The Sixers and the Pistons, the top dogs in the Eastern Conference, meet in a big shootout at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Wednesday night.
The new-look Sixers, with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown adding plenty of stardust, are 7-1 and have won four straight.
Detroit, the No.1 seed in the East last year and as deep and defensively strong again, are 6-1 and showing no signs of taking any steps back.
Indeed it is the Pistons responsible for Philadelphia's sole loss so far, getting up 106-93 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 25.
76ers vs. Pistons betting picks and predictions
Detroit Pistons ML (-131)
The all-star Sixers have only been kept under 100 points twice in their first eight games this season, once by the champion Knicks, the other by the stifling Pistons.
And having suffocated LeBron and co on the road, there is every reason to think they can do so again back in Motor City.
The Pistons didn't appear to be in too many conversations going into this season despite their 60-win year just gone, and there were no extravagant change-ups to their roster - the complete opposite to what has happened at Philadelphia.
Yet this team has started 6-1 with Cade Cunningham in supreme form and their defense is as formidable as it has ever been.
Yes, Detroit is without Jalen Duren and almost certainly Isaiah Joe. But it was without Duren and Ausar Thompson when they beat the Sixers 106-93 last month.
Paul Reed will do big-man duties in Duren's absence - he had 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks on Oct 25 and did his job.
Philadelphia (7-1) boast this electric attacking unit featuring James, Tyrese Maxey, Brown and Joel Embiid, who may suit up but will play restricted minutes.
But Detroit has held teams - including Philly - to under 100 points in each of its last four wins and that looks like the deciding factor in this meeting of the East's top two.
Joel Embiid Under 29.5 Points, Assists & Rebounds (-110)
There is little doubt that Embiid spends more time feeling unfit than fit these days, but the injury-ravaged 32-year-old still possesses a real threat for the Sixers.
That said, Embiid was used sparingly in Monday night's 126-107 success over a poor Chicago.
The big man spent 25 minutes on court, sat out the entire fourth quarter, and finished up with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
Embiid is listed as questionable for the trip to Detroit, although his presence will be needed in a game where the Sixers know the physical questions asked of them will be intense.
Expect him to suit up but struggle to get to 29.5 points, assists and rebounds.
Team Totals - Philadelphia Under 107.5 (-110)
The Sixers are off to a flier to justify their summer investments but they know certain games are going to be tough - and Detroit on the road is one of those.
Three times in their first eight matches Philly has been held to 107 points or fewer, twice against the Knicks (though they won both) and in defeat by Detroit, a 106-93 loss at home.
The better defenses can put the brakes on LeBron and his gang and Detroit's is surely the best in the East.
Take the Sixers to fail to reach 107.5 points.
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76ers vs. Pistons odds
Philadelphia 76ers | +111 |
Detroit Pistons | -131 |
Spread | DET Pistons -2.5 |
Total Points | O/U 217.5 |
76ers vs. Pistons player props
Player points
Tyrese Maxey (PHI 76ers) | O/U 23.5 |
Jaylen Brown (PHI 76ers) | O/U 19.5 |
LeBron James (PHI 76ers) | O/U 14.5 |
Cade Cunningham (DET Pistons) | O/U 24.5 |
Paul Reed (DET Pistons) | O/U 12.5 |
Ausar Thompson (DET Pistons) | O/U 10.5 |
76ers vs. Pistons Team news
Sixers' center Joel Embiid (foot) is not listed but it seems likely that if he does play, he'll have limited minutes. Embiid managed 24 minutes against the Bulls on Monday, sitting out the fourth quarter of the 126-107 win.
The Pistons are missing All-Star center Jalen Duren while Isaiah Joe, out since the win over Philadelphia on Oct 25 with a back strain from a bad landing, is questionable.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
