The Sixers played stifling defense to earn a 94-83 win over the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center Wednesday night. The victory gave the Sixers a 3-1 mark in the season series between the two clubs.
Of greater concern was Nerlens Noel leaving the game with 4:27 remaining in the third quarter with a right foot contusion after going for an errant alley-oop pass. Noel did not return to action, but he did come back to the bench after having the foot examined in the locker room.
Noel wowed the crowd when he was on the floor with several highlight plays. He took an alley-oop pass from Jason Richardson and threw it down with two hands. He also swatted a driving layup attempt from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope into the third row.
Noel finished the night with 11 points, four rebounds and three blocks. He has played in 64 of the team's 68 games this season.
Turning point
The Sixers really cranked up the defense in the second quarter. They allowed the Pistons to score just 18 points on 31.6 percent shooting. The Sixers also forced the Pistons into nine turnovers during the quarter.
In all, the Sixers won the quarter 25-18 to take a 49-39 lead into halftime. That comes after the Sixers allowed the Boston Celtics to score 38 points in the first quarter on Monday.
Follow the leader
Ish Smith made his second start since joining the Sixers 13 games ago. The point guard finished with 15 points, eight assists, three steals and three turnovers.
Richardson had missed 16 consecutive three-pointers coming into Wednesday night. He finished with 14 points and was 3 of 5 from behind the arc.
Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson had a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Caldwell-Pope led Detroit with 20 points. Andre Drummond had nine points and 14 rebounds.
Stat-egic
Detroit averages the sixth-fewest turnovers in the league with 12.8 per game. The Sixers forced the Pistons into 13 turnovers in the first half alone.
Detroit took better care of the ball in the second half and finished with 18 turnovers for the game.
Take a bow
Thomas Robinson scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half. He also pulled down six rebounds. Robinson's playing time was again held in check as he logged just 15 minutes against the Pistons.
What's next?
The Sixers face the New York Knicks Friday at the Wells Fargo Center. Two of New York's league-low 14 wins have come against the Sixers. In both those games, Carmelo Anthony was the Knicks' leading scorer with 27 and 25 points. Anthony is now sidelined following knee surgery last month.
Tuesday night, the Knicks surprised the San Antonio Spurs with a 104-100 win in overtime. Former St. Joe's standout Langston Galloway led the Knicks with 22 points on 10 of 18 shooting.