The Detroit Pistons remain sharp late in the season even without Cade Cunningham, having defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second time within the last week on Thursday, April 2.
Now they depart for a two-game road trip. They’ll face the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday, and then fly south to play the Orlando Magic on Monday.
The Pistons’ magic number is one to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. One win or one Boston Celtics loss will give the Pistons home court in the first three rounds of the playoffs.
The Pistons are 3-0 against the 76ers this season, but none of the games have involved Joel Embiid or Paul George. Embiid (right oblique injury management; illness) is also out for Saturday’s contest.
The 76ers come off a big win Friday over Minnesota, 115-103, and catch the Pistons still without Cunningham, who suffered a collapsed lung and will miss his 10th consecutive game. The Pistons are 7-2 without him in that stretch. Daniss Jenkins, the former two-way player, will again start at point guard.
All-Star center Jalen Duren has been dominant in 22 games for the Pistons since returning from a two-game suspension, averaging 23.3 points on 66.8% shooting with 11.1 rebounds. However, the Pistons could be without him in Philadelphia. He’s questionable due to illness.
The Pistons have the rest advantage against Philly, but remain down standout backup Isaiah Stewart (calf) for a 12th straight game. Tobias Harris (left knee contusion) is questionable after exiting Thursday’s win in the first quarter following a collision with Rudy Gobert. Harris was at shootaround Saturday morning.
Here’s how and what to watch for in tonight’s Pistons vs. 76ers game, including the TV channel, streaming link, the lineups, injury report and betting odds.
Is Cade Cunningham playing today?
No. The Pistons’ superstar remains out after suffering a collapsed lung and is set to be reevaluated next week.
Pistons vs 76ers prediction
Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press: The Pistons have remained sharp without Cunningham and catch the Sixers without Joel Embiid, with Philly on the second half of a back-to-back. Without the superstar center, the Pistons have a great chance to extend their winning streak to three and lock up the East 1-seed. The pick: Pistons 120, Sixers 112.
Pistons vs 76ers game time
Pistons vs 76ers TV channel
Pistons injury report vs 76ers
Injury updates on players on the 15-man roster, as of Saturday afternoon.
76ers injury report vs Pistons
Injury updates on players on the 15-man roster.
Pistons vs 76ers starting lineups today
Here’s the projected Pistons-Sixers starting lineups:
Pistons vs 76ers odds
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Saturday evening.
Pistons schedule
The Pistons have five games left before the playoffs begin.
Watch the most recent episode of our podcast, “The Pistons Pulse,” streamed live weekly on the Detroit Free Press YouTube channel or listen wherever you get podcasts.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky and/or X @omarisankofa.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Will Joel Embiid play today? Pistons vs 76ers injury report, prediction
Reporting by Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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