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Sports

Struggling Sixers visit Pistons

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

The Philadelphia 76ers didn't play like Atlantic Division Star break with a season-high five straight losses.

The Sixers are rested now and will try to stop the bleeding tonight against the Detroit Pistons in the finale of a four-game road trip at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Owners of a 3 1/2-game lead over New York in the division standings, with Boston just four games off the pace, the 76ers dropped a 93-87 decision in Houston last Wednesday despite having five players score in double digits.

Rookie Nik Vucevic led the way with 18 points off the bench and sixth man Lou Williams added 17 for Philadelphia, which fell to 7-8 away from home and has lost seven of nine overall. Thaddeus Young and Jodie Meeks scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, and All-Star Andre Iguodala added 11 points.

"I told our guys tonight it's unacceptable to get used to playing like this," said 76ers coach Doug Collins.

Collins' squad has not scored 100 or more points in the past 17 contests -- the longest such streak since failing to reach the century mark in 25 consecutive outings from Nov. 15, 2003-Jan. 5, 2004. After visiting the Pistons, the Sixers will head home for three straight games versus the Thunder, Warriors and Bulls.

Sixers forward Elton Brand is expected to miss one week with a sprained right thumb and center Spencer Hawes could miss at least two weeks because of a nagging left Achilles injury.

Iguodala enjoyed his first All-Star experience on Sunday with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists in a 152-149 loss for the Eastern Conference.

Detroit has lost two in a row since a three-game winning streak and four of seven overall, including last Wednesday's 103-93 setback at Toronto.

Greg Monroe led the Pistons with 30 points and 14 rebounds, while Brandon Knight scored 16 points and Tayshaun Prince added 14 and seven rebounds for the Pistons, who made 41.7 percent of their shots and sit last in the Central Division standings.

"In a lockout-shortened season when you get a lot of games in a short period of time, these things are going to happen." Pistons head coach Lawrence Frank said of his team's effort. "When guys just aren't going, we have to get the next man up."

The Pistons will play two straight and five of six games at home, where they own an 8-10 mark this season. Pistons guard Will Bynum (personal) is probable for tonight's game. In other team notes, Monroe is averaging 18.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in 12 games this season and Prince is posting 13.4 ppg in his last six contests.

Detroit is averaging 96.2 points in February after averaging 85.7 points over the previous two months combined. It hopes to keep up the trend against a Philly team it has lost two in a row against already this season. The Pistons are 10-5 in the past 15 meetings with the Sixers at The Palace.