooklyn Nets during a pre-season game on October 8, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/ed60a8af95007a531412933a7bac74e73fcf3c3597ed7e4ac17f9d00332d68dd.jpg)
October 23 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers absolutely owned the Detroit Pistons last season. An attack led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid issued Detroit four losses in just four match-ups between the two teams.
There was drama in those games as well. Center Andre Drummond had a lot of words with Embiid on and off the court.
Joel Embiid on Andre Drummond: “He doesn't play any defense” https://t.co/R8lGlZD0xx pic.twitter.com/h333au0P1z
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 24, 2017
Embiid never backed away from the moment to speak his mind either. Here’s what he told Keith Pompey from the Philadelphia Inquirer following their win against Detroit last October:
"“Defensively, he doesn’t play any defense,” Embiid said of what he saw. “When we started the game, he was being aggressive and he was talking, too. … So what I was like [in my mind] ‘You want to do that? I’m going to kick your [butt] then. So that’s what I did.”"
You know that Drummond and the Pistons didn’t forget about this. They’re going to want to get back at Embiid and the Sixers this season. That won’t exactly be an easy task.
Philly won 52 games last season and earned the third seed in the eastern conference playoffs. They even won a playoff series against the Miami Heat. They come back this season looking to improve upon that.
There’s no way around it. These are games that the Detroit Pistons are going to have to compete in if they want to be in the postseason as well.