Jaylen Brown scores 30 as 76ers hold off Pistons, avenge their only loss and move to 8-1

The only team to beat the Philadelphia 76ers this season got a second try on Wednesday night and lost. Jaylen Brown scored a season-high 30 points, and his block in the final minute helped Philadelphia hold on for a 112-106 win at Little Caesars Arena. The 76ers are now 8-1 and have won five straight since the Pistons beat them 106-93 in Philadelphia on Oct. 25.

SB Nation's Liberty Ballers noted that the win ended a seven-game losing streak against Detroit. NBC Sports Philadelphia pointed out that it is the franchise's first 8-1 start since 2023-24, Nick Nurse's first season as head coach.

Brown did most of his damage early. He had 23 points by halftime, including a long three at the first-quarter buzzer that made it 29-21, and he added seven rebounds. Philadelphia led by 14 at the half and by 16 late in the third quarter. Then Detroit came back. Duncan Robinson scored 27 points, a run of his threes kept the Pistons in range, and Cade Cunningham, who added 26, cut the lead to four with under a minute left. On the next trip, Brown blocked Cunningham's pull-up three. The Associated Press called it the key play of the final minute, and the 76ers closed the game at the free-throw line.

Joel Embiid, playing without a minutes restriction, had 26 points and a season-best 15 rebounds on 8-of-18 shooting. His shooting from deep is still a problem: according to Liberty Ballers, he has missed every three he has tried over his last four games. LeBron James posted 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and along the way he became the first player in NBA history to reach 16,000 career field goals. Tyrese Maxey had a rough shooting night. He went 5-of-16, scored 17 of his 19 points after halftime and added seven assists.

Maxey is also the injury to watch. Liberty Ballers reported that he was favoring his right hand as Detroit fouled him late. He has had finger injuries on that hand in each of the last two seasons. He still made four straight free throws to help seal the game, and no update on his status had been reported as of Thursday morning. Adem Bona also went to the locker room in the fourth quarter after taking a hit to the head. Detroit was again without Jalen Duren (hamstring) and Isaiah Joe (hip).

What it means for Cleveland

The 76ers play Friday at the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the game on Prime Video. This is the second rematch in a row. Philadelphia beat Cleveland 114-106 at home in its second game of the season, during a 3-0 start. That makes the Cavaliers one of eight opponents the 76ers have beaten in nine games.

Their recent results also say something about how they win. Philadelphia has won five straight, and four of those were decided by six points or fewer: 112-106 in Detroit, 109-104 at Charlotte, 98-93 against New York and 114-109 at Indiana. The one comfortable win was a 126-107 home victory over Chicago. The 76ers are 4-0 on the road. Wednesday's late comeback by Detroit was a reminder that big leads have not always held.

The main question for Friday is Maxey's right hand, along with Bona's status after the hit to the head. The other is whether Embiid can end his three-point slump. Brown's scoring has covered for it so far.