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Doc Rivers, Sixers react to taking care of business in easy win over Pistons

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday looking to sweep the home-and-home series while also sweeping the season series from their Central Division opponents.

The Pistons are a young and rebuilding team still looking to find their way on the floor and they were missing the likes of Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic, Marvin Bagley III, Jalen Duren, and Isaiah Stewart. They were very short-handed as they invaded the Wells Fargo Center and the Sixers welcomed Joel Embiid back to the lineup.

Therefore, Philadelphia just wanted to handle business and get out of this one healthy. They did just that as they led by as many as 41 on their way to an easy 147-116 win over the Pistons at home.

“They had tons of guys out,” said coach Doc Rivers. “They’re injured, they’re young, and so for us, I just thought we had a professional game. We came out and play the right way. Built the lead and got our guys that need to play some minutes which was great. It was good to see Jaden (Springer) and Paul (Reed) and all the guys play tonight. That was good for us.”

Considering that the Sixers are still a team trying to get everything right for a deep playoff run, a business-like win like Tuesday is needed. The Pistons are an inferior opponent and Philadelphia did what they had to do.

“I don’t know if we would have did that earlier,” added James Harden. “So just progress for us. We knew that they were short-handed players or whatnot, but it’s not even about them or anybody else. It’s about us so I think we handled it like we’re supposed to. Came out, took care of business, and get ready to go for next game.”

The Sixers essentially made this a game that was over in the third quarter. Harden and Joel Embiid did not play in the fourth and they were able to see what their other youngsters can do in a game situation on Tuesday.

“We didn’t want to mess around,” said Embiid. “I don’t know about my teammates, but I wanted to make sure that we were all together and on the same page and that it was gonna be a three-quarter game and not messing around with the game. We did that. So we got to build on that.”

The Sixers will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

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Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire