DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 04: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives around Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on November 04, 2026 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Detroit Pistons (6-2) fall short in the battle between the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia 76ers (8-1) outlasted Detroit 112-106. Philly got up by as many as 18 points, but Detroit never truly went away. The 76ers’ stardom showed its head tonight. After holding Jaylen Brown to 16 points in the first meeting of the season, he surpassed that in the first half this time around. Brown poured in 30 points for the game while converting on 11 of his 19 shots. He rained in spot-up 3s, as it was tough to stick with him with the way Philly forced Detroit into scramble mode throughout the ballgame. Brown had a clutch block on Cade, and his presence was felt on both sides of the ball. This is not 2023 Joel Embiid, but he’s still a force. Embiid still draws double teams and can get any big in foul trouble. He and Tolu Smith got into a dust-up that injected some life into Detroit, but Philly found a way to withstand every Detroit storm. Duncan Robinson went on a few personal runs that seemed to turn the tide in Detroit’s favor. The sharpshooter went for 27 points and buried an unconscious seven triples. Robinson’s ability to look past the hands in his face to shoot the rock will pay dividends all season. It didn’t work out tonight, but Robinson is off to a different type of start as a sniper. Cade Cunningham tried to put on his cape and emptied the clip. He couldn’t find it from deep but got good looks. He went for 26 points, 11 assists, and seven boards. He got to the charity stripe and nailed every attempt (7-7). Cade had another LeBron-like chasedown block — this time in LeBron’s presence. At this point, those are truly Cade-like chasedowns, and Brown’s missed layup here shows Cade’s reputation as a chasedown artist is evident. Jaylen Brown misses the wide open layup. 😬 pic.twitter.com/jMyfS41RJG— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 5, 2026 VJ Edgecombe had a fast break sequence where he u-turned it because Cade was on the hunt again. Special defender. Ausar Thompson’s special stuff came on the boards as he snagged 17 rebounds tonight. From the opening possession, he was pogo-sticking down low to help Paul Reed and John Collins in the paint. AT chipped in 11 points, and his shot from the line continues to look better. He was 3-for-4 tonight; you’ll take the small improvements wherever you can. John Collins had his best offensive game in a few games. He was getting behind the defense, throwing down head-top slams. His ability to be a paint finisher and hit threes is why he’s here. He only shot one 3 tonight. The Pistons need more. Collins should look better when Duren comes back, in theory. Duren has rim-gravity that forces defenses to account for one of the best finishers in basketball. This was the first game where I thought Detroit missed Duren badly. From a talent perspective, Detroit was outgunned tonight. LeBron James controlled the tempo in spurts of the game. He was playing like that OG at the Y who’s keeping up with the youngins on pure know-how. LeBron draws two to the ball, Embiid does, Brown does, and Tyrese Maxey does. There’s a lot of star power over there, and this is a team Detroit could see in the long run. The Pistons did not have their sharpest defensive night, and Philly still only cracked 112. It was just one of the games. Detroit shifts their focus to another superstar in Luka Dončić. He and the Los Angeles Lakers travel to Detroit on Sunday as the Pistons take on their first Western Conference team of the season. ...read more read less